GOTHAM CITY

JULY 17, 19:42 EDT

Miles away from the city sits Wayne Manor, the residence of Bruce Wayne and the Wayne family members before him. During the day, Bruce is a well-known humanitarian that runs his family's company, Wayne Enterprises, but by night, he patrols the streets of Gotham as the vigilante known as Batman. To assist him on his crusade, Bruce has trained friends he has made throughout the years to help him protect the city from mob bosses, lunatics, and metahumans.

His first friend came in the form of his first ward, Dick Grayson, a young acrobat who watched his family die after a mob boss rigged his family's trapeze equipment and had them fall to their deaths. Bruce, seeing a kindred spirit in the boy, took Dick to help him move past the trauma that he also faced as a child. After trying to solve the murder of his family, Dick was taken to the Batcave and Bruce revealed to him that not only was he looking into his family's murder, but that he was also Batman. After that night, Bruce trained Dick to help him bring the mob boss to justice for his family's death and to make sure that he did not turn into a vengeful person like him. On that night, Dick had became the first Robin, the first protege of Batman and held that mantle for six years. As Dick grew older, he wanted to make a name for himself that existed outside of his years of being Bruce's protege. In 2012, Dick retired himself from being Robin, passing the mantle down to his "brother", Jason Todd, and created a new name for himself as the hero, Nightwing. After the unfortunate death of Jason, the mantle was passed onto his other "brother", Tim Drake, making him the third person to be Robin. For the next three and a half years, Nightwing would make a name for himself in the city of Blüdhaven as it's protector while remaining on the Team. But all of that changed after the events of the Reach, when Kid Flash disappeared from the world. He and the other original Team members traveled to the North Pole and watched as Wally West faded out of existence right in front of all of them.

Speaking of Dick, he is sitting at the Batcomputer in civvies while using the Wayne-Tech satellites to watch the disappearance of Wally, replaying the video over and over again while also watching for any irregularities.

"…that place…if I leave it open too long, it could destroy this world!"

Dick sighs as he thinks back to Conner's words, back when he tried to find Wally when he disappeared. In all the years Dick has known Conner, nothing has ever scared him as much as wherever he went did. Nothing. While Dick types on the Batcomputer, looking for anything that can explain this anomaly, Alfred comes down the stairs and walks over to the chair he is sitting in. He looks on as Dick plays the video over before looking down at him in concern. "You know, Master Dick, it would be a good time to take a break for the night."

"No need, Alfred. I'm fine." says Dick simply.

Alfred sighs as he put his hand on Dick's shoulder and looks at the screen as Wally disappears again in light. "I know want to find Mister West more than anything, but even you need time to enjoy yourself." He says, knowing how much he misses his best friend. Alfred has been keeping an eye on Dick while Dick has been looking over any clues surrounding Wally's disappearance in the Arctic. Dick does not respond to Alfred, making him sigh before looking at Dick with a saddened features. "I wish it did not have to come to this, Master Dick. Either get off the computer, go home, and rest or I will make you."

Dick looks up at Alfred, thinking he is bluffing, only to stare into his stoic eyes. Dick looks away from Alfred angrily as she shuts down the Batcomputer and crosses his arms. "I hate it when you give those kind of ultimatums." He grumbles to himself like a child.

"I know Master Dick, but it seems to be the only thing that works on you and Master Bruce." Alfred says, smirking to himself at Dick's reaction. "Now go home and get some rest. Maybe you can have some fun tomorrow. Your data will be here when you come back."

Dick walks over to the Zeta Tube and types in the coordinates for the closest Zeta-port to his home in Blüdhaven. As the the Zeta Tube powers up, Dick let's out a chuckle before turning and looking back at Alfred. "Thank you, Alfred." Dick says, smiling at Alfred before entering the Zeta Tube and disappearing in yellow light.

BLÜDHAVEN

JULY 17, 20:06 EDT

Dick comes out in a telephone booth and looks around at the city of Blüdhaven, his home for the last three years. He walks through the city, passing people and places in his neighborhood, and finally arrives at his apartment building before climbing the stairs to his door. As he reaches inside his pocket and pull out his keys, he stand in front of hiss door before unlocking it and walking into his apartment. He hangs his jacket on a coat rack as he crosses the small living room and sits down on the couch, rubbing the back of his neck and let's out a tired sigh. "You okay?" A feminine voice asks from the bedroom.

"Yeah…" Dick says, letting out a yawn and stretching his arms out. "Just tired. So I decided to turn in for the night. And getting to come home to you makes it worth it."

The feminine voice reveals to be Zatanna, wearing sweatpants and Dick's Gotham Wildcats jersey, as she walks out of the bedroom and sits down next to Dick. He wraps his arm around her waist as she lays her head on his shoulder and listens to him breathe with a smile. "You decided or did Alfred decide for you?" She asks, jokingly.

Dick chuckles as he looks at her and kisses her on the top of her head. "Alfred. He threatened to lock me out of the Batcomputer, so I just powered it down."

Zatanna nods, knowing how much his work means to him. Since Dick left, he has been obsessing with what happened to Wally and has worn himself out completely. She puts her hand on his cheeks and gently has him face her as she looks at him with a serious face. "Dick, I know Wally's your best friend. But I don't think he wants you to work yourself like this."

Dick nods and smiles at her as she tries to comfort him. "I know. I just wish I could figure out what really happened."

Zatanna nods, understanding her boyfriend's dilemma of trying to find his best friend. "I've always had my faith in you. And so does Wally. So I know whether it's sooner or later, you'll find a way." Zatanna stands up and walks into the kitchen as Dick watches her leave. While Dick sits on the couch, he gets an idea as he stands up and follows her into the kitchen with a smirk on his face.

"While finding Wally is one wish. I have another wish that just so happens to have come true." Dick says, putting his hands on her shoulders while Zatanna rolls her eyes.

"Really?" She asks, looking out of the corner of her eye and sees Dick nod. "And what's that?"

Dick takes his hands from her arms and wraps them around her waist as he rests his chin on her shoulder. "Being here with my beautiful, loving, caring girlfriend." Zatanna turns around in his arms and smiles at him as she pecks him on the lips as he leans forward and deepens the kiss. This is going to be a good night for the both of them.

THE WATCHTOWER

JULY 18, 20:16 EDT

In the training room of the Watchtower, Koriand'r and Conner are currently sparring with each other while Kaldur watches from the sidelines. Conner is shirtless, wearing black sweatpants and his normal combat boots while Kori is wearing a with tank top, gray sweatpants, and white athletic shoes. The two have been sparring for the last four minutes and the match is now coming down to the final minute. Kori throws a punch at Conner but he side-steps it and performs a leg sweep but she flips backwards and avoids it. Conner jumps up and tries to bring his fist down on her but Koriand'r blocks it with her forearms and pushes him back. Koriand'r tries to follow up with a roundhouse kick but Conner grabs her by her ankle and pushes her back. Before either one can continue, a ping is heard throughout the room, indicating to the pair that the match is overt. Conner and Kori smile at each other as they walk off the training floor just as Kaldur hands both of them towels and water bottles. "That was a good sparring match, Kori." Conner says.

"Thank you, Conner." Kori replies. "You all are amazing sparring partners."

"I am still surprised by your strength and technique you display." Kaldur says. "From what you have shown, you are undoubtedly one of the most skilled fighters on the Team."

Kori blushes from Kaldur's compliments, finding his praise on her combat training to be very embarrassing. "Thank you, Kaldur. When I was younger, I was taught by some of the greatest fighters on Tamaran and was able to master all their techniques by my adolescent years. It is fun to test my skills with others."

As three continue to walk, Sphere rolls up to them and beeps as they all pat the top of her. "Hello, Sphere." Sphere lets out multiple beeps as Kori looks over at Conner with a confused face. "What did she say?"

"She said, 'Hello'," Conner says with smile before letting out a chuckle. "and that 'you look nice today'." Kori blushes from the compliments just as Sphere beeps again and catches Conner's attention with a surprised look on his face. "Oh, really. Alright guys, come with me."

Conner leads the two into the conference room where the Justice League is waiting for them. Kori and Kaldur walks over to the side while the League looks upon Conner as he stands in front of them. "Alright everyone, my contacts from New Genesis are currently on their way here and should be arriving any second. Batman did you turn off the Watchtower's security?"

"..."

"That's good enough for me." Conner says.

Sphere beeps as a Boom Tube opens and a few seconds later, Vykin, Dreamer, Moonrider, Serifan, and Bear come out of the Boom Tube. "Justice League, these are the Forever People. This is Dreamer, Serifan, Moonrider, Bear, and their leader, Vykin. Forever People, this is the Justice League, heroes and defenders of Earth." Conner says, introducing both groups to one another.

As the Boom Tube closes, Vykin speaks but everyone looks at him, confused, not understanding the language coming out of his mouth. Vykin pauses before pulling out a Mother Box and waits as it hums. The Mother Box stops humming and Vykin puts it away before smiling and facing the League once more. "Apologies. As I was saying before, my name is Vykin and we are the Forever People."

"Howdy." Serifan greets, tipping his cowboy hat to the League.

Superman stands up from his chair as he walks over to the Forever People and holds his hand out to Vykin. "Kon-El's told us much about you and your team."

Vykin reaches his hand out and shakes Superman's hand with a smile "As he has told us much about you all." Vykin replies, both releasing each other's hand. "So what may be the problem that requires our knowledge?"

"Superboy has informed us that you know much about Darkseid." Batman says. "We believe he plans on invading our planet and we need to know how to stop him."

"Yes. We very well do." Vykin says sternly before looking over at Dreamer. "Dreamer, if you would please?

Dreamer nods and her eyes glow a violet color as she manifests a large smoke screen that shows two planets in orbit of each other. "The new gods come from two worlds at war. Those of us from New Genesis are gods of life, freedom, and the source. Our enemies from Apokolips are gods of anti-life, slavery, and degradation." Dreamer explains as a giant man with a rock-like face and red glowing eyes manifest in the smoke. "Darkseid is the tyrant dictator of Apokolips along with his chief scientist and torturer, Desaad and Female Furies, the generals of his parademon army."

Dreamer makes an image of seven women dressed in clothes of different dark colors. In front of six of them was an old woman in dark green, gold, and metallic gray. "These girls are a bunch of feisty critters." Serifan says, sounding somewhat mesmerized by the Furies.

Bear crosses his arms and nods in agreement, understanding what Serifan is talking about. "It is only right of it to be expected. Darkseid only chooses the strongest female New Gods of Apokolips to be apart of his Furies."

As the League looks at the Furies, Conner sees a blond fury and looks at her as if she is familiar to him. "Dreamer, can you show the blonde fury closer?" He asks. Dreamer makes a smoke manifestation of the blonde fury as her eyes were glowing red. The blonde fury's hair went halfway down her back as her outfit was black and gun metal gray and glowing red eyes as if she is using heat vision. "Kal, I think I've seen this girl before."

"Where?" Superman asks, rather confused that Conner recognizes the girl.

"I don't remember," Conner says as he continues to look at the girl, trying to place her face to something or someone he knows. "but I know I've seen her before somewhere."

"We are getting off topic." Batman says, making the Kryptonians stop their conversation and give their attention back to the Forever People. "Vykin, is there a way to stop Darkseid and his army?"

"Darkseid and his armies have never been defeated and are a force not to be reckoned with even for us." Vykin explains. "If he plans on conquering your world, he will attack when it is least expected and will attack with everything he has. He has conquered and destroyed millions of worlds for thousands of years without mercy or conscience. If you have any hope in defeating him, the best option is to have as many allies as possible."

"If that is all, we will be on our way back to New Genesis."

Conner walks up to Vykin and shakes his hand. "Again Vykin, thank you for coming."

"You are most welcome Superboy, but please be careful with Darkseid." He says. "I only hope that you have enough time to prepare. If you ever find yourself needing our assistance, we will be there for you. Until then, good luck."

Vykin pulls out the Mother Box and it beeps as a Boom Tube opens in the meeting room. The Forever People leave through the Boom Tube while the League is left sitting there, silently going over the new information they have received from the Forever People.

"What do we do now?" Kaldur asks, breaking the silence in the room.

Then an alarm went off as Batman brought up a holo-computer and sales it is a Wayne-Tech alert. He brought up a security feed and sees it is Blockbuster and the Terror Twins braking in to one of the vaults. "The League will figure this while you take a team down to Wayne-Tech and see what they're after."

"I'll take a team." Conner says. "This is a muscle group, so I'll grab Wonder Girl from the training room and Kori you're with me on this one. It's time you've had your first field mission with us. Are you up for it?"

Kori looks at Conner nervously as she looks over to Kaldur and he nods to her with a look of faith. Kori closes her eyes and takes in a deep breath before opening them with new found determination. "Yes I am."

BLÜDHAVEN

JULY 18, 20:18 EDT

Today was the first day Dick had given attention to Zatanna since his leave of absence from the Team. Since the day he left he and Zatanna have been trying to better their relationship but Dick's obsession in finding out what happen to Wally has left it on the back burner for the past couple of weeks. Dick had treated Zatanna to breakfast in bed, later a picnic in Central Park, and finally a dinner date at a restaurant in Gotham. Dick really spoiled Zatanna today to show her how much he cared about her and a sort of apology for ignoring her for as long as he did. Dick and Zatanna are now currently laying down in bed with Zatanna's head on Dick shoulder, noting each other's comfort as they settle in for the night. "So what's happen since my leave of absence…" Dick's eyes widen in a sudden moment of realization. "Wow…two weeks ago."

"Well, the Team has a new member." Zatanna explains. "Her name is Koriand'r. M'gann, Conner, and Garfield found her when they went to Mars."

"Oh, yeah. I remember that mission." Dick says, thinking back to the 4th of July. "Kaldur gave it to them before I left the Watchtower."

"Yeah. She can make these green energy orbs in her hands and is definitely one of the strongest members on the Team." Zatanna says, smiling, knowing this next part will really catch Dick's attention. "And I think she has a crush on Kaldur."

"Oh, really?" Dick asks. As Zatanna predicted, with the change in Dick's tone, he is now genuinely interested in the story. "How do you know?"

"Trust me, you could tell." Zatanna says. "When they talk to each other it's kind of adorable and awkward at the same time." Dick laughs, covering his face to kind of hide his smile as he looks back down at Zatanna. "Alright, Kaldur. I wonder if he's going to ask her out."

"I hope so." Zatanna tells him, taking in a deep breath. "Kaldur deserves a girlfriend and I don't think Kori would object to dating him."

"You're not wrong." Dick tells her. "It's been kind of hard for Kaldur. What happened with and to Tula was hard for him and I don't blame for trying to stay out of a relationship." Zatanna nods in understanding, remembering what Dick told her of Kaldur finding out about Tula and Garth's relationship and her sacrifice for the Team. If anyone has had it the hardest, it has definitely been Kaldur'ahm. "Yeah. But given enough time, I think it could blossom into a serious relationship. Kaldur should have happiness in his life."

Dick nods his head in agreement before yawning and closing his eyes. "Well I'd like to meet her eventually but right now I want to sleep." Zatanna looks up at Dick in fake surprise, knowing full well why he is tired, as she looks over the clock on his nightstand. "How are you tired when it's only eight-twenty."

"Well unlike you, our day out and my past few days without sleep really did a number on me." Dick says, sluggishly, pulling her a little closer to him and giving her a kiss on the forehead. "Don't you think...I've earned my sleep?"

"Yes but..." Before Zatanna can continue, she looks up and sees that Dick is already sleep, making her laugh lightly so she did not wake him up. She smiles as she lays her head back down on his chest and cuddles closer to him. "Well get some sleep Boy Wonder. I guess you've truly earned it." Zatanna turns off the light on her nightstand and falls asleep with a smile in the arms of her love.

METROPOLIS

JULY 18TH, 20:21 EDT

Conner, Cassie, and Kori are now fighting Blockbuster and the Terror Twins after evacuating the building of civilians. While Kori and Conner are handling Blockbuster and Tuppence, Cassie is handling Tommy as he swings at her but she grabs him by the arm and flips him on his back, stunning him momentarily as she takes out her lasso. Cassie ties her lasso around Tommy's arms and haves him kneeling in front of her as she turns on her comm-link. "Wonder Girl to Superboy. Tommy Terror is tied up and ready to hand over to the authorities."

Conner and Kori teleport with Blockbuster and Tuppence in tow over their shoulders. "Good work, Wonder Girl. Kori, good job on your first field mission. Let's drop these three off back at Belle Reve and head back to the Watchtower."

Conner and Kori walk over to Cassie while a smirk crawls onto Tommy's face as he looks at Cassie who is now pulling on her lasso tighter to make sure he doesn't escape. "Did you hear that, Tommy. You're heading back to Belle Reve with the other bad guys." Cassie tells him.

Faster than any of the three can react, Tommy pulls Cassie with his upper body as she lets go of her lasso and he escapes from it. Kori and Conner put down their villains and Conner puts a tactile force field over them so they could not escape. Kori takes off and flies at Tommy ,ready to punch him with Conner right behind her, but he grabs Kori by the wrist and throws her into Conner and they both fall to the ground. Tommy punches down at the ground to hit the two but Conner grabs Kori by her wrist and teleports ten feet away as they all regroup. 'We need to take him off his feet and restrain him.' Conner says, taking in his surroundings as he comes up with a plan. 'Kori, I need you to distract while I get behind him. Then Cassie you will—'

'Don't worry, I've got this guys. Just leave this one to Wonder Girl.' Cassie says, flying at high speeds to confront Tommy.

'No, Cassie wait!' Conner says but Cassie ignores him and flies behind Tommy, taking out her lasso and throwing it at him but he catches her lasso and pulls Cassie in for a punch. As Tommy pulls back his fist there is a loud boom and half a second later Kori and Cassie look as Conner is standing over an unconscious Tommy. Conner picks up Tommy and throws him over his shoulder before walking pass the girls and picking up Tuppence. "Let's go."

Kori and Cassie watch Conner in worry because while he spoke calmly his face shows that he was angry. Without saying anything, Kori grabs Blockbuster and the three teleport away to take the metahuman criminals to Bell Reve.

THE WATCHTOWER

JULY 18, 20:25 EDT

The Team are lined up in front of Black Canary and Kaldur in the training room as they wait for Conner and his team to return. La'gaan, Karen, Bart, Jaime, Mal, Garfield, Tim, and Barbara stand around kind awkwardly as Dinah and Kaldur talk to each other. A second later, Conner, Cassie, and Kori appear in the training room of the Watchtower. The first thing everyone notice is Conner's stern face as he and Kori walk over to Kaldur and Dinah while Cassie walks over to the other members with a saddened look rather than her usual joyous smile. Kaldur takes notice of this and taps Kori while she is next to him and nods towards Cassie, but Kori only shakes her head as she looks at him silently. "Well now that everyone's here we can begin with today's training session." Dinah says, trying to break the tension that can be felt by everyone in the room. "So today I will be taking on all of you one at time and then together. Does anyone—"

"Canary let me I lead today's session. You can comment on their actions after the final fight against all of them." Conner offers. If the room was not already tense, this offer made it even more so given Conner's already serious demeanor. This made even Dinah tense, though she did appreciate when Conner or Kaldur led a training session, but because of Conner's current attitude, she was more concerned about if Conner hurt them more than he trained them. "Are you sure you want to?" She asks, the concern clear in her voice.

"Definitely." Rather than talk him out of it, Dinah sighs and she, Kaldur, and Kori take a few steps back and leaves Conner in the center of the training circle. Conner looks at each individual Team member before moving closer to them. "Batgirl, Bumblebee, Guardian, you're exempt from the exercise." The three look at each other before stepping off the training floor. "The rest of you, your job is to knock me off my feet in order to win. You get two chances so you should make them count. So who's going first?"

While Conner waits for someone to step in to the circle, La'gaan nudges Tim on the arm and leans over to whisper in his ear. "Who put him in charge of training?"

"La'gaan, I don't think you—" Robin whispers back but is cut off almost immediately by La'gaan. "Or what? What is he going to—"

"Thank you, Lagoon Boy for volunteering." Conner says. Whatever La'gaan was about to say, he was now wishing he did not say anything at all. "In the circle."

"Oh. Well you see, I'd I'm trained by King Orin and Kaldur so I really can't."

"Kaldur is it alright for La'gaan to join this exercise?" Conner asks, turning his body a little so he can see Kaldur.

"He is a part of the new members so he is not exempt." Kaldur says, but if you listen close enough you can hear the smirk in his words.

"Good." Conner says, smiling as he turns his body back around to face La'gaan. "In the circle, now." La'gaan groans as he steps into the circle while Conner smirks at him. "To make this easy for you, I won't fight back. I won't even from where I'm standing but you still have to beat me."

La'gaan smirks to himself as he and Conner watch each other. 'This is way too easy. All I have to do is beat him and I win.'

Garfield nudges Jaime and whispers as they wait for La'gaan to make the first move. "You know Conner is going to beat La'gaan, right?"

"I don't know. Conner just said we wouldn't move from his spot and fight back. Maybe La'gaan has something that could beat him." Jaime says as he stares at Conner's calm before looking over at La'gaan's overconfident smirk. "I will have to agree with the Beast Boy. Though the Superboy will not protect himself, his years of skill and training by fighting other metahumans and aliens gives him an advantage over the Lagoon Boy's limited experience with such things."

"Yeah, but..." Before Jaime can continue, La'gaan runs at Conner while he stands perfectly still in the center of the circle. La'gaan pulls back his fist, puts all his strength into it, and swings it at Conner. Now an inch away from his face, Conner side steps it and the momentum that La'gaan built up is the same momentum that flips him over onto his back with a small holo-screen saying fail. Conner looks down at La'gaan while he groans until he looks up at Conner and sees him smirking at him the same way he himself did before he was flat on his back. La'gaan growls as he quickly gets back to his feet as he bulks up and attacks while Conner's face falls back into a placid expression. La'gaan swings violently as Conner dodges while making sure not to leave the spot while staying one step ahead of La'gaan. La'gaan continues to get angrier up to the point he tries to swing at Conner like he did the first time, but Conner already had a counter for it. As the punch comes closer, Conner ducks as it passes right over him. La'gaan is completely caught by surprise as the momentum from the punch causes him to lean. Before La'gaan can try and punch Conner is ducking, Conner bolts back up with La'gaan on his back and flips him right onto his back again, leaving La'gaan laying n the floor groaning as he loses his bulk. "Nevermind."

"Told you."

"For those of you not well-educated in martial arts, that form is known as 'Art of the Silent Fist'. It's a defensive technique for those who don't want to fight." Conner says as he smirks at the four younger members while they look at him anxiously. "The rest of you aren't as fortunate as La'gaan because I will actually be fighting back from now on. So…who's next?"

BLÜDHAVEN

JULY 18, 21:20 EDT

Zatanna wakes up and feels cold only to turn around and see that Dick is not in bed, holding her in his arms. She gets up from bed and puts on her robe as she walks into the living room and sees the adorable sight of Dick sleeping on his keyboard of his laptop. Zatanna walks over to him quietly as she sits down next to him and takes the laptop from underneath him and looks at the screen. Zatanna sees tons of readings coming from the Antarctica on the same day Wally disappeared. She sighs and combs through his hair softly as she smiles lightly and closes the laptop, knowing he'll be right back to work on it tomorrow. "No matter what you're always at work."

Zatanna stands up from the couch and smirks, always wanting to try and use an incantation on Dick. "Etativel kciD dna yal mih nwod ni deb." She whispers as Dick levitates in the air and floats back into the room. Zatanna lays down in bed as Dick floats down onto the bed and Zatanna puts the blanket on top of him as she lays her head back down on his chest and goes back to sleep.

THE WATCHTOWER

JULY 18, 21:25 EDT

Tim falls on his back as a holo-screen shows fail along with the other eight teens left in Conner's wake. Kaldur walks over to Tim and helps him up while the eight young heroes pull themselves off the floor slowly. Within the entire hour of their training, M'gann, Artemis, and even Bruce came and watch Conner dismantle everyone without even breaking a sweat. "So what did we see from this exercise?"

"Not to make you angry." Garfield groans while he sits on his knees and arches his back out to alleviate some of the pain.

"Why are you angry?" Jaime asks while trying to stand at full height. Within the time all of them have known him, Conner would always make sure to keep his cool even when he was angry.

"You can ask Wonder Girl. But that can wait til later." Conner says, making everyone look at Cassie while she looks disappointed. "Alright, Canary. Tell them what went wrong."

"Alright, let's start with Lagoon Boy. You're too overconfident in your ability and get angered too quickly. Wonder Girl, you rely more on your strength than you do in strategy. Blue Beetle, when you fight you and the scarab need to see eye to eye. Beast Boy, you're playful in dangerous situations and that lead to you getting hurt. Kid Flash, you're too talkative which can prove to be a distraction in combat." Dinah explains.

"When it came down to working together, you have no sense of direction." Conner tells them. "Batgirl and Robin tried to devise a plan and yet none of you other than Guardian and Bumblebee even tried to listen. When the original Team started we weren't perfect either but we learned to listen to our teammates. Had all of you listened and worked together as a team, then you could have beaten but you didn't and that's why you failed here today." Conner walks off the training circle and leaves the Team to themselves in order to reflect on their performance.

A few minutes after the exercise, Conner is sitting down on the grass in the atrium of the Watchtower, looking down at Earth. As he keeps his gaze on the beautiful blue planet below, he listens as multiple footsteps are heading his way. From what he hears there are four heartbeats as he looks over his shoulder and sees it is M'gann, Artemis, Kaldur, and Kori walking towards him. Conner looks back at Earth while the others sit next to him. "To think five years ago we made Young Justice and where are we now? Raquel and Zatanna joined the League, Artemis came out of retirement, and me, M'gann, Kaldur, and Dick are still in Young Justice." Conner says as M'gann puts her head on his shoulder as they look at Earth with Conner.

"True." Kaldur says. "But we will always be a team, no matter where we go."

"You all hold a strong bond. One that I am not sure I can make the same way you five have." Kori says.

"Of course you can." Artemis says. "You know something, Kori. Since you've been here you never really been on Earth. You can build the same bond that we have by learning more about Earth."

"How about we have a girl's day out tomorrow?" M'gann says, looking at the girls among the group. "That way we can show her around and take her everywhere."

There is a loud hum that all five hear as Conner pulls a fully black wristband and the flat sides of it are shining blue. "I've got a notification." He says and he clamps around his wrist and presses the center light as a hologram of Cat Grant on the news appears.

"This is Cat Grant reporting live from the Wayne-Tech building in Metropolis. Just an hour ago, this building was under attack by the Terror Twins and Blockbuster to gain access to the vaults. But their attack was brought to a halt by Superboy, Wonder Woman's protégé, Wonder Girl, and a new female hero who employees says that 'her hair was on fire and shined like a star'. Not much is known about this new hero but the employees would like to thank you." Cat says as the screen transition back to the news station with G. Gordon Godfrey.

"Well look at that, a new alien in the League." Godfrey says, obvious sarcasm in his voice. "Don't you find it odd that only two weeks ago the Justice League was exiling the Reach off our planet but are now allowing another to live here? What other secrets are they keeping from us humans? Who is this new alien they've brought to our planet? These are suppose to be our planet's protectors and yet they'll let any aliens in with open arms like it's a vacation st-!"

Conner cuts Godfrey off by turning off the bracelet and in turn the hologram. Kori looks away with a hurt expression on her face while the others stare at where at where the hologram use to be. "No matter who's life we save we can always count on you, Godfrey, to ridicule us."

"The day he stops talking is the day the world ends. And I bet he'd even blame that on us." Artemis says, making to group laugh at her remark.

Kaldur looks over at Kori and notices she is still staring at Earth with a sad face. Kaldur puts a hand on her shoulder and Kori looks into his compassionate eyes with astonishment. "Do not listen to Godfrey, for he does not know you for the good you have done."

"He's right." Conner says, backing up Kaldur while at the same time trying to give Kori a confidence boost. "One thing Godfrey can't do is change the minds of those employees you saved tonight. And speaking of which, you need a name for the people to know you by."

"Such as?" Kori asks.

Conner chuckles a little as the others look at him a little confused at what could make him laugh. "What is it?" Asks Kaldur, wondering what his friend finds amusing about making a hero name.

"Thinking back to the news report and what people described you as, I was thinking of something like "Starfire"." Conner says. "What do you think Kori? Starfire?"

"Starfire? I like it. It is a beautiful name, Conner." Kori says.

M'gann just so happens to look down towards the floor when she looks at Conner's wrist and takes a minute to actually look at his wristband and notice that it is metal but it tight fitting on his wrist. "Conner? What kind of wristband is that?"

Conner looks at Megan before looking down at his wristband. "It's a prototype I've been making to replace the comm-links." He explains as examines his own device. "I even made myself a phone."

Conner pulls out his phone while the others stare at it in confusion because from what they are looking at, Conner's phone is a rectangular piece of glass with nothing on it. "You sure that's a phone because it looks like glass?" Asks Artemis, rather skeptical on how a piece of glass can a phone.

"I have to agree with Artemis." Kaldur says, voicing his own opinion. "I do not believe that is what modern cellular devices look like."

"That's because I used the New Genisphere technology from Sphere and applied it to a phone and this is the end result." Conner turns on his phone and to everyone's surprise, it actually works like a normal phone only that the screen is holographic. While he scrolls through his phone, the others take note that it has apps and services like any other phone but it also has things that they have not seen on any phone before. "I made extras in case anyone wanted one. They're solar rechargeable and is so advance that a phone like this won't exist for another twenty to twenty-five years. This is nothing compared to my other prototypes."

"What other prototypes?" Asks Kori, fully intrigued like everyone else about Conner's creation and what else he could possibly have.

Conner checks his surroundings real quick, making sure no one else is around before looking back at the group. "Don't tell Batman any thing about this because this is meant to be a secret." He says as the others look at each other before nodding to him, understanding that they can not tell anyone else about this. "I copied some of his files and build some stuff off of them. Through one of them I built a communications network that will connect through telepathy. It's going to be revolutionary for the entir-"

"Wait, let me get this straight. You stole files from Batman?" M'gann asks, cutting him off completely because the secret itself left everyone else in a stupor. "The same guy who sees and knows everything that's happening?"

"If he knows then he knows I saved him the time of making it." Conner says, seeming completely oblivious of the incredibly stupid act he has committed.

"I don't think you get it what she's saying. You stole from Batman! You know, the world's greatest detective!" Artemis exclaims, accentuating the person and type of person Conner is messing with. "Are you insane!?"

"No" Says Conner, rather nonchalantly as if there will not be repercussions if Batman finds out about it. "but that doesn't mean to go around and telling the Team or the League."

Just then, Wolf and New Genisphere walks over to the group looking for Conner. Wolf lays down next to Kori as she pets him while New Genisphere rolls behind Conner and M'gann and beeps at Conner. "Conner, what language does sphere speak?" M'gann asks while rubbing Sphere's side.

"It's the New Gods language. I'll have to teach it to you at some point. Oh…wait." Says Conner, as if forgetting about something entirely. His eyes glow red with energy as the rest of the group feel a dull tingling sensation in their heads. "Sphere, what time is it?"

"What's the point if we can't understa—"

"It is currently 9:45 Eastern Daylight Time." Sphere says, cutting M'gann off and surprising everyone do to them now being able to understand her. "Do you need anything else Conner?"

"Thank you girl, that's all I needed." Conner replies.

"You implanted the language of the New Gods in our minds?" Asks Kaldur, still a little surprise from hearing Sphere talk for the first time.

"Yes." Conner states. "Now you won't always have to ask what she says."

"Why didn't you do this along time ago?" Artemis asks.

"I forgot." Conner says.

"For six years?"

"Yes, I intentionally forgot to do this for six years." Conner replies, his voice full of sarcasm.

"You know—"

"Okay!" Says M'gann, cutting in before the two get into an argument. "I think we should all go home and get ready to take Kori down to Earth tomorrow."

"Fine." Artemis says.

The group of friends stand up from the grass and start walking back to their rooms so they can prepare for their day on Earth with Kori. The group dwindles down with Artemis taking the Zeta Tubes back down to Earth and Kaldur walking Kori back to her room, leaving Conner and M'gann by themselves as he walks her to her room. As they approach M'gann's room, Conner lets go of her hand, which in turn makes M'gann turn to him and look rather confused.

"What's wrong?" She asks, a hint of concern in her voice that Conner obviously noticed.

"Nothing." He tells her, knowing in his head that letting go of her hand would have caused this reaction. "I'm just not staying at the Watchtower tonight. I'm going to the Fortress to check on Superman."

"Do you want me to come?"

"No. You're going out with the girls tomorrow, aren't you?"

"I can stay for a few hours."

"Okay," Conner says, not bothered by her wanting to accompany him. "but you should tell Garfield first before we leave."

"Okay, just wait until I come back." She says rather cheerfully as kisses Conner on the cheek and leaves to Garfield's room. She walks up to Garfield's door and hears something on the other, letting her know that he's inside as she knocks on the door.

"Come in!" Yells a voice from the other side of the door.

M'gann walks in and sees Garfield watching "Hello, Megan!" on his TV, from what she can see he's watching the pilot episode while not once taking his eyes off the TV to look at her. "Gar, I'm going to the Fortress with Conner."

"Okay." He says, eyes still absorbed in the TV. "Let me know if you guys go on a second date."

M'gann looks at her little brother, genuinely confused by his statement. "What do you mean "second date"?"

This question actually makes Garfield look away from his TV and at his sister in complete shock. "Wait, have you and Conner gone on a date since you've been together?"

"No, why?" Asks M'gann, still quite confused at what her brother's trying to get at.

"M'gann, you're not officially together unless go on a date." Garfield explains, somehow even more shocked than he was before.

"Garfield, a long time ago me and Conner were together before we went on our first date." M'gann says, trying to quell his belief that they're not "officially" back together.

"Maybe so." Garfield says, snidely enough so that M'gann doesn't catch it. "But you didn't officially start dating until after the first one."

M'gann didn't say anything as time seemingly stops in her head as she asks herself one particular question. Could he be right? As crazy as it sounds, M'gann wasn't actually sure of herself about this one. Sure, her and Conner were in a relationship before going on a date, but did that mean that their relationship wasn't official until afterwards? Why is she second-guessing herself about her relationship with Conner? It wasn't like her to think otherwise on the fact that they both love each other, this wouldn't normally bother unless she felt some part of what Garfield was saying is true. Okay, how she really gone crazy, doubting herself because of what Garfield said? M'gann shakes the thought off, definitively knowing that it didn't matter if they haven't gone a date yet, their relationship was official no matter what.

"You should ask him if he has any plans tomorrow." Garfield says, bringing M'gann back to reality as not even a second has passed by. "Go on a date, have fun, make new memories with each other. And most importantly, above all else, tell me all about how it went."

"Maybe" M'gann says, smiling as she ruffles his hair with her hand and walks out to leave Garfield to his business.

At the exact same time Conner is waiting for M'gann to return in the mission room when Kaldur walks up to him, presumably returning from walking Kori back to her room.

"Hello, my friend. What are you doing?" Kaldur asks, looking around af he notices that it is only Conner and himself in the hallway.

"Oh, I'm just waiting on M'gann. We're gonna be gone for a few hours." Conner tells him.

"Where are you two going?" Kaldur asks, wandering where on Earth his friends can be going at this time of night.

"We're just going to the Fortress to check in on Superman." Conner explains to his Atlantean friend. "I'm trying to get M'gann back here before midnight so she can get ready for tomorrow."

"Tell her that I hope she has a good time with Artemis and Kori." Kaldur says.

"Speaking of Kori," Conner says, not giving Kaldur the chance to turn away and leave. "maybe you should ask her out on a date."

Kaldur sighs, some part of his mind told him that this was the direction the conversation was heading. "Conner, you know I am not interested in dating and Kori is new here."

Conner places a hand on Kaldur shoulder and smiles at him. "Kaldur, I've seen how you and Kori look at each other. As a friend, I'm telling you that you should ask her because I'm not the only one who sees that she likes you."

Kaldur thinks to himself for a minute before looking back at Conner with a smile. "Perhaps you are right, my friend. But you truly believe Kori is interested in me?"

"Yes." Conner tells him.

"Okay, then." Kaldur says, confidently. "I will ask her. Thank you, my friend."

"You're welcome, Kaldur." Conner says. "And don't sell yourself short. As good of leader you are, I doubt asking Kori out could be all that difficult."

Conner watches as Kaldur nods to him and walks off deeper into the hall, probably heading to his room as far as he can, but at the same time he sees M'gann pass Kaldur by and heading straight for him. She smiles at him and he smiles back while the same time appreciating her smile and what he would not give for it to stay on M'gann's beautiful face.

"You ready?" He asks.

"Yeah." M'gann answers, cheerfully as always.

"Alright, then." Conner says, taking her hand and leading her to the Zeta Tubes. While they are making their way to the mission room, Conner just so happens to look over at M'gann and could clearly see that she was deep in thought about something just from the distant look in her eyes. " You okay, M'gann?"

M'gann is pulled out of her thought when she hears Conner, becoming aware of where she is and that Conner may know something is going on. "Oh. I'm fine, Conner. Just thinking."

"About?" Conner asks, now a little intrigued.

"Do you think, I don't know, we can go see a movie or maybe go out to dinner this weekend?" She hesitantly asks him.

"Sure. I don't mind." Conner answers, almost too quickly. "In fact, if you don't mind, I could use your help with something."

"Oh, really?" M'gann asks excited but also kind of taken aback by his quick answer. "With what?"

METROPOLIS

JULY 18, 23:00 EDT

In the penthouse office of LexCorp, Lex Luthor is sitting at his desk while looking at his computer monitors with Vandal Savage in the left monitor and Desaad, the New God scientist from Apokolips, and a large silhouette behind him on the right.

"Are all plans in order on Earth?" Desaad questions the leader of The Light.

"We have had some setbacks in the past few days, but everything is still in order." Vandal explains.

"Then we are ready to proceed?" Desaad asks no one in particular.

"Not yet." Luthor says. "Most of the Justice League human members won't be a problem. But my concern falls with the Kryptonians, we still have to deal with them eventually."

"Do not fret, we have a warrior that can dispose of them." Desaad answers

"And when they are gone, we will decide who is the better species: the New Gods or the human race." The silhouette speaks from his seat behind Desaad.

"Should you win, what will happen to the Justice League?" Luthor asks, rather curious of the silhouette's plan with their opposition.

The silhouette stands up from his seat, revealing himself to be much larger than Desaad, and having a stone-like face and simmering red glowing red. To everyone that is currently in the video, this is the New God and tyrant ruler of Apokolips, Darkseid.

"They will face the Omega Effect and will kneel to the might of Darkseid!" He declares, to everyone listening. "Or they will die!"