(This Saturday (tomorrow) I'm leaving to go on vacation. However, the place I'm going to be at has WI-FI, but I'm not sure if I should bring my laptop. So I don't know when the next update will be, sorry guys.)

Matthew Gemm: I appreciate the gesture, but you don't have to. If people aren't interested in the series, the don't have to read it. It's an odd series, I'll admit it. But thanks anyways.

Chapter 10: Always Consequences

(Young Justice Dimension, The Watchtower, a day or two later)

Batman had assigned Atom & Bumblebee to focus on the portal and he would help in his spare time because of his duties to the League & Gotham. Fate & Zatanna also were trying their hands at trying to mystically decrypt the secrets of the portal. Superboy had tried to get the Super-Cycle to contact the Forever People to gain their help, but the portal's…meltdown messed up her systems. So the group was basically stuck on their own regarding the problem. Some of those not involved in the 'search' were currently talking about it and the one who went missing. They were sitting at the new table for both teams to use to talk when needed.

"How long can we afford to keep this up? Even though the Light is gone, we still have threats to deal with. Besides, Dark Beast might not even be hurt. Remember this was a portal, perhaps he was just put on one of the planets the League or team has been to." Captain Atom said.

"Perhaps, but the erratic behavior of the portal does lead to the possibility that I might have sent Drew somewhere not so pleasant." Flash stated.

"So what's the probability that Drew is still alive?" Icon asked.

"Based on what Atom, Batman, and Bumblebee have told us so far…I'm saying…not good." Flash answered.

The others looked to one another, trying to understand what they all thought of the situation.

"So…are you saying it's pointless to try and find Drew?" Beast Boy asked.

"I'm not saying that, but it's more logically possible that he is…well…you know." Flash answered.

"So…that's it?...We're just going to give up on him?" Red Hood grunted, fists clenching.

"No, but we may have to consider if the level of danger that the portal presented last time. Zatanna told us how he was before he was sucked into the portal…maybe he realized he was possibly going to die." Captain Atom stated.

"Indeed, but it seemed as though he was more focused on us getting out than himself." Green Lantern, John, stated.

"True, he made sure Batman & Atom were out. They were the closest to the portal, so he made sure they were away from it." Black Canary added.

"Man the kid is odd. I still don't know what to truly make of him." Green Arrow said.

"Have you ever been in a conversation with him?" Canary asked.

"Not exactly…something about him makes me uneasy." The archer answered.

"He's afraid of him." Raven said, not looking up to the others.

"I'm not…" Green Arrow started to say.

"I'm an empathy, remember? I've felt how each of us has felt in his presence. Something about him scares you all. Even Beast Boy, Nightwing, and Red Hood are scared of him in one way or another." Raven interjected.

Everyone was silent, confirming her words. But she also knew Drew knew that as well.

"I rest my case." Raven said, arms crossing and leaned back into her chair.

"…Imagine what he would think if he was here." M'gann sighed.

"He wouldn't be surprised. Most of what Drew has felt through his life is fear and sadness. I could feel it. His emotions are…well…the closest I could come to describing it…" Raven stuttered.

"What Raven? What did you feel?" Wonder Woman asked.

"As if he'd been slowly skinned alive." Raven answered.

Some of those present at the table lost the color in their faces at hearing her words. Drew had never claimed to experience something more horrible than any of the others he'd come to fight beside had. But the others were not sure what to believe about the shapeshifter.

"We've all experienced pain in our lives in one way or another. Conner has an origin similar to Drew's…" Nightwing stated.

"Yeah, but his parents did it to him. Also, practically the entire planet was calling for his head…almost everyone hates him…but us...along with practically the entire planet…fear him to varying degrees…even me. If he can make Superman bleed…what else can he do?" Conner interjected.

"Maybe we should…I don't know…focus on finding a way to bring him back?!" Beast Boy grunted sarcastically.

"Any luck contacting the Forever People?" Black Canary asked.

"No, Super-Cycle still is unable to communicate with them. I'm not liking this." Superboy answered.

"Why are there always consequences to something that happens?! WHAT ELSE COULD GO WRONG?!" Beast Boy screeched angrily.

(TMNT 2003-10 Dimension, Manhattan, present)

Above a tall tower appeared a similar portal to the one that brought Drew to this dimension. From within came out an unusual figure that landed on the rooftop. It quickly scurried away to a hidden spot.

'How is this possible? How am I back? No…I should not forsake good fortune. Fate smiles upon me this day.' The unknown figure mused in its mind.

It moved out of its hiding spot, looking down at the city.

'Some things have changed…but not much…whilst I am whole again, I am still stuck in this putrid place…but I suppose that is better than my last…stop.' The figure grunted in its mind.

It looked at the building.

'It seems there is work to do…no matter. I can rebuild what I have lost. My enemies shall quake in fear once they realize the truth…but it will be too late for them.' The figure sinisterly chuckled in its mind.

A wide, disgusting grin spread across its ugly face as its eyes filled with evil glee.

"For they shall soon learn…THAT I HAVE RETURNED! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The figure laughed sinisterly.

To be continued…