Chapter 14

Brainiac 5 kept a close watch on the controller in his hand. Since it regulated the power of the amplifying device Dawnstar was testing within the outer fringe of the asteroid belt, he did not want it to malfunction before he could spot the danger warn Dawnstar. So far, however, it was working perfectly.

"Are you picking up anything, Dawnstar?" he asked through the communicator of the space pod he was in.

Dawnstar, on the outside, the amplifying device attached to her Legion belt, had her eyes closed and was attempting to pick up a trail.

"Almost…there's something, definitely something…it's leading further into the belt…I'm getting the trails of the Fatal Five and the LSV…"

She stopped, frowned, and turned back to the space pod.

"I can't get anything else", she said as she came in. "There's a metallic, mechanical sort of trail, but not much else. But that's an improvement. I think one more prototype will do it."

"Not necessary", contradicted Brainy. "I just need to make a few adjustments to increase the energy flow and place a safeguard against malfunctions. Then it should be in perfect working order and we will finally be able to locate Brainiac 1.0."

"Okay, it's a little confusing, but isn't he Brainiac 6 now?" inquired Dawnstar. "Why's everyone calling him 1.0?"

"His body might be that of Brainiac 6, but his mind is still that of Brainiac 1.0", Brainy explained. "And that's more significant."

"Are you sure about this?" Colossal Boy asked.

"Positive", answered Phantom Girl.

"Okay, that's it", declared Lightning Lad. "There is just no way in all the freaking galaxies that Saturn Girl's facing Brainiac 1.0 in single combat. Absolutely no way."

"Lightning Lad…" began Saturn Girl.

"Imra, come on. It's bad enough you were supposed to face him alone; now you have to run the risk of dying? It's too much to ask, even if it is the universe."

"Lightning Lad, there was always a risk, and even if you tried, I doubt you could keep it from happening", said Dream Girl gently. "This is more than fate – it's destiny."

"So what? Kell-el was created to kill Imperiex – now he's found himself a new destiny."

"I think that was different, Lightning Lad", said Kell-el. "I didn't have prophecies made about me."

"Lightning Lad", said Saturn Girl again. "Don't you see? It's going to happen whether we like it or not. We can't avoid it." She lowered her head. "I can't avoid it."

Lightning Lad looked torn for a moment before he stalked off, mumbling, "I need some air."

The rest of them (Colossal Boy, Dream Girl, Kell-el, Phantom Girl, and Invisible Kid – the Subs were on scout duty) looked at Saturn Girl.

"I'll go talk to him", she said. "Don't tell anyone else about this just yet." Then she, too, exited the room.

Lightning Lad made his way to the first place that came to his mind – the roof. He had to get his thoughts sorted out.

When Phantom Girl had first informed them that one of the prophecies stated that Saturn Girl might possibly die in the process o defeating Brainiac 1.0, he was determined to keep her well away from confronting the villain alone. Now, however, as much as he hated to admit it, his teammates were probably right. There was no way he could keep it from happening, even if he tried. Before, he would have scoffed at the idea of a prophecy coming true, but after experiencing first-hand the potential of Dream Girl's dreams and the fact that the Legion had been predicted, he was forced to accept that destiny would run its course, whether he wanted it to or not.

He became aware of someone coming up behind him. Figures. He'd know that light, even step anywhere.

"Garth?"

He didn't speak, but he acknowledged her presence with a slight nod of his head.

Saturn Girl came over to his side. "I'm sorry."

Turning to look at her, he asked, "For what?"

"Everything." She sighed, resting her arms against the ledge. "This whole prophecy business, the fact that everything's basically revolving around me. I know it can't be easy for anyone, especially you."

Lightning Lad ran his hands through his hair. "It never was", he admitted. "And now there's a very serious threat of you not making it out alive. I mean, there's always been a risk, but before it was just a possibility, not a certainty. How can you be so calm?"

Saturn Girl was silent for a while before she replied quietly, "It's the only way I can cope. It's a huge responsibility that came out of nowhere, and sometimes the enormity of it all scares the sprock out of me. When I put on a cool, collected façade, it makes it easier for me to deal with everything. If I let myself dwell on the prophecy for too long, I panic, and that won't help anyone." She paused.

"I know what I have to do, Garth", she continued. "And I also know what it could cost. But I'm prepared to do it, for the good of the entire universe. We formed the Legion to protect the innocents, and that's what I'll do – even if I have to die for it."

"Well", began Lightning Lad, "There's always the chance that you won't." With some effort, he managed a genuine smile. "And I know it would be useless to expect anything less from you."

She smiled back at him, and the two of them put the matter out of their minds and observed the city, content with each other's company. What would be would be, and they would deal with it when the time came.

Brainy and Dawnstar rushed into the bridge of the cruiser after docking the space pod, very excited about something. Cosmic Boy, picking up on it, sat up straight, instantly alert.

"What is it? What did you find?"

"I've perfected the amplifying device", Brainy replied. "Dawnstar was testing the latest prototype when she picked up a trail."

"What? Where?" Cosmic Boy demanded.

"It's fairly deep within the asteroid belt, but we should be able to get there without much trouble", Dawnstar responded. "Just bear to the right about 57˚ and continue in a fairly straight path, and we'll get there within the hour."

"Right", said Cosmic Boy, quickly programming the flight pattern into the cruiser's system. Leaning over to the intercom, he spoke, "Everyone please report to the bridge. Repeat, everyone please report to the bridge." Turning his attention back to the asteroid belt, which they were now entering, he said, mostly to himself, "I hope this leads to something."

A/N: Yahoo! Fourteenth chapter out! And whoot! There's a new record for reviews on the last chapter! Reviews from five different people! Thanks so much to Lillywhitecherub, The Violet Rose, TheEclipse, Devilbunny, and Mirror's Mirage!

Disclaimer: Since I got so many reviews, and my baby sister was just born last night, I find I can face this disclaimer quite happily. So... I don't own anything.