A few Days earlier

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

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

"Me too Claire." 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. "For some reason, I feel like I can't talk to him. About anything,"

"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 and dad and-,"

"Mom?"

Connor turned away embarrassed.

Claire smiled gently.

"Connor, if you want to call me mom, that's alright," She said. "When I look at you, Connor, I see you as mine. I don't care what Lex or Kent say. To me, you are my son."

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."

Robin sat at the super computer in another room, 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 others," Robin explained.

"Why?"

"Something about the man she mentioned; Dark-seid?"

Superman 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.

"It seems 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 Super 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 your 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 a close friend—passed away after a mission. He originally wanted to walk away for some time; but then this whole 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 a bombing of our city. Dust and rubble 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.

"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. However, the teleportation devices they use are not durable for any distance beyond our solar system; but 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," answered Batman.

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

"It started with project firestorm."

"I remember, being locked away in this pod," Claire recalled. "Using my powers, this machine turned my body into a plasma form,"

"Like a microwave generator," Dick added.

Claire nodded.

"They used the energy my body created to substitute for what they could not get from the sun. It seems what they were using to absorb energy from the sun wasn't collecting enough. So they kidnapped me, and forced me into form that created the same kind of solar energy they needed. As it continued, my body completely warped into my plasma form. I thought I was going to die in here, alone. But then…"

Claire smiled up at Connor.

"Dubbilex linked his mind with mine. He really is incredible," Claire smiled. "Then I met Connor. He was just a baby at the time, but he grew so quickly."

Claire stroked one of his cheeks, her eyes tearing up.

"I lost my daughter in a house fire when Lex's people came to get me. I thought I would have gone insane. I know it sounds silly, but when I saw Connor, I… I watched him grow from the power I gave him. When Dubbilex synced our minds, and I could see Connor from his eyes."

"I see," Dick said quietly.

Connor held Claire's hand as she lowered it from his cheek.

"I fell in love with you, Connor. You're my son. I dreamed of the day we could escape together."

"It was very nice to meet you, Claire, but I'm afraid we have to leave."

Connor frowned, but Claire merely nodded. She gently squeezed Connors's hand.

"I understand. Connor, sweetie, be sure to visit me again soon,"

Connor smiled, before Claire began to fade from his vision.

Connor looked around at the dark cave. He turned to Dubbilex, then to Dick.

"We could've stayed longer."

Dick said nothing.

There was a pregnant silence.

"We have to return to the Watchtower," Dick finally said, walking towards the exit of the cave.

Connor merely stared at him, unmoving.

"You think she's crazy"

"…"

"Just admit it!" Connor slammed his fist into the wall.

"She's a mother emotionally haunted by what appeared to be the death of her child, and found a substitute," Dick argued.

"Substitute?!" Connor growled.

"You're getting emotionally attached to a victim. She is not your mother, Connor!" Nightwing argued.

Connor walked up to Dick, pointing into his chest.

"And Batman isn't your father, Dick."

Superboy roughly brushed past him, leaving his teammate behind.

Nightwing scowled, as if he was about to say something, when his communicator went off.

"Nightwing," Aqualad's voice reached though. "The girls have been spotted in Metropolis. I've already sent Alpha and Beta, but they need there."

"Superboy and I will be there soon," Nightwing said into the communicator. "Nightwing out."

Nightwing turned to Superboy.

"We're going."

Nightwing and Super arrived quickly to Metropolis, taken by the amount of damage the city had sustained in the short time the furies had arrived.

Nightwing looked over as Blue Beetle was thrown into the neighboring car. He staggered to get up, but soon rose back onto his feet with the help of Miss Martian and Impulse.

"Casualties?" Nightwing turned to Impulse.

"We're not sure yet. This part of the city was evacuated."

"How many girls?"

"Six, including Audrey and Cassie," Miss Martian filled him and Superboy in. "But the way they fight. I've never seen them like that before."

"Remember, it's not them," Nightwing explained to her. "Treat them as if they were the enemy."

"Easier said than done," Miss Martian said.

The four of them turned to see the five girls in a row, Stabetha standing in front of them. She looked slightly disheveled, her face more sullen then when they had last seen her.

"I guess 'Starfire' wasn't up for the challenge," Stabetha mocked. She grinned menacingly at the superheroes before her.

Nightwing only narrowed his eyes.

"What are your plans for planet earth?"

Stabetha raised a brow. "I have no plans," She shrugged. "But I'm sure my master has much in store for this place. If it can endure, that is."

Stabetha raised her arm, before lowering, signaling her teammates to fight.

A girl in purple and a black cape stood before him. She twirled a spear in her hands, fiercely aiming for Nightwing, who narrowly eluded each jab from the spear.

He retreated, feeling his back against Miss Martian, who was occupied with another girl dressed in gray and aqua.

Miss Martian watched as the girl became invisible; before she felt the force of a punch knock her down

"Miss Martian!" Blue Beetle turned, trying to reach her, only to be confronted by Jillian.

"Not so fast!" Jillian pulled a mace from her side, swinging at Blue Beetle. He raised his arm, shielding his head from an oncoming blow. His wings flew him beside Jillian, and a punch sent her back. She wiped her lip, frowning as she saw the blood on her hand.

Impulse was focused on his own battle.

"Venus please!" He ran swiftly, avoiding her attacks. "It's me, Bart! Audrey please!" He tried to plead with her.

The orange haired girl only growled in frustration. She twirled her whip around, pulling him down by the leg. She jumped, throwing a punch. He rolled, narrowly avoiding the punch. He barely made it up until she pulled him back, throwing him down the street.

Superboy jumped, aiming at Stabetha, only to be flung back by a flying Wonder Girl. He felt a walk break his crash. He staggered to get up, looking to see Wondergirl standing before him. She lifted him, tossing him up then sending crashing down again with another punch.

Wonder Girl pulled a sword from behind her. She ran at him, swinging her sword aggressively. He jumped to the side, grabbing her and pushing her back, reluctant her hurt her.

Stabetha watched the heroes were busy with the other furies. She looked around, the buildings on the street destroyed. She narrowed her eyes, frustrated. Whatever she had been looking for, was not here.

"Hurry up and finish them off!" Stabetha shouted. "We can't waste any more time-"

A blast to the stomach cut her off as she thrown down the street beside Super girl. She struggled to get up, crouching as she held her wound.

"It's time to go," Stabetha flinched. "We're wasting our time!"

Wonder girl stood beside the wounded girl.

"You've been compromised,"

"It doesn't matter!"

Wonder Girl swung her sword around, raising it above Stabetha.

"Granny does not have time for burdens,"

"Wonder Girl, no!" Superboy screamed as he ran towards them.

Wonder Girl turned to the boy jumping at her. She grabbed him he landed, twirling him around and throwing into a building with a sickening stud.

"Connor!" Miss Martian screamed.

Wonder girl turned, and trusted the sword into the girl. The gasped, blood spewing from her mouth as the sword was pulled back out from her body. Wonder girl turned from Stabetha's body, turning to a barely conscious Superboy. She merely gazed at him, before raising her arms.

"Furies!"

The other girls turned their attention to her, before jumping to her side. The five girls stood in a group, all taking defensive positions.

"It time we take our leave."

With that, the group of girls seemingly disappeared as a bright light enveloped them. The remaining superheroes stood and took in the image of the city. Building were ruined, water from pipes pouring onto the street, rubble and cracks throughout the roads.

Each hero was panting heavily from the fight. Blue Beetle knelt beside the cold body of Stabetha, covering it with ripped fabric lying on the street. He turned to Nightwing, who nodded and pulled out his communicator. Miss Martian knelt beside Super boy, crying softly as she held him in her arms.

Superboy groaned a bit, eyes fluttering sporadically before his consciousness left him in a world of black.

Hello to whoever is still reading this story! I'm so grateful, and I apologize profusely for being gone so long. Between finals and work, it was so hard to find time to write, and I'll admit, I've been going through the worst writers block. I've barely been able to shake it off, and recent events have inspired me to get back into it. Again, thanks for anyone who's still hung on to the ride. 3