For all those who enjoy it, Danny angst chappie!
Kadzait: And for all those who don't...
Still Danny angst chappie...
Kadzait: *shakes head, hand over face*
And will you people get out of my dreams when I'm half-conscious! I have nightmares bout you people flaming me or giving horrible ideas and just random reviews and I'm starting to lose it because I have to go to my email to find out which reviews I remember are only a dream and which are REAL! It's a pain! Thank you for letting me rant.
Ch.14: Disordered
Mount Justice: October 23, 17:21EDT
The Team stood or sat around quietly. Megan was slowing stirring a spoon in something she was cooking absently. Kaldur was looking down at the ground, deep in thought. Wally was sitting on a barstool, head in his arms, one had a cast on it. Artemis was leaning against a couch, just as deep in thought as Kaldur. Superboy and Robin were sitting on the couches, both looking at the floor. Danny was actually sleeping on the unoccupied part of the couch, mumbling in his sleep, and every once in a while shifting, the dark circles under his eyes showing.
When the Ghost Boy had been reintroduced to his teammates, it quickly went from joyous to stunned when they saw how bad he had been beat, and how scared he had become again. The teens had spent a lot of time together, trying to get Danny out of his hole. Because he had known them before, it was easier to help him out, but it was still slow.
Captain Marvel, Martian Manhunter, and Red Tornado watched the solemn teens from the training room and place where they had the Zeta-Tubes.
"Recognized. Batman; 02."
The Caped Crusader of Gotham walked out, and looked at the screens.
"How are they?" He asked, looking at the screen, at each face.
"I am still shaken by what you and I wrought. One can only imagine how these youths fair." Martian Manhunter said, gesturing to the screen widely.
"I know the virtual reality training simulation went… badly. But I had hoped the Team would have rallied by now, not including Danny." Batman said.
"Trauma tends to linger, as I know you know, my friend." Martian Manhunter said. It was strange seeing his leader showing emotion.
"Black Canary?" The Dark Knight asked.
"She has her work cut out for her. How is your work against the GIW?" Martian Manhunter asked.
"The organization itself is in the process of being nullified."
"And the health of the members you found?"
"They'll be fine...in a couple months."
Martian
Superboy sat in a green armchair, across from his trainer. They were in a room with a waterfall trickling down behind him. In a way, it was soothing. No one else was there and they sat in silence.
"I can only imagine how devastating it was. Losing your friends, in essence, your family." Canary started out gently, and continued. "Convinced all the time it was completely real."
Superboy's fists balled up.
"I'm sure it must have been horrible for you. I understand. You're Superboy. You're not supposed to have feelings of sadness or vulnerability-"
Superboy stood up angrily. "You don't know what I feel!"
The clone stalked towards the door.
"Connor!"
The teen continued walking. "Just leave me alone!"
The doors shut and Canary leaned back.
Metropolis: October 23, 17:28EDT
In Metropolis's park, people were enjoying their day. Families spent time together, couples made out and showed other signs of affection, and friends hung out and did stupid things like friends do. Then their normality (like always) was vanquished when a portal opened up and a ship holding five strange people came out.
Their leader had dark skin with amber eyes. He had a black suit on with green designs that lit up, a helmet matching. He also had a green cuff on one hand.
There was also a small, lanky bow dressed as a cowboy with a black shirt, white jean looking pants with two gun holsters with actual, futuristic guns in them, a black belt with blue, lit up designs, a black cowboy hat with a blue strip, and a brown cape of some sort. His hair was a dirty blonde and had violet eyes.
The only girl had black hair and violet eyes. A silver band with a pink gem in the center was on her head in her hair. She wore neon pink, futuristic earrings, a long pink shirt with a black belt, black pants, pink boots, and a shawl of some sort that was draped around her shoulders, showing off some skin, and hung around her neck tightly.
Another guy had black hair and very light blue eyes. He had a loose black jacket with pink lines, black pants, a red sash belt, another belt with yellow squares, gloves, and a red helmet with yellow line.
The last teen was a big dude. He had long ginger hair and pure black eyes and tanned big dude had an animal skin vest that showed off his chest with strange violet-blue markings. He also had a black wristband, a black headband with a large black gem, green baggy pants, and black and white sandals.
The futuristic ship flew high in the sky.
"Hero Danjar!" The big guy said from the front, enjoying the view.
"Zon! Nos kemnos! Danjar tharan, thanka, tabore..." The cowboy started, but the strange device the leader held translated their language to English. "When can we see some cowboys?" The cowboy fan said excitedly.
The leader looked at him seriously. "Your obsession with the barbarians must wait, Serifan. Mother Box, please camouflage all extraterrestrial signals. Then scan the planet and advise."
The device, or Mother Box, made a strange sound. "What we seek is not on this world, let us…"
The Mother Box made another sound, cutting him off. He smiled at the device in his hand.
"The New Genesphere is on earth!" The girl exclaimed.
"Then we shall take her back! The Forever People will not be denied, and woe to anyone who stands in our way." The big dude said fiercely.
Superboy, after having his little therapy session, had stormed off to the garage. He hopped on his bike, and started for the exit. He stopped in front of the closed door, and got his helmet.
"Red Tornado, hanger door!" He said. The hanger door started opening, and Superboy started to put on his helmet, but Sphere rolled in front of him, blocking the exit. Wolf walked up next to the Kryptonian, ready to follow. Sphere beeped at him.
"Sphere, out of the way!" Superboy said.
Sphere beeped and started making motor noises, then it transformed into a futuristic bike.
Superboy and Wolf both sat there, staring at Sphere, with shocked expressions. It was camera worthy.
Next thing anyone knew, Superboy had gotten on, and Wolf sat in front of him. The teen drove the bike forward, and then Sphere floated into the air, much to Superboy's pleasure.
Batman ran down the hanger doors and watched as he left. Red Tornado walked up behind him. The Dark Knight pressed his com.
"Superboy, return to Cave."
He heard his voice echo. He looked down beside him. Superboy's com laid on the ground, abandoned. The Caped Crusader picked it up and sighed.
The water continued to trickle from the natural waterfall in the specific room where the kids and Canary would discuss the trauma of having your friends die horrific deaths, and their own horrific death. Artemis now sat where Superboy used to, Canary across from her.
"Look, me dying during the exercise might've started things going south but I was Coma Girl. Missed out on all the fun on forgetting it wasn't real, so no trauma. No need for the shrink wrap." Artemis said.
Canary remained cool, calm, and collected, like always, even if Artemis was being a bit stubborn.
"You're too tough to need help." She said. (No need to sugar coat things there, Canary.)
Artemis brought her feet up onto the armchair. "Whatever, maybe."
Canary leaned forward. "Or maybe too tough to admit you need help. Artemis, it's not a sign of weakness to open up to your friends."
The archer gripped her arm. "I know that."
Canary was not convinced. "But you still keep secrets from them."
That sent Artemis through a loop and she jerked forward. "You won't tell them! You can't!"
Canary didn't seem startled with the girl's outburst. "I won't."
Artemis calmed down considerably.
"But you should. You can start by admitting you're not really Green Arrow's niece." Canary suggested.
Artemis scoffed. "Yeah right. Can you imagine what Wally would do with that?"
Now that was very intriguing to Black Canary. "Interesting… So, the person you're most worried about is Wally."
Artemis gave a small glare, but didn't say anything, but she thought of a quick cover up. "No, but Danny isn't too trusting."
Canary leaned back. Danny was almost always involved with the subject changers. It was actually kind of funny.
"Danny hides because he thinks he needs to. His mind is always on survival mode. But Danny's also very forgiving and willing to give second chances. But this session is not about Danny. It's about you." Canary said.
Artemis sat, deep in thought.
Eastern Seaboard: October 23, 18:04EDT
Superboy and Wolf were carried over the rocky ocean by Sphere, and they were enjoying the moment.
"Let's see what our boy can do!" Superboy yelled excitedly.
Wolf barked in agreement and Sphere did a flip. As they finished, Wolf started barking and another futuristic aircraft cut them off.
"Wow!" Superboy jerked Sphere just in time to avoid crashing.
Superboy looked at the strange people in front of him weirdly. They looked ready to fight.
"Return the New Genesphere and the rest of the technology you have stolen from New Genesis, human." Their leader said.
"Who are you?! What do you-"
"Let's keep this simple!" The big dude said, and pointed to Sphere. "That belongs to us! Give it back!"
Wolf growled, and Sphere beeped.
The strange teens got up, ready to fight, but the leader's strange device made some sounds, and he got up.
"Forever People, stand down! This one did not steal the New Genesphere! He saved it from the real thieves!" He informed.
The big guy went from 'I'm going to rip you apart!' to 'I couldn't kick a puppy to save my life!' in less than two seconds. Superboy assumed he was bipolar.
"Apologies! The Forever People embrace you as a friend, ally, and worthy warrior!" The ginger said.
Superboy was completely annoyed. "You're kidding right?" Wolf sighed in desperation.
Canary stared at Kaldur, who was more willing to admit his feelings than the last two.
"I was the general, but behaved like a soldier and sacrificed myself. I am not fit for command, and must resign as team leader." He admitted sadly.
Canary looked at him calmly, and in understanding. "Who do you recommend to take your place?"
Aqualad had to think about this one. "Artemis is too raw and untrusting. Kid Flash too rash and impulsive. Miss Martian remains too eager to please. Superboy carries too much anger. Danny is too traumatized and shy, and mood swings are common among him."
Canary saw he left out one person. "Making Robin the logical choice."
Kaldur did not like that decision. "But he is so young."
Canary leaned forward. "Kaldur, you're all young."
Kaldur looked down in despair. "I cannot shift this burden to him, not yet."
Canary leaned back again.
"It appears I must withdrawal my resignation." Kaldur stated.
Superboy, Wolf, and Sphere flew side-by-side with the strange teens that were bipolar in his opinion.
"The Forever People!?" Superboy asked as they flew.
"We're young gods, new gods!" The big dude said.
"Right…"
"They call me Serifan." The cowboy wannabe said tilting his hat.
"I'm Dreamer!" The girl said, and pointed to the boy with teal eyes. "This is Moonrider!" And then she pointed to the last of the five. "And our leader, Vykin."
The big dude thought for a moment. "I am named for an animal that does not exist on this world. But you may call me… Wolf!"
Superboy raised an eyebrow and pointed at his animal friend. "That's Wolf." He deadpanned.
Wolf had the same deadpan look as his human friend.
"Ah, Bear then! Bear is even better!" The big guy said.
Superboy nodded, kind of weirded out. "I'm Con- Superboy!"
Vykin nodded, and held up his device.
"This is Mother Box, the living computer." Mother Box made a few noises. "She has tracked technology stolen from our home world, New Genesis. And she has found our rescue drill, there."
The teens flew towards the city looming ahead.
The Forever People drove until they were above the city. "It is beneath us, eighteen meters underground."
Superboy looked down, and saw the barren landscape in the midst of a city. "That's a construction site, perfect cover for drilling."
Superboy looked around. "Especially with the Federal Reserve conveniently located across the street."
Superboy looked at the blank faces of the Forever People. His deadpan look was back. "The government keeps money there."
Serifan was all for it. "It's a heist! Come on, partners! Let's ride in there, guns a'blazin, and round up some outlaws!"
Dreamer looked from Serifan to Superboy. "He's watched a lot of earth westerns." She said.
"Yeah, well, there's a time to go in strong and a time to go in smart." Superboy said. (Wow, never heard anything like that come out of Superboy's mouth, especially with his impulsive anger.)
"It is your world, Superboy." Vykin said. "We shall follow your lead."
Superboy had to think for a moment about his new responsibility.
A bunch of thugs stood outside the area where their boss was drilling, when one thug's mother decided to drop in.
"Norman!"
The man in question, Norman, and his buddies turned to the old woman with guns up. Norman was utterly shocked.
"I brought you a jacket!" The old woman said.
Now he was just plain embarrassed. "Mom! What are you doing here?"
His buddies were blasted in the back with two blue beams. Norman turned around, gun ready to fire at Moonrider.
"Mom, get down! It's not-" Norman was completely caught off guard when his mother turned into Dreamer.
"…safe…"
Norman backed away, gun up and ready.
Vykin appeared behind. Norman's gun rebelled against him, moving to Vykin's movements. He fell down unconscious.
The thugs at the bottom of the pit were standing around, completely unaware of their comrades predicament.
That is, until Wolf, Bear, and Superboy jumped on the three, possibly breaking some bones.
Bear waved to the others as Superboy and Wolf ran ahead. Dreamer, Vykin, Moonrider, and Serifan jumped down, and stood by Bear's side.
Superboy looked to the Forever People and made the quiet motion and ran ahead with Wolf. The Forever People ran behind him.
Whisper A'Daire and "Ugly" Mannheim watched as their minions (I am not going to sugar coat) worked. Their minions were taking many bars of gold from the Federal Reserve.
"A billion in bouillon Ugly! The old creeps gear performed as advertised." Whisper said.
Ugly walked up behind Whisper with a smirk. (His name fits him) "Yeah Whisper. Gave me a score that tops than my old man. He never delivered this much to Inter-Gang."
As they watched, Vykin walked forward, ignoring Superboy's plea of staying quiet.
"I guess we decided on the direct approach after all..." The clone mumbled. Vykin stopped a few meters away from the crime scene.
"That drill and these carts are the property of New Genesis. You will return them, now."
Superboy and the rest of the Forever People walked up behind.
"Gold goes back too." Superboy said.
The minions looked to Whisper and Ugly. The girl had a sneer on her face.
"Interfere, and things get Ugly!" Whisper walked out of the way, and the fat guy walked up behind her.
"I'm Ugly." He said. (No kidding.)
A gun of some sort, most likely from New Genesis, appeared around Ugly's face, and he started blasting at the Forever People and their new friends. Vykin raised a rock shield, and pushed Superboy out of the way as four red disks appeared and shocked him. Vykin screamed, his friends too much in shock to do anything, and fell to the ground.
The teens jumped to the ground as more disks appeared. The disks decided to go to Bear. Serifan got up and blasted the disks before they could reach Bear though. Serifan blew the smoke out of the barrels before blasting more disks.
Moonrider blasted one of the four disks around Vykin, and then was blasted in the back. A disk stuck to his back, and a rock dome appeared around him.
The minions who have no social life what's-so-ever got out their guns too. Whisper walked forward, and got out two sticks, which promptly turned into red glowing whips.
Dreamer got on. "These weapons aren't from New Genesis. They are of the enemy."
"What enemy?" He asked.
"The enemy. The gods of anti-life. These weapons are of… Apokolips." She explained.
Bear charged forward at the minions of Inter-Gang. The minions touched the ground with glee. The dirt under Bear turned to quick sand and he fell in.
Vykin continued screaming. Serifan blasted the disks with his guns, finally setting his leader free.
Canary looked at Wally seriously. The teen had his legs thrown over the back of the chair, looking at her upside-down, and had a bowl of popcorn on his torso.
"So, you want me to believe after everything you went through, including your own death from fiery explosion, you're peachy." She dead-panned.
Wally kept eating his popcorn, happy as can be. "I'm fairly certain I never used the word peachy, but I think you got the gist."
Canary just watched as he threw popcorn in his mouth. "So, you really have no interest in confronting your extreme reaction to Artemis's death?"
Wally choked on his popcorn, and sat up straight. "I'd rather talk about you, babe."
Canary watched, un-amused, as Wally threw more popcorn in his mouth. "Wally, you're in denial."
Wally put his arms behind his head. "I'm comfortable with that." (And that is why denial is not just a river in Egypt...)
Whisper jumped in front of her minions, and started throwing her whips out. Vykin raised a rock shield, letting the red whip hit that instead.
"The cons of this fight are they favor their weapons. We must bring them into the open." Superboy said.
Bear pulled himself from his prison, and ran to where Moonrider was trapped. He pulled away some of the rocks and helped his friend out before running off with everyone else.
"More room at the top!" Superboy shouted, trailing behind after the Forever People with Wolf by his side.
"They're getting away!" Whisper yelled, and cracked her whips. Fire flew forth.
Bear stood at the hole and had launched everyone up. He had just sent Dreamer when the plumes of fire started flying forth. Superboy hopped in front of Wolf and took the beating of the flames, as Wolf was launched up after the Forever people.
When he was done with his beating, he and Bear both launched themselves up and out. Superboy landed in front of Vykin, who looked at him seriously.
"I have no wish to prolong this battle." The leader said.
The drill came out of the ground. The Forever People, Superboy, and Wolf had to get out of its way. The drill stopped and the drill opened up to reveal a yellow beam. The minions, Whisper, and Ugly walked out of the hole.
"Finish him…" Ugly sneered.
"Fear not, she will protect us." Vykin said. Wolf started snarling at the villains in front of them.
"Who? Dreamer?" Superboy asked, but Sphere flew up behind.
"The New Genesphere." Vykin said.
Sphere flew forward, ready to have guns A'BLAZIN!
"Cool." Superboy said, and then realized something. "Wait, Sphere's a she?"
Sphere was blasting at the minions, Whisper, and Ugly. It was an amusing sight.
"It it time." Vykin said.
Superboy turned to them. "Time for what?"
Vykin wordlessly held up Mother Box. The Forever People held up their hands.
"Tarru!"
The Forever People were encased in a golden light and they transformed into the legendary Infinity Man.
Infinity Man started to walk forward. Superboy followed with his eyes. "Ok, that's… new."
The minions had their focus on Sphere, but it quickly turned to the robot looking giant. Two touched the ground and made quick sand. Instead of sinking, through, like they thought, Infinity Man walked on the air above it. A beam was sent forth from Infinity Man's eyes, taking out the minions weapons.
Whisper, a minion, and Ugly ran up to face him. One minion shot two blasts, but Infinity Man merely stopped them, and sent a wave blast from his hand, sending three minions and Ugly into a wall, leaving Whisper.
The woman shot her two weapons forward, and Infinity Man grabbed the end. He shot another blast from his eyes, knocking the weapons from her hands and destroying them. Infinity Man shot another wave like blast, and sent her flying like a ragdoll.
Whisper watched from her spot as the minions and Ugly got back up. A portal opened up, and the minions and Ugly started walking for it.
"Ugly, wait!" Whisper yelled, and ran forward, but the portal closed, and a rope wrapped around Whisper.
She struggled but it was useless. Another portal opened up under the drill, and it disappeared into it. Then, Infinity Man was encased in a golden light, leaving the Forever People in his wake. The five teens walked up to a stunned Superboy standing by Sphere and Wolf.
"What was that?" Superboy asked.
"Infinity Man. We merged to become part of the source and greater than the sum of our parts." Dreamer answered.
Superboy crossed his arms. "Glad my team's not that close."
"Lower beings tend to fear intimacy." Bear said, crossing his own arms.
"None of this makes any sense." Vykin said, gaining everyone's attention. "How are these humans acquiring technology from both New Genesis and Apokolips?"
They all walked up to Whisper, giving her the look.
"I'm not talking."
Dreamer uncrossed her arms. "You were not asked." The girl put her hands to her head and her eyes glowed completely violet.
A fog-like mist came from Whisper's head and morphed into a picture of a man that had a completely deformed face, and was covered in a red robe. The man laughed and smirked.
The Forever People were in complete shock.
"Desaad…" Dreamer said. They had completely forgotten Superboy and Wolf had no idea who they were talking about.
"Look, I've been remarkably patient. You know, for me? What is going on?" Superboy said. Wolf and Sphere both agreed on the 'being patient' part.
Vykin and Dreamer shared a look, and Vykin nodded. Dreamer put her hand to her head again and her eyes glowed. A picture appeared in front of Superboy and Wolf.
"New gods come from two worlds at war."
One world was an inviting blue color. The other was an menacing blood red.
"Those of us from New Genesis are gods of life, freedom, and the source. Our enemies from Apokolips are gods of anti-life, slavery, and degradation."
Dreamer turned the picture to the man in the robe.
"This is Desaad, god scientist and chief torturer of Apokolips. His experiments are pure evil. His works; abominations. His master…"
"Unspeakable." The Desaad picture said and laughed. Dreamer made him disappear.
"He is seriously creepy." Whisper commented.
"Hurting? Try traumatized." Robin started out.
Canary was just happy he was willing to ask for help, unlike Superboy, Artemis, and Wally. She said nothing as Robin continued.
"I finally become leader and wind up sending all of my friend's to their deaths. I-I know I did what I had to, but I hated it. When we started this team, I was desperate to be in charge. Not anymore. And that's not even the worst of it. You can't tell Batman." He said quickly.
"Nothing leaves this room." Canary reassured.
"I always wanted, expected, to grow up and become him. And the hero bit, I'm still all in. But that thing, inside of him, the thing that drives him to sacrifice everything for the sake of his mission, that's not me. I don't want to be the Batman anymore." Robin explained.
The Forever People were in their ship, and Superboy was in Sphere. Mother Box made a weird sound.
"Mother Box says there's a large stash of Apokoliptic technology inside." Vykin informed.
Superboy turned to the hanger they were at. He turned on his thermal-red vision. He found nothing.
"Infrared vision shows no heat signatures, even so…" Superboy trailed.
The Forever People, Superboy, and Wolf decided to go in anyways. They treaded carefully though.
Norman and his buddy walked into the hanger and looked around.
"Still no heat signatures, place is defiantly deserted."
Norman and his buddy turned into The Forever People, Superboy, and Wolf.
As they came back to their normal appearances, the lights turned on, scaring everyone. More minions surrounded them.
"Though I could be wrong…" Superboy commented.
Ugly walked forward. "This tech-mask's heat signature visor filters out illusions. Gotcha." Ugly said and let the bullets fly.
Moonrider somersaulted out of the way, and fired his blue beams at the minions. He sent them into the roof.
Bear and Superboy attacked with brute force, and Serifan shot his guns. He was so busy he didn't see one minion come up behind him. Wolf lunged at the minion and sent him rolling.
Vykin tried to use his powers, but they weren't working. "These weapons resist my magnetic power. We will soon be overrun. It is time."
Vykin and Dreamer ran away from the oncoming minions, and regrouped with the other Forever People.
They all got in a circle with the Mother Box in the middle.
"Tarru!"
They all merged and started to become Infinity Man.
One of the minions by Ugly opened up to reveal a robot. Desaad stepped out of his hiding spot.
"Now mortal, deliver the Father Box." Desaad said, handing a darker version of Mother Box to Ugly.
As Infinity Man became whole, Ugly threw Father Box. Infinity Man went from golden like the sun to red like blood. Wolf stood next to Superboy and growled.
"That can't be good…" The teen mumbled.
Desaad smirked. "Kill the boy, and his little dog too…"
Infinity Man set his eyes on Superboy, and he plus Wolf backed up some as Infinity Man came forward. Infinity Man blasted Superboy outside, right next to Sphere. Superboy used Sphere to get up. Wolf jumped from the hole in the wall and ran up next to his friend. They watched as Infinity Man opened up the wall and walked out.
Superboy got in a defense position. Sphere made some noises.
"Good… uh, girl." Superboy said, and Sphere went back to her sphere-ific shape. "We'll take them down together."
Wolf growled, and Sphere rolled away. "Yeah, can't really blame ya…" Superboy commented.
Infinity Man stopped in front of the wolf and the teen, and brought his fist down. Superboy and Wolf jumped out of the way, just in time.
Megan sniffed in her chair across from Canary. "It was all my fault. Hello Megan, who else can take a simple exercise and turn it into a nightmare that terrorizes everyone she cares about?"
Megan went from green to her human disguise.
Canary was shocked. "You've turned white."
Megan gasped and stood up, looking at herself. "No! Oh, you meant Caucasian. Yeah, I'm fine being Megan, but I can't be trusted to use my other powers."
She said, sitting down again. "M'gann, you're a Martian. Not using your natural abilities is like me refusing to speak. Which, by the way, I tried for a while after my very first Canary Cry and nearly deafened my entire first grade class. So I get how you feel, but not being yourself is never the answer and won't make your feelings of guilt go away. Learn from what happened. Your uncle would be happy to train you."
Megan looked up in hope.
"Practice until you gain control and regain your confidence." Canary instructed.
The two sat in a comfortable quietness.
At the same time, Superboy was being thrown into an airplane. He gasped as Wolf jumped up and got punched, being thrown into him, letting out a loud whine. Superboy put Wolf down and jumped over him and ran to Infinity Man. Superboy grabbed a piece of the airplane before throwing it at the large robot looking thing, who merely blasted it to dust.
Infinity Man's hand glowed before the airplane flew into the air and was thrown onto the two friends. Infinity Man threw the plane away and grabbed Superboy, picking him up. Superboy struggled in his grasp.
Desaad and Ugly walked out of the hanger to watch. Desaad smirked at his new minion. "Infinity Man is now my… My master's weapon."
Ugly gave a skeptical look beside him. "Why doesn't he get it over with?"
Desaad chuckled. "I am not one with getting it over with. Father Box knows my… proclivities and programmed Infinity Man accordingly."
Wolf got up and snarled before jumping at Infinity Man. He easily swatted the canine away. He punched Superboy into the ground and was about to smash him, but Sphere rolled up and jumped onto Infinity Man's head, attaching herself to him. In a moment, Infinity Man was back to golden as the sun.
Desaad watched in horror. "Attack! Attack while you still can!" Desaad screamed. Ugly ran forward to listen to his master's orders.
Sphere made handlebars at the very top.
Superboy smirked. "Sphere, you are beautiful!" Superboy jumped up and grabbed the handlebars. He turned Infinity Man to the oncoming minions.
"Open fire!" Ugly shouted, and his minions did as he was told. Infinity Man's arm blocked the rays and bullets sent at him, still under Superboy's controls.
"Our turn." Superboy said, and let out a golden beam.
He grabbed Ugly and brought him closer with a smirk.
"I think I'm getting the hang of this." He commented and threw Ugly into the air before he blasted his shirt off (I'm scarred for life now) and his weapon off. Ugly landed in Infinity Man's hand.
"Now that's ugly." Superboy said sarcastically.
Danny was leaned forward and looking at the ground tiredly, a blanket around his shoulders. He had woken up from his nightmare and had been sent straight to Canary. The woman in question waited patiently for Danny to say something. It took some time, but Danny finally thought he had the right words to say what he wanted.
"Before I was sucked into the exercise, I was running. Everything hurt and was bleeding, but I knew I had to get back home." His words were slow, choosing every word carefully. "The next thing I knew I was in a snowdrift. I don't know what came over me, but I turned around and blasted a spacecraft. Then Megan's telling me Artemis is dead."
Danny's lip trembled, and Canary put a comforting hand on Danny's knee. He didn't look up.
"The series of events following were traumatizing. I lost all my friends and Runner. I hate to say it but losing him was the hardest." Danny choked on a sob.
"Danny, Runner is a part of you. It must've been hard knowing he was gone." Canary said.
Danny nodded. "It was. I was hysterical, trying to find him, trying to get comfort that he wasn't really gone. The other Totems were just as scared as I was. Runner is different. He's a Negative Totem, unlike the Positive Totems. He doesn't turn white. He turns black. But the other Totems were ok with that and he was their friend. Losing him rattled me and the others."
Canary was confused. "A Negative Totem?" She asked.
Danny nodded. "When the animals transform, they're more of my embodiment then when they're not. Lone, Runner's other form, represents loneliness, hence his name. Loneliness is the greater of two evils. His opposite is accompaniment, but I've never known Company."
Canary was still confused. "Why are you alone?"
"I don't feel loneliness with everyone around me. I'm alone because I'm the only halfa who's a hero, who's felt the pain of loss, true loss. That is the deciding factor. Lone is hardly ever an embodiment except for few special cases though, like me." Danny explained.
Canary nodded catching on. "He must be really special."
Danny nodded. "All of them are. And it scared me knowing he was gone. And when I woke up, he was there again. Everything hurt, I was lying in the clearing I had run into before I was in that snowdrift, and it was all so confusing. It's like trying to find a way out of a maze that has no exit. Everywhere I turned, something new jumped out at me. I couldn't get a break. I wanted it to all stop and go away."
Danny sighed again, and rubbed his face. "I wanted to run. I wanted to leave. I wanted to be with you guys, or my thoughts of you guys anyway."
Canary remained calm, knowing he meant committing suicide.
"The voices didn't help."
"What voices?" Canary asked.
Danny shrugged. "The one's in my head. They don't like me all that much."
Canary tensed. "What do they say?"
Danny leaned back in the chair and leaned on his side, legs to his chest. "They just repeat things they've heard. They yell at me when I'm alone. Bruce has caught me saying the things they say to me. I don't mean to. My lips just start moving and then Bruce is asking me why I'm saying such things."
His eyes closed and his head drooped. Canary got up and pulled the blanket closer around him. "Go to sleep Danny. I'll be back later to check on you."
Danny hummed in response and the heroine walked to the door. She opened it and then closed it, but didn't leave the room. She leaned against it, looking at Danny.
For a few minutes, he didn't do anything. Then he started mumbling but it increased in volume as time wore on. She couldn't stand hearing what he said.
"Get in the corner, you little shit... I'm gettin' the whip, you little shit... Stop screaming, you little shit... You don't feel pain, you little shit... Stop crying, you little shit... You don't have emotions, you little shit..."
Superboy, still controlling Infinity Man, walked forward with Ugly still in his hand. The minions were now running away. He blasted three of the minions, tearing their shirts and getting rid of their weapons. He stopped in front of them, and dropped Ugly.
The lead minion looked at his master.
"Desaad," He mumbled.
His master was not happy with him.
"All will suffer. All will suffer!" Desaad yelled and threw something at Infinity Man but the robotic figure blasted it. An explosion went off, and Infinity Man started separating. Superboy fell, still atop Sphere.
The Forever People groaned as they got up. Wolf ran up and picked up the Father Box and easily broke it by smashing it with his teeth. Superboy got up and placed a hand on Sphere, who was badly damaged.
"She's… hurt."
Vykin walked up to him. "The damage may be beyond repair, but Mother Box will try."
Vykin placed Mother Box on Sphere. The effect was immediate, and Sphere came back to uhhh… her normal self.
Vykin looked at it sadly. "The healing process has begun, and it will be completed on New Genesis."
Superboy whizzed around. "Sorry, what?"
The other Forever People walked up.
"We thank you for your help Superboy, but we must take the New Genesphere home now." Dreamer explained.
Superboy stayed firm. "No, no way!"
"Why should we leave her with you? To us, she lives! To you, she's merely technology!" Serifan said.
Superboy was livid. "No! It's not like that!"
"Then what is it like?!" Bear questioned, crossing his arms.
Superboy stuck his hand out in a protecting manner to Sphere. "We've bonded, ok?!"
That shut them up.
Then they smiled.
Vykin stuck out his hand and Superboy took it. "You many keep her."
Superboy went back to the Cave with Sphere. Now, Red Tornado was scanning it.
"What do you expect to find, Batman? According to Connor, Sphere has proven quite useful. Wally has already renamed her 'The Super Cycle.'" Martian Manhunter asked. (Ah Wally, why?)
"By any name, the sphere merits further investigation. As does everything in Superboy's report. Speaking of, where is he now?" Batman asked.
Connor sat in front of Canary, head down in shame.
"Here's the ugly truth, I wasn't upset with Superman, Tornado, you, the whole League dead. Even though I didn't save Wolf, watched Artemis and Kaldur die, and abandoned M'gann, I felt… at peace."
Now this startled Canary.
"See, from the first moment I opened my eyes in that Cadmus pod, there's been one thing I wanted and feared: to know what it is to be Superman. And I knew, so I was happy. Everyone I care about, dead or traumatized, and I'm happy. How do I get past the guilt of that? How do I live with myself?" Superboy asked.
Canary leaned forward with a look of sadness and sympathy, and she placed a hand on his knee. "I don't have any easy answers, Connor. But one thing's clear, admitting it is the first step."
I love it when Serifan mentions guns a'blazin.
Kadzait: Please don't do it please don't do it please don't it-
I'VE GOT MY GUNS A'BLAZIN! WOO-HOO!
Kadzait: She did it...
Thanks to these people for favoriting and/or following: Sapphire Castor, BrownHair2918, Ferpet, Phsycotic Fruitloop (Your name is awesome, dude),
And thanks to BrownHair2918 and Hitomi-tama for favoriting and following me in general!
Reviews:
Em: Oh, don't worry. Daddy-Bats is amazing like! XD AND YES! KLARION IS THE PERFECT EXCUSE! He's my excuse for one of my chapters in the future. XD
Kilppari: Don't worry too much. Daddy-Bats is gonna take care of Danny the best he can. :D And Alfred is not my best character and you are so right. He is half-warlock. We will view this Alfred-warlock-ness in future chapters. *evil smile* Oh yeah, I homeschool! And when I did go to school, up until 5th grade, I was always teachers pet. Now I'm the teacher's daughter. Every year. XD
Guest(1): Uhhhhh, actually, I already had most of these chapters typed out. I just needed to edit them. XD And thank you!
BringbackDannyPhantom: Well, you were probably ecstatic when Batman announced the health of the GIW members and the nullification of the organization.
KuriMaster13: Ok then... And yeah, things are getting better. AND YES THEY ARE! *parties*
GreenDrkness: DaddyBats rules! And for Supes... Eh. Anyways, no. They never get arrested. But that would have been AWESOME.
Sina Xiel: You know what? Why don't we all just go with him? VIEWERS, AUTHOR, AND AUTHOR'S IMAGINARY FRIENDS UNITE! (Kadzait: You are NOT bringing us into this.) SO VIEWERS AND AUTHOR UNITE! *busts out bazooka* Let's do this. And hhheeeyyyy! *waves back*
Azorawing: Oh... When said 'for once' you meant... Oh... I feel stupid... *chuckles nervously* Heh heh... Oops? My bad? I'll stop now... Anyways, YES, DADDY BATS IS A-RIPPING THE GIWs APART! IT'S AMAZING! And holy crap... You are so right about the song thing... I used to hate that song but I like it because of you! GOOD JOB! XD *claps*
Supaherolena02: Yep! Danny's all good (well, at least on the road to recovery anyways...)! Any my grandma really is awesome. She rules. XD
IWasNeverReal: Yeah, you're back! And DADDYBATS TO THE RESCUE! And yeah, he's a mess. All over again. And DaddyBats is frikkin scary when he's protective. And the reason Robin didn't go was because Danny was losing it, fast, and it was probably wise to approach him one-on-one. Two or more might've made him have another. And that would be bbbaaadddd. XD
Lee: Haha! Thanks! And no kidding... Bats is frikkin scary. *shudders*
Bibbledoo: Your reviews were just lovely and I enjoyed them all! XD
LeanneKS: Hahahaha! I'm happy I could help! Captain Calm Down Kodi is at your service with awesome chapters (you might like some of my others)! Sculpting and sewing his cool. When I'm focused on a chapter, I have a drive to finish (unless I hate the chapter) it until it is finished! And nniiccceee! Yeah, I live in East TN (have fun trying to find me) and your welcome for updating every day! I like updating every day!