Chapter 39 - Multiverse

---Fortress of Solitude---

Arriving back at base I knew we were going to have a long winded discussion. The Reverse-Flash showing up here was either an accident, or somehow he knew about this world specifically. Bringing the Pro's and trustworthy members of Section 13 that heard what was said over the monitor with us I prepared for the questions.

"So kid, who was that guy?", Ivan and Charles asked, "You knew him by name, but he isn't in any of our databases."

"He is known as the Reverse-Flash, and he is an incredibly powerful speedster.", I sighed, "He is from another world different from ours."

"You realize that sounds insane right?", David Shield said, "What do you mean other world?"

"It's probably easier if I show you.", I said, "Kelex, open the Viewing Portal."

Lowering a portal gate for me, he started up the powering sequence to open the gate. It took only a few moments for the portal to stabilize, and show us what I wanted to show them.

"Alright, I will make this as simple as possible.", I sighed, "There are infinite number of worlds, and all of them are slightly different from one another. For example, there is a world where I lost this fight and this world is the opposite of that one. Each decision we decide on makes another world that has what would have happened if we made the other choice."

"So...there is a world where I confessed to you, and a world where I didn't?", Sonico asked.

"Correct, we are just a branch on the tree. Our world differs from his because most people here have Quirks. Over there people didn't get Quirks, but there are people that obtained powers who are called Metahumans. They are like us though they are much more...dangerous.", I stated, "Reverse-Flash for example as the ability to run between worlds, and even run through time. He isn't someone I have any heartache over killing, but he has made the situation quite bad for us."

"How so?", Nemuri asked.

"He is a villain, and his nemesis is also...well sort of a bad guy in his world.", I said, "Effectively a large group of Metahumans took it upon themselves to enforce justice through sheer force. Those who argue are killed on the spot, and villains are hunted down in the streets. Their form of peace is through the use of force...by my counterpart in that world."

"So your counterpart is evil?", All Might asked.

"This one is misguided and heart broken...", I replied, "He was drugged, and was tricked into killing his wife and unborn child. After they died a nuke went off leveling his entire city. Instead of letting the courts decide his fate, my counterpart killed the villain. At the encouragement of another twisted Hero named Wonder Woman, my counterpart was led down a path of peace through force."

"So you are worried they will come here looking for the people for him, and the villains he helped get here...", Rumi said, "Makes sense."

"I am confused how he got so many people here without us noticing.", the North America Branch Head said.

"He draws his power from an entity that exists outside our realm of existence. I tapped into it when I absorbed the lightning he was discharging. The supernatural force has a will of it's own, and those who tap into it's power gain incredible powers like superspeed and the ability to time travel.", I said, "Either way using that power speedsters are able to breach other worlds by vibrating their bodies to create a portal between the worlds. My theory is that Reverse-Flash came here via one of those experiments the USSR did, and found that this world wasn't as dangerous as his. He likely transported people here one by one as to not draw the attention of the Regime. The reason he stopped was likely due to his nemesis sensing the Speed Force fluctuations."

"Are they dangerous?", Eri asked.

"These Metahumans are incredibly dangerous. Some control plants, some find pleasure in killing people for fun, and others are like Toga. They were abandoned or mistreated for being different thus the only option for them was to become criminals.", I replied, "Fact is all of them that are hiding here are desperate to stay hidden from Regime. That makes them even more dangerous."

Giving them the details of the situation I remembered, I told them that for the time being we should be safe. The bigger issues were the villains he brought here, and the potential for others picking up on his trail. I wasn't familiar enough with how speedsters traversed the worlds to know if they left any traces that could be followed here. I didn't want the Justice Lords or others like them showing up here because this world wasn't equipped to handle them.

'A single evil Superman without me here would lead to the deaths of this world.', I thought, 'I don't think I have a choice, but to locate a peaceable Justice League and coordinate with them if needed. That said if someone came here that was that big of a threat I would have to stay here.'

Looking to Sonico for a moment, and idea crossed my mind. She had been exposed to the Speed Force while being held by Thawne, there was a chance she could have made a connection to it. If she did, I could have her go in my place.

'For now though she needs to get the help she needs. After that we can work on the potential power she got.', I thought.

"So we will need to have a strike team ready to handle these villains.", All Might said.

"I don't think you understand the gravity the villains pose. Depending on the villains that showed up, they might make Nova look like a child.", I said with a sigh, "Some of these people aren't Metahumans, some are actually normal humans with equipment that makes them able to fight Metahumans. For example there is a villain named Captain Cold that freeze objects and people to Absolute Zero. Another is Metallo, he is a man that was transferred into a machine with the ability to integrate almost any tech into himself and weaponize it."

"They don't sound that tough.", Mina laughed.

"You say that, but they are only a couple. When you get to more dangerous villains like Killer Croc, Bizarro, Scarecrow, Bane, and hundreds of others...it's a serious problem.", I said, "Killer Croc is what you would consider a mutated person, he has the strength, powers, and looks of a crocodile. Bizarro has similar powers to me, but the complete opposite. Scarecrow is a normal human who uses a toxin to make his targets experience their worst nightmares. Bane uses drugs that increase his strength to monstrous levels...I would say he is stronger than Muscular easily."

"That...that doesn't pleasant now...", Mina said.

"For now we keep this information on a need to know basis. Once we figure out who is here we can work out a plan for securing them. The Phantom Zone is still the safest place for us to send them.", I said, "I will work on contacting peaceful parties to see about coming up with a way to protect our world. There are people that match or exceed my strength, if one shows up here...we are going to need assistance."

"Agreed.", Yu said, "We can also hand the villains over to the instead of leaving them here."

"That is another idea as well.", I said.

"How long have you actually known about parallel worlds?", Melissa asked.

"I stumbled across them making my Wireless Energy system.", I replied, "There are ways to access those worlds through Sub-Space, but I haven't seen anyone do it yet from the world's I have seen."

That was technically a lie as I had detected people making there way through Sub-Space, but hadn't found any near us. The only option I had for figuring out who was here was to try to understand Time Travel. Superman could do it and so could the Reverse-Flash so I should be able to do it.

'That said it's not like I have a manual for that. Running really fast isn't really going to cut it here.', I thought, 'My best chance is to try and figure out how I can convert my body into energy when exceeding the speed of light. Still though...how the hell do I figure out the date I am traveling too, and get back home?'

Sending the Pros and Section 13 members back, I kept the families here. Including All Might in this since Melissa saw him as a member of the family I showed them around the base. David was going ballistic for the extinct animals that I had here, and was equally shocked when he saw Kelex.

"Clark, this is the Kelex you talk too?", Sonico asked.

"Yes.", I said, "Kelex, add Sonico to the list of approved people allowed to use the teleporter and request Kal-El Legion aid."

"Affirmative.", Kelex replied.

"Wait...you are giving me access?!", Sonico gasped.

"All my girlfriends have access to the facilities here.", I said with a smile.

"Your confession was very bold.", her mother giggled.

"It was.", Nejire said, "It's refreshing to see you say something from your heart."

"You are embarrassing me!!", Sonico pouted.

"Now Sonico, I want several grandbabies.", her mother teased.

"Mother!!!", Sonico screamed, "We just started dating, don't go saying that stuff yet!!"

"Yet?", I chuckled.

"You aren't helping!!", Sonico said punching my chest lightly.

Laughing with a grin on my face I apologized, and offered to have everyone here for dinner. Cooking the entire a meal with extinct animal meat and plants, it was certainly a meal they wouldn't get anywhere else. Enjoying themselves the parents all seemed to be enjoying the sights around us. Pointing out the dinosaurs that came around to see what was going on, All Might even seemed to be having a bit of fun. Dinosaurs were pretty cool no matter your age, and to have the opportunity to see them in person must have been shocking for them.

Taking them into the herbivore area, I let them have the opportunity to interact with the dinosaurs. Watching the adults snap pictures with them, and ride them around the pens I laughed watching David try riding a triceratops. It wasn't having it so it just plopped on the ground like a dog not wanting to move. Taking the families to the nesting grounds, everyone melted seeing the baby dinosaurs.

"Melissa!! Why didn't you tell me about this?", her dad laughed with a smile, "What he has done here...our world has the opportunity to regrow what we lost!"

"Funny you say that David, how would you like to be involved in terraforming Mars?", I asked.

"Are...are you asking me to help make Mars habitable for humans!?", he gasped.

"Melissa and I are working on technology to give Mars an atmosphere.", I replied with a grin, "Originally I had scheduled its release decades from now, but thanks to Melissa's genius it could be as little as four years."

"Dear...you have been doing stuff like this?", he asked.

"Yes, I wanted to surprised you with my inventions.", she said with a smile, "I want the terraforming project to be a family invention. Will you help us?"

"Of course!!", David said with excitement.

Pulling up schematics and formulas for her terraforming plans, her father was blown away with the advanced level of development her plan was already in. Seeing his daughter reaching heights he never could imagine an overwhelming sense of pride filled him. Never in his wildest dreams did he think that his daughter would be part of such a monumental project like this. To him it was like his daughter was reaching for the stars, and was actually able to achieve it. In his mind he knew that his daughter was an intelligent woman, but whenever he looked at her he saw the darling little girl she once was.

'She has really grown up.', he thought.

"Is everything alright?", she asked him.

"Yes, of course dear.", he said hugging her.

Similarly the other girls were talking to their families about their displays earlier on in the day. My parents praised Toga for her hard work, and dedication to honing her Quirk. Rumi, Nemuri, Yu, and I stood back giving them some space to talk with their families.

"So Clark, you accepted Sonico?", Yu asked in a teasing tone.

"Yes, after her confession I couldn't say no.", I said, "She has a ways to go in her healing, but I can tell she is trying."

"I have to ask, what is your overall goal?", Rumi inquired, "With this multiverse that you are talking about, you could leave our world and go where ever you wanted."

"There are those equal and stronger than me in various worlds. Now that a few people have shown up here, I don't think leaving is an option.", I said looking at her, "If any of them show up this world won't survive, and billions will die. I have to stay to protect our world till the day the world ends. When that happens, I will have all of you accompany me into the next one."

"Of course you will, otherwise we will haunt you for life.", Nemuri laughed kicking me in the butt.

Shaking my head at her words, I sent everyone home after they were done talking. Telling them I has somethings to finish in the lab, I said I would be home in a bit. After they were gone I sighed with exhaustion.

"Kelex, start running diagnostics on my body.", I said, "I want to ensure that I won't have any ill effects from absorbing Thawne's Speed and Negative Force energy. My Speed Force knowledge is limited, and I am worried about the side effects the Negative Speed Force will have on me."

"Understood, please enter the testing chamber.", Kelex replied.

Having built a special chamber to test powers safely, the room was covered in sensors to ensure that I didn't cause any environmental issues when I used my powers. It also served as a safe place to practice my powers. Strapping equipment to myself to monitor heart rate, pulse, and other vitals I wanted to make absolutely sure that I would be alright. Giving me the signal to start, I took off sprinting on a special treadmill I made for testing my running speed a while back. I could never reach my limit because I lacked a method for protecting the world around me from the backlash I caused in my wake. Now that I had the Speed Force's protection, I had to see how far I could push myself.

Watching the speedo jump up a ridiculous pace I kept pushing myself harder and harder. Telling Kelex to funnel in condensed Yellow Sun Radiation into the room, I felt a tingling sensation in my body as the radiation entered my body. At that moment I noticed that lightning was discharging from me, but was almost instantly being reabsorbed by my body. I knew I could absorb, convert, and discharge energy without any issue for a while now, but I didn't know what sort of effect absorbing this much power would cause.

Admittedly I hadn't expected to be able to absorb the Speed Force, but then again if memory served Superboy Prime was able to absorb Willpower Energy to charge himself so anything was possible. Increasing my speed further, I watched the speedo exceed my previous best of 5,000,000mph.

'This is faster than I have ever run!', I thought, 'I would be destroying shit left and right if I ran this fast on Earth!'

Watching it exceed 7,200,000mph I started becoming worried about how fast I could actually reach. Unlike other speedsters I noticed that my appetite wasn't changing either. Asking Kelex to check my metabolism for any changes, he said that there were no changes that the sensors could pick. Pushing myself to the limit I thought I had, the entire world around me came to almost a complete stop. In this state I almost flew off the equipment but caught myself before crashing into the wall. Even off the treadmill the slowdown was still going on without any signs of slowing down.

'Is this how speedsters see the world?', I thought.

Suddenly the scenery around me turned into a literal torrent of lightning. No longer seemingly at the Fortress anymore I was in a place unlike anywhere I had seen in my universe. It took a second to realize that I was in the Speed Force, whether that was physically or mentally I wasn't sure. Before I could pinch myself to see a voice spoke to me.

"Kryptonian or should I say Human with the powers of a Kryptonian I come to you now with a warning. Things have been set into motion that can't be undo due to one of my conduits whom you rightfully killed. I thank you for ending his life though it was for your own personal reasons.", the voice said.

"What sort of warning are you coming with?", I asked nervously, "Are the Justice Lords or Injustice Superman coming?"

"Neither at this time, but that day will come. The answers which you seek lie on New Earth, seek out the Justice League members there.", the voice said.

"How do I know where to go!? These powers didn't come with an instruction manual, and if something is coming I don't have the luxury of time!!", I shouted.

"What is coming isn't coming to your world first, but will come after destroying that world.", the voice said, "They have need of your assistance Hero. I normally wouldn't interfere, but your world has been dragged into this by Thawne. I give you access to my powers and all the benefits they entail. Hero, you are New Earth and your world's only chance for survival I hope you will heed my warning and assist them."

Before I could ask another question, I was sent back to the base. Finding myself kneeling on the ground I heard Kelex calling out to me as I came to terms with what I was told.

"I feel like something happened there that was serious, but I can't remember exactly...", I said trying to recall, "Maybe I can remember when I get there...when I figure out how to get there. New Earth I know is where main DC storylines are so I have no idea what's going on."

"Sir?", Kelex asked.

"It's nothing, it's safe to say that my connection to the Speed Force is pretty strong.", I said rubbing my forehead.

---Wayne Manor---

Returning home for now, I found Sonico moving some of her stuff in. Telling me she intended to still go home to deal with things, she said she wanted to keep her stuff here instead of renting an apartment for them. Laughing I nodded my head saying that it was probably a smart decision.

"You sure you don't mind?", she asked.

"Of course not.", I chuckled, "No problems with that."

"Thanks.", she replied hauling in a massive trunk of clothing.

'I swear women have a really unhealthy obsession with clothing.', I thought.

Helping her put her stuff away, we plopped down on the bed to watch tv. Fortunately I had been thinking ahead for a while, and made internet to the house wireless the same way electricity was. The robots were busy fixing the city so it would be a day or so before utilities were completely back up. Those who used my Wireless Power solution though never lost power, and had been blasting that all over the internet. As I turned on a movie for us, Momo asked a question about the volcano I destroyed.

"So what is going to happen to the area now?", she asked.

"The city was already thinking of expanding the harbor to add more dock space. They will probably use that land for that purpose now.", I replied, "I will bring it up with the city government tomorrow."

"What about All For One and company?", Ochaco asked.

"If he is still around, I doubt he will be dumb enough to to ever try attacking me again.", I laughed, "That said with the villains hiding here I instructed Kelex to monitor anything related to him. Those Nomu Mark 2 and the abominations he had were seriously dangerous. Normal Heroes would have probably been killed."

"Think so?", Melissa asked, "Uncle Might smacked them around pretty easy."

"Smacking them around is one thing.", I stated, "They did get back up after the blows remember?"

"True.", she replied.

"So...did we earn the date and the internships?", Mina prodded.

"Maybe...I have to think about it.", I said with a teasing smile, "I mean I didn't get to see that last match after all, not to mention Melissa and Nejire didn't get a chance to show off yet."

"Hey!! We worked really hard!!", Toga growled, "The least you can do is take us on a nice date!"

Giving them a smile I said we could do that. Sending internship invitations to Asui and Jiro I was wondered if they would still be interested in interning with me. Scheduling invitations for my girlfriends, I left things alone for now to unwind. Passing out in bed together most of us ended up getting a peaceful nights sleep.

---Sonico's Dream---

Falling asleep in my bed Sonico fell into a dream unlike what she had ever experienced. The world around her turned into a world of lightning, and for a moment she was petrified of what was going on. Looking around her she saw nothing except the lightning constantly going off around her. Before she could cry out for help, a voice spoke out to her.

"Young Speedster, I wish to make you a conduit for my power.", the voice said.

"Is it going to hurt?", she asked with hesitation.

"No, you will gain access to wide array of powers that suit your natural ability.", the voice said.

"You mean make me faster?", she asked.

"Yes, I am called the Speed Force. As my conduit you will be able to traverse time, run faster than the speed of light, and gain a few other benefits.", the voice said.

"Traverse time?", she stated, "Like I could go back, and change my past?"

"That is a possibility.", the voice said.

"I...", she said thinking about it, "I don't think I want that power. My life is already barely hanging together. If I was given that power, I would be afraid that I would change things not meaning too."

"It's for that reason I am not testing you for this power. You understand the gravity of selfish decisions, and have the understanding that somethings are best left as is.", the voice said, "These powers will allow you to access speeds that you would otherwise never reach. I can see that you have a heart that wants to help others, and with the coming storms your partner will need all the help he can get."

"What do you mean? How do you know this?", she asked.

"I am reality in motion, my power guards the timeline of all reality. Everything that has, is, and will be is known to me as the Guardian.", the voice said, "Your partner will face enemies that your wildest dreams can't imagine. My former Conduit caused many issues throughout the multiverse as he fled another conduit. His actions have disrupted the timelines allowing enemies that should have never been in your world to come here."

"You mean Clark is danger?!", Sonico asked with a worried look, "Clark is invincible though, I don't-"

"There are others like him throughout the universe, both weaker and stronger.", the voice said, "He needs to go to a place called New Earth, and help the Heroes there if you are to stand a chance in the future. Without their assistance your Superman won't stay the good person you know."

Showing her a glimpse of the future where I don't go her expression turned to sheer horror. Witnessing an Armored Superman beating the life out of the Heroes she knew from around the globe, she saw me then squaring off against him while the bodies of unknown Heroes and those she knew laid beneath the two of us. Seeing each of the collisions of our fists shattering something that looked like glass that covered the the sky something told her that it was incredibly dangerous. Getting a better view of the two of us, she saw the anger, hatred, and rage painted on our faces.

"How...how did this happen!?", Sonico asked.

"Not everyone is onboard with his plan to recruit others from outside your universe.", the voice said, "This is the future as it stands now with nothing changing. I come to you now as this event will wipe all of my conduits aside, from him, out. The Armored Superman comes from another reality, and is searching for a way home. My conduit has created a hole into your world which he will find, and come here. When he meets your Superman, they will fight and the ensuing battle will cost this world it's entire inhabitants."

Staring at the image of a future me fighting she felt the urge to help prevent this future. She saw the pain in behind my façade, and wanted me to stay the man she loved...not become something like what she was seeing.

"What do I need to do?", Sonico asked.

"You need to push him to reach out for help.", the voice said, "Keep pushing him to explore his powers as he hasn't reached his full potential yet. There is a breakthrough he will reach if he just keeps pushing through."

"You mean he isn't as strong as he will get!?", she gasped.

"No where near where he will reach.", the voice said, "Without you he wouldn't have been able to absorb the Speed Force Lightning. He unconsciously forced himself to absorb the energy to save you from an excruciating death. None of his other counterparts have been able to successfully do so."

"He did that for me?", she asked with a soft smile.

"Correct.", the voice replied.

Rubbing her arm Sonico felt a warm sensation in her chest. No one had ever done something so extraordinary for her.

"I will accept the power, and help him.", Sonico stated with a smile.

Feeling her body become overwhelmed with energy all of a sudden, she gasped as she took it all in. Leaving it at that, the Speed Force left her alone and she awoke to a bright sunrise. Looking over to see me looking at her she smiled like a child.

'I like this a lot.', she thought holding my hand, 'I could really get used to this life.'