Journey of the Last Saiyan

Metropolis

Chaos erupted in the city, when it was attacked by a monster. A tragic accident at S.T.A.R. Labs transformed Rudy Jones, an ordinary janitor, into the terrifying Parasite - a monster with an insatiable hunger for energy. His transformation left him with the ability to drain power from any source, turning him into an immediate threat to the city.

Though the monster he'd become craved power, traces of Rudy's humanity lingered, especially his love for his family. In a heartbreaking moment, when he approached his home after the accident, his daughter's terrified scream at his monstrous appearance shattered his remaining sanity. Unable to even speak to reveal his identity, that final rejection pushed him over the edge, transforming him fully into a creature driven by hunger and vengeance.

The Justice League's response was immediate. Superman arrived first, engaging the Parasite directly, but quickly discovered the creature's terrible power - each touch drained more of his strength, making the monster increasingly powerful. Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter joined the battle, attempting to coordinate their attacks while maintaining a safe distance.

As the battle progressed, Parasite proved more dangerous than anticipated. With each life force absorbed, he gained not just power but intellect, becoming increasingly cunning. After managing to grab Martian Manhunter, he absorbed both his abilities and memories, using them to evade Wonder Woman's lasso and phase through structures. The arrival of Cyborg and Aquaman only added to his arsenal as he managed to touch each hero, stealing their unique abilities.

Wonder Woman braced herself against a particularly powerful attack, her shield taking the impact as the force drove her backward, cracking the concrete beneath her feet.

"This isn't working," Wonder Woman spoke through the comm channel, her voice tense. "We need to change tactics."

"What about letting Wonder Woman transform?" Aquaman suggested, dodging another attack. "End this quickly?"

"Absolutely not!" Martian Manhunter's voice was firm. "He brought Superman to his knees and is using his power to be a problem even for us. If he manages to touch Wonder Woman in her Super Saiyan form, we'll face an unstoppable force."

Batman, observing from his tactical position above, broke in. "Actually, that might be exactly what we need."

"Have you lost your mind, Bruce?" Superman grunted, parrying an incoming strike. "You heard J'onn!"

Just then, Cyborg, maintaining his plasma cannon blast on the Parasite, called out urgently, "Whatever the plan is, make it quick! I can't hold him much longer - he's starting to absorb the energy from my attacks!"

"Cyborg, cease your attack," Batman commanded. "Superman, let him drain you. Cyborg, analyze his energy absorption patterns and power retention time."

"Understood," though stunned at first, they responded in unison, trusting Batman's judgment.

Following Batman's orders, Cyborg stopped his assault. As Parasite prepared to counter with the absorbed energy, Superman engaged in close combat, deliberately allowing himself to be caught. His agonized scream filled the air as Parasite began draining his powers.

"Superman's fading fast!" Wonder Woman prepared to intervene, but before she could move, a yellow streak of lightning illuminated the battlefield. The Flash appeared, delivering a supersonic punch that sent Parasite crashing through a nearby building, freeing Superman.

"Flash! Perfect timing, buddy!" Aquaman called out, genuinely surprised and relieved to see their friend. The team knew Flash had been absent, grieving his father's death, and hadn't expected him to return so soon.

Flash's expression was complex as he surveyed his teammates - particularly Arthur's casual demeanor and Bruce's commanding presence. "It worked..." he whispered, having just emerged from the timestream following Orach's guidance. He carried guilt in his eyes, prepared for potential consequences if his teammates remembered the alternate timeline. 'Looks like they haven't experienced them yet,' he thought. 'Orach may not have finished the process yet... so, for now at least I'll make things right, whatever it takes.'

"I've got it!" Cyborg suddenly announced. "His power absorption has a critical flaw - he can't maintain multiple abilities simultaneously, and there's a significant energy fluctuation between absorptions."

"Exactly as I suspected," Batman's voice came through the comms. "Wonder Woman, transform. We need to overload him. It's time to end this."

Diana nodded decisively, sheathing her sword and shield. Drawing upon her God Ki, she entered her Pseudo Rosé form, pink divine energy crackling around her like lightning. For a fleeting moment, she sensed a familiar presence watching - one that made her pause. But before she could identify it, the sensation vanished. Pushing the thought aside, she focused on the task at hand.

The Parasite burst from the rubble with an earth-shaking roar. Diana charged forward, deliberately leaving openings in her defense. Her fists connected in rapid succession until, predictably, the monster caught her arm mid-strike.

"Contact established," she reported through gritted teeth, feeling her energy being drained. The ground beneath them cratered as she pushed more power into the connection. Seeing the creature fully committed to absorbing her energy, she unleashed her next transformation.

Her eyes shifted to deep purple as her hair flowed and spiked upward, taking on a rich blackberry hue. Purple lightning danced across her form with increasing intensity as her power continued to rise. A blackberry-colored aura erupted from her form surrounding her and in the next moment intensified, its wild fluctuations causing the Parasite to shudder violently as it absorbed more energy. Though the creature swelled to building-sized proportions, something was clearly wrong.

While the Parasite could normally process energy from beings of the lower realm like itself, Diana's God Ki was different - a unique fusion of lower realm divinity and higher realm power. The creature's system, unable to handle the higher realm aspect of her energy, began to destabilize from within.

"AAARRGGHHHH!" The monster's agonized scream shook the surrounding buildings.

"Something's wrong with it!" Diana called through the comms.

"The energy readings are off the charts!" Cyborg's voice was urgent. "He's like a nuclear reactor in meltdown!"

"Wonder Woman, break contact immediately!" Batman commanded. "Get clear of the blast radius!"

"I... I can't break away," Diana responded firmly, her muscles tensing against the beast's reaction. "Even I can now feel the instability growing severe. If this beast explodes now, the blast radius would engulf more than just Metropolis. Someone needs to contain and redirect this energy."

"Wonder Woman is right," Cyborg's voice crackled through the comms. "Those energy readings are off the charts. We need a plan to safely dissipate this power."

"Then let me help," Flash stepped forward, electricity crackling around him. "I can create a tunnel to help channel some of that excess energy."

"We don't have much time," Diana grunted, the purple lightning around her intensifying. "Whatever we're going to do, we need to do it now!"

High above Earth's Atmosphere

"Timeline stabilization at 98.7%. Should be completed soon," Orach reported softly, his eyes scanning through cascading holographic data streams. Mother Empress methodically reconnected with their infrastructure, reintegrating with her copy Mother2 after their return from the Void realm. A side display momentarily caught his attention showing Diana engaged in combat, before returning to analyzing the incoming data. "Everything is getting back to how it should be, save for a few variations... including Donna's successful integration." His fingers moved across the holographic displays as he analyzed temporal variations.

"Young master," Mother Empress's serene voice interrupted his analysis, before waving her hand and enlarging the side holographic display. "Diana's situation might require your intervention." The projection revealed how the Justice League's battle turned desperate against the monstrous entity.

"Is that... energy absorption?" Orach leaned forward, eyes narrowing at the creature's fluctuating power signature. "The instability is rising. Bruce's plan would make sense if not for Diana's unique God Ki. The creature can't fully process her energy, which is triggering a catastrophic reaction in its system." He turned to another display. "Mother Empress, can you provide more details about its origin and composition? It's organic, unlike the energy-absorbing androids we've encountered before, yet its absorption pattern is remarkably similar. Also, please calculate the time until critical mass."

"Subject identified as Rudy Jones," Mother Empress responded, her systems processing the data streams. "Originally human, he was transformed through an accident. Unfortunately without biological samples, I cannot determine the exact metamorphosis process. Most peculiar - such abilities are rare in such primitive lower realms." Her tone shifted to serious, "Current calculations indicate total energetic collapse in approximately seven minutes unless excess power is expelled."

Orach's expression turned serious as he watched Diana and her teammates struggle below. His hands moved decisively across the control interface. "Let's join the fun, Z."

"Affirmative," responded Z9.

The Scarlet Zeta's emerald eyes flashed bright, its form smoothly transitioning into wave rider mode. In an instant, it carved through a spatial ripple, emerging into Metropolis airspace and streaking toward the battlefield below.

Metropolis - Ground Zero

"I might have a solution," Cyborg announced, his cybernetics fully active as they processed calculations. "I can generate a boom-tube, send this thing into space. Even if it detonates there, Earth stays safe. But it'll drain most of my power reserves - we only get one shot."

"Do it," Batman commanded while maintaining suppressing fire on the creature from above. "Wonder Woman, Superman—guide it through. Manhunter, Aquaman—guard Cyborg. Flash, stay ready for support. We've got one shot at this—make it count."

"Understood!" came the unified response.

But before Cyborg could fully transform his arm, three massive emerald crystalline blades materialized through a spatial ripple, stunning them all. They encircled Parasite's arm, cleanly severing its grip on Diana. Just then Diana eyes went wide as she felt the presence of the man she had been longing for approaching rapidly. As the creature howled in pain, a sleek massive crimson aircraft streaked from the sky, ramming into its chest and dragging it toward the ocean.

The aircraft disengaged, transforming mid-flight into its true form—the Scarlet Zeta. Its emerald crystal wings reattached as it hovered majestically, wings spread wide and eyes blazing as it faced down the howling monster.

Parasite, now focused and enraged, after utilizing a portion of it's energy to regenerate from the damage, charged at this new threat. The Zeta responded with precision, catching and hurling the creature back into the ocean with devastating force using its own momentum against it. The impact created a massive splash as Parasite crashed into the waters.

However, Parasite soon emerged releasing a roar and as his jaws distended unnaturally as energy coalesced in his maw, forming a concentrated beam of energy right at the Zeta. This was exactly what Orach wanted - to provoke an energy discharge.

In response to the beam of energy heading its way, vaporizing the waters in its path, Zeta calmly raised its left hand. The crystal embedded in the center of its palm at the moment of contact, absorbed the energy stream continuously until Parasite ceased his attack.

Enraged by this development, Parasite charged forward with incredible speed, attempting to grapple with Zeta. Their collision created a massive shockwave that rippled across the water's surface. Despite Parasite's tremendous size and strength, Zeta remained unmovable.

As they locked in combat, each time Parasite struggled against the mecha's grip, more energy transferred from his unstable form into Zeta's absorption systems. The creature fought desperately, but the more power it expended, the faster it weakened. Gradually, its mutated form began to shrink, the stolen energies being systematically drained until only an unconscious humanoid beast remained, floating limply on the water's surface.

With space law manipulation, Orach created a spatial ripple that took Parasite's unconscious form and deposited him safely on the nearby shore where the Justice League could take him into custody. The Scarlet Zeta then took flight, its form seamlessly transforming as it passed through a spatial ripple in the sky.

"Orach, wait!" Diana called out taking flight and chasing after him but, the mecha had already disappeared through the ripple. She hovered in midair, watching the space where the ripple had been, a mix of emotions crossing her face. Though confused by his quick departure, she clearly felt their bond remained strong through their connection and even felt Orach's strong desire for her. She understood that if Orach had chosen not to stay, there must be a greater purpose behind his actions. For now, she would trust in that bond and wait for the right moment for their reunion.

As Wonder Woman descended to rejoin the League, Batman asked over the comms, "Wonder Woman, can you confirm that was Orach controlling the Zeta?"

"Yes, he has returned," Diana replied simply.

"Understood. For now, let's focus on containing Parasite. He's as much a victim here as anyone. Wonder Woman, assist Superman and Cyborg with secure transport procedures."

Diana nodded and flew to join her teammates who were discussing containment.

J'onn materialized beside Batman, who was observing Wonder Woman's departure. "Notice anything different about her?" Batman asked without turning.

"Her emotions are... complex," J'onn replied. "There's disappointment beneath her composure."

"Orach's sudden departure is puzzling," Batman mused. "Though knowing him, there must be a reason."

"Perhaps time has changed him. He has been missing for a year now and we do not know what he has experienced. He may very well be not the Orach we know," J'onn suggested.

"No," Batman said with certainty. "Their connection runs deeper than ordinary relationships. He'll return when the time is right. For now, let's secure the situation here."

J'onn nodded and joined the rest on containing the situation.

Later upon Wonder Woman's suggestion, the team tested her golden lasso's effectiveness on Parasite. After confirming it could safely contain him without risk of power absorption, Wonder Woman secured the unconscious villain and personally escorted him to S.T.A.R. Labs for containment and study. The scientists there would work on finding a way to reverse his condition.

Within minutes of the battle's conclusion, social media platforms were flooded with eyewitness footage. The unexpected return of the Scarlet Zeta dominated online discussions, with #RedRobotReturns trending worldwide. The brief but dramatic intervention by the Saiyan machine reignited public discussions about the mysterious Saiyan Empire that had appeared months ago and is hovering over their heads though invisible to them.

"It was incredible!" exclaimed a local coffee shop owner, to the news correspondent. "One minute that big monster just kept on growing in size and overwhelming the league, the next this red machine appears out of nowhere and just... handles it. Like it was nothing!"

Many other survivor accounts flooded in with mixed reactions - many expressed gratitude for the intervention, while others directed anger at the red robot for not arriving earlier to prevent the loss of lives and property.

Diana's Apartment

After delivering Parasite to S.T.A.R Labs, Diana discretely made her way back to her apartment. Exhausted from the intense battle, she stepped inside her sanctuary, immediately feeling the tension begin to leave her shoulders. She slipped off her boots at the entrance, her bare feet welcoming the cool touch of the floor beneath as she made her way to her bedroom.

In her bedroom, Diana allowed herself to fully relax, sinking into her plush velvet chair with a soft sigh. The late morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of her high-rise apartment's balcony, casting a warm glow across the room. She reached up to remove her tiara and released her hair from its battle-ready style, letting the dark waves cascade freely down her shoulders.

After a moment of peaceful stillness, Diana activated her bangle terminal. "Mother2, any word from Orach?" she asked hopefully. The AI's response appeared on a holographic display: 'Mistress, an operation is in progress. Please stand by.' Diana felt a mix of understanding and mild irritation - while she knew Orach must have his reasons, a small part of her wished she had been his first priority upon returning.

"After all this time..." she murmured to herself, a slight pout forming on her lips. Even after centuries of life, she was surprised to find herself acting like a lovestruck girl. The thought made her cheeks flush with embarrassment. Still, after a year's absence, her worry about what trials he might have faced warred with her joy at his return. Through their bond, she could sense his longing matched her own. With a gentle sigh, she decided patience would serve better than anger - there would be time enough for explanations later.

Rising from her chair, Diana began to remove her armor and terminals, each piece carefully placed aside. As each layer of Wonder Woman fell away, so too did the weight of her responsibilities. Soon she stood in just her undergarments, her warrior's body a testament to both strength and grace - from the elegant line of her clavicle to the curves beneath her lace bra, down to her well-toned abdomen and long, shapely legs.

She made her way to the bathroom, where the dim light painted her body in soft shades, accentuating her curves and the smoothness of her skin. She gracefully removed her remaining undergarments, adding them to the nearby basket.

She turned on the shower, the sound of running water adding to the tranquility of the moment. The initial burst of cold water against her skin was a delightful shock, causing her to gasp softly. As she adjusted the temperature, the water felt like a gentle caress, washing away the fatigue of battle. She stood under the shower, letting the water cascade down her body, tracing the contours of her figure.

She reached for her body wash, its familiar scent filling the room. With the loofa in hand, she started to apply the soap onto her body, her movements slow and deliberate. The feeling of the loofa against her skin was a sensual experience, the soft foam adding to the feeling of relaxation. After thoroughly cleansing herself, she ran shampoo through her hair, followed by conditioner, indulging in this moment of self-care.

After thoroughly cleansing herself, Diana stepped out of the shower, reaching for a plush towel hanging nearby. She wrapped the soft fabric around her body, feeling its warmth envelope her as she patted herself dry.

Taking a second towel, she gently dried her hair, the simple act adding to her sense of relaxation.

Afterwards coming out to her bedroom and selecting fresh lingerie and a comfortable pair of sweatpants from her wardrobe, Diana felt a renewed sense of peace wash over her as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror - her damp hair falling loosely around her shoulders, her skin glowing in the soft light of her bedroom.

A gentle smile crossed her face as she made her way to the kitchen. "A celebratory feast is definitely in order," she said softly to herself, rolling up her sleeves. Even if Orach couldn't join them today, she looked forward to sharing dinner with Rachel when she returned from her library study session with Barbara Gordan. It would be their way of welcoming back the man they had missed for so long.

The past year had been particularly challenging for Rachel. She was well aware the position of Orach in her daughter's heart. Orach, was her father and light. With her father banished from their universe and the aftermath of the Thanagarian invasion weighing heavily, both mother and daughter faced their own struggles.

While the physical wounds from the battles had healed, the emotional scars ran deeper, especially within the Teen Titans. The team had initially recoiled from Raven after witnessing her actions during the crisis. Her title as princess of the house of Gula created an invisible barrier, and for months, only Barbara made any effort to spend time with her outside of missions and school.

"Give them time, Rachel," Diana said gently one evening, sitting beside her daughter. "They'll once more see you for who you truly are."

"Why should I care?" Rachel's voice was barely above a whisper, though the hurt in it was clear. "I have you and Dad. And Barbara... even if she's probably just keeping tabs on me for Batman." She paused, wrapping her arms around herself. "It's fine if they never accept me."

"My little princess," Diana pulled her daughter close, kissing the top of her head. "Those who can't see past their fears to know your heart are the ones missing out. You are extraordinary, Rachel, never doubt that."

Over the following months, Diana watched with pride as her daughter chose a path of resilience over resentment, gradually rebuilding trust with her teammates. Barbara proved invaluable during this time, helping bridge the gap between Raven and the others. It certainly helped that in the field, Raven proved herself repeatedly - whether following orders or taking point on missions, her effectiveness was undeniable.

Now, with the new school year underway, a noticeable shift had occurred. Though Robin, Arsenal, and Miss Martian remained cautious around Rachel, the other Titans had begun treating her like any other youth—studying together, sharing lunch breaks, and including her in weekend plans. This everyday interaction proved transformative, letting them see past their fears to know the real Rachel, just as Barbara had from the beginning.

As Diana busied herself with preparing the feast, the kitchen hub chimed with an incoming video call. She glanced at the display, a knowing smile crossing her face. Given the day's events - particularly Zeta's dramatic appearance in their defense - she had expected this call. Any movement from the Saiyan Empire, whether from the massive spacecraft near the moon or the mecha Zeta itself, would inevitably become global news within minutes.

Setting the stove to simmer, she wiped her hands on a nearby towel and made her way to answer the call. The moment she accepted, Barbara Minerva's eager face filled the screen.

"Hey, Barb," Diana began warmly, but her friend cut in before she could say more.

"Di!" Barbara's voice was filled with excitement. "I saw the news. Zeta made a move. Was it him? Is he really back?"

Diana smiled warmly at her friend's enthusiasm. "Yes, Barb, he's back. He helped the league take care of a tricky opponent, though I haven't seen him in person yet. Mother2 stated he is busy with an operation. So, he should be back soon."

"Oh Di, that's wonderful news! Rachel must be over the moon. Have you told her yet?"

"Not yet - she's still at the library with a friend. I'm preparing a special dinner for when she returns."

"Perfect timing then. I won't keep you from your cooking. Give Rachel my love, and... Di? I'm really happy for you all."

"Thank you, Barb. I'll call you tomorrow with updates."

After ending the call, Diana returned to her cooking with renewed energy. She moved gracefully around the kitchen, checking the simmering pots and adding final touches to the dishes. The aroma of herbs and spices filled the air as she prepared Rachel's favorites.

Once the cooking was complete it was already evening, she set the dining table with care, placing three settings - hoping, perhaps optimistically, that Orach might join them. 

With everything prepared, Diana made her way to the living room and settled onto the couch, turning on the news. Various channels were buzzing with coverage of Zeta's appearance, speculating about its sudden return. She watched with a knowing smile, her thoughts drifting to Rachel's reaction when she would learn of her father's return.

Just then a ripple in space materialized behind her, and Diana sensing the disturbance turned quickly, expecting to see Rachel. Instead, her breath caught in her throat as Orach stepped through the portal.

Time seemed to freeze as their eyes met. He stood before her, a figure both achingly familiar and strangely transformed. Through their bond, she knew without doubt this was her Orach, yet everything about him - from his imposing new height, to his new armor and flowing cape - spoke of profound change. But it was his eyes that truly captured her attention, holding depths she had never seen before.

"Orach..." The name escaped her lips in a whisper as she moved toward him, arms instinctively reaching out. Yet as she drew closer, something made her pause. There was an almost tangible weight to his presence now, an ancient power that made her God Ki pulse with instinctual reverence and making her feel as if, she was in the presence of something primordial. Instead of the fierce embrace she had imagined countless times during their separation, she found herself moving with gentle reverence, her hand lifting to cup his cheek.

He leaned into her touch, his eyes drifting closed for a moment. The vulnerability in that simple gesture made her heart ache. When his eyes opened again, she traced her thumb along his cheekbone and brows, memorizing every detail.

"Welcome home, my love," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "You've been through a great deal, haven't you? Tell me what happened in the Void Realm."

"I missed you Diana. I missed you both deeply," Orach said softly, his voice filled with emotion. "And I intend to tell you everything but, there's something urgent we must address first."

Diana nodded, already moving toward her bedroom. "Let me get my armor—"

"That won't be necessary," Orach caught her hand, his grip gentle but firm. "We need to go to Azarath. Our daughter needs us."

Diana's expression shifted from confusion to concern. "Rachel? But she should be at the university library with Barbara. What's happened?"

"Trust me," Orach said, creating a ripple in space while keeping his fingers intertwined with hers. Together, they stepped through.

The transition was unlike anything Diana had experienced before. A wave of disorientation hit her, but Orach quickly steadied her with his Life Ki. "Thank you," she whispered, regaining her composure. As her vision cleared, she gasped. The realm of Azarath lay before them, frozen in time, with visible manifestations of God Ki permeating the air.

"Orach... what's happened to our home?" Diana asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she surveyed their private realm.

"I'll explain everything once we help Rachel," he replied, maintaining a protective layer of his God Ki around her as they made their way through the suspended realm. When they reached their house, Diana's heart nearly stopped - Rachel was suspended in mid-air, encased in a cocoon of intertwining red and green vines.

Diana instinctively moved forward, but Orach gently held her back. "Wait," he said, his voice calm but firm. "She's safe. I created this safeguard before I left - a contingency to protect you both if someone ever attempted to manipulate the primordial laws, especially the time laws. We need to be careful how we free her."

"Orach," Diana's voice was taut with concern and barely contained anger, "are you saying there was an attack - a manipulation of primordial laws - that happened right under our noses? That someone targeted our daughter?" She stepped closer to the cocoon containing Rachel, her God Ki flaring protectively. "Tell me everything. Now."

Orach's expression turned grave. "Barry, he did exactly what I warned him against before I left. He traveled back in time to save his mother, creating an alternate timeline that threatened the fabric of reality itself."

"When this happened, Azarath's protective measures activated immediately, pulling Rachel to safety within this cocoon. You were living today. You were in Metropolis at the time, locked in battle with Parasite. The chaos of that fight prevented Azarath from securing you as well."

Diana's eyes widened as Orach continued, "When I returned, I found myself in this altered timeline. I encountered different version of you, other league members and this world. I had to track down Barry, make him understand the consequences of his actions, and help restore the proper timeline." His voice softened. "We're almost there now - the timeline is nearly stabilized. I'll explain everything in detail once Rachel is safe."

As he spoke, Orach stepped forward, his form beginning to radiate with a brilliant light. Diana watched in awe as his God Ki manifested, transforming him into his Ultra Instinct state. The sheer aura emanating from him was unlike anything she had ever felt before, making her understand just how much he had grown during his time away.

With gentle motion, Orach placed his palm against the protective cocoon. His voice carried both authority and tenderness as he spoke, "Time to wake up, little princess."

In that moment, a brilliant pulse of God Ki emanated from Orach's palm, spreading throughout Azarath like a wave of crimson light pulsing through the vines. As it reached the farthest corners of their realm, the time lock began to dissolve, and the natural flow of time gradually resumed. The realm itself seemed to shiver as it realigned with Earth's timeline, the familiar tenfold time dilation settling back into place.

The vines forming Rachel's protective cocoon began to unfurl, their purpose fulfilled. As the last tendril withdrew, Rachel fell forward, unconscious but unharmed. Orach caught her with ease, cradling their daughter protectively against his chest.

"Rachel," Diana whispered, moving closer to brush a strand of hair from their daughter's face. "Is she...?"

"She's fine," Orach assured her, his voice gentle. "Just sleeping. The protective stasis kept her safe from the temporal distortions." He adjusted his hold on Rachel, looking down at her peaceful expression. "She'll wake soon, and to her it'll still be today."

Diana nodded, though her eyes remained concerned. "We should take her back to my apartment, let her rest in her own bed there. Then you can tell me everything about what's happened - about Barry, about the timeline changes, about where you've been."

"I agree. But I owe Rachel an explanation too, so let's wait until she wakes," Orach said, creating another ripple in space back to Diana's apartment.

Diana nodded in agreement and stepped through. Once in her apartment, Orach carried Rachel to her room with Diana following close behind. He laid their daughter gently on her bed, then sat beside her, his hand resting softly on her forehead as he transferred Life Ki strengthening her constitution and enhance her Ki pathways.

Diana sat on the other side of the bed, holding Rachel's hand tenderly. Both parents watched over their daughter in silent vigil until her eyelids began to flutter. Rachel stirred slowly, her consciousness gradually returning. As her eyes opened, confusion clouded her features despite the familiar comfort of her surroundings. The last thing she remembered was studying with Barbara at the University Library, then feeling an urgent call from Azarath's spirit before everything went dark.

"Welcome back, sweetheart," Diana said softly, squeezing her daughter's hand. "Look who has finally returned to us."

Rachel turned towards her mother's voice, still groggy. Then she froze, suddenly wide awake as she sensed the familiar yet somehow different Ki signature beside her. Her father's presence, though changed, was unmistakable. As she turned to face him, she gasped at his transformed appearance. The faint pressure of his enhanced Ki made her own energy pulse in response, but his loving smile and gentle eyes were exactly as she remembered.

Without hesitation, she launched herself into his arms. "Dad!"

"I'm here, little one," Orach wrapped his arms around her, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm so sorry for being away so long."

Rachel tightened her embrace, afraid he might vanish if she let go. Orach simply held her, gently stroking her hair until her trembling subsided. When she finally looked up at him, tears glistening in her eyes, he wiped them away with his thumb.

"Welcome home, Dad," she whispered.

"Thank you, my little princess. I'm back and I don't plan on going anywhere soon," Orach said softly, his voice filled with warmth and regret. "I know I've missed precious time with you both, but I promise that's going to change. Now that my support ship is here, we can explore the wonders of the lower realms, starting with this one, together as a family. Unless there's a critical mission that absolutely requires solo intervention, we'll face whatever comes next side by side."

Diana and Rachel's eyes lit up at the mention of space exploration. "Really?" they exclaimed in unison. Rachel sat up straighter, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Not just this multiverse and its worlds, but other lower realms too?"

Orach nodded. "We'll start with the charted ones, then explore further. There are countless beautiful and safe worlds I'd love to show you both—places and races I discovered during my travels with my comrades." Hearing this the two started discussing about the worlds she would like to visit.

After giving them time to reunite, Diana gently cleared her throat. "Rachel, sweetheart, we have much to discuss. But first, let's have dinner. I've prepared all your favorites."

The family moved to the dining room, where a warm, home-cooked meal awaited them. As they ate together for the first time in what felt like ages, the atmosphere was filled with both joy and unspoken questions.

Once they finished their meal and Rachel and Orach had thanked Diana for cooking, they gathered in the living room. There, Orach began to unfold the incredible tale of what had transpired - the alternate timeline Barry Allen had created, his encounters with Bruce Wayne's parents, and the devastating war between Themyscira and Atlantis that had nearly torn their world apart.

"Orach," Diana's voice was barely above a whisper, "are you saying that Donna - my sister, Wonder Girl of the Teen Titans - was never meant to exist in our timeline?"

Orach's expression was gentle but firm as he nodded.

"He's right, Mom," Rachel added softly. "I've been with the Titans since the beginning, and I've never known of a Donna Prince."

Diana took a deep breath, processing this information. "You mentioned that once the timeline fully stabilizes tonight, everyone will experience their alternate lives as dreams before gradually forgetting them..." She hesitated, leaving the question unspoken.

Orach reached out, taking her hand in his. "I understand what you want to ask, Diana. But carrying memories from two different timelines could be dangerous - it could strain both your mind and soul. Let me guide you through the dream experience. That way, you won't have to face it alone, and I can help preserve those memories safely in the ship's database. Crescent can even create detailed holographic reconstructions, allowing you to revisit and understand that other life whenever you wish."

"Dad, what about me?" Rachel asked, leaning forward with curiosity. "Did you meet an alternate version of me?"

"No, little one," Orach said gently, placing his hand on her head. "You didn't exist in that timeline." He smiled softly as Rachel pouted, continuing to stroke her hair comfortingly.

Diana straightened, her expression resolute. "Orach, I want to see it - all of it. Even though it will be painful to witness a life where I lost my mother, where my actions, manipulated as they were, led to the deaths of my sisters and my aunt... I need to understand it. To learn from it. Perhaps it will help me become better."

"You're certain?" Orach asked, his eyes searching hers. When Diana nodded firmly, he continued, "Very well. But remember - you won't be facing these memories alone. I'll be right there with you, guiding you through them."

Rachel reached out to take her mother's hand. "I'll be here too, Mom. Whatever you see, we face it together."

Diana smiled and nodded, settling onto the bed beside Rachel. Following Orach's gentle instructions, they both made themselves comfortable as he channeled his God Ki to induce sleep in them.

"Young Master," Mother Empress's voice came through his scouter, "there's still a minute before the timeline fully stabilizes. Perhaps you should contact Bruce Wayne now? Once these two wake up, they'll need your full attention."

"Bruce can wait," Orach replied firmly. "My family comes first."

As the clock struck ten that evening, a wave of temporal energy swept across the universe. Throughout the worlds, races experienced sudden waves of dizziness and disorientation. Those who were awake found themselves experiencing intense déjà vu, while those asleep began dreaming of lives they never lived - memories from a timeline that no longer existed. Though some property damage occurred during this mass event, miraculously, no lives were lost.

Orach sat vigilantly by the bed, watching as Diana and Rachel drifted into their induced sleep. Once he sensed their consciousness entering the dream state, he closed his eyes and carefully extended his God Ki, allowing his own consciousness to merge with theirs. Together, they would witness and understand the life Diana had lived in that other, darker timeline.