?:
"Frankie?" May gasped, her heart racing as she spotted the familiar figure in the dim light. The shadows cast an eerie glow around them. "How did you get here?"
"Please..." Frankie whimpered, her voice trembling, as she edged further away from May. Her wide, frightened eyes spoke of deep-seated fear. "Just... stay away from me. I can't do this."
"Do what?" May's concern deepened as she took a tentative step closer, her mind racing with worries. "Frankie, honey, what is going on?"
"Just... stay back," Frankie pleaded, her voice cracking. "I can't do this again. I can't explain this hellscape I am trapped in! First Miles, then Mom, Dad, Cisco... now you? This is too much!"
"Frankie, sweetie, you are really scaring me," May said soothingly as she moved carefully, her instincts telling her to comfort her friend. "Please... just slow down... take a deep breath and tell me what's wrong."
Tears glistened in Frankie's eyes as she curled into a corner, small and vulnerable. "I... I am from the future, May. Something went horribly wrong, and now I'm stuck, jumping from place to place, from reality to reality." Her voice was fraught with despair. "It was just a freak accident. I thought I was saving everyone, but I've damned myself to this hellish nightmare! All I want is to go home."
May's heart ached for Frankie. She approached carefully, wrapping her arms around her in a comforting embrace. Frankie leaned into her, seeking solace in the warmth and support.
"So, you're trapped jumping through time and space?" May inquired, her brows furrowed with concern.
Frankie nodded, her brows knitted together in distress. "It's like living in hell, May..."
"And it just happens randomly?" May pressed gently.
"Yeah..." Frankie confirmed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"But I don't think it's randomness," May said softly, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "Do you notice how you keep ending up around people who mean so much to you? First it was Miles, then Caitlin and Peter, and now it's me? That can't be just a coincidence."
"So you think it wasn't an accident that I got these powers?" Frankie asked, exhaustion etched on her features as she wiped away her tears, searching May's eyes for answers.
"I've always believed none of you received these abilities by mere chance," May reminded her, her voice full of warmth. "Think about how scared you were when you first discovered your powers. But look at what happened because of them: you became a hero. You became part of this family."
Frankie pondered May's words, a flicker of realization dawning upon her. If she had never embraced her identity as Magenta, she could still be trapped with her abusive foster father. Instead, she had been adopted by Peter, a chance that had transformed her into a protector of others. She remembered her triumphs: saving the world during Battleworld, battling the Dark Knights, confronting Deathstorm, Brainiac, Cicada, the Thinker, and all the threats thrown at them. She realized now that her powers had indeed been a gift.
"Then why would I have been given this power?" Frankie asked, determination washing over her as she stood taller. "What good am I if I can't even stay in one place for long?"
"That's something you need to discover for yourself, sweetie," May said, pulling Frankie close once more, her voice a tender whisper filled with hope. "I can't wait to see what you uncover."
Frankie clung to May, quiet sobs escaping her as waves of conflicting emotions swelled within her. She could warn May of what lay ahead: the dangers of Cable, the Syndicate, and Hobgoblin. But to do so could jeopardize their entire future. The image of Peter and Caitlin suffering plagued her thoughts. She couldn't take that risk. Breaking the embrace, she wiped her tears, determination settling in her heart.
"So, what will you do now?" May asked gently, her eyes full of encouragement.
Frankie forced back her tears, donning a brave facade. "I'm going to find a teacher. Someone who can guide me in controlling this ability, this... gift, and help me understand why I was given it." With a deep breath, she felt her body begin to relax. She had been fighting against her powers, trying to mold them to her will. But then she recalled Peter's profound words:
"You cannot beat a river into submission. You have to surrender to its current and use its power as your own."
Frankie whispered the mantra, focusing on the potential within her. "I have the powers of the Metaverse in my grasp... I just need to find someone who can teach me."
Suddenly, she felt the familiar sensation of Time Slipping returning. It was disorienting, the twist in her stomach promising another journey ahead. Her fingers began to rift through the fabric of time and space, searching for her mentor, seeking the guidance she so desperately needed.
And with a sharp gasp, she flinched backward as she was pulled into the vast, swirling multiverse.
Earth Prime:
Peter lounged on the sofa, his children and wives gathered around him, all engrossed in watching something together. Meanwhile, out on the balcony, Ronnie engaged in a deep conversation with Teresa about the Symbiote, bringing her up to speed on the events that had unfolded since 2015.
"So, you created a Symbiote?" April tried to figure this out. "Did I make it look this good?"
"It's not a pure Symbiote. Yours is fragments of the original. Mine is a pure Synthetic replica." Peter assured them. "It is controlled within my mind. It is perfectly safe. We used data that had been discovered over the years regarding symbiotes and their origins. This one isn't alive, so there is no chance of this one turning evil."
"And you kept this a secret from us?" Caitlin asks him. "Using yourself as some sort of...test subject?"
"I am the only one who has ever had an actual encounter with the Symbiote, so it makes sense to use me as a subject," Peter defended himself.
"And what if something went wrong?" Frost asks. "What if something happened, and we had to deal with another Symbiote invasion?"
"Then I had precautions," Peter assured them. "We had ways of removing it off of me if something were to happen."
"And if those precautions killed you?" Caitlin questioned with anger in her voice.
The room went quiet with that question, with a few of the kids looking for an excuse to try and leave. "Oh, look at that, I got... somewhere else to be." Tommy said.
"I've gotta go prepare for that transport," Aster said, rushing off.
"I've got... somewhere else to be," April said, running off.
"And I... don't wanna be here," Ashley said, rushing off.
After his encounter with the whole Syndicate thing, Ollie worked on fixing the Steel Spider. Also giving the suit a bit of an upgrade with a stealth mode, which wasn't exactly working perfectly, but... As he was fixing the scanners in the mask, he missed that there was an alert coming from the computers. The alert was silenced when Tina's connection came up.
"Hey, Ollie, you good?" Tina asked.
"Oh, hey, yeah, just fixing the Steel Spider, what's up?" Ollie asks.
"Well, that transport thing is today, and we are rounding up anyone who is available to take it," Tina explained the reason for the call. "You think you could..?"
"Uh, sure, I should be able to make it," Ollie said as he stood up. "I'll meet the others at the RAFT, I assume?"
"Yeah, Aster is there with Karen, others should be arriving soon," Tina confirmed.
"Sounds great. I'll be there soon," Ollie said, hanging up.
Ollie let out a deep sigh, his gaze drifting towards the sleek suit that lay waiting for him. With a swift motion, he began the familiar process of gearing up. As he donned his mask, a surge of energy coursed through him, and he focused on summoning his suit from a distance.
The fragments whirred to life, darting toward him like metallic fireflies. Each piece of the suit aligned perfectly, sliding into place with a series of satisfying clicks and whirs. The mask, with its larger visor designed for enhanced visibility, formed first, wrapping around his head and sealing him in. The gauntlets seamlessly locked onto his wrists, merging with the custom-designed bracelets that facilitated the summoning process.
A series of small thrusters clicked into position, strategically placed along the fragments to maintain balance and enable flight. As the last piece connected, Ollie felt the comforting weight of his Steel Spider attire cocooning him, its glossy surface gleaming with anticipation. In mere moments, he transformed into a formidable figure, fully equipped and ready to spring into action, adrenaline racing through him.
"Let's do this," Ollie stated, running towards a window, watching it open and he leaped out, swinging off towards the RAFT.
"Hunters?" Ned's voice crackled through the MultiversalCall, blending with the whirr of the jet's engines as MJ sat in the cabin, the sleek lines of the aircraft cutting through the cloud-streaked sky on its way to Central City. "You kidding? How are you guys like some sort of danger magnet when you're together?"
MJ sighed, her head lolling back against the cushioned seat as she mulled over their predicament. "That's exactly what I asked." Her voice was laced with weariness. "But we left the twins in National City with Brainy; they'll be safe there. I couldn't risk sending them home only to find out Kraven has some kind of dimensional tech."
Ned's concern echoed back through the call. "That is fair. Wishing you took Nat's offer to visit her now, aren't ya?"
MJ scoffed, an eyebrow raised. "Are you kidding? God, no. I'd rather deal with Hunters than face Natasha and her mother's pig farm."
Ned paused, his tone shifting to a slightly bemused one. "I… don't think Natasha lives down there."
"Well, she talked about it enough for me to want to avoid it," MJ replied defiantly, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Don't you dare tell her I said that, or I'll kill you and jump universes."
"Got it," Ned replied, his laughter dancing through the connection. "So, have you talked to him about… you-know-who?"
"Gwen?" MJ's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Look, we've got enough going on. I don't need the whole 'choosing your dead girlfriend over me' drama."
Meanwhile, in the cockpit, Peter sat alongside Alex, his hands deftly maneuvering the controls as the aircraft soared toward the bustling cityscape below.
"Where'd you learn how to fly?" Alex asked, her brow arching in curiosity.
Peter-616 chuckled, his expression softened with nostalgia. "Ah, my Aunt, Melinda May," he mused, the memories flooding back. "She taught me everything about flying before I could even walk properly. I even piloted the Bus a few times."
"Bus?" Alex inquired, a hint of confusion crossing her features.
Peter-616 let out a soft chuckle. "Well, we called our base that. It felt like home." His expression darkened slightly as he recalled distant echoes of the past. "But it was destroyed during the Battle for Earth, while we were fighting Thanos. We were trying to save half of the universe—no, wait, the whole universe. He changed his plans after we attempted to undo what he'd done." He turned to Alex, a hint of seriousness in his eyes. "Also, I follow you guys on interdimensional Facebook. You do realize I know about your Helicarrier?"
Alex froze for a brief moment, realization dawning on her. "Right… sorry. It was just a good idea, and it did end up saving our lives."
"Hey, I'm not upset about that," Peter-616 reassured her, a soft smile breaking through. "I'm just glad some S.H.I.E.L.D. assets are getting utilized. After Weirdmageddon… well, let's just say faith in S.H.I.E.L.D. protecting the world has greatly diminished."
"Seriously?" Alex's eyes widened in shock. "Your team stopped Bill Cipher."
"And that was my fault, to begin with," Peter-616 replied somberly, his gaze drifting out to the passing clouds. "Bill came into our world, and… all those deaths, the Triskellion, Frankie… they happened because of my pain."
"We were told your history," Alex stated gently, trying to comfort him. "Considering everything, I'm surprised you're still a hero. Losing your parents at practically birth, being raised within the government, your girlfriend being killed, your uncle dying and being resurrected, being turned into a sleeper agent—it's all been so psychotic."
"Yeah," Peter-616 sighed, the weight of his past hanging heavily in the air. "I never really thought back to the chaos."
"You snapped only once amidst all that?" Alex pressed, incredulous. "I'm genuinely shocked you didn't completely lose it."
"Well, that one time has now led the government to believe I'm not mentally stable enough to control S.H.I.E.L.D.," Peter-616 said, casting a glance outside the window. "I don't know what's going to happen next."
"Well, if you want, we've been considering branching out the DEO," Alex offered, a glimmer of hope in her voice. "Maybe S.H.I.E.L.D. could find a place in our world."
Peter-616 chuckled softly, the smile wavering. "No, I could never abandon my world. Your Earth has enough heroes… I could never abandon my home."
"A multiversal collapse?" Teresa exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief as she processed Ronnie's unsettling revelation.
"Yeah," echoed Ronnie, while Cisco nodded in agreement, the two of them seamlessly diving into an explanation of the chaotic events that spiraled out of control during the time Teresa had missed. They detailed that the Snow-Parker family had been embroiled in discussions surrounding a formidable entity known as the Symbiote. "And that was when he came back, a decade or so later," Cisco continued, his voice heavy with the weight of memories.
"I died after the Accelerator," he recounted, his brow furrowing as he reminisced. "I came back a while later, but then I died again during the singularity." There was a short pause as he gathered his thoughts. "But I returned as a demon called Deathstorm, and it was Peter and Cait who rescued me."
Teresa glanced at Cisco, seeking confirmation that Ronnie's words were not mere fabrications. With a solemn nod, Cisco affirmed, "Yeah, all true."
"Okay… so let me get this straight," Teresa ventured, struggling a little to wrap her mind around the complex web of truths. "There are aliens that exist on Earth, and they've always been here. One of them looks like my brother, but he's not really my brother because he's half-alien. And then there's his sister, who's now the new Captain America, a superhero from our time during the War…" She paused, her thoughts tumbling over one another. "This is all very confusing."
"Yeah, maybe we should just get J'onn to buzz her head like we did with you," Cisco suggested, casting a sidelong glance at Ronnie with a smirk.
"Are you sure this thing is safe?" Caitlin interjected, her voice laced with concern as she looked toward Peter for reassurance, eyeing the ominous Symbiote enveloping him.
"Chester's running tests while it's linked to me, and so far, the results are showing nothing is wrong," Peter reassured them, his tone calm yet resolute. "As of right now, it's stable."
"But that can change?" Frost questioned, a hint of skepticism edging her voice.
"That's why I have my own abilities," Peter replied earnestly. "If push comes to shove, I can disable the dampener and survive on what's left of my powers. I'll know when to call it quits."
Caitlin's brow furrowed with concern. "But… why are you doing this? I thought you were done. You said you were done."
Peter looked down, the weight of grief evident in his demeanor. "After losing Frankie, all I could think about was the potential dangers," he explained, his voice softer. "I need to be there if something like Weirdmageddon ever happens again."
"And you're sure this is safe?" Frost pressed again, her gaze steady and searching for his reassurance.
"Yes, trust me, Frost," Peter implored, gripping her hand and locking eyes with her. "It's safe. I wouldn't be using it if it weren't. I've run the tests and double-checked the results. The suit is safe."
Caitlin tilted her head, uncertainty creeping in. "And you won't wear it to go out on missions, right?"
"It's strictly for our protection," Peter promised, his eyes earnest as he squeezed her hand. "I won't be going out there, I swear."
Caitlin and Frost exchanged glances, their concern mingled with a flicker of hope. They shared a silent moment of understanding, aware that without the synthetic Symbiote, things could have spiraled dangerously out of control back at the CCPD and in their home.
"If you say it's safe, and you're not going on any dangerous missions, then… we can agree to this," Caitlin finally responded, her tone firm yet comforting.
"But no more experiments on yourself without us knowing," Frost added, her voice commanding but also protective.
"Deal," Peter replied, the relief washing over him evident in the way his shoulders relaxed; he was glad to see them reach an understanding.
RAFT:
Ollie deftly swung through the urban landscape, the small thrusters gifted by Terry McGinnis propelling him gracefully as he utilized his web wings to maintain balance. As he approached the RAFT, a fortified prison vessel glimmering under the afternoon sun, he executed a smooth landing on its side. With nimble movements, he crawled over to join his teammates: Bumblebee, Elastic, Spinneret, Accelerate, Sub-Zero, and Firefighter.
This select group was tasked with overseeing the convoy, while the rest of the team focused on safeguarding the city. It was an opportunity for Bumblebee and Firefighter to gain invaluable field experience. The mission seemed straightforward, revolving around a routine prison transport, and they felt confident that they could manage any challenges that might arise. Most of the prisoners in transit were either stripped of their powers or simply too aged to be a significant threat, allowing the team to approach the task with a sense of assuredness.
"Hey, gang, I'm not late, am I?" Ollie asks.
"Actually, you're right in the middle," Karen Beecher said.
They stood in silence, witnessing the prison convoy slowly rumbling to life, each vehicle a grim reminder of a chaotic past where the legendary Justice League had united to battle formidable foes. The air was thick with tension as they watched the notorious inmates being transported.
At the forefront was Barbara Minerva, clad in tattered remnants of what once might have been a vibrant costume. The Cheetah, with her wild mane and sharp claws, snarled furiously, her sinuous tail twisted and shackled to the rear of her transport. The feral energy she exuded hinted at her primal nature and the battle that raged within her.
Next came Kimiyo Hoshi, known as Dr. Light. Once a brilliant scientist, her powers had been twisted and nearly consumed by desperation. She had used her formidable abilities in a recent attempt to assist the Beetle but had ultimately succumbed to the darkness that enveloped the city, now reduced to mere cargo on this moving prison.
Then there was August Heart, alias Godspeed. He had tried to infiltrate the ranks of the heroes cunningly, but the truth of his betrayal had unraveled quickly, revealing him as nothing more than a phantom of deceit. His expression was unreadable, caught in a moment of reflection on the consequences of his actions.
Among the convoy's ominous occupants was the monstrous Juggernaut, a titan of terror whose mere presence sent shivers down the spine. One of the deadliest combatants known to the world, he was a force that had left destruction in his wake, and now he sat quietly, his fate sealed.
But of all the infamous criminals on that transport, none brought more dread than Eobard Thawne — the Reverse Flash. Infamous for relentlessly stalking the speedsters of the Justice League, he had sowed chaos and fear for generations. His reputation preceded him, and now, stripped of his powers, he was but a shadow of the villain he once was.
"Bring out the last one."
"Another?" Daniel asks.
"This is new," Dawn admitted. "Thought that was everyone."
Finally, the convoy bore Louise Lincoln, better known as Killer Frost. Once a compelling force in the struggle for dominance over the city, she had been easily subdued by Sub-Zero, and her icy ambitions shattered. Yet the sight of her ignited something deep within Ollie, a hot surge of anger and unresolved grief. He clenched his fist tightly, the familiar whir of his armor echoing the battle raging in his heart.
As memories flooded his mind, images of a catastrophic prison breakout from years past spiraled through him — a chaotic struggle where the Justice League and the Young Justice had fought valiantly, leaving behind scars that never truly healed. The repercussions of that battle were steep, and now, as he gazed upon the faces of his old enemies, the weight of those lost lives pressed down on him once more.
One of those people who were lost was Ollie's mother. He held a hatred for the woman responsible ever since and avoided the RAFT for years for this reason. But now he saw the woman who took someone he loved was being transferred and snarled.
"Ollie?" Tina called, trying to help him calm down. "Babe, are you okay?"
Ollie began to pant within the armor as he looked down at the convoy and sighed. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Just... wasn't expecting it."
They watched as the prison vessel began to make its way down the river. That was when they watched as some sort of strange explosions were going off. They looked like they were made of painted smoke, which got them all curious as to what was going on. They made their way over to the transport, those who couldn't fly were given a hand by others.
"A little early for fireworks, isn't it?" Issac asked.
"Yeah, it is," Beecher said as she flew around. "What's with the colors?"
"Yellow. Green... something is about to go down," Dawn stated.
Daniel looked to the guards. "Make sure the prisoners are secure!"
That was when an explosion went off, causing the side security to explode. Then one after another, all of them were exploding, causing everyone to panic.
"Accelerate, Elastic, Sub-Zero, on my left," Tina said, getting them to split off into groups. "Everyone else, stick with Steel!"
"On it!" Beecher said as she stuck with Ollie.
That was when various advanced helicopters became visible after approaching using a camouflage feature. It was so advanced it seemed to even silence the helicopter blades themselves. They came flying in over the transport and then dropped dozens of troops from above. Jetskis then came in as a dozen more troops used them to fly using the wreckage of the other boats and flew upward, crashing into the prison transfer and ditching the skis.
Ollie quickly caught a falling light from crushing one of the guards and tossed it towards the Hunter. The hunter drew two blades and used them to slice through the lights like it was paper.
"Oh, boy..." Ollie sighed, preparing for a fight. "I should have stretched this morning."
"Your head will make a fine trophy!" The Hunter said, marching towards Ollie, raising its blades to then prepare to strike.
"You guys must be new in town!" Ollie exclaimed, launching himself into action with an agility that belied his mechanical limbs. He deftly dodged a strike aimed at him, then swiftly pivoted to pull his opponent closer. "Name's Steel Spider!" With a flourish, he spun on his heel, retracting his metallic arms with a whir of gears, and expertly tripped the Hunter, sending the adversary crashing to the deck. "These guys? They're bad news. You really want to keep them behind bars!"
High above, Beecher zipped through the air, her newly equipped stingers buzzing with energy as she unleashed arcs of electricity toward the Hunters. The dazzling blasts struck them with precision, targeting their nerve signals and forcing their weapons to clatter to the ground in frustration. "Why are they after these people?! Did Thawne send them after us?"
"He hasn't had any contact with anyone in years!" Dawn shouted, her voice ringing out as she darted around the transport ship. The water she conjured surged and twisted in her wake, providing her with an ethereal edge as she deftly attacked the smaller boats. The Hunters, surprised by her speed, swung their knives but found themselves outmatched, unable to land a single blow before Dawn knocked them down one by one. "These guys aren't his style. Thawne's all about the melodrama!"
"Who are these assailants?!" one of the soldiers yelled in confusion.
"I was kinda hoping you knew!" Issac shouted back, launching himself into the air. He punched the deck with all his might, sending a shockwave of flames sweeping across the surface and blinding the Hunters. In the chaos, Sub-Zero seized the opportunity to dash in, unleashing a torrent of icy projectiles that sent the foes sprawling.
"Sub-Zero?" Issac blinked in surprise.
"You think I know every kook out there who wants to do me harm?" Sub-Zero retorted, a smirk curling on his lips as he struck another Hunter with a blast of ice that sent them crashing into their comrades. "Trust me, I made like five enemies in college alone."
"What on earth did you do?" Issac asked, disbelief evident in his tone.
"In my defense, they never mentioned anything about freezing the pool," Sub-Zero replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he unleashed another icy torrent that coated the deck, causing Hunters to wildly slip and regain their footing.
Issac let out a resigned sigh, glancing over at Ollie. "Is he serious?"
Ollie, still busy with his mechanical arms, deftly sliced through the ropes binding the transport ship to the smaller boats filled with their adversaries. "Sadly, yes," he confirmed, focusing intently on his task as the tension in the air built. "But can we focus?"
Tina blasted ice towards the advancing Hunters, halting their progress. "Why do you even want these guys?" she demanded, shooting a web to grab another Hunter, yanking his weapon out of his hands, using it to strike him, and then leaping to dodge an incoming attack from behind. "It looks like you already have enough members in your squad!"
"You shall soon see, and it will be glorious!" A hunter cried out, pulling a missile launcher and opening fire.
Tina rolled out of the way to dodge the missile, shooting two webs to latch the missile launcher and yanking it out of his hands. "I don't like the sound of that!" She then tried to use her watch to summon help but discovered the signal was being scrambled. "Guys, they're scrambling our signal!"
"Got that idea!" Dawn cried, running as fast as she could across to another boat, continuing to fight. "Man, how many boats do these guys have?"
Daniel cried, wrapping himself around the Hunter, then using his hands to wrap around the Hunter's arms, and then using his body to fight the others before leaping off, knocking them all overboard. "What do you guys want?!"
"Don't let them get to the lower levels!" one of the defenders shouted, panic lacing his voice.
"Must capture the prisoners!" another barked, urgency fueling his words.
"That's a redundant statement!" Beecher retorted, zipping through the air, her vibrant stingers firing like miniature missiles, striking down the relentless Hunters that loomed below.
Tina, having just dispatched her wave of foes with precision, suddenly felt a prickle of danger tingling at the back of her mind. As she turned frantically, her eyes widened in shock when she spotted a cluster of drones cleverly disguised as innocuous birds, swooping toward her like predators on the hunt. They dove in and ensnared her, their cold metallic claws grasping her tightly.
"Are you kidding me?!" Tina exclaimed in disbelief, fighting against the mechanical grip. "I thought we already did psycho robots last year!"
In that moment of crisis, Issac sprang into action. He unleashed a brilliant fireball that soared into the sky, illuminating the darkened battlefield and crashing into one of the drones. The impact sent sparks flying, damaging the robotic attacker and causing it to falter.
Seizing the opportunity, Tina summoned all her strength, her fingers gripping the drone's wing. With a fierce yank, she tore it free, sending herself plummeting toward the ground. Just as the chill of free fall hit her, she unfurled her web wings, a burst of colorful membrane catching the air, allowing her to glide away from danger and regain her footing in the chaotic fray.
That was before another bird rammed into her, sending her flying through the hub of the ship, and being fired upon by the Hunters. She dodged the arrows they were shooting and saw that a new batch of them was arriving on the transport.
"Our business is not with them! Our quarry lies within!" a rugged hunter exclaimed, his voice cutting through the chaos like a sharpened blade.
"They're definitely here for our enemies!" Sub-Zero declared, focusing his icy gaze as he unleashed a torrent of frost that surged forward, encasing the poles in a glistening layer of ice and sending the Hunters careening into each other, their screeches punctuating the air.
"We can't let them escape!" Ollie shouted, his voice filled with determination as he leaped from the edge of the vessel. His mechanical arms whirred to life, propelling him into the fray as he defended his teammates against the relentless swarm of Hunters. "These guys just don't know when to quit!"
"Look at their tech and equipment!" Dawn interjected, her eyes scanning the high-tech gear clinging to the Hunters. "A lot of time and effort went into planning this attack."
"Yeah, if they get their hands on the Metas below, it's lights out for Central City!" Beecher cried, zipping through the air with renewed confidence while discharging electric blasts that sent Hunters tumbling off the boat. "I think I'm starting to get the hang of this!" But as she celebrated her newfound abilities, a Hunter swiped at her with surprising speed, sending the shrunken hero crashing onto the deck, leaving a small dent where she landed. "Ow…"
"Had to see that one coming!" Tina scoffed, her voice edged with frustration as she rushed to her side. "Rule number one of superheroing: Never jinx yourself!" With a determined leap, she soared into the sky, her hand morphing into a formidable fist of ice. She descended with precision, delivering a powerful punch that sent the Hunter sprawling, ice shards scattering around them. "It always comes back to bite you," she added, shaking her head as the Hunter crumpled under the weight of her attack.
"Go for the young ones!"
"Young ones!?" Sub-Zero cried in anger, shooting ice at them. "You better be talking about the stretchy guy, because I am like five years older than him!"
"You're only three, and you know it!" Daniel cried.
"How did they even know about the transfer? It was delayed!" Dawn wonders.
"That doesn't matter, what's important is making sure they don't get down below!" Ollie cried out, using his mechanical arms to destroy one of the robots.
The scene was tense as they watched the Hunters sprinting away from the boat. For a fleeting moment, they believed victory was theirs, that they had successfully driven off their adversaries. But that belief swiftly crumbled as plumes of green smoke erupted into the sky, a chilling signal that something far worse was afoot.
"I don't like the looks of that," Issac murmured, a knot of unease tightening in his stomach.
On the shore, a formidable line of tanks loomed, each equipped with massive harpoons poised to strike. With a deafening roar, they unleashed their deadly projectiles, which lodged themselves into the hull of the boat. The vessel was ensnared in an instant, violently tugged toward the shore. The sudden movement sent guards sprawling in every direction, both above and below deck, as the ship tilted precariously under the relentless pull of the tanks.
"We need to detach the harpoons!" Dawn shouted, urgency lacing her voice as she scanned the chaos around them.
"And by 'we,' you mean us," Sub-Zero retorted, crossing his arms with skepticism.
"If I vibrate the ship in the wrong way, we could all plunge into the river!" Dawn shot back defensively, her eyes alight with determination. "I'll get the guards off the ship; you all need to make your way inside. There are bound to be others."
"I'm on it!" Beecher responded, her voice filled with resolve. She shrank down, her form effortlessly slipping through the jagged openings torn by the harpoons, vanishing into the interior of the ship as chaos continued to erupt around them.
Beecher entered the ship, a flurry of motion as she maneuvered through the air in her minuscule form. Her keen eyes quickly spotted a group of guards pinned beneath a heap of debris, remnants of the shifting platforms above. Without hesitation, she charged up her stingers, energy crackling at their tips, and unleashed a volley of blasts at the rubble, sending fragments flying and freeing the trapped guards.
Once they were liberated, Beecher enlarged back to her towering normal size, her wings humming softly as she helped the guards regain their footing. "Get out of here," she urged, her voice firm yet reassuring. "Make your way to the top. Velocity will be waiting for you to escort you to safety."
One of the guards, anxiety etched across his face, pointed toward the shadows of the prison containment area. "But there are more people trapped down there!"
"Go!" Beecher insisted, a sense of urgency flooding her words. "I'll handle the others!"
Just then, a violent shudder coursed through the ship, the result of her allies successfully dislodging the harpoons anchoring it. "Bumblebee, you have to get out of there!" Ollie's voice echoed through the creaks and groans of the hull.
Beecher braced herself as a powerful jolt struck the vessel, sending it tilting dangerously to one side. "I'm on my way! I just need to find the others!"
With determination fueling her, she soared deeper into the ship. Water surged through the gaping cracks in the hull, rushing in like a relentless tide. Beecher let out a shriek of alarm as she darted around the torrents, weaving expertly through the chaos in her quest to locate anyone else who remained trapped within the beleaguered ship. The stakes were high, and time was slipping away like the water flooding the vessel.
"Hello? Is anyone out there?!" A desperate voice echoed from one of the steel containers, catching Beecher's attention as she zipped through the air. The cry for help tugged at her heartstrings. "Help me! I'm trapped!"
"Hang on, I'll get you out!" Beecher responded, her voice steady despite the urgency of the situation as she darted toward the container. She grasped the cold, metallic door and heaved with all her might, but it remained stubbornly shut. The more she strained against the door, the heavier it felt, almost as if it were mocking her efforts. With a frustrated sigh, she reluctantly released her grip. "Okay, right, it's reinforced. Built to contain enhanced people, of course; my strength isn't going to do anything here."
Determined, she assessed her surroundings. Following a tangle of colored wires snaking along the floor, she realized she needed a different approach.
"Stay calm! I'll get you out of there!" she called back, her voice echoing through the dimly lit shaft.
Beecher darted deeper into the cramped space, her eyes scanning the shadows until she spotted the emergency power generator nestled against the wall, half-hidden under a layer of dust. Without hesitation, she transformed her blasters back into stingers, a quick flick of her wrist revealing the pronged tips. A surge of energy pulsed through her as she directed a jolt of electrical current toward the generator, hoping to coax it back to life.
With a satisfying hum, the generator whirred to life, lights flickering back on around her. "That should do it," Beecher said, a hint of relief washing over her as she made her way back to the container.
As she hovered in front of the imposing door, she inputted her Young Justice override code—an intricate sequence that only the trusted members of her team possessed. It was a secret key, woven into the very fabric of the technology they relied on, linking her to her comrades: Karen Beecher, Isaac Garcia, and Beatriz Bonilla da Costa. Each of them had been granted their own unique code, a testament to their dedication and status as permanent members of the heroic alliance. With a soft beep, the door unlocked, and Beecher prepared to free the trapped individual inside.
As soon as the doors opened, Beecher flew inside and returned to her normal size, scanning the area for whoever was calling for help. However, she quickly realized she had been deceived when she saw Amunett Black. Amunett walked forward, her metahuman cuffs damaged by the harpoon that had struck her cage. She raised her hand, summoning the metal shards from the other part of the ship towards her. Beecher swiftly shrank down to avoid the incoming shards, which wrapped themselves around Amunett's fist at her command.
"Thanks one and a million, love," Amunett said, raising her fist and shooting metal shards off toward Beecher.
Beecher quickly ducked to dodge the attacks, but one of the fragments managed to cut her hip, causing her to wince and fall over, landing on the ground. She held her side and knew it was too dangerous to try and grow with her suit damaged without it doing damage to her further.
Amunett then strolled past as she looked down at Beecher as she tried to crawl away. "But I... was saving you."
"Yes, you were," Amunett didn't seem to care, preparing to land a finishing blow.
That was however when Daniel came in, his fist stretched out as he punched Amunett backward, sending her flying backward. "Hey, get away from her!" He cried, using his elastic arms to stretch above the electrified water and land aside Beecher. He saw that she was unconscious and picked her up in his palms, luckily she was lighter when she was smaller. "Don't go dying on us now, rookie."
Daniel heard explosions and looked up to see debris falling. Knowing his rubber-like body would protect him from electricity, he wrapped himself around Beecher and plunged them both into the water. He kept his head inside the air bubble he created around them as they descended. The explosions were from the Hunters, who landed nearby, missing the two members of Young Justice but finding their target, Amunett.
"Oh, golly, more of you," Amunett scoffed, raising her gauntlet of fragment metals and firing.
Daniel swiftly used his elastic abilities to expand and float toward the surface. Upon reaching it, he gasped for air, returning his body to its usual size, and checked to ensure he was still holding Beecher. He needed to get her to safety; this was no place for anyone to be hurt.
Ollie fought valiantly across the deck of the ship, the metallic clanking of his armored spider suit ringing out as he clashed with a horde of relentless Hunters. Each strike he delivered provided him with a slight advantage, yet the sheer number of foes pressing in on him was becoming unbearable. Just when the tide seemed to turn against him, a flash of speed zipped into the chaos. Dawn arrived like a whirlwind, her Speedforce unleashing a storm of punches that sent Hunters crashing to the ground, one after another. Her swift movements were a blur, allowing her to rescue crew members who were teetering on the edge of panic as the ship began to tilt precariously.
With the momentum of the battle shifting, Ollie maneuvered his way closer to the side of the ship, ready to face the onslaught with renewed determination. "I don't know who you think you are," he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos, "but you messed with the wrong city!" Activating a new feature on his suit, four metallic arms sprang forth from his back, crackling with electricity as they unleashed brilliant arcs of energy, stunning the Hunters that dared to advance. "Because it's under our protection!" he declared, channeling all his strength into the fight.
After the last Hunter crumpled to the ground, Ollie took a moment to catch his breath, scanning the area for any remaining threats. As he stood there, the adrenaline still coursing through him, Tina swung into view, her presence a calming relief amid the tumult. Together, they assessed the grim aftermath of the battle, their eyes drawn to a peculiar helicopter hovering above them. Unlike the standard troop carriers, this one bore an unmistakable mark of personalization, hinting at a more significant threat.
As the helicopter pivoted and lowered its doors, Ollie and Tina exchanged stunned glances, their breaths caught in their throats. Inside the cockpit, they recognized the unmistakable figure of Kraven the Hunter. He appeared older and more weathered than the last time they had seen him in public, but the glint of ferocity in his eyes revealed that he was very much still a player in this dangerous game. The revelation sent a shiver down their spines; they were no longer facing just any foe but a legendary adversary returned to reclaim his reign.
Kraven pulled out a crossbow and aimed it at the heroes, making them prepare to dodge. But instead of shooting at them, he fired at the gas chambers, causing a massive explosion. The blast sent the boat crashing into the docks, and people started running in panic.
Kraven was forcing the heroes to make a choice: stop the prisoners from escaping or protect the innocent bystanders. If the prisoners escaped, it would spell trouble for everyone, but the safety of the people was their top priority.
"Split into teams!" Tina called their friends. "Firefighter, Sub-Zero, you help Steel Spider! Accelerate, you're with me!"
Dawn, Issac, Aster, and Ollie nodded as they knew that was their best option. Ollie stayed behind as Tina swung off and quickly got to work protecting the people as Dawn sped as fast as she could, moving everyone away from the propellers while Tina was webbing them up to stop them from causing anymore damage.
Ollie watched as an explosion erupted, releasing a swarm of bird drones from the ship, carrying a container with Killer Frost inside. Seeing her, Ollie snarled, determined not to let her escape. He shot two webs and launched himself into the air. "No!" he shouted, using one of his metallic arms to pierce through a robot, tearing it apart. He then shot a web at another robot, slamming them into each other. "She isn't going anywhere!"
Ollie then sent the container crashing onto the deck of the docks where Sub-Zero, Firefighter, and he were left standing. They saw the Hunters approaching and began rushing towards them. Tina swung in, launching a giant blast of ice at the ship's propeller in an attempt to freeze it. However, as this was happening, the Hunters closed in to strike, forcing everyone to run over and regroup.
"Guys, we need some help!" Isaac shouted, his voice echoing through the chaos as he unleashed a torrent of flames from his clenched fists. His martial arts training came into play as he moved with fluidity, weaving through the fray to knock the glowing knives from the hands of their assailants. The heat radiated around him, contrasting sharply with the flickering shadows of uncertainty. "Accelerate?!"
"Working on saving the people!" Dawn exclaimed, her feet a blur as she darted from one terrified civilian to another, her determination palpable. "You guys gotta handle this alone!" The urgency in her voice was matched only by the rapid heartbeat of those she rescued.
Tina, dodging a whistling arrow that zipped past her head, breathed heavily before shouting, "Elastic, do you have Bumblebee?" She flipped gracefully through the air, her movements a dance of evasion as she focused on the ongoing battle.
"I got her!" Daniel replied his expression a mix of worry and resolve. "I'm bringing her to the medical ward. I'll see if I can summon some backup!" He dashed toward their base, each stride fueled by a sense of urgency. That was when a dozen Hunters arrived and aimed their weapons at him. "Uh..."
That was when they watched the water bubble with air as suddenly a blast of the water flung up and they watched as Tula came flying on a wave she created and used her trident to impale one of the Hunters.
"Its the fish princess!" One of them cried.
"Keep her down!"
Tula then spun her trident after retrieving it from the Hunter. She then began to summon water, and splashed it around the Hunters, and then used her powers to create sharp creations like throwing stars and spears that were strong enough to pierce them.
Daniel was shocked when he saw the Hunters were taken down. "Uh... welcome back?"
Sub-Zero stood firm, his icy breath visible in the air as he unleashed a wave of frost toward the ground, creating a slippery trap for the Hunters. "What about the other prisoners?" he demanded, his voice steady despite the chaos surrounding them.
"They already got to them," Tina retorted, anger flaring in her chest like wildfire. "We can't let them get Frost!" The weight of their mission hung heavily in the air, and their resolve hardened as they prepared to face the formidable enemy ahead.
The battle had reached a tense climax, and just as the team caught their breath after defeating the Hunters, an unexpected explosion erupted from the container. The blast sent a shockwave through the air, forcing them to whip around in alarm. Emerging from the smoldering wreckage was Killer Frost, her expression a tempest of fury directed at the team. Ollie advanced toward her, determination etched on his face, ready to confront the threat.
Moments later, the propeller roared to life once more, its violent blades spinning with terrifying speed and shredding the wooden platform beneath their feet. Panic ensued as team members struggled to maintain their balance, teetering on the brink of disaster. Tina, ever quick-thinking, shot strands of webbing into the chaos, skillfully catching her teammates and yanking them to safety, away from the ravenous blades. It was Dawn's moment to shine as she harnessed her super speed, zipping back and forth to ensure each person landed safely on solid ground.
With the immediate danger momentarily quelled, the team rallied together, fueled by a shared resolve to neutralize the threat of the propeller. Issac summoned his inner strength, unleashing a blazing heatwave that surged toward the menacing apparatus, while Sub-Zero countered with a frigid barrage of ice, trying to encase the whirling danger and bring it to a halt. Amidst the frantic efforts, Dawn continued her vital work, darting through the mayhem to save anyone who stumbled into peril, united in their desperate bid to prevent further destruction along the shore.
"You," Ollie hissed, eyes blazing as he glared at her. Killer Frost stood there, momentarily bewildered by the intensity of his fury. "You took everything from me!"
Before she could deliver another cutting remark, a bola suddenly soared through the air, coiling around her wrists and immobilizing her. Panic etched across her face as she realized it was Kraven's helicopter that had launched the attack, its blades whirring ominously as he pulled her toward the hovering craft.
In a flash, Ollie sprinted forward, adrenaline surging through him. He expertly shot two strands of webbing that latched onto Killer Frost, anchoring her in place and thwarting any chance of escape.
"Steel Spider!" Isaac shouted, his voice rising above the roaring blades, as he strained to stop the propeller from inching dangerously closer to the terrified crowd below. The urgency of the moment weighed heavily on him, the lives of innocents hanging in the balance.
Ollie didn't listen to their calls for help as he kept working on trying to stop Killer Frost from escaping.
"Steel!" Tina cried in terror. "We need you!"
Ollie glanced back and saw his friends and innocent bystanders in peril. He looked at Kraven and Killer Frost, weighing their importance before deciding to let them go. Sprinting towards the propeller, Ollie harnessed the full power of his suit, generating a massive shockwave of energy as he struck the propeller. The propeller flew off and crashed safely into the ocean. The boat finally ceased its ascent, allowing the heroes to breathe a sigh of relief as they realized they had saved everyone. The villains might have gotten away, but their job was to protect the people, and that's what they managed to do.
Teresa stood before a sprawling array of photographs that Peter and his family had carefully arranged, each image capturing a significant moment in their lives together. A wave of nostalgia washed over her, mingled with regret, as she realized how long she had been absent from their world. Her gaze drifted to the oldest photograph in the collection, taken back in the first year when their team was just forming.
In that sepia-toned image, Peter, Barry, Cisco, Caitlin, and Dr. Wells were all youthful and vibrant, their faces aglow with wide smiles that hinted at the promise of their adventures to come. It seemed an eternity ago, long before chaos had unraveled their lives—before the malevolence of the Reverse Flash, the harrowing chaos of Savitar, the swift terror of Zoom, the cunning intellect of the Thinker, and the tumultuous battles that defined Crisis on Infinite Earths. So many world-endangering threats had come and gone, shaping them into the heroes they are today.
"We took that photo when we first became a team," Peter reminisced, his voice tinged with a mix of joy and melancholy as he turned to Teresa. "It was a new beginning for us."
Teresa sighed, her heart heavy with the weight of unshared experiences. "Man, I missed out on so much," she murmured, taking in the vitality captured in the pictures. "I'm really sorry if coming here disrupted your... your life."
"Don't be sorry, Teresa," Peter replied earnestly, his eyes locking onto hers. "This has nothing to do with you. From what I hear, you had no real choice in the matter."
"Yeah, I was just a random bullet point on the universe's agenda, nothing more than an unnecessary element," she lamented, glancing downward, the shadows of her past creeping into her thoughts.
"But the important thing is that you're here now," Peter said, his expression shifting to one of optimism. "I can't wait to get to know you, to share everything we've been through."
A faint smile broke through Teresa's somber demeanor. "I'd love that. I want to hear about all of it—and share my story too."
Peter stepped closer, the weight of unspoken emotions hanging in the air between them. He studied Teresa's face, every detail reminding him of what they had lost. "May would have adored meeting you," he said softly, his voice laced with bittersweet remembrance. "So would Frankie."
"Frankie, your first kid," Teresa recalled, her heart twisting at the name. "The one who—"
"Yeah, the one we lost," Peter confirmed, the pain in his voice palpable. It was a topic they couldn't ignore, casting a long shadow over their reunion. Just then, the shrill sound of his phone interrupted the moment, pulling his attention away. He glanced at the screen, and his expression shifted to one of urgency as he read the alert sent by Karen and Gideon to all members of the Justice League. "Oh no," he breathed, the worry lines deepening on his forehead.
"What is it?" Teresa asked, her own apprehension rising.
"The convoy was attacked," Peter replied, his voice tight with concern. "A whole group of our enemies escaped custody."
?:
Frankie screamed as she materialized in an unfamiliar place, collapsing onto her knees. The ground beneath her was littered with glinting fragments that resembled shards of glass, shimmering in hues of blue and purple. As she clumsily rose to her feet, an inexplicable urge drew her hand toward one of the dazzling shards. When she touched it, her vision blurred momentarily, revealing a breathtaking vista—endless infinities sprawled out before her, displaying a kaleidoscope of countless worlds, each distinct and alive. She gasped, the realization dawning on her that she had inadvertently activated her Time Slipping ability, propelling her into an entirely different corner of the universe.
"A war approaching their doorstep, and they barely even realize it..." Suddenly, a deep, resonant voice echoed around her, making her heart race. "They are going to learn that they are not alone in the galaxy as they once thought..."
Frankie whipped her head around, trying to pinpoint the source of the voice. Her gaze fell upon a towering figure draped in an expansive blue robe that seemed to ebb and flow like waves in a cosmic ocean. His enormous head was tilted away from her, shrouded in mystery. Then, sensing something amiss, he turned to face her fully.
It was the Watcher, a Fifth Dimensional being charged with the duty of observing the intricate tapestry of the multiverse—a figure both awe-inspiring and intimidating.
"Wait... what? How... how are you here?"
Frankie stammered, her breath hitching in her throat. She longed to respond, yet her mind was racing far too quickly, overwhelmed by the enormity of what she was witnessing.