CyberTech

Open Worlds

Chapter XII

Enter the World of Changing Possibility

Kyte grinned as he stood on top of a small craft with two long prongs going from cream to red at the front. It has large fan propellers housed in cages to either side spinning, keeping it airborne with two smaller ones on either side too. Its cockpit is under him, only big enough for one, red, not even a window, and it has twin Gatling Guns underneath, aiming and reaming at his opponent as she drifted from side to side.

The tech genius is in full armour of crimson red, his visor holding holographic targeting screens as he waited. His armour engines are out, but off as the craft under him supported his weight.

He was watching a battle over and around Metropolis between Supergirl and some young woman called Galatea. Apparently she's a clone of Supergirl, so he wondered whether that makes them mother and daughter or sister's. It's never came up with clones before. Though, Kyte would rather think of them as sisters as Supergirl looks younger so it would be confusing, and weird.

Galatea is pretty hot though. She's wearing a long sleeved white leotard with a cut-out over her chest to show her cleavage, and gloves, white half boots and a yellow belt around her waist. Her hair is short, to the centre of her neck, hung low cropped. Then her blue eyes are almost mocking, but shockingly beautiful like Supergirls are.

Kyte had heard a secret government agency had created her as a defence against Superman if he ever loses control again, like when he was under some jerk aliens control. However, looking, Galatea didn't get the one thing she needed to be a potential hero, which is why the two kryptonians are fighting. She didn't get love; she wasn't taught about the good in the world, only to fight.

Therefore, it seems she's done a runner, and joined up with a bad crowd or something like that. He felt bad for her. He could have easily gone down that rout, if not for certain people. He had to shake those memories away for now or he'll just be distracted.

Then, they made Galatea older, so not only did she miss out on a childhood, but she's about twenty, making her an adult by kryptonian biology, which makes her a tad stronger than Supergirl. He couldn't help but feel sad about that; he always wished he had a normal childhood too. She doesn't seem to understand the simple pleasures in life that don't include kicking the crap out of her enemies, or sister as in this case.

He watched the battle and winced a little here and there as they went boom into a building together. "Where's Superman when he's needed?" Kyte asked no one but he got two answers.

The first answer came over his comm. link. "Daddy, Superman's not on the planet at the moment. He's with Green Lantern John Stuart and Hawkman off world on a mission. Guy Gardner can be with you in five or ten minutes if you want backup."

However, the girl his weapons are facing answered too, amused. "Not here big boy, so I guess it's just you and me while the Super-Babes beat the shit out of each other!"

Kyte glared at her, though she couldn't see from where she floated in front of him. She has long wavy deep red and purple hair, hanging to between her shoulder blades. She's wearing a hot little green with some yellow trim dress that barely covered her butt with black attachments and a yellow belt. Her dress doesn't have any straps but she has sleeves to match going down just over her hands.

She's wearing some matching boots up, just below her knees. Her eyes are a light blue and she's wearing dark eye shadow, and has panted her lips a deep plum, with matching nails. She was smiling at him as she at least watched the Gatling Guns warily.

He growled. "Aren't you supposed to be a myth?" he couldn't help but ask, but didn't wait for an answer. "If not, haven't weaker heroes than me beaten you time and time again for you to get a clue, Circe?"

Her eyes narrowed in anger, and he used his left arm to block the blast of pure magic with his distortion shield glowing red as it opened. "Shut up, idiot!" she hissed out, annoyed with him before smiling, her mood switching in seconds he wondered whether it was 'that' time for her. "They got me on my bad days," she said, which would have made him laugh aloud (previous thought) if he weren't so good at holding back

"Wow, lame excuse," he retorted laughingly. "So, you've taken your pot shots Circe, do I get my turn? Why don't you tell me what you're doing with Galatea? Why isn't she with these Cadmus morons anymore?"

Circe snorted, smiling at him. "She left and tore apart their base. I just stumbled across her and thought I would make a great big sister and help her complete her desire to destroy her mother, little sister, well whatever Supergirl is too her.

"In exchange she'll help me out, a sort of I scratch her back, and she'll return the favour. I just have to keep you occupied, and don't take me for a fool, I can sense your mana, so no magical sneak attacks," she said wiggling one of her pointers.

Kyte chuckled as they circled each other in the air. "Sounds like a hoot," he said, having some fun. However, he was worried as he looked down where Supergirl was smashed painfully into the road. It's just lucky that the police have managed to clear out the area.

"Worried about your little girlfriend, Crimson?" Circe mocked with a grin when he looked back up to her. "I would be worried about myself if I had to fight me, too."

"Hmm," he mumbled in fake thought. "Yeah, I guess..." he replied mockingly when her eyes widened as the Gatling Guns started spinning, heating up and in seconds energy bolts flew out.

She grits her teeth as she held up her hands creating a transparent rippling bubble of a shield. She managed to hold back every blast before the weapons over heated and shut down.

Circe screamed in anger as the smoke cleared from the attack and their fight began. The witch shot forward shooting fire magic at him, just his jet and his shield distorted her magic, veering it off as they moved down and back away from her.

Meanwhile, Galatea was stomping on Supergirls back while she cried out in pain when she was hit by a blast of green light. This Green Lantern dressed a bit different to Hal. He has a green leather jacket with the flaps open at the top with collars with the lantern symbol on the left of his chest, and strawberry blonde hair with no mask around his glowing green eyes.

He laughed smugly as Galatea was pulling herself up, angry, her blue eyes lit up red and laser vision blasting into a green shield he hastily puts up before it stops as a pink light blast him flying into a building.

"Huh, and I thought I would just watch the fun," the Star Sapphire said as she flew in, interrupting. She looked up as she saw that Crimson Knight get blasted off the weird craft and down the side of a building before crunching down into the sidewalk below.

Guy pulled himself up, shaking his head clear as he looked to the glowing pink girl. Her hair is long and smooth, raven black; her outfit curls around her breasts, open in the front, a long sleeve leotard design with long boots half way up her thighs and gloves over her hands with a white star shape just above her pubis area, and a mask, split in the middle around her eyes, pointed up crown like.

"Hmm, I didn't expect to see you," Guy said laughingly as Supergirl tiredly pulled herself to stand, her cape in tatters and bleeding with some scrapes and bruises.

"What can I say, but I had nothing better to do!" she replied, smirking. "It's a shame it's you and not Hal, but I'll beat who I can!"

Kyte pulled himself up from the small crater he made, looking up, Circe was getting beat by his mech as she had transformed into a mechanical humanoid with propeller jets on her back, and one on her waist, and another on her ankles, getting smaller as you look down.

"Rapid, keep her busy," he said, amused as his mech just started trying harder to get the witch, and with Rapids distortion field at a constant, Circe was having no luck knocking her down.

"Let's try this, Mystic mode activate," he said and in a flash he was out of his armour and in his crimson outfit, his eyes visor still giving him readouts, he flicked out his right hand and his staff flashed into his hand, he smirked. He went from danger to dangerous.

He watched as Galatea went to charge a disorientated Supergirl. He aimed his staff and the white wearing beauty was hit by a flashing white light and trapped. She struggled but she couldn't get out no matter what she tried, nor could she move. She was stuck, confused and furious.

The Star Sapphire turned, shocked as she glared at him. She went to fire, but forgot her own enemy as Guy blast her, knocking her to the floor unconscious. She had a few last thoughts about not trusting idiot men who wear green or red as she crashed down.

"You OK, Supergirl?" Kyte asked as he walked over to join them with a quick glance up, Rapid was still keeping Circe busy.

She shook her head clear and gave him a smile. "Y-yeah, well as soon as the ringing in my ears stops," she agreed as she turned, angry at Galatea and went to hit her while defenceless only for Kyte to take her hand, stopping her. She looked to him, surprised. "K-Crimson, this is, I have too... she started it!" she ended up whingeing as she relaxed into his hold.

He smiled at her, shaking his head. "She doesn't know any better, not really. She was created to fight you and Superman; maybe given a chance I can help her. I helped this girl a while back, X-Twenty-Three; you can meet her if you go to Jump City, she and her teen her crossed. She was created like her, not as powerful, but much more violent."

"I can be much more violent if that's what you want!" Galatea spat out angrily, glaring as she realised she can still move her mouth, but she still couldn't move the rest of her body.

Kyte shrugged as he looked up to where Circe was starting to get a stride against his partner mech. "Guy, go help Rapid, and try to capture Circe if you can, but Supergirl would be at a disadvantage so it will be just you. I need to spend a moment talking to Galatea. Supergirl, if you could sit on our Star Sapphire or something so she doesn't wake up and flee."

"I'm on it!" Guy said, grinning blasting off after the powerful sorceress like being a super-cop was the greatest of games. Kyte sighed and shook his head; he has to wonder about that guy.

Supergirl gave Kyte a worried look before actually sitting on the Star Sapphire's tummy, facing her to watch for when she wakes, and using her knees to pin her arms knowing that she won't be able to take the brunette's ring off.

Kyte, the Mystic Mode Crimson Knight approached the struggling blonde super villainess in the making. "OK, I'm going to give you a choice Galatea," he said looking her over, concerned like he had been when he first saw X23, feeling bad that they've had to suffer having no choice in their own futures, like him in a way.

He could see beyond her anger, her hate, her disgust, to the fear, the panic, the hopeless feeling inside. It always reminded him of the times he was trapped, defenceless against his aunt and uncle and brought back memories he tries to lock away.

She stopped glaring at him for a moment. "What are you talking about, moron?!"

Sighing, he reached out his left hand and stroked her cheek, shocking her; he held her cheek. "I understand what it's like, not knowing who you really are, and treated like a thing by people who should be looking out for you! It sucks not having a place in the world, I know, but I had some help after I ran, and I found something for myself, now I want to help you."

She snorted rudely. "And what can you do for me, loser?!" she demanded, rudely trying to look away but she was still stuck staring at this superhero as he sounded so sincere it was near sickening, but in a way she had never felt before.

Crimson pulled his hand back, sighing. "I can do everything and anything you need, look at your sister," he said, making a gesture that allowed her head to turn to where Supergirl sat on the Star Sapphire, trying to pretend she's not listening in and only glancing at Galatea feeling a little bad for her. "She has everything that she could need, and she's happy. She goes out of her way to help people, not because she has too, but because she can.

"When Cadmus created you they didn't think about the little things," he said reaching out and stroking her hair; she couldn't resist and she reluctantly enjoyed the way his fingers felt running in her hair, as if he cared, but he can't, can he? "They didn't think of the needs of an emotional being like you. Kryptonians like humans have mental needs, like emotional contact, love, physical contact.

"If you come with me, I can help you where they never cared too," he said, smiling at her. "You can have a chance at a proper life. You haven't done too much Galatea that I can't write it off and repair the damages. I'm sure somewhere, here," he said placing his finger on her chest, though not on her breasts she still blushed at the contact while her heart beat, racing, and she didn't know why.

"You have a heart," he said with a gentle smile as he pulled his hand back out of the white light holding her. "I can give you a new life, and keep Cadmus away from you, and you won't have to watch your back again. You'll have people you can learn to trust who will watch your back, and maybe someday you'll watch theirs too, as close friends that you will love."

She just let her eyes drop, no longer struggling, looking thoughtful. She really didn't know what to do. She hadn't known he was magic until she heard what Circe had said, and didn't know about that fatal flaw in her power, so now she's trapped as she hadn't thought about watching him to dodge as strength had always been preferable. She had actually expecting some kind of incarceration where what's left of Cadmus would reclaim her, but now this.

It was impossible for her to say yes or no, she didn't know, or understand what she should or could do, but he was offering her a chance, wasn't he? But how could he keep Cadmus away? She couldn't help but feel conflicted, and her pounding heart; it seemed to speak, make her feel like she wanted to trust him, but could she really?

He didn't look the same, the same as the people at Cadmus. They always had that guarded aura about them, guarding secrets from her, lies, bull-crap. However, he didn't look like that. He didn't give her that sense of control the others all had over her; she felt, sensed a warm feeling in her chest.

Then she was shocked as he raised his visor, showing his eyes. They're a striking green, so calm, peaceful, kind, and honest. His eyes are strong, and hold a certain hope she couldn't describe, and it took her a moment to realise she was free and he had taken her gloved hand in his, and she held on gently longing for a real life.

She nodded, unsure, but it seems better than the alternative right now, so with another nod she stayed put and didn't attack. However, moments later they were startled by a huge explosion in the sky and Guy crashed into the ground a little way from them.

Rapid tried to stop Circe, but within moments she was gone. Kyte turned from the scene to see Supergirl picking up the Star Sapphire, and though eying Galatea in suspicion didn't complain.

Kyte nodded his thanks, winking at Supergirl, which lit her cheeks up before his visor like red tinted glasses slid back down. "Supergirl, let's get Star Sapphire to my... umm... place and see if we can remove the ring!"

"I'm not going to freak if you say labs, as long as I'm not staying too, I don't care what happens to her," Galatea said quietly as Crimson and Supergirl looked to her in this odd and annoying way. It made her feel it necessary to tell them that.

"OK," he said, smiling. "Watchy," he said over his comm. "Please send a cleanup crew to Uptown Metropolis, and Guy might need some plasters, or a cast," he ordered as the Green Lantern pulled himself up, pouting before Kyte started flying, Galatea with him, and Supergirl bringing up the rear as they left.

Open Worlds Open Worlds Open Worlds

"You've done what?"

In Jump City, the Titan's, plus guest Titan's yelled out in shock at Harry as Mystica wearing a high tech dark green mask around his eyes, making the green look near black. He has really dark emerald green hair in waves of short spikes (controlled chaos), and a black material with dark green collar wrapping around his neck, the rest of his look hidden. He was on the large screen in the common area in Titan Tower.

Mystica shrugged sheepishly. "I um… kind of started a rebellion against the teachers… well two useless teachers. This toad… woman, or whatever, well, I couldn't just sit back and let her get away with her crap, and Snape has been getting away with it for too long. Kyte thought it was fun when I told him, but then he seemed to be having a blast facing off against some ancient immortal witch called Circe or something."

"Glad you and your brother are having fun!" Robin piped in looking a little sulky as they haven't had much going on since meeting the three members of the Angels and having them join up. He figures news about them travelled and now some criminals are waiting to see them in action, not wanting to be the first to try their luck, so no one is turning up yet.

"Maybe we should come and rescue you?" Raven suggested before Mystica could respond to Robin as he had told them a lot about his new year at school, and though she'll secretly admit it sounds like fun she's still concerned for him.

"From all the cute schoolgirls…?" Jubilee suggested snickering while Raven half glared, annoyed that anyone can be half as happy-go-lucky as Starfire. At least she doesn't pull stupid pranks and jokes like Beast Boy.

"Na, I'm fine Rae," Mystica said smiling. "And don't worry about any cute schoolgirls. You should learn to share your toys," he said cheekily while her cheeks tinted and the others burst out laughing, Robin included as it had actually embarrassed her.

She then pouted before an odd glint appeared in her eyes. "Oh, I see," she replied with a small smirk. "Yes I suppose you are correct. I should share. I know how you find it amusing to cop-a-feel with some girls while training."

"He does what?" Robin asked in shock as he had never thought of that. He near had a bright light bulb above his head when he realised he should have thought about that sooner, and deflated as he realised now he and Starfire are a couple, after some talk or something with Tyde on her part, he can't do that sort of thing.

"Hey, hey…!" Mystica said nervously. "It was only on Wonder Girl, and she kept beating me up. I deserved some form of compensation… when I get hold of Zatanna I'm so going to put her over my knee and give her a spanking," he said snickering while the boys laughed with Jubilee and Pixie, X23 did nothing but look confused with Starfire while the other girls playfully glared.

"That would be mean friend Mystica!" Starfire lightly reprimanded. "Friend Zatanna didn't mean anything about it, and spankings should never be thrown around when a girl didn't mean bad. If you tried harder, you could do better against friend Wonder Girl, but why did you grope, and why would that compensate you?" she asked, confused at the end, and more so at some embarrassed giggling.

However, Pixie giggled as she whispered the answers into Starfire's ear and watched the alien girl tint in the cheek with wide eyes.

"Well, anyway," Mystica quickly interrupted as Starfire looked scandalised, and didn't want her to reprimand him anymore, or hunt him worse than a spanking: with a beat down. "I just thought I would call and update you all. I've never led a rebellion before so it should be interesting I suppose."

Cyborg laughed. "Interesting…? It sounds like you're having some fun. I so wish I had magical powers so I could come to your school and enjoy the chaos" he said not realising that he was giving a couple girls ideas.

"So I guess you're not coming home today for the weekend?" Robin intercepted before they could begin a rant about ways to mess with these Hogwarts morons.

He sighed and shrugged helplessly. "Hey, I started this, so I have to stay to protect them. Kyte said he's got a few lawyers looking into the legality of some of the goings on, magic and non-magic. Such as Umbridge and Snape's lack of qualifications, as he's looked into it and neither are qualified. Though, apparently only the good teachers actually have the qualifications."

"So that Dumbledore's been letting in morons," Robin said shaking his head, disgusted as Harry nodded. "It isn't and shouldn't just be about whether they've got the grades and diplomas, but teachers need some kind of teaching degree to prove they can handle it, and then maybe a year or two as a class assistant wouldn't hurt."

"I get that mate," he answered, sighing. "But all we can do is undo all of this. And it has to be before the other Magical World converges, which will take longer because of the magic, but it's only a matter of time."

"What do you think will happen if we don't have control by then?" Beast Boy couldn't help but ask, curious.

However, Mystica didn't answer, it was Raven. "This Magical World will no doubt attack the other through fear, and certainly the horror of a technologically advance magical community."

"They won't win," Mystica added. "But many innocent people will die. Kyte's world was more accepting of invasion because they had lost faith and hope in their world with Voldemort on the loose. They accepted fast as they were not only promised, but given security and protection, the Scientific World gave them back their hope."

"And here it's different," Pixie piped in sadly. "They have all of their hope, faith, and massive superiority complexes; they won't be anywhere near as docile as our Magical World. They'll fight to keep their world the way it is. Then, don't forget that there are magiks up that we need to nullify controlling muggle-born perception, and making people fear Voldemort's name.

"My world was so much different by the time of the invasion, people had lost so much hope none of the spells were sticking properly. They were losing everything, so they lost their fear and started accepting, which allowed them to accept our invasion. I think many of them welcomed it, wanted to just give up, but we surprised them and gave them hope."

"So, without the squished moral, they'll be trouble, which is why we have to take our time," Mystica agreed smiling at the girl. "Then we have Dumbledore, and maybe Voldemort eventually, and the corruption, so it's a big mess. I really don't know how I'll cope alone so as long as I can unload on you guys, I'll be fine."

"Good to know we can help," Robin said, shrugging. "I just hope your little rebellion pans out in the long run."

"Yeah, me too," he agreed, grinning. "Well, anyway, I have some things to take care of, speak to you guys later," he said before hanging up, the screen went dead.

"Raven, where are you going?" Pixie asked as she followed, concerned. Raven just gave her a look as she stopped by the door while the others were all chatting about the new info. "Oh, I see," she said smiling as she recognised the look. "OK, I'm in, two is better that one."

"Three," she corrected with a nod. "We'll see Zatanna first, and see what she thinks."

"OK," Pixie said, glancing back at her friends only X saw her leave, but didn't say anything as she can see this is important and she wouldn't want to disappoint her friends, her father, and certainly not Kyte as he had saved her, given her a purpose, and plenty of opportunity to learn about emotions, helping her learn to care about her most precious people, like Pixie, a really great friend.

To Be Continued...