Trouble had come to Titans Tower.
It had started as a quiet, peaceful day - ruined by the arrival of uninvited guests. There were dozens of them, men cloaked and hooded and donning the familiar sigil of the Church of Blood. They attacked without warning, surging onto the tower grounds with such speed and fanatical fury that Koriand’r didn’t even have the chance to change clothes!
Clad in nothing but a small shirt and some old gym shorts, Kory now found herself trapped down in the tower garage against yet another unexpected foe. A large, looming brute of a man - or at least it had the shape of a man - her enemy was a wall of muscle in deep shades of purple.
The enemy was familiar to her. One of Superman’s foes, called Parasite. Capable of draining victims of their power and life force. He wore even less than Kory, no clothes and no armor. Just a leathery hide snapped taut over his powerful body. And his face… no nose, just a mouth and two white pits for eyes. And those eyes were dead set on Kory.
How had he broken out of prison? Why was he following Brother Blood?
Kory had many thoughts. Parasite gave her no time to ponder any of them.
X’Hal, he’s fast! Kory swept back just as the brute came crashing down where she once hovered. The landing cracked the solid concrete floor, throwing up a thin cloud of dust - and then he was hurtling towards her again. Arms thrown out, large hands grasping for her.
Kory flew back, away, chucking starbolts his way. The green energy struck Parasite, dead center of his chest… it got a grunt out of him and a moment of respite for herself, but little more. The beast was chuckling as the bolts crackled and dissipated on his body.
“What’s the matter, Starbabe? You don’t need to be scared of little ol’ me.”
“I fear nothing.” Kory shot back, fists glowing defiantly. “My homeworld has rodents more fearsome than you.”
Parasite barked out another laugh.
“Is that right? Why don’t you come a little closer then?” He beckoned her over with one hand. “Let me get a better look at those legs.”
Though his eyes were flat, solid white, Kory could feel the way he was leering at her. She could feel his hunger sweeping over her skin. A shudder rolled down her back. Kory put more space between them.
“The League warned us about you. About how you drain victims of their energy… and their powers.”
“Yeah, yeah, like a parasite. The Metropolis press was real original with that one. But I’m not as bad as they say, honest.”
“I find that hard to believe.” Kory said dryly.
As if to prove her point, he made another lunge for her. This time it was closer. His hand just barely missed her ankle as he grabbed for her. His bulk slammed into the concrete wall, leaving a man-sized indentation. He peeled himself out, brushing the dust from his shoulders.
Kory sent another flurry of starbolts upon him. Green eruptions peppered his body, knocking him off his feet. Another barrage of bolts left him lying in a smoking crater.
Parasite stirred and grunted. Unharmed, he was. And undeterred.
“Hey, I’m not a selfish guy.” He told her casually, as if he hadn’t destroyed half of the Titans’ garage just trying to pin her down. “Especially not with girlies that look like you. I’ll only drain you a little bit, promise.” He somehow managed to twist his near-featureless face into a lecherous grin. “Then we can get you out of those clothes and you can drain me.”
There were no curses in the Tamaranean tongue that could reflect how much the thought revolted her. Kory answered with a scowl… and a dozen more blasts from her glowing hands.
“Fine.” She heard the Parasite beast grumble. “Have it your way, Starbitch.”
He didn’t lunge for her this time. Instead, he reached out and grabbed the remains of Nightwing’s motorcycle and hurled it towards Kory. She spun in the air, feeling the hunk of twisted metal just barely sweep past her head.
“Cretin!” She spat.
“Heh. I’ve been called worse!” Parasite found one of Cyborg’s supercars next. He wrenched two of the doors free, chucking them Kory’s way. She dove behind one of the garage support pillars, rolling as she hit the concrete.
It took only a moment for Kory to get her bearings… but it was all Parasite needed. When she looked up, he had already closed the distance. The creature stood over her, leering with those dead white eyes.
“Always wanted to get a taste of Tamaranean…”
It all happened in the space of a heartbeat. His open hand reached out, ready to close over her face. Two booms rocking through the ground, faint down in the bowels of the garage. Then… two crashes. The thunderous sound of concrete crumbling. BOOM, BOOM.
Parasite froze. Though his face was flat, Kory swore his expression had turned fearful.
“Oh, you’ve gotta be-”
Twin beams of blazing red caught Parasite in his flank. The next moment he vanished - blown clear across the garage and through the far wall.
Kory whipped her head around, putting her eyes upon-
“Superman!” She shot to her feet, invigorated by sheer relief. “I am very pleased to see you!”
Indeed, the Man of Steel was a wonderful sight to behold as he floated forth from the hole his own entrance had made. His muscle was more than a match for Parasite’s - and was much more pleasing to look at besides, dignified and strapping where the villain had been brutish and beastly. His strength was clear yet tempered in a way Kory could only call regal. And with that brilliant red cape billowing from his shoulders, Superman cut the very image of heroism.
And he was not alone. Coming up just behind, cutting just as impressive a figure, was yet another Kryptonian. The proud, blonde beauty who called herself Power Girl. Kory found the sight of her pleasing as well.
“Likewise, Starfire.” Superman floated down to be level with her, offering a friendly grin. He then eyed the hole he’d just sent Parasite through. “Looks like we showed up in the nick of time.”
Kory nodded in agreement. “The one called Parasite, he is more troublesome than I expected.”
“He’s a creep, alright.” Power Girl had a look of disgust as she muttered to Superman. “Last time I tangled with him he tried to cop a feel.”
Kory noted then the faint change in the Man of Steel’s expression. A tightening in his jaw, across his brow. Anger, she wondered?
“Hm. Then I guess I’ll take this opportunity to teach him some manners.”
Superman had always spoken with a deep, authoritative cadence, but now… now there was something else. An edge that his words had never held before. It was surprising to hear from him… though Kory would not call it unpleasant.
Power Girl’s mischievous chuckle broke through Kory’s thoughts.
“Sounds like my kind of party.”
“I’ll handle Parasite.” Superman told her. It was an order, clear and direct, and his tone left no room for argument. Yet he was not admonishing in the slightest. His was the voice of a man with unrivaled surety. Kory saw that resolve in his eyes as well when the man looked to her and Power Girl. “You two should go and help the other Titans. I can hear Nightwing having a rough time with Brother Blood.”
Kory felt her heart quicken. Her romance with Nightwing might have ended but she still had love for him, just as she had love for all of her Earth friends. She reminded herself not to worry. Help had already arrived.
“Of course, Superman.” Kory said. Power Girl nodded alongside her.
“You’re the boss, Kal.”
Superman’s look softened some and he was grinning again. For Kory, few sights had been more comforting. Then, with a low THOOM and a gust of wind, the Man of Steel flew away, shooting off through the same hole Parasite’s bulk had made in the garage wall.
Leaving Kory with Power Girl. The blonde had a smirk of her own then. A knowing smile. There was no doubt she had caught Kory’s look when Superman had first arrived.
“He’s quite the man, isn’t he?” Power Girl teased.
The blonde was more than a mere beauty herself, Kory decided then. The Kryptonian woman simply had an air about her, a glow that set her apart from most other superheroines. So few of their number could even come close to matching that proud, lavish figure. Just like Superman, Power Girl had plenty to admire. And Kory certainly admired.
“Yes.” Kory didn’t see the point in pretending she wasn’t attracted. There was no silly shame on Tamaran. “He is incredibly impressive. Very… commanding.”
A flash in Power Girl’s blue eyes turned her smirk into something much less innocent.
“You have no idea.”
“Oh?” Kory floated closer, intrigued. “He is… bossy?”
Rich, throaty laughter came from the blonde then. Some wisps of that immaculate golden hair came down, brushing over the smoothness of her cheeks. It was something so small and simple but enchanting all the same.
“Ha. That’s one way of putting it.” Power Girl let her hands rest on her waist, drawing Kory’s eyes to the wondrous swell of her hips and the way her long, smooth legs came pouring down from the high cut of her outfit. Only for her sweet hum to bring Kory’s eyes all the way back up to her stunning face. “He’s the kind of man you want in charge.”
Kory had thoughts about that. Vivid thoughts. Vivid enough to warm her already hot Tamaranean skin.
“I can see why so many on Earth look up to him.
“I do a lot more than look up to him.”
From the silky richness in her voice, there was no doubt as to what Power Girl meant. Kory had been on Earth long enough to understand at least some of these human peculiarities. Especially when it came to matters of sex.
Still… it did well for one to be sure.
“...You mean to say-”
“I mean to say…” Power Girl floated a bit closer, now very open with her own appreciation. “If he’s this good in a fight, just imagine how he is in the sack. Seeing your face now, I bet you’ve imagined quite a bit.”
The vivid thoughts that had warmed her so, they were racing now. Kory swallowed.
“I…”
Power Girl snickered then. With a wink, she floated back quickly. The faint gust of cool wind shocked Kory back to her senses. Mostly. Her heart still thumped heavily in her chest.
“Come on.” Power Girl beckoned Kory to follow. “Your friends need help.”
- - -
Rudy Jones, the man now called Parasite, was always tricky to deal with. One touch, even for a second, was enough to turn him into an even bigger problem. Big even for Superman.
Clark played it smart. Heat vision and powerful gusts of his frost breath to keep his foe at bay, never flying too close, and pelting him with chunks of concrete, dumbbells, iron plates - the weight room had plenty of ammo to spare.
One hit sent the purple wall of muscle tumbling face first into a barbell rack, taking the whole crashing down with him. Clark moved quickly then, snapping an inhibitor collar around Parasite’s neck while he was groaning on the floor. Did it in less than a second. Flash might have been impressed.
By the time Parasite got himself sitting up, he seemed to know the jig was up. Those flat eyes looked up at him under a pinched brow, his blank face somehow conveying annoyance. He let out a frustrated sigh, resting his arms on his knees.
“You went pretty rough this round, boy scout.” Parasite grumbled. “Somebody piss in your morning coffee?”
Clark touched down, unamused and unmoved.
“I know for a fact that Belle Reve received a substantial budget increase to overhaul their security last year. How did you break out, Rudy?”
“Like I’m gonna snitch.”
Clark glowered at the man. Normally that put some fright into crooks, but Parasite wasn’t some common goon.
“Have it your way. I thought your rehabilitation was going well, too. A damn shame.”
“What are you, my mother?”
Clark’s answer was to grab a couple of barbells and twist them tight around the man’s chest and legs. With that collar on, he could only sit there and take it. There was a part of Clark, a small part, that was satisfied seeing the slump of defeat worm through Parasite’s body.
Clark allowed himself a second to admire his own handiwork. Professional pride, really.
The next second, he attuned his ears. He heard the others, Karen and the rest of the Titans. And it sounded like Blood and his cultists were still giving them trouble.
“Sit tight.” He told the bound Parasite. “I’m going to deal with your new pals.”
- - -
When Kory and Power Girl reached the upper floor, they found quite a mess. The central chamber had been turned into a battlefield.
Beast Boy was beset upon by half a dozen cultists, shifting from mouse to bird to snake in a frantic dance to dodge their attacks. Cyborg was similarly overwhelmed, half-buried under several cloaked enemies who were trying their hardest to weigh him down. And there, against the huge glass window overlooking Jump City, were Nightwing and Brother Blood locked in a fierce duel.
Power Girl moved first and quickly, shooting towards Beast Boy. Two cultists went flying into the wall with dull, wince-inducing THUDS. They fell to the floor, writhing and groaning.
Beast Boy shifting back to his human form, hooting happily at the arrival of backup. Though Kory couldn’t help but notice that he looked especially happy seeing Power Girl…
“Hell yeah! We got Kryptonian muscle now!”
All the cultists tensed up at once hearing that. A dozen pairs of eyes jumped towards Power Girl… leaving Kory with a perfect opening. A few well-placed starbolts knocked some of the enemies clinging to Cyborg’s bulk. From there he easily shook off the rest. Then came the rumbling of a one-man stampede as Beast Boy chased off another handful of foes, taking the shape of a large, horned earth-beast.
In the space of a few seconds, the Blood cultists were down to half-strength. Then they were next to no strength at all, as all but Brother Blood himself took the chance to flee.
The masked madman cursed them, seething like Kory had never seen before. Nightwing, on the other hand, was the very image of calm.
“It’s over, Blood.” The leader of the Titans circled his enemy with caution, Escrima sticks at the ready. “I don’t know what you were thinking, pulling this stunt, but you’re outmatched now.
Cyborg stomped over to join them, using his broad size to block any route for escape. The flesh and blood portion of his face was set with a stony frown.
“Yeah… Now save yourself some major hurt and surrender.”
Brother Blood hissed and sputtered under his horned, skeletal mask.
“Young, arrogant fools!” He continued to seethe. “I have walked the fires of Hell. I have slain beasts that your demonspawn witch would not dare face!”
“Just try and slay me, Brother Blowhard.” Power Girl flew in between Nightwing and Cyborg, staring down at the cultist leader with glowing red eyes. “You won’t walk right for the rest of your life.”
Kory heard Beast Boy snicker then. Her shorter friend strolled up beside her, a bawdy grin on his green face.
“Heh. I thought we wanted him to surrender.” He murmured.
It was good that the cultists hadn’t harmed her friend enough to dull his raunchy sense of humor. But for Kory, the time for jokes was later. She flew up besides Power Girl, hoping the green glow of her fists was as intimidating as the woman’s fiery eyes.
“I would listen to what she says, Brother of the Blood.” Kory told the masked villain. “Her strength is beyond mine… and far beyond yours.”
The man looked from hero to hero, each of their faces seeming to feed into his helpless rage.
“Surrender? Me? I will never-”
THOOM.
A blue blur. A burst of wind. A large hand was set firmly upon Brother Blood’s shoulder. And the big red S standing proudly behind the man’s head told the Titans that this fight was over.
“There’s a first time for everything.” Said Superman as he lifted Brother Blood by the scruff of his cloak.
“Unhand me! You dare touch me-”
There was a moment there when Superman brought Brother Blood in close, moving the man so effortlessly, his stern face taking on the stony visage of authority and power, where Kory felt a lightness in her chest… and a familiar twinge in the depths of her belly.
“Settle. Down.” Superman’s voice, much like his body and his nerve, was like steel. “You’re done here.”
Brother Blood ceased his squirming then. Kory knew cold fear when she saw it.
The battle for Titans Tower was over.
- - -
Gathering up all of their defeated foes didn’t take long after that.
Brother Blood, some twenty of his cultists, plus a grumbling Parasite, all bound and lined up by the outdoor pool. They were just waiting for the proper Jump City authorities to cross over the bridge from the mainland now.
The boys, Kory noted with amusement, took the opportunity to crowd Superman and Power Girl. It wasn’t every day that Justice Leaguers came to visit Titans Tower.
“It’s just crazy you two showed up, man. Not that I’m complaining.” Cyborg wore a smile as big as Kory had ever seen from him, getting a fistbump from Superman.
“Well, Parasite usually tangles with me. When I heard he was making trouble again, I figured I had to do something about it.” Superman took on a modest grin. “And I heard Jump City was pretty nice. Wanted to see for myself.”
“Best vegan pizzerias this side of the Gotham River!” Beast Boy insisted.
“And the best football team in the NFL!” Cyborg boasted proudly, crossing his arms.
“Oh?” Superman took the challenge with good humor. “Even better than my Metropolis Meteors?”
“No doubt. You’ll see in the playoffs. Ty Philips is getting us to the Super Bowl.”
“Philips is a bum.” Beside the pool, Parasite had scooted himself around to face them. “Can’t make half his passes. Isn’t even the top QB in the division.”
Cyborg whirled around, aghast.
“A bum!? You calling him a bum? Ain’t no way I heard you right!”
“His stats are crap, Machine Man. All hype since he was drafted - in the second round, mind you. And four turnovers in a single half isn’t getting you to the Super Bowl, kid.”
“He’s improved!” Cyborg stomped over, utterly incensed now. “Nine-and-six so far in his sophomore season! Show me a single QB who has his physicality and I’ll…”
As Cyborg went on with his ranting, the rest went back to thanking their rescuers. Nightwing offered an apologetic smile as he shook Superman’s hand.
“Thanks again for the assist back there. Pretty good timing, I gotta say.”
“It’s no problem, really. I was happy to help.”
“There’s still the issue of security.” Nightwing rubbed at his chin, making a pointed glance towards all the enemies that managed to swarm the tower. “How were they able to get so close undetected?”
“Maybe you could talk with Batman, work something out for a security update? He’s been a bit busy lately, but I’m sure he’ll make the time…”
As the two men talked, Kory found herself drifting further back - physically and mentally. Something she couldn’t quite place, a feeling within her, was pushing her focus onto Superman… and Power Girl. It wasn’t gratitude that she felt warming her chest. And the way she saw them both now… not as friends or allies or rescuers… but as something more… It burrowed deep into her gut, coiling tight.
A nudge at her side shook Kory from the depths of her mind. It was Power Girl standing close beside her, looking so pretty, so powerful… and so amused. The blonde had on a friendly smile, her posture open, approachable. A far cry from the image of strength she cut when she first arrived.
“See what I mean?” Power Girl said quietly, gesturing her head towards the conversing Superman. “A natural leader.”
Kory saw. The Man of Steel had Nightwing’s full attention. Beast Boy’s too. Even over the pleasing sight of Power Girl. He had their attention… and their deference.
As he should.
Kory blinked, surprised at herself. Where had that thought come from, she wondered? Then she saw Power Girl’s expectant look.
“Yes.” Kory agreed. “He makes it all seem so effortless.”
“Because for him, it is.” Power Girl pressed closer, close enough now that her hip grazed against Kory’s. The blonde’s voice dropped lower then. “There’s not a single man on this rock that can match him. In anything.”
“I’m… not so sure about that…”
Nightwing… Dick… she still had much love for him in her heart. A skilled leader… a skilled lover… one of the most talented Kory had ever enjoyed in bed… The thought that he paled in comparison to Superman…
Power Girl’s sweet hum poured into Kory’s ear.
“Do you want to find out for yourself?”
For myself…
Kory breathed slowly. She hugged her arms to her belly, suddenly feeling a chill go across her mostly bare skin. She still hadn’t changed out of her shorts and little t-shirt. But it wasn’t embarrassment that Kory felt. She was not ashamed of her body or her beauty. She was happy Superman could see her like this.
Happy…
Finding her nerve, she turned to face the blonde. To see if this was some sort of strange Earth joke. Power Girl still had that smile, that shine in her blue eyes, that look about her that had so much wonderful, wicked promise.
The woman reached out then, letting her gloved fingers brush ever so gently along the bare sliver of Kory’s belly. A simple little touch, but X’Hal was it electric. Power Girl wetted her lips then, brazen now with her appreciation of Kory and her brief attire.
“Let the boys deal with clean-up. I say we head on up to your room. You can show me how Tamaraneans blow off steam.”
Simple. Direct. As matters of sex and love should be. Kory liked that.
“That sounds nice.” Kory returned Power Girl’s smirk. She held back a giggle, looking towards Superman. “But what about-”
“He’ll be there.” The blonde promised.
Kory’s heart was racing now. Even more than when Parasite had her at his mercy.
Nobody would notice if they slipped away now. Cyborg was still embroiled in his argument - Beast Boy had joined him, laughing heartily at his friend’s passion for sports. Nightwing was still all-business with Superman. The Man of Steel himself, though… He seemed to sense Kory’s gaze, his steely blue eyes turning to meet hers. A faint smile crossed his face then. A handsome smile.
Then she felt Power Girl’s palm smack her bottom. Kory nearly jumped. Not that it would have helped. Not when she felt Power Girl’s lips at her neck a split-second later. Sugar sweet jolts all along her skin as the Kryptonian woman peppered kisses along her neck.
Kory shuddered. It felt nice. Too nice for her to squirm away.
When her gaze sharpened, she saw Superman again. His smile was gone. The look that came to replace it had the knot in Kory’s belly dancing, dancing on a floor made of fire.
It was hunger that Kory saw. Raw and primal. It took Kory’s breath away.
Then he shook his head and it was gone. The Man of Steel was close to blushing as he turned his attention back to Nightwing, pretending like nothing happened.
“Now you got him.” Power Girl snickered into Kory’s ear.
She would have pulled the blonde to the ground right then and there if they had been on Tamaran. But this was not Tamaran. Earth had taught Kory the value of patience.
“Let’s go.” She told the Kryptonian temptress.
Those blue eyes shined back with wicked glee.
“Good girl.”