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On the Run by Paul Hahn Originally presented at DC/Marvel: The Merging as Young Justice #17-19 and Young Justice: Moonstar |
With them, he could be a teacher, a leader, a mentor. He would guide them in the proper use of their extraordinary abilities, teach them how responsibility must follow power. Unfortunately, lately, he began to doubt just how good of a job he had done.
It started when Firebird defected, nearly killing the team in the process. Starting with that battle, the team's missions became very public. The techno-organic Phalanx in Chicago, Angar the Screamer in Springfield, the Point Men in New York, the Mutant Liberation Front at the World Trade Center, and, of course, the colossal showdown against the Hellfire Club. Following that big one, Red Tornado, along with some advice from Captain America, decided to temporarily ground the team until things calmed down.
They didn't. Wonder Girl's powers began to change, until she exploded like a furnace. That caused damage to public property and drew more attention. But the Tornado hoped for the best. He had faith in his kids. But then that faith was shattered. His entire team broke their house arrest. They just up and left.
And now the Tornado didn't know what to think.
Robin was the one member of the team who was allowed to still operate, presumably under the guidance of Batman. Wonder Girl and Arrowette were sent to their respective homes to live normal lives for awhile. Superboy, Impulse, Cannonball, Jade, Magik and Firebird were to remain at the team's secret headquarters in Happy Harbor, Rhode Island. So far, they had been following the rules. But then they left.
But where did they go . . . ?
>>BEEP<<
The Tornado turned to the team's communications center, answering the incoming call. "This is the Red Tornado."
"Hello, Tornado," Captain America greeted him. "I'm guessing by now you've realized your charges aren't at home."
"Yes," Red answered. "How did you . . . ?"
"Amidst all the recent trouble we've been experiencing, we've kept in close contact with the government," the Captain explained. "And we were just alerted to the location of Young Justice and were asked to go in after them."
"What?"
"They were operating for unknown reasons in an abandoned castle in upstate New York. Ten minutes ago, that castle blew up with an incredible amount of force. There's been pressure on government officials for some time now to deal with Young Justice."
"To deal with . . . ?" the Red Tornado was in disbelief. "Pressure from whom?"
"I don't know. But I do know I'm going to try and delay my team going into action for a little while . . . maybe you can still salvage some of this. But I recommend you get to them quickly. The Department of Extranormal Operations has released a task force to take them in."
"This is . . . a bit much," he replied, his robotic face in as much of a frown as possible.
"I know. And I'm sorry. I'd better go. As should you. Captain America out."
The Tornado stood for merely a minute more, locating the team's current position based on what the Captain told him. Then, he merely looked up and began to fly.
A glowing green sphere floated slowly to the ground in the middle of the ruins. It took most of her concentration, but Jade lowered herself and the few teammates she could find to the ground. Arrowette and Robin were the only two she was able to reach in time.
"Others . . . ?" Robin asked, looking around.
Impulse sped over to them, carrying the girl, Hallie Takahama, that they had just 'rescued' in the castle. "I bolted with her, 'cause she was the only one I could carry. Figured you guys'd be okay. And you are!"
Firebird, Superboy and Wonder Girl flew down from the fire, their own respective powers providing them minimum protection from the flames. Cannonball came out behind them, carrying Magik in his arms, both protected by his blast field.
"We all made it," Superboy said. "Including our little 'Jolt' over here."
"But the bad guys are long gone," Wonder Girl frowned. "And . . . And I still feel so . . . so . . . violated! So wronged!"
"We'll find them," Robin said. "We did it once, we can do it again. But right now, I think it'd be in our best interests to leave the scene of the crime here."
"Oh, man," Superboy frowned. "The Super Cycle! It got totally trashed in the explosion!"
"There goes our wheels," Jade frowned.
"Magik can get us out of here," Impulse said.
"No she can't," Cannonball frowned, holding her. "She's unconscious. Ah think she got hit before Ah could get to her."
"Well," Robin said, "Superboy, Cannonball, Wonder Girl, Jade and Firebird can fly. Impulse can speed off. Just carry the three of us that can't, and we'll be fine."
"I'm afraid you'll be anything but fine," a voice called.
"What?" Robin asked, turning around. "YJ, form up! Defensive positions!"
An entire regiment of DEO troops had entered the scene. Helicopters, air skimmers, man-bots, and armed soldiers stood ready for action. "Young Justice, you are under arrest. Surrender now, or we will be forced to take you down."
"On what charges?" Superboy asked.
"Many, including most specifically vigilantism," a DEO trooper said. "New York has outlawed vigilantism, and you have broken that law repeatedly. On top of that, you have damaged public and private property, injured civilians, and have assaulted government officials. Either you come quietly with your hands on your heads . . . or you come down battered and beaten. Your choice."
"Robin, what do we do?" Arrowette asked.
"I . . . I . . . " Robin looked around, pondering the situation. We can't do this . . . we can't fight them . . . they're just doing their job, right? But . . . we can't surrender . . .
"Robin?" Superboy asked. "If you don't give an order soon, I'm taking over . . . "
"We . . . " Robin started. "We can't hurt them . . . they're only doing their jobs . . . "
"Sounds like he made his decision," Superboy said. "YJ . . . let's go!"
Kon-El flew forward, leading the assault.
Batman sat in his chair, watching the events unfold. He frowned. Robin's existence was now known. And his team was in deep trouble. Could Batman afford to assist them? No . . . not with the Avengers League being brought in against the junior heroes. He was on his own. Bruce Wayne hoped for the best for Chuck Barnes. But should this conflict be resolved somehow with a happy ending? He might not be able to count on his Robin anymore . . .
Doctors Moira MacTaggert and Rory Campbell watched the news carefully.
"Ach, Sammy and 'Yana," Moira frowned.
"You know them?" Campbell asked.
"Two o' Charles' former students," she sighed. "I wish he woulda sent 'em here, where we could help them. But now . . . they're all alone . . . "
"Look at this," the Flash said, calling Iron Man's attention to the TV. "Those upstart heroes are in deep doodoo."
"No kidding," Iron Man frowned. "It must be especially bad for you. Is Impulse related to you somehow?"
Flash shrugged. "Kinda. But us speedsters, we've got some connection."
Wonder Woman entered the room. "Captain America says we should prepare to disembark on our next mission."
"Oh?" Flash asked.
"Yes . . . we're to assist the DEO and take in Young Justice."
Valor and Chamber also watched the events unfold.
"How come we weren't called in for this?" Valor asked.
Chamber shrugged.
"They don't think we're up to it?" he asked. "We're Generation Next! We can take those little guys . . . "
"I don't know," Chamber said, speaking telepathically. "I don't see why they're so bad . . . aren't they supposed to be heroes? And isn't one of them Paige's brother?"
"I dunno," Valor shrugged. "But we've been put into this team . . . I think we should get a mission already!"
"Generation Next," a voice came over the loud speaker. "Please report to the briefing room for your next assignment: Young Justice."
Sebastian Shaw and Emma Frost sat, watching the TV screen. "It begins . . . "
"Yes," Frost replied. "Pulling favors with government officials and DEO officers has made our revenge quite easy."
"Indeed," Shaw replied. "If they are captured, they will be tried and found guilty. If they escape, then their names will have been dragged through the mud so much that they shall never recover. I prefer the second option."
"But will we press the attack?"
"Of course," Shaw answered. "I still have plenty of pull on Congress. I believe it is about time for them to put their Project: Wide-Awake into action."
"You mean?"
"Yes . . . the Sentinels."
Cannonball rocketed forward, taking down a troop of armed ground soldiers.
"Let's do this!" Superboy said, flying off into a soldier in hover-gear, punching him down.
The team busted forward, engaging the DEO troops in full force. Robin held back, standing by the unconscious Magik.
No . . . he frowned. This isn't what I wanted. We should have talked our way out . . . and now we're in a futile battle that we'll lose even if we escape! And Magik's unconscious, fully incapable of defending herself, leaving me a sitting duck!
Arrowette pulled off a few trick arrows, gassing the troops. Wonder Girl flew at a helicopter and pushed it away from the fight with a hard toss. Jade let a few giant green bowling balls roll across to the ground troops, who scattered. Firebird engaged to the troops on air-skimmers while Superboy attacked the man-bots. Even Hallie Takahama got involved, bouncing around and hitting ground troops with electric 'jolt' punches.
"Make an opening, team!" Cannonball said. "Let's get us outta here!"
"Whoa, the wind's picking up like crazy!" Jade yelled.
And it was. Because the Red Tornado had arrived.
"Uh-oh," Wonder Girl said.
"Now we've done it," Arrowette frowned.
"All of you will stop immediately," the Tornado ordered. "Both sides, stand down. Young Justice is my responsibility. As such, they will answer to me."
Now what do we do . . . Robin pondered.
"No, sir," a DEO agent said. "We have jurisdiction here. You are a part of Young Justice, and you are under arrest as well."
"It is doubtful that any of you could take me by force," the Tornado replied, his voice cold.
"This is worse than Ah thought it'd be," Sam said to himself.
"Don't just stand there, guys!" Superboy said. "We've got a break in the fight . . . now let's make us an exit!"
Superboy charged at Red Tornado and decked him, sending him flying into the DEO, making them scramble.
"Now we've got it," Superboy said. "So let's take it!"
"He just . . . he just . . . " Wonder Girl was in disbelief.
"There's no time," Robin said. "We've gotta go, whether we want to or not!"
"Everyone grab someone and go!" Cannonball said.
"They've got Magik!" Jade said as she began to fly off.
"Leave her!" Superboy yelled. "Firebird, grab Robin! Wonder Girl, grab Arrowette! Cannonball, grab Hallie! Let's go!"
Superboy led the charge, and the rest of the team followed. They had officially gone rogue, leaving Magik and the Red Tornado behind.
Now, the real adventure would begin . . .
The heroes of Young Justice tracked him down accidentally while searching for the true origin of Wonder Girl's powers. To their horror, they learned Zola was responsible. He was working for the Imperial Forces of America, creating them super-powered henchmen to do their dirty work. The team fought and defeated the Imperials and Zola, but they managed to escape. Shortly after, Zola blew up his own castle to both hide his work and hopefully kill the members of Young Justice.
It didn't work. The team survived the explosion and escaped. Shortly after, however, the Department of Extranormal Operations tried to place them under arrest. They fought back and fled, Superboy leading the charge. Or at least, that's what they all believe . . .
For far beneath the ruins of the castle, a figure had slowly woken up. He wore a big 'S' on his shirt and a leather jacket over it. For he was Superboy.
Confused? After all, how can there be two Superboys? And which one is real?
The large ship had come from Egypt with some amazing new archeological finds from a newly discovered tombs. Finds like this had become more and more rare in recent years, but this one was paydirt.
This shipment to the Museum included an undisturbed body of a never before heard of Pharaoh!
"Big wup," Gus yawned as he and his crewmen unloaded the crates. "That's not so special."
"Are you kiddin'?" Bob asked. "It's the biggest news outta Egypt in years! And to think, they're sendin' it straight to us!"
"Big wup," Gus repeated, taking down the cart with the sarcophagus inside. "Hey, Bob . . . this crate lid's a little loose . . . "
"We should nail it down," Bob replied. "Don't want anything to happen . . . to . . . it?"
The crate lid burst off like there was an explosion from the inside.
"Holy &@#$!" Gus exclaimed.
"What do we do?" Bob asked.
A charred black hand rose from the crate, reaching the edge.
"Let's get outta here!!"
As the two, and many other frightened crewmen ran away, the casket opened . . . and the now living Pharaoh awakened . . .
"I can't believe you did that," Sam Guthrie said.
"I did what I had to do," Superboy shrugged.
"You decked the Red Tornado!" Cassie Sandsmark exclaimed.
"Keep it down," Jade said. "Last thing we need is to be discovered here."
Robin stood patiently, his head in his hands, thinking. It was some mess the team had gotten into. Following some major battles, the team had been grounded by their mentor, the Red Tornado. They broke their house arrest to find out the origins of Wonder Girl's powers, only to learn that she had been manipulated and experimented on by Arnim Zola, the Bio-Fanatic. They also picked up another girl, Hallie Takahama, who had been experiment on as well.
Unfortunately, the fight between the team and Zola had drawn them major attention . . . and the DEO had attempted to arrest them. Superboy started the fight and made the group flee, leaving Magik behind and the Red Tornado injured. The two were captured and imprisoned, and now Young Justice was on everyone's Most Wanted lists.
"Bring it on," Superboy shrugged at Jade's comment. "We can handle anything they throw at us."
"No, we can't," Robin spoke. "Vigilantism itself is outlawed in New York City . . . and our last major battles had been in here. That alone was enough reason for the police to come knocking with a warrant. Now? Now it's open season."
"Is there anything Batman can do?" Cissie asked.
"I might contact him," Robin replied. "But I might not. This isn't his business . . . and I can't use my usual contacts like Oracle, because I can't drag anyone else into this. We're now on the other side of the law . . . and I don't know how to get our names cleared . . . maybe if Kon hadn't attacked the DEO--"
"Oh, don't start," Superboy responded. "It's not my fault you froze! We needed a leader, and you weren't up to it . . . so I took charge!"
Funny . . . Sam thought. Not too long ago, he was tellin' me how he thought Ah was second-in-command . . .
"So you took charge?" Robin asked, almost yelling. "You didn't think at all! You didn't have any kind of plan besides 'Let's Hit Things!'. You left Magik behind and hit the Red Tornado! You attacked a Government Agency that was only doing their jobs!"
"Wanna talk about doing your job?" Superboy asked. "Some leader you are! Even before you froze today, you were so careless that you got us grounded! And then what'd you do? You abandoned the team to go solo, and when we broke the house arrest, you didn't mind at all! Some leader you are!"
"Hey!" Cissie called.
"Don't get involved," Linda Danvers placed an arm on Cissie's, holding her back.
"I don't think it's wise of you to choose sides," Cissie frowned. "We don't know how much we can trust your judgment."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Linda asked, angrily.
"Easy!" Cassie and Jenn stepped in, separating the two girls.
Impulse stepped in front of Superboy and Robin. "What she said."
Hallie Takahama sighed.
"That's enough," Sam sighed as well. "We've gotta work together if we wanna get outta this mess. Now, believe me, none of us are happy. Magik's been captured, probably sittin' in prison somewhere . . . Hallie, well, we just saved her, and here she is on the run . . . and well, none of us like bein' on the run at all! Ah'm a mutant, so Ah guess Ah'm a little more used to it. But we can't just stay out in the open and hope some solution falls into our laps."
"What should we do?" Jade asked.
"Well . . . " Sam paused to ponder. "First things first, we need to do some scouting. Find out what happened to Illyana and Reddy. Second, we need to know the status of our HQ. If it's compromised, we could look into the Morlock Tunnels. If it ain't, we can get to the files we've all made of our recent battles, and hand them over to someone like, say, the Avengers League, then they can see that we're being misunderstood. Third, we can turn Hallie over to the AL, too, since she's had no part in this whatsoever. No sense in gettin' her in trouble."
"Hey, you guys saved me," Hallie replied. "I'm willing to help out."
"Are you sure?" Robin asked.
"You bet!" she grinned. "I'd like to throw in with you guys! Consider me your newest member, Jolt!"
"I'm sorry to hear that," a voice said outside the alley.
"Eh?" Sam turned.
"My name's Guardian. This is the Super-Unit Police. Young Justice, you're under arrest."
"Sebastian?" Emma Frost asked, knocking on the door to his office.
"Come," he replied from his chair.
"I have some bad news," she said cautiously.
"Oh?"
"The equipment you stole from Xavier?"
"The Cerebro . . . yes?"
"The project didn't go as planned," Emma frowned.
"You mean, the Nimrod Project?" Shaw raised an eyebrow.
"Our scientists did achieve the artificial intelligence as you requested. But the program proved too strong. It escaped."
"It escaped?" Shaw's eyes went wide. "Was the programming finished?"
"No," Frost shook her head. "It currently has only one desire: Seek and Destroy."
"Hmph," Shaw frowned. "There are still other options with the Sentinels and Project: Wideawake . . . but Nimrod must be brought under my control. Prepare the Hellions to go find it. Lead them if you need to. Take DaCosta if you wish. Just find it and bring it back."
"Yes, my King."
"Whoa . . . " he rubbed the back of his head. He hurt. He wasn't used to hurting. "Linda? Bart? Robin? Cassie? Anyone . . . ?"
No answer. The darkness was thick. There was very dim lighting coming from . . . torches?
Someone's here . . . the figure thought. He looked around, discovering that the torches apparently led down a pathway. I feel really exhausted . . . never felt so drained . . . I might be able to punch my way out, but I don't wanna risk it . . . so I'll follow this path.
The figure continued forward. He wasn't surprised that his uniform wasn't damaged. It was the nature of his powers. But he was surprised that he felt sore. He wasn't used to feeling sore.
"Hello?" he called. No answer. I hope the others got out okay . . . after all, I'm invulnerable, and this sent me for a loop . . .
He moved slowly and cautiously. Though he was normally cocky and confident, there was something about the way he felt . . . it was unnatural. It was something, in all his short life, he had never felt.
"Weak," he said to himself. "How can I feel weak? I'm Superboy . . . "
This is so weird . . . like something off the Sci-Fi channel. I hope the others are alright. But then again, if I'm invulnerable, and it threw me for a loop like this, I hate to think of what happened to Arrowette or Robin.
"Is anybody here?" he called again. "Can anybody hear me?"
"If you yell loud enough, everyone will hear you."
"Eh?" Superboy turned around quickly. He found a strange figure standing behind him. It was of average height, wrapped in a red cloak. Pink hands stuck out from the long sleeves.
"My name is M'Reel," the figure spoke.
"I'm Superboy," Kon-El answered. "And you're . . . not human, are you?"
"No," the figure replied. "I am an extra-dimensional being. I serve the First One."
"The . . . first one?" Superboy asked, confused. "Uh, listen buddy, I'm just lookin' for a way out . . . "
"Come," M'Reel spoke, stepping in front of Superboy. He continued walking down the pathway.
"The exit's over there?" Superboy asked, following.
"Walk," M'Reel said, not turning around.
Superboy shrugged and followed. They continued forward in silence for a few minutes, something rare for Kon to achieve.
"None have entered these chambers for over fifteen earth years," M'Reel broke the silence.
"I didn't exactly come here on purpose," Kon shrugged. "I was up in the castle with my friends . . . my teammates . . . and then it blew up . . . and I found myself down here."
"Perhaps it was chance. Perhaps it was not. There are strong powers in the universe . . . things like fate, like destiny."
"I've never really believed in stuff like that. I'd hate to think that my entire life has already been planned out and I'm just going through the motions."
"Perhaps," M'Reel replied. More silence followed as they continued forward.
"So . . . this First One?" Kon asked. "What's he all about?"
"He is down here as well," M'Reel answered. "I am bringing you to him, for only he is aware of the exit."
"Are there others like you in here?"
"No. I am the only one of my kind on Earth. I live to serve the First One."
"You don't mean Arnim Zola, do you?"
"I do not know that name."
"Good," Superboy nodded. "You don't wanna know him . . . he's a twisted psychopath."
The pathway finally widened to a large chamber. At the other end of the chamber were two doors, each twenty feet high, and apparently made out of some sort of metal.
"Whoa," Kon said, looking it over.
As the two approached, the doors slowly began to open outward, being moved by an unseen force.
"I have brought a visitor," M'Reel spoke.
Superboy entered the large room and looked about with awe. There was exotic stone furniture carved into the very walls, floor, and ceiling. Only there was no clear up or down.
One man, probably middle aged, sat in a chair at the other end. His hair was mainly black with white streaks. His eyes glowed white, and he wore a strange costume.
"Enter," the figure spoke. "Be not afraid. I have not had a guest in over a decade . . . I will not harm you. Come, sit. My name is Graviton."
"Uhh . . . Superboy," Kon replied.
"Superboy?" Graviton asked, raising an eyebrow. "That would lead me to believe you have super powers. Tell me . . . are you a . . . hero?"
"Yeah," Superboy nodded. "I'm also a member of Young Justice."
"Never heard of them," Graviton shrugged. "The last hero I ever saw was Thor."
"Are you a hero?" Superboy asked.
Graviton merely laughed. "Ah, it seems so long ago . . . I was merely Franklin Hall, an ordinary man. A high-engineering physicist working on an ill-fated teleportation beam. A power-spike caused the device to work for the first and last time, seizing an experimental anti-gravity element in a nearby lab, and scrambling my molecules with its energized atoms, giving me astonishing powers. I control gravity."
"That would explain the name."
"The first time I used my powers, I was drawn into an instant conflict with super heroes. Thor and I fought, and due to my inexperience, I was beaten. While I was unconscious, he somehow had me put in this underground chamber that at first, I found I could not escape from."
"Ouch," Superboy replied.
"I was angry . . . even furious. But I could not escape using my raw power. So I've had time . . . time to learn patience, learn control. Now I am a master at my power."
"So why've you been down here so long?" Superboy asked. "I mean, I bet Thor woulda understood if you had told him it was just a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?" Graviton asked. "Hardly. I was lashing out at the world, angry at what had happened. I wanted power . . . I wanted to be feared! And this is what I got."
Umm . . . Superboy swallowed hard. This guy's some kinda super-villain from the 80's that no one's ever heard of . . . and if he can control gravity, that would make him pretty powerful. And me? I'm not feeling up to top strength . . .
"I want my freedom," he continued. "And I have the means to achieve it. But I fear I shall once more be drawn into conflict with superheroes. But now you provide me with a new opportunity."
"Opportunity?" Kon asked.
"Yes," he grinned. "What is it you want?"
"I want to get out of here," Kon shrugged.
"No. I meant, what do you want out of life?"
"I . . . I don't know. I just live my life one day at a time . . . I have a purpose with Young Justice . . . with my girlfriend, Linda . . . "
"You lack vision," Graviton answered. "Once, I lacked vision. But fifteen years is a long time to search yourself . . . and I have my vision."
"Good for you," Kon nodded.
"I shall help you escape from these chambers," Graviton said. "But first, you must help me."
"Help you?" Kon asked. If this guy really is a supervillain, helping him is one thing I don't wanna do. But then again, I don't know what this guy's made out of . . . what kinda beating he can take. I mean, he fought Thor . . . and he did live to tell about it . . .
"I wish for you to tell me all about the world. What has happened in the past fifteen years? What heroes are there? What is the state of the world?"
"Umm . . . well . . . "
"No, no, take your time," Graviton said. "There is no need to rush. Patience is a virtue. You shall tell me about the world . . . and when I am satisfied with the knowledge you have given me, I shall let you go."
"And then what?" Superboy asked.
"Vision, my boy," he replied with a smile. "Vision is key . . . "
The Red Tornado and Illyana Rasputin were in their cell.
"You know, even with all this fancy equipment, I could still get us out of here," Illyana frowned.
"I know," the Tornado replied. "I could easily break us free as well. But it is the principle of the matter. Young Justice has caused too much damage as it is. From in here, we may be able to do more good for the team than being with them. We can tell our story to anyone who will listen . . . "
"It still stinks," she sighed.
"We do what we must," he shrugged.
"I wonder what the team's up to right now . . . "
"I'm more worried over Superboy. His actions were very unlike him . . . "
"We don't want a fight," Sam said cautiously.
"Good," the Guardian answered. "Then surrender."
"Not a chance," Superboy replied.
"Very well," the Guardian shrugged. "Even though we're not with a full roster, I'm confident we can make you kids show some respect."
"Here we go again," Arrowette rolled her eyes.
Superboy launched forward, only to be decked and knocked back by Doc Samson, the gamma-powered psychologist.
The Trapster quickly made use of his codename, using his glue gloves to stick Cissie's arrows to her bow and stop her from firing.
Photon quickly turned herself into electricity and struck at Impulse, who dodged.
The Guardian flung his shield with incredible aim and speed, hitting Wonder Girl head on and knocking her back.
"Guardian, please!" Robin called. "I know of your dealings with Batman, there must be some way to work this out without a fight!"
"I don't think so," the golden avenger replied, swinging a punch that Robin ducked under.
"Don't bother trying to weasel your way out of this fight," the Trapster grinned as he began to trap Jade in a cocoon. "The only outcome is your loss!"
"We don't have time for this," Cannonball sighed as he tackled Samson.
"No kidding," Impulse replied. He began to spin around the Trapster, who was trying to trap Bart. The wind speeds generated caused the glue to reverse itself onto the SUPman, capturing himself in it.
"Just remember we didn't want this," Firebird replied, hitting Photon with a dose of her own fire and her telekinetics, affecting her even in her electric state.
Samson punched Cannonball out of the way and swung at Wonder Girl, knocking her back as well. However, he was not expecting Superboy, who tackled him from behind and sent him straight into a concrete wall.
While Robin and the Guardian engaged in a fist fight, Jolt snuck up behind the golden 'hero' and gave him a shock punch!
"Ahh!" he yelled, rolling from the attack. "You teach these kids to fight dirty, or was that the robot?"
"No one's taught me anything!" she yelled. "But these guys saved my life . . . and I'm not gonna let you hurt them!"
"Let's wrap this up!" Sam said.
Jade used her powers to cut herself free from her cocoon. Firebird used her telekinetics to remove the gunk from Arrowette's equipment.
Wonder Girl and Superboy began piling on the hits to Samson, but he kept shrugging them off.
"Jeez," Cassie said. "Makes me wish I got my powers from gamma rays instead of ions!"
"Don't worry, we can make him fall if we hit him hard enough!" Superboy exclaimed.
Jade encased Samson in a large green bubble and held him up in the air away from the fight.
Impulse burst over to the Guardian and pummeled him with incredibly fast punches.
"Get Samson outta here!" Sam said.
Jade made the bubble go flying away.
"Let's find cover while we still got the chance!" Cissie said. "Morlock tunnels?"
"Follow me," Sam ordered. The nine heroes headed off towards the sewers, leaving the Super-Unit Police temporarily dazzled.
The investigation team the DEO left behind had nearly completed their search.
"What's in this room?" one agent asked.
"Same as the others . . . freaky experiment stuff."
"But this one's got big, like, bio-chamber type things . . . what're they used for?"
"Probably matter manipulation. Or cloning."
"Cloning?"
"Sure . . . take a DNA sample, run it through here, add in the right chemicals . . . and you're set. We've got a few of these back at base."
"Wow," the first agent said. "I wonder if they've been used lately?"
"Hmmm," the second agent looked at the chamber's monitor. "Actually, it was used rather recently . . . maybe a couple of minutes before we first arrived to arrest Young Justice."
"Really? Who d'you think got cloned?"
"Beats me," the second agent shrugged. "But I'd hate to have a clone of myself running around . . . "
It is in these tunnels that we find the members of the ofttimes heroic, currently fugitive Young Justice.
Cassie Sandsmark, a.k.a. Wonder Girl: "You sure you know where you're going?"
Sam Guthrie, a.k.a. Cannonball: "Umm . . . "
Cissie King-Jones, a.k.a. Arrowette: "Umm?"
Bart Allen, a.k.a. Impulse: "It smells funny in here."
Kon-El, Superboy: "It's a sewer."
Linda Danvers, a.k.a. Firebird: "So you don't know where you're going?"
Jennifer-Lynn Haden, a.k.a. Jade: "Of course he knows where he's going. Right, honey?"
Hallie Takahama, a.k.a. Jolt: "Hooboy . . . "
Chuck Barnes, a.k.a. Robin: " . . . "
"Well, not exactly," Sam frowned. "Magik an' Ah kinda found it by accident . . . "
"So what was your whole 'follow me' thing?" Superboy asked.
"Would you rather we had hung around and waited for the Super-Unit Police to get their act together, call in reinforcements and take us down?" Sam asked.
"I could cover all these tunnels in a matter of seconds," Impulse said. "I'd find 'em in no time!"
"You'd probably scare them half to death," Cissie frowned.
"Yeah," Sam nodded. "They ain't used to visitors."
"So, then, why are we here again?" Superboy asked.
"Because we've got no other place to go," Robin frowned.
"Please don't start arguing again," Hallie sighed.
"Then let's just find the tunnels," Superboy shrugged.
"They're that way."
"Eh?" Robin asked, quickly turning and going to attention along with his teammates. The voice had come from the shadows.
"I don't want no trouble," the voice replied. "But they're down that tunnel to your left. You leave me be, I'll leave you be."
"Works for me," Superboy shrugged. "Come on . . . "
"Umm . . . thanks?" Cassie said. There was no reply.
"That was weird," Sam commented.
Sebastian Shaw sat in his office. He was the Black King of the club's secret Inner Circle. His confidant, the Lady Tessa, entered the office. She was his Queen.
"You called, m'lord?" she asked.
"Yes," Shaw answered. "Sit."
Tessa carefully took her seat.
"As you're well aware," Shaw began, "our Inner Circle has been hurting lately . . . ever since the battle with Young Justice."
She nodded.
"That is why they are now regarded as outlaws," Shaw continued. "I have put pressure on my key operatives in the government . . . with any luck, vigilantism may soon be outlawed nation wide. And just in case that falls through, the Sentinel program is pushing into full swing. Our first robots will be operational in mere days."
"With the programming?"
"Of course," Shaw nodded. "They will not register any mutant I do not wish them to . . . and I also carry with me an override command, to be used whenever necessary."
"It seems as though you've got it all planned out."
"Indeed I do. Frost, DaCosta and the little Wyngarde have taken the Hellions on a search to relocate and capture the Cerebro technology. We gave it sentience, and then it fled off before we could program it. I can only assume that its goal is to locate mutants."
"Whereas the Sentinels will also target super-humans?"
"Exactly," Shaw grinned. "The world will be in the palm of my hand. But first, my Lady, I have a mission for you. Doctor Doom recently became the new White King . . . yet we have not heard from him since. I want you to find him and bring him here. If he will not come, tell him he is no longer a part of our cabal. I need the circle united, and soon . . . for what will come next."
Sam continued leading the way, approaching quietly and carefully.
"Stand where you are," a voice called. The Morlock leader, Callisto stepped out and approached them.
"Hi," Sam said. "Callisto, right?"
"I thought you agreed to stay away from us?" she asked, angrily. "Now you've brought even more pretty upworlders."
"We've come for your help," Sam said. "We need a place to stay . . . "
"It ain't here," Callisto frowned. A few more Morlocks gathered behind her. Thornn squatted by her. Plague, Masque and Caliban stood around her. Caliban watched Linda with curiosity.
"We only need shelter," Wonder Girl smiled. "We can get our own food, and even some for you if you want it."
"Get your pretty faces out of our home," Masque said angrily.
"Quiet," Callisto hissed. "We don't want your charity, and we don't want any visitors. We like our privacy. Now leave before we're forced to make you."
"Yeah?" Superboy asked. "You and what army?"
Sam held up a hand to Kon. "Alright . . . we'll go."
Superboy threw his arms up and turned around.
"Let's go, YJ," Robin said. "We'll find someplace else."
Callisto and her Morlocks turned around as well, heading back into their chambers. Caliban waited behind, focusing on Linda.
He grinned. "She is no mutant . . . she is the Earth-Born Angel . . . "
"Now what?" Jade asked.
"We can always try the HQ," Cissie shrugged.
"What if the DEO found it?" Linda asked.
"I can swing by there," Robin said. "Sneak in, sneak out."
"Alone?" Cassie asked. "That's kinda risky."
"I'll contact a friend," Robin said. "She's not a part of us, and she might be willing to help."
Uh-oh . . . Cissie thought. He means the Spoiler. But I'm the Spoiler . . . it was a dumb idea, but it started working . . . and Robin really likes her. And I really like Robin . . . I guess I'll have to try to pull this double-life off again . . .
"Let's find a place to hole up for the night," Sam said. "So Robin can check that out tonight."
"I don't think you'll be needing a place to sleep for one night," a voice called. "You'll be needing a place to sleep forever!"
The Grey Lady appeared in the sky, swinging down with her wings.
"The Point Men!" Wonder Girl exclaimed.
A portal opened by Shortcut brought the rest of the group: Blockade, Serpenteen, Shortcut, Blank Slate, Feral, Moonstar, and a newcomer, Jesse Bedlam.
"Sam?" Moonstar asked as she formed a psi-arrow. "You're alive?"
"Yeah," he replied. "No thanks to you, girl!"
"Guess I'll have to try harder," Feral sneered.
"We outnumber them," Robin said. "So take 'em!"
Superboy began to pummel Blockade, whose strength matched his own. Blockade quickly knocked Superboy aside. He followed through with another punch which Kon blocked with his photonic shield.
"Uh-uh," Jesse said. "Toys won't work with me around! I disrupt anything mechanical!"
"Good for you," Jade said, hitting him with a large, glowing green fist.
Shortcut kept Impulse busy. Every time Bart approached, he was teleported away.
Arrowette lined up a shot with a shock-arrow and nailed Shortcut, stopping his concentration and allowing Bart to tag him.
Feral leapt at Jolt, who easily dodged over her and gave her a shock-punch, frizzing up the orange feline's fur.
"Why are you attacking us?" Linda asked, flying into the air to face Grey Lady.
"There's a huge price tag on your heads," she responded, slashing at Linda, who dodged. "And besides that, we came to finish what we started when we fought the team at the Project: Wideawake base!"*
*(YJ #6 - Paul)
Robin took on Serpenteen, using his bo-staff against the lizard's claws and tail.
"You won't win!" Serpenteen hissed. "We beat you last time . . . we shall beat you again!"
"You remember incorrectly!" Robin replied, smashing his staff into the lizard's head. "You guys retreated after you thought you killed Sam!"
"You're still not makin' any sense," Sam said to Danielle Moonstar, a woman who was once one of his closest friends.
"Like you being alive does?" Dani replied. "Feral killed you!"
"Ah know," Sam replied. "Ah got better. But what's your excuse, huh? Why're you doin' this?"
"I . . . Sam . . . "
Suddenly, the ground began to shake as Groundswell entered the battle. The very buildings crumbled and began to fall as the street became a member of the Point Men.
"Crap," Wonder Girl said to herself.
"Give it up," Blank Slate grinned as she floated. "You're done for!"
Three people were there. One was Graviton, master of gravity. One was M'Reel, an extra-dimensional alien that served Graviton. The other was the true Superboy.
"Captain America lives?" Graviton asked, intrigued. "I heard the stories about him . . . but he is only one man. A powerless one at that."
"Are you kidding?" Superboy asked. "He's the ultimate hero! He can beat anybody! And he's the key to the Avengers League . . . heck, any team! Put him into the middle of chaos, he'll turn it into order and make sure the good guys win."
"Hmph," Graviton frowned. "Then he is key. Destroy him, the others will fall."
"That's not what I meant . . . " Superboy frowned.
"Continue," Graviton grinned. "I wish to hear more . . . and you wish to tell me more, so that you may be free of my own prison."
Man, this guy's totally loony tunes, Kon thought. But I gotta just keep playing along until I feel up to full strength again . . .
"This is getting out of hand," Robin said, punching Serpenteen out.
"Nice way for us to keep a low profile," Arrowette nodded, firing a pair of gas arrows at Groundswell.
"We can take 'em," Jolt replied, shock punching Feral again.
"Don't get cocky," Jade answered. She sent a trio of large bowling balls at Blockade.
"What hope do you have against Groundswell?" Grey Lady asked. "You can fight against flesh . . . even Blank Slate's mist . . . but against the very earth itself?"
"Enough!" Firebird yelled. Her wings burst out from behind her, this time brighter and larger than the last time. Their appearance sent an energy shockwave of a psionic nature into the minds of the Point Men, causing them great pain. Only Dani Moonstar and Blank Slate still stood, one with telepathic training, and the other with a telepathically untouchable mind.
"Whoa," Cissie was shocked.
"What hope do I have against you?" Linda continued, apparently in a trance of some sort. "I . . . am . . . PHOENIX!"
A second blast rocketed even Dani and Blank Slate, sending them to their knees. Linda fell from the sky, and Cannonball rocketed over, catching her safely.
"Slate . . . get us . . . out of here," Moonstar called.
Another moment, and it was done. The Point Men had retreated.
"Wow," Cassie said. "Linda, what was that?"
"What was . . . what?" she asked, slowly coming around.
"That whole big light show," she continued. "And what's the Phoenix thing?"
"What are you talking about?" Linda asked. "I just . . . lost consciousness . . . I thought one of them had hit me from behind . . . "
"It's a mystery that'll have to wait for another time," Robin frowned. "We've drawn too much attention to ourselves . . . we need to get out of here."
"Right," Sam said. "Flyers, take those who can't . . . we'll head to the harbor. We can probably find an empty warehouse to spend the night in."
"Oo, fun," Jade sighed.
Just this morning, it was the site of a major delivery from a new archeology find in Egypt. But everyone was scared off when one of the crates opened, and a hand reached out. The hand belonged to a . . . man.
It began to laugh as it slumped itself out of its crate and secreted itself in a warehouse.
"Need . . . more . . . time," he said to himself. "Absorb more . . . cosmic rays . . . get strong . . . healthy . . . once more. And then . . . the world . . . will pay . . . "
And one day, the New Mutants arrived. Sam Guthrie, a.k.a. Cannonball, led the team: Roberto DaCosta, Sunspot; Illyana Rasputin, Magik; Maria Callasantos, Feral; Allison Crestmere, Magma; Garth, Tempest; and Danielle Moonstar.
They fought hard and they won. The Ani-Mator was defeated. His slaves were freed, he fled. The animal-people could live in relative peace and safety. Or so they thought.
A little while later, a new group came to the island. This one called themselves the Point Men. They scared away a lot of the animal inhabitants. Most went into hiding. Even when Dani Moonstar and Feral of the New Mutants returned to the island, they still hid. They could tell something wasn't right.
Feral hunted two of their kind down for fun. And Dani? She was . . . different.
Since her powers first manifested they had gone through several changes. At first, her powers allowed her to bring out people's worst fears and make them experience them. Then she was able to see a 'death-shroud' around people who were going to die. Soon after she became an Asgardian Valkyrie, chooser of the Slain, during a time when the influence of any God-like beings were nonexistent at best. She was the Last of the Valkyries. It was a title she didn't want. And so, when she decided to give it up . . . her powers changed again. She could now create psionic energy arrows which could scramble a target's neural-synaptic control. And, while in close quarters, she could also form a psychic knife in her hand.
But more than that, she had gone from being one of the good guys to being one of the bad guys. In fact, so had most of the New Mutants. Bobby and Allison were both running with the Hellfire Club. Dani and Feral were with the Point Men. Yeah, Sam and Illyana were with Young Justice, but Dani knew Illyana. She knew she was struggling. And Garth? Garth was dead.
The Point Men had decided that it was time to try something knew. Humans had to be forced to accept mutants, or they never would. To humanity, they were terrorists. To themselves, they were freedom fighters.
There was the Grey Lady, their leader. She was pretty much a gargoyle with grey skin, wings, and sharp claws. Blockade was the team's muscle. He was tall, big, super-strong and invulnerable. Serpenteen was a half-man, half-lizard. His tail was just another appendage, his teeth were sharp, and his claws were poisoned. He was also rather insane. Blank Slate was the most mysterious member. It appeared her body was made completely out of smoke. She wore a sheet over her body to give her apparent form. Her full range of powers were unknown, but she could teleport. Shortcut was another teleporter, using line-of-sight for instant transportation. He was also the group's shortest member. Groundswell never showed his true form. He simply morphed into - and became one with - whatever surface he chose, allowing him to become as large as the surface area he was on. Jesse Aaronson was a new member. His powers allowed him to disrupt anything and everything mechanical. Feral was the other psychopath on the team. She had changed much since her New Mutant days, becoming more angry at the world, and more vicious. She even tried to use her razor-sharp claws to kill Cannonball.
They had launched a few attacks on government agencies working on mutant control issues.* They had gone up against Young Justice twice. The first time, they won. The second time . . . they didn't.
(*YJ Annual #1, YJ #6, and YJ #19! - Paul)
And so they retreated to lick their wounds. Retreated back to their 'home'.
"It was that other member," Grey Lady frowned, "the Phoenix one. She hit us with more power than every other member in YJ combined could have."
"It was a telepathic assault," Blank Slate spoke. "Danielle and I withstood the first salvo . . . but the second one brought us to our knees. If not for my nearly untouchable mind, I would have gone down as well. Moonstar gave the order to retreat. It made sense . . . we could not withstand much more."
"I don't do well against non-mechanical things," Jesse frowned. "I thought I was only going to be going on missions where I was needed."
"You'll go on whatever mission Grey Lady says you do," Blockade frowned.
"Like we need this little wuss," Serpenteen hissed. "He is useless."
I sit back and watch. I do this every once in awhile. I can't always eat by myself in my own private quarters. They're suspicious enough. So when I do join them, I try and stay out of their way. I just observe.
Grey Lady isn't insane. She's a tactician . . . just an impatient one. She wants instant gratification. That's probably why she keeps Blockade so close. He's probably the only other guy here who really might be sane. In another world, if Xavier had gotten to him first, we could have been good friends. But now he's just the Lady's lapdog and sex-toy.
"Quit your bickering," Shortcut frowned. "We need to plan our next move."
"We?" Grey Lady asked. "You mean me."
Their next move. After the beating we got just the other day? Yeah, sure. But with any luck, I won't need to go on very many more missions. I've been gathering a lot of information. A lot of government files on mutants. I've compiled it all. I'll get it to Muir Island soon. I've also got enough information on all eight of these guys to see that they go to prison for a long time. The trouble is . . . taking them down.
"Maybe we should let Moonie plan it," Feral hissed. "The way she likes to take charge . . . still thinks she's a New Mutant I bet."
"I only take charge when I need to," Dani replied cautiously. "I follow Grey Lady's orders."
"Yeah, bull," Feral pressed forward. "I know you better'n anyone else here. I been watchin' you. You've been so cool this whole time . . . you've been biding your time, watching us, calculating your next move. And you spend so much time alone, away from us, in some secret part of the island . . . "
"I never read any Point Men Charter that said I couldn't have time to myself," Dani replied. She's always been pushing me. Ever since we both joined. She knew something was up. Let's see how this plays out . . .
"Hey, leave her alone," Blockade frowned. "She's loyal to the cause. That's all that matters."
"But what if she ain't loyal?" Feral asked. "Maybe she's been playin' you chumps for fools . . . ain't that right, Moonie?"
"What are you talking about, girl?" Dani asked back.
"Let's just say your secret part of the island ain't so secret anymore," Feral sneered. "While I wasn't able to crack your password, there was enough material hidden around the room that I figgered sumpthin' was up."
She knows nothing. She even admitted not being able to get my password . . . and the only things I left laying around the room were . . . oh no . . . I left out the info I had on Muir, didn't I? Damn you, Moonstar, you got careless.
"Why don't you tell us about Muir Island?" Feral asked. "About their mutant prison?"
"How about . . . no!" Dani plunged her psionic knife into Feral's stomach, frying her synapses and rendering her in a state of total shock.
"Dani . . . ?" Blockade asked.
"She's turned against us!" Shortcut yelled. "I knew she would! Damn you, Grey Lady, you let a traitor into our midst!"
Jesse's probably the easiest one to take down. He's caught off guard, and a simple kick is all it takes to knock him out. I've gotta keep moving, though . . . and I need to get above ground before Groundswell decides to get involved!
Out of a pouch on her belt she pulled a pair of silver orbs. She flung them at the Point Men, which exploded with intense light, temporarily blinding them. She made a break for the stairs and got outside quickly.
But now I'm in the open . . . I won't be able to escape if they're all chasing me . . . and what's worse, I need the information in my room. I only needed a few more days . . .
"Ha!" Shortcut yelled, appearing right in front of her. He landed a kick to her stomach, knocking her back. "I learned from the last time you used that on me. I'm prepared for your tricks!"
He'll be able to keep teleporting and staying out of my touch . . . so I need to rely on my original powers . . .
Dani concentrated, pulling out Shortcut's greatest fear. She couldn't help but smile as Shortcut began to see a half dozen clowns start chasing him. He was insanely afraid, which left him open to a psionic arrow, taking him out of the fight.
Well, I guess clowns are pretty scary . . .
Mist swirled into the air as Blank Slate teleported to the fight, bringing Serpenteen, Blockade and the Grey Lady with her.
"It's over, Moonstar," the Lady said, flashing her claws.
"Make it easy on yourself," Blockade frowned.
"Howabout . . . no!" Dani yelled. She made a break for it. Gotta think, gotta think . . . Serpenteen's easy to goad into doing something stupid . . . Blockade, my only hope is my powers . . . Grey lady, too . . . Blank Slate . . . she's immune. But she is deathly afraid of electricity . . . maybe it's her weakness?
Dani kept running, approaching a cliff overlooking a beach. Serpenteen pulled out ahead, quickly catching up to her. Grey Lady flew above, chasing them both.
Here goes . . .
Dani jumped off the cliff. Serpenteen followed. Grey Lady dove down to catch her teammate. It didn't go as planned. Dani grabbed hold of the Grey Lady, landing on her back. Serpenteen kept falling until he hit the ground, while Dani glided on her former leader.
"Get off me!" the Lady yelled.
"No!" Moonstar replied. "I've been with you too long. It seems I may have learned how to kill! Just like you, huh? I infiltrated this little group so I could stop it . . . I only needed a few more days . . . but now, I guess that won't happen. So I just have to keep steering you until . . . !"
Dani leapt off of Grey Lady as she collided with Blockade.
"I'm sorry it's gotta come to this," Blockade frowned.
"Me too," Dani replied. A psionic arrow was all she needed. Blockade was strong . . . but he wasn't good at avoiding attacks. This one, he wasn't immune to.
"Die!" Blank Slate yelled as she approached.
Dani reached into another pouch, pulled out another orb, and flung it. This one was an electro-shock orb. It hit Blank Slate and she screamed as the electricity ripped through her. She imploded herself, possibly teleporting, possibly . . . well . . . anything.
I did it! I beat them all . . . oh, wait . . . Groundswell . . . he's gotta be here somewhere . . . I don't stand a chance against him . . . my psionic arrows won't be able to affect him if I can't find his consciousness inside the ground . . .
"You shouldn't have done this, Dani," Groundswell's voice boomed. "Now I have to hurt you. You know you can't beat me. You know you can't escape me. Just give up."
"Never!" Dani said. She ran to the beach and soon found herself heading into the water.
Oh god, I hope this works . . . I got a skin tight uniform for a reason . . . it'll keep out the water . . . and hopefully, protect me from what I'm about to do . . .
Groundswell became one with the water around the island. "You've just drowned yourself . . . "
"Not quite," Dani said, reaching into a pouch again. "You've just killed yourself."
She dropped her four remaining electro-shock orbs. They exploded when they fell into the water. An electric current washed across the water, frying Groundswell and much of the sea-life in the area. Dani's suit protected her, but mildly. She was badly burned.
Slowly, she crawled out of the water. That was . . . damn risky . . . but it . . . it worked. Now . . . even though it . . . hurts like hell . . . I need to gather up the Point Men . . . put them in cells . . . gather my things . . . and head to Muir.
Was this gambit worth it? . . . No, not at all. I didn't get anywhere near the information . . . I had hoped I would. But . . . I did take down . . . a terrorist organization. That's gotta count for something, right?
What would you say, Professor? I tried, right? I am trying . . . to live by your dream . . . to fight for it. And hopefully, with this victory here . . . I've made it a little more possible . . .