Invaded
Chapter One: Happy New Year
Author's Note:
I have written and rewritten this story a numerous of times. I wanted to place this story on the back burner but writing about Phoenix's adventures really does bring me happiness. One of the most important things I've realized is the story is best told through the eyes of Phoenix herself.
Enjoy. I promise this will be the last time I delete this story.
Five Years Later
Mount. Justice
January 1
06:18 PM EST
La'gaan slammed his fist onto the ground, shouting, "Neptune's beard! You did it to me again."
Nightwing stood over him, extending a hand. "I don't care how many years you've trained as Robin and then Nightwing," La'gaan revealed. "One of these days, you're mine chum."
I crossed my arms over my chest, clearing my throat to gain La'gaan's attention. "You're anticipating his moves. Always act, never react," I explain.
La'gaan bows his head, "Thank you, Phoenix. With both your training, I'll become one of the best fighters this Team has ever seen." La'gaan slammed his fist into his palm.
I curtly nodded my head, turning my attention to the computer as it announced the arrival of Delta Squad. I turn towards the zeta tubes, ready to greet them.
I gag, pinching my nose as their vile odor files the Cave.
"Hit the showers, all of you!" I shout, moving away from Beast Boy who was covered in sewage waste.
A holographic feed blinks as Captain Atom appears on the screen. "Emergency alert," he announces, "United Nations Headquarters is under attack."
"Beta is only two blocks away." Mal informs, typing on his own holographic screen. "Send in Beta," I agree.
Nightwing returned his attention towards Captain Atom. "Captain Atom, the Team's Beta Squad is in the vicinity. ETA: three minutes."
Captain Atom nodded his head in approval, "Understood. Captain Atom out."
The holographic feed fades and the screen closes. I pulled up a live news feed of the United Nations Headquarters.
"Remind me again who's on Beta," I say. Mal glances over, watching the feed with interest, answering, "Wonder Girl and Batgirl." I hum, watcing the live feed with interest.
The Watchtower
January 3
07:18 PM EST
The computer announced the arrival of Zatanna and Rocket as Green Lantern explained who the alien Batgirl and Wonder Girl tried to take down.
"This guy, Lobo, he's an intergalactic bounty hunter. Extremely dangerous but not likely to return. But the little guy is another story," Green Lantern explained, sighing. Pointing to the smaller alien, Green Lantern continued, "That's a Krolotean and Krolotean always travel in packs."
Batman glares slightly, "Meaning more of them are on Earth."
I roll my eyes, muttering, "Great."
Martian Manhunter steps forward, "I believe my friend may have vital information on that point." Martian Manhunter points to the scientist in the white lab coat behind him.
"Some of you have not met Adam Strange, of S.T.A.R. Lab's Erdel Initiative. He is the scientist responsible for maintaining the zeta beam technology we use for teleportation." Martian Manhunter explained.
"I was wondering why a stranger was allowed on the top secret Watchtower," Superboy sarcastically noted. "Is it even top secret anymore?" I retorted. "And he has a story to tell." Martian Manhunter concluded.
"Uh…it's a little involved. I wish I had visual aids or something," Strange admits, glancing around nervously at us. "I can assist you," Martian Manhunter declares; his eyes glow a bright red momentarily.
Adam Strange gasps, rubbing his temple.
"We are all linked, Adam. What you remember, we will see."
"Uh...great?" Adam announced aloud.
"Well, I was preforming a routine zeta tube upgrade when something went wrong, and I found myself transported halfway across the galaxy to a planet called Rann. There was a scientist there, Sardath. He was conducting his own experiments on enhanced— very enhanced— zeta beam technology. It took weeks to establish even basic communication. But Sardath eventually made me understand some of his zeta-tech had been stolen." Adam Strange concluded.
"Fits the Krolotean M.O." Green Lantern paused, "their entire culture revolves around stolen tech."
"Sardath detected transmissions between a single location on Rann and multiple locations on Earth. He was attempting to trace those when he accidentally transported me to Rann." Strange explained. Strange fished in his pocket, pulling out a pocket watch shaped item.
"He gave me this. It detects trace of zeta radiation," a large, yellow hologram of the Earth spun in front of us, "and can pinpoint all the locations where Kroloteans have beamed to Earth."
Captain Atom stepped forward. "Then I'm ordering a two-prompt attack. We'll stage simultaneous raids on every Krolotean target on Earth, while a contingent of Leaguers travel to Rann, with Strange here, to cut the Kroloteans off of the source." Captain Atom explained.
I nodded my head, silently agreeing.
Adam Strange cleared his throat, nervously. "Uh...we might have a problem with that...second prompt." He fiddled with his alien tech pocket watch, "Totally unclear on the 'why', but earthlings are personae non gratae in Rann's corner of the Galaxy. And these six Leaguers are...wanted criminals."
Superman. Batman. Wonder Woman. Martian Manhunter. Green Lantern. Hawk Woman.
"Batman!" Nightwing gasped, "It's the missing sixteen hours."
Batman nodded, "Agreed. Five years ago, Vandal Savage took complete control mental control of the entire Justice League. These exact six Leaguers went missing for sixteen hours." Batman explained to Adam Strange.
Green Lantern stepped forward, eyeing his picture. He rubbed his chin, muttering, "It never even occurred to us that Vandal might have sent us into space." Adam Strange closes his alien pocket watch.
"I'll alert Hal. He and Guy are on Oa, with the Green Lantern Corps." Green Lantern announces. Captain Atom cuts in, "Meanwhile, we have fifteen other active Leaguers to send to Rann to investigate."
Adam stepped in again, "You're not getting it. There's a planetary watch alert out on Rann for every Leaguer." Adam shows Atom the wanted signs.
I cleared my throat, smirking, "I guess this is where us non-Leaguers step in."
Nightwing turned to Strange, "Not all of us are Leaguers. Phe and I can send a squad to handle the Rann end of things. And to find out more about those missing sixteen hours— without causing an intergalactic incident." Nightwing said.
"Maybe even find some intel on the missing sixteen hours." I added.
"Do it." Captain Atom approved, nodding his head. Nightwing and I nodded curtly back, walking away. Miss Martian and Superboy followed behind.
"Uh...if you're going, don't wear that shirt." Adam Strange joked, pointing at the iconic insignia on Superboy's shirt.
The four of us turned, heading towards the zeta tubes. Zatanna and Rocket stood before us, blocking our exit.
"You know that whole thing about you not being Leaguers…you four still have an open invitation." Zatanna explained, her blue eyes landing on Nightwing's masked ones.
"We know, Z." Nightwing smiled softly.
"But we're all pretty happy-" Miss Martian was cut off by Superboy's gruff voice, "Where we are."
I glanced over at my three teammates, "Besides. Who's gonna get all the good gigs if we're on planetary alert?" I sarcastically questioned.
Mount. Justice
January 4
08:00 PM EST
"It's all hands on deck," Nightwing declared, point at the holographic map before us. "The League and the Team will hit all 14 Krolotean zeta locations simultaneously."Nightwing explained.
"Your priorities also include to search for any humans the aliens may have abducted," I added.
Nightwing nodded, agreeing. "As always," Nightwing gestured towards Mal, who stood with crossed arms, "Mal is ops manager, coordinating from here. Wonder Girl, you and I are Alpha. Assignment: Philadelphia."
"Batgirl and Bumblebee will be Beta. Assignment: Vladivostok." I announced.
"Robin, Lagoon, Beetle," Nightwing read the last names off our roster, "you're Gamma. You're headed to New Orleans."
"Gamma always gets the soft gigs," Lagoon Boy whined, sulking towards the loading dock. "Robin," Nightwing calls out, "you'll be running Gamma."
Robin's masked eyes widened, shooting me a helpless look. "W-What about Phoenix?" Robin frantically asked, turning towards me, "Aren't you coming with us?"
I shake my head, negative. "Sorry, Rob. Wolf and I are heading to Bludhaven." I informed; Robin sighed, sulking slightly, "But I've never led a squad before."
Nightwing countered, "Making this a good opportunity to get your feet wet as field leader."
Wolf nuzzled into my side, eager. I placed a hand on Robin's shoulder, squeezing gently. "Communication within a squad is key. You'll be fine. Dip your feet." I insist.
Robin raises an eyebrow, "Because we're Gamma and you're not expecting trouble or because we're stretched thin and you guys don't have a choice?"
A somber look washes over Nightwing as he stares at Robin, "Just don't die, okay? And no unnecessary risks to the squad. That's an order."
Bludhaven
January 4
08:47 PM EST
The factory was run down, with poorly boarded up windows. Wolf tilted his nose, growling at the stench of fish and decaying wood. He growled again, baring his sharp teeth. I scratched behind his ear, "Easy boy," I cooed.
I outstretched my left hand, jerking it to the left; the chains that locked the front doors snapped, ripping the door wide open. Wolf nudged me forward with his nozzle causing me to stumble. I stood at the threshold of the warehouse, glancing around in awe.
Three large platforms took up most of the space while computers lined the walls. They even looked more advanced than our zeta tubes.
The warehouse was empty, appearing abandoned. I furrowed my brow, confused. Adam Strange had said that there was massive zeta tube activity here which didn't add up to the sight before me. There were no Kroloteans in sight, no sign of activity.
Wolf whined, drawing me out of my thoughts. "Sorry, Wolf," I scratched behind his ear again. I returned my attention to the zeta-platforms.
I clenched my fists, igniting orbs around each fist. I threw multiple orbs at the platforms, flying above each platform to assure their total destruction. I outstretched my hands, ripping the computers from the walls. I piled them on top of the burning platforms, satisfied.
Wolf howled excitedly, running towards the exit.
I flew out of the warehouse, floating in the sky; through the skylight, I could make out the rapid growing fire. I outstretched my hands, flickering a force field to life around the warehouse. A large explosion erupted within my force field.
I lowered, landing beside Wolf once more. "Delta to Cave. Platforms destroyed."
Mal's voice broke through the low static in my ear piece, "Good job. Mal out."
Mount. Justice
January 4
10:12 PM EST
The zeta-beam whirled loudly as the computer announced my arrival. Nightwing stood alone in the Cave's main room, a series of holographic screens in front of him. I unhooked my utility belt, placing it on my shoulder as I walked towards the living quarters.
"There has been a confirmed Deathstroke sighting," Nightwing revealed. I turned, slowly, before my impatience got the better of me. I flew, landing directly next to him.
"Just when I thought things couldn't get worse," I sarcastically said. Nightwing enhanced a video, sighing, "He has an apprentice."