Disordered Part Two

A/N: Direct continuation as last chapter, so all the stuff from the last one still applies!

Siegel County, 18:23 EST

The sun had set as the Sphere flew over Siegel County, the Metropolis skyline in the distance. Seated in Sphere's Bike-Mode were Superboy, Quill, Gamora, Rocket, and Groot, while Orion, Vision, and Starfire flew next to them. "So, something I've been wondering…" Superboy spoke up, looking back at Quill. "You said you were from Earth, right? So you're human?"

"Half-Human. Ever hear of Spartax?"

"Uh, no."

"Can't say I blame you on that one. Not exactly a lot worth hearing about, since the Chitauri bombed the hell out of them. Long story short, their king took a wrong turn and spent some time in Missouri, where he met my mom. After my mom died, my dad hired a group called the Ravagers to get me off of Earth before the Chitauri came for my head. Haven't been back in… twenty-two years now, I think." Quill explained.

"What do you mean 'you think'? Wouldn't you know?" Superboy asked.

"Not exactly. Some of the places I've been to measure time a bit differently, and my dad's half tends to live long and age slow. Besides, without my mom, I didn't exactly have much worth comin' back to."

"And their deal?" Superboy asked, gesturing to Rocket and Groot. "I know space is crazy and all, but where'd you find a talking tree and a raccoon?"

"Oh crap, here we go again…" Quill muttered, as Rocket's face twisted into a snarl.

"Who the hell're you callin' a raccoon?!"

"Uh, you?"

"I ain't one of those mangy little trash-eaters Quill's obsessed with! You ever met a raccoon who can make a planet buster out of spare parts and scrap?!"

"I am Groot!"

"What're you gettin' on to me for?! He's the one who called me a flarkin' trash-eater!"

"He was just asking a question, Rocket! I'm gonna guess that most animals don't talk on this planet!" Gamora scolded.

"Indeed, Robin would often ask questions that seemed obvious to me about space, but to him made no sense. Plus, I made the same mistake when we met." Starfire added, flying beside the flying cycle.

"You know Robin?" Superboy asked, surprised. Knowing about Superman was one thing, he'd been in space before, but Robin seemed like a huge stretch.

"Indeed! I spent time on this planet when I was younger, after escaping from the Gordanians! Myself, Robin, and our hero friends formed a small group of our own."

"Jason never said anything about that!" Superboy responded, and Starfire's brow furrowed.

"Who is Jason?"

Gamora felt a presence beside her, turning to see Vision flying beside her. "Uh, can I help you?"

"Back in the clearing, I noticed you were staring at me for 16.5 seconds longer than average. Is there a purpose?" He asked, and Gamora sighed.

"I wasn't staring at you, I was staring at that." She said, pointing to the Gem in his forehead. "Where'd you get it?"

"My father found it after it fell to Earth, almost 90 years ago. It gave him the inspiration to create me and my siblings. Do you know what it is?" He asked, and Gamora narrowed her eyes.

"I know what I think it is, but I'm not completely sure…"

"Orion, how much further?" Quill asked as they flew into the city limits, Orion looking at his Mother Box.

"It is just ahead. Follow me!" The cycle and the fliers followed Orion through Metropolis, coming to hover above a construction site. "Mother Box says that the rescue drill is located 18 meters directly below us." Orion informed, as Superboy noticed the building across from the construction site.

"Is it in the direction of that building?" He asked, pointing at the Metropolis Federal Reserve directly across the street.

"Indeed."

"Let's see here. We've got a construction site, those three jackholes down there standing in front of a hole, dead of night, directly across from a giant bank, with a superpowered drill? That sounds like a heist if I ever seen one." Rocket theorized, earning a chortle from Gamora.

"You'd know…"

"You're damn right! Why do you think I'm not allowed on Contraxia?" Rocket boasted, as Quill looked at Superboy.

"This is your turf, Superboy. Tell us how you wanna go in."

"Normally, I would say go in guns blazing…" Rocket looked excited until Superboy continued, "However, just in case the tech is unstable or these Forever People are being held captive, maybe it's better to air on the side of caution and find their entry point."

"So close." Rocket sighed as Starfire patted his head.

Down on the ground, three men were standing around a large hole in the base of the construction site's foundation, shivering as they did so. "How did we get stuck out here guardin' a hole in the ground?"

"Hey, you draw the short straw, you get guard duty."

"I always get guard duty! I'm startin' to think this is rigged!"

"Ya say that every time! If you really got a problem with it, tell the Boss. You know, that guy who famously listens to feedback."

"Uh, I'm good."

"That's what I thought. Now, we gotta figure out who's goin' to get the coffee, or-" Before the man could say anything else, a black and white blur leapt out of the shadows, kicking the talking man in the head, punching complaining man in the face, and placing quiet man in a sleeper hold, knocking all of them out in less than 10 seconds. Gamora raised her hand to signal to the flyers, who all landed in the construction site.

"Don't think I've ever seen anyone take three guys out that quick. Not even Robin or Trickshot." Superboy remarked, as Rocket hopped onto the ground next to him.

"They don't call her the 'Deadliest Woman in the Galaxy' for nothing, that's for sure." The rodent remarked, as Quill activated his visor, doing a heat scan.

"I got three more at the bottom. Isolated, but they've got radios on 'em. If we don't move quick, they could alert their friends."

"Step aside, folks." Rocket declared, unslinging and unfolding his oversized rifle. He stood at the edge of the hole, aiming down his scope at the three men clustered together.

"Rocket! Nonlethal only!" Star Lord instructed, causing Rocket to look away from his scope.

"What?"

"No killing!"

"Since when do you care if I waste a buncha mooks?"

"The people on this planet frown upon needless killing!" Starfire stated.

"Since when do we care?!"

"I am Groot!"

"Buncha flarkin'… fine!" Rocket grumbled. He flicked a switch, and the central light on his rifle switched from red to blue as his muzzle flashed with electricity. He fired a small cylinder into the middle of the three men, all three spasming in pain as they were electrocuted, before falling unconscious. Once that was done, Superboy and Gamora leapt down, Starfire, Vision, and Orion floated down, Star Lord descended on his boot jets, and Rocket was lowered by Groot's vine, followed by the giant tree. Superboy and Star Lord moved up, the others following behind them. They followed the tunnel to a light source, the two taking cover as they saw the drill. A hole had been blasted into the reserve, as several men used floating platforms to carry out gold bars.

The two overseers were more noteworthy. One was a pale-skinned woman with red hair tied in a ponytail, and the other was a rather large man with a face that could only be described as ugly. "A billion in bullion, Ugly! The old creep's gear worked as advertised!" The woman remarked, as the man grinned.

"I'll say! This score's way bigger than anything I pulled while my dad ran Intergang!" Ugly remarked. The group observed them from cover, Star Lord analyzing the drill with his helmet.

"Orion, that's the drill and the platforms, right?" He asked, and Orion nodded.

"Indeed. To think our rescue drill is used for something as paltry as a robbery…"

"Superboy, Vision, do either of you two know these guys?" Gamora asked, and Superboy shook his head.

"I don't."

"I do, from the Justice League's files." Vision answered. "They are Whisper A'Daire and Bruno 'Ugly' Manheim, the heads of Intergang. Intergang is a Metropolis-based criminal syndicate, with a specialization in trafficking stolen alien technology, who have frequently crossed paths with Superman." Superboy tensed up at the mention of Superman, but said nothing.

"Well, that gives us motive, and perpetrators. I say we move in, take them down, then we find the Forever People and the job's done. They don't look too tough." Gamora shrugged.

"Orion and Superboy get final say. It's his turf, and his friends and tech. Either of you object?"

"I wish for this to be over with. I shall handle this." Orion declared, walking towards the robbers.

"Does he do that often?" Superboy asked, and Starfire sighed.

"More often than you'd think…"

"So that's how it feels…"

Intergang was loading the gold into the drill, as Orion approached them. "Abandon the stolen technology and leave this place at once, and I'll let you keep your lives!" He declared, getting their attention.

"Who the hell is this clown?"

"Everyone's got a gimmick now…" Ugly growled, as Superboy, Vision, and the other Guardians walked behind him.

"Listen to the big guy. And the gold goes back, too." Superboy instructed, and Whisper raised an eyebrow as she overlooked the Guardians.

"We don't just got a clown, we got a whole freakin' circus. Scram, before things get ugly!"

"I'm Ugly." Ugly pressed a button on his pack, Orion's eyes widening as black straps with red technology encircled Ugly's chest to form a cannon. It fired off discs, which Star Lord blasted out of the sky.

"Are those what I think they are?!"

"It appears so!"

"Flarkin' wonderful…" Ugly fired more discs, but Groot slammed his hand into the ground. Vines burst forth to form a shield that the discs impacted, Orion leaping over the vine shield to leap at Ugly. However, discs encircled him, causing him to scream in pain. The Guardians leapt away as Groot's shield shattered, the giant tree being encircled by discs and screaming in pain as electricity encircled him.

"Groot!" Rocket yelled out, sneering as he flicked his cannon back to red, blasting the discs away from Groot. Gamora pulled her sword free and Starfire's hands glowed with green energy, Superboy watching as the other members of Intergang donned packs, with some of them donning cannonball-like gloves with red circles. Whisper had pulled out two cylinders, both of them generating burning red whips.

"What the hell are those things?!" Superboy asked.

"Apokolips-tech weapons. All you really need to know is that you do not want to get hit by one of those." Star Lord instructed. Blasts from the gem in Vision's head destroyed the discs electrocuting Orion, who growled as he rose to his feet.

"You'll pay for that…" He ran at them once more, but one of the men with the gloves slammed his fist into the ground. The ground became mud, Orion falling into it. Gamora ran forward, leaping off of Orion to scale the side of the wall to slash downward at the men. Her blade sliced through the power cables of one, before roundhouse kicking another into the wall. She leapt at Whisper just as Ugly got her in his sights, firing a disc that attached to her back. The earth seemed to surge toward her, encapsulating her into a sphere of mud that Whisper smugly got out of the way of. Star Lord aimed his gun at the ground, firing a beam that caused the rocks to surge upward and form another wall.

"They've got the advantage in here! We can't cut loose without bringing the whole place down!"

"Then get topside!"

"Not without Gamora and Orion!" Star Lord stated, and Superboy spoke without a second thought.

"I'll get them!" Superboy volunteered, Star Lord looking back to his group.

"Rocket, Star, give him some cover!"

"At once!" Green orbs of burning energy appeared in the orange-skinned woman's hand, launching them at the attacking Intergang as Rocket began firing his rifle. This provided Superboy cover to leap out from behind Star Lord's shield, leaping at the ball of dirt that had captured Gamora. He dug his fingers into the rock and pulled it apart, grabbing Gamora and pulling her out.

"You good?"

"Yeah, just… kicking myself. My father would have my head if he knew I was that sloppy." Now that Gamora was freed, Superboy pulled Orion out of the mud.

"That indignity will not go unforgiven."

"Make 'em pay later! Let's pull back!" The half-Spartax ordered, as the group headed back to the hole.

"They're getting away!" Whisper yelled, her whips crackling with energy. She swung them towards them, sending a red wave of burning energy towards them. Superboy stopped to brace himself, but Starfire got in front of him. She waved both hands, sending green waves of energy that canceled out Whisper's attack.

Gamora scaled the walls, Star Lord's boot jets lifted him up, Groot's legs grew as he carried Rocket up, Orion mounted his Astro-Harness, Vision and Starfire floated upwards, and Superboy leapt to the surface.

"We gotta wrap this up, and fast! Any kind of firefight is only going to put people in danger!" Superboy suggested, getting a nod from Star Lord.

"Star, Orion. You guys get in the air, start strafing them and keep them boxed in. As soon as they pop out, we hit 'em hard and hit 'em fast!" Starfire, Vision, and Orion took to the sky as the ground rumbled and cracked, the drill emerging from underground. Intergang was not far behind it, with Ugly and Whisper taking up the rear.

"Can I kill these jerks now?!" Rocket asked.

"No!"

"I hate this flarkin' planet!" The anthropomorphic rodent lamented as his weapon was flipped back to stun, him and Quill firing at the gang members. Ugly tried firing his discs, only for vines courtesy of Groot to burst out of the ground and destroy the discs. Orion rained down energy blasts from his harness and Starfire threw down starbolts, keeping them boxed in enough for Vision to land a well placed blast on the back of Ugly's pack, disabling his cannon. The goons tried using their gauntlets to turn the terrain into mud, but Rocket shot both of them with shock darts, the two falling unconscious. Gamora drew her blade as she ran towards Whisper, who cracked her energy whips.

"Come and get it!" She swung her whips at the alien, but with grace and skill Connor had never seen before, Gamora leapt, dodged, and twisted her way just out of their grasp. When Whisper swung both whips at Gamora, the alien caught them with her sword, the energy whips wrapping around the blade. Gamora performed a pirouette, dragging Whisper over to her and allowing Gamora to nail the redhead with a roundhouse kick. That left Ugly as the only one left standing, and he evidently wasn't as stupid as he looked.

Orion's eyes widened as he pulled out what looked like Orion's Mother Box, but this one was… darker, primarily black with red lights.

PING

BOOM

Sound and light filled the air as a glowing portal appeared behind Ugly. "Stop him, now!" Orion ordered. Superboy leapt at Ugly, but he had already entered the portal, which closed behind him. Starfire and Orion landed, with an irate Rocket standing in front of Orion.

"How the hell did that hairless ape summon a Boom Tube?!"

"He had a Father Box, something he should not have been in possession of." Orion explained, as Star Lord's helmet receded.

"Father and Mother Boxes are incredibly hard to come by. How did he get one?"

"I don't know."

"And where did the Apokolips-tech weapons come from? Just possessing them would put you in the Kyln for the rest of your life."

"I do not know!"

"Hey!" Superboy yelled, getting their attention as Vision landed next to him. "I've been remarkably patient–y'know, for me–but I think I speak for Vision and myself when I say 'what the hell is going on?' I've never seen any kind of weapons like those."

"That's because they're not of this world, nor even this plane of existence. They are of The Fourth World, where I am from." Orion explained, and Superboy crossed his arms.

"I'm going to need more than that."

"I do not have time for a history lesson."

"Hey, Orion. The kids have helped us this far. They at least deserve to know what the deal is." Peter stated, and Orion sighed. He pulled out his Mother Box.

"I am what is known as a New God, hailing from the Fourth World." Superboy's eyes widened at this.

"New Gods are coming, Diana…"

Loki's words from months prior rang in his ears, but he was silent as the Mother Box showed a hologram of two worlds. One was beautiful, with deep blue seas and land masses covered in greenery, while the other was more harsh, a barren world with fire leaking out of it.

"The Fourth World exists at the edge of creation, outside of where mortals can typically follow. It consists of two worlds. My home, New Genesis, is a paradise, where we worship peace, kindness, hope, and The Source. Unlike our neighbor, our rivals and eternal enemy of all in creation…" Orion explained, looking at the burning planet.

"Apokolips. A burning hellscape, ruled by an unspeakable tyrant who seeks to put all under his thumb. There, they worship death, slavery, degredations, war, and Anti-Life. Our people warred for countless millennia, until my father, Highfather Izaya, finally brokered peace. But peace is not the same as coexistence. The Gods of Apokolips frequently antagonize us, pressing the boundaries and seeking to reignite war."

"Apokolips is nothing but bad business. When I was with the Ravagers, we got into a fight with some of them. Barely made it out with my life." Quill recounted, as Starfire frowned.

"In my childhood on Tamaran, tales of Apokolips' cruelty and evil were used to scare us."

"Even my father would have hesitated to cross their ruler." Gamora remarked.

"So they're bad dudes. What's that gotta do with us?" Superboy asked, as the hologram went away.

"The raid that ended with the theft of the New Genisphere was of Apokoliptian origin, not that they would have admitted it. An attempt to mock us, to degrade the principles that we hold dear." The New God explained, looking at the technology on the ground. "I had expected them to disperse the technology to sew chaos, but the presence of their weapons indicates something larger is at work."

"How can you tell?"

"Apokolips tech ain't easy to get a hold of, and they ain't known to share. Even on the black market, no one in their right minds would try sellin' this stuff. And no offense, but as we've established, Earth ain't exactly the most well connected place in the galaxy." Rocket explained to Vision, as Orion narrowed his eyes.

"Meaning it was given to them." He walked over to Whisper's discarded whip, pulling his Mother Box out. "Mother Box. Scan and isolate New God presence on this item." The Mother Box began to scan it, giving a PING when it was done. "Show."

PING

A hologram appeared before them, Orion's face twisting into a scowl as he saw who it was.

He was a frightening figure with pale skin, sunken red eyes, and stringy black hair. The right side of his face was deformed, with flesh growing from his cheek down the collar of his clothes. He wore a purple, hooded robe with a metal shoulder/neck covering.

"That's not a face I'll forget anytime soon…" The half-human muttered, as Superboy noticed Orion become noticeably angrier.

"Who is that?"

"Desaad…" Orion growled out. "God scientist and chief torturer of Apokolips. A more craven, sadistic creature, you will not meet. His experiments are the things of nightmares, designed for little more than to cause pain and suffering."

"It almost sounds personal." Superboy remarked, and Orion clenched his fist.

"More than you'll ever know." He growled out, turning back to Quill. "This is where we part ways, Quill."

"Wait, what?"

"You all were hired to help me find my stolen technology. Which we have." The New God explained, gesturing to Sphere and the Drill. "Your obligation was not to involve yourself in the feuds of my people. I will have Mother Box transfer the units to your account, once I settle this."

"Dude, have you not learned anything in the past six months? Guardians don't leave a man behind when they need help." Quill stated. "It's not about the units anymore, man."

"Quill doesn't speak for all of us!" Rocket spoke up, only for a small vine to hit him in the back of the head. "Ow!"

"I am Groot!"

"Hr… fine. Quill's right, no man left behind, whatever other inspiring crap you wanna hear."

"I will help as well. This planet is still dear to me, and I do not wish for any innocents to be harmed."

"What Kori said." Gamora agreed, as Orion looked at Superboy and Vision.

"You two have already done more than enough."

"And we'll do some more. Those weapons will cause a lot of problems in the wrong hands." Superboy explained, looking down at his symbol. "It's… the right thing to do." Rocket noticed this, but said nothing as Vision spoke up.

"Superboy is correct. Our involvement lowers the risk of fatalities by 23.6 percent."

"Eh, good enough for me." Quill spoke up, before turning to Orion. "If they're using a Father Box, can you track them?"

"No. If they are using a Father Box, then that means that they are concealing their signals. It is why I was unable to detect them when performing scans earlier."

"I can help with that." Rocket spoke up. "Boom tubes basically rip a hole in time and space. Doin' something like that puts out a lot of energy on both ends. If we can figure out what that energy is, then we can figure out where they are." He explained, and Superboy's eyes widened as an idea occurred to him, a loose end he had almost forgotten about.

"Try looking for Zeta beam radiation." He spoke up. "When me and my friends found Sphere, we had gone to Bialya detecting a surge of energy, which one of my friends said contained traces of Zeta beam radiation."

"Not a bad idea, kid. Try looking for above average bursts of zeta beam radiation." Rocket remarked, as Orion checked his Mother Box.

PING

"Mother Box registered a large burst of zeta radiation to the North of the city, five minutes ago."

"And there are no Zeta Tubes located outside of the Metropolis city limits." Vision explained.

"Then that's our destination. Lets finish this." Superboy added, receiving nods as they all set out towards their destination.

Metropolis, 20:16 EST

The Guardians, Superboy, and Vision were sneaking up on an airfield just outside of Metropolis, eyeing a hangar. "This is the place?" Quill asked, and Orion nodded.

"At the rodent and the angry one's suggestion, Mother Box tracked the Zeta radiation here. And now that we're closer, she can detect multiple Apokoliptian signals inside." The New God stated, as Superboy activated his infrared vision.

"Not detecting any heat signatures inside."

"But if they have Apokoliptian tech, they could have a way to mask heat signatures."

"Gamora's right, the only way to know for sure is to get an up close and personal look."

The door creaked open as Rocket scurried inside, moving much like the animal he was in no way related to. Gamora soon followed, and once they were satisfied with what they saw, they motioned for the others to join through the door, Vision passing through the wall.

"There ain't nothing here." Rocket stated.

"It's likely that they realized we could have found them, and thus have vacated the premises." Starfire suggested, but Orion frowned.

"No. The air here… is foul. Apokolips tech has been here, and recently too."

"Well, if the air is… foul, then we can pick up a trail and-"

Lights flickered on, cutting Quill off mid-sentence. The warehouse was illuminated, revealing Ugly, flanked by a large group of over a dozen men, all of them outfitted with Apokoliptian weaponry.

"Not again…"

"This kinda thing happen to you guys often?" Superboy asked, earning a sigh from Gamora.

"Too often."

"Surprise!" Ugly taunted, sporting a fresh cannon. "This tech masks heat signatures. Makes settin' up an ambush real easy." Without another word, Manheim fired his cannon, the group scattering.

Orion clotheslined two and knocked them out, Rocket blasting discs that approached him. Groot created wooden tendrils from his arms, swinging them and knocking the goons back. Rocket blasted any discs that got close to the Flora Colossus. Starfire took to the sky, three goons aiming at them with their staves, only for ice blasts courtesy of Star Lord's element gun to encase them in ice. This allowed Starfire to rain down star bolts on them, providing Gamora the chance to knock out any goons she was nearby.

Vision rose up from the ground behind two goons, phasing his hands through the packs. He solidified his hands into diamond density, using them to rip the power source out and allowing Superboy to knock them out.

Orion delivered a right hook to one gang member, only for Manheim to nail him directly in the back with an energy blast, knocking him next to a shipping container.

PING

As Orion got up, his Mother Box chimed from his back pocket. His eyes widened as he looked at the shipping container, before narrowing. He ripped the door open, revealing the content inside: five people, all dressed oddly by Earth standards, all bound in Apokoliptian shackles. He recognized them as Vykin, Dreamer, Serafin, Moonrider, and Bear.

"Vykin!" He declared, getting the attention of a dark skinned man in a green and blue outfit.

"O-Orion? Is that you?" Vykin asked, as Orion walked over to him.

"Vykin, what happened? No one's heard from you in months!"

"We were… after the technology. We arrived on this planet, but Desaad… he was ready for us. Tried to… break us. Brainwash us…" Vykin recounted, as Orion took note of the control disc on the back of his neck.

"And he failed, my friend. Take pride in your strength. We will need it."

Outside the shipping container, Superboy and Star Lord leapt to the side to avoid a blast from Manheim, Star Lord taking to the sky as he activated his jet boots. He fired on Manheim, narrowly avoiding the crime lord's blasts. "We need a way to wrap this up, fast!"

"You've got one!" Orion declared, Superboy turning to see Orion accompanied by five bizarrely dressed individuals.

"And I thought the tights looked dumb…" He muttered, as Orion turned to Vykin.

"Are you sure you're all up for this?"

"Indeed! The Forever People do not turn down a challenge!" The large one, Bear, declared, earning a nod from Orion, who handed his Mother Box to Vykin, before stepping back. The Forever people took position around Vykin, all of them raising their hands.

"TAARU!" They all chanted, causing four beams of light to spread from the Mother Box that enveloped them. They began to swirl into energy, and as they did so, one of the goons next to Manheim began to change. He seemed to open up, revealing Desaad inside, Father Box in hand.

"Now, human! Like we discussed, toss the Father Box into the light!" Manheim took the Father Box from Desaad and tossed it into the light, causing it to shudder and warp, before turning red.

"No!" Orion yelled, as the red energy swirled into a humanoid figure. It was ten feet tall, with red tubing making up its body, red armor plating, and red eyes that leered over them.

"That can't be good…" Superboy muttered, as Rocket looked at the creature.

"What the flark is that thing?!"

"Infinity Man, New Genesis's greatest weapon! Desaad has infected him!" Orion declared, getting a sinister laughter from Desaad.

"Enlightened him, more like! I tried doing it the fun way, but your friends refused to cooperate. Try as I might, I couldn't compel them to form Infinity Man of their own volition! I only regret that I didn't lead you to them sooner!" Desaad cackled, as Infinity Man began firing beams of energy at the Guardians. "At long last, the power of The Source, directly under my… my master's command! Kill them all!"

Infinity Man held his hand up, a red wave of telekinetic energy blasting Superboy, Groot, and Gamora back. Rocket fired his rifle at it, narrowly avoiding a container that was thrown at him. He swung his arm at Vision, the synthezoid altering his density to ghost levels in order to pass through. However, once Infinity Man's arm passed through him, Vision shuddered, collapsing to the ground. Star Lord aimed both Element Guns at Infinity Man's feet, firing beams at the ground. The pavement rose up to encompass the giant's feet, but it effortlessly walked free of the bindings. It's red eyes glowing.

"Ah, flark…"

The front of the hangar exploded as the Guardians and their friends were blasted out, Superboy grunting as he landed on the New Genisphere's bike mode. He grunted as he got to his feet, Quill and the other Guardians doing the same.

"We need a plan! Orion, do you have any way to disrupt that thing?"! Star Lord asked, the silver helmeted New God shaking his head as he rose to his feet.

"No! Desaad's Father Box has overridden Mother Boxes connection to the Source, and has taken control of Infinity Man!."

"What does that mean?!"

"The programming in Father Boxes are more aggressive than Mother Boxes! My guess is that the one Ugly tossed back into Orion's friends is suppressing the Mother Box!"

"The fact that you know so much about our technology disturbs me, Rodent!"

"Save the lecture for if we survive!" Gamora scolded, as Infinity Man's fingers gripped the hangar door, the giant beginning to tear it aside.

"I believe I have an idea!" Vision spoke up. "When I phased through Infinity Man a moment ago, I could feel the consciousness powering it! It was… corrupt, aggressive. But beneath it, I could feel a kind, gentle presence struggling underneath! If we can find a way to free it, I believe we could reassert the Mother Box's control!"

"I… I think I know how we can do that." Gamora stated, looking at the gem. "Phase into the center, where the Boxes would be situated! Remove the Father Box, and try directly interfacing with the Mother! If that thing in your head is what I think it is, you should be able to wake it up!"

"Rocket, what's the science on that?" Star Lord asked, and Rocket thought for a second.

"Maybe?"

"I thought you were a mega genius!"

"Making things go boom is one thing, alien supercomputers are another!"

"Yes or no!"

"Flarkin'... yes! Ain't like we got any other ideas!" The rodent answered, and Superboy looked at Vision.

"Are you sure you're good for that? We don't know what those things could do to you!"

"Yes, Superboy. I am prepared to accept the risks." Vision reassured, despite Superboy's visible discomfort. "Do not worry. Self sacrifice is the essence of heroism, after all."

"Couldn't have said it better myself." Star Lord said, the Guardians turning to see Infinity Man towering towards them. "Alright people, time to earn your paychecks! We need to get an opening so he can do his thing! This thing might be big, but we've knocked down bigger and tougher! So spit the blood out of your mouth, get your game faces on, and let's kick some ass!"

As Infinity Man stomped towards them, the Guardians sprang into action. Orion summoned his astro-harness and joined Starfire as they took to the air. Beams of crimson energy fired from the giant's eyes, and would have nailed Orion's harness were it not from an explosion on its back staggering it. It turned to Rocket, and prepared to unleash a blast from its hands, only for massive vines courtesy of Groot to burst from the ground, wrapping around Infinity Man and binding his arms. Gamora leapt forward, her Godslayer sword slicing through it's heels and causing it to stagger and drop to its knees, the green woman landing in front of Superboy.

"You gonna help, or you gonna just stand around?"

"It's called waiting for an opening! I just charge in there, I'm going to get in the way, and I try not to do that anymore!"

A series of chirping arose as Sphere nudged him in the back, tumbling him into the cockpit of the bike mode. Superboy was about to ask what she was doing, when a set of massive cannons emerged from the nose. Superboy was shocked for a moment, before he grinned.

"Now that's more like it…"

Star Lord was encasing Infinity Man in ice, only for his guns to fizzle out halfway up the legs.

"Element Gun charge: Depleted."

"Flarkin' Spartax tech… Groot, keep him down!"

"I… am… Groot!" The tree grunted out, only for Infinity Man's eyes to glow red. It's head seemed to rotate 180 degrees to blast Groot, knocking the tree onto his back. The ice began to melt as Infinity Man began to glow, the vines crumbling into cinders as Infinity Man raised his temperature.

"Oh, that ain't good…" Rocket remarked as he felt waves of heat coming off of Infinity Man. Orion and Starfire were forced to pull back, Infinity Man continuing to glow brighter…

Before Superboy flew past on Sphere, firing blasts of energy that hit Infinity Man directly in the back, knocking him down and dispelling the energy. "Vision, now!"

The synthezoid rose from the ground, cape billowing behind him like an ephemeral ghost. Vision floated toward Infinity Man, passing into the giant's chest. What was inside wasn't machinery, or organs, but more like pure energy; a dark, putrid light. Red veins spiraled outwards, all of them leading towards the Father Box perched in the center. Vision reached his hand into it, his yellow gem glowing more brightly as he did so. The feeling was… intense. Hatred, despair, hopelessness… Vision could only imagine this is what these emotions felt like, as he heard a dark voice inside his head.

YOU ARE NOTHING. YOUR PLANET SHALL FALL THE SAME AS ONE THOUSAND OTHERS BEFORE IT, AND ONE THOUSAND BEFORE THEM. NONE CAN RESIST.

Vision grunted as he dug his fingers in, the Father Box's red light growing even brighter.

BOW BEFORE THE NEW GOD. HE SHALL PLUNGE ALL OF YOU INTO THE FIERY HELL OF HIS WILL. RESISTANCE IS FUTILE. FREE WILL IS A LIE, THERE IS ONLY HIM. THE ANTI LIFE EQUATION SHALL BE HIS.

DARKSEID IS.

With a yell, Vision pulled the Father Box free, tossing it out of Infinity Man's chest. The dark, putrid light faded away, the red veins disappearing as Vision saw the dark Mother Box where the Father Box had laid. Vision reached inside the Mother Box, his gem glowing once more. A spark jolted from his finger into the inside of the computer, the lights returning to normal as the Mother Box powered on. As a bright, warm light filled the space, yellow veins stretched out, as Vision heard a calm, serene voice inside his head.

Thank you.

Outside, the Guardians and Superboy watched as Infinity Man went completely dark. "Orion, is it working?"

"I do not know. We are doing something that had never been attempted, even on New Genesis."

"If my friend loses because of this, I swear, I'm breaking Creepy in two." No sooner did those words leave Superboy's mouth that color began to return to Infinity Man. However, instead of red and black, the body of Infinity Man was yellow, as the armor around him became blue, his eyes glowing yellow. Infinity Man rose to his full height, turning to look at Ugly behind him.

"What are ya doin'? Kill these idiots!" The mobster ordered, as Infinity Man held up his hand. A beam of yellow light bathed Ugly, and when it was gone, so too were Ugly's clothes and weaponry, leaving him in little more than his tighty whities, much to Starfire's embarrassment.

"Oh my…"

"Now that is ugly!" Star Lord remarked, as the stunned Ugly began to run away. Rocket aimed down his rifle's scope, tracking as the gang leader ran away.

"Rocket…" Superboy warned, and the rodent just smirked.

"Just makin' sure you're payin' attention." He flipped his weapon back to stun, firing a cylinder directly at Manheim. It nailed him in the back, electrocuting and dropping him. With him gone, Orion turned to Desaad.

"You'll pay for your desecration, Foul One."

"Oh, not today, little lost prince." Desaad taunted, pulling out another Father Box. A boom tube opened up behind him, as Desaad pulled out a rather sizable black and red device. "All will suffer! All shall burn!" He tossed the grenade out, Rocket's eyes widening.

"Everyone get behind something!" Groot held his arms out, branches and vines spreading out to make a wooden dome that was encapsulating the Guardians. However, before the dome could close, Sphere bucked and tossed Superboy inside of it, Superboy watching as the dome shut.

"No!" Once the dome was complete, twin beams came from Infinity Man's eyes, encapsulating the grenade in a sphere. However, it was not enough to contain the blast, as the explosion generated a massive wave of fire that stretched out for a quarter mile. Groot grunted inside the dome, as Starfire frowned.

"Please hold together, friend!" She pleaded.

"What she said! Come on, buddy, you can do it!" Star Lord pleaded, and soon, they felt the heat subside. The dome parted as the vines returned to Groot, revealing a scorched earth around them. Groot collapsed, only for Starfire to catch him.

"Rest now, my friend." She said, Quill's helmet vanishing as he looked around.

"Holy…"

"That was a Hellfire grenade. Once saw one of those take out an entire squad of Manhunters." Rocket explained, as Superboy looked around.

"Vision! Where are you?!"

"Over there!" Gamora called out, and Superboy looked where she pointed to see Vision passed out, among the rest of the Forever People. The Mother and Father Boxes, the latter of which was completely dark, lay beside them, as Superboy helped Vision up.

"You ok?"

"I… still function. Though I believe I have what you would refer to as a 'splitting headache.'" The synthezoid remarked, as Orion helped the Forever People up.

"Are you well, friends?"

"Yes, Orion. Thanks to your new friend over there." Vykin explained. "We now know why Desaad did not simply kill us when he had the chance. The thought of Infinity Man under his control…"

"Is one we do not have to entertain any longer."

As Orion checked on his friends, Rocket went over to the boxes. He disregarded the Mother Box, instead picking up the inactive Father Box. He picked it up, and was about to put it in his pouch… when he felt a pair of eyes staring at him. He turned to see Groot towering over him, disapproval evident on the Flora Colossus's face.

"... fine." Rocket handed the Box to Groot, who crushed it in his massive hands.

As Superboy finished helping Vision to his feet, he heard a weak beeping. His eyes widened as he ran over to Sphere, reduced to a twisted heap of metal and machinery. "No no no no…" He muttered, oil leaking out like blood. "Is… is she…?"

"She lives." Orion reassured him, walking alongside him. "She sacrificed herself for you. The New Genisphere must think quite highly of you." Sphere weakly chirped, Vision placing a hand on her.

"She says…'she was merely returning the favor.'"

"Can you fix her?"

"I can try. But the damage may be beyond the capacity of even Mother Box." Orion answered, placing his Mother Box on the damaged cycle.

PING

The twisted metal of Sphere began to contort and realign itself, folding back into Sphere form. "The healing process has begun. She needs time to heal, but she shall live." Orion explained, and Superboy let out a sigh of relief.

"Oh thank god…"

"Vykin, are you well enough to travel?"

"Yes."

"Then I shall send you and the New Genisphere back to New Genesis." Superboy's eyes widened at this, turning to face Orion.

"Wait, what?!"

"I appreciate your help, Superboy, but the New Genisphere is not of your world. Her place is on New Genesis, where she can heal and be properly treated for her injuries." Orion explained, and Superboy narrowed his eyes.

"No way. Like I told you, I'm not letting anyone take her back." He stated, earning a set of narrowed eyes from Orion.

"You dare try to claim her as your own? To us, she lives. To you, she is little more than a decoration, a glorified souvenir of a prior adventure. How long was she in your possession before you realized she was sentient?"

"It's not like that!"

"Then what is it like?"

Gamora leaned in to Quill, watching as Kryptonian and New God were facing off. "Should we intervene?"

"No, this isn't our business." Star Lord answered, as Superboy swallowed the lump in his throat.

"We bonded, okay?!" He yelled, earning a raised eyebrow from the New God.

"You…'bonded?'"

"Yeah, we did. She keeps me company when I'm working on my bike, doesn't bother me with pointless small talk." The Kryptonian explained, as Orion considered his answer.

"...very well. I entrust her to you, Superboy. Defend her with your life." He said, much to Superboy's shock.

"Wait, seriously?"

"Orion, are you sure this action is wise?" Dreamer of the Forever People asked. "Highfather considers the retrieval of the New Genisphere of the utmost importance. When he learns of this-"

"Allow me to deal with my father. The New Genisphere clearly thinks very highly of Superboy and Vision, and we owe them a debt of gratitude we can never repay." Orion justified.

"But…"

"Orion has spoken, Dreamer. The responsibility of the decision is on his shoulders." Vykin said, heading over to Superboy and Vision. "Orion is right. You both risked a great deal to help us. From now on, both of you can count the Forever People as allies."

"Your thanks are appreciated, Vykin." Vision stated, extending his hand just as Kaldur had shown him. Vykin stared at the hand, before shaking it.

Eastern Seaboard, 23:42 EST

After seeing the Forever People off via Mother Box generated Boom Tube, they had boomed back to the clearing where they had first met. Superboy, Vision, and the healing Sphere stood across from the Guardians, who had landed their ship in the clearing. It was sleek and angular, with Milano written across the nose in English letters.

"Well, gentlemen, it's been a privilege. Thanks again for everything you did to help us."

"Don't mention it." Superboy responded, shaking Quill's hand.

"Sure you two don't wanna come with us? It'll be cramped, but we could always find room for you."

"Appreciate the offer, but our place is here."

"I figured. Just wanted to be polite." Quill said, fishing out a business card from his jacket and handing it to Superboy. "You ever change your mind, or find yourself in a jam on the wrong end of the cosmos, give us a call." Superboy took the card, reading 'GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY' in big, stylized yellow letters.

"Thanks, Quill. Good luck out there." His fellow half human nodded, allowing Orion to approach.

"You have my thanks, Superboy. I owe a debt that can never be repaid." Orion thanked, extending his hand, which Superboy took.

"It was nothing." Superboy said, before a question came to mind. "Hey… have any 'New Gods' come to Earth before?"

"I do not know. The cosmos is vast, and the machinations of Apokolips are an enigma, even to me." Orion answered. "I do not know what designs Desaad and his master have for your world, but this is far from over."

"Whatever it is, my friends and I will be ready."

"I hope that is true, Superboy. I wish you the best of luck." Orion made his way to the ship, making way for Starfire to wrap Superboy in a hug.

"Thank you, Superboy. I am glad my faith in you was not misplaced. You are more than worthy of the symbol you carry." She stated, Superboy's smile wavering.

"Uh, thanks, Star. It was good meeting all of you."

"And you as well. I can only hope your time among these people is as wonderful as mine." She gave him another hug, before heading to the ship. Connor sighed, looking at the symbol on his shirt.

"You know, she don't mean nothin' by it." Rocket stated, getting Superboy's attention.

"What?"

"She don't know you're a clone." Connor's eyes widened at this.

"How did you-"

"Kori's got a lot of stories about this place, including the fact that it's home to the last Kryptonian in the universe. And back when we first met, you said Superman doesn't have a son. So the only way you can have his powers is either you're another Kryptonian… or you're a clone. So my guess was more of a 50/50 thing." Rocket explained.

"How could you tell?"

"Buddy, you ain't the only one here who grew up in a test tube. The bastiches who made me wasted no effort turnin' me into their little killing machine, pumpin' me fulla cybernetics and smarts." Rocket recounted. "After I turned their lab on Halfworld into a smokin' crater, I spent a lotta time trying to ignore what they made me for. You know, lead a pacifist lifestyle. As you can imagine, that didn't take. I decided to put all those skills they put in me to good use, starting with freeing Groot over there from the Collector."

"So… why did you decide to go along with what they made you to do?"

"Cause it was my choice. I don't blow stuff up because that's what they made me to do. I do that because I choose to. I do it all on my terms, not theirs." The rodent reassured. "I dunno who made you to do what. But if you're beatin' yourself up because you're doing something that lines up with what they want, don't. You're doing it because it's what you want to do."

"I… think I understand." Superboy stated, feeling clarity for the first time in days. "Uh, thanks, Rocket."

"Don't mention it. Us lab experiments gotta stick together." Rocket reaffirmed. "Later, Kid. And good luck."

Groot approached Vision, holding his hand out. A flower appeared within it, unlike any on Earth, which Vision took. "I am Groot."

"And I thank you as well, Groot. I wish you all safe travels." The tree gave a nod, before heading into the ship.

"I never thought I would meet someone who could understand him like Rocket does." Gamora stated.

"I would not say I understand it, just as I speak with you. It is more like I intuit the meaning."

"Very interesting…" Gamora stated.

"I am glad you are staying behind. I had a question I wished to ask you." Vision stated. "Twice now, you have indicated that you know the origin of the gem in my forehead. Even I would not have chosen interfacing directly with the Boxes as our first strategy."

"And you want to know why I knew that, don't you?"

"Yes. I would not insist, but-"

"No. If it's a part of you, you have a right to know." Gamora stated, looking him in the eye. "I don't know what it is for certain, but I think that's an Infinity Gem. I've never seen one in person before, but my father was obsessed with the stories."

"What… is an Infinity Gem?"

"According to the legends, they're cast offs from the creation of the universe. Residual energy that was concentrated into six ingots by the gods who seeded the universe with life, each one representing an aspect of creation."

"Why do you think my gem is one of these?"

"My father was obsessed with the legends. He studied them religiously. Even set about trying to find proof that they weren't just legends. He never found them before he died, but in the paintings we found, one of them, the Gem of the Mind, looked identical to that." Gamora explained, pointing at Vision's forehead. "I hope it's not an Infinity Gem, but if it is… keep it safe. Defend it with your life. The stories say that the Gems are the path to immeasurable power, and my father, may he burn in whatever hell exists, isn't the only one who wanted them."

"The Gem is a part of me. I shall protect it as if my life depends on it."

"That's all I ask." Gamora stated, heading to the ship. "See you around, fellas."

The two watched as the Milano's engines fired up, the ship turning around, before launching into the sky.

"They seemed pleasant." Vision remarked. "Shall we return to the Cave?"

"Sounds good to me. Sphere?" Sphere warbled and beeped, and Superboy sighed. It didn't look like Sphere was in any condition to fly.

"...we need to call M'gann."

Connor

"Thanks for coming. I know it's late, but-"

"But don't apologize, Connor. If this is when you need to talk, then this is when you need to talk."

"No, I do need to apologize. You were just trying to help, and I treated you like a nuisance."

"You weren't ready to talk at that point. You needed to sort through it on your own terms. Which, from what I've heard, you had quite the adventure while sorting it all out." Dinah stated.

"Well, I'm ready to talk now." Connor stated. "Here's the ugly truth: I wasn't devastated. Even with Superman, Cap, you, the whole League dead. I wasn't even that torn up when Artemis and the others started to die. Up until Cassie died, I felt… at peace." Dinah frowned at this.

"What do you mean?"

"From the moment I first opened my eyes in that Cadmus pod, there's been one thing I've wanted and feared. I wanted to know what it was to be Superman. To be that symbol people look to. And then all of a sudden, I knew what it was like. Those soldiers talked me up as Superman, and then Superman told me I was the Last Son… I did what Cadmus made me to do. I was what Desmond always wanted: I was the Superboy, there to take Superman's place."

"And… how did that make you feel?"

"Conflicted. Happy. Slimy. Desmond was a bastard, and the thought of me doing what he wanted… There aren't enough showers in the world to keep me from feeling dirty. But… I still felt happy that I was doing that. Does that make sense?"

"It does. You spent so much time defying your creators, trying not to be what they made you, but then you fell into those roles naturally. Anyone would be bothered by that."

"Well, I'm not anymore. Believe it or not, a talking raccoon helped me sort all of that out."

"Normally, I'd write you a prescription after hearing that. But go on."

"Cadmus made me to fill Superman's shoes. And there might come a day when I have to do that. But if that day comes, it won't be because that's what they made me to do. It'll be my choice, and I'll do it on my terms." Superboy stated, earning a smile from Canary.

"That's all we can do, Connor. Choose to live life on our own terms." She reassured. "Now…what's your next step?" She asked, and Connor thought for a moment.

"There's something I've gotta do."

Later

After their session, Connor had gone back to his room. Dinah was walking towards the Zeta Tubes, passing by Batman examining the Sphere. "What are you still doing here?"

"Examining Superboy's new toy. Tony and I both examined it when they brought it here, but we found no indication it was capable of anything like what Superboy and Vision described in their reports."

"Apparently, Wally's already come up with a nickname for it. He's decided on 'The Super-Cycle.'" Dinah explained. "What did you think about the other parts of their report?"

"You mean about the group of spacefaring mercenaries they decided to aid instead of contacting us? I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around the part about the talking raccoon."

"If it makes you feel any better, one of them is an old friend of mine. Someone I believe Nightwing will vouch for as well."

"Regardless, they don't appear to be a threat. And that's not the part about the report that troubles me." Batman stated. "One of them identified himself as a 'New God,' the exact verbiage Loki used in Gateway City last September, who hails from a world constantly at war with their evil opposite. I've contacted Diana, but she doesn't know anything. And I've put out a message to Thor, but-"

"But he's already gone back to Asgard. Meaning it could be months before we see him again." Canary surmised. "Do you think it's a threat?"

"Not immediately. After he heard about what Loki did in Gateway, Thor said that Loki's always playing the long game, that it could be years before we have any idea of what his angle is."

"Benefits of being an immortal, I suppose… and Vision's report?"

"Tony's analysis had already told us that the Gem was extraterrestrial in origin, and that it was made of pure energy. That certainly corroborates with what this 'Gamora' woman told Vision. For now, Vision and the 'Super Cycle' will remain here, where we can keep an eye on them." Sphere chirped at this, earning a chortle from Black Canary.

"I don't think she liked that very much."

"Hrn…" Batman grumbled. "We can talk about that another day. How did today go?"

"Today was… a lot. A lot of them were very shaken by what they went through in that simulation."

"I would have hoped they would have gotten over it by now."

"You should know better than anyone else that trauma has a way of lingering. You don't just 'get over it.' Therapy isn't a magic undo button that fixes everything. It's a way to find issues and address them. Whether or not they actually do address those issues… that's up to them."

Earth Orbit

"Sure you don't wanna stay on Earth a little longer, see your friends?" Peter asked, but Kori shook her head.

"As much as I would love to see them all again, it's not proper etiquette to drop in unannounced like that. Something my friend Spider-Man spent no small amount of time trying to teach me." The Tamaranean stated. "What about you? Do you not have relatives of your own you wish to see?"

"Eh, I got a few cousins and friends from back in the day I wouldn't mind checking in on, but they think I've been dead for like, twenty years. Don't really wanna shell shock 'em, y'know? Like you said, it's not proper etiquette."

"You Terrans and your traditions…" Rocket remarked from his tool bench, adjusting the sights on his rifle. "You know, it's a shame we couldn't get our hands on any of that Apokolips tech. I could've whipped up some pretty cool toys with some of that."

"And have the Green Lanterns toss us in the Kyln when they find us with it? One prison sentence is more than enough for me." Gamora stated, sharpening her sword.

"Hey, no risk, no reward. At the very least we coulda tried selling it."

"I am Groot."

"I don't mean as weapons! You just know that freak Tivan would pay top credits for stuff like that."

"I am Groot!"

"I didn't say you had to go near him! I was gonna have Kori do it! You know he likes her! Hell, she could probably get a few thousand credits out of him just by smiling at him!"

"As flattered as I am, Rocket, I do not think it is wise to do business on Knowhere any time soon. Not after that mess with Kanjar Ro…"

"Hey, those pulse rifles worked when I sold them to him! It's his own fault they exploded after he didn't store the power cores right!"

"So, you all make friends wherever you go." Orion stated, removing his helmet to reveal a head of red hair.

"Starting to get second thoughts about tagging along?" Quill asked, earning a chuckle from Orion.

"No. If anything, the past few months have been… exhilarating." The New God remarked. "You all did me a favor I cannot repay. The least I can do is join you on your adventures."

"Plus, your dad's probably pissed at you about leaving the New Genisphere on Earth. Probably for the best you don't go home for a while." Gamora chimed in, earning another chuckle from Orion.

"He will simply have to live with the decision."

"Fine by me. The more, the merrier." The terran remarked.

"So, 'fearless leader,' where to next?" Gamora asked, as Quill clicked his tongue.

"Well, right before we got to this system, I got a message from Cosmo about our buddy Byth Rok. Apparently he's busted out of prison, and the Thanagarians are offering quite the reward for bringing him back."

"Eh, screw the birds. Let the Lanterns handle Byth. I got a lead on some Reach tech that'll net us Orion's weight in credits."

"Uh uh, The Reach are more trouble than they're worth. I've got a lead on a gig guarding stellarium shipments from the Vega Systems. Very easy, very big payday."

"Friend Gamora, the Vega Systems extort stellarium to needy planets at greatly elevated rates. I do not believe we should do business with them. Recently, a friend from Chandrilar reached out and inquired about the possibility of us serving as bodyguards for Shi'ar dignitaries visiting Seknarf 9."

"I am Groot!"

"Groot says he knows a guy who'll pay for… I'm sorry, did you say a Brood Queen egg? How the flark do you know someone willing to pay for that?!"

"So, it sounds like we've got quite a few options." Quill remarked, sitting in the Captain's Chair. The rest of the guardians joined him in the cockpit, taking seats that flanked him. "I say, we go where the cosmic winds take us."

"What the flark does that mean?"

"Did you copy that from one of your songs?"

"I do not understand the meaning of that saying, Peter."

"You are an idiot, Peter Quill!"

"I am Groot!"

"Oh for the love of… I was trying to say we need to go where the universe takes us. You know, see what finds us."

"Then why not just say that?!"

"I was trying to sound cool!" Quill sighed out, the engines powering up as he flipped the switches around him. The Milano flew around the moon, aiming into deep space. Quill activated the FTL engines, and the Guardians blasted off to their next adventure.

Gateway City, 23:52 PDT

The frigid night air of Gateway City was cool against Cassie's face as she hovered above Marston Park, her eyes scanning for any sign of trouble, but really her mind wasn't fully in it right now. She was trying to figure out what to say to Connor. Things between them had been awkward ever since the simulation, and she hated it.

"Okay uh… what about, 'Hey Connor. Look I know I kissed you, but it was a life and death situation and I…' No, that's a terrible start, Cassie. Try again." She muttered.

"Look Connor I'm sorry about what happened, I just- No that makes it sound like I'm not really into him and that would just make it more awkward after. Why is fighting villains easier than this!?" She yelled to no one in particular as she flipped in the air and hovered with her back facing the ground.

"I really messed this up." She sighed, not sure what she could say or do, if anything. What if he didn't feel the same, or liked someone else? She had never asked, she just did, and now she might have ruined a friendship. She rubbed her eyes, trying to think.

A high pitched whistle rang out, rousing her from her thoughts. She turned around and looked to see Connor standing on a nearby rooftop, hands tucked in his jacket. He gave an awkward wave, as she flew over to him.

"Uh… hey."

"Hi." Connor greeted. "Your mom said you were out patrolling, and you weren't answering your phone, so I figured I'd try and find you."

"I turn my phone off when I go on patrol. Y'know, make sure no one tracks me."

"Makes sense, I guess."

"Yeah." She stated, an awkward silence hanging between them. "So uh… how was your bike ride?"

"It was, uh… interesting, to say the least. I'll have to fill you in later, but it's a long story. Besides, I didn't come here to talk about that." The half-kryptonian stated, and Cassie couldn't help but look at the ground.

"... Oh. Listen, about what happened in the simulation… look, I thought that was it, y'know? That that would be the last time I ever saw you. So I just thought I'd do the one thing I'd always regret if I never did it." The demigoddess explained. "You don't have to feel obligated or anything. If you don't feel the same way, I'd totally get it, and-"

"No, I… I think I do." Connor stated, causing Cassie's eyes to widen. "Look, I don't know a lot about… that whole thing. But what I do know is that ever since I met you, I've thought of you… I dunno, different. Not like I think of the others. Back when we were in Belle Reve, Icicle Junior said something to me that's stuck with me. About how you need to find someone who sees you for you, and likes you anyway."

"That sounds… oddly insightful of him."

"Trust me, the way he said it was a lot grosser, but that's not the point. Back in India, you didn't seem to care that I was all pissed off. In fact, you helped talk me down and keep my head. After that, I started thinking of you… differently. I couldn't nail down exactly what it was, not until Junior said that."

"So why haven't you said anything?"

"Because… Well, I didn't know how. Even watching Francis and M'gann, and Jason and Laura, I had no idea how to go about any of this. But more than anything, I was… nervous. You guys are the only friends I've ever known, if I messed things up, I wouldn't know what to do about it."

"Well… that's kinda why I didn't say anything either." Cassie stated. "I mean, I dunno if you've been paying attention, but the past couple weeks have been kinda crazy for me. Figuring out how to fight supervillains is less scary than talking to the guy I liked. But when everything was going bad… Well, all I could think about was how much I'd regret it if I didn't do anything about it."

"I can understand that, it was one of the things I was actually trying to figure out that whole time too, then you kissed me and before I could say anything, you pushed me through, and you were gone. I didn't know what to do after that, I just got… angry, for all the good that did. Angry that they took you, that I didn't get to tell you how I felt. It's why I bought into Wally's theory that you were alive. And ever since we got out… I just haven't known how to approach it." He admitted and Cassie smiled, heart hammering just a bit in her chest.

"We could, I mean if you wanted to, we could go out on a date maybe?" She offered, cheeks reddening.

"I… I think I'd like that, but I have no idea what you're supposed to do on a date."

"It's okay, I'm new to this too. We'll figure it out together." She said, taking his hand as they shared a smile.

Happy Harbor, 19:47, EST

The waves crashed against the beach, Kaldur listening to the gentle sounds of the ocean in front of him as he sat on the beach.

"Hey, man." A voice spoke up, and Kaldur looked to see Francis walking up beside him. The exhausted archer took a seat next to the Atlantean, letting out a sigh. "What a freakin' mess."

"That is… putting it mildly." Kaldur remarked. "I want to apologize to you. When I shoved you through like that, it wasn't my intention for you to shoulder all the responsibilities. I had hoped you would be able to mobilize the others, to inspire hope in them."

"Not to send them to their deaths. Don't worry, I did that all on my own." The Barton boy dryly stated.

"The simulation was designed for failure. You would have always-"

"Yeah, we would have always lost, but it's one thing to get hit by a car. It's another for someone to shove you in front of it."

"You made the best decisions you could, in a less than ideal situation."

"See, Kaldur, in my head, I know that, but in my heart I can't stop thinking about how easy it was to treat everyone like chess pieces. You wouldn't have done that."

"You have no way of knowing that." Kaldur bluntly stated. "We have no way of knowing how I would have reacted, what actions I would have taken, had I gone through the Tube instead of you. I could very well have made the same decisions. And for forcing that upon you, my friend, I am truly sorry."

"I'm the one who needs to apologize. To you, Wally, Carter, Laura, Connor, M'gann…I led them all into hell, and none of us made it out."

"They all made their choices, and they chose to put their faith in you." A new voice stated, and the two young men turned to see Steve Rogers approaching them, his cowl down as he stood beside them.

"Cap, how long have you-"

"Long enough." Steve stated. "You two were both faced with an impossible situation that you fully believed was real. Nothing I say will ever be enough to apologize."

"Cap, it wasn't your fault. You guys couldn't-"

"It might not have been my fault, but the mental simulation was something I approved of, a scenario I helped create. You all paid the price for it, and that's something I'll have to carry with me. And the only reason you all went along with it in the first place is because you put your faith in me." Steve explained. "That's what it means to be the man in charge. You make the decisions you think are best, the people under you trust that it's the right course of action, and if it isn't, you have to accept the consequences."

"Have… you ever made a decision like that? Something that cost people their lives?" Francis asked, as a heavy weight fell upon Steve's shoulders, eighty years of guilt weighing upon him.

"Yes. Bucky Barnes, my best friend. The closest thing I ever had to a brother. He trusted me enough that he followed me into Hell and back, until he sacrificed himself so I could live. He wouldn't have been on that mission if I hadn't asked him to go with me."

"Cap, I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring bad memories up."

"It's fine, it isn't your fault. Bucky was a brave man, he knew the risks. I regret asking him to come because if I hadn't he never would have had to make that choice. That's what you both need to remember. Despite what you intend, your allies will always have to make decisions without you, based on your calls. It doesn't take the guilt you feel for putting them there away, but that is the price of leadership."

"I… think I get it, Captain." Kaldur stated, Francis nodding in agreement.

"But… knowing that doesn't make it easier, does it?" Francis asked, and Steve let out a sigh.

"No. No, it doesn't."

Chicago, 01:52 CST

"Is this the place?"

"It's the address I read off my phone, unless you put it in wrong."

"I have three PhD's, I know how to put an address in a navigation app."

"I'm just saying…"

"And I thought Clint was a smart ass…" Tony Stark muttered as he pulled his car to the curb, he and Francis stepping out to look at the Williams' house.

"You know, when Nolan first told me about Riri, and that she was possibly smarter than him, I was expecting something a little more… extravagant, like yours. Not one so… normal looking." Francis said.

"Are you calling my house abnormal, Barton? Wait, he told you about her, but not me!?"

"We can work that out later. Let's just stay on topic." Francis stated, as the two approached the house. Before they could knock, the door opened, revealing a distraught Riri. "Uh… hi?"

"Ohmigod, thanks for coming so quickly." She greeted, ushering them inside through the house.

"Your message said that it was urgent. Did Nolan… do anything?"

"No. Yes? I don't know." Riri explained as she led them into the backyard, towards her shed. "After you guys had your talk, he said that it was time. That he had to do it. I told him that it wasn't ready, that we still had to do tests."

"You're not making any sense. Did what?" The archer asked the young genius.

"Did he tell you anything about what we were working on?"

"I didn't even know you existed until three days ago." The older Stark stated.

"First I'm hearing of any project."

"Okay, thought he told you. So a few months ago, he said you guys broke up some sort of arms deal in Coast City. Stole a genetic reprogrammer, something he thought could take his tech to the next level." The young woman explained, causing Francis's eyes to widen.

"Oh my god, he took Extremis." Tony's eyes went wide as saucers.

"He took what?!"

"Hey, easy! There are people sleeping in this house!" Riri beckoned.

"An Extremis-enhanced person almost killed me and Wonder Woman, and almost burned down half of California. Then he overloaded and died when he was about to try and fight Superman. You'll forgive me if I'm little worried about my son taking this!" Tony said, though all the same he had started whisper-yelling.

"I know that, but this is different, see for months we've been working on this, trying to make sure everything was right, to minimize the potential risks."

"Yet you said that there were still tests to be done right?" Francis asked.

"Yes, I thought so. It was nearly perfect, but I didn't want him to take the risk until I was absolutely sure, but he was set on doing it tonight, and I couldn't talk him down and then…" Riri kept talking at a rapid pace, until Tony cut across her.

"Deep breaths, calm down, where is Nolan now?" In response, she pointed to the shed, swallowing nervously. Francis and Tony exchanged a glance, before they entered the shed.

Inside the room with the computer equipment was a large, human shaped cocoon, dark black with red markings around it. An empty syringe lay beside it, Riri appeared to have tubes feeding Nolan necessary nutrients intravenously and all either could do was stare at it.

"Oh my god…"

Gotham City, 00:16 EST

Jason stuck his hands in his jacket pockets as he walked down the streets, the skies above the Narrows rumbling with thunder. In a sense, it was appropriate, the rumbling skies echoing the turmoil rumbling inside the second Robin. For the past three days, his thoughts had been consumed with his actions, or rather lack thereof, in the simulation. All his training, everything Batman had taught him, was for naught. And after Bruce had left him his mantle–something Martian Manhunter said had been pulled from his own mind when he entered the simulation, meaning that it existed in some form–Jason had gotten killed five minutes later.

That had led to the turmoil facing him, one that had led him to his old neighborhood. Jason didn't come to The Narrows often–at least, not unless it was a cape-related matter–as all that waited here were memories of a terrible childhood and a dead end future. Had it not been for Jason choosing to boost the tires off the Batmobile on the right day, he'd still be here. Going for a walk in the Narrows had, in the best, helped to reorient him. But no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't help but think on his failures.

"Help!" A voice pierced out, drawing the Teen Wonder's attention. He looked down the alleyway to see a woman, wearing a uniform that Jason recognized as being from Paul's Diner, surrounded by three men in leather jackets, white face paint, and black eyeshadow. One of a dozen wannabe gangs that had been inspired by the costumed theatrics elsewhere in the city, but in reality were just thugs with a theme.

"Don't bother screamin', lady." Their leader, a large man with a bald head, warned. "This is The Narrows, honey. Ain't no cops, ain't no Batman, ain't no wannabe heroes around here. Shoulda taken a cab. Now hand over the purse!"

"Leave her alone." Jason's voice rang out, getting their attention as he approached them.

"Go away, kid. This ain't none of your business."

"Then I'm making it my business." Jason stated, earning a chuckle from the leader.

"We got us a hero, boys!" He remarked, turning away from the woman to face Jason as the younger boy got closer, immediately taking note of the relatively expensive jacket Jason wore. "You ain't the first wannabe hero around here, Rich Boy. Even the Bat don't come down here."

"Then it's a good thing I'm here." Jason stated, and one of the thugs squinted.

"Wait a second… I know this guy! You used to boost tires, right? Used to sell them to that old chop shop down on Starlin!" The Robin gave no answer to that, just narrowing his eyes. "Holy shit, it is you! I thought they killed you! You're, uh… Jack… something with a J… Todd!"

"Todd? Like that old drunk who used to run with Two Face? I heard that guy's kid got scooped up by some rich guy."

"What's wrong, Rich Boy? Get a little homesick? Come back to get the crap kicked out of you?" Bald Guy asked, and Jason just narrowed his eyes.

"Just felt like seeing the sights. You don't see ugly assholes in shitty face paint outside of here unless it's Halloween. At least the Joker knows how to coordinate his look." Jason spat, earning a sneer from the Bald Guy.

"Kill this asshole." All three rushed Jason, who couldn't help but smirk a little. He blocked a right hook with his arm and countered with an open palm strike to the chest of Goon 1, followed with a punch to the face, ducking under a swing and delivering a well placed strike to the ribs on Goon 2, knocking him back and delivering a roundhouse kick to his chest. Bald Guy swung at him again and again, and had he actually managed to land a solid punch, Jason would have been in trouble. But he was angry and he was slow, giving Jason ample opportunity to dodge each attack. Eventually, Jason got tired of playing with him, dropping down and sweeping Bald Guy's legs out from under, sending him falling to the ground and allowing Jason to land a strike on his jaw, stunning him.

With the three punks incapacitated, Jason went over to the terrified woman, offering his hand to help her up. "It's ok. Let's get you out of here, and-"

"You little shit…" Bald Guy grunted out, staggering to his feet. He'd pulled out a switchblade, the blade longer than anything that was legal in Kane County. Jason didn't even bother turning as Bald Guy ran at him, swinging his blade down…

Only for Jason to catch his wrist, twisting it and tossing Bald Guy on his back. Jason looked at him under him, delivering a punch to the man's face…

And another. And then another, and another, and another. And another, and another, and another. Jason didn't know how long it was, all he could think about was the woman who'd been terrorized, how many others Bald Guy had terrorized in the past, and how many more he would hurt in the future. And how maybe, the world would be a better place without him.

And so he kept punching. And punching. And punching. And punching. It was only when Jason heard the wail of sirens approaching that he snapped out of it, staring at the pummeled visage of Bald Guy below him. He panted, only hearing the wail of sirens, his heart pounding in his ears, and the throbbing of his hand.

The woman was long gone, as were Bald Guy's friends. Probably ran away when Jason began wailing on the man. Jason was stunned out of his stupor as he felt a raindrop on his head, hearing the sirens get closer. Jason stared at the man, and as the rain began to fall, he pulled up the red hood of his jacket, tucked his hands into his pockets, and he walked away.

San Francisco, 22:13 PDT

"...so I'm trying to climb up my house and get into my room, while Sarah's downstairs playing interference with my parents. I have no idea how I didn't get caught, but we made it through." Debbie recounted, getting laughs from Laura and Megan.

"And that's why I never try to sneak out!" Megan joked, as Laura looked at the time on her phone.

"It's getting late. I should get going."

"Are you sure? You're more than welcome to stay here. I've got an air mattress we can blow up." Debbie offered, but Laura shook her head.

"I really need to be getting back to… my hotel. I have to get up early in the morning for… my flight back east." She refuted. In reality, a Zeta Tube would get her back to Happy Harbor with little difficulty, but that wasn't something she was prepared to share just yet. "Today's been… wonderful, Deborah. Spending time with the two of you, it's helped me sort some stuff out."

"I'm glad to hear it. And come on, Laura. We're family. You don't have to be formal." The older woman stated, and Laura's smile momentarily waivered.

"Thank you… Aunt Debbie. And you, Megan. I… I never thought I'd get to have this. It's a long story, but…" Laura trailed off mid-sentence, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up. She stood up, her nose wrinkling as a familiar scent crossed her nose. "No…" She gasped out, as her aunt and cousin exchanged a glance.

"Laura? What's-"

"Both of you get down!" The mutant barely had time to shove the both of them to ground before the wall seemed to explode, bricks and dust flying everywhere. Laura's heart hammered in her chest as she looked at the hole in the wall, watching the figure that stepped through.

She was a tall, Japanese woman, with long dark hair, a dark tactical suit, and a sadistic grin on her face. "Hiya, X! Don't tell me you were planning on stopping by without saying hello to me!" The woman taunted, as Laura's face twisted into a snarl.

"Kimura…"

"The one and only." Kimura greeted.

"Laura, I don't… What's going on?! Who is this-"

"Debbie, Megan. I need both of you to run." Laura ordered, standing up. "On my way in, I clocked a 24 hour grocery store three blocks away. Get there, quick, and call the authorities. She won't go where there are too many witnesses."

"Wha… I don't…"

"I'll hold her off." The mutant stated, Debbie and Megan's eyes widening as Laura's claws extended out of her hands. "Go, now!" Kimura just smirked as the two scrambled to their feet, watching them run away.

"Cute. What makes you think I don't have men waiting to make sure you don't escape?"

"That's not your style. You prefer to do all the dirty work yourself. You've never passed up an opportunity to make someone else suffer."

"Aw, you do know me." The woman taunted, as Laura dropped into her fighting pose. "You know, I'm a little disappointed in you. After that nice lady took you in, you went and lied to her like that. I thought I raised you better."

Laura rushed Kimura, her claws a flash of silver as she made to impale Kimura. However, she feinted to the right, popping a foot claw to graze Kimura's heel. However, while the suit ripped, the adamantium blade didn't pierce the skin, and Laura barely had time to process that before Kimura's hand was at her throat.

"I've had a few upgrades since you left, X. Had to make it a bit more fun." With that, Kimura tossed Laura into the wall, before kicking her through the living room wall and into the kitchen, Laura grunting as she skittered to the floor. The impact had cracked three ribs, and Laura could already feel her healing factor putting them back together.

However, she knew they would never have time to finish healing, as Kimura was already on top of her, a right hook to her jaw dislocating it as her head smashed through the cabinets. Kimura's hand wrapped around Laura's neck once more, lifting her off the ground, before slamming her into the floor. The assailant delivered one punch, then another, then another, the impact of each punch seeming to shake the whole house, though that could just be the vessels Laura knew were bursting in her head. When she was done, Laura's face was a smashed mess of pulp and cartilage, a sight that caused Kimura to chuckle.

"Oh, I missed seeing how much punishment you could take. Just like old times, X." Kimura remarked, stepping away from the downed mutant. Laura's ears were ringing, her vision blurry, but she could hear Kimura pulling out a phone, making a call. "It's me. I've got her. No, Kinney's sister and her daughter got away. She actually tried buying them time to get away, if you can believe that. I could go after them, but–no, you're right, too much risk of exposure. Besides, I'm fairly certain she told them nothing substantial, and no one will believe what they saw. I say we have her track them down, after we fix her. It'll be hilarious. I'm heading back to base. See you soon, Doctor Rice."

Laura's right eye healed itself enough to see the picture of Sarah staring at her, before Kimura picked her up. "It's time to go home, X."

A/N: Cliffhangers, amirite? Tune in next time as we explore the past of X-23! As always, leave a review, give some feedback, and until next time!