"They've taken over the World Trade Center?" Wonder Girl asked. "What do they hope to gain by doing that?"

"Money?" Superboy asked. "Those crazy muties've gotta fund their terrorism somehow."

"Y'know, two of our members are 'crazy muties,'" Arrowette frowned.

"There it is," Robin said, pointing.

"Whoa," Impulse spat out. "Who designed that building?"

"It looks like it's been encased in rock," Wonder Girl said, squinting her eyes.

"It's a safe bet," Robin replied. "And it's gotta be dense...so far the police haven't been able to break through it. If Magik were here, this wouldn't cause us any trouble...but right now, I'm counting on Superboy and Wonder Girl to use their muscles and break us in. Bart, you and Cissie follow 'em in while I land this thing--"

"--And stay out of the cameras," Arrowette added.

Robin didn't have time to answer as Superboy grabbed Impulse and Wonder Girl grabbed Arrowette, and the two flew the four of them to the ground. With a few more moments, the cycle was landed and Robin was off, sticking to midday shadows and avoiding any public areas until he reconvened with his team.

Kon and Cassie were hard at work pounding away, but they had barely begun to dent the rock.

"It's uncanny," Wonder Girl said. "It doesn't feel like there's that much rock, or that it's that hard...but it's like it's thinking...like it's prepared for our every hit."

"It's only rock," Superboy said. "We'll knock it down sooner or later..."

"Somebody need a wreckin' crew?"

The five looked up to see Cannonball rocketing forward with Jade flying behind. Seconds later, Sam smashed through the rock and gained entrance into the building's third floor.

"Good job," Robin nodded. "Let's follow him up! And assume that they know we're coming!"

Moments later the seven were regrouped inside the building. Many people who were previously trapped were gathering around.

"Jade, create a solid slide from the whole Sam made and get these people--" Robin was stopped short as the rock resealed the hole. "Well...I think they definitely know we're here."

"That is definitely something you don't see every day," Superboy frowned.

"That's Avalanche's doin'," Sam said. "He controls rock...we tussled with him once in the New Mutants...sure did a number on us. Hate to see us fighting him with a group of others."

"But hasn't the MLF traditionally had a group of low-powered solo acts?" Jade asked. "You said it yourself one time, they were one of the biggest push-over groups you ever faced."

"Yup," Sam nodded. "I'd hate to think they've gotten new muscle...Avalanche alone could give us a work out. Maybe he's the only new one..."

"Come on," Robin said. "Let's keep moving. We should find them and draw them away from any civilians around here. No casualties will be acceptable."

The seven quickly made their move towards the stairs. Robin stopped them.

"We're not all going to crowd into the stairs," Robin said. "Cissie, you and I will take the elevators...Bart...do some quick reconnaissance of the area...try and find where the MLF is without being seen. The rest of you, take the stairs...and be careful."

"Right," Sam nodded, and the group broke. Impulse sped off, and the other four entered the stairs.

"Taking the elevator?" Arrowette asked. "Won't that be, like, sitting ducks?"

"When I said take the elevator...I meant climbing the shaft," he replied.

"Oh...I knew that."

Seconds later Robin had pried the elevator doors open and had begun climbing up, with Arrowette quickly coming behind him.

"Wouldn't this have made more sense for one of the fliers to do?" Arrowette asked.

"Maybe," Robin replied. "But I figured, of all the people on the team, we're the only two without real powers. I figured we could use a little time to flex our 'normal' muscles. Besides, I hate climbing stairs."

Arrowette couldn't help but crack a smile. Robin was usually so cool and calm...but he had his moments. Maybe that was what attracted her so...

As he looked and moved, he failed to notice someone tracking him...that is, until the shot from the laser cannon hit him square in the chest.

A large man stood over his body. His skin was blue, and grey pieces of technology swirled about him. Guns protruded from his body. He looked Impulse over. Stepping out into the staircase, he switched his eyes back from motion sensing to heat tracking.

"Young Justice," he frowned. "They have come seeking to stop the MLF...but they will find Post...ready to bring them death."

He was Chuck Barnes, millionaire adoptive son of Bruce Wayne. She was Cissie King-Jones, daughter of a long line of masked crimefighters. Both were members of Young Justice, and both were the only members without any real powers. They weren't born different from the rest of the world, or bombarded with cosmic rays or soaked in chemicals or granted powers from a God or what not. They were pure human physical perfection. For the most part.

"Eighty-three floors?" Cissie asked. "Eighty-three? Why on earth didn't you tell me that first? I'd rather climb eighty-three flights of stairs than climb on an elevator cable! My arms are gonna be so dead by the time we get up there..."

"They're not necessarily on the eighty-third floor," Robin replied. "They could be, though it's unlikely...the eighty-second and -third floors are mostly equipment storage. Same with the lower basements. They're probably on the seventy-fifth...that's where the richest businessmen are."

"Seventy-five?" Arrowette exclaimed. "I think you deserve to lose that title of Boy Wonder...and trained by the World's Greatest Detective? I think not..."

"It's good exercise...it gives me time to put a plan together...and it'll give us some time alone."

"Time alone?" Cissie raised an eyebrow.

"Am I wrong in thinking that you'd like that?" Robin asked.

"I think you're wrong in your approach and methods," she frowned. "Have you ever even dealt with a woman before?"

"No, I can't say I've had too much experience...definitely not with the super kind. But maybe you misunderstood. I just thought...you'd like to talk."

"Well, that's true...I would like to talk to you. But I can't figure out what to talk about. Your personal life, where you go to school, where you live, what you like to do...all of that is classified, courtesy of Batman. I know absolutely nothing about you, and you won't let me know anything...whereas you probably know more about me and my family than I do!"

"I'm sorry," Robin replied as he continued moving up. "But it's Batman's orders. He's just...prepping me. One day, I'm supposed to assume his role...become Batman. That's not gonna work too well if people know who I am as Robin."

"Are you sure you want to be Batman?" Arrowette asked. "I mean, I've only met him, maybe once...but he's scary. I mean, when it comes to fighting badguys, I don't doubt he's the man...but as far as personality? Reputation? Everyone's afraid of that guy...and it seems like he's got no friends. You really want to be him?"

"Well...I can see where you'd get that...and some of your reactions are probably true. But you just don't know him like I do. Batman's the way he is because he has to be...the kind of stuff he sees...it's nothing like what we do in Young Justice. He has to be thick skinned...or he couldn't do what he does. And well, his reputation...he's earned it."

"And you want his life?"

"Well...I don't know. I'm still working on being Robin."

"..."

"..."

"...What floor are we on?"

"Eleven."

Cissie sighed. "This is gonna be a looong climb..."

Superboy, Wonder Girl, Cannonball and Jade moved cautiously and slowly. Though each one could fly in their own respects, they had mostly stuck to walking as to move slower and hopefully draw less attention to themselves.

Impulse had been sent ahead to scout.

"What's keeping him?" Cassie Sandsmark, aka Wonder Girl, asked.

"Beats me," Superboy replied.

"Maybe he found something?" Jennifer-Lynn Haden, aka Jade asked.

"He woulda told us," Sam Guthrie, the mutant Cannonball replied.

"He probably forgot," Superboy replied. "But then again, he doesn't tend to be smart enough to leap into the fray on his own."

"You think something happened to him?" Wonder Girl asked.

"It's possible," Superboy shrugged. "Though I'd really be worried if we're going up against someone fast enough to tag Imp..."

"Ah think we're sittin' ducks," Sam said. "Gotta assume the worst...Impulse would have reported in by now, right? Means he's probably been taken down. Means the MLF probably knows we're here. They're expectin' us to come right up and follow Impulse...so here's where we be unpredictable. Wondy, Jade an' I'll go off on this floor, here...uh...54...and take a detour. Kon, you fly straight up until something attacks you."

"Oh, great plan there," Superboy rolled his eyes.

"Well, of everyone here, you're the most likely to survive an initial blow from any bad guy," Sam continued. "So you hit your comm unit and tell us where you are...then we fly up through the floors and get the jump on whoever it is you're fightin'."

"Sounds good," Jade nodded.

"Fine," Superboy shrugged. "Let's do it!"

The three broke from the staircase and onto the floor. Superboy energized his photonic 'S' shield and began flying straight up.

"Now all we do is wait," Sam replied.

"Won't be waiting long," a voice called.

"Who?" Sam asked as the three instantly turned.

A blast of red lasers knocked Wonder Girl back into the wall. A blast of telekinesis sent Jade flying. Two iceballs hit Cannonball's feet, keeping him standing where he was.

"I'm called the Mimic," the man replied. Large wings flew from his back. His eyes glowed red.

"Ah know you..." Sam's eyes went wide. "You tussled with the original X-Men a few times...could temporarily take the powers of anyone around you...the files even said you might permanently posses the powers of the X-Men!"

"You're a fast one," the Mimic replied. "And you're in MLF territory, sport...which means you're in over your head!"

"Bart?" he asked, landing beside him. He quickly looked around, and seeing no one else in the area, checked his vitals. "Still got a pulse, breathing...that's good...but man, you got hit by something big...better report this to the others."

"I'm afraid you can't do that," the voice of Post called.

"Eh?" Superboy turned just in time to see a giant fist smash into him. The hint sent him flying through the wall of the staircase and into a set of offices on the 68th floor.

Post slowly followed his handiwork. A gun suspended on his shoulder tracked the boy of steel.

"Man...that was some punch," Superboy said, shaking his head. "If not for my tactile telekinesis, that probably would've hurt."

The cannon on Post's shoulder shot a blast of energy straight at Superboy, again knocking him back.

"Still no good," Superboy replied. "You may be strong...but I'm strong--erk!"

Post's hand grabbed Superboy's throat, threatening to choke the life from him. "I do not have time to play around with children. Now is a delicate time. I am sorry you interfered. Now you must die."

Despite having his head and neck being crushed, Superboy could still move his arms. With a flick of his wrist, he once again opened up his shield. It cut straight into Post's chest. The large, blue skinned man yelled in pain, and released Kon-El.

Pressing the advantage, he slammed his fists into Post's chest. The desired affect was not achieved. The behemoth didn't even move back a step.

"This isn't going as I planned..." Superboy replied. Instead of staying to fight, he flew straight up, hoping to put a few more floors distance between him and his opponent...give himself time to think.

Post looked up through the holes in the floors and fired his cannon, but did not pursue.

"Good," Superboy said. "I lost him..."

He turned around only to see two more people staring back at him. Two strangely dressed fellows.

"..."

"I recognize this guy," one said. "Pyro, that's Superboy!"

"Superboy?" Pyro replied. "Get him, Avalanche!"

"I'm inside a building, idiot," Avalanche replied. "I'm using my powers to keep this building sealed up...you deal with him. This is your operation."

"Burn!" Pyro yelled. He clenched his fists, relying on the flame launcher on his back to spit out fire. He then controlled it to attack Superboy.

"Dude, I'm flame resistant," Superboy replied. "You must be one of the push-overs Sam was talking about."

A single punch dropped Pyro.

"Hell," Avalanche shook his head. "You have to wonder how such a damn fool could recruit such muscle...and then be too stupid to even join in on the fight."

"You gonna surrender?" Superboy asked.

"Nope," Avalanche replied. "Just gonna watch."

"Watch what?"

"Post kick your butt."

"Huh?" Superboy turned in time to once more see the giant fist slam into his face.

"Don't you...think...someone would've...contacted us...by now?" Cissie asked through heavy breathes as she noticed the sign for the 42nd floor.

"Maybe," Robin replied. "Or maybe they haven't found anything yet...or they've all been taken out."

"Happy thoughts," she replied.

A sudden explosion shook the shaft.

"What was that?" Arrowette asked.

"I don't know, but look up and think fast...an elevator's falling towards us!"

Cissie looked up. She looked at Robin. Looked back up. "That's no elevator that's falling..."

"What?" Robin asked, looking back up.

"That's a person..."

"A person? He's huge..."

"And we're about to be flattened!"

Robin leapt from his rope and grabbed Arrowette, sending the two of them into the small space of the elevator doors. The man slid by, barely missing them, continuing his descent down.

"That was close," Robin replied.

"It was also disgusting," Cissie commented. She looked up into his eyes. They were covered by a mask, but she thought she saw them.

He looked back. "I...should get off you now."

He leapt back to his rope. "I don't know what the deal was with that...but I have to figure he was a member of the MLF...let's go."

He began sliding down the rope, following after their attacker. Cissie hesitated a moment, still in the space by the doors. After another couple of seconds, she followed.

Cannonball blasted forward, breaking his feet from the ice and pounding his fists into Mimic's chest. Wonder Girl followed the move with a punch to his jaw, and Jade created a giant green hammer to slam him into the ground.

But for all the teamwork, Mimic remained relatively unharmed.

"I have the powers of all five original X-Men," he stated. "You can't hope to hurt me..."

A telekinetic pulse knocked the three members of YJ aside, allowing him to get his footing.

"Give it up," Mimic replied. "If you leave now, I won't kill you...and I'll make sure that the MLF never has to hunt you guys down."

"Promises, promises," Wonder Girl replied. "Eat fist!"

Mimic dodged the punch and kicked Wonder Girl in the chest. "I've got some telepathic powers...not too much, but enough to know your moves before you make them...and the powers to block or dodge with ease!"

"Keep talkin'," Sam said, kicking Mimic in the chest. "You've got an ego bigger than Superboy...which should make beatin' you all the more sweeter."

"You're a mutant," Mimic said. "Why would you fight me, one of your own? Mutants are the rightful heirs of this planet! Evolution says so!"

"Maybe," Sam replied. "But God says otherwise."

Jade quickly jumped behind Mimic and grabbed his wings. She created green chainsaws, hovering in the air.

"Give it up, wings," she said. "Or give up your wings. Despite the redundancy, that was a serious threat!"

"You wouldn't," he said.

"You're right," she replied. Using her powers, she squeezed on the pressure points of where the wings emerged from the skin. Mimic screamed in pain and eventually collapsed. "I'm not cruel enough to cut 'em off. But I figured, if there was one place he'd be vulnerable, it'd be there."

"Well, that's one down," Sam said.

"Shouldn't Kon have contacted us by now?" Wonder Girl asked.

"Oh yeah," Sam replied. "Where is he?"

"Right here."

The three turned around to see the limp bodies of Superboy and Impulse tossed onto the floor. Post and Avalanche stood in the doorway.

"Young Justice," Post started, "prepare to meet your end."

Sam looked at the size of Post. "This is gonna hurt..."

The Red Tornado paced back and forth by the computer screen, watching events unfold. The assault on the World Trade Center had just entered its third hour of crisis. He knew his young charges in Young Justice were inside.

But he had been in Chicago, spending time with his wife and daughter. Yes, he was a robot. And yes, emotions were hard to come by. But he knew he had some humanity inside of him somewhere. And he was finding it.

"But finding myself has led me to lose track of my charges," the Tornado said to himself. "Now they may be in over their heads. Yet Robin has asked that I not participate in any Young Justice missions unless asked. I do not want to break their trust in me..."

He watched the news report continue. Finally, he reached a decision. "Very well. I will wait. Without their trust, I have nothing. I only wish you luck..."

Just minutes ago a man had fallen down an elevator shaft. But he wasn't any man. He was bigger and denser than the elevators inside the shaft!

Chuck Barnes--Robin. Cissie King-Jones--Arrowette. Two members of Young Justice who narrowly avoided death from above while inside the shaft. They began their descent down to the basement to see who it was that attacked them.

"He knocked out the lights," Arrowette said as she squinted against the darkness.

"And he got up," Robin replied.

"What?" Arrowette asked. "He fell at least 60 floors! How on earth could he walk away from that?"

"I'm not sure," Robin replied. "Hey, your eye sight is supposed to be way better than a normal person's...how are you functioning in the dark?"

"Sorry, Rob, I'm no cat," she replied. "Yeah, I can see a lot farther a lot better than most people, but I'm just as hurt by the dark as everyone else."

"Well, he's gotta be around here somewhere," Robin replied. He grabbed a pair of flare sticks from his belt and cracked them open. He handed one to Arrowette. "Stay close...but look around."

"I can handle myself, y'know," Arrowette replied. "Me an' my bows an' arrows handled ourselves just fine before Young Justice."

"I didn't say you couldn't," Robin replied. "I'm just saying we're dealing with an unknown situation..."

"Then maybe you should call the others," she replied.

"Don't want to break radio silence," Robin shrugged. "If they have been captured, calling them will just let their captors know there's more of us."

"Er...okay," Arrowette shrugged. "Come on, where is this guy? It's dark, and this place is filled with narrow hallways...where could he have gone?"

"Right in front of ya, babe," the man grinned.

Cissie jumped as her flare caught a view of the man. He was huge...huge and fat.

"'Names' Fred Dukes...but you can call me...the Blob!"

Sam Guthrie--Cannonball. Jennifer-Lynn Haden--Jade. Cassie Sandsmark--Wonder Girl. Along with the unconscious Superboy and Impulse, they made up the rest of Young Justice inside the Trade Center.

In front of them? Avalanche, Post, and the unconscious Pyro, who, along with the unconscious Mimic behind them, made up the rest of the Mutant Liberation Front. Avalanche, who controlled the earth, called upon rock to completely seal the building off from those trying to get both in and out. Post just happened to be the muscle.

"Umm...maybe we could talk this out?" Sam asked.

"Maybe," Post replied. He grabbed Sam by the collar. "Maybe not."

Before Post could finish his move, Sam kicked his rocket into high gear and blasted himself out of his hands.

"Focus on Avalanche!" Sam yelled. "Take him out and he just might drop his wall!"

"You'll have to get through Post, first," Avalanche said, hiding behind his large teammate. "And if Superboy couldn't do it...what hope do you have?"

"Oh sure, feed his ego," Wonder Girl said, punching Post in the face. "Lucky thing he's unconscious."

"You can join him," Post replied, grabbed for Wonder Girls' fists.

"No she can't, pal!" Jade replied. Three green spiked balls flew at the blue villain. "I think I've got the will power I need to take you down!"

"Think again," Post replied, firing shots from his cannon.

"Don't waste time," Sam said. "Jade, encase him in a nice, solid prison of your energy! And all ya gotta do is hold him while we take out Avalanche!"

"Done!" Jade replied.

Avalanche turn and began to run.

"Oh no ya don't!" Wonder Girl grabbed him.

"Good girl," Sam replied. "Okay Avalanche...talk...what's all this for, anyway?"

"Like I'm going to tell you," he replied.

"You sure?" Sam asked.

"Positive," Avalanche frowned.

"Okay," Sam shrugged. One rocket powered punch later and Avalanche was unconscious.

"The wall's still there," Wonder Girl frowned.

"Well...at least he can't seal any holes we make now," Sam shrugged.

"Umm...guys?" Jade said.

"Eh?" the two turned.

Jade was struggling. "He's about to break through!"

A boys club for the rich and famous, it also houses a deadly secret with it's Inner Circle and it's team of young mutants, the Hellions.

Roberto DaCosta watched as the Hellions trained in their secret underground 'Danger Room'. Once, as the New Mutant Sunspot, the Hellions were one of his biggest worries. They were more than just school rivals...they were a threat on his very life. Yet recently he had found himself living with his enemies, and even becoming a part of them. His reasons were unknown to everyone...possibly even himself.

But I know it won't last. You know it too, don't you Sam? After the New Mutants broke up, I wasn't sure what you'd do...I thought maybe you'd become a full fledged X-Man...but now you're running with Young Justice? And what's worse, the Hellfire Club has made them their enemies. A confrontation is brewing...I can feel it...I just hope it happens soon. Because if Sam and the others don't get in here first...Wyngarde and Shaw are gonna tear this place apart.

The Lady Tessa watched Sunspot closely. She was Sebastian Shaw's attendant, that was for sure. Her position as the White Rook all but tipped the balance of power in the circle. It was her goal to keep Wyngarde and the white side from gaining too much power, just as Linda Danver's job was to do the same to the Black. But Sunspot...he was the wild card. As a telepath, she knew things. And one thing she knew for certain was that the true loyalties of Roberto DaCosta would play themselves out soon...

"What is it?" Robin asked, leaping over to Arrowette. "..."

The Blob was a fat and disgusting man. He was truly immovable, possibly even immovable by his own force of will. And he had meant to crush them flat by falling on them. He missed...and wound up down here.

"What now?" Cissie asked.

"That depends," Robin shrugged. "Depends on whether or not this guy still plans on fighting."

"I'm not in the position to do much fightin'," the Blob replied. "The fall was supposed to eliminate the need fer a fight. But now I gotta take a little time and get my act together before I pull another stunt like that."

"So you're surrendering?" Arrowette asked.

"Then talk," Robin ordered. "What did the MLF hope to gain by holding the World Trade Center hostage?"

"Money," he answered easily. "Mostly money. A little attention...fame...power...recognition. Pyro was all into 'mutant power' an' whatnot. He said it was time humans realized that they were as doom as the dinosaurs...that mutants were the next step in evolution...and the sooner you humans realized that and stepped down from power, the better off we'd all be by knowin' our place."

"That's a load of bull," Cissie frowned.

"I didn't say I bought that," the Blob continued. "Hey, if mutants can get on top, more power to 'em...I'll take the spoils, but I won't bust my hump gettin' there. I just want a ton of money so I can buy my own island and fill it with beautiful naked women."

Robin smacked his head. "How many more people are in the MLF?"

"There's Pyro...he runs the gig. Avalanche...Mimic...oh, and Post. He's a weird one...but tough."

"Thanks for the info," Robin replied. "Come on."

"We're just gonna leave him here?" Arrowette asked.

"What? It's not like we can move him. Let's go help the team."

Post swung a fist and slammed Jade into the far wall. A blast from his laser cannon knocked Wonder Girl away. By crashing his foot into the floor, he tore up the ground and knocked Sam off his feet.

"This operation has exceeded acceptable parameters," Post stated. "Scorched Earth program is to be initiated."

"Only if we give you the chance," a voice called.

Sam looked up to see Magik appear out of one of her portals. A swipe of her Soulsword across Post's midsection left his psyche totally rattled. He dropped to the floor, unconscious.

"Talk about in the nick-of-time," Jade said.

"'Yana!" Sam exclaimed. "Where've you been, girl?"

"Home," she replied. "Thinking."

"And?" Sam asked.

"We'll talk...later," she shrugged.

"Ah don't think later's a good idea," Sam pressed the issue. "We talk now."

"Sam?" Robin asked as he and Cissie walked in, stepping over Avalanche.

"Rob...you missed all the fun," Wonder Girl said.

"Uh...sure," Robin replied. "Are we finished with the bad guys?"

"Yup," Magik replied.

"Then let's help evacuate this place and get out of here," Robin said. "It's been a long day."

"The Mutant Liberation Front was indeed responsible. Known felons Avalanche and Mimic were apprehended alongside an unknown figure with blue skin. Our own cameras at CNN caught the young hero team Young Justice escaping the seen. While to most it would seem obvious that they were the heroes of this day, some question their true heroism. Two of their members are believed to be mutants, possible members of the rumored terrorist group the X-Men. And even if they aren't mutants, we do know for sure that they are young teenagers who are living with powers that can cause great amounts of damage. This reporter has to wonder if these kids understand that with great power must come great responsibility. Because if they don't, this city might have a much larger situation on its hands very soon. Trish Tilby, CNN."

"Do you believe that?" Superboy asked as he turned off the TV. "We put our lives on the line and get dumped on by some ditsy reporter!"

"Welcome to mah world," Sam replied. "The New Mutants and X-Men always got blamed for everything, no matter how many lives we'd save. Just 'cause we're mutants."

"It's unfair," Robin replied. "But the world is generally unfair. We've just got to get by and keep doing what we're doing, and hope that we can make enough of a difference."

"Robin?" the Tornado asked. "I have a message for you...perhaps you should see it in private."

Robin stood up and walked over to the Tornado. "What is it?"

"A message from a Ms. Wyngarde. She says there will be trouble soon...and that you must act quickly or not at all."

Robin nodded. "Alright. Tell the team to get some rest. Tomorrow's gonna be a busy day."

"What do you have planned?"

"Oh, a little fight with the Hellions...the Inner Circle...and a rematch with the woman who wiped the floor with us: Linda Danvers. After tomorrow, either the Hellfire Club will be taken down...or Young Justice will have it's final defeat."

He moved slowly and cautiously. As Superboy, he was nigh invulnerable and virtually unstoppable. As Kon-El, or Kid, or whatever he calls himself outside of costume, he was relatively unknown. That's why he stayed out of costume on this morning. He was watching someone. Well, two people really.

Jason Wyngarde and Linda Danvers.

The second was the woman he loved. The first was the man who, he believes, made her turn against him and the rest of his teammates in Young Justice. She was once a member of that team, until she nearly killed them all. Both became associated with the Hellfire Club, strict enemies of the team's former New Mutant members, and new enemies of Young Justice themselves.

The point of this morning's excursion was to try one last time to get through to Linda. He had been trailing the two of them for over a half hour now. It disgusted him, seeing them together. It also hurt...a lot. Because one day she was in love with him...and the next, she was in the arms of that man. And since then, the two have almost never separated.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, Wyngarde pardoned himself from Linda to go talk to someone else in the park. Kon made his move. He walked slowly up to her, pretending to read the Wall Street Journal.

"Hey, pretty lady," he said quietly when he walked up to her.

"Excuse me?" she asked, turning to see him.

"It's me," Kon said. "You remember me, don't you Linda?"

"I..." she started. "You...should go. My fiancé doesn't like me talking with other men."

"Fiancé?" Kon asked. "You're going to marry that sleazeball?"

"What right do you have to call him names?" she demanded. "I don't even know you!"

"I have every right, because you do know me," he replied. "And keep your voice down. I mean, don't you even miss me? Or Young Justice? I mean, how could you just try to kill us? Where'd you get all this power? And have you noticed that you never spend more than two minutes away from your Fiancé there?"

"I think you're pushing your luck," she frowned. "You must leave now, before I get angry."

"Linda, it's Kon..." he shook his head. "Remember? I love you? You love me?"

"The only man I love is Jason. Now get out of here! Jason, Jason, dear!"

"Yes, my love?" Jason Wyngarde came running. "What is it?"

"I--" she turned around...Superboy was gone and nowhere to be found. "I just...missed you, is all."

"I hate when we're apart as well, my love," Wyngarde smiled happily. "But soon, we shall be married...and after we take care of Shaw, we shall never need worry about being apart again!"

And from inside a tree, Superboy watched...thought about throwing up...and eventually sighed as he started his way back home.

"How're you feeling, Impulse?" Robin asked.

"I'm peachy," he replied. Just a day ago he had been injured and taken out by the mutant Post, a member of the Mutant Liberation Front who had taken the World Trade Center hostage. "He ruined my costume, but I've got more...so I'm all set."

"Are you sure?" Robin double checked.

"Yeah!" he replied happily. "Good as new and whatnot."

Robin nodded. "I hope so...we're gonna need everyone in full health today."

"Why...what're we doing?"

"There'll be a meeting in a few minutes in the briefing room...I'll explain everything there."

"I'll be there!" he replied. Hopping up from the bed he was just sitting on, Impulse sped away in a blur of light, followed by a gust of wind. Robin stood there a few moments more before exiting as well.

All eight members of Young Justice sat around their table. Red Tornado stood towards the back of the room, merely watching and supervising. Sam Guthrie and Illyana Rasputin, Cannonball and Magik respectively, had a hunch what this meeting was about. Jennifer-Lynn Haden, the emerald Jade, was ready for anything. Best friends Cassie and Cissie, Wonder Girl and Arrowette, sat awaiting whatever mission Robin had cooked up. Impulse impatiently twiddled his thumbs at 60 miles per hour. Superboy took his chair last, already knowing what was ahead.

"Alright," Robin said. "We're going to move out as soon as this briefing is done...and we're going to move against the Hellfire Club."

"About time," Cassie commented.

"You sure that's a good idea?" Sam asked.

"It's got to be done," Robin replied. "We've let things go on too long. Ever since I stole computer files from the club, I've been in contact with a Martinique Wyngarde. She's been something of a contact for me inside the club...and she's told me that we have to make our move soon."

"And you trust her?" Cissie asked. "Sam said she's the daughter of the Wyngarde guy who Linda's been hanging with!"

"She is," Superboy replied. "But I've been keeping tabs on Linda and Wyngarde...they take a morning walk through Central Park every weekday...Jason usually meets someone to discuss some business...but when I talked to Linda, it's like she doesn't even remember me."

"Martinique is something of a telepath," Robin continued. "I also believe she can alter people's perceptions with various images. I suspect her father has the same ability. Linda may not know what she's doing...and he may be in control of her every action."

"That's disgusting," Jen frowned.

"But there's more going on with the club," Robin explained. "I haven't finished decrypting all the files...but I know some things. I know the Hellions are only the club's first step in building a mutant army. Shaw also is the major funder and provider for a Project: Wideawake..."

"The mutant control project," Illyana frowned. "They've been around for awhile...supposedly working on robots of some sort designed to hunt and detain mutants."*

*(As seen in X-Men: Registration - Chip)

"Only reason they haven't been released yet is 'cause the government can't find any way to release 'em that's constitutional," Sam replied. "But why would Shaw, a mutant himself, want to release Sentinels?"

"Do you think he's found a way to control them?" Cassie asked. "Maybe he wants to use them to take out whatever mutants won't bow down to him...and to gather together those that will?"

"That's a scary thought," Superboy frowned.

"But there's more," Robin said. "There's a very fragile balance of power in the Inner Circle. Wyngarde and Shaw are opposing Kings. Shaw has Tessa and Emma Frost on Wyngarde's side, and Wyngarde has Linda on Shaw's side. It's looking like very soon, one side or the other's going to make a move...and it's all going to go to hell."

"So why don't we wait?" Impulse asked. "Let them beat each other up, and then take on the victor?"

"I'm too afraid of who will win," Robin replied. "What if the victor moves too fast, consolidates his power, unleashes the sentinels? We've got to take them both down fast."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Cissie asked.

"Yeah," Cassie replied. "Let's do it to it!"

Robin nodded. "Suit up and meet at the Supercycle...we'll move out in ten minutes."