Author's note: Happy New Years! Here's my New Years Gift to you, and just in time for the big countdown to midnight! Sorry if I was several hours late! Enjoy this final chapter! But as I promised Red Witch, we will see more of Justin and the Misfits in future stories! Just read on to see what I mean!
CHAPTER 13: A Whitelighter Is Born
"…and that was had happened."
There was a thought-provoking silence as the Jugglers pondered what General Hawk had told them. There were all meeting in their secret headquarters, dressed in full officer regalia, and the bare, circular, cement room was cold and dark except for the overhead flood-lamps illuminating the three Epsilon Jugglers, Generals Hawk, Flagg…and to Hawk's disgust, Eddington. The three were standing before the panel of the more powerful and influential Omega Jugglers, the sole authority figures of the United States government, many times above the President and all his bureaucracy combined. Due to the intensity of the lights shining above General Hawk, Eddington, and Flagg, the Omega Jugglers were completely shrouded in shadows and dim darkness since they were out of the lamps' ranges. By using voice scrambler technology and generic military uniforms, General Hawk had no idea whether the Omegas were men or women, their identities as secret and elusive as the mist. There were nine Omega Jugglers on the panel: Generals White, Black, Brown, Green, Blue, Orange, Gold, Silver, and Red, and each one of them were looking directly at Hawk.
General Gold then spoke, "As informative as it may be, General Hawk, we still do not know much about the Dinosaucers' intentions while staying upon our world. It is easy for them to claim that they wish to live here in peace without anything to back-up that 'assertion'. In fact, Eddington was proposing to us that we send in military forces and do an immediate siege upon the weakened Lavadome base in order to prevent them from becoming a possible threat. After all, even now, Allo and his crew have made no offers to us or to the Pentagon to form an alliance with their race."
Flagg then spoke in defense, "It is because they wish to remain secret, Sir. If they publicly exposed themselves to the United Nations or to our government, it could cause mass hysteria. Terrorist organizations such as Cobra and Hydra could target them and truly use their strength and resources against us, and not to mention splinter cults such as H.A.T.E. and the Friends of Humanity could turn the American and world public against all alien life forms in general. Not only would this cause an unbelievable amount of chaos, but it would also make Earth a complete battlefield, considering the Dinosaucers are not the only aliens to come to this planet."
General Green sighed, "And that would truly place Earth in a galactic conflict. How can we possibly make peace with the other systems and life forms when we cannot seem to offer amnesty to one set of permanent visitors?"
"Visitors that have arrived clandestinely, I might point out, General Green!" snapped General Black, "Stop being such a daft fool in thinking that every alien race that is interested in Earth is beneficial and peace-loving! Remember that egomaniac, Lex Luthor, when he tried to make a simple technology exchange with the Krypton alien, Brainiac! He was lucky not to have doomed the entire world by selling out our planet's secrets when Brainiac tried to double-cross him!"
"But that is the thing, General Black! The Dinosaucers are peaceful and friendly! And we don't want them to think that we are trying to profit and exploit them in any manner!" Flagg pushed back.
"Speak for yourself, Flagg," Eddington scoffed, and Hawk had to restrain himself from punching Eddington in the face as Eddington then followed with, "Keep in mind, if we don't attach a rein of surveillance on these invaders, it could surely cost us in the future, especially if they do have plans of world conquest! And the Dinosaucers should know that they cannot stay here peacefully without doing us a few favors in return! Such as their alien technology and knowledge of the other neighboring systems!"
"That is true, Eddington," nodded General Silver, "The Dinosaucers should know that trust goes both ways. If they still refuse to offer coalition to the United States government, and specifically, to the Jugglers, then we have no choice but to perceive this as a declaration of war."
"Actually, there is no need to come to those terms, General Silver," Hawk broke in surprisingly, stunning everyone, including Flagg, "Because Allo has already made a pact with G.I. Joe in return for keeping them safe from Gideon and the Whitelighters."
The Omegas were certainly taken back, and Eddington had a sudden inkling of suspicion, of his goal dropping away from the grasp of his fingers.
Eddington then accused, outraged and scandalized, "This is insubordination, Hawk! We have not heard of any such entente cordiale! Those barbaric lizards are obviously lying!"
"Silence, Eddington!" snapped General Brown, "in case you have forgotten, both you and Hawk are Epsilon Jugglers, and both of you are subordinates to the Omegas, so we would highly advise you remember your place!"
"What is this pact, General Hawk?" General Green asked, inquisitive.
"The Dinosaucers have decided to form an alliance…but it is a partnership solely with G.I. Joe. In return for helping the young mutant Whitelighter, Justin, by teaching him how to control his powers and basic training with the Misfits, Allo and the other Dinosaucers have agreed to entrust us not only with Justin's care, but any helpful resources that the Dinosaucers and Secret Scouts have. Already, several of the Dinosaucers are rubbing elbows with some of our Misfit handlers whom in turn will use the gifts to benefit G.I. Joe. The tech-officer and main doctor, Dimetro, is already talking with Private Dragonfly about advanced healing salves and medication, some of which are many times more efficient than our treatments. Teryx, Tricero and Bronto-Thunder are planning to bequeath a disc containing invaluable documentation about the Dinosaucer computer systems to Private Trinity. And several of the others are assembling hover-motorcycles for several of our scouting soldiers and privates back at the Pit. And Allo also promised us that if need be, in a major battle, he and the Dinosaucers shall gladly aid G.I. Joe in any way in the protection of this planet from any invaders."
"I don't believe it," Eddington groused, deadpanned, "What proof do you have?"
"The young mutant son of Allo, Justin, is already on his way to live with the Misfits back at the manor. Allo and the other Dinosaucers felt that because we helped them against the Whitelighters and because young Justin trusts Blind Master, Allo is willing to name Gabriel Moore as co-guardian. So in a way, Omega Generals, you do have an alliance with the Dinosaucers, albeit an indirect one."
"It's hardly what I'd call acceptable, Hawk!" Eddington snapped, now close to losing his temper.
"Watch it, Eddington," growled Flagg.
"I agree with General Flagg; you do not speak for the majority of the Omegas," broke in General White before turning to Hawk, saying, "But I am curious as to why the Dinosaucers chose you, a splinter branch of the American military, when they could have directly done so with us."
Flagg then answered, "As we have said before, General White, for reasons of secrecy and to prevent mass hysteria if the public had ever found out. We already had so much difficulty with trying and failing to hide the mutant factor of the world, it would be incredibly difficult for the Dinosaucers to willingly entrust the American government to keep secret of their existence. After all, there are others like Major Cliffton, fanatically determined enough to expose aliens such as the Dinosaucers and to use them for sadistic gains. It was for that reason that the Dinosaucers found it easier to trust Hawk and G.I. Joe rather than any other government organization. Due to the presence of the Misfits, they realized that G.I. Joe was probably the last organization to betray them and follow Cliffton's ideals. And it didn't help matter that the Peacemaker was sent directly to the Lavadome after the excursion with Elder Gideon and the Whitelighters."
"Actually, that is something that has been worrying me, sirs. Who sent that missile in the first place? Private Trinity and the Joe Mainframe were able to trace it back to the Warren Air Base, but no one else knew the location of the Lavadome," General Hawk frowned at the Omegas.
General Red then said in a voice that reminded Hawk of a cat, cunning, secretive…and wickedly sinister.
"Actually, it is funny that you should mention Cliffton…because it was him who had launched the Peacemaker towards the Lavadome in the first place. Either he was still subjected to the hate curse on Justin when he somehow managed to spy on the battle with the Dinosaucers using satellite surveillance, or he simply felt that additional firepower was needed to wipe out everyone in the desert."
Hawk then pointed out, "That's strange, considering that a major does not even have the authority or rank to even be able to know the codes and keys needed to utilize a weapon of mass destruction."
"Are you calling me a liar, General Hawk?" If it even was possible, General Red's voice got colder.
"No, but I am saying that it doesn't add up, sir." Hawk's voice became equally cold.
"General Hawk has a point, Red. After all, it is a noticeable hole in the story," commented General Blue.
"I was about to elaborate on that, Blue. As it turns out, Major Cliffton managed to steal the codes by hacking it from the Jugglers' databases though a common military terminal. Apparently, the solider was no fool in guessing where to find his resources; it was a mistake to underestimate him. By storming into Warren Air Base and taking the respective general hostage, Major Cliffton was able to obtain and use the manual computer system to override the security and encryption locks, thus providing the coordinates to the Peacemaker, leaving the nuclear warhead to do the rest."
"How come we were not able to hear of this from the Warren Air Force base security?" General Gold asked sharply.
"Cliffton was able to shut-down all security systems, which included camera surveillance, electronic eyes, laser grids, alarms, the whole operation, thus rendering them incapable of alerting anyone of his plans. And General Townsend, the general Cliffton took hostage, was killed after he was deemed no longer useful. Major Cliffton also managed to assassinate the few soldiers and technicians that were still working at the base's central quarters, and since the officers had recently reported that the base's situation was still secure a few minutes before Cliffton came barging in, none of us were able to deduce anything was wrong until the guards failed to give another status report within the next fifteen-minute interval."
General Hawk had a cold sinkhole appear in his stomach. That means there would be no witnesses…
"Cliffton then appears to be more dangerous than he is worth," remarked General Blue.
"We will not have to worry about Major Cliffton causing any more trouble. He was killed in an unfortunate car accident while fleeing the base on a stolen Jeep. The vehicle exploded due to a fuel leak, and the body was burned beyond any possible recognition," Eddington stated.
"That is good," General Silver nodded.
"Yes, such a tragedy. Cliffton could have made an excellent Epsilon general had he shown loyalty," General Red said impassively.
Hawk kept his face blank, emotionless, but he clenched his hand into a tight fist. So now all loose ends were cut, swiftly and cleanly. And most of the Omegas did not seem very startled by the news. There was no doubt in Hawk's mind that the treachery against the Misfits and Dinosaucers involved far more than just Eddington.
He then realized that the Omega generals were silently conversing with one another in the darkness, their voice scramblers set on the minimum volume level. They must be scrutinizing General Hawk's tidbit of information.
The fate of the Dinosaucers was now in the Jugglers' hands.
After a few brief minutes, Hawk noticed that General Red and General Silver were now whispering in suppressed anger, in helpless desperation. Hawk hoped it meant what he thought it meant as the Omega Jugglers turned their attentions back to Flagg, Hawk and Eddington.
"We decided to accept this bond between the Dinosaucers and G.I. Joe in good faith, Hawk. If the leader is willing to entrust the custody of his child into the care of the Misfits and G.I. Joe, that alone shows good solid proof, proof that is enough to convince us that these Dinosaucers are more useful to us now as opposed to being dead or experiment fodder back at various labs. We have also decided to accept G.I. Joe's position as the main and only branch that should exist for the interests of the Jugglers," General Brown stated.
Flagg and Hawk let out a silent, yet consecutive exhale of relief while Eddington was scathingly taken aback.
General White then commented, "We will want continuous updates on the Dinosaucers, but as a whole, we feel that G.I. Joe would be the best group for the job, especially since you have not disappointed us with holding ties to Gideon and the Charmed ones from before."
General Silver griped, his voice hardened from the scrambler, "I beg to differ, White."
General Black then shot back, "Keep in mind, Silver, that your methods of persuasion and alliances tend to anger the wrong individuals, and we certainly cannot afford that with evolved dinosaurs. Remember your plans for the Charmed ones and the Slayer? You were lucky that we all decided that they were better to us alive and confidential rather than threatening to expose them to the public if they did not comply with our wishes or the Initiative. If we followed your ideals, the entire U.S. would have been overrun by demons and warlocks, not to mention that the Source would still be alive! And I would highly doubt that even you would want to piss off Wiccans with enough power to turn back time or a girl with enough brawn to be her own 'one-woman army'! Like the Charmed ones and the Slayer, the majority of the Jugglers believe that the Dinosaucers are better as they are now."
"You can't do this!" protested Eddington, desperate, "It's not fair that Hawk and G.I. Joe should get all the goods on this opportunity! This is outrageous!"
"The majority has already decided on this matter, Eddington," General Orange replied, with a touch of steely warning that was heard even through the voice scrambler, "After all, if Hawk is the only one who could establish such a possible alliance with the Dinosaucers, powerful witches and an immortal race, then I would say he was able to do his services to the Jugglers quite well. Even more so than you."
"Let us not forget it was you who recommended Cliffton into our circle of power in the first place," General Blue said.
The underlying threat was clear: don't question the Omegas.
General Black then commanded on a final note, "This meeting is now over."
Hawk had to inwardly smile when he glanced at Eddington out of the corner of his eye; General Eddington was absolutely furious, seething. Hawk had to fight the urge to comment snidely as he and Flagg left the room along with the rest of the Omega Jugglers, leaving Eddington to wallow in his own rage and frustration. Well, almost…
"I am truly sorry, General Eddington," commented General Red, the Omega Juggler, emotionlessly as he stepped out of the shadows, "I have tried everything, but those fools refused to see it our way."
"Goddamn that Hawk," muttered Eddington, "If he wasn't lucky enough to be holding that oath over Gideon's head, we would have easily been able to have the Misfits wipe out the Dinosaucers! And I would have had the survivors used for the Neverland project had the Peacemaker accomplished its target! Now because of this, I am no closer to being an Omega than General Hawk! And that pathetic bleeding heart has now even won the support and approval of the Jugglers even more so than me!"
General Wade Eiling then gave a very cold, crafty smile, almost like a fox as he spoke to Eddington.
"A minor setback, but the real fruit of our labors shall come once later, and neither the X-Men, Misfits, nor Joes shall be able to stop it. And I will keep my promise that you shall rein in the power you so desire along with General Silver and myself."
Eddington managed to keep his voice in control as he reminded himself of the patient wait before the events of the future came to pass. In the very near future.
"I take it your precog guinea-pig, Oxymandias, was able to tell you more about the future regarding Ansem and the Heartless…"
"Of course, my dear Eddington. But in the meantime, let us concentrate on Project 'Shaggy Man'…after all, it will be our ultimate weapon, so to speak." (see Author's note)
000-
"It…it feels really weird...to be doing this," murmured Justin as he looked at his bedroom. Most of the Secret Scouts and the Dinosaucers helped the teenager pack his things earlier, and though the room would always be welcoming for the adolescent, his bedroom now seemed…emptier. It was hard to believe so much could happen in a single day, and already, Justin's life could not have changed more drastically.
"I can't believe the Lavadome has been repaired, fixed, and rebuilt already! It's as good as new! Everything has been restored, the rooms, the walls, even our little knick-knacks and stuff!" marveled Bonehead. It was true. In addition to Lance being able to terra-form the lands and desert back to normal, General Hawk also requested the Joe pilot, Wild Bill, to bring a particular invention from a maximum-security vault Trinity invented earlier called the molecular regenerator as Wild Bill flew in his chopped to pick up the Misfits and Joes from the desert. With the device, Trinity explained how the molecular regenerator restores matter back into its former shape, which made it ideal to fix anything that had been damaged and destroyed. In other words, the molecular regenerator made things anew. Within minutes, the mutant triplets managed to build back the entire Lavadome base. Amazed, Paul asked Althea why such a device had to be put away in a vault, and Althea hastily replied something about the leaning Tower of Pisa, the Roman Coliseum and a mass lawsuit from the European public, refusing to reveal anything more about the matter.
"Are you sure you want to do this, young one?" Dimetro asked softly as he carried Justin's one, lone suitcase, packed with only his essential possessions and the laptop Dimetro had given the teenager for his birthday, "Because this is certainly a life-changing decision, and it is certainly a drastic one."
Justin hesitated a little as they all walked down the hallway before answering, "To tell you the truth…I'm not so sure. But, the Misfits helped us, and they all have really great control over their powers…and if it wasn't for General Hawk, I wouldn't…I wouldn't…"
Justin shuddered to himself, unable to finish the sentence, but he didn't need to say it. The Dinosaucers and Secret Scouts knew that Justin, indeed Allo and the rest of the group, owed their lives to General Hawk, the Blind Master, the Joes and the Misfits.
"I can't believe you're leaving," Tricero sighed sadly, "You've been with us so long, Justin, that it seems pretty unbearable to let you go. The Lavadome is certainly going to feel empty without you here with us."
"You're the one who wanted to dump him with the X-Men in the first place," Itchy drawled, rubbing that little fact into Tricero's face. The triceratops snapped back, slightly humiliated.
"At the next weight-training exercise, I'm doubling your regimen, smart-mouth!"
"Just don't say that to the Misfits because they're still sore over what happened between each other several months ago," smirked David.
"Has anyone sighted Ryan, and Allo for that matter? Does anyone remember where in Reptilion they could both possibly be at this timeframe?" Plateo broke in worriedly.
Sarah replied, "Allo and Ryan are having a talk before Justin leaves with the Misfits."
"What kind of a talk?" Struthio asked a little warily, not knowing how Allo would feel considering Ryan treated Justin a bit unfairly during his outing as a mutant.
"Hopefully, one that will set my brother straight," Sarah harrumphed irritably.
As Sarah was saying this, Ryan and Allo were having a quiet discussion in the den, alone and just the two of them. Ryan, being a bit ashamed and fearful, and Allo simply being nonjudgmental and concerned, but not the slightest bit angry. This, of course, made Ryan Whitterson feel worse; after all, no one could have this much patience and compassion, especially since Ryan maliciously attacked Justin, Allo's only child. Yet Allo, despite his faults, had always proved to be somewhat of a saintly leader.
"I'm not angry with you, Ryan. Disappointed, yes. Saddened, yes. Concerned, yes. But not angry. I care about you very much, and I can't think ill of you."
"You shouldn't even bother, Allo," Ryan said thickly, concentrating his eyes on the floor, "after the way I treated Justin, I don't deserve your pity or emotion. Hell, I said all those things to him, some of which you didn't hear, and yet Justin was still loyal to me, still wanted to defend me, and he even saved me from being killed in battle! Not even Sarah has forgiven me, and I'm her brother, for crying out loud. I don't think things will ever be the same between us, between any of us."
Allo's face fell slightly, crestfallen, as he knelt down in front of Ryan so that they were eye level.
"You are right that things may never be the same…but I am sure that Sarah, David and Paul will mend the rifts along with you, if you are willing. Paul and Justin are willing to forgive and forget, and David has always been quick and impatient with holding grudges. Sarah may take the longest to feel that she can trust you again…but keep in mind, she has and always will love you. You are her family."
"You mean what's left of it," muttered Ryan, still a bit inflamed at the memory, and Allo could sense that the Secret Scout still unconsciously carried a bit of blame for Justin on that aspect. Allo then placed a claw on Ryan's shoulder, letting him know that the Dinosaucer wasn't going to be driven away.
"But now that you know it was not of Justin's fault, perhaps this is now the time you and Sarah could reunite together with your mother and father. And Justin still wishes that you and Sarah could be close again like before."
There was a pause before Allo asked Ryan gently, without accusation, "Do you still hate Justin?"
Ryan looked up at Allo's brown eyes, shocked at the bluntness of the question, before he finally managed to stammer, "I…well…no, I don't hate him parsec, but…I still resent him a bit because…because…"
"Because you feel jealous of the fact that Justin took over your role in my life? That ever since Justin showed up, you feel he brushed you to the sidelines?"
Ryan didn't know what to feel as he gaped at the allosaurus, and Allo then clarified, eyes twinkling, "I talked with Sarah a bit earlier before meeting you here."
Downcast, Ryan narrowed his eyes in frustration as he glared back down on the ground again, feeling a bit betrayed by his sister. He was so sure Allo would have been incredibly offended by Ryan's feelings, but what the Dinosaucer said next surprised him.
"Ryan…what you feel isn't right or wrong necessarily. How you feel is how you feel; it autonomous. And, I have to admit, yes, that you are right in thinking things have changed between us, that I was being slightly blind to see it. We aren't as close as before, and we have drifted a bit apart. I am sorry it has happened, but it is the truth. We have new lives and new responsibilities, and quite truthfully, we may not be able to rekindle the friendship we had before when you were a teenager. But I do not wish to lose you completely, Ryan; I still care about you very much. And so does Justin. He still wishes to be your friend and little brother, if you let him. And if you are not ready, give it time. I am not asking you to drop all these feelings of resentment and anger to Justin right away, but what I am asking you is to still think on whether or not you can still truly blame Justin now that you know what Gideon and the Whitelighters did to him. Whatever you feel or decide, I will respect it and it doesn't change how much I will defend, support and protect you whenever you need me."
Allo then got up and walked away, with Ryan making no move to follow the Dinosaucer. Ryan then gave a sad smile as he pondered a bit before walking out of the den, following Allo's footsteps.
Outside the newly restored Lavadome base, Wild Bill was waiting with the Misfit handlers next to his Chinook military helicopter, the metal transport painted with the army regalia of green, black, and brown and ready to fly back to the Pit. Obviously, Lance was less than pleased.
"Do we have to ride this thing?" he whined, "You guys know how airsick I get! Why can't we just teleport back to the Pit like before?"
Spirit smiled, "Because the Mass Device short-circuited and went into overload when the Dinosaucers used their energy to give the teleportation watches a boost to send the Peacekeeper into orbit. And Justin is far too young and inexperienced to depend on him being able to orb back to the Pit, adding the fact that he doesn't know where it is. So, the only reasonable thing was to ask Wild Bill to fly us."
"Oh God," Lance managed to mumble as the thought made his stomach churn and his face green before going to find a place in the sand to throw up.
Wild Bill rolled his eyes in good humor, "He should be glad that there's a restroom in the copter. Avalanche'll be free to puke his guts out to his heart's content."
"How grand," drawled Sprit before turning his attention to the Dinosaucers and Secret Scouts mingling with the Misfits, in pleasant conversation and commenting, "I still cannot believe it. We were sent here to try to help this alien race, only to come close to destroying it."
"It wasn't our fault completely, though. That hate curse placed on Justin affected all of us so, and caused us to only remember that all of Justin's family needs to be dismembered. Ironic that it only too a blind man to see the truth and heart to set this new recruit free. And you have to admit it is a pretty nice token to have the Dinosaucers as allies once this curse got broken," Roadblock offered, barely requiring any conscious thought for his verse.
Shipwreck looked at Blind Master with some guilt before he said, "Yeah, I can't believe we nearly killed you, Blind Master. Even though we knew what we were doing was wrong, it was…it was like we couldn't control ourselves, that the only thing that could drive us was the thought that Justin needed to die, that he needed to be punished, even though we didn't know him. We're sorry we lost control like that."
"Meh, I'm used to it considering you're practically the same way whenever you get drunk or lose your temper or make yourself look like an idiot with your crazy schemes," Blind Master chuckled.
"I'll never get over that," shivered Cover Girl to herself, "That feeling of hate, of rage. It was more powerful that every bad thought and feeling and moment in battle with Cobra throughout my service to G.I. Joe put together. I mean, we could have made the Friends of Humanity look like Boy Scouts compared to what we were trying to do, on what we felt."
"Hate is a very powerful emotion. It has nothing to offer, and it is quite hopeless, but it is a destructive driving force, Courtney," Blind Master explained, "You guys don't need to feel guilty. I came out all right, and I don't blame you. If anything, you should blame Gideon for being such a bigot to his biological son."
"I'm relieved the Dinosaucers don't blame us," Low Light remarked.
"I still can't believe we just made friends with alien dinosaurs, and not to mention managed to get a new recruit for the Misfits!" Wild Bill said as he kept eyeing the Dinosaucers with fascination, "This is sure going to be a new one in the book, I reckon!"
"And it seems like the Misfits are bonding very well with the Dinosaucers. They're actually being civil and not causing any destruction. They're not even irritating them in the slightest," Low Light observed.
"How much did General Hawk bribe them to be on their best behavior?" Shipwreck asked to Blind Master, deadpanned.
"Fifty dollars a head," smiled Blind Master.
"Looks like it didn't do much good," sighed Cover Girl as everyone in the desert heard an explosion boom inside the Lavadome base followed by Raptor screaming angrily.
"COOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMPPPPPPPYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!"
"Best twenty bucks we ever spent!" hooted Compy and Itchy as they took off with a pursuing Raptor close behind them, wielding a metal pipe and swinging it like a baseball bat, the velociraptor covered in neon-pink foam from a shaving cream bomb.
Althea looked at Daria, Quinn, and Brittney with suspicion as the triplets put on their best angelic faces, complete with puppy-dog eyes and toothy grins. Bronto-Thunder came to Trinity's defense as he said, "Ah, don't punish them for doing us a favor. We play practical jokes on that Tyrannos all the time."
Teryx then gave the three sisters a small, compact mini-disc, explaining, "Here. The schematics of the Lavadome, including its computer system and structure, and some basic blueprints of some common gadgets the Dinosaucers used to have back at Reptilion should be enough to give you three some inspiration when you're inventing."
"Yay!" squealed Trinity as they accepted the disc with glee. Brittney then gave Dimetro a disc containing blueprints of the molecular regenerator so that the dimetrodon could build one for the Dinosaucers.
Montacera, however, was in the process of developing a new infatuation.
"He is sooooooo cute!" squealed Montacera as she cuddled against Pietro, which was starting to turn Pietro's face blue from the lack of oxygen.
"Ack! Ack! Could you let me go, please!" Quicksilver gasped.
Wanda smiled evilly, "Do you want to keep him?"
"Wanda!" Pietro shouted, aghast, as the montanoceratops teen continued to snuggle him.
"What are you complaining about, Quickie?" Todd smiled, "You're the one who always said he wanted to be a player."
"I didn't mean to a dino-girl who has enough strength to break every bone in my body! Oh God, this is just wrong! Why was I cursed with such handsome looks!" Pietro screamed girlishly as he kept trying to writhe out of Montacera's grip.
Xi, as he was taking a photograph of the embarrassing incident in order to blackmail Pietro later, asked Struthio, "So are you jealous that Montacera has appeared to have forgotten about you?"
"Actually, I'm kinda relieved," confessed the struthiomimus, "I mean, she's so young, and she's like a sister to me. I didn't want her to feel hurt when I told her I just didn't feel that way, and I sure didn't want to encourage anything with Montacera. She's just setting her sights on me because I'm the best candidate and that there's not a lot of dinosaurs around for her to chose from."
Meanwhile, Dimetro handed a jar full of green, translucent paste to the Misfit medic, Dragonfly, the slime's composition similar to that of aloe vera, saying, "Here, you could use this at your medical ward. It is the same salve we used on Blind Master to heal his bullet wounds, and you, Lifeline, and Bree could study its medicinal properties along with use it back at your base. If you need more, you could always ask Trinity to replicate some or we could send another batch to you through Justin when he comes on a visit."
Lina was ecstatic. She said in awe, "Dimetro…thank you. This is a wonderful present!"
Despite the chaos and screaming in the background, Justin said his farewells to his family. Stego and Bonehead were both hugging Justin and bawling.
"I'll come back to visit, I promise," Justin said as Bonehead and Stego sniffed.
"We'll be sure to save you a seat on the couch when the Superbowl comes up," sniffed Stego.
"Try to make sure you can come over here on that Sunday," Bonehead grinned through his tears.
Tricero was next as he hugged Justin, whispering sagely in the teenager's ear, "Don't be a brave fool and look for trouble on the battlefield. Don't think that because you have powers that you're invincible and that you could fight an entire army of opponents by yourself. Just use some common sense and humility when your training, all right young one?"
"I will," nodded Justin obediently, taking the advice to heart. The thought of being into war thoroughly frightened the teenager, but Blind Master told Justin that he needed to learn defense if he ever wanted to survive against the forces Gideon would send after him.
Teryx and Itchy ambled over to give Justin a farewell. Teryx lightly fingered Justin's hair while gently saying, "You've grown so much Justin. In more ways than one. It's just a bit depressing that we have to watch you leave when you have done so well to make a home here."
"You guys helped me by taking me in," Justin said, "I wouldn't even be here if the Dinosaucers didn't adopt me."
Itchy looked pained, his wise-cracking humor gone, as he did a fist-handshake with Justin, saying, "Just be sure to come back when Teryx and I get married. We would really want you to be there, and the invitation also applies to the Joes and Misfits as well since they're now our allies and you're a part of their family now too."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Paul and David just smiled as they gave Justin their goodbyes. Even though they could understand the sadness at Justin leaving, they knew also that this would be a growing experience for the teenager, that it was going to be very beneficial to him.
"Take care of yourself, kid," David said, ruffling Justin's hair with one hand. Justin smiled at the comforting touch of friendship.
"We'll be in touch. Gabriel was telling us how they have e-mail and phones back at G.I. Joe headquarters," Paul assured Justin. Compy, managing to evade Raptor, then came to Justin, his cocky demeanor gone and his face troubled. Justin knelt down as he hugged his loudmouthed uncle.
"And…I promise I'll be good to Raptor while you're gone," Compy said thoughtfully. Justin gave him a wry look, obviously not believing him. Compy then corrected himself sheepishly.
"OK, OK, I'll be nicer to the slimeball."
Justin wordlessly gave him a deadpanned smirk.
"On holidays and weekends?"
The teenage human still didn't buy it as he folded his arms across his chest.
"An hour a week?"
Nothing short of impossible for the compsognathus dinosaur.
"A nice comment and praise once in a blue moon?"
Justin could only hope…
Compy then admitted in a frustrated tone, confessing, "All right, all right! I'm gonna treat the Tyrannos-traitor ten times worse now that you're going to be gone! And I'm gonna get Bronto-Thunder and Itchy to help me!"
"That sounds more like the Compy I know," sighed Justin, sadly smiling, as he hugged Compy tightly again for a final time, "Just try to be there for him when he really needs it, though. I know you all care about Raptor."
"Yeah, right," muttered Compy, rolling his eyes.
Plateo was crying softly as he hugged Justin, for the mutant adolescent was one of the few who never got exasperated at the Dinosaucer's stuffy behavior and obsession to facts and books, who had never made fun of him, and the only nephew the plateosaurus ever truly had. Justin smiled as he wiped away some of the wet streaks from Plateo's face with one hand.
"Don't ever change, young one," Plateo managed to say, his mind a complete blank, for once.
Dimetro and Bronto-Thunder then said their good-byes and for a final time of affection, Bronto-Thunder picked up Justin and cradled him close to his chest, like a toddler. Justin slightly laughed at the moment.
"We'll do anything we can to help you if you need it with your mutation," Dimetro said simply.
"And mutant or not, if things get too hectic, you'll always have a home here, you young scamp," Bronto-Thunder said as he touched his forehead against Justin's gently, fatherly.
"Are you still uncomfortable with the fact that I'm going to the army instead of the X-Men?" asked Justin.
Bronto-Thunder confessed sheepishly, "A little bit, but then again, those nuts ain't your ordinary soldiers."
"How true," remarked Dimetro as they watched Cover Girl and Low Light attempt to strangle Shipwreck for some lewd comment.
Bronto-Thunder them placed Justin back on the ground as Struthio and Montacera gave their brother a huge hug together, the three of them in a little group circle.
"Come back soon, OK? It won't be the same not being able to hang out like we used to," Struthio grinned easily as he gave Justin a friendly sock on the arm.
"On the upside, I found a reason to go visit you back at the Pit should Tricero ever let me," beamed Montacera as she eyed Quicksilver with crazy affection.
"Keep her away from me!" they heard Pietro screaming in the background, "And Xi, give me that film!"
Raptor was next as he stood in front of Justin, his face stony, but Justin could see some hurt and pain in the black Dinosaucer's eyes at seeing Justin leave.
Raptor then grumbled softly, "Do not harden your heart, young one. I would always prefer you to be the compassionate friend you have always shown yourself to be. You are not meant to cause wars, but to make peace. Have pride in that."
"That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me, Raptor."
"I'm not making it a habit, so don't get used to it, Justin."
Sarah was sniffing, as she hugged Justin tightly.
Justin then meekly suggested, "Maybe on your next birthday…we can both see your mom and dad for a visit. Y'know, to see if now's the time to make amends. I…I'd like to meet your parents again."
"I'd like that too, Justin," Sarah smiled as she gently touched the teenager's cheek with her hand. Justin nodded, but then noticed Ryan was politely waiting for his chance to make amends. The crowd observing this became slightly nervous; they weren't sure how this was going to end.
Ryan looked a bit shamefaced, and really, Justin couldn't blame him. There was a lopsided grin of remorse, but Ryan knew he owed this to Justin, especially since the teenager saved the adult's life only mere hours ago.
"Look, Justin…" Ryan began, "about earlier, after the party. I…I'm sorry I was such a jerk."
Justin shook his head dismissively, saying, "It's OK, Ry."
Ryan, however, became irked and his voice got a bit angered as he said roughly, "No, it's not OK, so damn it, Justin, please just listen to me!"
The audience held their breath, and it was also noted that David was holding back Sarah who looked like she was ready to give her brother a good, swift kick in the pants. Ryan sighed sadly before continuing.
"Justin, you need to admit it and stop lying and downplaying how hurt you are, just to spare my feelings. The truth is…I was a grade-A asshole, and I had no right to treat you badly or resent you like that, just because you love Allo. And I am sorry, truly sorry." He paused. "But please understand that you don't need to worry about sparing my feelings because I deserve to be put through the guilt trip. I can tell that you can't view me the same way as you had before when you were a kid, because I hurt you. And that hurt's going to stay with you, the fact that I just abandoned you, pushed you aside, and accused you for everything. I know you won't be able to really get over that, and I don't blame you if things will never be the same between us like before. So please, for God's sake, don't deny that you're hurt and don't try to be sensitive and understanding about everyone, just because you don't want to confront people and tell them off when they deserve it."
"But -" began Justin, yet Ryan cut off the teenager forcefully.
"Justin, not everyone is going to like you, to accept you."
Justin remained silent at this statement, so Ryan tried to push through his friend's denial.
"Justin, you can't make peace or be friends with everyone. You have to accept the truth that many people in the world, like me, are jerks and bigots, and you need to be careful. Don't try making peace and friendship with everyone you meet because the world's going to eat you up if you do. Just…instead of trying to be concerned with everyone, try being concerned with yourself first. Don't lessen your importance and hold others in higher regards, just because you think that you're useless. Justin…if nothing else, just don't let people walk over you anymore. Just fight back and stand up for yourself."
Justin then thought for a minute before he asked, "How do you feel about me right now, Ryan?"
Ryan then answered truthfully, "Honest to God, Justin….this thing about you being a mutant. I'm still not really comfortable with it, and I'm going to need some time. I'm just not used to it. But for what it's worth, I don't blame you anymore. It was really dumb and selfish of me to do so, especially since Paul was right in saying you were a victim in this whole thing."
Justin looked slightly crestfallen, but he nodded, accepting Ryan's standpoint. At least he knew deep in his heart that Ryan didn't hate him anymore, and Justin gave Ryan a friendly hug around the waist. For once after the birthday party, the thought didn't repulse the blonde adult anymore as he said goodbye. Sarah whispered to Ryan as he withdrew, "I'm proud of you, Ryan. And…and I'm sorry to, for slapping you earlier. I know how much it hurt you."
"I deserved it," Ryan said simply, smiling gratefully at Sarah for the first time in many months.
"You won't get any rebuttals from me about that one!" chortled David as he thwacked Ryan on the back, patting him with a bit more force than necessary, but in good jest.
Last but not least was the Dinosaucer leader himself…and it was all the more painful.
Allo knelt down in front of Justin, slightly trembling. Everyone, the Misfits, the Dinosaucers, and the Secret Scouts, could tell that Allo was taking Justin's leave the hardest of all. Justin already had tears flood his eyes as he hugged his father, sniffing. For one moment, the Dinosaucer leader wished that he could stop time and savor this, to not feel the pain of his heart breaking at sending Justin off, but instead, Allo just held tightly to his son, unwilling to let him go.
In understanding, Blind Master offered gently, "Justin won't be gone forever, Allo. If he wishes to go back once he feels he can adequately control his powers, we will let him. We don't want to force him to become a Misfit, and General Hawk says that Justin can teleport back to the Lavadome on a regular basis for visits with our Mass Device…or when Justin learns to orb himself back and forth. Either way…it's not a good-bye, but more like a 'see you later'."
"See you later, alligator!" chirped Daria.
"In a blizzard, little lizard!" Brittney joined in.
"In a shake, garter snake!" Quinn sang.
"Time to scoot, warty newt!" Shipwreck chuckled.
"Not you too, Shipwreck!" groaned Cover Girl, "Honestly, you're as bad as the Triplets!"
"Okeydokey, artichokey!" Shipwreck tried one last time in jest, but then Low Light managed to shove the tip of his rifle underneath Shipwreck's chin, snarling.
"It'll be hard to rhyme when your entire chin's been blasted into a million pieces, sailor!"
"Let me get this straight: we're actually entrusting them to take care of Justin?" Montacera asked in a deadpanned and disbelieving tone of voice.
"Talk about the blind leading the blind…uh, no offense, Blind Master," Struthio apologized sheepishly after realizing what he had just said.
"None taken, Struthio," the African ninja master smiled warmly.
Then Allo took out a small, black jewelry box from his pocket.
"I didn't have a chance to give this to you, my son. This is my egg day present to you. I…I was planning to give it once you blew out the candles, but…considering how hectic things got…"
Allo then opened the box and held it in front of the adolescent to view upon. It was a small pendant on a chain, so pure, shiny, and white, it seemed to have been made from the finest essence of silver. The pendant was a simple triangular medallion, its sides equilateral and laced with a thin border, and in the very center of the pendant was the Dinosaucer logo, a variation of the letter "D" drawn to look like a dinosaur's head. And the medallion was fitted with a pair of wings, giving it the appearance of an angel.
Allo then said in a devoted voice thick with emotion, "I made this myself, Justin. It's made from the metal-alloy of a meteorite, and it is a rare element found only on the planet Reptilion. It is indestructible, will never tarnish or rust, and will last forever. And due to its molecular density, it is lighter then most metals; in fact, it will feel as if you're wearing something as light as a feather."
"Allo…it's beautiful," Justin managed to whisper, and the dinosaur gently attached the chain around his son's neck. Justin gently fingered the pendant, feeling the hard metal brush against his fingertips.
Allo then gave a soft command to Justin, saying, "Touch the pendant with your ring, Justin. It is more than just a piece of jewelry."
Justin obeyed his dinosaur patron and did as he was told. The minute the metal came into contact with the Secret Scout ring, there was a small flash, and immediately, from the very center of the medallion appeared a small orb of light. Like a stage light, the orb projected a wide beam of white fog in the air above, large enough for everyone around to see. Within seconds, the mist cleared to reveal a projected hologram of a single picture. It was a family portrait. Justin instantly remembered it; it was a group photo taken before Sarah, Ryan, David, and Paul left for college over four years ago, and it was a last commemoration of the group still remaining. Justin saw the picture of himself, when he was twelve, sitting in Allo's lap in the center with the Secret Scouts and the other Dinosaucers gathered all around them, smiling and laughing with joy. Of course, Raptor and Compy were giving each other murderous looks and trying to shove each other in the background, but Justin would have preferred it. It made the Dinosaucers more realistic as a family, as a team.
"Wow," remarked Todd.
"It's some kind of holographic photo album," Lance said, touched. Meanwhile, behind him, Daira, Quinn, and Brittney were excitedly whispering to themselves.
"First chance we get, let's take Justin's ring and pendant to the lab where we can take 'em apart and see what makes them tick!" Brittney twittered, but Althea and Blind Master overheard them.
"Do not even attempt it," Blind Master warned with a hint of adamantium underneath. He was deadly serious.
"Try anything like that and I'll tell General Hawk who was behind the experimental 'reverse-laxatives' that somehow found their way mysteriously into the Joes' dinner specials in the cafeteria last Monday," Althea grinned wickedly.
"You wouldn't!" Daria gasped, her face going pale.
"General Hawk is still trying to find volunteers to clean up the mess, and right now, the cafeteria is quarantined as a Level 7 biohazard from the stench alone…"
At this threat, Trinity clammed up.
Allo then lifted Justin's head so that their eyes met, and the teenager was pained to see Allo's eyes brimming.
"Justin…I won't deprive you of your decisions. But…just know that I love you, and that I'm proud of you. Gideon may have not wanted you…but it's his loss. I…you're not the weak bastard-child the Whitelighters claim. Don't ever believe that. You're a Secret Scout…you're my son…and you are truly the best thing that could have ever happened to the Dinosaucers. Don't forget that, all right?"
Justin nodded, unable to speak, his throat clogged with sadness, as he and Allo hugged each other for a final time. Allo and Justin's hands remained together for a lingering moment before the Dinosaucer felt his son's hand slip away from his own. Allo just remained numb, staring at the scene with a heavy heart as Blind Master led the teenager up to the helicopter with the other Misfits. Allo just stared at the helicopter, not flinching from the gusts of sharp sand and rock that plumed from the ground as Wild Bill took off, raising the Chinook helicopter to the skies above. Allo just watched as he could barely make out Justin waving to him sadly from his window seat on the helicopter as it rose higher and higher into skies, disappearing amongst the clouds. Soon, it disappeared from view entirely.
The Dinosaucers and the Secret Scouts were silent as they turned their attention back to Allo, not sure what to do to alleviate the depressing situation.
"Allo, I know you don't like it, but Justin does seem to be in good hands," Tricero murmured gently at last.
Allo gave a sigh before saying, "I may not like it…but I'll have to learn to live with it."
There was silence as Allo continued watching the sky. Bronto-Thunder then coughed uneasily as he tentatively asked, "Allo…you gonna be all right?"
"I wish to be alone right now." There was a note of infinite and unbearable sadness in that request. Yet knowing it was hard for the Dinosaucer leader, respectively, all the Dinosaucers and Secret Scouts edged away silently, walking back to the Lavadome. Though some threw back worried looks, they knew that this was something only Allo could wrestle with right now. All of them walked back to the hangar bay, and the Secret Scouts prepared to leave for home.
Allo's eyes were watering as he continued to gaze into the endless blue sky, but whether it was because he was heartbroken or because his eyes were strained from looking upwards, he could not honestly say.
At the same moment, back on the aircraft…
"You going to be OK, Lance?" Althea asked her teammate through the door of the aircraft's restroom. All she got in response was a horrible, retching noise.
"I'll take that as a yes, then," she sighed, rolling her eyes, and leaving Avalanche alone with his air-sickness to die in peace.
"So, have you thought up of what should we call you, Justin?" the Blind Master asked the boy gently as he compassionately held Justin's hand for comfort. Justin, after a moment of thought and remembering what General Hawk had called him when he healed Allo, turned away from the window next to his seat and smiled at the Misfit handler.
"Whitelighter," he said softly.
"Huh?" Pietro said quizzically, not sure if he heard right. Justin smiled even wider as he looked at his new teammates and family.
"Whitelighter," he explained thoroughly, "It's my birthright…it's what I am…so that'll be my code name. Call me 'Whitelighter'."
"It fits," Fred agreed, chuckling, as he reached over from the seat behind Justin and the Blind Master and amiably ruffled Justin's hair in a brotherly fashion. Pietro then sneered good-naturedly.
"Still, considering you're only half Whitelighter, wouldn't you rather stay with the nickname 'half-breed'?" he chortled.
"Pietro!" growled Wanda and Althea as they both raised a fist threateningly, but Justin just chuckled as he shook his head.
"Yo! Why are you laughing, Justin? Aren't you angry?" Toad asked, confused and slightly shocked. Like the rest of the Misfits, he assumed that Justin would get annoyed by the albino loudmouth and would put Pietro first in his "Top Ten People to Hurt Very Badly" list. Justin, his eyes twinkling, just shook his head again.
"Nah, that's pretty mild to what I've been used to before in my past…and besides, I know he doesn't mean it. He's got a good heart deep down -"
"You're going to have dig pretty deep under his ego in order to find that aspect of Pietro," Xi smirked with his arms crossed in front of him, his feet up on the headrest of the seat in front of him in a comfortable position. The rest of the Misfits and their parents chortled.
"HEY!" protested Pietro, and Justin jumped in gracefully.
"Besides, I like him. He makes me laugh…and he reminds me so much like Compy," Justin reasoned.
"I never thought I'd live to see the day when there would be a person not enamored with Pietro who could not give in the urge to punch his lights out," remarked Low Light, blinking.
"It's a miracle," Fred said, deadpanned, "We finally found someone who could like Quicksilver."
"But he's your friend; you guys like him as well," Justin offered.
"'Like' isn't the word we'd use; we prefer the term 'tolerate'," Lina remarked dryly.
"I guess it's the Whitelighter in me," Justin said, shyly rubbing his hands unconsciously as he blushed, "but I meant what I said. I…I really do want feel comfortable with you guys, and even though you may be slightly nuts and unbalanced, it's nothing I haven't been used to before at the Lavadome. Blind Master says that you're good guys, so I'll trust that. And…and it's nice to meet other people like me, knowing that I'm alone…and knowing that maybe I'm not as cursed as I thought. I just want to make this work out. I really hope I can be friends with you."
"I think you'll fit with the Misfits very well, Whitelighter," the Blind Master smiled as he draped an arm around Justin's shoulders.
000-
It was nighttime with the moon shining brightly amongst the few sparsely spread clouds of the desert night and stars. Allo however was still moping in the desert, with the lights of the Lavadome base giving its artificial fluorescence behind him. Squatting on a flat bed of rock jutting out from the sandy floor, the Dinosaucer just silently took in the day's events, playing them over and over again in his mind like a broken tape-recorder, his heart colder than the freezing temperatures of the desert.
As much as Allo tried to deny it…he lost his son. Even though Justin would always love the Dinosaucers and the Secret Scouts, things could never be the same again, especially since Justin's mutation had emerged. Justin could never be the same lonely, innocent, gentle child Allo grew to love and cherish when he found him abandoned in the desert. His son was changing. It was inevitable. And Allo couldn't be more saddened about it.
Allo just sat heavily, depressed, watching a shooting star streaking across the night sky. Then, to his surprise, his intercom transmitter on his uniform beeped on as a voice gently spoke through. It was Justin, speaking through his Secret Scout ring and connecting to Allo through the Dinosaucer's communicator.
"Dad?"
Allo practically jumped to his feet, startled, flustered and a bit joyful, as if he was waiting for this possible moment.
"Justin! What's wrong? Why are you contacting me? Are you all right? Are you hurt?"
"Dad…"
"Are you homesick? Do you want to come back to the Lavadome? I can get to the Pit on my spacecraft in several hours!"
"Actually, I'm kinda happy here, but I…"
"But you want to go back home for a little bit! I won't be disappointed if you wanted to give up with staying with the Misfits and the Joes! And Hawk will understand if you wanted to join back with them at a later time in the future!"
Justin then cut through his father's worried babbling a bit forcefully.
"Allo!"
The Dinosaucer leader then stopped. Justin continued.
"Dad, I'm actually kind of glad I went with the Misfits. But…I called because I thought maybe I could do something to help you feel a bit better…about things. After all, we're not…I think both of us are still a bit sad from me leaving."
Allo couldn't deny that. Then he heard, to his touched surprise, piano music playing from his communicator, and like a gentle breeze, Ginny Owen's voice drifted into the allosaurus' soul.
There was a brief period of silence after the song. Neither Allo nor Justin spoke for several minutes. Then Allo then said the two words that lifted the proverbial burden on his heart.
"Thank you…"
"Goodnight…Dad," Justin said as the liaison ended.
"Goodnight, Justin," whispered Allo in the silence as he wearily stood up as walked back towards the Lavadome, still a bit saddened, but healed nonetheless by the power of a Whitelighter.
The End
Author's note: Several things:
General Eiling isn't mine; he is actually a character from DC Comics, but the conversation between him and General Eddington should be the biggest hint of things to come in the future of the Misfit-verse.
To my reviewers:
Red Witch: Without you, this fanfic would have never been made and without your Misfits, I would never have found such a spark for writing about this universe. This is dedicated to you. Thank you, and I hope you enjoyed the way I portrayed the Misfits. Feel free to write about Whitelighter if you like. And I hope you're not too bothered that the Misfits now have alien dinosaurs as friends…but then again, it's not the weirdest thing to happen to them yet.
Sparky Genocide: You are also a cherished reviewer. I'm glad you got your stories up and running, and thank you too, for using Justin in your stories which prompted me to write this one. I'll see you soon hopefully.
Asha-man72: You are also, without a doubt, the most sincere and dedicated reviewer to this story I could ever ask for. One of your reviews just puts me on Cloud-9 for the rest of the day. And yep, I plan to bring in the Teen Titans soon! Oh, and as for your suggestion in an earlier review…let's just say I think "Justin Moore" also has a nice ring to it.
Dru: Yep, he's that Elder Gideon. I'm glad I found another "Charmed" fan in the X-Men Evolution board, and they'll come in along with the Slayer eventually. Let's just say the Misfits are not going to get much peace and lot more chaos in their lives.
Metal Dragon1: Thanks, but actually, since Toad isn't Tetsukaru and Althea hasn't even tappen into her Destiny Stone, I figured Gideon's curse would still affect them. But now you actually gave me an idea in the incoming future about that. Thanks for reviewing.
Metalomaniac: Thank you for the advice. It really helped actually. And I shall continue the legacy to bring more people into the Dinosaucers fandom with fanfics. Hope to see your story soon as well.
Pauloj1983: Fred and Lina will get together, I guarantee it. Why do you think I only brought Lina in this universe?
Klinoa: Thanks, and you don't remember Dinosaucers? Do a Google search and you'll find stuff. Thanks again.