Author's Notes: Hey guys it's me Logan GC and this is chapter 10 of A New Destiny. First off, I want to say sorry for the delay. School and lots of exams got me so preoccupied; I couldn't complete the chapter last week. Second, I would like to thank Graybook, Ponzomut, Guest, Gps3, Justus80, X.Z., Flaming Dragon, ZXEclipse, XLR8, and Apocalyptian Scribe for reviewing, thanks!As always, I answer questions so let's get right to it. To Apocalyptian Scribe and everyone who is unsure about Galen's age, he was born nineteen years before the events of the first Star Wars movie that came out in 1977. When he died at the end of TFU 1, it was two years before the Battle of Yavin, therefore he was seventeen. As for the chemistry question, if I did my math wrong, I am sorry. I am not the best math student so if I have miscalculated that was my fault. Justice80 is right. As much as I appreciate you guys giving me suggestions for future chapters, too many suggestions would undermine for what I have planned. But don't worry guys, Kota and Vader and others will appear later on, just not yet. I am taking this story at pace I feel comfortable and if add more characters without some sort of build-up, it feels rushed. Graybook, I will do my best to help make the events of Young Justice more understandable to readers who are new to the show. Also Apocalyptian Scibe, I will promise an original villain will appear. I hope I answered everyone's questions and please read, rate, and review!
Chapter 10: Failsafe
October 16th 1601 hours
It was an ordinary day for the citizens of Earth. Men and women going to their jobs, children playing in the park. The setting was peaceful for what it seems to be a crime-free day. However, outside of Earth, a massive spaceship orbits around the planet. The Justice League immediately responds, with Hal Jordan and John Stewart flying towards the alien spacecraft. Both being Green Lanterns, they would demand why an alien ship is orbiting the planet. Batman is not far behind, piloting his own ship, as he flies toward the alien ship.
"Deploying camera sensor units." The Dark Knight exclaims as he pressed a button, releasing two orbital cameras to observe the alien ship.
Once the two Green Lanterns were close enough to the alien ship, John Stewart proclaims to it "Attention; you have entered the boundaries of Earth Space. Disengage all weapons and engines. This is your final warning." Stewart orders. For a moment, the ship remained unresponsive but began whirring. Suddenly, a giant bright beam attacks to the two heroes. Both Lanterns conjured shields to protect themselves but the beam was so strong, it broke through and disintegrated them both. After witnessing the violent attack, Batman knew the time of diplomacy was over. "Code Red; full offensive deploy." Batman orders as he opens the hanger doors on his ship. Superman, Captain Marvel, Martian Manhunter, and Captain Atom all fly out of Batman's ship as they fly towards the invading ship. The invaders began whirring again as another blast was charged up before being fired. Using evasive maneuvers, Batman piloted his ship out of the attack as all four heroes attempted to do the same. However, they were not quick enough as the beams hit all of them, disintegrating them. Another beam hit Batman's ship, but the Dark Knight was quick enough to escape via escape pod. Batman watched in shock as many smaller alien ships emerged from the Mothership, numbering in dozens maybe hundreds are invading the Earth. Batman gritted his teeth and watched helplessly as a drone ship flies towards his pod. Having no backup and his companions gone, the drone ship fired its canon, disintegrating the pod and Batman.
Back at Mount Justice, the orbital cameras allowed the Team and Red Tornado to watch the whole scene via holo-computer. Another computer appeared that flashed 'Incoming Transmition.' Zatara's face appeared on the computer, his face grim at what he saw. "Tornado, did you—"He began but was interrupted by the android.
"Yes, Zatara, we saw. Celestial defenses have failed. Initiate all terrestrial measures." Red Tornado responds in which the magician nods.
"Affirmative; see you in the field." Zatara replies as the transmission ends.
Tornado turns to the Team. "I must join the League. We will protect the planet at all costs. But should we fail, the responsibility falls to you." The robot spoke to the teenaged heroes.
Aqualad turned to his friends before responding with conviction. "We stand ready."
The ships began their ruthless invasion on Earth, blasting everything and everyone in sight. From Star City to Gotham City to Paris and Taipei, the alien invaders showed no mercy as millions of innocent citizens scream in terror. In Central City, news reporter Iris West-Allen is live at the scene. "This is Iris West-Allen reporting live. The extraterrestrials have brought their relentless global attack to Central City." She reports as she gestures her right hand to the destruction and chaos the aliens are causing. Behind her, parts of a building collapses as terrified citizens are disintegrated by a drone ship. Before the blast could hit Iris, the Flash appears as he quickly carries her bridal style. Then Flash, Iris, and the cameraman are teleported by one of Zatara's spells as they reappear on a distant rooftop.
"You should both be safe here. At least for now." Zatara spoke to both Iris and the cameraman.
Iris looked at both heroes. "Thank you…Flash and Zatara." The reporter hesitated, knowing her husband is the famous speedster. Flash placed his hand on Iris' shoulder, as if to tell everything will be okay before him and Zatara went off to face the invaders. Iris looked at the cameraman and asked "Denny, are you okay?" Denny gave a thumbs-up in which Iris continued to report. "As you can see, the Justice League is attempting to hold the line." She continued as the camera turned to citizens trapped on the roof of another building. Flash and Zatara were about to rescue the citizens but all were blasted by an alien drone. "No." She whispered softly at the loss of her husband. Iris was so affected by the attack, she did not notice another drone heading toward her.
"Iris, Iris get out of there!" Reporter Cat Grant nearly screamed from the broadcasting room, but watched helplessly as the drone blasted both Iris and Denny, resulting the screen to static. Cat composed herself and turned to the camera. "I'm sorry; we are experiencing technical difficulties from our Central City feed. We take you now to a devastated Taipei where another League contingent is having a bit more luck."
Footage is now shown Hawkman, Hawkwoman, Black Canary, and Green Arrow attempting to repulse the alien invaders. Unfortunately, the numbers of the aliens were too overwhelming as the heroes were disintegrated and the camera feedback turns to static. Cat turns to the camera. "Ladies and gentlemen, we've lost Black Canary, Green Arrow, and the Hawks. Other heroes reported dead or missing include Batman, Icon, Adam, and Aquaman." She reported grimly.
In Smallville, Wonder Woman and Red Tornado are fighting the alien invaders. Wonder Woman, using her Lasso of Truth, grabbed an alien drone with it as she smashed it to another flying alien ship. With her fighting that drone, she did not notice another one above her. "Wonder Woman, above you!" Red Tornado called as the Amazon turned to see the drone firing at her. Wonder Woman attempted to block herself with her bracelets, but the beam managed to hit her, disintegrating her into the air. Tornado looked above to see the alien Mothership above him. The android flew out of the way as the Mothership lands on the small town. "Red Tornado to Cave; I fear I am all that remains of the League." The Leaguer reported as he blasted two drones with his aerokinesis.
"Our team…" Robin began but was cut short when Red Tornado was blasted by one of the lasers, disintegrating him as the Justice League is no more.
The Team looked at the destruction from the holocomputers. "We are Earth's heroes now." Aqualad spoke as the Team nodded in understandment.
Superboy turned to his leader. "So what are we waiting for, a theme song?" The Kryptonian asked impatiently, ready to turn the alien ships into crushed tin cans.
"A strategy." Aqualad replied. "Earth's weapons are ineffective and it has been tragically clear a direct attack will not succeed."
"Checking satellite imagery." Robin reported as he pulled out his holo-glove, in which he began typing. He summoned a holo-map of the world, in which many parts of land had red spots on them. "Here's where the aliens are now." The Boy Wonder explains, showing the invaders quick and brutal conquests. However, there was one red dot on the Arctic Circle which got Superboy's attention.
"This one got lost?" Superboy asks as he pointed at the red dot. Robin brought the Arctic Circle to enlarge before realizing why that location had attracted alien attention.
"That's Superman's Fortress of Solitude!" Robin exclaims in surprise.
"Superman has a Fortress of Solitude?" Superboy asks confused as he raised an eyebrow. He quickly scowled because there so many things he wanted to know from Superman, but the man was so stubborn to change his mind before the invasion.
Robin nodded. "Its power source must have attracted the aliens attention. At least enough to send a scout ship to investigate." Robin reasoned which made sense.
"Must be some fortress." Superboy muttered under his breath as he turned away in mild anger.
Knowing Superboy's frustration, Miss Martian wanted to calm him down. "Connor…" She began but was cut off from the Boy of Steel.
"No, it's okay. I guess there's a lot about Superman I'll never know. Ugh, you know, now." He responds to his girlfriend.
"We will target this lone ship." Aqualad proclaimed, already thinking of a plan to stop this invasion.
Kid Flash made an agreeing grunt. "Yeah, break it down, build more, and hit those ugly aliens with their own mojo." He agreed as he pounded his fist. Artemis, realizing Wally's cluelessness at what he said, elbowed him hard in the arm. "Ow!" the speedster complained.
"Martian and Kryptonian in the house." Artemis whispered to Wally, in which the speedster turned to see the two aliens sending him stern glares.
Kid Flash sweat dropped. "Ugh, heh, heh. Not that all aliens are automatically ugly." The speedster replied giving them a beseeched grin. The alien's glares wore off; knowing Wally did not meant what he said. He had that speedster trait of speaking before thinking.
Aqualad turned to his team mates. "There is not much time. We must act quickly if we are to succeed." The rest of the Team nods as they head toward the hanger. Artemis, knowing Galen had not spoken at all since the invasion, worried her.
Artemis pulled Galen aside. "Galen, are you alright?" She asked slightly worried at Galen's quietness. The Force-user looked down at the archer, his brown eyes full of worry.
Galen sighed. "I don't know, Artemis. I just have a bad feeling about all this." The boy replied as he looked back at the archer.
Artemis gave Galen a small, hopeful smile. "Oh, come on Galen. We always succeed on missions and there's no way these aliens are taking this planet without a fight from us." She spoke with conviction, helping Galen's face lighten a little. She turned to run to the hanger and paused to turn around. "And besides, how much worse can this get?" She adds to Galen.
Galen looks down at his feet. "I know. That's what scares me." The Force-user replies quietly as both of them meet up with the others in the hanger bay.
The ride towards the Arctic Circle was quiet as the Team listened to Kaldur's plan. Also, most of the Team changed into Arctic clothing except for Galen. Being that his robe is white enough, he insisted that it would provide him camouflage. When the Team arrived at the freezing Arctic, Galen did not feel that cold and felt like he faced worse temperatures. The scout ship was not hard to find. It remained unresponsive at continued to stare at the door of the Fortress of Solitude. Artemis quickly his behind rock close to the ship as Miss Martian floated above it in camouflage mode. Starkiller was also with M'gann as the two telepaths disengaged the ship's communications and engines.
"Communications disabled." Miss Martian reported as the ship fell to the ground with a thud.
"Propulsion disabled." Starkiller adds as he uses Force grip to keep the ship under his control. With the ship incapacitated, Artemis fired a trick arrow which created high-density foam, blinding the alien ship. The scout ship responded with several blind shots towards Artemis, missing her. Surprised, Starkiller tightened his control on the ship to prevent it from continuing to fire.
"And E.T.'s are sealed inside." Artemis reports through the mind link. Aqualad, being under the ice and in the freezing water, drew his water bearers and broke through the ice under the ship. To Starkiller's surprise, the ship was difficult to control being that is alive, almost similar to the Bioship. The ship's canon turned to Aqualad, ready to fire. The Atantean closed his eyes, ready for the impact. However, he was saved when Wolf attacked the canon, throwing its aim off. Superboy assisted Starkiller with holding the ship's cannon into place as Robin and Kid Flash land on the ship.
Robin quickly conjured a hologram from his glove. "Identifying weapon's structural stress points and links to the ship." He spoke, crouched down. After finding the points, he stood up and pointed "Here, here, and here" to the stress points.
Miss Martian and Starkiller both used their telekinesis to disable the points, allowing Superboy to pull the canon out. However, Superboy failed to realize that part of the canon began whirring once again. As it fired, Wolf pushed his master aside before the mutant wolf was disintegrated.
The Team stood shock that their pet is now gone. "Wolf." Miss Martian stated in disbelief.
Robin turned to his holo-glove. "There was no indication of feedback." The Boy Wonder explained as he turned to Superboy with sympathy. "I'm sorry."
Superboy, however, was surprisingly calm as he turned to his team mates. "Can't do anything for him now." He stated as returned to lift the cannon. "Let's go." After pulling with great effort, the entire cannon was pulled out as the cloaked Bioship reappeared. Superboy, Miss Martian, and Starkiller all carried the canon to the Bioship. Miss Martian and Starkiller helped began implanting the cannon on the Bioship while Superboy held it in place.
"Rerouting systems to integrate weapon into ship's armory biomatrix." Miss Martian stated as the progress began. "We'll need to decamouflage for a few minutes." She added as the ship was now exposed.
Robin turned to see two scout ships flying towards them. "We may not have a few minutes." The Boy Wonder stated.
Aqualad tensed. They needed to go, now! "Miss Martian, Starkiller, open fire!" He ordered through the mind-link.
Miss Martian shook her head. "Can't. Weapon systems are offline to incorporate the new cannon and that's not fully integrated yet, either." She explained as her and Starkiller increased their effort.
Starkiller looked around in fear. "Wait. Where is Artemis?" He asked frantically as panic began to emerge.
"Got you covered!" Artemis called as she fired two explosive arrows from her bow to the alien ships. "Get inside! I'm almost there!" She added as she began sprinting towards the Bioship. Each arrow hit their mark, exploding one ship while the other landed on the ground, hard. The still functioning ship turns its cannon toward the archer.
Starkiller and Miss Martian's eyes widened in worry. "Artemis, behind you!" They called frantically. Artemis turned around; ready to fire her arrow but the beam hit her before she got the chance. And like that, she was gone.
"Artemis!" M'gann screamed as the Team widened their mouths in horror.
"Artemis!" Wally repeated in the same shock as the Martian. Kaldur turned to Galen who stood stunned, his mouth wide opened in horror as tears formed around his eyes. However, his state of shock ended and was replaced with incredible anger. So powerful, the ice began cracking.
"Starkiller, get—" Aqualad began but was interrupted by the Force-user.
"RAAAAGGHHH!" Galen roared as he leaped from the Bioship to the invading one. The ship began to whir its cannon, but the Force user used his telekinesis to crush the ship into a ball before telekinetically lifting it into the air and shot it with Force lightning. The power was so intense; it exploded, sending pieces of flaming metal on the ice. He then grabbed what was left of the ship and slammed it into the ice, obliterating it. When Galen landed on the ice, the Team could see he was hyper-ventilating in anger. Kaldur, wanting to calm Galen, walks toward him as careful as possible. "They're dead." Galen hissed quietly without looking to the Atlantean. "Every single one of them." He added as he looked to his leader. For a brief second, Kaldur could have sworn he saw Galen's eyes change into a harsh yellow before subsiding back into his usual brown eyes.
Kaldur quickly composed himself. Never before he saw Galen this angry and it scared him. Remembering what M'gann said at the mission to find Red Tornado, it is clear that Galen had feelings for Artemis. Kaldur, taking the gentle approach, placed his hand on Galen's shoulder. "I know, Galen, and they will. But if we are to succeed, we must end the invasion before all is lost." He spoke carefully to the tense boy. Galen, knowing he was scaring his friends, took a deep breath and sighed.
"Your right." Galen spoke quietly as newly-formed tears appeared out of his eyes. "Your right." He repeated as he walked toward the Bioship, his head down.
The Bioship flew off again and the silence was unbearable. Every member of the Team felt awful, knowing that one member is gone. M'gann was sobbing quietly as she piloted, trying to sniff out her tears. Robin, Connor, and Kaldur kept their heads low; trying not to believe that happened but that scene kept replaying on their minds. Galen kept his hood up, not wanting the others to see the dried tears on his face. Galen tried meditating but it failed. If anything, he wanted to take down the entire invading army by himself, wanting to see them crushed. Wally was thinking the same thing as he couldn't bear the silence. Wally grunted angrily, slamming his fist onto his desk as he yelled.
"There will be time to mourn later." Kaldur spoke calmly to Wally before facing the rest of the Team. "Now we have a job to do—defend the Earth and ensure Artemis' sacrifice was not in vain." He finished with conviction and retribution.
Galen looked towards the others. "Kaldur's right. We need to act before more is lost." He stated his voice still low from the scene.
M'gann ended her sobs and looked at Kaldur confused. "Back to the Cave?" She asked.
Kaldur shook his head. "The Hall of Justice; the human race must know that there are still heroes defending them. There is still hope." He explained as the Bioship head towards Washington.
Back on the home front, the United States military was not fairing so well against the invaders. Despite the devastation, U.S. General Eiling refused to abandon American soil. After seeing three alien ships in view, he ordered "Now, open fire!" M1-Abram Tanks and M16's fired at the invaders from bullets to missiles. The alien ships avoided the attacks and fired their cannons. The blasts hit the tanks, exploding them, as soldiers ran for cover. Eiling and two other soldiers stood agape as the ships began to open fire. However, the Bioship arrived in the nick of time as Superboy and Starkiller emerged from the opening hatch. The Boy of Steel landed on one the ships, pounding his fists into it as it began losing attitude. Starkiller used his lightsaber to stab into the ship as it also lost attitude. The Force-user then used the Force to enhance his strength in order to pick up the damaged ship and slam it into the ground. The last ship was disintegrated by the Bioship's newly formed cannon. Superboy lands the downed ship in front of Eiling as Starkiller leaps toward his team mate. The Bioship lands as the rest of the Team emerges. Victorious, the soliders cheered at the heroes for saving them.
One of the soldiers, Jason Bard, smiled at Superboy. He then elbowed his friend David Reid in the arm. "See, its Superman. I told you he wouldn't leave us out here alone." The Marine stated happily to David.
David seemed unsure. "I don't know. He looks kinda young." He responded and then asked Superboy "Where's the cape?"
Superboy turned around, annoyed. "I'm not Superman."
General Eiling walked towards the young heroes. "I don't know who you are son, and right now I don't care. You wear the 'S' and you got the job done." The older man spoke toward the teenager.
Superboy looked down. "I'm not Superman." He repeated quietly.
Eiling grinned. "Tell that to the enemy." He stated as he turned to Aqualad. Giving the Atlantean the standard military solute, he introduced himself. "General Wade Eiling, U.S. Air Force."
"Aqualad, Justice League." The Atlantean introduced himself before continuing "We'll help you savage as many of the aliens' cannons as possible then we start taking back what is ours."
After taking the alien technology, soldiers were posted outside the Hall for patrol. The Team looked at the damage inside the Hall, statues of the Justice League destroyed and the damage severe. To everyone, it felt unreal for this to happen.
"They're really gone." Robin spoke quietly as he looked at a giant destroyed statue head of Batman.
Galen looked at the destruction before a flash entered his mind, which meant another memory.
Galen found himself in a temple, it setting very familiar to the Hall of Justice; statues of important individuals broken apart and destroyed. Oddly enough, the statues were made of junk and rusted metal. Galen then heard a shuddering gasp. He looked down and saw a tiny creature in pain and hutched in a fetal position. "I'm sorry, Masters." The alien spoke before continuing. "I-I failed you." He ended quietly as he died. Shortly afterwords, his body disappeared and became one with the Force. Galen almost felt sympathy for him before shaking it off; it was for the mission and that's all it matters.
"Juno, I'm done here." Galen spoke as he walked away. "Pick me up."
The flash ended Galen blinked his eyes. Juno? He thought to himself and wondered why the name sounded so familiar. His thought of concentration was broken when he sees M'gann floating towards a broken statue of Martian Manhunter. The Martian girl sobs over the death of her uncle but stops when she senses someone is under the rock. She immediately floats back into the air and telekinetically lifts the statue, revealing Martian Manhunter underneath it. The Martian hero groaned and held his head as M'gann's face instantly brightened.
"Uncle J'onn!" Miss Martian exclaimed happily as she telekinetically tosses the rock aside. M'gann began to float down to hug her uncle, but Aqualad stopped her.
"M'gann, check his mind. Make sure he is whom he is to be." Kaldur ordered.
Miss Martian disagrees. "But it's him! He's real! He's alive!" She exclaimed happily through the mind link.
Superboy however had doubts. "But we saw you get disintegrated." The Boy of Steel disagreed which was shared with Robin. "You and Superman. And everyone." He added still unsure. Starkiller also agreed but sensed that some things aren't right. If Martian Manhunter is alive, then where is Artemis? Galen thought to himself.
Still gripping his head, the Martian hero got up with assistance from his niece. "Yes, I remember, but I cannot remember how I survived." He then turned to M'gann. "Or how I arrived here."
"Maybe you were density shifting and the beam passed right through you." M'gann suggests happily.
"Scrambling your brains along the way." Robin adds enthusiastically.
"My mind is clouded." Martian Manhunter states as he places his hand on his forehead. "I feel certain I had something important to tell you."
Wally boinked his head in a Megan fashion. "Hello Wally, come on!" He exclaims happily through the mind link and brought Robin outside to examine the Bioship's new weapon. As Robin began scanning the cannon, Wally added hopefully "I knew it, look! It's giving off zanopenes, the same stuff that powers our Zeta Tubes. That thing doesn't disintegrate, it teleports. Artemis is alive!" Wally explains happily but Robin seemed unsure.
"Maybe, but—"Robin began disagreeing but was interrupted by Wally.
"No maybes. They're all alive." Wally added happily as he pointed at Robin's holo-glove.
M'gann looked up to her uncle. "That must have been what you wanted to tell us." She muses happily.
Galen still was not convinced. "This does not make any sense. Why would extraterrestrials kidnap humans instead of killing them? If they are after the planet's resources, the indigenous population would be wiped out for colonization." He adds reasonable.
Wally frowns at response. "And how would you know that?" the speedster asks, full of suspicion.
Galen looks at Wally's direction and replies coolly "A hunch." Before the conversation would escalate, the Team hears the alien invaders overhead. Robin, Kid Flash, and soldiers hid behind cover. The ships began firing narrowly missing the heroes. "We are on our way." Aqualad states.
Robin shook his head. "Negative. We can't win this. Miss Martian, camo the Bioship." The Boy Wonder orders but his plea fell on deaf ears as the living ship was hit by one of the blasts. Immediately, both Miss Martian and Martian Manhunter yelped in pain and fell to the ground. Starkiller, also a telepath, groaned as he felt the same pain the Martians felt as he gripped his head and fell to one knee.
Connor looks at his girlfriend with concern. "M'gann!" The Kryptonian exclaimed as he came to her side while Kaldur came to the older hero side. Kaldur looked at Galen who still gripped his head. "Galen, are you alright?" Aqualad asks to the Force-user.
Galen nods. "I'm fine. Just a headache." He replies with a groan as he picked himself up. Still gripping his head, he looked down at M'gann with sorrowful eyes, in which the Martian girl is cradled in Connor's arms.
M'gann looked at the ceiling with tears forming out of her eyes. "That didn't feel like a—"She couldn't finish her sentence as more tears emptied from her eyes.
"We're falling back!" Robin called through the mind link as he, Kid Flash, General Eiling, and his soldiers retreated inside the Hall of Justice. When everyone was inside, Eiling looked around in displeasure. "We're trapped." The general stated. As if by sheer luck, a hidden door appeared, revealing another room.
"Maybe not." Aqualad said as the heroes and the soldiers entered the library. As they entered, the soldiers set up defensive positions for the invaders. "We can all Zeta to the Cave if you can grant us computer clearance to access the tubes." The Atlantean spoke to the Martian Manhunter.
"I can only authorize one at a time." Martian Manhunter reasoned as they were near the restricted Zeta tubes.
Aqualad nodded. "Sent the soldiers first." He ordered as pointed his finger toward the Zeta tube.
"Belay that!" Eiling snorted. "You seven are assets we cannot afford to lose." The heroes turned to each other awaiting Kaldur's order; the Atlantean nods to Martian Manhunter who steps forward into the scanner.
"Override, Martian Manhunter 07." The hero spoke, overriding the pass codes. After the scan confirmed the hero's presence, the Zeta tubes opened.
"Recognized, access granted." The female computer voice rang out throughout the room. One by one, the heroes lined up for scanning. "Miss Martian, B-0-5. Robin, B-0-1. Kid Flash B-0-3."
Both Robin and Miss Martian entered the Zeta tubes to the Cave. Before Kid Flash could enter, an explosion erupted in the background. Debris exploded into the air as it landed on Jason Bard, nearly crushing him. Superboy rushes forward to help the downed soldier. Kid Flash also attempts to help but was pushed by Aqualad back into the Zeta tube, sending the speedster to the Cave. After lifting the boulder, the soldiers and Starkiller provide covering fire for Superboy. The Kryptonian looks at Aqualad with a stern glare. "He goes next." Superboy orders to his leader.
"Fine, then you." Aqualad reluctantly ordered as Superboy and Jason stood in front of the Zeta tube, ready to be scanned. "Private Jason Bard, USMC." The voice rang out as Superboy looks to Jason.
"Can you make it?" Superboy asks to the Marine.
Jason nods. "Sure, Superman." He replies positively and enters the Zeta tube.
Annoyed that Jason called him Superman twice, Superboy complained. "I'm not—"He began but was interrupted by the female computer voice. "Superboy, B-0-4." The voice rang out as the yellow glow appears. The Kryptonian looks back at his comrades before entering the Zeta tube. Martian Manhunter was next as he entered the Zeta tube, leaving Starkiller, Aqualad, and the soldiers. Aqualad notices the alien invaders are gaining ground as more soldiers are being disintegrated, including General Eiling. The Atlantean also noticed that Starkiller is not retreating but instead is holding his ground as he Force crushes a drone into a ball before telekinetically throwing it to the drones, smashing them which gained some time.
Realizing they cannot win, Aqualad shouts to the Force-user. "Starkiller, we must fall back!" The Atlantean orders to Galen.
"So, go!" Starkiller replies before casting lightning to several drones, exploding them.
Realizing Galen is still enraged by Artemis' death, Aqualad grabs Starkiller's arm forcefully. "There is no time to argue!" The Atlantean orders as he drags the Force-user to the Zeta tube. "Starkiller, B-0-8" The computer voice echoed. Despite Aqualad's grip, Starkiller still struggled, wanting to fight.
"Why are we retreating?!" Starkiller asks angrily to his leader. "Those monsters should pay for what they done to Artemis!"
Aqualad gives a sigh. "I know you are still angry about her death, but this no way to avenge her." The Atlantean replies to Starkiller, who calms down. Hearing more drones coming their way, Aqualad looks at Starkiller. "This is my last order: you will command the Team to destroy the Mothership." He announces which Starkiller had a face of shock. Before the Force-user could protest, Aqualad pushes Starkiller to the Zeta tube. "Go, they need you more than me!" The Atantean states before Starkiller is Zeta-tubed to the Cave. Aqualad turns one last time before getting zapped by one of the drones, disintegrating him.
"Recognized Starkiller, B-0-8." The computer voice rang out in the Cave as Starkiller lands roughly on the ground. He picks himself up and walks towards his teammates, whom which have worried glances. "Galen, where's Kaldur?" M'gann asks frantically.
Galen shook his head mournfully. "He didn't make it." He replied with his head down as the Martian girl began sobbing into Connor's shirt. Kid Flash and Robin also placed their heads down, mourning quietly for their friend. Not wanting his friends to lose their morale even more, Galen spoke up. "I know this seems hopeless, but we should not give up. Before I was transported here, Kaldur told me to attack the alien Mothership as his last order. I say we attack it, to end this massacre before more is lost."
Wally looked at Galen annoyed, his green-eyes narrowing at him. "Alright, who put you in charge?" The speedster asks while pointing a finger at him.
Galen stepped forward, meeting Wally's gaze with a glare. "Kaldur did." Galen responded before adding in a low, dangerous tone. "Unless you want to try and stop me." Wally gulped quietly and took a mental note that when Galen's angry, he's just as scary as Connor. Galen then turned to Robin and calmly asked him "What do we know of their objectives?"
Robin replied. "If we believe the aliens have been teleporting their victims—"He began but was interrupted by Kid Flash.
"We do." Wally interrupted, still believing that Artemis is not dead.
Robin doubted his friend's optimism but continued. "Then the only reasonable detention facility is here." He explained as he pulled a map from his holo-glove. A giant map of a gigantic alien ship appeared on one of the holo-computers in the room. "The Mothership, atop what used to be Smallville." Robin and the rest of the Team looked at Martian Manhunter, who still gripped his head. "Ring any bells?" The Boy Wonder asks.
The Martian hero shook his head. "No, I am sorry." Martian Manhunter replies as he stands.
Without any other options, Robin turns to Connor. "Superboy can be a distraction, helping us free the prisoners." He suggests.
Immediately, M'gann stood to her boyfriend's side. "No! He's using you as a sacrifice. Aqualad would never do that!"
Galen stand's to Robin's defense. "You're right. Aqualad would sacrifice himself. A mistake he made because of me." The Force-user replied with his head down, in shame of his ignorance. He picked his head up before continuing. "That is why I volunteer myself to assist Superboy with the distraction so that the rest of you infiltrate the ship." Looking at M'gann's face of disbelief, Galen continued. "Superboy and I are most likely to be perceived as threats, motivating the invaders to deploy."
Wally surprisingly, helped his teammate. "Worse case, they are teleported inside and we set them free along with Artemis." Realizing he paused at the archer's name, Wally continued. "And Aqualad and everyone."
Connor looks at M'gann with sorrow in his blue eyes. "It's alright, M'gann. It's what Superman would do." He spoke through the telepathic link.
M'gann looked from her boyfriend to Galen, who she considered him her sibling. "It's fine, Megan." Galen replied, giving her a sad smile. "I have nothing left to lose." The Force-user turns to Robin. "Should either me or Connor are killed, I place you as leader." Robin nods, understood. Galen then overlooks his friends and stated "Let's finish this before all is lost."
After Miss Martian, Superboy, Kid Flash, and Robin gave an inspirational speech about how hope is impossible to destroy and that new heroes will always fight, the Team heads to what was left of Smallville. Robin stands on a rock, overlooking the Mothership through binoculars as Miss Martian appears next to him. "Stay close to J'onn." Robin said to his Martian friend. "He's still…" Robin paused before giving an 'iffy' gesture about the older Martian's well-being. Miss Martian nods once as Robin turns to Starkiller, awaiting his order.
"First team, deploy." Starkiller orders in which both Martians flew to the Mothership, cloaked. After density shifting through the wall, Miss Martian replied through the mind link "Ready, in position." M'gann had a face of worry and fear and added "Be careful you two." She obviously spoke to both Connor and Galen. She also added an "I love you" to Connor.
The Kryptonian gave a small, almost-miniscule smile at that comment but disappeared when he faced Galen. The Force-user nodded in confirmation that the distraction will commence. Before leaving, Galen turned to Robin.
"Good luck." Galen said sincerely.
Robin nodded and replied "Likewise." After that, both powered teenagers commenced a war cry as they leapt at the Mothership, blowing Robin's bangs across his face. Superboy landed with a mighty boom, creating a small crater at his feet. He then ripped open one of the ship's cannons as Starkiller is about to cut one clean with his lightsaber. "Careful, don't disconnect the power source." Robin called frantically as Starkiller cut the canon in two, without cutting the cords connected to it. Superboy used the cannon he pulled as a weapon as he and the Force-user prepared for battle.
"Alright you glorified trespassers, you want to see how a real alien fights?!" Superboy asked angrily as he blasted other cannons with his stolen one. The attack resulted in several explosions, alerting the aliens to their presence. Immediately, dozens of alien drones appeared numbering to close to a hundred. The alien presence also allowed the hanger doors to be open for Robin and Kid Flash. "Now or never." Superboy said as the speedster zooms off to the hanger bays with Robin clutched tightly on his back. The two made it inside as they hid from piloting drones.
After the coast is clear, Robin tells Kid Flash through the mind link "Way's clear, go!" The two then hid when another alien ship was coming. One spotted them and was about to fire, until Miss Martian telekinetically threw metallic objects at it, disabling it. Robin then gestured his hand at a corridor as the heroes ran to find the ship's core.
Meanwhile outside, Starkiller and Superboy stood back-to-back, destroying any alien ship that came close. Superboy fired two blasts from his cannon, destroying two drones, while Starkiller telekinetically crushed a drone into a ball and telekinetically threw it into another drone, resulting a small explosion. Both were too preoccupied to notice another drone heading towards them. The drone fired a blast at the cannon, creating a blast that send both Superboy and Starkiller on their backs. Just as Superboy picked himself up, he was shot by one of the drones, disintegrating him.
Starkiller stood horrified. "Connor!" He called before intense anger erupted within him. Having lost Artemis, Aqualad, and now Connor too, was the last straw for Galen. The Force-user then screamed an inhumane yell of anger as blue Force energy formed around his body. One of the drones blasted him in the stomach, but surprisingly did not affect him. Starkiller grew a slight grin as he shot the offending ship with lightning. The lightning was so powerful, it actually disintegrated the ship into ash. Starkiller's grin grew as he leapt from drone to drone, slicing everything in half. As Starkiller's assault increased, so did his anger. As he continued slashing, he didn't realize that two dozen ships were around him. Starkiller didn't care as released all of his power through the Force repulse. With a mighty roar, the repulse was so powerful, it disintegrated every drone within a twenty-foot radius. The shockwave itself send drones who were unharmed flying into the ground, resulting in numerous explosions. Starkiller then landed on his feet, his eyes widened at what he did. All that power. Starkiller thought to himself as he looked at his arms, noticing the blue glow subsided. Starkiller was so lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice a drone firing at his feet. With a groan, Starkiller landed on his back with a thud, forcing him to drop his lightsaber. When he looked up, there were at least thirty drones whirring their cannons. Realizing he did not have enough time to escape or fight, the Force-user closed his eyes, muttering "I'm sorry, Artemis, I failed you" as the beams hit him, disintegrating him as well.
Back on the Mothership, Miss Martian groaned as she fell to the ground. "No, they're gone." She spoke through the mind link as tears formed around her eyes.
Kid Flash ran to her aid. "It's alright. We'll find them when we find Artemis." The speedster said positively.
Martian Manhunter stopped gripping his head as his thoughts begin surfacing. "No, my mind is clearer now. The disintegration beam is exactly that. There is no detention facility, no prisoners to rescue. Our mission holds no purpose." After stating the truth, a look of intense anger crossed upon Wally's face.
Kid Flash grabs the older hero's' cape. "No, you're wrong! The Zeta radiation proves she's alive! She's—"The speedster was going to say more until Robin grasps Kid Flash's shoulders, pulling him face-to-face.
"Stop it, KF! I've been scanning for League and Team signals since we got inside, they're not here." Robin explained calmly to his best friend. "Artemis is gone."Wally's face instantly hit the floor with sadness. Not wanting his friend to lose any hope he had left, Robin explains "Our mission still has purpose; to destroy this Mothership." After stating, Robin ran to the ship's core with the remaining heroes running behind him. After entering the main power room, the heroes looked at giant, metallic core with worker ships carrying supplies to it. After hacking the ship's computer, Robin states "This is the power core. Blow this and the whole Mothership blows." Robin then leaps and lands on a platform, close to the core. However, the core is magnetized, pulling Robin's cape off the platform, with the Boy Wonder. Kid Flash attempted to grab his friend, to keep him from slipping, but the speedster being pulled along as the two heroes are going to hit the core. Robin quickly fired a magnetized line from his grapple gun, saving the both of them, but is completely vulnerable to attack. A worker droid spots the two but was destroyed by both Martians before firing. Miss Martian, using her telekinesis, dropped the two heroes gently on top of the power core. Robin then took off the belt of explosives he used as a stash and began priming them.
Kid Flash, now realizing what is really happening, frowned deeply. "You knew. You knew from the beginning why we were really here."
After finishing priming the explosives via holo-glove, Robin turned to his friend. "Four minutes, let's go." He orders as the explosives begin rapidly beeping. Kid Flash zooms to exit the ship, but the hanger doors closed on him too late.
"Perfect." Kid Flash thought sarcastically before three worker droids appeared behind the four heroes. They fired their cannons, forcing the Martians behind cover on one side and the other two to the other.
Robin looked at his holo-glove and frowned. "Sixteen seconds and counting. Manhunter, take Miss Martian and go." He orders.
Miss Martian disagreed. "No, we won't leave you." She responded, not wanting more of those she cared about to perish.
"That's an order! We'll follow as soon as we blow these doors." Robin reasoned. Reluctantly, Miss Martian exited the ship with her uncle, leaving the two friends alone on the ship. Knowing they had less than ten seconds, Robin and Kid Flash nodded to each other as they prepared to bomb the doors. Unfortunately, time was not on their side as the ship exploded violently, covering it in a massive flame. The Martians resurfaced on land as M'gann leaned against her uncle, in great sadness.
"Don't… Don't tell me the mission was a success. The price was too high." M'gann pleaded as a gigantic shadow loomed above them. They looked above to see the Mothership hovering above them, unharmed by the explosion. M'gann gasped in disbelief. "No, no, no, no. We have to get out of here now!" The Martian girl exclaimed to her uncle.
Martian Manhunter disagreed. "No, we must end this now." After stating that, his arm formed to a spearhead as he impaled M'gann through the midsection. Tears of disbelief and pain exited the girl's eyes, ending the nightmare.
Mount Justice October 16th 1621 hoursM'gann awoke with a shuddering gasp. She gets up and notices her friends also awaken, unarmed. Most of the Team groaned as they awakened while Robin and Galen awake with sweat across their faces. She also sees Batman, Captain Marvel, and Red Tornado helping some of the Team back to their feet. "You're all alive!" M'gann exclaimed happily that no one was killed.
Batman had other ideas as he pulled Martian Manhunter back to his feet. "What happened in there?" The Dark Knight asks.
Martian Manhunter gripped his head while replying "The exercise, it all went wrong."
Confused, Robin asks "Exercise?"
Batman turns to his ward. "Try to remember." He ordered before explaining "What you experienced was a training exercise. Manhunter psychically linked the seven of you within an artificial reality. You all knew this going in, what you didn't know was that it was a train for failure exercise. No matter what the Team accomplished, the scenario was designed to grow worse. Still, you were aware nothing was real, including the deaths of the entire Justice League." The Dark Knight explained before Martian Manhunter included his own thoughts.
"That is why you hardly grieved even when Wolf was disintegrated before your eyes. But all that changed when Artemis 'died.'" The Martian explained. Galen and Wally gave concerned looks to Artemis, in which the archer kept her head down. The older hero continued "Though consciously Miss Martian and Starkiller knew it was not real, both of their subconscious minds could not make that distinction. They forgot it was only an exercise and their subconscious took control, making all of you forget, too."
M'gann and Galen's eyes grew wide with shock. "I…I'm so sorry." She apologized at the adults and the rest of her friends. Galen's eyes were glued to the floor. He felt like he would never look up again.
"This isn't their fault!" Connor protested. "Why didn't you stop the exercise?"
Martian Manhunter looked back at the Kryptonian. "We tried, but M'gann and Galen had a death grip on the scenario. Even Artemis, who should have awakened upon her 'death', was so convinced she had passed, she slipped into a coma." Upon hearing those words, Galen felt his heart stop. I almost killed her. Galen thought to himself tearfully as he refuses to let the tears fall from his eyes. Martian Manhunter continued; "I realized I would have to wrest control from both their subconscious from within. But upon entering the reality, I was overwhelmed by both their collective emotions. There was too much noise to think clearly, to remember why I was there. The 'deaths' of Aqualad, Superboy, and Starkiller helped. Galen's 'death' contributed greatly as he loosened the death grip both of you had on yourselves and the rest of the Team. But only when the Mothership exploded and Robin and Kid Flash were silenced did my mind clear enough to remember my true purpose—to shock M'gann out of the exercise before your comas became permanent. My apologies. I had no idea a training exercise could be so dangerous, so damaging." J'onn apologized as he gazed at his niece who began crying. Captain Marvel goes to the Martian girl's side, as she sobs in his arms. Galen seemed like he never took a microscopic breath of relief that it was over as he frowned deeply at himself for letting it happen. Artemis placed a comforting hand on Galen's shoulder, but the Force-user did not look back, too ashamed at himself to look at Artemis and the rest of his friends.
Being the aftereffects too strenuous on him, J'onn almost collapsed to the floor. Batman and Red Tornado helped the Martian as he fell, picking him back up. "As bad as all that?" Batman asks to the Martian.
J'onn turned his head. "Perhaps worse."
"Yet this is not what troubles you." Red Tornado states.
J'onn looks at both Leaguers. "Make no mistake, my niece is untrained and cannot be held responsible for this, for our debacle. And although Galen is capable, he too succumbed to his subconscious because of our exercise."
Batman nods. "No one can blame them. But clearly we underestimated their abilities."
"You understated." J'onn replies. "In terms of raw power, both of them have the strongest telepathic minds I have ever encountered. Stronger by far than mine." He finished which surprised Batman. The Dark Knight glances from the crying girl to the ashamed boy and concluded mentally that these two will suffer the aftereffects the most.
Other notes: Wow, I can't believe I finished that. I hoped this long chapter counted for the wait. To be honest, I did not feel inspired because it was so depressing to write this chapter, but I finished it. So please, tell me what you think. Also, Superherotimefan uploaded trailers of my story on Youtube titled "Young Justice: A New Destiny." Please look them up because I think they are great and comment on his hard work. Anyways, I hope this chapter was good so please rate and review. This is Logan GC signing off and have a nice day.