SPLASH
Kara dove into the pool. Droplets of water flew in the air as a response. The sun's rays traveled through each droplet. A shimmering array of colors rebounding through the liquid.
The two could be found on the rooftop of a skyscraper in Manhattan. An upper echelon pool party was underway. Val and Kara were definitely uninvited. They'd crashed the party! Nobody even noticed their presence among the throngs of people socializing and dancing. Music reverberated inside and outside.
Before taking to space, both kryptonians had agreed to wait a day or two. They wanted to take in this version of Earth. Compare the differences. This was the second day…and Kara was definitely the most shocked. Martians didn't exist here.
It was only now that she'd come to realize that this wasn't an alternate universe. No. It was entirely different. Even the humans she remembered didn't exist here. Mutants were spoken of like ghost stories…and an entire race of beings lived on the moon.
Humans without heartbeats were living among the people. Most likely vampires, hiding in high-end hotels. Monstrosities were living in the sewers. A team of heroes called the Avengers were known to the world. The Fantastic Four were also well known.
Val-Ul reclined on his sunchair, bathing in the sunlight. The constant chatter and drunken conversations were like white noise. Only part of him was paying attention to his surroundings…mostly focused on Kara's beautiful figure as she swam across the pool.
She'd already shrugged off the advances of a few wealthy men. Suitors that wanted her as a trophy. They couldn't be blamed. As the daughter of General Zod, she had the looks of a German supermodel. Perfectly shaped curves and a slim stomach with smooth abdominal muscles. Wet black hair that hung past her golden eyes…
That's right. Her grey eyes were now a thing of the past. Golden pupils were now a permanent feature. Kara Dru-Zod had fully evolved beyond that of a normal kryptonian. Her upper limit had also increased once more. New abilities were manifesting. Subtle abilities. Passive ones.
Many had noticed her presence. Even when hidden behind several beautiful and wealthy babes at the pool, she stuck out like a sore thumb. It had gotten to the point that people didn't even notice Val-Ul on a nearby sunchair. His massive body went undiscovered due to him lying down.
At this moment, the music was drowned out due to loud cheering. Everyone turned toward the source. Stepping out onto the terrace was another wealthy man. His face was plastered all over the city. A genius inventor, a playboy, and an Avenger.
"Mr. Stark!! Do you remember me?"
"Iron Man!"
"Lucky bastard." An ugly man grumbled.
"Tony, I came here just for you. Can we speak about your recent scientific discoveries?"
"Let's make a business deal!"
"Can we talk somewhere privately?" A young babe mewled.
"We've noticed a change in the Avengers. The Hulk seems to be missing. Do you have anything to say about that?"
Tony frowned at the last question. It seemed to bother him deeply. Eventually, he shook his head.
"Guys, guys. It's a pool party. Not a press conference. Ask me another boring question and you'll be escorted out by security." He said.
The playboy reached out to the woman who spoke earlier alongside another that had been eyeing him the same way. Two lovely babes. His arms snaked around their waists as they approached the pool.
As if that was the queue, the music continued and the party went on. The playboy was fed alcohol and snacks as he chatted up the two beauties. It didn't seem like Pepper was a thought in his mind.
"Alright. You girls win. Come stay at my place for a few weeks. I want both of your numbers."
"Yes! I knew you'd see the light." Babe #1 joked. Tony's hand wandered.
"I saw more than the light. I saw the future."
"Liar. What did you see, Mr. Stark?" Babe #2 asked.
"I saw both of you waking up together every morning in my bed. All expenses paid…and an unlimited credit card as long as you stay at my home."
Both women couldn't help but light up at his words. Their faces flushed with desire and greed. They wanted that lifestyle. Without wasting time, they ran to get their phones. Tony chuckled.
That was when he noticed another woman in the pool. Just watching as she swam…watching her come up for air. Flicking her hair out of her golden eyes…wait. Golden? Tony approached the pool's edge and sat down.
Once Kara came back up for air, she leaned on the edge. The playboy was able to get a closer look. She was stunning.
'Whoa…' He thought. Goodness gracious! Yes please.
"I've never seen you before." Tony finally said.
Kara turned to the voice with a bored expression. Her eyebrows rose with recognition. This man…wasn't he one of those heroes?
"You're that guy." She said.
"What guy?" Tony asked with a smile.
"Your face is everywhere. Is this your pool party?"
"How did you get in if you didn't know it was my party?" He answered the question with a question.
"I just wanted to swim. Is that so bad? I'll leave then." Kara frowned. Tony raised his hands to calm her.
"No. No. I never said you couldn't swim here. Just wanted to know more about you."
"I'm nobody special."
"I beg to differ."
"Why don't you focus on your rich parasite friends? I'm sure they could keep you in better company." Kara mocked him.
"They aren't my friends…newsflash honey. I'd rather talk to you."
"I'm a boring person. There's nothing to talk about with me." She stated. Tony smiled.
'Bullshit.' He thought.
"Try me." The playboy said.
"What?"
"I'm sure we can find something to talk about."
Kara analyzed him from head to toe. She saw the arc reactor in his chest. He didn't have a heartbeat. He seemed to be stressed about something. She could see that his stress related brain activity was off the charts.
Before she went any further with the conversation, she glanced over at Val-Ul. The sunbathing man wasn't looking at her. He seemed to be focused on something else. Still, he waved his hand as if giving her permission.
Tony caught the small interaction. His attention went over to the man for a second, and his eyebrows rose. This guy was muscular as hell! Huge too. Better looking than him too? What the hell?! How long had he been there?
"Mr. Stark?" Kara's honey filled voice pulled his attention like a magnet.
"Say what now? Oh, yeah the weather is great."
"I didn't say anything about the weather."
"Right, but you were thinking about it."
"The current weather is the last thing on my mind, Tony Stark." She commented with a slight smile.
"Don't say my name like that. It's weird. Feels too formal…Never caught your name by the way."
"...My name is Kara."
—
Meanwhile, Val-Ul had noticed something. A black portal had appeared beside him. It resembled darkness, oozing with the aura of death and souls. Nobody else seemed to react to it, which meant that others couldn't see the ghostly portal. It was moving like a shadow.
'Is someone inviting me to the other side?' Val wondered.
The lazy man thought for a moment…eventually deciding not to bother. He wasn't here to make business deals and such. This was his vacation! So he ignored it.
It was too bad that no matter where he went, the portal followed him like a shadow. Even as he flagged down a waiter for another drink. He could sense someone on the other side. Oozing with curiosity and desire. Nope.
"Ancient One. Can you see this portal?" He called out softly.
His voice didn't make it past the loud music and chatter of the surroundings. Regardless, it seemed as if something had shifted. A response sounded in his mind.
'You know my title…strange. So you're finally willing to speak to me?' The Sorcerer Supreme answered.
'No. I just assumed you hadn't left us alone.'
'Have I crossed the line? Forgive me, I only wish to know your plans here.'
'There are no plans. Anyways…can you answer my question?'
'Yes. I can see the portal. Only those with a higher life level would be able to see it.'
'Who does this belong to?'
'Well…just analyzing the energy…it's safe to assume it leads to the land of souls.'
'The afterlife?'
'Indeed.'
'Then this belongs to…' Val rubbed his temples in exasperation.
'Lady Death. A concept taken form. She is death incarnate.'
'I see. Thank you for your help. You are free to go.'
'I was only teaching my newest student a few things. I'm not too busy. Do you need me to come over there?' She asked.
The Ancient One wanted to forge an alliance. She wanted him on Earth's side. That was why she pestered him. Val didn't want to pick a side here. If he decided to do something deemed evil, he would do it. Simple as that.
'No thanks. Goodbye.'
'Wait!' She exclaimed before he could cut off the mental link.
'Anything else?'
'Can I ask you about something?'
'Go on.'
'I'm sure you've heard that the Hulk hasn't been seen recently.'
'Maybe. Who is the Hulk? The green guy, right?'
'Come on. You don't need to feign ignorance with me. I know you are better than that.'
'Alright, fine. What about him?'
'The problem is that he isn't missing. The Avengers and the Fantastic Four tricked him into getting on a ship. They sent him far away from this solar system. They wanted to get rid of him.'
'Oh…Ohhhhh.' Val-Ul sat up in his chair.
A slight smile rose on the corner of his lips. He knew this storyline. It was a very popular one. World War Hulk. He already knew what she wanted help with now.
'So…now he-'
'Banner is on his way back, right?' He interrupted.
'Yes…and he's angry. Very angry. His wife and unborn child died because of that ship. It exploded when he tried to use it to return to Earth.'
'I have no reason to deny a man his revenge. Quite the righteous cause too.' Val said.
'I'm not asking you to do it for free.'
'Can't you do it yourself? Just trap him or something.'
'Banner doesn't deserve such a fate.'
'But he deserves to get beaten into a pulp by me?'
'I'm only asking you to help him vent. Bruce will be much calmer after he returns to human form.'
'No deal.'
'You haven't heard my offer yet. I could teach you how to access the Mirror Dimension…'
'...Deal.'
Val-Ul couldn't say no to that. Once he learned it, he could figure out a way to do it with his own abilities. He could create his own dimension. Become a being that couldn't be replicated. A 6th dimensional being.
'I knew you would accept.' She chuckled.
'You've studied me quite well then.'
'Took me a while to understand your personality.'
'See you soon. Get ready to teach.' He cut off the mental link.
—
Kara turned away from Tony Stark. The playboy had been doing his best to win her affection with his words. Unfortunately, she wouldn't budge.
The Messenger noticed Val-Ul rising from his chair. A calm smile adorned his face. She didn't know what he was happy about, but she would ask later. Val looked at her and nodded. It was time to go.
"-lot of money. Also, my bed is very comfortable. Imagine waking up to the ocean everyday. Awesome right? Can you-"
"Sorry, Tony. I must leave now." She interrupted.
"Already? But the party hasn't even reached its peak yet! It only gets good when the sun goes down."
He glanced at the figure she'd looked at earlier and paused. It wasn't only Tony. Almost everyone on the terrace noticed the large, handsome man that towered over everyone else. The surrounding conversations went quiet.
Val-Ul waded among the riff raff like an apex walking across the grass. Everyone parted from his path. He casually approached Kara and tapped her shoulder.
Immediately, the two figures shined with a bright light before re-emerging. No longer in a swimsuit…they were dressed in kryptonian garb. Two capes rustled in the wind.
The son of Ul looked down at Tony. He was like an ant. Iron Man was already gulping with nervousness. He knew the two were different…but now it was revealed openly. Kara and this man didn't seem to care.
"Mr. Stark." Val said.
"...Hello." Tony answered slowly.
Val-Ul raised his left hand with the palm facing downward. Stacks of one hundred dollar bills materialized from his hand. It fell to the ground like a stream, stacks and stacks of money piling up. It eventually seeped into the pool.
More was thrown toward the crowd, who immediately scrambled to pick it up. Loud cheers sounded across the terrace. Only then did the kryptonian turn back to the playboy. Val leaned down into his ear.
"You brag about money…but look. It's nothing. Money is nothing. I can make it with a thought."
The ground had been completely littered with piles of money at this point. The pool had turned colors from clear blue to green. Risk takers had already jumped in.
Without another word, Val flew into the sky. His figure was like a knife tearing through the clouds. Kara also floated into the air.
"See you around…Tony Stark." She commented before taking off.
Their departure sounded like thunder. The windows rattled and the partygoers shielded their eyes. More cheers went around as even more people scrambled to pick up the money. The Avenger tapped his earpiece.
"Jarvis…make a call to Fury."
"Calling Nick Fury, sir."