章 297: The Bet
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(General P.O.V)
The Spaceship emerged out of FTL to overlook the glorious planet before them.
Months after escaping her captors, Starfire was back.
From outer space, Tamaran appeared as a vibrant, lush planet dotted with towering buildings and bustling cities. Its advanced space fleet quickly moved to intercept the incoming ship, their engines leaving a trail of shimmering light in their wake.
"Whoaaa...so beautiful."
Kai said, sticking her face close to the glass with an expression of wonder in her eyes.
"Meh...I've seen better."
Breeze shrugged, looking away while rolling her eyes.
"You're just mad because Selene kicked you out of the Argon sanctuary right before we left Starda."
Sai told her with a smirk. Starda was the planet they had just come from. Their father's religion was spreading very fast across the universe.
"Did not!"
Breeze shot back angrily.
"Did too!"
Sai was all too quick to respond.
"Are they always like this?"
Vaatu asked his sister, Raava. Raava sighed,
"You have no idea."
Vaatu chuckled, looking behind him to stare at Kori, who had Vor sitting on her lap. The young Kryptonian was using a small pen like object to draw an intricate flower on Kori's hand.
"I see you're getting better at that."
Kori commented, trying to distract herself from the incoming confrontation with her sister. Vor nodded with a smile. He had taken up drawing after one of the High Priestess of Aden's religion had taught him. The pen in his hand was a It was not something she was looking forward to but felt it was necessary.
Vaatu had come to bring them back to Gaea and Starfire naturally always put her kids before herself. She knew they had to go back. Looking down at the kid on her Lap, she also felt guilty for keeping him away from his second family. Vor had formed bonds with the El and Kent families and the daily video calls with Lois and Clark only showed the pain in their eyes. Lois and Clark considered Vor to be part of the family just as Aden and Kori did.
Kori's eyes looked up and made contact with Vaatu's. The spirit nodded at her and she smiled a little before looking past him at the kids. Kori got lost in them, watching as they caused a commotion by loud arguing. But she knew no matter what happened,they would never ever give up on one another. It was why she didn't want to give up on Komandr. Her kids inspired her, showed her that family stuck together through it all.
"Excuse me, miss."
The Ship's advanced AI called out. Kori lifted Vor off her lap and motioned to his siblings.
"Join the others. You don't want to miss the beautiful clouds that surrounds Tamaran."
Vor nodded before kissing her baby bump. Kori smiled.
"That's 2451. I'm sure the baby is happy."
Vor had decided to always kiss her baby bump after he'd seen Aden do it. Now that Aden was not around, he was worried the baby would feel lonely. It was heartwarming to Kori.
Vor brightly smiled before floating away.
"Go on, Ember."
Kori instructed the AI.
"Incoming transmission from Tamaran Fleet commander."
Kori pressed a switch on the console and deployed a forcefield around the ship just in case they decided to attack. She then closed her eyes and called upon her own abilities. Her bio-electric aura extended out and covered the ship as well, reinforcing the forcefield.
"Patch him through."
Kori ordered.
A few minutes later, the holo feed displayed an old and wizened officer with numerous medals strapped on his chest, flanked on either sides by soldiers.
"This is General Stil'ndr of the Tamaran Space Fleet. Identify yourself or I will be forced to shoot you down."
The only reason they hadn't was because despite the numerous upgrades Kori's Starship had undergone, they still recognized it as Tamaran technology. It was how the Gordanians had managed to capture the princess. A scheme. She hadn't seen it coming.
Kori smiled.
"General Stil, as spry as ever, I see."
At her voice the Fleet Commander widened his eyes.
"Princess Koriandr?"
News of her return spread like wildfire across the planet, causing excitement and joy among the people.
Upon the ship landing, flanked on both sides by the Tamaran Fleet, Starfire was escorted to the palace. Already, crowds of civilians were gathered around the Palace grounds to welcome her. Many of them cried in emotion upon seeing their beloved Princess.
Kori walked ahead of the party, while the kids floated behind her, looking on in awe at the wild celebrations going on. Kori waved her hands at her people, her eyes wet with unshed tears. She was back home.
Vaatu and Raava carefully scanned the crowds on either side. Kori had told them about her sister's hate for her. If there was a chance to take out Kori, Komandr would not hesitate.
Despite the initial joy of her return, the reunion was tinged with tension, as Kori knew that her sister would use any excuse to have her killed or exiled.
The queen, Komandr, had escaped captivity alone, leaving Starfire behind, and the two sisters had not seen each other since.
As Starfire stepped into the grand hall of the palace, she was met with the cool, unyielding gaze from her sister, sitting on the throne of their father with an air of superiority.
"Princess Kori..."
"...she's back."
"And pregnant too..."
"Who are those behind her..."
The officials on both sides begun whispering.
The atmosphere was charged with a sense of hostility, and Kori knew that she would have to tread carefully if she wanted to succeed. The queen's eyes were filled with suspicion and anger, and Kori braced herself for the confrontation to come.
Luckily with her enhanced abilities, there was nothing that Komandr could do to Kori. Now to see if her sister could listen to logic.
(Elsewhere)
Aden's piercing gaze met the Watcher's calm and collected one. The air was non existent seeing as they were on the Mars. Yet, the tension that filled the distance between them was thick. The Watcher hovered above the rock Aden was sat on, his white glowing gaze looking out towards what he had been charged to observe. Or lack of.
Despite the impression that they were alone, a cloud of darkness hovered over where Earth had been, twisting around. The Dark cloud was Chaos who was feeding Equity with the god's divinity while he gorged himself on the chaos produced from the end of the Earth.
"So are you going to say something?" Aden spoke up.
"You just appeared out of nowhere man. Almost gave me a heart attack too."
He rubbed his chest.
"Aden Strong." Uatu's voice was deep and clear.
"I have a question I would like to ask. What is the meaning of existence?"
Aden thought for a moment before responding, his voice filling the red landscape. "The meaning of life is subjective." He frowned.
"It depends on the individual. For some, it may be to achieve power and wealth, for others it may be to find love and happiness."
The Watcher listened intently, nodding along in agreement. "And what about for you, Aden?"
Aden was forced to think even more deeply.
"It changes. Once, I only wanted to be a famous artist. I grew up surrounded by a culture that praised music as the most authentic way to express oneself. It was a big influence." He chuckled in reminisce, before an expression of acceptance appeared on his face.
"That changed. Now, apart from the love and happiness I get from my family, on a personal level, the meaning of life is to seek understanding and knowledge," replied Aden. "To understand the complexities of the universe and all that it encompasses. To push through the limits of my capabilities and see how far I can go."
The Watcher was fascinated by Aden's answer, and asked for his thoughts on what happens after death.
Aden's eyes took on a distant look as he considered the question. "That is also subjective. Some believe in an afterlife, others believe in reincarnation. But for me, I believe that death is simply the end of one's journey in this realm and that energy simply transfers to another form."
That same principle was the one he had applied into his realm.
The Watcher nodded, his expression serious. "And what is your opinion on the gods and their role on the universe?"
Aden's face hardened. 'Here we go.' He stared up at Uatu before replying. "I have not done anything to hide my disgust for them. I believe the gods are selfish and arrogant beings who have never deserved their power. They have caused much destruction and pain throughout the universe and yet supposedly stand on the side of good."
The Watcher listened, his gaze intense. "And what about the heroes of Earth? Do you believe they have a role in the universe?"
Aden's expression softened slightly, "Heroes can serve a purpose in the universe, but it is up to them to prove their worth and earn their place. It is not something that should be handed to them simply because of their lineage or the power they possess. It's a role that is bigger than even a god's"
The Watcher nodded, a small smile on his face. "Wise words, Aden. Enlightening even."
Aden returned the smile, "Indeed, Watcher. I find your presence, despite a few... unpleasant subject matters to be welcome." He spread out his hands.
"As you can see. There is no one else
around to talk to."
Uatu inclined his head after a small nod.
"Yet those unpleasant subject matters are what has brought me here."
The Watcher stated, the ground rumbling as a rock pushed through for him to sit on. Aden pointed at the flat boulder.
"Please, have a seat. It's not plush or anything but it's better if you're seated for this talk."
Uatu blinked and wordlessly took the seat offered. A brief silence reigned between them.
"So, Watcher, why do you insist on interfering with the fate of this small small small piece of the galaxy?" he asked. "Your kind is tasked with simply observing, is it not?"
The Watcher replied, "Yes, that is true, but sometimes we must take action to ensure the balance of the universe is maintained. Earth is a very important part of that balance. And right now, the darkness I see in the future requires the intervention of the gods and heroes of Earth."
Aden was taken aback by the Watcher's words. "I see."
Could it be what he saw in their memories? Could it be Knull?
Still he shook his head.
"I reiterate the gods are assholes who chanced upon their power. Why would I bring them back because of a potential enemy in the future? There will always be heroes to handle that sort of thing. The universe practically ensures it. Bringing back the gods is not the solution to the problem, Watcher."
However Uatu remained steadfast in his beliefs.
"That may be so, but they serve a purpose in the wider universe. And the people of Earth, they are innocent. They should not be punished for the actions of their gods."
Aden conceded, "I agree. I am open to bringing back the planet for the people, I was basically about to do that, just before you showed up."
His gaze became hard.
"The people, Uatu not the gods."
If The Watcher was surprised by Aden knowing his name, he didn't show it.
Instead, he proposed a bet. "I understand your stance, but I propose a game of wit between us. If I win, you will bring back the gods along with the planet. And if you win, I will not interfere with your plans for the universe."
Aden was intrigued by the Watcher's challenge, but he was not stupid.
"And what do I gain from that? You already know how much I hate them. You know I can bring them back as well. So ask yourself, what would you give for that to happen?"
Uatu blinked.
"You want to know how to leave the universe."
Aden nodded.
"Correct!" He snapped his fingers.
"Not just that either. I want to know how to journey to other universes. My initial plan was to study the Space Stone and figure it out for myself."
He snorted.
"That plan was ruined by the same pieces of shit you want me to resurrect. I even have the Time Stone with me...somewhere. You win and I'll bring everything back. Clean slate. Like nothing happened in the first place, though I will definitely let the gods keep the memory of their deaths. I win and you show me what I need to know. I'll still bring the Earth back. It's a win-win for you."
The Watcher thought about it.
"I accept."
He finally answered.
"Oh and I'm choosing the game."
Aden quickly added.
(A few minutes later)
The Watcher stood tall, his eyes glinting with confidence. He was ready for the game of wit that was about to take place.
Across from him stood Aden, with a look of determination etched on his face. The red landscape of mars looked panoramic past the two figures staring at one another. Both had power that was unfathomable to even the most knowledgeable of mortals. A depth of power so strong it could change the entirety of the galaxy to their wishes.
"I am the strength of a dragon," declared The Watcher, starting off the game.
Aden did not miss a beat. "I am the sharpness of a sword that can penetrate even the toughest scales," he replied.
The Watcher's eyes narrowed. "I am the fire that a dragon breathes, burning everything in its path."
"I am the water that can extinguish even the fiercest flames," Aden countered, with a sly smile.
The Watcher was relentless. "I am the speed of light, faster than anything in the universe."
But Aden was not to be outdone. "I am the black hole, where even light cannot escape."
The Watcher raised an eyebrow. "I am the force of gravity, holding everything in its grasp."
"I am the power of a supernova, strong enough to break free from the hold of gravity," Aden retorted.
The Watcher was impressed. "I am the will of the universe, shaping everything according to its purpose."
Aden's reply was swift and sure. "I am the chaos that brings disorder to the orderly patterns of the universe."
The Watcher's expression became serious. "I am the infinite, unending and eternal."
Aden looked directly into The Watcher's eyes. "I am the momentary, fleeting and ephemeral."
And with that, the game was over. Aden had won, Uatu had no response.
The Watcher, who had thought himself unbeatable, was left in stunned silence. He should have foreseen this yet... hadn't.
Aden smiled.
"That's the thing, Uatu. There is always a counter to everything. Even the most fundamental aspects of reality. A duality. A mirror."
He looked out into space and waved a hand, activating Spatial Load. Everything that had been destroyed reappeared once more.
"I also brought back some of the gods. Only the ones capable of redemption though." Aden frowned.
"I owe it to Hestia at the very least." He turned to the Watcher.
"Be here at sunrise tomorrow. I need to take care of a few things before you give me what we agreed on."
Aden turned around to leave before Uatu stopped him.
"Wait, I have a question. Your final answer, what is the counter?"
Aden smiled.
"I am the timeless, unchanging, and eternal."
Uatu was taken aback.
"That was what I..."
He went silent in contemplation.
"You knew."
"I am the lord of Balance, Uatu." Aden replied cryptically, releasing a smidgen of his power. A power that made the Watcher witness something he had never seen in all of his life.
"I knew what you were going to say before you said it."
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