Chapter 30:

Super Nova

Part One

© Dylan (Clay) Clearbrook

Justice League Satellite

Multiverse Probability 1

Lex Luthor, President of Earth, stared at Motherboard. He understood the words she had uttered, but he had no frame of reference that would allow him to truly understand what those words meant. Nevertheless, he felt a cold sense of dread crawl down in his spine and settle in his belly.

"Okay." He said after a moment. "Perhaps I do not fully understand the significance of the Starheart exploding. All I know of it is what I have heard from Kara Zor-El and Jennifer Walters-Gand. I know that it is the source of Jennifer's Power as a Sentinel. If the Starheart explodes, does that mean Jennifer will be rendered powerless?"

"I am afraid that is not one hundred percent accurate, Mr. President." Motherboard informed him. "Jennifer Walters-Gand is not dependent on the Starheart for her energy. Due to the manner in which she first received that power (See the Pre-Otherverse story: "To Save A World") and her subsequent encounter with the Shard in Otherverse Jennifer is constantly generating her own energy. What the Starheart did was to form a bond between Jennifer and Arisia Fentura from Probability Two that would allow Arisia to siphon off that excess energy and utilize it as a Sentinel. Without Arisia, Jennifer would continue to generate energy until the buildup drove her insane. It was, Lord Ian believed, an issue of incompatibility between the Gamma Radiation that first transformed Jennifer Walters into the She-Hulk and the cosmic energies that Parallax bestowed upon her in order to save her life."

"So it won't have an effect on Jenny." Mercy Graves spoke up for the first time. She had stayed back behind Lex but now stepped up beside him and took his hand in her own. Motherboard was intrigued to see that her touch had a calming effect on the President.

"Of that I cannot be certain." Motherboard shook her head. "But whether or not it would have an effect on Jennifer Walters-Gand is a moot point. You must recall that the Starheart in the Multiverse is the only one of its kind. Considering the nature of things in Probability Three, I do not consider the Starheart that has been located there to be relevant. By comparison, the Multiverse Starheart is a massive entity. The largest Starheart that we are aware of to exist within the entire Continuum. From records we received from the Inheritors Continuverse, information that cannot be independently verified I should add, this Starheart is quite possibly the largest child of what I have termed a Mega Starheart that exploded eons in the past, at least from our perspective. It is believed, at least by the Inheritors, that this entire Continuum was created, or at least reformed, by that event."

"Every single Starheart now in existence within the Continuum started out as a fragment of that original Starheart. A child, if you will."

"Oh my god!" Lex paled as he fumbled for a seat. He slumped, wiping his hands over his face. "Reproduction!" He looked up at Motherboard. "You're saying the Multiverse Starheart is in labor!"

"I am saying that the Multiverse Starheart is showing the same symptoms the Inheritors records state that original Mega Starheart went through before it exploded." Motherboard corrected. Her voice as calm as if she were simply discussing the weather. "I do not have enough current data to make such a firm statement." She paused and sighed with a shrug. "But if I had to guess.then yes, it is quite possible that is exactly what is happening."

"So if it explodes then it is going to wipe out the entire Continuum!" Lex exclaimed. "And there is not a damned thing we can do about it."

"No." Motherboard shook her head. "As massive as the Multiverse Starheart is, it is still only a fraction of the size of the original Mega Starheart. According to the records from The Inheritors, when the Mega Starheart exploded, it triggered an event analogous to a tremendous multi-dimensional Big Bang. When the Multiverse Starheart goes, it will most likely be analogous to a massive Super Nova. While it could well have devastating effects on the Multiverse; it will have little effect on other Continuverses within the Continuum,"

"That other probability.the one you believed was destroyed." Lex reached up and took the hand Mercy and laid on his shoulder.. "You said they reported that the sky was green and that, at the last moment, the sky ignited into green flame. You think that is going to happen to us as well?"

"Possibly." Motherboard hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Or perhaps not. After speaking with you and before you arrived here, I ran some more tests. I believe my initial conclusions were incorrect."

"Incorrect? Incorrect how?" Lex demanded.

"One." Motherboard held a hand with one green finger extended. "I originally concluded that I was receiving communications from an alternate Probability. However, we know that since Probabilities One, Two, and Three were artificially created we believed it to be impossible for any of them to spin off alternate realities. We could have been mistaken or, during this time of.instability, it has now become possible." She extended a second finger. "Two, if indeed the exploding of the Starheart were responsible for the destruction of that Probability, we run into the fact that the Starheart has not yet exploded!" She lowered her hand. "Taking both of these into account, I have had to revise my original conclusion. Since I have no evidence that our original conclusions about the ability of these realities to branch off into alternate versions were incorrect or has changed, I can only conclude that I actually did talk to you and to Nightwing, not to alternate versions of either of you. Since neither of you have any memory of contacting me, then we can further conclude that we just experienced another temporal anomaly. It is also quite possible that this and many of the temporal anomalies that have been recorded are in fact failed attempts of this reality and the others to branch into alternate versions as they naturally should."

"Wait a minute." Lex again ran a hand over his eyes. "Before they transferred over to Probability Three, Kara sent me a report of all they had learned up to that time. She, Jennifer Walters-Gand, and the Guardians of Oa concluded that the anomalies, none of which I can recall, I should mention, were caused by some idiot in Probability Three constantly triggering the Probability Device."

Before Motherboard could respond a light flashing on the console behind her caught Mercy's attention.

"What is that?" she demanded, pointing. Motherboard spun her seat around and studied the console for a moment before turning back, one eye brow raised Spock fashion as she regarded Lex and Mercy.

"That is a signal from the trackers I placed in the rings I fashioned for Sorority." She explained. "So far I have only been able to get those rings to Karen, Carrie, and Alysa. I have to attune each ring to the wearer and, thus far, only those three have been here long enough for that task to be accomplished."

"Kara mentioned something about those rings." Lex nodded. "Aren't you supposed to be able to communicate with them if they have those rings?"

"Only if they are within the confines of the Multiverse." Motherboard confirmed. "Outside the Multiverse, however, I am only able to track their current locations." She shook her head. "It is not a failsafe method and does not always work as.anticipated. For instance, the moment they transferred over to Probability 3 all contact was lost.even the tracking beacon."

"But now it is back?" Mercy asked.

"It is." Motherboard turned back to the console. "Since only those three have rings at this time, I can only say that those three are no longer within the Multiverse. In fact, I can say for certain that they are at this moment within that non-space that exists between the various continuverses within our Continuum that we call the Bleed. Due to the very nature of the Bleed, however, it is impossible for me to get a firm fix on their exact location. I can tell only that they are within the Bleed and travelling at speeds that neither Karen nor Carrie can attain on their own."

"Why would they be in the Bleed?" Mercy wondered.

"Their task was to locate the Probability Device and, if it could not be permanently disabled, to remove it from the Multiverse." Mercy explained. "Moving the Device into the Bleed would be a logical choice."

Lex opened his mouth to respond, shutting it when the entire control room was briefly brightened by a green flash.

"Another energy flash." Motherboard was looking over the data her consoles were providing. "They are coming more frequently and intensifying."

The Multiverse

Its memories stretched back to the beginning and, in some cases, beyond.

In the beginning, its beginning, it had been a mere fragment of the Mega Starheart whose reproductive explosion had wiped out everything that had come before and gave birth to the modern Continuum (author's note: See the entire Inheritor's: Crisis on Infinite Earth's story arc, especially Chapter 21)

One mystery the Multiverse Starheart had never been able to solve was how, since that original Mega Starheart had been mystical in nature, a single fragment had developed into such a massive cosmic Starheart. It was a minor mystery that the Multiverse Starheart had not considered for eons upon eons but now, near the end of its own existence, it wondered if those that followed would be cosmic or mystical in nature. Perhaps there would be both or even some that inexplicably combined the two incompatible natures.

Whatever followed, one thing was certain.the end was nigh.

It was not something that was unexpected, though the Starheart had done what it could to hold off this moment for as long as possible. But not even a Starheart could permanently hold off the cycle of life!

For this was not truly an end.but rather a new beginning. It was well past time. It was reproduction!

It had thought that its time was at hand earlier when it had been called on to use such massive amounts of energy to pull in and anchor seven new probabilities into the Multiverse. Seven probabilities that had existed, at that time, in a completely separate Continuum. (Author's note: See the First Continuum War.)

It had feared that such a massive outpouring of its energy would seriously deplete the energies it had been using to hold off that fatal moment. Due to that fear it had extended even more energy to ensure the survival of as many of the various probabilities that had existed in the Multiverse at that time. It had purposely let Lord Ian believe that it was dying while it used the containment field Ian had constructed to help in slowing the reproductive cycle while its attention was elsewhere.

It was aware of the conclusions the being known as Motherboard had come to and was amused to see that she had, indeed, come close to the truth.

While Ian and the other lesser beings thought that so many probabilities were being destroyed, the Starheart had simply caused a fission within the Multiverse. It could not, as Motherboard had assumed, have moved all those countless Probabilities and still maintain its own existence. But it could and did create a divide within the Multiverse. It had not pushed away all the other probabilities. It had simply cordoned off the three original probabilities and the seven new ones and allowed the rest of the Multiverse, a Myriad of realities, continue as if nothing had changed. It had been amusing to witness Lord Ian's reaction when he discovered that he was not being pushed out of the Multiverse at all.but found himself installed in an alternate Citadel at the End of Time but confined to a single reality within that Myriad. Of course he had long since discovered the ruse and had eventually been able to insert agents of his own back into Probability One.

The Starheart had even taken a risk by allowing a few small fragments of itself to break away and flow into the protected realities though, like Lord Ian, they were restricted to single realities.

The risk, however, had turned out to be beneficial in that by releasing fragments of itself, it had temporarily eased the pressures that were steadily building to a head. It was not a procedure that could be repeated for the risk was too great. The risk had been the possibility that releasing fragments of itself would quickly escalate to full reproduction. To do so now would not be a risk.but a certainty.

If it had emotions similar to that of lesser beings, it would have been saddened that it could not safeguard the ten remaining probabilities in such a manner. Yet even now those ten probabilities were not stable enough to remain.fixed.without the constant influx of energy from the Starheart.

There would be no saving those ten Probabilities.and those alternate versions that had since sprang up.when the Starheart could no longer hold off the inevitable.

But then HE had come!

A Being from that insignificant proto-continuverse that had revolved around the Multiverse for years. HE had explained that, not only must the Starheart allow nature to take its course, it must do so at a precise moment in time.and that, while HE could not guarantee that the probabilities would all come through unscathed, most would survive. HE would see to that.

There was only one drawback. In the remnants of the Multiverse, there would be no place for his chosen champions and their close companions. This was unacceptable! It decided on a course of action to safeguard its Champions! It was an effort to marshal its chaotic energies enough to do what was necessary. It then reached out and touched its Champions and all those others gathered in what the lesser beings called Probability Three. With a mere thought it pulled them all out! Those that belonged elsewhere in the Continuum, it sent home. Some, it discovered, were blocked from its reach. Those would have to remain. The remainder, where pulled directly to Probability One.except for its Champions and their companions. Next it bent its will towards those living on the planet Daxam. Between one instant and the next it had reversed the process it had used to enlarge the miniaturized Kandorians and restored them to the state they had been in when they had arrived in the Multiverse.

As it felt its energy begin to expand and flow without control, it quickly placed the miniaturized city within the ship three occupied by two companions of its Champions.

That ship was now travelling through a wormhole that the Starheart had taken control of. There they would remain and be safe from the ravages to come. They would then be released from the wormhole within what would be a new multiverse of multiverses.

But even a Starheart is not omnipotent.

Between one moment and the next..the time had come. Those it had pulled from Probability Three were still in transit.still crossing the dimensional borders that separated one probability from all the others when it felt its grasp on its own being failing. With the last of its control, it reached out and snatched its champions from Probability Three and, after a brief explanation, placed them within the ship.

It was not as the Starheart had intended.but even a Starheart is not omnipotent. As coherent thought became impossible, it regretted that it had not been able to arrange things so that the ship would exit the wormhole on its own. Then that thought and all others became impossible as..

Multiverse: Probability 10

Abandoned Health Institution

"Not exactly what I was expecting." Reed Richards mused as he stood in the doorway of the room where he and Dr. Strange had discovered the cloned body of Kara Zor-El so long ago. He stepped to the side, careful not to enter into the room very far, in order to allow others to file in.

"Perhaps not." Dr. Stephen Strange spoke up as he took in the scene being played before their eyes. "But given Jeans description, it is about what I expected."

In the center of the room was a single gurney on which a blonde haired young woman lay. Her eyes closed.her face peaceful as if she were simply sleeping. Yet it was the three figures that stood around the gurney that captured the attention of the observers.

Two men stood on either side of the gurney while a third stood at the head end. All three were instantly recognizable.especially since two of those men now also stood near the door way, observing!

"My God!" Sue looked back and forth between her husband.and the image of her husband that stood on one side of the gurney.

"It is as Jean described." Stephen explained. "It is an echo. An echo of the events that happened years ago." He waved a hand towards the scene before them. "This is exactly how the events played out when Reed and I were.called.to this place. With one notable exception." He pointed at the green haze that seemed to encompass the scene. "There was no green glow at that time!"

"No, there is another difference as well." Reed remarked, narrowing his eyes. "Look closer. Watch our actions!"

It was Sue who noticed it first and she let out a gasp as she watched the echo of Access slowly step backwards into the shadow and vanish.

"They are moving slowly.and backwards!"

"It is like watching a movie that is being played in reverse and in slow motion!" Stephen nodded. Whatever else he may have said was cut off by an urgent shout and then Wolverine's voice from the hallway.

"Whatever you're doing in there, you better make it march!" His surly voice called out. "Something strange is happening outside!"

Leaving the eerie scene behind, Reed led the others out of the room back to the entrance of the institution. Stepping outside, they all stopped as they took in their surroundings.

"My God.the sky!" Johnny Storm muttered, looking up. They stood there, stunned, looking up at a sky that had turned green!

The Multiverse

Somewhere between Probabilities

"Kara! C'mon girl.wake up!" Rogue sat on the floor where she had awakened, holding Kara in her lap.

When Rogue and woken, she had found the control room completely deserted save for herself and Kara.and Kara was still unconscious and still bleeding from a gash on her forehead she had obviously received from falling when they were all knocked out.

A frantic search had produced a first aid kit which Rogue used to bandage Kara's wound. After that, she had attempted to communicate with other parts of the ship but all the comm. units were out. None of the exits from the control room worked either. It was only when she tried to force her way through one of the exits that she discovered that she was as powerless as if she had been under a Red Sun for several weeks! Of course that should have been apparent right off the bat when she had noticed Kara's wound.

She and Kara were effectively trapped in the control room..with only the dim light from the seething green view on the forward screen.

After what seemed like an eternity, Rogue almost cried in relief when a familiar form began to materialize on the bridge.

"Rogue." For the first time ever, the double toned voice of Senturia did not send shivers down Rogue's spine.

"Jenny.Arisia." Rogue began, shaking her head, her hand absently stroking Kara's hair. "She won't wake up."

For an instant the composite being known as Senturia had a confused look on her face. Then she knelt by the pair and laid a green hued hand over Kara's brow. The hand glowed for an instant and then Senturia looked at Rogue.

"She has suffered damage." It was not the normal voice of Senturia that responded, but rather the single toned voice of Arisia. It was as if the part of Senturia that was Jenny had stepped back to let Arisia take full control for the moment.

She straightened up and her form began to shimmer as Senturia split apart to become two separate individuals. Jenny and Arisia.

While Arisia once again knelt to pour energy into Kara, Jenny stepped up to the main control console and allowed energy to flow directly into the panel.

"What are you doing?" Rogue demanded, trying hard to look at both women at the same time. Her eyes widened when not one.but both answered.in the same double toned voice of Senturia.

"Neither of you will have power while you are in this wormhole." They both replied. "This is causing some.unforeseen.difficulties with Kara Zor-El. She is experiencing symptoms similar to those she first experienced when this clone body attempted to reject the spirit of Kara Zor-El that had been placed within it." Then, as if answering another question, they both responded again. "I am allowing energy to flow into this vessel. There are others aboard and others have been placed aboard. They are all now in a state of stasis and will remain so for the time being."

Jennifer finished with her task and returned to stand by Arisia. When Arisia stood they simply melded together to once again form Senturia. She looked down at Rogue and there was obvious sadness in her eyes.

"You will be safe, Rogue, this much I promise you." She said in that double toned voice. "I am sorry, my friend, but you cannot go where we must go.and where we must take Kara. It is our hope that we will see one another again.but this I cannot promise."

Energy flowed from her, covering Rogue before she could voice a protest.and her eyes closed.

Gently Senturia lifted the form of Kara Zor-El in her arms and, after taking a look around.faded away!

To be Continued....

-- and may not be reprinted without permission.

-- The Continuum Worlds Concept is a joint creation of

-- Dylan (Clay) Clearbrook and Eldric (Ella).

-- Otherverse, Multiverse, Primalverse. and Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes,

-- as depicted in the Continuum Worlds, are original creations of Dylan (Clay) Clearbrook.

-- Alterverse, The Inheritors and Rising Starr, as depicted in the Continuum Worlds,

-- are original creations of Eldric (Ella).

-- Wasteland, The Sorority, and Otherverse Redux, as depicted in the Continuum Worlds

-- are original creations of Nomad (Jake H.).

-- The Realm, as depicted in the Continuum Worlds, is an

-- original creation of John P

-- DCM: The Merging, as depicted in the Continuum Worlds,

-- is an original creation of Chip Caroon and the stories therein remain

-- the property of the respective writers.

-- Some characters in Continuum Worlds stories are original creations

-- of Dylan (Clay) Clearbrook, Eldric (Ella), Michael Liebhart, Jake H., Jason G.,

-- Andrew Shields, Kyle M., Brian, John P., DTO, or Jason Froikin.

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