I'm back. Please don't kill me…
I apologize for not posting in a LONG time. School and family are still very important. You guys understand that right?
Anyways, here it is. I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice.
…
Chapter 4: Setting Course
…
Watchtower
July 2, 15:44 UTC
"You're asking us to do this?" Kara Zor-El exclaimed. The original Team and Lar Gand were in the control room.
Batman nodded, "I am."
"But why us?" Nightwing asked another question.
"Because you're capable enough," the Dark Knight explained, looking at the original Team, minus Superboy, "The five of you have been on this Team since its very beginning. Experienced, and battle-hardened. I believe you can find Superman in time."
"Understood," Aqualad nodded, "When do we leave?"
"In three hours," Batman said, making everyone nod, "Gives all of you time to prepare if you need to."
"Are we using the Bio-Ship for this mission?" Miss Martian asked.
"No. The others members may need it for their missions," he explained, "Besides, no one in the Team knows the Daxam language."
Lar Gand quietly chuckled, putting on a light smile.
"Now dismiss," Batman lastly said.
The Team walked to different directions, going either to their homes or dormitories to pack.
…
3 Hours Later
…
With Aqualad
"Kaldur'ahm, you have no idea how proud I am," Aquaman spoke to his first apprentice.
Aqualad smiled, "I believe I have the right idea."
They shook hands.
"But may I request something of you?"
"Anything."
"My father, Black Manta," he said uncomfortably, "Is there any chance he would be welcomed into Atlantis once again?"
Aquaman stood silently for a moment, "I will see to it. After all, he did help us escape that day, two years ago."
"Thank you." He said, finally, before walking towards the Daxamite ship.
…
With Nightwing
"Are you ready?" Batman asked.
"You've been training me since I was ten," Nightwing reminded, "I'm ready."
Red Robin (Tim Drake), Batgirl and Robin said their good-lucks and long embraces.
…
With Artemis and Kid Flash
Artemis stayed in an embrace with Green Arrow.
"You okay, kid?"
She snorted, "I'm 22. Not a kid."
Oliver quickly smiled, "Do you want me to send anything to your family?"
"Just a message." She said as she pulled out something from her pocket. A white envelope that she handed to him.
Taking it, Oliver said, "Good luck out there."
"I will."
Green Arrow walked to join Black Canary as Kid Flash came up to Artemis.
"Ready, babe?" Wally held Artemis's hands tight, "Space might be tough on you."
Artemis chuckled, "Look, if I can handle you, Mr. West, then I can handle space." She kissed his lips before she let go of his hands and walked into the Daxamite ship.
Wally stayed outside, thinking about what she said. His hands were still in the air, "What's wrong with me?"
"Nothing's wrong with you, kid." The Flash was standing right in front of him.
"You think so?"
"Yeah," Barry brought out a hand, "You're going into space, kid."
Wally sighed, "I know. But will be worth it?"
"How much faith you got?"
"I'm not sure."
"The more faith you got, I think you can make it out alive." They exchanged a hug before Wally noticed Dick and Kaldur walking together, holding two duffel bags each. Flash moved out of the way to join up with the other Leaguers.
"Guys?"
"What?" Dick was first to speak.
"What's wrong with me?"
Kaldur chuckled and walked in first. Dick smiled cheekily and patted Wally's shoulders, "You should know by now. You."
"But what does that mean!?" He exclaimed as he followed him inside.
…
With Miss Martian
"Be safe, M'gann." Martian Manhunter put his hand on top of M'gann's head.
She smiled, "Thank you, Uncle J'onn. I'll be fine."
"Good. I will send a message to your family back on Mars."
"That would be appreciated." Then Manhunter levitated and moved backward as M'gann started walking towards the ship.
But she was stopped by Beast Boy, who ran up to embrace his sister, "You'll be okay sis?"
The Martian smiled, kneeling down to place her soft hands on his shoulders, "Gar, I'll be fine. I grew up in Mars, so this shouldn't be a problem."
"Okay." He said, "And Conner?"
She stared blankly down at the floor and thought, Conner. It had been two years since the last time she saw him. And it wasn't even him. She saw a monster in the body of the boy she ever loved for the first time in her 55 years of life.
"I'm not so sure about that," she cleared her throat as she stood up, "Promise me you'll be good?"
Gar snickered and saluted at her, "I promise, ma'am."
"You'll take care of Wolf, Sphere and the apartment while I'm gone?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good," she smiled and hugged him once more.
"But if you guys get Superman back, will we all start focusing on getting Conner back?" This was a question she could not answer. Reason being was because there was no direct answer to a question like this. What if they were already too late? What if Conner was fully corrupted into villainy? If she knew, then it would have made things so much easier. But everything was more complicated than it should have been.
"I hope."
…
The original Team had left as the Justice League and the rest of the Team oversaw their departure from the Watchtower. Once the Team went to do their missions, the League remained.
"You should have told them what they're up against." Black Canary quietly scolded the billionaire.
"It wouldn't have made a difference." He retorted calmly.
"Batman is correct," Red Tornado spoke, "If the entire galaxy is searching for Superman… there is a high chance they will encounter him."
…
It seemed almost impossible to leave Earth, but they had no choice. The rest were still too inexperienced for something like this. Going into space could have felt like fun, but for this type of mission, they were going to hell. An analogy would say this was the dark web of outer space.
"Based on the map, we should check every corner of this galaxy," Lar Gand announced, putting the ship once again on auto-pilot.
"That will do best," Aqualad agreed, "Do you have the map?"
"Yeah, I do." The Daxamite pulled the chip out of his jean pockets, "These jeans do come in handy."
Dick chuckled, "You're welcome."
"I mean, how do you come up with these?" He gestured to his blue jeans and red jacket.
"Well, us humans are… very innovative."
Lar Gand smiled, turning on the map, "And I am very impressed."
Once the map was shown up on the screen, they pinpointed their current location. Artemis looked up and spoke, "This is where we are right now. I just have one question."
"What is it?" Aqualad asked.
"Where do we start?"
They all looked at the map again, thinking of a course they could follow.
"How about all planets in the Alpha Centauri star system?" Lar Gand suggested, "It's consisted of four planets; Rann, Ekelon, Hebos, and Anthorran."
"Rann," Nightwing thought then turned to M'gann, "Miss M, you've been on Rann."
"Yeah, I've been there for a mission," she remembered her time there, "With Beast Boy and Superboy."
Lar Gand looked at her shocked.
M'gann corrected herself, "When we talk about him, it's about all the times before he became evil."
The Daxamites expression faded as he nodded, "Oh, sorry. Anyways, shall I set a course to Rann?"
"Yes," Aqualad said. Lar Gand went back into the cockpit and typed in coordinates.
"Alright, a course for Rann has been set."
"Great," Wally said.
Lar Gand then walked up to Wally, "This might not be the right time."
"What?"
"What is a Death Star?"
The question made Wally crack a wide smile, "How long until we reach Rann?"
"It may take hours in hyperspace, why?"
Wally grinned harder, "I think that's all the time I need."
Kaldur chuckled as Dick rolled his eyes, Another victim. Great.
The girls sighed as they saw the Daxamite and Speedster walk towards the cockpit and seat on the opposite seats.
"How did 'Wally talks about Star Wars' do for you, Kara?" Artemis asked.
"To be honest… not so bad." Kara said with a quirky smile, making M'gann blinked multiple times and shocking Artemis.
The Martian spoke, "I can't believe this is happening."
"What do you mean?" Artemis questioned.
"We are doing this. Superman's gone, and everyone is looking for him. Conner…" she choked on the name; it has been two years after all. She cleared her throat and spoke again, "Conner's now aligned with Apokolips. He's out there too, probably killing innocents right about now."
"Come on M'gann; you can't think that," Artemis attempted to rebuke her negativity, "What if he's unwilling?"
"No," the Martian whispered, "What we saw two years ago in that Reach Ship, was anything but unwilling."
…
Apokolips
July 2, 17:11 UTC
Apokolips burned like an ember around the darkness of space. Steppenwolf looked upon his home world and thought of the War World's destructive power. Could a weapon such as the War World destroy Apokolips? If it could destroy a city, then it could destroy an entire world.
But Mongul was his main problem through and through. Could his nephew trust him? Trust him that he wouldn't turn this weapon against Apokolips? It seemed like a gamble if anything.
Landing near Darkseid's palace, he saw Granny Goodness and her Female Furies training. They seemed to take notice of his arrival.
"You're late." Granny Goodness said harshly with her deep voice, "Your nephew has been waiting for almost three hours."
"I believe that he is patient enough to wait." Steppenwolf walked towards the palace entrance, but noticed something about odd about the Female Furies; they were missing a notable member, Lashina.
Lashina was a young New God, not even past her 20s, and already above her potential. She was menacing, shows no mercy, but undeniably gorgeous.
"It seems your youngest member is absent?" The Apokoliptian military commander inquired.
"That's none of your business. Now go to your nephew!" She pointed at the palace entrance.
Without a single thought, Steppenwolf walked forward.
…
In the throne room, a tall figure awaited Steppenwolf's arrival.
"Uncle." Darkseid, ruler of Apokolips, greeted him with a nod.
Steppenwolf nodded back, "Nephew. You've been expecting me?"
"Yes. A report on the destruction of the Daxam Capital?"
"Success, I am glad, to say the least," Steppenwolf said, "However, and forgive me for this, but I don't trust your friend, Mongul."
Darkseid began to study his uncle, looking at him directly in the eyes, "Don't trust him? That seems unsettling to me."
"No. Not unsettled. There are greater things to attend to. Such as finding your apprentice's father."
Darkseid laughed and asked, "Father? My apprentice? If anything, not only he is a ruthless fighter, he's my son."
Steppenwolf was astonished, "You have adopted him?"
"Indeed. Now back to the real topic," Darkseid skipped, "You do not trust Mongul?"
"Not one bit, nephew. He wants something."
"He helped deliver the weapon we requested after years. But I understand what you mean. He has other motives?"
"Exactly. He wants an audience as well. To make certain that we understand its remarkable potential."
Darkseid went into deep thought. Thinks he can play us? My friend, you are mistaken by a mile.
"Lashina is not here?" Steppenwolf commented, causing Darkseid to return.
"No."
"And your son?"
"They are both there," Darkseid pointed at a brand new, gigantic Apokoliptian vessel. Sleek, sharp like a tip of a dagger, but armed with the most dangerous weapons armed with Apokoliptian technology.
"Is that…" Steppenwolf had a grin on his face.
"Yes. The newest addition to our fleet. The Yuga Khan. Named to honor of my father." Darkseid said proudly, "Soon they will depart for one of the worlds that may hold some information as to where Superman could be hiding."
"I see," Steppenwolf nodded, "Which planet have they set course for?"
Darkseid grinned evilly, "Rann."
…
There you have it for this chapter. It may be short, but I promise it will be longer for other chapters (we'll see).
What do you think about diving into more Apokolips stuff? Let me know what you think.
Have a great day/night.
