Chapter 105- Tides of Return, Wrath and Redemption - Part 1

Pluto - The Edge of the Solar System

A spatial ripple materialized above Pluto, and through it stepped Orach. His Ultra Instinct state instantly attuned to the realm's signature, confirming his return. Yet something felt wrong—a subtle strangeness in the system's natural laws made his expression darken from initial surprise to deep concern.

Landing on the dwarf planet's surface, he found no trace of his relay station, finding it strange. Closing his eyes, he extended his consciousness outward. His God Ki spread through the entire solar system like an invisible web of divine energy. As his existence merged with the universe's fundamental fabric, the source of the disturbance revealed itself. His eyes snapped open, now filled with a cold, killing intent.

"A temporal quake has surged through this system from Earth," Orach said, his voice carrying a bone-chilling calm. "Someone has violated the laws of time again—this time on a massive scale—and their actions are warping reality across the universe. When this wave reaches the universal barrier, it will birth an entirely new parallel universe—a branch."Orach narrowed his eyes, analyzing the situation. "Yet since I arrived here, both realities still exist within this same universe. Azarath's presence, infused with my God Ki, and Diana's terminals, bearing the primordial sigils of both my house and the division, are resisting this branching. However, if those sigils in Diana's terminals become fully agitated, their raw power will obliterate anything in this lower realm that challenges them, potentially destroying the entire realm itself."

Lost in thought, he let out a weary sigh. Yet there was one saving grace—during his scan, he detected a vessel suspended in a time-locked bubble above Earth, existing in its own pocket of space-time. His tension eased as he recognized the familiar energy signature of his long-awaited support ship. A fleeting thought crossed his mind—could there be a connection between the temporal disturbance and the ship's arrival? However, recalling the sheer magnitude of the time quake, he understood it was likely an alteration to a crucial moment in this system's distant past that was now sending shockwaves through the fabric of reality.

Rising from Pluto's surface, Orach channeled his Ki, creating a spatial ripple and stepping through to materialize above Earth. As he gazed down at the blue planet beneath him, his eyes turned cold. This wasn't the homecoming he had envisioned. Those who had dared tamper with the time-stream would face the consequences of their arrogance—but first, he needed to assess the full extent of the changes.

Focusing his attention on the vessel's presence, Orach heightened his perception. Though cloaked from ordinary sight, the time-locked pocket stood out clearly to his universe-attuned senses. With a precise Void Step, he phased into the pocket dimension, appearing above the ship. His serious features softened at the sight of the ancient Strategic Division symbol etched into the hull. Recognizing its master's presence, the vessel's AI promptly opened the hangar bay in greeting.

As Orach descended into the hangar, a maintenance pod at the far end caught his attention. The pod slowly opened, revealing his combat mecha—his partner through countless battles. The massive machine's eyes lit up with a familiar glow, recognizing its pilot after their long separation. With a spatial ripple, Orach materialized before the mecha. Hovering at eye level, he reached out to touch the crystalline jewel embedded in its forehead. "Been a while, old friend," he whispered, memories of their shared victories and sacrifices flooding back.

The cockpit hatch opened with fluid motion—a wordless invitation that Orach accepted instantly. As he settled into the pilot seat, a deep sense of completion washed over him. This wasn't merely a machine—it was an extension of his soul. In their final battle, he had channeled his power through the mecha, forging a bond that transcended the physical realm. They had become one, and that connection remained unbroken through their long separation.

As the cockpit systems hummed to life, a holographic figure materialized before Orach, its familiar presence bringing an immediate warmth to his heart. "Hey Z," he said softly, his voice carrying years of shared memories.

"Hey yourself, partner," Z9's features formed into his characteristic smirk. "Took you long enough to find your way back home."

A gentle smile crossed Orach's face. "The long road was necessary, old friend. It changed me in ways I never imagined possible."

"I can see that," Z9 said, studying him intently. "There's something profoundly different about you—beyond your mere physical changes. Your soul seems more balanced, more harmonious. The traces of your former self have returned. You've achieved it, haven't you? You faced your darkness and accomplished the impossible—gaining the nine dragons' approval to ascend as a Primordial God?"

"Yes," Orach replied with a smile. "The Void Realm transformed me beyond my imagination. I encountered an extraordinary being there who refined my blood, body, and essence. But the true change came from confronting my inner darkness alongside the dragons. During those trials, I found our old crew again, Z. Instead of moving on, they chose to merge with both myself and the dragons."

Z9's eyes flickered briefly, a rare display of emotion crossing his features. "Of course they did," he said with a slight smile, understanding dawning in his expression. "They chose to merge with the dragons rather than return to the cycle of reincarnation. But I shouldn't be surprised—our crew always did prefer carving their own path. Why would death be any different?"

Orach laughed softly. "True. And Ysraza has designed an upgrade for you. But first—" His expression grew serious. "When I entered this lower realm, I sensed a disturbance. Someone has violated the time laws, and we need to understand exactly what we're facing."

Z9's expression shifted from amazement at the upgrade news to match Orach's serious tone. "The ship's AI has been monitoring the situation. You should head to the main deck—it's waiting for the formal transfer of ownership and naming ceremony." He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "Though I should warn you..."

"It bears my father's likeness, doesn't it?" Orach finished softly, reading Z9's hesitation.

Z9 nodded solemnly. "Your mother and SAGE... they wanted to ensure you'd always have a piece of him with you as well."

A complex mixture of emotions crossed Orach's face—gratitude, melancholy, and determination all at once. "Then it's time I face this legacy," he said, rising from the pilot's seat. "Whatever crisis awaits us, we'll handle it together—just like old times."

"Just like old times. Where you go, I go, partner," Z9 replied.

After leaving the hangar, Orach traversed the ship's sleek corridors and took a turbo lift to the command deck. As the doors slid open, he froze. There, bathed in soft light, knelt a holographic figure that stirred profound emotions within him. Despite Z9's warning, seeing the AI in his father's form—rendered with such perfect detail—made Orach feel as if he was facing his father.

"Welcome, young master," the AI spoke, its voice resonating with the same warmth and dignity that Orach remembered so vividly. Before it could continue, Orach stepped forward, interrupting it.

"Please, stand," he said, his voice rich with emotion. "You wear my father's image—neither you nor Mother Empress should ever kneel before me." A gentle smile crossed his face. "You've waited long, and both you and this ship deserve names worthy of your purpose. From this moment forward, you shall be known as Crescent, in honor of my father, Lord Cress. Like the moon that guides travelers through darkness, you shall light our path as this vessel, the Void Sentinel, becomes both my home and flagship alongside the Mother Empress."

Crescent rose with fluid grace, its form shimmering as it embraced its new identity. Its eyes—a perfect mirror of his father's—studied Orach with mingled pride and gratitude. "Crescent," it echoed, savoring the name. "A fitting choice, young master. I shall honor both the name and the legacy it carries. The Dauntless-class vessel, now designated as the Void Sentinel, is officially transferred to Prince Orach of Sadala."

"Now," Orach said, his expression turning grave. "First priority—" He detached his terminal from his left hand and presented it to Crescent. "This terminal was damaged during combat in the Void Realm. I need you to repair it immediately so I can awaken Mother Empress. Second, brief me on everything that's happened since your arrival. What triggered this temporal disturbance? What changes have occurred in this timeline?"

Crescent's expression turned serious as he accepted the terminal and acknowledged his orders. He transported the terminal to the workshop, initiating the automated repair process. As he led Orach to the captain's chair, he asked, "Sir, wouldn't you like to view the files about the last day of the war on Sadala first?"

Orach stopped in his tracks. "I will wait to review them together with my new family. I want to show my future wife and daughter the bravery, courage, and greatness of my parents."

Crescent's eyes flickered as understanding dawned. "Sir, you already know..."

"I'm their son," Orach said simply, before taking a deep breath and resolutely approaching the chair. He touched its armrest, then sat down, closing his eyes to keep his emotions in check. After a moment of reflection, he opened them and commanded, "Show me everything."

Rewinding Time-Earth-Central City - Months After the Thanagarian Invasion

The aftermath of the Thanagarian Invasion left deep scars on Team Flash, particularly on Barry Allen. The Flash's encounter with Orach's echo had resulted in devastating injuries, including his crushed legs. Though physically healed by the echo at the end of the fight, the psychological trauma of facing such insurmountable power lingered. The team dynamic shifted further when Iris and Eddie relocated to another city. Eddie followed Orach's cryptic guidance to him and persuaded the reluctant Iris during the period Barry shut everyone off and worked alone. During this period of recovery, it was Caitlin and Cisco who became Barry's unwavering support system, with Caitlin naturally stepping into the role of his primary caregiver.

Just as they were finding their footing, Central City faced a new crisis - the emergence of mysterious meta-humans specifically targeting the Flash. Their investigation led to a startling revelation with the arrival of Jay Garrick, claiming to be the Flash from Earth-2. He introduced them to the concept of the multiverse and warned them about a formidable speedster named Zoom, who was orchestrating these attacks.

As Team Flash expanded to include Harrison Wells from Earth-2, life continued to evolve. Both Barry and Caitlin explored new relationships - Caitlin growing close to Jay, even developing Velocity-9 to help restore his speed, while Barry briefly dated Detective Patty Spivot. Despite their separate romantic pursuits, their bond only strengthened through shared battles and quiet moments of understanding.

The city's faith was shaken when Zoom publicly defeated and humiliated the Flash, demonstrating his superior power and ruthlessness. This defeat marked a turning point in Barry's journey, forcing him to confront his own limitations.

During a rescue mission to Earth-2, Barry and Cisco encountered Killer Frost - Caitlin's villainous doppelganger. This discovery deeply affected Caitlin, making her question her own potential for darkness. However, Barry's faith in her never wavered.

"You're not her," he had insisted after their Earth-2 encounter. "You're Caitlin Snow, the woman who's saved my life more times than I can count."

"And you're Barry Allen," she'd replied softly, "the man who never stops believing in people."

Their world was shattered when Cisco's vibes revealed Jay's true identity as Zoom. The betrayal devastated Caitlin, who had opened her heart only to be deceived. Through this trauma, Barry's unwavering support helped her heal, their friendship evolving into something deeper, though neither acted on these growing feelings. The situation grew dire when Zoom kidnapped Caitlin and injured Wally West, the estranged son of Joe Went , forcing Barry to make the ultimate sacrifice - giving up his speed to save Wally. Even without his powers, Barry continued to fight. After regaining his speed through his team's efforts, they orchestrated Caitlin's rescue. However, tragedy struck again when Zoom murdered Henry Allen before Barry's eyes in his childhood home.

Recognizing Barry's emotional turmoil, Team Flash took drastic measures, containing him in a pipeline meta-human cell to prevent him from making dangerous choices. When their initial plan failed and Wally freed Barry, they reluctantly agreed to Zoom's demand for a race, despite knowing his intention to destroy the multiverse. After Zoom's defeat, during what should have been a night of celebration, a broken Barry found himself at S.T.A.R. Labs, where Caitlin discovered him sitting alone in contemplative silence. She sat down besides him.

"When I lost Ronnie," she whispered, "I thought the pain would never end. But you were there, Barry. You showed me that it was okay to smile again, to hope again."

"When I lost my mom, my whole world shattered. Still back then I still had hope since I had my father, but now—after losing my dad too...I don't know if I can continue…" His voice cracked. "How do you do it, Cait? How do we keep going?"

"Because I had you. And now you have me."

Their eyes met, years of unspoken feelings surfacing. Barry reached out, gently touching her cheek.

"I've been so blind," he murmured. "All this time, searching for something that was right here."

He moved in closer to her in the next moment their lips connected. Their first kiss held the weight of their shared history and the promise of something new. But soon Barry pulled away remembering the recent losses with tears in his eyes.

"I have to go back, Caitlin. I have to save him. I can't... I can't let him die."

Caitlin's heart broke for him, even as she understood. She cupped his face in her hands, her voice steady despite her tears. "I know. You wouldn't be the man I love if you didn't try."

"This could change everything," he warned.

"Then we'll find each other again," she promised. "Some things are meant to be, across any timeline."

Understanding both his pain and his hero's heart, Caitlin gave him one last kiss before stepping back. She knew that true love sometimes meant letting go, even if it meant sacrificing their newfound happiness for his chance to save his family.

"Run, Barry," she whispered. "And remember that I believe in you."

As Barry vanished in a flash of lightning, Caitlin stood alone in the cortex, her tears finally falling freely. She knew this might erase everything they'd built together, but she also knew that somewhere, in some timeline, they would find their way back to each other. Because some bonds transcend time itself.

When Barry traveled back in time to save his mother, he unleashed more than just hope—he created a temporal shockwave that threatened to rewrite reality itself in this lower realm. What began as a ripple in time soon amplified into a devastating temporal quake, its waves preparing to branch away from the original timeline in favor of one where Nora Allen lived. But in the wake of this quake, two powers awoke.

Azarath's nascent spirit, sensing this violation of primordial laws, acted swiftly and decisively. A spatial rift materialized behind Rachel, who had been peacefully studying with Barbara, whisking her to safety within Azarath's sanctuary. The spirit reached out for Diana as well, but fate had other plans - as Wonder Woman, she was engaged in battle alongside the Justice League in Metropolis, making it difficult for Azarath to reach her in time.

As the temporal wave engulfed Diana, her history began to unravel and rewrite itself. Yet even as time shifted around her, the primordial sigils of the House of Gula and Strategic Division sensed their bearer's peril and flared to life in a brilliant display of power. In an act that transcended the laws of this lower realm, the terminals merged with Diana's very soul, persisting through the rewrite. They manifested physically as a mystical necklace and bangle that adorned her body from the moment of her birth in the new timeline—appearing as divine marks that left the Amazons in awe of their princess.

Present Time - Command Deck of Orach's Ship

Crescent presented a detailed report to Orach, covering events from the Thanagarian Invasion to the recent temporal disturbance. The report included data from Rachel and Diana's terminals about the Themyscira war, along with surveillance on key individuals - particularly Barry Allen, whose actions had led to Orach's imprisonment in the Void Realm. Orach reviewed the information with measured composure.

"Zeus threatened my daughter?" Orach asked quietly.

"Yes, Young Master. However, the records from that conflict show that your mother's soul shard manifested and dealt with Zeus in the original timeline," Crescent replied.

Orach closed his eyes briefly. "I should have been there to protect her myself." After a moment of contemplation, he shifted topics. "About Z9's test during the Thanagarian war - while I understand the logic, unleashing my echo was excessive. Make a note to address that later with Z9."

"Noted, Young Master."said Crescent.

Reviewing the footage of Rachel's judgment of the Hawk couple, Orach felt a complex mixture of pride and concern. "She showed remarkable strength and sent a clear message to all," he mused, "Understanding that mercy to enemies often means cruelty to oneself. Though I wish she could have maintained her innocence longer, spared from such weighty decisions at a young age."

Their conversation shifted to the temporal anomaly that had shattered reality. The ship's sensors had unmistakably detected Barry Allen's energy signature from the wave. "The contingency protocols performed exactly as designed," Orach noted. "When the wave hit, Azarath's time-lock activated, pulling Rachel to safety inside before sealing itself from temporal changes. Though I imagine she won't be pleased about these hidden safeguards. As for Barry..." he sighed, "Even the wisest can forget their promises when consumed by grief. The loss of his father drove him to alter the past, despite all my warnings."

"Do we still have any surveillance capabilities?"asked Orach

Crescent's interface flickered briefly. "Our shielding remains intact, maintaining our surveillance capabilities beyond Earth's atmosphere in this sector. However, the planet's surface poses significant challenges. The combination of Azarath's protective barriers and the Mistress's soul-bound terminals has generated an anomaly. Both contain power from the primordial sigils of Sadala, which appears to be preventing the new timeline from fully stabilizing. This has made the primordial laws on Earth's surface unstable and erratic. Given these conditions, deploying surface drones would be too risky."

Orach's fingers drummed thoughtfully against his armrest, each tap echoing in the silence. "Then I'll have to handle this personally. Keep watch over this sector - I don't want any unexpected visitors while I'm dealing with the situation below."

"When shall I prepare for your descent, Young Master?"

"As soon as Mother Empress's systems are back online."

"Understood, sir."

After reviewing the logs of recent events and the time Diana and Rachel had spent aboard, Orach retreated to his quarters. He finally shed his battle-worn suit and armor. His suit after he awakened from his slumber, was mostly repaired using his Ki but, it still needed to be sent over to the workshop. Hence he requested fresh attire from Crescent. A long bath helped clear his mind, and he trimmed his hair back to its familiar length before donning the prepared clothes.

His next stop was the workshop to check on the capabilities of the workshop and on the repair status of his damaged terminal. While thrilled on the technology present, the diagnostic readouts confirmed his fears - the unit had sustained severe damage during his time in the Void Realm. Not only was the physical structure compromised, but void particles had contaminated its core systems. His expression darkened as he realized the extensive repairs needed, his desire to reunite with his family making each moment of delay feel like an eternity.

Observing his mounting frustration, Crescent intervened with a practical solution. "Young Master, given the extent of contamination and damage, repairs is bound to take time. May I suggest we visit the treasury instead? A replacement unit would be more suitable for your immediate needs."

The suggestion reminded Orach of his mother's thoughtful and caring nature. Knowing this ship would be his home, and planning for any contingency, she would have anticipated his needs and equipped it with a well-stocked treasury. With a nod of agreement, he and Crescent teleported to the treasury entrance.

The treasury's security systems recognized him immediately, granting access to its vast collection. The vaults housed an impressive array: advanced technology, law crystals, weapons, artifacts, rare flora, and emergency blood samples. But what caught his attention was the armor section. As he walked through, display cases illuminated automatically, showcasing battle gear crafted for his family line. He paused briefly at his parents' battle suits before proceeding to the chamber's centerpiece.

There, in a specially crafted display, stood his inheritance - an armor forged by his grandfather, from the remains of a fallen True Dragon God, one who had foolishly challenged his grandfather and paid the ultimate price. This masterwork was meant to be his upon reaching Super Saiyan God Blue and ascending to emperor rank. Though the Android War had delayed his progression, he had now finally exceeded the power threshold needed to claim it. Placing his palm against the display's surface, he watched as the security systems verified his identity. The case opened smoothly, revealing not just the armor, but also a new battle suit, new terminal unit, advanced scouter, and a cape.

Moving swiftly, Orach retrieved the terminal unit from the battle suit and contacted Crescent. "Begin transfer of Mother Empress's code from the damaged terminal to this new unit," he commanded as he used space laws to send over the unit to the workshop. While the transfer initialized, he turned his attention to customizing his new attire.

Using the configurator, he adjusted the battle suit and armor's coloring to a combination of matte black with elegant traces of red and silver. This better reflected his personality than the original golden design.

After changing into the battle suit and armor pieces, Orach channeled his Ki through the material, activating the set's adaptive properties. The armor responded instantly, morphing and adjusting to create a perfect fit. He felt the armor resonate with his power as he attached the scouter to his left ear and secured the cape. Using space laws, he transported himself and his discarded clothes to the workshop, where he handed the garments to Crescent. There, he monitored Mother Empress's code transfer until completion.

"Transfer complete, Young Master," Crescent announced. "The unit is ready for Mother Empress's summoning."

Taking his new terminal and attaching it to his battle suit, Orach channeled his Ki into the device. "Mother Empress, awaken," he commanded softly. The terminal pulsed with energy, and streams of light coalesced into a holographic form - Mother Empress materialized on her digital throne, eyes closed as her systems initialized. When her eyes opened, they quickly scanned the new hardware before settling on Orach with unmistakable relief.

"Young Master... you've returned safely," Mother Empress's voice carried warmth as data streams flowed through her consciousness. "I see you've finally escaped the Void Realm and found your way back to Diana and Rachel's lower realm."

"Yes," Orach confirmed, his expression softening momentarily. "There's much to tell you about our journey through the Void Realm after I placed you in preservation mode, but we have more urgent matters to address."

Mother Empress processed the incoming data about the temporal crisis, analyzing Barry Allen's actions and their consequences. Her form flickered as she absorbed the gravity of the situation.

"The situation is concerning, Young Master," she stated. "While Rachel remains protected within Azarath, Diana's exposure to the timeline shift is problematic. Fortunately, the primordial sigils in the terminals would have fused the terminal with her soul during her rebirth. These soul-bound terminals should allow fragments of her true memories to surface. Such memory traces should help guide her decisions in this altered reality, preventing any regrettable choices and proving crucial when we restore the proper timeline."

Orach studied the readings on his scouter. "We need to assess the situation personally. Are your systems fully calibrated to this new terminal?"

Mother Empress ran a comprehensive diagnostic. "All systems are operating at peak efficiency. This upgraded terminal offers significantly enhanced capabilities compared to our previous unit. I am ready to proceed, Young Master."

"Excellent," Orach said. "Crescent, prepare the Zeta for launch. It's time we discover the full extent of the changes and begin restoring the timeline before it's too late."

Earth-Themyscira - Dusk

On the Queen's chamber balcony, Diana sat before a canvas, her eyes distant as she painted in the fading light. Her brush moved across the canvas with practiced grace, creating an ethereal scene: a powerful figure silhouetted against a cosmic backdrop, behind him nine concentric rings of varying colors, each pulsing with otherworldly energy. As she completed the being's eyes, she emerged from her trance-like state. Studying her work, her expression grew troubled.

"Who are you?" she whispered to the painting. "These visions of you grow stronger with each passing day. You appear not just in my dreams now, but even in my waking hours. This being who stands above creation itself... what are you to me? Why do I feel this longing in my heart? Where are you?"

With a soft sigh, Diana rose and carried the canvas to her private chambers, carefully storing it in a hidden chest within her walk-in closet. This chest guarded her most precious secrets - dozens of paintings dating back to her childhood. Since age five, these visions had been her constant companions: glimpses of an alternate Themyscira, her fateful meeting with a golden-haired warrior, her journey beyond the island's shores, his tragic fall, her period of mourning and quiet life in man's world, battles against otherworldly creatures, and most intriguingly, her encounter with a dark-haired warrior with a tail - a being from the sea of stars, whose appearance would transform, his hair shifting through brilliant colors as his power reached impossible heights.

These visions evolved as she matured. There were tender scenes of family life, featuring a young girl who stirred deep maternal feelings within her. Most confusing were the intimate dreams that began on her eighteenth birthday - passionate encounters that left her breathless and yearning for something she couldn't fully understand.

When Diana first confided in her mother about these visions as a scared child, Queen Hippolyta dismissed them as mere nightmares. She instructed Diana to purge these dreams by drawing them and burning the images during training—a ritual Diana followed with a heavy heart. Later, when Diana's artwork began to focus increasingly on the mysterious man and some even depicting intimate dreams of her and the mysterious man, Hippolyta's dismissal turned to outright anger. Though the Queen demanded Diana forget him, the connection had already taken root too deeply in Diana's heart, making it impossible for her to forget the figure.

The situation reached its peak when Themyscira proposed a political marriage between Diana and Prince Arthur of Atlantis. Diana fought fiercely against the arrangement—even challenging her mother to a duel and emerging victorious. She knew in her heart she could never belong to another while the mysterious man from her visions occupied her thoughts. The conflict finally resolved when her younger sister, Donna Prince, stepped between the warriors, halting their battle, and volunteered to take Diana's place in the political marriage. Despite Diana's protests, Donna stood firm in her decision to fulfill both her mother's wishes and her royal obligations.

Back in her chambers from the duel, Diana's emotions warred within her. Guilt over her sister's sacrifice and frustration at her own inability to forget the man from her visions drove her into a destructive fury. She tore through her collection of paintings, particularly those depicting the mysterious man who haunted her dreams. Yet when she came across the portraits of the young girl, her rage crumbled into quiet sobs, her trembling fingers tracing those features that felt so achingly familiar yet remained frustratingly unknown.

The day of the engagement ceremony dawned bright and clear, but Diana was absent from the celebrations, banished due to her mother's lingering disappointment. From her chambers' balcony, she sat alone watching the festivities, a chalice of wine her only companion, when a messenger burst in with devastating news. The chalice slipped from her grasp, red wine spreading across the floor like blood - a dark omen of what was to come.

Racing to the great hall, Diana found her sister cradling their mother's body. "Sister, mother isn't waking up... what should I do?" Donna's broken voice pierced the air. Diana fell to her knees before them, reaching out with trembling hands to embrace her mother's lifeless form. Her world shattered as overwhelming sadness engulfed her. Despite their differences and arguments, she had loved her mother deeply and knew that love was mutual. Tears streaked her cheeks as she released a mournful cry, clutching her mother's body. This profound grief triggered something ancient and terrible within her, soon transforming into a rage that shook Themyscira to its core. As Diana threw back her head and released an anguished roar, lightning crackled around her body. Her hair rose and shifted through impossible colors—from black to deep purple to ghostly pink. The sky darkened as lightning split the clouds, and behind Diana materialized the ghostly form of a colossal beast, its blazing red eyes matching her fury as it roared at the heavens.

Born with mysterious items - a necklace and bangle - Diana had always been considered blessed by the gods. But now, as the Amazons witnessed this terrifying silhouette and felt pure primal fear coursing through them, their blessed princess became someone to fear in their eyes. As the rain washed away Diana's tears, the beast's silhouette faded into nothingness. With her mother's body in her arms and Donna trailing behind, Diana strode toward the royal palace, her voice cold as she ordered preparations for a royal cremation ceremony.

In the days that followed, Diana ascended as the new Queen of the Amazons. Her authority went unchallenged - not just because she was the first princess, but because the mysterious power she had displayed and the ethereal beast's appearance had instilled a mix of awe and fear in her people. As Diana's demeanor grew increasingly cold and distant, even her closest advisors, including her sister Donna, found themselves treading carefully in her presence.

When Atlantis and its new King Arthur once more visited Themyscira and attempted peace talks, reaching out to both Diana and Donna, he insisted the assassination was orchestrated by unknown forces seeking to pit their kingdoms against each other. Donna, seeing wisdom in his words, began advocating for a second chance at peace. However, fate had other plans.

During these delicate negotiations, explosions suddenly rocked Themyscira's shores. Reports flooded in of another Atlantean attack. Donna's face fell in betrayal while Diana's eyes carried chilling killing intent. As Arthur protested their innocence, Diana's rage erupted and she shot into the sky, streaking toward their shores. Reaching the site of destruction and seeing her fallen sisters, she closed her eyes, channeling the mysterious power that had been growing within her since her mother's death—the same power she had glimpsed her other self wielding in her visions. Energy coursed through her body into her spear, coalescing into a brilliant sphere at its tip. With a primal roar, she unleashed a devastating beam that obliterated the attacking fleet, forcing Arthur and his advisors to flee in terror.

The Amazons witnessing this might, raised their weapons high and cheered at the invincible figure of their new queen. Arthur and his closest confidants, who barely escaped the chaos, trembled at the devastating display of power. Arthur understood with grim certainty—too much blood had been spilled. There was no going back. This was war.

As the Amazons cheered their invincible queen, Diana felt raw power surging through her veins like lightning. In this moment, she knew with certainty what she had long suspected. These visions that had haunted her since childhood weren't mere dreams or fragments of imagination—they were echoes of a greater truth, glimpses of who she truly was meant to be, the power she was destined to wield. This power now flowing through her felt both foreign and achingly familiar, like reuniting with a long-lost part of herself.

Deep in her heart, she had always sensed something was amiss with the world around her, and now she knew with unshakeable certainty that reality itself had been twisted onto an alternate path. This revelation weighed heavily on her mind, threatening to overwhelm her thoughts. Yet she couldn't surrender to these existential questions—not when her people needed their queen most. They required strength, certainty, and leadership—not a ruler consumed by doubts about her identity.

Steeling herself, Diana turned to face her people, her eyes cold. Raising her spear high, its tip still crackling with residual energy, she let her voice ring out across the gathering. "Atlantis has betrayed us once more, making a mockery of our sacred trust! But NO MORE! Tonight, we honor our fallen sisters with proper rites. Tomorrow..." she paused, her voice rising to a menacing roar that echoed across the gathering, "Tomorrow, we march to WAR! Atlantis shall pay dearly for their treachery!"

The Amazons' answering war cry shook the very foundations of Themyscira, even as Diana felt something deeper trembling within her soul—a warning, perhaps, or a memory trying to break free. But there would be time for such mysteries later. Now was the time for vengeance.

The war that followed transformed the Mediterranean into a battleground of mythic proportions. Atlantean forces collided with Amazon warriors across the seas, awakening ancient, dormant powers. Diana led her forces with tactical brilliance, her newfound power surging through her veins, while Arthur commanded vast numbers, unleashing devastating aquatic assaults with advanced technology and creatures from the ocean depths. The sea itself seemed to revolt, spawning tsunamis that threatened coastal cities worldwide. Though Atlantis commanded larger armies equipped with advanced technology, the Amazons' strength, enchanted weapons, and strategic movements—led by their queen's devastating power—brought the conflict to a stalemate.

The turning point came during a fierce battle when Queen Mera, recognizing Diana's growing threat, attempted an assassination with her elite guard. The plan backfired catastrophically—Diana thwarted the attack, and in the ensuing chaos, Donna beheaded the Queen of Atlantis. The Amazons deliberately spared one Atlantean to return Mera's body to their kingdom, carrying a chilling message: any Atlantean entering Amazon territories would meet the same fate. Arthur's grief transformed into unbridled fury, driving him to abandon his earlier restraint and command his people to seek any means to counter Diana's power.

As the conflict escalated, global stability hung by a thread. The United Nations convened an emergency session as reports surfaced of rising sea levels and mysterious energy phenomena disrupting weather patterns across continents. When a catastrophic battle nearly sank Sicily, the world's governments finally intervened. A coalition of global powers mobilized their combined military might, issuing an ultimatum to both kingdoms: end the war or face the world's united forces. Both sides responded with defiance by sinking the fleets and decimating the deployed forces from the UN, their thirst for vengeance overwhelming any diplomatic considerations.

The situation took an unexpected turn when Atlantis, unlike the Amazons who withdrew to their territories, saw an opportunity in the intervention. They launched a bold invasion of the surface world, specifically targeting enhanced individuals among the coalition forces. Their objective was clear: capture and study these powered beings to develop a counter to Diana's abilities.

When reports of calming seas and Atlantis's surface invasion reached Diana and her advisors, she responded with swift, calculated precision. She deployed an elite team of Amazon scouts to investigate Atlantis's sudden change in strategy. Though many brave sisters fell in this mission, one returned with crucial intelligence, letting them know about Atlantis's hunt for enhanced individuals.

Understanding the grave implications of Atlantis potentially acquiring such power, Diana authorized a new phase of the war. Donna and Artemis would lead separate contingents into Europe, their mission twofold: protect enhanced individuals and disrupt Atlantean operations. The conflict that had begun in the Mediterranean now spread across the continent, leaving devastation in its wake.

Reflecting on these events, Diana left her closet and stepped onto the balcony. As she gazed at the night sky, the burden of recent events weighed heavily on her mind. Her visions had grown more intense and urgent—as if warning of something approaching that would dwarf even this devastating war.

Earth's System

A sleek space-jet materialized through a ripple in space near the moon, its hull and wings gleaming in the starlight. Scarlet Zeta, accelerated with precision as it approached Earth's atmosphere.

"Notice: Initiating atmospheric entry sequence," announced the ship's AI, Z9.

As the Scarlet Zeta breached Earth's atmosphere, its sensors immediately began scanning for speed force signatures. While detecting faint traces in Central City, the ship's systems also locked onto energy disturbances across the European continent, indicative of a war.

Orach, frowned at the readings pouring in. At his command, Mother Empress, intimately familiar with Earth's infrastructure, began infiltrating global networks. Within moments, the AI had accessed every major database on the planet surface, revealing a shocking truth: a devastating war between Themyscira and Atlantis had engulfed the Mediterranean, with Queen Diana Prince and Emperor Arthur leading their respective forces.

Maintaining stealth orbit above the North Atlantic Ocean, Orach analyzed the intelligence Mother Empress had gathered. The alterations to the timeline were severe and far-reaching. Aquaman, once a carefree champion who cherished his independence from Atlantean politics while living peacefully on the surface with his father, had transformed into a ruthless emperor bent on expanding Atlantean dominion. Wonder Woman, previously one of Earth's greatest protector—known for her kindness, compassion, and strength as a warrior princess—now ruled as an uncompromising queen of the Amazons. Even more striking was the existence of her sister Donna Prince, who had never existed in the original timeline. Donna had proven equally formidable, demonstrating her ruthlessness by personally executing Queen Mera of Atlantis as a warning to their enemies.

As Mother Empress compiled more data, he discovered that the changes extended far beyond the warring kingdoms. Superman's pod had crashed in Metropolis instead of Kansas, causing a catastrophic disaster that resulted in his capture as an infant and continued imprisonment. Viewing the his present condition in a red sun prison which was a far cry from the Superman he knew, he couldn't help but, release a sigh. While he wanted to kill Superman to prevent any chance of the Tuffles to reemerge, he was against this type of capture and torturous experimentations and study.

Cyborg, though retaining his humanity, existed with far more machine than his counterpart in the original timeline. Most disturbing was the fate of the Wayne family—Bruce had died instead of his parents, transforming Thomas Wayne into a merciless Batman who, though still Gotham's protector, didn't hesitate to kill, while Martha Wayne, driven mad by the loss of her beloved son, became this world's Joker.

"What have you done, Barry?" Orach murmured in the cockpit, comprehending the devastating ripple effects of Barry's choices. Barry Allen, the Flash, had selfishly altered the timeline to save his mother Nora. While he enjoyed a peaceful life with both parents, his actions had twisted the world into this darker, chaotic reality.

The situation was deteriorating rapidly. A resistance movement struggled against the two warring forces as the conflict expanded across Europe. Stateside, Cyborg, along with a group of heroes, was working to assemble an elite strike force and recruit Batman to counter the escalating war before it spread further. Meanwhile, Atlantean forces systematically hunted enhanced individuals for experimentation. The Amazons, split in their response, were no better—while Princess Donna's forces worked to free these captives, General Artemis's warriors had begun executing or enslaving any enhanced beings they encountered.

Orach couldn't reconcile this brutal reality with the Diana he knew. After careful consideration, he made his decision. Before confronting Diana directly, he would observe the Amazon forces in battle to better understand how much this version of his lover and partner had changed.

Europe - Franco-German Border Region

Princess Donna landed at the edge of the conflict zone, taking in the grim scene with growing concern. Enhanced individuals were scattered across the field - some restrained in heavy chains, others lying still on the blood-soaked ground. Amazon warriors methodically moved through the area, weapons at the ready.

"Artemis, explain yourself," Donna called out, her voice carrying authority. "I arrived expecting to coordinate our defense against the incoming Atlantean forces, but instead find you attacking civilians. Our orders from Diana were clear - we are to protect and free the enhanced from Atlantean control, not harm them."

General Artemis turned, her armor splattered with blood, eyes blazing with zealous conviction. "You're naive, Princess. These enhanced beings are not innocent victims - they're weapons waiting to be turned against us. Look around you!" She gestured to her warriors. "Show her what we found!"

Two Amazons brought forward a captured enhanced individual wearing Atlantean combat gear. "This one was fighting for Atlantis just hours ago. How many more do you think will turn against us in the coming days? How many will rise to challenge our Queen's authority?"

Artemis's voice grew louder, addressing all present warriors. "Sisters! These enhanced beings possess powers that rival our own! They may seem helpless today, but what of tomorrow? Remember Captain Thunder, the fool who dared challenge our Queen? Though she defeated him, we cannot ignore that his power matched that of our gods! What happens when others like him arise—or worse, those even more powerful who could threaten our Queen's rule? We've witnessed their potential firsthand. For the safety of Themyscira, for Queen Diana's reign—they must be eliminated!"

"These people have endured unspeakable torments!" Donna's voice rang out across the battlefield, with fury as she pointed toward the bound enhanced individuals. "Look at them - bearing the scars of torture and experimentation!Look at their wounds, their haunted eyes! They are not our enemies, Artemis - they are victims of Atlantean cruelty, innocent souls caught in the crossfire of a war they never chose!"

Her voice softened momentarily, taking on a persuasive tone. "Think strategically, if nothing else. Every enhanced being we save becomes a potential ally. Have you forgotten how the ones we freed have already strengthened our forces? Their gratitude has turned into loyalty, their powers now serving our cause. Yet here you stand, destroying potential allies in your blind fear!"

Donna drew and raised her enchanted sword, her stance radiating royal authority that made several warriors retreat. "We are Amazons, warriors of our Queen! Our Queen's commands were explicit—we are to disrupt Atlantean operations and rescue these people, not become the very monsters we fight against. Your actions today shame our legacy and betray everything we stand for!"

"Your compassion makes you dangerously naive, princess," Artemis's voice turned cold. "Yes, some enhanced individuals have joined our ranks and proven valuable allies. Yet you overlook the many who flee and hold deep resentment toward both Atlantis and Themyscira. Can you blame them? As you said, they never asked for this war, yet it has utterly destroyed their lives. Every enhanced we spare today could become tomorrow's enemy. Sisters!" Her voice rose commandingly. "Princess Donna's judgment is compromised by misplaced mercy. She would risk everything we've built to protect these potential threats. Seize her!"

Donna watched in mounting horror as uncertainty spread through her ranks. Warriors she had trained with, fought beside, now turned conflicted eyes between her and Artemis. Within moments, her loyal few were overwhelmed by superior numbers, leaving her surrounded.

"When word reaches Diana that her beloved sister fell fighting Atlantean forces," Artemis's lips curved into a cold smile as she gripped her blade, speaking under her breath, "it will harden her resolve against them. For all her newfound power, Diana still has one weakness—you, dear princess. With these sisters under my command, none loyal to you will survive, and your death will be the catalyst that ensures our victory." Her eyes gleamed with ruthless calculation. "The loss of her last remaining family will drive our Queen to unleash her full might against our enemies."

Artemis lunged forward, her blade whistling through the air toward Donna's neck. Just as the blade descended, space itself rippled behind Donna. A hand emerged from the distortion, catching the sword mid-strike. The blade froze in place, held immobile by the mysterious figure who materialized fully in the next instant.

Both Artemis and Donna froze in shock, not just at the impossible feat, but at the figure's identity. Having been Queen Hippolyta's close friend and trusted advisor, Artemis had seen Diana's drawings of this very man - drawings that had later been burnt at her mother Hippolyta's and her own urging, dismissing them as mere dreams. Donna too recognized him from the few sketches she had seen Diana draw when she sneaked into Diana's room to play during her younger days. Yet here he stood in the flesh - the man who had only existed in Diana's visions, now very real and very present.

As he emerged, Orach's gaze swept over the scene - so many dead, prisoners bound and beaten, Amazons turned against each other, a princess and general locked in deadly combat. His question hung in the air, weighted with judgment: "Is this what the Amazons are in this reality?"

"You... you're the one from Diana's visions," Artemis breathed, her blade still held immobile in his grip.

"The drawings..." Donna whispered upon turning back fully to look at the man behind her, memories flooding back of childhood days spent marveling at her sister's mysterious sketches. "You're real. All this time, Diana wasn't wrong..."

Orach studied their reactions with interest. "Visions, you say? It seems fragments of the original timeline did reach her consciousness." With a subtle shift in his presence, a wave of pressure descended upon the area. Everyone except Donna found themselves forced to one knee, shocked as this display of power was eerily reminiscent of Diana's recent manifestations when she became angry.

"From what I've gathered of your conversation," his gaze settled on Donna, voice carrying a mix of authority and curiosity, "you are Diana's younger sister?"

Donna nodded, but couldn't mask her wariness. Here stood someone who wielded power like her sister, yet spoke of Diana with unusual familiarity. "Yes... but who exactly are you? And how do you know Diana?"

Orach observed her for a moment, his expression softening. "You really care about her, don't you?"

Momentarily stunned by the comment, Donna nodded without hesitation. "Yes... she is the only family I have left. I love my sister."

Sensing the genuine affection and sincerity in her words, Orach's demeanor softened. "To answer your question—I am Orach, and I come from the higher realms. In another life, I was your sister's partner, her fiancé."

Donna's eyes widened in disbelief. "Partner? Fiancé?" She fell silent as memories of Diana's mysterious drawings flooded back—artwork their mother had ordered destroyed, sketches that had perfectly captured this very man's likeness. She remembered how Diana would gaze at those drawings with a mix of longing and confusion, as if trying to grasp something just beyond her reach, and the pain in her eyes when she burned her initial sketches at their mother's command. Despite how incredible his claim seemed, Donna found herself believing him—those drawings, her sister's inexplicable connection to them, it all suddenly made sense.

Artemis, still struggling against the invisible pressure holding her down, found her voice. "Impossible! You lie! Diana has never..." Her words cut off as the pressure intensified, forcing a pained grunt from her throat.

"Given the power you witness before you," Orach's voice carried a dangerous edge as his expression turned cold, "do you truly believe I need to lie to the likes of you?" His eyes locked onto Artemis with frightening intensity. In the next moment, he reached into the dragon realm of war, unleashing a killing intent so massive it rippled across the entire planet. Every living being felt its weight - a crushing pressure that spoke of countless battles and immeasurable combat experience.

In Themyscira's throne room, even the most seasoned warriors collapsed to their knees, gasping for breath under the overwhelming pressure. Queen Diana rose from her throne, her body trembling despite her immense power. "This killing intent... this can't be from a mortal. Even I, can barely stand against it."

Her hand instinctively moved to her temple as long-buried memories surfaced with startling clarity. A vision flashed through her mind—a fierce battle in a vast desert, where a figure wreathed in crimson aura fought with devastating power. The memory was so vivid it nearly brought her to her knees. "That man... it's him again. But this time, I felt such anger, such overwhelming killing intent... could it be?" She closed her eyes, focusing intently on the killing intent before opening them in shock. "It's the same... could he truly have appeared?"

Diana's expression cycled through a complex array of emotions—from shock to recognition, then an inexplicable joy before settling into uncertainty. "How strange," she whispered to herself, "that despite feeling such terrifying killing intent, my heart races not with fear, but with anticipation. What kind of warrior must he be to have accumulated such overwhelming battle presence? How many countless battles has he survived, how many wars has he endured, how many lives has he taken to emanate such an aura?" Her fingers unconsciously traced her necklace, a habit since her younger days that often brought her strange comfort, but right now, unbeknownst to her, the sigil inside the gem was faintly shimmering. "And if he has truly appeared... how will I face him?"

Meanwhile, among the Atlantean forces, the situation was equally tense. Orm, the commander of the occupational forces hunting enhanced individuals in Europe, found himself forced to his knees and gasping for breath, by the overwhelming pressure. Just moments before this overwhelming pressure descended, he had been in high spirits after capturing a powerful enhanced individual. However, this experience of being rendered helpless by an unseen force filled him with both fear and rage. As this killing intent vanished in the next moment, his pride wounded, Orm made a fateful decision - he would dispatch two of his most capable generals along with a substantial portion of his army to track down the source of this mysterious power. In his mind, whatever being or artifact could project such overwhelming force would make a formidable weapon in Atlantean hands.

Central City

In the Allen household, Nora Allen stumbled against the kitchen counter, her face pale. "What... what was that?"

"I've never felt anything like it," Henry Allen said, his usual calm demeanor shaken. "The temperature dropped so suddenly, and that feeling of... dread. This wasn't any natural phenomenon."

Barry stood frozen by the window, his face ashen. An ancient, primal terror reached into his very soul. Memories from the original timeline, of feeling a similar presence in the Gobi Desert flooded back. His voice barely a whisper, he murmured, "That presence... it couldn't be him. Not after all this time..."