The members of Young Justice had found some civvies and discreetly rented two connecting motel rooms.

The boys had one: Chuck Barnes, Kon-El, Bart Allen, and Sam Guthrie, better known as Robin, Superboy (or at least a reasonable facsimile), Impulse, and Cannonball.

The girls, the other: Cassie Sandsmark, Cissie King-Jones, Jennifer-Lynn Haden, Linda Danvers, and Hallie Takahama, better known as Wonder Girl, Arrowette, Jade, Firebird, and Jolt.

After recent events* the team had decided to lay low.

*(Recent events kinda means everything since Young Injustice started . . . as insane as it seems, it's only been a few days since it all began!)

Robin took a slice of pizza from the Domino's box. Everyone had gathered into the boys' room for dinner.

"So, did you enjoy seeing your sister again?" Jen asked Sam.

He nodded, swallowing a bite of cheese pizza. "Hadn't seen her, really, since Ah joined the New Mutants years back. Ah'm just sorry that she got involved with the DEO."

"What about you, Rob?" Cassie asked. "Seemed like that mist girl took a liking to you."

Rob shrugged. "It's the cape. Chicks dig the cape."

"You wish," Cissie smiled, then laughed.

The laughter spread. It wasn't anything that funny that she said. But everyone took part. It felt like they hadn't laughed in ages.

"So, Jolt," Superboy started. "I mean, Hallie. Are you regretting joining us yet?"

"Not at all," Hallie grinned. "Sure, it's been one heckuva ride these past few days, but it's the biggest thrill I've ever had in my life. And I like having so much to do . . . helps me from thinking about anything else that's ever happened."

"As soon as this is all worked out," Robin said, "we're going to get to the bottom of what was going on back there. We'll get you help."

"I don't need any help," Hallie kept on grinning. "I've got a bunch of great new friends, awesome powers, and thrilling adventures alongside my friends!" She put Bart in a headlock and gave him a tight hug. "Right?"

"Right!" he said cheerily.

"Looks like those two have taken a liking to each other," Linda whispered to Kon.

"Whatever," he answered absently.

"Kon, what's wrong?" Linda asked. "You've been acting strange since . . . well . . . since the DEO fight that started this mess."

"Or maybe you've been acting strange," he replied, frowning.

"Y'know," Sam said, "that Prime Sentinel said something about a query on Superboy's genetics or something . . . what did he mean by that?"

"Beats me," Kon shrugged. "I don't know my origins. Maybe it's got something to do with that."

"Maybe," Sam shrugged.

"I'd like to investigate further," Robin said.

"Of course you would," Superboy replied.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Robin asked.

"What do you think it means?" Kon replied, standing.

"Not this again," Hallie shook her head.

"We never did finish that . . . 'discussion' the other day," Kon frowned.

[[He's referring to YJ 22, and their brief tussle!]]

"You want to finish it?" Robin asked. "Bring it."

"Guys!" Linda exclaimed. "Stop it. Stop it now!"

"Stay outta this," Kon said to her coldly.

Her expression changed to one of hurt.

"For God's sakes, we're in a Motel 6!" Cissie exclaimed. "At the very least, think of the property damage that we can't afford right now!"

"Always have to have women come to your defense, huh?" Kon kept at it.

"I don't need anyone to protect me from you," Robin replied angrily.

"Now that's enough!" Sam yelled. "Both o'ya . . . you're actin' like children! Both of you, stop it . . . Robin, go soak your head. Kon, take a walk."

"Screw this!" Kon threw up his hands. He threw the door open and walked outside.

Linda put her head in her hands and just shook. Cassie bit her lip, then went out after Kon.

"Should she--?" Sam asked.

"Let her," Cissie frowned. "Maybe she'll keep him from smashing things."

"Robin, what's wrong with you?" Sam asked.

Rob shook his head. "I don't know . . . I know I shouldn't let him goad me. It's probably because we're all on edge. But . . . I don't know. He's been acting strange . . . since . . . "

Linda shook her head. "I can't deal with this right now . . . " She walked back into the girls room.

"I just need some time to think," Rob sighed.

Cissie put her hand on his shoulder. "We're here for you."

"Ah don't want to lead this team," Sam frowned. "But if this keeps up, Ah may take charge."

"I'll support you," Jade nodded.

"Everyone's so serious," Impulse frowned.

"Yeah," Jolt said. "It's crazy."

"Wanna go play that arcade game in the motel lobby?" Bart asked.

Jolt's eyes lit up. "Okay!"

Kon-El walked side by side with Cassie Sandsmark.

"So . . . " she said absently.

"Yeah," Kon answered.

"Are you and Linda okay?" she asked. "You seem kinda . . . distant to her."

"Yeah," he said again. "So?"

"Just curious," she said.

"Or are you using wishful thinking?"

"Excuse me?"

"Maybe I've realized that I don't love Linda at all," he answered, taking her hand. "Maybe I've been in love with you all this time . . . "

"Kon, that's mean," she frowned. "You know how I -- "

"Maybe I wasn't joking?" he asked, pulling her closer. "Maybe I really am in love with you . . . "

"I . . . " she started.

"Shh," he smiled. "We don't need words . . . "

This has got to be the dumbest move I've ever made . . .

Superboy stood silently still. Graviton sat in a chair in front of him, focusing.

He reveals that the reason I'm feeling so weak . . . is because I've been cloned. And since energy can neither be created nor destroyed . . . it's being transferred from me to him. I grow weaker . . . as some clone of me running around gets stronger. And until I can find the clone and, supposedly, kill him, I'll continue to get weaker . . . until I'm completely powerless.

But now I've been offered another way . . . a way to give me powers until, at least, I can take down this clone. Graviton, the self proclaimed master of the fundamental force, is going to give me some of his. He thinks he's powerful enough to do this. He'll give me limited control over gravity . . . let me keep flying, boost up my strength and invulnerability a little. One things for sure, I'll start relying on my shield more.

But this is really stupid. He's supposed to be a super-villain . . . only he's never done anything except fight and lose to Thor.

"Are you ready?" Graviton asked.

This is the way it's gotta be. I get a power boost . . . then I take down my clone and find a way to get my powers back . . . and then I come back and take this guy down before he can cause any trouble. It's not the best plan . . . but it'll have to do.

"Okay," Superboy said. "I'm ready."

Graviton grinned. "Excellent . . . "

The Hellfire Club mansion.

"I've authorized another batch of Sentinels," Sebastian Shaw spoke to Emma Frost. "Twice as many as the last time . . . and each one fully prepared to deal with Young Justice. As well as some other catalogued heroes, like Generation Next, the Avengers League, the Shadow, even a member or two of the supposed X-Men. They are prepared."

"Will it work, this time then?"

Shaw grinned. "Better than you could imagine . . . "

The Morlock Tunnels underneath New York City.

A young mutant walked off by himself. His name was Caliban. He sniffed the air. He didn't mind the smell so much. He was used to it. Suddenly, his eyes glowed.

"Caliban senses . . . a new mutant?"

The child-like muscle-bound mutant leapt towards some shadows. "Hello? Hmm . . . Caliban sensed him . . . but he is gone."

I wish I was gone . . . a shadowed figure thought. This job is getting more and more risky. The money better be worth it. At least my employer says . . . it's almost over.

And unbeknownst to the shadowy figure watching the Morlocks . . . another figure watched him!

She didn't think anything. She didn't have the words. She knew right and wrong. And this was wrong. She needed help. If she knew how to pray for it, she just might.

End Interludes

Robin, Arrowette, Cannonball and Jade sat in the boys' room.

"Okay," Robin sighed. He hated the fact that everyone else could take off their masks, yet he still kept on sunglasses to hide his identity. "We need to confront Superboy. He's been acting erratic for awhile now. Something is wrong."

Cissie nodded. "I agree."

"But I can't confront him," Robin said. "Every time I try, we only fight."

"That's why you're askin' me?" Sam asked.

"And Cissie and Jen," Chuck said. "I don't see Bart or Hallie wanting to choose sides. And Linda and Cassie, well . . . they'd stick by him."

"You're dividing us up," Sam frowned. "When we need more unity than anything."

"We'll never have unity unless we address our problems," Robin answered.

"Fair enough," Jen said. "Do you have a plan?"

"And if you do . . . I want in on it."

They all turned to see Linda enter the room.

"Linda?" Cissie asked.

"Something is wrong with Kon," she said. "I want him to get like he used to be . . . loving and caring . . . "

"What's going on?" Superboy asked, walking in the door. "Team meeting?"

"Something like that," Sam said.

"Thanks for inviting me," Kon shrugged.

"Where's Cassie?" Cissie asked.

"Wonder Girl's outside," Kon shrugged.

Cissie got up and walked out to see her.

"Cassie?" she asked.

"Yes?" Cassie answered, her voice happier than ever.

" . . . What happened?"

"He told me how he feels for me," she answered. "And . . . he kissed me."

"He kissed you?"

"And I kissed back. And then we did it again . . . and some more . . . and it was wonderful!"

Cissie stared in disbelief. "I just . . . I don't know what to say."

"Me either!" Cassie grinned. "Except that it was great! Poor Linda . . . "

"Poor Linda?"

"He's gonna dump her," Cassie said. "He wants to be with me! Can you believe it?"

"No, not for a second," Cissie frowned. "You actually do?"

"Yeah, and I know why you don't," Cassie replied. "You're just jealous that Superboy and I have finally gotten something . . . while you still can't get Rob at all."

"That's not it," Cissie frowned. "That's so far off. I can't believe you'd say that."

"Heya," Bart said as he and Hallie returned from playing the arcade game. "I'm gonna take my meds and go sleep."

"I'm gonna hit the hay, too," Hallie said. "Don't make too much noise, gals."

"I think I should go . . . too," Cissie frowned. She turned and walked back into their motel room.

"Whatever," Cassie shrugged.

As Cissie walked back inside, she noticed the group had dispersed, and everyone was preparing to go to bed.

"Rob?" she asked.

He shrugged. "Now's not the time. In the morning."

She nodded. "I only hope we'll still be a team by the morning . . . "

Captain America sighed.

"What's wrong, Captain?" the Martian Manhunter asked.

"It's our assignment," he frowned. "I didn't like it when Gyrich asked us to take down the X-Men. I like this even less. They're just kids."

The Manhunter nodded. "I understand. But they must be brought in."

"Y'know," Cap said, "one of them idolizes me. Superboy, I think."

"One of them is Batman's protege. Another is a friend of Flash. It won't be easy. But it is needed."

Cap nodded. "We'll leave in the morning."

"It is complete," Graviton spoke.

Superboy nodded. "I do feel stronger."

"As I promised," Graviton replied. He removed his chair from the wall, exposing a tunnel. "Here is your exist, also as promised. Fly through, and eventually you shall reach open skies. Find your clone, or never regain your full powers."

Superboy nodded. Without another word, he went forward. He would be free. And he had to find his clone . . .