Chapter 15

The cruiser stealthily approached an unusual, fairly space within the asteroid belt. The systems Brainy had installed picked up traces of a machine that was generating a reverse gravitational force that was keeping the asteroids away, as well as stealth and cloaking devices.

"Be on your guard, everyone", Cosmic Boy warned. "We don't know what's in there. Remember, we're dealing with Brainiac 1.0. He might have a way of detecting the cruiser, even if it is on stealth mode."

"If we can analyze the energy waves of the devices that are being used, l might be able to override the cloaking system", said Brainy.

"I can analyze them, but I'll have to get out", said Chemical King.

"Violet, go with him in microscopic size", Cosmic Boy ordered. "If Chemical King triggers an alert or a security system while he's analyzing the energy waves, he might need back-up."

Shrinking Violet nodded and followed Chemical King out of the cruiser. Once outside, the latter used his powers to initiate a simple chemical reaction that would take place if certain components were present in the energy waves that were cloaking whatever was being hidden. When that didn't work, he attempted other reactions until he hit on the right one.

"Got it", he said in satisfaction. He relayed the chemical structure of the waves to Brainy, who transferred the data to the computer.

"Can you do it, Brainy?" Superman asked.

"These systems have at least eleventh-level security", replied Brainy, typing codes into the computer. He looked up. "It will take some time, but I should be able to break into them and deactivate the devices."

"Finally, some good news!" exclaimed Wildfire.

"How long approximately, Brainy?" inquired Cosmic Boy.

"About two hours."

"Excellent", said Brainiac 1.0 as he saw the alert. "We're right on schedule."

The members of the Fatal Five and the Legion of Supervillains looked confusedly at each other.

"Master, with all due respect", said Tyr, "how is the Legion of Superheroes finding us good?"

"Patience, Tyr", replied Brainiac. "This is all part of my plan for the demise of the Legion. Now quickly, before they come in. Take the machine and follow me."

The Fatal Five and the Legion of Supervillains obediently followed Brainiac 1.0 out of the emergency escape he had installed, Tyr, Hunter, and Persuader carrying a large, oddly shaped metal machine. Leaving the hangar, they disappeared into space, unnoticed by the Legionnaire aboard the cruiser not far away.

"Lightning Lad!" Night Girl, who had since returned to Headquarters along with the rest of the Subs, maneuvered the corridors of Legion HQ. "Saturn Girl!…Oh, there you are", she added as she spotted the duo around the corner. "Cosmic Boy just called. Brainy's perfected the amplifying device and Dawnstar managed to pick up a trail – they're investigating it now. Cos wants to talk to you."

Lightning Lad glanced at Saturn Girl. She gave him a look in return, accompanied by the almost imperceptible shake of her head that let him know he shouldn't tell Cosmic Boy about the latest development in the prophecy department.

"Okay", said Lightning Lad.

"Finally!" Cosmic Boy exclaimed as his fellow founders entered the main room, where Dream Girl, Colossal Boy, and most of the Subs were already gathered. "Where have you two been?"

"What's up, Cos?" Lightning Lad asked, ignoring the question.

"We're investigating a lead in the asteroid belt", Cosmic Boy answered. "Judging from the traces of stealth and cloaking devices, and the level of security, I'd say there's something pretty big here. Stand by and be ready to move in case we need help."

"All right", agreed Lightning Lad. "Don't worry about it. We've got your back."

Cosmic Boy noticed the way his friend kept glancing at Saturn Girl and suddenly developed a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

"No", answered Lightning Lad, a little too quickly.

Cosmic Boy put his hands on his hips. "Garth…"

"We'll explain later", Saturn Girl said, knowing full well that the Subs were listening curiously.

Cosmic Boy looked unconvinced, but before he could protest, they heard Brainy's voice.

"I've got it!"

Looking over his shoulder, Cosmic Boy said hastily, "Okay, be prepared. We're going in."

The large metal construction hangar was empty. There was no one and nothing there.

"Why is there nothing here?" asked Sun Boy as they landed on a platform after Brainy had deemed it safe.

"He knew we were coming", said Brainy, pointing to a box-like metal device on the far wall. "When Chemical King initiated the chemical reactions that allowed us to determine the energy being used, he likely triggered a silent alarm, alerting Brainiac 1.0 to our presence and allowing him to escape with whatever he was building – probably with the Fatal Five and the LSV."

"So we've reached another dead end", Cosmic Boy concluded in frustration.

Brainy, however, was calmer. "He can't hide forever. We'll find him eventually."

When they returned to the cruiser, Cosmic Boy contacted everyone and told them what had transpired, leaving the call to Legion HQ for last.

"There really wasn't anything at all?" Colossal Boy's tone was dejected.

Cosmic Boy sighed. "Nothing", he said. "Brainiac vacated the spot well and truly. Now we're back to square one." He looked straight at Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl, who were standing next to each other. "Now, what's going on with you? I know something's come up, and I want answers."

Saturn Girl's eyes glowed pink before nodding to Lightning Lad.

"What was that about?" asked Cosmic Boy suspiciously.

"I put the Subs in a temporary trance. They don't need to know about this; it would only distract them." Saturn Girl was uncomfortable with the notion, but she had no choice. "I'll wake them up when we're done explaining. They won't know anything. For them, these few minutes will never exist."

"Isn't that a little unethical, Saturn Girl?" accused Kell-el.

"It's the only way."

"Enough with all the talk", said Cosmic Boy. "I want answers. Now."

"Is there anyone on your end listening in?" inquired Dream Girl.

Cosmic Boy looked over his shoulder and shook his head. "No. What's with all the secrecy?"

"Well…" began Lightning Lad, "You know how the prophecy says that Saturn Girl's supposed to battle Brainiac 1.0 in single combat?"

"Assuming we manage to locate him."

"Yeah, well, anyways, it turns out it might not go as smoothly as we originally thought." Hoping against hope Cosmic Boy would understand, Lightning Lad knew he should have known he wouldn't. It was, after all, an extremely cryptic way of conveying the message.

"You mean as smoothly as you originally thought." Cosmic Boy folded his arms over his chest. "I, for one, never figured it would be easy or smooth at all. The prophecy doesn't say Brainiac will be defeated, only that if he's not, he'll basically destroy the universe as we know it. So don't talk to me about it being smooth, Garth. The fate of the entire universe is resting on this."

"Well, yes, that might be the case, and I hate to add another serious problem to the mix." Lightning Lad took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Basically, Phantom Girl and Invisible Kid found a passage that said that Saturn Girl might…" His throat constricted as he choked over the last word, unable to say it.

Dream Girl finished the sentence for him.

"Die."

Cosmic Boy stood there, gripping the counter for support, unable to say a word. "What?" he asked in a strangled whisper.

"Don't make me say it again", said Lightning Lad as he looked away. It was bad enough hearing it the first time, now he'd had to relay the message. Hearing the words come from his own mouth made it all so much more real, even if it was Dream Girl who had uttered that word. Saturn Girl placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, as he had done more than once for her in the past.

"And don't even think about trying to circumvent it", warned Dream Girl. "It's going to happen, one way or another, and it would be best if we just let things be."

"How can you say that?" exclaimed Cosmic Boy. "Don't you even care?"

She gave him a hard, intense look which made him ashamed of what he had just said.

"Of course I do", she said. "But I know better than anyone what it means when the future is revealed. What I see in my dreams is not set in stone; they are just one possible outcome of the course of events. That's why we can change it, make things go in a different direction. But when it comes to prophecies, real, true prophecies that deal with events of such enormous magnitude, there's no stopping what will happen. Think about it. There had to be a force, some sort of higher power that inspired people to write those scrolls and describe events thousands of years before they happened. That power knows what's going to happen – it might even be controlling the course of events – and no matter how much we want to, we can't change that."

He hated to admit it, really hated to admit it, but Cosmic Boy, just as Lightning Lad had been, was forced to concede the truth of the statement. "Who else knows about this?" he asked weakly.

"Just us", answered Colossal Boy. "And Phantom Girl and Invisible Kid."

"Are you planning on telling anyone else?"

"No", replied Saturn Girl. "This doesn't need to become general knowledge. We told you because you're our leader, but more importantly, one of my oldest friends, and you have a right to know."

Cosmic Boy exhaled slowly. "I can't argue with your decision." He paused. "Are you sure you're not going to tell me this is all just a dream, and none of it is real?" he asked hopefully.

Saturn Girl sighed heavily. "I wish I could, Cos", she said softly. "I really wish I could."

Brainiac 1.0 smiled as he recorded notes on his personal holopad. Today's little excursion by the Legion had gone as planned. They were such predictable creatures. Phase one of his plan was now complete. Things couldn't be more perfect. He was now sitting in his second, larger construction hangar, the one he had had his subordinates build quickly less than a month ago. It was a simple matter, after all, to devise a plan of construction that would take only a little over a week with his intellect, giving him the edge he needed.

Now that the Legion had fallen straight into his trap, he would weave a web of masterful cunning that would leave them confused enough for him to ensnare them even more completely. They could not know what he planned, but he could anticipate their every move. And though his new and improved plan required an extended length of time, it would only make his victory ever sweeter, and even more bitter for the Legion.

"Phase two has now begun."

A/N: Okay, we're slowly getting nearer to the climax of this story, but it won't come for a few chapters yet. I will be slowly building up the suspense and plot so that everything goes smoothly. Right, today, thanks for reviewing goes out to Lillywhitecherub and Mirror's Mirage, as well as The Violet Rose, who again had to send me her review in a private message. Thanks to all of you!

Disclaimer: Nope.