Mindlink
Italics = Robin
Italics/Bold = Aqualad
Italics/Underline = Miss Martian
Underline = Superboy
Underline/Bold = Kid Flash
Bold = Artemis

"Italics/quotes" = Comm-link

Chapter 1 - Red Portals and Kitties

KORD INDUSTRIES, STAR CITY
May 23, 23:03 PM, EDT

Robin was so not feeling the aster.

The day had started out fairly normal - they had been assigned a covert mission by Batman; there had been an electrical impulse or the other in Star City that needed investigation. A crisis of some sort had occupied the attention of the League, making the Team the only choice. They had all gotten onto the bioship and headed to Star City, with KF and Artemis squabbling over something (as usual); the rest of the team had ignored them, and Kaldur had been discussing tactics with Superboy while Robin hacked into security footage from around the area. After arriving M'gann had linked everyone telepathically, setting up the mindlink before they all split up to their respective positions. Everything had gone off without a hitch - Robin had just started to relax, thinking it was one of those missions, when all he- whoops, sorry, Alfred - er, chaos broke loose. Literally. There was a burst of red light, and Klarion the Witch-boy was there, cackling madly and stroking Teekl, his (completely abnormal) cat.

Yeah. Definitely a disaster. Heavy on the dis.

"Look, Teekl!" Said the Lord of Chaos in his whiny voice. "It's the Justice brats!"

Ugh. Said Artemis over the mindlink. Who let him in?

This was not part of the mission, Aqualad said. Robin, contact Batman and inform him of the... complication.

Way ahead of you, Aqualad. Replied Robin, fingers flying furiously over his holographic keyboard as he sent Batman the message.

Everyone else, get to your positions. Keep your eyes on Klarion.

I copy.

Got it!

Roger that.

Sure thing.

With that the team split, spreading out into a circle around the cackling Witch-boy, getting into their fighting stances. Artemis cocked an arrow on her bow and Aqualad readied his water bearers as Kid Flash pulled his goggles over his eyes. The teens eyed the Lord of Chaos warily, keeping him in their line of sight.

Klarion sniggered again, saying, "Ooh! Little kiddies think they can catch us, Teekl!"

Done! Said Robin, arming himself with birdarangs as he flipped into place beside Aqualad. Batman contacted and reply received. The League's on its way - he says to keep Pointy-ears busy.

With a growl Superboy tensed, and launched himself at Klarion. We don't need their help!

Superboy, don't - ! Aqualad's warning came too late, and he watched as the Kryptonian swung his fist at the entity, snarling as Klarion floated himself out of the way.

"Missed me!" cackled Klarion. "You've got to do better than that!" He sniggered loudly, rubbing the head of his cat.

Teekl meowed, and the Lord of Chaos sighed noisily, looking down at his familiar. "Is it time already? Oh well, Teekl," he said. "Let's get this over with, shall we?" With that he raised his hand, shooting out crackling beams of familiar red energy.

Get down! grunted Aqualad, rolling onto his side as he dodged a blast thrown his way. The energy crashed into the spot he had been in seconds ago, sending up a shower of debris.

This isn't doing any good, said Robin. We need a plan of attack to keep him busy! The Boy Wonder pulled out his staff, twirling it in his hands. Ideas, anyone?

Er... Distract him? said Kid Flash as he sped around to avoid another shot of red energy.

Artemis groaned, notching arrows and firing them at Klarion in quick succession. No duh, Baywatch!

The Atlantean sighed slightly, getting back up and whirling his water bearers into a defensive position. Kid Flash. Artemis. Please, focus.

Right. Sorry.

Loud and clear. With that snarky comment Artemis ducked into a roll, cursing quietly as an energy beam singed the end of her ponytail. Well?

Commence Maneuver 9. Stand ready!

Miss Martian flew over in camouflage mode, concentrating on separating Klarion from his cat. She gave a frustrated sigh. It's no use! He's got a barrier around him that interferes with my telepathy.

Plan B, then! Said Superboy as he picked up a boulder to hurl at the Witch-boy. Artemis and Robin positioned themselves on the opposite side, aiming arrows and birdarangs. Barely bothered, Klarion waved a hand, raising up a shield to misdirect the projectiles. "Bor-ing." A flick of his wrist spun balls of chaos at them, crackling glaringly.

Flipping backwards to avoid getting hit, Robin pressed his fingers to his comm. "Anytime now, B!"

"We're on our way. Keep at him."

With an exasperated sigh Robin somersaulted over another beam, ducking down behind a rock. It's gonna take them awhile. Miss M, any success?

Just distract him for a bit longer; that'll break his concentration.

Anything for you, Green Cheeks. Kid Flash replied cheekily. He began running around Klarion, creating a funnel of air that lifted him up several feet in the air.

The witch-boy summoned a swirling platform and righted himself, saying mockingly, "Is that the best you can do?" Teekl purred in agreement, rubbing his face against Klarion's shirt. Stroking his familiar's head with one hand, Klarion raised the other, twisting it in the air. A familiar red entryway shimmered open, reflecting eerie light like a pond.

It slowly grew in size, and was soon larger than the bioship. The portal hovered in front of Klarion, occasionally emitting malevolent red sparks.

Klarion sniggered, sweeping his hand until the portal was directly over the team. "So long, brats!"

"That can't be good," gulped KF out loud. Comments, Rob?

Robin grimaced, looking up from his wrist computer and shaking his head. Definitely bad. Readings say it's another one of his portals, but other than that, nothing.

Understood. Team, do not make any contact with the portal if possible.

"Didn't have to tell me, " growled Superboy as he backed away from under the portal. He was suddenly stopped with a jerk, and turned to face a dome-shaped barrier above and around him. The confinement stretched over Superboy, containing him and the rest of the team members within its curved walls.

It won't give! grunted Superboy, slamming his shoulder into the wall, with no avail. He kept beating at the barrier, roaring his frustration. We're trapped! Above the team, the portal began to descend, slowly drawing closer.

Not good! Robin yelled. He reached up to his comm, continuously throwing birdarang after birdarang at the force field. "B, Klarion's trapped us in a force field, and there's a wormhole over our heads that's coming closer by the minute!"

"Hold on," replied the Bat. Robin could hear the slight strain in his mentor's voice that betrayed the man's worry. "ETA fifteen minutes."

"Not gonna be fast enough!" said Robin, throwing another birdarang. "We've got ten minutes, tops."

He heard his mentor growl, then snap at someone next to him. "Where's Superman?" Robin heard over the comm. "Get me Flash, stat!"

Chuckling in spite of the situation, Robin turned to their team. They're getting here as fast as they can, but they're sending Flash ahead.

That is good news. While we wait -

Wait a sec. Interrupted Robin as his comm beeped. "Yeah, Batman?"

"Flash has been... delayed. He won't make it in time. Get out of there, now!"

Oh, crap.

Robin?

Dude, what'd Batman say?

"10-4." Robin replied. "And Batman..." he paused, then took a deep breath. "See you at Mount Justice."

There was silence for several seconds before Batman spoke. "I will." It was a silent agreement between mentor and protege, an unspoken promise to come back.

Dropping his hand from his comm, the Boy Wonder turned to the rest of his teammates. Bad news! he relayed. There's a high possibility that Flash won't make it in time, so we have to get out of here ASAP!

In unison each team member turned to a wall, hammering at the border with a newfound desperation. With each blow the barrier weakened, and the portal was just touching the top of the dome when it dissipated. They scattered in all directions, getting out of the range of the wormhole.

Klarion pouted. "Party poopers," he whined, wiggling his fingers. Suddenly he grinned and snapped his fingers, his black irises turning blood-red. "But that can be easily fixed." At his snap the wormhole contracted and let down a funnel of energy resembling a tornado. It began sweeping across the ground, picking up debris as it went.

Artemis gave a short curse as she was lifted up off the ground. So not our day, she groaned as she was dragged closer to the wormhole. Little help, please?

Miss Martian began levitating Artemis away, only to be swept up as well. I'm being dragged in! she cried out, struggling to get herself and Artemis out of the range of the wind.

M'gann! said Superboy, grabbing onto her leg as she drifted past him. He dug his heels into the ground, leaning away from the pull of the wind. When the clone's feet began to slip, Aqualad made his way over, holding onto Superboy's other arm. Using a water bearer with his free hand, the Atlantean wrapped the water around a nearby telephone pole and pulled, painstakingly making his way towards it.

Seeing what Aqualad was trying to do, Robin struggled over to the pole, taking out his spare grapple gun. He dismantled it and withdrew the cord, trying to secure it as quickly as possible. When his fingers slipped he let out a frustrated growl. KF! Get over here!

The speedster complied, taking the Kevlar-reinforced rope from Robin and tying it to the pole at superspeed. He took the other end and headed towards the backtracking group. Aqualad took hold of the line, sheathing his water bearer. He began to take slow, agonizing steps, slowly but surely approaching their temporary anchor. Robin was preoccupied, resuming his activity of assailing Klarion with projectiles, ones that the Lord of Chaos dodged with ease.

The Boy Wonder had just thrown his fifth birdarang when his comm beeped again. Heart pounding, he answered it. "Please tell me you're at least two minutes away."

"We are," Batman replied. "Status report."

By then all six of them were near the telephone pole, bracing themselves against the pull of the vortex. "Situation's gotten worse. Klarion converted the portal to a tornado, and we're trying not to get sucked in."

"No casualties?"

"None so far. But hurry anyways."

"Understood." Batman spoke off to the side to someone in the background. "Are Superman and Flash still unavailable?" Robin heard a faint negative answer. "Then send Green Lantern."

He would have heard more if it wasn't for the heart-dropping snap that seemed to echo in his ears. Cursing quietly, Robin turned to see the rope fraying. "We've got a problem."

There was a slight burst of static, then Batman was back online. "What happened?"

"I secured everyone to a telephone pole," the words with the grappling gun went unsaid, "but it's about to snap." He shared worried looks with the rest of his teammates. "How close are you, again?"

"Green Lantern should be there in a few seconds."

"Tell him to hurry," gritted Robin, hands on both ends of the break. "We're not gonna last that - " he was cut off as the pull of the wind strengthened, tugging the team further away from the pole. The rope strained, and fibers began disconnecting rapidly as the rope slipped out of his hands. With a final crack the rope separated, sending the young heroes careening towards the red funnel of energy with several curses (Artemis), shrieks (Miss Martian), and yells (everyone else).

"Robin?" Robin could hear Batman's voice through the comm, but the wind took his breath, and he struggled to answer. "Robin! Answer me!"

"We're getting sucked in!" panicked Robin, trying to keep upright in the air. Out of the corner of his eye he caught a familiar green glow. "GL! Over here!"

Hal Jordan sped towards the team, ring construct extended. He had almost reached them when the vortex spun faster, whipping the teens out of the space cop's reach.

The air got thinner, and Robin could see black on the edges of his vision. As the funnel grew closer he sluggishly wondered if this was the end. His eyes fluttered shut, and the Boy Wonder succumbed to the darkness. The last thing he heard before completely losing consciousness was Batman frantically calling his name.

-End of Chapter 1-

Edit: I don't own Young Justice (or DC Comics, or Robin, or etc...)