Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Earth – 38; National City
At the DEO command center, the heroes of the three Earths could see blueprints of the Quantum Tower that had appeared in National City. Harbinger then explained to them:
"At the dawn of time, the Monitor placed Quantum Towers on key Earths as a last line of defence. The red skies are dissipating, which means it's working."
"So, as long as this Tower is there, we're fine?" Rocket assumed, who was standing on a table for height.
"Exactly," replied the woman in blue.
"From this design," Brainy added, "It looks like the tower is capable of generating a quantum flux field, which can, theoretically…"
"…Reverse the exogenic state of the anti-matter wave, thereby dissipating the anti-matter energy. " continued Ray, Shuri and Peter who all three had their eyes focused on the screen representing the Tower.
The Coluan seemed impressed with Atom, the sister of Black Panther and Spider-Man.
"Yes, finally people who speak my language."
Ray then turned to Kate, who was standing right next to him.
"Love your suit," he said to Batwoman. "If you want, I can probably give it an upgrade…"
He tried to grab the young woman's hand, but she grabbed his hand firmly.
"Depends on how attached you are to your hand," she growled.
"Pretty attached!" Ray grimaced.
Clint raised his eyebrows in amusement as Oliver focused on the situation:
"So the Tower can stop this Earth from being destroyed?"
"If you can protect it," Harbinger replied.
"Protect it from what?"Supergirl wondered.
"From the Anti-Monitor," Thor retorted with a thoughtful look.
At that name, Rocket and Groot swallowed in anguish, while the others were confused.
"The Anti-What?" exclaimed Peter, taken aback.
"The Anti-Monitor," Harbinger repeated. "He commands forces greater than any army. When the tower stops the wave, they will come to thwart any effort to save this planet and its people."
"An army, then," Clint retorted. "Deja Vu with Thanos!"
"Holy shit!" exclaimed Peter.
While listening to Lyla, Shuri consulted her tablet, then then she came over to Superman and Lois.
"Hey, I have good news for you," she told them. "I tracked down your son's pod. I found it."
Lois took her husband's hand, feeling relieved.
"Where is he?" Superman asked worried about his son.
Shuri looked at her tablet again while speaking:
"His pod landed on Earth, but not here. Not on this Earth. (Looking at her device, she looked puzzled.) It's weird, it looks like it walked through a temporal wormhole in space. Because its coordinates indicate Star City, Earth – 16 in 2046."
Ray and Sara shared a same look. They remembering something.
"We've been there before," Atom pointed out to his captain. "Apparently, we didn't just travel to the future."
"Yeah, we traveled to a parallel Earth in the future." Sara replied, remembering one of their missions leading them into a potential future.
Superman turned to leave in a determined stride.
"I'm going after him." he said, wanting to make sure his son was okay.
But Oliver and Thor got in his way.
"Clark, you can't," the archer said.
"He's right, Kal, we need you here," the God of Thunder added with gentle firmness.
Superman had to make an effort to stay calm so as not to get angry.
"Those are words I'm not used to hearing and my son needs me.…"
"I'm a parent and I get it." Oliver replied.
"I'm sorry, but you can't go," Thor added. "We need you here. You saw what happened at Argo. This Earth needs you to protect it. When that tower gets attacked, you have to be here to protect it."
"I'll go," Lois said with determination.
"Lois…" exclaimed Superman still worried, not wanting to lose his wife too.
"And I'll go with her," Shuri added reassuringly. "I've nothing to do here, so as far as I'm useful. I know exactly where your son is. I could find him."
"You won't have to worry, Superman," says T'Challa in joining them. "I have faith in my sister. You can trust her. She'll know what to do."
Then it was Sara who joined them.
"I'll back them up." she said. "I know the terrain."
"I'm coming too," Brainy added. "I happen to be excellent with children."
Lois joined her husband, and spoke to him tenderly with determination.
"Don't worry, I'll get him. I love you."
Shuri joined her brother. She took him in her arms.
"Be safe," T'Challa told her softly.
"You too, brother. I don't want to lose you," Shuri told him anxiously.
Before joining Lois and Shuri, Sara had turned to Oliver speaking to her with amusement:
"You know, Oliver I've seen playboy Oliver, vigilante Oliver, but I never thought I would see parent Oliver."
Kind regards, the Earth – 1's archer answered her with a smile:
"It's weird, right?"
"So weird," Sara exclaimed with a beaming smile. "But it looks good on you!"
"Uh, J'onn, I thought Director Danvers was with you." ask the Coluan as he walked near the Green Martian.
"She was," J'onn replied. "But she went to call the president to co-ordinate the evacuation, in case the Quantum Tower fails."
"She is smart, that is exactly what I was about to suggest, but has she contemplated the number of ships one would require for such an exodus?"
The two aliens had just stopped near the stairs, while J'onn replied:
"Brainy, every alien refugee on this planet came here on a ship. I intend to ask them for their help."
"Do you really think they will?" Brainy asked with a skeptical raised eyebrow. "After how the government treated them last year?"
"I have faith that everybody will do the right thing." J'onn agreed, nodding. "Humans and aliens alike."
Brainy took a small bunch of keys from his pocket.
"Well, in any event this should help."
And he threw the keys that the Martian hastened to catch on the fly.
Brainy had a sudden thought, and turned to Shuri who was getting ready with Sara and Lois.
"Uh… Sister of Black Panther, I just located where Jonathan's pod is!"
"Yeah… me too, can we just go?" Shuri replied with an amused chuckle.
"Robo-Einstein, if you're coming then move your ass." said Sara at him.
Brainy groaned, then answered in his neutral voice:
"My name is Brainiac 5!"
After her call to the President, Alex worked hard on a computer, then she was joined by J'onn J'onzz.
"The president is in." she announced. "He's speaking with other world leaders. We'll co-ordinate the effort from National City. The raccoon just contacted the Guardians of the Galaxy. They'll help as best they can. But J'onn even if we did manage to get enough ships for everyone, we can't just fly off Earth. I mean, space itself is being erased."
"Earth – 1 is the last stop on the anti-matter trajectory." specified the Martian. "We can try and get everybody there."
It was a good plan. Unfortunately to cross the Multiverse you need an interdimensional extrapolator. And to lead a population of an entire planet there, a tiny object would not be used to save everyone. They needed a large portal.
"The transmatter portal?" J'onn offered.
But Alex remained pessimistic.
"Who could build one big enough? I mean, not even Brainy has…"
"Lena," answered the Martian. "She built an enormous one for the Daxamites. I'm sure she could build one twice as big."
"No," Alex objected. "That's too big of a risk. I mean, after Myriad, after everything she can't be trusted."
Unfortunately, she knew J'onn was right. Only Lena Luthor could build a portal huge enough to save everyone on Earth – 38.
"What other choice do we have?" J'onn asked with a look leaving no other suggestion.
Supergirl went to join her cousin on the DEO balcony watching the city below. As she approached, he said without turning around:
"I'm sorry about your mom. I couldn't save her."
But the Girl of Steel remained calm and objective.
"You had no powers on Argo. There was nothing you could do."
"I feel like a fool," Superman said without looking at her. "I thought I could give up the cape and just have everything I ever wanted. And now, Argo is gone, this Earth is in danger, Lois and Jonathan are out in the universe, where I can't protect them. And part of me can't help thinking that I deserve this for thinking that I could have so much. That anyone could."
Sadly, Supergirl nodded sympathetically.
"I get it. I've been thinking that a lot, too, lately. How I can never do my mistakes outweigh all the good I've ever done. But it's not true. It can't be. And we're going to save them. When Thanos dusted half the universe, we were able to undo what he did. We were able to save everyone. But I also lost two friends. Nat and Tony. Two heroes who sacrificed themselves to save us. I hope we won't have to sacrifice heroes. But I still believe that there is still hope. For Lois, Jonathan, Argo and the people of this Earth. We can save them all."
"Then we shall have it," a voice said behind them.
The two Kryptonians turned to see Thor standing a few feet away from them.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you, but I heard what you were saying. I can… come back later."
"You can stay, Thor," Kara said gently.
Then the asgardian joined the balcony with the two heroes. He explained to them:
"Since I lost Asgard, I have been trying to protect the universe as best I can. Formerly, I dreamed of war, and of reign... but today, I am no longer that person. After Thanos, I am looking for a new purpose and to be who I am, not what is expected of me. It's you, Kara, who taught me that one can shape its own way. And you were right. We were able to save the universe, and we will do it again if we have to. We will save everyone, including Argo City. Kara, before I met you, I had never heard of Krypton. And when I see you and Kal-El, I see Krypton in you two. And you, Kal, you told Lois about your planet. You told everyone including me what Krypton stood for. Krypton isn't just a place, it's a spirit, it evokes hope, sacrifice and justice. This is what you inspired me to Kara, and what motivates me to go beyond my mistakes and my failures. Because it's by making mistakes that we learn. The burden of every hero. We have a fight. And we will fight together."
Superman looked at Thor enthusiastically.
"I now know what my cousin sees in you, Thor."
"I'm glad you're here," Supergirl told him with a smile. "Because you give me the hope of continuing to believe that anything is possible. You are worthy of an Avenger."
At these words, Thor drew his hammer and spun it like a top. Supergirl looked stunned at the sight of the gun.
"That is…"
"Mjolnir, yeah," Thor replied. "The Monitor brought it back from the past, and even modified it, as I get it. My hammer will be our guide. Although I haven't figured out what he was talking about yet."
He handed his hammer to Kara, and to her surprise, the Girl of Steel held the weapon as easily as she would hold a feather.
"I'm still worthy!"
"I have no trust in Mar Novu," the Asgardian replied. "But if he made Mjolnir come back, I'm happy!"
Supergirl smiles, flattered, while still holding Thor's hammer in her hand.
"You wanted to see me?" ask Mia entering one of the equipment rooms of DEO to find her father waiting for her.
On the table next to him was a large box.
"I did." said Oliver, looking at his daughter. "I have something for you."
He patted her proudly on the box.
Mia smiled and almost started to bounce in excitement.
"What is it?" she asked, trying to hide her excitement out of her voice.
"Only one way to find out." he told her, nodding in the direction of the box.
Hesitantly, Mia opened the box and gasped as she looked inside.
It was a dark suit with dark green shoulders and upper arms. Inside the lid was a bow with an assortment of arrows.
Mia looked at the costume in shock.
"Okay, please tell me you're planning on wearing this." she said to her father in an almost pleading tone.
Oliver replied, embarrassed.
"I don't think that that one would fit me. There should always be at least one Green Arrow." he tells her proudly.
Mia swallowed nervously.
"Dad, I can't." she told him, doubting her dignity.
"You know, Mia, the Monitor has taken a lot from me. But I will always be grateful for the time he has given me with you." said the Earth – 1's archer proudly.
"If you're not gonna wear this, no one should." replied Mia stubbornly.
But Oliver was relentless.
"You earned it." he said to her with finality.
With pride, he looked at his daughter's costume, then turned to Mia again.
"Just try it on, okay? I gotta find Barry."
Then he walked away, while Mia continued to observe the suit. At first hesitant, then she observed him with admiration and pride. But she didn't feel like Green Arrow yet. Could she become?
She heard footsteps behind him. Looking up, she saw Clint come into the room. Archer Avenger gasped in surprise.
"I'm sorry, I thought I was alone," he said embarrassed. "This place is big. It reminds me of SHIELD. What is your name again?"
"Mia," replied the archer.
"Mia, right," the archer nodded with a smile. "My name is Clint Barton."
"I know who you are," replied the young girl. "My mom told me about you. You are the archer of the Avengers."
Clint chuckled in amusement, before retorting:
"Was. Today, I retired to stay with my family. I'm here because the Monitor told me I had a part to play in this whole apocalypse mess. I thought I had seen it all with Thanos, but this… this Crisis is beyond me! (Her gaze fell on the large box Oliver had left for his daughter.) What's in there?"
"My dad gave me this suit, so I could take his place as the Green Arrow," Mia replied, looking at the contents of the box. "I don't know if I deserve it. My dad is a hero, he is the one who should wear it."
Clint looked at Mia's suit in awe before turning his gaze to the archer.
"Kiddo, do you know how to shoot an arrow?"
Mia nodded.
"All my life I have been trained to learn how to fight. I can bow and fight. I am very good."
"If there's one thing I'm sure, it's that if your dad gives you this suit, it's because he has faith in you," Clint said proudly. "Your dad, as I have met him, never does things by coicidences without a good reason. If he thinks you can do it as Green Arrow, then he's right to give you this suit. I think you should try it."
Mia smiled, then looked at Clint excitedly.
"Thank you Mr. Barton!"
Clint chuckled in amusement before retorting:
"Mia, we're heroes. You don't have to be formal, call me Clint. You say you can shoot an arrow? I would like to make you meet my daughter Lila. I'm sure you could teach her some lessons."
Mia squeezed Clint's hand proudly.
"The fastest man alive shows up late to the Crisis we've been expecting for years. It's not the best look, Barry." Oliver screeched as he and Barry stood outside the DEO building to talk.
"Lyla had us doing some recon on the Quantum Towers." Barry replied. "But listen, do you remember the newspaper article I showed you in the time vault? Red skies and a "Crisis"?"
Oliver nodded, he remembered it well, but didn't understand where the supersonic was going.
"Yep?"
"Ok, well, the Monitor confirmed the papers and in this Crisis, I'm supposed to die."
"No," Oliver objected suspiciously.
He couldn't accept the death of Flash.
Barry was confused by Oliver's distrust.
"No?" asked he.
"We need to talk. Now!" he yelled angrily and looking around.
Barry looked around trying to figure out who Oliver was talking to.
"Who are you talking to?" asked Flash, confused.
"Hey, right now!" the archer yelled again.
Suddenly with a flash of light, Oliver is transported to the Monitor's realm.
"We are past the time for discussion, Oliver." retorted Mar Novu in an imposing voice.
But the archer seemed furious.
"You and I had an agreement. I die, Barry and Kara live!" he chuckled as if it was obvious.
The Monitor nodded.
"Yes. To keep the cosmic balance."
Oliver shook his head, confused.
"So, why are you telling Barry that he has to die?"
"I spared your friends' lives so they could save the world last year."
Oliver sighed as he realized that everything he had done thinking he was saving two of the most important people in his life for nothing.
The Monitor continued, bluntly.
"This is a very different threat."
Oliver growled at the omnipresent being.
"You need to stop playing games with me. You tell me why the Anti-Monitor is doing this. And then tell me how I'm going to prevent it."
But Mar Novu still continued with his usual neutral gaze.
"Not knowing what you're fighting for means you will prepare for every possibility. Because this threat brings with it the annihilation of all life in all realities. Do you now comprehend the scope of the danger we now face?"
Oliver continued to watch the Monitor angrily.