In A New League Of Power

Chapter 11

Hawaii was everything we needed. The sun, the sand, and the surf offered a perfect escape from the relentless grind of Metropolis. Kara and Volcana had quickly settled into the island vibe. Kara, in a vibrant bikini, radiated happiness as she basked under the sun. Volcana, in her more modest yet stunning swimsuit, had surprisingly taken to hula dancing, her fiery hair catching the light as she swayed to the music.

I, on the other hand, was having an interesting time fending off more advances than I could count. It seemed that my recent promotion to the Justice League had made me quite the catch. The attention was flattering, but also a bit overwhelming.

Just as we were starting to unwind and enjoy our mini-vacation, the sky above darkened, and a strange energy permeated the air. I looked up, squinting against the sudden change in light. A portal opened in the sky, and from it emerged a figure clad in regal armor, her red hair flowing like a lion's mane.

She landed gracefully on the beach, her presence demanding immediate attention. Kara and Volcana stood up, their guard instantly up. The woman scanned the area, her eyes finally locking onto me.

"I am Maxima," she declared, her voice echoing with authority. "I have come to this planet in search of a suitable husband."

Kara's eyes narrowed. "And you think you're just going to waltz in here and claim someone?"

Maxima's gaze shifted to Kara, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I seek strength and power, qualities I have sensed in this man." She gestured towards me.

Volcana stepped forward, flames subtly flickering around her hands. "He's not up for grabs, Maxima."

Maxima raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Then perhaps I should test his worth myself."

Before I could react, Maxima lunged at me with incredible speed. I barely had time to dodge her first strike, the force of her punch sending shockwaves through the sand.

Kara and Volcana joined the fray, but Maxima was a whirlwind of strength and agility. She deflected their attacks effortlessly, her focus remaining on me.

"Enough!" I shouted, using my super speed to create distance between us. "If it's a challenge you want, then let's settle this."

Maxima's lips curled into a smile. "Very well. Prove yourself worthy."

We clashed, our blows creating tremors that shook the beach. She was strong, stronger than anyone I had faced before. But I had trained with Superman, and I wasn't going to back down.

Kara and Volcana provided support, their combined efforts creating openings for me to exploit. But Maxima was relentless, her determination unwavering.

"You're strong," she admitted, blocking one of my punches. "But are you worthy of ruling by my side?"

I gritted my teeth, summoning every ounce of strength I had. "I'm not here to rule. I'm here to protect."

With a final surge of power, I managed to land a blow that sent Maxima sprawling. She got up slowly, a look of genuine surprise on her face.

"You are indeed powerful," she said, a hint of respect in her tone. "Perhaps I was mistaken in my approach."

Before she could say more, Superman appeared, his arrival heralded by a gust of wind. He landed between us, his expression stern.

"Maxima," he said, his voice calm but firm. "This is not how we resolve things on Earth."

Maxima straightened, a regal air about her. "I see. My apologies for the disruption."

Superman nodded. "Let's talk this out. There are better ways to find what you're looking for."

Maxima glanced at me one last time before nodding. "Very well. I will listen."

With that, they took off into the sky, leaving the three of us on the beach. Kara and Volcana looked at me, their expressions a mix of concern and admiration.

"That was intense," Volcana said, shaking her head.

Kara stepped closer, her eyes searching mine. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, though my body ached from the battle. "I'll be fine. Just another day in the life of a hero, I guess."

When Superman and Maxima returned, Superman pulled me aside. His expression was a mixture of concern and reluctance, which immediately set off alarm bells in my head.

"Cornelius," he began, "Maxima has... requested a date with you. She believes it will help her understand Earth customs better."

I raised an eyebrow. "Requested?"

He sighed. "She threatened to go to war with Earth if we denied her."

My stomach dropped. "Seriously? And we're just going along with it?"

Superman nodded grimly. "For now. We need to avoid conflict. Just try to make it through the evening."

I didn’t like the idea one bit, but I agreed, knowing the stakes were too high to refuse.

That evening, Maxima met me at a quiet restaurant in Metropolis. She was dressed elegantly, her presence commanding attention as soon as she walked in. I forced a smile and stood up to greet her.

"Good evening, Maxima," I said, trying to keep my tone neutral.

"Cornelius," she replied with a nod. "I appreciate you agreeing to this."

We sat down, and the first few minutes were awkward. Maxima was clearly not used to Earth customs, and her blunt manner made conversation difficult. I found myself struggling to keep things light and polite.

"This Earth food is quite different," she remarked, poking at her salad. "Interesting textures."

"Yeah, it takes some getting used to," I replied. "But it's not bad once you find what you like."

She looked at me thoughtfully. "Tell me about your life here. Your... hero duties."

I hesitated, but then started to share some of my experiences. As I talked, I noticed that she was genuinely listening, her eyes focused on me with an intensity that was both unnerving and intriguing.

"I see," she said after a while. "You care deeply for your planet and its people."

"Of course," I said, surprised at her insight. "It's my home."

Her expression softened slightly. "That is something we share. I care deeply for my people as well. My actions may seem harsh, but they are born out of a desire to protect."

As the evening progressed, I found myself relaxing a bit. Maxima was still intense, but there was a sincerity in her that I hadn't expected. She was trying to bridge the gap between our worlds, and I had to give her credit for that.

"So, what do you think of Earth so far?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"It is... different," she admitted. "But there is beauty here. And strength. I see why you are so devoted to it."

By the end of the evening, I realized that I was actually enjoying myself. Maxima had a way of drawing you in, her passion and determination were admirable once you got past her initially imposing demeanor.

When we finally parted ways, she looked at me with a thoughtful expression. "Thank you, Cornelius. This evening has been... enlightening."

I nodded, smiling. "Same here, Maxima. Maybe we can do this again sometime."

She gave a small, almost shy smile. "I would like that."

As I flew back home, I couldn't help but reflect on the evening. What had started as a dreaded obligation had turned into something surprisingly pleasant. Maxima was not what I had expected, and I found myself looking forward to seeing where things might go.

Back at the Fortress of Solitude, Superman met me with a questioning look. "How did it go?"

I shrugged, a small smile playing on my lips. "Better than I expected. She's... interesting."

Superman chuckled. "She has that effect on people. Just be careful, Cornelius. Maxima is a force to be reckoned with."

"I know," I said, nodding. "But maybe that's not such a bad thing."