Mount Justice
M'gann stirs her bowl of mix silently, while Kaldur leans against the counter behind her, Wally slumps at one of the chairs, Artemis leans against the back of one of the chairs, Robin sits on the couch with Michael next to him, holding a bag of ice on his head. All of them were silent and stuck inside their own heads after the training simulation.
In the Training Room, Red Tornado, Martian Manhunter, and Captain Marvel watch over the teens worriedly on the screens.
They all turn an ear as they hear the Zeta Tube activate.
Recognize:
Batman; 0-2
"How are they?" the Dark Knight asks immediately.
"I am still shaken by what you and I have wrought. One can only imagine how fair these youths are." Manhunter says gesturing to the HoloScreens that they're watching the team on.
"I know our virtual reality training simulation went badly," Batman said, at least has the decency to look down as he thoroughly understates it.
"But I'd hoped the Team would've rallied by now" Batman said, looking at them. Manhunter looks surprised, while Captain Marvel looks annoyed with Batman.
"Trauma tends to linger, as I know you know, my friend." Manhunter said, Batman shrinks under his friend's words before looking up with a curious raise in his cowl.
"Black Canary?" Batman asked, Black Canary is a psychiatrist
"She has her work cut out for her." Manhunter says slowly, Batman turns to look at Michael, seeing he looks more annoyed than dealing with trauma.
"And Cold-Blood?" Batman asked, seeing Cold-Blood was bleeding from the noise.
"Only a minor bleed and a headache, he took some medications and an ice bag to cool himself" Red Tornado said, Michael had a more physical reaction compared to the others.
Black Canary sits in one green chair across from Conner in his own green chair, she keeps her gaze on him while he looks down at his feet.
"I can only imagine how devastating it was losing your friends; in essence, your family convinced all the time it was completely real." Canary says, her voice wavering a little as she calls the Team his family, but what is noticeable is that Conner's hands clenched into fists when she reminds him that he only thought it was real.
"I'm sure it must have been horrible for you" Canary said, waiting a moment, seeing if he'll respond.
"I understand. You're Superboy. You're not supposed to have feelings of sadness or vulnerability." Canary promotes a response, which she gets as Conner stands up immediately, hands clenched at his sides as he looks down at her.
"You don't know what I feel." Conner snarls, then walks out, Canary doesn't try to follow him out
"Conner!" Canary tries to call him, but he doesn't stop as the sliding doors open.
"Just leave me alone!" Conner shouts over his shoulder.
LINE
Metropolis;
Metropolis Park is calm and fairly populated since the weather is nice when suddenly a golden portal opens.
BOOM
A ship that looks like a car, though large, flies through the portal, raising a panic.
"Hero Danjar!" the man driving cheers as they fly straight upwards. He is a large man with fur clothes, bright red hair that is pulled into two low lying, loose pigtails, and a black guard around the edge of his face and hairline.
"Zo! Nos Kemnos! Danjar thara, thanka, tabore." a small blonde with freckles, a missing front tooth, blue eyes, a black cowboy hat with bright blue trim, a green neckerchief, an orange serape with the same electric blue accents.
A man a row in front of him, wearing what looks like armor, looks to the Motherbox in his hand. The Box binges as the blonde keeps talking.
"But when can we see some cowboys?" the cosplaying cowboy asked the others.
"Your obsession with the barbarians must wait, Serifan." The one holding the motherbox tells the blonde then turns back to the box in his hand.
"Motherbox, please, camouflage all extraterrestrial energy signatures. Then scan the planet and advise." The Man said to the mob.
The Motherbox beeps.
"What we seek is on-world. Let us-" The Motherbox beeps again, cutting him off.
"The New-Genisphere is on Earth." the black-haired girl beside him says brightly, her cold-shoulder tops are a bright pink v-neck and a dark shawl.
"Then we shall take her back." the driver says strongly.
"The Forever People will not be denied! And woe to any who stand in our way." The big guy said, driving through the night, the motherbox is a bit too late in camouflaging their energy as others pick it up.
LINE
One of the motorcycles kicks into gear, Conner lining himself up with one of the many closed doors of the Mountain.
"Red Tornado, hangar door." Conner says as he pulls out a helmet, before he could put it on, Sphere gets in his way, Wolf walking behind him.
"Sphere, out of the way!" he shouts. Sphere revs as Wolf sits at Conner's left, both watching intently as Sphere shifts into a more tricked out and Extraterrestrial version of the motorcycle he's currently standing over.
Conner and Wolf stare in disbelief, but they both climb on. As Conner drives Sphere up the ramp the Cycle takes off into the air pulling a shock.
"Whoa!" Conner shouted in excitement, Batman ran to the open door, watching as Conner took off. Bringing his hand to his cowl.
"Superboy, return to cave." Batman tries to call him.
"Superboy, return to cave." Batman looks to the right as he hears his own voice, finding Conner's earpiece on the ground. He picks it up, and then sighs.
LINE
Michael takes a seat in front of Canary, the heroine looking at him.
"You alright?" Canary asked, seeing Michael holding his head.
"Being better, headache is killing me, but the medicine is helping," Michael said, feeling a little better.
"Good, subconsciously resisting both Martians is an incredible feat" Canary said, having heard from Manhunter about Michael overpowering more Martians without thinking it.
Hearing Manhunter saying Miss Martian is more powerful than himself, and Michael could take on both without thinking is a scary thought, Canary can see Batman paranoia, but it mean nothing to Batman's order for Manhunter to probe Michael's mind, it a breach in privacy all together.
Canary will have words with them both, after all this.
"Yeah, should have known this exercise wouldn't work" Michael signs, doubtful about this exercise, Canary looks at him.
"You had experiences with this" Canary said, knowing Michael has more experiences than anyone else on the team.
"Yes, many training and exercises on scenarios like this" Michael said, XCOM trains in a lot of impossible scenarios.
"You're used to this, loss, pain, and the death of loved ones" Canary said, seeing Michael look at her with silence.
"The Martian told you everything" Michael stated, knowing the exercise made him say more than a few things, Canary nods.
"I dealt with this before, facing impossible missions, failing them, losing friends, family" Michael said, recounting all he has done as the Commander of XCOM.
"You think you're responsible for their deaths?" Canary asked Michael signs.
"I might as well been, I fucked up more than once, made chooses that cost lives, you want to know how many people died because on me" Michael said, looking at Canary.
"I can't say, uncountable" Canary said, trying to get the scope of Michael.
"No, I keep count" Michael said looking down, the number is over four and a half million.
"You shouldn't, these are some things we have the power to control, but the hardest thing to admit, especially in our line of work, is something we're powerless" Canary said to him, leaning forward, looking deep in Michael's eyes, Michael signed.
"Powerless, yeah that's a good word for it" Michael said, knowing that feeling all too well.
RINNNGGG
RINNNNGGG
Michael stops, checking his pocket to open his phone.
"Hello…..yeah….Wait…here now, ok…I'm on my way" Michael talks to the phone standing up, Canary looks at him.
"Sorry, an emergency, we'll do this later" Michael said walking out.
"Wait, Michael" Canary tries to stop him but it is too late, he is already out.
LINE
Eastern Seaboard
Conner sits behind Wolf's spot in the newly changed Sphere. His controls are very similar to the motorcycle he was planning on taking. The water splashes up against the rocky shoreline as he flies mere metres over it.
"Let's see what our boy can do." Superboy said, Wolf barks in agreement.
The engine revs and they take off into a nearly perfect 90-degree change in direction before Conner leads it into a loop.
Wolf barks happily once they're right-side-up again.
"Oh, yeah!" Conner whoops, as the Sphere leads them closer to the ground.
"Hey, where are you going?" Conner asked, seeing them closer to the ground, Wolf barks around.
Then a purple flash came up, Conner and Wolf closed their eyes.
Opening up to see a white smooth spherical shell, the centre of the sphere looks like an orange eye, floating in front of them.
"Wow, Genesphere, you finally fixed yourself, you look amazing" the white sphere telepathy said to the three of them, Conner and wolf got on the defences.
"What are you?! And stay out of my head" Conner growls, Wolf going the same but the Sphere turn bike beeped at them.
"I apologise, Conner, but I heard Genesphere is finally feeling better, I just had to see her" the floating sphere apologised to them, the wolf growling at the ball, Conner narrowed his eyes.
"How did you.. Wait, Sphere a girl?" Conner said, looking at the now transformed sphere as he looked at the white ball.
"Greeting Conner Kent, I'm LookOut, a Gatekeeper, Genesphere told be so much about you, hello Wolf, you are very cute and fluffy" LookOut said to them, turning to Wolf, a few pieces on her body shift as a tentacle came out, Wolf looks alarmed but see the tentacle not harmful as the tentacle gave him a scratch.
Conner looks confused at what is happening.
Another purple light appears revealing Michael in his Cold-Blood uniform.
"You couldn't wait for me, could you" Michael stated, putting his mask down to look at LookOut, who is petting Wolf.
"I apologised Commander, but I had to see her, Genesphere always talks about it and I wanted to see it" LookOut said, her one eye looking down, Wolf gave the tentacle a touch making her continue to pet the mutated animal.
Michael shakes his head before turning to Conner.
"Sorry Conner, I see you met LookOut" Michael said, Conner looks at him.
"You have…one too?" Conner asked, seeing if Sphere and LookOut are the same.
"No, Lookout was another experiment, created to serve, when I cut the connection she was lost, until now" Michael shakes his head, looking at the Gatekeeper petting Wolf on his back, turning to see the now transformed sphere.
"So this is your true form" Michael said, looking at the bike, looking at the blue wheel in the front and the side, human-like design and weapons too.
Sphere beeps at Michael as he nods.
Another alien ship came over.
"Return the New-Genisphere and the rest of the technology you have stolen from New Genesis, human." the one in green demands them.
"They with you?" Conner asked, Michael shakes his head looking at them.
The so-called New Gods have arrived.
"Who are you?" Conner shouts, tilting his head to show his confusion.
"What are you-?" Conner said, Michael gets with weapon ready; Wolf stands up with LookOut putting her tentacle back, now looking at the new gods.
"Let's keep this simple." the driver cuts him off. "That," he gestures to Sphere, "belongs to us. Give it back."
The engine revs, LookOut's eye narrows, Wolf lower his head bearing his teeth but Michael and Conner stands perfectly still.
The Motherbox picks up on the revs, letting out a sharp ping just as the blonde and two black haired occupants stand up. The one in green stands quickly.
"Forever People, stand down. These ones did not steal the New-Genisphere. They saved it from the real thieves." The one in green said, The driver breaks out into a wide grin.
"Apologies. The Forever People embrace you as a friend, ally, and worthy warrior." The big guy said.
"You're kidding, right?" Conner gives them an odd look, Wolf whimpers a little.
"Forever people" Michael said, looking at them with narrow eyes. He sees these X-rays are far more powerful then they let on.
LINE
"I was the general but behaved like a soldier and sacrificed myself." Kaldur admits strongly but loses a lot of his steam as he lowers his gaze.
"I am not fit for command and must resign as Team Leader." Kaldur closes his eyes, hurt playing obviously on his features.
"Who do you recommend to take your place?" Canary asks casually, calmly.
His eyes snap open, surprised. Rather than let her sit in silence while he thinks this through for the first time, he voices his thoughts aloud.
"Artemis is too raw and untrusting, Kid Flash, too rash and impulsive. Miss Martian remains too eager to please. Superboy carries too much anger." Kaldur said, pointing out the flaws of his teammates.
"Making Robin and Michael the logical choice." Canary states.
"Robin is so young." Kaldur objects.
"Kaldur, you're all young." she says as compassionately as she can, leaning forward to rest her forearms on her crossed legs and trying to meet Kaldur's low gaze.
"And Michael?" Canary asked, Kaldur thought deeply on him.
"Michael is analytical, viewing the team like chess pieces, knowing each of our strengths in order to complete the mission, knowing our limits and the fault of the enemies" Kaldur said, Michael knows the strengths of the team and what is required to complete the mission, Canary nodding in agreement.
"But it is also that view that distances himself from the team, it is easier to sacrifice a pawn if needed to complete the mission" Kaldur said, knowing Michael would make the hard decision if necessary.
Canary notes as well, Michael views make him similar to Batman in a way.
"While I would understand and be willing to work under his command, I doubt the team would share the same opinion" Kaldur said, sacrificing his friends for the greater good is something he would never do, but he knows Michael would do that.
"Lately I've been using Michael as a safety net, his experience helped me become a better leader but in Northern India" Kaldur recalls how he lost control of the team, they split up and got ambushed, just like Michael said would happen.
"I didn't want you to go on that mission either, that was a tough time for everyone" Canary agrees with Michael there, suffering a betrayal from a close friend would affect anyone, especially teenagers.
"I cannot shift this burden to them. Not yet." Kaldur says strongly. Canary sits back upright, and Kaldur lets out a short emotionless laugh.
"It appears I must withdraw my resignation"
LINE
The sky is darkening quickly around Michael, Conner, Sphere, Look-Out, Wolf, and the 'forever people'.
"Forever People?" Conner asks as he flies beside their ship, with Sphere bike, Michael stands on Look-Out as she flies near Sphere.
"We are young Gods. New Gods." the driver says as if that explains it, Michael scoffs, which the driver notices.
"You don't believe us?" the driver asked Michael.
"Forgive me for doubting someone that claims to be gods' ' Michael said, the arrogance of a species to claim as such, maybe it is a name that translates to their language.
"You are forgiven" the driver said, not seeing Michael doubts offensive.
"Ok" Conner mumbles, seeing the interaction.
"They call me Serifan." the blonde with the Old West clothes says, Michael surprised to see one dress as a cowboy.
Either they watch human TV or they're immortal.
Which means they know enough about where humans stand in this universe, which isn't very high if they're doing this secretly.
"I'm Dreamer." the girl introduces. "This is Moonrider," she gestures to the one beside Serifan in the row behind her.
"And our leader, Vykin." she gestures to the one holding the Motherbox.
"Hmm, I am named for an animal that does not exist in this world," the driver muses then snaps as a thought comes to him. "But you may call me… Wolf."
"This is Wolf." Conner says bluntly, Wolf snarls a little and turns away from the large man.
"Ah, Bear, then. Yeah, Bear is even better." Bear says brightly.
"I'm Con- Superboy." Conner stumbles and frowns.
"I'm Cold-Blood, this is Look-Out" Michael gave his code name.
"It's very nice to meet you" Look-Out said to them, which got their attention.
"You have a living computer too," Dreamer said, looking at the white sphere in wonder.
"Something like that," Michael said, looking at the beeping box in Vykin's hand.
"This is Motherbox, our living computer." Vykin explains, holding up the device.
"She has tracked technology stolen from our homeworld, New Genesis. And she has found our rescue drill there." Vykin explains,
Michael looks at the forever people with interest, their technology is on another level, and that technology was stolen. A reason Michael and Conner are following them, this level of tech is dangerous.
The two ships and sphere swing into the still brightly lit city that they'd been flying towards this whole time. They come to a stop above the tall buildings, looking at the world below.
"It is beneath us, 18 metres underground" Vykin informs them all, the earthlings look at the area.
"That's a construction site. Perfect cover for drilling." Conner mumbles to himself, Michael looks around the site.
"Especially with the Federal Reserve conveniently located across the street" Michael said, seeing the reason for the drill, what else could they have from the forever people.
The Forever People look at them with no understanding
"The government keeps money there." LookOut explains simply to the Forever People.
"It's a heist." Serifan realises.
"Come on, partners. Let's ride in there," and pulls the two pistols out,
"Guns blazing and round-up the outlaws." Serifan really like cowboys.
Dreamer looks from Serifan to the earthlings.
"He's watched a lot of Earth Westerns." Dreamer tries, Michael raises an eyebrow at that.
"You watch Earth Television?" Michael asked, not sure if that's a good or bad thing.
"Hell yeah partner" Serfan trilling his guns around.
"We need to be smart about this; you said your drill is there so they could have more weapons from your world" Michael said, looking at the men guarding a hole.
"It is your world, Cold-Blood. We shall follow your lead." Vykin informs Michael, Conner looks surprised at this.
"Norman!" All three guards turn, guns raised, but the one with a scar running over the bridge of his nose shows a brief bit of recognition.
"I brought you a jacket." The Woman said, holding a jacket.
"Mom?!" He looks at the woman walking up to him, no one anywhere near her, jacket in hand, he walks up to her.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, confused.
The two men behind him get zapped from a distance. He turned his back on his mother, and the gun rose again.
"Mom, get down! It's not… safe." he finishes dumbly as he watches his mother figure fade and Dreamer's take its place.
Vykin raises a hand and his gun hits him in the face until he falls to the ground, Cold-Blood nods to them, pointing at the three tanks to head in first.
At the bottom of a hole, three larger guards stand; unaware of what's happening on the surface.
Conner, Wolf, and Bear drop in and take them down with one hit each. Cold-Blood jumps down after them, nodding to them as he walks with Conner and Wolf following through the tunnel while Bear gestures for his teammates.
Conner sends a 'quiet' signal back to the New Gods before they take off down the tunnel.
At the end of the tunnel, the drill is fully off, and a hole is through the brick of the basement walls of the Reserves.
One man stands guard, while another takes gold bars out on a hover-pallet. The third, a red-haired woman turns to the tech in her hand.
"A billion in bullion, Ugly. The old creep's gear performed as advertised." The woman said.
Behind her a large man wearing technology similar to the armour the New Gods wear.
"Yeah, Whisper. Give me a score that tops any my old man ever delivered to Intergang." Now name Ugly said, there are three more people walking into the drill's storage space with just as many gold bars.
Away from the thieves, still hidden by the shadows due to a curve in the tunnel
"The Intergang, an organised crime group led by Bruno Mannheim, how did they get the tech?" Michael said, thinking for a second as he stopped Vykin from going forward.
"What are you doing?" Michael asked, looking at him. Vykin looked at Michael in shock.
"That drill and these carts are the property of New Genesis, they must be returned" Vykin said to Michael, trying to move past him but Michael stopped him.
"I'm aware, but you can see that they have more than just your drill, unknown technology, we need to be smart about this" Michael said to him, not letting Vykin forward.
"And who are you to command the forever people" Moon rider said, speaking for the first time.
"Since you step on our planet" Conner stands with Michael, Wolf growling in support, the earthlings and Forever people stand against one another, the tension rising.
Until Bear steps in with a chuckle.
"mhmhmh, you have a strong will Cold-Blood, we'll follow your lead" Bear said with respect to Michael, to the shock of the forever people.
"But they…"Moon Rider tries to say but Dreamer stops him.
"Bear is right, it's their world, like you said Vykin" Dreamer points out which Vykin begrudgingly nodded.
"Very well, we'll follow your lead," Vykin said, with Michael nodding.
"Thank you, this gives me a plan" Michael said, before giving them the details.
LINE
"Look, me dying during the exercise might have started things going south but I was coma-girl. Missed out on all the fun of forgetting it wasn't real. So no trauma. No need for the shrink-rap." Artemis sighs.
"You're too tough to need help." Canary rephrases, a disbelieving tone in her voice.
Artemis looks away, bringing her feet onto the chair with her.
"Whatever. Maybe." Artemis said, not looking at Canary.
"Or maybe too tough to admit you need help." Canary leans forward, elbows on her knees.
"Artemis, it's not a sign of weakness to open up to your friends." Canary said to her,
Artemis' fingers clench on her jacket, glaring at Canary, and her voice is tight.
"I know that." Artemis nearly snarls back.
"But you still keep secrets from them." Canary points out.
Artemis' eyes go wide, and she is nearly ready to jump out of her chair.
"You won't tell them. You can't!" Artemis begs.
"I won't." Canary agrees. "But you should. You could start by admitting you're not really Green Arrow's niece."
Artemis' legs come off the chair.
"Right. Can you imagine what Wally would do with that?" Artemis scoffs and looks away.
"Interesting, So, the person you're most worried about is Wally" Canary observes, Artemis tense for a moment, looking back at her.
"His reaction was curious when a fake you betrayed him" Canary said, recalling Michael's monster turning into Artemis to betray Wally.
That's something Canary feels should be talked about, Artemis heard about that too.
"You think he already knows?" Artemis asked, concerned that someone on the team knows her secret already. A monster that looks like her betrays the team, what's Artemis supposed to make of that.
"Maybe, he is very good at analysing facts, although I believe that more to Wally than you" Canary said, seeing Michael smart enough to see Artemis was lying about her past and figure her out already, but also Wally's feeling for her.
LINE
Both Whisper and Ugly watch the men put the gold in the drill, both turn hearing rapid footsteps. The guard from outside ran to them with a panicked look.
"Oh god, it's awful, they came in, looked like my mum, then a wolf.." the guard panics, everyone looks at him.
"Hey shut up, what's happening?" Whisper said, walking to him.
"Someone is coming, a wolf and my mom or something, they killed everyone" the man panics, as Ugly narrows his eyes.
"You three follow him, Whisper help with the drill" Ugly orders, as two men with red gauntlets follow the guard as he leads them though the cave.
They go deeper into the cave, the men look uneasy as they follow him deeper.
"Well, where are they?" One guy asked, as the guard turned to them, pointing at the directions.
"There over there" the guard pointed, the men went over to that direction, but didn't see anything.
"There's no one here" the guy said, they turn to see the guard smile, the illusion dropping.
"What the hell!?" another man said, As Bear punched him down.
"Holy shit" the other said, pointing his chest gun at them,
"It's high noon," Serfan said, shooting the men's gun, destroying it. Superboy put down the other guy, Wolf jumping another one, growling at him as the guy put his hands up in fear.
"A cunning plan I say" Bear said, Michael's plan to lure them out while they take them was ingenious.
"Always play smart he would say" Conner said, Dreamer looks at the tech in fear.
Whisper turns to start the driller, seeing they need to leave.
Ugly was carrying the last of the gold, seeing how they are composed they are leaving now, having Whisper turn on the driller while he takes a few more gold bars.
Greed will be his downfall.
"You will return what you stole to New Genesis now" Vykin said, getting Ugly attention while holding the gold.
"You're going to regret interfering" Ugly drops the gold, about to turn on the gun.
But Moon Rider shoots an energy blast at him, knocking him down while Vykin uses his magnetism to wrap rocks around Ugly.
"Ugly, the driller is ready, are you coming or not?" Whisper said, not turning around, until she felt the barrel of the pistol at the back of her head.
"Take both your hands off the drill and put them behind your head" Cold-Blood said, Whisper snarled about more but felt the clip of the gun.
"Now" Cold-Blood orders, Whisper stops as she holds her hands behind her head.
The Forever people and the three tie up the Intergang, taking their unknown technology that looks similar to the Forever people that Michael notices.
"These look familiar to you" Michael said, seeing the looks of the Forever people.
"These weapons aren't from New Genesis. They are the enemy." Dreamer says.
"What enemy?" Conner questions.
"The enemy. The Gods of anti-life. These weapons are of Apokolips." Dreamer said, Michael turned on one of the devices, a whip of red energy came out.
LINE
Canary narrows her eyes at her patient.
"So, you want me to believe that after everything you went through including your own death from a slimy monster to a fiery explosion, you're peachy." Canary said, the distinct sound of popcorn being eaten. And the person is sitting in the chair upside down- show-feet on the top of the chair and everything.
"I'm, uh, fairly certain I never used the word 'peachy', but I think you got the gist." Wally says between bites.
"So, you really have no interest in confronting your extreme reaction to that monster taking Artemis' look and stabbing you in the back?" she asks right as Wally tosses a couple of pieces of popcorn into his mouth.
He chokes and forces himself upright as he continues hacking. Dislodging it he gulps before laying on a smile and resting his left arm on the armrest as he turns to look at Canary, now sitting sideways in the chair.
"I'd rather talk about you, babe." Wally said, tossing another bit of popcorn into his mouth, avoiding the topic all together.
"Wally, you're in denial." she deadpans.
Wally puts his hands behind his head, drops his right foot to the floor
"I'm comfortable with that." Wally easily admitting
LINE
The Forever people, Michael, Conner, Wolf, Sphere and Look-Out have the Intergang all tied up outside the construction site.
"The confines of the tunnel would favour their weapons, your plan has proven fruitful Cold-Blood" Bear said, putting the weapons of Apokolips on the ground.
"Thank you Bear, your strength rivals Superboy" Michael notes, putting the weapons in the pile, but hiding one behind his back, without anyone noticing.
The chest gun requires a user to wear it and control it with both hands, Michael looks to see discs in the gun, the forever people said it can fly and shock targets if they get close.
Another one is the same design but the user's hands are holding huge metal balls like gloves; they make quicksand like mud to trap anyone stuck in it, good for capture Michael would say.
Next an energy whip and a spear that can make cutting slashes of energy.
The weapons are interesting but rather odd, none of them are lethal, beside the spear but you have to stab someone with it. The chest gun doesn't outright kill, the ground pound is good for capture and the energy whip's painful but doesn't kill.
Did the Intergang ask for this, or was this what they were offered? Michael thinks.
"None of this makes any sense." Vykin said.
"How are these humans acquiring technology from both New Genesis and Apokolips?" Vykin asked, they all looked at the Intergang.
"You get nothing from me" Ugly said defiantly,
"I'm not talking." Whisper snarls.
"You were not asked." Dreamer informs, and then raises her hands to them as her eyes glow purple.
Whisper shivers and trembles as a gas comes from her head and takes the form of a horribly mutilated person with glowing red irises, covered head-to-toe in a cloak. Laughing maniacally.
All the New Gods gasp.
"Desaad." Dreamer manages, Michael looks at the figure.
"Look, I've been remarkably patient, you know, for me. What is going on?" Conner deadpans, not getting the context here.
"Information would be helpful" Michael said, Dreamer glances at Vykin, who nods. Once again, her hands return to her temples, this time, she's showing her mental images.
"The New Gods come from two worlds at war. 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. This is Desaad, God-Scientist, and chief torturer of Apokolips. His experiments are pure evil. His works, abominations. His master…"
"Unspeakable." The Desaad mirage finishes for her. Then he laughs again before Dreamer banishes the image.
"He sounds charming" Michael said sarcastically, now it makes sense, chief torturer and scientist, the weapons were design to capture and torture.
"And seriously creepy." Whisper says.
LINE
"Hurting? Try traumatized." Robin manages.
"I finally become Leader and wind up sending all of my friends to their deaths. I- 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- and that's not even the worst of it. Y- you can't tell Batman." Robin begs.
"Nothing leaves this room." Canary promises.
"I always wanted, expected, t-to grow up and- and become him. An- and the hero bit? I'm still all-in. But that thing inside of him?" Canary's façade breaks a little as she watches him look ashamed and sound so nervous.
"The thing that- that- that drives him to sacrifice everything for the sake of his mission? That's not me. I- I don't wanna be The Batman anymore." Robin can't look up from his hands.
LINE
The New Gods , Michael and Conner land at an old airfield. The New Gods remain in their ship while Michael Conner and Wolf look at Vykin expectantly.
The box in Vykin's hand pings and he turns to Conner.
"Motherbox says there's a large cache of Apokoliptian technology inside." Vykin explains
Conner turns and looks out over the building in front of them again, letting his vision slip from normal human standards.
"Infrared-Vision shows no heat signatures." Conner said but Look-Out came over.
"I detect multiple enemies" Look-Out said, she scans the mind of the people inside, Bear punches his fist together.
"I say we go straight through the front, make them pay for stealing from New Genesis" Bear eager to go.
"What should be done, mighty rulers of the world" Moon rider sarcastically, looking at Michael and Conner.
Conner glares at him but Michael ignores him.
"They know we're coming, hiding their heat signatures, Conner, what do you think?" Michael asked the clone, who looks surprised but then narrows.
"I say we go in through the front" Conner said, Bear grins at that.
"Alright, good thing I have this" Michael said, pulling out a flash bomb, while he could have more breach items, Flash bangs are always useful.
Bear and Superboy smash through the door, Michael throws in the Flash bomb
FLLLASSSSHHHH
BAAASSHHHH
The group hears screams of pain.
"GO go" Michael said, everyone rushed in seeing the light all turned on, seeing several dozen people with visor like devices on their head freaking out.
"Kill them" one guy tries to say, but half the intergang are blinded.
Moonrider used his blue electricity-like powers to take out two hired thugs in rapid succession, the second getting hit so hard that he gets knocked into the ceiling rafters.
Conner charges one thug with a spear, grabbing it and bending it nearly 45 degrees before throwing the gang member still trying to wield it.
Bear charges at the man next to him and knocks him out with one punch.
Serifan fires rapid shots to everyone, one of the thugs with chest cannon tries to get the drop of the blonde. However, Serifan spins tightly, dropping low and destroying the disks.
Wolf charges in at the gang member while Serifan goes back to providing cover, avoiding a few shots.
Michael uses the Lonely Herald with Tranq Rounds, shooting the Intergang. Running and gunning each of them.
Vykin reaches out a hand but nothing happens.
"These weapons resist my magnetic power. We will soon be overrun. It is time." Vykin said, now the Intergang are no longer disorder and are starting to surround them.
"Cold-Blood, we need time to finish them off" Vykin said to Michael, who raises an eyebrow.
"We'll give you time" Michael said, using Frost-Bite to freeze the area, stopping more than a few Intergang.
Dreamer looks over at him and the two of them take off away from the approaching thugs.
Bear simply smiles as he takes another down with a quick punch.
"This won't take long." Bear said Conner ducks under a hook punch aimed for his head, realising that Bear is talking to him.
"Go!" Before hitting the gang member he was taking on in the face with a punch of his own and three more behind him and Michael.
The New Gods stand in the same formation from the Construction Site.
"Taru!" They all said, all of them turning into light as they began to combine together.
The Intergang winces away from the sudden and bright light, even Conner, Michael and Wolf close their eyes from the light.
But one seems completely unaffected. Instead, calmly walking over to one of the thugs, then suddenly the centre of the chest protection starts steaming. The entire body splits in half, revealing that Desaad was controlling the Android-like casing that looked human.
"Now, mortal. Deliver the Fatherbox." he commands, his voice dark but thready.
The thug takes the box from Desaad and throws it into the glowing form of a not-quite fully-formed being, a now-massive android-like figure coloured in gold and blue.
This was Infinity Man.
But the Fatherbox disappears into Infinity Man's chest and the still glowing form clutches its head before finally solidifying. From the stomach, Infinity Man turns from gold and blue to red to black.
Wolf snarls and growls beside Conner and Michael.
"Is that supposed to happen?" Conner said, seeing the new gods merge to a giant robot but now turn red and glaring at them.
"I don't believe so," Michael said, saw Vykin hold the motherbox and another guy throw something in it.
"Kill the boys and their little dog too." Desaad commands, looking far too pleased with himself.
The corrupted Infinity Man starts advancing towards the three of them.
"LOOK-OUT" Michael shouted, Infinity man shot laser from his eyes, sending the boys plus wolf back.
Conner screams being thrown back, Michael uses his psionic to block the damage but the blast sends him back.
Conner gets himself back as goes Michael, they watch Infinity man walk to them.
But the hanger behind them gets ripped up, Revealing Look-Out the Gatekeeper floating in.
Look-Out sees the giant android walking forward.
"Target acquired, Opening shell" Look-Out said, the shell around her begin to open up, her six tentacles out free and out as they all gather psionic energy into a ball.
"What the" Conner said, a little gross by what's inside Look-Out.
"Get over it and move" Michael said, grabbing the clone and moving him away from the blast, Wolf following behind.
Look-Out sent a psionic ball to Infinity man,
GATEWAY
The psionic ball actually sends him back.
Infinity man struggles a bit as he uses his gravity to keep him up.
Desaad looks shocked when Infinity man gets knocked back.
"Impossible" Desaad said in shock, looking at New Genesis' greatest weapon getting hit by lower beings.
Infinity man gets back up as he lifts one arm to crush Look-Out who closes her shell.
But a rocket hit him, it didn't do much but it got his and Desaad's attention.
The Intergang are now shooting Infinity man
"What are you fool's doing?!" Desaad said in rage to this betrayal. The Intergang didn't react, just shooting Infinity man with human guns and Apokoliptian weapons.
The Gatekeeper can use its Gateway ability in its open form, which deals a large amount of damage in a large radius, and raises any corpses of organic beings, but Look-Out was different, her learning about Psionic gave her more control on the Gateway.
Instead of raising corpses, Look-Out can mind-control or cause other mental effects on any organic's hit by the blast.
Now Infinity man is using his laser to kill the Intergang, due to the Fatherbox Infinity man isn't holding back.
Conner looks in horror at Infinity man killing the Intergang, as Sphere comes behind him.
"We need to stop it," Conner said, but Infinity Man turns to them.
"I don't think we can," Michael said, seeing the amount of power this being has.
"Change Shell" Look-Out said, using psionic to change her shell, glowing in purple as the white parts on her shell began to change shape, Look-out's sphere has gain four spider-like legs and two plasma guns on her side.
"Spider mode, Fire" Look-Out said, guns out and shooting plasma blasts at Infinity man, getting his attention as he tries to shoot with his lasers eyes. Look-Out closer her guns and legs and began to roll away, becoming a rolling ball.
Look-Out learns many things away from ADVENT's control,
Sphere revs behind Conner as he raises his fists with Michael.
"Good, uh, girl. We'll take him down together." Conner said, instead Sphere is now back in her original shape and rolls away.
"Yeah, I don't really blame you." Michael said, seeing as Infinity Man turns to them.
The three dodge in opposite directions of Infinity Man's hammer first, both Michael and Look-Out aim their guns at the giant machine.
LINE
"It was all my fault." M'gann whispers, before knocking the heel of her hand against her head. "Hello, Megan." she brings her right hand back to her knees to re-join her left one.
"Who else could take a simple exercise and turn it into a nightmare that terrorises everyone she cares about?" as she speaks her green skin tone fades to a familiar nude.
Canary looks stunned.
"You've turned white." is all she can manage to say about it.
M'gann's now amber eyes slam up to Canary's for a moment, gasping before standing upright.
"No!" then looks down at her hands, it takes her a moment to process what she's seeing.
"Oh, you meant Caucasian." she slowly eases herself back into the chair.
"Yeah, I'm fine being Megan. But I can't be trusted to use my other powers." M'gann said,
"M'gann, you're Martian." Canary lets out a tiny chuckle as she points out the obvious, then leans forward, threading her fingers as she rests her forearms on her knees.
"Not using your natural abilities is like me refusing to speak." M'gann refuses to meet her gaze. "Which, by the way, I tried for a while after my very first Canary Cry nearly deafened my entire first grade class." Canary recalls, M'gann finally meets her gaze sadly.
"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. Maybe even ask Michael for help" M'gann finally perks up a bit, looking back up but looking down to mention Michael.
"Practise until you gain control and regain your confidence."
LINE
Conner screams as he's thrown into a parked plane.
The metal of the entire outside frame gives way under him. It takes Conner a second to be less disorientated enough to focus back on what's going on. He gasps when he sees Wolf get punched by Infinity Man and is flying through the air.
He catches the large creature and takes the brunt of the hit against the plane again.
Infinity man turns as Look-Out shoots plasma, distracting the giant, Infinity man tries to smash Look-Out but she rolls away.
As Wolf recovers, Conner hops over his back and goes for the wing. Ripping a piece off and throwing it at Infinity Man.
Infinity man turns, laser eyes shooting the plane pieces, and then raises a hand.
Conner only has a brief second to see the plane glowing gold and rising in the air before it's slammed down on top of him.
Infinity Man tosses the plane away and leans down to pick up a mostly unconscious Conner, Infinity man goes to grab the clone.
Look-Out rolls around, gaining the monument before empowering itself with Psionic, charging into Infinity man with her full body, using the damage plane as a ramp.
THAMMMMM
Knocking the giant down as he catches himself from falling down,
"Your power is impressive, but it is nothing against Infinity Man, Infinity man's power by the Source itself" Desaad chuckles in amusement, impressed with this mortal's power but means nothing in the long run.
Infinity man gets back up, raise is hand using the broken plane parts and throwing it at Look-Out, who rolls around the plane parts
"It is pointless, I will enjoy watching you…" Desaad was cut off with Michael Phase walking in front of him, the scientist widened in shock.
Michael hit Desaad, knocking him down before getting him in a choke hold, holding a knife to his throat.
"How do I stop Infinity Man!" Michael yells, seeing Desaad knows about it, he can stop it.
"You can't," Desaad chuckles creepily.
"Fatherbox knows my… proclivities and programmed Infinity Man accordingly." Desaad smirks at Michael, Desaad starts gasping for air from Michael choking him.
Michael searches through Desaad, he knows he should have something to stop it if his Fatherbox didn't work, finding another Motherbox but in a red container and another device.
As Wolf gets up, as does Conner, Wolf immediately starts snarling at the giant.
Wolf takes a leap at them but is quickly batted away. Wolf whimpered from the hit.
Look-Out fires her laser shot from its eye, blasting him back as Infinity man creates a shield to block it.
"Conner you ok?" Michael Phase Walked to him, getting him up.
"Barely" Conner said, Michael nods as he pulls at a device.
"Conner I got this from the ugly motherfucker over there, it should work" Michael said, Conner nods.
"Look-Out and I will distract it while you throw it" Michael gives it to him, Conner nods and holds the device.
"And if it doesn't work?" Conner said, Michael shrugs.
"Then we're screwed" Michael said simply, Conner deadpanned at him but nodded.
"Ok" Conner said, nothing left to lose at this point.
Michael uses Frost Bite to cover the giant, Infinity Man covers his hand and breaks the ice, Look-Out shoots plasma at him, and Sphere flies in shooting Infinity man as well.
"Sphere, you're Beautiful!" Conner said, seeing Sphere fire back at the giant.
"Now Superboy" Michael calls out, pulling out a pistol Conner throws the device high at the giant.
Infinity man doesn't notice it, getting attacked from both sides.
Michael aims his Endless Brevity, shooting the device in the air.
EXPLLOOODDDDDDDEEEESSS
The device explodes, from the explosion comes a concussive wave that when it hits Infinity Man causes it to glow and disassemble.
The New Gods lay on the ground, groaning as they come to. Looking around in confusion.
Desaad gets back up, seeing the serpent use his bomb to dismantle Infinity man,
"All will suffer." Desaad hisses, opening a portal behind him.
BOOM
But turns his head to face them.
"All will suffer!" Desaad swore as he walked through it. Wolf finds the one box that isn't in one of their possessions, which pings before Wolf bites it to bits.
Sphere lands near Conner who eases himself back to his feet after the explosion.
"You are amazing" Conner said as Michael, Wolf and Look-Out came over.
"We thank you for your assistance Cold-Blood, Superboy, you have the eternal gratitude of the Forever people" Vykin said, offering a hand shake as Michael shakes back.
"Perhaps it could lead to an alliance" Michael said, Vykin smiles
"Only time would tell," Vykin said before looking at the sphere.
"New Genisphere will return with us" Vykin said, Conner turns his shoulder in an instant.
"Sorry, What?" Conner asked them.
"We thank you for your help. But we must take the New-Genisphere home now." Dreamer says from behind Vykin, leading the rest of the New Gods towards them.
"No. No way!" Conner denies, Look-Out floats over.
"Please don't take New Genisphere, I would miss her if she leaves" Look-Out said, not wanting to see her friend leave.
"Why should we leave her with you?" Serifan questions.
"To us, she lives. To you, she's merely technology." Moonrider said to Conner, not looking at Michael who is silent about this.
"No, it's not like that!" Conner shouts.
"Then what is it like?" Bear demands, crossing his arms and keeping the volume high.
"We bonded, okay?!" Conner snaps.
Serifan and Bear share a smile. Dreamer smiles over Vykin's shoulder before he smiles too.
"In fact, it is. You may keep her." Vykin said Conner looked surprised as Michael smiled.
"They were testing you Conner, they want to see your reactions" Michael said, getting a smile from Vykin.
"I suppose you need help disposing of the Apokoliptian technology" Michael asked, getting a nod from the Forever people as they begin collecting the technology to destroy it.
After that the Forever People said their farewell,
LINE
Mount Justice
"What exactly do you expect to find, Batman?" Martian Manhunter asks as Red Tornado scans the Sphere.
"According to Conner, Sphere has proven quite useful. Wally has already rechristened her the ＂Super-Cycle＂Martian Manhunter said, Batman looks at the scans.
"By any name, the Sphere merits further investigation. As does everything in Superboy's and Cold-Blood's report." Batman points out.
"Speaking of, where are they now?" Batman asked.
Conner sits in the chair opposite Black Canary, looking at the ground between his boots. His forearms on his thighs and his hands between them.
"Here's the ugly truth. I wasn't devastated. Even 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." Conner admits.
Black Canary jolts at that admission but doesn't stop him from continuing.
"See, from the moment I first opened my eyes in that Cadmus pod there's been one thing I've wanted and feared: To know what it is to be Superman. And I knew. So I was happy" Conner meets her eyes for a brief moment before dropping them back down.
"Everyone I care about, dead or traumatised and I'm happy." he raises his hands and looks at them for a moment, then drops them back down.
"How do I get past the guilt of that?" Finally, he raises his gaze and keeps it there.
"How do I live with myself?" Conner asked her, Canary leans forward, her broken heart showing on her face as she places a hand on his knee.
"I don't have any easy answers, Conner." Canary's face is strong and steady by the time she's there.
"But one thing's clear: Admitting it is the first step."
At some point, his eyes had slid closed, but hearing that causes him to open them and look her in the eyes.
LINE
Michael sits in the Sky Ranger, flying back to the Avenger with Look-Out checks the Apokoliptian technology.
Conner and Michael took the Super-cycle to Mount Justice, the team were all over the new 'Super-Cycle' that wally name it now, both gave Batman their report on the forever people and everything while Michael headed home.
But actually he has Look-Out gather all Apokoliptian technology and scraps from the battle, now heading to the Avenger to find out all about the new gods and their tech.
"Why are we taking the Apokoliptian technology, Commander?" Look-Out asked, looking over the weapons and everything.
"The Intergang has access to them, we need to find out how they work and how to counter them" Michael explains, writing his own report on the New gods.
"But we promise the forever people we destroy the technology" Look-Out said, yes they did destroy some of the tech in front of the forever people.
"We will but it won't stop the Light from gaining more" Michael said, with the Intergang a low crime group getting a handful of this, imagery what someone like Lex Luther could afford.
"So we're going to use these weapons for ourselves?" Look-Out asked, XCOM has used the enemy's weapons against them, after dismantling and studying first.
"No, while impressive these weapons are, there only used to capture and torture, Desaad didn't give the Intergang more powerful weapons to became a threat" Michael said, Apokolips will create a new type of weapons to sell in the Black-market.
But said weapons would be limited and under-powered compared to the true might of Apokolips.
"We'll make our own weapons using the scrapes" Michael said, seeing with the Engineers design more weapons better then these ones.
Michael picks up two boxes, both look identical except the colour, Desaad calls this the Fatherbox compared to the Vykin's Motherbox.
Desaad must have stolen it and put a device to prevent it from being tracked, Michael put his own barrier on both devices.
"We are not going to hurt them, are we?" Look-Out asked, seeing the Commander look at the Mother and Fatherboxes.
"No study them, learn about them, Wolf already gave us a broken one" Michael said, looking at the Fatherbox Wolf used as a chew toy.
"Good, the Motherbox seems nice, But the Fathebox is rather rude" Look-Out said looking at the boxes in the Commander's hand.
"Yes Vykin did say, Mother box is a living computer, it can teleport, repair and scan, even fuse beings together" Michael said, recounting all the powers he has seen from the Motherbox.
"Suppose the Father box could do the same, plus that corrupting nature" Michael said, seeing how the Fatherbox is a darker version of the Motherbox, corrupting Infinity man.
"We need to prepare for this" Michael said, looking at the boxes and the power the New Gods have.
"Commander, when the Forever people came, their Motherbox sent a signal to find any Apokoliptian technology in the planet, I was able to understand the signal and pin point one's they missed" Look-out said, getting Michael to look at her.
"More Apokoliptian technology?" Michael asked, concerned about this development.
"Yes and another user matching that of Desaad" Look-Out said, there's another New god from Apokolips here on earth.
"We need to check them out, as soon as possible" Michael said, Desaad had access to Infinity man, what could his new god be doing.
"They're at this location '' Look-Out activating a screen, showing the location to the Commander.
"What's a New God doing in a studio?" Michael raised an eyebrow on the location of this New God from Apokolips.