"Connor," The boy turned to the orange haired woman sitting beside him. She grabbed his hand gently.

"I'm so glad you've been visiting me so often," The woman smiled. "It was very lonely before."

"Me too," Connor sheepishly smiled.

"How has Clark been treating you lately?" Claire asked the boy.

"He's alright. But he's not like you," Connor explained. "I try to talk to him… but it's not like talking to you."

"That's alright Connor," The Claire soothed. "You can always talk to me."

"Claire…" Connor began, trying to find words to explain what he was saying.

"I had a dream about you. You were there, and so was Clark," Superboy admitted. "You two were different. He wasn't Superman, and you weren't here. You were my mom, he was my dad and-"

"Mom?"

Connor turned away, embarrassed.

Claire smiled gently.

"Connor, if you want to call me mom, that's alright," She said. She stroked his face. "When I look at you, Connor, I see you as mine. I don't care what Lex or Clark say. I was there. I watched you grow."

Connor watched as Claire got up.

"Well, I'm sure Dubbilex is getting tired-"

She was suddenly embraced by Connor in a hug.

"Thank you…" Connor whispered.

Claire placed a hand on his back.

"Mom."

Superboy looked around as he entered his team's sanction in the Watchtower. He looked around, the hall completely empty. He stepped forward, walking down the hallway.

"Where were you?"

Superboy turned around to see Nightwing leaning against the hall archway. He arms were crossed, looking displeased.

"Dick-"

"Impulse and Blue were completely ambushed today," growled Nightwing. "If it wasn't for Aqualad and Starfire, they would've been killed."

"Starfire?"

"That right, you haven't met Starfire," Nightwing said. "You've been completely off the radar these past few weeks,"

"Dick, I can explain," Superboy started.

"It better be good," Dick started. "Superboy, you're my friend; but if you've got secrets, you need to tell me,"

Superboy exhaled.

"I… I," He thought about it. "There is no excuse. I'll be better,"

Nightwing narrowed his eyes.

"Apparently we're not as close as I thought."

Robin sat at the super computer, looking over files and evidence. He rubbed his chin, carefully going over every detail and image.

"You find anything?"

Robin turned to see Blue Beetle enter the room, followed by Impulse.

"I just might have,"

Robin pointed to the screen.

"Right here; it's an image of Jillian being taken," He said. "It was caught on the security camera of a nearby store,"

Blue and Impulse both looked at the screen.

"The robots," Robin explained. "They don't get far. They seem to open up portals as the ascend; they aren't disappearing into thin air, they're teleporting away,"

"Do you know where?"

Robin shook his head.

"I'm still trying to figure it out," He exhaled. "Although, with how weak the portal is, I doubt where they're teleporting is too far,"

"Where's Aqualad and Starfire?" Blue Beetle looked around the room.

"They went to meet with the founders," Robin explained.

"Why?"

"Something about the man she mentioned; Darkseid."

Supermen sat up in his seat.

"You're telling me Darkseid is back?!"

Starfire stepped forward.

"I do not know," She explained. "I am only aware that Granny Goodness took interest in this planet."

Batman cleared his throat.

"The only way to get the missing girls back is by confronting Granny Goodness," He stated. "That may or may not be enough provocation for a reaction from Darkseid."

"It is a risk we must be willing to take!" Wonder Woman pounded the table. "Those are our girls out there!"

"We are aware of your relationship with Wonder Girl," Batman turned to Wonder Woman. "But, we must find a way to do this cautiously,"

"Well thank god it wasn't one of yours," She growled at him. She rose from the table. "What kind of loyalty is that?!"

"Diana, please," Superman spoke softly. "We promise, we won't abandon them,"

Wonder Woman exhaled in frustration, sitting back down. Her arms were crossed.

"The girls," Starfire started. "If you are to rescue them, you must hurry. I do not know when Granny Goodness plans to leave your solar system,"

The room was silent.

"Then we must start a plan," Batman finally said. "Aqualad, escort Starfire to the team's quarters,"

"Yes sir," Aqualad nodded, before turning to lead Starfire away.

The two walked in silence.

"The Batman… he does not trust me," Starfire looked away.

"Do not worry," Aqualad reassured. "It is not your character, only your circumstances,"

"And you do?"

"You put your life on the line to save members of my team," Aqualad explained. "For that, I trust you."

"I see," Starfire nodded. She exhaled. "Your friend does not like me,"

"Nightwing?" Aqualad questioned. "He may come off a little distant, but he is only looking out for the team,"

Starfire thought for a moment.

"Did something happen?"

"Yes," Aqualad said slowly. "One of our members – and his closest friend—passed away after a mission. He originally wanted to walk away for some time; but then this whole Darkseid thing…"

"I see," Starfire said. "I too understand the pain of losing a loved one,"

"Your home world," Aqualad started. "What was it like?"

Starfire thought for the words to say.

"It is hot," She began. "A very bright. Our sky was very colorful… purples and oranges, and yellows," She continued.

"And your family?"

"At the beginning of the war, my parents passed away. My siblings and I were cared for by a family friend," Starfire explained. "But life was not terrible,"

"What happened to your siblings?"

"I do not know… "Starfire became quieter. "We were separated during an attack on our city. Dust and ruble was everywhere, I could see nothing as I escaped. I do not know whether they made it or not."

"I am sorry,"

"Do not be," Starfire said. "You did nothing,"

There was a long silence between them.

"Can you take me to the hall of mess?" Starfire asked. "I wish to eat,"

"Of course," Aqualad nodded.

Connor continued to walk down the dimply lit cavern, until finally reaching Genomorph City. He searched about the quiet underground lair, his eyes wandering from each Genomorph.

"Connor,"

He turned to see Dubbilex standing behind him.

"I was expecting you. I knew you wouldn't stay away,"

"I know…" Connor shrugged.

"I will take you to her," Dubbilex turned, beginning to walk. "She has been asking to see you again,"

Connor continued to follow Dubbilex until they reached the pod again.

"Are you ready to talk again?" Dubbilex asked.

Connor was hesitant, thinking about what Dick had said. "I am."

"So this is what you've been up to"

Dubbilex and Connor turned to see a figure emerge from the shadows.

"Dick…"

"I knew whatever you were doing, it wasn't going to stop," Dick walked forward. "You've been spaced out lately. It was easy."

"Dick, I-"

"Would you also like to meet her?" Dubbilex interrupted.

"Who?"

"Claire," Connor turned to the pod.

Stared at the pod, then at Dubbilex and Connor.

"Alright,"

Connor held his hand out to Dick, who took it. Dubbilex held one of Connor's hands, and placed his other on the pod.

"Be ready, Dick Grayson," Dubbilex said. "It is a strange feeling."

Dick opened his eyes to see himself surrounded in yellow light.

"Where are we?"

"Deep within a psychic link between Dubbilex and I."

Nightwing turned to see an orange haired woman standing across from him.

"Claire, this is Dick Grayson,"

Connor turned back to Dick.

"Claire… Selton?"

"Dick, this is Claire. My mother."

"So does anyone have any ideas so far?"

Wonder Woman stood at the head of the table.

"Only one,"

The heroes at the table turned to Batman.

"If Granny Goodness or the Furies strike again, we will plant a device on them that tracks their whereabouts. The teleportation devices they use are not durable for any distance beyond our solar system; and from what Starfire says, they are more than likely hiding somewhere not too far."

"Then what?"

"We set our own transportation pad to the location."

"And Darkseid?" Wonder Woman raised an eyebrow.

"We won't know until it happens. We are also more likely to gain information if we are to infiltrate where the furies are being held,"

"Good," Wonder Woman nodded. "I'll talk to Barda about it. She knows the furies better than anyone."

"I'll come with you," Wonder Woman turned to see Black Canary stand up from the table.

Wonder Woman nodded, understanding Canary's intentions.

"Your mother?"

Claire began to sit down, patting the space beside her.

"Please sit. I'll explain everything."

Connor sat beside her, and Nightwing took a seat across.

"It started with project firestorm…"