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***HR, Coast City, California. Garfield Technical High School***

Garfield High was one of the few buildings in Coast City that still stood during the alternate reality invasion, and continued to stand after the short lived war was over. Because of the advanced technologies provided by the schools benefactor. Along with its guardian known as Black Lightning the school had been used as a refugee camp, and base of operations for the JLI in the area. Under the school was an extensive bunker with medical facilities, workshops, and a barracks.

Unlike the rest of the city that was still shut down thanks to the meta Dex bomb. Garfield regained power, and functionality after the initial 48 hour pulse. Something that was both a blessing and a curse. It gave the students, and their families a home. While it attracted all of the wrong attention. Meta powered gangs, looters, and of course strike teams from the invasion force once they learned the school had power. Several of the auxiliary buildings had cracked under the pressure. But the main school house continued to stand.

Black Lightning aka Jefferson Pierce was sitting on the main building looking over the reconstruction of the school. Though he was in a different uniform now, that of the Principle of Garfield High. His fiancee and hopefully future wife, Lynn Stewart was next to him running through the schedule for today. Jefferson had tuned his fiancee out a while ago, not to look at something else. No, he was memorizing her curves. The dimples in her face when she smiled.

“Jefferson? ...Jefferson!... JEFFERSON!” Lynn yelled at him, and he snapped out of his fantasies.

“Yes ma'am!?” Jefferson said with a smile on his face.

“What were you doing?” Lynn said to him with a glare.

“Memorizing your pretty face, and thanking god above for blessing me with your love?” Jefferson said with a grin. Lynn gave him a very annoyed look, and hummed to herself.

“Alright....But what were you not doing?” Lynn said, as she tucked the holographic window out of sight.

“Not paying attention to the schedule for today?” Jefferson said, as his shoulders drooped. If he had been a dog his ears would have tucked to his head, and his tail would have fallen between his legs.

Before they could start speaking further on the matter a spell script began to coil next to them. After six seconds the coil sprung up, and down. Then with an audible pop! John Stewart, brother to Lynn Stewart appeared in his brand new Blue Lantern Corp suit. Lynn smiled at her brother and came to give him a big hug. Then John, and Jefferson shook hands.

“Good to see you, brother? Not that I don't mind the visits but don't you have a lot of work to do?” Lynn asked, her smile was genuine but it didn't reach her eyes. She knew her brother to well, his forced expression didn't fool her.

“Something happened? Do I need to suit up?” Jefferson offered, electricity started to dance along his finger tips.

“I don't know... I was just cleared to tell you both this. In Death Valley a Kryptonian prison ship had landed and was in stealth mode. No one knew it was there, and thankfully no one escaped during the invasion. We had a JLI team assigned to monitor the ship. Barricades, sensors, and troops. But last night the exterior hatches across the ship blew out. The prisoners escaped through the escape pods. Hundreds of pods shot up into the air, and out across the country.” John replied, the tension in his shoulders growing with every word.

“So, we may have a whole bunch of alien convicts running around the country. Fuck that! We may have alien convicts running around Coast City!?” Lynn shouted, her eyes were wide and she was in disbelief.

“I know...We just-” John started to try and comfort his sister when his communication line went up. “Go for Blue Lantern...Yes...Where!? Copy that! En route!” John said, hugged his sister and clapped Jefferson on the shoulder. Then flew off towards down town leaving a blue energy trail in his wake.

“FUCK!” Lynn shouted to the skies as she ran a hand through her hair.

“We should practice drills today.” Jefferson offered, and Lynn agreed. If it wasn't one thing, it was another...

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***Time Fragment, Kryptonopolis. Sector 68, Black Zero bunker***

“I still don't understand why we don't just kill him?” A man spoke while sitting around a computer imagery terminal.

“Because the people will know that Black Zero is responsible. Even if the inquisitors show up, and tear the whole sector apart. The people will blame us for it! We have to destroy his name, before we can kill him.” Another man said, as he took a sip from his canteen.

“What did our contacts at temple prime say?” A woman asked, as the group all looked towards a familiar woman.

“He is the key stone to the whole plan. This is a basic test to see if it can work or not.” Kela Bez-Ol said to the group.

“So, if he dies. The outreach program dies with him.” The first man, who voted to kill him spoke up.

“Maybe we are looking at this the wrong way.” Kela offered, and the group looked at her.

“Go on.”

“Why don't we use his education system to spread our agents out. We can have them take the lessons, get approved, and be sent across Kryptonopolis. Why don't we make this work for us, instead of against us?” Kela suggested, and that idea made everyone pause.

“Its basic strategy, take the tools of your enemy and use it against them.” Kela continued, paused then moved forward. “Leave Lash-Rao alone, use him to spread our own agents across the city. If things are not 100% true then we can use our communication methods to blast the truth across the net. But if they are true, then we can get our people in important positions across the city.” Kela finished and looked around the room.

“I'll second the motion.” The woman said.

“Third.” The second man offered.

“Alright, lets send a few people to the education center and start working our way up. Now, what about people disappearing in the sewer access points? Anything to report on that?” The first man asked, and the group started on a new discussion. But Kela breathed a sigh of relief.

Kela didn't want to kill Lash. Not because they had tried and failed multiple times. But she truly wanted to see if his idea would work. Yes, his idea. Their contacts at temple prime confirmed that Lash was the one that pushed for the outreach program, and he would be the test subject. Something about the attack on Kandor inspired him with the idea. Then oddly enough temple prime agreed! Kela wasn't sure why but she felt that she could trust Lash to keep his word. Also if she was being honest, the man absolutely terrified her.

“Kela?” The woman next to her asked.

“Yes?”

“Can you reach out to Lash-Rao and see if he plans to hold another feast anytime soon. Despite his good press it was a great recruitment drive for us.” The woman asked.

“I'll ask, hopefully he'll keep his word and ensure that the temple is neutral ground.” Kela said in response, as she narrowed her eyes in thought.

“Do you think the priest suspects you?” The first man asked.

“Oh with out a doubt! In fact I am sure he knows I'm Black Zero. But whether its his ego, or his optimism he wants to prove there is a none violent way to solve our problems.” Kela confessed her personal feelings on the matter. The other three shared a look, then looked back at Kela.

Kela wouldn't know it. But she had just went from indispensable, to expendable. She had been identified. Even if no one had shown up now, it didn't matter. They had to burn this bunker and move. They had stayed alive this long by being paranoid. They would continue to use Kela. But unless something changed in the next few weeks she would become a martyr to their cause. A Labor Guild official killed for speaking out against the high born masters...

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***Time Fragment, sector 68 temple. Home of Lash-Rao***

This was different. Definitely different Kursta Soll-Vol thought to herself. She wore black polymer pants that hugged her hips, and her legs. She wore three inch heeled boots that zipped up to her mid calf. Then she wore a tight, all be it long blue t-shirt that went past her hips. Then a long mynox black leather coat that went past her hips. The coat also had a hood, she understood the need for secrecy. Third in command of the barracks of sector 68 being seen walking around with the priest of the temple.

But that was not what was different. What was different was how the clothing had been made. Lash took her measurements then just reached up into the air and pulled... Pulled! The clothing out of thin air. He also made some very nice, very alluring, and comfortable underwear. Red lace was the word Lash had used. Kursta did like the design when she put it on in the refresher room.

Oh! That was another thing! Kursta still fondly remembered the several sexual moments with Lash in his home. But now Lash seem detached about it. He was still very kind, and considerate! But he never once touched her in a sexual manner. He helped her dress, and asked her questions about how they fit. But nothing overly sexual. Kursta wasn't sure why, but she found herself finding comfort in his actions.

“What are you making now?” Kursta asked as he walked over to Lash who wore much the same she did. Black boots, black polymer pants, shirt, long leather coat. He had made a necklace for himself, then he presented her with two red jeweled ear pieces.

“These are inscribed with anonymity. Put them on, and as long as you don't do anything to outlandish everyone will just thing you are like everyone else.” Lash said with a smile, and a twinkle to his eye.

“OK....” Kursta said with an eye roll. She clipped the earrings on and felt a shiver of energy roll through her body. She looked at herself and didn't see any difference.

“Wonderful! Come on! I bought us tickets for the play of Kilu-Ton, and the battle of Kinok.” Lash said with a grin and held out his hand. Kursta loved that play! She grinned at him and took his hand...

Different! Again this was different! Not that she was complaining! Lash spoke to Epsilon, and Praetor. Then they left through the front door of the temple. Several people asked Lash if he had seen the priest. The priest in front of you? Lash said that the priest was walking through sector 68 looking for buildings to rebuild. They accepted that answer and left with out a fuss.

Lash led Kursta through the dense crowds of 68 and they flowed through them like cilico (fish) swimming through the water. No one pushed into them, no one even seem to notice them. Lash stopped to talk to a few people about a few things. All the while never letting go of Kursta's hand, or arm. She felt a connection there. Nothing so childish. But a connection of energy, more like if he would let go she would get lost in the hustle and bustle of the crowd.

They arrived at the transport hub. Lash passed his hand through the terminal sensor and it recognized him as priest Lash-Rao even if the people around him didn't see him. Then a luxury transport came over. Kursta had ridden in one of them only a few times in her life. Justicars had a transportation pass on duty or off. But at its highest it was business. The transport was fully furnished with plush cushion seats. An open snack, and drink bar, and most of all! They were alone in the whole transport.

“How did you do that?” Kursta said as she came to sit next to him on the luxury seat.

“Magic!” Lash replied, which only earned him an eye roll from Kursta. Magic? Please, Kursta wasn't eight years old anymore. Magic wasn't real!....Wasn't it?

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Lash snickered at Kursta's eye roll. Then he noticed that Kursta was sitting up straight, shoulders back, chest sticking out. Perfectly at attention on the seat. That wouldn't do! Lash pulled her towards him and she blinked at him in surprised. Then she eventually settled in next to him, his arm wrapped around her shoulders. She leaned in, and set her head between his shoulder and neck. It would take almost twenty minutes to reach the Artist Guild enclave in Kryptonopolis.

Lash reached out and cast Sooth, Nature's Supplement, and Nature's Kiss on Kursta. The tribal marks on his bald head glowed green. He had done that several times in front of Kursta. Cast spells, and not once did she ask about his tribal marks. That was when he was sure she couldn't see them. No one could. He'd have to talk to Dawn to confirm it. But since Lash-Rao didn't have them in his background. Then no one would see them. That was an important detail for future Rifts.

Kursta groaned in delight as the effect of the spells settled over. Her fingers trailed up and down his chest. While his own fingers trailed down her neck and back. He had made reservations ahead of time through Connectivity for the play at the enclave. Normally it was difficult to get tickets but with his War Priest status it was surprisingly easy. Plus all the while he was enjoying this day with Kursta his Virtual Intelligence tech-spirits were researching the Phantom Zone frequency key, and the layout of the Genesis chamber.

Thanks to Sensory Awareness Lash had a clear line of sight on Kursta. He could see that she clearly wanted to talk about what had happened. When she died. But she also just wanted to enjoy the moment. Enjoy the day with Lash so she kept it to herself. Opening and closing her mouth several times but no words ever came out. So, Lash filled the void with their itinerary. First was the play, it was in fact one of Kursta's favorite plays.

Kilu-Ton, and the battle of Kinok was at its core a love story. Two warring houses were arranged to be married to stop the fighting. However, a rival house that hoped that the two warring houses would consume one another kidnapped Kilu's intended, Zulini Vul-Tuat. Like most love stories the man of course raced across the land encountering dangers, and befriending individuals that came to help him along the way. What made it different was that Zulini didn't need to be saved. She fought against her captors and escaped all on her own. Having her own adventure, encountering dangers, and befriending people. All in an attempt to return to the one she loved.

They actually pass one another. Kilu towards the enemies stronghold, Zulini heading home. When Kilu learns his intended had already escaped he turns right back around and goes home. While Zulini learns her intended had gone to search for her. She turns around and goes to look for him. They end up meeting at Kinok, which is an open valley. Where all three houses meet for a battle. Through some stress filled situations they find each other on the battle field. Kiss! Then declare war on the house that had almost brought their houses to ruin.

The luxury transport that Lash had paid extra for would wait for them. He had paid for the entire day. They went to a massive theater made from crystal core stone. The play was as Lash expected a drama with a bit of dry humor involved. But it was definitely a battle born romance. Kursta despite her training as a justicar was on the edge of her seat in their private box half the time. She must have seen the play over a dozen times. But to see it at the Artist Guild enclave was a rare treat. Lash agreed, the special effects, the scene changes, and the battles all looked really realistic.

Next! They went to a restaurant in astronomy tower for lunch. Once more Lash made reservations. The restaurant in question was spectacular, the food was good, yes! But what they had done is place whole eating area inside a planetarium. They played some of Krypton's best star gazing events. Where a cosmic event took place and they got to watch a nebula of energy be born in the ocean of stars above. It was fucking amazing! Lash made a personal note to copy the idea and make a restaurant like that with Ghost Industries.

After lunch they visited the crystal caves. It was a nature preserve that was under a portion of the city. Vast caverns with natural crystal types, colors, and natural formations. This was actually the very cavern that the house of El learned to manipulate crystal construction. So it was a historical landmark. All of the crystal structures used across Krypton. The idea, and artificial creations came from this very cavern. This very large cavern! Lash touched every single crystal he could get his hands on. Why? He used his Transmuter Title, and Material Shaping. He learned the chemical formula for each one. Now, he could create, and craft the crystals. Kryptonian Science received a huge chunk of experience.

Last of the day they boarded their luxury transport and set it to a loop at the tail edge of the city. Several luxury transports did this, they would just sit back and watch as the red sun of Rao bathed the city in its glow. The science council central building would set up fantastical rainbows across the whole metropolis. It was like watching stars being born, and wink out within seconds. As the sun set at last the transport headed back towards sector 68. Lash, and Kursta slipped through the crowds easily enough and retreated to his home.

“May I take a bath?” Kursta asked, Lash had a soaking tub in his refresher room.

“Sure, get undressed I'll start running the water.” Lash said, and moved to the room.

Lash walked into the refresher room and tapped a key pad the soaking tub came out of the wall and started to fill up with warm to hot water. Lash didn't see any products so he just made a few bottles filled with oils from Earth. He stripped down to a set of bathing shorts and nothing else. Then he sat down on a stool next to the tub. Kursta peeked inside and saw that Lash was waiting for her. She looked at him with a raised brow.

“Come on in, I'll wash your hair, and scrub your back.” Lash said with a grin. Kursta made an o face and stepped into the room wearing only a towel.

She seemed oddly shy, it was not the first time he had seen her naked. Oh! That was right, most of the time the lights were off. Lash could see perfectly in the dark so he never noticed. She placed the towel to the side, and slipped into the tub with a delighted sigh. Lash noticed she kept the necklace on. He had taken the earrings back when they got back to his home. Lash moved his stool to the head of the tub and gently guided her back.

“Did you enjoy your day off?” Lash asked, as he poured hot water down Kursta short cropped blond hair. She sighed contently, a smile growing across her face. Her eyes fluttered closed before she spoke.

“I did... What ever was bothering me before seems to have settled down. Or maybe its just you?” Kursta asked, skirting the subject they had been ignoring.

“Bit of both. I can give you something to help. But it will take weeks before you are back to 100%. Sorry about the side effects.” Lash said sincerely, Kursta sat up then turned around to look at him seriously. Her bashful, and shy nature gone.

“Don't apologize for saving my life, Lash. Not ever.” Kursta said, her fierce stare was oddly adorable to Lash.

“OK, sit back down. As odd as it may sound I enjoy doing this for the people I care about.” Lash said with a grin. Kursta nodded, and leaned back against the tub. Then her lips tugged upward.

“So....You've done this before for other people? Back at temple prime.” Kursta asked, and Lash laughed.

Lash confessed that he had. As always the superstition that the Religious Guild were a bunch of eunuchs was miss placed. The Religious Guild had houses like any other guild. They had families, they had the genesis chamber for children. But tell an entire city of men, and women that they can't have sex? Fuck that! Fuck you, and you, and also you! You come back to my room later for intensive study. Yes, study! Kursta burst out laughing when Lash told that joke.

Lash washed, and conditioned her hair. Then scrubbed her back, and many portions of her body down with a scrub brush, sponge, and bath salts. Apparently Krypton didn't have bath salts! Sacrilege! By the end of the bath Kursta looked like she was about to pass out. Lash drained the tub and pulled her out and carried her to the bedroom. He toweled her off and tucked her into bed. Yes, Lash settled in beside her. But she was asleep before he even settled down...

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Beep...One of Lash's tech spirits sent him a notification. They had found the phantom zone frequency key. It was in the science council primary tower. Of course it was! The tower had over two hundred floors. It reminded Lash of the mega-towers that you would see in cyber fantasy books, movies, etc. It was not impossible to say that many Labor Guild workers that served in the tower. Would be raised, lived, and die inside of a tower never seeing the outside except through a window.

Jor-El didn't have the credentials anymore to retrieve the key. His unpopular belief in Krypton's destruction had earned him disfavor. Until his head was on straight, he had been temporarily removed from the science council. They thought he was insane for wanting to place the entire population of Krypton into the phantom zone. Then travel to a habitable planet, and have every one start over... Wait a minute.

“Dawn, is there a way to save Krypton.” Lash asked into the darkness softly.

“I don't know, User. Is there?” Dawn replied with a teasing tone of voice. A smile slowly grew on Lash's face.

Kal-El, and Kara Zor-El had to go to Earth. But that didn't mean that Lash couldn't completely fuck up the time line after that. In for a penny, in for a pound. But how was he going to do this? Lash pulled up the store catalog in 'silent' mode. So not glittering book, or holographic window. The only person that could see the store catalog was him. Apparently this had come in a new version update because the Users complained about it. So, now Lash could activate the store at anytime as long as he wasn't in combat.

Tectonic stabilization? There were dozens of different machines. He applied his unique tech tree for magitek. That narrowed it down to six different machines. They came in double deluxe sized towers larger than the science council building. All the way down to a machine about fifteen feet high, and ten feet around. However, that one had specific standards. It also costed him 500 DP. Lash only had 550 DP left after his spending spree with the Watch Tower. He was sure he would get more DP after the Rift. But he wasn't sure how much. He still needed to buy a bunker for the moon operation. Then the lunar academy, and planetary shield. Fuck!

Was Lash really going to spend all of his points on a world that he may never see again? Lash took a moment to look at Kursta, her arms tucked into her chest. Her face pressed against his shoulder, and chest. Her slow, relaxed breathing tickling his face. Yes, yes he was going to do that. Crap! If he had a blue lantern ring he could even change the red sun back into a yellow sun. Holy crap! Billions of super powered Kryptonians? That just made Lash shiver in fear, and excitement. But he was getting off subject. Lash reached out and purchased the blue print

Attention User! You have selected A grade tectonic stabilizer.

This item is worth 500 DP.

You have purchased A grade tectonic stabilizer.

Attention User! You have found a way to possibly save Krypton. You must now find a suitable place to build, and plant the device. The sooner the better.

Optional Objective: Find a suitable location for the device.

Optional Objective: Build, and plant the device.

Optional Objective: Current percentile chance of success. 0.0000000000%

Comment: Your Cosmic Patron is staring at you wide eyed, and a grin is growing across their face.

Lash blew out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. The blue print was saved to a memory stash in his UI. He only had 50 DP after all that. Now, he had to contact to Jor-El and tell him that he may have found a way to save Krypton. But oh, you still have to send your son away. Because there is a minuscule chance it will work. He had his tech-spirit that had finished searching for the Phantom Zone key. Start searching for the deepest known location on Krypton. Kondor was a gaping wound on the surface of the planet. Molten lava poured out endlessly. Lash also needed to contact Gozith. There was a chance that his kin didn't have to leave. But all of that could be done in the morning!...

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Lash opened his eyes once again at 4:30 am on the dot. He looked over at Kursta who at one point snuggled into her pillow instead of Lash. Lash almost felt jealous of the pillow. But it made it easier to pull himself from bed. But before he left he gingerly pulled Kursta's necklace and did a partial Unburden inscription on the necklace. If any echo, or fragment got with in touching distance of her the necklace would flash. She may still see shadows around her. But they would at least keep their distance now.

Lash stepped out from the bed and tucked Kursta back in. Then he slipped downstairs and took a shower. He missed taking showers. Immaculate was wonderful, he was very happy he had the spell. But he really enjoyed taking a hot shower. He came out of the refresher room, and got dressed in his typical black clothing fashion. But this time he added a bit of golden scripture script around his collar, sleeves, and belt line.

He started to make some hot tylak, and make a delicious breakfast feast. About half way through cooking Kursta had woken up and moved to take a shower. She came out of the shower wearing one of his shirts, that was dramatically over sized for her. She grinned when he stared at her. Lash liked seeing her in his clothes, she knew that. So she did it. Hot tylak, and java juice were placed in front of her. Soon followed by a mynox omelet. Mynox is a universal animal on Krypton. Just like pigs on Earth it seemed. But to finish off the meal was a cup of yulonz cream.

They talked a little bit over breakfast. Kursta was going to go back home today. She had one more day of recovery lined up. She was going to spend it with her family. But Lash told her if she had any more issues to contact him. Or she could come to his home. There was a moment when Kursta's eyes danced across Lash's body. Lash knew that look but let it slide. They didn't have 3-6 hours to spare for some fun.

The two of them did kiss for several minutes by the door before they stepped out. The only reason it didn't go any further was because a motion sensor alarm went off. Someone had entered the temple. It was still early so Lash needed to go check who it was. But he was reasonably sure that Kursta would be back sometime this week for some more R&R. Before Kursta left the temple Lash cast Anonymity to her. Informing her that it would last about an hour, just long enough to her to get to the transportation hub. She still didn't understand how it worked but thanked him all the same.

Waiting in the main foyer was Lash's guest. Kela Bez-Ol was looking at the new additions, decorations, and hand made furniture. She was running her hand over one of the pieces of wood and could feel marks of the hand that crafted it. From one artisan to another, Kela may not be from the Artist Guild. That didn't stop her from having hand built dozens of pieces for a client. Lash had slipped into the foyer room with out a sound and watched her for a bit.

“I can make one for you if you like?” Lash asked, and tried not to smile when she jumped in fright. She whirled around to look at him, her eyes wide, and her breathing accelerated. Once she discovered where he stood, her breathing slowed.

“Wait...You made this?” Kela asked as she pointed at the seat. It had a rare wood type from the southern jungles of Krypton. One of the last few in existence. Then golden crystal had been melted, and poured into the natural seems of the wood.

“I did, I made everything here. Except for the curtains by the door. Sister Tula Xup-Yut made those, it was first donation the temple received so there it will stay.” Lash replied, as he walked over to the curtains in question and ran a hand over the rough fabric. But a smile was clear on his face.

“Your talent for the arts is astounding, as is your appreciation for others.” Kela said, and took out a small device a baffle field pulsed out from her. Making it so no one could over hear their conversation. “Black Zero has decided to leave you alone, for now.” Kela confessed, and waited for some sort of retaliation from Lash that would never come.

“Wonderful! I assume they are going to use the education center to spread their people across the city. Don't look so surprised, it's what I would have done.” Lash said with a smile at Kela's shocked expression. “Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?” Lash asked, as he walked towards her and took a seat in one of the 'hand crafted' pieces of furniture.

“The Labor Guild was curious -->>

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