According to the Highfather's estimates, Darkseid would need time to replenish his forces, recover from his injuries, and then marshal his generals. He'd have minions infiltrate Earth to activate a Mother Box, then finally open a Boom Tube to transport Apokolips's armies. This entire fixed invasion process would take anywhere from six months to a year.
The New God armies wouldn't station on Earth. The first wave would be faced solely by Earth's superheroes. But once the enemy arrived, the Highfather would lead his forces into battle at the first opportunity.
He delicately expressed his apologies—the Highfather followed the rules while Darkseid didn't really follow them. Thea couldn't exactly criticize.
The Highfather's armies coming at all was good enough. It was far better than the original timeline's seven superheroes fighting Darkseid.
Thea increasingly distrusted her past memories. Seven heroes who'd never worked together, some who'd never even met, somehow joining forces to repel Darkseid and his countless armies? How was that possible? Surely that was a joke!
"Six months left. Stop frowning. Smile?" Back on Earth, seeing her beloved's worried expression, the now-radiant Diana began to comfort her.
Thea forced a smile. Diana would never know how much pressure Darkseid put on her. Before, she could excuse herself—if the sky falls, let the tall ones hold it up. Now she seemed to be the tallest. As someone who'd faced Darkseid's true body, she had enormous pressure and little confidence against that seemingly invincible enemy.
But she didn't want to dampen the mood. They watched some TV at home, then decided to go out.
Diana suggested visiting Superman—she'd heard Lois had successfully given birth and wanted to see the baby.
Originally, Thea had worried something might develop between Superman and Diana. Now that Superman had a child, given his saint-like character, nothing new would happen. She felt quite relieved.
They didn't teleport. They drove, taking the highway toward Kansas.
Just for relaxation, Thea didn't drive fast. The breeze blew through, making both women's hair dance in the wind. Diana stroked her beloved's golden locks—hair that would make even the sun jealous—and murmured to herself with some emotion:
"That world's Diana spent her whole life alone. She left Themyscira only to lose herself. Humans rejected her, her people didn't accept her. She walked her path in utter loneliness. I truly feel sorry for her."
Thea said nothing. This wasn't a moment requiring her words.
"I've reached heights the Greek gods never achieved. I feel fortunate yet uneasy. If I hadn't met you, would I have ended up like that Diana?"
Thea kept driving, letting Diana rest her head on her shoulder. Without her, Diana wouldn't have reached this point. Without Diana, Thea Queen certainly wouldn't have reached today either. Drawing Darkseid's attention was also a kind of high honor! Random nobodies didn't even register with the Lord of Evil.
Thinking of it that way, she suddenly felt much more balanced. The invisible pressure seemed to lighten considerably.
One hand on the wheel, the other pulling Diana closer, their fates had been intertwined since the day they met. Though she'd always resisted fate's various arrangements, right now she felt fortunate that fate had brought them together—to meet, to know each other, to love, walking hand in hand to heights ordinary people could never reach.
Free from the Greek gods' shackles—perhaps Diana's protagonist fortune had activated, or perhaps Himon's lucky charm was working—the journey was completely peaceful. No petty confrontations, no dramatic showdowns. They drove smoothly all the way to Clark's family farm.
The farms here were huge and sparsely populated—neighbors so distant they could hear each other's roosters but never meet face to face. The Kent family never hired outside help, and neighboring farmers never questioned it.
Years had passed since General Zod and Faora's attack. Thea had visited several times since, knew the way well, and drove straight into the farm's depths.
Stopping before a two-story house, both women removed their sunglasses. As the one more familiar with the Kent family, Thea went to knock on the door.
After a long moment, a white-haired elderly woman came to open the door.
"Hi, Aunt Martha. We've met before." Thea was curious why Superman hadn't come out—he should have seen her arrive. But she politely smiled at the old woman. Diana behind her waved slightly too.
The reclusive old lady was initially guarded, but recognizing Thea, she showed a kind smile. It was hard not to recognize the President's daughter. Besides, she'd met Thea before—she just hadn't recognized her immediately.
"Woof woof!" Amid barking, Clark and Lois emerged.
Superman looked the same as always—his face full of righteous, all-American wholesomeness. Lois beside him, having recently given birth, looked slightly plump. But the dog she held caught Thea's attention.
"That dog?" Following Thea's gaze, Diana also sensed something unusual. This wasn't the dog from before. This dog had high-energy readings coming from within!
Superman noticed their looks and shook his head slightly, signaling that his adoptive mother was still present.
Quick-witted Thea also held back the straightforward Diana. The group amicably entered the house.
Aunt Martha liked seeing Clark have visitors. She insisted on making them coffee.
Thea studied Superman and Lois. Their expressions were awkward, with a forced-cheerfulness quality. She exchanged a glance with Diana. Were these two fighting? Their timing seemed off...
"Talk about the baby, ease the awkwardness, then we'll slip away!" Though Diana was a pure warrior goddess, having spent so many years with Thea, she'd learned basic spells. Fireballs and ice bolts she could manage, if not expertly. Telepathic communication was no challenge. They quickly coordinated their approach.
Thea put on an innocent, knowing-nothing expression, smiling like a Cheshire cat. "I heard you had a son? Where's the baby? Does he look more like his father or mother? Let us see!"
At these words, the couple's faces grew even more uncomfortable. Thea's heart lurched. Did the baby die? No way!
Fortunately, it didn't come to that. Superman exchanged a look with his wife, face full of helplessness. "Let Thea see. Maybe she has a solution?"
What followed completely stunned both women. Lois led out a boy who looked about ten years old from a room. The boy had black hair, blue eyes, long thin limbs, and very strange clothes—as if an adult's garment had been hastily cut down, with rough edges everywhere.
The boy seemed nervous, not daring to look at Thea or Diana. Only when the big dog leaped into his arms did he finally relax with relief.