But then, I've been wrong about a lot of things lately, I guess. But the one thing I can't afford to have been wrong about...and that's my decision to risk everything I believe and infiltrate a terrorist organization known as the Point Men.

Dani Moonstar leapt across the air, dodging a pair of energy blasts from a gun wielded by Blockade. Sure, he was an incredibly strong and nigh invulnerable man, but neither power helped him if his target was constantly out of reach.

I've tried to cling to some pieces of my past. Such as developing an improvised Danger Room practice session so they can develop their team coordination. I saw no other way to hone my abilities without arousing suspicion.

Another leap, another bound, and Dani's got herself a few more seconds to act. She saw her chance to strike coming...

I need the practice, since my own powers just went through some transitions...again...since the New Mutants broke up. From the ability to pull fear-images out of someone, to seeing a 'death-shroud' around people destined to die, to being an Asgardian Valkyrie, chooser of the Slain--this little mutant sure has gone through more than her fair share of changes. And now, finally, something simple and easily defined has developed...the power to create psionic 'energy arrows' which nicely scramble a target's neural-synaptic control.

She let an arrow fly.

In this case, my 'teammate', Blockade, effectively paralyzing him for a short period of time. He starts babbling, like someone wired on drugs. My powers do that now. Nice, huh? I move up before the others catch up to me...and wonder what I'm becoming.

The island has some pretty rough terrain, but it's the best thing these Point Men have ever had. The island once belonged to a being called the Ani-Mator, an old villain I fought as a New Mutant. We came to the abandoned facility because it provided us with a great, ready-made headquarters. As for the rocky cliffs here, well, I grew up in the Colorado Rockies. This is second nature to me. Feral and Shortcut on the other hand, are both city kids, born and raised.

Feral. Her real name was unknown to everyone, even her former mentor Professor Charles Francis Xavier. She, like Dani, was once a New Mutant. She came to the School for Gifted Youngsters because she was an outcast. Her fur, her cat-like appearance, her claws had left her a freak. Her heightened senses made her an amazing tracker. Unfortunately, her temperament made her the most vicious 'good guy' the school had ever had. Professor Xavier once sought to help her control her rage...but since the team's disbandment, she's reverted fully to her angry ways.

Shortcut on the other hand was a man in control. His powers allowed him line-of-sight teleportation of himself and others. He knew why he was in the game and what was at stake. In some ways, he was the smartest member of the team. If only he wasn't blinded by his ignorant belief that humanity would never change...

As long as I stay downwind from Feral, she won't pick up my scent. But I was trained by my father...a chief of the Cheyenne.

Feral's eyes went wide as she sniffed the air. They narrowed quickly.

She is good. Nastier than ever since the team broke up...but I should be okay.

Feral leapt.

Unless, of course, the wind changes direction!

In a fit of anger, Feral lunged towards Dani's throat. Once upon a time, they were friends. But circumstances had long ago lead them apart.

She has no self-control. Her claws rake across my arm as I flip her off me. I feel the blood, hot. The sting, cold. It shocks me into action. A simple kick knocks her into the ocean. The ice-cold water will either calm her down, or because she hates it so much, drive her over the edge!

Feral hacked as she recovered. "You're gonna die for that one, Moonie!"

I was right. If she was really mad, Feral wouldn't threaten it, she would have done it! Now, as for Shortcut...well, he keeps getting braver and braver...or crazier and crazier with his tactics. And no matter what I do, I can't put any distance between us.

"Dani, you can't run away from me, y'know," Shortcut said as he teleported several feet in front of her.

He's not so bad of a guy. In another world, we could have been really good friends. But, typically, he stands there, waiting for the last possible instant before he teleports me away or himself into a better angle for attack. Like I said...braver and braver...crazier and crazier...stupider and stupider.

Dani reached into a pouch on her belt as she ran and tossed out a miniature orb. The orb suddenly exploded in a blinding flash of light. Shortcut yelled out, unable to see.

And since he has to see to use his powers...I manifest a psionic knife and plunge it into his head. A mumbled yell in protest, and he's down. My eyes hurt from the light, but I knew it was coming and had them closed. Plus, I wear a mask. Finally, I'm ready to give the three my critique.

"That was a pretty pathetic display, friends," Dani said, pulling off her yellow mask. "You should figure out that, in the life we lead, we're all walking targets with tombstones just waiting to have our names carved in them. If you want to survive what's coming, you're going to have to perform better in battle than we have been!"

"So you keep sayin'!" the drenched Feral yelled. "I'm axin you the same thing I axed Xaiver...why?! Why should we be bustin' our humps jumpin' through hoops for you?"

"We all have our own reasons," Dani answered as Shortcut and Blockade slowly walked over, recovering from the fight. "You're doing it because you were offered the chance to cut loose and be free of rules after the New Mutants disbanded. And my reasons are my own, furball. Understood?"

"Understood, Dani," Shortcut replied. "None of us owe any explanations."

"Too bad the others didn't feel like joining in," Blockade frowned.

"Well, that's because they're busy," Dani shrugged. "Busy scoping out our next target..."

Once, many years ago, only miles outside this town, the very first atomic bomb was detonated. Mankind had entered a new age, which began with almost a fifty year period where the two most powerful countries in the world stood at the brink of war, and the world held its breath as the possibility of a nuclear winter became a very real possibility.

Yet it is inside that town that lies a government funded research complex, home to the top-secret 'Project: Armageddon'. To most, that project name doesn't exist, as it was replaced with 'Project: Wideawake'. It was created when the United States government first became aware of the dangers caused by the existence of mutants, of Homo sapien superior. Normal humans felt they needed a way to protect themselves. Huge, mutant-fighting robots called Sentinels were their answer.

Yet the original project was never given the full go-ahead. Too much money and focus was put into the Cold War efforts, and none could be wasted on internal problems that may or may not truly exist. The project was scrapped after the first Sentinel proved to be a bust. Years later, the project was recreated with funding by private investors and a governmental approval.

However, the base and original workings of Armageddon were never truly scrapped. And in that New Mexican town, there were even those who still worked day in and day out at the complex, working on new mutant-hunting technologies, new possible dampening collars, and, frighteningly, new, deadlier versions of the Sentinels currently in production at the Wideawake base in Colorado.

It was there that four members of the Point Men appeared in a cloud of white smoke, courtesy of the team's resident mystery and teleporter, Blank Slate, a woman forever covered in white sheets and always floating above ground.

Groundswell was unnoticeable, as he used his ability to become one with the ground below. He instantly knew the best way to their target. Serpenteen, descendant of Quezacotl, didn't mind the heat in New Mexico. As he was, basically, a lizard, complete with a razor-sharp tongue, claws, and poisonous fangs. The team's leader was a woman who could pose as a gargoyle without any trouble...Grey Lady.

"Just as you suspected," Blank Slate spoke.

"Project: Armageddon still exists," Grey Lady frowned. Her hands became fists. Prepare to contact the others. Our task is at hand."

Because everything's changed. I'm not a New Mutant anymore. Day has turned to night. I hear the sudden rustling in the trees.

"Bird-Brain?" she called out. "I can hear you out there! I know you're watching us! I'm not going to bite!"

"Dani friend," a voice squawked back, "different."

He's so scared of me. I first came to this island with the New Mutants months ago. An innocent bird-like creature we found and named Bird-Brain. By the Great Bear, we were so naive...the Ani-Mator's gone, but his experiments stayed behind. And now that we've taken over the island, they're afraid.

I guess I can't say I blame them. Feral's already hunted two of them down. As much as I disagree with her methods, I guess I can't blame her for being who she is. Sometimes life doesn't offer us an easy set of circumstances. So why do I still feel so guilty about this cover-up? Guess that's pretty obvious.

She walked slowly into one of the seemingly random caves on the island. Taking a staircase down, she took a path through a series of chambers, all filled with strange technologies and machines once used by the master of the island. Eventually, she found her way to the computer she had secretly been using.

"Computer: Voice-Activated command: Personal diary file: Danielle Moonstar."

"Enter access code," the computer spoke back.

The others suspect I've been keeping a running diary, using it to flesh out the conflicting thoughts in my head, to help me keep my sanity in this double life. I punch in my access code. The monitor flashes to life.

They might know I'm doing this, they might be suspicious of me, but they'll never figure out my password. Never. I begin recording.

"I am still a Cheyenne. I am still a mutant. I am still passionate about the things I believe in and the people I care for. But I'm also different. I'm stronger now. I'm willing to risk my own life if necessary, to undermine this deadly terrorist organization. Back then, Sam would've popped Star Trek II into the VCR and I would've been too busy laughing at Shatner and Montalban to hear the message, 'The good of the many outweigh the good of the few. Or the one.'

"I was younger. Only by a few years, but I was younger nonetheless. My own problems mattered to me more than the bigger picture. Professor Xaiver knew, though, didn't he? He knew the potential I had, even if I didn't. He knew I had the capability to be the team leader, that he could trust my judgment.

"Was I worth the effort, sir? Am I betraying everything you ever believed in me? Am I making a terrible mistake...?"

Her comm unit went off. Slowly reacting, she shut down the computer and responded. "What is it?"

"Blank Slate's ready for pick-up," Blockade said. "We're ready to move."

The team appeared in a cloud of smoke, thanks to Blank Slate's mysterious teleportational abilities.

"We have emerged inside the complex's security sensors," Blank Slate spoke.

"Makes things easier," Grey Lady nodded.

"So long as we get some action real so, I don't care," Feral said.

"We're just going in, deleting all computer files and getting out, right?" Dani asked.

"No way," Blockade frowned. "They'll have hard copies...and what if there's Sentinels already being made? We've gotta blow the place to hell and trash Project: Armageddon."

"Yeah," Serpenteen agreed. "Gonna blow some stuff up, la la la...kill some people, bite bite bite..."

It's one of the things I'm most afraid of. Yes, I know we're a terrorist organization, and I can't draw too much suspicion to myself, but how can I keep this group from killing people?

"Groundswell, you're our backup," Grey Lady spoke, apparently to no one. "Be prepared to act whenever we need you. As for the rest of us...let's get this done!"

There's not much I can do. Within seconds, Blockade has smashed through the wall of the complex before us, and he's got us inside. We're on a small balcony overlooking a floor below filled with computers. Feral doesn't hesitate in the least. She charges in and instantly begins sniffing. I know it's not just to find out if there's any guards they need to worry about...it's because she wants blood.

"Security Breach, level three!" a man's voice yelled over an intercom in the building.

"Now that they know we're here," Serpenteen grinned, "let's be naughty!"

And the team sprung into action. Grey Lady's wings flashed out from behind her and she glided down onto the next floor, slashing open the chest of a guard who had just entered the room.

Gotta do this right...

Dani leapt down before the others as she noticed a large group of armed guards pooling into the floor. Concentrating, she created sets of psionic arrows and began flinging them as fast as she could, hoping that by knocking them unconscious, she'd save their lives.

"Shortcut, begin a random teleportation sequence," the team's leader called as she landed. "Find me any rooms we need to trash, and we'll do it."

With a quick nod, the man was gone.

Blockade walked around, smashing computers and desks and anything he felt like smashing.

"When are we gonna get a real challenge?" Feral asked.

Shortcut reappeared, only seconds after he left. "Found the main operations room, seven floors down."

"Take us there," Grey Lady nodded.

A split second later and it was done. The team reappeared in a large room, filled with even more high-tech computers and gizmos. On the walls were designs of new Sentinels and weapons.

"Now I get to smash some fun stuff!" Blockade grinned.

They're not paying attention to me at the moment...Grey Lady, Feral and Serpenteen are engaging the personnel, the others are trashing stuff...it gives me the few seconds I need to put a CD into a computer's disc drive and download all the files I need. I'll be able to know everything these people knew about Armageddon. Come on, hurry up, computer...

Two men and a woman stood at the far end of the floor watching.

"What're you starin' at, flatscans?" Feral asked angrily. "You can't wait to die or sumthin'?"

"We exist just to see you mutants wiped off the face of the earth," the woman spoke. Her eyes were glowing red.

"What the ^#$%?"

The three people's skin burst apart, revealing themselves to be prototype robots!

"We are the Sentinels: Prime," one spoke. "Mutants will be terminated."

"Yeah right!" Blockade yelled. He smashed his fist into one of the Sentinels and sent it flying back. However, it recovered quickly, hardly damaged. "Umm...crap."

"Death to all mutants!" a Sentinel yelled as it began firing blasts of energy from it's fists.

"Point Men, form on me!" Grey Lady yelled. "Groundswell, get ready! Blank Slate, teleport us out!"

No...everyone still in this complex is going to be killed! Gotta end the download...save what I can and get out of here. Yeah, these people are gonna die...and I'm gonna feel real guilty in the morning...but right now, this mission takes priority!

Ejecting the disk and sliding it into one of the pouches on her belt, she regrouped with the others. A cloud of white smoke allowed the team to escape the attack being brought down on them from the Sentinels.

It only took a matter of seconds for Groundswell to get into action. Having merged with the ground, it was a simple matter for him to caused the very ground to collapse in on itself and bury the entire complex alive.

But at the same time, Feral's suspicious of me. She knows I don't have that killer instinct. To her, only the strong will survive. That's the same belief the rest of the Point Men have. I've got to remember that. I have to be strong enough.

"Computer, voice-activated command: Personal Diary: Danielle Moonstar."

"Enter access code."

I have to be strong enough to make sure that I finish what I've started. And I have to continue to be surrounded by people who would as soon put a knife in my back as consider me a comrade. I have to continue to miss my friends, my family and everything I ever cared about.

I really thought this was going to get easier. I was wrong. I may soon need to ask friends for help. But I know that alone, in my confusion, there's something I can cling to for my sanity.

"Still awaiting voice access code."

"You have extraordinary gifts, but they can harm you as well as others."

"Code verified. Access granted."

Some of the first words that I remember Charles Xaiver ever saying to me.

Would he think I was doing harm now? Or trying desperately to help our people by stopping evil mutants and trying to revive a dream? To move our people from a nightmare beyond reckoning, to give them back the dream.

A dream...which is all I have left, to get me through the night...until tomorrow comes.

Springfield, Illinois.

It was the capital of a state that, in the north, housed one of the world's most largest and most powerful cities. But down in Springfield, it's just another midwest hick-town. The only thing that separated it from the rest of the area was its importance to state government.

Usually the downtown area was bustling with activity as people and politicians hurried to get on with their daily lives. However, on this particular day, the activity was men, women and children fleeing in terror. Grown women screaming bloody murder. Grown men running for their lives. Poor children crying their eyes out. Everyone in the entire city and surrounding suburbs was gripped in a state of constant, near-paralyzing fear. For something had happened...and in the minds' eye of every conscious being in the area, the city had been invaded by monsters. Demons. Vile creatures that even nightmares wouldn't conjure up. It was as if the gates of Hell were opened and no one was safe. Not in their homes, not in their churches, synagogues or various houses of worship. Wherever they went, the demons would follow.

And nothing the people did could stop them.

Yet, there was a reason for that. The monsters and demons weren't real. They existed only in the people's minds...and, more importantly, in the extremely twisted mind of on man: David Angar.

He stood atop the capitol building and smiled at his handiwork. In only an hour he had induced a mindscream powerful enough to bring the city to its knees. Springfield was the test. Granted, it was a big test. A test that was destined to become rather public. But if he could succeed here...

"A glorious sight, eh?" David asked to the woman who stood behind him.

"Glorious indeed," she answered. Her name was Sandra Deel, but he called her Shriek. They were soulmates. Or they were both really messed up in the head. But either way, David was nothing without Sandra and vice versa.

Shriek prided herself on being able to pry upon people's most hidden fears or memories, the things that terrified them the most, and amplifying them exponentially. Angar took those fears and, with his mindscream, brought them to life before a person's eyes. He held so much power...

"Nothing can stop us," he grinned. "I'll see these people claw their own eyes out, hoping to escape the images...and then watch them yell in terror as they realize there is no escape. That no matter where they go, they cannot escape me!"

He took a deep breath as he watched his handiwork. If one listened closely, they could hear gunshots. Police, and even ordinary citizens broke down, lashing out at the horrifying images the only way they could, more often than not only doing more harm than good.

"How goes our final component?" he asked.

"The girl is almost ready," Shriek nodded. "With the power amplifiers in place, she will grant our psychological powers a physical edge. Where we can bring a city to it's knees, Siryn can bring a metropolis down to it's bedrock!"

He laughed. "I think as a statement...we'll do it here, too. We'll test out her powers here. So what if a few million people die? We'd better get used to the death tolls...after all, once we get to Washington, it'll be a looooot more. Heh."

In the present? Sam Guthrie lie on the table in the team's med-lab...dead.

"He...he can't be...d-dead..." Jennifer-Lynn Haden. Her green skin was one of the reasons her codename was Jade. In recent weeks, she and Sam had been enjoying a flirtatious relationship which had slowly been becoming more...and now?

Illyana Rasputin. As Magik, she was a founding New Mutant...she had fought alongside Sam for over five years. There are no words. Only tears.

Superboy. Impulse. Arrowette. Wonder Girl...they had been his teammates for so short a time. They barely knew him...but what they did know led them to believe that Sam was the best of them.

Robin. He was still technically new to the game. How long had he been Batman's sidekick? How long had he been leading this team of heroes-to-be? He lost Linda already...but at least she was alive. Sam? He's gone...and the Boy Wonder can't help but think...that he might not be cut out for the job after all...

The Red Tornado. He was a robot, right? And robot's don't have emotions, right? Maybe...maybe not. But nonetheless, he acted his part as he always did.

"Though I am very sorry for the tragic events which have just occurred," the robot began, "I fear Young Justice is needed elsewhere."

"Are you kidding me?!" Jade exclaimed. "Sam just died!! Don't you have any semblance of feeling somewhere in that big mechanical body of yours?"

"Springfield, Illinois is being held hostage," Red continued despite the outburst. "No other super heroes are available to deal with the situation. If it is not dealt with swiftly, hundreds of thousands of people will be dead."

Robin locked his chin. "Superboy...Impulse...Arrowette...Wonder Girl...we're leaving immediately. Jade, Magik...stay here."

"You're serious?" Superboy asked. "We just lost...another team member."

"We'll mourn when we have time," Robin replied. "I know that sounds harsh, but it's true...we're needed. We're moving out."

And with that he walked away.

"How could he be so...insensitive?" Cassie asked.

"I don't know," Cissie replied. "Maybe he's not the guy I thought he was..."

"From what I've been able to pick up," Robin explained as the Super Cycle continued towards the city, "is that there's been some sort of sonic assault on the city. That's why I handed out the earplugs...I don't know if it'll work or not, but it should help. We're just going to fly in, take care of whoever's causing trouble, and get back home. None of us are in the mood for this."

"No kidding," Arrowette replied.

"Superboy, Impulse and Wonder Girl, begin scouting the area," Robin ordered. "Get a good idea of what's going on. Arrowette and I'll land the cycle and we'll keep in radio touch."

"Right," Kon-El nodded and the three were off.

For a few moments which seemed like minutes, neither of the two remaining spoke. Finally, Arrowette couldn't hold back any longer. "So what is wrong with you?"

"Excuse me?" Robin asked, looking over his shoulder to where she sat behind him.

"How can you be so uncaring at a time like this?" she asked, pressing the matter. "Sam's dead...and you don't care, do you?"

"How can you even say that?" Robin asked. It took Cissie by surprise. It was the first time since she'd known him, that the modulation of his voice actually changed. That he actually was hurt by her words...by what was happening.

"Well, you're so eager to lead us off onto this mission..."

"Because we're needed," Robin replied. "We're heroes-in-training...we formed Young Justice to help people. But I'm this team's leader...you don't honestly believe for an instant that losing Sam is tearing me up inside? Just a month ago, we lost Linda! And now Sam...I'm about two seconds away from cracking! If not for this excuse to get away from things, I...don't know what I would have done."

"Really?" Cissie asked. "I always thought, well...Batman's so cold, so uncaring...and you're his heir. I figured..."

"That I would be as cold as he is? Believe me, I know the reputation Batman has...and I know that someday I'm gonna be expected to take on that reputation...but it's not who I am. I am not Batman. I'm a teenager, just like you. And Young Justice is my responsibility...I'm team leader, which means you guys are putting your faith, your very lives, in my hands every day! And I failed Linda, I failed Sam...and I can't help but think that, sooner or later...I'm going to fail all of you."

"Rob, I..." Cissie was at a loss for words. "I'm...sorry I said that. It's just..."

"I know," Robin nodded. "But we'll...have to deal with it later. Right now, we've got a serious situation to deal with."

He tapped the communications panel on the Cycle as he landed it. "Superboy, do you read me? Kid? Wondy? Bart, do you read me? Anyone?"

"I hear you," Impulse replied. "But you better get here quick...Wondy and Superkid are both going insane, fighting...air!"

"Air?" Robin asked. "They're hallucinating?"

"Get back!" Arrowette yelled. She fired a pair of arrows into the air, not hitting any apparent targets.

"Cissie?" Robin asked. "What is it?"

"Demons...monsters!" she yelled, firing more arrows. "All around us...and my arrows aren't stopping them!"

"But...I don't see a..." Robin stopped. He realized. Impulse's mind is constantly moving, but at the same time, so simplistic that he's immune to most forms of telepathy...if those images or sonic induced, yet psionic in nature, it makes sense that he's not being affected. As for me...I can only hazard a guess that the time I've spent training with Batman has left my mind so well trained that my telepathic blocks are keeping me safe. I don't have a clue how long it'll last, though. And if Cissie, Cassie and Kon are out of the fight already...he grabbed his comm unit. "Bart! Do you know where the attack is coming from?"

"Yup!" he replied, suddenly standing next to Rob.

"Take me there," Robin ordered.

"What about Cissie?"

"We can't do much for her," Robin shrugged. "We've gotta take down whoever's in charge first."

Bart shrugged and picked up Rob. "Whatever."

"I'd say about a hundred percent success," the woman called Shriek grinned. "The entire city is nearly insane with our handiwork."

Angar grinned. "Alright...is our red head ready?"

"Theresa's all suited up," Shriek nodded. "The carapace around her neck will amplify her powers exponentially. The entire city will be destroyed in seconds!"

Angar grinned even wider. "This is gonna be sweet...I can't wait to try this trick on places like LA, Chicago, New York and Washington. We're gonna bring this country to it's knees."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that!" Robin yelled as Impulse burst the two of them into the capitol building.

"What the hell?" Angar asked. "How could you get in here without being affected?"

"We've got good concentration!" Robin replied. "Impulse, they mentioned someone else...Theresa...find her! I'll deal with these two!"

"Okay!" Impulse replied, speeding away.

"Cocky little fellow," Shriek nodded to Robin.

"You may have been resisting us so far," Angar grinned wickedly, "but wait until we focus the full brunt of our powers on you!"

"Are you Theresa?" he asked.

"I am," the girl nodded.

"I'm here to fight you!"

"I dinnae need to be fightin' anyone," she replied. "I believe I'm needin' tae be rescued."

"Well, you're in luck!" Impulse grinned. "I can do that, too!"

"Help me get this carapace off me neck," Theresa asked.

Impulse nodded and, vibrating his arms at an incredible speed, he was able to vibrate the carapace and make it intangible so that it easily fell of the young woman.

"Thank ye," she said.

"Er, sure," Bart shrugged. "So, what's your deal, anyway?"

"I'm a mutant," Terry answered. "Me power is my sonic scream...that carapace was gonna magnify my abilities and I was gonna be forced to use it to destroy the city."

"Then it's a good thing I got here!" Bart exclaimed. "I bet Robin needs help...come on!"

Have to...end this soon...they're starting to...wear down my mental blocks! They're images are...starting to get through!

A kick barely missed a ducking Angar.

"You feel it, don't you?" he asked. "You're slowing down...because you're too busy trying to fight us mentally you can't fight us physically!"

He's absolutely right...if he could bring this whole city down, how can I possibly...last much longer? I need...help.

And almost on cue, for once in his whole life, Impulse burst through the door and slammed his fists into Angar.

"Good...timing," Robin nodded.

"Thanks!" Impulse grinned stupidly.

"Time for us t'end this," Theresa said. She cut loose with a sonic scream that shattered the windows in the building and caused Angar and Shriek to grab their heads in pain. Naturally, Robin and Impulse weren't affected because of their earplugs.

"A few more seconds should knock them out," Robin nodded. "And by taking them out, we'll stop their sonic assault on everyone else in the city. Good job, Bart. I'm glad we could wrap this up quickly.

Ten minutes later, the building was swarmed with police, who found Shriek and Angar tied up and gagged. Robin, Impulse and 'Siryn' went back to the Super Cycle, meeting up with their other three teammates.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Robin asked.

"I'm positive," Terry answered. "I've spent way too long being the prisoner of those two...I've got a father and an Uncle waiting for me back home...I'll be happy to get there."

Robin nodded. "If you ever need anything..."

Terry nodded back. "I'll give ye a call. Thank ye for all yuir help. I'm sure we'll meet again someday!"

"I'm sure we will," Robin replied. And with that, she used her sonic powers to fly off. "Come on, team...let's go back home..."

The five members slowly walked back into their HQ, prepared to finally deal with the events that had happened...with the death of...

"Sam?!" Cissie exclaimed as the team found Sam Guthrie sitting with Jade and Illyana at their briefing table.

"Hi, gang," he waved.

"Guys..." Jade grinned, "He's alive!"

It's been two days since then...and I've finally had time to do some thinking. Though I haven't come to any conclusions as to Sam's miraculous return from death, it's something I've started looking in to. But one thing I do know...the Point Men were attacking a base for something called Project: Wide-awake. After further investigation, I learned that it was a government sanctioned, privately invested organization dedicated to the destruction of Homo sapien-superiors, a.k.a. mutants. Another tasty tidbit I found...the project's major funder is Sebastian Shaw, head of the Hellfire Club and the Black King of the club's hidden Inner Circle.

While everyone else is eager for revenge against the Point Men, I've decided to play a different angle. We've had a little too much trouble with the Hellfire Club as of late. So I decided it was time to do some Robin-type investigation...while dressed as Chuck Barnes.

After all, Hellfire is just a boy's club for the rich and famous. Politicians, movie stars, and those that are just plain wealthy call themselves members of this club. As Chuck Barnes, I've got connections to the Wayne fortune, as well as my own family fortune. I figure, why try breaking in when I can walk right through the door?

The cab slowed to a stop in front of the scenic entrance to the Hellfire Club's mansion. Chuck reached into his pocket and pulled out his fare, slowly stepping out. He hated wearing a suit, but he knew he had to look the part to help get inside the club.

Bruce has been offered membership before...I know he has...though I don't know if he's accepted. Though I'm sure the people here know of my connection to Bruce, it shouldn't take much persuading to get in. And, well, tonight's a party...I understand they throw a lot of them. It would have been better to show up in a limo, but I don't want to draw too much attention to myself.

He walked up casually, his eyes constantly scanning his surroundings. As he approached the door it opened casually, a butler standing in the doorway.

"Good evening, sir," the older gentlemen greeted him kindly. "Name, please?"

"Chuck Barnes."

"Very good, sir," the butler nodded. "May I take your jacket?"

"Yes, thank you," Chuck slid his coat off and into the butler's arms.

"Enjoy the party."

"I'm sure I will," he smiled and nodded. This could get interesting...it's a big enough crowd, I should be able to slip into and out of places pretty easily...and because of my mask, no one should be able to spot me as Robin...especially because, as far as I know, there aren't really any pictures of myself or Batman out there.

He slowly made his way into the main chamber. The entire mansion was an amazing sight, completely decorated like 19th century England. The music by the live orchestra filled the party chamber, drinks were passed around and conversation flowed freely. Chuck moved in and out of groups of people, trying to fit in while making his way towards where he needed to go.

All right...made it from one end to the other...just got to slip away into somewhere secluded, get into an air duct or something.

Looking both ways, Chuck slowly turned a doorknob and made his way inside another room. A quick look about, and he found himself alone. Another look about, and he found the perfect vent that he was looking for. He made his way over and began to take it off when he heard a hand grasp the doorknob from the outside.

Uh-oh...

Stopping his work, Chuck turned to face the room's entrance as the door swung open. In stepped a young woman with short, light brown hair and blue eyes. She wore a long blue cloak covering her black bodysuit.

"The party's outside, you know," the woman said.

"I...er...was looking for the men's room," Chuck replied.

"Well, it appears you got misdirected," the woman replied. "My name is Martinique...Wyngarde."

"Chuck Barnes," he replied with a nod.

"You look familiar...is it possible we've met before?"

"I doubt it," he replied. She said her name was Wyngarde. Sam told me something about a Wyngarde...his name is Jason. He's a part of the club's Inner Circle. This woman's obviously related...but she can't be any older than I am...probably even younger.

"So...what brings you to this club this night?" she asked, stepping closer.

"What brings anyone here?" Chuck shrugged.

"Well, it depends. The older gentlemen come for the women...the politicians come for more power...as do businessmen...some come for the drinks...some for the company. But you don't seem to fit into any of those categories."

"Oh?"

"I have a knack for seeing through people," she replied. "I'm sure whatever it is you're looking for, Mister Barnes...will be found."

She turned and walked towards the door. She placed her hand on the knob and turned it, but stopped before opening it. "The walls have ears and eyes, Mister Barnes. But know that not everyone here tonight is out to get you."

With that, she opened the door and stepped out. She casually looked both ways as she returned to the party. From the top of a nearby staircase, another young woman watched.

"Linda?"

"Yes, Jason, my love?" asked the woman as she turned.

"Has something gathered your attention?" Jason Wyngarde asked, looking towards the area she was just inspecting.

"No...it was nothing," Linda answered. "You should know, that nothing could take my attention away from you..."

A grin spread across Jason's lips.

The other members of Young Justice didn't have the opportunity to spend the evening at such an elaborate party.

"He shouldn't have gone alone," Cissie King-Jones frowned. In costume, she was called Arrowette. Yet no matter which name she was called, she couldn't help but feel her attraction building towards Robin. Concern was just natural.

"If anyone could handle a solo mission, it's him," Cassie Sandsmark shrugged. She was Wonder Girl, and Cissie's best friend. The two spent a lot of time together. Just like Sam partnered off with Jennifer, and Kon-El went off with Bart.

[[Poor Illyana spends a lot of time by herself, doesn't she? Well, maybe not...better keep your eyes peeled for next issue! - Paul]]

"I know, but still," she shrugged. "With everything that's happened recently...is it really that safe?"

"He's the most capable one of all of us," Cassie shrugged. "Besides, now that he's out, maybe we could actually get out for once? A girl's night out, maybe?"

"Nah, I'd rather stay here--"

"--And sulk?"

Cissie sighed. "Yeah...sorry."

Cassie sighed right back. "We never get to hang out...it's school...then dealing with my mom's nagging...then coming here and either saving the world or sitting around doing nothing...when am I gonna get to go to parties like a normal teenage girl? I used to have so much fun!"

"You used to spend your Saturday nights doing Chem homework," Cissie frowned.

"Oh...right."

So let's hit a quick scene change across the base to the team's med lab where we join the earlier mentioned Sam Guthrie, Jennifer-Lynn Haden, aka Jade, and the team's robotic mentor, Red Tornado.

"He has passed yet another complete examination," the Tornado reported.

"Two days ago, you were dead...and then you got better," Jennifer frowned. She then blew some of her green bangs out of her green face. "How can you be not only completely recovered, but in better health than you were last week?"

"Ah'm not pretendin' to understand what happened," Sam shrugged, "but I figure it's just God working in mysterious ways. I count mah blessings...maybe it just wasn't my time? Maybe I actually do have a purpose here in life, to make a real difference?"

"Anything is possible," Red answered. "But Robin and I have been investigating another possibility. Rumors we've heard of a sub-group inside the mutant species called the Externals. Our information at this time, however, is limited."

"Well, Ah can wait for an explanation," Sam nodded. "Ah'm just happy to be back. Though, I can tell ya this much...we will be going after the Point Men the first chance we get. Not only do Ah need to give some payback...but Ah have got to find Dani Moonstar and figure out what in God's name she's doing with that bunch of psychopaths..."