Earthlings-
Superboy (landing painfully): This is not how the mission was supposed to go
Everyone grew worried, wondering what happened.
Beast Boy: I'm totally walking on an alien planet! Wow, sis, you must say that like every day on Earth.
Miss M: Actually, I kinda do.
Beast Boy: Wait, we can breathe the air here, right?
Doctor Guy: Sardath, and his daughter, Alanna. Miss Martian, Superboy and Beastboy.
Doctor Strange: Wait, you're speaking English!
Miss M: No, they're not. But I linked us mentally. And I'm serving as a psychic translator. They speak Rannian, we speak English. But all now hear the language they understand.
I still don't get the big hate for earthlings? How do they even know any earthlings to hate?
I assume Adam showed you this. We are still unclear on the details. Science Command is not inclined to share intelligence with its' people but we have learned there was an accident on the planet Rimbor involving earthling criminals knowing as the Justice League. I assume you are not associated with these outlaws?
We are not members of the League.
Only these 6 were on Rimbor. But since then the Kroloteans have posted planetary watch alerts for every criminal in the League.
The Kroloteans! That's who stole your Zeta platform tech! They used it to secretly invade Earth, which is how they found about other Leaguers.
Scientist: I know. I told you that the last time you were here.
Strange: Of course! Kroloteans, right! I misunderstood you. I thought it was just a Rannian word for "thief".
"It does" Glacier stated calmly.
Acerbus lightly shoved her with her shoulder.
Alanna: It might as well be.
Yeah, Krolotean culture revolves around stolen tech.
We heard.
Question is what do we do about it?
Alanna: My father's Zeta shield will help.
Scientist: If I can perfect the design. Your primitive Zeta tubes would still function within the confines of the earthling atmosphere, but unauthorized travel to and from other worlds will become impossible. In short, my shield will prevent more Kroloteans from invading your world via Zeta beam while trapping any still entrenched there. And in the meantime Adam tells us you've located the Kroloteans' zeta platform here on Rann?
Indeed.
But the jungles of Rann can be dangerous, you earthlings will need a guide.
I'll go, must complete your work on the zeta shield.
But transportation out of the city of Ranagar is not also without risks, must disguise these earthlings.
We should be fine now. Unless the Rannian Science Patrol comes in for routine ID checks
I'll create a diversion, lead them off the train.
No, it's not safe.
You are the jungle guide, remember? I'll ditch these guys and circle back to your father's compound. Help him finish the Zeta shield.
Be careful.
Doctor Strange: "Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!" Got your nose! No time to say Hello, Goodbye, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!
Alanna: Jabberwock? Bandersnatch?
Connor: His last name is Strange.
Chuckles filled the room.
Strange: And down the rabbit hole I go!
More laughter.
Alanna: We'll be in range of the coordinates soon.
Beast Boy: Hey, sis, remember that time you and Superboy visited me in Qurac, he picked flowers that were really poisonous.
Miss M: It was a long time ago, Gar.
BB: Noted. But you remember, right, Superboy?
How much farther, Alanna?
Alanna: We're close enough. Now. This way.
BB: Now that is some prime alien souvenir material!
Alanna: Wait! Lucian Bog, deadly. Basically, if it looks pretty, don't touch.
BB: Noted.
Alanna: Where did all those Kroloteans come from?
"First episode" Glacier cooed, leaning her head on Acerbus's shoulder.
Miss M: Earth, I think. Our teammates were set to raid their earth bases about now.
BB: Can't you just translate their thoughts and find out for sure?
Miss M: Their minds are too alien. It'll take hours, maybe days to learn their language psychically. And I definitely couldn't do it without them noticing.
BB: Hmm Noted.
SB: They are following us. Or something is. Something big. Move!
Alanna: Hurry, in here!
Miss M (Link): Superboy, Alanna, are you-
SB: Safe, for now. You?
Miss M: We lost them.
BB: Now can we blow this Popsicle stand?
Miss M: Now we stay put. Give their patrols a chance to move on. We'll meet up below the Mag-rail when it's safe.
Alanna: And then regroup with Adam and my father to determine what to do about this Krolotaian base.
SB: M'gann, be careful.
Miss M: You too, Connor.
Acerbus stuck her tongue out in disgust and Glacier fake-gagged.
Others aww'ed.
Alanna: So, how long were you and she together?
SB: All my life.
Alanna: You wanna talk about it?
SB: No.
Miss M: Can she hear us?
SB: It doesn't work that way. Translation's basically automatic. She is not conscious of what we say out loud.
Alanna: Well then talk. I live light years away so you'll never see me again, makes me the perfect confidante.
SB: It's complicated. And weird.
Alanna: Hey I have a crush on an alien from another planet. Who am I to judge?
SB: You asked for it. See, I'm a clone. Force grown in the span of a few months to look like... this. M'gann somehow saw I could be more than the weapon i was created to be.
Alanna: Complicated, but sweet. Go on.
SB: M'gann's a shapeshifter. To her looks are clothing for the mind inside. Easy to change. But I am the opposite. It's become clear the processes used to create me had a side effect. I don't visibly age. At all. I am not immortal, I'm aging internally. But I'll always look
Alanna: This good?
SB: Standard blessing and curse.
Alanna: Seems like a shapeshifter would be the perfect match for someone suffering from your condition.
SB: I used to think so. Anyway she's with La'gaan now. He's kinda a jerk, but he is good to her.
Alanna: It's obvious she still has feelings for you. Perhaps she regrets leaving you for him.
SB: She didn't. I dumped her. She left me no choice.
Those who did not know what happened were looking at the two, curious if the show would explain why Superboy had no choice.
Miss M: They're gone.
BB: Way to lead a mission accomplished. Up high Sis. Ugh ...What's that for?
Miss M: Nothing. Family prerogative.
BB: Get off. Race you to the Mag-Rail.
Miss M: Slow down, Gar! Before a carnivorous tree takes a bite out of you.
BB: No worries. You can just give me another blood transfusion. Wonder what power I'll get this time?
The two siblings smiled slightly.
Miss M: The power to listen to your adopted sister maybe!
BB: Sorry, didn't hear that!
People chuckled at the interaction; the chuckle suddenly cut off at the next scene.
Miss M: Beastboy? Garfield, what is it? Oh Gar, i'm so sorry. I should have been there. Done something. But it's not your fault. You couldn't have stopped Queen Bee. I miss your mom too, but we have to keep moving. It's not safe here, please.
People looked sad. Garfield hid his head in his sister's chest as she rubbed his back in soothing motions.
SB: We're close. I can see the Mag-rail track up ahead.
Alanna: (Rannian Language) Earthlings
SB: Miss Martian isn't translating. M'gann, can you hear me? Something's wrong.
Everyone grew worried.
Strange: Whew ..boy am I glad to see you. Thought I'd never lose those science patrol goons. How's the zeta shield coming?
Scientist: (Rannian Language)
Strange: And we're back to charades.
Connor.
SB: Me? I'm big game. Take care of her. Kid, you may just change my mind about monkeys yet.
Superboy smiled at Garfield, Garfield smiled back.
Alanna: Wake up!
Miss M: Alanna, what happened?
Sighs of relief filled the air.
Alanna: Oh, thank goodness, I can understand you again. You and Beastboy were captured, but we rescued you.
[M'gann destroys Kroloteins mind]
Everyone looked sick.
Acerbus snarled and stood, her wing flared out and her tail lashing.
"HOW CAN YOU DESTROY SOMEONE'S MIND LIKE THAT?!" she shouted.
"That information is helping the team!" Miss Martian tried to reason.
"IT'S DESTROYING SOMEONE'S SENSE OF SELF! IT RIPS OUT THEIR VERY SOUL! YOU ARE WORSE THAN THEY EVER WILL BE!"
"Acer' calm down" Glacier tried to calm her.
"CALM DOWN?! YOU SHOULD BE MADDER THAN ME GLACKERIE! SHE IS HARMING OTHERS BECAUSE SHE FEELS LIKE IT! SHE IS JUST LIKE LUPIS!"
Glacier flinched at that name, her eyes drifting away for a second before returning to her sister, "So were you"
Acerbus's anger flickered before vanishing and she sat down with a huff, her eyes still glowing red with rage.
Alanna: What just-
Miss M: Time to go!
SB: You ok?
Miss M: Fine. I got this for Beastboy.
BB: Souvenir! Sweet!
SB: Where did that come from- M'gann, what did you -
Miss M: Never mind that now. We have to get back to Earth. I know what the Justice League did on Rimbor. I know what happened during their missing 16 hours.
The Justice League and Young Justice Team looked at each other, excitedly.
