Kadzait: You couldn't resist your version of Failsafe, could you?
Noooooooooo...
Kadzait: ...
Why would I want to resist?
Kadzait: Well maybe it's cause it brings on MENTAL TRAUMA!
It was gonna happen either way so CHILL!
Ch.12: Failsafe
A large space ship headed towards earth, looming over the planet. Hal Jordon and John Stewart flew out of earth's orbit to face them. Batman, driving a spacecraft, flew behind them.
"Deploying camera sensor units."
Two cameras were sent away from the spacecraft, the cameras watching everything.
The Green Lanterns flew in front of the alien space ship. "Attention, you have entered the boundaries of earth's space. Disengage all weapons and engines. This is your final warning." John Stewart said, his voice traveling towards the ship.
A beam ejected outwards, and the two Green Lanterns put up shields. They were quickly broken and through the beams, you could see their skeletons right before they completely disappeared.
Batman flew forward, pressing buttons.
"Code Red: Full offensive deploy."
A hatch opened in the bottom of the ship and Captain Atom, Martian Manhunter, Superman, and Captain Marvel flew out to meet the ship. The beam shot outwards again. The four dodged, and the Batman's ship flew out of the way. Superman and Martian Manhunter were the first two hit, followed by Captain Atom and Captain Marvel. Before the beam could hit Batman's ship, he ejected in an escape pod. His pod floated as a ship from the opponent flew up to meet him. A beam from the bigger ship destroyed Batman's, and possibly the Dark Knight himself.
Mount Justice: October 16, 16:01EDT
(Failsafe appears after they get Red Tornado back on their side, so he's good again.)
An incoming message came into the Cave, right as they saw Batman's ship blown to appeared on the screened.
"Tornado… Did you-"
"Yes Zatara, we saw. Celestial defenses have failed. Initiate all terrestrial measures." Red Tornado said, cutting Zatara off.
The Team stood behind their "den mother", and there was a certain sadness to the air. Almost none of it was directed to their fallen comrades.
"Affirmative, see you in the field." Zatara said to Red Tornado, before exiting the chat.
Red Tornado turned to the teens. "I must join the League. We will protect the planet at all costs, but should we fail, the responsibility falls to you."
Aqualad looked at his other teammates: Artemis, Robin, Superboy, Wolf, Kid Flash, and Megan. One was missing.
"We stand ready."
Red Tornado left, and the teens turned on the TV to watch the fight. Iris West-Allen was on, otherwise known as Kid Flash's aunt. Behind her, chaos was ensured throughout Central City.
"This is Iris West-Allen, reporting live. The extraterrestrials have brought their relentless global attack to Central City."
A beam crumbled an ark made of rock to pieces, and more sent civilians to the next world. Just as another was about to hit her, Flash ran by and got her away.
More came for the cameraman.
"Tropsnart siht namaremac ot ytefas!"
In a flash, the cameraman was standing by Zatara, the one who had saved him. Flash ran up, and put Iris down.
"You should both be safe here, at least for now." Zatara said.
Iris looked at them. "Thank you… Flash, and Zatara."
Flash put a hand on Iris's shoulder before running off. Zatara said another spell, and took off.
Iris watched them go, and turned to the cameraman. "Danny, you ok?"
A stab of heart-wrenching pain went throughout the teens' as cameraman gave Iris a thumbs-up.
"As you can see, the Justice League is attempting to hold the line." Iris informed.
Flash and Zatara went to help civilians on a roof, but they were all blasted.
The cameraman pointed the camera back to her stunned face.
"No…"
She didn't notice the alien ships coming towards her.
"Iris, Iris get out of there!" Cat Grant shouted but it was too late. The line went dead. She sat back down, trying to hide her pain.
"I'm sorry, but we're experiencing technical difficulties from our Central City feed. We take you now to a devastated Taipei, where another League contingent is having a bit more luck." Cat said sullenly.
Video feed went to the attack on Taipei, where many Leaguers were fighting. The Hawks, Black Canary, and Green Arrow were fighting with all their might. Even they didn't stand a chance.
The video feed went back to Cat Grant. "Ladies and gentlemen, we just lost Black Canary, Green Arrow, and the Hawks. Other heroes reported dead or missing include Batman, Icon, Atom, and Aquaman. Danny Phantom, one of the heroes from Gotham-"
Another strong pain went through the hearts of the young heroes.
"-remains missing. This marks two and a half weeks he has been gone."
Wonder Woman used her Lasso of Truth to send one ship crashing into another.
"Wonder Woman, above you!"
The Amazonian put her hands up, but she was hit with a beam, and disappeared. Red Tornado flew out of the way as the biggest ship, the Mother-Ship, landed on what was Smallville.
Yeah, Smallville is crushed and I'm pretty sure everyone living there is now dead…
Red Tornado threw tornadoes at the large ship, trying to do some damage to it.
"Red Tornado to Cave. I fear that I am all that remains of the League." Red Tornado informed and blew up ships that came at him with his wind powers.
"RT!"
Robin wasn't able to finish because Red Tornado was hit with a beam and disappeared.
The Team watched his "death" over a screen, and they only felt a small amount of sadness. Most of it remained on their lost comrade.
"We are earth's heroes now." Aqualad announced.
Superboy looked at him questionably. "So what are we waiting for? A theme song?"
Aqualad looked at him. "A strategy. Earth's weapons are ineffective, and it has been made tragically clear a direct attack will not succeed."
Everyone looked to Robin, who was typing on his holographic computer. Everyone felt another pang when they noticed a certain someone was not looking over his shoulder.
"Checking satellite imagery." The Boy Wonder announced.
A globe appeared, and many of the earth's continents were almost completely red.
"Here's where the aliens are now."
Everyone noticed one lone dot near the North Pole.
"Did this one get lost?" Superboy said, pointing towards it. The globe zoomed into it.
"That's Superman's Fortress of Solitude!" Robin exclaimed.
Superboy raised an eyebrow. "Superman has a Fortress of Solitude?"
Robin turned to him. "It's power source must've attracted the aliens attention. At least enough to send a scout ship to investigate."
Superboy turned away. "Must be some fortress."
Megan reached out to him. "Connor…" She grabbed his arm, stopping him.
He looked to the ground. "Nah, it's ok. I guess there's a lot about Superman I'll never know. You know, now." He said.
"We will target this lone ship." Aqualad said.
"Yeah, break it down. Build more. Hit those ugly aliens with their own mojo!"
Artemis punched Kid Flash. "Ow!" Artemis bent down close to him. "Martian and Kryptonian in the house."
Kid Flash looked at the two who were staring at him. "Uh… Not that all aliens are automatically ugly."
The Team flew at top speed to the Fortress of Solitude. When they saw the barren landscape and all the snow, it once again reminded them of their teammate.
The lone ship was facing the Fortress, but it was not engaging in any way. Artemis snuck behind a snow covered rock, clad in all white, including her bow. Megan flew above the ship in camouflage mode and tore off part of the ship.
"Communications disabled."
The ship fell to the ground with a loud crash.
"Repulsions disabled."
Artemis shot a foaming arrow over part of the ship, covering their view of the landscape.
The ship started firing the beam in the direction of Artemis. The archer got lucky. She was almost barbequed.
"And E.T.'s are sealed inside!" She announced, not telling anyone she was three inches from becoming French fries.
Aqualad, who was also dressed in white, sprung up from the ice the ship was on, and landed on the top. The ray pointed at him, but Wolf jumped at it and swung it away before it could hit him. Wolf let go, and landed on the ground as Superboy, dressed in white, (Everyone's dressed in white and heated clothing if you haven't noticed.), and Robin and Kid Flash came running/jumping up.
Robin landed on the top and brought up his computer. "Identifying weapon structural stress points and links to the ship. Here, here, and here."
Megan used her telepathy to break off the beam. Superboy started ripping the ray off, and didn't notice one charge starting up, right next to his leg. Wolf did though. The large beast jumped up, pushed Superboy out of the way, and took the lone beam that struck him.
Superboy somersaulted and turned around. His best friend was gone. Megan was staring at the spot Wolf was in just a moment ago.
"Wolf…"
Robin turned to his computer. "There was no indication of feedback. I'm sorry."
Superboy looked down. "Can't do anything for him now…" Superboy got back up on the ship, and started ripping the thing off again.
"Let's go." He said, finally ripping the ray off completely and the Bio-ship flew up in camouflage mode. Superboy jumped on with the ray, and placed the end of it near the back of the ship.
Megan placed her hands on the ship, and it started to morph with the ray. "Re-routing systems to immigrate into ship's biometrics. I'll need to de-camouflage for a few minutes."
Kid Flash and Robin his behind one of the wings as it appeared again.
"We may not have a few minutes." Robin said, watching as two more ships flew up. They were heading straight for the Team.
"Miss Martian, open fire!" Aqualad shouted to her.
"Can't! Weapons system is offline to incorporate the new canon! And that's not fully immigrated either!" The Martian said urgently.
"Got you covered! Get inside! I'm almost there!" Artemis shouted, ready to shoot three arrows at the ships. Artemis shot at the ships and the archer ran for the cover of the ship. The three arrows hit the ships and sent them out of the sky. One of the two was completely destroyed. The other slid closer and closer. It pointed its ray at her.
"Artemis, behind you!" Megan shouted to her. Artemis turned around and got ready to shoot, but the beam struck first, and she disappeared.
"ARTEMIS!"
There was a flash of light, and they heard a male yelp. Whoever it was landed in a snowdrift, sending the white flakes everywhere, but nobody noticed him.
"Artemis!" Kid Flash yelled.
Aqualad got out his water bearers. "Get inside! All of you!"
He ran forward, but the ship saw a bigger threat. It pointed its ray at the snowdrift, but there was a flash of black, and before Aqualad could strike the ship, a vibrant green beam struck the ray, totally obliterating it.
"They're dead! Every single alien! If it's the last thing I do!" The speedster yelled.
Megan put a hand on Kid Flash's shoulder, tears in her eyes but she had another thing on her mind. "What about that beam? Who did it come from?"
They watched as a person stood up on shaky knees, and looked at himself. Everyone's eyes widened at the familiar hazemat suit, and DP symbol. For a minute, they just couldn't believe it. Then, the wind picked up and threw the hood off. And there he stood, still looking at himself confused.
Danny Phantom.
Megan beat Kid Flash to the hybrid, and attacked him with a hug, all the while sobbing at the loss. The halfa did not see Megan before, and yelped as she attacked him.
"Megan?" He asked timidly.
The Martian looked up at him with glassy eyes. "Artemis is dead!"
Immediately Danny's eyes widened.
They all got in the ship silently, giving Danny's signs of greetings in hugs and putting their hands on his shoulder. Robin refused to leave his partners side.
They were floating above clouds, Megan driving the Bio-ship. Everyone else was quiet, even Danny, who was stunned speechless. The only sounds were the whir of the Bio-ship, and Megan's crying. Kid Flash started beating on the table in front of him, screaming.
"There will be time to mourn later. Now we have a job to do. Defend the earth, and ensure Artemis's sacrifice was not in vain." Aqualad said. The others looked at him sadly, but with understanding.
"Back to the Cave?" She asked.
"The Hall of Justice. The human race must know that there's still heroes defending them. There is still hope." He answered.
He sat back down, and Megan adjusted their course. Aqualad turned to Danny. "Welcome back."
Danny gave a small nod, still in shock.
"Where were you?" Superboy asked.
Danny almost immediately answered, but he bit his tongue. "I-I can't tell you…"
Kid Flash looked at him angrily. "Why not?! You're always hiding things from us!"
Danny flinched away, and Kid Flash immediately regretted it.
"I can't tell you because you would become a target, and you would become like me: Scarred for life."
Everyone fell quiet, and Robin laid a hand on Danny's shoulder. The boy winced, but Robin kept his hand there. Danny seemed to calm, and started rubbing the skin around his eyes in thought.
General Eiling directed his tanks at the ships covering the open sky. A ripped and torn American flag flew above them, still showing they would not back down.
"Now! Open fire!"
The tanks released their projectiles. Soldiers shot guns, and rocket launchers at the on-coming ship. The enemies shot a beam, and destroyed some of their weapons. General Eiling and some of his soldiers were about to retreat when the Bio-ship, in camouflage mode, flew up behind the three ships.
A hatch opened up, and Superboy and Danny Phantom jumped out. Superboy crashed into one ship, taking out one gun punched into the ship; the impacts making it fall out of the sky. Danny created an ice sword and flew over the ship he was targeting. He coated the edge of the sword with ecto-energy, before slicing it through the ray, making a clean cut. He stabbed his sword into the ship's roof, and started cutting off chunks. That ship, too, fell out of the sky. The Bio-ship shot the last spacecraft with the ray, testing it out. It worked perfectly, and the ship disappeared.
The ship Superboy punched out of the sky stopped right in front of General Eiling and some of his soldiers.
Superboy jumped off, and stood in front of the General, showing his S Shield. Danny flew up behind him, and landed next to him gracefully, the DP symbol shining brightly. The Bio-ship landed next to them, and the others came out. Robin was immediately at Danny's side.
The soldiers around them started cheering, happy with the small victory.
"See, it is Superman! I told you he wouldn't leave us out here alone!" One soldier said, obviously a fan.
"I don't know. He looks kind of young. Where's the cape?" Another asked.
Superboy turned to the two soldiers talking. "I'm not Superman."
General Eiling stepped forward. "I don't know who you are, son. And right now, I don't care. You wear the S, and you got the job done."
Superboy looked away. "I'm not Superman."
General Eiling smiled. "Tell that to the enemy."
Eiling then turned to Danny. "Phantom, haven't seen you in a while."
Danny looked down. "I'm sorry. I was… in a situation that I needed to get out myself."
Eiling nodded at him. "I'm just glad you made it for this."
Danny nodded at him. "Sir, I'm not even sure how I did get here, but I'm happy to help, like you said."
Aqualad stepped forward, obviously taking command. The general saluted to him.
"General Wade Eiling: U.S. Air Force." He said proudly.
"Aqualad: Justice League."
Danny raised a surprised eyebrow.
"We'll help you salvage as many of the alien's canons as possible. Then we start taking back what is ours." Aqualad said determinedly.
People were stationed outside the Hall of Justice, while the Team headed inside. The Team looked at the broken statues of their mentors.
"I can't believe they're really gone." The Boy Wonder mumbled.
Danny looked at Robin confused. "What do you mean?"
Robin looked at him sadly. "The entire Justice League was wiped out."
Danny fell back into a shocked silence.
Megan floated towards her uncle's head, landed, and started crying. They were surprised when she floated away, and lifted the rock up. A figure laid under it.
"Uncle J'onn!" Megan exclaimed and flew forward happily to help him up.
Aqualad stopped her. "M'gann, check his mind. Make sure he is whom he appears to be."
Martian Manhunter got up, painfully grabbing his head.
"It's him! He's real! And he's alive!" Megan informed excitedly.
Everyone else had doubts.
"But we saw you get disintegrated. You and Superman and everyone!" Superboy said, obviously suspicious. Megan helped her uncle stand.
"Yes, I remember." He said. "But I cannot remember how I survived. Or how I arrived here."
Megan thought of a quick excuse. "Maybe you were density shifting, and the beam passed right through you!"
Robin got a smile. "Scrambling your brains along the way!"
Danny sighed, but remained focused on the subject at hand.
"My mind is clouded. I feel certain that I had something important to tell you." Martian Manhunter informed.
Kid Flash hit his head. "Hello Wally! Come on!" Kid Flash said and he and Robin went outside to the Bio-ship, and Robin scanned the canon. Kid Flash was ecstatic.
"I knew it! Look! It's giving off Zeta-Beams! The same stuff that powers out Zeta-Tubes! This thing doesn't disintegrate! It teleports! Artemis is alive!" The speedster said.
Robin was skeptical. "Maybe, but-"
"No maybes! They're all alive!"
Megan shared Kid Flash's joy. "That must've been what you wanted to tell us!"
Martian Manhunter grabbed his head, and tried to remember. Aqualad, Superboy, and Danny shared Robin's skepticism.
"That's not what you wanted to tell us." Danny relayed his message to Martian Manhunter only, who looked at him. "I am not sure."
Before they could do anything else, another ambush from the invaders came. Robin and Kid Flash hid behind a truck with a few other soldiers.
"We're on our way!" Aqualad shouted.
"Negative, we can't win this! Miss Martian, camo the Bio-ship-" Robin didn't get to finish the sentence, as the Bio-ship was hit.
Both Martian Manhunter and Megan fell back in pain.
"M'gann!" Superboy exclaimed and rushed forward. He held her to him, and found that she was crying. "That didn't feel like…"
"We're falling back!" Robin, Kid Flash, General Eiling, and his soldiers entered the Hall of Justice.
"We're trapped!" Eiling said, seeing the closed doors. It opened up. Aqualad looked at the general. "Maybe not."
They all entered the hall, and soldiers set up a perimeter. Aqualad, the Team, and a few injured ran behind.
"We can all Zeta to the Cave." Aqualad instructed, and looked to Martian Manhunter. "If you can grant us computer clearance to access the tubes."
Martian Manhunter looked at Aqualad seriously, still leaning against Megan. "I can only authorize one at a time."
Aqualad pointed to the tubes. "Send the soldiers first."
General Eiling spoke up next. "You seven are assets we cannot afford to lose."
Martian Manhunter looked at Aqualad, and the Atlantean nodded. A green beam came out and scanned the Martian. "Override: Martian Manhunter; 07."
"Recognized. Access granted."
The tubes started up, and the beam scanned each person.
"Miss Martian; B06"
"Robin; B01"
"Kid Flash: B04"
An explosion went off, rattling the building, sending flames into the building, and soldiers to the ground. One soldier got his leg stuck under a boulder, and probably broke it. Superboy ran forward to help him, and Aqualad sent Kid Flash into the tube. He was about to send Danny in after, but saw his face.
"I can hold them off better than you can." Danny said seriously.
Soldiers were being shot with the beams, and Superboy used a rock to shield the injured soldier from the blast. He nearly dropped the thing too when Ebony (the wolf), Runner (the Amarok), Conan (the griffin), and Malachi (the tiger) ran by. A green shield appeared, blocking the soldiers from the destruction. The animals stood at the edge and helped stabilize it.
Superboy got the soldier to the tube. "He goes next." He more or less ordered.
"Fine, then you." Aqualad said. The voice announced Jason Farn's name, and Superboy let go of him. "Can you make it?"
Jason nodded. "Sure Superman." The private walked towards the beam.
"I'm not-" Superboy started.
He was cut off when Danny's shield shattered, and sent him backwards. The animals attacked the ships, everyone losing sight of them.
"Superboy: B05"
Superboy jumped into the tube.
"Danny, you're next!" Aqualad shouted. Danny was about to refuse, but was cut off by Aqualad's look.
"Danny, you're our powerhouse! The world needs you more than us." Aqualad said. Danny closed his eyes, and let the computer scan him.
"Phantom: B02"
Danny started to run in, but he suddenly screamed and turned back. "RUNNER! Guys, retreat! Retreat!" Aqualad, not knowing what the problem was, pushed Danny in.
As Danny was pushed in, more soldiers were hit, and Eiling was among them. Aqualad helped Martian Manhunter to the tube.
"They need you more than me! Go!" Aqualad said and pushed him in, and before he could run after him, Aqualad was struck with a beam.
When Martian Manhunter came out, he saw Danny in a bundle, having a panic attack, and Megan trying to calm him down.
"I can't feel him. I can't feel him. I can't feel him. WHY CAN'T I FEEL HIM!?"
Megan was trying to calm him down, and people were hovering over him worriedly.
Martian Manhunter walked forward unsteadily. "What is wrong with him?"
Megan had a desperate look. "We don't know! I think he went into shock!"
Martian Manhunter walked forward, kneeled down, and shook Danny's shoulders. The halfa growled angrily. "WHAT?!"
Martian Manhunter stayed calm. "Tell us what is wrong."
Danny looked on the verge of tears. "I can't feel Runner. He's gone! I've tried calling him, and everyone says he's gone! That shouldn't be possible! Where is RUNNER!?" Danny screamed.
Megan brought him into an embrace, trying to calm him down. "Danny, we don't understand."
Danny continued to hold back the tears. "Runner's a part of me, I always feel him. I can't feel him anymore…"
For a few minutes, they just let Danny calm down, but when they did, Danny was emotionless. The pain of losing part of himself was a big blow to him, but they didn't have time to help him right now, and Danny understood that. So, he let Isis (the Caladrius) numb his emotions so he couldn't feel anything at all, and his skin iced over with the numbing.
With Aqualad gone, Robin took the place of leader. "Our next mission is clear; if we believe the aliens are teleporting their victims-"
"We do." Kid Flash cut off.
Danny shook his head sadly, behind him.
Robin turned to face Kid Flash. "Then the only reasonable detention facility is here."
A picture of the Mother Ship appeared on the screen.
"Their Mother Ship, atop what used to be Smallville." Robin informed and exited out of his computer and turned to Martian Manhunter. "Ring any bells?"
Martian Manhunter stood up, and walked closer. "No. I'm sorry."
Robin immediately turned to the Kryptonian. "Superboy, you'll create a distraction."
Megan was livid. "No! He's offering you as a sacrifice! Aqualad would never do that!"
Robin remained calm. "You're right. Aqualad would sacrifice himself. A mistake that just cost us our leader. Superboy is the most likely to be perceived a threat, besides Danny, motivating the aliens to deploy."
"Worst case scenario: He's teleported inside, and we set him free along with Artemis, and Aqualad, and everyone." Kid Flash piped up.
Danny held his head in despair, silently whining.
Superboy turned to Megan. "It ok, M'gann. It's what Superman would do." Megan looked away sadly.
People underground, and in hiding, looked at the screens of televisions, PDA's, phones, I-pods, and electronics alike as the Team sent out a special message.
"And though we know all seems lost, the one thing the aliens cannot destroy is hope." Megan said, broadcasting live.
Superboy, standing behind Megan, spoke up next. "Hope survives because the battle is not over, not as long as even one of us is willing to fight."
Kid Flash appeared next. "It doesn't matter how many fall, for new heroes will always rise to carry on. They'll bring all their resources, their skills, their talents to bare to defeat the enemy."
Robin stepped forward next. "The people of earth will survive this. We will rebuild and we will thrive. Never doubt and never forget. The earth will never surrender!"
The people started cheering.
Robin stood outside the Mother Ship on a rock, watching. Megan walked up next to him.
"Stay close to J'onn. He's still…" Robin said and made the 'iffy' gesture with his hand.
Megan nodded. "As long as you'll watch out for Danny. He's still upset."
Robin looked at his adopted brother. His face was still as emotionless as ever, skin almost blue with the ice, his hair frozen solid. It was actually kind of scary looking.
Robin nodded to Megan, and then looked at the Team. "First team, deploy!"
Martian Manhunter and Megan rose into the air, and took off. Megan lifted her hood, and grabbed her uncle's hand. They went into camouflage mode, and then density shifted into the ship.
"Ready, and in position." Megan said, looking at the hallway they were in. "Be careful, Connor… I love you…"
Superboy smiled from where he stood. Superboy looked at the Boy Wonder. Robin nodded, and the clone jumped forward and over to the Mother Ship. He ripped off one piece, and got a message from Robin.
"Careful, don't disconnect the power source!"
Superboy did as he was told. "Alright you glorified trespassers, you wanna see how a real alien fights!?" The gun powered up, and started blasting other guns. Ships started deploying from the ship, and he readied himself.
"Now or never!" He shouted.
Danny grabbed Kid Flash's and Robin's hands, and took off top speed towards the ships. He turned them intangible and dodged any on-coming ships out of reflex, throwing his passengers around some. Danny flew them into one of the openings and hid themselves behind some machines as a few more flew by.
Robin peaked out from behind the machine. "Way is clear, go!"
He and Kid Flash ran, while Danny flew above them invisibly. They hid behind a pillar as another ship flew by, and then two guns came out of the roof. Danny threw an ecto-blast at one, and the other was taken out by Martian Manhunter and Megan, who flew up behind them. Robin motioned for them to follow and they were on the move again.
Outside, Superboy was still fighting with all his might. He continued to shoot the ships and guns out of the sky and out of service, when one lucky shot sent him backwards. He got up and ready to fight again, but he was struck in the back, and disappeared.
As they ran, Megan collapsed but was caught by her uncle. "No… He's gone…"
Megan fell to her knees, and started crying. Robin, Kid Flash, and Danny made a u-turn and came back. Danny kneeled down and placed an understanding hand on her shoulder. She looked at him and understood his pain. She felt like she had just lost part of herself. Now she knew how Danny felt.
"It's alright. We'll find him with Artemis! I know it." Wally said, comfortingly.
"No. My mind is clearer now. The disintegration beam is exactly that. There is no detention facility, no prisoners to rescue. Our mission holds no purpose." Martian Manhunter said.
Kid Flash was livid. "No! You're wrong! The Zeta radiation proves she's alive! She's-"
Danny pulled him aside. "Wally, Artemis is dead! If they were alive, I would be able to call Runner! He could go back to his dimension and come to me! I called him multiple times! I tried to feel him inside me! The others tried to find him! They're gone, Wally! They're gone!"
Robin spoke up next. "I've been scanning for League and Team signals since we got inside. Danny's right, they're not here. Artemis is gone, and so is everyone else."
Kid Flash looked away, down hearted, and Robin continued. "But our mission still holds purpose; to destroy this Mother Ship."
Martian Manhunter helped his niece up, and Robin walked away, followed by Martian Manhunter, and Danny. Megan placed a hand on Kid Flash's shoulder, and then ran off. The speedster growled and took off after them.
The five ran into another chamber and saw the power source. Robin looked up something on the computer.
"This is the power core. Blow this and the Mother Ship blows." The Boy Wonder informed and rushed forward. He got to the closest walkway he could. The power core started pulling him in and he couldn't stop it. Kid Flash ran forward and grabbed his hand before they were both pulled towards the light.
Robin grabbed his grappling hook and was able to get it hooked on a piece of metal surrounding the yellow sphere. Now, Robin and Kid Flash were just hanging around. A robot saw the two teammates and got ready to fire, but Martian Manhunter and Megan took it out. Danny flew down, and grabbed Robin's hand, easily keeping his place even with the power core trying to pull him towards it. His hands were freezing cold. Kid Flash's hand slipped but Megan caught him with her telekinesis. Danny descended from the air, and dropped Robin on the core, Megan doing the same with Kid Flash.
Robin took the bombs that were hanging on his chest off, and placed them on the core.
"You knew. You knew from the beginning why we were really here." Kid Flash said wondrously.
Robin's computer showed a timer. "Four minutes, let's go."
The bombs blinked, and the five headed out. The doors closed before they could escape though.
"Perfect…" Kid Flash said, and they heard robots coming up behind them. They started shooting and Robin and Kid Flash hid behind a machine.
"Sixteen seconds and counting. Manhunter, take Miss Martian and go. Danny, you go with them." Robin said.
"Dude, if you think I'm going to-"
"That's an order, we'll follow as soon as we blow those doors."
Manhunter and Miss Martian headed out, but Danny stayed behind. He grabbed Kid Flash's and Robin's wrists. "You frikkin liars..."
He phased them through the door and began flying towards where Megan and Martin Manhunter were.
In a few seconds, the Mother Ship blew up completely. Danny, still not far away enough, tried going intangible and spread it to his teammates but he didn't do it enough time. Robin and Kid Flash were obliterated. Danny wasn't spared either as he fell from the sky and crashed into the ground, burns covering his body.
Martian Manhunter brought Megan out from the ground where they had been hiding.
Megan ran to Danny and helped him up. She looked at the fire that would be able to be seen for miles around. Danny's eyes were closed and a few stray tears were making his way down his face.
"Don't… Don't tell me the mission was a success. The price was too high…" Megan said, closing her own eyes, ready to start sobbing. Then, a shadow consumed them.
The Mother Ship had survived.
Megan started repeating 'no', and Danny was in too much shock to do anything. Megan turned to her friend and uncle.
"We have to get out of here now!" Megan said.
Martian Manhunter looked at her seriously. "No, we have to end this now."
Martian Manhunter's impaled Megan's chest.
"MEGAN!"
Mount Justice: October 16, 16:21EDT
Megan gasped as she woke up. She looked around, sat up, and gasped again. Superboy was petting Wolf, and everyone else was just getting up.
"You're all alive!" Megan said happily.
"What happened in there?" Batman asked Martian Manhunter.
The Martian was holding his head. "The exercise… it all went wrong."
All the kids were confused.
"Exercise?" Robin asked.
Batman looked at him. "Try to remember. What you experienced was a training exercise. Manhunter psychically linked the six of you within an artificial reality. You all knew this going in. What you didn't know was that it was a train for failure exercise. No matter what the Team accomplished, the scenario was designed to grow worse. Still, you were aware nothing was real, including the deaths of the entire Justice League."
"That is why you hardly grieved, even when Wolf was disintegrated before your very eyes." Martian Manhunter explained, and continued. "But all that changed when Artemis died."
Everyone looked at the archer, whose head was bowed. "Though consciously, Miss Martian knew it was not real, her subconscious mind could not make that distinction. She forgot it was only an exercise, and her subconscious took control, making all of you forget too."
Megan was on the verge of tears as everyone looked at her.
"I-I'm so sorry." She said.
"This isn't her fault! Why didn't you stop the exercise?" Superboy questioned.
Martian Manhunter's face was hard. "We tried, but M'gann had a death grip on the scenario. Even Artemis, who should've awakened upon her death, was so convinced she had passed, slipped into a coma. And then it got all the more dangerous when Megan reached out of her telepathic limits and brought Danny into the scenario."
Everyone was stunned, and it looked like Batman did not know about that.
"That was actually him?" Megan asked shakily.
Martian Manhunter nodded. "I realized I would have to rip control from Miss Martian's subconscious from within. But upon entering the reality, I was overwhelmed by your collective emotion. There was too much noise to think clearly, to remember why I was there. The deaths of Aqualad and Superboy helped, but only when the Mother Ship exploded and Robin and Kid Flash were silenced, did my mind clear enough to remember my true purpose: to shock Megan out of the exercise before your comas became permanent."
All the kids were in shock still.
"My apologies. I had no idea a training exercise could be so dangerous. So damaging." Martian Manhunter said sincerely.
Captain Marvel walked over to Megan, and hugged her as she started crying.
Martian Manhunter started walking away, but he collapsed. Batman caught him, and Red Tornado was next to them in an instant.
"As bad as all that?" Batman asked.
"Perhaps worse." Martian Manhunter said.
"Yet this is not what troubles you." Red Tornado said.
Batman helped Martian Manhunter up. "Make no mistake, my niece's untrained and cannot be held responsible for this; for our debacle."
Batman gave Martian Manhunter a look. "No one blames her, but clearly we underestimated her abilities."
Martian Manhunter looked away. "You understated. In terms of raw power, she has the strongest telepathic mind I have ever encountered. Stronger, by far, than mine. I cannot go out of my range to bring another person into my mind."
Batman hardened. "What will happen with Danny?"
Martian Manhunter looked away again. "He has probably woken up and gone into a panic. He has no knowledge of the exercise, and probably thinks all that has happened in the exercise true. That last thing he saw was Megan's death."
Batman gave him another look. "So in other words, we need to find him, fast."
Martian Manhunter nodded. "Yes, before the damage is permanent."
Seven Miles From Metropolis: October 16, 16:21EDT
"MEGAN!" Danny shot up, and looked around wildly, his black hair going in all directions, not bothering to notice some of his blood around him. The first thing he noticed was that he felt whole again.
"R-Runner? Runner!"
The white Amarok was next to him in an instant, licking his face, and giving him soft, comforting nuzzles.
Danny grabbed his muzzle and hugged it, tears falling from his face non-stop. "I thought you were gone! I couldn't feel you!"
Danny continued to cry, and hugged Runner harder. The Amarok growled soothingly, laying down next to Danny, so he could curl upin a ball next to him. Danny sobbed and felt Runner's fur between his fingers. He hugged the large wolf's neck, and stroked it.
"Everyone's dead, Runner! Everyone! They're gone! We have no one to go to anymore!" Danny sobbed.
Runner started shifting his muzzle through Danny's ebony hair to try and calm him down. When that didn't work, he grabbed the back of Danny's shirt and brought him closer. The halfa didn't abject, and dug his face into Runner's soft fur. Some of it became wet and clung to his face, stinging his cuts and burns, but Danny didn't care.
"They're gone Runner… What are we going to do now?"
The giant wolf whined, and continued nuzzling Danny anywhere he could, still trying to calm him down. He did something he didn't usually do. He sent off a wave of peace and serenity over Danny. Of course he had to ask for Whisper's, Ebony's, Isis's, Oceanus's, and Mystery's help with that because they were good at it. Runner was not.
But it got the wanted effect. Danny started calming, his grip becoming less needy. Runner bit the back of Danny's shirt again, and pulled the exhausted boy onto his back. He had to be careful though. Danny still had the burns, bruises, and cuts, unlike earlier when they were fighting the aliens.
Runner looked up.
The sky was blue and cloudless. The birds were chirping pleasantly around them, and the wind blew softly. The day was brisk, as it was October, but not in an unpleasant way. The trees were turning yellow, brown, and red. Overall, it was a beautiful fall day.
What happened to the barren landscape, the grey sky, and the only sound being the vultures cawing in the wind?
The wolf couldn't care right now. Maybe Danny just fell into a long coma, and woke up when the battle was over, and the inhabitants of this planet won. Yeah, that had to be it…
Runner got off the ground, being mindful of the boy on his back. He started trotting through the forest, heading for the city in the distance. Yeah, Danny woke up when the inhabitants won. His boy would be ok. Yeah, he'd be ok.
Danny clung to Runner's fur as he trotted on. He didn't care anymore. Everyone was dead. Of course he would keep his promise and not take his own life but… Why should he continue living if he had nothing to live for?
Kadzait: You are CRUEL!
As you have told me a dozen times before.
Kadzait: HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO YOU'RE FAVORITE CHARACTER?!
It was easy. I like seeing my favorite characters in pain. Emotional and physical!
Kadzait: *face-palms* IIIIIttttt's MED TIME!
*grabs bazooka* FRIKKIN NO!
Thanks to the these people for favoriting and/or following (you would think by now I would stop writing this): Alchemistofplants, Jroetzer, Spawn of Nerdom, Stupification, Zio Charmed, Shannyrox101, GF255, and MadHatter4866.
Reviews:
Guest(1): Hahahaha! I love all those things in a chapter! *dances*
KuriMaster13: *laughs hysterically* I-I-I'm s-s-s-soooo sorry but t-this is too goooood! *continues laughing*
Sina Xiel: I LOVE being sarcastic. Sarcasm is amazing. I was asleep at 5:40 this morning. It was glorious... *drools at thought* Oh yeah, and those guards are brought to you by ME! Can't have you people ruining my version of Failsafe which is coming up next~! *creepy, insane laughter* And you're seventeen? I'm, like, four years younger than you. WOW... O.O And good morning to you to! XD
ThePurpleSuperCow: Yeah... Danny does need to be rescued... Wulf ain't comin in either... That would have ruined my version of Failsafe... Which I enjoyed writing too much... XDDDD
Guest(2): Glad you love, love, love it! XD
FareyaWH: Be patient, my young pupil. (Kadzait: Young pupil?! Excuse me!?) The chapter will come soon enough. (Kadzait: Did I miss something here?!)
TomgirlBre: DUDE, CHILL! Here's a tissue box and a stress toy. *hands things over* I really am truly sorry but there is nothing I can do for Danny (Kadzait: You frikkin liar. Me: SHUT UP!). He'll be fine (Kadzait: No he won't. Me: I SAID SHUT UP!). Batsy helps him out. Daddy-Bats, to the rescue! (And I take no offense. I've done the same thing. Multiple times...)
Sakurastar: Well, that's one way to put it. XD Loved your review. Made me laugh. Hysterically. XDDDDDD
Warhawk'42: When it comes to me, Danny more or less has a cursed parasite. :D And I totally agree with you about the Joker. Young Justice's version was just not as satisfying. And I'm not comfortable writing Joker quite yet so I just stuck with theirs version. As sucky as it was. :/
Shannyrox101: Yeah, it's the GIW and YOU KNOW IT, SISTA!
Guest(3): CHILL! YOUR BABY (every fangirl's baby, actually) WILL SORTA BE FINE! NOT COMPLETELY BUT HEY! THAT'S JUST KINDA HOW I ROLL! (Kadzait: The girl is insane! RUN AWAY! Me: KAD, SHUT UP! I WILL FRIKKIN KILL YOU!)
Supaherolena02: Hahahahaha! This chapter probably KILLED YOU! And my Grand-mummy and I had a great time! I did a lot of things I wouldn't DARE do in front of my parents! XD
IWasNeverReal: Yeah... Mercy pukers do not need to be around sick people. XD Oh, the GIW will get their a**es kicked. It's like a universal law. You hurt Danny, all hell is unleashed. XD Oh, and Danny could be kidnapped because the GIW have his worst enemy: ectoranium. Crappers for him. And, uh, yeah... He'll be fine... (Kadzait: And by 'fine' she means as bad off as he was when he was first introduced in this story. Me: Yeah, a lot of people should've doubted the 'he'll be fine' thing after this chapter... Kadzait: No KIDDING!)
Guest(4): Thank you for that random review. AND I'M GLAD THIS IS THE BEST STORY EVER! :DDD
Moonshroom420: Don't know if you've read this far but hope you enjoy!
Azorawing: Yeah, he kinda does. And yeah. In their heads. You do know people actually do that right, you know, to their babies? I don't know WHY they would do it but yeah, it's kinda creepy. And frankly, I can Batman doing it. *shakes head* Real smooth, Bruce, real smooth.
BringbackDannyPhantom: You know that's a very good point... But he's tired as it is, so he'd probably end up passing out... And not get away... AND DUDE, CHILL! I JUST THOUGHT IT'D BE INTERESTING! HE'LL BE FINE! eventually... -.-'
LeanneKS: Hahahaha! Hope it wasn't too busy! And yeah, the "rat dog" was a Chihuahua. Hahahaha! Full moon... That's hilarious... And I'm so glad you're enjoying this so much! It makes me a-happy and a-giddy (Kadzait: Since when were you Italian?) Oh, and dude, I love replying to you people! It's so fun! XD It's also a great way to make connections!
Hitmoi-tama: That is true! Help will come in the form of a very worried Daddy-Bats! And yeah... I know... But there were so many sarcastic opportunities I couldn't resist. *begins crying* (Kadzait: And you call ME a drama queen.)
Lee: Hahahaha! Very true! Reading IS AWESOME!
Em: Hahahaha! Yeah, Danny needs all the encouragement he can get! Especially after this chapter... (Kadzait: Nice going, Kodi...) Oh please, your reviews are HYSTERICAL and you're so NICE! I LOVE that in a person! XD And yes. Yes, the angst is building. :D
Hope you all enjoyed AND DON'T KILL ME!