I do not own X-men or Young Justice
*Xavier Institute for Higher Learning: December 31, 08:00*
While Laura had to admit, there were benefits to living at the Institute, there were things that the she missed about the Cave. Number one being she could at least find some peace and quiet when she needed to be alone.
And she wasn't the only one that didn't mind a little silence, as she found Logan was already in the kitchen quietly enjoying his coffee while he read the paper. The frontpage headline being the Atom, Plastic Man, Icon, and Red Arrow's admittance to the Justice League.
Honestly Laura wasn't sure how she felt about that last one. She didn't really see Red Arrow as someone worthy of being a member of the League given what she knew of his falling out with his mentor. And of course, there were her own less than pleasant interactions with the archer.
Banishing the thought, Laura sat down and helped herself to a bowl of cereal. This had become a sort of ritual between her and Logan. Neither of them had to say a word to know the other had acknowledged their presence and were free to simply enjoy the quiet company.
It was moments like this gave Laura a true appreciation for the holidays – with most of the students away from the Institute, truly this was bliss. At least it was until the doorbell suddenly rang out. Ordinarily, Laura would've paid it no mind leaving it up to another member of the house to get it. Except she recognized the scent and the growl she heard from Logan said he remembered it too.
Annoyed that their peaceful morning had been interrupted, Logan and Laura answered the door to find the Team with the addition of a new member, Laura noted, at their doorstep.
"What do you want?" Logan growled. He'd already made it clear that he didn't like the Team especially a certain loud-mouthed speedster.
"I apologize for our intrusion" said Kaldur. The Atlantean then looked to Superboy, who waved down Sphere now in the form of a flying red motorcycle sporting a seat upfront and a larger pod at the back for additional passengers. To Laura's confusion the cycle was not only piloting itself but was also carrying a bound Black Canary. "But there's been a situation."
*Mount Justice: December 31, 06:16*
Its been a trying time for the members of the Team. Superboy, Artemis, and Miss Martian had found themselves leveraged by members of the criminal cabal known as the Light; Lex Luthor, Sports Master, and Queen Bee respectively. Each of the villains holding something personal over the heroes.
It'd taken far longer than they would've liked but in the end the trio came clean to the rest of the team revealing their respective secrets with Superboy confessing his half-human status with Luthor's genes being used in genetic makeup. Following his lead, Artemis revealed that not only was Sports Master her father, but the assassin Cheshire was also her sister. And finally, M'gann exposed her status as a White Martian citing the prejudices she faced living among the Greens on Mars.
Each of them fearing rejection for their origins they were relieved when the other members of the team including their newest member Rocket, the protégé of the new League member Icon from Dakota City, rallied behind them accepting them for who they were.
After a hard-fought battle, the Team emerged victorious and they were riding that high all the way back to the Cave.
"We have reason to feel proud of yesterday's victory" Aqualad told the Team, as they gathered in the command room. "But one thing has not changed."
"Somehow the bad guys are still getting intel on us" said Robin.
"Yeah, but at least we know none of us are the mole" said Kid Flash, trying to remain positive.
"Correct." They looked over to see Batman and Red Tornado enter the room. "The mole was Red Arrow" said the Dark Knight, calling forth an image of the archer.
The shock hit the Team hard, but it was worst for Wally, Robin, and Kaldur having known Roy as a close and trusted friend.
"Batman that cannot be" Aqualad protested. "Roy was Green Arrow's protégé, we've known him for years."
"Unfortunately, the Roy Harper we have known for the last three years is another Project Cadmus clone" Red Tornado explained.
"We learned the real Speedy was abducted and replaced immediately after becoming Green Arrow's sidekick" said Batman, as he brought up an image of the younger Roy Harper in his original costume. "The clone was preprogramed with a drive to join the Justice League with is why he was so angry over delays to his admission, and why he refused to join the Team. This Roy Harper had no idea he was a clone or a traitor, as his subconscious programming drove him to become League worthy. So, he struck out on his own as Red Arrow. When he was finally admitted his secondary programming kicked in and he attempted to betray the League to Vandal Savage. Fortunately, I had already deduced Red Arrow was a clone. We were prepared."
"Savage was subdued, but Red Arrow escaped" said Red Tornado. "He is now a fugitive; armed and dangerous."
"If you guys hadn't rescued me from Cadmus…" Superboy said uneasily, rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably shuddering at the thought of his fate if his friends hadn't found him.
"What…What happened to the real Roy?" Robin asked, fearing he knew the answer.
"We don't know" said Batman. "He isn't at Cadmus. We have to face the possibility that the real Roy Harper is dead."
Zatanna and Artemis struggled to find any way of comforting Robin and Kid Flash respectively as they looked to the ground solemnly crushed by this new revelation. Swallowing his pain, Kaldur looked Batman in the eye. "The Team will find the clone Roy."
"Negative. Red Arrow is a member of the Justice League now. Leave him to us." Batman suddenly tapped his communicator, listening to an incoming message. "I'm needed on the Watchtower. Tornado stay with the kids." He ordered before stepping into the zeta tube.
Aqualad turned to his team as M'gann setup the mental link. "Clone or no clone, Red Arrow was one of us. We will go after him." Approaching Aqualad from behind, Red Tornado suddenly shutdown as he reached out towards the Atlantean.
"What happened to him?" Superboy asked as they gathered around the android.
"He's powered down, all functions offline" said Robin, scanning Red Tornado's systems.
"Guy's I'm sensing a low level mystic force at play" said Zatanna. "I don't know if it caused his shutdown but…Now that I think about it I was getting the same buzz off Batman."
"Batman…" Robin looked up from his holo-screen in realization. "He called us kids. He never does that." Something just wasn't right here.
"Look!" Kid Flash snatching something out of Red Tornado's hand, it was piece of flesh resembling that of a starfish covered in lines of circuitry. "It's one of those biotech chips we took off Cheshire."
"Something is not right" said Aqualad. "Robin, Kid, Zatanna, Rocket see if you can get Tornado back online. The rest with me to find Ro…Red Arrow."
As Kaldur and the others left to begin the search for the Roy Harper clone, Rocket looked to Robin and Zatanna and asked, "Got any ideas?" because she didn't have a clue on how to fix Red Tornado.
"Well, the problems definitely hardware not software" said Robin.
Zatanna looked up to the ceiling access to Red Tornado's room within the Cave. "I might have an idea."
Making a quick trip to Tornado's room they retrieved the robotic hero's side project; a backup body with the appearance of a bald Caucasian man.
"So, Tornado made himself another body to…party?" Rocket said in disbelief once Zatanna finished explaining the second body 'John Smith' was created to allow Red Tornado to learn more about humanity by walking among them.
"Not the way he'd put it" the sorceress smirked, as Robin and KF finished hooking Red Tornado up to the John Smith body.
They had just started the process of transferring Red Tornado's consciousness when suddenly the zeta tubes activated with the computer announcing Black Canary's arrival.
"Hey guys, I just wanted to check and see how you're…" Canary immediately went from concerned to furious when she spotted what they were doing to. "What're you doing to Red?!"
"It's not what it looks like" Wally panicked.
"It looks like you're transferring his consciousness to a new body."
"Ok. It's what it looks like."
Suddenly the John Smith body sat up calling out, "Team evacuate the Cave!" but the warning came too late as Black Canary let loose her canary cry, tearing the android's body in half his broken halves sent flying into KF, Zatanna, and Rocket knocking them to ground.
Managing to evade the initial attack, Robin went on the offensive aiming a punch at Black Canary's face. But the League member easily countered – catching his fist and throwing Robin over her shoulder. Planning on ending the 'Boy Wonder', Black Canary prepared for another scream only to discover Robin's initial attack was a ruse, as the gas pellet he planted on her in the exchange detonated.
Moving quickly Rocket put up a force bubble around Black Canary, leaving her no way to escape as she succumbed to the knockout gas.
"Ok. What the heck was that about?!" Wally cried.
As the only one unsurprised by Black Canary's attack, Robin, Kid Flash, Zatanna, and Rocket all looked to Red Tornado for an explanation. But all the android said was "We must go now!" promising to explain later.
With no other choice they had Sphere transform into the Supercycle and abandoned the Cave taking Black Canary with them as they went after the others in the bioship. Along the way Red Tornado began to explain the situation.
*Washington D.C.*
"Computer logs indicate Red Arrow zeta'd to the Hall from the Watchtower" said Artemis. "But he could be anywhere now."
"After Roy went solo, he installed equipment caches in several major cities. One is here" said Aqualad, as the bioship stopped over an old apartment building.
Instructing the others to give him time to speak to Red Arrow alone, Kaldur went inside and Miss Martian, Artemis, and Superboy waited an agonizing five minutes before Aqualad finally returned with Red Arrow, having convinced the clone to come in quietly.
Red Arrow didn't look any of them in they eye, slumped over in his seat overcome with guilt and shame.
"We were told you were the mole" said Aqualad, breaking the silence. "but we have reason to doubt."
"Forget doubt, I was the mole" Red Arrow confessed.
"Batman and Tornado said you're a Cadmus clone like me" said Superboy.
"That explains it" Red Arrow sighed. "I was a sleeper agent preprogramed to infiltrate the League. I think Sports Master was my handler. He had a code phrase 'broken arrow' that shut me down in a hypnotic state to steal information and incorporate further programing. I carried out all orders subconsciously, completely unaware of what drove me." Red Arrow turned to face Artemis, Superboy, and Miss Martian. "I think one of those orders was to focus suspicion on the three of you. I'm sorry."
"How did Batman discover this and prevent you from betraying the League?" Aqualad asked.
But Red Arrow's next words sent a chill down their spines, "He didn't." he went on to explain that upon successfully infiltrating the League, Red Arrow infected each of the members with the biotech chips the Team had recovered – what Savage and his partners called 'Starro-tech' a mix of biology, nanotech, and magic – once attached it fused itself to the victim's nervous system giving the user complete control over the target.
"I'm sorry, but how is it you are no longer enslaved?" M'gann asked.
"No Starro-tech for starters, just my…Cadmus programming. Once I had satisfied its last parameter my mind began to clear. I'm sure Savage planned to Starro-tech me, but he paused to bask. I escaped."
"I can clear any residual programming from your mind" M'gann assured Red Arrow.
"Miss Martian are you in range?" Robin asked, over the mind link.
"Here Robin, linking both squads and de-camouflaging."
"Great, because we really need to compare notes."
*Xavier Institute for Higher Learning: December 31, 08:30*
"And that's why we've come here." Kaldur finished explaining the situation. The group having moved to the headmaster's office, where they were joined by Prof. Xavier and Hank McCoy. "If we are to defeat both the Light and free the League we will need help."
"This is certainly a dire situation" said Xavier. "If the entire Justice League has been compromised perhaps its best to contact SHIELD."
"With all due respect, Sir, the last thing we want is to include Director Fury" said Robin.
"Kid's got a point, Chuck" Logan agreed. Fury wouldn't hesitate to blow the Watchtower out of orbit if it meant ending such a huge threat as a rogue Justice League.
"We hope it will possible to develop a cure" said Kaldur. "That is why we've come."
"Dr. Hank McCoy is one of the world's most leading scientists on mutant DNA" said Robin, presenting the bagged biotech chip. "This Starro-tech managed to work on metahumans, four flavors of alien, and an android. We're hoping he can help us develop a cure that's just as adaptive."
And they were going to need it fast. So far, their only saving grace against the Starro-tech had been the 0.16 nanosecond delay before total takeover that allowed Red Tornado to create a failsafe sub-routine in his programing; causing him to shutdown when he tried to infect someone else.
"An interesting challenge" Hank mused. "I assume you've already contacted additional aid?"
"Yes. We've already contacted Queen Mera in Atlantis in regard to the magical element" said Kaldur. "As well as Dr. Roquette to aid with the nanotechnology."
"Leaving me to solve our biology problem. We'll I'll certainly do my best." Taking the Starro-tech chip from Kid Flash, Hank headed for his lab to work, while Xavier offering the school as a safe haven for the Team while they waited for results – taking advantage of the school's current near empty status.
Accepting the offer, Kaldur and the other members of the Team made themselves comfortable in the mansion's living room while they worked to form a plan on how to rescue the League.
With everything going on no one noticed Laura had disappeared. No one except Logan who went of in search of her. Finding her on the roof obviously processing everything.
Despite how things ended between them, Laura appreciated the chance the League took on her. The Dark Knight could've easily had her imprisoned when he tracked her down so long ago. And then of course there was her…
"I know you and Canary are close" said Logan, moving to stand beside her.
Laura just nodded. Black Canary was the closest she thing she had to a mentor during her time with the Team. She appreciated the genuine and open concern she had for her wellbeing. If not for Canary, Laura wasn't sure if she would've been able to keep her promise to Megan – to get through what happened in San Francisco.
"I'm going to help them, Logan" she decided. She would help them save the Justice League.
"Ain't doing it alone" said Logan. Unlike the rest of the X-men, Logan was at best semi-retired, willing to suit up when the situation called for it. And a mind-controlled Justice League seemed like a job for the Wolverine.
*Watchtower, December 31, 23:16*
Emerging from the zeta tube Black Canary, Red Tornado, and Red Arrow arrived at the Watchtower's monitor room where they were met by Vandal Savage.
"Any problems?" Savage asked.
"Despite an initial setback I was able to re-infect Red Tornado and Red Arrow" Black Canary reported.
"As well as the entire Team" said Red Tornado. "They await reprogramming back on Earth."
"I think not. You see Starro-tech does not reprogram the mind. It allows us remote control of it." Savage directed their attention to where Klarion was monitoring the biochips.
"We know exactly who's infected and who's not" said the Lord of Chaos. "And none of you are."
"Something that is easily rectified." Obeying Savage's mental commands, Green Lantern (Hal Jorden) bound Black Canary and the Reds. "50,000 years of life and nothing ever troubled me as much as the founding of the Justice League." Savage monologued, as he began to re-infect the heroes, starting with Black Canary. "Dedicated to maintaining humanity's calcified status quo – protecting mankind from disaster, crime and tragedy. In short you heroes seek to protect humanity from its own evolution." Once Canary was infected, Savage moved on to Red Tornado. "As such you've forced my more enlightened colleagues and myself to organize a response. We created or co-opted networks of operatives, placed in key positions, and made certain we were on the cutting-edge of all new technologies." Finally, he moved onto to Red Arrow. "Genetic engineering, biochemical engineering, robotics, nano-robotics, techno-sorcery, and all conceivable methods of mind control." Re-infected, Canary, RT, and RA all stood at attention as Savage moved over to the observation screen to look down upon the Earth. "Cold hard science and a little misdirection and you champions of stagnation are now our agents of change. Forcing the human race to evolve at a more advanced schedule allowing the Earth to take its place at the center of the cosmos."
"RT did it. He wirelessly bypassed the security as soon as he arrived, Savage should have no idea we're here" said Robin. The plan to distract Savage had worked perfectly, allowing the Team to infiltrate the Watchtower undetected via an airlock on the lowest level of the station.
Aqualad nodded and looked to the members of his team and the additional support curtesy of Laura. He had only one thing to say to them, "Move out".
Dividing into smaller squads they each went after members of the League using their newly developed 'cure-tech' to take out the mind-controlled heroes. The only downside being that unlike the instantaneous Starro-tech, their cure-tech rendered the recipient unconscious as it worked to remove the infection.
"The brats are on board" said Klarion, catching onto the Team's efforts. "They've taken away four of my toys." And with more following soon after as the Lord of Chaos' monitors detected the removal of even more Starro-tech.
"Recall all League away missions" Savage ordered. "It's time to put these children in their place once and for all."
"Finally!" Klarion grinned. That was when Teekl directed her master's attention to another peculiarity. "Oh, yeah. Vandal shouldn't those three be back online by now?"
"What?!" Shocked Savage turned his attention to the heroes.
With their ruse discovered, Black Canary unleashed her Canary Cry, taking out Hal Jordan as he was sent flying – crashing into a stone pillar. While Red Tornado kept Savage pinned with a whirlwind. Giving Red Arrow the opening he needed to administer the cure-tech to Jordan.
With Hal Jordan out of the way, Canary directed her cry at Klarion. But the Lord of Chaos simply conjured a pair of headphone shielding himself from the noise, as he called in the big guns.
Canary, Tornado, and RA watched as a boom tube opened up transporting Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Hawkwoman, John Stewart, and Martian Manhunter to the Watchtower.
Restrained by the Green Lantern, Red Tornado was the first to fall as Superman and Wonder Woman tore the limbs from his body.
Next to go was Red Arrow who was no match for Batman with the Dark Knight shattering his bow before flooring him with a brutal flurry of attacks.
The last one standing, Black Canary directed her cry at her attackers. But to no effect as Manhunter simply phased through the sonic attack as he charged at Canary. Bracing herself for a fight, Canary was caught of guard when the Martian chose to simply pass right through her. This brief lapse was all the opening Hawkwoman needed to come rushing in, aiming her mace at Canary's head. When suddenly at the last minute the weapon was enveloped in an aura of dark energy and ripped from Hawkwoman's grasp.
The next thing she knew she was taking an adamantium weighted fist to the jaw as the Wolverine appeared.
"Who invited you?!" Klarion whined at the newcomer. But he wasn't the only one to join the fray as Teekl hissed alerting her master to an incoming fireball. While the Lord of Chaos was quick to defend himself with a barrier the force was enough to knock Teekl off her perch on his shoulder, causing his form to flicker for a moment much to Klarion's ire. "Only, I'm allowed to take cheap shots!" he glared at his attacker, the demon Etrigan, Raven at his side.
"Lord of Chaos you maybe it shalt not save thee from me!" the demon roared, as launched his next attack. With Raven adding her own efforts with a blast of dark energy.
Savage grit his teeth in rage as the tides seemed to be beginning to turn. With it clear that they've managed to devise a cure for their Starro-tech, Savage sent out the order for the remaining enthralled League members to eliminate the Team – sending Batman, Superman, and Martian Manhunter in particular, enjoying the idea of them killing their young counterparts.
While also having Wonder Woman, John Stewart, and Hawkwoman join ranks alongside himself and Klarion as they prepared to battle this threat to their plans.
With the more aggressive behavior of the Starro-teched Leaguers the members of the Team were forced to step up their game.
Following Savage's orders to return to the Watchtower - Zatara, Captain Marvel, and Icon arrived through the zeta tube on the lower levels. As they emerged from the teleporter, Zatara suddenly dropped to the ground unconscious as Kitty phasing up through the floor placed a cure-tech chip on his neck.
Unfortunately, this required her to solidify and the Xavier student was too slow to react when Icon fired a blast of energy at her. Luckily, she wasn't alone as Rocket formed a force bubble around Kitty protecting her, as she and Zatanna walked into the open.
Aware his protégé would be unable to fight back and maintain Kitty's protection, Icon kept the pressure on the bubble leaving Marvel to deal with Rocket and Zatanna.
Playing right into their hands; as Marvel charged them, Zatanna quickly rambled off a spell "Trulb tuo 'Mazahs'!"
Forcing the mind-controlled Captain Marvel to shout, "Shazam!" causing him to transform back into Billy Batson; the nature of the transformation freeing him as 'Billy' had never been infected by Starro-tech.
With Icon now alone, Kitty took a chance catching him by surprise as she phased through Rocket's force bubble and his energy blast to get at Icon, managing to plant the cure-tech before he could react.
"You know, I didn't expect this when I got Laura's call" said Kitty.
"You regretting it?" Zatanna asked.
"Are you kidding?! This is great! I mean it's absolutely terrifying. But not only am I on a space station. It's a space station that belongs to the freaking Justice League!"
"Well, you ain't bad at the hero game" said Rocket. "Think we should talk about getting you on the Team when this is over."
Kitty beamed, thrilled by the idea. It seemed like all the work she's been doing with Logan was paying off. But like Rocket said, they needed to get through this situation first.
In the cargo bay Artemis and Kid Flash were having a much tougher time of it as they faced off against their mentors and Aquaman. And it was taking everything they had to keep them at bay.
Artemis fired two arrows, but Flash simply plucked them out of the air and tossed them aside. KF tried to slow him down but he was no match, getting shoulder checked for his troubles. still it did have the benefit of telling Artemis exactly where to shoot as she fired an explosive arrow right in the Flash's path. The blast knocking the Scarlet Speedster off his feet and sending him flying.
But Green Arrow was quick to retaliate firing a bolt of his own. Artemis just barely had time to dive out of the way as the arrow detonated off the wall behind her, the blast sending her flying to KF's side as he climbed to his feet.
"I'm surprised we're still alive" said Artemis, notching another arrow.
"It's because they're being controlled" said Kid Flash. "They're limited by whoever's pulling their strings. The very thing putting us in danger is the only thing giving us a chance."
"Artemis, Kid!" Aqualad called as he ran into the room, sealing the door behind him. Getting the message, Artemis fired a grappling arrow into the wall next to Aqualad. "Hold on" the Atlantean warned.
"Holding!" Artemis and Kid Flash gripped the bow tightly as Aqualad pushed the cargo bay release button, opening the loading doors sending the room into chaos as the atmosphere was vented out into space.
Aquaman and Green Arrow were almost immediately lifted off their feet pulled along by the rushing air, the Flash's speed awarded him a few extra tense moments as he raced towards Aqualad before finally succumbing to the vacuum's pull. With all three Leaguers off the ground, Aqualad hit the controls, shutting the bay doors leaving their mentors to be thrown into them and knocked unconscious upon impact.
Without a moment to lose, KF ran over and applied the cure-tech.
"Apologies my king" Aqualad muttered, as he stood over his mentor.
Over on the observation decks Robin, Superboy, and Laura had their hands full.
Robin found himself facing off against Batman. Swallowing any feelings of doubt at facing his mentor, Robin threw down smoke pellets hoping to mask his attack, only find that Batman had turned the tables on him using the Boy Wonder's own smokescreen against him, as he vanished into the cloud countering with solid blow to the side.
Superboy and Laura found themselves fighting back to back against Superman and Martian Manhunter respectively. While his half-Kryptonian physiology meant he could take the punishment Conner was finding himself no match for his progenitor. Laura wasn't fairing any better as her claws proved useless against Manhunter's phasing ability – his speed and ease of use far surpassing Kitty's. So much so that Laura was unable to defend herself as Manhunter phased his arm through her throat and solidified, choking her own his limb – a move that would've killed her if not for her healing factor.
Though a gruesome scene a cloaked Miss Martian took it as an opening and moved in only for the older Martian to shapeshift arms from his back, seizing her. Realizing the Martian would have to stay solid to now, Laura moved to jab her claws into Manhunter only to pause and watch in shock as M'gann's body shifted into a towering hunchbacked creature with pale white skin, long arms stretching all the way to the ground, with her brain exposed through the back of her head.
"Sorry, Uncle J'onn. You leave me no choice." M'gann's eyes glowed as she projected the image of being trapped in a raging inferno into her uncle's mind, causing him to release them as he screamed out in agony before falling unconscious from the cure-tech chip, Laura tagged him with. "I'll explain later" M'gann promised sensing the question on Laura's mind.
Before anything else could be said, Superman came out of nowhere and sucker punched M'gann knocking her out. Enraged by the sight, Superboy roared, pushing Laura aside as he came charging in only for the Man of Steel to punch him through the floor.
Taking her shot at him, Laura charged at Superman, ducking under his fist when the Kryptonian tried to take a swing at her and countering with an uppercut swipe of her claws. Unfortunately, Superman was much faster than his younger counterpart grabbing Laura's arm before she could do more than scratch the 'S' on his chest, snapping it with a flick of his wrist.
Before backhanding her across the face, sending Laura flying into Robin, who's own fight wasn't going very well with Batman hitting him with an uppercut so hard that he was knocked off his feet. Tangled with each other Laura and Robin were sent falling through the hole in the ground landing in a pile on the lower level next to Superboy.
"We're not going to beat them like this" said Robin, as he and Laura quickly scrambled to their feet.
"Plan B then" said Superboy. Using his super strength, the Kryptonian clone grabbed Robin and slingshot him at Batman as he and Superman glided down after them. Crashing into the far wall, Batman was stunned from the impact long enough for Robin to chip him, leaving the Dark Knight to fall to the ground unconscious.
With Superman distracted by Batman's defeat, Superboy took the opportunity to leap up and wrap his arms around him in a full bind. Attempting to escape Superman flew back into a smashing Superboy up against it but he held strong, yelling to Robin "Do it!"
In a move that left both Kryptonians reeling, Robin opened a small lead box from his utility belt, exposing them to the Kryptonite within. Weakened by the glowing green stone the Superman collapsed with Superboy barely fairing any better as Laura administered the cure-tech chip, signaling for Robin to close the box.
"Ugh, Kryptonite hurts" Superboy groaned.
"Which is why Batman keeps it in an impenetrable safe in the Batcave" said Robin, helping Superboy to his feet. "Well more like a whelmingly penetrable safe."
"Ugh, you're still doing the word thing" Laura complained mockingly.
"Well look who gained a sense of humor" said Robin, thinking the time away has been good for Laura.
In the monitor room Black Canary, Wolverine, Etrigan, and Raven stood against Savage and Klarion; Wonder Woman, Hawkwoman, and John Stewart all laid unconscious freed from the Starro-tech.
"It's time to go" said Savage, detecting the last of the Starro-tech going offline.
"Come on, we can take them" said Klarion, shocked Savage would call it quits.
"Yes. But in the process, you'd lose control. Perhaps even destroy this station."
"I wouldn't lose control" Klarion pouted, to which his cat meowed voicing her disagreement. "Ok, yeah. I'd bring the chaos."
"You're crazy if you think we're letting you get away now" said Wolverine, stalking forward to continue the battle. But before he could get in slicing distance, Klarion with a wave of his hand knocked the heroes back before opening a portal carrying himself and Savage away – just the Team arrived.
With the battle over, Aqualad spotting the delimbed Red Tornado kneeled by the android's side. "Congratulations Team, you have won the day" He told them.
Pulling back his cowl, Logan joined Black Canary in standing back and watching as the kids traded smiles at their victory; both enjoying the one on Laura's no matter how shy it may be - just as the clock struck midnight triggering the Watchtower computer to wish them a Happy New Year.
Embracing tradition Wally picked Artemis up bridal style, "I should've done this a long time ago."
"No kidding" the archer agreed, kissing the speedster.
With Connor and M'gann embracing each other followed by Zatanna and Robin doing some kissing of their own, and Rocket even giving Kaldur a peck on the cheek, Laura couldn't help but think she's missed a lot while she's been gone.
"Human customs still elude me" Red Tornado commented.
"You and me both" said Laura, as Logan moved to stand beside her proudly wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"Tell ya when you're older."
Laura just shrugged not feeling any way in particular about it as she simply enjoyed the moment listening as Kitty started rambling on about wanting to talk to Batman (when he woke up) about maybe joining the Team herself.
And in truth despite what she said months before, Laura found herself thinking about rejoining the Team, if they'd have her. While she had no intention of leaving the Institute just yet, she did miss her friends and who knows maybe Wally would even be less annoying now that he was apparently dating Artemis.
*Unknown Location*
"So, it appears the Starro-tech was a failure."
"Not completely" said Savage, his face appearing on screen. "Whether they're within our thrall or not, the League still has a part to play in phase 2. For now, we must prepare the coming years will be crucial."
"I suspect this is the last we'll be speaking with each other for a while?"
"Yes. Until then, Miss Waller."
Cutting the transmission, Amanda Waller stood from her seat and turned to face Kimura standing in her doorway. "Savage plays a good game but he's clearly understating the setback caused by the loss of the Starro-tech." she told her agent, stepping out into the hall with Kimura falling in step beside her. "The time to strike it drawing near."
"Just tell me its time to play with X again" said Kimura, eager to break her favorite toy.
"Soon, Kimura" Waller promised. "Soon."