"This is Trish Tilby, reporting for CNN. The story tonight, as many viewers of many television and radio stations around the country have heard, took place little over an hour ago in Central Park in New York, New York. For years now, the world has been aware of the presence of not only super powered heroes...but super powered villains. Tonight the world witnessed what may eventually spell doom for human society.

"The picture you're watching was taken soon after the fight began. The sky had already begun to darken, as you can tell from the picture...but this fiery blast of light from the center lit up the night. Our advanced computer imaging systems at CNN were able to clear up the picture here. You can easily identify what appear to be large, fiery wings...almost like that of an eagle or a hawk, yet purely unnatural. Some jumped to conclusions by calling it a 'Phoenix.'

"There appears to be a young woman...with apparent blond hair, who the wings grew out of. The unknown woman who, for the time, officials are referring to as a 'Firebird', proceeded to destroy most of Central Park in a showdown with the Avengers Junior league, better known as Young Justice.

"It was a battle those young, inexperienced heroes lost.

"By the time we at CNN were on the scene, Young Justice had already fled after their defeat. Eye witness accounts say that all of the junior team had been taken out, others say one figure that they did not recognize gathered the team and took them to safety. Even the former Avengers League member and YJ sponsor, Red Tornado, was seen taken down.

"The Firebird, after defeating Young Justice, apparently flew off and disappeared in the night sky. With YJ unavailable for comment, we can only speculate what this fight was actually about...and can only wonder if the Firebird will return to wreak havoc once more.

"Trish Tilby, for CNN."

Westchester country, New York New York.

"Ah just...Ah'm not sure," Sam Guthrie shook his head.

"The New Mutants are done, Sam," Illyana Rasputin said. "Done, gone...probably forever. There's no one left to teach us...and not much of a roster to deal with."

"Ah just can't believe they'd all leave," Sam sighed. "Ah mean, we were the foundin' members...we'd had others before, but now it was back down to the five of us. But we hit trouble, and they all go their separate ways. Dani and Feral just up an' quit. Still, that don't shock me half as much as what Bobby did."

"He made his choice," Illyana shrugged. "His father was a member of the Hellfire Club...upon his death, the offer was extended to Roberto. He could have easily refused...but he didn't."

"But the Hellfire Club represents everythin' wrong in this world. Between the Hellions and the Inner Circle...Ah just can't believe it. First Mastermind...now Sunspot."

"Martinique went because her father's there. But who knows? Maybe Roberto can become a conscience for the Club. Maybe he'll even have some sway in the Inner Circle."

"Maybe," Sam puffed, blowing his bangs out of his eyes. "But then Ah'm still not sure 'bout this new team."

"We should be happy to be excepted," Illyana frowned. "Red Tornado didn't have to accept us. After all, we're mutants...Young Justice isn't."

"Ah just don't think we'll fit in. 'Specially not me. Ah've been leadin' this team since it started...and now Ah'm gonna have to sit back and take orders from someone else? Ah mean, their leader won't even let himself be seen in public because he's supposed to be some 'urban legend'. And their base? Inside some mountain off a harbor? How is that gonna keep 'em safe and secure?"

"Just relax, Sam," 'Yana smiled. "You'll probably meet some pretty girl and forget all about your troubles."

"Ah..." Sam frowned. "'Yana...you know Ah--"

"I'm joking with you," she smiled. "Although that Superboy is quite a hunk..."

"Oh lordy..."

Happy Harbor, Rhode Island. The secret headquarters of Young Justice.

"I don't think there's anything to discuss!" Jade exclaimed. "We track her down anyway we have to...find out what's causing her to act that way, and put a stop to it!"

"It's not that simple," Robin sighed.

Jennifer Lynn-Haden and Chuck Barnes were long standing members of their team, and had been known to disagree now and then. She, especially because of her noticeable green skin, wasn't concerned with a secret identity. All the members of YJ, and even normal, everyday people knew her name. He, on the other hand, was as secretive as possible. While he led the team, they didn't even know his real name, nor what he looked like without the mask. The public wasn't even sure if he existed.

"It is that simple!" she yelled in reply. "Linda was my best friend! For heaven's sake, Kon's in love with her! She helped found this group! We owe it to her."

"I'm not saying we're giving up," Robin frowned, "but right now there's not much we can do. We're not even in good enough condition to try to search for her. Firebird was a member of this team, and it was my responsibility, as leader, to look out for her. I failed...you think that doesn't hurt me?"

"You're worried about your reputation? Have you seen Kon? For the past two days he's been limping around base, mumbling and being all depressed! He hasn't even mentioned his tactile telekinesis once."

A red and yellow streak burst across the room. "Why is that a bad thing?" Impulse asked upon slowing down enough to be visible to the naked eye. "He goes on and on and on about that..."

Robin smacked his head and shook it, sighing.

"Where is the Kid, anyway?" Impulse asked. "Since he's totally down, I was gonna try and cheer him up."

"Please don't try," Robin sighed. "You know it'll only make him angry."

"He flew off," Jade shrugged. "Cassie chased after him."

"Oh," Impulse said. "Well, then, I'm gonna go play Doom! I got to level sixty-seven yesterday!"

"Wait a moment," Red Tornado's voice filled YJ's meeting room. Even though he was a robot, he still commanded the respect and (most of the time) the attention of his team. "I would like you to meet our two newest members."

"New members?" Jade raised an eyebrow.

"Meet Cannonball and Magik," the Tornado motioned to the two.

Sam stood tall, wearing the gold and blue flight jacket he had worn as a New Mutant, complete with the goggles. Magik stood in a t-shirt and jeans.

"Hi," she waved. "My real name's Illyana...Illyana Rasputin."

"Sam Guthrie," he nodded.

"They were members of the New Mutants," Tornado explained. "After their team disbanded, their school arranged for them to join here to continue their training."

"Training?" Impulse asked. "I thought we were here to have fun?"

"I didn't think you thought," Jade grinned, allowing her concerns about her friend to slip away for a moment.

"Don't mind them," Robin shook his head. "I'm Robin, YJ's leader...welcome to the team."

"Thanks," Magik grinned.

"That's Jade, he's Impulse," Robin pointed. "Or Jennifer and Bart."

"Ah heard you just lost a member," Sam said, "and Ah'm sorry for that...but...is this it?"

"Nope," a woman called as she entered. She wore a red spandex marksman's outfit, complete with a bow in hand and a quiver slung around her shoulder. "I'm Arrowette...my name's Cissie Jones...but don't call my Cissie...I hate that name."

"Superboy and Wonder Girl complete the roster," Tornado nodded. "But I'm not sure where they are..."

His name was Kon-El. But no one really called him that. Sometimes it was 'Kid'. Most of the time it was Superboy...and that boy had a dream. A dream to one day fight alongside the living legend, Captain America. He wanted to be the ultimate super-hero, just like Cap. Kon even went so far as to have a photonic-'S' shaped shield built into his red gloves. It was more symbolic than anything...his tactile telekinesis* gave him all the protection he needed.

*Want an explanation about his powers? Believe me, give him a chance and he'll go on and on and on and on... - Paul

Her name was Cassie Sandsmark. And no one really called her that. Mostly because she grew up being called a dork, or a geek, and never had too many friends. She preferred the name Wonder Girl...because when she was in costume and under that name, people respected her and guys paid attention to her. Despite the fact she wore a black wig...tight red spandex pants...and hero-like goggles as opposed to dorky glasses. She followed Kon, because she had feelings for him. It could have been just a normal teenage crush...maybe she just thought he was really cute. But she was attached...but she wasn't so blind as to not see his feelings for Linda Danvers, their recently lost teammate Firebird.

The two sat on a tree branch, relying on the leaves to keep them hidden from passersby.

"So...how are you?" Cassie asked quietly. Stupid question! He's so down! Same as he's been since the fight with Linda two days ago...

"Fine," Superboy said, just like any teenager would. He watched people in the park, no real expressions waving over his face.

"You've been...er...quiet lately. Y'know...since..."

"I just miss her is all," Superboy said, sitting up straight. "But I'm not all that worried. We'll get her back...I know we will. Just a matter of time."

"Yeah," Cassie sighed. "Matter of time."

Superboy sighed and continued his watching.

"So...wanna tell me about your tactile telekinesis again?" Cassie asked. Kon didn't say anything. Oh man...he is really out of it.

*Running gag, anyone? - Paul

"I'm just gonna go back to base," he sighed.

"Oh," Wonder Girl said. "I'll go, too."

The two flew off towards home.