Blüdhaven || January 5, 12:00 EST ||
"Aww... isn't she adorable?" Wally gushed and silently took pictures of Ruby sleeping in a hammock surrounded by doves and two of Sora's spirit companions.
Dick asked Wally and Artemis a favor to visit their house to look after her pregnant girlfriend. The couples are happy to look after their baby sister after what happens to Aaliyah. They made a promise to look after Ruby and Zara.
"Quit taking the pictures will you?" Artemis shook her head with a smile. There's no surprise Wally adores Ruby very much when they meet each other before. "I can't wait to see the baby! I hope is a boy."
Wally scoffs and rolling his eyes. "Oh, please! We all know it's a girl and I'm going to win it."
"You're betting our child's gender?" Ruby opened her eyes with a tired smile. "What happens to the loser?"
"Well... one of us is going to change diaper your child for 2 weeks." Artemis answered with a smug look. "I'll win the bet."
"Nu-uh! It's a girl and I'll win it." Wally retorted back and looking at the scarlet-haired girl. "Have you guys think of your child's name?"
"We did." Ruby answered and smiles. "You guys are going to wait until the baby comes."
"Ah, it feels like yesterday when Dick passed out after you told everyone of your pregnancy." Wally commented and chuckled in amusement. "Man, if weren't in our alter hero, I should've taken a video of it by now."
Artemis smirked and looking at Ruby. "We're planning what to eat for lunch. Anything fancy you want to eat?"
"I'm craving for lasagna please." Ruby answered and the blonde helped her to get out of the hammock.
The doves opened their eyes and fly off while Sora's minions, Tsubasa and Kaze are still sleeping. Ruby exhales softly and placing her womb stomach to feel the child inside. "Mommy and daddy can't wait to see you."
"Have you told the others of your engagement, Ru?" Artemis asked curiously and the scarlet-haired shook her head.
"He wanted them to focus before we told everyone of our engagement." Ruby answered and glancing at her engagement ring. It's an infinity ring with a diamond in the middle. "It feels like yesterday he proposed to me before I revealed my pregnancy."
"If Dick breaks your heart, I'll kill him." Wally vowed and Ruby chuckled nervously.
"You have to get in line because my spirits are the first ones to do it first." She stares at the window sadly. "I wish my family are here."
Artemis smiles in understanding and hugging the girl. "Don't worry, you're going to see them again soon. Nightwing and the others are working so hard to bring you guys back in Earthland."
"I never give up hope and I know someday... we're going to see them again." The scarlet-haired girl smiles gently.
Taos || January 6, 09:58 MST ||
All Nightwing ever wanted is to be with Ruby in case she's going to birth soon in a minute. Artemis and Wally assure him and Luminous they will call them in case she's going to give birth.
Luminous and Nightwing are joining Green Lantern, Captain Atom and Wonder Woman to wait for Adam, Miss Martian, Superboy and Beast Boy arrival.
"Sir. We have received a Rannian signal." One of the Scientists informed them. "They are arriving now."
"Recognized. Adam Strange A-1-1. Miss Martian B-0-5. Superboy B-0-4. Beast Boy B-1-9." The computer announced.
"Nightwing and Luminous!" Beast Boy called them as he shoved Miss Martian and Adam away. "Check out my super cool alien souvenir!" He showed them a cloth from the alien as Luminous smile slightly at his cheerfulness.
"Zeta squad. Report." Nightwing commanded them while crossing his arms.
"Our mission to neutralize the Krolotean... zeta platforms on Rann was a success." Miss Martian explained.
Adam stepped up to show a small remote in his hand. "I have also brought back specs from Rann... to create a zeta shield to prevent any more aliens... from beaming to Earth from off-world." He explained and showing them the hologram of the Earth with a shield to protect it from beaming to another planet.
"How will that affect our own zeta capabilities?" Captain Atom asked with a curious look.
"It won't." Adam answered. "The shield will activate at an altitude above the Watchtower's orbit. League zeta tubes will still function normally."
"Tell them about Rimbor." Beast Boy exclaimed at the Martian girl and Luminous stares at them curiously. "Tell them about the sixteen hours."
Miss Martian stares at them. "It may be easier to show you." She informed them and closing her eyes to show the memories she gathered. "I successfully interrogated a Krolotean general on Rann... who paid off a member of the Rannian Science Command to allow the Kroloteans to land a secret base... in the Rannian jungle. Once there, the Kroloteans stole zeta platform technology from Adam Strange's friend Sardath. They landed another ship in New Orleans... and used the zeta platforms to beam... a few hundred Kroloteans to Earth. They built more platforms... brought in more Kroloteans... and began abducting and replacing humans." She cuts off the telepathic link with the memories. "Perhaps as part of an invasion strategy. Though that's still unclear."
"But why Earth?" Captain Atom whispered.
"And what does any of this have to... do with the sixteen hours." Wonder Woman asked Miss Martian curiously.
Miss Martian uses her abilities again. "Well as you know. Five years ago, Vandal Savage placed... the entire League under his control. Six Leaguers, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern and Hawkwoman... went missing for a full sixteen hours. It turns out you were teleported... to a planet called Rimbor... where you spent sixteen hours on a rampage... attacking everyone and everything in sight... and announcing in several alien languages... that you were the Justice League from Earth... and that the rest of the galaxy should beware." She explained with a grim look on her face. "That's why the Kroloteans came. The League itself brought Earth to their attention."
Wonder Woman looks speechless at what she's seeing right now. "I don't know what to say. I have no memories of this. None." Wonder Woman whispered with a shocked look on her face. It wasn't easy for her and the other League to get brainwash without the memories they committed for this act.
"Don't blame yourself." Captain Atom said and placing his hand on her shoulder. "Blame Savage... and his Light. But John... how is it you haven't heard about this... intergalactic incident." He asked Green Lantern curiously.
"No clue." Green Lantern answered truthfully. "Rimbor's not a planet in my sector. But I'll head to Oa immediately... to consult with the Guardians of the... Universe and the rest of the... Green Lantern Corps. We'll get to the bottom of this, Cap. I promise."
"In the meantime..." Captain Atom trailed of his thoughts and looking at the zeta squad. "We still have a Krolotean invasion force to track down on Earth. You did good work on Rann." Miss Martian smiled. "Now we need you... at the Hall of Justice."
South Pacific || January 6, 20:32 HAST ||
Luminous is the only person who's joining Batman, Robin, Nightwing and Batgirl despite she's not one of the Bat family. It makes her feel out of place but there's no way for Luminous to say it out loud.
"Remember this is primarily a recon mission." Batman reminded them. "We want to discover all we can about the Krolotean's invasion strategy... before we shut them down and deliver them to the Green Lantern Corps."
Luminous couldn't help but feel uneasy about this mission. Robin notices her hands are a bit shaking and holding her hands. The blonde girl blinks and smiling thankfully at him before pulling her hand back. Luminous needs to focus on the mission despite she can feel her presence.
"Luminous." The Dark Knight called Luminous and she looks up to stare at him. "If you happen to see her-"
"She's involved and I can sense her." Luminous intervened with a serious look on her face. "I won't compromise the mission despite it's her fault to put Kitsune in a coma and ripped my half kin so I can become fully human." She looks away and stares at the window. "I didn't become a former Lieutenant back in Edolas for nothing."
Nightwing is looking at Luminous worriedly if she's going to reckless herself and confront her. He made a promise to Saber to look after his younger sister and somehow she's becoming a bit like Kitsune. Closing her emotions and rarely expressing herself apart from her short-temper.
Batman didn't say anything as they drop off the bio-ship. Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing and Luminous managed to get inside the island as Nightwing silently giving them directions which they follow.
"There!" One of the soldiers manages to find Robin.
Luminous immediately knocked down each one of them using her light sword. She dodges the bullets and swinging her swords. The new boy wonder noticed the solder is behind her and yelled. "Luminous, look out!"
Luminous's sword disappeared and narrowing her eyes. "Raitopurizumuchēn! (Light prism chain!)" A light chain appeared out of nowhere from her hands and wrapping it around the soldier. "Duck, Robin!" She swings and throws it towards the other soldier.
"Thanks!" He yelled and a purple blur passed through him.
Luminous creates a shield to clash against a purple sword. "Eris..." She growled coldly towards the dark lilac-purple-haired girl.
"Oh? You're here for revenge? Kitty cat?" Eris taunting the blonde girl with a cold smirk.
Eris's hair is dark lilac-purple while her eyes are blue. Her hair is long and worn in twin-tail braids. Her fringes and the hair that frames her face are long. Hairclips on each side of her hair are small black circular pieces with glowing blue x's on them. She's wearing a black skintight leotard with purple segments and silver pieces along with it. The boots/leg armor is above the knee.
"I'm not the same person as I was!" Luminous vowed and pushing Eris back.
Eris tilted her head to hear Manta's command to retreat and she sighs heavily. "Aww... I was just getting started and it ruined the moment."
Luminous glared at Eris and she chuckles in amusement. "Nightwing to delta squad. The enemy is attempting to escape. Request backup." She heard Nightwing through ear comm.
"You did it on purpose so I can sense your magic, Eris. Why?" Luminous asked while gritting her teeth.
"Why bother when I'm looking for a challenge. A worthy battle to remember." Eris licks her lips and shrugging her shoulder. "I always have Lust as my sparring partner and I just thought... why not someone else to help me out of my boredom?" She swings her sword as it burst out of the water covered in a black aura.
Luminous jumps high and grabbing Eris's shoulder to throw her on the ocean. "I'm not someone you play with!" Silently gasps as Eris appeared behind her and throws towards Lagoon Boy.
Eris clicking her tongue and pouts. "You can't change my mind kitty." Landing safely right next to Mantan.
Lagoon Boy groans and pushing Luminous away. "Neptune's beard! Watch where you crash next time, lightbulb."
"Like I asked Eris to be thrown at you." Luminous grunted and stands up to blast Eris away as she crashed on the boulder.
Aquaman runs off and punches the soldier as the helmet flew off. Luminous gasps in shock and covering her mouth to see the boy in front of her. Kaldur. Aaliyah's boyfriend. The blonde-girl never knew he's siding on their enemy and no one even bothers to tell her about Kaldur's betrayal.
"I had not believed Nightwing until this moment." Aquaman spoke up with a shocked look on his face.
"No one even bothers to tell me he betrayed us?" Luminous asked with a bewildered look on her face.
"You did not want to believe!" Kaldur exclaimed angrily.
Superboy joined them and glaring at Kaldur with hatred. "None of us wanted to believe this! How could you betray us? Betraying Aaliyah!"
"You dare to question me!?" Kaldur asked angrily. "After all of you let Tula and Aaliyah die!" He summons his water sword.
"That's not true! We never knew it would happen to them!" Luminous exclaimed and clasping her hands with a fearful look on her face.
Nightwing jumps off the stairs and landed safely. "Kaldur that was a mission. Aquagirl knew the risks. Kitsune risked herself to save Luminous. No one wanted..." He was cut off by Lagoon Boy.
"Neptune's beard!" Lagoon Boy yelled angrily. "Don't coddle this traitor! He has joined forces with our King's greatest enemy."
Eris stands right next to Kaldur and glaring at Luminous as she returned the gesture. "Do you mean the King who hid from me the... true identity of my father?" Kaldur asked them coldly.
"That was my error in my judgment Kaldur'ahm." Aquaman spoke up. "No one else need to suffer for it."
"All will suffer if Black Manta demands it." He commented while Eris smirked in amusement. "Blood is thicker than seawater." He launches a small missile towards them but the Man of Steel stands in front to take the hit.
It completely caused a huge smoke to create a small distraction for Kaldur and Eris to escape. However, Nightwing and Luminous followed them.
"Kaldur."
"Eris."
Luminous and Nightwing showed up to walk towards them. "Eris, take care of Luminous while I handle Nightwing." He ordered the dark lilac-purple-haired girl. "It's just him and I, an old friend"
"No words needed because I have a score to settle with." Eris answered with a smirk as she summons her sword. "I can't wait to capture you and send him to you. He's going to please to see you in exchange how I killed your blondie fairy of yours."
"Like that would happen." Luminous growled in anger and summoning her light sickle and chain.
"No." Superboy joined them. "It's a regular reunion special. I won't let you harm her, Eris."
Eris and Kaldur look at each other before lowering their weapons. "Fine, be our guests to take us down." Eris commented.
"Or you can save everyone from this bomb." He pointed at the bomb behind them. "We are told the yield are quite impressive."
Superboy dashed off and Eris sighs heavily. "Think first before you act, Superboy!" Grabbing Superboy's neck and smirked darkly. "It's time to show you how God's magic are more powerful than Dragon's magic. Kaminoikari ni mizu o yaru! (Water God's wrath!)" A black magic circle appeared to engulf Superboy inside of the dark water sphere before it shocks him with a high voltage.
"No way... A Water God Slayer Magic!" Luminous exclaimed with a shocked look on her face.
"A what!?" Nightwing asked the blonde girl curiously.
"One of the rarely lost magic similar to Aaliyah's magic but the difference is that... they have the same element but with black aura. God Slayer magic can eat Dragon Slayer magic whereas they can't eat it." Luminous explained and gulps nervously.
"You have two minutes left, heroes." Eris chuckled and throws Superboy from them. "Till we meet again, heroes."
"Let's go, Eris." Kaldur called her and they escape out of the water.
"Darn it." Luminous punches the wall and sighs heavily. She observes the bomb closely and gulps nervously. "This bomb is an alien tech and we don't have enough time to disable it."
"I'll get it out." Superboy volunteered and Nightwing raises his hand to stop him.
"No. Might have pressure or motion sensors." Nightwing answered and pressing his comms. "All squads! Evacuate to bio-ship! Now!"
Everyone managed to get on bio-ship apart from Superman who's trying to convince Krolotean to escape from the island as well. However, he failed to save them once the bomb is set off.
Mount Justice || January 26, 00:10 EST ||
Ruby finally manages to convince Nightwing she can come along to join the others saying farewell to the League. The scarlet-haired girl knows Batman is everything to Nightwing and she wanted to see them one last time before they go. It's a hard decision for them to leave on Earth to face trial for their crimes they never committed whereas they're in charge to protect their world.
"You didn't have to see us in your condition, Ruby." Batman spoke up while looking at the scarlet-haired girl to mask his worries about her condition.
"It's the least I can do and they're important to you including myself." Ruby spoke up softly and rubbing her bulge stomach. "I think the little one agrees with me."
"She's stubborn and won't let me go until I said yes." Nightwing defended himself while rubbing his neck. "Be careful alright?"
"Was about to say the same to you five." Batman retorted back before looking at Ruby. "I will miss out on your firstborn child."
"Don't worry, we will take lots of pictures and videos for you when you get back, Batman." Ruby assured the dark knight.
Batman's lip twitches up lightly. "I fear we leave the more dangerous task here on Earth."
"We'll manage and I'll look after them." Nightwing assured Batman.
"Time to go." Green Lantern informed the six League members.
"May the gods be with you all." Wonder Woman wishes them luck before they leave on Earth.
Luminous sighs softly and looking at the moon. She needs to inform Arthur and Ruby about her discovery before it's too late for them to stop the real mastermind behind their back.
"Ah!" Ruby cried out in pain and holding her stomach. "It hurts!" She feels the liquid on her legs.
"Your water is broken!" Luminous cried out in surprise. "You're giving birth, Ruby!"
"I'll take her to the hospital immediately!" Xi Men and Sora appeared out of nowhere as the Chinese Dragon spirit carry their mistress. "Meet us at the Blüdhaven Hospital. Sora please take Nightwing home to change his clothes and their bags."
"I'll see you soon, okay?" Nightwing kissed her forehead and she whimpered in pain. "Watch over her, Xi Men."
"You have my word." Xi Men vowed and disappeared out of their sight using his flame magic to teleport them to their destination.
"The baby decided it's time to come out." Luminous commented with a smirk. "I'll see you guys later!" She waves off and heads home first to change clothes before everyone just realizes their friend is giving birth now. They begin to head home first to change clothes before going to the hospital.
Blüdhaven Hospital || January 26, 9:30 EST ||
After the long due labor pain, the baby finally comes out of their world. Dick couldn't be happier to hold his child in his arms. "Welcome to our world... little one." He whispered in a hushed tone.
Ruby is sleeping peacefully and didn't expect giving birth is long for the first timer like her. However, the Doctors or nurses said when they have another child it's going to be a short time.
"Hey, are we allowed to come in?" Dick looked up to see his old brunette friend and Zara.
"Sure, just be quiet." He answered in a hushed tone. "Ruby just fell asleep."
"Of course." Arthur smiles and looking at the baby. "A male version of Ruby. Does that mean he has her eyes too?"
"He has my eyes for now." He smiles gently. "The Doctor said his eyes might change in a few months."
"You guys already pick a name for him?" Zara asked softly before Dick passing the baby in her arms.
"Yeah, his name is Orion John Grayson." Dick answered proudly.
Arthur chuckled softly and shook his head. "Wally is going to cry for not named after him. You're naming him from the constellation."
"Don't forget the bet as well." Zara commented with a smirk on her face. "Man, I can't wait to see Wally changing Orion's diaper."She snickered.
"Hey, is there room for more?" M'gann and the rest of the team are visiting them.
"You're lucky the room is big enough to fit everyone in and we need to be quiet." Arthur reminded them with his usual smile.
"Or we can always communicate like this." M'gann suggested.
"So... is it a girl or a boy?" Barbara asked curiously and Zara smiled softly.
"It's a boy." Dick answered proudly and Wally groaned in despair.
"He's so cute!" Raquel cooed and stroking the baby's cheek. "What did you name him?"
"Is it Wally Jr.?" Wally asked with a hopeful look on his face and Dick shook his head.
"Like that would happen if pigs can fly." Zara commented sarcastically and Wally glared at her.
"We name him Orion." Dick answered and smirked in amusement. "I don't think his name would fit him."
"He has my red hair!" Wally exclaimed.
"It's actually scarlet hair color." Conner corrected the yellow speedster. "I'm happy for you both." He smiles once Zara handed over Orion to him.
Orion opened his eyes to reveal blue eyes just like his father and cooed happily at Conner. Arthur smiles gently at the clone. "Orion like you, Conner and he didn't cry to see you."
"He's like a male version of Ruby but he has Dick's eyes." Wally commented and Orion holds Conner's hand. "Give him to-"
"Hey, guys..." Ruby opened her eyes and greeting them tiredly.
"Hey, Rubes." Artemis greeted her with a smile. "How are you feeling?"
"The pain is worth it to see our son and held him for the first time." Ruby answered truthfully. "Who knew giving birth is too long and painful to endure it."
"Ruby, are you ready to share the news with everyone?" Dick asked her curiously.
"Yeah, and they deserve to hear the good news." Ruby answered with a smile while everyone are curious to hear the news. "The first one is... Wally and Artemis, we decided you're going to be Orion's Godparents."
"Really!?" Artemis exclaimed with a shocked look on her face. "I thought either Zara or Aaliyah will be the Godmother."
"I think about it carefully and we have another favor from them." Ruby answered truthfully. "I know Aaliyah is still in a coma. I know deep inside of my heart, she will wake up soon and join us again."
"Aaliyah didn't mind if you choose a different Godmother to someone else as long as she meets your son." Zara commented and tilted her head with a mischief look. "Please care to tell us of your second good news. I bet everyone will have a fight for it. Hehe~"
Robin gulps nervously and shook her head. "You're too evil, Zar." He whispered under his breath.
"I know." She retorted back.
"I hate your teasing, Zar." Dick shook his head and sighs heavily. "The second news is... we're engaged."
The whole team congratulated the engagement couple and Orion's birth. Despite their mission is too painful to remember Kaldur's betrayal, they need a little bit of happiness.