Legion World
Posted By: razsolo Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 28 MARCH* - 11/06/12 07:22 PM
I decided to start posting these here again as well as my Livejournal....comments always welcome, and if anyone wants to catch up on the past happenings of this team, click on the link in my signature! On with the show! smile


EARTH
METROPOLIS ZOO

Nightwind, Dragonmage, Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel approached the famous Metropolis Zoo from above, looking down upon the many and varied animals now roaming freely below them.

"You know, I really thought I'd done my last corral when we graduated from the Legion Academy," Nightwind grumbled as she used her power to separate a pack of six-legged canines from the gazelle they'd been stalking.

"There's a reason we taught you those things Berta," Duplicate Damsel lightly scolded her. �"This is just as much a part of being a Legionnaire as is facing down any supervillain, you should know that."

"I don't mind it," Dragonmage admitted. �"I couldn't ask for a better mentor than Madame Chu, but it would have been nice to have learned to hone my mystic abilities in the field the way you did, Nightwind. �Perhaps I would have had the confidence to try out for the Legion earlier." �The young sorcerer focused his concentration and a swarm of illusory dragons coalesced to chase the alien creatures back to their own habitat.

Nightwind opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by Bouncing Boy. �"Good work, you two." �He gestured to an impenetrable ring of darkness which now surrounded the zoo's outside wall. �"Shadow Lad's given us a perimeter, so let's get these critters back where they belong. �The sooner we do that, the sooner Lightning Lass can power up the field generators to keep them all safely contained again."

"Let's split up," Duplicate Damsel suggested, "We'll cover more ground that way." �Nightwind and Dragonmage gave their approval and veered off in separate directions, leaving the married Legionnaires alone.

"Luornu, wait." Chuck touched his wife's shoulder. �"I know this isn't the best time, but we haven't had a chance to talk about what happened on Zwen. �I'm worried about you, honey."

"I'm fine," Duplicate Damsel forced a smile, then looked crestfallen. �"...Okay, I'm not fine. �I'm trying not to be terrified, Chuck. �I don't know why I didn't feel anything when my body died, but I'm dealing with it. �I've done what I should have done when this power first appeared out of nowhere; I've asked Brainiac 5 to find out where this enhanced duplication power came from. �I didn't want to look a gift horse in the mouth when I got this power, but now I have to...while I have this power though I'm still a Legionnaire, and I'll fulfill my duties just like any other Legionnaire would."

"Lu," Bouncing Boy sympathised, "It's okay to be scared."

"Being scared has never gotten me anything but pain," she answered, unable to meet his concerned gaze. �"I have to be better than scared...I have to be a hero." �She split into four separate bodies, three of them flying down and away. �The fourth faced Chuck with a flat resolve. �"Let's go do what we came here to do."

**********
SORCEROR'S WORLD

The Black Witch watched her sister's descent through lavender skies. �Mysa needed neither her own reservoir of mystic power or her sister's legendary foresight to know that this day would come. �She had sown the wind and now it was time to reap the whirlwind.

"You came alone," Mysa noted coldly.

"You're still my sister," Nura Nal responded with barely contained anger. �"You know why I'm here then."

"The death dragon."

"Damn it, Mysa!" Nura exploded, "What is wrong with you?! �You nearly killed five of our friends! �If it weren't for Dragonmage, who knows how that might have ended? �You know, when he told me that thing came from here I knew you were the only person who could have sent it...even so I kept hoping I was wrong, that I'd misjudged you or that Dragonmage had made a mistake...but it's all true, isn't it? �You conjured up some monster to attack the Legion of Superheroes! Why?!"

"There was a need for heroes," Mysa explained. �"It was the only way, Nura."

"That doesn't even make sense!" Dream Girl snapped. �"You know, I've tried to cut you some slack, to give you time to work through whatever...this is, but you've gone too far this time, Mysa!"

Sinister clouds rolled across the sky and the temperature plummeted. �The Black Witch glared at her sister with an intensity that gave Nura goosebumps. �"This," Mysa spoke darkly, "Was done to protect you, Nura. �I took on Mordru's power and the totality of an entire universe of magic to save the Legion of Superheroes. �You have no concept of what I have sacrificed for all of you...what I continue to sacrifice with each breath."

"Mysa, you need help!" Nura pleaded. �"Look at what you're becoming! �Don't turn yourself into the kind of person we fight against...I can't fight my baby sister, Mysa."

"And what is it that I am becoming, Nura Nal? �Somebody who possesses a power and influence which surpasses your own for the first time?" �Mysa's tone was cold, biting.

Dream Girl heard thunder crack the sky open and felt the first heavy drops of rain on her bare skin. �"Mysa, would you listen to yourself? �You're not thinking straight!"

"I am not thinking what you want me to think," the Black Witch contradicted her. �"How it must grate, sister...you have spent a lifetime using your appearance, your power and your wiles to manipulate all those around you, and for much of that time I have been but a meek apparition living in your shadow. �Now I have agency, I have power, and you must live in the shadow of the Black Witch. �How it must rankle."

Something else else in Mysa's voice made Nura wish she had brought someone else with her. �She had made Dragonmage promise not to reveal what he'd told her to any other Legionnaire so nobody else even knew she had come to the Sorceror's World today. �Right now, that frightened her.

"You are not welcome here, Nura Nal." �The Black Witch levitated until she was looming over her sister, her black hair fanned out behind her like a mane. �"I will continue to do what must be done to protect your world from darkness, but I no longer tolerate your petty jealousies nor your judgement. �Away with you, and do not return."

Dream Girl drew breath to complain, but suddenly a kaleidoscope of colors exploded inside her mind and she felt a weird sick pressure around her. �She found herself wide-eyed and shivering in her own bed at Legion Headquarters, half a galaxy away. �"Oh, Mysa." �She hung her head and cried for her lost sister.

On the Sorceror's World, the Black Witch stood unmoving against the roiling storm. �Rain soaked her clothes and her skin, and she didn't know if she herself was crying or if this world was crying for her.

This storm dwarfed her, unabated.
another great installment. i love you standalone's because they always do such good character work!

i'm really interested in Lu's condition.

i like how your showcasing the relationship between dream girl and mysa.
Thanks Omni! And speaking of character work, some more soap operatic hollering and yelling down below: smile
EARTH
WEISINGER PLAZA, LEGION OF SUPERHEROES HEADQUARTERS

Night Girl scanned the mission monitor board data being fed to her desktop console. Mon-El and Dream Girl had both taken a couple of days personal leave, Brainiac 5 was tucked away in his lab with a request not to be disturbed, Dawnstar had taken a squad to Apiaton to respond to a request for assistance...the vast majority of the team were for once all in one place though, chatting amongst themselves in the Legion's main assembly room.

She remembered the first time she had faced these people as their leader, and how nerve-wracking that had been. She would never be entirely comfortable with public speaking, but the idea of it no longer sent her heart to her throat. Lydda caught sight of Cosmic Boy amid the sea of colourful costumes, his face filled with open affection for her. Yes, many things had changed for the better since Night Girl had been voted in as leader of the Legion of Superheroes. She warmed at the thought and cleared her throat.

"Everyone, if I could have your attention please?" The room slowly came to order, with everybody eventually waiting on her next words. "Thanks for coming today. I'm not very good at speeches and the like, so I'm just going to say thanks for the vote of confidence in letting me serve as your leader. I've gained a lot from the experience and I hope you all feel I've done a decent job of it."

"Bring back the planetary chance machine!" Matter-Eater Lad heckled from the back of the room.

Night Girl indulged him with a smile. "My term is over in a week so maybe you should run for leader and then you can bring it back yourself, Tenzil." Shifting her attention to the team as a whole, she continued. "Anyway, the new duty rosters are available for viewing but mainly I called this meeting to remind everyone it's time to vote in a new leader. Start thinking about who you'd like to nominate if you haven't already." The room burst into excited chatter and Night Girl wondered who she would be facing in this seat the next time the Legion convened.

**********
APIATON
GRID REFERENCE GLC2-12, UNITED PLANETS 2460 TOPOLOGICAL STUDY

Dawnstar, Lightning Lass, Timber Wolf and Light Lad stood in a clearing on the lush green planet Apiaton. The humid air was thick with the perfumed scent of exotic flowers and the myriad clicks and shrill cries of insects all around them.

“This world is amazing!” Dawnstar gushed. “It is so rare to find such untouched beauty in the United Planets!”

“It’s so rare to find Dawnstar actually enjoying something,” Lightning Lass whispered in Light Lad’s ear. The Winathians chuckled conspiratorially.

“Can we get this over with?” Timber Wolf growled. “Weren’t we supposed to meet our contact here? I don’t see anyone but these frakkin’ bugs.” He swiped at a gleaming insect hovering before him.

“Legionnaire, please!” a reedy voice clamored. To his surprise, Timber Wolf realised the sound was coming from the insect he had just swatted.

“Timber Wolf, you idiot!” Lightning Lass shoved her ex-lover aside. “The dominant sentient species on Apiaton is the Wiantern, they're insectoid! Don’t you know anything?” She turned to the tiny creature before her and the tone of her voice softened. “We’re so sorry! He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

The shiny Wiantern representative landed on the petal of a large crimson flower at Ayla’s eye level. “There has been no harm done...we are unused to dealing with off-worlders directly on Apiaton, perhaps I should have anticipated your comrade’s reaction and announced myself accordingly.”

“It’s not your fault Timber Wolf’s an idiot,” Ayla continued, casting a sideways glare at her aggrieved teammate.

“You must be Representative Flutt,” Dawnstar spoke up, diverting the tiny winged sentient’s attention. “My name is Dawnstar and these are my comrades Lightning Lass, Light Lad and Timber Wolf. On behalf of my team, I would like to apologise for our unfortunate introduction, Sir. I trust that we can put that aside to work with you now, however.” She directed this last comment coldly at Ayla and Brin, but they were both too pre-occupied with one another to notice.

“Of course,” the Wiantern representative replied. “My people are exceptionally grateful for your presence, Legionnaires. In recent cycles, entire Wiantern familes have simply vanished. We have no existing natural predators capable of such a large scale assault, and you four are among the few off-worlders who have ever lay an appendage on our world. We asked your Science Police to investigate when our own search was fruitless, but they are not accustomed to dealing with a non-humanoid species such as ourselves. They were causing such damage to our habitat stomping about with their giant feet and their masses of equipment that we had to ask them to leave. In desperation we have turned to your team.”

“Of course we will do what we can to assist,” Dawnstar answered. “I myself possess the ability to track anybody across any distance, so I am certain that your missing citizens will be relocated before too long. I wonder, could you provide me with some link to the missing families? Some possessions with which I might familiarise myself?”

“Please,” Representative Flutt asked with some confusion, “What are possessions?”

Timber Wolf sighed, looking down at his feet. “Grife, it’s gonna be a loooong day...”

**********
A short time later, the four Legionnaires were floating through the thick Apiatonian foliage, careful not to injure any of the varied insects which infrequently flitted past them.

“Dawnstar, you okay?” Timber Wolf asked, noticing her furrowed brow. In truth, he was happy for any excuse not to have to watch the easy comraderie of Lightning Lass and Light Lad.

“I am...not accustomed to using my flight ring for its intended purpose,” she admitted. “Normally my own power would suffice. There is not a great deal of room to manoeuvre among these trees however, and I do not wish to unintentionally risk the safety of any of this planet’s smaller inhabitants using my wings to fly.”

“This is stupid,” Timber Wolf pouted. “Night Girl should have sent Cham and the Espionage Squad, this kind of thing is way more up their alley than ours. We can’t even walk on the sprockin’ ground without taking out the natives!”

“We are Legionnaires,” Dawnstar answered, more haughtily than intended. “We shall suffice.” In a beam of sunlight which penetrated the thick canopy of trees above them, Dawnstar stopped and looked up to the skies above. “You do have a point though, Timber Wolf. It is foolish for us to continue our search here when my power will be more effective above the teeming millions of sentients who surround us at ground level.” She arched her back and flew straight up into the sunlight like an angel ascending. Once she was above the treetops, Dawnstar spread her wings and relied on her own natural power of flight once again. She exhaled, not realising till now how pent up she had been down there in that cloying environment.

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Light Lad asked, emerging through the verdant leaves with Lightning Lass by his side. Bringing up the rear, Timber Wolf scowled.

“Thank you, but no,” Dawnstar replied. “This task must be mine alone—“ She stopped mid-sentence and turned her head to the right with a snap. “Legionnaires,” she said abruptly. “Follow me!” With one fluid motion, she plummeted headfirst towards the treetops before veering off to the side. Her wings almost glowed in the warm sunlight, the other three heroes following in her wake.

Several kilometres later, Dawnstar found the white frothing waters of a river running through the forest. She followed the path of the river until it gave way to a clifftop, the waters crashing into a fine mist some hundreds of feet below. From this vantage point the view was stunning, and even the normally jaded Timber Wolf couldn’t help but be impressed. The waterfall fed into a large clear pool, and from that pool three separate streams worked their way into the green to quickly disappear beneath the carpet of vegetation which covered this continent.

Dawnstar folded her wings behind her back and entered a power dive, shooting down alongside the cascade of water at great speed. As she approached the bottom of the waterfall she spread her wings once more and slowed her fall, coming to a gentle touchdown on the wet poolside stones where she knew there would be no developed life underfoot. “Legionnaires,” she called above to her descending teammates, “The missing Wiantern are nearby, I can sense them. I am afraid my power has reached its limit here though. I lack the familiarity with my target necessary to close in with any greater precision.”

"We wouldn't have been able to get this far if it weren't for you," Light Lad reassured her, "I'm sure between the four of us we can figure out our next step."

"Dawnstar doesn't need you to tell her she's an asset to the Legion," Timber Wolf snarled at the lanky Winathian. "And nobody else on the Legion needs you trying to steal their girl, kid."

"Hey--" Light Lad protested before an angry Lightning Lass stepped in front of him.

"How dare you, Brin Londo?" she snapped, stabbing one finger into his chest. "Darvan didn't steal your girl…you threw me away when you decided chasing some cat girl was more of a priority to you than helping the girlfriend she almost killed! He's been nothing but good to me, whereas you…you were never anything but bad, and I'm glad to be rid of you!"

"Damn it Ayla, that's not fair!" Timber Wolf growled. "You know what Karth Arn did to me! How could I stand by and watch him do worse to someone else? What did you expect me to do?!"

"I expected you to stand by the woman you allegedly love!" Both of them by now were bellowing at one another, their faces contorted by ugly emotion.

Light Lad stepped closer to Lightning Lass and began to speak, but this time he didn't even get a word out before Timber Wolf shouted him down. "Stay out of this!"

"Leave him alone!" Ayla raged. "It's not Darvan you should be mad at, Brin…you're the only one to blame for any of this!"

"Legionnaires!" Timber Wolf, Lightning Lass and Light Lad all turned toward Dawnstar. Sheepishly, they realised she had been yelling at them since their confrontation had started and all three fell silent. "This is disgraceful behaviour!" Dawnstar continued. "Pull yourselves together, innocent sentients are relying on us!"

A low cackling laughter came from within the wooded area, followed by a slow clap. The Legionnaires saw a man in an ill-fitting and drab tan bodysuit stagger out from behind the tree trunks some thirty feet away. He wore darker brown gloves and boots, and a hood which covered his entire head. Two unevenly cut eyeholes were the only exposed area of the entire outfit. "I set booby traps to deal with varmints like you, but seems y'all are gonna kill each other for me and save me the trouble!"

Light Lad raised an eyebrow at the unimposing figure. "Umm..guys, do we know this person..?"

"Terrus," Timber Wolf intoned darkly. "From the Legion of Supervillains." He poised to pounce, when Terrus held up a small oblong box in his right hand that stopped the hero in his tracks.

"Of course," Terrus taunted, "Feller can't rely on the kindness of strangers now, can he? Say g'bye, heroes." He pressed a large button on the box, his gloves hanging limply over fingers that were too small for them. Instantly, the sky was filled with multiple explosions and the ground itself shook beneath the Legionnaires' feet.

"The cliff!" Lightning Lass shouted.

Indeed, the cliff face they'd just descended came flying at them now in a fiery rain of death. Rocks large and small rained down upon them, and Lightning Lass feared that even Dawnstar would not be fast enough to escape unscathed. Ayla let loose with a sheet of lightning which scented the air with burning ozone. The lightning decimated many of the smaller rocks, pulverising them into pebbles and a gritty downpour. A few of the larger boulders split from the power of the blast, but were still large enough to do serious damage if they hit anyone. Reacting quickly, Timber Wolf leaped straight up, smashing the larger rocks into smaller debris that Ayla could easily destroy.

"Oh no," Ayla went pale as a tremendous shadow fell over all of them. "The waterfall…"

Without the cliff to hold it back, the thousands of tons of water above now came down upon them like some airborne tsunami. Ayla's lightning blasts and Brin's physical prowess were equally useless in the face of it, and they both tensed as they prepared for the bone-crunching impact. "I don't get it," Timber Wolf muttered as the water reversed its path and started flowing absurdly straight up and back over the edge of the cliff.

"Still want me to stay out of this?" Light Lad sniped, arms outstretched as his own power protected the three of them from the raging river.

Ayla smiled smugly at her ex-lover before she looked around the area confused. "Hey...where's Dawnstar? Where's Terrus?"

**********
It took conscious effort for Dawnstar to zip and dart between the trees without hitting any of them. One thing she was grateful for, even without her tracking power she'd easily be able to follow this idiot just by listening for his maniacal laugh. She suddenly saw him clearly through an open clearing and rocketed forward. Less than a second later, she barely evaded a deadly shower of blades which sprung forth from an artificial tree trunk. Terrus whooped and giggled as he continued his escape.

He must have booby trapped this entire area, she thought, pouting. Fine, Terrus. You're not the only one who can be sneaky.

Terrus cast a glance back just in time to see Dawnstar zoom straight up and out of the forest. He tripped over a protruding rock and corrected his loping gait, chuckling to himself as he did so. He assumed the other three must be dead, or at the very least seriously injured, and she was the only one with the power to find him here. If his tricks and traps had proven too frightening for her now too, he was home free! He looked up and ahead, just in time to see a yellow fringed boot swinging straight at him. Dawnstar's kick connected with the villain's head, and to her utter surprise she tore the front of his hood clean off and a living cloud spewed forth from the gaping hole she'd left behind. The villain's suit fell to the forest floor as if he'd been deflated, and a shapeless mass of flying insects now hovered before her. Dawnstar recognised them. These were the Wiantern she'd been tracking all along.

"Ah see you found me out!" Terrus' high-pitched voice congratulated Dawnstar from somewhere within that seething mass. "Bein' able to mind-control a swarm o' muh fellow insects might make me a big shot here on Apiaton but it ain't much shakes off-planet, and that's where all the fun is! So ah came up with this human suit...the explodin' rocks and such keep folks from thinkin' too heavily about who ol' Terrus might really be inside that suit…ya gotta admit, it's a fine caper ain't it? And the best part is, you can't take me captive without hurtin' a whole buncha innocent liddle bug-folk in the process! Ah win, li'l lady!"

Dawnstar moved so swiftly that Terrus wasn't aware of anything in between mocking her and suddenly being pinned between her thumb and forefinger half a mile in the air. "Whu--?" he asked, dazed.

The winged woman held the tiny insect up close to her face. "Terrus, I could find a nanobomb hidden in your system's asteroid belt. One babbling insect floating three feet in front of me is child's play compared to that. It's time for you to face justice…and drop that ludicrous accent, you're an embarrassment to yourself."

For the first time since crossing Dawnstar's path, the villain was speechless.

**********
KATHOON
EARTHGOV EMBASSY, NIGHTMARE PEAK

Power Boy ran face first into a wall and bounced off. He threw his broken night vision goggles aside with a breathless curse and considered his options. I could punch through the wall, at least there'll be more light inside the building so I can see these damn things…"Sprock," he spat out loud as he saw three sets of glowing red eyes approaching in Kathoon's ever-present night. His hands balled into fists, Jed stood tall against the creatures. "Fine!" he roared. "You want a fight? I might not win, but I'll go down swinging, you bastards!"

"Power Boy!" an increasingly familiar voice called from above. "Ghost down!"

Obediently, Jed Rikane reduced his density to a point where he slipped down through the ground below him as if he were an actual phantom. Once he was fully beneath the surface, a fresh pair of eyes glowed red. These eyes were far more intense than those who had been pursuing Power Boy, and in an instant the immediate area was filled with the searing flash of heat vision and the agonised screams of the three monsters it incinerated. The killer descended, and was standing in his victims' ashes when Power Boy re-emerged.

"Mission's a bust," Jed's partner informed him. "Makkia's recalling us."

"What??" Power Boy complained, "That's ridiculous! These things are all over this place, at this rate they'll take all of Kathoon in a couple of days!"

"We don't have the power to deal with this threat effectively without compromising our unit," the second man explained curtly. "Now come on, we're going." He offered his hand. When Jed stood his ground, the man sighed and relaxed his stance. "Oh for -- Power Boy, we're not just leaving them here to die…steps have been taken to end this infestation, but we can't be here when that happens. This has gone way past the point where it can be taken care of covertly! Jed, believe me…I wouldn't leave this planet if I wasn't completely convinced that these people are going to get the help they need."

Power Boy thought about his words and decided he needed to trust him. He restored himself to normal density and grabbed his hand. "I hope you're right, Dev-Em. For Kathoon's sake."

The two men flew up and away, leaving behind them one small communicator beeping endlessly into the lonely night.
Very cool use of Dawnstar's ability, and a very imaginative interpretation of Terrus!

When I first read the name of the planet, Apiaton, I thought 'Apiary?' and, sure enough, it may not have had to do with bees, specifically, but was about insects!
Thanks! It's weird, Dawnstar (and Timber Wolf for that matter) are not really anywhere near my list of favourite Legionnaires, but for some reason I really love writing them both...and with Dawny in particular, I think she should be a lot more effective than she generally is portrayed as being.

I really didn't like Geoff Johns' interpretation of her tracking power as some kind of pseudo-mystic "knowing the right path to take" thing, and I don't think you need to go there to have her be a really valuable asset to the team either.

Terrus being revealed as a swarm of bugs in Legion of 3 Worlds was such a weird thing for such a weird character that I have had a burning need to explore it ever since, hahaha....I can't claim credit for Apiaton though, I found it when I was looking through DC aliens for sentient bugs....one of them is a Green Lantern. smile
Another splendid chapter Raz. From Lydda's announcement and Tenzil's heckling through to Ayla and Brin shouting at each other - oh why do they deny that they don't still want to be together? Nice also to see Light Lad, he seems almost like a male Ayla in personality as well as power. Jed and Dev-Em on Kathoon was yet another nice interlude, you weave these plots together very well. My favourite part though was Dawnstar being useful, adult and totally efficient at getting the job done. I wish other writers would give her that much credit. Especially loved how she caught the Terrus Bug amongst the swarm and immediately isolated him. Very well written!

More, more, more!
Raz, still loving your series!

one of the things i love about your series is how much we get to see other worlds besides Earth, Daxam and the other overly explored worlds.

I can't wait for whats next!
KATHOON
36,000 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL

As the Legion cruiser descended through the permanent night of Kathoon’s troposphere, Night Girl’s brow was furrowed with concern. “Kid Computo, any luck yet?”

Danielle Foccart faced her leader uneasily. “Nothing, Night Girl. I’ve tapped into every piece of technology I can access at this range, and there are no signs of life anywhere along this whole section of Hamilte’s east coast.” As she finished, a pale green holographic map of Kathoon’s third-most populated continent appeared on the cruiser’s bridge. The area Danielle referred to was outlined in red, and stretched for more than 70 miles down the Hamilte coast and almost as far inland.

“Maybe we should have brought a larger team,” Infectious Lass suggested cautiously.

“Are you kidding?” Matter-Eater Lad piped up from across the cabin, “We’ve got Superboy and yours truly, we’re ready to take on anyone this side of the Time Trapper!”

Night Girl hoped Tenzil was right, but she couldn’t help but worry. When Earthgov had notified the Legion of Superheroes that they’d received a distress signal from their embassy on Kathoon, the first thing Night Girl had done was to make contact with Kathooni authorities. That was when she’d discovered that an entire section of the populace of Hamilte had seemingly vanished off the face of the continent. There was no damage according to satellite footage, the streets were simply devoid of any signs of life at all. The Science Police had declared the area a quarantine zone until the Legion could investigate, and as Kathoon was Night Girl’s homeworld it made perfect sense for her to lead a team of Legionnaires here herself. She knew she’d chosen her squad wisely; Infectious Lass would know instantly if an illness were the cause of the problem, Kid Computo’s cyberkinesis would isolate any technological issue, Superboy’s power was a boon to any mission, and Matter-Eater Lad was the longest serving Legionnaire on board this vessel. Night Girl’s own strength exceeded that of even Superboy here on a world without daylight. They had enough power and experience between the five of them to deal with almost any threat. So why couldn’t she shake this feeling of dread hanging over her?

“That’s weird,” Superboy noted, drawing the team’s attention. “There are people moving around everywhere down there, I can see them with my telescopic vision...maybe someone’s masking them from your power, Kid Computo?”

“I don’t know how that would be possible,” Danielle remarked, “I’m accessing a lot of unrelated systems, and I should be able to tell if data has been altered. If somebody really were overriding a whole bunch of independent machines across the province, I’m pretty sure I’d know about it.”

“There’s definitely more than meets the eye here,” Superboy continued. “Could it be magic?”

“Anything’s possible,” Night Girl frowned. “Superboy, can you see where the majority of people are?”

The lean teenager paused for a moment. “According to signs around the city...some place called Nightmare Peak.”

“Sounds dreamy,” Matter-Eater Lad joked.

“Kathoon may be famous as a honeymoon destination, but we’ve had our share of bad history just like any other planet,” Night Girl explained. “Nightmare Peak was the site of a terrible massacre 350 years ago. More relevant right now, it’s also where Earthgov’s embassy is located...it was an automated distress signal from that embassy that brought us here in the first place, so let’s start there.”

Kid Computo co-opted the coastal city’s spaceport navware to find a place to land their cruiser and the five Legionnaires left their vessel. They instantly noticed the lack of activity around them. Nightmare Peak’s spaceport was not particularly large, but under normal circumstances they could expect a steady stream of both domestic and interplanetary traffic. Right now, there was nothing but still silence in all directions.

A cloudless sky showed the blanket of stars above them, only Kathoon’s black moon blocking their light. A faint corona outlined the enormous sphere, a reminder that Kathoon was always under the spell of a total lunar eclipse. Some found the effect eerie but as a native, Night Girl never paid it a second thought. “I thought you said there were people down here?” she asked Superboy as they made their way across the runway to a nearby terminal.

“There were,” Superboy answered, peering up at his taller teammate. “Maybe this really is magic...I keep thinking I can see movement out the corner of my eye, but then when I try for a better look there’s nobody there.”

Infectious Lass hugged herself. “Whatever it is, it sure is creepy enough.”

“Matter-Eater Lad, Superboy...go to the east of the spaceport. Kid Computo, Infectious Lass, you two are with me. We’ll take the west and meet the boys in the middle. Shout if you find anyone, otherwise we’ll converge there and head to the embassy together.”

Superboy nodded as he and Tenzil took to the air. “Good luck!”

**********
“It’s so weird seeing so much empty space,” Kid Computo remarked as her power opened another of the spaceport’s many doorways for the three women. “What do you two think happened here?”

“There are no unsual bacterial or viral presences,” Infectious Lass answered her younger teammate. “Certainly nothing I wouldn’t expect to find in any normal spaceport with sentients of different species mingling. You’re right though Danielle, it sure is weird. I don’t like it. This whole situation is just...really creepy.”

“The solitude doesn’t bother me so much on its own,” Lydda admitted. “Kathooni natives always find offworlders a little too loud and extroverted when we first meet them...Kathoon is a lot more placid than a lot of Legion homeworlds, and we place a lot of value on peace and quiet. This is taking it too far though. A lot of jobs here are automated anyway, but there should be some Kathooni presence.”

“Night Girl? Sprock, is that the Legion of Superheroes?”

The three women turned to see a group of men and women approaching from another corridor. “We’ve been looking for help for days!” the same man grinned, speeding up as he walked towards the heroines.

Danielle Foccart’s big brown eyes narrowed in suspicion and she tugged discreetly on Night Girl’s cape. “I don’t think they’re real,” she whispered. “They’re not registering on any of the cameras or motion detectors.”

“Be ready for anything,” Lydda whispered back, not taking her eyes off the eight people before her. “Sir, I’ll have to ask you to stop!” she shouted at the newcomers, raising one gloved hand. “The Legion of Superheroes are here, and we will help you, but until we understand what’s happened we need to exercise caution. Are any of your party hurt?”

“Hurt?” a young blonde woman asked slyly, edging closer. “We’re not hurt, but we’re hungry...we’re so hungry.” She opened her mouth wide, revealing two oversized canines almost glowing in the artificial light. Lydda’s eyes widened, and the blonde woman covered the dozens of feet between them with one inhuman leap.

**********
Superboy’s head snapped to one side. “Did you hear that?”

“The unrelenting sound of utter silence?” Matter-Eater Lad quipped. “Sure.”

“No, it’s just...I thought I heard a scream. I – no, it’s gone now. I guess I imagined it.” There was silence between the two heroes for another moment before Superboy spoke up again. “Matter-Eater Lad, can I tell you something dumb..?”

“Dumb is my forte,” Tenzil indulged him. “Shoot.”

“I know I shouldn’t be, but...I’m a little bit scared. Is that stupid? I’m probably the most powerful Legionnaire here...no offence...but this whole thing is like something from a horror movie. Even knowing nothing can really hurt me, I can’t help but feel a little nervous.” The Kryptonian teen bit his lower lip, looking slightly ashamed of himself.

Matter-Eater Lad chuckled. When he’d first met Superboy, Tenzil had only been a couple of years older than Superboy was now. He didn’t remember the legendary Kal-El being so...human back then, but he supposed now that he must have been. He wondered how many of the Legion’s earlier memories of the Kryptonian were colored by hero worship. Tenzil walked beside the younger hero and patted him on the back. “Kiddo, nothing wrong with being scared. Grife, my only power is eating stuff most other people are smart enough not to put anywhere near their digestive tracts. I’d be crazy not to be scared going up against some of the bad guys we face. But you know what? Being scared keeps me alive. Being scared means I’m careful, because I know there’s always someone out there tougher than me. And even if you can bench-press a planet, I guarantee you there’s someone out there who can bench-press two. So being scared is just smart...the trick is making your fear your advisor and not your boss.”

“Thanks,” Superboy smiled. “That makes sense actually.”

“Yeah well, don’t tell anyone,” Tenzil replied, “I’ve got a reputation to protect.”

“Not for long, Legionnaire!” A burly man leaped from the shadows, tackling Matter-Eater Lad from behind. Though he was initially taken by surprise, Tenzil reacted quickly and threw his assailant at a second man approaching from the right.

“Sun Boy said sparring with Shrinking Violet was emasculating,” the Bismollian hero said, catching his breath. “Who’s emasculated now, huh?” He glanced across at Superboy to see the teen of steel buried under five more of their mystery attackers.

“Get off me!” Superboy hollered, hurling his own foes aside with one mighty flex. “Matter-Eater Lad, are you hurt?”

“Just my feelings,” Tenzil jibed, “I mean come on, you get five crazy men and I only get two? What is it fellas, my breath stink? Whoa...” For once, Matter-Eater Lad was stunned speechless as he saw their enemies rise to their feet completely unshaken. Every single one of them had wicked looking fangs and eyes like burning red embers. There was something completely inhuman about them. His two foes leaped at him again with lightning speed, Tenzil’s flight ring dashing him away barely in time.

Two more of the men pounced on Superboy, only to meet his powerful fists. They skidded across the polished spaceport floor to slam against a wall. A third man grabbed Superboy from behind in a wrestling hold, immobilising the young hero’s arms. “Now, brother!” he sneered, “While he is helpless!”

“You’re stronger than a normal person,” Superboy admitted, “But not that much stronger. I don’t want to hurt any of you, why don’t you just – oww!” Superboy yelped as yet another of the strange men’s teeth clamped down on his exposed throat and drew blood. The man almost immediately recoiled, doubling over as he wailed in agony. He glowed incandescent and literally combusted before the surprised group, leaving nothing behind but a pile of smouldering ashes in less than two full seconds.

“That’s enough!” Superboy snapped. He flew straight up, smashing into the ceiling with enough force to both dislodge the man on his back and to bring some of the spaceport down on the others. He then charged Matter-Eater Lad’s enemies, carrying both men through two walls before he rejoined his teammate alone.

“Your other pals are already up and moving,” Matter-Eater Lad noted, “Might be time for us to make a strategic retreat...Supes, are you still with us? What did they do to you?”

Superboy almost fell out of the air, landing unsteadily on his feet. “I – I’m okay,” he stammered weakly, “Just feel a little woozy...” He touched two fingers to the twin punctures in his throat, flinching as they came away bloody.

“Let’s get you out of here,” Tenzil said as casually as possible, “We’ll catch up with Night Girl and the others and compare notes.” He placed a protective arm around Superboy’s shoulder and cast a worried glance behind them as the two heroes flew back the way they had come. Once he was certain Superboy could fly unaided, Matter-Eater Lad brought his flight ring close to his lips. “Night Girl? We’re on the way back, we’ve run into some unfriendly locals...you ladies okay?”

“Can’t talk right now, Tenzil!” Night Girl’s voice was strained, and they heard tremendous crashing sounds in the background. “Meet us back at the cruiser, and don’t waste any time!”

Matter-Eater Lad opened his mouth to reply when another of the creatures dropped down from the ceiling onto his back. He thrashed and rolled in mid-air, but his enemy was far stronger than Tenzil and held on tight. Matter-Eater Lad felt the sharp pinch of fangs against his neck and winced in preparation of the pain to come. Just in time, Superboy grabbed the nameless man by the scruff of his neck and hurled him down the corridor towards the others they had just escaped.

“Sorry I took so long,” Superboy apologised, “I still don’t feel too great...oh no, Matter-Eater Lad! Stop!” The young Kryptonian veered in front of Tenzil and blocked his path.

Hitting even a weakened Superboy was like smashing into a brick wall, and Tenzil gasped as the wind was knocked out of him. “There are more of them ahead, I can see them with my x-ray vision!” Superboy explained. “Dozens! Hold on!” He grabbed Matter-Eater Lad around the waist, then shielding him with his own invulnerable body, smashed a hole straight up through four levels until they reached the warm night air. He released Tenzil and took point as the two men flew towards where the cruiser was parked.

“This just gets better,” Matter-Eater Lad groaned. Scores more of the monsters surrounded the cruiser, climbing over one another to get to it. He glanced behind to see that the ones following them had now taken to the air themselves. They only had moments to act before they were overwhelmed.

“At least the girls are all safe inside the ship,” Superboy announced. “I’ll just...unhh...” He fell a few feet before correcting his descent with no small effort.

“You’re about dead on your feet,” Matter-Eater Lad said, immediately cursing himself for his choice of words. He wrapped his own arm around Superboy’s waist and feverishly tried to plan their next move. He didn’t possess the power to deal with this horde, Superboy might pass out any second, and he couldn’t expect any of the girls to leave the only haven they had. He had decided to create a distraction so that at least Superboy could get to safety when a massive luggage trolley hurtled across the runway straight into the mob around the Legion’s cruiser. Hot on its trail, an emergency services vehicle trampled more of them. Water cannons atop the vehicle came to life, firing powerful jets of water which sent the men and women hurtling in all directions. Matter-Eater smiled. Kid Computo.

Taking the only opening they had, Matter-Eater Lad entered a power dive straight for the cruiser. Holding Superboy aloft with one arm, he tugged desperately at the airlock door with his free hand. “Why isn’t this damn door opening?” he grunted. He pounded on the cruiser’s hull, shouting again. “Girls! Open the door, it’s us!”

Tenzil felt a tug at his ankle, and saw that one of the women on the tarmac below had gotten past Kid Computo’s mechanized gauntlet. Before the woman could do anything further, Superboy kicked her so hard she left a small crater in the ground below. Superboy slumped in Tenzil’s grip and though he instantly forced himself to remain conscious, Tenzil knew he couldn’t keep this up forever.

“Matter-Eater Lad!” This was Kid Computo’s voice, coming over his flight ring. “I’m trying to open the door, but it must be jammed!”

Tenzil looked down at the airlock. Indeed, one of the monsters had punched it hard enough that it had deformed; it physically couldn’t retract into its recess. He spared a swift glance behind him. More of them were making it past the vehicles and the water cannons. Thinking quickly, Matter-Eater Lad bent down and bit a chunk out of the door then another. He kept going until there was a hole large enough to shove Superboy through. The Kryptonian teenager protested, but by now he was too weak to resist even Tenzil’s Bismollian strength. The last of Superboy’s famous red cape disappeared from view and Matter-Eater Lad felt an arm around his throat. He tried to tell his teammates to leave, but all that emerged was a choking sound. Tenzil dimly heard the cruiser’s engines roar to life as his vision blurred, and he consoled himself knowing that his last action as a Legionnaire was to save the life of the universe’s greatest hero.

Metal suddenly screamed in protest as the cruiser’s door was ripped asunder, and a brown gloved hand peeled the arm away from Tenzil’s throat. “I’m sorry, I’m going to need all my team before we leave,” a woman’s voice intoned calmly.

Tenzil was only vaguely aware of Night Girl’s other fist slamming straight into the face of his assailant, knocking him back with a thunderous blow. She grabbed hold of Matter-Eater Lad while he was still groggy and yanked him into the cruiser. “Go!” Night Girl bellowed. “Go!

Then they were gone.

**********
Fifteen minutes later, the cruiser was on autopilot far far away from the spaceport. Matter-Eater Lad was fine aside from a bruised throat and Superboy was still a little dazed, but he seemed to have recovered some of his vigor. They saw now that the female Legionnaires had also suffered an equally close escape from their vicious foes. All five of them were battered, bruised and feeling worse for wear. It seemed though that while their enemies possessed a limited power of flight, none of them could come close to matching the cruiser’s speed. The Legionnaires had outraced them in minutes, and could finally relax to nurse their wounds.

“What was wrong with those people?” Infectious Lass finally exclaimed, “Why do they want to kill us?”

“They don’t want to kill us,” Night Girl answered darkly. “They want to turn us.”

“What does that mean?” Drura threw her hands up, exasperated.

“They’re vampires,” Superboy said quietly, self-consciously rubbing the marks on his neck. “That’s why none of them have any heartbeat, why they could bite me, why Kid Computo couldn’t see them with any monitoring equipment. It’s the only thing that makes any sense.”

Drura simply stared at them as though they had spontaneously begun speaking another language. “What are vampires?” she asked. “How does any of this make sense?”

“I’ll explain everything,” Night Girl replied. “But first things first...Danielle, call whoever is on monitor duty. Tell them I want every available Legionnaire here yesterday.

We’re going to cleanse my homeworld of every last one of these damn things.”

TO BE CONTINUED!
Oh, vampires on Kathoon. This is too good to be true! I love it!
Thanks Set...I have been battling some stubborn writer's block, but hopefully should have the next part up tonight! smile
NIGHTMARE PEAK
LORD VRYKOS’ CASTLE

Lord Vrykos, the highest and most powerful of all Kathooni vampires, cut an imposing figure standing at the window of the newly reconstructed castle he had made his home. A long black overcoat draped over his broad shoulders, he watched the pyrotechnics of superhuman battle in town a few miles away.

“The Legion of Superheroes,” Vrykos sneered. “I see Night Girl has arrived with the rest of her little clubmates.”

“They are a powerful foe,” a reedy blonde man commented from a respectable distance away in the enormous throne room. “But we have the advantage of numbers. They will all be turned or slaughtered within the hour, my lord.”

“No,” Vrykos turned to his underling, his eyes glowering in the darkened room. “They are to be brought here, all of them. Do what you must to subdue them, but if I find that a single one of my minions have killed or fed upon those heroes, my fury will no know bounds. I have plans for those Legionnaires.”

The nameless underling opened his mouth to question the command, then thought better of it. He had been Vrykos’ servant only a very short time, but in that short time he had learned that Vrykos’ fury was something to fear. “I will issue the order immediately, my lord.” He bowed respectfully towards his better and left the room.

Vrykos allowed himself an indulgent smile. It was only a matter of time before Kathoon was his anyway, but soon he would have the most powerful army in the galaxy under his control...and then nothing would stop him.

**********
Infectious Lass and Kid Computo backed further and further down the small dimly lit service alley until they felt cold steel behind them. “It’s a dead end!” Drura hissed.

“Don’t use that word,” Danielle Foccart cringed. Using her power to tap into local infrared cameras did nothing to warn the young cyberkinetic of their foes; the vampires of Kathoon didn’t register on any electronic equipment at all. It did confirm that they were trapped here though, with sleek skyscraper walls hemming them in on three sides. Danielle’s own eyes were all she needed to see the three vampires advancing down the narrow alley towards them, two more of the creatures perched with inhuman agility on window ledges just within the weak cone of light cast by the one ancient streetlight Danielle had found here. The girls’ powers were useless against these monsters, and even using their flight rings they wouldn’t be able to flee all of them. Danielle felt beads of sweat running down her forehead.

“Don’t worry ladies,” one of the vampires said with a sinister grin, “This will only hurt for a moment and then you’ll never feel pain again.”

He took a step towards the Legionnaires when one of his own pack grabbed his arm. “Jek, no! I just heard from Igon...Lord Vrykos wants the Legionnaires for himself!”

The villain named Jek turned towards his comrade slowly, glaring at the man’s hand still upon him until he flinched and pulled it away. “Well then,” his voice dripped with sarcasm, “It’s too bad we didn’t get the message until after we’d fed, isn’t it?” Jek began to turn back towards the heroines, but was distracted when the two vampires who had been perched above suddenly fell to the ground with a heavy thud.

“Sorry, Legionnaires are off the menu,” a baritone voice announced. Star Boy descended into the light, his hands surrounded by the unique darkened nimbus which indicated his mass-inducing power was in effect. His victims hissed ineffectively as they struggled to pull themselves from the ground.

Jek and the other vampires bared their fangs at the new arrival but before they could move, a splintered piece of wood jutted through Jek’s chest. Jek screamed as he combusted on the spot, leaving behind nothing but ashes. As if propelled by a ghost, the stake spun in mid-air and penetrated a second stunned foe with the same effect. The final remaining vampire stammered in confusion before Shrinking Violet appeared full-size before him and drove a stake of her own through his heart also.

“Danielle, Drura!” Jacques Foccart shimmered into view, throwing aside the weapon he had used invisibly to destroy two of the creatures. He grabbed Kid Computo by the shoulders, looking her up and down in almost a state of panic. “Did they hurt you?”

“I’m fine, Jacques.” Danielle Foccart hugged her older brother with an overwhelming sense of relief. “We both are.”

“Well done using your power to summon the nearest flight rings,” Shrinking Violet complimented Kid Computo. Violet retrieved Invisible Kid’s discarded weapon and advanced on the two vampires Star Boy had already incapacitated.

“Violet, no,” Star Boy interrupted her. “With as much mass as they’re bearing right now they’re not going to even be moving for a while, let alone hurting anyone else. We don’t need to kill them.”

“These creatures are not alive, mon ami,” Invisible Kid noted. “Destroying them is the only way to deal with them.”

“We’re the Legion of Superheroes,” Star Boy argued. “There’s always another way.”

An energy discharge behind them lit up the alley like a starburst, and the gathered Legionnaires saw Wildfire in the main street fighting his own foes. “For what it’s worth I agree with Invisible Kid,” Shrinking Violet announced. “But this isn’t the time to debate that...not when we have an entire city worth of these things to stop. You’re going to have to take the kid gloves off sooner or later though, Thom.”

“Maybe,” Star Boy answered sourly. “But until then I think I’ll at least try to hold onto the values on which the Legion was built if you don’t mind.” He flew down the alley to rejoin the main combat, his teammates close behind him.

**********
The irony of the situation was not lost on Wildfire. His anti-energy was so potent that he normally had to exercise great caution to avoid killing or gravely injuring his enemies. Now that he was facing foes against which he wanted to use lethal force, he couldn’t kill them if he tried...at least not without hunting down every individual vampire with a piece of wood, and that was far from efficient. His wide blasts knocked them back though, scattered them and trapped them beneath debris. His power might not be able to kill them, but it could certainly keep them on their toes. He was also one of the few Legionnaires who could face the creatures with impunity. None of them were strong enough to hurt him and if they wanted to rob him of his humanity, he reflected darkly, they were a few years too late. He launched a wide-angle beam at a dozen vampires closing in on Elastic Lad, Matter-Eater Lad and Element Lad. The undead creatures were slammed back, giving Element Lad time to erect a barricade around them. Matter-Eater Lad waved in thanks, and Wildfire returned the gesture before rocketing down the wide city streets to see if anybody else needed his help. All Wildfire needed to do was keep these things occupied until Sun Boy could carry out Night Girl’s plan...easy enough for him, he just hoped the rest of the Legion could last the distance.

**********
“Jan, how you going there?” Matter-Eater Lad asked his comrade.

“Exhausted,” Element Lad admitted, wiping sweat from his brow. “Tenzil, we’ve been fighting for almost an hour...I don’t know if I can keep this up for much longer. I disagree with Night Girl’s plan, but it should have been carried out by now. I’m worried something’s gone wrong.”

“I know,” Matter-Eater Lad agreed, looking into the cloudless sky with rare concern. “Sun Boy should have lit up the night by now.”

“Careful!” Elastic Lad warned, wrapping one extended arm around the waist of a pouncing vampire and flinging him to the ground before he could assault Jan or Tenzil.

“Thanks, Elastic Lad.” Element Lad waited for his young comrade to retract his arm and surrounded the vampire in a dome of iron. Their enemy could be heard pounding away at the interior of the dome. “I should have seen him coming,” Jan chastised himself. “Let’s shed a little more light on the situation, we’re at too much of a disadvantage in this darkness.” He turned only the outermost level of the dome into phosphorous, still leaving it sturdy enough to act as a prison while its glow illuminated the local area. What the Legionnaires saw chilled them to the bone. Dozens of vampires swarmed all round them, in the sky and on the ground.

“You don’t want to stop us,” an attractive red-haired female smiled, stepping forward from the mob. “It’s so much better to be one of us, don’t you think?”

Element Lad’s eyes glazed over as his arms fell slowly to his sides. “Y..yes...one of you...”

“Oh, sprock no!” Matter-Eater Lad tackled his teammate, flying at full speed with him into a recessed doorway. Elastic Lad followed closely, trying to get through to Jan as Tenzil ate through the security pad which kept the door locked.

“Element Lad!” the freckled young hero cried out. “Gosh, you can’t listen to those people, they’re really not nice at all! Come back to us, Element Lad! Come back!” He shook Jan with one hand, the other elongated arm criss-crossed across the threshold of the doorway in a weakening attempt to hold the horde at bay behind them.

Matter-Eater Lad shoved the door open, grabbed a fistful of Elastic Lad’s pliant flesh and pulled him in behind them. “Slap him!” Tenzil yelled as he flew up a flight of interior stairs, still carrying Element Lad. It was so dark in here, he half-expected to break his neck flying straight into a wall as he circled round to the next flight of stairs.

“Slap him?” Elastic Lad repeated, horrified. “Oh gosh, I couldn’t possibly do that! I don’t want to hurt him!”

Matter-Eater Lad was grimly aware of the vampires following close behind them. The open doorway only allowed two or three of them to enter the building at once, but they were still coming. The heroes needed Jan. “Slap him!” Tenzil bellowed.

Alright!” Elastic Lad winced. “Alright, I will!” He drew a hand back, held his breath, then exhaled with palpable relief when Jan grabbed the rubbery hero’s wrist.

“That won’t be necessary,” Element Lad said. “Once we got far enough away from that woman, her hold over me faded. Let me see if I can make amends for being such a burden.” Still being carried by Matter-Eater Lad, Jan was facing the approaching vampires already. He gestured and a thick iron slab cut off the staircase between the heroes and the pursuing vampires.

“Oh, you don’t have to make amends for anything!” Elastic Lad rambled, “It wasn’t your fault! Dragonmage warned us that some of the vampires might have mesmerism or mind-control abilities, remember? I’m just glad we got away from them before anything worse happened! That was sure some quick thinking, Matter-Eater - look out!”

Tenzil shifted his attention from Elastic Lad to the path ahead just in time to brace for impact as he and Element Lad smashed through a picture window. They rolled across the balcony covered in shattered glass, groaning in pain.

“Gee whiz, I’m sorry!” Elastic Lad didn’t even pause for breath as he landed behind the two men. “I should have seen that window sooner, it’s just so dark on this planet and it’s really hard to see anything and -” Elastic Lad’s green eyes widened in shock as he saw that one of their teammates had made it here before them. In one corner of the balcony Tellus’ massive form heaved helplessly, the pods on his back a vibrant red color. “Tellus!” Elastic Lad stretched his torso across to the Hykraian, laying hands upon his yellow hide. “What happened to you?”

...followed Sun Boy...Tellus’ telepathy was weak, as though he were merely whispering into his comrade’s mind. Elastic Lad saw instantly why he hadn’t used his voice modulator. His helmet had been split into three separate pieces and was being held together solely by telekinesis. ...Sun Boy...followed call...girl in trouble...ambush....I followed Sun Boy....confronted girl....followed Sun Boy...Sun Boy followed Sun Boy...

Elastic Lad frowned. Even Tellus’ telepathy was failing him. He kept transmitting the same thoughts, and speech half-mixed with mixed up visual concepts. Stroking Tellus’ hide gently with one hand, Elastic Lad called Element Lad across. “His life support system has been compromised,” Elastic Lad explained. “Can you repair his helmet and replace the methane he’s lost? I can tell you how much methane he needs.” Working together, Elastic Lad and Element Lad soon had Tellus’ helmet in one piece. The voice modulator was too complex a device for Element Lad to be able to fix, but at least Tellus was breathing again.

Thank you, my friends. Tellus’ psychic voice already sounded more coherent, and the pods on his back shifted to a more mellow golden shade. Sun Boy heeded the call of a young female in distress. When he arrived here, he found only an ambush. I came to his aid and fought the vampires myself...I regret that they left me in this state, though I was able to repel them before they slayed me.

“Where’s Sun Boy now?” Element Lad asked.

They absconded with him before I could stop them, Tellus projected, his pods now a deep purple.

To someone named Vrykos.

**********
Night Girl swung an iron beam into a dozen vampires, sending them sprawling. She hurled the beam after them. Standing beside his girlfriend, Cosmic Boy twisted it around the group with his magnetism and bound them in place.

“Damn it,” Night Girl cursed. “Why hasn’t Sun Boy done his part yet? We’ve drawn as many of these things out into the open as we’re going to!”

Hovering a dozen feet above, Supergirl panned the city with her enhanced senses. “Night Girl, I’ve got some bad news. The vampires have taken him.”

“Move!” Shadow Lad sprung from a rooftop directly in front of Kara, plunging the blade of his skulkaf through the breast of a vampire who had been sneaking up behind the blonde teen. His weapon was one used for training, made of wood so as not to accidentally injure a sparring partner. He had found that it was perfect for fighting vampires though.

“Thanks Shadow Lad,” Kara brushed hair from her eyes. “I owe you one.” Without missing a beat, she used heat vision to incinerate another pair of vampires behind Shadow Lad.

“There we go,” Grev Mallor smiled at her. “Even.”

“Night Girl, it’s not just Sun Boy!” Superboy announced, hurling a chunk of demolished building at more of their ceaseless enemies. “Legionnaires are dropping everywhere! Chameleon Girl, Tyroc...Ultra Boy just got buried under a crowd of them a couple of miles from here!”

Night Girl’s face lost all color. “Are they..?”

“They’re taking them away!” Superboy answered. “They’re taking them all away!”

“Kal’s right,” Supergirl continued as she ripped one of the creatures from her younger cousin’s back and hurled it effortlessly into the upper atmosphere. “I can hear them talking amongst themselves. They’re led by some guy called Lord Vrykos, and he wants us for himself. Night Girl...aside from Wildfire, Blok and Diamond Damsel...we’re the only Legionnaires left standing.”

Night Girl and Cosmic Boy exchanged a dire look. Eight heroes. Night Girl, Cosmic Boy, Supergirl and Superboy, Shadow Lad, Wildfire, Diamond Damsel and Blok. Against a city full of foes who would never tire.

“Lydda,” Cosmic Boy suggested, “Maybe...maybe you should retreat. You’re the leader. You can go home, bring reinforcements...”

“No,” Night Girl replied firmly. “It was a good plan, Rokk. Turning night into day worked when Comet Queen and the Subs did it on Zwen and it’ll work here. We just need to give it a chance.”

Cosmic Boy held his lover’s hand tightly in his own. He hadn’t really expected Lydda to leave, but at the same time knowing how much danger she was in here tore him apart. It was taking everything he had not to wrap her up in tons of metal and send her off-planet himself. “Lydda,” he pleaded, “Without Sun Boy...”

“Without Sun Boy we just have to think outside the box,” she interrupted. “Superboy, Supergirl...you two are about to live up to your names."

**********
In his throne room, Vrykos examined his captives. Fifteen of them, fifteen of the galaxy’s greatest heroes. Every one of them had put up a struggle, though some had caused more trouble than others. Now they all slept like babies on the floor before him, completely sedate.

There were others of course. He had heard the Kryptonians were here, and while he wouldn’t be able to turn them he couldn’t wait to enslave Superboy and Supergirl to his will. But the other Legionnaires...the other Legionnaires would come to Kathoon to save their friends, to save their leader and the legends who’d inspired them.

And when they got here, they wouldn’t leave Kathoon again until each and every one of them pledged eternal and heartfelt allegiance to the man who was going to ensure they spent the rest of their existence as his undead servants.

TO BE CONCLUDED!
VEGAN STAR SYSTEM
44,000 MILES ABOVE AELLO

Dragonmage tapped impatiently at the touchscreen before him, willing the Legion cruiser to speed faster.

“Night Girl and the others will be fine,” Polar Boy tried to reassure the young sorceror. “There are nearly two dozen Legionnaires on Kathoon, Dragonmage. Whatever threat they’re facing there, I’m sure they can deal with it without us.”

“Polar Boy right,” Quislet’s high-pitched voice joined in. “First time for everything, no?” Polar Boy shot an appropriately icy glare at the Teallian explorer’s microship.

“You don’t understand,” Dragonmage fretted. “Vampires are creatures of the blackest magic, they’re nothing like the costumed supervillains we normally face. I’m the closest thing the Legion has to an occult expert, I should be there!”

“You were needed on Aello,” Chameleon Boy explained gently but firmly. “All of us were. Without the four of us, that aviasaur incursion may have ended a lot more poorly for the locals. Xao, sometimes being a Legionnaire means accepting that you can’t be everywhere at once and trusting your teammates to be able to rise to the task themselves.”

Dragonmage sighed and bowed his head in resignation. “I suppose you’re right. There’s nothing we can do until we get there anyway...but I really hope they’re okay.”

“They will be!” Polar Boy slapped Xao on the shoulder. “Cheer up, kid!”

“This party go downhill quick,” Quislet whined. “Quislet should have stayed fighting the flying dinosaurs!” The tiny alien’s ship left the bridge of the cruiser with its distinctive poop-POP-poop sound trailing behind it.

Chameleon Boy said nothing more. On his homeworld Durla, only the very foolish underplayed the seriousness of the unknown. Cham kept up a brave face for Dragonmage’s sake, but privately he shared the boy’s fear.

Above all else, he hoped his friends were safe.

**********
KATHOON
NIGHTMARE PEAK, LORD VRYKOS’ CASTLE

Lydda Jath cautiously opened her eyes a sliver. After sending Superboy, Supergirl and Shadow Lad away and watching Cosmic Boy mesmerised into catatonia, she had decided to feign defeat rather than continue an increasingly one-sided battle against her undead foes. Lydda could face the combined physical might of the vampire mob which had been sent against them, but she didn’t want to risk having to pit her strength of will against them. Easier to pretend they had knocked her out and avoid that battle altogether. Wherever they’d brought her was dark, but that didn’t bother her. How could darkness possibly prove an obstacle to Night Girl? She was in a very old building. She could feel wooden floorboards beneath her, could see the gnarled beams crossing the ceiling. She knew instantly that she must be in one of the ruins of Nightmare Peak, no modern building would be composed of organic materials like this.

Lydda took a chance and let her head fall to one side. She hoped that if anyone was watching, it would appear that she’d simply stirred in her sleep. Rokk was lying by her side. His eyes were wide open and staring dumbly ahead. At first Lydda felt a sick stab of anxiety, but then she caught the regular rise and fall of his chest and realised that he was simply wrapped in the same spell of mesmerism which had felled him. She could make out Colossal Boy lying next to Cosmic Boy, and beside him a silky tail of black hair which Lydda assumed belonged to Chameleon Girl. Without moving more overtly, Lydda couldn’t see beyond those three. She shifted her head now to the right, where she saw a massive inhuman body she instantly recognised as Tellus. Perfect. She thought his name as clearly as she could. No response. Night Girl tried again, attempting to rid her mind of any other conscious thought. Still nothing. Lydda slowly inched her hand across the floor until her knuckles brushed against one of the pods on the Hykraian’s back. She thought his name once more, hoping that physical contact would improve her chances.

Night Girl! His pods immediately shifted to a stark white color and Tellus jerked awake.

Lydda winced from the force of his telepathy. Don’t react! she thought. I don’t know if there’s anyone else here with us...can you tell what other Legionnaires are here, and if anybody is injured?

Tellus reeled off a list of names; Elastic Lad, Element Lad, Matter-Eater Lad, Infectious Lass, Kid Computo, Invisible Kid, Phantom Girl, Ultra Boy, Tyroc, Star Boy, Cosmic Boy, Colossal Boy, Chameleon Girl, Shrinking Violet and Sun Boy. All were catatonic, but he couldn’t tell her more than that. Night Girl supposed the vampires were delaying any action until they’d captured the final six Legionnaires currently on Kathoon, but she had no intention of waiting around for that to happen. Wake the others, she commanded. Subtly. Lydda tried to push herself to her elbows, only to find an unseen force barring her way. “What--?”

She was met with a malicious laugh. Startled and flushed with embarassment, Night Girl turned her head toward the noise. Someone had been watching her the whole time! An intense dark-haired man approached, standing at the trapped heroine’s feet. He wore a crushed velvet shirt, a long black overcoat covering most of it. The man had such an aura of power about him that Lydda had no doubt whatsoever that this was the Lord Vrykos Supergirl had mentioned.

“I was wondering when you’d make your move,” Vrykos taunted her. “Not that any of you are going to be able to get off the floor thanks to a little blood enchantment. But please, feel free to try...it’s endlessly amusing.”

“How have you done all of this?” Night Girl spat. “There have been no vampires on Kathoon for generations!”

“Years of research,” Vrykos answered, his smile instantly banished. “Years of throwing every credit I earned into pursuing the most obscure occult texts and resources I could get my hands on. It has been an expensive pursuit, and at times a maddeningly frustrating one. The payoff has been worth it though, as I always knew it would be. We are in the home of the last of the original vampires of Kathoon. His tomb was hidden beneath the ruins. I found him and I engineered a necromantic process whereupon all of his power would be bestowed upon me. And then I set to converting as many of my fellow Kathooni as I could to their new existence as nightstalkers...and like a plague, they continue to spread the infection. You can’t stop us, Night Girl. In fact, once I’ve bitten you and ensured your slavish devotion to me, you won’t even want to stop us. I’m just waiting for my minions to recover your Kryptonians and the Talokkian and then I’ll set to turning you all. It’s a shame that we won’t be able to add Blok, Diamond Damsel or Wildfire to our ranks but it will at least be a pleasant diversion watching you slay them.”

Night Girl glared at the villain. “We may not be able to stand up, but not all of us need to be able to stand to attack you, Vrykos. Tellus! Your telekinesis!”

I apologise, Tellus projected. I find myself unable to use my telepathy or my telekinesis against him, Night Girl. I do not understand, I sense that my powers are not otherwise hampered!

“Magic,” Night Girl grimaced. “Time for Plan B.”

“And what would that entail?” Vrykos crouched over her, condescending. “What threat can you possibly pose to me from down there, Night Girl?”

Lydda gave the villain a cold smile, at the same time projecting her thoughts to Tellus as loudly as she could. “Oh Vrykos,” she said with fake sweetness, “It’s not all about you, you know.” Wasting not another second, she balled her hands into fists and slammed them into the floor below her. Tellus struck a telekinetic blow at the same time, and the floor gave way beneath Vrykos and the heroes.

Having been forewarned by their telepathic teammate, the other Legionnaires used their flight rings to stop their fall but Night Girl allowed herself to crash down into the room below.

Vrykos picked himself up out of the wreckage and dusted himself off. Having heard the colossal racket, some of his minions already began to appear around the great hall in which Vrykos and the Legionnaires had landed. “My enchantment!” Vrykos snarled. “It took me hours to inscribe those sigils around you all, and now you’ve ruined everything!”

“Not quite,” Night Girl returned, cracking her knuckles as she stood to her feet. “We haven’t ruined you yet. Legion, attack!”

**********
As they flew past Kathoon’s gigantic moon, Superboy and Supergirl almost instantly felt the revitalising effects of the yellow sun’s rays. Superboy beamed, his lips moving soundlessly in the vaccuum.

Supergirl tapped her ear. Telepathic earplugs, Kal. Just think at me.

I can’t believe we’re in space! I’m flying in space with my cousin from the future! This is the best! His exuberance put a smile on Kara’s own face. It was easy for her to forget how novel this existence must be to Kal-El at this young age. It occurred to her also that her cousin already looked more energised than he had on Kathoon. For his sake, Kara was glad that Night Girl’s plan involved them getting closer to the sunlight which empowered them, and getting a safe distance away from the vampires behind them.

Let’s get this done, Kara said as she turned around and hovered above the moon’s cratered surface. We’ll take what we need from the sun-facing side, that way we don’t have to worry about any stray chunks endangering anyone back on Night Girl’s world. Superboy followed Supergirl’s lead, and the two teenagers used their heat vision to carve a disk of rock away from the barren sphere. Clouds of dust and debris filled the area in a surreal silent tableau, dissipating into the void.

They next tunnelled into the surface of the moon until they were both underneath the disk and then with their combined strength they easily pushed it away and out of the moon’s almost non-existent atmosphere. Stay here and hold it in place, Kara instructed as she flew back around to the other side of the strange island they’d created. She knew that Kal’s strength was more than equal to the task of holding a chunk of lifeless rock still, even if that chunk of rock was miles across. This next step however required the kind of finesse and experience which he would not gain for some years yet. Supergirl’s eyes blazed bright red as she trained her heat vision once again on the moonstone disk. A couple of minutes later, she paused to examine her handiwork.

A two and a half mile wide circle of obsidian glass.

**********
Shadow Lad veered straight up at the last possible instant before his flight ring would have propelled him straight into a wall. The vampire clinging to his tattered cape slammed into the hotel wall with enough force to be dislodged, and Grev continued his flight away from the seven other vampires on his tail. He glanced at the broken staff in his hand which was all that remained of his skulkaf. He was bruised, exhausted, and these creatures came in seemingly endless waves. He hoped Superboy and Supergirl would come through soon, because he didn’t know how much longer he could keep up this pace.

Out of nowhere, a female vampire tackled Grev hard. He felt one of his ribs crack as the two rolled across a rooftop. “Maybe Lord Vrykos will let me have you for my own,” she teased as she straddled the young hero and pinned his arms with inhuman strength. “You’re a cutie, little boy blue!”

This close, Shadow Lad could see that she appeared the same age as he was. Her shimmering skintight unitard was fashionable, the kind of thing Lamprey or Comet Queen might wear. Grev hated that Vrykos had turned normal people into these monsters. He struggled, but he was too tired and she was too strong. “Don’t resist it baby,” she whispered, ringlets of her hair tickling his bare cheek. “Trust me, it’s better this way.” Shadow Lad could feel a haze overpowering his senses, could feel the allure of surrender...

“Off!” a voice like scraping rocks commanded.

The blonde girl yelped as cold hard fingers closed around the back of her throat and she was flung through a wall. Diamond Damsel offered the same hand to Grev as he saw Blok and Wildfire battling vampires in the sky above her.

“Thanks, Diamond Damsel.” He took her hand and stood to his feet. “I’m lucky you found me, I don’t think I would have lasted much longer on my own.”

“Thank Wildfire,” she gestured at their comrade lighting up the sky with his energy blasts. “He saw a bunch of them converging on this point and figured we should see what they were up to. Are you the only one left? We haven’t been able to make contact with anyone else!” As she spoke more of the vampires began to circle them, including the one Diamond Damsel had thrown through the wall.

“Let’s take to the air,” Grev leaped up and away from the rooftop. “Not all of them can fly, we’ve got the advantage there.”

“Right behind you.” Diamond Damsel kneeled on one knee, and with savage force brought both fists together down on the hotel beneath her. The building instantly collapsed with a thunderous crash, taking with it most of the vampires around her. She used her own flight ring to catch up with Grev and the others above but every time Wildfire’s anti-energy lit up her allies’ faces Diamond Damsel grew more concerned. She and Wildfire could keep this up literally forever, but Shadow Lad couldn’t possibly have much more fight left in him...and Blok had barely said a word since they arrived. He was so gentle normally, she wondered how this brutality was affecting him when had only recently had to face the ghosts of his own people in similar circumstances.

“We’ve got a plan,” Shadow Lad explained breathlessly as a fresh wave of vampires came flying in from all around them. Hundreds more waited on the ground below. “Superboy and Supergirl are going to bring the sun to Kathoon, I’m helping them.”

“You?” Wildfire said incredulously. “Your only power is darkness, kid...not that even that does much good on a world where everyone can see in the dark. How are you meant to bring the sun anywhere?”

“I didn’t say I’m bringing it, Wildfire...I said I’m helping them bring it.” Grev evaded one vampire’s clutch as he staked another. “In fact,” he looked up into the dark skies, “I think it’s brought.” A tiny pinprick of light appeared in the darkness above before the darkness itself seemed to roll back like a receding tide over the city. The sun shone on Kathoon for the first time in living memory, and every vampire bathed in its light was instantly cremated.

“I do not understand,” Blok queried, watching the vampire decimation.

Diamond Damsel gaped wide-eyed into the blazing light. “Did they...are they really powerful enough to move the whole planet?”

“That’s impossible,” Wildfire refuted. “Not without causing global devastation! But how..?”

“It’s a mirror,” Shadow Lad explained, shielding his eyes. “They created a giant mirror to redirect the sun’s light. I kept a ceiling of shadow across Nightmare Peak so they’d know where to aim the beam of light, but also to hide the sun until they were in position...the second those vampires saw any weird flash of light in the sky they would have known something was up...and like you said, this is a world where everyone can see in the dark. Nobody even noticed that the sky’s been blotted out. And now...now, I think I want to pass out.” Shadow Lad slumped in mid-air, Wildfire quickly catching the exhausted Talokkian hero in both arms.

“Rest,” Wildfire soothed. “You’ve earned it, kid.” The anti-energy hero turned to Diamond Damsel and Blok, their faces appearing as distorted reflections in his faceplate. “As for us...let’s go find the rest of our teammates.”

**********
Vrykos hit Ultra Boy hard enough to send him hurtling through one of the castle’s exterior stone walls.

“Jo!” Phantom Girl ran through friend and foe alike after her lover, safe in her intangibility.

“We need some direction!” Cosmic Boy shouted as he maintained the metal barricades he had erected to protect his comrades who’d already fallen in battle against Vrykos.

“I know, Rokk! I know!” Night Girl smashed two vampire heads together, hurling them through another wall. “This old castle isn’t big enough for a brawl like this...Sun Boy! Colossal Boy! Get outside and stop any reinforcements from getting in here! Tyroc, get Violet and the other injured Legionnaires out of here!”

The Legionnaires scrambled to meet Lydda’s orders, while she hurled herself at Vrykos. The two slammed into the floor, cracking the floorboards beneath them. Night Girl pounded on the vampire lord again and again, trusting her teammates to be able to handle any other vampires in the room.

“You’re certainly strong,” Vrykos said casually, “But I don’t think you’re aware of the power you face in me, Lydda Jath.” He grabbed one of her fists in his palm and slowly painstakingly bent her wrist back.

Lydda’s eyes went wide. “That’s impossible! I’m stronger than Mon-El here!” As impossible as it was though, it was happening. Vrykos was forcing her back to her knees, standing over her.

“It’s not only possible...it is inevitable. Night Girl, each vampire turned by me adds to my power. Do you have any idea how many hundreds of vampires have been borne by my hand over these past days? I am positively giddy at the prospect of turning metahumans. That ragtag group who came to Kathoon initially may have escaped me, but I assure you-”

“Leave her alone!” Chameleon Girl rushed at Vrykos, driving what appeared to be a wooden stake into his chest. For a moment, the vampire lord was in shock, gaping at the weapon which had ripped through his shirt. Night Girl took advantage of the situation to pull herself from his grip. She tackled the villain and charged through an interior wall, tumbling down a spiral staircase with Vrykos. The stairs opened onto an entrance foyer, and Vrykos and Night Girl both sprawled out ungraciously across an elaborate embroidered rug.

Vrykos recovered first, standing to his feet and tearing away the tattered remains of his overcoat and shirt to face Lydda bare-chested and completely uninjured. “Clever Durlan girl,” he sneered. “But shapeshifting is no replacement for the real thing.”

“We’ll see about that!” Chameleon Girl came flying down the stairs straight at him, followed closely by Tellus and Cosmic Boy. As Chameleon Girl and Tellus sped past Night Girl, Cosmic Boy stopped to check on his lover’s wellbeing. Yera’s forearms shifted into long wooden spears, but Vrykos simply batted them aside and grabbed her by the throat.

“Once is clever,” Vrykos snarled into her face. “Twice is just desperate.” Even while Yera was trying to shift out of his grip, he smashed his head into her face. She went limp, and he hurled her into Tellus with such momentum that both heroes were knocked unconscious.

“He’s like a damn force of nature,” Lydda breathed. She looked around the castle urgently. “Rokk, we need to open this place up.”

“Understood.” Cosmic Boy reached out with his magnetism and took apart the hinges of every door and window on the ground floor of the castle. Shutters fell away from open windows, doors collapsed to the ground. He grabbed onto what left of the iron bars which had guarded these ruins for centuries, and used them to start chipping away at the outside walls.

“You’re demolishing this old place?” Vrykos asked, bemused by the idea. “But I’ve only just renovated it, Cosmic Boy! Ah well, perhaps when you belong to me I’ll put you in charge of rectifying the damage you’ve wrought.” He turned back to Night Girl. “Now, where were we?”

Night Girl launched herself at Vrykos, only for him to grab her by the throat as easily as he had grabbed Chameleon Girl. She punched at him and tried to claw his fingers away, but his grip was like a vice. Night Girl felt the world turn dark around her and hoped that Rokk would kill her before he’d let Vrykos turn her into one of his vampiric minions. She closed her eyes, one tear of agony rolling down her alabaster cheek.

Suddenly Lydda fell to the floor and for the first time, she heard Vrykos bellow in pain. She didn’t need to open her eyes to feel the warmth of the sunlight on her skin, to feel her superhuman strength and vitality drain out of her. She was no more of a threat to anyone than any other normal Kathooni woman now, but Lydda didn’t care. She no longer needed to be. She did look now to see the room half-filled with beams of sunlight, Vrykos’ skin searing away wherever the light touched him. She gasped as she gazed upon his face. The sun had burned away his top layers of flesh, leaving little more than a charred skull. Maddened with pain, Vrykos dropped to the ground and slammed his fists into the ground so hard that the entire castle quaked.

Having dealt with their own foes, Tyroc and Elastic Lad came down the stairs together to check on their friends and paused speechless at the bottom. The spectacle of Vrykos’ death throes were enough to silence even the normally verbiose Elastic Lad. Vrykos punched the ground again, breaking the earth beneath him and cracking the castle walls. More sunlight poured in, which only increased his agony.

“Lydda, we have to get out of here!” Cosmic Boy shouted. “He’s going to bring this building down around us any second!”

“Elastic Lad, grab Tellus and Chameleon Girl!” Night Girl commanded. “Tyroc, get them out of here!”

Cosmic Boy grabbed Night Girl by the shoulder. “Lydda, don’t be crazy! You’re powerless in this light! If the castle collapses - “

“This bastard sentenced hundreds, if not thousands of my people to death, Rokk! And he put us in the position of having to put them out of their misery! I’m not leaving here until I know he’s no longer a threat!”

Their discussion was cut short by another of Vrykos’ animalistic howls of fury and pain. He smashed the ground one last time, and the castle had taken all the damage it was going to take. With a deafening rumble, stonework and masonry rained down upon the heroes. That rumble was overpowered by a louder sound, Tyroc’s teleportation cry. The Legionnaires felt space warp and distort around them, and in one disorienting moment they were suddenly in a clearing with their friends looking at the remains of the once proud castle.

“Yera!” Colossal Boy shouted, shrinking down to normal size as he ran to his stirring wife. “Is she okay?”

She is...damaged but not permanently so, a dazed Tellus responded. As are many of us.

“Tellus,” Night Girl addressed him.

There is no trace of him. Tellus knew what she was going to ask before she said it. No trace remains of any of the vampires, Night Girl. We have vanquished them all.

Night Girl breathed a sigh of relief. She looked around at her team, all of them in various states of disrepair but all of them alive. Lydda looked at the cliffs by the ruins of the castle, the ocean waves beyond. She shook her head with a half-smile.

“Lydda?” Rokk embraced her. “What are you thinking?”

“Just that I’ve never seen my homeworld in the daytime. I think I prefer it at night.” She kissed Rokk and allowed herself to relax into his arms.

It was over.
For anyone who might be wondering what Shadow Lass is up to these days...

**********
KATHOON
NIGHTMARE PEAK, FORTE PARK

Lydda Jath was visibly shaking when she stepped backstage from the podium and embraced her lover. Now that she was sequestered safely away from the park full of sentients who’d come to the memorial service for Lord Vrykos’ victims, she could finally relax.

“You did great,” Rokk Krinn kissed her on the cheek and held her close. “I’m really proud of you, honey.”

“Thanks Rokk,” Lydda answered, her voice quivering. “I swear, having to address crowds of strangers is the one thing I won’t be sorry to say goodbye to when I’m no longer leader of the Legion of Superheroes. My legs felt like jelly up there, there must have been thousands of people watching!”

“Tens of thousands actually,” Rokk answered, “But I mean it, I’m proud of you. You should be proud of yourself, you did really well up there...I know how much you hate public speaking, I can’t imagine what it was like having to deliver a speech to everyone here as well as everyone watching the holocast.”

“I didn’t even think about the cameras,” Lydda blanched. “Grife, I hope I didn’t screw it up.”

“Cosmic Boy is correct, you did fine,” a third voice joined the conversation. “In fact, you did an exemplary job, young lady. Just as you and your team did an exemplary job of defending Kathoon against those monsters. We owe you our eternal thanks.”

Lydda pulled herself away from Rokk and straightened her posture. “Prime Minister Hamilton!” She offered her hand to the elderly politician. “Thank you for your kind words. I just wish we could have gotten here sooner. I’m curious though, Sir...Vrykos said that another group of heroes escaped him before the Legion arrived. I’m surprised we never encountered them while we were fighting, or that they weren’t here for the memorial?”

Hamilton looked confused. “But Night Girl...there are no other superheroes on Kathoon. He couldn’t possibly have fought any metahumans before your team arrived.” An implant in his wrist vibrated, and the balding man tapped a subcutaneous button. “I’m so sorry,” he apologised. “I must leave you two, duty calls. I hope I will see you both before you go back to Earth?”

Cosmic Boy eventually spoke up for both of them after it became clear Night Girl would remain silent. “Of course,” Rokk placated him. Once the politician had left them alone, he turned to his lover. “Lydda? You kind of zoned out at the end there..?”

“It doesn’t make sense,” she answered him. “Vrykos definitely said some team escaped him before he encountered us...I didn’t think anything of it at the time because we were fighting for our lives, but who could he have been referring to if not Kathooni superheroes?”

“It still could be Kathooni superheroes,” Rokk played devil’s advocate. “Just because your government is unaware of them, doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Plenty of heroes historically have operated without government sanction, look at Kal’s friend Batman...he was an urban myth for years before he became a recognised public hero.”

“Maybe.” Lydda still sounded unconvinced. She hugged Rokk again and kissed him on the forehead. “I guess the important thing is that it’s all dealt with now, right?”

Still, she couldn’t help but wonder...

**********
TALOK III
ASSEMBLY OF TRIBES BUILDING, GARDNER CITY

The terrorists who’d introduced themselves as the Forgotten Four stood on stage in front of the ruling council of Talok III. Security droids lay in pieces around the room, and the two sentient officers who’d already fallen victim to the Four lay still at the villains’ feet.

Some of the twelve council members recognised the Four from records of their one previous appearance as a team. They had slaughtered almost all of the staff at the Burnley Exotic Energies Research Facility in Gardner City’s Science District only a week ago, and now it seemed Talok III’s tribal rulers were to meet the same fate.

“Is this being recorded?” the leader of the Forgotten Four gurgled. “I want to make sure the people of this world know what you’ve done before we slay you!” Appropriately named Brainmass, he was the most grotesque of the villains. He was naked save for a pair of black trunks and his whole body seemed to be composed of one giant humanoid mass of brain tissue. His grey flesh glistened with a pinkish hue in the overhead lights and gave off a sickly reek of faint rot.

Not as horrific but more frightening than Brainmass was the team’s muscle, Skorpiorr. Named after a native lifeform, he shared its appearance, though on a much larger scale. Seven feet tall and covered from head to toe in a spikey orange carapace, Skorpiorr had a tail which was easily as long again as the rest of his body. It too was covered in spikes, and ended in one nasty barb which still dripped with the blood of the guard he’d killed only minutes ago. Skorpiorr took a predatory stance on all fours before the council, his tail poised to strike at any time.

The third member of their team hovered above them, sheathed in a crimson nimbus of flame. Red Son’s eyes were his only discernible feature, two golden orbs burning hatefully amidst the red flame.

The one female member of the quartet was also the only one of them who didn’t look completely monstrous. Her dark blue skin and pointed ears identified her as a native of Talok III, and her platinum blonde hair was cropped stylishly short. She wore a tight-fitting white leotard, with long strips of the same material wrapped around each forearm. A waist-length cape completed her outfit, its hood laying bunched at her shoulders. Her striking white eyes were the only sign that Invisible Queen was anything other than a normal Talokkian woman.

“I asked you a question!” Brainmass spat at the camera hovering several feet before him. “Stupid machine, are you going to make me destroy you too?”

*breep*Recording uninterrupted*breep* the scribebot responded dispassionately.

“Does anybody else feel that?” Skorpiorr’s low rumbling voice interjected. “Like a tremor?”

The stage suddenly exploded behind the villains. Astonished, the four of them turned to face Mon-El. He floated a few inches in the air, arms folded across his chest. The Daxamite didn’t look happy at all. “You four picked the wrong time to attack these people,” Mon-El scowled. “I was on vacation with my lady when my super-hearing picked up calls for Science Police backup. I may not have arrived here fast enough to save the lives of those poor men but you monsters aren’t going to hurt anyone else today, I can guarantee you that right now.”

“That’s a guarantee I’m afraid you won’t be able to keep,” Brainmass retorted. “I may be a monster, but a monster’s body has its advantages, Legionnaire.” His beady little eyes squinted at the hero, and Mon-El was hurled through two walls by a battering ram of invisible force.

Mon-El recovered almost instantly and charged straight at Brainmass. He was stopped dead in his tracks by a telekinetic barrier, and pounded at it with one mighty fist. “You can’t possibly be stronger than me,” Mon-El snarled, “You must know that. Make this easy on yourself and surrender, Brainmass.”

Mon-El punched the unseen wall again, and Brainmass staggered back from the psychic feedback. “Of course you’re right,” the villain jeered, nonplussed. “Let’s improve my odds, shall we? Red Son?”

The flaming man circled around in the air and with outstretched arms expelled a red hot blast straight at Mon-El. It burned through his costume, and Mon-El was unpleasantly surprised to find it was starting to burn him. “Overconfident nasshead,” the blazing villain laughed, “It’s even in my name, you moron. I burn on the same wavelength as a red star...you know, the thing that makes you lose your powers?” Mon-El cried out in pain as his invulnerability quickly left him.

“Brainmass!” Skorpiorr bellowed. “Look! What is that?” With the Forgotten Four distracted by Mon-El’s entrance, none of them had noticed that the rest of the room was now engulfed in impenetrable darkness.

“You’re really about as smart as you look, aren’t you Skorpiorr?” Invisible Queen taunted him as she faded from view. “Mon-El said he was with Shadow Lass when he came here...if she wants to die alongside him, that suits me just fine.”

“I may not be able to see you,” Tasmia Mallor’s voice came from within the darkness somewhere, “But that doesn’t do you much good when you can’t see me either.” The darkness expanded outwards, filling the entire room from wall to wall.

“You’d be forgiven for thinking so,” Invisible Queen retorted, “But what you don’t know is that I don’t actually use visible light to see at all anymore, Shadow Lass. Your power isn’t worth squat against my radar eyes.” Invisible Queen’s fist connected with Shadow Lass’s jaw with an audible crack.

“I might not look the part”, she continued, “But my life has been ruined just as much as the rest of my team.” Another blow sounded out in the darkness.

“We were meant to be pioneers! The first Talokkians to explore interdimensional space, but the Burnley Facility sent us through that damn portal and then they just forgot about us!” Another hit, this time accompanied by the sound of a secondary impact as Shadow Lass knocked over a desk with her fall.

“They forgot about us and we were bombarded with energies that no Talokkian was ever meant to encounter somewhere beyond any known laws of physics!” Invisible Queen was ranting now, the rest of her team throwing in the occasional supportive holler as they heard the beating continue.

“We got our revenge on them, we’ll get our revenge on the government that funded them and then we’ll get our revenge on the world that gets to be normal while we live the rest of our lives as freaks!” Invisible Queen’s tirade ended with one final loud crack, this one louder than any of the previous blows.

Then silence fell.

“Invisible Queen..?” Brainmass eventually asked. “Su..?”

“You know,” Shadow Lass’s voice came from somewhere in the room, “It’s surprising how ineffective a defence invisibility is when you’re raving like a lunatic.”

The three remaining villains yelled startled obscenities, and Brainmass blindly attacked with the same telekinetic power which had earlier sent a Daxamite flying. There was a crashing din, then nothing again but the sound of breathing and the implacable darkness.

“Also, did you know your friend’s power turns off when you hit her in the back of the head with a chair?”

Brainmass reacted again, and once again there was a tremendous crashing noise.

“Did you get her?” Skorpiorr asked.

It’s still dark, what the sprock do you think?!” Brainmass roared. “Damn it Red Son, do something! Can’t you light up the room?”

“...So what I’m thinking,” Shadow Lass continued toying with them, “Is that if one of you need to be conscious to keep an active power functioning, maybe all of you do?”

Die!!” Brainmass bellowed. There was another thunderous impact, this one accompanied by a cry of pain.

“Brainmass..?” Skorpiorr queried hesitantly. “That...that didn’t sound like a girl...”

The darkness melted away into nothing, revealing the full extent of the damage which had been wrought. Half the room looked like a warzone. Shadow Lass had obviously managed to evacuate the council members while the Forgotten Four had been concentrating on Mon-El. Invisible Queen and Red Son were both out cold, lying in the debris. Invisible Queen was very visible, and Red Son merely simmered now like a fading ember. More concerning for the villains, Mon-El and Shadow Lass now stood together before the remaining pair of villains and neither of them looked very happy.

“Thanks for buying me the time I needed to recover and taking care of Red Son for me,” Mon-El addressed Shadow Lass as he advanced on Brainmass and Skorpiorr. “Allow me to return the favor, love.”

Skorpiorr’s tail struck with blinding speed, but his speed meant nothing to a Daxamite. Mon-El grabbed the tail in one hand, and in one motion swung the creature around and hurled him into Brainmass. Brainmass cried out, but even with a telekinetic shield absorbing some of the blow both villains were knocked out cold.

Mon-El returned to his lover and the heroes noticed one another’s injuries for the first time. “Oh Mon, you’re burned!” Shadow Lass fussed.

“I’ll be okay with some more rest,” Mon-El replied stoically. “I’m more worried about you, Shady. It was brave of you to take on that whole team alone like that but you look like you could do with a vacation more than me at the moment!”

Shadow Lass wiped blood from her cheek with the back of her hand and winced. “They weren’t that hard to deal with,” she joked. “Brainmass broadcast every attack he made with the ugliest little facial expression. Circumstances aside, I have to admit it was kind of thrilling to actually be in action again.”

“You know,” Mon-El took a more somber tone, “You could come back to the Legion. You left because Talok VIII needed you, but you told me yourself nothing’s happened that’s required your attention since then and I know Grev misses his home...can’t you two trade places, Shady?”

I can’t come back, Shadow Lass thought darkly, because Dream Girl told me I’m going to fall protecting my homeworld, and that Grev will bring the Legion to avenge me. “I...can’t,” she responded weakly, unable to meet his gaze. “Not yet. Please understand, Mon.”

He held her close, brushed her hair back from her face and kissed her gently. “I don’t understand,” he sighed. “I don’t understand it at all. But I trust you and I love you and that’ll have to be enough.”

The two shared a moment of silent rapport before Mon-El released Shadow Lass and called the Science Police to let them know the crisis was over. “On the bright side,” he smiled, “After today, I won’t be deputy leader of the team anymore, so I should be able to come visit more often!”

**********
EARTH
WEISINGER PLAZA, LEGION OF SUPERHEROES HEADQUARTERS

Chuck Taine pushed his empty plate to one side and leaned back in his seat. “Man, that sure hit the spot! You’ve hardly touched your lunch, hon...is everything okay?”

Sitting across the table from her husband in the Legion’s shared dining room, Luornu Durgo Taine looked up from her half-eaten meal. “Hmm? Oh, sorry Chuck. I guess I’m just preoccupied.”

“Is it your power?” Chuck asked. “Brainy will figure it out, Lu. If anyone can, it’s Brainy.” He grinned reassuringly, and despite herself Lu smiled in return. She created a duplicate of herself on her husband’s side of the table and kissed him on the cheek while her first body cleared the plates from the table.

“Thanks Chuck,” Luornu hugged him, leaning into his shoulder. “You’re so sweet to me.”

Before either of the Legionnaires could continue, they were distracted by an all too familiar whooping noise coming down the corridor towards the dining room. Both Duplicate Damsels muttered the same name. “...Grava.”

Comet Queen burst into the room, a tail of sparkling gas trailing behind her. She almost tackled Bouncing Boy in her enthusiasm and showered him with kisses. “Oh stardust, this is the best! The hypernova brightest and best thing ever! Congratulations, Bouncy! I knew you’d make it!” The golden heroine finally noticed that the object of her affection’s wife was sitting right next to him, and as an afterthought added, “You too, Duplicate Damsel.”

“Congratulations for what?” Bouncing Boy asked, gently but firmly pushing Grava away. On the other side of the room, he saw Nightwind chuckling into her cloak.

“You haven’t heard?” Comet Queen’s hands flew to her mouth. “Oh, parse me to the C-span, I can’t believe I get to be the one to tell you!” She cleared her throat and took on as much of an official tone as she was capable of. “Bouncy, Duplicate Damsel...I just spoke to that little ball of spacejunk Computo, and let me be the first to welcome you both as new leader and deputy leader of the Legion of Superheroes! You’re deputy leader, Duplicate Damsel.”

“Thank you, Grava,” Luornu replied dryly. “I got that.”

Comet Queen squealed again and attacked Chuck with a flurry of kisses before her excitement got the better of her and she flew out of the room again cheering his name.

“Well,” Luornu sat back in her seat. “I guess congratulations are in order, Mr Taine!” She gave her husband a chaste peck on the lips.

“What?” Chuck raised an eyebrow in mock protest. “I get a hundred kisses from her and only one from my wife?”

“Who knew you preferred quantity over quality?” Luornu answered with a cheeky expression as she duplicated herself again and again.

Bouncing Boy disappeared beneath a mass of giggling women, and Nightwind rolled her eyes as she picked up her lunch and left the room with it.

This is going to be an interesting ride, she thought to herself with a smile.
EARTH
MONTAUK POINT, LEGION ACADEMY

“I’m going to make this easy on you,” Saturn Girl declared to the seven teenagers standing before her. “I won’t use my telepathy in anything other than a defensive capacity. All you need to do is stop me from reaching the other side of the room. Do you think you can do that?”

The freshman class looked across the empty space. Aside from a flat holographic screen which displayed Lightning Lad sitting in an observation booth, the room was a featureless 150 foot square cube of titanium plates. Even the room’s sliding door was indistinguishable from any other irregular-sized wall panel once it was closed.

“What’s the catch?” Dragonwing snorted in derision. “Let me guess, we’re not allowed to use our powers either?” Of all the new batch of students, Marya Pai was easily the most cynical.

“Not at all,” Saturn Girl smiled disarmingly. “In fact, I encourage you to use your powers if you think that’ll help. Just bear in mind your goal is to stop me, not fry me to a crisp.” Some of the students chuckled at Imra’s comment; Dragonwing’s aggressive streak was already well known to all of them.

“We’re ready, Mrs Ranzz.” This was from Gravity Kid, the eldest and most professional of the class. “We can do this.”

“In that case then...good luck to you all, and let’s begin.” Saturn Girl turned to face her husband’s holographic image. “Mr Ranzz, if you please?” Lightning Lad nodded with a knowing wink and then abruptly blinked out of existence.

Just as abruptly, the students found themselves transplanted to an alien landscape. Where seconds ago they’d been standing in a gleaming metal cube, they now seemed to be on a barren rocky plain in the middle of the night. A violent thunderstorm raged above them, forks of lightning dancing across the sky.

The young mage Glorith gaped in awe. “What sorcery..?”

“It’s no sorcery,” Laurel Kent explained, “Just holograms and force fields. Don’t let it get to you.” As the only student here familiar with the Academy’s training rooms, Laurel had been expecting Saturn Girl to throw something like this at them. While her classmates were still gathering their wits about them, she pounced. Laurel successfully tackled Saturn Girl, but not before the Titanian heroine had taken to the air with her flight ring.

“Good to see you remember that much of your training,” Saturn Girl remarked as she gained altitude, “But you should also remember that catching me isn’t the same as stopping me, Laurel.” Saturn Girl increased speed dramatically until only seconds later she seemed to be half a mile in the air. She stopped in mid-air just as dramatically, and Laurel’s momentum carried her forward alone. With no flight ring of her own, Laurel plummeted while Imra continued ahead.

Lullabye Lad winced as Laurel slammed into the ground. “Ouch, are you okay?”

“I’m indestructible, idiot!” Laurel yelled, flushed with embarassment. “Would you do something useful and put her to sleep already?”

“There’s no need to be so rude about it!” Gravity Kid intervened on the Zwennite teen’s behalf before turning to him more softly. “Go ahead, Waiane. My control of gravity will make sure she doesn’t fall.”

“I’m trying,” Lullabye Lad grimaced, arms outstretched dramatically. “She’s resisting my power!”

“She did say she’d use her telepathy defensively,” Gravity Kid noted. “Let’s follow her anyway, we can think of something on the way.” Using his power on himself, the attractive teenager took to the air.

“Tel, wait!” Lullabye Lad called out. “The rest of us can’t fly!” A peal of thunder drowned out Waiane’s voice though, and Gravity Kid flew on.

The purple-skinned Variable Lad stepped to the fore, two hands on his hips while a third arm emerging from his back scratched his oversized skull. “Let me think...we need a flier...let’s try this.” He rapidly shifted form into something resembling a hairy centipede standing three feet high and over fifteen feet long. “Climb aboard,” the youngest student invited the others, oversized mandibles clacking.

“No way,” Laurel threw her hands up in disgust. “That’s gross.”

“Suit yourself,” Chemical Kid stuck his tongue out at her. “You stay here and sulk, we’ll complete the task.” He sat awkwardly upon one of Variable Lad’s six distinct body segments and offered a hand to Glorith. Lullabye Lad and Dragonwing followed suit, and enormous diaphanous wings unfurled from beneath Variable Lad’s strange new body. He rose from the ground with jerky motion, and the five students followed Gravity Kid in pursuit of their teacher.

In a control booth hidden from the students’ view Lightning Lad examined various screens, each one showing the room from a different angle or focusing on one or another of the students.

“How are the new kids working out?” a familiar voice asked.

Garth’s chair swivelled around and he saw his old friend and fellow founder of the Legion of Superheroes standing in the doorway. “Rokk!” Garth grinned, pumping Cosmic Boy’s hand enthusiastically. “Come in! Imra’s just running them through their first group training session now. You know, some of them thought they were getting off easy having to go up against Saturn Girl instead of Lightning Lad. They won’t make that mistake again.” Both men laughed.

“I can come back later if this is a bad time,” Cosmic Boy offered.

“No, stay! All I’m doing is recording this for analysis later, the computer can do that just as easily....do the Legion need us?”

“Nothing like that,” Rokk shook his head. “It’s....well, it’s kind of about me and Lydda...”

**********
TITAN
TIME INSTITUTE

“Somehow,” Bouncing Boy remarked sarcastically as he ricocheted off the pristine corridors of the Time Institute, “I didn’t think my first job as leader of the Legion of Superheroes would be to round up defective copies of all of us. No offence, pal.”

A second Bouncing Boy leaped in the air after his namesake. This copy was rotund like Chuck, but had chalk-white craggy skin, and unkempt hair. Instead of bouncing, he charged straight through the Institute’s walls like a human wrecking ball to land with a crashing thud on the other side. “You not fool Bizarro Bouncing Boy with flattery!” the duplicate’s rasping voice called out.

Four copies of Duplicate Damsel faced off against her own imperfect replica, surrounding the woman on all sides. “So if these copies of us have powers that are subversions of our own...what does that mean? You can’t duplicate? How does that make you any different from anybody else?”

“Me have best power in Legion!” The Bizarro Duplicate Damsel protested, jabbing a thumb into her chest. “Me divide into half of Bizarro girl!” She put her power into effect, and the left half of her body instantly vanished into thin air. The remaining half lost her balance and fell into Luornu’s waiting arms with a victory cheer.

“Sweet Trinity.” Luornu rolled her eyes. “Brainiac, can’t you send these people back to wherever they came from?”

“Believe it or not, I have been endeavouring to do exactly that for the past 17.3 minutes,” Brainiac 5 answered, fine-tuning knobs and levels across a wide console. Contained within one of his own impenetrable forcefields, he could work away oblivious to the chaos surrounding him. “It doesn’t help that their Querl Dox doesn’t remember what he did to open the dimensional portal on his side!”

Bizarro Brainiac 5 beamed proudly. “Me am the smartest man in the galaxy! Smarter than you, Dumbiac!”

“Hmm,” this universe’s Brainiac 5 muttered dryly. “Quite.”

Bouncing Boy came back into the room, a shrunken Bizarro Colossal Boy tucked under his arm. He deposited the weird duplicate in a corner of the room they’d been using as a corral for the Bizarro Legion and stopped bouncing for a moment. “How are you holding up, Dragonmage?” he asked the Legion’s young sorceror.

“Don’t worry about me,” Dragonmage answered cheerfully, “It took me a while to get my head around how they have opposite reactions to everything, but a bunch of alarm dragons are keeping them all pacified now.” As he spoke, half a dozen brightly coloured little dragons circled a pile of snoring Bizarros at great speed wailing and roaring furiously.

“Excellent.” Chuck bounced off again to look for his own duplicate. “Guys, don’t let any of them get out of the building. The last thing we need is this Bizarro Legion wreaking havoc all over Titan.”

As Bouncing Boy left, Nightwind flew in and landed alongside Dragonmage. “I’ve got another one for your collection,” she announced, handing over an unconscious Bizarro Matter-Eater Lad. “I had to knock him out, he kept showing off his power by making the building try to eat him. I didn’t know if it would actually have hurt him or not but I didn’t want to risk it, you know? They’re not really malicious, just silly and weird.”

“Silly and weird is as good a description as any,” Dragonmage smiled. “I’m kind of glad there are no duplicates for you or me here...these Bizarros are strange enough as it is, I wouldn’t want to know what they’re like if you throw magic into the mix.”

Nightwind turned to leave, then turned back towards Dragonmage. She opened her mouth to say something, changed her mind, and then changed her mind again. “How come you keep saying I’m a magic user?” she finally blurted out.

Dragonmage diverted his attention from maintaining the alarm dragons for the briefest second, but quickly reasserted his focus. “What do you mean?” he asked back. “You’re not a magic user per se, but your power comes from magic...why do you think you and I were the only ones who could affect that death dragon?”

“But I’m a mutant!” Nightwind protested. “My power runs in the family, all the women on my mother’s side have some form of weather control...magic has nothing to do with it!”

Duplicate Damsel deposited her Bizarro self on the growing pile of duplicate Legionnaires. Her copy still boasted about her prowess though she was reduced now to a disembodied head. “Nightwind, stop distracting Dragonmage and help bring in the others,” Duplicate Damsel chastised her former student. “Like Chuck said, we need to keep this mess contained.”

“Sorry!” Nightwind apologised hastily and flew off, hands clasped inside her voluminous cloak. She saw a hole melted into a nearby wall, and outside she could hear Comet Queen’s idiosyncratic speech. Nightwind allowed herself a small smile as she wondered what a Bizarro Comet Queen would sound like. Maybe that was too crazy for any universe to allow. She made it outside just in time to see an enormous fireball headed into traffic. Reacting quickly, Nightwind diverted the fireball with an updraft, sending it skyward before it could hurt anybody.

“Thanks, starshine!” Comet Queen circled around her teammate. “This Bizarro Polar Boy is a high-G drag!” Hovering above them, Nightwind saw a Bizarro wearing Polar Boy’s costume, his scalp aflame.

“Well of course that makes sense,” Nightwind groaned. “A Bizarro Polar Boy would have fire powers.” The two girls scattered as another stream of fire came between them.

“Ha!” Bizarro Polar Boy laughed. “You girls strong and ugly! Your Nightwind don’t even have water powers!”

“I’m not sure but I think we were just insulted,” Nightwind frowned. “Also, if you think we need a water controller to beat a second-rate Sun Boy you’re about to get a rude awakening!” She straightened her posture and felt the air currents moving around her, supporting her. Giving them direction, she blasted the Bizarro Polar Boy with a gust of wind so powerful it extinguished his flames and sent him hurtling backwards head over heels. He slammed into a floating billboard and dropped out of the sky, landing with a painful thud on the ground.

“Bizarro Polar Boy feel so good...” he moaned. “Nightwind gentle like an earthquake beast...”

“Hush, sweetie.” Comet Queen landed by his side and leaned close to his face, allowing her vaporous plume to surround him. “You’re harder to glom than me, and that’s sayin’ a whole nebula full.” The Bizarro passed out as Nightwind joined her friend by his side.

“Parse me to the C-span!” Comet Queen suddenly gasped. “What are we gonna do if we can’t get these guys back to their home universe? I mean they kind of gleam like moondust, but we can’t keep them here forever!”

“If you’re asking what I think you’re asking, I have the answer right here!” Nightwind and Comet Queen turned around to see their own Tyroc approaching with the Bizarro version of himself and what seemed to be a particularly grotesque Bizarro Dream Girl. “I managed to convince Bizarro me that we don’t want to hurt them, and they’re willing to go back to their reality.”

“Are you sure?” Nightwind asked suspiciously. “How do we know we can trust them?”

“Everyone here so hideous!” Bizarro Dream Girl exclaimed. “Me can’t bear it anymore, me want to go home!” She shuddered and hid her face in her hands.

Minutes later, seven Legionnaires stood watch over a sleeping Bizarro Dream Girl. Her own weird comrades had been woken up, and though it was a sometimes frustrating process, they had finally agreed to cooperate and return to their own reality.

“How did you accidentally manage to open up a portal to this Bizarro universe anyway, Brainiac?” Duplicate Damsel chastised him. “Whatever happened to your famous 12th level intellect?”

Brainiac 5 looked at his teammate in surprise. “Luornu...this was no accident. This was an experiment, and a successful one at that!”

What?!” his teammates exploded in unison.

“I thought you were busy here with Tyroc trying to find Superboy and Supergirl a way back to the past?” Bouncing Boy asked, silencing the others’ protests with a gentle wave.

“Or maybe finding out what’s happened to my powers!” Duplicate Damsel added. “I guess helping your teammates isn’t as important as playing crazy explorer!”

Brainiac sighed. “I have been working with Tyroc’s powers to breach the Flashpoint barrier...but I’m not going to blindly stab at it, I need to know the mechanics of his abilities as well as I can before I can attempt time travel. So I used a manipulation of his scream to open a dimensional barrier on the same chronal axis, and I’m happy to report that my understanding of his power is exemplary. Granted, I didn’t predict anybody would be ignorant enough to open up a connecting portal on the other side and just waltz on through, but it seems these people excel at ignorance.”

Some of the Bizarro Legion blushed coyly, and the Bizarro Duplicate Damsel slapped her husband. “How come you never say me ignorant?!”

“And Luornu,” Brainiac 5 continued unfazed, “I have discovered the origin of your enhanced abilities, I just haven’t had the chance to sit down and discuss it with you as yet. On account of being busy trying to find Superboy and Supergirl a way back to the past.”

“Fine,” Luornu muttered, arms folded.

“Brainy, in future could you please do things like this back at headquarters?” Bouncing Boy asked. “It would be a lot better for my nerves, and I’m pretty sure the nice folk at the Time Institute would appreciate it as well.”

“Enough talking!” Bizarro Brainiac 5 threw his arms up in the air. “Why Bizarro Dream Girl sleeping?”

“Are you serious?” the other Brainiac asked, exasperated. “We just went over this not minutes ago! For the fourth time...your Dream Girl sees the past in her sleep, just as our Dream Girl sees the future. She’s going to tell us exactly what idiocy you enacted to open the portal on your side so that I can adjust my equipment accordingly and send the lot of you back to whatever insane reality created you!”

“Their Brainiac dumb but nice!” Bizarro Colossal Boy beamed. “Me hate him!”

Before anybody could continue, Bizarro Dream Girl sat bolt upright with a gasp. Eyes wide open, she stared at the Bizarro Legion’s counterparts and screamed.

“Freak out,” Bizarro Tyroc consoled her gently. “They am monsters, they am not our friends at all.”

Bizarro Dream Girl grabbed a nearby datapad and tapped out a series of characters. She handed the datapad to Brainiac 5 and stood with her team. “This how Bizarro Brainiac brought us here,” she explained. “You really stupid, but you send us away now?”

Brainiac 5 cursed under his breath as he entered the new information into the portal generator. He donned a gigantic set of headphones, and the room was soon filled with an eerie wail. Everyone else barring Tyroc himself winced as the replication of his scream rang through their skulls, but it seemed to do its job. A second later the wailing sound was drowned out by a massive boom, and something resembling a cylindrical tunnel stood before them.

The Bizarro Legion said their goodbyes and walked through the tunnel. Once Brainiac was satisfied that they were safely through, he disengaged the portal.

Bouncing Boy turned to Tyroc, who seemed to be lost in thought. “Is there a problem, Troy?”

“No problem at all,” Tyroc answered with a chuckle.

“Just committing that scream to memory so I never make another one that sounds anything like it ever again.”
great chapter Raz!

love the Bizzaro Legion. its always a little fun when they show up. I like that this was one of the first things you had for Chuck and Lu to deal with. it was a nice way to start.

Also love Brainy's explanation that it was all an experiment to try and get the Super family home.

and i love that you don't drop any plot threads!


that was also pretty cool how Saturn Girl took out Laurel Kent!
wicked fun!
Thanks Omni....I have been a bit slack about putting up the next installment, so here is some art instead! Gorgon Girl, from the War of the Fatal Fives storyline taking on a bunch of Legionnaires!

[Linked Image]

Next installment will be a spotlight on Luornu; A Day In The Life of a Duplicate Damsel
Posted By: razsolo *LATEST UPDATE* - 01/11/13 03:56 PM
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A DUPLICATE DAMSEL

0630 HOURS
LEGION HEADQUARTERS, BOUNCING BOY AND DUPLICATE DAMSEL’S RESIDENCE

Luornu Durgo Taine’s bi-colored eyes fluttered open as she was gently eased into consciousness by her silent alarm. The pearly globe’s low level electronic pulses were keyed specifically to her brainwaves so that she could start her morning while her husband continued his slumber undisturbed. Luornu shut off the alarm and slipped out of bed into an orange and purple bathrobe, then watched Chuck’s oblivious open-mouthed snoring and kissed him on the forehead. As if even Tyroc could wake you once you’re asleep, she chuckled softly.

Luornu bypassed the H2O shower recess in the Taines’ en suite bathroom and adjusted controls to a comfortable level on the adjacent sonic shower. Coming from a world whose three suns ensured ferocious hot seasons, Luornu had been raised to view water as a precious resource. She would allow herself the decadence of a wet shower only very occasionally.

As soundwaves massaged her athletic form, she monitored her schedule for the day; updating the Legion’s various contacts about the recent change in leadership, a couple of media interviews, lunch with Tinya, monitor duty, strength and combat training...a hectic day for any other Legionnaire, but child’s play for a woman with the ability to create independent duplicates of herself. The only part of her day that really weighed on her mind was her meeting with Brainiac 5 this afternoon. He had sounded quite casual when he’d told Luornu he could explain the mechanics of her newly enhanced duplication ability, but Brainiac 5 had the most infuriating ability to remain emotionally detached from just about anything. Luornu still couldn’t help but worry about what he might tell her.

Luornu donned a clean costume then studied her features in the bathroom mirror as the autostyler patterned her hair into its distinctive sideswept style and applied her make-up. Push it down, she told herself. You’re the deputy leader of the team now, you can’t afford to show any weakness. Just push it down and keep marching on. Once upon a time she might have given herself this advice more literally. She didn’t have the same relationship with her other selves that she once did though. Luornu swallowed hard, consciously relaxed her rigid stance, and readied herself to face the world.

**********
1330 HOURS
CAFE ANDROMEDA, METROPOLIS

Tinya Wazzo raised her glass with a smile. “To the new deputy leader of the Legion of Superheroes!”

“Thanks Tinya,” Luornu self-consciously accepted the toast. “I feel a little awkward about the whole thing to be honest...Chuck and I have been reservists for so long, there are a lot of other Legionnaires who have done more to earn this, yourself included. Not to mention that it’s kind of strange the leader and deputy leader are married, I’m sure there’s some conflict of interests there.”

Tinya downed her kono juice with a dismissive wave. “Don’t be silly. You and I have been Legionnaires for almost as long as Cos, Garth and Imra. As for a conflict of interests...what conflict? You ask me, who better to be in your roles than two people who already understand each other inside and out?”

“I suppose so,” Luornu finally returned her teammate’s smile and took a sip of her own drink. Leaning on her hand, she looked out over the balcony of the rooftop garden where they were seated. Tinya had chosen this cafe for lunch because she said it was easy to maintain some privacy here. Seven stories above the glut of Metropolis traffic with discretely placed shrubbery between the two Legionnaires and the next closest patrons, Luornu saw her point.

“We haven’t done this for ages!” Tinya enthused, refilling her drink. “I can’t remember the last time you and I had a conversation outside of headquarters!”

“I guess it has been a while,” Luornu admitted. “Running the Academy is more than a full-time job really...and you and Shadow Lass always seemed to be such good friends, I can see how you would have had better things to do than hang out with an old married crone.”

“Hey!” Tinya’s smile instantly vanished. “Hey, don’t say that. Shady’s my best friend, Luornu...but that doesn’t make you and I any less friends.” Tinya reached across and touched Luornu’s forearm. “I’ve known you for longer than almost anybody else outside of my family, Luornu Durgo Taine, and we have been through a heck of a lot together. I’m sorry if I’ve been lousy at showing it, but you must know I have an awful lot of respect for you. Besides,” she continued with a cheeky glint in her eye, “What with Saturn Girl, Shady and Jeckie gone and all these new kids on the team, us old crones need to stick together now more than ever!”

Luornu chuckled and raised her glass again. “Long live the Legion crones.”

“Long live the Legion crones!”

**********
1735 HOURS
THE TIME INSTITUTE, TITAN

Luornu steeled herself at the entry to Brainiac 5’s laboratory. She took a step towards the security scanner for the fourth time before stepping back with a defeated sigh. Chuck had offered to come with her, but they both knew that acclimatizing himself to his new role as leader of the Legion had to take precedence. You’re not a little girl anymore, she scolded herself. Just step through the damn portal.

“Duplicate Damsel?” an unfamiliar voice asked. “It is you! Oh my, I have to say I’m a huge fan!” An unremarkable white-haired man in a labcoat approached her, beaming. “I’m sorry, where are my manners? I’m Dr Jax Madri. Are you here to see Querl?”

“Querl...” It always seemed strange to hear Brainiac 5 referred to by his birth name. “Yes,” she finally committed. “Yes, I am.”

“Come right on in!” the jovial scientist gestured helpfully, the entry portal sliding open for him.

Taking a deep breath, Luornu followed him into the spacious lab. This room seemed a little more cluttered than Brainiac 5’s multi-lab back at Legion Headquarters. It still possessed the same awful sterility though. Luornu unconsciously hugged herself as she stepped over exposed cables and walked past a series of holoscreens constantly scrolling indecipherable formulae.

“Here’s the man himself!” Dr Madri announced. “Querl! Pull yourself away from that device, you have a visitor!”

Brainiac 5 was hunched over an access panel examining something that resembled a twelve foot tuning fork, wires stretching out of various ports to connect to other machines around them. He removed an enormous circuitry-laden helmet and placed it on a nearby floating disc which then silently arose to remove the helmet from sight. Brainiac 5 stood and turned to face the others, then arched his back and winced. “Hmm. Must spend some time in the rejuvenation bed this evening,” he mumbled before joining the newcomers. “Thank you Dr Madri,” Brainiac acknowledged his colleague. “Duplicate Damsel, come this way if you will.”

“Thanks for your kindness, Dr Madri,” Luornu bade goodbye to the scientist as she followed Brainiac through the organized chaos.

“Please, call me Jax!” he called after her. “And you’re welcome!”

“He seems pleasant enough,” she tried to make small talk with Brainiac 5 once they were out of the other man’s earshot.

“Dr Madri?” Brainiac asked absent-mindedly. “Yes...quite intelligent as well. Oh, here we are.” He stopped before a wall of holographic silhouettes which Luornu immediately recognised as being representative of herself. Each one of the many silhouettes was a different color, with different yet equally baffling data below.

“What am I looking at?” Luornu asked warily.

“Do you remember when you asked me for help analysing your auto-replication power, and I ran you and three of your duplicates through my omniscanner? These are the results; seventy-eight distinct metrics for each body. I have tabulated these results and I feel I can now give you the answer you’ve been waiting for.”

“And...and what’s that answer?” Luornu asked, slightly overwhelmed. Brainiac 5’s contribution to the Legion was often overshadowed by his more flashy teammates, but she couldn’t help but be impressed by his ability to study and retain such a complex array of information in such a short space of time. It had been less than a fortnight since she came to him for help, and she knew that he was treating this as a side-project while the majority of his focus was devoted to getting Superboy and Supergirl home. When she really thought about it, Brainiac 5’s intellect was more intimidating than any physical power she could name.

“For one thing, your new power is in no way related to your Carggite triplication,” Brainiac answered. “The mechanic is something entirely different. I’m still not sure of the specific catalytic incident, but it seems that you now manifest your own probable unrealised selves drawn whole from the quantum field.”

Luornu stared at him dumbly. “Brainiac, what does that even mean?”

The green-skinned hero sighed. “Each duplicate you create is almost entirely your equal in every possible metric. The only meaningful difference is that each duplicate seems to exist at an infinitesimally variant temporal locus. In short, you’re reaching out into the quantum field and summoning the Luornu who may exist a fraction of a second from now. And given that there is for the sake of argument an infinite amount of probable actions you could undertake in that time, there should exist no practical limit to the number of duplicates you can summon.”

Luornu mulled this over for a moment. “Sooo...you’re saying that all my duplicate bodies are literally me from the near future? Shouldn’t I have died when Silver Slasher killed my duplicate on Zwen in that case?”

“Not at all,” Brainiac shook his head. “Remember, these are only possibilities made extant...think of them as echoes of yourself given temporary substance. It’s the same reason you don’t constantly have every Duplicate Damsel vying for control or asserting her own individuality. You, the prime Luornu Durgo Taine, are the only Luornu Durgo Taine who truly originates in this space-time. Every other Luornu is merely a projection from ever so slightly beyond that point and therefore is in an inferior position to yourself here. Do you understand?”

“I...I think so,” Luornu responded slowly. “That’s why I don’t have the kinship with my duplicates that I had with my other selves when I was...when I was a whole Carggite? Because they’re not separate equal parts of me...they’re just...a glorified exercise in forward planning?”

“Not entirely accurate,” Brainiac 5 answered diplomatically. “But I think you get the gist of it. The important thing is there’s no danger inherent in this ability, Luornu. As long as your prime body remains safe, you will remain safe.”

Duplicate Damsel released a long exhalation, then surprisingly gave Brainiac 5 a hug. “I was so scared I was opening myself up to more of the same pain as before,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “But this is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you, Brainy. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome,” Brainiac said, stiffly patting her on the back. “Now, err...if you’ll excuse me, I really do need to get back to work.”

“Of course.” Luornu stood back and wiped at her eyes with the back of her golden gloves. “Thanks again, Brainy.”

**********
2145 HOURS
LEGION HEADQUARTERS, BOUNCING BOY AND DUPLICATE DAMSEL’S RESIDENCE

“How was your day?” Luornu asked her husband. Chuck Taine was sitting up in bed next to her, four omnicoms scattered around him.

“Busy,” Chuck answered. “Very very busy. I never realised there was so much admin work associated with leading this team. Even with my very beautiful and intelligent wife taking on the lion’s share for me today, there was still a lot to do. Did you know we have a budget specifically for Wildfire’s containment suits?”

“I did not know that,” Luornu smiled, leaning on the palm of her hand. “And you know that your beautiful intelligent wife doesn’t mind doing that kind of stuff for you, Chuck. Bureaucracy bores the pants off of you, and a few of me can turn a day’s work into an hour’s work easily enough.”

“Well I’m grateful anyway. How about you?” Chuck asked. “How did your meeting with Brainy go?”

“Good. Very very good. You know, after years of feeling like the weak link on this team I really feel like this is my chance to make my mark. Our best days are ahead of us, Chuck Taine.”

Chuck collected the omnicoms together and placed them on the bedside table. He moved down so that he was laying next to his wife, and kissed her affectionately. “Our best days have always been ahead of us,” he said. “Because they’re days we get to spend together.”

Luornu giggled. “Charmer.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Chuck winked.

“Lights off please.”

**********
Posted By: Harbinger Re: *LATEST UPDATE* - 01/11/13 10:22 PM
From the first line ("opened her bi-coloured eyes...") this was a delight Raz. Funny how Tyroc couldn't wake Chuck up - I'm like that some mornings too. Good acknowledgement that Lu and Tinya have known each other so long, seems the only time we dee characters interact on a personal level these days in the comic it involves bitchiness (Lu and Nura spring immediately to mind) so it's good to read the softer sides of the group. Lu's fear of facing brainy was well written - they've shared a strange and stormy history together so it's understandable how Lu felt. Chuck's comment about the budget for Wildfire's suit was great too. This was fun Raz, more more more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: *LATEST UPDATE* - 01/13/13 11:59 AM
Thanks Harbinger!

Outside of her crush on Superboy, her marriage to Bouncing Boy and the tension that comes up between her and Brainy every now and then, I can't think of any Legionnaires Luornu has really been shown to have any kind of personal interaction with off the top of my head. So we haven't really seen any kind of chumminess between her and Tinya in the comics but I figure they probably would have bonded early on and then just grown apart a bit as the team got larger and they made different friends..
Posted By: razsolo HEARTLANDS - 01/19/13 02:47 PM
EARTH
WEISINGER PLAZA, LEGION OF SUPERHEROES HEADQUARTERS

As Diamond Damsel walked out onto the rooftop, she took a moment to marvel at the city skyline. With all she’d seen in her millenium of existence, all the chaos and the beauty, the sight of Metropolis at night never ceased to amaze her. Neon and gleaming spires filled her line of sight, the sky busy with air traffic no matter how late it was. As much as she had been overwhelmed by the vastness of Metropolis a thousand years ago, the size of the city now made it seem like the Metropolis she’d once known was little more than a quaint town. Time enough for those thoughts later though. Right now, only one concern dominated her mind.

Blok stood on the edge of the roof, a silent stone guardian looking out over the endless city. Diamond Damsel approached the last surviving native of Dryad and cautiously spoke his name. He turned his head with slow deliberation and returned her greeting with a stoic expression. “Hello, Diamond Damsel.”

“Blok, I...look, it’s been a long time since I had any real friendships to speak of so my social skills aren’t worth praising, but...are you alright? You’ve been awfully withdrawn lately.”

Blok turned back to look over the illuminated canyons once more. “I am troubled,” he admitted. “So much has changed recently, and little of it for the better. You don’t know Mysa Nal. She once called herself the White Witch, and she is one of my dearest friends. But she has become something darker than she was. It was a necessary transformation, but I fear that it will lead to a day when our friendship is nothing more than a memory. Then Khor came and I was forced to deny my people a second chance at life. I do not regret my actions, but I am still saddened by their necessity...and then the recent strife on Kathoon; the Legion have never killed, Diamond Damsel. On Kathoon we slaughtered our enemies by the score. I was assured that this was necessary, and I trust that my friends would not have behaved as they did if it were not necessary...” His head bowed, Blok took a moment to gather his thoughts before he continued with a look of hurt confusion. “...But I do not like the necessities we have been forced to embrace and I wonder now who we are. I wonder who I am.”

Diamond Damsel stood beside Blok and lay her forehead upon his broad grey shoulder. “...Oh, Blok. You’re just growing up. You’re finding that the world isn’t as black and white as you once believed it was. As much as you understand about the world, you’re learning there’s more that you never will. All you can really do is make peace with that.” She looked up into his slate eyes. “But you know what? No matter how the world changes around you, no matter how much you have to change, your centre will remain strong. It took me centuries to find myself when I was lost...but you, you’re stronger than I ever was.”

Their conversation was interrupted briefly when Shrinking Violet and Calorie Queen flew by in a compact aircar. Calorie Queen held her mane of blonde hair back with one hand while the two women waved at Blok and Diamond Damsel, then they disappeared into the glut of Metropolis traffic below.

“Besides,” Diamond Damsel smiled. “As much misery as there is in the world, sometimes it makes us happy too.”

Blok’s bare knuckles brushed against Diamond Damsel’s pink glove and he returned her smile shyly. “Yes,” he agreed. “Sometimes it does.”

**********
EAST METROPOLIS
THE GALACTIC CORE NIGHTCLUB

Dirk Morgna allowed himself to relax as the reactive polymers of the lavender cloudseat effortlessly molded the seat to his form. In one hand, Dirk held a long glass filled with a shimmering blue beverage. Sitting in his lap, popular Carggite hyperceleb Ana Karinu giggled inanely as her two sister bodies danced a few feet away.

The Galactic Core was Metropolis’ newest and most talked about nightclub. From their elevated position above the main dancefloor, Dirk and Ana could look down upon the throngs dancing below, every dancer tuned into their own chosen music track by virtue of a discrete earpiece given to them as part of their cover charge. Sophisticated nanoweb lighting arrays throughout the venue projected a twinkling aura of lights around each dancer, an individually colored nimbus for each music track. Clubbers could identify others dancing to the same beat by the nimbus of tiny stars surrounding them if they so chose, and looking down from above it created the visual effect of a constantly shifting galaxy of multi-colored stars.

Seated near one of the venue’s translucent walls, Dirk and Ana could see sentients lined up for blocks just for the mere chance of entry. “Look at those poor squajes,” the Earth-born Legionnaire gesticulated grandly. “They don’t know what they’re missing out on.”

“Oh, I think they do.” Ana slipped her hand into Dirk’s open shirt and rubbed his chest. “I can’t go anywhere in the UP without the media following my every move, let alone when I’ve got one of the sexiest Legionnaires on my arm. We’re Metropolis’ most wanted tonight, baby.” As if to accentuate her point, Ana’s other two bodies stopped dancing briefly to pose for a nearby holocorder.

“Wait a nano,” Dirk raised an eyebrow. “One of the sexiest Legionnaires??”

Ana threw back her head of bubblegum pink hair and laughed. “I knew that’d get your attention,” she grinned, moving in for a kiss. Her pink and golden eyes suddenly widened in shock, and the beautiful Carggite recoiled screaming.

“Ana, what--?” The rest of Dirk’s question remained unasked as he heard a loud thump at the nightclub wall. Somebody had hit the wall from outside, and fell down now into the crowd below. Switching into Legionnaire mode, Dirk slammed his drink on a coaster and stood up so fast that Ana almost fell to the floor. “We’re five stories up!” he exclaimed. “Where did that guy come from?”

“I - I think it was a girl!” Ana’s hands flew to her mouth. Her other bodies immediately came over and surrounded her protectively. “She must have jumped off that building!” one of the identical women pointed at a skyscraper directly across the road.

“Jumped...or was thrown. There’s no way any normal person could have the strength to clear the whole street like that.” Dirk Morgna activated an electrostatic charge in his belt buckle. With an almost imperceptible flash of light, his party clothes transformed into the iconic red and yellow costume of Sun Boy. “Tell Guido I’ll pay for damages,” Sun Boy instructed Ana. “I’ve got to get out there.” He gave each of the Carggite’s three bodies a fleeting kiss, then reached out and incinerated a section of the wall large enough to fly through. He didn’t like having to resort to such measures just to leave the building, but by the time he pushed through crowds to find a legitimate exit it might be too late. Besides, Guido would probably just use this as publicity for the club anyway.

The crowd had scattered to evade the falling person, and they had closed ranks just as quickly to gawk at the victim. Sun Boy glowed incandescent to get everyone’s attention. “Sentients, back away please! Give the emergency response crew a path!” The revellers obeyed, and Sun Boy prepared himself for the worst. To his surprise, the young dark-haired woman was already clambering to her feet. Then he saw the distinctive S shield on her red poncho and realised instantly who she was.

“Laurel Kent?” Sun Boy asked, landing by her side. “Do Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl know you’re out this late?” He offered her a hand to help her stand.

“I’m fine, thanks for asking.” The indestructible teenager batted his hand aside. “And of course they don’t know I’m out this late...if Iron-Butt Imra knew I was breaking curfew, I’d never hear the end of it. Can we maybe go after the guys who threw me off a building while you’re interrogating me though?”

Interrogating you? I’m not - never mind, give me your hands.” Laurel awkwardly placed her hands in his, and Sun Boy’s flight ring propelled them both straight up. “What’s all this about?” Dirk asked. “Who threw you off a building?”

“I was on patrol,” Laurel answered, “And I stumbled across two losers trying to kill some guy so I helped him escape but it turns out they’re metas. When they realised they couldn’t hurt me they decided to get rid of me -- there! They’re over there!”

Sun Boy saw two men leaping across a narrow chasm between two buildings, one clothed in a blue and black bodysuit and the other in a similar costume, though yellow where his partner’s was blue. The man in yellow had muscular bare arms, barbed wire tattoos circling them from the wrists up. Dirk kept flying straight up, careful to keep a watch on them as he passed them.

“Hey!” Laurel yelled. “Didn’t you see them? Those ninjas, they’re the bad guys!”

“I know,” Sun Boy answered simply. He released his grip on Laurel, dropping her unceremoniously on the roof of a higher building overlooking the two criminals. “I recognise those two, they’re both dangerous men. Stay here, I’ll come get you when I’m done and take you back to the Academy.”

What??” Laurel cried. “That’s not fair! Sun Boy, get back here!” Dirk had already veered off and away though, her protests ringing in his ear.

He flew in low over the two men and hovered before them, a sheath of flame exploding to life around him. “Sub-Zero and Razorwire, right? From that wannabe Fatal Five the Persuader’s clone put together a while ago? Shouldn’t you two be rotting in a jail cell?”

“We had other plans,” Sub-Zero snapped. To his credit, Sun Boy’s sudden appearance hadn’t fazed him in the slightest. He flung a handful of ice shuriken at the hero with predictable results.

Sun Boy laughed out loud as the shuriken evaporated instantly. “Come on, seriously? You two might be hot stuff against a teenage girl, but I invented being hot stuff. Why don’t you both give up now before this gets any more embarrassing for you?”

“Embarrassing is not the word I’d choose,” Razorwire sneered. “I don’t think killing a Legionnaire is gonna be very embarrassing for us at all.” He extended both arms and thin barbed whipstrands shot forth from tiny ports in his palms. Sun Boy stood his ground, fully expecting his flames to melt Razorwire’s signature weapons before they could do him any harm. He cried out in pain as they ignored the flames completely, constricting around his body and drawing blood.

“Surprised?” Razorwire mocked him, slamming the hero into the surface of the roof upon which the villains stood. “If it makes you feel any better, I’m sure you could burn your way through ‘em...not without getting hot enough to take the top floor of this building with you though, and I know what you hero types are like. Who knows how many poor innocent people are sleeping right underneath us as we speak?”

Sun Boy squirmed, but every time he moved the razorwire cut deeper. He was beginning to panic. He couldn’t focus through the agony to use his flight ring or to attack the villains directly, he couldn’t even move his hands enough to activate a distress signal. Grimacing, he turned to a rarely used application of his powers and emitted an intense omnidirectional flare of light. The villains cried out in shock, and Sun Boy felt the constriction lessen slightly.

As if on cue, Laurel Kent’s form plummeted down from above and slammed Razorwire to the rooftop. The impact knocked him out, but she remained unharmed. “You know, after tonight I think my superhero name might have to be Depth Charge Lass,” Laurel joked. “Grife, Dirk...you’re bleeding like a stuck pig!”

“Nothing a medkit won’t fix,” Sun Boy grunted. With Razorwire unconscious, his weapons fell slack. Sun Boy began the arduous task of extricating himself from his painful bondage. “Laurel, look out!”

His warning came too late as the still blinded Sub-Zero drove an ice katana down upon Laurel, using her voice to target her. The katana tore effortlessly through her poncho and broke against her invulnerable skin.

“You’ll have to do a lot better than that,” Laurel taunted him. She swung a punch at him, and was surprised when he dodged her fist.

Sub-Zero swept Laurel’s legs out from under her. “I am more than my power, child. I have been trained by the finest martial arts masters of Tharr.” He planted a foot viciously in her solar plexus, taking the wind out of her.

Not yet entirely free of Razorwire’s encumbrance, Sun Boy flew circles around Sub-Zero. The trailing wire snagged the blinded villain’s clothing and tripped him up, ensnaring him further the more he tried to break free. With a final gasp of pain, Sun Boy finally found his own release from the barbed prison. “Tell it to Takron-Galtos, jerk. This time we’re gonna make sure you stay there.”

Sun Boy approached Laurel and thought to offer her his hand but then remembered his tattered glove was soaked in blood and reconsidered. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” he laughed uncomfortably.

“At least it’s some kind of a meeting,” Laurel shot back. “You’ve been avoiding me like a disease since I got out of that stasis chamber.”

“Ouch,” Sun Boy winced. “I guess I deserved that. Laurel, it’s just...how do I say this? I know we were dating, but that was a long time ago - I mean for me that was a long time ago, and...well, there’s way more of an age difference between us now, and -”

Laurel stared at him mutely for a second then burst into laughter. “Wait...do you think I’m in love with you?”

Sun Boy blushed. “Umm...well, maybe not in love as such, but...”

“Wait, wait, I need a minute...” Laurel covered her face in her hands and took a few deep breaths until she could compose herself. “Sun Boy...Dirk...we were just dating. I get that. And I don’t want to bruise your ego, but well...you’re old now.”

“Older,” Sun Boy corrected her.

“Whatever.” Laurel rolled her eyes. “The point is, I know that what we had is in the past and I’m more than happy for it to stay that way. But I’d like to think we can still be friends at least.”

“Friends.” Dirk mulled the idea over. “Yeah. Yeah, I think I can do that. Come on, let’s call the Science Police to pick these two up, and then I’ll take you back to the Academy. I won’t tell Garth or Imra about tonight, but you have to promise me you won’t keep going on patrols on your own, Laurel. You may be invulnerable, but you could have gotten someone else hurt tonight. It’s just lucky you didn’t land on someone earlier on.”

Laurel thought it over for a moment. “Sure. Okay, fine. And Dirk...thanks.”

**********
WEISINGER PLAZA
LEGION OF SUPERHEROES MISSION MONITOR ROOM

Bored out of his mind, Polar Boy juggled a lump of ice from one hand to another as he waited for anything at all that would break the monotony of monitor duty. He heard Night Girl’s voice behind him giving commands to Computo and swivelled his seat around to face her. “Lydda? What are you still doing here? Your shift finished an hour ago!”

“I’m scouring through media reports of superheroes on Kathoon,” she explained, completely absorbed in the screens in front of her.

“Are you still on this?” Polar Boy asked. “Lydda, why don’t you let it go? I know it’s a loose end, but we beat Vrykos and we eliminated all of his vampires. It’s over!”

Night Girl turned to face her teammate now, a stern expression on her porcelain face. “Brek, those vampires were innocent Kathooni men and women that Vrykos killed. If he encountered anybody before our arrival, I want to know why they never thought to call in help themselves before he got as far as he did.”

“Fair enough.” Polar Boy raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. “So have you had any luck?”

“Not much,” she sighed. “I’ve got a couple of leads, though they’re not great. I guess that’s better than nothing though.”

“There you are!” Night Girl and Polar Boy turned to see Cosmic Boy enter the room. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” Rokk continued. He walked over to Night Girl and gave her a kiss. “Hi Polar Boy...uh, Lydda, can we go for a walk?”

“Can it wait?” Night Girl asked. “I’m kind of in the middle of something...”

“Uh, not really...” Rokk scratched his head. “I kind of need to do this now before I lose my nerve.”

Lydda gave her lover a perplexed look, then stood up. “Computo,” she instructed, “Please save everything I’ve been working on as is, I’ll come back to it later.” The Legion’s major domo breeped obediently. “Come on then.” She took Rokk’s hand and headed for the door. “Tell me what this is all about.”

This late at night, Legion Headquarters seemed cavernous and empty. Rokk took a deep breath. “Okay. So. Lydda, I want you to know...I couldn’t be happier that we’re back together, and I’m sorry that I ever hurt you.”

“Rokk, what’s going on?” Lydda asked. “You’re starting to scare me.”

“No no, that’s the last thing I want!” Rokk stopped walking and looked her in the eye. “I’m sorry. Send me up against the Legion of Supervillains and I’m fine. Ask me to talk about my feelings and I can’t string two words together. Lydda, what I want to say is...on Braal, when we faced Orion the Hunter, you were right. I do deserve to be happy. We both do. And I don’t know about you, but nothing makes me happier than when we’re together. I was scared that the Legion would stand between us, but the Legion has never stood between Garth and Imra, or Chuck and Luornu...if anything, it’s one more thing that binds them together. Lydda....Lydda, what I’m saying...” He fumbled at one of the pouches on his belt and removed a tiny box. With shaking hands he opened it before her, revealing a ring inset with shimmering Kathooni moonstone.

“What I’m saying is...Lydda Jath, will you be my wife?”
Posted By: Harbinger Re: HEARTLANDS - 01/19/13 05:08 PM
Another great section Raz!

You continue to produce very well written and interesting character driven pieces. Loved Blok's doubts and it was nice to have Diamond Damsel being the one to speak to him about it. I'd love to read more about her in action as well as building on her personality, the group has a great range of strong woman (both physically as well as personality wise) that they are always a pleasure to read! Also, loved Dirk being in the club with a Cragggite celeb - that rings very true to character for everyone's favourite 31st C Lothario. His dealing with the two villains was well done - his using a bright light as an offensive weapon seems like a very long time ago in the comic - wasn't that originally what he did? Laurel was also well written, her laughing at Dirk'sarrogance was great. Rokk proposing to Lydda was a nice surprise. His admitting at being awful at expressing his feelings was nicely done and hopefully her searching for evidence of Kathooni heroes will mean we see more of Jed and Dev-Em soon too.

You really juggle the characters well, giving them all just enough space to grow but you always leave us wanting more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: HEARTLANDS - 01/22/13 01:13 PM
Originally Posted by Harbinger
<snip>hopefully her searching for evidence of Kathooni heroes will mean we see more of Jed and Dev-Em soon too.

Thanks Harbinger! Your comments are always super motivating! laugh

Jed and Dev-Em's activities are definitely gonna be touched on a lot more overtly very very soon, so I hope that pans out well!

Diamond Damsel is gonna get a chance to cut loose and punch some things soon as well!

Sun Boy's power was indeed just producing light in his first appearance...fortunately he branched out into heat as well, as I don't know if he would be able to pull off the Disco Dazzler's mirrorball rollerskates as well as she did... wink
Posted By: Harbinger Re: HEARTLANDS - 01/22/13 09:45 PM
Originally Posted by razsolo

Thanks Harbinger! Your comments are always super motivating! laugh



Not sure if I mean them like that it's just I enjoy your stories so much I have to share my enthusiasm. Looking forward to DD punching things and Jed and Dev-Em's return.

Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: HEARTLANDS - 01/24/13 03:25 AM
Excellent job, Raz. you really have a gift for packing a lot into each section, yet not so much that we can't keep track of everything. I think you've managed to juggle each and every single active Legionnaire quite well, I can't think of any who has been ignored. Love how you rotate them in and out of action!
Posted By: razsolo Re: HEARTLANDS - 01/27/13 11:48 AM
Thanks IB...I have my favourites, but I try to make sure everyone gets a fairly equal showing smile
Posted By: razsolo Party Games: Part 1 of 2 - 01/27/13 03:16 PM
EARTH
WEISINGER PLAZA, LEGION HEADQUARTERS

Chuck Taine looked down at the agenda he’d prepared for his first meeting as leader of the Legion of Superheroes. With almost the entire team present he was mildly surprised that he’d managed to get through almost every item without any disruption, but he didn’t see his luck holding out with this last point.

“Before we wrap up there’s one more thing I want to put forward,” he announced. “Back when Luornu and I were running the Academy, there’s something we did to help the students get to know one another. With the number of new Legionnaires we’ve taken on recently, we thought it would be worth implementing here as well. You’ll find that you’ve all been assigned a member of the team. Over the next two weeks, I want everyone to give me that person’s biography. It doesn’t have to be an essay, though you’re welcome to put as much work into it as you like, and it’s not going to be presented to the group as a whole. This is purely to help us all become better acquainted with members of the team we may not know as well as we could.”

“We’re not students,” Timber Wolf complained. “This is a waste of time.”

“Timber Wolf,” Bouncing Boy replied, “We’re responsible for one another’s lives on a daily basis. It’s important that we know and trust one another as well as we can.”

“I still say it’s a waste of time.” Brin leaned back in his chair with his arms folded. “I’ve got better things to do than play party games, Bouncing Boy.”

“Party games?” Bouncing Boy rose to the challenge. “Do you remember how the Legion met Chameleon Girl, Timber Wolf? Let me refresh your memory. She replaced Shrinking Violet. For almost a year, she replaced a long-standing Legionnaire and not one of us noticed. Because despite Vi’s years of service on this team, not a single person knew her well enough to realise that she’d been impersonated by a complete stranger.”

“Grife, Chuck...” Colossal Boy squirmed in his seat, obviously uncomfortable with this turn of conversation.

Chameleon Girl placed her hand on her husband’s shoulder. “Gim, it’s okay.”

“Bouncing Boy spoke to Yera and I about this before the meeting,” Shrinking Violet added with a confrontational edge to her voice. “We both gave him our permission to bring this up because he’s right. What happened to me should never happen to anybody else on this team, Timber Wolf.”

“That was one time!” Timber Wolf argued.

Spurred on by Brin’s comment, the rest of the team began sharing their own opinions. Duplicate Damsel shot her husband a look that said he needed to take control before this degenerated into chaos, and Chuck agreed. “This isn’t up for debate!” Chuck announced in a firm voice. “It may have only happened once, Timber Wolf, but once is more than enough. We are doing this thing, all of us. Do I make myself clear?”

“Crystal,” Timber Wolf grunted. Grudgingly, he looked at the Legionnaire he’d been assigned. “Light Lad?!” Brin exploded. “Oh, come on!

Chuck sighed.

It was going to be a long meeting...

**********
KATHOON
SCIENCE POLICE HEADQUARTERS, MOONLIT BAY

Kid Computo took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of lilrose that wafted through Kathoon’s capital city. The street below her feet was paved with lovingly rendered mosaic patterns, and each building gave off a soft pastel glow designed to instill a sensation of relaxed content without taking attention away from the star-filled sky. Gentle music carried on the breeze and lovers walked hand in hand, most of them so wrapped up in each other that they barely even acknowledged Kid Computo or the four Legionnaires accompanying her.

“This is more what I thought Kathoon would be like,” the young heroine sighed. “It’s so beautiful here, Night Girl!”

“I’m glad you like it, Danielle!” Night Girl replied. “Moonlit Bay is where I grew up, it’s really the jewel of Kathoon’s crown. This is where Kathoon forged its reputation as the UP’s favourite honeymoon destination.”

“I love the Ivory Coast back on Earth,” Danielle Foccart continued, “But if I grew up here...I don’t know if I’d ever want to leave!”

“I hope you don’t mind me saying,” Superboy interjected, “But your English is really great, Kid Computo!”

Night Girl, Phantom Girl, Chameleon Boy and Kid Computo all shared the same look of confusion. “English?” Kid Computo cocked her head to one side. “You know I’m speaking French, right? It’s our translators that have great English...I mean, don’t get me wrong, I can speak English, but I’m not sure how compatible it would be with what you’re used to hearing in your own century.”

“I don’t understand,” Superboy returned her confusion. “You seem to be a lot more fluent than your brother? I don’t mean any offence, it’s just something I’ve noticed..?”

Danielle chuckled. “Ohhh okay, now I get where this is coming from. Jacques just has exemptions programmed into his translator, that’s all. He thinks it gives him character.” She made quotation signs with her fingers.

“Exemptions?” Superboy looked more lost than ever.

“Some cultures have religious or social taboos around certain words being phonetically altered,” Chameleon Boy explained. “Or sometimes you lose the actual meaning of a word with a literal translation. The first time Terrans made contact with Durla, we wondered for months why they called their planet Dirt. So not long after the universal translator was invented, it became a standard feature to be able to program into it words or phrases specifically not to be translated.”

“And sometimes,” Danielle rolled her eyes, “People like to use that feature because they think it makes them sound more exotic and interesting than they really are. It’s a bit embarrassing really.”

“Not to change the subject,” Lydda interrupted. “But we’re here.”

The others looked up at a pale blue building towering over them, small waterfowl floating in a moat at its base. With its rounded turrets and the flowering vines crawling up its surface, it was truly elegant. “This is Science Police Headquarters?” Phantom Girl gaped as the five heroes walked up the slight incline to the building’s entrance. “Wow, Night Girl...next time Earthgov gives us any trouble, I’m putting forward a motion to move the Legion to Kathoon!”

Before too much time had passed, four of the five Legionnaires emerged once more. “Danielle will call if she finds computer records of the heroes who fought Vrykos before us,” Night Girl advised as she and Chameleon Boy veered away from Superboy and Phantom Girl. “Hopefully either Cham and I will find this Wolfbat person or you two will find Crescent and Sliver; they’re the only other Kathooni heroes I’ve managed to find even anecdotal evidence of.”

“Good luck,” Phantom Girl waved. “We’ll see you back here later on!”

**********
Seventeen minutes and a magtrain ride later, Night Girl and Chameleon Boy were in the much smaller city of Russtrom on the other side of the continent. Chameleon Boy had taken on the form of the native wolfbat which was their quarry’s namesake, and kept his now much keener senses peeled for any sign of the mysterious hero.

“Cham?” Night Girl spoke with uncommon timidity, “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course,” the winged canine beside her answered surreally.

“In all the time you’ve been a Legionnaire,” she continued, “You’ve never been linked to any of the Legion romantically...do you think being married to a Legionnaire could work?”

“What a strange question,” Cham mused. “It's certainly not something I've consciously avoided, I guess it just never really came up as a possibility. If I ever was attracted to someone on the team, I don't see why it necessarily wouldn't work though...the married couples we already have on the team obviously don't have any problems juggling their relationships with their work as Legionnaires. What brought this up?”

"You know Rokk and I are back together, right?" Lydda explained, "He...he asked me to marry him, and I want to, lord knows it's what I've wanted almost as long as I've known him...but I suppose I'm just scared that we're not ready for it yet. Cham..?"

Chameleon Boy suddenly jerked his head to one side, his body stiffening. Oversized ears pricked up and he changed direction suddenly. “Sorry, I thought I heard something,” he apologised as Night Girl met his course. “It’s hard to say, I’m not really used to...wait! Over there!” He gestured with his nose, and Lydda saw a giant blur zoom over the street several blocks away.

“I see it!” Night Girl poured on the speed, and Chameleon Boy folded membranous wings down over his fur and used the greater speed of his flight ring to join her. A second later, the two heroes hovered a couple of dozen feet over the middle of a busy intersection. There was no sign of their target though.

“I don’t get it,” Night Girl floated in place with her hands on her hips. “Where could he have gone so fast?”

Chameleon Boy suddenly spun around. “Night Girl! Behind you!” His warning came too late though, as rough prehensile feet gripped her by the shoulders and ascended.

“Think you can sneak up on Wolfbat?” the bestial man growled, looking down at his prey as they zoomed perilously close to a windowless skyscraper. “You and your pet like Sci-Cop sirens, girl. Wolfbat hear you from the other side of the city, Wolfbat sneaky too!”

Lydda reached up and removed the man’s talons from her bodysuit. He was strong, but his strength was nothing compared to hers. “We just want to talk,” she tried to placate him as she used her flight ring to maintain his pace. Now that she could see him properly, she could see where he got his name from. He was barrel-chested, covered in coarse dark fur. Impossibly large and dexterous leathery wings extended from his muscular arms, and he shared both the canine skull and the huge chiropteran ears of the Kathooni wolfbat.

“Monster hunters always want to talk,” Wolfbat snarled. “They try to trick Wolfbat, but Wolfbat trick them!” He flicked his wings and changed course dramatically, diving only inches away from the skyscraper’s sheer wall. Coming up from below, Chameleon Boy dodged desperately to avoid the plummeting creature. With a hard wall on one side, Cham’s only option was to slam straight into Lydda. As the Legionnaires untangled themselves, they saw Wolfbat flatten himself against the roof of an elevated magtrain and then disappear into the blackness of a tunnel.

“Damn it!” Lydda pounded her fist into her palm as she watched the magtrain’s many carriages enter the tunnel. “There’s not enough room in there for us to go in after him!”

“Not enough room for both of us,” Chameleon Boy corrected her. “Should be just enough room for an Insharian spindleworm though. Follow when you can!” His form shifted and elongated, losing hair and lightening in color until Lydda was no longer looking at a creature native to her planet, but rather a slender white worm over a dozen feet long. Three pairs of chitinous segmented limbs emerged from the spindleworm at equal points along its body, each limb ending in a glut of small hooked barbs. With preternatural ease, Chameleon Boy’s new limbs latched onto the roof of the magtrain and he too vanished into the tunnel.

Night Girl suppressed a shudder. Chameleon Boy was a valued comrade and friend, but some of his transformations were nothing short of creepy. She waited what seemed like an eternity for the train to fully enter the tunnel and then flew in after it. In darkness which would be impossible for any non-Kathooni to navigate, Lydda effortlessly followed the train until it finally emerged once more under a starlit sky. She flew above the train, only to realise that neither Wolfbat or Chameleon Boy were anywhere in view. Just as she was bringing her flight ring to her lips to call her Durlan teammate, she heard his voice behind her.

Having changed his shape once more, Cham was now a gelatinous mass clinging to the outside of the tunnel, his orange-skinned face like a mask stuck to the veiny blob. Wolfbat struggled fruitlessly inside Cham’s embrace with only his growling face free.

“You’re a hard fellow to get hold of,” Night Girl addressed Wolfbat. “But now that we have...we’ve got a few questions for you.”

**********
PANOPTES
WATCHBASE L7.1

Dream Girl, Cosmic Boy, Mon-El, Supergirl, Diamond Damsel and Shadow Lad stepped out of their cruiser and onto the expansive surface of the military base where their contact awaited them, Tellus floating beside them. Their contact General Octivon, like all natives of his homeworld Barrio III was a limbless crystalline sphere. A wide band circled him horizontally, adorned with the Starfleet logo and a holstered firearm. Four artificial tentacle-like appendages emerged from the belt, ably supporting the alien’s form.

“Welcome to Panoptes,” the Major greeted the Legionnaires. “I fear however that your journey may have been for naught, Legionnaires. There has been no trouble on Panoptes recently, as I explained over long-range communications earlier.”

“Thank you for your hospitality, General Octivon.” Dream Girl bowed respectfully. “I hope you don’t mind if we take a look around anyway. I had a vision that we would encounter serious conflict in this system. As a watchworld on the Dominion Border, Panoptes is really the major point of interest in this whole system.”

“Certainly,” the Barrion assented easily. He turned his attention to Diamond Damsel. “Is there something you wish to say, Legionnaire?”

“Oh, I - I’m so sorry!” Diamond Damsel stammered. “I didn’t mean to stare, it’s just...I haven’t encountered many other beings like...like myself before.”

“No offence taken,” the crystalline general replied. “I sense your sincerity, all is well. Come, let me show you all around.” Travelling on his artificial limbs with surprising agility, he led the Legionnaires into the base.

Supergirl whispered so low that she knew only Mon-El would hear. “Mon, is your x-ray vision seeing what my x-ray vision is seeing?”

“That there’s already been a battle on Panoptes?” Mon-El answered just as stealthily. “Yes, there is definitely more than meets the eye here. Stay alert.”

As the General took the Legionnaires on a tour of the base, Supergirl and Mon-El’s discovery soon became apparent to all of the Legionnaires. There were damaged buildings and vehicles all around them. When questioned, he advised them that they had arrived shortly after a particularly realistic training session. None of the Legionnaires believed it however.

Tellus, Dream Girl trusted her Hykraian comrade to pick up her thoughts, Can you scan for any signs of telepathic manipulation without anyone here becoming aware of it? There’s no way the damage here was done as the result of a training exercise.

Cosmic Boy has already asked me to do so, Tellus replied immediately. I believe there has been alteration to the memories of some of the sentients here, but I cannot know any more without further probing. It is most peculiar however, the psychic residue feels almost...familiar?

Dream Girl glared at Cosmic Boy. Somebody’s forgotten I’m the mission leader, she thought sourly.

I am certain Cosmic Boy was merely trying to help, Tellus suggested telepathically. Dream Girl..? There was no response however, and an instant later the beautiful Legionnaire passed out. “Legionnaires!” he called out audibly even as he caught the falling Naltorian with his telekinesis.

“Is she unwell?” General Octivon asked. “Her delta waves have just spiked dramatically!”

“She is having a precognitive flash,” Tellus explained via his voice modulator. “I was in contact with her when it started. It is...difficult...to process the sudden rush of information...no!” A wave of panic suddenly washed over the entire team. “I am sorry,” Tellus apologised, the pods on his back shifting from stark white to a shade of fuscia. “I was unprepared for such a visceral experience, but they are coming! The ships are coming!”

“Ships?” Cosmic Boy asked. “What ships? What has she seen, Tellus?”

Dream Girl groaned as she recovered consciousness. “Starships...” she answered for herself, still groggy. “Dominion...starships.”

Supergirl and Mon-El responded instantly, both turning their telescopic vision to the skies above.

“She’s right,” Mon-El confirmed. “Eight of them, converging on Panoptes as we speak.”

“Why would the Dominators be coming here?” Shadow Lad queried. “Aren’t they worried that’ll be seen as an act of aggression?”

“Only if there’s anyone left alive to report it,” Dream Girl replied darkly.

“Legionnaires, they’re coming to raze the planet!”

TO BE CONTINUED!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Party Games: Part 1 of 2 - 01/30/13 12:03 AM
Here's some more praise heaped on your doorstep Raz, this was another fine set of vignettes to add to yor already awesome list - from Chuck's practicality and Lydda's determination through to Reeps choice of icky forms and Diamond Damsels stammering, you have a great skill at writing really interesting and addictive stories.
Posted By: razsolo Party Games: Part 2 of 2 - 02/05/13 01:18 PM
Thanks again, Harbinger! Here comes a conclusion to Part 1 which may raise some more questions than it answers..!

Some self-criticism first....not really wild about how this installment ends, I think it would work much better in an actual comic where it could visually be a dramatic moment more easily. And I included Cos and Lydda in these last two parts because I wanted to touch on their wedding proposal subplot a bit more, but it felt kind of forced mentioning it anymore than I already did.

Anyway, enjoy! smile

KATHOON
MOONLIT BAY

The grim avenger of Kathoon’s eternal night leapt silently from the edge of a rooftop. The man known as Crescent spread his arms out to his sides, his distinctive silvery cape catching the air currents as he spiraled down towards his prey far below.

His cowl’s enhanced sights made finding criminals an easy task, and Crescent didn’t need to remotely access the files housed in his secret base to recognise the four men below him. Their identically themed costumes marked them as the Chain Gang, thuggish enforcers for the Kathooni underworld. The quadruplets of crime were no stronger than an ordinary Kathooni man individually, but their strength increased exponentially while in contact with one another.

With his lightweight body armour absorbing the brunt of the impact, Crescent torpedoed straight into one of the brothers. Taken by surprise, the burly powerhouse released his brother’s hand and tumbled headfirst into the wall of a nearby building whereupon he immediately fell unconscious.

“I was wondering when you were gonna make an appearance!” Crescent’s nimble young sidekick Sliver grinned as he effortlessly dodged a swing from one of the other villains. “I thought I was gonna have to take these jerks out on my own!”

“Kill them both!” one of the Chain Gang roared. “Even without Chaz we’re as strong as a dozen men and they don’t have any powers between them!”

Crescent threw one of his many crescent-shaped weapons at the ground at their feet. The ground exploded beneath the three men, and while two of the brothers managed to maintain their grip on one another’s forearms, the third rolled away from them.

Before the dazed villain could move, Sliver was crouching over him with the razor-sharp edge of a thin blade at his exposed throat. “Nuh-uh,” Sliver shook his head. “Crescent will wanna keep one of you alive for questioning, but it doesn’t have to be you, buddy. I’d behave if I were you.” The villain gulped and remained motionless.

The two members of the Chain Gang still standing rushed Crescent together. Crescent leaped over their heads, stabbing one of them in the shoulder with another of his signature crescent weapons as they passed him. “You see, there’s a problem with needing to maintain physical contact to use your enhanced strength,” he calmly pointed out as his victim cried out in pain. “You maintain physical contact.”

The blade sticking out of the villain’s shoulder emitted a short sharp crackling sound and both men collapsed in agony, electricity arcing all over both their bodies. Crescent turned to the one remaining member of the Chain Gang, now quivering fearfully under the watchful eye of an exuberant Sliver. “And then there was one.”

"You boys are a little too stabbity for my liking," a female voice interjected. Phantom Girl emerged disapproving from the ground at Sliver’s side. Tinya ignored Sliver’s protests as she grabbed the blade from his hand and rendered it intangible like herself.

"Phantom Girl is right," another voice joined the conversation. "Superheroes are meant to inspire people, not scare them.” Superboy floated above them all, his arms folded across his chest.

“The Legion of Superheroes?” the last Chain Gang member’s eyes widened. “Oh please, don’t let them kill me! These guys are nuts!”

“They won’t hurt you,” Superboy assured the man. “I heard you and your brothers plotting on the way here though, Mr Linke. The Science Police are on their way to take you into custody.”

“That sounds like our cue to leave,” Crescent reached for a smoke bomb. “We’ve gone this long without having to face the Science Police, we’d rather not break that streak now.”

“Unfortunately that choice isn’t yours to make,” Superboy said. He vanished in a blur of motion, only to reappear behind Phantom Girl an instant later. All of Crescent and Sliver’s weapons lay in a pile at his feet.

“We’re not going to turn you into the Science Police,” Phantom Girl continued, “If you can convince us that you’re not as much a danger as the criminals you face...and we’re not here for a fight. We just want to talk to you.”

Crescent and Sliver exchanged a glance between them. “Well then,” Crescent resigned himself to it. “Seems like we’re going to have a talk with the Legion of Superheroes, Sliver.”

**********
PANOPTES
WATCHBASE L7.1

“What could force the Dominion’s hand like this?” the crystalline General Octivon asked, looking up into the vast blue skies above for any sign of the invading force Dream Girl had warned them about.

“I don’t know,” Mon-El replied darkly. “Let’s find out before they get a chance to do any damage, shall we?” He rocketed straight up and was out of sight in less than a second.

Shadow Lad gave an appreciative whistle. “I can see why my cousin is attracted to him...he certainly doesn’t waste any time once he sets his mind to something, does he?”

“Go help him,” Dream Girl instructed. “Not you though, Tellus. I’m going to need you down here.”

Tellus gave his assent and together with Dream Girl and the General he watched Shadow Lad, Cosmic Boy, Supergirl and Diamond Damsel rise after Mon-El.

“You are not concerned that the Legion may need your assistance?” the General asked.

“Most of them could take on that fleet single-handedly,” Dream Girl answered casually. “My powers on the other hand aren’t really all that well-suited for space combat, and Tellus is going to be as useful here as he would be up there.” She turned to General Octivon with a thoughtful gaze. “Now General...how about we go over one more time what happened here before our arrival today..?”

**********
On the edge of the planet’s atmosphere, the five heroes waited for the Dominion ships to come into view.

Forgive the obvious question, Supergirl asked via her telepathic earplug, but I’m getting the impression that this is more than just your standard bad guys attacking the free worlds of the United Planets...what’s the story?

The Dominion have a truce with the UP, Mon-El replied. A very uneasy truce. For them to send warships this openly...they’re jeopardising years of political gameplaying with this attack, Kara. Whatever their reasons for doing so, they can’t be anything good.

And here they are
, Diamond Damsel pointed. The Legionnaires followed her arm to see eight ships approaching in a cluster formation.

Their ships are so weird
, Supergirl commented. They look almost...biological? And they’re all unmanned!

The Dominion use organic technology
, Mon-El explained. And it makes sense they’d send unmanned ships, easier to claim plausible deniability if they were caught in the act. That works in our favor though, it means we don’t have to hold back. Let’s go, Legion!

As Mon-El sped towards the ships, they adjusted their course to compensate and veered away from one another. The Daxamite carved one of the ships in clean halves with his heat vision, ignoring the missiles it bombarded him with before its systems ceased to work. He grabbed one of the halves and smashed it against its twin, lighting up the area with a silent explosion.

Supergirl saw the open-mouthed awe on Shadow Lad’s face and chuckled. Looks like Mon-El’s got more than one Mallor crushing on him, she teased Grev. I have to say though, I didn’t know you were gay. She flew straight through one of the ships from bow to stern, then turned around and charged back the way she’d come. A second explosion lit up the area and they were now two ships down.

I don’t understand, Shadow Lad replied as he engulfed two more of the ships in impenetrable darkness. Their sensor arrays suddenly rendered useless, the ships violently crashed into one another. Is this a 21st century thing? You think I’m cheerful?

Two of the remaining four ships opened fire on the Legionnaires. Supergirl and Diamond Damsel intercepted the missiles, using their indestructible bodies to shield Shadow Lad and Cosmic Boy while Mon-El destroyed the offending vessels. Not cheerful, Supergirl tried to explain. Gay...umm, you know...you like men?

Why wouldn’t I like men?
Shadow Lad asked, perplexed. I am one!

This is painful. Diamond Damsel joined the conversation, facing Grev. She means homosexual, Shadow Lad. She turned now to Kara. Things are a little different in the 31st century, Supergirl. People don’t tend to identify as being exclusively attracted to one gender...not in general, anyway. While her back was turned, a volley of missiles slammed into the diamond heroine and sent her flying. She spun around, angry but unhurt. Do you mind? I’m in the middle of a conversation here! She charged into the ship which had assaulted her, tearing it apart with her bare hands.

There’s not enough ferrous materials in these ships for my magnetic powers to affect! Cosmic Boy complained. Even their projectiles are organic!

Leave a woman to do a man’s job
, Supergirl joked. Hey, Diamond Damsel! Make a wish? The two heroines grabbed either side of the remaining ship and tore it in half.

Mon-El used his heat vision to atomise the debris of the Legion’s brief battle. Once his task was completed, he peered out into deep space until he was certain there were no reinforcements en route. Bouncing Boy chose a good team for this mission, he mused. Excellent work, everybody. It’s a shame we still have no idea what this was all about though...hopefully Dream Girl and Tellus will have better luck planetside.

**********
Try as they might, Tellus and Dream Girl had not been able to convince General Octivon that his memories may have been altered. In the end, he allowed Tellus to probe him more aggressively simply to put the Legionnaires’ own minds at ease.

Tellus dived into the Barrion’s mind, excited despite the circumstances to be making deep telepathic contact with such a uniquely structured brain. Like all his species, General Octivon had thirteen distinct senses and these informed his mindscape in a way that Tellus had never encountered before. Even in the most superficial layers of the General’s psyche, Tellus was bombarded by sensations he had no concepts to describe. When the General looked at Dream Girl he saw not only her physical beauty, but the faint bluish aura signifying her Naltorian power, her brainwave activity and many other things besides. Tellus concentrated, pushed through the viscous medium of General Octivon’s mind to search for deeper memories. It was like swimming through a tar made of three-dimensional fractals which constantly shifted in color. Tellus didn’t know if this was a native effect of the Barrion’s strange mind or a power effect, but trying to penetrate it was proving too great a struggle. He feared that he might damage the General’s mind if he used much more force.

Trying another tactic, Tellus decided he would circumvent the barrier rather than try to plunge through it. His psychic self swam around the edges of General Octivon’s mind, only to be stymied when he realised that the barrier permeated all of the watchbase. Curious, the placid Hykraian mused. He now believed that this was no defence sustained by General Octivon, but the result of an outside force.

As he had earlier intimated to Dream Girl though, something about all of this seemed strangely familiar. Following a hunch, Tellus’ astral form swam away from the General altogether, far above the watchbase. The fractal effect was indeed a field, a field which surrounded the entire base. On the psychic plane he and Dream Girl seemed to be superimposed over it, as if they were merely ghosts sharing the same space as this sphere.

...Sphere.

Tellus suddenly felt a cold chill of realisation. He returned to his physical body and it shuddered into awareness. Dream Girl! he cried out telepathically.

Dream Girl winced. Ow...gently, Tellus. You’re going to give me a migraine.

My apologies, he continued, taking care not to express himself too abruptly. Our suspicions were correct, Dream Girl. These sentients’ minds have indeed been altered! I cannot risk retrieving their true memories without causing serious psychic damage, but I know now who is responsible. Only one being could create a thoughtsphere like this! This is the work of my fellow Legion Academy graduate, Mandalla!

Posted By: razsolo TRAIL OF CRUMBS - 02/13/13 11:56 AM
LEGION HEADQUARTERS
MEDIA ROOM

Deep within the labyrinthine corridors of Legion Headquarters, Chameleon Boy paused before the soundproofed entrance to the Legion’s media room. With a familiar breep, the sensor recognised him and allowed him entry. Chameleon Boy stepped through the round portal into a cavernous space large enough to fit the Legion and almost a hundred more sentients of their scale. The equipment in this room was state of the art, albeit rarely used. It was being used now though.

“Hello, Cham.” Kid Computo greeted her comrade without diverting her attention from the myriad larger than life holo-images playing before her. She was seated alone in the midst of the vast darkened room.

“I’m surprised you heard me all the way over there,” Chameleon Boy responded as he walked the seventy feet separating the two.

“Cyber-empathy, remember?” She swivelled to face him and tapped her temple with a smile. “I know everything the building does.” She used that cyber-empathy now to summon a second seat from its recess in the floor.

Chameleon Boy took the seat and turned his attention to the images before them both. “What are you doing in here, Danielle? I just came off monitor duty, you’ve been here almost the entire time I was on my shift!”

“I guess you could call these the edited highlights of the surveillance records I found on Kathoon,” the young woman explained, once more turning her own gaze back to the looping images. “I know you and the others confirmed that those Kathooni vigilantes you encountered never faced Vrykos or his vampires, but it’s obvious now that somebody did. They cloaked themselves from recording equipment just as thoroughly as the vampires did, but they were definitely there. There are signs of battle in Nightmare Peak before our arrival, even if we can’t see who’s responsible for it.”

The holo-images supported Danielle’s claims. Though both sides of the conflict were invisible to the recorder’s eye, their actions were certainly visible. The same footage repeated again and again; energy flaring violently from unseen sources, vehicles careening through the air or spontaneously exploding, holes punched into the sides of buildings...the evidence was unmistakable.

“I don’t understand.” Chameleon Boy’s antennae wiggled. “We already know this, you showed us back on Kathoon. It still doesn’t tell us who they are.”

“I know,” Danielle frowned. “I guess I was hoping if I cut down as much extraneous footage as I could and then watched it here where our equipment is better, I might get some more insight? Maybe it is a waste of time though, it’s been hours and I’m not getting anywhere.”

Cham’s face lit up. “Maybe not as much a waste of time as you think...can you go back a few seconds on Holo 4?”

“Sure,” she answered, using her power to effortlessly rewind the footage. “What is it?”

“Wait a nano...there!” Chameleon Boy pointed, excited.

“I don’t get it,” Danielle shrugged. “That flash of light? I’d say it’s plasma discharge from a blaster...there are a couple of different types of energy weapons at play judging from the different visual effects. You’re right though, that still doesn’t really tell us anything new.”

“Not the flash of light,” Cham explained. “What the light illuminates. Danielle, play it again.”

She obliged, and Chameleon Boy’s finger extended to a long point. “Can you focus on this area here and enhance the resolution?” he asked.

“The window of that building? Sure, but I don’t see what good it’s going to do...that building’s the local branch of the Interplanetary Bank, I already checked their internal security and came up with nothing.” She paused the rest of the images playing around them so she could concentrate on this specific one. Seconds later the same scene played before them, though now across a 4 storey span.

They saw a hole smashed into the wall of the bank, then saw the same plasma discharge light up the area...and with that plasma discharge, for only the briefest of instants, a face was reflected in the bank’s window.

Danielle paused the recording and gaped at Chameleon Boy in awe. “I’ve been watching this footage for hours! You just got here, how did you..?”

“Sometimes all you need is a different set of eyes,” Cham winked. “And these eyes are used to searching for details other people bypass. You’ve got good instincts though, Danielle. You’re the one who thought to keep looking for the needle in this haystack when anyone else would have given up. Now, do you think you can sharpen up the image enough that we can get a solid ID on the face?”

“I can now that I’m motivated!” Kid Computo stretched her arms out before her and cracked her knuckles. “First things first though...I’m getting Computo to bring us some stimjuice!”

**********
METROPOLIS
THE SUPERMAN MUSEUM

Cosmic Boy used his power of magnetism to lift the S-shield skylight from the Superman Museum, then replaced the skylight once he and Night Girl had descended into the building.

“The Science Police really called us here for a late night museum raid?” Night Girl asked. “They couldn’t handle this themselves?”

“Actually...” Cosmic Boy fidgeted nervously, “I overheard the alert and told them we’d deal with it.”

Night Girl stared wide-eyed at her lover as they flew through a vast wing populated with replicas of Superman’s legendary allies. “Rokk! You’re always saying how we need to respect our boundaries with the Science Police!”

“I know,” the Braalian admitted, shame-faced. “It’s just...Lydda, we haven’t spoken since...since I proposed, and if you don’t want to marry me I’d rather just get it out of the way, you know?”

“Legionnaires!” a voice from below cried out. The heroes looked down to see a group of men in garishly mismatched costumes, clown wigs and face-paint carrying aerosol paint and laser etching tools. “Run!” another of the men hollered.

“I’m sorry,” Lydda apologised as she followed two of the men. “I didn’t mean to make you worry, Rokk.” The museum had closed to the public hours ago and only the pale moon lit the building’s interior now; Night Girl was almost at full strength. She lifted the vandals effortlessly and hung them by their polka-dotted jumpsuits on the tip of an animatronic Green Arrow’s bow twelve feet above the ground. Lydda swooped back to join Cosmic Boy and continued her speech as though there’d been no interruption. “You know I want to marry you. I want to marry you more than anything! I guess I’m just scared that the problems we’ve had...” Lydda sighed, then barrelled on. “You’re the most important man in my life, but the Legion is my life’s work. I can’t choose between you, Rokk. I need to know you understand that.”

Cosmic Boy magnetically closed the doors to the wing, trapping the remaining men inside with them. He borrowed a replica of Wonder Woman’s golden lariat and coiled it around the last three men several times, binding them tight but not painfully so. Rokk took Night Girl’s hands in his own and looked her deep in the eyes. “Lydda...I love you. I will always love you, and every time I see you put your life in danger I feel like my own heart’s going to stop. I don’t think that’ll ever change. But I do understand now. I’ve seen you lead the Legion, and I’ve seen you thrive under pressure that would buckle anyone else. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met and I wouldn’t do a thing to change who you are, Lydda Jath.”

Lydda’s eyes welled with tears. “Oh, Rokk..!” She hugged him close and kissed him passionately.

“Can we go to jail now please??” one of the men pleaded.

Lydda backed away and wiped at her eyes with the back of her glove, shyly regaining her composure. Cosmic Boy looked down at the criminals. “What were the bunch of you doing here anyway?” he asked them. “You don’t look like any burglars I’ve ever seen!”

“We’re the Joker Gang!” one of the men dangling from Green Arrow’s bow called triumphantly. “We were gonna deface Superman’s precious museum just like his old nemesis would have done! Then you do-gooders got in the way, but the last laugh will still be ours!” He did his best impression of a manic cackle given the circumstances, while the embarrassed clown hanging alongside him buried his face in his hands.

“The Joker Gang?” Cosmic Boy repeated, stunned. “The Joker was Batman’s nemesis, you twits! You just landed yourselves a trip to court emulating the wrong villain!”

“I told you it sounded stupid!” one of the men hissed.

The museum rang with Cosmic Boy and Night Girl’s peals of laughter.

**********
LEGION HEADQUARTERS
BOUNCING BOY’S OFFICE

Bouncing Boy leaned his chair against the wall behind him, his hands steepled over his portly belly. On the other side of a desk covered in omnicoms and food crumbs, Dream Girl sat stiff-backed in her own seat. Beside her Tellus leaned on his haunches, the pods on his back a faint purple color.

“I don’t understand,” Chuck scowled. “The Dominators sent ships to destroy Panoptes, which has created a huge diplomatic incident, but we still don’t know why?”

“That’s right,” Dream Girl nodded. “But mark my words, Chuck. There’s something going on back at that horrid little planet.”

Bouncing Boy turned now to Tellus. “And you’re absolutely certain that Mandalla was there before you arrived? And that she messed with the memories of everyone on base?”

“It has been some time since I encountered one of Mandalla’s thoughtspheres”, Tellus replied via his voice modulator, “But her power effect is so uniquely distinctive, Bouncing Boy. I do not believe it could be any other sentient.”

“I’m just surprised she’s got the power to affect the whole base!” Dream Girl added. “If she’s that powerful, why didn’t the Legion snap her up ages ago?”

“Mandalla’s thoughtspheres increase in potency the larger an area they cover,” Bouncing Boy explained. “We only found out after she’d been at the Academy for some time...unfortunately she can’t pick and choose who she affects within a sphere though.” He pushed himself off the wall and slumped over the desk with a sigh. “I’m starting to get concerned...Luornu and I had been so busy wondering what happened to Power Boy when we couldn’t find him to offer him Legion membership that we didn’t really notice Mandalla has dropped out of sight just as completely as he has. Then for her to turn up on such a volatile world like this, doing who knows what...I’m not worried about her motivations, she’s a good kid. But I’d really like to know what she’s up to out there on her own.”

Dream Girl opened her mouth to say something, then stopped herself and turned towards the door looking slightly annoyed. A second later, Kid Computo and Chameleon Boy burst in.

“Bouncing Boy!” Kid Computo announced breathlessly. “There’s something we need to tell you!”

“Sorry to barge in on you all like this,” Chameleon Boy apologised. “Patience is definitely not one of young Ms Foccart’s virtues, it would seem.”

“That’s okay,” Chuck waved Cham’s concern away. “What is it, Danielle?”

“Comet Queen told me your old student Power Boy’s been missing since the rest of his old class graduated, right? And you know how Night Girl has been on some crusade to find whoever fought Vrykos on Kathoon before we did..?”

“Go on.” Bouncing Boy steeled himself. He didn’t like where this was heading.

“We found out who was on Kathoon before us, and...well, see for yourself!” She co-opted the holo-emitters in Bouncing Boy’s office and effortlessly fed data to them from the systems in the media room half a building away. A scene which was by now completely familiar to Danielle and Cham played itself again for all five of the heroes. A plasma discharge lit up the window of the Interplanetary Bank’s Nightmare Peak branch, and the hologram froze in perfect time to capture the face which was reflected in that glass pane. Thanks to Kid Computo, the image definition was flawless. Everyone instantly recognised Jedidiah Rikane, the purple-skinned hero better known as Power Boy.

Of everybody present, only Tellus recognised the grim look which crossed Chuck’s face now. Back at the Legion Academy, Tellus had seen that steely determination only a few times before. The chubby hero sat up straight in his chair.

“I want you all mission-ready in five minutes,” Bouncing Boy commanded.

“We’re going to get to the bottom of this right now.”
Posted By: razsolo OVERSIGHT AND CONSEQUENCE - 03/02/13 12:48 PM
TRANTOR STAR SYSTEM
WEBER’S WORLD

Miles below the artificial surface of Weber’s World, Tari Wahlmunn paused by a transparent plexiglass screen to watch three of her teammates sparring. She still bore aches and pains from her own recent combat training session and was looking forward to some time in a rejuvenation field. Her bronzed face reflected in the glass, Tari found herself thinking about the strange turns her lifepath had taken recently. As Mandalla, she had always held hope of joining the Legion of Superheroes one day. Now she was a member of an entirely different kind of group, the Oversight Watch.

Even after weeks of working together, Tari had somewhat mixed feelings about this squad. Of course she knew her fellow Legion Academy alumni Power Boy, and though they weren’t particularly close friends she trusted Jed completely. The Kryptonian called Dev-Em seemed equally trustworthy, and he'd obviously made enough of an impression on Power Boy that Dev-Em and Jed were already romantically involved.

The three sentients fighting in the next room were a different story however. Makkia Vei and Ron-Karr had been outright villains prior to the formation of the Oversight Watch. Growing up on the prison planet Takron-Galtos had taught Tari that being on the wrong side of the law did not necessarily make somebody an evil person, but she still wasn’t entirely comfortable with either of them...especially Makkia, whose whole modus operandi was psychological manipulation.

Then there was their squad leader, the mysterious woman known only as 89. Completely covered from head to toe, nobody on the team had ever seen her face nor heard her unmodulated voice. She was the most skilled fighter on the team, a fact she easily proved now by felling Makkia Vei and Ron-Karr simultaneously. Aside from her combat prowess, 89 was a walking encyclopaedia of knowledge. Espionage, demolitions, United Planets history, hard and soft sciences, she seemed to be a master of any discipline she encountered.

A chime sounded at the end of the corridor and Tari ran for the elevator, leaving the others to their training. Power Boy and Dev-Em were the only members of the Oversight Watch unaccounted for, and only a handful of others had security clearance to penetrate this far into the inner recesses of Weber’s World. So when the elevator door opened to reveal six entirely unexpected visitors, Tari could do nothing more than stare in mute shock.

“Hello Mandalla,” Bouncing Boy greeted his former student. “We need to talk.” Chameleon Boy, Dream Girl, Tellus, Dawnstar and Kid Computo shared the elevator with him. None of them looked very happy.

“B-Bouncing Boy..?” the dark-haired heroine stammered, taking a step back. “What are you doing here? How did you find me? You-you’re not supposed to even know--”

“I’m not supposed to know this group exists,” Chuck finished her sentence for her, walking out of the cramped elevator. “The Oversight Watch, the UP’s very own black ops unit. I’m not going to lie, Mandalla. I’m very disappointed in you, I thought Luornu and I taught you better than this.”

“Bouncing Boy, that isn't fair!” The initial surprise of seeing the Legionnaires faded and Mandalla quickly regained her composure. “We’re not doing anything wrong here...you’re acting like I’m some kind of criminal!”

Kid Computo stepped up alongside Bouncing Boy. “Mindwiping innocents left, right and centre? Imprisoning sentients without any semblance of due process? Sounds like criminal activity if you ask me...and that’s only the tip of the iceberg!”

“We know everything, Tari.” The disappointment in Bouncing Boy’s voice was surprisingly hurtful. “We can’t let this continue. Your recent actions on Panoptes alone nearly resulted in a massacre there.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, obviously confused. “How did you know we were there anyway?” She was in desperately over her head. She needed 89 or Makkia here to deal with this, but she’d been pressing the signal hidden in her belt for almost a minute now and there had been no response.

“With my power, it doesn’t matter how well hidden your secrets are,” Kid Computo answered her. “If they’re hidden on a database you might as well write them on the side of the moon.”

“When we lost contact with you and Power Boy, we assumed you must have your reasons for avoiding us,” Bouncing Boy added. “But with what Kid Computo has uncovered...I wish we’d had Dawnstar track you down long before now.”

“We stopped the Dominion from creating a Daxamite army on Panoptes!” Mandalla protested, leading the Legionnaires along with her as she walked back the way she’d come. “What’s the real issue here, Bouncing Boy? That I’m part of a team of heroes that doesn’t have Legion in its name?”

“You can’t be that naive,” Dream Girl countered. “Between them, Makkia Vei and Ron-Karr have been members of the Fatal Five and the Legion of Supervillains. Whatever your motives are, you can’t possibly believe theirs are at all noble!”

“Not much of a believer in redemption then, I take it.” Makkia Vei, Ron-Karr and 89 stepped out of the training room and stood defensively behind Mandalla. “We felt your thoughtsphere and decided to come investigate,” Makkia continued. “I take it Kid Computo prevented your communicator from working. I must admit, I had given the Legion of Superheroes more credit than to partake in this kind of petty jealousy. Such a shame.”

Petty jealousy?” Dawnstar exploded. “The last time we encountered you, you tried to kill us all!”

“Not entirely accurate,” Makkia Vei answered calmly. “I was working alongside the Persuader in search of his clone when you came after us as I recall. We had the opportunity to kill you, Dawnstar. I convinced the Persuader not to take that opportunity.”

“Liar!” Dawnstar cried. “You turned Lightning Lad and me to stone, you destroyed Wildfire’s containment suit! You shot Shadow Lass!”

“I did no such thing,” Makkia retorted. “My associates were responsible for those actions. As I said, I convinced the Persuader not to slay you all. I may be an opportunist, but I am no murderer. Besides,” she continued smugly, “Wildfire is hardly even alive to begin with, is he? Scattering his atoms across the void of space might bring a premature end to whatever simulation of a relationship you two endure, but--”

“How dare you?!” Dawnstar interrupted, launching herself at the Coluan.

“We’re sorry it’s come to this,” the woman known as 89 spoke, meeting Dawnstar’s charge with surprising speed. “But our work here is of utmost importance to the United Planets and we can’t afford to indulge your personal vendettas, Legion.” 89 diverted Dawnstar into a wall with a flawless martial throw. “Don’t hurt them any more than is necessary but take them out as soon as possible,” she instructed her team.

“What?” Mandalla blanched. “89, I-I can’t fight the Legion of Superheroes! Can’t we talk this out?”

“The time for talking was done when your friends breached our security to attack us in our own headquarters,” 89 returned, evading Dawnstar’s return blow.

Tellus reached out with his telekinesis and held Makkia Vei suspended motionless in the air. “Your intent is a crimson flood of rage, Makkia Vei. I do not wish to harm you but nor will I allow you to harm us.”

“Tellus, she’s unarmed!” Mandalla cried out. She turned on the Legion angrily. “What is wrong with you people? I don’t want to fight you, but I’m not going to just let you tear my team apart!” Gesturing, she enclosed the Legion of Superheroes in a thoughtsphere. Dawnstar was still engaged in a losing combat with 89 outside of its range, but the other Legionnaires found themselves overwhelmed by a psychedelic assault on the very fabric of their minds. Bouncing Boy, Dream Girl, Chameleon Boy and Kid Computo stared slack-jawed at what seemed to be reality coming undone around them.

Only the natural telepathic resistance of Tellus was strong enough to resist Mandalla’s assault, though he needed to release his hold on Makkia to do so. Mandalla, please! Tellus projected at his fellow Legion Academy graduate. As much concentration as he needed to devote to resisting Mandalla’s power, Tellus could not summon the focus needed to use his voice modulator. I spoke the truth, I have no wish to harm your new friends! I merely restrained her! The Hykraian suddenly flooded Mandalla’s mind with sympathetic pain as Ron-Karr rushed forward and sliced at Tellus’ hide with razor-thin hands. Tellus recoiled bleeding, and Mandalla’s thoughtsphere vanished as she reeled from the unexpected sensation.

“Ron-Karr, don’t hurt him!” Mandalla called out in concern.

“This has gone too far,” Bouncing Boy announced, his mind cleared from Mandalla’s power effect. “Cham, protect Tellus. Dream Girl, Makkia Vei is all yours. Kid Computo, see if this base has any internal measures we can use against them.” Chuck saw Mandalla raise her arms once more toward the Legionnaires and pounced into action. “As for you, young lady...you have no idea how sorry I am to have to do this but you’ve made your decision.” Bouncing Boy’s inflated form slammed Mandalla off her feet. He rebounded for Ron-Karr, missing the impossibly thin man by a wide margin. Finally he came close to taking out 89, but her own superior reflexes saved her.

“At least they look like they’re only surface wounds,” Chameleon Boy assured Tellus as he examined his teammate’s injury. “Once we get some peace and quiet, a medkit will fix that as good as new.”

“My thanks,” Tellus replied, “But Chameleon Boy, I am confused. I had been led to believe that Ron-Karr was a minimal threat?”

Minimal is kind,” Cham answered, turning his attention now to the object of their discussion. “Looks like he got an upgrade!” Chameleon Boy reached out with arms which turned into a writhing mass of tentacles, but still Ron-Karr evaded his grasp.

“No upgrade,” Ron-Karr countered, “89 just trained me to use what I’ve already got. Here, I’ll show you!” He raised one thin arm guillotine-like over Chameleon Boy’s transformed limb, but before he could deliver the blow he was hit with a pulse of light and collapsed insensate.

“I found it!” Kid Computo shouted, excited. “The base’s defence systems!” She used the same ceiling-mounted stun pulse which had defeated Ron-Karr successfully on Makkia Vei, then after three near misses finally took down 89 as well.

Deflating back to his normal dimensions, Bouncing Boy helped a groggy Dawnstar get to her feet. “It’s over, Mandalla. The Oversight Watch is going to close down operations, and the Legion will see what we can do about cleaning up whatever messes you’ve left across the United Planets.”

“I don’t believe this!” Mandalla protested. “Makkia said you’d act like this if you ever found out about us! I didn’t want to believe her but she was right! You really can’t handle the idea of someone other than the Legion making a difference in the galaxy, can you? Bouncing Boy, in the time that the Oversight Watch have existed we’ve stopped political assassinations, Khund invasions, we’ve fought an insane Daxamite-”

“The end does not justify the means, Tari!” Bouncing Boy’s face was red with anger. “We read your case files on the way here! You’ve broken so many laws I don’t know where to start! You’ve done everything you can to hide who you are while you manipulate things from behind the curtain to be the way you decide they should be! Those are not the actions of heroes!”

Suddenly Power Boy rose through the floor at their feet, his fingers interlocked with those of Dev-Em. Dev-Em was a well built man, but next to his musclebound lover he looked almost puny. Power Boy turned them both solid and rendered Kid Computo unconscious with a flick of his fingers while they still had the element of surprise. “I’m sorry,” Jed apologised miserably. “I really am, Bouncing Boy.”

Before anyone could retaliate, Dev-Em zoomed around the corridor in a blur of movement. A second later, all of the Legionnaires were out cold on the floor.

“Sorry we took so long,” Dev-Em said. “I picked up 89’s hypersonic signal and saw the whole fight with my x-ray vision, but we had to fly here from the other side of Weber’s World .”

“What are we going to do with them?” Mandalla asked, crouching down by her old teacher’s side.

Dev-Em looked from Mandalla to Power Boy. “There’s only one thing we can do...neither of you are going to like it very much though.”

**********
EARTH
WEISINGER PLAZA, LEGION HEADQUARTERS

Dawnstar flew into the Legion’s hangar on enormous white wings, landing gracefully as the cruiser bearing the rest of Bouncing Boy’s team was still only barely visible in the sunny skies high above Metropolis.

“How did the mission go, Dawnstar?” Nightwind asked, Comet Queen and Wildfire at her side. “Did you find Power Boy and Mandalla?”

“We did not,” Dawnstar answered curtly. “My power was insufficient.” She walked straight past the three without another word, leaving Wildfire to chase after her through the hangar.

“Major burnout,” Comet Queen huffed. “Rudeness much?”

“Oh don’t mind Dawnstar,” Nightwind waved her hand dismissively. “She’s always been a prima donna when it comes to her precious tracking power...if she couldn’t locate Jed and Tari, it’ll be eating her up inside.” She looked up at the approaching cruiser. “Still...I hope wherever they are, they’re both okay.”

“They’ll be shiny,” Comet Queen grinned. “You watch, when it’s time for that meteor to flash our way, we’ll see them again.” The golden heroine took to the air and flew off to meet the cruiser leaving a trail of sparkling gases behind her.

“I hope so,” Nightwind said to nobody in particular, watching her friend fly away.

“I hope we see them again.”
Posted By: Harbinger Re: OVERSIGHT AND CONSEQUENCE - 03/04/13 12:41 AM
This was fun and had a wonderfully unexpected ending, I really thought you would have Mandalla and Jed re-join the team.

I really love your take on Dawnstar Raz, "how dare you!" indeed! And with the acknowledgement at the end that she would give herself a hard time for supposedly not finding the team too you've given Dawny more character and personality in this one post than she had in years in the comic. Well, maybe more was done in Lost but I never followed that after #1 and it's been cancelled so it doesn't count in my mind. The only thing I seem to ever associate with her is that dreary non event relationship she has with Wildfire.

I love 89 - am desperately racking my tired brain to figure out who she could be. Dangerous, intelligent and mysterious - I love her! Ron Karr with a bit of training seems to be a far more worrying thought - wasn't there an Alpha Flight character for a while called Flex I think who did the same sort of thing?

Nice having Berta wonder where her former academy friends were at the end too, good to see you reference their shared history.

I'm really looking forward to seeing where you take will this now as the Oversight Watch you created are a really interesting group.

Great fun Raz, now the only thing I can ask for is....

More, more, more! laugh


Posted By: razsolo Re: OVERSIGHT AND CONSEQUENCE - 03/04/13 01:35 PM
Thanks Harbinger....the Oversight Watch will be popping up again, I have plans for those ladies and gentlemen. Glad that I could throw a curveball with Jed and Mandalla, and glad that 89 has piqued your curiosity! Hopefully her eventual reveal will be worth it! smile

There was indeed an Alpha Flight kid called Flex who could transform himself into razor-sharp thin plates of metal...I wanted to do something with perennial loser Ron-Karr without necessarily going the route of making him literally two-dimensional....

Dawnstar is a funny one.....she (and Timber Wolf for that matter) are really two of my least favourite Legionnaires, but for some reason I really love writing them both!

On the other hand, Dream Girl is maybe my favourite Legionnaire, but I tend to feel like she's one of the cast I don't have the greatest handle on....strange how these things work!
Posted By: Omni Re: OVERSIGHT AND CONSEQUENCE - 03/05/13 06:14 PM
raz great installment. you've got such a great world built here.

I thought they were going to go back as well. if not both at least one of them.

i do have a question though a couple entries back you had the team be partnered up and forced to get to know each other. are we ever going to see how that turned out???
Posted By: razsolo Re: OVERSIGHT AND CONSEQUENCE - 03/07/13 10:01 AM
Thanks Omni...funny you should ask that question, that is the very subject of the next installment! smile
Posted By: Omni Re: OVERSIGHT AND CONSEQUENCE - 03/08/13 12:19 AM
sweet can't wait!
Posted By: razsolo FEARSTORM! - 03/17/13 01:30 PM
METROPOLIS
Weisinger Plaza, Legion Headquarters

Shrinking Violet greeted Chameleon Boy politely as she entered the mission monitor room to begin her shift.

“Hello Violet,” Cham nodded, his antennae bobbing slightly. “Not much activity today, which is good...seems like everybody is busy working on Bouncing Boy’s little pet project anyway.”

“His getting to know you thing?” Vi smirked. “I got Ayla for my partner. We’re going on a double date with Taryn and Light Lad this weekend, should be fun. Say, how did your mission turn out the other day? Did you find Power Boy and Mandalla?”

Chameleon Boy shook his head as he began to leave the room. “Afraid not. Dawnstar couldn’t locate them.”

“That’s strange,” the small-statured heroine frowned. “So what are we going to try next?”

Cham shrugged. “If Dawnstar couldn’t find them, I guess they can’t be found. Anyway, I hope your shift is as uneventful as mine was...I’ll see you later!”

Shrinking Violet’s purple eyes narrowed suspiciously as she watched her Durlan comrade leave the room. Not like Chameleon Boy to let a mystery like that go, she thought. She turned to the mission monitor board and found the icon she was looking for, tapping it to open a direct channel of communication.

“Duplicate Damsel? I’ve got a question for you...”

**********
TITAN
Titanopolis, The Time Institute

“Golly!” Elastic Lad beamed. “This is swell! It’s so educational watching you work, Brainiac 5! I’ve always wanted to see the Time Institute for myself! Temporal physics is one of the few fields of study we don’t really have much practical experience with back on my homeworld, so this sure is a real thrill! I’m glad Bouncing Boy assigned you to be my partner for this project! I’m just having the best time here today! I can’t wait to find out all about your childhood on Colu! I’ve got so many stories to tell you about Cadmu! I mean I don’t really have childhood stories so much as post-incubation stories, but I still can’t wait to tell you! This is great!”

Watching Brainiac 5’s expression darken with each passing second, Tyroc and Element Lad traded smiles on the other side of the room. “This might be mean-spirited of me,” Tyroc confided to the blonde transmuter, “But after everything Brainy’s put me through in this place, I’m kind of enjoying inflicting Elastic Lad on him.”

Element Lad gave him a slight smile. “Elastic Lad is certainly excitable, isn’t he? Poor Brain--”

Before he could complete his statement, a white-haired man in a lab coat breathlessly rushed into the room. “Querl, I know you hate interruptions but there’s some kind of ruckus going on in downtown Titanopolis and they could really use some Legion assistance!”

“It’s okay, Brainy.” Element Lad held one hand up. “Tyroc, Elastic Lad and I can deal with this. We’ll call you if we need backup.”

“Thank you, Element Lad.” Immersed in his work, Brainiac 5 didn’t look up as the others left the room. He allowed himself to relax once he was alone, releasing an audible sigh.

Element Lad turned to the scientist as they followed him through the corridors of the Time Institute. “What exactly seems to be the problem, Doctor..?”

“Madri,” the man answered. “Dr Madri, but you can call me Jax. I’m not sure to be honest, news reports are saying there seems to be some kind of panic in the streets but they haven’t identified a cause as yet.”

“Wouldn’t want to make it too easy for us,” Tyroc joked. “Don’t worry Doc, we’ll take care of it. You might want to keep an eye on news reports and let your staff know they’re probably safer avoiding downtown till we find out what’s going on.”

“Of course,” Dr Madri agreed, waving the heroes off as they exited the building. “Good luck, Legionnaires!”

“Let’s take to the sky,” Tyroc suggested. “We should have a better chance of finding whatever this thing is from higher up.”

“That may not be necessary,” Element Lad noted even as his flight ring carried him into the air. “Can you feel that?”

“Gosh, what is that?” Elastic Lad screwed up his freckled face. “It’s like anxiety washing over me in waves. Are you feeling that too, Element Lad?”

“We’re all feeling it,” Tyroc replied. “Titanians are all telepathic, right? They must be responding to this threat, broadcasting their fear.”

“Then let’s not waste any time!” Elastic Lad countered. “It seems to be coming from this way! Let’s go, Legion!” The eager young hero darted off like a missile, leaving his more experienced teammates behind him.

“Elastic Lad, wait!” Element Lad and Tyroc increased their own flight speed to catch him before he got too far ahead. They found him hovering between two enormous skyscrapers, several pedestrian walkways criss-crossing beneath him. The scene below them was utter chaos and even from over a hundred feet away their skin crawled with projected fear. Titanians were stampeding one another in their mad panic, hundreds of them trying to get away from something behind one of Titanopolis’s ubiquitous towering buildings.

“It’s not wise to zip off on your own into an unknown situation,” Element Lad chastised his young teammate. “Now that we’re here though, we’d better help those people before someone gets badly hurt.” He descended closer to the maddened crowd, steeling himself against the onslaught of panic and terror which increased exponentially the closer he came to them. He called out to the crowd to draw their attention, but they couldn’t hear him over their own frightened cries.

“Let me try,” Tyroc suggested. “People!” he called out at bone-shaking volume. “The Legion of Superheroes are here to help you!” Several individuals turned to notice the heroes above them, but even those few who came to their senses were caught up in the swell of the mob around them. Perhaps inevitably, a small group of men and women were shoved too close to the edge of one of the walkways. They broke through the protective barrier, screaming as they plummeted.

The Legionnaires rushed into action without another word. While Elastic Lad scooped up three small children in his elongated arms, Tyroc’s scream commanded the wind itself to gently lower the other fear-addled people to a lower walkway. Element Lad first repaired the broken barricade with a sheet of iron, then turned his attention to the crowd itself. “I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this,” he intoned as he raised both arms over the crowd, “But you haven’t really left us a great deal of choice.” The mob grew sluggish and then all of them dropped to the ground unconscious. Instantly, the three Legionnaires felt the fear of the Titanians dissipate, leaving the heroes visibly much more at ease.

“They’ll recover as soon as they get some fresh oxygen,” Element Lad advised. “But hopefully they’ll be a little more calm when they come around. Now let’s see if we can find out what’s causing this madness!” The three heroes followed the trail of the crowd backwards, but before they’d flown more than a few metres the cause of the madness found them. A man hovered calmly towards them, the streets now empty below him. He wore a costume of black and blue, a stylised atom symbol adorning the chest of his puffy-sleeved shirt. The only exposed skin on the stranger was his face. It was so pale as to be almost translucent, and his eyes were empty white pits in sickly black sockets. In place of hair, the man’s head seemed to be aflame with blue licks of fire.

“Gosh!” Elastic Lad exclaimed. “Who is that?”

Tyroc was visibly shocked. “He looks like Firestorm with a different color palette!” When he saw the lack of comprehension on Elastic Lad and Element Lad’s faces, he continued. “Firestorm was a superhero from the 21st century...he was a member of the Justice League. Something else else tells me this guy isn’t quite cut from the same cloth though. Be careful, you two. If this guy is anything like Firestorm, he’ll have powers coming out his butt.” Tyroc approached the flame-crowned stranger but kept a respectable distance. “Stand down!” he commanded masterfully.

The stranger gave Tyroc a sinister smile. “Silly hero,” he retorted. “Your apprehension is an open book to us. You’re concerned that we’ve recreated the secrets of the Firestorm Matrix, and you very well should be. The truth though is far worse.” He locked eyes with Tyroc and the hero was suddenly lost in the grip of pure unreasoning terror. The fear they had gleaned from the crowd only moments ago was nothing compared to this. Unable to help himself, Tyroc raised his hands in a defensive gesture. “No!” he screamed. “Get away from me! Get away from me!” His screaming intensified and changed into something wordless that chilled his teammates to the bone. The scream reached its peak and Tyroc shimmered out of existence.

“What did you do to him?” Element Lad bellowed, turning ambient oxygen atoms near the villain into hydrogen. His flaming head triggered an explosion and he tumbled backwards.

The villain righted himself and flew towards Element Lad with his fists balled. “It would be easier if we showed you,” he snarled. “We are Fearstorm, and your emotions are as clay to us. Let’s see what happens when your concern for your friend turns into abject horror, shall we?”

Element Lad renewed his assault, but Fearstorm was prepared for the explosion now and soared through unharmed. The Trommite hero’s eyes grew wide, his heart pounding in his chest. The blood drained from his face, and with nothing more than a whimper he curled up into a ball and shuddered like a frightened infant. Fearstorm’s power sent Jan into mindless catatonia.

“Now for the last one,” Fearstorm spoke to himself. “Where--” Before he could complete his query, rubbery arms snaked around the villain. He struggled, but Elastic Lad’s elongated arms soon held him tight in a human coccoon.

“I don’t know how you’re doing this,” Elastic Lad announced, his flight ring carrying him up behind the vilain, “But you can’t make me teleport away and if you do whatever you did to poor Element Lad, you’re still stuck with me wrapped around you.”

Fearstorm relaxed. He knew he had some measure of superhuman strength, but it clearly wasn’t enough to resist Elastic Lad’s constrictive force. “The Firestorm Matrix was a 21st century Terran innovation which allowed two individuals to merge,” he explained to the young hero, “To become one godlike being with the power to reshape matter itself. For centuries nobody has been able to replicate the Firestorm Matrix. We still don’t know how to recreate Martin Stein’s original work. But we have learned how to adapt the Firestorm Matrix on a psionic scale. Everything that Firestorm could do with matter, we can do with emotions. We thought that our work would increase our own native Titanian telepathic abilities on more than an empathic level to be honest, but perhaps that’s just a matter of experience. We must say that today’s experiment has been quite heartening thus far.”

“All of this is just an experiment?” Elastic Lad blurted out. “Gosh Sir, you could really have hurt people today!”

Sirs,” Fearstorm corrected him calmly. “You clearly haven’t been listening. There are two of us in here, you simpleton.” Elastic Lad’s resolve instantly disintegrated, replaced by a greater fear than anything he had ever known. He tried to resist, but every fiber of his being was screaming at him to get away from this monster. Completely overwhelmed, he released Fearstorm in a flurry of motion and sped away without even having fully retracted his arms. Elastic Lad’s eyes filled with tears as the sound of Fearstorm’s mocking laughter followed him through the empty skies.

A wailing cry seemed to fill the air, fading quickly into silence. Curious, Fearstorm turned to face this new interruption. Brainiac 5 hovered above him, a visibly shaken Tyroc by his side.

“We’re surprised you’re back,” Fearstorm taunted Tyroc. “We really thought you’d be halfway to Earth by now.”

“I know fear,” Tyroc returned bravely, his voice breaking with raw emotion. “I’ve known fear a long time...and maybe I’m not strong enough to face it on my own, but I know I’ve got friends who can help me. I don’t...I don’t need to face you alone, Fearstorm.”

Fearstorm threw his head back and laughed again. “Oh, this is wonderful. It doesn’t matter how many friends you have, Tyroc. They’ll all fall before us.”

“Doubtful,” Brainiac 5 said curtly. “I’m disappointed, Fearstorm. I thought that intellects capable of modifying the Firestorm Matrix to the Titanian genome would be more advanced. Two minds and you have as much common sense between you as any common thug.”

“There is nothing common about us!” Fearstorm turned on the heroes. Tyroc screamed, teleporting away once more. Brainiac 5 screamed too, but then surprised Fearstorm by flying straight into him. His forcefield belt activated, Brainiac 5 remained unharmed as he battered Fearstorm into the wall of a residential tower. “How are you resisting us?” the villain roared. “Why don’t you flee?!”

A cold sweat broke out across Brainiac’s face. “I told Tyroc to leave me when you attacked!” he shouted in an almost panic as he landed blow after blow upon the villain, each punch amplified by his forcefield. “I couldn’t trust that I wouldn’t use him to escape if the option was available!”

“Stop it!” Fearstorm shouted, a tangible note of fear in his own voice. “Get off of us! Why aren’t you afraid?!” He tried to resist the hero’s assault, but Brainiac 5 was as vicious as a cornered animal.

“Afraid?” Brainiac returned, wild-eyed. “I’m terrified!” He bloodied Fearstorm’s nose. “But I don’t lose my mind just because I’m scared, Fearstorm! I’ve calculated the range of your power! I know there’s no way I can escape you! So I’m going to hit you and hit you and hit you until you fall down!

“No!” Fearstorm cried out. “No!” A pale blue corona of energy surrounded the villain’s head, and he struck at the Coluan hero with a lance of pure psionic power. Brainiac 5 gave a monosyllabic exclamation and his eyes rolled back in his head as he began convulsing uncontrollably. Fearstorm took a moment to catch his breath. He gave a nervous laugh, then a more confident laugh as he realised what he’d done. “We’re mastering our power,” he noted. “We’ve won!

“No,” a familiar voice rejoined. “You haven’t. As powerful as you might be, you still need to breathe just like any other Titanians.” Fearstorm spun to face Element Lad, casting eyes upon the hero just before he choked and passed out. As he fell from the sky, the villain separated into two individual men with a flash of light. Both men were conscious as they separated, and Jan moved quickly to grab one of them by the collar as he fell. His partner in crime hit the walkway below and was knocked out cold by the impact.

“You think I’ve never had to conquer horror before?” Jan asked bitterly, glaring at the now timid man in his grip. “Roxxas the Butcher taught me all about horror a long time ago, you pathetic little man.” He thrust the man at arriving Science Police droids and turned his back on them.

“You can call this experiment a failure.”
Posted By: Harbinger Re: FEARSTORM! - 03/17/13 09:32 PM
Fear storm - what a great name!

Another interesting post - love Vi picking up on Cham being uncharacteristically uninterested in the missing students. Also great to see Tyroc again, and the comment about Brainy deserving the overly enthusiastic Elastic Lad was a nice touch of character writing as was Element Lads wounds showing at the end. Lets hope the 31st Century has proper psychotherapists at the Legion's beck and call because he really could be a basket case.

Brainy's acknowledgement that he was terrified was great too, he's the one Legionnaire with the most to lose if his mind was damaged.

I'm sure I don't have to say this but more, more, more!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: FEARSTORM! - 03/18/13 06:53 AM
Raz, I have to say you're a master at inserting such nice little bits and pieces into the mythos. The translator exmeptions, the 31st century's more fluid conceptions of gender preferences...
Posted By: razsolo Re: FEARSTORM! - 03/21/13 08:20 AM
Thanks as ever for all y'all kindly words folks! smile

IB: I was ridiculously proud of myself about the translator exemptions, lol....I felt like Einstein must have felt when he came up with that theory of relativity thing wink
Posted By: razsolo FALLEN STARS - 03/24/13 06:42 AM
METROPOLIS
Lightle Towers Residential Complex, Allon Residence

In one of the more fashionable districts of Metropolis, Yera Allon led Tinya Wazzo through the stylish apartment she shared with her husband Gim. Already seated at a glass table was Luornu Durgo Taine, nursing a drink. Above her, a ceiling-mounted abstract sculpture rippled and shifted forms constantly.

To any casual observer, the Durlan expatriate simply had some friends over for a social visit. It was only when Invisible Kid came into view and Shrinking Violet grew to full-size beside him that the other women in the room were recognizable as the Legionnaires Chameleon Girl, Phantom Girl and Duplicate Damsel. Together, the five comprised the majority of the Legion Espionage Squad.

“Thanks for coming at such short notice,” Luornu greeted the newcomers. “And Chameleon Girl, thanks for letting us use your home.”

“Anytime,” Yera replied as she fetched drinks for everyone bar Shrinking Violet, who quietly declined. “But why the subterfuge, Duplicate Damsel? And why isn’t Chameleon Boy here?”

“Chameleon Boy was part of a mission led by my husband to track down Mandalla and Power Boy after they were found to be implicated in some peculiar activities,” Luornu explained. “Dawnstar, Dream Girl, Tellus and Invisible Kid’s sister were on the same mission. Dawnstar couldn’t locate Mandalla or Power Boy, which in itself is strange enough...however, Violet noticed that Chameleon Boy didn’t seem very interested in pursuing the matter and I found much the same reaction with Chuck. Violet and I think that there’s more to this than meets the eye, and we aim to find out what that could be.”

“Now that you mention it,” Invisible Kid joined in, “Danielle was oddly reluctant to discuss anything that may have occurred on that mission.”

“And I guess if you think the team’s been compromised, it makes sense that our headquarters may be compromised as well,” Phantom Girl added.

“Exactly,” Duplicate Damsel nodded. “Chameleon Girl and Colossal Boy are the only members of the team who maintain a residence outside of our headquarters, so I asked her if we could meet here.”

“I doubt the others will think anything of it but won’t Chameleon Boy be suspicious once he realises the rest of the Espionage Squad are meeting without him?” Vi asked bluntly. “And what about Tellus? None of us have any defence against a telepath.”

“Don’t worry about those two.” Luornu took a sip of her drink. “They’re both going to be too busy for a little while to even notice us. It’s been some time since I was an active member of the Espionage Squad, but I still have some tricks up my sleeve...”

**********
As one Duplicate Damsel was meeting with the Espionage Squad, another Duplicate Damsel walked through the Legion of Superheroes’ enormous hangar with Chameleon Boy, Tellus and Wildfire beside her. Quislet flew noisy circles around the four in his micro-ship.

“Thanks so much for helping with this,” Duplicate Damsel smiled. “I appreciate it and Lamprey will really appreciate it.”

“What’s the Legion for if not helping people?” Wildfire responded casually. “Besides, it’ll be good to see what another one of the Academy kids is up to. Lamprey’s with the Science Police on Vavalla now, right?”

“Indeed,” Tellus answered. “I eagerly anticipate a reunion with my friend.”

“Besides,” Chameleon Boy added, “We four are really the best equipped to deal with a mission to a water world, it's logical to send us.”

“Quislet best equipped to deal with anything!” Quislet chipped in with his usual lack of humility.

“Well I’m grateful anyway," Luornu continued, ignoring the tiny extra-dimensional adventurer. “Vavalla is a good day’s travel, and I doubt that helping Lamprey investigate seaquakes is going to be terribly interesting for any of you.”

“The boredom will be worth it to drive this little nuisance crazy,” Wildfire quipped, flicking Quislet’s ship with the back of his hand. Quislet blew plumes of exhaust into Wildfire’s visor as his tiny ship entered the waiting cruiser with a rude poop-pop-poop. Wildfire, Tellus and Chameleon Boy followed their diminutive teammate onto the vessel.

Duplicate Damsel stayed to watch them take off then turned around and walked back through the hangar, her heels clicking on the gleaming metal floor.

**********
VENUS
Cirrus City, Ninth Strata

Dream Girl’s heels clicked on the brightly patterned floor of the Lela Institute, Cirrus City's premier paediatric hospital. Cirrus City floated some 50 kilometres above the surface of Venus, its inhabitants kept safe from the violent atmospheric conditions outside by high-durability ceramic walls. Dream Girl had been sent here on a goodwill tour along with Star Boy, Matter-Eater Lad and Nightwind as part of the colony’s tricentennial celebrations.

"We’re so glad you’re here!" the Tamaranean Nurse Holiand’r touched Star Boy’s bicep, her wide emerald eyes bright with joy. "The children have been looking forward to your visit since we first told them!"

"We’re more than happy to help," Dream Girl said with a voice like honey, subtly placing herself between the buxom golden-skinned nurse and Star Boy. "Thom and I love having the chance to fulfill our Legion duties together, isn't that right darling?" She intertwined her arm in Thom's and flashed her sweetest smile. Nightwind rolled her blank white eyes, a gesture that went unnoticed by the others.

“The children are just through here,” the nurse continued, pausing at a circular door. The door irised open to reveal a large recreation room filled with an assortment of toys and activities. Murals lined the windowless walls and lush green plants hung from the ceiling high above. Two dozen children turned their attention away from the edutainment holo they’d been watching and cheered loudly at the heroes’ entrance.

Nurse Holiand’r stood back impressed as the Legionnaires interacted with the children she loved so. She hadn’t imagined the celebrated superheroes would be so personable. Matter-Eater Lad was an easy favourite, making the children squeal and giggle by eating the weirdest or most disgusting thing they could suggest. They were amazed by Star Boy’s ability to make even a stuffed toy so heavy that none of them could lift it, and the younger kids were entranced by his costume. Nightwind’s power gave the more boisterous children the thrill of simulated flight, and the more reserved among them were enthralled by Dream Girl’s retelling of Legion adventures. Holiand’r had expected the heroes to present a professional yet distant demeanour, but the four Legionnaires really seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as the children were. Holiand’r cocked her head curiously as Dream Girl stopped one of her stories mid-sentence and seemed to enter some kind of trance state. “Thom!” the platinum blonde heroine cried out abruptly. “Make the children heavier!”

Confused, Star Boy looked to his lover. “Dreamy, what..?”

“Just do it!” she ordered. “Make them too heavy to move!”

Star Boy hesitated for a moment, then realised that Dream Girl must be acting on foresight. The air around his hands darkened, and a group of seven children standing around him suddenly collapsed to the ground. He began an apologetic explanation, but before he could even get the first word out a shimmering golden aura appeared around one of the room’s walls.

Before their eyes, a huge section of the wall simply disintegrated. Acting on reflexes honed by countless hours of training, Nightwind used her own power to counter the inhospitable Venusian atmosphere. The Legionnaires' transuits activated automatically, but Nurse Holiand'r and the children had no such protection. Nightwind was their only defence against sulphurous rain driven by gale-force winds. Her cloak whipping about her, she used her flight ring to stabilise her position and grabbed hold of a young boy standing nearby. Holding the boy close, Nightwind struggled to fight the monstrous force of the planet’s atmosphere. “I can’t hold this up for long!” she cried out to the others.

Holiand'r hugged two crying children with one arm, her other arm wrapped around a support beam. She felt like her arm was going to be ripped from its socket, but she would die before she would let any harm come to these children. "The emergency field should kick in any second now!" the brave young Tamaranean nurse screamed over the howling gusts. She could smell the singe of her own hair from stray droplets of sulphuric acid, could feel the burn where the fine spray touched her bare skin. All the children by now were screaming and bawling. Matter-Eater Lad and Dream Girl were shielding a few of the kids with their own bodies but without Star Boy and Nightwind here, Holi shuddered to think about the fate which would befall most of them.

As abruptly as the fierce onslaught had begun, it ended. “Legionnaires, are any of you harmed?” Nurse Holiand’r asked wearily. “I’m going to get the children to medical attention if anybody needs - oh!” As she looked up toward the heroes, she saw a lean young boy in a tattered cloak standing before the wall, its hood obscuring his features. He was flanked by two much larger men with obvious cybernetic enhancements. The amber forcefield which had closed over the hole behind them defined their silhouettes clearly.

“Go!” Dream Girl barked. “We’ll handle these three! Get the children to safety!”

“Bah!” One of the cyborgs stepped forward into the greater light of the room, his pointed ears and pink skin making him very clearly a Khundish warrior. “Any Khund child would have attacked by now! Your United Planets is pathetic!” He raised his left arm toward the loudest group of children, a gleaming cannon where his hand should be.

“Are you nuts?!” Nightwind gestured and the Khund was hurled into the ceiling. Her wind faded and he slammed back into the floor again.

“Why are you still here?” Dream Girl yelled at the stunned nurse. “Go before someone gets killed! Nightwind, go with her!”

“Dream Girl, are you sure the three of you can-”

“Star Boy had to use his power on some of these children to protect them, but they won’t be able to support their own weight now!” Dream Girl interrupted as she flew towards the second Khund. “You’re the only one who can get them to safety, Nightwind! Now go!” The platinum blonde kicked the Khund square in the face, the momentum from her flight knocking him off of his feet.

“Don’t worry about us, kids!” Matter-Eater Lad launched himself at the first Khund, taking a chomp out of his arm-cannon to disable it before he could fire. Tenzil said something else, but it came out as a distorted mumble with his mouth full of osmium steel. Instead, he opted for giving Nightwind and the nurse a thumbs up as he dodged a powerful swing from his Khundish foe. Still not satisfied but not really seeing that she had a choice, Nightwind used her winds to carry the children with increased mass as she followed Holiand’r out of the room.

“This is great!” Tenzil taunted his opponent. “Normally I can’t really go around eating bits and pieces of my enemies, but half of you is metal! Delicious metal!” He rolled between the legs of the Khund as a giant pink fist deformed the floor where Matter-Eater Lad had been standing. A second later there was a loud crunch and the Khund fell over with half his prosthetic calf missing.

“Kharish, Rhenarr, remember...don’t kill the Legionnaires,” the boy in the hood instructed. “I don’t care how badly you hurt them, but I want them left alive when you’re done....especially Dream Girl. I want him to watch her suffer.”

The color drained from Star Boy’s face. “I recognise that voice...”

“You should.” The boy lowered his hood to reveal chocolate colored skin and a shaved scalp crossed by massive scars. “You killed my sister.” Large brown eyes which had once been full of life were now sunken and dark. His lips were cracked and his cheekbones more pronounced, his young face prematurely aged. This was unmistakably James Cullen though, the Xanthui teenager better known on his homeworld as Jimmy Quantum. Along with his sister Jazzy Quantum he was one of the Uncanny Amazers, their government-backed team of defenders. Not long ago, Star Boy had been placed in the unenviable situation of having to allow Jazzy to sacrifice her life to save her own team as well as a squad of Legionnaires. He hadn’t seen James since.

“Jimmy, what’s going on here?” Star Boy approached the young boy. “I know you must hate me, but this...this isn’t right. You’ve allied yourself with Khunds?”

“The Khunds helped me better myself,” he explained bitterly. “Xanthugov wouldn’t help me get revenge on you for my sister’s death. The Amazers wouldn’t help me. So I gave the quantum belts which powered Jazmin and myself to the Khunds so they could be reverse-engineered for their warriors’ cybernetic enhancements. All I asked is that they helped me avenge my sister. And here we are.”

Star Boy was aghast. “Jimmy...you gave the belts to the Khunds? Do you know what they could do with that technology??”

“I don’t care!” he spat. “They were the only ones who helped me! And stop calling me Jimmy! Jimmy Quantum died when my sister died! You can call me the Quantum Avenger!” He threw off his robe in dramatic fashion, revealing the full bodysuit beneath. The general design was the same as the costume he had worn as an Amazer, but the palette was darker and it was more obviously armoured. Emblazoned across his chest was the same starburst symbol he had once shared with his sister, but instead of gold it was now a deep purple, defined in a thick black outline. He glowered at Star Boy and a cluster of light spheres appeared in the air before him which shot straight at the Legionnaire. Star Boy evaded the spheres, remembering the golden glow that had surrounded the wall before the Quantum Avenger’s entry with the Khunds.

“James, I’m sorry about your sister!” Star Boy apologised. “I truly am! But hurting us isn’t going to bring her back! Nura and Matter-Eater Lad weren’t even there when it happened, at least let them go!”

“Let them go?” the self-appointed Avenger repeated incredulously. “I’m going to kill them! You destroyed my family, I’m going to destroy yours!” He cast more quantum spheres at Star Boy and the bearded hero again dodged.

At least he’s not using quantum decay, Thom thought as he tried to figure a way out of this. Those past couple of attempts haven’t damaged anything they’ve hit, so I’m guessing he just wants me frozen in place while his cronies take down Nura and Matter-Eater Lad. I can’t see the quantum belts on him though, could the Khunds have internalised his powers? Is that why he has those scars on his head? Interrupting his analysis, a stray laser beam from one of the Khunds grazed his shoulder. Star Boy cried out in pain. Distracted, he was an easy target for the Avenger’s next strike. Thom was enveloped in a golden glow, and then time seemed to stop.

Disoriented, Thom shook his head. His bearings had shifted. He was suddenly no longer airborne, but being held in a bear hug by one of the massive Khunds. The second Khund lay moaning a dozen feet away, all of his obvious cybernetic enhancements half-eaten. Matter-Eater Lad stood motionless by his side trapped within a golden aura of his own. Dream Girl lay on her belly facing Star Boy, the Quantum Avenger standing only inches away from her. Nura was cognizant and seemed mostly unharmed. Once she realised she had Thom’s attention, she looked urgently at him and mouthed something silently.

Stall for time.

Star Boy considered his options. He’d obviously been trapped inside a stasis field, the same kind of field in which Matter-Eater Lad was trapped right now. Thom had no way of knowing how much time had passed while he had been in stasis though...seconds? Minutes? More frustrating, Star Boy’s power was useless here...there was no point making his Khund captor any heavier, he would crush Thom if he fell. He could make the Quantum Avenger heavier, but he couldn’t guarantee that would prevent the boy from being able to use his power on Nura. All that was left was to follow Nura’s suggestion and hope for the best.

“James, it’s not too late to stop this!” Star Boy pleaded. “You haven’t hurt anybody yet, and you don’t have to! Surrender and we’ll undo whatever the Khunds have done to you, we can get you some-”

“Some therapy?” the teenager snapped viciously. “You want me to give myself up so some misguided psychotherapist can make me forget my sister?”

“The child is more of a man than you are,” Star Boy’s Khund captor mocked him. “We Khunds respect his drive...perhaps if your United Planets bred more of its children with this fire, we would have more respect for you.”

“That’s what I’ve been missing in my life,” Star Boy deadpanned. “Khund respect.” The muscular warrior squeezed and Thom grunted in pain.

“Enough,” the Quantum Avenger decreed. “It’s time for you to suffer the way I’ve suffered, Star Boy. Say goodbye to your precious Dream Girl.” His hand suffused by a golden nimbus, he leaned down over the prone heroine.

Thom was confident that Nura could beat this kid with one hand tied behind her back. The only reason for her not to defend herself was to protect Star Boy and Matter-Eater Lad from reprisal. That meant Thom alone had to do something, and he had to do it quickly. “Your sister would be disgusted with you!” he bellowed impulsively.

The troubled teen paused just before grabbing Dream Girl’s hair. He stood up straight and walked over to the captive Star Boy. “You don’t get to talk about Jazmin!” he shouted.

Thom almost breathed a sigh of relief. It worked. “Your sister was a hero, James! Her sacrifice saved the Amazers and the Legion of Superheroes! How do you think she’d feel to see what you’ve done here today?”

“I said,” the Avenger repeated darkly, “You don’t get to talk about Jazmin!” He punched Star Boy in the gut full-force, winding him. His hand once again glowed with a golden light, but Star Boy was more interested in what was happening behind his young assailant. Before anybody could stop her, Dream Girl leaped to her feet and threw herself at Matter-Eater Lad, holding him as tightly as she could. The Khund holding Star Boy cried out, and James spun around.

It was at that point that the door to the room irised open once more, and Nightwind stepped through. “Hi everybody,” she smiled wickedly. “I’m back.” The door closed behind her and the room was shaken by the force of a contained miniature hurricane. Everything that wasn’t bolted down flew around the room, furniture smashing against the walls around them. Dream Girl used her flight ring to try and fight the winds but with Matter-Eater Lad in her grasp it was a battle she was losing. It was only when the Quantum Avenger slammed into a wall dazed that he lost his focus and the stasis field surrounding Tenzil dissipated. Working together, Nura and Tenzil forced their way to an alcove in the wall where they huddled safe from the onslaught around them. The Khunds too bounced against the walls, the floor and the ceiling. Mercifully, the Khund holding Star Boy protected Thom from the first impact with his own body and weakened his grip enough that Thom could squirm free.

Nightwind allowed her assault to cease, and everything dropped to the floor. After the ordeal of fighting the atmosphere of Venus, ferrying the children to safety and now this, she only hoped the Quantum Avenger and the Khunds couldn’t see how utterly exhausted she was.

“It’s over, James.” Star Boy clambered to his feet, still feeling tender where the Khund had crushed his ribs. He increased the mass of both James and the Khunds to keep them helpless where they lay. “I understand you hate me...I don’t blame you for that. But hurting other people is not the answer.”

James Cullen released a heart-rending wail of combined anguish and rage. He couldn’t lift his head enough to even look at Star Boy, he knew there was no way he could fight him like this. It really was over. Tears rolling down his cheeks, he could still feel the wall at his fingertips. I’m coming, Jazmin, he promised his sister silently. With a golden flash, the wall decayed instantly. The Quantum Avenger and his two Khund allies were sucked out of the floating city in the blink of an eye. Dream Girl and Matter-Eater Lad held onto one another for dear life, Nura screaming Thom’s name. Nightwind tried to fight the chaos around them as she had earlier, but she was too spent. Without her own power at play, her flight ring wasn’t strong enough to keep her stable and despite her best efforts she flew towards the rift in the wall. She slammed into Star Boy, and the impact was like hitting a steel wall.

“How are you standing against this wind??” the astounded Nightwind asked as she clung onto her teammate.

“Heavier...” Star Boy grunted in pain. “Made myself...heavier.”

As had happened earlier the city’s emergency forcefields kicked in soon enough, and normalcy was restored. *breep*structural integrity at risk*breep* a soothing feminine voice sounded through hidden speakers in the room. *breep*please evacuate*breep* The message repeated on an endless loop while red strobing lights flashed on and off.

No longer able to support his own weight, Star Boy collapsed to the floor. His forehead touched the cold metal surface beneath him. Nura ran to embrace him, but she seemed a million miles away. They all did. A solitary thought filled Thom Kallor’s mind.

That’s two. Two dead children on my conscience.

I can never call myself a Legionnaire again.

**********
Posted By: Omni Re: FALLEN STARS - 03/27/13 05:08 AM
great battle! sounds like we might be losing another Legionnaire!

great take on Kid Q!

Espionage Squad! I love it!
Posted By: razsolo Re: FALLEN STARS - 03/29/13 03:43 AM
Thanks Omni! There will be some (hopefully interesting and surprising) membership changes coming up!

re: the Espionage Squad, I have been wanting to do an Espionage Squad story since I started writing this series! I am just glad now I finally have found a way to do it! smile
Posted By: Omni Re: FALLEN STARS - 03/29/13 04:35 AM
Can't wait Raz!!!
Posted By: razsolo NIGHT FISHING - 04/18/13 12:28 PM
METROPOLIS
Weisinger Plaza, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Bouncing Boy leaned back in his chair and exhaled slowly. “Star Boy, you don’t have to quit the Legion. What happened to James Cullen is sad, but it’s not your fault.”

Across the desk from Bouncing Boy, Thom Kallor sat stiffly in his seat. He wore a grey long-sleeved shirt, his flight ring sitting on the table between the two men. The bags under Thom’s eyes and his unkempt beard were a clear indication of the stress he was laboring under. “I just...I keep hearing the agony in his voice, Chuck. When he knew he’d lost. He chose to die, and I...I couldn’t stop him. Just like his sister. He was only a kid, you know?” Thom leaned on the desk, hiding his face behind his hands.

Chuck Taine stood and walked around the desk, resting his hand on Thom’s shoulder. “Okay, buddy. I won’t push it. But we’ll miss you around here. You’ve been a part of the Legion for as long as I can remember. I wish you’d at least give the rest of the team the chance to say goodbye.”

“I’m sorry,” Thom apologised miserably as he too stood up. “I can’t be around here right now. You’ll see me again, but I don’t think you’ll ever see Star Boy again.”

“Then let me say it’s been an honor working with Star Boy,” Chuck gave him a firm handshake. “As much as it’s an honor knowing Thom Kallor. Please keep in touch.”

Thom returned the handshake, then turned and left the room. Nura Nal waited for him in the corridor outside, wearing a dress which while stylish was far more understated than her Dream Girl costume. A wide-brimmed hat hid her trademark platinum blonde hair and shaded her face. “I hate you, Thom Kallor,” she sniffled. Loose bangles clattered against one another as she wiped at her bloodshot eyes. “You know crying makes my face all red and puffy.”

“Nura, I know you're just being melodramatic.” Thom hugged her to his chest. “I can’t let anybody else suffer because of my shortcomings. I’m going back to Xanthu now to tell James Cullens’ family and the Amazers what happened, but you know I’ll be coming back to Earth as soon as I can. I'm not breaking up with you, why are you so upset?”

“Because this is stupid!” she burst out. “Thom, it’s not your fault that brave young girl sacrificed herself and it’s not your fault that her brother succumbed to his grief! Nobody blames you for any of this but yourself!”

Thom stiffened and pulled away from her. “I’m sorry if you think it’s stupid,” he said. “It’s how I feel, Nura. I need to go now. I’ll be back.”

Hearing the hurt in his voice, she hugged him again. “Thom, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean you’re stupid...this whole thing is just so sad and I’ll miss you, that’s all. I love you.”

“I know.” He raised her face to look her in the eye. “And I love you too, you know I do. But I need to go now, Nura.” The two kissed passionately, then the man formerly known as Star Boy walked out of the Legion of Superheroes’ headquarters and didn’t look back.

**********
In the Legion of Superheroes’ hangar, an almost microscopic lifeform floated through one of the team’s cruisers unseen. With single-minded purpose, it flew through the ship from one end to the other before finally landing on a chair on the cruiser’s bridge. In the blink of an eye, the creature was replaced by the purple-garbed form of Chameleon Girl. Seated comfortably, she opened a secure channel of communications on her flight ring. “The coast is clear. Come on up, Phantom Girl.”

Soon enough, the plucky heroine from Bgztl ascended through the floor of the cruiser. Her collarbone was level with the floor when Tinya stopped and squinted at something beneath one of the seats. “Hey, what’s this?” she asked, raising intangible fingers through the floor to frame a dark stain on the carpet.

Yera came down to her hands and knees, the fingers on one hand extending into luminescent appendages. “Computo missed a spot?” she shrugged.

Tinya shook her head. “No, these cruisers get thoroughly cleaned out any time they’re taken out of the hangar. This ship hasn’t been used since Bouncing Boy’s team went looking for Mandalla and Power Boy, so it must be something they picked up then. Maybe it’ll give us some clue where they went? I’ll go get a spectroscanner.” She continued rising through the vessel until she had fully entered it, then turned tangible once more and made her way to the field equipment locker.

“You’re better with computers than I am,” Yera suggested, “Why don’t you access the ship’s logs while I investigate our mysterious clue?”

“Sure!” Tinya agreed cheerily.

As Phantom Girl sat down at a console, Chameleon Girl changed forms once more. This time the Durlan became a bloodhound, sniffing at the floor gingerly. She recoiled and turned back to her normal form almost immediately. Her face screwed up in disgust, Yera shuddered. “Ugh. Vile.”

“What happened?” Phantom Girl laughed.

“I thought it looked like blood,” Chameleon Girl explained. “So I became an Earth dog because Reep’s always telling me how good their sense of smell is. A little too good for my liking!”

Tinya opened a couple of additional diagnostic tools and then turned to Yera with a more serious tone. “And is it blood?”

Chameleon Girl gave an affirmative nod. “I know whose blood it is too. There’s no way anybody else could smell that fishy. It’s Tellus.”

The bridge’s console gave a short beep and Tinya gave it her attention once more. “Well, that’s frustrating. The navcomp has no record of any travel taking place...but the fuel cells are depleted so they must have gone somewhere. Obviously there’s been some judicious editing.” Following a different tangent, Tinya tapped away at a separate holoscreen. “No on-board medical supplies have been used either, but surely someone would have noticed if Tellus had come back bleeding.”

“So he was treated for injuries somewhere else?” Yera asked.

“Exactly,” Phantom Girl replied. “Let’s tell Luornu and the others. As far as leads go it's pretty threadbare, but at least it’s something!”

**********
VAVALLA
Old Byssopolagia Outskirts

Where it wasn't covered by her customised Science Police uniform, Lamprey's slick green skin crackled with a nimbus of bio-electricity which lit up the ocean floor beneath her. She was followed closely by Wildfire, Tellus and Quislet. A tiny luminescent jelly clung to the tail fin of Quislet's microship while every other lifeform in the vicinity scattered at the odd group's approach.

"It feels weird to be wearing a transuit underwater," Lamprey said to the others, "But even my aquatic modifications aren't much good against the extreme pressure this far down. This is the deepest part of the ocean floor that's been explored on this world. How are the rest of you coping?"

"No problems here!" Quislet chirped, his microship bubbling away at a steady pace. "Air, space, sea, all the same to Quislet!"

"The little jerkwit's got a point for once," Wildfire agreed. "Nothing much fazes you when you're made of energy."

"I'm just glad there are native creatures down here for me to mimic," the jelly spoke in Chameleon Boy's voice. "I doubt that any other marine life in my repertoire would be much use at this depth, and I don’t trust a transuit to be able to adjust to any shapeshifting I might need to do while also keeping me safe against the crushing pressure. There must be seven or eight miles of water between us and the surface!"

"Nine and a half," Lamprey corrected Cham. "Big world, Vavalla...and precious little of it has been explored in any real capacity!"

It must be a thrill to work in such uncharted waters, Tellus noted telepathically. I could never regret joining the Legion of Superheroes, but if Great Mother Ocean had shown me the existence of a world such as Vavalla when I first departed my own homeworld...I wonder if I might be where you are now, Lamprey?

"Joining the Science Police on Vavalla was definitely the consolation prize when all I wanted was to be a Legionnaire for so long," Lamprey admitted. "But now that I've been here a while...it really is like being on the wild frontier! In a lot of ways it's as exciting as I always imagined life in the Legion must be!"

The heroes came to a dramatic drop in the ocean floor, and Lamprey led them down even deeper. For nearly a hundred feet they descended, the water temperature increasing the deeper they swam. "What's this substance on the cliff face?" Chameleon Boy asked, referring to a gray fuzz which appeared at first sporadically then quickly grew to cover almost every spare inch of seabed. "I hadn't noticed it before we entered this chasm."

"The Vavallans call it mossmeal," Lamprey explained. "It's a fungus that thrives around thermal vents. It was a food staple back in the old days when they settled areas with little native animal or plant life. It's kind of gross and nobody in their right mind would touch it nowadays, but it is full of nutrients. Oh, and we're here!" She raised both arms and increased her energy output, illuminating the crumbling ruins of an ancient settlement. "Welcome to Old Byssopolagia, everyone! Homey, huh?"

Chameleon Boy switched forms, duplicating a patch of the mossmeal.

"Chameleon Boy better not dirty Quislet's ship!" Quislet nagged his hitchhiker.

"The pressure's too great down here for even that sea jelly form," Cham explained. "It was starting to feel uncomfortable...Lamprey, how did the Vavallans ever colonise at this depth?"

"Better question; why fish-men colonise here?" Quislet asked, leaving a bubbling wake as his ship flew in and out of one of the ancient buildings. "No sun, no fun! Boring!"

Lamprey's long hair followed her like a sparking tail as she led the heroes between structures that were hundreds of years old. "Old Byssopolagia was a mining town," she explained. "The Vavallans thought they'd make a fortune here mining precious metals so they underwent genemods to resist the pressure and set up camp. Even with their best medical science though, they couldn't adapt to a long-term existence down here...and their equipment constantly failed. All that plus the physical and psychological isolation took its toll. They abandoned the town before too long, now there's only mossmeal left and whatever other critters are hardy enough to wander these depths."

"Is there anything here that could be responsible for the seaquakes we've come to investigate?" Wildfire asked. "Some old mining equipment maybe?"

"Doubtful," Lamprey answered. "It's been an awfully long time since any of that stuff would have been active...I imagine anything that's still down here is nothing more than another surface for the mossmeal to grow on these days. You know, don't get me wrong...I appreciate the help, but I'm surprised Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel sent you all here to be honest. The quakes have been a nuisance this past week and they are getting gradually worse, but we're far from the point where we need Legion assistance. Sorry if I'm wasting your time with this mission."

"That's odd," Chameleon Boy cut in. "I was under the impression you had requested Legion assistance!" Before he could continue, all five heroes felt a pulse of motion pass through them. The vibratory force continued for almost a full minute, but Lamprey had been right to downplay its seriousness. The force was definitely noticeable, but it was far from being harmful or even uncomfortable.

Curious, Tellus noted when the shaking subsided. It almost seems there was a consciousness behind that quake. The sensation has passed now however.

"Can you do an active scan?" Lamprey suggested. "We've done seismological studies and these quakes are in no way natural so it wouldn't surprise me if there is some weird animal or something behind them. Maybe Vavalla has its own earthquake beasts!"

Of course, Tellus acquiesced. A moment later, he swam before the others and turned his head to face them all. My friends, he projected to them all, I do not sense the same presence, but there are other psyches amid these structures...fourteen of them in total!

"Animals?" Chameleon Boy asked.

No, Tellus replied telepathically. I cannot be certain at this range, but I believe they are sentient natives!

Lamprey frowned. "There certainly shouldn’t be sentients in these ruins. Should we investigate?"

Wildfire held his hands up in submission. "This is your show, kid. We're just the backup."

Lamprey's jaw dropped, then she flashed Wildfire an exuberant grin. "Drake Burroughs, I think that's the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me! Okay, I'm going to dim my glow. Tellus, can you please lead us to them?"

"She's right, Wildfire," Chameleon Boy teased as they all followed Tellus into the ruins of the old town. "You're getting mellow in your old age. The hothead who used to live in that containment suit would have taken control of this mission whether anyone liked it or not."

"So I've got a soft spot for the Academy kids," Wildfire deflected his friend's comment. "Don't get your antennae in a knot over it.”

Tellus telepathically directed the heroes’ view to a large domed building before them. It had four entrances, massive round portals circling the dome. The doors themselves had long since succumbed to age, leaving four distinct holes peering into the heart of the dome. Where it wasn’t covered in a thick layer of mossmeal, the building was a faded salmon pink. A faint reddish glow emerged from within the rounded structure.

“What’s going on in there?” Lamprey wondered aloud.

If we swim closer I can probe more deeply, Tellus offered. They will be aware of my presence however.

“Let’s not give up the element of surprise just yet,” Chameleon Boy advised. “I can get in there for a closer look without anybody being any the wiser.”

“Good idea,” Lamprey agreed. “Tellus, can you please keep us linked with Chameleon Boy so we can see what he sees?”

Chameleon Boy’s Durlan physiology enables him to interpret stimuli in his current form in a way that our minds cannot replicate, Tellus explained as the tiny patch of mossmeal clinging to Quislet’s ship detached itself and floated towards the domed building. However I can keep our minds superficially linked so that he may communicate what he senses instantly.

Concealed in the thick blanket of mossmeal which coated the surface of the building, Chameleon Boy was all but invisible. He guessed that this building at one time had been some kind of sporting arena. Circling the interior of the dome were rows to ensure that a crowd could be comfortably positioned to pay attention to the large open space in the dome’s centre. In the centre of that open space right now, illuminated by six equally placed chemical flares, thirteen men in ceremonial garb surrounded another man bound to a stone altar. The majority of the men had bladed weapons at their side, while the spreadeagled man in their centre was naked save for a loincloth and a distinctive crimson amulet. With their blue skin and shiny black eyes they were all clearly Vavallans, and Cham guessed that they weren’t up to anything good. He was sharing this information with the others using the mind link provided by Tellus when the strangely-garbed men stood in a ring around their victim and linked hands. They chanted over him, and the amulet around his neck pulsed with red light. A shockwave blasted forth from the amulet and the man at the altar grunted in discomfort, his back arched. Clearly, Cham realised as the shockwave tremored through him, this was the cause of Vavalla’s mysterious seaquakes.

We need to act now! Chameleon Boy thought at his teammates. Let’s go, Legion!

Each of them taking a different portal, the four remaining heroes made their dramatic entrance.

“Stop what you’re doing immediately and put your weapons aside!” Lamprey commanded. She saw the brown-haired Vavallan at the altar and stopped in her tracks. “Turtle?? I should have known you’d be mixed up in this!”

The man named Turtle gave her a cheeky smile. “Hey gorgeous...this one’s not my fault, I promise!”

“We will not be stopped!” one of the cultists bellowed. “Ssthyiia will not be stopped! Kill the intruders!” He drew his blade and charged Lamprey. Spurred on by his example, the other cultists attacked the heroes en masse.

“You know this guy?” Wildfire asked, casually blasting one of his attackers aside.

“He’s a very frustrating thorn in my side named Turtle,” Lamprey replied, taking out another of the cultists with a bio-electric blast. “He was a member of something called the Legion of Substitute Villains for about five nanos...the last time one of their ridiculous schemes was stopped, his Senator daddy made sure he was deported back to Vavalla to avoid any further embarassment.” She fired upon another cultist and turned to the bound Vavallan. “Turtle, what’s going on here?”

“You know how it goes,” Turtle answered as the battle continued around him. “You come looking for treasure in Old Byssopolagia, some crazy cult traps you and decides to use your indestructible body to host an Elder Demon, same old same old.” Another pulse of energy exploded from the amulet and Turtle cried out. The shockwave passed through them all, this one almost painful.

The presence I felt earlier grows stronger, Tellus told the others as he used his telekinesis to shield himself from the cultists’ weapons. I have never felt such malevolence, Legionnaires. I believe he is telling the truth.

“That’d be a first,” Lamprey quipped. She dispatched a third cultist and then turned her power full-bore on both Turtle and the altar upon which he was tied. The altar was shattered, though Turtle himself remained unharmed.

“Thanks gorgeous.” Once again free, Turtle began to remove the amulet from around his neck.

“Stop!” one of the cultists cried out in panic, his own weapon already having been disintegrated by Quislet. “The ritual has gone too far! Ssthyiia will manifest on this plane, and if nobody wears the sacred amulet when he appears he will possess Vavalla itself! The oceans will burn with his infernal presence!”

“If silly necklace the problem, Quislet take silly necklace away!” The Teallian’s micro-ship bubbled across the arena until he was floating by Turtle’s side. The hull of Quislet’s ship opened, and a tiny spark of energy leaped out of the ship and into the amulet. Just as quickly, Quislet’s essence was expelled again. “Necklace don’t like Quislet!” he complained.

Another pulse issued forth from the amuet and this time Turtle screamed in pain. For the first time, he looked frightened. “Lamprey...don’t let them do this to me!”

Lamprey was at a loss for words. Turtle was annoying, but all of his crimes were nothing more than bids for attention. She’d never known him to hurt anybody, and in fact he had gone out of his way to make sure no bystanders were injured during his occasional bouts with the Science Police. He didn’t deserve this. “I...I don’t know what to do,” she admitted, her own face reflecting the fear in his.

Wildfire finished off the last of the cultists with a mighty punch and powered towards Turtle. “If this Ssthyiia needs a host body, let’s give him one!” He grabbed the amulet from Turtle’s neck and draped it around his own.

“Wildfire, no!” Chameleon Boy shouted. “What are you doing?”

“Bringing back the old hothead that used to live in this containment suit,” Wildfire replied. “Demon or not, I’m guessing a body made of anti-energy isn’t gonna be the nice new home this creep was expecting. Just to be on the safe side though, maybe you all better get some distance.”

“Hoo-boy,” Quislet remarked, “Wildfire taking big chance!”

“With all of us!” Chameleon Boy protested. “Wildfire, think! What if you’re just giving him a more powerful body?”

“Then you’ll defeat him,” Wildfire answered. “That’s what the Legion does. But at least this way, I’m the only one that gets hurt. Now get out of here - aaarghh!” Wildfire doubled over in pain, one final shockwave erupting forth from the amulet around his neck. Tellus threw up a telekinetic field at the last possible instant, but when blinding anti-energy streamed forth from every aperture in Wildfire’s containment suit, the heroes were still knocked back several yards.

When the flaring energy subsided into cooling waters, the Legionnaires saw Turtle cradling Wildfire’s empty containment suit. “I...I didn’t want anybody to get hurt,” Turtle explained, uncommonly docile . “So I threw myself around him when I realised he was exploding. Is he...is he dead?”

Right on cue, Wildfire’s containment suit inflated as his anti-energy filled it up once more. Once he’d resumed his normal proportions, Wildfire moved away from the embrace of the almost naked Vavallan youth. “It’d take a lot more than that to kill me,” he joked as his visor snapped shut. “But that was some quick thinking, kid. Maybe you’re not so bad after all.” Wildfire held the amulet out at arm’s length. “I think that demon’s been sent running back to wherever it was he came from. What do we do with this thing now?”

“We should take it into protective custody,” Lamprey replied. “Along with these gentlemen. It looks like I spoke too soon, Legion. Thanks for your help, I’m not sure what would have happened if you hadn’t been here!”

“Thanks for the fun!” Quislet rejoined, flying in excited loops around his allies. “Explosions, crazy fish-men, Quislet have a great time! Now we party!”

**********
LALLOR
Heroes of Lallor Homebase

“Evolvo Lad! Duplicate Boy!” Gas Girl ran through the halls of the headquarters she shared with her fellow planetary champions. Life Lass was not far behind her, still clutching the datascroll which had just brought them an invitation light years away from Earth.

“Wake up!” Gas Girl shouted. “We’ve got great news! There’s going to be a party!”

Life Lass finally caught up to her over-excited teammate, just as the two women reached the door to the mens’ dormitory. “Tal, maybe we should wait till morning,” Life Lass offered meekly, twisting one lock of raven hair around her fingers. “They might be asleep or...”

“Or nothing!” Gas Girl interrupted. “It’s not every day Cosmic Boy and Night Girl send us an invitation to their wedding! Oh my gawf, I can’t wait to see the Legion again!” She turned back to the door and frowned to see they were still denied entry.

“It is quite late,” Life Lass continued. “I...I really think they might be asleep. Maybe we should wait till morning..?”

“Rubbish!” Gas Girl waved her longtime friend’s weak protests aside. “They’re just being silly boys. Well, the door hasn’t been built that could keep Gas Girl out!” The cloud of vapor surrounding her hairless scalp seemed to dissolve her from the top down until a vaguely humanoid mist took her place. Before Life Lass could stop her, Gas Girl seeped beneath the door. “Hope you boys are dressed!” Life Lass heard her tease as she disappeared into their dorm. “Because I’m coming -- No!! Somi, hurry!!”

Hearing the terror in Gas Girl’s voice, Life Lass reached out to the door with her own power. Before she could command it to open, it was blown towards her by the force of a massive explosion. Slammed back into the wall behind her, she barely had enough presence of mind to warp the door so that it didn’t flatten against her. Life Lass was momentarily dazed by the impact, but it occurred to her that if the inches-thick door hadn’t protected her from the brunt of the blast or if it had taken her completely by surprise and slammed directly into her, she might be dead now. Life Lass forced herself to remain conscious and gingerly peeked behind the door which was now shielding her from whatever lurked in the boys’ rooms. “Gas Girl..?” she called out in trepidation. “Evolvo Lad? Duplicate Boy?”

The base’s emergency response systems activated and a chemical foam subdued the firestorm that had enveloped the boys’ rooms. Seconds later, the fires were out and in their place were only the charred remains of the building they had consumed. Life Lass feared the worst.

“Ord?” she asked, a lump in her throat. “Tal? Sev?” Nothing. “Homebase, please...please locate Evolvo Lad, Gas Girl and Duplicate Boy.”

*breep*Evolvo Lad, Gas Girl and Duplicate Boy not in range*breep* came the soulless reply.

Life Lass gasped. Her hands flew to her face and she collapsed, sitting speechless and alone in the wet foam which filled the room.

...The Heroes of Lallor were no more.
Posted By: Harbinger Re: NIGHT FISHING - 04/22/13 06:10 PM
Another enjoyable post Raz: loved the Espionage Squad slowly getting their evidence together though sorry to see Thom go, especially after the battle in the previous post, and have to say it was a hoot to read Tenzil disarming the Khund cyborg - perfectly written! Am sorry to see James go, I always had a soft spot for him. The Khunds having the quantum tech is an ominous development though!

Nice to see Lamprey take charge, and am I right thinking Turtle seems to be a little smitten by her? Is this him on the path of redemption now? Quislet as ever is fun to read and Wildfire's soft spot for he academy kids shone through. The underwater civilisation (and including mossmeal - a nice touch that, including something of the local fauna and how it helped the original settlers survive) were well written too.

Also great to see the Lallorian Heroes make an appearance (sort of) and am looking forward to what you have planned with them too.

More, more, more!
Posted By: Omni Re: NIGHT FISHING - 04/23/13 12:27 AM
Raz i agree some great installments.

I really like Lampry and Turtle's banter. its cute and i have to agree with Harbinger. They are really cute together. I wouldn't mind seeing a side adventure with the two of them.

I do like the espionage squad and I kind of like how it was all almost blown because Lampry wasn't sure why they were there.

Wildfire having a soft spot is a nice touch.

Btw, will we ever see Timber Wolf and Light lad's "get to know you" time? I kind of was looking forward to seeing the two of them go at it.


Poor Thom! I hope he realizes he needs to be with the Legion....But if he's leaving does that mean someone else is coming in?????

Posted By: razsolo Re: NIGHT FISHING - 04/23/13 12:02 PM
Thanks for the comments, peeps! Turtle + Lamprey seems to me like a romcom that writes itself...kind of a reverse underwater Spider-Man/Black Cat pairing. I wouldn't mind revisiting them at some point if I get inspired...

Unlike some of the other ex-Legionnaires, Thom is still gonna be around (though not on the roster)....his story isn't finished yet. smile

And Omni, you are psychic! Light Lad and Timber Wolf's story is the subject of the very next installment (along with a sneaky look-in at the new Academy students and some more on poor Life Lass and her current dilemma!)
Posted By: razsolo MIND GAMES - 04/27/13 08:02 AM
LALLOR
Heroes of Lallor Homebase

Life Lass wiped at her eyes as she recounted once more the horrific memory of the explosion which had robbed her of three people who were more like family than friends.

Standing with Life Lass in the aftermath of the bomb blast were seven Legionnaires; Bouncing Boy, Colossal Boy, Lightning Lass, Infectious Lass, Ultra Boy, Invisible Kid and Shrinking Violet. They could all clearly see how upset the quiet young woman was. “Lightning Lass, why don’t you take Life Lass back to her room?” Bouncing Boy asked gently. “I’m sure there’s nothing more she can tell us that she hasn’t already, and she could probably use some rest.”

Ayla Ranzz placed a hand on the distraught heroine’s shoulder, but Life Lass shook her head. “No,” she sniffled, looking at the Legionnaires with surprising resolve. “I need to see this through...for them. I’m not going to go cry in my room while you find justice for my oldest friends.”

“Of course,” Bouncing Boy replied with a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. The Heroes of Lallor have been staunch allies for a long time, Life Lass. The Legion of Superheroes is here for you as little or as much as you need us, okay?”

“Thank you,” Life Lass managed a small smile in return. “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I have to do it. I do appreciate your help though, Bouncing Boy. All of you.”

"I know first-hand how tough Duplicate Boy can be," Colossal Boy spoke to Ultra Boy in a hushed tone. "I don't want to know what kind of power could do something like this to him."

"Don't mourn that idiot too quickly," Shrinking Violet interjected, a bitter edge to her voice. "He's dumber than dirt, but he's also as durable as Mon-El when he wants to be. Anything that could blow him to atoms would take half this city with it."

"Ma'amselle, some respect for the recently passed!" Invisible Kid scolded Shrinking Violet.

"That's just the point," Vi answered sardonically. "I'll be very surprised if he is dead, if any of them are. There's more than meets the eye here, I'm telling you."

“You seem quite convinced,” Jacques Foccart answered soberly. “I can only pray you are right.”

**********
MONTAUK POINT
Legion Academy
Luornu Durgo Taine felt at home standing before the newest students of the Legion Academy. A small table hovered beside her at waist height, and on that table lay a neatly folded black and blue outfit. “Good afternoon,” the woman better known as Duplicate Damsel greeted the seven teenagers. “Today we’re going to learn that sometimes a clever application of power trumps raw might when it comes to being a superhero...Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad are equally capable of imparting this lesson to you all, but we thought it might have more impact if the lesson comes from someone whose whole career in the Legion of Superheroes has relied on strategic application of powers and skills rather than tearing starships in two.”

Standing at the back of the small training room, Dragonwing gave a dismissive grunt.

“Something else else you want to contribute, Marya?” Luornu asked.

“Some of us don’t need clever application of power,” the red-haired girl sniped. “I mean sure, if your only power is making one average woman into a bunch of average women I can see how you’d have to use your brain so you can play in the big leagues, but I haven’t come across a problem yet that fire breath can’t deal with.”

An irate Laurel Kent spun around to face her fellow student. “You’d better speak to Duplicate Damsel with a little more respect or you’re about to get two invulnerable fists worth of problems that your glorified halitosis can’t deal with!”

“Girls!” Duplicate Damsel raised her voice. “Laurel, it’s okay. I anticipated this reaction. Dragonwing, maybe you’d understand better if I present you with a scenario to work through.” Luornu pressed a button on the table floating at her side and the room suddenly changed to resemble the Legion of Superheroes’ hangar.

“Bouncing Boy asked to meet you all here,” Luornu set the scene. “Only when you got here, this is the only sign you found of him ever having been here at all.” She held up the outfit she had brought with her, and the students saw now that it was Bouncing Boy’s costume. “How is your fire breath going to help you now, Dragonwing?”

Dragonwing scowled. “This is stupid. As if anybody has the power to just make someone disappear without a trace!”

“You’d be surprised,” Duplicate Damsel replied. She looked over the rest of the students. “Anyone else?”

“Maybe a technopathic form...” Variable Lad mumbled to himself. He changed from his familiar three-armed purple self to shapeless living circuitry which writhed across the floor, a membranous web inlaid with veins of pulsing light. Thin rigid fibres extended from the edges of his new creeping form, penetrating the spaces between individual floor panels. “I am interacting with the main database,” an eerie face in the midst of the living web explained.

“Good thinking,” Luornu commended him. “The room’s systems have been programmed to feed you information relating to this scenario so tell us what you’ve found, Oaa.”

“Some form of exotic energy release,” he described. “The systems can’t identify it...but it seems like it permeated the hangar and then Bouncing Boy was gone. I...think there was another person here, but it’s hard to tell. It’s like they had some way of evading proper identification.” The young Jaquaan resumed his normal form once more, his head bowed. “I’m sorry, I’ve failed.”

“Wait a minute,” Gravity Kid joined in, stroking his chin. “Energy that the Legion’s systems can’t identify...someone evading technology...Bouncing Boy disappearing without a trace...sounds like magic to me! Glorith, can you help?”

The timid sorceress stepped forward, her face hidden inside her hood. “I...I can but try,” she offered. “Perhaps a spell of psychometry, to determine the recent history of an object? But what shall I use for my divination?”

“Try this.” Duplicate Damsel handed her Bouncing Boy’s costume. “I had a feeling it might be prudent to bring a real prop...everything else here is a hologram, and while it’s advanced enough to fool our eyes, I’m not sure that would extend to any spell you might cast.”

Glorith obediently took the costume and lay it out on the floor. She walked circles around it, first clockwise then counter-clockwise and then clockwise once more. She spoke barely audible words in a language that nobody recognised, and then she froze in place. The markings on her face glowed with a faintly spectral light and her eyes rolled back in her head. “I...I see...Bouncing Boy training with Comet Queen....no, too far in the past. I must bring my focus forward. He is on a ship now with other Legionnaires...Tellus and Chameleon Boy...I cannot discern the others clearly. The scene changes now....he is on a world...an artificial world made of metal and plastics....with a muscular purple-skinned man and others I do not recognise...” Her face contorted with stress and she came out of her self-induced trance, wobbling unsteadily. Chemical Kid and Lullabye Lad supported her until she could stand on her own two feet again. Shame-faced, Glorith looked up at Duplicate Damsel. “I apologise...I too have failed to find the truth today.”

“Not at all,” Luornu smiled, picking up her husband’s costume. “Don’t forget, Glorith...this was only a simulation. Chuck wasn’t really abducted, there was no truth to find.” She pressed another button on the floating table and the room reverted to its natural state once more. “The important thing is that you thought to use your abilities in deductive ways and you’ve learned that sometimes the quiet achievers have an equal or even greater contribution than the powerhouses on the team. Now, let’s move on to today’s next exercise.”

While she put the students through their paces, Luornu considered Glorith’s words. She had hoped that the time sorceress’s abilities would provide more clarity, but Luornu supposed she couldn’t get the students to do all her legwork. Still, she knew now that Chuck had found Power Boy. With what Phantom Girl and Chameleon Girl had already found out, she knew she needed to look for an artificial world which had the means to treat an injured Hykraian, a world which could be reached using the amount of fuel Phantom Girl had identified.

It would take a little more research, but they were definitely closing in.

**********
THE BALKANS
Bulgaria, Last Stout Bar

Brin Londo held his terrified olive-skinned captive up against the wall of the dingy bar by the collar of his shirt. Around the two men, the room was filled with signs of a recent brawl; men and women unconscious or groaning in pain, broken glass and furniture, puddles of spilled liquor.

“I’m going to ask you one more time,” the Legionnaire snarled, standing so close that the man could feel Brin’s hot breath on his face. “Where can I find these two men?” He held his other arm up and a wrist-mounted holo-projector displayed two small mug shots obviously taken from Science Police records.

“I already told you!” the man exclaimed fearfully, “I don’t know! I know who they are, but I haven’t seen them since they were in here last weekend bragging about how they were gonna be swimming in credits soon! Please, Timber Wolf! Don’t hurt me, I told you everything I know! I swear!”

A low growl built in Timber Wolf’s throat which released itself from him as a roar of impotent fury. He flung the man aside, Brin’s super-strength hurtling him through the bar’s one grimy window to the street outside. To the man’s utter surprise, he didn’t slam into the pavement outside but instead floated straight up a few feet until he stopped moving altogether and simply hovered in place.

“This is what you do when you’re not skulking around Legion Headquarters?” a new voice asked. “You come bully people who don’t stand a chance against you?”

Timber Wolf glared as Light Lad descended to the ground outside the broken window. Light Lad gently lowered the floating man and the man quickly scampered away.

Timber Wolf covered the thirty feet between himself and his teammate in one swift pounce. “I’m not bullying anyone,” he retorted. “I’m working. Shvaughn asked for Legion assistance finding an abducted kid, and this place is the scuzziest dive in the country. Every single one of these people is a lowlife, kid. Someone’s gotta have some info for me.”

“Even if you have to beat it out of them?” the tall Winathian asked, looking down his nose at Timber Wolf.

“What are you even doing here?!” Timber Wolf exploded.

“We’re supposed to work together on Bouncing Boy’s pet project, remember? The deadline is only a couple of days away and you’ve avoided every other attempt I’ve made to talk to you about it. Believe me, I don’t want to do this any more than you do, but I understand a little thing called responsibility...Comet Queen was on monitor duty, so I asked her to assign me to your mission. As soon as I help you rescue this little girl we can get this task out of the way and you can go back to hating me again. Deal?”

Timber Wolf scowled. He wanted nothing more right now than to punch this condescending ass into next week, but that wouldn’t help him find the kid any sooner. “Fine.” He turned on his heel and leaped straight up, propelled by powerful leg muscles to the bar’s rooftop three floors up. He crouched slightly back from the edge of the roof and waited for Light Lad to catch up.

“What are you--” Light Lad began.

“Get out of view of the street,” Timber Wolf cut him off.

Light Lad bit his tongue and obeyed, feeling foolish and annoyed as he crouched behind Timber Wolf. “What are you doing now?” he repeated.

“What do you know about this abduction?” Timber Wolf ignored Darvan’s question.

“I filled myself in on the way,” the strawberry blonde Winathian replied. “Eight year old Kyla Virgo is a distant relative of the Titanian royal family. Her parents brought her to Earth while they were on a diplomatic mission, and she was kidnapped this morning by two men...they issued a ransom demand for three billion credits an hour ago, clearly not realising that distant relative of the royal family doesn’t necessarily equate to unrestricted access to the royal coffers. So, back to my original question...what are you doing up here? Shouldn’t we be trying to find out who abducted this poor child?”

“These two did,” Timber Wolf answered, displaying the mug shots once more. “Natan Rey and Carro Danners. Already found that out with my bullying. Now we just need to find them, and we’ll find the kid.”

An awkward pause filled the space between the two men. Finally Light Lad spoke. “So shouldn’t we be out there looking for them?”

“No need,” Timber Wolf grinned, hunching forward slightly. “Not when he’s gonna lead us right to them.” Light Lad followed Timber Wolf’s gaze to see one of the patrons of the bar emerge from the building, look nervously around and then run at full pelt down the street.

Light Lad was visibly stunned. “How did you know--?”

“They can’t use comms without the SPs tracing them,” Timber Wolf explained, “I knew if I put a scare into those squajes, one of them would go warn the kidnappers we’re after them...keep up if you can, and stay out of sight!” Timber Wolf pounced expertly from rooftop to rooftop, following his prey effortlessly. Light Lad had to begrudgingly admit that despite the man’s many negative qualities, Timber Wolf was good at this.

Before too long, they had followed the man to a run-down apartment complex several blocks away. At the base of the building it looked as though there had once been a cafe, but it had obviously been closed for some time. Rather than a brightly lit sign, the Legionnaires saw only a long abandoned holo-projector. A sheet of metal barred the doorway to the old cafe, and Timber Wolf and Light Lad watched from high across the street as the man pushed the sheet aside to gain entry.

“You think they’re in there?” Light Lad asked.

“He’s not going in for a kono juice,” Timber Wolf retorted. “Let’s go.” For the first time since giving chase, Timber Wolf used his flight ring rather than his natural agility to descend to ground level. Light Lad opened his mouth to ask if they should try for subtlety but before he could voice the question, Timber Wolf had already ripped the metal sheet aside and flung it across the street.

“Give it up!” Timber Wolf bellowed, tearing into the old cafe. Light Lad followed close behind to see the man they’d followed along with the two kidnappers, all of them equally shocked. Kyla Virgo was crying in a corner of the room, her hands in cuffs and a sound suppression muzzle covering the lower half of her face. She was clearly terrified, and Timber Wolf’s dramatic entrance hadn’t helped the situation any. All of the criminals drew handguns, but Timber Wolf had already knocked out one of the men before he’d even removed his from his holster. The Legionnaire pounced at a second target, and suddenly his world turned topsy-turvy.

Struck with vertigo, Timber Wolf missed the man he’d leaped at and slammed into a wall. His mind was filled with images, memories, thoughts that were not his. He had no idea what this was until he caught Light Lad’s confused expression and realised the truth of the matter; these were Light Lad’s memories! It was as though he were living Darvan’s life, as though he himself were Darvan Locke. He felt the shame and the constant bullying of being a singleton, the stubborn drive to push himself past that pain to prove his self-worth. He felt the love and sense of responsibility he had for his sister Davana, the sick sadness at what she had become. The sensations were overwhelming, and it was all Brin could do not to bash his head against the nearest hard surface to exorcise them.

Light Lad felt as though his head were splitting in two; he was living Brin Londo’s life as Brin was living his. He felt the isolation of a childhood on Zuun, the longing for a distant father’s affection. He remembered the horror of a time when he thought he was a soulless android, and the relief when the Legion came to rescue him from Karth Arn’s manipulations. He felt a singular love and devotion to Ayla Ranzz, one which would never stop hurting. Being used by Tyr, and again by Karth Arn. Meeting his ‘sister’, Catspaw. Darvan collapsed to his knees in the filthy cafe, struggling to reason through the chaos. The kidnappers were staring at one another with the same mixture of terror and confusion. They were going through the same thing, but how? That was when it came to him.

Kyla.

She had done this. Darvan didn’t think it was a deliberate attack, she looked too panicked for that. But she was Titanian royalty, of the same stock as Saturn Queen. Darvan had no difficulty believing she had the power to do something like this, and the lack of control to prevent it. He sympathised with her but she still needed to be stopped, her fear was driving the four men insane. Trying not to think about the horrors of Brin Londo’s life, Darvan stared intently at the young girl. “Kyla!” Darvan almost screamed. “We’re here to help you, but you have to stop this! We can’t take much more of this! Please!”

Something else else in his voice broke at the end, and it was enough to cut through Kyla’s fear. Eyes wide, she gasped and jerked her head back. As quickly as it had begun, it was over. Their minds were their own again.

Kill you!” one of the kidnappers roared, rushing the girl with his gun drawn.

“Not today, creeps!” Timber Wolf threw himself at the assailant, knocking the man out cold with one strike. Light Lad’s reaction was slower, but just as effective. The second kidnapper flew straight up into the ceiling and then slammed back down to the floor again unconscious.

Timber Wolf walked over to the young Titanian girl and destroyed her bonds, careful not to hurt her. She sobbed and threw herself into his embrace, and he held her until the Science Police arrived.

**********
Later, the two Legionnaires were on a rooftop watching the sun set over the city. Light Lad stood while Timber Wolf sat on the edge of the roof.

“That was...intense,” Darvan admitted. “Timber Wolf, I’m sorry, I had no idea...what you’ve been through...”

“Not just me,” Brin replied. The two men were silent for a moment, then Brin turned to look Darvan in the face. “It’s fading now, but what I felt, what you remember...you didn’t steal Ayla from me, did you? I lost her all on my damn own.”

Light Lad bowed his head. “I love her, Brin. But I love her as a friend. She’s an amazing person, but what we have...it’s not what you and she had. Neither of us want it to be. And yes, you have lost that, but you don’t have to lose her.” He placed a hand on Brin’s shoulder. “I know you’ve had to be a lone wolf to protect yourself, but don’t let that defence become a trap. Don’t shut out the wrong people.” Light Lad removed his hand from Timber Wolf’s shoulder and flew off towards the setting sun.

Timber Wolf sat on the roof lost in his own thoughts until long after the sun went down.
Posted By: Omni Re: MIND GAMES - 04/27/13 03:08 PM
Raz another great installment! love it! I love the way that Brin and Light Lad connected and quite literally very inventive way to do that.

I didn't know Saturn Queen was of Royal stock...?

The academy kids were nice to see. I still hate Dragonwing. idk why. She's just irritating.

Variable Lad and Glorith are pretty cool and I liked that you've defined her as more of a time witch than just a regular magic caster.

hmmmm i wonder if the secret heroes are responsible/involved with the Heroes of Lallor disappearance?????

Now i just have to wait for more! which i can't.
i feel like these segments are just too short!
Great job!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: MIND GAMES - 04/30/13 04:49 PM
Hey Raz, as Omni says above this is another great section.

I found it funny that Light Lad and Wolf were paired up by Chuck - if there's one Legionnaire you aren't going to get much from it's Brin and throw into the mix the dysfunctional relationship the two guys have over their friendship/romance of Alya and you know it would never be an easy task. I quite liked their literal meeting of minds though, that was well written.

Lu's sneaky use of the Glorith to try to find out more info was well done, those Espionage Squad kids are smart!

Also the team on Lallor are a great mix - good to see Gim in there, I kind of miss him. Vi is right, Dup may be stupid but he's tough, I don't believe for a second any of them are dead. And that wasn't a challenge so don't feel you need to kill anyone now please smile Looking forward to where that arc leads.

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: MIND GAMES - 05/02/13 12:09 PM
Thanks peeps!

Saturn Queen being Titanian royalty was (I believe) something that came up the first time in 5YL, so I just ran with it. I kind of dig the idea of there being twelve houses named after the signs of the Zodiac, and maybe they are just a quaint relic of another time now but there may have been a time in the past when the Royal Family of Titan actually held a lot of power...maybe will touch on that some more later down the track.

re: the Heroes of Lallor and their untimely demise or lack of same.....read on! smile
Posted By: razsolo Prelude to Dominion - 05/02/13 12:21 PM
Sev Tcheru’s head felt like it had been stuffed with eukra wool.

The Hero of Lallor also known as Evolvo Lad opened his eyes and realised instantly that he wasn’t in his bed. He was lying on a bench which was an off-putting yellowish color and slightly moist. The air was filled with the smell of...mildew? Whatever the odor was, it was becoming quite clear to him that something was very amiss. He sat up and took in his surroundings. He seemed to be in some kind of cell. The room was small, barely larger than the bench upon which he’d woken. It was empty of any other furnishings, and there were no windows. Every surface of the room seemed to have an almost organic texture, like fruit rind.

He wasn’t bound, nor did he seem to be injured. Evolvo Lad suspected that he’d been drugged and transported in his sleep. He was still wearing the pyjamas in which he’d gone to bed. Might as well try the door, he thought. Not that I expect it to do much good. He found he was correct, the door didn’t budge. He was about to use his power to devolve into a physically stronger form and rip the door away when he heard a strange hissing noise coming through the other side. Wary, Evolvo Lad made his way to the far side of the cell and waited to see what would happen. Seconds later, the door heated up and burned away seemingly of its own volition. The hero didn’t need his hyper-intelligent form to guess the cause of the damage. True to his suspicions, an opaque gas soon formed where the door had once stood. The gas condensed into vaguely humanoid proportions and solidified into a woman wearing a black bodysuit with pink and white highlights. Swirling gases drifted around her hairless scalp as she gazed upon Evolvo Lad with a mixture of relief and anxiety.

“Gas Girl!” he exclaimed. “What’s going on? Where are we? Where are Duplicate Boy and Life Lass?”

“I can’t tell you where we are,” his teammate explained, “But you and Duplicate Boy were abducted through some strange portal, I followed as a cloud of oxygen. I tried to wake you both, but I think one of their men had some power to keep you asleep. Evolvo Lad, I’m worried about Life Lass...they blew up your quarters as we left. I’m sure they think I was dispersed in the explosion, but I don’t know if she’d entered the room yet!”

“We can’t help her from here so let’s concentrate on what we can do,” Evolvo Lad said pragmatically. “Do you know who took us?”

“They kind of looked like Dominators,” Gas Girl replied. “But different...mutated maybe. What would the Dominion want with the Heroes of Lallor?”

“I don’t know,” Evolvo Lad replied. “Let’s track down Duplicate Boy and find out!” He accompanied Gas Girl outside to a large corridor. Two hairless yellow-skinned aliens lay dozing at the entrance to his cell. They seemed too short and squat to be Dominators but each one bore a small red square on their foreheads, similar to the markings used by the Dominion as an indicator of social standing. Before he could devote too much analysis to the situation, a troupe of the thuggish yellow aliens came stampeding around a corner.

“Are you feeling up to this?” Gas Girl asked her friend as she dissipated once more into a vaporous cloud.

“Frankly, I could do with the stress release.” Evolvo Lad took on an aggressive stance. His brow became more prominent and his slight form grew so musclebound that he ripped his garments at their seams. Coarse brown hair covered his body as he completed his devolution into a Cro-Magnon man. With a mindless roar, he barrelled into the oncoming aliens like a juggernaut. Between his bludgeoning might and Gas Girl’s less violent asphyxiation, their enemies were easily dispatched.

“I don’t know where they’ve taken Duplicate Boy,” Gas Girl announced as she traversed down the corridor in mist form, “But I passed some kind of computer interface when I followed them taking you to your cell. Maybe your super-evolved form can figure out how to use it!”

Before they had gone far, the duo came across another squad of aliens. This group had energy weapons, and Gas Girl was careful to make sure she took on no flammable forms during the fracas. Evolvo Lad launched himself at the squad, taking out three of the small aliens in one tackle. An energy discharge struck a glancing blow across his left shoulder, and the primitive Lallorian bellowed in pain. Losing his temper, he swung one giant arm at his assailant. There was the crack of bones breaking as his massive fist smashed into the alien’s head, and the yellow creature flew backwards where he hit the wall with a tremendous impact. The creature slumped to the ground with the rest of his comrades, and a growling Evolvo Lad advanced on him menacingly.

“Whoa there, big guy.” Gas Girl changed her composition to nitrous oxide and encased the raging caveman’s head. He fought back at first, swinging fruitlessly at the air, but after a few moments he’d calmed down sufficiently that Gas Girl could trust him not to tear his unconscious foe limb from limb. His enraged growls became a consistent low rumble, and Gas Girl backed away. Evolvo Lad’s Cro-Magnon form was a beast in combat, but he had much less impulse control. Over the years, the other Heroes of Lallor had learned to keep an eye on him and Gas Girl had long since discovered the optimum level of sedation needed to bring him out of his unreasoning fury. Fortunately he was also more resistant to injury in this form, and a blast that might have severed his arm normally had only left a nasty burn. It would require medical attention, but it could wait.

The two continued moving, and after another couple of altercations they had found the console Gas Girl had seen earlier. She couldn’t help but notice that the groups were getting larger, and they were more armed each time. She doubted they had anything which could harm her, but it was only a matter of time till they wore Evolvo Lad down. They needed to find Duplicate Boy and get out of here now. Gas Girl reverted to her normal Lallorian form and grabbed her teammate’s uninjured arm with both hands. “Evolvo Lad,” she pleaded, looking directly into the single-minded creature’s eyes, “I know you’re hurt, and I know it’s hard for you to think in this form, but I need you to use your power again. Can you do that for me? Your mind is what’s going to help us now, not your strength.”

Evolvo Lad grunted, then some sign of intelligence gleamed in his beady black eyes and Gas Girl felt him relax. His arm shrunk in her grip until he was once more his normal self, a half-naked brown-haired Lallorian youth. No longer protected by the increased pain tolerance of a Cro-Magnon man, he grimaced as he pushed his power in the opposite direction. His skin grew a couple of shades paler and his build much leaner. Most dramatically, he lost all of his body hair and his cranium elongated to several times its usual size to contain the advanced brain now within. The expression of barely contained agony on his face was instantly gone, and Evolvo Lad breathed a sigh of relief.

“Your wound doesn’t hurt anymore?” Gas Girl asked.

“I have suppressed my pain receptors,” Evolvo Lad explained. “One of the benefits that a million years of evolution provides. But my injury must now take second place to ensuring Duplicate Boy’s safety. Could I ask you to guard me while I examine this equipment, Gas Girl?”

"Of course." She faded into a cloud of colourless odourless gas and kept watch from the ceiling. She would see any of the aliens before they came close enough to hurt her friend, and she'd have the element of surprise on her side.

Evolvo Lad devoted a significant portion of his enhanced intellect to the console before him. At this stage he was almost entirely sure that the Dominion were behind this abduction. The organic technology, the almost mindless drones which while similar to Dominators, were clearly inferior in many ways...of greater concern to him, he was convinced that they were no longer anywhere on Lallor. At his current state of evolution, his senses and mind were both capable of insight denied him normally. The atmospheric pressure, the chemical makeup of the air, even the mildly lower gravity were not of his homeworld. First things first though. His fingers dashed across the touchscreen of the ridged console. Alien characters and diagrams swept past him in a flurry.

“Can you really read that?” Gas Girl asked from her invisible vantage point.

“Not entirely,” Evolvo Lad answered, sounding somewhat distracted. “I can make out enough for our purposes however. Duplicate Boy has been taken to...to be harvested? That makes no sense, it must be an error of translation - oh. Oh no.” He stood bolt upright, his eyes wide with terrified understanding.

“Evolvo Lad?” Gas Girl took on a more visible form to better communicate with him. “What is it? Is he in danger?”

Evolvo Lad turned to face her. “The Dominion have taken Duplicate Boy to a laboratory to harvest his DNA...I was to be next. Gas Girl, they plan to combine our abilities to create an entity who can duplicate the powers of any hero in the galaxy and then evolve those powers to their ultimate extent.”

“Very clever, Lallorian. Your reputation is not unearned.”

Standing before the two heroes was a Dominator in a mauve robe which reached the ground. A giant red disc was emblazoned on his bare yellow forehead and long razor-sharp teeth filled a smiling mouth.

Standing before the Dominator were the beings whom Gas Girl had seen take Evolvo Lad and Duplicate Boy from Homebase. There was a morbidly obese creature with four useless stubs of arms jutting out from beneath his rolls of flesh. His feet were covered in overhanging tubes of body fat, and a cheesy odor emanated from him. The creature was so fat that even his eyes were little more than slits in a rounded head. There was another who looked more like a standard Dominator, though his arms were longer and thinner. As he unfurled them from his side, the heroes saw that they were actually tentacles at least three times longer than his body length. The third in their party was similar to the other creatures they had come across earlier. He was short and squat, but the palms of his webbed hands contained numerous drooling mouths which opened and closed independently of one another. All three of them conspicuously had no markings on their foreheads at all. The being with the webbed hands held them up toward Evolvo Boy and uttered something unintelligible.

“No need to destroy them, Hypercharger,” the Dominator answered his servant. “We need the male creature alive and the female will make for a hostage should we need it. Sleeptank can dispatch them more peacefully.”

“Not if I dispatch him first!” Gas Girl retorted, floating toward the fat one. She recognised him as the one who’d kept her friends asleep during their abduction. She found herself unreasonably woozy however, and couldn’t focus on maintaining her gaseous form. She shifted back to her normal self, and along with Evolvo Lad she succumbed to an irresistible slumber.

“Tendril, collect them.” The Dominator turned and walked away as his tentacled minion ensnared the unconscious heroes and dragged them behind him. Sleeptank and Hypercharger followed close.

Unseen by any of the party of villains, a lone light flashed on the console behind them as a makeshift beacon sent its desperate cry for help out into the ether...
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 2 MAY* - 05/03/13 05:57 PM
Wow! That was a long post, it kept ratcheting up the tension as it went.

Loved how Gas Girl had managed to accompany Evolvo and Dup, she is potentially a very versatile character but we've never really seen that explored.

There are so many good touches to this story that I'm almost at a loss where to begin - the descriptions of the Dominator tech, the smells, Evolvo losing control and his teammates learning how to deal with it, the Dominions planned use of the two mens DNA, the creepy Dominator metas, the way that Gas Girl and Evolvo were captured so easily (that doesn't bode well!) and the sneaky ending with the beacon being sent off.

Phew!

Splendid stuff Raz. I only ask for, no, I demand more, more, more! smile
Posted By: razsolo DOMINION Part 1 - 05/11/13 04:52 PM
DEEP SPACE

Life Lass watched stars streak past the window of the Legion cruiser as the ship raced towards Dominion territory. Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice the approach of Lightning Lass until the Legionnaire was standing behind her, her face reflected in the glass. “Is there anything we can do for you, Life Lass?” Ayla asked.

“The Legion have done more than enough already,” Life Lass replied, turning toward the heroine, but too shy to actually meet her concerned gaze. “I’m just worried about Duplicate Boy and the others. I hope the Dominators haven’t hurt them.”

“The other Heroes of Lallor were able to send a distress signal, that’s a positive sign.” Bouncing Boy interjected, coming from the bridge of the vessel. “After the Dominators attacked Panoptes, and now with the rest of your team abducted to Dominion space, the UP are only too happy for us to take a trip to their corner of the galaxy and find out what’s stirred up that hornet’s nest.”

“How are we going to find them?” Life Lass asked. “The distress signal was cut off before we could confirm its point of origin!”

“We’ve got something a little more reliable than a juryrigged beacon,” Bouncing Boy smiled. “And there she is now.” He pointed out the window as the winged Legionnaire Dawnstar effortlessly overtook the ship, a second Legion cruiser bringing up her rear.

“Don’t worry,” Ayla gave Life Lass’s arm a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll get your friends back in no time.”

**********

In the second cruiser, Tyroc turned away from the navcomp to the other Legionnaires on board. Brainiac 5 was deep in concentration, half a dozen different holoscreens floating before him. Shadow Lad meditated quietly, preparing himself mentally for the battle to come. Elastic Lad was enthusiastically teaching Supergirl how to play 4D Battlecruisers. Tyroc was confident that his contingent of heroes added to Life Lass and the seven Legionnaires on Bouncing Boy's ship would be enough to face any threat, but he also knew the Dominators wouldn't make it easy on them.

After some time, Dawnstar rejoined Tyroc's ship and Bouncing Boy opened a holo-channel between the two groups. Tyroc's crew saw Bouncing Boy, Lightning Lass, Shrinking Violet, Invisible Kid, Infectious Lass, Ultra Boy, Colossal Boy and Life Lass virtually sharing their bridge just as Bouncing Boy's crew saw them. "If I could have everyone's attention?" Chuck asked. "I don't know what we're about to face. Dawnstar tells me the other Heroes of Lallor are on the Dominator homeworld Elia...a place that very few United Planets citizens have ever seen for themselves, let alone set foot on. Our priority has to be the safe return of our friends, but we also want to find out why the Dominators kidnapped them to begin with. Above all else, I’m urging you all to be cautious and take this seriously. The Dominators are not a threat to be taken lightly, are we all clear on that?"

Though Bouncing Boy was addressing the team as a whole, Supergirl felt herself blush. She knew her flippant attitude on recent missions had been cause for concern for some of the Legionnaires. She also knew that with Mon-El visiting Shadow Lass on Talok VIII and Superboy not chosen for this mission due to his inexperience, she was the Legion's powerhouse today. She would not disappoint her friends again. She murmured assent along with the rest of the team.

“We’re going to stay in cloaked orbit while Dawnstar and Supergirl head planetside and find the other three Heroes of Lallor,” Bouncing Boy continued. “Brainy, Shadow Lad and Elastic Lad; you can come join the rest of us on board our ship when we follow them down. There’s no point putting two cruisers at risk. We have to assume the Dominators will try to blow us out of the sky as soon as they spot us so I want Tyroc, Ayla and Jo outside the ship running interference. Invisible Kid, Vi, Brainy; once we get down there, I want you three focused on finding out what the Dominators are up to while the rest of us engage them. Any questions?” Nobody spoke, so Bouncing Boy wished Dawnstar and Supergirl luck and sent them on their way.

*********

As fast as Dawnstar and Supergirl moved, they were a couple dozen miles above Elia’s surface within seconds. Dawnstar’s nose crinkled in disgust as she looked down over viscous oil-slicked seas and land masses covered in pod-like structures. “This world is vile,” she muttered. “There’s not an ounce of space left untainted by the Dominators’ touch!”

“You’re telling me,” Kara responded. “You don’t want to know some of the things my x-ray vision is picking up. No sign of our three heroes yet though, how about you?”

“My tracking power is best suited to the void of space,” Dawnstar replied, “But I have an unusual advantage here in that there are very few non-indigenous lifeforms on this planet. The Heroes of Lallor should stand out like - ha!” She changed direction with one sweep of her enormous white wings, and Supergirl followed as Dawnstar led them to a large cluster of pea green pod-structures on an island on Elia’s northern hemisphere. “They are somewhere down there,” Dawnstar explained. “I can locate them more precisely, but it will take time.”

“Never mind,” Kara answered, peering at the city below them. “I should start earning my keep anyway. Besides, you’re going to be a little preoccupied to track anyone soon.”

“Hmm?” Dawnstar seemed confused at first until she saw the sun glinting off of two military vessels speeding towards them. She evaded their strafing beams with utter ease, while Supergirl didn’t even seem to notice the bombardment.

“I was wondering when they’d notice us,” Kara remarked casually as smart missiles now exploded against her invulnerable form. “Can you keep them busy for a sec while I find your friends?”

“Indeed,” Dawnstar answered. “Perhaps I can even teach them the folly of attacking the Legion of Superheroes.” She spread her wings wide, presenting an easy target for the Dominators’ missiles. Once they had locked onto her bio-signature, she circled around and flew straight at one of the planes with a determined expression. She came close enough to the unmanned craft to brush her fingers against its hull, and then the graceful heroine veered straight up. By the time the missiles blew the vessel to shrapnel, she was half a mile away. Dawnstar heard a second explosion behind her, and suddenly Supergirl was once again beside her.

“I found them,” Supergirl announced. “Let’s call in the others!”

**********

Tyroc, Lightning Lass and Ultra Boy flanked the Legion cruiser as it descended through Elia’s atmosphere. The cruiser was substantially slower than Dawnstar or Supergirl, and a much easier target. Before too long the heroes had a whole squadron of planes in pursuit. While Lightning Lass destroyed missiles with crackling electrical bursts, Tyroc’s screams disabled the planes. Ultra Boy used his speed and invulnerability with precision timing to protect the cruiser from energy weapons. “I thought the diskheads would give us more of a challenge!” Ultra Boy laughed. “I’ve had tougher games of moopsball than this!” As if on cue, the Rimborian hero was instantly consumed in a roaring plasma stream metres wide.

Ultra Boy!” Lightning Lass was aghast. She could feel the heat of the sudden attack even from the other side of the cruiser.

The plasma dissipated, leaving a smoking Ultra Boy in its wake. His costume was in tatters and his hair was a mess, but he seemed unharmed. Ayla and Tyroc shared a sigh of relief. “Lucky I was still using my ultra-energy for invulnerability,” Jo remarked, “But what the sprock was that?”

“Some kind of ground-based weapon,” Tyroc answered, pointing to an enormous cannon below them which was even now slowly moving into position for another shot. “And I’d guess they were actually aiming at the ship. Let’s not give them a second chance.” He drew breath and screamed, the sound cutting off abruptly when he teleported away. Moments later, Ayla and Jo saw the complex below them racked with explosions.

Once the Legionnaires reached the buildings where Supergirl and Dawnstar had found the other Heroes of Lallor, Brainiac 5 remained onboard the cruiser to hack the Dominion’s data networks. With his force-field belt projected around the hovering vessel, he was untouchable and he’d be ready to extract the team at a moment’s notice. The rest of the Legion entered the complex, where Invisible Kid and Shrinking Violet separated from the others.

“Should we be worried that Supergirl and Dawnstar haven’t checked in since we arrived?” Shadow Lad asked, enveloping Dominion security sensors in darkness.

“Gosh, nothing can hurt Supergirl!” Elastic Lad answered cheerily. His rubbery form weaved between oncoming minions, scattering them. “I’m sure they’re both having as much fun as we are!”

Bouncing Boy hoped Elastic Lad was right. Chuck was a little wary that the girls hadn’t made contact with them, but Supergirl really was invulnerable and Dawnstar was an experienced hero herself. As he ricocheted from one foe to another, he told himself that they were probably just preoccupied with fighting. If nothing else, at least Kara had left them a trail of destruction a blind man could follow.

“Elastic Lad, you’ve got a very strange idea of fun,” Infectious Lass remarked. She allowed two of the Dominators’ thuggish servant caste to lay hands on her, then infested their respiratory systems with so many different infections that they collapsed helplessly in coughing heaps.

“You don’t think this is fun?” Colossal Boy joked. Inside the confines of this complex he couldn’t grow taller than sixteen feet, but that still left him strong enough to rip a chunk of the wall away and use it as a shield against the plasma rifles coming up a side corridor. He charged the gunmen, easily laying them low.

“Uh-oh,” Ultra Boy frowned. He switched his ultra-energy from penetra-vision to flash vision, incinerating the final two walls separating them all from Supergirl and Dawnstar so the other Legionnaires could see what he’d just seen.

A robed Dominator stood calmly before them, three mutated servants at his side. One of them had long tentacles in place of arms, and these were now wrapped around the unconscious forms of Supergirl and Dawnstar. The Dominator held a small metallic flask in each hand, his long bony fingers wrapped tight around the cylinders.

“Welcome to Elia,” the sinister villain grinned. “The Kryptonian will produce excellent genestock, but I assure you we have no interest in the continued survival of either your winged female or the gaseous one I hold in these vacuum tubes. So unless you want them to die, I would recommend your immediate surrender.”

The heroes all turned to Bouncing Boy, who wore an absurd expression of shock in his inflated form. He hated the very idea of surrender, but he couldn’t allow Dawnstar or Gas Girl to come to harm.

“No...no, don’t hurt them.” The leader of the Legion of Superheroes deflated to his normal proportions, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

“We give up.”

TO BE CONTINUED..!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: DOMINION Part 1 - 05/12/13 10:14 PM
More exciting stories! Love how you can juggle such large groups of Legionnaires and not let anyone get lost in each scene. Have to say this is Levitz-style plotting at its best, so many subplots being woven but none lying dormant completely!

Love Life Lass' relative shyness. Gas Girl stood out, love Nightwind rocking on Venus (but also letting Nura, Thom and Tenzil shine). Good use of Lamprey and Turtle too!
Posted By: razsolo Re: DOMINION Part 1 - 05/13/13 05:02 AM
Thanks IB, I am glad you dug Gas Girl as I had a lot of fun writing her and Evolvo Lad's powers! Hopefully the next couple of installments should give the other Heroes of Lallor an equal chance to shine! smile
Posted By: Harbinger Re: DOMINION Part 1 - 05/13/13 03:30 PM
Hey Raz, another great installment, love how you have used this team, from Kara and Dawny being pathfinders and Alya, Jo and Troy running interfere,brainy remaining safe on the ship and vi and Jacques sneaking about. Some lovely characterisation too from life lass being shy to Kara's embarrasment, Dawny's confidence, Alya's concern for life lass, though the biggest surprise was Chuck apparently giving up at the end! I really didn't expect that!

You consistently write well plotted prices that are a pleasure to read, thank you!

More, more.... Oh you know the drill by now smile
Posted By: Omni Re: DOMINION Part 1 - 05/14/13 04:57 AM
Another great instalment as always. i feel like i'm running out of ways to compliment you. But i just get so excited to read these and really enjoy them.

agreed your juggling of characters is great.

I don't know the Heroes of Lallor very well but so far I'm liking them pretty well. Life lass seems really meek. but endearing.

Chuck giving up like that?
I think its a ploy to get in closer. I just don't think Dawnstar and Supergirl would be that easily defeated. But good ending.


also /I want to see more of the Academy kids. and Diamond Damsel. we haven't seen her in a bit.
Posted By: razsolo Re: DOMINION Part 1 - 05/14/13 06:51 AM
Thanks for the kind words, everyone!

To be honest, I only barely remember reading a couple of cameos from the Heroes of Lallor when I was much younger and maybe once or twice during the 5YL era as well, so I have pretty much been making them up as I go along while trying to use stuff I have found online as a reference (eg: Life Lass being shy, Duplicate Boy's rep for being an idiot)...the only real concrete memory I have of any of them is Duplicate Boy's role in the Vi/Yera story...so I'm glad people are liking them! smile

After the Dominators story I am gonna do my own version of...well I won't say what it is because I don't wanna spoil it, but it will be a pretty epic story and will involve all 30+ Legionnaires on my active roster with the Subs, the Academy kids and a lot of other surprising individuals involved as well. It is more daunting than I thought plotting it all out, so I hope it doesn't crash and burn, hahaha...but if y'all are enjoying the series so far it is about to kick into overdrive! laugh
Posted By: razsolo DOMINION Part 2 - 05/14/13 07:56 AM
THE DOMINION HOMEWORLD, ELIA
Military Bioscience Complex 361
Standing on a catwalk raised high above their inferiors milling about below them, two Dominators examined various experiments in progress.

“It is a shame our studies of the Daxamite genome on Panoptes were cut short,” one of the yellow-skinned beings intoned.

“Indeed,” his companion nodded. “Though perhaps it is for the best. My predecessor did not anticipate the intervention of the Interstellar Counter-Intelligence Corps and its pet Kryptonian. I have profited from his failure, and I have learned. Researching the metahumans of the United Planets has not provided us with insight into many of the Kryptonian’s allies, but they did bring to light these so-called Heroes of Lallor. With the powers of the Lallorian males at our command, the Dominion will brook no opposition. Our rise to galactic power will be swift and terrible.”

“And how goes the harvest?” the first Dominator asked.

“Our prototype weapon should be almost ready to awaken,” the second Dominator answered as the two men walked through a heavily guarded door to a corridor outside. “We shall test its efficiency against the Lallorian female before sending it to destroy Lallor itself. From there, the United Planets will be ours. Praised be the Dominion.”

“Praised be the Dominion.” The two men nodded at one another and parted ways.

Once the corridor was empty, a tiny woman’s voice silently spoke with her teammate via telepathic earplugs. Invisible Kid, did you catch all that?

Oui, Ma’amselle. As per his codename, Jacques Foccart hovered invisibly in the corridor. His teammate Shrinking Violet was perched on his shoulder, small enough that he could easily include her in his power’s effect. What do we do now?

Let’s find somewhere more secluded and call Brainiac 5 on our flight rings, she responded. If the Dominators are using Evolvo Lad and Duplicate Boy to power their weapons somehow, he’ll know how to stop it.

**********
Elsewhere in the same complex, Bouncing Boy faced his team in the aftermath of his surrender to the Dominators. Lightning Lass, Tyroc, Shadow Lad, Elastic Lad, Ultra Boy, Colossal Boy, Infectious Lass and Life Lass gaped in shock until Ultra Boy finally broke the silence. “Chuck, you can’t be serious!” the Rimborian hero exclaimed.

“Ultra Boy’s right!” Twice the height of the others, Colossal Boy’s voice was booming. “We can’t just surrender!”

“Bouncing Boy wouldn’t do this if there were another way,” Shadow Lad spoke up, defending the man who’d been his teacher for so long.

Bouncing Boy gestured toward the smug Dominator agents. Supergirl and Dawnstar seemed visibly unharmed, but were totally unconscious within the tentacles of one of the Dominion mutates, and their enemy’s leader held Gas Girl helpless in two metallic cannisters. “What do you suggest we do?” Bouncing Boy barked. He looked back at his teammates, making sure to lock eyes with Infectious Lass longer than the others. “It makes me sick to have to lay down our arms like this, but we can’t risk the girls’ safety with a direct assault!”

“The fat one is correct,” the Dominators’ leader spoke, enjoying every moment of this. “I encourage you to...to...why do I feel so weak..?” He dropped the vacuum tubes he’d been carrying and leaned against a wall for support. His minions teetered on their feet, Tendril loosening his grip on his own captives.

“Spondiasa Disease,” Infectious Lass replied, sounding very satisfied with herself. “A bacterial infection that only affects certain races, Dominators being one of them. Don’t worry, at the rate it’s burning through your systems you should be fine in a few hours.”

“Don’t take any chances!” Bouncing Boy shouted. “Get the girls and let’s keep moving!”

“I think...not,” the nameless Dominator leader protested, now on his hands and knees. “Hypercharger...the hostages...” He finally passed out, falling in a heap on the floor.

The mutates were made of stronger stuff than their leader, and while still affected by Infectious Lass’ power they had not yet succumbed entirely. The one called Hypercharger reached for both of the fallen cannisters, revealing many drooling mouths on his open palms. A strange iridescent goop vomited forth from the mouths, engulfing the cannisters and causing them to glow brighter and brighter, vibrating as though they were about to explode any second.

With quiet determination Life Lass immediately took action. Using her power to animate objects, she sprung open the cannisters holding Gas Girl. Her friend coalesced into a visible cloud of mist while Ultra Boy threw his invulnerable body over the empty vacuum tubes and took the brunt of their explosion. The obese Dominion mutate known as Sleeptank turned his own power on Ultra Boy, and Jo Nah joined Supergirl and Dawnstar in deep sleep.

“I guess we know now how they managed to take down Supergirl!” Bouncing Boy reasoned, inflating once more and slamming into Sleeptank. He ricocheted from Sleeptank to Hypercharger before Tendril released Dawnstar and grabbed Bouncing Boy out of mid-air. The mutate was too weakened to actually hurt him, but Chuck was rendered immobile.

“Get Dawnstar clear!” Lightning Lass commanded. “I’ve got this one!”

Colossal Boy obeyed immediately, lifting Dawnstar easily in both arms and facing the wall to shield her. Ayla let loose with a lightning blast, electrocuting Tendril. Bouncing Boy and Supergirl were both protected by their powers, as Ayla knew they would be. Finally falling victim to Spondiasa Disease, Hypercharger and Sleeptank also joined their fellows in unconsciousness.

“Life Lass, you brought the Legion of Superheroes!” Gas Girl cheered. “Brilliant! One good turn deserves another, I always say!” She changed her composition to ammonium carbonate and revived Ultra Boy and Dawnstar while Bouncing Boy extricated himself and Supergirl from Tendril’s grip. When it came time to wake Supergirl though, the Lallorian heroine was stymied. “I don’t get it!” Gas Girl complained. “Do you think they did anything else to keep her under?”

“They wouldn’t have had time,” Tyroc replied. “A Supergirl probably just needs a super wake-up call is all.” He kneeled down by Kara’s side and bellowed her name into her ear. Everyone present felt the bass tremble through them, and Supergirl’s eyes snapped open instantly.

“Lana! I’m coming! Oh...” She realised where she was and cleared her throat, gathering her composure. “Heh, sorry guys.”

“You’ve got nothing to apologise for, Supergirl.” Tyroc offered his hand and helped Kara to her feet.

“He’s right,” Gas Girl agreed. “That disgusting Sleeptank even got me when I was in gas form! The important thing is we’re all together now.”

“Not all of us,” Bouncing Boy cut in. “We still need to find the other half of your team.”

“Duplicate Boy is in a cell on this floor,” Supergirl volunteered. “Dawnstar and I were on our way there when those creeps ambushed us.”

“My penetra-vision has spotted Evolvo Lad too, another level down,” Ultra Boy added, before continuing more sheepishly. “And Chuck, I’m sorry about before...we should have trusted you.”

“Jo’s right,” Colossal Boy agreed. “Sorry, pal.”

“No harm done,” Bouncing Boy brushed them off amicably. “Let’s split into two groups. Dawnstar, Gas Girl, Lightning Lass, Ultra Boy, Elastic Lad and Tyroc can free Evolvo Lad. Everyone else is with me, we’ll rescue Duplicate Boy. Let’s go, Legion!”

Bouncing Boy’s team had to fight their way to Duplicate Boy’s cell, but the six of them were more than a match for ordinary Dominion guards. When they finally reached the cell, Bouncing Boy's flight ring buzzed. “It’s Brainy,” he advised the others. “I’d better take it. Don’t wait for me, bust Duplicate Boy out of there.”

“Everyone stand back,” Supergirl warned the team. “I’ll break down the -- huh?” The door to the cell opened seemingly of its own volition.

“Sorry,” Life Lass blushed crimson. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you, Supergirl!”

“Hey, whatever works, right?” Supergirl smiled and led the team into Duplicate Boy’s cell, though there was only room enough for herself, Life Lass and Shadow Lad to enter. Lying on a bench almost too small for him, they saw Duplicate Boy wearing a sensory-deprivation helmet, his hands bound together in power suppression cuffs. He was shirtless and his body was covered in small bruises.

Life Lass glared at her teammate's restraints with rarely expressed anger. “I'm getting those things off of him right now.” She gestured and the restrictive devices unlocked, bouncing to a corner of the room. She crouched down by her friend’s side and brushed her hand against his cheek. “Ord,” she whispered. “Wake up, please, you have to wake up.”

Duplicate Boy came to with a start. "Wha...Life Lass...Dominators! The Dominators!" He gripped her arm urgently.

"We know," Life Lass soothed. "The Legion of Superheroes are here to help us. We're going to get you home."

"We need to move, people." Bouncing Boy poked his head inside the cell. "Brainiac 5 found out what the Dominators have been plotting, and it's not pleasant. I just lost contact though, I don't know if they've blocked our comms or--"

Supergirl cocked her head to one side and then stared up at the ceiling. Wide-eyed, she turned back to the others. "Duplicate Boy! Copy my powers! Now!" She inhaled, and with a tremendous gust of super-breath sent Bouncing Boy, Infectious Lass and even Colossal Boy tumbling back down the corridor head over heels, along with the guards they'd already knocked out..

In his inflated form, Bouncing Boy recovered instantly. He started bouncing back towards the cell with a question on his lips but before the first word had left his mouth, the ceiling collapsed on the cell and half the corridor. Colossal Boy approached the wreckage in awe. "If Supergirl hadn't acted..."

"We'd be under there right now," Chuck finished grimly.

"She saved our lives," Infectious Lass added. "But what about them?"

Several metres away and behind a mountain of wreckage, twin powerhouses acted in tandem to shrug off the hundreds of tons of debris which had rained down upon them. Duplicate Boy and Supergirl helped Shadow Lad and Life Lass stand up. "Is everybody in one piece?" Supergirl asked.

"We're fine," Shadow Lad answered. "Thanks to you and Duplicate Boy shielding us."

"That was amazing!" Duplicate Boy laughed. "How did you know that was going to happen?"

Kara tapped her ear. "Super-hearing. We're not home free yet though." She looked up, and the others followed her gaze. What they saw chilled them to the bone.

Descending toward them was a musclebound white-skinned Dominator with eyes that glowed like burning embers. In place of a red disk, he bore a sphere representing Elia on his forehead. This was complimented with a stylised aerial map of the Dominion homeworld running down his torso. The map was outlined in a thick black border, which continued into stripes along his arms and legs to join with black gloves and boots. A voluminous blue cape framed his powerful form, and in his right hand he carried Brainiac 5 by the scruff of his collar.

"Brainy!" Supergirl flew at them, aghast.

"Take the Coluan," the Dominator spat, hurling him at Supergirl.

Brainiac 5 was battered, bruised and barely conscious. Supergirl cradled him gently in mid-air. "Oh Brainy, what did they do to you..?"

"Not they," the grinning monster corrected the Kryptonian teen. "I did this on my own, girl. And now B.I.O.N. will be the death of you all."

TO BE CONCLUDED..!

Posted By: Omni Re: DOMINION Part 1 - 05/14/13 08:00 AM
SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: DOMINION Part 1 - 05/14/13 12:17 PM
Wow! Amazing! I have no doubt you will be able to handle your epic story with much success, based on your track record smile
Posted By: Harbinger Re: DOMINION Part 1 - 05/17/13 01:23 PM
B.I.O.N! Fantastic! Great stuff Raz, looking forward to the finale.Once again, you have so much going on in your stories that manages to include everyone but still create stories that are fun to read.

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: DOMINION Part 1 - 05/18/13 05:05 PM
Thanks everyone! Last chapter of the Dominator story should be up this weekend hopefully! (it is trying to stretch its way into two chapters though so we'll see how we go)

...and then I can start on my version of LEGION LOST which is probably gonna keep me and the Legion busy for the rest of the year and have about a gazillion guest stars!! Excitement!! laugh
Posted By: Set Re: DOMINION Part 1 - 05/19/13 01:58 AM
This story just gets better and better.

I'd make a list of stuff I like, but it would take an hour to type. You are a *master* of cool detail, and yet not so much that it remains flavorful and doesn't turn into a science lesson or future history lesson!

Very cool uses of the Heroes of Lallor and Academy students like Mandalla, Nightwind, Laurel Kent and Power Boy. While I'm a big fan to the others, I've never known much about Mandalla, so it's intriguing to see her here. And the hyper-competent '89' is just awesome. Great to see that long-forgotten character get a callback!

I love all the awesome 31st century details, like the night club with the starfield lights letting other people know what music you are listening to, or the translator exceptions.

Wolfbat, Crescent and Sliver totally need to get write-ups in Heroes of Other Worlds, too!

Just amazing!

Posted By: razsolo DOMINION Part 3 - 05/19/13 12:37 PM
Thanks Set! Mandalla is another one I've kind of made up as I've gone along, I haven't really seen anything with her in it outside of Who's Who....anyway, on with the final chapter! This is a long one, but hopefully worth it! smile
**********

THE DOMINION HOMEWORLD, ELIA
Military Bioscience Complex 361

Dawnstar, Gas Girl, Lightning Lass, Ultra Boy, Elastic Lad and Evolvo Lad gaped in awe as Tyroc’s power kept a forcefield in place above their heads. He’d reacted as soon as the heroes had heard the building crashing down upon them, and his cry was now the only thing keeping them alive.

Lightning Lass shouted something, but nobody could even begin to hear her over the din of Tyroc’s scream. They all understood her intent though; Tyroc had dropped to one knee, a vein was throbbing in his neck and he’d broken out into a quivering sweat. He wasn’t going to be able to keep this up for much longer.

Evolvo Lad peered back at the mass of wreckage which had been his cell until the Legion had liberated him only moments ago. The enhanced intellect of his hyper-evolved form made him acutely aware of how close he had come to death, and how close they all still were. Analysing the structural integrity of the remaining building, Evolvo Lad tapped Ultra Boy on the shoulder, pointed at Jo’s brown eyes and then at a specific point on the floor. Following the Lallorian hero’s lead, Ultra Boy emitted a wide arc of flash vision, incinerating the floor below them. Tyroc’s voice finally gave out, and there was a flurry of motion as the heroes made a quick escape from the crumbling edifice above and behind them.

Once they were all at a safe distance, the heroes took a moment for their ears to stop ringing and to regain their composure. Predictably, Elastic Lad was the first to recover his power of speech. “Gosh, Tyroc! That was swell! I can’t believe you were so quick, if you’d been even a nano slower we’d all be flat as pancakes by now! Well except for Gas Girl, obviously...and Ultra Boy’s invulnerability would protect him if he had a chance to use it...and you know, now that I think about it a falling building might trap me but it wouldn’t really hurt me much with my elastic body. What do you all think happened? It didn’t feel like seismic activity, do you think it was an attack? Gee, I wonder who would have the power to smash up a whole building like that? Hey, is that a piece of our cruiser??”

Interrupting Elastic Lad’s rambling, a twenty-five foot tall Duplicate Boy tumbled through the rubble, exposing the sky beyond. Hovering there was a white-skinned muscular Dominator in a blue cape. With one powerful strike the Dominator slammed Bouncing Boy away, while Supergirl’s heat vision seemed to have no effect on the villain’s hairless scalp at all.

“Oh my gawf, Duplicate Boy!” Gas Girl formed herself into a cloud of ammonium carbonate for the second time today.

Duplicate Boy inhaled sharply as alertness hit him, and reduced his size until he was the same height as the others. “Colossal Boy’s power didn’t do much against that creep, let’s try Superboy!” He moved to take off again before Evolvo Lad grabbed him.

“Duplicate Boy, wait.” Evolvo Lad peered up at the Dominator in the sky. He was easily trading blows with Supergirl now. An enormous Colossal Boy approached from the north, and the Dominator’s body language showed he was aware but completely undisturbed by this. “Is that what they created with our DNA?” Evolvo Lad asked.

Duplicate Boy nodded, wiping blood from his lip. “His name’s B.I.O.N. I’m glad you’re okay, but I can’t stop and chat...he’s gonna wipe the floor with Supergirl unless I get back up there!” He zipped off into battle again before Evolvo Lad could get another word out.

“He’s got a point,” Ultra Boy noted. “We can figure out how this happened later, right now we have to stop this guy from killing us all!” Jo took off in Duplicate Boy’s wake, and the rest of the Legionnaires followed suit.

Gas Girl made herself visible, floating beside Evolvo Lad as she watched B.I.O.N. effortlessly shake off the Legionnaires’ combined assault. “Evolvo Lad...we’re not going to beat this guy just by hitting him, are we?”

“No,” a new voice answered. “We are not.” A very battered Brainiac 5 floated over the wreckage to join them, an arm and leg both in makeshift casts thanks to Life Lass’s power. With no flight ring to propel Life Lass, she scrambled over the wreckage to join them. “They will learn that for themselves though,” Brainiac 5 continued, hovering in place so as to avoid undue stress on his injured leg. “We need to rendezvous with Shrinking Violet and Invisible Kid and assist them in their task while our teammates deal with B.I.O.N.”

“Their task?” Gas Girl asked. “What could they be doing that’s more important than this?!”

“Gas Girl,” Brainiac explained, “B.I.O.N. is only a prototype. There will be many more superior to him, unless we do something about it.”

“Brainiac 5 is correct,” Evolvo Lad agreed. “We cannot allow the Dominators to mass-produce this creature, Gas Girl. The United Planets would crumple.” The four heroes moved further into the complex, leaving Duplicate Boy and the other Legionnaires to deal with B.I.O.N. alone.

**********
In the sky, B.I.O.N.’s head vanished inside a sphere of absolute darkness. “This isn’t exactly sporting,” Shadow Lad admitted, “but then it’s not really a game. Pile on, everyone!”

“I disagree,” B.I.O.N.’s voice came from inside the darkness. “I think this is great sport!” He rocketed straight at the blue-skinned hero, intercepted at the last instant by Supergirl.

“Nice try, Grev!” Supergirl shouted as she drove B.I.O.N. into the wreckage. “But he’s got evolved versions of all of our powers, that probably includes your ability to see in the dark!”

“Shadow Lad got one thing right though,” Ultra Boy joined Supergirl’s assault, pounding at the villain with ultra-strength. “Don’t give this guy a chance to hit back! Let's keep him down!” Jo’s knuckles were beginning to bleed from continually punching his invulnerable foe, but he ignored the pain and kept going. Soon Duplicate Boy was there as well, the three heroes striking B.I.O.N. with such impact that they caused more of the building to crumble. Digging his hand into a chunk of wall, B.I.O.N. swung it at his assailants. It smashed into fragments against Duplicate Boy’s indestructible hide, but a stray piece concussed Ultra Boy before he could switch his ultra-energy to invulnerability once more. Elastic Lad snagged Jo as he flew backwards, using his own pliable form to cushion the Rimborian hero.

Elastic Lad gently lowered Ultra Boy to a stable part of the complex and stretched his neck toward Dawnstar and Infectious Lass yards away. “Gosh, Infectious Lass! We’re really taking a licking, do you have some kind of disease that might save the day?”

“I’ve already tried,” Infectious Lass bit her thumbnail as she watched the battle nervously. “His immune system is hardier than anything I’ve come across before. Nothing affects him!”

“We’d better find something that affects him!” Dawnstar observed as Supergirl and Duplicate Boy careened overhead and knocked Colossal Boy over. “Otherwise none of us are leaving here alive!”

**********
Six levels underground, the complex still rumbled from the epic battle above. Brainiac 5 referred to blueprints he’d downloaded to his omnicom as he and the rest of the Heroes of Lallor exited a maglift. “The laboratory we’re looking for should be on this level,” he advised the others. “Let’s just hope the others leave enough of a building standing for us to leave when we’re done.”

“You won’t be leaving,” a sinister voice contested. The four heroes saw two Dominator scientists standing before a locked doorway. Obviously having recovered faster than Infectious Lass had counted on, the Dominator mutates Sleeptank, Tendril and Hypercharger stood beside the two scientists.

Evolvo Lad supposed they’d been conditioned to accept orders from any Dominator, because these Dominators had much smaller discs than the one who’d commanded the mutates earlier. Having experienced Sleeptank’s power firsthand, Evolvo Lad devolved into his Cro-Magnon form and launched himself at the obese creature. He grabbed hold of Sleeptank’s head in both hands and smashed a knee into his foe’s face. Before Evolvo Lad could move to his next target, Tendril had already wrapped him in one of his inhuman appendages. Tendril squeezed, crushing the Lallorian in his constrictive grip for a moment before the villain joined Sleeptank on the floor thanks to Gas Girl’s power. The last of the mutates moved towards the still entwined Evolvo Lad, but was stopped in his tracks when Shrinking Violet grew up underneath Hypercharger and delivered an uppercut which knocked him off of his feet.

The two scientists looked at one another and turned to run in the opposite direction when some unseen force smashed their skulls together. They fell at the feet of Invisible Kid as he faded into view. “Mon dieu!” Jacques exclaimed. “Brainiac 5, what happened to you?”

“B.I.O.N. happened,” Brainiac answered, hovering toward the lab the mutates had been guarding. “That’s the least of our problems right now though. He held up his omnicom to scan the holographic sign which labelled the lab. “Biologically Integrated Organic Network Gestation Chamber,” he read the translated text. “This is where we need to be. Life Lass, the door please?”

Life Lass opened the door for them while Evolvo Lad, Gas Girl and Shrinking Violet incapacitated the Dominators they found within. Once they entered the spacious room, the door closed behind them again and a huge console ripped itself from the wall and teetered seemingly of its own volition to block the doorway. “That should give us a little privacy until we’re ready to leave,” Life Lass explained.

“Excellent,” Brainiac 5 noted, preoccupied with his omnicom. “Now we just need to find the gestation matrix, it will look like -- oh. I see.” He raised his head to view what the others had already found for themselves. Standing before them was a tree-like structure some three stories high. It had roots growing from every branch into the walls and ceiling around it and larger roots which stemmed from its trunk and dug into the floor at their feet. Hanging upon nine of the major branches, glistening amber pseudo-pods bubbled out. Each pod was large enough to hold a person easily, and each one held embryos in various states of development.

Invisible Kid approached one of the pods and cupped his eyes as he peered at the organism growing within. “How do we save these unfortunates?” he asked.

“We’re not here to save them,” Brainiac 5 answered as he moved toward a console at the foot of the trunk. “This is where they created that B.I.O.N. creature. We’re here to stop them making any more. I can create a virus that will destroy their research, but you all need to exterminate these things before they hatch.”

Invisible Kid’s eyes grew wide. “But...but they are living creatures!”

“They’re programmed sacks of meat,” Brainiac argued calmly. “They mimic life, but they are not alive in the sense that we are, Jacques.”

Shrinking Violet grabbed a firearm from one of the Dominators she’d knocked out. “If these creatures do have any spark of sentience,” she noted coldly, “Being a biological weapon is no kind of life for them. We’re doing them a mercy.” She took aim and fired at the nearest pod, watching emotionlessly as amniotic fluid poured out over the floor. Evolvo Lad followed suit, ripping into the pods with bestial strength.

“I - I know we’re doing the right thing,” Life Lass trembled, her eyes filled with tears. “But I can’t...I just can’t! I’m sorry!”

Gas Girl reverted to her Lallorian form and hugged her friend. “Somi, it’s okay. Just...just don’t look, okay?”

There was a thunderous impact above, followed by several more which increased in intensity each time. “He knows,” Brainiac 5 uttered with a note of fear in his voice.

The ceiling tore apart above them and B.I.O.N. crashed through, Duplicate Boy and Supergirl clinging on to him. Tyroc and Lightning Lass followed close behind, attacking him from a safe distance. “I have enjoyed toying with you all,” B.I.O.N. announced, “But perhaps I have underestimated you. No matter, I can end this now.” He grabbed Duplicate Boy by the throat and hurled him away. Duplicate Boy hurtled through the tree itself, collapsing the entire section of wall upon which it grew on top of most of the heroes.

“Brainy!” Supergirl glared at B.I.O.N., thankful that she could still hear Brainiac 5’s heartbeat. One of Kara’s eyes was almost swollen shut, her lower lip was bleeding and it hurt to breathe. She was exhausted, and B.I.O.N. wasn’t even breaking a sweat. Seeing Brainiac 5 injured again however gave Kara the rage she needed to keep going. Too angry and hurt for banter, she boxed B.I.O.N.’s ears with fists powerful enough to shatter planetoids. He cried out in shock at the sensation, and while he was still reeling she fired full intensity heat vision blasts directly into his eyes. The creature bellowed in pain, the first time he had done so since this fight had begun.

“I will end this now!” B.I.O.N. slapped Supergirl’s hands away from his head, and before her eyes his very form changed into glowing green crystalline rock. Kryptonite. Supergirl collapsed to the floor below, B.I.O.N. descending after her. “I have Duplicate Boy’s powers evolved a million years,” he explained. “That means I can mimic the powers of any of you so-called heroes, including the one called Element Lad...and with a million years to evolve it seems that his power of transmutation will even extend to his own form. How unfortunate for you, Kryptonian.”

“In a million years he’ll still need to breathe!” Gas Girl surrounded the villain’s head in a cloud of deadly chlorine gas.

“Go away.” B.I.O.N. dissipated Gas Girl to all corners of the room with a touch of Nightwind’s power.

In the rubble, Duplicate Boy stirred. He had never felt pain like this before. His vision was swimming, his leg felt as though it were broken. He couldn’t hear out of one ear. His other ear did hear something nagging at him, some reedy voice dragging him to consciousness. “Nhh...Violet..?”

Seven inches high, she was standing on his chest as he lay in the rubble. “Damn it, Ord. Get up! I’m not going to let my friends die because of your stupidity!”

“What do you want me to do?” he rasped. “I’ve tried everything! Even Mon-El’s strength means nothing to that thing!” Lightning Lass slammed into the wall to their left and slumped to the ground in a heap.

“You’re duplicating the wrong person!” she yelled. “Grife, use your brain for once!”

He got up one elbow, spitting out a bloody tooth fragment. “What hero is stronger than Mon-El?!” he yelled at her in return. There were two Violets wavering back and forth before him now and Duplicate Boy couldn’t tell which one was real.

Violet grabbed hold of Duplicate Boy’s jaw with two tiny hands and turned his head toward B.I.O.N. charging a screaming Tyroc. “That monster is killing all of us! He’s killing Supergirl! To the Dominators, he’s a hero!!”

Duplicate Boy was dumbfounded for a couple of seconds before his eyes widened in stunned comprehension.

B.I.O.N. tossed Tyroc to one side and looked around the room now bathed in his emerald glow. It seemed that only one of them remained.

He gave Life Lass his most menacing leer and advanced on her. To her credit, she stood her ground despite the fact that she was clearly terrified. Every loose object in the room launched itself at him, but B.I.O.N. simply transmuted the makeshift projectiles into inert gases. He grabbed the Lallorian heroine by the throat and raised her in the air. “I am tempted to leave you alive so that you can tell the United Planets what to expect,” he sneered. “But your corpses shall serve as warning enough.” He began to squeeze and Life Lass gasped for air, struggling fruitlessly against his grip. Inexplicably, his hand suddenly passed straight through her as though she were a phantom. Life Lass dropped to the floor, revealing Duplicate Boy standing behind her.

“Did you know Phantom Girl’s power will evolve one day to be able to phase other people as easily as she phases herself?” Duplicate Boy grinned.

B.I.O.N. gaped open-mouthed. “What...how..?”

“To be fair, that’s not the kind of thing I could have figured out on my own,” Duplicate Boy continued. “So I should thank you for the intellect boost.” Before B.I.O.N. could respond, Duplicate Boy delivered a two-fisted punch that sent his foe flying through six subterranean levels and out of the building itself. Duplicate Boy used Tellus' hyper-evolved telepathy to wake everyone up, and his telekinesis to restore them physically. “Get out of here," he ordered. "I’ll take care of him if I have to bring this whole planet crashing down around him to do it.” He turned to follow B.I.O.N. only to meet the creature's power dive face first. The room trembled and began falling apart as B.I.O.N.'s assault took the two deeper underground.

Duplicate Boy called on Timber Wolf’s agility to flip B.I.O.N. as they drilled through thousands of miles of rock with unimaginable strength and speed. Keeping their momentum going, he pushed even harder. The whole time, the two combatants were attacking and counter-attacking with a myriad of exotic powers faster than anybody else would be able to follow.

“Do you intend on tunneling through Elia itself?” B.I.O.N. asked. “You cannot possibly believe this will hurt me, fool.”

“I don’t believe that for a minute,” Duplicate Boy responded. “Because it’s not hurting me either. Some power you’ve got here, B.I.O.N. You must feel invincible.” Duplicate Boy put all of his strength into one mighty blow that sent B.I.O.N. flying eight hundred miles into the outer core of the planet itself. B.I.O.N. yelped in pain as he was consumed by radioactive liquid ore, but Duplicate Boy steeled himself for the agony and kept moving forward to meet his foe.

Duplicate Boy charged into B.I.O.N. once more. The villain was visibly damaged, but already healing. B.I.O.N. roared telepathically into Duplicate Boy’s brain as he assaulted him physically, with enough psionic force that sentients across Elia developed spontaneous migraines.

The men were both fighting in superheated molten currents now and it was searing them almost as fast as they could heal. You’re definitely powerful, Duplicate Boy responded, but invincible? I don’t think so. Without warning, the Lallorian hero launched himself at B.I.O.N. and tore a hole through his skull with evolved Bismollian teeth.

B.I.O.N. screamed in Duplicate Boy’s mind, a horrific sensation that Ord Quelu was glad he would not have to remember for much longer. He wished there was another way, but the villain was already healing. It was now or never. Duplicate Boy placed the palm of his hand into B.I.O.N.’s open skull wound, said a silent goodbye to his friends, and converted the two of them into raging anti-energy.

**********
With B.I.O.N. having destroyed the cruiser the Legion brought planetside, Dawnstar, Supergirl and Ultra Boy had been forced to shepherd their friends at super-speed to their second cruiser still in orbit. It wasn’t until all of them were safely aboard the vessel that the two teams looked at one another as if coming out of a dream. “Why are we here..?” Bouncing Boy asked, groggy. “Shouldn’t we be down there helping Duplicate Boy?”

“It felt like a compulsion,” Evolvo Lad replied. “Ord told us to leave and it felt right to obey...but now-” He never completed his statement. Everyone on board felt a bittersweet sensation of gratitude and love encompass them, Violet and the Heroes of Lallor most of all. As quickly as it came, it was gone.

And then the planet exploded.

Brainiac 5 took to the shuttle’s controls without question. He knew that his computer mind would give them the best chance of getting away from here unscathed. The shockwave hit them before anything else, and they were thrown about the ship violently before Brainiac got it under control. He flew at full speed until he was satisfied that they were at a safe distance, then slowed down to conserve power.

The Legionnaires were all in shock. Shrinking Violet stared silently at the destruction behind them, one lone tear cascading down her cheek. Lightning Lass tried to think of something to say, but in the end settled for placing a hand on Vi’s shoulder. Violet didn’t say anything, but squeezed Ayla’s hand tight.

Life Lass was inconsolable. She cried into Gas Girl’s embrace, tremendous sobs that broke everyone’s heart.

In his normal form, Evolvo Lad sat beside his teammates and hugged them both. “Ord did what he had to do, Somi. B.I.O.N. was too powerful, there was no other way.” He desperately wanted to change to the less emotional form of his hyper-evolved self, but now was not the time for that. He needed to be here for his family. “I know it hurts, but it’ll pass. We’ll go home and we’ll tell everyone he sacrificed himself to save Lallor and to save the United Planets, and he’ll become a legend and the pain will pass.”

Gas Girl peered into Evolvo Lad’s face. They both had tears streaming down their cheeks. They clasped hands and Gas Girl sniffled gently into Life Lass’s hair. I can’t go back there, Gas Girl thought numbly. I can’t live with reminders of him everywhere.

...I don’t ever want to go back to Lallor again.

Posted By: Harbinger Re: DOMINION Part 3 - 05/26/13 07:15 PM
Fab stuff Raz, particularly liked Violet telling Dupes what to do to beat BION. Your characters were spot on again and I'm running out of ways to praise your plots and pacing though suffice to say I'd really like to see more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo INTO THE INFINITE - 06/13/13 08:45 AM
SHANGHALLA
Duplicate Boy's Memorial

Shrinking Violet watched the small group of mourners from where she stood alone. Duplicate Boy's service had been a simple one, with only a few representatives from Lallorgov and the UP, the remaining three Heroes of Lallor and a small contingent from the Legion of Superheroes in attendance. Despite the best efforts of the Legion of Superheroes and the Heroes of Lallor, the UP had clamped down on them releasing any news related to the destruction of Elia for now. Violet couldn't help but feel that was unfair. Ord Quelu had died for the United Planets, and barely anybody knew.

"Vi?" Lightning Lass approached her teammate. "Chuck's ready to leave whenever you are. Do you need more time?"

"No, I'm fine." Vi took one last look at the rocket-shaped memorial and sighed. "It's so stupid, Lightning Lass. My relationship with Ord was barely a relationship at all, and even then he let me down as much as anybody ever could. I shouldn't care that he's dead, and yet..."

"...And yet you do care." Ayla gave Violet's arm a comforting squeeze. "You give someone a piece of your heart and they keep it, Vi. When Timber Wolf was nearly killed, I visited him every day until I knew he was going to recover. Doesn't make him any less of a jerk and it doesn't mean I have any intention of getting back together with him, but I still care about that idiotic nass-head on some level. Just don't ever tell him that."

"I guess you're right." Vi gave her a half-smile. "Come on, let's go home."

Bouncing Boy was talking with the other Heroes of Lallor when the two heroines found him. "Thanks again for your kind words," Evolvo Lad said to the Legion of Superheroes' leader before turning to Gas Girl. "Tal, are you certain you don't want to come back to Lallor with us?"

"I'm sorry, you guys." Gas girl looked down at her feet. "I just...I don't want to be surrounded by constant reminders of him, you know? It's not forever, but I...I just need some time." She looked up at her longtime friends with pleading eyes. "Don't be mad?"

"Mad?" Life Lass hugged her, tears running down her face. "How could we be mad? We'll miss you terribly though! Please take care!"

Evolvo Lad joined the embrace and all three of them became teary. "I love you guys," Gas Girl sniffed. "You know I'll be back when I can." She dragged herself away from them, wiped her eyes and turned to the Legionnaires. "I'm ready now, Bouncing Boy. Thanks again for letting me come to Earth with you. I don't know what I'm going to do when I get there but I suppose that'll work itself out."

"About that, I might have an idea." Bouncing Boy led her to their shuttle. "But we can talk about that on the way..."

**********
EARTH
Metropolis

In the Legion of Superheroes' mission monitor room, Duplicate Damsel leaned on a console and met the holographic image of the personal assistant of Earthgov's President with a steely glare. "As I told you the last two times you called, my husband will contact you as soon as he returns from paying his respects to one of the Legion's oldest allies...and no, I don't know what time that will be. Now if there's nothing else, I have Legion business to attend to."

She cut off the comms link before the bald man could reply. On monitor duty, Comet Queen let out a long whistle. "Maximal nova burn! What's the Q-emission, Ms Durgo?"

Years of teaching Comet Queen had given Luornu a better ability than most to cut through the golden girl's indecipherable slang. "I'm not entirely sure what he wants," she admitted. "But when the President of Earthgov is this intent on personally meeting with the leader of the Legion of Superheroes, it's never good news for the Legion. Chuck can worry about that when he gets back from Shanghalla though. Right now we need to find Superboy and Supergirl. Can you tell me where they are?"

Comet Queen scanned the monitor board before answering in a sing-song voice. "Wellll, Supergirlll is in the gym with Grev...aaaand Superboy is....whoa. You're not going to liiike thiiiis..."

Luornu looked at the board herself. "I don't understand, what am I not going to - oh. I see."

**********
Mon-El joined Superboy on what appeared to be the roof of a Kansas barn. "You know you shouldn't be here, Kal."

Crops stretched out for miles around them and the wind carried farm scents that seemed almost natural. In the yard below them, a school group learned about the history of Terran agriculture. Some of the children had seen Superboy and Mon-El, and pointed up at them. Glum, Superboy hadn't even noticed the attention.

Superboy sent the weather vane spinning with a gust of super-breath. "I'm sorry, Mon. I know the Superman Museum is off limits to me and Kara, and I know we shouldn't risk finding out anything about our adult lives...but I wasn't trying to do that, honest! I just miss home is all. I miss Ma and Pa. I flew out to the real Kansas, but it's nothing like where I grew up. I thought it might be better preserved here at the museum, even that was a stupid idea though. This might look like my Smallville to people who had to recreate it from thousand year old records, but I can tell it's not the same. Greatest superhero in the world, ha! Greatest relic, more like it!"

Mon-El gave the young teen a rueful smile. "You know, I do have some idea what it's like to be a man out of your own time, Kal."

Superboy blushed furiously. "Oh sprock! I must sound so whiny...at least I didn't have to spend a thousand years in the Phantom Zone to get here...sorry, Mon!"

"No harm done." Mon-El levitated casually, moving around to face Superboy. "It's not something you'll need to concern yourself with much longer anyway...Brainiac 5 says today's the big day!"

Superboy's face immediately brightened. "You mean..?"

Superboy's joy was infectious and Mon-El couldn't help but grin. "That's right, Kal. If all goes well, you should be home safe and sound in half an hour!"

The teen of steel whooped and joined Mon-El in the air. "What are we waiting for then? Let's go!" There was a blur of motion and he left the Smallville wing of the Superman Museum behind him as he zoomed through the massive building toward the exit.

Superboy flew so fast that he was gone before any of the other museum patrons even registered his presence, but Mon-El caught up to him easily. "Out of curiosity," the Daxamite hero asked, "Who taught you to say sprock anyway?"

"It's just something I picked up," Superboy replied innocently. "It's like saying gosh, isn't it?"

Mon-El chuckled and tousled the hair of the boy he'd come to regard as a little brother. "Something else else like that. Come on, I'll race you back to headquarters."

**********
Shadow Lad offered Supergirl a round green fruit as the two left the Legion of Superheroes' gym. "Care for a desert apple?"

"A what now?" Kara took the fruit and eyed it over.

"Talokkian desert apple," Grev explained. "It's from my homeworld. Replenishes your energy supplies, though I guess working out with a mere mortal isn't much strain on a legendary Kryptonian." He bit into the crisp apple with a smirk.

"Don't put yourself down." She followed Grev's example and chewed a mouthful. "You might not have as many powers as me, but you've got moves. Nothing mere about you, Shady." Grev laughed at this and Kara looked confused. "What did I say?"

"Nothing bad," he answered. "It's just...Shady is my cousin's nickname. It feels weird hearing someone call me that. Not wrong weird, just weird." He swallowed and paused before taking another chomp. "So, Brainiac 5 thinks you'll be going home today...you must be excited!"

"I guess," Kara shrugged.

Shadow Lad raised an eyebrow. "You don't sound very excited..."

"It's Brainy," Supergirl sighed. "Every other time I've visited the Legion, he's been closer to my age. It's been years in your time since I've been here, but for me only a few months have passed. There's always been this...attraction, I suppose you'd call it...between Brainy and me, but this time around with the age difference and all, I guess I just came to terms with the fact that attraction wasn't there anymore." She took another bite of the sweet fruit in her hand. "This is really good, by the way!" she mumbled through a mouthful of food. "Thanks!"

"Glad you like it." Grev wiped juice from his lower lip. "I'm not seeing the problem though..? Next time you see us will probably be in our past...which is kind of difficult to get my head around, but anyway...aren't you looking forward to seeing him again the way you remember him?"

"I was," she replied, "But when I saw how badly B.I.O.N. hurt him, it really affected me...it made me realise that I do still care for him and I guess now I'm not gonna get a chance to see where that could lead." She rolled her eyes in disgust. "Ugh, listen to me. I sound like a lovestruck teenager, it's sickening. Sorry, Shady."

The portal to Brainiac 5's multi-lab identified the duo and allowed them entry. "If it's any consolation," Shadow Lad noted, "Some of us are going to really miss you too, Supergirl. I never would have thought I'd get to meet one of history's greatest heroes, let alone that we'd become friends!"

"Well said!" a female voice joined in. Supergirl and Shadow Lad looked to see the lab was crowded with people. Phantom Girl and Ultra Boy, Colossal Boy and Chameleon Girl, Duplicate Damsel, Comet Queen, Sun Boy and a dozen other Legionnaires greeted them. Suspended in a huge gyroscopic device above them all, Tyroc allowed Brainiac 5 to finish strapping him in.

"Wow!" Supergirl stopped in her tracks. "I wasn't expecting such a turnout!"

"Are you kidding?" Phantom Girl laughed. "None of us would miss this for the world! You and Superboy mean so much to us, Supergirl...everybody wants to be here to say goodbye before you go!"

"Phantom Girl's right," Duplicate Damsel added. "The rest of the Legion will be here soon. Even Star Boy is on the way!"

The portal to the lab opened once more as Luornu finished. "It's plain old Thom Kallor now," the former Star Boy corrected her as he entered arm in arm with Dream Girl. "But Legionnaire or not, I still wanted the chance to say farewell."

"You do all realise I have to test the time machine before it can be used?" Brainiac 5 announced. "By all means don't feel that we might need any peace and quiet for that."

"But we can't annoy you if we're not in the room!" Kara teased. Brainiac 5 shook his head and returned to work while Tyroc snickered.

Minutes later, the room was filled with Tyroc's high-pitched wail. Sound baffling equipment dampened as much of Tyroc's scream as possible, but the noise was still uncomfortably loud. A multi-pronged array of forks jutted out of Tyroc's spherical containment, all of them spinning at different speeds. As his cry increased in intensity, the forks vibrated and began to glow. They fired a rainbow beam of light at a small raised platform bearing a tiny inertron cube, and soon the entire platform was glowing.

Sun Boy squinted. The chronal energies at play made it slightly uncomfortable even for him to gaze directly upon the lightshow. "What is that..? In the centre of the platform! Supergirl, you see that?"

"Hey, yeah!" Supergirl turned toward Brainiac 5 at his control panel. "Brainy, is that meant to be happening? It looks almost like the outline of a person!"

Brainiac 5's brow furrowed. "That's not something I'd anticipated. Tyroc, cease output please. I want to analyse this further."

Tyroc stopped his screaming, but the platform was still engulfed in a rainbow aura. Everybody could now see the man-shaped silhouette in the centre of the platform as it gained definition before their eyes. "Brainiac, what is that?" Tyroc asked.

"Not what," the Coluan answered. He recognised the figure's distinctive head-dress now and his heart sank. "Who."

The light exploded outwards, and when the Legionnaires regained their vision they saw a man whose body seemed to be formed of the stuff of the universe itself. Parts of his starfield skin were covered by a purple bodysuit, a golden infinity symbol emblazoned across his chest. "I have waited an eternal moment for my revenge!" the villain boomed. "You have summoned the Infinite Man for the final time, Legion! Now you pay the ultimate price!" He gave a grand gesture, and the lab suddenly filled with creatures, warriors and weapons from a patchwork of eras.

"Damn it, Brainiac!" Duplicate Damsel split into six separate bodies to take on a pair of Neanderthals. "What have you done this time?"

Brainiac 5 activated his forcefield belt to cover himself and the time machine control panel as a Sabretooth tiger clawed fruitlessly at it. "To circumvent the Flashpoint barrier, I had to make use of Rond Vidar's circular time theories," he explained hurriedly. "We couldn't penetrate the barrier so I thought we could loop around...in hindsight, I should have considered the possibility that this might attract the Infinite Man's presence."

Wildfire blasted a swarm of tiny robotic attack drones to ash. "Grife Brainy, you think? Isn't circular time the Infinite Man's whole schtick?!"

A highly armoured mini-tank fired on a small group of Legionnaires with an anti-energy beam as destructive as Wildfire's own. Phantom Girl's intangibility saved her, while Diamond Damsel, Blok and Ultra Boy used their invulnerable hides to shield those standing behind them. The beam shredded a wing of the lab though, including part of an external wall. While the mini-tank was recharging for another strike, Phantom Girl passed through its armour. The war machine shut down with an anti-climactic hum, and Phantom Girl emerged once more.

"A few damaged relays takes care of that thing," Tinya announced. "But look! The fight's spilling outside!" Even as she spoke, a rampaging dinosaur snapped at Comet Queen and chased her into the daylight.

Supergirl launched herself at the Infinite Man, not even noticing a medieval archer's arrows breaking against her skin. "As usual, I have little to no idea what's going on here but let's see if an old-fashioned punch to the nose won't fix it!" She took a swing, then found herself disoriented as her fist connected with a completely different target. Supergirl stared in a daze at the remains of the statue she'd just shattered. "Wha...I'm outside in Weisinger Plaza? That son of a--"

"Uh, Supergirl..? Why did you just smash that statue of Lightning Lad?" Kara turned to find Cosmic Boy and Night Girl behind her.

"Some creep called the Infinite Man teleported me out here!" she told them as she took to flight. "Come on, he's in Brainy's lab!"

"The Infinite Man?!" Rokk and Lydda exclaimed in unison. They followed Supergirl without another word, but before the three heroes had travelled more than a couple of yards, they saw another of their headquarters' walls explode outwards. The Infinite Man was now twenty feet tall, and he tumbled out of the building wrestling with Colossal Boy.

"Off of me, cur!" He blasted the giant Legionnaire square in the face with a focused beam of chronal energy and Gim gave a pained exclamation as he fell backwards into the plaza. An enraged Chameleon Girl shifted into a 12' tall Jovian Bear and threw herself at the Infinite Man, but she was intercepted by an actual Jovian Bear plucked from somewhere in time and space.

Almost the full active roster had arrived by now, and they were all struggling with the temporal chaos in their own ways. As a reluctant Thom Kallor crushed a group of droids under their own weight, Dream Girl approached Dragonmage. "My sister once defeated the Infinite Man by dispersing his essence into the timestream...can you do that?"

"I wouldn't know how to begin!" the young sorceror admitted, the blood rushing to his face. "I'm sorry, Dream Girl...I only wish I had half the mastery of magic as the White Witch!" Indeed, with so much happening around him it was all Xao could do to create a dragon illusion to distract a group of knights from assaulting terrified bystanders in the plaza.

Back inside the multi-lab, Tyroc had extricated himself from the time machine apparatus with Elastic Lad's help. "Who is this jerk, Brainiac?" Tyroc demanded. "How do we stop him?"

"The Infinite Man is an old adversary of ours, though you've never encountered him." Brainiac 5 was clearly very frazzled, a sign that didn't fill the other heroes with any confidence. "He embodies the concept of an infinitely looping spacetime continuum, and he's hated the Legion since his creation. All of these enemies are drawn from different points in space and time, but ultimately they're just an annoyance. The Infinite Man is the real threat. He is also all but immune from conventional harm...if we can get him back to the staging platform though, I think I can disperse his energies once more!"

"He thinks he can disperse his energies..." Tyroc muttered under his breath as he elbowed a time-displaced soldier in the face. "Why does this guy hate the Legion anyway? What did we ever do to him?"

Elastic Lad finished disarming the rest of the soldier's squad while his neck extended so he could talk to Tyroc face-to-face. "Gosh, that's easy to answer!" the perennially chipper redhead volunteered. "The Legion of Superheroes have been there every time the Infinite Man has appeared! The team was there when he was created, Brainiac 5 used him as a weapon against the Time Trapper one time, there was--"

Tyroc held up his hand. "Okay, okay, enough. I get it. Let's just focus on stopping him." Tyroc flew through the remains of the multi-lab and outside, Elastic Lad close behind him. The Infinite Man wasn't at all difficult to find as he towered over the rest of the Legion. Before Tyroc could plan his next course of action however, he saw Bouncing Boy's shuttle approaching the headquarters' hangar. The rest of the Legion were engaged with their own foes, and only Tyroc and Elastic Lad saw the futuristic skyship which came out of nowhere and blew their leader's shuttle to bits as the Infinite Man watched smugly. Elastic Lad's jaw almost literally hit the ground. Tyroc roared in outrage, charging the Infinite Man. His scream was as intense a sound as anybody had ever heard, and everyone on the battlefield stopped what they were doing momentarily to gape. Tyroc's scream caused a visible distortion in the air, and when it struck the Infinite Man the vilain's own body rippled as though a stone had been dropped in water.

Mon-El and Superboy landed by Elastic Lad's side, Bouncing Boy and Lightning Lass in their arms. Shrinking Violet leaped from one of the golden disks holding Mon-El's cape to his chest and regained her normal size, and Gas Girl coalesced by the heroes. "It's lucky we were returning to headquarters the same time as your shuttle!" Superboy exclaimed. "We got you out of there at super-speed just in time!"

"And believe me, we're grateful." Bouncing Boy tried to take in the insanity around them. "But what's happening here? Elastic Lad, is that the Infinite Man?"

"Gee whiz, Bouncing Boy! I sure am glad you're all safe! That was such a close call--"

"Elastic Lad!"

The excitable hero cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed. "Sorry...Brainiac 5 accidentally summoned the Infinite Man. If we can get him back into the multi-lab, we should be able to fix it but so far Tyroc is the only person who's had any effect at all on him!"

Bouncing Boy thought silently for a moment before drawing his flight ring to his lips. "Right. Everybody, listen up: Dragonmage, Tellus, help Tyroc repel the Infinite Man. Superboy, Mon-El, Supergirl, I want you three to cover them. Dawnstar, Comet Queen, Ultra Boy and Lu, you four need to clear any bystanders out of the plaza and once that's done I want Polar Boy to put up a perimeter to keep them out. We're not letting anyone else get hurt because we screwed up."

"What do you want the rest of us to do?" Gas Girl asked.

Bouncing Boy placed a hand on the Lallorian heroine's shoulder. "Gas Girl, I'm so sorry to bring you into this--"

"Don't be silly, Bouncing Boy." She took on mist form and floated before him. "If I can help, I'm happy to...if nothing else, it'll take my mind off of Duplicate Boy."

"In that case," Bouncing Boy inflated his body and bounced on the spot, "I'd say there's plenty to keep the rest of us occupied. Pick a target and good luck!"

Jumping to their leader's command, the Kryptonian teens cleared a path for Dragonmage and Tellus while Mon-El intercepted chronal energy blasts from the Infinite Man which had been meant for Tyroc.

His psyche is so fragmented yet his will is indomitable, Tellus explained telepathically. I cannot usurp control but I can try at least to persuade him to return to the laboratory.

"Just do your best, Tellus!" Mon-El punched a lunging T-Rex, knocking teeth out of its mouth as it collapsed. "How are you doing, Dragonmage?"

"I haven't prepared anything which will affect the Infinite Man directly," Dragonmage replied, "But I believe I have a dragonform which will assist Tyroc!" As he spoke, a pulsating dragon coiled around the path of Tyroc's scream, focusing and intensifying it even further as it struck its target.

I sense apprehension! Tellus exclaimed. I believe it is working, Legionnaires!

The Infinite Man took a faltering step backwards against Tyroc's onslaught. A niggling feeling in the back of his mind told him to retreat, though he knew retreat would only lead to the Legion's victory. It was their telepath!

"No!" The Infinite Man curled his lip in an angry snarl and threw his hands wide. "You will not have victory yet again!" Chronal energies erupted forth in an omni-directional flare. In one dramatic surge of power, every combatant in the plaza and inside Brainiac 5's multi-lab blinked out of existence.

The Infinite Man surveyed the now empty plaza. After so many false attempts, he had finally won.

The Legion of Superheroes were truly lost.
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 1.1: Near And Far From Home - 08/04/13 08:50 AM
Hi folks, sorry I have been so absent! This post begins my take on a Legion Lost storyline, there will be a lot of chapters so I might just shut up and get stuck into it! ;p

**********
Peter Joseph Ross giggled as he chased his reddish-brown dachshund between the tall wheat stalks of Old Man Rascomb's farm. "Hot Dog, come back!" the young blond boy laughed. "Rascomb's gonna kick our butts if he catches us out here again!" Every now and then Pete would catch a glimpse of his beloved pet's tiny little tail wagging excitedly, but it was only Hot Dog's constant yapping that gave Pete any real idea where he was. In this forest of wheat, the dog was all but invisible.

Finally, they came to a row between the plants where Hot Dog jumped up and down on the spot barking at the air. Seizing the opportunity, Pete pounced on him. "You little creep!" The boy rolled onto his back and held Hot Dog up above him, shaking him playfully. "You wanna get us in trouble? Do ya?" This only made the little dog even more excited, and he yapped louder. He wriggled free of Pete's grip and licked his master's freckled face all over. "Gross!" Pete protested between fits of laughter. "Quit it, Hot Dog! Quit it!"

Suddenly a weird stillness surrounded them. The air pressure seemed to change, and a strobe burst of rainbow light exploded from the east. Pete stopped laughing and sat up. What was that?

"Hot Dog, hush!" he whispered hoarsely. The dog barked once more and Pete glowered at him. "Hush!" he commanded more sternly. Hot Dog whimpered and turned away.

Pete felt a pang of guilt. He hated having to scold his pet, but something in his gut told him that they had more to worry about right now than a cranky old farmer. He stood and brushed the dirt off of his clothes, then picked Hot Dog up and held him close. The dog's little heart was pounding like it wanted to break free; whatever this weird charge in the air was, Hot Dog could feel it too. "It's okay, boy." Pete cradled him protectively as he cautiously edged toward where the light had flashed. He had to push his way through nearly a hundred feet of wheat stalks before he could hear voices ahead.

Hot Dog whined softly. "Don't worry, boy." Pete hugged him tighter. "I won't let anything happen to..." The young boy's words trailed into non-existence and his blue eyes grew wide with awe.

They couldn't see him crouching among the stalks of wheat, but not fifteen feet away two men stood looking over some kind of unearthly machine and talking among themselves. One of the men was green-skinned with blond hair. The other had azure skin, pointed ears and a high crest of jet black hair. The green man wore a purple jumpsuit with some kind of elaborate belt around his waist, while the blue man was dressed like he'd stepped straight out of one of those old fantasy stories Lana was always reading. This meant only one thing.

Aliens!

He turned and ran as fast as his legs would carry him.

**********
Shadow Lad pored over the last ten minutes in his mind once again. Along with the rest of the Legion, he'd been fighting the Infinite Man and his time-displaced soldiers in Weisinger Plaza. Brainiac 5 had been trying to calibrate his time machine to send their foes back into the timestream. There had been a rainbow flare of light, a swift lurching sensation, and suddenly Shadow Lad had found himself along with Brainiac 5, Supergirl and Superboy standing in the middle of some kind of croplands.

With the Kryptonian teens' enhanced senses, the quartet had soon confirmed that they'd been separated from their teammates and their enemies alike. They had also been able to confirm that the Infinite Man had hurled them a millennium into Earth's past. When Superboy had realised that they were back in Kansas and back in his own time, he had done a somersault in mid-air. It was only Brainiac's reminder that nobody knew about Kal's powers in this era which had reined in the boy of steel's exuberance. Superboy had left to check on his foster parents, and Supergirl had gone with him. This left Shadow Lad alone with the Legion's resident super-genius.

"Brainiac?" Grev asked. "Is there much damage to the time machine?"

"It is too early to say at this juncture," the Coluan replied. He bent down and examined a pair of relays, eyes narrowed. "Without access to any of my regular tools, I can only make an educated guess."

"Well, if I had to trust anyone's education..." Grev said, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

"Hmmm." Brainiac 5 barely acknowledged his young teammate and returned to the machine.

Grev studied him quietly. Before Mon-El had earned Tasmia Mallor's love, Grev remembered his cousin speaking of her attraction to Brainiac 5. It was a fleeting crush, but Grev wondered what she'd ever seen in him at all. Grev respected Querl Dox's legendary intellect; he would be a fool not to. But Talokkians were attracted to strength more than anything, and Brainiac's strength was all in his mind. Grev didn't understand what it was about the man that had made him the object of affection for both a Shadow Champion of Talok VIII and the legendary Supergirl.

Nor could he understand how Brainiac could be so unreceptive to Supergirl's attention. Kara Zor-El was beautiful, smart, compassionate, powerful beyond belief, and a more competent fighter than Grev would have expected. As mighty as Mon-El and Superboy were, neither of them were particularly talented fighters. In close combat they both relied on their speed and raw power over skill. Back at the Legion Academy, even Laurel Kent had suffered from an over-reliance on her invulnerability. Grev supposed it must be difficult to see the benefit in combat training when you couldn't be hurt by much of anything. Supergirl was different though...Grev had seen her against the vampire hordes of Kathoon and the Dominators' creature B.I.O.N. and she had fought with power and skill equally. If she flirted with him the way she flirted with Brainiac...Shadow Lad frowned. This train of thought was inappropriate. He looked up at the endless blue skies above. Somewhere not far from here, Superboy was being reunited with his foster parents right now. Brainiac 5 would fix the time machine, they would return Kara to her own era and then Brainiac 5 and Shadow Lad would rejoin their teammates and stop the Infinite Man.

Then Supergirl would once more be ancient history.

**********
Martha Kent hummed along to the radio on her kitchen counter, oblivious to anything else around her as she put the finishing touches on the cake she was preparing for the church fete tomorrow.

"Ma..?"

She turned to find her adopted son in the kitchen doorway. Before she could stop him, Clark rushed to her and hugged her close.

"Clark, I'm covered in flour!" she protested gently. "Lord, you'd think you hadn't seen me for months!"

"Sorry, Ma." The bespectacled teenager stepped away, mildly embarrassed at his own display of affection. "It's just good to see you, that's all."

"We'll it's good to see you too." She kissed him on the forehead and turned back to her cake. "I better get this finished though...Dottie McAvoy's going to have some competition this year, let me tell you!"

"Sure, Ma." Clark grinned stupidly as he headed outside. "I'll see you at dinner!"

"Clark, Clark!" Pete Ross jumped off his bicycle at the end of the Kent family's long driveway and ran full pelt the rest of the way. Hot Dog ran barking alongside him, while a young red-haired girl stopped her own bike a lot less rambunctiously and followed the boy and his dog.

"Hi Pete, hi Lana. What's up?" He already knew the answer to that question, having heard Pete blurting out his story of aliens and their crazy machines to an incredulous Lana on their way here. He spared a quick glance skyward and saw Supergirl rushing back to where they'd left Brainy and Shadow Lad. As long as he could buy her a few minutes, Kara should be able to move them somewhere more private. Clark hated having to hide the truth from his best friends, but how could they possibly understand?

Pete had stopped talking now, and looked like he was fit to burst as he waited for Clark to respond.

"You don't really believe any of this, do you?" Lana asked, arms folded across her chest.

"I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation," Clark adjusted his glasses with practiced awkwardness. "There's only one way to find out what that is though...why don't we go check it out?"

"Get your bike!" Pete beamed. Lana rolled her eyes.

As the three of them cycled past dirt roads leading to farms on the outskirts of Smallville, Hot Dog yapping at their heels, Clark realised they were turning off the main road too soon. "I thought you said we were going to Mr Rascomb's place?" he asked.

"That's where I saw the aliens," Pete explained breathlessly. "But it's not where I saw their ship!"

Ship? Clark wished he'd paid more attention to Pete's rambling story now.

"I saw it on my way to Lana's," Pete continued. "I was taking a shortcut across the farms and it's in the Ruthven property....they haven't found a buyer for that creepy old place since they packed up and moved to Topeka when we were little kids! You could probably land a whole Death Star there and nobody would know!"

The three rode up to the property's dilapidated old house and got off their bikes. Clark didnt feel comfortable snooping around someone's private property, even if it had been empty almost as long as he could remember. Still, if Pete thought he saw a spaceship maybe that meant some of the other Legionnaires were here! They pushed through long yellowed grasses for several minutes until they finally emerged upon a dust-coated saucer which flickered in and out of full visibility. Clark wondered how long it had been out here...if it weren't for what seemed to be a malfunctioning cloaking device it might never have been found. It definitely wasn't a Legion vessel, and there was enough lead in its composition that Clark's x-ray vision wasn't of much use. Whomever was responsible, this ship had been here an awfully long time.

"Pete, what are you doing?" Lana hissed as the boy edged closer to the vessel.

"There's a hole in the wall," Pete answered. "Maybe they crashed!"

"I think we should leave," the young girl continued. "I don't like this whatever it is."

With his enhanced hearing, Clark was certain nobody on board was alive. "Don't be such a scaredy-cat," he teased Lana. "Don't you want to see if there's any cool alien stuff on board?" In truth, he'd have been much happier to send Pete and Lana home and wait for Brainy and the others to get here. There was no way he could make them leave him there alone without arousing suspicion however. He figured he would just need to protect them himself if it came to that. At least the longer they stayed here, the more he was convinced this thing had been here for years. Smallville had suffered a particularly bad tornado last May, he wondered if that had been responsible for the damage it had suffered. What had happened to its crew though? Did they die on arrival? Were they even now living secretly in Smallville? What if this ship was from Krypton?? Clark's heart pounded excitedly as he followed Pete into the vessel.

"You guys, I really think we should tell our dads about this thing," Lana complained, though she still followed them into the vessel. Once they were inside, the stuttering cloaking field no longer affected them and they could see its interior normally. "Or the police...or you know, anyone else at all?"

"You can leave anytime you want, Lana!" Pete called over his shoulder. "Darn it, I knew I shouldn't have brought a girl...whoa. Check this out!"

Clark and Lana hurried to their friend's location and peered over his shoulder. Judging by the wreckage inside the ship and the scorch marks on the walls and ceiling, there had obviously been some kind of battle here. That wasn't what had grabbed Pete's attention though.

Lana's green eyes grew wide. "Oh my god," she uttered at the thing on the floor before them. "Is that..?"

"A skeleton," Pete answered reverently.

Clark's face drained of blood. That wasn't just a skeleton. Though it was burned and decayed with age, Clark Kent would recognise that purple and orange mini-skirt anywhere.

...This was Duplicate Damsel's skeleton.

TO BE CONTINUED..!
Loving your work Raz, welcome back!

Really like Shadow Lads assessment of (and possible crush on) Super Girl - and why not? Pete Ross and Lana Lang were never really my favourites as they have imo opinion really dated badly so I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do with them. Already you've shown a fair bit of Pete's character. I expected Lana to get the Bio Ring from something within the crashed ship - DD's remains were a shocker though. Oh I do love a good cliff hanger!

Looking forward to seeing where everyone else ended up.

I don't have to say it do I? Oh, just in case, more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 1.2: Adrift - 08/14/13 02:33 PM
Shadow Lad dissipated the plane of darkness which had hidden himself, Brainiac 5 and Supergirl from view as the three Legionnaires descended from the Kansas skies into a ramshackle barn far from the nearest population centre.

"You know, Brainy," Supergirl pointed out, "If you don't want anyone to see us in this time period, maybe flying around behind a big black disc in the middle of the day isn't the best way to do that…just saying." Using super-breath, she blew away the straw gathered on the barnyard floor and gently lowered the time machine which she'd been carrying.

"I don't particularly care if anybody sees us," Brainiac answered. "I don't want anybody to see enough of us to be able to describe us or record our features. We should have done this the moment we arrived here, it was foolish of me not to suggest it. It's only our good fortune that it was merely Superboy's friend who saw us and that we had enough notice to flee the scene before he came back with others. Are you certain we're alone now?"

"Unless you're worried about rats and spiders," Kara replied as she scanned the area once more with enhanced vision. "The closest actual person is at least ten or twelve miles away. Even the nearest major road is a mile and a half away. If anyone does come looking for us we'll know it soon enough."

"Good," Brainiac said simply. "That may be the only good news we're going to have today."

Shadow Lad and Supergirl exchanged a glance. "What do you mean?" Shadow Lad asked. "You can't repair the time machine?"

"I believe the battery stored enough power before our expulsion from our home era for one more journey. However, the navigation system was damaged in transit. To fix it I require components which are not going to exist on this planet for at least another 350 years. To compound our problem, chronal energy is not something which can be stored indefinitely. Even if we were to risk damage to the timestream by calling on the Green Lantern Corps or the Amazons of Themyscira as Kara is about to suggest, it is likely that our battery would deplete before we could make use of that assistance…assuming they would be willing to help us to begin with."

Supergirl sat open-mouthed for a second and then pouted. "You're really annoying sometimes, you know?"

"You'll have plenty more opportunity to tell me that," Brainiac retorted, "Because barring a miracle, I see no way we're returning home for some time yet."

"But we will return, right? The Legion of Superheroes always find a way, right? That's what Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel always told us at the Academy!" Shadow Lad's mind drifted to his cousin, and Dream Girl's prophecy that he would bring the Legion to avenge Tasmia Mallor's fall. What would happen to Tas if they couldn't get home?

Before the conversation could continue, all three of their flight rings emitted a tone they instantly recognised as a distress signal. "Perfect," Brainiac muttered. "Because we didn't have enough to concern ourselves with until the most powerful boy in this galactic sector found himself with trouble he couldn't handle alone."

**********
"You guys, I really think we should leave." Lana Lang bit her nail nervously, standing back from the skeleton before them as if she was scared it would attack them any second.

"I'm with Lana," Clark added, his voice shakier than hers. The remains of Duplicate Damsel's corpse in this alien vessel unnerved him greatly, but he hoped his friends would mistake that for fear of the ship itself. At least neither of them seemed to have noticed him twisting the flight ring on his finger. "This isn't fun any more."

"Aw don't be such a pair of babies," Pete mocked them. "It's just an alien, you guys. And look, it's been here for ages! Those other aliens I saw before probably killed it and ran off…I bet they were some kind of alien prisoners and this one was their warden!"

"Shut up, Pete!" Lana hollered at him.

Clark's hypersensitive ears pricked up and he realised there was no more time to waste. "Both of you stop fighting!" he ordered sternly. "We're getting out of here, we're gonna go tell our folks, and--"

It was too late.

Pete and Lana heard them too now, heavy clanking footfalls. All three of them watched in horror as three armor-plated droids came down the hallway straight at them. They were of humanoid proportions, but almost seven feet tall and wide as linebackers. Without making a sound, the lead droid's visor flashed to life and a pale yellow beam shot forth at the three youths. Lana dived to the left with a comical yelp, but Pete's reactions were not as swift. Clark threw himself over his friend, taking the blast for him. The attack tingled, but did no real damage. In their panic, neither Pete nor Lana noticed that Clark had taken the full brunt of the beam and assumed that he'd evaded it along with them.

The three youths clambered along the floor trying to get to their feet and escape as the droids approached methodically. Clark could feel his heart pounding. He knew he could take all of these automatons without breaking a sweat, but how to do it without exposing his secret? Kara or Mon-El would know how…think, Clark, think!

This time the droids' visors flashed into life simultaneously. All three of them fired, and Clark threw himself forward desperately to shield Pete and Lana. His secret was nothing compared to the safety of his friends, he would deal with the fallout later. It surprised him as much as it did Pete and Lana when he bounced off something in mid-air and fell back to the ground. The beams did the same, ricocheting off a barely visible barrier in the middle of the corridor. Clark recognised it instantly. He looked back toward the way they'd entered the ship and saw that the entire corridor behind them was filled with an inky blackness. He started to break out into a wide grin until Lana's squeal reminded him that he too should appear afraid.

Trapped between a lightless void and killer robots, Lana and Pete screamed in obvious terror. Clark felt bad taking advantage of their distress but as frightened as they were, they were paying no attention to him at all. He was never going to have a chance like this again. He trained his heat vision on the closest wall and blasted at full intensity for the merest fraction of a second, the way he had seen Ultra Boy do so many times. Power conduits in the path of his assault fried and combusted, giving the impression that a series of small explosions had blown another hole in the hull of the ship. It would never stand up to close scrutiny, but Clark didn't think that was something he had to worry about. "Look!" he shouted. "A way out!"

"What are we waiting for?! Come on!" Pete and Lana pulled Clark to his feet, practically dragging him out of the ship as the three of them ran.

Inside the ship, Shadow Lad allowed his darkness to disperse. "Lucky we have your forcefield belt," he said to his Coluan teammate standing at his side. "And luckier still that you projected it at the right place without being able to see through my darkness! How do we stop these things though? They look a little outside our weight class."

"Please." Brainiac 5 sounded almost insulted. "Luck has nothing to do with it. My forcefield belt never leaves my side in my duties as a Legionnaire, and the rest was a simple matter of calculating spatial dimensions. As for these devices…" He walked right up to the edge of his forcefield with his hands behind his back and watched impassively as they pounded and blasted ineffectively against the field. An instant later, they were collected in a blue and red blur which clattered noisily through the hull and several internal walls. Brainiac 5 deactivated the forcefield.

Supergirl appeared a moment later, dusting debris from herself. "That was what Kal called us for?" she asked. "They were a walk in the park!" She glanced down and gasped. "Rao! Is that--"

For the first time, the three heroes saw the skeleton which had so mortified Superboy earlier. Shadow Lad dropped to one knee by the corpse's side but stopped short of touching the bones or the faded clothing. "Duplicate Damsel..?" His voice broke to see his old teacher in this state.

Brainiac 5 stood over Shadow Lad and Duplicate Damsel, scanning her with a customised omnicom. "It is unquestionably her," he recited without emotion. "More, she has been here for many years. Fascinating."

"Fascinating?!" Shadow Lad leaped to his feet, fists shaking at his sides and his eyes filling with tears. "Damn it, don't you have a soul at all?!"

Supergirl placed a hand on Shadow Lad's shoulder while she gave Brainiac 5 a look of pure sadness. She knew Brainy cared, she knew this was just the way he was, but at times like this she pitied him for it. "Grev," she soothed. "Shady, come on…Brainy will figure out what happened here. You know he will." She led him away gently, her gaze never leaving Brainiac 5. Only the Coluan's tormented eyes betrayed his humanity, the rest of his face might as well be a mask.

As Brainiac scanned the aged corpse of his longtime teammate, Superboy reappeared through the hole he'd made. He had changed into his familiar costume once more and landed by Brainiac's side. "I'm so sorry, I would have told you but there was no time--"

"You did the right thing," Brainiac 5 responded as he examined his readings. "History is very clear that you were not known to exist in this time period, Superboy. Maintaining your identity as Clark Kent is of paramount importance."

"Where are Lana and Pete Ross?" Supergirl asked before blinking in unexpected shock. "Oh wow. Oh wow, that was Lana….she's so young!"

"They've gone home to tell their folks about the alien prison ship," Superboy answered weakly. "That's why they think I ran off on my own, to go find Pa. I know it probably wasn't the smartest idea, but…hey, wait a minute!" He looked up at Kara with wide blue eyes. "You know Lana when I'm grown up? Does that mean…are she and I…"

Brainiac interrupted before the cousins could continue. "Superboy, could you please remove this panelling right here? If I'm not mistaken, I should be able to access the ship's memory banks directly through here."

"Sure, Brainy." He forgot about future relationships and effortlessly dug his fingers into the ship to tear out a metal plate as though it were rice paper.

"I thought you said you needed tools from back home," Shadow Lad said in an almost accusatory tone.

"To repair the time machine, yes. It is a highly advanced and sensitive system. But this ship is from my homeworld Colu, and more than a thousand years old by our standards. This should be simple." He lay his palm on circuit boards which were now exposed, and the ship started to gently hum.

Supergirl raised an eyebrow. "Um, Brainy? What are you doing..?"

He closed his eyes and frowned for several long minutes, then removed his hand. "I may not be as efficient as Kid Computo, but I can interface directly with computer banks when necessary. What I've learned however, I find extremely disconcerting."

"More than what we've learned already?" Shadow Lad sniped.

"This ship's mainframe has been almost entirely completely wiped. Almost completely. Whomever was responsible for the act underestimated the self-repair capacity of this era's Coluan technology, self-repair of course being a characteristic shared by the original Brainiac. There was just enough of those protocols left undamaged that the ship has slowly been putting itself back together again. If the cloaking device was a high priority, I imagine that's why this vessel has remained undiscovered until now."

One word stood out to Supergirl, and it sent a chill down her spine. "This…this is Brainiac's ship?"

"Not at all," Brainiac 5 allayed her concerns. "The reason I invoked his name is that after my ancestor's rise to galactic villainy, many restrictions were enforced upon Coluan technology. This vessel appears to be without any of those restrictions. That combined with poor Luornu's state of decay tells me that this ship is at least a century old. Perhaps older."

"What does any of this matter?!" Shadow Lad finally exploded. "What does it matter what happened to the stupid ship or how old it is? None of it is going to bring Duplicate Damsel back to life or help us get home, is it?"

Brainiac 5 fixed him with a steely glare that took the Talokkian warrior aback. "Isn't it obvious?" the Coluan hypergenius asked coldly. "This vessel must have been spaceworthy to leave Colu in the first place and to arrive on Earth. There are no signs that it crashed here, instead there seems to have been some kind of a battle after it safely landed. And then its memory banks were wiped, after it safely landed. Computers barely exist here in this time, for all intents and purposes they were unheard of on Earth a hundred years ago. As resourceful as we all know Duplicate Damsel to be, does anybody here really think she has the capacity to put a hole through this ship's hull, to fight the droids we just saw or to wipe its computer systems almost entirely?"

The other Legionnaires considered his words silently. None of them wanted to voice what he was implying, though Supergirl finally did. "Brainy…are you saying there were other Legionnaires here a hundred years ago with Luornu? Maybe even more than a hundred years ago?"

"Kid Computo almost undeniably. Given the damage to the hull, I could suggest a number of other possibilities as well."

Again, they fell silent. How many of their friends had been here? How many of them had died here in this sterile mausoleum?

"Brainy..?" Superboy's voice was that of a timid child, and the others were reminded of the great age difference between he and they. "If the Legion were here…why do you think they were fighting whoever was on board?"

The vessel had softly been humming away ever since Brainiac 5 had made contact with it, and the four heroes had ceased to notice the constant low vibration. Now though the internal lights flared and then faded in a swift power surge, and the humming grew noticeably louder. The ship's vibrations subtly gained intensity. The thrumming which filled the air was punctuated with a high-pitched whine, and capped with the unmistakable pulse of a high intensity energy emission.

"Kal, I'm afraid I can't answer that question," Brainiac 5 said. "But I have a feeling we should make it our business to find out." He ran deeper into the ship, followed closely by the others. As he passed Luornu Durgo Taine's bones, the man named Querl Dox was reminded of an old Earth adage which seemed darkly appropriate.

Out of the frying pan, into the fire…

TO BE CONTINUED..!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: LEGION LOST 1.2: Adrift - 08/15/13 09:28 PM
Really interesting to see you just focus on the one group Raz. The temptation must have been to go all over the place with multiple groups and a few solos exploring their new surroundings, it would have been for me anyway smile

Good to see Brainy figure out that must have been others on that ship as well as DD in the past, nicely deduced and a great mystery to keep us hooked. I also really like how immature Kal is (though nice how he got rid of Lana and Pete) and how confident Kara is, and I especially like the respect you are showing Grev - his snapping at Brainy matches how Talokeans, in particular Shady, have been shown to be emotionally impulsive - he's a totally underused and unexplored character ripe for your development. Am looking forward to where you take this.

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: LEGION LOST 1.2: Adrift - 08/16/13 12:44 AM
It was very tempting to have a whole bunch of stories running concurrently actually! I think maybe if I were working with a smaller team I would have done that....there are going to be about 8 teams or thereabouts with 37+ lost Legionnaires and pals, so I thought it might be too confusing to have all of those plots running at the same time along with all the individual character's subplots that will get raised, moved forward or resolved in the process. Once I'm finished with these four guys and we move on to the next squad, I am gonna start keeping a scorecard so readers can see who's remaining and where we left other characters. It has been heaps of fun plotting this out but I think I'd go crazy trying to cut back and forth between them all in the same chapter. smile

I am glad you like what I'm doing with Grev! Shadow Lad was my first comic book crush once upon a time, it has been fun giving him a bit of development! smile
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 1.3: Home and Hearts - 09/11/13 03:31 PM
Brainiac 5, Shadow Lad, Supergirl and Superboy ran through the Coluan vessel they'd come across in a Smallville farmer's field. The ship was now shaking with alarming violence, and Shadow Lad was the first to take to the air with his flight ring. "This thing is going to rattle itself apart!" he cried out.

"Highly doubtful," Brainiac 5 answered with the slight hint of condescension which coloured so much of his speech. "It's extremely unlikely that anybody from my homeworld would build a vessel so structurally unsound. I do submit that this is rather annoying however." He was drowned out by a second high-pitched energy pulse, and this time the ship visibly jolted. "Of course," Brainiac 5 continued in response to the shudder, "Loath as I am to admit it, I have been wrong on occasion so perhaps we should make haste. Kara, could you please assist? Coluan engineering standards would dictate that we need to be approximately twelve to fourteen feet closer to the left and I know how you like to punch things."

Supergirl laughed. "You say the sweetest things, Querl Dox." She pummelled through the alien metal as if it were tissue paper, and incinerated the following wall with a burst of heat vision. The four Legionnaires found a larger and more open space dotted with consoles. Flickering holographic readouts strobed alien characters and diagrams at them spastically. Brainiac 5 looked completely unfazed, but the other three were somewhat taken aback by their surrounds.

"What is all this, Brainy?" Superboy was in awe of the technology. Seeing something this advanced in the Legion's future was one thing but he never expected to come across it in his own time, let alone in Smallville!

"This is the ship's bridge," their resident Coluan replied. "My people are renown for their insular nature, but it doesn't mean they can't make a more efficient starship if they put their minds to it. What I'm looking for is something generating a column of energy pulsing down through the ship. Can you find that for me?"

"Sure!" Superboy took to the challenge cheerfully, and Kara smiled behind her palm at how eager her cousin was at this age. He was such an iconic figure as Superman that she never saw this side of him as an adult. She loved having these rare reminders of the joyful child he had been once upon a time. Superboy flinched as he stopped scanning the room, and with her own x-ray vision Supergirl saw what had caused the reaction as he alerted the others. "Brainy! There's another skeleton over there!" Superboy exclaimed. "Behind that big flashing thing!"

The four heroes made their way across the room and all were inwardly relieved to find that it wasn't another Legionnaire, at least not judging by the unfamiliar uniform in which it was garbed. Ignoring the ship for a moment, Brainiac drew his omnicom and crouched by the dead being's side. "Coluan male," he mumbled, bracing himself against one of the sturdier consoles to better keep his balance. "And he's been deceased as long as Luornu. I think we've found out whose ship this is. Look at this," he pointed to a hole in the skull. "Projectile weapon. Something else else I'd far more expect given the time period he met his demise. Though how he came to be killed by a bullet on the bridge of his own ship is another matter altogether."

Shadow Lad glared with disdain at a firearm by the dead Coluan's side. "Do you think he's the one who killed Duplicate Damsel?"

"Given the sparse evidence, it would be premature to assume." Brainiac 5 stood up once more and levitated a few inches from the floor. "I certainly would not be surprised however. The fatal injury she sustained would be difficult to explain otherwise."

"I still don't understand how you can be so casual about it," Grev replied, an edge to his voice. "You've known her for longer than any of the rest of us, doesn't it bother you at all that she's gone?"

"I will mourn appropriately if and when I determine that she really is gone," Brainiac replied with infuriating calm. "By my reckoning, there were six copies of Luornu present during our battle with the Infinite Man. I was rather distracted admittedly, there may have been more. We have located one body and until we locate five more I choose to believe that woman found a way to survive."

"But we don't know that!" Shadow Lad shouted.

"We don't know that she is dead!" Brainiac raised his own voice, his passionless veneer beginning to slip. "Until proven otherwise I choose to believe that one of my most respected colleagues is still alive, Shadow Lad! I have been responsible for too much of her--" The rest of Brainiac 5's discourse was dramatically interrupted when yet another high-pitched pulse sounded. This time there was a rumble which came from outside as much as inside the vessel, and the whole ship suddenly lurched and fell sideways. Tons of equipment came loose from the walls around them and clattered into the four heroes. All of them were buried beneath the dizzying onslaught.

Kara and Kal-El picked themselves up, shrugging off half a room full of equipment. The ship had come to rest, and with their enhanced senses they could both see that they now lie a couple dozen feet down a fissure in the earth, jarred tight into an inexplicable crevice. The ship was quaking even more violently than before, to the point it was shaking loose fixtures which had till now been joined to the infrastructure of the ship. The pulse had become a keening constant thing, rising in pitch with each second that passed.

"What was that?" Superboy blurted. "What just happened?"

"The ship must have…I don't know, shot the ground out beneath us?" Supergirl guessed. "Brainy, what do you…Rao! Brainy!! Grev!!" She looked around the room, furiously trying to find any sign of them. Curling wisps of inky blackness beneath what was once some kind of navigation pod caught her attention and she found Shadow Lad pinned beneath a mass of damaged equipment. "Shady, are you okay? Wait a second, I'll get you out of there!"

"Heh." Grev gave her a weak chuckle. "Shady."

Kara began to lift the largest of the debris from him when a pained cry made her freeze in her tracks.

"Don't move it!" Brainiac's voice cried out from even further beneath the jumble of metal. "I didn't have a chance to activate my forcefield belt…Kara, if you shift this pile the wrong way you'll crush one or the other of us!"

"I can't see him!" Superboy shouted over the din. "I can't see Brainy under there! Kara, there's too much lead in that junk, I don't know what to do!"

Supergirl could feel her heart pounding in her throat. She looked at Shadow Lad's face. His head kept lolling and she could see that at least some of the bones in his arms were broken. She couldn't see Brainiac 5 at all though, her x-ray vision was as useless as her cousin's in this mess. And this stupid ship just kept shaking and screaming at them, she couldn't focus for two seconds through the chaos to make a decision.

"Kara…Kara, Kal, both of you. Listen to me." Brainiac's voice couldn't overcome the shrill backdrop of volume all around them but both the Kryptonians could hear him perfectly. "This ship…I don't know why it came here or what happened and we may never find out. But that noise evidently belongs to some kind of weapon which has been building to release the entire time we've been here, and the next time it goes it may destroy the ship. The self-repair systems have been too corrupted for them to function correctly."

"What do we do?" Superboy asked. "How do we stop it?" He looked desperately at the remains of the ship's controls as if his very desperation would bring the knowledge to him.

"There's no time to stop it," Brainiac answered. "All we can do is remove the threat. The two of you, listen to me…if this ship explodes…it may well take half of Smallville with it. You have to get the ship as far away from here as possible, we don't have the luxury of arguing about this."

"What…what's he saying..?" Shadow Lad held onto consciousness through sheer power of will. "Can't hear over that noise…"

Supergirl instinctively looked at her cousin for guidance. No. He wasn't Superman in this time and place, he was Superboy. She had to take charge. She turned to Shadow Lad and hoped she could sound more confident than she felt. "He says…he says we have to get the ship as far away from people as we can."

"Then what…are y'waiting for?" Grev asked. "Don't worry about us, get this thing into space or somethin…" His voice trailed off as he finally succumbed to the pain and passed out.

"Grev?" Kara asked anxiously. She listened for his heartbeat and was immensely relieved to hear it loud and clear. She knew Brainy was right, they needed to get this thing away from people. But she couldn't live with the idea of Brainiac 5 in danger, and she was also a little shocked to realise how equally she hated the idea of placing Grev in danger. Then it came to her. "Kal!" she shouted. "Get outside! Shadow Lad's right, take us into space as fast as you can! Wait, not as fast as you can, we need to make sure we don't hurt Brainy and Shadow Lad any more than they have been….but don't waste any time either."

"Are you sure it's okay?" Superboy looked uncertainly at her.

"Trust me, I've got this!" she smiled. "Kal. Trust me."

He returned her smile with genuine affection. "I do trust you." He left the room in a blur, and an instant later the ship was moving. Kara watched and listened for both men's vital signs nervously as the ship gained altitude. She had thought of leaving her cousin on board while she flew the ship out of the atmosphere; she didn't want the drastic acceleration to add to their injuries, but her role ultimately would require more finesse than Kal's. He had trusted her when she'd asked him to, she had to give him the same respect. Before too long, she could see the blue marble of the Earth fall away behind them and she called out to her cousin to stop. With x-ray vision, she saw him obey. The teenage boy hovered in place, his curiosity mounting. The vessel gained distance from him swiftly, then he saw it slow as if by its own accord. In truth, he knew that Supergirl was using her own powers of strength and flight to safely reduce its speed from inside, though he still didn't know what she was planning.

The Coluan vessel had finally come to an almost complete stop nearly two hundred miles outside of the Earth's atmosphere when it lit up the blackness of space with a soundless fireball. Superboy's eyes widened in horror, then returned to their normal size as he saw his cousin flying back with Shadow Lad in her arms. Brainiac 5 flew alongside her, visibly injured but not as badly as they'd feared. Supergirl beamed at Superboy and nodded towards the North American continent they'd just left, and all four of them returned happily to Smallville.

**********
When Grev Mallor opened his eyes, he saw his teammates through a sedated haze. "Wha…?"

Supergirl rushed to his side, leaving Superboy to watch Brainiac 5 working on the time machine on the other side of the barn they'd made their temporary home here. "Shady! How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been drugged," he slurred. He tried to sit up then hissed and gave up the effort.

"Umm..you kind of have been," Supergirl blushed. "You were pretty banged up when that weird ship's big death ray went off and blew the ground out from underneath us. Brainy told us what we needed to get and Kal and I did a little emergency medical run. Don't worry, we mined some gold to reimburse the hospital pharmacy. And we took it from Metropolis, we figured they'd be able to replace what we took more easily than the local hospital. You're full of painkillers, but I wouldn't try to move too quickly."

"How long was I out?" Shadow Lad asked. He only now realised one of his arms was in a cast and he was half-wrapped in bandages. "What happened? The last thing I remember is…the ship falling to pieces..?"

"You passed out," Kara explained. "You've been unconscious nearly 18 hours! We didn't have much time to get you and Brainy out of there before the ship blew, so the only thing I could think of was to do what you suggested and take us into Zero-G where I didn't have to worry about the risk of crushing either of you to death when I pulled the debris away. It was still a close call though, I only just managed to save you before it went up like an atom bomb. Lucky I freed Brainy enough that he could use his forcefield belt, he cruised through the whole thing!"

"Brainiac…" Shadow Lad squinted to see their other teammates standing across the way, but his vision was swimming. "What…what's he doing now..?"

"Right now," Brainiac 5 answered for himself, "I am making some extremely threadbare and temporary repairs to our time machine." He took a step backwards and wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. "And I do believe those repairs are now complete!"

"I don't get it," Grev queried. "Thought you said….parts not available…for centuries yet..?"

"Most certainly not on this planet," Brainiac replied. "The benefit of being buried beneath the bridge of a Coluan vessel however is having access to components far in advance of what passes for technology here. I scavenged what I could whilst you and I were trapped. I assure you these repairs are horrifically jury-rigged and Circadia Senius would have apoplexy if he could see my handiwork. I'm confident that we can make at least one trip through time safely, though I fully expect the entire apparatus to be useless at the other end."

"So we wait for Shadow Lad to heal and then go back to the future?" Superboy asked.

"Not quite," Brainiac explained. "As I've mentioned previously, chronal energy is not something which can be stored indefinitely. Frankly, I don't trust the battery to hold enough of a charge to meet our requirements if we delay leaving any longer than necessary. I do apologise, Shadow Lad, but now that you're conscious I'd like to leave now if we're all agreed."

"Works for me," Grev smiled wearily.

"Okay, great!" Superboy clapped his hands together. "Let me just go tell Ma and Pa I might be gone for a while, and--"

"I'm afraid not, Superboy." Brainiac placed a hand on the teen of steel's shoulder. "We all greatly appreciate your company these past months, but this whole debacle began with an attempt to return you to your home. If nothing else, at least I know I've accomplished that."

A crestfallen Superboy looked from one Legionnaire to the other. "But…but the Infinite Man..? You still need me!"

Brainiac crouched down to meet the boy's eye level. "Your family here need you, Superboy. Your friends here need you. This world needs you, and will need you far more in days to come. I think you're smart enough to know that."

Superboy impulsively threw his arms around Brainiac 5's neck, for once taking the genius utterly by surprise. "I'll miss you Brainy! Say goodbye to everyone for me!"

Brainiac relaxed and hugged his strange friend from centuries past. "And I'll miss you, Kal-El. We all will."

The young hero next turned to Supergirl. "I'll miss you too, Kara. I'll never forget you!"

The blonde heroine held both his hands in hers. "Of course you will," she laughed at the surreal range of emotions they were both experiencing. She sniffed tears back as she kissed him on the forehead. "Time travel sucks like that…but I love you and I can't wait to meet you again for the first time. Now go hug your ma and pa for me."

He pulled away and waved to Shadow Lad. "Bye Shady! It was great to meet you! You're a swell Legionnaire!"

"The honour is all mine," Shadow Lad smiled with genuine respect. The three Legionnaires watched as the boy who was their shared inspiration left their lives.

Supergirl sighed and wiped her eyes. "Okay. Let's go back and kick this guy's ass."

"What?" Brainiac flinched. "Kara. We're not going back to our time, we're taking you home to yours!"

"Brainy, that's crazy!" Supergirl complained. "You said yourself you're only going to have enough steam in this thing for one trip!"

"And that one trip is to complete the mission we started," he said stubbornly. "We have returned your cousin to his rightful place in history and now we will do the same for you!"

"What about your place in history?" Supergirl argued. "Brainy, use that brain you're always so proud of! You're the Legion's best hope of getting back to the 31st century in one piece! If you don't go back, who's going to find them? Who's going to fight the Infinite Man?"

Shadow Lad immediately thought of his own cousin, and Dream Girl's prophecy. If they didn't go back, who would save Tasmia? "She's got…a point," he mumbled. "Back at Academy…we would have been told to put….needs of the many…first."

"Brainy," Kara gave him a pleading look, "I understand why we had to leave Kal here. I know what he grows up to be as much as any of you do. But I'm not an idiot. I don't pry, but I can't help overhearing conversations about me and Kal, and you know what I hear? I hear people talk about the great deeds of Superman, how the whole universe owes Superman so much that a thousand years after he lived people practically worship him. I don't ever hear anything about Superwoman. What if this is my destiny? What if I'm meant to come back with you now and never return? This isn't my world like it's always been Kal's, it's nothing for me to give this up but I love-- I love your world! You're always talking about the sanctity of the timestream, what if this was always meant to happen? Please don't sacrifice your world on the off-chance that I'm meant to fade into obscurity a couple of decades from now while you and Grev live the rest of your lives not even knowing what you left behind. Please."

Brainiac 5's breath caught in his throat. His head was spinning. How could he tell her that the reason Supergirl never became Superwoman was because Kara would die long before that could ever happen? How could he knowingly send the girl he loved to her death? "Fine, Kara. Maybe you're right. Let's go home."

Unable to look her in the eye, Brainiac hurried back to the time machine before his reason could conquer his emotion. Supergirl picked up Shadow Lad, who had already fallen asleep once more, and carried him across to where Brainiac 5 made final adjustments to the time machine's delicate instruments to return them to the Legion's time.

The three Legionnaires vanished in a multi-coloured flare of light, and Brainiac 5 wondered if he had just doomed them all...

NEXT: WEIRD WEIRD WEST!
Posted By: Omni Re: LEGION LOST 1.3: Home and Hearts - 09/14/13 08:32 PM
Raz as always your love for these Characters shows through and you do such a great job.

I like how Kara compares the man she knows to the boy he used to be and it really is great to see.

it definitely seems interesting the possible love? triangle you have going with Brainy, Kara and Grev.

and i also like how you slowly let Brainy's emotions seep out about DD.
Great job!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: LEGION LOST 1.3: Home and Hearts - 09/15/13 12:03 PM
Great stuff Raz, as usual!

As Omni says above the potential love triangle is fun, Superboys naivety was well written as are Brainys worries about Karas future.

Fab stuff, more, more, more smile
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 09/18/13 07:12 AM
Hey all! Given the number of characters I'm dealing with, thought it might be worth creating a scorecard to help everyone keep track of where/when their favourite Legionnaires have ended up! I will be updating after each squad's story till we get through all 39 of them! smile

BRAINIAC 5: Early 21st century Smallville
SHADOW LAD: Early 21st century Smallville
SUPERBOY: Early 21st century Smallville, remained behind
SUPERGIRL: Early 21st century Smallville

BLOK
BOUNCING BOY (leader)
CHAMELEON BOY
CHAMELEON GIRL
COLOSSAL BOY
COMET QUEEN
COSMIC BOY
DAWNSTAR
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DRAGONMAGE
DREAM GIRL
DUPLICATE DAMSEL (deputy leader)
ELASTIC LAD
ELEMENT LAD
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
KID COMPUTO
LIGHT LAD
LIGHTNING LASS
MATTER-EATER LAD
MON-EL
NIGHT GIRL
NIGHTWIND
PHANTOM GIRL
POLAR BOY
QUISLET
SHRINKING VIOLET
SUN BOY
TELLUS
TIMBER WOLF
TYROC
ULTRA BOY
WILDFIRE
GAS GIRL (Legion ally)
THOM KALLOR (Ex-Legionnaire Star Boy)
Posted By: Omni Re: LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 09/18/13 06:34 PM
wait where are Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad?
Posted By: razsolo Re: LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 09/18/13 07:19 PM
Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad are reservists now, training the new batch of Academy kids full time smile
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 2.1: At The Hanging Tree - 09/19/13 02:23 PM
Dawnstar doubled over, groaning.

She had just finished flying two young Terran children to a safe distance, and had returned to Weisinger Plaza to rescue more innocents from the chaos the Infinite Man had unleashed. There had been a stomach-churning sensation as though reality were turned inside out, and now she was...some place else.

"Dawny!" Wildfire rushed to her side. "Are you hurt?"

Dawnstar looked into Wildfire's visor and saw her own anxious face reflected back at her. "Drake, I'm not injured, I just need a moment. Please." She pushed through the nausea to focus on her surroundings. They were in a desert and it was night time. The temperature was substantially cooler and the air was much much cleaner than that of Metropolis. There was nothing around them for miles but rolling dunes and occasional pockets of vegetation. The Infinite Man's unique nature baffled Dawnstar's tracking ability anyway, but she could no longer sense any trace of the beings he had summoned from the timestream either. Then her heart skipped a beat. Her deep brown eyes wide with concern, she gripped Wildfire's arm and looked around. Besides herself and the man she loved, there were four other Legionnaires here with them.

There were only four other Legionnaires here with them.

"Wildfire!" she cried out, "Where are we? Where's the rest of the team?!"

Matter-Eater Lad, Kid Computo, Element Lad and Duplicate Damsel came closer. "I imagine the Infinite Man transported us elsewhere," Element Lad suggested calmly. "As long as we have our flight rings, we can contact the others and--"

"There are no others," Kid Computo confirmed Dawnstar's fears. "I don't want to scare anybody, but I'm not picking up any other flight rings within my range...for that matter, I'm not picking up any functional technology at all outside of what we're carrying on us."

"Fantastic." Duplicate Damsel pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Hey, at least we're all together," Matter-Eater Lad consoled. "Things can always get worse, right?" There came the distant roll of thunder and the Legionnaires felt a light spatter of rain. Tenzil uttered a sarcastic refrain, but he was drowned out by another sharp cracking sound.

"That wasn't thunder," Element Lad noted.

"No," Dawnstar agreed. "It was some kind of ballistic weapon. And it came from this way. Follow me, Legion!"

"Dawnstar, wait!" Duplicate Damsel called after her, but she had already spread her wings and taken flight. "Damn it," Luornu cursed. "We can't afford to be separated, let's go."

While the others used their flight rings, anti-energy flared from Wildfire's boots and he rocketed ahead to catch up to Dawnstar. "Dawny, I know you're just wanting to help but Duplicate Damsel's right. Until we know where we are we have to stay together."

"Wildfire, shush." She held a finger to her lips and landed atop a large hill covered in shrubs and small gnarled trees. "Look. Down there."

He followed her gaze and saw a group of men on horseback directly below them illuminated by gas lanterns. One of the group was struggling, and Wildfire struggled to see what they were doing to him beneath the cover of a tree as the rain picked up.

The other Legionnaires landed by Wildfire and Dawnstar. "What's going on down there?" Duplicate Damsel asked, brushing wet hair from her eyes.

"I don't know," Wildfire answered, "But six against one isn't my kind of odds."

Dawnstar had seen many things in her time as a Legionnaire, and even more in her previous life as a bounty hunter. She knew exactly what this was. "That's a lynch mob," she said coldly. "They're going to hang that man." She burst into flight, her wings stirring up the wet sand with her teammates directly behind her. The roar of Wildfire's anti-energy attracted the mob's attention, and they turned towards the racket. A flash of lightning lit up the night sky, and when it illuminated six costumed men and women coming straight at them the gunmen panicked and started shooting. The horse bearing their would-be victim also panicked at the sudden din and bolted. The man on the horse's back fell, the noose still around his neck.

"Wildfire!" Dawnstar shouted, zipping between bullets toward the man falling to his death.

Wildfire drew fire for the rest of the team, simply ignoring the barrage of lead bouncing off of his containment suit. Less than two dozen feet from the hanging man, Wildfire clasped his hands and pointed with both index fingers. A pinpoint beam of anti-energy shot forth from his outstretched fingers and severed the rope just as it began to draw taut. In one fluid motion, Dawnstar swooped in and collected the bound man in both arms. She fled the scene just as quickly, leaving the lynch mob to her teammates.

"What in the damn hell's goin' on here?" one of the mob bellowed, turning his weapon on Element Lad when he realised it was having no effect on Wildfire.

"Nobody's dying today, I can tell you that much." Element Lad converted the man's gun to oxygen. "Beyond that, we're as much in the dark as you are."

Kid Computo desperately flew this way and that to avoid being shot. "I hate this!" she yelped. "I can't do anything against these cavemen!"

"If you're going to be useless, stay out of our way!" Duplicate Damsel snapped. "We'll handle this!"

"Don't make the mistake of thinkin' ol' Zeke's too much of a gentleman to shoot at a lady, ma'am!" A dark haired rider with a thick moustache fired upon Luornu, and almost dropped his weapon in shock when she split into two bodies to evade the gunfire. Taking advantage of his surprise, one of the Duplicate Damsels punched him in the jaw while the second Luornu disarmed him.

"They ain't people!" another of the men cried out. "They're some kinda witches or spirits or somethin'! Let's scram!"

The horsemen rode off into the darkness, Wildfire aiming to give chase until Duplicate Damsel stopped him. "Let them go," she instructed. "I've got a feeling we have bigger problems on our plate."

"I believe you may be right," Now that she could return her charge safely, Dawnstar descended from the night sky. She let him find his footing in the sand and released the bound man. "This man's clothes, his mannerisms, they are nothing like I am accustomed to."

"Maybe we oughtta be better accustomed then, angel." The blonde stranger gave Dawnstar a cheeky wink. "That is, once I get myself outta these ropes..."

"Here, let me help you with that." Matter-Eater Lad bent down and ripped at the rope bindings with his teeth. "I could do with a snack anyway."

The man raised one bemused eyebrow at Tenzil. "Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but who are you folks? Somethin' tells me you ain't from around these parts..?"

"Where are these parts exactly, Mister..?" Luornu prompted him for a name as her second self vanished into thin air.

"Bartholomew Alouysius Lash at your service, ma'am...though only my mama ever called me that, lord rest her soul. My friends call me Bat Lash...and you're liable to catch your death in that get-up! Here, allow me." He shucked off a heavy jacket and placed it around Luornu's bare shoulders despite her protests. "To answer your question, we are a couple of miles away from a place named Smallville...small by name, small by nature. Zeke Abner and his boys didn't take too well to me showin' a kindness to his Josie. I dare say you nice folk saved my life tonight!"

"I'll bet he showed her a kindness," Wildfire grumbled, taking a protective stance at Dawnstar's side. While Dawnstar eyed Wildfire disapprovingly, the other Legionnaires exchanged glances.

"...Smallville?" Duplicate Damsel repeated cautiously. "Bat Lash, this may sound strange but...what year is this?"

"Shoot ma'am, that ain't the strangest thing I've seen or heard tonight by a longshot...why, it's 1871!"

The Legionnaires were stunned speechless. Matter-Eater Lad finally released a long whistle and threw up his hands in mock surrender.

"Well, how about that?" Tenzil remarked. "Things really can always get worse!"

TO BE CONTINUED..!
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 2.2: Ghost of the Machine - 09/29/13 10:23 AM
Beneath a makeshift shelter erected by Element Lad's power, six Legionnaires and the man named Bat Lash warmed themselves around a raging fire.

"So let me see if I got this right," Bat Lash addressed the heroes while rain hammered down outside. "Y'all can't tell me where you come from or how you can do the things you do, but you say you're heroes?"

Dawnstar stiffened. "I would think we have proved our altruism at least tonight, Mr Lash."

"And I'm right grateful for that, ma'am." Bat Lash flashed her a dazzling grin. "But like I said earlier, my friends call me Bat...and I sure hope we're friends."

Wildfire bristled, but before he could express his annoyance Matter-Eater Lad interrupted. "You're handling this awfully well if you don't mind me saying so, cowboy. I imagine you wouldn't get a lot of people like us around here...well, not for another hundred years or so anyway."

"Tenzil." Duplicate Damsel cast him a stern glance. She turned to Bat Lash. "Mr Lash...Bat...you said we're near Smallville? We probably should try and find out as much information as we can about where we are to see if we can find a route home. Is there somebody in town who could assist with that?"

"Sheriff Kent's a good man, I'm certain as he'd be able to help you out ma'am...it'll be too late now but I'd be happy to take you to see him come the dawn." Bat Lash spread out on the floor of the shelter next to the fire, resting his head on one arm. "As for how well I may or may not be takin' all of this...well it sure ain't every night I meet a real honest angel and her friends, but there's a great many things on this Earth I think I'll never understand so I don't let that bother me none. Nope, ol' Bat Lash takes every little thing as it comes...and some things just come in prettier packages is all." He winked at Luornu. "G'night, folks."

Before too long, most of the group were asleep. Wildfire stroked Dawnstar's hair softly as he listened to the rain lightening up outside.

"At least it should be dry by morning," Luornu noted.

"I thought you'd be asleep like the others," Wildfire responded.

"A couple of me are." She sat up, revealing two identical woman slumbering peacefully together on her left. "Sleeping next to myself is poor comfort when I'm used to having Chuck by my side, but at least it's some comfort. I know you won't be sleeping at all though, I thought you could use the company."

For some time, only the crackle of the fire and the soft patter of the rain filled the shelter. Wildfire finally voiced what they were both thinking. "We're screwed, aren't we?"

Luornu hugged herself and gazed into the fire. "I'm not worried about the others being in danger...the Infinite Man sent us into the timestream, I'm sure he hasn't done anything more than that to them. And I know Chuck, he won't stop searching for us until we're found. But...we're stranded in a time without superheroes, without developed technology, without any known method of finding our friends and family again. So yes...I'd have to say your assessment is crude but accurate, Wildfire."

Again there was silence, and again Wildfire broke that silence. "On the plus side...Sheriff Kent from Smallville? Looks like we're gonna meet Superboy's great great great grand-daddy! Sort of."

Luornu offered him a wry smile. "And everyone calls Chuck the Legion's morale officer."

**********
The next morning saw them gathered together beneath the freshly risen sun. The air was crisp, but much warmer than it had been when they'd arrived. Element Lad converted the shelter to oxygen and allowed its molecules to drift away on the desert breeze. "Probably best if we leave as little trace of ourselves as possible," he explained.

"Agreed," Duplicate Damsel nodded. "Bat Lash, if you're ready we can leave anytime."

"I hope there's somewhere in town we can eat." Kid Computo looked down at her stomach. "I'm starving!"

"You want to share?" Matter-Eater Lad asked, offering her a thorny branch from a shrub. Danielle giggled.

Bat Lash scratched his head and looked the group up and down. "Folks, I don't know how to say this but, well...you know the way those fellas reacted to y'all last night? Some of you try waltzin' into town in broad daylight and you're gonna get a lot more of that."

"He's right." Luornu stood with her hands on her hips. "Judging by what we've seen so far, none of us are really dressed appropriately for this era...area...but Wildfire and Dawnstar, you two can't come into town; you'll cause a panic. The rest of us will go with Bat Lash, we'll contact you when we know what our next move is going to be."

"Good idea," Wildfire nodded. "We'll just wait for your call then."

As the others flew off, Dawnstar turned to Wildfire. "You don't mind sitting on the sidelines, Drake?"

"You kidding, Dawny?" Wildfire laughed. "I'm just happy to get you away from that cowboy Casanova for five minutes!"

**********
In his small sparsely furnished office, Sheriff Nathaniel Kent looked over the five people standing before him. With gold from Element Lad, Bat Lash had procured period clothing for the four Legionnaires so they would fit in with the townspeople more easily. Still, Sheriff Kent had been in Smallville long enough to recognise outsiders when he saw them, and none of these strangers were native to Smallville. On its own, that didn't surprise him. This town was younger than Sheriff Kent himself; only some of the children of Smallville could truly call themselves natives. There was something else about this group though, something he couldn't put his finger on. With the exception of Bat Lash, they all seemed so out of place here. They all deferred to the woman named Luornu, the men were more soft-spoken than most men Kent had known, and they all treated the coloured girl with a lot more respect than the sheriff had generally observed from his countrymen. "So you say you're lawmen yourselves?" Kent addressed Tenzil and Jan. He wanted to see how they would react if he didn't give the woman with the purple and amber eyes an opportunity to lead.

The two men glanced across at Luornu and waited for her nearly imperceptible nod before answering. "That's right," Jan replied. "We're from somewhere very far away, and we just need to find out what we can about this region so we can plot our best route home. Do you have any records we can read? Is there a library in town, or--"

Kent gave a hearty laugh. "A library! This ain't the state capital! Why don't you boys tell me where you're from? I'm sure we can send a telegraph out for you!"

Jan seemed lost for words. "We...well, that is..."

"This is ridiculous even by my standards," Tenzil cut in. "I know we're meant to be safeguarding the timestream, but these people barely have written language; I don't think we need to worry about history recording anything it shouldn't...Sheriff, believe it or not, we're from the future. From a long way in the future. We all have powers beyond normal humans and we're looking for other people like us who might be able to help us get home. Do you know of anyone like that?"

The sheriff folded his arms across his barrel chest. "Now look here, fella--"

"I know it sounds right crazy," Bat Lash interrupted, "But I got reason to believe they're tellin' the truth. Why don't you folks show the sheriff what y'all can do?"

Luornu glared at Matter-Eater Lad. "We had to reveal ourselves last night to save Bat's life, but you know better than this, Tenzil."

"Can't hear you." Tenzil removed his hat and took a bite out of it. "Too busy chewing."

With an exasperated sigh, Luornu split into two. One of her fetched Sheriff Kent's chair while her twin gently led the stunned man to sit. "I'm sorry," she apologised. "This must come as a great shock to you, Sir. As Bat Lash said, my colleague is telling the truth--"

"--though he really shouldn't be!" the other Luornu added.

"--and it's imperative that we find a way home," the first Luornu finished smoothly.

"We left our city at the mercy of a very dangerous man and we need to stop him before he hurts anybody."

Pale, the sheriff gaped at one Legionnaire after another. "And you - you can all do this? Eat anything, split into separate bodies..?"

"We each have a unique ability," Element Lad explained. To illustrate his point, he created a black lump of graphite in the palm of his hand. "Where we're from, we use our gifts to protect and serve just as you do."

"And you?" Kent stared at Kid Computo. "What is it you do, little lady?"

Danielle fidgeted with the lace in her corset. "Well, my power is a little harder to explain...I can't really show you....oh!" Her large brown eyes suddenly grew larger.

Element Lad and Matter-Eater Lad looked at her with concern. "Danielle?"

"There's something at the periphery of my range," she explained. "Something else else really advanced and really powerful! We were too far away for me to notice it before, but when I was thinking about using my power just then I guess I must have instinctively reached out...we're still too far for me to make full contact, but I'd recognise this type of technology anywhere! It's Coluan tech, you guys!"

Bat Lash and Sheriff Kent watched dumbfounded as the others grew visibly excited.

"Coluan?!"

"You think Brainy's here?"

"He might be but his flight ring isn't," Danielle responded to her teammates' queries. "I'm still not picking up anyone other than us, Dawnstar and Wildfire. This technology though...whatever it is, it's big. I think we should check it out."

"Fine," Luornu replied coldly. Her other self spoke to the men they'd met here with more warmth. "Sheriff, Bat, we'll leave you to it...thanks for your time and help."

"I won't say I know what's goin' on here," Sheriff Kent replied, "But this sounds like somethin' Smallville's sheriff should keep an interest in, ma'am. I'm coming with you."

"That may not be wise," Luornu tried to dissuade him. "We're investigating something you have no experience with--"

"Now I know you fancy future folk probably all think we're primitives," Bat Lash interrupted, "But you gotta admit, it makes sense havin' people along who know the lay of the land and can tell you what to expect 'round here."

Element Lad looked across at Duplicate Damsel with his piercing blue eyes. "He's got a point, Luornu. They both do."

"We may not have time to argue about this," the Carggite heroine answered. "Jan, Tenzil, carry them. I just hope we don't regret this."

"Carry us?" the Sheriff raised an eyebrow. "What does she mean, carry--" Slack-jawed, he stopped mid-sentence as Luornu opened the building's back door and took to the sky, followed closely by her other self and the younger colored girl.

"Where are we going?" Luornu demanded of the cyberempathic girl at her side.

"It's about a dozen kliks this way," Danielle pointed. She screwed her nose up. "Grife, these old-time clothes sure are uncomfortable, huh? Especially in this gross heat!" Luornu mumbled something unintelligible in reply and Danielle waited a moment before she continued. "Duplicate Damsel...have I done something to offend you? I don't think we've ever said two words to one another before yesterday, but I get the impression you really don't like me."

"Why would you ever think that, Kid Computo?" She spat Danielle's codename like it was an insult. "All you've done is taken my murderer's legacy and worn it as a badge of honor."

"I don't understand," Danielle frowned. "Your murderer..?"

Luornu looked across at the girl with blazing intensity. "Computo killed my third self, back when I was Triplicate Girl. Everybody knows, but none of you know what it means. None of you are Carggites. A lot of Legionnaires come from worlds where everyone shares their power, but if Matter-Eater Lad woke up tomorrow not being able to eat rocks it wouldn't change anything about his fundamental sense of self. My people though...we aren't meant to survive the loss of a body. The power I have now is different, but back then I shouldn't have survived. Part of me didn't. I still wake up in the middle of the night with cold sweats because of that monster. You throw him in my face just by existing, and nobody else on the team has the slightest problem with it." She turned away, her voice filled with bitter emotion.

"I do too," Danielle said softly.

"You do what?" Luornu snapped.

"I wake up with cold sweats. Sometimes crying, and it takes me a few minutes to understand why. I was conscious when he used my body to fight the Legion...I was conscious the whole time. I fought as hard as I could, but I was just a little girl. So I had to watch him try to kill my brother, try to kill the greatest team of heroes in the galaxy...I had to feel his hatred burning through me, like a physical force. He was physically burning me out during my possession. Boiling my blood. I could have died. And after that horrible day, I still feel his shrill whispering voice in my head when I'm trying to sleep, or in my dreams." She wiped at her eyes and took a deep breath. "Sometimes I feel him. Only sometimes. Brainiac 5 made sure my family got the best psychoanalysts they could, so it's a lot better now than it was. And I know it's just the memory of his voice that lives in in my brain forever, it's not actually him...but still, the memory's enough."

For the first time, Luornu's tone softened towards Danielle. "Then...why..?"

"Why did I name myself after the monster that terrifies me more than anything else in the universe? Because that's how I show that ghost in my head that I know he's only a ghost. His name has no power over me, and using his name to help the people he hates is the best way I know to beat him." She slowed down until they were hovering motionless. "We're here."

The others caught up and looked around. They were above a field of wild grasses that stretched for miles all round, but there was no sign of technology, Coluan or otherwise.

"I still can't believe you can all fly!" Sheriff Kent exclaimed. "And so fast! I felt like a speeding bullet!"

"Some of our friends can fly faster than a speeding bullet," Tenzil smirked. "I can think of one in particular you'd probably like to meet..."

"Are you sure this is the place?" Luornu interrupted. "I don't see anything out of the ordinary?"

"Oh, duh." Danielle slapped her forehead. "I forgot you wouldn't be able to sense it...hologram." With minimal effort, she disabled the hologram emitters she detected. The six of them saw something large, metallic and oval-shaped in the field below.

"What in tarnation is that?" Bat Lash asked.

"That is something which shouldn't be there," Luornu scowled. "Everyone, follow me." She landed on a hill overlooking the gleaming spaceship and the others joined her. "Danielle, access that ship's crew manifest, see if you can find out who's on board and what they're doing here. There's no way they don't know we're here after you switched off their cloak, so let's just go knock on the font door as it were."

Sheriff Kent drew his gun and the second Duplicate Damsel barred his way. "I don't think that's a good idea," she suggested. "You've never encountered alien life before. Let us make first contact and then we'll introduce you and Bat Lash." Luornu knew this wasn't entirely true; of the Legionnaires gathered here, only Danielle was an Earth native but she figured they'd dropped enough bombshells on these men already.

"I don't like it but I'll give you your chance," Sheriff Kent replied, though he didn't holster his firearm. "We're ready when you need us." Luornu, the sheriff and Bat Lash watched as the other Luornu led Jan, Tenzil and Danielle up to the vessel.

"There's only one man on board," Kid Computo advised the others. "His name is Sato Lao and he's here following some kind of mission to bring peace to the galaxy judging by his ship's files. He - oh sprock, he's going to destroy the Earth!"

Duplicate Damsel took charge instantly. "Element Lad, give us an entrance. Danielle, whatever he's doing in there, shut it down. Shut it all down. Let's go, Legion!"
Danielle opened her mouth to speak while Jan transmuted part of the hull to oxygen. Before she could get the first word out though, a pale yellow beam shot out from a hidden port and enveloped the four heroes. They fell without a sound, and large droids emerged from the ship to collect their unconscious forms.

From their vantage point on the hill, the other three saw it all. "We gotta save them!" Sheriff Kent cried out.

"No!" Duplicate Damsel formed two extra bodies and the three women held the riled up lawman in place. "If we go down there we'll face the same fate! And none of us can dent those robots!"

"But your friends--" Bat Lash interjected.

"They're not our only friends," Luornu answered him. She held her flight ring to her lips and spoke into it. "Dawnstar? Wildfire? Trace our location and get here without a second to spare.

We've got a rescue to complete."

TO BE CONCLUDED!

Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 2.3: How The West Was Won - 10/01/13 02:26 PM
Matter-Eater Lad stirred, rolling his head to the left until it met cold hard resistance. He opened his eyes and saw featureless metal panelling; a wall met by a low ceiling made of the same material. He rolled to his right side and leaned on one elbow. He was in a cell along with Element Lad, Kid Computo and Duplicate Damsel. An amber force barrier replaced one of the room's four walls, and on the other side a security droid watched them passively.

"Come on," Tenzil jostled the others gently. "Rise and shine, up and at 'em...first nibble beats the Gluttony Patrol..."

Danielle Foccart batted his hand away, grumpy. "Lemme alone...what's a Gluttony Patrol anyway..?"

"Bismollian thing, never mind." Tenzil clambered to his feet and stretched. "Seeing as technically none of us have been born yet I'm gonna guess we haven't had our powers cut off...how about you do your thing and get us outta here when everyone wakes up, Kid C?"

"We're awake," Duplicate Damsel joined the conversation as she too climbed to her feet. "Do you still have access to your cyberempathy, Danielle? I wouldn't have thought that stun beam would have taken you of all people by surprise..."

"Even thousand year old Coluan technology is advanced compared to what I normally come across," Danielle explained. "This ship's systems are all fairly independently controlled so while I was scanning its data library the security systems got past me. Now that I'm up close and personal though it should be a lot easier." She frowned ever so slightly and the forcefield holding them prisoner shut down. The security droid shuddered once and then stopped. "I can hide us from being monitored or I can find the ship's captain but I don't think I can do both and protect us from the ship's security protocols at the same time," she continued. "What should I do, Duplicate Damsel?"

A door whooshed open and a wrinkled green man walked in, firearm in hand. "I'll save you the trouble of looking for the ship's captain," the white-haired Coluan addressed them. "Sato Lao, at your service."

**********
A herd of bison stampeded in fear as Wildfire rocketed loudly overhead. By contrast, Dawnstar's flight was almost silent. "Aren't your people from around this area, Dawny?" Wildfire asked the raven-haired beauty beside him.

"Starhaven was settled many centuries before even this time," she replied, her attention unwavering from the path before them. "In truth, Drake, any people we may happen upon here are far more likely to be your ancestors than mine."

"Huh. How about that." Wildfire spared a glance for the town of Smallville as they zoomed by its outskirts. He had become so accustomed to thinking of himself as no longer human it had never occurred to him that somewhere on this vast landmass right now lived the man and woman whose bloodline would produce Drake Burroughs. He wondered how they would feel to know the eventual product of their union would be nothing more than a mass of energy inhabiting a garish costume. He just as quickly put the thought out of his head. With their great speed, Dawnstar and Wildfire had already reached the others and there were more important things to take his attention now.

The two landed on a hilltop where Duplicate Damsel, Bat Lash and a wide-eyed man they assumed to be Sheriff Nathaniel Kent awaited them. Luornu introduced Wildfire and Dawnstar to the sheriff.

"Just when I think I've seen it all, you folks keep piling on the surprises," the square-jawed Kent shook his head in disbelief. "You're a...an angel, Ms Dawnstar? An Indian angel??"

"I'm afraid I'm nothing so exalted, Sheriff Kent." Dawnstar brushed her hair behind her ear.

"Gorgeous and humble," Bat Lash complimented.

"Where are the others now?" Wildfire asked abruptly, his hand moving to Dawnstar's waist.

"You can't see it now that the cloaking field has been reactivated," Luornu explained, "But there's a ship down there. The others went to investigate and were taken captive."

"They are still there," Dawnstar had a faraway look in her eye as she gazed downhill. "Shall we make our move, Duplicate Damsel?"

"Go," Luornu bade them.

"She can see 'em even now?" Bat Lash asked incredulously as Wildfire and Dawnstar took to the air once more. "Who'd have thought womenfolk get even more amazing in the future?"

"Dawnstar's power is tracking," Luornu answered. "She can find anything or anyone once she puts her mind to it, that's how she located us so quickly. So no, she can't see them any more than we can. But she can sense them...and if she can sense them that means they're still alive."

Directed by Dawnstar, Wildfire fired upon the invisible ship. Bat Lash and the sheriff both flinched when a small explosion filled the placid Kansas air. The cloaking field stuttered and then one part of the ship's hull became visible, flames and smoke hemorrhaging from it. With one of its holo-emitters down, a shimmering fringe delineated the rest of the vessel.

Luornu silently appraised the locals standing by her side. She knew the men shouldn't be here, but it was too late for that now. She also knew that neither of them would be content to stand by while unarmed women rushed into danger, so she might as well direct them as best she could. "I'm going to draw fire," she advised as she split into multiple bodies. "Your guns won't make a dent on the ship or its droids but when you see a weapons port open, take the shot. The firing mechanism may be more fragile than the ship itself."

Sheriff Kent gripped Luornu's shoulder. "Ma'am, if you think I'm gonna let you ladies run on in there and get captured a second time--"

"You can waste time arguing with a dozen of me while a dozen more storm the ship, or you can help out. What'll it be, Sheriff?" Even as she spoke, copies of herself ran en masse towards the vessel while Wildfire took on the security droids which had now responded to his initial assault.

"Don't rightly know how amazing it is, but women sure do get more bossy in the future," Sheriff Kent grumbled. He took aim at one of the ship's weapon ports as he'd been directed and fired, shattering the delicate lens of the blaster before it could fire.

One of Duplicate Damsel's bodies snuck on board the vessel while everyone else engaged in chaotic battle with the ship's defences. There wasn't enough room in the small ship's corridors for Dawnstar to manoeuvre safely, from here Luornu would need to find her captured teammates herself. The ship's ventilation shafts were dark and cramped, but she could bypass any resistance traveling through them. Fortunately she wasn't targeted by the ship's automatic defences, which led her to assume that Danielle at least remained uninjured. Using the beacon built into all Legion flight rings, she found the others after a less than comfortable journey through the ship. The whole time she could hear Wildfire's power blasting away at the ship and its robotic defenders, and occasionally one of the shots would be powerful enough that the shaft she was crouched in shuddered as if it would implode. She heard her own voice from the room directly below her and strained to listen over the anti-energy barrage outside as she peered through a small grate at a green man holding her friends at gunpoint.

"What are you doing here?" the other Duplicate Damsel asked Sato Lao. "On Earth, I mean? My teammate told us you're planning to destroy the planet, you must know we won't let you do that."

"I've stopped your little death ray in its tracks now that I know what it is," Kid Computo added. "The only reason I haven't wiped your ship's data banks altogether is that we're gonna send you back home once we're done here. According to your ship, you're not very popular back on Colu. Pretty sure they won't be too supportive of your plans for genocide."

"They are all so narrow-minded!" the elderly Coluan exploded. "Nobody sees that I am bringing peace to the universe! Please, let me explain...I designed a threat analysis and forecast program, I've spent the past three decades refining it to perfection. I asked of it which planet will cause the most potential danger to the universe, and its answer was this primitive ball of mud! I do not know what factors will come into play, but there is no doubt in my mind that the planet you call Earth is destined to produce the greatest menaces reality will ever know! Think of the lives that will be saved with the destruction of this one small world!"

The Legionnaires stared at Sato Lao and one another in disbelief and horror. "Buddy, was that your best try?" Matter-Eater Lad asked. "Because I gotta tell ya, you're not engendering a lot of sympathy."

Duplicate Damsel gave Sato Lao a cold glare. "Shut it down, Danielle. Shut down anything resembling a weapon. Element Lad, could you restrain this madman please?"

"No!" the Coluan cried. He raised his gun at Duplicate Damsel and pulled the trigger, but nothing happened.

"Nice plasma gun," Danielle smirked. "Doesn't work very well when its motherboard doesn't know how to interpret the signal your trigger sends though."

As Element Lad raised a hand to ensnare their enemy in iron, the wall behind them exploded inward. Element Lad and Kid Computo tumbled across the ship's hall, slamming into the opposite wall hard enough to stun them both. Wildfire, Dawnstar, Sheriff Kent and Bat Lash stood on the other side of the damage with a couple more of Duplicate Damsel's bodies. "Grife!" Wildfire exclaimed. "Sorry, you two! I had no idea you were so close to the wall!"

Taking advantage of the chaos caused by Wildfire's dramatic entrance, Sato pointed his gun at a dazed Kid Computo. She was the one controlling his ship and this might be his only chance to be rid of her. The others were all too far away to do anything but watch her die. As he pulled the trigger, yet another version of the brunette kicked aside a ventilation panel and leaped down with a defiant yell. She took the blast which was meant for Kid Computo directly to her skull and dropped like a sack of rocks, instantly dead. Kid Computo screamed her name in anguish and rushed to the corpse of the woman who'd saved her.

"It - it doesn't matter!" The surviving Duplicate Damsels were obviously rattled, but Luornu knew she had to focus on leading her team through this. "Stop him! He's getting away!"

Indeed, Sato Lao was already vanishing behind a sliding door. He was much older and slower than the rest of them, but he had the advantage of knowing this ship like the back of his hand...and now that their cyberempath was too shaken to use her power, the ship's automatic security fields and offensive systems would kick in once more. He could hear them now, keeping these odd men and women occupied until he could complete his task.

His heart racing, Sato Lao finally made it to the bridge. He dashed to the console of his extinction beam and feverishly tapped in the necessary command. A low thrum filled the room, and he finally allowed himself to take a breath and relax. When Element Lad dissolved the final door keeping the heroes from him, Sato Lao greeted them with a smug grin. "I knew you couldn't be driven off for long," he pontificated, "But it no longer matters, don't you see? In under a minute, a beam of tightly focused sonic waves will penetrate this planet to the core and set off a reaction that will destroy the world in--"

Sato Lao saw Sheriff Kent's handgun flash, but he never heard the gunshot. An instant later the ancient Coluan lay lifeless and bleeding on his own bridge.

Element Lad stared at the Sheriff numbly. "You killed him..!"

"I avenged your lady friend is what I did," Sheriff Kent replied grimly. "And while I got precious little idea what's goin' on round here, I think I just killed the bastard was threatenin' ta end my world. I'd say I got a right to do that."

"You think you just killed..." Dawnstar mimicked. "You're not even certain! You murdered a man in cold blood without even fully trusting your own justification!"

"Now look here!" the Sheriff growled. "I don't know how y'all do things where you come from, but here we put monsters in the grave! Where they belong!"

"Ain't many times I've agreed with a lawman just pulled a gun on someone," Bat Lash joined in, "But this here's one of them times. I don't see we had much choice, angel."

"Hey!" Matter-Eater Lad bellowed. "Can we argue about this after we've stopped the planetary no-chance machine? I don't know how long we've got because someone went and killed our only expert, but anyone notice that high-pitched noise getting louder?"

"Tenzil's right," one of the five remaining Duplicate Damsels took charge. "Danielle, can you stop this device?"

"I'm trying," she frowned. "But it really doesn't want to stop." Everyone in the room was deathly still as the young girl gave the extinction beam her full attention. Five seconds passed, then ten, the whining increasing in pitch the whole time. Finally, it subsided and the bridge was filled with an anticlimactic silence.

"No big boom?" Tenzil asked eventually, cringing.

"No big boom," Danielle smiled wearily.

Bat Lash whooped as he picked her up and spun her around. "Little lady, if you were a couple years older I'd lay such a smooch on you right now!"

"I know you must be exhausted," Luornu said as Bat Lash lowered the embarrassed girl, "But there's one more thing, Danielle. Remember when you threatened to wipe his data banks? I need you to do that now. Then I want Matter-Eater Lad and Element Lad to dispose of anything dangerous, and Wildfire's going to take whatever's left somewhere far from here and atomise it."

Element Lad's brow furrowed. "Are you sure that's wise, Luornu?"

"Yeah, we can use this ship!" Wildfire protested. "Once Kid C reprograms this baby, we must be able to find someone who can help us get home!"

"And away from these barbarians," Dawnstar added icily.

"We're not keeping anything which carries a weapon capable of destroying a world, Wildfire." Luornu's duplicates vanished one by one as she stared the hotheaded Legionnaire down. "I'm not budging on this."

Sheriff Kent saw by the concentration on Danielle's face that she'd already started following Luornu's command. He was mystified by what that command meant, but something about it rubbed him the wrong way. "Ma'am, all due respect, this isn't really your decision. I'm the Sheriff here and--lord!" He recoiled as all of the Legionnaires were suddenly enveloped in a rainbow glow and disappeared.

"Where'd they go?" Bat Lash asked.

"Beats me," the Sheriff shrugged. "Let's check outside."

The two men left the eery silver tomb which had once been a vessel of destruction and called for the Legionnaires, but no answer came.

"Sheriff, look!" Bat Lash pointed, eyes wide. The Sheriff followed his astounded gaze and saw the ship behind them once more shimmer and fade away. "It's gone!" Bat Lash gaped."What do we do now?"

"I'll tell you what we do," Kent answered with grim resolve, "We walk back into town and we wait for those weird friends of yours to come back. And if they don't...we are never breathin' a word of this to another soul, you hear me? I don't know what happened out here today, but I didn't like any of it one little bit. And if I have my way, ain't nobody ever gonna come out to this damn field again."

"Suits me, Sheriff." Bat Lash crouched down and picked a wildflower from the ground. He placed it in the brim of his hat as the two men walked off beneath the Kansas sun.

"Suits me just fine."

NEXT: Another Girl, Another Planet...
Posted By: razsolo UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 10/02/13 08:00 AM
2 teams down, let's see who's left!

BRAINIAC 5: Early 21st century Smallville
DAWNSTAR: Smallville, 1871
DUPLICATE DAMSEL (deputy leader): Smallville, 1871
ELEMENT LAD: Smallville, 1871
KID COMPUTO: Smallville, 1871
MATTER-EATER LAD: Smallville, 1871
SHADOW LAD: Early 21st century Smallville
SUPERBOY: Early 21st century Smallville, remained behind
SUPERGIRL: Early 21st century Smallville
WILDFIRE: Smallville, 1871

BLOK
BOUNCING BOY (leader)
CHAMELEON BOY
CHAMELEON GIRL
COLOSSAL BOY
COMET QUEEN
COSMIC BOY
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DRAGONMAGE
DREAM GIRL
ELASTIC LAD
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
LIGHT LAD
LIGHTNING LASS
MON-EL
NIGHT GIRL
NIGHTWIND
PHANTOM GIRL
POLAR BOY
QUISLET
SHRINKING VIOLET
SUN BOY
TELLUS
TIMBER WOLF
TYROC
ULTRA BOY
GAS GIRL (Legion ally)
THOM KALLOR (Ex-Legionnaire Star Boy)
Posted By: Harbinger Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 10/02/13 11:25 AM
Splendid stuff Raz, really enjoying your journey through the eras. I don't know who Bat Lash is - was he inspired by our own fantastic Lash? Nathaniel Kent's morality may be questionable to the Legionnaires but totally understandable in the context. Dawnstar's iciness afterwards was well played. Tenzil's irreverence, Danielle's youth, Wildfires protectiveness (of Dawny anyway) and Lu's determination were all well written.

And let's be realistic, Sato Lao had a point, given the history of the DC universe, Earth is a nasty place that has spawned a fair few monsters...

Looking forward to where you take us next, more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 10/02/13 12:31 PM
Ha! I would like to say Lash was the inspiration for Bat Lash, but he's actually one of DC's western heroes...was a toss-up between using him or Jonah Hex, but Hex has already had a couple of shots at interacting with people from the future so I thought I'd give Bat a turn. smile

Glad you're enjoying it, I was a bit worried how these two teams would work because their stories are kinda connected so I didn't want one to seem like a retread of the other. I think the next team should offer up something different altogether... laugh
Posted By: Set Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 10/03/13 12:02 AM
Cowboys vs. Aliens, Legion style! Very cool!

Nice bit of interplay between Lu and Danielle over the Kid Computo name, and Lu's later choice to leap into the line of fire to save Danielle quietly resolved the disagreement, without the necessity for a big reconciliation scene. Subtle and effective, I like that, showing, not telling. Very strong writing choice.



Reacting instinctively, Salu Digby shrunk down to a height of barely two inches as Duplicate Damsel's golden boot kicked out at where the tiny woman's head had been a moment ago. The heroine appropriately named Shrinking Violet took a moment to orient herself before she returned to normal size. "Where are we?" she asked. "This isn't Weisinger Plaza."

"And you're not the pirate I was fighting a moment ago," Duplicate Damsel added. "Sorry about the near assault, Violet."

"You're forgiven," Shrinking Violet answered in a distracted tone. "But that flash of light…where has he sent us..?"

The two women turned around slowly, taking in their surrounds. Light Lad hovered nearby, Colossal Boy towering over him. A dozen feet to the east, Lightning Lass smacked aside Timber Wolf's hand as he tried to help her stand from a crouching position. No other Legionnaires were within visual range and between the rainbow-smeared skies and the utterly arid landscape around them, they were all starting to realise that they were no longer on Earth.

Light Lad visibly flinched. "Whoa…did anybody else's transuit just activate?"

"The Infinite Man must have transported us to a hostile environment hoping it would kill us for him," Lightning Lass replied. "Lucky for us, our transuits are programmed to activate automatically upon exposure to dangerous atmospheres."

"This place seems familiar," Shrinking Violet narrowed her eyes. "I feel like I've been here before…"

"Yera!" Colossal Boy suddenly bellowed. "Where's Yera? Where's my wife?? She's not answering her flight ring!"

"Try to stay calm," Light Lad suggested. "I'm sure she--"

"Stay calm?!" Colossal Boy stamped one enormous foot down, scattering the girls like bowling pins. Only Timber Wolf's incredible dexterity kept him standing, while Light Lad remained safely floating above ground. "That bastard has sent us sprock knows where, I have no idea what he's done to my wife, and you're telling me to stay calm?!"

Duplicate Damsel created a copy of herself which flew right up to the raging giant's face. "Gim Allon, that is exactly what you need to do!" she snapped, pointing one angry finger at him. "Chuck isn't answering his flight ring either, but childish tantrums won't help him or Yera! Now would you please stop acting like an overzealous boyfriend and start acting like a Legionnaire?"

"Sorry," Gim answered sheepishly. He bowed his head in shame, feeling a rush of blood to his face. "Is everyone okay?"

"Don't beat yourself up, big guy. We know you're just worried." Ayla ascended to join Luornu before Colossal Boy's huge brown eyes. "We really do need to figure out where we are and how to get home though. I can't pick up anybody on my flight ring at all…I even tried calling Garth at the Academy!"

"If there's a lot of background radiation that could be interfering with our communications," one of the Duplicate Damsels suggested. The second Luornu continued without missing a beat. "Do you remember when we faced the Triumvirate of Terror on my homeworld, Violet?"

"Solar activity from Cargg's three suns made communications practically impossible," Vi nodded. "Of course I thought Brainiac 5 had fixed that problem a long time ago, but it makes as much sense as anything."

"We can't reach anyone, we're in the middle of some kind of alien desert…what do we do now, boss lady?" Timber Wolf looked to Duplicate Damsel for direction.

Luornu was momentarily taken aback. She wasn't accustomed to more powerful Legionnaires turning to her for leadership, but she reminded herself that she was their deputy leader. It was time to prove she was worth that vote of confidence. "There are some hills off in the distance," she noted. "It shouldn't take us long to reach them with our flight rings and with any luck that's where we'll find civilisation. Unless anybody has any better ideas..?"

"Sounds good to me," Ayla patted her on the shoulder. "Boss lady."

"Let's not waste any more time then," Luornu replied with more confidence. "Colossal Boy, it might be an idea to return to human size…we should try not to draw too much attention to ourselves until we have a better idea where we are."

"Duplicate Damsel has a point," Shrinking Violet chimed in while Gim shrank down. "Maybe I should stay out of sight for now as well." She too reduced her size until once more she was only a couple of inches tall. Even at such small proportions her flight ring enabled her to keep pace with the others effortlessly, and the group of heroes soared towards this flat landscape's one remarkable feature.

Once they were all on their way, Timber Wolf came up alongside Lightning Lass and Light Lad. "Ayla?" Brin asked with uncommon timidity. "Can I please say something..?" Light Lad discretely sped up to give the two some privacy.

"Darvan, you don't need to--" Ayla began to protest, but the lanky Winathian had already joined Colossal Boy ahead. Ayla sighed in frustration and turned back to Brin Londo. "Timber Wolf, how many times do I need to tell you--"

"No no, it's not like that!" Timber Wolf shook his head vigorously. "I just wanted to-- grife, I'm bad at this. I just wanted to say I'm sorry, Ayla. I've been a jerk -- I've been a monumental jerk, and I know I betrayed you and that was wrong. It was wrong and dumb. I know I've given up any chance I ever had of being with you again, but…I don't want you to hate me, that's all. What you gave me was more happiness than I ever deserved, and I know that's over, but I hope you don't hate me and I hope one day we can at least be friends again. That's all." He bowed his head, defeated by the effort of expressing himself like this.

Ayla felt a surge of anger rise but she caught Darvan looking back at them and there was something in his gaze…sympathy? Empathy? She swallowed her temper and really looked at Timber Wolf. He seemed genuinely regretful. He was definitely miserable. Ayla sighed again. "Friends might be pushing it," she said sardonically, "But I don't hate you, Brin. That's all I can do for now, you'll have to take it or leave it."

Timber Wolf gave her a pained but sincere smile. "That's all I can ask, Ayla. Thanks. I mean it." Before any awkwardness could set in, Timber Wolf too increased speed to join the others ahead.

"What was that all about?" a minuscule voice asked in Ayla's ear.

The strawberry blonde turned her head to find Shrinking Violet flying alongside her right cheek. "I don't exactly know," Ayla answered, "But I've got a sneaking suspicion Light Lad has got something to do with this. Those two hated each other up until Bouncing Boy made us all do that getting to know you exercise…I wouldn't exactly say they're best pals now, but something's happened between them. I don't care to be honest, if Darvan can get Timber Wolf to grow up then more power to him…grife knows I've spent long enough trying and failing."

"I don't know if I'd say that's your failing," Violet laughed. "More likely men are just emotionally stunted."

Ayla smirked. "Some of them, definitely. Maybe you and Calorie Queen have got the right idea! How are things going with her, anyway? You seem a lot happier lately, if you don't mind me saying."

"Cal's good for me," Vi replied. "We don't have anything serious going on, but she makes me smile…that's all I need right now. And in the future, who knows..? I'm just content to take it one day at a time for now."

"Did anybody else hear that?" Light Lad asked the group. They had already reached the hills Luornu had pointed out, and as they came closer they saw those hills become a modest mountain range covered in exotic flowering plants and trees. As the heroes left the desolate plains of this strange place behind for more verdant terrain, they heard the faraway cry of alien creatures.

"They're just wild animals," Colossal Boy volunteered. "Though if this place is hostile enough to activate our transuits, I'm surprised there's any kind of native wildlife to be honest."

Timber Wolf guffawed. "You want to see hardy wildlife, you should spend some time on Zuun."

"It wasn't an animal," Light Lad insisted. "It sounded like someone yelling -- there it is again!"

"I heard it that time," one of the Duplicate Damsels remarked. "Let's go, Legion!" Her twin had already veered off from the group and was diving down toward a steep ravine.

Light Lad joined her, the others close behind. They all heard cries for help now but the noise echoed throughout the mountainous terrain, making it impossible to pinpoint its location.

"Let's split up," Luornu suggested as she literally did just that. Within a second, a dozen Duplicate Damsels floated where there had been only two. "We'll cover more ground this way." The Legionnaires paired off and flew in different directions, all straining to hear the panicked voice they now recognised as that of a young girl.

"Down here!" one of the Duplicate Damsels soon shouted. She flew toward a teenager with shoulder-length honey coloured hair. The girl had obviously been trying to scale the ravine's rocky face and slipped. She clung desperately to a ledge with trembling fingers but before Luornu could reach her, the girl lost her grip and fell into the yawning pit of the ravine. The terrified girl screamed, then gasped in shock as she stopped falling and slowly floated up towards the top of the ravine.

Luornu helped the girl regain her footing on stable ground, supporting her as her normal weight returned. "You saved my life!" the girl panted, gripping Luornu's bare arm. She looked about 12 or 13, with hazel eyes which complimented her hair. "How can I ever thank you?!"

"We're just glad we were able to help," Luornu soothed the girl as Light Lad descended to join the two. "We're the Legion of Superheroes. I'm Duplicate Damsel and this is Light Lad. He's the one you should really be thanking, it was his power that rescued you."

"I - I'm sorry, I don't recognise your names," the girl apologised. "But thank you so much! I'm Uma…Uma Garan."

"You don't recognise the Legion of Superheroes?" Light Lad asked incredulously. By now the others were joining them, summoned by Duplicate Damsel.

"Oh no, everyone knows the Legion of Superheroes!" Uma blurted. "It just takes us a while to get the latest newsfeeds all the way out here, I'm not completely up to date on your membership I guess."

"What are you doing out here on your own anyway?" Luornu asked. "Mountaineering with no safety equipment is awfully dangerous, Uma!"

"I need to study white calendulas for my school science project," she explained. "They only grow out here at the edge of the Habitable Zone."

"The Habitable Zone?" Light Lad asked. He'd only just now noticed the girl wore no transuit at all. "Uma…where are we exactly?"

"You don't know..?" The young girl looked uneasily from one Legionnaire to the other. "How can you not know where you are..? Wait, how are you flying without your flight belts..?"

Along with the others, Colossal Boy pondered Uma's confusion. Until now Gim had been so consumed with worry for his wife that he hadn't spared a moment's thought for anything else. How was it though that this girl had heard of the Legion of Superheroes but she didn't recognise individual Legionnaires? Why on Earth would she expect them to be using flight belts? Flight rings had been a standard part of the Legion's equipment for years now. The uncomfortable realisation dawned on him that the Infinite Man could just as easily have displaced them all in time as well as space…and now that he really took in his surroundings for the first time, he felt as Vi did that there was a nagging familiarity about this world. Gim heard a sharp inhalation from Shrinking Violet and glanced across to see the small woman's hands fly to her mouth. Violet's recognition sparked his own. He knew exactly where they were now, and his blood ran cold as Vi spoke what they were both thinking.

"Trom," Violet breathed.

"The Infinite Man has sent us to Trom."

TO BE CONTINUED..!
The gleaming spires of Trom's capital city were a stunning sight as the sun set to the west. Impressive as Trom's pristine architecture was, its skies at this time of day were even moreso. The atmosphere, normally splashed in color, fairly blazed with intense hues. From one side of the globe to the other, vibrant greens changed to blues, then reds, oranges and countless other shades which had no name. The sheer beauty of it all was breathtaking.

Standing on one of the mountains which ringed the valley wherein the vast majority of life on Trom thrived, six Legionnaires felt their hearts in their throats.

"It's so overwhelming..." Shrinking Violet mumbled, her voice quivering. She had resumed normal size to easier interact with the others, and all the Legionnaires now saw the tears welling in her eyes.

"Vi?" Lightning Lass touched her friend's shoulder, obviously concerned. "You okay?"

"You don't understand," Violet continued, almost in shock. "None of you were here with us last time…it's just…it's a lot to take in." She looked up at Colossal Boy, his own face pale and taut.

"You've been here before?" their teenaged guide asked. As a native to this world, young Uma Garan took the splendour around them utterly for granted. "You Legionnaires sure are weird, first you don't know where you are and now you say you've been here before? Make up your minds!"

"Uma," Shrinking Violet asked with a quiet intensity, "Do you know what the UP standard date is today?"

The young girl began to answer, but Duplicate Damsel took her aside before she could get more than a word out. Luornu shot Vi a stern glare then leaned toward Uma with a far more friendly demeanour. "Why don't I take you back to your parents?" Luornu offered. "It's getting close to nightfall, they must be concerned about you by now."

"Oh no, as long as I'm home for dinner they won't mind…I know how to scare critters away!" To demonstrate her point, Uma gestured at a nearby stream. Using the same power the Legionnaires had seen from Element Lad countless times before, Uma transmuted a tiny part of the stream's surface to potassium. The silvery metal sparked dramatically, birthing a flame which burned itself out in moments.

"Be that as it may, I think it's for the best," Luornu continued. "And let's keep it between us that you met the Legion of Superheroes today, hmm? We need to keep our presence here a secret for…for classified reasons. Can you keep a secret?"

A conspiratory gleam shone in Uma's eye. "Oh boy! Sure I can, Duplicate Damsel! Cross my heart!"

"Good girl, I knew we could depend on you. Come on, let's go. I'll rejoin the others later." While one Duplicate Damsel walked away with the young girl, another remained behind with the rest of her team.

Failing to recognise the tension that hung over the heroes, Uma waved goodbye. "It was nice to meet you, Legion! Thanks for your help, I won't tell anyone! Honest!"

Once she was out of earshot, Shrinking Violet turned on Luornu. "What is wrong with you?! We've got a chance we'll never have again, we can save these people!"

"You know we can't alter the timestream, Violet." Duplicate Damsel didn't raise her voice, but her tone said she would brook no argument.

Light Lad raised his hand gingerly. "I feel like I'm missing something…can someone please explain what's going on for the new kid?"

"The fact that there's anybody alive on this planet means we've been sent back in time," Shrinking Violet bitterly explained. "It means Roxxas the Butcher hasn't committed the genocide which led to Element Lad joining the Legion of Superheroes." Glaring at Duplicate Damsel, she almost spat her next words. "It means we can save a race from extinction."

Duplicate Damsel stared Violet straight in the eye. "Don't you think I want to save them? Don't you think this decision is going to weigh on me every day for the rest of my life? We can't interfere with the past, Violet! You know that! The consequences could be catastrophic!"

"Where has all this concern about consequences been every time we've invited Superboy or Supergirl to come hang out with us??" Violet was almost shouting now, her face flushed with emotion.

A pall of silence fell over the group before Duplicate Damsel found the words to break it. "What do you want me to say?" she asked, her voice tightly controlled. "Is it right that we invited Superboy and Supergirl to join the Legion of Superheroes in the first place? Of course it isn't. We were young and stupid. We were blinded by our ideals and our adoration, and if we'd ever taken a nano to think about the terrible risk we were taking every time we jumped in a time bubble to visit them we would never have made the first trip. There's a reason we stopped calling on them unless it was a matter of life or death, Violet. Are we to be forever held to the judgements we made when we were children?"

Vi laughed but there was no humour to it. "It's funny how we can mess with the timestream as much as we like when it's a matter of our life or death. I guess nobody else is that important." She spun on her heel and stormed away.

"Where are you going?" Duplicate Damsel called after her. "We should stick together!"

"Bite me," Vi snapped without looking back.

"I'll go keep an eye on her," Lightning Lass suggested. "She just needs some time, Lu. That's all." She jogged after Vi, leaving Duplicate Damsel with Colossal Boy, Light Lad and Timber Wolf.

"Does anybody else want to make me feel more horrible about this than I already do?" Luornu snapped at the three men.

"I never liked time travel," Timber Wolf growled. "Thinking about it makes my head hurt."

"I don't know what I think," Light Lad added, crestfallen. "How do you decide to just let a whole world of people die? But if we tell them…if we change history…what if we open the door for something worse? How do we know?"

Colossal Boy spoke without ever taking his eyes from the proud city standing below them. "I came to Trom with Vi and Yera and Cham and some of the others not all that long ago. Well, in the future, I guess. You all know what I mean. But Jan was there too. All of these buildings, they were in ruins. There was no vegetation, no animal life…I don't remember even seeing any insects. I did see the monuments that Jan made for his people, they were everywhere. He called them tsarins. There was a crystal marker for every man, woman and child Roxxas killed that day and Jan made every single one himself. One day he'll make one for that little girl. And we're going to have to tell our friend, whom some of us have known almost since the very day he lost his people, that we could have saved them and we chose not to. We're going to have to tell him we chose the devil we know over one we don't."

Duplicate Damsel began to frame an objection, but Colossal Boy continued before she could start. "Don't get me wrong," Gim looked down at her, "I understand what you're saying…and you're our leader here, DD. If you tell us this is what we're doing, then we'll do it. But don't pretend that what we're doing is right." He too turned and walked away, following the same path Vi and Ayla had taken.

**********
Behind a thicket of trees, Shrinking Violet threw a rounded stone off the edge of the mountain and watched it until it disappeared far below.

"Hey you." Lightning Lass joined her. "Mind some company?"

"Depends. Are you here to sell me genocide too?"

"Hey. Vi. Look at me." Ayla stood before the Imskian woman and held her shoulders with a gentle but firm grip. "This isn't easy, not for any of us. It wasn't that long ago we were in Metropolis fighting the same kind of ridiculous over the top battle we fight all the time. We're used to that, we can do that. This? Being separated from the rest of our friends and families, from our home? Being forced to make this kind of decision? That's not easy for anyone. Lu's just trying to do the best she can."

"She doesn't have to be such a cold-hearted bitch about it," Vi said icily.

Ayla released Vi and pondered her next words carefully. She took a few steps away and watched Violet throw two more stones over the edge before she spoke again. "You know, we haven't been able to use the time bubbles recently because of this Flashpoint barrier Brainy keeps talking about."

Vi shrugged and threw another stone. "So?"

"So those time bubbles were available to us for years before we ever heard of that stupid Flashpoint barrier. Why do you think Jan never came back in time himself to save his own people? Why didn't Superboy or Supergirl ever try to save Krypton, or Blok try to save Dryad?"

Violet scowled at her. "Because…" She knew the answer as well as Ayla, but stubbornness prevented her from speaking it.

"Because they know it would be wrong," Ayla answered for her. "We all do. Sweetie, the past needs to stay in the past. We all know that on some level. Those worlds died, and that's a tragic loss that no words can make right, but if those tragedies hadn't happened….who's to say Jan would ever have left here? Think of all the times he's come to the rescue as Element Lad. Think of all the countless lives he's saved. We can rescue the people of Trom here and now, but how many other people would we be sentencing to die? Everything happens for a reason, Vi."

Vi fixed her with a steely gaze. "I don't believe in predetermination," she said. "But if you do, then ask yourself this; if everything happens for a reason, what's the reason we're here now?"

"You don't believe in predetermination? That's a funny thing to say considering how long we've known Dream Girl." Gim Allon joined the two women, looking out over the mountain.

"What do you want, Colossal Boy?" Violet asked bitterly.

"I want to go home," he pouted. "I want to know that my wife and my friends are safe, and I want to wallop the Infinite Man for putting us in this situation to begin with."

"I guess we should find out how far back we've travelled," Ayla suggested. "We know the Legion exist in this time, so at least that's something…maybe we can contact the Time Institute or…oh, grife."

"What is it?" Colossal Boy asked.

Ayla exhaled glumly. "I just realised Rond will still be alive…this gets more depressing by the minute."

Duplicate Damsel's voice interrupted, coming through on all their flight rings. "Legion, I've just left Uma at her family's home. You all need to come meet me at the spaceport now, there's no time to spare. We're stealing a shuttle and getting off this planet."

The three heroes traded concerned looks. "We're stealing a shuttle?" Colossal Boy asked. "Is that really necessary, DD?"

"Colossal Boy, I checked the date…today is the day Roxxas comes to Trom. I don't know how much time we've got, but by the end of the day this world is going to be a mass grave. I'm sorry, I truly am, but we need to be gone as fast and as far from here as possible." Duplicate Damsel ended the communication before any of them could debate the point.

"Maybe you can let this happen and still live with yourselves," Shrinking Violet announced. "But I can't." Before Lightning Lass or Colossal Boy could stop her, she shrunk down to microscopic size and was gone.

"Vi!" Ayla shouted. "Damn it!"

"What do we do now?" Gim asked.

"We need to find her," Ayla replied, running back towards the others. Gim couldn't help but notice Ayla hadn't said they needed to stop her.

He thought about the devastation to come and hoped that they would have the luxury of being able to make that choice before Roxxas stole it from them forever…

TO BE CONTINUED..!
So much good stuff happening here Raz - from the moral dilemma of knowing the atrocity that is away to happen to Timber Wolf and Light Lad's character growth as a result from their little adventure a while back. Particularly liked Ayla talking to Vi and Vi's stubbornness to do something about Roxxas.

More, more, more please!
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 3.3: The Bitter End - 10/20/13 10:12 AM
Lightning Lass and Colossal Boy landed on the outskirts of Trom's capital city. They'd convinced Duplicate Damsel to let the two of them fetch Shrinking Violet and meet up with the others at the spaceport, and the beacon in Vi's flight ring had led them here.

"I wish we had disguises or something," Ayla frowned. "I know we're all wearing different costumes now than we did in this time originally, but I still don't like the idea of being seen here in our Legion gear."

"From what Element Lad tells me", Gim replied, "Trom was always very isolated from the rest of the UP. I don't think it matters much how we're dressed, everyone will know we're outsiders anyway."

"Let's get this over with then," Ayla marched into the city. "Vi's not far from here, the sooner we find her the sooner we can get out of here."

Colossal Boy's assessment was quickly proven right. Everywhere they walked people peered curiously, whispered in hushed tones about the strangers in their midst. Ayla hated the attention, but she wondered if what she really hated was the guilt that built up inside her with each new set of eyes that looked upon her. It was one thing to lecture Violet about fate when the destruction of Trom was little more than an abstract concept. It was quite another to try and justify it when she could see these living breathing people all around her, when she could hear their children laughing, smell local dishes cooking in open kitchen windows, and when she knew it was all soon to be ash. She silently thanked the universe that a young Jan Arrah had been off-planet when his homeworld was destroyed. Seeing Jan here innocent and untouched by tragedy would break her, she thought. Ayla looked across at Colossal Boy. His own face was drained of colour, his hands tight trembling fists. She remembered something else she'd told Vi earlier; this wasn't easy on any of them. She squeezed Gim's hand gently and swallowed hard as she gave her old friend the most cheerful smile she could summon under the circumstances.

"Lightning Lass? Colossal Boy?" Shrinking Violet's voice voice shook them from their maudlin pondering. She was full-size, leading Uma with an older man and woman they presumed were her parents. "Duplicate Damsel sent you to stop me? Unbelievable. It's too late now anyway, I've told the Garans and we're going to find the authorities now and gather everyone at the town square. If it's destiny that Roxxas the Butcher attack Trom today, maybe it's destiny that we give them the knowledge they need to fight back."

"Vi…" Ayla began to debate the point, but she saw the open fear and confusion in the faces of the Garans and she couldn't continue. Ashamed, she bowed her head. Confronted with the reality of telling these people they were supposed to die, she found that she just couldn't do it.

Gim took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Violet, we need to go. History tells us what's going to happen here today, you know we're not going to be able to stop it."

"We can try!" she countered ferociously.

"I don't understand any of this," Uma's father spoke up. "How can you be so sure that we're going to be attacked today? Trom has no enemies, we've always kept to ourselves."

"Mr Garan," Violet began.

Lightning Lass interrupted her, peering into the vibrant skies above. "Hey, you guys hear that?"

Duplicate Damsel's voice spoke over their flight rings, but they only had time to discern the overwrought tone of her voice before there was a deafening boom and their world turned black.

*********
Shrinking Violet groaned as she opened her eyes. Her head was spinning and when she placed her hand to her temple to steady herself, her glove came away coated in blood. Disoriented, she examined her surroundings as best she could through blurred vision. It was a safe bet that she was concussed, but aside from that and a few minor aches and pains she seemed uninjured. The lighting was extremely dim, and the air filled with clouds of dust. She soon realised why this was so. She was sitting in a pile of rubble, surrounded by the ruins of what had once been the Garans' home. Light from outside penetrated the odd crack in her precarious ceiling of debris, and several feet away a holo of Uma and her family flickered a few times before it finally went out. She could hear screaming and wailing from outside, explosive detonations and the faraway sound of Lightning Lass' voice. "Buried under a building on Trom again," she muttered darkly to herself. "This is getting to be a habit." A pile of shattered ferrocrete to her right shifted before finally giving way to the heaving form of Colossal Boy as he grew his way out from beneath it. Violet rolled her eyes and buried her face in her hands. "Oh, you've gotta be sprockin' kidding me."

Eight feet tall, Colossal Boy was just shy of brushing against the debris above them. He too was covered in grazes and small cuts, but seemed not to be suffering from any major injuries. He looked down at Vi and coughed into his hand a few times before speaking. "Glad to see you too," he deadpanned. "Where's Ayla?" The distinctive zap of her lightning bolts sounded out, followed by another explosion. "Never mind," he coughed.

"You want to grow us out of here?" Violet demanded brusquely. "It might not be too late to save these people."

"Can't risk it," Gim rasped before surrendering to a coughing fit which lasted half a minute. "Damn, so much dust in the air." He gingerly touched the roof above them, probing to get a sense of how likely it was to collapse. "I know you can shrink down small enough not to get crushed, but don't know who's on the other side…or if there are other people trapped--" He was cut off mid-sentence with another series of heaving coughs.

"Turn your sprocking transuit back on!" Violet snapped. "Grife!"

Gim showed her his right hand, the golden band of his flight ring slightly deformed. "Can't," he finally explained once this round of coughing ended. "Explosion busted it. Spare one won't do me much good, it'll just trap dust particles in with me when I put it on." More coughing.

"Then shrink back to normal size!" she retorted with evident frustration. "All you're doing is breathing in larger amounts of the stuff and taking up more oxygen!"

"Oh yeah," he blushed. "Good thinking." He returned to normal size, and except for his coughing the two sat in an uncomfortable silence. Finally he looked across at Violet. "Umm…you want to try calling the others? My comms are shot on top of everything else. Hey, you're bleeding!"

"Already tried," Violet answered. "Something else else's interfering with the signal, which doesn't surprise me at all. There are elemental compounds on this planet that exist nowhere else in the galaxy, who knows what effect that might have on our flight rings? Don't worry about my head either, it's just a surface wound. I'd be more worried about whatever you're breathing in, not to mention the levels of radiation you must be absorbing right now." Another explosion sounded, this one close enough to rattle their prison and bring small rocks clattering to the ground around them. "Of course," Violet continued, "We might all get blown to Shanghalla before that ever becomes an issue. No good deed goes unpunished, I guess."

"Lightning Lass knows we're here, and there's no way the others would leave us behind. Light Lad will get us out of here like that!" He snapped his fingers for effect and punctuated it with several more coughs.

"I suppose." Sitting in the dirt, Vi wrapped her arms around her knees and looked away from her teammate.

Gim scowled and opened his mouth, then thought better of it. He could only restrain himself for a moment before it came out anyway though. "Why are you so dour all the time anyway?" he blurted. "Ever since--"

"Ever since when exactly, Colossal Boy?" Violet asked venomously. Her head whipped back around and she glared at him with utter contempt. "Ever since when?"

"Forget it," he coughed. One hand covering his mouth, he held the other hand before him in a gesture of surrender. His wedding ring glinted in a beam of light piercing the veil of dust around them. "Forget I said anything."

"No, let's do this!" She stood up and paced across to him, pointing a finger into his chest. "You know, Yera and I had this out when we were stuck here together on this godforsaken planet and that didn't go at all like I thought it would. Because I expected her to be a manipulative unapologetic sneak, and she was anything but. She was stupid--"

"Hey!" Colossal Boy defended his absent wife.

"She was stupid enough not to have any idea that what she did was wrong when she was doing it," Violet continued unabated, "But she's been beating herself up for it ever since. She's punished herself more than I ever could have, and we're never going to be friends but I know she didn't act out of malice and I can live with that. But you..!"

"Me what?" Gim threw his hands up. "What the hell did I ever do? Fall in love? Since when is that a crime?!"

Violet stared at him dumbfounded for a second before she screamed through gritted teeth in complete frustration. "You're such…you're such a boy!" she raged. "You invented this stupid idealised version of your perfect demure girl and you projected that onto me, and that's what you fell in love with! And then she came along and she was only too eager to mold herself into that to make you happy, and you let her! You encouraged her! And you forgot that I even existed!"

"Why do you even care?!" By now, both of them were yelling at one another. "It's not like you ever loved me back!"

Violet's tone suddenly shifted, became eerily quiet and controlled. "Did it ever occur to you, you gigantic self-absorbed twit, that I did?"

Gim was stunned. The two faced one another in a tense stand-off. "Then…what…"

She turned her back on him and stalked across the small space as far away from him as she could, then turned to face him again. "I thought I did," she clarified in a low voice. "For years, I let you protect me. I thought you were my knight in shining armour, like someone from a sprocking fairytale. Even when I was with Duplicate Boy, I would fantasise about what it would be like to be your girl, for you to keep me safe from the rest of the world. It's not like he was ever there for me when I needed him. And then Micro Lad came along. I lost a year of my life, and after a long and painful recovery, I found that my knight in shining armour hadn't even noticed I was gone. And that when he did notice, he married the woman who put me through all of that."

"Violet," Gim tried to cut in while wracked with coughs.

"Shut up," she said bitterly. "I've earned this." She took a breath to centre herself and continued. "That was when I realised…that was when I realised that I'd never been in love with you. I'd been in love with the fantasy of you. And I grew past that, and it was horrible, but I'm glad I did. Because I want more in my life than fantasy. But you," she laughed contemptuously, "You married your fantasy. You're a stupid little boy living a stupid little boy's fantasy, and the reason I'm so sprocking dour all the time is because that's the price I paid to grow up, Colossal Boy."

Gim stared wide-eyed and open-mouthed at her. "You're crazy," he finally started. Before either of them could continue, they both felt their feet leave the ground below them. They floated upwards, the rubble around them following suit.

A blur of movement zigzagged through the airborne field of what was once a building, and Colossal Boy had the wind knocked out of him when Timber Wolf's muscular arm gripped him around his waist. The super-agile hero ricocheted from one chunk of wall to the next, grabbing Violet under his other arm before exiting the peculiar obstacle course. "Clear!" Timber Wolf bellowed. Vi and Gim felt a surge of pressure as they succumbed once more to the pull of gravity in Timber Wolf's grip, and saw their former prison crash back down to Trom's surface.

"We're fine! Timber Wolf, we're fine! You don't need to carry us!" Violet shrunk down out of his grip and flew alongside him as Colossal Boy grew to free himself.

"Might not want to do that, big guy." Lightning Lass came up alongside Gim carrying a clearly terrified Uma while Light Lad carried Uma's parents. "You're just making yourself a bigger target."

Colossal Boy looked at the devastation around them. Buildings lay toppled around them, the citizens of Trom mutilated and dead in the streets of their capital city while more able-bodied survivors ran in terror. He saw one of Roxxas' ships a few blocks north blow up yet another building. Overcome with fury, Colossal Boy grew exponentially larger and sped towards the vessel. By the time he reached it he was over 80 feet tall, and the crewmen had already evacuated rather than face his wrath. With an inarticulate roar Colossal Boy smashed the ship to smithereens.

"Hey!" Timber Wolf punched his teammate in the jaw, snapping Gim's head to one side. Though Brin was tiny at this scale, his strength more than made up for it. "We don't have time for this!"

Colossal Boy rubbed his jaw, looking down at his diminutive comrade. "No," Gim said in a trembling voice, having completely forgotten about his conversation with Vi when confronted with the warzone around them. "Violet was right. We can't let this happen. Look around you!"

"Colossal Boy!" Timber Wolf hit him again. "We don't have time for this. We intercepted one of Roxxas' ships blowing up the spaceport. Before he realised the Legion of Superheroes was here, Roxxas was only gonna do enough damage to the Trommites to intimidate them into working for him but now he knows we're here and he's running scared. Colossal Boy, we heard the order ourselves. He's going to nuke Trom to take us out. We have to go!"

Gim reeled. He looked again at the destruction below them, the full horror of Timber Wolf's statement dawning on him. "He…he's going to destroy Trom…because of us..?"

"Yes!" Brin snarled. "Duplicate Damsel was right, we should never have gotten sprocking involved! Now come on!"

Wordlessly, the giant shrank down and flew alongside Timber Wolf to join up once more with the others. When they reached the spaceport, he saw that it was in ruins. It looked as though there had only been three vehicles docked there anyway, but all three were damaged beyond repair thanks to Roxxas' aerial assault. "How are we meant to leave now?" Uma's petrified mother asked.

"We took one of their ships," Light Lad explained gently. "We figured that…that they would shoot down anyone they didn't recognise as their own. This way we'll have a chance."

"But everyone else!" Uma wailed. "What about everyone else?"

Lightning Lass had been fighting the pirate fleet off while waiting for Gim and Vi's rescuers, but even if she hadn't seen the ships for herself she saw the answer to Uma's plea in Light Lad's tormented eyes. "Uma…sweetie…their ships, we're not gonna be able to fit anyone else on board. I'm so sorry." Ayla began crying now herself.

One of Roxxas' gleaming red vessels soared in from the distance and hovered above them. A hatch opened in the side and the Legionnaires flew up towards it. The whole time, Uma flailed at Ayla. Her mother sobbed behind her hands and Uma's father gazed tearfully at his distraught daughter. Once the group had come aboard, the hatch closed behind them and the ship veered upwards violently. "Sorry for the bumpy ride," Luornu's voice called from the cockpit where she was both pilot and co-pilot, "But I don't know how much time we have to get out of here!"

Uma noticed three men tied and gagged in the back of the small shuttle. It dawned on her that these were some of the men responsible for all of this. "Why are they here?" she screamed. "Why are they here while my grandma has to--" She never completed her protest. There was an explosion behind them which made the worst of any other explosion today sound like a firecracker. The ship shuddered and various alarms sung out at them all. The city was behind and below them, but they saw the flash of light even through the front windscreen of the shuttle.

In the pilot's seat, Luornu ignored the tears streaming down her face. They had evaded the nuclear blast, but not the shockwave. She was struggling against numerous system failures and they were beginning to lose altitude. Luornu wondered if they were destined to die here today after all, and just as the name of her husband escaped her lips in a scared whisper her world disappeared in a spectrum of lights.

"What's happening?" Uma screamed from the back of the ship, watching the same rainbow flare envelop all the Legionnaires and steal them away. "Where are they going?!"

But no answer came, and the ground rushed up faster and faster…

**********
Posted By: razsolo UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 10/20/13 10:21 AM
Forgot to say, thanks for the comments Harbinger! Hope the last chapter of this story was not too much of a horrible downer for everyone! There may be a little more doom & gloom before we finish, but there should be some more good times as well to balance it out smile

BRAINIAC 5: Early 21st century Smallville
COLOSSAL BOY: Trom, doomsday
DAWNSTAR: Smallville, 1871
DUPLICATE DAMSEL (deputy leader): Smallville, 1871 / Trom, doomsday
ELEMENT LAD: Smallville, 1871
KID COMPUTO: Smallville, 1871
LIGHT LAD: Trom, doomsday
LIGHTNING LASS: Trom, doomsday
MATTER-EATER LAD: Smallville, 1871
SHADOW LAD: Early 21st century Smallville
SHRINKING VIOLET: Trom, doomsday
SUPERBOY: Early 21st century Smallville, remained behind
SUPERGIRL: Early 21st century Smallville
TIMBER WOLF: Trom, doomsday
WILDFIRE: Smallville, 1871

BLOK
BOUNCING BOY (leader)
CHAMELEON BOY
CHAMELEON GIRL
COMET QUEEN
COSMIC BOY
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DRAGONMAGE
DREAM GIRL
ELASTIC LAD
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
MON-EL
NIGHT GIRL
NIGHTWIND
PHANTOM GIRL
POLAR BOY
QUISLET
SUN BOY
TELLUS
TYROC
ULTRA BOY
GAS GIRL (Legion ally)
THOM KALLOR (Ex-Legionnaire Star Boy)
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 10/22/13 03:50 PM
There is so much awesome here, raz, I'm just bowing at your feet. Amazing how you can take all these characters and keep making them interesting! Your encyclopedic knowledge of history lends itself well - the continuing drama between Brin/Ayla and Vi/Gim, Drake being the one to tell Dawny to calm down, the awesome time loop between Smallville 21st century and Smallville in the Wild West... wow, just wow.

And the Legionnaires being indirectly responsible for Trom's destruction... that's going to have a lot of repercussions.

Can't wait to see what you have in mind for the rest!

And I'm stoked you have Gas Girl and Thom along for this crazy ride. Do I see a flight ring in Gas Girl's future?

Interesting that you chose to have Luornu be in two teams, and for her corpse to make an appearance in the third. She's acted fairly consistently in both the Smallville and Trom scenarios, though with her ability now to make an unlimited number of duplicates I agree it's best to keep her with one personality.
Posted By: razsolo Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 10/24/13 02:45 PM
Thanks IB! Might be some flight rings in a few people's futures before we're done (might be losing a couple more too!)

Glad the multiple Luornus are not coming across as repetitive (well I guess they ARE literally repetitive, but yanno what I mean) and you might see her pop up a few more places before we're done too..!
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 4.1: Fast Friends - 10/24/13 03:09 PM
CENTRAL CITY, 2038
Iris West zipped from one side of the street to the next, shattering each one of Mirror Master's twisted reflections with a superspeed punch before moving on to the next. There were dozens of copies of the legacy villain, but she knew they wouldn't keep her busy for very long. Still, while she was wasting time out here with this distraction the rest of the Rogues were cleaning out Centrabank's vaults. She needed a faster way to wrap this up. Wrap it up! A light bulb went off in the young woman's head. That's it! Iris left the scene of the robbery in a red blur, reappearing almost before Mirror Master could register that she'd even left. She circled the army of identical villains and a second later, they were bound together with a hose she'd borrowed from the fire station six blocks away.

"Good work, Flash!" the villain congratulated her, standing on a levitating mirror near the gigantic hole in the wall which used to be the bank's entrance. Iris turned towards the bank to see Mirror Master's comrades emerge; Colonel Cold, Boomerang, Tank, Rainbow Raider and the Topsy-Turvy Man. Tank, a naturally armour-plated juggernaut almost 12 feet tall, carried sacks of money in a pouch compartment attached to his back. "We only needed to keep you busy long enough to get our booty though, and now we'll bid you a fond farewell!"

The young heroine ignored Mirror Master for the moment, facing the hooded Colonel Cold instead. "Jeez Larry, we went to school together!" she complained. "Now you're hanging with losers who say booty? What happened to you?"

"You're not the only one with a legacy to uphold!" Colonel Cold shouted indignantly. "My dad was someone too, yanno!" He raised his hand and shot a blue-white beam of pure cold from his palm, but the woman known as the Flash was already on the move. Still, he wasn't aiming for her but rather the ground at her feet. She had half-anticipated Larry would try this and only slipped for the barest fraction of a second before finding her footing again. Before she could make her next move, the Flash ran into a multi-colored haze of air. She had time only to wonder if the Rainbow Raider was somehow behind this before she slammed into a raven-haired man in a loose-fitting red tunic and bounced back. The wind well and truly knocked out of her, Iris slid across the ice and rolled painfully across the asphalt of the street beyond it. She came to a stop only a dozen feet away from the barricade which the Central City police had erected around the area. The Flash looked at the newcomer and his associates in a daze. They numbered six and and she didn't recognise a single one of them, but if they were in league with the Rogues she might have her work cut out for her. "Who..?" she breathed.

Mon-El stared dumbly, his mind in a fog. An instant ago he'd been struggling against the Infinite Man. Now he was somewhere else, somewhere only vaguely familiar. Infectious Lass, Invisible Kid, Dragonmage, Nightwind and Tyroc were here with him and all of them looked as stunned as he felt. He recognised the woman on the floor with the red ponytail coming out the back of a cowl that was a more vivid red. She was wearing the costume of the Flash! Had the Infinite Man summoned heroes from the past to fight them now? That made no sense! Then, seeing the costumed group outside this ancient bank and hearing sounds from all over the city it dawned on him that the Infinite Man was no longer inflicting the past upon them…he was inflicting the Legion of Superheroes on the past! "Legionnaires!" Mon-El barked. "She's a friend! These gentlemen on the other hand are not so fortunate!" He gave the Flash a salute so fast that only she saw it, and mouthed an apology to her before flying across to land in front of the Rogues. "I'm giving you a chance to surrender," Mon-El offered, his blue cape drifting in the breeze behind him. "You don't have the advantage of numbers anymore."

"Is this guy for real?" Colonel Cold laughed. "You don't know who you're talkin' to, buddy." The villain used his power once more, encasing Mon-El in a large misshapen chunk of ice. "Come on boys, let's get outta here."

"Ey, Larry?" Boomerang drawled in a strong Australian accent. "I don't like the looks of that, mate…" From within the ice, the villains saw Mon-El's eyes flare red. The ice enclosing his head melted instantly, and Mon-El smashed the rest of it with the merest flex of his mighty arms.

"Can't say I didn't make the offer," Mon-El smiled. "Legionnaires, let's go!"

"I don't really have any idea who any of you people are," Nightwind shrugged, "But if Mon-El says you're not our friends, that's good enough for me! Allez-oop!" With a gesture a gust of wind came out of nowhere to flip Mirror Master's transport over. The villain uttered a comical yelp as he crashed to the ground.

"I really despair to see a friend in pain," Rainbow Raider quipped. "And now, so will you." A blue beam flashed forth from the colourful villain's visor, striking Nightwind head on. She staggered back for a moment, then collapsed into tears.

"Monstre!" Invisible Kid leaped forward in Nightwind's defence. Rainbow Raider turned his visor on Jacques next, this time a yellow beam flashing forward. At the first sign of attack however Jacques turned invisible and the ray of light passed harmlessly through him. He closed on Rainbow Raider and delivered a two-handed uppercut, knocking him out cold. Jacques turned visible once more, only to find himself in the shadow of the advancing Tank. "Oh.." he mumbled ineffectually.

"Don't worry, Kid. I've got this one." Mon-El stood before his helpless teammate and decked the colossus with one punch.

Meanwhile, Colonel Cold had realised his power was useless against Mon-El and decided to take on the others. "This is cheating, Iris!" he whined to the Flash while encasing Infectious Lass and Tyroc in ice. "We're the Flash's Rogues, not the Flash and pals' Rogues!"

"These people are so strange," Dragonmage mumbled to himself as he summoned a dragonform whose flame breath melted the ice around Drura and Tyroc without burning either of them. "Are you two harmed?" he asked his teammates. He saw one of the other Rogues throw some curved stick towards them, but it missed by a wide margin.

"Just cold," Infectious Lass hugged herself. "I hate being cold! Let's see how he likes it!" She glared at Colonel Cold and he instantly collapsed, teeth chattering as he succumbed to a virus that wouldn't be catalogued by Earth medicine for centuries yet.

"As for you," Tyroc stared down at one of the two remaining criminals. "You think I don't know what a boomerang is? Moron." He spun around and unleashed a devastating cry at the weapon which had already curved back around towards them. The boomerang burst into flames and incinerated in mid-air.

Boomerang gulped. The only one they'd managed to bother at all was the robed girl with the wind powers, and she was already collecting her wits about her. "T-Man?" He gave an anxious side glance to the last of the Rogues who was still standing. "Help a bloke out?"

The Topsy-Turvy Man sighed in exasperation. He was the eldest of them all, a lean silver-haired man wearing a black bodysuit covered in silver concentric rings. "Surrounded by fools," he muttered under his breath. "Fools and incompetents." The Topsy-Turvy Man raised both his arms above his head, and all of the Legionnaires were overcome with the worst bout of vertigo they'd ever experienced. Some clutched at their heads, others crumbling to the floor in a helpless heap. "Oh for the days when I got to square off against Wally West," the aged supervillain reminisced fondly. "Now there was a challenge."

"I may not be the hero my dad was," Iris West noted, "But I hope I'll do in a pinch - oh, he's asleep. Must be nap time at the old folk's home." By the time Boomerang had even noticed that she'd started moving, the Flash had knocked the Topsy-Turvy Man out and was now standing before Boomerang himself with an impish grin. With the Legionnaires quickly recovering behind her, there was a blur of motion and the scarlet speedster held two handfuls of Boomerang's weapons out before her theatrically. "Ta-daah! Can we cut the punching part and go straight to the being in jail part? You're embarrassing me in front of my new friends."

Boomerang patted himself down. She'd removed some of his arsenal. Of course, some of his arsenal wasn't all of his arsenal, and a few of the boomerangs she did have could be remotely detonated…he looked around at the rest of his team. Mirror Master and Rainbow Raider were groaning as they slowly clambered to their feet, Colonel Cold was shivering in a puddle of drool, Tank and the Topsy-Turvy Man were unconscious…what would his mentor Captain Boomerang do in this situation?

"No shame in cowardice!" Boomerang beamed and held his hands out to be cuffed. "Till next time, eh luv?"

As the Central City police took the criminals into custody, the Flash approached the six Legionnaires. "Thanks for your help today," she smiled warmly. "So, another dimension or the far-flung future?"

The other Legionnaires traded confused glances with one another while Mon-El took charge. "Apologies for cramping your style, Ms Flash." He offered his hand and she shook it. "I'm Mon-El and these are some of my teammates from the Legion of Superheroes. We are from the future as it turns out, though I must admit I'm a little surprised that you've already figured that out?"

"Pfft, I'm part of the Flash family," she waved dismissively. "It wouldn't be Wednesday if someone wasn't visiting from the future to try and kill me or to try and stop someone else from killing me. Admittedly your dramatic entrance threw me at first, but the energy signature that accompanied you is pretty much a dead giveaway. Oh, and it's just Flash by the way…Ms Flash makes me sound like I should be delivering war bonds or something. Whatevs they are."

Mon-El mentally chastised himself. His memories from his 1000 year exile in the Phantom Zone were jumbled at best. Ms Flash wouldn't be a heroine in Central City for another 60 or 70 years yet, he needed to be more careful about things like that so as not to inadvertently reveal future events.

Having long since fully recovered from the Rainbow Raider's emotional assault, Nightwind cleared her throat. "Ummm, the future? We're from the future? Mon-El, are we in the past?"

Infectious Lass groaned and slapped her forehead. "Oh grife, not again." Invisible Kid placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"What year is this?" Dragonmage asked.

"2038," Flash announced. "Forgive me for saying so, but this doesn't seem terribly like a planned vacation…how far back have you all come anyway? I've got some friends in the Justice League who might be able to help you get home if that's what you'd like to do."

"I think that's a great idea," Mon-El replied. "We need to get back to the 31st century, the sooner the better. That's where we're all from, and we need to stop a very powerful and very unbalanced man from doing any more damage than he's already done."

The others continued to chat, but Tyroc didn't hear a word of it. Only one thought looped through his mind, over and over again. Not all the Legionnaires were from the 31st century. It had been a warm Summer day in 2030 the last time Troy Stewart had seen his parents. He wondered if they were still heroes. He wondered if they were still alive.

He aimed to find out.

TO BE CONTINUED..!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: LEGION LOST 4.1: Fast Friends - 10/24/13 08:34 PM
Originally Posted by razsolo
Thanks IB! Might be some flight rings in a few people's futures before we're done (might be losing a couple more too!)

Glad the multiple Luornus are not coming across as repetitive (well I guess they ARE literally repetitive, but yanno what I mean) and you might see her pop up a few more places before we're done too..!


Well, Trom Lu and Wild West Lu both played the same role (more or less) in their away teams, but you gave their teammates enough focus that it didn't seem repetitive smile

And the plot thickens! Looking forward to where you'll take the Central City 2038 group. Love the lineup too, really looking forward to reading more Nightwind, Drura, Dragonmage and Tyroc.

Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 4.2: Familiar Elements - 10/31/13 01:20 PM
The Flash was little more than a scarlet blur as she ran across the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. Mon-El flew close behind, and some ways back from them propelled by their flight rings came Dragonmage, Nightwind, Infectious Lass, Invisible Kid and Tyroc. A light gleamed on the horizon, swiftly revealing itself to be an artificial island floating serenely on the ocean's waters. Curry Island was the size of a city block and featured a spacious tree-lined plaza with twin aircraft standing out in the open. By the Legion's standards the vehicles looked childishly engineered, but they supposed they must be quite advanced for this era given that they belonged to the legendary Justice League. Beyond the planes a great half-dome rose out of the island, the sun reflecting off of a wall of glass five stories high. The Flash slowed her pace, and had just began splashing beneath the surface of the water when she reached dry ground. As she approached the entrance to the building, six other costumed men and women emerged to join her.

"Legion of Superheroes," the Flash presented the two teams to one another, "Allow me to introduce you to the Justice League!"

A red android approached Mon-El, his chest adorned with a golden T in a circle. "It has been quite some time," Red Tornado greeted the Daxamite with a monotone which still somehow managed to be subtly pleasant. "You and your team may consider yourselves guests at the Hall of Justice for as long as is necessary, Mon-El."

"Should have figured you'd already met Reddy," the Flash smirked. "Sometimes I think he's worked with every superhuman past, present or future and this pretty much clinches it!"

"I don't know that you've met these particular Legionnaires," Mon-El returned the Tornado's welcome. "Tyroc, Invisible Kid and Infectious Lass have been with us for some time now. Nightwind and Dragonmage are a little more new to the team, but they've more than proven themselves."

"Still got that new car smell, huh?" a female archer in a red and yellow bodysuit teased Dragonmage and Nightwind. She wore a yellow hooded waist-length cape, and pulled back the hood now to reveal a head of blonde hair tied back into a ponytail. "Don't worry, it wears off the second or third time you save the world from a giant space starfish. I'm Red Arrow, pleased to meet ya!"

Dragonmage smiled politely, but he silently wondered if their translators had been damaged. He had no idea what a giant space starfish was, and had even less idea what it had to do with the smell of a passenger vehicle. Before he could ponder it too deeply, Nightwind leaned across to whisper discretely in his ear. "The ancients were sure fond of red, huh? I feel like we're meeting the Olympus Mons Welcoming Committee..!"

"Aquaman and Aquawoman," the Flash continued. A dark-skinned man with a blonde buzzcut introduced himself, his bare arms covered in what seemed to be some kind of tribal tattoos. As if to prove Nightwind's point, his tank top was also bright red. Beside him, an attractive Hispanic woman with shoulder-length dark brown hair said hello. She wore a blue-scaled bodysuit with chrome highlights which glinted in the sun.

The final male member of the League stared at Mon-El in awe. He was taller than any of the others, barrel-chested and broad shouldered. He wore a blue bodysuit with golden gloves and boots, and a distinctive golden chest plate. His cape and the helmet which covered half his head were also golden, and it was only by the exposed lower half of his face that the Legionnaires could guess he was of African descent. "Amazing," he muttered almost to himself. "You look exactly like she said you would…"

"I'm sorry?" Mon-El raised an eyebrow. "You seem to have me at a disadvantage..?"

"Valorous," the muscular Justice Leaguer answered abruptly, almost seeming to have snapped out of some spell. The two men shook hands and Mon-El was mildly surprised to find that he actually felt the pressure of his grip.

"And last but not least," the Flash moved on to an Asian woman with waist-length black hair. She was decked out in black leather with a matching overcoat and carried a knotted wooden staff. "This is Dr Thirteen, but we all call her--"

Infectious Lass' jaw dropped. "Traci?" Drura gasped. "Is that you??"

"I was wondering how long it'd take you to recognise me," Traci Thirteen winked. "I take it you got home okay then?"

Infectious Lass squealed with joy and the two women embraced one another to the complete mystification of all around them.

"It seems I am not the only member of the Justice League to have worked with surprising allies," Red Tornado noted dryly. "Shall we continue this over refreshments inside?"

**********
Once Mon-El had relayed the story of their brief battle with the Infinite Man to the rest of the Justice League, the two teams concocted a plan between them. The Flash told the Legionnaires of the cosmic treadmill, an artifact which had belonged to one of her predecessors and which possessed the power to breach dimensional and even temporal barriers. It had been many years since the timestream had been stable enough for her to trust its use, but Dr Thirteen was confident that she could work with Dragonmage and Tyroc to help boost its power and direct the displaced heroes to their own time. The plan seemed a good one, so Iris left at once to retrieve its components so that it could be assembled at the Hall of Justice. After she left, the two teams mingled easily.

As Mon-El struggled to share memories of his brief stint in the Justice League with some of the Leaguers, he noticed Valorous leave the room. "It's so weird!" Red Arrow gushed. "I remember Donna Troy talking about you years ago! And now here you are, hardly a day older than you were then!"

"Starfire as well," Aquawoman chimed in. "She always had good things to say about you, even if you didn't work together very long!"

"I'm sorry ladies," Mon-El fumbled awkwardly, "I really hope this doesn't come across as rude, but the Phantom Zone has a way of clouding my recollections…I have to admit, I barely remember many of my experiences here. I'll never forget the honour of being a part of your League, but unfortunately the details are a little blurry. There was a…gorilla..?"

"Changeling was a member of the Justice League?" Aquaman frowned.

"No, he means Congorilla!" Red Arrow beamed. "Right?"

Mon-El stared at them all blankly. "Uhhh…."

"I don't want to interrupt," Valorous' deep voice boomed as he did exactly that. "But can I see Mon-El in private please?"

"Certainly!" Mon-El smiled and excused himself from the others. "Just quietly, thanks for the save!" he whispered to the massive Leaguer as they left the Hall of Justice. "Your teammates mean well, but I haven't thought about this era in a long time, it's a little confronting honestly."

"I'll bet you haven't," Valorous answered without looking at the Daxamite. Mon-El wondered if he imagined the slightest snark in his tone. Valorous led Mon-El to the water's edge before turning around to finally face him. "What you said back there," he asked abruptly, "About not remembering any of your experiences here…is that the truth?"

"Yes, of course!" Mon-El was somewhat taken aback. "Why are you asking?"

Valorous looked out over the waves once more. "There's someone you need to see while you're here," he answered in a voice that was surprisingly lacking in confidence given his massive frame. "Come with me?"

Mon-El looked back at the building.

"It's time travel," Valorous countered Mon-El's objection before it could be raised. "It doesn't matter when we send you home, you'll still go back to just after you left…besides, if it makes you feel better it's going to take even the Flash an hour or so to assemble that equipment, it's fairly delicate from what little I know. So we've got some time to kill, pardon the pun."

Mon-El regarded the Leaguer with curiosity. He wished he could discern what it was about this stranger that drew his attention, and why Valorous was so interested in him specifically. "You're right," Mon-El eventually assented. "We do have some time to spare, so why not use it? Who did you want me to see? Another member of the Justice League?"

"Not quite." Valorous rose into the air under his own power. "Follow me." Mon-El obeyed, and soon two primary-colored streaks vanished across the horizon.

**********
Inside the great Hall of Justice, Infectious Lass watched Mon-El and Valorous speed away with her hands on her hips. "You know," she grumbled, "If I'd known that we could blab everything to the first superhero we came across in this era, I wouldn't have been stuck here for months the last time I was here. Whatever happened to the sanctity of the timestream and all that other rubbish Brainiac 5's always drumming into our heads?"

"These are not just any heroes," Jacques Foccart countered gently. "The Justice League are legendary in their own time and in ours. If the secrets of the timestream can be trusted with anybody, surely it is they."

"Legends, huh?" Traci Thirteen offered the two of them a cup of herbal tea each. "I kind of like the sound of that, wait till I tell Jaime."

Infectious Lass sipped at the hot beverage. "Jaime?"

"Otherwise known as the Blue Beetle," Traci grinned as she flashed a small diamond ring. "Otherwise known as my fiancé. He's on a deep space mission with Superman and Wonder Woman and some of the others. Shame too, it would have been nice if you could meet him! Speaking of romantic entanglements though…I guess I can see why you were so eager to get home last time we met!" She gave Jacques a cheeky wink. "How much time has passed for you anyway? You don't look a day older than you were when I was a teenager with horrid dress sense!"

"Obviously much less time for me than you," Drura answered before she gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh grife, that sounded so incredibly rude! I didn't mean--"

Traci roared with laughter. "It's okay, I get it. Really." She hugged Infectious Lass again and held her white-skinned hand affectionately. "I really am glad you got home okay. We didn't get to spend a lot of time together when you were trapped here, but I often thought about you. We had some crazy adventures, didn't we?" She released Drura's hand and looked across to see Nightwind in conversation with the Red Tornado, the other heroes milling about them. "Hey Legion magic people! Let's get some preparation happening for when Iris gets back with her funky treadmill, huh?"

"Sure thing," Tyroc clapped a friendly hand on Dragonmage's shoulder. "There's only one magic person in our team though, that's Xao here. I'm happy to help everyone return, but my power isn't magic-based."

Traci looked at him confused. "Huh..? No, I meant Dragonmage and her." She pointed straight at Nightwind.

"This again?" Berta shook her head vigorously. "I'll tell you the same thing I told Dragonmage, my power's a genetic mutation. All the women in my family have some ability to control the air. I never even believed in magic until I met the White Wit--" She stopped talking and looked down at her feet. "Umm, why is the ground wet?"

Red Tornado suddenly took to the air, the lower half of his body replaced by a swirling crimson whirlwind. "My internal gyroscope detects that the island is tilting! Prepare yourselves!" The last of the android's warning was drowned out by the immense thunder of millions of gallons of water crashing against the artificial island. The heroes lost their footing as one whole side of the island was slammed underwater by a colossal tidal wave. The planes outside slid into the deep to sink like stones, and the combined Legionnaires and Justice Leaguers were saved from a painful collision with the reinforced windows of the Hall of Justice only because they faced a far more painful collision with a semi-solid wall of muddy seawater which crashed through the windows and rolled over them all with relentless fury.

Nightwind watched in horror as Tyroc drew breath to scream only to be consumed by the tsunami before his power could be released. She saw a flash of blue dart toward him and hoped that it was Aquawoman going to his rescue. The neophyte Legionnaire's own power failed her utterly. Inside the confines of a hall which was rapidly filling with sediment and water, she had run out of air to manipulate. Instinctively, she held her breath as the wall of water came at her but that breath was smashed out of her with almost enough force to take her consciousness with it. She flailed desperately, becoming ensnared in her cloak as she tumbled over and over in painful somersaults. When she finally tore her way free from the costume which was smothering her, she realised she had no idea which way was up. The water was so filthy that she could barely see her own hand in front of her face, and she didn't even know if she was still in the Hall or if she'd been washed clear. Transuit! she cursed silently. I should have activated my damn transuit! The wave had hit so suddenly that it hadn't had time to activate automatically, and it was too late now. She had no way of ejecting any of the water that would be trapped inside the environmental seal with her. Her chest was on fire and she began to panic. Her powers were useless here. She could still fly thanks to her flight ring, but she didn't know which way to go. What if she inadvertantly dived deeper down? What if she died here? Something else else charged at her with torpedo force, gripping her around the waist. Almost hysterical already, Nightwind released the last bit of air she had left in her in a terrified scream. Blackness fell over her, but before she succumbed to it she was suddenly in the light!

Air! Eyes wide, Nightwind gulped mouthfuls of air. It was a couple of seconds later that she registered someone was talking to her, and a second more before she realised that person was holding her around the waist and treading water for both of them. "Aquaman!" she gasped. "You saved my life!"

"That might be a little premature," the hero with the icy blue eyes answered grimly. "Look."

Towering almost a hundred feet high before them was a woman composed of water, rocks and dirt. She grew forth from the sea itself, and she hadn't yet seemed to notice that Nightwind and Aquaman were floating nearby.

Red Tornado's trademark cyclonic trail circled around from the other side of the immense elemental woman and he hovered before her rage-filled face. At first Nightwind thought he must be crazy to take her on single-handed, but then she saw that the woman held Dragonmage, Dr Thirteen and Red Arrow in one hand with Invisible Kid and Infectious Lass in the other. The way Dr Thirteen lolled in the monster's grip, Nightwind hoped she was only unconscious but the others struggled valiantly. "Aspect, release these heroes!" Tornado commanded. "This will be your only warning!"

Nightwind ignored the villain named Aspect for a moment. She could see the island several dozen metres to the right slowly sinking. The force of that woman's assault must have really knocked them for a loop for them to have surfaced all the way over here. It could be worse, Berta thought to herself. Hopefully Dr Thirteen's okay, and the rest of us are all accounted for -- Tyroc! Where's Tyroc?? She turned to Aquaman to ask the question when something Aspect said tore her focus from her missing comrade. What did she just say??

"I told you!" Aspect roared at the Red Tornado, holding her captives tight. "I'll give you your little friends back when you give me what I want! Hand her over, robot! I know she's here somewhere! Give me the daughter of the night wind!!"

Nightwind felt her heart leap into her throat. "Yep," Berta breathed without tearing her eyes from the monstrous creature. "Definitely a little premature."

TO BE CONTINUED..!

Posted By: Harbinger Re: LEGION LOST 4.2: Familiar Elements - 11/03/13 03:40 PM
As always, I love your writing Raz,

You give each Legionnaire enough attention ht it doesn't seem as if anyone is being left out, you have great skill at writing prose that seems natural and I am a little bit jealous smile

From Mon's take charge attitude and admitting he can't remember everything and the mystery around Valorous, Druras fear at being stuck in the past again and her realisation that there are people she could have asked for help, to Bertas ongoing mysterious magical origin. Ms Flash is great too, you particularly shined writing her. You've chosen an interesting group of future Leaguers to work with as well, and liked he nod to Aquaman - Curry Island.

I'm looking forward to seeing more, more, more!

Posted By: razsolo Re: LEGION LOST 4.2: Familiar Elements - 11/06/13 02:38 PM
Thanks for the kind words as usual! laugh

About to post the final chapter to this particular installment which I had a fair bit of trouble condensing down to one chapter so I'm interested to hear if peeps think it worked! I have been wanting to stick with a standard 3 chapter format for all the teams, this is the first one I think I could have happily dragged out twice that long though smile
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 4.3: Distant Relatives - 11/06/13 02:43 PM
The hero named Valorous descended over Metropolis, landing on the rooftop of a towering apartment complex. Mon-El recognised the city only vaguely. Iconic landmarks such as the Daily Planet's distinctive golden globe or Lex Luthor's L-shaped skyscraper sparked immediate memories, but as a whole the ironically named City of Tomorrow was unfamiliar to him. He may have had a short career here as a hero, but that was a lifetime ago. Metropolis of the 31st century was his home now, and it had changed so much over a thousand years that it might as well be a different planet altogether.

"Can you wait here?" Valorous pulled the grate from one of the building's large air conditioning ducts and removed a bag of clothes which had been fastened to the inside. At super-speed he removed his helmet, his boots, gloves and cape. An instant later, the imposing Justice Leaguer was replaced by a smooth-skinned black man in a grey hooded sweater and tracksuit pants. The clothing was loose enough to hide his impressive physique, and when he pulled a nondescript pair of glasses from the pocket of his sweater he completed his transformation into a tall but otherwise average young African-American. "I'll be back in a few minutes." Valorous gathered his costume's accessories and placed them in the backpack his civilian clothes had been stuffed in moments ago, then put the bag back in its hiding place.

"Not a problem," Mon-El assented. He watched as Valorous used a keypass to open the door leading into the apartment complex and stepped inside, closing it behind himself. Mon-El wondered what this was all about. He trusted this stranger; it was more than his status as a member of the Justice League, Mon-El felt some kind of intangible connection to him which only grew stronger the more time they spent together. That made no sense though. Valorous looked to be only a couple of years younger than himself, he may not even have been born when Mon-El had briefly lived here. Valorous was a man of few words, and half the time when he did speak Mon couldn't tell whether he was taking a jab or seeking the Daxamite's approval. He'd also noticed that Valorous had removed neither his golden chestplate nor the blue bodysuit beneath when he'd changed clothes. That was peculiar. Mon-El didn't believe it was modesty at play, Valorous could have changed in private any number of places between the Hall of Justice and here if he'd wanted to. He banished the thought from his mind. Maybe it was just easier to change into his superheroic identity if he was already half-costumed. Everything didn't have to be a mystery to be solved. He walked to the edge of the rooftop and looked out over the cityscape. As small and dirty as Metropolis was in this era, there was something undeniably special about it…something inspiring in the way its people reached for the future. He could see it in their architecture, in their sense of design--

"Hello, Mon-El."

A woman's voice interrupted his train of thought, and the Legionnaire turned around to see Valorous standing at the entrance to the stairwell, fumbling nervously. Before him was a woman who seemed to be in her 40's, possibly her early 50's. She looked to be around 5'7", maybe 5'8", though she was tiny before Valorous. She was dark-skinned like him and her black hair was tied back in a loose bun. With his enhanced hearing, Mon-El could hear her heart racing. She approached him with a wistful smile, tears welling in her eyes. "My god, you look…wow." She stopped a couple of feet away from him and looked up into his chiselled features. "Wow."

Mon-El looked from the woman to Valorous and then back to her. "I don't want to hurt your feelings," he said gently, "But I really don't…" His voice trailed off and his jaw dropped. Mon-El met her eyes, really looked into them for the first time, and it all came rushing back.

"…Billie..?"

She made a noise that was as much a sob as it was a laugh and threw her arms around his neck. "If you'd forgotten about me, I swear to God I would have thrown you off of this roof." Mon-El laughed back and minutes later, all three of them were sitting on the edge of the roof watching the world move by below.

"…So that's my story," Billie smiled. "After you left Metropolis all those years ago, when you went back into the Phantom Zone to save yourself from lead poisoning, I left the city. I left the police force for a while and travelled around, found my feet again and eventually came back. Now Detective Jamie Billie Harper is Deputy Commissioner Jamie Billie Harper. Everyone's expecting me to go for Commissioner next year but I'm looking at early retirement. My boy makes more of a difference in the world than I could ever hope to," she gave Valorous' hand an affectionate squeeze, "And I think I'm more than ready to spend the rest of my days watching lousy daytime TV and maybe just come in as a special advisor on cases every now and then."

Mon-El gazed soulfully into the face of one of the only women he'd ever loved. It was so surreal seeing her now, she was at least twenty years older than him physically and he could hear in her voice that she'd faced trials over the years which had made her a different person than she'd been so long ago. He'd grown too though. Maybe not so much physically thanks to his ageless exile in the Phantom Zone, but that same exile had aged him psychologically far more than he could ever expect anyone else to understand. And he had Shady now. Still, being here with Billie, knowing that there was some spark of that magic still alive in them both…it was something he was grateful for. "Your mother's an amazing woman," he said to Valorous. "I can't thank you enough for bringing me here, Valorous…wait, what's your first name? I feel silly calling you Valorous, you're practically long-lost family."

Valorous and his mother traded surprised glances. "You mean…you still haven't figured it out?" Billie asked the Daxamite.

"Figured what out?" Mon-El asked, genuinely confused.

"Mom named me Lar," Valorous answered shyly.

"…After my dad."

**********
In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the enormous villainess named Aspect held Legionnaires and Justice Leaguers helpless in fists made equally of water and earth. "I'm tired of this stalling!" she raged at the Red Tornado flying before her. "Maybe I need to boil a couple of your friends to show I mean business, robot!" In her right hand, Infectious Lass and Invisible Kid felt the temperature of their semi-solid prison rapidly rise.

"Jacques, I've been trying to take her down this whole time!" Drura cried out. "She doesn't have a flesh and blood body for me to infect!"

"I think not, Aspect." Red Tornado gestured at the woman's forearm with both fists closed. Twin vortexes tore into her and sprayed muddy water everywhere as he tried to sever her hand, but with the ocean to draw from she could replenish herself too readily.

"Good idea!" another man's voice joined in. "But looks like you might need some help, Tornado!" Carrying Aquawoman,Tyroc flew up from behind Aspect. He swooped down by Aspect's face and released his load, Aquawoman slamming into the villainess like a missile. With Aspect distracted, Tyroc joined the Red Tornado's attack with one of his reality-bending cries. Her fist came away from her just as the water began to bubble, and it lost all cohesion the instant it was no longer joined to her.

Drura and Jacques flew clear but Dragonmage, Red Arrow and Dr Thirteen were still held tight in Aspect's other hand. "Glad your friends are out of hot water," Red Arrow quipped, "Just means we're gonna earn her undivided attention as soon as she gets Aquawoman out of her face though. Traci's not in any shape to get us out of this one. You got any ideas, kid?"

Dragonmage closed his eyes and centred himself. Traci Thirteen was unconscious and there wasn't a single trick arrow in Red Arrow's quiver that would do much to help them now. Even if she did have a weapon that could get them out of this, one of Red Arrow's arms was stuck in the sludge holding them. He felt like one big bruise but if he didn't focus past the pain to cast a spell, the three of them were literally cooked. The water around them began to heat up and while normally he'd summon a dragonform whose flame breath could boil the water to steam he doubted that would be effective here. His eyes opened with a start and he grinned. If heat wouldn't help them, maybe an absence of heat would! The young sorcerer called his power to bear, and a vivid blue dragon coiled in the air before them. The construct turned on Aspect's wrist and breathed a gust of air so cold that it froze her entire wrist solid. She still held the heroes in a tight grip, but the temperature dropped almost immediately to a comfortable level again. "I thought that would give us our freedom for sure," Dragonmage said, crestfallen. "I'm sorry Red Arrow, I've failed us. By the time I can summon a different dragonform she will have melted through that ice."

"You didn't fail anyone," Red Arrow retorted. "You just need a little help to finish her off is all." With the one hand she had free of Aspect's superhuman grip, the blonde archer reached behind her and groped at her quiver. She found the arrow she was looking for and pulled it out. "Can't get to my bow," she continued, "But the day I need a bow to aim at something fifteen feet away is the day I hand it in. Close your eyes, kid." Dragonmage did as he was instructed, and she flung the arrow. It hit its target with perfect aim, and when the explosive arrow detonated it shattered the ice into tiny fragments. Invisible Kid and Infectious Lass collected Red Arrow and Traci Thirteen before they fell more than a metre or so toward the waiting sea.

"Can one of you wake Dr Thirteen?" Dragonmage asked Infectious Lass and Red Arrow. "I have a feeling we're going to need her." Even as he spoke, Aspect flung Aquawoman into the distance and turned on Tyroc and the Red Tornado with alternating bursts of water and flame. They dodged at first, but it wasn't long before Tyroc was clipped with a jet of water. Crying out in pain, he was knocked back a respectable distance away.

"Stop it!" An almost naked bald woman flew up into the thick of battle, her skin a pale yellow colour. Even her own teammates had never seen Nightwind outside of her drab robes, and it took them a moment to recognise her. She hovered before Aspect, making sure she was shielding Tyroc while he recovered. "It's me you want, isn't it?" she demanded of the elemental monster. "What do you want with me? How did you even know I was here?"

"I have tracked the daughters of the night flame and the night stone and taken their power as my own, what makes you think I wouldn't find you?" Aspect snarled. "It might have taken some time but you must have known you couldn't escape me forever!" She reached for Nightwind, but the young heroine's Academy training kept her free. Red Tornado came back around to fire a powerful burst of air at Aspect, but she swatted him away as though he were little more than an insect.

Aspect spewed a fireball at Nightwind, who quickly summoned ferocious crosswinds to tear it apart before it came anywhere near her. "You're crazy!" Nightwind shouted. "You've got me confused for someone else, I'm not even from this time! We've come here from the 31st century, you couldn't possibly be after my power!"

"The 31st century..?" Aspect was momentarily taken aback. "Your bloodline survives that long? A shame that such longevity ends with you dying a millennium before your birth then, sister." The ocean around them exploded with flaming waterspouts, seemingly at random. Dragonmage had created a dragon for himself, Infectious Lass, Red Arrow and the recovering Dr Thirteen to ride and they now added Aquaman to their group. The dragon weaved with preternatural agility between the spouts, protecting its passengers from Aspect's wrath. Aquawoman had already returned, though she was now forced to watch from a safe distance along with Tyroc and Red Tornado. The firespouts made it too dangerous for them to get any closer, it seemed Nightwind was truly alone.

"What do you want with me?" Nightwind repeated, creating a counter-vortex which tore one of the nearby spouts apart. "At least tell me that much before you kill me!" Berta knew she didn't have the power to come anywhere near equalling this elemental juggernaut, but while she could keep Aspect focused on herself it left her teammates free to plan. She just hoped she could stay alive long enough to take advantage of that tactic.

"I was born the daughter of the night tide as you were the daughter of the night wind," Aspect explained. "Though once I absorb your energies into mine, I will be the only daughter left. I have wanted this ever since my mother first told me of our legacy, sister. You don't know what I have sacrificed for this might."

"This doesn't make sense!" Nightwind complained, keeping her distance and using her winds to deflect a barrage of muddy rocks. "This era is crawling with metahumans, you're telling me there's not a single other aerokinetic alive in this time that you could stalk? You had to wait for me to get shunted into the past?"

"Another aerokinetic would not suffice," Aspect replied. She reached for Nightwind and almost nabbed her. "You really have no idea, do you? Centuries past, a coven of warlocks pooled their sorcerous talents in an entreaty to Gaea. They gave the Earth Mother a portion of themselves to father four daughters who could protect their people from any threat which faced them. Those daughters were born on the midnight hour, the four daughters of the night watchtowers!"

"What has that got to do with me?" Nightwind snapped. "My power is a genetic mutation! It passes down the bloodline of every woman of my family, my mother had this power, my grandmother and her mother before her! It's got nothing to do with some ridiculous hocus pocus from a bazillion years ago, you maniac!"

"Foolish sister." Aspect grabbed again and this time succeeded in snatching her out of the sky. "Where do you think this 'mutation' started? We are the heirs to Gaea, albeit many generations removed. There are no villages to protect anymore, but there are countries to conquer. I tracked down and slaughtered the daughters of fire and earth, and now finally I shall do the same to you. You should find solace in this, you'll protect your ancestor from a painful demise with your own sacrifice."

Meanwhile, the other heroes had gathered together on Dragonmage's construct outside the range of battle to recover and were ready to rejoin the fight. "This makes no sense," Jacques Foccart remarked. "Surely these daughters would be of equal power, non? Nightwind is mighty, but this Aspect seems to be of a different scale of threat altogether!"

"Invisible Kid is right," Dragonmage pondered. "Berta has an aura of magical origin about her, but Aspect radiates so much more raw power…and Nightwind certainly can't transform into air the way this woman's become one with the elements she controls."

"It's the amulets…" a groggy Traci Thirteen pointed out. "She's amplified her power a hundredfold with the Amulets of Gaea. We've faced Aspect before, she's constantly looking for artefacts to increase her power. This is the first I've heard of this story about being a descendant of Gaea, but it does explain why the amulets have always given her so much more power than they have any other mage. If we can get those off of her…"

"You mean she's wearing them?" Infectious Lass was aghast. "They're somewhere inside that huge water body? That's like finding a needle in a pile of grass!"

"Needle in a haystack," Dragonmage corrected her. "And I think I can find that needle, but someone else is going to have to do the heavy lifting. I'm about ready to drop, I'm afraid one more spell is really going to tax me to my limits."

"I can handle that," Tyroc stepped up to the challenge. "If there's one thing I'm good for, it's a display of raw power. Let's make this quick though, she's just grabbed Berta."

Dragonmage nodded and closed his eyes. His hands moved in an intricate gesture and soon a slithering silver-blue dragon writhed to life from the palm of his right hand. The dragon was only four or five inches in circumference but its snakelike body extended for seemingly endless metres. It flew ahead of the Legionnaires on wings too tiny to reasonably carry it according to any laws of physics, and the dragon weaved gracefully around Aspect's colossal form without her even noticing. Now that she was solely focused on the valiantly struggling Nightwind, the hellish waterspouts which had menaced the heroes dispelled back into the ocean. The heroes surrounding Dragonmage watched as the iridescent dragonform circled Aspect three times before plunging inside her. The dragon was as insubstantial as Phantom Girl and the villainess never even noticed its presence. The Legionnaires and the Justice League noticed though, they noticed its glowing elongated body forming a perfectly visible path to the three amulets which floated at the heart of Aspect. The dragon looped around the amulets in almost a possessive manner, and Dragonmage opened his eyes a crack. Quivering and soaked in a sheen of sweat, he looked up at Tyroc. No words needed to be exchanged.

Tyroc leaped into the air and followed the tiny dragon's illuminated path. Once he was within range of the giantess, he drew breath and unleashed the full force of his cry upon her. The sound added almost a tangible layer of pressure to the air, as though the very atmosphere were going to crush them all. Slowly at first Aspect's body began to distend but soon he was parting her waters, shearing a path straight through her to the magical items at her centre.

"What are you doing?" Aspect yelled in a panic. "No! I'll kill you, little man!" A column of water rose beneath Tyroc but before it could engulf him, ferocious sheets of wind smashed it into a fine mist.

"You leave him alone!" Nightwind railed at her captor. Though she knew it left her utterly vulnerable, she continued using her power to keep Tyroc safe from Aspect. The villainess still had enough in her to keep the two of them at a stalemate though, and her stamina was endless. Tyroc and Nightwind both knew they would succumb before she did.

"You have assaulted our guests in our home, Aspect." Red Tornado joined Tyroc before her. "We would be remiss if we did not offer them all the assistance we can." The synthetic hero fired twin tunnels of red-tinged air which merged to become one. Together with Tyroc's scream, they pounded against her ferociously. Soon enough, their combined assault tore straight through her body altogether, ripping the amulets out of her and sending them flying into the Atlantic. Aspect roared one last screech of outrage, then with the amulets no longer amplifying her power she resumed human form. The countless gallons of water which had made up her form crashed into the ocean. Nightwind quickly used her flight ring to protect herself from a nasty fall, but Aspect herself disappeared beneath the water's surface.

"Crap!" Red Arrow cursed. "Even without her jewellery she's still got a decent amount of water control. We'll never find her now!"

Right on cue, Aquaman and Aquawoman's heads bobbed up out of the water. They held a bedraggled long-haired woman between them, Aspect in her very defeated human form. Aquawoman smirked at her old friend. "Oh ye of little faith."

"We had an island around here somewhere, right?" a new voice boomed. The combined heroes turned to see Valorous and Mon-El hovering before them all. "Someone want to tell us what's going on..?"

"Oh, so now they decide to make an appearance!" Red Arrow rolled her eyes.

"You boys want to make yourselves useful and go fetch our house out of the drink?" Dr Thirteen asked the newcomers, waving her hand in its general direction. "I think it's over there somewhere."

Everybody else laughed as Mon-El and Valorous stared at their teammates completely perplexed.

**********
Once the teams' powerhouses retrieved Curry Island and its vehicles, it was an easy matter for Dr Thirteen to cast a spell of restoration which left it all as good as new. While Tyroc helped Red Tornado escort Aspect to the Justice League's brig in preparation for a prison transfer, the Flash returned with the cosmic treadmill. The rest of the two teams finally had a chance to relax once more, taking advantage of the Hall of Justice's recreational area as the Flash put the finishing touches on the treadmill.

"I guess you were right," Nightwind admitted to Dragonmage. Along with Aspect's power-enhancing amulets, Berta's robe had been lost somewhere in the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean. She now wore Traci Thirteen's long leather overcoat in sharp contrast to her pale skin. "So strange to think that my power comes from some kind of spell though! I guess if that was centuries ago even now, it makes sense that story wouldn't survive through to our time!"

"True," Dragonmage nodded thoughtfully. "Do you think any of the other daughters of the night watchtowers survived into the 31st century? You could have sisters…in a manner of speaking."

"Sisters like that nut I can do without," Berta laughed. "Might be something to look into when we get home though!"

Mon-El stood apart from the others, examining the faces of Justice Leaguers from the past in photos lining the walls. He remembered so little of his life here, in a way he'd be glad to return home so that he wasn't constantly surrounded by reminders of just how much the Phantom Zone had cost him. Friendships and relationships that were once so important were now barely footnotes in his mind. He couldn't deny that it hurt. He came across a portrait of the current team and his gaze lingered upon Valorous. He wondered if he'd forget him too, if the haze of time travel would steal his son from him so soon after finding him.

"I'm glad we met," Valorous spoke from beside him. Mon-El looked up at the taller man as Valorous continued. "I wasn't sure what kind of person you'd be…Mom never had a bad thing to say about you, but I always wondered…I was always protective of her, you know? It's always been me and her against the world. So there was a part of me that always wondered if…if you abandoned her and she was just fooling herself all these years." He was holding his helmet in the crook of his arm and when Valorous looked down at him, Mon-El could see Billie in his eyes. "But now that I've met you…now that I've seen how much you care for each other…I'm really glad we met." There was a moment of silent awkwardness before the two men hugged one another.

"Lar, for what it's worth I am sorry." Mon-El pulled back away. "If there were any way I could have stayed here, I honestly would have. I think if I'd known Billie was pregnant back then, I would have said damn the consequences and stayed anyway. I loved your mother. If things were different now I'd stay in a heartbeat. But I've moved on, and I know she's moved on too. Our time is in the past…but I'm glad we met too. And I'm proud that you bear my name." He considered carefully whether he should continue, but knew he would always wonder what would have been if he didn't go through with this. "There's something else. That bodysuit, you told me you have to wear it at all times because it filters lead from your system. That you'll die without it. Your allergy to lead is something you've inherited from me, the same as your powers. But I have a teammate who can give you a life outside of that suit if you want it, Lar. There's an anti-lead serum he could customise for you."

"And I'd just have to leave my life here behind forever." Valorous looked around the room at the two teams sharing jokes and stories together. "I'd have to leave Mom." He faced Mon-El once more and gave him a bittersweet smile. "No. Thanks for the offer, but that's not for me. This is where I belong, and if I have to live in some dopey blue body stocking for the rest of my life it's worth it for everything else in my life." The smile then became a broad grin. "I'm friends with Superman, what's ever going to beat that?"

Mon-El gave a hearty laugh. "I know how you feel. Say hello to him for me when you see him next."

"If everyone's ready?" Dr Thirteen called out to the assembled heroes. "Flash, Dragonmage and Tyroc have discussed how this is going to work with me. We'll need the Flash's speed to break into the timestream. Tyroc's power will create a portal that with a little boost from yours truly should open up exactly when you left. Dragonmage's Speed Force dragon can then take you all the rest of the way home."

"Ca alors!" Invisible Kid exclaimed. "You can tap into the Speed Force? Is there anything your magic is not capable of?"

Xao blushed at the attention. "I could never do it alone, I'll just be mirroring the Flash. My dragonform will get us home, but it'll fade very quickly once it's fulfilled its task."

"Let's go then, Legion." Mon-El stood by the treadmill with his team while the Flash warmed the treadmill up. "Thanks for your hospitality, Justice League!"

"Oh, I'm going to miss you!" Infectious Lass hugged Traci Thirteen. "I really thought I'd never see you again!"

"The universe is full of many strange gifts, Drura Sehpt." Traci returned her hug with warm affection. "You're definitely one of the better ones."

A few more goodbyes were traded, and the Legionnaires took their place by the treadmill. All but one of them.

"Tyroc," Dragonmage instructed, "We should really stick together when I summon my dragonform. If any of us are separated in the timestream we could land anywhen."

"I've been putting this off," Tyroc fidgeted with his flight ring. "But I'm not coming back." The Legionnaires uttered stunned proclamations in response.

"I'm sorry," he continued, "I should have said something sooner. Honestly though, I wasn't sure I was going to do this until just now. I'm still not sure, but…it's something I need to do. Some of you know that I was originally born in this time. Tyroc of Marzal was never anything but a lie. I asked Red Tornado earlier and my parents are still alive as far as anyone knows. If I don't take this opportunity to try and find them, I may never have the chance again. I hope you all understand." He took his flight ring off and held it out to Mon-El.

"But…the Infinite Man!" Nightwind protested weakly.

"We can deal with the Infinite Man," Mon-El countered. "Tyroc…Troy. Go with our blessing." Mon-El locked eyes with Valorous for a heartfelt moment before continuing. "We give everything we have to the Legion. It's rare that we get to have a family, a happy ending." He turned his attention to Tyroc once more, took the flight ring and placed it back in his palm. "Keep this," Mon smiled. He folded Tyroc's fingers around the ring. "Tyroc of Marzal may have been a lie, Tyroc the Legionnaire is anything but. You'll always have a place with us, and if today's taught us anything it's that goodbyes are never forever."

"Thanks," Tyroc replied, choked with emotion. He cleared his throat and stepped back. "Give my regards to Tasmia and Dawnstar, and Jan…heck, and everyone else. Legion, it's been an honour. Xao…take 'em home."

Dragonmage wiped at his eyes with the back of his gloved hand and cleared his throat. He nodded and then somewhat self-consciously began his spellcasting.

The Flash ran faster and faster, until the treadmill visibly crackled and the air came alive with static charge. The golden arcs of pure kinetic energy danced around Iris West, around the treadmill and around the Legionnaires. They swirled into cohesion at Dragonmage's will, crafting an immaterial electric dragon which surrounded the Legionnaires. "Tyroc, Traci, you two are up!" Iris West shouted over the din. Tyroc screamed, allowing Traci Thirteen's magics to guide his voice. The sound filled the Hall of Justice, until the air itself seemed to become rubbery and Troy Stewart's power tore a hole through the fabric of reality. Dragonmage had time to give Tyroc one last look of gratitude before the dragon and the Legionnaires together seemed to dissipate into the warp with a dramatic thunderclap which drowned out even Tyroc's wail.

Tyroc stopped his screaming and the Flash slowed down until she came to a stop. Out of breath, she sat on the edge of the treadmill. "Big decision you made there," she panted. "Any regrets?"

Troy Stewart looked down at the ring gleaming in his palm.

"No," he replied, full of hope.

"Not a one."
Posted By: razsolo UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 11/06/13 02:51 PM
Over the halfway mark! What exciting adventures await us next?? HINT: The next stop on the Time Train should be fun for fans of old Legion support cast, Elastic Lad and certain religion themed colossal juggernauts!

Here's the updated scorecard:

BRAINIAC 5: Early 21st century Smallville
COLOSSAL BOY: Trom, doomsday
DAWNSTAR: Smallville, 1871
DRAGONMAGE: Central City, 2038
DUPLICATE DAMSEL (deputy leader): Smallville, 1871 / Trom, doomsday
ELEMENT LAD: Smallville, 1871
INFECTIOUS LASS: Central City, 2038
INVISIBLE KID II: Central City, 2038
KID COMPUTO: Smallville, 1871
LIGHT LAD: Trom, doomsday
LIGHTNING LASS: Trom, doomsday
MATTER-EATER LAD: Smallville, 1871
MON-EL: Central City, 2038
NIGHTWIND: Central City, 2038
SHADOW LAD: Early 21st century Smallville
SHRINKING VIOLET: Trom, doomsday
SUPERBOY: Early 21st century Smallville, remained behind
SUPERGIRL: Early 21st century Smallville
TIMBER WOLF: Trom, doomsday
TYROC: Central City, 2038, remained behind
WILDFIRE: Smallville, 1871

BLOK
BOUNCING BOY (leader)
CHAMELEON BOY
CHAMELEON GIRL
COMET QUEEN
COSMIC BOY
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DREAM GIRL
ELASTIC LAD
NIGHT GIRL
PHANTOM GIRL
POLAR BOY
QUISLET
SUN BOY
TELLUS
ULTRA BOY
GAS GIRL (Legion ally)
THOM KALLOR (Ex-Legionnaire Star Boy)
Posted By: Harbinger Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 11/06/13 04:14 PM
frown I'm sorry to see Tyroc go, hopefully somewhere in the future you can return to him and show us his adventure in 2038. Other than that this was probably your best section yet - introducing an alternate JLA, having Mon meet his son, Drura catch up with Dr 13 and best of all tying in Berta's familial origin to a great villain. Love your work Raz, more, more, more!

(Oh, and Elastic Lad is coming up next? Fab, it always comes across that you really have fun writing him.)
Posted By: Omni Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 11/08/13 04:49 AM
i really hope we get to see Nightwind's possible search for the "sisters" of the watch tower. that sounds like an interesting story.

seriously what can't Dragonmage do? love him!

i was slightly surprised that it was Tyroc that stayed behind. i thought it was going to be Mon.

great job and can't wait for the next installment.
Posted By: razsolo Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 11/08/13 04:35 PM
Thanks peeps! I think I definitely enjoyed writing this one the most so far smile

I don't think Mon would dare risk the wrath of a scorned Shady by staying in the 21st century....pretty sure a little thing like 1000 years wouldn't get in the way of her temper wink

Nightwind is definitely gonna have some interesting follow up adventures...I think we should get quite a few plot threads outta this before we're done smile
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 5.1: The Heroes That Time Forgot - 11/10/13 01:14 PM
Lydda Jath uttered a reflexive yelp as a kaleidoscope of colors burst across her retinas. She cursed her Kathooni photosensitivity; as Night Girl she could face any physical threat with impunity but a simple flash of light was enough to leave her blind and helpless. She was still utterly sightless when something rigid slammed across her head with a sharp crack. Night Girl cried out once more, this time in pain as consciousness fled her. She never heard her assailant's triumphant whoop.

"Lydda!" Disoriented, Cosmic Boy saw his fiancee hit the ground before he could gather his wits about him to prevent it. A nanosecond prior he'd been holding off a trio of men in clunky exoskeletons while Night Girl ushered to safety some of the terrified citizens of Metropolis who'd been caught up in the Infinite Man's insanity. Now he was suddenly indoors, and a boy wearing armour patterned after the Thanagarian Hawk-Police had just laid low the woman Rokk Krinn loved. Reaching out with his control of magnetism, Cosmic Boy grabbed the flying teen's Nth metal suit and pinned him to the ground. "You'd better pray to your gods that she's not seriously injured or they're going to have to peel you out of that tin can!" he threatened the boy.

"I don't know who you people are or how you got in here," an older man dressed as a bat advanced on Cos, "But anybody who targets Hawkboy has to deal with the Batman!" The costumed man's thick-soled boot snapped out in a high kick. Cosmic Boy managed to roll with the blow, but even so he half-expected his jaw to have been shattered. He lost his hold on the one called Hawkboy and lay on the ground with his head swimming as he struggled not to join Lydda in unconsciousness.

"Nice moves you've got there," Duplicate Damsel came to Rokk's rescue, "But let's see how you fare against some tri-jitsu!" She split into half a dozen bodies and took on the stranger and his flying sidekick simultaneously.

Cosmic Boy and Duplicate Damsel felt Tellus' familiar presence wading through the uppermost surface of their minds with Ultra Boy and Elastic Lad also having been brought into the mind link. Legionnaires, I believe the Infinite Man has sent us away, the Hykraian explained telepathically. I can find no trace of any of our other comrades, and I sense that… His voice trailed off and became progressively softer until it was gone altogether. The pods on his back shifted into a stark white, reflecting his distressed state as Tellus realised he could no longer summon either his telepathy or his telekinesis.

"I don't know what race this one is," a young woman gestured at Tellus, "But he's pumping out a heap of psionic energy!" Her blonde hair was tied back tight against her scalp into a ponytail. She wore a green and white costume with an icon of Saturn emblazoned across her chest. Tellus guessed that she must be Titanian, but for her to be powerful enough to completely suppress his powers it beggared his imagination. She surprised him even further when she shot up to a colossal thirty-five feet tall, almost brushing against the ceiling of this large room.

"You're a big one," Ultra Boy quipped, "But don't you know that the bigger they are, the harder they fall?" He darted between the giant woman's legs before turning back and charging the back of her right knee. Her leg buckled beneath her and the enormous Titanian woman collapsed with a thud that resonated through the floor.

"I'll give you one thing," an athletic middle-aged man remarked as he leaped across the giant woman's prone form, "That was certainly more clever than I'd have given you credit for. However now that you've temporarily incapacitated Titan Girl, maybe you'd like to try your luck on someone your own size?" Switching his ultra-energy into invulnerability, Jo decided to allow the stranger to make the first move so he could get an idea of his capabilities. When Ultra Boy got a good look at the man's costume though his jaw dropped. The man was wearing the same colours as Jo, and a green emblem across his chest that Jo had only ever seen on one man. His dark hair streaked with silver, he looked much younger than he'd been even when Ultra Boy had first met him but there was no mistaking the man's identity.

"…Marla?!"

An instant later, the young Marla Latham delivered a punch that while nowhere near powerful enough to overcome Jo's invulnerability was definitely superhuman. Ultra Boy really took in their surroundings for the first time since the Legionnaires had appeared here. This room reminded him of the Legion's own combat training room, he could see what seemed to be a control booth near the ceiling. He was beginning to wonder if all of this was nothing more than a chaotic misunderstanding. A thousand years ago, Batman had been one of Earth's most legendary heroes. The Thanagarian Hawk-Police were famed throughout the galaxy, there had even been a Hawkman in the Justice League who worked with Batman and Superman! Why would two villains base their identities on such iconic champions of good? No matter what their motives might be though, Jo would never in a million years believe that Marla Latham could be anything but altruistic. Ultra Boy blocked Marla's next strike. "Marla, listen to me…I know I'm a stranger to you, but you have to trust me. We don't want to hurt anybody, I think this is--"

"Legionnaires, this is all one big mistake!" Elastic Lad announced, taking the words out of Jo's mouth. He stood side by side with a young man in a scarlet bodysuit complete with a cowl which left only the lower half of his freckled face exposed. The image of a flaming trident adorned the man's torso, and his costume was completed by tiny horns and a tail which came to a small arrow-like point. He was joined by an attractive brunette all of the Legionnaires recognised instantly. All of the Legionnaires had seen her face countless times in commemorative holodocs and every time they'd had to inter one of their own at the cemetery asteroid Shangalla. Jo had even performed in a play based on her life in his pre-Legion days. She was a figure recognised across the galaxy as a symbol of great heroism, of great tragedy and great irony.

"Intergalactic Law Patrol, I believe they're telling the truth!" the woman named Leeta-87 said. "Titan Girl?"

The giantess returned to normal size and Tellus felt his mind open once more to swim the sea of thoughts around him. Tellus felt Titan Girl's clumsy mind probe pierce his psyche, but didn't resist. She had already shown that she could remove his talents altogether so he wasn't at all confident that he'd be able to repel her if he tried. More importantly, this might be the fastest way for the teams to gain one another's trust. "They're heroes," the blonde Titanian declared. "Some villain transported them here against their will, they mean no harm to us as far as I can tell."

"Of course we mean no harm!" Cosmic Boy protested as he helped a recovering Night Girl to her feet. "You people attacked us!"

"It does seem that some of us may have acted prematurely," their Batman admitted. "For which we apologise, don't we Hawkboy?"

Hawkboy sighed. "I guess."

"Where are we anyway?" Cosmic Boy asked. "And who are you people? I don't believe I've ever heard of the Intergalactic Law Patrol."

"That's because we only formed less than a week ago," Leeta-87 explained. "We were actually beginning our second training session when you appeared. I'm Leeta-87." She introduced the rest of the group; the already named Batman, Hawkboy and Titan Girl as well as the aptly titled Red Devil. When she referred to Marla as Minuteman, Cosmic Boy and Ultra Boy shared a brief quizzical look between them which remained unrecognised by Leeta's team. "We can't tell you all our secrets obviously," she continued, "But you've accidentally invaded our base on Weber's World. We've been put together by the United Planets to serve as a defence against threats that are too great for conventional authorities. And you are..?"

"This isn't going to do anything to endear us to you," Cosmic Boy replied, "But we've been displaced in time as well as space and in order to protect the future, we can't really tell you too much. I can say that we fulfil the same role as you in our time. You can call me Rokk, this is Lydda, Luornu, Jo, Ganglios and--"

Jams-Ols 5's eyes grew wide in horror. "Elastic Lad!" he interrupted, almost shouting over Cosmic Boy. "I'm Elastic Lad, very pleased to meet you all!" He pumped Leeta-87 and Red Devil's hands with a frantic handshake.

Before anybody could say anything further, Leeta-87's chunky bracelet pulsed quickly. She held her arm up and tapped the bracelet, displaying a small inset screen. "This is what we've been waiting for, team! Zendak's given us our first mission! Legionnaires, right? We can't give you unrestricted access to our headquarters, but you can wait in our recreational area while we go to Cadmu. Of course we'll have a medidroid look at your injuries too. Once we return, we can discuss our next move. I assume you're all probably eager to get home and working together I'm confident we can find a way to achieve that." Leeta left the combat training chamber and led the six Legionnaires through the base, the rest of the ILP following close behind. While it remained unspoken, there was a distinct impression that the Legionnaires were expected not to leave this place. The Legionnaires could tell that the ILP believed that they were heroes, but there didn't seem to be much trust beyond that.

As they moved through the windowless halls of the ILP's base, the teams made idle conversation with each other. "I hope you do not consider the question rude," Tellus asked Titan Girl using his voice modulator, "But how did you come across your physical power in addition to your highly developed psionic ability, Titan Girl?"

"They're one and the same," she replied. "My telepathy is actually not terribly strong on its own, but I was born with the power to absorb ambient psionic energy and use it to fuel my growth. Around non-psi talents I have to rely on siphoning my own telepathic ability so I can only generally grow to about double my height. You saw what I can do when I get the chance to absorb energy from a really powerful psionic though. Are all your people like you, Ganglios?"

Tellus took a moment to reply. Something else else about this place seemed strangely familiar, almost as though he'd been here before. He found it mildly distracting. "I have been fortunate enough to enjoy the benefits of training," he answered eventually. "All Hykraians possess some degree of telepathic skill, but without advanced training techniques it is simply a method of communication for us."

"We really are sorry about the fight," Batman apologised once more to Cosmic Boy and Night Girl. "Hawkboy means well, but he's very excitable. We both thought you were holograms, a part of some training program like we use in our own Bat-Manor."

"No real harm done," Lydda forced a smile, ignoring her pounding head.

"What made you decide to carry on the legacy of Batman?" Cosmic Boy asked. With the fight over, he could no longer restrain his curiosity about these people.

"The original Batman was our ancestor," the masked man explained. "It was a novelty while our parents were alive, something to give our family some colour. But when our parents were killed by criminals on Ventura and I was forced to raise Hawkboy on my own, Bruce Wayne became our inspiration. Like him, we've dedicated our lives to battling evil wherever we find it."

A few feet behind them, Duplicate Damsel had merged her other selves back into the one body. She watched the dynamics of the two groups with much interest. Cosmic Boy so easily took charge of the team that even she had forgotten she was the Legion's deputy leader. Tellus, bless him, had already formed a fast friendship with Titan Girl. He was so open and genuinely fascinated in everyone he came across that even people unfamiliar with non-humanoid sentients soon realised his intentions were pure. Years ago, Saturn Girl had told Luornu and Tinya that one of her childhood inspirations was a local heroine called Titan Girl. Lu wondered now if this was her. Given the presence of Leeta-87 along with Marla Latham's apparent age (Marla's presence here was another mystery, though she could see it had shaken Ultra Boy more than the rest of them), it would certainly place them in the right time period. If she had to guess, she'd say the Infinite Man had sent them all back to some point in the 2980's. Luornu also couldn't help but notice that Elastic Lad was far from his normal hyperactive self. She didn't know him well enough to judge why, but he was definitely much more subdued than normal…guarded even, especially around Leeta-87 and Red Devil. Maybe he was just overwhelmed. The rest of the Legion were more accustomed to time travel, it must be daunting for a newcomer to the team. Now that she thought about it, even Tellus seemed a little distracted. He'd had to ask Titan Girl to repeat herself once or twice while he stared blankly at the base around them. Luornu made a mental note to make sure they were both coping as soon as she had the chance.

"Here we go." Leeta-87 waved the others through a sliding door. The room on the other side was bright and welcoming, filled with comfortable chairs, entertainment devices and gaming tables. "Make yourselves at home, the medidroid is on its way and the autochef will provide any refreshments you need. We'll be back soon, Legionnaires." The door closed behind them, and seconds later the team exploded into conversation.

"Marla has powers?"

"That was Leeta-87! The Leeta-87!"

"Did you hear she said Zendak--"

"How have we never heard of--"

"Duplicate Damsel, I must--"

"Nearly all of them will die today."

This last comment was from Elastic Lad, and the rest of the Legion fell silent and stared at him.

"What do you mean?" Duplicate Damsel bluntly interrogated. "How can you know that?"

"Leeta-87 and Red Devil are from Cadmu," the skinny young redhead explained with uncommon gravity. "They left Cadmu to form the Intergalactic Law Patrol with a handful of other heroes, and returned to Cadmu for their first and final mission."

"But…why isn't this part of historical record?" Cosmic Boy asked, confused. "When I formed the Legion of Superheroes with Garth and Imra, we were the first organised team of superheroes to exist in over a century. Imra told me once the reason she never took the name Titan Girl was out of respect for the original Titan Girl. She'd idolised her when she was a little girl, surely she would know her hero was a member of a group that predated the group we became?"

"And what about Marla?" Ultra Boy added. "You haven't met him, but he was vital to the Legion in our early days. I've known him since I tried out for the team! Why would he have never once brought this up? Why would Zendak have never told us?"

"I don't know," Elastic Lad admitted. "No records exist of the Intergalactic Law Patrol's only mission. We only have oral records from the eyewitnesses who survived, and even they're unreliable. Gee whiz, until today I didn't even know who comprised the group outside of Red Devil and Leeta-87."

"Then how can you be so sure they're doomed?" Night Girl asked.

Elastic Lad sighed glumly and rocked back and forth on his feet. In this moment he looked more childlike than ever. "Gosh. This is difficult. You know my people don't procreate the same way most sentients do?"

Ultra Boy scratched his head. "Uhh, what's this got to do with--"

Elastic Lad didn't even notice Jo's discomfort, and kept talking right on. "We back up our consciousness regularly, and when we suffer catastrophic physical decay our most recent backup is inserted into a cloned body, educated and socialised virtually, and then sent into the real world. Leeta-87 is the 87th incarnation of the original Leeta. She has the memories and experience of 87 separate women, that's why she's such a swell hero. I'm Neocaste and we're a little different from even other Cadmians." Now that he'd warmed to his subject, he began to recover some of the normal exuberance the others generally associated with him. "Neocaste are created by merging two separate genelines and then activating a synthetic metagene. We have the same memories carried down through each incarnation but we're more diverse genetically, and gosh, nobody ever really knows what power we're going to have until we've gestated--"

"Elastic Lad," Duplicate Damsel reminded him firmly but gently, "The point?"

"Oh! Darn, sorry!" His freckled face blushed crimson with embarrassment. "Anyway, you all know that Elastic Lad is just my superhero name and that my real name is Jams-Ols 5. This means that I'm the 5th result of the blending of the Jams and Ols gene lines. Ladyjams was the 4th result, zhe had the ability to change gender at will, which when you think about it I guess is not really that super as far as powers go, but it sure was useful for social conditioning experiments and--"

"Elastic Lad!" Luornu almost shouted at him.

"--and Red Devil…" Elastic Lad paused and caught his breath before continuing.

"…Red Devil is Jams-Ols 3."

TO BE CONTINUED..!
Leeta 87! Fabbo! Super Marla? Whoah, great twist that.

Love Titan Girl too, great power set that. Batman and Hawk Boy I'll wait before judging - sorry but I'd happily kill off Batman if I could so am predisposed to wanting to see him take a club off the head shrug oh well.

This is such fun Raz, the team being bounced through time has given you a great excuse to fill in some of the details in the thousand years between them and 'us' though I never expected you to put a group so close to their own time and find something interesting there. Well done! Another great selection to have on your team btw, every one so far I've thought were an interesting mix from a personality and power perspective.

It's great to see multiple Lu's too, you really have her down pat - the tough and pragmatic girl whose personality is a match for any of the flashier members.

I love how enthusiastic Elastic Lad is and despite his comedic use he continues to show he's smart as well. A great sci-fi origin too, that's always appreciated.

Do I need to say it? ... yes, can't wait to read more, more, more!
Wow. Loved the JLA portion. Nightwind and Tyroc and Dragonmage all really kicked ass! And Drura and Jacques had good moments too. I've always had a soft spot for Traci 13, good to see her used so well! I love Red Arrow now, much better than I've ever liked Ollie or Roy or Connor Hawke.

More, more, more!

(I'll read the latest portion when all 3 of your chapters are up smile )
Posted By: razsolo Re: LEGION LOST 4.3: Distant Relatives - 11/18/13 10:14 PM
Thanks peeps! Your feedback is very motivational, it makes a big difference knowing people are reading this and it's not just (entirely) self-indulgent! smile

Sorry to leave y'all hanging but I won't have proper net access for the next 3 weeks or so as I am going on a holiday...I was really hoping to have the next 2 chapters out before I left so I wouldn't leave in the middle of things but alas was not to be!

I guess we'll just leave off with Elastic Lad's big reveal for now!
No need to be sorry raz, just make sure you have a nice relaxing holiday!
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 5.2: Fire and Brimstone - 12/10/13 03:41 PM
En route to the science world Cadmu, the members of the nascent Intergalactic Law Patrol were brimming with excitement at the prospect of their first official mission as a team, some more visibly than others.

"Who do you think we're gonna have to face?" Hawkboy asked his elder brother and mentor Batman. "Do you think it's the Khunds? Some kind of extradimensional incursion? What if it's a full-fledged invasion?!"

"We'll find out soon enough," Batman answered with a good-natured smirk. "Don't use up all your energy before we get there though, something tells me we're going to be in for a real trial today."

"Batman's right," Leeta-87 answered, looking up from screens of news broadcasts feeding through to the ILP's shuttle. "All Commander Zendak could tell us was that some unidentified technological relic from the 27th century was set off and now it's wreaking havoc across my homeworld. Satellites have picked up an apocalyptic trail of destruction and whatever this thing is, its core temperature is like the surface of the sun but smoke cover has stopped anyone from getting a visual."

"What about footage from the surface?" Titan Girl asked.

"Nobody and no equipment in its wake has been left in any condition to record footage," Leeta answered darkly. "Whatever this thing is…somebody more prone to hyperbole than myself might say it's a force of nature."

In the pilot's seat, the hero named Minuteman turned to his co-pilot, the final member of their team. "Cadmu is your world too, Red Devil. How are you feeling about this?"

Red Devil replied without taking his attention from the ship's navigation panel. "Among this group, I think we have a variety of skills and powers that can deal with almost any threat. I'm more concerned about those Legionnaires from the future, to tell the truth. You don't think it's awfully coincidental that they appeared in our base just before we get sent to another star system on our first mission?"

"You're too paranoid," Minuteman chuckled. "Titan Girl would have known if they meant us any harm."

"It doesn't bother you that one of them knew your real name? I couldn't help but overhear him call you Marla."

"Like I said, my cowled friend…you're too paranoid." Minuteman adjusted their course to steer them past the enormous pale brown gas giant which welcomed them to Cadmu's system and towards their target world millions of miles closer to the system's centre. "I don't wear a mask and my identity is a matter of public record on Rimbor at least. Judging by that boy's outfit, I'm guessing he's somehow related to me in the future. I must admit, I'm extremely curious about that strange group but it's also a little flattering to know I'll leave a legacy."

You're not the only one who leaves a legacy, Red Devil brooded silently. I'll eat my own horns if their Elastic Lad is not a future descendant of the Jams-Ols gene line…but why did he look like he'd seen ghosts when he realised who we all were?

"Finally!" Leeta announced. "We've got a satellite image people, we…oh." Words failed her for a fleeting instant before she cleared her throat and continued, only the slightest tremble in her voice betraying her anxiety. "…Feeding it through to your pod screens now."

"Excellent!" Hawkboy clapped his hands together. "Let's see what we're up…against…" He laid eyes upon the screen and his own words failed him completely. His heart pounding, Hawkboy looked at Batman for reassurance and saw the same fear reflected in his brother's eyes.

The rest of their trip continued in grim silence.

**********
"I've got a lock on the Intergalactic Law Patrol's vessel," Elastic Lad announced, his fingers flying across the console of a ship they'd stolen from Weber's World. "Technology definitely has come a long way in a short space of time, it's lucky I retain memories from my predecessors! I'm a little bit rusty, but it's like flying a gravsled. You never really forget once you know how! Not that I'm saying the Mark IV Starbird's like a gravsled of course! Gee whiz, that'd just be silly!"

"You're certainly resilient, Elastic Lad!" Night Girl remarked, her hand idly touching Cosmic Boy's knee in the seat next to her. "Doesn't it faze you at all that we're going to be fighting to avert your younger self's death?"

"Oh shucks no, Night Girl!" With the rest of his body still seated at the helm, Elastic Lad's neck twisted around until he was facing Lydda sitting behind him. "Sure, it was a shock at first but we Cadmians consider our predecessors different entities to ourselves. We may share the same genes, but our gestation develops us psychologically as independent beings. I guess the closest equivalent would be you going back in time to save your grandmother when she was your age. It might be more difficult for me if I actually had memories leading up to Red Devil's death, but his last backup was just before he and Leeta-87 left for Weber's World so it's not like I'll be reliving painful memories or anything ilke that!" He twisted his neck back into its normal position and Lydda flinched slightly at the sight. Night Girl pondered that she'd probably be much more emotionally involved if it were her grandmother they were fighting for, but she didn't say anything. She supposed she'd never understand Jams-Ols 5's relationship with his geneline.

"Cosmic Boy, are you sure we're doing the right thing?" Duplicate Damsel asked. "Shouldn't we be concerned that we're changing history?"

"I'm not sure that we're changing anything," Cosmic Boy replied thoughtfully. "We know Marla Latham survives into our time, and we all know Leeta-87 isn't destined to die for another year or so yet. It could be our presence that ensures their survival today!"

"But the others," Luornu continued. "Elastic Lad said they're all supposed to die today. I know it's a horrible thought, but do we really have the right to interfere with that?"

"How is that even a question?" Ultra Boy spoke up. "Grife, Luornu!"

"It all comes down to interpretation," Cosmic Boy added, his tone much less confrontational. "We only assume the Intergalactic Law Patrol die today because history has no record of their existence. Elastic Lad told us that there are only eyewitness records left from their battle today, and that those eyewitness records are unreliable. We also can't allow anyone from this time period to know that the Legion of Superheroes have been here. If I use my magnetic powers to scramble any recording equipment and Tellus clouds the minds of anyone we come across like we did when we took this ship, that plays perfectly into Elastic Lad's recollection of events as he knows them to have happened today. I think we can save the ILP without altering anything that's supposed to happen, we just need to make sure nobody knows we did it."

Ultra Boy snapped his fingers. "And that's why Marla never mentioned any of this to us! Cos, that's brilliant! If Tellus can wipe their memories after all of this goes down, we can go home and it'll be like we were never here!"

Tellus remained dutifully silent. He wasn't at all comfortable with using his powers in this way, no matter how necessary it might be. He didn't like the idea now any more than he had when Cosmic Boy and Duplicate Damsel had asked him to wipe the memories of the sentients they'd encountered when they'd decided to leave the ILP's base on Weber's World. Suddenly, an epiphany dawned on the great Hykraian which filled him with such alarm that he lost his balance and fell to one side.

"You okay there, big guy?" Ultra Boy got out of his seat to help his teammate but Tellus had already steadied himself.

"Thank you for your concern, Ultra Boy. I am fine physically." Between the near monotone of his voice modulator and his utterly alien body language, the Legionnaires always found Tellus' moods hard to read. There was no mistaking his anxiety now however, the air was thick with tension.

"What is it, Tellus?" Duplicate Damsel joined Ultra Boy at his side.

"I tried to advise you when we were on Weber's World, something gnawed at my mind the entire time we were in the Intergalactic Law Patrol's headquarters. We became distracted with Elastic Lad's tale and the moment passed, but I realise now the source of that persistent nagging!"

With the exception of Elastic Lad piloting their vessel, the rest of the team gave their full attention to Tellus. "And what is it?" Duplicate Damsel repeated. "What have you realised?"

"I have been to that base on Weber's World once before," Tellus explained. "In our own time that base is used by a group called the Oversight Watch!"

"I don't understand," Luornu frowned. "I've never heard of them but why would that upset you? If the facilities remain intact into our time, it's no surprise that the United Planets would put them to use again."

"Power Boy and Mandalla are both members of the Oversight Watch," Tellus replied, his pods changing to a deep dark red. "I encountered them along with Bouncing Boy and some other Legionnaires. Mandalla suppressed those memories in our minds, concocted an artificial story to hide their activities from us! It was only being there once more that forced my memories to come to the surface!"

"Mandalla did what?!" Luornu's voice rose in outrage.

Elastic Lad cut in before anyone could continue. "Excuse me? I'm really sorry to interrupt whatever's happening back there, but we have a visual and…well gosh, you'd better see this for yourselves!"

"We'll continue this later, Tellus." Duplicate Damsel stalked through the small vessel until she was standing behind Elastic Lad.

"Wow, remember before everything had to have a holographic interface?" Ultra Boy remarked as everyone crowded around a large flat screen. "This takes me back." Tellus alone stayed where he was, having long since discovered that 2-D screens were only a frustrating hodgepodge of colours for Hykraian eyes.

Elastic Lad flipped a switch and what he'd found was displayed on the screen for everyone to view. They saw a colossal juggernaut the size of a small skyscraper rampaging through Cadmu's artificial canyons. His skin was bright red and he wore a simple black one-piece outfit which covered only his massive torso. In place of a face, the monster bore a stylised black skull. He was so hot that the air itself ignited in patches around him as he walked, and his every footfall left a flaming crater in its wake. Night Girl gasped. "Rokk, isn't that..?"

"Brimstone," Cosmic Boy affirmed, his steely blue gaze unwavering from the giant harbinger of destruction before them.

"You two have faced this guy?" Ultra Boy sounded disbelieving.

"I have," Cosmic Boy answered. "In Superman's time, on my own. The details are sketchy, you know what time travel is like. But I could never forget that thing."

"You fought him alone?" Jo was visibly impressed. "No offence Cos, but how did you beat him? He looks like he'd give Mon a run for his creds!"

For the first time, Rokk turned away from the screen to meet Ultra Boy's stunned expression. "I didn't. As I recall, some metahumans local to that time defeated Brimstone after I was taken down. I didn't stand a chance on my own."

The others were a little rattled, none of them had ever heard Cosmic Boy sound so dire. "Then it's a good thing you're not on your own," Duplicate Damsel broke the silence, taking control of the group. "Elastic Lad, where are the ILP now?"

"Bringing their ship in for landing at a spaceport nearby," he answered. "That Brimstone baddie is 3 kliks from the spaceport and bearing closer. At his current rate of speed, he should be there in ten minutes. The ILP should engage him before he gets there, but gee whiz Legionnaires! That's not a lot of time for anybody else to get to safety!"

"Let's buy them some more time then," Duplicate Damsel commanded. "We'll go in first. Cosmic Boy, what can you tell us about him?"

"Brimstone thinks he's a fallen angel," Rokk answered. "He's incalculably strong and faster than he looks, and you can see how hot he is. When I fought him, he melted anything I threw as soon as it came anywhere near him. I don't think he's actually biological, which would explain why he's alive and well a thousand years after I met him. He has an exceptionally strong magnetic field, I can feel it even now. He generates too much heat for me to be able to affect him directly though…and I don't know if Tellus' telepathy will work against him either. In fact our only saving grace is that I'm fairly sure he has no ranged attacks. As long as we can stay out of arm's reach of someone who's well over a hundred feet tall we should be fine."

The Legionnaires looked from one to the other. Though none of them spoke the words, they all had come to the same conclusion; they were vastly overpowered here. Luornu was struck with how much she missed Chuck, but at the same time she was glad he wasn't here. If she was going to fall in battle with this towering avatar of death, at least her husband would be spared that fate.

"Okay," Luornu exhaled and stood up straight. "Here's what we're going to do. Cosmic Boy, Ultra Boy and Tellus can serve as a distraction. Night Girl, make contact with the ILP and coordinate. Maybe working together with them we can find some way to survive this. I'm going to send an army of me out on search and rescue, this monster must have left scores of casualties in his wake. Elastic Lad, this is your world. Something else else or someone here has awakened Brimstone and they must have a way of putting him back to sleep. Your job is to find out what that is."

"It's a good plan, Luornu." Cosmic Boy smiled. Having a direction had buoyed the team's spirits, though he honestly had no idea yet how he was going to follow that direction. He was just glad that Lydda was being sent out of the path of danger.

"Thanks, Rokk. I appreciate it." Duplicate Damsel leaned on the back of the pilot's seat and continued. "Elastic Lad, take us close enough to that beast that we'll get his attention but not so close that he can reach us. I want to try and lead him back the way he came to try and spare any more damage than he's already done. Once we can get him to turn, we'll leave the ship and the other boys can play with him for a while."

"Sure thing, Duplicate Damsel!" Elastic Lad cheerily flew straight for the behemoth, veering away just as Brimstone reached out to crush them. They could hear his bellowing from inside the craft, but couldn't make out his words. Elastic Lad came around twice more, zipping in and out like an angry wasp. On the third pass, Brimstone finally turned on his heel and marched after them. "He's following us!" Elastic Lad provided running commentary. "It's working, Duplicate Damsel! It's really…oh my gosh, what is he--" A calamitous roar drowned him out as Brimstone drew a blazing sword of flame from thin air and sliced at the Legion's Starbird. The engines exploded and their world was filled with chaos and pain as they plummeted from the sky like a rock. The ship smashed into the remains of a building Brimstone had already reduced to near rubble, and penetrated eight stories before it finally came to a rest in the husk of the burning ruins. Fire and smoke filled the small ship, leaving the Legionnaires trapped and disoriented.

"Rokk!" Night Girl coughed. "Luornu! Is everybody okay?" She didn't know how she was still alive, but none of them would be for long if they didn't get out of this deathtrap. With all the smoke filling the cabin, visibility was at a minimum which meant she should have access to at least some of her strength. She plunged her hand into the ship's hull and tore it aside, but the instant a beam of daylight entered the ship from outside her power was once more gone. "Damn it!" she cursed. At least her transuit had begun filtering the toxic smoke fumes so she could breathe once more, but that wouldn't help anyone once the flames spread.

"Need a hand?" Ultra Boy appeared next to her and using his ultra-strength, he finished the job Lydda had started.

"Thanks," Lydda smiled wearily as she and Jo helped the others out of the surprisingly still mostly intact vessel. "Ultra Boy!" she fretted. "You're bleeding!"

Ultra Boy looked down at his injured fingers. "That's the problem with ultra-energy," he brushed off her concern. "I can be as strong as Mon-El and still cut myself on a jagged piece of metal. I'll be fine though, I've had worse."

"Not to tempt fate," Luornu groaned once she was clear of the ship, "But how are we so relatively unharmed? I'm a little banged up, but I feel like we got out of that extremely lightly!"

"I protected us as well as I could using a telekinetic field," Tellus answered.

"And I used magnetism to try and hold the ship together," Rokk added. "Not perfectly, but any crash you walk away from is a good one, they say…I'm just sorry I didn't anticipate that sword. I'm sure I don't remember Brimstone having a sword."

"Thou hast survived?" The voice was booming and came from above, though it seemed to be a wall of sound which resonated through the Legion's very bones. "No matter, sinners! Brimstone will yet dispatch thee to the reward thou hast earned!" With two hands he raised his flaming sword high above him, and a grim thought dawned on Cosmic Boy. Maybe the reason there was no record of the Legion's presence here today was because none of them were going to survive.

…and then Brimstone's sword came crashing down.
Posted By: Harbinger Re: LEGION LOST 5.2: Fire and Brimstone - 12/11/13 02:10 PM
More fab storytelling Raz - I wish I could mix action and character development as smoothly as you!

Hawk Boy's enthusiasm is sweet, and Marla as Minuteman is great. The dialogue you write always reads 'true' - you capture people's voices well.

So, Tellus has his memory coming back about his misadventure on Webers World - good oh! A rerun with the Oversight Watch is coming - yippee! And nice that you mentioned he was uncomfortable wiping minds - great bit of character writing that.

Cos's knowledge of Brimstone and subsequent worry about what they are away to face was well played too. Lu - perhaps my fave of your team - taking charge was good too, you really have her personality nailed.

Elastic Lad is always a joy! Oh there's too many good things in this story Raz, you spoil us smile

.... and then Brimstone's sword came crashing down!

ULP!!

I'm on the edge of my seat away to fall so please don't keep us waiting too long for more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 5.3: Pyre - 12/15/13 07:40 AM
Six Legionnaires watched in horror as the villainous powerhouse Brimstone towered over them, bringing his flaming sword down upon them all. Though they knew they were too weak to mount an effective defence, both Tellus and Cosmic Boy brought their powers to bear. The blazing weapon sliced straight through the half-ton of metal Cosmic Boy erected as a shield as though it were a hot knife through butter. Tellus braced himself for the awful psychic feedback he knew would result when his own telekinesis was shattered, but that agony never came. The Legionnaires saw Hawkboy fly in overhead and throw two grenades at the giant's eyes. The dual explosions did no real damage, but they served as the distraction they were intended to be. Momentarily blinded, Brimstone stopped in mid-strike and the Legionnaires scattered.

"Good luck, everybody!" Luornu shouted as she ran off in seven different directions. The Legionnaires followed suit, splitting up to complete their assigned tasks.

"Thanks for the save," Night Girl said to Hawkboy, joining him above Brimstone's head. "Where are the rest of your team? We're going to need to work together to defeat this monstrosity."

"You should have stayed back on Weber's World," Hawkboy replied as Brimstone scoured the skies for him. "This guy might be bigger and tougher than the usual criminals me and Batman fight, but we're pros. We can handle him!"

Night Girl was taken aback. "Are you out of your mind? Look at the damage Brimstone's wrought already, Hawkboy! You need our help!"

"We need your help? You Legionnaires let him take you out of the fight before the fight even began!" From out of nowhere, a red and green blur tackled both of them and rocketed away at breathtaking speed. They came to rest six blocks away and Hawkboy saw that Ultra Boy had carried them away from the battle. "Hey!" Hawkboy complained. "What's the big idea?"

"You were about to get my friend killed along with your own idiotic self!" Ultra Boy snapped. "You were too busy arguing to see Brimstone was about to cook the two of you. I used my ultra-speed to get you out of danger but I shouldn't have had to, kid."

"I'm sorry, Jo." Night Girl blushed. "It's as much my fault as his. Go back to Rokk and Tellus, I'll take it from here."

"Tell us what?" Hawkboy demanded as Ultra Boy zipped off.

Night Girl mentally chastised herself for having forgotten that Rokk had introduced them by their real names rather than their codenames. "I meant to say Rokk and Ganglios. This isn't a game, Hawkboy. There's no room for pride here, look at how many people have already died. We're not going anywhere, so we can either work together and win this or we can watch more innocent people be slaughtered because you can't play well with others. Which one's it going to be? I need to know because if you're going to continue behaving like a petulant child then I need to stop wasting my time with you and go help my fiancé and my friends."

Hawkboy looked back at Brimstone fighting Ultra Boy, Tellus and Cosmic Boy then turned his attention to the giant's trail of destruction. "Fine," he scowled. "Come on then if you're coming." Giant gleaming wings flapped, and he flew off with Night Girl close behind.

**********
With ultra-speed, Jo made it back to the fight in no time. Not that it was a much of a fight; Tellus and Cosmic Boy were using telekinesis and magnetism to throw half of the decimated landscape at the giant but most of it melted the instant it touched Brimstone's blistering surface. We need something we can actually hit him with, Jo thought. Something else else invulnerable. Balling his hands into fists, he zoomed straight past the bellowing Brimstone's eye level and kept flying as fast as he safely could within the confines of Cadmu's atmosphere. Jo was soon on the opposite side of the continent, where he abruptly turned and flew straight back the way he'd come. Closing on Brimstone, he switched his ultra-energy into invulnerability at the last possible instant and slammed into the villain's face with thunderous impact.

"What new annoyance be this?" Brimstone cried out, staggering back from the force of the impact. "Art thou so eager to meet thy maker, little creature?" He picked up Ultra Boy between an enormous thumb and forefinger and regarded him closely. "Thou dost not burn at Brimstone's touch? What devilry?!"

"That's right, nass-head. You can't hurt me, but we're gonna hurt you a lot." Ultra Boy knew his bluster was without substance. He'd hit Brimstone with enough force to demolish half a city block and the behemoth seemed more surprised than anything else. He couldn't afford to switch his ultra-energy to strength, he'd be fried before he could ever free himself from Brimstone's grip.

"The Lord hast sent me to cleanse this place," Brimstone replied. "Such gnats as thyself are no obstacle to Brimstone's holy mission!" He flicked Ultra Boy away dismissively, sending him crashing through the ruins of yet another building.

Not for the first time today, Ultra Boy was grateful for his invulnerability. That collision would have reduced him to a bloody smear otherwise. Now though he was trapped beneath three floors worth of rubble. If Tinya were here she could simply walk right through the remains of the building, but that wasn't an option for him. He hoped that wherever she was, she was okay. Jo frowned. He'd have to worry about his lover later. First he needed to take care of this monster, but he couldn't do that trapped in here. He considered his options. With ultra-strength he could easily heft the tons of rubble, but he had no leverage. He wondered if he'd have time to incinerate it with his flash vision before it crushed the life from him. The decision was rendered moot as he watched omnisteel cables thread through the debris, forming a net of sorts. They lifted the wreckage away and Ultra Boy saw Cosmic Boy floating overhead. "Thanks Cos," Jo stood and brushed himself down, his costume in scorched tatters. He used his flight ring to join Cosmic Boy above. "I was hoping travelling at that speed I'd hit him like a bullet, but he's every bit as tough as he looks."

"It was the only tactic that's worked so far," Rokk replied. As soon as Ultra Boy was free, he let the wreckage collapse once more with a tremendous crash. "And it gave me an idea. Can you do the same thing again? I want you to hit him in a specific spot though, I'll get Tellus to fill you in telepathically."

"Sure thing, pal!" Switching once more to ultra-speed, Jo was out of sight in an instant.

Cosmic Boy returned to Tellus, and the two Legionnaires continued their assault. "Tellus, have you had any luck reaching that thing's mind?"

"I am afraid not, Cosmic Boy. Your earlier statement was correct, this Brimstone is not alive in the sense that we are. He is incredibly powerful however. We are fortunate that our size has kept us hidden from his attention, I do not believe he realises that we have been behind the recent assaults upon his person." Even as he spoke, Tellus hurled more wreckage at the villain which was reduced to molten slag at the point of contact.

"He thinks we're insects," Cosmic Boy scowled. "Well, we'll show him that even insects have a bite. Let's get ready for Ultra Boy's return."

Brimstone looked around himself curiously as the constant nagging attacks suddenly ceased. "Where art thine fangs now, damned souls? Hast thou accepted thy fate finally?" Movement below him demanded his attention, and Brimstone saw that a pile of molten metal was gathering underfoot seemingly of its own volition. "What is this?" he began, never noticing the human-sized missile that rocketed in from across the horizon until it was upon him. Ultra Boy charged straight into the back of Brimstone's knee as he had done to Titan Girl earlier that day. The giant's knee buckled, he lost his footing in the superheated molten mess beneath him, and Brimstone collapsed with a roar of outrage. He brought down two more buildings upon himself and for a moment laid still.

"You don't think that did it, do you?" Ultra Boy asked as he rejoined Cosmic Boy and Tellus.

"We couldn't be that lucky," Cosmic Boy replied. "But at least we've hurt him."

"And we can help finish the job." The Legionnaires looked behind them to see Titan Girl, Batman, Hawkboy and Red Devil.

"Where's Lydda?" Rokk asked instantly.

"She's helping your other friend with search and rescue," Titan Girl answered him. "Leeta-87 and Minuteman have gone to help Elastic Lad find some way to shut this creature down."

"Hawkboy, are you ready?" Batman threw his sidekick a small ceramic canister.

"Ready for what?" Cosmic Boy demanded as Batman and Hawkboy raced off toward the fallen Brimstone. "Hey, you two shouldn't get too close to him!"

"Aw, quit your worrying!" Hawkboy called back over his shoulder as his wings propelled him forward. "He's already down, we're just gonna make sure he's out!" He flew to Brimstone's left and landed by his side. As the giant began to stir, Hawkboy activated the canister Batman had given him and took to the sky once more.

Using an anti-gravity device hidden beneath his scalloped cape, Batman deposited his own canister on Brimstone's right and ascended. A second later, a photonic net flashed to life over the prone behemoth.

"You've got to get them out of there!" Cosmic Boy almost shouted at Titan Girl and Red Devil. "There's no way that thing's going to hold him!"

Titan Girl looked across uncertainly. "…I think you're right." She called them on a wrist-mounted communicator. "Batman, Hawkboy, we'd all feel a lot safer if you'd come back over here to us."

"Why's everyone so freaked out?" Hawkboy responded. "It's already done, it's over! Time for pics and autographs!"

The air was suddenly filled with a defiant bellow so loud it penetrated their bones. Brimstone sat up, shucking away countless tons of wreckage as though it were tissue paper. He slashed with his sword and tore straight through the photonic net effortlessly. Ultra Boy switched his ultra-energy to speed once more and rocketed towards the airborne heroes, but he was already too late. Brimstone's giant knuckles slammed into Batman and his anti-gravity harness exploded. His cape was nothing more than a flaming shred of fabric as he plummeted. Brimstone's sword completed its mighty arc, and the heroes watched in utter horror as it passed straight through Hawkboy. The young teen screamed in agony for only the briefest instant before he died, burned alive in his own armour. Ultra Boy collected the still living Batman and discarded his cape then returned to the others, all of them in shock.

"Please…" Batman groaned. "I've got…a wife…son…"

"I am suppressing your pain centres," Tellus explained, "We will find help for you."

"No…too late, too much…..damage. Find them…tell Irie…Brane…tell them…" He released one final long breath and then breathed no more.

"He is gone," Tellus continued, crestfallen. "His love for his family was the last thought in his mind."

"No," Titan Girl shook, her eyes welling with tears. "No!" She stole psionic energy from everyone present, more than she ever had before. The other heroes dropped to their knees with head-splitting pain as Titan Girl rushed forward. Almost fifty feet tall, she charged the much larger Brimstone and brought both fists against the same knee Ultra Boy had earlier targeted. "Damn you, monster! He was just a little boy!" Brimstone cried out and Titan Girl continued her assault, ignoring the pain as her knuckles blistered and began to broil. The others wanted to stop her, but couldn't overcome the crippling hurt she'd inadvertently inflicted upon them all to move even a step.

"Thou art larger than thine comrades, but all are inconsequential before the divine might of Brimstone!" With the merest effort, the giant villain kicked out and sent Titan Girl flying through a wall. Brimstone began to advance on the other heroes, all of them desperately trying to focus through walls of pain to defend themselves.

"Hey!" Titan Girl cried, drawing Brimstone's attention from them. "You want consequential? How's this for consequence?" She'd landed inside what was left of an energy research facility, and she now held a crackling golden globe above her head, deadly radiation snaking out of the sphere's cracked casing and burning her arms. With all her strength she hurled the eight foot tall sphere as high as she could towards Brimstone. It hit his lower torso and exploded instantly, the light flare blazing bright enough to fill Cadmu's skies. The shockwave from the explosion knocked all of them over. Dazed, Titan Girl returned to her normal size as she lay in the wreckage of the research facility. With her power no longer draining their psyches, the three Legionnaires and Red Devil felt the mental pain cease even as they were sent flying back dozens of feet from the explosion.

"Was that..?" Ultra Boy began.

"A portable power sphere prototype," Red Devil groaned as he got to his feet. "We're all going to need decontamination when this is over, we've just been hit with toxic levels of radiation…she's hurt him more than any of the rest of us have managed though…"

"Then let's not waste the opportunity," Cosmic Boy grimaced. "Jo, Ganglios..?"

As Brimstone climbed to his feet, it became apparent that Red Devil was right. They could see that the area hit by the powersphere was deformed, seemed to be almost wavering before their eyes as though he were having difficulty maintaining his corporeal form. Brimstone's sword was gone as well, they supposed he could no longer devote the concentration necessary to maintain his weapon. "Well done, thou hast hurt Brimstone!" the behemoth bellowed. "Thy fate is still sealed though, girl!" He reached down towards Titan Girl's stirring form, but before he could grab her he was pummelled by a combination of debris directed by Tellus and Cosmic Boy. Ultra Boy followed up less than a second later, all three heroes having aimed for his powersphere-inflicted wound. Brimstone bellowed once more and clutched at the site of his pain.

"We're doing it!" Ultra Boy cheered, optimistic for the first time today that they might actually defeat this monstrosity. He only turned away from Brimstone for a moment, but it was all the time the villain needed to strike him with an angry back-handed swipe.

"Jo!" Cosmic Boy cried out hoarsely as his long-time teammate hurtled out of sight. "Damn it! Damn it!" He turned on Red Devil. "You! You haven't done a thing to help since you got here, what's your power anyway?"

"I breathe flame," Red Devil answered calmly. He looked Cosmic Boy in the eye with a piercing gaze. "We're all meant to die here, aren't we?"

Rokk stumbled on his reply. "That..this isn't the time to discuss that."

"But it's true, isn't it? That's why your Elastic Lad was so shocked to see us." Red Devil watched as Brimstone moved once more towards Titan Girl. "At first I thought you had sinister motives for being here, you know. But having watched the way you fight, the way you put yourselves in danger to stop a threat that has nothing to do with you…I'd be proud for my geneline to serve amongst your ranks, Legionnaires."

Cosmic Boy was disoriented by the somber tone of his voice. He couldn't be more different from Elastic Lad if he tried. Suddenly Red Devil broke out into a run.

"What are you doing?" Rokk shouted. "Come back! Tellus, stop him!" He turned to face his Hykraian comrade, only to find Tellus lying insensate behind him. The casing of his life support helmet was cracked, and a low hiss told Rokk that the methane which kept Tellus alive was leaking out. "Tellus!" He ran over to him, using his magnetism to patch up the helmet even as he cursed himself for not ever noticing that Tellus had collapsed in the first place.

When Tellus came to, Rokk felt the Hykraian's presence in his mind. Too weak to use….translator…never noticed damage to life support system until…too late…I owe you my life, Cosmic Boy….where..?

"There." Cosmic Boy pointed heart-broken as Red Devil and Titan Girl mounted their last futile assault against Brimstone. Tellus was still too weak to use his telekinesis, and Cosmic Boy didn't trust that he could leave him unattended with such ad hoc repairs. All they could do was watch as Brimstone reached down and closed giant fingers around Red Devil and Titan Girl, ending their lives instantly. Their killer forgot about them just as swiftly, and turned to continue on his path of destruction.

Cosmic Boy…what do we do now? Tellus asked weakly.

Rokk Krinn stood up, a lump in his throat. He wished there was time to say goodbye to Lydda. "Now, Tellus? Now we fight to the end. Long live the Legion!" The two remaining heroes flew out after Brimstone, their presence completely beneath his recognition.

**********
Jo Nah extricated himself from his latest crash site with a frustrated grunt, hurling aside the layer of plastisteel he'd been buried under.

He was surprised to find Elastic Lad, Leeta-87 and Minuteman waiting for him. Marla.

"Leeta-87 realised we were working toward the same goal so she suggested we join forces," Elastic Lad babbled. "It's a team-up! Gosh Ultra Boy, you look terrible! How's the fight going? I hope everybody else is--"

"They're dead!" Jo snapped. "Hawkboy, Batman, and by now probably the rest of them too! We've failed, Elastic Lad. We've failed." He bowed his head, shaking with emotion. "The Infinite Man sent us here to die."

"We can mourn later and we can feel sorry for ourselves later," Leeta said with cold efficiency. "We've found something that should shut Brimstone down, but we're going to need a delivery system." She held up a ceramic device with both hands. It was covered in all sorts of strange designs and protrusions.

"What is that thing?" Jo asked.

"It's a magnetic field stabiliser!" Elastic Lad replied with his usual enthusiasm. "It's normally used as part of our weather-control systems but Leeta and I have managed to fiddle around with it some so that it will suppress a magnetic field instead of just regulating it. See, Brimstone's really just a whole big bunch of plasma held together by a magnetic field and so--"

"I don't care how it works," Ultra Boy cut in impatiently, "Just that it works. Is it going to work?"

"It'll collapse the field holding Brimstone together," Leeta answered coolly. "But only if we can place it on the techno-seed that's generating that field. Which means we need some way to get inside Brimstone and find the techno-seed that grants him a semblance of life."

Marla Latham held out a handful of different-colored pills in his palm. "I can enhance any one of my physical characteristics for 60 seconds with these pills," he explained. "But I can only take one enhancement at a time. I can make myself physically invulnerable so that his plasma doesn't burn me alive, but I've got no way of actually breaching the field to begin with. And we still need to find the techno-seed. I'm not going to be able to see anything inside of Brimstone's field."

"Marla…I've got so many questions," Jo looked at his future mentor with an almost pleading expression. "But I think the only way I'm going to get any answers is if we survive today." He fell silent for a moment and then looked at the three with renewed purpose. "I've got an idea."

Seven minutes later, Ultra Boy, Elastic Lad, Minuteman and Leeta-87 had rejoined Cosmic Boy and Tellus and explained Jo's plan as Brimstone's rampage continued unabated.

"What if this doesn't work?" Minuteman asked, a note of fear in his voice. "This thing's already decimated the rest of our team."

"It has to work," Ultra Boy answered him. "Marla, one day you're gonna make a huge difference in my life. There's no way I'm going to let you die today, I'd sooner die myself."

Cosmic Boy supposed he should warn Ultra Boy against imparting future knowledge to these people but he was too weary to care. He and Tellus were both ready to drop from sheer exhaustion. "Let's do this while we still can," he said.

"Agreed," Leeta-87 nodded. "The field stabiliser is ready to go, Minuteman. You just need to place it on the techno-seed and push this button."

"Understood." Marla popped a grey capsule into his mouth and shuddered as it took effect upon his physiology, rendering him completely invulnerable for a full minute. He took the ornate white device from Leeta's outstretched hands. "Let's go, Legion!"

Despite the situation, Jo and Rokk shared a quick hopeful smile. "Good luck," Ultra Boy cautioned his teammates. "Be careful!"

Tellus and Cosmic Boy flew ahead of Brimstone, using their last vestige of energy for one final attack upon his person. They both knew they had no chance of hurting him, but they accomplished their goal of causing him to stand still as he fought them both off. Ultra Boy, Minuteman and Elastic Lad got into position beneath Brimstone.

"Gosh, this is a little too close for comfort!" Elastic Lad noted as Brimstone towered over them. The instant he noticed their presence, they'd be done for.

"Let's get this done and get out of here then," Ultra Boy retorted. Even as Jo spoke, Elastic Lad elongated his body around two buildings on either side of the street. He wrapped himself several times around the base of both buildings, making sure he was well braced. Marla stood against Elastic Lad's taut form and backed as far down the street as he could.

"How are you doing there, Elastic Lad?" Minuteman asked.

"Good!" came his high-pitched reply, not at all convincing. He was stretched out to his limits like a human slingshot and the strain was terrific.

Jo scanned Brimstone with penetra-vision, his eyes flashing a bright blue. "Come on," he muttered to himself, "Come on you son of a -- there!" He switched on the laser pointer Leeta had given him and marked a tiny green dot against the place Brimstone's ribs would be if he had ribs. "Guys, that's where the techno-seed is!"

"And away we go!" Elastic Lad shouted exuberantly. He snapped forward and hurled Marla at the position Ultra Boy had indicated with perfect aim. With the damage Brimstone had sustained already, his field was weakened enough that Minuteman pierced his hide. Jo watched too frightened to draw breath as Marla's costume burned away almost instantly. He collided with the techno-seed and a second later, activated the device Leeta had given him. Brimstone barely had time to even register that anything had happened before he anti-climactically blinked out of existence. There was a spike in temperature as the plasma dissipated into Cadmu's atmosphere, and Minuteman fell to the surface with the techno-seed.

"Marla, that was excellent!" Jo cheered as he caught the older man in mid-air and safely deposited him on the ground. "You did it!"

"We did it," Marla corrected him. "The Intergalactic Law Patrol fell like dominoes against that thing, but working with your team…you kids are really special, you know that?"

Before Jo could reply, he was enveloped by a rainbow flare of light. Minuteman looked around to see the same effect encompassing Cosmic Boy, Tellus and Elastic Lad. He stood by the inert techno-seed naked and confused, which was how Leeta-87 found him when she made her arrival.

"Here you go, Minuteman." She handed him a lab coat she'd salvaged.

"Thanks," he replied absently as he protected his modesty. "What do you think happened to them?"

"I don't know," Leeta admitted. "But I do know one thing…we've got to start doing things a lot differently. A lot smarter."

She picked up the techno-seed and walked away, leaving Marla Latham alone and wondering if he'd ever have any idea what happened here today or who that strange boy was...
Posted By: razsolo UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 12/15/13 07:54 AM
Thanks again for the comments Harbinger! Definitely not done with the Oversight Watch, and I hope the final part of this chapter met your anti-Batman approval wink

Next up, we've seen the Legion's predecessors so why don't we find out what comes after the Legion? First though, here is an updated scorecard:

BRAINIAC 5: Early 21st century Smallville
COLOSSAL BOY: Trom, doomsday
COSMIC BOY: Weber's World, 2980s
DAWNSTAR: Smallville, 1871
DRAGONMAGE: Central City, 2038
DUPLICATE DAMSEL (deputy leader): Smallville, 1871 / Trom, doomsday / Weber's World, 2980s
ELASTIC LAD: Weber's World, 2980s
ELEMENT LAD: Smallville, 1871
INFECTIOUS LASS: Central City, 2038
INVISIBLE KID II: Central City, 2038
KID COMPUTO: Smallville, 1871
LIGHT LAD: Trom, doomsday
LIGHTNING LASS: Trom, doomsday
MATTER-EATER LAD: Smallville, 1871
MON-EL: Central City, 2038
NIGHT GIRL: Weber's World, 2980s
NIGHTWIND: Central City, 2038
SHADOW LAD: Early 21st century Smallville
SHRINKING VIOLET: Trom, doomsday
SUPERBOY: Early 21st century Smallville, remained behind
SUPERGIRL: Early 21st century Smallville
TELLUS: Weber's World, 2980s
TIMBER WOLF: Trom, doomsday
TYROC: Central City, 2038, remained behind
ULTRA BOY: Weber's World, 2980s
WILDFIRE: Smallville, 1871

BLOK
BOUNCING BOY (leader)
CHAMELEON BOY
CHAMELEON GIRL
COMET QUEEN
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DREAM GIRL
PHANTOM GIRL
POLAR BOY
QUISLET
SUN BOY
GAS GIRL (Legion ally)
THOM KALLOR (Ex-Legionnaire Star Boy)
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 12/17/13 08:31 AM
Two thumbs up for giving Night Girl something to do despite being depowered!

Among the fallen heroes, I will especially miss Titan Girl. I quite liked her. I wonder though, how come records of the team's first mission are sketchy. UP meddling maybe, so as not to give out bad press?

Another great chapter! Cannot wait to see the next one.
Posted By: razsolo Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 12/17/13 09:15 AM
Thanks IB! It occurred to me about a third of the way through writing this that I had effectively written Lydda and Lu out of the action and turned it into a bit of a boys' own adventure but I think those two ladies are probably my most used characters and Luornu specifically is in more than half the teams in this story, so I figured it wouldn't kill 'em to be out of the spotlight for a change...

As for your wondering about the records of the ILP's first and only mission....very astute question, and perhaps one that a few characters might be wondering themselves when they get back to their own time.... wink
Posted By: Harbinger Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 12/17/13 11:29 AM
An action packed finale to that arc - your gang will be exhausted when they return home! Poor Hawk Boy, he may have been an arrogant little snot but being cleaved like that was fairly grotesque. Bat Man on the other hand didn't suffer enough smile Only joking!

Leeta's pragmatism and Marla's determination were both well written as was Jo's concern for his future mentor.

Nice way to take out Brimstone too, brains and brawns both used effectively.

Can't wait to see where you take us next!

Great stuff Raz, more, more, more!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 12/17/13 02:48 PM
Originally Posted by razsolo
Thanks IB! It occurred to me about a third of the way through writing this that I had effectively written Lydda and Lu out of the action and turned it into a bit of a boys' own adventure but I think those two ladies are probably my most used characters and Luornu specifically is in more than half the teams in this story, so I figured it wouldn't kill 'em to be out of the spotlight for a change...

As for your wondering about the records of the ILP's first and only mission....very astute question, and perhaps one that a few characters might be wondering themselves when they get back to their own time.... wink


Quality over quantity raz, although Lu and Lydda didn't have as much screen time they made the most with what little they have smile

And I smell follow-ups coming! I always wondered why Marla hadn't been more involved with the Legion Preboot, would love to see him more.
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 6.1: Future Tense - 12/22/13 12:44 PM
Dream Girl collapsed to the floor with a thud. Massaging her aching throat, she climbed to her feet and realised instantly that something drastic had changed.

Less than a second ago she'd been trying to escape a nameless Khund warrior whose iron grip had threatened to strangle her into unconsciousness. That giant yellow-skinned cyborg was no longer here, nor were any of the other foes the Infinite Man had summoned to battle the Legion of Superheroes. Nura was just beginning to realise that it was in fact she who was no longer in Weisinger Plaza. She didn't know where this place was, but with its mosaic walkways and beautifully ornate architecture it reminded her very much of her own homeworld Naltor. Even the bloompowder scent on the breeze was a nostalgic comfort.

"Nura! Thank God you're here!" Startled, Dream Girl turned to face her partner's embrace. Until very recently, Thom Kallor had been the Legionnaire known as Star Boy. He had resigned from the team but he'd been present when the Infinite Man attacked and it seemed he too had been caught up in whatever this was.

"Thom!" Dream Girl gave him a quick kiss then gently extricated herself from his arms. "I think the Infinite Man's sent us somewhere! I don't know where the rest of the Legion are, but this definitely isn't Earth. It reminds me of--"

"Naltor?" a new voice joined the conversation and the lovers looked up to see Sun Boy descending from a cloudless sky. Chameleon Girl, Polar Boy and two Duplicate Damsels followed close behind. "That was my first thought too," Dirk Morgna continued. "As for the rest of it, I'm pretty sure we're the only Legionnaires here."

"When were you on Naltor?" Dream Girl asked, one eyebrow raised.

"I get around," Dirk winked.

"I've tried calling Chuck but all I'm getting is some kind of weird static," one of the Duplicate Damsels announced as the flying Legionnaires landed by Thom and Nura.

"I can't get through to anybody else either," her twin added.

"What do you think happened?" Chameleon Girl asked anxiously. "Do you think Gim's okay?"

A melodic chime sounded and a large doorway opened in mid-air before their eyes. Nine figures began to step through, some familiar and others not at all. There was one whom all of the Legionnaires recognised immediately however, his skin an impossible starscape.

"You!" Chameleon Girl grew three feet taller, her form becoming far bulkier and covered in coarse orange hair. Four extra arms sprouted from her body and by the time she'd flung herself at the figure everyone knew as the Infinite Man, she had taken on the full form of a slith. "Where have you brought us?" she demanded, her own pretty face replaced with the savage gorilla-like visage of the animal she'd mimicked. "What have you done with my husband?!"

Chameleon Girl's target appeared almost shocked by her vehemence. He tried to mount a verbal protest, but Yera had already bowled him over before he could begin. She pounded into him with all six arms, not giving him a chance to catch his bearings.

"Oh no, we really should have anticipated this!" A slight woman with mousy brown hair stepped forward from the group and stretched an arm out towards Yera. The woman was dressed in various shades of red and pink, and a perfect sphere rose from behind her revealing itself as a gigantic crimson eye. Bathed in red light, it flashed to life and sheathed Yera in the same energy. The eye levitated her away from her battered foe, following the silent command of its mistress.

"Who are you meant to be, the Color-blind Empress?" Polar Boy taunted. He surrounded the eye in an opaque coating of ice and Yera dropped free to the ground. She immediately shifted form once more, losing mass, changing color and shape until this time it was a Winathian rose-honey bee that attacked her original foe.

The Legion moved to back up their teammates, but with a simple command from the opposing side they all felt overcome with such extreme sluggishness it was all they could do to stay awake. A dark-haired man with Asiatic features stepped forward from the group of strangers, golden holospecs nestled on the bridge of his nose. One of the Duplicate Damsels eyed him disbelievingly. He was much older than he should be, but she recognised him instantly. "Chemmiicall Kiiid..?" Luornu asked, her voice groggy and slurred.

"Chemical King now," Hadru Jamik nodded. "Sorry to slow down your metabolisms and take the fight out of you all, but we're on your side, Luornu."

Two more now joined Hadru, and all of the Legionnaires were as stunned as Luornu. On the left stood a slightly older Stone Boy. He was in his stone form currently, and though his costume seemed different he still bore the simple icon of a rock across his chest. On the right, a woman with shoulder-length raven black hair. Even if the Legionnaires didn't know the face of Laurel Kent on sight, nobody could mistake her distinctive red and blue costume as belonging to anybody other than a member of the Superman family. "Hi all," Laurel smiled. "Welcome to the year 3035."

"I think we've defused the situation," Stone Boy added. "You can turn off your power now, Chem."

Chemical King nodded, and the Legionnaires felt a slight rush course through their systems as their metabolic rates stabilised. "Stone Boy, this is the Legion of Substitute Heroes in the future?" Polar Boy asked, perplexed. "What happened to Color Kid and the others?"

"Stone Man," Dag Wentim corrected his old friend. "I spend enough time in stone form that I haven't aged physically all that much, but I'm not much of a boy anymore. And I haven't been a Substitute Hero for years, we're all part of the Legion of Superheroes now."

"I don't trust this!" Yera shouted, returning to her normal form. She pointed an accusing finger at the person she'd attacked. "How could the Infinite Man ever be a Legionnaire? We were in battle with him literally seconds ago!"

"You must admit, it doesn't do much for your credibility having an Emerald Empress analog either," Dream Girl added coolly.

The male with the starfield skin scratched his head sheepishly. "Kyla's right, we should have anticipated this. Legionnaires, I understand why you think I'm the Infinite Man but I'm really not. My name's Kando Vyr, I call myself the Infinite Boy. I have the same powers that Jaxon Rugarth did, but that's where our similarities end."

"And I'm Kyla Virgo," the girl in red bowed her head respectfully. "Saturn Empress." The crimson eye hovered eerily over her shoulder, appearing to stare with unknown purpose at the Legionnaires.

"That name sounds familiar," Dream Girl pondered. "Virgo…your family is one of the Royal Houses of Titan, right? How did you come across that eye?"

Saturn Empress gave Dream Girl a conflicted look so Laurel answered on her behalf. "That falls under the topic of stuff you're not supposed to know just yet. Sorry Nura, you know how it is with time travel."

"I suppose congratulations are in order," Duplicate Damsel said as her two bodies became one. "I'm glad you made it to the Legion, Chemical King. Laurel…or judging by your outfit I suppose I should call you what…Super Lass? Super Maiden?"

"Superwoman," Laurel Kent answered helpfully.

"Gotta say it suits you," Sun Boy looked her up and down appreciatively. "Hey, where are the rest of us? I mean the original Legionnaires? Surely we're still part of the team in the future, right?"

"This isn't the full team," Stone Man replied. "Wouldn't be much of a Legion if it were. Infinite Boy's powers tipped us off that you'd be arriving here so I assembled a welcome committee. Let me introduce you to the rest of us." Chemical King, Superwoman, Saturn Empress and the Infinite Boy stepped aside so the rest of their teammates could meet their predecessors. "These two are Live Wire and Spark," Stone Man gestured to a man who looked to be in his 20's and a girl in her late teens. With strawberry blonde hair and similar features they were clearly siblings but that wasn't the only clear thing about them.

"Grife," Sun Boy's eyes popped. "You've gotta be either Garth or Ayla's kids, am I right?"

"Saturn Woman and Lightning Man are our mom and dad," the girl called Spark explained shyly. "So weird seeing you guys our age, Uncle Dirk."

Her brother punched her in the shoulder. "We're not supposed to tell them, you twit!" he hissed. "Time travel rules, remember?"

"Our very own Batman," Stone Man continued, ignoring the bickering Ranzzes. A man in a grey and red suit reminiscent of the 21st century legend removed his pointy-eared cowl to show a head of tight ginger ringlets of hair, though paradoxically his eyebrows were like two thick black caterpillars. His face seemed almost covered in more freckles than skin.

"Bruce Wayne was my ancestor," he beamed with much more exuberance than one might expect from the Dark Knight's descendant. "My dad carried on his legacy, and I'm carrying on after my dad."

"Last but certainly not least…" Stone Man came to a statuesque ebon-skinned woman, her black hair clipped close to her scalp. Golden hoops floated at her earlobes and she wore a costume of deep blue and purple with a golden starburst emblazoned across her breasts. "Jaz Quantum."

Thom's jaw nearly hit the ground. "Jaz…Quantum? Jazmin Cullen? That is you! But…how?"

"Wait a minute," Sun Boy caught on, "You're the same kid who sacrificed herself to save us from that asteroid creature..? You survived that?!"

"How?" Thom repeated.

"You're probably going to hear this a lot today, but I really can't tell you," the attractive young woman sighed apologetically. "I'm so sorry, Star Boy."

"I'm not Star Boy anymore," Thom's shoulders slumped. "Not after what happened to you and your brother. I shouldn't even be here, I'm not a Legionnaire anymore." Dream Girl touched his arm, sadness in her gaze. Thom forced himself to look Jaz Quantum in the eye and continued. "Jazmin…I'm so sorry, I failed you both so badly."

"Failed us..?" She looked genuinely puzzled. "Star Boy, you're my hero! You're Xanthu's greatest hero! I don't know how you think you failed us, but you've never done anything wrong by us! James and I both owe you so much!"

"James and you?" Dream Girl interrupted. "Your brother's alive too?"

"I'm assuming you've come forward in time from not long after your original encounters with us as kids," Jazmin said. "I can't tell you how I survived that creature's destruction because well….there's a very good reason that you'll find out when it's time, but as for James…he told me he spun off orbit when he thought I was dead, he fell in with some bad people and did some stupid things. But you were always there for him, Star Boy. You helped rehabilitate him, just as you helped me when I needed it. Please don't ever think you owe us an apology for anything! You're the reason we're who we are today!"

"This has obviously been a lot for you to take in," Stone Man took charge once more. "And now that I've had some time to think about it, I think I know exactly where in time you've come from too. This is Brainy's fault, right?"

"You do realise," Luornu remarked dryly, "Knowing that something terrible is Brainiac 5's fault doesn't prove to us that you're really Legionnaires. That's just a statistical probability." Spark giggled.

"Come on," Stone Man beckoned for them all to follow him through the doorway which still floated impossibly there. "You all must be exhausted. If we're going to send you back to rejoin your Legion and beat up the Infinite Man, we'd better make sure you're in fighting shape for it."

**********
"So this is…a whole planet?" Polar Boy asked at the end of a brief tour when the two Legions found themselves in a room surrounded by holograms and hardlight devices. A dozen men and women of various races monitored newsfeeds from different UP worlds, all of them wearing identical jumpsuits with the Legion L on their chest and backs.

"It's a satellite," Stone Man answered. "The Legion is going to get a whole lot bigger in your future, Brek. Reep and Jeckie bankrolled Legion World after the second Magic Wars, as a symbol of unity for the United Planets as well a habitat for us, our staff and anyone else who wants to come here. Each UP world is replicated as closely as possible in its own sector of the satellite."

"Chameleon Boy and Projectra paid for the construction of an entire artificial world?" Duplicate Damsel was incredulous.

"Never mind that," Dream Girl interrupted. "What do you mean, after the second Magic Wars?"

"Typical Nura, always living in the future," Stone Man chuckled. "Don't worry, you'll find out. It was a difficult time for all of us, but we came out of it stronger."

"You really do fill out that costume well," Sun Boy complimented Laurel Kent. "So in the future, did you and I ever…"

Laurel gave a hearty laugh. "Rao, no. I grew up, Sun Boy."

"So, where are the rest of the Legion anyway?" Chameleon Girl asked. "You knew we were coming, but not a single one of our old friends was interested in greeting us?"

"Most everyone's busy with Leviathan," Spark blurted. Her brother shot her a vicious glare and she shut her mouth, but not before a palpable awkwardness fell over the future Legionnaires.

"You've not come at the best time," Stone Man tried to explain reluctantly. "We're actually kind of in the middle of something, and unfortunately this is another one of those things where we can't really give you much more detail. We've got some work to do ourselves now, but why don't you relax, take some time to explore Legion World, recover your strength. We'll catch up once we've dealt with this and Infinite Boy can send you all home!"

"Sure," Duplicate Damsel answered for her team. "That sounds great, Stone Boy - Stone Man, sorry."

The future Legionnaires showed their predecessors how to operate the doorway system with telepathic commands so they could navigate Legion World, and left them to their devices. As soon as they were alone, Chameleon Girl almost exploded with emotion. "There's something very curious about all of this," she announced. "Do they seriously expect us to believe that not a single one of the Legionnaires we know and trust could be bothered to meet our arrival? Not even Gim or Bouncing Boy?"

"I don't know," Thom disagreed, "I think you might be looking for suspicious behaviour where there is none, Yera. I don't think it's unreasonable that the rest of the Legion would be on missions. I mean how often do we manage to get the whole team together in one place back home?"

"I agree with Thom," Dream Girl added. It hadn't escaped her notice that for the first time since leaving the team he'd included himself as a Legionnaire by inference. "They've been as open with us as they can be given the circumstances. I know it's difficult seeing that Saturn Empress girl and the Infinite Boy standing alongside Stone Boy and Garth and Imra's kids, but there's nothing sinister here."

"What do you think?" Chameleon Girl turned to Duplicate Damsel.

"I'm not seeing any cause for concern personally," Luornu answered diplomatically. "However, if there's one thing I've learned in my time as a Legionnaire it's that you should listen to your instincts. If you're curious, why don't you go see what they're up to when they don't have to put on a face for us?"

"You're saying we should spy on the future Legion?" Sun Boy frowned. "I don't know about that, Luornu…"

"I'm with Sun Boy," Polar Boy agreed. "Stone Boy has only ever worked in the Legion's best interests. I can't believe you girls would suspect anything otherwise!"

"Was he working in the Legion's best interests when Khor possessed him and nearly enslaved Zwen?" Luornu asked bluntly. "Let's be honest, we're taking a lot at face value here. We don't really know any of these people, Polar Boy. Even the ones we recognise have had decades to change. Do what you need to do, Chameleon Girl. And stay in touch."

"I will," the Durlan woman nodded. "And thanks for the vote of confidence, Duplicate Damsel. I appreciate it." She lost most of her mass and shifted shape until a dragonfly hovered in place of Yera Allon. The insect darted away, leaving the other Legionnaires to continue debating her actions.

It took Yera several minutes of watching the Legion's staff at their monitoring equipment to reveal the location of the future Legionnaires. She found a service corridor and using thought commands as instructed she opened a doorway to their sector. Relieved to find that the door hadn't opened directly in their presence, Yera shifted forms and soon a bloodhound was tracking the team's scent through well-lit corridors that reminded her of her own Legion's headquarters. She had far sharper hearing in this form, and plenty of notice to change forms again and hide whenever someone approached. Yera hoped she was wrong, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this future Legion than met the eye. Most of the Legionnaires had friendships that went back years, it colored their perceptions of one another and made them too trusting of one another. Aside from Colossal Boy, Yera didn't really have any close friends on the team. She respected her teammates immensely, but she felt that the time she spent impersonating Shrinking Violet would always stand in the way of any relationships she might build with them. Chameleon Boy was their friend but Chameleon Girl would only ever be their teammate.

After almost 40 minutes of searching, she finally heard the future Legion's voices behind a closed door. The door was locked, but that was no barrier to a single-celled amoeba. She couldn't sustain such a small size for long but she didn't need to. Once she'd made her way beneath the doorway she became a larger but still inconspicuous insect and watched silently. The room they were in was rounded, with rows of seats leading down to a central recess where the nine future Legionnaires now gathered around a holographic image of someone who looked almost exactly like their Live Wire.

"How are you holding out, Brainstorm?" Stone Man asked Live Wire's brother.

"Nothing we do seems to make a difference," he responded, obviously weary. "We've been attacking this thing on every possible level. It's got mental defences like nothing I've ever seen and it heals from any physical damage almost as soon as it's inflicted. Star Man and Aunt Ayla are working with the gravity manipulators to limit damage to the solar system, that's really the closest thing we've come to a victory so far though. Hopefully we'll get some Green Lanterns here soon, and Dragonmage and Harlak have been working with the magic users to try and come up with something there but so far they haven't had much joy either."

"I feel really bad," Saturn Empress hugged herself. "We should be out there helping. Maybe the Eye could make a difference."

"I agree," Stone Man said. "It's a damn shame those Legionnaires arrived right now. Everyone, head out there and join up with the others. Batman and I will stay here, the Leviathan's a little outside our weight class so we might as well try to keep those Legionnaires distracted. Superwoman, you're in charge of this squad. Liaise with the others and do what you can."

"Of course," Laurel nodded. She opened a doorway and the rest of her teammates filtered through while she remained behind a moment longer to talk with Stone Man and Batman. "We will beat this thing, guys. We did it before, we'll do it again. Just make sure Chameleon Girl doesn't find out about this, it'll break her heart."

"Of course," Stone Man agreed. "Good luck, Laurel." She stepped through the doorway and it blinked into non-existence.

"Poor Chameleon Girl," Batman shook his head. He called up another hologram, this one a sphere covered in crawling tendrils, mouths that yawned wide with razor-tipped tongues, pseudopods that lashed out and were just as violently absorbed back into the overall mass again before re-emerging somewhere else on the thing's surface. To its left was a representation of the Earth, only slightly larger than the shape-shifting sphere. It took Yera a moment to realise this image was an accurate representation of its size and she was stunned. What is this thing? she thought. Some kind of demonic warworld??

"Laurel's right, Brane." Stone Man sighed. "No matter what happens we can't tell her about this. I hate to lie to fellow Legionnaires, but how do you tell a woman that this is what her child's become?"

Yera felt a cold shiver run through her tiny insect form. An old Earth saying suddenly came to mind, something that Gim's mother was fond of saying but which Yera had never fully understood till now.

…Curiosity killed the cat.
Posted By: Harbinger Re: LEGION LOST 6.1: Future Tense - 12/23/13 09:27 PM
Loving your work Raz, loving it!

From Stone man's youthful looks to Chemical King slowing the team down, through the usual brilliantly realized characterization of your Legionnaires right up to the awesome cliffhanger, poor Yera!

More, more, more!

And a merry Xmas too
Posted By: razsolo Re: LEGION LOST 6.1: Future Tense - 12/24/13 09:11 AM
Thanks Harbinger, you too! Just got internet access back at home for the first time in months so should be able to post a bit more often! laugh
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 6.2: Leviathan - 12/24/13 10:20 AM
Stone Man and Batman opened the door to exit their meeting room only to come face to face with six Legionnaires. Chameleon Girl was front and centre with Duplicate Damsel, Polar Boy, Sun Boy, Dream Girl and Thom Kallor flanking her either side.

"We need to talk," Chameleon Girl said in a curt tone of voice. "I want you to tell me about this Leviathan."

"Chameleon Girl, you know we can't do that." Stone Man sounded genuinely regretful. "I wish we could, but there are some details of your future that need to remain unknown until they happen."

"We need to protect the timestream," Batman added. "It's nothing personal--"

"It's my child you're talking about!" Yera almost yelled at the men. "Don't tell me it's not personal!"

Stone Man and Batman traded a silent glance. "Yera," Stone Man sighed, "I don't know how much you know, but we can't be talking about this. You must know how dangerous this is."

"I've already seen this conversation take place," Dream Girl remarked airily. "You're just fighting the inevitable at this point, boys. One way or another we're going to find out so you might as well get it over and done with."

Stone Man held his head in his hands. "Nura, Nura…fine then."

Batman flinched. "Dag, you can't--"

"She's Dream Girl," Stone Man protested. "I've never known Nura Nal to have a vision that didn't come true." He turned to his comrades from the past. "Alright, I'll tell you all. But not here. You need to know how serious this is, why we didn't want to discuss it."

"Where are we going?" Duplicate Damsel asked as Dag Wentim summoned a doorway in the middle of the sterile corridor.

"The Hall of Heroes," the Zwennite hero answered simply.

The eight of them stepped through the floating portal into an enormous temple-like building constructed of marble. Archways that spanned several metres across and high opened up onto breezy blue skies, and the Legionnaires heard the crash of ocean waves below them and smelled the salt in the air. The Hall had an atmosphere of solemnity, but also of peaceful tranquility. Dotted throughout the Hall were larger than life golden statues, representative of many of the Legion's own comrades from the past as well as heroes they'd yet to meet.

Chameleon Girl discretely took Nura aside as they followed Stone Man and Batman through the vast Hall. "Thanks for backing me up there, Dream Girl. If you'd already seen this happening though, why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"Hmm?" Nura seemed distracted, as though it had taken her a moment to realise what Yera was talking about. "Oh, I just said that to get him to open up," she whispered with a shrug that was calculated to seem flighty. "I wasn't going to interfere when I thought they were keeping general future knowledge from us, but far be it for me of all people to try and stop someone learning about their own personal future."

Yera smiled shyly. "Well, I appreciate it. Thank you."

"Dag," Polar Boy asked in an almost reverent tone as he passed a statue of Tellus, "Are all of these Legionnaires…dead..?"

"It's been a long time," Stone Man answered with a tinge of sadness as his own brother Lullabye Lad gleamed in the sunlight above him. "We've had a lot of casualties over the years, Brek."

"This feels a little morbid," Sun Boy announced, looking up at Light Lad's immortalised features. Secretly, he couldn't help feeling relieved that he hadn't seen his own statue yet. This Hall was cavernous though, with statues leading away in all directions. He couldn't help but wonder at his own fate, and felt a shiver crawl up his spine at the very thought of it.

"This is what we have to live with every day," Stone Man replied. "This is what we wanted to protect you from."

He led them around a pillar and Chameleon Girl and Duplicate Damsel both gasped. Before the team stood giant golden statues of Bouncing Boy, of the second Invisible Kid and Infectious Lass. Phantom Girl was posed alongside a young woman and a bespectacled broad-shouldered man none of them knew, and finally Colossal Boy stood next to Chameleon Girl herself.

"Oh," Luornu said weakly, her eyes welling with tears. "Chuck…"

"This is…" Yera felt as though she were going to be sick. She couldn't find words, and her breath came in short sharp bursts. "I can't…" She paced back and forth for several seconds before she finally exploded at the future Legionnaires. "Why would you show us this?!"

"This is what you wanted to know," Batman answered as gently as he could. "This is what the Leviathan did to us the first time. This is why we didn't want to tell you, Chameleon Girl. Do you understand now?"

"What…what happened to Gim? To all of us?" Yera asked.

"You became pregnant with Colossal Boy's child," Stone Man explained. "It should have been a happy time, and for months it was. Then you all went on a mission to Durla. It was meant to have been routine…it…" He found it difficult to keep going, took a deep breath to steady himself.

"While you were on Durla," Batman continued, "There were complications. Impulse had to induce labor to try and save you and your baby."

"Impulse?" Thom asked.

Batman gestured to the strange man standing amongst the statues of their longtime friends. "When your child was born," he addressed Chameleon Girl, "Nobody was ready for what it became. It had your shapeshifting abilities and Colossal Boy's growth, both powers intensified to an insane degree. There's no pleasant way to say this….the child killed almost every Legionnaire present. It was like a force of nature. Only Phantom Girl's power saved herself and Amp."

"This is Amp?" Polar Boy asked, looking over the athletic short-haired girl standing by Phantom Girl's side. "If those two survived, then how..?"

"What about the rest of the Legion?" Dream Girl interrupted. "There was nobody with the power to resist?"

"You don't understand the scale of it," Batman answered. "The Legion responded in force within thirty minutes, by that time it had covered a full continent and killed every Durlan on it. Fifteen minutes later it had claimed the whole planet. The local Science Police had started calling it the Leviathan of Durla, and the name stuck."

"In the end," Stone Man finished recounting the tale, "We couldn't damage it in any way. We'd already lost Tellus months prior, Saturn Woman's girls were still babies and she hadn't rejoined the team yet. Variable Lad took on a telepathic form to communicate with the Leviathan and spent the next six months in intensive psychotherapy for his efforts. Even after he was discharged he was never quite the same again. We had no magic users on the team at that time, and the Leviathan's shapeshifting abilities healed any physical injury almost instantly. When it grew strong enough to begin moving Durla out of orbit, we grew desperate. Amp pushed her own power to its limits to amplify Phantom Girl's abilities exponentially. Tinya phased the Leviathan into the Phantom Zone where it couldn't hurt anyone ever again, but she and Amp had to go with it. We never saw them again, and until three days ago we never saw the Leviathan again."

"Sweet Trinity," Luornu breathed. "That's…that's horrific."

"I know," Stone Man bowed his head. "You wanted to know why none of your friends came to meet you when you arrived here? What happened that day scarred the Legion more than any other loss we've suffered. To this day we don't know why it happened, whether it was a freak natural occurrence or some kind of twisted weapon planted by one of our enemies against us, or even an attack on Durla. Nobody who was actually close to either of you back then could stand the idea of seeing Yera today, or having to watch Luornu lose Chuck all over again."

"We were never trying to hurt you by hiding the truth," Batman added. "We just wanted to protect you from it. Bad enough that you'll need to live through it when it happens, we didn't want you to have to do that twice."

A heavy silence fell over the heroes before Chameleon Girl spoke again in a quiet but determined voice. "I want to see it."

"Yera," Stone Man shook his head. "No. We can't--"

"I'm not asking you," she stated defiantly. "I want to see this thing I created that you tell me killed my people and the people I love. Take me to see it."

"It's like Stone Man said," Batman took over, "It's simply too dangerous. There's no tactful way to say this, but this has to be about more than your emotional needs, Chameleon Girl. If any of you were to come to harm it could jeopardise your future…our present."

"A present where half the Legion have been slaughtered and Durla no longer exists except as some kind of destructive nightmare? That's what you want to secure?"

"We're Legionnaires too, Dag." This came from Polar Boy, and he sounded surprisingly resolute. "We were all Legionnaires first. Most everyone else here for a lot longer than you or me. We don't need to be protected, and we might be able to help."

"How do you know we're not meant to be here?" Sun Boy asked. "How do you know we're not what's going to turn the tide of battle and stop any other Legionnaires from being killed today? I'm not going to lie, from what you've just told us I'm not looking forward to facing this thing at all, but I just found out that this Leviathan of yours killed some of my oldest friends. You really think you can keep us out of this now?"

Stone Man examined their faces. He'd seen this determination too many times to think he could fight it now. "Alright," he conceded. "We'll take you."

Batman shook his head in disapproval. "This is a terrible terrible idea…"

"I know that," Stone Man agreed. "But I also know them. They'll see this through with us or without us, at least this way we see it through together."

"The rest of you don't have to do this," Yera advised her team. "This is my demon to face, I'll understand if any of you want to stay here. Star Boy, you're not even a part of the Legion anymore."

"Didn't you hear?" Thom asked with a self-depreciating smirk. "I'm Xanthu's greatest hero. I've spent so much time beating myself up over my mistakes but if I can be a tenth of the man Jazmin Cullen sees me as…well, I think I owe it to myself to try at least." He grabbed his loose shirt in both hands. "I'm gonna need some new threads though."

Nura grabbed his head in both her hands and laid a passionate kiss on him. "Thom Kallor, I am so proud of you."

As the rest of the Legionnaires continued discussing Star Boy's spontaneous return to their ranks, Yera Allon was lost in her own thoughts. She was glad that the others were supporting her, but she would have moved on her own if she'd had to. My demon to face, she'd said.

She had a feeling that statement was more literal than anybody else could imagine…
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: LEGION LOST 6.2: Leviathan - 12/25/13 10:58 AM
Wow Raz. This chapter's packing the biggest punch of all your work yet! And 2 parts in already? Cannot wait to see how this ends. Either disastrously or miraculously is my bet.

I wonder if you're going to pull a fast one on us and use Infinite Boy's powers to fix things?

Just curious, but how'd you pick which Legionnaires would be killed by the Leviathan? Yera and Gim are givens, and Tinya makes sense because her powers stopped it, but the rest?

Love seeing Jazmin back and alive! And it looks like Thom will be back too.

I almost missed it, but I see Garth and Imra have THREE kids in the Legion (at least). Live Wire, Spark and Brainstorm. And they had more female kids too. Cool laugh

I count 8 more Legionnaires lost in time. I wonder, I think you'll have two groups of four (plus some Luornus?) rather than one big group of eight?
Posted By: razsolo Re: LEGION LOST 6.2: Leviathan - 12/25/13 12:39 PM
Thanks IB! This is definitely one of the chapters that is gonna have the most consequence by the time it's finished I think....

Infinite Boy has a role to play coming up, but I might just leave it at that for now... wink

re: Leviathan's victims: Chuck was for the extra emotional impact for Luornu, Infectious Lass was to remove her quite useful power from the equation, Impact made sense to be on a mission with a pregnant woman because of his medical training (not sure if you're familiar with the 5YL Legion but Impact is a character from there), Amp needed to boost Tinya's power, and poor Jacques was just in the wrong place at the wrong time frown

Won't say much about the rest, but there are indeed two more groups to go after this! Then we get the team back together again for the first time in what actually feels like a thousand years, lol laugh
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: LEGION LOST 6.2: Leviathan - 12/25/13 04:07 PM
Yeah, I know Impulse/Kent Shakespeare and it made sense (poor guy). Amp is based on the Postboot Amp Girl I think? And Drura makes sense as she's one of the few Legionnaires who could possibly affect Leviathan. Thanks for the insight smile

And I'm pretty sure at least one of the Ranzz siblings is telepathic, and we'll see that telepathy come into play next post... wink

I can't wait to see the whole team back together. Whew! There are gonna be a lot of repercussions here...
all i can say is my mind is blown and more!
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 6.3: A Motherless Child - 12/29/13 09:30 AM
Six Legionnaires from the past watched from the safety of a futuristic space vessel as countless scores of heroes floated and zipped about the outer edges of Earth's solar system using their vast array of powers against the unbelievable demon planet they called the Leviathan. The tentacled sphere was more horrific than any hologram could convey, and none of them envied the psi-talents among the Legion who'd had to make direct telepathic contact with the thing. As much as the Leviathan tested their sanity just to gaze upon it, none of them could imagine what it must be like to touch its mind.

Dream Girl stood back from her lover, taking a moment to admire the new costume he'd been given on Legion World. It was covered in stars like his previous outfit, with black and purple trim giving way to stark white boots and gloves and a large white star on his chest. "Are you sure you're ready for this Thom?" she asked with uncommon tenderness.

"Not really," he replied, smiling down at her. Nura was glad he'd elected not to wear a mask, she wanted to remember him like this always. He held her chin and kissed her gently, his beard scratching her soft skin. "But there's another version of me out there in the middle of all of that, and he's got a good couple of decades on me. If an old man can fight this thing I don't see why I shouldn't be able to step up to bat."

Despite the circumstances, Polar Boy's eyes darted from one combatant to the next in excited awe. "All these heroes are Legionnaires? There must be hundreds of them!"

"147," Stone Man informed him. "Not all on active duty under normal circumstances, but well...as you can see, these aren't exactly normal circumstances. I just wish we knew how the Leviathan broke out of the Phantom Zone...and why now of all times?"

"I can't answer how," Chameleon Girl said in a faraway voice. "But I know why...it's here for me."

"Yera," Luornu soothed, touching her arm. "I can't imagine how you must feel knowing this Leviathan's history...but Stone Man said it appeared three days ago. We weren't even here then."

"This isn't misplaced guilt, Duplicate Damsel." Yera shook free and faced the team, her voice trembling with emotion. "I know it's here for me. I can feel it. I suspected before, but now that I'm here, now that I can see this thing with my own eyes and feel it in my soul...this is the Fhrr Maless. I don't know how it knew I was coming, but it knew I was coming and it's returned to finish what it started. No Durlan escapes the Fhrr Maless." Her eyes welled with tears now, and she wiped at her cheek with the back of her hand.

The Legionnaires looked at one another utterly confused. "What the sprock is a Fur..Fhhr..." Sun Boy struggled with its name.

Yera collected her wits about her and took a breath. "Do you remember when we fought that bone dragon in Metropolis? Some of us fell to it, and the rest of the Legion thought we were dead for a little while..?"

Sun Boy hadn't been present then and looked on cluelessly till Star Boy explained. "It was just after we thought we'd lost Jazmin Cullen. I do remember. You and some of the others fell before Dragonmage could tame it."

"We did die that day," Chameleon Girl continued. "We entered the realms of Death and we were forced to fight the Fhrr Maless to return to the land of the living. If it weren't for the help of Legionnaires who'd already passed on and Element Lad and Shadow Lad's people, we may have stayed there forever."

"Yera," Dream Girl asked soberly, "What is the Fhrr Maless?"

"When a Durlan's shapeshifting power is no defence against death," she explained, "the Fhrr Maless waits for us on the other side to torture us with the forms we can no longer assume ourselves. No Durlan escapes the Fhrr Maless...but I did. It must have been biding its time, waiting for a chance to exact its revenge. And when I had Gim's baby..." She broke down into tears.

Luornu moved to hug her without thinking twice about it. She barely knew anything about Chameleon Girl really. The two were in the Espionage Squad together, but they'd never really worked together in the same sense that Lu had worked with Cham. And Yera tended to keep to herself when not fulfilling her duties as a Legionnaire. As far as Luornu knew, Yera had few close friends on the team. Right now though she was just a person in pain, and that was a state Luornu Durgo Taine could relate to only too well. "Even if that is what this is, we're going to help you get through this Yera. I promise. All of us."

"You don't understand," the young Durlan woman sobbed into Luornu's breast. "This isn't something we can fight, the Fhrr Maless isn't like Lightning Lord or the Fatal Five...it's like...like..." She struggled for a comparison.

"Like Mordru?" Polar Boy finished for her. "Or Superboy-Prime or the Time Trapper? Beings that are so powerful it's laughable we'd take them on being who we are?"

"We're the Legion of Superheroes, kiddo." Sun Boy stroked Yera's hair behind her ear. "Ridiculous odds are what we do. Now come on, let's go send this thing packing so we can get you home to your husband. I hate seeing a pretty girl cry."

Chameleon Girl collected her wits about her and dried her eyes. "Thanks, you guys." She stepped away from Duplicate Damsel and straightened up. "Grife, how embarassing."

"Don't worry about it," Star Boy reassured her. "Everyone's allowed to have a crisis of confidence occasionally."

"If what you've told us today is right, we've got more knowledge about this monster now than we've ever had before," Stone Man said to Yera. "And knowledge is power, we just need to figure out a way to put that to use."

"Actually," Dream Girl spoke up, one perfectly manicured finger on her chin. "I might have an idea there. I think it might be time for us to meet your grown-up Dragonmage, Stone Man!"

Stone Man relayed a command to Batman in the ship's bridge, and within an instant the heroes were underway.

**********
Twelve minutes later, the Legionnaires were standing on a tiny asteroid with Dragonmage, Harlak the Khund and half a dozen other sorcerors none of the time-displaced heroes recognised. Saturn Empress had also returned to them along with her ever-staring crimson eye. Dream Girl couldn't help but notice that her sister Mysa was not here among the magic users of this Legion. The realisation filled her with a profound sadness but she pushed it aside.

"This kind of thing's really light years from my area of expertise," Stone Man admitted. "I'm way more comfortable with bad guys that can be punched into submission, so you tell me Dragonmage...do you really think this will work?"

The cloaked Dragonmage wore the same colors as the teen with whom the time-displaced Legionnaires were familiar, but beyond that he might as well be a different man. While they were accustomed to young Xao being more quiet than many of his more extroverted comrades this had always seemed to stem from a lack of self-confidence. Even in the short time he'd been a Legionnaire they had seen this improve, but none of them could have suspected he would become the intense figure who now stood before them. He was just as quiet now, but it was a silence which demanded attention. "The logic is sound," he replied with complete confidence. "There must be something linking the Fhrr Maless to this plane of reality. If it had always had the power to exist here untethered, why not come long before now? If Saturn Empress can use her own telepathy and the power of the Eye to seek out the soul of Gim and Yera's child within the Leviathan, she may be able to strengthen its resolve to leave this plane behind. To be honest with you all I am not at all assured of this plan's chances for success, but it has as much likelihood as anything else we have tried."

"What about you, Kyla?" Stone Man looked down into the young woman's face. "Are you up to this?"

"I guess I have to be," she answered, biting her lip. "I don't get it though, why would it be linked to Chameleon Girl's baby? If it could do that whenever it wanted, why wait so long?"

"Nobody wants to say it out loud," Chameleon Girl responded flatly, "But my baby...mustn't have survived birth. Durlan physiology is barely compatible with any other race in the UP. Healthy mixed Durlan babies can and have been born, but I suppose....I suppose that was never meant for me and Gim." She wiped tears away once more and cleared her throat. "The Fhrr Maless must have taken our child just as it passed on. While it could maintain a link between life and death. And it's been keeping it there ever since. That's why I need to go with you."

There was almost unanimous uproar at this, everybody throwing in their reasons why Yera couldn't be involved. It was Dragonmage's voice who finally cut through the din to silence them all. "Actually, Yera's got a point."

"What are you talking about?" Stone Man threw his hands up in protest. "That thing's already killed her once!"

"Yes," Dragonmage nodded. "During childbirth, when she'd have been at her weakest and with the element of surprise on its side. But as powerful as Saturn Empress is, asking her to find one infant soul on a dead world is stretching even her capabilities. Chameleon Girl has already said she could feel the Fhrr Maless' presence in her soul. If she can feel that, she can feel her child. And she's likely to have more sway over it than any of us could."

"Yera," Luornu said quite seriously, "You don't have to do this. We're not going to be able to be there with you."

"What a bunch we make," Chameleon Girl gave a pained laugh. "Falling over ourselves to make sure nobody else has to sacrifice themselves but always being the first to jump into the firing line ourselves. It's okay, Luornu. You've all been here more than I could rightly expect. This is something I need to do."

"Well we're not going to just sit back at a safe distance while you do all the hard work," Sun Boy volunteered. "Stone Man, put us to use. Me, Thom and Brek at least should be able to be as much of a physical distraction as anyone else out there."

"You're all really set on this, aren't you?" Stone Man replied. He shook his head in mock disbelief. "As if I should ever have expected anything different. Alright Legion, let's do this."

**********
Yera Allon felt a surreal weightlessness as she and Saturn Empress followed the Crimson Eye at blinding speed through the raging battle and closer to the Leviathan's surface. "This feels so strange," Yera noted. "Under different circumstances I'd even say it was good....I can't believe you converted our physical bodies to psionic energy! How much power does that eye of yours have?"

"Actually, that part is all me," Saturn Empress replied coyly. "I've been called the most powerful psi in Titan's history. I don't know about that, but I'm fortunate enough to have been able to develop my power a lot more than most Titanians. We're about to enter the Leviathan's atmosphere, Chameleon Girl. The Eye will protect us from the brunt of any psychic damage, but prepare yourself. It's still not going to feel nice."

That was an understatement. Yera felt the crushing pressure of a world of dead souls and the ageless monstrosity which had been torturing them for so long. If she'd been able to, she felt that she'd be sick right now. Use it, she told herself. Let it give you purpose.

"How do we find my...my child?" Yera asked.

"Just let yourself feel for it," Kyla answered. "You'll feel it. The Eye knows to let you lead."

The task felt overwhelming, all around them were visible and ethereal signs of damnation. Yera tried anyway though, and to her surprise, she felt a glimmer of something so faint she wondered if she'd imagined it. But no, it was real. The women and the Eye both adjusted course and flew through the writhing slashing form of the Leviathan immaterial as phantoms. Soon they found themselves on the other side of what was once Durla. Every square inch of the planet crawled with the Leviathan now, there were no landmarks. Yera had no doubt in her mind whatsoever though; her child was here.

The Eye flared to life, bathing their surrounds with unforgiving red light. It searched their surroundings for what seemed like an eternity, driven by Yera's own tenuous link to a child she'd never borne. Finally it came to stop, a tiny green kernel of light glowing amidst the teeth and tendons of the Leviathan. Yera approached it, held her hands out gingerly. "This is..?"

"This is your baby," Kyla told her as the Durlan woman's palm enclosed the neon speck. "You said no Durlan escapes the Fhrr Maless but that's what he's been doing all this time, Yera. Resisting as best he can."

If Yera could cry, she would cry again now. She closed her fist gently around the child's soul and brought it close to her breast. "So brave," she whispered. "He must take after his daddy. You can't be here, little ch'rr. Too many people have been hurt and it's time for you to stop hurting too." The two women felt the psychic pressure enclosing them spike dramatically and Yera looked to Saturn Empress. The strain of maintaining her power was showing on the young Titanian's face.

"It knows we're here," Kyla explained through gritted teeth. "It knows what we're doing. Yera, you have to hurry. I don't think the Eye can protect us for much longer."

Yera kissed her closed hand and held it out before her. "Go, little ch'rr. This thing can't hurt you anymore, I won't let it." She opened her palm and though she didn't consciously know how she was doing it, she refused to let the Fhrr Maless near it. The Fhrr Maless abandoned its physical assault on the other Legionnaires, abandoned its attack on Saturn Empress and her Eye. It concentrated all that it had on Chameleon Girl and the one tiny gleam of innocence in her palm. Yera Allon stood strong though she felt her mind would surely snap, and a second later the tiny green light flickered and faded from this plane entirely. She held the Fhrr Maless here with everything she had, stopped it pursuing her child until it became too much for her.

Then it too was gone, and the dead world of Durla was all that remained.

**********
Yera had been unconscious for nine days before she woke. She opened her eyes to find her teammates standing around her bed, along with Stone Man, Saturn Empress and the Infinite Boy. "Is it...over..?" she asked fearfully.

"It's over," Saturn Empress smiled. "You broke the link that enslaved your son to the Fhrr Maless, Yera. They've both gone to the places they deserve."

Yera felt as though she were in a daze. "How long have I..."

"You've been asleep just over a week," Duplicate Damsel sat by her side. "Kyla says it took that long for her to help repair the damage to your mind. Yera, how do you feel?"

"I feel..." she looked around at all of them. "I've lost a child I never even had. But I've beaten the worse demon my people know. For the second time. Honestly, I don't know how I feel. Drained." Realisation suddenly dawned on her and she sat bolt upright. "Oh no! If I've been here over a week...we need to get home! The Infinite Man!"

"The Infinite Man can wait," Dream Girl calmed her. "Kando says he can return us to the exact same position we left...all of us, every Legionnaire that the Infinite Man exiled."

"What?" Yera focused on the Infinite Boy at the foot of her bed. "How?"

"I've had nine days to think about it," the star-faced boy replied. "I can focus on Duplicate Damsel, use her like a kind of temporal beacon. I can draw all of her time-displaced bodies here, and any other Legionnaires that went with her. Then I can just send the lot of us back to your own time."

"You're powerful enough to do that?" Chameleon Girl gaped. The Infinite Boy nodded.

"So take your time," Luornu assured Yera. "Make sure you're fully recovered. I want to make sure we're all in perfect condition for a fight because if the rest of our friends and loved ones have gone through half of what that maniac has put us through, he's going to find out what it means to have 37 very angry Legionnaires breathing down his neck."

NEXT: DOGS IN SPACE!
Posted By: razsolo UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 12/29/13 09:45 AM
Thanks again for the comments y'all! It is really motivational knowing that people enjoy what I am writing! smile

Poor sacrificial lamb Amp was indeed based on Amp Girl from the postboot Legion...and while our adventure with the 3035 Legion was pretty intense, I hope people still liked it!

There are two more teams to go till we're done, and coming up next....well let's just say Comet Queen and Quislet make up almost half of our next team, so that should give you some idea how grim it's likely to be... wink

BRAINIAC 5: Early 21st century Smallville
CHAMELEON GIRL: Legion World, 3035
COLOSSAL BOY: Trom, doomsday
COSMIC BOY: Weber's World, 2980s
DAWNSTAR: Smallville, 1871
DRAGONMAGE: Central City, 2038
DREAM GIRL: Legion World, 3035
DUPLICATE DAMSEL (deputy leader): Legion World, 3035 / Smallville, 1871 / Trom, doomsday / Weber's World, 2980s
ELASTIC LAD: Weber's World, 2980s
ELEMENT LAD: Smallville, 1871
INFECTIOUS LASS: Central City, 2038
INVISIBLE KID II: Central City, 2038
KID COMPUTO: Smallville, 1871
LIGHT LAD: Trom, doomsday
LIGHTNING LASS: Trom, doomsday
MATTER-EATER LAD: Smallville, 1871
MON-EL: Central City, 2038
NIGHT GIRL: Weber's World, 2980s
NIGHTWIND: Central City, 2038
POLAR BOY: Legion World, 3035
SHADOW LAD: Early 21st century Smallville
SHRINKING VIOLET: Trom, doomsday
STAR BOY: Legion World, 3035
SUN BOY: Legion World, 3035
SUPERBOY: Early 21st century Smallville, remained behind
SUPERGIRL: Early 21st century Smallville
TELLUS: Weber's World, 2980s
TIMBER WOLF: Trom, doomsday
TYROC: Central City, 2038, remained behind
ULTRA BOY: Weber's World, 2980s
WILDFIRE: Smallville, 1871

BLOK
BOUNCING BOY (leader)
CHAMELEON BOY
COMET QUEEN
DIAMOND DAMSEL
PHANTOM GIRL
QUISLET
GAS GIRL (Legion ally)
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 12/29/13 02:55 PM
Wow! Ludos to you for not undoing any of the deaths you wrote (I can only imagine that some/most of that future knowledge will have to be wiped from the Legionnaires' minds?). And good job on having a great in-story use for having at least one Luornu with most of the teams!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 12/31/13 01:12 PM
I'm kind of running out of ways to praise your work Raz, it is consistently high quality action packed character driven 100% enjoyment.

The idea of Comet Queen and Quislet working together sounds great so I'm really looking forward to the next part.

Your work is amazing, more, more, more.
Posted By: razsolo Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 01/01/14 11:43 AM
Thanks peeps! Should be able to get some more online by the end of the week!

Hope everyone had an awesome new year! laugh
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 7.1: Dogs In Space - 01/02/14 02:36 PM
Reep Daggle's head was spinning.

A moment ago, he'd been face to face with a prehistoric predator twice his size and had been evaluating whether he should become something big and scary enough to frighten the beast away, or if a discreet mosquito evasion might be the better tactic. Now he wasn't quite sure where he was but he was reeling with an overwhelming input of sensory data. The sensation at least passed quickly, as his Durlan mind finished cataloguing this new world of shapes in which he found himself. It was an autonomous activity, a response that all Durlans had when exposed to new forms to adopt. Normally he never even noticed it happening. For it to affect him this overtly, the Legionnaire known as Chameleon Boy wondered where exactly this strange place was.

"What happened?" a disembodied voice asked warily. "Where are we?" A cloud of pale green mist formed before Cham's eyes, revealing the face of the Lallorian hero Gas Girl.

Along with Gas Girl, Cham also saw Duplicate Damsel and Comet Queen. All three women shared the same stunned confusion written across their faces.

"Infinite Man sent us away!" This came from behind Cham, but he didn't have to guess who it was. The singsong trill of Quislet's voice was as familiar as it was grating. Quislet's microship circled around noisily to join Chameleon Boy and the girls. "Infinite Man sent us far away! Hoo boy, this gonna be fun!"

The landscape they found themselves in was almost cartoonish. They seemed to be in some kind of primitive town nestled in a valley with huge dark mountains looming in the distance. The streets were unpaved and there was no sign of vehicle traffic. None of the buildings were more than two stories high, and all of them were shaped like simple dog kennels. Residents peered curiously at the newcomers, hiding behind doors and walls and whispering in hushed tones. All of them had humanoid bodies with canine heads. None of the Legion had seen a race like them before.

"They're like stardust gleaming!" Comet Queen beamed. "Don't be scared, furries! We're the Legion of Superheroes!" She held up her flight ring for the aliens to see, sparking more excited chatter among the natives.

"I'm concerned that they don't seem to recognise us," Duplicate Damsel said quietly, "And that I can't get hold of any other Legionnaires."

"I agree," Cham added. "To echo Gas Girl's question, I wonder where the Infinite Man's sent us?"

"Quislet can't tell where," the Teallian explorer zipped between Cham and Luornu, "But when, Quislet can help there! Infinite Man sent us into the future! Quislet's ship still calculating, but Legion a loooong way from home!"

"Quislet," Chameleon Boy asked calmly, "How long is long?" He traded a somber glance with Duplicate Damsel. Quislet sounded far too excited about this revelation, that couldn't be good news.

"Still gathering data," Quislet replied cheerily. "Boring, ship can do that! After a terasecond, lots of variables. Boring analytics, maths, Quislet doesn't care about that!"

Gas Girl returned to her normal form. "A terasecond?" she repeated. "Isn't that...thousands of years? He's not really saying we're thousands of years in the future, is he..?"

"At least 32,000!" Quislet chirped.

"How can you possibly know that?" Luornu asked, annoyed that he was taking this so lightly.

"Quislet's ship monitors cosmic background radiation, tells perfect time all the time!" the little Legionnaire answered with a large degree of self-satisfaction.

"You didn't know that?" Comet Queen whistled. "Nova burn!"

"Grava, how did you know?" Luornu asked with genuine shock.

Comet Queen shrugged good-naturedly. "I just talk to him, starshine! Haven't any of you ever talked to this shiny little shuttle before?"

Duplicate Damsel blushed awkwardly. She had to admit, most of the Legion actively avoided Quislet when they weren't on a mission with him. She wondered what else they didn't know about him for lack of making the effort.

Before she could ponder the question any further, a rich telepathic voice resounded throughout all of their heads. Sentients, please identify yourselves and state your purpose on G'Newt!

The Legionnaires somehow felt the voice had originated above them, and peered upward to find a stark white labrador floating in mid-air. It wore a golden collar with a red cape attached, and seemed to be analysing them all.

Gas Girl's jaw dropped. "Did...did that dog just talk to us?"

I am Krypto, here on behalf of the Space Canine Patrol Agents, the dog's oddly baritone telepathic voice continued. The good sentients here called us when they realised you were off the Headnet. Please identify yourselves and state your purpose for being here.

As the lone Legionnaire present without an organic mind, Quislet had missed this entire exchange. He flew in a beeline straight at Krypto, his ship obnoxiously loud. "Why everyone gone quiet?" he teased. "Nobody see flying dog before?" Krypto's eyes narrowed and he exhaled an impossibly cold gust of breath at the microship. A moment later, the ship fell out of the sky encased in a chunk of ice. Unable to open his hull, Quislet was trapped.

"Quislet!" Comet Queen cried out. "I don't care how bright you are, white dwarf! You don't get to freeze my friends and get away with it!" She flew circles around the dog, obscuring him with noxious fumes. Duplicate Damsel tried to call out a warning, but Krypto moved with blinding speed before Luornu had even finished drawing breath. He dispersed Comet Queen's gas trail with another burst of super breath, then flew in circles around her at dizzying speeds to create a vortex which sucked the air away from her almost instantly. Comet Queen passed out, and Krypto carefully manoeuvred himself beneath her so he could guide her gently to the ground.

You must know you have no hope against me, he warned the others. I am the direct descendant of Krypto the First, and all the powers of long-dead Krypton are mine to bear. Will you surrender now or do I need to dispatch the rest of you?

Luornu slapped her forehead. "Flight, super breath, super speed...of course you're descended from Superman's dog." She raised her arms, hoping it was still considered a gesture of surrender in this crazy future populated by talking animals. "I'm called Duplicate Damsel, our team is known as the Legion of Superheroes. We've come from a long long time ago in your past, and--"

The Legion of Superheroes? Krypto's tail wagged. Companions to the legendary Legion of Super-Pets? This is unbelievable!

"I...don't know if I'd call us companions exactly..." Luornu started. Cham nudged her in the ribs and she cleared her throat. "...Yes. Yes, that's us."

This is a real honor! Krypto approached Duplicate Damsel, Chameleon Boy and Gas Girl on the ground as Comet Queen began to stir into consciousness. They could see clearly now a symbol similar to Superman's familiar golden crest on the dog's cape. The rest of the Space Canine Patrol Agents will be so excited to meet you all! Would you please come back to our headquarters with me?

Chameleon Boy and Duplicate Damsel looked at one another and shrugged. "Why not?" Luornu replied. "It's probably not the craziest thing we've ever done."

As Krypto and the Legionnaires chatted, Gas Girl watched with uncommon meekness. She felt completely over her head here. In all her time with the Heroes of Lallor she'd never encountered anything half as crazy as today's events, but the Legionnaires seemed to be taking it all in stride. She wondered if she could ever be so blase about falling into insanity like this on a regular basis. She smiled to herself watching Krypto's heat vision free Quislet from his frozen prison. It was crazy, but it was also a little fun.

She kind of hoped she'd get the chance to fall into insanity with the Legion more often...
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 7.2: Catastrophe! - 01/05/14 01:38 PM
Duplicate Damsel, Gas Girl, Chameleon Boy, Comet Queen and Quislet found themselves presented before the full assembly of the Space Canine Patrol Agents. The SCPA's headquarters was in many ways reminiscent of the Legion's own, albeit built to scale for the smaller canines. The walls were lined with images of previous members of the team, and though nobody would go so far as to say it was spacious, the building was large enough for the Legionnaires to navigate comfortably.

Allow me to introduce you to my comrades, Krypto announced telepathically. Hot Dog, Bull Dog, Paw Pooch, Chameleon Collie, Prophetic Pup and Mammoth Miss.

"You're all so hypernova cute!" Comet Queen gushed. "Is it okay if I pat you, little furries?"

"Grava!" Luornu scolded her.

Please, Krypto soothed her concerns. It's no problem. We recognise the gesture is one of affection. Comet Queen crouched down before the skinny dog called Mammoth Miss and scratched behind her ears playfully. Mammoth Miss's tail wagged appreciatively, and Krypto continued speaking. I hope you'll accept my apologies, Legion of Superheroes. There have been mysterious attacks in this sector of space recently. When we heard that strangers had appeared on G'Newt and that you weren't on the Headnet, we were naturally suspicious.

"Excuse me?" Gas Girl asked gingerly. "You've mentioned this Headnet a couple of times, what is that exactly?"

The Headnet links all sentients in the galaxy, Krypto replied. Information and ideas can be shared near instantly. I imagine your neural networks are not, if you'll forgive me, sufficiently advanced to make use of it as we do.

"Has anybody else like us appeared that any of you know of?" Chameleon Boy asked. "The rest of our teammates were displaced in time as we have been."

We would know if anyone like yourselves had come to this sector of space, Prophetic Pup answered Cham's question. Unfortunately we can confirm that you are almost certainly alone here. I have the power to bring the future into view however, would you like me to take a look? Perhaps they just haven't arrived yet!

"If you could," Luornu smiled. "It'd be much appreciated!"

Prophetic Pup looked like a normal tan chihuahua with one glaring exception. A gigantic bulbous growth emerged from the top of her head, so large that the Legionnaires were surprised her tiny head could support its weight. As she concentrated now, the sphere atop her skull lightened in color, became opaque and soon looked like a crystal ball. The scene it displayed was as surreal as anything else the Legionnaires had seen here thus far; a pride of flying mechanical cats descended upon the dog people of G'Newt and were causing chaos as they fired lasers from their eyes and grabbed random terrified natives. Prophetic Pup gave a sharp bark. These must be the attacks we've heard about! she declared. Canines, quickly! This is going to happen soon, we mustn't delay!

The heroic dogs had already adjusted their telepathic wavelength so that Quislet could understand them as well as his teammates, and the Teallian Legionnaire flew excited circles around Prophetic Pup's enormous head. "Woohoo!" Quislet cheered. "We get to have fun now? Quislet wondered if anything was ever going to happen around here!"

"We don't want to intrude," Luornu said diplomatically, "But if you need our help we're more than willing to offer it!"

It would be welcomed, Prophetic Pup answered, the scene on her head changing now to somewhere else on the dog planet where more mechanical cats terrorised the locals. They will be mounting their assaults on two separate continents at once and even you can't be in two places at once, Krypto!

It's very kind of you, Krypto addressed the Legion. And it will be a thrill to work with the legendary Legion of Superheroes! Let's split up, SCPA! Hot Dog, Chameleon Collie, you two come with me! The rest of you accompany Prophetic Pup! The dogs all barked and jumped around in hyperactive chaos for a few moments before obeying Krypto's orders.

"Cham, can you go with Krypto's squad please?" Duplicate Damsel asked. "I'll take Grava and Quislet with the others. Gas Girl--"

"I want to help too!" Gas Girl protested. "I know I'm not a Legionnaire, but I don't want to be a redundant drive either!"

Duplicate Damsel was visibly relieved. "I didn't want to make the assumption, but I'm so glad you offered. Can you help Chameleon Boy please? This whole day has been so surreal I haven't even had a chance to say sorry yet for dragging you into this, Gas Girl!"

The bald Lallorian woman waved away Luornu's concerns as she dissipated into a cloud of mist. "Forget it," she remarked. "It's like I said to Bouncing Boy back on Earth, this is probably the best distraction I could ask for at the moment." She and Cham flew off with the three dogs, Prophetic Pup having telepathically implanted their destination in all of their minds. As the other Legionnaires followed Prophetic Pup, Mammoth Miss, Bull Dog and Paw Pooch, Luornu thought about Gas Girl's last words. She wondered where or when her husband had been sent. Luornu shut the thought from her mind. Chuck Taine was an accomplished hero in his own right, and certainly more resilient than herself. She had to trust that he could look after himself. Right now, she needed to rein in two of the Legion's most uncontrollable personalities to help a bunch of superpowered dogs from the future fight robot cats.

Somehow she thought she might leave this one out of her journal...

**********
Though none of the rest of the SCPA possessed Krypto's natural power of flight, they all wore propulsion collars which were like a trumped up version of the Legion's flight rings. Soon, Prophetic Pup's group were descending upon more than a dozen airborne cats who were in the process of terrorising the villagers of G'Newt. They're just automatons, Prophetic Pup announced. So we don't have to be gentle with them, but leave at least one reasonably intact so we can find out who sent them!

Why do I feel like that was for my benefit? Bull Dog growled sardonically. Appropriately enough, he did actually resemble a stocky Earth bulldog. As he charged one of the mechanical cats though, the Legionnaires realised where he really got his name. Twin horns emerged from his skull, thick and facing forward where they came to a sharp point. He careened straight through the artificial feline with a triumphant bark, smashing it in half.

"Quislet like this one!" Quislet piped up. "Bull Dog got the right idea! Smash 'em, bash 'em!" He flew his gleaming microship in close to one of the other cats, dodging its deadly eye lasers with ease. As soon as he was close enough, the hull of his ship opened and the tiny spark of life that was Quislet leaped forth to possess his assailant. "Woohoo!" Quislet's voice came forth from the cat's mouth. "Quislet got heat vision like Superboy!" He opened fire on the other cats, disabling two of them before his power took its toll and his own cat disintegrated. Quislet returned to his ship to continue with his next target.

Like her diminutive teammate, Comet Queen easily flew circles around the cats. She wasn't strong enough to physically damage them but she could obscure their vision with her gas trail and soon she'd manoeuvred two of them into blasting one another's heads off. "These robo-kitties aren't much of a workout! You and Bouncy gave us a harder time at the Academy, starshine!" Duplicate Damsel knew Comet Queen was right. Causing her own duplicates to appear and disappear at the right times, she duplicated Grava's tactic of making the robots unintentionally fire upon one another. Luornu supposed she shouldn't question their good fortune, but this really did seem like it was almost too easy.

At least we should be able to wrap this up fairly quickly, Mammoth Miss said. The wiry little dog flew into the midst of three of the automatons, disappearing beneath a pile of metal much to Comet Queen's horror. "Oh no! The little furry is gonna get full meteor impact!"

Don't count her out just yet, Paw Pooch said casually. He showcased his own power, extending his body lengthways and growing four extra pairs of feet. He kicked out at five of the cats at once, damaging their metal shells with his powerful thrusts. As if on cue, a loud sproing sounded like a cartoon sound effect and in place of the unimpressive looking mutt that was Mammoth Miss now floated an inflated spherical dog some eight feet across. The cats that had been moving in on her were bounced metres away by her sudden growth, and Bull Dog and Quislet soon finished them off.

Comet Queen squealed with glee and clapped her hands together. "Furry! You're a bouncy furry! Oh, parse me to the absolute C-span, this is the limit!"

Is that all of them? Prophetic Pup asked.

It is, Paw Pooch answered. And we've even got a souvenir to take home! He gestured at one of the robots he'd disabled himself which now lay sputtering on the ground near a brightly painted kennel. The many-legged canine turned back to his clairvoyant teammate and barked suddenly, his tail between his legs. Prophetic Pup, behind you! His warning came too late though, and the other heroes gaped in horror as one of the cats who'd somehow evaded their attention grabbed a firm hold of Prophetic Pup. There was a flash of light and when everyone's vision cleared, both the cat and Prophetic Pup were gone.

Oh no! the absurdly rotund Mammoth Miss howled. We'd better tell Krypto!

**********
Halfway around the world, the other heroes were coming to the same conclusion as their teammates. These robotic cats were no real challenge at all.

Krypto drew fire from the automatons with his indestructible body and returned the attack with his own heat vision. They were far less durable than him, melting into puddles of slag. This makes no sense, the Kryptonian dog analysed the situation. They seem to have appeared solely to cause a commotion, there have been no demands made, no motivation made clear!

"Your foes are normally tougher than this?" Gas Girl asked, having taken on a highly acidic vapourous form which even now hissed through the chestplate of one of the robots.

Oh, definitely! Hot Dog answered. A bright red daschund, he joyfully charged straight through one robot after the other. His body was so superheated that he went through them like a knife through butter. When we saw these were artificial creatures, I thought they may have been the work of our enemy Mechanikat! He's been a claw in our side for the longest time!

We should be glad they aren't, Chameleon Collie countered. He morphed his form as expertly as any Durlan and became a large purple octopus covered in bright orange polka dots. Reaching out with eight powerful tentacles, he grabbed robot cats and held them tight or smashed them into one another. The last time we faced Mechanikat he almost made the Dog Star go nova, remember?

"You're a shapeshifter?" Chameleon Boy asked with a beaming grin. "A really good shapeshifter! What kind of animal do you call that?" He copied the collie's own form and soon two airborne octopi were wreaking surreal damage on their enemies.

I can become any creature I can imagine, Chameleon Collie explained. He changed forms again, this time into something resembling a twelve foot long mirror-plated armadillo. The cats' laser eyes reflected off of his hide and caused even more damage to themselves.

"That's fantastic!" Cham continued, becoming a hummingbird an instant before some of the cats began to fire upon him and dodging their clumsy blasts. "I wish I could do that, but my people are mimics. We can only copy forms we've seen."

Krypto suddenly flinched. Mammoth Miss is calling me, he advised the others. I'll broadcast her communication to everyone.

Mammoth Miss's frightened voice continued. Krypto! One of the cats took Prophetic Pup and teleported away! We can't re-establish telepathic contact with her!

Krypto bit through the last remaining cat's mechanical throat and tore it to shreds. We're all finished here Mammoth Miss, let the others know we're en route immediately.

"Uh, Krypto..?" Gas Girl's misty form floated before the white dog. "We might have our own problems actually..."

Krypto looked around. He and Gas Girl were surrounded by piles of mechanical debris, but Hot Dog, Chameleon Collie and Chameleon Boy were nowhere to be seen.

All of these attacks must have been a ruse to draw us out into the open! Krypto growled. Well played, mystery villain. Well played.

But every dog has his day, and you're about to have yours!

TO BE CONCLUDED!
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 7.3: Dog Days - 01/12/14 02:39 PM
In hummingbird form, Chameleon Boy had landed on top of a robotic cat's head just as it had grabbed hold of the aptly named Chameleon Collie. Chameleon Boy had planned on becoming a horned Braalian constrictor to wrest the mechanical menace's head from its shoulders, but in a flash of light the cat had teleported and taken both shapeshifting heroes with it.

They weren't the only ones here either. Hot Dog and Prophetic Pup were nearby, also held by robotic felines. All of the heroes were in a state of physical shock after the jarring teleportation, and in no shape to fight back when the cats hurled the Space Canine Patrol Agents in a heap before them. Cham realised his own presence here must be both accidental and unrecognised, because none of the cats had made a move on him. By the time he recovered his faculties enough to take action, his canine allies were already surrounded by a luminescent sphere of light.

The robotic cats walked away into the darkness of the room where they'd all been transported, and Cham quickly took flight. He could see the three dogs inside the force sphere had all come to their senses now and were fighting to break out, but their struggle seemed fruitless. Before Cham could take a stronger form to help, a new figure came out of the darkness.

At long last, a high-pitched voice sounded telepathically in all of their skulls, the time has come for the circle to complete itself! The voice's owner was an actual cat, though the strangest one Cham had ever seen. It was black with white paws and white markings that gave it the appearance of a fuzzy hairpiece and moustache upon its feline head. It also had an almost perfectly round white circle on its chest between its two front limbs. Aside from its normal four legs, it also had three extra elongated green limbs growing out from each side of its body. The extra limbs seemed to have a life of their own, all of them tapping or swaying with no relation to the other limbs around them. There was something about this that seemed awfully familiar, but Cham couldn't put his finger on what that was exactly. The SPCA seemed to be in no immediate danger, so he decided to stay in the shadows of the unlit room and gather more information before making his move.

Who are you? Chameleon Collie barked. Why have you dognapped us?

It won't matter when I burn our way out of here, Hot Dog snarled.

Struggle all you like, my one-time friends! the cat seemed to smile. My karmaglobe will hold fast!

We're no friends of yours,
Prophetic Pup retorted, and you haven't answered our question! Who are you?

At one time you called me other names,
the cat's extra limbs gesticulated dramatically, Lover, liege, brother...now though you may call me the maundering Dr Meowvale!

In his hiding place, Cham shook his head in disbelief. It couldn't be possible...then he saw the feline villain's head move up and down as he cackled furiously. The noise wasn't quite the same coming from non-humanoid vocal cords, but the laugh unmistakably belonged to only one maniac...and if Cham's one prior encounter with him was any indication, he was going to be laughing for a while. Cham didn't know how a sentient cat tens of thousands of years in the future could possibly be the same entity as the humanoid Dr Mayavale he'd faced once in his own time, but they were unmistakably the same being. This encounter was panning out almost exactly the same as it had when Mayavale had abducted Chameleon Boy, Dream Girl and Karate Kid so long ago. The Durlan decided it might be time to throw an omniwrench in the works.

"That's enough Meowvale!" He shapeshifted into an enormous orange-furred sabretooth tiger and leaped down to confront the much smaller cat. "You didn't succeed the first time you did this, what makes you think you'll win now?"

Meowvale's back arched in fright. You're not a part of my plan! he hissed. How did you get in here? I thought of everything! My minions were equipped only to collect those with the correct psychodestine auras!

"No doubt," Cham edged closer. "But this isn't the first time you've tried to seek your twisted revenge on a precog, a shapeshifter and a hand...er, paw to paw fighter, is it? Maybe your equipment figured if I fit the bill once, I would again!"

Meowvale's eyes widened. You! How could you possibly be here in this form? You've already reincarnated--

"I don't know if I believe in reincarnation," Chameleon Boy countered, "But I definitely believe in karmic retribution, just like the sort you're about to get!" He pounced at the much smaller cat, and Meowvale gave a panicked yelp and ran away. Before the evil cat could run more than ten feet, there was a tremendous crash and a section of the ceiling caved in revealing a starlit sky beyond. Duplicate Damsel, Comet Queen, Gas Girl and Quislet hovered above with the rest of the SPCA.

You may have cut our friends off from the Headnet, Krypto glowered, but I can follow a scent and hear a heartbeat across light years, Meowvale. You couldn't possibly believe you'd get away with this.

I have had hundreds of thousands of lifetimes to prepare!
Dr Meowvale ranted. I may not have expected this level of intrusion, but I have prepared for it just the same! With a mental command, he activated the lights and the heroes saw that they were in a room the size of a sporting stadium. It was cluttered with devices and weapons from countless eras, and all of those things now hummed to life. Let us see how well you fare against the warworks of a thousand thousand years, interlopers!

The battle was short and embarassingly one-sided. Krypto, Bull Dog and Quislet made short work of most of Meowvale's anachronistic arsenal within minutes, and Cham in sabretooth tiger form was soon carrying Meowvale back to the others by the scruff of his neck while Krypto liberated his captured teammates. Chameleon Boy dumped a scowling Meowvale before the others and resumed his normal orange-skinned form. "This is without a doubt the absolute strangest adventure I've ever had as a Legionnaire," he admitted. "What do we do with this little fellow now?"

"Oh he's kinda gleaming don'tcha think?" Comet Queen leaned forward, hands resting on her thighs. "This whole future is so hypernova blazing, you guys!"

We thank you for your assistance, Krypto spoke on behalf of his team. Once we have secured Dr Meowvale in custody, I am certain that we return the favor and send you home, Legionnaires.

"Really?" Gas Girl beamed. "That'd be great, thanks so much! It's been a lot of fun being here, but--" Multi-coloured light filled the bald heroine's field of vision, and cleared just as quickly. "--it'll be really good to go...home..?" she finished in a daze. Neither she nor the four Legionnaires accompanying her were in Dr Meowvale's lair any more. All around them, groups of Legionnaires stood equally as confused as Gas Girl herself. In front of the assembled Legionnaires stood Chameleon Girl, Dream Girl, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Polar Boy, another version of Duplicate Damsel along with someone who seemed to be the Infinite Man himself and a handful of heroes Gas Girl didn't recognise at all.

The new Duplicate Damsel stood before the star-skinned male everyone was now glaring at. "Legionnaires! Before you over-react, this is not the Infinite Man! He's a Legionnaire from our future called the Infinite Boy, and if it wasn't for him none of you would be standing here right now! This is the Legion of Superheroes from 3035, we're currently in their base of--"

"Yera!" Gim Allon's voice bellowed through the assemblage of heroes. He pushed his way through the crowd and grabbed his wife, picking her up and kissing her passionately. Tears streamed down her face as she embraced her husband and Saturn Empress watched their reunion with a quiet sadness.

"Wait a minute," Ultra Boy hollered as the other Legionnaires chatted excitedly amongst themselves. "We're not all here! Where's Tinya?"

The Duplicate Damsels reintegrated and the one remaining Luornu staggered under the weight of their experiences. While Chameleon Boy supported her, she tried to regain enough control to take charge but there was so much to take in...the death of yet another of her bodies protecting Kid Computo, the destruction of Trom, learning about the Intergalactic Law Patrol and the Oversight Watch, poor Yera's child...she needed a couple of minutes, but she could hear the Legionnaires around her already building to a crescendo of near-panic.

"Where are Superboy and Supergirl?"

"Brainy!"

"My brother, where's my brother? Where's Jacques?"

"Bouncy!" Comet Queen's shrill terror cut through Luornu's haze of confusion like a knife. "Where's my Bouncy?!"

Duplicate Damsel steadied herself and placed a hand on Comet Queen's arm. "Legionnaires!" she shouted. Everyone stopped and stared mutely at her, the only sound in the room Grava's short shallow breaths. Luornu's heart was pounding. The Infinite Boy had used his power to latch on to all the versions of her which had been flung throughout time, he'd made the Duplicate Damsel who'd landed in this time his anchor and through her latched on to every other displaced Duplicate Damsel and the Legionnaires who'd accompanied her. But he'd warned her before he started that finding any Legionnaires who'd been separated from her was an impossible task. Luornu looked around. There were more than a dozen Legionnaires missing, her husband among them. Mon-El, Superboy, Supergirl, Blok, Diamond Damsel....they were without most of their heavy hitters too. Still, she had to take action. "We're going to go home," she announced, her voice trembling. "The Infinite Boy's going to take us home, we'll deal with the Infinite Man, and we'll find our lost Legionnaires."

"How are we supposed to do that?" Wildfire challenged her. "Brainy got us in this mess in the first place using Tyroc's power and they're both missing!"

"We're the Legion of Superheroes," she answered with as much strength as she could. "We'll find a way." She was terrified that Wildfire was right. Without Brainiac 5 or Tyroc, they had no chance of breaching the Flashpoint barrier again. But they needed to go home. If she stayed here, she was worried she'd become too scared to ever want to leave. Luornu turned to the Infinite Boy. "Can you send us home please?"

"I can take you home," he answered. "My power's pretty versatile, but honestly I don't trust my control of it enough to send a dozen or so people to an exact point in time without accompanying you all there. I might even be able to help you out with your Infinite Man problem while I'm there!"

"Thank you Kando," Luornu smiled, her voice catching in her throat. "Let's go before I lose my resolve."

"Back soon everyone," the Infinite Boy waved to his own teammates. He closed his eyes and focused on his task. His face was peaceful at first, though soon grew a frown.

"Is everything okay?" Saturn Empress asked, concerned.

"It's fine," the Infinite Boy mumbled, "Just seems to be some...weird congestion..? Okay, try it now." The Infinite Boy and every Legionnaire from the past vanished in a rainbow flare of light.

When their vision cleared, they found themselves once more in the familiar surrounds of Weisinger Plaza. The Infinite Man wasn't here though, nor were any of his temporally displaced army of warriors. They did notice that their headquarters was surrounded by Science Police, who saw the Legionnaires now and started running towards them. Before any of the dazed heroes could respond, a red and blue blur suddenly shredded the ground before them at blinding speed. Where once had been a vast expanse of open plaza was now a trench that descended at least two levels below the ground and more than a dozen feet across. A wall of impenetrable shadow fell over the moat, completely segregating the Legionnaires from their base.

"What...what's going on?" Light Lad asked.

A noise like the rushing of wind sounded, and the Legionnaires were bathed in a lavender light. They all turned to its source, a large portal crackling with mystic energies. The portal's creator stood shaking before it, the sorcerous Legion Academy student known only as Glorith. "I can't hold it open for long," she uttered in a tiny voice. "Saturn Girl, please..."

"You're doing an excellent job," Saturn Girl reassured the girl. "But still, we don't have time to waste. Legionnaires, it's good to see you all but reunions are going to have to wait. Come through the portal please."

Cosmic Boy stepped forward. "Imra? What's this about? What about the Infinite Man?"

"The Infinite Man's not a problem anymore." The Legionnaires heard Shadow Lad's voice and looked up to watch he and Supergirl descend from above.

"That's not going to keep us safe long," Supergirl said, eyeing off the wall of darkness. "Guys, really we have to go." She, Saturn Girl and Shadow Lad started leading their teammates through Glorith's portal.

Cosmic Boy stood aside to let the others go through first so he could talk to Saturn Girl again. "Imra...if the Infinite Man's not a problem anymore, then who are we hiding from?"

"Somebody worse," Imra Ardeen Ranzz answered perhaps her oldest friend.

"Somebody much worse."

TO BE CONTINUED..!
Posted By: razsolo UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 01/12/14 02:45 PM
NEARLY DONE! I am so excited to get the team back together again in their proper time! laugh No doubt everyone has heaps of questions after this chapter...why are Saturn Girl and Glorith involved now? Who's worse than the Infinite Man? Why are they hiding from the Science Police? All of these questions and more will be answered, but first as the below scorecard shows, we've got one tiny team to go......

BRAINIAC 5: Early 21st century Smallville
CHAMELEON BOY: 851st century
CHAMELEON GIRL: Legion World, 3035
COLOSSAL BOY: Trom, doomsday
COMET QUEEN: 851st century
COSMIC BOY: Weber's World, 2980s
DAWNSTAR: Smallville, 1871
DRAGONMAGE: Central City, 2038
DREAM GIRL: Legion World, 3035
DUPLICATE DAMSEL (deputy leader): Legion World, 3035 / Smallville, 1871 / Trom, doomsday / Weber's World, 2980s / 851st century
ELASTIC LAD: Weber's World, 2980s
ELEMENT LAD: Smallville, 1871
GAS GIRL (Legion ally): 851st century
INFECTIOUS LASS: Central City, 2038
INVISIBLE KID II: Central City, 2038
KID COMPUTO: Smallville, 1871
LIGHT LAD: Trom, doomsday
LIGHTNING LASS: Trom, doomsday
MATTER-EATER LAD: Smallville, 1871
MON-EL: Central City, 2038
NIGHT GIRL: Weber's World, 2980s
NIGHTWIND: Central City, 2038
POLAR BOY: Legion World, 3035
QUISLET: 851st century
SHADOW LAD: Early 21st century Smallville
SHRINKING VIOLET: Trom, doomsday
STAR BOY: Legion World, 3035
SUN BOY: Legion World, 3035
SUPERBOY: Early 21st century Smallville, remained behind
SUPERGIRL: Early 21st century Smallville
TELLUS: Weber's World, 2980s
TIMBER WOLF: Trom, doomsday
TYROC: Central City, 2038, remained behind
ULTRA BOY: Weber's World, 2980s
WILDFIRE: Smallville, 1871

BLOK
BOUNCING BOY (leader)
DIAMOND DAMSEL
PHANTOM GIRL
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 01/12/14 03:58 PM
Wow. Just when I thought things would settle down, you knock us for a loop! Worse than the Infinite Man? Running from the Science Police? Makes me think of Mordru or Universo, but... Darkseid maybe?

Maybe we'll find out more when we see where the last team's ended up. And, it looks like the group with Mon-El is going to be in for a very nasty shock...
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 8.1: Alone In A Savage Land - 01/18/14 04:10 PM
Tinya Wazzo came to her senses to see Bouncing Boy's inflated form careening straight at her. With a startled yelp, she turned intangible just in time for Chuck to speed harmlessly through her. The Legion of Superheroes' leader ricocheted off the rock hard form of Blok directly behind Tinya and straight up into the cloudless blue sky above them.

"Chuck!" Phantom Girl shaded her eyes from the blazing sun and craned her neck to watch her longtime teammate dwindle in size as he rocketed away.

"I am sorry," Blok apologised. "I am confused though, Phantom Girl. We do not seem to be in Metropolis anymore?"

"We're not," Phantom Girl confirmed. She turned her attention from Bouncing Boy to their surroundings. They were surrounded by lush vegetation on all sides and insects flitted around them. There was no sign of their other teammates or the Infinite Man and his minions, but Tinya felt that it might be best to remain intangible for the moment just to be on the safe side. "I don't know where we are Blok, and I don't know if there's anywhere on Earth like this. Can you raise anyone else? The Infinite Man must have separated us."

Blok sent out a call to the team on his flight ring but to no avail. He'd just finished trying a second time when a now deflated Bouncing Boy returned. "Nobody else is answering you either, huh?"

"Unfortunately not," Blok answered. "I hope I did not hurt you, Bouncing Boy."

Chuck Taine gave a good-natured smile. "I may not look the part, but I'm pretty tough when I'm bouncing. Wasn't your fault anyway, so don't sweat it." He wiped perspiration from his forehead, rolled his sleeves up to his elbows and unzipped the top of his uniform. "Speaking of sweat, this heat is insane! I don't know where we are, but there's no sign of civilisation anywhere...we'd better find some fresh water because I've got a feeling we're gonna be here for a while, guys."

Seeing her leader's obvious physical discomfort, Phantom Girl was quietly grateful that her power protected her from temperature extremes as easily as it did physical force. She didn't at all like the idea of staying here any longer than necessary though. "Do you think it's that bad, Chuck? Even if we can't contact any other Legionnaires we should be able to find a Science Police outpost, right?"

Bouncing Boy shook his head. "I tried calling the SP on my way back down when I couldn't reach any other Legionnaires. No go. Also, I covered quite a bit of distance when I was up there. We're in a clearing here, but all around us there are trees pretty much as far as the eye can see. No buildings, no signs of technology at all. I don't know if you can tell but even the air smells more natural. I don't know if this is a reserve or unexplored territory, but I'm pretty sure we're alone here."

"Well that's--"

"Ssh," Chuck hissed. "You hear that?"

Phantom Girl and Blok strained to listen. There was the buzz of flying insects and much further away the exotic calls of the native wildlife. Then they too heard what Chuck had heard. Something else else was rustling through the foliage, breaking branches as it came their way. The crashing came closer and closer, and Bouncing Boy inflated his form once more in preparation of whatever this might be. The plant life here was so thick that they didn't see the intruder until she was almost in their midst.

"Diamond Damsel!" Blok exclaimed joyfully as a gleaming multi-faceted arm smashed through the final low-hanging branch barring her way.

"I'm glad you're all still here!" Diamond Damsel returned the greeting. "I saw Bouncing Boy go flying a couple of minutes ago and thought the fight might have moved over here...wherever here is!"

"I think it's us who have moved from the fight," Bouncing Boy said. "Or who've been moved from it. Why didn't you answer your flight ring?"

"One of the Infinite Man's 23rd century shocktroopers shot me with a pulse gun," Diamond Damsel explained. "He must have assumed I was a robot, he was quite...well, shocked...when I kept coming for him. The pulse fried my flight ring though, so I'm groundbound and without any comms."

"If you saw me up there," Chuck reasoned, "Someone else may have too. Maybe we should see if we can attract some more Legionnaires before we go looking for water and shelter. Blok and Diamond Damsel, you two stay here and make a racket. Phantom Girl, join me up top? We'll be the only things in the sky for miles, if there is anyone else here they should be able to see us easily enough."

"Sure, I--" Phantom Girl heard more rustling to her left and turned around. "Hey, they might have beat us to it!" Again, the heroes heard something coming closer and waited expectantly for more of their friends. Instead, they saw a handful of tiny blue reptiles leap out of the underbrush and straight through the clearing on their hind legs. The creatures didn't seem to even notice the Legionnaires' presence. "Cute," Phantom Girl shrugged, "Rude though, they didn't even stop to say hi!"

An ear-splitting shriek filled the clearing, and half a dozen more lizards became visible. These ones were much larger, almost six feet tall. They were covered in tiny orange feathers with pale white underbellies, and like their prey they too ran upright. They had long snouts with razor-sharp fangs and they all bore three talons on each limb. With lightning speed, the leader of the pack slashed straight through Phantom Girl without effect. The creature lost its balance and tumbled into the clearing, with one of its fellows soon leaping through Tinya to join the first predator in a vicious jumble. "Not very smart attacking a phantom," Tinya teased them.

"They're not very smart or friendly," Bouncing Boy added. Using his flight ring for propulsion, he charged straight into another of the creatures then bounced into yet another. He knocked both the lizards off of their haunches, though they quickly recovered and bolted.

Blok held his hands up peacefully as the last two animals launched themselves at him. "Please," the gentle giant pleaded. "You cannot injure me and I do not wish you harm." The beasts ripped at him with utter savagery, breaking their claws against his stone epidermis. They yowled in pain and followed the other pair through the greenery.

"They can't understand you, Blok. They're just dumb animals." Diamond Damsel approached the two lizards who'd tried to kill Phantom Girl. They were caught in some kind of frenzy now, so preoccupied with ripping into one another that they didn't even register anything else around them anymore. Diamond Damsel grabbed both the lizards by their hefty tails. She swung one of them into a nearby tree trunk hard enough to knock the creature out, and the other she hurled into the distance.

"That was a little extreme, wasn't it?" Phantom Girl asked in obvious distaste. "You said yourself they're just dumb animals, we could have scared them away."

"If my suspicions are right, I think we're about to have a lot more to worry about than an ethical disagreement," Diamond Damsel responded. She kneeled on the ground by the animal she'd knocked out and examined one of its hind limbs.

"What suspicions?" Bouncing Boy asked. "What are you thinking, Diamond Damsel?"

"Before I was trapped in this form I was a librarian. I've only ever seen pictures of fossils, but see this?" She held the foot up so everyone could see. "This giant sickle-shaped claw on its foot? I think these are velociraptors."

"What are velociraptors?" Bouncing Boy frowned. "Are we supposed to recognise them?"

"Maybe not Blok or Phantom Girl," Diamond Damsel looked from one of her teammates to the next. "But you're from Earth, Bouncing Boy. I thought you'd know what this means."

"If these velociraptors are Earth animals, is this not good news?" Blok asked.

"No," Diamond Damsel bowed her head. "It's really not. Because velociraptors were Earth animals...

...75 million years ago."

TO BE CONTINUED!
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 8.2: Broken Stones - 01/24/14 04:03 PM
Blok, Diamond Damsel and Chuck Taine made an odd threesome as they waited expectantly for the return of their absent comrade. Blok's appearance hadn't changed at all since the Legionnaires' exile from their home era. Diamond Damsel's costume had once been bright pink and blue but was now faded, covered in dirt and dried blood. It was torn in several places and her boots had long since been discarded. Her actual body however remained as flawless as ever. Of the three of them, Chuck was the one who most bore the burden of their time away from home. He'd lost weight since they'd been here, nearly 40 pounds in total. He'd ripped the sleeves from his costume several weeks ago, and his hairy chest and belly were exposed to the sun constantly as this climate was far too humid to be constrained by a closed seam. A bushy black beard hid the lower part of his face, and he had to constantly wipe his sweat-soaked fringe from his eyes.

Right on time, Tinya Wazzo slowly faded into view before them. Her own white costume was streaked with dirt, and her hair was tied back into two distinct ponytails which reached the middle of her back. Chuck's eyes lit up as he saw Tinya return from her interdimensional excursion. "What did you find?" he asked with a hint of desperate excitement.

Tinya simply burst into tears. Diamond Damsel and Blok shared a silent communication while Chuck placed an arm around Tinya's shoulder. "Hey," he soothed, "It's okay, don't let it get to you. We'll get out of here, PG. Doesn't matter how long it takes us, we'll find a way."

"I'm sorry!" the young Bgltzr woman blurted. "It's just been so long, you know? I just...I really miss Jo and my mom and my brother...I don't know how much longer I can do this, Chuck! It's been...how long, 5 months now?"

"158 days," Diamond Damsel answered flatly.

"Nobody's come to rescue us and every day I use my power to go to Bgltz to search for help and every day there's nothing there but volcanoes and lakes of lava! We're going to die millions of years in our own past and nobody will ever even know what happened to us!" Tinya shuddered with heaving sobs and buried her face into Chuck's chest.

Chuck cast a sad look at Blok and Diamond Damsel while he stroked Tinya's hair. He turned his gaze to the setting sun and self-consciously straightened his posture. "It's getting late," he announced. "Why don't we make shelter for the night and we can figure out our next move tomorrow?"

"We'll get to work," Diamond Damsel nodded. "Come on, Blok." She nudged him in the side and the two powerhouses walked away to gather construction materials while Chuck comforted Tinya.

Two hours later, the night sky was filled with stars and Blok and Diamond Damsel sat around a campfire while Chuck and Tinya lay beneath the log shelter that had been made for them. While both Chuck and Tinya had initially felt guilty about letting Blok and Diamond Damsel take on night watch for the group, it had soon become apparent that it was simply practical. Due to their inhuman physiologies, neither Blok nor Diamond Damsel needed sleep the way Chuck and Tinya did.

After months of practice, Diamond Damsel and Blok had become quite proficient at building a weatherproof shelter out of materials at hand for their friends who needed it. The shelter was roughly ten feet cubed, giving Chuck and Tinya enough room to sleep on either side with space to spare. They'd been fortunate enough to find trees whose leaves grew as large as their own bodies, and it didn't take much creativity to turn those leaves into very primitive bedding. It never grew cold enough for them to need more than one rubbery leaf's thickness to keep them comfortable and more often than not even that was too much. They also had to build the shelter far enough from the fire that they didn't feel like they were basting in their own sweat. Blok and Diamond Damsel both sat with their backs to their friends, and as Tinya watched the light of the flame dance very differently off of their indestructible bodies she was struck with the realisation of how long it had been since she'd felt Jo's arms around her. "Chuck?" she asked timidly. "Can I lie next to you..?"

"Sure," he smiled wearily. "Scoot over." Tinya picked up her makeshift sheet and dragged it across the dirt floor of the shelter feeling suddenly very childlike. Before their exile here, neither of them would even have considered this kind of intimacy. Their relationship had changed over the months though. All four of them had grown closer, but Chuck and Tinya especially so. The four friends still believed they'd find home again, even if some days they had to force themselves to believe just to have a reason to survive. But though none of them spoke it they all knew that if there was no rescue, if they never did find their friends and family again, Chuck and Tinya would die here a long time before Diamond Damsel and Blok. Chuck and Tinya's shared vulnerability had become a powerful platonic bond between them.

Tinya lay in front of Chuck, resting her head on his outstretched arm. It was too humid for them to be much closer, but any physical contact was a salve. Her back to him, Tinya continued to watch Diamond Damsel and Blok. It was almost meditative to just watch their prone forms, not even the rise and fall of lungs betraying that they were alive.

Chuck gently moved Tinya's hair away from her face and behind her ear. "I wonder what Lu's doing right now," he mused.

"It's time travel," Tinya replied with a soft smile that he could hear in her voice. "Somewhen, you're already home lying next to her right now....then...in the future, whatever."

"Heh," Chuck grinned. "Good point." They lapsed into a mutual silence for a minute before he continued. "Hey PG..? Can I ask you a question?"

Tinya nodded wordlessly.

"How come you and Ultra Boy never got married?" he asked. "After Garth and Imra and me and Lu, I thought for sure you two would be the next ones down the aisle. You've never been interested?"

Tinya answered without changing position. "Marriage is...different on Bgltz. It's something we do to commemorate a lifetime spent with the person we love. I guess you guys have spatial privacy, we have personal privacy. The only thing you can ever really keep private on Bgltz is your own sense of identity, so giving that up...or compromising it might be a better way to put it...it's a big deal, even if it is just a symbolic gesture." She rolled around to face Chuck, still lying on his arm. "Don't get me wrong, I love Jo and I want us to be together forever...and if I thought for a second that it was something important to him I'd be honoured to be his wife, but giving up even the tiniest part of my personal privacy like that...it's not something that comes easily. And Jo...well, you know Jo's parents were never married. So it's not like he was raised to value it like some of you guys were." She allowed him a moment to digest it, then poked him playfully in the chest. "Okay, my turn."

Chuck's blue eyes shifted to meet her coquettish expression. "Hmmm?"

"How come you keep calling me PG?" she asked. "I can't remember the last time I called you by your superhero name."

He looked up at the ceiling of their shelter, flickering light dancing across the wood as he considered his answer. "To remind me," he finally answered. "Blok and Diamond Damsel don't have the duality that we do. We're Chuck Taine and Tinya Wazzo, but we're also Bouncing Boy and Phantom Girl. And Bouncing Boy and Phantom Girl are the parts of ourselves who are going to get us home."

Tinya thought about his answer then rolled over before she spoke, her back to him once more. "I'm glad I voted for you to be leader of the Legion of Superheroes, Bouncing Boy."

Then the two drifted off into a contented sleep.

**********
Diamond Damsel heard the familiar chainsaw of Chuck Taine's snores and turned away from the fire to make sure he and Tinya were both asleep. It had taken a long time for Tinya to acclimatise herself to his nightly racket but they both now were in a deep slumber. Diamond Damsel remembered the peace on Tinya's face the first time she'd slept through a whole night undisturbed. She'd looked just like a little girl.

...She was going to miss Chuck and Tinya so much when she left.

"It's time," she whispered to Blok. "We need to do this now before I lose my nerve."

Blok bowed his head in sadness. "Diamond Damsel...I am not comfortable with this. They are our allies. They are our friends."

"We need to face facts, Blok." If she still had the capacity to cry, she would cry now. "We're never going to be rescued. You know it as well as I do."

"Even more reason to stay," he countered softly. "The four of us...we are all we have in the world."

"I can't do it again, Blok. I really can't." She turned away from both him and the two sleeping heroes. "I had to watch my friends and family die once. Everybody who ever meant anything to me. I can't do that again. I can't just stay here and watch them grow old and die while we live untouched by everything forever."

Blok remained unconvinced. He cast a wistful look over Chuck and Tinya and responded. "It doesn't seem right," he frowned. "To abandon them like this..."

"Blok." Diamond Damsel placed a hand on his forearm. "You lost your whole world, I know that. But with what the Dark Man did to you...there's no personal connection. You don't remember your parents or any family...anyone you loved. I'm not downplaying the tragedy of what happened to you, but when it's people you've known and loved, to watch them age and pass...there's nothing more painful. Nothing. Besides, if my plan works, we can come back for them. We can come back and collect them from this exact moment in time, but we need to leave now so that plan can have a chance."

Diamond Damsel had shared her plan with Blok days ago. It was the ultimate long shot, but after five months here long shots were all they had left. Diamond Damsel had already survived a millenium with no ill effects. There was no reason to suspect that Blok would be any less long-lived. She planned for them to wander the Earth long enough that they could come back with a time machine themselves to save Chuck and Tinya. But a thousand years was a far cry from 75 million years, and that was assuming they didn't meet a premature end during that time. Blok had studied the Legion's case files extensively, he knew Earth had a history of powerful superhumans that was almost as old as humanity itself. There was the possibility of dementia. So much could go wrong with this plan, so much was almost utterly likely to go wrong with it. But Blok knew Diamond Damsel well enough now to know the nuances of her tone and her body language, and he knew that the truth was she didn't expect this improbable plan to work any more than he did. She just didn't want to have to watch two of her only three remaining friends die...and Blok didn't know if he had it in him to make her. "Will they be safe here?" he asked.

"In all the time we've been here, we've never had a night assault," Diamond Damsel answered. "The native animals here have never seen a man-made fire before us, it terrifies them. The fire will last till daylight, and we both know Tinya will be awake at the crack of dawn. They'll be fine, Blok."

"Very well then." Crestfallen, Blok slowly twisted his flight ring off of his finger. As big as he was, it could double as a bracelet for Tinya. He lay it by the fire hoping she'd think fondly of him when she found it in the morning.

Diamond Damsel followed suit, removing her own flight ring. Leaving it behind hit her like a punch in the gut. "Come on," she urged, unable to look at the others anymore. "Let's go then."

The two walked for some time alone in their thoughts. Blok was not at all happy about this course of action. As well as he could read her now, she could read him. He would come around though. He had to. Diamond Damsel couldn't allow herself any doubt or it would eat her alive. After half an hour of trudging through endless greenery beneath a full moon, Blok suddenly gripped Diamond Damsel's arm. His eyes were as wide as saucers. "Diamond Damsel!" he hissed. "Listen!"

She cocked her head to one side, straining to hear what Blok had heard. There was the usual rustling of nocturnal animals, the now completely familiar cries and hoots that constantly rang through the darkness. But there was something else.

There was a voice.

Half-convinced she must be delusional, Diamond Damsel started hacking a way through the ferns and vines around them both. Blok followed close behind, and soon the pair were almost running. The voice was unmistakable now, deep and soulful, chanting to the night. The voice stopped as they came closer, and they realised they themselves must be the noisiest living things for miles. "Who goes there?" the male stranger boomed.

They tore through one final wall of vines and Diamond Damsel and Blok's jaws dropped in astonishment. Not twelve feet away, standing atop a small boulder, was a stone man slightly smaller than Blok himself. Unafraid, he stepped down from the boulder and approached them. "And who might you two be, interrupting my communion with Mother Dryad?" he asked.

"D-Dryad?" Blok stammered helplessly.

"This isn't Earth?!" Diamond Damsel exclaimed.

"I know nothing of this Earth," the stone man replied as he looked Diamond Damsel up and down. "But if it brings me such creations as you, it must be a wondrous place indeed! You are called..?"

"...Diamond Damsel..." she answered vaguely. She felt as though reality were spinning around her. If this wasn't Earth, if it was in fact Dryad....how far back had the Infinite Man sent them? This planet was dead by their time, but not long dead. They could be mere years from home! For the first time in a long time, Diamond Damsel allowed herself to feel a wellspring of hope.

"My name is Blok," the gentle giant trembled. "I...I am so honored to meet you. I have never..." He found himself speechless, and resorted to simply staring at the only other member of his own race he had ever laid eyes upon.

"I imagine you two have quite the stories to tell," their new friend smiled. "Come!" he beckoned towards the boulder he'd been standing upon, and two more large flat rocks grew out of the rumbling ground. "Have a seat. I am Khor the Geomancer, and I eagerly anticipate knowing you both much better!"

...and just like that, Diamond Damsel felt hope die.

TO BE CONCLUDED!!!
Posted By: Set Re: LEGION LOST 8.2: Broken Stones - 01/24/14 04:16 PM
Good stuff, as always. Loving the focus on Diamond Damsel, who is my favorite new fanon Legionnaire since Laser Ape!

Posted By: razsolo Re: LEGION LOST 8.2: Broken Stones - 01/25/14 12:15 AM
Originally Posted by Set
Good stuff, as always. Loving the focus on Diamond Damsel, who is my favorite new fanon Legionnaire since Laser Ape!


Yay! I love Laser Ape so I will take that as a big compliment, thanks Set! laugh
Posted By: razsolo LEGION LOST 8.3: Choices - 02/01/14 03:30 PM
Blok watched as Diamond Damsel told Khor of Earth, a dark mood growing inside him the longer they chatted. He'd been so ecstatic to finally meet a living member of his own race for the first time, and that joy had turned to ash the instant he learned it was Khor.

Khor. The sorceror who'd shared Blok's own body once. The being whose machinations had menaced Blok's friends in the Legion of Superheroes as well as the Legion of Substitute Heroes and the entire population of the planet Zwen. Khor had done none of these things yet of course. Blok knew that he couldn't hold the man responsible for actions he hadn't yet taken, but his mind's truth was not the truth of his soul.

"Blok! Didn't you hear? That's great!"

Diamond Damsel looked at the stone hero expectantly, and Blok realised he'd been so lost in his own thoughts he had no idea what they were talking about anymore. "I apologise," he shook his head. "What was the question?"

"I have just been explaining to Diamond Damsel," Khor explained, "If her ties with her homeworld are strong enough, I may be able to create a mystic link. It will not be powerful enough to be of much use alone, but it will be powerful enough to draw attention. If this Earth has practitioners of the occult arts itself, we may be able to facilitate a line of communication."

"Don't you think that's good news, Blok?" Diamond Damsel grinned. "If nothing else, we may at least be able to figure out how far back in time we've been sent! We could even get home this way!"

Blok ignored her and glared intently at the geomancer. "At what price, Khor?"

Diamond Damsel stood and walked across to touch her friend's shoulder. "Blok...Blok, it doesn't matter. I know why you're concerned, but we don't have the luxury of choice. We've been here for months, this is the break we've been hoping so long for!"

Blok looked down at her now, and though they were in physical contact she'd never felt him so distant. "We always have a choice," he said simply. "Sometimes it is all we have."

Diamond Damsel turned away, unable to meet his gaze. "This is going to help us. The two of us and Chuck and Tinya. I have to do this, Blok."

"Very well." He stepped away from her and considered his next words carefully before speaking. "I cannot participate in this. I should never have abandoned my friends, I see that now. I am sorry, Diamond Damsel. But this is wrong." He turned and walked off into the night, back the way the two had come.

Diamond Damsel called after him almost fearfully. She wanted to chase after him, but she knew in the deepest part of herself this was going to be their only opportunity to be free of this time and place. She had to go through with this. Peering up at the moon above, she steeled herself and faced Khor.

"One does not have to be a sorceror to divine his dislike for me," Khor noted dryly. "I sense that in the future from which you hail, our relationship has not been overly friendly?"

"You could say that," Diamond Damsel replied. "Can we get this over with please? I don't mean to be rude and I'm incredibly grateful for your help, but I need to go make sure he's okay."

"Of course," Khor nodded. "All I ask is for you to share some knowledge of this future of yours in return." He raised his hand before Diamond Damsel could object. "I understand you are limited in what you can tell me, but any knowledge is power...and with more power, there is much more I may accomplish on this world. Still, let us not talk about that now. We can discuss this further after I have assisted you."

"Of course," Diamond Damsel mimicked as she forced a smile. She took some solace in knowing that whatever she told him would do him no good anyway. As long as she avoided any mention of the calamity that lay in wait for Dryad itself, there was nothing she could tell Khor that would jeopardise the timeline. She'd prefer to fulfil her end of this bargain first, having this debt hanging over her head was not at all pleasant. As long as it was all over soon though, she would just grit her teeth and barrel on through.

The two sat beneath the light of the moon and Khor talked Diamond Damsel into a meditative state. Even if he'd been a friend this wouldn't be an easy task. It had been a long time since Diamond Damsel had fully let another person inside her defences. The closest she'd come for centuries was with Blok, and she was scared that what she was doing here now would ruin that entirely. Eventually however, she relaxed enough to feel his voice guide her. The sensation was not one she could describe. She seemed to feel the cool rock beneath her, the mass of the world from which it had been born, its molten heart as if all these things were her own. Then gradually the focus shifted, the world seemed...different. She didn't know how, she couldn't possibly have explained it to another person, but she knew that she was no longer feeling herself on Dryad. This was unmistakably Earth. The link was so tenuous she wasn't entirely sure that she wasn't imagining it at times. But it was there. And then something completely unexpected happened.

"Diamond Damsel?" Khor asked. "I thought you told me you were alone among your people? That you have no stone kin?"

"I am," she answered. Even as she said it though, she knew why he'd asked. She was being drawn like a magnet to something else on this phantom Earth. Someone else. She realised with a shock that it wasn't another diamond woman at all! She sat bolt upright, shattering the spell. "...Diamondeth..." she uttered breathlessly.

"The connection between the two of you is very very strong," Khor explained. "Far stronger than it should be considering the distance between the two of you. If this woman is not your kin, then who is she?"

Diamond Damsel looked at him wide-eyed. "It...it's me. Oh my god, I...for just the tiniest fraction of a second, I was there. I was feeling what she felt, seeing what she saw. I know what time we're in now!" She saw that Khor was waiting for an explanation, so she obliged. "When I was first trapped in this form...I called myself Diamondeth and I served a horrible man. That...she...I'm there now with him. We're in the 21st century! God, her anger...I'd forgotten what it was like to be that angry all the time."

"This changes everything of course." Khor smiled and it was chilling. "...I can give you the ability to communicate with your younger self. Even to control her if you do desire. After all, she and you are the same being."

"We're not the same," Diamond Damsel protested reflexively.

"I did not mean to offend," Khor continued. "But the fact remains...you wanted to connect with somebody from your Earth, this is the best opportunity you will ever have to do so. I can help you with this, but it will not be an easy task. In fact it will be quite taxing. I am afraid I must change the terms of our agreement, Diamond Damsel. If I am going to help you with this, I think it's fair that this should be worth my while before we begin."

Diamond Damsel's mind was reeling. In the heartbeat she'd been connected to her younger self, she'd known exactly where and when Diamondeth had been. She had only served the Lord of Time for days at this stage of her life. Diamondeth had full unrestricted access to his time-travel equipment because she hadn't yet learned how to use any of it. If Diamond Damsel could take over her younger self's body, even if only for a few minutes, she could take Chuck, Tinya and Blok home herself! But she hadn't been prepared for the rage and the pain that had driven her back then. This would hurt. Then there was the matter of payment. Khor knew what this meant to her, and he knew that she knew that. He wouldn't settle for vague predictions of the future now, she was going to have to give him something really game-changing. Blok's words repeated in Diamond Damsel's mind; We always have a choice.

Diamond Damsel made her choice.

**********
Tinya Wazzo stretched and yawned as she greeted the early morning sun. The temperature was actually quite cool, she hoped that meant that the day would be pleasant later on. Her intangibility protected her from the brunt of the sun when it bore down, but she always felt guilty about using her power to keep herself comfortable when Chuck didn't have that option. She looked over to where she expected to find Blok and Diamond Damsel in their normal position by the ashes of last night's fire, and was mildly surprised to find Blok alone. Instantly she could tell something was wrong. He sat slumped, his back to Chuck and Tinya.

"Blok?" She moved over to him and touched his arm. She often asked herself if he could even feel the touch of a normal person through his rocky flesh, but she hoped he found the gesture consoling regardless. She saw that he held something golden and gleaming, tiny in the palm of his massive hand. Still sleepy, it took Tinya a moment to realise it was a flight ring. "Morning...is everything okay, big guy? Where's Diamond Damsel?"

"Phantom Girl..." She could tell that he was struggling for words, and wondered how long he'd been sitting here like this. Blok turned to look her in the eye. "We are not on Earth."

Tinya was taken aback. "What..? What do you mean?"

"This is Dryad," he continued. "My homeworld. Diamond Damsel and I discovered the truth last night while you slept."

"Wait a nano," she held up a finger. "Chuck needs to hear this."

She rushed over to the snoring man's side and shook him until he came to life with a grumbling groan. "Wha.." He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and stifled a yawn. "Lu, wha's the 'mergency.....oh." Slightly embarassed, he cleared his throat and sat up. "Sorry Tinya. What's going on?"

"Tell us, Blok." Tinya looked over to the stone man. "Tell us what happened last night."

Blok stood and lumbered over to join his friends. "Last night...Diamond Damsel and I found out that we have been wrong all these months. This is not Earth at all, we are on Dryad."

Chuck stood up, instantly alert. "Are you sure?" he asked. "How do you know this?"

"We met Khor," Blok answered. "He is alive in this time."

"Oh wow." Chuck paced a few steps, trying to take this all in. "But...the dinosaurs...and we haven't come across any other sentient beings the entire time we've been here!"

"I am sorry I could not tell sooner," Blok bowed his head. "The population of Dryad was never as large as that of other worlds...and it seems that our animal life must be similar to that of your world's past--"

"Blok!" Tinya scolded him. "Don't you dare apologise! We know the Dark Man messed with your memories when he brainwashed you, nobody blames you for not remembering something that was taken from you! I guess that explains why I've never been able to get help from Bgltz either. Whatever world is in dimensional sync with Dryad, it's not my world!"

"But Khor," Chuck brought the conversation back around to him. "Blok, are you sure?"

"I am certain," Blok nodded. "Diamond Damsel is with him now. I...I could not abide his help, Bouncing Boy. But in denying him I may have doomed us to stay here forever. Did I make the right decision?"

"I'm sure you did," Chuck replied. "We'll find another way, Blok. Right now, we'd better go find Diamond Damsel. I don't trust him alone with her for a second."

"How did you even find him?" Tinya asked. "Did he see our fire?"

Blok was at a loss for words. How could he explain to them that he'd abandoned them? Before he had to try, a familiar voice called out to them all.

"Diamond Damsel!" Tinya greeted the diamond heroine with relief as she pushed through the foliage. "Are you alright? He didn't try anything creepy, did he?"

"I'm fine," she answered. "We need to move though, I don't want to give him a chance to notice it's gone."

"Move where?" Chuck asked. "You've taken something from Khor? Diamond Damsel, I'm not sure that's wise--"

"Not Khor." She pulled aside a wall of vines. "The Lord of Time." Behind Diamond Damsel, the three heroes saw the first sign of technology any of them had laid eyes on since they arrived here. It was a transparent cube, glowing circuits embedded in its walls and a console inside covered in buttons and screen displays.

Chuck's eyes widened. "Is that..."

"A time cube," Diamond Damsel confirmed. "I stole it from him. Actually, thanks to Khor I possessed my younger self and she stole it from him. He's got her sedated at the moment, but we need to move as fast as possible before the Lord of Time notices this is missing and comes after us. Once we're home I'll reprogram it to come back here and Khor can send my younger self back to make the stupid mistakes I'm bound to make none the wiser that this ever happened."

"Why would Khor help you with this?" Blok asked.

"It doesn't matter," Diamond Damsel deflected his question. "Blok, please! We can talk about this later, but we need to move."

"She's right," Chuck took charge. "Diamond Damsel, what you've done today...I don't know how we can ever repay you."

"It's what any Legionnaire would have done," she replied hastily. She gestured toward the open door of the time cube. "Now please, guys."

Tinya ran to Diamond Damsel and hugged her spontaneously, her eyes welling with tears. "I can't believe we're really going home! Home! Diamond Damsel, I could kiss you!"

Chuck followed Tinya into the cube, Blok slowly bringing up the rear. "Here." He handed Diamond Damsel's flight ring back to her. "This belongs to you."

"Blok..." Diamond Damsel couldn't read him at all and it made her profoundly sad. She tried to say the words to make it right, but he'd already entered the time cube. Looking down at her flight ring, she slid it onto her finger. She pushed her emotions down where she could deal with them later and she followed the others into the time cube.

And the Legion of Superheroes went home.
Posted By: razsolo UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 02/01/14 03:38 PM
The last scorecard for Legion Lost! It's finished! laugh

Next up the Legion come home and we answer the question...who could be worse than the Infinite Man?

BLOK: 21st century Dryad
BOUNCING BOY (leader): 21st century Dryad
BRAINIAC 5: Early 21st century Smallville
CHAMELEON BOY: 851st century
CHAMELEON GIRL: Legion World, 3035
COLOSSAL BOY: Trom, doomsday
COMET QUEEN: 851st century
COSMIC BOY: Weber's World, 2980s
DAWNSTAR: Smallville, 1871
DIAMOND DAMSEL: 21st century Dryad
DRAGONMAGE: Central City, 2038
DREAM GIRL: Legion World, 3035
DUPLICATE DAMSEL (deputy leader): Legion World, 3035 / Smallville, 1871 / Trom, doomsday / Weber's World, 2980s / 851st century
ELASTIC LAD: Weber's World, 2980s
ELEMENT LAD: Smallville, 1871
GAS GIRL (Legion ally): 851st century
INFECTIOUS LASS: Central City, 2038
INVISIBLE KID II: Central City, 2038
KID COMPUTO: Smallville, 1871
LIGHT LAD: Trom, doomsday
LIGHTNING LASS: Trom, doomsday
MATTER-EATER LAD: Smallville, 1871
MON-EL: Central City, 2038
NIGHT GIRL: Weber's World, 2980s
NIGHTWIND: Central City, 2038
PHANTOM GIRL: 21st century Dryad
POLAR BOY: Legion World, 3035
QUISLET: 851st century
SHADOW LAD: Early 21st century Smallville
SHRINKING VIOLET: Trom, doomsday
STAR BOY: Legion World, 3035
SUN BOY: Legion World, 3035
SUPERBOY: Early 21st century Smallville, remained behind
SUPERGIRL: Early 21st century Smallville
TELLUS: Weber's World, 2980s
TIMBER WOLF: Trom, doomsday
TYROC: Central City, 2038, remained behind
ULTRA BOY: Weber's World, 2980s
WILDFIRE: Smallville, 1871
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: UPDATED LEGION LOST SCORECARD - 02/02/14 04:58 AM
Wow! That wraps it up pretty nicely. I'm glad Diamond Damsel didn't even think for a moment of changing her own history - that is a very heroic thing to do and makes me like her much, much more. Can't wait to see what you have in store next.
MONTAUK POINT
Legion Academy

Lightning Lad watched his students navigate the Legion Academy's reactive aerial obstacle course using flight rings that had been provided to them for training. Some of the students were more advanced than others, none more so surprisingly than Laurel Kent. According to her student records Laurel had a tendency to over-rely on her own natural invulnerability and had traditionally scored poorly in agility tests. Since she'd rejoined the Academy however both Garth Ranzz and his wife Imra had noticed Laurel was really making an effort to broaden her skill set. Garth knew she hated having to remain at the Academy as a student while all of her old friends had moved on. He supposed she was pushing herself to get out of here as soon as possible. Good for you, Garth thought with a smile. I wish all these kids had that kind of constructive attitude.

As if to illustrate the point, Dragonwing strayed too close to a whirling three-pronged fork mounted at a right angle on the wall of the training room. Her voluminous duster was caught up in the fork's tines and with an undignified yelp she was yanked into the device. She spat acid, melting it into slag. "Stupid sprocking machine!" the red-haired teen cursed, examining her distinctive coat for tears while the animated dragon image programmed into the coat continued to writhe and turn across its surface.

Garth used his own flight ring to levitate the twenty feet between himself and his young student, the room programmed to automatically avoid anyone recognised as faculty staff. "We're not testing how well you can damage school property, Marya."

"This is stupid!" she exploded. "When am I ever going to need to dodge something I can destroy?"

Lightning Lad was unfazed by her anger. In truth, she reminded him more than a little of the recklessness of his own youth. That recklessness had cost him his arm once and even his life briefly before he'd learned the error of his ways. He was damn well going to make sure these kids didn't have to pay that price if he could help it. "There's always going to be something out there tougher than you are, Dragonwing. I've learned it, every Legionnaire's learned it. Sometimes discretion really is the better part of valor."

Before he could continue, Lightning Lad felt his wife's telepathic voice inside his skull. Garth, I don't want to alert the students just yet but can you please meet me in the staffroom immediately? Lightning Lad knew that Saturn Girl wouldn't normally use her powers when the intercom was available He didn't need to ask any questions, this was obviously gravely important. "Alright everybody!" he announced. "I'm leaving you to the room for a while. I'll downgrade the obstacle course while you're not being directly monitored but don't slack off! Gravity Kid, Laurel, you're our best fliers. I want you to help the others if they need it!"

The two students gave their assent and Lightning Lad left them all to it.

"Why do you think he left in such a hurry?" Lullabye Lad asked.

Laurel Kent watched their teacher leave, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Only one thing ever made Bouncing Boy or Duplicate Damsel leave us in the middle of a lesson like that," she answered.

"Legion business."

**********
The Academy's security system recognised Garth Ranzz as he approached the portal to the staffroom and automatically allowed him ingress. When he walked in, he found three women waiting for him; his wife and fellow Legion founder Saturn Girl, the Legion of Superheroes' Science Police liaison Shvaughn Erin and a blonde in a tight red bodysuit with holes strategically cut out to reveal patches of flesh. Vivid blue skinpatches surrounded her eyes, almost giving the appearance of butterfly wings spanning her face.

"Shvaughn!" Garth kissed the seated officer on the cheek. "I'd like to say it's a pleasure, but as you're in full uniform I have a feeling it's not going to be. And this is Calorie Queen if I'm not mistaken?"

"Sorry to have to meet you under these circumstances, Lightning Lad." Calorie Queen offered her hand and Garth shook it. He had first heard of Calorie Queen years ago when she'd assaulted his wife and several other Legionnaires after being rejected for Legion membership. Since then, she seemed to have matured. Lightning Lad had heard she was an occasional heroine on her native Bismoll, unlike some of the other so-called Super Rejects who had turned to a life of crime. None of that explained why she was here today though.

"What circumstances are they exactly?" Garth asked as he took a seat next to his wife.

"There's no easy way to say this," Shvaughn explained, "So I'll just come out and tell you what I told Saturn Girl. The Infinite Man has taken over Legion headquarters, and he's done something to the Legion. We're hoping they're still alive, but honestly we don't know."

"I was on my way to visit Salu - Shrinking Violet - when I saw there was some kind of enormous battle happening in Weisinger Plaza," Calorie Queen continued. "I'd just decided to help out when he waved his hands and they all vanished into thin air. I don't know if he killed them or sent them away somewhere or what happened, but I figured anybody who could do that to the Legion of Superheroes is a little out of my league. So I went to the Science Police."

"There's no trace of them at all," Saturn Girl noted without any obvious trace of emotion, though Garth knew she must be as concerned as he was. "Shvaughn and Calorie Queen came to us when they couldn't reach anybody on their flight rings, and I haven't been able to make telepathic contact with anybody either."

"Where is the Infinite Man now?" Garth asked.

"As far as we know he's still at Legion Headquarters," Shvaughn answered. "I've managed to convince my superiors that if he could deal with the entire contingent of the Legion of Superheroes that easily, we could throw a solar system's worth of Science Police at him and it won't make a difference. Frankly, I'm at a loss what to do. I know you two aren't active members of the team anymore, but can you help us?"

"It's not even a question!" Garth replied without hesitation. "We'll need more people though. Imra, can you call Englenna and tell her we'll need her to watch Graym and Garridan?"

"Already done," Saturn Girl nodded. She placed a hand on Shvaughn's knee, the warmest gesture Shvaughn had ever experienced from Imra Ardeen Ranzz. "I know the Legion," Imra said with quiet confidence. "I don't know what the Infinite Man's done to them, but they'll find a way to come through. They always do." Imra turned back to her husband. "Let's make some calls."

**********
70 minutes later, Saturn Girl was in the Academy's comms suite, the holographic visage of Queen Projectra of Orando before her. "I understand," Imra nodded. "If you don't hear from us by tomorrow, the magnoball's in your court." Imra tapped at the touchscreen before her and Projectra blinked out of view. Saturn Girl swivelled her chair to face the others. "Sensor Girl's out," she reported. "There's a situation on Orando she can't leave unattended. I've told her what's going on though, she's prepared to hunt down the Wanderers if we can't deal with this ourselves."

"I can't reach Shadow Lass," Lightning Lad advised. "The whole Talok system's cut off for some reason...which is something we'll need to investigate, but one crisis at a time. I'm glad you could all come to help though."

The nine heroes who constituted the Legion of Substitute Heroes stood gathered before Garth, Imra, Shvaughn and Calorie Queen. They'd gathered as soon as Lightning Lad had called. "You know the Subs are here for you any time you need us," Fire Lad replied. "Looks like it's just us then? A baker's dozen of reservists, Subs and Legionnaire girlfriends against a guy who single-handedly took out the entire Legion of Superheroes?"

"What about some of the other Academy graduates?" Fire Lad's teammate Crystal Kid spoke up. "I can't believe Lamprey or Visi-Lad wouldn't be here in a snap if you asked them!"

"We can't throw everything we have at the Infinite Man at once," Saturn Girl reasoned. "If we fail, somebody needs to be able to pick up where we left off."

"What's the plan then?" Color Kid asked. "The Subs have always thrived as underdogs, but this might be pushing it a little. We're going to need a plan, right?"

In reply to Color Kid's question, Saturn Girl asked one of her own. "Chlorophyll Kid, do you have anything that might help deaden the Infinite Man's will?"

"Not on me," the green-garbed Substitute Hero stroked his chin. "But if we can stop by the Exotic Herbarium in Metropolis, I know they have specimens of Hykraian Kelp. It's a restricted substance though."

"Don't worry about that," Shvaughn held her hand up. "I'll authorise it myself if it'll help."

"Good," Saturn Girl nodded. "I know the Science Police have evacuated Weisinger Plaza. Shvaughn, can you make sure it remains that way? I want Garth and Fire Lad to take point when we take Legion Headquarters back, their powers will draw the most attention. Everybody else, your role is to follow their lead and attract as much attention as possible while Color Kid, Chlorophyll Kid and I work to sedate the Infinite Man and find out what he's done with our friends. Any questions?"

"Let's just do this," Calorie Queen punched her open palm. "I want to find out what that nasshead's done with my girlfriend."

"Good answer," Shvaughn smiled. She stood up and walked to the portal. "Let's -- oh!" The privacy field barring the doorway disappeared, and the red-haired Science Police officer came face to face with seven equally surprised teenagers. "Were you listening out here the whole time?" she demanded. She heard her own question echoed back at her a second later from a glowing sphere of lavender energy suspended between Glorith's outstretched palms.

"We didn't mean to do anything wrong!" Variable Lad hurriedly began to apologise. "We just--"

"We want to help," Laurel Kent stood defiantly in front of Shvaughn. "Don't blame Glorith, we made her use her magic to eavesdrop. It's not like you'd tell us what was going on any other way!"

"That's because you're not ready for this!" Lightning Lad marched up to the doorway. "This isn't a game, Laurel!"

"Oh come on," Chemical Kid rolled his eyes. "We're not ready but Antennae Boy over there is? What even is his power again?"

"It's Antennae Lad!" the object of Chemical Kid's derision complained.

"We heard it all," Dragonwing scowled. "The Legion are gone, maybe dead, and you can't get Shadow Lass or Sensor Girl to help. Face it, you need us."

Saturn Girl joined her husband at the doorway. "You can come, but you all answer to Captain Erin. None of you are to engage the Infinite Man directly, and none of you are to engage any of his forces unless it's to protect innocents from harm. Are we clear?"

Lightning Lad didn't contradict his wife openly, but thought his dissent knowing she'd pick it up through their rapport. Imra, they're just children. We can't do this.

We were just children when we formed the Legion of Superheroes, Imra thought back at him. And you know how obstinate some of these children can be, Garth. I'd expect at least some of them to follow us whether we give our blessing or not. This way we get them to work within the rules we impose.

"You heard Saturn Girl," Lightning Lad said out loud. He didn't like it, but he knew Imra was right. "Are we clear?"

"Crystal," Laurel and Dragonwing answered simultaneously.

"Then let's go," Lightning Lad continued.

He began to leave the room when Shvaughn's voice suddenly rang out. "What the sprock?!"

"Shvaughn?" Lightning Lad asked. "What is it?"

"I was going to contact the Exotic Herbarium for Chlorophyll Kid," Shvaughn explained. "When I saw this." She handed her omicom to Garth Ranzz.

"This doesn't make sense!" Lightning Lad exclaimed after scanning the omnicom. "The Science Police have removed you from the case? You're the Legion's liaison with the Science Police! You're Element Lad's girlfriend! Why would they do that?"

"I don't know," Shvaughn answered darkly, "But according to this, Dvron's in command of the Science Police in this region and he's ordered everyone to stand down. I'm his superior officer, somebody's got some explaining to do."

"Then it looks like we're on our own," Saturn Girl pondered. "Change of plans, everyone. Crystal Kid, you're in charge of the students. Previous instructions apply. They're not to engage the enemy directly unless there's no other way around it, understood?"

Crystal Kid was visibly shocked. "You're putting me in charge? I mean yeah, yes of course Saturn Girl!"

Saturn Girl turned to Shvaughn. "Do what you need to, Shvaughn. We'll rescue Jan and the others."

"Good luck," Shvaughn replied. "With any luck this will just be a good story in a few hours."

"It will be," Imra asserted. She knew they weren't the mightiest group of heroes, but she also knew every single one of these people would fight to their death to help the Legion of Superheroes.

She just hoped it wouldn't come to that.

**********
When the ragtag group of heroes reached Weisinger Plaza, it was still empty though the Science Police were no longer actively keeping people away. The Infinite Man hadn't made another appearance since he'd defeated the Legion of Superheroes but an air of tension hung over the plaza. The whole city was expecting him to emerge from the Legion's headquarters at any time and unleash more of his chronal chaos into Metropolis.

"Remember what we said," Lightning Lad addressed his students. "None of you go near the building and all of you listen to Crystal Kid. Your job here today is solely to protect innocents if any of the Infinite Man's footsoldiers get past us. Don't go chasing danger."

"Don't worry, Lightning Lad!" Crystal Kid saluted the Winathian hero. "I'll keep 'em in line!"

A deafening peal of thunder startled the group. The sky suddenly grew dark, black clouds blotting out the sun. A strobe lightburst exploded across the plaza, sheet lightning followed by more rolling thunder. The wind rose and the temperature dropped drastically. "This weather!" Glorith shouted over the wind. "It is not at all natural!"

"Look!" Rainbow Girl pointed up towards the roof of Legion headquarters. "What is that?" It had begun raining now, and the combination of rain and storm clouds obscured the colossal object coming down at them until another burst of lightning showed them that it was a person.

Garth's eyes widened. "Scatter!" Everyone leaped into action, but the enormous grey man had already slammed into the ground with the impact of a meteorite. He left a small crater, and everyone was knocked off their feet.

"The Infinite Man wants to play rough?" Dragonwing snarled. "Good! Rough is my favourite way to play!" She leaned forward and bathed the seven foot behemoth in a plume of intense flame even while Crystal Kid snapped at her to fall back. To her utter surprise, the villain was completely unfazed.

"Nice try," the grey monster gave her an evil smirk. "My turn, kid." Dragonwing saw that he had two giant tusks protruding from his lower jaw. He tipped his head at her, and the tusks elongated straight at her with terrifying speed. Dragonwing backpedalled, but she knew she wasn't going to be fast enough to avoid impalement. Just as she gritted her teeth and prepared for the bloody impact, Laurel Kent dived in front of her. The tusks slammed into Laurel's invulnerable hide, knocking both girls back. Dragonwing was winded, but she knew it was better than the alternative.

"That's Tusker!" Saturn Girl cried out. "That means--" Hailstones the size of their fists pummeled down from on high, interrupting her. Tusker simply laughed as the dense balls of ice shattered or bounced against his hide, but they were a lethal threat to most of the others.

"What did Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad say?" Crystal Kid barked at the students as he rushed to erect a crystal shield over everyone. "This needs constant regeneration so we're not bashed to death by the sky falling so if you could all try for a nano not to get yourselves killed and let me concentrate I'd really appreciate it!"

"Storm Boy's doing this!" Saturn Girl shouted, her hands at her temples. "I can feel him gloating above us!"

"Why would Tusker and Storm Boy be working for the Infinite Man?" Fire Lad queried. "It makes no sense!"

The deluge of hailstones ceased, and Crystal Kid's protective barrier finally exploded into gleaming splinters when Tusker brought his two giant fists down upon it. The hapless heroes saw their enemies revealed once the shield fell; not only Tusker and Storm Boy, but also their teammates Golden Boy, Spider-Girl and Radiation Roy. Almost the entire assemblage of the xenophobic Justice League of Earth were present, but absent was the most dangerous one of them all.

"In a way, they are working with the Infinite Man," Kirt Niedrigh's voice spoke from behind the heroes, though it sounded somehow transformed. "Not in the way you morons think though. See, when your precious Legion of Superheroes failed to stop the Infinite Man's rampage, Earthgov let my team out of jail to have a try."

As the assembled heroes faced the villain known as Earth-Man, they felt their stomachs churn with fear. He wore the militaristic outfit some of them were painfully familiar with, but the blue areas of his costume were now a starfield, as were the shadows of his face. Instead of his blonde buzzcut, he wore the distinct stylised head-dress of the Infinite Man. "And what do you know?" Niedrigh gave a smug grin. "Some real Earth heroes did what your alien freaks couldn't. The Infinite Man is dead.

...Long live the Infinite Man."

TO BE CONTINUED!
METROPOLIS
Weisinger Plaza

In front of the battle-damaged headquarters of the Legion of Superheroes, 19 hastily assembled heroes faced off against six of the last villains they'd ever have expected to find here. Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl and Calorie Queen had brought the Legion of Substitute Heroes and the current students of the Legion Academy to fight the Infinite Man. Instead, they found themselves face to face with Earth-Man and his so-called Justice League of Earth.

Chemical Kid's eyes widened in fear. "These are the guys who took over Earth and tried to deport every alien off the planet, right?"

"The ones they didn't murder," Color Kid answered, glaring hatefully at the team who'd not so long ago blinded him and killed his teammate Double-Header.

"Good thing we outnumber them more than three to one then," Dragonwing smirked. "These squajes might have gotten the drop on the Infinite Man, but what are they gonna do to all of us?"

Saturn Girl said nothing aloud, but the tone of her telepathic command to the assembled heroes left no doubt whatsoever as to the gravity of the situation. Color Kid, give us a distraction. Crystal Kid, get the students out of here. We'll hold them off as long as we can.

Before either of the heroes could act, the plaza around them suddenly filled with dozens of primitive gladiators armed with shields, spears and nets. "The little girl is right of course," Earth-Man beamed. "Hardly seems like a fair fight, does it? Of course, we don't have the superb training your Junior Legionnaires do, so I'm sure you won't mind if we tip the odds in our favor a little." His grin vanished instantly, replaced by a cold stare. "Kill them."

Within seconds, Saturn Girl's command meant nothing and the scene was violent chaos.

Lullabye Lad barely managed to avoid the thrusting tip of a spear and retaliated, putting his attacker to sleep before he could strike again. "There are too many of them!" he cried out in a near panic. "I can't knock them all out!"

"Waiane, use your other power!" Gravity Kid shouted, using his own abilities to send a swordsman flying.

"I can't just hibernate while he kills you all!" Stone Boy's younger brother protested bravely. Another spear penetrated his bright pink cape and almost his ribs. Again, his assailant's eyes rolled back in his head and he fell in a heap.

"Babe, I've got an idea!" Gravity Kid yelled over the din. "Trust me!"

Uncertain, Lullabye Lad nonetheless did as his boyfriend requested. Waiane Wentim's flesh and blood form instantly turned to stone, and the next weapon to come at him shattered against him. Gravity Kid bit his lower lip and reached out with his power. Lullabye Lad's immobile form became a human battering ram, smashing through the gladiators like they were rolling pins.

"Tel, that's brilliant!" Laurel Kent congratulated her fellow student. "Keep it up, I'll cover you!" She intercepted a sword meant for Gravity Kid's exposed torso and smashed its owner in the face with an indestructible elbow.

Not all of Garth and Imra's students were doing so well however. Glorith cowered before a trio of gladiators, Chemical Kid trying to rally her into action. Distracted, he completely missed the sword coming down upon his skull and only realised he'd been under attack at all when his would-be killer was encased in a large chunk of crystal, lost his balance and fell. Crystal Kid crouched down beside the two students and erected a wall around them to give them some space while Stone Boy waded into the gladiators. "I know this is scary," the Academy graduate said, "But you can be scared later. Right now we need to get your class together and get out of here."

They heard Dragonwing's voice several feet away, then saw her dart into the air above the battle. "Get off me! Get off me!" One of the gladiators had grabbed her around the waist, and she struggled fruitlessly to free herself. She resorted to using her acid spit, and the man fell away with a pained scream. Dragonwing followed up with a wide arc of flame breath, scattering the frightened gladiators beneath her. "Come on!" she yelled to her allies. "I'll burn us a path!"

"Dragonwing, look out!" Chemical Kid cried out in warning, but it was too late. The thrown spear tore across her upper thigh. She screamed in pain and lost focus on her flight ring, dropping like a rock into the crowd.

Just as quickly as she'd fallen, a ring of trees grew up around her. Their thick trunks separated her from the gladiators, and their creator kneeled down by the injured teen's side. "Here," Chlorophyll Kid handed her a sopping mass of leaves, thin stringy roots stretching between his fingers as he grew the plant in the palm of his hand. "H'lvenite aloe, it'll help stop the blood flow and disinfect the wound." Dragonwing gritted her teeth and held the sticky green leaves to her leg. "Tough one, aren't you?" Chlorophyll Kid chuckled. "You'll make a ferocious Legionnaire one day."

Un-noticed until it was too late, wriggling tendrils of red hair snaked between the tree trunks around Chlorophyll Kid and Dragonwing and writhed around the two of them. Spider-Girl's prehensile hair dragged them back until each of them were ensnared against one of the trunks and unable to move. Tusker's massive arms demolished the remaining ring of trees, and he stood above the two heroes. "Remember me, kid?" He leaned over Dragonwing, close enough that she could feel his breath on her face. Gagged as well as she was bound, the fierce teenager couldn't even curse let alone use her power to protect herself.

"Leave her alone, you cowards!" Chlorophyll Kid shouted. "She's just a kid! You want to bully someone, pick on me!"

"Oh don't worry, Porky." Spider-Girl tightened her unusual restraints around him to the point that it began to hurt. "We will. But she wants to be a Legionnaire, she better learn what that means."

"Personally," a woman's voice interrupted the villains' taunts, "Over the years I've come to the conclusion that being a Legionnaire is kind of over-rated." Tusker and Spider-Girl looked to see an attractive blonde woman holding what looked to be half a gladiator's shield with bite marks along its edge.

"Who the sprock are you?" Spider-Girl asked rudely.

"Not surprised you haven't heard of me," the woman replied. She took another bite out of the shield, chewed and swallowed. "My name's Calorie Queen. Outside of Bismoll I'm not all that well-known."

"Bismoll??" Tusker and Spider-Girl looked at one another and burst into laughter. Tusker gave her a dismissive wave. "Get out of here, Matter-Eater Maid. I got some real heroes to kill." Before he could turn back to his originally intended victims, Calorie Queen charged him. She effortlessly knocked him off of his feet and landed punch after powerful punch on the stunned villain.

"And that's what happens when you underestimate your enemies," yet another opponent added as a stream of fire engulfed Spider-Girl's hair only a foot from her scalp. She screamed and released her two captives, running off to find a way to douse her burning mane. "Chlor, you two okay?" Fire Lad asked.

"We will be now," Chlorophyll Kid replied. "Thanks, buddy. How are the others?" As if in answer, lightning filled the sky and booming thunder sounded across the plaza.

In the sky above, Storm Boy and Lightning Lad hurled lightning bolts at one another in an impasse. Garth was mildly surprised that this was taking so long. The last time they'd met, Storm Boy hadn't had any particular defences against electricity. The man had a disturbing predilection for technological implants though, Garth supposed it wasn't too hard to imagine he'd simply added lightning defences to his weather-themed armory. Still, Lightning Lad wasn't particularly worried about being able to beat him. He just didn't want to misjudge the battle and permanently injure the man. Before he had to worry about it any longer, the strangest thing happened. A rainbow emerged from somewhere below the two men and arced right through Storm Boy, disappearing into the distance. It was only light and did him no harm at all, but he found himself completely unable to use his abilities. "What have you done?" he raged, looking down to find Rainbow Girl standing at the base of her creation. "What have you done to me?!"

He began to fly down at her, but Lightning Lad neatly intercepted his path and socked him in the jaw. Garth gently placed the unconscious villain at Rainbow Girl's feet. "Nice work, Dori."

"And you Legionnaires thought my power wouldn't be useful in combat," she teased.

"You'll be a useful piece of jewellery in a minute!" the villain called Golden Boy came running at Rainbow Girl, but with a single release of power, Lightning Lad sent him flying.

"Idiot," Garth shook his head. "Gold's one of the most conductive materials there is, might as well attack us with a lightning rod!"

"How about I attack you with radiation then, big shot?" Lightning Lad and Rainbow Girl both fell to their knees, paralysed by Radiation Roy's power. Porcupine Pete bravely blasted volley after volley of quills at the villain, and though some of them lodged in the seams of his crimson armor the vast majority ricocheted harmlessly. "Don't worry," Roy sneered, "I'll be with you as soon as I finish these two off."

Weak enough that he knew this would be his only shot, Lightning Lad grunted and released arcs of electricity in Radiation Roy's general direction. Paralysed as he was, he couldn't aim but he gambled that Roy's metallic armor would make up for that handicap and he was right. Radiation Roy cried out and fell over. "Two...metal...idiots..." Garth groaned before he finally joined Rainbow Girl in unconsciousness.

Nearby gladiators began to advance on the fallen heroes, but Porcupine Pete's quills were more than enough of a deterrent for the half-naked men. Antennae Lad joined his fellow Substitute Hero and used his power to play Garth and Dori's voices through his massive ears. "That's broadcast from the future," he explained. "They'll recover...I wish I could do more though! Picking up comms broadcasts from different time periods is useless in a fight, Pete!"

Porcupine Pete looked overhead where Earth-Man himself was squaring off against the sole remaining member of the Legion of Superheroes here. "In this fight I think we're all useless, Chee. We can beat his friends, but I don't know what any of us can do against him."

Above the din, Saturn Girl and Earth-Man were locked in a silent battle of wills. Normally it wouldn't be the slightest effort for Imra to overpower the weaker-willed Niedrigh. The Infinite Man's absorbed powers expanded his consciousness in ways she couldn't be prepared for though, it was taking everything she had to distract him from slaying everyone on his own. More worrying, it seemed to Imra that he was getting stronger.

I am getting stronger, you stupid cow. Imra was shocked to hear his voice inside her mind. In this close proximity, I'm starting to copy your power too. Once I've got that, I think I might just make all you aliens kill yourselves and save me the trouble.

Earth-Man's world suddenly exploded in a kaleidoscope of color. Even knowing Color Kid must be responsible, he was still dazed long enough for one of the other Subs to make their move. Moving quickly, Polecat flung himself around Earth-Man's shoulders. "You call yourself Earth-Man, you think you represent us? From one earth man to another, let me tell you the truth...your xenophobia makes me sick! So let me return the favor!" Polecat pushed his bizarre power to its limit and the tiny horns protuding from his forehead bathed them both in a cloud of pure stench. The odor was so powerful that Earth-Man's stomach cramped and he doubled over retching. It was just the opening Saturn Girl needed. She bypassed Earth-Man's mental defences and psionically froze him in place.

"We did it!" Color Kid pumped his fist into the air. "I can't believe we did it!"

"You're the one who said we thrive on being underdogs," Polecat grinned. "I guess you were right!"

"We're not home safe yet," Saturn Girl interrupted their reverie. "He's amazingly strong, he's already fighting back. Color Kid, project those strobe bursts across his eyeballs as we discussed. Chlorophyll Kid, we'll need that Hykraian--"

Imra never completed her order because with no warning whatsoever, the already crowded plaza was suddenly immersed in a rainbow flare of light and twelve more heroes appeared. Bouncing Boy, Diamond Damsel, Blok and Phantom Girl stepped out of the time cube Diamond Damsel had stolen and it vanished without them. Mon-El, Dragonmage, Infectious Lass, Invisible Kid and Nightwind hurtled through a cadre of gladiators on a Speed Force dragon before it faded away and an exhausted Dragonmage collapsed in Mon-El's arms. Brainiac 5, Supergirl and Shadow Lad came into existence with their jury-rigged time machine. Through all of this, Saturn Girl managed to maintain her focus enough to keep Earth-Man under control. It was only when Brainiac 5's overworked time machine gave a loud bang and started spewing smoke that she was startled enough for Earth-Man to take the upper hand. He'd already mimicked Polecat's power and thus gained its defence, identical nub-like horns emerging from his forehead. With a guttural roar, he flipped Polecat over his shoulder and hurled him straight into Saturn Girl. "You think you can touch my mind?!" he bellowed at her. "You think you have that right, you Titanian piece of filth?! I'll send you to the end of time!" He unleashed a blast of pure chronal energy at Saturn Girl and Polecat before either of them could recover from their painful mid-air collision.

"No!" Variable Lad till now had been fighting wave after wave of gladiators. His adaptive abilities were incredibly successful against the horde, but his own lack of confidence had prevented him from taking on any more powerful foes. Now though, he was the only one close enough to save his teacher from a fate worse than death. He had no idea if he'd survive this, but he couldn't just watch it happen. The chronal energy hit him, and Oaa Tseldor felt his power kick in to protect him as it always did. This time felt different though. He felt consumed by a terrible emptiness, an entropy that devoured him fully. He wondered where the high-pitched screaming was coming from, and realised with a dull acceptance that it was himself. Everybody watched in awe and horror as the youngest Legion Academy student grew larger even as he seemed to lose mass. His costume deepened in color, grew around him until he was cloaked in tattered purple robes and his arms swathed in bandages. Just as dramatically as it had all happened, his power switched off and he returned to his normal form pale and catatonic. Shadow Lad swooped up and grabbed him before he could fall.

"Saturn Girl?" Grev Mallor voiced the confusion everyone was feeling. "What's happening? Is that another Infinite Man?! Do we fight him or regroup?"

Imra scanned the gathered heroes. They had already taken out most of the Justice League of Earth and the gladiators were more of a time-consuming distraction than an actual threat. They could fight now, and they might win. But the heroes who had come here today had already suffered injuries, and some of the newly arrived Legionnaires didn't look that much better. Earth-Man would only need to absorb Mon-El and Supergirl's powers and they were all doomed.

"No," she answered breathlessly. Then telepathically to all the heroes gathered, We run.

Shadow Lad blanketed the plaza in darkness and as Saturn Girl had instructed, the Legion collected their fallen and scattered. Earth-Man watched them go with smug self-satisfaction. The power he'd absorbed from Saturn Girl and Polecat had already begun to fade, so he'd have to track their whereabouts using other means. He was okay with that though, it would give his team time to recover and it would give him time to reconsider his team.

With the power of the Infinite Man, he had all the time in the world...
Wow, what great timing! I'm glad to know that at least all the Legionnaires made it back at or near that point in time. Can't wait for the next installment!
TITAN
Time Institute

Charles Foster Taine looked over his reflection in the mirror. A hot shower, a new costume and some nutri-treatments had helped him feel much more human than he had for months, but he was still strangely out of place with this reality. He scratched his beard thoughtfully. He'd trimmed it from the scraggly mess it had been, but Chuck had decided to keep the beard. He wasn't quite sure why but the idea of shaving it altogether left him feeling somehow...

"Empty..?" Chuck caught Phantom Girl's reflection in the same mirror. She was perched on the edge of a table, sitting on her hands. Tinya too had been given a new costume, and her hair was tied back in two ponytails. "It feels empty here, doesn't it? Jo's not here...Luornu's not here...nobody's been able to contact Shady and even though they haven't said anything I know Mon-El and Shadow Lad want to fly straight to Talok VIII and find out why. Everyone's hurt and lost and we've come home but it doesn't really feel like home..."

Chuck sighed and met Tinya's sad stare with one of his own. "It'll get better, PG. I promise."

There came a chime at his door and Chuck gave a command to allow Lightning Lad entry. "How are you two?" Garth asked.

Phantom Girl shrugged. "Does it matter? It was nice of the Time Institute to let us use their spare dormitory space and it's nice knowing Earth-Man won't follow us here considering this is probably the place best equipped to deal with someone with the power he absorbed from the Infinite Man, but half the team is still missing and the half that are here have been through so much we're already defeated."

"That's not true," Lightning Lad responded firmly. "Some of you have undeniably been through the wringer, but it's not all bad news. Have you spoken to everyone else? Mon-El met his son, Tyroc and Superboy have taken the chance they thought they'd lost to be reunited with their parents. The Infinite Man tried to destroy the Legion but he wasn't at all successful, Phantom Girl. He's hurt some of you, but we're a team. We're a family. We'll help one another through this, we'll kick that smug xenophobic bastard out of our headquarters and we'll find everyone else we love and bring them home."

Phantom Girl looked across at Lightning Lad with tears welling in her eyes. "You really think so..?"

"I know so," Garth nodded. "I know what it's like to hit rock bottom. I fell hard once when I led this team, but I climbed back up again because I'm a Legionnaire and so will you. We all will."

Bouncing Boy gave a half-smile and patted Garth on the shoulder as he walked past him. "Never knew you could be such a good motivational speaker, Lightning Lad."

"My wife and my best friend have that covered in spades," Garth blushed. "I wouldn't want to steal their thunder, but I have my moments."

"I guess we should decide what our next course of action's going to be," Chuck continued. "I don't know when it's going to stop feeling weird to step back into being leader again, but I've got to do it sooner or later. You ready, PG?"

Phantom Girl wiped her eyes as the door to Chuck's room opened automatically for him. "Yep," she nodded stoically, "Let's -- oh."

Bouncing Boy and Lightning Lad both followed Phantom Girl gaze towards the door to find Saturn Girl, Supergirl, Duplicate Damsel and Ultra Boy standing in the corridor outside."Look who we found," Supergirl announced cheerily. "That Glorith sure comes in handy with her scrying--" She was interrupted by Ultra Boy's ecstatic whoop of joy as he pushed past the maid of might to embrace Phantom Girl.

Duplicate Damsel's hands rushed to her mouth as she looked her emaciated husband up and down. "Oh Chuck...what did he do to you...?"

"Lu..." Bouncing Boy's voice broke and he rushed to his wife. The two couples hugged, completely unaware of anyone else's presence.

Saturn Girl gave her own husband a subtle glance which he understood completely. He tactfully stepped around Chuck and Luornu and tapped Supergirl on the shoulder. Let's give them some time, he mouthed, and the three heroes walked away.

**********
GERMANY
1947

Bettina Herrmann sailed over the panicked crowd below. She was quite plump and the government agents shooting at her couldn't help but hit their target. To their frustration however, the bullets didn't even penetrate the blonde woman's black leather outfit. The criminal also known as Bouncing Betty simply seemed to glow with brighter incandescence each time one of the bullets struck or whenever she ricocheted from one surface to the next. She was less than a foot from striking the wall of a three story apartment building when impossibly long red strands of hair reached down from above and entwined themselves around her pudgy limbs, swinging her away from the wall. Betty struggled to no avail and bellowed in outrage as she was pulled up to the building's rooftop while the shocked crowd watched.

On the roof, she saw that the web of hair was attached to the scalp of an athletic young woman dressed in green and black. Spider-web patterning adorned her very revealing outfit, and it seemed that she controlled the growth and movement of her hair purely by force of will. Bettina was both astounded and furious. The spider-garbed girl spoke, but it wasn't until Bettina felt something snap onto her ear that she could understand her words.

"--I know you think you don't need anyone," the stranger explained, "With your power to absorb kinetic energy till you explode you might as well be Supergirl by the standards of this stupid era. You were supposed to help your country win the war but things don't always work out the way we want them to. Your powers are killing you and one day really soon they're gonna finish the job, Betty. You'll never be anything more than a wartime myth unless you come with me now."

Bouncing Betty stared at the girl in dumbfounded shock. "What nonsense are you talking? Who are you? Why should I come anywhere with you, you skeleton of a girl?"

Spider-Girl rolled her eyes. "Save me from these Neanderthals," she muttered under her breath, then at a more audible volume, "Fine. Let's dumb it down for you, fatty.

Come with me if you want to live."

**********
TITAN
Time Institute

The Infinite Boy stood apart from the other Legionnaires and watched them interact. Kando Vyr had known some kind of awareness of these people since he gained his powers, but panchronospatial awareness was very much a different thing to meeting them in person. He knew some of them already of course. It was strange seeing the Subs here before they'd become respected Legionnaires themselves, seeing Laurel Kent as a student. Some of these heroes were dead before his own time and this was an opportunity he knew he'd never have again. He was glad he'd come back to this era, even though it was beginning to dawn on him that he would probably never go home again.

"Uhh...Kando, right?" Colossal Boy stood before him now, jolting the star-faced boy out of his reverie. The Infinite Boy stared at the muscular hero dumbly for a moment. When he was lost in thought, Kando's awareness often drifted from the here and now. He saw Gim Allon before him in all of his incarnations, each one superimposed on the next. Gim was a child, then a Science Police cadet, then a rookie Legionnaire in his green collared shirt and golden pants. Finally Colossal Boy's current red and blue outfit solidified over all the others.

Kando shook the cobwebs from his mind. "Yes, sorry...I was years away. How can I help you, Colossal Boy?"

"I just wanted to say thanks," Gim offered his hand in friendship. "I'll be honest, it's a little weird seeing you here looking just like a younger version of the guy we're fighting. But Yera tells me she wouldn't have come back to me without you so I owe you big time."

The Infinite Boy shook Colossal Boy's hand. "Any Legionnaire would do the same," he smiled vaguely. "It's nothing." His awareness shifted now to Yera Allon watching her husband with haunted eyes. Saturn Empress hadn't been able to risk mind-wiping Yera after Yera's contact with the Leviathan of Durla, not without the possibility of permanently damaging her mind. Chameleon Girl remembered everything she'd been through in the future.

Very soon, Colossal Boy wouldn't be thanking Kando so eagerly at all...

**********
SOL ORBIT
Daedalus Research Station
2434

The golden skinned woman who'd rechristened herself Celestine hovered arms outstretched before the crumbling ring-like habitat which orbited Earth's sun. White-hot flame coursed down her arms and surrounded her head in a corona of energy, revealing the shape of a star in her gleaming bosom.

An unprecedented solar flare had ruptured the artificial structure's magnetic and physical shielding, in the process killing almost everyone on board. Only five crew members had survived, each of them mutated into powerful new forms by the cosmic radiation. There was Celestine herself, she whose starborne power was all that held their research station together now. There was Tachyon, gifted with the ability to travel backwards seconds in time and to become temporarily immaterial. Red Giant with the power to grow, and White Dwarf whose density increased as his size decreased. Finally, the one most transformed of them all, the eerily noiseless silhouette of a man they now called the Void. Each of them were powerful beyond their wildest dreams and had decided to use this power in their solar system's service as its new rulers. It seemed they were to be denied that opportunity however. Almost as soon as they'd given themselves new names to match their new forms, the damage to Daedalus had taken its toll and the habitat began to fall into the sun. Even Celestine's enormous control over magnetism and gravity could not long combat the pull of an actual star. She was forced to admit that their new lives would be over before they'd begun.

"Celestine?"

She heard radio waves bearing Red Giant's voice and responded in kind. She had no transmitter on her person, but with her mastery of the electromagnetic spectrum she herself was both transmitter and receiver. "What is it, Red Giant? I fear I'm bound to fail us as it is, I don't need further distraction."

"Could you come back on board Daedalus please?"

Celestine was aghast. "The power I'm wielding...were I to come inside I'd tear the station apart, and if I release my control, within minutes it will be drawn too far into the sun's gravitational pull for me to halt!"

"I'm aware of that," Red Giant returned in a flat tone. "You're not the only physicist here. We may have another option now though. Just come on board."

Her curiosity picqued, Celestine melted her way through the massive structure's hull. She made sure to do so far away from the others, and crushed the hull back together before decompression did too much more damage. Making her way half a kilometre through the enormous ring, she soon came upon her crewmates with one other; a man in bulky red armor which covered him from head to toe. A thin polarised slit allowed him vision, and a golden radiation symbol adorned his chest. Celestine wondered if one of the other members of the Daedalus crew had survived after all.

"I'm Radiation Roy," the stranger spoke. His Interlac was strangely accented, his words slightly clipped. "You're all destined to die here today, but I can give you a way out.

What do you say?"

**********
TITAN
Time Institute

"The Infinite Man isn't dead."

The combined forces of the Legion of Superheroes, the Legion of Substitute Heroes and the students of the Legion Academy had gathered in an auditorium to discuss their next move and they all now stared at Brainiac 5. Chemical Kid frowned. "But...Earth-Man said..."

"I don't care what Earth-Man said," Brainiac 5 huffed dismissively. "Earth-Man lied. Kirt Niedrigh is a fool, but he's not that much of a fool. He would have kept the Infinite Man alive for the same reason he kept the Legion of Superheroes alive when he captured members of our team. He needs him alive to continue utilising his power. I guarantee you the Infinite Man is alive somewhere in Legion Headquarters. We just need to find him, convince him to depart this era, and Earth-Man will be much easier to deal with."

"That does make sense," Dream Girl joined in. "Kando, you have his power. Can you find him?"

"Quite the opposite I'm afraid," the Infinite Boy shook his head. There's a blind spot around your base. I'd assumed it was due to the Infinite Man's powers in Earth-Man's possession but there's no reason it couldn't be the Infinite Man himself. The same power that makes us aware of all space and time also serves to keep us apart from it to some degree."

"It's true," Dawnstar confirmed. "My own tracking power is just as useless."

"Maybe magic?" Saturn Girl glanced across to Glorith, who instinctually hid shyly beneath her cowl.

"No," Duplicate Damsel dissented firmly. "Glorith's not ready."

"For what it's worth I agree," Lightning Lad said more softly. "Glorith, don't feel badly. You've done a great job helping us today, but you're not ready for battle. None of you kids are."

Some of the students began to argue before Gravity Kid raised a hand and spoke over them. "Lightning Lad is right, you guys. Some of us did okay in that fight, but some of us could have died. The Legion don't need to be babysitting us when their own lives are on the line."

"That's very mature, thank you Gravity Kid." Saturn Girl turned to the other sorceror in their midst. "Dragonmage? Could one of your dragonforms help?"

Though he'd been a Legionnaire for some time now, the slight boy still blushed to feel so many eyes on him. "I - I'm not sure, Saturn Girl. I could certainly try, but--"

"Once we get back to Earth, I can just tap into our security systems," Kid Computo volunteered.

"Let's face it," Wildfire spouted, "Even after we find the Infinite Man how are we meant to convince him to cooperate with us anyway? It's Brainy's fault we're in this mess, maybe he should find us a way out of it instead of lumping all this on the new kids!"

Supergirl spoke up to defend Brainiac 5, someone else spoke in Wildfire's defence, and soon the room was a cacophony of raised voices and released tensions. A horrible squeal of feedback penetrated the din and everyone suddenly heard Earth-Man himself, his voice carrying from one corner of the room.

"--Ethel, don't leave the medbay under any circumstances. We still can't get into that Coluan freak's multi-lab so we're going to have to keep Rugarth sedated there. You see any movement, anybody other than me comes through that door, you let me know immediately. You understand--"

The transmission cut off just as abruptly, leaving everybody's attention focused on its source. "I umm...I just thought it'd help..." Antennae Lad offered meekly. "I didn't think it would be so loud, sorry. I can't always control the volume when I get nervous."

"Don't apologise, Chee." Fire Lad slapped him on the back. "You did good!"

Bouncing Boy had remained silent for most of this meeting, but he stood now and spoke to the gathering. "Fire Lad's right. Thank you Antennae Lad, you reminded us that sometimes action is more important than words. We could discuss this for a Titanian day, at the end of that day though Earth-Man and his cronies would still be in our headquarters while we're all the way out here. The Time Institute has been kind enough to let us use their facilities but I think it's time we got our own back. What do you say, Legion?" Everybody raised their fists in the air and cheered. "Good," Chuck continued. "Brainy, Saturn Girl, Infinite Boy, I need to speak with you three on the way. Everybody else, get ready for the fight of our lives!" The heroes cheered again, and Bouncing Boy realised that Lightning Lad had been absolutely right.

The Infinite Man had tested some of them, but the Legion of Superheroes were far from broken.

**********
EARTH
Metropolis, Legion of Superhero Headquarters

Golden Boy led his two new recruits through what was now the headquarters of the Justice League of Earth. Both men following the metallic villain were much larger than he. "What's in this for you?" the time-displaced Maori named Black Dagger asked. The dark-skinned man was a muscled powerhouse and his signature weapons lined almost every inch of his form-fitting black outfit. "You appear out of nowhere, save me and Bow here from death by volcano and take us to this shiny future...don't get me wrong, this beats an island of creeping lava, but what does the future Justice League want with us?"

Something else else about Black Dagger had rubbed Golden Boy the wrong way since he'd first laid eyes on the man in the 22nd century. He was so rough around the edges, such a product of his time. Golden Boy found him frankly vulgar. The other one, the towering albino named Bow...he was a different story altogether. The giant archer had barely spoken two words since Golden Boy had appeared in his time. There was something incredibly unsettling about it. Why Earth-Man wanted these two men particularly was beyond him, but he'd learned the best way to serve Earth-Man was just to do as he was told. Golden Boy answered without turning around as he paused at a large entry portal. "You're about to find out."

The portal opened and the three men entered what had once been the Legion of Superheroes' Hall of Heroes. The remains of golden statues lay broken around the room having been moved aside, defaced and broken by Golden Boy's teammates. Thirty men and women filled the room now in total, facing a 16 foot tall Earth-Man. "Good," Earth-Man announced. "We're all here. You're all no doubt wondering why I've brought you here to the 31st century. For some of you this is years, maybe even centuries in your future. For some it's your past. There's one thing this time and place has in common for all of you though. It's your salvation. With my powers over time and space, I found you all facing certain death. My Justice League gave you the opportunity to cheat the reaper and to become Earth's greatest champions in the process."

"And what would you have us do?" A thick-bearded bear of a man asked, almost half his body replaced by clunky cybernetics.

"Yeah!" another voice rang out from the crowd. "What's the catch?"

"No catch," the colossal Earth-Man replied. "Any of you want to go home, say the word and I'll send you now. But I promise you, you will die and none of you will even be a footnote in the pages of history. If you want to become living legends, all you have to do is join the Justice League of Earth, kill the Legion of Superheroes and wipe every stinking alien off the face of this planet. What do you say?"

The fantastic crowd looked at one another. Some of them had friends and allies in this room already, but most were strangers. Still, all of them came to the same conclusion as the person next to them. The golden woman Celestine left a flaming trail as she flew before Earth-Man. "You have our allegiance," she announced imperiously.

Earth-Man grinned an evil grin in return.

"...Superb."

TO BE CONCLUDED!
Love your ingenious use of Antennae Lad! Proves that even those with the "weakest" powers have something to contribute!

And love how you are upping the stakes. Can't wait to see the conclusion.

Also, poor Yera and Gim. I suppose Yera is the only one who retains her memories? It must be torture for her, if she doesn't lose those memories until that fateful day she'll be knowingly leading her husband and friends into that...
Thanks! I am a big fan of the underdog powers! laugh

Part 4 should be a pretty action-packed finale! With somewhere between 70-80 characters involved I will be happy if I just remember them all to be honest hahaha wink

Will definitely be touching more on the consequences of Yera's trip to the future and what the other Legionnaires who went with her have taken from that trip....all those little trips to different times will be fuelling plots for a while yet smile
Wow! How epic can you make this story Raz? It's at fever pitch already!

Loved PG and Chucks moment together -so to speak - and Garth's rallying speech too.

Your villains are really interesting, did you create them yourself or are they obscure characters you wanted to breathe life into?

Am waiting to see if Variable Lads dramatic transformation then comatose collapse will lead to anything - or did he just overtax his inexperienced powers?

Great stuff as always Raz, I'm on tender hooks waiting for more, more, more!

Oh, meant to say very clever having the team hide out at the Time Institute too.
Unfortunately there were a few characters I didn't get a chance to follow up with due to not wanting to write 40,000 extra words and poor Variable Lad was one of them. );

We'll definitely get an update on him in the next instalment though as well as a few other characters I missed out on this time around! Glad peeps are enjoying it! smile
Peeps are loving it Raz - no worries about the VL subplot, I know what it's like trying to give everyone room in a story (and to my mind you wouldn't write 40,000 extra words you would write 40,000 magnificent words! smile ).
TITAN
Titanopolis Holistic Health Institute

Oaa Tseldor gasped a sharp intake of air. Lying on his belly as was customary for the three-armed natives of the planet Jaquaa, he lifted his head and glanced from side to side. "Saturn Girl..? Lightning Lad? Anybody? Where am I?"

"Variable Lad! You're awake!" Oaa shifted till he was upright, supported by the arm sprouting from his back. The purple boy was clothed only in his underwear and the pale blue walls were not those of his room at Legion Academy. Oaa's fellow students Gravity Kid and Lullabye Lad sat at the foot of his bed obviously happy to see him conscious again.

"This is a hospital," the young hero noted. "Are we on Medicus One? What happened after the fight?"

"After you saved Saturn Girl's life you mean?" Gravity Kid grinned. "That'll score you points for sure. We're on Titan, our teachers didn't want to risk exposing Medicus One to attack by taking us there. How are you feeling now anyway? You've been asleep nearly a whole day!"

"Oh no!" Oaa scrambled out of bed, looking for his costume. "I'm fine now, really! I don't even remember what happened to be honest...I just couldn't let Earth-Man hurt Saturn Girl and Polecat, everything's kind of a blur after that. I remember feeling really...hollow? Cold? I don't know how to explain it. Where are my clothes?"

"Relax," Lullabye Kid laughed. "We've been grounded anyway. The Legion of Superheroes are back, Variable Lad! All of them!"

"Where are they now?" Oaa asked.

Gravity Kid clasped Lullabye Lad's hand and looked at the starry sky outside the hospital window. "Right about now..? Handing those Justice League jerks their butts, I hope!"

**********
EARTH
Metropolis, Weisinger Plaza

Brainiac 5 and Saturn Girl floated safely within an impenetrable forcefield while chaos filled the plaza a hundred feet below them. Thanks to Color Kid's power the two heroes were camouflaged against the surrounding towers, effectively invisible to the casual observer as long as they stayed still. Neither of them liked having to watch the pitched battle without being able to more actively join in, but they knew they had their parts to play.

"Are you having any difficulty maintaining your influence on Earth-Man?" Brainiac 5 asked calmly.

"Not at all," Imra replied. "In fact, it's frustrating how easy this is. I don't enjoy using my power this way, but at the same time I wish I could do more." Anticipating Brainiac 5's reaction, she continued quickly. "Don't get me wrong, this was a great idea that Bouncing Boy had. Trying to control Earth-Man overtly would just alert him to my power and he'd absorb it. Subtly steering him away from considering certain plans of attack is much less risky...as long as he doesn't know I'm here he won't even think to question why he's content to let his team handle the lion's share of the battle and not just zap us all to the end of time. I'd still feel better being down there with the others though. There must be dozens of people in his Justice League and I recognise barely any of them!"

"30 including Earth-Man himself," the Coluan answered, eyes downcast. "There are 45 active participants on our side, discounting the two of us, Kid Computo, Infinite Boy and Gas Girl of course...and we have the benefit of years of experience working together for the most part. I predict our victory within 27 minutes at the most."

Saturn Girl examined her friend's expression as he continued watching the fight below them. To anyone else his cool analysis might seem devoid of emotion, but Imra knew better. For all his passionless exterior he hadn't taken his eyes off the battle once. There was one plucky blonde teenager he'd been watching in particular...

**********
Supergirl was finding out the hard way that just because Earth-Man was being swayed not to use his powers to the full, that didn't prevent him from putting up a fight. She shook the cobwebs from her head after the towering villain's backhand. His last strike had really hurt, she wondered if he was absorbing her Kryptonian strength just by being in proximity? If that was the case, maybe she should -- a tingling feeling distracted her from finishing her thought and she looked to the left to see a woman in a skin-tight black and white bodysuit with a stark white beehive hairdo. Her outfit bore some kind of white concentric ring pattern, and an ear-piercing trill accompanied her next beam of energy which struck Supergirl harmlessly. "Sonics," Kara frowned. "Seriously? A for effort, but--"

A black beam of energy now shot at the maid of might from her right-hand side. The beam shone with a bluish-violet glow which would be almost imperceptible to anyone without Kara's enhanced vision. Supergirl turned to see the first woman's twin. This one's beehive was black, the tones on her costume were reversed, and she wore a black starburst across her ample bosom rather than her sister's white rings. "You two realise you can't possibly hurt me, right?" Kara addressed the two women with a bemused expression.

"You underestimate the power of Black Light and White Noise!" the one obviously named White Noise shouted with a thick Russian accent, using both hands to fire again.

"Fall!" Black Light screeched. "Why won't you fall?"

"We can take care of these two, Supergirl!" Lightning Lad and Lightning Lass assailed the women with dual electrical bursts. "Don't waste your time on the little fish!"

"Good advice!" Kara waved as she took to the air again, leaving the Legion's twins to take care of the Justice League's twins.

"Bozhe moi!" This was from a barrel-chested cyborg with a thick beard. "Do not fear, comrades! The Cyberian will exterminate these lightning bugs!" He levelled his left arm at Garth and Ayla, a plasma cannon replacing his hand. The cannon whined to life but before he could discharge, his arm suddenly jerked upwards and he fired into the sky above.

"Not that I doubt you two could handle him," Cosmic Boy explained as his magnetism aimed the Cyberian's cannon more carefully at the airborne Storm boy, "But there are enough of these creeps, why not use them to take one another down?"

"Sneaky!" Ayla smirked. "I like it!" She dodged Black Light's sonic blast and shot the villain with her own power.

Above them, Storm Boy summoned winds to dodge Cyberian's co-opted plasma blasts. Filled with rage and embarrassment, he couldn't focus enough to craft a lightning bolt precisely enough to hit Cosmic Boy without targeting anyone else on the battlefield. Why does it matter? he reasoned. We want the Legion dead anyway, and all these new losers Earth-Man made us recruit would be dead already if we hadn't intervened. Sprock 'em. He threw his arms wide and the sky filled with black clouds while the temperature drastically dropped. Lightning filled Weisinger Plaza, most of it intercepted by Legionnaires with the appropriate powers. One bolt skated across Brainiac 5's forcefield ineffectively, illuminating Brainy and Imra for a fraction of a second though nobody noticed in the ruckus. A stray arc struck Cyberian, causing the burly Soviet relic to convulse once then fell.

"That's enough out of you, Storm Boy."

Storm Boy's heart leaped as suddenly Mon-El was hovering before him, arms folded across his chest. In desperation he unleashed a torrent of lightning against the Daxamite. The display was visually impressive, but predictably useless. Mon-El rendered the villain unconscious with a simple flick of his finger and deposited him on the steps of Science Police Headquarters miles away before flying back to join the fracas seconds later.

**********
Elsewhere in Weisinger Plaza, Comet Queen soared alongside the similarly golden woman Celestine. "Hey, you stole my gleam!" she accused the fire-haired villain. "No fair, starshine!"

"I took nothing of yours," Celestine remarked coolly. "In fact, young one, there is nothing I want from you save your life. Thus my debt to Earth-Man will be paid." Celestine gestured and a gravitic pulse sent Grava flying. Comet Queen bowled over Dragonmage, the impact knocking both heroes out.

"That's not manners," Sun Boy approached the powerhouse villain. "Let's see how you do against someone not so wet behind the ears, huh?" He fired a torrent of flame at Celestine, figuring that her own white-hot corona of fire must give her some degree of resistance to heat. Still, he didn't want to hurt her, just make her back down. After a couple of seconds he let the fiery onslaught subside and was surprised to find Celestine floating before him completely unscathed.

"It seems I do quite well," she retorted. "As should be expected from someone who is your superior in every way." She smashed Sun Boy with the same force with which she'd dispatched Comet Queen, and with similar effect. Dirk Morgna was already unconscious when Supergirl stopped him from slamming into the Legion's headquarters.

Kara lowered Sun Boy into one of the many Duplicate Damsels' waiting arms and rocketed towards Celestine. "Now you," Kara muttered through gritted teeth, "Something else else tells me you're not a little fish!" She charged into Celestine with savage force, slamming her into her enormous teammate Red Giant who was currently slugging it out with an equally huge Colossal Boy.

"Thanks Kara!" Colossal Boy shouted to the girl of steel as her struggle with Celestine took both women far above the city. While Red Giant was still woozy, Gim delivered a fierce uppercut and the titanic villain dropped.

"Colossal Boy!" Phantom Girl scolded him as she emerged through Red Giant's chest intangibly. "Watch out, you could have flattened someone!"

"Phantom Girl's right," one of the Duplicate Damsels snapped. "You have to be careful in these close quarters!" another joined in.

"You take out one of our friends," a lanky white-garbed man taunted, "I take out eight of yours!" He disappeared in a blur, reappearing only long enough to take down eight Duplicate Damsels. Phantom Girl lashed out at him and he vanished for less than a second before re-appearing in a different position. Moving faster than Tinya could imagine he grabbed her hand, the only part of her body phased into this dimension. He snapped it around, instantly breaking her wrist.

Tinya screamed in pain and dropped to her knees, too distracted by her agony to maintain her power. "How--"

"You think I'm a speedster," the villain grinned, slicking black oily hair away from his forehead. "I'm better than a speedster." He blurred again and was standing a few feet away when Colossal Boy's fist crushed the pavement where he'd been standing.

"You are certainly fast," came another voice, "But so am I." A yellow fringed boot struck out at the villain, knocking him for a loop. When he recovered, he saw Dawnstar standing protectively over Phantom Girl.

"You're not listening," he blurred once more, his own fist almost connecting with Dawnstar's jaw before she realised he was there and dodged. "I'm better than fast, I'm Tachyon. I transcend speed." He struck out again and connected this time, though Dawnstar rolled with the blow.

"Hmmm," she breathed through pursed lips. "We shall see." She made her move and both of them were gone from anybody else's field of vision to continue their fight at speeds nobody else could follow.

"Phantom Girl, look out!" Tinya heard Polar Boy's warning just in time to turn as a silent man-shaped silhouette hovered towards her. Seeing that his teammate was still too hurt to turn intangible, Polar Boy erected an ice wall between Tinya and the villain known as the Void. The Void passed straight through a foot of ice as though it weren't even there, and in his passing left an almost cartoonish passage shaped like himself.

Phantom Girl scrambled to her feet and rushed to Polar Boy's side. "He's like a human black hole!" she cried out. "What are we going to do?"

Polar Boy enclosed the villain in ice but again the Void simply passed right through. Desperate, Brek looked around them. Not far away Infectious Lass, Porcupine Pete and Fire Lad were being menaced by some Justice Leaguer shooting fire from his face. Polar Boy projected a sphere of ice around the man's head. The fire-faced man gave a muffled shout and lost his balance, falling in a heap. "Drura!" Polar Boy yelled. "We need your help over here!"

Infectious Lass ran across to them, seeing the threat instantly. "It's no good!" she cried after a second. "There's nothing biological about him at all, I can't infect him with anything! Is he even alive?"

"Maybe I can drive him away!" Porcupine Pete offered bravely. "Go on, get out of here Infectious Lass! I'll protect you!" He stood in front of Drura Sehpt and shot volley after volley of quills into the Void. Drura was horrified for him. Surely Pete must know he wasn't having any effect...she knew he was infatuated with her but she wasn't going to let him sacrifice himself for it!

"This why Substitute Legion Substitutes!" Quislet's mocking voice teased as his obnoxiously loud ship dived down from above. "Can't hurt a dimensional portal by throwing things at it! Lucky Quislet here to save the day as usual!" Ignoring everyone's shouts of protest, Quislet flew his ship straight into the Void. He vanished into the slow-moving silhouette and for a moment the Legionnaires began to think they'd seen the last of their foolhardy teammate. Then the Void stopped moving and seemed to shudder. He doubled over before shrinking into a central point inside himself and vanished altogether, but not before Quislet's microship zoomed back out none the worse for wear.

"Quislet!" Infectious Lass clapped her hands together joyfully. "What did you do?"

"Everyone forget, Quislet from another dimension," the tiny hero explained. "Quislet know how to open and close dimensional portals!" Before anyone could respond, Quislet flew in amongst the ruckus to find somewhere else to make himself known.

Bouncing Boy's spherical form abruptly zipped in front of the microship at high speed, rebounding off of Golden Boy's head and knocking the villain on his backside. "Careful!" Chuck warned as he ricocheted off of another Justice Leaguer's star-shaped shield. "Golden Boy nearly had you there, Quislet!"

"Quislet not scared of Golden Boy!" the Teallian Legionnaire retorted. "Quislet too good for his dumb power!"

"Maybe," the nearby Chlorophyll Kid reasoned, "But let's not put that theory to practice." He threw a handful of seeds at Golden Boy even as the metallic villain charged Quislet a second time. Hyperaccelerated plant growth led to thorny vines surrounding him in less than a second, and he instinctively turned his power on them. Too late, he realised he'd created his own golden prison.

As Bouncing Boy criss-crossed the plaza he saw that the Legion were finding victories, but so were Earth-Man's Justice League. Earth-Man was the deciding factor here. Even without using the Infinite Man's powers to exile the Legionnaires or to summon more reinforcements he was currently 25 feet tall with all the strength that entailed, he still had his chronal blasts and it was only his overconfidence in his stolen power that prevented him from absorbing the abilities of anyone else who came near him.

Chuck hoped that the Infinite Boy would make his move soon because ironically it was only a matter of time until their time-empowered foe gained the upper hand.

**********
Kid Computo paused outside the entrance to the Legion of Superheroes' medbay, the Infinite Boy by her side and Gas Girl a formless hazy mist above them. "I can't believe we came all this way without encountering a single Justice Leaguer," Kid Computo announced in a low voice. "Antennae Lad was right though, Eyeful Ethel's in there with the Infinite Man. He's hooked up to a machine which is letting Earth-Man absorb his powers at range but now that I'm close enough I can switch it off without us even needing to enter the room!"

"No, don't." The Infinite Boy shook his head. "As soon as he feels the connection disrupted he'll teleport down here before his stolen power fades. If he absorbs power from me and the Infinite Man, I don't want to think about how we'll stop him."

Danielle Foccart shrugged. "If you've got a better idea, I'm all for it. We're going to need to do something about his watchdog though...given the one power she's got, she's going to be impossible to surprise."

"Only if she sees an attack coming," Gas Girl countered. "Leave this to me." Though Danielle had seen some weird things in her brief time as a Legionnaire, a talking cloud of vapor certainly took the trophy. Already barely visible, Gas Girl faded from view altogether and drifted into the room. A second later Eyeful Ethel coughed once then dropped like a sack of meat. Gas Girl resumed her normal form to call the others in, but between the Infinite Boy's far-reaching perceptions and Kid Computo's rapport with computers they'd already seen Ethel drop and were on their way in.

"Good job, Gas Girl!" Danielle considered hoisting Eyeful Ethel herself but saw the many sleeping eyes which inspired her codename and quivered in revulsion. Instead she co-opted the tractor beam which was normally used to delicately move injured patients and deposited Ethel in a sens-tank. "That should keep her out of our way for now. What are we gonna do about this guy though?"

Even insensate as he was, the Infinite Man had a commanding presence. The three heroes felt as though they were in the lair of some sleeping predator. He'd obviously taken a larger stature to fight the Justice League, his 12 foot frame was resting on a bed specially designed for Tellus' bulky Hykraian form. From a metal band around his forehead, wires fed into what looked like a primitive iron lung and holoscreens kept a constantly updating tally on both the power levels of both the Infinite Man and the transference booster unit. "Poor Rugarth," the Infinite Boy lamented, peering into the placid features of his older doppelgänger. "The most powerful of all of us, and the only one who never wanted the power." He turned to the two girls. "Whether this works or not, it's going to tip Earth-Man off. You two had better leave here while you can, I can't imagine he'll take too kindly to what we're attempting down here and you both have great things in your future."

"I'm not leaving you here," Danielle placed her hands on her hips. "If this doesn't work, it's not like there's anywhere we'll be safe from him."

"Or anywhen for that matter," Gas Girl added. "The Infinite Man already sent some of us hundreds of centuries into the future and you brought us back. I don't see how Earth-Man would be any less powerful than either of you two. If you don't mind me asking though, what are you going to do? You're not going to kill him, are you?"

"On the contrary," the Infinite Boy replied. "If this works, I'm going to give Jaxon Rugarth back his life." He placed a hand on the Infinite Man's arm with surprising tenderness. To Gas Girl and Kid Computo it seemed as though the two men almost joined at the Infinite Boy's touch, their starfields meshing to form one perfect cosmic tapestry. The Infinite Boy closed his eyes and honed his focus. This would definitely cost him any chance to return home, it might even paradoxically cost the Infinite Boy a chance at life. He couldn't think of that now though. He was going to save the lives of his future friends and present allies, and the life of one of the scientific heroes of his past. That was worth any personal cost to himself. "Power over time and space doesn't belong to you," he spoke to the comatose Infinite Man. "It doesn't belong to any one of us. It belongs to infinity...so let's send it back." For a period of time nobody could define, the stuff of space itself seemed to grow beyond the bodily confines of the two men in the room. Everyone in the medbay found themselves swimming in endless dimensions of space and time, the entirety of human history less than a blink in the grand scheme of it all. Then just as quickly, they were back. Gas Girl and Kid Computo stared slack-jawed and wide-eyed at one another before turning to the Infinite Boy. Where once had stood a younger version of the Infinite Man now there was a slim teenage boy with short platinum blond hair and dark blue eyes. They fancied that they could see stars in the shadows of his body and the folds of his casual clothes, but only where they weren't directly looking.

An older man with darker blond hair and old-fashioned spectacles groaned as his eyes fluttered open. The equipment which had kept a 12 foot tall Infinite Man docile dwarfed this man who had taken his place. "Where am I..?" he asked. "You're not Rond Vidar..?"

"No I'm not," Kando Vyr smiled. "You've had a very long and very strange journey, Professor Rugarth, but it's over now.

Welcome home."

**********
Earth-Man surveyed the battle with sadistic pleasure. Since they'd realised he was copying their abilities, the most powerful Legionnaires had been avoiding active confrontation with him. He'd soon lost access to Supergirl and Ultra Boy's inhuman strength when they took on other foes, but it didn't bother him. Now that he had the abilities of the Infinite Man at his disposal, he could take the others whenever he wanted. Besides which, his team was doing fine without him. As he watched Bouncing Betty demolish one of Crystal Kid's barriers with a powerful explosion, Kirt Niedrigh congratulated himself on his vision. Recruiting metahumans on the verge of death from other eras was a stroke of genius. Knowing that Earth-Man could return them to the end of their lives with a wave of his hand, they fought harder than the Legion rejects who'd initially formed his Justice League. This would be the start of something much grander, he knew it.

At the giant-sized Earth-Man's feet, Star Boy seemed to be overloading White Dwarf's ability to increase his own density. That didn't matter either. Any of these recruits who failed him could easily be replaced. The important thing was that Earth-Man was going to win. Dream Girl stood by her partner's side, and for a moment she locked eyes with Earth-Man. She didn't look the least bit frightened. In fact, she looked downright smug. Earth-Man narrowed his gaze in suspicion. Anything her alien precognition told her, the Infinite Man's stolen power could tell him. He cast his senses into the future, then abruptly shouted in protest as he saw what Nura Nal had seen. "How?!" He fired a blast of focused chronal energy which scattered Star Boy, White Dwarf and nearly a dozen other nearby heroes and villains. He left Dream Girl untouched though. "How do any of you have the power to do this?!"

"Brainy, now!" Dream Girl shouted. The forcefield enclosing Brainiac 5 and Saturn Girl vanished, a much larger one taking its place to enclose Earth-Man and Dream Girl together.

"I'll kill you!" Earth-Man roared, advancing on Dream Girl. Before his enormous fist could reach her, he felt a lurching sensation and stumbled over. He was completely normal once again. Somehow they'd managed to steal the Infinite Man's power from him, and with this interminable forcefield between him and almost everyone else in the plaza the only powers left for him to steal were hers.

Dream Girl made a show of checking her hair for split ends. "Go ahead, mimic my power," she said in a vaguely disinterested tone of voice. "The sooner you're asleep the sooner I can get that lovely Tamaranean hairstylist to fix this hot mess. Time travel really does interfere with a girl's beauty regime, you know."

"You've made a big mistake," Earth-Man snarled as he clambered to his feet. "I don't need your powers or anybody else's to beat you to a pulp, alien. And all your friends are gonna have front row seats."

Nura stopped examining her hair and gave Earth-Man a patronising smirk while he charged her. "Oh Kirt. You're just precious." She blocked his fist and countered with a punch of her own, cracking his nose. Enraged, Earth-Man came at her again. This time she neatly side-stepped him and gave him a shove as he ran by. He rolled painfully into the forcefield holding them in.

"Give it up, Niedrigh." Bouncing Boy stood on the other side of the forcefield, his arms folded across his chest. "We're not letting you out of there conscious, but unlike you we're not savages. Let Dream Girl sedate you and she won't need to bash you into submission."

Earth-Man stood up and looked around the plaza. His whole team was defeated. All of them were either knocked out themselves, helplessly ensnared, or had surrendered. It was over. The Legion of Superheroes had won again. He pounded his fists against the forcefield in impotent fury, Chuck Taine watching with disdain only inches away. But maybe it wasn't over after all...he peered past Bouncing Boy and the other Legionnaires to the Science Police vehicles now hovering overhead and laughed almost manically. "Not this time, Legion. Not this time."

"Bouncing Boy!" Shvaughn Erin ran through the costumed people filling Weisinger Plaza breathlessly. "I'm so sorry, I told them I had to be the one to break the news!" She handed Chuck a datascroll.

"What news?" Element Lad came to join his lover, saw the anxiety in her features and then the growing darkness that fell over Bouncing Boy as he read the datascroll. "Chuck, what is it? What's happened?"

Chuck handed the datascroll to Jan so he could read it himself. "According to this, the Justice League of Earth has received a full pardon for their crimes thanks to their defeat of the Infinite Man."

Wildfire descended from above, carrying Radiation Roy's slumped form. "That's nuts!" Wildfire complained. "So what, we just let them all go free? They're a pack of xenophobic murderers!"

"That's not the worst of it," Element Lad said grimly. "They're also Earthgov's new representative superhero team."

"What does that mean?" Wildfire asked, though he was afraid he knew exactly what it meant.

"Legion, I'm so sorry!" Shvaughn blurted. "I fought against this so hard!"

"It's not your fault," Bouncing Boy sighed. "Wildfire, what it means...what it means is that effective immediately...

...the Legion of Superheroes is no longer welcome on Earth."



**********
WOOH! Last chapter! This would be a double-sized conclusion for sure if it was a comic! I would have liked to include a bit for every hero/villain but I think it would have needed a whole extra chapter just for the fight scenes! Someone asked me if Earth-Man's recruits were actual DC characters or homemade, they are all homemade (bar one who we didn't get to see mentioned yet, but we have definitely not seen the last of the JLE so she'll no doubt pop up sooner or later).

So the Legion are home, but they are in a jam still...next up: we see what happens when everyone gets a chance to breathe, and start dealing with some of the angst the Legion have picked up in recent adventures!
Brilliant use of Imra's telepathy and Brainy with his forcefield, raz! The way you explained it was similarly brilliant!

I love how you gave the Infinite Man back his "life" as part of it. What does this mean for Infinite Boy though?

I see a flight ring in Gas Girl's future!

Loved the parts for Bouncing Boy, Kid Computo and Dream Girl too. Kudos to you for not forgetting how fast Dawnstar is as well.

Some of your homdemade villains are very interesting...

and whoa, where the heck did that Earthgov order come from?

More, more, more!
Thanks IB! We are gonna find out the Infinite Boy's fate sooner rather than later (I just realised you two have the same initials! Ha!)...and we'll find out what's going on with Earthgov soon enough too! Some hopefully interesting developments coming up for the Legion as a whole and individually over the next few instalments, as well as their supporting cast!
Yeah, I'm loving your continued use of supporting characters like the Academy Students, Subs, Calorie Queen and Shvaughn Erin.

Heh, maybe Invisible Brainiac and Infinite Boy should meet up someday... Nah...
Raz as always i'm loving everything your doing. i wish you were writing the series since LO3W. You've done a great job bringing things full circle.

i can't wait to see whose really behind Earthgrov's decision.

and I agree with IB, that Gas Lass has a flight ring in her future. Has there ever been a Legionnaire from Lallor before?? if not i think she should be the first!

Chameleon Girl's story was heart breaking!

Im glade Supergirl stayed with the team!

wow that Blok, Diamond Damsel, Tinya and Chuck ended up on Dryad. I love seeing how you tie things back to things we've seen before. I do wonder what DD, gave Khor though...

Seeing Saturn Girl and Lighting Lad come to the rescue with the subs and acedmey students was awesome.

Keep going or as everyone else has said MORE! More! More!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 2 MARCH* - 03/07/14 07:05 AM
HMM GAS GIRL SEEMS POPULAR....maybe she will be Lallor's first Legionnaire after all! Guess we'll find out when the roster settles over the next few instalments... wink

I think the Legion's support cast is one of the best things about them! It's fun being able to give the Subs or the students some spotlight every now and then! Speaking of which, Shvaughn is about to find herself in an awkward but interesting position...

Thanks as usual for the comments, glad people did it! smile
Posted By: razsolo Lull - 03/09/14 01:16 PM
MARS
Husband Hill, Inorganic Molecular Gastronomy Research Centre (defunct)

Chameleon Boy, Duplicate Damsel and Matter-Eater Lad wandered through dusty corridors, past rooms full of aged equipment and dilapidated computer consoles. "Well?" Matter-Eater Lad asked. "What do you think? It's a fixer-upper, and a lot of the equipment was old when we were kids, but the infrastructure's all sound."

"Tenzil, how did you even find this place?" Luornu asked.

"There's gotta be some benefit to being drafted into the senate, right?" He lowered his sunglasses and winked at her. "When Earth handed us our eviction notice I made some calls and it turns out this facility's been sitting around waiting for new tenants for years. Bismoll stopped funneling so many credits into food R&D when Tubby Arbux lost his presidency way back in the day. We still own the property, we just haven't done anything with it for nearly a decade! There are installations like this halfway across the UP, good ol' Tubby always let his phosphor tooth make his decisions for him...bless that crazy fat man."

"I still can't believe this whole facility was used just for food research!" Chameleon Boy shook his head. "I mean seven levels, multiple reinforced labs and workshops...it's a little excessive!"

"Bismollian food research," Tenzil corrected him. "Really good Bismollian food techs can find their way around any lab you throw them in...and you'd be surprised how many credits we save on not having to have entire industries devoted to making sure we don't starve to death. All the money your worlds spend just on necessary food staples, we can afford to put into finding out exactly what point of radioactive decay makes for the best uranium pie."

"Durla never spent anything to help us survive," Cham replied, "But I see your point. What do you think, Luornu?"

"We could triple the team's size and there would be enough room for all of us, Brainiac 5 will complain endlessly about the antiquated facilities while secretly relishing the opportunity to improve everything, there's excellent potential for training areas, we're closer to Science Police Headquarters here than on Earth...I hope Chuck can talk Earthgov around, but this is definitely a viable option if he can't."

"Good," Chameleon Boy grinned.

"Because I bought the place thirty minutes ago."

**********
COLU
Locus 276.1961

Brainiac 5 frowned as he examined Kando Vyr's readings, while the once and future Infinite Boy lay unmoving on a hard plasteel bench in Brainiac's rarely used homeworld multilab. Behind them, Dream Girl stood in her lover's embrace. "What's the verdict, Brainy?" Dream Girl asked. "And did we really have to come all the way to Colu for this? No offence but your world is so sterile!" She screwed up her nose in distaste.

"That was all me," Kando replied while remaining as still as possible. "Sorry Dream Girl. It's best for everyone if I steer well clear of the Time Institute while I don't have the Infinite Boy's face to hide behind, and until Brainiac 5 moves his equipment out of your headquarters, Colu is the next best option for the kind of detailed analysis I need."

"Why can't you go to the Time Institute?" Star Boy asked before answering his own question. "Wait, don't tell me...sensitive information that would jeopardise the timeline, right?"

Dream Girl clucked impatiently and folded her arms. "Kando Vyr, for a Naltorian you're awfully guarded about the future!"

Kando did a double-take, much to the annoyance of Brainiac 5 who had to quickly recalibrate his instruments. "How did you know I'm from Naltor?" the young teen exclaimed.

"Oh please," Nura rolled her eyes. "I'm not just a devastatingly beautiful face, you know. I saw your initial bioscans, I'd recognise Naltorian alpha wave activity anywhere."

"I much preferred it when my lab work bored the rest of the Legion enough that you all left me alone to it," Brainy grumbled. "If we're finished with idle gossip however, I have some results." He swiped a few controls and walked around his console to join the others. "You may get up now, Mr Vyr. It seems that in releasing the Infinite Man's power back where it came from, you restored Jaxton Rugarth to utter normalcy. It's almost as though he never were the Infinite Man. He holds no extranormal energies within himself at all, and no recollection of any time passed since that fateful day Rond's experiment changed him. We all saw the immediate effect this had on Earth-Man. While I obviously haven't been able to analyse him to confirm this, to put it in simple terms it seems Earth-Man's powers subscribe to the idea that Rugarth was never the Infinite Man as well. You on the other hand...I don't know if it's because you were the catalyst or if you're somehow tethered to the future you came from, or if it was even a subconscious desire on your own part to retain your powers but whatever the explanation, you do still possess some of the energies that once made you the Infinite Boy."

"That explains why I keep seeing stars when I look at you out the corner of my eye," Star Boy noted. "I thought I was going to have to see Dr Gym'll!"

"I can't travel through time though," Kando objected, "I've tried! And my perception's no more enhanced than any other Naltorian!"

Brainiac 5 touched his chin while he mulled it over. "Still, you undeniably possess a lesser amount of the same energies, my equipment doesn't lie...let's try something more empirical." He walked across the room and opened a drawer full of mechanical instruments then flung one at Kando, barely missing the boy.

"Hey!" Kando threw his arms up in defence as a wrench came flying at him next. "What are you doing?"

Star Boy and Dream Girl watched bemused as Kando crouched behind the examination bench while Brainiac threw one thing after another. They sobered quickly when their resident super-genius produced a laser welder and fired it, burning through the bench quickly. "Uh Brainy...you don't think you're taking this a little far?" Star Boy cautioned.

They could all smell the plasteel burning as the intense beam came closer to its target. Kando yelled at Brainiac to stop again and again, each time more urgent than the last. Finally, for a split second he seemed to be overcome with the visage of the Infinite Boy once more and in a burst of light a high-tech knight appeared out of nowhere, sliced Brainiac 5's makeshift weapon in half with a photon sword, and held the tip of the blazing hot sword an inch from the Coluan's throat.

"There we go," Brainiac smiled. "That wasn't so difficult, was it?"

**********
EARTH
Metropolis, Weisinger Plaza

An even dozen Legionnaires sat at an outdoor balcony bar overlooking Weisinger Plaza while Computo oversaw the removal of their personal belongings from the building that until the past week had been their headquarters. Normally these men and women were instantly recognisable as Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy, Night Girl, Phantom Girl, Ultra Boy, Polar Boy, Sun Boy, Invisible Kid, Kid Computo, Lightning Lass and Shrinking Violet but in civilian garb they were no more conspicuous than any other group of workmates sharing a late afternoon lunch. The only non-Legionnaire at the table was Taryn Loy, the part-time heroine Calorie Queen.

"Look at those jerks!" Ayla sneered, looking down upon members of Earth-Man's Justice League watching the removal droids. "They're lapping this up!"

"I don't even want to think about how much of our stuff they've stolen or trashed," Danielle Foccart sighed glumly. "At least they haven't touched any of the dangerous items we had in storage, but after hacking in and checking out my own quarters I was too depressed to want to know any more. I got Computo to compile a full inventory and sent it to Brainiac."

"It is a shame none of our other friends could be here today," Danielle's older brother Jacques added. "This may be our last chance to be together on my homeworld."

"Mon-El's gone to Talok VIII to check on Shady," Jo volunteered, "We still haven't heard from her since we got back. I asked Colossal Boy to come but I think he wanted to say goodbye to his folks and he said Yera's been really weird since she returned too. I guess all of us have got some stuff to deal with." He squeezed Tinya's hand as he spoke, obvious concern in his expression. A million miles away, she flinched at the contact and gave him a weary half-smile.

"Some of us got off lucky," Dirk Morgna spoke to the group at large but made eye contact with Brek Bannin more than the others. "We only remember really broad strokes of our adventure with the future Legion. Their telepath Saturn Empress had to wipe our memories before she sent us home, like we used to do with Kal and Kara. Maybe Chameleon Girl just needs time to adjust, she's not as experienced as the rest of us."

"Is there room at the table for two more?" a new voice asked. The heroes turned to see Jan Arrah, the Legionnaire otherwise known as Element lad, along with his girlfriend Shvaughn Erin.

"Here, we'll move over!" Taryn offered, shuffling along the bench closer to her girlfriend Shrinking Violet. Vi awkwardly followed suit, along with the other Legionnaires on their side of the table.

"Don't worry," Shvaughn held up her hands in a gesture of peace, "I'm not here to spy on anyone. I think this whole situation is disgusting. The Legion of Superheroes have saved Earth more times than I can count."

"Why would you be spying on us?" Sun Boy laughed. "You're our liaison officer!"

"Grife." Shvaughn slapped her forehead. "You haven't heard yet." She looked at her lover for help.

Jan clasped his hand in hers and gave a gentle squeeze. "Shvaughn's not our liaison anymore," he explained to the table. "With Earth-Man's Justice League taking our place in Earthgov's good graces, the Science Police have reassigned her to fulfill the same role with them."

The table exploded with chatter, and Vi took the opportunity to stand up. "Sorry everyone," she excused herself weakly, "I-I just remembered I've got something to do. I need to go." She gave Calorie Queen a peck on the cheek and left before anyone could react.

"I'm sorry," Shvaughn was flushed with embarrassment. "I really should have dropped that bomb easier on you all. Should I go after her?"

"Shvaughn, no." Ayla reached across the table to touch her shoulder. "Trust me, it's not you. It's just..." She remembered Jo's words earlier. "...Some of us have got some stuff to deal with."

I'm sure you do, Calorie Queen thought, noticing the way Ayla couldn't quite look Jan in the eye. But only two of you got so uncomfortable when he came to the table. "Salu might be a great Legionnaire," the blonde Bismollian announced as she dabbed at her lips with a napkin. "But she's a terrible liar. I'm going to go make sure she's okay. Thanks for lunch everybody, I wish it could have been under better circumstances." Then she left the Legionnaires to watch their history dismantled before their eyes.

**********
EARTH
Earthgov Council Chambers

Bouncing Boy stood before 12 representatives of Earth's leaders. There were men and women of many ages and racial backgrounds sitting at elevated podiums above him, all of them looking down upon him with the same expression of derision and condescension. "It has not escaped this council's attention," President Luthnor addressed the lone superhero, "That it took such drastic action to obtain a meeting with you, Mr Taine."

Chuck was visibly dumbfounded. "With all due respect Mr President...are you kidding me? Since Duplicate Boy's death I haven't had a chance to rest! The Legion hadn't even reconvened before the Infinite Man trapped us all in different eras!"

"Let's talk about that, shall we?" one of the other councillors interrogated him. "According to the Dominion, the Legion of Superheroes were inexorably linked to the tragic destruction of their homeworld. Is this correct?"

"What? No!" Chuck glared at the woman, forcing himself to keep his calm. "The Legion were there, certainly! Only because we were assisting the Heroes of Lallor when the Dominators kidnapped two of their group! It was Duplicate Boy who blew up Elia, the Legion have a strict code against killing...you know we'd never have destroyed the Dominators' homeworld ourselves!"

"Yet, you were there. You didn't prevent Duplicate Boy from committing genocide, and our sources tell us that one of those same Heroes of Lallor has associated herself quite closely with your team since."

"You do realise," Chuck asked, his voice trembling with emotion, "That Duplicate Boy sacrificed himself to save the United Planets from the Dominion's bioweaponry? The UP themselves have cleared us of any criminal charges related to that case, why is this an issue for Earthgov?"

"Perhaps if it were an isolated incident it would not be," an elderly pale-skinned councillor continued the verbal attack. "But it seems your Legion of Superheroes have a habit of bringing this kind of chaos upon yourselves. It was one of your own team who reconstituted the Infinite Man, correct?"

"Brainy--"

"And it was your team who subsequently caused millions of credits worth of damage in a spiteful assault on Kirt Niedrigh after his team had cleaned up the mess you created?"

"What?!" Chuck was growing visibly flustered. "Mr President, please!" He ignored the rest of the council and faced President Luthnor directly. "Earth-Man is a xenophobic psychopath! Please, listen to reason! If you won't let the Legion operate on Earth, that's one thing...but don't replace us with him! You don't know the mistake you're making! For God's sake, the man jeopardised the timestream just to shore up his own team's ranks!"

"How is Supergirl finding our time?" the female councillor who'd addressed Chuck earlier asked with saccharine sweetness. Bouncing Boy fumed, his red flushed face bowed in quiet frustration.

"The council sees your point," an older woman continued, "But thanks to your own team's attack on Earth-Man and his allies, he's not going to be able to do that again, is he? And we can hardly fault Mr Niedrigh for allowing his patriotism for this planet to perhaps overcome his common sense this one time. At least we know his group will all be loyal to Earth's interests before those of other worlds."

Bouncing Boy stared open-mouthed as the truth dawned on him. "This whole thing...this has nothing to do with any lack of trust in the Legion, this is all just thinly veiled xenophobia! We wouldn't be having this discussion if the Legion were all Earthborn, would we?"

"That's enough, Mr Taine," the President said firmly. "The United Planets may be willing to overlook the recent indiscretions of your group, Earth most certainly is not. The Legion of Superheroes is no longer welcome on this planet. Yourself and the other Earth natives in your group are welcome to apply for membership in the Justice League of Earth, or to give up your careers as adventurers and live on Earth as civilians. Furthermore--"

Bouncing Boy's flight ring beeped and he held up a finger to interrupt the President. "Bouncing Boy here," he said, ignoring the scandalised mutterings of the council. "What's up?" As important as this meeting was, Chuck knew the Legion wouldn't call him if it wasn't literally a life or death situation.

"Bouncing Boy." It was Mon-El, but he sounded more haggard than Chuck had ever heard from him. "It...it's Talok, I'm at an outpost--" His voice faded to a whisper and static filled the line.

"Mon, what is it?" Bouncing Boy asked urgently. "Is Shadow Lass okay?"

"You haven't heard the news?" Mon-El's normally strong voice quivered. "Chuck, Shady's gone...Talok's gone. The whole solar system, Chuck...

...He's killed the whole Talok system."

NEXT: Whatever Happened To Tasmia Mallor?
Posted By: razsolo Whatever Happened to Tasmia Mallor? - 03/20/14 09:23 AM
TALOK VIII
2.5K outside Curster Satellite Encampment
Tasmia Mallor looked out over the trail of hoverpads carrying her tribesmen single-file back to their city with fresh supplies. From her hilltop vantage point she could see for miles around. The Talokkian landscape was arid, dry and hot, but it was also relatively unmolested compared to many of the other worlds she'd visited. She felt a surge of pride that her people had come this far without compromising their harmony with nature any more than necessary.

Tasmia missed her lover and she missed the excitement of life in the Legion of Superheroes, but it was nice to be back on the planet of her birth too. Still...she wished Mon-El could come visit more often, and she couldn't deny that a full vibrobath treatment would be lovely occasionally. Talok VIII might well be her home, but it was very low on comforts. She chuckled to wonder what Dream Girl would think of living on a world whose natives ate only what they could catch or grow, and whose idea of luxury was a dip in a natural spring. Suddenly she saw movement out the corner of her eye and lazy meanderings took a backseat to her keen warrior senses. She stared intently for a long couple of seconds, careful not to reflect this in her body language. Some ways behind the supplies train, there seemed to be something in the sand. It was far too small a disturbance to be an ambush by the Hill People but she wondered if one of her world's many native predators had become brave or hungry enough to risk a daylight attack.

Gathering her midnight black cape about her, the heroine famed galaxy wide as Shadow Lass began her deliberate descent down to where the sand was being kicked up. Under the blazing afternoon sun, others might think that a woman whose only power was control over darkness would find herself at a disadvantage if she wanted to remain unseen. The dunes and even the few clouds in the sky cast shade enough for her to amplify however, and she continued her hunt.

Shadow Lass was 150 feet from her prey when she realised there was something more sinister afoot. She could see the shuffling trail her quarry left in the sands, but the person responsible was completely invisible. Let's see if we can tip your hand, she plotted silently.

Ensuring that she was still hidden from the unseen entity by a plane of shadow Tasmia caught the sunlight on her golden bracer and signalled the food train, knowing they'd have a lookout on their tail end. Using code that was as old as the Mallor bloodline itself, her message was clear. Get to safety without delay. Your Shadow Champion commands it.

The hovering flatbed train picked up speed, and Shadow Lass leapt into action. She drowned the whole area in darkness, hiding herself and the people under her protection, and removing any hope of escape for her prey. "Identify yourself!" Shadow Lass barked with authority that might shock some of her Legionnaire teammates. "You face the Shadow Champion of Talok VIII!"

"I know exactly who you are," a woman's husky voice retorted. It took Shadow Lass a moment to place the voice; Invisible Queen, one of the so-called Forgotten Four. She'd fought them alongside Mon-El recently on Talok III. Working alongside her teammates Brainmass, Skorpiorr and Red Son, Invisible Queen had been a moderate challenge for the two Legionnaires. If the four of them were here now, Tasmia knew she'd really have her work cut out for her. Though Invisible Queen's radar eyes rendered Tasmia's shadows useless, darkness might be the only defence she had against the more powerful members of the Forgotten Four. She expanded her field to cover twice the area, trusting that the lightless dome would also alert anybody in the wider area to steer clear of here and avoid unnecessary danger.

"And I remember you," Shadow Lass returned while she quickly scoured the surrounds for any sign of the woman's teammates. "Shouldn't you be undergoing rehabilitation on Talok III, Invisible Queen?"

A mocking laugh rang out in the cool oblivion. "They thought they could nullify my power but they don't know what true power is. It was child's play for me to walk out of that joyless cage the instant I felt like it."

"You escaped jail and the first thing you thought of was finding me? I don't know whether I should be flattered or pity you for your small-minded pettiness." Shadow Lass was beginning to feel that there was something more at work here. When she'd faced these people last time, they'd been consumed with misguided revenge on their homeworld and they'd viewed their abilities as a curse. There was something subtly different in Invisible Queen's tone of voice now. Tasmia couldn't quite put her finger on what that was, but it made her very uneasy.

"I am not here to fight, Shadow Champion." Invisible Queen relaxed her power and became very much visible. "I have come to beg asylum. Alone." Shadow Lass was taken aback at the woman's words. She was definitely alone, Tasmia was sure of that much. Tasmia's darkness fields might be impenetrable to anybody else, but they were no barrier to herself. If the rest of the Forgotten Four were within hundreds of feet of them, she'd know it.

Invisible Queen looked almost exactly as Shadow Lass remembered her. She wore the same white bodysuit, white frayed wraps trailing from her arms. Her waist-length cape was similarly frayed, and singed at the edges. Invisible Queen's platinum blonde hair had grown slightly longer during her time in captivity, and wisps of it now flicked about her face from beneath the white hood she'd drawn over her head. Again though, there were subtle changes which Shadow Lass found off-putting for reasons she couldn't define. Natives of Talok III had a darker blue pigmentation than their neighbours on Tasmia's homeworld, but Invisible Queen's skin was unmistakably lighter now. She could pass for one of Tasmia's own people if it were only her skin tone which were different. The more dramatic change came in her facial features though. Her cheekbones seemed more pronounced, her lips thinner. Her overall expression was one of imposing severity, and her eyes...her stark white radar eyes made Tasmia shudder to gaze upon them. Shadow Lass flinched and quickly glanced aside.

"Go ahead," Shadow Lass decreed coldly. "I'm listening."

**********
TALOK III
Maximum Security Rehabilitation Complex

It never ceased to awe Shadow Lass how different the civilisations in her own solar system were from one another. Her own homeworld Talok VIII was relatively primitive compared to the rest of the United Planets and still had very distinct and separate global cultures. Internal tensions were a fact of life on Talok VIII and while there hadn't been a serious war there for many many years, the threat was realistically never that far away. Each of the tribes of Talok VIII was fiercely independent and guarded its traditions and way of life with great vigour. She knew offworlders saw this as a failing, that many people thought it was a sign of an immature world. Shadow Lass could see the reasoning behind that line of thinking. She knew her world's medical and scientific advances fell far behind the planetary average, and she wasn't blind to the fact that some of her people's practices were downright savage. Quietly though, she preferred it to the passionless homogeny of so many other worlds.

Talok III was a perfect case in point. Like its neighbour, Talok III bore many individual tribes. It had been thousands of years since that had meant anything though. All cultural quirks and customs had long since been phased out to enable the large globe's population to live peacefully side by side. Tasmia found this world terribly boring, scientifically advanced though it might be. Even its criminals were dull. As a Legionnaire, Shadow Lass had met the most evil villains the galaxy could offer. The snarling posturing men and women whose cells she passed as she walked through one of the few jails on Talok III's surface were nothing compared to Mordru or the Emerald Empress.

Her robotic companion soon led her to an opaque crystalline wall which turned transparent when the security droid emitted a controlled electrical charge. Behind the wall was the man Shadow Lass had come to see. His pinkish-grey flesh glistening in the artificial light of the jail, Brainmass scowled at Shadow Lass balefully. "You've come to tell me what I already know," he uttered darkly. "And to discover what answers you may for yourself at the same time. Well. This prodigious intellect is at your disposal, Shadow Champion."

Tasmia felt a prickling sensation dance across her scalp and returned a disapproving frown of her own. "You're in my mind?" she asked. "You couldn't do that last time we met."

Brainmass laughed, but the sound was devoid of joy. "We four have become so much more than we were. Had become. Poor Skorpiorr was the first to fall, but I know that the Red Son will come for me next. Why not? Here I am a sitting target with Invisible Queen already free."

"I can help you," Shadow Lass stood before the villain with her arms folded beneath her cape. "But you need to tell me what's going on, Brainmass. Invisible Queen told me Red Son killed Skorpiorr and that he'll come for the rest of you. Why?"

Brainmass laughed again and this time he did seem genuinely entertained. "You can't help me," he countered her. "What we are becoming is so much more than you can ever aspire to be, Tasmia Mallor. If I cannot kill the Red Son myself, your aid will make no difference. I will tell you anyway though, because it amuses me to do so." He shambled towards the crystalline wall separating the two until he was standing barely two feet away from her. Shadow Lass didn't know if it was her imagination, but he seemed somehow more inhuman than he had been when last they'd met. It was the same sensation she'd noticed with Invisible Queen. The tone of his flesh was slightly more grey, his beady eyes seemed to hold less humanity. "You think that we Forgotten Four were hapless explorers empowered in a strange dimension. This is only a partial truth. Ages ago, we four walked the worlds of this system as divine rulers of all we surveyed. The ancestors you revere were enslaved to us, sacrificed one another to our glory, fulfilled our every whim."

"What are you saying?" Shadow Lass scoffed. "I know who you are, Brainmass. I know who all of you are. You're Raed Ricahh, you and your team volunteered for an excursion into extradimensional space and you returned transformed. There's nothing divine about any of you."

"Raed Ricahh did journey into extradimensional space, Tasmia Mallor. He found there an intelligence as old as this world itself. He found Yehoya the Thinker."

Shadow Lass blinked in disbelief. "You...you've gone crazy. You're trying to tell me you met one of the ancient gods of Talok III? And I suppose he was responsible for your transformations?"

"Raed Ricahh did not meet the Thinker," Brainmass continued unfazed, "Raed Ricahh found me. It was a religious epiphany for the lost man. I came upon him with all the power of my own presence, and I have grown within him since. Each day that passes increases my hold over my host until soon Yehoya will be all that is left."

Shadow Lass forced herself to gaze deep into his gleaming round eyes. He was completely sincere, and as much as she knew his story was ludicrous something in her couldn't help but believe it. Before she could question him, Brainmass spun with greater speed than she'd have expected from a man who resembled a humanoid configuration of cerebral tissue.

Their world exploded in brilliance and fury, and Shadow Lass and Brainmass both cried out as they were engulfed in an onslaught of flame. The blazing assault left the cell and the security droid glittering ashes, Shadow Lass and Brainmass laying hurt and singed on the floor together. Shadow Lass raised her head to lay eyes upon their assailant. Where the cell's far wall had been moments ago, Red Son now floated. The man-shaped red fire advanced closer, hateful golden flickers where his eyes should be. Tasmia was sore and her costume burned through in places, but she'd survived an inferno which had decimated the strongest crystal grown in this system. "Brainmass..." she realised. "Your telekinesis...saved us..?"

"Saved you to watch me destroy the Red Son," he answered with sick pride as the prison's alarms screamed around them. "I sensed his arrival and now that he has lost the element of surprise he dies at my grip." Shadow Lass saw Red Son shudder as though held in an invisible fist; Brainmass's telekinesis at work again.

"I do not need the element of surprise to kill you, Yehoya." Red Son's fire grew more intense. "It seems you have forgotten your place in our eternal hierarchy. It seems you have forgotten who I am." Without physically moving, Red Son blasted a massive stream of fire at his teammate. Hoping she could absorb some of its radiance to protect Brainmass, Shadow Lass threw a wall of shadow between the two villains. It made little difference however, and Brainmass screamed in agony as his own power similarly failed. A second later, the charred mass of his corpse was all that remained of the Forgotten Four's one-time leader.

The smell made Shadow Lass retch and she covered her nose and mouth with her cape. "Ancestors!" she exclaimed. "Why?? You're killing your friends one by one! In my ancestors' name, why?!"

"Yehoya the Thinker is no friend of the Red Son," the flaming man answered imperiously. "None of the Forgotten Gods are, and all of them are below me."

"I don't understand!" She drenched the room in the darkest shadow she could summon. It cooled the temperature somewhat and dimmed the overpowering light, but Red Son was still a burning ember in the midst of the blackness. "None of you are gods! You've killed Skorpiorr and you've killed Brainmass, I won't let you murder the last of your team, Red Son! I don't know what's driving you to do this, but I swear on Lydea Mallor's grave that I will stop you!"

"You will not stop me. Not in this or any other matter." He raised a hand almost casually and fired a blast of pure heat at Tasmia.

Her flight ring saved her, but she knew she had to find a way to stop him. In the wreckage of the prison, she found a foot-long shard of crystal. The crystal was no defence against him normally, but maybe with her power dampening his...Shadow Lass made her decision. She clutched it tightly and advanced silently upon him, then with both hands stabbed him in the abdomen. Red Son bellowed, and flared up bright enough to shatter her shadow. Her makeshift weapon pulverised and her hands badly burnt, Shadow Lass fell to the floor at his feet.

"You are indeed resourceful, Shadow Champion, as have all your vaunted ancestors been." He was burning so bright now that the light was causing her physical pain.

Shadow Lass cowered away from him, tears streaming down her face involuntarily as she held her useless hands before her. "What are you people?" she demanded. "How are you powerful enough to do this? Sun Boy himself couldn't penetrate my darkness if I willed it!"

"Ah, but Sun Boy is not the sun now, is he?" Red Son reached down and picked her up by her throat. He'd lowered the temperature of the flames around his hand, but the pain was still brutal. "And the sun always rises, Shadow Champion." He flung her aside as though she were a rag doll, and Tasmia wailed as she landed among the shattered remains of the crystalline room. Additional security droids had finally arrived, and Red Son turned his attention now from Shadow Lass to lazily slag them all.

Shadow Lass was almost lost in panic and excruciating pain. She was burned, beaten and bloody. Her flight ring was a deformed golden mass fused to her fingers, completely useless. She couldn't fly away, she couldn't touch him physically, she couldn't overpower his light to hide. She was going to end up like Brainmass, another corpse at Red Son's feet, and she didn't even know why.

No.

Shadow Lass clenched her teeth and focused through her tears. With supreme effort, she stood and faced Red Son down while he finished off the last of the droids. "I am Tasmia Mallor," she rasped, every word a symphony of pain. "I am the Shadow Champion of Talok VIII and a Legionnaire. Ancestors give me strength, I will not fall like some frightened animal before you, Red Son." She screamed with the effort of it, but summoned a spear of pure oblivion that stabbed into Red Son's gut.

He grunted, staggering back a few inches before marshalling his reserves and tearing the spear to shreds with a return blast of fire from his outstretched hands. The fire encompassed her and Tasmia had never felt such pain in her life as heard her own flesh crackling. She collapsed and immediately went into shock. Shivering uncontrollably, a thin whine escaped her lips and she breathed in short sharp bursts as she looked helplessly upon him.

"Don't feel too badly," the flaming man condescended while her vision blurred. "I'm impressed. You did manage to hurt me, you know. It's more than many of your ancestors managed. But while you may be the Shadow Champion of Talok VIII, I am Talok. I am Talok the Red Son. And the sun always rises." He stepped away from her and flew straight up, leaving a flaming wake behind him that slowly faded into nothing. Tasmia's breathing slowed, and seconds later the pain was blissfully gone. Her taut features finally relaxing, she closed her eyes and lay still.

So it was that Tasmia Mallor was no longer conscious when Talok the Red Son blazed a trail through the atmosphere of this world which bore his name. She lay unmoving while he tore through the void of space toward the golden star which lay at the centre of all life in this system. And when Talok the Red Son flew into that star and a scarlet light expanded to turn all matter within billions of miles to cosmic ash, Tasmia Mallor was no longer in a position to care.
OMG Raz that was Epic! Shadow Lass is a fighter till the end. I don't remember these forgotten four though....was that something covered in the actual series or yours?

You wiped out an entire system and you still did it better than half of the planet destructions i've read about.
Originally Posted by Omni
I don't remember these forgotten four though....

That's why they're called the Forgotten Four... wink

They are home-made, I didn't realise how long ago I'd used them though till I just checked it out so I'm not surprised they haven't been remembered! This is their first and only other appearance where things went much differently for Ms Mallor: http://postlo3w.livejournal.com/16745.html If you haven't read it though, all you really need to know is that they're four minor bad guys who were a riff on the Fantastic Four when Shady fought them last.

I was a bit unsure about destroying the Talok system so soon after destroying the Dominion homeworld because I hate when writers use large-scale death & destruction instead of telling a good story so thanks for your last comment, I am glad it worked! smile
Two thumbs up for portraying Shady as the warrior she is. IMO, this was something lacking from her during v2 and v3, and is a nice homage to her original Adventure Era appearance. I'm quite curious as to what will happen next, and as to what role Invisible Queen will play.
Posted By: razsolo House of the Rising Son - 04/02/14 07:27 AM
EARTH
Metropolis

"Salu, wait up!"

The Imskian woman better known as Shrinking Violet stopped in her tracks. It had been years since most people had used her birth name, after all this time it almost felt strange to hear it. She turned to see an attractive blonde Bismollian pushing through the crowded street towards her. "Sorry Taryn!" Vi apologised. "I would have waited for you if I'd realised you wanted to leave with me!"

"We are dating," the part-time heroine Calorie Queen teased. "I'd rather spend time with you than your friends, silly. Mainly I just wanted to make sure you're okay though."

"Why wouldn't I be?" Vi forced a smirk. "I'm fine!"

"I'm not stupid, Salu." The athletic blonde frowned. "I saw the way you and Lightning Lass both reacted when Element Lad and his girlfriend arrived at lunch. Neither of you looked at all comfortable, do you want to talk about it?"

Vi's shoulders slumped. "Not here. I just...I've done something really terrible, Taryn. I need to tell Element Lad but I don't know how he'll ever forgive me."

"That seems overly dramatic," Taryn retorted. "Whatever's happened, I'm sure..." Her voice trailed off, and Vi followed the distracted woman's gaze to a news holocast across the bustling street. The award-winning journalist Marella Tao loomed larger than life over the city, dozens of sentients having interrupted their daily routine to listen to her grim report.

"Reports are still coming in as to the cause and nature of the tragedy," Marella announced with a slight tremor in her voice, "But we do have confirmation that the star Talok has expanded to many times its size and..." She paused for a second, struggling to come to terms with the enormity of what she saying. "...And we've not had any contact from anyone living in the Talok system. At this stage, Science Police are not hopeful that survivors of the star's expansion will be found."

Vi and Taryn faced one another in a mutually stunned silence. Taryn was the first to find her voice.

"Aren't...aren't Shadow Lass and Shadow Lad from one of those worlds?"

**********
THE LEGION OF SUBSTITUTE HEROES SATELLITE BASE
22,300 miles above Earth

Drura Sehpt watched the Earth far below, her hands clasped in a relaxed position behind her back. "Earth is so pretty from up here," she noted. "It really is a beautiful planet. I remember when I first saw my own homeworld from space, all I could think was how drab Somahtur looked. I was so glad to escape back then."

The Substitute Hero named Porcupine Pete watched Infectious Lass' reflection in the satellite's window. "And now you're in the Legion of Superheroes," Pete remarked. "With Invisible Kid."

"Pete..." Drura turned to face him. "I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you...I know when I was in the Subs we were close. I guess when I joined the Legion and when you went out on your own to master your powers...well, things changed."

"It's okay Drura," Pete gave her a pained smile. "You don't have to explain yourself to me. I just want you to be happy, and let's face it...I'm covered from head to toe in razor-sharp quills, it's not like I could ever...you know, be with someone anyway."

"Pete..." Infectious Lass gave him a look of sympathy.

"Like I said, it's okay." He smiled stoically. "I'd better go, I promised Antennae Lad I'd help him with some meditation techniques I learned on Steeple. It was nice to see you again, I'm glad you got to see our new base."

"Bye." She gave him a little wave and watched him walk away dejected. Drura sighed. When Shadow Lad, Supergirl and Nightwind had mentioned they were coming to visit Crystal Kid and see the Legion of Substitute Heroes' new headquarters Drura had thought it was a perfect opportunity to clear the air with Pete. Now she wondered if she'd just made him feel worse. She gave the Earth one final look and headed glumly through the satellite to find the others. Drura wondered if there would even be a Legion of Superheroes after today. If Bouncing Boy couldn't persuade Earthgov to let the team remain on Earth, where would they go? Even if they could find another base of operations on another world, several of her teammates were from Earth. Would Sun Boy or Colossal Boy choose the Legion over their homeworld? Would Jacques? She couldn't believe the team had struggled their way back from being scattered throughout the timestream just to face defeat by bureaucracy.

Drura entered the recreation room to find the others and she could tell immediately that something was terribly wrong. While most of the Subs were gathered around a news holocast, Supergirl, Nightwind and Crystal Kid stood to one side watching Shadow Lad with obvious concern. "Guys?" Drura asked. "What's happened?"

Nightwind had designed a new costume for herself to replace the one she'd lost fighting Aspect with the ancient Justice League. Slick black latex hugged her pale yellow form, long strips of material hanging from each arm. Infectious Lass didn't even notice her teammate's new look, all she saw was that the heroic girl seemed to be on the verge of tears. "It's so horrible," Nightwind answered in a timid voice. "Bouncing Boy called Grev to tell him, and it came on the news almost at the same time."

"What came on the news?" Infectious Lass asked. "I don't understand what's happening. Did that journalist just mention Shadow Lass?"

"Something else else's happened to the Talok solar system," Stone Boy explained. "They're saying the sun has expanded to fill the entire system."

Infectious Lass sat on the edge of a couch and listened to the holocast. "I don't get it," she said, "Like a supernova..?"

"We don't know yet," Color Kid mumbled. "But seven inhabited worlds, seventeen moons....all those people..!"

Shadow Lad turned to face the others, and Drura realised this whole time he'd been in hushed conversation with Bouncing Boy on his flight ring. "Mon-El was one of the first responders," he told the room. "He said....he said the sun has just devoured the whole system. Vaporised every planet. Someone claiming to be Talok himself is responsible but that hasn't been made public yet. I have to get there, but Earth-Man's Justice League are not going to make it easy for us to get any of our cruisers...I'm going to have to steal one. I won't ask any of you to risk involvement--"

"Nobody's stealing anything," Fire Lad shook his head. "You can use our ship. It's not as big or as modern as you're used to, but it'll get you there."

"And you've got our help of course!" Chlorophyll Kid interjected. "We'll do whatever we can!"

"You don't have to do this for me," Shadow Lad's voice was heavy with emotion. "Aside from Crystal Kid, I don't really even know any of you."

"We're the Legion of Substitute Heroes, right?" Crystal Kid patted Grev on the back. "Seems like you need a Substitute Legion now more than ever!"

"Our ship only fits nine," Stone Boy advised the assembled heroes. "I'll tell Porcupine Pete and Antennae Lad to call Rainbow Girl and Polecat and start organising backup. Something else else tells me we're going to need all the reinforcements we can get."

**********
On board the cramped vessel, Shadow Lad silently prayed to his ancestors that his people had found a way to survive. Was this what Dream Girl had foreseen when she told Grev he had to join the Legion? She'd told him that he would find victory after Shadow Lass fell protecting Talok VIII, but Grev had thought he'd have the whole Legion of Superheroes behind him. Mon-El had told Bouncing Boy that Talok had turned the sun red. That nullified their two most powerful advantages already, Mon-El and Supergirl were both powerless under a red sun. And who else was left? How could Grev possibly fare any better than his cousin? What was Nightwind or Chlorophyll Kid going to do against someone with the power to obliterate an entire star system?

"This is the rendezvous point," Fire Lad announced. "I can't see...oh wait, here come some of the others now." Sure enough Dawnstar, Wildfire and Ultra Boy soon flanked the ship. Among the fastest fliers in the Legion, Bouncing Boy had asked them to join Shadow Lad's motley crew.

Supergirl pressed her hand up against the ship's windscreen. The red sun Talok was still more than a billion miles away, but she could already feel its effect on her Kryptonian physiology. The glass felt cold to the touch, a sensation to which she was not accustomed. "Where's Mon-El?" Kara asked. "Wasn't he meant to meet us here as well?" As if on cue, a much larger ship shimmered into view before them.

Outside the two ships, Ultra Boy regarded the new vessel suspiciously. "That's a Science Police Prisoner Transport Vessel," he muttered. "Why does it have a cloaking device?"

"It is no cloaking device." Dawnstar flew in for a closer look. "Mon-El is aboard that ship, but until it became visible I could not sense him at all. A mere cloaking device could not hide from my power like that."

"Like the kid said, curiouser and curiouser." Wildfire approached the airlock. "Well?" he cocked a thumb at the vessel. "We gonna head down into this rabbit hole?"

The airlock opened to allow the trio entry and the rest of the assembled Legionnaires and Subs soon followed. The Science Police vessel was easily large enough for the dozen combined heroes to join Mon-El and a woman none of them recognised on the bridge. All of them were struck with how terrible Mon-El looked. His eyes were puffy and his hair dishevelled. He stood silently watching the red star on a viewscreen with a haunted expression.

"Hey Mon," Ultra Boy placed a comforting hand on his best friend's shoulder. "You hanging in there, buddy?" Mon-El simply continued brooding, as though the intensity of his desperation could bring his beloved Shadow Lass back.

"Where are the rest of the Legion?" the strange woman asked abruptly. "We need your mage, your telepaths. Even Tyroc would be an improvement on any of you."

"Tyroc is no longer with the Legion of Superheroes," Dawnstar bristled. "As for the rest, any Legionnaire is as capable as another and the Legion of Substitute Heroes have always been valued allies."

The hooded woman laughed bitterly. "Such naïveté. If it weren't bound to result in my own death I'd find it amusing."

"Grife, where'd you find Miss Congeniality here?" Wildfire asked Mon-El sarcastically.

Mon-El spoke without turning his head, his voice torn with grief. "Tell them. Tell them what you told me."

"We don't have time for this," the woman countered. "We need to flee, Daxamite."

"Tell them!" Mon-El bellowed, startling everyone on the bridge.

"You may be content to wait here for blazing death," she said icily. "The Invisible Queen is most certainly not." She drew her hood further over almost white hair and faded from view.

"Stop her!" Mon-El commanded. "Before she gets to a lifepod, we'll never find her again!" Before any of the confused heroes could react, the very world around them faded and was also gone. Too late they realised that Invisible Queen had turned all of them invisible as well, blinding them in the process as light no longer reached their eyes.

"Don't worry," Invisible Queen taunted while the others uttered shocked proclamations, "Once I am out of range my power will cease. You'll become visible once more and your vision will return. You'll still die Legionnaires, though not by my hand."

"Even penetra-vision's useless!" Ultra Boy complained.

"Maybe darkness will help," Shadow Lad offered. He could feel the flow of his power, but he had no visible sense of it. For once, he had an inkling of how others must feel engulfed in his shadow power and he didn't like it at all.

Despite the darkness, Invisible Queen made her way easily through the bridge. "As useless as your cousin," she cruelly mocked Shadow Lad's power.

"That's enough!" Infectious Lass snapped angrily. "Sorry in advance, everybody. I've had enough of this condescending batwitch!" The ship became filled with groans as almost everyone present was hit with a wave of sickening nausea. After a few seconds, Drura's assault had the desired effect. Too queasy to maintain her power, Invisible Queen fell to her knees and was violently ill. Shadow Lad joined her, and the others were forced to take a few moments to compose themselves. Only Wildfire and the petrified Stone Boy along with Infectious Lass herself were unaffected by Drura's viral onslaught. "I really am sorry," Drura apologised again. "Talokkian flu still affects other races, but not as badly as it does Talokkians. If I had more time to plan I would have come up with something more specific to women but it was the only way I could think of to stop her."

"Don't...apologise..." Shadow Lad struggled to stand. "Did...right thing, Infectious Lass..." Supergirl offered a hand and Shadow Lad gratefully took it.

"Now let's do something to keep her here," Chlorophyll Kid added. He threw a couple of seeds at her and instantly Invisible Queen was restrained by tightly clinging vines.

Holding his nose to avoid throwing up, Crystal Kid turned the pools of vomit into odorless crystal. "That's better," he exhaled.

"It is better, thanks." Shadow Lad was still feeling poorly, but fuelled by adrenaline he approached Invisible Queen and lifted her chin roughly to meet his gaze. "As for you...you're not going anywhere, so you might as well spill your guts. What happened here?"

Invisible Queen glared hatefully at him. "If I tell you, you have to free me. I'm not staying here to join his death toll."

"Fine," Grev agreed before any of the senior Legionnaires could dissent. "Now talk."

"Thousands of years ago, now forgotten gods roamed these worlds and ruled all we surveyed."

"We?" Wildfire scoffed. "You're no god, lady."

Invisible Queen ignored him and continued. "We went to war...with ourselves, with other pantheons, with those who once worshipped us. And little by little our numbers were whittled down until only four remained. Yehoya the Thinker, the monstrous Skorpiorr, Talok the Red Son and myself, Malias the Invisible Queen. We four remained unopposed for centuries, until Talokkian mages tricked us, exiled us into a lifeless interdimensional limbo where we were reduced to mere ghosts of our former selves...doomed to haunt a universe of nothingness for eternity. Oh certainly, we escaped upon occasion alone or working together...but the effort took so much of our power that we were vastly crippled when we emerged back on the worlds we had once conquered. We were always defeated, by Shadow Champions, Starmen or Cave Clans. Always humiliated. Always exiled once more."

"How did Infectious Lass affect you with a Talokkian sickness if you're a goddess?" Fire Lad asked pointedly.

"Several months ago," Invisible Queen explained, "Four Talokkian mortals entered our dimension of exile. Science ruptured the barrier which had kept us away from our home realm for so long. We came upon a realisation. By making those mortals our avatars, we could empower them to return home without alerting any of the guardians of this realm to our presence. Our power and influence would grow within them a little more each day until we found ourselves powerful enough to destroy any enemy. We are still bound to their forms for now, and still impacted by their vulnerabilities. We Forgotten Four would have turned on one another sooner or later anyway, such is our nature...it seems Talok was the first to embrace that truth."

"I don't get it," Wildfire shrugged. "Why would this Talok wipe out the whole system if he thinks he's a god? Doesn't he want worshippers?"

"Talok is our oldest god," Shadow Lad answered somberly. "And our most feared. My people find comfort in darkness, Wildfire. The sun bakes our land, takes our water and kills our people. It is only in darkness that we thrive. We are more than useless to a deity of the sun, we are his natural enemies. We took his name for our worlds to spit in his eye and now this is our reward. Fuelling his everlasting fires."

Nightwind was aghast. "Grev, what--?"

"You can't possibly believe this fruitcake," Supergirl added. "Shady, come on. What this Talok guy's done is horrific but he's not a god. Neither of them are gods."

Invisible Queen suddenly started thrashing. "He's coming! You said you'd free me, Shadow Champion! Free me!"

Shadow Lad glared at her with murderous intensity. "If you'd stayed where you belonged, my people would still be alive. My family would still be alive. I'll see you in Hell before I see you go free, Malias."

An explosion rocked the ship, and high-pitched alarms sounded as an enormous hole was incinerated in the hull. A standard issue emergency forcefield activated to maintain the internal amosphere, but the heroes knew this wouldn't last long. As they looked outside to see the man responsible for the damage, it occurred to some of them that they might not live long enough for oxygen to be an issue. Talok the Red Son hovered before them all, a blazing spectre of death. "You had the best chance of any of us to evade my attention Invisible Queen, and you still failed. Prepare to join your brothers in oblivion."

Then he raised his hand and filled their world with flame.

TO BE CONTINUED..!
Posted By: razsolo Total Eclipse of the Heart - 04/05/14 04:38 PM
DEEP SPACE
In proximity to the star Talok

The gathered heroes flinched involuntarily, fully expecting to be roasted alive by Talok's fiery attack. Ultra Boy and Stone Boy instinctively leaped to take the brunt of the assault, as did Mon-El and Supergirl though they themselves were powerless before Talok's red solar flames. Chlorophyll Kid looked at his unscorched arms in disbelief. "W-we're alive?"

"Bobb, you saved us!" Nightwind flung her arms around Crystal Kid and hugged him gleefully. Indeed, the combined Legionnaires and Subs along with the bound Invisible Queen were all completely unharmed (though uncomfortably hot) inside a gleaming crystalline sphere, hastily erected by Crystal Kid's power.

"We've still got that flaming nut outside," Wildfire gestured. "Something else else tells me he's not gonna give up that easy!" They dimly heard the ship's environmental alarm reach a fever pitch through the thick crystal wall, and suddenly they were all violently thrown together to one side.

"What's happening?!" Infectious Lass screamed.

"Talok ruptured the hull with his first attack!" Wildfire explained. "The emergency environmental field must have failed, we're being sucked out into space!"

"Subs, activate your transuits!" Fire Lad commanded, knowing that the Legionnaires' more modern equipment included automatically generated personal transuit fields.

"What about me?" Invisible Queen demanded. "I cannot die like this, I am Malias the--" Her words were forever lost as a fine crackling noise travelled the length of her body and she was transformed into a crystal replica of herself. Nightwind gasped in shock.

"It was the only thing I could think of!" Crystal Kid yelled defensively. "How are we meant to protect her otherwise?" His question remained unanswered as one part of the sphere suddenly exploded inwards. Ultra Boy and Stone Boy took the brunt of the flying shards of crystal, but several Legionnaires sustained nasty cuts and Chlorophyll Kid's transuit was torn across his torso. Thinking quickly, the Substitute Hero grew a sticky leech-like bloom which patched the rip.

Once the protective shell of the dome had been breached, the heroes scattered into the silent void of open space. Talok had reduced Invisible Queen's stolen Science Police vessel to slag, and the murderous villain hovered before them all now. "You destroyed my world!" Shadow Lad raged, though the sound was confined to his transuit. "I'll kill you for that!" He enclosed Talok's head in a globe of pure darkness and he and Mon-El charged Talok in mutual fury. Talok's eyes flared, ripping the shadow to shreds. He fired a blast of intense heat at the two men and they were instantly gone. Supergirl cried out in anguish at the idea of Mon-El and Shadow Lad incinerated.

Hundreds of thousands of miles away, enormous white wings slowed their mistress to a stop. Lugging Mon-El and Shadow Lad along with her, the woman named Dawnstar released the men to tumble forward until they arrested their momentum with their own flight rings. "Are you both insane?!" Dawnstar ranted over their rings. "If I hadn't pulled you out of there you'd be ashes now!"

"He killed Tasmia!" Mon-El returned, utterly grief-stricken.

"I know that!" Dawnstar bit back. "She was my friend too! But your suicide is not going to bring her back! Do you think she would want--" Dawnstar stopped mid-sentence, her eyes wide.

"She would want us to avenge her!" Shadow Lad took up where Mon-El had left off. "It's my right as her family and my obligation as Shadow Champion of--"

"Shut up," Dawnstar interrupted him. "And follow me." She gave one mighty pump of her wings and flew towards the giant red sun.

**********
Back at the fight, the remaining heroes had gained some distance from one another so as not to present easy targets to the sun god. Ultra Boy was keeping Talok busy, alternating between speed and invulnerability to prevent him from murdering any more of his friends. Nightwind looked anxiously to Wildfire for help. "How do we win this one?" she asked as he fired bolts of anti-energy at Talok. "Supergirl's powerless, Dawnstar's taken off who knows where, and most of the rest of us are already injured and stuck with powers that are useless in space!"

"Most of us," Wildfire thought out loud, "Not all." He hadn't noticed Dawnstar fly off but he had to trust she had a good reason for doing do. Right now he needed to concentrate on keeping everyone else alive. "Crystal Kid!" Wildfire bellowed. "Get ready!" Wildfire circled around until he was behind Talok. He waited for Jo to charge him one more time, then as soon as the Red Son was off-balance Wildfire blasted him with both gauntlets. Talok's mouth opened wide with shock, hurtling through the void from the force of the blast until he was mere metres away from Crystal Kid. "Now!" Wildfire ordered. "Bobb, turn him to crystal!"

Crystal Kid froze. This monster had already destroyed an entire star system, he'd just murdered Mon-El and Shadow Lad. Talok had already broken through one crystal barrier, what if his power didn't affect the sun god? He didn't want to die...No, Bobb gritted his teeth. There's a job that needs doing, Legionnaire. Do it. He raised trembling hands toward Talok, but his hesitation had already cost him. Talok gazed upon the frightened Sub with hate-filled eyes. The next thing Bobb knew, he was barged out of the way of the Red Son's flaming attack. Dazed from the force of the collision which had saved his life, Crystal Kid turned to find Stone Boy floating insensate in his wake. A large visible crack crossed the petrified hero's entire back, and as Stone Boy circled in the void of space Bobb saw that the crack travelled across his abdomen as well. Ultra Boy sped Stone Boy and Crystal Kid away before Talok's next attack could finish the job. Wildfire blasted Talok again, this time increasing his power output enough that the villain was actually hurt. Talok fired a return blast, almost rupturing Wildfire's containment suit as he sent the hero flying.

In her fury, it hadn't occurred to Supergirl that Talok couldn't hear her in the vacuum of space. She flew before him, raging at him to stop. Without hesitating, Talok bathed the powerless teenager in flame as hot as the surface of the sun. Both of them were stunned to see that the fires washing over Kara Zor-El were not red, but golden. Talok held his own hands in front of his face to see that he was now very much a Yellow Son, while Supergirl felt a familiar but intense rush of power fill her every pore as her Kryptonian cells soaked up his energy onslaught.

"The sun might be too big for me to affect," Color Kid explained over Kara's flight ring, "But I just realised, he's sure not."

Supergirl balled her fists and snarled. Talok still couldn't hear her words, but he was left with no doubt whatsoever as to her intention...

*********
Much closer to the enormous red star, Dawnstar came to a halt. Her physiology was naturally adapted to survive in the inhospitable vacuum of deep space but even she had her limits. Any nearer and she risked serious burns. Shadow Lad and Mon-El came in not far behind. Transuits and a shadow field kept them safe, but neither of them were at all comfortable. "What are we doing here?" Shadow Lad asked. "Talok is going to kill the others if we don't go back there!"

"What would you propose we do that Wildfire and Ultra Boy are incapable of?" Dawnstar snapped. "If anything, we're doing them a favour by giving them three less people they need to protect. Now be quiet and let me concentrate."

"You're right of course," Mon-El agreed. Even with his transuit and a wall of darkness absorbing much of the sun's output, he was still drenched in sweat. The sensation was unfamiliar and very unwelcome. "But there's more to it than that, isn't there? I've seen that look on your face before...you're on the trail of something, what is it?"

"I don't want to raise false hopes," Dawnstar answered. Her eyes were closed, all of her sensory focus dedicated to her tracking power. "But this sun does not feel right. I have flown near many stars in my time and one this large should have a stronger gravitational pull."

Mon-El paused. He'd been so distraught over losing Shadow Lass, so preoccupied with Talok the Red Son that he'd not once thought about it. But she was absolutely correct. The star's transformation should have had almost immediately measurable effects, and not just from the change in mass and size. Stars didn't just change color arbitrarily. For a sun to change from yellow to red, its energy emissions should be vastly different. Still, the tragedy that befell the Talokkian system went unrecognised until people saw the sun with their own eyes. How could that be? What did it mean?

"There is more," the winged Legionnaire continued cautiously. "I know how this must sound and as I said, I do not wish to raise false hopes, but...I believe Shadow Lass is somehow alive in there."

Shadow Lad exchanged a desperate look of longing with Mon-El before he turned to Dawnstar. The normally aloof young woman opened her large brown eyes and Grev saw her sincerity. She absolutely meant it.

There was only one thing to do.

Expanding the shadow field to surround all three of them, Grev Mallor flew straight at the crimson sun. He had to do this quickly. Mon-El was powerless to stop him, but Grev knew that no amount of shadow would long stymie Dawnstar's tracking power out here in the void. He thrust his own power before him, a spear that raced ahead at the speed of darkness. The closer he got to the sun, the more the light and the heat pained him. He wouldn't quit though, he couldn't. If Tasmia were alive in there, Grev Mallor would do anything he could to save her. And if she were already dead, then he would join her and the rest of his people. Better to die fighting a futile struggle than live knowing he hadn't even tried. Ancestors, give me strength, Grev prayed. Tasmia, give me strength. Help me help you. He was dimly aware of Dawnstar and Mon-El calling him over his flight ring, knew that even now Dawnstar's tracking power was narrowing down on him in the dark. Then something amazing happened. Grev felt the touch of his ancestors. Not only the Shadow Champions of the past, but every Talokkian they had devoted their lives to serving. Buoyed by the strength of those who had gone before, Grev Mallor's shadow spear penetrated the outermost corona of the red sun. It was taking every ounce of strength he had to maintain this and even then it was all but invisible when seen across the backdrop of billions of miles of superbright superheated plasma, but it was there. Behind him, Dawnstar gasped at what came next.

Mon-El felt utterly helpless as he wondered what was happening. The shadow around him had dissipated as Grev had flown further away, and Mon-El had found no choice but to retreat to a safe distance. With the sun so intensely bright and large before him, he had no hope of spotting either Shadow Lad or Dawnstar who'd flown to retrieve him. Then he did see something. A tiny black spot that he thought he was imagining until he saw it grow. Like an open wound the blackness bled across the surface of the red sun, and in a surprisingly short time the sun was gone.

**********
"You're lucky Legionnaires don't kill!" Supergirl ranted as she hammered Talok with invulnerable fists. "Rao help me, after what you've done you deserve it!"

The enraged sun god gripped Kara's head with both hands and blazed an intense flare into both her eyes. While the yellow solar radiation fuelled her power, the light itself still blinded her temporarily. Taking advantage of her discomfort, Talok turned his attention to the Substitute Hero responsible for his disastrous shift in color.

"You," he sneered at Color Kid, "You're responsible for this trick, we'll see how good your tricks are when you're dead!" Color Kid gulped. He didn't need to hear Talok to see how furious he was. Ultra Boy shielded Color Kid with his own body, the little that was remaining of Jo's shirt burning away.

"You I can't harm," Talok raged at Jo, "But can you defend your friends from a solar flare? While this star is under my power, it is mine to -eh?" He turned to look at the red sun behind them all.

"What's he looking at?" Nightwind asked over her flight ring.

"The sun!" Fire Lad pointed. "Look at the sun!" They all saw the red star fade to nothingness against the blackness of space.

Supergirl's vision had returned and she gaped now at the disappearing sun. "...Shady..?" Her jaw dropped and she vanished in a blur of motion.

"No!" Talok bellowed impotently. "None of you have the power to accomplish this! None of you!" His own flaming aura grew brighter and hotter as he grew angrier, as though he himself were becoming a small sun.

"Wildfire!" Ultra Boy shouted, "I don't know what's going on with that sun or why Supergirl flew off like that but we need to get everyone out of here before this guy goes nova!" By now, Talok himself couldn't be made out in the white-hot corona of pure destructive energy growing ever larger around him.

"That won't be necessary, Ultra Boy." A blanket of shadow coated Talok, encompassing him like a second skin and instantly suppressing his power. Jo looked to its source and was stunned speechless. Before them all floated Shadow Lass, Shadow Lad, Supergirl, Dawnstar and Mon-El.

"Shady!" Jo grinned. "You're alive!"

"Alive and well," Shadow Lass replied. "Talok turned our sun into a system-wide battery, converting my people and our very worlds into a cosmic resource to fuel his own power. We would have remained in a state between life and death forever if not for my cousin here."

"I can't take all the credit," Shadow Lad added. "If it weren't for Dawnstar, I'd never even have known Tasmia could be saved...and if I hadn't already touched my ancestors' power that time we faced the Fhrr Maless, I don't think I'd have known how to reach out to them now. It was only with our ancestors' help that Tasmia and I were able to black out Talok's influence on our sun."

Both Shadow Champions grimaced as a pulse of golden light escaped the shadowskin binding Talok. "Damping the man is more difficult than damping his work," Shadow Lass frowned. "Even together I'm not sure how long Grev and I can hold him."

"Now that you've turned your sun back to normal," Mon-El cracked his knuckles. "Allow me, my love." The Shadow Champions allowed their power to fade, and a disoriented Talok looked from one hero to the other before flaring up bright once more. Before he could do more than that, Mon-El decked him with a punch that sent the villain careening into the void. The Daxamite hero zoomed after him and dragged his unconscious form back by his collar.

"And that's what happens when you mess with the Legion of Superheroes!" Nightwind beamed.

**********
EPILOGUE
On the newly restored Talok VIII, Supergirl watched Shadow Lad unpack his belongings onto a low mattress in a bedroom he hadn't slept in for some time now. "I still don't get it," Kara said, leaning against a wall. "Talok kept this whole system alive inside a giant sun? How is that even possible?"

"I know you still don't believe it but he's a god," Shadow Lad answered with the kind of patient tone he'd use to explain something to a child. "It doesn't have to make scientific sense."

"And your shadows..."

"Removed his light," Grev finished. "That's what shadows do. Once the light's gone, all that's left is what was there before."

"I guess," Kara shrugged. "I'm glad we got a happy ending anyway. I was really scared when I thought you were dead, you know."

Shadow Lad stopped and turned to face her. "I know." He walked across the small sparse room until they were standing close enough to touch. "You know...if things were different..."

"But they're not, are they?" Supergirl gave him a half-smile. "I care about you Shady, but I've got...well, whatever the heck I've got with Brainy, and you..."

"I've got my world." Grev looked down at the floor awkwardly. "Dream Girl foresaw all of this, you know. It's only because of her that I even joined the Legion in the first place. I really think if I hadn't had the experiences I had with the Legion of Superheroes, I would never have been able to help Tasmia fight back against Talok's power...and who knows, Dawnstar might never have been able to sense someone in that sun she didn't know so well. It all worked out for the best, but it's time for me to go home now."

Supergirl impulsively grabbed his hand. "You don't have to. There's no reason you and Shadow Lass can't both be Legionnaires."

Now it was Grev who smiled, his black eyes glinting. "The Legion don't need two shadow casters. And as much as my cousin embraces her responsibilities here she loves the Legion more. I've had fun and I've learned a lot, but Talok VIII is my home. It's where I belong. We all need to be where we belong." He leaned in and gave her a hug which Supergirl returned warmly. "I'll miss you, girl of steel."

"And I'll miss you, Shady. I don't care if that is your cousin's nickname, you're stuck with it buster." She pulled away after a moment and flew into Talok VIII's endless blue skies. Shadow Lad had left the Legion, her cousin had left the Legion, and the Legion had been evicted from Earth. For the first time since returning from Superboy's time it really hit Kara that she was stuck here now. But for all of these changes, Kara was still nothing but optimistic. She looked at her flight ring gleaming in the sun and made a course for the Legion of Superheroes.

It's time for me to go home now.
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Total Eclipse of the Heart - 04/05/14 08:01 PM
I love how you use the Subs so effectively, and keep coming up with intelligent ways to use their powers. Crystal Kid and Color Kid were MVPs of this one! Stone Boy and Chlorophyll Kid did well too. I cheered when Supergirl got her powers back!

Drura did a good job too, and I like how Dawnstar's tracking powers were triggered in a not-forced way. Wildfire and Ultra Boy's tactical skills were appreciated too.

Tasmia's back and Grev's gone, I'd grown to like Grev but you write a good Tasmia too!

And having Mon-El deal the finishing blow was wonderful.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Total Eclipse of the Heart - 04/09/14 10:07 AM
Thanks IB! Next installment should bring together a few threads that will make you happy if you like the Subs....hopefully should be able to post it tonight! smile
Posted By: razsolo After the Fires - 04/09/14 10:46 AM
METROPOLIS
Lightle Towers Residential Complex, Allon Residence

Yera Allon ever so carefully rolled over to face her husband in the big comfortable bed they shared. Gim's face was illuminated by the light panel set into their ceiling. On its sleep setting the light was so dim as to barely penetrate the darkness at all. Yera had been lying awake for hours though, even if she weren't able to shapeshift night vision at will her long-lashed eyes had been given more than enough time to adapt to the darkness of the Allons' bedroom. She resisted the urge to stroke Gim's face, watching him sleep serenely. She wanted to remember him like this forever, her baby-faced slumbering giant.

Yera slowly climbed out of bed, her husband completely oblivious to her movement. Eyes welling with tears, she centred herself and released a harrowing long exhalation.

You knew this day would come, she chided herself. Stupid girl, you should never have reached for the stars...should have known you'd only get burned.

Yera placed a neatly folded handwritten note on the table. Handwriting was not a commonly found skill on Earth, but Yera had not grown up on Earth. She'd grown up on Durla, where technology was the bogeyman that had sent her people back into the stone age. She'd learned to become comfortable with technology, to integrate it into her life, but she would never trust it. Brainiac 5 or Kid Computo could mine an omnicom. They couldn't mine a piece of paper.

Her lip trembling with emotion, Yera blew her husband a kiss. She removed her Legion flight ring and set it gently next to her goodbye note on the bedside table. She touched her wedding ring to remove that too, then changed her mind. Whatever else she might be giving up, she couldn't surrender that. She gave Gim one final look, then walked naked to the door of their apartment. Before opening the door she took on Gim's form, clothed it in jogging gear. If anybody saw her, they would only see Gim Allon going for an insomnia-driven late night run.

I love you, she thought. I love you more than I could ever have imagined I was capable. Then Yera Allon in her husband's form left his apartment and journeyed into the Metropolis night alone.

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Bouncing Boy and Gas Girl walked through the corridors of the Legion of Superheroes' brand new headquarters, the din of construction droids filling the air.

"Sorry about the chaos!" Bouncing Boy shouted over the sound of plasteel rending in two. The sound abruptly stopped and Chuck lowered his voice. "Tenzil did good finding this place but it still needs a lot of work. I'm just glad the whole team agreed to move to Mars...and that I finally managed to convince Brainy not to bring Computo. Lord knows Lu will sleep easier without that creepy little glowbug floating around everywhere."

Gas Girl laughed politely, though the reference was lost on her.

"Anyway, have you given any thought to my offer?" the bearded hero continued. "You've been a great help to the Legion recently, in far less than ideal circumstances."

Gas Girl opened her mouth to reply when the two heard raised voices from further along the corridor.

"Ooh, fight!" Quislet's microship zipped overhead towards the racket. "Fun!"

"Every time..." Bouncing Boy muttered under his breath. "...I swear he has cams hidden on all of us waiting for the first sign of a tantrum..!" He bounded down the long hallway, followed closely by Gas Girl in mist form.

They came to one of the building's many open cafeteria areas, where Colossal Boy was in a yelling match with Dawnstar and Wildfire while Quislet gleefully circled the trio. On the level above them Lightning Lass, Light Lad, Matter-Eater Lad, Shrinking Violet and Calorie Queen watched from a large table and Comet Queen poked her head round a corner. Chuck came to a stop near the arguing threesome and deflated while Gas Girl resumed human form and hung back awkwardly. "Everything okay here?" Chuck asked.

"Tell her to find Yera!" Gim demanded, pointing angrily at Dawnstar.

"You'd better mind you don't lose that finger, pal!" Wildfire growled protectively.

"I am sorry your wife left you," Dawnstar snapped at Gim, "But Chameleon Girl is not your pet, Colossal Boy. I am not going to track her down for you like some runaway plains dog!"

"She could be in danger!" Gim bellowed. "Yera wouldn't just leave me!"

"Whoa whoa whoa." Chuck held both arms up. "Start from the beginning. Colossal Boy, what's going on?"

Gim tried to stay calm, trembling with anger. "Yera's gone!" he explained. "When I woke up this morning our apartment back on Earth was empty and I found this." He handed Yera's note to Chuck.

Gim, I love you. Please never doubt that. But if you love me, you must let me go. I can't explain, but I can't stay either. Not with you and not with the Legion. You'll forever be in my heart and I know you'll be happier without me. Love always, Yera.

Bouncing Boy handed the note back to Gim and considered the issue.

"Yera wouldn't leave me!" Colossal Boy repeated. "It must be Universo or - or Saturn Queen! Sprock knows what they're doing to her right now! Dawnstar can find her no matter where they've taken her! Chuck, we have to--"

"She left you a note!" Dawnstar yelled, losing her composure. "Does that sound like the work of a villain to you? Frankly, Colossal Boy, if this is the way you act--"

"Enough!" Bouncing Boy shouted. Everyone in the room stared dumbfounded at him. "Dawnstar, Colossal Boy has a point. It's not unreasonable to assume one of our enemies could be behind this. Go get Tellus, take Wildfire with you for extra muscle and find Chameleon Girl."

"Finally someone in this team has some common sense!" Colossal Boy exclaimed. "Chuck, thanks so much! You have no idea what this means--"

"However," Bouncing Boy interrupted forcefully, "If Tellus is satisfied that Yera is acting of her own free will, I'm sorry Gim...she's allowed to make her own decisions no matter how much you may not like them. If Yera doesn't want you to know where she is, that's her choice and we're going to respect that. Am I clear on this?"

Gim fumed silently for a moment. "Clear," he eventually conceded.

"Good," Bouncing Boy relaxed. "And buddy, you know if you ever want to talk--"

"My marriage is not in trouble, Chuck." Colossal Boy stared down at his leader with barely contained fury. "My wife is. Find her Dawnstar. Bring my wife home to me." He turned on his heel and stormed out, and a few seconds later everyone jumped as they heard a giant-sized fist slam through a wall.

Above the commotion, Shrinking Violet leaned back in her seat and sipped her kono juice. "I'm not going to lie," she said, "I hope Yera's okay but I can't say I'm not enjoying this."

Matter-Eater Lad pointed his half-eaten fork at Calorie Queen. "See what you're missing out on?" he joked. "You sure you don't wanna try out for the Legion again?"

"Ohhh sprock, no." Taryn Loy held her hands up in a gesture of mock surrender. "Calorie Queen is strictly a part-time hero. Vicarious drama is drama enough for this girl!"

The others chuckled and continued their lunch.

**********
ZWEN
Wentim Valley, Wentim Residence

Night Girl, Color Kid, Chlorophyll Kid and Fire Lad watched in mutual silence as Dragonmage wove his dragonform with intense focus around the petrified form of Stone Boy. The Zwennite hero had not regained consciousness since falling in battle to Talok the Red Son a few days ago. On one hand, this greatly concerned his friends. On the other hand, the deep gash snaking around his torso would be almost certainly lethal to Dag Wentim if he resumed his flesh and blood form now.

Dragonmage had felt he had the best chance of healing Stone Boy here on the immobile hero's homeworld. Dag Wentim's parents traded frightened glances on the other side of the room, and his little brother Waiane bit his nails nervously. Waiane's boyfriend Tel stood behind Waiane, holding him in a warm embrace. Together Waiane and Tel were two of the Legion Academy's latest batch of students, Lullabye Lad and Gravity Kid.

"He's going to be normal again, isn't he?" Waiane asked timidly. "I mean, he's not gonna--" His father glared at him and Waiane fell silent.

"Please," Dragonmage replied, his tone distracted. "I really need to concentrate. I've only done this once before, when I summoned an Earth elemental to heal Blok. Stone is Blok's permanent form, as difficult as that spell was there's so much more that can go wrong here."

"Sorry," the mousy-haired student shrank back.

Night Girl regarded the two boys. Dragonmage was perhaps only a year older than Lullabye Lad at most, but the Asian sorceror carried himself with such quiet dignity that it was difficult to believe they were so close in age. She had seen Dragonmage do amazing things in the short time she'd known him, and as much as he doubted his own abilities Lydda was certain he could heal Stone Boy.

A translucent grey dragon emerged from the ground at Dragonmage's feet. Night Girl had been present when Xao had healed Blok with this same magic and she was surprised to note subtle differences in this dragonform compared to the last time she'd witnessed this spell cast. As it circled Stone Boy's inert form it seemed more spry, leaner and faster than it had been last time. After a painstakingly long minute, Stone Boy's body began to knit together. The sound of rocks grating against one another filled the air for several minutes more, and finally Dragonmage collapsed exhausted.

"Oh dear!" Stone Boy's mother fretted. The Wentim parents helped Dragonmage to his feet. "Are you well, young man?"

"I'm fine," Dragonmage answered weakly. "Just...took a lot out of me..."

"I'm okay too," another voice sounded.

"Dag!" Lullabye Lad rushed to hug his now fleshy brother.

"Careful," Stone Boy grimaced. "Looks like I've got a souvenir." He lifted his shirt to reveal a nasty scar stretching around his body where he'd earlier been split.

"Oh Dag," Stone Boy'd mother doted on him.

"I'm okay Ma, really." He lowered his shirt again and hugged both his parents. Seeing the look on his father's face, he pre-empted what he knew was coming. "I'll get checked out by a doctor, but I do feel fine. Honest...just a little tender. I take it we won?"

"This guy turned the tables for us!" Fire Lad slapped Color Kid on the back. "You're on a roll, Ulu!" Color Kid looked away, mildly embarassed.

"I would have come out here regardless," Night Girl spoke up, "But if you boys want to continue your winning streak, Bouncing Boy's asked me to pass on an offer..."

Moments later, Lullabye Lad's ecstatic whoop could be heard halfway down the street.

**********
NULLPORT
Traffic Control Tower 3

On the flat rooftop of one of Nullport's many towers, a pale blue rodent leaned out over the busy spaceport. She sniffed the air, looked to and fro, almost as if she were taking stock of her surroundings.

"You'd be less conspicuous as an insect," a woman's voice spoke from above. "A commercial spaceport this large has very good vermin sanitation protocols I'd imagine."

The rat's ears pricked up and she turned. Startled, she saw Dawnstar descending on enormous feathered wings. Behind her, Tellus carried a grumbling Wildfire with his telekinesis. The rat gave a panicked look around, then lowered her head as if resigned to her fate. She grew larger, shifting shape and color until the orange-skinned Chameleon Girl stood before them. "I've been changing forms since I left Earth," Yera said. "I'm going to need some rest before I can become something as small as an insect."

"Don't sound so defensive, kid." Wildfire touched down on the roof but gave Yera some space. "We're not the enemy."

"It's obvious how you found me," Yera glanced at Dawnstar. "How did you sneak up on me though? The whole reason I took on the form of a nightrat was its enhanced senses."

"Tellus carried Wildfire so you wouldn't hear our approach and we made sure to come from downwind," Dawnstar explained. "You're not the first Durlan I've been asked to track."

"Please don't ask me to come back," Yera pleaded. "You don't know what you're asking. You don't know what I saw in the future, what I was forced to do." The others were taken aback by her obvious distress.

"Wildfire is brusque but he tells the truth," the still floating Tellus replied as he came closer. "We are your friends, Yera. We only want to help you and our only concern is that you are not under duress. Will you allow a surface mind scan? You have my word that I will not probe any deeper than necessary. Anything you wish to remain private will remain so."

Yera considered her options. She had no doubt she could give these three the slip, even Dawnstar. The tracker's power worked best in the void of space, it would take time for them to find her again if she fled. They would find her eventually though, Yera knew that too. She'd only be delaying the inevitable, and ultimately it would look worse if she ran.

"Fine," Yera consented. "Do what you need to. But I'm not coming back, Legionnaires. I can't."

She felt Tellus' mind touch hers, and let him cast his judgement.

**********
COLU
Locus 276.1958

Dream Girl leaned against the bulkhead of the Legion cruiser that Bouncing Boy had sent to bring herself, Star Boy and Brainiac 5 to the Legion's new home. "Are you sure you won't come back with us?" she asked the very ordinary looking Kando Vyr. "There's still a place on the roster for you, even after we have our meeting this afternoon."

"I know," the young teen smirked. "I can see the future too, Nura. I can't join the Legion in this time though. There's no record that the Infinite Boy ever existed in this era, and joining the most legendary group of heroes in the galaxy is probably not the best way to make sure it stays that way." Blok walked past them carrying a literal ton of equipment from Brainiac 5's homeworld lab into the cruiser. "Besides," Kando continued, adjusting his collar, "Brainiac 5 proved that I can still access my powers in a stressful situation but I can't control them very well. I'd be more of a liability than an asset at the moment."

"Pfft." Dream Girl waved dismissively. "You call it a liability, I call it fun."

Blok emerged from the cruiser once more. "Excuse me, Dream Girl. Sun Boy has asked me to advise you that we are ready to leave."

"I guess this is goodbye then," Dream Girl shrugged. "You've helped us immensely, Kando Vyr. You gave us all a way home when we could have been lost forever, and you removed the threat of one of our greatest enemies while giving him a second chance at life. We won't forget that." She leaned down to give the shorter Naltorian boy a peck on the cheek. "Wherever or whenever you end up, may Cassandra look out for you."

"Thanks Nura." Kando picked up a backpack containing a few things he'd allowed the Legionnaires to give him to help make his stay in this time easier. "Remember to look surprised when you see the new team roster."

Dream Girl entered the Legion cruiser and rolled her eyes as the door closed between them. "Honestly," she teased, "You're a terrible Naltorian. What's the point of precognition if you can't be a little smug every now and then?"

Kando laughed as he watched the cruiser depart. He'd miss Nura Nal. He'd miss all of them. He'd only just met most of these Legionnaires, but it had been good to put the stories he'd heard from his Legion into context. Still, he really wasn't meant to be here. Whether he liked it or not though, he didn't have the power to return to his own time. Whether he liked it or not, he was stuck here. "Time to find out why," he said to himself. The platinum blond boy slung his backpack over his shoulder and walked off into the unknown.

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

"The Infinite Boy!" Gim Allon hollered. "He'll know! Yera only left after she met that creep in the future!"

He was standing with Bouncing Boy in Chuck's new office. Chuck's belongings still sat in boxes around the sides of the room.

"Without that creep, half the Legion would still be lost in time," Chuck retorted. Including both our wives. Gim, I know you want this to be something sinister, but it's really not. I'm sorry buddy, but Tellus, Dawnstar and Wildfire all vouched for Yera. There's no secret plot here. Whatever's going on is something for Gim Allon to deal with, not Colossal Boy."

"Then Gim Allon will deal with it." Scowling, Gim removed his flight ring.

"What are you--"

"This isn't something the Legion needs to deal with, you say?" Gim slammed his flight ring down on Chuck's bare desk. "Then neither am I. If you're gonna make me choose between the Legion of Superheroes or my wife, I'll pick my wife every time Chuck."

"Gim, I didn't mean--"

"Save it. I quit." He turned his back on Bouncing Boy and stomped out, almost bowling over Duplicate Damsel on the other side of the door.

"That good, huh?" Luornu gave her husband a sympathetic smile.

"That good," Chuck sighed. "Let's get this meeting out of the way before Mordru attacks or something."

**********
Chlorophyll Kid clasped his hands behind his back so nobody could see how much they were trembling. Beside him stood Color Kid, Fire Lad, Stone Boy, Gas Girl, Shadow Lass and Star Boy. Before them, the 32 active members of the Legion of Superheroes. Shadow Lass and Star Boy were both longtime members of the Legion. Chlorophyll Kid could understand why they'd be unfazed by any of this. After all, welcoming them back into the fold was simply a formality. It wasn't like there was ever any doubt that there'd be a place for them on the Legion...and Chlorophyll Kid had only met Gas Girl for the first time this week. He had no idea what she was feeling about all of this. For Chlorophyll Kid though, for all of the Subs, this was the dream which had sustained them for all these years. The dream they'd honestly given up believing would ever become reality. How could the other three Subs remain so calm?

"All of you have a long and proud history of being there for this team," Bouncing Boy finished his speech. "And for some of you, this is very overdue. You've all been of particularly invaluable support in recent days, and I'm happy to report this decision was unanimous. Shadow Lass, Star Boy, welcome back to the Legion of Superheroes." There were some words of encouragement from the assembled Legionnaires, and both of the heroes accepted their places on the team once more.

Bouncing Boy now turned to Gas Girl and the Subs. "Chlorophyll Kid, Fire Lad, Color Kid, Gas Girl, Stone Boy...welcome to the Legion of Superheroes."

Night Girl, Infectious Lass and Polar Boy were the first to stand, and soon the whole room followed suit. The air became filled with applause and cheers. Chlorophyll Kid exchanged looks with his fellow new recruits. What he was about to do was corny as hell, but it felt right. They all pumped their fists in the air and yelled with all their hearts.

"Long live the Legion!"
Posted By: razsolo UPDATED ROSTER - 04/09/14 10:50 AM
After all the recent changes, thought a roll call might come in handy so here y'all go!

BLOK
BOUNCING BOY (leader)
BRAINIAC 5
CHAMELEON BOY
CHLOROPHYLL KID
COLOR KID
COMET QUEEN
COSMIC BOY
DAWNSTAR
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DRAGONMAGE
DREAM GIRL
DUPLICATE DAMSEL (deputy leader)
ELASTIC LAD
ELEMENT LAD
FIRE LAD
GAS GIRL
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
KID COMPUTO
LIGHT LAD
LIGHTNING LASS
MATTER-EATER LAD
MON-EL
NIGHT GIRL
NIGHTWIND
PHANTOM GIRL
POLAR BOY
QUISLET
SHADOW LASS
SHRINKING VIOLET
STAR BOY
STONE BOY
SUN BOY
SUPERGIRL
TELLUS
TIMBER WOLF
ULTRA BOY
WILDFIRE
Posted By: Omni Re: UPDATED ROSTER - 04/09/14 07:40 PM
love this chapeter Raz.

So Year leaves....but now i want to know if she's already pregnate or is she trying to prevant becoming pregnate?

poor Gim. I'm sure he'll find her though.


YeS!!! i knew Gas Girl would make it in! She has become a surprising fav of mine.

I'm also happy for the Subs to finally make it into the Legion.

Dream Girl and Infinity Boy's interaction was really cute. i like the line " What's the point of precognition if you can't be a little smug every now and then?" wicked funny.

Is anything coming up for Light lad? haven't heard from him in a while and love to see something with him!

keep up the great work!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: UPDATED ROSTER - 04/11/14 01:55 AM
Two thumbs up for making the Subs' joining not seem forced, and for not swelling the roster with ALL of them - the "original" Subs have been on a roll but I agree the likes of Rainbow Girl and Porcupine Pete still haven't quite earned their spots.

Gas Girl on the other hand is a seasoned hero smile

Interested to see where the Yera and Gim subplot will go. Poor Yera...
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: UPDATED ROSTER - 04/11/14 03:41 AM
I also have to say, the lack of sympathy by Violet and company for Gim is very realistic and very Levitz. They're not being mean-spirited or anything, and they are genuinely concerned about Yera, but it shows the Legionnaires aren't all best friends with each other.

It's not my cup of tea, as (in my memory anyway) the Postboot Legionnaires were more "tight" and seemed to have a more solid bedrock of friendship. But this is by no means a criticism of your writing! Levitz paved the way, and I think it does make sense that in a team that large, not everyone is going to be close friends with everyone else.
Posted By: razsolo Re: UPDATED ROSTER - 04/11/14 08:16 AM
It's funny you mention that because I did second-guess putting that scene in with Vi and the others...some of Levitz's Legionnaires were really catty with one another though & you're right that I don't think they're trying to be mean, just a bit insensitive every now and then.

Vi also is still really coming to terms with Yera impersonating her and while she doesn't actively hate her anymore I think it's natural that Gim & Yera wouldn't be her favourite people in the galaxy!
Posted By: Set Re: UPDATED ROSTER - 04/11/14 10:19 AM
Aw, Crystal Kid didn't make it in yet? That's okay, there's always time!

Good stuff. I like the idea behind the Forgotten Four, and of course it was great to see Color Kid become such an integral part of Red Son's defeat!

Chlorophyll Kid needs to find some space-kudzu seeds or something, so he's got material to work with on these sorts of space missions.
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: UPDATED ROSTER - 04/11/14 04:21 PM
I agree Crystal Kid has potential, especially after his quick thinking against Red Son (of course, his later hesitation caused him to miss out for now)! Rainbow Girl too - being able to split into 7 beings is no small thing.

Originally Posted by razsolo
It's funny you mention that because I did second-guess putting that scene in with Vi and the others...some of Levitz's Legionnaires were really catty with one another though & you're right that I don't think they're trying to be mean, just a bit insensitive every now and then.

Vi also is still really coming to terms with Yera impersonating her and while she doesn't actively hate her anymore I think it's natural that Gim & Yera wouldn't be her favourite people in the galaxy!


Yes, I do think Vi's reaction is just ok. She doesn't want any harm to come to Yera, but she's enjoying what she thinks is a marital spat because she has some bad history with Gim/Yera.

My reaction probably also stems from my knowledge of what exactly Yera went through. and I read it as (some) of the Legionnaires being a bit too insensitive/wrapped up in themselves to show concern for Gim at least - some of them like Tenzil have been his teammates for years by now - yet Dawnstar and Chuck are the only ones who seem to express any sympathy to Gim.

Levitz was a bit worse though. Whew! Some of the little arguments we saw, like when people thought Brin and Imra were cheating on Garth/Ayla without even getting their side, or the little catty comments Tinya or Tasmia would make...
Posted By: Harbinger Re: UPDATED ROSTER - 04/15/14 08:52 PM
So many great things going on here Raz, it's crazy fun!

The Legion being kicked off Earth in favour for Earth Man's crew smells intriguing! What are Earth Gov up to? Though great that Tenzil comes to the rescue with the base on Mars, I like the idea that they are still almost in sight of their old crib but can't get to it - how frustrating! I expected Infinity Boy to hang around so was surprised he left, oh well he's not too far away that you can't bring him back if needs be, two flighty Naltorians on one team though may be too much smile

Vi's avoidance of Jan was well written - "some stuff to deal with" indeed. Nice that Taryn noticed it as well, good use of the supporting cast, also great that she doesn't want to join up - that was a refreshing bit of characterization!

Poor chuck - first Earth Gov dismiss him then the news that Talok was destroyed - how does he remain so cheerful? Anyone else would be a basket case by then. I loved Tasmia's thoughts on how boring Talok iii is - any other character that would have read as forced but it really worked with her - nice one! The return of the Fantastic... I mean Forgotten Four was a pleasant surprise too. Their updated origins were a nice way of introducing elements of the talokean systems history too.

Ahh, the subs, they just continue to inspire with their Scrappy Doo attitudes I love them. I did fell a bit sad for Pete though, bless him. Is Nightwind new costume mean she's dressed as Storm btw? I have a soft spot for Bbob sot it was nice to see him save the gang from Red Son's initial attack - Go Bbob! Though all the Subs had their moments to shine, which was well done. Ultimately Grev defeating Red Son (even if Mon threw the knock out punch)was the perfect end to his Legion career, especially as he thought Tasmia would be dead (as predicted AGES ago by Nura). I've enjoyed reading your version of him Raz so am sorry to see him go. Also sad to see Yera go too, though it made perfect sense given the horrific future she encountered. Very sad the way it Broke Gim's heart, poor man never has much luck.

I've loved reading this through again (and in one go, not just sections as they are posted)Raz, you are an engaging and very entertaining story teller.

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: UPDATED ROSTER - 04/18/14 03:17 AM
Thanks again for all the comments! It fells like my Legion has been in a state of upheaval for ages so will probably have a few stories to help settle into the new status quo before anything goes too crazy again. There are a few subplots that are gonna continue simmering along though, and I think before too long we might see a different side to Chuck than we're used to getting as well!
Posted By: razsolo Digging In The Dirt - 04/19/14 08:52 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

In a small windowless room hidden deep within the new home of the Legion of Superheroes five heroes felt as though they were waking from some haze. Bouncing Boy, Kid Computo, Chameleon Boy, Dream Girl and Dawnstar took a moment to steady themselves.

You may feel some slight disorientation, Tellus telepathically soothed the group. But this should recede momentarily. The Hykraian rested on his haunches next to Duplicate Damsel.

"Chuck?" Duplicate Damsel reached out to her husband. "Are you alright?"

"Not even a little bit," Chuck Taine answered bitterly. "I can't believe Mandalla would use her powers against us the way she did."

The other Legionnaires shared their leader's distaste. Thanks to Tellus and fifteen minutes of psychic repair, all of them now clearly remembered their encounter with the Oversight Watch on Weber's World...the same encounter which Tellus' former Legion Academy classmate had done her best to hide from them.

"I will not stand for my mind being altered like this," Dawnstar fumed.

"Dawnstar's right," Dream Girl added. "We can't let them get away with this!"

"Don't worry," Chuck scowled. "We're not going to. I'll put a team together today. I don't know what's gotten into that girl's head but I'm very disappointed in her right now."

"Actually," Luornu interjected, "Why don't you leave this to me, Chuck? You've got the base renovations to worry about and I've got the perfect way to deal with the Oversight Watch."

"If you want to take this up with Power Boy and Mandalla, be my guest." Bouncing Boy shook his head angrily. "I still can't believe she'd do this."

"Thanks." Luornu's bi-colored eyes narrowed as she considered her plan.

"I'll just need to borrow Kid Computo here for a spell..."

**********
In the Legion's mission monitor room, Nightwind and Dragonmage turned away from a floating screen full of names to welcome Brainiac 5 into the room.

The green-skinned genius returned their greeting before directing his attention to Nightwind. "I'm here to relieve you of monitor duty," Brainiac 5 announced. "Are there any particular situations requiring close attention?"

"Not really," Nightwind replied, giving the mission monitor board a once-over. "Star Boy's taken a team to investigate some pirate activity near the Corvan system, I can't imagine that'll take very long. A lot of the others are moving their stuff from Earth...it's pretty dull for a change!"

"Excellent," Brainiac muttered as he took a seat and started rearranging holoscreens to suit himself. "I might actually get some work done." After a few moments, he realised Nightwind and Dragonmage were still in the room. "You two can leave any time you like, you know."

"We're not bothering you, are we?" Dragonmage blushed bright red. "I'm so sorry, we didn't realise--"

"We need to do some research," Nightwind cut in. "And this is the best place to do it till the whole base is up and running. Don't worry, we'll stay out of your hair."

Brainiac 5 gave a non-committal grunt and went back to his own work, trying to ignore them. After another minute, he could no longer stand it. "What are you two doing that's so important?" he blurted. "It seems I can never have five seconds of solitude in my own multi-lab, I was hoping the mission monitor room would be dull enough to give me some space to myself but obviously I've underestimated the Legion's ceaseless capacity for nuisance."

While Dragonmage looked as though he wanted to curl up into a ball and die of embarrassment, Nightwind struggled not to lose her temper with the cantankerous Coluan. "When we were in the past," she explained, "We found out that there are other families of girls with elemental powers to compliment my air control. We're looking through census records to see if we can find where those bloodlines ended up in the present. It's harder than we thought though, Earth has had so many wars and natural disasters there are big gaps in all the historical records."

Brainiac 5 frowned. "Show me," he said simply, sliding across in his magchair. He took a quick glance at the list, absorbing dozens upon dozens of names in the blink of an eye. "No, no, no." He shook his head in frustration. "This is woefully inefficient. I'll tell you what we're going to do. You will give me any relevant information you have pertaining to this search of yours, then you'll leave me alone and go buy yourselves some ice cream or whatever it is you do when you're not annoying me endlessly. I'll call you when I have some results. How does that sound?"

"That sounds like the most nass-headed way of offering someone help I've ever heard," Nightwind frowned. "But I'll take it!" A broad grin filled her face and the bald yellow-skinned girl leaped out of her seat to kiss the disgruntled Coluan on the cheek.

"Thanks Brainiac!"

**********
PROTEUS
Pharos, Brande Industries Exotic Energies Research Facility

Marla Latham pocketed his omnicom and walked across the Research Facility's unassuming but expansive lobby to where his young guest obliviously watched a holodoc discussing the colonisation of this misshapen rock, Neptune's second largest moon.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," the white-haired businessman apologised. "I'm only here on Proteus for a few cycles and I didn't have a lot of time in my schedule so I had to shuffle some things around. It's not often I get a call from a Legionnaire these days though, aside from Reep obviously."

The hero named Ultra Boy turned away from the forced corporate cheer of the holodoc presenter. "Thanks for taking the time to see me," Jo Nah greeted him. "I really appreciate it Marla...or should I call you Minuteman?"

"...Ah." Marla, surprisingly to Jo, seemed totally unsurprised. "You know," the older man continued dryly, "Every time you kids were reported lost or missing, I wondered if you were on your way to meet me in my younger days. I'd have to have been right sooner or later."

Ultra Boy was dumbfounded. "I'm just...I guess I was assuming there must be some reason to explain why you've kept this from us for so long...like maybe you were mind-wiped or Minuteman was an imposter or something..."

"Jo." Marla gave him a stern look. "If the tables were reversed, if you knew something of my future, would you tell me? In fact, as I recall, you didn't tell me. It was many years before I found out that those strange kids had names other than Jo, Rokk, Luornu and so on."

"Yeah, I guess I see your point." Jo bowed his head.

"Besides," Marla continued, "When would I have known to tell you? Until right now I never knew exactly when you'd come from. For years I waited for Luornu to rejoin the team, for Tellus, Night Girl and Elastic Lad to become Legionnaires. I knew you couldn't have come back in time before they'd ever made themselves known."

Jo smirked, a little embarrassed. "Okay, okay. I get it. I gotta ask though...what happened after we left you? I checked and there's no record of the Intergalactic Law Patrol, no mention of Brimstone's rampage on Cadmu."

Marla sighed, a sound that was equal parts resignation and relief. "I've been waiting a long time to get this off my chest," he admitted. "Come, Jo. Walk with me."

The two men left the lobby and made their way down a tree-lined corridor, the transparent ceiling above them completely dominated by the spectre of majestic blue Neptune. "You need to understand how deeply that day affected us, Jo." Marla gazed thoughtfully at the massive world they orbited. "We'd been filled with such high hopes for the Intergalactic Law Patrol until then. We'd thought of ourselves as a modern-day Justice League, complete with our own Batman. Then our Batman died. Hawkboy died, and Thanagar almost withdrew from the United Planets altogether. They did draw back their active participation in lawkeeping throughout the UP as a whole. I couldn't go on as Minuteman knowing those kids had died because I wasn't able to save them. And Leeta...poor Leeta, that day killed something in her too." They came to an iris-shaped door, and Marla paused just long enough for the security system to recognise him and grant them entry. The two men entered a privacy-secured room with a large square screen displaying slowly shifting plasma art along one wall. The room was minimally decorated otherwise, two plush armchairs facing a picture window and not much else. "The usual," Marla remarked to nobody in particular, and an automated beverage dispensary rose out of the floor between the two chairs. Pre-programmed to prepare drinks based on a statistical analysis of Marla and Jo's choices every other time they'd been in a Brande facility, it soon had two long glasses of amber fluid ready to imbibe.

Marla took his drink and sat down, too stiff to allow the chair to mold to his comfort properly. He stared intently at Neptune's azure expanse before picking up his story again. "Leeta-87 began working a lot more closely with Zendak after that day. It bothered her immensely that so much had been out of her control, and what that had cost us. I lost contact with her shortly after what happened on Cadmu, but not before she made me vow never to tell a living soul what had happened that day. She commissioned a virus to expunge any mention of our presence on Cadmu from UP databanks. She claimed it was for the good of the UP. Honestly though, I think she was just so guilt-ridden about the others dying that she couldn't face it on any level. So with Zendak's help, she tried to erase that it had ever happened at all. Then of course, not too much later poor Leeta died." He took a sip of his drink and watched a shuttle crawl across the backdrop of the planet.

Jo held his own drink in both hands. "Why would it be for the good of the UP?"

"The Intergalactic Law Patrol were the first organised team of heroes to exist in the UP for a long time," Marla explained. "I suppose we thought it would be better for morale to pretend they never existed than to admit they were almost entirely slaughtered on their first mission. And we had no idea who the Legion of Superheroes were back then. The Time Institute was barely more than an idea. The notion that strangers from the future could drop in and change our lives at any point...it would have led to widespread paranoia."

Jo frowned. "So you just...gave up? Titan Girl and Red Devil, Batman and Hawkboy, they all died for nothing? So the universe could forget they ever existed?"

"You don't know what it was like, Jo." Marla continued staring straight ahead, betraying his age in his face now more than ever. "I couldn't save them. And I survived. The guilt ate me up inside, moreso after Leeta died and I was the ILP's only legacy. It wasn't until I saw Cosmic Boy for the first time that I realised I could make up for my failure...I could help him and the rest of the Legion become the heroes the galaxy deserved. I could never take that role myself but knowing that I was helping in any way at all...it made me feel better."

"Right..." Jo answered with a faraway tone.

Marla turned on him with an expression bordering on anger and sadness. "Don't judge me, Jo."

The hurt in Marla's voice dragged Ultra Boy away from his own thoughts and back to the conversation. "Grife, sorry!" Jo apologised sincerely. "Marla, if it weren't for you I might never be in the Legion to begin with! I'm not judging you, I've got no idea how hard it must have been for you back then. It's just a lot to take in, I suppose."

"I shouldn't have been so defensive," Marla replied. "Even after all these years it's still something I struggle with."

"You shouldn't." Jo finished his drink in one large gulp and stood up. "Marla, you never did anything wrong to begin with. Sprock, you were the one who stopped Brimstone! But even if you don't buy that...the help you've given the Legion in the past has more than made up for it. Listen, I don't mean to be rude but I'm sure you've got stuff to do and I just remembered I gotta go."

"That's fine." Marla stood and shook Jo's hand. "It's been difficult talking about this, but I have to admit that I'm glad to be able to talk about it after all these years too. RJ knew there was a reason I was always so passionate about my work with you kids, but even he never knew what that reason was."

"It was good to see you again," Jo smiled. "Come see our new headquarters sometime, Mr Latham." As he left the room, Jo reflected that maybe he should have stayed a little longer. He could tell that it had really helped Marla to be able to talk about that tragedy so many years ago for him now. Something else else had occurred to Jo while they'd been talking though, something he was surprised he'd not thought of earlier.

He needed to speak to Elastic Lad...

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, 150 feet below the Martian surface

The poop-POP-poop of Quislet's microship echoed in the newly created gravlift shaft in the centre of the Legion of Superheroes' Martian headquarters. "Quislet too fast!" the Teallian explorer teased. "Comet Queen never catch up!"

"That's not fair!" the golden woman speeding behind him complained. "It's like total dark matter down here and you don't need eyes to see!" Comet Queen's gaseous trail sputtered with weak sparks of light that reflected off of her own gleaming bodysuit, but that in itself was barely enough to illuminate her immediate area. Any other Legionnaire might think twice before engaging in a high-speed game of tag down here in the dark, but Comet Queen wasn't any other Legionnaire.

"Ha!" Comet Queen beamed, arms outstretched in front of her. "I've got you now, starshine!" Quislet pulled up just before Grava made contact, and the skinny girl yelped as she overshot her mark and slammed into the side of the shaft. Bouncing from one wall to the next, she ended up dazed in a doorway recess. "Ohhh little planetoids, orbit a bit more quietly would you?" She cradled her aching head and waited for the dizziness to fade.

"Fun fun fun!" Quislet flew down and hovered before his friend. "Again, chase Quislet again! Quislet tie one hand behind his back this time!"

"You don't have a hand," Comet Queen laughed. "Or a back, silly!" A cold chill suddenly filled the empty shaft, and Grava shuddered. "You feel that, little shuttle? Hey wait, d'you hear that?" A keening sound issued forth from below them. At first it sounded like the wind howling through the empty shaft, but as it picked up in volume and pitch the two Legionnaires realised it must be something else.

"Hello?" Quislet cried out into the darkness. "Quislet and Comet Queen make new friend?"

Comet Queen slapped his ship's hull, making a tiny clanging sound that reverberated around them. "Shush, little shuttle! Don't scare it!"

"Quislet think Comet Queen the scared one!" Quislet taunted her. "Hellooooooooo!!"

The sound became abruptly louder, and Grava saw a faint light appear at the bottom of the shaft. "Down there," she hissed quietly, "Look! But there's nothing down there but dust and rocks!" Before Quislet could come up with a retort, the light grew brighter and much closer. Startled, Comet Queen squealed as a pale white apparition flew straight past them up the shaft. It was almost formless, but seemed to hide the face of some tortured soul. Comet Queen covered her eyes with her hands and shook her head from side to side. "Nooo I don't believe in spooks I don't believe in spooks!"

"New friend gone!" Quislet trilled, flying a few feet up the now pitch black emptiness of the shaft. "Gone! Poof! Quislet think Comet Queen's screeching scare it away after all!"

"Don't be mean!" Grava pouted. She gingerly poked her head out of the recess she'd been crouched down in and saw for herself that whatever that thing might be, it was nowhere near here any longer. Whatever it might be, she frowned to herself. I know exactly what it is!

"Come on!" she called to Quislet as she zoomed past him. "We've gotta find Bouncing Boy and tell him!

Our new headquarters is haunted!"
Posted By: razsolo Nightwind's new costume! - 04/20/14 07:19 AM
Or to answer Harbinger's question...it's not quite Storm, but would probably be at home in a Chris Claremont X-Men team! The idea is that when she's flying or generating wind thrusts, all the loose strappy bits would look cool flapping about (but are designed to detach easily if someone grabs them in combat or so she doesn't get stuck in doors etc)

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Nightwind's new costume! - 04/21/14 03:33 PM
Cool pic Raz, Berta somehow looks even sexier for being bald!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Nightwind's new costume! - 04/22/14 04:21 PM
As a big Nightwind fan I give the new look a thumbs up! Same for her portrayal - though new she's already feeling like one of the vets, and isn't afraid to stand up to Brainy. Yet she's also very sweet.

I like how you're semi-wrapping up loose threads while exploring them more. Jo and Marla was a great scene.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Nightwind's new costume! - 05/09/14 01:32 PM
Hoping that I will be able to get some more writing up tomorrow but in the meantime here is a better Nightwind pic! Her proportions were really bugging me in the first pic tongue

[Linked Image]
upload image online
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Nightwind's new costume! - 05/09/14 03:09 PM
Nice! And I think those detachable strips could make good weapons - she could use them to blindfold or gag or bind, with enough control.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Nightwind's new costume! - 05/09/14 09:46 PM
I didn't even think about that but I like it! Nice one IB! smile
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Nightwind's new costume! - 05/10/14 02:32 AM
Cool! Collaboration in action smile Glad you like it, raz. I have my Nightwind with very fine control over air, hope you don't mind if I borrow the idea and have her carry some detachable strips around her own costume.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Nightwind's new costume! - 05/10/14 06:57 AM
Go for it! laugh
Posted By: razsolo Re: Nightwind's new costume! - 05/10/14 03:29 PM
So I still ain't had a chance to sit down and write but I have been redesigning some Legionnaire costumes when I get the chance. Here is the new bearded Bouncing Boy!

[Linked Image]
click image upload
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Nightwind's new costume! - 05/11/14 01:57 AM
Originally Posted by razsolo
Go for it! laugh


Thanks tongue

Loving the new bearded Chuck! The beard really suits him, and actually adds to his kind and thoughtful personality.
Posted By: razsolo The Haunting of Husband Hill - 05/13/14 12:37 PM
MARS
Husband Hill

"The Legion of Superheroes' headquarters is haunted. Like, by ghosts."

Comet Queen stood before a seated Bouncing Boy in his office. Her hand on her hips, she looked every bit a precocious child. Chuck sometimes wondered if she would ever outgrow that. Quislet hovered by her head, noisily zipping around Grava's gaseous plume.

Chuck sighed and leaned into his palm. "Grava...I don't have time for this..."

"Bouncy, it's true!" the golden girl protested. "I swear, as true as the stars in the sky! Quislet saw it, ask the shiny little shuttle!"

"Yep! Quislet saw it!" he joined in. "Spooky, white! Made Comet Queen scared!"

"I was not scared!" Comet Queen turned on the diminituve ship. "You take that back!"

Quislet's spark of life leaped from his ship to the empty seat Bouncing Boy had left for Grava. The chair transformed into a reasonable facsimile of her, Quislet's sigil engraved on its flat chest where Comet Queen wore her own icon. "Nooo!" Quislet mimicked his friend, the fake Comet Queen covering its face with its hands. "Spooky gonna eat me, nooooo!"

"Quislet!" Grava snapped.

"You two, please!" Bouncing Boy frowned, watching the copy of Grava disintegrate into its component molecules as Quislet jumped back into the safety of his microship. Chuck regarded them both seriously. They were both overexcitable and Quislet often had a very egocentric idea of reality, but neither of them were liars. Chuck didn't believe that they'd seen a ghost but he had no doubt they'd seen something. "Alright, if it'll let me get some work done today go find D--" He stopped himself and sat upright before continuing. "Actually, no. Comet Queen, you're a Legionnaire now. You deal with this. Go enlist two other Legionnaires who are free for your squad. You're in charge of this one."

"M-me?" Comet Queen took a step back, astonished. "You want me to lead a team of Legionnaires??"

"You heard me." Bouncing Boy made a show of calling up his holographic workstation to let them both know this conversation was over. "You wanted to be a Legionnaire for so long, well this is part of it. Go find yourself a team and give me a full report when your investigation's complete."

Comet Queen squealed and clapped her hands. She practically vaulted across the desk and smothered her leader in kisses, prompting a "Yuk!" from a deeply unimpressed Quislet.

"You won't regret this, starshine!" She flew out of his office at high speed, nearly bowling over Sun Boy and Polar Boy who'd been walking outside.

"What was that all about?" Sun Boy asked as Quislet followed a screaming Comet Queen through the base.

Bouncing Boy watched Grava's wake fade as he wiped every trace of her kisses from his face. "I may have just created a monster to catch a monster," he sighed. His office door closed, and Sun Boy and Polar Boy stared at each other dumbfounded.

**********
CORVAN SYSTEM
Main Asteroid Belt

Oto Plastino bit his lower lip. It took a lot of concentration to move tons of raw titanium using his Braalian power of magnetism, but the credits waiting for him were worth the pounding headache he'd have later. His parents had wanted Oto to join the Science Police, but that was a sucker's game. A Science Police salary wouldn't get his family off the poverty-stricken mudball that was his homeworld. When he'd found out the Alchemist was looking for a Braalian to join her pirate crew, Oto had pounced at the chance. She was a harsh boss, but wealth was spread amongst the crew based on the work they did. With his powers, Oto could steal four times the amount of metals as any other crew member and the Alchemist paid him accordingly. He'd only need to keep this up another couple of months and he could take his family somewhere far away from Braal...maybe even one of McCauley's leisure planetoids if he was lucky.

"Plastino!" his comms unit crackled to life. "We got trouble!" Oto gazed at the rocky ridge overlooking this quarry where he'd placed one of the crew as a lookout. He saw Kh'urt running over the ridge as fast as he could in his clunky outdated transuit. The pink-skinned Khund was too puny to ever survive in the Battle Courts of his homeworld but he fit right in with the other misfits of the Alchemist's crew. Suddenly Kh'urt collapsed in a heap. He was several dozen mets away so it was hard to tell, but...he seemed almost to be surrounded in an aura of black light? A brighter flash of light attracted Oto's attention and he spun to the right. The third member of his team, a Sklarian boy named Giff, was bolting towards him and blasting wildly at two pursuers - the enormous stone man Blok who took the plasma bolts in stride, and Light Lad taking cover behind him.

"Legion!" Giff warned breathlessly over their comms channel. "The Legion of Superheroes are here!" In the almost complete vacuum of the asteroid mine which was their battleground, neither team could communicate with their opponents. Light Lad didn't need to speak to get his message across however. He wagged his finger at the scared Sklarian raider, then flicked that same finger upwards. Both guns flew out of Giff's grasp and hurtled into the void above. Giff tumbled the last few feet, landing by Oto's side. "What do we do?" the yellow-skinned teenage delinquent panicked. "I've got no weapons!"

Oto's heart pounded as Blok and Light Lad came closer, Star Boy advancing as well from where he'd already taken down Kh'urt. Think, damn it! the Braalian chastised himself. This is why the Alchemist pays you the big creds! He realised what he needed to do. The Alchemist was going to be mad, but at least they'd be free to steal another day. Reaching out with his power, Oto blasted the titanium ore into a swirling vortex that surrounded himself and Giff. The whirlwind of metallic debris kept even Blok at bay, though Oto didn't expect that to last long. "What are you waiting for?" Oto snapped at the Sklarian youth at his feet. "Get us out of here!"

Giff's bright blue eyes widened. "You want me to shift us both? Through the sprockin' asteroid? Are you nuts?!"

"The alternative is we end up sucking dirt like Kh'urt over there. I can't keep this up forever, do it!"

"You are nuts." Giff shook his head in disbelief. He closed his eyes, held his breath and clutched on to his Braalian crewmate. Giff displaced their mass and the two young men sunk into the rock below. No longer directed by Oto's power, the storm or ore flung itself into all directions.

Star Boy used his own power to imbue enough mass in the rockstorm to cease its flight, and Blok began the arduous task of bringing the mined ore back to where it belonged. Light Lad used his own power to levitate their Khund prisoner and joined Star Boy.

Looks like it's all gone to plan? Light Lad asked silently through telepathic earplugs.

Couldn't have gone better if we'd given them a script, Thom's eyes twinkled mischeviously. Gas Girl, everything okay on your end?

In a crater half a mile away, Gas Girl hid in the shadow of the pirates' tug and watched the two criminals emerge from the barren asteroid's surface. Their journey through the rock had been taxing for them both, and they had to help one another stagger back to the airlock. They were so exhausted, Gas Girl didn't think they'd notice her even if she were standing right in front of them. Everything's perfect here, the Lallorian heroine smiled. Now if you fellows will excuse me, I'll say goodbye. I don't think these telepathic earplugs will work so well while I'm in gas form. She became a formless cloud of hydrogen and trailed the two men into their ship. From her vantage point near the ceiling, Gas Girl watched them enter coordinates into the autopilot and collapse into their seats. That's right boys, Gas Girl thought, pleased with herself.

Take me to your leader.

**********
MARS
Husband Hill

Quislet took the lead, a small light magnetised to his hull shining a path down the empty gravlift shaft for Comet Queen, Diamond Damsel and Matter-Eater Lad following close behind. "Tell us again why we're down here kiddo?" Matter-Eater asked.

"There are ghosts down here!" Comet Queen explained in a theatrical whisper. "A ghost at least! Me and Quislet scanned it with our own sensor arrays!"

"Why didn't you bring Dragonmage?" Diamond Damsel added. "Or Night Girl or Shadow Lass? It's awfully dark down here."

"Night Girl's helping the Subs move!" Comet Queen replied. "Besides, you two are hypernova gleaming! Why wouldn't I pick you for my first ever Legion crew?"

Diamond Damsel touched down on the rocky floor at the base of the pit. There was enough room down here for the four of them to comfortably circle one another, but not much more than that. "It's just..." Diamond Damsel strived for diplomacy. "We're not particularly suited for ghostbusting in the dark..."

"But you're so shiny!" Grava protested with all sincerity. "And Tenz is hilarious!"

"Can't argue with that," Matter-Eater Lad shrugged. "Hey Quislet, shine yourself down here would ya?"

"Quislet not know he'd just be a flying flashlight!" the Teallian hero sulked. "Quislet not come if he knew ghosts this boring!"

"Hush," Grava scolded him. "Do what Matter-Eater Lad says. Your leader commands it!"

With a rude noise, Quislet's ship adjusted bearing so its flashlight was beaming straight down on Matter-Eater Lad poking about on the dirt floor. The beam of light uncovered a hole in the ground a few inches in diameter. As Quislet came closer they saw that it sunk deep into the Martian soil, and seemed to be smoothly rounded on the inside. "That must be where the spook lives!" Grava gasped.

"I'm not sure that ghosts live, CQ..." Matter-Eater Lad got down on all fours for a closer look. "Hey Quis! You're an explorer, right? Wanna do some exploring?"

"Finally!" Quislet shrilled as his hull slid open. "Quislet have some fun now, whoo!" The tiny spark of life that was Quislet's essence jumped into a loose red rock at Tenzil's feet and the Legionnaires watched it transform into a tiny faceless humanoid figure. With an exuberant yelp, the mini-golem leaped into the hole in the ground. Tenzil placed his eye as close to the hole as possible, but there was no way he could see what was going on in there.

Moments later, Quislet rocketed out as abruptly as he'd entered. "Plug hole!" he shouted in a panic. "Plug hole!" He abandoned his new body and it crumbled to dust as he re-entered his microship.

"Whoa!" Matter-Eater Lad scrambled back from the hole in the ground as an intense white light issued forth.

Thinking quickly, Diamond Damsel stomped on it with a large pink boot. "Quislet, what's down there?" the diamond woman asked incredulously. "It's - oh, that kind of tickles actually!" She giggled and covered her mouth self-consciously.

"Spooks!" Quislet exclaimed. "Whole lot of spooks! Millions of spooks!"

"Millions?!" Comet Queen gasped dramatically. "Oh no...oh no no no it must be all the husbands!"

Diamond Damsel and Tenzil raised their brows. "The husbands..?"

"The husbands of Husband Hill!" Comet Queen flailed. "Helloooo...why do you think it's called Husband Hill? It's where the Martian ladies used to bury all their husbands!"

There was a moment of stupified silence before Diamond Damsel broke it with an undignified snort. "Would you stop that?" she hissed at her foot before she turned to her golden-garbed teammate. "Grava, that...that's not even a little bit accurate. I have no idea where you got that from but Husband Hill is named after a 20th century Earth astronaut. That's neither here nor there though. Whatever is down there, I don't think it's particularly supernatural."

"You saw them up close!" Comet Queen turned on Quislet. "Make like a gamma burst and irradiate us, shiny shuttle!"

"Little spooks!" Quislet exclaimed. "Millions of little spooks! Tiny like Shrinking Violet, but machines! Too many machines for Quislet to inhabit!"

"Machines..?" Diamond Damsel repeated, confused. "Quislet, when you call them spooks...do you even know what a spook is?"

Comet Queen clapped in excitement. "Little machines! Starshine, they're not ghosts at all! They're nanites! But why are nanites living under Mars trying to be all Vampire Nebula on us?"

"Oh grife!" Matter-Eater Lad slapped his forehead. "I know what this is!"

"Can you tell the rest of us?" Diamond Damsel asked, stifling a giggle. "This isn't exactly my proudest moment as a Legionnaire."

"It's a little weird," Tenzil began, "but hey, Bismoll. Anyway, you all know this place used to be a gastronomy research centre, right?"

"Okay, sure!" Comet Queen grinned cluelessly.

"A while ago, an enterprising Bismollian food tech came up with the idea of a nanite swarm that would reduce processed materials to their component elements to make it easier to try out different recipes. It...didn't work so well. Turns out the swarms couldn't be programmed too great and they had a tendency to eat everything in their path without giving back anything in return. Long story slightly shorter, their use was banned when it was discovered how un-brilliant they were, but there was a minor problem disposing of them because they just ate anything thrown at them. Looks like these sneaky devils capitalised on them only being able to eat processed materials and just stuck them in the Martian crust though!"

"And I suppose our construction work here broke them free," Diamond Damsel finished.

"Right?" Matter-Eater gave an awkward laugh. "Gee, what a coinkydink!"

"Okay!" Comet Queen placed her hands on her hips and puffed out her flat chest as much as she could manage. "Now that we're all in the same orbit...Diamond Damsel can't stand there forever, this shiny little shuttle can't do his possession thing 'cuz there's more of them than there are asteroids in the Oort Cloud, that leaves you Tenz! You're gonna have to eat them!"

Matter-Eater Lad licked his lips. "Paranormal investigating does give me an appetite! And this is all Bismoll's fault really, my patriotic pride says I gotta do it!" He got down on his hands and knees again, in position to pounce. As soon as Diamond Damsel moved her foot, the nanite swarm careened straight into his waiting gullet.

"Boring!" Quislet complained. "Quislet can watch Legionnaires shove food in their faceholes any time!" His ship's exhaust gave a loud poop-POP-poop and he flew back up the shaft leaving the other three behind.

"Hey!" Comet Queen shouted after him. "Come back here! Your leader commands it!"

"Let him go," Diamond Damsel waved. She held up her foot, seeing where the nanites had eaten straight through the sole of her boot. "This probably isn't the best first mission you could have hoped to lead, but it could have been worse."

"Starshine, are you kidding?" Comet Queen squealed. "Parse me to the C-span, Bouncy's gonna be so impressed! I led my first team, Tenzil ate the bad guy and we didn't even break anything! This is the best day of my life!" Whooping in delight, she soared up the shaft after Quislet.

Diamond Damsel shook her head and chuckled inwardly as she pulled a spare flashlight out of her belt. Only Comet Queen could be so excited about a Legion adventure that ended with Matter-Eater Lad 'eating the bad guy'. Still, in the many long years Diamond Damsel had been alive she knew it really could be much worse. Maybe Comet Queen had the right idea. Maybe she could just celebrate a victory for what it was.

She allowed herself a smile and watched Tenzil finish eating.
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Haunting of Husband Hill - 05/13/14 06:15 PM
Heh. Quis and Comet Queen are quite refreshing, and they make a good quartet w/ D. Damsel and Tenz. Nice!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Haunting of Husband Hill - 05/13/14 08:38 PM
Splendid stuff - I'm really happy to see Gas Girl in action, and wondering who the Alchemist could be? And CQ is a delight, you have her down pat and it's a joy to read her and Quislet together. Loved her justifying Tenzil on the team because he's hilarious! - that made me laugh.

Good stuff Raz, as ever I'm in love with your work. More, more, more!
Posted By: Omni Re: The Haunting of Husband Hill - 05/13/14 10:53 PM
Agreed! I loved reading CQ and Quis! These are two characters I never really knew and I'm finding I love them.

I'm starting to wonder what other surprises this new headquarters has un store.

love seeing Diamond Damsel and CQ as well. Correcting CQ on the reason behind husband hill was cute.
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Haunting of Husband Hill - 05/20/14 12:02 PM
I have to add, your use of Gas Girl is wonderful. Her joining the Legion feels very organic, and I'm pleased she's being portrayed as an experienced hero in her own right instead of a newbie!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Haunting of Husband Hill - 05/20/14 01:20 PM
Thanks heaps everyone! I am glad everyone likes Gas Girl! I nearly put Evolvo Lad and Life Lass on board too but I felt like they might play second fiddle to Quislet & Brainy too much...Gas Girl's power is fairly unique so it's easier for her to stand out smile

More on the new recruits from the Subs next up! I am about halfway through writing it up and I think I've managed to chuck in one or two cool bits for them so far smile
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Haunting of Husband Hill - 05/20/14 01:47 PM
I think Life Lass could stand out from Quislet well enough, as she doesn't destroy the objects she brings to life. But I agree, because Gas Girl's power lets her change her own form it'll be easier for her to stand out smile

Can't wait for the next installment!
Posted By: razsolo Substitute to Victory - 05/26/14 09:58 AM
THE LEGION OF SUBSTITUTE HEROES SATELLITE BASE
22,300 miles above Earth

Chlorophyll Kid, Stone Boy, Color Kid and Fire Lad gathered together in the comfy recreation room they'd helped furnish and decorate themselves. They hadn't known this satellite as their headquarters for long but it had become like a home already. "I'm gonna miss this place," the green-garbed Chlorophyll Kid sighed, looking around a final time.

"We're going to miss you!" Rainbow Girl blurted. Along with Antennae Lad, she'd come to see their four former teammates away to their new lives as full-fledged members of the Legion of Superheroes. She jumped up from her seat and gave Chlorophyll Kid a hug, followed by the other three men.

Sharing a sofa off to one side with her fiance Cosmic Boy, Night Girl leaned across to her lover. "It feels so strange being on this side, Rokk...last time it was me saying goodbye to them, now I'm welcoming them to our team!"

Cosmic Boy clasped her hand in his. "If those four together make one half the Legionnaire that you've been, then we should have done this a long time ago."

Lydda kissed him on the cheek. "Flatterer."

"I just wish the rest of the Subs could have been here to say goodbye," Color Kid noted. "Are you sure they're not mad at us? I'd hate for them to think we're abandoning the team!"

"No way!" Antennae Lad shook his head vigorously. "Crystal Kid, Polecat and Porcupine Pete had to go help Pete's friends on Steeple with something but they all wish they could be here!"

"This is your time to shine, Ulu." Rainbow Girl touched Color Kid's arm affectionately. "Don't feel bad for enjoying it. If anything, you boys are an inspiration to the rest of us! Now almost every one of the Substitute Heroes who came before us has made it to the Legion, it gives the rest of us hope that one day it'll be our turn!" A delicate tinkling sound filled the air and Rainbow Girl tapped her wrist. "That's my bio-alarm, I'd better go or I'll be late for my charity luncheon. All four of you deserve this, congratulations! Did you still want a lift to Luna, Chee?"

"Yes please!" Antennae Lad joined Rainbow Girl as she walked out of the room. "Don't worry about the Subs, you guys!" he waved to the others as he left. "We'll be fine!"

Once the two had left, the remaining heroes took stock. "I guess this is really it," Stone Boy walked over to a portrait of the founding members of the Substitute Heroes which had been taken the fateful day they'd all agreed to form their own team. They'd all been so young back then, so full of optimism. That optimism had been tested over the years but Dag was quietly glad to see that it had finally been rewarded. "I'm not usually a nostalgic guy but there's a lot of history we're saying goodbye to today."

"We're about to make a lot more!" Fire Lad beamed. "Come on, you squajes! Stop being so maudlin, the shuttle's packed so let's go to Mars!" Staq spat a flicker of mild flame which flashed bright and vanished as it snapped at Stone Boy's rear end. It was hot enough to give him a start without actually hurting him, and the Zwennite hero gave chase to Fire Lad through the satellite, both men laughing loudly.

Night Girl blushed as she and Cosmic Boy accompanied Chlorophyll Kid and Color Kid. "Still silly after all these years," Lydda mumbled. "You boys will never grow up."

Chlorophyll Kid opened his mouth to respond when all of their flight rings came to life. "Subs!" It was Antennae Lad, he sounded panicked and they could hear a shrill alarm sounding behind him. "Incoming! Get ready, you guys have incoming! They've already taken out our engines, we're--" The rest of his warning was drowned out by a tremendous crashing noise, and the satellite base's own alarms screamed out in protest.

"Where's your monitor room?" Cosmic Boy shouted, instantly taking command.

"We don't have a monitor room!" Color Kid yelled back. "This place didn't come with one!"

"This way!" Chlorophyll Kid commanded, running to a nearby door. Color Kid, Night Girl and Cosmic Boy followed him up two flights of emergency stairs and emerged in a domed meeting room. Consoles of different shapes and sizes lined the walls, and Color Kid and Chlorophyll Kid both ran to these now.

"Antennae Lad's right, Rainbow Girl's ship has been disabled!" Color Kid shouted. He quickly disabled the base's own alarms so they could communicate at a normal volume. "That's her personal cruiser, she won't have a lifepod on board! We have to get them to safety!"

"T-they're not the only ones who need saving," Chlorophyll Kid stammered. "L-look, guys." Another screen showed the team's assailants. There were only two of them, but they were a terrifying two. One was immediately recognisable as the golden-skinned woman Celestine. She'd recently joined Earth-Man's Justice League and though very little was known about the flame-haired villainess everybody here had seen her take on Supergirl in single combat. She was accompanied by what seemed to be a male version of herself, a golden-skinned man with a corona of cosmic fire in place of his own hair. It was only by his militaristic costume that the heroes recognised him as Earth-Man.

"He must have absorbed her power," Cosmic Boy thought out loud. "But why are they here?"

"This used to be Earth-Man's base," Color Kid answered grimly. "I guess he's decided to exterminate the alien vermin that moved in after we evicted him."

"Well he's going to have a fight on his hands," Cosmic Boy scowled. "Come on, Legion. Let's go!"

"Rokk, wait!" Night Girl clutched Cosmic Boy's arm. "Let us take care of this, you need to help Rainbow Girl and Antennae Lad."

"Lydda, are you nuts?" Cosmic Boy snapped. "You can't face those psychopaths alone!"

"Look at her ship!" Night Girl answered firmly. "They've got no propulsion at all and I can't imagine their shielding is in a much better state at the moment! If they start falling into Earth's atmosphere they won't stand a chance on their own! You're the only one who can help them!"

Cosmic Boy fell silent. She was right, he knew she was right. He bowed his head in defeat. "I'll do it," he surrendered. "But I'm going to need to get past those two first."

"I can take care of that," Color Kid answered. To prove his point, he changed his own coloration to camouflage himself against the consoles behind him then reverted to his normal appearance again. "I'm not Chameleon Boy, it's not going to be perfect. But as long as they're distracted enough not to actively look for us, I can keep us hidden long enough to get outside."

"We can distract them," Night Girl said. "Right, Ral?"

"R-right," Chlorophyll Kid stammered in response. He didn't sound at all confident.

"Ral and I will go first," Night Girl took command. "Once we engage them, you two can sneak to the airlock."

"Sounds good," Color Kid nodded as his power washed over himself and Cosmic Boy to disguise them both. Cosmic Boy simply gave a stoic nod, not trusting that he'd be able to let Lydda do this if he allowed himself to speak.

Night Girl and Chlorophyll Kid didn't have to spend long running through the corridors of the satellite before they came across Celestine smashing her way up from lower levels. The golden woman stopped her charge in mid-air and gave the two heroes a paradoxically chilly reception. "Apparently we're to give you the option of surrender," she spoke haughtily. "Surrender would certainly be the wisest choice though it matters not to me."

Lydda shielded her eyes from the glare of Celestine's corona, a gesture Cosmic Boy couldn't help but notice from several feet behind them. "Surrender to Earth-Man and his latest lackey?" she mocked the villainess. "What do you say to that, Ral?"

"I-I say this is our home," the out of breath hero frowned, "And it's time for you to leave!" He threw a single seed into the air and in the blink of an eye it expanded into an enormous redwood. The width of the trunk filled more than half the corridor and the shaft of its trunk rocketed into Celestine like a colossal battering ram. Taken by surprise, she was slammed through an internal wall by the force of the tree's sudden growth.

"That's our cue," Color Kid whispered to Cosmic Boy at his side. "Come on, let's go!"

Rokk gave one final longing glance at his lover and then turned away. For better or worse, she and Chlorophyll Kid were on their own now. He vowed to himself though, if either of these villains hurt Lydda he'd crush this whole satellite down around them. As he and Color Kid continued their dash towards the airlock, they came across Fire Lad and Stone Boy running from the cosmically powered Earth-Man down a side corridor. Camouflaged as they were, neither their friends nor Earth-Man had seen Rokk or Ulu.

"Color Kid!" Cosmic Boy hissed, pulling on his new teammate's sleeve. "The others!" He pointed at them desperately dodging white-hot blasts of flame.

Color Kid paused for only a second. "No. If they needed help, they'd ask for it. We have to trust that they can look after themselves. Rainbow Girl and Antennae Lad need us now." Wasting not a second more, Ulu continued flying onward.

**********
Not far from where Cosmic Boy and Color Kid had left them, Night Girl and Chlorophyll Kid dived into a dimly lit storeroom as a wave of flame bellowed through the corridor behind them. Celestine had incinerated the redwood within seconds and she wasn't far off doing the same to them now.

"At least it's darker in here," Lydda noted in a hushed tone. "I don't feel quite so much like I'm about to pass out."

"Th-that's great," Chlorophyll Kid panted, "It'll be nice to be conscious when we're both instabroiled."

"When did you turn into such a defeatist?" Night Girl countered. "We're Legionnaires now Ral, Legionnaires always win."

"Yeah? T-tell Ferro Lad and Karate Kid that."

"Hush." Lydda quickly analysed their surroundings. "Can you do something about that light?" She pointed at the one small light mounted in the ceiling."I've got an idea but my timing is going to have to be perfect. Once she makes her appearance it's not going to be dark in here for long."

Chlorophyll Kid held another seed in his palm, growing a small date tree. Once it was large enough for him to position, he held it directly beneath the light and it shot straight up, smashing the plastiglass and plunging the room into darkness. He could no longer see Night Girl or anything else save the crimson emergency lighting of the corridor outside, fire retardant foam seeping into the open doorway.

"This chase is futile," Celestine announced as her blazing brilliance filled the doorway. "This construct will be destroyed, all you're accomplishing is to ensure that I destroy you along with it."

With a savage grunt, Night Girl rammed a two ton cargo box into the golden woman. The box was seven feet high and five feet across, more than large enough to shield Lydda from Celestine's light. She knew it would do little more than inconvenience her, but more importantly it would buy them some time. Celestine flew straight through the opposite wall which had already been weakened by her prior attack, and Lydda jammed the wreckage of the container into the doorway. Not missing a beat, Lydda crouched down and slammed both fists into the floor at her feet. She smashed a hole through to the level below them and waved Chlorophyll Kid across. The two heroes fled to the lower level just as another one of Celestine's blasts tore apart the room they'd left.

"Okay, good." Lydda chanced a look behind her as she and Chloropyll Kid fled through the satellite. "She's made so much of a mess hopefully it'll take her a few seconds to figure out we've come down here. We need a plan though, we can't outrun her forever. What plants have you got on you?"

"N-not a lot," Chlorophyll Kid stammered in reply, "Some creepers, some Winathian thorny roses, mangoes from Ogyptu...nothing that's g-gonna stop a walking sun woman, Lydda. I w-wasn't expecting to have to fight for my life before I even m-made it to Legion Headquarters."

"Ral. Listen to me." Night Girl stopped in her tracks and grabbed her friend's shoulders. "We can do this. You can do this. I know what this is, you're scared that you're not good enough for the Legion and that this is where it all comes out into the open. I've been there, more than once. Brek's been there, I'm sure Drura's been there. But you are good enough, you've been good enough for a damn long time and you know as well as I do that we've both faced as bad as this in our time as Subs. Now tell me. We're going to do this. We're going to beat her."

"We-we're going to beat her," he repeated weakly, unable to meet Lydda's powerful stare. He looked at the seed pouches around his belt and something dawned inside of him. With renewed purpose, he looked up at Lydda and grinned. "We're not just gonna b-beat her. We're gonna make her wish she'd never heard of the Legion of Substitute Heroes, let alone attack us in our own home the day we leave. Lydda. Put on your transuit."

Moments later, Celestine roared down the corridor. Fire blazed across her scalp and down her golden arms. Behind her, strobing emergency lights flashed and fire retardant foam spat out uselessly. She saw Night Girl standing alone in the middle of the corridor, the heroine's fists balled at her sides. "Where is the other one?" Celestine demanded. "The fat one with the plants?"

"Maybe he's gone to help our friends," Night Girl shrugged. "Maybe he knows I don't need him to take you down, you pompous batwitch."

"Brave words," Celestine smiled coldly. "I'll be sure to have them engraved upon your cremation urn." She raised a single hand and an intense stream of flame exploded forth. At the same time, two bulbous purple fruits filled the corridor directly in front of Night Girl. They were enormous, each one easily as large as Lydda herself, and they exploded with a squelching boom from the heat of Celestine's blast before the flame itself reached them. When the lethal blast subsided a second later, Celestine expected to see an empty corridor. Instead, she saw Night Girl's outline caked in a charred purple pulp. The sickly sweet smell of burnt fruit filled the air. Celestine cocked her head, confused as to what had happened, and before she could react Lydda charged into her at maximum speed. Covered from head to toe in the fire-hardened remains of the Ogyptu fruits, Lydda was hidden from the light but she also couldn't see a thing. Without her transuit she'd be suffocating right now and severely burned rather than uncomfortably hot. She aimed for the source of the heat, and once she smashed into Celestine she clasped her fists together and delivered an uppercut so powerful it sent the golden woman flying up through three levels, through the satellite's hull, and into space.

The Ogyptu mangoes weren't made for such punishment, and layers of cement-hard fruit pulp fell off of Lydda to the floor with a thud. "Ugh!" Night Girl shuddered. "That was disgusting! She'd better be out, that punch would have rattled Supergirl's teeth!"

Chlorophyll Kid walked over from where he'd been hiding in a nearby door recess. "You know," he chuckled as Lydda extricated herself from the mess. "Those stupid giant mangoes taste worse than a case of crank-case oil, the only thing they've ever been good for is insulation and binding building materials when they're heated up enough. I've been holding onto them for ages just in case Fire Lad and I ever needed to make a shelter if we were stranded somewhere." As soon as he'd finished speaking, he and Lydda stared wide-eyed at one another.

"Fire Lad! Stone Boy!"

**********
Three levels above them, the objects of their concern were barely managing to avoid Earth-Man's blasts. "It's a good thing he's not any more skilled with her powers," Stone Boy mentioned as he ducked another stream of flame. "We'd be cinders by now!"

"You're telling me," Fire Lad agreed. They came to an intersecting corridor and thinking quickly, Staq Mavlen spun around and breathed his own wall of flame between the two men and the villain pursuing them. The power Earth-Man had stolen from Celestine meant the sudden firewall was no threat whatsoever, but he instinctively shielded himself and pulled back anyway. When the flames cleared, the two Subs were nowhere in sight. Having fled to the left as fast as their flight rings could safely carry them, Fire Lad and Stone Boy continued their conversation. "Have you noticed though," Fire Lad pointed out, "The longer we keep him on the run, the more fleshy that golden skin of his is looking?"

"She must be far enough away that his stolen power's beginning to fade," Stone Boy nodded. The two men heard a tremendous crash from elsewhere in the satellite and flinched. "If we can keep him busy long enough Celestine's powers should fade altogether. Then we can knock him out and help the others with her."

"Yeah," Fire Lad's eyes narrowed as he considered their options. "Of course, he's just gonna copy our powers as soon as hers are no good to him anymore..." He snapped his bony fingers and gave Stone Boy a triumphant look. "So maybe we should make sure our powers are more of a hindrance than a help!"

"What have you got in mind?" Stone Boy asked.

Fire Lad began to respond when the wall behind them buckled and ripped apart. Earth-Man hovered on the other side, almost glowing with fury. His skin had a golden sheen and licks of flame coated his arms and scalp, but the two heroes had been right. He was definitely losing Celestine's powers. Before they could do anything with that information though, Stone Boy and Fire Lad found themselves flung painfully to the ceiling where they were held with crushing force.

"You think you're so clever?" Earth-Man ranted, looking up at the two men. "Tricking me with your stupid flame breath? Taking my headquarters from me? Celestine's a walking sun, you morons. And she's got more than fire going for her. I've got so many senses with this power. I tracked your heat signatures. I'm holding you now with gravity. But I can do more than hold." He scowled, and Fire Lad grunted in pain as the pressure increased immensely.

"Stop it!" Stone Boy struggled fruitlessly as the ceiling panels began to deform around the mass of his stone form. "You're hurting him!"

"That's the idea!" Earth-Man shouted back. "Do you have any idea how embarassing it was for me to be beaten by the sprocking Legion of Substitute Heroes? For you to steal my own base right out from underneath me? Well guess what, alien? I'm back and I'm going to do to you what you did to me! I'm backed by Earthgov now, I'm going to kill you both here in the satellite you stole from me and they'll call me a hero for doing it! Then Celestine and I are going to vaporise every sprocking molecule of this place and wipe you nasses from the history holos completely!"

"You...can't..." Fire Lad grimaced.

"Who's going to stop me?" Earth-Man asked with utter contempt. "You two losers? I doubt it."

Fire Lad laughed, though the effort hurt. "No..." he retorted, shifting his gaze to meet that of Earth-Man. "I mean...you literally can't, idiot...look at yourself."

Confused, Earth-Man turned his attention to his own arm. The flames along his sleeve were almost entirely gone now. He knew exactly what this meant. "I really wanted to draw this out," he decreed coldly, "But dead is dead." He raised his arm to fire upon the two men, but his hold on them had weakened enough now for Stone Boy to make his move. It was like pushing against the force of an ocean, but Dag shoved himself off the ceiling as hard as he could. Once he'd cleared the effect of Earth-Man's gravitic field, he plummeted to the floor and smashed a hole through it, knocking Earth-Man off of his feet.

"No!" Earth-Man yelled in defiance and fear. "It's not fair!" The last of Celestine's power left the villain, and Fire Lad's flight ring lowered him gently to his feet as he cupped his aching ribs. Earth-Man scrambled away from the heroes as Stone Boy advanced on him. "I don't need her power!" Earth-Man raged. "I'll kill you with your own!" True to his word, he used Fire Lad's own power to breathe a deadly stream of flame at the two men.

Stone Boy stepped forward to protect Fire Lad from the assault, but the heat was so intense even he was beginning to find it uncomfortable. Memories of his recent injury at the hands of Talok the Red Son came to mind. "Staq, that plan you had!" Stone Boy shouted. "Now would be a really good time to make it happen!"

"Sorry girl," Fire Lad stroked the inner hull of the satellite. "Better you than us though." Drawing as much air into his lungs as he could, Fire Lad exhaled against the wall. It took a couple of seconds, but as soon as he'd damaged the satellite enough to expose them to the vacuum outside, explosive decompression took care of the rest. A massive hole was torn in the hull, and Staq activated his transuit even as he was torn outside to careen through the void. Stone Boy and Earth-Man followed, Earth-Man's own vicious attack extinguished almost immediately without oxygen to fuel it.

Fire Lad wore his transuit, but Earth-Man had brought no such protection for himself. He'd been counting on Celestine's power to keep him safe out here. For an instant he nearly succumbed to panic, until he realised that Stone Boy was all the protection he needed. He could take on Dag Wentim's form and pummel the two men to death with his bare hands if he had to. That was the last thought that passed through Earth-Man's mind before he became an immobile statue of a man spinning placidly through space.

Of course that makes sense, Stone Boy realised happily, It's not my power that lets me move while I'm in stone form! He gave a thumbs-up to Fire Lad, a gesture quickly returned by the skinny hero. The two men avoided the hole they'd made exiting the satellite and made their way to the nearest airlock, Stone Boy dragging Earth-Man's immobile form behind him.

Once they'd re-entered the damaged base again, Fire Lad deactivated his transuit. "We'd better call the others and make sure they're okay," he suggested. "Something else else tells me that Celestine woman is gonna be a lot harder to deal with than Earth-Man, and he was no walk in the park."

"She was at that," a new voice entered the conversation, "We managed between us though." Fire Lad and Stone Boy looked across the room to see Mon-El, Shadow Lass and Wildfire leading a clearly defeated and very angry Celestine before them. Metal beams had been twisted and wrapped around her golden wrists to act as manacles. Behind them Cosmic Boy, Night Girl, Color Kid, Chlorophyll Kid, Rainbow Girl and Antennae Lad brought up the rear.

"Wow, you don't waste any time!" Stone Boy dropped the petrified Earth-Man to the floor with a thud. "How did you even know we were in trouble so quickly?"

"We were in the area when we got the call for backup," Wildfire retorted. "Lucky for you guys, when you're as fast as Mon-El and me Mars is in the area."

"Not that it looks like you needed us," Shadow Lass continued. "By the time we'd arrived Celestine was on her last legs and you two look like you took care of him pretty well."

"It doesn't matter!" Celestine spat. "Don't you understand? We're here under the authority of Earth's government! We stopped your Legion of Superheroes from being allowed to set foot on our planet and we can certainly stop these ridiculous Substitute Heroes from lording over it from above!"

Antennae Lad laughed. "You wish! Nice try lady, but we're not taken care of that easily."

"Actually..." Mon-El looked crestfallen at the current and former Subs, "I'm afraid she's right, Antennae Lad. I checked on the way here...Earthgov has banned any non-Terran member of the Substitute Heroes from operating in its territory, and their territory includes Earth orbit. This satellite is to be destroyed."

Everyone present was stunned speechless, and none of them wanted to say what they were all thinking. When Earthgov had done this to the Legion of Superheroes, that group had the resources to weather it. The Subs had nothing. No funding, no real connections, half their active membership wouldn't even be back in the solar system for another Earth week yet.

...The Legion of Substitute Heroes were truly finished.

Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Substitute to Victory - 05/26/14 12:05 PM
Wooooooow. Lydda and Ral were brilliant, and so were Staq and Dag. And Ulu! These guys are really proving they are meant to be Legionnaires.

But man, this whole Earthgov mess is a pain. I'm looking forward to the eventual resolution of that!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Substitute to Victory - 05/26/14 01:34 PM
Thanks! It turns out I love writing the Subs a heap laugh

I have always really liked the underdog characters where their ingenuity and resourcefulness are as important or moreso than their power level smile

While the Legion are fairly well insulated from Earthgov shenanigans in their current home there are gonna be some hopefully interesting developments coming along there soon too! Might not be long before Earth-Man finds out he can only kick the hornet's nest for so long before they get mad...
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Substitute to Victory - 05/26/14 02:16 PM
You love writing the Subs? I wouldn't have guessed tongue But I do enjoy your writing of the Subs and former Subs a lot! I've come to gain a new respect for their ingenuity and heroism. Bonus points for keeping Ral chubby and for keeping Staq skinny.

Oh, I can't wait for the comeuppance of Earth-Man (again)!

Posted By: Omni Re: Substitute to Victory - 05/27/14 03:11 AM
Love it and the subs did a great job. I love how well you use your underdog characters so well and make them seem less like underdogs.


can't wait to see hats next.
Posted By: razsolo The Walking Dead - 06/11/14 10:35 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superhero Headquarters

Luornu Durgo Taine stood behind her husband, her arms draped around his shoulders while he sat brooding at the mission monitor board.

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay here with you?" the athletic young woman asked. "Kid Computo, Tellus and I are about to head out but I know you're under a lot of stress lately, and there's no reason I can't go with them and stay here." To illustrate her point she showcased the power that had earned her the name Duplicate Damsel and split into two identical bodies.

Chuck squeezed her hand appreciatively. "Thanks Lu. But I'll be fine, and your mission is too important for your concentration to be divided."

Luornu considered arguing the point. Her power didn't work that way and Chuck knew it. She decided to let it go though. Chuck had been more distant than usual since their recent exile through time and space, but maybe he just needed to work through this on his own. As difficult as it had been for Luornu to integrate five different sets of experiences when she'd recombined after that adventure, she'd only been separated from herself for days. Bouncing Boy, along with Phantom Girl, Blok and Diamond Damsel had been trapped in the past of a now dead world for months. None of them had been particularly forthcoming about what they'd been through there, but Duplicate Damsel supposed she was the last person to judge someone for internalising their trauma. All she could really do was be ready for when Chuck needed her. One of Luornu's bodies kissed her husband on the cheek while the other hugged him from behind. "You're the boss. See you soon, Chuck." She merged her two bodies to become one woman again, and left the room.

Bouncing Boy didn't turn his attention from the mission monitor board, and was taken aback when the next voice he heard was decidedly masculine. "Bouncing Boy, you keep obsessing over those holos like that and people are gonna start confusing you for Cos."

Bouncing Boy turned in his seat to see Sun Boy leaning against the wall by the doorway, his arms folded across his chest. "Hello Sun Boy," Chuck greeted him. "What are you doing here? You're not due for your shift for another hour yet."

"Consider this my good deed for the day." He pulled Chuck's seat away from the board and faced Bouncing Boy toward the door. "Go on, get out of here."

"What? No, I can't." Chuck turned back round again. "I need to make sure I'm on top of everything. Star Boy's team is still in the Corvan system, Nightwind and Dragonmage just left for Cryogeyser City, I need to find some way to help what's left of the Subs and keep an eye on Earth-Man--"

"Chuck, stop." Sun Boy held up a hand. "Look, the truth is I was meant to be finishing an amazing date with a Rimborian Zero-G gymnast about now, but she came down with a bad case of flu and had to cancel at the last minute. I came in here to find out what Brek was up to and I couldn't help overhear you sending your very attractive wife away after she offered to stay with you. If that's not the sign of a man who's overworked, I don't know what is. Go for a walk or a bounce or whatever, forget about the Legion for one night."

"I can't," Bouncing Boy barrelled on. "I need to organise meetings with--"

Sun Boy placed a hand on each arm of Bouncing Boy's chair and turned him around again till the two men were face to face. "Chuck." Dirk Morgna's tone was far more authoritative than Bouncing Boy was used to hearing, and it startled him into actually paying heed. "Humor me. I know what happens when you work yourself too hard in this team. Trust me, you don't want that."

Bouncing Boy reluctantly gave his seat up to his teammate. "I guess I could go see how Fire Lad and the others are settling in..."

"Sure, knock yourself out." Dirk flopped into the vacant seat, his serious tone already dispelled. He waved a hand over a remote channelpad and the room filled with the latest charting pop tune. "Just don't do any work for the rest of the night! Doc Morgna's orders!"

Bouncing Boy meandered through the Legion's new home, noticing how empty it seemed at this time of night. It was almost midnight here over the Gusev Crater and the rest of the Legion were already tucked in their beds, away on their own missions, or sampling the nightlife of neighbouring McCool Hill. Chuck walked past one of the building's rec rooms where he heard laughter. Fire Lad, Chlorophyll Kid, Infectious Lass and Invisible Kid were watching a comedy holo together. Chuck briefly considered joining them, but it occurred to him that he was actually enjoying the solitude. It was the first time in 14 hours he hadn't been utterly preoccupied with Legion business, he couldn't deny that the break was indeed nice.

Just as he decided to head up to his room, Chuck noticed movement at the end of a darkened corridor. He approached the silhouetted person sitting by a large picture window, motion sensors activating lighting around him with each footfall. "Tinya?" Chuck asked once he was close enough to recognise her. "What are you doing out here on your own?"

She'd been watching the Martian moon Phobos crawl across the night sky, and turned now to face Bouncing Boy. "Hi," she greeted without enthusiasm. "Jo said something about needing to speak with Elastic Lad about half an hour ago. I couldn't get to sleep without him so I thought I'd come out and look at the view."

"Takes some getting used to, huh?" Chuck came closer and looked out over the red plains, spires twinkling under the gently shifting moonlight. "A lot different to Metropolis, that's for sure."

"It all takes some getting used to," she replied glumly. "I thought it'd be better by now, you know? We've been back for weeks now...we even got Shady back. I'm with Jo again, the team's reunited...the rest of the Legion have bounced back from everything the Infinite Man put us through, but me...I can't bounce back." She gave Chuck an imploring look. "Why can't I bounce back, Chuck? I feel like something was lost back on Dryad, and I don't know if I'll ever get it back. And I feel terrible and self-indulgent even saying that out loud. Sweet Mistress, Blok lost his world and his people again. But I'm the one who can't get over it."

"Oh Tinya..." Chuck stood by her side and placed a comforting arm around her shoulder. "It'll get better. It really will." They watched Phobos climb overhead, and Chuck couldn't help but realise he sounded far more exhausted than optimistic.

**********
Element Lad stood at his bedroom window two floors above, watching the same moon. While some of the Legion had groused about their relocation to Mars, Jan Arrah had tried to embrace the change. One thing he was quietly grateful for was that for the first time in years he had a bedroom that looked out to the world. He remembered the first time he'd seen the cramped windowless buildings of Earth he'd felt a sick claustrophobia at the sight. He'd long since overcome that nausea, but he could never prefer the sterile hyper-efficient cities of many United Planets worlds to the more aesthetic and open structures he remembered from a childhood on Trom. Mars was no Trom, but at least here he could watch the stars from his bed.

"Jan?"

He turned at the throaty voice which carried now over the delicate tinkle of crystalline chimes suspended from his ceiling. Shvaughn Erin sat before him, or at least a full-body holographic representation of her. Straddling a chair, her copper hair was unkempt and she had dark bags under normally vivid green eyes. Jan smiled warmly at the sight. He remembered a time when she would never have appeared before him without first grooming herself to a level she deemed acceptable. It made him happy that their relationship had progressed to the stage where she felt comfortable in front of him as herself.

"Thanks for calling," he greeted his absent lover. "I know it's late in Metropolis, you look exhausted."

She stifled a yawn. "The crime rate's increased on Earth since the Legion left, but that shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody. All the Science Police have our hands full these days, though I have to admit Earth-Man and his goons are doing a better job of keeping the peace than I'd have given them credit for. They're no Legion of Superheroes though. They're not even a Legion of Substitute Heroes."

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about actually." Jan sat on the edge of his bed so that he could meet Shvaughn at her eye level. "Is this a secure channel?"

"Sure," Shvaugn's tone was casual, but her posture instantly stiffened. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine with me," he answered, choosing his words carefully. "I'm more concerned about you."

Shvaughn frowned slightly. "Jan, that's sweet but--"

"I know you were the one who alerted us when Earth-Man and Celestine attacked the Legion of Substitute Heroes, Shvaughn." His voice was soft, but carried a tone that Shvaughn was annoyed to recognise as disapproval. "When the distress signal came in, everybody assumed that another Legionnaire had sent it. It's not entirely unbelievable that Wildfire and Mon-El could fly fast enough to have reached Earth orbit if that call had come in after the attack began, but it's much more believable that they'd have had time to react if they were called earlier...say just after the Justice League's Science Police liaison found out Earth-Man and Celestine had left to dismantle the Subs' satellite?"

Shvaughn sat up straight and folded her arms defensively across her chest. "I'm not going to apologise for trying to save your friends' lives," she scowled. "I know Cosmic Boy and the others held them off without help, but Celestine only surrendered because reinforcements arrived. If she'd had time to recover, she would have killed them all."

"I know that," Jan replied calmly. "And believe me Shvaughn, I'm grateful. But if I figured it out, they'll figure it out. I don't doubt your ability to do your job as a Science Police Officer for a nanosecond, but the Justice League are...well, they're in a different league. Some of them are almost on par with the most powerful Legionnaires and the Legion are another world away. We can't protect you."

"You don't need to protect me, lover." Shvaughn breathed out and hung her weary head over the back of the chair. "They are in a different league than me. I'm not even on their radar, they find me an annoying beaureaucratic necessity more than anything else. But they're also making life more and more difficult for non-Terrans, for heroes like the Legion and the Subs, for everyone around them. Your hands may be tied thanks to Earthgov but I can't sit idly by and watch these monsters destroy my friends and the world I love. I can't do it Jan, and I won't. My ideals mean as much to me as yours do to you."

Jan leaned towards her, shoulders slumped in defeat. "I know that," he smiled. "And that's why I love you." The two sat in mutual silence gazing into one another's eyes as the tension in the room dissipated. He wished more than ever that he could take her in his arms and just hold her. "Just promise me you'll be careful," he finally spoke.

Before Shvaughn could answer, Element Lad's flight ring beeped at him. "Element Lad, this is Sun Boy. Need you to report to the hangar for a mission, sorry to interrupt your beauty sleep pal!"

Jan frowned and gave Shvaughn an apologetic look. "Sun Boy, is anybody else available? I'm kind of busy at the moment."

"Not any more," Sun Boy replied abruptly.

"Star Boy's team needs a rescue and you were the first person they asked for."

**********
CORVAN SYSTEM
Main Asteroid Belt

Light Lad wondered how everything had fallen apart so quickly.

When he, Star Boy and Blok had lost contact with Gas Girl they'd rushed to her location, a sleek black ship belonging to the pirate called the Alchemist. Now Blok was a lifeless golden statue, frozen in the midst of tearing a hole through the ship's internal wall to face its captain on the bridge. Star Boy lay unconscious on the floor at the captain's feet, and all that was left of Gas Girl was a puddle of water on the other side of the room. The two members of the ship's crew who remained uninjured had their weapons trained on Light Lad. They weren't what worried him at the moment though. Some months ago he might have been terrified at the prospect of facing ruthless armed bandits, but even in the short time he'd been a Legionnaire he'd learned there were far more frightening things in the universe than guns. No, what really made the hair on the back of Darvan Locke's neck prickle was the Alchemist herself. She carried no weapons herself, but she didn't need to. As far as LIght Lad knew she'd killed Blok and Gas Girl, and the only reason Star Boy and Darvan himself remained alive was because the sight of Light Lad had sparked some dark plot in her.

"I did as you asked," Light Lad asked, focusing on keeping his voice from shaking. "Now are you going to tell me why you made me call for Element Lad? Why did you change your mind about killing us?"

"Killing is too easy," the pirate woman answered with barely restrained contempt from beneath a dark crimson hooded cloak keeping her face in shadow. "For you and for him, killing is too easy. I make you suffer first, and then I get my revenge on the others."

"The other who?" Light Lad asked. "The other Legionnaires? I don't even know you! You've made a huge mistake, I only agreed to call Element Lad because I know the Legion will stop you. You'll pay for what you've done today, Alchemist."

"Evil never pays, Light Lad. You've certainly never paid for what you did, have you now?"

Darvan knew that bile in her tone, the manic edge. He'd heard it from his own sister. This woman was clearly unwell. "Alchemist, please listen to me." He tried to remain as soothing as he could, to remember the lessons of his life as an orderly at the Wellness Institute back home on Winath. "I haven't wronged you, no Legionnaire has wronged you. We've never met before today, you must know that."

"Haven't we?" she snapped back at him. She ripped her hood back from her head, revealing scarred features and a head of honey-coloured hair streaked with white. "Can you deny your crime now that it stares you in the face?"

"I don't know you!" Darvan struggled to maintain his composure. "I swear to you, I don't know what I'm supposed to have done to you!"

She advanced on him, her crew members certain to make sure Light Lad knew their weapons were primed to shoot. The Alchemist grabbed Light Lad's jaw in her hand, and Darvan saw now that her hands and forearms wore old scars too. The woman looked as though she'd been through a war. The Alchemist glared at him, and Darvan was struck with the depths of hatred and anger in her wild hazel eyes. "You stole from me my family. You stole from me my world. All so he could be the only one left. Except he's not. He's not the only one left, is he? I should thank you, Light Lad. For so many years I've avoided the Legion of Superheroes, I never knew if I'd have the will to overcome my grief when I finally laid eyes upon you. And now that you're here in front of me, I find that I do. I have the will to render all of you ashes on the wind."

Darvan's mind reeled. The pieces fell into place, each piece working with its neighbour to draw a picture too awful to contemplate. His eyes grew large and his blood froze as he spoke the realisation. "You...you're that girl from Trom...

...You're Uma Garan."

TO BE TROMTINUED!!!!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Walking Dead - 06/15/14 05:35 AM
Wow! Nice curveball there raz. And nice way to work in the personal moments between Shvaughn/Jan into the Alchemist plotline.

I wonder, did the magic on Dryad affect Chuck and Tinya in any way? Or was it just the stress of being stranded for so long?
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Walking Dead - 06/22/14 03:53 PM
Sun boy telling Chuck to watch out for (space) fatigue was a cute touch, and I wonder what Lu is getting up to? Hmmmm...

Great stuff as always Raz, love how you are tying in the recent Lost storyline to the current adventures. Interesting to see what will happen on Earth now Earth Mans team are not providing the security results that the Legion used to and also what the Alchemist will do once she get hers hands on Jan.

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Walking Dead - 06/23/14 11:19 AM
Thanks peeps! Chuck and Tinya are gonna be a bit of a slow burn for a while but should lead to some interesting places before they're finished...Lu should lead to somewhere interesting much sooner with any luck!

Sun Boy was a happy accident....I threw him in that scene because I felt like it's been a while since he did anything meaningful and it was only in the middle of writing it that I realised he's the perfect Legionnaire to give warnings about (space) fatigue so I'm glad you made the connection as well Harbinger laugh

Hopefully I will get a chance to sit down and put up the next instalment this week! I have been patiently waiting to use Uma again since I introduced her a zillion months ago so I'm looking forward to the coming confrontation!
Posted By: razsolo Revenge Interrupted - 07/09/14 10:36 AM
MARS
North Pole, McCoy Randall Exogenetics Research Facility

"So let me get this straight," Chameleon Boy asked as he took on the form of a Davisian Bodybag, "These scientists combined two of the most prolific breeders in the system to create a hybrid species...as a pet??"

The Davisian Bodybag vaguely resembled an Earth frog, albeit one which was fourteen feet long from its front to its rear. Where it differed from the much smaller amphibian was in the numerous translucent sacs lining its form. As Cham flew through the cold skies above the North Pole, a three-pronged prehensile tongue extended from his open maw and drew in dozens of tiny winged crustaceans at a time. He swallowed the flying crabs, keeping them safely sedated in the bulging sacs lining his body.

"They definitely should have better control methods to stop them from escaping and breeding like Tartarus Hares," Elastic Lad replied, lassoing swarms of the orange-reddish creatures in his elongated arms. "But gosh, they're awfully cute little critters, don't you think?"

"Cute and numerous," Cham replied. The Bodybag had a separate cavity for its vocal cords so he could continue shovelling the tiny creatures into his gullet while talking. The sky all around them was a dense cloud of flying crabs. For every dozen of them that either of the Legionnaires grabbed there were a hundred more. "Maybe we should have brought Duplicate Damsel," Cham continued. "We're going to have our hands full getting these fellows back where they belong."

A green blur suddenly appeared out of nowhere, zipping through the cloud of creatures too fast to be recognised. "Gee whiz!" Elastic Lad exclaimed. "It's some kind of predator! Chameleon Boy, we need to do something!"

"It's okay Elastic Lad," Cham responded calmly. "If that's who I think it is our job here just became a lot easier."

Proving Chameleon Boy right, the cloud thinned dramatically in seconds. Soon Ultra Boy was hovering before his teammates with the last half a dozen flying crabs squirming around in his arms. "Hope I didn't steal anyone's thunder," Jo greeted his friends. He raised an eyebrow comically. "Cham, what animal is that? Are you eating these things alive?"

"It's a Davisian Bodybag," the Durlan responded. "And I'm not eating them, I'm storing them temporarily. Speaking of which, I'd better get them back to their habitat." Chameleon Boy descended towards the unassuming building below, Elastic Lad following close behind.

"Jeepers, it's a lucky break for us you happened to be in the area!" Elastic Lad chattered, his neck twisting like a corkscrew to talk to Ultra Boy behind him while his body followed Cham down. "What brings you to the North Pole, Ultra Boy? It's really pretty here, isn't it? My homeworld Cadmu was built with full weather control, we don't have snow. I really like it, do they have snow on Rimbor like they do here on Mars?"

"Actually," Jo sidestepped Elastic Lad's manic line of questioning, "I came here to speak to you. After this is all wrapped up, I was hoping you'd have some time for me to pick your brain?"

"Well gosh, sure I do!" the ginger-haired boy beamed. "I've always got time for any of my Legion pals! What is it you want my help with?"

"I just wanted to ask you some questions about your people," Jo answered, wincing slightly as one of the crabs pinched his finger. "One of them in particular....Leeta-87."

**********
WEBER'S WORLD
The Red Tapeworm
Tari Wahlmunn took her stimbev and velvet muffin from the servodroid and sat at one of the popular cafe's few spare tables. The Red Tapeworm was kind of a disgusting name, but they made the most amazing muffins here of anywhere she'd found on Weber's World. As the seat of beaureaucracy for the United Planets, most businesses on Weber's World were constructed with an eye for efficiency over style or taste. When you found a good cafe on Weber's World it was worth ignoring how terrible its name might be. She opened a holoscroll and lazily flicked through the day's news. It was funny, Tari mused. When she'd graduated from the Legion Academy and been recruited to join the Oversight Watch she had been a little disappointed. Tari had always dreamed that as Mandalla she would one day serve as a member of the Legion of Superheroes or that she'd at least carve a name for herself as a well-regarded hero on some planet or another. Instead, she had been recruited to join a group who were completely unknown to the vast majority of the United Planets. She'd come to appreciate her role with the Oversight Watch since then however, and she now felt a quiet pride at her place with the team. The Oversight Watch had stopped assassinations, military coups, terrorist attacks and much more. The work they did was good and necessary and she felt like she was really making a difference in the galaxy even if nobdy else outside the team knew about it. If she had one regret, it was that she'd never be able to share her achievements with the Legion of Superheroes. It wasn't glory she wanted, it was simply that the Legion had been her role models for so long that she couldn't help but feel bothered at having to hide away from them.

"Hello Tari."

The bronze young woman's heart skipped a beat. Turning slowly to her left, she saw two new women sitting at the table by her side. Like herself, they were in civilian garb but she recognised them both very well. One of them had taught Mandalla much of what she knew about heroism long before she'd ever even heard of the Oversight Watch. It was Luornu Durgo Taine and Danielle Foccart, the Legionnaires better known as Duplicate Damsel and Kid Computo.

"What are you doing here?" Tari almost whispered. "How did you find me?"

"Come now," Luornu gave her former student a disapproving look. "I taught you better than that, didn't I?"

Danielle raised her hand and smiled sarcastically. "Hi. This whole planet's basically one big computer. Fun for me, not so much for anyone trying to hide from me. Oh, and don't bother using that subcutaneous comms implant you've got there. It doesn't want to play at the moment. Even if it did, your pal Dev-Em is busy dealing with an awfully convenient coolant leak eight miles underground so he can't come fly to your rescue this time around...all the rest of your loser buddies are too far away to get here before we leave."

Mandalla's eyes narrowed. They'd surprised her, but neither of them had any defence against her thoughtspheres. Before she could focus her power, Luornu interjected. "I wouldn't try that if I were you. I taught you long enough to know how you think Tari, but I also taught Tellus...and we both know that he's got a much more developed skillset than you do when it comes to telepathy." Luornu had purchased a stimbev herself and she took a sip from it now, meeting Tari's anxious gaze over the rim of her cup as she drank. "He's waiting on board our ship by the way, with another of my duplicates. When we head back to meet up with him, the first thing I've asked him to do is compare my two psyches to help him see if you've used your power against us."

"Like you did last time the Legion found you," Danielle added.

"Alright," Tari sighed in defeat. "What do you want with me? If you're going to ask me to leave my team--"

"Oh no," Lu shook her head casually. "Not at all. We don't want you to leave the Oversight Watch, Mandalla. We very much want you to stay with them. But there are going to be some....adjustments."

Mandalla gulped.

**********
CORVAN SYSTEM
Main Asteroid Belt
Star Boy roared in pain as a tall muscular yellow-skinned woman plunged a dagger deep into his thigh. The woman was the Sklarian mercenary Atta. She'd faced the Legion of Superheroes before as part of the Persuader's short-lived Fatal Five, but since then had found more stable employment as part of the Alchemist's pirate crew.

"Don't kill him just yet," the crimson-hooded Alchemist cautioned. "I want to drag this out as much as I can, to torture these so-called heroes even a fraction as much as their actions have tortured me."

"Stop it!" Light Lad cried out. Both he and Star Boy had been blindfolded and bound on the floor of the Alchemist's brig. Neither of them could afford to lash out with their powers for fear of hurting the other, and they'd already seen that the Alchemist was more than willing to kill them if provoked. Gas Girl and Blok were both sad proof of that.

"Relax," Atta crossed the room to where Light Lad was bound and crouched down by his side. "Nobody's better with knives than me. If I want someone dead, they die." She ran the cold tip of her blade along the inside of Light Lad's leg. "And if I want someone to suffer, he suffers...for as long as I decide."

"H-how did you survive anyway?" Light Lad stammered nervously, turning back to where he'd heard the Alchemist's voice. "When we were taken from Trom--"

"When you left me to die, you mean?" the Alchemist interrupted. "My ship crashed. We landed in a natural cavern outside the mountain range which had always protected my people from our world's high levels of radiation. My father died on impact and the rest of us were protected from the brunt of Roxxas' attack by those same mountains, but we were severely injured in the crash. My mother knew that Roxxas' men would die of radiation poisoning before too long, but we wouldn't be far behind. We had no choice but to work with them to repair the ship, but by the time we'd done that the rest of their fleet had already moved on. Roxxas' men knew that their leader had gone too far. They knew the Science Police would see them imprisoned for the rest of their natural lives if they rejoined him, and so they left their fleet of murderers and cut-throats behind to find a new destiny for themselves among the border worlds. And they took me with them."

"Your mother..?" Light Lad asked warily.

"She exhausted herself creating rare elements necessary to power their craft," the Alchemist answered, the hood hiding any emotion in her scarred face. "I was too young for that kind of complex transmutation back then, all I was good for was providing raw materials to fix the shuttle's cosmetic damage. My mother died before we left our system."

"Uma..." Light Lad said softly, "I'm so sorry. All these years, you've been out here in the border worlds, raised among the pirates who killed your world?"

"You killed my world!" she spat vehemently. "If you Legionnaires hadn't been there, Roxxas would never have done what he did! You said so yourselves! He only destroyed Trom to kill the Legion of Superheroes!"

Darvan hung his head in shame and Star Boy spoke up now. "Alchemist..." Thom's breath was ragged. "Uma, right? I don't know what's happened between you two or what any of this has to do with Roxxas the Butcher but you have to know that the Legion of Superheroes would never intentionally--"

"Shut up!" she screamed at them both. "Atta, remove their--" Before she could continue her morbid command, a red light flashed above. The Alchemist forced herself to take a deep breath and then called her first mate over the ship's intercom. "Oto, what's that alert?" she asked. "We've got a hull breach?"

"I don't get it," the Braalian's voice came back. "Diagnostics say there's been some minor damage just near the airlock, but I can't find anything to explain it. We haven't been attacked and there's nothing else within visual range."

"So don't just sit there wondering what caused it!" the Alchemist yelled back. "We're in the middle of a damn asteroid belt, it's probably a sprocking stray asteroid! Get out there and use your magnetism to fix it!"

"But I just said--" Oto stopped himself mid-sentence. Normally the Alchemist wasn't entirely unreasonable, but she'd been on edge ever since these Legionnaires had boarded the ship. He'd seen her angry before, the last thing he wanted was that anger directed at him. "Yes Cap'n." He shut off the communication, told one of the other crewmen to take the bridge and made his way to the airlock in question. After donning his transuit, Oto made his way outside. There was indeed damage to the hull, he could see the scorched metal himself. There was nothing out here in the middle of this graveyard of space rocks to explain what could have caused it though. Shrugging, he used his native Braalian power to bend the warped panel back into place. At least there hadn't been any penetrative damage. His repair wouldn't hold for long, but it would be good enough to keep the ship in one place until they could reach a repair yard. Oto made his way back through the dual doors of the airlock and once it was safely closed behind him he removed his clunky old transuit. Once he'd finished changing garb, he looked up completely stunned to see two men shimmer into view before him. One of the men was tall and thin, with a flaming crest in place of hair. The almost emaciated man looked up towards the ceiling-mounted recording device and exhaled a plume of flame that reduced it to slag. The other man was immediately recognisable as the Legionnaire Invisible Kid. Oto didn't get more than the first syllable of his curse out before Invisible Kid planted a fist smack in the centre of the pirate's face.

"That was way easier than fighting our way in," Fire Lad commented as Oto hit the deck. "Nice work keeping us both invisible long enough to follow that jerk aboard!"

"Merci," Invisible Kid wiped his brow with the back of his hand. "It is not so easy as it may look. You are sure to have as much fighting as you could wish for very soon however. I am sorry that I cannot stay to help."

"Don't be," Fire Lad brushed his apology aside. "Of the two of us, you're the one that's got the important job. Go find Star Boy and the others, I'm gonna enjoy this." Jacques turned himself invisible once more and ran through the ship as Fire Lad began a rampage that was very much visible.

**********
In the brig, a whooping noise sounded to join the warning light. "Oto," the Alchemist commanded. "Report." There was no response and the pirate captain made eye contact with Atta. "Stay here," she ordered the large Sklarian woman. "Don't leave them under any circumstances. Ideally I want them both alive, but if you have to kill one make it Star Boy. Light Lad is mine." She left Atta to them and marched purposefully out of the cell.

"You hear that?" Atta whispered teasingly into Star Boy's ear. "Ideally she wants you both alive. I've never been much of one for ideals myself." She drew a blade from one of the many holsters lining her body, but before she could take action Thom's blindfold removed itself and hung in the air for a second then fell.

Star Boy and Atta were both equally shocked, but the blue-haired woman recovered first. A blur of movement, she slashed out just above Star Boy's head. A bloody gash appeared in the air and Jacques Foccart's voice cried out in pain. Unable to maintain his power, Jacques turned visible once more and staggered backwards a step. "Dieu!" Jacques uttered. "How did you--"

"Like I told your friends a little while ago," Atta snarled, "Nobody's better with knives than me. And the Alchemist didn't say anything about keeping you alive, white-stripe!" She drew three throwing daggers, one between each finger. Before she could fling them however, the Sklarian woman collapsed in a heap.

"Yeah well, I can see now," Star Boy countered. "Doesn't matter how good you are with your little knives when you're too heavy to move, does it?"

"I brought medkits for you all," Jacques explained while Atta struggled helplessly. He'd only sustained a surface wound, and already it was healing thanks to a restorative bandage wrapped around his arm. "Once you both feel ready to move, we must free Blok and Gas Girl. Fire Lad is distracting the rest of the crew but I do not wish his first official mission as a Legionnaire to be his last so we must hurry."

Light Lad and Star Boy exchanged a worried look. "Blok and Gas Girl..." Light Lad repeated numbly. "Invisible Kid...we have to tell you..."

**********
Fire Lad had managed to make it all the way to the ship's bridge without being shot. He'd quickly knocked out the two crew members he found there and done a makeshift job of welding the door shut behind him before finally stopping to catch his breath. He was pleased that his first mission as a Legionnaire was proceeding so smoothly, it was time to see if Jacques shared his good fortune. "Invisible Kid, have you found Star Boy's squad yet?" he asked into his flight ring. "I don't want to call in the others till we know we're all ready to leave."

"I have located Star Boy and Light Lad," Jacques Foccart answered with a note of despair, "But Fire Lad, I must tell you, Blok and--" The rest of Invisible Kid's announcement was cut off by the sound of plasma blasts hitting the sealed door. It held, but Fire Lad knew it wouldn't hold long.

"Say again?" the flame-haired hero asked. "What was that about...Blok..?" His voice trailed off as he saw for himself what Jacques had to say about Blok. The Legionnaire from Dryad stood motionless beside a patch of iron haphazardly plastered across one of the walls of the bridge. Blok was shimmering gold and utterly devoid of any sign of life. Fire Lad approached him in shocked awe and looked up at the frozen hero. "Oh sprock," he swore under his breath. "What did they do to you..?" Fire Lad accidentally kicked at something and crouched down to pick up a small sealed thermos, liquid sloshing inside. Before he could piece the puzzle together a plasma bolt flew overhead and singed the wall, narrowly missing Blok's golden form. Reacting quickly, Fire Lad spun and breathed a plume of flame at the source of the attack. To his surprise, the fiery cloud dwindled into harmless flickers of orange light then dissipated entirely. "How..?"

"Argon," a woman's voice answered. "Hard to threaten us with fire when half the room's filled with a non-flammable gas." Fire Lad saw a hooded woman enter the room through a neat hole in the wall, five men of different races flanking her on either side. Even without use of his power, the former Substitute Hero was confident he'd be able to take down one of the men. But five armed men and a woman with transmutation abilities...Staq wasn't sure how he was going to get out of this one.

With perfect timing, a huge section of the outer hull vanished and revealed Element Lad, Chlorophyll Kid and Infectious Lass standing beyond. "Hello Fire Lad," Element Lad greeted as he stepped forward from the primitive airlock his powers had created. "Invisible Kid seemed to think you could do with some help so we homed in on your flight ring."

"Don't just stand there!" the Alchemist screamed. "Kill them! Except Jan Arrah! If one of you so much as singes a hair on Element Lad's head you'll answer to me!"

Infectious Lass was the first of the newcomers to notice Blok. "Element Lad!" she pointed. "Look!"

Chlorophyll Kid had to tackle the shocked Somahturian to the ground to protect her from the pirates' plasma blasters. "W-we see him Drura! But we can't help Blok if we join him!" He threw a handful of seeds across the room and three of the men became ensnared in thorned berry bushes. One of them was the Sklarian boy Giff, who shifted his mass to easily slip through the sharp-pointed foliage.

"A Bgltzr with yellow skin?" Infectious Lass queried.

"I'm not a phantom, just your standard Sklarian mass-shifter," Giff quipped as he made his way across the bridge to escape. "I'm not here for fighting Legionnaires though, sorry boss!"

"You don't get out of here that quickly," Drura snapped. "You may have negative mass but as long as you're in this dimension you can get sick as easily as anyone else can." She gestured and Giff became solid once more, retching as he collapsed to his knees.

Element Lad encased the remaining two men in a carbon block with the merest flick of a finger, only leaving enough of their heads free for them to breathe. "I don't like pirates very much," he muttered as he approached the Alchemist. "And if what you've done to Blok is irreversible, I'm going to like you particular pirates even less." He waved his hand once more and the Alchemist too was encased from the neck down in a block of solid black carbon. "Where is Gas Girl? Why did you tell your men to leave me alone?"

His tone barely concealed a deep rage that unsettled everyone else in the room, but the Alchemist simply gritted her teeth and turned Jan's prison into free-floating gas. "Gas Girl is as dead as your golden friend," she snarled as Jan stared in mute shock at her display of power. "And these three will be next." She turned to face Element Lad's fellow Legionnaires, but before she could make a move the Alchemist found herself flung into the ceiling.

"I'm not going to let you hurt my friends," Light Lad said from the same hole the Alchemist had earlier used to enter. Star Boy and Invisible Kid stood at his side. "Uma, surrender. Let us help you, please. We've already defeated your crew, you can't possibly take on all of us."

"I can do more than take you on," she ranted, "I can kill you all! Starting with you!" She glared at Light Lad and his head was enveloped in a green mist. Rasping, he released his hold on the Alchemist and she fell to the floor with a thud. Darvan too fell to the floor, eyes bulging as he clutched at his throat.

Jan ran to Light Lad's side and transmuted the deadly chlorine to harmless oxygen. "How are you doing this?" he demanded of the Alchemist as she climbed to her feet. "Are you in league with Cosmic King?"

"Oh, you'll find out." The Alchemist suddenly was overcome with dizziness and fell to the floor again. Breaking out in a clammy sweat, she gazed at Infectious Lass with a look of pure murderous intent. "But your fellow murderer is right....I can't fight you all, not...not now." She shook her head against the sudden wave of sickness, fighting it off through pure willpower. "Two of your team is enough for now....two of you for my two parents.....the rest of my world will find vengeance soon enough." Before Drura's sneak attack could leave her completely helpless, the Alchemist enclosed herself in a hollow cylinder of inertron which reached from the floor to the ceiling. Element Lad rushed to transmute the cylinder, but by the time he'd done so she had already made herself an exit into the levels below.

"We'll go after her!" Fire Lad volunteered. "We've got her on the run now!"

"No." Element Lad held a hand up. "An animal is most dangerous when it's cornered." He turned to look at the rest of his teammates. Blok immobile, Light Lad drawing pained breaths and Star Boy and Invisible Kid both wearing bandages. They had her crew, they had her ship, and they had more important things to concern them right now. "Infectious Lass, call home," Jan continued. "We'll need the Science Police to secure this vessel and its crew, half of us need medical attention, and we'll need to find out what we can do to help Blok. And we still need to find Gas Girl!"

"Uhh, about that..." Fire Lad held up the cylinder he'd come across earlier. Gas Girl's name was clearly labelled in Interlac. The assembled Legionnaires fell silent, only Light Lad's harsh breaths breaking the pall that had fallen over the room.

Element Lad turned to face his Winathian teammate. "There's one more thing," Jan said with an unexpected coldness to his voice. "I understand this is not the time or place for this discussion, but when this is all over...

...I think you and I need to have a talk about Uma, Light Lad."
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Revenge Interrupted - 07/09/14 03:25 PM
Leave it to Jan to figure out something's wrong, whew.

I hope the cylinder means that Gas Girl is still alive, although Uma clearly thinks she's dead (can't imagine her dying so soon after joining!)... I'm more confident that Blok will make it through somehow.

Intrigued to see what Lu and Danielle made Mandalla do, and what Jo wants to know about Leeta 87!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Revenge Interrupted - 07/11/14 04:18 PM
Great stuff Raz, I like how you mix up your stories from the low key catching escaped pets to the fore shadowing with Lu and Danielle talking to Mandalla through to the full on action pnboatd the Alchemists ship. Nice characterisation for Fire Lad too, along with practical Jacques and smart Jan. Really enjoyable to read, more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Earth, Wind and Fire - 07/14/14 01:06 PM
MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Inside one of Brainiac 5's forcefields, Jan Arrah stood over a puddle of water. This was all that remained of the Legion's newest member Gas Girl, and Jan had been tasked with restoring her to life. Brainiac 5 stood alongside half a dozen other Legionnaires outside of the domed field, surrounded by the exotic machinery of his multi-lab. The hero named Element Lad turned to his Coluan teammate hesitantly. "Brainiac, are you sure this is going to work?"

"Her Psikirlian readings indicate there is a consciousness present," Brainiac explained patiently. "I've also conferred with Evolvo Lad as he is far more accustomed to dealing with Gas Girl's unique phsyiology than any of us, and he agrees with my assessment -- Tal Nahii is alive, she simply lacks the ability to extricate herself from her current predicament. Once you turn her into a gas, she should be able to restore herself to her normal Lallorian form using her own power. The risk is negligible."

"Easy for you to say," Element Lad grumbled under his breath, "Her life isn't resting on your shoulders." He looked at the vaguely shimmering dome around him. At least if this transmutation didn't help her Jan wouldn't have to worry about Gas Girl dissipating into the wider atmosphere, Brainiac 5's forcefield was completely airtight.

Jan waved his hand cautiously over the shallow pool of water and it instantly changed into a misty vapor. They could easily have achieved the same effect by simply boiling the water, but nobody knew if that would hurt the heroine. The mist hung in the air for a few seconds, everybody watching in rapt attention. It concentrated into a vaguely humanoid form, and the Legionnaires allowed themselves to exhale once more as the mist was replaced by Gas Girl's physical form.

"Element Lad, thank you so much!" She rushed to hug the relieved Trommite, none the worse for wear. "Oh my gawf, I thought I was a goner! I couldn't really think properly in that form, I didn't know what was happening!" She turned to Bouncing Boy and Star Boy, both of whom were gathered in the multi-lab on the other side of Brainiac 5's forcefield. "Legion, I'm so sorry! I -- Blok! Oh my gawf, what about poor Blok?!"

"Don't apologise," Star Boy shook his head. "That Alchemist woman got all of us."

"As for Blok," Brainiac switched off the forcefield and turned to their formerly stone teammate who was now a golden statue standing on a pedestal covered in wires and sensory equipment.

"I'm afraid Blok is going to be a more difficult case altogether."

**********
TRITON
Cryogeyser City

Nightwind and Dragonmage looked out through the transparent walls of their gravlift to the snowy peaks of Triton beyond. "Thanks for tagging along," Nightwind smiled at the slightly shorter sorceror. "I appreciate the company."

"Thank you for inviting me!" Dragonmage nodded respectfully. "I'm quite fascinated at the prospect of meeting another of your so-called sisters. It was amazing how Brainiac 5 was able to complete our search so quickly!"

"You're telling me," the bald young woman remarked as she stepped out on to the 19th floor of the Pendleton Residential Estate. There were no windows, and flourescent lighting flickered occasionally as the two walked down the dirty corridor. "It would have taken us forever to map those bloodlines from the 21st century through till now! I hope he's right though, this isn't exactly the classiest building I've ever set foot in." A small automaton was busy at work removing graffiti as Nightwind and Dragonmage walked on past.

"Well we're here," Dragonmage announced, stopping at a door labelled 1995. Two doors down, one of the building's other inhabitants opened their own door a crack then shut it quickly as soon as they were noticed.

Nightwind shrugged. "Here goes nothing, right?" She pressed a small panel by the door, quietly grateful that her costume included gloves when she noticed the dark stain splashed on the greeting panel. A second later the panel emitted an odd squawking noise which continued for a couple of seconds before it cut out. Nightwind and Dragonmage traded a quizzical expression until the door flung open and startled them both.

"Sprocking thing's busted," a woman with short blonde hair muttered as she opened the door. She was wearing an orange midriff top with matching skirt, a red puffy vest over the top. She looked Nightwind and Dragonmage over with a mixture of suspicion and contempt. "What do you want? You're not from around here."

"Neither are you," Nightwind answered, trying not to let her annoyance at the woman's abrupt demeanour show. "You're from Earth, right?" The natives of Triton had been long ago genetically engineered to thrive on the icy moon, and were recognisable by their blue tinted skin, elongated features and glistening black eyes. By contrast, the blue-eyed tanned girl before them looked more human than Nightwind herself.

"Yeah, I'm from Earth." The girl's eyes narrowed. "So what?"

"We don't mean any offence," Dragonmage said diplomatically. "We're looking for a woman named Sandra Anderson and we thought--"

"It's you." Nightwind interjected. Taking an omnicom from a pocket hidden in one of her belts she projected a small hologram of a blonde teenager with longer hair. "This is a couple of years old but it is you?"

"Who are you people?" the woman demanded.

"Wow." Nightwind sucked in air between her teeth. "Talk about a blow to the ego. Look, we're the Legion of Superheroes." She held up her hand to show the girl her flight ring. "I'm Nightwind and this is Dragonmage. We--"

The woman was visibly shocked. "The Legion of Superheroes? Sprock that!" An intense but short-lived burst of flame appeared between them, staggering the two heroes. The young woman fled into her apartment while they were distracted.

"I guess it's safe to say Brainy found our Daughter of the Night Flame," Nightwind quipped. She and Dragonmage followed her into the small apartment. "Sandra, listen to me!" Nightwind called out. "You're not in any trouble!" The apartment was filthy and cluttered with clothes and take-away food containers. It only took the heroes a moment to realise which of the few small rooms she'd run into and when they found her she was standing with her back against the far wall of a bedroom.

"I don't know how you found me!" the woman snarled. "But finding me and taking me are two different things!" She threw her arms wide and the room was engulfed in fire. Nightwind instinctively tried to blow the flames out but this space was far too confined for her own power to be of any use. It was only Dragonmage's quick thinking that saved them from severe burns as a translucent jade dragonform swerved before them to intercept the blaze.

Once she'd gathered her senses about her, Nightwind saw a massive hole which Sandra had melted through the external wall of the building. "She's crazy!" Berta complained. "We need to get after her before someone gets hurt but we can't just let this place burn down! This estate's so decrepit it doesn't even have fire suppression equipment!"

"I can take care of the fire here," Dragonmage offered. "You make sure we don't lose her and I'll catch up."

"Good idea." Berta pulled her hood down over her face and rocketed through the inferno in the pyrokinetic girl's wake. While she wouldn't want to have to stand in a burning room for too long, Nightwind's costume was insulated enough to protect her from the worst of the heat as long as she moved quickly. As she left the room, small indigo dragons were already beginning to appear and smother the blaze with a mystic smoke.

Nightwind gasped as the icy cold air outside the building hit her. She wondered briefly how her 'sister' was going to escape 19 floors up until she saw a trail of fire disappearing behind a neighbouring building. Clever, Berta thought. Creating your own thermal updrafts. Let's see what makes you so eager to fly away, Sandy!

Remembering Chameleon Boy's occasional lessons from her time at the Legion Academy, Nightwind flew half a dozen stories higher and sped through the clear skies of Triton until she was directly above her quarry. Nightwind knew she'd be highly unlikely to be spotted here even though she was flying in plain sight. Sure enough, Sandra cast several glances behind herself but never once thought to look straight up. Before too long, the flaming blonde began her descent over an area of the city far from the bustling tourist districts. Nightwind was glad. Her costume's insulation was proof against both heat and cold, but even so it was freezing this high above the city. They had also flown far enough from the most densely populated areas of Cryogeyser City that Berta was less concerned about innocents getting hurt if a fight broke out.

Dragonmage caught up with Nightwind just as their target landed in a back alley and entered a door leading into an inconspicuous square-shaped building. "What do you think that's all about?" Nightwind asked as the two Legionnaires perched on a higher rooftop across the street.

"I really couldn't guess," Dragonmage replied. "But it seems Ms Anderson definitely has something to hide. She said something back at her apartment about us taking her in, do you remember?"

"I do," Berta frowned. "Can you magic up some way for us to see what's going on in there?"

"Of course, a monitor dragon should fit the task." He focused for a moment and a tiny white serpentine form coiled around his outstretched arm until a tiny frilled dragon rested in the palm of his hand. Dragonmage blew, and the miniscule dragonform slithered through the air eel-like, passing intangibly through the same door Sandra had used seconds ago.

Nightwind slapped Dragonmage playfully on the shoulder. "Xao Jin, that is the cutest thing I have ever seen!"

"Yes, well..." He cleared his throat self-consciously and blushed a furious red. "I need to concentrate now." His cheeks still warm with embarassment, a milky film coated his eyes. "I can sense what the dragonform senses, but if anybody tries to eject it the spell will be broken. I must make sure it remains hidden from view. Hmmm..."

"What is it?" Nightwind asked. "What's going on?"

"She's gone upstairs to the third floor," he reported. "I believe it's some kind of skijet manufacturing plant...definitely something of that nature, though it seems to have been unused for some time. There's a man and another woman in there...he looks familiar, but I can't quite place where I've seen him before. I don't recognise the other lady at all. She looks like a native Tritonian, except her skin is tinted red rather than blue. Wait! She just called them Bile and Gazelle! I remember now, he was at the Legion Tryouts the same day I joined the Legion! He's from Bismoll I think...he just called Ms Anderson Inferno, he's saying something about a Legion of Substitute Villains..uh-oh." He jumped back with a start and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"What happened?" Nightwind fussed. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Xao replied, blinking once or twice. "Ms Anderson -- I mean Inferno -- she spotted my dragonform and blasted it with fire. I'm afraid we've lost the element of surprise."

"In that case," Nightwind gave him a cheeky smile, "Enough with the sneaking around, let's make our grand entrance! Sister or no sister, that girl needs to learn some manners!"

Inside the long-defunct Crogeyser City Skijet Repair and Maintenance Company, the leader of the new Legion of Substitute Villains was throwing every swear word he knew at his newest recruit. "I can't believe you sprocking led them straight to us, you florgin' batwitch!" He upended the table he'd been sitting at, holofiles blinking out as their fragile transmitters smashed on the floor. "I haven't even finished reforming the team yet after everyone except Gazelle refused to come back! What are the three of us meant to do against the motherflorgin' Legion of Superheroes?!"

There was a tremendously loud roar that rattled all of their bones and the room's exterior wall shattered inward, showering them all with debris. Floating above the street outside were Nightwind and Dragonmage, an enormous red dragon hovering motionless behind them. Its head was almost as large as the two heroes and hot steam shot out of its angry nostrils. "That's them!" Inferno pointed. "They're the Legionnaires I was telling you about!"

"No kidding!" Bile shouted back so intensely that veins bulged out in his neck. "Don't just stand there, kill them!"

Inferno raised a hand to attack but before she could do any more, Nightwind shook her head. "Twice you got the drop on us, Sandy. You don't get a third time." Berta flung her arms behind herself dramatically, the straps hanging from her sleeves snapping with the motion. A powerful gale filled the room and sucked the Legion of Substitute Villains outside, along with anything else that wasn't bolted down. Nightwind controlled their descent enough that they wouldn't be seriously injured, but it still hurt when Bile and Inferno were dumped unceremoniously in a snowdrift on the other side of the street.

For her part, Gazelle boosted her metabolism into high gear as soon as the wind grabbed hold of her. By the time she'd cleared the street she was almost glowing with energy. She spun around in mid-air and kicked off of the wall across the street, using it as a springboard to launch herself back the way she'd come. She clotheslined the two heroes as she flew past them, finally landing safely back in the room where she'd started. Nightwind and Dragonmage both arrested their fall before they hit the ground, but the impact made Xao's giant dragon dissipate into the cold breeze.

"You!" Bile shouted accusingly at the Asian teenager. "You're the one who took my place in the Legion of Superheroes, you stupid baby magician! I hate you!" Everyone else looked on in disgust as Bile retched once and vomited a stream of corrosive liquid straight at the dazed sorceror.

"No offence," Nightwind said, having recovered from Gazelle's attack already, "But that's really really gross. I don't think your rejection had anything to do with my friend Xao, pal." Bile's projectile vomit was caught by a sudden wind and redirected harmlessly to the ground below where it instantly melted through the sleet to the pavement below.

"Thank you," Nightwind." Dragonmage wiped blood from his lip with the back of his gloved hand. "Allow me to return the favor." Gazelle was in mid-leap towards the hooded heroine when a mass of wriggling snake-like dragons appeared around her. She'd have been agile enough to evade a couple of them but even with her speed and reflexes temporarily enhanced to superhuman levels she couldn't hope to dodge a dozen of them. Completely ensnared, she fell ungraciously from the sky and landed with a thud on the roof of a parked vehicle.

"I haven't even done anything wrong yet!" Inferno complained as she fired streams of flame which Nightwind effortlessly dispelled onto the winds. "This is so not fair!"

"You mean except for spending half the day trying to kill us?" Nightwind summoned a ferocious gust of air which pinned Bile and Inferno to the wall of the nearest building. Bile could barely move his head from one side to the other, he didn't dare risk using his power. Inferno tried to call forth her own flame but it was pointless against Nightwind's greater power and experience. "You know," Nightwind continued, "The irony here is that I only came looking for you today to tell you we've got a shared background. I've never even heard of any Legion of Substitute Villains before you freaked out and revealed yourselves to us. I thought I might have found a sister here today, but we're really nothing alike at all." Sirens sounded and two Science Police droids flew towards the group from the far end of the street. Nightwind released her control of the air currents and the two villains face-planted into the slush at their feet.

As the Science Police led a grumbling Legion of Substitute Villains into custody, Dragonmage approached his teammate. "I'm sorry that today didn't pan out the way you'd hoped it would," he volunteered.

"That's okay," Berta chuckled. "Thanks for your help anyway. You know, after meeting Aspect in the past and this little firecracker today I'm really gaining a new appreciation for being an only child. I think I'll buy my folks something nice when we get home for all the hassle they saved me!"

Dragonmage's flight ring beeped at him and he excused himself with his normal politeness, walking a few feet away to take the call in private while Nightwind finished up with the Science Police. "Pardon me for interrupting," he said after a minute. "We need to go back to Mars immediately, Nightwind."

The two Legionnaires made sure the villains had been secured and flew off. "Sounds serious," Berta remarked. "What's going on?"

Facing Bile had reminded Xao Jin of his introduction to the Legion of Superheroes; it did not escape his notice that this was yet another reminder of that fateful day. "It's Blok," he answered somberly.

"He needs my help."

**********
MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

The entry to Brainiac 5's multi-lab whooshed open and and Dream Girl entered to find her lover gathered around Blok's still form along with several other Legionnaires. Nura slipped her arm into Thom's and rested her head on his shoulder. "I couldn't sleep without you," she pouted.

"Sorry honey, I know it's nearly morning." Star Boy held her close. "Everyone's been worried sick about Blok. He was turned to gold and Brainy's been trying for hours to fix him...Bouncing Boy's calling Dragonmage back home now, we're hoping magic will be able to do what science can't."

"I know," Dream Girl responded with a hint of sadness as she watched Bouncing Boy at a console. "That's why I couldn't sleep, I had a dream. Dragonmage will do his best, but he won't be able to help."

Standing nearby, Infectious Lass couldn't help but overhear. "But...does that mean there's no hope at all? If the smartest man in the universe can't help Blok and if magic can't help him..."

"I never said magic wouldn't help," Dream Girl corrected her. "Just that Dragonmage won't. We're going to need someone much more powerful than Xao...

...we're going to need the Black Witch."

Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Earth, Wind and Fire - 07/15/14 02:32 AM
Nice work bringing Inferno and Gazelle into this version of the Legion! Their troubled pasts in their home realities certainly lent themselves well to their current depiction. That was a very well-written excursion and I loved seeing Nightwind and Dragonmage work so well together.

Also great to see Gas Girl's transformation so easily undone. Whew! Nice touch having Brainy consult with Evolvo Lad.

And I'm looking forward to seeing Mysa return! So that's another reason why it was Blok who was chosen to be transmuted!
Posted By: Omni Re: Earth, Wind and Fire - 07/15/14 07:57 AM
Agreed. Love the inclusion of Inferno and Gazelle.

I love that Infernos a magically inclined pyro. So there's wind, and fire. I can't wait for earth and water and what will happen when they all get together.

Dragonmage is really great. I love all the different uses for his dragons and that scene where night wind says its the cutest thing is an adorable moment.

great job again and can't wait for the next installment.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Earth, Wind and Fire - 07/19/14 02:02 AM
Thanks peeps! Dragonmage & Nightwind are turning out fun to write together smile

Gazelle has appeared once or twice before with Bile's sad attempts at creating a villain team & I thought tying Inferno to Nightwind like that might make her stand out among the other pyros the Legion universe is littered with so I am glad that went down well. After I wrote this I had a look through my archives and it has been nearly 2 years since I used Mysa! I am looking forward to Blok's story coming up, she will play a pretty significant role! smile
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Earth, Wind and Fire - 07/19/14 03:42 AM
Your strong sense of internal continuity continues to amaze, raz. Love how you have all these subplots running simultaneously, and how you weave in and out of them so well.
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Earth, Wind and Fire - 07/19/14 11:31 AM
Hey Raz, that's another exciting section above. Gazelle and Inferno are great together - wish I'd thought of that pairing! Nightwind and Dragonmage are also cool. You write their friendship really well, like a couple of mates on a great road trip...of space, learning and helping each other on thé way .

Really looking forward to see Mysa again as you last wrote her and Nura at loggerheads so it:ll be interesting to see if helping Blok together will help their relationship.

More, more , more!
Posted By: Klar Ken T5477 Re: Earth, Wind and Fire - 07/19/14 03:49 PM
[Linked Image]

Still waiting...
Posted By: razsolo Skeletons and Gold - 08/11/14 08:48 AM
MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Ultra Boy looked around Elastic Lad's personal quarters with a bemused expression. Jo wasn't quite sure what he'd expected the slight redhead's living area to look like, but it certainly wasn't this. Jams-Ols 5's living room was a schizophrenic mix of sterile workspace with a young boy's design sensibilities. A glowing replica of the holo-film monster Apokazil stood seven feet tall in a corner of the room, shedding its light on scientific journals and entertainment discs alike. A form-molding sofa lay littered with comics while the bookcase next to it displayed the many academic awards Jams-Ols 5 had earned on his homeworld Cadmu (as well as the occasional trophy from interplanetary institutions). A large floating desk space had a pile of omnicoms pushed to one side, a complex three-dimensional equation in progress floating as the desk's centrepiece. On the other side of the desk, an empty glass sat next to a plate dotted with crumbs. Motion posters of the heroes of Elastic Lad's own world were mounted alongside portraits of the Legion of Superheroes, including one of Ultra Boy himself, Jo noted with some embarassment.

"Have a seat!" Elastic Lad offered, waving his hand over a sensor in the floor. A levitating armchair shot forth on command from a hidden panel in the floor. "Gosh, this is so exciting! You're my first guest since we moved to our new headquarters on Mars! Actually, you're one of the first Legionnaires to visit my quarters at all! Even back on Earth, only Brainiac 5 and Night Girl had been in to my personal quarters before! Do you want a drink or something to eat? I've got some Martian rock candy, Comet Queen introduced me to it! She found it when she and Quislet were exploring our new neighbourhood, not that Quislet eats food like we do of course but--"

Ultra Boy had been waiting for Elastic Lad to pause for breath so he could get a word in but he was beginning to think that would never happen. Jo cleared his throat as politely as he could and decided to just interrupt him. "Uh, no that's fine, thanks anyway E-Lad. I was just wondering, do you think I could ask you about Leeta-87?"

"Oh, yes of course!" Elastic Lad summoned a second seat from the floor and sat in it cross-legged, leaning forward and beaming like an over-eager child. "What did you want to know about her? Jams-Ols 3 didn't know her for very long, but I'm happy to share anything he knew with you!"

"Well, I guess..." Jo faltered. It hadn't occurred to him till now how awkward bringing up Elastic Lad's slaughtered previous incarnation might be, but he'd already opened that can of space worms now, he might as well just barge ahead. "I guess I'm just confused. When you...I mean when Red Devil died fighting Brimstone...there was a Jams-Ols 4 between Red Devil and you, right?"

"Ladyjams," Elastic Lad nodded without any self-consciousness at all. "Zhe accidentally inhaled some toxic fumes a few years ago and passed away, poor thing. Luckily zhe'd backed up zir consciousness the same morning so I retained most of zir memories when I was gestated. But that doesn't have anything to do with Leeta-87! Golly Ultra Boy, I'm sorry. I do get carried away on a tangent sometimes!"

"No, that's okay. That's fine, I mean it kind of leads into what I wanted to ask you about. I remember when we were in the past you told us that your people, the Neocaste, are a combination of two separate genelines...but if normal Cadmians are just a reincarnation of the same person who came before, and if Leeta-87 continued being a hero right up until she died....why would she disappear into obscurity when she came back? How come we've never heard of a Leeta-88?"

For once, Elastic Lad was stunned into silence. "You know," he finally replied, "That's a really good question and I don't know the answer...but I know where we can find it. How would you like to take a trip to my homeworld?"

**********
Standing in a group with several of her teammates, Gas Girl watched in tense anticipation as the young sorcerer Dragonmage hovered cross-legged before Blok’s imposing golden form. A translucent red-yellow dragonform circled Blok, almost as though it were searching the unmoving Legionnaire for some flaw to exploit. Where the dragonform skimmed close to him, Blok’s surface reflected a warm glow which belied his current predicament. Gas Girl leaned across to Bouncing Boy. “I don’t understand,” she confided quietly. “If Dream Girl already foresaw that we’re going to need to take Blok to the Black Witch, isn’t this just wasting time?”

“Not at all,” Chuck answered without removing his eyes from the display of magical energy. “It may be that Dragonmage does something here necessary to Blok’s recovery even if he can’t fully fix this himself. Xao’s magic helped Blok once before when things seemed desperate, he’s got more chance of helping now than the rest of us do.”

The illusory dragon disappeared into wisps of gold-tinged air and Dragonmage stood, tottering on his feet for a moment. “I’m sorry Bouncing Boy,” Xao turned to his leader with a dejected slump. “I really did try as hard as I could but it’s beyond my power. I’ve failed.”

“I know you tried,” Bouncing Boy clapped a hand on the teen’s shoulder. “That’s all any of us can ask…and to be fair, it was a long shot Xao. Don’t feel too bad.” Chuck Taine turned to Dream Girl and Star Boy standing to one side of the room. “I guess we’d better get Blok to the Sorceror’s World, huh Dreamy?”

“Not we,” Nura Nal shook her head. “My sister has made it very clear to me that I’m not welcome on Xerox anymore.” She bowed her head sadly, allowing Thom to hold her closer.

“I’d like to come with you please, Bouncing Boy.” Diamond Damsel stepped close to Blok’s golden form and brushed his outstretched arm with her fingers. “Blok hasn’t had a lot to say to me since we came back from Dryad, but I’d still like to be there for him.”

Timber Wolf leaped down from the top of a console where he’d been crouched. He’d been silently watching for so long that his teammates had almost forgotten he was in the room. “I’m in too,” he added abruptly, taking an almost protective posture in front of his transformed friend.

“Of course,” Chuck nodded. “Anybody else who wants to join us is more than welcome. Blok means a lot to all of us. Dreamy, are you sure you won’t reconsider? You said it yourself, Mysa’s your sister. I’m sure she—“

“No,” Dream Girl interrupted. “My presence can only make things worse, Bouncing Boy.” She looked up now and met Chuck’s gaze with steely blue eyes. “I think you should take Dragonmage with you though.”

“Xao already said he tried his best,” Nightwind defended her friend. “He’s exhausted, we came straight from dealing with that stupid Legion of Substitute Villains so he could help here.”

“I’m inclined to agree with Berta.” Chuck looked over the weary sorcerer. “No offence pal, but you do look like you could use some rest.”

“I’d feel more comfortable if you’d take Xao with you,” Dream Girl continued. “I really think you should have someone familiar with magic with you. Just in case.”

“Just in case of what?” Bouncing Boy asked. “Surely you’re not expecting the White Witch of all people to give us any grief?”

“She’s not the White Witch anymore,” Dream Girl countered stubbornly.

“If I may…it’s fine, everybody.” Dragonmage held up a hand to join the conversation. “I can rest on the way to the Sorceror’s World. I think Dream Girl is right, I may not be able to contribute a great deal to this team all the time but this is an area where I can help. I should be there.” His tone was casual but he shared a silent look with Dream Girl that spoke of some secret between them. Bouncing Boy didn’t have time to ponder it any longer though as a new voice sounded.

“I’d like to come.” Everyone turned to see Phantom Girl rise up through the floor. “I know I’ve found it hard to get back into the swing of things, but Blok didn’t give up on us when we were on Dryad. I’m not giving up on him now.” Diamond Damsel felt her gut clench, remembering her near abandonment of Tinya and Chuck of which they were still unaware.

“If you’re up for it I’m sure Blok would be happy to have you along, PG.” Bouncing Boy gave her a gentle smile. “Okay, let’s get going. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can hopefully get this guy back to normal. Tinya, can you go ahead and prep a shuttle? Timber Wolf, could you carry Blok please? Diamond Damsel, Dragonmage, let’s move.”

The other Legionnaires wished their comrades good luck and everyone went their separate ways. Some of them had been up all night and were exhausted, others had been just starting their day when they’d found out about Blok’s transformation. Light Lad wondered if Ayla was awake yet as he left the multi-lab. He could definitely use some quality time with her after the events of the past several hours. He heard his own name said aloud and froze in his tracks. The lanky Winathian turned on his heel and looked down at the blond man standing before him. “…Hello Element Lad.”

“We need to talk,” Jan Arrah declared simply. “About the Alchemist.”

Darvan released a long defeated sigh.

“Yeah…yeah, we do.”

**********
Many hours later, Timber Wolf brooded alone at the bridge of a Legion shuttle. Bouncing Boy and Dragonmage slept in individual berths, though Chuck had only agreed to sleep after much insistence from Tinya and an assurance that the others would wake him at the first sign of trouble. Phantom Girl and Diamond Damsel sat in shared silence watching Blok in the shuttle’s cargo bay. “Do you think he’s…beyond help?” Diamond Damsel asked with uncommon timidity.

“I don’t know,” Phantom Girl admitted. She was sitting against the bulkhead, one knee pulled up close to her chest as her other leg dangled intangibly through the floor. “If anybody can reverse the transformation though, it’s Mysa. She was powerful even before she absorbed Mordru and a whole universe full of magic into herself. Who knows what she’s capable of now?” Some time passed before Tinya spoke up again. “...Diamond Damsel? Before we left, you said Blok hasn’t had a lot to say to you lately…did you two have a fight?”

“No, no…nothing like that.” The diamond woman was deeply grateful that her cold angular features betrayed no emotion.
“Blok…disagreed with what I had to do to get us off Dryad and back home when we were trapped in the past.”

“What did you do?” Phantom Girl enquired. “We were too happy to question it at the time and it’s never really come up since but how did you get Khor to help you anyway? And how did you even come across him? Blok never did tell us.”

Diamond Damsel stared intensely at Blok as though her will would restore him to life to take this burden from her. “We…no, that’s not fair. I wanted to leave you behind.” As she spoke, she found herself unable to look at Tinya and kept staring straight ahead at Blok’s unmoving form. “I didn’t think we were ever going to find a way home and I couldn’t bear to watch you and Chuck grow old and die. Blok came with me because he’s the kind of person who would do anything for…for a friend. But his heart wasn’t in it. He couldn’t bring himself to abandon you because he’s a better person than I could ever hope to be, even after a thousand years to learn from my mistakes.”

“…Oh.” Tinya’s voice was a tiny thing in the suddenly cavernous space of the cargo bay. She considered her response for some time before she finally stood up and walked across to where Diamond Damsel sat on a crate. Standing with her back to Diamond Damsel, Tinya looked over Blok from top to bottom. “I think I knew,” she finally said. “When I woke up that morning, Blok had your flight ring. I didn’t really consciously realise it but I think I knew on some level that you’d left us. I can’t be mad at you for that, Diamond Damsel. Sometimes I still feel like a part of me did die on that world, I wake up in the middle of the night terrified that Jo won’t be there, that I'll lose everyone I love again. I can’t fault you for not wanting to be there to watch me and Chuck waste away when you’d have to live with that forever.” She turned now to face the diamond woman. “But if you hadn’t left….if you hadn’t made that mistake…we wouldn’t be here now to talk about it. I don’t know what you gave Khor to save us, but you did save us. That’s all that matters, you have to believe that Blok knows that.”

Diamond Damsel found herself at a loss for words. Timber Wolf’s voice cut through the awkward quiet, announcing that they were approaching the Sorceror’s World. “I’ll go make sure Chuck wakes up,” Phantom Girl announced as she slipped through a wall.

Diamond Damsel watched her go, alone in her contemplation.

**********
Light years away on Mars, Nura Nal stirred in her sleep. She groaned once, twice, kicked out at her hapless lover and then finally woke up with a sharp gasp that also woke Thom Kallor lying beside her. He grumbled and forced himself to stir. "Dreamy, what is it..? You have a vision..?"

Nura held her head in her hands, centred her thoughts. "Oh Thom...I saw...I saw the Legion go to Xerox..."

Thom yawned and pulled her in close to rest her head on his hairy chest. "We already know that," he half-mumbled. "That's not the future, we saw them off before...come back to sleep, Nura."

"No Thom, you don't understand." He could feel her heart hammering in her breast, feel the panic in her hurried breaths. "It was horrible....I was so so wrong, Mysa's not going to help Blok. I saw her cut him open, shred Diamond Damsel and blast Phantom Girl into nothingness...

...Thom, my sister is going to tear the Legion apart."

TO BE CONTINUED!!!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Skeletons and Gold - 08/11/14 10:45 AM
Well, that certainly ups the ante! Now I'm on the edge of my seat!
Posted By: Omni Re: Skeletons and Gold - 08/11/14 02:16 PM
hmmmmm...what did Diamond Damsel give him....

loved the concern for Blok scene!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Skeletons and Gold - 08/17/14 02:46 PM
Ultra Boy and Elastic Lad make a hysterical pair, can't wait to see if they find Leeta or her reincarnated self or something totally unexpected.

The team taking Blok to Xerox are a great mix of characters from Chucks eternal optimism to Wolf's loner-ism and DD's intensity they should be fun to see - though I'd rather Tinya didn't get killed - I'm making her life hell in my fanfic Raz and she really doesn't deserve such a hard time. You beautifully showed her deal with DD's painful admission.

Also, Element Lad and Light Lad finally talking about the Alchemist - that'll be interesting as Jan's world view (galaxy view?) as the last survivor of Trom will get kicked into touch.

Finally Nura - I love her both as a character and as a plot device... and you have definitely done both well in that last part. Can't wait to see what's coming next.

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Skeletons and Gold - 08/18/14 12:02 PM
Thanks for the comments folks! I think fans of Diamond Damsel and Tinya might be happy with the next couple of instalments....after that we'll have to wait and see wink
Posted By: razsolo The Embrace of Dead Friends - 08/19/14 01:25 PM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Element Lad sat silently at the giant L-shaped table the Legion used for their team meetings. This meeting room was big enough to comfortably seat 40 people, and seemed oppressively vacant with only four of the team present.

Lightning Lass, Shrinking Violet and Light Lad traded furtive glances between themselves when they weren't watching Jan with obvious concern. "Say something," Shrinking Violet finally demanded, her voice shaking with emotion. "I know you must hate us, I can deal with that but I can't deal with this."

"Vi..." Ayla soothed.

"I don't..." Element Lad took a deep breath and continued. "I don't hate you, Violet. I don't hate any of you. But what you just told me....that you were there when my world died. That...that Roxxas destroyed Trom because..." He couldn't bring himself to continue, and clenched his jaw as he stared with wet eyes at the tabletop.

"Jan," Ayla reached across to touch his arm. "There aren't words to say how sorry we are. We thought we were helping, If we'd known what would happen, we would never have--"

"The first rule of time travel," Element Lad interrupted her, yanking his arm back. There was a numbness to his voice that said more about his pain than any amount of screaming could. He looked Ayla dead in the eye. "The first rule of time travel is that you don't interfere with the past, Lightning Lass. You don't interfere."

Light Lad felt horribly out of place. He'd been a member of the team long enough now that he was starting to feel like a peer professionally, but these people had been saving each other's lives since they were teenagers. He could never share that connection with them. He felt like he had to say something though, he needed to help in some way. "Maybe...maybe our interference saved that girl Uma. I know she's not well and I can't imagine what she's gone through, but before I joined the Legion I helped unwell people all the time on Winath. There's hope for her....you don't have to be the last survivor of your race any more, Element Lad."

For a split second, Element Lad's face became a mask of rage and he glared at Light Lad so intensely that Darvan actually flinched. It was only for the briefest of moments though, then Jan's calm exterior returned once more. "Light Lad, that woman tried to kill Gas Girl. She probably did kill Blok. She and I could be the last two people in the universe and I wouldn't consider her kin. My people strived for peaceful coexistence with every living thing around them and I have tried to carry that belief with me since the day they died. She's a disgrace to the memory of Trom." He slid back a panel in the meeting table, revealing a console.

"Jan..?" Ayla asked uneasily as he gave the console his full attention and tapped in commands. "...What are you doing?"

"Locating Dawnstar and reserving a shuttle," he answered coldly before turning to face the three of them again.

"And then we're going to find the Alchemist."

**********
In the hangar, Tellus disembarked from one of the Legion's smaller vehicles alongside Kid Computo and Duplicate Damsel. "Do you believe Mandalla can be trusted with the task she has been given?" his voice modulator sounded.

"Not at all," Duplicate Damsel answered plainly. "We don't need to trust her when she knows we're watching her now though. With her reporting to us on the Oversight Watch's every move, we can shut them down the second they step out of line."

"I still don't understand why I don't just keep a backdoor open into their files," Kid Computo shrugged. "Now that I know where they are, it wouldn't be difficult at all."

"Psychological advantage," Luornu smiled. "Your way would be easier, but now Mandalla knows there are consequences to messing with the Legion of Superheroes." She stopped walking and looked around the spacious hangar curiously. "Strange, there are a few ships missing...I wonder if something big's brewing somewhere?"

It took Kid Computo only the slightest conscious effort to access base logs. "Ultra Boy and Elastic Lad took a shuttle to Cadmu, Bouncing Boy took a team to the Sorceror's World a few hours ago....huh, that's weird, maybe there is something going on. Dream Girl left a little while ago with a bunch of Legionnaires on the same course to the Sorceror's World."

Duplicate Damsel put her hands on her hips and bit her lip while she considered the situation. "If there's trouble on the Sorceror's World big enough that they need two cruisers full of Legionnaires, why didn't Chuck call me?" she wondered out loud. She called her husband's flight ring, but no answer came. Splitting into two women, one of the Duplicate Damsels ran through the base while the other remained with Kid Computo and Tellus. "Danielle, prep our ship for take-off again and see if you can get through to Bouncing Boy or Dream Girl. I'm going to leave one of me here to find out exactly what we've missed.

The rest of us are going to Xerox."

**********
THE SORCEROR'S WORLD

Mysa Nal watched from the top of a flower-covered hill as a Legion of Superheroes cruiser came to a hovering halt some fifty feet above the living landscape of Xerox. Harlak the Khund stood at the base of the hill, watching his mistress closer than the ship of the visiting heroes. Her expression was utterly unreadable, as it was more often than not these days. Dark clouds blotting out the sun spoke more to the Black Witch's mood than she did herself lately.

"Mysa, thanks so much for seeing us," Bouncing Boy led Phantom Girl, Diamond Damsel, Dragonmage and Timber Wolf in their descent. Blok was slung ungraciously over Timber Wolf's shoulder and when the Legionnaires landed, Brin stood the golden hero on the grassy knoll.

"I see why you have requested my aid," Mysa answered coolly as she ignored the other Legionnaires and walked around Blok in a circle. She reached out with a bony hand and brushed his golden surface with one long black nail. "Poor creature, what have they done to you?"

"He's not a creature," Diamond Damsel bristled.

"We are all of us creatures of some description," the Black Witch answered, fixing inhuman eyes on the diamond woman. "Some of us simply have a greater awareness of our true nature." She turned and walked away from the gathered heroes, waving a hand behind her as she walked. The air gleamed between her chalk-white fingers and Blok became surrounded in the same twinkling aura. He levitated and followed the former Legionnaire. "Come," she declared without casting so much as a peek behind her. "Let us continue this discussion inside, storm clouds approach." As if on cue, thunder tore the sky overhead. "You too, Harlak. You will have a role to play in this."

As the Legionnaires followed Mysa toward an imposing bluestone castle they weren't sure if they'd seen when they arrived, Diamond Damsel crouched down to whisper at Phantom Girl. "That's the woman who Blok considered his best friend? She's not exactly bursting with warmth."

"Mysa used to be different," Tinya explained. "Not long before you joined the team she absorbed one of our greatest enemies into herself and it changed her. I don't have any idea what it must be like for her having to contain Mordru's evil...but she's still our friend. She wouldn't be helping us if she wasn't our friend."

Dragonmage heard the exchange but said nothing. He stole a sideways glance at Harlak. The Khund's face was grim, but his eyes watched Mysa with hidden concern. Dragonmage wasn't so certain that Phantom Girl was right.

As they walked through the torch-lit corridors of Mysa's castle, the Legionnaires heard and saw things that set them on edge the deeper they journeyed. A great many of these things existed only on the periphery of their awareness, hissing breezes that sounded almost like a name being called or a surface catching light in a way that it shouldn't. Some of them were overtly supernatural however. A swarm of tiny winged nymphs accompanied them at one stage, giggling mischievously as they darted in and out between the Legionnaires. A shimmering wyvern cooed at Dragonmage from a windowsill, earning an affectionate scratch under the chin for its efforts.

"I've heard of you," Harlak addressed the Asian teen. "Your name is respected here, Xao Jin."

"Thank you," Dragonmage nodded. "I've heard of you as well. I think every mage in the galaxy knows about the Khund sorceror Harlak. It must have been difficult for you to find your path here from Khundia."

"Murderous," Harlak answered, tight-lipped. "Sorcery is not tolerated among my people. All magic to them is an affront to the Demon Mother, a supreme act of arrogance. I was fortunate to reach Xerox with my life, and I had to give up any hope of returning to Khundia to be here but I don't regret a moment of it. I would rather die a proud heretic than one more soulless beast half-full of metal in the Challenge Courts."

"Some of these doorways," Bouncing Boy asked, "They're not doorways to other rooms, are they?" He squinted at a hellish red glow emanating from one of the open arches, formless shadows in the crimson light making the hair on his neck stand on end.

"The Sorceror's World is necessarily a nexus for many realities," Harlak answered. "This entrance leads to the Rotworld for example." He gestured at another open doorway, a shimmying landscape of dead skin and mold beyond that was like some sick reflection of Xerox itself.

"What's the Rotworld?" Timber Wolf asked, looking away from Blok for the first time since they'd entered the castle. He screwed up his face at the putrefying bio-masses writhing beyond.

"Home to the Rot," the Black Witch answered, startling some of them. "It is the embodiment of all decay. It hungers for life but it cannot hurt you as long as you stay true to this path, Brin Londo."

"Right," Brin shuddered. "Sprocking magic," he grumbled under his breath and kept walking.

They rounded one more corner and Mysa led them into an arcane workspace. Shelves full of books lined the walls and potions bubbled in different-sized cauldrons. A table which looked uncomfortably like an altar was smeared in thick foul-smelling ichor that oozed with glacial inevitability to the stone floor below. Mysa gestured and the floating Blok completed his journey to lie on the table. He'd been frozen by the Alchemist while bursting through a wall and the pose was almost comical as he faced the ceiling now in mid-strike.

"Do you need us to do anything?" Bouncing Boy asked. "We don't want to get in your way."

"You presume too much, Charles Foster Taine," the Black Witch answered, taking a stand before Blok's inert form. "I agreed to see you...I have not yet agreed to help you."

The Legionnaires looked around at each other confused. "Now wait a minute!" Timber Wolf began, approaching Mysa angrily.

"Blok's supposed to be your friend!" Diamond Damsel snapped, backing Brin up. "These people are supposed to be your friends! If you have the power to help him--"

"I have not said I would not help you either," Mysa interjected, staring both Diamond Damsel and Timber Wolf down. "But what you ask of me...this is no easy task, Legionnaires. Blok's spirit yet resides on this plane but his presence here is tenuous at best. I can help, but the effort will cost me greatly. So yes, I do need you to do something."

"Just tell us," Bouncing Boy stood beside Diamond Damsel and Timber Wolf, hoping he could defuse the ugly tension that was beginning to build. "Mysa, you know we'll do anything if it will help save him."

"I am pleased to hear you say that." She smiled now for the first time since they'd arrived. Her lips curled up almost imperceptibly, but it was enough to send chills through even Harlak. "There is an artifact my research has recently uncovered. It is a threat in its current location and I can put its power to great use, but I cannot leave Xerox for fear of unleashing Mordru's power."

Chuck felt horrible for what he was about to ask, but he knew he had to ask the question. "You're not...Mysa, you're not going to hurt anybody, are you?"

"Whatever I have become Legionnaire, I have not fallen so low." Mysa looked across to Harlak. "Harlak, you must be the only guardian of this knowledge." The white pinpricks of her pupils blazed intensely bright and Harlak grunted as information painfully flooded his mind. Dragonmage offered him a steadying hand as he staggered under the psychic onslaught but the Khund forced himself to stand unaided. The Black Witch turned back to her former teammates. "I will tell the rest of you that you are not to make contact with the artifact. You will accompany Harlak and you will bring it back, but Harlak and your Dragonmage are to transport the rock magically if any of you value the sanctity of your eternal souls."

"Chuck," Phantom Girl approached her friend, "I don't know about this..."

"Me either," Bouncing Boy agreed. "Mysa, if you could hear how you sound right now--"

"Let's just get this over with," Timber Wolf growled. "It's a sprocking rock. We bring it back here, she fixes Blok, we're done."

"I'm with him," Diamond Damsel glared at the witch. "If this is what we need to do, I say we do it."

Chuck wished Luornu were here. He needed her common sense, her pragmatism. Everything about this said it was wrong, from Mysa's ominous speech to the anxiety in Dragonmage and even Harlak's faces. If the two other magic users in the room were concerned about this, Chuck knew it was a bad idea. But he also knew that while Phantom Girl and Dragonmage would support his decision, Timber Wolf and Diamond Damsel would follow their own impulse. And then there was Blok. What if this really was his only chance? He sighed, defeated. "I want you to promise me," he said to Mysa grimly. "I want you to promise me that whatever it is we're getting for you, you're not going to use it to hurt a single person. Damn it Mysa, I shouldn't even have to demand this."

"The world is full of things we shouldn't have to do which are nonetheless required," the Black Witch answered, her voice like ice. "But you have your promise, Charles Foster Taine. I will not harm a living being and this will save your friend."

"Fine," Chuck continued. "We'll do it. Where are we going? How do we even know what we're looking for?"

"I know," Harlak answered. The others noticed his eyes were bloodshot. "It's a rock, like a large misshapen boulder. It looks unremarkable, but its magic will stand out to me like a beacon once we're near it as well as to your more trustworthy comrade Xao Jin."

"You're not the one we don't trust," Diamond Damsel sniped. "Like Timber Wolf said, let's get this over with."

Harlak looked across to the Black Witch. "Mistress, I am ready."

The Black Witch raised her hands and spoke words that weren't words, and the Legionnaires only realised anything at all had happened when they noticed that Mysa and Blok were no longer in the room. They they realised that it was in fact they who were no longer in the room. They looked around themselves to find they were still in a stone castle, but the torches blazed brighter and the room was empty, somewhat smaller than the one they'd left behind.

"Where are we?" Phantom Girl asked.

"Well, they were right," a familiarly haughty voice remarked. The group spun to find the object of their quest. As Harlak had described, it was a large misshapen chunk of stone which appeared in every way ordinary. Still, it seemed to emanate an aura of power even to those untrained in the mystic arts. More interesting to the Legion was the woman standing before the rock. In an elaborate gown, her white hair high in a regal bouffant, Queen Projectra of Orando faced her friends.

"Jeckie?" Timber Wolf approached her. "We're on Orando? The Witch sent us all the way to Orando?"

"And I know why she sent you," Projectra smiled but it had no warmth to it at all. She reached out and touched Timber Wolf's forearm. He shivered and then stood beside her, nuzzling her bare throat while he leered at Phantom Girl.

"You have come for the Rock of Eternity," Projectra continued, seeming almost amused by Brin's bizarre turn. "Just as they said you would.

Well, let's take it to her, shall we?"

TO BE WITCHTINUED!!!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Embrace of Dead Friends - 08/19/14 03:08 PM
Whoa. What just happened? What happened to Brin, and why is Jeckie acting that way? And Nura takes a team after Chuck (as expected), and now Lu and company are in tow... well, color me intrigued!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Embrace of Dead Friends - 08/20/14 08:56 PM
Fabulous, you turned Jeckie into Shooters 3boot id manipulator! Splendid stuff yet again. So are Nuras visions real or has our fave fainting princess being playing head games?

There's going to be a throwdown on Xerox by the looks of it - can't wait!

And the Rock of Eternity...? Nope, can't say I recognise it, has it appeared anywhere recently laugh

Thoroughly enjoying your work Raz, more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Building Blok - 08/31/14 10:19 AM
ORANDO
The Royal Palace of Queen Projectra Armorr

Bouncing Boy, Phantom Girl, Diamond Damsel, Dragonmage and Harlak stared in shock as Timber Wolf grabbed Queen Projectra around the waist and drew her close to him. She slapped at his hand and stepped away from him. “There will be time for your urges later,” Projectra decreed. “We have to introduce our friends to their new roles first. So nice of you to bring the perfect number, Legionnaires. The seven of us are going to send this universe descending into chaos and rule over it forever.” She circled the heroes as she spoke, Timber Wolf following close behind as he eyed his teammates off one by one in a way that made them all very uncomfortable.

“Projectra, I need you to listen to me.” Bouncing Boy’s voice was calm, deliberately non-aggressive. “I think that rock has done something to you. I want you to let Dragonmage examine you both.”

Timber Wolf made a fake lunge at Dragonmage and laughed as the young sorcerer jumped back with a start. Harlak stepped between them, meeting Timber Wolf’s gaze without fear despite the Legionnaire’s far greater speed and strength. “This is why the Black Witch told us not to touch the Rock of Eternity,” the Khund explained. “There are monsters trapped inside just waiting for a human host to claim.”

“Where did you find this thing anyway, Jeckie?” Phantom Girl tried to ignore Timber Wolf’s predatory leering and traded an anxious glance with Chuck. The way Projectra and Brin were walking around the group, hemming them in, it was almost as though they were leading them somewhere. Chuck saw it too. They weren’t going near the rock though, and there was nothing else in this room. Instinctively, Tinya turned intangible.

Projectra gave a sinister smile. “The Rock of Eternity has been spiralling through time and space since it was shattered by Black Lazarus in 2376. The fragments land in one time or place where they remain until the eddies of the multiverse sweep them on again, and this is the largest and most portentous of all the pieces which remain. Fitting that it should land in the House of the Ruling Blood of Orando, don’t you agree? Whomever else could be worthy of such a gift?”

“It’s not a gift,” Diamond Damsel stepped forward angrily. “You’re being controlled, can’t you feel it?”

Projectra stood before the diamond woman and examined her from head to toe as she would any other fine jewel to be owned. The white-haired regent turned to Brin. “I think I know exactly who’s going to like this little firecracker, don’t you?”

Timber Wolf laughed again and leaped at Diamond Damsel. “Come on over to the dark side, DD. Not like you haven’t been here before.” She tried to shove him away, but he was too fast for her and the two were soon wrestling on the floor.

Bouncing Boy inflated himself as he barked orders. “Dragonmage, help Diamond Damsel! Everyone else, stay away from that rock! Jeckie, I hate to do this but you’re not in your right mind and we can’t give you the chance to use your illusions on us.” He launched himself at the queen and was momentarily confused as he passed right through her. Just before he hit the Rock of Eternity, Chuck realised it was too late…Projectra had been herding them with illusion since the moment they arrived.

Chuck shuddered as he bounced off the rock and felt the grip of ancient evil.

**********
XEROX
The Sorcerers' World

The Black Witch Mysa Nal stood back, panting from the efforts of her exertion. She held a blood red curved knife in her hand, the blade easily as long as her forearm. Before her, the golden form of Blok lay in his awkward mid-combat pose. A lightning bolt symbol had been carved out in his chest, and sigils engraved upon the length of his body with the utmost care. She had done all that she could do for now, she would need to wait for Harlak and the others to return before she could continue. In truth, she was glad for the rest. It had required intense focus to ensure she wasn’t harming Blok any more than he had been already with these preparations.

The very thought of relaxation led to the spontaneous creation of a plush daybed behind her. It was lined with silky soft cushions, and brass posts were topped with bejewelled gargoyle heads. Mysa reclined, but she felt a pang of disquiet. Nobody knew the burden she bore now, not even Harlak who saw it every day. Everyone around her assumed the only challenge Mysa faced was reigning in Mordru’s evil. It was true that this was her greatest challenge, but it was not her only one. As the Black Witch she contained every last remnant of magic from a dead universe. The temptation to wield that power was immense, but she knew that with even the best of intentions it was too much for any one being to use wisely. With Mordru whispering in her ear day and night she didn’t dare to consider it. When she was exhausted as she was now however, sometimes that power made itself known in small ways. But evil always begins as the tiniest deviation, doesn’t it Mysa? Annoyed at her lack of discipline, she stood up once more and waved the daybed away.

Mysa fetched a restorative cup of herbal tea and came back to Blok. Watching over him, her thoughts drifted to happier days. Days when she had friends, a sister. She’d exiled Nura from this world in a fit of rage when last they spoke. Nura had been angry at her, and for good reason. But Mysa’s sister had never tried to understand her perspective either, not in any matter. When the two were children, Nura was always the special one. The pretty one, the clever one, the talented one. The one who wasn’t broken. Mysa had been nothing till she came to the Sorceror’s World, and even then her older sister treated her with bemused detachment at best. Blok on the other hand…Blok had always been so sweet, so genuine in his affections. Mysa had truly loved him - perhaps not romantically, not in the way she could see that Diamond Damsel loved him, but Mysa had loved him nonetheless. In memory of that love she wondered if there was any line she would not cross if it would help him.

The closed wooden doors to the room sprung open and Harlak and the Legionnaires burst in. They had the Rock of Eternity with them, carried in the jaws of a giant shimmering dragonform as she had instructed. They also had Projectra of Orando with them. Mysa placed her tea on a small wooden table and faced the returning heroes, her arms hidden in voluminous black sleeves. Dragonmage dumped the Rock of Eternity by Blok’s inert form with a flourish. Mysa could tell immediately that something was wrong. Even if Projectra hadn’t come back with them she would see it. There was something different in the demeanour of each of her allies, something dark hanging over them.

“You sent us to steal from another Legionnaire and didn’t even tell us?” Diamond Damsel approached the Black Witch with an accusing finger. “Who the hell do you think you are, lady?”

Mysa regarded her coldly. Diamond Damsel was all barely contained fury. Timber Wolf was literally breathing down Phantom Girl’s neck and Tinya Wazzo seemed completely apathetic. None of them were themselves, Mysa hoped this didn’t mean what she knew it must. “There was no time for niceties,” Mysa answered n a calculating tone. “Not if I was to help your friend.”

Diamond Damsel looked across at Blok for the first time and her eyes grew wide. “What have you done to him?” she bellowed. She grabbed Mysa by the throat and held her dangling in the air.

“Don’t kill her,” Projectra warned. “We still need her to bind us to this time and place.”

“I won’t kill her,” Diamond Damsel ranted, “but damned if I’m not gonna rough up this skank some!” She flung the Black Witch across the room and Mysa slammed into a bookcase, knocking ancient grimoires down all around her. She clawed her way out of the pile of books, grimacing from the pain. There was no doubt in her mind now. She faced the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man, and judging from the way Diamond Damsel’s face was distorted with rage Mysa guessed that she’d been possessed by Anger.

Mysa threw up a hasty shield, but she was still too weak from helping Blok. She knew it wouldn’t hold long. “Harlak!” she cried desperately. “Come to your senses, help me!”

“I don’t think I will,” Harlak remarked off-hand as he started gathering the room’s precious artifacts in a pile. “Everyone’s just been living in your world, haven’t they Mistress? It’s time I got some reward for my devotion.”

“He’s right,” Dragonmage added bitterly. “Why should you have all the power? It’s not fair, Witch.”

The others simply watched in amusement as Diamond Damsel pounded on Mysa’s mystic shield. Anger, Lust, Pride, Greed, Envy, Sloth, Gluttony, they were all in control now. As if to bring the point home, Bouncing Boy’s flight ring beeped and he took one look at it before turning back to the spectacle of Mysa and Diamond Damsel’s battle. Mysa was completely on her own.

“I am not strong enough right now to fight you on your own level,” Mysa grunted, “But some spells are far easier than others…and nobody ever dispelled anger with force.” She dissipated her shield and Diamond Damsel stalked across to the white-skinned witch.

“You better fix Blok,” Diamond Damsel threatened Mysa, “or I’ll - “

“You’ll do nothing,” the Black Witch’s eyes blazed with a prismatic display of light, “Except revert.”

Tiny hairline cracks appeared in Diamond Damsel’s surface, the same rainbow light gleaming out from each one. The cracks grew and multiplied, and an instant later there was an explosion of brightness as diamond shards exploded outwards and disintegrated into a fine powder. In their wake, a much smaller red-haired woman quivered. She held her oversized costume up with one hand while staring disbelieving at her other hand. “You…you made me human again?”

“I gambled that Anger’s hold was on Diamond Damsel, not the human woman you once were.” Mysa knew she’d been right. Anger’s influence was no longer surrounding the confused woman, he’d been banished once more into the Rock of Eternity. She also knew that this would spur the others into action. As difficult as it had been to defend herself from Diamond Damsel, six possessed heroes would require all of her wit and luck.

True to form, Bouncing Boy inflated and let the attack. “Projectra’s right,” he commanded. “Don’t kill the witch, we need her. Now the other one’s lost her power she’s expendable, I’ll take care of her.” He rocketed towards the now very vulnerable Iris Jacobs, who yelped as she leaped out of the way just in time.

“You need to turn me back!” Iris screamed at Mysa. “I can’t do anything in this stupid body!”

“The power is within you!” Mysa retorted as she lifted the stones from the floor to form a barrier between the others and herself. “I simply forced what you could have done at any time, Diamond Damsel!” Phantom Girl came through the makeshift stone wall and Mysa had to trust that Iris could help herself.

Iris was stunned. Was the witch saying that she could have done this herself at any time over the past thousand years? That she hadn’t had to exist as a creature of diamond for so long? Bouncing Boy slammed into her, and Iris tumbled outside of the open doorway and into the corridor. She smashed her head against one of the castle’s bluestone walls and cried out in pain. “Bouncing Boy…Chuck, don’t…” He was bouncing down the corridor towards her, an absurd ball of destruction. What am I supposed to do? Iris asked herself. Even if I can become Diamond Damsel again, he’s still possessed…how do I stop him without hurting him? She used her flight ring to try and evade his next assault, but he still clipped her and sent her flying further down the corridor.

“Don’t take it personally,” Chuck said cheerily as he came back for more, “We liked you when you were diamond, but an angry skinny girl like you…what good does that do anyone? Quicker I kill you, quicker we get a new host for our brother and the quicker I can get some food in my belly.”

He came at her again, and this time she did actually dodge successfully. She knew she wasn’t going to be able to keep this up for long though, and it was only luck so far that had kept Chuck from breaking her neck. She’d almost forgotten what it was like to be physically hurt, she found she didn’t like it at all. I suppose I should be lucky I only have to fight Gluttony, Iris consoled herself. Or that he doesn’t want to eat me. A lightbulb went off in her head and she suddenly moved with new purpose. “You want me, fat boy?” she taunted, “Come and get me!”

She flew at manic speed along the castle’s corridor, finally stopping in front of a particular doorway. “Come on!” she goaded, trying to sound tough though every part of her body ached. “Bring it!” Bouncing Boy obliged, banking off the ceiling to shoot straight down at her. At the last possible second she dived out of the way, and his much larger form wedged inside the doorway.

“This is nothing more than an inconvenience,” Bouncing Boy laughed. “All I need to do is deflate and come after you again, girl.”

“I wouldn’t if I were you,” she replied. “Look where that door leads.”

He was jammed in the doorway in such a way that he could only see inside the room at the edge of his peripheral vision but what he saw filled him with an icy fear. “No…” Chuck gasped. “The Rotworld…”

“That’s right,” Iris looked up at him smugly. “What did the Witch call it? The embodiment of decay? Not much for a glutton there I’d imagine, they’d be pretty happy to feast on you though if they can get you all the way through that doorway…you’re only safe while you’re stuck there.”

“Damn you!” Bouncing Boy cursed ineffectually.

“There is a way out,” Iris bargained with him. “Leave him alone, take me. I know I’m not a superhero but I’m not about to get eaten alive by a world full of dead things either.” She offered her hand and shuddered as she felt the presence of Gluttony enter her body. Iris was filled with the desire to eat. It took every ounce of willpower she had not to leave Chuck right now to go find the castle’s kitchen and she was already salivating at the very idea of it. Hoping that the Black Witch had been telling the truth, she focused on transforming back into Diamond Damsel before the urge to consume became overpowering. As had been the case with Anger before him, Gluttony’s possession was limited to the specific body he’d taken. As soon as Iris Jacobs vanished to be replaced by Diamond Damsel, Gluttony too was banished to the Rock of Eternity once more. She grabbed hold of Chuck in both arms and yanked him out of his tight squeeze.

“Diamond Damsel..?” Chuck asked warily.

“It’s okay,” she affirmed. “I’m me. I figured even if turning back to this form didn’t evict Gluttony, he’d be effectively trapped inside me anyway. I don’t need to eat as Diamond Damsel, I’ve never even been hungry.”

“Still, that was quite a risk.” He bounced down the corridor back toward the way they’d come. “Let’s not waste any time. After the way Mysa’s acted since we’ve been here I don’t know if I’m more concerned for her or the others!”

**********
While Bouncing Boy and Iris Jacobs had left the room, Phantom Girl approached the Black Witch through a mystical maelstrom of flying bluestone. The others were forced to hang back while Dragonmage and Harlak prepared a defence but it was no obstacle for an intangible girl. “I’m not happy about you forcing me into action,” Phantom Girl sneered. “I’d much rather watch my brothers face you. You’re lucky we need you alive, witch.”

“On the contrary, you are fortunate that these people were once my friends,” the Black Witch retorted, “And that you have assailed me when I am not at my peak. Still, I do not need to be at the peak of my power to rip your mind asunder.” Mysa released her hold on the stone storm and instead screamed hoarse words that opened a cascade of pain in Tinya’s head. Her intangibility did nothing to protect her, as the attack had no bearing on any physical plane.

“Idiot!” Phantom Girl chided her attacker. “You’ve wasted the last of your power and I can still use mine to save myself. I’ll be back!” Tinya turned transparent, then faded from view altogether. The Black Witch knew she’d completely exited this dimension, returned to her home reality. The Seven Deadly Enemies of Man were tied too closely to the Rock of Eternity though and like a rubber band snapping, Sloth left Tinya to return to entrapment in the Rock. He’d been right about one thing though…Mysa had used the last of any power she could trust herself to unleash. Anything she could release now might lay waste to the Legionnaires, to Xerox, to the universe itself. She slumped to the floor as the world spun around her. Projectra’s doing. She felt strong arms holding her down, hot breath on her pale face. Timber Wolf. Lust.

“Please,” she begged, “You don’t know the forces you prod, you must stop this.”

“Heh.” Brin’s rough stubble brushed against the smooth skin of Mysa’s cheek. “I know all about prodding, Witch.”

“Brin, that’s really gross.” Phantom Girl’s face suddenly emerged from Mysa’s, as though one woman had been wearing the other as a mask. “You might not be very happy about this right now, but you’ll thank me for it in a couple of minutes. Trust me.” Reaching up through Mysa, she grabbed Timber Wolf’s arms and focused her power. She hadn’t done this very often, but she could push her abilities to transport someone else with her back to Bgtzl when she needed to…and right now, she definitely needed to. Phantom Girl and Timber Wolf both disappeared.

“We can still turn this around!” Projectra screeched. “Go find Bouncing Boy and Diamond Damsel, the witch is mine.” The room melted into a phantasmagoria of colours and formless shapes, strange noises piercing the air. Dragonmage and Harlak averted their gaze as they scurried towards the doorway, but Mysa was powerless before it. Completely overwhelmed by the sensory overload, she could feel her very grip on reality slipping away.

“No, no, please,” Mysa was almost in tears. “It’s too much power, I can’t - “

Bouncing Boy yelled a warning to Mysa to stay down as Diamond Damsel threw him with great force into the room. In her chaotic hallucination she had no idea he’d even entered the room but it wouldn’t have mattered anyway. She was in no state to do anything but lie terrified on the floor. Projectra wasn’t so lucky. Chuck couldn’t see where she was in the midst of the illusion, but Diamond Damsel had hurled him so hard that he bounced around like a pinball, slamming into everything that wasn’t bolted down. Inevitably he hit the Queen of Orando and her power was immediately broken. Bouncing Boy himself was mildly dazed from ricocheting so many times around the room, but nonetheless he helped the Black Witch to her feet after making sure Projectra was unconscious. Timber Wolf and Phantom Girl appeared at the same time, Tinya obviously drained from the effort of taking Brin interdimensionally twice in such a short space of time. “Mysa,” Chuck asked, “Can you help the others?”

“Blok…” She was almost incoherent. “Need to get Blok…Rock of Eternity…”

Bouncing Boy gave her a concerned look and turned to Phantom Girl. “Tinya, can you..?”

“I’m gonna need time to recharge,” Tinya shook her head. “Sorry Chuck, taking others with me to Bgtzl space really takes a lot out of me.”

Bouncing Boy looked across the room. Harlak and Diamond Damsel were in a stalemate and Dragonmage had just realised that they were the only two left. He unleashed a swarm of fire-breathing dragons at Chuck, Mysa, Tinya and Brin. “We don’t have time! Wolf, protect Mysa! Make sure she does whatever she needs to do, if she says helping Blok will help the others we have to do it! We’ll keep them busy as long as we can!”

Bouncing Boy rebounded around the large room, barely avoiding streams of fire that were beginning to set the room ablaze. The dragons served another purpose, he couldn’t get close to Dragonmage and Harlak while they filled the room. Phantom Girl was walking through them effortlessly but Chuck could already see she wasn’t going to be in time to stop Harlak from forcing Diamond Damsel into contact with the Rock of Eternity once more.

Timber Wolf picked up Mysa and leaped from one dragon’s back to the next, taking the creatures out of the fight while simultaneously avoiding their fiery attacks. He landed by the altar upon which Blok lay and set Mysa down gently. “Whatever you’re gonna do, you’d better do it Witch.” Harlak propelled Diamond Damsel into the Rock of Eternity and she was once more possessed by Anger. She rushed toward Mysa, but Brin tackled her and the two traded blows as they fell into the swarm of dragons.

Mysa was glad she didn’t need magical discipline for this part, just a steady hand. Using the same blade she’d cut into Blok with earlier she carved the outline of a lightning bolt into the Rock of Eternity. The outline crackled white hot with arcs of magical energy, and she turned now back to Blok. Releasing the blade, Mysa placed one hand inside the hole she’d carved into Blok and the other on the rock itself. The energy began to climb up her arm in tiny streams of lightning, but it didn’t hurt. The spell wanted to be complete. Everything was about to be made right.

Mysa suddenly drew a sharp breath. She looked down to find the red blade piercing her abdomen from behind, her own blood coating it as it dripped to the floor. Holding the blade’s hilt behind her, Harlak leaned close to her ear. “I’m sorry Mistress. We’ll find another magic user to bind us here, but we can’t have you ruining our glorious reign before it’s even started.”

Mysa tried to say something but only got one syllable out before she coughed up blood. “What was that?” Harlak taunted, bringing the blade up against her ribs.

She screamed, then centred herself. She looked from one hand to the other. She was still in position. Part of her was relieved. After all these months of holding in all this pain and all of Mordru’s evil, it was about to be over. She was surprised to find tears rolling down her face. When she spoke again, her voice was barely above a whisper.

“...I said…

…Shazam.

Mysa’s back arched as a lightning bolt of blinding intensity travelled from the Rock of Eternity, through her and into Blok. The blade inside of her was vaporised instantly and Harlak was flung back several feet from the force of the power behind it. The accompanying thunderbolt deafened everyone in the castle and was heard for miles. The sound even jarred Projectra back to alertness.

Everyone stopped what they were doing to look across to the source of the lightning. The Black Witch lay in a pool of her own blood, though her wound seemed to have been instantly cauterised. Blok was blazing so brightly the others had to shield their eyes to look upon him directly. When the light faded, what they saw left them stunned speechless. Blok had regained his normal stone appearance, but rivulets of gold ran all through him like tiny streams. He sat up and faced the others, and they saw that the lightning bolt carved into him had captured the magic lightning and now held it there burning bright inside his chest.

“Blok!” Phantom Girl beamed. “You’re alive!”

“Indeed I am,” the giant hero intoned calmly. “And empowered now to end this.” He stretched out both arms and the still possessed heroes shook one final time as the Deadly Enemies of Man were once more trapped inside the Rock of Eternity. He stooped and gently picked up the Black Witch.

Harlak rushed to Blok’s side. “Demon Mother, is she—?”

“She is fine,” Queen Projectra approached. “Whatever happened, her wounds have been healed. I can’t see any damage at all. I will want to have words with Mysa when she is healed, but if she had not sent you to Orando I would still be in the grip of Pride. All’s well that ends well, I suppose.”

“Blok, what did she do to you?” Diamond Damsel asked, awestruck at the glowing hole in his chest.

“Mysa used a portion of the Rock of Eternity to house my soul,” Blok explained. “As it has housed the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man for so long. I am bonded with the Rock of Eternity now, I used that bond to imprison their evil once more.”

“You sound…different somehow, my friend.” Projectra noted. “And your form is infused with magic, I can see it permeating every part of you.”

“The Seven Enemies of Man were not the only force contained within the Rock,” Blok explained. “I have been touched by the power of Shazam. I am stronger, faster, gifted in other ways. In truth, I have never felt better.”

Diamond Damsel whistled. “Captain Marvel was as tough as Superman. If you’ve got his power added to your own strength…”

“We can do some tests when we get back to Mars,” Bouncing Boy said. “Once we make sure Mysa’s okay of course, and we’ll take you home too Jeckie. Right now though I’d better call Lu. She tried to contact us earlier, she must be worried sick. I didn’t even think to tell her we were coming before we left.” He brought his flight ring to his lips and called home while the others chatted with Blok and organised somewhere more comfortable for Mysa to rest. Several minutes later, Bouncing Boy came back to the rest of the group.

“Chuck?” Tinya asked. “You look worried, is Luornu okay?”

“Dream Girl had a vision of our fight and brought a team after us…Lu sent Danielle and Tellus to join up with them. They should have been here by now, but Shadow Lass and Kid Computo contacted Lu about half an hour ago to let her know that the rest of the team just disappeared in mid-journey and left their flight rings behind.

Six Legionnaires have just vanished into thin air!"
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Building Blok - 08/31/14 10:43 AM
Wow! The Seven Deadly Sins! So that's what Dream Girl's vision meant. Blok's fine and empowered, Diamond Damsel can (apparently) turn herself human at will, and Mysa's not evil. Amazing!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Building Blok - 09/01/14 09:15 AM
It occurred to me after I finished this yesterday that if I were still running roleplaying games, this installment would have been the game where heaps of players used the experience points they have been hoarding for ages lol smile
Posted By: Set Re: Building Blok - 09/01/14 09:49 AM
Wow, this has been an epic ride!

The Legionnaires you picked to represent the sins is very interesting. So many other options;

Pride - Brainy, Dreamy
Envy - Threeboot Invisible Kid, perhaps Polar Boy?
Lust - Sun Boy
Gluttony - Tenzil!
Wrath - Timber Wolf, Wildfire?, post-kidnapping Shrinking Violet?
Sloth - ?
Greed - ?

Posted By: razsolo Re: Building Blok - 09/01/14 10:34 AM
Thanks! It's funny, I picked most of that team for their connection to Blok more than how they'd match the 7 sins so it was fun figuring out which one would suit each sin best...some of them write themselves (Diamond Damsel being filled with rage isn't much of a stretch) and some of them I was like mehh that'll do (Tinya's power is fully passive and she's been pretty sedentary lately, that kiiiinda fits Sloth if you squint)

I like your choices! Chlorophyll Kid might be an off the wall choice for either sloth or gluttony seeing how he's been shown in canon to have recurring weight issues....greed is probably the toughest one. Kinetix would be the obvious choice in the reboot Legion, can't really think of anyone else off the top of my head who fits!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Building Blok - 09/01/14 10:36 AM
Brin as lust, well there would be a fair amount of people who would agree with that smile

Loving your work Raz, the 7 deadly sins were a really unexpected group of villains though really liked how you had the team deal with them, in particular DD - you have really taken a throw away character from Val's book and given her some life - well done! Also Blok as the new Captain Marvel is very interesting, looking forward to discovering what the power of Shazam means to him.

Am looking forward to the showdown with the Alchemist and am concerned for Nuras team vanishing like that, you keep the pace up tremendously and know how to deliver a stonking cliffhanger.

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Building Blok - 09/01/14 10:58 AM
Thanks Harbinger! I am glad folks like DD....I only really introduced her because she was an off the wall bad guy in my first arc, I really like writing her as part of the team now though smile
Posted By: Set Re: Building Blok - 09/01/14 03:23 PM
Diamond Damsel is particularly cool, since she's a pre-existing Legion-adjacent character, making her feel less like an Original Character.



Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Building Blok - 09/01/14 11:26 PM
Yes, and DD fits in very well with the rest of the team. She has her moments without hogging the spotlight. Same for your other "new" Legionnaires, of course!
Posted By: Omni Re: Building Blok - 09/03/14 12:32 AM
Raz another great installment. i have to agree i can't wait to see how Blok being a Captain Marvel. I'm looking forward to that plot point a lot!

Hmmmmm where did they go?

and as always one of my faves was front and center great job on DD, i like the twist about her being about to turn back at any time...i wonder what that means for her...ooo so many fun times ahead.

i echo the others MORE! MORE! MORE!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Building Blok - 09/04/14 01:28 PM
Thanks again peeps! The mystery of the missing Legionnaires won't be a mystery for very long at all as it happens! And Blok and Diamond Damsel should get some interesting and surprising developments from recent events as y'all have figured out smile
Posted By: razsolo Quantum Entanglements - 09/04/14 01:38 PM
XEROX
The Sorceror's World

Standing in a sweet-smelling valley surrounded by exotic flowering plants and the lazy buzzing of tiny insects, Phantom Girl turned her face up to sunlight beaming through clouds that looked as though they were made of pink marshmallow. "This whole world is so amazing." She spread her arms out wide to embrace the warmth. "I don't think I'll ever get used to how it changes from one second to the next."

"It's weird," Timber Wolf bristled. "Like one of Sensor Girl's illusions but makes less sense. I hate magic."

"I've dreamed of coming here since I first heard of Xerox," Dragonmage joined their conversation. "it's everything I thought it would be and more." He gave a polite bow to Harlak standing nearby. "It's been an honour to meet you too, and the Black Witch of course. Hopefully next time we can meet under happier circumstances."

"You're welcome here any time, Xao Jin." Harlak surprised Dragonmage by pulling him close and patting him roughly on the back a couple of times. "My mistress feels the same way. The Sorceror's World is waiting for you when your path leads you here anew."

"Ship's ready to go!" Bouncing Boy called from where he and Projectra had landed their vessel a few metres away. He did a quick head count and saw that everyone was present except Blok and the Black Witch. "DD, can you grab Blok please?"

Diamond Damsel looked across the field to see Blok and Mysa immersed in conversation on a low balcony jutting out from Mysa's castle. She was struck with how much more welcoming the building looked now than it had when they arrived...now that Blok and Mysa Nal were reunited. Diamond Damsel took a step towards them, then faltered.

Phantom Girl saw the discomfort in Diamond Damsel's body language even if the harshness of her face betrayed nothing. "I'll get him," Tinya volunteered, giving Diamond Damsel a secret look of support. "I want to say goodbye to Mysa again anyway." She flew off towards the two as the rest of her teammates boarded their ship.

Not far away, the Black Witch regarded Blok stiffly. "You do not possess the entirety of the power of Shazam," she explained. "The Rock of Eternity has been so fragmented that some of the power within it has been fragmented also. But even with a portion of those attributes added to your own you have become almost incomparably formidable, Blok of Dryad. I know you will use this power wisely."

"I do not care about the power," Blok smiled placidly. "Mysa, you have saved my life today. I know you have exiled yourself from those of us who love you because of this weight you carry, but it is just weight. It is not who you are."

Mysa's cold exterior was momentarily fractured. "I am--"

"You are a good woman," Blok interrupted her. "You are a good woman and a heroic woman, and I know none of us can presume to know your struggles now. But we all know you, Mysa. Whatever else happens, whatever you need to take on to survive this, at your core you will always be that person. We will never forget that and you should not either."

Mysa felt a rare rush of emotion and didn't know what to say. It was at that instant that Phantom Girl appeared, discretely clearing her throat as she floated above the balcony. "Sorry guys, we really need to go. There's still no sign of Dreamy's team anywhere."

"Of course, Phantom Girl." Blok laid a giant stone hand streaked with gold gently on Mysa's bare shoulder. "Thank you again Mysa. I owe you more than I can ever repay."

"You already have repaid me." She touched his hand uncertainly, her own hand tiny by comparison. "I wish you luck, my...friends."

**********
PIAZ ASTEROID BELT
On board a Legion Cruiser

"Okay, let's go over it again." Kid Computo stared intently at six flight rings gleaming on the console before her as Shadow Lass ended communications with Bouncing Boy. "Duplicate Damsel, Tellus and I had caught up with you guys en route to the Sorceror's World....Tellus and I came on board this cruiser while Duplicate Damsel took our ship back to Mars. We came by this asteroid belt, Dream Girl had one of her visions and told you and me we had to hide so you did your shadow thing...and now the only thing left of Dream Girl, Star Boy, Sun Boy, Polar Boy, Tellus and Mon-El are their flight rings. Did I miss anything?"

"There's nothing to miss," Shadow Lass responded. "There's no point repeating what we already know again and again. Somebody's taken Mon and the others, we need to stop distracting ourselves with how they could have done it and start focusing on getting them back."

"If Dawnstar were here..." Kid Computo began.

"Well she's not," Shadow Lass snapped. "She's on a mission, we're going to need to figure this out ourselves. Bouncing Boy's team is on its way and Dragonmage's sorcery could probably find us an answer but by then it may be too late."

"There must be something we're missing," Danielle frowned. "Dream Girl said the two of us specifically had to hide. Why us? I mean you make sense, it was your shadow power that kept us hidden from our mystery bad guy. But why me? I checked the ship's systems and it's like rest of the team were here one second and gone the next."

"Maybe Dream Girl made a mistake," Shadow Lass stood up from her own seat and paced the bridge. "She made a mistake rushing a bunch of Legionnaires off on some fool's errand to fight her sister on Xerox, she could be wrong about this as well. Damn it, we can't track their flight rings...Tellus would have been useful, he might have been able to scan telepathically for them at least."

"Wow," Danielle arched an eyebrow. "Sorry to be such a burden, Shadow Lass."

The Talokkian champion stopped pacing and her voice softened. "I'm sorry Danielle, that was rude of me. I'm just worried about Mon, and the others of course. Half the Legion have enhanced senses of some description or another. Ultra Boy or Supergirl would already have found them by now. It's so frustrating feeling this useless, I shouldn't take that out on you though."

"It's okay," Kid Computo sighed. "I know what you mean. Telescopic vision would definitely come in handy now. Or magic dragon vision. Or any kind of.....ohh, how could I be so dumb?!" She slapped herself on the forehead. "I haven't even thought about using my own stupid powers!"

"I don't understand," Shadow Lass folded her arms. "We already scanned for their ship using the cruiser's long-range sensors, surely your power doesn't have greater range than that?"

"It doesn't," Danielle answered, becoming more excited. "But our ship's sensors can be fooled by a good enough cloaking device...or even heavy ore concentrations in this asteroid belt, which I bet is exactly what they're relying on! But if there's any technology in range at all, no ore is gonna stop me from finding it. A cloaking device is technology itself! Idiot!"

"Beat yourself up over it later," Shadow Lass interrupted the younger girl.

"I will," Danielle replied, before turning to Shadow Lass with a cheeky grin. "Actually on second thoughts...let's just beat our mystery bad guys up. I've found them."

**********
In their battered ship surrounded by a three-dimensional maze of mineral-rich rocks and planetoids, two Khunds dumped the last of their burden on the hard metallic floor. "We should awaken Star Boy," one of the huge pink-skinned warriors spat, "And challenge him to combat."

"Star Boy will get his chance," a much smaller third individual snarled. This one wore a dark tattered robe, and he pulled its hood away from his scarred features now to glare hatefully at Star Boy and the other Legionnaires enveloped in a golden glow at his feet. "And there will be no combat. That was my mistake last time. This time we kill one of them, and leave them on this rock. They won't know what happened at first....they'll wonder how they came from travelling on their ship to lying in an asteroid belt with a dead comrade. But eventually they'l put the pieces together...they'll realise that they've been frozen in time...and they'll know that there is no escape from the Quantum Avenger. I can strike anywhere and any time. And one by one I'll take everything from him until he knows what it's like to be alone like me."

"You're not going to strike while they're in stasis?" the other Khund questioned, aghast. "Where is the honour in slaying an enemy like that? They might as well be asleep!"

"I don't care about honour!" James Cullen spat. "I care about revenge! He took my sister from me! He killed Jazmin!" The young Xanthui boy was much slighter than either of the Khund cyborgs, but some gleam in his eye gave them both pause.

"Very well," one of them replied, obviously not happy about the situation. "Which one? We did not bring anything powerful enough to affect the Daxamite. You will need to choose one of the others."

"The fish will do." James pointed at Tellus. "Disgusting thing. Rhenarr, put it out of its misery."

"If you want the creature dead," the Khund named Rhenarr took his handgun from its holster and handed it to the boy, "You do the job. I best my foes in combat, I don't kill them like a woman in the night."

"Oh come on," a girl's voice remarked from the corridor leading to their airlock. "Sexism? I know you're Khunds, but even your society must have developed beyond that by now."

The three turned on the newcomers, Rhenarr reflexively training his gun on them. Kid Computo leaned lazily against the open doorway while Shadow Lass stood ready for a fight right beside her. Tasmia's cape became with licks of shadow snaking slowly across the floor towards the men. "How did you get in here?" the self-proclaimed Quantum Avenger demanded of them.

Kid Computo raised her hand and smiled sarcastically. "You should treat your ship better. It likes me more than you, I asked it not to let you know we were boarding and hey, here we are."

"It doesn't matter!" James yelled. "You won't be here for long!" He gestured at the two women, then stamped his foot like a petulant child. "Why can't I freeze you? Stop it!"

"I guess your cybernetics like me more than you too," Danielle continued casually, utterly enjoying herself. "No quantum powers, no zap guns, no hidden Khundish weapons. Might as well throw in the towel now, boys."

Rhenarr threw his weapon across the room and grinned at the two women viciously. "Finally, a real fight! We don't need Khundish weapons to defeat you when we have Khundish strength. Come, Kharish. One Legionnaire for each of us." The Khund named Kharish had a cybernetic leg and had to drag it to walk, and Rhenarr's spiked metal arm hung limply at his side. Neither of them seemed to mind the disadvantage though. If anything, it made them anticipate victory even more.

Shadow Lass stepped before Kid Computo and gently pushed her back. "Leave this to me, Danielle. I think these gentlemen need to learn exactly what a woman in the night is capable of." The room filled with utter blackness, followed by the brief and violent sounds of a very one-sided combat. When Tasmia's shadow field retreated, she was standing on the other side of the room over two unconscious cyborgs.

"You - you can't do this!" James protested. "You can't do this to me! Damn you, Legionnaires! Damn you all!" He bolted straight at Kid Computo, too far away for Shadow Lass to intervene. Eyes wide, Danielle stumbled over her own feet as she tried to move out of the way and hit the deck. To her surprise, the Quantum Avenger followed suit, an aura of twinkling black air pinning him to the ground. "No!" James cursed through gritted teeth. "No!"

"I'm afraid so, Jimmy." With the quantum devices deactivated, their effect had finally faded from the captured Legionnaires. Star Boy lowered his hand as the other heroes gathered round. "I know you're hurting," Thom continued, "And I know it doesn't seem like it right now, but one day it will get better. You're just gonna have to trust me on this one, kid."

While Shadow Lass rushed to embrace Mon-El, Dream Girl approached Kid Computo. "I'm glad I dreamed you two to safety," Nura smiled. "You really came through for us today." She offered Danielle a hand and helped her to her feet. "But you, young lady, really need to learn how to fight."

"Tell me about it," Danielle grunted, rubbing her sore butt. "I'll--"

"See me tomorrow after breakfast?" Nura finished. "Fabulous idea! Let's go home, everyone!"

**********
MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

As it turned out, Dream Girl's team returned to base at the same time as Bouncing Boy's team. The two ships emptied into the hangar together, and Bouncing Boy watched from behind as a dozen Legionnaires joked and shared conversation. Phantom Girl hung back and poked Chuck in the arm playfully. "Cred for your thoughts?"

"Just thinking...this is nice," Chuck smiled wearily. "I've been trying to be so positive for the team's sake lately and to be honest, I don't think I've been that good at it. We've all gone through a lot lately, it was really starting to feel like we were starting to sink under the weight of it all. Now though...Shady's back, Diamond Damsel's got a new lease on life, Blok came back from death's door better than before, I kind of feel like we're starting to mend fences with Mysa...Jimmy Quantum's gonna get the help he needs. And you know, for the first time since we moved to this place...it actually sort of feels like we're coming home."

"I know what you mean," Tinya smiled back. "I know it's not perfect, but it's like..the clouds have parted."

"And you," Chuck poked her back, "What about you? You seem a lot happier since the Sorceror's World if you don't mind me saying so PG!"

"Yeah. Yeah, I think I am." She paused as she considered her next words. "When we were possessed by those creatures...well I don't need to tell you how it felt. It was like...every impulse in me to just lay down and die took charge and was amplified to the Nth degree. And then when I went back to my home dimension, that was shocked out of me, but I realised...I've been acting like that since that whole thing with the Infinite Man anyway. I guess you'd call it depression more than sloth, but either way I was wallowing. And that's not who I want to be. It was horrible what happened to us, but I have Jo back, I have my friends, my family...I love all of you. I guess I remembered what I have in the present, and that's more important than anything that happened in the past."

"Good!" Chuck put his arm around Tinya's shoulder and gave her an affectionate hug. "I'm proud of you PG, and welcome back!"

"I couldn't have done it without you," Tinya kissed him on the cheek. "You've really been there for me lately Chuck and I appreciate that. Thank you. Now I think I should go find my boyfriend and show him how much I appreciate him." She phased through Bouncing Boy's arm and turned to give him a cheeky wink as she disappeared through the floor. Bouncing Boy laughed and shook his head as he continued walking through the hangar after his team.

In the team's mission monitor room, a copy of Luornu Durgo Taine updated logs to record that the two teams had returned to base. Another contacted Xanthu to confirm James Cullen and his Khund associates had been safely taken into custody. A third Duplicate Damsel sat at a console reading the first encrypted entry sent through from Mandalla regarding the Oversight Watch's recent activities.

Oblivious to her other copies, a fourth Luornu Durgo Taine sat in a chair biting her nails.

Watching an internal security monitor, she saw Tinya Wazzo kiss Chuck and Luornu watched her husband throw his head back in laughter as Tinya left his side.

Taking deep measured breaths, Luornu stood up and she left the room.

**********
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Quantum Entanglements - 09/04/14 02:07 PM
Wow, a new installment so soon? Not that I'm complaining! I'm glad the disappearance of Nura's team was wrapped up so quickly. Nice to have James' story closed, sort of (I guess Jazmin's reappearance will come later tongue )

Uh oh, jealous Luronu... doesn't look too good, but I think Chuck and Lu's marriage is going to be much stronger than that. And it was just a kiss on the cheek!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Quantum Entanglements - 09/05/14 09:05 AM
Your opening description of Xerox was very sweet, I liked how the different Legionnaires perceived it. Blok and Mysa.... aaaw bless them, they always seem to me to be the great love story that never was! Though DD and Blok make a fairly formidable combo now, looking forward to seeing what carnage you can get them involved with smile Dragonmage and Kharlak's bromance is sweet too,

James Cullen is such a poignant and sad character, hope we see him in the not too distant future. Loved the Khunds taking on Shady even with busted cybernetics - you got to admire their courage eh? Unusual couple to focus on - shady was a bit narky but Computo is coming into her own, good catch her sensing the other tech nearby. I can't really ever see her being a combatant though, she's more tactical, though at least a few moves in her repertoire wouldn't hurt so well done Dreamy for taking Danielle under her wing.

Chuck and Tinya's friendship seems to be blossoming, though jealous Lu is a scary thought, that lady is sharp!

As ever, thoroughly enjoyed your posts Raz, thanks.

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Quantum Entanglements - 09/05/14 09:43 AM
Thanks peeps! I was originally planning on stretching Tinya's PTSD out way longer but it just doesn't really seem to suit her, I think she is grounded enough as a character that she would be quite decisive once she decides the right way to deal with something. I definitely wouldn't wanna get on Luornu's bad side so we'll see where that one goes....

And thanks for noticing the Dragonmage/Harlak bromance Harbinger! That's one of those little things that just wrote itself and I think it's kinda cute smile
Posted By: razsolo Past Mistakes Revisited - 09/10/14 11:45 AM
CADMU
Geneosphere Umbilical Station - Worldside

As Ultra Boy followed Elastic Lad through an open plaza towards the impossibly tall cylindrical tower which was their destination, two things stood out on the so-called science planet Cadmu. The first was a disconcerting lack of sentients. He’d also seen this when he’d first visited Cadmu and it was just as clear now. Since they’d arrived planetside, robots of various shapes and sizes far outnumbered any of the organic natives. Jo’s own homeworld Rimbor was overpopulated and under-resourced and though Rimbor might be an extreme example among the worlds of the United Planets, in Jo’s experience more worlds were closer to Rimbor than Cadmu. The second thing to catch his attention were the dual rows of giant holoboards lining the walkway. There were twelve boards in all, six on either side of him. They were fifteen feet high and almost twenty-five feet long, and each of them flickered different colors and tonal patterns at him. “I thought the Geneosphere was a building,” Jo remarked, “But it’s what…an artificial satellite? And this is a space elevator?” He glanced at the slender round tubed structure before them.

“Yep!” Elastic Lad answered jovially. “The Geneosphere was built as a full immersion environment so that we can study the lives of our predecessors as fully as possible. We could have set up a virtual archive here in one room of course, but the Geneosphere was designed by Tao-34. I never met any of his descendants because his line was wiped out 120 years ago, but everyone says he had a thing for artificial habitats. Tao-1 was one of the prime architects of Cadmu itself!”

“I suppose having the Geneosphere off-planet keeps your info safe when an army of Validuses decide to tear the place apart,” Jo mused. “This Tao guy sounds like he and Brainy would have gotten along, he must have been super smart what with this, creating the virtual social environments you guys use when you reincarnate - hey, wait a nano!” Jo seemed confused. “How do I know any of this stuff?! I never heard of this guy before we got here and now I can recite all his accomplishments without even thinking about it?”

“It’s the sublimi-boards.” Elastic Lad stretched his arms out to point at the large flickering holographic panels on either side of them. “They beam information directly into your conscious mind. We experimented with them as a more efficient way of sharing knowledge but you’ll only remember any of this for about twenty minutes so they weren’t really all that effective. But gosh, they’re a great replacement for a tour guide! Don’t you agree, Ultra Boy?”

“Huh.” Jo had always thought Elastic Lad was one of the stranger characters to have joined the Legion of Superheroes but seeing the world that had spawned Jams-Ols 5 made Jo realise that strange was a relative term. Ultra Boy followed Elastic Lad through the lobby’s security screens and into the space elevator. The elevator itself was a spacious capsule-sized room. As soon as the doors closed behind them and the room pressurised for its journey, the rounded walls showed the view outside and below them as they travelled through the atmosphere. Jo was impressed with the quality of the image, it almost seemed as though there really were no barrier between them and the open air.

“We found that having a view made the trip less boring,” Elastic Lad explained when he noticed Jo watching the screen surrounding them. “It’s a 30 minute trip, you wouldn’t want to just be staring at a blank wall for the whole time! If you prefer we can change it to a local infotainment channel though. I mean you’ve been flying under your own power for the longest time now, I expect this isn’t anything new for you. Oh wow Ultra Boy, I’m sorry! Did you want a seat? Gee, I really should have asked earlier! How rude of me! We keep them hidden in the floor panels normally to conserve space but it’s no trouble if you’d rather not stand. Standing doesn’t bother me, with my elasticised form I fatigue at a much lower rate than the average Cadmian!” The elevator breeped a location request at the two men and while Ultra Boy struggled to keep up with his teammate’s hyperactive chatter, Elastic Lad changed conversational tacks without missing a beat. “Leeta Lineage please, authorisation level: Neocaste.” The elevator breeped acknowledgement and Elastic Lad continued his rambling.

Meanwhile, somewhere much further away than planetary orbit a silent alarm triggered for the first time in years…

**********
DISPUTED TERRITORIES
Kraken of the Void Tavern

Uma Garan nursed her Khundish Whisky, her face hidden beneath a large crimson hood. The Kraken of the Void was a grimy bar packed with mostly criminal sentients of all races, but everyone here had the good sense to give Uma plenty of space. Out here among the border worlds, the Alchemist's murderous reputation was well-known. A pirate captain was nothing without a crew or a ship though, and the Legion of Superheroes had taken both those things from her. One more thing to hate them for. She finished her drink and caught the bartender’s attention to order another when a gloved hand passed a fresh glass to her before she could speak. Uma looked her benefactor up and down. It was a short woman, she couldn’t have been any more than 5’ tall. She was draped in loose-fitting folds of drab fabric, a hood and veil ensuring that no skin was exposed. “Saved you the trouble,” the woman remarked. “Name’s Digby, I was hoping we could have a talk.”

Uma used her Trommite power to analyse the drink’s contents. Once she was confident that there were no unusual additives, she finished it in one gulp and slammed the empty glass back down on the bar. “I’m not looking for conversation, stranger. Thanks for the drink.” She turned away from the newcomer and looked for the bartender once more.

“Maybe not,” the veiled woman continued unabated. “You are looking for a new ship though, aren’t you? You are the one they call the Alchemist, right?”

Uma turned back to the other woman, her face taut. “If you know who I am, you know what I can do. When I want a ship, I’ll take one. I don’t need to buy your second-hand goods and no amount of this whisky is going to change my mind on that. Now why don’t you leave before you start to annoy me.”

“Suit yourself,” the woman named Digby shrugged beneath her multiple layers. “But I’ve got a good ship, a good crew, and all we need is someone with the vision to lead us to the loot. If you want to lay down and die after the Legion of Superheroes whipped your ass though, I guess that’s your prerogative.” She turned around and walked off into the crowd without another word.

Uma sat and brooded silently for a moment before her temper got the better of her. “Wait,” she called out after the woman. “Nobody talks to me like that.” Digby kept walking, reaching the door to the tavern before Uma finally pushed through the crowd to catch her. “I said wait!” Uma snarled, grabbing hold of Digby’s shoulder as she stepped through the open doorway. Uma was startled as the woman inside the clothes abruptly vanished into thin air, leaving her holding an empty outfit. “What the..?” She stepped outside the tavern fully and looked around. She was gone!

With no warning, Uma felt a surge of electricity pass through her. She screamed out in pain, her back arching. Uma spun around to face her attacker and saw the Legionnaire Lightning Lass, her teammate Dawnstar standing by her side. “You hurt our friends,” Lightning Lass said bitterly. “You might have thought you could do that and get away with it, but nobody gets away from Dawnstar.”

“I did more than hurt your friends,” Uma growled at the heroes. “I killed them, just like I’m going to kill you. Except your death won’t be anywhere near so painless.” Before the cloaked woman could do more than raise her hand towards the Legionnaires, they vanished in a blur.

“Neither Blok nor Gas Girl are dead,” Dawnstar’s voice spoke from behind her. “And with my speed, you don’t stand a chance against us. Surrender.”

Uma turned to face them again, this time erecting an inertron wall to intercept Ayla’s next lightning blast. “You’re not the only one who can move fast, Legionnaire. Let’s see you outrace this.” She turned the other side of the wall into polonium, and was surprised to see the wall rocket straight up into the atmosphere before its lethal radiation could affect her foes. With the wall gone, Uma saw that Element Lad and Light Lad had joined the two women.

Light Lad gave Uma a sorrowful look. “Ayla shouldn’t have attacked you. Uma, we’re sorry. Please let us help you.”

“Help me? Like you helped my world? I think I’ve had enough of your help, Legion! I - ohhh, what have you done to me..?” She held her head with one hand, staggering and clutching at the outer wall of the tavern to stop herself from falling over as her world spun around her.

“That would be Shrinking Violet making her move,” Element Lad explained coldly. “She led you out here where there was no chance anybody else might be injured and I guess she’s just found your inner ear. Hard to transmute anything when you don’t even know which way is up, isn’t it?”

“You…” Uma grimaced and collapsed to her knees in the dirt. She struggled to glare at Element Lad, letting her head droop when the effort became too much. “You’re…the worst. They destroyed our world so you could find fame…prestige…are you happy, Arrah?”

“My family are dead,” Element Lad answered through gritted teeth. “Every single person I knew growing up is dead, and you dare ask me if I’m happy? The Legion made a horrible error in judgement Alchemist, but they weren’t the ones who destroyed our world. The Legion were the ones who gave me the opportunity to honour Trom. If you want to hate someone, hate Roxxas. Better yet, hate yourself. You’ve failed Trom more than anybody else alive.” Jan turned the oxygen around Uma’s face into an aluminium bubble enclosing her head. Dazed as she was, she couldn’t mount a defence and she collapsed within seconds. He dissipated the bubble and affixed a synaptic disruption headband to her before she could recover so she wouldn’t be able to use her powers. Shrinking Violet regained normal size nearby as Jan finished cuffing the semi-conscious villain.

“You really shouldn’t have zapped her,” Light Lad chided Lightning Lass. “We could have settled this without the fight.”

“I know,” Ayla answered shame-faced. “I was just…all I could think about was what she did to poor Blok and Gas Girl, and I thought about what she might have done to one of us…I couldn’t risk her hurting any more of my friends. I’m sorry if I made things worse.”

“You already did that on Trom,” Element Lad said simply. “She’s responsible for her own choices though, Lightning Lass. And if she chooses to desecrate the memory of our people, she deserves to be treated like any other villain. She’s not going to be able to walk while she’s wearing Brainiac 5’s disruptor. Someone needs to carry her back to our ship, I don’t want anything more to do with her.” He took to the sky before anyone could respond.

“I’ll take her,” Light Lad offered quietly. Uma had recovered full consciousness already, but unable to think coherently through the synaptic disruptor’s interference, all she could do was roll her head impotently and cry furious tears. Darvan used his power to nullify her weight and lifted her gently in both arms. While Dawnstar watched Element Lad fly away with silent concern, Darvan looked across to Ayla and Vi. He’d hoped that tracking Uma out here to this remote dirtball would give them a chance to help Uma and allow everyone to begin healing.

Now though, he wondered if they’d achieved the exact opposite.

**********
MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

In her private quarters, Iris Jacobs stood in front of a full-length mirror in her underwear. Her heart pounded as she looked over every inch of her very human body. She held a lock of red hair between her thumb and forefinger, felt each individual strand with a sensitivity of touch she’d not known for a thousand years. Her doorbell chimed and Iris was jarred back to reality.

“Diamond Damsel?” It was Blok’s voice. “I was wondering if I might have a moment of your time?”

“Just a minute!” Her voice sounded so strange to her after all this time, so tremulous. A few seconds later, it was Diamond Damsel rather than Iris Jacobs who stood at the door in her familiar pink and blue costume. “How can I help you?” she asked.

“May I come in?” Blok asked.

Diamond Damsel was taken aback. Blok had never been into her quarters before. “I…yes, of course! Sorry!” She stepped aside awkwardly and allowed Blok to walk in. Diamond Damsel’s room was sparsely decorated. The only furnishings she had were a chair and desk in the corner, and a holoprojector which sat in a corner of the empty room. “How are you feeling?” she asked nervously. “Has Bouncing Boy run you through any tests since coming back from the Sorceror’s World?”

“Brainiac 5 has scheduled a few hours for a full analysis tomorrow,” Blok answered. “And I am feeling quite well, thank you for asking. That is not what I came here to discuss though.”

“Then…what..?”

Blok stood before Diamond Damsel, the glowing lightning bolt insignia in his chest gleaming in the facets of her body. “I owe you an apology,” he said sincerely.

“What?” Once more Diamond Damsel was taken aback. “What on Earth could you have to apologise for?”

“I have had difficulty coming to terms with your actions on Dryad,” Blok explained. “Not knowing what you traded Khor to guarantee our safety…it is something that has not sat well with me, as I am certain you have noticed.”

“Blok, no.” Diamond Damsel looked into eyes that were once stone and were now orbs of gold inset in stone. “God, if anybody needs to apologise it’s me. I should have realised, after everything he did to you…I don’t blame you for hating me. But I couldn’t go through that isolation again, I couldn’t - “

“I could never hate you, Diamond Damsel.” He held her arms in enormous gold-streaked hands. “The truth is, it doesn’t matter. My objection was based on my own discomfort but if you had not acted, Bouncing Boy and Phantom Girl would surely have died. You and I would have died eventually. You saved all of our lives, and that is what I should have focused on. Since absorbing the power of Shazam, I have found a new perspective. I should rightfully have perished after the Alchemist transformed me, but due to the actions of my loved ones I was given a new chance at life. And you were at the forefront of those loved ones. Despite the distance I placed between us, you did not hesitate to come to my rescue once again. I do not care what happened on Dryad, Diamond Damsel. I just want you to be a part of my life.”

“I told him he was going to need to transfer his consciousness into you,” she blurted, looking away. “I didn’t warn him about Dryad’s destruction, but I gave him centuries to refine that spell until he was good enough at it to evade any and all detection. He nearly killed Stone Boy’s people, he made you go through losing your own people for a second time, and it’s all my fault. I betrayed you, Blok.”

Blok held Diamond Damsel’s chin and turned her head to face him once more. “You only told him what happened in our own past, Diamond Damsel. And nothing in our past can hurt us. You betrayed nobody. You saved the four of us, and if it means I get to spend the rest of my life with you nothing could make me happier.”

If she could cry, Diamond Damsel would cry now. Overcome with emotion, she stared at Blok for a long moment before hugging him fiercely. He held her in his arms and for the first time in a long time, everything in Diamond Damsel’s life felt right.

**********
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Past Mistakes Revisited - 09/12/14 04:05 AM
Nice! Closure for one segment, semi-closure for another, and a lot of action in store for the third. Great job raz!

Originally Posted by razsolo
greed is probably the toughest one. Kinetix would be the obvious choice in the reboot Legion, can't really think of anyone else off the top of my head who fits!


Took a stab at the 7 Deadly Sins for the Postboot version. Not that I'm considering writing one on my own, but it was a fun exercise tongue Agree with Greed for Zoe.

Greed - Kinetix
Lust - Triad Purple. She was all over Superboy...
Pride - Cosmic Boy (he has had his holier-than-thou moments!) or Umbra (esp. during her early Legion membership)
Gluttony - Chuck Taine could fit, actually.
Wrath - Post-Hypertaxis Sensor, still angry at her
Envy - Invisible Kid (often felt challenged when his position on the team was being "threatened")
Sloth - Gates (he would always complain about all the teleporting he was asked to do smile )
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Past Mistakes Revisited - 09/14/14 06:05 PM
Loving your work Raz, just saying...
Posted By: razsolo Re: Past Mistakes Revisited - 10/02/14 03:46 PM
Thanks as usual kind folks! I am interested to know if the next instalment blows minds or if it's something y'all saw coming ages ago so let me know laugh
Posted By: razsolo The Leeta Lineage - 10/02/14 03:55 PM
MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters, Training Tesseract

Screwing up her face in annoyance, Supergirl turned first to Mon-El by her side and then to their quarry standing on the other side of the large open room. “You think you’re so tough, buddy?” she postured. “Let’s see how well you do against the two of us at the same time!”

The two impossibly powerful Legionnaires rushed forward in a blur, slamming against their target and fellow teammate Blok with earth-shattering impact. The stone giant held his ground with only a stoic grunt to betray any effort on his part. As powerful as he was though, he couldn’t hold off a Kryptonian and a Daxamite working in unison. Slowly but surely he started losing ground, sliding back an almost imperceptible few centimetres.

“That will be all,” Brainiac 5’s voice announced calmly over the room’s intercom. “I have all the readings I require, and we don’t want to risk any damage to the tesseract’s structural integrity with your rough-housing.” A window appeared in mid-air, Brainiac 5 standing on its other side along with Bouncing Boy and Diamond Damsel.

Supergirl gave Blok a playful wink before turning around to face Brainiac and the others. “So what’s the verdict, Brainy? You think he can take Validus on his own?”

Brainiac 5 arched an eyebrow. “As Validus has never been kind enough to submit to controlled strength tests, I could only guess. And no Coluan with the slightest amount of self-pride would ever deign to do something so primitive as guess at an answer. Blok is unmistakably much improved thanks to this transformation however. To put it in terms the rest of you will understand, he’s almost as fast as Timber Wolf. He’s stronger than even Mon-El, though as we’ve seen just now not quite a match for you and Mon-El combined. I’m fairly confident in saying that Blok may even be stronger than Night Girl at her peak, though we need to verify that obviously.”

“The powers of Captain Marvel aren’t just physical though, are they?” Mon-El joined the conversation. “My memory’s a little hazy but I seem to remember there’s an attribute associated with each letter of the magic word?”

“That is correct,” Blok answered. “I have been touched by the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury. I do not possess the full power of Shazam, but - “

“Heyyy,” Supergirl interrupted. “Aren’t you supposed to not be able to say the S word without magic lightning, transformation, yadda yadda yadda?”

“The fragment of the Rock of Eternity which empowered me was not sufficient on its own to respond to the magic word,” Blok explained. “It took Mysa’s sorcery to complete the spell, and it would take a mage to complete the spell once more. Until the day a magic user turns their skill to the task again, Shazam is just a word now.”

“I suppose that’ll avoid weird word gymnastics,” Supergirl said. “Remind me to tell you about Captain Marvel Jr some day.” Mon-El chuckled to himself at the thought, he’d completely forgotten about the superhero who couldn’t say his own name until Kara had brought him up.

“There is no need,” Blok countered with a knowing smile. “I already know of Freddy Freeman and the unique challenges he faced. It seems even a portion of the wisdom of Solomon brings with it many benefits.”

A tone chimed politely and Bouncing Boy quickly consulted the omnicom he’d brought with him. Diamond Damsel looked down to the bearded hero. “A leader’s work is never done, huh?”

“Seems that way,” Chuck agreed. “Luckily for this leader, work involves spending some time with my beautiful wife so I’ll say goodbye to you all for now. Thanks for running those tests Brainy, upload the results when you get a chance and I’ll have a proper look later.” Everyone bade Chuck goodbye and he left the tesseract to enter the part of their base which actually existed on Martian soil. When they’d designed their new headquarters Brainiac 5 had recommended the creation of an exodimensional space for power and combat training to minimise the chance of damage to the building itself, and Chuck had to agree that it was a good idea but he still quietly felt a little uneasy every time he entered the tesseract until he stepped foot back in the real world again.

This time, that unease wasn’t going away. Duplicate Damsel had been compiling reports from Mandalla on the activities of the Oversight Watch, and Bouncing Boy was on his way now to find out exactly what two of his former students had been up to with their posse of supervillains and spies. He’d almost prefer to be dealing with an attack on the building.

**********
CADMU
Geneosphere Archival Level 7

Ultra Boy lay flat on a rooftop, bored out of his mind. He’d been impressed by the precision of the Geneosphere’s virtual environment when Elastic Lad had first activated it around the two heroes, it was almost as real as one of Sensor Girl’s illusions. In an instant they’d been transported from a windowless amber-walled room high above Cadmu’s surface to the city streets of Rimbor. The stifling Summer humidity, the bustling crowds, all that was missing was the scent of billions of sentients mingled with the world’s higher than average pollution levels, and Jo couldn’t say he missed that part of his homeworld too much. Narration adapted from Leeta-87’s own mindfiles had explained how the galaxy-famed heroine had tracked the Van Lunt Gang to Rimbor, and Ultra Boy and Elastic Lad had thrilled to watch her take down the entire gang single-handed. Since then however, Leeta’s story had been no more exciting than that of any other sentient in the United Planets.

“Elastic Lad, I’m dying here.” Jo groaned and covered his head with both hands. “None of this is telling us what happened to Leeta after we fought Brimstone in the past. Do we really need to watch her every meal and workout for the next…how long till that stuff happens anyway? How far back in her life have you programmed this thing for?”

“Gosh, I’m sorry Ultra Boy!” Elastic Lad blushed. “I’m always super fascinated by the exploits of heroes. I could watch this a hundred times and never get tired of it! I forget sometimes that not everybody is as interested in the lives of the heroes of the United Planets as I am, and most residents of Cadmu are happy to devote themselves to a lifetime of research here without ever leaving the world…well on Cadmu, not on the Geneosphere.” He laughed at himself. “Obviously, I mean we have a smaller population here than a lot of other worlds but even we wouldn’t all be able to fit in the Geneosphere! It would need to be at least 6.3 times bigger-“

“Elastic Lad!”

Jams-Ols 5 cleared his throat. “Right. Sorry. Of course. Do you want me to program the Lineage Immersion for the week of the battle with Brimstone? It might give us a clue why Leeta-87 never told anybody about us or why there’s no record of the fight or give us some idea what she might have done afterwards or-“

“Yes!” Jo consciously lowered his voice and tried again. “Yes. Please. That would be great, thanks E-Lad. Wait, we’re not going to have to live through a week of her life in realtime are we?”

Elastic Lad threw his head back and laughed. “Heck no! I’ll just program the Immersion to remove any routine behaviours, that should cut it down a whole lot. Anything it doesn’t pick up on we can flash through anyway.” He vocalised a 7 digit code to freeze the virtual environment around them and verbally reprogrammed the Lineage Immersion program while Ultra Boy wondered once again why he was subjecting himself to this when there were so many easier ways to investigate. Elastic Lad was so eager at the prospect of being able to help though that Jo didn’t have the heart to stop him now. Still…he could think of a million ways he’d prefer to be spending his day. He wondered if it would be rude for him to call Tinya while Elastic Lad was working.

“Okay!” Elastic Lad clapped his hands as the world faded around them and reformed.

Ultra Boy felt a pang of deja vu as he saw the familiar spires of Cadmu build themselves from the ground up. They were now in Leeta-87’s living room, and Jo stood as he felt too awkward lying on her floor. She walked straight through them to her kitchen, humming as she consulted a cookbook and entered instructions into the auto-chef. It occurred to Jo for the first time that when she wasn’t beating up criminals or hunting down terrorists, she looked utterly normal. 87 lifetimes and she looked no different to any other woman on any other street on a dozen worlds he could name. Then something else occurred to him. “Hey, E-Lad? These environments are built from files downloaded from Leeta’s own mind, right?”

“Yep!” Elastic Lad beamed. “Better than any autobiography, don’t you think?”

“Sure,” Jo agreed casually. “But if that’s the case…why are we seeing this from a third person perspective? People remember the things that happen in their life from behind their own eyes, not looking at themselves from the outside. How are we seeing Leeta’s life like we were actually in it following her around?”

“It’s the Lineage Immersion program,” the red-haired teen explained while the virtual woman went about her household business. “It builds a simulation of the subject based on their mindfile and a full spectrum physical analysis and then figures out the best way to interpret that from there. Studies found that researchers and other visitors were more at ease if they were made to feel like they were viewing the subject from outside and not being made to feel like they actually were the subject. I can point you to some really fascinating articles if you’d like some more info!”

“That’s okay, thanks.” Jo arched an eyebrow. “Uhh, is that meant to be happening?”

Elastic Lad followed Jo’s confused expression and saw that Leeta-87 had answered an incoming communication on her videophone. The Lineage Immersion program seemed to have stalled there however, and the same couple of seconds continued on a loop. She walked from her auto-chef to the videophone over and over again, forever answering a call that never came.

“Gee whiz, that’s annoying.” Elastic Lad frowned and recited a maintenance code. “These files are meant to be monitored regularly to avoid errors like this, it’s really important. We’ll need to try and restore the file but that will take a while so let’s just skip through it for now.” Jo’s attention wandered again as Elastic Lad spoke commands at the program. Jo noticed an old-fashioned two-dimensional portrait on one of Leeta’s walls showing herself and a male partner. He looked awfully familiar, Jo knew if he gave it a minute he’d figure it out...

“Boo.” A female voice whispered into Ultra Boy’s ear and he nearly jumped out of his skin.

Realising instantly who was behind the voice, he spun around and embraced his girlfriend. “Tinya! What are you doing here?”

“I missed you,” Phantom Girl rubbed her nose against Jo’s. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything, I know I’ve been a miserable lump since we had that thing with the Infinite Man but I think I’m over it now and I wanted to see you again now that I’m not wallowing in my own angst. I couldn’t wait for you to finish whatever you’re doing here and come back home.” She phased through Jo’s arms and looked around at the frozen room. “What are you two boys doing here anyway? Is that Leeta-87?”

“Hi Phantom Girl!” Elastic Lad beamed. “It sure is Leeta-87! Ultra Boy wanted some more information about her, so I figured this was the best way to do it! See, the Geneosphere is-“

“It’s okay.” Smiling back, Tinya tapped her forehead. “I got the free infodump at the space elevator planetside.”

“Of course you did,” Elastic Lad slapped his forehead. “Silly me! Well, the more the merrier so welcome aboard! Let’s see if I’ve fixed this, huh?” He spoke another code and the room around them was a blur of movement for almost a minute.

When normal programming resumed again they were still in Leeta-87’s apartment, but she was holstering a small handgun and getting ready to leave the house. She had her back to them when in one fluid movement she spun around, launched herself into a flying kick that sent Ultra Boy flying across the room then grabbed Phantom Girl’s arm and twisted it behind her back. Tinya cried out in pain as she was forced to the floor where Leeta-87 straddled her and held the gun to the back of her head.

“You.” Leeta fixed a steely gaze on Elastic Lad’s astonished face. “You’ve got one chance and one chance only to tell me what you three are doing in my
house. I don’t normally make a habit of killing my opponents but don’t tempt me to make an exception.”

**********
MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters, Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel’s residential quarters

Chuck Taine walked into the living area he shared with his wife to find her sitting at a monitor lost in thought. “Hey there, lovely Lu!” He kissed her on the forehead and Luornu hurriedly switched away from the screen she’d been viewing. Without even noticing, Chuck headed into the couple’s kitchen. “Talk at me,” he continued from the other room, “I’m just grabbing a drink. You want anything?”

“No…no, I’m fine...” Luornu sounded obviously distracted, and this time Chuck did notice.

He popped his head around the doorway, raising an eyebrow quizzically. “You sure? You don’t sound fine…”

“No, no, everything..everything’s fine. Everything’s great.” She forced a smile and split into two women. While one of the Duplicate Damsels remained seated and called up the information her husband had come here to discuss, the other one approached Chuck and returned his kiss. “How’s everybody after your trip to the Sorceror’s World? How are Blok and Diamond Damsel after their transformations? How’s Phantom Girl..?”

“I’m almost scared to say anything because I don’t want to jinx it, but everybody’s actually better than ever!” Bouncing Boy smiled. He poured himself a chilled Mars Pop from a wall-mounted beverage dispenser and savoured the sweet fizzy concoction. “Blok’s gotten himself a power upgrade, Diamond Damsel can turn back to human again, even Tinya came out of her funk. I’m glad, I was really starting to worry about her.”

“Yes…” Luornu held herself and leaned against the doorframe. “Yes, I suppose that is good for Phantom Girl.” Luornu’s second self interrupted from the other room. “You’re not here to talk about Phantom Girl though, you’re here to find out what Mandalla and Power Boy have been doing, so let’s get down to it.”

“Let’s.” He gulped down the rest of his drink, placed an arm around his wife’s waist and walked her into the living room to rejoin herself. “I’ll be honest, I’ve not been looking forward to this but we need to know. So what’s the damage?”

“Well that’s the thing.” Luornu called up some files for her husband to view. “The Oversight Watch have been busy, they’ve intercepted an undercover Dark Circle agent from causing havoc on Weber’s World and quelled uprisings on both Femnaz and Avalon. It turns out there’s a very large movement of Darkseid worshippers on Avalon that the rest of the UP are completely ignorant of.”

“Let me have a look,” Chuck leaned over his wife’s shoulder. “Hmm. They aren’t doing an entirely terrible job, but still…there was no reason for anyone to interfere on Femnaz. Internal political disputes are not things that a group like us should be sticking our noses into, it’s not our place to tell other worlds how they should be run.”

“No,” Luornu agreed. “It’s not. We need to be seen as impartial to retain our credibility. But Chuck, I’ve been reading up on Femnaz’s political situation. Fiara Blacque would have set gender relations back decades on that world if she’d taken leadership for herself. Men are already second class citizens on Femnaz but things could be much much worse than they are without the Oversight Watch’s interference.”

“You sound like you’re defending them,” Bouncing Boy straightened up. “Makkia Vei and Ron-Karr are full-fledged villains, they’ve both come to blows with the Legion before.”

“I know.” Luornu turned her chair around to face her husband. “And I’m not saying that we shouldn’t continue to keep an eye on them, but—“

“But what, Lu?”

“But…” She paused while she considered her next words. “But I guess what I’m saying is that while the Legion of Superheroes can’t be seen to interfere in situations like that…maybe somebody should.

...I think the Oversight Watch might actually be doing the right thing.”

**********
CADMU
Geneosphere Archival Level 7

Ultra Boy rubbed his head, groaning. As soon as he saw Phantom Girl’s predicament his eyes widened. “Tinya!”

“Jo, it’s okay!” Phantom Girl reassured her lover, ignoring the pain of her arm being twisted behind her. “Really!”

“It will be,” Leeta-87 added coolly. “If everyone keeps their heads, everyone gets to keep their heads. If you know what I mean.” She nudged her gun against Tinya’s skull.

“This is…this isn’t even possible!” Elastic Lad blurted. “There are no hard light systems in the Geneosphere, no forcefield generators! How is this happening?”

“What are you talking about?” Leeta-87 asked, her dark eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“I don’t know how this is happening,” Elastic Lad babbled nervously, “But we’re on the Geneosphere. You’re not actually Leeta-87, you’re a construct of the Lineage Immersion program. We came here looking for information on Leeta-87 and somehow you gained some kind of autonomy. It must be some kind of bug in the system, but I have no idea how this is even physically possible, this hardware doesn’t allow for tactile interaction! It’s a security feature to prevent exactly this kind of thing happening! This isn’t possible!

“Stop saying that!” Leeta-87 barked. While she was busy with Elastic Lad, Jo saw his chance. Using ultra-speed, he rushed the woman holding his girlfriend hostage and was completely taken aback when she released her hold on Phantom Girl and used Ultra Boy’s own momentum to fling him into Elastic Lad. The two men knocked over an incidental table and crashed into a wall, Elastic Lad’s rubberised body protecting both of them from serious injury. As soon as she was free, Phantom Girl turned intangible and took position on Leeta-87’s other side.

“You think you’re the first metas I’ve encountered?” Leeta-87 sniped. “You may be fast, but I’ve got lifetimes of skill.” She fired her gun at Ultra Boy and Elastic Lad, causing them both to scatter.

“You have to listen to me!” Elastic Lad pleaded as he reached for her with elongated arms. “This isn’t what you think it is, you’re a rogue program! I’m Neocaste, my name is Jams-Ols 5!”

Leeta-87 deftly avoided his snaking arms, backflipping through Phantom Girl’s still intangible form to land on the other side of the room. “You need to do better research,” she taunted. “Next time you decide to impersonate one of the heroes of my planet, make sure you get their powers and their designation right. You may look like Jams-Ols 3, but I can assure you he doesn’t have stretching powers.”

“Elastic Lad!” Phantom Girl called out. “Weren’t you giving this thing voice commands before? Tell it to shut down!”

“Oh gosh, of course!” Elastic Lad retracted his limbs. “Execute emergency shutdown A-3-“ Even as he uttered the command, Leeta fired at the freckled teen straight through Phantom Girl. He cried out in pain and drooped to the floor insensate.

“I wasn’t sure whether that would affect you or not, ghost girl. Either way I knew it’d take one of you down though.”

Tinya spun on her heel. “It’s Phantom Girl, you malfunctioning piece of junk! And you’d better hope that boy’s not seriously hurt!” She advanced on Leeta and kicked out, but the artificial woman easily dodged.

“Tinya, he’s okay!” Jo cried out. “I think so anyway, it’s hard to tell…but I’m pretty sure she just used a stun beam, there’s no external damage and my penetra-vision can’t see any internal damage either.”

“Congratulations, you’ve called my bluff.” Leeta swung the butt of her gun at Tinya’s head but it swiped straight through harmlessly. “I may not be a killer, but I’m still going to make the three of you regret breaking into my home, whoever you are.” Phantom Girl lashed out again, and this time Leeta grabbed the part of Tinya's foot that she knew must be solid and flipped the heroine.

“Honey, I’ve got this.” Ultra Boy moved Elastic Lad to the side of the room at ultra-speed and stood defensively over his lover while she recovered from being thrown. “We passed a droid when we first arrived here, go see if you can get it to shut this thing down. Now that I know how good she is the kid gloves are off.”

“Sure,” Phantom Girl nodded. “Be careful, Jo.” She phased through the floor and was gone.

“I don’t know why you’re maintaining this ridiculous pretence,” Leeta-87 levelled her gun at Jo, “But you just made a big mistake, speedy. I don’t need to shoot where you are if I can shoot where you’re going to be.” True to her word, she anticipated his next blur of movement and struck him square in the chest with a stun beam. To her surprise, Jo took it without flinching.

“I wasn’t exaggerating,” Jo said calmly. “I’ve seen what you’re capable of now, but you…you have no idea what I’m capable of.” As he’d switched his ultra-energy from speed to invulnerability to intercept her blast, he switched it once again to flash vision and glared at her gun. He’d assumed the Lineage Immersion program wasn’t sufficiently advanced to replicate the gun melting to slag as it would in the real world, but had gambled that whatever technology was maintaining this illusion wouldn’t be able to cope with a dramatic spike in temperature. As a result, he wasn’t at all surprised when the gun disappeared in a violent flash of light. Leeta on the other hand was flabbergasted.

“How many powers do you have??” she asked, staring at him slack-jawed.

“Enough,” Jo smirked. He approached her, sure to keep his invulnerability in place. “Now you need to listen to me…you may not believe that you’re just an overactive computer simulation and that’s okay. We can deal with that later. But you do need to understand that we’re not here to hurt you.” Leeta-87 faltered, and Jo continued. “Elastic Lad said that the Geneosphere can’t cause harm to anyone, is that true?”

“I don’t need to answer you!” Leeta growled, stepping away from him into a defensive posture.

“No, you don’t need to.” Jo stopped walking forward and placed his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “I”m hoping you will though. Because if this place is incapable of hurting me and my friends by accident, then that means someone must have set this up on purpose. And if that’s the case, I need to know who that could be.”

“I-I—“ Leeta-87 stumbled over her words. Ultra Boy could see that he was getting through to her. He didn’t expect her to believe her own artificial nature, but she was starting to realise that there was more to this apparent home invasion than she’d assumed. They really hadn’t tried to hurt her until after she’d hurt them…and if they hadn’t been metas, she might have hurt them seriously indeed. Why would anyone want that? She relaxed her posture slightly. “I know the three of you aren’t native Cadmians,” she explained, “I know everybody on this planet. With powers and costumes like yours, you must be known to somebody though. Wait with your friend while he wakes up, call the one named Phantom Girl back here and I’ll get in touch with Kimball Zendak.” The mention of Zendak’s name didn’t entirely surprise Ultra Boy. The Intergalactic Law Patrol had been in touch with him when Jo had encountered the real Leeta-87 in the past so it made sense that they’d have developed a working relationship prior to that. So why did he feel like Zendak’s name should mean more to him here and now? He cast his eyes upon the picture of Leeta-87 and her partner mounted on the wall and the pieces fell into place as he recognised the man in the picture.

...Zendak. Zendak was her lover!


Everything in the room froze in place once more, before it rather anti-climactically blinked out completely and left Ultra Boy and Elastic Lad alone in an amber-walled room. Elastic Lad stood to his feet, visibly groggy. “Ultra Boy..? Wha’ happened..?”

“We couldn’t stop the program,” Phantom Girl announced as she entered the room once more through the floor. “It was on a degrading loop, and I didn’t want to risk her hurting either of you anymore than she already had so I had to get into the CPU and trash it. Sorry boys, I may have ruined whatever it was you were looking into until the Cadmu techs can fix whatever damage was done.”

“S’okay,” Elastic Lad slurred, “Think I can prolly do with a sit down anyway…”

Elastic Lad slumped against the wall and Phantom Girl rushed to help him stand. “Wow,” she remarked, “That thing really did a number on you, I always thought you were pretty much invulnerable!"

“Synapse disruption,” Elastic Lad wagged a finger drunkenly as he tried to explain. “Elasticic…elasto….stretchiness not a help ‘gainst stun gun.” He giggled at his own sorry state.

“Let’s get back down to Cadmu,” Phantom Girl suggested. “Jo?”

Ultra Boy was still staring blankly at the wall where Zendak and Leeta’s picture had been only moments ago. “Hmm? Oh! Oh yeah, of course.” He took position on Elastic Lad’s other side and helped Tinya walk him out. Jo’s head was swimming. History didn’t record that Leeta-87 had ever even met Chief Zendak. That wouldn’t have meant a thing if their relationship were purely professional, but if he’d been in a romantic relationship with her…how was that something that had never been so much as mentioned in any of the retellings of her life?

He’d hoped coming here would answer some questions, but instead it had just created more...

**********
ELSEWHERE

In a dimly lit room, a woman in a tightly-fitting bodysuit watched via a surveillance device she’d hacked into as Ultra Boy and Phantom Girl helped Elastic Lad into the Geneosphere’s elevator. It had been a long time since she’d had to dissuade anybody from looking into Leeta-87’s life and she’d never had to go to such permanent lengths to erase that information. In a different time, she would have grieved the loss of that data. The Leeta Lineage had utterly and irrevocably ended today thanks to her interference. Nobody would ever be able to access those mindfiles again, she hadn’t even left enough intact for Kid Computo to reconstruct. In a strange sad way it actually gave her a sense of closure though. Nothing tied her to Leeta at all anymore.

The woman’s communicator beeped. Instantly she knew who it was, only one person had access to this channel. “The Legion just took a visit to the Geneosphere,” a gruff man’s voice reported.

“I know,” the woman replied, her voice modulator hiding any intonation.

“Do you need me to take care of it?” the man asked.

“No.” She answered without hesitation. “No, the Legion of Superheroes won’t be a problem Kimball.”

“Good,” the Chief Commanding Officer of the Science Police replied. “But don’t underestimate the Legion, if they decide there’s a mystery to uncover they’ll uncover it.”

“They won’t be a problem,” she repeated without emotion. “I have to go, I’ll file a more detailed report later today.”

Then the woman named 89 shut off communications and walked out of the room.
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Leeta Lineage - 10/02/14 04:23 PM
So didn't see that coming Raz, fantastic! That really raises the stakes with the Oversight Watch too as we now know who is protecting them. Excellent! Loved the Cadmus immersion program was fun too.

Bloks New power levels are great, be interesting to see him in action.

Lu's suspicious mind is funny to read, somehow I think Tinya and Chuck will get it in the neck still. And if DD is not against the Oversight Watch per se it could easily lead to a split in the team... Eeek!

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Leeta Lineage - 10/03/14 03:01 AM
Thanks Harbinger! I'm glad the Leeta revelation worked smile Stuff with the Oversight Watch should be taking a front seat pretty soon and Blok might get a workout even sooner! wink
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Leeta Lineage - 10/03/14 06:24 AM
Loved Lu and Chuck's different opinions on the oversight watch. interested to see where this goes.

Although Blok doesn't have full Shazam powers, what he does have makes him very formidable.

Loved the CM3 bit!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Leeta Lineage - 10/04/14 04:37 AM
Forgot to mention too, but I like that Lydda's raw strength is even greater than a Daxamite's!
Thanks IB! I can't remember if I decided Lydda should be stronger than a Daxamite or if it's something I stole from the comic after she fought Mordru's shadow demons in LO3W but I think it suits her anyway:)
Posted By: razsolo Meeting the Workforce - 10/26/14 03:57 AM
MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Jo Nah and Tinya Wazzo carried a plate of food each as they left one of their base’s many canteen areas to eat their dinner beneath the dual moons of Mars outdoors.

The fourth floor’s protruding balcony was a popular destination. Verdant plant life filled the air with a pleasant scent while an almost imperceptible environmental shield protected dining Legionnaires from the Martian elements. A bubbling stream cut through the centre of the balcony, photoreactive pigments in the water gradually glowing brighter as night fell. At one table Jacques Foccart and Drura Sehpt were lost in private conversation, her stark white skin contrasted against the dark chocolate of Jacques’ fingers as he stroked her forearm affectionately. At another table, Ayla Ranzz play-wrestled Darvan Locke for the last rose-honey slice on their shared dessert platter.

Tinya smirked as she made herself comfortable at an empty table. “Look at those two,” she pointed casually at Lightning Lass and Light Lad. “They’re so cute together, I always knew she could do better than Timber Wolf.”

“Aw come on babe.” Jo took a bite out of a meaty red-hued drumstick. “Timber Wolf’s not that bad.”

“Ugh, you boys and your man code.” Tinya rolled her eyes in mock disgust. “If Shady were here, she’d agree with me.” With a familiarity borne of years of intimacy, Tinya ignored her own food to pick at Jo’s salad. “So did you find out anything more about the elusive Leeta-87?”

Jo shook his head, hurriedly swallowing a mouthful of food so he could answer. “It’s so weird, Elastic Lad took Kid Computo to Cadmu and she couldn’t recover anything from the Geneosphere…they think the hardware might have been modified over time by nanites accidentally introduced into the tech at some point in the past…it’s called the Science Planet for a reason I guess, it’s not totally unbelievable that it could just be someone’s experiment gone wrong.”

“But you don’t believe it, do you?” Tinya pulled her silky black hair over her shoulder and eyed her boyfriend knowingly.

“Not even a little bit,” Jo answered bluntly. “There are too many questions. How come there’s no record of Leeta-87 between the time I met her in the past and her death a year later? How come, when everything else for 87 lifetimes was documented, none of that year was…including her relationship with Zendak? And it’s awful convenient that the program only sabotaged us when that was the part of her life we started looking into. Maybe I’ve just learned to be overly suspicious from my Espionage Squad girlfriend but my gut says there’s more to this.”

“Hey!” Phasing through the table, Tinya poked Jo in the belly. “Don’t blame me for your gut, buster!”

Jo laughed and leaned across the table to kiss her quickly. The two continued eating, teasing one another and taking advantage of the rare opportunity to just relax and enjoy one another’s company without having a crisis to rush to or from. Other Legionnaires came and went as they ate, and when the couple had finished their meal they saw that Bouncing Boy was the most recent arrival. Unlike everyone else out here though, Chuck Taine clearly had something weighty on his mind. He didn’t hear Jo or Tinya say hello at first, though once he realised they’d spoken he did a double-take. “Ultra Boy? I thought I assigned you to the Takron-Galtos team?”

“You did,” Jo answered congenially. “I asked Cosmic Boy to take my place, I’ve got some detective work I want to get into. You don’t mind?”

“Hmm?” Chuck realised he was frowning and consciously relaxed. “No, no, of course not. That does explain why I haven’t been able to find Cos anywhere though, I’ve been looking for him all over.”

“Sorry if I got in the way of something, buddy.” Jo stood up and patted Chuck on the shoulder before he leaned down to give Tinya a parting kiss. “I’d stay and chat but that work I mentioned is waiting. See you guys round, huh?”

Tinya watched Jo walk away with an appreciative smile before she turned back to Chuck. “Okay, what’s up?” she asked in a tone that was straight to the point while still affectionate.

“I’ve been with the Legion a long time,” Chuck explained, “But I haven’t been leader all that long and well…I guess I was hoping I could get some advice from someone who’s had more experience.”

“I may not have ever led the Legion,” Tinya replied as she took a sip of something pale blue from a long glass, “But I’ve been a part of it since just about forever…anything I can help with?”

“Actually…actually, maybe there is!” Chuck took Ultra Boy’s empty seat and the two were soon immersed in conversation.

Neither of them noticed when Luornu Durgo Taine stepped out on to the balcony with a plate of food, nor did they notice the startled and slightly hurt expression which crossed her face before she turned around and walked right back inside.

**********
TAKRON-GALTOS
McCauley Island, Workforce Compound

Before his bizarre and very public death many months ago, Leland McCauley VI had won a contract to furnish the prison planet Takron-Galtos with a base of operations for a proposed team of superwardens who would come to be known as the Workforce. After his death and the controversy surrounding it, work had slowed to a crawl. The artificial island was still funded by McCauley’s estate though, and it was on this island that eight Legionnaires now stood in the warm afternoon sun. Cosmic Boy, Blok, Sun Boy, Shrinking Violet, Polar Boy, Color Kid, Matter-Eater Lad and Shadow Lass had been delivered to an open field littered with the carcasses of Science Police vehicles that had given their existence at one stage or another in resistance to one of the planet’s infrequent attempted prison breaks. Around the perimeter of the field was a ring of enormous imported Vornian redwood trees, their trunks a couple of meters around and hundreds of meters high. Though there were no visible indicators, every Legionnaire knew the placid-looking environment was littered with an array of surveillance and defence equipment.

“So where are they?” Shrinking Violet asked, hands on her hips in a stance which made her annoyance clear.

“I’m with Violet,” Polar Boy added. “We haven’t seen a sign of life since those warden droids flew us here over a poison sea ten minutes ago. It’s rude!” He folded his arms across his chest and pouted.

Seven minutes ago,” Cosmic Boy corrected him tersely. “Bouncing Boy agreed to send a contingent of Legionnaires here as a favour to the UP. After the destruction of the Dominion homeworld the Legion aren’t in the galaxy’s good books as much as we once were. We need to try and strengthen our relationships, and if I can take a day off of planning my own wedding to be here I’m sure it’s not going to kill any of the rest of us to exercise a little patience either.”

“Besides,” Matter-Eater Lad spoke up in an effort to lighten the mood, “How often does a Legion mission mean relaxing outdoors on a nice sunny day? You ask me—“ Tenzil looked up at the almost cloudless sky overhead and stopped mid-sentence, removing the sunglasses which had been shielding his eyes. “Oh. Hi there.”

“Hello Legionnaires, forgive our tardiness.” A clean-cut blond teen in a red and black sleeveless bodysuit greeted them from above, metal bracers on each arm glinting in the afternoon light. He was standing on a hover platform, seven other costumed individuals behind him. “I’m Dyrk Magz,” he introduced himself as the platform softly landed. “But you can call me Magno. We really appreciate you agreeing to this training session.”

“I don’t meet many other Braalians in our line of work,” Cosmic Boy approached his blond counterpart and shook his hand. “The pleasure’s all mine.”

“Takron-Galtos has been wanting a home team of super-powered defenders for some time,” Magno explained. “The Planetary Board recognise it’s something that has been lacking here. This will be the Workforce’s first field test against live powered opponents so we’re pretty excited. I’ll introduce you to the rest of my team!”

“I know this one.” Shrinking Violet stepped forward and poked a finger at a red-skinned woman with a short stylised bob of dusky blue hair. She wore a skintight black leotard with strategically placed cutouts, and she looked almost embarrassed to have been recognised. “Sizzler?” Vi continued. "Sizzle Lass? Something else else like that. And she’s a villain.”

“Please don’t call me Sizzle Lass,” the Abaddonian girl groaned. “It’s Sizzle. Just Sizzle. And I’m not a villain, I was a Substitute Villain and not even much of that. I’m trying to make amends for whatever idiocy led me to think working with that squaj Bile could ever be a good idea.”

“Duplicate Damsel didn’t come?” A broad-shouldered man sounded disappointed as he spoke up, wearing a loose-fitting purple tunic which left his muscular arms and legs bare. His outfit was accented with a high orange collar, belt and boots. His brown hair had lighter streaks and his fringe swept down to the left, almost covering his left eye. The young man's eyes were both visible enough however that the Legionnaires could see that one was amber and one purple just like Duplicate Damsel herself.

“This is our resident Carggite Triplicate Boy,” Magno explained with a wry smile. “He’s kind of a Duplicate Damsel fanboy, though you probably didn’t need me to tell you that.”

“And what’s your name, gorgeous?” Sun Boy sauntered up to a buxom magenta-skinned woman dressed in extremely revealing slick black vinyl. Her lower face was covered by something resembling a gas mask, and she glared with silent intensity at the flirtatious hero.

One of her teammates stepped forward, an unassuming man in a grey and black jumpsuit. “This is Twine,” the man spoke on her behalf. “She doesn’t talk much. I’m Void.” He locked eyes for only an instant with Sun Boy before Void's attention shifted to Shadow Lass standing back away from the rest of the group. Tasmia didn’t like the way this Void person seemed to be sizing her up and unconsciously filled the interior of her cape with deep shadow to cloak herself within.

“Which leaves our last three,” Magno continued completely oblivious to any tension mounting between the groups. “Ion, Gear and Bioluminescent Lass.” Ion, a dark-skinned woman with a thick head of frizzy black hair bowed almost formally. Gear, a friendly young black man with a very close-cropped mohawk enthusiastically shook all the Legionnaire’s hands with a wide smile. His body was covered in seams and his eyes glowed green but aside from that he seemed surprisingly normal. By contrast Bioluminescent Lass was tall and wispy, almost ethereal looking. A long ponytail of pale yellow hair reached past her waist and she wore satin-like fabric draped over her frame. As her unwieldy name suggested, she was surrounded by an aura of soft light and of all the Workforce she seemed the one least at home on a prison planet. Blok allowed himself a small smile as he looked upon her, reminded of the first time he’d seen the White Witch and how she too had seemed utterly out of place among the more boisterous Legionnaires.

“So what’s the plan?” Cosmic Boy asked. “How will we be helping train your Workforce?”

“Simulated prison break,” Magno explained simply. “All you need to do is make it past that ring of trees, while we try to bring you back to the holding cell.”

“Holding cell?” Color Kid spoke up for the first time as he looked around the spacious field. “Uh, what holding cell..?”

“Sorry, that was my cue!” A small panel slid away from Gear’s hip, revealing intricate microcircuitry beneath what the Legionnaires had assumed till now was his skin. He tapped away at a couple of buttons and a glowing green cube appeared to the group’s left, easily large enough to hold both teams comfortably.

Matter-Eater Lad whistled. “Man, Brainy would love you.”

“Sounds good to me,” Cosmic Boy took charge. “We won’t be going easy on you and we expect the same treatment. You’ve got some real monsters imprisoned here, if we’re helping you learn to deal with them we need to do it properly.”

“Of course,” Magno agreed happily.

“Enough talk,” Shadow Lass announced. Of all the Legionnaires, she alone had noticed the sadistic smirk Void had given at Cosmic Boy’s suggestion. “When do we start?”

Bioluminescent Lass suddenly flared brilliantly bright, blinding the majority of the Legionnaires. “How about now?” Magno grinned, pleased with his forward planning.

Shrinking Violet instantly shrunk to microscopic size while Sun Boy leaped into the air. He’d just opened his mouth to make a snappy comment about his own powers protecting him from intense light when he fell shoulder-first into the grass. “Ow!” Dirk complained. “What the sprock’s wrong with my flight ring?”

“That’d be me,” Gear volunteered. “Remember when I shook all your hands? Yeah, I uploaded schematics for your flight rings and came up with a jamming device. Made contacts to filter Bioluminescent Lass’s spectral wavelength too. What can I say, I’m a resourceful guy.”

“What you are,” Cosmic Boy responded, “Is a guy who’s full of enough metal that I don’t need to see you to affect you. Shadow Lass, give us some cover!” Cosmic Boy gestured, and Gear was knocked back over a dozen feet almost taking Void and Twine with him.

Through clenched teeth, Shadow Lass grunted three small words in response. “I’m on it.” The lightburst had been like an icepick to her brain, but she wasn’t going to let her friends down this quickly. Darkness fell over the two teams, enveloping everyone.

In response, Bioluminescent Lass glowed even brighter. While the rest of the two teams were still cloaked in blackness, the fragile looking woman stood out like a beacon. “I genuinely don’t want to harm you,” she spoke for the first time with a voice that was lilting, “I’ve read your file and I know you have a vulnerability to bright light, Shadow Lass. I will increase my photonic output if necessary however. Please dispel your power.”

“It’s cute that you think I’m going to give you the chance to hurt anyone on my team,” Sun Boy smiled as he approached the glowing woman through the darkness. “I mean you’re hot stuff, but I’m hotter.” He crouched down to touch the grass and ignited it in a waist-high ring around her, careful to keep at a distance safe enough that she wouldn’t actually be burned. The temperature of the flames rapidly increased however, and Bioluminescent Lass could feel her head swimming.

“Hi,” Sizzle suddenly slipped out of the darkness and into the faint aura of light created by the combined effect of Bioluminescent Lass and Sun Boy’s powers. “Remember me?” She too crouched down, and placed both arms directly into the circle of fire.

“So you’re fireproof,” Dirk shrugged. “I am too, looks like we’re at an impasse, Sizzle Lass. Glow Girl here’s still going down.”

“I’m not fireproof,” the red-skinned woman retorted. “I can just turn it into something else. Like say, electricity. And I told you, the name’s Sizzle.” The ring of flame seemed to be sucked into Sizzle, dancing around her outstretched arms and transforming into white-blue arcs of electrical energy. She released the absorbed power at a wide-eyed Sun Boy, and he flew back through the air instantly unconscious.

Surprisingly, the darkness surrounding the two teams dissipated into nothingness and the Legion were forced to shield their eyes with their arms. While Cosmic Boy and Magno were revealed to have been in an intense magnokinetic stand-off the entire time, everyone else took a moment to reorient themselves. “Where are Shadow Lass and Shrinking Violet?” Triplicate Boy asked, the first to notice the two women were no longer present. He split into three identical men and his second body spoke up. “Void and Ion are missing too!” His third body wasted no time leading the trio to rush Polar Boy. “Void and Ion aren’t missing,” he corrected himself. “Think about it, bros. They’re capturing those two Legionnaires like we’re about to nab this one.” Two of the Triplicate Boys grabbed Polar Boy’s arms while the third picked up his legs. Ungraciously they started lugging him towards the holding cell where Sizzle was now dragging Sun Boy.

“Get off me!” Polar Boy shouted, his eyes shut against the blazing light. He couldn’t focus enough to do anything fancy, so instead he projected an aura of cold so intense the startled Triplicate Boys dropped him immediately. “Can someone do something about this sprocking light?!” Brek bellowed angrily.

“Now that my eyes have adjusted…well, they don’t feel so much like they’re about to melt…sure.” Color Kid winced as he allowed himself to gaze upon Bioluminescent Lass directly. He knew he wouldn’t be able to keep this up for more than a second or two, but that was all the time he needed. Just as abruptly as Shadow Lass’s power had vanished, Bioluminescent Lass was no longer incandescent. She was still radiating light, but Color Kid had changed its hue to almost perfectly match the grass and sky around her. As long as the Legion didn’t look directly at her, they found they could see well enough to function.

“That was clever.” Gear had recovered from his earlier knockback and advanced on Color Kid and Matter-Eater Lad. As he came closer, his arms extended and became lined with small crackling filaments. Panels emerged from the sides of his head and slid forward to cover his eyes, a pale green grid pattern lining them. “You’ve probably got other tricks up your sleeve, lucky for me I can switch to radar so I don’t need my eyes at all. Neat, huh?”

Gear sounded genuinely impressed with Ulu’s use of power. What could have been quite threatening came across more as kind of endearingly weird, but Color Kid knew they were still defeated if he reached them. He looked across to Tenzil expectantly. “What?” Matter-Eater Lad shrugged. “What do you want me to do? I can’t eat his arms, that’s just gross!”

Before he could take another step forward, Gear felt a giant stone hand close around his waist, and Blok hurled him hundreds of feet away. Matter-Eater Lad and Color Kid flinched as they dimly heard branches crack. “Geez, big guy,” Tenzil scratched his head. “Not to seem ungrateful or anything, but wasn’t that a little overkill?”

“Gear is a Linsnarian,” Blok explained patiently. “He is much more durable than he seems, he will suffer minor injuries at worst. Of all our opponents today however he is the most resourceful, as he advised us earlier himself. It was important to remove him from the field of battle. Now if you will excuse me, I should act quickly to - aargh!” Thin snaking tendrils of energy suddenly lashed at Blok, whipping about him and ensnaring the massive Legionnaire. Trembling with pain he turned to face his assailant, the woman named Twine. Her expression wavered only for the briefest of instants as she realised he wasn’t going to drop straight away but she quickly saved face and focused on maintaining the strings of hot pink energy which came forth from outlets in her wrists. “...Sapping…strength…” Blok grimaced.

“Now this is something I can bite into!” Tenzil jogged around behind Blok.

“Uh, Matter-Eater Lad?” Ulu followed gingerly. “If that’s sapping Blok’s strength just by touching him and he’s stronger than Mon-El now, I’m not sure you should—“ The former Substitute Hero’s warning was too late however, as Tenzil bit down on the energy tendrils. Matter-Eater Lad cried out in shock and collapsed in a heap, as did an utterly surprised Twine. Her power shut off, and while Blok took a second to compose himself Color Kid sighed. “…Never mind.”

“Any time you guys want to give me a hand here? Ow!” Polar Boy landed in a heap on the grass, humbled by Triplicate Boy’s mastery of tri-jitsu.

“I trust that you will not require both of us,” Blok replied calmly. “I feel that I may be of more use helping turn the tide for Cosmic Boy."

“Sure thing, Blok.” Color Kid watched the stone Legionnaire rush off and turned with a vaguely bemused expression to Polar Boy. "Brek, can’t you just freeze them?”

“Great idea!” Polar Boy snapped. “Why didn’t I think of that?!” As he clambered indelicately to his feet, he did trap one of the Triplicate Boys in ice from the waist down. The immobile Carggite instantly vanished as he was reabsorbed by his other bodies, leaving the ice behind to litter the battlefield with other chunks of ice left over from previous attempts. Triplicate Boy split into three again, and the three bodies kicked out in unison to shatter an ice wall that Polar Boy was erecting to shield himself.

“Hmm, I see what you mean.” Color Kid glanced back and forth between Bioluminescent Lass and the Triplicate Boys. “Okay, you’re going to have to take care of her though. She’s only got one trick, but she’s very good at it. She keeps changing her wavelength, I can’t keep up with her and deal with these three as well.”

“Works for me,” Polar Boy nodded. He backed away behind his old friend and built a foot-thick ice dome around the glowing woman. Her light was so bright that it could still be seen even now, but it was almost completely diffused.

“Color Kid, right?” One of the Triplicate Boys asked. “I’m surprised the Legion even sent you here,” a second body smirked. “We wanted a challenge, not a new paint job.”

Ulu was completely unfazed as the three men encircled him. “You know, for someone who is completely normal by his own planet’s standards you’re awfully quick to dismiss someone with a real power. We’re here to help train you, so here’s your first lesson: don’t ever underestimate an opponent.” Having worked with Color Kid for so long, Polar Boy instinctively knew to turn away at this point. Triplicate Boy wasn’t so lucky. The world exploded into a lurching psychedelic palette of colours, overwhelming the three bodies. One of the Triplicate Boys stumbled over his own feet trying to back away and fell over. The others stared in mute awe, unable to cope with the constantly changing visual input.

Magno and Cosmic Boy found themselves too evenly matched. The husks of vehicles around them floated into the air and were attracted closer or repelled away several feet at a time by the conflicting magnetic fields. Neither of the men would budge and in fact Cosmic Boy was surprised to find that the young teen was as strong-willed as himself. Rokk didn’t know how long they’d be able to keep this up head to head, though he’d already thought of three ways to break the standoff if he had to. The good thing about being part of a team, he mused, was knowing that he wasn’t in this alone. The corners of his mouth turned up ever so slightly, and Magno gave him a quizzical look. “What are you so happy about?” the younger Braalian asked.

“I believe Cosmic Boy is appreciating our victory.” Magno jumped as he noticed for the first time Blok’s shadow looming over him. He turned away from Cosmic Boy for the briefest of instants, but it was enough time for Rokk to seize the initiative. Magno grunted as a wave of magnetic force slammed him back into Blok’s waiting arms.

Winded, he looked over the battlefield. “You may have overcome most of my team,” he persisted stubbornly, “But Void and Ion are still out there, and they’re both—“

As if they timed it, Shrinking Violet suddenly shot up to full size along with a fuming Ion. Simultaneously, Shadow Lass appeared out of a burst of darkness with Void unconscious at her feet. She removed an intricate grey ring from her finger and dropped it on him with a look of distaste.

“They’ve got themselves their own Imskian,” Vi noted with a hint of smugness. “But they don’t have an Imskian who’s been taught to fight by Karate Kid.”

“And this fool thought his trinket’s little pocket dimension of darkness would be any threat to a Shadow Champion of Talok VIII. Honestly.”

Magno sighed and bowed his head in defeat. “Okay, okay. Wow, I honestly didn’t expect us to get a clean win but I didn’t think we’d be this terrible.”

“Don’t feel too badly,” Rokk gave him an encouraging smile. “Your team took down Sun Boy and Matter-Eater Lad, and if things had been even a little different you may have done a lot better than that. We’ve been doing this for a lot longer than all of you, and we understand the value of teamwork. Don’t think of today as a loss, think of it as an opportunity to learn.”

Magno mulled over Cosmic Boy’s words for a moment then returned his smile. “Yeah…yeah, you’re right. Thanks for your help, Legion!”

“Any time,” Cosmic Boy answered. “Helping out is what the Legion of Superheroes do.” Sun Boy and Matter-Eater Lad were both beginning to stir, so Rokk gathered his team around them.

“Let’s go, Legionnaires.”

**********
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Meeting the Workforce - 10/26/14 04:11 AM
Nice! The new Workforce is interesting, and I like the "rebooting" of so many characters - Magno, Gear, Twine, Ion, Sizzle, and Void seems like a slightly different version of Abyss. Cool battle!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Meeting the Workforce - 10/26/14 02:17 PM
D'oh! Void actually is Abyss, I couldn't remember his name because it's been a while and the site I looked up called him Void. It was just reading his name now that jogged my memory, oops! Ah well, I guess if Ayla can be called Lightning Lass, Light Lass, Spark or Gossamer depending when/where she comes from bad guys can change their name across universes too wink
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Meeting the Workforce - 10/26/14 07:27 PM
Yeah, it's not like your Void is the exact same person/character anyway wink
Posted By: razsolo Re: Meeting the Workforce - 11/01/14 12:03 AM
Hi folks, I am gonna try doing NaNoWriMo this year so I might not have time to update for a while. I will be back though....when you least expect it! *cue ominous music*

PS NaNoWriMo info @ nanowrimo.org if y'all don't know what it is smile
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Meeting the Workforce - 11/01/14 05:49 AM
That sounds interesting! Best wishes, raz! Let us know how it's going!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Meeting the Workforce - 12/23/14 12:04 PM
Sorry for the long absence peeps! As it turns out, writing a whole novel in a month is kind of difficult so it didn't get done but I gave it a go I guess....anyway, good news is I can now get back into Legion shenanigans! Yay! laugh
Posted By: razsolo A Woman's Worth - 12/23/14 12:11 PM
MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

In the Mission Monitor Room, one Duplicate Damsel stood before a holoboard teeming with miniature icons. With a finger at her chin, she took stock of the various Legionnaires' current statuses. A second Duplicate Damsel was sitting at another holoboard keeping an eye on incoming news transmissions. Most Legionnaires were content to let Brainiac 5's advanced computer algorithms perform the lion's share of work when they were on monitor duty but Luornu Durgo Taine preferred a more hands-on approach. Something else else didn't sit right with allowing a computer to do work she could very easily do herself.

The two Luornus were in a studious silence together when Supergirl burst into the room. "There you are!" Kara enthused. "You want to come shopping? PG tells me there's a mall as big as a planet here! Who says consumerism's a thing of the past, huh?"

"PG?" One of the Luornus turned from her work to face the boisterous teenager. "You mean Phantom Girl? No...no, thanks for the invite but I'm on monitor duty. I can't just leave."

Supergirl placed her hands on her hips. "Are you kidding me? You're the only one of us who can do monitor duty and come shopping at the same time! Come onnnn," she moaned. "We're going to help Night Girl pick out something sexy for her honeymoon...even Diamond Damsel's coming! Do you know how long I had to whine at her before she agreed? I'm super-stubborn, you know!"

Luornu allowed herself a small chuckle. "Try teaching Comet Queen, you'll learn about stubborness. But no, I can't. Really. I do appreciate you asking but there's just too much to do here. Have fun, Kara."

Supergirl screwed her face up then turned around and left. "Suit yourself," she shouted over her shoulder, "But when we've all got new outfits for the wedding next week just remember it could have been you!"

Luornu tried to push all thoughts of the girls out of her mind, but those thoughts lingered regardless. While she was happy that Night Girl and Cosmic Boy were finally getting married, it made her think about her own husband Chuck and how different he'd been since he'd come back from the past...his new closeness to Phantom Girl, the kiss she'd seen in the hangar, Chuck having an intimate dinner with Tinya when he'd said he was going to be looking for Cosmic Boy...an alert sounded, and both Duplicate Damsels were glad for the distraction.

The buzzing tone was indication of a new update from Mandalla on the activities of the Oversight Watch. While one of the Duplicate Damsels continued to monitor everything else, the other Luornu read through Mandalla's report. One thing that remained true from Mandalla's days at the Legion Academy was her excellent writing skills. Her report was thorough, informative without being over-detailed. She may not have been comfortable as the Legion's agent on the inside but she was still obviously determined to do the best job she could under the circumstances. Luornu frowned. Chuck wouldn't be happy about the Oversight Watch's next mission. He wouldn't be happy at all. Her eyes strayed to Phantom Girl's icon and a surprisingly bitter coldness fell over her.

Well. Maybe Chuck doesn't need to know.

**********
BOTEQAZAH
The Retail Planet

Five young women stepped out of a people-mover and into a bustling crowd of tens of thousands of sentients, each of the aliens different shapes and sizes and colors. Beings from worlds across the UP came to Boteqazah, it was said that anything could be bought here. There were entire landmasses dedicated to fashion, home entertainment options, recreational technologies, there was even an artificial methane sea which proudly billed itself as the United Planets' first health and relaxation facility for Hykraians. The facility hadn't yet had a single customer, but it was hardly alone on a world full of crazy and sometimes short-lived fads in capital venture.

Outside of their Legion costumes Night Girl, Phantom Girl, Supergirl, Diamond Damsel and Gas Girl were just Lydda Jath, Tinya Wazzo, Kara Zor-El, Iris Jacobs and Tal Nahii, five more women among the billions already here. Lydda felt vaguely disoriented by the bright lights, the ceaseless crowds and the ubiquitous advertising. "Now I know why Tasmia didn't want to come," she mumbled weakly.

Tinya stood close by the pale Kathoonian and squeezed her shoulder sympathetically. "There sure are a lot of people here, aren't there?"

"I know, right?!" Kara threw her hands in the air, completely oblivious to Lydda's discomfort. "Isn't this great??"

"It feels so strange being out in public like...like this." Iris pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. At Kara's insistence, the normally diamond powerhouse had taken human form for today's trip. Kara had argued that Iris needed clothes to fit her human frame, and while these could easily be replicated on Mars Kara wouldn't hear of it. A hugely muscular yellow-skinned woman bumped into Iris and the frail redhead stumbled with a startled yelp.

"Are you okay?" Tal stepped to Iris's side. "How rude!" She glared after the offending alien who'd already clumsily pushed her way far enough into the dense crowd that only her head and shoulders could be seen bobbing above the sea of shoppers.

"I'm fine, really!" Iris blurted, embarassed at the fragility of this flesh she'd not known in a millenium. "I'm just...I'm just not used to being so...weak."

"You'll get used to it again," Tinya reassured her. "It's just different is all."

"Oh come on," Kara groaned. "This is turning into a Lifetime movie. Let's drop the angst and empty our banks!" She grabbed Lydda and Iris by the hands and dragged them into the crowd with her.

"I know Quislet's got a reputation for being nonsensical," Tal confided in Tinya, "But honestly, sometimes I barely understand a word that comes out of Supergirl's mouth."

"You can take the girl out of the 21st century," Tinya smirked, "But you can't take the 21st century out of the girl. Come on, let's go catch them before Lydda and Diamond Damsel have a nervous breakdown." Tinya turned intangible and ran through the sentients before her without a second thought.

Tal's initial instinct was to be as shocked as the shoppers that Tinya phased through, but the more time she spent around the Legion of Superheroes the more she realised they embraced their powers as a natural extension of themselves. Growing up as one of Lallor's only four mutants, Gas Girl had long been considered a great hero along with her teammates but there was an expectation that she'd only use her powers as necessary. Of all her surrogate family of mutants she was easily the most flamboyant but even then it had been drummed into her since childhood that there was a time and a place for her abilities. When she'd decided to convert her head of blonde hair into a permanent plume of gas as a fashion statement it had caused global scandal. Gas Girl couldn't conceive of the reaction if she'd ever used her power to simply avoid walking through a crowd. She smiled wickedly. Maybe it was time to find out. Soon, a swirling cloud of mist sailed overhead toward the other Legionnaires.

**********
Some time later, Lydda and Iris sat in form-fitting massage chairs while the other girls continued to shop. They both had a couple of bags each, but neither of them had the sheer enthusiasm for consumerism that their teammates showed. Iris shook her head good-naturedly as she watched Kara holding up shimmering dresses on the other side of a storefront window. "Looks like she can put down super-shopping as one of her powers too," the mousy woman remarked. "How can she even afford any of this? She's easily bought five times more than you and me combined!"

Lydda rolled her head lazily, enjoying the automated massage. "Rokk told me once that Superboy set up a couple of long-term investment funds for himself and Supergirl in the past once they started spending a lot of time with the Legion. There have been a few economic crises between their time and ours, but they've still got a healthy amount of creds put away for a rainy night."

"I suppose Supergirl's got a different idea of what a rainy night is...or a rainy day for those of us from Earth," Iris conceded. Both women laughed. "This was a great suggestion," she continued. "You know, even when I was like...this...full-time, I was never really much of a shopper. At least I don't think I was. It's so long ago now and it feels like a different person's life. I've never really had any needs in my diamond form, it's so weird getting used to something as simple as sore feet again. On that note, these chairs are a miracle." She settled back into the vibrating seat with a contented sigh.

"I am with you 100%," Lydda closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. "I've been so tense since we got here...I know it might sound insane coming from someone who spent years trying to get into the largest gathering of superheroes in the galaxy, but I really hate crowds. And all this light is giving me a migraine. I only agreed to this in the first place because Supergirl was so excited and I thought it might be nice for Gas Girl to spend some time getting to know us outside of fighting omnipotent madmen...and well...I hope this isn't presumptuous but I thought it might be good for you too."

"Me?" Iris sat up in her seat. "What do you mean?"

"When my dad gave me super-strength," Lydda explained, "I'd never been off-world before. I went from being a normal Kathooni girl to the strongest being in several star systems. Joining the Legion of Superheroes felt like a natural progression, but then I travelled into daylight for the first time and my strength was gone." Lydda gazed thoughtfully into the distance. "I was normal again, but it didn't feel normal. I felt weak...flawed. I was so depressed I wanted to turn around and go back home before I'd even reached Earth."

"So what happened?" Iris asked.

"I made it all the way to Metropolis Spaceport before it was too much. I was in line to buy a ticket back home when a bagsnatcher ran past me...and without thinking, I stuck a foot out and tripped him. It gave the Science Police enough time to catch up to him and take him into custody." Lydda locked eyes with Iris. "My dad didn't give me powers because I needed improvement. He gave them to me to help me realise my potential. But I don't need them. We don't need them. Lydda and Iris can give something special to the world just like Night Girl and Diamond Damsel can."

Iris relaxed back into her chair and considered those words for a moment. She turned to the pale-skinned woman beside her with a small grateful smile.

"Thanks Night Girl...Lydda."

**********
XANTHU
Low Orbital Range, Med-Ring 1

In a stark white room situated in the belly of a medical facility locked in geosynchronous orbit over the dark oceans of Xanthu far below, Thom Kallor and Nura Nal stood before the much younger James Cullen. The dark-skinned boy was unrestrained, though he wore a cumbersome helmet covered in blinking lights which served to both dampen his aggression and restrict access to his control of quantum fields. Xanthu medtechs had not yet been able to begin the arduous process of removing the cybernetics which made James the self-titled Quantum Avenger, but with some helpful input from Dream Girl's Naltorian super-science they'd found a way to at least suppress those abilities.

"Hello James," Thom greeted him gently, "How's your rehabilitation coming along?"

Nura stood behind him, biting her lip. She knew that her lover felt silently responsible for James Cullen's current state, but as far as she was concerned people made their own choices. James had chosen to deal with his grief over his sister's death by hurting other people and that was something Nura could not understand or excuse.

The young boy raised his head sluggishly, a result of the helmet he was forced to wear. The fire in his eyes was dulled, but it was still unmistakably present. "Rehabilitation?" James mocked. "Don't you mean brainwashing..? Doesn't matter how long you keep me here Star Boy, I'll get out one day. One day I'll avenge Jazmin..." He let his head droop, exhausted from the energy of sustaining his rage despite the aggression-inhibitor pulses coursing through his cerebral cortex.

"You can't even carry out a full conversation without nodding off," Nura taunted him. "Forgive us for not quaking in our boots."

James laughed, a weak sound. In the time since he'd been transferred to Xanthu's premier medical unit he'd undergone many cosmetic treatments to eradicate the scars he'd received at the rough hands of Khund surgeons. His once ravaged face was once again soft, boyish, and when he smiled lazily Thom could almost forget this was the same person who'd tried to kill his teammates and friends twice already.

"You got me," James continued. "You got me an' my Khund buddies...but what d'you think the rest of their buddies are gonna do to get back the quantum tech I promised them..? You'll get yours Legion, I promise that..."

A warm orange light pulsed three times and Dream Girl grabbed Star Boy's arm. "Finally," she rolled her eyes. "Come on lover, let's get out of here." James was already nodding off once again as Star Boy reluctantly allowed himself to be escorted from the room. Medical droids entered the room as they left, and Thom watched regretfully as they prepared him for transport to his psych debriefing. They woke him again as soon as they moved him, and while he didn't resist he never once stopped glaring at Thom through the transparent door.

"It's so sad," Thom's shoulders drooped as he finally turned around to leave the former hero behind them. "And a little worrying, don't you think Dreamy? Do you think there's anything to what he said? About the Khunds I mean?"

"You know what?" Dream Girl answered, "For once I don't care. The Uncanny Amazers are able to respond to any disturbance here within minutes. James Cullen's their ex-teammate and it's their technology that he stole. Let him be their problem. I don't care if it sounds selfish Thom, after everything we've been through recently we deserve some downtime. If anything that actually requires our attention happens here I'll know about it before it happens, but right now all I want to think about is how happy I am that Rokk and Lydda finally came to their senses and did what we've all been waiting for them to do since they met, and the only vision I'm interested in is how glorious our resort is going to be when we go to Kathoon for their wedding."

"Yeah." Thom smiled wanly. "Yeah, I guess you're right." He resisted the urge to look back at the boy they'd left behind one more time, but he didn't really need to. That look of muted hatred would stay with him forever.

He just hoped he really was leaving it behind him...

Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: A Woman's Worth - 12/23/14 06:01 PM
Glad you're writing again raz, and glad you had a good try at a novel within a month.

Nice character bits here, those of Gas Girl and Diamond Damsel ring true to their comic book "pasts". Your take on Supergirl is fun and interesting, and Lydda's sensitivity and wisdom is much appreciated. I empathize greatly with Nura, and despite her longing for a nice vacation she still comes off as very capable and responsible. I'm hoping the Lu-Chuck tension comes to a head soon, and excited to see where the Oversight Watch goes - hope Jed and Mandalla make it out okay.
Thanks IB, it is good to be back in the saddle! smile

Lu & Chuck shouldn't drag on for too much longer...I like showing some friction between them because we never really see that side of their relationship but it should all come out in the open very soon!

Right now I am looking forward to writing Cos & Lydda's comic book-mandated action-packed wedding next up! Thanks for the thoughts on Lydda & Iris' chat too, I like the idea that after wanting to be human forever Iris is finding it's not exactly what she expected anymore... smile
Lots of delicious character moments and splendid story points like Super Boy and Girls long term investments and Kara using dated lingo that the rest of the team don't understand - very cool. Lu considering not telling Chuck about Mandalla s latest update is worrying, though the great buddy moment between lydda and iris was very sweet. Loved your continuing growth of Thom's character with his on going concern for James, nice ly written.

Good to have you back Raz, looking forward to more, more, more!
Thanks Harbinger!

Lydda and Rokk's wedding issue is up next so we should get a lot more of those little character bits and then BAM! PUNCHING! laugh
Posted By: razsolo Love Bites - 01/06/15 08:09 AM
KATHOON
Infinite Starlight Receptionarium

Mon-El stood behind Shadow Lass, his powerful arms holding her close as the two looked out across the open courtyard crowded with their friends and surrogate family. Stars twinkled in the cloudless night sky, and the tiny luminescent leaves of the lightbloom tree wafted down on the fragrant breeze.

"Of all the places in the universe I've visited," Mon-El gently nuzzled his lover's neck, "Kathoon is one of the favourite I've shared with you, Shady."

Shadow Lass murmured appreciatively. "I think I see the appeal. Cosmic Boy and Night Girl certainly couldn't have picked a more tranquil place to hold their wedding." She leaned her head back to kiss the square-jawed Daxamite when a lithe golden girl careened into them with a panicked squeal.

"Stupendous nova-burn!" Comet Queen righted herself and patted down Tasmia Mallor's rumpled cape. "I'm so sorry starshine, I was totally glomming those beautiful twinklies up there! Are you shiny?"

"I'm fine," Shadow Lass intoned coldly. She pulled her cape away from the three-fingered heroine perhaps a little more brusquely than necessary. "Just watch where you're going, Comet Queen."

"Orbs blazing!" Grava saluted comically. "I'm going to find Bouncy, stay bright little pulsar!"

Still standing behind Shadow Lass, Mon-El hid a half-smile as Grava flew off. Even without being able to see Tasmia's face, he had no trouble picturing the icy stare she'd be training on an oblivious Comet Queen right now. "Relax, Shady." He turned her around and kissed her on the forehead. "This is a party, let's celebrate."

**********
A few metres away, Gas Girl sipped champagne with her former teammates in the Heroes of Lallor, Evolvo Lad and Life Lass. Life Lass involuntarily flinched as Grava's feet zoomed disarmingly close overhead. "She's quite full of energy, isn't she?" the dark-haired Lallorian girl remarked.

"You don't know the half of it," Gas Girl replied. "Honestly, it's been a magcoaster of a ride being with the Legion of Superheroes. You two should try it, we're going to have a couple of vacancies after today..."

Evolvo Lad looked across the crowd at Brainiac 5 standing on a raised balcony chatting with Gas Girl's current teammates. "Even a hyper-evolved Lallorian is no equal to a 12th level intellect," he answered Gas Girl. "And my devolved form isn't remotely on the same playing field as any of the Legion's powerhouses. No, I'm happy helping out where I'm most useful back home."

"I'm happy staying on our own little world too," Life Lass gave a shy smile to Gas Girl. "I'm happy that you're happy though, Tal."

"Of course she's happy!" a masculine voice boomed. A man's arm clothed in fine silk draped itself around Life Lass's shoulder and she blushed furiously. Dirk Morgna gave the three Lallorians his most dazzling smile as he effortlessly ingratiated himself into their conversation. While the majority of Legionnaires had worn their costumes, Dirk had come in a stylish formal outfit. "Gas Girl's happy because she's made the big leagues," he continued. "You should think about it Life Lass, we could always do with more pretty ladies!"

**********
"Unbelievable."

Shrinking Violet stood rigid, her arms folded across her chest. Watching Dirk and the Lallorians from a distance, she scowled. "Sun Boy's been here five nanos and he's already hunted down the first vulnerable single woman."

"Oh Salu, who cares?" Sitting at a table by her girlfriend's side, Taryn Loy grabbed Vi and pulled her across to land clumsily on her lap. "They're all big boys and girls, let them enjoy themselves." She shook a wave of blonde hair out of her face and kissed Vi on the lips.

"I think it's kind of romantic," Infectious Lass joined the conversation from where she sat beside her boyfriend Invisible Kid. "Don't you think it's romantic, Jacques?" She gazed at him with misty lavender eyes.

Lightning Lass laughed before Jacques could respond. "Sorry Drura," Ayla touched her arm as she leaned across the table for a snack. "You're incredibly sweet, but I don't think romantic is in Dirk Morgna's vocabulary."

"Actually," another voice joined the conversation, "The Kathooni people have gone to some considerable effort to instill an atmosphere that would generally be considered romantic by parallel cultures, Earth being one of those. I can well imagine that Sun Boy would find himself encouraged by into fitting behaviours by various visual, aural and olfactory cues that are present." The speaker was Brainiac 5, and his interjection brought the conversation to an awkward halt.

"Brainy." Supergirl rolled her eyes. "That's the most unromantic take on romance I've ever heard in my life."

"Hmm." Brainiac 5 raised an eyebrow. "Kara, come walk with me."

The Kryptonian teen wore a shimmering red dress and matching scarf which floated ethereally behind her. As she followed Brainiac 5 past a second table where some of the newer Legion recruits listened to Matter-Eater Lad's recounting of past misadventures, Kara Zor-El seemed very much like any other normal teenage girl and not at all like one of the most powerful heroines in history. The two stopped at one of the many lightbloom trees around the Receptionarium and Brainiac turned to face her, taking on the stance of a teacher about to deliver a lecture. "Use your x-ray vision," he instructed Kara. "Tell me what you see inside and below that tree."

Kara indulged him. "It's...oh Brainy, it's gorgeous!" A stream of silver energy seemed to flow through the hefty trunk, dividing into dozens of veins below the Kathooni surface. Kara followed the branching light, her blue eyes wide with wonder. The veins connected with the subterranean structure of the other trees around them, creating a fragile gleaming web which surrounded the partygoers in compliment to the constellations above.

"They're microscopic organisms which colonise the trees and help the root systems fight off disease. When they expire, the trees consume the nutrients they've metabolised and give us these." He held his palm out and produced three tiny heart-shaped leaves glowing dimly. "Each part of the ecosystem working in connection with the life around it to create something subjectively beautiful. I may not express it as well as others but I do appreciate romance, Kara."

Supergirl took his open hand in both of hers and held it close to her heart.

"I think you express it just fine, Querl Dox."

**********
Timber Wolf stalked through the crowd darkly. He'd finally managed to shake that annoying flying tin can Quislet and he'd been chatting happily with Element Lad and Shvaughn Erin before conversation turned from Earth-Man's Justice League to how much the lovers missed one another living on separate planets. Brin glanced across at Blok and Diamond Damsel lost in each other beyond the rest of the party. Even Pebblehead's got a girl, Brin brooded. I should have volunteered to switch with Ultra Boy and stayed on monitor duty back home. At least that way I might find a few heads to bust to relieve the boredom. He grabbed a drink from a wandering waiter and finished it in one gulp then slammed the empty glass back down on the tray. When the waiter walked away, Brin saw Wildfire standing in the blue man's place.

"Yo, Burroughs." Timber Wolf circled around to stand by his teammate's side. "What's so interesting over there?"

"Oh, hi Timber Wolf." Wildfire sounded flatter than usual. He handed Brin an untouched glass of synthale. "You want a drink? One of Night Girl's relatives gave it to me before, I figured it was less hassle to just take it than try to explain I don't really eat or drink anymore."

Timber Wolf shrugged. "Sure." He swigged the contents of the glass. "So how come you're not mingling with everyone else? I thought I was the lone wolf on this team."

"I was just watching Dawny," Wildfire replied. "She's really enjoying herself over there." Dawnstar had joined several other Legionnaires and their friends on an impromptu dancefloor. Some of the children present were particularly taken with her wings, and Dawnstar looked more full of joy to be playing with them than either Wildfire or Timber Wolf could ever remember having seen her.

"Doesn't answer my question," Brin continued as he downed another drink and grabbed a couple of Braalian biscuits from another passing waiter. "How come you're over here if she's over there?"

"Look at me," Wildfire shrugged. "I'm a ball of anti-energy in a man-shaped suit. She doesn't need me weighing her down tonight."

Brin crunched the salty appetisers he'd snatched. "You're an idiot," he announced through a mouthful of crumbs.

"Wait, what?" Shocked, Wildfire turned from Dawnstar to Timber Wolf.

"You've been pining after her for years," Brin explained gruffly. "Nearly as long as you've been whining about how you're no longer a man. Dawnstar's one of the most beautiful women in the Legion - grife, she's one of the most beautiful women I've ever met! And for whatever reason, she picked you when she could have any man she wants." He paused only to stuff another biscuit in his mouth and looked straight at his own reflection in Wildfire's visor. "I lost Ayla because I was so wrapped up in my own stuff I was never there for her. If you do the same even after seeing what happened to us...well, you're an idiot." He drained the last of his drink and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "I'm going to find some more of whatever that crunchy stuff is, tastes good." He walked into the throng of guests, leaving Wildfire in a rare state of stunned silence behind him.

**********
Bouncing Boy hugged his wife close as they watched their friends dancing. "This is nice, isn't it?" he asked as he swayed in time to the music.

"It is," Luornu answered. She felt genuinely relaxed for the first time in weeks. Here, now, any unspoken doubts she might have had about her husband seemed ridiculous. "Chuck...when we get home, do you want to take a couple of days away? Just the two of us..?"

"Sure, honey!" He squeezed her and kissed her on the lips. "Hey, it's a shame Jo drew monitor duty huh? Seeing all of us couples must make Tinya wish she had him here to snuggle."

Luornu grew instantly stiff. She pulled away from Chuck and cleared her throat. "Tinya. Right. I'm going to get a drink, do you want anything?"

Chuck cocked his head to one side. "No...no, I'm fine Lu. Are you okay?"

"I'll be back." She jerked away from his touch and walked with purpose toward the bar.

"Bouncing Boy?" This was Tellus, his voice modulator cutting through Chuck's concern for his wife. "May I ask a question? I am not familiar with the wedding ritual, but I have not seen Cosmic Boy or Night Girl among us for some time, is this common? I thought we were gathered to help them celebrate their union?"

Bouncing Boy stammered, trying to focus past whatever had just happened with Luornu to answer his former student's query until Chameleon Boy saw Chuck's confusion and came to his rescue. "It's a Kathooni tradition," Cham explained. "I researched it a little before we left Mars. There's a religious component to the ceremony which is carried out in private, then Cosmic Boy and Night Girl cement their commitment by performing the legal requirement in front of their loved ones. Do you not marry on Hykraius, Tellus?"

"No," the fish-like hero answered. "On Hykraius we form bonds of friendship as I have seen across the rest of the United Planets, but we do not enter long-term relationships based on sexual preference as so many other races seem to do."

"There's a little more to it than just sexual preference," Cham chuckled. "But I see your point. Choosing a mate on Durla is very different thing again. Everywhere has its own customs, the important thing is that this custom is going to make Cos and Night Girl very happy. And that's why we're here to celebrate." Cham briefly caught Chuck's eye, and Chuck gave him a silent expression of thanks. Chuck knew he'd be happy for Cos and Lydda when the time came, but right now...right now he was more anxious for his wife.

**********
In a private room, Rokk Krinn nervously adjusted his tie for the eighth time.

"Stop that!" a female voice scolded him. Imra Ardeen Ranzz turned him away from the mirror and fixed his tie for him, then brushed a stray hair back into place. "Rokk, you're going to jangle yourself into a pile of nerves if you don't calm down. Breathe."

"I'm sorry." He paced a few steps then turned around and came back, repeating the path several times. "I'm sorry, I know. I know you're right, I just...I wish I could make everything perfect for her. Lydda deserves for this to be perfect."

Sitting in a nearby armchair, Garth Ranzz chortled. "You know buddy, I don't think I've seen you this nervous facing down the Fatal Five."

"Garth, don't tease." Imra shot him a half-hearted look of admonition. She grabbed Rokk firmly by the shoulders. "Rokk, Nura told us tonight's going to work out fine. Lydda Jath has wanted to marry you since the first day she laid eyes on you, and as one of your oldest friends I know you've felt exactly the same way."

"So much for telepathic ethics," Rokk joked.

Garth shook his head. "It's not telepathy, genius. It's iron-butt intuition. You two are as bad at recognising your own feelings as one another. It took years of Ranzz charm to make this lady realise she was head over heels for me, it stands to reason she's going to be able spot a fellow emotional shut-in when she sees him." He stood up and poked Rokk playfully in the arm. "It's a good thing Night Girl doesn't give up easy, I know a little about that." He leaned into his wife and kissed her on the cheek. The three old friends stood in a mutual silence, losing themselves in countless shared memories both good and bad.

"It's a shame Mr Brande's not here to see this," Rokk finally smiled in memory of their fallen benefactor. "I think he would have liked to see another one of his pups married off."

"Your father figure may not be able to be here," a new voice entered the room. "But I hope your real father will do the trick."

"Dad!" Rokk rushed to hug his sole surviving parent.

"You know," Hu Krinn continued, his own voice quivering with emotion, "RJ Brande isn't the only person who'd be proud of you today, son. I know that wherever they are, your mother and your little brother are smiling down on you right now."

Rokk's eyes grew teary and he cleared his throat. "Thanks Dad, that means a lot to me."

"Come on, son." The elder Krinn placed an arm around his son's shoulder. "Let's go get you married before that girl comes to her senses."

**********
Behind only a few walls Lydda Jath sat in her own armchair, hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her hair was pulled up in her trademark beehive, with a Mia Cosmos treatment so that stars appeared to be twinkling in the shadows of her hair. She wore a shimmering grey dress and a diaphanous shawl which cast rainbow hues across her lithe form wherever the light caught it. A tall glass of champagne sat untouched by her side.

Sitting on two sofas on either side of the bride to be were her five oldest friends, the once and former Legion of Substitute Heroes. "Rainbow Girl sent her apologies," Color Kid declared. "She and the others had something they couldn't get out of."

Polar Boy was mildly surprised. "I thought Earthgov shut the Subs down?"

"When has anyone ever been able to shut the Legion of Substitute Heroes down for good?" Fire Lad asked cheekily.

"I'm so glad you boys are here!" Lydda grabbed the hands of Stone Boy and Chlorophyll Kid sitting closest to her. "Joining the Legion of Superheroes was always my ambition, but you boys are so much more than that. After all we've been through together, did anyone ever really think we'd end up here?"

"I did," Polar Boy resolved.

Fire Lad scoffed. "Come off it Brek, you gave up on the rest of us the first chance you got."

"Yeah, I did." Polar Boy lowered his head in shame. "And I was wrong. All of us always had what it took to be in the Legion of Superheroes and it was stupid of me to ever forget that."

"It doesn't matter," Night Girl interrupted gently but firmly. "We're all together again and I'm marrying the man I love. Today is not the day for recriminations...you guys, I'm getting married!" Lydda almost squealed with happiness, and Color Kid left his seat to hug her. The others followed, all of them equally happy to see the girl they thought of as a sister finally realising her dream.

There came a knock at the door, and Lydda's father walked in. Edmon Jath was a robust middle-aged man who seemed a decade younger. His brown hair was only slightly tinged with grey, and his eyes twinkled with life. "Show me my girl!" he roared, and the boys gladly made a path for him.

"Dad!" Lydda kissed him on the cheek, leaving a charcoal lipstick mark which Color Kid discretely blended into the older man's skin tone.

"I'm so proud of you baby, and you look beautiful! Are you ready to go?"

Both of them were choked with emotion, and Lydda dabbed at her eyes tenderly. "Yes, Dad. Let's do this."

**********
Standing on a raised stage above the crowd gathered for Rokk and Lydda's marriage, their civil celebrant smiled down at a sea of people smiling in return. A green brooch glistened on his chest, catching the eye of more and more of the people below. He saw Lydda and Rokk enter from separate corridors, and heard the crowd cheer as they made way to let the couple and their respective entourages through.

Soon, the raven-haired man brooded secretly, I'll get my ultimate revenge on you children.

Soon, you'll be my servants in eternal damnation.

...TO BE CONTINUED!!!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Love Bites - 01/06/15 01:21 PM
Fabulous stuff Raz, lots of great character moments, from Mon El's patience and Tasmia's lack of, through Vi's jealousy, Tellus' cultural confusion, Brins loneliness and pep talk to Drake and the closeness of the three founders. Very nicely written Raz, take a bow.

My guess is it's Evillo, just because he'scwell overdue an appearance in a fanfic.

Looking forward to more, more, more
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Love Bites - 01/06/15 02:22 PM
Amazing work raz, you really got each Legionnaire. Well done! I'm guessing Universo because of the green brooch!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Love Bites - 01/07/15 07:51 AM
Thanks peeps! I was going to try and give everyone in the team at least a couple of lines but it would have taken three pages just for conversation, hahaha

Also regarding your excellent villain choices....I will say that while neither of them are 100% right, one is very close.... wink
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Love Bites - 01/07/15 08:34 AM
It's Rond gone psycho!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Love Bites - 01/07/15 03:56 PM
And the green brooch contains his power ring!! And he's out for revenge because he "died" in Legion of 3 Worlds?!?!?

Originally Posted by razsolo
Thanks peeps! I was going to try and give everyone in the team at least a couple of lines but it would have taken three pages just for conversation, hahaha



Sometimes I force myself to do that, but the story just gets longer and longer and longer... frown
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Love Bites - 01/07/15 04:35 PM
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
And the green brooch contains his power ring!! And he's out for revenge because he "died" in Legion of 3 Worlds?!?!?

Originally Posted by razsolo
Thanks peeps! I was going to try and give everyone in the team at least a couple of lines but it would have taken three pages just for conversation, hahaha



Sometimes I force myself to do that, but the story just gets longer and longer and longer... frown



He wants revenge for the awful pudding bowl hair cut he had smile


Three pages of character study are never wasted Raz, just do it I say! Oh hang on that'll be why my fanfics take forever for anything to happen in them. Ahh that makes sense now.
Posted By: Omni Re: Love Bites - 01/07/15 07:40 PM
as much as i love your big sweeping action i do love your side character moments just as much. Rokk and Lydda's wedding! wow long time coming. Kathoon yet again sounds like a place i want to visit/live.

Dirk's tail chasing ways are so funny.

so glad someone finally put Drake in his place and told him to stop whining! love it. can't wait for more and this mysterious green broached villain.
Posted By: razsolo Red Wedding - 01/22/15 12:23 PM
KATHOON
Infinite Starlight Receptionarium
Rokk Krinn and Lydda Jath stood before an assemblage of their closest friends and family, their civil celebrant reading a pre-prepared statement to the room. To one side, Lydda was flanked by Polar Boy, Fire Lad, Stone Boy, Color Kid and Chlorophyll Kid. To the other side, Garth and Imra Ranzz stood by Rokk. The happy couple's fathers stood near the front row of the gathering, several of the more physically powerful Legionnaires close by.

"We are gathered here to celebrate the union of these two heroes," the charismatic celebrant spoke. "To be more honest, you're all here for that reason. I'm only present as a legal formality." He gave a self-depreciating smile and won a few chuckles from the crowd. "You're all going to stand there transfixed of course while I take us through to the end. Completely conscious of your surroundings but completely immobile."

Rokk and Lydda shot one another a glance. Something else else about this didn't seem right, but his voice was so compelling and something about the way light glinted from his emerald brooch demanded attention. Ignoring their instincts, they turned back to the celebrant.

"I must admit," the broad-shouldered man continued, "I still haven't been entirely truthful. I am going to bring this to an end, but not in the way you're expecting."

Rokk's eyes narrowed. It was so hard to focus on anything but the celebrant...why didn't he remember the man's name..? But there was something else. Something else else very distinctive about the gemstone pinned to the man's chest. "Hypno...Stone..?" Rokk murmured. "Universo..?"

"Hush now." The celebrant placed a finger to Rokk's lips to quieten him. "Such a perceptive young man, Mr Krinn. This is indeed Universo's Hypno Stone...how else could I induce the galaxy's greatest heroes into a mindless stupor? I'm not Universo though." He tapped a button at his neck and a holographic grid flickered around his head momentarily then vanished. His true visage was monstrous to behold, burned almost to the point that it was no longer recognisable as a face. Extended fangs now clearly visible in his lipless mouth tipped Rokk and Lydda to his true identity but they were both now completely helpless to do anything but watch the coming horror unfold. The vampire grabbed Rokk's hair and pulled his head back, exposing the Braalian hero's throat. As he paused to sink his fangs into Rokk's skin, he locked his inhuman gaze on to Lydda's suddenly terrified stare. "I am Vrykos, he whom you thought destroyed. He who soon will be your only lord and master."

As Vrykos closed in for the bite, a poop-POP-poop noise caught the vampire's attention. Vrykos looked up to see a small chrome ship circling overhead. "What..?" he muttered in confusion. The hull of the ship slid back into a recess and a tiny incandescent spark zipped out.

"Legion never throw party!" the energy creature complained. "First time they do, stupid bad guy ruins fun! Quislet teach bad guy a lesson!" Quislet leaped into a nearby decorative pillar, instantly reshaping it into a marble golem which bore his distinctive sigil where a face should be. While Vrykos was still trying to come to terms with what was happening, Quislet knocked him off his feet with a tremendous blow.

Shaken but unhurt, Vrykos climbed warily to his feet. Every other person here was frozen in place under the night sky, under the thrall of vampiric mesmerism enhanced by the Hypno Stone. "How are you free?" Vrykos demanded. "What kind of creature are you?"

"Quislet gets no respect," the golem whined in a shrill voice which belied its bulk. "Quislet best Legionnaire!" He brought two fists down on Vrykos but the vampire was ready for him this time. In a blur of motion he evaded the strike before grabbing one of the stone arms in both hands. With the barest of effort, Vrykos ripped the arm off and clubbed Quislet across the head with it.

"You're certainly an odd creature," Vrykos remarked, "But while I may be unable to control you I have no doubt whatsoever that I can end you. You're out of your league, sprite."

**********
Imra Ardeen Ranzz blinked. She felt as though she'd woken from a terrible dream, and was momentarily surprised to see her husband catatonic at her side. Then she saw Rokk and Lydda and the rest of the wedding party and guests, and she realised it was no dream.

Garth. She reached out to her husband through the psionic rapport they shared.

Startled, Lightning Lad shook his head from side to side. "Imra, what--?"

"You were hypnotised, along with everyone else. Even I was affected at first, but as soon as Quislet distracted him my power snapped me out of it. Quislet's alien nature must have protected him altogether, but I think he could use some help." As she finished bringing her husband up to speed, Saturn Girl heard a defiant bellow and Vrykos hurled the marble form of Quislet straight at them. Strangely, the animated statue reversed its trajectory in mid-flight and bowled Vrykos over once more. Quislet gave an excited whoop while Garth and Imra stared in confusion.

"I am pleased that I regained control of myself in time to lend a telekinetic assist," Tellus' electronic voice modulator sounded, revealing that the Hykraian too had recovered from the assault of the Hypno Stone. "Though I confess I feel as though I am swimming through murky depths. Is that truly Vrykos?"

"The vampire you all faced last time you were on Kathoon?" Garth asked. "Stands to reason he wouldn't be very happy with the Legion; from what Rokk told me you all did a good job of dismantling his plans last time you faced him. Let's see how he likes a face full of lightning." He channeled megavolts of electricity through outstretched arms, lighting up the immediate area as he hit Vrykos front on.

At the same time, Quislet's marble construct crumbled into powder as the Teallian's possession took its inevitable toll. He popped back into his waiting microship and came back around behind Garth and the others. "Bad guy tough!" Quislet exclaimed. "Tougher than marble! When other Legionnaires going to wake up and help?"

"He's using Universo's Hypno Stone," Imra exclaimed. "It's immensely powerful, I need you and Garth to keep him busy while Tellus and I help our friends to fight its influence."

As Vrykos marched forward in the face of Lightning Lad's onslaught, Quislet saw the Hypno Stone reflect verdant light with every energy blast. "Pretty stone the problem?" Quislet deduced. "Quislet fix that!" Ensuring that his ship was at a safe distance from the lightning bolts Garth was throwing, Quislet leaped out of the vessel and into the Hypno Stone itself.

"Creature, what are you doing?" Vrykos stopped mere feet away from Lightning Lad. "Get out of there, I command you!"

"You not boss of Quislet!" The Teallian's voice rang out of the Hypno Stone as the the gem leaped comically from Vrykos' chest and evaded the villain's attempt to snatch it. "You don't tell Quislet what to do!" Quislet wasn't fast enough to avoid a second grab, and Vrykos gripped the Hypno Stone tight. He watched aghast as it disintegrated in his palm, and Quislet jumped once more into the safety of his microship.

"No!" Vrykos roared. "That artifact was priceless, do you know what I had to trade for that? I'll crush you!" Completely unfazed by Garth's lightning, he pounced into the air and grabbed Quislet's ship in both hands. The extradimensional ship's hull was resilient, but not enough so to wiithstand a vampire's strength.

"I can't shoot!" Garth cried out. "Not without damaging Quislet's ship!"

"It's okay pal," a familiar voice spoke up, "You've done more than enough already." Lightning Lad beamed to see Cosmic Boy once again alert thanks to Saturn Girl's power. The groom-to-be scowled at Vrykos and every piece of cutlery from the adjacent dining room flew across the heads of their ensorcelled friends, more than a hundred pieces of silverware embedding themselves in Vrykos' hands and arms. Vrykos bellowed more with outrage than pain, releasing his grip on Quislet's ship enough that the tiny Legionnaire could zoom away. "I'm not not normally this violent," Cosmic Boy tersely explained to his foe, "But this is meant to be the happiest day of my life, of Lydda's life. You choose today of all days to threaten everyone I love? You're lucky Legionnaires don't kill, Vrykos." The storm of cutlery bent and linked together, reshaping into jagged cuffs which entwined themselves around the disfigured maniac's arms.

Vrykos sneered, white fangs standing out once more against the backdrop of his charred face. "You little heroes are resourceful, I'll give you that. But none of you can really hurt me. You know that, don't you? You're just making my inevitable victory all the sweeter." He threw his arms wide open and Rokk's makeshift cuffs flew apart. Rokk's magnokinesis stopped the debris from hurting anybody, and Garth instantly fired upon Vrykos again. Ignoring the blazing lightning, Vrykos smacked Cosmic Boy aside and grabbed Lightning Lad by the throat.

Having just finished reviving Night Girl, Saturn Girl felt her husband's distress and turned toward him in fear. "Garth! Let him go, Vrykos!" She directed her power as a sledgehammer of psionic force aimed at the vampire's mind and he flinched slightly at the telepathic assault.

"Your wish is my command, Mrs Ranzz. You're one of the only real threats here to my plans anyway, truth be told." He flung Lightning Lad at his wife, sending both of them hurtling into the still entranced Polar Boy, Fire Lad and Stone Boy. The force of the impact was enough to knock all of them out. Vrykos next advanced on a groggy Cosmic Boy, slapping Quislet's ship away almost casually. "There's something you don't seem to understand," Vrykos menaced the Braalian. "I only hypnotised all of you so you'd have to watch powerless as I made you my eternal slaves and corrupted your altruistic little hearts. But I am not new to my glory as I was when you last faced me, Rokk Krinn. None of you stand a chance against me, you're just making things difficult for yourselves with this fruitless resistance." Cosmic Boy tried to defend himself, but there was something indescribable about the scarred man's voice, something which even without the Hypno Stone's amplification made surrender impossibly tempting. Some part of Rokk realised that he was probably concussed from the earlier strike, that he needed to fight this compulsion to obey, but he couldn't muster the will.

Before he could reach Cosmic Boy, a blur of motion swooped Vrykos from the ground and flew him high above the crowd. A couple of hundred feet out of range of the glow of the lightbloom trees, Lydda Jath smashed Vrykos with a blow so powerful that it sent him careening at least the same distance away again. He came crashing down outside the Receptionarium, crumpling one of the passenger transport vehicles parked outside. As soon as he'd pulled himself out of the gravcar's wreckage, Lydda rammed him straight back into it again. Together they made debris of another seven vehicles.

Enraged, Lydda stood over Vrykos. Her dress was in tatters, her fists clenched. "You should have stayed in hiding, Vrykos. I swear I'll see you in Hell for what you've tried to do here."

"Of course you'll see me in Hell." Vrykos jumped to his feet and delivered a punch that sent Lydda like a cannonball through several other cars. "That was always my intention, woman! I gave my soul up for power over this world, and you cost me that. I'll take your soul and the souls of all your friends in recompense."

Lydda hurled the remains of a gravcar at Vrykos, but he caught it almost effortlessly and threw it straight back at her. The impact sent her flying back through one of the exterior walls of the Receptionarium, and while almost everyone else stood in eerie stillness Cosmic Boy and Quislet rushed to Night Girl's side.

"Not so fast." Vrykos straddled Lydda and pinned down both her arms. Once again under the lightbloom trees, her strength was dampened enough that she was unable to resist. Cosmic Boy stopped in his tracks and held up a hand to stop Quislet. "That's better," Vrykos grinned, fangs gleaming. "I'd prefer that your lover serve me for eternity as a vampire, but I can just as easily rip her throat out and watch her bleed to death. Which would you prefer, Cosmic Boy?"

Rokk saw movement in the group of heroes frozen behind Vrykos and his demeanour suddenly changed. "Neither," Cosmic Boy answered. "It's over, Vrykos."

"Are you insane?" Vrykos looked down at Night Girl. While angry, she didn't seem at all concerned about her position of vulnerability. "You are insane! Both of you!"

"There's something we never told you," Night Girl said with cutting coldness. "Dream Girl warned us that this would happen. She never saw enough to be able to help us prepare for you, but she specifically saw us on the edge of defeat."

For the first time, Vrykos was rattled. "Then...why aren't you scared..?"

"Because she also told us that we'd come back from the edge," Cosmic Boy answered. "She told us everything would be okay."

An intensely bright light filled the area and Vrykos screamed in blood-curdling agony.

"Hey, Vrykos." Sun Boy walked through the crowd, Tellus and Dragonmage at his side. "Seems you spoke too soon when you said none of us could hurt you earlier. Sunlight hurts vampires plenty from what Dragonmage here tells me." Vrykos fell off of Lydda, smoldering under the blazing light. He clambered to protect himself, his skin blistering and seared.

"That's enough," Rokk spoke up. "We're not murderers and he's defeated now. He'll go to prison for the lives he's taken. We've won, Dirk."

As Sun Boy's corona dimmed, Night Girl climbed to her feet and joined Rokk. "You know I don't agree," she explained as she held his arm. "He's a vampire, he has no life for us to take. But I love you Rokk, and I love that your sense of honor extends to someone who's done nothing to deserve honor. How are we supposed to hold him though?"

"Leave that to me," Dragonmage stepped forward. "He's weak enough that one of my dragonforms will hold him now, at least long enough for us to find a more permanent solution." As Dragonmage wove his spell, Sun Boy, Cosmic Boy and Night Girl tended to their friends whom Vrykos had earlier rendered unconscious. Tellus returned to the task of freeing the others, Quislet's little ship making its unique poop-POP-poop sound as he followed.

"Woohoo!" Quislet cheered. "If weddings like this, every Legionnaire should have one!"

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Buried away in the empty heart of the Legion's base, Ultra Boy reclined in a chair with his legs stretched out and resting on a desktop. He was disappointed to have missed Cos and Night Girl's wedding, but it had also given him the opportunity to spend some real time on his ongoing investigation in to the secrets of Leeta-87. He watched holofiles slowly scroll past, his curiosity picquing more and more as he discovered less and less.

It just doesn't make sense, Jo frowned. How does one of the most famous heroes of her time have a chunk of her life totally unaccounted for? Cadmu's a techno-wonderland for grife's sake, it should be impossible for anyone to go off-grid there. He glanced across to the mission monitor board feed at his right, careful to ensure that this new interest didn't distract him from his Legion duties. A beep caught his attention and Jo turned back toward the data he'd gathered on the deceased woman. What he saw startled him so that he nearly fell off his chair.

Standing by Jo's side in full uniform, his arms folded across his chest, was Chief Kimball Zendak. From the look on his face, this wasn't a social call. Jo steadied himself and cleared his throat. "Chief Zendak! Sprock, you scared a year off my life! How did you get in here?"

"I've got clearance for full access to the Legion of Superheroes' base," the surly Science Police Chief. "And I can be surprisingly stealthy when I've got good reason to be."

"What reason?" Jo narrowed his eyes, then for the first time noticed the Leeta-87 holofiles blinking into non-existence behind Zendak. Zendak himself held a thin steel cylinder in one hand, a red light flashing at its tip. "Hey!" Jo stood warily. "What are you--?"

"You're digging into something you shouldn't be, and you need to stop digging. Right now, Ultra Boy."

"Why?" Jo asked suspiciously. "Why does the galaxy's highest ranking Science Police Officer care about me looking into the life of a woman who's been dead for decades?"

Zendak was completely stone-faced. "Stop digging, Ultra Boy. That's an order. I know you don't take orders from me, you're a private citizen of the United Planets. But you're getting uncomfortably close to matters of the highest level of security, and you'll face the same consequences that any other citizen of the United Planets would face if you continue down this path. You and your friends in the Legion who've enabled this behaviour. Do I make myself clear?"

Jo fumed, but he also had to admit he was a little shaken. Zendak was no stand-over man, for him to come on this strongly Jo didn't want to imagine the stakes involved. "I get it," he answered grimly.

"Good." Zendak looked over the blank screens that seconds ago had contained the information Ultra Boy had painstakingly compiled on Leeta-87. His device had done its work, the data was wiped. He pressed a hidden button, Jo heard another beep and the cylinder in Zendak's palm powered down. The older man turned and walked toward the door before he stopped and cast one final look at Ultra Boy. "I'm not a fool," Zendak announced curtly. "I'm well aware that the most advanced classified technology the Science Police possess is no match for Brainiac 5 or Kid Computo. I know you could continue this investigation you've launched, and I know you'd likely find out more than I want you to know before I could stop you. But I'm hoping you'll be smart enough not to do that, Ultra Boy."

He turned and walked away, and Jo pondered long and hard about his next move...
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Red Wedding - 01/22/15 02:35 PM
Whew! I am glad the wedding turned out well - all things considered - bad guy defeated and wedding about to continue. Thank goodness for Quislet!

I wonder what Jo will do now...
Posted By: razsolo Re: Red Wedding - 01/25/15 05:50 AM
Thanks for the comments, y'all! I like to play up Kathoon's rep for being super-romantic...it does feel like Rokk & Lydda's wedding has been in the works forever, I'm glad it's done now!

Next up we are gonna take a bit of a closer look at what's happening on Earth with Earth-Man's team before we get back to wrapping up a few long-standing plots!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Red Wedding - 01/25/15 06:42 AM
Yeah! Dark Kathoon does sound like a romantic place. Looking forward to seeing things on Earth!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Red Wedding - 01/29/15 03:41 PM
Fantastic stuff Raz. I'm really impressed how you tie together the various story lines you've written previously to keep the internal continuity going - Vrykos being the obvious case in point. Though I am disappointed it wasn't Rond wanting revenge for suffering that awful haircur smile Nah, jokes aside, this was great - from start to finish.

Lydda having the Subs at her side and Rokk having Imra and Garth was a quite poignant reminder of where they started off. Quislet coming to the rescue was genius! The other Legionnaires won't live that down. "Quislet gets no respect," shouldn't be the case anymore. I really like how far you've taken his character - he's still a pain in the Klordny but every time you use him he growsin a realistic manner - something even Saint Levitz failed to do.

Saturn Girl and Night Girl giving the vampire his lumps was fun too, though how strong is he that he could stand Lydda punching him and Garth blasting him? Wow! Validud level or what? That is tough!

Sun Boy was the natural Legionnaire to take him down and you wrote it well, along with Dragonmage stepping up to contain Vrykos in the end. Lydda's views were a bitharsh though as it was her wedding day that was ruined I can understand it.

And Jo - wow you write him well, very much in the TMK vein where he isn't half as dumb as everyone thinks he is. You're ongoing Leeta 87/the 89 mystery is a delight to read, and now Kendall has shown definitively which side he's on it can't be long until things take off. I can't wait!

Great stuff Raz, thoroughly enjoyable as ever.

More, more, more!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Red Wedding - 03/10/15 01:30 AM
Hey Raz, have you abandoned us? Hope all's going good and you're back soon with your next instalment!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Red Wedding - 03/15/15 07:57 AM
Hi all, sorry to have vanished all of a sudden-like! I have been on an international holiday for a month with limited net access...back now though and working on a little interlude with Shvaughn Erin to explore how being a liaison officer for Earth-Man and his cronies sucks more than working with the Legion! smile
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Red Wedding - 03/15/15 08:42 AM
A month-long holiday! I am so envious. Looking forward to more raz, especially curious to see what Earth-Man and co are up to!
Posted By: razsolo RECAP POST! - 03/22/15 08:41 AM
Hi all! I thought as it's been a little while between drinks I might do a couple of recap posts to get us all caught up on events! So without further ado...

Brainiac 5 accidentally summoned the Infinite Man, and after a brief fight the entire Legion of Superheroes were exiled throughout time and space. While our heroes were lost, Earthgov agreed to pardon Earth-Man and his Justice League cronies on the condition that they defeat the Infinite Man themselves.

They managed this feat, took over the absent Legion's Metropolis headquarters and imprisoned the Infinite Man with Earth-Man siphoning his powers. Earth-Man recruited villains from Earth's past and its future to expand the Justice League's roster to a massive 31 members and when the Legion of Superheroes finally found their way back home the two huge teams had a huge brawl.

The Legion came out on top in the end, but at a price...unhappy with the Legion's recent involvement in the destruction of the Dominion homeworld and their loss to the Infinite Man, Earthgov banned them from the planet and instituted the Justice League of Earth as the world's official defenders. Shvaughn Erin was made the JLE's Science Police liaison officer, much to her dissatisfaction.

The Legion relocated to Mars and aside from a recent scuffle with two of the JLE which resulted in the destruction of the Legion of Substitute Heroes' satellite base, the LSH and the JLE have had no reason to interact. It doesn't take a Brainiac 5 to realise that can't last forever...

With Cosmic Boy and Night Girl on honeymoon leave, the current roster of the Legion of Superheroes is:

BLOK
BOUNCING BOY (leader)
BRAINIAC 5
CHAMELEON BOY
CHLOROPHYLL KID
COLOR KID
COMET QUEEN
DAWNSTAR
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DRAGONMAGE
DREAM GIRL
DUPLICATE DAMSEL (deputy leader)
ELASTIC LAD
ELEMENT LAD
FIRE LAD
GAS GIRL
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
KID COMPUTO
LIGHT LAD
LIGHTNING LASS
MATTER-EATER LAD
MON-EL
NIGHTWIND
PHANTOM GIRL
POLAR BOY
QUISLET
SHADOW LASS
SHRINKING VIOLET
STAR BOY
STONE BOY
SUN BOY
SUPERGIRL
TELLUS
TIMBER WOLF
ULTRA BOY
WILDFIRE
Posted By: razsolo From the desk of Charles Foster Taine: - 03/22/15 08:45 AM
From: Element Lad
To: Bouncing Boy
Re: Justice League Roster

Not to sound overly paranoid, but while we both know where this information came from I’d rather not actually have that source recorded here for safety reasons. Source offered to provide a far more detailed breakdown but I didn’t want to push our luck with anything that might point a finger too closely to them. Using this as a starting point Brainy should be able to find out anything else we need anyway.

Hope this proves helpful, Chuck - Jan

**********
BLACK DAGGER - baseline human, excellent knife skills - I’ve heard him claim daggers are enchanted but have seen no evidence of this - most often works with Bow, possible relationship to exploit? (see file JLE05)

BLACK DANCER - apparently baseline human, shows some martial arts skill but major threat is power armour - provides enhanced strength, durability, flight, smokescreen generation, offensive lasers - other capabilities unknown

BLACK LIGHT - twin sister of White Noise (see file JLE31) - can shoot destructive beams of energy - possibly UV-spectrum affiliated?

BOUNCING BETTY - bouncing powers like Bouncing Boy, but can also release explosive outbursts on impact - highly resistant to damage

BOW - expert archer - arrows track prey until they hit, unclear whether this is a power or function of the weapons - most often works with Black Dagger, possible relationship to exploit? (see file JLE01)

CELESTINE - Extreme threat! She claims to have the focused power of a star and I’ve got no reason to disbelieve this - has shown near-Daxamite levels of strength, speed, flight and durability - can manipulate energy across the full EM-spectrum - easily the most physically powerful of the team

CYBERIAN - cyborg with enhanced strength and durability - various weapon attachments - tech is long outdated & easily countered but he’s still dangerous if unprepared

EARTH-MAN - I don’t need to tell you how dangerous Niedrigh is

EYEFUL ETHEL - married to Tusker (see file JLE25) - powers seem to be continually evolving - she’s shown ability to sense spectra undetectable to baseline humans, but I don’t have enough info on this to elaborate

FUNDAMENT - next to Celestine, he's the greatest physical threat - controls gravity, this ability is far more powerful and versatile than anything Star Boy or Light Lass ever showed - believes he’s directly empowered by Judeo-Christian deity

GOLDEN BOY - another one of Niedrigh’s original cronies, you don’t need my analysis - possible relationship with Sprint (see file JLE20)

KID CHEMO - along with Light Lass (JLE13) & Sharpshot Kid (JLE18), students of an academy for supervillains from an unspecified point in the future - liquid toxic chemical form contained by armoured suit

LIGHT LASS - along with Kid Chemo (JLE12) & Sharpshot Kid (JLE18), students of an academy for supervillains from an unspecified point in the future - unclear if she has any connection to Ayla Ranzz or Darvan Locke - has control over visible light wavelengths

NIMBUS - personal forcefield of unknown energy composition - gives her flight, resistance to injury and she has some ability to manipulate it for offence & defence though range is extremely limited

RADIATION ROY - seems to be more powerful than files would suggest, but I suspect effect on his health is worse than we’ve believed previously as well

RED CROW - flight, enhanced senses - is proficient with artificial talons worn on both wrists

RED GIANT - most often works with White Dwarf (JLE29) - same powers as Colossal Boy

SHARPSHOT KID - along with Kid Chemo (JLE12) & Light Lass (JLE13), students of an academy for supervillains from an unspecified point in the future - baseline human, expert marksman - carries dual variable-emission firearms - overconfidence should be easy to exploit

SPIDER-GIRL - has displayed mood swings and behaviour recently compatible with substance addiction, bears further watching

SPRINT - ingests chemical which gives her superhuman speed for short intervals - possible relationship with Golden Boy (JLE11) - most likely possible ally, bears further watching

STAR-BEAR - shapeshifts into an ursine form with superhuman strength, durability and regeneration - other possible abilities unknown but likely based on her claims of being an unknown deity’s avatar

STORM BOY - continues to add cybernetic modifications, has increased range and fine control of weather manipulation abilities

SUNSWORD - seems to be from the ancient past, unfamiliar with present cultures and technologies - baseline human, expert swordsman - wears highly resistant armour and carries a sword made of fire, possibly converted solar energy

TACHYON - uncharted superspeed - claims to be able to travel backwards in time, this is unverified

TUSKER - married to Eyeful Ethel (JLE09) - has begun displaying ability to generate pseudotusks from other areas of his body, though with extremely limited range

VISTA - wild card - she claims to transport targets to an interdimensional plane of her own creation, but this is unverified - seems to focus this through an implant in her forehead, possible vulnerability to exploit?

VOID - wild card - seems to be a singularity contained in humanoid form? Not sure how this is possible, one to keep Brainiac busy I guess - he(?) doesn’t openly communicate with anyone but seems to have no issues with comprehension? Aside from the one time Quislet disrupted his form somehow, haven’t seen any type of physical assault affect him at all - not really even sure of Void’s motives for remaining with this group as he seems to have no individual agenda

WHITE BAT - mute, seems to be baseline human - flies using artificial razor-sharp hardlight wings and has a talon mounted on each forearm

WHITE DWARF - most often works with Red Giant (JLE17) - increases density by reducing size

WHITE LIGHTNING - the nasty xenophobic version of Lightning Lass - same powers, completely opposite personality - she’s the most openly loyal to Earth-Man

WHITE NOISE - twin sister of Black Light (see file JLE03) - can shoot destructive beams of energy - seems to be sonics, visual component unknown
Posted By: Harbinger Re: From the desk of Charles Foster Taine: - 03/22/15 11:08 AM
Thanks for the catch up Raz, I like that your JLE are a mix of empowered and baseline people with skills. Like everyone else I'm looking forward to the showdown!

Also, with the on going leeta story and Chuck and Lu's relationship woes to deal with you have a splendid story going on here and can't wait to see where you take us next.

More, more, more!
Thanks for the catch up as well! You did a great job coming up with this villainous roster. I like Shvaughn's notes and the way Jan transmitted the roster.

I am pleased you introduced your Light Lass here, I liked her in that tag team thread before. White Lightning, Sprint, Vista already pique my interest in particular. Also love your evolution of Eyeful Ethel. Spider-Girl's substance abuse is interesting and a possible weakness to exploit as well.

Celestine and Fundament are scary!
Posted By: razsolo The Cursed Earth - 03/23/15 01:49 PM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Bouncing Boy hovered in the centre of Brainiac 5’s latest gift to the Legion, a new meeting room. Chuck felt more than a little self-conscious sitting in something that resembled a floating cushioned pod, the rest of the Legion seated around and below him at a ring-shaped table. Though he was the leader of the team, he wasn’t all that comfortable with being the literal centre of their world even if that was just for the duration of a meeting.

When Chuck voiced his concerns, Brainiac 5 had explained that a mobile pod was a much more efficient way of interacting with a team of almost 40 than a static chair ever could be. Not only that, but a combination of biometrics and highly advanced conversation analysis algorithms meant the pod could predict where Chuck’s attention was likely to be most needed and automatically orient him towards that person. “What’s a little social embarrassment compared to Coluan efficiency?” Chuck had joked. Brainy had congratulated him on his ability to appreciate true vision, and here they all were. It was a rare occurrence to get the whole team together like this, and even with Cosmic Boy and Night Girl on honeymoon leave that still left an enormous conglomeration of heroes circled around Chuck to bask in his discomfort. He shook his head at the silliness of the situation and decided to just barrel on.

“Okay,” Chuck addressed his team. “First item of business, we need a couple of volunteers to head to Verganus IV. The Legion have been asked to safeguard the Century Bloom.”

“The what now?” Nightwind raised an eyebrow.

“The Century Bloom?!” Chlorophyll Kid’s eyes lit up. “W-wow, that would be amazing! Count me in!”

“Sorry Ral,” Bouncing Boy held up a hand. “You’re one of the few Legionnaires they’ve specifically asked to be excluded from participation in this mission. The United Colonies don’t want to risk the perception that your power has influenced the bloom.”

“Sounds totally nebula-haze, Bouncy!” Comet Queen interjected. “What’s the coronal flare?”

Bouncing Boy smiled inwardly. After all this time Grava could still flummox him with her idiosyncratic speech patterns. “According to the info I’ve highlighted on the shared drive, the dominant lifeform of Verganus IV is a sentient fungal growth. The Century Bloom is the oldest flowering plant known to exist on their planet, and it’s a centrepiece to the cultures of all five major fungal colonies. It only flowers once every hundred years, and when it does it influences their social development for the next century.”

“Thus the cunning name!” Matter-Eater Lad piped up.

“So you want us to literally go watch a plant grow,” Sun Boy deadpanned. “Sounds riveting but I’ll pass.”

“You’ll be happy to know you’re on the exclusion list too then,” Bouncing Boy retorted. “For some reason they’re reluctant to invite someone to throw fireballs around their ancient sacred flower, go figure.”

Some of the Legionnaires chuckled, interrupted by Duplicate Damsel’s firm tone. “I’ll go. I’ll take Ultra Boy with me.”

Ultra Boy started at the mention of his name. “Huh? What? Oh sure, okay.”

Chuck began to question what was distracting Jo when a silent alarm flashed on the holoscreen at his lap. He swiped the virtual table and flatscreen images fed through from interplanetary news services. “Oh no,” Chuck groaned. “You’re all going to want to see this.” He double-tapped the alarm icon and a holographic array came to life above his pod before the assembled team. The Legion of Superheroes saw sentients in the familiar uniform of Science Police officers fighting a vastly underpowered battle against an army of humanoid rock creatures. “This came up on the hometown alert,” Bouncing Boy explained. “We’re still getting more information.”

“Gosh, isn’t the hometown alert activated when a Legionnaire’s birthworld is threatened?” Elastic Lad asked, craning his neck to a superhuman degree for a closer view. “Where is this happening, Bouncing Boy?”

“Earth,” Kid Computo answered in a flat voice, her powers having gleaned the information from the Legion’s computers faster than Chuck Taine could ever have relayed it. “Neoabidjan.” She looked across at Invisible Kid and Infectious Lass and saw by her brother’s crestfallen expression that he had already recognised the city under siege.

“Where our family live.”

**********
EARTH
Ivory Coast, Neoabidjan

Decked out in full tactical gear, Science Police officer Shvaughn Erin cut an imposing figure on her hovering platform above the crowds below. Rather, she would have cut an imposing figure if those crowds weren’t currently trampling one another in their haste to escape the faceless rock golems rampaging through the ancient city. Shvaughn was glad that her suit was climate-controlled at least; the heat here was baking, and the humidity unbearable. It made crowd control almost impossible. “Where are the damn Justice League?” Shvaughn barked into her comms. “The Legion of Superheroes would have been here by now!”

“We’re called the Judgement League now,” a voice answered from above her. “Really Officer, our Science Police liaison should make more of an effort to keep up to date on our branding. Don’t you agree?”

The speaker was Black Dancer, a woman covered in form-fitting black power armour with oversized gauntlets and boots. Those boots now belched plumes of smoke as she descended, and Shvaughn could see herself reflected in the obsidian plexiglass of the woman’s full-face visor. Behind Black Dancer were four of her comrades from the recently rechristened Judgement League; the albino White Bat, hardlight wings attached to her outspread arms; Nimbus, whose ever-present blue aura allowed her flight and also enveloped the final two members of their squad safely; White Lightning who in both power and appearance was remarkably similar to the more well-regarded Lightning Lass; and finally the only male member of their squad, Sunsword. He wore golden gladiatorial armour and brandished a sword made of pure fire.

“Earth-Man only sent the five of you?!” Shvaughn was incredulous. “These creatures have overrun the entire city, there must be hundreds of them! Where are your heavy hitters?!”

“Ugh, you’re so uptight,” Nimbus rolled her eyes.

“Earth-Man has deployed teams across the city,” Black Dancer answered Shvaughn’s question. “But trust me, the five of us should be more than enough for these mindless monsters.” To illustrate her point, she flew directly at a 7 foot creature terrorising a family below. With surprising grace, she flipped in mid-air just before colliding with the creature. Braced against the monster’s torso, she fired her boot-jets at full intensity and blasted the creature apart.

Shvaughn couldn’t help but notice it was only good fortune that saved the family from the resulting explosion of debris. She watched the others charge into the fray; the eerily silent White Bat with her talons and razor-edged wings, Sunsword with his flaming weapon and Nimbus with her resourceful blue aura. None of them were particularly protective of the citizens they were meant to be defending and some of them were downright reckless with their safety. They were no Legion of Superheroes, but they were all Earth had. Shvaughn saw an explosion of light several blocks north and hoped the Judgement League would be enough.

**********
The female speedster Sprint came to a halt several hundred feet from the edge of the explosion her teammate Celestine had just unleashed in the city’s garden district and released the three children she’d carried from harm’s way. “Did you see that?!” she yelled shrilly at Spider-Girl and Radiation Roy who were fighting their own animated rock enemies nearby. “She could have killed me! There may still have been humans back there!” She pointed at an enormous smoking crater which had formerly been protected parklands, the golden-skinned architect of their destruction floating imperiously above.

“Forget Celestine!” Roy barked. “My radiation’s useless against these things!” The creatures were slow but Roy wasn’t any faster in his cumbersome red containment suit, and one of them slammed him through a wall.

Spider-Girl laughed cruelly as her own prehensile hair ensnared one of the golems and smashed it into Roy’s attacker. “What a surprise,” she mocked. “Tumour Lad’s useless once again.”

“You should spend more time fighting your enemies and less on humiliating your allies, Spider-Girl.” A man in a white bodysuit and cowl floated above them, a regal blue cape framing him amidst the devastation. “We have been blessed as the fated rulers of this world, we must present ourselves accordingly before the masses.” The man named Fundament gestured, and the two golems which had been advancing on Spider-Girl rose into the air and separated into a million microscopic particles thanks to his precise control of gravity.

Sprint continued on her way, only too happy to be away from the arrogant gravity manipulator. Some of her teammates were amoral, some of them were downright mean. She could deal with that, she was no angel herself. Fundament though, he was something else entirely. His power coupled with his saviour complex made him somebody Sprint would never want to cross. She stopped halfway across the city to catch her breath and cursed herself for not realising that she’d stopped in the midst of another quartet of the massive golems. Sprint’s heart pounded in her chest. Her superspeed only worked in short bursts and she’d already pushed herself to her limits today. She watched helplessly as the monsters converged on her. One of the creatures reached out for her with an enormous stone paw, but before it could grab her the golem suddenly turned into an inanimate golden statue.

“Looked like you could use a hand,” Golden Boy smiled smugly, leaning against another creature which had already fallen prey to his transmutative power.

“You’re a lifesaver, but what about them?” Sprint panted, pointing to the remaining two threats.

“Don’t worry your pretty head about it,” Golden Boy winked. “I’ve got friends in high places.” They both looked up to see the distinctive outline of Storm Boy's tattered dark cape several stories above. The wind suddenly picked up around them and the two remaining creatures whirled away into the side of an apartment complex.

Sprint returned Golden Boy’s smile. Some of her teammates might frankly terrify her, but some of them weren’t so bad after all…

**********
Miles away as she was, Shvaughn Erin couldn’t see Storm Boy suspended above Neoabidjan’s financial district but the thunderous dark clouds he brought with him left no doubt as to his whereabouts. Shvaughn had risen higher above the insanity below, and was flicking through different surveillance cam views on her SP-issue retinal display. Some of the Judgement League like Red Giant and White Dwarf were strong enough to pummel the unliving army to fragments. Some of them like White Noise or the curious brunette from the future who called herself Light Lass possessed energy powers which could blast their foes apart. Still others like Void or Vista could apparently exile the creatures from this plane of existence entirely. Still, for every powerhouse in the Judgement League there was someone with more subtle powers. In that they were similar to the Legion of Superheroes, but they didn’t have the Legion’s experience or ability to work together. One of Shvaughn’s feeds picked up the hyperfast Tachyon backed against a wall alongside the teenaged Sharpshot Kid. Black Light and Cyberian already lay battered and unconscious before them, and they had no defence against the golems hemming them in. They were too far for Shvaughn to attempt to reach and even if she could, she was powerless against the creatures. She gritted her teeth and prepared for the Judgement League’s first casualties. At the last possible instant, the elephantine Tusker bowled the rock monsters over, having been hurled by another of the mindless creatures. While Tusker was tough enough to stand against two of them for a while, he’d unwittingly saved his teammates from certain doom. Shvaughn called for a medevac for the fallen Leaguers and started flying in their direction. Another point of difference between the Legion of Superheroes and the Judgement League was that the latter team weren’t particularly attentive to their own fallen comrades.

Under her helmet, Shvaughn scowled angrily. The Legion would have ended this by now but the Judgement League were barely keeping Neoabidjan intact. Earth-Man had better fix this soon or local law be damned, she’d call in the Legion herself.

**********
Red Crow soared high above Neoabidjan, higher even than the megalithic skyscrapers which clotted the city. Multiple explosions sounded some thirty stories below him, audible reminders that Bouncing Betty and Kid Chemo were still in the fight and destroying as much of the city as they defended. In Neoabidjan’s elevated Taran Park, the cosmically powered Star-Bear batted at several rock monsters with an uprooted tree trunk. Red Crow frowned and returned to the task at hand, ignoring these distractions.

Not so very long ago, Red Crow had been the scourge of 27th century New Canada. After a climatic battle with his nemesis Nightflash, the Crow had been speared and left to die in the icy rapids of the Mississagi River. Earth-Man had rescued him from this fate, saved him as he’d saved all of the time-tossed Judgement League, and he’d brought the Red Crow hundreds of years forward to the 31st century. In this time, Red Crow was the only pureblood Ojibwe alive. It was a revelation which had left him shaken, but a revelation he’d since come to terms with. Red Crow had stalked his people in his own time, wasted his opportunity to defend them. Earth-Man had given him an opportunity to defend all the people of Earth now, and he would not waste that chance.

“Red Crow, have you found anything yet?” This was Earth-Man’s voice over the team’s communications equipment, and he sounded terse to say the least. “I’ve had you and Eyeful Ethel looking for the architect of this madness for over an hour now. You’re making me look bad.”

Red Crow blushed a shade to suit his name. He owed Earth-Man his life, he didn’t want to let him down…but Earth-Man was right too. Red Crow had been flying over the city dedicating his uncanny eyes and his hunting skills to the task of finding the golem leader, and he’d found nothing. He was about to report his shame to his leader when the pattern finally revealed itself. The golems weren’t springing up randomly throughout the city, they were shambling forth from a central location…and he’d just found that location. “I have him,” the red-garbed predator said simply. “Send backup.” He dipped into a powerdive, hurling himself into the heart of the gigantic futuristic city. He descended through scenes of chaos, Science Police officers and citizens alike falling before the monstrous onslaught. He let none of it divert his attention, flying true until he reached the seemingly abandoned ruins of a psychiatric health institute.

He swooped down through a broken skylight and along the corridors of the damaged infirmary. Now that he was so close, the trail could not be clearer. He easily evaded the slow swipes of the golems before him, disregarded the cries of staff and patients still trapped here under one fallen wall or another. Red Crow made one final turn into what had once been large airy room. It was now the birthplace of pandemonium. Most of the internal walls had been destroyed, earth pillars instead holding the structure together. The polished linoleum floor existed only in patches, most of the room covered in clumps of dirt and loose stones. Two holes took up more than half the former floor space, tunnels bored into the crust of the Earth itself. From those gaping chasms the golems which had been menacing the city emerged, and between the seemingly bottomless pits a young dark-skinned woman sat in obvious anxiety.

Red Crow noticed the creatures were avoiding the distraught female, and he landed softly before her. “Are you responsible for these creatures?” he asked her. As he’d deduced, the golems steered him a wide berth due to his proximity to her.

She looked up at him with fear-filled eyes. “I…I didn’t mean to!” Tears fell down her cheeks. “I told them…I told them this would happen if they stopped my harmonics treatments…I told them I wasn’t ready!”

“Be calm,” the stoic man spoke. Still looking impassively upon her, he reached behind him and snatched an arrow out of mid-air an instant before it lodged in his back. “This will all be over soon.” He pulled the arrow forward and before she could even register what was happening, Red Crow planted it in her breast. The woman screamed in pain and scrambled backwards.

“I’m sorry!” she sobbed, plainly terrified. “I’m sorry!” She stared at the arrow lodged in her, too hysterical to consider a course of action.

“You’ve arrived,” Red Crow announced not to her, but to the two men who’d just entered the room behind him. “Let’s finish this.”

The pale-skinned man named Bow reached out a hand to retrieve the arrow he’d used to follow Red Crow here. The panicked girl cried out in pain as it tore once more through her flesh and darted back to its master. Bow had come here with his usual companion, the broad-shouldered Maori warrior known as Black Dagger. Black Dagger drew two of his own signature weapons from the many holsters lining his costume. “Heads up boys,” he took a defensive stance. “Little lady’s got some fight left in her yet.”

Bawling, the girl glared at them with a blend of hatred and horror. Responding to their creator’s emotional state, the golems still in the room turned on the three men. “I didn’t mean it!” the girl kept wailing. “I didn’t mean it!”

Red Crow evaded the first golem’s lumbering strike, but in such close quarters he couldn’t make use of his flight and a second creature knocked him across the room where he slammed into another of them. It was as though he’d hit a brick wall, and the aerial stalker collapsed in a heap.

“Whoa, that’s gotta tickle,” Black Dagger laughed at his teammate’s misfortune as one of the golems grasped for him. He planted two daggers in crevices in the creature’s arm and using them as a brace, he swung beneath its lunge. Landing behind the golem, Black Dagger climbed up its back and out of its limited reach. In seconds, he’d dug six more blades in the creature’s head but the creature remained unfazed. “Bow, we mighta bitten off more than we can chew here bro - these things aren’t goin’ down.”

“It’s the girl.” Bow rarely spoke, but when he did it was always with purpose. Easily the tallest of the three Leaguers, he was also surprisingly agile. He managed to dodge two more of the creatures and nock an arrow before a gigantic rocky arm closed around his waist. As the golem lifted him from the dirt he let the arrow fly. Off-balance as he was, the arrow missed his wailing target by some distance, but defying all physical laws it reversed its path and planted itself between her shoulder blades. With a sharp cry of pain, the girl fell to her stomach and tried fruitlessly to sit back up. The assault broke her power momentarily, and every golem under her control froze in its path momentarily. The monsters started moving again after the briefest instant, but the interlude was enough for both Bow and Black Dagger to free themselves. As they approached her, they both readied their respective weapons.

“Please,” she begged helplessly, her vision blurring and her mouth filling with the taste of copper. “Please, I didn’t mean it…I didn’t mean it…”

“No doubt of that luv,” Black Dagger answered without any sympathy. “Don’t really care though to be honest.” He crouched down on one knee, grabbed a handful of hair to pull her head away from the ground and in one swift moment slit the crying girl’s throat. He let her head fall with a dull thunk to the dirt, and the girl bled to death at their feet.

Every golem across the city froze in its tracks once more, but this time they all crumbled to dust as their mistress took her last breath. Across the room, Red Crow moaned as his aching body began to stir.

“Come on, sunshine.” Black Dagger walked over to the rousing man and grabbed one arm as Bow supported his other arm. Together the two lifted him and helped him stumble away. “Doubt this room’s gonna last long now Crazy Jane here's takin’ a dirtnap.” The makeshift pillars too began to crumble as the three men left, and by the time they’d left the institute the room had disintegrated into the earth which had supported it, taking with it the nameless girl who’d caused so much upheaval throughout Neoabidjan.

Some miles away, Shvaughn Erin gazed in shock and impotent fury at the climax which had just played itself out across her emerald green eyes. That poor girl had needed psychiatric help and they’d treated her like someone from the dark ages would treat a rabid animal. If she’d ever doubted the truth, she didn’t doubt it now…

…the Judgement League needed to be stopped.
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Cursed Earth - 03/23/15 02:38 PM
Wow. So much happening in this one post.

Lu bringing Jo on this mission: 2 possibilities. Wanting to make Chuck and Tinya jealous (I doubt), or trying to find out if he has noticed the same things she has (more likely, IMO).

I like your highlighting Sprint's different personality - she's "no angel" but she knows her new teammates are bad news. And she's enough of a good guy to care about potential fatalities among the civilians. In fact, she's pretty much the only one we see actually saving any civilians. Shvaughn's assessment was right on the money.

Also like you sneaking in the backstories for people like Red Crow.

And yes... they really do have to be stopped. Can't wait to see what's next.
Thanks IB!

I had fun coming up with the JL members; even though a lot of it probably won't come out overtly it's fun to have different backstories and personalities developed for them so it can shine through for various members when it suits the story...as it just might for some of them in the next instalment wink

Interesting analysis of Lu's motivations, hopefully the end result won't disappoint!

We're also gonna see how Invisible Kid and Kid Computo react to their hometown being put in danger next, I am looking forward to writing them together as I don't think they've really had much in the way of brother/sister interaction yet in this series!
Posted By: Omni Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 23 MARCH* - 03/25/15 12:32 AM
Yo Raz. i'm in shock at those Leaguers. they really need to be stopped.

that poor girl. (which btw her powers were cool and in that small instance i would have loved to see more from her and if the Legion was still on Earth, i bet we would have!) Damn the League! Save the Empire!

I also liked Spirit. she's one i'd like to see more of.

can't wait for the next installment.

also i'm with Chuck i wouldn't want to sit in that chair either.
Thanks Omni! If you guys didn't like the Judgement League before I don't think they'll be winning any fans with their next lot of shenanigans either... wink
Posted By: razsolo Invaders - 03/27/15 05:50 AM
EARTH
Ivory Coast, Neoabidjan

In the home he shared with his parents and eldest sister, Michel Foccart surveyed the ingredients listed on his handheld omnicom. The city was still recovering from a recent assault by an army of unliving stone creatures, and while Michel and his family were lucky to have escaped unscathed they’d had to adjust their normal routine. Minor damages to their residential complex meant they couldn’t yet rely on their autochef or even McCauleycorp's automated grocery delivery service. Michel had to travel to the local repository himself and carry food home as his grandparents had done. He didn’t mind the chore to be honest, it was kind of rewarding having to put in a little effort to support his family and seeing that effort rewarded. “Are you sure you don’t need anything else?” he shouted back through the small but comfortable apartment.

“Just remember the grated cassava!” returned the sharp tone of Michel’s sister Joliet. “Mama wants some acheke with dinner tonight!”

The front door recognised Michel’s approach and obediently retracted into the wall, revealing two visitors who left the African man slack-jawed and speechless. The man and woman before him wore loose hoods and scarves which kept their faces hidden from anyone else around them, but Michel recognised them immediately. “Jacques! Danielle!” he exclaimed in an exuberant whisper. “Come in, come in!” He ushered them quickly into the family home, nervously checking that nobody in the plant-lined corridor outside had seen them. Once his siblings were safely indoors, Michel hugged them both. “What are you doing here?” he asked. “Do not mistake me, of course I’m glad to see you but it’s dangerous for Legionnaires to be spotted on Earth. We hear gossip that the Judgement League almost killed even the Legion of Substitute Heroes recently!”

“Don’t worry so, Michel.” Jacques kissed his younger brother on the cheek. “Lyle Norg’s invisibility serum has been a boon to me many times, and today it has helped myself and Danielle both.”

“And no machine’s going to detect us while Kid Computo has anything to say about it,” the youngest Foccart sibling added cheekily. “Now, where’s my mama and papa?”

“Michel?” Joliet’s heels clicked as she came in from the apartment balcony. “I heard voices, do we have visitors - c’est ouf! My loves!” Joliet ran to Jacques and Danielle, smothering them both in kisses.

Danielle giggled and pushed her sister away playfully. “Enough, enough! Let us at least see Mama and Papa first before you kill us with embarrassment!”

“Come,” Michel grabbed Danielle’s hand and pulled her away from the others. “They will be over the moon to see you, you know! So brave of you to visit us, little one!” The two siblings ran through the apartment, their laughter filling the family home.

Joliet watched them leave and turned back to Jacques, her smile fading a little. “It was very brave of you to defy Earthgov to come here,” she addressed him once she was certain Michel and Danielle were out of earshot. “Very brave or very stupid! What possessed you, Jacques? Danielle is only a child, but I should expect you to know better!”

“Same old stern mother hen Joliet,” Jacques smirked. “Those rock monsters were on every news channel,” he explained. “I had to see for myself that you were all safe, and can you imagine that Danielle would allow me to make the trip here without her? As it is, I was barely able to convince Drura to remain on Mars.”

“The alien,” Joliet shuddered involuntarily.

Jacques was visibly taken aback. “Joliet! Drura is my partner, and a Legionnaire! She has risked her life to save this planet more times than I can count, and she loves this family as much as I do!”

“I’m sorry, brother.” Joliet looked shame-faced. “That was uncalled for, your life is your own concern. Still, she is a Somahturian…I know your life in the Legion has made you fearless, but don’t you ever consider what it could mean to be with her? The long-term consequences?”

“I am not having this conversation with you, Joliet.” Jacques stiffened, his jaw tight. “We cannot stay long, and I would rather take happy memories with me when we leave.”

“You’re right.” She forced a smile and hugged Jacques again. “Forgive me. Come, Mama and Papa worry so much about you both since you’ve had to leave the planet. They will both be ecstatic to spend time with you, no matter how little time that may be. You’re staying for dinner at least?”

“I don’t want to impose—“ Jacques began.

“Jacques Foccart, don’t you dare!” Joliet gasped in mock horror. “You and Danielle will stay for dinner and if Earth-Man himself wants to try and stop you he can go through me first!”

The young man otherwise known as Invisible Kid laughed at the thought. Even he had to admit he’d almost rather face Darkseid again than anger his big sister. Having already forgotten the unpleasantness of a few moments ago, Jacques happily followed Joliet to be reunited with the rest of the Foccart clan.

**********
VERGANUS IV
Most Sacred Site of the Century Bloom

The sky behind him pastel pink bleeding through to golden orange, Jo Nah descended and landed lightly at the stone barrier which surrounded the plant whose flowers he’d come to guard. The Century Bloom was huge and ugly, easily twelve feet in diameter and nearly eight feet high. Tough green stalks reached forth from an equally sturdy trunk. Bulbous prickly pseudopods grew out of the plant’s extremities, and Jo had been led to believe that these hard unattractive balls would soon transform into one of the most beautiful sights any sentient had ever seen. Already, several of the world’s strange mold-like inhabitants had gathered at a respectful distance beyond the stone barrier to wait for the bloom which would direct their world’s development for the next hundred years. All in all it was one of the stranger Legion missions that the hero named Ultra Boy had ever been a part of.

“Aerial reconnaissance is all good,” Jo reported to the Carggite heroine Duplicate Damsel.

“Excellent,” Luornu Durgo Taine replied in a clipped tone. She had duplicate bodies stationed at equal distances around the perimeter of the Century Bloom, and each of those bodies now passed on a quick hand gesture which indicated that everything was under control. “With any luck this will turn out to be one of those boring Legion assignments I used to always warn the kids at the Academy about.”

“Yeah, about that…” Ultra Boy shifted uncomfortably. “Not that I mind DD, but why’d you pick me specifically for this trip? I know the United Colonies received a couple of vague threats but even if anything does come out of that, I can’t imagine it would be anything you'll need ultra-strength to deal with. This sounds like exactly the kinda mission that would be perfect for the kids at the Academy, now that I think about it.”

“We’ve known each other for a long time,” Duplicate Damsel answered honestly, “But we’ve never really spent any time getting to know one another, Ultra Boy. I thought maybe we could have a talk about some things.”

“Oh.” Ultra Boy was a little taken aback but tried to disguise it. “Sure, yeah! Okay.” The longtime Legionnaires lapsed into a mutual silence which quickly became an awkward lapse in conversation. After a couple of minutes they both tried to break the tension simultaneously, and laughed nervously as they chattered over one another.

“You first,” Jo smiled.

“No, you first.” Luornu gave him a tight-lipped smile in return. “Deputy leader’s orders.”

“Okay, well…” Jo considered his next words carefully. He wasn’t certain they were safe to talk even out here on a rarely visited world with no other humanoid life. This had been weighing on his mind though and he needed to talk to somebody about it. “…I’ve been wanting to bring this up with Tinya, but now that we’re here I’d be interested in what you think about the situation as well…”

“Sweet trinity, you’ve noticed too?!” Luornu blurted.

“Noticed what?” Jo asked, genuinely bewildered.

“Chuck and Tinya,” Luornu continued. “...Wait, what were you talking about?”

“That doesn’t matter,” the handsome hero’s brow furrowed. “What about Chuck and Tinya?”

Luornu’s shoulders slumped as she released a long exhalation and lowered her gaze. Nothing left but to commit to it now. She raised her chin and met Jo’s confused gaze with a sad look of her own. “Ever since Chuck, Tinya, Blok and Diamond Damsel spent time trapped in the past…something’s changed between them,” Luornu explained. “I think…I think Chuck and Tinya…” The heroine was regarded among her teammates for her unshakable sternness, but right now she was floundering.

“You think they need help?” Jo ventured cautiously. “I know they’ve been through a hard time but they’ve been seeming a lot more like their normal selves lately—“

“I think they’re having an affair!” she confessed.

Jo was stunned. It took him a moment to gather his composure and then he had only one word. “…What?

It was the first time Luornu had voiced her unspoken fear, and she wasn’t prepared for the surge of emotion that came with it. “I think they’re having an affair,” she enunciated again. “Ultra Boy, ever since they came back…they’ve been practically inseparable, Chuck’s been more concerned with her wellbeing than anything else—“

“...You can’t be serious.” Ultra Boy took a step back, looking his teammate up and down as though she were insane. “DD, what they went through…Tinya couldn’t talk to me about it, those four have a bond that nobody else in this team is gonna get because we haven’t been there….and I love Tinya--”

“I saw them kissing!” Luornu exploded, her voice breaking. She straightened her posture, cleared her throat and repeated herself more calmly. “I saw them kissing, Ultra Boy.”

“Shut up and listen to me.” Angry, Jo grabbed her by the shoulders and stared straight into her bi-colored eyes. “It’s frustrated the nass out of me that I haven’t been able to give Tinya what she needs to help her deal with whatever happened to her on Dryad. But Chuck can. He was there with her. They were on that sprocking planet for months and they thought they were never gonna see any of us again. Of course they’re gonna share something now that the rest of us can’t. But I know Tinya loves me. I love her and I trust her completely. Sprock, for bringing my girl back to me I love Chuck! And Luornu, I don’t know what you saw but if you think for a nano that your husband wouldn’t crawl over miles of broken glass for you, you’re crazy. A blind man could see how much he loves you!”

“I-I—“ Luornu faltered, her eyes brimming with tears. So much suppressed anger and heartbreak and shame had welled up in her, and she could hold it in no longer. Luornu Durgo Taine fell apart, burying her face in her hands as she cried. Jo’s outrage subsided almost immediately once he saw how torn up she was, and with a sigh of pity he pulled her close. Luornu resisted at first, but she’d tried to deal with this on her own for so long now and she just couldn’t do it anymore. As some of her own duplicate bodies looked on sympathetically, Luornu cried into Jo’s chest, clutching on to him like a lifeline.

The first ethereal white petals of the Century Bloom felt their way out into the world behind the Legionnaires, a backdrop of renewed life against fire-hued skies.

**********
EARTH
Neoabidjan, Foccart residence

Fione-Marie Foccart clutched her husband’s hand beneath the dinner table and smiled beatifically over her family. Even when the Legion of Superheroes had been based on Earth they kept Jacques and little Danielle so busy that it had been almost a year since the matriarch of the Foccart clan had seen all her children gathered under one roof. And now here they were, sharing a meal just like they had in the old days. It made her spirit soar.

“How long will you be staying?” Francois Foccart asked Jacques and Danielle. The Foccart men shared similar features anyway, but with a grey streak in his hair which almost precisely matched Jacques’s white streak the middle-aged man was like an older version of his Legionnaire son.

Jacques and Danielle stopped eating and shared a small sad look. “Not very long I am afraid, Papa.” Jacques put his fork down and covered his mouth while he swallowed. “It is dangerous for us to be on Earth and it is dangerous for you. We needed to make sure you were unharmed after the recent troubles but we should be leaving once it is dark enough to assist our transit.”

Francois Foccart placed a comforting arm on his eldest son’s shoulder. “We understand. We wish you could both stay of course, but it has been wonderful to see you both.”

“You’re taking some alloco when you leave?” Fione-Marie phrased it as a question but there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that it was a command. “I can’t imagine how you’re fed on that backwater planet!”

“Mars isn’t a backwater Mama,” Danielle rolled her eyes. “It’s one of the biggest tourist destinations in the system, the Science Police have their headquarters there—“

The youngest Foccart sibling was cut off by the sound of the Earthgov Emergency Alert system. A booming voice resonated through the Foccart family home, instructing its residents to remain calm and stay indoors as the Judgement League were conducting an investigation in the area. Jacques and Danielle shared the same horrified expression for an instant, then Jacques almost threw his chair behind him as he stood to action. “I do not know how they have found us, but we need to get you out of here.” He grabbed his mother’s arm. “Mama, come. I have never pushed my power to hide so many before but I will not fail now, si dieu le veut!”

“Wait! Jacques, stop!” Danielle stood now as well, reaching for her brother across the table while the rest of their family looked on anxiously. “It’s not us they’re after. I’m hacking into SP comms, a quarantined patient escaped from Medicus One with a shuttle. The Judgement League were called in because he’s…he’s a Somahturian.”

Joliet breathed an audible sigh of relief. “Dieu merci! That was certainly a fright! Sit down, you two. Let us finish our dinner, this does not concern us.”

Jacques and Danielle traded another look, this time one of regretful determination. “Joliet,” Jacques explained, “We have to go. Mama, Papa, Michel, I am sorry that our time together has been cut so short. Do not change to your costume, Danielle. We must remain inconspicuous.”

“But why?” Joliet protested. “This has nothing to do with you! Surely these people can be trusted to retrieve an escaped patient without causing any chaos?”

“You do not know Earth-Man and his team,” Jacques answered darkly. “They will be as content to kill this poor man as they will to capture him. We must act, sister.”

Joliet complained once more, Jacques debating her again. Danielle joined in, and their mother tried to play devil’s advocate though it was clear that she didn’t want her children to come to any harm. Michel too threw in his opinion, and soon the family were involved in a spirited debate that was very close to devolving into a shouting match on all sides.

“Enough.”

Francois Foccart’s voice was quiet but firm. All of his children knew better than to argue when this tone entered his voice. “Earth has changed recently, and not for the better. There is too much injustice in this world, and Jacques and Danielle have been gifted to fight that injustice. Go, my children. Know that your mother and I could not be more proud.” Invisible Kid and Kid Computo bade loving farewell to their parents and siblings, and soon enough they were flying under cover of Jacques’s invisibility power while Danielle’s cyberempathy located the Judgement League.

Within minutes, an unseen Jacques and Danielle were closing in on their quarry; Radiation Roy was immediately identifiable in his clumsy red containment suit, and he was flanked by a woman in black power armour belching plumes of smoke from oversized boot-jets as well as a second woman in a navy blue one-piece high-collared leotard with long white boots and gloves. Her blonde hair was cut short, in a style not native to this time period. She was surrounded in a pale blue aura of light, and Jacques was annoyed to realise he didn’t have a clue who either of the women were.

“Radiation Roy, Black Dancer and Nimbus,” Danielle recited as she accessed Judgement League files. “Lucky for us they’re the only three Leaguers we need to worry about…and there’s the poor guy they’re chasing.” The Foccart siblings saw the blazing light of a damaged medi-shuttle plummeting fast through the darkening skies. The shuttle looked like it was going to crash in a heavy residential area, and with mounting disgust they realised the trio before them weren’t going to do a thing to stop it.

“Danielle, can you do something to help the ship?” Jacques asked. “If he continues on his current path, he will cause d’enormes damage! I will keep our friends busy…oh, and activate your transuit! If this fellow is Somahturian, we cannot assume he has mastered control of his abilities as Drura has.”

The younger Foccart considered questioning her brother, she didn’t see what he could do to oppose three vastly overpowered opponents. There was no time though, she was acutely aware how close they were to disaster. Leaving the protective sheath of Jacques’s invisibility, she shot straight up and over the Judgement Leaguers. As absorbed as they were in following the shuttle they were completely oblivious of Danielle above them. Waiting till she was close enough for maximum control, Danielle reached out mentally to the ship. Life support readings told her that the ship’s one patient was still alive but its navigation interface had been destroyed beyond repair. Fortunately the navigation system itself was still okay, and its engine damage wasn’t as bad as she’d feared. Danielle took control of the ship and levelled out its approach over the city. She didn’t think she could give the man a flawless landing, but she could at least minimise injuries to the patient and anyone else in the city around him.

In pursuit, Black Dancer cocked her head. “Hey,” she addressed her teammates, “Does it look like he just changed course to you?” Before either Roy or Nimbus could reply, something unseen smashed into her back and slammed her into Roy’s bulky armour. The two careened out of control for a second while Nimbus watched confused.

“What’s wrong with you?” Roy barked back at the woman. “Are you nuts?!” He righted his flight path and unleashed a blast of hard radiation at her. Black Dancer’s armour protected her from the brunt of the blast but some of the radiation still penetrated, and she gave a shout of pain.

“It wasn’t me!” she protested. Black Dancer activated the infrared imaging in her visor and looked around herself desperately. “There!” She raised an arm at Invisible Kid’s hazy outline and shot an intense laser, barely missing the Legionnaire.

“You’re both hypermad,” Nimbus mocked her comrades. “Have fun going gaga, crazy people. I’m gonna keep chasing our alien buddy.” She accelerated, leaving behind a neon blue trail as she chased the vessel.

Jacques silently cursed. He hadn’t counted on Black Dancer having enhanced-spectrum vision capabilities, and Radiation Roy was far from the most intelligent enemy but he was sure to realise before too long why Dancer was firing lasers into the sky around them. Unless…Jacques remembered Joliet having called him fearless, but he knew this wasn’t the case. Absurdly reckless though? Certainly. His heart racing, he positioned himself directly in front of Radiation Roy. Angered as she was Black Dancer fired without thinking, and Jacques barely dodged her latest laser burst that instead burned a hole right through Roy’s crimson armour and loosened his helmet.

Roy bellowed more in surprise than pain as he levelled another shot at her, this time using both hands. As Jacques had hoped, Roy's sudden spike in temperature overloaded Black Dancer’s heat-imaging sensors. She was blinded and unable to dodge the massive amount of radiation bathing over her. Her own armour enhanced her natural strength and reflexes, but she'd sacrificed protection for ease of movement. Her visor cracked and Black Dancer screamed out in agony, covering her face with her hands as she toppled backwards in mid-air.

“Are you that much of an idiot?!” Dancer abused her teammate. “There’s someone else here, you moron! I was tracking him on IR before you ruined my HUD!” Roy’s radiation emissions seeped into her marrow now, she could feel a tingling heaviness fall over her. Not trusting that she’d be able to maintain her flight path safely, the ebon-garbed woman excused herself and dived down to find somewhere safe to land and recuperate.

Watching her, Radiation Roy shook his head inside his own bullet-shaped helmet. Crazy batwitch, he thought. Wait till we get back to Metropolis. Any revenge would have to wait though. If he didn’t finish off this alien, Earth-Man wouldn’t be happy…and nobody wanted to make Earth-Man unhappy. He zoomed off after Nimbus, Invisible Kid right alongside him.

**********
Kid Computo had found her safe landing place for the Somahturian’s wounded vessel, a place that ironically was created by one of the Judgement League themselves. She brought the medi-shuttle down in a crater caused by Celestine’s cosmic outburst only days before. In the sublevels of Neoabidjan, the small ship came to a crashing halt. Danielle flinched at the landing, though the vessel’s life support systems showed that the Somahturian was still intact. In her haste to get the Somahturian to safety, Danielle let her guard down and she paid the price for that with a massive blow to the back of her head as she descended after the ship. Stars exploded behind her eyes and she lost control of her flight ring momentarily, plunging toward the ruined parklands below. Resuscitated by the rushing winds, Kid Computo turned to face her assailant.

“Did you help this alien?” Nimbus asked the dark-skinned teenager. “You’re gonna get in a lot of trouble if you did.”

“Yeah, you’re real tough when you’re hitting me from behind,” Danielle grimaced. “You wanna try that to my face?” Her head was pounding, but she couldn’t let on to her attacker just how close she was to blacking out.

“Sassy!” Nimbus grinned wickedly. “Remember, you asked for this.” Her eyes narrowed, then widened in surprise. “What the sheck? Why’s my aura not responding?”

“Funny thing,” Danielle retorted. “That aura of yours isn’t a natural power, is it? You’ve got some kind of tech implanted in you. I’ve never come across anything like it before but I never met a cybernetic implant I didn’t like…and vice versa.” Nimbus railed ineffectively as Danielle co-opted the woman's glowing blue aura and held her frozen in place. Danielle continued her descent, dragging the furious Nimbus along with her. The two women landed beside the Somahturian’s shuttle and Danielle deactivated Nimbus’s aura entirely. While the blonde woman stared in shock at her exposed gloves, Danielle simply walked over and punched her right in the jaw. Though Nimbus dropped like a rock, Danielle immediately regretted it. She cradled her knuckles, wishing Dream Girl had told her that would hurt as much as it did when she was teaching her how to punch.

She sensed Radiation Roy’s approach, but not before he’d blasted her with his paralysing radiation. Danielle cried out and collapsed to the ground, in far too much pain to take over his armour’s functions as she had Nimbus’s implant. “Don’t know what the sprock you did to those two,” Roy growled, “But I think Earth-Man’s gonna want to speak to you, kid.” Danielle would have laughed if she could move. The idiot had no idea who she was out of costume!

Roy landed beside her and stooped down to pick her up. Before he could grab the prone girl, his helmet which was already clanking loosely suddenly snapped free from the rest of his armour and bashed the startled Leaguer across his bare head. As Radiation Roy collapsed, Jacques Foccart faded into view holding the large red helmet. “Are you harmed, ma soeur?” He tossed the helmet aside and crouched down by Danielle’s side.

Try as she might she couldn’t move a muscle to answer him, but it occurred to Danielle that her power still worked. Taking over the medi-shuttle’s PA system she boomed at him from the downed vessel. Jacques, I’m fine. I’m just paralysed, it’ll wear off. We need to get that poor Somahturian to safety before they wake up and call in backup.

“Of course.” He rushed to the door of the vessel and just before asking for it to be opened, twisted his flight ring a certain way. An electrostatic charge ran through his clothes and changed his garb to the famous costume of Invisible Kid. It was risky acting so openly, but Invisible Kid had a much better chance of obtaining this patient’s cooperation than Jacques Foccart. Jacques asked his sister to open the ship for him, and stepped through the threshold. Sure enough, the skinny white-skinned boy inside looked terrified but his terror quickly subsided when he recognised a member of the Legion of Superheroes. “All is well,” Jacques gave him a warm smile.

“You are safe now.”

**********
XANTHU
Aerie Headquarters of the Uncanny Amazers

Randall Burroughs phased through the dense wall of his team’s communications room, accompanied by the signature sizzling sound of his atomkinesis. The sounds of battle continued outside the room and he knew he didn’t have long to act. As Atom’x, he was one of the most powerful of Xanthu’s sanctioned defenders but he’d already seen their most powerful and experienced member fall before these invaders. If Atmos didn’t stand a chance then what hope did Atom'x have?

The slim youth opened a channel as quickly as he could and leaned over the comms console. “Mayday, mayday! This is Atom’x of the Uncanny Amazers, Xanthu is under attack, repeat Xanthu is under attack!” The room was illuminated by a golden glow directly behind him and Atom’x spun around to face the enemy. His hand was encompassed by an intense light with neon pink highlights as he readied an atomic blast and then Randall Burroughs' world froze.

“That’s all of them,” one of the invaders announced gruffly, coming closer to inspect his unmoving victim. Atom’x stood like a mannequin, bathed in a golden twinkling aura not of his own design. “Report to Warlord Galarr…we have taken Xanthu!”

Behind him, six Khund warriors of different pigmentation raised their weapons and gave a victorious roar.

...TO BE CONTINUED!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Invaders - 03/27/15 06:08 AM
Nice bit raz! The scene with Jo and Lu was wonderfully therapeutic. Loved seeing Jacques and Danielle in action and their family dynamics were amazing. And trouble on Xanthu... good seeing your version of Atom'x.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Invaders - 03/27/15 12:12 PM
Thanks, I had fun coming up with a family for them! smile You don't really see Legionnaires with normal siblings very often...

I am really glad you liked the Lu/Jo scene, things are gonna get more difficult for poor Lu before they get better I'm afraid!

And I actually don't really remember reading anything with Atom'x in it, so I hope I do him justice over the next couple of instalments smile
Posted By: razsolo GOLDEN KHUNDIA Part 1: A Woman's Secrets - 03/30/15 01:44 PM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Kid Computo, Invisible Kid and Infectious Lass entered the Legion of Superheroes’ revamped meeting room, most of the Legion having already taken seats to view the Science Police reports and long-range surveillance flashing and scrolling across screens all around them. Jacques Foccart had just finished relaying the story of the Somahturian patient he and his sister had returned to safe quarantine on Medicus One when he noticed his normally boisterous team were taking in the data around them with an uncommon reservedness. “Quoi?” Jacques mouthed in a hushed tone.

The screens projected around them flickered and vanished, though some Legionnaires watched further on individual desktop displays. Bouncing Boy addressed his team as Jacques, Danielle and Drura found their seats. “The Science Police have managed to keep panic from spreading, in large part thanks to Xanthu’s isolated location, but we’re not going to be that lucky for long. We know what the SP know. The Khunds have taken Xanthu and they’re threatening to expand their territory deeper into UP space. This is an open act of war, we don’t know how they’re holding the planet though. We’ve had no casualties reported from Xanthu, we’ve had no contact with the planet at all. This whole thing is very unlike the Khunds.”

“Maybe we should send the Espionage Squad in,” Chameleon Boy suggested. “We can gather information, formulate a plan of attack—“

“No.” Star Boy stood up to address his teammates. “We don’t have time for that. As near as we can figure, the Khunds took Xanthu in under an hour. If they could do that to my planet, we can’t give them the chance to do it to someone else’s. We need to go in there full force and take them down.”

Bouncing Boy’s hovering command pod came closer to Star Boy. “We can do both,” Chuck countered. “Thom, I want you to come up with the most strategic locations for us to liberate. While the majority of the team works towards that goal, the Espionage Squad can find out how the Khunds have done this so quickly and give us any info they can that will help us take down whoever’s in command.”

“Don’t worry Star Boy,” Elastic Lad volunteered cheerily. “With the whole Legion working together, we can accomplish anything! Your homeworld is as good as free!”

“Make no mistake,” Bouncing Boy announced. “Neither the Xanthu military or the Uncanny Amazers are pushovers. The Khunds managed not only to get to Xanthu unreported, but to take it over with no discernible opposition in a frighteningly short period of time. With Cosmic Boy and Night Girl on honeymoon leave we’re not at full strength ourselves…this isn’t going to be a walk in the park, guys. I’m fully expecting that we’ll take casualties over this, we’re gonna need to stay on top of our game to ensure those casualties aren’t permanent. And I refuse to allow another Elia,” he added soberly, referring to the Dominion homeworld’s destruction. Everybody present remembered very clearly what had happened the last time the Legion had involved themselves in a warlike race’s interference with an isolated UP world, and nobody had a retort for him.

“…Nice pep talk,” Matter-Eater Lad finally mumbled, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

Before Chuck could respond to this, the door to the room irised open and Duplicate Damsel rushed in with Ultra Boy right behind her. “Welcome back, honey.” Chuck gave his wife a weary half-smile. “I’m glad you two made it home from Verganus IV so quickly. I hate to do this to the two of you but we need you both for another mission.”

“Chuck!” Luornu exclaimed breathlessly. “There’s something you need to know.”

“Can you tell me on the way?” Bouncing Boy’s pod lowered to the floor and he stepped out, placing an arm around his wife’s waist. “Let’s go guys, time is of the essence.”

“No, Chuck. Listen to me.” Luornu stood her ground, removing his arm. He noticed now that her eyes were bloodshot, as though she’d been crying. “There’s something…there’s something I need to tell you. Sweet trinity, I’m so sorry.”

“Honey?” Chuck pushed the team’s mission to the back of his mind and rubbed her bare shoulder lovingly. “Lu, what is it?”

“Ultra Boy and I tapped into the meeting room’s feed while we were on the way home, I know what’s happened. Chuck, the Khunds discovered some kind of secret energy source…something that’s revolutionised a weapon they’ve been working on.”

“What? How do you know that?” Bouncing Boy asked.

“I…” Luornu couldn’t look her husband in the eye, but when she tried to find somewhere else to cast her gaze she just found one more person in a room full of friends and allies she knew she’d betrayed. “You asked me to keep an eye on the Oversight Watch, remember?” she asked, looking at the floor.

“I’m confused, what do they have to do with this?” Chuck answered.

“Mandalla’s last report was a couple of weeks ago…the Oversight Watch picked up from Khund comms traffic that they’d found some kind of unique energy source…from what I gather, it’s something that excited the higher levels of Khund government, something they saw as a game-changer in their relations with the UP. Whatever they found, they took to Khundia immediately. The Oversight Watch were going there themselves to investigate more closely, and that was the last I’ve heard from them. I even checked again on the way here to make sure.”

Some of the Legionnaires spoke now in hushed tones amongst themselves, though Chuck was having difficulty formulating a response himself.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Star Boy asked abruptly. “You knew this could have wide-spanning consequences for the United Planets, why wouldn’t you say something?”

“Star Boy, I’m so sorry…” She gave Thom an imploring look, and had to turn away when she saw his barely concealed anger. Luornu eyed some of her oldest friends and her heart sunk. Ultra Boy’s open pity, Phantom Girl’s confusion, her own husband’s sad lack of understanding, each face was like a dagger in her breast. “…I thought the Oversight Watch could handle it themselves,” she explained weakly.

“Well it looks like they couldn’t,” Star Boy said curtly, “And now my planet’s paid the price.”

“You say whatever this is, it’s on Khundia?” Bouncing Boy asked his wife in as normal a tone as he could muster.

“That’s right,” Luornu nodded. “Chuck, I—“

“And it’s unique,” he interrupted her. “Okay. Here’s what we’re going to do.” He turned from his wife to face the rest of his team. “Luornu and I will take a team to Khundia to find out what this great discovery is, and hopefully to save the Oversight Watch from whatever idiocy they’ve implicated themselves in…assuming they’re still alive.” Despite himself, he couldn’t help casting a bitter glance back at Duplicate Damsel as he thought of his former students Mandalla and Power Boy at the mercy of the most feared warriors in the galaxy.

“But you’re our leader and she’s our deputy leader,” Wildfire complained. “You can’t both go!”

“Star Boy’s in command of the rest of the team,” Bouncing Boy decreed. “Are you okay with that, Thom?” Star Boy nodded grimly.

“Bouncing Boy,” Element Lad stepped forward. “For both the leader and deputy leader of the Legion to launch a mission into the heart of the Khund Empire…the diplomatic consequences—“

“We’re a bit beyond diplomacy now, Jan.” Bouncing Boy laughed, but there was nothing at all light-hearted about it. "Invisible Kid, Phantom Girl, Ultra Boy, Wildfire, Dawnstar, Brainiac…congratulations, you’re coming to Khundia. Thom, you’ve got everybody else. Good luck, team.” He stomped out of the room, his hand-picked teammates following close behind.

Brainiac 5 was the last to leave the room, and Supergirl could tell from the Coluan’s expression that he didn’t calculate a high likelihood of success for this mission. Kara knew she had a tendency to underestimate the Legion’s challenges and it was something she’d been working on, but looking at her teammates now…Infectious Lass and Kid Computo staring fearfully after Invisible Kid, Timber Wolf brooding sourly alone…

…All of this made her truly wonder if she’d just watched some of her friends leave for the last time.
Wow. Way to up the stakes, raz! Now I am very much excited to see what happens next.
Posted By: Omni Re: GOLDEN KHUNDIA Part 1: A Woman's Secrets - 03/30/15 10:50 PM
Really liked the homes scenes for Invisible Kid and Kid Computo.

Great job Raz. i'm excited to see what the Legion finds.

I hope Kara's fears are just that and we see everyone come out of this alive.

keep it coming.
Posted By: razsolo Re: GOLDEN KHUNDIA Part 1: A Woman's Secrets - 04/07/15 12:00 PM
Thanks folks! I'm glad you liked the Foccart family scenes as well Omni, like I said it was fun coming up with a family for Jacques and Danielle smile

Next: surprise appearance from one of the most unexpected Legionnaires of all maybe? And of course high stakes laugh
XANTHU'S SECOND MOON
Dark side of the satellite's surface

28 members of the Legion of Superheroes were crammed into one cruiser on Xanthu's second moon Aiio, all of them devoting their full attention to their appointed commander Thom Kallor. The bearded hero also called Star Boy hadn't been responsible for so many Legionnaires before, nor had he directed a mission so vitally important. Calling on discipline he'd learned long ago in Xanthu's military, Thom tried to concentrate solely on the task at hand. With Color Kid camouflaging their vessel against the moon's surface and Kid Computo preventing any sensor sweeps from picking them up, the Legion had managed to get this far unchecked. It was certainly a surreal experience knowing that Khund warships patrolled Xanthu and its twin moons right now while the Legion plotted right under their noses, and Star Boy was very aware of the potential danger they all risked by being here.

"Mon-El, Supergirl, Sun Boy, Polar Boy, Element Lad...you all know your squad targets?" Star Boy addressed his hastily appointed lieutenants. "It's crucial that the Khunds are occupied across as many different fronts as possible so that my team can find the Uncanny Amazers and work together to take the fight to whoever's in charge of this fleet." Thom tried not to think about the very real possibility that his world's defenders might not even be alive, let alone in any condition to assist with their planet's liberation.

Mon-El spoke for them all. "Shady, Ayla, Quislet and myself can take care of the ships in orbit. Everyone else has their objective. We're ready to do this when you are, Star Boy."

Thom looked at his lover for reassurance, and Nura gave him a slight nod. "I'm ready," Star Boy lied. He wished once again that Bouncing Boy hadn't left him in control of nearly the entire team like this, but he wouldn't let his world down. "Let's go, Legion!"

**********
The largest conglomerate of Legionnaires made their way to Xanthu's capital city alongside Star Boy. There were nine of them in all; Kid Computo, Chameleon Boy, Shrinking Violet, Stone Boy, Dream Girl, Tellus, Matter-Eater Lad, Light Lad and of course Thom himself. Replicating the form of a Jaquaan Sky Floater, Chameleon Boy kept his teammates obscured from view inside his enormous balloon-like interior. The Sky Floater's color-changing outer membrane kept the team hidden even better than Color Kid's earlier efforts had done. Once the enormous airborne invertebrate desended low enough beneath Xanth City's forest of elongated spires and mushroom-shaped towers, Cham released his friends and took the form of a native bird to fly alongside the similarly diminutive Shrinking Violet.

"It's weird that the skies are so empty, right?" Light Lad asked.

"It's not just the skies," Kid Computo volunteered. "A lot of the local networks which should be in place are just...not there. I can't explain it, there are giant holes in my awareness that should only be there if all systems in the area have been damaged beyond repair."

"There is some damage," Star Boy observed, "But not as much as you'd expect for a planetary invasion, and definitely not the extent of damage you're describing. Can you find out what happened to the Amazers?"

"I can guess," she answered, pointing to a nearby rooftop. Seven Xanthui men and women in military garb seemed posed there next to a smoking vessel. Their weapons were drawn and judging by the expression on their faces they'd been interrupted mid-assault. As the Legionnaires grew closer, they saw that the soldiers were surrounded by a twinkling golden glow.

A clearly worried Dream Girl looked across at Star Boy. "Thom, do you think..?"

"It has to be," he groaned. "A quantum field."

"Wait a nano," Matter-Eater Lad spoke up. "I know that Quantum Avenger kid was working with the Khunds, but they couldn't possibly have the resources to mass-produce his tech...could they?"

Light Lad raised a hand almost timidly. "Uhh, guys..? I feel like I'm meant to know who the Quantum Avenger is..?"

Shrinking Violet shot a look of mocking disapproval at the lanky Winathian. "Maybe a little less canoodling with Ayla and a little more reading up on our enemies is called for, Light Lad." Darvan blushed a deep red.

"He and his sister used to be in the Uncanny Amazers," Stone Boy explained helpfully. "He blames Star Boy for his sister's death and he took his quantum belt technology to the Khunds to get revenge."

Kid Computo was incredulous. "How do you know any of that? You only joined the Legion like five minutes ago!"

"I read up on our enemies," Stone Boy shrugged simply.

The Legion had now landed by the frozen soldiers, and Dream Girl circled them slowly as she analysed them. "It's definitely a quantum stasis field," she announced, omnicom in hand. "Which means they're alive, thank the stars. But without constant reinforcement this effect should wear off after a very short time so I don't know how they're still suspended like this. Darn it, I wish Bouncing Boy hadn't taken Brainy on that insane errand to Khundia, we need him here -- ohh..." Her eyes rolled back in her head and Nura Nal collapsed. Before she could hurt herself, Tellus used his telekinesis to lower the glamorous heroine gently to the ground.

Dream Girl was out for several seconds before her eyelids fluttered and she sat up. "Thank you Tellus," she said sleepily, her own power having foreseen his assistance. She looked up at Star Boy. "Thom, you're not going to like this but you'll have to rescue the Uncanny Amazers without me."

"What?" Star Boy recoiled in shock. "Why??"

With a casual air that some of her teammates found infuriating, Dream Girl stood and brushed herself down. She ensured that not a particle of dirt sullied her bronzed skin or her chrome costume and that not a single platinum hair was out of place before she answered. "I've seen that you're going to successfully rescue all of the Amazers," she finally explained, "But there's one more person who needs to help us if we're going to release Xanthu from Khund occupation.

...I need to free the Quantum Avenger."

**********
KHUNDIA PRIME
Dharakkia Nor Challenge Court

Dev-Em met his enemy's baleful glare across a blood-stained arena strewn with the battered bodies of his Oversight Watch comrades. 89, Makkia Vei, Ron-Karr, Mandalla and Dev-Em's lover Power Boy had already fallen before their foe. The Kryptonian Dev-Em was the Watch's only hope of getting through this alive, and after a week of constant violence under a perpetual solar eclipse even he was struggling.

The Oversight Watch had come here weeks ago to investigate a mysterious energy source they'd learned the Khunds had in their possession. The team had somehow been discovered despite all of 89's best efforts and most of them were beaten to within an inch of their lives. It was only Makkia Vei's silver tongue that convinced the Khunds that rather than killing them all on the spot, the Oversight Watch should fight for their lives in Khundia's infamous Challenge Courts. She also induced the Khunds to let the team heal first, but even her persuasive abilities had their limits. The Watch had been given a week to recover, a week which now felt like it had been a hundred years ago.

Steeling himself, Dev-Em charged the enormous yellow Khund on the other side of the arena while the monster's supporters filled the air with their bloodthirsty roars. The Oversight Watch had faced many many Khunds over these past sunless days, but none like this one. The hulking behemoth named Bloodclaw was over seven feet tall. His sneering face was framed by a mane of orange hair, and he wore a skintight red and black bodysuit which highlighted every inch of his overdeveloped physique. Bloodclaw was strong, but it wasn't so much his strength which bothered Dev. It was the cybernetic clawed hands which now prepared to slash the Kryptonian. Dev didn't know how Bloodclaw's talons were able to rake his flesh; even without direct access to the sunlight which fuelled his powers Dev-Em was still incalculably more durable than any of the Khunds who had fallen victim to Bloodclaw in the past. The beast's claws shouldn't have been able to tear more than his outfit, but the gashes in Dev's abdomen and arms told a different story. At the last possible instant before striking his target, Dev-Em stopped dead in the air. Bloodclaw sliced at the empty space between them, giving Dev-Em the chance he'd been waiting for. He grabbed Bloodclaw's arm and trained his heat vision on the Khund's prosthetic wrist. The metal there grew red and soon enough two thin red beams began to sear their way through it. "Your claws might be tough," Dev glowered, "But they're not indestructible."

In response the juggernaut bellowed a Khundish curse and swiped at Dev-Em's exposed throat with his free hand. Kryptonian reflexes saved Dev-Em from having his jugular ripped out, but he still sustained a powerful blow to the jaw. He grunted in pain and reeled backwards, the crowd erupting into a frenzy around them. Bloodclaw didn't waste the opportunity, pouncing on his foe and landing strike after strike. Dev-Em fought back as hard as he could but he was too exhausted, too worn down. Covered in his own blood, his costume, in tatters, he lay on his back and squinted at the Khund. He was seeing double, but Dev-Em knew if he died that Power Boy would be next. With one more defiant cry, he unleashed the last of his vitality in a burst of heat vision which sadly missed the behemoth entirely.

"Don't feel so bad," Bloodclaw grimaced, blood-matted hair falling down over his beady black eyes. "You were a worthy combatant but you never had a chance." He raised his arm for one final lethal slash, and was immediately pummelled several feet back by a wide blast of energy from above.

"Funny," Wildfire descended, anti-energy seeping from beneath his gauntlets and boots. "I was about to say the same to you, Chuckles."

Bloodclaw's lips curled back in rage. He crouched to leap at the Legionnaire when Phantom Girl suddenly came out of the ground beneath him and reached inside one of his massive clawed hands. She retracted her own hand and Bloodclaw's back arched as he released an agonised howl and collapsed. "Hey Brainy!" Tinya called out. "You were right about the bio-electric feedback when I yanked that neural coupling!"

"Of course I was right," Brainiac 5 replied coolly without looking up from his omnicom. He too descended behind Wildfire along with Dawnstar, Duplicate Damsel, Invisible Kid, Ultra Boy and Bouncing Boy. The Coluan hypergenius had effortlessly bypassed Khund firewalls to drop the forcefield surrounding the arena long enough for the Legionnaires to enter, and just as easily he now made sure it was back in place to protect them from the rioting crowd.

Bouncing Boy kneeled by Dev-Em's side and called Brainiac 5 over to examine him. "You can thank Dawnstar for finding you all as quickly as she did," Chuck muttered. "And you'd better believe you're all going to have some explaining to do."

Anything else the Legion's leader had to say was lost on Dev-Em as the Kryptonian finally surrendered to blissful oblivion.
The gang's all here! I think the fulfillment of the "Star Boy rehabilitating James Cullen" story is about to happen, huh? As always, looking forward to more!
Hey Raz,

My turn to play catch up smile

And it's an absolute joy.

Chucks floating chair sounds precarious, I'm glad it's him and not me in it. And it's not only him that Grava's speech flummox's, me two smile The Century Bloom sounds like something straight out of the 70's and it's very welcome to see a small team on diplomatic duties though Lu and Jo together - with Lu's unfounded paranoia and Jo's very real concerns - this can only spell trouble!

The change of name to the Judgement League is very ominous... so they are setting themselselves up to be above the populace then, what a terrifying thought. I really enjoy reading your interpretation of their personalities and how they don't look out for civilians or each other for the most part - that's very telling of what sort of person is involved, if we needed any confirmation of how scary theyu could be. And this is the team Earth Gov has funded to replace the Legion? There's got to be a show down coming soon as I imagine the general population wouldn't stand for them for too long. Sprint and Red Crow are very immediately interesting, though I'm curious about Fundamental too, for some reason I picture looking like Count Nefaria. The poor girl who just needed her medication creating the golems was never going to survive though I hoped that somehow the League would see her potential and somehow get her under their control so keep her alive.

Really nice to introduce Jacques and Danielles family, especially as he always came across as an 'everyman' character. The sister Joliet not approving of the 'alien' was a worry though. If a sister of a Legionnaire thinks like that then I can only imagine jow the general population has been brainwashed. Scary concept!

Excellent soap opera misunderstanding moment between Lu and jo, and his reaction was perfect, welldone for having him sort her out so succinctly as it could have dragged on and create even bigger problems.

Clever Jacques getting the villains to fight each other though I imagine Radiation Roy and Black Dancers little tete-a-tete will no doubt have reprecussions.

And so straight on to Xanthu - *phew* you don't let us catch our breath! Your pacing is electric!

Chuck's decision to split the team into two to deal with the threat the Khunds pose is understandable though I do worry that all the eggs are in the same basket, so to speak. If they don't suceed there's no-one left to save the day - all or nothing kind of gambits are great for amping up the tension. Kara's concerns added nicely to the feeling of foreboding.

Thom'sconcerns about leading the group fit perfectly with canon, he was never going to be team leader though was a dependable soldier. Nice use of both Ulu and Reep to keep the team hidden, these subtle uses are always great to read.

The conversation between Vi, Light Lad and Stone Boy was a welcome moment of comic relief hough Nura's announcement came out of leftfield as surely James would bethe last person to help?

Bloodclaw!!! Oh god, so long as he doesn't face Pol'scorpse he'll be invincable smile Though him managing to hurt Dev Em is quite worrying. The Legion announcing temselves to the Khunds like that is a risky strategy so I hope they all manage to survive this.

Of all the fanfics here (mine definitely included) your stories feel the most fully realised Raz, and that's not to put anyone else's down as there are some sterling pieces of work here in Bits. Your universe is so well rounded and complete it's amazing to read, like a free top quality comic! Looking forward to more, more, more!
IB: you have good instincts, I am definitely gonna touch on James' foretold rehabilitation....hopefully y'all like where it goes!

Harbi: Good call on the Judgement League name change and I am stoked that you saw a bit of Count Nefaria in Fundament as that's exactly the kind of character I was shooting for laugh

Bloodclaw was actually a last minute addition, I was originally gonna have Dev go up against a random Khund & just before I wrote it up I figured it might be fun to tweak one of the guys from 5YL days...he was still taken down by a phantom in a manner of speaking I guess wink

Thanks so much for the awesome kudos! I love reading all the stuff you guys put out here as well, it's really cool seeing when some of the themes or characters overlap and where everyone takes things in different directions!
Love the rescue Raz. that battle was brutal and Dev-em was a real trooper.

Bloodclaw is vicious! i wonder how did his talon's slice a Kryptonian?

they have Quantum tec on that level? wow. that's amazing and now they have to rescue the Quantum Avenger? But i wonder if they got it from James or somewhere/someone else?

This is definitely going to be a bumpy ride.

can't wait for more!
Glad you liked Dev-Em's last hurrah! You guys are about to get some answers with a quickness!

Next instalment is hella long but packed with EXCITING ACTION laugh
Posted By: razsolo GOLDEN KHUNDIA Part 3: Quantum Entanglements - 04/20/15 12:24 PM
XANTHU
Xanth City, Aerie Headquarters of the Uncanny Amazers

Like much of the densely populated west coast of Xanthu's largest continent, Xanth City was an area prone to extreme weather and high floods. It had been this way for centuries, the result of short-sighted industrialisation strategies which had severely damaged the world's biosphere. 31st century technology had come some way in repairing damage once considered irreparable, but progress was slow and the Xanthui people had found other ways to live with the mistakes of their past.

Almost all of the buildings of Xanth City were towers hundreds of feet high, elongating into slender spires that pierced the skies or absurd stalks which blossomed into mushroom-shaped canopies. The Uncanny Amazers' Aerie fell into the latter category, and it was under the protective shade of the building's mushroom top where five Legionnaires now hovered waiting for the opportunity to move.

Chameleon Boy, Stone Boy, Star Boy and Shrinking Violet watched Kid Computo, the African girl's face set in placid concentration. "The other teams have made their move," Danielle Foccart reported. "The Khunds are mobilising like crazy, I think we've got them as distracted as they're gonna be."

Star Boy took a deep breath. Dream Girl had taken Matter-Eater Lad, Tellus and Light Lad on her own private mission and Thom had been preoccupied with thoughts of Nura's safety even while he'd instructed Kid Computo to monitor their enemies' communications. He needed to put those thoughts out of his mind now though. Nura may have predicted that Star Boy's squad would succeed but even with that guarantee in place he couldn't afford distraction. "You're sure the Amazers are here?" he asked Danielle. "They haven't been relocated?"

"Positive," she nodded. "Two floors above us in the trophy room. This Warlord Galarr has a pretty twisted sense of humor I guess."

"Keeping them as live trophies in their own headquarters?" Thom rejoined. "I'd call that arrogance and it's going to be his undoing. Everybody ready? Let's do this." Star Boy gestured at a section of the plasteel structure adjacent to them and an aura of dark air surrounded his white-gloved hands. That part of the building was enveloped in the same effect before it swiftly ripped itself apart from the rest of the base. Too heavy to retain its own integrity, tons of the structure plummeted to the ground far below. A handful of surprised Khunds followed, and the Legionnaires acted quickly to stop the men from falling to their death. Chameleon Boy took the form of an asteroid-dwelling cephalopod, tendrils as thick as tree trunks snatching the warriors out of the sky. With his own power in full effect, Stone Boy was strong enough to grab another two. The Legionnaires flung their foes at an automated cleaning apparatus Danielle had hijacked in preparation, and her cyberempathy turned the device's hose into a makeshift restraint to keep them there.

"Straggler." Three inches high, Shrinking Violet hovered by Kid Computo's cheek. Danielle followed her tiny teammate's pointed arm to see that one of the Khunds had somehow managed to evade Cham and Stone Boy, and that he'd raised an arm-mounted plasma cannon while his gravpack manouvred him almost silently into position.

"Thanks," Kid Computo answered lightly as she took control of the yellow man's gravpack and sent him charging into the tower hard enough to knock him out. He slumped to the cleaning platform along where his comrades still struggled for freedom.

Taking his cue to act, Stone Boy shot up through the ragged hole Star Boy's power had created in the Amazers' base. Like a human missile he bowled over several Khunds who had come to investigate the cause of the alarm now screaming through the building. Those who remained conscious after Dag Wentim's cannonball run were quickly taken down by Star Boy, Chameleon Boy and Shrinking Violet who followed in his wake. Finally, Kid Computo prevented any of the Khunds from using their lethally offensive cybernetic weapons or the quantum fields many of them now wielded.

Star Boy's team were far from the most powerful Legionnaires, but the element of surprise combined with years of combined experience led them to the trophy room where the Amazers were being held without a single casualty among their own. Kid Computo's power opened the final door barring their way, and Star Boy dropped the three muscular Khunds on the other side the instant he laid eyes on them. Danielle closed the door behind them, ensuring that they were safely locked inside. On a pedestal in the centre of the room, a battle-scarred team of Amazers posed in mid-movement. "Uh, Star Boy?" Stone Boy asked. "I know Dream Girl said we were going to rescue these guys but well...how are we going to do that exactly?" He waved a stone hand in front of the unflinching face of Insect Queen. She, Atmos, Atom'x and the aptly named Monstress were all enveloped in a golden stasis field.

"Danielle?" Star Boy turned to Kid Computo.

"The stasis field isn't actively being kept in place by anything mechanical," she reasoned, "But I've got an idea. Can someone prop up a Khund for me? I think I can co-opt one of their quantum field generators, but they need to be facing their target."

Having fallen victim to Star Boy's power, the Khunds were so heavy that it took Stone Boy and Chameleon Boy's combined efforts to heft one of them even partially off the ground. Danielle took a moment to familiarise herself with the equipment, then hoping for the best she activated it. The glow surrounding the Amazers wavered and was abruptly gone. The four Xanthui heroes stumbled forward, each of them completing whatever task they'd been in the midst of when they'd been frozen. "Thom Kallor..?" Atmos glared suspiciously at Star Boy and the other Legionnaires. "Where are we? What happened to the Khunds?"

"We have to move quickly," Star Boy deflected as he made his way toward the trophy room's door. "Come on, we'll explain along the way."

"Star Boy!" Kid Computo's eyes widened and she threw herself at the bearded hero. "Look out!"

The warning came too late, as the door exploded inwards and bowled both of them over. Star Boy's head reeled and a high-pitched whine filled his ears. He forced himself to focus and quickly evaluated his team and the Amazers. Stone Boy had inadvertantly shielded both Shrinking Violet and Chameleon Boy and Atmos and Monstress had provided the same defence for their own teammates. Danielle however had saved Thom at her own expense, she lay motionless some feet away with a disturbingly large gash across her forehead. Thom found himself unable to draw breath until he saw Danielle do so herself. She's alive, he thought with a palpable sense of relief.

"I'm pleased that my grand entrance didn't kill any of you," an enormous pink Khund boomed from what remained of the doorway. He was almost as large as Monstress herself, a deep blue cloak falling from massive spiked eppaulettes. "Seeing your work here today I know you're going to be very useful to my new empire, Legionnaires."

"Who in seven hells do you think you are to attack the Uncanny Amazers in our own base?!" Atmos roared at the intruder.

"Yes, you should know the name of your new master," the hyper-muscular Khund cracked his knuckles.

"I am Warlord Galarr...and it's time for you all to be broken in."

**********
In the shattered hull of a Xanthui military vessel they'd found in decaying planetary orbit, four more Legionnaires now floated silently over the planet's equatorial island belt below. They were within visual range of their target, the damaged satellite infirmary called Med-Ring 1. How are you holding up, Tellus? Dream Girl asked her Hykraian comrade via the telepathic earplugs she, Light Lad and Matter-Eater Lad all wore to communicate in the vacuum of space.

It is not such a burden, Tellus replied. His own psychic voice always seemed warmer than the impersonal tone the telepathic earplugs carried. It was clever of you to make use of my telekinesis to drift this wreckage closer to our goal, Dream Girl.

We couldn't risk powering it up and being discovered,
Dream Girl pointed out. Even though the Khunds no doubt have other things to concern themselves with right now, anything we can do to help us fly under the radar is only going to help us.As if to accentuate Dream Girl's statement, the Legionnaires saw Khund warships dozens of kilometres distant flare up in soundless explosions as they fell victim to the powers of Mon-El, Lightning Lass and Quislet. A blanket of stars no longer appeared in the void, blotted out by the preternatural darkness of Shadow Lass as she claimed more of the ships. Dream Girl knew the time to act was now. They couldn't guarantee that the fighting wouldn't stray dangerously close to them and the Legionnaires were going to have a difficult enough time convincing James Cullen to aid the Legion of Superheroes against his Khund allies without having to avoid friendly fire simultaneously. She directed Tellus toward the medical satellite and once they were close enough the quartet abandoned their ship so Tellus could send it hurtling into an unoccupied storage wing. Following in the wake of the destruction, the heroes quickly entered the satellite's gaping wound. Tellus summoned his power again to protect them from the deadly storm of debris which vomited forth into space and almost immediately the infirmary's own emergency forcefield restored integrity.

Over there,
Dream Girl gestured. Two Khunds are going to come through that door any second now. Right on cue, the door irised open and two musclebound pink cyborgs entered.

Let me handle these two, Tellus. Light Lad floated forward and pointed his own arm at the warriors. You've done more than enough already. The Khunds bellowed something in their own language and began to charge the heroes before careening into the ceiling. Just as unexpectedly they smashed into the floor, and the whole painful process repeated itself until they finally surrendered their consciousness seconds later.

"Hmm," Dream Girl spoke out loud, realising the oxygen levels in the room had already replenished. "I'd hoped we could keep at least one of them awake. We still need to find James Cullen and we can't afford a protracted battle in a medical facility while we search level to level."

We may not need to search. Tellus replied telepathically, having neglected to switch to the voice modulator he felt less comfortable utilising. The Khunds are almost wholly driven by aggression and the need to dominate. Their minds are very different to anything I've encountered among the sentients of the United Planets, and outside of this room I sense almost nothing but Khund minds.

"Almost..?" Light Lad ventured.

There is one mind, Tellus elaborated. One mind projecting so much righteous indignation that it is a tidal swell drowning out every other psyche around it. It is angry, but it is unmistakably not a Khund.

"Then that must be our Quantum Avenger!" Matter-Eater Lad snapped his fingers. "Nice deducting, big guy! Maybe I'd better munch us a path into the servo access tunnels though. What do you say, boss-lady?"

"Those tunnels are so dark and dingy," Nura Nal screwed up her nose. "I think you're right though, Tenzil...I don't doubt our skills but there's no need to fight our way through a satellite full of Khunds if we don't need to, and I'd say we've well and truly lost any element of surprise."

"Wait a nano," Light Lad interrupted. "Tellus, you said that almost every other mind outside this room is a Khund? But this is a medical facility...a hospital. It must have been full of staff and patients when the Khunds boarded..."

"It's best not to dwell on it." Dream Girl touched Darvan's bare shoulder gently, though it was the coldness in her eyes that told him why she'd advised that.

"...Oh." Darvan Locke felt an immense surge of shock and sadness. He'd been told that the Khunds didn't value medicine, that they recognised sickness only as weakness, but until now he'd not really considered what that meant.

"Come on, pal." Matter-Eater Lad slapped Darvan on his other shoulder. "Dreamy's right, focus on what we can do to help, not on what we couldn't." The four made their way to a nearby wall, even the normally upbeat Tenzil Kem more somber than usual.

Once they were in the tunnels, Tellus collapsed a section behind them to hide their trail. It was an uncomfortably snug fit for the Hykraian in particular, and he had to actively focus his will to suppress any emanation of distress that might influence his friends. As the other three Legionnaires were still wearing their telepathic earplugs, Matter-Eater Lad took the opportunity to have a private aside with the woman who'd brought them all here. Dreamy? he asked, Have you given any thought to how we're going to get the Quantum Crackpot on side? Going by that time he tried to kill us, I don't remember him being the friendliest kid in the galaxy...and speaking from personal experience, it takes a little while longer than he's been locked away here for Mr Sanity to come leasing skull space again...

Nura recalled Tenzil's bout with insanity several years ago. It wasn't a period of their lives she liked to think about, but she was one of the few Legionnaires who had an intimate knowledge of what that time had really turned him into. It also meant that as glib as he might come across, he knew exactly what he was talking about. I don't know, she admitted. I'm sorry Tenzil, I wish I had an answer but all I know is what I dreamed. I can't tell you why James Cullen will help us or how we're going to make it happen, but it's vitally important that it does happen.

Great,
he poked his tongue out at her. As long as we've got a plan then.

Despite the circumstances, Dream Girl smirked. She was glad Matter-Eater Lad had volunteered to accompany her. Tellus and Light Lad were both capable enough, but they didn't make her smile. Distracted, she didn't notice that Tellus had ceased moving until she walked head first into his clammy side. "Ow...Tellus, why did you stop?" She hoped against hope that the Hykraian hadn't registered her momentary shudder of revulsion upon touching his bumpy flesh.

We have arrived, Tellus explained. The Quantum Avenger is behind this panel, along with at least two Khunds. I apologise that I am unable to discern more from here. These tunnels are extremely stifling...if I am to be honest, I am finding it quite...difficult...to retain my composure.

"Well then," Nura smiled with a mischievous glint in her eye, "Let's make our second dramatic entrance for the day."

Tellus used his telekinesis once more to explode the wall outwards. His pods blanched in shock when he saw that there were actually three Khunds in the room and all three were ready for them. Reacting faster than he'd have given himself credit for, Tellus spread himself out to shield his friends and ensured that only he fell victim to the golden stasis field which was meant for all of them.

"Tellus!" Leaping into action, Light Lad swung an arm across at two of the Khunds who'd been standing together. Darvan repeated his earlier attack and after bouncing from the ceiling to the floor a few times they too were knocked out as his earlier victims had been.

Meanwhile, Matter-Eater Lad and Dream Girl charged the remaining man together. It was this Khund who was responsible for Tellus' current plight, and without missing a beat he turned his attention to the flying duo. At the right moment, Nura signalled Tenzil and the two Legionnaires split so that their bellowing assailant's quantum stasis field hit neither one of them. "That's a nice targetting visor you've got there," Tenzil complimented the chunky wraparound device covering half the Khund's face. "I bet that's how you knew we were coming through that wall, right?" He took a bite out of the visor, sparks flying while the Khund shouted in defiance and struck out blindly. "Yup!" The Bismollian hero swallowed a mouthful of circuitry, glass and plasteel. "Tastes like infrared sensor to me!"

With his vision taken from him, the Khund had no way to defend himself when Dream Girl grabbed the nearest large piece of debris and with the help of her flight ring slammed it and him through a console of delicate medical equipment. She dusted off her hands and began to ask where the Quantum Avenger was when she realised Light Lad and Matter-Eater Lad were looking right at him. He was suspended in an elaborate harness on the far wall, spread-eagled and struggling. There was something decidedly not right about this picture, Dream Girl noted. The boy was bruised and bleeding, his uniform in tatters. He was muzzled and the Legionnaires couldn't understand what he was muttering at them, but there was something in his wild brown eyes Nura had not expected to see. Relief. Nura let Light Lad deal with the remaining Khund while she stood before the boy for a moment, her arms crossed. If James Cullen had access to his powers, surely he would have used them already. "Tenzil," Dream Girl instructed, "Let him speak." Matter-Eater Lad chewed at the strap binding James' muzzle to the contraption he was in, and the Xanthui boy took a grateful gulp of air.

"What have we interrupted?" Dream Girl asked suspiciously. "Were they enhancing your quantum tech?"

"They were torturing me," he gasped. "Because I wouldn't help them take over my world...not after I discovered their secret."

"Secret?" Nura came closer. "What secret..?"

James Cullen met Dream Girl's examining gaze with one of renewed determination.

"The secret that will lead to my sister's salvation."

**********
KHUNDIA PRIME
Dharakkia Ohhr

Like most of the colonised worlds and satellites of the star system which had originally birthed the Khund race, Khundia Prime's Challenge Courts and Megalopoleis were all built on the carcasses of her ancient civilisation's original cities. Khunds differentiated between the older and newer versions of their cities by virtue of the terms Nor and Ohhr. Nor literally meant New, and signified the living world they all moved in daily; Ohhr was a term difficult to translate into Interlac, but which more or less referred to the disgraced dead. Dharakkia Ohhr was a dark crushed shell of a city filled with clambering beasts and Khunds who'd been ejected from their society without even the honour of a warrior's death. Fourteen heroes far from their United Planets homes took refuge in this despised graveyard now while the finest hunters of Khundia Prime searched for them in every nook and cranny of Dharakkia Nor above.

"You're sure the Khunds won't come down here looking for us?" Bouncing Boy asked, casting an eye toward the city which bustled barely a mile overhead. Around him, his teammates in the Legion of Superheroes attended the injured Oversight Watch members whose lives they'd saved fifteen minutes ago.

"I may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound," Makkia Vei grimaced while the Kryptonian Dev-Em knitted himself together under a yellow sun lamp by her side, "But I know psychology. Trust me, any self-respecting Khund would be disgusted with themselves if they even considered looking for us down here. Dharakkia Ohhr will be the absolute last place they think to investigate."

Bouncing Boy brooded, pacing back and forth in the ancient training arena where they'd sought shelter. The arena was old enough that it predated forcefield technology, and a cracked ceiling hid the glow of the fire Ultra Boy had started to provide light and warmth for those who needed it. The Legion had brought fully equipped field triage kits with them, but even so it was going to take another half hour for the Oversight Watch to be recovered enough to move on their own. Plenty of time for Chuck to dwell on the actions which had brought the Legion here, and on his own recklessness for putting them all in this situation. Ultra Boy, Wildfire, Phantom Girl, Invisible Kid, Brainiac 5, Dawnstar, none of them had said it, but they all knew he'd not made the best decision bringing them all here. Then again, if his wife hadn't made her own poor decision to begin with then Chuck wouldn't have been placed in this position. He looked across at Duplicate Damsel with conflicted emotion.

"Chuck...Chuck, we need to talk." Luornu Durgo Taine approached her husband timidly.

"Damn right we need to talk, Lu." She had never heard this tone in his voice before. "I don't think this is really the time or place though, do you?"

Applying a regenerative cast to Ron-Karr, Phantom Girl overheard the married couple. She opened her mouth to interject but a silent look from Ultra Boy told her she needed to let Chuck and Luornu deal with whatever this was themselves. She made a mental note to discuss it with Jo later, but trusted his judgement and returned to helping Ron-Karr.

"Maybe you're right," Luornu answered Chuck bitterly. "But when will it be the right time or place?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Chuck snapped.

"Nothing." Her cheeks flushed, Luornu stormed away from the group. "Forget I said anything."

Chuck watched his wife walk away, then turned back to the rest of the combined group. Brainiac 5, bless him, was completely disinterested in anything other than providing the appropriate medical care to the Oversight Watch's leader 89 but every other person gathered was either rapt in the Taines' discussion or trying hard not to look like they were rapt in the Taines' discussion. Steeling himself, Chuck walked across the decrepit arena after his wife.

"Luornu, wait!" he called. "Don't go too far from the fire, lord knows what critters are tough enough to survive in the sewers of the Khund homeworld."

Duplicate Damsel stopped at the very edge of the flame's glow. "I can take care of myself," she mumbled almost petulantly.

"Honey, what's this all about?" Bouncing Boy faced her, his anger dissolved now by his concern. "Come on, this isn't like either of us and I don't like it at all. Talk to me."

Luornu cast a swift glance back at the others. Most of them were out of hearing range but still she hated having to talk about her feelings openly like this. She'd survived this long by locking away every dark thought, opening that vault now was dangerous. Still, one look at her husband's imploring face told her how much this was hurting him too. "Chuck, I just...I'm not good at this. Ever since we fought the Infinite Man you've been...different. More distant than usual."

Chuck was taken aback. "Well yeah, I know I've been distant...I went through a lot, Lu. Me, Blok, Diamond Damsel, Tinya, we all did. I'm sorry, I'm not strong like you. I can't take every horrible thing that goes wrong in my life and soldier on."

"Oh Chuck..." Her voice cracked. "I'm not upset that you need a shoulder...I'm upset that you never chose mine. You and Tinya have been almost inseparable since you got back, I've been feeling like an outsider in my own marriage!"

Bouncing Boy wasn't following at all. "Wait...how is this about Tinya? Lu, are you telling me you deliberately hid knowledge of the Oversight Watch's presence here, jeopardised Xanthu...because you're jealous of your husband and one of your oldest friends spending time together?!"

"It's more than that!" Luornu almost shouted. "You've been avoiding me to spend time with her...lying to me..! Chuck--"

Shaking with anger, Chuck Taine found himself unable to look Luornu in the eye. "I was there for Tinya because she needed me and I needed her...I needed someone who knew what it was like being in that place for so many months away from the people we loved. But Luornu...I love you. I would never lie to you, I could never lie to you. And whatever was going on between you and me, I would never in a million years endanger the people I care about or the people I'm charged with protecting over it."

Luornu looked at him, her lip trembling. "Chuck...Chuck, I'm sorry. I know I've done the wrong thing, and now we're all paying for it. You must hate me!" She buried her face in her hands and turned away from him, sobbing shamefully.

"Lu, Lu..." Chuck hugged her tight and let her cry. "You haven't been listening," he sighed. "I love you. I don't know how to not love you. I don't really understand what's going on here, but we'll get through this. We'll go home and we'll get through all of this, okay?"

Unable to speak, she nodded while she held him close.

By the time Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel came back to the main group, the Oversight Watch were much recovered and the two teams were discussing their next move. "You know," Bouncing Boy addressed 89 as he joined the conversation, "You're not off the hook here. We'll work together until we're all safely back home, but the Oversight Watch can't continue to operate like you have been. You must know that the United Planets is in terrible danger because you people screwed up."

"A conversation for safer surroundings," 89 rejoined coolly. Her voice modulator had been damaged in battle with Bloodclaw, and every time she spoke it hit some frustratingly familiar nerve with Ultra Boy. None of the others seemed to have picked up on it though so Jo simply filed it away for now. "Besides, with some assistance from Brainiac 5, I believe we may have just redeemed ourselves somewhat."

"Oh sure," Wildfire taunted, "Now the Legion's your only way outta this mess you wanna cooperate. You've got some hide, lady."

Mandalla began to argue on her team's behalf but Chuck interrupted before frayed nerves frayed even further. "Show me," he said simply as he extended a hand. 89 handed him the omnicom she'd been studying with Brainiac 5, and Bouncing Boy regarded it curiously. "I don't understand," he finally confessed. The screen showed grainy footage of a naked girl in some kind of sens-tank, surrounded by enough diodes and cords to almost obscure her completely. "What am I looking at here? Who is this?"

"This is our original mission objective," 89 replied. "This is the mysterious power source the Khunds found in the space that borders our territory and theirs.

...Her name is Jazmin Cullen."

...TO BE CONCLUDED!
WHOAH! fantastic cliffhanger there Raz!

Lots of fun in your latest batch - from Star Boy's concerns about Nura and Dreamy and Tenzil sharing a giggle, Tellus feeling claustraphobic and the Khunds ruthless thoughts towards illness. The difference between Nor and Ohhr was well written - I do like your take on the Khunds. And Chuck and Lu's conversation is so overdue and so inappropriate for the current state the team is in... great stuff, I especially liked how half the team were actively listening while the other pretended not to, so true to life that!

Great stuff Raz, looking forward to the conclusion. More, more, more!
Meant to ask btw - who is Makkia Vei? Sorry if I've missed it somewhere previously but I thought Mandalla and 89 were the only two women on the team?
Insect Queen! Atmos! Atom'x! Monstress! Good to see so many Postboot-era characters here.

I also almost forgot about the predicament Jazmin was left in! It looks like you're closing another loop you introduced, well done!

Love the interplay between Lu and Chuck (finally!) and Jo and Tinya (Tinya trusting Jo's judgment). 89 - is her voice familiar because of Leeta 87? Makkia Vei is a very interesting character indeed and I like her psych background.

Tenzil making Nura laugh was great. Also loved (as usual) your use of the various Legionnaires and their powers.

Looking forward to the finale!


Yay, I'm glad it was well received...especially Chuck & Lu's long awaited conversation, it was difficult writing both that scene and the earlier one with Lu/Jo because she's normally so emotionally under wraps I was worried it wouldn't seem natural when she finally broke down. In my experience people like that are the ones who really fall apart when they finally do though...

I had fun coming up with ways to describe Xanthu & Khundia Prime to show them as very different worlds too smile

Makkia Vei is a Coluan lady who specialises in manipulation...if you're familiar with Marvel Comics' Thunderbolts, think Moonstone with a Coluan intelligence to back her up. Now that I am referencing my own continuity that is a couple years(!) old & working with so many characters I might take a leaf out of all y'all books and start using footnotes & roll calls & such to help with storytelling smile
wow Raz! great ride.

I have to agree with Harbinger, i had forgotten who Makkia Vei was. so you are right that you've create such a rich world that characters are popping up from your past stories. i love it! makes me have to go back and re read.


i love the descriptions between the two cities.

Lu and Chuck's convo was beautifully done. I agree with you, that when Lu falls apart she falls apart.

The Khaud's have Jazmin and James. This is exciting and this is getting interesting. I knew that new power source couldn't be just technology.

Can't wait for more!
Thanks Omni! Hopefully James and Jazmin's story will get a good ending with the last instalment....and I'm glad y'all liked the two cities, I tried to make them sound like different settings so I am glad it came across smile
Posted By: razsolo GOLDEN KHUNDIA Part 4: Golden Victory - 05/04/15 12:07 PM
KHUNDIA PRIME
Dharakkia Ohhr

ROLL CALL
Legion of Superheroes:
Bouncing Boy aka Charles Foster Taine:
team leader, super-bouncing
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox: 12th level intelligence
Dawnstar: translight speed flight, interstellar-range tracking
Duplicate Damsel aka Luornu Durgo Taine: deputy leader, self-duplication
Invisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: intangibility
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be channelled into any one of the following at a time; strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

Oversight Watch:
89:
team leader, hyper-skilled combatant and espionage agent
Dev-Em: Kryptonian physiology
Makkia Vei: psychological manipulation
Mandalla aka Tari Wahimunn: thoughtsphere projection
Power Boy aka Jedediah Rikane: density manipulation
Ron-Karr: ability to become 2-dimensional

**********

The combined might of the Legion of Superheroes and the Oversight Watch stood atop a crumbling rooftop, gazing into the cut-throat society of warriors and assassins which loomed above. The air down here was stale and thick with foreboding.

"It's a shame Dawnstar couldn't lead us directly to Jazmin Cullen," Makkia Vei mused aloud. "Still, I suppose we're closer than we were twenty minutes ago." Most everybody else present saw the Coluan woman's comment as utterly innocuous, but the slight stiffening of Dawnstar's posture told Makkia that her jab had hits its target and she filed that fact away.

"We're much closer," Bouncing Boy agreed. "Thanks Dawnstar, I know how difficult it is for you to use your tracking power in a heavily populated area. How about you, Jo? Any luck?"

Craning his neck, Ultra Boy exhaled. "Sorry, Chuck. This is really a job for Supergirl, penetra-vision isn't much good for searching a city block this size without telescopic vision to back it up."

"You don't need Supergirl," Dev-Em smirked, "You've got me." He glanced at his own team's enigmatic leader. "I've found our quantum kid, 89. You want me to take us in?"

"We need to approach this with caution," Bouncing Boy said. "I recommend--"

"We can forget subterfuge, the whole planet must be looking for us by now." 89 spoke over Chuck without even acknowledging him. "Time to go in guns blazing, Oversight Watch."

Dev-Em gave her a mock salute and placed an arm around Power Boy's thick waist. "Come on babe, let's go make a mess." In a blur of motion, the two men were gone.

"Of all the--" Bouncing Boy scowled. "Ultra Boy, Wildfire, try to make sure those two don't get anyone killed. We'll be right behind."

The two men followed Chuck Taine's order, both of them eager to leave behind the dank subcity catacombs in which they'd been hiding. "What do you think's going on between our fearless leader and his wife?" Wildfire asked as they caught sight of Dev-Em and Power Boy.

"Nothing good," Ultra Boy replied sternly. "None of our business either, we're gonna have enough on our plate in a nano."

In front of them, Dev-Em came to an abrupt halt in mid-air before backpedalling to join the two Legionnaires. "Wait here," he instructed them. "We've got a quick detour to make."

"Detour?" Wildfire exclaimed. "What do you mean, detour?!" The Kryptonian didn't answer, shooting straight up into the stratosphere with Power Boy like a rocket. "Sprock," Drake Burroughs cursed. "Company." Reflected in his visor, a squad of Khunds approached on weaponised skysleds. Before they came close enough to fire, Wildfire charged at the warriors and fired a wide arc of anti-energy that destroyed half the sleds and sent the rest veering desperately off-course to avoid collision. Using ultra-speed Jo zipped through the skyborne debris and plucked the falling Khunds out of the air, making sure they had a safe if painful landing on nearby walkways and balconies rather than the ground miles below.

A few of the remaining Khunds tried to envelop Jo in quantum stasis fields, but he was too fast for them. The final attacker instead took aim at Wildfire from above and behind, catching Drake unawares. Jo charged the yellow Khund at high velocity, switching to invulnerability just before the tackle. The Khund's sled circled into a crashing descent while Ultra Boy and his target slammed through thick osmium steel into a cybernetics workshop. "I'm impressed you're still conscious," Jo remarked to his struggling captive. "Whoa, you're a girl!"

"I'm a woman!" the heavy browed fighter corrected him. "Too much woman for you, Rimborian garbage!" She slammed a massive fist into Jo's abdomen and while the blow didn't hurt his invulnerable hide, she did succeed in knocking him into an auto-welder. Jo saw a golden aura enveloping the woman's open hand as he struggled to extricate himself from the machinery. Ultra-strength would have him free in an instant, but he didn't trust the sparks shooting forth from exposed wiring all around him. "Galarr will reward me greatly for a Legionnaire!" the Khund woman trumpeted.

The massive yellow woman was suddenly struck with a burst of anti-energy that slammed her through several specialised workshops. "He probably would have rewarded you too," Wildfire remarked, helping Jo to his feet. "Sorry if we set the cause of Khundish feminism back a couple decades, lady." A tremendous racket drowned out the end of Wildfire's statement, shaking equipment off of the walls. Ultra Boy and Wildfire returned outside to see the top floors of a nearby tower disintegrating under the force of some colossal impact. If they didn't know better, they'd have thought a meteor had hit the building. Shooting out of the billowing cloud of devastation above came Dev-Em, this time alone as he tore through four Khund military vessels. Changing his flightpath, he veered into a much lower level of the same tower.

"Chuck's right," Jo frowned. "That idiot's gonna get people killed. Let's go." He switched his ultra-energy into speed once more and the two Legionnaires took pursuit of their reckless Kryptonian ally.

**********
Everyone else arrived on the scene just in time to see Wildfire's anti-energy trail leading into the building. "...Mon dieu..." Invisible Kid gaped in awe at the destruction which met them here.

"Yep," Ron-Karr whistled appreciatively, "Power Boy sure hits like a megatorpedo at maximum density!"

"He's brought us a distraction," 89 announced. "Let's not waste it." She took point, leading her own team into the building after Dev-Em, Ultra Boy and Wildfire. Even with the majority of the Khund presence in the area racing to deal with Jed's catastrophic entry high above them, there were still plenty of Khunds down here to keep the rest of them busy. They seemed to be in some kind of research facility so most of the Khunds they faced bore standard firearms rather than exotic cyborg weaponry, but even an unaugmented Khund was no pushover.

"That's what you call a distraction?!" Bouncing Boy was incensed as he ricocheted from wall to wall, smashing automated defensive systems before they could cause any inconvenience. "There must be thousands of people in this building! How many of them do you intend on murdering?!" Their own entry point was so far below the chaos Jed had wrought that they were in no immediate danger, but the din of the collapsing structure above them was an intense backdrop of sound.

"Thousands of Khunds," 89 countered, kicking one of them in the face. "Let me assure you, Bouncing Boy...every one of these people you're so concerned about would be more than happy to see any of us turned into a bloody paste."

"That's not the point," one Duplicate Damsel argued while three more of her disarmed an opponent. "We're heroes, we're meant to be better than that."

"Heroism is a laudable goal in a perfect world," Makkia Vei spoke calmly from behind the safety of Brainiac 5's forcefield. "Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world, Duplicate Damsel. I thought you of all Legionnaires would understand that sometimes ideals need to be compromised in order to protect the powerless. I suppose I must have misinterpreted your passive support of my team's mission."

"Guys," Phantom Girl interrupted, emerging from a wall. "The Khunds have got reinforcements coming."

"Ultra Boy and Wildfire are just around the next bend," Brainiac 5 announced calmly, ignoring the chaos around them while he remained engulfed in his omnicom. "According to these readings, I believe Jazmin Cullen should also be just around--" He never completed his statement, a Khund soldier enveloping both teams' Coluans in a stasis field.

"Brainiac!" Dawnstar exclaimed in shock. Despite the close quarters of the research facility she'd been evading attack till now when another Khund took advantage of her surprise to freeze her in place as well.

The remaining heroes were beginning to face overwhelming numbers. Ron-Karr was next to fall, along with all of the Duplicate Damsels. They had reached their goal though, a large open space where Wildfire, Ultra Boy and Power Boy battled on bravely against a tidal wave of Khunds in front of a fluid-filled vessel bearing the insensate form of Jazmin Cullen. Weird machinery buzzed and hummed all around the young Xanthui girl, somehow transforming exotic energies which emanated from her dark skin into golden victory for the Khunds. Dev-Em was poised with one hand braced against Jazmin's tank, his second fist pulled back into a punch that would never be thrown as he too finally fell before the inevitable embrace of quantum stasis.

"Forget everything else!" 89 leaped from console to tabletop, approaching the sens-tank where she drew a firearm from her holster. "We need to free that girl!" Before she could shoot, a lucky yellow hand grabbed her ankle and pulled her to the floor. 89 grimaced in pain as a Khundian machete slashed at her masked face.

"Hey, hands off my boss!" Mandalla cast a small thoughtsphere around the Khund's cranium. His mind turned upside-down, the man stopped his thrusting strikes and staggered back.

"Grife, you okay lady?" Ultra Boy hurled the warrior across the room and helped 89 stand. The mysterious woman's mask had been reinforced enough to save her life, but it had been shredded in the Khund's attack. Her face, while bloodied, was instantly recognisable and Jo's jaw dropped. "...Leeta-87..??" Both 89 and Jo were enveloped in a golden aura before she could react.

"Sprock it!" Mandalla subjected their assailant to another thoughtsphere, and the zigzagging form of Bouncing Boy soon took that warrior out as well as two of his friends. "There are too many of them!" Mandalla wailed at her former teacher.

Chuck knew she was right. Bouncing around as eratically as he had been, Chuck knew he had a little more time up his sleeve but not much. He, Tinya, Jacques, Mandalla and Power Boy were the only ones still standing and their luck couldn't possibly hold out much longer. As little sense as it made, he was glad that most of the Khunds weren't using lethal force but a Legionnaire frozen in permanent stasis was as powerless as a dead Legionnaire. He couldn't help but be reminded of the last time he'd been ricocheting around a secret alien laboratory, subjects floating in fluid-filled tanks and his team overpowered by a superior force while the Legion's allies fell alongside them. The Dominion homeworld had been destroyed that time and they'd lost Duplicate Boy. Chuck vowed that he wouldn't suffer such a loss again, not so long as he was the team's leader.

"Jed!" he hollered. "Hit me!" Bouncing Boy rebounded from a wall into the ceiling and back down at an acute angle toward his former student. The purple-skinned youth's last heroic action before succumbing to stasis himself was to punch an inflated Bouncing Boy with as much force as his increased density would allow. Right on target, Chuck slammed into the transparent shell of the sens-tank holding Jazmin Cullen. Viscous fluid filled the room, knocking people off their feet while Chuck bounced into a mob of Khunds to release his leftover kinetic energy.

He saw Jazmin stir in the wreckage of the tank, and then Chuck Taine's world stopped moving.

**********
XANTHU
Xanth City, Aerie Headquarters of the Uncanny Amazers


ROLL CALL

Legion of Superheroes:
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle:
Durlan shapeshifting
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transform into living stone

Uncanny Amazers:
Atmos aka Marak Russen:
team leader, super-strength, invulnerability, flight, energy blasts, low-grade psionic abilities
Atom'x aka Randall Burroughs: atomkinesis
Insect Queen aka Lonna Leing: ability to assume insectoid/arachnid qualities
Monstress aka Candi Pyponte-Le Parc III: super-strength, invulnerability

**********

The colossal form of Warlord Galarr made even other Khunds seem puny by comparison. His frame filled the hole he's made in the Amazers' base, his blue cape billowing out regally behind him. Every hero in the room instantly perceived the threat he presented. The pink-skinned veteran warrior spared a glance for Star Boy protecting the prone form of Kid Computo who'd fallen at Galarr's explosive entry. "Part of me would have liked to have faced you all at full strength," he growled. "I am a Khund after all. I must admit though, I can't say I'm too upset that your machine girl isn't going to be able to end this prematurely with her cowardly abilities. I'll give one of you leave to take her to a safe distance, the rest--"

Atmos had heard enough. Roaring in fury he launched himself at the Khund warrior and the two men hurtled through room after room, damaging the Amazers' base even more than it had been already. "That idiot!" Star Boy shook his head disapprovingly. "Doesn't he know we're going to need to work together to end this?"

A colorful Xanthui bird landed by Danielle's side before taking the more familiar form of Chameleon Boy. "Actually Atmos may have unintentionally helped us out," Cham noted. "It'll be easier for us to keep Kid Computo safe till she recovers this way, Star Boy."

"I guess you're right," Thom grudgingly agreed, though he hated to give Atmos credit for anything. "Cham, can you watch out for her? If she's seriously hurt I don't know how I'm going to face Jacques. Everyone else, let's go!"

The other Legionnaires and Amazers were already moving when Cham reached out and grabbed Thom Kallor's forearm. "Star Boy, wait."

"What is it?" the bearded Legionnaire turned back to his orange-skinned comrade.

"There's something decidedly strange about this whole invasion," Cham said, his eyes gleaming with suspicion. "Khunds don't take prisoners and they definitely don't give their enemies a chance to remove their wounded from the battlefield. Jimmy and Jaz Quantum had stasis and decay fields when we met them, right?"

A look of realisation dawned on Thom's face. "...And the Khunds haven't used decay fields since they arrived. Not on us, not on any of my world's protectors. Even though we'd have no defence."

"They want us alive," Cham extrapolated. "And they want us relatively unharmed."

"You're right, that is strange." Star Boy levitated, preparing to join his teammates. "It also gives us an advantage knowing that Galarr won't be trying to kill us. Thanks Cham!" He turned away from his longtime teammate and zoomed out of the room.

Star Boy found the others on the open-air balcony adjoining Atmos' own personal quarters engaged in vicious battle with Galarr. The warlord might not be trying to kill them, but he was certainly putting on a good show to the contrary. It didn't evade Thom's attention either that Galarr's subordinates were gathering at surrounding windows and rooftops to watch the battle. At least none of them were interfering, Thom supposed Galarr wanted the glory of defeating the Legion and Amazers himself. Fine by me, Star Boy thought as Stone Boy was flung past him, This guy's going to be enough work without his cronies helping.

Thom saw an opening and moved to take it, but Atmos beat him to it. "Insect Queen!" the Amazers' obnoxious leader bellowed. "Restrain him!"

The slight redhead bravely rushed forward though she was clearly terrified. She transformed as she charged, her lower half changing to resemble a striped Xanthui spider. Somewhat grotesquely, thick strands of silk spewed forth from dual spinnerets. Woven with preternatural speed and skill by four hairy limbs they soon ensnared Galarr. The Khund simply laughed and flexed his massive arms, tearing through the makeshift cocoon as though it were tissue paper. "Come here." Galarr grabbed hold of the still attached ropey substance and whipped Insect Queen through the air. She shrieked in shock and fear as she went flying off the edge of the balcony, almost taking Atom'x with her.

Star Boy was appalled to see Atmos rush straight at Galarr without a care for Insect Queen's safety, and Thom could see that Atom'x and Monstress were similarly stunned by their leader's single-mindedness. "Vi!" Star Boy shouted. "She may not be able to change shape in time to help herself!"

"Understood." Shrinking Violet leaped off the edge of the balcony, pursuing the falling teenager thanks to her flight ring.

"Pardon me, dear." With a saccharine voice which belied her hulking appearance, the jade-skinned Monstress gently pushed Thom aside. "I abhor violence of course, but I simply can't excuse anyone treating sweet little Lonna like that." She marched toward the brawling Atmos and Galarr, and as each footfall shook the balcony upon which they stood Thom wondered if maybe Galarr had bitten off more than he could chew after all. Stone Boy returned from where the warlord had earlier sent him flying and he watched alongside Star Boy and Atom'x as Monstress raised a giant fist to pummel the Khund. Galarr simply grinned and winked twice as the insanely powerful woman lurched forward, a short-range flashburst of light exploding from his artificial eye. Monstress and Atmos were only blinded momentarily but the attack served its purpose. Galarr grabbed Monstress' lunging forearm in two strong pink hands and flipped her into Atmos. The two of them crashed through the low wall surrounding the balcony and tumbled after Insect Queen and Vi.

This time Star Boy wasn't going to miss his opportunity to act. He gestured for Stone Boy and Atom'x to stay back with one arm, his other raised toward their foe. The dark nimbus of his power surrounded Galarr and the Khund dropped to one knee. Galarr glowered at Star Boy, but before he could launch a counter-attack the floor beneath him began to crack under his sudden mass. "I've been watching you smack the strongest people here around without a lot of effort," Thom stated, "So I know you can take much more of my power than I'm putting out right now. But I doubt this balcony is as tough as you are, and I doubt that even you'd want to risk a fall from this height. So what's it going to be, Galarr? Are you going to surrender or do I see exactly how much increased mass you need to overcome this building's structural integrity?"

Atmos had already recovered and joined the others with Monstress at his side, and Shrinking Violet and Insect Queen ascended alongside them. "I choose neither option," the Khundish warlord smiled. "Granted, using non-lethal tactics against you all doesn't play to my strengths. Make no mistake though, I have won in every way that matters."

The heroes were visibly confused. "You delusional madman!" Atmos advanced menacingly. "You've been brought to your knees literally! How can you possibly consider this a victory?"

"Let me put this another way," Galarr returned. "I have prevented outside communications from reaching you till now, but I instruct my men now to rescind that command." A few seconds passed and the Legionnaires' flight rings suddenly came alive with chatter.

"--Star Boy, they've captured everyone--"
"--Thom, come in! I'm the last one standing--"
"--the situation is dire--"
"--if anyone can hear me, I can't raise Star Boy and even Mon-El's down--"

Galarr struggled to his feet under the effect of Thom's power. "It's only a matter of time until you're all placed in quantum stasis," he boasted. "The choice is yours as to how broken you are when that happens. So...will you surrender or do we continue this spirited workout?"

Star Boy floundered. He couldn't simply give up his friends to Galarr and he knew that Atmos as least would fight to his last breath no matter what Thom decided. But even if he opposed Galarr, they couldn't possibly battle their way through a planet full of Khunds armed with stasis fields when some of the strongest Legionnaires had already fallen.

"We choose neither option." A feminine voice echoed Galarr's own prior sentiment. Dream Girl, Tellus, Matter-Eater Lad, Light Lad, Chameleon Boy and a still dazed Kid Computo entered the balcony from within the Amazers' damaged base. A figure in a frayed purple cloak walked with them.

"You like quantum tech so much," the cloaked stranger spoke in a croaking voice. "Maybe you should experience it first hand." He pulled his hood back, revealing the battered face of James Cullen. The self-titled Quantum Avenger concentrated on Galarr and the warlord was petrified in a golden aura, suffering the same fate he would have inflicted on his foes.

"Get them!" Nobody knew which of the watching Khunds shouted the command, but in no time at all the heroes were swamped.

"Jimmy!" Insect Queen squealed. "Does this mean you're yourself again?" The slippery secretions of a Vavallan rockworm protected her from two grabby Khunds but beside her Monstress presented a much larger target and was soon frozen in place.

"Good question." Star Boy closed on Dream Girl's group, watching Tellus fall victim to another stasis field.

"My sister is alive," James Cullen explained. "I turned against the Khunds when I learned they're using her to power their quantum tech. I don't know how they're doing it but...we need to rescue her, Star Boy. I never intended for all of this. I never wanted innocents to suffer. I...I'm sorry I turned against you so easily."

"Jimmy, don't get me wrong." Star Boy sent a Khund crashing face-first into the floor. "I'm glad you've come to your senses, but this might be too little too late. Galarr's forces have already taken most of the Legion and the rest of us aren't going to last much longer here barring a miracle." Indeed, Dream Girl and Star Boy were the only Legionnaires here still moving, and Atom'x was the only Amazer. Their defeat was just a matter of time.

"You're too cynical, Thom Kallor." Dream Girl gave her lover a bittersweet smile. "Maybe a miracle is--" Nura stalled in mid-sentence, twinkling in golden stasis.

"Nura!" Thom roared. "Damn it!" He turned to the nearest Khund, but was surprised to find that Khund also frozen in mid-strike...as was the Khund next to him, and every other Khund around them. Thom saw the confusion on James Cullen's face. Every Khund in visual range was in stasis, but it wasn't the Quantum Avenger's doing.

"Star Boy...I apologise that we were...unable to arrive sooner..." Star Boy, Atom'x and James looked up. Like an angel descending from the heavens above, Dawnstar carried a dark-skinned girl in drab oversized coveralls. "Even at my speed...Khundish space is...some distance away..." Completely exhausted, Dawnstar released Jazmin Cullen and collapsed into Star Boy's arms.

"Jaz!" James Cullen's voice broke as he rushed to embrace his sister. The siblings hugged, tears streaming down their cheeks. "I thought you were dead! Are you doing this?"

"Both quantum belts overloaded while I was wearing them but it didn't kill me!" Jazmin rambled excitedly, referring to the last time she'd seen her brother. "It did change my physical state though! It took a while before I came back to normal, or...close to normal I suppose. I've got the power of our quantum belts inside me now, James! I'm different! Without bleeding me of my power, the Khunds' quantum tech isn't going to last much longer." True to her words, the frozen heroes were already starting to rejoin the real world again. "But I can use the link they forged to turn that tech against them!

...The Khunds are finished, James! Xanthu is safe!"

**********
EPILOGUE

At a military spaceport, Jazmin Cullen hugged her brother and he entered a prison transport vehicle with two armed guards. James had given himself up voluntarily as soon as the immediate threat of the Khund invasion was over, and while the Uncanny Amazers coordinated a joint operation with their own world's military forces, the Science Police and the Legion of Superheroes to ensure every Khund was removed from the planet, Star Boy and Dream Girl had agreed to accompany Jazmin to oversee her brother's return to custody.

Thom kissed Nura and held her close. "Well, hopefully that's the last we'll see of the threat of the Quantum Avenger."

"I know you, Thom Kallor." Nura playfully nudged his ribs. "It may be the last we'll see of the Quantum Avenger, but your own overinflated sense of responsibility won't let you leave those kids alone."

"It's like you can see the future." Thom tickled her and she giggled as she slapped at his hand. "I've already spoken to Xanthu's council," he continued a little more seriously, "I made it very clear that James was a vital part of stopping Galarr and that everything he did till now was driven by grief for his sister. It's not going to be an easy road ahead for him, but I'm going to do everything I can to help him make the right choices from now on."

"Xanthu is free, we've helped turn a boy from a life of escalating violence and crime, Bouncing Boy should be able to smooth over any diplomatic problems with the UP once he explains what prompted his spontaneous invasion of the Khund homeworld...I'm happy declaring this a victory for the good guys."

"That makes two of us." Thom realised for the first time how much tension he'd been carrying since they'd begun this mission. He was looking forward to a very long shoulder rub from his beautiful partner when they got home, and whatever else that might lead to. "I guess my first time leading the Legion wasn't a total disaster, huh?"

Jazmin Cullen approached the two Legionnaires while her brother's shuttle disappeared into the clouds above. She'd been given a fresh uniform and a sonic shower, and while she still needed to undergo a vast regime of tests she'd already had a brief medical examination which revealed no immediate health concerns. In fact, where James Cullen had been prematurely aged by his grief and Khundish surgeries, Jazmin didn't look a day older than the day Thom thought they'd lost her in deep space. "Thanks for everything," she beamed. "You saved me...you saved Xanthu. I don't know how I can ever repay you and the other Legionnaires, Star Boy!"

"Are you kidding?" Star Boy laughed good-naturedly. "From where I'm standing, you and your brother did the lion's share of the work! You saved us, Jazmin. I suppose you'll be rejoining the Amazers now?"

"Not just yet," the young girl replied thoughtfully. "I feel like I need to understand these powers...I need to learn how to help people the best way I can. Maybe James and I jumped into joining the Amazers too soon...maybe if we'd had more training we could have avoided all of this happening."

"More training, huh?" Star Boy removed his arms from around Dream Girl and placed a friendly hand on Jazmin's shoulder as the three heroes walked into the spaceport.

"So tell me Jaz...have you ever given any thought to the Legion Academy..?"

*********
Aha! I guessed it, 89 WAS Leeta-87 - or one of her.

Glad to see your look into the future come full circle with the return of Jazmin and the rehabilitation of James, as well as the road to Jazmin's eventual Legion membership opening.

Loved the high stakes as well, and as usual the nice interplay between characters. Dev-Em's recklessness and Makkia's and 89's cold "pragmatism" contrasted nicely with the Legionnaires. Also, great use of Insect Queen, Atmos and Monstress, all of whom came across as unique and interesting characters in their own right. Nice work balancing such a huge cast!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: GOLDEN KHUNDIA Part 4: Golden Victory - 05/05/15 01:53 PM
Nice resolution Raz,

I really liked the differences between the Oversight Watch and the Legion's attituides and the barbs and slights that they exchanged. Particularly liked Makkia Vei's dig at Lu's passive support - we aren't going to hear the end of that are we?

You write the Amazers well and hopefully it won't be long before you visit them again. Monstresses gentle nature was a stand out point in amongst the carnage.

Wildfire putting Khundian feminism back was fun, and Jed being a megatorpedo in his high density state was well done.

So we're relieved to learn that the Khunds are now pretty much powerless (as much as a galactic empire full of warriors can be) without Jaz to empower their quantum tech.

Dawnstar taking Jaz to see her brother was sweet, it had a feel of the Levitz styled ending when the cavalry appear right at the very last moment.

Jaz at the Academy will be great, and it would be interesting to see who else you have there too.

And the thing that made me emit a little "squeee" of delight? Your description of Star Boy's powers - celestial mass-transference! How great a description is that! I'm borrowing it for my own roll calls now, thank you.

Great stuff again Raz, as always I'm looking forward to where you take the team next.



Posted By: Omni Re: GOLDEN KHUNDIA Part 4: Golden Victory - 05/05/15 09:02 PM
Wow that was an amazing ending Raz and i loved every minuet of it.

I was really scared for a minuet there that they hadn't freed Jazmin and Chuck and the others were captured.

Dreamy and the others showing up and then Dawnstar with Jazmin was great! epic save!

I agree with the others i love the way you handled the Uncanny Amazers and i can't wait to see them again.

I hope James and Jazmin get to join each other at the academy soon. i think they both could use the time together.

Jo and Leet-87 face to face. that will have some interesting ramifications.

can't wait for more.
Posted By: razsolo Re: GOLDEN KHUNDIA Part 4: Golden Victory - 05/06/15 10:20 AM
Thanks for the high praise, y'all! laugh

Good detective work on Leeta/89, IB!

Monstress is probably my favourite of the reboot Legionnaires and Atmos is fun to write because he's a big jerk so hopefully the Amazers will get a look in again sometime soon smile

You are more than welcome to have celestial mass-transference, Harbinger! Making up pseudo-scientific names for powers is highly entertaining!

It feels like I always have a million plotlines either running or waiting for their day in the sun so it does feel kinda nice being able to give one a happy ending for once smile
Posted By: razsolo The Honeymooners - 05/19/15 04:33 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

ROLL CALL
Blok:
magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Bouncing Boy aka Charles Foster Taine: super-bouncing
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Duplicate Damsel aka Luornu Durgo Taine: self-duplication
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: intangibility
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

**********
Phantom Girl phased her head through the floor of the quarters that Bouncing Boy shared with his wife Duplicate Damsel. “Coast is clear!” Tinya poked her tongue out. “You guys can come out now.”

“Thanks PG,” Bouncing Boy smiled. “I know it’s kind of a dirty trick sending Comet Queen away on the galaxy’s most boring security escort but it’s going to be a lot easier for Luornu and I to leave without Grava clinging on to me in hysterics all the way to the hangar.”

Blok and Diamond Damsel stood by the residence’s front doorway, Ultra Boy in an armchair by their side. “It was an honour to work alongside you both,” Blok nodded at the married couple.

“You don’t have to leave,” Diamond Damsel added, “We’re all guilty of having made mistakes, and some of our mistakes are a lot worse than any you’ve made.”

“By hiding information about the Oversight Watch I placed them, the Legion and Xanthu in jeopardy,” Duplicate Damsel responded glumly. “I can’t remain the Legion’s deputy leader after that.”

Chuck Taine gave his wife a supportive squeeze. “It’s better this way,” he advised the others. “I love that we’ve had the chance to work actively with the Legion again, but I think it’s time for Lu and I to focus on us for a while. We’ve already cast our votes for our replacements...by this time tomorrow someone else will be in a position to lead this team to great things, and I’ll be shacked up in a cozy apartment on Titan with my beautiful wife.” He kissed her on the cheek and Luornu blushed.

“Pal, I speak for all of us when I say we’re gonna miss you around here.” Ultra Boy stood up and clasped Chuck’s hand. “Both of you. I’d stay but there’s one particular loose end I haven’t had a chance to tie up since we got back from the Khund homeworld.” He spared a smile for Luornu as well and left the room. Phantom Girl gave her longtime colleagues a warm goodbye as well and hurried after her lover, soon followed by Blok and Diamond Damsel.

Alone in their quarters, Chuck held Luornu close. “You’re tense,” he whispered as he stroked her hair. “Don’t be, we’re doing the right thing Lu. I’ve neglected you for too long and the Legion will survive without us. They always have before.”

“I know,” she replied. “I was just thinking…the Legion of Superheroes isn’t very kind to relationships, is it? Timber Wolf and Lightning Lass, Colossal Boy and Chameleon Girl…”

“...Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl,” Chuck countered, “Cosmic Boy and Night Girl…trust me, honey. We’re definitely in the latter group. I love you, Lu.” The two gathered their bags and once more prepared to live a life beyond the Legion of Superheroes.

**********
VAVALLA
Powder Plains Resort

ROLL CALL
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn:
magnetism
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength

*********
Lydda Jath Krinn ran her fingers lazily through the soft sand beneath her. A bloated moon hovered overhead, two smaller sisters keeping it company on its slow journey through Vavalla’s sixteen hour night. Aside from herself and her new husband, the beach was practically empty. Only four pairs of couples dotted the pale blue sands as far as Lydda could see, and the resort complex where they were honeymooning was positioned discretely out of sight behind a large sand dune. “Rokk,” Lydda sighed, “This is bliss.”

“I’m glad you like it, Lydda.” Laying beside his wife in the balmy evening air, Rokk Krinn put down the omnicom he’d been using to research Vavalla’s civilisation. “Did you know less than 3% of the world’s population live above the ocean’s surface here? And the vast majority of those are off-worlders.”

“What’s that word Supergirl uses?” She rolled over on top of her husband and pinned him down. “Oh, that’s right. You’re such a dork, Rokk Krinn. We come to a beautiful fantasy world for our honeymoon and the first thing you can think to do is bury your nose in the Encyclopedia Galactica.”

“I don’t need a beautiful fantasy world,” Rokk retorted, “I’ve got a beautiful fantasy wife.” He took a moment to admire Lydda in the very revealing outfit she’d once worn as a member of the Legion of Substitute Heroes. Unstyled, Lydda's mane of jet black hair fell down around Rokk's own face.

“Good save, Mister.” She leaned down and kissed him passionately. The moment was shattered when a woman’s scream filled the air. Lydda scrambled to her feet and helped Rokk stand. “What do you think that was about?” the alabaster-skinned heroine asked.

“Over there,” Rokk gestured at two women running from the water’s edge. “But why—“

“I can see better in the dark than you,” Lydda frowned. “Rokk, something’s chasing them out of the water!”

Powerful leg muscles propelled her high into the air and Lydda came down with a splash in knee-height water before a quartet of crimson scaled creatures who were vaguely humanoid. The aquatic assailants were heavily muscled, diaphanous fins lining their limbs and running from their scalps down their backs like translucent mohawks. In the place of legs they had thick serpentine tails which supported their weight as they swayed in place, and their arms ended in webbed hands bearing nasty looking claws. Their eyes were black and bulbous, and they each had two stub-like horns emerging from their foreheads. “Easy, boys.” She took a step back. “You don’t want to take me on, I promise you.”

One of the red creatures pounced upon her, and Lydda responded with a punch that sent him flying back dozens of metres into the ocean from which he’d emerged. A second of the fish-men tackled her before she could stop him, and they rolled around in the low tide. Before the third could join the fray, an omnicom smashed into his head like some bizarre missile and knocked him back into the waves.

“That’s my wife you people are bothering,” Rokk announced as his flight ring allowed him a controlled descent. “And you just made me ruin the only link to the rest of the galaxy that Lydda let me bring here. I’m not happy and there’s not a lot of other metal here for me to manipulate so don’t make me get started on the iron in your bloodstream, gentlemen.”

“They’re hardly gentlemen,” a woman’s voice joined the conversation from behind the red strangers. “The devilfish are dangerous though, Sir. Please leave them to the authorities.” Arcs of electrical energy ran through the final of the fish-men still standing as he advanced on Rokk, and seeing the fate of his friends the one who’d been struck by the omnicom quickly retreated back into the dark waters and swam back into the depths.

“There was another one,” the woman continued, and Rokk saw now as she came forth from the ocean that it was the former Legion Academy student Lamprey. Even under a modified Science Police uniform her green skin and long iridescent hair were unmistakably distinctive. “Did you see where he went?”

“He went to sleep.” Lydda stepped out of the surf carrying the fish-man she’d just beaten into unconsciousness.

“Oh!” Lamprey laughed, embarrassed. “Cosmic Boy? Night Girl? Sprock, I’m so sorry….I umm…didn’t recognise you both dressed like that. Or not dressed as the case may be.” In his swimming trunks Rokk was even more exposed than Lydda, and Lamprey couldn’t help but look him up and down.

Cosmic Boy cleared his throat. “What’s the situation, Lamprey? Who are these people?”

“They’re not really people,” the green woman answered. “It looks like you two are on holiday though, why don’t you go back to it and I’ll take care of the devilfish?”

“We’re actually on our honeymoon but I know what my husband’s going to say,” Night Girl replied before Cosmic Boy had a chance to open his mouth. “Now that we’re here, we have to help. Give us ten minutes to get changed and then we’re all yours, Lamprey."

**********
Twenty-three minutes later in costumes famous around the galaxy, Cosmic Boy and Night Girl sat before Lamprey in Vavalla’s floating Science Police outpost a mile from shore. The Science Police global headquarters was several miles beneath the ocean’s surface and a hemisphere away, but the SP had built small automated facilities above sea level near Vavalla's few major landmasses for the occasional problem with off-world tourists. Right now they were three of the only five living beings in the base, the other two being the so-called devilfish floating in a reinforced submerged cell the next level down.

“Thanks for the hand back at Powder Plains,” Lamprey began, “But I don’t want you to feel obliged to help. This can’t be much of a honeymoon for either of you and the Science Police have got this under control.”

“We wouldn’t be very good Legionnaires if we didn’t make ourselves available in times of need,” Cosmic Boy answered. “Please don’t take this as a judgement of your abilities, Lamprey. I’ve only heard good things about your tenure here with the SP since you graduated the Legion Academy.”

“Really? Thanks!” Tayla brushed her long straight hair behind a pointed ear, suddenly quite girlish. She pulled up a three-dimensional holographic map of Vavalla’s subsea surface and zoomed in on a deep trench, her demeanour just as quickly becoming all business once more. “Okay, this is the Latroika Trench. It’s one of the deepest trenches on the planet, and Vavalla’s most widely explored thermal vent. Not that that’s saying much…we don’t really know a lot about Latroika more than a couple of hundred feet down, but it is home to extreme thermophiles the likes of which aren’t known to any other world.”

“So these…devilfish you called them? They’re from the Latroika Trench?” Night Girl asked.

“…Kinda.” Lamprey called up another hologram, this time two separate but almost identical patterns which both Legionnaires recognised as DNA. “This top strand is an organism which lives down in the trench,” she explained. “The bottom was taken from one of the devilfish we captured earlier. They’re way too similar for it to be coincidence, but…well, the top strand belongs to this guy.” Lamprey tapped at a hardlight button and the image of a limbless red-scaled creature appeared before them, two familiar horn-like stubs emerging from what passed for its head.

“Is that some kind of larval stage?” Night Girl queried.

“I should mention that this guy…who by the way goes by the imaginative title of a devilworm thanks to Earth-centric naming conventions when this planet first started being catalogued…is three inches long,” Lamprey explained.

Cosmic Boy thought about it for a moment. “So you think someone’s turned your devilworm into a devilfish?”

“Exactly,” Lamprey nodded. “These creatures have been popping up the past month or so…they were practically mindless when they first appeared and they’re way stronger and faster than your average Vavallan. The Science Police have managed to keep them under control, but it would be nice to know where they’re coming from so we can find out why this is happening. They’ve slowly been getting more intelligent and more inclined to explore their surroundings, so I have to believe someone’s speeding up their advancement.”

“Well then,” a new voice joined the conversation. “Looks like I arrived just in time, gorgeous!”

All three heroes turned to see a blue-skinned man leaning against the doorway, a trashed Science Police droid at his feet. “Turtle!” Lamprey fumed. “Do you know how much those law enforcement droids cost?!”

“I’ll replace it with the massive reward I’m gonna get for leading you right to the evil mastermind,” Turtle smiled smugly.

“...Turtle…” Night Girl thought out loud. “Wait a minute, aren’t you a supervillain? I’m sure Staq told me the Legion of Substitute Heroes fought someone called Turtle!”

“Please,” the attractive Vavallan man waved her concerns aside. “Don’t remind me, I’m not exactly proud of the time I was beaten by a human statue. Those days are behind me anyway, I’m one of the good guys now. Right gorgeous?”

“How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?” Lamprey snapped. “And you’re hardly one of the good guys Turtle…not actively being a psycho isn’t exactly the same as being a champion of justice. What do you know about the devilfish? There’s no reward, you know.”

“Then I guess I’ll just have to help out of the goodness of my heart.” Turtle gave her an infuriating smile and sauntered down to the front of the room to join Lamprey standing before Cosmic Boy and Night Girl. He leaned across the attractive green-skinned woman to point to the Latroika Trench again. “See here? What we have here is the headquarters of your average evil mastermind. Your patrols wouldn’t have picked him up because he’s set up base too far down in the trench. A little superheated water can’t hurt ol’ Turtle though, I followed the devilfish back down there a few days ago and did the SP’s work for them.”

“This is very convenient,” Cosmic Boy’s eyes narrowed. “Why should we take the word of a former member of the Legion of Substitute Villains?"

“Hey, Vavalla’s my homeworld!” Turtle threw his hands up. “I might not exactly be superhero material, but I don’t like the idea of some creepy Gil’dishpan nass ruining my planet with his science experiments either. I’ve been looking for my girl here for two days now to let her know what I just told you all!”

Cosmic Boy’s posture stiffened. “Did you say…Gil’dishpan? I think you’d better tell us everything you know, Turtle.”

**********
It didn’t take long for the heroes to convince the roguish Vavallan to take them as close to the Gil’dishpan base as possible. Even through their transuits they could feel the intense rise in temperature as they approached a cavernous chasm bubbling away on the ocean floor. “Down there,” Turtle pointed. “About another half a kek.”

Kek? a confused Night Girl asked via telepathic earplug.

"It’s a Vavallan unit of measurement," Lamprey explained. "About a mile and a half.” Part of her aquatic adaptations allowed Tayla Skott to communicate unimpeded underwater; like Turtle she didn’t need to use the telepathic earplugs shared by Night Girl and Cosmic Boy.

There’s definitely something down there, Cosmic Boy confirmed. There’s a big spike in the magnetic field down that ravine….how are we going to get down there though? I don’t know if I trust unmodified transuits to protect us from the pressure, lack of oxygen and the heat on top of everything else once we get much further down.

The quartet felt a wave of force wash over them, and a low thrumming base which resonated through their bones more than they heard it. They were sent spinning head over heels, and when they righted themselves Cosmic Boy called out for everyone to give a status report.

We’re all okay, Night Girl answered. I think we’ve found our Gil’dishpan though, Rokk.

What? Where? Cosmic Boy looked around, flustered. The only light down here was the pale glow of Lamprey’s aura. Lamprey, Turtle and Night Girl were all physically adapted to see perfectly in these stygian depths but Rokk was completely lost.

“Here,” Lamprey zipped past the Braalian hero like a glowing torpedo. “Let me cast a little light on the situation!” She let loose a barrage of energy, illuminating the spherical containment unit of a sentient they all recognised as Gil’dishpan. The alien resembled a giant tube worm, a solitary mace-like appendage jutting out of its left side.

Legionnaires..? The creature’s shudder-inducing telepathic voice was instantly familiar to Cosmic Boy. Legionnaire interference I should have expected…

You really should have, Cosmic Boy retorted. I expected your involvement as soon as Turtle mentioned a Gil’dishpan was behind these devilfish, Zymyr. I’m glad it’s you to be honest, this gives me a chance to try out an idea I’ve been holding on to for a while now.

Legion interference matter not… Zymyr croaked. Experiments on lesser beings nearly finished…leave this place now I can… He glowed with a harsh magenta light which illuminated the local area, but nothing happened. Warp I cannot…how..?

After the last time we faced one another it occurred to me that your space warps have an immediate effect on the local magnetic field, Cosmic Boy explained. I wondered if I could hold you in place magnetically, and look at that….it seems I can! Everyone present could see that it was no easy effort for the Braalian hero though, and they knew Rokk’s hold wouldn’t last long.

Clever for a lesser being you are… Zymyr said, his glow subsiding as the others flanked him. The Gil’dishpan's singular appendage swirled the methane solution in which he floated. Matters not...save you from my own legion cleverness will not!

“Doesn’t that drive you space-crazy?!” Turtle exclaimed. “Hey, creepy worm guy! It’s telepathy, you don’t need to make with the cryptic alien syntax!”

Lamprey opened her mouth to chastise Turtle when something else caught her attention. “Devilfish!” she screamed, turning to face a couple dozen of the creatures which swarmed them from below. The assault of muscle and talon separated the heroes from one another, and Zymyr took advantage of the chaos to propel himself up into the darkness of the surrounding ocean.

He’s getting away! Cosmic Boy called out, barely dodging the slashing claws of one of the animalistic devilfish.

Night Girl flung her own foe into Cosmic Boy&#146;s like a torpedo, dispatching both of them. Take Lamprey and go after him! Lydda cried out. There’s no metal down here for you to use and every time Lamprey blasts them I feel my own strength wane from the flare of light!

Lamprey could see from the look on Cosmic Boy’s face that he was about to argue the point, and she swam between the newly married couple to face him. “Night Girl’s right,” she said firmly while she zapped another of the devilfish. “With her strength and Turtle’s invulnerability they can handle these guys. You might be the only one who can stop Zymyr from getting away though, Cosmic Boy. Come on!” She veered away and followed Zymyr through the inky blackness, making sure to glow bright enough that Cosmic Boy could follow her trail.

Lamprey and Cosmic Boy caught up to Zymyr in no time, and Cosmic Boy used his flight ring to intercept the Gil’dishpan's escape. What are you even doing here, Zymyr? What’s the purpose of all this?

Answer to lesser beings I need not, Zymyr replied. Evolution of life every Gil’dishpan’s right, Legionnaire…learn to worship me in time these creatures will..learn to claim this world as their own they will…

“Vavalla already has a dominant lifeform,” Lamprey countered. “And they’re not going to worship you.” She stretched out both arms and channelled every erg of power she could summon into one enormously powerful bolt of electricity. Zymyr cried out in pain before his telepathic voice was silenced and he curled into himself a shrivelled mess, his appendage shrinking back into the rest of his body.

**********
Back on the ocean floor, Night Girl and Turtle were holding their own against their foes but the devilfish had already summoned reinforcements. At least we’re diverting their attention from the others, Night Girl declared, but it’s only a matter of time until they overrun us. She gripped one of the devilfish by his thick tail and swung him like a bat, taking out half a dozen more of them.

"How good’s your aim?” Turtle asked, breaking another of the creature’s claws on his skin.

What did you have in mind? Lydda asked, slamming two devilfish skulls together.

“There’s an overhanging piece of rock once you get further down that vent,” he pointed, oblivious to the creatures biting and clawing at him. “Their base is underneath it, if we can smash that I think we can bury the base once and for all and keep these boys trapped down there, at least until the SP can figure out what they want to do with ‘em long term.”

I’m strong but I’m not invulnerable,
Night Girl explained. I don’t think I could survive the heat down there long enough to do what needs to be done.

“That’s why I asked about your aim,” Turtle winked. “You’ve got an indestructible missile right here, baby.”

Night Girl quickly took stock of their situation. She wasn’t going to be able to avoid injury forever, and each second that base stood unopposed was another second these creatures could get out to really hurt someone. If you’re buried in the collapse it may be a while before we can dig you out, she noted.

Turtle shrugged. “I had nothing else planned for today!”

Okay then, Lydda agreed. Let me get us some space first. She grabbed hold of Turtle then using her flight ring zipped back from the mass of creatures surrounding them. Turtle kicked one of the devilfish away that had managed to get a grip on Lydda’s leg.

As the devilfish turned to follow their prey, Lydda released Turtle then brought her mighty hands together in an almost soundless clap. The shockwave scattered the devilfish, granting the heroes unimpeded access to the chasm from where their enemies had poured forth. With Turtle pointing the way, Night Girl spun him around and flung him indelicately into the gaping vent. He impacted like a small meteor, shattering the cliff around him into a thousand pieces which closed the vent completely. There were still nearly a dozen devilfish free and conscious, if somewhat groggy. Once a returning Lamprey sent arcs of electricity jolting through all of them, they were no longer a threat either.

Where’s Rokk? Night Girl asked the returning heroine. Where’s Zymyr?

“Zymyr’s no longer a threat,” Lamprey explained. “Cosmic Boy took him back to SP Headquarters so we can make sure he stays that way. I saw what you and Turtle did, that was a good solution. I guess that’s why you’re a Legionnaire, huh?”

Actually, the solution was his. Night Girl smiled at the younger green woman. Seems you may be a good influence on him, Lamprey.

Lamprey chuckled. “Someone has to be. Thanks again for helping, Night Girl. I really hope this didn’t ruin your honeymoon!”

Are you kidding? Night Girl beamed broadly, I spent my wedding night fighting a megalomaniacal vampire, I probably should just count my blessings that we didn’t have to stop a demonic incursion!

“Oh yeah, that was last time the Legion visited,” Lamprey remarked casually.

Both women looked at one another and laughed heartily at the bottom of the ocean.

**********

PLOT NOTES:

  • Cosmic Boy & Night Girl are on their honeymoon after their recent wedding where they had to fight the vampire Lord Vrykos on Night Girl's homeworld Kathoon
  • Lamprey graduated from the Legion Academy quite a while ago and took a position with the Science Police on the water world Vavalla rather than risk rejection from the Legion of Sujperheroes once more
  • Turtle is an indestructible native of Vavalla. He first appeared as a founding member of the Legion of Substitute Villains, but left that team after a couple of misadventures. More of a rogue than an actual villain, he has had some off-screen adventures with Lamprey on his homeworld, and once helped Lamprey and four Legionnaires stop a Lovecraftian demon from materialising on Vavalla.
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Honeymooners - 05/19/15 09:57 AM
Hey Raz, I'm sorry to see Chuck and Lu go, you've created great storylines for hem and breathed a fresh perspective into them. Still, I'm definitely looking forwardto seeing who gets the leaders spot next - I'm think Mon El and Brainy?

Is Jo away to track down Leeta? If so is that wise? Loving your development of him, especially playing up his detective andespionage skills, really nicely done.

I bet that Rokk and Lydda were grateful for the action on their honeymoon, so to speak, as they don't strike me as the sort who could laze on a beach all day. Nice to see Lamprey again and also Turtle - you write him particularly well, such a loveable rogue!

Zymyr creating a slave race to take over the world was fun, the Gil'Dishpans are such a marvellously weird race.

Lydda and Tayla's laugh at the end was sweet, nice to see the camaraderie there.

Good stuff Raz, looking forward to more, more, more!

Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 19 MAY* - 05/19/15 12:09 PM
Thanks Harbi! Your leadership guesses are interesting, we'll see how close you got soon wink

Agreed that Rokk & Lydda seem the types to like a bit of action in their lives...I always really liked the Gil'dishpan as kooky as they are, I'm glad I came up with an excuse to use Zymyr at last smile
Glad to see Lu and Chuck get a "happy" ending. The outing on Vavalla was a lot of fun and both Lamprey and Turtle did very well. What a fun little episode!
Posted By: Omni Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 19 MAY* - 05/20/15 11:27 PM
Hey Raz.
this was a really fun read.

i loved how Rokk stopped Zymyr using his own magnetic field against him. that was ingenuous!

I have to agree with everyone else Lydda and Rokk are not the type to just relax on a beach.

I really like Lampry and Turtle. they are a cute pair i'd like to see again.

I can't wait for more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 19 MAY* - 06/01/15 01:20 PM
Glad you guys like Lamprey and Turtle, I have been looking for an excuse to use them again for a while! Also I think y'all are pretty accurate in thinking Rokk and Lydda probably would secretly welcome a little superhero action even if they might not admit it to themselves wink
Posted By: razsolo Revenge of the Monster Master! - 06/01/15 01:30 PM
TRANTOR SYSTEM
Weber’s World

ROLL CALL
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart:
cyberempathy
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

**********
Ultra Boy paused before a hidden door miles beneath the surface of Weber’s World. “Penetra-vision agrees with your cyberempathy,” Jo remarked without looking at the shorter girl at his side. “89’s definitely in there and even better, looks like she’s alone. You ready, Kid C?”

“I am now,” the plucky young heroine answered. “After last time, I’m making sure I connect with their defence systems before we walk in.”

“That shouldn’t be necessary,” Jo turned to face Kid Computo. “I just want to talk to 89, we’re not going to fight.” Jo only hoped Danielle believed that more than he did himself.

The duo entered, and were surprised to find the masked leader of the Oversight Watch leaning against a wall on the other side of the door waiting for them. “You Legionnaires are making a habit of letting yourselves into my house,” 89 deadpanned, the pitch of her voice electronically altered. “I can’t say I’m a fan of it.”

“How did you know we were here?” Danielle Foccart exclaimed. “I made sure we were hidden from every one of your surveillance systems!”

“I wouldn’t be much of a spymaster if that were really true,” 89 answered dryly. “Now I assume this isn’t a social call?” Though her eyes were hidden behind dark rounded goggles, Danielle and Jo both felt the intensity of her gaze upon them.

“You assume right,” Ultra Boy took control of the situation. “It’s time we hashed a few things out…Leeta.”

**********
WEBER’S ASTEROID BELT
United Planets Space Bank, one light hour from Weber’s World

ROLL CALL
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal:
Naltorian precognition
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength & super-agility

**********
“W-we’d like to thank the Legion once more for coming to our aid,” the mousy Administrator Keet’n stammered as he escorted four of the galaxy’s most popular heroes through the expansive lobby of the Space Bank’s recently relocated head branch. He was a short man, and of the quartet of heroes only Elastic Lad wasn’t substantially taller than him. A thin hairless tail snapped back and forth behind Administrator Keet’n, annoying Shadow Lass visibly. “Uhh…do you happen to know h-how you’ll be coming to our aid?” he questioned Dream Girl. “Should we…p-prepare? Do you need security backup..?”

“Hmm?” Nura Nal had been gazing at the colorful mosaic murals lining the domed ceiling above them, completely oblivious to the man’s bowing and scraping. “Oh, I’m not sure to be honest.” She waved him away breezily. “The Legion will have this under control. Don’t worry yourself about it, Administrator.”

Timber Wolf placed an overly familiar arm around the puny man’s shoulders and led him away from the other Legionnaires. “Dream Girl’s visions drive us space-crazy too,” Brin shared. “But vague as she is, she’s usually right. If Dreamy says your bank’s coming under attack then you’re going to need the Legion’s help, trust me. Like the lady said, don’t worry about it though.” He patted the man on the back and almost knocked him off of his feet. Administrator Keet’n made a hurried excuse and slipped away.

“Can you believe Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel left the team?” Elastic Lad asked the girls. “Have you voted for a new leader yet? Gosh, it’s so exciting! I was thinking about voting for Brainiac 5 but Star Boy did a swell job on Xanthu, do you think he’d like a chance at the role? I hope I get to be leader one day, that’d be just great! Not for a long time of course, I know I’ve only just joined the team and I have a lot to learn yet but it would definitely be an experience! You’ve led the team before right, Dream Girl?”

“I have led the team, but Star Boy?” Nura laughed out loud at the thought. “Elastic Lad, Thom would run the other direction if any of us so much as nominated him. Brainiac’s a smart choice…I haven’t decided yet to be honest. It’s all been rather sudden, we only got home a couple of days ago!”

“You mean you haven’t foreseen the result already?” Shadow Lass teased. “I actually don’t know why everybody’s so shocked that Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel have resigned. After that debacle with the Khunds I’d be more surprised if they stayed!”

“Aw don’t be so hard on Chuck,” Timber Wolf joined their conversation. “He hasn’t had the easiest leadership term to deal with…you know, I think I’m gonna vote for Blok actually. Now ol’ pebblehead’s got the power of Shazam he’s sure smarter than he was before!” Brin tapped his temple for added effect.

Blok?!” Shadow Lass didn’t have a chance to expand on her opinion before the lobby was filled with panicked screams. “Outside!” Shadow Lass announced, taking to the air. The other Legionnaires joined her, and found the last thing any of them would ever have expected. Terrorising customers and staff alike outside the bank, half a dozen flasher beasts were bearing down on the building. The one-horned flasher beasts stood over twelve feet tall on their hind legs and were enormously strong, but what gave them their name was their ability to project a beam of blinding light from saucer-like yellow eyes.

“Why aren’t the security guards shooting them?” Timber Wolf asked. “They’ve got stunners, right?”

“Look at them!” Dream Girl pointed. “Nobody can see a thing! Timber Wolf, help me corral these people to safety before someone gets hurt. Shadow Lass, can you and Elastic Lad take care of the animals? Be careful of their—“

“--Eyes,” Shadow Lass completed Dream Girl’s warning. “Yes, I know. Fortunately, my power is more than capable of dealing with theirs.” Four of the flasher beasts disappeared beneath a shroud of impenetrable darkness where they bellowed ineffectually.

“I’ve got the last two,” Elastic Lad announced as he wound one hyperextended arm around each of the remaining beasts, binding their limbs and covering their eyes. “But gosh Legionnaires, where do you think a bunch of flasher beasts came from around here? This is nowhere near their normal territory!”

“That’s a good question,” Dream Girl mused. “Unfortunately I’ve got a feeling we’re not going to find the answer to that question here.”

**********
INSHAR
The World of Giant Flowers

ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem:
hyper-stimulated plant growth
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: wind control

**********
Chlorophyll Kid was glad he had his flight ring to propel him up the face of this steep hill. Inshar was a beautiful world full of all kinds of enormous and exotic vegetation, many of its flowering plants easily dwarfing most humanoids. Giant flowers needed a giant world though, and if he’d had to walk the terrain he’d covered today on foot Ral Benem would have been exhausted an hour ago. Using their own powers, Nightwind and Comet Queen flanked their slightly out of shape teammate on either side.

“Everything’s x-ray clear on this side, starshine!” Comet Queen announced. “No ultra-energy beasts or space dragons for parsecs!”

“Uhh, thanks Comet Queen.” Chlorophyll Kid smirked. The girl was kooky, but her enthusiasm for just about any task was kind of endearing. “How are things on the other side of the slope, Nightwind?”

“Everything’s fine here too,” the pale yellow Earth woman replied drearily. Shiny black straps hung from her bodysuit and whipped in the winds that propelled her. Ral had to admit he found her a little more intimidating than Grava with her skintight black hooded suit and severe facial markings.

“Looks like today might be a b-bust,” Ral stammered. “I know B-Bouncing Boy sent us here to handle security for the new Insharian Governor to be sworn in, but we haven’t found any s-signs of dissent all morning.”

As Comet Queen dipped away to investigate a particularly beautiful lily which sprouted sixteen feet into the sky, Nightwind summoned an air current to carry her closer to their male comrade. “There probably never was any dissent,” Berta confided to Chlorophyll Kid. “I bet Bouncing Boy just used this mission to keep Grava occupied while he and Duplicate Damsel make a clean getaway.”

“R-really?” Chlorophyll Kid eyed the oblivious golden girl. “That seems a little…I don’t know, underhanded, don’t you th-think?”

“You don’t know Grava,” Nightwind chuckled. “Don’t get me wrong, Comet Queen’s one of my best friends…but to say she has a crush on Bouncing Boy would be understating it. She feels things very deeply, she’s…well, she’s kind of obsessed. She’d fall apart if she had to say goodbye when he and Duplicate Damsel make their switch to reserve status official.”

“Right…” Ral watched Grava playing among a cloud of rainbow-winged butterflies she’d stumbled upon. He supposed Comet Queen’s former Legion Academy teacher and peer both understood her better than he did, but it still seemed unfair to trick her like this.

“Who are you going to vote for anyway?” Nightwind asked, bringing Chlorophyll Kid’s attention back to her. “To be our new leader, I mean. I’m going with Wildfire myself. He was always there for us in our Academy days when most of the other Legion didn’t even know we existed.”

“I-I hadn’t really thought about it,” Ral admitted nervously. “P-Polar Boy was always our leader when we were in the Subs together, b-but—“

“Whoa!” Comet Queen circled around them. “You two have to glom this, they’re like giant crammels!”

“Crammels?” Chlorophyll Kid raised an eyebrow. “What’s a crammel?”

The sound of crunching branches broke the placid silence and three enormous crocodilian creatures stampeded through a bank of giant flowers. Each of the stout animals had a smooth rounded carapace of ringed segments and a mouth full of sharp fangs that looked as though they could easily snap any of the Legionnaires in two. “They’re crammels!” Grava explained. “Except maybe 500 macros bigger!” The golden-skinned heroine grabbed her teammates under each arm and swooped them up and away from the reach of the creatures.

“Thanks for the save, Grava.” Nightwind removed herself from her friend’s grip and positioned herself behind the destructive animals. “They’re not crammels though, I think they’re called vrans. Chameleon Boy became one once during a training session at the Academy, remember? They’re like turtles from Earth, if we turn them on their backs they won’t be able to get up…I don’t think I can summon a wind strong enough to do it without hurting them or tearing up half this landscape though!”

Chlorophyll Kid pulled a few seeds out of a hidden pouch in his baggy costume and dropped them on top of one of the vrans. Fast-growing vines quickly sprung up around the beast, but it was strong enough to tear straight through them without a second thought. “T-time for Plan B,” Ral plotted. “N-Nightwind? Can you use your p-power to herd them?”

“Sure,” Berta nodded. “What did you have in mind?”

“First, let me plant some more seeds. All these giant flowers are g-giving me an idea.” He dived down toward a clearing big enough to suit his needs and scooped a couple of handfuls of loose dirt away from the soft ground underfoot. After hurriedly planting a hard-shelled brown pip in the soil he carried out the same process twice again a couple meters away each time. Wasting no time, Ral flew back up to join the girls. It might be coincidence that these creatures were on a rampage at the same time three Legionnaires had been sent planetside on a security escort, but he didn’t want to take that chance. Better to wrap this up as soon as possible. “We’re good to g-go,” Chlorophyll Kid nodded at the yellow-skinned heroine.

Nightwind bit her lower lip and focused. She needed to create a wind tunnel shepherding the vrans toward Chlorophyll Kid’s trap that was strong enough to make the creatures uncomfortable without actually causing any damage. The task was more difficult than she’d made it sound, but she wasn’t going to fail against a trio of giant armadillo crocodile things. Comet Queen squealed encouragement, and soon the creatures were right where Chlorophyll Kid had wanted them. Ral did his part, kicking his own power into effect once more. In the blink of an eye, enormous oaks shot up underneath the vrans. Unbalanced by the colossal trunks, the creatures lost their footing and rolled over on to their backs. The ground was uneven, but the vrans became wedged between the giant trunks before they could roll back on to their feet again.

Comet Queen clapped her hands and laughed. “That was nova-shine cosmic, starshine!”

“Thanks Comet Queen,” Chlorophyll Kid smiled. “Can you please sedate them? N-Nightwind, if you can call this back to base I’ll check in with the Insharian G-Governor.”

**********
KORR
Sky City

ROLL CALL
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna:
heat and light generation
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis

**********
Tellus and Sun Boy stood directly in front of the enormous cylinder which supported Korr’s most famous city high above them. The cylinder was hundreds of feet in circumference and surrounded by several protective barriers. “Thanks for coming out here with me, Tellus.” Sun Boy made small talk as he peered up at the tower disappearing into the clouds above.

“I am happy if I can do anything to help the Legion,” Tellus’ electronic voice modulator monotoned. “May I ask though why it was imperative for us to journey here so quickly, Sun Boy?"

“Call it a hunch,” Dirk Morgna replied. “I was on monitor duty when Dreamy’s team subdued flasher beasts at the Space Bank earlier today, and Chlorophyll Kid came across rampaging vrans on Inshar not long after that. I was also on the last Legion mission where we faced those animals at those places...the whole thing's too much of a coincidence for my liking. If I’m right, I didn’t have time to try and assemble a third team and update them while I was stuck in the monitor room so I asked the closest person to relieve me. Of course, that just happened to be Vi aka the crankiest woman on the team and I have no doubt I’ll be paying for that when I get back…damn it! Where are they?”

The pods on Tellus’ back became a milky pink colour, indicating his confusion. “Whom is it that you are expecting to find?” the Hykraian asked.

“Earthquake beasts,” Sun Boy muttered. He turned to face his Hykraian teammate. “Can you sense any nearby? They must be here somewhere!”

Tellus gazed across the empty landscape. Aside from the occasional stalk supporting Korr’s cities high up in the atmosphere Korr seemed a barren and featureless world. “I shall try,” Tellus responded without much hope for success. Earthquake beasts were huge animals, surely if any existed here the Legionnaires would have spotted them long before now. Still, Sun Boy seemed certain they would find them here so Tellus resolved to give it his best effort. The nodules lining the fish-like Legionnaire’s back flashed stark white. I have found them! Tellus projected telepathically. Sun Boy, they are below us!

“There must be caves down there!” Sun Boy cried out. “Quick, get airborne!” Dirk flew straight up, Tellus close behind. Once the two of them were a safe distance above the ground, Sun Boy unleashed a ferociously hot blast of fire at the desert surface. He was careful not to jeopardise the integrity of the tower holding the city high above them and as soon as the resulting cloud of dust and smoke cleared, the Legionnaires saw two stunned earthquake beasts in an enormous subterranean cavern.

Tellus immediately descended to meet the dinosaur-like beasts eye to eye. They have been trained for one purpose, he explained after probing their minds. They have been brought here from off-planet, led through miles of tunnels to destroy Sky City. I can keep the earthquake beasts docile, but I am afraid their minds are not sufficiently advanced for me to be able to identify the man who trained them.

“That’s okay Tellus," Sun Boy placated his comrade. "I may not know who sent these guys exactly but I think I know where we can find them. Let me call Vi and we’ll wrap this up.” Tellus ruminated on the complexity of his human teammate’s psyche as Dirk Morgna reported back to base. Sun Boy pretended to be utterly superficial more often than not, but there was a strong sense of duty and responsibility which ran through him like a hidden undercurrent. Tellus wondered if he would ever cease to find these air-breathers a source of surprise.

**********
PLANET ACV1309
The Monster World

ROLL CALL
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
12th level intelligence
Supergirl aka Kara Zor-El: Kryptonian physiology

**********
As Supergirl accompanied Brainiac 5 through the rosy skies of the planet colloquially named Monster World, she was surprised at the sheer biodiversity this world had to offer. “Brainy, this place is amazing!” Kara gushed. “It’s like a planetary wildlife reserve!”

“That’s precisely what it is,” Brainiac 5 replied. “The Legion of Superheroes faced our first super-powered foe on this world, the self-titled Monster Master. He defeated himself really, but once we became aware of this planet’s existence we made it a priority to have ACV1309 categorised for scientific research and exploration. The only sentients permitted here are those with the appropriate research exemptions.”

“Well, I think it’s beautiful.” Kara turned away from the lush rainforest canopy below them and flashed her green teammate a dazzling smile. “Thanks for bringing me here.”

Brainiac 5 cleared his throat awkwardly. “Once Sun Boy reported that the Legion were being confronted with attempted crimes mimicking those of the original Monster Master, it stood to reason that the party behind these incidents would most likely also be using our original foe’s base of operations. And here we are.” He gestured at an unassuming grey bunker standing in a small clearing in the exotic rain forest below them.

Supergirl frowned. “There’s too much lead incorporated into that building, my x-ray vision’s not going to be any use. Do you think they know we’re coming?”

“I’d count on it,” Brainiac 5 answered. “I think we’re going to have to knock. Kara, if you’d be so kind?”

The two Legionnaires landed outside the simple grey building and Kara punched one of the walls, effortlessly smashing a massive hole through it. “Knock knock!” she called out in a sing-song voice.

A lone figure emerged from a sliding door further along the building’s perimeter. “There’s no need to destroy my home,” a stocky broad-shouldered man announced. “You’ve already done enough damage to my family, Legionnaires.” The dark-haired man wore a tiger-striped suit and tie paired with a black shirt and glasses. He wore a golden studded belt with a wolf’s head belt buckle, and golden cuffs were just visible beneath the sleeves of his garish jacket.

“Who are your family?” Supergirl guffawed. “Tarzan and Jane?”

“If I'm not mistaken, you're Weismann King?” Brainiac addressed the stranger.

“You should know exactly who I am!” the man sneered. “When my brother Morton tried to join your team, you monsters rejected him and hounded him to his death! Our eldest brother tried to avenge Morton’s death…I’m going to succeed where he failed, Brainiac 5!” For the first time, Weismann King seemed to notice that the two Legionnaires had come alone. “Wait, where are the rest of your team?”

“I didn’t bring them,” Brainiac 5 announced, “Because there won’t be a need for them, Mr King. We didn’t kill your brother and we don’t want to harm you. The Legion of Superheroes have stopped each of your attempts to recreate Monster Master’s crimes before anybody was injured, surrender to us now and you’ll receive the best psychological care we can obtain. There’s no reason this needs to go any further than it has thus far.”

“Oh, it’ll go further!” the man in tiger-print shook his fist. “You murdered my brother with his own gas creature, well guess what? I brought enough gas creatures for your whole team! And once the Legion learn that I’ve killed you two they’ll learn to fear the all new Monster Master!” As his ranting reached a fever pitch, a swarm of translucent creatures wafted around him from within the bunker. More and more of the creatures converged, and soon there were over two dozen of them.

Supergirl raised an eyebrow. “...Really?”

“Kara, don’t mock him.” Brainiac’s tone was mildly disapproving. “Mr King needs our help, and these creatures are more dangerous than they might seem. They can turn anyone they touch into an insubstantial mist permanently.”

“Then I guess they’d better not touch anyone.” Supergirl inhaled sharply and as the creatures drifted toward the Legionnaires she literally blew them away with a blast of super-breath.

“No!” the new Monster Master shouted in defiance. “You were supposed to die!”

“That was never going to happen,” Brainiac 5 said simply. He touched a control on his belt and the would-be murderer was surrounded by an impenetrable forcefield. “We’re going to have to take you into custody now Mr King, but we’ll make sure you get the help you need.”

Supergirl playfully punched Brainiac in the shoulder. “Nicely handled, Brainy. I’m glad I voted for you in the election now.”

“I never doubted you would, Kara.” Both Legionnaires’ flight rings beeped at them and Brainiac ignored his, taking to the air with a struggling Monster Master in tow. “In fact, that’ll be Shrinking Violet now informing us that I’m the new leader of the Legion if I’m not mistaken.”

“You might be surprised,” Supergirl poked her tongue out before turning to her flight ring. “Hi Vi, Brainy’s a little busy at the moment. What’s up?”

“Give him my congratulations,” Shrinking Violet’s voice sounded. “He’s won the leadership election by a very narrow margin, Ultra Boy’s our deputy.”

Supergirl’s eyes grew wide. “Son of a….you really do know everything, don’t you Brainy?”

“Not everything,” the green-skinned hero gave her a wry smile. “I’d thought Mon-El would be voted deputy.”

Supergirl’s laughter filled the forest skies as the two Legionnaires flew into the sunset.

**********
Posted By: razsolo EDITOR'S NOTES! - 06/01/15 01:53 PM
Some footnotes on the above:

The original Monster Master was a character who appeared in Adventure Comics #309. He tried to join the Legion initially as Jungle King and when he was rejected he turned to a life of crime like all good Legion rejects. Renaming himself the Monster Master, he created a Legion of Super-Monsters made up of various insane critters as reproduced above and he was sadly killed by a gas creature whom he'd rejected from his own Legion in an ironic ending.

89 is the leader of the covert ops team the Oversight Watch, and as we have learned recently also appears to be the meant-to-be-deceased heroine Leeta-87. Now you guys know everything Ultra Boy does! laugh
Posted By: Omni Re: EDITOR'S NOTES! - 06/02/15 05:27 PM
Raz this was a fun outing. it was nice to have a couple small missions and a done in one kind of feel.

I loved Brainy's line "That was never going to happen."

The Monster Master II was interesting and thank you for the footnotes as i've never heard of him. I loved all those beast though and would love to see more of them.

I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THIS CONFRONTATION WITH JO AND 89!

keep them coming!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: EDITOR'S NOTES! - 06/03/15 08:44 PM
That was great fun, really nice how you focused on small groups and showed how they could deal with the animals with minimal fuss. Also well done for weaving the teams views on Chuck and Lu's resignation throughout as well.

Jo and Danielle facing Leeta will be fun, loved how she kne they were coming despite Computo's efforts. Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen were fun together, though why does everyone see Nightwind as such a stern character? I blame the hood personally smile Tellus and Sun Boy were an interesting pairing as I don't think I've ever seen them together really. Brainy stole the show though with his cool intellect verging on arrogance, that was really well written. As Omni said above "that was never going to happen" was the best line of the post, spot on characterisation in one line.

Looking forward to whatever you bring onus next, it's going to be interesting with Brainiac 5 now in charge!

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: EDITOR'S NOTES! - 06/04/15 09:31 AM
Thanks again guys!

re: Nightwind...I think I see her that way because she always looked so somber in her drab cloak days, and I remember in the 5YL Legion she ended up being a military instructor. I kind of see her being someone who wants to be taken seriously as a superhero but would be a lot more relaxed around her friends when she's not trying to impress anyone...I kinda like how a lot of the Legion's support cast have a lot of room for different interpretations smile

Glad y'all are looking forward to Jo's chat with 89! Hopefully she won't disappoint! laugh
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: EDITOR'S NOTES! - 06/04/15 11:59 AM
Nicely done, raz, a nice and simple mission that features and develops over a dozen Legionnaires. I particularly liked seeing 3 "rookies" (Grava, Berta, Ral) together with no "senior" member supervising.

Good job having Dirk be the one make the connection between these events and Monster Master. Also liked Nura's comment that Thom would NEVER want the leader job (something that seems very true).

Lastly, looking forward to the final resolution of the Leeta mystery!
Posted By: razsolo Whatever Happened to Leeta-87? - 06/28/15 10:05 AM
TRANTOR SYSTEM
Weber’s World

ROLL CALL
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart:
cyberempathy
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: deputy leader, ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

89: leader of the Oversight Watch, hyper-skilled combatant and espionage agent

**********
In a cramped featureless room miles beneath the ground, Ultra Boy and Kid Computo sat awkwardly in stiff-backed chairs while the woman named 89 stood before them even more stiffly. Her bodysuit covered her from head to toe, with even her face obscured by a full cowl, darkened goggles and a discrete air-purifying apparatus. All the two Legionnaires could interpret was her body language, and that wasn’t giving away anything.

“I suppose you have questions,” she confronted them, her voice altered electronically. “You may as well ask them.”

“Are you really Leeta-87?” Jo came straight to the point.

“Leeta-87’s death is well-known throughout the United Planets,” 89 said, avoiding a direct answer.

“Well…the legend of her death,” Kid Computo clarified. “But legends aren’t always true, are they?”

“No,” the masked woman replied pointedly. “They’re not always true. Then again...sometimes they are.” Her posture relaxed ever so slightly and her head bowed the tiniest amount. Danielle didn’t notice it, but Jo did and he knew they could get her to open up if they kept at her now.

“There’s no point playing games with us,” Ultra Boy announced confidently. “We know who you are, I saw your face myself. And if I’m wrong, Kid Computo will find your secret no matter how weird it is. We know the rest of the Oversight Watch are nowhere nearby so you’re not gonna mind-whammy us. We’ve stopped you from being able to transmit any kind of an electronic signal out of this place. If we need to, we’ll scour every database on Weber’s World. It might not be over quick, but I think you know we’ll find out. So why not save yourself the suspense?”

89 paced the floor of the small interrogation room where she’d brought them. Her back to them, the two heroes could see the tension in her athletic shoulders. She made a silent decision, then turned to face them. “I’m sorry, Legionnaires. I really am. But this is so much bigger than anybody in this room.” Taking the duo by surprise, 89 leaped at Ultra Boy with a flying kick. With his ultra-energy feeding invulnerability, he was unharmed by the vicious attack but he fell backwards off of his chair. Danielle clambered to her feet and tried to block 89’s follow up strike using the combat training Dream Girl had insisted she undertake, but 89 was far too skilled for the young girl. A gloved fist cracked against her jaw and Danielle Foccart fell limply to the floor.

“You crazy—“ Ultra Boy switched his ultra-energy into speed and charged 89, slamming her into the opposite wall hard enough to almost dislocate her shoulder.

“You think I haven’t prepared for you too, Ultra Boy?” Ignoring the pain, she slipped her other hand into a hidden pocket and flung a small cord of wire at his throat.

With ultra-fast reflexes, Jo saw it coming as though it were moving in slow motion and he switched back to invulnerability before it made contact with his exposed flesh. “I bet you thought I’d use ultra-speed to catch it out of the air,” he taunted as he advanced on her. “Let me guess, electrified? Coated in some kind of skin contact neurotoxin? Doesn’t do you any good when your target can’t be hurt.”

“Not at all,” 89 heaved. “You haven’t noticed yet, have you?”

“Noticed what…hey!” Jo realised the wire had flicked around his neck, and was now snapped in place like a segmented choker. He pulled at it, but the cord wouldn’t budge. “So what?” he snorted. “Neither you or your stupid necklace are anything ultra-strength can’t handle. I can rip it off before it comes anywhere near strangling me.”

“I wouldn’t do that.” She reached out to touch his arm before he could switch powers. “You can’t feel it, but the inside of that wire is lined with retractable razor-sharp spikes. Twelve of them. Your invulnerable skin is the only thing preventing your throat from being instantly shredded, Ultra Boy.”

Ultra Boy gingerly poked one finger under the trap as much as he could. It was a tight fit, but he did just barely feel two stud-like protuberances very close to one another. He knew she was right. The second he regained normal vulnerability he was dead. Jo roared through gritted teeth and swung what he knew would be the last punch he’d get to swing. 89 grabbed his fist and in one fluid movement twisted his arm behind his back. She grabbed his other arm before he could react, and a second later both hands were cuffed behind him. “You’re a brawler,” 89’s voice came from behind him. “You’re a damn good brawler, but I’m an expert in martial arts you’ve never heard of. Without any offensive powers you never had a chance.”

“Oh, I knew that.” His voice was suddenly devoid of any of the rage he’d shown an instant earlier. “I just wanted to get close enough to do this.” He slammed his head backwards with as much force as he could muster, and felt a satisfying crack as his steel-hard skull crashed into 89’s face.

She gave an involuntary grunt, then composed herself and kicked at the back of his left knee. Jo collapsed by Danielle’s side in an undignified heap.

“I meant what I said, Ultra Boy.” 89 took a faltering step back from him. “For what it’s worth I really am sorry, I…what…what’s happening..? Woozy…” She swooned, then touched her face with fingers quickly growing numb. Her air purifier. His headbutt had broken her air purifier! She reached into her belt for a spare, but dropped to her knees before she could pull it out. 89 fought it every second of the way, but in mere moments she was lying face-down on the floor by her victims.

A hazy wisp of air streamed forth from her shattered air purifier, quickly condensing into a decidedly feminine silhouette of mist. The cloud solidified, and Gas Girl soon joined the trio. “It’s a good thing you asked me to sneak along,” the bald Lalloran greeted Ultra Boy. “Why did she do that? She must have realised the Legion of Superheroes would find out one way or another if she did anything to the two of you, and there’s no way the Oversight Watch can take on the whole Legion!”

“Desperation,” Ultra Boy answered. “I think she really believed what she was saying, that her secret’s too big to be let out in the open. I kind of half-expected her to pull something, but I underestimated how far she’d go and how good she is…you might have just saved our lives, Gas Girl.”

“So what do we do now?” Gas Girl asked. “She’s tough but she’ll be out for a few minutes at least.”

“Make sure Kid C’s okay first,” Jo replied. “Then let’s find a way to restrain Leeta-87 or 89 or whatever she wants to call herself…and then let’s get me the sprock out of this low-rent bondage gear and we’ll get some answers!”

**********
When 89 opened her eyes, the first thing she noticed was that she was no longer wearing her cowl. She instantly recognised her own team’s training room, the many different-sized panels lining every surface of the room hiding a dizzying array of mechanical threats. The fact that she was bound in place told her she was a victim of the training room’s ensnarement coils, and when she looked down from her mid-air suspension she saw Ultra Boy and Kid Computo standing below her with a third Legionnaire. “Gas Girl,” 89 noted. “Of course. Well played, Ultra Boy. Makkia Vei warned me there’s more to you than meets the eye, I should have listened to her.”

“Were you trying to kill us?!” Danielle Foccart exploded. “Just because we asked you a couple of sprocking questions?!”

“Easy, Kid C.” Ultra Boy held a hand out.

“She nearly broke my jaw!” Danielle retorted angrily.

“Legionnaires, listen to me.” 89 wasn’t too far from pleading. “Walk away from this. Walk away now before it’s too late.”

“Why won’t you just talk to them?” Gas Girl asked her. “If you’re in trouble, the Legion can help. They’ve helped my homeworld plenty of times!”

“I can’t. I told you, this is bigger than any of us. I know you won’t torture me, and even if you did I’ve been trained to resist torture. Accept that I have a reason to keep this secret, Legionnaires.”

“Yeah, see, that’s the thing.” Ultra Boy folded his arms across his chest. “If you’d ever given us any reason at all to trust you, then we would accept that. But the more you fight, the greater lengths you go to hide whatever it is you’re hiding, the more I think we need to know. You’re right that Legionnaires don’t resort to torture, Leeta. But with Gas Girl here, we don’t need to.”

“…And that’s my cue.” The hazy plume which surrounded Gas Girl’s scalp seemed to absorb more of her body from the head down. As she completed her transformation into a pinkish mist and floated up toward the captive 89, she continued speaking. “While you were out, we called Elastic Lad for a quick chemistry lesson. Turns out sodium thearbitol is a pretty effective truth serum for the natives of Cadmu, and I’m always looking for fun new compounds to try out.”

“No!” For the first time they heard a note of panic in 89’s voice. “Don’t do this!”

“Stay calm,” Gas Girl cautioned as her dark-haired victim inhaled her. “You’ll feel less nauseous if you just go with it.”

89 tried to hold her breath, but it was too late. Soon there was no external trace of Gas Girl, and 89 broke out into a cold sweat. In utter desperation, she bit down on the killpod hidden in her cheek to trigger a localised bioelectromagnetic pulse which would fatally disrupt her synaptic network. Nothing happened. Kid Computo, she realised with sinking despair.

Ultra Boy gave her a few minutes of heaving retches for her body to accustom to the chemical reactions now taking place inside her. After an appropriate amount of time, he began. “So tell us, are you…were you Leeta-87?”

“Yes,” she grunted. “...Damn you.”

“Then what the hell happened?” Jo asked. “I met you! You were every bit the hero history says you were! How did you go from that to someone who tries to kill innocent people for asking too many questions?”

89 groaned. She didn’t want to answer them, she even tried to summon the willpower to bite her own tongue off. It was too late for that now though. They had her over a barrel, and they had no idea what they were about to unveil. “…Kismet have mercy on us all…” she whimpered softly. And then she told them her story.

“After Brimstone decimated the Intergalactic Law Patrol, after your team of Legionnaires vanished into the timestream…I knew the universe was a bigger place than I’d ever suspected, the threats more monstrous. I was determined to become a better hero, to redeem myself for the horror I’d allowed to happen on Cadmu.” She could hear her confession, but she couldn’t stop it. “I learned that Brimstone was a creation of Darkseid, and…and that led me to delve into everything history could tell me about Darkseid.”

“Darkseid?” Danielle’s eyes widened. “You mean, ‘enslave the population of Daxam' Darkseid?”

Jo barely heard his teammate. “What happened from there, Leeta?” he asked grimly.

“It wasn’t easy….records…lot of records missing…” They could tell she was struggling against Gas Girl’s infiltration as hard as she could. “…But I discovered some of the history of the New Gods of Genesis….their war with Apokolips…and Darkseid’s ancient quest for…the Anti-Life Equation…”

Ultra Boy and Kid Computo listened, simultaneously transfixed but dreading to find out where this was going to take them.

“...Anti-Life Equation…” she continued. “Darkseid fought the greatest heroes of Earth, centuries ago…fought other worlds….the Avenging Might of Orando…ravaged populations, killed countless sentients….for the Anti-Life Equation…and it occurred to me…if there was an Anti-Life Equation…why not an Anti-Death Equation..?"

“I don’t understand,” Jo frowned. “Wouldn’t..wouldn’t life be the anti-death equation?” He found himself wishing Brainiac 5 were here to deal with this.

89 laughed feebly. “…Life..? No, Ultra Boy…life ends. All life ends. Even on Cadmu…we can extend life…so much longer than natural span, but….even we end. Anti-Death is the absence of death…no more death.” She laughed again, but it was a broken sound.

“I became obsessed...” 89 continued. “…Obsessed with becoming the greatest hero I could be…obsessed with ending death. I thought…I thought I could bring my team back…I thought if I could bring all the dead back...I could find redemption.”

Kid Computo gave Ultra Boy a worried glance. “Maybe we should back off,” she suggested quietly. “This is really hard on her, Ultra Boy.”

“No.” Jo was resolute. “I’m not any more comfortable with this than you are, but we need to know.”

“…My search…led me to dark places…” 89 continued. “Black science…the Krona Cultists…the Bizarro-world Allahgnahs…the United Planets couldn’t ethically support my quest any longer and Kimball….Zendak asked me to stop. So I did the only thing I could…I faked Leeta-87’s death. And defying every Cadmian Rule of Lineage, I named myself 88. I gave up my personhood…and took on the signifier of my many many lives as my only identity…spitting in the face of Death.” She took a deep harrowing breath and continued. “And eventually…eventually I found it. The Anti-Death Equation.”

Jo and Danielle scarcely dared to breathe. Her whole story was so ludicrous as to be unbelievable but they knew she was telling them the truth. The weight of that truth was palpable. “And then…and then what happened..?” Danielle ventured. “I mean…people still die, right..?”

89 remembered those events so long ago now but still so fresh in her memory. The Janusian philososcientists. The Cancer Planet. Ending the Black Racer. The Things Beyond Kismet’s Reckoning. All of Gas Girl’s power couldn't drag those truths from her, she would take them to her grave.

“Yes,” 89 answered simply. “...People still die.”

She centred herself before continuing. She couldn’t prevent herself from answering their questions truthfully, but omission was no lie. “…I placed…a large amount of people at risk,” 89 explained, a little more collected now. “…Countless numbers of people. A universe full of people. There was a struggle that involved Kimball Zendak…myself…entities I hope never to encounter again in this life…the Anti-Death Equation was taken from me to remain a secret for the rest of eternity. What I’d done…it was far far too dangerous to allow that path to remain open for anyone else to follow. So I worked with Zendak to wipe out all trace of that path, from its very genesis in our battle with Brimstone forward. And with what little humanity was left to me after the things I’d done, I begged Kimball Zendak to help me find the redemption for which I’d been searching so long. I was once…special to him. Because of that he agreed, but we both knew that 88 had to die. She had to go along with everything else she’d brought into existence.”

“So you called yourself 89,” Jo concluded.

“But what about the other part of your name?” Danielle asked. “Why didn’t you go back to being Leeta-87 again? Or just call yourself Leeta-89?”

“In every way besides the literal, the woman named Leeta is dead,” 89 answered sadly. “All I can do is try to redeem myself for what I allowed to take her place…until the day redemption no longer matters and I meet Death again on her own terms.”

Silence filled the room until Jo eventually cleared his throat. “Uh Gas Girl…I think we’re done here. You can come out now.”

The bald woman reformed beside them, and Danielle’s power lowered 89 gently to the floor. The cables holding 89 snaked their way free from her and retracted into ports in the wall, leaving the woman sitting on the floor. She stood without a sound, hugging herself as she looked the Legionnaires dead on. “What I’ve told you,” she finally spoke, “I’ve not spoken aloud for more years than I care to remember. Aside from those of us in this room, Kimball Zendak is the only living being who is aware that any of this ever happened. And it is imperative that it stay that way. Do you understand?”

Ultra Boy could see it in her eyes. She’d been right all along. What had been secret needed to stay secret. “We understand,” he nodded on behalf of them all. He considered something privately for a moment, then turned to Gas Girl and Kid Computo. “Can you two give us a nano? I’ll be out in no time.”

“Sure,” Kid Computo answered. She pointed to a recording device in the corner of the ceiling. “But I’ll be watching her.” She turned and walked out with Gas Girl.

“Personal curiosity isn’t the only reason I came today,” Jo said once the girls had left. “There’s something else we need to get out in the open, 89.”

“Go on.” She was emotionally and mentally drained, but stood rigid before him.

“The Oversight Watch,” Ultra Boy continued. “I’m not Bouncing Boy. I know the galaxy isn’t always a black and white place, and that sometimes you have to get your hands dirty to get the job done. I don’t think the Legion of Superheroes should work against you, and I don’t think we need to know your every movement, but if we’re both on the same side I think we need to start acting like it.”

“What do you propose?” she asked him.

“Moving forward? A policy of don’t ask, don’t tell. We won’t pry into your business any more than we need to, but that means you can’t give us a reason to pry. In other words, clean up your act. Some of your crew were reckless on the Khund homeworld and we all paid for it.”

89 thought about what he was saying. “That’s fair,” she agreed. “It hasn’t escaped my notice that you sent the other two out of the room for this though, Ultra Boy. Is this new policy of non-intervention sanctioned by the Legion of Superheroes?”

“You let me worry about the Legion,” Jo replied. “But if you want to improve your chances of us staying out of your business, there is one thing the Oversight Watch can do to earn some good will.”

“And what might that be?” she retorted in a guarded tone.

“Well,” Jo smirked. “I’m glad you asked…”

*********

NEXT: A Legion Academy adventure!


EDITOR'S NOTE: Ultra Boy met Leeta-87 in an adventure where the Infinite Man sent him and several other Legionnaires decades into the past. She had just taken leadership of the Intergalactic Law Patrol, a team which predated the Legion of Superheroes. Most of the ILP were tragically killed in their first mission fighting Darkseid's construct Brimstone on Leeta's homeworld Cadmu.
Posted By: razsolo UPDATED TEAM ROSTER - June 26 - 06/28/15 10:18 AM
BLOK
BRAINIAC 5 (leader)
CHAMELEON BOY
CHLOROPHYLL KID
COLOR KID
COMET QUEEN
DAWNSTAR
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DRAGONMAGE
DREAM GIRL
ELASTIC LAD
ELEMENT LAD
FIRE LAD
GAS GIRL
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
KID COMPUTO
LIGHT LAD
LIGHTNING LASS
MATTER-EATER LAD
MON-EL
NIGHTWIND
PHANTOM GIRL
POLAR BOY
QUISLET
SHADOW LASS
SHRINKING VIOLET
STAR BOY
STONE BOY
SUN BOY
SUPERGIRL
TELLUS
TIMBER WOLF
ULTRA BOY (deputy leader)
WILDFIRE
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: UPDATED TEAM ROSTER - June 26 - 06/28/15 12:17 PM
Glad to see the Leeta-87 plot wrapped up - some intriguing tidbits but I think you explored everything that needed to be explored for now. Looking forward to seeing Jo's offer.
Posted By: razsolo Kids - 07/06/15 03:44 PM
EARTH
Metropolis, Hydrostatix Nightclub


ROLL CALL
Judgement League:
Kid Chemo: toxic chemical body
Light Lass II aka Julalai Huo: light generation
Sharpshot Kid aka Mat Cassel: unerring aim, specialty ammunition

Legion Academy:
Chemical Kid aka Hadru Jamik:
control of chemical reactions
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction

Legion of Substitute Heroes:
Antennae Lad aka Khfeurb Chee Bez:
can broadcast radio transmissions from different temporal loci
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Kohan: crystal construct creation
Polecat aka Dafe Meron: odor generation
Porcupine Pete aka Peter Dursin: projectile quills
Rainbow Girl aka Dori Aandraison: rainbow powers

**********

“I can’t believe I agreed to bring you all here,” Tel Vole moaned. Along with his boyfriend Waiane and the two boys’ younger friends Marya and Hadru, the attractive teenager was a student at Earth's elite Legion Academy. Unlike the other three students Tel didn’t need fake ID to get in to Hydrostatix, a new venue popular with Metropolis’ club kids. Shrill beeps punctuated a bassline that resonated deep in their bones. The club itself was an ingenious water construct held together by strong magnetic fields and with each thumping beat of the music, the water fields rippled and strobing lights shimmered.

“I’m glad you brought us, babe!” Waiane stood on his toes to give Tel a peck on his stubbled cheek. “This place is amazing! We don’t have anything like this back on Zwen!”

“Yeah, lighten up,” the group’s sole female chastised Tel as she grabbed an irredescent shot of liquor from a passing waiter. “You wanna show your boyfriend the sights, right?”

“What I want is to not get expelled for bringing underagers to a licensed venue,” Tel moped. “You know Earthgov’s cracking down on that kind of stuff these days.”

“Tel..pal! Relax!” Hadru grabbed four green bottles from another waiter and handed them around the group of friends. “I’ve been buying my way into clubs with Daddy’s magic plastic on every planet between here and Phlon since I was 12…the same magic plastic which is gonna pay for us to get well tore tonight. For once in your life, forget about whatever hell Iron-Butt Imra’s gonna put us through at school tomorrow morning and just enjoy yourself, would you?”

“Sure,” Tel sighed. “Whatever.” He swigged a mouthful of sweet-tasting alcohol and reluctantly allowed Waiane to drag him onto the dance floor behind the other two. Tel loved Waiane’s exuberance and Hadru and Marya were good friends, but it was times like this when their age difference became glaringly obvious. Tel had enjoyed his years going from one club to another, but since a laboratory accident gave him his powers he’d come to realise he had a responsibility to do more with his life. He really wanted to join the Legion of Superheroes and he felt the Legion Academy was the best way to achieve that goal. He couldn’t begrudge Waiane and the others for wanting to sample Metropolis’ nightlife, but he couldn’t help but feel they were holding back his own ambitions. One look at the sheer joy on his boyfriend’s face and Tel felt a surge of guilt. Sprock it, he thought wryly. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. He downed the rest of his drink and grabbed Waiane around the waist, grinding into him while Hadru and Marya whooped encouragement.

Too many hours later, the foursome were stumbling into one another as they exited the club with sore feet and muddled heads. “That was amaaaazing!” Waiane crowed loudly. He tripped and grabbed hold of Tel’s arm to steady himself.

“You said that already,” Tel laughed. “Like….a hundred times.” The others all laughed alongside him.

“See?” Marya wagged a finger, her other hand pulling her stray red hair away from her equally red lips. “Toldja we’d have fun, didn’t I? The dragon knows! Whoop!” Not paying attention, she collided with a dark-haired girl. “Sprock, watch where ya goin’!” the drunk would-be heroine snapped.

Still laughing, Hadru pulled Marya aside. “Sorry ‘bout my friend!” he apologised on her behalf. “She’s a bit space-tipsy!”

The stranger turned around to face the quartet. She was the same age as the Academy students, but something in her demeanour was very different. Like Hadru, she had an Asiatic appearance. Her silky black hair was cut into a perfectly straight-edged bob and she wore an outfit of black and indigo, a starburst pattern across her chest. Alongside the girl was a teenage boy wearing something reminiscent of the space cowboy holos Waiane had loved as a young child. It was the third member of their party that sparked recognition for at least one of the Academy students though - a transparent plasteel humanoid casing containing a cocktail of sickly colored toxic chemicals. Tel’s blood ran cold. Light Lass, Sharpshot Kid and Kid Chemo! They were three of the Judgement League, what were they doing here? Did they know the students would be here? “We really are sorry,” Tel took charge immediately. “We’ll just be out of your way.” He struggled to lead Waiane, Hadru and Marya away from the trio before they started any trouble.

“Not so fast,” Light Lass commanded coolly. “We’re on patrol looking for illegal aliens, and I’d say we’ve just found some. Isn’t that right, Chemical King?”

Hadru adjusted his hardlight glasses, obviously confused. “Wha..? It’s Chemical Kid,” he corrected her. “But how did you know that anyway..?”

“That’s right,” Sharpshot Kid’s hands moved casually to the handguns holstered at his belt. “You’re Chemical Kid in this time, aren’t you? ‘Kid’, as in too young to be as intoxicated as you seem to be. We’d better take you all in to custody.”

“For your own safety of course,” Light Lass added with a sinister smile.

“Chemical Kid,” Tel uttered darkly, “You need to sober all of us up. Now.”

The use of his codename penetrated Hadru Jamik’s drunken haze and he focused his power on himself and his friends. Seconds later the four of them had metabolised all the alcohol they’d imbibed that evening. “Who’s intoxicated now?” he asked the Judgement Leaguers cockily. “Come on guys, let’s get out of here.” Hadru began to push past the trio but with one look from Light Lass, Kid Chemo grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him up against the nearest wall.

“Hey!” Dragonwing leapt to her friend’s defence. “Let him go, you squaj!” She spat acidic venom at Kid Chemo’s arm and watched in surprise as it dripped ineffectively down his arm and seared a hole in the walkway.

Light Lass laughed out loud. “Do you really think your power’s any more corrosive than anything else already inside him?” she taunted. “You should consider yourself lucky it’s not anyway….the last thing you want is to breach that containment suit, trust me.”

“We’re not going to let you hurt our friend!” Waiane shouted defiantly. He turned his own power on Kid Chemo with no more success than Dragonwing. Kid Chemo gave an intelligible gurgle and Chemical Kid cried out in pain as lime green liquid seeped through ports in his fingers and started burning his flesh.

Gravity Kid moved in front of his boyfriend to help Chemical Kid but an intense burst of light left Tel, Marya and Waiane blinded. “Hadru, use your power!” the elder student shouted. “Acid is just a chemical reaction!”

“This one’s the real threat,” Sharpshot Kid sneered, levelling his gun at the still blind Gravity Kid. “The rest of them don’t have the training yet to be any more than a nuisance.”

“Agreed,” Light Lass smiled. “Do him, Mat.”

Sharpshot Kid held his gun inches from Gravity Kid’s forehead. Just as he began to pull back on the trigger, a volley of quills suddenly pierced into his outstretched arm and caused him to drop his weapon. The teenaged marksman yelped in pain and turned hatefully toward the source of the assault.

Standing atop a parked maintenance vehicle Porcupine Pete, Rainbow Girl, Crystal Kid, Antennae Lad and Polecat stared down the malicious trio. "Those were just warning shots, I can do worse." Porcupine Pete raised both quilled forearms ready to shoot again.

“Who the shock are you supposed to be?!” Sharpshot Kid demanded.

“We’re the Legion of Substitute Heroes!” Polecat announced proudly.

Antennae Lad puffed out his chest and pointed an angry finger. “Your buddies trashed our home, but Subs don’t give up that easily. You jerkwits had better let those kids go if you know what’s good for you.”

“You must be kidding!” Light Lass laughed openly. “Do you know what the future holds for you losers? I guarantee it’s nothing good.” She held one hand steady with the other, aiming as though her finger were a gun. A sphere of light surrounded her hands, but before she could do any more a multi-colored beam of light flashed forward from Rainbow Girl’s open palms and smashed the dark-haired girl back off her feet.

“You can’t do this to us!” Sharpshot Kid shouted petulantly. “We’re the heroes here!” He drew his second gun and opened fire on the Subs. A hastily erected shield from Crystal Kid protected the group, and Porcupine Pete shouted a command for them to scatter.

Her vision finally recovering, Dragonwing spat a wad of green venom at Sharpshot Kid’s remaining weapon. The barrel of the gun melted with a hissing sound, and he threw it aside before any of the acid dripped on his exposed hand. “You’re outnumbered and outgunned now, squaj.” Marya grinned as she closed in on him. “How about you tell the walking chemistry set here to let my friend go or we’ll see what my power can do to your pretty face?”

Sharpshot Kid flashed the red-haired girl a cheeky smile in return. “I’m not just a pretty face, Dragonwing…and I’m never outgunned.” He pulled a new gun on the shocked heroine so swiftly that she never even saw from where he’d drawn it.

Before he could shoot her, Sharpshot Kid's weapon transformed to gleaming crystal and Crystal Kid approached the young combatants. “Go ahead,” the former Legion Academy student prompted Sharpshot Kid. “Let’s see if I don’t turn you to crystal next, you xenophobic little bully.”

Sharpshot Kid turned to Light Lass. “Julalai?”

Acutely aware that Rainbow Girl was ready to attack her again the second she made a move, Light Lass weighed their options. The Legion of Substitute Heroes were more of a threat than she'd assumed. She wasn't confident that they could defeat them as well as four students who were all destined to become Legionnaires one day. “Let Chemical Kid go,” she instructed Kid Chemo. “We’re gonna call for backup,” she addressed the assembled heroes. “You’re probably not gonna want to be around when it arrives.”

“If you think we’re just walking away—“ Dragonwing began.

“Marya.” Gravity Kid interrupted his teammate while his boyfriend helped Chemical Kid stand. “They’re still technically the law here.”

“Listen to your friend,” Porcupine Pete added. “It’s important to pick the fights that are worth fighting, Dragonwing. Let’s get out of here. Subs, use your flight rings and we’ll escort these kids back to their school dorms.”

“It’s okay,” Gravity Kid concentrated and all four of the Academy students were surrounded by an azure glow. “We’re not completely helpless.” The heroes took off into the night sky with Light Lass, Sharpshot Kid and Kid Chemo watching scornfully.

“Do you think they just stumbled on us?” Sharpshot Kid asked, wincing as he plucked quills out of his arm. “What are the chances of that happening?”

“That freak with the weird ears,” Light Lass explained once she’d checked in with their headquarters. “Antennae Kid or whatever his name is…he has some kind of super-hearing power, I bet he tracked us down.”

“I’m just glad the smelly one didn’t get involved,” Sharpshot Kid poked his tongue out. “Gross.” Kid Chemo gurgled again.

“Oh, they’re all involved now.” Light Lass glared at the night sky.

“By the time we’re through with them, those Substitute rejects are gonna wish they’d been satisfied with us destroying their stupid satellite.”

**********
Alone in a room in the Science Police’s Earth headquarters, Shvaughn Erin stood rigidly as she watched feeds from surveillance equipment in Metropolis' nightclub district.

When the Science Police’s crowdsweep software had picked up meta-powered activity outside Hydrostatix, Shvaughn’s programming alterations had kicked in and alerted her instantly. She was glad she had happened to be on duty and that she’d been able to covertly notify the Legion of Substitute Heroes in time for them to help the Academy students, but she was just as glad that they had left the scene when they did. She couldn’t delay Science Police response for long without arousing suspicion, and the last thing those kids needed was a public fight with SP droids right now. She saw Radiation Roy and Spider-Girl join their younger three teammates at the same time a couple of SP droids made their appearance, and Shvaughn finally allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief. If the Judgement League had sent their speedsters as backup or any of their members who had half a brain, the Subs would have been tracked down in no time. She knew now that the Subs would get those kids out of there safely, and she could finally relax. Switching her attention to other channels, Shvaughn continued to monitor SP activity around the globe. While she could never really put the Judgement League completely out of her mind she allowed normal SP business to take precedence in her thoughts once more.

A couple of miles away in a darkened room that had once belonged to Phantom Girl, the woman known as Eyeful Ethel sat up in bed wearing a sly grin. Her husband’s enormous grey form took up most of the rest of the bed space. While Tusker’s mutation had taken some adjustment on both their parts it was no weirder a thing to get accustomed to than Ethel's own power continually sprouting eyes all over her body. Those eyes had always gifted her with a hypernormal spatial awareness, but recently they’d gifted her with other abilities too. X-ray vision. Telescopic vision. She gave the sleeping Tusker a kiss on his exposed shoulder. If he didn’t snore louder than a cargo shuttle taking off she’d be asleep right now…and if she’d been asleep right now, she wouldn’t have decided to spy on the Judgement League’s Science Police liaison out of sheer boredom. Ethel had hoped she’d get a cheap laugh out of watching one of Shvaughn Erin’s soppy long distance love-ins with her alien boyfriend but what she’d seen instead was more interesting.

Much more interesting indeed...

**********
EDITOR'S NOTES:
Lullabye Lad is Stone Boy's little brother and Gravity Kid's boyfriend. He joined the Legion Academy after an unsuccessful Legion tryout.

Earth-Man recruited Sharpshot Kid, Kid Chemo & Light Lass to his Judgement League from an unspecified point in the future. No link has been established between either Ayla Ranzz or Light Lad & this Light Lass.

The Judgement League (specifically Earth-Man & Celestine) destroyed the Legion of Substitute Heroes' satellite base, which the Subs had originally repossessed from Earth-Man's Justice League anyway. This happened when Color Kid, Chlorophyll Kid, Stone Boy & Fire Lad joined the Legion of Superheroes and until now it's been assumed that the Subs had disbanded.

Since Earthgov unceremoniously booted the Legion of Superheroes off the planet and gave their headquarters to the Judgement League, Shvaughn Erin has been made the Judgement League's official Science Police liaison (though she's not super happy about it).

PHEW, done!


Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Kids - 07/06/15 04:03 PM
Looks like things with the Judgment League are going to come to a head soon...
Posted By: Omni Re: Kids - 07/07/15 06:29 AM
I really enjoyed the Leeta and Jo resoulutuon. But now i'm even more curious about all those omissions Leeta didn't tell Jo.

Kid C. was spunky. i liked this team up alot.

This Academy night out was fun and cute. You've made Tel much more likeable than other versions of him.


That spying witch Ethel! I hope they don't hurt Shavaung...

Can't wait for more.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Kids - 07/15/15 01:27 PM
Thanks Omni! I'm glad I picqued your curiosity with the stuff Leeta didn't talk about! Safe to say that Shvaughn's fate is gonna be decided very very soon too!
Posted By: razsolo New School - 07/15/15 03:06 PM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


ROLL CALL
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox: 12th level intelligence


Brainiac 5 stood in his multi-lab dispassionately, posture perfect with his hands behind his back. Before him, a larger than life holographic face held Brainiac’s attention. The face was that of a wrinkled man, his balding scalp barely covered by wisps of white hair. He was Earthgov counsellor Andosen Wilso, and he had more than enough passion to make up for the Coluan Legionnaire’s lack thereof. “Your students can consider themselves extremely fortunate that they are not currently in a prison awaiting trial, Brainiac 5!” Wilso fumed. “Underage drinking, assault on authorised representatives of Earthgov—"

“The story I’ve heard,” Brainiac interrupted, “Is that they’re fortunate to have survived their encounter with the Judgement League at all, Counsellor. Not that it matters now. As soon as the Legion of Superheroes heard about what happened in Metropolis, we of course opened our home to the Legion Academy. Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad are settling everybody in as we speak, and on a personal note I must admit that I feel much more relaxed knowing that two of my oldest friends and their charges are safely away from the toxic environment Earth has become in recent days.”

“You arrogant Coluan—“

Brainiac 5 once again cut him off. “And now I see your general rude demeanour is teetering toward bigotry. I’d like to say I’m surprised, but regrettably that would be a lie. Good day, Counsellor.” Before the Earth man could reply, Brainiac shut off communications. He stood there a moment longer, considering the current situation on Earth and wondering how bad things needed to get there before the Legion could justifiably step in. When Saturn Girl had told him about her students’ confrontation with the Judgement League teens, Brainiac 5 really had been more than happy to invite the Legion Academy to move its operations to Mars. The Legion’s headquarters was more than large enough for the two groups to co-exist, and he’d already begun to hatch future plans that would benefit both the Legion and the Academy. Still, it was only a matter of time until the Judgement League again endangered the Legion’s friends and family on Earth and the Legion couldn’t bring all their loved ones here for protection.

Sometimes, Brainiac 5 sighed wistfully, having a 12th level intellect just means you can conceive of so many more ways for things to go wrong.

**********
ROLL CALL
Legion Academy:

Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: telepathy

Legion of Superheroes:
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke:
anti-gravity control
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation

In a residential wing of the Legion’s base, Darvan Locke carried in a pile of boxes almost as tall as himself and lowered them gently to the floor of Garth and Imra Ranzz’s new living room. Garth and Imra followed suit while Ayla Ranzz chased her hyperactive nephews around the quarters. Every time she tagged Graym or Garridan she emitted the tiniest spark of electricity and the boys screamed with delight at the harmless jolt.

“Thank you again for helping us with the move,” Imra smiled. “We could have used droids of course, but we do appreciate the gesture.”

“Yeah, thanks pal.” Garth clasped a friendly hand on Darvan’s arm. “Your help was invaluable, unlike some people.” He directed that last remark at his twin sister with mocking derision.

“Hey, he’s the one with the anti-gravity powers!” Ayla protested. “I haven’t called myself Light Lass for a while now, ya know. Besides, someone has to keep these little monsters under control!” She zapped Graym again and the young boy squealed with laughter.

“I know you’re just playing, but I really wish you wouldn’t abuse your powers like that.” Imra looked concerned. “I don’t want the boys to be complacent around electricity, Ayla.”

“Oh Imra, relax.” Ayla rolled her eyes. “Have some faith in your kids! They know electricity is dangerous, don’t you boys? It’s only fun when I do it because I’m your favourite aunt, right?”

“Yeah!” Graym shouted exuberantly. “Relax, Mommy!”

“Auntie Jancel’s my favourite aunt!” Garridan added cheekily.

“What?!” Ayla gasped melodramatically. “Oh that’s it buster, I’m upgrading the threat level to tickling. C’mere you!” She chased both shrieking boys into their bedroom, leaving the other adults alone together.

Imra shook her head disapprovingly but said nothing. “I know that look,” Garth pecked his wife on the cheek. “Come on, you know Ayla would never hurt the boys.” Imra gave a non-committal mumble and began unpacking the nearest box.

“What do the other kids think of the move?” Darvan asked, changing the subject. “The students, I mean.”

“None of them were particularly happy about it,” Garth answered. “Glorith never complains of course, and I think Variable Lad would be excited about moving to the middle of the asteroid belt if we told him it was a good idea, but the others aren’t really on side with it. Poor Kid Quantum only finished unpacking on Earth a couple of days ago and now she’s had to uproot again already!”

“The important thing is the students are safer here,” Imra added. “And so are Garridan and Graym. Honestly, with the current climate on Earth I’m glad our family have moved, sad as it is to say. That world has been my home since I was in my mid-teens and I barely recognise what it’s become.”

“Earthgov will come to their senses,” Garth countered. “Their current path is unsustainable. If nothing else, Earth-Man’s gonna show his true colors sooner or later.”

“Of that I have no doubt,” Imra agreed. “I just hope by the time they really need our help, they’re ready to ask for it.”

**********
ROLL CALL
Legion Academy:

Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Glorith: sorceress
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Kid Quantum aka Jazmin Cullen: quantum field manipulation
Laurel Kent: indestructible

Legion of Superheroes:
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem:
hyper-stimulated plant growth
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: wind control


“Those squajes are asking for it!” In her own room, the student named Dragonwing punched her fist into her palm. “I can’t believe Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad just caved in like that! We should have stayed and—“

“And what?” Gravity Kid asked wearily as his control over gravity sent heavy boxes floating around the room. He’d agreed to help his fellow students settle in to their new quarters but he was beginning to regret that now, Marya hadn’t stopped ranting about the Judgement League since they’d left Earth. “If it weren’t for the Legion of Substitute Heroes we’d be in jail right now…or worse! What exactly do you expect that Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl and a bunch of teenage superhero wannabes can do against the full force of the Judgement League, Dragonwing?”

“I don’t know!” She kicked a box of clothes and sent it flying across the room. “But I’ve never run from a fight in my life! Why should I start now?!”

“Don’t think of it as running,” the elder boy replied. “Think of it as a tactical retreat. We’re not leaving those nasses to ruin our homeworld, Marya. We’re buying ourselves time and distance to find a way to beat them.”

In Kid Quantum’s quarters next door, the young Xanthui heroine turned to her fellow student Glorith. “Is Dragonwing this angry all the time?” she asked in a hushed tone.

“You don’t know the half of it!” Laurel Kent called out from across the room. “Angry is Dragonwing’s default setting!” Accompanied by Comet Queen and Nightwind, Laurel had taken it upon herself to make sure Glorith and Kid Quantum settled in here okay. In the short space of time she’d known Glorith, Laurel had come to realise the young sorceress was painfully shy. Left to her own devices she’d never leave her room except to train. Laurel didn’t know anything about the new girl from Xanthu, but Kid Quantum was easily the youngest student in the class. Laurel figured the kid could benefit from a couple of older girls befriending her.

“I have observed that she is quite passionate,” Glorith added diplomatically.

“It’s so so shiny that we’re all together again!” Comet Queen beamed. She pulled Laurel into a smothering hug. “This is hypernova cosmic!”

“I missed you too,” Laurel laughed. “But geez Grava, it’s a good thing I’m indestructible or you’d be squeezing the life outta me right now.” She stepped back from her friend and brushed a stray hair from her steel blue eyes. “Anyway, it’s not like we’re together together…I mean you’re Legionnaires now, and I’m still on the kids’ table.” She smiled across at Glorith and Kid Quantum. “No offence, guys.”

“Well maybe you should have picked yourself a proper superhero name,” Nightwind replied sardonically. “Grife Laurel, you’ll never make the Legion if you don’t even have a codename!”

“What am I supposed to call myself?” the raven-haired teen poked her tongue out. “Supergirl? I think I’ve got a distant cousin who might object to that.”

“Speaking of which,” Nightwind asked, “Isn’t that gonna be weird for both of you living under the same roof? I mean Supergirl has to go back to her own time sooner or later, isn’t there some kind of conflict—“

Comet Queen and Nightwind’s flight rings both beeped at them before the conversation could continue. “Nightwind, Comet Queen, could you two please meet Color Kid and Polar Boy in the hangar?” It was Phantom Girl’s voice. “The scientific outpost on Ceres has just gone offline, we’ve been asked to check it out.”

“We’ll be there tachyon quick!” Comet Queen grinned. “Bye Starshine!” She pulled Laurel into a final hug then blew a kiss at the younger girls. “Bye you cute little stargleams! We’ll take you exploring when we get back, ‘kay?”

“It was nice to properly meet you both,” Nightwind addressed Glorith and Kid Quantum more sedately. “Seeya around, Kent!”

“You’d better go,” Laurel smirked. “Your Legion buddy’s leaving you in the dust.”

Nightwind turned to see a swiftly evaporating gas trail where Comet Queen had been standing an instant before. “Grava!” she called out to her friend. “Grava! Hey, wait for me!”

Propelled by her flight ring, Nightwind pursued the golden girl through the corridors of their headquarters. She soon caught sight of her and called out her name once more. Giggling, Grava turned her head to tease Berta but she didn’t change her flight path. Before Nightwind could warn her, Comet Queen careened into Chlorophyll Kid exiting the Legion’s gymnasium. The two tumbled together in a yelping heap before they came to rest entangled halfway down the corridor. Having seen the collision, Matter-Eater Lad hung around nearby to watch with a bemused expression on his face.

“G-gosh, I-I’m so sorry! S-s-so c-clumsy of me, I h-hope you’re okay!” A flustered Ral Benem clambered to his feet and offered Grava a hand. Drenched in sweat, he was wearing shorts and a singlet in place of his distinctive costume and it took Grava a second to recognise him.

Comet Queen simply burst into laughter as she allowed him to help her stand up. When she saw the crestfallen look on the blond hero’s face, she composed herself. “Oh Starshine, it wasn’t your fault! I should have zipped when I zapped!”

Nightwind approached and hovered in place before the duo. “Grava, if you’re done putting our teammates in hospital, can we go now? Mission, remember?”

“Nova-burn!” Comet Queen grabbed Chlorophyll Kid by the shoulders and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Gotta fly, later cutie!”

The two girls continued on their way, leaving a stupefied Chlorophyll Kid behind them. “...Cutie..?” He touched his cheek in a daze and looked across at Matter-Eater Lad.

Tenzil shrugged and gave Ral a cheeky wink. “Don’t ask me, cutie. That girl’s in a universe all of her own.”

“Yeah…” Ral watched her gas trail fade with a growing smile. “...She kinda is, isn’t she..?”

**********
EARTH
Metropolis, Sherman Way Residential Complex

Shvaughn Erin massaged the back of her neck as she exited the turbolift which had taken her 27 stories above the crowded walkways below to where her apartment awaited her after the end of a gruellingly long day. She’d been too tired to change clothes at work and still wore her Science Police uniform, her helmet under her arm. All she wanted right now was a sonic shower and at least six hours of solid sleep. As she approached her featureless front door, security biometrics recognised her immediately and the door slid into a recess to grant her entry. Every light in her windowless apartment was programmed to switch on as the door opened, and climate control software automatically adjusted the room temperature to suit her. “Shower, level 3.5,” she announced to the open space as she walked toward her bathroom.

“We’d better do this now, eh?” A man’s voice almost made Shvaughn jump out of her skin. Intensive training overcame exhaustion and she reached for her firearm even as she spun to face the voice’s owner.

“If you draw your weapon we will kill you,” a second more sepulchral voice intoned.

Shvaughn didn’t need to see the men to know who they were, their ancient New Zealander accents gave them away instantly. With exaggerated caution, she turned to face her surprise Judgement League guests. Bow was a tall man; white-skinned, bald and lean muscle from head to toe. He carried his namesake weapon in one hand, an arrow ready to be notched. Black Dagger was the visual opposite; a short stocky musclebound man with skin the color of chocolate. His black leather outfit was lined with dozens of small ebony blades, three of them held in one fist between his fingers. “Didn’t want you to think we’re pervs,” Black Dagger continued. “Couldn’t have you gettin’ your gear off for a shower with two strange blokes standin’ right there, doesn’t seem right.”

“As opposed to breaking into my home?” Shvaughn countered, her voice trembling with outrage. “Or threatening me? That seems right?”

“We got some questions for ya, luv.” Black Dagger took the conversational lead while Bow stood silent and imposing, his eyes boring through her. “See, one of our mates reckons she saw you talkin’ to some people you shouldn’t have been talkin’ to. She reckons you might know somethin’ about an unfortunate run-in our younger friends had with these people the other night. When Ethel told our boss Earth-Man what she reckons she saw…let’s just say he wasn’t very happy about it, was he Bow?”

Bow didn’t move an inch, his piercing glare making Shvaughn more uncomfortable by the second.

“Don’t look so scared, luv!” Black Dagger laughed, and Shvaughn hated herself for the fear underlying her anger. “We’re not gonna kill you…we’re all protectin’ the same planet, right? But me and my friend here….we just got some questions. That’s all.” He held his fist up before him, Shvaughn’s wide emerald eyes fixing on those blades.

...The door to her apartment whooshed shut behind her.

Posted By: razsolo Re: New School - 07/15/15 03:24 PM
EDITOR'S NOTES FOR THE ABOVE:

Waaaaay back when Night Girl had just become team leader, she & Brainiac 5 had a meeting with three Earthgov representatives. One of them was the same Andosen Wilso Brainy just had a chat with, and at the time Wilso was trying to get the Legion to accept Earth-Man as a member. I mean that's probably just a coincidence that he's popped up again now though... wink

Recent readers may remember Star Boy offering Jazmin Cullen a spot at the Legion Academy after she saved everyone's asses from the Khunds. I guess she took him up on it, huh? smile
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: New School - 07/15/15 03:41 PM
Tickled pink to see the Academy students safe and Kid Q AND Laurel Kent both among their numbers.

Shvaughn has always been a favorite (my own fic should show that wink ) so am scared for her and eager to see what happens next!
Posted By: razsolo Re: New School - 07/19/15 10:09 AM
I am gonna have some fun with having the Academy closer to hand, if you're happy about Laurel being around you might be pleased to know she in particular is about to get some focus smile

As for Shvaughn...well she's not in for fun times but you'll have to keep reading to find out how bad it gets...*cue dramatic music*
Posted By: Harbinger Re: New School - 07/20/15 09:27 PM
Gosh, I've missed loads in the last few weeks and it hasn't helped my phone was broke so I couldn't catch up while travelling to and from work. that said, I've just had a thoroughly enjoyable marathon catch up now though and I feel like I've just read a trade! Great stuff Raz.

Loved Jo finally catching Leeta and learning her back story, there were so many delicious elements to it I kind of wanted it to go on, though I know it's probably for the best that you keep some details to yourself for now. Using Gas Girl like that was really Silver Age, good fun and clever of Jo to plan it, and just as well given how dangerous Leeta proved to be.

The academy kids and the subs were fun, Dragonwings default setting being 'angry' made me laugh and you really captured her well, I've had her mellow a bit in my fic but maybe I should follow your lead as she was my favourite in the academy posts. Gravity Kid was well written too as the voice of reason/boring old fart smile

Poor Shauvgn, I just know things aren't going to work out well for her. Though im hoping that as Black Dagger and Bow were kind of respectful, not waiting for the chance to watch her undress and not killing or torturing her on sight, maybe they're looking to escape from Earth Mans League? Whatever you've planned I'm sure it'll be great Raz.

Loads of fun, as ever, looking forward to more, more, more!
Posted By: Omni Re: New School - 07/22/15 07:23 AM
I love the idea to have the Academy move to Mars. its a great idea.

Alya and the boys was so cute and Imra... i'm with Alya relax.

Gravity kid really is growing on me. i like his voice of reason.

Grava and Ral's scene was cute.

I'm honestly scared for Shauvung. i hope they don't hurt her too bad.

looking foward to more.
Posted By: razsolo Re: New School - 07/22/15 03:02 PM
Thanks guys! laugh

Glad you liked Leeta's backstory Harbi...like IB said, I think we have probably explored that enough for now but it's definitely one of the million story ideas bouncing around my head that I hope to get to some day wink

I actually like the way you write Dragonwing! I think it makes sense that once she's given the responsibility of being a Legionnaire she'd chill out a bit...she is fun to write as a powderkeg though admittedly smile

I had heaps of fun writing Ayla and the kids, I think she would be an awesome aunt! I am glad you liked Grava and Ral too Omni...she is always fun to write as well.

Seems everyone loves Shvaughn! I guess we'll see how popular I remain after my next instalment then * insert evil laugh* wink
Posted By: razsolo First Blood - 07/26/15 06:07 AM
EARTH
Metropolis, Sherman Way Residential Complex

Shvaughn Erin’s heart pounded in her chest so loud she was surprised that the two murderers standing before her couldn’t hear it. Her exhaustion of only moments ago had been replaced by an adrenaline surge, and she frantically went through her available options while attempting to appear as outwardly calm as possible.

Bow and Black Dagger were two of the few members of the Judgement League with no metahuman powers. They were masters of their respective weapons though, and in her role as the League’s Science Police liaison officer Shvaughn had personally seen the men take down more powerful opponents. Shvaughn knew she’d be lucky to survive an encounter with one of the men in straight combat, she had no hope against them both. Bow had already threatened to kill her if she drew her firearm and he was not a man prone to hyperbole.

There was no way she’d live long enough to call the Science Police for help. She knew the Legion of Superheroes would rush to her aid if she called, Earthgov’s laws be damned. Even Mon-El wouldn’t make it from Mars to Earth faster than Black Dagger could plunge a blade through her skull though. No, Shvaughn was going to have to get herself out of this mess.

“You said you had some questions,” she said curtly. “What are they?”

“That group of rejects,” Black Dagger answered. “What are they called again, the Substitute Heroes? How long have you been working with ‘em?”

Now that he could see Shvaughn was cooperating, Black Dagger relaxed his stance a little. Bow didn’t, but that didn't surprise Shvaughn. The man carried himself in a state of permanent tension. This was going to be as good a chance as any. The Maori knifeman opened his mouth to continue, and Shvaughn seized the moment. “Lights out!” she hissed, at the same time swinging the Science Police helmet she’d been carrying. The room was instantly enveloped in pitch blackness, as dark as anything Shadow Lass might summon. Having committed the Leaguers’ positions to memory, Shvaughn flung the helmet and heard a satisfying crack as it hit its target, Bow’s hairless skull. Bow grunted, and Shvaughn knew she hadn’t seriously hurt him but she hoped she’d dazed him for long enough to prevent him from shooting his weapon.

Black Dagger on the other hand was impeded only by the darkness and it made him just slightly less deadly than usual. “Lights on!” he bellowed as Shvaughn felt a dagger whoosh perilously close to her cheek. While he cursed the voice-coded technology for ignoring his command, Shvaughn took advantage of her intimate knowledge of her own apartment to dive behind a coffee table. She drew her gun now and fired not at the two men, but at where she knew the wall-mounted manual control for her front door would be set into the wall. Shvaughn had no doubt she could take out one or the other of the two men, but the flash of the blast would give away her position and whomever was left standing would kill her before she could take a second shot. Its control panel shorted, the door immediately whooshed open and Shvaughn bolted for the light of the corridor outside. Her greatest advantage here was that Earth-Man had snatched these men from centuries in the past. Technology which Shvaughn took for granted every day of her life was an unknown quantity to Bow and Black Dagger, she could use that.

Just as she’d hoped, Black Dagger ran after Shvaughn at the same time fire suppression foam sprayed forth from a hidden port in the ceiling to smother the sparks shooting forth from her apartment’s wall. The foam hit him dead in the face while he let fly with another flying blade, and Shvaughn cried out as the knife took a gash out of her thigh. Even blinded he nearly crippled me! she realised fearfully.

While Black Dagger coughed and spluttered, Shvaughn stopped at the turbolift and stared into its electronic eye until a melodic ding told her the passenger capsule was on its way. She stared back the way she’d come and saw a neighbour’s door slide open. “Get back inside!” Shvaughn barked at the elderly man emerging. “Call the Science Police and don’t come out!” When he saw her uniform his eyes widened and he hastily disappeared inside his apartment once more. Behind him, Black Dagger was swearing and wiping foam from his eyes. Behind him, Bow drew his namesake weapon and nocked an arrow. There was enough of a height difference between the two men that Bow could shoot over his partner’s shoulder without putting Black Dagger in any danger at all. Bow's face was stony while he pulled his arm back, and Shvaughn’s green eyes widened as she saw his arrow fly. She barely registered the sound of the turbolift door opening, but dived into a roll as soon as she did hear it. Silently praising her SP-honed reflexes, Shvaughn saw the shaft blur by the open door as she came to a crouching rest at the back of the lift. She released a relieved breath which turned into a startled yelp when the arrow impossibly changed its course and came straight at her through the closing turbolift door. It wedged tight in the closed door, shaking furiously as it edged closer toward the young woman.

“Science Police override!” Shvaughn’s voice trembled, her eyes transfixed on the seemingly living weapon. “Code red, bypass all residential levels for ground exit!” Like every other publicly accessible turbolift on the planet, this one was programmed to obey the voiceprint of any Earth-based Science Police officer and with only the slightest noticeable sensation, Shvaughn was on the move. The arrow snapped off dramatically as soon as the capsule took off, the broken shaft somersaulting through the air to wedge into the wall above Shvaughn’s head. She slumped on the floor, took a breath to steady herself and called the Science Police. The automated answering service answered as Shvaughn had expected, and she identified herself and requested backup.

*breep*request filed, response pending termination of training drill*breep* the robotic voice responded.

“What??” Shvaughn protested. “No! This isn’t a drill! My name is Shvaughn Erin, I’m requesting backup immediately! Home in on—“ She stopped mid-sentence. Of course. Bow and Black Dagger might be from the ancient past, but even back then they’d been professional killers. If you’re going to kill a cop, she thought bitterly, you’re going to need to make sure other cops don’t come running to the rescue. They’ve probably got this whole sprocking city block on the ignore list…any calls that come through are going to be assumed to be part of the same damn training exercise!

Shvaughn knew she’d be able to override the ignore list, but she’d need a minute to do that and it was a minute she couldn’t spare. She considered terminating the communication, but thought better of it. If it comes down to it, she decided grimly, this recording might be the only evidence Dvron has to finally get Earthgov to take a stand against Earth-Man’s gang of thugs.

The turbolift announced it had reached its destination, and Shvaughn hastily applied a regen patch to her leg wound and stood up. The bloody gash hurt, but another couple of inches lower and Black Dagger would have taken out her knee. While she was considering how much worse things could be, the door opened and Shvaughn was stunned to see Black Dagger standing directly in front of her with a wide grin. “How—?”

“Come on now luv.” He grabbed Shvaughn by the throat with one hand and choked her, dragging her to the back of the lift and slamming her up against the wall. To her credit, Shvaughn overcame her initial shock almost instantly and pushed the barrel of her gun against his abdomen. With his free hand, Black Dagger drove a blade through her wrist. Shvaughn screamed in agony as the momentum of his strike forced the gun to fire wild. She dropped the gun, stars of pain exploding before her eyes. “You forget your mates aren’t the only ones with flight rings, eh?”

She had indeed forgotten, and Shvaughn cursed herself for it; like the Legion of Supervillains before them, the Judgement League had recently succeeded in duplicating the flight rings worn by the Legion of Superheroes and their allies. “We didn’t know if you were goin’ up or down so we split up,” Black Dagger explained. "Personally, I reckon you’re lucky you didn’t take the roof. Bow’s not as forgiving as me.”

With her one functioning hand, Shvaughn groped ineffectually at Black Dagger's face. He was much stronger than her, she knew there was no way she’d be able to pry his fingers from her throat. If she could just reach his eyes though, she might be able to make him release her with a well-placed gouge. Black Dagger slapped her hand away almost casually. “Y’know, I actually like you,” he complimented her. “You’re a tough bird. You’ve sided with the wrong crew though luv, and we will kill you if ya don't see the error of your ways and tell us everything you been up to behind our backs.”

Shvaughn suddenly realised what she needed to do. She reached above her head, ignoring his crushing grip and the pain shooting through her. Clawing blindly, she came across what she was looking for. Shvaughn’s fist closed around the broken arrow lodged into the wall of the lift, she yanked it free and she plunged it into the thick wrist strangling the life out of her. Black Dagger roared in pain and released her, and Shvaughn snapped the arrowhead off in his arm. “How’s it feel, you sprocking squaj?” she rasped as she staggered away from him.

Bitch!” Black Dagger pulled one of his many other weapons from its sheath and lunged at her. He was just as skilled with either hand, and the blade came down between two of Shvaughn’s ribs where it failed to penetrate the more resistant body armour covering her torso. Not missing a beat, Shvaughn grabbed her gun from the floor and smashed it across Black Dagger’s temple. He fell back against the opposite wall, blood trickling down his cheek.

“Science Police override!” Shvaughn grimaced. "Code red, bypass all residential levels for rooftop exit!” She jumped through the closing door of the lift and landed in a heap outside while multiple blood-curdling thunks hit the door behind her.

“Nass, are you alright?”

Shvaughn looked up from where she was bleeding out on the floor, and for the first time she saw that there were over a dozen sentients filling the building’s lobby. “Go…” she pleaded weakly. “Get out of here!” She struggled to clamber to her feet.

“She’s a Science Police officer!” a green-skinned teenager gasped.
“We have to help her!” a mother of two stepped forward.
“Somebody call the SP!” a thickly accented voice called from the back of the group.

“No…” Shvaughn bit her lip and forced herself to stand upright. “No!” she commanded with more authority. “If you’re seen to be helping me…these people will kill you. Anybody here, especially anybody of non-Terran origin…for your own safety, you need to leave. You need to leave now.”

Hesitantly the concerned onlookers backed away and Shvaughn took a look at her wrist. The dagger still jammed through her slender arm was slowing her blood loss, but it didn’t stop the bleeding completely. The wound was too great for her SP-issue regen patch, she was going to need hospitalisation for this. She limped outside the building, figuring she should be able to lose herself in the Metropolis crowds. She didn’t know where she’d go from there, something told her she wasn’t going to make it back to SP Headquarters. Maybe she could get in touch with the Subs. She didn’t really want to involve them for their own sake but—

“Officer Erin!”

Shvaughn looked up to see the Legion of Substitute Heroes descending from on high, the city’s neon lights behind them. Porcupine Pete, Polecat, Antennae Lad and Rainbow Girl landed nearby while Crystal Kid rushed to help her stand. “You really have been attacked!” the younger hero stated the obvious.

“What are you doing here?” Shvaughn asked. “It’s too dangerous for you to be here, don’t you know they’re looking for you..?”

“We thought you could use some help,” Antennae Lad replied. “I was scanning the near future for broadcasts of anything that might need the Subs’ attention and picked up a whole heap of signals talking about some kind of disturbance at this complex. I’m sorry we couldn’t get here sooner Officer Erin, by the time I got the team together—“

“It doesn’t matter,” Shvaughn interrupted. “Now that you’re here, let’s—“ Her voice ended in a loud wet gurgle as an arrow came out of nowhere and pierced her throat, spraying Crystal Kid in blood. Shvaughn instantly collapsed.

“What the sprock happened?!” Antennae Lad rushed to her side, Crystal Kid standing in mute shock.

“We need to get her to a hospital!” Polecat shouted. The crowd around them panicked, running from the scene as they screamed in terror.

Porcupine Pete came close, though was careful to keep a safe distance from his teammates. “She’s not going to make it to a hospital,” Pete said grimly.

“But what the sprock happened?!” Antennae Lad cried out again, almost hysterical. “There’s nobody behind her! Who shot that arrow?!”

“Chee, it doesn’t matter!” Pete snapped at him. “If we don’t do something now, she’s going to die right in front of us! Crystal Kid, can your power help?” The white-haired youth was still catatonic. Of all of them, only he had been standing directly in front of Shvaughn when the arrowhead pierced her throat. Pete called his name again, and when there was still no response Pete jabbed him in the arm with his quills.

The pricking sensation brought Crystal Kid out of his daze and he stood over the unconscious redhead. Her face was deathly white and her breathing was agonising to hear. “I can do this,” he mumbled more to himself than anyone around him. “I can do this.” He spread two shaking hands over Shvaughn, and a second later she was transformed into twinkling crystal.

“Thanks kid,” a voice cut in from above. “Looks like you did our job for us. Now we just gotta finish you lot off as well.” Black Dagger was descending from the building’s roof, a strip of his vest having been cut off and tied around his wrist as a makeshift tourniquet. Behind him, Bow readied another of his arrows to fire.

“Stay away from us!” Rainbow Girl stood protectively before the rest of her team as they moved to guard Shvaughn.

Bow released his arrow without a word. Before it traversed more than a foot, Rainbow Girl frowned and the weapon dissipated into a multi-colored spectrum of light. “Shouldn’t have done that,” Black Dagger shook his head at her. He drew two blades and hurled them down at the heroine’s breast.

The two blades suffered the same fate as his teammate’s arrow. “Keep throwing them at me,” Rainbow Girl snarled, “I’ll keep transforming them to light.”

“You creeps seem to like pointy things,” Porcupine Pete hovered up to meet the men on their level. “Here, have a bunch of them.” He spread his arms wide and a flood of quills rained upon the men. Neither Bow nor Black Dagger wore armoured costumes, and both men cried out as they were pierced countless times. “Their flight rings,” Pete instructed. “Take their flight rings, Dori.”

As much as they were in painful discomfort, Bow and Black Dagger had both already drawn their weapons again. Dual rainbow flashes claimed the rings from their fingers and they plummeted some fifteen feet to the ground below before they could attack again. Black Dagger bellowed as the impact drove dozens of quills deeper into his flesh, and even the more stoic Bow grunted loudly.

While the concussed men tried to find the least painful way to climb to their feet, Polecat approached and kneeled down beside them. “The Legion of Superheroes may not be here to keep an eye on you,” he said to them in a voice taut with anger. “But don’t think for a second that this planet is unprotected from the likes of you.” His own power came into effect, noxious odour wafting over Bow and Black Dagger. They groaned helplessly, struggling not to throw up where they lay. “The Legion of Substitute Heroes is watching you all,” the unlikely hero finished.

He returned to his teammates and looked down at the eerily frozen Science Police Officer at their feet. “Is she going to be alright?” Polecat asked. “There’s so much blood…that arrow went straight through her neck!”

“I don’t know,” Pete bowed his head. “But if we stay here much longer, we’re not going to be any better off ourselves. Polecat, Antennae Lad, can you help Crystal Kid carry Officer Erin? My quills…” He held out his arms, showing the spiny protuberances that jutted out of every inch of his flesh. New quills were already pushing their way forward to replace the ones he’d shot at the Judgement Leaguers.

“Don’t worry Pete, we’ve got it. Come on guys, let’s go.” The three men hefted Shvaughn carefully and coordinated their flight to carry her away. Porcupine Pete followed, and Rainbow Girl cast one final look back at Bow and Black Dagger before joining her teammates. The hatred in their eyes was an almost palpable force.

This was nowhere near over.

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Brainiac 5 strolled through his multi-lab checking on various holographic readouts as he made his way from one workstation to the next. In truth, one of the more tedious parts of his day was fact-checking the programs he had set up to monitor progress on any number of theoretical or practical experiments he ran here. With a 12th level intellect he was more than capable of the multi-tasking necessary to monitor every one of these studies without outside assistance, but he’d learned at a very young age that it was more efficient to delegate the responsibility so that a record could be created for the reference of anyone else without him needing to take more time out of his day to dictate notes. He’d toyed with the idea of using psitech some time ago to make a record directly from his own thoughts, but the unfortunate truth was that no psitech existed capable of keeping pace with Querl Dox's super-computer mind.

“Brainiac 5.”

The Coluan hypergenius nearly dropped his omnicom in fright. His other hand moving instantly to his forcefield belt controls, he turned to face the intruder and recognised her instantly. “I won’t ask how you got in here as I strongly suspect that would be an exercise in futility, but what are you doing here 89?”

The leader of the Oversight Watch handed the leader of the Legion of Superheroes a thumbnail drive. “As I’m sure you’re aware, Ultra Boy recently visited me at my own base.” 89 couldn’t tell from Brainiac’s lack of reaction whether he’d already known about Ultra Boy’s meeting with her, or if the Coluan just didn’t care. “There’s been bad blood between our teams, and he asked me for a gesture of faith to prove that we’re on the level so you people will let us get on with our business. That’s our gesture of faith.”

“What is on this drive?” Brainiac asked suspiciously, examining the minuscule drive.

“I was originally going to give it to Ultra Boy,” she answered. “But my operatives went to no small amount of effort to recover this information, and knowing what it is I thought it would be best to cut out the middleman and come straight to you.”

“I ask again, what is on this drive?” he repeated.

“Some very enlightening information that I think will help you get back into Earthgov’s good graces, if that’s what you want. There’s enough there for my team to make a move, but I want to show that we can work toward the same goals without butting heads so I’m giving this one to you. Do the right thing with it, and the Oversight Watch won’t have to.”

“Hmm.” Brainiac 5 took his eyes away from the drive to look back at 89, but she was already gone. “Funny way you have of earning trust,” he muttered to the now empty multi-lab.

“Now let’s see what we have on here…"
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: First Blood - 07/26/15 06:59 AM
Oh sprock! What an action sequence that was. Shvaughn did great getting that far on her own. Nice seeing her concern for the bystanders. Great job from the Subs, they all pulled their weight and Rainbow Girl In particular no pun intended

Why do I feel that 89's gift contains incriminating evidence on the Judgment League?
Posted By: razsolo Re: First Blood - 08/03/15 12:46 PM
Glad you liked it IB, I wanted to hit a good balance of Shvaughn being outgunned without making her a pushover smile

89's little visit to Brainy should bear fruit very soon too so you won't have long to wait there!
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

As the door to the Legion of Superheroes’ hangar closed behind him, a frustrated Polar Boy huffed out a cloud of steam which instantly evaporated. "Well that was a bust," he complained to the trio of Legionnaires who’d just accompanied him back from the dwarf planet Ceres. “I can’t believe Brainiac 5 sent us out to the edge of the solar system just to deal with some sprockin’ gremlins!"

“Really?" Nightwind retorted, obviously annoyed. “Because you’ve not been able to believe that particular fact since we left Ceres, it’s amazing that you’re still having trouble with it! And they’re called urks, not gremlins! It’s not their fault they have to eat electronics to survive, Polar Boy!"

“I think they’re shiny!” Comet Queen took to the air, her trail shimmering behind her. “Total cosmic cuties, just like little Urk who used to orbit the Academy with us! Come on Nightwind, I’ll race you to Laurel’s room and we can tell her all about them! It’ll parse her to the C-Span!”

Nightwind cast a disdainful glance at Polar Boy and followed her golden-skinned friend. “Gladly,” she replied flatly. “See you around, Color Kid.”

Color Kid beamed a satisfied grin as the two girls flew away. “You know, I really like that girl!” he said cheerily.

“Oh sure,” Polar Boy sulked. “Of course you’d take her side. Maybe I should start wearing skintight black leather too.”

Ulu gave an exaggerated look of horror to his shorter teammate. “Please don’t.”

The two men shared a chuckle. Things had been sour between Polar Boy and his old teammates in the Substitute Heroes for some time, but since the rest of the original Subs had joined the Legion of Superheroes they’d overcome that and in some cases their friendship had begun to grow stronger than ever.

“Hey!” Color Kid saw Rainbow Girl walk by with Dream Girl and Star Boy. “Dori, this is a nice surprise! What are you doing here?”

“Ulu, it’s so good to see you!” Rainbow Girl ran to hug the pale-skinned hero. “I wish it were under better circumstances!”

“What are the circumstances?” Polar Boy asked. “Judging by the looks on all your faces, I’m guessing this isn’t a social visit.”

“Come on,” Dream Girl beckoned Polar Boy and Color Kid to join them. “We’ll explain on the way to the meeting Brainy’s about to call…we’ve still got about ten minutes.”

**********
In his multi-lab, Brainiac 5 poured a vial of foul-smelling red liquid into a beaker containing a viscous amber substance. Holding the neck of the beaker away from his face, he swirled the two chemicals into one bubbling compound.

“Brainiac 5, I’d be a lot more at ease discussing this with you if I felt like you were paying attention even a little bit.”

The leader of the Legion of Superheroes didn’t look up at the holographic image of Roon Dvron floating before him. He didn't need to see the Earth-based Science Police Officer to hear the frustration in Dvron’s voice. “My apologies,” Brainiac nodded. “This experiment is at a crucial stage and requires monitoring for the next 90 seconds, I assure you however that I am very attuned to our conversation, Officer Dvron.”

Dvron squeezed the bridge of his nose. In all his years working with the Legion, this man was unquestionably the most difficult to deal with. Dvron would prefer to have to work with four Wildfires, at least he could understand where Drake Burroughs’ posturing attitude stemmed from. He’d never been able to relate to Brainiac 5’s detached intellect. “The Judgement League assaulted a Science Police Officer,” Dvron explained wearily. “This is exactly the excuse we need to finally bring them down. I don’t care how powerful they are, we can take them with the right preparation and equipment.”

“You very likely can’t,” Brainiac replied tactlessly, still not looking at Dvron. “More to the point you’d be playing right into the hands of the Judgement League, or more accurately their xenophobic backers within Earthgov.”

“What are you talking about?” the fiery redhead asked.

“Think about it, Officer.” Brainiac shook his head in annoyance at his formula’s stubborn refusal to behave as expected and placed the beaker on a nearby tabletop. He grabbed an omnicom from its magnetic mooring on his belt and typed away furiously as he looked up at Dvron for the first time. “Officer Erin at best showed poor judgement and at worst committed treason against Earth. The Judgement League confronted her with evidence that she had acted in collusion with the Legion of Substitute Heroes and she responded by fighting two authorised Earthgov agents. If the Science Police go in guns blazing, that will be all Councillor Wilso and his ilk need to enforce a more restrictive grip on the planet than they already possess. Shvaughn is Element Lad’s lover. She has been covertly helping one team of vigilantes disobey Earth’s laws and only a complete idiot could remain unaware at this stage that she’s also been providing information to the Legion of Superheroes as well. In the eyes of an uninformed public the Science Police should be working to take her into custody, not avenging her. Wilso will turn the populace against you the instant you take an aggressive stance.”

“Damn it, I know you’re right!” Dvron slammed his fist on his console and the hologram shuddered momentarily. “And I know it makes sense for the Legion to take point on this. If it goes pear-shaped, we can claim you acted on your own and keep the peace on Earth as much as we’re able…that doesn’t make me feel any better though! I feel so helpless letting the Legion fight for one of our own while we wash our hands of it!”

“I do understand,” Brainiac said. “But Officer, let me assure you that while Shvaughn Erin may be a Science Police Officer by profession, everyone in the Legion considers her to be a very important part of our extended family. We’re fighting for one of our own as much as you would be.”

“And what happens assuming you can actually beat the Judgement League up?” Dvron asked. “This isn’t like one of your normal adventures, you’re not going to be able to fix the situation on Earth by punching things.”

Brainiac 5 successfully fought the urge to roll his eyes but he couldn’t quite keep the tone of mild disgust out of his voice. “Officer Dvron, I shouldn’t need to remind you that I have a 12th level intelligence. Punching things is hardly my first or only option. I am not at liberty to share details at this stage, but trust me. I do have a plan.”

“I guess I have to trust you,” Dvron sighed. The man sounded exhausted. “I’m going to be watching though Brainiac, and I can’t promise that the Science Police won’t intervene if I think it’s necessary. There is one more thing…how is Shvaughn anyway?”

“She will recover fully,” Brainiac replied with a clinical lack of emotion. “She’s very fortunate that Crystal Kid was able to transform her when he did, her injuries would most certainly have been fatal otherwise. Her recovery isn’t going to be immediate though, I predict it will be 3 days before she’s ready to leave my medical care.”

“Thank you,” Dvron rejoined, a softness in his voice that hadn’t been there before. “I’m glad she’s going to be okay.”

Brainiac gave Dvron a rare smile. “You’re not the only one, Officer.”

**********
Shvaughn Erin’s eyes fluttered as she stirred to life. She felt oddly heavy, numb. She could feel that she was lying down, but beyond that she had no idea where she was. She tried to call out, but no sound came.

“Ssh, don’t try to speak.” She found it difficult to focus her gaze, but even as foggy as her vision was right now she instantly recognised her lover Jan Arrah’s face looming over her.”You’re lucky to be alive,” the man known to others as Element Lad continued. She could feel his hand clutching hers, but it was a distant sensation. Shvaughn realised she was under the influence of sedatives and struggled to piece together her shattered memories. She remembered Bow and Black Dagger, coming across the Legion of Substitute Heroes and then…she gazed curiously at Jan. If she weren’t in the grip of a drugged haze she might feel more panic, but she was struggling just to remain conscious. “Bow shot you through the throat,” Jan explained gently. “If it weren’t for Crystal Kid…well, I wouldn’t be telling you this right now. That’s why you can’t speak anyway. Brainy operated successfully, but he says it’ll be a day or two before your vocal cords are fully functional again. You’re very lucky, Shvaughn.” He held her hand up and kissed her knuckles tenderly.

Shvaughn’s head lolled to one side as she tried to make out her surroundings. “You’re on Mars,” Jan explained. “The Subs brought you to our headquarters, they didn’t trust that anywhere on Earth or even Medicus One would be safe for you at the moment.” With no small amount of effort, Shvaughn looked back up at the blond Legionnaire. Her brow furrowed and Jan felt her squeeze his hand a little tighter. “They won’t get away with this,” Element Lad said in a voice which was soft but no less firm for it. “Brainy’s talking to the Science Police on Earth now, if I’m not wrong we’re going to be taking the fight to the Judgement League very soon.”

A lone tear rolled down Shvaughn’s cheek and she turned away from Jan. He brushed a wave of red hair from her face and kissed her cheek. “Just focus on healing,” he spoke in a near whisper. “You don’t have to be scared, we’ll take care of the Judgement League.”

I’m not scared, Shvaughn wanted to say, I’m angry. The sedatives came out on top though, and soon even her anger was subsumed. Shvaughn felt Jan’s fingers lightly stroking her hair as darkness overcame her once more.

Unseen by the couple, Porcupine Pete stood on the other side of a large window peering in. He heard footsteps and turned to see Infectious Lass approaching. “Hi Drura,” he greeted his ex-teammate.

“I’m not disturbing you, am I?” she asked. “Did you come down here to be alone?”

“No, no, not at all!” He smiled quickly. “I was actually coming to check on Officer Erin, but I saw Element Lad’s already in there and didn’t want to interrupt them.”

Infectious Lass returned his smile with one of her own. “You should be proud of yourself Pete, you helped saved her life. From what I’ve heard, the Subs have been doing a lot of good on Earth.”

“Well, you know what they say…you can’t keep a good Substitute Hero down.” He chuckled self-consciously.

“Is that what they say?” Drura smirked. The two stood in an uncomfortable silence for a moment before she continued. “You seem…different. Are you doing well?”

“I think I am actually.” He fidgeted absent-mindedly with his flight ring. “We did consider disbanding, you know. The Subs, I mean. After our own base was destroyed, with all the founders absorbed into your Legion…all the odds were stacked against us, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to just watch the Judgement League run roughshod over Earth. Most of us are from Earth…so we decided to stay together and it’s been tough, but in a way I think we’ve made the Subs our team now if that makes sense. We don’t feel like we’re trying to keep the team alive for nostalgia’s sake, we’re actually doing good work on our own merits. Does that sound silly?”

“Not at all.” She met his eye and for the first time Drura felt some of their old friendship was present without the awkwardness that had been there since she’d started dating Jacques. “I think it sounds perfect. The past is there as a foundation to build on, not a prison to cage you.”

“Ha!” Pete guffawed. “You sound like one of those monks I met on Steeple!”

Infectious Lass poked her tongue out at him. “Don’t tease me Peter Dursin, I’ll give you viral alopecia!” The corridor was filled with their laughter as the two walked away.

**********
EARTH
Low Orbit

Jacques and Danielle Foccart sat at the bridge of one of the Legion’s cruisers far above the glittering lights of their homeworld. “How are our comrades faring planetside, mon petite soeur?” Jacques asked.

“Chameleon Boy and Gas Girl are in place, and Shrinking Violet and Phantom Girl should be ready with those signal boosters right about…there we go.” Using the power which had inspired her codename Kid Computo, Danielle brought up a holoscreen. Bright green text and images flickered past the siblings at an incomprehensible blur.

“I will never cease to be amazed by your communion with electronics,” Jacques admired his sister. “To think that you can pull the information we need from Andosen Wilso’s files in the capital from a small ship 1100 miles away. It is mind-boggling!”

“It’s a lot easier with the signal boosters that Brainiac 5 designed,” Danielle replied. “I’d normally have to be much closer for my cyberempathy to work. But…oh wow.”

“Quoi?” Jacques moved his seat closer. “What is it?”

“Brainiac 5 was right,” Danielle’s big brown eyes grew wider. “The Oversight Watch were right….what 89 told Brainiac about the power behind Wilso and his other xenophobic Earthgov buddies…Jacques, look!”

She displayed personal files and visual footage that the Earthgov representative had gone to no small effort to hide, and Jacques’ jaw dropped.

“...Mon dieu.”


**********
METROPOLIS
Weisinger Plaza, Judgement League Headquarters


In a large room where many meetings of the Legion of Superheroes had once been held, the largest and only legal assembly of metahuman individuals on Earth held a meeting of their own. It was a rare occurrence, very few of the men and women in this room had much patience for a civil debate or exchange of ideas. Recent events had created greater than usual friction in the team however. Earth-Man slammed a fist down onto the raised bench where he sat above the rest of his team. The plastic tabletop buckled with strength he’d mimicked from one of his teammates, but the sound of it had the desired effect. Everyone in the room ceased their snide gossip and bickering to focus on their leader. “I know there’s some concern over what happened with Erin,” Earth-Man announced, “But I’m telling you all, this changes nothing. Our position here is cemented.”

“They killed a cop!” Spider-Girl exclaimed, her wild red hair swaying like an angry gang of cats behind her. “I’ve been around long enough to know what that means, Kirt!”

“She’s right,” Radiation Roy added. “If the SP don’t come after us, the Legion will…and I’m not talking about those Substitute losers, I mean the real Legion.”

“Didn’t peg you as a coward in your big red armour,” Black Dagger sneered at Roy. “Seems to me like we’ve been one step ahead of them since we started, mate.” He and Bow were both still bandaged in places, recovering from their encounter with Shvaughn Erin and the Substitute Heroes. Neither of the men seemed to be particularly bothered by their injuries though.

“You think I’m a coward?!” Roy stood up, his chair flying back behind him as his hands glowed a sickly colour. Black Dagger didn’t move in response, but the glint in his eye said he was ready to leap into action at the slightest provocation.

Earth-Man gave a disdainful look at Radiation Roy. “Sit down, you idiot. This is what they want, for us to be too busy in-fighting to present a united front.”

“Divide and conquer.” The electricity-wielding White Lightning sat closer to Earth-Man than anybody else, and she looked up at him now with an appreciative smile.

“Exactly.” Earth-Man stared Roy down until the armoured man skulked away to retrieve his chair and once more sat. “You have to understand,” Earth-Man addressed the whole room once more, "We hold the power. We’re legitimate here, the Legion and their alien-loving sycophants aren’t. I know a lot of us aren’t used to that, but don’t underestimate its value. If the Science Police come after us now, they’ll be coming after the heroes that have stopped no less than eight alien terrorist rings in the past few months. They’ll be coming after the heroes that Earthgov have duly represented to appoint our own homeworld…we’re not some pathetic Braalian or Winathian scum coming to Earth to play out childish power fantasies, we’re real heroes. We’re the heroes that this planet has deserved for longer than it even knows. And we’re going nowhere. If the Science Police want to move on us for taking out that treacherous slut, they can go right down with her.”

Some of the Leaguers cheered or clapped as Earth-Man finished his statement, but one of them stood. The room fell silent as their most powerful member, the golden woman named Celestine, walked before Earth-Man. Red Giant, White Dwarf, Tachyon and Void followed her. “What is this?” Earth-Man demanded. He’d often privately questioned their loyalties, moreso than anybody else in the room. “You better not be thinking of revolting…you may be tough Celestine, but you’re no tougher than I can be.”

“I do not care for your posturing,” Celestine answered imperiously. “I never have, Earth-Man. My compatriots and I endured you because you saved our lives, but this is not the destiny for which our lives were spared.”

“What are you talking about?” Earth-Man snarled. “What could be better than this? We have all the benefits of ruling the planet and none of the responsibilities!”

“The responsibility of ruling is our right,” she corrected him. “Our right and our obligation. Not just to rule Earth, but all of the planets in this system.”

“All in good time,” Earth-Man said. “But Celestine, we have to—“

“Not you,” she cut him short. “Our right. We Heavensent.” She gestured to the four men who’d come to stand with her. The five of them were the only survivors of a solar flare which had destroyed their research station and their life’s work centuries in the past, and there had always been a stronger bond between the five of them than any of them had ever held with the rest of the Judgement League. “I thought your vision might be able to support ours in time, but I see now that you’re all just children playing at children’s games. We have wasted enough time on this group, we will see you once more when you are ready to bend knee to us.” Arms spread, she gathered her old crewmates around her with her mastery of gravitic fields and hovered toward the ceiling.

The other Leaguers wasted no time whispering amongst themselves about the unexpected departure. Earth-Man fumed, his fists shaking at his side. He wanted nothing more than to tear her apart with her own power, and he was certain the rest of the League still loyal to him could handle Red Giant and White Dwarf. Tachyon and Void though…they would not face defeat easily. Earth-Man had no doubt they eventually would face defeat, but how many of his own would die alongside them? How much of Metropolis would be destroyed in the battle, and how much goodwill would he lose with the public of Earth? It was a strategic and political risk he couldn’t risk right now.

“Earth-Man?” Red Crow sidled up to him. “Do you want me to follow..?”

“No.” Kirt Niedrigh turned to the room at large even as Celestine burned a hole through the building to take her own team away. “Let them go!” he bellowed over the building’s alarms and self-repair systems coming online. “Anybody else who wants to run scared, go now. Any of you who like the taste of power you’ve had already and would like some more….stick with me and we’ll show this damn planet who the sprock its protectors really are.”

“Yeah!” White Lightning pumped a fist into the air, electricity arcing around her outstretched arm. Most of the others followed suit. Earth-Man did notice that not all of his Judgement League shared the same level of enthusiasm as his most vocal supporter, but even those who didn’t share his vision enjoyed the life he’d given them here. He smiled smugly.

The hole that Celestine scorched through their stolen base’s many levels soon allowed a breeze from outside the building to enter, and it allowed the air that had been enclosed inside the building to exit. One particular cloud of oxygen floated on the winds unseen and unheard by anybody else in the city until it found itself floating through the air-filtration vents of a skyscraper three blocks away. The invisible element congealed into a formless haze which itself soon changed into distinctly feminine shape. An instant later, the Legionnaire named Gas Girl sat inside the claustrophobic confines of one of the building’s maze of vents, the criss-cross pattern of the outer grille casting patchwork light on her like a heroine from a noir film. “Brainiac,” she spoke into her flight ring. “It’s Gas Girl, can you talk?”

“Certainly,” Brainiac 5’s calm voice returned. “What do you have to report? I’m impressed that your subterfuge has borne fruit so soon!”

“The Judgement League have splintered,” she explained. “That woman called Celestine took four of them with her and took off who knows where…they were gone by the time I followed them outside. I don’t think his team is as much under his thumb as Earth-Man seems to think…some of them didn’t look too confident with their heaviest hitter gone.”

“Excellent news.” The satisfaction was evident in his voice. "I’ll tell the Legion we’re ready to move.”

NEXT: FIGHT!




Editor's Notes:
You haven't missed anything, I decided to give Comet Queen, Nightwind, Polar Boy & Color Kid an off-panel mission just to show the Legion are doing stuff even if we can't see it happening wink

Porcupine Pete took a leave of absence from the Substitute Heroes when Infectious Lass joined the Legion of Superheroes so he could learn to control his powers and join his crush. He found his way to the monks on Steeple who taught him self-control techniques but unfortunately not before Drura had moved on to Jacques. C'est la vie, huh?

While they haven't really been named as a group entity before now, Celestine and her buddies all got their powers when their solar research station in the 25th century fell victim to a solar flare. They would have fallen into the sun's gravity well and died if Earth-Man hadn't recruited them for his team along with the rest of his time-displaced Leaguers.

Gas Girl is gonna get a reputation for being sneaky if she keeps this up ;p
Well, well, well! Looks like the bad guys' lack of teamwork will help do them in. This is shaping up to be a very exciting resolution.

Glad to see Shvaughn is safe and recovering too.

I should add, I like how you realistically took Celestine and company off the board - at once removing some very powerful pieces yet still keeping them for your future use. Also glad to see Brek and Ulu and the other former Subs getting along well again; liked Pete and Drura talking; and Brainy's multi-tasking and concern for Shvaughn was really nice. Lastly, I very much like your use of Gas Girl.
Shauvung and Jan's secene was so touching i loved it and i would be angry too.

Your rhythm for how Jan responded to her was great.

This is going to be an awesome battle.

Gas girl is really turning into a favorite of mine. She can sneak around any day as far as i'm concerned.

Earth-Man's Judgment League isn't so together as we thought...thats good. divide and conqure!

Can't wait for more.
Great use of Shvaughn and the remaining Subs - really good how you highlighted how tactical she can be while still having compassion - warning the crowd to back away when she could have used them to hide, to use your word, nice to see you didn't Nerf her smile

I really love how Rainbow Girl seems to have different abilities everytime she appears, it always makes me laugh. Great use of Porcupine Pete andthe Polecat too, and the Polecat telling off Bow and Black Dagger was nice too.

Is 89 getting B5 and the team to do her dirty work? I wonder why she would give him the information without an ulterior motive (I know she said she would to Jo, but still...)

The touching scene between the former subs on mars was great, and Comet Queens defence of the Urks was sweet and rang totally true to character. I like your take on her Raz, for a supposedly shallow character she's tricky to write well! And Dream Girl hauling them off to join a meeting is ominous...


Dvron and Brainy would never ever be friends though you capturewd their working relationship well - Dvron's frustration (would rather work with four wildfire's! haha) and Brainy's disinterest well. The shared acknowledgement at the end about Officer Erin was particularly poignant - whatever the two men think about the other at least they have shared goals.

Shvaughn and Jans conversation waswonderfully written, showing us what they each felt. And Drura and Pete were also well done.

Jacquees and Danielle - oh just ramp up the tension and suspense then! I did think it could be Universo behind it all but I don't see what his ultimate goal would be. And good use of Danielle's abilities, you'd think in the techno-swamped 31st century that we've had shown to us she could potentially be one of the most powerful and versatile member of the team if she wanted to be, a techno-equivalent of the White Witch.

Earth Man is a comlex character, not just a xenophobe control fiend, and you showed how he is thinking politically as well as just personally, though with the splintering of his team there will be hell to pay I'm sure.

And if the only reputation Gas Girl gts is being sneaky then that's not the worst, is it tongue

I'm sure you have enough ideas of your own but if you have the head space I'd love to see more of Light Lad - I don't really know him yet - and Blok-as-Shazam - how is he coping with the power boost?

More, more, more Raz, please
Looks like Gas Girl is a winner all round!

I am glad Shvaughn's fight was well received, I wanted to show her as being super competent even though she was ultimately outclassed.

Interesting point you raise about Rainbow Girl, Harbi! It is almost like she keeps changing powers every time she appears, isn't it? Might be a story there... wink

Comet Queen is gonna be getting some more spotlight soon...I kind of like the idea that she's the way she is because it's a cultural difference moreso than her just being a valley girl of space. Hopefully we'll see some depth with her soon!

It's also funny you bring Blok up! We are gonna get a look in to how the Shazam powers have affected him next instalment and again very soon too! It's been a while since Light Lad had a major role in anything so I will see what I can do!

Thanks for the comments, y'all! I have got one of two scenes coming up in this Judgement League fight that I hope will be pretty epic, and more than one surprise too!
Gas girl is great, though her name stinks (excuse the pun) and you've shown how versatile she can be.

Rainbow Girl's power set I thinkis beyond cataloguing at this point smile

I totally agree about Grava, she never struck me as dumb just not taken seriously because of her speech patterns. I'm looking forward to seeing what you have planned.

Blok! When I was re-reading an earlier post I though your Blok's probably the only one who can take down Earth Man, I'd love to see that happen. Or whatever you want to write smile

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo JUDGEMENT WAR Part 2 of 2: Earth Intruders - 08/23/15 03:19 PM
EDITOR'S NOTE: I decided against using roll calls here as we're looking at 50+ characters between the Legion of Superheroes and the Judgement League. If you'd like to see the full rosters of both teams though, click on their names and you will magically be taken there. On with the show!

*********
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Brainiac 5 watched calmly while two Legion cruisers disappeared into the star-filled Martian sky. The moons Phobos and Deimos glowed softly above as they completed their unsynchronised journeys from one side of the planet to the other.

“I wish we could have gone with them,” Crystal Kid spoke up. He stood in the hangar by Brainiac’s side with the rest of his teammates in the Legion of Substitute Heroes as well as Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad. The students of the Legion Academy watched from a nearby catwalk.

“We need to have backup ready in the unlikely event that the Legion fail,” Brainiac 5 explained dispassionately. “And we cannot risk giving Earth-Man the opportunity to mimic my intellect if it can at all be avoided.”

Lightning Lad’s eye was illuminated by the tiniest crackle of electricity. “I don’t regret leaving active duty behind to spend more time with Imra and the boys, but times like this…watching Ayla and my friends fly out to face those creeps, I wish I was going with them.”

“Brainy’s right,” Saturn Girl soothed her husband. “We’re better off here Garth, and your sister has gotten pretty good at taking care of herself.”

“I know,” Garth Ranzz agreed. “I just—“

A beeping noise interrupted the Legion founder, and Brainiac 5 gave the command for a holo-screen to appear before the group. “Hey!” Lightning Lad exclaimed, “You’re the last two people I’d expect to be hearing from today!"

“Indeed,” Brainiac 5 agreed. “What can we do for you today?"

**********
EARTH
Metropolis, Judgement League Headquarters

It was also late evening in Metropolis when the masked man known as Fundament stepped up to a table in the Judgement League’s shared common room and shook his head disapprovingly. “Gambling? Surely there are better uses of your time?”

In the middle of a game of poker, four of his teammates stopped playing and looked up at him. Three of them had worked together in Russia centuries before they were snatched through time to join the League. There were the twin sisters White Noise and Black Light, shapely women with identical haughty features and impractically high beehive hairstyles. Their costumes were also nearly identical in design, though the monochromatic palette was colour-swapped between them. The two women simply turned back to their hands without a word, Black Light rolling her eyes at her smirking sister.

The burly bearded cyborg Cyberian rounded out the trio and he gave a barrelling chortle at Fundament’s discomfort. “What is the word they use in this time?” Cyberian roared. “You are truly a boring squatter, religious man. Go away and leave us with our cards and what piddling excuse for alcohol this future offers!” He took a swig of silverale from a massive glass mug and slammed it back on the tabletop.

“Squaj,” the final player in their game corrected him. “He is a boring squaj.” Ursula Yenova was also from Russia and had befriended these three quickly. Her home era had been the late 21st century though, nearly 200 years before her fellow countrymen had been born. A hedonistic woman built like a bulldog, she had taken to the 31st century surprisingly easily. She too laughed at Fundament, and blew an obnoxious cloud of smoke into his face from the cigar she clutched between two fingers.

Fundament coughed, stumbled backwards a step to the amusement of the Russians, and then before he could say another word he dropped to the floor unconscious. The other four Leaguers looked at one another in confusion. White Noise coughed now too, and her head hit the tabletop. “Sister!” Black Light rushed to grab her before she slumped off her seat.

“Hold your breath!” Cyberian ordered. He grabbed a rebreather from a hidden compartment in his belt and scanned the local area with his artificial left eye. “We are under attack!” His warning was too late for Black Light, who joined her sister in slumber now.

“Chemical weaponry?” Ursula stepped back from the table, her lip curled in disgust. “What coward is too scared to face us fairly in the field of battle?!” Before their eyes, she morphed into the shape of a bear some eight feet tall which appeared to be composed of the stuff of the cosmos itself. In this form she was the Star-Bear, and no gas attack could affect her.

Screaming alarms filled the air, and thundering booms rocked the common room. Each one was louder than the next, until seconds later an internal wall exploded inwards and the Leaguers saw that a passage had been carved through the building from Weisinger Plaza outside. Ultra Boy and Mon-El spearheaded the assault, twenty-five angry Legionnaires close behind. “We know your most powerful member has left you in the lurch and taken her friends with her,” Ultra Boy took point, referring to Celestine and those she called the Heavensent. “And Gas Girl’s already taken out three of your pals.” In response, the incorporeal heroine took human form once more alongside her friends with a mocking wave to Cyberian and Star-Bear. “You’ve been living in our house long enough, it’s about time we take it back.”

Star-Bear roared in defiance and grew another four feet in stature. She charged Ultra Boy while a cursing Cyberian opened fire on Mon-El with his inbuilt weapons.

“I have to admit,” Jo cracked his knuckles, “I was kind of hoping you’d say that.” Switching his ultra-energy to speed, he evaded the Star-Bear’s attack as though she were moving in slow motion. A shift back to ultra-strength and he sent her flying back through another wall.

While Star-Bear clawed her way out of the wreckage, Mon-El advanced on Cyberian. The cyborg had cycled through three different types of energy barrage, none of them causing his Daxamite target even the slightest discomfort. “Please stop firing!” Mon-El called out over the ferocious roar of a plasma cannon. “I don’t want to hurt you or your teammates with plasma backwash!”

“Do as he says, Cyberian.” Earth-Man flew into the room, followed by the rest of his team. “I’ve been waiting for the chance to crush you, alien.” As soon as he was close enough, the leader of the Judgement League absorbed Mon-El’s powers and slammed him back out into Weisinger Plaza.

“Mon!” Shadow Lass leaped to follow her lover, only to be kicked in the solar plexus by a woman in shiny black armour.

“You’re the one that uses smokescreens, right?” Black Dancer asked, black smoke belching from her bootjets as she hovered in place. “Same here, too bad you haven’t got power armour like me.” She raised one arm and shot a laser beam from her gauntlet. Shadow Lass clambered out of the way, realising that Stone Boy was directly behind her and could take the attack.

“You need a hand with her, Shadow Lass?” Stone Boy asked.

“No, but thank you for the offer. I don’t use smokescreens, woman. I am the Shadow Champion of Talok VIII. Allow me to show you what that means.” She flew toward Black Dancer, a field of impenetrable blackness growing out of her bodysuit and cape until it enveloped both Tasmia and her armoured foe.

Almost everybody joined the battle immediately, and soon the building which had housed both teams was a riot of destruction. Off to one side of the room, two Leaguers alone took advantage of the chaos to escape the fracas. The massive grey behemoth named Tusker ripped his own exit through the base, his wife Eyeful Ethel directly behind him. “Don’t worry baby,” Tusker reassured the woman he loved. “I’ll get you away from this craziness and then I’ll come back and help Earth-Man tear these losers apart.”

“Tusker!” Ethel gasped. “Stop! There are Legionnaires on the other side of that wall!” She grabbed at his enormous shoulder, but he’d already punched a hole in the wall.

Standing a safe distance away on the other side, Star Boy had his arms folded across his chest and Dream Girl leaned against a console filing her nails. “See, Thom?” Dream Girl asked in an utterly bored voice. “I told you they’d make a run for it.”

Star Boy indulged her with a smile. “Never doubted you for a nano, my love."

Tusker threw his head back and laughed. “Don’t worry about these two, babe. The only Legionnaires who could give me less trouble would be Color Kid and Matter-Eater Lad.”

“Hey, that’s not nice!” Star Boy pointed at the charging Tusker and the air around Thom's white glove turned black. “Those guys could kick your butts!” Tusker was enveloped in Star Boy’s power effect and he plummeted instantly and very loudly through every floor of the building into the sub-levels.

“K-keep away from me!” Ethel cried out, edging back from the two heroes.

“Oh, relax.” Dream Girl replaced her hardlight file in the hidden pocket of her right bracer and pulled an advanced polymer ziptie from her left. “We’re just going to restrain you, not hurt you. Your husband’s a dangerous idiot, but you’re just an idiot.”

Explosions suddenly rocked the corridor as the rotund woman called Bouncing Betty cannonballed through multiple walls until she'd left the building. Diamond Damsel followed in her wake, stopping short when she saw Dream Girl, Star Boy and Ethel. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realise you were out here when I knocked her outside! You’re okay, right?”

“We’re fine,” Dream Girl answered as they heard the explosive sound of Betty ricocheting off of the ground outside. “Go get her before she kills someone!”

“I’ve got a better idea,” the aptly-named Golden Boy interrupted. “Let me improve your looks, Diamond Damsel. Gems may be pretty, but gold’s the standard!” He came flying straight at Diamond Damsel, his arms stretched out before him. As bulky as she was in this form, she wasn’t left with much room in the packed corridor to evade his transformative touch.

“I have been turned to gold once before,” a gravelly voice joined in. “I do not believe my friend would care for it.” Empowered by a portion of the speed of Mercury, Blok overtook Golden Boy as though the villain were moving through molasses. His own massive stone hand easily closed around both of Golden Boy’s wrists and with his free hand he bopped the gleaming Judgement Leaguer on top of his skull.

Before Diamond Damsel could thank Blok for the save, both Legionnaires glowed pink and vanished along with Golden Boy himself. Dream Girl and Star Boy looked on in shock at the architect of their misfortune, a woman in a high-collared leotard and an unruly mane of brown hair. A tiny ring-like device emerged from her forehead, pinkish energy crackling in its centre. “What did you do to them?” Star Boy demanded, using his own power to cause the woman to drop to her knees. “Bring them back!"

“They are not harmed,” Vista assured Thom, struggling to lift her head to meet his gaze. “Not yet at any stage…they will wander the vistas of my psyche for a long time yet before their existence is ended. Here, see for yourself.” The ring in her forehead crackled and popped, and Star Boy and Dream Girl’s world was consumed by the same pink light.

**********
Outside the building which by now had taken a fair amount of damage, Dragonmage found himself in the unfortunate position of having been targeted by Bow and his tracker arrows. A dragonform had taken care of the first shaft, but Xao hadn’t had time to prepare a spell for the second one and was reduced to using his flight ring to outrace it. He passed other Legionnaires who could easily deal with the primitive weapon, but whether it was Polar Boy sealing Kid Chemo’s containment suit with ice or Wildfire pairing off against the mystically enhanced weapons of Sunsword, everyone else here was too preoccupied to help the Legion’s young sorcerer. Xao had seen Dawnstar manouvre tracer weaponry into destroying itself harmlessly against asteroids or enemy ships with her superior speed and agility. Even with a flight ring he wasn’t at all confident he could achieve the same result himself, but he was starting to think it might be his only option. Just as he’d decided to make the attempt, Dragonmage felt a surge of heat behind him. He craned his neck to see Fire Lad bringing up his rear, the ashes that had been Bow’s arrow disintegrating on the evening breeze.

“I thought you could usse an asssisst,” the bony fire-breather said, a friendly smile belying his sibilant hiss.

“Thanks!” Dragonmage slowed down to allow his teammate to catch up with him. “What about Bow though? He’s still in there somewhere!”

“I wouldn’t worry about that nasss,” Staq smirked. “Element Lad went gunning for him the nano thiss brawl sstarted.”

Inside the base crouched safely on a catwalk above the melee, Bow sensed that one of his weapons had been destroyed before it had reached its target. He frowned only slightly before drawing back another arrow and scanning the crowd of metahumans below. Looking for his next target, he saw Black Dagger slicing through a screen of thorny vines to get to Chlorophyll Kid beyond. From his vantage point, Bow had a clear shot at the Legionnaire’s head. He wouldn’t even need his arrows’ enchantments for this one. He let the arrow fly, and was mystified when it evaporated into the air almost immediately.

“We need to have words,” a calm but firm voice announced. Bow turned to see the Legion's transmuter floating imperiously to his left, the one they called Element Lad. Without a sound, he nocked another arrow but as he pulled the bowstring back it snapped off in his hands. “Kind of hard to use a bow with tin filament instead of string, isn’t it?” Jan asked. “I’d imagine so anyway, I must admit I’m not all that familiar with the kind of barbaric primitivism in which you specialise.”

The bald archer flung an arrow at the hero, and while Jan concentrated on shifting it into free-floating molecules of helium, Bow took the opportunity to leap up and belt him across the head with his bow.

Element Lad cried out as he tumbled backwards. Dazed, the intense pain of a new arrow being lodged into his thigh shocked him back to awareness. “You really are an animal,” Jan grimaced, bringing his other knee straight up into the floating man’s jaw with a satisfying crack. “You should thank whatever gods you believe in that I’m not.” The air around Bow hardened into a block of inertron leaving only his head exposed, and Bow struggled fruitlessly.

Element Lad looked down now to help Chlorophyll Kid with Black Dagger, but both of the Legionnaires were slammed into the ground by some invisible force before Jan could make a move. The impact knocked Element Lad out cold instantly, and Chlorophyll Kid was trapped in place like a fly in amber. From where he was laying, Ral could see that Black Dagger was safe from the strange assault. He could also see the deep blue boots of the man responsible for their predicament in his peripheral vision floating above.

Fundament hovered above a room full of fallen Legionnaires, none of them capable of the slightest motion. His control of gravity was so precise that his own colleagues in the Judgement League were unaffected, and they took this time to recover from the individual fights he’d interrupted. “You Legion of so-called Superheroes reckoned without my superior God-given power when you launched your cowardly attack!” he preached to his captive audience. “Power that I have been given to cleanse the Earth of demons such as yourselves! If it is possible for such creatures to find repentance, pray for it now! In a minute you will no longer have the opportunity!” He clenched his fists and every Legionnaire affected by his power felt gravity’s crush intensify.

**********
Somewhere else, Golden Boy moaned as he regained consciousness. His golden skin was far less sensitive than his human flesh had been so the change in temperature was lost on him, but he could still see that it was no longer night-time and he could hear the rolling breeze. He sat up, noticing for the first time that he was sitting on a grassy field. Confused, he looked around to see Blok, Diamond Damsel, Star Boy, Dream Girl and Supergirl standing nearby. He had no idea where they were, but he didn’t think the heroes had noticed that he’d woken up. With exaggerated caution, he approached the Legionnaires from behind and reached for Supergirl. If he could kill the maid of might, the rest of the League would have to respect him. Just before he reached her shoulder, she spun around in a blur and blew him down with an arctic gust of breath. “Seriously?” Kara Zor-El asked. “I’ve got super-hearing, you moron.”

“Where have you taken me?” Golden Boy asked, clambering to his feet once more. He kept his distance this time, looking around at the landscape for the first time. There were peaceful knolls and valleys reaching out to the horizon, the sky a pastel pink dotted with powder blue clouds. All of the colors here seemed washed out though, himself and the Legionnaires the only exception.

“We were hoping you could tell us,” Supergirl answered. “Your pal Vista sent us here, I had enough time before you all arrived to do some exploring and I can tell you this is pretty much all there is for a long long way in all directions. I can’t see any other planets or stars in the sky…something about this place reminds me of the Phantom Zone, I can’t quite put my finger on it though.”

“Oh no.” Golden Boy’s jaw dropped in an expression of horror. “No no no, I can’t believe she’d do this to me…this can’t be happening!”

“Don’t be so hysterical,” Dream Girl instructed him. “I’m sure Vista only transported you by accident when she grabbed Blok and Diamond Damsel, but we can help you get back home. I assume we're in another dimension?”

“We’re in her mind!” Golden Boy almost screamed. “This is what she does, she uses that sprocking implant in her forehead to send people to her own personal mindscape! Forever! Oh sprock, this is inhumane…we’re going to die here.” He sat down and clutched his knees, rocking back and forth.

“Inhumane,” Diamond Damsel deadpanned. “Says the man who turns people into gold statues.”

“He might be telling the truth,” Star Boy joined in. “We already know our flight rings don’t work. Maybe we should try calling Tellus?”

“Good idea, Thom.” Dream Girl took command instinctively. “Everyone project a call to Tellus as clearly as you can. That goes for you too, Golden Boy.” The golden villain complained at first, but was soon convinced it might be their only chance of escape. He approached the group warily and the six of them focused intensely on reaching the Hykraian Legionnaire with their thoughts. When that didn’t work they resorted to just shouting his name, and their echoes carried on the wind.

Golden Boy was the first to give up. “Face facts,” he whined in a broken voice as he sat back down again. “We’re going to die here. Oh sprock, what if we can’t die here? What if we’re doomed to just wander this creepy place forever??"

“We are not going to die here,” Blok stated with simple authority. “Nor are we going to be trapped here eternally. I have an idea but you may all wish to stand back. That includes you as well please, Supergirl. ”

“What are you going to do?” Diamond Damsel asked, retreating a couple of metres with the others.

“This may be a psychic environment,” Blok explained. “But it is still an environment. That should be far enough, thank you.” The others stopped their retreat and Blok looked up to the placid skies above, arms by his side. He spoke only one more word.

Shazam.

**********
Comet Queen cried out in pain as Fundament increased gravity’s stranglehold on the Legionnaires trapped inside the Judgement League’s base with him. She made eye contact with Chlorophyll Kid and wished there were something she could do to help. She’d tried to fill the room with plumes of noxious gas, but it was more difficult for her to spread her power’s effect without being in motion. At any rate Fundament had made even her gaseous trail so heavy that it hugged the floor. In the end, Grava had shut her power off before she put her own teammates to sleep.

Shadow Lass had also still been in the room at the time Fundament woke up and launched his assault. Black Dancer’s unconscious form lay beside Tasmia, her visor cracked. The armoured woman had bitten off more than she could chew with Tasmia, but what was even the Shadow Champion of Talok VIII to do against someone who controlled one of the fundamental forces of the universe itself? Maybe nothing, Tasmia gritted her teeth under the bone-crushing pressure. But I have to try!

Before more than a wisp of darkness could be called forth, Shadow Lass saw something which made her pause. When Fundament’s power had dragged her to the floor, Shadow Lass had landed on her back. She had the best view of the room of any of the Legionnaires here, and she alone could see the starry sky above them thanks both to the tunnel Celestine had bored through her old team’s headquarters along with the damage wrought by the Legionnaires themselves today. Fundament hovered beneath those stars now, his cape flapping at his ankles while he ranted about his god-given superiority over the Legionnaires. What intrigued Shadow Lass though was far beyond Fundament. There was something gleaming in the sky, something coming closer. Something else else coming far too fast to stop. It’s a shuttle! she realised in horror. “Fundament..!” Tasmia groaned. “…Behind you….runaway…ship…”

The gravity manipulator looked down upon Shadow Lass with utter contempt. “Silence yourself. demon. Do you think I will fall for your lies so easily?” He intensified the pressure on Shadow Lass more than the others and she screamed in pain.

“Oh crap!” The speedster Sprint pointed up at the plummeting ship which was now only hundreds of feet above them. “It really is a runaway ship!” Sprint bolted out of the building as fast as her legs would take her, and Fundament turned to face the oncoming craft but it was too little too late. He released his hold on the Legionnaires to erect a gravitic forcefield, a field which hundreds of tons of metal and ceramics shredded right through. The ship took a quarter of the building with it, and when the smoke cleared every Judgement Leaguer in the room was buried under piles of rubble. Remarkably, nobody had been killed in the impact and even more remarkably not a single Legionnaire had been touched at all. Chlorophyll Kid helped a groggy Element Lad to his feet, and they were joined by Shadow Lass, Comet Queen, Color Kid, Matter-Eater Lad, Elastic Lad and Ultra Boy. “What the sprock was that?!” Ultra Boy exploded.

“A craven attack.” Fundament reappeared from beneath tons of debris, moving it aside with his power. He was bleeding and his costume torn but he was still in the fight. “I do not know how you diabolic creatures pierced my shield, but it will avail you naught.”

The sound of twisting metal in the centre of the impact site made everyone’s heads turn, and two familiar figures floated out of the reinforced life pod they’d been securely tucked away in the whole time. “You’ve never seen how a tiny horseshoe magnet can resist the authority of a planet’s gravity?” one of the newcomers asked. “Welcome to science, Fundament.”

Fundament was utterly shell-shocked. “Who..?”

“I’m Cosmic Boy,” the unusually relaxed Braalian answered. “I’ve been on honeymoon with my wife here, but defeating self-important egotists is really more our speed. Lucky for you Brainiac 5 couldn’t convince us to keep our noses out of this one when we called to tell him we were coming home.”

Lydda Jath Krinn gave Fundament a predatory grin. “I’m Night Girl, and I’m surprised you don’t remember us from the last time we walked all over your team. I’m happy to refresh your memory though. Tasmia, would you be a dear?”

The expression on Shadow Lass’s face mirrored that of Lydda's. “The pleasure’s all mine, Night Girl."

The room instantly filled with darkness, followed quickly by the sounds of a very one-sided battle.

**********
Outside, Light Lad had seen the plummeting shuttle too late to stop it, but he was prepared to prevent any debris from hurting anyone once the vehicle crashed. Surprisingly though for all the damage the crash had caused, the wreckage fell where nobody would be injured. It was almost as though someone had artificially controlled its path. He glanced across toward Tellus, but the telekinetic Hykraian was busy enough containing Bouncing Betty. The tousle-haired hero suddenly felt a searing pain cut through his shoulder and collapsed with a cry of pain.

The Judgement League’s Light Lass approached while Darvan struggled not to black out. “The first laser was just for fun,” she taunted as she aimed her finger at him once more. “I didn’t think you’d be such a baby about it, I can’t believe we share the same name. No wonder you’re dead by my time.” Darvan saw her finger glow with power, then her back arched and she screamed as her whole body was wracked with jolts of electricity.

Light Lass fell and Lightning Lass rushed over to help Darvan stand. “Actually,” Ayla Ranzz mocked the groaning Leaguer, “Light Lass was my name first, and I might be flattered you stole it if you weren’t such a sprocking psycho.”

“I’m okay,” Darvan grimaced. “Went right through me, but heat cauterised the wound…go easy on her Ayla, she’s just a kid…”

“A kid who tried to murder a bunch of our students,” Ayla rejoined. “She’s lucky I left her conscious.”

Another woman’s scream caught their attention, and the two Winathians saw a staggering Vista clutch at her forehead. There was no visible sign of attack, but she screamed a second time and in a flash of pink light Blok, Supergirl, Diamond Damsel, Star Boy, Dream Girl and Golden Boy appeared out of nowhere. In a flash of motion, Supergirl knocked Vista out and gently lowered her to the ground. Ayla and Darvan simply looked at each other. “Oookayyy then…” Ayla said, clearly lost.

“Summoning magic lightning to blast away at her stupid mental landscape was genius, Blok!” Diamond Damsel clapped the stone hero on his shoulder. “But I thought you couldn’t use the magic word?”

“In the physical plane I cannot,” Blok explained. “But magic is far more accessible on any psionic plane, even one which has been wholly constructed by one individual. I gambled that Vista would suffer any damage inflicted upon her mindscape as though it were a strike against her own mind.”

“That wisdom of Solomon sure comes in handy!” Dream Girl added with a wink.

“Look out!” Supergirl warned, an instant before the ground exploded at their feet and Earth-Man and Mon-El tore up from the base’s sub-levels. The two men had been fighting one another ferociously since the battle had begun, tearing in and out of the building. Both men were bruised, their costumes shredded, but neither one of them was anywhere near giving up. Supergirl’s first instinct was to speed to Mon-El’s side, but she soon thought better of it. “If I get involved, Earth-Man will just have my strength as well as Mon’s!” Kara exclaimed. “Neither of us can stand against that!”

“Go ahead,” a smug Golden Boy remarked. “Why drag out the inevitable?”

“You haven’t gotten any less annoying,” Diamond Damsel snapped. “Maybe it’s time you had a little nap again!” She moved to punch Golden Boy, but he was gone in a blur. “What..?” Diamond Damsel looked around. “How did he do that?!”

“He didn’t,” Supergirl replied. “Their speedster nabbed him, what’s her name…Sprint? She must have been scouting the fight looking for him. It looks like they’re abandoning ship, they’re halfway across Metropolis already. She’s nowhere near as fast as me though, I’ll go get ‘em and be back in a shake!”

“I believe you should stay here,” Blok disagreed politely. “While we are certainly on the verge of success, Earth-Man is always a wild card. I do not believe that Golden Boy or Sprint pose an immediate risk to anybody in the city, we have the resources to find them later easily enough.”

“Blok’s right,” Dream Girl said, before shaking her head amused at herself. “…Still feels odd saying that…but look around us, this is about to wrap up and Golden Boy’s not going to be stupid enough to do anything that will get us on his trail any quicker.”

Above them, Earth-Man punched Mon-El through the upper levels of the base and clear through to the other side. He circled the building at super-speed and threw another punch which the battered Daxamite hero caught in one hand, flipping Earth-Man in mid-air. “I’m glad you’ve got some fight left in you still,” Kirt Niedrigh sneered. “Was beginning to think the great Daxamite saviour was all talk.”

“Did it ever occur to you,” Mon-El asked, “That I’ve been dragging out this whole sorry encounter, Niedrigh? Stalling for the right moment to end it?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Earth-Man scoffed. “We’ve beaten you, we…” He had a look down at the barely standing remains of his team’s headquarters, using Mon-El’s senses to view the battlefield hundreds of feet below as plain as day. True, quite a few Legionnaires had sustained damage and some of them were even unconscious. Some of his own League were untouched. But it was more than apparent that the Legion of Superheroes had all but won. “No…” He shook his head and his eyes blazed red. “No!! I’ll incinerate sprocking Metropolis before I let you aliens take victory from me yet again!”

Mon-El waited for just the right instant before he delivered an uppercut that snapped Earth-Man’s head back. The blast of heat vision which had been intended to decimate the city below instead shot up harmlessly into the night sky. His eyes reflexively closed when Mon-El punched him and Earth-Man bellowed in agony as he destroyed most of his own eyelids. “Kill you!” Earth-Man roared, hands pressed to his wounded eyes. “I’ll kill you!

“You won’t be killing anybody any more, Earth-Man.” Mon-El grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and dived like a meteorite straight into the centre of Weisinger Plaza, careful to avoid landing near anybody whose powers Niedrigh could mimic. The impact knocked people off their feet and rattled buildings for blocks, and when the smoke cleared both men were staggering exhausted in the centre of a massive impact crater.

“Earth-Man, it’s over.” This voice came from every piece of equipment capable of transmitting the sound within the entire city block, and it belonged to Chameleon Boy. Confused, Niedrigh gazed up and down and all around for the Durlan. What he saw for the first time was the media stationed as close as they could safely get to the action, the citizens of Metropolis gathered with them to watch this spectacle. He’d assumed the shapeshifter had been using his slimy talent to hide while the fight was happening, but now that Earth-Man thought about it he hadn’t seen any of the Legion’s damned Espionage Squad since they'd invaded…and he wondered why the Legion had allowed so many holocorders and other recording devices to set up camp so close when that usually wasn’t their style. Kirt Niedrigh didn’t like where this was going at all.

A hovering platform descended in the middle of the plaza, Chameleon Boy directing its descent via a podium console. He was accompanied by Phantom Girl and Shrinking Violet, an elderly man Earth-Man recognised as Counsellor Andosen Wilso, and a second unfamiliar man. Wilso and the stranger were both shackled, though they looked unharmed. Enraged as he was, Earth-Man knew he couldn’t take on the Espionage Squad while they held hostages in front of a clamouring media. He wracked his brains for a solution, all the time wishing one of the Legionnaires would come a little closer so he could absorb their power. He could already feel Mon-El’s beginning to fade as the Daxamite had now rejoined his teammates. “I always knew the Legion of Superheroes were brazen!” Earth-Man called out, shielding his exposed eyes. “But this…kidnapping an Earthgov representative? Are you mad??”

“This is a little over the top,” Chameleon Boy’s voice echoed around Weisinger Plaza, “And for the disruption to your evening, we genuinely apologise. We needed to ensure though that all eyes were on us when we revealed the truth about how this man, Andosen Wilso, and the planetary ruling council that he represents has been lying to the people of Earth.” The gathered public looked to Wilso to refute Cham’s claims, but the old man simply hung his head in shame. “Earthgov has painted the Legion of Superheroes as an irresponsible influence on Earth, has gone out of its way to foster xenophobia at every turn with restrictive policies and the meta-powered bullies it holds up as the Legion’s rightful successors. They tell you this is for your benefit, for the good of the people of Earth…and maybe there are people in Earthgov who genuinely believe that. This man isn’t one of them though! Phantom Girl, would you please show the people of Earth exactly who the power behind Andosen Wilso really is?”

“Gladly!” Tinya held up a small disc-like device in her hand for all to see. It was clear to everyone that she was holding a personal image distorter, and when she made a show of turning it off there was a collective gasp of outrage from the crowd. Earth-Man’s face drained of blood and he stared up in horror. Before all of Weisinger Plaza, and anybody else who’d been watching the evening’s chaos on any one of hundreds of broadcast channels, the second man shackled by the Espionage Squad’s side stood revealed as a Dominator.

Taking advantage of the stunned silence, Chameleon Boy continued. “After the destruction of the Dominion homeworld, this man decided to seek revenge for that tragedy on the people of Earth. He wormed his way among the upper echelons of Earthgov until he was in a position to influence its actions. He removed the Legion from the table, and then embarked on a plan that ultimately would lead to a civil war among the good people of Earth and the destruction of this world’s spirit. As far as we have been able to find out, he hid his identity from most of the humans he interacted with. He needed to appear human to fan the flames of xenophobia that would eventually have consumed you. But Wilso…Wilso knew all along. One of the primary human leaders of the movement pushing to remove aliens from Earth was taking orders from an alien the whole time because it got him the world he wanted. Of course we have proof, and we have already submitted this proof to the Science Police for further investigation. But you’ve received a wake-up call today, planet Earth. The Dominion homeworld was destroyed because ultimately the populace of Elia saw other races as inferior to themselves. Don’t let Earth make the same mistake.” He bowed his head, and the entire plaza erupted in noise.

On the ground, Shadow Lass had finally found Mon-El. She called his name and ran to his side, the two lovers embracing. “Everything went perfectly according to plan!” Tasmia beamed. “Cham was brilliant! Is that it, Mon? Is this really the end of it?”

“I don’t think it’s quite that simple, Shady.” Mon-El stared into the endless black pools of her eyes. “This news won’t be welcomed by everyone, we’re going to have discontent to deal with in the coming days…maybe even riots. Both Earth and its government are going to have a lot of soul-searching to do. But it’s definitely the first step in a return to normalcy if that’s what Earth wants.”

“What about Earth-Man?” she asked. “What about the Judgement League?”

“Something else else tells me the Judgement League just became an unpleasant footnote in this planet’s history,” he answered. They both turned to look at Earth-Man, along with several other Legionnaires. He was standing mutely, staring with dry unblinking eyes at the Dominator who’d written the past several months of his life like a book. His expression was that of a man whose whole world had been shattered.

“As for Earth-Man,” Mon-El continued, “I don’t think he’s going to be a threat for a long long time…”

*********
Nicely done raz! Quite an exciting end. I was afraid at first that the group in Vista's mind would be there for a while,but you wrapped it up nicely. Blok was amazing, as was everyone in there.

Sprint and Golden Boy live to fight another day, I'm sure you have plans for them.

The wrap-up was done really well, glad the Espionage Squad caught things - including, I'm sure, Earth-Man's tantrum and threat to incinerate Metropolis.

I also loved the mini-battles going on. Nice to see Tasmia be nicer to her teammates (thanking Stone Boy for his offer, for example).

Looking forward to seeing the aftermath.
Thanks IB! I had fun writing it but I don't really love a xenophobic Earth as the status quo tbh so I'm glad to move on from there now smile
Raz, I jumped in on the previous page - what a blast! So many characters. It's interesting to move the Academy to Mars, not keep the story entirely Earth-centric. The bad guys from the past, good selection, better than Al Capone and Nero or whoever was chosen in that old Adventure story. Shvaughn put up a real fight, with a noble concern for civilians - you don't need superpowers to be a hero. Those crazy Subs, a bit stumblebum but so valiant. Great idea to have Antennae Lad able to pick up future transmissions. Of course others would try and copy the flight ring - difficult to create but likely easier to reverse-engineer; I wonder why this wasn't ever in the comic (or was it?). So nice to see Brainy isn't a jerk! And Earth Man is... but not as much in control as he imagined. That Vista has a really creepy power - is that your own creation? And the Legion triumphs in the end, thanks to good old team work. Great story, looking forward to the next part!
Thanks FC! laugh

Most of the Judgement League are my own creations, I just added them to Earth-Man's Justice League group from the comics....I can't claim credit for the flight ring copying though, that one I nicked from Legion of 3 Worlds wink

I much prefer Brainy's old school personality where he might occasionally get annoyed being surrounded by less intelligent people but he's not a psycho jerk about it constantly....you picked a good time to jump on board, after the Legion have some breathing room I am gonna start an epic storyline with a Legion bad guy from way back! smile
Posted By: Omni Re: JUDGEMENT WAR Part 2 of 2: Earth Intruders - 08/30/15 06:17 AM
Great Battles and ending Raz. Earth-Man being bank rolled by a Domintor, an alien. Great twist.

I can't wait to see these guys all get their comeuppance.

IDK Golden Boy and Sprint maybe gone but i'm not sure for how long.

"Light Lass fell and Lightning Lass rushed over to help Darvan stand. “Actually,” Ayla Ranzz mocked the groaning Leaguer, “Light Lass was my name first, and I might be flattered you stole it if you weren’t such a sprocking psycho.”
My favorite line.


Fundament is scary crazy and powerful.

Agreed Vista's power is totally creepy.

I love Golden boy trying and then getting rebuffed instantly by Supergirl.

So now Earth is free... but does that mean the Legion will return to Earth or are they going to stay on Mars?

Can't wait for more.
Fantastic battle scene Raz, with lots going on and loads of nice individual moments. Take a bow!

Fundamental is a recent great villain, from his strong and twisted morality- not approving of a game of poker but thinking its okay to try to kill legionnaires. He's uber scary!

Both of your teams are really well realised, from Lar not wanting plasma backlash to hurt any of the villains through to his dealing with Earth Man; Ethel and Tuskers fight with Nura and Thom showed all of their characters beautifully; Dragonmages attempt to evade Bows attack and Fire Lads assistance; Ayla helping Light Lad... Oh the list goes on! Such a great battle.Fundamental pinning the team, and Gravas attempt to help... Rokk and Lyddas return to action - splendid stuff! Mon El dragging out the fight so the most powerful Leaguer was kept out the fight until the Espionage Squad arrived with the solution... I loved it.

The Dominators being behind it all shouldn't have been a surprise really given their history but it was, well played.

As Omni said above, with the whole team return to Earth now?

Can't wait to find out, more, more, more!

Thanks peeps! I have been looking for an opportunity to have Light Lass go up against the original and better version since I created her so I'm glad you liked that scene Omni laugh

...and you guys will get to see Blok strut his stuff again soon as well! There are some interesting choices the Legion get to make about their base and roster next instalment too!
Posted By: razsolo Taking Out The Trash - 08/30/15 02:38 PM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

The full assembly of the Legion of Superheroes sat in a respectful silence which some of them didn’t always even show for their own leader as one middle-aged Earth woman addressed them all. The holographic screen bearing her image took up one whole wall in the Legion’s massive meeting room, displaying the surprisingly few lines and wrinkles that Marte Allon had accrued during a career in politics at which she’d proven amazingly adept.

“So in conclusion, any ban on the Legion of Superheroes’ activities in Earth territories has been wholly lifted.” Marte shuffled some papers, looking away from the holocorder for a second. She allowed herself the tiniest hint of a smile as she heard several of the Legionnaires cheer, then her expression became stoic once more. “The Judgement League have proven a more difficult can of worms to deal with. Most of them are time-displaced individuals, and we’ve registered those with the Time Institute. The previous administration had pardoned all of the League who held prior criminal records, and any atrocities on record after their pardons were accepted by Earthgov if not actively sponsored in some cases. We’re holding Earth-Man, Bow and Black Dagger for the assault on Shvaughn Erin but all we can do outside of that is keep an eye on them and assist the appropriate authorities in having them brought to justice for off-world crimes.”

“We understand, Counsellor Allon.” Brainiac 5 stood stiffly and nodded. “Thank you for your time today, we greatly appreciate it.”

“Think nothing of it,” came Marte’s droll response. “Life’s been too dull since my son stopped spending time with you troublemakers. Wild lightning beasts couldn’t drag me into the President’s chair again but when Earthgov asked me to take on Wilso’s old role on the council, I figured that was the perfect way to alleviate the boredom of retirement without working myself into an early grave. So really, perhaps I should be thanking you!” Her attention was diverted momentarily, and Marte smiled at the Legion with a gleam in her eye. “Work beckons. I have no doubt I’ll be speaking with you again soon, Legionnaires.”

Her face was replaced by Earthgov’s official seal, and then that too was gone. Without missing a beat, Brainiac 5 took control of the meeting once more. “The next order of business is the Legion Academy,” he announced. “Now that we’re all sharing the same base of operations, it seems a perfect opportunity for us to become more active in preparing these students for the possibility of membership in the Legion. To that end, I have a couple of suggestions I’d like to put forward. The first is a voluntary rotational roster so that existing Legionnaires can work with the students in a manner best decided with input from their instructors. Secondly, I’d like to introduce an internship program where the most gifted student can spend a portion of their schedule with us as a junior member of the team. Thoughts?”

“I’m all for it,” Wildfire raised his hand. “It’s about time we threw those kids more than a crumb!”

“I’m not a babysitter!” an exasperated Timber Wolf hollered.

“Didn’t you go through the Legion Academy yourself, Timber Wolf?” Nightwind asked pointedly.

Brainiac sighed. “It’s a voluntary rotational roster I’m proposing, Timber Wolf. As for the internship program, if we really believe this program is capable of producing future Legionnaires…and as Nightwind and yourself among others prove, it certainly is capable of that…then it’s not only beneficial to us, but in giving our students an achievable goal it’s also likely to improve their morale and their drive for results.”

“Let’s vote,” Ultra Boy suggested. “I’m hungry!” Some of his teammates chuckled, and the team placed their preferences which were overwhelmingly positive for both proposals. Completely unsurprised by the results, Brainiac 5 relayed a pre-recorded message to the Academy’s administration hub to let them know the good news and he called the meeting to an end.

As they were filing out of the room, Night Girl excused herself from her husband’s side and rushed to grab Brainiac 5 before he disappeared into his lab. “Welcome back,” the blond Coluan looked up from his omnicom to the taller heroine. “How are you and Cosmic Boy settling back in again?”

“It’s great to be back,” Lydda smiled. “Marrying Rokk was the greatest night of my life, but neither of us are really cut out for just laying around on a beach for weeks on end.”

“No, it seems you’ve acquired a taste for careening extremely expensive vehicles into even more expensive buildings,” Brainiac replied with an edge of sarcasm, referring to the explosive way they'd joined their team’s recent battle with the Judgement League on Earth. “You do realise it’s going to take several weeks and an exorbitant amount of credits for us to be able to use that space again?”

“Oh Brainy, you know as well as I do that Cham’s good for it,” Lydda teased. Realising she’d perhaps overextended her familiarity, she cleared her throat and straightened her posture. “Anyway, that’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about…everyone seems to be happy here, and I can’t imagine anybody will be in a great hurry to move back into the same building Earth-Man and his creeps were living in…I’ve got an idea for something else we can do with our building in Weisinger Plaza if you’re interested…”

**********
EARTH
Metropolis, Weisinger Plaza

Laurel Kent held two ends of a broken lead pipe together, flames harmlessly engulfing her bare hands as Sun Boy used his power to fuse the pipe back together. “I know I shouldn’t be looking a gift camelephant in the mouth,” the indestructible girl complained, “But are you sure this whole Legion Internship thing isn’t just a scam for you guys to get cheap labour?”

“You’re right,” Dirk Morgna answered. “You shouldn’t be looking a gift camelephant in the mouth. Have you smelled one of those things?” He allowed his flames to die down and stepped back to look over his work. “There, that should do for now. Grife, I can’t believe how old some of this infrastructure is! Who uses lead pipes anymore?”

“Nobody, but you guys did do a pretty excellent job of destroying the plaza down through a couple of centuries’ worth of construction!” Laurel looked at the devastation surrounding them. “You can sure tell where Mon-El’s been, huh? Seriously though, I am super excited to be here…when Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad told me the Legion wanted to offer me an internship, I was over the moon! I didn’t expect my first job with the team to be clean-up after a mess I didn’t even get to make though!”

“That’s all a part of it too, Laurel.” Dirk incinerated a pile of debris which maintenance droids had left to one side for him.

“Yeah yeah, I know. Life in the Legion of Superheroes is not all glamour and beating up on Mordru, blah blah blah.” Laurel found a handful of exposed wiring and grabbed each one individually until she felt a tingle. “Hey, looks like Kid Computo missed one. This has got a current running through it!”

“Not anymore,” the absent Danielle Foccart’s voice sounded over both their flight rings. “Thanks for the heads up!”

Laurel poked the same wire into her palm a couple of times. Nothing. Not creepy at all, she thought to herself.

“Sun Boy, this is Invisible Kid.”

Dirk lifted his flight ring to his lips. “How are things going on your end, Jacques?”

“Better than expected, mon ami. We were right about extremist groups forming in Earth-Man’s wake…I am following one unseen as we speak, they plan an attack on the Superman Museum in fifteen minutes. If you and les femmes have tired of reconstruction work, I could use your assistance with these delinquents.”

“The best part about boring Legion work,” Sun Boy smiled at Laurel, “Is that it never stays boring for long. Thanks for the invitation Jacques, I’ll grab my dates and be there before you know it!”

“Sun Boy, please do not joke about dating mon soeur,” Invisible Kid joked dryly.

Dirk laughed and together with Laurel flew out of the exposed sub-levels of Weisinger Plaza to find Kid Computo coordinating with city officials on ground level. The three heroes darted across the city together, and when they arrived they found over a couple dozen protestors bearing placards and holo-signs advancing on the galaxy-famous Superman Museum. “I’ve already told the Science Police we’re here,” Danielle advised Sun Boy. “They’ve got some peacekeeping droids on the way in case we need to take anyone into custody."

“Thanks,” Dirk replied. “Unless we’re very lucky I can’t imagine any of these morons dispersing peacefully. Where’s your brother?”

“Perched on the roof in front of the Superman statue,” Kid Computo answered. She saw the confusion on Laurel’s face and added, “He’s invisible, but I can sense his flight ring.”

“Let me take point,” Dirk instructed. “Laurel, if this can’t be resolved without a fight breaking out I don’t want you getting involved unless it’s to defend someone who can’t defend themselves. Just sit back and observe if that’s an option.” He didn’t wait for her to put up an argument, but instead landed on the steps of the museum before the approaching crowd. He flared brighter as he came in for a landing to get the crowd’s attention, switching his powers off as he touched down. Kid Computo came down slightly behind Dirk, and Laurel landed beside her. “Nice day for an excursion,” Sun Boy announced to the crowd. “I think the museum might ask some of you to leave your signs outside though.”

“We’re still allowed the right to gather where we want!” one of the protestors called out. “You and your alien-loving buddies haven’t taken that from us yet!”

“Sure you’re allowed,” Dirk smiled amicably. “You won’t mind if we hang around and make sure gathering’s all you do, right?”

Kid Computo tactfully approached the long-time Legionnaire. “Some of them have bootleg lasers,” she whispered. “I’m suppressing their firing mechanisms now.”

“Okay.” Sun Boy raised his hands to the crowd, his palms surrounded by licks of fire. “Those of you with illegal weapons come forward please. No need for your friends to suffer just because you think guns are big and clever.”

“We don’t have to do anything he says!” a woman in a dirty hooded robe stepped forward and pointed her finger at Dirk. “He can’t stop all of us, and the black girl only controls computers! That other kid’s not even a Legionnaire!” The woman seemed familiar to Sun Boy but he couldn’t quite place her exactly. The crowd cheered her on, and Dirk realised he needed to shut this down before it got out of hand.

“I’m not going to ask again,” Sun Boy pronounced more firmly. “Anybody carrying illegal firearms, hand them over now. Kid Computo’s already rendered your weapons useless, don’t make me come down there and get them myself.”

“Don’t worry,” the feisty female protestor snarled. “You’ll never get the chance to come down here…come on, people! Do it for Earth! Do it for Earth-Man!” She pointed at Sun Boy and a crackling blast of electricity streamed forward from her gloved hands. Sun Boy and Kid Computo both scattered, leaving Laurel to let the brunt of the assault wash over her. The woman's attack gave the others in her group the catalyst they’d been waiting for, and they all rushed the heroes.

Kid Computo and Sun Boy both used their flight rings to take to the air. Projectiles thrown at the two of them were incinerated thanks to a wall of flame erected by Sun Boy, the same wall which kept the mob back from the museum’s main entrance. Danielle co-opted nearby cleaning and security droids to restrain some of the crowd, working seamlessly with the Science Police droids who’d also arrived. Her brother used his invisibility to his advantage to subdue other protestors, and Laurel fought her instinct to wade into the fight and forced herself to obey Sun Boy’s command to stay out of the action. She hated having to sit back and watch, especially as she knew without a doubt she could be an effective deterrent against an untrained mob thanks to her Academy training. She didn’t want to risk blowing her chance with the Legion on her first mission though.

“I know who you are now!” Dirk caught the electricity-wielding woman’s robe on fire. “You’re that second-rate Lightning Lass from the Judgement League!”

The blonde woman ripped off her robe to reveal a skintight blue costume underneath. “The name’s White Lightning!” she shouted. “And you might have given up on your race Legionnaire, but we haven’t! This building is a symptom of everything that’s wrong with Earth culture…turning to aliens to help us when we can help ourselves!” She fired again, missing Dirk by a wide margin. There was a thundering crack behind him, and he turned to see that she’d not been aiming at him at all. Cut off at the shins, the massive statue of Superman which greeted visitors to the museum toppled forward.

While Sun Boy turned his power on the statue to reduce it to cinders before it before it could crush anybody, Kid Computo directed a street-cleaning droid to ensnare White Lightning in its thick rubber hose. “You creeps realise we’re all from Earth ourselves, right?” Danielle manoeuvred beside Sun Boy’s firewall to confront the bigots. “We’re friends with aliens, that doesn’t mean we think any less of ourselves! Multiculturalism is a good thing, you ignorant jerks!”

“Shut up, sellout!” A tattooed man hurled the portable holoprojector he’d been using to project his protest sign at Danielle and smacked her right in the head. She cried out and landed on the steps of the museum, too dizzy to focus on flying. A furious Invisible Kid had already knocked out her assailant and was moving on to the man’s friends, but a few of the crowd broke free to swarm the injured Legionnaire and free White Lightning. The xenophobic former Judgement Leaguer turned on Sun Boy once she saw her allies had already targeted Kid Computo.

Seeing that Sun Boy was busy with White Lightning, Laurel stood in a protective stance in front of Danielle. “See this?” she pointed to the famous S crest on her red poncho. “You know what that means? Look at the place you’re attacking if you need a clue.”

“We know what it means! Get off our planet, alien!” With Danielle distracted, the laser guns were coming back online and a teenage girl shot at Laurel. The beam hit her bare shoulder with no more impact than the sunshine itself.

“Are you kidding me?” Laurel guffawed. “I’m not an alien, I was born and raised in Metropolis, nasshead! My parents were born in North America and so were their parents before them! Superman’s my ancestor but every other person in my family is as human as you idiots!” She stepped forward, ignoring the girl’s repeated laser fire. “Grife, would you give me that before you hurt someone?” Laurel snatched the gun out of the terrified girl’s hand and pushed her so hard she fell on her backbone in the street. Eyeing off the other protestors who’d come forward with the girl, Laurel had a wicked idea and grinned thinking about it. “Now why don’t you all calm the sprock down and get away from my family museum before I use my heat vision to incinerate you all on the spot?!”

That seemed to do the trick, Laurel noticed. Having seen evidence of her invulnerability, the protestors weren’t to know that she didn’t share Superman’s other powers and they backed away fearfully. Kid Computo stood and placed a hand on Laurel’s shoulder. “Thanks for stepping in,” Danielle smiled. “I’ve got it from here.” Indeed, between herself and her brother the crowd were soon under control.

Once he was satisfied that they’d taken care of the crowd, Jacques became visible and rushed to his sister’s side. “Danielle, you are harmed!”

“It’s just a bang on the head, don’t worry yourself Jacques.” She brushed his hand aside. “Shouldn’t we help Sun Boy with her?” Laurel Kent and the Foccart siblings looked across to their strawberry blonde teammate in battle with White Lightning.

“Nope, I’ve got this!” Dirk yelled as he countered another blast of electricity with his own power. “You guys might want to look the other way though!"

“You’ve got nothing,” White Lightning sneered. “I’ve been noticing the way you fight, you’re too gutless to really go all out against me and sooner or later one of my lightning blasts is gonna get through your stupid flames, pretty boy. It’s just a matter of time.”

“Okay, a couple of things.” Sun Boy flared intensely bright, so much so that he blinded the villainess even in broad daylight. “First, not wanting to kill you isn’t cowardice. It just makes me a better person than you. Secondly, fire’s not my only power but I guess you know that now.” He landed by White Lightning as she slurred abuse and blindly threw lightning bolts in random directions. “Oh, and third…make sure you drink a lot of water when you wake up. Important to stay hydrated.”

“Wha..?” White Lightning staggered as though she were drunk. “Why’s it so hot..?”

“I wasn’t going all out against you because it takes a fair amount of concentration to subtly increase the ambient temperature and give you heat stroke without affecting my friends. But I guess you can’t hear me any more.”

Soaked in sweat, White Lightning finally collapsed.

*********
TITAN
Titanopolis

Luornu Durgo Taine pushed her way through an hysterical crowd until she reached an alley used by city maintenance droids. There was barely enough room for her to squeeze in between two of Titanopolis’ towering skyscrapers, but at least she was in no danger of being trampled here. Her heart pounded in her chest. The last time she’d been this frightened was when she’d felt one of her bodies disintegrated by Computo so many years ago. She knew she should be using her power to help manage the crowd who were running and screaming only inches away from where she was hiding, but it had taken every last ounce of courage she could muster not to collapse on the spot. Luornu remembered Chuck’s face, the pale horror that had washed over her husband before he collapsed catatonic before the villain currently causing chaos across the city. She prayed that Bouncing Boy would be okay and she hated herself for leaving him as she had, but the pragmatist in her knew that this was his best chance. “Legion!” she called breathlessly on her flight ring. “It’s Duplicate Damsel, oh sweet Trinity please you’ve got to send someone to help us!”

“There you are,” a sadistic voice interrupted her from above.

Luornu looked up, bracing herself against the wall of the tower. “Oh no,” her voice broke. “Please, why are you doing this?? I - I’ve called the Legion of Superheroes, you won’t get away with this!”

“I already have,” the flame-haired man said simply. “I’m not angry with you, Duplicate Damsel. I was going to have to seek revenge on the Legion sooner or later anyway, you’ve just brought that forward in my schedule."

“Please,” Luornu pleaded, tears running down her cheeks. She hid her face behind her hands, despising her own cowardice but unable to fight it.

“So much self-loathing,” the man observed as though she were nothing more than an experiment. “It’s impressive that you’re still able to tap reserves of resentment when every other emotion has been turned to fear. But I can change that.”

He raised a hand over Duplicate Damsel, and her wails of terror soon joined those of the city full of people around her.

TO BE CONTINUED..!



EDITOR'S NOTES:
* Readers with long memories might remember that Marte Allon is Colossal Boy's mother, and the former President of Earth
* White Lightning was one of the Judgement League, and one of the more xenophobic members
* I didn't want to reveal who's fighting Luornu just yet (or why she's on Titan for that matter) but it is someone who has appeared before in my series so some of you may be able to guess who he is....
Posted By: razsolo Re: Taking Out The Trash - 08/30/15 02:45 PM
Also! I thought it might be useful to give you guys an updated roster! smile

BLOK
BRAINIAC 5 (leader)
CHAMELEON BOY
CHLOROPHYLL KID
COLOR KID
COMET QUEEN
COSMIC BOY
DAWNSTAR
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DRAGONMAGE
DREAM GIRL
ELASTIC LAD
ELEMENT LAD
FIRE LAD
GAS GIRL
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
KID COMPUTO
LAUREL KENT (intern)
LIGHT LAD
LIGHTNING LASS
MATTER-EATER LAD
MON-EL
NIGHT GIRL
NIGHTWIND
PHANTOM GIRL
POLAR BOY
QUISLET
SHADOW LASS
SHRINKING VIOLET
STAR BOY
STONE BOY
SUN BOY
SUPERGIRL
TELLUS
TIMBER WOLF
ULTRA BOY (deputy leader)
WILDFIRE
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Taking Out The Trash - 08/30/15 03:02 PM
An internship is an interesting idea, and I think Laurel is the most deserving choice among the students left.

Nice scene with White Lightning. Intrigued to see Lydda's proposal. And this villain is interesting but not quite sure who, only that he seems to have some emotion powers.

As always looking forward to more.
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Taking Out The Trash - 08/30/15 04:20 PM
Is it Fearstorm? I loved how Brainy beat him before.
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Taking Out The Trash - 08/30/15 04:21 PM
Oh, also loved both Dirk and Laurels intelligence being highlighted.
Posted By: Omni Re: Taking Out The Trash - 08/30/15 09:17 PM
Great job Raz!

So the Academy is getting the old headquarters or is that going to the Subs?

I was hoping you'd keep the team on Mars. As much as I like the Legion based on Earth I've always wanted to see how it would be for them to be else where and you've done a great job showing that.

Interns... i like it and Laurel and Dirk's scene was really good.

Lu's and i think Harbi is right Fearstorm is causing some trouble i can't wait to see where this goes.
Posted By: razsolo The Return of Fearstorm! - 09/15/15 04:46 PM
EARTH
Metropolis, Weisinger Plaza

ROLL CALL
Legion of Substitute Heroes
Porcupine Pete aka Peter Dursin: projectile quills
Rainbow Girl aka Dori Aandraison: rainbow powers

Legion of Superheroes
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox: 12th level intelligence, team leader
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength

Brainiac 5, Night Girl, Porcupine Pete and Rainbow Girl looked down at the pit of rubble which had once been the Legion of Superheroes’ headquarters. The building had been so damaged during the Legion’s recent battle with the Judgement League that it had needed to be torn down completely.

“Let me get this straight,” Rainbow Girl asked, “The Legion of Superheroes want to sell this site to the Subs? I don’t know…I appreciate the offer, but well…to be completely blunt, I’m the only one in our team with the resources to buy this land and it must be a lot of creds…”

Night Girl and Brainiac 5 exchanged a glance of momentary confusion. “Oh Dori, no!” Night Girl blurted. “You’ve got it all wrong, we wouldn’t be selling you the site!”

“Earth’s property ownership rules are archaic and too easily turned against us,” Brainiac 5 answered in greater detail. “Despite the fact that we own this land, Earthgov can requisition it from us at the slightest provocation. Mars is a much more stable environment for the Legion of Superheroes to maintain a permanent base. We don’t want to give up our Metropolis holdings altogether though, and Night Girl’s solution is quite an elegant one.”

“So…you’re giving us the site?” Porcupine Pete tweaked one of the quills jutting out from above his lip. “That’s awfully generous, you guys.”

“Pete, it’s not charity.” Lydda smiled at the prickly hero. “Earth already has a Superman Museum and a Flash Museum, and of course there’s the Paradise Island resort, but all of its monuments to its heroes are mired in the past. There’s no museum to celebrate the achievements of the heroes of the United Planets today. We want to create one right here, and it’s going to need caretakers. That’s where the Subs come in.”

Rainbow Girl seemed a little put out. “You want us to…to be curators in a museum dedicated to how great you are?” She raised an eyebrow cynically.

“I know it seems narcissistic,” Brainiac conceded. “I assure you it is anything but that. The Legion of Superheroes will be represented in the Museum, but equally so will the Legion of Substitute Heroes, the Heroes of Lallor, the Wanderers, the Night Nemesii of Jaquaa, any and all sentients who strive to protect and serve the rights of innocents throughout the United Planets. Our fervent hope is that in showcasing the achievements of citizens across the breadth of the United Planets we will more effectively combat the xenophobia which has taken root on Earth in recent times. Also, if we capture the hearts of the citizens of Earth it’s far less likely that Earthgov will take the land from us again in future. And finally,” he finished with the mildest hint of smugness, “The Legion of Substitute Heroes are currently without a base of your own if I’m not mistaken. This solution benefits us all."

Porcupine Pete shrugged. “He’s got a point! We can’t keep secretly meeting in your husband’s hotels Dori.”

“No, we can’t.” Hands on her hips, Rainbow Girl considered the possibilities. “We’ll need to discuss this with the rest of our team of course, but Legionnaires…I think we’ve got a deal!”

**********
TITAN
Titanopolis, Time Institute

ROLL CALL
Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
Quislet: energy being, temporary matter animation

Bouncing Boy aka Charles Foster Taine: super-bouncing, reserve member

In the sickbay of the Time Institute, the elderly Titanian man Carum Argell sat by a small mattress upon which his fellow temporal physicist Jax Madri lay whimpering. Five members of the Legion of Superheroes were on the far side of the room with their former leader Bouncing Boy where they watched the balding telepath at work. There was an atmosphere of tension in the room and throughout all of Titanopolis, an atmosphere which had left even Quislet uncharacteristically sedate.

“I still can’t believe how easily Fearstorm took us down…all of us,” Bouncing Boy said, shell-shocked. “You know that when Lu and I left the Legion, we were invited to the Time Institute by Jax so he could study Lu’s expanded powers more fully…we were in a meeting with Jax when the first wave of fear washed over the Institute. It left everyone in a panic, Luornu and I with our Legion training were lucky to be able to withstand it at all. We didn’t know who was responsible then of course…we went outside and followed the hysterical crowd to the source of their panic. And then…and then Fearstorm turned his power on us individually. He…he…”

“You don’t have to continue, Bouncing Boy.” Diamond Damsel placed a sympathetic hand on Chuck’s shoulder.

“Oh Bouncy!” Comet Queen bit her clenched knuckle, genuinely distraught at her mentor’s state. “We’ll teach this nasty sun-eater a lesson!”

Bouncing Boy looked at his ex-teammates with a look of intensity that unnerved them. “Be careful,” he warned them in a broken voice. “If Carum here hadn’t recovered on his own, the rest of us would still be an utter mess. You can’t underestimate Fearstorm’s power, Legionnaires.”

“I’m not a trained therapist,” the wrinkled old man joined their conversation. “I only avoided the brunt of the assault because I happened to be in a psi-shielded area of the Institute, and I’ve helped everyone here deal with Fearstorm’s power on a superficial level, but it’s weary work…they’re going to need legitimate psychiatric attention to really heal.”

“Lucky for us, Science Police droids are immune to telepathy.” Infectious Lass scanned an omnicom while she spoke. “It looks like injuries throughout the city are being kept to a minimum, but I don’t know how long our luck’s going to last. It’s strange that Firestorm hasn’t made any demands though, he seems to be happy just causing chaos for its own sake. Creepy!”

“They are testing his power,” Blok said thoughtfully. “Discovering its limits and revelling in its range.”

“They who?” Comet Queen queried. “Parse me to the C-span, there’s a badder bad guy behind him??”

“Fearstorm is a composite being,” Blok explained. “According to Brainiac 5’s report, two Titanian scientists modified an ancient Earth energy matrix for their own genetic makeup, allowing them to merge into a single body. When Fearstorm first encountered Brainiac 5’s group, his ability to instil fear was indeed strong but limited in its range of effect. It seems he simply induced unreasoning terror in all his power touched. He has shown an ability today to direct that terror, to turn crowds against the Science Police droids which should have been able to pacify him and to leave victims catatonic when it suited him not to risk a panicked defence. I believe the Fearstorm matrix's power has been increasing gradually since his host bodies were first taken into custody. Today it increased to the stage where his two composite psyches could once more catalyse the Fearstorm matrix despite being institutionalised separately.”

“Quislet not care how bad guy come back,” a shrill voice came from within the Teallian hero’s hovering microship. “Quislet just want to stop him and go home, Quislet not like it on Titan.”

“You are correct, of course.” Blok made his way for the door. “We can find out how Fearstorm returned at a later time. The task before us now is to contain him.”

Before Diamond Damsel could follow Blok, Bouncing Boy grabbed her gloved hand. “Lu’s still out there somewhere…we haven’t been able to reach her…”

“We’ll find her, Bouncing Boy.” Diamond Damsel held his hand in both of hers. “We’ll bring her back to you.” Even in the worst of times they’d spent together, Diamond Damsel had never seen Chuck Taine this broken. It filled her with grim foreboding.

**********
Like Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel before them, It didn’t take the Legionnaires long to track Fearstorm. It did take some time however for them to deal with the inevitable terror-stricken Titanians who had evaded Science Police restraint in the villain’s passing. Between the enormous strength of Blok and Diamond Damsel, Infectious Lass and Comet Queen’s abilities to sedate victims through disease or gas and Quislet’s sheer versatility, the crowds weren’t at all difficult to deal with but they were time-consuming. Eventually Blok came to a conclusion. “Legionnaires.” He floated before his teammates, the gold laced throughout his rocky form gleaming as it caught light from the magical lightning bolt carved into his torso. “Each moment the five of us spend helping Fearstorm’s victims is another moment more victims are being created. I propose that Quislet and myself fly ahead to face Fearstorm directly, you three provide support when you have done all you can to help these poor souls.”

“Wait,” Diamond Damsel interjected. “You’re not leaving us behind because we’re women, are you?”

Blok seemed genuinely perplexed. “Why would your gender factor into my suggestion?” he puzzled.

“Quislet don’t even have gender!” the Teallian explorer shouted in exasperation. “Quislet only call himself him because silly Legionnaires obsessed with lads and lasses!" The promise of combat seemed to have perked his spirits. “Blok, we go fight now?”

“That’s a hypernova idea, starshine!” Comet Queen beamed. “We already know telepathy doesn’t work on Blok or the little shuttle! Shiny!”

“Go on ahead,” Infectious Lass waved the two on. “We’ll catch up when we can.”

Blok and Quislet flew off together, the colossal stone man and the noisy chrome microship making a rather odd couple. Blok had been surprised when Brainiac 5 asked him to lead a squad of Legionnaires to Titan. It was the first time any of the Legion’s various leaders had ever entrusted him with such responsibility. Blok had no doubt that a large part of the reason for Brainiac’s assignment was indeed the immunity to organic telepathy his Dryad heritage gave him, but it was something else as well. Since he’d been touched by the power of Shazam, Blok had changed for the better. There was the wisdom of Solomon, but there was more. He was more confident, more self-assured than he’d ever been before. He was still undeniably himself, but he was the best version of himself he could be.

“Fearstorm is there,” Blok pointed to a man in black and blue garb a few blocks ahead, blazing azure flame emerging from where his scalp should be. The scene below the levitating villain was pure chaos, the citizens here subjected to the rawest of Fearstorm’s power. This close even Blok could feel it, a tingling sensation that caused him to involuntarily tense. He didn’t like it one bit.

“Fearstorm has not seen us yet,” Blok plotted, “If I rush him now, I believe I can incapacitate him before he can actively turn his abilities upon us.”

“Stupid powers can’t hurt us anyway!” Quislet piped up. “Quislet beat stupid bad guy so we can leave stupid Titan behind!” Before Blok could stop him, the microship’s hull slid open and the energy spark which was Quislet’s true form leapt from his own vessel into an empty magtrain car which had earlier derailed thanks to Fearstorm’s reign of terror. Quislet was always the most eager Legionnaire to take action, but there was something in his demeanour that Blok had never observed before. The extra-dimensional Legionnaire’s unusual lack of exuberance since they’d arrived here combined with his sudden manic impulse for combat made Blok question…was Quislet afraid?

“Fearstorm!” the magtrain car called out in Quislet’s voice. The vehicle screeched as it transformed into winged humanoid form, Quislet’s unique sigil burning in what passed for the construct’s headless torso. “Quislet not like you at all!” The mighty wings flapped, and against any laws of physics sent Quislet charging forward at great speed.

Fearstorm turned and threw his skeletal visage back in a mocking laugh. “And who might you be?” he asked condescendingly. “Wait, don’t tell me. I don’t care.”

The winged golem stopped in mid-flight, back-pedalling furiously to get away from Fearstorm. “Get away from Quislet!” the shrill voice screamed. “Quislet behave! Quislet behave!”

Blok approached his teammate and placed a hand on his shoulder. Blok had felt a wave of anxiety wash over him when Fearstorm had addressed Quislet, he wondered how much worse the effect must be for Quislet. “My friend, you need to be calm.” Now that Quislet had landed, Blok was very conscious of the traumatised Titanians below who were endangered by the enormous golem’s mindless retreat. “There are innocents at risk—“

“Quislet behave!!” With surprising speed for something so large, Quislet’s mighty wings flapped and he shot away from Fearstorm and Blok. Not watching where he was going, Quislet clipped the elevated magtrain rail as he escaped and the damaged rail fell down toward the panicked crowd. Fearstorm watched in glee while Blok rushed to hold up both the collapsing rail and the train it bore.

“Starshine!” Comet Queen circled Blok, having caught up just in time to see Quislet fly away. “What happened? Where’s the little shuttle going?”

“...The little shuttle...” Blok repeated as a somber realisation dawned on him. He looked around to see Quislet’s microship obediently hovering in place while its master was already hundreds of feet up and gaining altitude. “Comet Queen!” Blok cried out. “If Quislet is too far from his vessel when that construct disintegrates—“

Comet Queen’s eyes widened melodramatically. “He’ll pop-poop-pop right back to Teall!” she gasped. “And without his ship, he won’t be able to get back to us!” She zipped on over to his microship, collecting it in both hands and wailing Quislet’s name as she took off in pursuit of him.

Fearstorm watched her leave with a satisfied smirk and descended to face Blok. Still holding up the damaged rail, Blok was powerless to move. “Now what can I do to you, stone man?” Fearstorm's hollow eyes bored into the stoic giant as he considered his options.

“You’ve had enough fun for one day,” a voice like rocks grating spoke up behind him. Preoccupied with Blok, Fearstorm had failed to notice Diamond Damsel’s approach. He turned to face her now, but before he could use his power she grabbed the front of his billowing shirt in one fist and hurled him aside like a rag doll.

Fearstorm flew through the window of an abandoned shopfront, shattering a counter to pieces with his landing. The impact would have hospitalised either of his constituent bodies, but in this form he was stronger and more resilient than any normal Titanian. Still, he ached all over and the Legionnaire would pay for that. Filled with thoughts of vengeance, he extricated himself from the wreckage and advanced toward the street. Diamond Damsel was busy helping Blok with makeshift repairs to the damaged rail, they’d both be too distracted to stop him for a few moments. Perfect, he grinned.

“Hi.” A new and much more feminine form stood in the doorway of the store. She was an attractive woman with chalk-white skin and lavender coloured hair. Garbed in a garish green outfit, pendulous blobs of material dangled from her arms. A golden ringed L symbol at her pelvis revealed her as another Legionnaire, but Fearstorm had no idea which one this was. “I’m called Infectious Lass,” Drura Sehpt introduced herself, sensing the villain’s unfamiliarity. “For obvious reasons.” Her casual smile soon faded though, replaced by a look of concern. “Why can’t I make you sick..?”

“Dense creature.” Fearstorm advanced on her and grabbed her by the chin. His power kept Drura cowering, and she found herself unable to fight back. “This form has many advantages,” Fearstorm continued. “Not the least of which is a post-human immunity to disease. Now…what are you most afraid of?” Drura stammered out a weak protest, her eyes welling with tears.

“Hey!” This was Diamond Damsel again. Having repaired the magrail well enough that it was no longer an immediate danger, she and Blok flanked the flame-haired villain on either side. “Let her go!”

Fearstorm prepared to use his power on Diamond Damsel herself, but he felt something from Infectious Lass that gave him a much better idea. “Oh…oh, this is delicious.” He concentrated on his hapless hostage for a moment before shoving her roughly back toward the diamond giantess. Disoriented with terror, Drura tripped and fell on the ground. As soon as Infectious Lass was a safe distance away, Blok moved in a blur to grab Fearstorm and shove him up against the wall. To Blok’s surprise, Fearstorm seemed not to care in the slightest but instead grinned sadistically at Infectious Lass trying to collect herself.

“Infectious Lass, it’s okay.” Diamond Damsel stooped down to offer the Somahturian girl a gloved hand. “You’re safe now, Blok will take care of that squaj.” Trembling, Infectious Lass looked up and fixed Diamond Damsel with a look of utter horror. Drura screamed incoherently and curled into a ball on the ground hiding her face behind her hands. Diamond Damsel stared at Fearstorm with a blend of rage and incomprehension.

Blok shook the villain ferociously. “What did you do to her?” he demanded.

“I didn’t do much,” Fearstorm laughed. “She was already scared to death of that diamond creature, I just brought that fear to the surface.”

Diamond Damsel felt as though she’d been slapped in the face. She took a step back from Drura, struggling to think of a way to make it better. Every scream spelled the truth as clear as day though; Infectious Lass really was afraid of her. “...Blok…” she looked at him helplessly. “I don’t…I didn’t know…”

“This rock monster will be no help to you,” Fearstorm sneered. “Not when I leave him in a worse state than your pretty friend. Then there’s you…and you, my dear, I intend on taking my time with. You hurt me, and I won’t have that at all.”

Fearstorm focused the full extent of his power on Blok, and in return Blok scowled at him with utter disdain. “Your power is mighty,” the Legionnaire rumbled, “But it is no match for the courage of Achilles.” He flicked the villain’s head back with one gold-streaked finger, and Fearstorm immediately fell into two separate unconscious men.

As Blok gently picked up and soothed a helpless Infectious Lass, Comet Queen descended from above holding Quislet’s ship in a protective embrace. “The poor little shuttle’s scared quiet,” Grava frowned. “Oh, did that horrible ultra-beast get Infectious Lass too?”

“He did, but he is a threat no longer.” Blok glanced at the two unconscious men at his feet. Infectious Lass was no longer in hysterics, but she took shallow breaths like a frightened kitten.

“At least it’s over!” Comet Queen smiled hopefully. “Right?”

“…Right.” Diamond Damsel’s voice was surprisingly fragile. She couldn’t take her eyes off of Drura trembling in Blok’s arms. Finally, she snapped her head to the side as though coming out of a spell and stood upright. “We still have to find Duplicate Damsel,” she said flatly. She couldn’t bring herself to look Blok or Comet Queen in the eye. “I’m going to go look for her.”

She walked away before the others could respond, and Blok pondered if this really was over…

**********
H’LVEN
N’thwood Peak Province, Arb’r City

ROLL CALL
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Fire Lad aka Staq Mavlen: fire-breathing
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cold and ice generation

“This might be the weirdest Legion mission I have ever been on,” Polar Boy leaned down to whisper at his teammates sitting below him.

“Definitely the cutest,” Light Lad grinned.

Matter-Eater Lad cleared his throat. “Ixnay on the ommentarycay, guys. I guarantee you everyone here has way better hearing than any of us.”

“Right. Sorry.” Light Lad sat up straighter in his seat while Polar Boy looked around self-consciously. A lot of the planet’s natives were looking at the Legionnaires, but that might just be because the five Legionnaires were the only humanoids on this entire planet. H’lven was populated by a wide range of intelligent species, and every single one of them resembled woodland creatures Brek had seen in Earth zoological parks. The H’lvenite government had been considering becoming a fully fledged member of the United Planets, and the United Planets was most definitely interested in gaining access to the rich array of natural resources H’lven had to offer. The Legion of Superheroes had been invited to send a delegation to H’lven’s most popular bi-annual sporting event, the N’thwood Games. Here, different species spent weeks competing in all manner of different events for the honour of being crowned the best in their field. Right now, the Legionnaires were sitting in a grandstand which had been specially constructed for them amongst a chittering cheering crowd of thousands of squirrels, chipmunks, bears, birds and big cats. The effect was quite surreal.

“Thank you for choosing us to attend with you, Matter-Eater Lad.” Dragonmage sipped at a beverage made of local berries. “It’s fascinating how many parallels these people have with Earth as well as how different they are in some respects.”

“Think nothin’ of it kid!” Tenzil pulled a length of wire out of a bag he was holding and bit the end off of it. “The H’lvenites wanted to see a variety of Legionnaires and normally I’d ask Cham or Tellus to make an appearance for diversity’s sake but well…look around us. I think the five of us are the most diverse lifeforms most of these guys have ever come across!” He stopped chewing and looked up into the cloudless sky, squinting behind his sunglasses. “Hey, you guys see that?”

“What?” Fire Lad followed Tenzil’s gaze. “Oh…what iss that..?”

The others looked now and saw a green light flashing above them, bright enough that its glow could be seen even in the afternoon sunlight. “Whatever it is,” Light Lad stood up, “It’s coming this way!” The H’lvenites had seen the emerald light now too, and a wave of anxiety rippled through the crowd.

Matter-Eater Lad turned to Minister D’reen, a young female squirrel who had been their guide here since they arrived. “Don’t worry,” he gave her his most casual smile. “We’ll take care of this and be right back, you all keep enjoying yourselves. Let’s go, Legionnaires!” Tenzil led the way, and all five heroes took to flight while D’reen rushed to inform the event organisers everything was under control.

The green light was descending at incredible speeds, and as they came closer they could see that whatever it was, it was easily large enough to contain one or two people inside. “I don’t want to be that guy,” Matter-Eater Lad said dryly, “But I’ve been in the Legion of Superheroes long enough to know emerald’s not usually a fun color for our side.”

“You don’t think it’s…” Polar Boy didn’t finish, almost as though he were afraid saying her name would summon her into existence.

“I don’t know,” Tenzil replied, “But ignore what I said to D’reen, we’d better be ready to call for backup on this one. If she’s here, her Fatal Five friends aren’t gonna be far behind.”

“Is it just me?” Dragonmage asked timidly, “Or is it turning toward us?”

“It’s not you!” Polar Boy shouted. “Light Lad, give me a hand!” Darvan didn’t follow at first, but when Polar Boy erected a thick ice wall between them and the green light he realised what he was meant to do. Light Lad used his own power to keep the ice wall suspended in mid-air, and when the green light shattered the wall to pieces Darvan sent the chunks of ice flying harmlessly into space so they wouldn’t rain down on anybody below.

“Back off!” Fire Lad took point, exhaling a plume of flame that engulfed the green light. The fire did nothing, and he was forced to dive out of the way of the charging nimbus of energy.

Dragonmage gulped and gestured, the wisps of a green dragon swirling around his outstretched arms. If this really was the Emerald Empress, there was no way his magic was strong enough to counter that. Still, maybe he could stall her long enough for the others to come up with something. A translucent dragon shot forth from the young sorcerer, its jaws opening wide enough to swallow the light even as the light threatened to consume the Legionnaires. When the dragon and the light came into contact, there was a soundless explosion of emerald light which blinded them all for a couple of seconds. Surprisingly, the light had completely vanished when the Legionnaires could once again see but the dragon was still floating serenely in mid-air. Inside its transparent shell was the woman it had swallowed. It wasn’t the Emerald Empress, but Dragonmage recognised the red-haired teenager straight away. Even if the Legion of Superheroes hadn’t encountered her a couple of times as a Green Lantern, Xao Jin could never forget his childhood friend.

Inside the dragon’s belly, Zoe Saugin slept blissfully unaware of anything going on around her.

TO BE CONTINUED..!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Return of Fearstorm! - 09/15/15 05:13 PM
I missed Fearstorm's first appearance, but you certainly highlighted how scary he is. Brrr. Uh oh, Drura's scared of Iris... Interested to see where that goes.

Nice nod to Klar's story with the Subs' segment wink

And Zoe! Now I really want to see what's next. She's still a Green Lantern, then? Or perhaps... something more in store!
Posted By: Omni Re: The Return of Fearstorm! - 09/16/15 01:06 AM
I like this idea of making the old headquarters a museum and the Sub's headquarters. Its a great idea.

Zoe's rocketing in....hmmm i can't wait to see whats become of her and who or what sent her.

Fearstorm and Blok's battle was well done and i liked how you described him using the Shazam powers.

Dura's afraid of Diamond Damsel? I wonder if it has anything to do with her time in the 20th Century where Diamond Damsel was a villain?

Can't wait for more.
Thanks peeps! I actually meant to leave some notes to refer to Fearstorm's other appearance but I forgot....oops! If you'd like to see how the Legion beat him last time, check out here!

Klar has done such an awesome job fleshing out Rainbow Girl, hopefully he won't mind me incorporating bits into my fic smile

Glad y'all are happy to see Zoe too!
Interestying opportunity for the Subs, I wonder where you'll take it from here?

Fearstorm is so cool! I'd love to see him in the proper comic. Comet Queen going after Quislet was sweet - it's really cool how you have certain characters like them that obviously have a friendship that you let bubble below the surface without there being any big scenes. You write a terrific Grava Raz.

Blok defeating Fearstorm was inevitable, but stating that it's the cxourage of Achilles that kept him safe was a great nod to his new state.

Drura and Iris have some talking to do, don't they?

Is H'Lven an original idea as it is ridiculously briliant! And Zoe showing up like that was a total leftfield turn - splendid! I'm looking to see where you take that.

You know what's coming... can't wait for more, more, more!
Thanks for noticing Grava & Quislet! It strikes me they'd get along like a house on fire so I'm glad it comes across smile

H'lven is another footnote I forgot to leave, d'oh! It is the homeworld of the chipmunk Green Lantern Ch'p.....the squirrel Matter-Eater Lad spoke to was my sneaky nod to Marvel's Squirrel Girl Doreen Green who stars in maybe my favourite comic at the moment!
H'lven made me smile as well. I'm familiar with Ch'p and B'dg smile

I agree re your long-running Comet Queen and Quislet friendship. Your Blok and Diamond Damsel friendship is likewise very natural. I missed the Doreen Green nod but now that you mention it, nice touch!
Posted By: razsolo The Last Emerald Twilight - 09/28/15 04:25 PM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


ROLL CALL
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs:
living diamond
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity

Drura Sehpt glumly pushed her food around with her spoon. Century eggs in blue-vein sauce had been one of her favourite dishes since she discovered them on one of her first missions with the Legion of Substitute Heroes, but she’d barely touched the pungent mess in her bowl today. After the encounter with Fearstorm on Titan, Drura and all his other victims had been taken straight to the most well-regarded psycho-health institute on Titan for emergency treatment. Drura had been released with a clean bill of health as long as she agreed to a follow-up appointment with a local specialist in a week, but nothing erased the deep embarrassment she’d been suffering ever since. She hadn’t even been able to look Diamond Damsel in the eye on the way home, and had whimpered a half-baked excuse to get away from her as soon as the Legionnaires had reached Mars.

Drura really wanted to talk to someone about what had happened on Titan but Jacques was guest-mentoring the Academy students, Danielle was helping Brainiac 5 with something in his multi-lab, and Drura didn’t know if her relationship with Porcupine Pete had mended yet to the point where she could call him for a shoulder to cry on. Even her old friend Kent Shakespeare was busy more often than not these days helping Earthgov with the Somahturian refugee whom Invisible Kid and Kid Computo had rescued from the Judgement League. So here she was, sitting in one of the Legion’s cafeteria spaces staring into her food like a Misery Plague victim while anybody else in the room made sure to sit far enough away that they couldn’t smell the distinct odour of her lunch. She had considered approaching Quislet; he had fallen victim to Fearstorm just as she had after all. He’d been keeping to himself since they returned from Titan though and Drura wasn’t entirely sure the odd little Teallian would offer much support anyway.

“Do you mind if I have a seat?”

Shaken out of her introspection, Drura looked up at the unfamiliar voice. A redheaded young woman stood meekly at the table, her hands behind her back and her hair tied back into a loose ponytail. Archaic oversized spectacles made her eyes seem weirdly too large for her face. Puzzled, Drura stared mutely for a second before she realised who the mousy Earth woman was. “Oh!” She was visibly startled. “Diamond Damsel! Of course…I’m sorry, I’m not used to seeing you like…umm…”

“Infectious Lass, it’s okay.” The woman who was born Iris Jacobs gave a valiant effort to hide her reaction to Drura’s meal and sat down opposite her. “Nobody’s used to seeing me like this. Kind of a departure from a giant diamond monster, huh?”

Drura’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh no, grife, I didn’t mean that! I’m sorry, I…I should really be going.” She grabbed her bowl and prepared to leave the table.

“Wait,” the human woman bade her. “Please? I think we should talk about what happened back on Titan. I thought I might be…less threatening this way.” Her face flushed with color and she looked down self-consciously at her hands clasped on the tabletop. “So…what Fearstorm said…was that the truth?”

“I’m sorry.” Now it was Drura’s turn to look down at her hands. “I really am. I know you’ve been with the Legion for such a long time now, and I shouldn’t feel wary around you and I hate myself that I do….I wish you’d never found out!”

“...I guess this is my karma.” Iris spoke with a sad tinge to her voice. “I wish I’d known that you’ve been terrified of me this whole time though. I would never have joined the Legion.”

“That’s why I didn’t tell you.” Drura accepted there was no escape and relaxed back into her seat. “I know you’re a good person, Diamond - Iris. You’ve been an invaluable part of the team since you joined. But at the same time…it’s jarring. I don’t really remember a lot of what happened when I was trapped in the 21st century, what with Esper Lass frying my mind along with the normal rigours of time travel...but I remember that you were working for the Lord of Time, and I remember how much you hated everything the Legion represented. I remember you weren’t on my side. And then suddenly in the blink of an eye, you were on my side…and that’s all anyone else here has known of you. They’ve only ever seen you as a hero and that’s how you deserve to be seen. My brain knows that you’re a good person. My heart still remembers when you weren’t. I’m not terrified of you, that was Fearstorm enhancing what was there. But I can’t help feeling...uneasy. I keep it to myself, but I can’t help how I feel.”

“I understand.” Iris suddenly felt very old and foolish. “I became complacent….I forgot that Diamond Damsel was once Diamondeth, and Diamondeth did some truly terrible things. I’m not that person anymore, but I was her once…and sometimes I have to pay for that.” The two women sat in a mutually awkward silence for a moment. “I hope one day you won’t feel that way about me anymore,” Iris said almost timidly as she stood up. “But I understand why you do. Thanks for the talk, Infectious Lass.”

Iris left the room quickly, and Drura didn’t feel even a little bit better.

**********
H’LVEN
N’thwood Peak Province, Arb’r City


ROLL CALL
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin:
dragon magic
Fire Lad aka Staq Mavlen: fire-breathing
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cold and ice generation

Zoe Saugin’s eyelids fluttered and she groaned as she sat up on the cool green knoll upon which she’d been laying. She realised her surroundings were unfamiliar almost instantly and moved into a crouching position, her ring flashing emerald on her white gloved hand.

“Zoe, it’s okay!” Dragonmage rushed to comfort the young Green Lantern. “You’re among friends.”

“What happened, kid?” Matter-Eater Lad asked. “You look like you’ve been on the wrong end of a tussle with Black Mace.”

Zoe looked herself over. Her uniform was torn in places and she could feel bruises underneath. Annoyed at her appearance, she focused her will and with a green flare her costume was repaired. “I told the ring to find a friend,” she explained. “I guess it found the Legion of Superheroes. Where are we?”

“This planet’s named H’lven,” Light Lad answered softly, subtly checking her pupils for any visible sign of concussion. “They’re interested in joining the United Planets so we’ve come on a diplomatic mission.”

“Why did you need to find a friend?” Polar Boy asked bluntly.

The abruptness of the query seemed to penetrate Zoe’s waking haze and she gasped in shock as she leaped to her feet. “Oh grife! We have to go help Sodam Yat and the other Lanterns on Oa!” She bathed herself in a protective green aura and hovered above the others.

“Zoe, what’s going on?” Dragonmage asked. “You’re injured, we can’t just go rushing off. Why don’t you calm down and—“

“It might be too late already!” she cut Xao off. “They could be dead by now! If you won’t come with me I’ll go back on my own!”

“Wait wait wait a nano,” Matter-Eater Lad held up both hands. “If the Green Lanterns need help, the Legion are there for you. But Sodam Yat is a Daxamite…if a Daxamite with a Green Lantern ring and a whole bunch of other Green Lanterns have come up with something they can’t deal with, we’re gonna need some backup. You guys go ahead with Teen Lantern here. I’ll make excuses to our hosts, follow in the cruiser and get Brainy to send the cavalry. Sound like a plan?”

“Ssoundss like a plan to me,” Fire Lad hissed.

“Come on then, there’s no time to waste!” Zoe gathered the others in a translucent green bubble, leaving Tenzil behind. “I’ll explain on the way!”

**********
OA
The Emerald Citadel


The energy being named Neon darted around the war zone which Oa had become, and she wondered how everything had turned so bad for the Green Lantern Corps so quickly. The Corps had started small, with Sodam Yat’s newly active rings recruiting Zoe Saugin, Jordana Gardner and Celeste Rockfish to Yat’s cause. Celeste had been a prison guard on Takron-Galtos when her ring had found her. She’d been quelling one of the prison riots that broke out infrequently in various hotspots across the planet, and the genocidal psychopath Kivun Roxxas had beaten her to within an inch of her life. Her body had in fact been so severely damaged that her only hope for survival had been to become one with the very weapon which had come to find her. The Green Lantern ring formed for her a body of emerald light, and Celeste Rockfish was reborn as Neon. Since then, the Green Lantern Corps had grown to number more than two dozen, and until today that number was steadily increasing.

Then the Thunderers of Qward arrived.

They came out of nowhere, a platoon of golden armoured men in flying chariots. They hurled thunderbolts powerful enough to faze even the mighty Sodam Yat, their gleaming shields were equal to any forcefield the Green Lanterns could envision, and just like Kivun Roxxas that terrible day they were far far more experienced in brutality and bloodshed than any of the Green Lanterns. Neon had watched them lay waste to her comrades until the only Lanterns remaining were Sodam Yat himself and his first three recruits. Finally, Yat had swallowed his pride and sent the barely conscious Zoe on a mission of desperation to seek help from the nearest quarter. That had been nearly half an hour ago and Neon didn’t think that Zoe was coming back.

“Look out!” A giant green boxing glove zipped past Neon, pummelling two Thunderers hard enough to smash their skyborne chariots into splinters. The men fell more than a hundred feet screaming into dark oceans below, ignored by their own troopmates. Jordana Gardner zipped up alongside Neon, her lower lip split open and bleeding. “You have to pay attention!” Jordana barked. “We’re the only ones left!”

“This is crazy!” Neon dodged a flashing thunderbolt and blasted its master from his chariot. “What do these jerks even want, what have we ever done to them? Why are they doing this?!”

“They’re from the Anti-Matter Universe!” Jordana replied as she and Neon both hastily erected shields to protect themselves from a barrage of lightning bolts. “I asked my ring about them, they’re ancient enemies of the Green Lantern Corps! Why they’re after us now though, I have no idea!”

Neon expanded her shield to act as a battering ram and took out another of the army of Thunderers. “Jordana, I - I think they must have gotten Zoe. I can’t believe she’d abandon us, but she’s been gone an awfully long time.”

“That girl’s tough,” Jordana countered. “Her ring’s still active out there somewhere so we’ve gotta believe she’ll be okay. We can’t worry about her now though, we’ve got to save ourselves.” An emerald green blindfold appeared over Jordana’s face. “I’m gonna drop my shield, can you blind these squajes so we can regroup with Sodam?”

“Sure.” The two women shut off their active defences and the sky filled with a burst of almost white green-tinged light. The Thunderers roared all around them, Jordana dissipated her blindfold and they made their retreat while the men threw thunderbolts wildly. They tracked Sodam Yat with their rings to an island on the planet’s opposite hemisphere where he’d led more Thunderers in an effort to spare his Corps. Neither of the women could help but notice that outside of the area immediately surrounding the Emerald Citadel which Yat had created to be the new home for the Green Lanterns, Oa was a barren wasteland which had not seen life of any description for centuries. Neither of them wanted to die here.

They were a couple of miles away when they no longer needed their rings to find their mentor. The green and gold fireworks, the din of thunderbolts and pounding Daxamite fists made it obvious a furious battle was taking place here. Without a moment of hesitation, Jordana and Neon rushed on forward.

Sodam Yat had endured well. A pile of Thunderers lay around him, ten more coordinating their attacks to keep him too preoccupied to use his ring for more than basic shields. The constant barrage of thunderbolts had brought even the long-lived Daxamite to one knee, but he refused to surrender. “I’ve got an idea,” Jordana’s mind raced. “We’ve been fighting stupid. These are the most powerful weapons in the universe, damn it. Can you change your frequency to match those thunderbolts?”

“I think I can,” Neon answered uncertainly. “Why?”

“We—“ Jordana never completed her statement, as a bellowing Thunderer leaped from his chariot above her to plant two handfuls of thunderbolts in her back. Her ring protected her from being outright slaughtered, but the impact and the resulting explosion sent her spiralling down to the rocky shoreside below. The Thunderer had fallen nearby, his own shield and armour taking much of the damage for him. They were both dazed, but Jordana more so. She could only watch half-conscious as the Thunderer scrambled to his feet and raised his shield to decapitate her where she lay. Before he could lower the shield a gigantic transparent green gemstone appeared around him, freezing him like a fly in amber. As soon as he ran out of oxygen, Neon released him from his prison and he collapsed. “Thanks,” Jordana grimaced, forcing herself to stand and join her luminescent comrade. “Got enough for the rest of them?” The two women looked up to see themselves surrounded by at least twenty Thunderers on the ground and above them. Mentally and physically exhausted, they nonetheless bravely stood their ground.

Inexplicably, the airborne Thunderers suddenly rose from their chariots and shot high into the air as if gravity itself had simply switched off. An ice wall rose to separate Neon and Jordana from the Thunderers on the left, and an enormous shimmering dragon scattered those on the right. The two beleaguered Lanterns were exhilarated to see their absent colleague Zoe descend from above, flanked by Light Lad, Polar Boy, Dragonmage and Fire Lad. “I homed in on any rings that were still active,” Zoe explained. “Grife, you guys and Sodam are the only survivors of this massacre? Why is this even happening??”

“We don’t know,” Jordana replied. “But now you’ve brought reinforcements there’s hope. Where are the rest of the Legion of Superheroes?”

“On the way,” Fire Lad replied. “I don’t think thesse nassess are going to let uss wait for them though.” He exhaled a plume of flame to deter a couple of Thunderers from sneaking around Polar Boy’s ice wall. The heat melted the edge of the wall, but it also made the men back away.

“We don’t need to wait,” Polar Boy added. “Dragonmage’s friend Zoe told us about these Thunderers while we were en route. They’re tough but they came prepared for the Green Lanterns, not the Legion of Superheroes. Let’s use that to our advantage. You Lanterns cover us and provide support but let us take point.”

“We don’t take orders from the Legion of Superheroes,” Jordana instinctively bristled at being commanded by a stranger.

“Jordana, look around us!” Neon shouted, tired and exasperated. “We don’t have the luxury of complaining, we’re dead on our feet and everyone else is just plain dead!”

“The Legion have our best interests at heart,” Zoe rejoined more calmly. “And they have a lot more experience than us. I’m doing what Polar Boy says.” To prove her point, she covered his ice wall in a green shield to keep it standing as a bunch of thunderbolts struck it.

Dragonmage winced as his own dragonform fell before the Thunderers’ weapons. “Those lightning bolts,” Xao noted, “They’re too powerful for me to contain.”

“Maybe we don’t need to contain them,” Light Lad mused. “In fact, maybe we should do just the opposite.” He gestured at a group of the warriors and the golden shafts in their quivers flew straight up, smashing against the chariots that were still suspended above them all in the air. Jordana’s ring hastily shielded Dragonmage and Light Lad from the falling debris, and Neon slammed into the weaponless men like a bright green missile. Once the Thunderers were knocked off their feet, Dragonmage summoned a group of smaller dragonforms, winding and serpentine. The illusory creatures bound the men in place.

Polar Boy and Fire Lad took on a second group of the interdimensional warriors. “Jusst like old timess, huh?” Fire Lad herded the men closer together with his fire breath.

“Outnumbered and outgunned?” Polar Boy joked. “Too bad these creeps don’t know that’s when Subs are at their best!” He froze most of the group in a massive block of ice, leaving only their heads exposed so they could breathe. Polar Boy kept up a jovial front, but if these men were capable of killing Green Lanterns the Legion were going to have to be at their best. He cast a surreptitious glance over his flame-crested friend. Brek couldn’t help but notice the sibilant hiss which had crept into Fire Lad’s speech lately; he’d undergone some fairly dramatic biological changes in the years since he got his powers, hopefully this one wasn’t going to be a cause for concern--

“You missed three of them!” Zoe shouted, quickly putting up an emerald wall in front of Fire Lad and Polar Boy. Two of the Thunderers shattered the wall with their bolts and the third one ignored the Legionnaires altogether to target Zoe. Her concentration fractured, Zoe's own protective aura barely held and she cried out in pain as the explosive golden shaft sent her flying into the ground.

Jordana ran to her side and switched her own forcefield off to examine Zoe while Polar Boy and Fire Boy took care of the stragglers. “Don’t move,” Jordana warned her. “Let me scan you for injuries first.” She held her ringed hand out, then gasped and arched her back. Her knees gave out and Jordana Gardner’s lifeless body fell before Zoe, a jagged golden dagger jutting out of her back.

“No!” Zoe wailed. “Jordana! Jordana!” She rushed to her friend, in her grief entirely forgetting about the man who’d killed her. Distracted with their own foes, the Legionnaires had never even seen Jordana fall.

Neon saw. She glared at Jordana’s murderer, the same Thunderer whom she’d earlier suffocated. Exposed to the air, he’d recovered consciousness and now drew a thunderbolt to finish off Zoe while she was too distraught to defend herself. Coldly, Neon waited for the shaft to leave his hand before she surrounded the weapon and his throwing arm in a green bubble. It exploded the bubble from inside out, and took half the Thunderer’s arm with it. His screams were like nothing any of them had ever heard, and everybody present abandoned what they were doing to see what had caused the horrific racket.

“I’ll freeze his arm!” Polar Boy volunteered.

“No, don’t!” Light Lad flew down to stand between Polar Boy and the wounded Thunderer. “We don’t know anything about his physiology! The shock to his system might be just as lethal as not doing anything at all!”

“Are you people insane?!” Neon threw her arms wide. “You’re debating the best way to save him? He killed Jordana! They’ve decimated the Green Lantern Corps!”

“We’re Legionnaires,” Light Lad faced the much more powerful woman down. “We don’t pick and choose who we help, Neon. Dragonmage, can your magic do anything?”

“I’m sorry,” Dragonmage answered soberly, “Maybe if I had more time to conjure an appropriate dragonform…these Thunderers are awfully strong though, it’s taking a lot of my focus just to keep his allies subdued. Zoe, maybe your ring..?”

Shaken from her grief, Zoe looked up at Xao with tear-stained cheeks. “Wh-what? Xao, Neon’s right…he’s a murderer!”

Dragonmage crouched down by his friend’s side. “And we’re not murderers,” he spoke quietly. “Please, Zoe.”

She looked at the man writhing in agony before her and wiped her eyes. Honing her concentration, she envisioned a stasis tube around the dying warrior, and his suffering was instantly ceased. “We’ll need to get him to a proper doctor,” Zoe sniffed. “But that should hold him till then.”

“You too?” Neon spat in disgust. “Suit yourselves, I’m going to help Sodam. Someone’s got to think about the victims here.” She turned and zoomed away.

“Don’t think badly of her,” Zoe addressed the Legionnaires. “We’ve lost a lot today, she just doesn’t want us to lose anymore.”

“We know,” Light Lad sympathised. “None of us hold it against her...now that we’ve got these men under control we’d better go help her and Sodam.”

“I can freeze Dragonmage’s captives,” Polar Boy spoke up. “Zoe, are you going to be able to fight and keep that Thunderer in stasis as well?”

“I wouldn’t be much of a Green Lantern if an unconscious man strained my willpower,” she replied. “Besides, there’s no way I’m letting Sodam and Neon fight for their lives without me.”

“Then let’s go.” Brek made certain all the defeated Thunderers present were encased in ice, and the Legionnaires joined Zoe in flight. A moment later they were all in battle alongside Sodam Yat and Neon against the remaining Thunderers. The heroes were still outnumbered, but there was a different edge to the fight this time. With the Legionnaires on their side, the Green Lanterns knew that they were going to win.

For the first time, Zoe was optimistic about their chances. As she entangled two Thunderers in thick green chains, she approached Neon. “I’m sorry,” she apologised. “I feel terrible about Jordana too but the Legion are right…we can’t murder in cold blood. We have to be better than that.”

“I know,” Neon admitted shamefully. “I’m not mad at any of you…I’m mad that I lost control. I just saw her and…it’s so senseless, Zoe. This whole massacre makes no sense at all.”

“They are monsters!” Sodam Yat roared. “That is the sense of it! I have seen too many monsters mutilate my friends and allies and I will see no more!” Pained and enraged beyond any rational thought, the Daxamite Green Lantern's eyes blazed red and he fired twin beams of heat vision intermingled with green energy. More powerful than any other force on the battlefield, the Thunderers’ shields did nothing. He sliced the men in half, one after the other, and the Thunderers dropped before some of them even realised they’d been hit. Realising they’d pushed him too far, the few remaining Thunderers tried to retreat but Sodam simply began incinerating them in their chariots.

“We have to stop him!” Light Lad shouted.

“Dragonmage!” Polar Boy commanded the young sorcerer. “Daxamites are vulnerable to magic!”

Xao Jin doubted that his power was equal to the task, but he tried nonetheless. He wove a dragonform around Sodam Yat’s head, and the young sorcerer recoiled in discomfort as Sodam’s enhanced heat vision tore the magical construct to shreds. “Xao!” Zoe rushed to her friend’s aid. “Sodam, the Thunderers are running away! We’re not executioners!” She crafted an emerald wall before Sodam Yat, and he destroyed that as easily as he had Dragonmage’s power.

In his unthinking fury, Sodam Yat turned toward Zoe herself. “Sodam, stop!” Neon saw that Zoe was in no state to defend herself and flew in front of her. Polar Boy knew that Sodam was too far gone to stop. He threw up an ice wall, but it was as ineffective as anything else had been so far. The energy woman screamed in pain as Sodam Yat’s eyebeams penetrated her and disintegrated the ring which held her together.

Sodam finally realised what he had done and ceased his assault, but it was too late for Neon. Holding herself together by the sheer willpower that had earned her a place in the Green Lantern Corps, she collapsed to the killing field that Oa had become. Zoe raced to her side, sobbing. Neon was losing cohesion, bleeding green energy into the air around them. Zoe fixed Sodam with an accusing glare. “You did this! You were supposed to teach us and you killed her!”

Sodam Yat stammered weakly. He looked around at the Legionnaires, at the dead Thunderers. Those few enemies remaining had opened portals to their own world and returned there now. And Neon lay before him dying, Zoe Saugin despising him for it. His dream had died. Removing his ring, Sodam Yat crushed it into dust. “...I am sorry,” he choked as tears came to him. “...I am sorry for all of it.” He flew into space so swiftly that he was gone before the others could even register the movement.

“Zoe…” Neon murmured. “…Don’t…hate him…y’right…we have to be better than that….and in the end you’re the only one who was…” She reached for Zoe’s hand, her own fingers already having lost any definition. Crying openly, Zoe tried to clasp Neon’s hand but she was like a ghost. As her own flesh and blood passed through the haemorrhaging emerald light which had once been a woman, Zoe felt a tingle. It passed through her whole body as Neon faded into nothingness. She stood up once Neon had vanished, and faced the Legionnaires who were gaping in astonishment.

“Zoe…” Dragonmage stood slack-jawed. “You’re glowing..!”

“It was Neon’s last gift to me,” she held her hands out and saw that green light now emanated from within her instead of her ring. “She was holding the microscopic fragments of her ring together with sheer strength of will…and at the end, she bonded the ring to me. Gods help me…

…I’m the last Green Lantern."



EDITOR'S NOTES:
* Infectious Lass and Diamond Damsel are talking about the very first story which started off this series! Long story which can be found here, but they weren't on the same side when they first met!
* As part of that same adventure, Esper Lass rendered Infectious Lass catatonic with some over-exuberant mental probing
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Last Emerald Twilight - 09/28/15 04:56 PM
Whew! I'm glad to see that Drura's fear of Iris was because she was Diamondeth, and not because of her physical form. I'm confident they can patch things up.

Wow, what a powerful scene on Oa... as a major Zoe fan I think you did very well by her. So she's like Jade now, a GL without a ring? Sodam Yat really fell from grace... and Neon and Jordana both had awesome moments before they died. Wow. So... is a flight ring in Zoe's future...?
Posted By: Omni Re: The Last Emerald Twilight - 09/29/15 08:31 PM
I hope Dura and DD can work things out. Good moment for the two and it really shows how far DD has come.

The Corps in dire straights again.

i wonder if Zoe will restart or if she's now ready to join the Legion.

I would have loved to see more of Jordana and Neon. But they were brave and strong.

But i wonder why the Thunerers from Quwad came now and with Zoe being the last will they still come?

Can't wait for more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Last Emerald Twilight - 10/05/15 10:06 AM
Thanks guys, your comments are as always appreciated! I'm glad you liked my Zoe, IB...I am more of an original recipe Legion fan so it's good to hear I am doing well by her smile

We definitely have more to come from both Zoe and the Thunderers!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Last Emerald Twilight - 10/05/15 11:38 PM
I think you've done a great Zoe, raz, and also made it so believable that it could just as easily been Jordana or Celeste who survived instead of her. I liked how you made Zoe struggle but ultimately stay true to her heroic ideals.

Looking forward to the next bit! Like with Omni, I'm curious about the Thunderers' motives.
Posted By: razsolo Interlude to War - 10/28/15 12:37 PM
SHANGHALLA

ROLL CALL
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle:
Durlan shapeshifter
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Fire Lad aka Staq Mavlen: fire-breathing
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cold and ice generation
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone
Supergirl aka Kara Zor-El: Kryptonian physiology
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: deputy leader, ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

While the rest of the Legionnaires solemnly filed on to a cruiser, Matter-Eater Lad clamped a hand down on Dragonmage’s shoulder. “I’m sorry we couldn’t get to Oa quicker, buddy.”

The shorter sorcerer looked up at his uncommonly serious teammate. “Thank you, Matter-Eater Lad. Please don’t feel responsible though, I know that you all tried your best…and Zoe knows that too. Thank you also for helping us organise this impromptu memorial service, I know it means a lot to Zoe that the Green Lanterns are recognised as heroes. They may not have been in existence for very long, but they did help a lot of people in that time. Zoe’s told me some stories that have made me think they’d all have made great Legionnaires if things were different.”

“I bet.” Tenzil gave an encouraging smile. He looked across the silent cemetery where Zoe Saugin stood alone before a giant green light sculpture she’d created to honour her fallen allies. Zoe herself was surrounded by a verdant aura, the legacy of her fellow Corps comrade Neon. “Do you think your pal’s gonna be okay?”

“I hope so,” Dragonmage answered honestly. “I can’t imagine what must be going through her mind right now, at least she still has her mother and her brother to help her through this.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, kid.” Tenzil ruffled Dragonmage’s silky black hair. “You’re vertically challenged enough already. Trust me, I’ve been to this rock too many times…she’s gonna need a good friend as much as she needs her family.”

Supergirl approached the two heroes. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Kara spoke gently. “Ultra Boy says we’re ready to go. Once we get back to Mars he’s gonna ask Brainy to see if the Science Police will let us help interrogate the Thunderers we handed over to them, and Dawnstar should be able to find that Sodam Yat guy.”

“I’m going to stay here with Zoe,” Dragonmage announced. “You were right, Matter-Eater Lad. She needs a friend right now, and I don’t feel right leaving her alone in case those Thunderers decide to come back and finish what they started.”

“Ultra Boy thought you might say that too,” Supergirl smiled. “He asked me to keep you company if you decided to stay.”

“Thank you,” Dragonmage answered genuinely. “I’m sure Zoe will appreciate the gesture. Do you mind giving me a few minutes alone with her?”

“Knock yourself out,” Kara assented. “I’m only a second away at super-speed if you need me.”

“I’ll see you guys back at base,” Matter-Eater Lad bade his teammates goodbye and climbed aboard the cruiser. Dragonmage and Supergirl watched the vessel lift off, and then Xao Jin walked away from the maid of might to comfort his friend. Supergirl wandered off to look through the various memorials which populated Shanghalla.

Zoe had turned when she heard the Legion’s ship taking off, and she watched now as Dragonmage approached. “I still can’t believe it,” Zoe heaved a sigh of despair. “Neon, Jordana, Kai, Dha-Ta…all of them, just…gone. And we don’t even know why.”

“Madame Chu taught me that death is not the end, but I know that can be a difficult knowledge in which to take solace.” Dragonmage looked up at the larger than life emerald heroes standing bravely above. "You did a great job on the hardlight sculpture, I’m sure they’re proud of your efforts wherever their final resting places are.”

“Thanks. I have all this power now, I needed to do something with it.” She looked upon her handiwork. Sodam Yat had recruited his Green Lanterns from many different worlds, it was going to take some time for Zoe to travel to all of those worlds to contact their next of kin and make the necessary funeral arrangements. It was a task she couldn’t take time to consider at all until she’d found out why the Thunderers had come to slaughter them all and until she’d found Sodam Yat. This sculpture was only a temporary measure to honour her friends, but it was in Zoe’s mind a necessary one. “Xao, you don’t think they travelled from a whole other dimension just to kill us, do you? The Thunderers of Qward were enemies of the Green Lantern Corps once, but they haven’t been seen in our dimension in nearly a thousand years! How would they even know the Corps was rebuilding again?”

“I don’t know,” Dragonmage admitted. “I’m sure we’ll figure it out though, you know the Legion are here for you with this.”

“Thanks again. For everything.” She hugged Dragonmage then pulled back abruptly.

“Zoe?” Her aura suddenly flared brighter. “What’s happening?” Dragonmage asked in concern.

“The Thunderers of Qward.” She stood back and hardened the Green Lantern energy emanating from her to form a protective sheath around her body. “I’ve been scanning for the frequency of their thunderbolts so I’d have some advance warning if they came back for me.”

“They’re here??” He lifted his flight ring to his lips. “We need to call Supergirl! We need to call the Legion back!”

“No, Xao.” She blocked his flight ring transmission without really even being consciously aware she was doing it. “It’s okay, they’re not on Shanghalla. They’re not even in this sector. I’m surprised I picked up their signal at all to be honest, but absorbing the power of Neon’s ring…it makes me feel like I’m capable of anything.” She rose a few inches off of the ground as she was speaking.

“Zoe, I hope you’re not thinking what I think you’re thinking…”

“I need answers, Xao.”

“Then we’ll get answers,” Supergirl announced as she came onto the scene, her super-hearing having been pricked by Xao’s earlier mention of her name. “But we’ll get them together. I’ve already called Ultra Boy, they’re on their way back.”

“They’ll have to catch up to us en route,” Zoe replied. “I’m not giving those creeps a chance to destroy anybody else.” She zipped straight out of the asteroid’s artificially sustained atmosphere and was soon nothing more than a green streak shooting into space.

“I’m really worried about her,” Dragonmage looked imploringly at Supergirl.

“I wish you weren’t right to be,” Kara Zor-El pouted. “Come on, we’d better get after her.” She wrapped an arm around Xao and sped after the young Green Lantern.

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

ROLL CALL
Comet Queen aka Grava:
flight, gas generation
Laurel Kent: intern, invulnerability
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: wind control

“You’re really not going to give yourself a codename?” Nightwind asked Laurel Kent as the two walked away from Nightwind’s quarters. “I mean it’s not like Supergirl’s your only option….you could be Legacy Lass, Indestructible Girl, Mighty Maid…”

“You’re really fixated on this!” Laurel made a face at her friend. “I just haven’t found a codename that really clicks...but you know, I have been thinking about changing my costume!”

“About time you got rid of that blanket and put on some real clothes,” Nightwind summoned a breeze to lift up the edges of Laurel’s garment.

“It’s a poncho, not a blanket!” the indestructible teenager protested with a giggle as she held it down with both hands. “And it got me one step closer to being a real Legionnaire, but now that I’m here it might be time for an upgrade! Hey, is that Grava?”

The two girls stopped in their tracks and Berta listened. They could indeed hear their friend Comet Queen making a ruckus somewhere. They raced ahead and found her pounding on Quislet’s door and calling his name. “Grava, you nut!” Laurel stood by her friend’s side. “You’re gonna drum a hole in that door if you keep going!”

“I think it’s safe to say he’s not home sweetie,” Nightwind agreed. “Nobody could sleep through that racket, trust me. Come to think of it, does Quislet even sleep?”

“He’s in there, I know he is!” Comet Queen protested. “The shiny little shuttle locked himself in there when we got back from Titan and he hasn’t come out since!”

“Quislet’s not like us,” Nightwind placed a comforting hand on Comet Queen’s golden-sleeved arm. “Maybe he just needs a little extra time to deal with what happened, it sounds like you guys had a really rough time with Fearstorm. Grava honey, I know you feel things really deeply, but sometimes people just need some space.”

“Yeah, he’ll be fine CQ.” Laurel patted her other arm. “Come on Berta, Saturn Girl will kick both our butts if we’re late!”

The two girls ran off down the corridor, and Comet Queen went back to banging on Quislet’s door. Grava knew that everybody else thought she was a little loopy, even her closest friends…and maybe she was, but she also knew that Quislet needed her.

She cried out his name again.

**********
EARTH
Ivory Coast, Neoabidjan

ROLL CALL
Legion Academy:
Chemical Kid aka Hadru Jamik:
control of chemical reactions
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Glorith: sorceress
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Kid Quantum aka Jazmin Cullen: quantum field manipulation
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: teacher, electricity generation and manipulation
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: teacher, telepathy
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

Legion of Superheroes
Laurel Kent:
intern, invulnerability
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: wind control

Standing in the imposing shadow of St Paul’s Cathedral, Tel Vole took a moment to admire the way the sunlight gleamed off of the pristine blue waters of the Bay of Cocody before he turned back to his fellow students at the highly exclusive Legion Academy. “Looks like this place was nice once before those Judgement League jerkwits got to it,” Gravity Kid remarked. Spots of damage marked the otherwise proud city, the last remaining signs of the League’s battle with a psychologically unbalanced geokinetic. Truthfully, much of the damage here had been caused by the League itself.

“It wasn’t always that way,” Saturn Girl replied, standing before the students with her husband and Nightwind on her left. “Local wars nearly destroyed the city altogether 400 years ago, but the people of Neoabidjan rebuilt the city bigger and better than before. Now it’s the second largest metropolis on this continent. Considering the work Terrans put into restoring Neoabidjan, it would be a shame to allow the Judgement League’s excesses to spoil that.”

“Oh sprock,” Dragonwing folded her arms across her chest. “I just realised what this is…we’re on clean-up duty? Come on!

“The locals have made good headway already,” Lightning Lad took over from his wife. “They don’t need our help, Brainy offered our help as a goodwill gesture to Earth. And it’s a good opportunity for you kids. But I know it’s not as exciting as combat drills, so we’re going to make a little contest out of it. Nightwind here has been kind enough to help us referee.”

‘My pleasure,” Nightwind gave a small smile. “Uh…is Glorith okay?”

The hooded sorceress was visibly disturbed, but she shied away from the attention. “I apologise,” she mumbled. “It is nothing to be concerned about, I have merely divined an unusual amount of mystical energy in the area. I had to take a moment to re-attune my senses.”

“In that case,” Lightning Lad continued, “Let’s get on with it. Glorith, Kid Quantum, Lullabye Lad, Variable Lad; you four are with Saturn Girl and Nightwind. Laurel, Gravity Kid, Chemical Kid, Dragonwing; come with me. Your instructors will monitor your efforts over the next 90 minutes and whichever team has done the best job of repairing the damage that’s been done to Neoabidjan, congratulations! You’re going to Atlantis for the weekend!”

“Atlantis!”
“No way!”
“Teacher, how exciting!”

“Right then!” Garth released a blast of lightning into the sky to draw attention from his hyper-enthused class. “Let the contest begin!”

**********
Fifteen minutes later and after no small amount of clashing egos, Lightning Lad watched his squad at work. Gravity Kid was the eldest student at the Academy, and along with Laurel Kent, he was the one most dedicated to membership in the Legion of Superheroes. His ambition was admirable, as was his control of his powers. Right now he was airlifting piles of rubble to a central location where Dragonwing used her own powers to destroy anything which couldn’t be recycled.

Of all the students, Marya most reminded Garth of himself. She was hotheaded and had a chip on her shoulder, but she was essentially a good person. She would need to soften her edges and learn to play well with others, just as Garth himself had needed to learn that lesson once upon a time.

Laurel Kent’s power was purely defensive and duplicated by half a dozen Legionnaires. Until Garth actually took over teaching duties at the Academy, he would never have seriously considered Superman’s descendant Legion material. He’d always secretly assumed it was misplaced affection for Kal-El which had let her join the Academy in the first place, a belief he knew several of the Legionnaires shared. She’d really impressed all of her instructors though, even moreso since she’d come out of her Manhunter-induced stasis. While she didn’t share Gravity Kid’s humourless drive for perfection, Laurel had heart. She’d taken the younger kids under wing more than her peers did, and she never failed to stand up when she perceived injustice from any quarter. She’d also found some clever uses for her invulnerability, such as crawling through the remains of the Southern Neoabidjan Powersphere Exchange with sensitive scanning equipment looking for harmful radioactive materials to be neutralised by Chemical Kid.

Chemical Kid got under Garth’s skin the most. His power had perhaps more potential than anybody else here, but he didn’t have anywhere near the maturity to appreciate it. He saw Legion membership as his ticket to fame, and was a demonstrated bad influence on the others. Maybe there was more than one student after all who reminded Lightning Lad of himself in his younger days...

A mild earth tremor ran underfoot, catching Lightning Lad’s attention. He asked the four students under his care to call in, and mentally marked each one off once they’d confirmed they were safe. Gravity Kid was the last one to respond, and he sounded a little distracted. “Lightning Lad, you’d better come see this,” the level-headed boy’s voice sounded over Garth’s flight ring. “I’m a few kliks away and there’s still quite a lot of damage in the area, I’m not sure of the address. I’ve activated the homing beacon in my ring though so you can find me.”

Lightning Lad called the others even as he took to the air. “Laurel, Chemical Kid, Dragonwing, stop what you’re doing if it can be left without endangering the public and converge on my signal. Gravity Kid may need some assistance.” The three caught up to their teacher in no time, and soon the brightly coloured quartet soared over Neoabidjan’s grid of streets. Three entire city blocks looked like a war zone, only the occasional building left half-standing. Gravity Kid’s flight ring was transmitting from within one of these buildings. “Be alert,” Lightning Lad warned the others. “Watch one another’s backs.”

The building no longer existed above the third level, and the four of them easily descended through the lack of a rooftop and entered a doorway looking for Gravity Kid. Garth noticed straight away that it looked like someone was still living here. Take-away food containers and drink bottles littered the room. When they found Gravity Kid, he wasn’t the only person they found. Floating before them suspended in a bubble of anti-gravity was the former Judgement Leaguer known as Golden Boy.

“Let me go!” the golden-skinned miscreant ranted. “I didn’t do anything!”

“Are you kidding me?” Gravity Kid retorted. “You were hiding here waiting for us! How did you know we were going to be here?”

“I didn’t know anything!” Golden Boy snapped. “We came here after the fight in Metropolis, we needed somewhere to hide out till we could get off-planet and half of Neoabidjan’s in ruins! It’s the last place anyone would look for us, how did you find us??"

The ground trembled again, slightly stronger than before. Garth wondered if they were readjusting seismic stabilisers in the area before something entirely different shook him. “You said we,” he addressed Golden Boy. “We who?”

Chemical Kid had been keeping an eye on the stairwell, and he tried to bark a warning about the golden blur he now saw running up the stairs but he didn’t get more than the first syllable out before a super-speed fist connected with his jaw and knocked the Phlonian teenager out. The others turned, but they may as well have been moving in slow motion. The assailant hit Dragonwing and Gravity Kid next, Tel’s anti-gravity bubble falling as he did. Before Golden Boy had even touched the floor, the blur was on Laurel. The speedster's onslaught came to a rude end when she slammed her fist into Laurel’s jaw with a bone-crushing crack. “My hand!” Sprint screamed, holding her forearm as she finally stopped running. “You broke my hand!”

“No, you broke your hand when you decided to hit an indestructible girl,” Laurel returned, completely unharmed by the assault. “I broke your face.” She slammed her own fist into Sprint’s face and knocked her out in one hit.

“You little—“ Golden Boy poised to rush Laurel until a well-placed lightning bolt hit the ground an inch from his foot.

“Uh uh uh,” Garth wagged his finger. “You stay right there until this is all sorted out or the next one gets you right in your shiny butt.” The ground shook again, and this time the building itself trembled.

“Laurel, call Imra and ask her to scan the city for any more of these losers. We don’t need any more surprises.”

**********
Saturn Girl listened to Laurel’s explanation, then used her incredibly powerful telepathy to scan the city for any sign of Golden Boy and Sprint’s former teammates. “They may be using tech or their own powers to hide from psi-scans,” Imra noted, “But from what you’ve described, I’m inclined to believe Golden Boy’s story and that Gravity Kid just lucked upon their hideout. Still, I’ll collect the others and join you all. Better to be on the safe side when it comes to the Judgement League.”

Imra was already keeping an eye on Glorith and Kid Quantum and she telepathically updated Nightwind on the situation so she could gather Variable Lad and Lullabye Lad. Garth and Imra had broken up the class the way they had quite on purpose. The students Imra and Nightwind had taken were all accustomed to being led by their louder and more confident classmates. Imra and Garth had wanted to see how they worked together when they were forced to make their own decisions. It didn’t surprise Saturn Girl that Kid Quantum easily took to the task. Despite being the newest and youngest student there, her prior experience in Xanthu’s military education system and as one of the Uncanny Amazers had prepared her well.

Glorith on the other hand was a mystery. When Mysa Nal had enrolled her in the Academy, it had been under the proviso that her past remain unexplored. Glorith had been desperately homesick at times, and everybody knew she’d love nothing more than to go back to the Sorcerers' World and leave the Academy and the rest of the United Planets behind. Mysa had insisted on Glorith’s presence here though, and to her credit the unworldly young girl gave her best at all times. Imra noticed that Glorith and Kid Quantum had begun to form a friendship despite their vast differences, and it was something that Imra wanted to foster. It might give Glorith a reason to want to be here aside from just keeping her beloved mentor happy. Another tremor rumbled through the city, this one building slowly in intensity until Imra was worried that it might actually become a full-fledged quake. “Don’t panic,” she addressed the girls under her care. “But I think we should use our flight rings to stay off the ground until this subsides.”

“This is not natural,” Glorith frowned.

“Doesn’t the Sorceror’s World have tectonic movement?” Kid Quantum asked her new friend.

“It does not,” Glorith replied, “But that is not what I meant.” She cast Saturn Girl a serious look. “These are not the natural movements of the Earth. There is magical force behind these tremors, a very unsettled magical force.”

“Come on,” Saturn Girl took to the sky as she telepathically contacted Garth and Nightwind.

“We’d better join up with the others.”

**********
Nightwind had been watching Variable Lad and Lullabye Lad work together to clear a damaged food storage facility when the tremors started. Berta had felt uneasy since arriving in the city, though she’d brushed it aside to concentrate on the task assigned to her. She felt sorry for Lullabye Lad; while the multi-tendrilled form which Variable Lad had taken on was perfect for carrying debris from one point to another, Waiane Wentim’s unique power to induce sleep was just as useless here as was his native Zwennite ability to transform himself into an immobile stone form. Nightwind remembered only too well being sent on missions with her fellow Academy students where her own powers were less than helpful, and she’d burned with shame and feelings of self-consciousness to begin with. Eventually she’d come to terms with the realisation that some situations were simply beyond her power and she’d learned other ways to contribute, but Lullabye Lad wasn’t quite there yet.

“Nightwind?” Lullabye Lad asked with an uncertain inflection to his voice. “Is that part of the contest?”

He pointed to a spot in the middle of the abandoned building’s cracked floor where dirt and stone bubbled upwards like an earthen fountain. “Stay away from there,” Nightwind instructed the boys. Saturn Girl, she thought across Imra’s mind link, I think Glorith is right. Whatever’s happening here is more than just malfunctioning seismic stabilisers.

The boys yelped in shock and Nightwind prepared to chastise them for disobeying her until she saw that two more of the disturbances had popped up right near them both. The rising earth matter formed into sturdy faceless humanoids and lurched toward the heroes. “My power has no effect on it!” Lullabye Lad panicked as the silent creature advanced closer to him.

“Use your flight ring!” Nightwind commanded. “Get out of that thing’s reach!” Waiane followed her order without delay, and once she was certain that he was at a safe distance Nightwind summoned a powerful gust of wind to smash her own attacker into his. The two golems shattered into pieces that had already begun reassembling, and the sense of unease Nightwind had been feeling escalated into dread. “Variable Lad!” she called out. “Do you need help?”

“No thank you, Ms Nightwind.” The boy was currently twelve feet tall and almost the same width, with thick muscular tentacles growing all over his powerful form. That kind of etiquette from such a monstrous looking creature was certainly surreal. “The worker form I’ve taken on should be more than sufficient to deal with this threat,” he explained as two of his rough-hide tentacles gripped and tore the golem limb from limb.

“Don’t let your exuberance get ahead of you, Variable Lad.” Saturn Girl appeared from above, Glorith and Kid Quantum descending beside her. “These creatures aren’t alive, but you should have confirmed that before taking such destructive action.”

“My apologies, teacher.” His voice was crestfallen.

“No harm done, just something to keep in mind.” Imra stayed airborne, outside of the golems’ reach. “Nightwind, these creatures are popping up all over the city, we saw them on our way here. Can you please take Lullabye Lad and help defend the city? Glorith thinks there may be a consciousness behind this. Variable Lad, Kid Quantum, you two cover Glorith and myself. I’m going to help her try to make contact with whomever is behind these attacks.”

“No,” Glorith surprisingly defied her instructor. “She is needed here.” She pointed at Nightwind.

“Me?” Nightwind looked from Glorith to Saturn Girl and back again. “I’ll do whatever I can to help, but I’m only an air elemental. Rock monsters are a little outside my wheelhouse.”

“The magic animating these constructs is ancient,” Glorith stated simply. “And you are touched by that same magic. There is an angry spirit behind all of this, one who feels a kinship with you, Legionnaire.”

“A kinship?” Berta’s blood ran cold. Could this be one of the women who shared her bloodline’s enchantment over the elements? She’d read about the Judgement League’s encounter here months ago, they’d killed the woman responsible. Was her spirit now somehow trapped in the Earth itself? Did Nightwind’s very presence here wake a ghost? Berta hadn’t had much luck in her previous encounters with her so-called sisters, she wasn’t optimistic that today would turn out any better. Still, she wasn’t the student here. Time to step up. “My powers are mystically inherited,” Nightwind explained. “There are other complimentary elementals as well, could this…angry spirit…be one of those women?”

“It is possible,” Glorith acceded. “Saturn Girl, I believe we will have a more positive outcome if Nightwind assists.”

“It can’t hurt,” Imra agreed. “Admittedly, I’m not at all an expert when it comes to magic so I’m going to let you pilot, Glorith. The rest of you, make sure we’re undisturbed.”

“Sure,” Lullabye Lad said glumly as he watched Variable Lad and Kid Quantum take out more of the unliving creatures. “Whatever y’say, teach.”

Glorith placed her hand over Nightwind’s heart and began chanting. Her words were barely more than a whisper, but Berta seemed to feel the pulse of each syllable. The yellow-skinned Legionnaire felt a lurching sensation as though she were falling out of her own body, and she gasped as her very perceptions changed. An intense blue-white glow emanated from Glorith, a paler pink light shining forth from Saturn Girl to subsume in Glorith’s power. Nightwind saw the lines of mystical energy feeding through each of the golems and connecting into a web of light beneath the surface of the ground. I’ve linked our minds as well as our senses, Saturn Girl explained telepathically. I thought it might be easier for Glorith to lead us through what we need to do if we can see what she sees.

Glorith closed her eyes and continued chanting, the markings on her face growing brighter as her sorcerous aura reached out towards the earth below them. The rainbow of Glorith's power connected with the tendrils of white energy feeding through the golems. Like dye dropped into water, it diluted through the geomantic web. The young sorceress finally stopped chanting, a look of intense concentration on her face. Saturn Girl, I have made contact.

Saturn Girl’s power reached out through the medium of Glorith’s sorcery and Imra, Glorith and Berta were barraged with a kaleidoscope of imagery and fragmented memory. They saw the life of a young woman who had been in and out of Earth’s psychomedical system for most of her tortured life. Marka Tarov's power over the earth had emerged as soon as she reached puberty, the same time she was diagnosed with acute schizophrenia. Medication and psychiatric treatment had kept both her power and her inner demons under control for some time but when a xenophobic Earthgov made it impossible for more than half of the alien medical staff responsible for her care to remain on Earth, Marka had fallen through the cracks. Her power had flared out of control, and the Judgement League had brutally murdered her. Her story would have ended there, but her eternal rest had been disturbed by the presence of Golden Boy and Sprint in her city along with her elemental sister. Now she would lash out until the ex-Judgement Leaguers were dead or this city was levelled. The earth shook once more, rumbling louder and louder, and this time it wasn’t subsiding. Forcing even this kind of vague one way communication with Marka seemed to be only enraging her further, so Glorith shut off their connection and Saturn Girl allowed the mind-link to follow suit. “What’s our next step?” Imra asked Glorith. “I sympathise with her greatly, but we’re not going to let her kill two people, and the longer this carries on the more all of Neoabidjan is at risk.”

“I do not know,” Glorith admitted sadly. “I am not powerful enough to exorcise Marka Tarov from the Earth itself, and now that her thirst for vengeance has woken her I suspect she will not rest until that need is complete.” The young sorceress saw Nightwind beam a wide smile and looked upon her questioningly. “I do not understand what mirth there is to find in this dilemma?”

“Not mirth,” Nightwind answered. “Just a crazy idea. You said the need for vengeance woke her, right? And we need to put her to rest?” Glorith still didn’t comprehend, but both Saturn Girl and Nightwind fixed their gaze on the one hero present whom they knew could end this.

Lullabye Lad fiddled with his cape and bit his lip. “Uhh, sooo…why are you all looking at me like that?”

**********
METROPOLIS
Science Police Headquarters

Nightwind and Officer Dvron stood side by side as they watched droids lead a newly cuffed Golden Boy and Sprint toward the cells buried beneath the Science Police’s global headquarters. Dvron scratched his mop of fiery red hair. “Busy day for you, Legionnaire! Snagged these two and stopped an honest to sprock ghost!”

“I did very little to be honest,” Nightwind deflected his praise. “I wasn’t even there when Gravity Kid found Sprint and Golden Boy, and you can thank Lullabye Lad and Glorith for saving Neoabidjan! If anything, me being there might have been what triggered that poor girl to attack the city in the first place. Hopefully she’ll be at peace now after Glorith helped Lullabye Lad channel his power to put her to rest again.”

“I guess the Legion Academy must be doing a good job with those kids if this is what they’re capable of already,” Dvron smiled.

“Yeah,” Nightwind returned his smile. She felt a warm rush of pride. “The Academy does do a good job.”

Dvron’s omnicom beeped at him, and he excused himself and read an incoming report. His smile faded instantly. “Something else else I can help with, Officer?” Nightwind asked.

“Some of your pals in the Legion faced an incursion from Qward on the planet Oa, they gave us the Qwardians they captured and SP psi-ops just finished their interrogation.”

“And they told you?” Nightwind frowned. “No offence, but isn’t Oa a little outside your jurisdiction? That’s the Green Lantern planet, isn’t it?”

“Not any more,” Dvron answered soberly. “According to this, the Green Lantern Corps have been killed…I’ve been called in on this because I’m the SP liaison with your team, and word from above is that we’re going to need the Legion’s help on this. According to our interrogation, the Qwardians didn’t just want the Green Lanterns dead…

…they’ve declared war on every other corps in the spectrum.”

TO BE CONTINUED!!!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Interlude to War - 10/28/15 02:30 PM
Every other corps! This is going to be major!

Loved Zoe's determination. So her. Loved Garth's and Imra's assessments of the students and Nightwind's big sister role.

Looking forward to seeing the ensuing fireworks!
Posted By: Omni Re: Interlude to War - 10/29/15 06:41 AM
This is going to be an interesting war and i can't wait to see what the other Corps are like in the 31st century.

I liked Zoe and Dragonmage's moment it was quiet and nice to see their friendship.

The Academy mission was really good to see. i like this group of cadets and Garth as a teacher is really good. its great to see how far he's come that he can see himself in the cadets and ways to try and help them.

Glorith shines with her magic and "Golem" makes her presence known. That's another sister of Nightwinds...so that's fire and earth. That leaves water right? Also is there a possibility for another earth sister to be out there?

I feel for Lullaby Lad's plight. its hard not being the most powerful. But he helped save the day in the end. But i wonder if she'll wake again?

Poor Comet Queen. she's really upset about Quislet. hopefully she can get through to him soon.

Looking forward to more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Interlude to War - 10/29/15 05:20 PM
Thanks guys! I went back and forth for ages on whether I should include the Academy story because I was worried about derailing the Lanterns plot so I'm really glad it was well received! smile

Golem is an awesome name, I kinda wish I left her in a state to use it now hahaha

And Comet Queen's inability to take no for an answer is gonna lead us somewhere interesting soon (and also somewhere unexpected I hope!)

Next up we are gonna find out what at least ONE of the other colors has been up to in the 31st century.... wink
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Interlude to War - 11/04/15 04:45 PM
Raz, this is simply ace!

Your Oan adventure was so powerful - the sacrifices, the Qwardian mystery and Soddams' insanity! Wow! I'm totally hooked with it, especially as you killed off Jordana Gardener - really can't stand either Hal or Guy so in my little twisted fantasy world even their decendants deserve horrid deaths, so I'm really glad to see you accomodated me laugh

Of all the team you took to Oa onlt Dragonmage has, in my opinion, any potential to be a heavy hitter so it was great to see them in action and working as a team to repulse the Qwardians.

Now that Zoe is uber-powerful I really wonder what you have planned for her... baited breath here!

The Academy kids outing was fun as well. It was great to have that cut away adventure, especially as it tied into the JLE story loose ends as well. Nice take on Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad - I find them difficult to write so am always grateful that others do, especially when it's well done. The competition was a great way to get the kids working, nicely thought up, it really worked.

Pity we are unlikely to see Golem brought back now though it was great that you tied her into Nightwinds ongoing story as well. You do write long story lines well, keeping our interest up with little snippets inbetween the major arcs.

The Weaponeers are after the entire Spectrum? That's going to be epic and I can't wait for more, more, more!
Glad I could satisfy your Jordan/Gardner bloodlust, Harbi! wink

I love Garth & Imra and would love to have them on the team...like Jeckie and Mysa they won't really let it happen yet but hopefully one day!

Hoping you all like what's coming up and you should find some surprising elements turn up over the next lot of installments!
Posted By: razsolo Wrath of the Orange God - 11/16/15 10:32 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superhero Headquarters

ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem:
hyper-stimulated plant growth
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation

Ral Benem took a gulp of his nutrient shake as he climbed the emergency stairs on his way from the Legion’s gym back to his personal quarters. The shake tasted foul, but Stone Boy had sworn it would help him replace electrolytes lost from physical activity while giving Ral the protein he’d need to repair and build muscle mass. Coming from Zwen, a planet not quite as technologically advanced as the UP standard, Stone Boy had been a great aid in helping Chlorophyll Kid lose weight as naturally as possible. It was also his idea for Ral to take the stairs where possible instead of relying on the people-moving technologies the rest of the Legion took for granted. His legs felt like Ventura Jelly after the intensive workout he’d just pushed himself through, but Ral had to admit that it felt good accomplishing his goals through his own hard work rather than letting a cellular trim-ray do the job for him. He was panting and wiping sweat from his brow when he came across Comet Queen sitting by the door to the first of the residential levels. She was holding her knees up close to her flat chest and she looked utterly miserable. “Comet Queen?” Chlorophyll Kid questioned. “What are you doing here all on your own?”

“I’m sorry, starshine,” she sniffed. “This is like the border territories of Legionland, nobody ever uses these stairs. I didn’t think I’d bother anyone here.” She wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand.

“You’re not bothering me,” Chlorophyll Kid reassured her. “I guess it’s just a weird place to hang out…h-hey, have you been crying?” He crouched down to her eye level.

“It’s Quislet!” Grava bawled. “He hasn’t come out of his room in days and nobody cares but me!” She buried her face in her hands and sobbed loudly.

“Aw hey, I-I’m sure it’s not that bad.” Chlorophyll Kid very awkwardly patted her knee. “He just—“

“No!!” Comet Queen blurted. She looked up at Chlorophyll Kid imploringly. “Don’t say that! Everyone says that, but what they mean is we just don’t matter! When Lightning Lad died, the rest of the Legionnaires couldn’t wait to sacrifice themselves to bring him back! When Shrinking Violet got kidnapped by that creep Micro Lad, the Legion ran after her faster than a tachyon burst when they found out! Parse me to the C-span, they tried to clone Lyle Norg and Ferro Lad! Bouncy told us all about it when I was at the Academy! Do you know what they did when Quislet’s first shuttle went full Q-dispersal and he phantomed back to Teall? Nothing! They knew his weird energy people hated him and they didn’t do a thing about it! They treat me and him both like we’re in elliptical orbits and we just don’t matter!” She had worked herself up too much to continue and lost herself into disconsolate wailing once more.

Chlorophyll Kid felt something come over him. Part of it was guilt. Like everyone else on the team, he tended to identify Comet Queen and Quislet more in terms of their idiosyncratic personality quirks than anything deeper than that. But a larger part of what he was feeling now was empathy. He’d been a member of the Legion of Substitute Heroes a lot longer than he’d been in the Legion of Superheroes, and for years the larger Legion had ignored and underestimated Ral and his friends. Even Polar Boy had turned his back on the Subs when he joined the Legion of Superheroes. As much as that had hurt, Chlorophyll Kid couldn’t deny that making it into the Legion of Superheroes himself had given him a sense of validation that he shouldn’t have needed to have felt. He was proud to be a full-fledged member of the Legion of Superheroes, but he knew that there was a particular elitism that permeated this team.

Ral gently lifted Grava’s chin up so she was facing him again. “Come on,” he said with a determination that shocked her out of her hysteria.

“Where?” the young heroine was clueless. “Where are we going, starshine?”

“You do matter,” Chlorophyll Kid declared firmly. “So does Quislet. And it’s time someone else in this team learned that.” He stood and offered his hand to help Grava to her feet, then gripping her hand tightly Ral Benem stormed off toward Brainiac 5’s multi-lab.

**********
SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE UNITED PLANETS SPACE

ROLL CALL
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin:
dragon magic
Supergirl aka Kara Zor-El: Kryptonian physiology
Zoe Saugin: non-Legionnaire, infused with Green Lantern energy

Zoe Saugin had followed the trail of the Thunderers of Qward so swiftly that even Supergirl had to make an effort to match her speed. The Legion of Superheroes’ young sorcerer Dragonmage would never have been able to follow his old friend’s trail using his flight ring and he was glad that Supergirl had been there to carry him. Glowing an iridescent green, Zoe paused before a large brownish-grey world. It was the first time she’d stopped in nearly 30 minutes of space flight, and it gave the two Legionnaires the opportunity they’d been waiting for. Kara flew directly in front of Zoe, and Xao pointed at his ear. Zoe was confused for a moment, but she soon realised that he was trying to find a way to communicate with her and she used her power to transmit her voice from her ring to his telepathic earplug. “You two didn’t need to come,” she warned them. “This is a dangerous place for anyone who’s not a Green Lantern. What’s down there is not likely to be much fun for me as it is."

“Nobody doubts your power,” Dragonmage answered diplomatically. “Supergirl is at least your equal though, and my dragonforms may come in handy."

“It’s not about power,” Zoe explained. “This planet is Larfleezia. The one and only Orange Lantern rules here with an iron fist, an immeasurably old alien named Larfleeze. He signed a peace treaty with the Green Lantern Corps nearly a thousand years ago, Sodam Yat taught us about him. Larfleeze wasn’t supposed to bother us and we wouldn’t bother him. My power’s tracked the Thunderers of Qward here, if they think they can hide out on his planet they’ve thought wrong. He’ll give me the Thunderers to satisfy the terms of our treaty, he won’t take kindly to any other outsiders though. It’s best you stay here.”

Supergirl had a faraway look in her eye as she gazed upon the ugly planet. “Are you sure there’s only one Orange Lantern?” she asked.

“Of course I’m sure,” Zoe dissented. “Sodam Yat met Larfleeze. He lived through this history, Supergirl.”

“He may not have lived through enough of it,” Kara retorted. She released Dragonmage and took point in front of her two fellow travellers. “Because there are a whole lot of Orange Lanterns flying up to meet us right now.”

Zoe looked planetside and her already green eyes flared a slightly brighter emerald. “You’re right,” she admitted in a confused tone. “There’s an army of them approaching us…but that makes no sense, orange is the color of avarice! The whole reason there’s only one Orange Lantern is that Larfleeze refuses to share his power with anyone else! He never has! Why would he have his own corps now?”

“Wait, you said avarice?” Dragonmage thought on the matter. He could see the beginnings of the army that ascended through Larfleezia’s unbreathable atmosphere, dozens upon dozens of tiny gleaming orange lights twinkling in the murky fog. “You mean greed? Zoe, what if he’s decided he wants to be the only Lantern? If this Larfleeze can’t possess the other colors, maybe he’s just as happy to see them destroyed!”

The question remained unanswered. Powered by the orange light, Larfleeze’s agents swarmed the three heroes in no time. A platoon of automatons hit them like a wall of force, their metallic shells illuminated by neon orange strips of light. Supergirl’s invulnerable form shielded Dragonmage from the brunt of the attacking force, but sheer numbers soon separated them. He saw a flash of Kara's cape beneath a mountain of metal and completely lost sight of Zoe within seconds. Paradoxically, as much as the multitude of robots made them impossibly daunting opponents it also gave Xao some measure of safety. They swept over him like an unstoppable tidal wave of force, but none of the stronger and more durable machines had yet targeted him individually. Still, he knew his luck couldn’t hold out. Tumbling through the void of space as he was, bouncing painfully from one metal shell to the next, he couldn’t focus his concentration enough to summon a dragonform. He needed a moment to find his centre, just one moment.

Granting his wish in the most backhanded way, one of the robots grabbed Dragonmage by the throat. Its orange optical sensors blazed, and he heard a painfully shrill voice rip through his skull. “You think you can steal from Larfleeze? Nobody steals from Larfleeze! The Orange Agents will destroy you for even trying! Larfleezia and everything on it belongs to the God of the Orange Light!”

Dragonmage was no robotics expert, but he had the highly uncomfortable sensation that this thing was about to kill him. You wanted more experience with combat magic, he chided himself, Well here it is. Grimacing, Xao Jin knew he didn’t have the luxury of an elegant solution. An enormous jade dragon appeared behind him, its powerful jaws yawning wide enough to swallow both Dragonmage and his foe whole. Appearing suddenly in the middle of the robots as it had, it smashed several of them into their fellows. Its spreading wings and flicking tail took care of double that number. Finally, its roar of fury somehow travelling through the vacuum unaided, the dragon dashed forward and ripped the head clean off of Dragonmage’s robotic opponent. A dragonform this large and powerful was difficult to control, but outnumbered as he was, Dragonmage wasn’t too concerned about control. He trusted both Supergirl and Zoe to be able to keep clear of the beast, and he was happy for it to take out as many of these so-called Orange Agents as possible. Using his flight ring to mount the dragonform’s scaled head, Dragonmage felt something surprising as it tore through the ranks of the artificial beings’ ranks.

He was enjoying himself.

**********
“Get off of me!”

Supergirl hurled two of the robots into the crowd of metal which surrounded her. One of their appendages continued to grip ineffectively at her forearm until the rest of its body smashed to smithereens against its troopmates and the orange light which had given it life faded. More accurately, the light didn’t fade so much as it dispersed into near invisibility and beamed back down to the planet’s surface. It was something most other people wouldn’t have noticed, but with her enhanced senses very little in this universe was hidden from Kara Zor-El.

One of the things which was hidden from her right now was Dragonmage’s whereabouts. Nor could Kara see Zoe Saugin. There was a lot of lead in these metal shells, and there were a lot of metal shells. Supergirl’s x-ray vision was useless here, and it stopped her from truly releasing her power. As much as she’d have liked to incinerate the robots en masse, she had to make sure Zoe and Xao were safe first. Think, Kara. Twin beams of red light shot forth form her eyes to penetrate two of the attackers, her fists demolishing another three of them. Super-hearing is useless in space, and even if it wasn’t I doubt it’d overcome a hundred stupid robots screaming through my flight ring about their stupid orange god…I can’t see through these dumb machines, there must be some way to find Xao and his Green Lantern pal and get them out of this mechanical feeding frenzy! An animalistic roar came over the space battle even as Supergirl was lamenting that she couldn’t hear anything, and she cocked her head to one side with a puzzled expression. In the distance, dozens of robots flew in all directions and an enormous dragon appeared from out of nowhere. Kara smiled. Guess I found Dragonmage. She flew through a wall of the robots like a human battering ram, calling on a wide swath of heat vision to annihilate another squad of them who’d been getting in position to fire on the young sorcerer from above his field of vision. You’re full of surprises, Supergirl complimented him telepathically now that they were once again within range to use their earplugs to communicate. Nice one, short stuff!

Dragonmage blushed furiously. It’s really nothing, but thank you. Have you seen Zoe?

A brilliant explosion of emerald light caught the duo’s attention, dozens of robots flying from the force of rapidly expanding green energy a few miles away. I think she’s over there, Supergirl deadpanned. You wanna go have an old-fashioned superhero team-up?

Sure, I— Dragonmage cried out sharply, and though the sound didn’t travel beyond his transuit the telepathic connection passed on a knife of pain to Supergirl’s mind as well.

Unused to the sensation, Kara reeled for a second. Dragonmage, what is it? she asked. She instantly saw the cause of their mutual pain for herself. The robots weren’t just strong, a lot of them had cannons in their appendages or weapon ports in their heads or torsos. They worked together now to fire upon the dragon which had scattered so many of them, and the onslaught of orange energy was causing psionic feedback. The dragon shimmered and faded from existence, and no sooner had it gone than they turned their energy assault on Supergirl and her dazed teammate. Supergirl leaped to action, hugging Xao close and protecting him with her own hide for the second time today. The robots had them surrounded though, and their energy assault was hurting even Kara. If a single beam hit Dragonmage, he’d be dead for sure. She racked her brain for a way to get him to safety, but she couldn’t think of a method which would leave him unharmed. With the speed and efficiency with which these robots were surrounding the two teenagers, staying in one place wasn’t going to protect him for long either.

Suddenly a bunch of robots on one side were enveloped in a red flash of light which left them smouldering and half melted. A red and blue blur zoomed through more of them, tearing them to pieces and scattering them. Finally, a thin sheen of ice developed over more of the automatons, and the newly brittle hunks of frozen metal shattered just as easily before the charge of the petrified Legionnaire Stone Boy. Stone Boy and Polar Boy hovered before Supergirl and the now recovered Dragonmage while Mon-El and Ultra Boy continued to deal destruction on a grand scale to the robots in the immediate area. With a clearing made in the machine onslaught, Supergirl’s telescopic vision picked up the Legion’s shuttle near one of Larfleezia’s moons and her x-ray vision told her Chameleon Boy, Fire Lad, Light Lad and Matter-Eater Lad were on board. No doubt you could have found a way out of that mess yourself, Stone Boy greeted them via telepathic earplug, but when Ultra Boy’s penetra-vision saw you both underneath a dogpile of robots he thought neither of you would be ungrateful for the assist either.

He was right, Supergirl gave her rescuers a grateful smile. And I always say one good turn deserves another. She sped forward and smashed through five of the automatons surrounding Jo Nah.

Thanks, Jo winked. I could have taken them but you know, one power at a time means I have to think a little more about it.

Stone Boy traded blows with another of the Orange Agents while Polar Boy’s ice shields kept orange energy blasts at bay. Dragonmage was in the process of casting a new dragonform when he suddenly vanished in a streak of green light. Green’s good, right? a surprised Polar Boy asked. Green’s one of ours?

Stone Boy gave a brief look of concern before his fist caved in his opponent’s face plate. Let’s hope so.

**********
Dragonmage looked around in a daze. He could see the expanse of space around him and he could see his friends swarmed by a seemingly endless number of Orange Agents some distance away. Everything was tinged in green though. ‘Wha—?” The young sorcerer was shocked to hear his own voice clearly.

“Sorry for the rude abduction,” Zoe’s voice sounded. Xao spun around to find her floating behind him and realised they were both floating inside a translucent green sphere of light containing a breathable environment. “We can’t fight these Orange Agents forever, they’ll eventually wear us down. I need to take the fight to the Thunderers, and I can sense that they’re down there on Larfleezia. I don’t know why they’re working with Larfleeze, but I intend to find out.”

“And you brought me here to…help you?” Dragonmage asked disbelieving. “Zoe, I can’t just leave the Legionnaires to fight these things on their own!”

“Oh, come on.” She rolled her eyes. “Even Stone Boy is holding his own, you think the Orange Agents are a threat to Mon-El, Ultra Boy or sprocking Supergirl? You said you were here for me and I didn’t want to bring you into this, but it’s too late for that so are you going to help me or not?”

Xao struggled between loyalty to his friend and loyalty to his team. Zoe was the only reason any of them were even here, Xao didn’t feel right leaving them to finish the fight she’d led them to. He felt worse about the idea of her confronting those Thunderers again on her own, especially if they were allied with someone who referred to himself as an orange god. “Very well,” he finally agreed meekly. “I’ll help.”

“Xao Jin, you’re the best friend a girl could ask for!” Zoe threw herself at him, hugging him tight. The bubble flashed away toward the dirty planet’s furthest hemisphere, far away from the main continent from which thee robots were swarming forth. In their wake, a jade dragon small enough to fit in the palm of a young man’s hand zipped off in the other direction away from the planet.

**********
The surface of Larfleezia was a chaotic mess. It had been many centuries since its several large landmasses had featured anything even resembling conventional cities. The entire world now was just a space for Larfleeze to store the many many things he hoarded. Rare gems, discarded machinery and the detritus of generations piled high around the planet like manmade mountains. What had once been a robust civilisation of artificially intelligent machines had for hundreds of years now been nothing more than an extension of Larfleeze’s will. Those who weren’t cataloguing his worldwide collection were preparing to meet their fellow Orange Agents in battle high above their trashpile of a planet. Larfleezia’s atmosphere had long since been rendered toxic to organic beings, and the only two flesh and blood men currently on Larfleezia’s surface were protected by their similarly hued rings.

After billions of years of close proximity to its exotic and mind-warping radiations, Larfleeze now contained the energy of the orange power battery within him. Physically, the self-proclaimed orange god was not particularly imposing. He was long-limbed, wiry and awkward in stance. The sharpened fangs and tusks which sprouted forth from his elongated snout gave him an air of savagery though, and one look into his manically gleaming eyes confirmed his single-minded animal lust. “You try to steal from Larfleeze?!” the ancient alien ranted, spit flying from his bare-toothed snarl. “Pray to your own stupid god that the God of the Orange Light only kills you! Better than what I did to your friends!” He gestured, and a deadly rain of orange hardlight blades rained sideways at the bald stranger who’d invaded Larfleeze’s home.

The stranger’s hastily erected golden shield couldn’t stand up to the assault, and it exploded into fragments which dissipated into the thick soup of air around them. One of the knives slashed his arm, and a second embedded itself in his thigh. “Wait!” the invader called out. “We can help each other! I can help you find all the material wealth you could possibly desire! All I ask is seven little rings and I’ll help make the universe yours!”

“Larfleeze doesn’t help,” the alien sneered, “And Larfleeze doesn’t share. The orange light is mine! Only mine!” Larfleeze gestured at the corpses around him, Thunderers he’d slain. “Then again, maybe Larfleeze should be magnanimous. Have all the orange light you need!” A ray of light beamed forth from the ring on his clutching hand and enveloped the Qwardian corpses. The orange ring scanned and replicated them, and in as much time as it took to imagine the assault half a dozen orange Thunderers were closing in on their former commander. Larfleeze howled with wheezing laughter as the purple-robed bald man pulled out every stop just to survive the attack of thunderbolts and battering shields.

The stranger manipulated two of the constructs into annihilating each other, and despite himself Larfleeze was impressed. Whomever this rash would-be thief was, he knew how to use the green and gold rings he was wielding. Larfleeze had initially thought the man to be a Green Lantern. The Sinestro Corps hadn’t existed for centuries so he couldn’t possibly be a Yellow Lantern. Larfleeze had developed a grudging tolerance of the Green Lanterns though, they were the only sentients he’d even come close to respecting. The members of the Green Lantern Corps were traditionally chosen not just for their dauntless will, but also their altruism and sense of honour. It didn’t make sense that one of them now would reduce himself to brazen robbery. Unless…why was he wielding two different colored rings? Why did he want more? Was he being directly influenced by Parallax or one of the other emotional entities? Larfleeze realised it didn’t matter. He just wanted him dead, and then those rings would belong to Larfleeze. His eyes glinted orange with avaricious desire. His treaty with the Green Lanterns meant he’d never been able to add a Green Lantern ring to his collection of valuables, but really this one had come storming into his house. “...And everything that comes to Larfleeze is mine," he crowed, rubbing his taloned hands together gleefully.

With the disgustingly hairless stranger distracted by Larfleeze’s constructs, Larfleeze himself concentrated on two towering piles of vehicles on either side of him. He visualised enormous orange plates on either side of those piles, and without any hesitation Larfleeze slammed the plates together. The bald man was caught in the middle of the deadly crush, his shocked cry cut short by the sound of hundreds of tons of metal and plastic smashed together. Larfleeze presumed the man must be dead and was about to use his own ring to scan for those the stranger had worn when a female voice caught his notice.

“Larfleeze, right?” Zoe Saugin floated before him in her green bubble, Dragonmage at his side. “What happened to these Thunderers?” She looked down at the broken corpses littering the cluttered battle site.

Larfleeze instantly forgot about his victim. The presence of another Green Lantern here confirmed the truth he’d not wanted to face. His centuries-old treaty really had been broken. The Green Lanterns were as base as any other creature in this universe. “Mine!” Larfleeze exploded in fury. “The orange ring is mine!” Dispelling all finesse, he simply blasted the emerald bubble to nothingness.

Zoe was aghast at the raw power he displayed. Even with her own ring supplementing the energy she’d absorbed from Neon, she had barely kept the force bubble intact long enough to prevent herself and Xao from being obliterated. She refocused her willpower and envisioned Larfleeze in a cocoon of green light. It was a cocoon he shattered with frighteningly little effort. “Mine!” he raved once again, flying straight at her. “Bring two Green Lanterns, bring a million, you’ll never take Larfleeze’s ring!”

Orange hardlight claws extended from his raised arm, but before he could strike at Zoe he found himself entangled in dozens of slithering scarlet snake-like dragons. “What is this?!” he railed. “You have a red ring too?! Larfleeze will take them all! Red, yellow, green, all will be mine!!”

“It’s not any kind of ring,” Dragonmage spoke up. “It’s a simple spell. I can assure you we haven’t come to steal your ring. In fact Sir, I believe we may have a common enemy.”

“Magic?!” Larfleeze shook his head in blind rage. “Larfleeze hates magic!” An omnidirectional burst of orange light tore the dragonforms apart and sent Zoe and Xao flying backwards where they bounced painfully several times before coming to a stop. As they both rose groaning to their feet, the Orange Lantern advanced on Zoe. He formed an orange noose around her throat and lifted her from the ground kicking and gasping for air. Panicked as she was, she couldn’t concentrate to save herself and resorted to clawing at her throat ineffectively. “Now,” Larfleeze sneered while Zoe’s face turned red then purple, “Larfleeze will kill you and take your ring, then Larfleeze will take your friend’s rings and then Larfleeze—“

“Imposter!” an unerringly familiar voice barked from behind him. “You think you can impersonate Larfleeze?!"

Larfleeze turned to face the newcomer and was utterly stunned to come face to face with an exact duplicate of himself, right down to the orange ring. “How—“

Before he could make sense of the doppelgänger, he was abruptly flung into orbit. Larfleeze’s twin morphed into the friendlier form of Chameleon Boy, and Light Lad, Fire Lad and Matter-Eater Lad stepped out from where they’d been hiding behind a colossal mound of golden coins. Matter-Eater Lad wasted no time in flying to Zoe’s side. He momentarily deactivated the transuit which was keeping him safe from Larfleezia’s toxic air and with one well-placed chomp he disrupted the orange noose which was still choking the life out of the young Green Lantern. She collapsed into his arms while Light Lad helped support a concussed Dragonmage. “Saved…my life,” she rasped. “Both of us…how..?”

“Dragonmage here sent us a little escort,” Chameleon Boy explained. “When his dragonform phased through the hull of our shuttle, we figured he might need help.”

“Thank you,” Xao grimaced. His head pounded, but he knew he couldn’t afford the luxury of unconsciousness. “I don’t know how much you saw but this Larfleeze is powerful…he was too powerful for the two of us, and I can’t imagine that you’ve inconvenienced him for very long. We should leave.”

“Xao, no!” Zoe uttered a hoarse complaint. “We still don’t know why the Thunderers were here, why they attacked Oa!”

“These men are not going to give us any answers,” Light Lad said, looking at the Qwardian corpses around them. “And we saw and heard enough that I believe this Larfleeze person can back up his threat to kill you and take your ring if we stay.”

As the senior Legionnaire present, Chameleon Boy made the decision to take charge. “We’re leaving,” he announced firmly. “Even Jo and the others must be getting tired fighting those robots by now.”

“He’ll just follow us!” Zoe shouted in opposition. “We can fight him on the run or we can fight him here!”

There was a tremendous sonic boom, and before any of the gathered heroes could react Larfleeze cannonballed back in with terrifying force. The impact of his landing sent them all flying and toppled his hoarded piles of belongings. “Mine!” Larfleeze roared triumphantly. “You're all mine!!

His head bleeding, Matter-Eater Lad looked around at his allies. Chameleon Boy and Dragonmage were out, Light Lad and Fire Lad weren’t much better off. Barely conscious, Zoe nonetheless wobbled defiantly on her feet. “Sorry kid,” Tenzil muttered under his breath. “I can see how that stubbornness made you a Green Lantern, but you gotta learn when to cut and run.” He grabbed the nearest heavy object and smacked her upside the head with it before she could launch an ill-advised attack. “Darvan!” Tenzil bellowed. “Grab Cham and Dragonmage, we’re about to make the galaxy’s most suicidal escape attempt! Hey Staq, how flammable d’you think this pea-soup atmosphere is? You think this Larfleeze guy likes his planet more than he likes the idea of killing us?”

“You’re not sseriouss...” Fire Lad’s jaw dropped as he realised what Matter-Eater Lad was suggesting. Larfleeze created a small arsenal of floating orange guns pointed right at them and Fire Lad made his decision. Suicidal is right, he thought to himself as he inhaled as large a lungful of oxygen as his transuit would let him. Still, probable death beats certain death. He switched off his transuit and breathed a plume of flame into the smog around them. There was a rush of motion as Light Lad’s power released them from gravity’s hold, their field of vision filled with flames and the spike in temperature even penetrated the comfort of their transuits.

Then there was blissful oblivion.

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superhero Headquarters

ROLL CALL
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
12th level intelligence, team leader
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: hyper-stimulated plant growth
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation

“So that’s the problem.” Chlorophyll Kid completed his monologue with his arms folded aggressively across his chest as he stood in Brainiac 5’s multi-lab. Comet Queen stood behind the former Substitute Hero. She’d been unusually subdued while Chlorophyll Kid had demanded their leader’s attention and explained Grava’s fears about Quislet. Until now Grava had known Chlorophyll Kid as a stammering insecure guy, kind of cute in his own way and sweet as Honeyrock Magma, but she’d never suspected this side of him existed. She was a little awestruck, truth be told.

“Ridiculous,” Brainiac answered without looking up from his latest experiment. “The Legion insisted that Quislet undergo rigorous psychological testing when he first joined the team, and again when he rejoined us. The artificial influence of Fearstorm aside, it’s not possible for Quislet to suffer from any kind of emotional distress. If anything, that’s even more true of him since his return. The fact of the matter is there is very little to Quislet aside from pure hedonism.”

“You think he’s been out partying all this time?” Comet Queen threw her hands up. “You think he wouldn’t tell me if he was?”

“Brainiac.” Chlorophyll Kid moved around so he was in the Coluan’s field of vision. “Can’t you just check? Please? If this were any other Legionnaire, you know you’d be taking his absence more seriously. He’s not even answering direct comms.”

Brainiac sighed and squeezed the bridge of his nose. “I’d be taking it more seriously because any other Legionnaire takes their role here more seriously. Still, if it’ll earn me some peace and quiet…” He tapped at a button to record the progress of his experiment without him and walked over to a larger console where he entered a command to locate Quislet’s homing beacon. The console breeped rudely back at him and Brainiac frowned.

“What…what does that mean?” Comet Queen asked gingerly. “The shiny little shuttle’s in his hangar, right?”

“No,” Brainiac 5 replied darkly. “The shiny little shuttle is most assuredly not in his hangar. Nor is he anywhere else within his homing transmitter’s range.” He stepped back from the console and thought for a moment. “Come with me,” he said without another word of explanation. Comet Queen looked imploringly at Chlorophyll Kid who simply shrugged, and they both ran to follow their leader’s determined gait out of the multi-lab.

The trio found themselves outside the door to Quislet’s quarters. “I’m not gleaming your shine,” a puzzled Comet Queen approached Brainiac 5. “I thought you said the shiny little shuttle wasn’t here?”

“The shiny— Quislet — is not here,” Brainiac 5 corrected himself. “However, I have a sinking feeling the answer to his whereabouts is.” He uttered a command to override the privacy lock and the door to Quislet’s residence whooshed open. True to his word, Quislet was nowhere in sight. In fact, the room itself was a featureless white void. Only one thing broke the surreal sameness, a small perfectly formed black hole floating in the centre of it all.

“Wh-what is that..?” Chlorophyll Kid stuttered.

“That,” Brainiac 5 answered, “is trouble.”

NEXT: THE SECRET ORIGIN OF QUISLET 2.0

*********

EDITOR'S NOTES!

* For anyone not familiar with the Green Lantern mythos, Larfleeze is actually an existing character. He even had his own series for a little while where he took ownership of an entire planet full of robotic lifeforms and found out he was related to G'nort of all people. He and G'nort seemed to get on pretty well by the end of it...the treaty with the Green Lanterns is something I made up though.

* Brainy's mention of Quislet rejoining the Legion is a reference to his off-panel and never explained reappearance on the roster around about the time of the Legion of Three Worlds story. He had originally been forced to leave the team when the Emerald Eye of Ekron wrecked his ship and he had no way of staying in the Legion's reality.

* The black hole in Quislet's room has appeared only once before, in the one and only adventure where we saw his home dimension of Teall. Wildfire had to help him escape then before his people essentially lobotomised him...that might be a fact that's good to know before heading into the next instalment... wink


(editted because IB was quicker on the draw than me) smile
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Wrath of the Orange God - 11/16/15 11:01 AM
Wow! Some amazing action here. I like how you have a bunch of "lesser-powered" Legionnaires taking on Larfleeze. Xao's thoughts were good and it is nice to see him embracing his aggressive side.

Ral trying to lose weight was fun and relatable and I am very excited to see Quislet's origin!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Wrath of the Orange God - 11/16/15 11:18 AM
Glad you liked it IB! That last scene kind of came together by accident, I just felt guilty about leaving those guys stuck on the cruiser & wanted to give them something to do but I'm quite happy with how it came out considering how outgunned they were! Larfleeze was taking on multiple cosmic-level dudes in his solo series so he's pretty much way overpowered for most Legionnaires to take on directly smile

I kinda like the idea of Ral struggling with his weight....it is something that I can relate to very easily, and it's a nice character bit that draws on continuity where he's been shown as being anywhere from standard superhero bod to pretty overweight.
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Wrath of the Orange God - 11/17/15 03:29 AM
Me too, I get fat easily even now so I really appreciated Ral's struggle.

Btw forgot to comment on the bald guy. Doubt he is dead! Is that Luthor? Seems Lex would be a bit more aggressive, but he was the deputized Orange Lantern in Blackest Night
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Wrath of the Orange God - 11/17/15 04:51 PM
Love this Raz!

I don't know anything about the Orange Lantern so it's great to read about him, with enough information to let me follow it perfectly clearly but without it feeling like a nasty info dump, good job there. I really enjoy your take on both Kara and Xao, both seem really well realised, and Chams trick never gets old - I was planning on Yera using it soon but now I'll have to think of something else smile

Your take on Grava is the best in this forum, you do her a real justice, take a bow as she's not easy to write convincingly. Your Sub love is superb too, Ral shines! Looking forward to where they go next, more, more, more!

Oh, and thanks for the kind words on my fic too, always appreciated.
Posted By: Omni Re: Wrath of the Orange God - 11/17/15 07:28 PM
Lazafeeze is super powerful and i'm glad Tenzil was able to knock Zoe out before she got herself killed.

Entire robotic world at his command and all of his avatars made for a cool battle and will be more epic.

I agree with Harbinger i don't know much about the Orange Lanterns but this was great without being a huge info dump.

Kara is kicking some butt and saving the day.

I like that Ral is stepping up for Grava and Quislet. they made some really good points and i can't wait to see how you tackle his home dimension.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Wrath of the Orange God - 11/20/15 06:33 PM
Thanks guys! Grava is one of my favourites and it can be difficult to give her the right blend of kookiness and earnestness so I take what you said as a massive compliment Harbi! laugh

I also have a big soft spot for the Subs as is probably way obvious by now lol

We may not have seen the last of Larfleeze, but that mysterious bald guy he probably killed is probably definitely dead and probably won't pop up again I'm sure wink
DEEP SPACE
Two light minutes from Larfleezia

ROLL CALL
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle:
Durlan shapeshifter
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cold and ice generation
Zoe Saugin: non-Legionnaire, infused with Green Lantern energy

Xao Jin groaned as he stirred into consciousness. He instantly realised he was no longer on the Orange Lantern’s junkyard planet, and it only took a couple of seconds longer for him to recognise his surroundings as the sickbay on one of the Legion of Superheroes’ cruisers. He looked across to see Polar Boy and Chameleon Boy in their own beds, Zoe and Light Lad watching over them. “What happened..?” the groggy young sorcerer asked. He tried to sit up and thought better of it immediately. “Larfleeze..?”

“…thinks we’re dead thanks to Matter-Eater Lad’s crazy idea,” Zoe answered his question.

“The atmosphere of Larfleezia turned out to be quite volatile,” Light Lad explained when he saw the confusion on Dragonmage’s face. “Tenzil told Fire Lad to set it alight as a distraction to cover our escape, and…well, one megascraper-sized fireball later and Larfleeze thinks we’ve been incinerated. Which isn’t surprising as we very nearly were.”

“The others?” Dragonmage looked across at his bedridden comrades.

“They’ll both be fine,” Darvan reassured him. “Just a little banged up. We’re all a little banged up, Larfleeze and his agents are scary powerful!”

“I shouldn’t have taken you with me,” Zoe admitted glumly. “I could have gotten you all killed, I’m sorry.”

“You might have gotten yourself killed if we hadn’t been there,” Dragonmage countered with a pained smile. “I’d rather take some bruises if the alternative is losing a friend.”

“At least it’s all over now.” Zoe gave a dejected sigh. “The way Larfleeze was acting made me think he’d come across a Green Lantern before we got there. So when I woke up on your ship I checked and one of the Green Lantern rings is unaccounted for. Those Thunderers must have taken it on Oa, and then they tried to take Larfleeze’s ring, and well…he killed them all and I can’t find any trace of the missing ring so I guess he destroyed that too. I can’t believe my friends died so that those monsters could get one sprocking ring and I never even got a chance to avenge them.” Her voice cracked as she finished talking, and Zoe wiped at her eyes with the back of her gloved hand.

“Cham and Polar Boy don’t need me while they’re resting,” Light Lad announced quietly to Dragonmage and Zoe. "I’ll give you two a little privacy.”

Darvan left the sickbay, and Zoe Saugin considered her next move.

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

ROLL CALL
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
12th level intelligence, team leader
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: hyper-stimulated plant growth
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being


“So what’s the little jerk done now, Brainy?” Wildfire stood in the featureless space of Quislet’s quarters and looked over the black hole floating before them all.

“We don’t know that Quislet has done anything,” Brainiac 5 answered calmly while Comet Queen poked her tongue out at Wildfire. “From Comet Queen’s reports it seems that he retreated into isolation after Fearstorm’s psionic assault. His fellow Teallians may have simply chosen to exploit that isolation to abduct him once more.”

“Last time you got him back straight away!” Comet Queen railed. “It’s been days this time around! Parse me to the C-Span, the shiny little shuttle could be dead already!”

“I don’t think Quislet can die,” Wildfire dissented. “Not like you guys anyway. I’m gonna be stuck with that twerp forever.”

“Quislet’s immortal?” Chlorophyll Kid’s eyes grew wide. “Wait a m-minute…W-Wildfire, are you saying that you’re immortal??”

“You never heard of conservation of energy?” Wildfire retorted bluntly.

“Under the examinations of both myself and the Science Police, neither Wildfire nor Quislet have displayed signs of anything approximating atomic decay,” Brainiac explained more thoroughly. “It seems that one of the basic precepts of physics holds true for them as it does for any other form of energy; they naturally remain constant.”

Chlorophyll Kid thought on the matter for a moment. “B-but…how do you replenish—"

“Can we get on with this?” Wildfire interrupted. "Not that I don’t enjoy talking about how I’m gonna outlive everyone I’ve ever loved but truth be told, I really don’t enjoy it.”

“Of course,” Brainiac acquiesced with uncommon humility. “My apologies, Wildfire. Sometimes my scientific interest overcomes my sense of propriety. Tellus, are you prepared?”

“Prepared and quite eager if I may say so,” the gentle Hykraian’s voice modulator sounded. “Ensuring Quislet’s safety is of course my first priority, but I must admit that the opportunity to explore Teall with Wildfire’s assistance is one that I find fascinating.”

“I’m nebula-hazy,” Comet Queen pouted. “Quislet told me baryonic matter can’t exist in his crazy energy world the same way he can’t exist in ours without his shinygleaming microship…and how’s Tellus gonna fit in that little hole anyway?” She pointed at the perfectly black disc which was barely large enough to fit Quislet’s ship.

“It is true that I cannot physically enter Teall,” Tellus explained patiently, “Nor can my telepathy unaided communicate with the Teallians. Wildfire can exist in both worlds however, and by linking my mind to his I will be able to sense Teall as he does. I will also act as his bridge to the rest of you.” Tellus let the soft wave of his telepathy wash over Grava, subtly excluding the others. I know how important Quislet is to you, Comet Queen. He is my friend also. We will bring him back.

Comet Queen hugged herself and smiled shyly. It had been a long time since she’d been a student alongside Tellus at the Legion Academy and the two had never been particularly close, but she had always felt that he had a respect for her she wasn’t sure she’d earned. “Thanks Space-Fishy,” she mouthed silently.

“Come on,” Drake Burroughs prompted Tellus. “Do your head-voodoo and let’s go get back the one Legionnaire who’s ever been a bigger pain in the butt than me.” He opened his mind to Tellus and felt an initial icy rush followed by a warm flow of inquisitive empathy.

While the Hykraian’s enormous yellow body remained motionless beside the others, Wildfire could unmistakably feel Tellus’ presence in his mind. Indeed, Tellus agreed. Let us depart.

Brainiac 5 surrounded everyone else in a forcefield to protect them from unintended backwash as Wildfire faced the black hole and raised his visor. For an instant, the blazing light of explosive anti-energy filled the borderless space of Quislet’s room and then Wildfire’s empty costume drifted to a floating rest. Brainiac 5 dropped his forcefield and Comet Queen rushed to pick up Wildifire’s costume. Clutching it to her bosom while Chlorophyll Kid stood close by, she looked into the void that had claimed her friend.

“Good luck, starshines,” she whispered into the darkness.

**********
Tellus had often wondered how it was that Wildfire interpreted reality visually when he no longer had eyes. He supposed it must be some function of Drake Burroughs’ Terran mind trying to retain as much of a link to its previous existence as it could. Right now, Tellus wasn’t sure how to feel about that. To Wildfire’s mind, Teallian space was an overwhelming plane of black and white areas which appeared flat but at the same time three-dimensional. Tellus’ own eyes weren’t as adjusted to certain fields of vision as those of his mammalian friends and he’d had to teach himself to adjust when seeing through their senses, but this was a different matter entirely.

It’s weird for me too, Wildfire admitted. And it’s weird that this link goes both ways…I can kind of feel what you’re projecting but I don’t think you’re consciously projecting it…does that make sense?

For this level of connection there will be some natural ebb and flow between our minds,
Tellus explained. Imagine it as a tide drawing closer and further to shore. There is a subsurface level where the connection remains strong, but we will co-mingle at other depths as they happen to come into contact as well.

I guess now I know how Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl’s psychic rapport feels,
Wildfire mused. Have to admit, it’s not as creepy as I thought it would be. Tellus clearly felt what was swimming between those words. ...I wish I could have this with Dawnstar.

It was difficult to gauge either time or spatial dimension here, but soon they seemed to be closing in on a particular black area in front of/surrounding them. There’s something I gotta warn you, Wildfire confessed. This is just the border space between Teall and our world. Teall is not gonna be anything you can prepare for, just like nothing I could have said would have prepared you for this weirdo place. But Tellus, when we get there you need to be on top of your game.

The Teallians nearly assimilated you upon your last visit,
Tellus picked up from his teammate’s thoughts. Wildfire, why did you not tell us of this before we left?? I sense that you barely escaped with your energy form and psyche intact!

Last time Quislet came back here we just let him,
Wildfire explained. Tellus could feel his guilt like a burning grip. Better than anyone else I knew what was waiting for him back here, and I always wondered if I should have done more to try and help him. This is my chance to make that up to him…and if Brainy knew how dangerous this was last time there’s no way he’d risk sending me back now. But Quislet and I made it out on our own when we were last here. This time we’ve got your help, there’s no way we can fail.

Let us hope not,
Tellus replied. Together they felt reality around them change structure somehow. It were as though they were being compressed and simultaneously stretched out into an infinitely long and thin cylindrical space. They tasted something like battery acid as their minds tried desperately to interpret the physics-bending changes taking place any way they could. They were overcome with a sickening sense of vertigo and then they could have sworn Wildfire’s naked energy form made the same annoying poop-pop-poop as Quislet’s tiny ship as they were expelled into a geometric sea of fiery orange and yellow particles. The micro-dimension of Teall felt impossibly larger than the threshold they’d traveled through to reach here, but at the same time claustrophobically small. Tellus had to call on meditative techniques he’d learned before ever leaving Hykraius to centre himself in this hellish miasma.

You okay buddy? Wildfire asked.

I do not like this place, Tellus answered almost fearfully. I feel far from the embrace of Great Mother Ocean here, Wildfire.

We’re far from a lot of things,
Wildfire sympathised. Heads up, we’ve got company.

Five fiercely glowing embers shot through the matrix toward them like comets through a blazing sky. They were at once like torpedoes shooting through an ocean but at the same time almost seemed like a virtual simulation, mathematically mapped out to precise points. Everything felt right-angled here, unnatural. Back on Mars, Tellus could feel the pods on his back turn a stark white color. He held on to that, held on to the dim awareness of Brainiac 5, Comet Queen and Chlorophyll Kid’s concern for them. He was afraid without it he would lose his anchor and drift madly here forever.

“Outsider!” one of the embers trilled in a voice unerringly similar to Quislet’s. “But! Familiar!” Each word came from a different glowing lifeform, continuing flawlessly from its predecessor.

I see them as you do, Tellus confided to Wildfire. But my telepathy senses them no more than it senses Quislet.

That’s not necessarily a disadvantage,
Wildfire thought back at his teammate. They can’t sense you either. They think I’m here alone. With whatever passed for his voice in this space, Wildfire addressed the Teallians. “You should recognise me,” he announced. “I’ve been here once before, the last time you tried to kidnap my friend. I’m here to help him come home, just like last time.”

“This! Quislet home!” the hive mind of Teall barked. “Soon! Your world! Home! As well!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Wildfire demanded.

“You! Think! Quislet! Traitor! Think-Apart!” The five Teallians surrounded the ball of anti-energy which constituted Drake Burroughs’ presence here. “That Quislet! Lives no more! Quislet! Fixed now! Teallian scout!”

“What have you done to him?” Wildfire asked. He wished he didn’t feel so helpless here. “What do you mean he’s fixed now?”

“We! Show!” the Teallians crowed. Three of them positioned themselves in triangulation around Wildfire and encased him in a bubble of invisible force. The other two shot away into the distance.

Don’t panic, Wildfire comforted Tellus silently. Once they bring Quislet here, we’ll figure out a way to escape.

Tellus didn’t respond. He knew Wildfire was accustomed to blasting his way out of any situation, but Tellus had a sinking feeling this was one problem they weren’t going to be able to charge their way through. The absent Teallians returned soon enough, a new glowing ember alongside them. Somehow, Wildfire and through him Tellus knew the newcomer was their comrade despite the fact that he was visually identical to his fellow Teallians. Tellus wondered if perhaps Wildfire’s own energy form responded to some unique emission of Quislet’s on a subconscious level which allowed Wildfire to recognise him without even being aware of it.

“Quislet!” Wildfire pushed against the force constraining him. “Come on! Rebuild your ship, let’s get out of here!”

“Wildfire should not have come to Teall,” Quislet responded. There was something in his voice that Wildfire had never heard, something he couldn’t quite place. Then it dawned on him. It was contrition.

“Quislet, stop messing around!” Wildfire snapped. “I don’t know what they’ve done to you, but you don’t have to put up with it! We can help you, Tellus came with me!”

“Tellus here?” A note of hope lifted Quislet’s tone. “Tellus, go home if you hear Quislet! Tell Legion, Quislet sorry!”

“Sorry?” Wildfire asked. “Sorry about what? Quislet, what’s going on?” It was then that Drake Burroughs noticed more of the shining sparks of life which were the Teallians shooting through the blazing cosmos toward them. A handful more stopped near them, followed by twice as many more. A couple dozen more came, and many more after them. Soon a pyramid formation of Teallians floated before them, each one an exactly calculated distance from his neighbour. “Quislet!” Wildfire shouted. “Tell me what’s going on, damn it!”

Quislet remained quiet on the matter, but the Teallian hive mind did not. “You! Think! Quislet! Your hero!” they screamed. “Quislet! Only! Gather! Information! First! Teallians! Want to! Assimilate! Alien life! Now! Teallians! Assimilate! Alien Dimension!”

“Quislet sorry!” the Teallian Legionnaire repeated. “Quislet not want to hurt Legion, Legion Quislet’s friends. But too late for that, too late for anything now!” As he spoke, the pyramid formation of Teallians focused their energy alteration abilities and each individual constructed a micro-ship around himself. Whereas Quislet’s ship was a gleaming chrome though, these ships were a deep metallic blue, sinister red trim highlighting their rounded curves.

Wildfire, what is happening? Tellus asked, alarmed.

The dark ships flew off in formation, dozens upon dozens of them following the path Wildfire and Tellus had taken to get here. Still entrapped by the handful of Quislet’s people they’d originally encountered, Drake Burroughs could only watch in horror. Tellus, warn Brainy! Wildfire ordered urgently.

Teall is invading the United Planets!
Zoe and Xao would make a good pair smile two Corps down, I am curious about the rest.

Uh oh, was Quislet a spy all along? Or is there something up its sleeve? This invasion is going to be rad!
We will get around to seeing what the rest of the emotional spectrum has been up to if the Legion make it through Quislet's story in one piece! I have to rein myself in from writing an invasion/battle scene for every single Legionnaire and supporting cast member ever lol wink

When we get back to revisiting the Corps, I promise a new development for one of the Legion worlds, the introduction of a Legion character I haven't written in my series at all yet and the return of probably the least expected Legion villainess ever! Oh, and that Zoe chick might hang around a bit longer too laugh
I sometimes have to rein myself in from giving every single Legionnaire on my team something to do in those mega battles that I like to write. But sometimes I am too weak to resist tongue

Yay more Zoe! And those other bits you mention sound intriguing
I love your story Raz, the idea of Teall invading the UP is outrageous and funny and really creepy at the same time. Meanwhile the Weaponeers and the Emotional Spectrum war is away to kick off Too... Your team are going to be pushed hard to deal with everything so I'm looking forward to see what you do with your storylines.

More, more, more!
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Nura Nal sat up in bed with a shocked gasp, instantly jolted out of her slumber by the jarring realism of the vision she’d just experienced. Not wasting a moment of time, she brought her flight ring to her perennially glossy lips. “Dawnstar, this is Dream Girl! Where are you?!”

“What is it, Dream Girl?” came Dawnstar’s haughty reply. “I have agreed to aid the Science Police in locating a cache of solar crystals the Taurus Gang have sequestered away in the asteroid belt.”

“Forget about that,” Dream Girl said dismissively. “Get back to Mars, you’re going to be needed.”

“In case you’ve forgotten, you haven’t been the leader of the Legion of Superheroes for quite some time,” Dawnstar countered. “And without my powers, it may take the Science Police months to locate these stolen valuables.”

“Without your powers, Lightning Lass is going to die!” Nura snapped. “Now get back here!” She ended the communication before Dawnstar could protest and shook Thom Kallor next to her roughly.

“I’m awake,” the hirsute Legionnaire named Star Boy grumbled. “I was hoping you’d go back to sleep, but no such luck huh?”

“Put your costume on,” Nura commanded as she bounced out of the luxurious bed they shared and made her way toward the en suite bathroom. “Trust me lover, you’re not going to want to be naked ten minutes from now.”

**********
In the borderless void which was Quislet’s quarters, four Legionnaires waited with varying degrees of patience before a small perfectly formed black disc. Comet Queen was bent over, three-fingered hands pressed against her thighs as she tried fruitlessly to peer into the sightless depths of the black hole. “They’ve been gone like starspans,” she whined. “Can’t we call them for an update?”

“As I explained the last three times you asked,” Brainiac 5 struggled to maintain a civil tone, “I imagine it’s already quite taxing for Tellus to remain tethered here with us while he simultaneously accompanies Wildfire into Teallian space. There is no reason for us to make his task even more difficult by badgering him for constant reassurances. When there is news to impart, I trust he will do so.”

Beside the Coluan hypergenius, Tellus was hunched over in eerie stillness while Chlorophyll Kid stood next to him watching the Hykraian’s back pods anxiously. Chlor didn’t fully understand the unique visual language of the Hykraians, but his old friend Color Kid had made a point of studying Hykraian communication since joining the Legion of Superheroes and he’d shared a few pointers with Chlorophyll Kid. One of the things that Chlor remembered was that a Hykraian’s pods turned white when they were in a state of great stress or shock. Tellus’ pods had been stark white for a large part of the time he’d been on the other side of that black hole. “H-hey Grava?” Chlorophyll Kid called out nervously, “Maybe y-you shouldn’t be standing so close to that portal, we d-don’t really know h-how safe it is.”

Comet Queen didn’t move back, but swivelled to grin at the slightly overweight hero. “It’s sweet that you care, starshine. But I jumped into the tail of a comet to get my powers, a baby black hole’s not gonna scare me now.”

Immediately as she completed her statement, Tellus shuddered to life and his telepathic voice rang out in all their skulls. Legionnaires!!

Comet Queen and Chlorophyll Kid gave a surprised yelp, and even Brainiac 5 was visibly startled. My apologies, Tellus continued. But the urgency is warranted. My friends, the Teallians are invading our space! They have Wildfire captive, and Quislet seems to be working alongside them!

“What?!” Comet Queen exclaimed. “Quislet would never work with his weird energy people against us, we’re his friends! And how are they gonna invade us when they can’t even exist in our space?” She heard a poop-pop-poop which she recognised instantly and squealed in excitement which soon turned to alarm as a deep blue version of Quislet’s familiar microship zoomed straight out of the black hole, barely missing the golden heroine. Not missing a beat, Brainiac 5 projected a forcefield around himself, Comet Queen, Tellus and Chlorophyll Kid.

“Well,” Brainiac deadpanned. “I suppose that renders that question moot.”

**********
LUNA
Silver City, Crescent Bay Fusion Restaurant

Outside of his Element Lad costume Jan Arrah was just one more well-dressed diner at the most exclusive eatery on Earth’s moon, though not many people were paying attention to Jan with his date stealing glances from most of the sentients in the room. In her deep jade evening dress, a dusky shawl draped over pale freckled shoulders and her fiery red hair tied up in a loose bun, Shvaughn Erin was breathtaking. “You hate ostentation,” Shvaughn smirked over a glass of Winathian rose wine. “Why’d you bring us here, Jan?”

“Because I’ve seen my partner’s bucket list,” Jan smiled back, “And this restaurant is quite high up on it. Forgive me if I want to spoil the woman I love after nearly losing her.”

Shvaughn put her glass back down and reached across the table to grip Jan’s hand. “You are too good for me, you know that?”

“Luckily for you, I’m convinced otherwise.” Jan brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. Screams diverted the couple’s attention, and they looked outside the picture window to see a Science Police patrol droid opening fire on passing skycars.

“What the sprock?” With one hand, Shvaughn reached for the modular pistol in her handbag on the floor. She drew her other hand close to her mouth and uttered an override command into her wrist-comm unit to deactivate the droid. “Nothing happened!” she exclaimed. “If someone’s hacked into SP systems—“

“Then it means we settle this in a slightly more dramatic way,” Jan completed her sentence for her. He stepped up from the table and sent an electro-static charge through his suit which clothed him immediately in a far more famous fuchsia and black outfit. He approached the huge window and turned part of the glass into free-floating oxygen, a stunt he next repeated with the droid itself. Jan turned to a nearby waiter watching in mute shock. “Sorry about the window,” he apologised. “I’ll replace it with a temporary layer of aluminium and of course the Legion will pay for a more permanent repair.”

“Jan, look out!” Shvaughn pointed past him. The Trommite hero turned just in time to see a tiny blue ship fly through the hole in the window. A golden spark leaped from the ship’s open hull into the window pane itself, and transformed into an acutely angled glass creature which slashed at Element Lad. Jan jumped back just in time to avoid being disembowelled, and before the odd creature could make a second attempt Shvaughn disintegrated it with a well-placed shot from her handgun.

“Quislet! Tell us! About! The Element Lad!” the living ember barked. “Transmutation! Powers! Useless! Against Teallian! Matter!” The Teallian re-entered his ship, but as soon as the hull closed Element Lad encased the vessel in a solid iron block and it fell with a loud thud to the restaurant floor.

“I may not be able to transform your ship,” Jan said coolly. “That doesn’t matter though when I can just trap you inside of it.” He looked gratefully at his Science Police lover. “Thanks for the assist, Shvaughn. I’d better call this in to Brainiac 5, I’m sure he’ll be just as intrigued as I am to find out why one of Quislet’s people are taking potshots at sentients on Earth’s moon.”

“Jan, it’s not just one of his people.” Shvaughn had retrieved her omnicom from her handbag now and stared at it incredulously. “SP reports are coming in faster than I can read them. This is a full-scale invasion of the United Planets!”

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

In the Legion’s monitor room, Gas Girl’s jet black eyes grew wide with disbelief as she gazed at a galaxy-wide holographic tableau of violence. “They really are everywhere,” she announced to Brainiac 5 over a comms link. “Quislet’s people are opening portals all throughout known space! Mars, Earth, even Weber’s World!”

On one holoscreen Night Girl, Cosmic Boy, Timber Wolf and Color Kid faced reanimated statues of their fallen comrades Ferro Lad and Karate Kid just outside the Legion’s headquarters. On another screen the Legion of Substitute Heroes protected the citizens of Metropolis from a rampaging 30 foot tall moopsball mascot. Gas Girl’s lifelong friend Life Lass tested her powers against the Teallians on Lallor, and Takron-Galtos’s resident superhero team the Workforce had the unenviable task of fighting off Teallians while simultaneously preventing the prison planet’s criminal population from making their escape. Like Element Lad and Shvaughn Erin on Luna, Shrinking Violet and Calorie Queen’s date on Bismoll had also been interrupted. Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel had stopped a Teallian from demolishing the Time Institute on Titan and Sensor Girl had reported an incursion on her isolated world of Orando. It seemed nowhere was safe from the inter-dimensional invaders.

Brainiac 5 began to utter a command, but his holographic visage flickered and faded in a shrill burst of feedback as the computer console projecting it came to life surrounded in a telltale glow. “This! Our space! Now!” the vaguely humanoid collection of metal and plastic ranted. “Legionnaires! In the way!”

The construct brought a heavy fist down on Gas Girl, and the bald heroine dissipated into a fine mist to protect herself from force powerful enough to completely shatter the chair she’d been sitting in. The Teallian took another ineffective swing at her before it burned out its current form and leaped into another console. He’s gonna destroy the whole monitor room if I don’t stop him, Gas Girl assessed the situation. What can I do though? No point corroding whatever form he’s using, that’s just destroying the building for him! It was then that she saw the extradimensional invader’s shiny blue ship hovering obediently in a high corner of the room waiting for its master. “Hey!” Gas Girl shouted. “You need that ship to stay in our dimension, right? Wonder what’ll happen when my acidic mist burns right into the hull?” Her cloudy form shifted color until it was a sickly green, and she drifted toward the vessel.

“No!” the Teallian screamed in predictable alarm. “Maybe Gas Girl! Do it! Maybe not! Not take! Risk!” The Teallian abandoned its current host and the pile of plasteel and electronics crumbled into powdery dust as he entered his ship and zoomed out of the room and into the corridor.

“Another one!” a younger girl’s voice rang out. Gas Girl’s slower moving mist form made it out of the room just in time to see the Academy student Dragonwing exhale a plume of flame which the ship expertly ducked. Her attack instead melted a small hole through the external wall of the Legion’s headquarters and the Teallian took advantage of the opportunity to flee through it.

Gas Girl paused before Dragonwing, Chemical Kid close behind his classmate. “Are you guys okay?” the Lalloran heroine asked.

“Are you kidding?” Chemical Kid beamed. “This is the most fun we’ve had since we came to this dusthole of a planet! It’s like playing Starship Shooters III in real life!”

Gas Girl smirked, though her facial features were vague enough in this form that it went unnoticed. It was a very brief time ago that she’d been that young and eager herself; she liked these kids. She followed the microship outside and into a scene of utter chaos. There were creatures made of rock and plasteel, converted aircars and shuttles, even a floating billboard which had absurdly grown four arms to wrestle with Elastic Lad while it flashed Interlac slogans about the health benefits of McCauley Industries detox ray treatments. A spindly long-limbed creature which had once been an antennae array swirled up Gas Girl’s form as it fell past her, then disintegrated before it hit the ground. The incorporeal heroine looked up to see Phantom Girl descending.

Tinya rolled her eyes. “I went phantom, the silly thing charged straight through me and off the roof…they may have Quislet’s powers but they don’t have his smarts.” Tinya gave her similarly insubstantial comrade an exaggerated look of seriousness. “Grife, don’t ever tell Quislet I said that. He’ll be impossible!” Phantom Girl and Gas Girl both giggled, then peered skywards when a sharp crack of thunder caught their attention.

**********
High above the Legionnaires’ home, Ayla Ranzz’s power decimated the winged metal form of the Teallian who’d pursued her this far. In the early morning sun her lightning didn’t draw much attention outside the immediate area, but the deep boom which accompanied it was heard by every sentient within a hundred feet. The thunderclap made everybody look, and that made it all the more gut-wrenching when the Teallian leaped straight from its former vessel to the golden band which Lightning Lass wore on her finger. Ayla’s eyes grew wide with horror as she realised what was happening. “No!” She clutched desperately as what had once been her flight ring morphed into a miniscule replica of a Teallian ship and darted off, glinting in the sunshine. Ayla herself plummeted like a rock, gravity taking its swift and inevitable course.

Another Teallian had engaged Gas Girl and Phantom Girl; the instant either of them turned solid to catch Ayla they’d doom themselves. Sun Boy was protecting Invisible Kid and Infectious Lass, both of whose powers were no defence against these queer invaders. Even Timber Wolf could only look on helplessly as a Teallian-possessed titanium cable kept him bound and occupied on the ground that Ayla was rushing toward.

This is so stupid, Ayla fumed. How does an ex-Light Lass die from a sprocking fall?? She thought of her brothers Garth and Mekt. She closed her eyes as the ground came closer, then screamed as she felt something entirely different slam into her and whisk her sideways. She opened one eye gingerly and saw that she was in Dawnstar’s arms. “Holy nass! Dawny!!” Ayla hugged her winged saviour with trembling arms and planted a wet kiss on her cheek. “You saved my life!! Where did you come from?? How did you even know I needed saving?! Oh sprock, I think I’m gonna throw up.”

Dawnstar’s wings spread wide to slow her flight, and she deposited Lightning Lass gracefully alongside Blok, Diamond Damsel and Kid Computo. Danielle Foccart helped the far less graceful Lightning Lass stand while Blok and Diamond Damsel smashed Teallian rock creatures around them. “You may thank Dream Girl,” Dawnstar replied, wiping her cheek with the back of her sleeve. “Eternally frustrating she may be, but her precognition does have its uses. What is this madness, Legionnaires? If I didn’t know better, I’d think we were facing Quislet’s people!”

“No, no, you know just well enough.” Danielle rubbed Ayla’s shoulder while the still shaking heroine sucked down lungfuls of air and steadied herself.

“Looks like Quislet was a spy all along,” Ayla continued explaining. “We don’t really know anymore than that yet though.”

“Where is Quislet?” Dawnstar asked huffily. She narrowed her eyes and looked into the distance, completely ignoring the pitched combat going on only feet away. “My power can’t sense a trace of him anywhere. For that matter, where is Wildifire?”

Kid Computo bit her lip and shared an awkward sideways glance with Lightning Lass. “Welll….funny you should ask that…”

**********
TEALL

Inside a force bubble in a universe dominated by blazing reds and oranges, the formless anti-energy named Drake Burroughs fumed. He’d been trying to break free of the Teallians’ ensnarement since they’d started their invasion of United Planets space. The glowing spark which was Quislet in his native state hovered just outside Wildfire’s containment bubble while a seemingly endless procession of Teallian ships continued to fly off in pyramid formation to wreak havoc in Wildfire’s home dimension.

“Quislet, what the sprock is this about?!” Wildfire exploded impotently. “Your people can’t exist outside of their ships for more than a bunch of seconds at a time back home, how the sprock do they think they’re gonna take over the UP? Why do they even want to take over the UP?! Last time I was here, they were appalled by my individuality! Don’t they realise there’s a whole sprocking universe of individuality out there waiting for them?!”

“Quislet sorry!” the Teallian Legionnaire blurted. “Quislet—“

“Damn it, stop apologising!” Wildfire shouted. “Just answer the sprocking question!”

“Teall not take over United Planets,” Quislet explained, “Teall annex the space, expand home dimension! When Quislet’s people inhabit matter, matter falls apart and energy released! Only little bit of energy from Quislet alone, but—“

Wildfire completed the statement, his mind racing. “—But the energy release from every one of your people, every single time they jump into something, eventually it’ll tip the balance and make my space habitable to them, and inhabitable to organic life! But that’ll take forever! What the sprock kind of nutty plan is that?!”

While not physically present, Wildfire’s Hykraian comrade Tellus had accompanied Wildfire here via mind link and thus shared his awareness of everything that transpired. We do not know the average lifespan of a Teallian, the telepathic hero reminded him. They may consider your definition of forever as something far more finite and reasonable, Wildfire.

“So you’ve been planning this the whole time you’ve been in the Legion?!” Wildfire raged at Quislet. “What were we to you, just some kicks while your pals perfected their plan to destroy our whole dimension? Damn it Quislet, we trusted you!”

“Quislet’s people not want to annex your space at first,” Quislet replied. “First they want to find other energy beings like us, to assimilate. When they find out your space full of sentients they can’t assimilate then Teall scared, but after Quislet’s ship wrecked and Quislet sent home Teall came up with new plan! They send Quislet back to spy on Legion, to send reports about Legionnaire powers so they know how to fight Legion! And then they decide to take Legion’s space!”

“And you just helped them?!” Wildfire ranted. “Are you nuts?! What am I saying, of course you're nuts! And I’m just as crazy for ever coming after you!”

“Not Quislet’s fault!” the Teallian pleaded. “Teallians change Quislet to make him more like them! Quislet fight back but Quislet couldn’t fight forever! Quislet never want to hurt Legion but Teall make him thinksame! And then Fearstorm scared it out of Quislet, made Quislet more like old self! But too late then! Too late for anything! Quislet come home to try and talk Teall out of crazy plan but Teallians got Quislet good! Wildfire should never have come to Teall, Quislet’s people do the same to Wildfire too now!”

Wildfire! Tellus exclaimed telepathically. What he describes sounds like behaviour modification! If that is the case, Quislet was never truly responsible for his betrayal at all!

Maybe so but that doesn’t help us fix this,
Wildfire thought back. “You need to tell your people to come to their senses,” he said out loud to Quislet. “You know the Legion will stop them, but how many sentients are gonna get hurt in the meantime? You really want that on your conscience?”

“Quislet can’t help it!” he protested. “Quislet don’t want to hurt anybody but Quislet different now! Teallians made Quislet like them!”

If only my powers could affect our friend’s mind, Tellus pondered, I could have a chance of restoring Quislet to his original state. Working together we could perhaps end this without the need for violence. I am sorry Wildfire, I have failed.

Wait a minute,
Wildfire considered their dilemma. You can’t affect Quislet’s mind because he’s an energy being, right?

That is correct,
Tellus replied.

Wildfire had an epiphany. Tellus! I’m an energy being! If you can get into my head, what makes Quislet so different?!

I have conferred with Brainiac 5 about this,
Tellus explained. The strength of his psychic link shared the concepts he was thinking as strongly as it shared the words which described those concepts. Our comprehension is that when you lost your human body, you instinctively structured your anti-energy matrix to replicate your neural network as accurately as possible. If I am to be honest I do not understand the science at all, but I am comfortable deferring to Brainac 5’s expertise in this. Quislet never had a human brain, his physical make-up is so divorced from any other living creature I have known that my powers do not even recognise him as possessing a mind at all.

So all we have to do,
Drake Burroughs mused sardonically, Is get Quislet to become a completely different species. Easy. He paused a moment. You know, maybe it is actually easy..!

I sense what you are planning, Tellus spoke into Drake Burroughs’ mind. It seems highly improbable if I may say, my friend.

I’m a ball of anti-energy carrying someone’s disembodied mind into a universe completely unlike my own. I think we left probability back a ways ago, Tellus.
Wildfire called Quislet’s name out loud. “You remember when you were teaching me how to conform my energy into a corporeal body?” Wildfire asked. “How did you do that?”

“Quislet know energy matrices,” the tiny Teallian responded. “Quislet know how to shape their fields, teach Wildfire how to shape. But Wildfire not very good at it, how that help Wildfire now?”

“I’m terrible at it,” Wildfire agreed. “But you, you’re really good.”

“Quislet good at everything,” the ego-driven entity started to warm to the subject.

“Why, I’ll bet you could even mimic the structure of whatever passes for my brain these days so you could speak to Tellus too!” Wildfire prompted him.

“Quislet never try before,” he answered. “But Quislet bet he can do it easy! How hard can Wildfire’s brain be?” His energy form seemed to change frequency somehow. Wildfire wasn’t entirely sure how or even how he could sense it, but he did sense it. And do did Tellus.

Contact! the Hykraian exclaimed.

For the first time since they’d joined the Legion of Superheroes together, Tellus had more than a vague peripheral awareness of Quislet’s psyche. As overwhelming as Teall itself was, Quislet was driven by simple desires; hedonism, independence, altruism, friendship. Tellus was glad that his friend’s mind was so easily understood, because operating through Wildfire as a proxy he wasn’t sure he’d have the strength of will to access Quislet if the Teallian Legionnaire were even half as complex as any of his organic comrades.

It was easy to see where the Teallian hive mind had grafted their personality additions on to the rebel in their midst to make him a more docile servant. The crippling obedience and need for approval were like grey webbed cocoons around the joyously vibrant strands of energy that made Quislet unique. Normally Tellus didn’t approve of using his own telepathy in an aggressive manner, but these people had hurt his friend in a way that he knew somewhere deep inside Quislet abhorred. Tellus wasn’t going to fail him now. He visualised the personality grafts as seaweed, his strong Hykraian paws rending them to shreds of astral matter which floated away on the tide as he swiped again and again to reveal the pure white star of Quislet’s inner essence.

Stop! A barrage of angry psionic voices screeched. Intruder! Make Quislet! Thinkapart! Teall! Won’t let! Intruder! Bring! The traitor! Back! The drab ribbons began to form again around Quislet’s mind. As much as Tellus tried to tear them away, the Hykraian knew he was not strong enough to oppose an entire race of sentient beings when that race was united as one overpowering force.

“Tellus done enough,” Quislet said out loud, having felt his telepathic teammate’s despair. “Quislet do this wrong before, Quislet try to fight Teall! Maybe Quislet learn something from Wildfire and Tellus! Now Quislet teach Teall to be like him!”

Quislet, no! Tellus protested, realising what he was going to attempt.

"What the hell’s going on?!" Wildfire shouted. He had some awareness that there was a psychic conflict occurring but Tellus’ link with him didn’t extend to allow Drake to be connected to the struggle going on around Quislet’s psyche at the moment. All he could sense was the heightened emotion coming from both his teammates and the rest of the Teallians, and the physical presence of a growing number of Teallians surrounding them all.

Both physically and astrally, Quislet’s brightness began to bleed into the Teallians around him. They changed color ever so slightly, and their frequency changed as his energy flowed through them all. The effect spread out, and then something amazing happened. Each individual Teallian became a different hue to his neighbour. Their frequencies all rose or fell only the most minute amount, with each one finding its own unique point of vibration. Influenced by the only individual mind their species had ever spawned, the Teallian hive mind transformed itself into a race of unique entities. The wave that Quislet had started was propelled by his fellow Teallians, and soon not a one of them was spared from its individualising effect. The Teallians crackled once more, and an ember of energy instantly familiar to Wildfire and Tellus reformed before them.

“Quislet save the day again!” the exuberant little spark boasted. With no effort at all, he released Wildfire from the containment bubble in which he’d been trapped this whole time.

“Okay, someone explain to me what just happened!” Wildfire complained. “We’re all friends now?? What the sprock, you two?!”

“Like Quislet said,” the once-again cocky adventurer explained, “Quislet teach Teall to be like him! Teallians all their own people now! Minds still connected, but not one! Teallians have to make up their own minds what they want to do now but they don’t know how yet so they all come home to learn! Quislet going to visit lots and teach them to be awesome heroes like Quislet, the best Legionnaire of all!”

We were still connected for some of that process, Tellus explained more fully. It seems that as the Teallians could influence Quislet’s matrix, he could also influence theirs. It was something that had never occurred to him to try, and it has evolved their entire race! They are all retreating, Wildfire! Quislet really has won the day! Our friend has returned to us!

“Well that’s just great,” Wildfire groaned. “If his ego was planet-size before, it’s gonna be as big as a sprockin’ star system now. Come on…

…Let’s get our nasses outta here.”

**********
QWARD
Q’Uld, the Voidrim

On a world of golden sands and the ruins of buildings which had once dominated those sands, there stood a city. Many of the cities of Qward had fallen over the centuries and not risen again, but this city…this city had stood. The citystate of Q’Uld was a thin crescent-shaped testament to the enduring stamina of the Qwardian people. Internal power struggles, interdimensional assaults from the Green Lantern Corps, the Sinestro Corps, Krona, the Descendants of Mongul, several incarnations of Earth's Justice Leagues and Rannian champions, nameless predators from the Bleed or the higher or lower planes of the multiverse, none of these things had managed to permanently wipe out the war-borne Thunderers of Qward. Q’Uld was their proudest remaining seat of power, and it loomed over an enormous void which devoured anything that plunged into its unholy depths. Sometimes, standing on the Voidrim, the Thunderers felt the bone-chilling wails of the lost souls it had been swallowing since before the beginning of recorded time. Only one creature had ever emerged from the Void, the Qwardian deity Erdammeru. Erdammeru the Void Hound had rained terror down upon the Qwardians, taught them the value of violence and was responsible for their devotion to the art and tools of war.

One of those tools was the golden ring which currently sat upon the finger of a cloaked bald man. A green twin sat on his other finger, and he huddled inside his cloak now while these weapons for once used their power for a constructive purpose to heal his broken body. He tried to hide his weakness from Highlord Ofreie, the stoic armoured Qwardian who currently walked the Voidrim as his companion. The cloaked bald man was not a Qwardian, he was not from this universe at all. He had found his way here through guile and the application of his vast and self-serving intellect, and those gifts had done him well so far but he couldn’t afford to rest on his laurels.

“How many more of my Thunderers died?” Highlord Ofreie asked bluntly. His voice was booming and his enormous round eyes seemed to stare into the cloaked human too well.

“All of them,” the Earthman answered without hesitation. He knew it wouldn’t serve him well to try and sugarcoat it. “Larfleeze killed them all. I was lucky to escape with my life at all.”

“When you came to my world,” the leader of the Qwardian people decreed, “You came with promises that we would gain the power of all of the Corps. Instead, we have found slaughter at the hands of Green and Orange Lanterns.”

“A temporary setback,” the shorter man replied quickly. “Don’t forget I also brought you a yellow ring and a green ring. The Orange Lantern was more savage than I anticipated, but with reinforcements—“

“It has not escaped my attention that you wear those rings, human.” The Highlord stopped strolling and looked down at the bald man. The Qwardian was a full head higher than his interdimensional ally. “I know, I know...until we learn to reverse-engineer the weaponry they are the only rings we own. And you are far more familiar with their workings than we are. When you proposed to wear them in our service until our enemies were dead, admittedly that prospect was enticing to me. It has been many many cycles since our people had enemies to face in bloody battle.”

“You can’t be getting cold feet now!” the human man protested. “We slaughtered the Green Lantern Corps, we can kill Larfleeze! We’ll find the other rings and your Thunderers will have the power of all seven Corps! Just as I promised!”

“You have delivered something substantially different to your promise, human. You have delivered us to the attention of Sodam Yat, to the attention of the female Green Lantern who absorbed her comrade’s power. You delivered us to the attention of the Orange Lantern, to the authorities of your universe who now hold those Thunderers whom survived your scheming like rats in a cage. You have not delivered us new enemies…you have pointed your enemies toward us. And I suspect you would find it hard to depart with the power of the Emotional Spectrum were we to help you find the rest of it. Simply put…the risk outweighs the benefits.”

The human man felt a sharp stabbing pain in his gut which wrenched the breath out of him. His mouth gaped in confusion and he coughed thick blood up onto the jagged blade which Highlord Ofreie had skilfully inserted into his torso. The Highlord slashed sideways before his victim could put either of his two rings to use, and the human man screamed in agony as more of his blood spattered the Qwardian’s golden armour. “You…you…I’ll…” the bald human staggered, remaining conscious only through sheer force of will. Green energy already began to seep across his open wound, but before he could go on the offence the Highlord simply smashed him across the temple with the heavy handle of the knife. The cloaked human tipped over the edge of the barricade upon which they’d been walking alongside and tumbled silently into the whipping winds of the Void.

Highlord Ofreie watched the man fall long enough to placate himself that he was truly doomed, and then turned away to walk from the Voidrim back into the city which he ruled with an iron fist. “The Thunderers of Qward are no man’s pawns,” the Highlord proclaimed to his departed victim.

“You would do well to remember that in your next life, Universo."


**********
EDITOR'S NOTES:
I may have mentioned this last time, but Quislet's original stint with the Legion was cut short when the Emerald Eye destroyed his microship and he had to return to Teall

Those Thunderers sure got around in the last thousand years!
Wow! Amazing ending raz. Tricking Quislet into mimicking Wildfire's energy patterns and having Tellus reverse the brainwashing and making Quislet evolve his entire species... Amazing!

And I never expected Universo!
Thanks for the kind words IB! Quislet's story is one of those ones I have been holding on to since forever, it is good to finally get to tell it laugh

...and I don't think it is spoiling anything to say we probably haven't seen the last of Universo, hopefully where he goes from here will be just as surprising!
I love how this invasion is both large scale and small scale and the way you used Quislet to change his people was really inventive. I like that it just takes one of them to change all of them. Its a great message.

Dreamy commanding Dawnstar was well done.

I liked Element Lad and Shavanugn's date. it was cute up to the interruption. I would have loved to see some extended battles with the Legion.

Chemical Kid's line about this being the most fun they've had and it being like a video game was funny.

I like the lightness of this war as opposed to others which get so dark and quickly.

Universo is a great villain and i'm looking forward to what he's going to do and i'm still unsure if the Thunderers are definitely out. Could they be planing something of their own?

can't wait for more.
That's the last time I'll think "Funny little Quislet"! An invasion by Teall is such a wild idea and you handled it with great imagination. Very clever!
Thanks peeps! Quislet evolving Teall should see some long-term consequences, I am glad you guys liked it! I like the challenge of writing meaningful plot developments for Quislet while still keeping him a basically silly character smile

Funny you mentioned wanting to see some more Legionnaires in battle Omni...I did actually have some detailed scenes for a Shadow Lass/Laurel Kent team-up as well as Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad and a bunch of students fighting a transformed cruiser that I had to chop out for space.

Also funny that you brought up the Qwardians, Zoe might get her rematch with them after all before too long...
Raz, this has been such a fun ride!

Loved Nuras and Thoms scene, her pragmatism and dynamism compared to his just wanting to stay in bed. Sounds like my relationship actually, though before you ask I'm no Nura smile her conversation with Dawny was great too. Why do people doubt a precog? Even one as self absorbed as Dreamy.

You showed the scale of the invasion really well without bogging us down with too much detail or unnecessary tangents to the main storyline, the only point I was slightly disappointed not to read was Life Lass dealing with the Tealins, that would have been interesting to read.

I like how you have included the Subs nd Academy kids too btw, you really have a grand holistic view of the Legions wider circle.

Aylas near death experience and Dawny's save was well done, those sneaky Teallians attacking flight rings!

Ultimately it was Quislet's save that takes the award for the best bit of character development he's had in twenty years. Very clever way to end the threat, and I genuinely am in awe of your skill at wrapping up stories so well, rather than dragging them out like I do. Wildfires comment about the size of Quislets ego is so true, I'm looking forward to how you write him going forward. Also be interesting to see how the othe legionnaires react to him, and the whole galaxy that have had to deal the invasion.

Loving the Qwardian storyline too, it's great the way you intersperse this bigger storyline with the invasion storyline.

Great stuff Raz, thoroughly enjoyed this and am eagerly looking forward to more, more, more!
Life Lass vs Teallians would be a pretty interesting battle! Too bad I am not a Carggite, there are a lot of Legion supporting cast characters I'd like to focus on more if I had time smile

I'm glad you like my use of the Subs and the Academy....I do like writing all of the Legion's world when I get a chance! laugh

More Qwardians (and Zoe) coming up!
Posted By: razsolo Loose Ends - 02/02/16 08:39 AM
MARS
Cerberus Palus, Elysium Fields Floating Gardens

ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem:
hyper-stimulated plant growth
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation

As Comet Queen approached the expansive floating gardens of Elysium Fields, it occurred to her she’d never been here before. The gardens stretched for a couple of miles, held aloft above ancient Martian lava flows by modern gravitic technologies. The artificial forest was an oasis of green on the red planet, and while Grava preferred the star-dotted vastness of outer space she had to admit that the gardens were pretty in their own way. She hadn’t come to look at trees today though. She flew low over the verdant canopy, attracting stares from tourists below and causing children to whoop in excitement as they recognised the golden girl streaking overhead. This is space-crazy, Grava chastised herself. I’m never gonna scope him here if he’s not in his costume, I’ll have to call him. Just as she was about to speak into her flight ring, a tousled head of blond hair caught her attention by a bed of siren cylinders. Grava circled her unwitting target a couple of times until she was sure it was him and then landed a few feet away.

While families and nature-lovers in the area gasped and took out their recording devices, Ral Benem remained completely oblivious to Grava’s arrival. Dressed very casually, he was fascinated by the long pinkish colored flowers before him. As their name would suggest, the siren cylinders were a group of brightly hued hollow tubes rising from a dense bush of rough-edged leaves. They whistled at various pitches, a subsonic component attracting nearby insects to enter their deadly embrace. Once the insects made their way inside the cylindrical flowers, a sticky excretion sealed their fate. Ral heard a familiar voice call out “Starshine!” and he tilted his head in mild surprise.

“Grava?” he turned to face his teammate. “You’re in costume, d-does the Legion need me?”

“Nonono, nothing like that!” She shook her head vigorously. “Kid Computo traced your flight ring here, I hope you’re not flaring!”

Ral raised one puzzled eyebrow. “Uhh...no. No, I...don’t think I’m f-flaring. H-how can I help you?”

“I just wanted to say thanks,” she smiled shyly, digging at the dirt nervously with one oversized toe. “Quislet’s my pal, and when he needed help you were the only one who listened to me. I know I’m not in the same orbit as everyone else. I’m not used to anyone listening to me, even my friends don’t listen to me most of the time. I’m nova bright that you did, and now the shiny little shuttle and Tellus and Wildfire are talking to the United Planets about bringing Teall into their gravitational pull, and it’s all thanks to you! So I just wanted to say thanks!” She ran up to him and kissed him on the cheek. “Oh! And I came to give you this!” Grava brought her left arm from behind her back and revealed a hastily wrapped box in her palm. She’d decorated the wrapping paper herself with childish renditions of trees and flowers.

Ral was equally bemused and touched. “Y-you d-didn’t need to d-do that,” he stammered, taking the box from her. “Everyone deserves t-to be heard, Grava.”

“Open it!” she squealed, clapping her hands and jumping up and down on the spot. “Open it, open it!”

Ral laughed. “Okay, okay, give me a nano.” He tore at the paper and removed the lid from the small box, unsure of what he could expect. With Comet Queen, it could be anything. “G-grava! Oh wow Grava, it’s b-beautiful!” He removed from the box a small multi-faceted flower made from black stone which gleamed in the sunlight. “T-this must have c-cost you a fortune, it-it’s flawless!” Stunned, he held the quartz flower closer to his face and turned it around so he could examine every surface.

“Do you love it?” Grava clutched her hands before her face. “Do you love it? Starshine, tell me you love it! It’s a crystal rose, from Qual III! It’s not a real rose of course, I mean duh, but the crystal grows like that ‘cause of…reasons. I dunno, I kind of went nebula hazy when my auto-teacher beamed that part.”

“It’s really beautiful Grava, truly. And very thoughtful. I do love it, thank you.” Ral gave her a warm smile and she giggled nervously.

“Yay! Okay, gotta fly! Enjoy your plants!” She kissed him on the cheek again and was a tiny golden streak in the distance before he could respond. Ral touched his cheek while he watched her disappear into the endless blue skies. She certainly was a strange girl…

...but he was beginning to like it.

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

ROLL CALL
Fire Lad aka Staq Mavlen:
fire-breathing
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cold and ice generation

Staq Mavlen and Brek Bannin left one of their base’s well-equipped cafeterias with full bellies. Staq belched and a harmless mini-fireball exploded forth from his open mouth before quickly dissipating. “Ssorry.” The skinny hero called Fire Lad covered his mouth. “Better out than in, right?”

Brek pushed his old comrade playfully. “You’re disgusting! How many years have we known each other and you still haven’t learned basic manners?”

“I’m from Sshwar,” came Fire Lad’s self-depreciating retort. “You’re lucky I’ve learned to usse cutlery, buddy.” Fire Lad was glad that their friendship had reached a stage where they could joke like this. Even when Polar Boy had led the Legion of Substitute Heroes he’d always maintained some emotional distance from the rest of his team. While Fire Lad, Night Girl, Stone Boy and Chlorophyll Kid really embraced their friendships with one another and Color Kid had easily fallen into that circle when he joined the team, Brek had always seemed to hold himself a little apart. They all knew that he valued their camaraderie, but he could never seem to show it. Brek had been the youngest of them, maybe he thought he needed to maintain his exterior at all times to maintain their respect? Maybe he’d been so focused on joining the Legion of Superheroes the whole time that everything else came second? Staq honestly didn’t know, but ever since Fire Lad and Color Kid had called Polar Boy out on his poor behaviour he really had made efforts to change. In a lot of ways Fire Lad felt like Polar Boy was opening up to them more now than he had in the entire time they’d known him.

“Fire Lad!”

The sound of his codename shook Staq from his reverie. Fire Lad and Polar Boy looked to see Light Lad running down the corridor toward them. “I’m glad I found you,” the lanky Winathian smiled as he made his way past Shrinking Violet walking in the opposite direction. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to bring up!”

“Ssure, what iss it?” Staq asked. He and Light Lad were almost the same height but though Darvan might be lean, Staq was practically a skeleton in comparison. Beside them both, the much shorter Polar Boy watched the conversation curiously.

“It’s your readings,” Darvan explained. He presented the omnicom for Fire Lad’s perusal. “Your bio-readings, I mean. Remember how we were all a little worse for wear after we fled Larfleezia? I checked all of our readings from our shuttle’s sickbay, you know, just to be sure there were no internal injuries or anything that it hadn’t picked up. Yours are…well, they’re a little weird. I mean I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about, there’s certainly no sign of obvious damage—“

“Thankss for telling me,” Staq quickly lowered the omnicom without more than a glance. “I’m fine though, like you ssaid there’ss no ssign of damage right?”

“How are his readings weird?” Brek asked abruptly.

“That’s the thing, I’m not really sure to be honest.” Light Lad admitted. “I was an intern at a psychiatric institute before I joined the Legion, genetics isn’t really my strong suit.”

“Whoa, genetics?” Polar Boy’s eyebrows rose. “Staq, I don’t think you should dismiss this so quickly.”

“I ssaid I’m fine,” Fire Lad brushed their concerns aside. “Thankss for going to the effort of finding me to tell me, Light Lad. I appressiate the the thought, but there’ss definitely nothing to worry about.”

“Staq, I’m not so sure.” Polar Boy looked into his friend’s eyes, eyes which had long since lost any visible sign of either pupils or irises. Not for the first time in recent days, Brek found himself wondering about the physiological changes Fire Lad had undergone since their first meeting. The drastic weight loss, his skin becoming more leathery, his hair falling out to be replaced by a crest of flame…and now even his voice had changed, becoming more sibilant to the point where even Legionnaires who’d only known him since he joined the team had observed a difference. These changes had come in so gradually that nobody ever really noticed until he was suddenly a dramatically different person physically than he’d been months ago, and Staq had always assured his friends that it was normal for Shwarians to react strangely when spending large periods of time away from the rarified atmosphere of their homeworld. Now though, it was clear this metamorphosis was more than superficial. “What would it hurt to get checked out?” Brek continued. “At least then we’ll know everything’s okay.”

“Everything iss okay!” Fire Lad hissed sharply. Angry flickers of flame shot from his nostrils. “I’m telling you both…there’ss nothing to worry about! I’m fine!”

He pushed past Light Lad and Polar Boy, and the two heroes watched in concern as their teammate stormed off in a huff.

**********
TAKRON-GALTOS
Northern continent, “The Welcome Mat"

ROLL CALL
Legion of Superheroes:
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle:
Durlan shapeshifter
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn: magnetism
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation
Supergirl aka Kara Zor-El: Kryptonian physiology
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: deputy leader, ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

Workforce:
Abyss aka Kol Dane:
wears void-ring granting flight and transportation to a pocket dimension
Bioluminescent Lass aka Jaene Birrun: enhanced bioluminescence
Gear aka I.Z.O.R: techno-organic being
Ion aka Mara Waid: shrinking
Magno aka Dyrk Magz: magnetism
Sizzle aka Teela Spuunvll: energy conversion
Triplicate Boy aka Dre Conno: Carggite triplication
Twine aka Oliv Dah: energy-siphon whips

Zoe Saugin: Legion of Superheroes ally, infused with Green Lantern energy

Doors a couple of feet thick groaned as they retracted into their housings and six Legionnaires watched alongside the last Green Lantern while a large sparse room on the other side was revealed. The Workforce awaited them there, eight metahumans charged with defending the prison planet Takron-Galtos and ensuring its captive population of prisoners remained captive.

“Hello Legionnaires,” a chirpy blond boy greeted the galaxy-famed heroes. “For those of you we haven’t met, I’m Dyrk Magz but you can call me Magno. The rest of my team are Bioluminescent Lass, Gear, Ion, Triplicate Boy, Sizzle, Twine and Abyss. Obviously none of you need introduction. Please, step into the Welcome Mat with us.”

“Wasn’t your name Void last time we met?” Cosmic Boy asked the skinny man called Abyss.

“Takron-Galtos has had a couple new intakes from your old pals in the Judgement League,” Abyss replied sardonically. “Finding out one of their ex-teammates is a walking lobotomy with the same name as me was all the inspiration I needed to change mine."

“Speaking of names,” Supergirl joined in, “The Welcome Mat seems kinda friendly for a prison, doesn’t it?”

“The official designation is Inmate Processing Facility 1-D,” Gear explained. “Welcome Mat seems a little catchier, and considering all new prisoners pass through here when they're processed, the name fits.”

“Might I just say,” Magno gushed, “It’s an unbelievable honour getting to meet the legendary Supergirl. I mean working with the Legion of Superheroes is a privilege in itself of course, but you’re…well, legendary!”

“...If you believe it’s really her,” Abyss muttered under his breath. Beside him, Twine’s eyes twinkled as she smiled behind her muzzle. With her super-hearing, Supergirl easily heard the barbed comment but she didn’t react. It wasn’t the first time she’d heard doubts of her legitimacy in the 31st century. While most sentients were awestruck to be in the presence of an almost mythologically famous heroine, there were the occasional few who simply assumed she was a Daxamite playing a role. Kara had long since learned to let it slide.

“I’m glad you guys were okay with us coming here,” Ultra Boy stepped forward and shook Magno’s hand. “We don’t want to step on any toes and we know the SP have already interrogated the Thunderers we took into custody but hopefully we’ll be able to get some more out of them. Granted, most of us are just here for extra muscle but between Cham, Dragonmage and Green Lantern we should have enough detective brains and weird powers to give us a better chance than your average psi-cop.”

“...Oh.” Magno seemed taken aback. “Oh gosh, I’m sorry Ultra Boy. We didn’t realise you were intending to bring the Green Lantern in on the interrogation.”

“Is that a problem?” Cosmic Boy asked.

While Magno stumbled for diplomacy, the Imskian Ion answered more bluntly. “She doesn’t have the clearance.”

“What?” Now it was Zoe who was taken aback. “Those monsters killed my friends! If you think I’m sitting this out while the Legion—“

“I’m sorry, Green Lantern.” Magno’s apology seemed completely genuine. “I really am, I’ve read the reports and I can’t imagine how you must be feeling. But Ion’s right…to be honest, it’s only a goodwill gesture toward the Legion of Superheroes that you’re allowed in the Welcome Mat at all. You’re more than welcome to wait here, you don’t have the security clearance to be allowed any further though.”

“This sucks!” Zoe exploded.

“I’m sorry,” Cosmic Boy apologised again while Ultra Boy looked on slightly annoyed at the imposition on his leadership. “This is really the Workforce’s decision though, we can’t dictate terms here.”

“I’m a sprocking Green Lantern!” Zoe complained. “We’re the cops of the universe for crying out loud!”

Self-appointed cops,” Abyss clarified with a smirk.

“I’m afraid the regulations are quite explicit on this,” Gear added more soberly.

Zoe’s eyes flared green. “I could charge in there through all of you if that’s what I wanted to do!” She saw the Workforce take on defensive stance, and even some of the Legion joined suit. With a frustrated grunt, she threw her head back and flew straight up. In the brief instant it took her to reach the ceiling, her whole body was surrounded in an emerald aura and she phased harmlessly through it.

“Everyone else go ahead,” Ultra Boy commanded before Cosmic Boy could say anything more. “Dragonmage, you’re her friend. Come with me, we’ll try and calm her down and join the others once we’ve done that.” As he headed toward the external door with Xao, Jo turned around almost as an afterthought. “Cham, you’re in charge till I get back.”

Following Zoe’s green trail wasn’t at all difficult, and soon Ultra Boy and Dragonmage had caught up with her high above the surface of Takron-Galtos. “Zoe!” Dragonmage called out. “Where are you going?”

“This is so stupid!” she spun around and faced the two men. “They know I could flatten the lot of them, right? I could probably tear this dumb planet in half if I wanted! I’m one of the good guys, who are those jerks to tell me I can’t avenge my friends?!”

Ultra Boy wiped loose strands of hair behind his ear. “Yeahhh, no offence kid but when you say stuff like that I can see why they’d have trust issues.”

“Oh come on, of course I’m not gonna actually do anything like that!” she countered. “I’m just venting! Ever since those Thunderer squajes killed my friends I’ve been on the back foot trying to get anywhere with finding out why they attacked! And now this stupid planet’s stupid regulations are getting in my way! After everything I’ve gone through, can’t one thing just be easy??”

“I know it must be incredibly frustrating,” Xao said, “But the Workforce are just doing their job, Zoe. They’re not the enemy here.”

“They’re not the enemy,” Ultra Boy agreed. “But their regulations are stupid.”

Zoe and Xao both stared wide-eyed. “…What..?”

“Well they are,” Jo shrugged. “You’ve gone through enough that you deserve to be down there. And if we can’t get you physically in the room with us, well then…we’ll just have to find a way around it.”

“Wow.” Zoe’s anger had been replaced by surprise. “I did not expect the Legion of Superheroes to help me find a way to break the rules!”

“Most of the Legion of Superheroes weren’t born and bred on Rimbor,” Ultra Boy gave a cheeky smile. “Now one of you is a sorcerer and the other one’s got the most versatile power in the galaxy…I’m pretty sure if we put our heads together we should be able to find a way to make you our silent partner down there.”

**********
While the Thunderers had been divested of their extra-dimensional weaponry, they were still dangerous warriors. Accordingly, they were kept isolated from the Workforce and Legion of Superheroes both by virtue of a translucent forcefield.

“I’m surprised you didn’t put them in separate cells,” Sun Boy remarked offhand when he saw the plate-eyed men congregated together in the one large room.

“Originally we did,” Magno replied. “Once we realised we weren’t getting anywhere with them individually we thought they might be more likely to let their guard down if they were allowed to interact normally with one another.”

“It’s a clever strategy,” Chameleon Boy complimented the Braalian teen. “I’m guessing you haven’t had much luck with it though. These men have had extensive military training. You can tell from their body language, the way they are around one another.” Cham stood close to the forcefield, analysing each of the Qwardians intently even as they looked him up and down with open hostility. “I’d also hazard a guess that they came prepared to endure much worse treatment than they’ve received,” Cham continued. “Look at their scars, their lack of fear. If their actions already weren’t enough to convince us, it’s obvious that they’re accustomed to a much more brutal lifestyle than we are.”

“Sounds like you missed your calling,” Ultra Boy’s voice chimed in as one of Triplicate Boy’s bodies accompanied Jo and Dragonmage down the corridor. “Shoulda been a profiler for the SP, Cham.”

While Triplicate Boy’s bodies merged, Jo took position next to Chameleon Boy and Dragonmage slipped quietly into place among the other Legionnaires. “I’ll tell you something else though,” Jo continued. “They’re not scared of us, but they’re scared of something. Look how tense they are, I don’t think it’s loyalty that’s keeping them from blabbing everything.” Ultra Boy rapped a knuckle against the forcefield and it emitted a sharp zapping sound.

“You guys should be scared of us,” Ultra Boy taunted the Qwardians. “Our boy Dragonmage here is a sorcerer and I guarantee you when his magic dragons eat your brains to get the answers we need it’s gonna hurt a lot more than any telepath would.” Simultaneously, and unnoticed by anybody present, Gear stared curiously around the room and extended an intricate antennae array from his forearm.

“Uh, Ultra Boy..?” Dragonmage tried to keep his voice down. “My dragonforms don’t actually hurt necessarily, and uhh…to be honest, I haven’t really summoned a dragonform before which can duplicate a mental probe to that extent…” The Asian hero blushed as he confessed his limitations. Behind him, Gear silently extended his neck a couple of feet straight up. Micro-circuitry became visible beneath flesh-hued epidermal panels, and his eyes shifted color gradually from one end of the visual spectrum to the other.

“Have some faith in yourself, Dragonmage.” Sun Boy gave the slight teen a reassuring pat on the back. “We do.”

“...Magno?” Gear’s voice sounded out uncertainly. “I don’t want to alarm anybody but some very strange energies are accumulating in this area.”

Supergirl put her own enhanced vision to the task. “That’s weird,” Kara pouted. “I can’t see anything—“

Before anybody else could utter a word, a deafening thunderclap sounded and the room was filled with a blinding light. “Thunderers!” Sizzle warned. She’d reacted fast enough to convert most of the light which reached her into electrical energy, protecting her sight. With a crackling jolt she soon had one of the intruders convulsing. There were a dozen Thunderers in all, and they immediately leaped to attack. While a couple went for the forcefield restraining their compatriots, the others drew their thunderbolts to attack the startled heroes. Protected by their own powers, Supergirl intercepted a couple of the thunderbolts in a blur of motion and Sun Boy incinerated two more before they could reach their targets. Gear and Bioluminescent Lass rushed to protect their own still recovering teammates, and when the artificial lightning struck Gear he squealed raw code and collapsed in a smoking heap.

Bioluminescent Lass stood over Triplicate Boy, her eyes wide with fear as she faced down the much more physically imposing Qwardian who now bore down on them both. The ethereal heroine was clearly terrified, but stood her ground nonetheless. “I won’t let you hurt him,” her voice trembled.

“You don’t have a choice in the matter,” the Thunderer snarled. He drew a thunderbolt from the quiver on his back and flung it at her, and Bioluminescent Lass pushed her Carggite teammate aside with as much force as she could muster in a futile attempt to protect him. The slender woman was surprised when an emerald wall appeared out of nowhere to protect her from the destructive force of the exploding thunderbolt.

“Too bad I don’t have the clearance to be here,” Zoe Saugin announced smugly from where she’d phased through the ceiling. “Might have been able to save your life.”

“Green Lantern?!” Still seeing stars, Magno ripped metal panelling from the ceiling itself to protect everyone else until they could see clearly again. “Not to seem ungrateful, but how did you know the Thunderers were here?”

“Does it matter?” Zoe grabbed one of the extra-dimensional invaders in an oversized green hand and flung him into his allies. “I can leave you to fight them on your own if you’d prefer!” She glanced across at Dragonmage and the sorcerer felt a tickle in his ear as Zoe allowed the tiny eavesdropping device she’d planted in there earlier to dissipate.

The Thunderers’ weapons smashed Magno’s makeshift shield to shreds, injuring Sizzle and Bioluminescent Lass with flying shrapnel. With their years of experience working together, the more powerful Legionnaires had already moved to protect their more easily damaged teammates. “We need some room to move!” Ultra Boy shouted as Chameleon Boy in hummingbird form flew past his eye. “We’re gonna trip over each other in this jail! Cos, can you help us out?”

“Of course,” Cosmic Boy raised his arms to the ceiling and concentrated. “Cover me please, Sun Boy. Magno, you should get your injured teammates to safety.”

“I should help you with that metal,” the younger Braalian countered. “The outer layers are magnetically shielded. Trip! Get Gear, Sizzle and Jaene out of here.”

“Why am I always on nursemaid duty?” Triplicate Boy whined as the three of him collected his wounded comrades.

“Because you’d do so much good taking on one of these bruisers,” Abyss mocked him. “We all work to our strengths, nursemaid.” His void-ring bathed one of the Thunderers in black light and the man vanished screaming. Next to him another of the Thunderers fell over, the Imskian Ion wreaking havoc with his inner ear.

The woman named Twine whipped at yet another of the Thunderers with her siphoning lashes, ignoring Chameleon Boy’s warnings when he realised she was going to miss her mark in the crowded space. Instead of hitting her foe, her energy whip smacked against the forcefield holding their original captives. With an anti-climactic fizzle, the field collapsed and the Qwardians were all reunited.

“The pink woman has done part of our job for us!” one of the Qwardians bellowed. “Thunderers, complete the mission!” What came next shocked everyone present. Every armed Thunderer drew his weapon, but instead of striking the heroes they hurled their thunderbolts at their weaponless comrades. Their deaths were gory and almost instant.

No!” Zoe grabbed the man who’d given the command in a green bubble and whisked him through the tear in the ceiling which Magno and Cosmic Boy had now made. She was out of sight in no time, only an emerald streak marking her passing. “What is wrong with you people?!” she screamed through bared teeth when she finally stopped above the clouds of Takron-Galtos. “You kill my friends and now you kill your own men?? Are you insane?!”

“The Thunderers of Qward were manipulated into slaying your fellow ringbearers to suit the purposes of one of your own people,” the man in the bubble sneered. “Nobody manipulates a Qwardian warrior successfully for long. That man is dead now, and for their failure to defeat or escape you it has been determined that our failed warriors needed to die as punishment for their failure.”

“You are crazy!” Zoe snapped. “Maybe I should kill you, you mad squaj!”

“You will not,” the Qwardian replied with a sinister smile. “Your people are not willing to kill, and that has always been your weakness.”

“With due respect to your culture,” Dragonmage’s voice joined the conversation, “It’s not a weakness. I understand why you perceive it to be one, but our respect for life is one of our greatest strengths.”

Supergirl had accompanied Dragonmage and she now spoke as well. “We’ve disarmed the rest of them,” she reported. “They said the same thing as your friend here. None of them know who this guy is who allegedly sent them after the Green Lantern Corps, and we might never find out what he had against you, but they all claim he’s dead now and they don’t have any interest in continuing hostilities.”

“I can summon a dragonform which will carry them back to Qward,” Dragonmage continued. “And once Gear is recovered, the Workforce are confident that he will be able to help erect a warning system so that we’ll have advance notice if and when the Qwardian dimensional barrier is breached again. With luck, we’ll be able to stop it from being breached at all. It’s over, Zoe.”

Zoe Saugin stared intensely at the Thunderer inside her emerald bubble.

“Really?” she asked. “Then why don’t I feel like this is over?”

*********
KIRINYAGA
Somewhere in the Portela Mountain Ranges
He’d been named Gahiji at birth, but if he survived this Initiation Trek the young man walking these treacherous mountain passes already knew what name he’d take in its place. On the border world Kirinyaga, Mwindaji was a hero who’d lived long ago. He was the boldest and the most adored of the planet’s forefathers, and when Gahiji completed this journey to adulthood which was both symbolic and literal, he would take on Mwindaji’s name. It was a mark of respect, but moreso it was a statement of intent. Gahiji could not imagine himself living and dying on this world as so many of his people were content to do. Like Mwindaji of old, he wanted to explore distant worlds and cultures, discover new boundaries and traverse each and every one.

He was the strongest tracker in his class, easily able to locate even a prairie hare on the other side of the continent. His dedication to physical perfection bordered on obsession, and though he knew that this Initiation Trek would surely test him he had complete confidence that he would meet his family on the other side. Not every son of Kirinyaga was so fortunate; these mountains had seen their fare share of young corpses who’d faltered on their way to manhood, but Gahiji was determined not to be one of them.

As the dark-skinned youth used his gnarled hiking staff to push thorny bristlebush from his path, he noticed something in the deep indigo dusk skies. At first he thought it was a shooting star, but when its golden plummet changed to emerald his curiosity was piqued. Gahiji had no problem determining where the unidentified object landed. His tracking sense was sufficiently developed that he’d likely be able to trace its path even if he hadn’t seen it fall with his own eyes; having witnessed its descent, tracking it was a feat any Kirinyaga child could achieve. He considered how far following this mysterious object would take him from his path. He estimated only several hours at the most, he could still be in the arms of his mothers by morning. Gahiji considered as well the name he’d chosen for himself as a man and the reasons behind that name. Would the legendary Mwindaji balk at being sent off-course by a new discovery? Of course not. His mind made up, the athletic teen changed course without a second thought.

It took Gahiji the better part of the night to find the object of his interest. Luckily, Kirinyagan night vision served him well and he managed to avoid any and all predators which stood between he and his quarry. An hour before the sun was due to rise, the moon hanging faded in the sky, Gahiji finally found what he’d spent hours looking for. A ditch was marked in the dirt where the unidentified object had skidded to a halt after its fall from the firmament, and at its end point Gahiji found a blood-soaked man in a tattered robe. “Do not move!” Gahiji’s Interlac was heavily accented, but his panic came across clearly. This man had no obvious signs of protective clothing, it was a miracle that he was alive at all. Yet, he was alive.

“I do not know how it is that you have survived such a fall,” Gahiji blurted as he circled the man looking for obvious signs of injury. “But I pledge to do everything in my power to help restore you to health, my friend. What is your name? From where have you come?”

The bald man coughed, and a spatter of blood stained his lip. “My name?” the bald stranger repeated. “You may call me…Vidar. I don’t know how I have survived this fall from grace either…not that I’m complaining. What’s your name, son?”

“My name..?” The young tracker paused. Helping this stranger would irrevocably remove him from his Initiation Trek. But somehow, he felt that it would lead him somewhere far more adventurous. He straightened his posture and took a deep breath.

“…My name is Mwindaji. Let me help you."

**********
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Loose Ends - 02/02/16 12:05 PM
Nice contrast between the Legion's teamwork and experience and the Workforce.

I like Bioluminescent Lass!

Is Fire Lad... turning into a dragon???

I like Brek making up with the other former Subs.

Zoe is brash and not tactful at all, much like many of canon Zoe's earlier appearances tongue

Uh oh, I thought Universo was dead... and a new Mwindaji, hmmm!

Grava and Ral make a cute couple.
Posted By: Omni Re: Loose Ends - 02/02/16 08:44 PM
Raz,
another great entry. these moments have been a lot of fun to read.

I'm interested in what Staq is becoming as well. it must be something if he's getting that defensive about it.

I really liked how you described Brek's relationship with the other Subs and how he's trying to turn it around.

Zoe is great as well. I feel her pain and i loved her reaction to Ultra Boy's "what they are stupid rules."

Ghngji and Universo together...this could be bad. But i think we know how he plans to find all the rings.

Also this post was just lush with description.

Can't wait for more.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Loose Ends - 02/07/16 03:45 AM
Thanks peeps! Credit for the Fire Lad development must go to Set, he did a short story exploring the idea of Staq transforming to resemble his 5YL self and it inspired me to look at the same idea myself smile
Posted By: Fat Cramer Re: Loose Ends - 02/18/16 02:59 PM
Fire Lad's changes are interesting, especially since they seem to be bothering him.

Magno's adoration of Supergirl was funny, as was the reaction of Abyss. So believable.

Zoe is such a hothead! I expect she'll both save the day and cause a big mess. She expects more trouble from the Qwardians - but will she wait for it or go looking for it?

Oh, Mwindaji - you may be getting more adventure than you bargained for with Universo.


Posted By: razsolo A Woman From The Rib - 02/22/16 07:18 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

ROLL CALL
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin:
dragon magic
Zoe Saugin: Legion of Superheroes ally, infused with Green Lantern energy

Standing outside the building which housed the most famous team of heroes in the galaxy, Zoe Saugin gave Dragonmage a warm embrace. “Thanks for all your help,” she smiled sadly. “I still think there’s more to this mess with Qward than we’ve seen, but since we sent the surviving Thunderers back to their home dimension I guess we’re kinda stuck on getting any more answers.”

“I do wish you’d stay,” Xao Jin replied. “You’d be an absolute asset to the Legion, and even if you’re not interested in joining you’ll be safer here with us if the Qwardians do come after you again.”

Zoe stepped back and chuckled wryly. “I can look after myself, Xao. Anyway, between Dawnstar, Supergirl, Mon-El and probably half a dozen other people on your team if I do need help you’re not that far away. I need to find Sodam Yat though, and I need to tell the friends and families of the other Green Lanterns what happened to them. Once I’ve fulfilled my responsibilities as the last Green Lantern, who knows? I’ve got all this power now, I need to do something positive with it so I might just come back.”

“It’s your decision of course,” Xao answered diplomatically. “But I will miss you, Zoe. It’s a shame we only ever get to see one another in the middle of a crisis.”

“That part I agree with,” Zoe nodded. “I promise I’ll come visit again as soon as I can. Thanks again!” She allowed the emerald energy which now permeated her to manifest itself as an aura of light, and Dragonmage watched as his childhood friend flew off into the Martian skies.

**********
MERCURY
On board a cruiser in planetary orbit

ROLL CALL
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
12th level intelligence, team leader
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Fire Lad aka Staq Mavlen: fire-breathing
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cold and ice generation
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference

“It’s definitely them.”

Mon-El had been staring intently through the floor of the Legion’s cruiser for the last few seconds, but he turned now to face the rest of his teammates in a Legion cruiser which had travelled over 160 million miles. A United Planets automated research station had gone offline after recording a massive energy surge, so the UP had asked the Legion of Superheroes to investigate. Thanks to Mon-El’s range of vision powers, the Legion now knew that the Heavensent were responsible for this vandalism. The Legion had previously encountered the temporally displaced villains as part of the much larger Judgement League, but the Heavensent had left that group before the Legion’s final encounter with the League.

Brainiac 5 was confident that they could defeat the Heavensent in the very likely circumstance that it came to a fight, but it would be much easier if they’d brought more heavy hitters. His computer mind almost instantly calculated the probable delay in calling reinforcements and dismissed it as being an unviable option. With their powers and abilities, the Heavensent might know the Legion were here before too long; best for the heroes to strike now while they still had the element of surprise. “This outpost holds no sentient staff,” Brainiac 5 mused out loud. “There’s no tactical advantage to taking it over…can you see anything which may help to explain why the Heavensent are there, Mon-El?”

“Actually, yes.” The square-jawed Daxamite frowned as he trained his uncanny eyesight on the small planet once more. “It looks like they’ve rigged up a sens-tank and there’s someone inside. The entire team is present and accounted for though and I don’t recognise who they have in there.”

“Intriguing,” Brainiac 5 replied. “I recommend we find out. Shadow Lass, if you’d be so kind as to provide us with some cover let’s pay our Mercurian squatters a visit.”

The Legionnaires left their vessel, a disc of utter blackness masking them before the star-filled sky. Their transuits kept them safe from the deathly cold here on Mercury’s dark side, and their flight rings carried them to the tiny planet’s surface in little time. The facility they were looking for was small, far smaller than the Legion’s headquarters. It was also one of very few structures on Mercury, and the Legion found it easily in the deep crater which kept it out of sunlight during this little world’s insanely hot daytime temperatures. Brainiac 5 didn’t share Shadow Lass’s perfect vision in darkness or any of Mon-El’s sensory capabilities, so he was forced to monitor their progress using mapping software on his omnicom. Once the group of heroes were in position, Brainiac asked Shadow Lass to drop her darkness field. “The outer structure displays irregular density directly below us,” the Coluan announced, his green face glowing in the light of his handheld device. “I believe the Heavensent made their entrance here and have carried out temporary repairs to protect the facility’s integrity. Mon-El, if you could assist us in following their path?”

“Happy to help, Brainy.” The Daxamite gripped a thick plate of metal and easily bent it back, providing a makeshift doorway which the other Legionnaires took advantage of. He repaired the damage as soon as everybody was safely through, using heat vision to weld the tear back into place.

“Thank you,” Brainiac replied. “Now we should—“ He was interrupted by a loud grunt of pain, and the Heavensent’s hyper-speedster Tachyon came into view as he bounced off of Brainiac 5’s forcefield. He’d been moving too fast for the Legionnaires to see when he’d charged towards them, but they all clearly saw now that he was about to be smeared across the floor.

“I’ve got him!” Mon-El was a blur of motion as he raced to catch the white-garbed villain. “I may not be in your league when it comes to speed,” Mon-El teased the villain as he protected him from impact and gripped him tight, “But I’m a little stronger than you, Tachyon. You’re not going anywhere.”

Before Mon-El had even finished speaking, Tachyon was nothing more than a fading after-image in his arms. The villain had already decked Color Kid and Polar Boy in the time it took for Mon-El to realise he’d escaped, and Tachyon stood now in the doorway to the room the Legion had invaded. “Not in my league?” Tachyon grinned wickedly. “We’re not even playing the same sport. I can break the time barrier, you second-rate Superman…only a couple of seconds, but that’s all I need to walk all over you chumpers.”

Tachyon’s world suddenly turned pitch black. “I’m guessing chumper is some kind of regional slang from whatever backwater era Earth-Man recruited you from,” Shadow Lass retorted coolly. “I’m also guessing that like you, it’s not very pleasant. In case you’re not intelligent enough to work this out for yourself, I wouldn’t attempt any of your speed tricks while you can’t see where you’re going. The results wouldn’t be pretty.”

“Works both ways,” his voice rang out from within an 8 foot radius of pure darkness. "The second you come in here and throw a punch or a kick, that’s the same second you find yourself with some broken bones.”

“We don’t have to go in there,” Star Boy rolled his eyes. “Idiot.” He raised one white-gloved arm and the air turned dark around his hand. Thom Kallor’s power couldn’t be seen within the impenetrable darkness it targetted but all of the Legionnaires heard the buckling of the floor, the wrenching scream of metallic consoles suddenly too heavy to stand, and the painful thud of Tachyon slamming straight into the ground. Shadow Lass allowed the darkness to dissipate, and the heroes saw Tachyon out cold on the damaged floor.

“Good work, you two.” Brainiac 5 turned to Fire Lad, who’d gone to help his two former colleagues in the Legion of Substitute Heroes. “How are Polar Boy and Color Kid?” Brainy asked.

“Broge muh aww,” Color Kid winced, touching his broken jaw as tenderly as possible.

“We’re probably both concussed,” Polar Boy moaned, leaning on Fire Lad’s arm to stand. “I’ll shoot a cold spike through us to keep us from getting too dopey for now, but we’re going to need the sickbay when we get back to the ship.”

“You’ll be heading back to the ship now,” Brainiac 5 stated without emotion. “I’m not taking injured Legionnaires into battle. You’re a potential liability and your health is more important than any villain’s plot.”

“Eminently reasonable,” a woman’s voice sounded out. “I’m afraid you’ve removed that option from the equation by breaking into our facility though, Legionnaires. You’ll all have to die now of course.” The golden-skinned woman Celestine hovered before them, a flaming corona where her hair should be. The flames continued down the length of her arms, ending at a point just beyond her wrist. Behind Celestine, Red Giant and White Dwarf were poised for battle. The first man stood 12 feet tall, very nearly scraping against the ceiling. The second of the duo didn’t even reach 4 feet in height. Completing the group, the mute creature known only as Void emerged through an internal wall, leaving a hole in his wake shaped like his own silhouette.

“I don’t like to manhandle a lady, but you’re not much of a lady.” Mon-El charged at Celestine before she could mount an attack and barrelled straight through the floor with her, driving the golden powerhouse deep beneath Mercury’s surface.

“Star Boy, stay close by.” Brainiac 5 dropped the forcefield which had been surrounding him since his descent to Mercury and projected it again, this time around Void. “If this doesn’t work, I may need your assistance.”

“You think he can get through your forcefield, Brainy?” Even as Star Boy spoke the words, Void silently passed through the field and advanced toward the Legionnaires.

“Maybe my darkness can contain him?” Shadow Lass enveloped Void in her own power, but the darkness simply ceased to exist as soon as it breached his event horizon.

“No, I’m afraid Star Boy is the only Legionnaire present who can affect our foe.” Brainiac sounded utterly calm, though Void was mere feet away from him in this confined space.

“What can I do?” Thom shrugged, backing away slowly from the unstoppable force before them. “I don’t even think he has mass, Brainy!”

“Even a photon possesses mass,” Brainiac replied, “Minimal though it may be. Increase Void’s mass by a factor of nine thousand seven hundred please, Star Boy.”

“Nine thou—!” Thom began to protest, but thought better of it. His ability to transfer mass from stars into any given target was not so refined that he could guarantee the result his leader had requested, but he knew that Brainiac wouldn’t ask for such a specific result unless it were necessary. He resolved to do his best. With both arms stretched out before him, Star Boy trembled with the effort. The familiar dark nimbus of his power surrounded his arms and filled the silhouette of Void’s form. At first the mute creature gave no sign that he was even aware anything was happening, but as his mass increased further and further he began to falter. He doubled over as if in pain, and then with a small pop of displaced air he was gone. “What happened?” The overtaxed Star Boy collapsed to his knees. “Brainy, tell me I didn’t kill him!”

“I do not believe Void is capable of dying in any sense that we recognise the term,” Brainiac answered. “You simply destabilised his form temporarily by exceeding the threshold of mass he’s capable of safely annexing. Now, let us find out if our friends need assistance with their own enemies.”

White Dwarf covered his face with his forearm against Fire Lad’s flame breath. The villain's power was to increase his density as he shrunk down, and at his current three foot stature he was basically fireproof. The heat and light were a nuisance nonetheless. “We both know this is just a delaying tactic,” the former scientist announced. “You’re going to find it difficult to breathe fire once I crush your larynx, Legionnaire.” The barrage of flames ceased, and White Dwarf lowered his arm. “What the..?”

The ceiling had vanished, and in its place was a blanket of stars. Somehow the Legionnaires had removed the building’s roof altogether, but that made no sense. Explosive decompression should have sent all of them hurtling into space and an almost instant death! Before he could question the odd sight any further, Red Giant toppled down painfully on top of the diminutive White Dwarf. Helplessly entwined, both men were covered in a foot of ice to match the solid block of ice around Red Giant’s feet which had caused him to tumble down in the first place.

“That should keep them both under control for a while,” Polar Boy advised Fire Lad and Color Kid. “Super-strength doesn’t mean much if you don’t have the leverage to use it.”

“Good work, Brek…and thankss for your help, Ulu.” Fire Lad patted Color Kid on the shoulder. “I’ll admit, I wass getting a little worried when my fire on itss own wassn’t bothering him much. That sstarry disstraction wass perfect.”

Color Kid nodded, his throbbing jaw too sore for him to even attempt to talk. The ground beneath their feet suddenly shook violently, and they all looked down at the debris Mon-El and Celestine had left behind them. Right on cue, Mon-El tunnelled up through the ground to rejoin his team. His costume was in tatters and he looked worse for wear, but unlike his passenger Celestine he was still conscious. “She’s no pushover, but neither am I.” Mon-El dumped her unceremoniously on top of the struggling Red Giant. “Now…should we see what it is exactly they were doing here?”

“Absolutely,” Brainiac 5 took control. “Legionnaires, I’ve accessed their files and I believe I have a very unpleasant idea why the Heavensent have come to this place. I’d like to see their subject in person before I elaborate on my suspicions however.”

The Legionnaires made their way through the tiny building to the sense-tank which the Heavensent had constructed. Within they saw a humanoid female floating, oblivious to anything going on around her. The woman’s naked skin was coarse, etched with lines. She was disturbingly gaunt, and completely hairless. Her nose was almost non-existent, just a small raised ridge with two thin nostrils. Polar Boy looked from the woman in the tube to Fire Lad and back again. “Staq, she…she looks like you!”

“I know.” Fire Lad approached the sens-tank and touched it gingerly. “I feel like…I feel like I know her….iss that sstupid?”

Mon-El looked her up and down, then trained his enhanced senses on Fire Lad. “Genetically, you’re very similar. Why would the Heavensent have some poor Shwarian woman in a sens-tank though?”

“She’s not Shwarian,” Brainiac 5 answered. “In truth, she’s not a member of any race. The Heavensent have created her as a prototype colonist for this planet.”

“She’s bio-engineered?” Shadow Lass hugged Mon-El. “Why would the Heavensent want to create someone capable of living on an otherwise uninhabitable planet?”

“According to the files I’ve found,” Brainiac explained, “The Heavensent consider their powers to be some kind of divine gift. It seems that they’ve created this woman to worship them, and they plan on creating an entire artificial population just like her. She has an uncanny resistance to temperature extremes, along with other adaptations which would support her survival in Mercury’s hostile environment. If they’re allowed to continue, they’ll produce an entire army of loyal followers specifically grown for this environment.”

“Why do I feel thiss…connection with her though?” Fire Lad asked, staring up at the naked woman in awe. “Why are we sso ssimilar if sshe’ss an artificial lifeform?”

Before anybody could answer, an explosion rocked the building. The gravity generators failed, and the Legionnaires were sent hurtling into the vacuum of space along with the debris of the research facility they’d been standing in. Mon-El was fast enough to protect Shadow Lass with his invulnerable form and Brainiac 5’s forcefield shielded everyone else, but not before the tremendous force of the explosion knocked out Star Boy and Polar Boy.

Mon-El trained his telescopic vision on the escaping Heavensent. “White Dwarf is much smaller,” he reported. “He must have shrunk down to increase his strength and maneuverability, escaped Polar Boy’s ice trap and helped Celestine recover so they could make their escape. Do you want me to take pursuit, Brainy?”

“Let them go,” Brainiac 5 said. “Almost half of our team require medical attention; even without Void on their side, we’re not in a position to engage the Heavensent at the moment. Celestine’s dramatic exit destroyed the facility they’d taken over, but I downloaded more data which I can review on the way back to Mars to shed some more light on what it is exactly that they’ve done here today.”

Fire Lad flew to the side of the nameless woman in the sens-tank. In the explosion her tank had been ruptured and its liquid nutrient solution had frozen solid even as it had flowed into Mercury’s practically non-existent atmosphere. Staq Mavlen's heart was in his throat, though he couldn’t explain why. “What about her?” he asked hesitantly.

“I don’t want to provide false hope,” Brainiac 5 responded. “She may be beyond help, Fire Lad…

...If there is a way to help her though, I promise you that we’ll find it.”

**********
KIRINYAGA
Pauvitz Point, Portela Mountain Ranges

The self-christened Mwindaji handed his newfound patient a thermos full of water from Fraukinyagen River half a klik west. The bald white man with the pointed ears took it gratefully. “Thank you for everything,” the man named Vidar spoke gratefully as he sipped the fresh water. “Honestly, now that I’ve recovered my wits, my rings can restore me to full health but I do appreciate the lengths you’ve gone to in order to help a complete stranger.”

“You are most welcome,” Mwindaji bowed his head respectfully. In truth, it had only taken him half an hour to erect a makeshift shelter from branches and sheetbark. Mwindaji had thought he’d have to call on outside help for this stranger who’d fallen from the sky, but the man had gotten his spirits back surprisingly swiftly. “These rings you wear…is this how you survived your fall from the heavens?”

“It is,” the older man replied. “Tell me Mwindaji, have you heard of the Green Lantern Corps?”

“I am afraid not,” the dark-skinned teenager shook his head. “Here on Kirinyaga, we are not privy to the common workings of the worlds of the United Planets.”

“The Green Lantern Corps are a kind of intergalactic police force,” Vidar indulged him. “They haven’t much of a presence these days, but once upon a time they were a powerful force for good in the universe.” He held up his hand and the yellow ring he was wearing now glowed. “The Sinestro Corps were their brothers in arms, their rings were golden rather than green. These rings are weapons of the highest order, though it has been a long time since they were wielded for good. It was an enemy of the corps who laid me low, and sentenced me to what he thought would be my death. These rings saved my life…if I had their brothers, they might have been able to do more than simply offer a measure of protection.”

“There are more like this?” Mwindaji asked. “Rings whose power can protect you from terminal impact, restore your health at a faster rate?”

“There are seven corps in total,” the older man explained. “Individually they are powerful, together they would give me the power of a god. I plan to find them all and heal this universe’s woes.”

Mwindaji was stunned. To have met such a man on his Initiation Trek…surely this was a sign, a portent for him to follow. “Vidar…” he spoke cautiously in his stunted Interlac. “I am a tracker…I am perhaps the finest tracker of any I know. If these rings you need to find, I can help you achieve this.”

Vidar paused in sipping the water he’d been given. He’d been cast out of Qward, his allies turned against him. He was surprised to still be alive. If not for the green and gold rings he wore, he had no doubt he’d right now be plummeting to his eternal doom in Q’Uld’s bottomless Void. The rings had seen fit though not only to keep him alive, not only to transport him from Qwardian space to his home dimension, but to dump him unceremoniously with this naive stranger who might have the ability to help him find every other ring he needed to complete his goal. This was more than luck, this was destiny. He opened his mouth to answer Mwindaji, but he suddenly found it supremely difficult to form words or even the concept of words. His mind raced with a rush of input unlike anything he’d ever experienced before.

So it was that Vidar, the man known to others as Universo, emitted a spastic monosyllable and collapsed drooling and insensate before his newfound saviour.

TO BE CONTINUED..!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: A Woman From The Rib - 02/22/16 09:34 AM
Well, Zoe's story will continue... as will Universo's.

Great battle with the Heavensent - nice solution of Brainy's. Liked the teamwork between all Legionnaires present. Interesting mystery about their "prototype"... Can't wait to see what happens next.
Posted By: razsolo Re: A Woman From The Rib - 02/27/16 09:21 AM
Thanks for the comments, as always much appreciated! It is very motivational seeing that people are reading and enjoying what I am posting smile

Fire Lad's story will be a bit of a slow burn (heheh) but everyone's gonna be very busy dealing with a little something called The Conceptual Virus for the next couple of posts so hopefully you guys won't mind the extra waiting time!

Oh, also I can't remember who it was that asked for some more Light Lad focus...you're about to get it wink
Posted By: razsolo THE CONCEPTUAL VIRUS Part 1 of 3: Psydemic - 02/28/16 01:26 AM
MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters, Brainiac 5’s multi-lab

ROLL CALL
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
12th level intelligence, team leader
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: hyper-stimulated plant growth
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Fire Lad aka Staq Mavlen: fire-breathing
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: intangibility
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cold and ice generation
Supergirl aka Kara Zor-El: Kryptonian physiology
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time; deputy leader

Kara Zor-El sat atop a console in Brainiac 5’s multi-lab, her legs dangling idly. She pulled a Winathian Crimsonberry Candy from her mouth with an audible pop and watched closely as a seemingly oblivious Brainiac 5 adjusted slide controls on a hardlight panel of his own design. “How is she, Brainy? Have you been able to stabilise her?”

“The Heavensent may be dangerously deluded, but I must admit that Red Giant at least is no slouch when it comes to genetic sequencing. The work he's done here is exemplary, and it’s a testament to his genius that this subject has survived till now.” The Legion’s Coluan leader turned from his own work to look over the Mercurian woman the Heavensent had constructed. Though her sens-tank on Mercury had been irreparably damaged, she had been developed specifically to thrive in extremes of temperature and the utter lack of atmosphere on the tiny planet. These attributes had kept her alive long enough for Brainiac to get her back to the more advanced resources of his own lab on Mars, and ensure that she’d have the best chance of surviving. The comatose woman wore a plain black bodysuit now, partially for modesty but more importantly so that her vital signs could be more easily monitored thanks to the sensors integrated into the fabric.

To the right of the tube, Fire Lad stood rigidly. At his side, Polar Boy exchanged the occasional concerned glance with Color Kid and Chlorophyll Kid seated nearby. Phantom Girl and Ultra Boy rounded out the group, the pair standing by Supergirl on the left side of the tube. “You make her ssound like sshe’s a ssciencce exxperiment,” Fire Lad hissed.

“Brainy doesn’t mean anything by it,” Phantom Girl soothed.

“Yeah,” Ultra Boy smirked. “He just gets turned up playing mad scientist, isn’t that right pal?”

Supergirl laughed out loud. “That’s turned on, you ultra-dork.” She turned playfully back to Brainiac 5. “Is that the truth, Professor Dox? Do you get turned on wearing that white lab coat?”

Brainiac 5 cleared his throat, refusing to face the maid of might. “Honestly, I don’t know why I allow — allow —“ He staggered and brought one hand to his forehead before his eyes rolled back in his head and Querl Dox fainted dead away.

Brainy!!” Before he even reached the floor, Supergirl had leaped to his side and caught the unconscious man.

Chlorophyll Kid stood up and approached gingerly. “I-is h-h-he—“

“Kara, can you see anything out of the ordinary?” Ultra Boy asked.

“No!” She looked Brainiac 5 up and down desperately. He was taking short sharp shallow breaths and his core temperature had risen drastically, but whatever was causing this was not something Kara could punch. Supergirl gave Jo Nah an imploring look, her bright blue eyes wide with fear. “Ultra Boy, he’s going to be okay…right?”

Phantom Girl placed a comforting hand on Supergirl’s shoulder and wiped a stray lock of Brainiac’s hair away from his face. “Everything will be fine, Kara. I promise.”

“This is a little outside my skill set,” Ultra Boy breathed out. “Color Kid, could you do me a favour and get Dream Girl or Mon-El here? We’ll try and make Brainy comfortable in the meantime.”

“Of course.” Color Kid left the room to call Dream Girl in private, but before he did so he caught Polar Boy’s eye. While everybody else in the room was overtly worried about their stricken leader, Ulu and Brek noticed that Fire Lad alone kept glancing from Brainiac 5 to the nameless Mercurian woman and back.

Color Kid and Polar Boy couldn’t help but wonder darkly where this was going to lead.

**********
MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters, Combat training room A

ROLL CALL
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal:
Naltorian precognition
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy

Danielle Foccart lay back on the padded mat, winded. She was exhausted and hurting, and she praised the technologically advanced age in which she lived that at least she had a rejuvenation bath to look forward to when this punishment was done so she could soothe her bumps and bruises.

“Come on.” Nura Nal stood over her and offered her hand. “We’re not finished yet. Believe me, I know how frustrating martial arts training can be when it consists primarily of being put on your backside. Just consider yourself lucky you were never on the team when Val or Myg were our combat trainers, even precognition was never much defence against a Karate Kid.”

“This is stupid,” Kid Computo huffed. She ignored Dream Girl’s hand and forced herself to stand under her own power; Danielle resolved to retain at least that small dignity. “I’ve got my power, why do I even need to know how to block a punch? Martial arts training didn’t do those Karate Kids a lot of good, did it??”

Slack-jawed, Dream Girl took a step back. “…Wow. Really, Danielle?”

Danielle Foccart felt an uncomfortable rush of blood to her head. “Oh grife, I’m so sorry…that was so insensitive of me, I don’t know how that even came out.”

“It’s alright,” Dream Girl sighed. She folded her arms across her ample bosom and looked down at the ground. “Val was my friend. Not a lot of people would have ever called Myg a friend exactly, but he did save my life more than once. I understand they're ancient history for you new kids, but just be glad Timber Wolf didn’t hear you make that remark. Still, maybe that’s enough practice for one day. I’ll see if Shadow Lass or Shrinking Violet are able to pick up where we left off after you’ve had a day to recover.”

Kid Computo rushed to Dream Girl’s side as the statuesque blonde walked toward the exit. “Dream Girl, I really am sorry…that was a horrible thing to say, I’m just tired and sore and I wish my feet were bigger so that when I put one in my mouth it would at least stop any more stupid words from coming out!“

“Danielle, stop.” Dream Girl faced the younger girl with a forgiving smile. “I do understand your frustration, truly. You should have heard some of the remarkably inventive curses I discovered when I began my training with Val. That was — that — “ She wavered on her chrome heels and collapsed to the floor.

Danielle had seen this before, but it still unnerved her. She wondered how long she’d need to be a Legionnaire before she’d grow accustomed to Nura Nal passing out when a flash from the future decided to hit her.

After a couple more seconds, Danielle began to wonder if she was right this time to be unnerved. “Dream Girl..?” she asked nervously. The pale-skinned woman was completely unresponsive, so Danielle crouched down and shook her. Nothing. Danielle’s cyberempathy picked up a transmission coming through to Dream Girl’s flight ring so she rerouted it to her own. “Color Kid,” she spoke first, “I think Dream Girl’s unwell...or it could be a psychic attack. Brainiac 5’s flight ring is close by you, I’m opening up this channel to—“

“Don’t bother,” Color Kid said glumly. “Instead, you’d better turn your attention to finding someone who can help them both.”

**********
EARTH
Bulgaria, Last Stout Bar

ROLL CALL
Dawnstar:
translightspeed flight, interstellar-range tracking
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation

Ayla Ranzz led the quartet of heroes in their descent through the chilly Balkan moonlight to land on the rubbish-strewn street outside the Last Stout Bar. “Dawny, I know this is a pointless question,” Ayla asked through a disgusted grimace, “But are you absolutely sure that bear woman is here?”

“Unfortunately so,” the winged Legionnaire replied with equal disdain for their grimy surroundings. “While my tracking power is generally much more efficient in the void of deep space, Star-Bear has a rather unique signature. I doubt she’d be able to hide anywhere from me.”

Light Lad watched a Science Police droid across the road taking a couple of raucous drunks into custody. “I see this place hasn’t become any more classy since the last time I was here.”

Lightning Lass guffawed. “You’ve been to this dump, Darvan? Grife, you’re just full of surprises!”

“On Legion business!” Darvan Locke clarified, his face flushed red. “Believe me, this isn’t my usual choice of entertainment venue.”

“I don’t mean to interrupt,” Elastic Lad chimed in as he elongated his torso to cover the bar’s large front facing window, “But gosh, I think we’re about to have some excitement!” Before the other three could respond, a blue-skinned man came hurtling through the window. Elastic Lad’s body protected everyone from the broken glass and also gave the unwilling makeshift projectile a safe landing. Inside the venue, a full bar fight had erupted with an eight foot tall bear in its centre. In case there remained any lingering doubts at all that she was their target, the bear seemed composed of a living starscape and her eyes were two incandescent orbs.

“Darvan, can you break that up before someone gets killed?” Ayla asked. “Dawny, get everyone else out of there would you? I want to have some words with this Star-Bear…those words mainly being zap and boom if you get my drift.” She held up hands crackling with electricity to accentuate her point.

Light Lad stood before the broken window and extended his arms. “Your wish is my command, pretty lady.” Gravity was suspended throughout the tiny bar, and staff and patrons alike rose into the air where they hovered confused.

Dawnstar’s lips turned down in a revolted scowl. She knew why Lightning Lass had asked her to carry out this task, nobody else could come anywhere near matching her speed. Darting in and out of that nauseating floating field of alcohol and food scraps was not going to be pleasant though and she knew she’d be a mess by the time she was finished. She sighed and reminded herself that nobody had ever promised a Legionnaire’s life would be glamorous. Several trips and scant seconds later, a couple dozen very dazed would-be brawlers found themselves unceremoniously deposited on the other side of the street where more Science Police droids awaited them.

Star-Bear had found herself as affected by Light Lad’s power as everyone else in the room, but unlike everyone else she could grow an extra couple of feet in height and brace herself between the floor and the ceiling. She bellowed a roar so loud that the remaining shards of glass still attached to the windowframe rattled and fell.

“I don’t understand you people,” Lightning Lass addressed the enormous cosmic creature, “We took your stupid Judgement League apart and gave you the opportunity for a fresh start wherever you wanted…and what do you do? Go straight back to terrorising innocent sentients across this continent. I don’t think I’ve ever been so glad to help the Science Police round up a bunch of bullies as I am right now.” Both arms glowing pink with electrical energy, Lightning Lass unleashed that power in a mighty bolt straight at the Star-Bear. For her part, the Russian she-bear roared in defiance and seemed completely unfazed. In fact, she almost seemed to relish the lightning arcing across her form.

Elastic Lad’s neck stretched so that he could peer over Ayla’s shoulder from where the rest of him was directing stragglers away from the fight scene several metres away. “I probably should have said something sooner, but gee whiz that was a really swell speech Lightning Lass! You’re really great at standing up to villains, if you don’t mind me saying so it’s actually very inspiring! I’m really happy to have had the chance to work with you today, you’re—“

“Elastic Lad!” Lightning Lass shouted. “Kind of in the middle of something here!!” She amped up her power and blasted Star-Bear again.

“Oh, right! Gosh, sorry!” He retracted his head for an instant before it reappeared once more right next to Lightning Lass’s own face. “Just wanted to let you know, I read the Science Police files on all of the Judgement League and they weren’t terribly comprehensive for a lot of their members, especially Star-Bear in particular which I guess makes sense as she seems to have come from several centuries in our past and it seems like Earth-Man went to a lot of gosh-darn effort to recruit people to his team who hadn’t really made a lot of impact in the history holos, which again I guess totally makes sense as he wouldn’t want to have disrupted the timeline - I mean he’s evil, but he’s not suicidal, and—“

Ayla threw two more blasts at Star-Bear while Elastic Lad was rambling, but she couldn’t take any more. Infuriated, she turned on him. “Elastic Lad! If you have a point, get to it!! I’m trying to take this stupid space bear out and nothing I’m doing has the slightest effect!”

“Oh! Uh, actually,” the red-haired youth replied awkwardly, “That’s what I wanted to tell you. I’m pretty sure she absorbs energy...I think you’re actually making her stronger."

Look out!!” Dawnstar slammed into Lightning Lass hard enough to knock the wind out of her and zoomed along the street with her, the snow on the ground kicking up in her wake. Star-Bear’s powerful leg muscles had kicked off the nearest surface and launched her like a cannonball straight into the ground where Ayla had been standing half a second ago. Elastic Lad’s neck quickly retracted to a safe distance from the giant cosmic bear as Star-Bear turned on her haunches with her fangs and claws exposed to deliver a powerfully threatening bellow at the heroes.

“Elastic Lad!” Lightning Lass called out. “Yes or no, can she fly??”

“No,” Jams-Ols 5 responded, and paused before continuing. “But she does have a host of super interesting—“

“Good enough for me!” Ayla cut him off. “Darvan?”

The ursine villain was already finding she needed to dig her powerful toes into the ground to fight Light Lad’s power; once he amplified it to actively hurl her several stories into the air she could do nothing more than flail in powerless rage. She expanded her size once more, using the energy she’d absorbed from Ayla’s assault to fuel her growth. This too proved futile, and in the end she had to admit defeat and shift back to the much more manageable human form of Ursula Yenova. “You Legionnaires are no fun!” the stocky woman hollered down at the heroes. “Can a lady not have a little ruckus in your future?!?

Lightning Lass cocked a thumb at the villain. “Can you believe her?” Ayla chuckled. “Where does she think she is, Rimbor?”

Light Lad laughed at Ayla’s remark, though as soon as he looked at her his smile faded. “Ayla, Dawnstar! Look!” Unwilling to release Ursula, he gestured with one hand.

Just past Lightning Lass, Elastic Lad’s elongated form lay limp and silent in the dirty snow.

**********
MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters, Brainiac 5’s multi-lab

ROLL CALL
Legion Academy
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole:
gravity manipulation
Laurel Kent: Legion intern, invulnerability
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: teacher, electricity generation and manipulation
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: teacher, telepathy
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

Legion of Superheroes
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
team leader, 12th level intelligence
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: intangibility
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation
Supergirl aka Kara Zor-El: Kryptonian physiology
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: deputy leader; ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

“Where’s Brainy?!” Garth Ranzz’s voice rang out in the large laboratory. “I need Brainy!!” Phantom Girl could hear the panic in his voice, and rushed to meet him as he came bursting into the lab with an unconscious Saturn Girl in his arms. Gravity Kid, Variable Lad and Laurel Kent were at their teachers’ side.

“Garth, please try to calm down.” Phantom Girl stood before him and tried to slow his pace. “Imra’s not the only—“

Where is Brainiac 5?!” the man also named Lightning Lad demanded furiously, his eyes tiny orbs of pale blue energy. “Imra needs his help, damn it!"

“Hey!” Supergirl appeared by Phantom Girl’s side, hovering so that she was a couple of inches taller than the Legion founder. “What Phantom Girl’s trying to tell you is that Brainy’s in the same position as Saturn Girl is. And they’re not the only ones, take a look around you Lightning Lad!”

Lightning Lad’s face was contorted with rage, but it softened as he saw that Brainiac 5, Dream Girl and Sun Boy were in individual beds being monitored by medical equipment. All of them were in deep sleep. “What…what happened?” Garth asked more quietly.

“We don’t know,” Supergirl returned to the ground. “But we’re trying to find out. It’s not just here. Lightning Lass is bringing Elastic Lad back now, he’s been affected by…whatever this is as well.”

“It’s not just the Legion of Superheroes either,” Ultra Boy approached and stood by Phantom Girl’s side. “Bouncing Boy tells me half the Time Institute are out of it, and Medicus One has been inundated with new patients. I don’t know what they’re supposed to do about it though, I mean something that works this quickly across half a solar system can’t be a disease…can it?”

“I don’t know, Jo.” Phantom Girl squeezed his hand. “Infectious Lass should be able to rule it out for sure, she’s on her way back to base now. I asked Kid Computo to help Gas Girl find out how far this has spread as well.”

“Thanks babe.” Ultra Boy kissed her on top of the head. “Come on Garth, let’s make sure Imra’s as comfortable as possible.”

**********
MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters, Mission Monitor Room

ROLL CALL
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii:
can transform into any gas
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy

“I don’t know if I should be glad or depressed that Brainy repaired this place so quickly after the Teallians attacked,” Kid Computo slumped in her seat. “It’s good that we’ve got access to our monitor room again, but none of this news is what I want to hear. It seems like every planet and outpost in the UP is suffering, there’s gonna be chaos if we don’t find an answer to this soon.”

“Tell me about it!” Gas Girl agreed emphatically. “I was on monitor duty when this all started anyway…with this happening so soon after the Teallian invasion, the Science Police have already had to respond to outbreaks of violence in some areas. I’m just calling Lallor now to see if — oh, Evolvo Lad! Hi!”

The visage of an absolutely ordinary looking man with mousy brown hair appeared before the two heroines. “Hello Gas Girl, I can see you’ve not used your personal channel to call so I suppose this must be Legion business?”

“You’re right,” Gas Girl smiled, “As usual. Actually, it might be your more evolved self whose help we need. Can you evolve for us?”

“You haven’t heard?” Evolvo Lad raised an eyebrow. “There’s a kind of psychic epidemic affecting minds across the UP—“

“I know,” Gas Girl interjected. “That’s why we need your hyperbrain. It’s affected all of our best intellects, we need someone smart enough to be able to help figure out what’s going on.”

“Tal, you’re not understanding.” Evolvo Lad shook his head. “I can’t evolve because then I’d fall victim to the same affliction. It’s not a coincidence that the smartest minds of the Legion have been affected…

…they’re the target.”

TO BE CONTINUED..!


**********
EDITOR'S NOTES:
* In this continuity, both Val Armorr and his successor Myg were members of the Legion of Superheroes as Karate Kid I & II. Val died fighting Nemesis Kid (and again in the past alongside one of Luornu Durgo's bodies which is a story for another time...), and Myg was killed by Radiation Roy while he was a retired Legionnaire.

* Light Lad has indeed been to the Last Stout Bar before on an adventure with Timber Wolf, you can read that here.

* Star-Bear is a homemade character, and was one of the Judgement League. She's a bawdy Russian lady from the Legion's past and from what we've seen of her so far she turns into a big ol' star-bear wink

*Gas Girl was of course a member of the Heroes of Lallor for years before she joined the Legion of Superheroes. Evolvo Lad is still a member of that team, and has the ability to assume a caveman-like devolved form or a highly evolved form with heightened intellect and some other neat tricks.

Another great installment, raz! Happy to see Evolvo Lad figuring things out even in his "normal" form. Elastic Lad falling sick almost threw me off, his manner isn't what I normally associate with scientific brilliance, but it takes all kinds.

At first I thought this might be related to Fire Lad, but it seems not!

nice to see the Judgment League still causing trouble. Not all of them are out and out villains I think - Star-Bear seems more a nuisance than a nutty bad guy - but they certainly make for interesting stories.

Any other Legionnaires going to fall sick? Mon-El, maybe?

Poor Danielle, I empathize with her, I'm just glad Nura is forgiving.
Good stuff Raz, thoroughly enjoyed it.

I really dig the Heavensent team, please have them back soon! Star Boy closing down Void was fun,as was Brainy's calm and collected leadership. He really would infuriate in real life but it's great to read. Im looking forward to how you deal with the mystery of the being Fire Lad is interested in; a genetically modified worshipper... hmm, that just sounds like good old disaster waiting to happen. Breks save of Staq was cool too, pun excused please.

Nura helping to train Danielle was nice to read, good followup to a previous storyline. A virus that attacks intelligence all across the galaxy at the same time: it must be psychic! I have no idea who could be responsible though and without their brains how will the Legionnaires fight it, am looking forward to the resolution.

Oh I love your Elastic Lad,he's too sweet! Nice scene dealing with the remnants of the Justice League.

More,more,more Raz,please.
Posted By: Omni Re: THE CONCEPTUAL VIRUS Part 1 of 3: Psydemic - 03/24/16 12:14 AM
I'm really curious as to why all the intellectuals are being taken out.
Does that mean Colu has been shut down or are they behind it?

Also how come Kid Computo wasn't affected? i would think she'd be taken out too.
Also i liked the fight scene with her and Dream Girl. but have to agree with Nura you have to know how to fight and not rely on your powers.

The Heavensent created a Mercuryian woman? hmm they are super scary but intriguing.

I love your original creations and Star-Bear was a rowdy fun brawl.
my favorite line was "what does she think this is, Rimbor?" lol
great work and can't wait for more.
Thanks again peeps! I am going to be bringing up the dregs of the Judgement League occasionally to haunt our heroes, there are certainly enough of them! The Heavensent in particular will be back for more trouble once they've licked their wounds...

It's always a kick seeing different people's perspective on the same thing re the characters that you'd think would or wouldn't be affected by an attack on intelligence.

My take on Elastic Lad is that while his personality is very gosh-wow, he's academically brilliant so I may have to give him some more shine in that respect some time to highlight it smile Kid Computo I don't really see as being particularly more intelligent than anyone else, I see her power more along the lines of just making computers do what she wants as opposed to her having any kind of in-depth understanding of what it is they're doing.

Oh, and for those of you who were wanting some focus on Light Lad, there's a development coming up which kinda jumped out of nowhere as I was writing it that I think y'all will like wink
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

ROLL CALL
Legion Academy:
Chemical Kid aka Hadru Jamik:
control of chemical reactions
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Glorith: sorceress
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Kid Quantum aka Jazmin Cullen: quantum field manipulation
Laurel Kent: Legion intern, invulnerability
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

Legion of Superheroes:
Blok:
magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: hyper-stimulated plant growth
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn: magnetism
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar-range tracking
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Fire Lad aka Staq Mavlen: fire-breathing
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
Invisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: wind control
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: intangibility
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cold and ice generation
Quislet: energy being, temporary matter animation
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone
Supergirl aka Kara Zor-El: Kryptonian physiology
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength & super-agility
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: deputy leader; ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

Ultra Boy paced the floor of the Legion’s colossal meeting room, hands folded tensely across his chest. Before him 32 other Legionnaires sat in a similarly agitated state, along with the student body of the Legion Academy.

“Okay!” Jo Nah announced loudly, catching the attention of dozens of metahumans in mid-conversation with one another. “This is what we’ve got. It looks like every sentient with a higher than usual level of intelligence in the entire UP has fallen victim to the same attack. Our leader who also happens to be the guy who usually does our thinking for us is one of those victims so we’re gonna have to figure out a way to fix this ourselves. Ideas?”

“How do we even know it’s an attack?” Wildfire asked. “Nobody’s come forward to claim responsibility!"

“It’s also worth noting that it’s affected sentients from all walks of life,” Chameleon Boy pondered out loud. “We’ve had reports from Takron-Galtos of prisoners experiencing the same symptoms as our own colleagues. If this is a pre-meditated attack, it’s very indiscriminatory.”

“There’s no virus or bacteria behind this,” Infectious Lass volunteered. “I’d know straight away.”

Ultra Boy stopped before Dragonmage. “Have we confirmed it’s not magic? It hit everyone at the same time, and I’d have no problem believing someone like Mordru could be powerful enough to pull this off.”

Dragonmage shook his head in response. “No, there’s definitely no sorcerous cause behind it. I also took the added precaution of asking Glorith to assist with a scrying spell in case my own magic wasn’t up to the task.” Hidden behind her hood, the introverted student sorceress nodded mutely at the sound of her name.

“If I may offer a suggestion,” Blok’s gravelly voice filled the room, “You said that all of the victims were affected at the same time Ultra Boy, but this is not entirely true. Reports do seem to have taken longer to arrive from certain worlds than others, this may indicate that there is an origin point from which this enigma has spread?”

Timber Wolf scoffed openly. “Pebblehead, you want us to go through data from sprock knows how many worlds to map some kinda pattern? By the time we do that our buddies could be dead!”

“I’ll do it,” Supergirl stood up. “If it helps Brainy and the others—“

“No,” Shrinking Violet disagreed. “I hate to say it, but Timber Wolf’s right. Factoring in how long it took for victims to be confirmed, how long it would take for the news to reach us…it’s an unrealistic goal, there must be a better use of our time.”

“Guys,” Kid Computo uttered before she was interrupted by Star Boy.

“There are nearly 50 of us in this room!” Thom shouted. “Surely we’re capable of following different trails! I’m not going to watch the woman I love die because some of us can’t look past their own cynicism to contribute anything helpful!”

“Guys!” Kid Computo spoke up a little louder.

“It’s not cynicism,” Shrinking Violet snapped. “It’s realism, Star Boy!”

Danielle Foccart tried a third time to get her team’s attention, but by this time the room had erupted into a chaotic din. Frustrated, she opened a channel to every one of their flight rings and broadcast her voice at maximum volume. “Guys!!” The room stopped and turned to her. Danielle sighed and spoke at her normal volume again. “Cyber-empathy, remember? I can collate all the data we need in a few minutes as soon as I’ve got access to it!”

“Okay then.” Ultra Boy took command before anybody had a chance to take them off course again. “Kid C, go do what you need to do and tell me what you come up with. Cham, keep working with the SP to look up any criminal leads. Matter-Eater Lad, take half the Academy to Colu. Laurel, take the other half to Cadmu. They’re the two most technologically advanced worlds in the UP, they’ve both lost a lot of their brains trust right now.”

Laurel Kent was visibly taken aback. “You - you’re sending me to lead a squad on my own? Without a Legion minder?”

“Is that wise, Ultra Boy?” Cosmic Boy began to rise from his seat. “I mean no disrespect to Laurel at all, but —“

“If I was wise, I’d be burning up in our sickbay right now with Brainy and the others,” Ultra Boy interrupted abruptly. “I’m doing the best I can in a lousy situation Cos, and we all need to do the same. We made Laurel an intern because we thought she had the stuff - this is her chance to prove it. She’ll be working with what’s left of the Neocaste, that’s more than we had a lot of the time when we were her age.”

“What about the rest of us?” Wildfire asked.

Ultra Boy had anticipated the question and answered without hesitation. “With a lot of the people who keep the UP running out of commission right now, there’s no shortage of craziness to keep us occupied. I’m sending you out to the places that can probably best use our help.”

Star Boy looked up from his holoscreen. “Ultra Boy, I don’t see my name anywhere on these squads.”

“That’s because we’re going to need someone to stay with Brainy and the others in the sickbay…you and Supergirl are it. And before either of you complain, you’re not being benched. We need to know straight away if their conditions change, and if this is the first stage of some kind of assault we’ll need to make sure they’ve got protection while they can’t defend themselves.” Ultra Boy stood up and walked towards the door. “Right then, let’s go Legion!”

As the team took their deputy leader’s lead and made their way out of the room, Kid Computo pushed through her teammates to catch Jo Nah before he got too far away. “Ultra Boy, wait!”

Ultra Boy stopped in his tracks, Phantom Girl at his side. “What is it, Kid C?”

“I think I’ve got the point of origin that Blok talked about, and well…I know what Drura said, but she might have ruled out this being a disease a little too soon.”

Ultra Boy’s eyes widened. “Wait, you’ve scoured through that data already?

“Sure,” Danielle shrugged. “I told you it’d take me no time once I had access to it! I just linked in from my console while the rest of you guys were finishing up with the meeting.”

“That’s brilliant, Danielle!” Phantom Girl smiled warmly at her younger teammate. “What makes you think Infectious Lass might be wrong though?”

“If I’m right…and I don’t see any reason to think otherwise…all of this started on Medicus One!”

Ultra Boy hoped that it was just a morbid coincidence that this mysterious event had come from Earth’s most famous medical facility. What kind of disease could affect an entire galaxy almost simultaneously? And how could the Legion begin to fight that? “Let me juggle some of the squad rosters,” Jo replied. “I’ll give you a team to take there, see what you can dig up.”

**********
LEGION OF SUPERHEROES HEADQUARTERS
Sickbay

ROLL CALL
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
12th level intelligence, team leader
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: reserve member, electricity generation and manipulation
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: reserve member, telepathy
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Supergirl aka Kara Zor-El: Kryptonian physiology
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation

The first thing that Star Boy and Supergirl saw when they entered the Legion’s highly advanced sickbay was Lightning Lad hunched over his wife’s inert form. He gripped one of her hands tightly in his own and his eyes were bloodshot. In individual beds beside Saturn Girl lay the four active members of the team who had also been stricken. “Grife, Garth.” Star Boy placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “You look terrible, pal. Why don’t you take a break and go get some fresh air?”

Lightning Lad was visibly startled at the touch. “No,” he said a little too sharply. “I need to be here for when Imra wakes up.”

“Do you want me to get you anything?” Supergirl asked. “A drink, something to eat?”

“I’m fine,” he uttered through gritted teeth. He saw the look that Thom and Kara exchanged, and released a deep exhalation. “I’m sorry,” he apologised. “I know you’re just trying to help and I know how I must look. I haven’t left Imra’s side since she collapsed. It’s just…since all of this started I’ve been feeling an escalating tension, beyond just being worried sick about the woman I love and feeling helpless. I think…I think it’s our rapport, I can’t help but get a sense of the pain she must be feeling. And it’s getting worse every minute, and I can’t do a damn thing but watch her suffer.” His voice cracked and he looked as though he were being torn apart on the inside.

Supergirl felt a pang of sympathy. She was filled with dread for Brainiac 5, she couldn’t imagine how much worse this must be for Lightning Lad having to watch his wife suffer the same fate. Kara silently chided herself; this whole time she’d been with the Legion, she’d treated it like one extended vacation. In her heart of hearts, she didn’t really know how she felt about Brainiac 5. There was definitely a connection there, one which was strong enough to have prevented her from pursuing a burgeoning attraction to Shadow Lad when he’d been on the team. But while Kara had only been absent from the team for months, years had passed for the Legion. She’d become a part of Brainiac 5’s past before he’d even been a real part of her life at all.

The blonde Kryptonian stood by Querl Dox’s side and uttered a silent prayer to Rao that he wasn’t fated to become one more person for her to have loved and lost. She knew one thing for certain, this was her life now…and if Brainiac 5 recovered then Kara Zor-El would do everything in her considerable power to find out exactly what role she wanted him to play in it.

**********
MEDICUS ONE
Earth orbit

ROLL CALL
Blok:
magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis

As their cruiser docked with Medicus One, six heroes waited patiently for the airlock door to open and grant them entry to the renowned medical satellite. “There’s something I don’t understand,” Light Lad puzzled. He looked up at Blok, one of the only Legionnaires the tall Winathian actually could look up to. “Why do you think it is that you haven’t you been affected by whatever this is, Blok? Your intelligence was enhanced along with your physical characteristics, right?”

The stone giant’s head turned toward Darvan with a slight creaking sound, the golden veins which covered his surface glinting as they caught the light. “I have considered the matter myself,” Blok replied thoughtfully. “In truth, I do not know. It may be that the wisdom of Solomon is not a quantifiable intelligence in the sense that United Planets sentients generally consider. Perhaps the magical origin of my amplified power protects me, or perhaps some such as myself, Supergirl and Mon-El are simply hardy enough to resist whatever has caused this ailment. We may find the answer to your question here if we are fortunate, Light Lad.”

“I’m surprised Sun Boy’s down and out with the others,” Kid Computo remarked. “He never really struck me as being particularly umm…gifted.”

“Since leaving Hykraius,” Tellus volunteered, “I have found that most sentients possess more depth than they display…Sun Boy exemplifies this truth as much as anybody I have encountered.”

With an almost silent whoosh, the Legionnaires saw Dr Richard Kent Shakespeare standing in place of a closed metal door. He was broad-shouldered and square-jawed, but his holo-star looks were currently tempered by obvious exhaustion. “Kent!” Infectious Lass rushed forward. “Thanks so much for greeting us, I know you must be terribly busy!”

“Busy isn’t the word for it,” he squeezed Drura’s hand in his own gloved hands. “You know I’ve always got time for you though, especially if the Legion can help us get to the bottom of this. Our best minds are out of commission and the rest of us are struggling to even come to terms with the scope of this tragedy, let alone find out what’s causing it.”

“I hope this doesn’t come out the wrong way,” Infectious Lass continued as the beleaguered doctor led them through the hospital, “But I’m glad you weren’t affected.”

“I won’t lie,” Kent gave her a sardonic smirk, “It’s a little bit of a blow to the ego, but I’m not really in a position to complain.”

“Grife,” Danielle whispered to Dragonmage, “I can see why my brother’s jealous of this guy…he’s the whole package, isn’t he?”

“I…suppose..?” the young sorcerer agreed weakly. For all of his mystical knowledge, he had precious little experience in the sphere of relationships. Infectious Lass had told them on the way here that Dr Shakespeare was the first friend she'd made after leaving her planet. Surely if there were any romantic interest between them it would have developed before now…once again, Xao Jin was reminded that life’s capacity for education was infinite.

“Dr Shakespeare, do you have any idea at all where this may have originated?” Light Lad asked. He’d expected the satellite to be in chaos, but while medical staff were rushing perhaps a little more anxiously than usual from one task to the next this was a far cry calmer than he knew any Winathian hospital would be right now. It seemed there was a reason Medicus One enjoyed the sterling reputation that it did.

“We have no idea where this came from,” Kent answered wearily. “Honestly, until you contacted us to let us know our facility was the origin point we didn’t even know that much. Oh, and please…call me Kent, Light Lad.”

“Only if you call me Darvan,” the attractive strawberry blond shot back automatically.

Blok had a sudden inspiration. “Are there any patients or staff on board whom you would expect to be impacted by this malady but have not been? If this is a conscious attack of some kind, it stands to reason that its culprit must be highly intelligent themselves to have orchestrated all of this.” He didn’t want to voice his suspicions aloud just yet, but the Dryadian very clearly remembered when the villainous Universo had almost permanently defeated the Legion of Superheroes by isolating its most intelligent members.

“Not to the best of my knowledge,” Kent gave the question some consideration. “There are a lot of sentients on board this satellite though, and I don’t personally know all of them. I guess I could have one of our personnel droids compile a list…bear in mind that it won’t be complete, I mean we don’t generally give people an IQ test before they come on board.”

“But you do run psychological profiles, right?” Light Lad piped up. “I mean it’s a necessary part of the screening process for new staff and it should be part of a holistic health approach for a large cross-section of patients!”

“A fellow professional I see,” Kent grinned.

Darvan cleared his throat, mildly embarrassed. “I was an orderly back home…on Winath, I mean. But yeah, I guess I paid attention. If you’d be happy to let Kid Computo and me at your database, I think working together we should be able to come up with some way to track the results we’re looking for…and let you get back to helping the people who really need you right now.”

Kent turned down a corridor and led the Legionnaires to a small empty office. “Seems like maybe you were lucky to escape a hospital bed too, Darvan! Quite the brain on you…feel free to use this office and feel free to let me know if there’s anything else I can do to assist.” He left the Legionnaires and continued through the satellite on his own.

Light Lad watched the muscular doctor depart, flinching when Danielle Foccart poked him in the ribs. “If you’re done admiring each other’s brains,” she teased, “Let’s get started.”

**********
It wasn’t long before Light Lad and Kid Computo had found the anomaly for which they’d been searching. As they walked through the satellite’s lower levels, Danielle shared with the Legionnaires what it was that she and Darvan had discovered. “Doctors Marlak Moris, Carta Zorlo and Wlasky Slav,” the young girl gleaned directly from the data bouncing around them invisibly throughout Medicus One. “Three Titanian specialists in the fields of neurology and psychology. Guys, they’re ticking every one of the crazy villain boxes…they’ve been in trouble with various authorities and ethics committees on Titan and abroad, and from their notes they came to Medicus One along with around a million other scientists and doctors to study Durran Mahn with some kind of grand plan in mind.”

“I’m sorry,” Dragonmage interrupted, “Who is Durran Mahn..?”

“A Somahturian refugee,” Danielle explained. “My brother and I saved him from some of the Judgement League a little while back.”

“Is Somahtur not your homeworld, Infectious Lass?” the electronic monotone of Tellus’ voice modulator sounded.

“It is,” Drura answered quietly. “My people aren’t supposed to leave Somahtur, our natural state is to share our bodies with the small life of the universe - the viruses and bacteria that make everybody else sick. Some of us though…some of us love our world more than anything, but we want more out of existence. We want to see the stars and the planets, and the wide teeming life which exists outside of the life that we already know. So we break quarantine to leave our planet. This boy Durran found out what I discovered when I left Somahtur…life is hard for a Somahturian off-world. The people who aren’t scared of us see as lab specimens. I know it’s necessary for him to be quarantined here until it’s safe for him and everyone else for him to leave…but it’s not at all fun.”

“Which brings us to the Titan Triad’s lair.” Kid Computo stopped outside a sealed door adorned with holographic Interlac signs telling them in no uncertain terms that intrusion was unwelcome. “They’ve been holed up in this lab with our Somahturian friend since before any of this began, and looking at their history they definitely qualify as smart enough to be affected by this thing. Transuits on just in case everyone, I’ll — huh.”

“What is it, Danielle?” Infectious Lass asked.

“They’ve shut themselves off from the rest of Medicus One’s network,” Danielle Foccart stood with her hands on her hips. “That’s rude!”

“I could use my telekinesis to gain entry,” Tellus offered, “Though I am not sensing any active minds inside, Kid Computo. They may have left if their plan has come to fruition already?”

“I don’t think so,” Danielle concentrated, sticking the tip of her tongue out from between clamped lips. “Psi-baffling technology, I’m shutting it down now. Lots of standard privacy tech too, they really didn’t want to be interrupted! The day hasn’t come that a computer said no to me though.” She theatrically threw her arms wide and the thick lab door opened in accord. “Ta-daah!”

“Allow me to enter first,” Blok took point. “We do not know what dangers we shall face inside.”

“I don’t think that’s likely to be an issue, Blok.” Light Lad stepped around the large hero and made his way to three wizened old men laying dead on the floor, their eyes staring glassy at the ceiling. “I recognise them from their holos, this is Moris, Zorlo and Slav.”

“Durran? Durran Mahn?” Infectious Lass saw a chalk-white arm exposed in a plexiglass tube and approached. “Durran, we’re here to—“ Drura Sehpt screamed, an unholy wail that brought the other Legionnaires racing to her side.

Before them lay the Somahturian teen, but he was far beyond their help. The top of his head had been cut open, and all sorts of exotic wires and tools pierced his exposed brain. Needles fed fluid in to and out of his naked body from the neck down. Drura hid her face in her hands and Kid Computo placed a comforting arm around her brother’s girlfriend’s shoulders.

“What - what did they do to this poor boy?” Dragonmage blanched when he saw the alien corpse.

“I don’t know,” Light Lad answered stonily. “But whatever it was, it was nothing good.”

On a console near the deceased Dr Zorlo, Blok alone noticed a small flashing line of text at the console he’d obviously been working on when he collapsed:

CONCEPTUAL VIRUS: Gestation Complete


...TO BE CONCLUDED!


EDITOR'S NOTES:
* The Neocaste are the superhero caste of Cadmu, Elastic Lad's home planet.
* While this is the first time he's been named, Durran Mahn was indeed rescued by Kid Computo and Invisible Kid, and you can read all about that here!
Wow! Tons of nice stuff here, raz.

I loved Jo taking control of the meeting, and acknowledging his own lack of "wisdom". But his reasoning was sound, as was the way he explained it (we made Laurel an intern because we trust her, Thom and Kara aren't being benched...)

Loved Kara's introspection.

I also loved the discussion on which Legionnaires are affected. Easy to see how some newer ones would be surprised by Dirk. Happy also to see the question on Blok (and Kara and Lar), I also assumed either Kara or Lar might be smart enough (though you wisely left it open to debate, it could be they just come from scientifically advanced worlds but are NOT truly that much more intelligent than the average).

Kent! I love how you wrote him, confident but not arrogant, and very charming. I could feel the pheromones flying. Darvan and Kent? Why not? And if I were Jacques I would definitely be jealous too.

Oh, poor Durran...

Nice detective work on the group's part as well.

And it was nice "seeing" the entire remaining Legion membership together in one meeting!

Looking forward to the ending!
Raz, hi there, I'm loving your Conceptual Virus storyline.

You write jo well, his taking charge of the meeting and being shrewd enough to keep the huge team occupied, including the Academy kids. Danielle taking control of the groups flight rings was a great moment too.

Karas doubts and Thoms anger were nice character moments too.

Kid C's team to Medicus One was an interesting mix of characters. I didn't realise Jacques was jealous of Kent though after your description I can understand why, and Kents honesty at his feelings about not being intelligent enough was also very endearing. Light Lad flirting with him was perfectly understandable after the description you wrote wink

Durran Mhan had a gruesome ending, the poor boy. I'm looking toward the conclusion Raz, great stuff! More, more, more!
Thanks peeps! Kent & Darvan literally took me by surprise...I had no intention of writing any kind of flirting between them and then BAM there it was...and now I am happy to find out where it will lead laugh

Ultra Boy is really one of the pillars of the team in my mind...I see him as one of those Legionnaires who doesn't really go out of his way to make himself a commanding presence, but you'd notice if he weren't there.

I like writing stories like this every now and then where there's not really a "villain" to fight as such...I find it gives me a lot more room to explore characterisation for a lot of characters, even if it's just dropping a line like Jacques being jealous of Kent - it fleshes out personalities in my mind and gives me ideas for stuff that might be worth following up in the future smile
Raz you've done it again. this was another great post.

I loved Kid Computo's moment in the sun so to speak.
"You're done already?" good moment.

Ultra boy is a rather good leader for the most part. he's a lot better than i thought and well thought out. but makes sense he did used to be a gang member/leader right?" i liked how he answered Kara and Thom before they could say anything.

which i also like his reasoning for sending Laurel out without a minder. its cool and i really can't wait to see how she does.

i liked Blok and Light lad trying to figure out why Blok wasn't affected. its a good question indeed.

Poor Garth. i feel for him.
your team to Medicus One is pretty powerful and all of them are faves of mine.
I'll agree the interaction between Kent and Light Lad was cute and i hope that goes somewhere nice. i think Light Lad could use a little romance.

Another great Kid Computo moment. You've given her some real personality that i don't really remember her having in the Batch SW6 days. "Ta-DA!" lol love it.

Wow a Conceptual Virus...i wonder how far reaching that could be. that poor boy but great description in that scene. i would be horrified to look and would be able to look away. The virus obviously took out its creators.

Looking forward to the next installment.
Thanks Omni! I had a look at how often I've used various characters and I'm kinda surprised that Kid Computo is in the top 10! Even though I haven't really done much to consciously develop her I guess I must have been writing her enough that I have given her some presence.

You actually inspired me to focus a bit on Laurel with the next instalment....I was using that mission originally just to give her something to do off-screen as it were, but I have incorporated it more into the actual story after reading your comment so thanks! smile
Bad news bears! My mac has died and it kindly waited till I was about a paragraph away from finishing the last chapter....this will teach me not to store stuff on the cloud :|

Anyway sorry for the delay but hopefully will be sorted soon! smile
Sorry to hear raz! I hate when that happens to me too... hope your mac is ok smile
Seems that technology is conspiring against us Raz, where's Brainy and Danielle when we need them? :-)
Hey Raz, haven't seen you around for a while so hope it's because you had a huge lottery win and are off being awesome in excessively decadent luxury.

If not, hope all is good though and you pop in past soon to continue your tales for us.
Hi all, I am still alive! laugh

After my old laptop died and refused several resurrection efforts, I also misplaced all my Legion notes and a bunch of real life stuff kind of took precedence so I haven't really had a chance to get back to writing anything yet (or even get on the board at all really!)....however, I now have a new PC and I randomly found all my story notes the other day so I am gonna take it as a sign that I should try to get my Legion up and running again! Hopefully will have the final chapter of the conceptual virus story up this week smile
Wonderful news! The last part ended on such a wonderful cliffhanger. happy to see you back smile
Hoorah
It has been a long time! Thanks for your patience everyone, hope the conclusion is worth it! Just something quick I wanted to note before y'all jump in - I have taken a page out of Harbinger's book and changed the way I depict telepathy. Till now I was doing telepathic speech in italics, but I also use italics to stress words anyway...so from this post on, I will be showing telepathic speech <like this>. Hope you don't mind Harbi! smile

CADMU
Geddu Precinct

ROLL CALL
Legion Academy:
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole:
gravity manipulation
Laurel Kent: Legion intern, invulnerability
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation


Led by the Neocaste hero Quill King, four Legion Academy students descended through the Cadmu skies. Windowless buildings towered all around them, creating artificial canyons hundreds of stories deep. For all the advanced architecture here though, the neophyte heroes had seen barely a sign of life since their arrival.

"They call this the science planet, right?" Lullabye Lad asked their guide. "Whatever it is taking out all the geniuses must have hit Cadmu hard, it's like a ghost world here!"

"We have been affected more than a lot of other worlds," the aptly-named Quill King conceded, "But honestly, there's not a heck of a lot more sentients out and about even normally. Our population is a lot lower than the UP average, and most everything on Cadmu is automated. Anyway, this is our destination." He gestured to a balcony below them jutting out of one of the ubiquitous towers. "The Sklarian raiders our security web enountered are down there. They've disabled both security and sensors, but once we get inside the building I should be able to access those systems manually."

"We might be able to go one better," Laurel Kent offered. "Ultra Boy sent us here to help, time we earned our keep! Variable Lad, do you have a form with extranormal senses?"

Two of the young Jaquaan's three arms gripped his large purple head. "Extranormal...hmm, like penetra-vision..?" His features contorted in concentration and he transmorphed into a wiggling mass of hundreds of segmented wormlike strands that wasn't remotely humanoid.

Lullabye Lad was visibly disgusted but Gravity Kid and Laurel both managed to hide their instinctive revulsion. Laurel had seen Chameleon Boy and Chameleon Girl change shape dozens of times during her time at the Academy, but Variable Lad's transformations were always so much more unsettling. For his part, Quill King stared in open awe. "That's amazing!" the Cadmian hero beamed. "To be able to rewrite your own biology like that in an instant...we Neocaste have a variety of powers of course, but we're all limited within our individual powersets! How do you initiate the change, Variable Lad? How do you regulate your transformations?"

"Good questions, but maybe best kept for another time," Gravity Kid stepped in. "Oaa, what can you sense?"

"I don't have penetra-vision like I was hoping," a mouth somewhere deep inside the eyeless mass mumbled, "But this form does have a kind of hyperspatial awareness. It's difficult to describe my perceptions, but I can lead you to the raiders. There are six of them and they're armed. It looks like they're stealing data from that room there." Several of Variable Lad's thin appendages intertwined to form a thicker tendril and gestured at one of the building's walls.

"That's one of our top genelabs," Quill King scowled. "They could be taking highly sensitive research! Normally I wouldn't recommend casual destruction of property, but we don't have time to get in there using conventional means!"

"Say no more," Laurel gave a cheeky smirk. "Grav--"

"I'll get us in," Gravity Kid interrupted abruptly. "Everyone, be careful - Sklarian raiders have given the Legion a hard time in the past. Even without the mass-shifting powers some of them have, they're dangerous."

"It's so cute when you go into protective mode," Lullabye Lad teased his boyfriend.

Gravity Kid blushed slightly and flew ahead of the others without responding. Turning his attention to the wall that Variable Lad had pointed out, his power warped the gravitational forces around it and a moment later it had crumpled under its own vastly magnified weight.

Inside the sterile laboratory, three of the yellow-skinned women reacted almost immediately. Blaster fire converged on Gravity Kid before the stunned hero had a chance to even announce himself.

"You should follow your own advice," Laurel remarked with a hint of sarcasm as she darted in front of him to shield him from the barrage. "Sklarian raiders are dangerous, remember?"

"It's rude to come to my planet and steal our things, and it's extremely rude to shoot at our guests," Quill King taunted the women. He returned their fire with a volley of his own quills, disarming two of the criminals. While they struggled with the quills embedded in their arms, the third shooter realised that Laurel must be invulnerable and turned her gun on Quill King.

"You're really not very nice, are you?" Lullabye Lad pouted. "By the way, that was my boyfriend you just tried to kill so you're lucky the worst I can do is put you nasty nassheads to sleep!" The Zwennite teenager's power was less dynamic than some of his fellow students, but no less effective. All three of the Sklarians slumped to the floor unconscious.

"We've got what we need and killing a pack of stupid children and some backwater superhero doesn't interest me in the slightest," the most muscular of the remaining women barked. "Let's get out of here." She leaped from the hole that Gravity Kid had created and fell straight down. A few stories below, she pulled two massive knives from sheathes across her back and plunged the knives into the wall of the building. The knives brought her to a halt and powerful leg muscles kicked her off the wall to a walkway circling the neighbouring tower. The last two raiders phased through the floor of the genelab to the room below.

"Gravity Kid," Laurel faced her fellow student. "Go after--"

"I'm on it!" he cut Laurel off again. Gravity Kid began to follow the knifewoman as she fled across balconies and elevated walkways, but Laurel intercepted him and placed a hand on his exposed chest before he could fly more than a couple of feet.

"No!" she snapped, annoyed. "Quill King and I can handle the one with the knives, the other two can phase! You and Lullabye Lad are the only ones whose powers will affect them, take Variable Lad with you so you can track them down!"

Tel hated to admit it, but she was right. Grudgingly, he collected the other boys and left Laurel and Quill King together. "I hope we haven't lost her," Laurel muttered as she veered off in pursuit of her prey. "If Tel didn't insist on grandstanding every possible nano the opportunity presented itself we might have had them all by now!"

"Gravity Kid seems very eager to prove himself," Quill King replied. "Try not to be too hard on him."

"I think he's just jealous the Legion gave me an internship and not him," the indestructible girl continued. "I mean I get it, he's all about joining the Legion of Superheroes and then I come back and he must think I stole his thunder...but how does he think I feel? My friends are actual Legionnaires and I'm still the baby of the -- watch out!" She caught a gleam in her peripheral vision and raced to block three shining daggers flying straight at her Cadmian ally. One of the blades bounced harmlessly off of Laurel's outstretched arm, but the second took a gash out of Quill King's shoulder and the third struck his flight belt. The device sparked and sputtered, and Quill King plummeted like a rock.

Laurel looked from the swiftly falling Quill King to his attacker perched on a ledge above. She was reasonably certain she could take the blue-haired Sklarian out with a quick charge attack, but she wasn't at all confident she'd be quick enough to fight her and rescue Quill King as well. "Sprock it!" Laurel snarled through gritted teeth as she dived after him. She knew she was handing the woman her escape on a platter, but there was no contest. If there was one lesson that Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel had drummed into Laurel Kent above all others, it was that saving lives always took precedence over beating up bad guys. Her flight ring enabled Laurel to catch up to him easily, and her unbreakable skin meant his quills were no threat to her. She manouvred herself beneath him and matched his speed, grabbing him around the waist and taking him to a nearby balcony. "We better get you to a medical facility," Laurel said as she helped him stand. "How are you feeling?"

"It's just a surface wound," Quill King answered. "And I heal quickly, the wound is already starting to close over."

Laurel could see that he had in fact stopped bleeding and the cut seemed smaller than it had been moments ago. "I'm so sorry," she blurted. "We came here to help and we didn't help at all. Maybe Cosmic Boy was right, maybe I'm not ready for this."

"And maybe Gravity Kid is not the only student overly eager to prove himself," Quill King smiled wryly. "You saved my life, Laurel Kent - and I'm under no illusions as to my ability to be able to deal with those raiders alone. I guarantee you I wouldn't have had any more success if you'd not been here."

"I guess," the blue-eyed girl stared glumly into Cadmu's skies above. She knew that she should be focusing on her successes as much as her failures, that was something else her teachers had drummed into her. She couldn't help but feel however that her failure today was going to have more of an impact than her successes would...

**********
MEDICUS ONE
Earth orbit

ROLL CALL
Blok:
magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis


Dr Richard Kent Shakespeare leaned back from a floating pile of hardlight screens in an advanced laboratory space nestled in the bowels of Medicus One. It was here that the men whom Kid Computo had named the Titan Triad had conducted the ghoulish experiments which had left both their unwilling patient and themselves dead. Kent had just spent half an hour trying his best to comprehend exactly what it was that they'd done, and more importantly how every other impacted sentient in the United Planets could be spared from the same grim doom. A sonic mat thrummed almost imperceptibly as it supported Kent's muscled back, and he swivelled in his orthopedic seat to face six Legionnaires anxiously awaiting his diagnosis.

Kent pinched the bridge of his nose. "I...think...I can confirm what Blok gleaned from this data when he read through it himself. It seems that our rather ambitious Titanian doctors were on a mission to elevate the cognitive abilities of every sentient in the United Planets to Coluan standards; which might be a laudable goal if they'd not had to torture this poor Somahturian boy to death to achieve it or if they'd perhaps asked the average citizen of the United Planets if we wanted to undergo a procedure so far divorced from any accepted medical practice that it might as well be sorcery. No offence, Dragonmage."

"None taken, Doctor." The green-clad teenager nodded respectfully.

"There are some viruses that can force a host's body to strengthen certain characteristics as an immune response," Infectious Lass mused aloud. "Kathooni Divine Touch very occasionally gives its victims super-strength as a farewell gift....I mean, nothing on Night Girl's level of course, but greater than Kathooni people are normally capable of achieving on their own. Do you think those horrible...things...they did to Durran Mahn were meant to replicate something like that, but for brains..?"

"I don't know, Drura..." Light Lad bit his thumbnail. "...Giving someone increased strength is actually pretty easy with modern bioscience. I mean whether you're changing the physical makeup of someone's muscle and bone structure or playing around with adrenal output or whatever, it's not....well, it's not brain surgery, is it? But there's a reason we compare anything difficult to brain surgery, because brains are so much more complex. I can't see a virus being able to effect that kind of a change on a large scale, especially when we're talking about a diverse range of species like we know have been afflicted..."

"Umm, I don't want to be that guy," Kid Computo raised her hand to speak, "But Light Lad, I think you're overanalysing this. You don't have any screws loose. You know it's a super irresponsible idea to go around designing viruses to transform people's brains en masse...these guys were obviously space crazy and they made their dumb virus thinking it would work and then--" she paused to mime a knife slicing her throat and took on the melodramatic tone of a horror holo presenter "--they paid the price! Seems pretty cut and dry to me!"

Darvan sighed in exasperation. "Danielle, please don't use that term...you know I hate it when the psychologically unwell are used for a punchline. And stop watching those shinzy old holos your brother keeps digging up," he added as an afterthought to ease the tension. Danielle made a silly face at him in response. All of these Legionnaires were out of their element and all of them were acutely aware that if they didn't do their absolute best to work with what they had, they'd be letting down not only their friends but a large portion of the galaxy. The frustration was starting to wear on even the most easy-going of them.

"I see where you're both coming from," Kent cut in diplomatically. "Darvan is right however...expecting one virus, even a custom-made virus, to be able to physically restructure the brains of countless sentients, and at the speed this has happened...it's not feasible. And these men may have had absolutely abhorrent ethics, but all three of them were incredibly gifted intellectually. They'd have known immediately that wasn't a path worth taking."

"Then...there is no virus..?" Tellus asked in plain confusion.

Now it was Kent who sighed, though his vexation was borne of the knowledge that everything he was about to say was almost purely guesswork. Still, Blok had come to the same conclusion while Kent was en route to the lab, and when all was said and done it was the only lead they had to work with. As completely unbelievable as it seemed, it must be the truth. He cleared his throat, stood up and straightened his posture. If he was going to try and sell this, he'd have to present as much confidence as he could muster.

"It seems that the Titanian doctors used psitech of their own construction to twist Durran Mahn's symbiosis with viruses and bacteria to create an...an entirely new class of life. A conceptual virus. I mean, it's...it's basically a destructive meme. It's the most outlandish thing I've ever come across, I can't even believe I'm standing here talking about it with you all."

"I don't get it," Danielle Foccart shrugged. "You're saying they only created the idea of a virus? How could that possibly be dangerous?"

"Ideas can be very dangerous in a figurative sense," Kent replied. "In this case though, the danger's more literal than symbolic. This conceptual virus travels at the speed of thought from one mind to the next trying to infect everyone it comes across. The intention was for it to plant itself in our minds, to change the way we use our synaptic networks in an effort to comprehend it, and in doing so essentially upgrade our minds."

"So what went wrong?" Light Lad asked.

"My best guess," the brawny doctor continued, "Is that the conceptual virus succeeds in altering synaptic behaviour too well. Looking at both bio-scans and psi-scans knowing what we know now, it's not hard to believe that our patients' condition is a result of their minds burning themselves out trying to comprehend an incomprehensible idea."

"I have a question," Infectious Lass asked once she'd processed everything Kent had just told them.

"Why aren't we sick?" Kent anticipated his longtime friend's concern. He gave a dark chuckle. "Ironically, we're not smart enough to grasp the concept in the first place. This memetic organism which was intended to improve our mental faculties is so advanced that it requires a higher than normal level of intelligence for it to take root at all."

"So what we're looking at," Kid Computo summarised, "Is a virus which only exists as a thought, so Infectious Lass can't control it...and a thought which is too advanced for Tellus to comprehend so he can't control it. So basically...we're sprocked."

"There is always hope," Dragonmage countered his teammate. "Even if we can't see that just yet."

Blok, who had been pondering the situation in silence this whole time, finally joined the discourse. "Perhaps if we cannot comprehend this threat sufficiently to combat it, we need to change the way we are looking for it."

"I am not certain that I understand," Tellus confessed.

"I definitely don't understand," Kid Computo agreed with the Hykraian.

"We know that Tellus cannot detect the conceptual virus," Blok explained, "Just as most of us here are incapable of detecting viruses in the physical world without specialised tools. Infectious Lass can detect and interact with viruses on the physical plane, but she has no ability to access the psionic plane."

Infectious Lass beamed as she picked up on where Blok was heading. "...You think Tellus and I might succeed working together where we've failed individually?"

Tellus remembered his recent mind merge with Wildfire, the way his interpretation of his surroundings had so drastically altered. "My friends, I believe this plan is worth further investigation. Infectious Lass, I must warn you that the level of rapport necessary for this will involve a true blending of our innermost selves. Simple telepathic contact will not suffice for us to be able to combine our perceptions as Blok has suggested. I assure you there is no danger, but we will be connected on a deeper level than I know to describe. If privacy is a concern--"

"I can surrender my privacy for the chance to save our friends," Drura interrupted without hesitation. "How do we do this?"

"I recommend that you make yourself comfortable," the electronic monotone of Tellus' voice modulator instructed before he continued telepathically, <And allow my mind to wash over yours.>

Soon, Drura Sehpt sat in a slightly reclined chair with her eyes closed and her hands clasped loosely in her lap. Tellus was motionless before her, his massive forelimbs supporting his weight with his smaller hindlimbs and tail curled beneath him. His helmeted face was mere inches from Drura's white skin, the pods on his back gradually shifting through a variety of soft pastel colours.

Kent Shakespeare watched the two in open fascination while Light Lad allowed himself a slight smirk at Kent's expression. Darvan knew that blend of awe and curiosity well, he'd experienced it himself many times when he'd first joined the Legion. Dragonmage had taken advantage of the lull to retreat to a corner of the lab where he floated now in restorative meditation, and Blok subtly kept a protective eye over all of them. Kid Computo had grown tired of observing Tellus and Infectious Lass almost immediately; she didn't see the appeal in watching her teammates just sit there like statues, and at any rate it was way more fun watching Kent and Darvan's growing attraction play out before her. Danielle understood the gravity of the situation as well as any of them, but she thought it was cute that in the midst of all of this two people could still make a connection.

Drura Sehpt looked around without opening her eyes. The material confines of Medicus One were ethereal, walls so ghostly she felt she could dispel them like dye in water with a wave of her hand. By contrast, Kent Shakespeare and Drura's fellow Legionnaires glowed with a warm interior light which somehow gave them more substance than the space station enclosing them. Beyond the now translucent walls she could see other lights, sentients living and breathing all around them. She looked down, and saw her own phantom body sitting peacefully. Drura flinched at the sight.

<All is well>, Tellus soothed her. The Hykraian's astral form glowed brighter than any of them combined and in a way that Drura was unable to enunciate, his light was combined with hers while still somehow separate. <Joined at this level we simply share perceptions,> he explained gently.

His intent washed over Drura like a warm tide and she found herself comforted by that more than his words. <Tellus, is this what it's like for you all the time?> she asked in wonder. <Is this how you see the world?>

<In a manner of speaking,> Tellus replied. <My own senses have not overcome yours, Infectious Lass. With this bond and by the grace of Great Mother Ocean, we compliment one another equally. This experience is new for me also; I never realised that your bond with the small life of the universe was so joyous!> Drura could feel it plainly; Tellus was no less awestruck than she. She savoured the feeling. Drura had long since resigned herself to the knowledge that in choosing the life she had chosen, she'd given up the unique sense of community that she'd had on Somahtur. Even Jacques with all of his affection for her couldn't comprehend what it meant for Drura to share herself with countless numbers of microscopic lifeforms. On her homeworld, a Somahturian's bond with small life was almost a sacred thing; anywhere else in the galaxy it was seen as a useful if discomforting asset at best and a curse at worst.

Feeling Tellus' reverence reminded Drura just how special her symbiosis was, and she realised that her reaction to their merging of minds had given Tellus the same gift. Despite their very different backgrounds, the two heroes shared one thing in common; in wanting to explore the universe beyond their homeworlds they'd both had to give up a great deal. They allowed themselves a moment to bathe in their mutual eddie of emotions.

<Okay, enough of the love-in,> Drura took charge. <Where do we go from here? How do we find this conceptual virus thing?>

<In the depths of Great Mother Ocean, sometimes it is best to allow her currents to take us where she will,> Tellus answered cryptically. Drura didn't really understand the meaning of his words, but she got the gist of his message. The two were merged, but it was not a static combination. One mind naturally subsumed another, then their positions would change. At times they seemed almost one consciousness, and then Drura would realise she was seeing Tellus from the outside once again. She got the sense that trying to force dominance wouldn't accomplish anything; for this intense connection to maintain itself, they had to just let it happen. And it was as she made that precise realisation that Drura Sehpt found exactly what it was they were looking for. She called Tellus' name excitedly.

Tellus had made the discovery along with his Somahturian comrade. Like a constantly shifting 4th-dimensional puzzle box, they saw a vaguely defined construct encompassing each of their friends. The individual constructs were part of a larger whole, connected to one another in a fragile ever-moving lattice which spread as far as they could see. <This is why the virus maintains its strength over interstellar space,> it dawned on Tellus. <This conceptual virus is not a collective of individual lifeforms, it is one eternally sprawling mass...its individual strands may weaken with distance, but its victims are not fighting an individual strand; they are fighting one entity so immense that no sentient mind could stand against it!>

<Immense and unnatural,> Drura added with a hint of sadness. <This is a perversion of life...this is a perversion of Durran Mahn's gift...and it's lonely, Tellus. It's so lonely.> Drura's astral form extended one luminescent hand toward the entity, and Tellus' initial instinct was to caution her...but then he recognised the truth as plainly as she did; this creature had been borne of symbiosis and set afrift in a universe without a host. This concept the three Titanians had created which was so unknowable that sentients died trying to understand it was the most primal need that any living being could know.

It just didn't want to be alone.

Drura Sehpt made contact with the conceptual virus, and at first there was no visible effect. Tellus and Drura both felt it immediately though; a painless jolt which reverberated at thoughtspeed through the twitching turning organism all around them. In less time than it took to realise that it was happening, the conceptual virus turned back on itself. It surrendered its hold on every one of its victims across the vast spread of the United Planets, and it compacted itself until it surrounded only Tellus and Infectious Lass.

<We did it!> Drura rejoiced. She could sense something approximating contentment from the psionic entity, a sense that it had fulfilled its imperative to find symbiosis. Moreover, she could feel through Tellus that tortured minds all throughout Medicus One had finally found a measure of peace. It was over. Then something else occurred to the young Somahturian. <Oh no, Tellus...the virus is no longer spreading because it's found a compatible host but...the only reason we're a compatible host is because of the combination of our abilities! When our minds unmerge...>

<...We will no longer be able to offer symbiosis,> Tellus completed the sentence. He shared Drura's sadness, but he also shared her knowledge that this was necessary. As a living habitat to disease, Infectious Lass was well acquainted with nature's cycle of life and death. She was just glad that in the end they'd been able to help Durran Mahn's legacy not be one of galaxy-wide decimation.

Drura felt that Tellus was about to end the mind merge and then suddenly, almost abruptly, she found herself back in the chair. Her lavender eyes blinked a few times as she adjusted once more to physical reality and she placed one delicate hand on Tellus' shoulder, still hunched in the same position before her. She looked soulfully into his round dark eyes, and though his face remained an expressionless mask the two shared a mutual wistfulness as the last remnants of their bond evaporated.

"Is it working?" Light Lad asked. "Can you sense the virus?"

"It is done," Tellus answered for them both. "The conceptual virus will hurt nobody ever again."

Infectious Lass was glad that Tellus had taken the lead. His voice modulator would betray no emotion, and she wasn't ready just yet to try and explain why their victory felt bittersweet.

**********
KIRINYAGA
Pauvitz Point, Portela Mountain Ranges


The dark-skinned teenager named Mwindaji watched curiously as his patient finished the soup he'd been given. Kirinyaga was far from the centre of United Planets activity, and while the effects of the conceptual virus had reached this world, any official explanation of the malady had not. All Mwindaji knew was that this Vidar man had succumbed to a mysterious ailment which had left him unconscious for more than a day, and that he had just as quickly recovered. Vidar had consulted with his miraculous green and gold rings, and while they still didn't know what had struck him down he assured Mwindaji that the teen had never been in any danger and that Vidar himself was now fine.

"You do seem more healthy to me," Mwindaji commented in his clipped Interlac, taking the empty soup bowl away.

"I give you my word that I am indeed much healthier," Vidar smiled. "Mwindaji, twice I am in your debt now. You helped me when I first came to this world, and again when I fell ill. I hate to impose upon you again, but before I passed out...I seem to remember that you mentioned you're a tracker of some skill?"

Mwindaji puffed out his chest. "I may be the finest tracker on all Kirinyaga," he stated proudly. From somebody else this claim might sound arrogant, but Vidar got the sense that Mwindaji was simply stating a fact as he knew it.

"...And you'd be willing to help me find the remaining five rings? To bring an end to violence and fear throughout all worlds?"

"The name I have chosen for myself, Mwindaji," the youth explained, "It is the name of a great hero from Kirinyaga's distant past. An explorer and one of the forefathers of my people. I chose this name so that I may honour him, and now my path has crossed your own. I feel that the great Mwindaji smiles down upon me, that he has given me this opportunity to forge a destiny to make my ancestors and my blood proud." He thumped one closed fist against his chest and stood bolt upright. "Vidar, it would be my privilege to assist any way I can in this endeavour. I pledge myself to your cause."

"Excellent." Vidar climbed out of bed and used his rings to clothe himself in an armoured green and gold outfit, a high-collared green cape with golden interior billowing dramatically behind him. He clapped a hand on Mwindaji's shoulder and bared a toothy grin.

"Then let's get started."
Awesome! Perfect end to a conceptual virus. I like the concept very much, and also your depiction of the bittersweet victory.

Kent and Darvan is cute. Now I have to think hard on whether I want to make my Kent gay too because you and Harbi have both made him gay or bi tongue
Great stuff Raz, I'm so happy to read more of your story.

I really like the structure you follow, where you post has three sections. The first section was great, really nice to see the competitive nature of Tel and how threatened he is by Laurels competence. I wonder what the Sklarians stole? I do appreciate the effort you put in to setting up your storylines, lots of fore shadowing to build up the tension.

Giving Drura and Tellus the spotlight or the main body of the story was nice, they are two characters that are fascinating but never really get the spotlight they deserve - something I know I'm very guilty off. Danielle's interest in Light Lad and Dr Shakespeare's flirting was well done, the resolution was bittersweet, with the poor virus being alone, something I'd never have thought of though it makes perfect sense, well done. It was good to have team deal with a situation without resorting to punching things.

M'Windaji and Universo.... There's going to be tears before bedtime with those two. I'm really looking forward to where you're taking this plot line.

So glad to see you back here with us Raz, and looking forward to reading more, more, more!
Thanks y'all, glad you guys liked the resolution smile

I think it's not spoiling anything to say there will definitely be tears before bedtime with Mwindaji and Universo, and things on that front will kick into high gear starting from the next instalment!
Wow, Raz! What a stunner of an idea for a calamity! Fascinating, I think I read this with my jaw open. smile Tellus and Drura made a wonderful mind meld - two beings with very un-human perceptions. I never thought of Drura as thinking differently from the rest of us, but of course she'd have this whole awareness of microbes and the cycle of life which we only see peripherally. It truly was a horrible thing those Titanian scientists cooked up, but that's what we may have going on in unknown labs all over our globe today, not so advanced but possibly just as deadly. Such disregard for life! A contrast with the very touching ending for the virus threat; Drura and Tellus treated this deadly life form with respect - but it had to go.

You added a lot of flashes of humour throughout, which I though brightened the story. Even amid crises there can be laughter. Well done!

You had a lot of flashes of humour here
Thanks FC, glad you liked it! And I am glad people liked the Drura/Tellus team up! smile
Posted By: razsolo Date Night - 12/03/16 08:33 AM
RIMBOR
Devil's Canyon

ROLL CALL
Dawnstar:
translightspeed flight, interstellar-range tracking
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being


Outside a filthy bar in Rimbor's most violent city, a muscular yellow-skinned woman tensed involuntarily at the sound of a familiar voice above her. "When Laurel Kent told us the Sklarian raider she lost on Cadmu used knives rather than firearms I knew that it must have been you, Atta." The Sklarian warrior spun on her heel and flung two daggers at Dawnstar before she'd even laid eyes on her. The winged Legionnaire snatched the blades out of the air faster than Atta's eyes could follow, then continued in a haughty tone. "Please. I move faster than the speed of light. There is no need for you to embarass yourself any further."

Atta saw that the Legion's tracker had not come alone; Wildfire floated beside her, his flight ring enabling him to hover in place without the telltale roar of anti-energy propulsion. "Shouldn't you be rotting in a jail cell somewhere?" Drake Burroughs asked, blasting the ground at Atta's feet and landing her on her tailbone. "You know, like the rest of your pals that our students captured?"

Atta climbed to her feet, drawing a large serrated machete from a sheath across her back. "I guess I've got friends in low places," she snarled.

"You can't be this stupid," Wildfire continued, unfazed by the Sklarian woman's weapon. He landed directly before her, Atta's angry face reflected in his visor. "Either that thing's not sharp enough to cut through my containment suit, or it is sharp enough and I go boom. Either result's not really a win for you, lady."

"If you're after the genesample I stole, you're too late Legionnaires." Atta replaced her blade, but stood in open opposition to the two heroes. "The delivery's already been made."

"We know that," Dawnstar responded. "You're going to tell us to whom that delivery was made."

"And why would I do that?" Atta smirked.

"Because until this morning I had a date planned with my lady," Wildfire answered her question, "And this is what we ended up doing instead. So now I've got a whole heap of frustration to get rid of, and you can either give up someone who can help me with that or I can take it out on you. I'm not fussed either way."

Atta gave them a stubborn scowl.

"I suppose we all do what we have to, Legionnaires."

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

ROLL CALL
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz:
electricity generation and manipulation
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking


Salu Digby looked herself over one final time in the reflective surface of the Legion's turbolift, smoothing down some minor creases in her dark green suit. The door opened with an almost silent whoosh, and the petite Imskian woman nearly walked straight into Lightning Lass as she exited the turbolift. "I'm so sorry Ayla, I didn't mean to bowl you over!"

Ayla laughed at her friend. "I'll live...how come you're all dressed up? Hot night on the town?"

"Cal's friend is in some nu-bass band," Vi explained. Cal was Calorie Queen, the occasional heroine whom Shrinking Violet had been dating for the past few months. "Hey, actually I was looking for you earlier - do you and Light Lad want to tag along? We're going to grab dinner before the show anyway so you could get changed and meet us there if you like!"

"Darvan's out with his new doctor crush," Ayla replied. "And thanks for asking, but to be honest I'm really looking forward to a hot bath and bingewatching a bunch of Galactic Heart episodes."

"Oh, Ayla!" Vi's hand flew to her mouth. "I'm so sorry, I didn't even know that you and Darvan were having problems! If you need someone to talk to--"

Ayla laughed again and hugged her visibly confused friend. "You're sweet to worry, Vi...but please don't. Darvan and I are just friends with, well...extra benefits, I guess you could say. He's a great guy, but after Brin I'm not really in a rush to jump into another full-time relationship. If Darvan's found a connection with someone else, I'm 100% on side with it."

"I guess I'm more of a traditionalist," Vi blushed a little awkwardly. "If you change your mind, the offer still stands anyway - hit us up if you feel like heading out after all."

"Sure thing," Ayla squeezed Vi's shoulder. "Have fun if I don't see you!" Lightning Lass entered the turbolift and smiled as she recalled having passed Ultra Boy and Phantom Girl canoodling in one of the outdoor gardens earlier. Since Infectious Lass and Tellus had dealt with that weird conceptual virus, the past few days had been unusually sedate around here. With everyone being given the chance to actually relax for a change, it was nice to see so many happy couples about.

The turbolift stopped on Ayla's level and an intertwined Gravity Kid and Lullabye Lad almost fell through the opening doors. Gravity Kid cleared his throat and stood to attention, too mortified to meet Ayla's gaze. "...Uh, sorry Lightning Lass."

Ayla struggled not to giggle at the awkward teenagers. "It's okay boys...maybe do the rest of the Legion a favour and keep the groping to your quarters rather than the corridors though, huh?"

"Right...of course," Tel Vole muttered hurriedly while Lullabye Lad coughed into his fist to hide his own chuckling. As Ayla walked toward her room, she heard Stone Boy's little brother finally explode into loud guffaws from the closed turbolift doors behind her. Ayla rolled her eyes and allowed herself an indulgent smile.

Yep, definitely something in the air these days.

**********
NALTOR
Crystal Falls Tourist Resort

ROLL CALL
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
12th level intelligence, team leader
Supergirl aka Kara Zor-El: Kryptonian physiology


In civilian clothes, Querl Dox and Kara Zor-El were just two of more than 1.5 million sentients who came to Naltor annually to see the spectacle of the Crystal Falls. The waterfalls were nearly 3000 feet high and saturated with microscopic particles of luminite, a mineral found only on Naltor. Under normal conditions luminite was entirely unremarkable outside of the almost imperceptible rose tinge that it gave to any body of water in which it found its home; the mineral had an unusual reaction to kinetic energy however, bonding in clumps whenever in motion. As the luminite-rich waters cascaded over rocks and crevasses and finally found its way to a drop thousands of feet straight down, large chunks of golden and rose-coloured crystals filled the waterfalls and delighted visitors. Upon settling in the pool of water at the bottom of the falls, the luminite quickly separated once more into discrete almost invisible particles.

"I'm glad Dream Girl told me about this place," Kara gushed. "The falls are so pretty, thanks for coming Brainy."

The green-skinned genius smiled at his companion. "You're more than welcome, Kara. To tell the truth, I wanted to ensure that Naltor is making a speedy recovery after the conceptual virus anyway. Naltor is one of the most technologically advanced worlds in the United Planets, they were quite severely impacted here. Fortunately, a world of precognitives is very rarely completely unprepared for a crisis - things could have been far worse."

"Speaking of which," Kara turned her bright blue eyes away from the gleaming falls to face Brainiac 5, "How are you feeling? I was worried about you, you know."

"I know." Brainiac gingerly reached for her hand and gave it a quick squeeze before he let her go again. "And I appreciate the concern. Thankfully there appears to have been no long-term damage. After my prescribed period of rest, I'm sure I will be fine, as will the other remaining survivors. I'm led to believe that Infectious Lass and Tellus gave an exemplary performance in resolving the situation."

Kara took a few seconds to just enjoy being present with Querl. Their lives rarely allowed for these quiet moments, less so since Brainiac 5 had been elected leader of the Legion of Superheroes. "Brainy..?" she eventually asked in a voice filled with an unusual uncertainty.

"What is it, Kara?" the Coluan responded.

"I...I don't know how to say this. I can smash moons and fly in space on my own but this kind of thing is a new frontier for me, I guess."

Brainiac 5 gave the Kryptonian teenager his full attention. "I find the best way to say something is just to say it," he teased kindly.

Supergirl found herself dwelling in his eyes. "I...Brainy, what do you see...how do you see our relationship?" Kara's heart was pounding in her chest; fighting the Parasite was less nerve-wracking than this conversation!

"I care a great deal about you," Brainiac smiled. He held Kara's chin between his thumb and forefinger. "I acknowledge that our relationship is not one which is easy to define, Kara. Previously when you've come to the Legion's time, or when we have travelled to your past, we've not had to explore these questions. We both knew that it wasn't really possible for this connection between us to be built upon. I must admit, I thought that I had sensed a lack of interest on your part since you've been with the team these past few months. I thought that perhaps you had outgrown your attraction to me." He spoke with a tone that was completely matter of fact, but Supergirl respected how much Brainy was opening up to her.

"It's hard," Kara conceded. "I mean...there are no rules for what we are, are there? The last time I knew you, you were so much younger; and you're right Brainy, I think our circumstances always let us live this fantasy romance that never really had to exist in the real world. And now...now I live in your real world day in and day out, and I guess I've been too scared to put the fantasy to the test. I care a lot for you too...more than any guy I've met...but I guess I was worried that you had outgrown me! I mean I must be a dumb kid to you now..."

Brainiac shook Kara from her train of thought with a hearty laugh. "What's so funny?" she frowned.

"I'm sorry," Querl Dox collected himself. "It's just...Kara, I'm a Brainiac. There is no polite way to say this, but if intellectual capacity were going to divide us it would have done so the first day we met. I may have aged a few years physically since your last stint with the Legion of Superheroes, but there is no wider gap in our comparitive mental or emotional maturity. I'm very much still the same teenage boy who became infatuated with you at first sight - my facial hair just requires more regular grooming these days!"

Kara poked him in the ribs. "Was that your attempt at humour, Dox? I swear, you're such a dork." They both chuckled, feeling that a burden had been lifted in discussing what they'd both kept to themselves for so long.

"Brainy." Kara's smile faded and she held both of his hands in hers. "After the conceptual virus...after I came so close to - to losing you, I realised I don't want to let my fear dictate how I live anymore. Maybe there is no future for us...maybe I'll be back in my own time again tomorrow, or maybe it will be too hard to build a relationship based on what we've got so far. But I want to find that out for myself. What do you say?"

"I say...let us find out for ourselves." He squeezed her hands again, and leaned down for a kiss. They embraced tenderly, neither of them aware of the crowds of sentients milling about, or of anything else in the universe aside from each other.

**********
Eventually, normal life had to intrude once more upon the young couple. After a heartlifting day on Naltor, Supergirl escorted Brainiac 5 back to the Legion of Superheroes' home on Mars. While the moons Phobos and Deimos made their way across a star-filled Martian sky, Supergirl sat on the roof of the base grinning like the lovestruck teenager she was finally allowing herself to be.

With her telescopic vision, she easily saw Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad at the main entrance many stories below. They were with their children Graym and Garridan, and the two young boys were waving at Laurel Kent flying off into the city. Watching her cousin's descendant speed off, Kara idly wondered if she'd ever meet any of her own descendants in this time. Or maybe, she thought dreamily, she'd have children in the 31st century one day just like Garth and Imra had. She pictured a little blonde-haired green girl running around and shook her head. Silly. Still, it was fun to think about.

Suddenly, Kara's head jerked up. Her super-hearing picked up her name being called out from the dayside of the planet, and the maid of might wasted no time in responding. Switching into her iconic costume before her name had been called more than once, she was over the horizon in almost the same amount of time.

Homing in on the frightened male voice, Supergirl found a middle-aged bald man sprawled out at the bottom of a pit used by Mars' ultra-fast magtrains. Poor guy must have fallen in, Kara thought as she approached. I thought security fields were meant to stop exactly this kind of thing from happening!

Her telescopic vision showed her that the next magtrain was less than five seconds away from killing the pale-skinned man and Kara elected to worry about how this had happened later...right now, all that mattered was saving his life. She scooped up the green and gold-garbed stranger and deposited him on a nearby walkway as the train whooshed by harmlessly beneath them.

"Sir, my x-ray vision isn't picking up any broken bones," she instructed as she helped him stand, "But I think it'd be a good idea for me to take you to the closest hospital anyway...I'm sure you've had a nasty shock."

"Thank you," the older man replied. "I'll be fine now. I'm just glad you were there, Supergirl."

"All in a day's work," Kara answered, her face screwing up as she looked the robed man up and down. There was something awfully familiar about him...she was sure she'd seen this pointy-eared man somewhere before. "Sir, if you don't mind me asking...why did you call out to me specifically? I was on the other side of the planet, it's just lucky that I heard you in time to help!"

"I assure you," the man said in a strangely reassuring tone, "Luck had nothing to do with it. And I called you here because Supergirl....I am going to help you."

Now that they were face-to-face, Supergirl saw that he wore a golden monocle. There was something in the way it gleamed, something that demanded her utmost attention. Some part of Kara Zor-El tried to raise an alarm, tried to tell her where she'd remembered this man, but her thoughts were like molasses.

Mutely, she watched the man she now realised was Universo raise a closed fist. "I'm going to help you see the truth," the villain continued speaking to his mesmerised subject. "The truth about your so-called friends in the Legion of Superheroes....the truth about your life...and your death. And all you need to do is put this on."

...He opened his fist, and there in the centre of his palm sat a solitary red ring.

NEXT: SATAN GIRL!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Date Night - 12/03/16 10:23 AM
The plot thickens!

Nice job working a look at so many couples in such a small space. I liked Ayla clarifying her view of her relationship with Light Lad, and how okay she is with it. Vi's concern too.

Oh no... Satan Girl. Universo is playing a dangerous game. Hope Kara and Brainy come out of it okay, loved their conversation.
Thanks IB...it's fun just writing some relationship stuff every now and then, and I really like Brainy & Kara's whole "star-crossed lovers" thing...there's a relationship that is MADE for a CW show if ever there was one wink

I started writing the next chapter tonight and without giving anything away...it's pretty brutal already! I hope *anyone* gets out of it okay!
Very nice Raz, it's good to see the focus shift to smaller moments between the team.

Wildfire and Dawnstar taking in Atta was good, from Dawny catching the knife so easily to Drake explaining the situation so clearly, I almost felt sorry for the Sklarian. I'm looking forward to finding out who she was working for..

Vi and Ayla were sweet and you really showed the difference in personalities without it feeling forced. Ayla's acceptance of Darvan dating Kent was really well done. Does this mean he'll show up more? Also good to see the many couples in your team are still going strong, that was sweet.

Kara and Querl's conversation is almost identical to something I've drafted for the pair in my fan fic - have you been reading my notes? I think you wrote it netted though so I'm not complaining. Their honesty and respect for each other shone through, good job.

Ah, Universo is back causing trouble and it doesn't look good for Supergirl. I'm a bit scared what to expect next. Satan Girl? Oh that doesn't bode well for the team though it'll make great reading I'm sure.

Really nice slices of downtime Raz, great character writing and you moved the all the stories on as well, thoroughly enjoyed it.

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo And The Reapers Are Angels - 12/12/16 06:23 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Drura Sehpt's large lavender eyes fluttered open. She could taste blood, and she was sore all over. There had been a tremendous crashing boom, and then...then what? Groaning, she propped herself up on one elbow and surveyed her surroundings. She was in the cold night air in the midst of a pile of debris, alarms screaming all around her. This made no sense, she'd been in her quarters with...Jacques! Where was Jacques??

She heard a cough nearby, followed by a sharp intake of air. Dragging herself from the bed she'd been trapped beneath, Drura made her way to the sound. There, Jacques Foccart lay beneath a section of wall, much heavier than Drura's own obstacle had been. Her heart jumped into her throat as a million fears played through her mind. Enough, the Somahturian heroine chastised herself. He's wounded but he's alive.

"Drura..? Ma cherie..?" Invisible Kid reached for her with one trembling and blood-soaked hand, and Infectious Lass instinctively pulled away.

"Jacques, no!" She warned her lover. "We're both bleeding and I may be concussed! I - I may not be able to control my power."

"Qu'est-il arrive?" the clearly confused young man asked. He grimaced, each breath bringing stabbing agony. He tried to shift the debris pinning him down, but that only brought an all-new intensity of pain and a roar that made Drura flinch in sympathy.

Drura's eyes filled with tears. "Jacques! Jacques, stop! I don't know if my translator is broken, but I can't understand you...I don't know if you can understand me, but please don't move...I'll find someone. Just...just stay there!" She stood on wobbly legs, leaning against an exposed beam of metal. None of this made any sense; had they been teleported somewhere? Sent into the timestream again? Then she recognised a slender yellow arm emerging from the rubble nearby, a flight ring gleaming on Nightwind's limp finger. The truth hit her like a ton of inertron. Somebody had attacked the Legion of Superheroes in their home!

As she cautiously advanced toward the frighteningly prone Nightwind, Drura saw two more casualties - Lightning Lass and Kid Computo were both unconscious, and Ayla's arm was bent at a horrible angle. Danielle had sustained a nasty gash to her forehead, and there was a patch of blood ever so slowly growing on the thigh of her pants. Both of them were breathing though, Drura could see their chests rising and falling from here. She hated to have to make this choice at all, but before she helped them she needed to know if Nightwind was still alive under all this destruction. Drura wracked her brain for a way to touch Berta without risking her exposure to countless illnesses when she saw something that chilled her to the marrow.

Ten feet to the left, standing on a pile of debris higher than Drura's eye level, a distinctly female form was silhouetted against the night sky. A form-fitting black bodysuit and cowl hid the woman's identity, red cape flicking in the breeze behind her. She was surrounded by a devilish red glow, and red highlights ran along her costume leading to a strange red symbol emblazoned across her chest. The stranger's eyes too glowed red, illuminating her only exposed flesh as her lower face contorted into a contemptuous snarl. The only other clue to her identity was golden hair emerging from the back of her cowl...Drura had no idea who the woman was, but it seemed clear that she was responsible for this devastating assault.

"You hurt my friends!" Infectious Lass shouted weakly. "I'm not going to let you get away with that!" Her head was spinning, but Drura had to try something. Praying that she could maintain enough self-control not to endanger the nearby Legionnaires, she directed a stream of debilitatingly nasty microbes at the woman in red and black.

Moving faster than Drura could follow, the strange woman closed on Infectious Lass and hoisted her up by the throat. She dangled the terrified Somahturian in her left hand, and raised her right hand so that Drura could see for the first time the crimson ring her assailant wore. "As long as I'm wearing this you don't have a chance in Hell of stopping me," the woman spat.

Drura knew she was right - the woman wasn't just glowing, she was sealed away from the world under a red aura. Drura couldn't send any diseases through that nimbus of energy, and she couldn't cast her power through it to command any microscopic lifeforms which might be lying dormant within the woman already. Worse, the woman was beginning to squeeze. Infectious Lass heard Invisible Kid's helpless protests and held on to consciousness with everything she had. If she were to fall now, Jacques would surely be next...

"Get away from her!" a gravelly voice roared. A flash of diamond filled Drura's field of vision before she fell to the floor rasping for air. Diamond Damsel charged at the mystery assailant, knocking her away from Infectious Lass.

The mysterious attacker staggered back a couple of steps initially under Diamond Damsel's pounding fists, but soon recovered her bearing and blocked the Legionnaire's next blow. "Who are you?" Diamond Damsel demanded. "Why are you doing this?" It had been Iris Jacobs' good fortune that she'd managed to complete her transformation into Diamond Damsel while her quarters crumbled around her ears, but the ease with which this woman stood against her now made her doubt that luck was going to last.

"You can call me Satan Girl for as long as you've got the ability to call me anything at all," the villainess retorted wickedly. The light in her eyes intensified, and twin beams of crimson light penetrated Diamond Damsel's breast. The Legionnaire screamed, gripped by a level of pain she'd felt less than a handful of times over the past millenium as Satan Girl's heat vision burned a tiny hole straight through her body and clear to the other side.

"How--?" Diamond Damsel pleaded. Her right arm had gone dead and her left arm clutched at her smoking shoulder. "I'm made of diamond, that's impossible!"

"Lasers cut diamonds all the time," Satan Girl taunted. "And diamond shatters, once you've found its flaw." She closed on the ancient heroine in a blur and backhanded her roughly. Diamond Damsel flew through two of the base's walls which were still standing and landed in a dazed heap.

As Diamond Damsel struggled to clamber from the wreckage, her masked attacker was standing over her. This time Satan Girl extended her ringed hand toward her victim, and the ring projected a series of holographic gridlines which seemed to be measuring something, closing in on one central point. They formed a three-dimensional cone which zeroed in on the centre of Diamond Damsel's forehead, and Satan Girl bared her teeth in a sadistic grin. "There's that pesky flaw now, speak of the devil."

Before Satan Girl could strike, a tiny spaceship circled her head like an angry mosquito. "Satan Girl tough!" Quislet's shrill voice rang out. "Not many girls or boys can give Diamond Damsel the ol' one-two! Quislet better come to the rescue super quick!"

The microship's hull began to slide open but before the extradimensional hero could exit his craft, Satan Girl grabbed it by the tail fin and threw it miles across the night sky. "Not really a fan of that word," she grunted in disgust. "Super." She turned back to her original target, but Diamond Damsel had already disappeared beneath a shifting carpet of metal which moved as though it were alive. Momentarily confused, Satan Girl soon realised what had happened. She turned to face the architect of Diamond Damsel's salvation and saw Cosmic Boy standing alongside his wife Night Girl. Tellus, Dragonmage and Blok were right behind them.

"Who are you?" Cosmic Boy demanded. "Who are you really?? You can't be who you look like, Satan Girl was the result of Supergirl's exposure to red kryptonite and red kryptonite never affects Kryptonians the same way twice!"

"Jeepers Cosmic Boy, maybe you're not as much of a know-it-all as you think you are," Satan Girl mocked the Legion's founder in a singsong voice. Before he could respond, she had closed the range. Cosmic Boy desperately threw up a shield of omnisteel formed from the debris around them, but Satan Girl punched it hard enough that it shattered and sent Rokk following Quislet into the cold night.

"Rokk!" Night Girl's eyes widened with fear and she flew after her husband without a second thought.

Blok stepped forward and slammed a fist almost as wide as Satan Girl's waist into her gut. As powerful as she'd shown herself to be, she had not braced against his assault. She brought several walls crashing down with her as she crashed deeper into the Legion's headquarters, and Blok turned to his Hykraian comrade. "Tellus! I know this is not normally the way you conduct yourself, but we must know if this is really Supergirl! We need your telepathy, my friend!"

Satan Girl had already recovered, and she charged into Blok with a scream of utter frustration. Blok allowed himself to be knocked back, hoping to spare his friends and home from any more collateral damage. The two of them cleared the Legion's headquarters altogether and landed with a resounding thud in the Martian soil below. Peering over the edge as the mighty combatants traded blows, Tellus put his own power to use. "It is Supergirl," his voice modulator announced with far less distress than he felt. "But she is so full of emotional pain, so full of rage!"

Kryptonian strength backed by the red ring on Satan Girl's finger sent Blok flying up into Tellus. The Hykraian was immediately buried in what remained of someone's quarters, but Blok was only momentarily inconvenienced. "Dragonmage!" Blok cried out urgently. "Kryptonians are vulnerable to magic!"

To his credit, the young sorceror had already begun weaving a dragonform as soon as he'd had confirmation of Satan Girl's true identity but he was far from finished when a crimson beam from his former teammate's ring hurled him back against one of the few remaining walls to join Tellus in unconsciousness.

Blok lifted his flight ring to his gold-veined stone mouth. "Attention, all Legionnaires! Supergirl is under some form of mind control, she has attacked our base and has already gravely injured several of our teammates! Converge--" Blok stopped mid-sentence, and tilted his head toward the self-titled Satan Girl. She was hovering before him, a cruel smile adorning her lips. Why would she just be floating there while he called for reinforcements? Unless...unless she wanted the Legion to converge here?

Satan Girl could see the gears turning in Blok's mind and her smile turned into a petty frown. "You think you're so smart now, don't you Blok?" She slammed into him with more force than he'd felt since his powers had been enhanced by the Rock of Eternity. "Maybe you should do a little less thinking and a little more punching!" In Blok's chest remained a large lightning bolt-shaped gash which was constantly alight with the magic which now permeated his form. Satan Girl drove a powerful fist into that space, assuming his insides would be less protected than his rocky exterior. Instead she was shocked to discover pain - even with her red lantern ring's protective aura, the raw mystical energies were too much for a Kryptonian to withstand.

She yanked her hand away with a surprised yelp, and Blok took his cue to act. Moving swiftly, he held Satan Girl's arms behind her back with a mighty bearhug and drew her face in close to his chest. "I do not wish to hurt you, Supergirl!" Blok shouted over her protests. "Please, think about what you are doing...you have been manipulated to harm your friends, you must fight this!"

"My friends?" she parroted incredulously. "None of you are my friends, Blok! And you're not even the reason I'm here, so let me go!" She glared hatefully at the stone giant's face, and crimson rays of heat burst forth from her own eyes and into his. Blinded, Blok roared in sudden discomfort and released his grip enough that she could burst free. She hovered above him and backed by the red lantern ring, clenched her fists together and slammed Blok so ferociously that he crashed through every level of the Legion's headquarters down to the ground.

Pausing only as long as it took to scan the remainder of the building with her x-ray vision, Satan Girl found one of the women she'd actually come here for. She descended via the hole Blok had made and walked on air a couple of inches above the ground on the building's third level. She saw a cloud of noxious green gas floating toward her, and realised immediately that it must be Gas Girl. Without breaking stride at all, Satan Girl dissipated the Lallorian heroine with one gust of super-breath.

Too late, she realised the mist had been a distraction. Timber Wolf bounced from wall to wall, his misty cover now evaporated. He closed on Satan Girl and kicked her with both feet right in the jaw, and her head snapped back. "This is crazy," Brin Londo remarked as he pushed his hyperagility to its limits to evade an enraged Satan Girl's blows. "Supergirl, you're tough but you must know you can't take on the whole Legion!" Brin knew he wasn't strong enough to stand up to Supergirl one on one, he'd have to rely on his cunning. He grabbed her cape in both hands and wrapped it around her head, using it to slam her head first into the floor.

"You people keep calling me Supergirl," she retorted as she effortlessly burned the cape to tatters. "Supergirl's dead, Timber Wolf...but then you already knew that, didn't you?" Tired of playing with him, she looked up from where she'd landed and spewed a horrific stream of what seemed to be blood. Taken utterly by surprise, the grotesque stream of blood burned Timber Wolf and he instinctively threw his arms up to protect his face. Satan Girl charged him through another bunch of walls, collecting Comet Queen and Chlorophyll Kid purely by accident along the way.

Satan Girl turned to leave until she felt a weakened Timber Wolf grip her ankle. "I'm not...done...yet," the barely conscious hero groaned.

Kara Zor-El gave Timber Wolf a disdainful look and his world exploded into red.

**********
Chameleon Boy had just returned home from a successful night infiltrating a local banyo fruit smuggling ring. Feeling pleased with his success and happy for some company he had sought out Star Boy, Sun Boy and Stone Boy in one of the base's recreation rooms where they were playing their latest virtual reality game obsession Orandan Knights. Cham had barely finished loading his holographic avatar into the game when alarms sounded and a tremendous impact rocked the building. "We're under assault?" Cham removed the multi-pronged headpiece he'd been wearing and blinked as he readjusted to the real world. "Who'd be reckless enough to attack the Legion of Superheroes in our own home?"

"Good question," Sun Boy frowned as he, Star Boy and Stone Boy removed their own headpieces. The sounds of battle continued above them, and the building shook as though it were about to come down around their ears. "We'd better get up there and find out!" Dirk led the charge as the quartet of young men made their way toward the chaotic din. They received Blok's warning en route, but none of them had any luck in returning contact with him.

"Stop!" A breathless Dream Girl intercepted them, still adjusting her gloves. Her hair was unstyled and her face was devoid of makeup, a sight most of these men had seen less than a handful of times in all the years they'd known her.

"Dreamy, are you nuts?" Star Boy threw his hands up. "Listen to that racket, Supergirl could be killing our friends up there!"

"She's not after our friends, Thom!" Dream Girl countered abruptly. "There are only four Legionnaires Satan Girl wants to kill!"

"Dream Girl, you've obviously had a vision," Chameleon Boy deduced, "Who are her targets?"

"You, me, Brainy, and Imra!" Dream Girl answered quickly.

"That doesn't make any sense," Stone Boy's voice became harsher and more grating as his flesh petrified mid-sentence. "Saturn Girl's not even an active Legionnaire anymore!"

Another portion of the ceiling fell away, and a bruised and beaten Matter-Eater Lad fell through wrapped up in Elastic Lady's malleable body. Satan Girl descended after them, hovering imperiously. "Can you believe those two didn't just turn and run?" she taunted cruelly. "Oh hey, there you are!" She turned to face Dream Girl and Chameleon Boy, blasting them with a wide arc of heat vision. Thinking quickly, Chameleon Boy turned into a dragonfly and darted away from the blistering heat while Stone Boy leaped in front of a screaming Dream Girl.

"If you really are Supergirl we'll help you," Sun Boy caught her attention, "But we're not going to let you hurt anyone else, Kara. You'll thank us for this later, trust me." He thrust both arms forward and bathed her in red flame.

"You're cute, Sun Boy." Satan Girl threw her head back and laughed. "But what makes you think you'll do any better than -- hey! What's going on?!" The flames were actually beginning to hurt her, and her flight failed as she fell to the ground near Elastic Lad and Matter-Eater Lad.

"Red solar flare to remove your powers," Sun Boy explained as he continued the assault. "I'm not just a devastatingly handsome face, you know."

She raised her ringed hand, but suddenly found it too heavy to lift. Surrounded in dark air, her hand slammed dramatically to the floor and knocked her off-balance. Star Boy stood close by Sun Boy, Thom's own power responsible for the ring's drastic increase in mass. "What is that?" Thom asked. "A red kryptonite ring? You think that's what's made her like this, Sun Boy?"

"The red lantern ring hasn't made me like anything," Satan Girl spat through clenched teeth. "It's set me free from the ridiculous fantasy you people had me living in!" Her jaw dropped open and like Timber Wolf before them, Sun Boy and Star Boy were both smothered in a seething flood of blood-red bile. The two men bellowed in agony as it burned through their flesh.

"Stop this!" Stone Boy leaped forward and delivered a mighty blow to Satan Girl's jaw. Still feeling the effects of Sun Boy's power, Satan Girl cried out and hit the deck. "You're hurting your friends!" Dag Wentim continued. "Don't you care?"

Satan Girl reinforced her force-field and used the power of the red lantern ring to counteract the ring's increased mass. "Don't you talk to me about caring!" she railed furiously. She blasted Stone Boy with the ring and he flew into a wall. As he climbed to his feet, she blasted him again. "How many months have I been here with you people, all of you pretending like you give a damn about me? Like I'm part of your so-called family? When all I've ever been is an amusement! Some fun souvenir from the past to be put back as soon as you're sick of me! To die!!" As she ranted, she'd kept blasting Stone Boy and now the two were outside in the dirt. The sun had started to rise over the Martian horizon, and even now Kara could feel its rays restoring her Kryptonian strength. She had reached a level of rage so intense she wasn't capable of coherent speech anymore, and without even really being consciously aware of what she was doing she vomited blood over the Zwennite hero. His petrified form protected him from the worst of it, but the acidic assault still hurt. Wiping the foul substance from his eyes, Dag Wentim looked up in anxious disbelief as Satan Girl stood poised to deliver a fatal blow.

A pulse of light as red as her own aura struck the Kryptonian teenager from behind and she arched her back in irritation. "Back for more, Sun Boy?" Satan Girl spun around, her teeth bared.

"Not Sun Boy," Chameleon Boy shot back, a ridiculously oversized red solar rifle slung over his shoulder and Dream Girl standing by his side. "Stone Boy brought us enough time to get to the armory, but he's done his job."

"This ludicrous grudge you're bearing is with us, isn't it?" Dream Girl provoked her. "Well we're right here, Kara. Come get us."

The corrupted teen of steel shrieked in fury and charged straight at the duo, right into the path of Cham's next blast. Knocked off course, she dug a trench in the Martian soil and when she extricated herself both of the Legionnaires had disappeared into the building. Relying on her ring for protection and flight, Kara gave chase just in time to see Dream Girl's chrome heeled boot vanish around a corner. Satan Girl poured on the speed and rounded the corner, opening fire on Dream Girl the instant she saw her. The explosion of light brought the ceiling down on her target, and when the dust settled she saw Dream Girl impaled on a girder. Dream Girl's normally vivid blue eyes stared lifelessly at her murderer and Chameleon Boy's corpse emerged from beneath the pile of rubble nearby. For one long moment, Kara Zor-El looked upon her victims in a stunned stupor. She had come to kill them, and she'd killed them. Repeating that fact to herself almost as though she were trying to convince herself she'd done the right thing, she resolved to finish what she'd come here for and zipped out into the Martian sunlight to recharge.

**********
For the first time in minutes, Laurel Kent's home was filled with silence. Standing alone in a corridor in the building's untouched east wing, the raven-haired teen found the silence more off-putting than the racket. At least noise meant the Legion were still fighting; that they were still alive.

As soon as the devastation had begun, Lightning Lad had evacuated the building with his twin sons and Saturn Girl had telepathically gathered the students under their care. Laurel couldn't imagine that Garth Ranzz would have been at all happy with leaving his wife to protect their students without him, but Laurel also knew from experience how resolute Imra Ardeen Ranzz could be when she set her mind to something. Kid Quantum was away visiting her brother and Chemical Kid and Dragonwing hadn't come home yet from whatever clubs they'd hit last night. Laurel, Gravity Kid, Lullabye Lad, Variable Lad and Glorith had responded to Imra's summons though, and all five students would readily have agreed to follow her command to join up with Lightning Lad until Laurel overheard Dream Girl telling Saturn Girl who was behind this chaos.

Satan Girl. Laurel had read the files. She knew Satan Girl was really Supergirl, and looking down on her poncho at the crest of the House of El that Laurel shared with her distant relative, Laurel felt a responsibility to deal with her. So she'd come up with a plan. And now, as she stood in this corridor with its flickering lights waiting for Satan Girl to appear in chase of her prey, Laurel clenched her fists tightly to stop her hands from shaking. She'd never in her life felt this kind of apprehension about physical violence, but then she'd never in her life had to fight a crazed Kryptonian.

Her feet never touching the ground, Satan Girl walked around the corner and tensed up when she saw Laurel. "You know, I'm mad at the others but it's a whole new level of mad I am with you," the time-displaced blonde snarled, "You're my family, Laurel. Why didn't you tell me the truth? Kal would disown you if he was here. I may not be able to break you but I'm going to bring you a world of hurt, little girl."

"You gonna talk about it or do it?" Laurel retorted, hearing the quiver in her voice. Enraged, Satan Girl charged straight at her cousin's descendant. Standing her ground, Laurel breathed a sigh of relief when Satan Girl stopped short in mid-air. A web of ethereal light held the struggling Kryptonian in place as she tried to figure out how this was happening. "Guys, now!" Laurel bellowed.

Having been hidden in a darkened room to her right, Satan Girl saw now the telltale facial markings of the sorceress Glorith glowing dimly. The light gleamed off of Lullabye Lad's golden bracers, and with outstretched arms he mustered his most commanding voice. "Go to sleep, Supergirl!" At the same time, a grotesque three-armed spindly male leaped out and wrapped his extended limbs around Satan Girl. Fighting an overpowering drowsiness, she realised that the alien creature must be Variable Lad. Moreso, the Jaquaan youth must have taken on a power-leeching form because he was swiftly growing in size while the light of her aura was fading.

"Laurel! I - I can't take much more!" Variable Lad had taken on extreme proportions and was bleeding red energy from his eyes and a mouth filled with rows of sharp teeth.

"It's alright, Oaa. You've done your part. Tel?" Laurel stepped forward, fists balled as she approached the weakened Satan Girl. Variable Lad released her and flew off to discharge his excess energy harmlessly, and Gravity Kid appeared from a console behind Laurel. His arms were surrounded by a bluish nimbus of light, and as Laurel swung a fist at Satan Girl her fist was enclosed in the same aura. When Laurel Kent hit Satan Girl, her indestructible fist was accompanied with a g-force dozens of times more intense than that of the planet Mars. The force of the punch broke Glorith's spell of ensnarement, and a groggy Satan Girl bounced several times before she came to a stop down the other end of the corridor.

"Oh wow," Laurel laughed nervously. "I kinda can't believe that worked!"

Lullabye Lad appeared at his invulnerable classmate's side. "Laurel, I had trouble sedating her even as much as I did before...she's so much angrier now though, you better finish her off before she snaps out of it altogether."

"Got it," Laurel flew after her foe. "Tel, juice me again--"

She never finished her statement before there was an inhuman scream, and the corridor filled with searing heat and force. The walls were slagged, trapping Glorith in the room where she'd been hidden and leaving Lullabye Lad half-buried in molten plasteel. Only his Zwennite instinct to turn to stone in the face of danger had kept him from being instantly killed. Laurel had unwittingly shielded Gravity Kid behind her from the worst of the damage but he was still severely burned, his already revealing costume in shreds. The force of the blast had knocked Laurel flying into Tel Vole, mercifully knocking him out so he couldn't feel the immense pain of his injuries. Laurel wasn't hurt but her poncho had been incinerated and she herself had been disoriented by the blast. Before she could get her bearings, Satan Girl was lifting her up by a fistful of hair.

"You think you're so smart?!" Satan Girl slammed her through a wall into the adjoining room. "You think you can beat me through trickery?!" She picked her up again and threw her viciously back into the corridor. "All of you Legionnaires think you're so much better than me, laughing down your noses at me! And you're not even a proper Legionnaire! You'll never be a Legionnaire!" While she was ranting, she rained blow upon blow on a helpless Laurel. The savage beating was beginning to hurt her and Laurel cried out, but Satan Girl was beyond hearing.

<KARA!>

The telepathic shout reverberated through both Satan Girl and Laurel's skulls, and their heads snapped to the side to see Saturn Girl standing before them, hands on her hips. "Saturn Girl..." Laurel moaned weakly. "You have to run...she was too far gone for Lullabye Lad's power..."

"I told you to evacuate," Saturn Girl chided her young charge. "I trusted you to make sure the other students got away safely, Laurel. I'll deal with you later. As for you, Kara--"

"Burn."

Kara Zor-El glared at the first friend she'd ever made in the Legion of Superheroes, and Imra Ardeen-Ranzz screamed as heat vision immolated her where she stood. The sound was like nothing Laurel had ever heard, and Laurel sobbed as she crawled across to her teacher's unmoving form. She made a futile attempt to smother the flames with her own bruised skin, but she knew it was too late. Satan Girl watched the scenario play out for a while, the grim set of her jaw betraying no compassion. Eventually, she left the crying student behind her and marched on to her final target.

**********
When Satan Girl had initially struck, Fire Lad and Color Kid were in Brainiac 5's multilab with the Coluan hypergenius. Fire Lad had been visiting Aqeaa, the Shwarian name he'd given to the artificial Mercurian woman the Heavensent had created. She remained in a sens-tank where her vitals could be constantly monitored, and Fire Lad had taken it upon himself to ensure that Brainiac 5 did everything he could to help the mysterious lifeform.

The instant Brainiac 5 had seen Satan Girl on security footage he'd recognised her. Upon seeing her path through the Legion's headquarters, he'd also quickly deduced that she was coming for this very lab. Removing Aqeaa's sens-tank and some of his more volatile experiments to an emergency tesseract, he'd assigned Color Kid and Fire Lad to the tesseract as well. While Color Kid had vigorously protested, Brainiac had made a mental note of Fire Lad's enthusiasm for the task. As he sealed the tesseract portal, Brainiac promised himself he'd look into Staq's growing obsession with Aqeaa...assuming he survived today.

He called in all offworld Legionnaires and then Brainiac 5 examined his options. He could flee, but doing so would place the rest of the Legion, their home and potentially the residents of Mars in more danger. The Legion's armory existed in its own tesseract, one which could be accessed from various strategic points throughout the base. But no. Whatever else happened today, Querl Dox couldn't bring himself to hurt Kara Zor-El with premeditation. He could leave the lab to engage her, but there was always the possibility that Satan Girl had been recreated as a distraction specifically to leave the secrets of his multilab unattended. No, the prudent course of action was to stand his ground. Then the door to his lab whooshed open and Brainiac 5 saw a familiar if mildly unexpected face.

"Brainy," his old friend greeted him. "There's something you need to know..."

Minutes later, Satan Girl ripped that same door from its moorings. While he was waiting for her, Brainiac 5 had disabled the base's alarms as the sound was infuriating...and with everything his 12th level intellect knew about the ring Satan Girl wore, the last thing he wanted was to make her angrier than she was. With a wrathful wordless scream, Satan Girl bathed Brainiac 5 in red light. Though every piece of equipment around him was ruined, his forcefield protected him effortlessly and he retaliated with two simple words.

"Hello Kara."

"Don't hello Kara me!" she screeched. "How can you just sit there so...so complacent! I'm going to kill you! I'm going to kill you like I've killed all your stupid friends!" She began pounding against his forcefield with blows so ferocious they rattled everything in the room.

"I don't think you will," Querl Dox responded calmly. "I've been watching you on our security feeds you see, and Kara...you've had every opportunity to murder every single Legionnaire and student you've come across, but you stopped yourself in every case."

"No I didn't!" She switched to heat vision and though the forcefield held, Brainiac was forced to shield his eyes. "I killed Dream Girl...and Cham! And Saturn Girl!"

"Did you?" he asked from behind the shade of a crooked arm. "Because I have to say...even without a red lantern ring, the Supergirl I know has the power to murder those three along with everyone else here - but more to the point, the Satan Girl I remember would have made damn sure she did it. The Kara Zor-El I know is intimately familiar with how tricky the people on this team can be when they need to be. And none of that matters because..." Despite himself, Brainiac 5's voice cracked. "...the Kara Zor-El I love has nothing but compassion for each and every one of us."

Satan Girl stopped her assault and stood facing Brainiac 5, their faces only inches from one another. For the longest moment, the air was filled with her ragged breathing before she shook her head and raised her fists to punch Brainiac's forcefield again. Brainiac 5's eyes welled with tears. He'd had her, he could feel it...but just as quickly she'd slipped through his fingers.

"I don't love you!" she wailed. "I don't, I don't!" She bashed at the forcefield with both fists and blasted it again with heat vision. Under such an onslaught, even Brainiac 5's technology would soon fail.

"You do love us," a new voice entered the conversation. "And we love you, Kara. Stop this. Come back to us." Incredulous, she stopped her barrage and turned toward the voice. Impossibly, looking just as he had the day he'd left the team, Shadow Lad stood before her.

Satan Girl stepped back, taking on the posture of a cornered animal. "Sh-Shady..? Brainy..? Oh Rao, what am I doing?" For the first time all night, her face wasn't contorted with anger...for the first time she looked scared.

Before either of the men could reply, an anti-energy blast tore the far wall apart and Wildfire hovered beyond; Mon-El, Ultra Boy, Shadow Lass, Phantom Girl and Dawnstar were by his side. Shadow Lass was visibly surprised to see her cousin. "Grev?? But you're on Talok VIII! What are you doing here? How did you get here??"

For the second time in as many moments, Kara Zor-El's face was overcome with a mask of pure unadulterated rage. "I knew it! I knew it!" she screamed. "You even said it yourself!" she turned on Brainiac. "I should know how tricky you can be! Damn you all to hell!" She zoomed through the ceiling, rocketing straight up until she'd cleared the building. Mon-El rushed to pull Brainiac and Shadow Lad from falling debris while Ultra Boy, Dawnstar and Wildfire raced to follow Satan Girl.

The trio had almost cleared the atmosphere when their leader called them back. "The three of you are no match for her, and we have bigger fish to fry," Brainiac said, "To use a Terran colloquialism."

When they returned to what was left of their headquarters, Saturn Girl and Dream Girl had joined the others in the multi-lab. "I had to make Kara and Laurel both think that Kara had killed me," Imra explained. "I couldn't risk trying to override that terrible ring's influence on her, and I needed Laurel's reaction to be genuine. I feel horrible, but--"

"Don't," Dream Girl interjected. "It's like I said on the way here, we did what we had to. If Cham hadn't shapeshifted to make it look like she'd killed both of us while I hid, I don't want to think about what might have happened."

Shadow Lad's form and voice warped until Chameleon Boy was standing before them. "I just hope that my last little trick didn't turn Kara against us forever...I'm sorry Brainy, but I was desperate."

"You put my cousin in danger!" Shadow Lass pointed a finger at Cham. "She could be on her way to kill him right now!"

"She isn't," Brainiac 5 replied in a voice devoid of emotion. "And if you hadn't barged in the way you did, Chameleon Boy's gambit may very well have spared us a lot of coming pain. We'll notify Shadow Lad to be cautious but he's perfectly safe, Shadow Lass. There were only four Legionnaires against whom Kara did more than threaten lethal force."

"You, me, Cham and Imra," Dream Girl recited, recalling the prophetic vision which had spared her from the fate that had met the rest of her quarters when Satan Girl came crashing through. Dream Girl and Saturn Girl's eyes widened as they realised what Brainiac 5's 12th level intellect and Chameleon Boy's keen powers of deduction had already told them and the four spoke their tormentor's name in unison.

"Universo."
Posted By: Harbinger Re: And The Reapers Are Angels - 12/12/16 11:05 AM
That was excellent fun Raz, Satan Girl is do much more interesting and scary than Super Girl. Quite a ride there, and excellent start with Drura not knowing what hit her and slowly realising the horror that surrounds her.

Star Boy and Timber Wolf were very brave to tackle her too, though it was the Academy students that stole the show almost stopping Kara's rampage where the main team members had failed.

Brainy was cute at the end, not wanting his lab to be unmanned (though who else would understand a tenth of what is going on in there?) And talking down Kara. So close but Tasmia had to interrupt, oh well, better luck next time.

One question, the red blood vomit that Kara used, is that standard Red Lanterns trick?

You've given us a superb, exciting and scary arc Raz, well done. No need to say this but I'm really looking forward to more, more and more!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: And The Reapers Are Angels - 12/12/16 02:09 PM
Wow, that had me on the edge of my seat. Excellent battle, a lot of Legionnaires got good moments there. From Drura's keeping her wits about her and being careful not to infect her teammates, to Blok's wisdom and battle tactics, Diamond Damsel stepping in (And I don't forget that Drura was afraid of her); the "last stands" of Timber Wolf, Sun Boy's solar flare, Stone Boy and Star Boy doing a lot of damage, and the Academy students' EXCELLENT battle tactics (I hope Laurel won't get into too much trouble!)

And of course, the Universo Project four. I guessed right away that that was the tie, it looks like Universo is smart enough to want these four dead as they stopped him last time. But is it Universo's doing that Satan Girl isn't killing the rest? It would make sense, that he'd want to control them (as that was his game last time).

Loved the characterization of the four, they showed just how dangerous and crafty they can be.

Can't wait for the next part!
Posted By: razsolo Re: And The Reapers Are Angels - 12/24/16 03:51 AM
Hi peeps, thanks again for the comments! That was fun to write laugh

Good job remembering Drura's issues with Diamond Damsel, IB! And I'm glad y'all liked Laurel's plan...those Academy students are actually pretty powerful, they are gonna make kickass Legionnaires one day!

Harbi, I have taken some minor liberties with the Red Lantern rings, but corrosive blood vomit is one of their trademark things - check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Lantern_Corps#Powers_and_abilities for some more details smile

Next up! Some more extreme violence! Surprise guest stars! Happy christmas everyone, hopefully I will get a chance to post over the next week or so smile
Posted By: Harbinger Re: And The Reapers Are Angels - 12/25/16 07:48 PM
Thanks for the link Raz, appreciated.
Posted By: Fat Cramer Re: And The Reapers Are Angels - 12/29/16 05:49 AM
It's great to see Naltor as more than just a planet of pre-cogs. I can imagine the beauty of that waterfall.

You did a good job of explaining the Brainy-Kara relationship, how it stood in the past and what the possibilities would be for it now. Could he be so expressive with anyone else but Kara?

Interesting tidbit that Drura needs a translator to understand Jacques. Interlac is the common language of the future, but who could keep up with all the different individual languages?

Satan Girl on a rampage, wow! I feel sorry for her when she comes out of it (surely she will?). She seems to be struggling a bit at one point to break free of the mind control.
Posted By: razsolo Re: And The Reapers Are Angels - 01/18/17 06:49 AM
Glad you liked the Naltor bit FC, I imagine it being a very lush world considering what Dream Girl's like smile

I was hoping to have the next chapter up by now, but real life has gotten in the way lol....more rampaging coming up soon though! wink
Posted By: razsolo The Devil And The Witch - 01/24/17 07:52 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

ROLL CALL

Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cold and ice generation
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: reserve member, telepathy


Polar Boy's steamy breath fogged up the glass of the viewing pane as he looked over his many wounded teammates in the Legion's sickbay beyond. "Grife Saturn Girl, I wish we'd gotten back sooner...I can't believe Supergirl did all this!"

"Don't feel too badly," Saturn Girl replied. "Those asteroid miners may not have survived that cave-in without you and Element Lad to help them, Polar Boy. Besides, as brutal as Satan Girl's assault was there's every likelihood that you'd just be two more bodies in beds right now. She was nothing like the Kara we know."

"I suppose nothing should shock me anymore," Element Lad added, "But I must admit, I wouldn't have expected Universo to unleash such an obscure threat from our past against us...I mean the Legion faced Satan Girl years ago, and that was only because of red kryptonite. It seems like an awfully risky gambit on his part to assume Kara would still have that part of herself buried somewhere deep inside."

"It was years ago for us," a new voice joined them. "I doubt it's such a distant memory for Kara, she's a lot younger than us nowadays." The three heroes turned to see a bandaged Cosmic Boy exit the sickbay, Night Girl on his heels.

"Rokk!" Saturn Girl scolded the man who was one of her oldest friends. "Shouldn't you be resting?"

"That's what I said," Night Girl rolled her eyes. "Shades forbid he should listen to his wife though."

"Don't worry," Cosmic Boy held up his hands in surrender and winced as he felt a sharp twinge in his chest. "I'm in no hurry to leap back into action just yet. I'm not a complete invalid though...that ring Kara was wearing, something about it kept bugging me so I did some research and...well, it's not particularly heartwarming news."

"The Red Lantern ring?" Saturn Girl queried. "That's what Brainy called it, right?"

"That's right." Rokk handed Imra an omnicom, on its screen a flickering image of a group of different races of aliens in similar rings. Their outfits were roughly identical and all of them bore the same arcane symbol that Satan Girl had displayed on her chest.

"What is this?" Polar Boy asked, craning to peer over Saturn Girl's shoulder. "Is that a Red Lantern Corps? Like the Green Lantern Corps?"

"Hold on," Jan Arrah's eyes narrowed and he enlarged a section of the image with his thumb and forefinger. "That blonde girl in the back, is that..."

"...Kara?" Rokk finished his question for him. "None other. In the early 21st century, Supergirl joined the Red Lantern Corps briefly. It's a weird but minor footnote in her career, I'm genuinely surprised that Universo was even aware of it...I love ancient history and even I only really half-remembered. I don't know if becoming a Red Lantern is something our Supergirl has done herself yet, but if Universo somehow managed to get his hands on an actual Red Lantern ring, it may already have been somehow attuned to her. Our records of the Red Lantern Corps are ridiculously sparse and as much mythology as fact, but if they're even partially true..."

"It says here that the Red Lanterns are powered by rage," Saturn Girl read aloud. "That certainly meshes with what I felt when I faced her. She was consumed by rage, I've never felt anything like it."

"Excellent," Polar Boy joked flatly. "All we need to do then is find and take down an enraged Kryptonian before she kills us all."

Nobody laughed.

**********
LEGION OF SUPERHEROES HEADQUARTERS
Legion Academy Suites

ROLL CALL
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai:
acid venom, fire breath
Laurel Kent: Legion intern, invulnerability


Laurel Kent sat on a console, glumly watching a holographic image of the current Legion Academy class as it rotated through various recordings of the students. The indestructible teenager was so absorbed in her misery that she didn't even notice when her fiery-haired classmate entered the dimly illuminated room. "Grife, Kent! What are you doin' in here with the lights out?" Dragonwing snarked. She leaned against a table on the opposite side of the hologram.

"Leave me alone, Marya," Laurel pouted. "I'm not in the mood."

"Hadru checked on Gravity Kid," Dragonwing completely ignored her. "He's gonna be okay, he'll need some follicle-stim treatments if he wants to grow back that stupid fuzz he spends so much time on though after Supergirl burnt it all off."

Dragonwing chuckled at herself, a laugh that Laurel quickly cut short. "It's not funny, Marya! Gravity Kid could have died because of me! I thought...I thought Saturn Girl did die. Grife, I can still smell her burning."

"That's the job," Dragonwing shrugged. "He knew that before he ever applied to join this school, just like all of us did."

"But Saturn Girl told us to evacuate!" Laurel protested. "If we'd just done like she said--"

"You really think any of those Legionnaires don't know by now we're a stubborn buncha bastiches?" Dragonwing interrupted her. "You don't get to be in the Legion just meekly following orders all the time, and it took a lotta guts to do what you did -- it's not often I throw out props, girl. You deserve 'em this time though so stop beating yourself up. You're gonna get in enough trouble from Iron-Butt Imra anyway, you don't need to be addin' to that yourself."

"Speaking of trouble," an older man's voice came from the classroom's doorway, "Don't think Iron-Butt Imra or her equally iron-butt husband have forgotten you and Chemical Kid broke curfew again last night, Dragonwing. I could have sworn I put the two of you on clean-up duty this morning." Lightning Lad entered the room, his hands folded across his chest and an expression on his face which made it clear this was not a point of contention.

"Right." Dragonwing scurried out past Garth Ranzz. "Sorry, Teach. Just helping morale."

Garth watched Dragonwing leave, the animated dragon on her voluminous coat rushing across its surface from right to left as she walked off. Once she was out of earshot, he turned his attention to Laurel. "Of course she's not entirely wrong, you know."

"Wh-what?" Laurel was shaken from her self-pity. "What do you mean she's not entirely wrong?"

Garth joined Laurel in watching the holographic display of Academy students. "You should have obeyed Saturn Girl's command," Lightning Lad said. "And Gravity Kid unquestionably suffered because you didn't. But that's on him as much as it's on you, Laurel. What you're feeling now is something which has been felt by every mission leader who ever screwed up...believe me, it's a feeling I'm very familiar with. As difficult as it may be to come to terms with right now, you need to understand that Gravity Kid made a choice to follow you." He turned now to look her in the eye. "I also know a little something about feeling responsible for your family's violence and mental health issues...I understand why you felt obligated to confront Supergirl because I would have made the exact same choice if it were Lightning Lord hurting my friends."

"Then...then I'm not in trouble?" Laurel implored.

"You don't get out of it that easy," Garth smirked. "Don't worry, we'll come up with something that will have you abusing us just like Chemical Kid and Dragonwing no doubt are right now. But Dragonwing was right about something else too...the Legion of Superheroes will never expect you to meekly follow orders if you genuinely think it's not the right thing to do; and at the end of the day, you kids came a lot closer to stopping Kara than anybody else. That's something to be proud of."

"Thanks Lightning Lad," Laurel smiled wanly. "I guess that makes me feel a little better."

"I'm glad," Garth Ranzz moved toward the door. "Let's just hope the rematch goes a little more in our favour...now that everyone's arrived back at base, we're taking a team to find Kara and Universo."

"Good luck," Laurel called out after the departing hero.

You're gonna need it, she thought darkly.

***********
DEEP SPACE
Two parsecs beyond the Sol system

ROLL CALL
Blok:
magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox: 12th level intelligence, team leader
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar-range tracking
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Fire Lad aka Staq Mavlen: fire-breathing
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: reserve member, electricity generation and manipulation
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: intangibility
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cold and ice generation
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: reserve member, telepathy
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being


Having programmed the Legion’s cruiser to follow Dawnstar, Lightning Lad watched the winged Legionnaire on a wide viewscreen. Mon-El and Wildfire accompanied the tracker outside the vehicle. “I still don’t think we should have left Chameleon Boy and Dream Girl back on Mars,” Lightning Lad volunteered to his wife. “Even with the two of us on active duty, half the team’s injured. We need all the Legionnaires we can get.”

“It makes tactical sense,” Saturn Girl answered her husband while she adjusted engineering controls. “If Chameleon Boy, Dream Girl, myself and Brainiac 5 were Kara’s real targets as we suspect, we’re a very inviting target if we’re all in the same place. You know how dangerous Universo is, Garth. We can’t afford to give him the opening.”

“You sound awfully calm about someone having brainwashed the most powerful girl in the galaxy to kill you,” Garth retorted.

“I’m more annoyed that you didn’t stay with Graym and Garridan to be honest,” Imra said bluntly. “I’m not happy about both of us heading into danger while our sons hope for us to come home in one piece.”

“I’ll never question abandoning a fight to help our children when they’re in direct danger,” Garth replied firmly. “But I’ll be damned if I’m going to let my wife go fight for her life while I sit at home wringing my hands. I love you, dope.” He leaned across and kissed her before she could protest.

Brainiac 5 entered the bridge, interrupting the couple without apology. “Change course immediately,” he ordered. “Dawnstar just contacted me; Kara has abruptly changed her trajectory. There is only one place she can be going now.” As he spoke, Dawnstar, Mon-El and Wildfire accelerated out of view.

“Nice timing,” Lightning Lad muttered sarcastically before he straightened up and reached for the navcontrols. “Where are we headed, Brainy?”

Brainiac 5’s reply was only three words, but they filled the Legion founders with a sense of foreboding.

“The Sorceror’s World.”

**********
XEROX
The Sorceror’s World

Above a wide green field and beneath several bloated moons, Mysa Nal hovered impassively while the Khund mage Harlak took a serrated dagger to his open palm. He opened a small gash and held the wound over a bonfire where black blood dripped into the flames. Speaking words older than his own ancestors Harlak summoned sprites from the fire, tiny dancing lights which flickered and laughed a cheeky crackling sound.

“Your studies are proceeding at an exemplary pace,” the Black Witch decreed. “At this rate, you will have mastered Khundish Blood Magic by the end of the next Apollorenian Cycle.”

“Thank you Mistress!” Harlak beamed at the tiny leaping fire faeries he’d summoned. In his childhood back on Khundia, he’d only dreamed he’d see even a portion of the wonders he’d encountered here on Xerox. The raw beauty of the supernatural world was more inspiring than he’d imagined it could be.

A sonic boom drew the Black Witch and Harlak’s gaze skyward, the Khund’s flaming nymphs following suit. While the denizens of the Sorceror’s World were still registering that a new light had appeared in the firmament, its originator made landfall. The other side of the field exploded with the impact, only Harlak’s combat-trained reflexes erected a magical shield in time to protect himself and Mysa from flying debris. The pink-hued youth’s shield fell beneath the onslaught, and Harlak himself only remained upright through force of will. “Mistress, what was that?” he asked through gritted teeth. “A meteor?”

“Not a meteor,” Mysa Nal replied coldly, her fingers already weaving some enchantment.

Before she could say more, a red streak came straight at them from the crash site. Satan Girl stopped before the two mages, one hand gripped tight around Harlak’s exposed throat. Harlak struggled fruitlessly for a moment, but he quickly realised that her strength far outstripped his. Seeing his own blood running down his arm, he was struck with inspiration. Exercising his control over the fire sprites, they rose and merged forms to create one composite entity the size of a small child. They moved to assault the villainess hurting their master, but Satan Girl simply laughed and dispersed the living flames with one blast of super-breath. “You’ll have to do better than that,” she sneered, throwing Harlak aside like he was nothing more than a rag doll. He bounced painfully several times before rolling to a halt halfway across the devastated field.

“Then do better I shall,” the Black Witch intoned.

Pendulous clouds gathered above them, the sound of thunder filling the formerly peaceful skies. Satan Girl moved toward the witch, but she’d barely left the ground when a tremendous lightning bolt tore straight through her. The Kryptonian teenager screamed in agony, dropping to her knees. With ragged breaths, she looked up at Mysa. “How..?”

“You pitiful creature.” While the temperature dropped and winds howled, the Black Witch made an elaborate gesture. Slimy tendrils came forth from the broken earth like an army of enormous earthworms. They curled around Satan Girl’s limbs and her neck, slowly but inexorably dragging her beneath the ground’s surface. Content that Satan Girl was subdued, the Black Witch calmly approached her would-be assailant. “What kind of fool mounts an attack on somebody without knowing the power they command? Tell me.”

Satan Girl had begun to panic, but panic turned now to frustration and frustration to rage. Drawing strength from her anger, she craned her neck upwards against the drag of the tendrils until she could see the hem of the Black Witch’s cloak. “I’ll tell you while you burn,” she spat. Twin beams of intense heat blazed from hateful eyes, and Mysa’s black cloak burst into flames.

“No!” Shocked but unhurt, Mysa staggered backwards a few steps. Rain finally poured down from the now moonless skies, dousing the flames before she could come to any harm. Satan Girl’s true goal had been distraction however, and with that goal achieved she used the power of the Red Lantern ring to tear her way free from the witch’s mystical entrapment.

A flash of lightning illuminated the sheer intensity of fury on Satan Girl’s face as she launched herself at the Black Witch. Before the lightning’s accompanying thunderbolt sounded, the two women were miles away and Satan Girl had the Black Witch pinned up against the cold stone wall of her own castle. “Now where were we?” Satan Girl grinned wickedly, her eyes flaring bright.

“...I know you!” Mysa realised suddenly. “Your voice, your power...how do I know you? Et Ednetso!” The spell was a simple one, forcing Satan Girl’s black cowl to fade to transparency. Mysa Nal’s eyes widened in amazement as she recognised the blonde juggernaut.

Supergirl!” Both women gaped at the sound of Mon-El's booming voice behind them to see him floating alongside Wildfire and Dawnstar. “Let her go, Kara!” Mon-El commanded.

“That’s really what you want?” Kara Zor-El mocked the Daxamite. “I thought you’d be happy, Mon...you all know it’s just a matter of time till she goes all Mordru: The Sequel on you.”

“You presume far too much, girl out of time.” Mysa’s voice sounded positively sepulchral. Now that she knew Satan Girl’s identity, she knew that Kara was as famously vulnerable to magic as her cousin. The fact that she hadn’t succumbed yet could be attributed to only one thing; the ring. “You know nothing of the sacrifices I have made, that I continue to make to contain Mordru’s evil. Every time you Legionnaires come here you bring nothing but disdain and gormless need. And now you seek to bring destruction? I will not allow it.” She gripped Kara’s Red Lantern ring. “Aufero Magus Infusco!

Kara felt as though her blood were frozen. Her red aura faded momentarily and she dropped the Black Witch in shock. “Mysa...what..?” For a moment, she sounded like any other frightened teenager.

Mysa reached for the ring again, her grip absurdly stronger than Kara’s own. “Aufero Magus Infusco!

Mysa herself seemed to almost glow with a crimson light, and Kara fell screaming to one knee. “Stop it! What are you doing to me?!”

“Mysa, that’s enough!” Mon-El ordered. “You’re hurting her!”

“Am I?” The Black Witch’s eyes were two burning embers in a deathly white face. “I will inflict pain and more to protect my world, man of Daxam. Aufero Magus--

“I said that’s enough!” Before the witch could complete her incantation, Mon-El moved in a blur to interject himself between the two women. Trusting that Kara’s innate invulnerability would protect her, he grabbed her and threw her wildly across the storm-swept landscape. “Get after her!” Mon-El shouted at Wildfire. “Keep her busy till the rest of the Legion arrive and we can get to the bottom of this!” He turned back to Mysa and found himself chilled by her expression.

“I tire of the Legion of Superheroes’ constant interference in my affairs, man of Daxam. And I would remind you that you are no more immune to my magic than she whom you seek to protect!” The Black Witch’s glare intensified, and the power she’d already absorbed from the Red Lantern ring exploded forth from her eyes. Mon-El bellowed in pain and clutched at his face, staggering backwards.

“Mysa!” Dawnstar chided her former teammate. “Stop this at once! Have you forgotten that we are friends?”

“The Black Witch has no friends,” Mysa Nal intoned, the thunder overhead crashing ominously. “You should never have come to this place, tracker.” Dawnstar felt something grab at her from below and looked down to see thick clawed arms reaching out from the ground.

The winged Legionnaire’s screams were drowned out by the angry skies.

**********
Miles away, Wildfire landed in the shattered remains of a stone cairn. Satan Girl or Supergirl or whatever she was calling herself had obviously landed here, but she wasn’t here now. Drake Burroughs was glad that Dawnstar had remained with Mon-El for her own safety, but he could definitely use her tracking power right now. His own senses weren’t nearly as badly affected by darkness as an organic being would be, but the darkness together with the driving rain and the electrically charged atmosphere had much the same effect. He could barely see anything more than twenty or thirty feet away. He knew Kara must have him in her sights right now though, so he figured the best approach was the direct one. He was about to call her name when a tremendous impact from behind drove him into the mud. Wildfire rolled over to see Satan Girl’s glowering form overhead. “I don’t want to hurt you--” he began.

“Oh Wildfire, that’s so cute.” Satan Girl hefted him up in her left hand and delivered a powerful blow with her right that sent him flying straight up half a mile. Before he could get his bearings, she was suddenly above him again. “Now that I've recovered from the Witch’s hoodoo, like that’s even an option.” She clasped both fists together and slammed him straight back down again.

Wildfire hit the ground with enough force to leave a small crater. This was bad. She could easily rupture his containment suit if she tried, her blows came just shy of doing precisely that. She was toying with him. He wasn’t looking forward to what he’d have to do next; if this didn’t work, he might be taken out of the fight altogether. It was his only chance to end this though. He stood up and watched Satan Girl diving down at him, waiting for the last possible instant before he made his move. Drake Burroughs flipped the visor which kept his containment suit sealed and channeled the entirety of his power into what should have been a devastating expulsion of anti-energy. To his astonishment, absolutely nothing happened.

Satan Girl pinned him down to the ground and Wildfire realised that she was using the power of the ring to seal his suit. She leaned close to the open space in his cowl and sneered hatefully. “The Red Lantern energy can burn through just about anything,” Satan Girl taunted. “Let’s see if it can burn your stupid anti-energy!”

Before she could make good on her threat, Satan Girl found her head enclosed in a mass of glowing green rock. Her concentration broken, the crimson field keeping Wildfire contained was weakened enough that he exploded through it and bathed her in enough raw energy to destroy a city block. The green rock was disintegrated in the blast, and Satan Girl found herself somersaulting backwards through the rain. She righted herself, but before she could mount a counter-attack she was grabbed from behind and charged face-first into the mud. She felt someone straddling her from behind and two insanely strong hands holding her head down, and Satan Girl roared.

“Struggle as much as you like, Kara.” The voice belonged to Night Girl. “We’ve all seen what that ring lets you do, I’m not letting you up until Saturn Girl frees you of whatever hold this thing has on you.” With the storm as heavy as it had become, it was dark enough that Lydda was near full-strength anyway; with Color Kid making the transuit she’d just activated completely opaque, the photosensitive heroine was as formidable as she was going to get.

While Wildfire slowly filled his containment suit once more and Kara raged impotently, six more Legionnaires looked on. Brainiac 5 dropped the forcefield which had protected himself, Color Kid, Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad, Element Lad and Phantom Girl from Wildfire’s explosive backwash.

Element Lad approached Satan Girl warily. “Have you got her under control, Night Girl?” Jan Arrah asked. “I’d rather not subject Kara to kryptonite again if I don’t need to, but if it’s necessary…”

“I hate to say it but we might have to,” Lydda grunted. “It’s almost like this damn ring is making her stronger!”

“That is precisely what is happening,” Brainiac explained. “The Red Lantern ring is powered by rage; to phrase it indelicately, the angrier she gets the stronger she gets. Don’t act yet, Element Lad, but remain ready. Saturn Girl, can you please assist?”

“Of course, Brainy.” Saturn Girl stepped forward, her husband shadowing her protectively.

A hand suddenly clawed at Imra from beneath the ground until Lightning Lad dissuaded it with a well-placed blast of electricity. “Now what?!” Garth complained.

“I don’t know,” Phantom Girl retorted as she watched a grotesque limb slash through her own intangible form, “But this looks more like Sorceror’s World trouble than Satan Girl trouble, guys.”

All around the Legionnaires, demonic forms clambered from the wet earth.

**********
Back at the Black Witch’s castle, nine more Legionnaires found themselves in the same predicament as their friends. Shadow Lass’s darkness hid her from the monsters which had burst forth from the ground at their feet while Mon-El and Blok found themselves buried beneath a growing pile of them. Initially the wind and rain had hampered Fire Lad’s ability to protect himself, but Gas Girl’s power gave him a medium volatile enough to overcome the weather. The wind actually worked in Light Lad’s favour; once he made the demons lighter than air, they were picked up by stray gusts and smashed against the castle walls or sent tumbling far away from the heroes. Dawnstar had already fallen before the others arrived and Polar Boy now stood at her defence, regenerating ice walls faster than they could be torn down. A diminutive Shrinking Violet stood on the shivering Tharrian’s shoulder, clinging at his collar to fight the howling winds. Above them all, untouched by the furious elements in a preternaturally calm eye, the Black Witch watched in cold judgement.

“I hate this!” Shrinking Violet shouted into Polar Boy’s ear. “I can’t do anything against these monsters!”

A massive three-fingered hand smashed through one of Polar Boy’s barricades and Brek reinforced the wall quickly, freezing the creature in mid-swipe. “If it makes you feel any better,” Brek replied, “I don’t know how much longer I’m gonna be able to keep this up! If these demons don’t get me, hypothermia will!”

Vi knew Polar Boy was exaggerating, but she also knew that this environment must paradoxically be much more difficult for their resident cryokinetic to endure than it was for the rest of them. Coming from an insanely hot world like Tharr, even a pleasant day on Earth or Mars was uncomfortably cold for him. She wasn’t really concerned though; his flight ring’s transuit function was calibrated specifically for his Tharrian physiology, if things got too bad it would activate automatically. Vi considered her options. Maybe she’d be more useful taking on Mysa? After all, the Black Witch was responsible for these creatures.

Just as she’d decided to confront the sorceress, something else caught the Imskian heroine’s eye. The others were all too preoccupied with these demons, but Vi was certain she’d seen a flash of emerald out there in the stormy night. Curious, the tiny woman focused intently on her flight ring and fought the driving winds to take a closer look.

With a flex of their mighty muscles, Blok and Mon-El sent their army of attackers hurtling every which way. While Blok was none the worse for wear, Mon-El’s costume had shreds torn from it and he was covered in shallow cuts and grazes. “Mon-El, you are injured!” Blok exclaimed.

“I’ll heal,” the stoic Daxamite replied. “Against magic, I don’t have any more defences than anybody else but I can still throw a mean punch.”

“May I suggest you continue to engage these minions from a distance and assist our friends as necessary?” Blok asked. “I wish to have words with their mistress.”

“Good idea,” Mon-El nodded. He took to the air and with a focused gust of super-breath scattered two of the creatures who’d been sneaking up on Fire Lad.

Blok made his way to the Black Witch, throwing off two of the attacking demons who’d become airborne. The effort was completely casual on his part, and they didn’t slow his ascent in the slightest. “Mysa, please! I understand you must feel betrayed, but Supergirl is not in her right mind! We have come to help her, and to help you if you will allow us!”

The Black Witch fixed the stone man with a long frozen stare. “In respect for our prior friendship, I will allow you to depart my world. Take the Kryptonian with you or do not, it is no matter to me. If she remains however, if any of you remain, you will be subject to my judgement for your actions here today.”

“Mysa...our prior friendship..?” The hurt in Blok’s voice was evident, as was the concern. He’d felt that they had begun repairing the rift between them the last time the Legion had come to the Sorceror’s World; had she really become so much darker since then? So much more lost? What exactly was it doing to her to have to contain Mordru’s essence for so long?

“You are a good man, Blok of Dryad. Despite all else, I know this to be true.” Her words were kind, but her demeanour was no less icy. “These Legionnaires are mortal however, and mortals are necessarily flawed. I can no longer ignore those flaws when I have so many of my own I must push down.”

“Please Mysa, just call off your servants...before somebody is harmed.”

The Black Witch regarded him and Blok could sense that somewhere deep inside, the compassionate woman he knew was fighting this shadow which tainted all that she was now. She opened her mouth to speak, then with no warning grabbed at her head and cried out in shock. “No!” she screeched. “How could you do this? How could you all do this??

Then the Black Witch threw wide her arms, and waves of pain washed over them all.

**********
Satan Girl and Night Girl’s fight had now moved to a forest. Tree limbs swayed urgently in the winds as if to evade the female powerhouses, and most of the other Legionnaires had found themselves too occupied with the Black Witch’s mystical servants to follow. Color Kid and Brainiac 5 alone had escaped the demons’ groping claws, and had followed the trail of violence to the thrashing women. “Lydda’s holding out well,” Color Kid hissed at his leader, “But I don’t know how much longer she can last...what can we do, Brainiac?”

“Our best hopes rested with Saturn Girl,” Brainiac 5 mumbled forlornly. “Without her….I don’t know...”

Though his eyes were hidden behind permanent artificial shadow, Color Kid gaped at the Coluan. He had never once heard Brainiac 5 admit ignorance, he didn’t realise such a thing was even possible!

A series of thunderous cracks diverted his attention, and Ulu spun to see three mighty trees topple to the ground as Satan Girl was punched through all three of them. While the massive trunks were still collapsing and taking more of the forest with them, Satan Girl recovered her bearing and charged Night Girl through two more trees. “How are you so strong?!” Kara ranted, her own anger clouding her reason. “With my aura, with this lightning strobing constantly, how?!” Too incensed for speech, Kara released a noise which was half shriek and half sickly gurgle. Before Lydda could defend herself, she was splattered in fiery crimson vomit.

The Kathooni heroine wailed in pain as the corrosive bile instantly disintegrated her transuit and started burning through her costume. The driving rain washed some of it away, but nowhere near enough.

“Kara, stop this!” Brainiac 5 floated closer, his mastery of his forcefield belt enabling him to project a field between Lydda’s body and the majority of the gross attack. That which had already soaked through her costume continued to burn though, and Night Girl huddled in torment.

At the sound of Querl Dox’s voice, Satan Girl rounded on him in a blur. Faster than any of the heroes could follow, she slammed him up against one of the trees still standing and Brainiac felt a sharp stabbing pain in his back. Think, he chastised himself. Damn it Querl, it’s the one ability you possess. Put your emotions aside and use it! All of a sudden, it came to him.

“Kara...Kara, why are you here?”

Satan Girl had been an instant away from repeating her vomitous attack on Brainiac 5, but the unexpected tone of his query somehow got through to her. She slammed him up harder against the trunk of the tree. “You’ve got the nerve to ask why?” she snarled viciously. “All this time you’ve known...you’ve known that my destiny was never to live out the rest of my life in the 31st century, was it? You’re just stringing me along until you get sick of me and then you’ll send me back to the past to die! It’s in your damn history books, Universo showed me!”

“So you hate us, yes.” Brainiac’s voice was preternaturally calm and controlled. “But if you’re motivated purely by hatred of the Legion, why have you come to the Sorceror’s World to pick a fight with a woman who hasn’t been an active member of the team since before you rejoined?”

Her grip lessened ever so slightly, and Brainiac could see the question repeating itself in her mind. He displayed no visible response, but if he’d believed in a divine power he knew he would be praying right now for Kara to fight.

...And then her red aura turned green.

Satan Girl’s scream was like nothing the heroes had heard. She dropped Brainiac and collapsed to the forest floor, convulsing violently. It only took Brainiac 5 an instant to discern what had happened, and with uncommon passion he turned on Color Kid. “Change it back!!

Ulu was stunned. “Wh--what? Brainiac, I was just trying to distract her--”

“Change it back now!!” the Coluan screamed, veins bulging in his neck.

Deeply unsettled, Color Kid allowed his power to come into play once more and the green aura shifted swiftly back to red. Kara Zor-El’s convulsions slowed and stopped, leaving her in a hunched over heap in the mud and the grass.

Brainiac reached for her gingerly. “Kara--”

In return, she rose to her feet and backhanded the Coluan hero hard enough to send him flying several metres where he hit a tree with bone-crunching impact. Eyes glowering with inhuman rage and bloody bile dribbling from her lower lip, Satan Girl turned on Ulu Vakk. He’d never seen a face so contorted by animalistic emotion, and Ulu was frozen with terror. He was convinced he was about to end up a pile of charred bones. Satan Girl’s eyes flared a blazing red, then inexplicably faded. She cocked her head to one side as if hearing something only she could hear, and then the Kryptonian teen shot straight up into the upper atmosphere and beyond.

Color Kid realised he’d been holding his breath this whole time, and he forced himself to exhale as legs like jelly lowered him to the forest floor.

**********
While the Legionnaires were busy with Satan Girl and the Black Witch, two newcomers had made their way to the Sorceror’s World. Protected from the elements by a translucent emerald sphere, Universo and Mwindaji touched down gently by the Black Witch’s castle. On the other side of the imposing stone fortress the Witch’s battle with the Legion could not be heard, but both men had seen its chaos on their way down through Xerox’s lightning-crossed skies.

“Vidar, I must speak once more of my doubts.” Mwindaji’s features were hidden beneath an elaborate green headpiece designed to boost his tracking power, but concern was evident in his voice. “You have told me that we freed Supergirl from the lies of her teammates with the red rings I found for you, but...even on Kirinyaga we have heard of the Legion of Superheroes, of their heroism. And Supergirl is legendary throughout the galaxy! I do not understand why we could not enlist their aid in a more honorable manner.”

Universo dissolved the apparatus around Mwindaji’s head with a quick gesture. A red ring hung on a chain around his neck as companion to the green and gold rings he wore on his fingers. “I know it is difficult, but you must trust me. The Legion of Superheroes are not what they seem. They have opposed me on more than one occasion...my son fell for their lies, and now he lies dead. They do not support the cause of justice, Mwindaji. They support the status quo. These are two different things.”

“I will submit to your greater knowledge,” Mwindaji bowed his head. “Admittedly I have little experience in the worlds outside of my homelands.”

“There is no shame in ignorance,” Universo decreed magnanimously. “So long as one is open to learning. Now tell me...can you home in on our target?”

Mwindaji perked up. “Easily,” he smiled. “I do not know how to say the word in Interlac...there is a...haze..? I needed your assistance to bring us this far, but this close to the ring we seek, no haze could hide its glow. It is within these castle walls.”

“Then lead on, my friend.” Universo shifted the dome around them and projected it before them, smashing a hole in the black stone wall.

The castle’s interior was lightless, deathly cold and filled with distant wailing sounds. Universo created a golden torch to illuminate their way but even with the light they could barely see more than five or six feet ahead. Mwindaji walked forward cautiously, but at a steady pace. He’d just rounded a corner when a slavering werewolf pounced out of the darkness at him.

“Mwindaji!” Universo exclaimed. “Back away, I’ll take care of this beast!”

“Do not trouble yourself,” the athletic teen replied as he evaded the lycanthrope’s slashing claws. “I may not have your miraculous weapons, but I would be a poor son of Kirinyaga were I not able to defend myself against one dumb beast.” He maneuvered deftly around the werewolf until he was behind it, then in one smooth motion grabbed its head in both hands and gave a savage twist. The creature’s neck gave a crisp snap and its head hung limply at a wrong angle, but as soon as Mwindaji released the werewolf its injury healed with a sick cracking slowness and it faced the men once more. “What monster is this??” Mwindaji gawked in horror.

“A magical monster,” Universo replied patiently. “No disrespect intended to your prowess Mwindaji, but the Black Witch’s supernatural guardians may be a little more than you’re accustomed to. Here, let me.” He raised one fist, and a blinding golden light slammed the creature through the ceiling. Before the two men could take another step, they saw the glowing eyes of five more beasts just ahead. “This is going to take too long,” Universo frowned. “Mwindaji, can you tell me exactly where the ring is now?”

The tracker closed his eyes for a second. “Down,” he answered with utmost confidence. “Down seven meits and across to the left fourteen more.”

Unfamiliar with Kirinyagan measurements, Universo uttered an exasperated sigh. “Just direct me as we go.” He enveloped the both of them in another green bubble, and as Mysa’s faithful servants hurled themselves ineffectively at the bubble it smashed through the stone floor and the floor below that one. The men pierced seven levels in all until Mwindaji bade Universo to change direction. They smashed once again through the castle’s interior, noticing that these walls seemed to be carved out of the foundation of the world itself rather than manmade.

Eventually they came to their end goal. In an otherwise empty circular room, on a pedestal at its exact centre, a small blue ring glowed faintly. His heart pounding with anticipation, Universo lowered his forcefield. He reached out with a trembling hand and claimed his fourth prize. A powerful din could be heard above them, and Universo knew there was no time right now to savour this. He restored the force bubble around them both, then forsaking any need for subtlety, the two men smashed their way through the castle’s interior until a green bubble reinforced in gold rocketed away from the mystical planet.

So small that she could not be seen by either man, hidden in one of the seams of Mwindaji’s outfit, Shrinking Violet’s heart pounded for an altogether different reason.

...What have you gotten yourself into now, Vi..?

TO BE CONTINUED..!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Devil And The Witch (EDITOR'S NOTES) - 01/24/17 07:54 AM
Some notes that might help with reading the last instalment!

XEROX: So this is kinda embarassing, but up until a couple months ago I have thought for like 20+ years that the Sorceror's World was called Xerox laugh laugh Even knowing that's like a SUPER FAMOUS office equipment manufacturer, I think I just convinced myself that it had popped up in the comics before Xerox the company really made a name for themselves and the comics just decided to keep it. I have since realised it should actually be spelled Zerox, but I have been using the incorrect spelling for so long I'm gonna stick with it...and because it's me, I have already come up with a story to justify it in universe lol wink

Aufero Magus Infusco: Readers of Legion of Three Worlds may recall that this was the very incantation that Mysa used to steal Mordru's essence unto herself in the first place...so you can probably imagine what would have happened if Mon-El hadn't interrupted her just now...

The Black Witch: it's been a while since I used Mysa, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to throw in a refresher...as a consequence of stealing Mordru's essence like I just described, the White Witch's hair and clothes turned black and she renamed herself the Black Witch. In my series she has appeared occasionally, but for vaguely defined reasons she can't leave the Sorceror's World and she seems to be in constant danger of being corrupted by Mordru's essence.

Any other questions, holla at me! Something else else's bound to come up in the next instalment which should show that I come up with a lot of this stuff a loooooong time in advance, so sometimes I forget that not everyone will remember something I referred to off-hand in a story 2 years back wink
Hey Raz, I thought it was called Xerox too, now I'm going to have to go back through all my fics and edit them. Also funny your using Mysa as I'm away to bring her back too. Synchronization in fan fics strikes again smile
Hi Raz, sorry for the delay between post above and review - I did mean to do it the same night but got distracted and then thought I had posted a review - sorry, my addled brain strikes again.

I like your take on Brek, I could never figure out how to write him so love it when I see someone manage successfully. His bleak humour was perfect.

Marya and Laurel's scene was very nice, I totally can see them being friends. Laurel's guilt, and Garth helping her understand that it's something all team leaders go through was timely - hopefully this won't make her doubt herself in future.

Good tactics splitting up the four that Universo is after. And the Sorcerer's World? I didn't expect that though know it's just gonna get messy!

That's a mighty team sent after Kara! nice characterisation of Garth and Imra - she can't really question that logic can she? I really like your take on Garth.

I google Appollorenian Cycle to see what came up, thinking you had hit upon a great obscure astronomical bit of info. I was convinced it must be real as it reads so 'true'. Sadly it's not real according to Google, ah well. Very nice creativity there, you had me fooled.

Poor Harlack, despite his Khundian Blood Magic he was never going to stand a chance.

Mysa though... here's a battle of titans! I don't know who is luckier that Mon El interrupted them, though you really showed Mysa's stature as the preeminent magic user of her generation. Her absorbing the Red into her is a scary thought!

The scene with Kara toying with Wildfire was chilling. Lucky for Drake that his teammates caught up with him n time. Nice that Lydda was able to pin her - you're development of her has been really well done.

Your explanation of Brek's dislike of the cold was good, as was Vi's admitting she was no use against creatures Mysa had summoned to attack her former teammates.

Good to see Blok try to talk Mysa out of the fight. The effects of the Red Lantern energy I assume are responsible for her anger towards the group. Though what happened to her to lose control?
Is Mordru going to break free? I was a bit confused by this part tbh.

The nasty red vomit strikes again, and this time Lydda gets a body wash in it - it really is such a disgusting image!

Brainy talking Kara down was well done, and Ulu hurting her by altering the colour of her aura was delightfully Silver Age. I'm not surprised by Ul's terror, that was close!

M'Windaji appeared to be acting freely though I imagine dear Universo has manipulated him enough that his reasoning make sense. Great little bit of action with him taking on the were-wolf - brave man!

Oh Vi what have you done? I'm really looking forward to seeing how you resolve this.

Great stuff again Raz, looking forward to reading more, more, more!

Posted By: razsolo Re: The Devil And The Witch (EDITOR'S NOTES) - 01/30/17 05:47 AM
Thanks again Harbinger! No need to apologise, I am always stoked to read any reviews/comments whenever they might pop up laugh

The Legionworld Fanfic Synchronicity strikes again! I am looking forward to seeing what happens with your Mysa!

Glad you liked Polar Boy...I see him as a bit of an underdog; he's quite good at what he does but he can never QUITE break into any Legion cliques.

I had kinda seen Laurel and Marya being at constant loggerheads with one another, but as sometimes happens it looks like they might be writing themselves in a different direction wink

I did indeed make up the Apollorenian Cycle, I just wanted something that sounded suitably space-pagany laugh

Sorry to confuse you with Mysa's deal...rest assured you haven't missed anything, that whole incident should make a lot more sense after the next instalment...And speaking of the next instalment, I'll also shed some light on what exactly Color Kid did to Kara, and Mwindaji and Vi should get some interesting follow-up too.

Also: more Lanterns! And something oughtta come out which will show just how long I have had this story in the works for behind the scenes smile
What a battle with Satan Girl - exhausting! And acid vomit, YUCK! So sad that Brainy was just starting to reach her on an emotional level and was interrupted by well-intentioned Ulu.

Mysa's a real powerhouse here, and scary. I like the way she addresses people without using their names, "man of Daxam", "tracker" - so impersonal.

I hadn't thought about how Brek might suffer in what we consider normal temperatures.

Universo strikes me as almost likeable here, like a bit of a charming con-man. Mwindaji is so trusting, innocent and earnest, I figure it's not going to end well - and it may be Universo who pays, not Mwindaji.
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Devil And The Witch (EDITOR'S NOTES) - 02/06/17 07:42 AM
Originally Posted by Fat Cramer
What a battle with Satan Girl - exhausting! And acid vomit, YUCK!

Everyone hates the acid vomit, it's pretty gross lol wink
I'm glad y'all like the Satan Girl fights...Something else else like a crazy mad Kryptonian should be exhausting I think - as much as I like the Great Darkness Saga, they REALLY downplayed how frightening a planet of Superman-level bad guys should be imo

Quote
I hadn't thought about how Brek might suffer in what we consider normal temperatures.

To be honest it's not something that ever occurred to me either till Giffen started drawing him with icicle hair and always shivering with his breath visible - I thought it was a really clever observation, and it helps differentiate him from someone like Iceman smile

Quote
Universo strikes me as almost likeable here, like a bit of a charming con-man

Exactly what I was going for, thanks! laugh
Posted By: Omni Re: The Devil And The Witch (EDITOR'S NOTES) - 02/08/17 09:59 AM
ITs been forever since i've posted but i'm all caught up on this thread and i have to say i'm loving every minuet of it.

The end to Conceptual Virus was great. Dura and Tellus' teamwork was really well done and how the Virus actually worked was ingenious. i hope it doesn't find its way back.

I love how you use this teams history for your stories and breath new life into them. The Universo/Satan Girl arch is loads of fun.

The battles are awesome and to see even the academy kids hold their own against her is a true testament to.

A BLUE LANTERN RING ON ZEROX! now i want to know how it got there. hell i want to know how all these rings got to where they were. But another story for another time.

Black Witch is super scary and i like that is how Zerox is protrayed when she's in battle. the world reflects her. so demoons and werewolves awesome!

I liked Lydda taking her on and almost winning.
Now i maybe getting confused but i thought Brainy upgraded her ring to project darkness around her to allow her access to her powers?

Brainy and Kara just so tragic and every time we the reader is reminded of her death it hurts even more when they have moments or when he's the one who can get through to her.

I can't wait for more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Devil And The Witch (EDITOR'S NOTES) - 02/16/17 01:32 AM
Thanks Omni, good to have you back on board!

Night Girl's darkness field is one of Harbinger's innovations, my Lydda has to rely on nighttime or the occasional helping hand from her pals Shady and Color Kid wink

I am glad you asked about the Blue Lantern ring, you might just get some answers on that sooner than you think! laugh
Posted By: razsolo Hope Dies - 02/16/17 03:56 AM
UNKNOWN LOCATION
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby:
shrinking


Shrinking Violet pondered where in the galaxy she was. Only a couple of millimetres tall, she’d stowed away on the outfit of the man she now knew was called Mwindaji while Universo had spirited them all away from Xerox in a green bubble. At her current stature, she was far too small to be able to judge spacial perspective and distance normally; even if Universo’s construct hadn’t been obscuring her view she doubted she’d have any idea how far they’d travelled or on which planet they’d now landed. The bubble dissipated, and realising they were now inside some kind of structure Vi kept watch for any kind of familiar feature. This building was well lit and obviously man-made but beyond that she had nothing. She considered activating her homing beacon but she’d seen how versatile these colorful Lantern Corps rings were, and Universo had four of them. She didn’t want to do anything that might tip him off to her presence until it was absolutely necessary.

“Vidar?” Mwindaji asked, his voice booming and distorted to Vi’s tiny ears. “I have been wondering...my tracking ability amplified by your wondrous rings has succeeded in locating the red and blue rings you sought; and of course I am happy to assist you in locating the remaining three you tell me of...but how did it come to pass that you gained the green and golden rings you already possessed when we first met?”

“You will recall that I advised you of the Green Lantern Corps,” Universo explained patiently. “As a member of that proud organisation, I was entrusted with one of their rings.”

Vi seethed. Universo’s son and one of the Legion’s most trusted allies Rond Vidar had worn a Green Lantern ring; Rond had died in Universo’s attempt to take it for himself, but the actual ring had escaped the villain’s grasp at that point. Shrinking Violet didn’t know exactly how the elder Vidar had managed to get his hands on one of the weapons, but she suspected it had a lot more to do with the Thunderers of Qward and their massacre of the nascent Green Lantern Corps than any altruistic reason Universo might concoct.

“As far as the favoured weapon of the Sinestro Corps,” Universo held the gleaming gold ring before himself thoughtfully, “I discovered that over the course of centuries this ring had wound up in the occult collection of a man named Vrykos….a terribly evil man. It was my duty to free the ring from his clutches before he realised its true power and used it to commit great horrors upon his world, so I sacrificed something of my own to trade him for it.”

Violet’s brow furrowed, then her eyes widened in shock as it dawned on her...Cosmic Boy and Night Girl’s wedding! Vi had been in a hypnotic trance for most of the Legion’s encounter with Vrykos, but she remembered now that the Kathooni vampire had even told the Legion he was using Universo’s Hypno Stone against them! Sprock! They’d all been so distracted with Vrykos and with the wedding itself that it had never occurred to a single one of them to follow it up!!

“I had thought it was pure happenstance which placed the golden ring of the Sinestro Corps on my finger,” Universo continued, “But I believe now that it was fate, just as it was fate which led me to you, Mwindaji - the one man who could help me find the rest of the rings to complete my mission. Now if you’ll forgive me, Satan Girl must have returned to us by now. I suggest you take this opportunity to rest while I go to welcome her back. I will call on you when we are ready to retrieve the next two rings, son.”

“Vidar?” Mwindaji repeated the man's name uncertainly. “Once you have achieved your goal...once you have the godlike power you seek...you will restore Supergirl to her true self, yes? I cannot believe that she is truly content in her current state.”

“Of course, my friend.” Universo smiled obligingly. “We must all go to great lengths to obtain universal peace, but once we have found that peace all of our sacrifices can be undone.” He walked away, leaving Mwindaji to his own counsel.

Violet considered her options. There’s no point trying to snap Supergirl out of it; if Brainiac 5 couldn’t do it I don’t stand a chance. Time to take a different kind of risk.

Unnoticed by Mwindaji, she flew up inside one of the ceiling’s light fittings and raised her flight ring to her lips.

**********
XEROX
The Sorceror’s World

ROLL CALL
Blok:
magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox: 12th level intelligence, team leader
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar-range tracking
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Fire Lad aka Staq Mavlen: fire-breathing
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: reserve member, electricity generation and manipulation
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: intangibility
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cold and ice generation
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: reserve member, telepathy
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being


Blok moaned as his world came into focus. The Black Witch had hit the Legion with a wave of suffering so intense that even the magically enhanced stone giant had felt it. The pain had been just that though; pain. Blok wasn’t actually physically injured, and he knew that none of the other Legionnaires would be either. Still, he’d blacked out momentarily and he could see his teammates all around him, sleeping off the mystical assault they’d just endured.

Blok observed that the storm which had been raging around them was showing no signs of abating. The Black Witch’s summoned demons were nowhere to be seen, and neither was she. There was a massive hole in the side of her castle wall though, and a wail of anguish came forth from deep within that damaged structure. Sparing a swift glance to make sure Mon-El at least was beginning to rouse from his forced slumber, Blok darted into the black fortress. “Mysa!” he called out. “Where are you?”

“This way,” a male voice responded. A limping pink-skinned teenager leaned on the cold hard wall beside Blok. He was soaked from the downpour and blood had seeped into his mage’s robes.

Blok recognised the battered Khund quickly. “Harlak?? You are wounded, allow me to assist you!”

He offered an enormous gold-flecked hand for support, and Harlak shook his head violently. “It is only a few broken bones,” the Khundish sorceror brushed aside Blok’s concern. “We were attacked by an insanely powerful woman...I trust she is the reason behind the Legion of Superheroes’ presence here as well?” He made his way forward as he spoke, each step setting his teeth on edge.

“Our friend has been brainwashed by the villain Universo,” Blok explained sadly. “We have not had much success in restoring her to us thus far, and Mysa...Mysa could not see that the Legion are here only to help.”

Before Harlak could frame a reply, the two men heard another tormented scream and the sound of something breaking. Swallowing his pride, the Khund took Blok’s hand. “I have never heard my mistress like this,” he admitted grimly. “Follow the light to her, Legionnaire.” He focused through his pain; despite his earlier comment, even a simple incantation was difficult. His vision swam before him, every inch of his body was on fire with sensation, but he wouldn’t let her down a second time today. Spectral ribbons of light reached forth from his shaking fingertips and led the men down into the catacombs of the building.

The sight which greeted them in the dimly lit room at the end of their quest broke their hearts. Kneeling in rainwater which was still pouring down through the ruined foundations of the castle, the hunched form of the Black Witch sobbed before the smoking remains of a cylindrical pedestal.

“...Mysa..?” Blok ventured uncertainly.

“M-mistress..?” Harlak had only known cold authority or ferocious power from the woman before him for so long, he was not at all prepared to see this display of grief now.

“The ring,” she despaired. “They took the ring and now all is lost!”

“Mistress, I - I do not understand,” Harlak continued, obviously disconcerted. “I have never been to this section of the castle, you have always deemed it off-limits to all save yourself. But...a ring was kept here?”

“Not just any ring!” Mysa railed. “The sole remaining Blue Lantern ring in all of creation!” She took a deep harrowing breath and continued in a quivering voice, her white face hidden behind black hair. “...After the Magic Wars, after the Archmage destroyed Zerox, you recall that the last Age of Magic had ended…”

“Of course.” A melancholy passed over Blok as he recalled Magnetic Kid’s sacrifice and the explosion of the original Sorceror’s World. It had indeed been presumed that with the destruction of the Archmage, magic had ceased to exist; but this very world, Blok’s survival right now showed that was a lie. He wondered why he’d never questioned this till now and what relevance an old war had to this theft here and now.

“Magic cannot simply cease to exist,” Mysa said, as if reading Blok's mind. “Magic is life. It was dispersed throughout all of reality. It would have taken time to strike a new balance with the forces of science; perhaps millennia.”

“But Mordu created a new Sorceror’s World almost immediately,” a confused Harlak interrupted. “My studies continued, Mordru’s power was restored...this world Xerox is almost precisely like the world Zerox which preceded it!”

“The power lust of Mordru the Merciless comes second to no living entity, no force.” Mysa looked up through her drooping hair at the two men. “That monster could never be content to wait millennia for the natural order of things to have its way. So he searched for something, some relic or some alchemic component to speed up the process; to gather the disintegrated energies of the last Age of Magic and to hasten the birth of a new one.”

“And this Blue Lantern ring was that relic?” Blok struggled to understand.

“The Blue Lantern ring is the ring of hope,” Mysa replied. “The ring fed his hope...and with hope, all things are possible. And now…” She looked at the ruined pedestal. “Now, hope is gone.”

“Hope is never gone.” A new voice entered the conversation, that of Element Lad. Mysa Nal was too disconsolate to care, but Blok and Harlak both turned to see Fire Lad, Gas Girl, Phantom Girl, Polar Boy, Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad behind him.

“You don’t need some ring to hope for the best, Witch.” Polar Boy stepped forward and offered the Black Witch a helping hand to stand up. “You’ve got the Legion of Superheroes now. The others are outside, we’ll all do everything we can to help.”

“...and not just the Legion of Superheroes.” A bright emerald light filled the room and a green glowing humanoid phased through the ceiling. The brilliant light dimmed to the point everyone present could make out a red-haired girl in a Green Lantern costume, and Zoe Saugin landed in the midst of the heroes.

“So...Dragonmage told me you guys have been having some jewellery problems?”

**********
While the Black Witch brooded alone in the ruins of her castle basement, the Legion allowed the power of the last Green Lantern to shelter them from the weather outside. They told Zoe about Supergirl’s unexpected and violent change of identity and the resulting chaos while Harlak summoned healers to help their wounded. “What I don’t understand,” Color Kid mused finally, “Is why my power had the effect that it did when I changed her ring from red to green. I thought she was going to die!”

“It’s lucky she didn’t!” Zoe blurted. “Sodam Yat told us all about the different colors of the emotional spectrum...the Red Lantern ring replaces its wearer’s blood with the ring’s energy; anybody other than a Kryptonian would have dropped dead straight away if you’d stripped that red light from them!”

Ulu shuddered. “That’s horrific!”

“Uh guys..?” Phantom Girl asked. “Not to change the subject, but has anyone seen Vi..?”

“Dawnstar, find her.” The timbre in Brainiac 5’s voice gave some of the older Legionnaires cause to exchange concerned glances. “Green Lantern, tell me...how do we fix what has been done to Supergirl?”

Zoe looked around at the gathered heroes with a helpless expression. “Nearly all of the Red Lantern Corps historically were able to overcome their ragelust at some point or another, to live as close to normal lives as they could...but Brainiac...I’m so sorry...there’s very little chance she’ll ever be able to remove that ring and live.”

“Very little chance indicates that some chance exists,” Brainiac challenged her bluntly.

“Well...the Blue Lantern ring might be able to help...but even though the blue ring is the ring of hope, I don’t want to give you false hope. I only know what Sodam told us, I don’t have any idea how to actually use that ring…”

“Then you’re useless,” Brainiac dismissed her before coldly turning away from the red-haired teenager. “Dawnstar, where is Shrinking Violet? We need to embark on our next move.”

“Brainy!” Phantom Girl chastised her Coluan teammate. “That was rude!”

“Phantom Girl’s right,” Saturn Girl agreed, frowning crossly. “Green Lantern didn’t have to come when Dragonmage called her, Brainiac…and she’s already given us more information than we had previously. I think you owe her an apology.”

“It’s okay,” Zoe placated the women. “I get it, this must be hard on all of you...I don’t know Supergirl very well, but even I can tell how much you all love her. I mean she’s a living legend, of course you love her!”

“Dawnstar??” Brainiac repeated pointedly, ignoring the others.

The Amerind tracker frowned. “Brainiac...Shrinking Violet is not anywhere on this world!”

“Ludicrous,” Brainiac huffed.

“Hey!” Wildfire pointed a finger. “Careful, buddy!” He turned to Dawnstar and spoke more softly. “Dawny, are you sure? You took some pretty nasty hits from those demon things, you might have a concussion or--”

“I know my power, Drake.” Dawnstar’s voice was like ice. “I don’t presume to understand the mechanics, but I assure you...Shrinking Violet is far far from Xerox; in fact, she is no longer within this star system.”

Shrinking Violet couldn’t have timed her call more perfectly if she’d planned it. “Brainiac?” Her voice came forth from his flight ring. “It’s Vi...I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to talk so I’ll make this quick. Satan Girl’s attack was a distraction; Universo stole some blue ring from Mysa’s castle, he’s working with a tracker named Mwindaji and it looks like he’s already got red, green and gold in his collection. He said there are two more left and they’re about to go hunt down their next one; he’s using the rings he's already got to enhance Mwindaji’s natural tracking ability.”

“There are seven distinct Lantern Corps,” Brainiac countered. “If he plans to complete his collection, he must realise there are three more--”

“Oh duh!” Zoe slapped her forehead. “The Thunderers of Qward! Universo must have been behind the Thunderers of Qward! They massacred my friends and then went after Larfleeze’s orange ring but Larfleeze fought them off! That’s why that overpowered idiot thought I was trying to steal his stupid orange ring, he must have thought Universo was a Green Lantern because Universo was using one of the rings he took from us! That son of a batwitch!”

“I saw Larfleeze’s power myself,” Light Lad added. “It’d make sense that Universo would want to get every other ring on his hands before he went back for a rematch...that monster murdered every one of those Thunderers and nearly murdered all of us straight after without even breaking a sweat.”

“Violet!” Brainiac barked. “Which ring is he going after next? Dawnstar can beat them there!”

“He didn’t say,” Vi replied hurriedly. “I -- sprock! Brainy, I have to go! I’ll stay with them, tell Dawnstar to track me if she can’t track them!”

“Violet?” Brainiac shouted louder. “Violet!”

“Brainiac.” Mon-El closed a gentle yet firm hand over Brainac 5’s flight ring. “If Violet’s in danger of being discovered, you can’t endanger her by calling her back. You know that.”

“Of course.” The Coluan man stepped back and ran a slightly trembling hand through his hair. “Of course.” There was a silence which hung awkwardly in the air for too long before Brainiac 5 took a deep breath and centred himself. “Green Lantern,” he spoke in a controlled voice. “What can you tell us of the remaining rings?”

“Besides Larfleeze’s orange ring?” Zoe tried to recall Sodam’s lectures. “There’s the indigo ring of compassion and the violet ring of love...honestly, I don’t know if any indigo rings even exist anymore. The violet rings belong to the Zamarons though, they withdrew from the rest of the galaxy a couple of centuries ago but as far as anyone knows they’re still on--”

“--Zamaron,” Mon-El completed her statement. “Their home planet. I’m something of an explorer...it’s been a few years since I’ve been back, but I still remember where it is.”

“Brainiac,” Dawnstar spoke up. “I don’t want to cause undue concern, but...I can no longer sense Shrinking Violet. At all.”

“Let’s not assume the worst,” Element Lad announced calmly. “You haven’t been able to track Universo either; if Vi’s small enough and within range of his power he may be shielding her without even realising it.”

Brainiac 5 paced back and forth, a million thoughts racing through his computer mind. He suddenly stopped with a jolt and faced the assemblage of heroes. “Presumably, Universo’s troupe will be working together. That means they can only go after one ring at a time, and that means that for the first time we have them at a disadvantage. Mon-El, you’ll take half of us to Zamaron. Dawnstar, I appreciate that you’ve not had any contact with the indigo ring but if Universo’s rings can amplify this Mwindaji person’s power, Green Lantern can do the same for you. You’ll take the remaining Legionnaires in search of the indigo ring. We’ll touch base when one of us has achieved our objective. Even if Universo beats us to one of the rings, he will have no choice but to face the Legion for the other.”

“Wait a nano!” Wildfire protested. “Dawnstar’s hurt, Brainy! She’s not in any state to go chasing round after some overblown holotoon toy!”

“I am quite capable of speaking for myself,” the winged Legionnaire declared, “And I will perform my duty as a Legionnaire, Wildfire.”

“Then stop wasting time and do it,” Brainiac snapped. “Green Lantern, create a construct to carry Blok, Wildfire, Phantom Girl, Polar Boy, Color Kid and Fire Lad so you can all follow Dawnstar. Everybody else, accompany me to the cruiser.”

He turned tail and stormed off without another word, thunder rumbling ominously overhead.

**********
ZAMARON
Palace of the Most Beloved Queen Di’Ana

ROLL CALL
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
12th level intelligence, team leader
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: reserve member, electricity generation and manipulation
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: reserve member, telepathy
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation


While Mon-El and Shadow Lass approached Zamaron’s royal guards, Gas Girl lingered at the rear of the small gathering of Legionnaires trailing behind. Openly awestruck, Tal took in the unique architecture of this planet. The buildings here were all sensuous curves and rounded edges, almost floral in structure. The structures were positioned on enormous flat platforms emerging from violet mists, reminding Gas Girl of lily pads back on her own homeworld Lallor during Winter’s constant fog. A warm violet glow permeated the buildings, the Zamarons themselves and the world’s very atmosphere. Three enormous moons hung in luminescent glory above. All in all, this world was breathtaking.

Light Lad sidled up beside her. “It’s a little overwhelming, isn’t it?”

Gas Girl blushed. “Oh! I’m sorry, you must think I’m such a country bumpkus...it’s just that Lallor is a desert wasteland compared to this planet. It’s so beautiful!”

Light Lad chuckled. “Gas Girl, I’m from Winath….we’ve got nothing but farmland and more farmland, I’m right there in bumpkusville with you.”

“So this is the famous Legion of Superheroes!” a melodic female voice greeted them all.

Along with the other Legionnaires, Gas Girl and Light Lad watched a statuesque woman with deep blue skin descend the palace stairs toward them. Like the royal guards, she wore shimmering violet armour and seemed to be suffused with violet light herself. Unlike her guards, her armour was more elaborate and spoke to her higher station. A broad tiara sat atop her hairless head, a darker purple star inset into it. Her breastplate and girdle both were engraved with intricate lines, and shining bracers covered her entire forearms. In one hand she held a halberd while a lariat hung looped at her waist. Both weapons seemed to be literally composed of violet light.

The palace guards took on a deferential stance immediately, and perhaps surprisingly, so did Mon-El. “Your Highness.” He bowed respectfully. “I’m sorry to say that this is not a social call.”

“Unlike your last visit then,” the queen smiled slyly. She offered her free hand and Mon-El took it in his own, gently kissing her elongated fingers. Shadow Lass maintained her composure while she looked on, but she made a mental note to ask her lover some very detailed questions at a more appropriate time.

The queen looked down upon the other Legionnaires; Light Lad noticed that she was taller even than himself. “I have not had the pleasure of meeting Mon-El’s comrades in arms,” she indulged the gathered heroes, “But the Legion of Superheroes are known even here, and all of you are welcome on Zamaron for as long as you need. I am Queen Di’Ana. Now please; speak to me of your desires. Desire is after all Zamaron’s prime currency.”

Though he couldn’t see Tasmia’s face, Mon-El had no doubt she’d be quietly fuming by now. He forced back a growing smirk and looked the elegant Queen Di’Ana in the eye.

“Actually, Your Highness, on this particular occasion I think we may be able to help each other...”

**********
XOLNAR
Haamilton Pluridium Mine Pit DC-AC-309, approximately 35 kliks north of Jjonn Fort

ROLL CALL
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk:
color manipulation
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar-range tracking
Fire Lad aka Staq Mavlen: fire-breathing
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: intangibility
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cold and ice generation
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being
Zoe Saugin: Legion of Superheroes ally, infused with Green Lantern energy


While automated mining equipment worked obliviously all around them, Dawnstar and Wildfire descended to the bottom of an enormous hole in the ground. A sepulchral wind wailed and the temperature was well below zero, but to two Legionnaires who could survive unaided in the vacuum of space the bitterest of weather could pose no discomfort.

The rest of their teammates were protected by an emerald vessel shaped by the will of Zoe Saugin. “I know I mentioned this earlier,” Phantom Girl smiled, “But it’s amazing what you can do with that ring, GL...I mean this is for all intents and purposes a functioning cruiser and you’re maintaining that headset Dawnstar’s wearing and it’s all made out of light!”

Zoe swivelled around in the pilot’s seat she’d imagined for herself to face Phantom Girl. “Ever since Neon gave me her power, I feel like I can do anything,” she explained. “I thought it would have faded by now but I’m as strong as ever!” As she spoke, she reconfigured the shuttle into a turbolift capsule to follow Dawnstar’s descent.

“I hope Lydda’s okay back on Xerox,” Color Kid mused. “She took a pretty bad hit.”

“I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Polar Boy said. “Harlak seemed pretty confident that their healers could help her...I thought Brainy was gonna have an aneurysm when Blok said he was staying on Xerox with her though!”

“Poor Brainy,” Tinya sighed. “He’s really taking this hard, he and Kara have got the worst luck in the universe when it comes to their relationship.”

“Dawnstar and Wildfire just landed,” Zoe changed the subject. “I’m going to dissolve this construct, do you guys need environmental protection?”

“Our flight rings can handle it,” Phantom Girl said. “Transuits on, everyone.”

Everybody but Fire Lad activated their transuit function, and Color Kid tapped his friend on the shoulder. “Staq? Didn’t you hear Phantom Girl? We need to activate our transuits, pal.”

“Hmm?” The flame-crested hero flinched. “Oh ssorry...I wass light yearss away.” He activated his own field, and Zoe melted the craft down around them until it was a literal green lantern lighting their way. While the heroes caught up with Dawnstar and Wildfire on foot, Color Kid frowned. He had a feeling he knew exactly where Fire Lad’s mind was, and it was really beginning to bother him. Once all this was over, he resolved to have a talk to the other Subs about Staq Mavlen’s mounting obsession with the Mercurian woman in Brainiac 5’s multi-lab.

“I find this construct to be invasive and unnatural,” Dawnstar complained, “But I must admit that it has performed the task for which it was designed, Green Lantern. Normally my tracking ability is of reduced effectiveness on a planet’s surface, but I am finding no difficulty at all in locating this indigo ring.” While she spoke, she fidgeted with the tiara-like headpiece.

Zoe shrugged. “Sorry I couldn’t make it feel nicer; at least it looks neat though!”

“Fortunately, I no longer require it at all but I thank you for your aid.” The winged woman removed the headset and handed it back to Zoe, who simply allowed it to dissipate. Dawnstar pointed at a craggy outcropping of rock. “The ring we seek is approximately seventeen feet in that direction.”

“Back away, everyone.” Wildfire took a step forward, his gauntlets charged with anti-energy. “I’ll blast it free.”

“Drake.” Phantom Girl rolled her eyes. “We’re in a mine, silly! You can’t go throwing around energy blasts, you’ll bring the whole place crashing down around us. This needs a woman’s touch.” Without further ado, she turned intangible and disappeared into the mine wall.

While they waited, Polar Boy kicked a loose pebble out of boredom. “Isn’t Rainbow Girl from this planet? No wonder she ran away to Earth, what a dump!”

“Xolnar’s not all like this,” Color Kid laughed. “I mean we are in a mine, Brek. I doubt the Xolnarian Tourism Board really had much input in designing this place.”

“Maybe they should have,” Zoe smirked cheekily. “I’m with Polar Boy, it’s pretty dire.” One of the faceless mining robots turned its sensory unit toward her for a moment then trundled off with what Zoe imagined to be a disgruntled beep.

“Got it!” An excited Phantom Girl emerged from the rock face, opening her palm to reveal a small indigo ring. “There’s a whole vault full of stuff in there actually, it looks like it hasn’t been opened in forever!”

“My mom would have a field day,” Zoe beamed. “It’s a shame we don’t have the luxury of doing some more exploring while we’re here, but we’d better touch base with the rest of your team, huh?”

“No!” a manic voice screeched from above them. “There will be no base touching! No anything except death for all of you!” Before Green Lantern or the Legionnaires could do more than turn to face their surprise intruder, a wide beam of orange light collapsed tons of rock on top of them all.

Not having turned solid yet, only Phantom Girl was unscathed. She drifted up through the rubble still clutching the indigo ring. Tinya recognised their assailant from her teammates' descriptions, it was the Orange Lantern named Larfleeze. Zoe followed Phantom Girl almost instantly, having used her ring to replicate Tinya’s power. “What are you doing here, Larfleeze?” Zoe demanded. She hadn’t reacted in time to protect herself entirely from the falling rock but she tried her best to hide that fact from the insane Orange Lantern.

“Green Lanterns broke the treaty you had with Larfleeze when you came for Larfleeze’s ring!” he screamed, spittle flying from his mouth. “But you didn’t get Larfleeze’s ring! The orange power is mine! Mine!”

“Oh for--I don’t want your stupid ring!” Zoe shouted back at him. “That was Universo! We’re trying to stop him from getting his hands on any more of them, you idiot!”

While Zoe kept the Orange Lantern occupied, Tinya activated her homing beacon. Wildfire at least would be fine under this mountain of rock, but the others had no such guarantee and she had a feeling they weren’t going to be able to talk their way out of this confrontation. She was glad at least that there were no sentients employed at this mining site.

“You think Larfleeze is stupid!” Larfleeze ranted. “Everyone thinks Larfleeze is stupid! But Larfleeze is smarter than you think, Green Lantern! Larfleeze was smart enough to know you wouldn’t stop at wanting just Larfleeze’s ring, and Larfleeze was smart enough to track you down and let you find another ring for him!” He levelled another blast at the two women, surprising them by adjusting its wavelength so it would affect them in their intangible states. Phantom Girl screamed as she was slammed into the enormous pile of rubble that had buried her teammates and the indigo ring fell from her limp hand.

Tinya was unconscious, but Zoe held on by sheer force of will. Still, she was in agony and her head was spinning. While she struggled to clamber to her feet, an orange boot came down on her outstretched hand. Zoe cried out in pain as she felt bones crack beneath Larfleeze’s heel. “And now,” the Orange Lantern gloated, “All the rings will be mine! Mine!!

An orange pincer of energy removed the emerald ring from Zoe’s finger and the last thing she saw before her world turned black was her ring joining its indigo and orange siblings on Larfleeze’s radiant fist.

...TO BE CONTINUED!!!


EDITOR’S NOTES:
For anyone who needs a refresher on exactly how it all went down at Cos and Lydda’s wedding, check out http://www.legionworld.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=833959#Post833959

Remember when our heroes barely walked away from their last encounter with Larfleeze? If not, you can read all about it at http://www.legionworld.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=876542#Post876542

Posted By: Omni Re: Hope Dies - 02/17/17 09:23 AM
Hey Raz, Sorry my bad. i thought you had introduced a similar concept.

This installment was really well done and you did answer some of my questions while tying in your own extensive history. I love how you bring things back not only from the original series but from the start of your own and weave them into each other so well.

Zoe is back! she's always a fav of mine and she's an interesting choice for a Green Lantern and to be its sole barer.

Vi being a stowaway on Universo and Mwindaji is really well done. i like how you really show just how small she is with your description of her senses.

Then that perfect timing for her call. just fates a lining.

Brainy's worry over Supergirl is so intense and i hate to say it but i'm loving it. i love seeing him placed into emotional turmoil and how his analytical my reacts to it.
Hopefully they can save her.

now just so i can't make sure i have the right Kara, is this the one that has come into contact the Red Lantern ring before within the 52 universe? i feel like you mentioned this but I wasnt' sure.

Zameron is lush i must say. I'm curious about Mon'el adventure there as well. was that within your series?

Shadow Lass's reaction was perfect and the fact that Mon'el knew it was even funnier.

Zoe scanning Phantom Girl to copy her power is something i never knew the rings could do nor amplify powers either. Cool tricks.

Dawnstar and Drake are just never not going to fight. she's so super proud and he's way to protective.

Lazzafreze rears his ugly head and boy is he made and ready to take the Legion down.

Poor Zoe. i wonder if her ring is just a symbol now and the power is within her like Neon and she just doesn't know it. hopefully she survives those injuries and nearly getting crushed. He has three rings. Something else else tells me we're about to have a war of the Rings with the Legion caught in the middle.

So Mordru had a blue ring for hope to regrow magic but did he aquire it through force and destroyed them or were they gone by this point...?

Could this war be the rebirth of all the corps and not just the green?

lastly your explanation for the planets name change was well done and it truly is a double of Zeroxx. wink

Can't wait for more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Hope Dies - 02/19/17 07:37 AM
Originally Posted by Omni
Hey Raz, Sorry my bad. i thought you had introduced a similar concept.

No dramas, with everyone using variations on the same characters it's bound to happen sooner or later laugh

Glad you liked the character bits! I like playing up how weird the world would be when you're at the kind of heights Vi shrinks to smile

It's been established that this Kara does have a Red Lantern ring in her history at some point, but nobody knows whether it's something that has actually happened to her yet.

re: the Green Lantern tricks, I figure they can do pretty much anything their wearer can imagine - I know the phasing at least has definitely been something they've done in the comics on occasion smile

Some of your other questions are gonna be delved into over the next couple of instalments, but Mon-El visiting Zamaron is just one of those spur of the moment things I thought would be fun to throw in there and it makes sense given his interest in exploring; I might expand on it one day and tell the story of Mon-El's sexy adventures with Queen Di'Ana, who knows? wink
Posted By: razsolo Prism of Chaos - 03/04/17 05:07 AM
ZAMARON
Low Orbit

Emanating a crimson aura, Satan Girl hovered above the violet-hued homeworld of one of the oldest races in the universe. Her hands were balled into tight fists, her whole posture wracked with tension. “It’s a trap,” she muttered through clenched teeth, her Red Lantern ring carrying her voice to Universo and Mwindaji in the green bubble behind her. “There are no signs of violence, but I can’t see a single person anywhere on the planet.”

“Of course it’s a trap,” Universo agreed. A sinister smile curled his thin lips upward. “The Zamarons may have withdrawn from the rest of the universe, but I’m certain they still monitor it. No doubt they are fully aware of our mission by now. I cannot believe they would simply abandon their world however.”

“Then...what is our next action?” Mwindaji asked. “I have tracked the violet rings here and my power tells me there are many of them below, but they have obscured their precise locations somehow.”

“Our next action?” Universo used Mwindaji’s own words in response. “We only need one ring. Let us raze their world until we find it. Start with the Royal Palace, Satan Girl.”

Satan Girl shot off in a red blur, Universo and Mwindaji following. Hidden in a seam of Mwindaji’s outfit, Shrinking Violet hoped that Kara could be stopped before she killed someone...Mwindaji was beginning to wonder if he should be hoping for that himself.

Within seconds, the palace walls were smashed with explosive force that resonated throughout Zamaron’s tinted atmosphere. In the rubble, Satan Girl hefted a chunk of the building which weighed tons and hurled it across the continent. “Where are you?” the Kryptonian teenager raged. “Get out here and face me!”

“We’re right here, Kara.” Emerging unharmed from the ruins of the palace, Element Lad came with Light Lad and Shadow Lass by his side. Gas Girl floated behind them, a green mist in feminine form. Jan continued, his voice calm and controlled. “I kept us safe in a vault of inertron-laced lead, just as I’ve done for the rest of the Zamarons. But we’ve revealed ourselves now because this needs to stop.”

“You think changing to kryptonite will do you any good?” Satan Girl sneered, noticing Gas Girl. “My ring protects me! But who’s gonna protect you from me?” Her eyes flared and twin beams of heat vision came forth. Too late, Kara realised that Shadow Lass had been projecting a field of darkness behind the quartet of heroes. Tasmia allowed her power to dissipate and Kara saw that there were five more people present, each of the five glowing with their own violet auras. While wisps of darkness were still fading around them, Mon-El’s invulnerable form intercepted the heat vision at super-speed. Satan Girl was visibly taken aback. “I don’t understand - how..?”

“Universo’s got a Red Lantern ring-enhanced Kryptonian on his team,” Mon-El replied, “We thought we should even the score. Say hello to the newest Star Sapphires.” The muscular Daxamite was nearly naked, clothed only in slick violet boots and gauntlets with high-cut black briefs. Rather than the familiar gold clasps which normally held his cape in place, two metallic violet starburst shapes kept a deep purple cape in place around his neck.

“I’m just glad Sun Boy’s not here to see this,” Lightning Lad blushed. “Dirk would never let us live this down, we look like Venturan strippers.” Garth and Imra also wore individualised Star Sapphire costumes; Saturn Girl’s was almost an exact replica of the two-piece outfit she’d once worn as a Legionnaire, though it was violet rather than pink and the Star Sapphire starburst replaced the emblem of Saturn she’d once worn at her navel. Lightning Lad wore deep purple boots with skintight white leggings which left his outer legs exposed. A miniature violet starburst sat in place where his belt buckle would normally be. His chest was bare aside from two metallic violet lightning bolts over his shoulders.

“I trust that you will better be able to assist your transformed friend now,” Queen Di’Ana’s voice lilted as she took to the air. “I see the former Green Lantern approaches; it is time he was given a lesson in the great ferocity that comes with love.” She took her halberd in both hands and raced to meet Universo in the sky above.

“Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl; go help Queen Di’Ana. We can handle Kara.” This was Brainiac 5, the final member of the hastily deputised Star Sapphires. His own outfit was remarkably unchanged, though a violet starburst replaced his Legion belt buckle and his arms were now exposed.

“Uhh, Brainiac..?” Light Lad spoke uncertainly. “...I think things just got worse. Look.”

The others followed Light Lad’s concerned gaze. Behind Universo’s rapidly descending green sphere, the skies of Zamaron had just come alive with a sea of orange lights. Queen Di’Ana stalled her flight. “I appreciate that you had tried to spare my people unnecessary violence,” she declared, “But that is mad Larfleeze; he who calls himself the Orange God. This battle just became a war.” Using the violet energy to call upon every other Zamaron warrior worldwide, the Queen led a glittering sky of violet lights against their orange counterparts with one tiny green bubble in the centre of it all.

**********
Larfleeze soared through Zamaron’s skies with an army of thousands of robotic Orange Agents following loyally. Dragged unceremoniously behind the Orange Lantern, Zoe Saugin and six disgruntled Legionnaires kneeled in orange hardlight stockades. Wildfire was manacled and his helmet enclosed in an orange sphere with a giant glowing padlock attached, and Phantom Girl’s bonds were specially calibrated to prevent her from phasing through them. All of them had spent the long trip here from Xolnar trying to convince Larfleeze that they’d never had any interest in stealing his ring and that they weren’t working in unison with Universo’s group, but it was to no avail.

“If you’re going to kill us, why not just do it and get it over with?” Polar Boy complained. “If I hadn’t been able to put up an ice dome in time we would have been done for on Xolnar anyway when you decided to collapse a couple hundred tons of pluridium on us all! Why are you dragging this out now?”

“Better to have you watch the rest of your team fall first!” Larfleeze ranted. “Then you all will be mine forever once I absorb you into my ring and induct you into my Corps!”

“You can ssee what we’re flying into, right?” Fire Lad hissed urgently, countless violet twinkles coming to life miles below them. “How do you think you’re gonna fight uss pluss Universso and Ssatan Girl, pluss all of them?”

Larfleeze turned on Fire Lad savagely, “If you’re so eager to embrace your death, Larfleeze is happy to give it to you!”

“About that…” Color Kid asked thoughtfully. “Larfleeze, do you need the orange light to survive?”

Larfleeze sprayed spit everywhere as he screamed in response. “Larfleeze needs nothing! Larfleeze takes what he wants because he wants it!”

“Good,” Ulu sighed. “Because this construct is giving me a real crick in the neck, but I don’t want to actually kill you.” He changed the color of Larfleeze’s constructs from bright orange to a soft blue, and immediately they dissolved into nothingness. Zoe and the Legionnaires floundered for only an instant before they righted their descent using their own abilities or flight rings.

While Larfleeze was still reeling, a green aura intensified around Zoe until it almost seemed she herself was composed of the emerald energy. “By the way,” she said as her back arched and her arms stretched out to her sides, “Did I mention I’ve got the Green Lantern energy inside me now?” Her whole body erupted in a blaze of energy, slamming Larfleeze deep into the oncoming Zamaron horde.

“Why did you wait till we got here to pull that out of your hat, Color Kid?” Wildfire asked testily.

“Are you kidding?” Ulu raised an eyebrow. “He nearly killed us all casually back on Xolnar, I wanted to make sure we had someone to take the heat off of us before he got a chance to retaliate.”

“Can we table thiss disscusssion for later?” Fire Lad interrupted the men. He turned on an approaching Orange Agent and slagged its head with his fire breath, watching as the no longer ranting automaton spiralled downwards and took another of its own with it.

“Good idea,” Zoe agreed. “You guys take care of these roaches, I’m gonna make sure that idiot doesn’t make things any worse...and get my sprocking ring back!” She zoomed off before anyone could suggest otherwise, cannonballing straight through more of the Orange Agents that were making landfall all around them.

**********
Seeing that they were surrounded on all sides by violet and orange forces, Universo streamlined his own construct until he and Mwindaji were simply surrounded by emerald auras of light. “Mwindaji, I cannot protect you while I fight for our survival. Do you mind if--”

“Place me on the ground,” the Kirinyaga youth said. “I cannot fly, but I can defend myself there if I must.”

“Thank you, my friend.” Universo gestured, and the dark-skinned teen veered away in a sideways arc. The green glow protected him until he landed several miles away on one of the ubiquitous lilypad structures in the fog.

As soon as the emerald glow dissipated, a violet lariat constricted around Mwindaji’s throat. “You come to our world to take what is ours?” the Zamaron warrior asked as she pulled tighter on her weapon. “I sense great capacity for love within you, off-worlder. It is a shame that capacity must now be snuffed.”

Mwindaji stopped struggling, and instead leaped toward the slender woman. She was knocked to the ground and didn’t get back up again, her violet construct vanishing. Mwindaji gasped for air, consciously controlling his breathing until he was composed again. He eyed the woman suspiciously. I did not hit her with nearly enough force to do such damage--

Literally out of thin air, a petite white woman in a green tunic appeared over the Zamaron’s prone body. “I wasn’t about to let her kill you,” Shrinking Violet announced. “You might be hopelessly naive, but you don’t deserve to die for it. Mwindaji...we need to talk.”

**********
“Universo!”

Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad hovered before the airborne villain, the sounds of battle filling the skies around them. Universo turned on the Legionnaire he despised more than any other and scowled. “Hello, Saturn Girl.”

“Hey! I’m here too, jerkwit!” Lightning Lad reached out and Universo was bathed in electricity.

The assault didn’t penetrate Universo’s forcefield, and he turned on Garth with a golden monocle gleaming strangely beneath his green aura. “Yes,” the villain replied drolly. “Of course you are. It’s fascinating how these rings can enhance my natural aptitude for mesmerism, you know. Why don’t you kill your wife as a demonstration?”

“Nice try, Universo.” Encased in her violet aura, Saturn Girl clasped hands with her husband. “But we’re protected by the power of love, and not all of your will or your ability to inflict fear can conquer the love I share with my husband.” She continued telepathically; <Now let’s see exactly what grubby little scheme you’ve concocted this time around.>

**********
With the assault of the Orange Agents, the Legionnaires in what remained of Queen Di’Ana’s palace had become separated from one another. Brainiac 5 and Shadow Lass followed as Mon-El and Satan Girl crashed through the lilypad and into the faceted surface of the planet itself half a mile down. “Tasmia, are you still able to function effectively?” Brainiac asked his comrade.

Shadow Lass was sweating, her brow furrowed. The violet light permeated this planet; the closer she got to its surface the stronger the light was in this refractive fog and it was beginning to physically hurt her. Despite her great love for Mon-El, her vulnerability to light was why she couldn’t don one of the violet rings alongside him; the exposure might kill her. “Brainiac,” she grunted, “Don’t ever let anybody compliment your bedside manner. This isn’t ideal but yes, I can function effectively.”

“Good,” he snapped back curtly. “Remember how you worked with your alternate dimensional counterparts to sap the sunlight from Superboy Prime’s cells? I want you to do the same to Kara. Our dual rings give us an advantage over her red ring, we need to counteract her Kryptonian physiology now.”

“I’ll...I’ll try.” She wasn’t confident that she could conquer the Red Lantern ring’s power, but she had to make the effort. She bided her time till Mon-El threw Kara off into one of the enormous stalks holding the Zamaron’s buildings aloft and she could act without endangering her lover, then Shadow Lass shot a thin spear of darkness at Satan Girl. The spear hit Kara’s red aura and rolled across it like mist across water, but Tasmia persisted and soon her darkness penetrated the field.

“That...hurts!” Kara doubled over. She reinforced her field, forcing Shadow Lass to work harder as well. Mon-El wanted to hold Tasmia Mallor but he knew the light of the Star Sapphire would be a hindrance more than a help. Right now, the woman he loved would have to do this for herself.

Brainiac 5 approached Kara and crouched by the aching girl’s side. “Kara, please. None of us want to do this, we don’t want to hurt you. We all love you, Kara. I know you’re hurting, and I know my action caused that. Please let us help you. Please.” He tried to remain calm, but his voice broke in the end and even through her agony Kara could see how ragged he looked.

Through her creeping pain, Satan Girl laughed at the Coluan. “Unbelievable,” she grimaced. “Wearing one of the most powerful weapons in the universe and you’re still trying to talk me around. I thought you were meant to be the smart one, Brainy.” She stood up straight and swung her arms behind her, even though she knew this would leave her open to Shadow Lass. Focusing on her frustration and rage, she gripped the enormous stalk behind her and channelled explosive amounts of red energy through it. The towering column was shattered from its foundations and began an inexorable collapse.

While a weakened Satan Girl zoomed up and away from the calamity she’d caused, Brainiac 5 leaped into action. “Mon-El! I can use the ring’s power to arrest the tower’s fall temporarily but only you are fast enough to rescue anyone trapped above!”

“I’m on it, Brainy.” Mon-El streaked away, leaving a violet trail behind him.

Even weakened by Shadow Lass’s power, Satan Girl was powerful enough to smash through Zamarons and Orange Agents alike while she searched for Universo. She’d kept the truth from Brainiac 5, but Brainiac’s constant attempts to appeal to emotions beyond her rage were making Kara uncomfortable. When Universo had revealed to Kara Zor-El that she was destined to die a thousand years in the past and that the Legion themselves were well aware of this, she’d felt betrayed, hurt and consumed with anger. She didn’t know how the people she’d loved could blithely keep this from her while they played at being superheroes together. When Universo had offered her the red ring and the means to get revenge on the Legion, she’d bitterly taken the chance. But now...now she had questions.

If Brainiac 5 didn’t love Kara, how could he possibly wield the ring of the Star Sapphires? If the Legion weren’t her friends, why did they seem so pained to have to fight her? And if Universo had done all this solely to help her, why were they now launching terror attacks on worlds that had nothing to do with the Legion? Why was she helping Universo assault people she didn’t even know and who couldn’t possibly have done anything wrong to her? She needed his guidance to peer through this cloud in her mind.

When she found Universo, he was in the middle of a chaotic free-for-all with Larfleeze, Zoe Saugin and Queen Di’Ana. Saturn Girl hovered nearby behind a violet shield, her hands at her temples and her brow knit in furious concentration. Lightning Lad used a combination of his own power and that of the violet ring to protect his wife from any Orange Agents who ventured too close to the couple.Satan Girl considered her options; she was still too weak to take on all of them together, and as powerful as the rings made Universo he was being stretched to his limits himself. It seemed a tactful retreat might be in order. “Universo!” she cried over the din of the battle. “Drop your shield!”

Universo’s first instinct was to lambast Satan Girl for her foolishness, but he realised her plan almost immediately. He watched his enemies closely, waiting for his moment of opportunity. That moment came when Queen Di’Ana lassoed Larfleeze, and the Orange Lantern slammed into Zoe in an attempt to escape. Universo dropped the spiked green and gold dome which had surrounded him and faster than anyone present could hope to stop her, Satan Girl tackled him and disappeared into the throng.

“No!” Larfleeze screamed in protest. “Those rings are mine!” He emitted an omnidirectional burst of light which tore Queen Di’Ana’s lariat to nothingness and knocked any enemies and lackies alike within a 20 foot radius flying back.

While the Zamaron monarch and Zoe sped after Larfleeze, Garth Ranzz attended to his wife. “Are you okay, honey? At least now we’ve got a nano to breathe!” Already the Orange Agents were righting themselves from their master’s attacks, and Garth spared a thought to electrify the outer surface of the shield protecting himself and his wife.

“No Garth, we don’t.” Imra’s voice was calm, but heavy with portent. “Right at the end, I finally got through Universo’s reinforced defences...I know what he’s going to do. And if we don’t stop him then all of this,” she gestured at the war around them, “Will be nothing compared to the power he’ll wield. Garth...he’ll be like a god.”

The couple shared an urgent look, then without another word took off together to find their old enemy.

**********
Satan Girl and Universo darted through the airborne conflict, changing directions so quickly and so often that by the time they slammed down near Mwindaji and Shrinking Violet their pursuers weren’t anywhere in sight.

Vi knew she didn’t have a snowball’s chance on Tharr against Universo or Satan Girl, let alone both of them together. She decided to shrink down out of sight again but before her power took effect she along with every other Legionnaire on the planet heard Saturn Girl’s voice in her head. Vi’s eyes widened and she gripped Mwindaji’s arm. “Mwindaji, remember what I told you. Give it to me, please.”

“Don’t tell me you’re having trouble with this one,” Universo laughed lightly. “Satan Girl, dispose of this annoyance, would you?”

Kara looked uncertainly at Mwindaji and Vi. Mwindaji had the same internal conflict, Kara could see it in his eyes...and Violet? Violet didn’t look like someone who’d ever wanted to hurt her, she just looked terrified. The Kryptonian teen turned to the bald man who’d been directing them this whole time. “Universo...why are we doing all this..?”

A fiercely bright orange energy blast washed over Satan Girl, leaving her laid out on the ground with her costume in shreds. “Mine!!” Larfleeze raged. “Your ring will be mine, girl! All these rings will be mine!!” He was out of his mind with avarice and he grabbed Kara by the throat before she could mount a counterattack, holding her up in a choking grip while he built up a killing blast in his free hand.

“Vidar!” Mwindaji ran to Universo’s side. “That monster will surely kill her, you must help!”

“Let’s just see how this plays out,” Universo smiled smugly, stroking his goatee.

“Vidar!” Mwindaji protested.

Kara could feel her anger rising. She only needed a second, just a second to clear her head, but her vision was swimming and the pounding red waves were taking over again…

“Don’t you hurt her!!” Saturn Girl’s voice rang out.

The telepathic Legionnaire arrived with Zoe Saugin and Lightning Lad, the other Legionnaires in groups of two and three not far behind them. Further back, Queen Di’Ana and her forces held the Orange Agents at bay. Larfleeze was too far gone, Imra could feel it. She hated to use her power against another sentient being like this, but there was no time for alternatives if they were going to save Kara’s life. She reached out and froze the Orange God’s manic mind, his threat unfulfilled as his orange glow faded completely for the first time in more than a thousand years.

Larfleeze was not the only one too far gone. With a vile hacking noise, crimson blood cascaded from Satan Girl’s open mouth. At such close range, it burned Larfleeze’s face to the bone. The pain cut through Imra’s power, and Larfleeze released Satan Girl with an agonised wail. He staggered crookedly for a few steps then fell face first where he didn’t move again.

Saturn Girl clutched her husband’s hand, her eyes welling with tears. “Oh Kara...what have you done..?”

“She has guaranteed my victory,” Universo gloated. “As a dearly departed madman of our mutual acquaintance might say...those rings are mine.” Green and gold tendrils of energy snaked out to steal the rings from Larfleeze’s fingers.

“No!” Zoe dived at Larfleeze’s corpse, Mon-El and Wildfire close behind her. Before the heroes could close the range, Satan Girl charged them all. Even with the burst of extra power she’d gotten from this new rage, she wasn’t powerful enough to defeat the three of them but she was powerful enough to keep them at bay for the few seconds it took for those rings to make their way to Universo’s hand.

“Damn you Universo, you’re not winning this one!” Before the rings were in place on his fingers, Vi launched herself at him.

Without even sparing her a sideways glance, Universo manifested a giant golden hand to swat Violet aside. “I already have, woman.” With the combined might of the green, gold and orange rings on one hand Universo created a wall to keep the rest of the heroes at bay. His other hand formed a fist, his new indigo ring scanning the unconscious form of the Zamaron warrior Mwindaji and Vi had earlier encountered. “Curious, she does not bear a violet ring. Mwindaji, what do you know of this..?” His tone was at once friendly and sinister.

Mwindaji had crouched down by Violet’s side to make sure she was still alive. “She was right about you!” he accused the man he’d thought of as a hero. “How was I ever fooled by such a viper??”

Universo sighed magnanimously, walking casually toward Mwindaji. “In your defence, I can be quite charming when it’s called upon...but honestly, I’d say the main reason was your ridiculous naivete. Now what did you two do with her ring, Mwindaji?”

“I...the Legionnaire, Shrinking Violet, she wanted to keep the ring from us. She…” Mwindaji faltered, his eyes glancing from Universo to the army of heroes behind him fighting Satan Girl and bashing at Universo’s construct. Mwindaji knew if he could just stall Universo long enough, they’d eventually break through. They had to. He didn’t know what the man really had planned, but he knew now that it was nothing remotely good. “She hid it...she hid the ring.” He’d always been a terrible liar, but this lie was at least partially crouched in truth and he hoped that it would hold. Vi really had wanted to keep the fallen Zamaron’s ring from Universo. But to earn Mwindaji’s trust, she’d allowed him to hold it. Mwindaji had promised her that if she could convince him of Universo’s evil intentions he’d surrender the violet ring to her. Yet one more of my errors in judgement, he chastised himself silently.

“That’s funny,” Universo scanned Vi’s body. “She doesn’t have the ring either. Now where else could it be, I wonder..?” He turned idly to Mwindaji himself.

Hands behind his back, Mwindaji took the violet ring from where it had been secreted in his palm and he placed it on one finger. This was his only option now. He thrust his fist at Universo, the violet ring gleaming on his ring finger. “I believed in you!” Mwindaji railed. His hand was trembling as he willed the ring to come alive. “I have shamed myself...I have shamed my family and I have shamed the great hero Mwindaji whose name I usurp, but--” His words were cut short by a sharp gasp as a golden lance tore straight through his abdomen. Universo withdrew the spear of energy and Mwindaji staggered toward him, still desperately wishing as hard as he could for the violet ring to do something. “I will - I will--” Another golden lance pierced him, and this time Mwindaji fell.

“I am sorry, my friend.” Universo stepped forward and took the violet ring from the dying teenager’s feeble grip. “It has been a very long time since anybody helped me out of pure altruism, I would have liked to spare you from violence. But I couldn’t bear to spend another moment waiting for you to figure out that the violet ring only works in the presence of great love. That is...when it works alone.”

Dark blood bubbled from Mwindaji’s parted lips. He coughed painfully and stared with eyes wide open as the man named Vidar placed the violet ring next to its indigo cousin. Universo removed the ring of the Red Lanterns from where it had hung around his neck. Seeing that Phantom Girl had finally penetrated his shield where her comrades had failed, Universo gave her an indulgent chuckle. “You Legionnaires are certainly persistent,” Universo complimented her. “But I’m afraid it’s far too late for last minute heroics now, Ms Wazzo.”

He placed the red ring on his hand, and a pure white light exploded forth. It consumed Universo in its brilliance, consumed Mwindaji and Violet and Phantom Girl and the stirring Zamaron warrior whom Violet had earlier defeated. It consumed every Legionnaire rushing him now that he’d dropped his shield, and it consumed the corpse of Larfleeze.

When everyone’s vision cleared, Universo hadn’t moved an inch. He no longer wore green and gold armour; he was now clothed in a stark white bodysuit with an emblem on his chest reminiscent of a white light shining forth...and where a moment ago he’d worn seven different coloured rings, he now wore a solitary white ring.

Phantom Girl shaded her eyes with her hand. Even without an overt display of power, he was dazzling to gaze upon directly. “Universo..?” she asked timidly. “What did you do to yourself..?”

“Universo is an outdated name for what I am now, Tinya Wazzo.” He looked down upon her imperiously.

“Call me...the White Lantern.”

TO BE CONCLUDED!!!

EDITOR’S NOTES:
* Shadow Lass (along with her counterparts from the Reboot and Threeboot Legions) pooled their powers to sap the stored sunlight from Superboy Prime’s body and weaken him in Legion of Three Worlds.

* I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned this previously, but I have taken a few minor liberties with the way the rings work; I figure 1000 years is more than enough time for the status quo to change a few times smile
Posted By: Omni Re: Prism of Chaos - 03/08/17 02:44 AM
A Prism of Chaos is right. There is so much good stuff here from the action to the little tide bits.

Zoe shows her full force! i love it!

The Legionnaires dawning the Violet Lanterns costumes was funny. i liked that Imra's was similar to her 70's outfit was cute.

I like your choices for Legionnaires who represent the most love within the Legion. It's so refreshing to see another side to Brainy.

I really liked how you showed doubt in Kara's mind, it was realistic and not just all of a sudden.
Vi and Mwindaji seemed like a good team. you know until you did the unthinkable.

Universo is so ruthless and he's now the White Lantern. i can't wait to see how this turns out and i hope they all make it out alive.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Prism of Chaos - 03/10/17 09:18 AM
Glad you liked it Omni! It was fun coming up with the Star Sapphire costumes, I am half-tempted to draw them and post them here lol laugh

Universo is quite ruthless, isn't he? You're probably right to worry about everyone making it out alive, I'm certainly not making any promises on that count... wink
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Prism of Chaos - 03/12/17 02:52 PM
Hey Raz, this is amazing! I'm thoroughly enjoying this arc - and am a bit scared of what your plans for Kara at the end of it. Can she be fully redeemed?

I'm not sure if I'd like to see pictures of the team in their Zamoran influenced costumes smile Garth's comment about Dirk not being there was cute. Still, it was nice to see the Legionnaires in the steadiest relationships taking up those rings - Querl in particular.

I love your respect for the Subs, making them competent and all - case in point Ulu disippatimg their bonds by altering their colour. It's really nice to see how you use them so effectively. Zoe being a living Lantern is a great twist too and a very interesting visual. And her determination to get her ring back was a bit scary - she strikes me as a woman who usually gets what she wants, by hook or crrook.

Salu talking to Gahiji only leads me to one conclusion - Vi and M'Windaji to the rescue! Splendid! Again and again your underdogs are the most resilient and inventive, It's something I look forward to with your stories.

Imra and Garth protected by the power of their love for each other -cheesy and perfect for the story, probably because it was the ever pragmatic Imra Ironass that delivered the line, I don't think anyone else could have said it.

Kara's doubts are written very well, as is Querl's pain at her behaviour. The end of that segment, with Saturn Girls warning, was well done too: perfectly times to amp up the tension!
It's going to be a tearjerker of a finale, isn't it?

I think I spotted a mistake Raz - In the last section where the team reach Vidar, et al, you mention Universo's indigo ring, and not his blue... am I being daft and getting confused that I didn't think was right?

I really didn't expect M'windaji to get hurt, hopefully he'll survive and join the academy - you have written him really well and I'd love to see more of him.

So Universo now has the powers of all the rings... eek! I don't think Ulu will be able to stop this one by turning him plaid! Looking forward to the end of this arc as it has been a real rollercoasterride, perhaps your best yet - even better than the Validii back n the day!



Posted By: razsolo Re: Prism of Chaos - 03/14/17 12:28 PM

Glad you are liking it, Harbinger! I was starting to wonder if maybe this storyline has started to drag a bit, so it's good to see that y'all are still digging it - the Fatal Fives story with the Validii was one of my favourites to write so I will take the comparison as high praise! smile

I do love writing the underdogs of the Legion, resourceful use of power is always more interesting in my book than being a powerhouse (though it is fun to write characters just cutting loose with crazy power levels too). I am glad you liked Imra's line about love too...I think we are on the same page with that, it works coming from her because you know she's just being frank as opposed to melodramatic smile

re Universo's indigo ring; it was one of the rings he took from Larfleeze (who himself stole it from the Legionnaires he took captive last instalment). I probably could have worded that description more clearly, sorry!

...And without giving away any real spoilers, I think it's safe to say that the finale to all of this will indeed be a tearjerker and nobody is gonna be guaranteed seeing it through safely to the end!
Posted By: razsolo Final Light - 04/15/17 10:32 AM
ZAMARON
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
12th level intelligence, team leader
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar-range tracking
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Fire Lad aka Staq Mavlen: fire-breathing
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: reserve member, electricity generation and manipulation
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: intangibility
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cold and ice generation
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: reserve member, telepathy
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being
Zoe Saugin: Legion of Superheroes ally, infused with Green Lantern energy


Salu Digby groaned as she lifted herself up on one elbow. The last thing she remembered was a golden construct slamming into her. Now she felt like one giant bruise, and she could hear something...was that a woman screaming?

Suddenly alert, Vi realised Mwindaji was lying at her side and reached out to shake him. She hissed his name then recoiled as though she’d been shocked. Two neat holes bored through his blood-soaked torso and his eyes stared lifelessly above. The teenage tracker was beyond helping anybody.

Vi turned now to the origin of the scream, and saw the Zamaron woman she’d earlier incapacitated. The warrior hovered in mid-air, fully conscious as an intense white light disintegrated her into a fine mist. The woman’s fellow Zamarons and the Legion of Superheroes gaped in horror, and a white-garbed Universo looked on with a blend of fascination and satisfaction at his grotesque handiwork. Shrinking Violet’s heart leaped to her throat...and then Queen Di’Ana of Zamaron called her people to war.

**********
Working together, Mon-El and Brainiac 5 had finally managed to use the combined might of their Star Sapphire rings to hold Satan Girl in place. Then Universo had taken the mantle of the White Lantern, and when he’d turned his new power against his unfortunate Zamaron assailant it had caused enough of a distraction for Satan Girl’s rage once more to reign supreme. With a guttural noise, Satan Girl shredded the violet field which had immobilised her. She grabbed Brainiac 5 and tore straight through the army of Zamaron warriors, taking him skyward.

“Damn it!” Mon-El poised to give chase when Saturn Girl placed a hand on the Daxamite’s shoulder.

“No, Mon.” Imra gave him a steely look he was all too familiar with; she had a plan. “The Star Sapphire ring will protect you from Universo’s hypnosis and you’re our heaviest hitter. We need you here. Garth and I will go after Kara.”

“Are you sure?” Mon-El questioned. “She’s unpredictable, Imra...are you sure you can penetrate whatever hold it is that damned ring has over her?”

“I’ve been thinking about this the wrong way,” Saturn Girl replied, watching the ferocious Zamarons all around her leap into battle against Universo. “What Supergirl really needs right now is some tough love.” Without another word, she fled after Satan Girl and Brainiac 5. Lightning Lad wasn’t entirely certain what his wife was plotting, but if there was one thing in his life that he trusted above all else, it was the sheer indomitability of Imra Ardeen Ranzz once she put her mind to something.

**********
Fire Lad and Polar Boy assaulted Universo together, hoping that their contrasting temperature powers along with the Zamaron onslaught would overwhelm his newfound might. Universo simply gave them a condescending smirk as he hovered several feet above. “The power of the White Lantern is the power of life itself,” he explained. “If one of the oldest races in the universe can’t stop me, what is a little fire and ice going to do?” He didn’t even gesture, simply allowing his brilliant white aura to dispel all of the individual attacks harmlessly.

“Maybe it’s just a distraction, Universo.” Color Kid stepped forward before the villain could launch a counter-attack against his friends. “And maybe you shouldn’t put so much faith in a white ring when you’re fighting someone who can change the color of anything he puts his mind to!” Ulu frowned in concentration, but to his surprise nothing happened.

“I assure you, I am beyond any of your parlour tricks,” Universo chuckled. “You however are not beyond mine. Earth-Man told me once how he took your sight from you, Color Kid. I think I’d prefer you that way.” Universo’s own eyes flared insanely bright, and Color Kid screamed in anguish.

Ulu collapsed to his knees, hands clutching at his face. “My eyes! What have you done to my eyes?!”

“Calm down,” Universo laughed cruelly. “They’re still there, you just won’t be able to use them anymore now that I’ve burned your retinas--”

Before he could finish, a coordinated barrage of energy beams from above drowned Universo out. Mon-El and Zoe Saugin joined a large number of Zamarons working in flawless unison with Queen Di’Ana and all of them slammed him into the ground with such force that it left a crater around the villain. “Give us some space!” Mon-El barked to the rest of his team, channeling as much power as he could through his violet ring to keep Universo pinned. “Element Lad, his ring--!”

“I don’t know what it’s made of,” Jan Arrah shook his head furiously, “But it’s not any elemental composition I recognise! My power’s useless against it, Mon-El!”

“Of course you’re useless,” Universo snarled. “You’re playing a game which is far far beyond you, Element Lad. In truth, you should just let me go on my way and I won’t bother any of you again.” He was forced to offer a conscious effort for the first time as he strained against the energy output of his combined assailants.

“Yeah, right!” Zoe mocked the bald villain. “And I suppose you’ve got a starport on Ventura you want to sell us too!”

“I mean what I say, Green Lantern.” Universo raised one hand to block their power, followed cautiously by his second. “Recent unpleasantness aside, all I want to do now is go to the Time Institute where I can use this power to fulfil the desire I have spent a lifetime pursuing.”

“The Time Institute?” Mon-El raised an eyebrow. “What could you possibly want from the Time Institute, Universo?”

“As I said, something I have desired for a very long time.” He stood almost fully erect against the violet and green energy now, an unhinged gleam in his eye. “I’m going to use the power of this ring to breach the Flashpoint barrier, to breach every one of time’s defences, and finally I will learn the origins of reality itself. For knowledge is the ultimate power, and there is no knowledge more ultimate.” A corona of white light exploded outward from Universo, sending Mon-El, Zoe and the nearest group of Zamarons flying.

Watching from a safer distance, Light Lad cradled Color Kid’s unconscious body while Gas Girl hovered around the Lupran hero’s head as a strong anesthetic mist. “Mon-El and that Green Lantern are two of our strongest fighters!” Gas Girl’s disembodied voice spoke in timid awe. “What do we do now, Light Lad..?”

“You fight to the death if you must,” a still dazed Queen Di’Ana announced as Mon-El and Zoe shook themselves off and went after Universo again. “Make no mistake, Legionnaires; if Universo succeeds in his mad scheme, everything we know is forfeit. The birth of our universe is a sacred mystery, to even try to lift that veil could mean disaster for all that exists!” She lifted her head to the skies now and using the violet light which was every Zamaron’s birthright she communicated telepathically with each one of her people while she spoke aloud to the Legionnaires. “I will lead Zamaron in casting a shield around this world to prevent Universo’s escape, but you must find a way to stop him.”

“But Queen Di’Ana,” Light Lad protested, “Your Highness...you and the other Zamarons are so much more powerful than most of us Legionnaires! Surely it would make more sense for you to help us fight Universo directly?”

“You speak truth, Legionnaire.” Despite the circumstances, Darvan felt his heart pound with desire when the Zamaron queen addressed him directly. “But we may expend ourselves fighting the White Lantern only to lose to his greater power. With my plan, your own brave struggle will buy Zamaron the time we need to pool our energies for what comes next if the Legion of Superheroes should fall.”

“For what comes next,” Shadow Lass repeated the monarch’s words with a hint of cattiness. “And what might that be, Your Highness?”

“The destruction of this world,” Queen Di’Ana answered with sad resolve, “This world and all of us who stand upon her.”

The Queen of the Zamarons flew straight up to lead her people, leaving several stunned Legionnaires in her wake.

**********
On the other side of the world, Satan Girl slammed Brainiac 5 through one of Zamaron’s ubiquitous lotus-shaped residences. The building and the pad upon which it was positioned both crumbled, and the duo’s impact into the planet’s surface was so thunderous that three more buildings fell around them.

“Kara, I’m begging you...you must fight this!” Brainiac pleaded. He was confident that the Star Sapphire ring paired with his forcefield belt would keep him safe this time, but he was running out of ways to try and reach her. Hot tears stung Kara’s face as she pounded again and again at the violet field surrounding him. At this point she didn’t even know why she was so enraged but it was consuming her and she just wanted it to stop.

<Good,> a voice rang clearly in her mind. <Wanting something to stop is the first step to making it stop. Let’s see if we can help you with the rest.> Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad descended from above, and Imra spoke aloud to Brainiac 5. “Brainy, this may be uncomfortable for you. Do you--”

“Do what you must,” the Coluan answered, the calm in his voice at odds with the imploring need in his gaze. “I trust you implicitly, Saturn Girl.”

Satan Girl spun on the telepath, but before she could launch an assault Lightning Lad ran millions of volts of electricity through her. “Stay there, Kara.” The output of raw energy turned the ground at her feet to glass, but it only stunned the mad Kryptonian. Still, it brought Imra the time she needed.

Brainiac 5 grimaced as Saturn Girl made contact. A quirk of Querl Dox’s 12th level intellect was his eidetic memory, and Imra now rifled through that extraordinary facility for any and all evidence of his love for Kara Zor-El. The undertaking was immensely challenging for both Brainiac and Saturn Girl; for Imra, it was like physically cramming every copy of every edition of the Encyclopedia Galactica which had ever been published into her brain at the same time and simultaneously having to pluck out specific words from specific pages to create the story she wanted to write. She considered temporarily shutting down her psionic rapport with her husband so that she could devote all of her considerable power to this task, but it occurred to Imra that without Garth acting as a subtle anchor she might find herself trapped in Brainiac 5’s labyrinth of memories forever. That thought alone gave her all the motivation she needed to focus.

Meanwhile, Querl was forced to relive all of the happy moments he’d shared with Kara as well as the heartache and the confused regret he’d felt every time she’d left the Legion to return to her own time. His heart soared when he recalled the very first time he’d laid eyes on Kara at that fateful Legion tryout. Pride and fear jostled for equal place as he watched her wade into Darkseid and the Fatal Five, and every other villain she’d battled to save the friends and the life here that she adored. His heart fragmented and he felt his world ripped from him anew whenever the anniversary of her death came around once more...and despite every rational part of the galaxy’s most advanced mind telling him that their love could in no way succeed, he felt the all too familiar pained sweetness of choosing emotion over logic every time Kara was back in his life.

Imra gathered all of that into one roiling knot of psychic energy and with a brutality normally foreign to her she forced all of it into Kara’s mind. The Kryptonian screeched, the three of them collapsed, and Garth Ranzz wondered with mounting anxiety what he’d just witnessed.

Saturn Girl was the first to stir. Her groans alerted Lightning Lad, and he crouched to help her stand. “Are you okay..? What the sprock was that you just did??”

Still leaning on her husband for support, Imra offered the rousing Brainiac 5 a hand as well. “Like I said…” Imra’s voice was weak. “Tough love...I’ll explain later, Garth...right now I feel like I’ve gone three rounds with Validus…”

“...You and I both…” Brainiac attempted to stand on his own, but wavered unsteadily on his feet.

“Easy there, pal.” Garth centred himself between Imra and Brainy so they could both lean on him. He looked down at Kara’s shuddering form. “Whatever you did...I hope it worked. You two don’t look like you’re anywhere close to being able to defend yourselves if she still wants to kill us all.”

Kara’s back hunched as she put all her weight on her forearms to get up off the ground. She moved with painstaking purpose, gradually climbing to a standing position. The air was hot with tension as her lowered head finally rolled back into an upright position and for the first time Garth, Imra and Brainiac could clearly see her face.

The teenage girl’s bloodshot blue eyes were filled with tears and her lip quivered. “Brainy...you guys...I tried to...Oh Rao, I would have…” She buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

“Kara...Kara, it’s not your fault.” Brainiac 5 approached, his voice breaking as he placed a hand on her shoulder. “We can talk about this, we’ll fix it. We’ll fix it all. It’s not your fault Kara, it was--”

Her head snapped up once more, her expression dominated by anger rather than despair. It wasn’t the bloodlust of Satan Girl this time though.This time it was Supergirl who was fighting mad.

“Universo.”

She spat his name bitterly, and was miles away before the others even realised she’d left.

**********
In another place, it was dawn.

The air was balmy and filled with the scents of life. A young man found himself in waist high grasses which swayed in the gentle breeze. He was little more than a boy, though in truth he didn’t really know any more than that. He scanned the horizon, where hazy mountains rose far away. Somewhere, the faint cry of birds could be heard as they woke from their slumber and ushered in the rising sun. A nearer rustling sound captured his attention, and the youth saw a plains lion perched majestically on a small boulder scant meits away.

The lion turned to face him and the youth was acutely aware that he was naked, but he was unafraid. For was the creature not also naked? A sense of peace came over him. It didn’t matter that he was naked. It didn’t matter that that he knew not who he was or how he had come to be here. All that mattered was that he surely belonged nowhere else.

And yet…

“And yet, you feel that you have unfinished business,” the lion spoke.

The young man met the beast with a quizzical expression. Was it right that this animal could speak? That it could read his thoughts as an open book? Should he know the answer to these questions?

“I am the personification of life, but life and death are bordering nations,” the lion continued. “My influence is limited in this place, but I do have some influence.”

“I do not understand.” The teenage boy approached the beast, gazing up at it from below. “Where is this place? Who are you? Who am I?”

The lion could not smile, but the boy nonetheless felt a smile in its voice. “These are the Endless Plains of the Savangati,” the beast explained. “These are the lands upon which your people roam once they have left life’s domain. Here you would embark on a new life, your human troubles no longer a concern. You have earned this respite, but I am afraid it is not yours to enjoy. Not yet.”

“Savangati…” The boy rolled the word on his tongue, trying it out. It sounded familiar to him somehow, a place he knew without ever having visited. But the beast had not answered all of his questions. “And me? Who am I? Who are you?”

“As I said, I am the personification of life,” the lion responded warmly. “My name is the name given to every creature which breathes. I have an infinite registry of names, whereas you have but the one which you chose for yourself. You lost that name when you came to the Savangati, but it is within my power to give it back.”

“I...do not belong here, do I?” the boy queried, looking around.

“Everybody belongs here sooner or later,” the lion chuckled warmly. “But it is not where you must be right now, Mwindaji.”

The name meant something to the youth, but before he could think on it further the blazing sun cleared the horizon and bathed everything in a sheer white light. The lion’s form was silhouetted against the backdrop of light until the light claimed the beast with many names, and the last thought that crossed Mwindaji’s mind before he too was consumed by that brilliance was how peculiar it was that the sun and the odd talking lion should be the exact same shade of white...

**********
Shadow Lass moaned weakly and flung herself backwards. She’d wrapped Universo in a shroud of darkness, but he’d easily torn it asunder and the intensity of his light had finally proven too much for her to withstand. Phantom Girl ran to her best friend’s side and checked her pulse.

Shrinking Violet hovered by Phantom Girl’s cheek, inches tall. “How is she?”

“She’ll live,” Tinya released a long exhalation. “Or she’ll have no worse chance than the rest of us anyway,” she added glumly. Universo had already taken down most of the Legion, including Mon-El. They’d kept him too occupied to concentrate on killing any of them at least, but the more Legionnaires he defeated the more their chances of surviving this battle at all decreased. “I just wish there were some way we could do something about that ring,” Phantom Girl frowned. “And I’m worried about Brainy, Garth and Imra; for all we know, Supergirl’s already…” She found herself unable to voice her fear.

“If Supergirl had killed them, she’d be back here already,” Vi said pragmatically. “Saturn Girl seemed like she had a plan, let’s see how that pans out. About that ring though...I think you’re right. And I just had a crazy idea that might help.”

“Really?” Phantom Girl perked up. “What is it?”

“I’m not telling you,” Vi responded. “Because any sane person would try to stop me.” She darted off toward Universo before Phantom Girl could reply, shrinking as she flew till she was soon unable to be seen at all.

Good luck, Phantom Girl bit her lip. And be careful, Vi. Tinya Wazzo surveyed the scene of battle. She’d tried herself to sneak up on Universo earlier, but the White Lantern ring prevented even her intangible form from closing. Gas Girl had managed to engulf the villain, but she lay unmoving next to Element Lad, Polar Boy and Fire Lad now for her efforts. Dawnstar was mercifully unconscious among the tattered remnants of Wildfire’s containment suit, her wings shattered. Phantom Girl, Shrinking Violet, Light Lad and Zoe Saugin were the only four heroes still standing, and Zoe was only upright thanks to Light Lad’s support.

“You must know you have no chance now, Legionnaires.” Universo stared down at them all from his airborne position of superiority. “I’ve had fun exploring the more visceral aspects of what can be done with this power, but none of you need to die. Tell your Zamaron friends to let me leave and you can all lick your wounds in peace.” He spared a glance upwards at the violet field encompassing the planet.

“I’m not a Legionnaire,” an exhausted Zoe said angrily. “But even if you weren’t planning on doing something that will jeopardise this whole universe, I’ll die before I stop trying to see you brought to justice for what you’ve already done...to my friends, to Supergirl, to this world and sprock knows how many others.”

Universo laughed. “I remember that misguided altruism well from my days in the Green Lantern Corps, girl. Just as I remember the slavish devotion to every lie the Guardians ever told. Believe me, there is no risk in viewing the creation of all time and space, but in knowing the hand of the Creator firsthand there is unprecedented power. That is the true reason the Guardians always dissuaded us from chasing this knowledge. They just couldn’t bear the thought of someone holding more power than -- eh?” He held his right hand before him, the White Lantern ring on his finger quivering oddly. “What is this then?”

A high frequency vibration came from the ring, but only for an instant before Shrinking Violet emerged and collapsed in a heap on the ground below Universo, growing to her full height as she fell. “I tried to wreck it...from the inside…” a weakened Vi mumbled. “...Too...tough, I...failed...”

“You were foolish to believe any other outcome might exist,” Universo spoke coldly. “All you’ve succeeded in is hastening your own demise, woman.” Phantom Girl and Light Lad moved to stop him, but Zoe was faster. She tackled him as his ring flared bright, and the power which was meant to destroy Shrinking Violet instead struck the last living Green Lantern. The emerald energy inside her protected Zoe Saugin from disintegration, but it wasn’t enough to save her from the White Lantern’s power entirely. Her aura faded to an almost non-existent shimmer and she fell gasping to the ground at Vi’s side.

Still in massive amounts of pain herself, Vi crawled across to the teenage girl. “Hang in there…” Violet gripped the shaking girl’s hand. “We’ll get through this, Lantern...you saved my life, we’ll save yours…”

Zoe was deathly pale and breathing in short sharp gasps. “It’s okay,” she whispered, a lone tear streaming down her cheek. “I just wanted to help...I always wanted to…” She trailed away to silence, and her agonised breathing stopped. Wide green eyes stared at Violet with a pleading expression which quickly faded along with her life.

“She was just a teenager!” Vi looked up at Universo in anger. “She and Mwindaji both! What kind of monster kills teenagers?!” Light Lad and Phantom Girl stood in a protective stance over their teammate.

Any trace of humour faded from Universo. “Woman, I had my own son murdered in pursuit of this power. Why do you think I would spare a thought for any of your lives? I tried to give you a chance but I see now that the only way I’ll ever be free of your nuisance is to slay you all. Honestly, you heroes are like damn cockroaches.” He blazed bright with power, building up a charge which would kill everyone on the battlefield.

“Phantom Girl, get out of here!” Vi commanded. “Phase to Bgtzl, he may not be able to follow you there!”

Tinya Wazzo stood defiant in the face of Universo’s power. “I’m not doing that. Not any more than you’d go subatomic to save yourself. We’re Legionnaires, we stand or fall together.”

Light Lad stretched two trembling arms out toward Universo. “I’m trying as hard as I can to repel him, you guys. It...it’s not working. This is really it, isn’t it..?” Thoughts of his sister came to Darvan’s mind, and of Ayla and Kent.

“Don’t worry,” Universo decreed. By now they couldn’t make out any of the man’s features, he was just an intensely glowing white silhouette. “I can afford to be charitable now, I promise I’ll make this painless.”

Sonic booms filled the atmosphere like thunder, and with an almost world-splitting smash the three Legionnaires suddenly found themselves surrounded by a field of debris as they plummeted toward Zamaron’s surface. It had all happened so quickly that they’d had no time to save themselves, and the heroes assumed Universo had come up with some new way to torture them all until they found themselves in the grip of a gentle violet field. While the dust settled around them and the crashing sounds continued far off to the west, they saw that their saviour was Lightning Lad. “Garth?!” Phantom Girl exclaimed. “How did you -- what just happened?!”

Lightning Lad watched the trail of destruction extend across the violet world. “Supergirl happened.”

He lowered the trio to the ground, and they realised now that Supergirl must have careened straight through the structure they’d been standing on and taken Universo with her. With the speed she’d been travelling, she had hit like a meteor strike. Her devastating wake was visible for miles. Of greater concern to the heroes, everybody else who’d already been taken down by Universo was now trapped somewhere beneath all of this. “Stay here and help our friends,” Lightning Lad ordered. “Imra and Brainy followed Supergirl, I’m going to join them. I’ve got a feeling these rings are going to be the only thing that’ll let us stand up to Universo now.”

“Your ring will not help you,” a baritone voice spoke. His identity obscured by the dust raised in Supergirl’s assault, the Legionnaires saw a masculine form approach. “Vidar is not worthy of the power of the White Lantern, but there is only one way it can be removed from him.

Legionnaires...take me to Universo.”

**********
Supergirl was dimly aware of Saturn Girl and Brainiac 5 descending in her wake, but the majority of her focus was on the bald man before her. Her fists were a blur as she landed punch after punch on Universo. The power of the White Lantern ring lent him a more than respectable measure of invulnerability, but he couldn’t come anywhere near matching the Kryptonian’s speed.

A dim crimson glow engulfed Supergirl; she could feel her rage rising like bile, but for the first time since she’d taken this Rao-cursed red ring it was under control. “You’ve gone too far, Universo!” Hot tears stung Kara’s eyes. “You made me hurt my friends! You made me kill a man! You’re lucky I don’t kill you!”

“Luck has nothing to do with it, you melodramatic child!” The white power blazed forth from him, and Kara was flung backwards. While she collected herself, Brainiac 5 and Saturn Girl approached warily. Universo wiped his lip with the back of his hand, mildly surprised to find that Kara had drawn blood. “I planned every aspect of this quest, and every aspect I planned has come to perfect fruition. Do you really think I’d let you murder me now when I’m so close to my goal? I’ve been subtly reinforcing my hypnotic control every time I’ve been near you, Supergirl...or should I call you Satan Girl? After all, anger is a notoriously poor defence against manipulation.” He smiled wickedly at this, and Kara felt her world spinning.

“Kara, you can fight this!” Brainiac erected a violet shield between Supergirl and Universo while Saturn Girl placed a supportive hand on Kara’s shoulder.

The maid of might gripped Brainiac’s arm, turmoil written across her face as she struggled against Universo’s power. “Brainy...Brainy, I can’t…”

“You can!” Saturn Girl interrupted her forcefully. “Kara, I’m fighting for you as hard as I can but you need to make this choice for yourself! Remember your love for us and find your strength in that!”

Universo shattered Brainiac’s forcefield, the White Lantern ring having already regenerated his injuries. “This whole affair has become rather droll, I must say.” He caught Kara’s gaze as he stepped closer. “Satan Girl, hurry up and kill these two interlopers so we can depart.”

The red pounded inside Kara’s skull, inside her veins. She became aware in her desperation that she was clutching Brainiac too hard, that she was hurting him, and that realisation made some vindictive part of her happy. “No!” She pushed Brainiac 5 aside forcefully enough that he and Saturn Girl landed in a heap together and then Supergirl stood between her friends and the villain who’d brought her to this. “No more, Universo! You won’t use me ever again!” Shaking with emotion, she turned to face Querl Dox. “Brainy...Brainy, I love you. I love you and I’m so sorry.”

Brainiac 5 realised what she was doing too late to stop her. He bellowed in horror as Supergirl ripped the red ring from her finger and with every ounce of strength in her body threw it across the sky. A wail of pure agony ripped forth from the Kryptonian teen as she fell convulsing to the ground. Brainiac 5 rushed to her side, but his 12th level intellect knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that it was hopeless. Seconds later, Kara Zor-El drew her last breath and lay still in his arms.

“You’re a monster!” Saturn Girl clenched her fists and struck at Universo with a stabbing bolt of psionic energy. “You’ll pay for this, Universo! I swear I’ll see you rot on Takron-Galtos for the rest of your natural life!”

To the exhausted woman’s credit, her assault staggered the White Lantern. He fell back a step and grabbed at his forehead. “No, woman. You will not.” He glowered menacingly, and Saturn Girl screamed as she became ash on the breeze.

Universo calmly approached Brainiac 5. “What about you, Coluan? You’re the smartest of all of them, surely you at least must know when you’ve been defeated.”

“The smartest.” A grim laugh shook the Legion’s leader and he lowered Kara gently to the ground. “Everybody says that, but nobody ever really thinks about what it means. Nobody ever really thinks about how much I hold my intellect back so that I can retain my humanity.” Moving faster than Universo expected, Brainiac reached out and grabbed the villain’s ring-bearing hand. “Compared to me, nobody ever really thinks.”

“What are you--?” Universo stumbled, taken aback at his foe’s grip.

“Tell me, Vidar...you have plotted against us many times, you know more about us than perhaps any other villain we have faced; I have to assume that you know I can interface directly with technology when necessary.” Brainiac 5 stood up, meeting Universo’s appalled stare. “This ring is an unspeakably powerful technology, but it is technology nonetheless. I had considered physically exerting my dominance over your ring the second I saw its power, and had discarded that tactic almost immediately. The White Lantern ring is too powerful for even my 12th level intellect to cause its destruction, not without the very considerable risk of lobotomising one or both of us in the struggle.”

“You can’t do this!” Universo’s voice rose an octave. “Fall, damn you!” Try as he might though, the ring would not obey his command.

Brainiac continued, eerily calm. “You killed one of my dearest friends when you killed your son, Universo. I don’t have many really close friends, and today you have killed one more, along with the woman I love. There is a high probability that at least some of the remaining Legion of Superheroes lie dead on the other side of this world, and throughout my life the Legion of Superheroes have been that which influences me most to be human. Tell me Universo, how much do you think I value my humanity right now if losing it will remove your presence from this universe forever?”

“I’ll fight you, damn it! You can’t possibly have the stronger will!” The villain was beginning to panic. He couldn’t lose now, not when he’d come so far.

“The stronger will? Possibly not,” Brainiac conceded. “But the stronger intellect? There is no doubt. I know machines, Universo. I know how to create them and I know how to destroy them.”

“I believe there has been enough destruction here for one day.” Both men turned at this new voice to see Lightning Lad approach. His violet ring was carrying the man who’d spoken, and both of them landed near Universo and Brainiac 5. Universo’s eyes grew wide with disbelief as he recognised Mwindaji instantly.

“You….it can’t be!” Universo sputtered. “I killed you! I saw you die!”

“Brainy?” Lightning Lad looked around, starting to realise something was very wrong. “Where’s Imra? And Kara...why isn’t Supergirl moving?”

“I am sorry to say that they have both fallen victim to the power this man wields,” Mwindaji answered Garth’s query with sad resignation. “As have many others today. As I had myself. But you said it yourself, Vidar. The power of the White Lantern is the power of life...and you have twisted and corrupted that power to bring a darkness to the universe which never should have existed. I have been given a second chance to repair your mistakes.”

“A second chance..?” Universo’s heart dropped. Dried blood was crusty on Mwindaji’s costume. There was no doubt that he had died...and there was only one power which could have reversed that. He tried to yank his hand away from Brainiac 5’s grip more urgently, but Brainiac saw the fear on the bald villain’s face and held him with both hands. “No,” Universo pleaded, “Mwindaji, please...I allowed myself to be carried away, but you have to believe that my end goal was always noble! I want to know why life was created! Don’t we deserve that knowledge?!”

“Perhaps we do, that question is not for a simple tracker from Kirinyaga.” Mwindaji reached for the white ring, and somehow Brainiac 5 knew instinctively that it was right to allow him to do so. Brainiac released his hold on Universo and Mwindaji’s hand closed over the ring. “But I promise you this,” Mwindaji continued, “It is knowledge you will never gain.”

Mwindaji removed the ring from Universo’s finger and a blinding pulse of white light exploded outwards in all directions. When everybody could see again, Mwindaji stood before them in an all-white version of his bodysuit while Universo cowered in his more traditional green and purple outfit. Lightning Lad felt a touch on his shoulder and turned to find his wife, tears welling in her eyes. “Imra!” He embraced her and the two shared a wordless reunion.

“I have restored the lives of those whom this man’s schemes had taken,” Mwindaji explained. “Universo did not lie when he said that the power of the White Lantern is the power of life itself. It is only fitting that it should be used to restore life.”

“Do you know how hard I worked for that ring?” Universo ranted. The initial shock of his defeat had faded and now he wanted vengeance. “I won’t stand for this, I’ll kill you with my bare hands if I have to!”

He rushed Mwindaji, but before he could take more than a step forward he was enclosed in a soundproof cube thanks to the violet ring Brainiac 5 wore. “Shut up,” the Coluan said abruptly while Universo pounded helplessly against the translucent walls. Brainiac rushed to Supergirl’s side and peered up at Mwindaji with a mix of righteous anger and despair in his expression. “Why is Kara still dead?” he demanded. “Are we expected to believe that you could resurrect Saturn Girl from utter discorporation but you can’t heal Kara?”

“Brainy…” Saturn Girl moved toward her old friend.

“No!” Brainiac 5 cried out, jabbing a finger in Mwindaji’s direction. “If he hadn’t helped Universo find those rings, none of this would have happened! It’s his fault as much as it is Universo’s that Kara is dead, it’s his responsibility to help her!”

“You are right, of course.” Mwindaji walked up to Brainiac 5 and Supergirl and went down on one knee. “It is just...I truly am sorry, but I am not Universo; I must work with the Entity who empowers me through this ring, and the Entity knows that Supergirl is not meant to be here. She is not of this era.”

“So she has to die?” Brainiac 5 glared defiantly. “I don’t accept that! I’ll take that damn ring and do it myself--!”

“You misunderstand,” Mwindaji raised his hands passively. “I can help her...the White Lantern can restore Supergirl to life, but she is not meant to be here. She will have to return to her own time if she is to be returned to life. The Entity’s power is not absolute, this will tax the White Lantern ring to its limits. But I can do it. I can restore her to life, but it will be a life without the Legion of Superheroes in it.”

“I…” Brainiac 5 brushed her cold cheek, a tear rolling down his own green skin. “She...she killed a man; Larfleeze. She tried to hurt us because of what Universo did to her. How can she deal with that without us there to support her?”

“Larfleeze too has been brought back to the land of the living. At any rate, Supergirl has been through significant trauma,” Mwindaji explained. “She may not even remember any of this. But she will live, Querl Dox.”

“Then...then we don’t really have a choice at all, do we?” Brainiac hugged the maid of might close to his chest. Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl looked on silently, their hands clasped as they wrestled with their own grief and hope. “Do it, Mwindaji. Save her.”

There was another flash of white light, and Brainiac 5 whispered a pained goodbye to Kara Zor-El as she disappeared from his arms.

“As for this,” Mwindaji removed the white ring and held it in his palm. “I believe that it has caused more than enough trouble.” He made a fist, and Mwindaji easily crumpled the drained White Lantern ring into a formless wad of soft metal. While still white, it seemed to have lost its brilliance and everyone present felt that it had also lost the last of its power.

“Your costume didn’t change back,” Saturn Girl noticed. “But Universo’s changed when you took the power from him. What does that mean?”

Mwindaji held his arms out in front of himself, looking himself over. “The White Lantern ring is no more,” he said. “But I feel that the Entity has left me with some remnant of its power. Back home on Kirinyaga, I always wanted to believe that I was destined for something more than the life of a tracker. Perhaps...perhaps I now have the power to find that destiny?”

“Maybe the Legion of Superheroes can help you with that,” Saturn Girl replied. “We’ll need to do tests anyway, to find out how you’ve been changed. Will you come back to Mars with us, Mwindaji?”

“I would be honoured,” Mwindaji bowed his head respectfully. “After everything I helped Universo do...I cherish the opportunity I have been given to make amends for those choices.”

“I’m gonna call everyone else in then,” Lightning Lad said. He placed a hand on Brainiac 5’s shoulder, the Coluan still kneeling quietly where he’d cradled Supergirl as she left them all.

“Come on buddy...it’s time to go home.”

**********
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Final Light - 04/15/17 03:13 PM
Skimmed through quickly, raz. Quite an epic! Good job involving so many Lantern Corps and writing them well.

Zoe's death was well done, her last line "I always wanted to help" was so her... I'm not even upset she died 😝 (and she's well again, so...)

The last stand of Vi, Tinya and Darvan was excellent

Also loved your good use of the various uninsured Legionnaires and their powers - Tasmia hurting Kara, Ulu making several of the ring bearers' powers useless (and your good explanations for why he didn't do it more often) come to mind. and of course the joint effort of Brainy and Imra to free Kara.

Loved your pics and reasoning for Legionnaires as Star Sapphires

great writing for Mwindaji and interesting use for him

another excellent story
Posted By: Omni Re: Final Light - 04/17/17 01:36 PM
I'm in love with this last segment and i hate it all at the same time. so great job Raz!!

I loved the action and without seeing every battle and all the Legionnaires on the injured or dead list we got this hopelessness and that the Legion was really going to have a change after this battle. But then you went and saved everyone! Don't get me wrong i'm glad Imra and Zoe are ok but their deaths were so good that i was ok with them. So now what does this mean for them? Will they feel or experience anything after being brought back from the dead?

Vi, PG and Light Lad's last stand was really well done as well. Fighting until the end!
Imra's tough love was also well done with Kara and the description of how hard Brainy's mind is to sift through was well done.

Mwindaji as a white lantern and on the team... hmmmm this could be really good. I wonder what his powers are now though if he doesn't have the ring and the full power of it and just how long will it last? Also enjoyed his trip to the after life or limbo i guess.

You broke my heart when Brainy and Kara had to say goodbye especially since it wasn't that long ago that they were finally having their happiness. but nothing last forever. i like the explanation though and that it was the universe saying she had to go back. But where and when and does this mean she's actually dead because Crisis?

When you get this many questions you have to know i loved every minuet of it. Thank you again for another enjoyable segment and can't wait for more!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Final Light - 05/05/17 05:28 PM
Raz, Raz, Raz, what have you done?

Y'see, I only had planned to spend five minutes skimming through this (again!) so I could refresh my memory to post a response, and instead, 45 minutes later I want to go back and re-read it to make sure I've got everything right in my mind before posting anything else - there's so much delicious characterisation, shocking storyline and splendid surprises that you probably needed a weeks rest after writing this to recover!

(Oh, and to come back on something mentioned earlier - knew about the indigo ring, I was confused why you hadn't mentioned the blue one stolen from Mysa - sorry that wasn't clear. Right, I'll get back to the review...)

Here are my thoughts as I read you story:

Nice opening segment with Vi waking up to the horrors around her, and poor Gahiji's lifeless body.

Mon El deferring to Imra - yup, if there's one person he would stop doing whatever he was doing for and not even ak what she planned to d instead for it's good old Saturn Girl. Garth thinking about how he has total faith in her was cute too.

Blinding Ulu again was cruel Raz! Light Lad and gas Girl looking after him was sweet though.

Di'Ana using the Legion as cannon fodder? Surely not! Tasmia's cattiness is a treat. Ah, okay, so if the Legion don't stop Bad Daddy Vidar then the Zamoran Queen will destroy the planet and hopefully stop him by doing that. Ah, okay, fair enough.

Very nice scene with Imra rifling through Querl's memories - great that she wanted to stay tethered to Garth in case she got lost in Brainy's mind. Watch out Universo - Kara's coming to get you!

M'Windaji meeting Aslan... I mean, the Personification of Life, was really sweet. I'm glad you decided to bring him back. Hopefully he'll not feel too guilty for having fallen under Vidars influence and leading him to the rings.,and will join your team soon too.

The next section was superb: Tinya's concern for Tasmia, Vi's desperate plan and Zoe's determination and sacrifice were all nice little slices of the story showing their character. Super Girl's last second save and Garth catching the falling woundedwere also well written. And M'Windaji makes his move...

Super Girl I expected to die, but Saturn Girl as well? Oh. My. Gawd!

I really, really like Badass Brainy! Really do, I may borrow that idea for my own fic. Him taking control over the White Lantern and stopping Vidar in his tracks was a really good idea.

M'Windaji taking charge of the ring was nice, and restoring Imra of course had to be done. His reasoning for Kara leaving were sound too. I somehow think that sadly we won't see her again, which is fair enough, though I had really enjoyed your take on her and her relationship with Querl.

I'm glad that the ring was destroyed and really looking forward to seeing what you do with Gahiji.

Total tear jerker ending - as you threatened above - and you delivered it.

Raz, I was planning on getting onto review Omni's story as well this evening but I ran out of time reading yours. It was a very fitting end to an excellent arc. Well done you!

I'm looking forward to more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Final Light - 05/06/17 10:57 AM
As usual, thanks for the feedback everyone...it is very motivational laugh

I had this kind of exit in mind for Supergirl waaaay back when I first brought her back onto the team (in fact, having her become Satan Girl again at some point was a large part of why I wanted to use her in the first place), but after she's been such a stalwart member of my Legion for so long it was very difficult following through when it came time to actually write it! Seems like it succeeded in pulling on some heartstrings though, and that was the goal smile

Once I had the plot outlined for the last couple of chapters of this story I realised that a lot of the active team didn't really have a major role in the resolution so I went back through it and tried to give as many of them some little moments of heroism or character focus to make up for it...I'm glad you guys liked it!

Hopefully the next couple of stories will answer some of your questions about where various Legionnaires and non-Legionnaires go from here, and I don't think it's spoiling anything to say Mwindaji and Zoe specifically are gonna get a little more spotlight as we find out where they're both at power-wise and in their own heads.

I'm glad you liked badass Brainy, Harbi! Events in the comics like his creation of Omega and the way he set the Time Trapper and the Infinite Man against each other have made me see Brainy more than anyone else on the team maybe as someone you REALLY don't want to push too far (oh, and good work on the Aslan reference, hahaha)

The next installment of my little series is gonna be called Death of the Witch and is going to decisively tie up one particular loose end, just in case anyone thought I was done with torturing these characters just yet wink
Posted By: razsolo Death of the Witch - 05/30/17 10:45 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

ROLL CALL

Legion Academy:
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole:
gravity manipulation
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction

Legion of Superheroes:
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
12th level intelligence, team leader
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: reserve member, electricity generation and manipulation
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: reserve member, telepathy

Mwindaji: Legion ally, tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Zoe Saugin: Legion ally, infused with Green Lantern energy

Inside what remained of Brainiac 5's multi-lab after Supergirl's recent rampage, a handful of heroes watched the youth named Mwindaji standing before the insensate body of Tel Vole.

As Gravity Kid, Tel had suffered as much as any Legionnaire when he'd stood against the brainwashed Supergirl. His seared red flesh was a testament to what his heroism had cost him. Supergirl's heat vision had seriously hurt him, would in fact have killed him had he not been shielded by the invulnerable body of his fellow student Laurel Kent. Mwindaji gently placed his outstretched palms on Gravity Kid's exposed chest, and a soft white light emanated forth from the tracker's dark skin. Before the astonished gaze of everyone watching, Gravity Kid's injuries healed in a matter of seconds.

Tel moaned and sat up in his bed, confused at the sight of this white-clad stranger standing over him with everyone else watching wide-eyed. "...What's going on..?" he asked. "Where's my costume? What happened with Satan Girl...I mean Supergirl...whatever?"

"I'm so glad you're okay!" Lullabye Lad rushed to his boyfriend's side and hugged him. "Don't worry Tel, that's all dealt with...Mwindaji, thank you so much! That was amazing!" Gravity Kid placed an arm around Lullabye Lad's shoulder in return, but he was still utterly confused.

Brainiac 5 examined Gravity Kid's bio-readings on a holographic panel floating over the foot of the bed. "Supergirl acted under the influence of Universo," he explained dispassionately. "She has since been freed of his command and returned permanently to her own time." He paused long enough that the silence was awkward before continuing. "I'll require follow up analysis to confirm that you have indeed been permanently healed, but given what we have witnessed so far I have no reason to suspect otherwise. Gravity Kid, as of right now you are in perfect physical health." He said all of this without once looking at the dazed teenager, but he turned now to face the person who'd healed him. "Congratulations Mwindaji, we can now say with some certainty that you have indeed retained at least some of the power of the White Lantern."

"I am simply grateful to have the chance to make amends for my poor decisions," Mwindaji deflected Brainiac's comment. "You have said that you have other friends who require healing also? I am happy to help them if my assistance will be welcomed."

"Your assistance is more than welcome. In fact,” he addressed both Mwindaji and Zoe, “I’d like to put you both forward for membership in the Legion of Superheroes. Green Lantern, you’ve assisted the Legion selflessly more than once; and Mwindaji, your actions on Zamaron certainly made up for your role in helping Universo initially. What do you say?”

The duo were stunned, Mwindaji the first to recover. “Tales of the Legion of Superheroes have reached even Kirinyaga,” he said reverently. “I would consider it a great honour, Brainiac 5! Thank you!”

“I - I still need to find Sodam Yat though,” Zoe stammered.

“The Legion are more than capable of helping with that,” Brainiac 5 countered instantly. “Between Dawnstar and Mwindaji, I’m certain we’ll have more success than you would alone.”

“Then...then yeah, for sure!” Zoe beamed. “I’d love to be a Legionnaire!”

“Excellent.” Brainiac 5 turned from the group and walked away. “Once the rest of the team is physically capable, I will call a meeting for a formal vote. I anticipate that there will be very little resistance to the idea however.”

Zoe turned to Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad. “I can’t believe this is happening!” she gushed. “After everything that’s gone down, joining the Legion of Superheroes was the last thing I ever expected to be doing! Do you really think the rest of the Legion will go for it?”

“It’s probably a little premature to be saying welcome to the team,” Lightning Lad winked, “But let’s just say I like your chances. Don’t you agree, Imra?”

“Hmm?” Saturn Girl had been lost in thought and was startled to hear her name. “Oh...oh yes, I’m sure you’ll both be great additions to the team. Would you all excuse me for a moment? There’s something I need to do.”

She kissed Garth on the cheek and walked off with purpose after Brainiac 5.

**********
XEROX
The Sorceror's World

ROLL CALL
Blok:
magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength


Lydda Jath examined her reflection in a large puddle which had been left by the raging storm earlier. She was glad her husband wasn’t here to see her like this; Xerox’s mystical healers had prevented Satan Girl’s corrosive assault from causing Lydda serious permanent injury, but the remaining cosmetic damage wasn’t at all attractive. Her normally flawless alabaster skin had become a landscape of angry and painful red welts. Lydda knew the technology of the United Planets would restore her appearance once she was back on Mars, but for now she felt depressingly hideous.

“Enough,” she chided herself, stamping out the maudlin woman staring glumly at her from below. “You’re not the only one hurting here, Lydda...and definitely not the one we should be most concerned about.”

She marched past a tiny gaggle of twig-winged sprites and toward the Black Witch’s foreboding castle, allowing the chill breeze to soothe her burns as much as possible. A stone stairway inside the castle’s walls spiralled down to a damp lower level, the dim light here far more to Night Girl’s comfort, and Lydda soon found herself at the entrance to an empty circular room. The Black Witch kneeled in the centre of the drying mud floor, her head bowed so that it almost touched the floor. Mysa rocked anxiously back and forth, muttering strange incantations while her hair draped in the dirt. Harlak the Khund stood silently against the rounded brick wall, his military posture betraying little of the softness that Lydda could see in his gaze. Night Girl’s teammate Blok stood by Harlak’s side, the lightning bolt shaped gash in Blok’s chest brighter than any of the torches Night Girl had passed on her way here. Lydda shaded her eyes with her arm.

“I’ve just been in touch with Ultra Boy,” Night Girl advised Blok in a hushed tone. “He and Phantom Girl are on their way to collect us in a cruiser. The Legion defeated Universo, and it looks like we may even have recruited some new members out of this mess. Supergirl though...Kara had to return to her own time. She’s left the team; from the way Ultra Boy sounded I don’t think the loss has really hit everyone yet.”

“Supergirl has always been among the best of us,” Blok’s gravelly voice filled the room. “She will certainly be missed...Night Girl, what of the blue ring that Universo stole from Mysa’s castle?”

“The ring is gone,” the voice of the Black Witch rasped. Her head swivelled to face the others, and all of them were struck with how haggard she seemed. “I can sense it as surely as I can sense anything on this miserable world. And with the ring gone….all hope is gone.”

“Mistress--” Harlak began to speak.

“Leave me,” Mysa interrupted abruptly. “For what comes next...I do not want you here, Harlak.”

His lip curled downwards in a frown, and the Khund teenager almost protested before remembering his place.”As you wish, Mistress.” He bowed respectfully, then left the Black Witch alone with her former teammates.

Night Girl felt that she was intruding; she barely knew Mysa really, but she could see how upset the sorceress was and she knew that Blok shared a special closeness with her. Lydda had decided to excuse herself when the burning embers of the Black Witch’s eyes caught Night Girl’s own gaze. “Stay,” Mysa Nal spoke in a tone which was more of a command than a request. Without standing, Mysa continued to speak. “Fate has a sense of humor it seems...or perhaps merely a sense of the efficacious. Between a hero with whom I hold a strong bond and one with whom I share the most superficial connection, one of you must surely be able to help.”

“What is it you require, Mysa?” Blok asked. “Since the other Legionnaires left the planet you have been in deep meditation in this room; please know that we will both do whatever we must to help.”

Still on her knees, Mysa Nal’s gaze met Blok’s. “Even if you need to slay me, Blok?”

“What??” Night Girl was visibly shaken. “You must know we’re not going to do that, Mysa. Why would you even want us to?”

“Still you do not comprehend, Lydda Jath Krinn? After the way I hurt the Legion this day, you still do not understand what it is you face?” Mysa spoke quietly, but with an intensity that left Lydda unnerved.

“Explain it to us,” Blok challenged the Black Witch. “I know that you contain the essence of Mordru the Merciless, and that of an entire universe’s magical remnants. But you are still you, Mysa. Superficial changes aside, you are the purest being I have ever met.”

“I am anything but pure, Blok.” The white-skinned sorceress allowed her posture to sag, her head bowed in defeat. “Perhaps you are right however...perhaps I need to explain.” She stood and walked past the two Legionnaires. “Come with me then. I will tell you both everything, and then the decision can be yours.” She led them out of the room, down a subterranean corridor that neither Blok nor Night Girl remembered having been there earlier. As she walked, the Black Witch spoke, and the stones lining the walls on either side of the trio seemed to warp and fragment into animated pieces. Soon, the castle around them was illustrating the Black Witch’s words in mosaic form.

“I told you of the importance of the blue ring of hope in establishing Xerox,” the Black Witch said. “But I did not tell you why.” The dull stone of the walls reproduced the shape of the Blue Lantern ring, if not its vibrant hue. “When Mordru took it upon himself to recreate the Sorceror’s World, even his peerless might was not equal to the task. He needed an artifact to help complete the job, and he found that artifact in the last existing Blue Lantern ring.” The stone walls reflected Mordru palming the ancient ring, and the Black Witch continued her tale. “The blue ring gave Mordru the reservoir of power he needed for a planetary reconstruction. However...true hope can only be borne of selfless desire. Mordru’s primary motivation in recreating the Sorceror’s World was unquestionably selfish, but the ring would not have worked at all if he had not also intended for this world to legitimately function as a safe haven and place of learning for those who would devote themselves to the mystic arts. So it was that Xerox was born, and in Mordru the Merciless was revealed some nascent glimmer of humanity.” The three heroes continued deeper into the castle’s bowels, the mosaic freezing on the image of Mordru overseeing a menagerie of magical creatures while ghostly songstrands teased everyone's ears.

Night Girl frowned. “Mysa...I don’t want to seem dense, but...I don’t get it. So Mordru was never completely corrupted, is that meant to be a revelation? He was an evil man, but he was still a man. As power-hungry as he was, there must have been some good influence in his life that left its mark on him too. I don’t really understand how this relates to you now?”

“Mordru is a part of me now,” the Black Witch said wearily. “As much a part of me as Mysa Nal ever has been...and while that ring was here, I could find some comfort in the hope that his evil could be tempered. Now the ring is gone, all hope is gone...and all that is left is to end me before I succumb to these constant dark urges festering away inside.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Lydda scoffed. Mysa turned on her with frightening speed, the expression on her bloodless face positively demonic.

“I believe what Night Girl means,” Blok stepped between the women diplomatically, “Is that the Blue Lantern ring was doubtless a powerful symbol, but it was just a symbol. Mordru may have required the ring to create this world, but the ring’s presence does not seem to be necessary for Xerox’s survival. Am I mistaken, Mysa?”

“It is not this world’s survival I am concerned with!” Mysa exploded. “Not directly! Every day I spent hours meditating with that ring, hours strengthening my hope that I could survive Mordru’s evil! Don’t you understand, Blok? He’s won! Even in a vile place beyond death itself, he’s defeated me again!” Hot tears stung her eyes which she quickly wiped away with her black sleeves, turning away from the Legionnaires.

“...Mysa…” Blok held her chin between his enormous finger and thumb and gently turned her to look up at him. “I do not need some ancient trinket to see the good in you. Nobody who knows you ever could. You said that some remnant of good survived even in that monster; how could the good in you be extinguished when you’re a better person than he ever was?”

Mysa’s expression wavered for a fraction of a second before the hardness returned to her features. She stepped away from Blok and Night Girl, moving toward a dimly lit room that hadn’t been there a moment ago. “If neither of you are strong enough to do what must be done, I will ask you now to leave,” she spoke coldly. “I pray to the Lords of Order that I can find the strength within myself.” She entered the room, and while Night Girl had never seen this place before it was somewhere that Blok remembered only too well. Bookcases lined the walls filled with ancient grimoires, cauldrons full of foul-smelling potions bubbled and a stone altar rose in the centre of the room. It was in this room that Blok had been infused with a portion of the power of Shazam and he saw the misshapen chunk of the Rock of Eternity levitating now by the very altar where he’d been reborn.

Blok reached out and grabbed the Black Witch by the shoulder, surprising her with the roughness of his grip. “Mysa, wait!” he exclaimed before she could protest. “I think I may have a solution to satisfy all of us!”

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

ROLL CALL
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
12th level intelligence, team leader
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: reserve member, telepathy


When Saturn Girl caught up to Brainiac 5, he was analysing the readings of the strange bald woman the Legion had taken from the Heavensent’s Mercury base. She floated peacefully in her sens-tank, blissfully unaware of any of the devastation which had befallen her surroundings recently.

Mindful of his personal space, Imra duplicated the holo-screen Brainiac 5 was currently poring over and made her own assessment. “She’s recovering quickly,” Imra observed. “By my estimate she should be able to come out of that tank in the next day or so. Let me know if you need my help when she awakens.”

“I will,” Brainiac answered simply. “Thank you.” He left the unnamed woman to float on and hurried over to another part of the multi-lab.

Undeterred, Saturn Girl clasped her hands behind her back and followed her old friend. “I must say, Brainy...you’ve been very quick to accept Mwindaji as an ally.”

“Why shouldn’t I be?” the Coluan retorted. “He almost died in opposition to Universo once he realised the extent of his deception, and when he had the full power of the White Lantern he did nothing but good with it. He wants to help now, and his healing ability is shared by nobody else in the Legion; no mean feat these days.”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong,” Imra smiled passively. “I think he’s got a good heart and he’s shown his bravery. He’s inexperienced, but certainly no more so than Blok or Tellus were when they joined the team. I just thought…” She stopped mid-sentence and re-evaluated her approach. “With what happened to Kara, I thought you might be--”

“--unable to see past my emotional reaction to judge Mwindaji’s potential without prejudice?” Brainiac 5 turned from the multi-lab’s ubiquitous hardlight screens and interjected bluntly. “What would that accomplish, Saturn Girl?”

“Brainy.” Gently, Imra placed a hand on his forearm. “You’re allowed to feel, you know. You’ve immersed yourself in work since the second you left Zamaron, and you don’t need to do that. Not a single one of your friends will judge you if you want to take some time away from your responsibilities while you process what happened with Kara.”

“I told Universo that the Legion of Superheroes has been that which most influences me to be human,” Querl Dox answered flatly, “And that was the truth, Imra. You tell me I don’t need to immerse myself in my work with the Legion. I ask you, what else do I have?” With that, he pulled back from her touch and paced across the floor to gauge repair estimates from Satan Girl’s rampage through the building.

Imra didn’t push the point, but she allowed herself a silent sigh of frustration. Brainy, Brainy, Brainy...for someone so intelligent, you can be so very dumb sometimes…

**********
XEROX
The Sorceror's World

ROLL CALL
Blok:
magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength

The Black Witch circled the Rock of Eternity like a caged animal, glaring at it as though willing some weakness to manifest in its surface. “It’s too dangerous,” she snapped. “What if Mordru escapes? What if he takes your form, Blok?”

“He will not,” Blok replied calmly. “Perhaps it is only a portion of the wisdom of Solomon that I possess, but it is enough to let me know this plan can work, Mysa.”

“Let me see if I’ve got this straight,” Night Girl added her voice to the conversation. “You think you can trap Mordru in the Rock of Eternity and he’ll be powerless there, Blok? How? I know you’ve had a significant power increase, but you’re not a sorceror...are you?”

“No,” Blok concurred. “However, my bond with the Rock of Eternity is such that with proximity I can force someone to be entrapped within it. I did precisely that when we faced the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man. You know this to be true, Mysa.”

“He’ll escape,” Mysa countered anxiously. “He always escapes. This burden must be mine to bear, and mine alone.”

“No.” Blok’s gold-flecked hands closed softly over Mysa’s shoulders, stopping her nervous pacing. “It does not have to be your burden alone. You may not be a Legionnaire anymore, but we are still and will always be friends. Let me help you, Mysa. Please.”

“These Seven Deadly Enemies,” Night Girl peered up at the floating rock, one finger on her chin. “They’re in that rock right now, aren’t they? From what Chuck told me, as long as nobody actually touches this thing they can’t escape?”

“Mordru is--”

“Mysa, Mordru’s claustrophobic!” an exasperated Night Girl interrupted her. “How could this be any more perfect? The only other alternative you’ve given us is your death and you’re crazy if you think we’ll ever agree to that! I don’t see the problem here, I mean you’ll still have the power to guard the Rock, right? Just without that maniac in your head!”

A silence filled the air between the three, a wordless tension that Blok was the first to decipher. “...You will not have the power, will you? Is that what this is really about, Mysa? I offer you a way to be free of Mordru, but you would have to give up his power as well.”

“Not just his power,” Mysa admitted weakly. “All my power. The power of Mordru, the power of that other Legion’s dead universe, my own power….all of these things are inextricably linked now, and Mordru’s essence intertwines all of it. To remove every trace of Mordru from me would mean to remove every trace of magic. I will not be the Black Witch, I will not be the White Witch...I will merely be Mysa Nal once more, a futureblind Naltorian girl with nothing to give to the world.”

“Mysa…” Blok creaked as he went down on one knee, the better to face her. “You will always have something to give to the world. Do you really think the greatest contribution you ever made to the Legion was a spell? Any spell? Your greatest contribution was the companionship and the compassion you gifted us. It is that same compassion that keeps Mordru in check now, and it is that same compassion that drives you to exist in isolation here, terrified of the hurt you might one day unleash upon the people you love. But Mysa, even here you have Harlak. The nature of who you are will not allow you to forsake loving relationships altogether, no matter how you try. Perhaps it is time to stop denying yourself that truth and time to find a new way to pursue it.”

The Black Witch thought over Blok’s words, her internal struggle written across her face. After long moments, she looked up at the Rock of Eternity and then back into Blok’s golden eyes. “I miss you, Blok of Dryad.” Her eyes welled with tears and she cradled his face in frail white hands. “Help me find my way.”

He bowed his head and closed his eyes, focusing on the task he’d taken on. The power inside Mysa Nal dwarfed anything he’d felt from the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man, there was a universe of horror and wonder inside her flesh and bone. So intensely was Blok focused on channelling that power into the Rock of Eternity that he never even realised the work was done until he heard Night Girl’s startled gasp. He opened his eyes, and before him stood a demure red-haired woman he’d never laid eyes on before.

“Hello,” Mysa half-laughed, half-cried. Tears streaming down her face, she hugged the stone man fiercely. “You saved me, Blok...you saved me!”

“As you have saved me more than once,” the gentle giant smiled. “I am pleased that I could finally return the favour.”

**********
Soon, Ultra Boy and Phantom Girl arrived to bring Blok and Night Girl home. Given the circumstances it was agreed by all that the Rock of Eternity would be far more secure with the Legion of Superheroes, and Harlak’s magic transported it safely aboard their vessel. “I still can’t believe you’re...well, you!” Phantom Girl gushed. “Oh, it’s so good to have you back Mysa!” She gave the young woman a spontaneous hug which Mysa happily returned.

Are you coming back, Mysa?” Night Girl asked. “You know you’re more than welcome. I’m sure Dream Girl would love to see you again!”

“I...did not leave things on a good note with my sister,” Mysa admitted. “And I will rectify that...but for now, I think I need to travel, find out exactly who I am without the sorcery which has defined me for so long.” She looked out over the rolling hills and meadows of the Sorceror’s World, any trace of the earlier storm completely forgotten now.

Harlak came back from the Legion cruiser, Blok by his side. “Mistress,” the Khund began before correcting himself, “I am sorry; Mysa...if you would care for the companionship, I would be honored to accompany you. I have studied on Xerox and Zerox before it long enough; your own transformation has inspired me to seek my destiny elsewhere in this great wide universe.”

“An adventure then?” Mysa giggled. “Very well, an adventure it is!” She hugged Blok once more and kissed him on the cheek. “Blok, I will never be able to thank you enough...I owe you more than my life, I owe you my soul. And I have no doubt our paths will cross again my friend, sooner rather than later.”

“As Night Girl said, you are always more than welcome in our home. Be well, Mysa.” The stone man returned her embrace with paradoxical softness and watched as she walked away with Harlak toward a Khundish cruiser which had become overgrown with vines months ago.

“Jo just called from the ship,” Phantom Girl advised Blok and Night Girl. “He’s ready to leave whenever we are. Hey, Harlak!” she called out good-naturedly after the departing pair. “You look after her, you hear me? She’s got some friends in high places!”

“Yes,” Mysa Nal beamed. “...I really do.”

**********


EDITOR'S NOTE: These events refer pretty heavily to when Blok became infused with the power of Shazam so if anyone would like a refresher, that story ishere
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Death of the Witch - 05/30/17 01:04 PM
Wow! What a nice touching elegant solution to Mysa's plight. Good job introducing the conflict - trap Mordru but lose her powers. Great job making that scene so gripping even without any physical action too, and having Lydda be our non magical rep helped us understand things more easily.

And poor Brainy... of course he is torn.

Stoked to see Zoe and Mwindaji earning their way on the team too! I love how you made Zoe giddy despite totally having such great action scenes earlier.
Posted By: Omni Re: Death of the Witch - 05/31/17 07:07 PM
The Black Witch is Dead! Long Live Mysa!
I really liked that solution and that Bolk came up with it. the rock of Eternity is like "The" magical prison!. I do wish there had been away to seperate Mordru and U247 and Mysa to have it all work out,. but at this point it makes sense.

I liked that even Lydda who admits she doesn't know Mysa well that they weren't going to kill her and that Lydda was the entry person for the non magical. Mysa's struggle was well done and has been so throughout your run. but with her traveling i wonder if this means she'll be finding herself in some trouble sooner or later.
The Rock at LSH headquarters...hmmm i could see a good story coming form that. tongue

Imra trying to console Brainy and let him know that he needs a break was nice. Its easy to forget that the two of them are actually rather close as it seems Brainy isn't close to anyone sometimes. I hope this set back doesn't send him down a darker path though. I wonder what it was that Imra felt from Brainy.

I like that Zoe and Mwindaji have been put up for membership and i'm sure they will make it. But i wonder how long Mwindaji's new white lantern powers will last and does Imra not trust him? is that what she felt...

good installment and can't wait for more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Death of the Witch - 06/01/17 08:33 AM
Thanks y'all! IB, it never actually occurred to me about there being no physical action in that whole sequence of events till you mentioned it....glad you liked it!

I don't think it's spoiling too much to say Zoe and Mwindaji are a shoo-in for membership and you'll get to see how Zoe and Mwindaji go with their very first Legion mission sooner rather than later...Mysa's story isn't finished just yet, but after keeping her miserable and on the verge of a psychotic break for the whole duration of my series I think she has earned a bit of a break lol smile

That scene with Imra being all lost in her thoughts was more about her picking up on Brainy's state of mind than anything with Mwindaji; I went back and reread it and can see how I should have made that clearer - sorry Omni!

The Rock of Eternity and Mordru and living incarnations of the seven deadly sins right under the Legion's noses does sound kinda like future plot seeding, doesn't it? I mean I'm sure it'll never come up again though, it's not like me to set up stories forever in advance... wink
Posted By: razsolo Arqiia - 06/23/17 12:52 PM
EDITOR'S NOTE: this installment features some home-made villains who haven't appeared for a while....if you'd like a refresher on who they are and what they can do, I'll write some notes at the end of the post smile

Also I am on holiday for a month from tomorrow so I probably won't be around much till August!


**********
MARS, HUSBAND HILL
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

The main lobby of the Legion of Superheroes’ headquarters was one of the few areas of the building still intact after a brainwashed Supergirl’s assault on her friends. It was in this expansive room that the ancient alien Larfleeze stood now, enthusiastically shaking the hand of a mildly overwhelmed Mwindaji while Zoe Saugin and Shrinking Violet looked on.

“Larfleeze is so thankful!” the former Orange Lantern rambled. “When you resurrected Larfleeze, you remade me as I was before I became the Orange God! For the first time in billions of years, Larfleeze is free of Ophidian the Tempter! Free!!”

“He’s been saying that over and over since he turned up at our front door ten minutes ago,” Vi remarked to Zoe in a low voice. “Do you have any idea what he’s talking about?”

“...Maybe?” Zoe replied uncertainly. “...Ophidian is the entity that the orange energy came from...Sodam Yat told us Larfleeze was the Orange Lantern for so long that Ophidian’s energy became a part of him and he didn’t really even need the ring in the end. I guess when Supergirl killed him and Mwindaji brought him back to life he lost his link to Ophidian and it was sort of a cosmic reset button? He seems like a completely different person now though, I had no idea Ophidian had such a direct influence on him!”

“That’s strange,” Vi noted. “He lost the power he’d been infused with, but you and Mwindaji kept yours? What’s so different?”

“Huh, that is weird!” Zoe pulled a face. “I don’t know to be honest...it would probably help if we could remember anything at all about what happened while we were dead. Then again, maybe it’s for the best we don’t remember anything...it’s creepy!” She shuddered overly dramatically.

Their conversation was interrupted by a breep which sounded from Zoe and Mwindaji’s brand new flight rings simultaneously, and Mwindaji gave an audible sigh of relief to finally be free of Larfleeze’s overbearing display of gratitude. Brainiac 5’s tiny holographic face floated before them. “Green Lantern, Mwindaji; please meet me in the hangar at your earliest convenience. I’ve prepared a team to accompany us on our search for Sodam Yat.”

“I’ll escort our guest out,” Violet diplomatically interposed herself between Larfleeze and Mwindaji. “You two better scoot, Brainy’s a stickler for punctuality. Do you remember where the hangar is?”

“I would be a poor tracker indeed if I could not locate the largest room in the building,” Mwindaji joked in his thickly accented Interlac. “Come, Green Lantern; let us hope for glory on our first mission as Legionnaires!”

“I’ll settle for closure,” Zoe replied, unusually subdued. Glowing green, she levitated and it reminded Mwindaji that he too now possessed the power of flight thanks to the ring on his finger. Zoe knew that she should be more excited about heading into action with the Legion of Superheroes, but she was more concerned about what trouble they might find along with their Daxamite quarry…

**********
Standing on an overlooking balcony, Diamond Damsel watched her two newest teammates fly away. She’d heard about Larfleeze from the others and thought it might be prudent to keep an eye on things in case he got out of hand, but it seemed that his threat level may have been exaggerated. Just as she decided to head off, she heard a familiar voice say her name meekly.

“Infectious Lass?” The imposing diamond woman turned to see Drura Sehpt fidgeting with her lavender hair. “What can I do for you?”

“Actually...it’s more about what you have done for me.” Infectious Lass forced herself to meet Diamond Damsel’s gaze. “When Supergirl attacked the base...you saved my life.”

“I just did what any Legionnaire would do,” Diamond Damsel shrugged.

“That’s kind of the point,” Drura continued. “I’ve been uneasy around you because of who you used to be without really seeing you for who you are now, and it’s not fair. I just...I wanted to apologise. Light Lad told me Mwindaji couldn’t heal you..are you…”

“Turns out he can only heal flesh and blood,” Diamond Damsel cut her off, matter of fact. “And Supergirl burned a hole right through my heart. I don’t need a heart in this form but if I change back to Iris Jacobs, I’ll be dead before Mwindaji can do a thing. He seems to think he’s not powerful enough to go around resurrecting people like I’m told he did on Zamaron, and I think this is one of those cases where I’m happy to take someone at their word.”

“Diamond Damsel, I’m so sorry!” Infectious Lass blurted. “You only just got your human form back, you must be devastated!”

“Infectious Lass, it’s fine.” The larger woman gave a wry chuckle. “Honestly. I’ve lived a thousand years like this, at this point it’s my default form. To tell you the truth, I don’t know if I ever really got used to being human again...this would have ruined me before the Legion, but I’m a different person now. I’m at peace with who I am. Believe me, nobody's more surprised than I am. I guess hanging around Blok must be wearing off on me.”

“Well...I appreciate what you did,” Drura blushed shyly. “Anyway…I have to go back to my homeworld in a few minutes so I wanted to make sure I caught you before I left. I want things to be different between us, you know?”

“I’d like that,” Diamond Damsel smiled. “And thanks for making the effort.”

Infectious Lass returned the smile (albeit somewhat awkwardly) and excused herself, and Diamond Damsel thought over what Drura had said as she watched the Somahturian woman walk away. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had given her appreciation which she hadn’t instinctively felt obliged to deflect.

It felt nice.

**********
“Laurel, come onnn!” Nightwind’s head lolled back in frustration.

Berta Skye Haris was draped over a sofa in one of the many vacant guest rooms which had been hastily converted into accommodations for the Legion and their students after Satan Girl had demolished most of the team’s quarters. Holding one of the slick black straps attached to her costume, she slapped it lazily against the side of the chair. “When I told you I’d keep you company while you’re doing inventory in Brainiac 5’s multi-lab, I thought we’d actually, you know, be in Brainiac 5’s multi-lab. What’s taking you so long getting dressed? You spend half your life wearing nothing but a poncho for sprock’s sake!”

“I just want to make sure everything’s perfect,” Laurel Kent’s voice called out from her temporary bedroom. “Okay, I think I’m done. Tell me what you think!”

“Finally!” Nightwind groaned. She adjusted her posture so she was sitting straight up and continued talking. “So how long have Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl got you doing this boring menial work for? I mean you came closer to beating Satan Girl than any of the actual Legion, I don’t see why--oh!” The yellow-skinned heroine stopped mid-sentence once she laid eyes upon her friend. “You’ve got a new costume! Grife, Laurel! Your hair!”

Laurel Kent brushed her asymmetrical fringe out of her eye. Her short black hair now had two vibrant streaks of red and blue, and tiny holographic representations of the crest of the House of El displayed at her earlobes like translucent golden jewellery. She still wore her trademark red poncho, though Berta noticed that the golden crest was a little more stylised and a lot larger. Beneath her poncho she wore a blue armless leotard, with fingerless gloves the same color. The gloves had a ragged edge, and were held in place by golden wristbands. Golden bands circled her calves, and the thick soles of her feet were also a bright yellow. “Do you hate it?” Laurel grimaced. “You hate it, don’t you?”

“Are you kidding?” Nightwind leaped to her feet, grinning. “Girl, you look amazing! What brought this on?”

“You’re always nagging me to get a real costume, and a codename...I guess you finally wore down my defences,” Laurel teased.

“A new costume and a codename!” Nightwind gave her friend a good-natured shove. “Get out! So what did you finally settle on?”

Laurel puffed out her chest proudly and stood with her hands on her hips.

“You can call me Supergirl!”

**********
Along with the Legion’s monitor room, the multi-lab was the first part of the building to have been repaired after Satan Girl’s assault. With its usual primary occupant currently leading a team out of the solar system, Elastic Lad had full unsupervised access to its advanced facilities and he was having the time of his life. Whistling merrily to himself, his left arm was adjusting controls some twenty-five feet away. His right arm held a small device with two distinct arcs of energy passing back and forth between shifting prongs which jutted out from it, and upon his head he wore an oversized helmet that cycled through lenses of various shades and sizes in sync with the shifting of the prongs. He’d projected a life-size hologram of Fire Lad, and he was carefully lining that hologram up so that it was superimposed over the nameless Mercurian woman in the Legion’s care when the real Fire Lad entered the lab alongside Color Kid.

“Hey!” Fire Lad rapped on Elastic Lad’s helmet. “What are you doing to Arqiia? Where’ss Brainiac 5?”

“Staq, relax.” Color Kid gently pushed his friend aside. “What are you doing though, Elastic Lad?”

Far from being annoyed by the intrusion, Elastic Lad welcomed the company enthusiastically. “Hi Fire Lad! Hi Color Kid!” Without releasing the instrument in his hand, he coiled his right arm around his helmet and removed the helmet from his head. “Are we calling our mystery girl Arqiia now? I guess she does need a name, and until she wakes up she can’t really give us one herself; Arqiia is a swell name! Did you come up with that yourself, Fire Lad? Brainiac 5 is on a mission, but he gave me permission to conduct some comparative spectrogene analysis while he’s gone! It’s actually super interesting, did you want--”

“Sspectrowhat now?” Fire Lad raised a flaming eyebrow. “I ssupposse sso long ass you’re not hurting her…”

“Oh gosh no!” Elastic Lad’s little finger gave a cartoonish waggle. “It’s totally safe, I pinkie promise! It’s just that on my world if two people have so many common physical characteristics, chances are they’re from the same geneline...and you two look so much alike, I had a hunch that you’d have more than just looks in common!”

“But how could they possibly be related?” Color Kid queried. “She was created in a lab on Mercury, Staq’s not even from this solar system.”
“That’s a great question,” Elastic Lad beamed. “And I don’t know the answer to be honest, but that’s what’s so great about science!” He waved the scanning device in front of Color Kid’s face with a gleeful flourish. “We can find out!”

Before Elastic Lad could continue, the building shuddered with the force of a colossal impact. “Jeepers!” He elongated his neck toward the nearest security monitor. “What was that??” Another crashing noise filled the room, joined by the shriek of high-pitched alarms. Diamond Damsel careened through a wall and bounced across the floor, coming to rest against a console.

“Ssprock!” Fire Lad exclaimed as he and Color Kid ran to her side.

“Are you hurt, DD?” Color Kid asked, offering the much larger woman a hand.

“If she isn’t yet, she’s about to be,” a booming voice filled the room. “But don’t feel too left out, you three are going to be joining her.” The quartet of heroes peered up to see the seven story tall form of Red Giant looming over them, his giant hands tearing a larger hole through the same wall he’d just thrown Diamond Damsel through. Behind him, the gleaming form of Celestine floated imperiously alongside Void’s eerie silhouette.

**********
Gas Girl threw her head back and laughed. Her shift on monitor duty had ended fifteen minutes ago, but her replacement had kept her too distracted to leave the room. “Stop it!” she slapped Matter-Eater’s arm playfully. “That did not happen!”

“On my honor as a Legionnaire I swear it did,” Tenzil Kem gave the Lallorian heroine a mock salute. “And then Brainy--” A tremendous boom rocked the monitor room; neither of them registered the screaming alarms which followed over the din of the monitor room collapsing in on itself.

Matter-Eater Lad!!” Gas Girl’s power had saved her the second she realised what was happening. Her vaporous form dispersed throughout the pile of debris in a panic, trying to fill as much of the room as she could to find her teammate beneath what must be tons of junk. Though she didn’t actually have lungs in this form, Gas Girl nonetheless released an audible sigh of relief when she found Tenzil pinned but alive in a dark hollow. She transformed into neon to light up the claustrophobic space, carefully keeping a safe distance so he didn’t risk breathing her in. “Oh my gawf, how are you not dead?? I’m sorry, that was horrible! I just meant--”

“It’s okay, Tal - I’m as surprised as you.” Tenzil shifted his weight warily to test his range of movement. “Grife, Brainy’s gonna pitch a fit. We only just got this room up and running again!”

“Don’t worry,” she began shifting into a darker more pungent mist. “I’ll become a corrosive and get you out of here.”

“Forget about that, you’ve got other places you need to be.” Tenzil winced as he pulled one arm free from the wreckage and pointed at a flickering security hologram barely visible behind a collapsed wall panel.

“Are you crazy?” Gas Girl blurted. “All it’ll take is for whoever did this to come back for another round and you could be squashed flat as a puddlecake!”

“Tal, trust me - I can eat my way out of here in no time. You need to go help them.”

Hearing the uncommonly serious tone of his voice, Gas Girl finally turned her attention to the object of Matter-Eater Lad’s attention. On a barely functioning security feed she could see Diamond Damsel, Elastic Lad, Fire Lad and Color Kid squaring off against the Heavensent. As much as Gas Girl hated to leave Tenzil here alone, she knew she had no choice; Celestine alone had given some of the most powerful Legionnaires a decent fight. “I’m going,” she said hurriedly, “But if this part of the building takes any more damage I’m coming right back here to check on you!” Without waiting for his response, she carried herself out through gaps in the wreckage to the corridor outside.

“Gas Girl!” Nightwind and Laurel Kent came flying down the corridor, having been en route to the multi-lab when the building had been attacked. “What the sprock is going on?” Laurel asked.

“It’s the Heavensent!” Gas Girl explained quickly. “I don’t know if they’ve come for that woman from Mercury but they’re in the multi-lab right now! We have to go!”

“The Heavensent?” Nightwind turned toward the monitor room entrance. “We need to get every Legionnaire available here, we’re not gonna be able to stop them on our own!” She saw the destruction which filled the room and stopped in her tracks. “...Oh!”

“Nightwind, we are every Legionnaire.” Gas Girl’s cloudy form circled the yellow-skinned young woman. “Matter-Eater Lad’s trapped in the monitor room; aside from the four Legionnaires already in the multi-lab though, everyone else is on a mission or off-planet on personal leave! I just came off monitor duty, trust me; there’s not a single other one of our teammates who’s in a position to help us right now!”

“Even Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad are halfway to Xanthu on some dumb school excursion I wasn’t allowed to go on,” Laurel joined in. “I guess this is a job for Supergirl, huh?” She balled her hands into fists and sped off at high speed.

Gas Girl gave Nightwind a quizzical look. “...Supergirl?”

Nightwind rolled her eyes. “...Don’t ask. Come on, I’ll give you a boost.” She picked up Gas Girl on a gust of wind and followed her friend.

When the three young women reached the multi-lab, the room was a shambles. While Elastic Lad struggled to remain free of Void’s deadly perimeter, Diamond Damsel and Celestine were busy trading punches. Outside the building, Color Kid and Fire Lad used their flight rings to evade Red Giant’s angry swats. As the trio of Legionnaires were weighing up where best they could offer assistance, yet another hole was ripped through the wall and White Dwarf stepped in with a huge sheet of ripped plasteel in his grip. “Celestine!” the diminutive powerhouse bellowed. “I see her!” With both hands, he hurled the plasteel across the room and shattered the tube containing Arqiia’s prone form.

“You’ve got a real problem with manners, you know that?” Nightwind stretched her arms toward the three-foot tall man. The straps hanging off Nightwind’s arms whipped around and in front of her as though straining to attack White Dwarf, and a fierce gale swept over the villain. “Get out of our house, you little jerk!”

“I don’t think so,” he smirked from behind his pale blue mask. The reflective white star across his chest gleamed in the light as he effortlessly began to walk toward her. “Do you have any idea how much mass I’m imbued with right now, girl?”

“Fine, let’s play it your way.” Nightwind frowned. “Laurel, you up for a Missile Launch?”

Laurel grinned eagerly. “Are you kidding me? I’ve been wanting to do this ever since I got out of that Manhunter’s stupid stasis field!” She hid her head behind crossed arms and waited for Nightwind to employ the maneuver the two of them had invented when they’d been students together at the Legion Academy back on Earth. Nightwind’s power picked Laurel up and with as much force as she could muster in the enclosed space, she hurled the indestructible girl at White Dwarf. The combination of Laurel’s invulnerable form with Berta’s high speed winds was generally enough to take down many foes that individually they’d have no chance against.

To the girls’ credit the impact did unbalance him for a moment but it clearly didn’t hurt him. Also unharmed, Laurel bounced off and landed unceremoniously on her backside. “Grife, how tough are you?” she complained.

“Tougher than anything you’ve got, girl.” He ignored Laurel and kept on marching toward Nightwind.

“Yeah...probably.” Laurel stroked her chin wickedly. “Hey, Diamond Damsel! I’ll trade you!” She used White Dwarf’s super-dense form as a launchpad and charged straight at the golden villainess Celestine.

“You’re crazy, kid.” Diamond Damsel shook her head as Celestine effortlessly hurled Laurel into a wall. “She’s a thousand times more powerful than Star-Midget here. Just try not to get yourself killed while I take care of this guy.” Running toward White Dwarf, Diamond Damsel gave the much shorter man a mighty punt. He flew through the air a whole four feet and crashed back to the ground with a thud.

Trusting that Diamond Damsel could handle White Dwarf alone, Nightwind allowed her power to dissipate and ran over to the stirring Arqiia to check on her welfare. It occurred to Berta that she hadn’t seen Gas Girl since joining the fight and she had a sinking feeling that she’d accidentally swept her up in her winds when she’d attacked White Dwarf. She was certain that Gas Girl could reconstitute herself with time, but it was still embarrassing. Beat yourself up later, Berta. She crouched down on one knee beside the Mercurian woman. “Hey...are you hurt? Umm, can you understand me?” The gaunt leathery-skinned woman raised her head and looked at Nightwind with confusion which quickly turned to aggression. Arqiia’s naked scalp burst into flame, and her jaw dropped open to blast a stream of fire straight at Berta.

With unexpected speed, Elastic Lad’s arm looped around Nightwind’s torso and yanked her out of range of the incendiary attack. “Gee whiz, I thought something like that might happen!” the rubber-limbed boy admitted.

“What??” Nightwind screamed, still shaken. “How??”

“I’ll tell you all about it in just a lickety-split!” he answered cheerily. “I think Fire Lad might be able to lend a helping hand here though, can you let Arqiia know we’re on her side please Nightwind? Oh, her name’s Arqiia now! Fire Lad called her that; don’t you think it’s a pretty name?” He circled around another of the Mercurian woman’s fiery exhalations easily while releasing Nightwind on the other side of her.

“Elastic Lad--” Nightwind began.

“Oh, and watch out for Void! He’s a tricky one!” With that, Jams-Ols 5 left his frustrated teammate with an angry fire-breathing woman on one side and an unstoppable human singularity on the other as he made his way outside the building.

“And people say Grava’s annoying,” Berta muttered under her breath. “What did he--”

“Who are you people?” Arqiia shouted, her Interlac bearing the same strange accent as the Heavensent themselves. She sucked in a deep breath of air and exhaled more flame at Nightwind. Now that she was prepared for the attack, Berta easily blew out the plume of fire.

“My name’s Nightwind!” Berta answered the woman’s question hurriedly. “I’m a member of a group called the Legion of Superheroes, we’re not going to hurt you. We actually saved you from these guys!” Hoping it wouldn’t prove to be a mistake, she turned her back on Arqiia and used her power to fling the remnants of Arqiia’s sens-tank at Void. He consumed it as he consumed anything else he touched and he kept walking straight toward her.

“Where is this place?” Arqiia questioned abruptly. “Why do I not remember anything of my life before today? What do I...what do I feel?” She backed away from Void and Nightwind as she spoke, stepping over the threshold of an open doorway which had lights flashing around its interior.

“Hey, careful!” Nightwind cautioned her, simultaneously throwing anything which wasn’t bolted down at Void. “That’s a storage tesseract, if the lights are flashing like that the dimensional framing might not be stable.”

“I do not know what your words mean,” Arqiia snapped. “I do not know anything! What manner of creature am I? What are all of you?”

“You’re a flawed creation.” This was a new voice; Tachyon had suddenly appeared in the room. “And we Heavensent are the ones who created you. We’re the ones who are going to kill you.”

“You won’t--” Nightwind shifted her attention from Void and Arqiia to the newcomer, but before she could get another word out, she was unconscious with a smug Tachyon standing over her.

“I searched the rest of the building,” Tachyon reported to White Dwarf and Celestine. “The annoying one who eats things was the only other Legionnaire here, I took him out on my way back. Let’s finish this and get out of here.”

“Good idea, creep!” Diamond Damsel raised both hands over her head before dropping to one knee and piledriving White Dwarf straight down through two floors. She got back up to her feet and glared menacingly at Tachyon. “Try your super-speed punches on someone made of diamond, jerk.”

“I’ve got a better idea,” Tachyon retorted. “I think...I…” His eyes rolled back in his head and he passed out, a pale mist forming around his head while a perplexed Diamond Damsel looked on.

The mist took on feminine proportions and Diamond Damsel heard Gas Girl’s voice speak up. “With the rest of his team here, I knew Tachyon would have to make an appearance sooner or later; he’s way too quick for any of us to take on in a fair fight so I’ve just been waiting around for him as a cloud of oxygen. Let him outrace anaesthetic gas he’s already breathed in.”

A tremendous clatter filled the room, and a large part of the ceiling caved in as Void walked through a support column. Diamond Damsel and Gas Girl lost sight of Celestine and Laurel on the other side of the rubble, and Void himself kept on approaching.

“That was good work,” Diamond Damsel complimented her teammate. “But we’re a long way from being out of the woods yet.”

**********
Outside, Color Kid and Fire Lad had fallen into a routine of disorienting Red Giant with flashes of fire and psychedelics but they both knew it was only a matter of time until the enormous juggernaut hit one of them with his maddened blind swiping. He’d already smashed another hole in the building. “I don’t want to sserioussly burn him,” Fire Lad confided as he ducked a grabbing fist. “But I don’t ssee we have another option, Ulu. We have to get back in there to help Arqiia and the otherss!”

“Don’t lose hope, fellows!” Elastic Lad joined the conversation from below, his serpentine form slithering around and between Red Giant’s legs. “There’s always more than one way to fix a problem!”

“Hey! What are you doing down there?” Red Giant boomed. Still seeing stars thanks to Color Kid, he struggled to focus on Elastic Lad entwining his legs.

“Helping uss find another way to fixx our problem,” Fire Lad smirked. He darted straight up until he was only a few feet beneath Red Giant’s face and exhaled a massive burst of flame. The fire came short of actually scorching Red Giant, but the sudden expulsion of heat and light was enough to make him instinctively pull away. Simultaneously, Elastic Lad constricted his form as tightly as he could manage and their gigantic foe lost his balance and fell backwards. When Red Giant hit the deck, he didn’t get back up again.

“That’s one ridiculously overpowered bad guy down,” Color Kid joked. “Let’s go find out if we’re on a roll.” He looked toward Fire Lad, but Staq Mavlen was already halfway back to the multi-lab.

**********
Laurel Kent extricated herself from the wall Celestine had just hurled her through. “You know,” the young heroine grumbled, “This is a new costume. Like, I literally just finished putting it together this morning. If you ruin it, I’ll be really angry.”

“What does it take to end you?!” Celestine railed. She stretched both hands toward the teenager and blasted her with what would be a lethal dose of hard radiation for just about anybody else.

“Not that, but nice try Goldie.” Laurel walked straight into the blast, not even bothering to shield her eyes. She needed to keep Celestine angry enough that she wouldn’t realise that her enemy’s sole power was invulnerability. Laurel thought she had a way she might be able to fight back, but until Color Kid came back it was only an idea. In the meantime if Celestine just decided to drop the building on her, she’d be screwed until somebody dug her out.

Celestine switched her attack to blistering heat. “How are you still standing?” she raged. “I have all the power of a star, but none of it fazes you at all!”

Laurel saw Color Kid and Elastic Lad following Fire Lad back into the room and she knew this was her opportunity. “What did I tell you?” she sniped as her poncho went up in flames. “Now you’ve gone and made me mad! Hey, Color Kid!” she yelled across the room. “Give this batwitch a blueshift, would you?”

“Laurel, what--?” Ulu queried.

“Turn her flames blue!” the would-be Supergirl hollered back. “Trust me, it’ll be worth it!”

Color Kid shrugged, but did as he was asked. Consumed by her own fury and her arrogance, Celestine didn’t bother to stop him. Her flaming corona and the inferno she was directing at Laurel switched from blazing white gold to electric blue, and Laurel felt a surge of power course through her veins. It was like nothing she’d ever experienced, and she wondered if this sensation was what her famous ancestor had lived with every day of his life. She charged Celestine through a console with a whoop of sheer joy. Color Kid and Elastic Lad both wore baffled expressions.

“Uh..how..?” Ulu trailed off.

“I did a little research,” Laurel landed punch after punch on Celestine, each one a blur of motion. “My Kryptonian power’s fuelled by sunlight, right? And if red sunlight cancels Kryptonian powers, I figured maybe there’s some kind of sun that increases them and whattayaknow, a blue sun is like a super-ultra-charge! I knew it wouldn’t give me the extra power that Superman got, but I’m happy with what I got--”

Celestine finally collected her wits and sent her foe flying across the room with a gravitic pulse. Laurel smashed through the rubble that had separated the group from Diamond Damsel and the others, and crashed through several walls.

“Ouch!” Elastic Lad cringed. “I’m super glad she’s invulnerable! Even so, I bet that was really unpleasant!”

“The most unpleasant thing here is your refusal to submit to your obvious betters!” Celestine snapped. She threw an arm wide toward Elastic Lad and Color Kid, and an almost invisible wall of gravitic force flung them both to the other side of the room. Color Kid was knocked out cold instantly, and even Elastic Lad was dazed by the impact. She turned back to the others and moved through the air toward Arqiia. “We don’t have to kill you, Legionnaires. We are here only to end this failed experiment and then we will leave you to your pitiful existence.”

“No!” Fire Lad interposed himself between Celestine and the others. Gas Girl began to voice caution, but he shouted over her. “You’ll have to kill uss before we let you hurt Arqiia! Why do I feel thiss connection to her anyway? What have you people done?!”

The golden woman hovered imperiously, gazing down on Fire Lad’s bony frame with a bemused expression. “You must know that I can end you whenever I wish, little man.”

“I don’t care!” Fire Lad advanced on her angrily while Diamond Damsel and Gas Girl watched Celestine and Void tensely. “Why doess sshe look like me? Why do I feel like we know one another?!”

Still standing inside the tesseract she’d backed into earlier, Arqiia watched the proceedings warily. The one called Nightwind may have been telling the truth; half these people seemed to want her dead and the other half wanted to protect her. What really concerned her was that she seemed most drawn to the ones who wanted her dead. She felt in her gut an instinctive need to obey them, to serve them...but then there was the one who looked like her, the one whose head was aflame. She felt what he’d described, as though they were two parts of the same being. Cautiously she began to edge her way out of the storage tesseract, but the encroaching Void kept her from actually passing through its doorway.

Celestine looked Fire Lad up and down with disdain. “You do share many similarities with our creation,” she admitted finally. “More reason to destroy the Mercurian. I assure you however that any resemblance is purely coincidental, Legionnaire. Until recently, we Heavensent had not even existed in your era and we certainly were unaware of such a miserable creature as yourself. The Mercurian’s physical characteristics stem from a micro-organism we discovered in deep space, one which transforms any living entity who ingests it into a host capable of surviving the unforgiving climate of a planet such as Mercury. This creature you insist on naming Arqiia was intended as the first of many, a world of subjects to worship us as the gods we have become.”

“Itss...hosst..?” Fire Lad was shaken. “Did you...did you find thiss micro-organissm insside ssome kind of rock? An assteroid or a meteorite..?”

“We liberated it from the ore in which it had gestated,” Celestine decreed, “And we put it to a higher task. It has failed us regrettably. Any supplicant worthy of our attention would have escaped this building by now and found us once more. And thus, it must die.”

No!” Fire Lad exhaled a massive fireball, but Celestine flew through it completely unfazed toward Arqiia.

“I’ve known people like you,” Diamond Damsel grabbed hold of Celestine’s ankle as she sped past. “So used to getting exactly whatever it is you want that the prospect of not getting your own way doesn’t even occur to you.” Celestine began to pivot in mid-air, but Diamond Damsel slammed her into the floor first. “So this should be a good exercise in character building.” Still holding on to the golden woman’s ankle, she swung her around her head and flung her straight at Void. Celestine couldn’t avert her path in time, and a second later she was swallowed within his colorless outline.

“Celestine!!” Tachyon had recovered just in time to see the most powerful member of his team dispatched. “This isn’t over, Legionnaires!” He blinked out of existence, moving so fast that he was simply no longer there.

“Diamond Damsel, did you just kill her..?” Gas Girl asked wide-eyed.

“She’s nearly as tough as Mon-El,” Diamond Damsel replied. “If anyone can survive whatever that Void thing is, it’d be that pretentious cow. Speaking of which, what are we going to do about Void?”

The ever-silent Void was advancing more quickly on Arqiia now, forcing her back into a corner of the tesseract. “Stop!” she shouted defiantly.

“Leave her alone!” Fire Lad bellowed simultaneously. The two fire-breathers unleashed their powers at the same time, catching Void in the middle of the conflagration.

The villain was totally unhurt by the inferno, but Brainiac 5’s already damaged multi-lab was not so lucky. There was an explosion of fireworks which knocked Fire Lad back and scattered Gas Girl’s form. As the partially functional fire suppression systems did their best to contain the collateral damage, Laurel Kent re-entered the room and a rejuvenated Elastic Lad helped Fire Lad to his feet. Where the storage tesseract had been a moment ago, there was a small charred space full of sparking circuitry which was quickly being filled with fire retardant foam. Arqiia and Void were nowhere to be seen.

“What the sprock did I miss?” Laurel cried out. “Where are the rest of the Heavensent? Where’s the Mercurian fem?”

“Her name iss Arqiia!” an emotional Fire Lad barked.

Elastic Lad’s neck craned so that he could closer examine the damage the explosion had caused. “You know, I’d say the storage tesseract boundary framing mechanism was damaged to the point of catastrophic failure. I’m sure Arqiia is safe,” he added quickly. “After all, the space still exists but we’ve lost the ability to access it. Void was crossing the threshold of the tesseract when it broke down though, so if we’re lucky he may be temporarily spatially displaced.”

“Okay, well I guess Dawnstar or the new guy can track Arqiia down once they get back,” Laurel said. “...Wait. Remind me again, why are we calling her Arqiia?”

Fire Lad stared forlornly at the blackened space where the Mercurian woman had been standing a moment ago. “It’ss a Sshwarian word,” he said flatly. “There’ss no direct Interlac equivalent, but the nearesst match would be ssoulmate.” His shoulders slumped and he walked out of the multi-lab. “I...I’d better make ssure Matter-Eater Lad iss okay.”

As he left the others behind, Staq Mavlen lost himself in his thoughts. For years he’d ignored the physical changes he’d been undergoing, lying to himself that they were a normal side-effect of his powers. Now though...now it seemed he was infested with some kind of microscopic parasite, and the only person who could possibly relate might now be somewhere on the other side of the universe if she was even still alive.

Alarms still sounding all around him, he disappeared into the depths of the Legion of Superheroes’ home and yearned for the days when the worst thing he had to worry about was getting this team to notice he even existed.

**********

So who are the Heavensent? Back when Earth-Man had absorbed the powers of the Infinite Man, he recruited a bunch of metahumans from throughout history. Five of these people had been working on a space station in the year 2434 when they were all cosmically empowered and began to see themselves as godlike. They are:

Celestine: golden skinned woman with a flaming corona for hair; aside from Daxamite level strength, invulnerability and flight she has full life support and the power to emit any type of energy emanated by stars
Red Giant: guy with growth powers
White Dwarf: guy who increases his density by shrinking, compacting his mass for durability and strength
Tachyon: claims that he "transcends speed" - he can move fast enough to to travel through short periods of time
Void:a silent featureless silhouette of a man who is basically a walking black hole
Posted By: Set Re: Arqiia - 06/23/17 05:01 PM
So I've just caught up with this, and it's pretty awesome!

I'm loving how you've used Mwindaji (a character that, in the comics, never really got a chance to do anything), and your original characters, the Heavensent! Nice to see a powerful group, and the Legion on the ropes against such powerful villains!

I need to go over it again before I can reply in detail, but this has been a great story.

Love Diamond Damsel. Loved the homeworld of Leeta 89 (and Leeta herself). Great use of Nightwind. Just, so many great things!

Blok with the wisdom of Solomon and elements of a Shazam? What delicious madness is this? Such fun and original ideas!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Arqiia - 06/25/17 07:15 PM
Wow. Great fight scene, clever moves from Elastic Lad, Nightwind, Gas Girl hiding in wait for Tachyon, DD throwing Celestine into Void, Laurel figuring out the effect of blue sunlight..

Big reveal for Fire Lad, yikes! Poor Arqia, I'm worried for her.
Posted By: Omni Re: Arqiia - 06/26/17 02:12 PM
Another good installment Raz and I have to say I do love how you leave us wanting more with each of your setups.

I'm looking forward to Zoe, Brainy, and Mwindaji's mission to find Sodam Yat. I Like that Mwindaji was able to free Larfleeze of the orange lantern's power. I'm not hugely familiar with the Green Lantern Mytho's, so i was wondering if you created Ophidian? I really like the explanation and it makes me think of Lord of the Rings and Gholem. The ring poisoned him and prolonged his life and that's what Ophidian did to Larfleeze, and makes sense since he'd be free as Mwindaji is the essence of life and he can reset it. I bet with more control he could reset someone to any point and not just the beginning of their aliment.

Poor Diamond Damsel but i like that she's not upset by unable to transform. It makes sense after all that time that she would be more comfortable. Dura is super sweet and its nice that they are working towards a better relationship.

I have to agree with IB that Laurel's use of blue sunlight was really inventive and i think we may just have found a new pairing that could really work. Color Kid and Supergirl, I'd love to see how many different colors of sunlight affect Laurel...I wonder what a Black Sun would do?? He battle with Celestine was fun and i liked her quipping about the uniform and Celeistine being surprised at how hard it was to take Laurel down.
I like the homage but I won't lie I kind of wish Laurel had chosen another name. maybe it's just the loss of Kara too soon. I wonder how Brainy will react once he learns this.

Nightwind's boredom was really well done and funny and she did well in battle and trying to be a voice of reason for Arqiia.

A battle of the Heavensent against some of their less powerful memebers and lacking in number and they still turned it out. Well done.
Gas girl did really well and bidding her time before attacking.

Poor Staq! his final thoughts were really sad. He thought he found a soul mate and he's infected with a parasite. Can it be taken out and if not what does that mean for him? Will Arqiia be found? I hope so.

Enjoy your vacation and can't wait for your return and to see where all these plots go,
Posted By: Set Re: Arqiia - 07/04/17 08:34 AM
So, more detailed commentary;

I like the starting grouping of Bouncing Boy, Duplicate Damsel, Nightwind and Dragonmage. Two classic characters we don't see enough of, and two newer characters just coming into their own. This is a formula you repeat a time or two, a few classics and few of the young blood, to good effect.

<<On the Sorceror's World, the Black Witch stood unmoving against the roiling storm. Rain soaked her clothes and her skin, and she didn't know if she herself was crying or if this world was crying for her.
This storm dwarfed her, unabated.>>

Wow, that’s some powerful stuff! Great evocative writing!

On Apiaton, the descriptions of Terrus, his ill-fitting suit, his shambling gait as he moves, his gloves hanging loosely, etc. all are hints, which I failed to catch the first time, that there's something not right under that scarecrow costume!

And the use of Dawnstar's powers to 'shut Terrus up' is priceless. Love it!

I've noticed that you fall into the trap that pretty much all of us do, using sentients, when you likely mean sapients. (Dogs, birds, etc. are sentient. But when referring to people with languages and culture and stuff, a better term might be sapient or sophont or something futuristic and technobabble like 'N-grade intelligents' or whatever.)

Did I mention before that vampires on Kathoon is mad genius? Probably. It bears mentioning again, 'cause true things are true.

Meanwhile, in the Talokk system, Mon-El is overconfident, and Shadow Lass is ridiculously competent! Go Shady! I love the Fantastic er, Forgotten Four. Particularly Invisible Queen, who sounds like she has a really cool visual, ironically, for a woman one generally won't see... smile

<<“Their Brainiac dumb but nice!” Bizarro Colossal Boy beamed. “Me hate him!”>>

Ha! I'm not generally a fan of the silly, but this made me laugh out loud!

A lot of really good character bits. I love your characterization. With the long form of the fanfic, compared to the relatively limited real estate of a comic book page, you get to explore all sorts of relationships and interactions that would be left on the cutting room floor if this was a comic (or cartoon, or movie). Tinya and Lu sitting around and chatting about being the two longest serving non-Founders, and 'Long live the Legion crones!' was a cute example of this.

Also a lot of great alien vistas, such as Moonlit Bay or Crystal Falls, or future set-pieces, like the Galactic Core nightclub. I love these little details, they really bring the exoticism of the setting to life, and also remind how *big* the backdrop behind the Legion is, compared to a story that might not leave the hero's city-of-residence. These cops 'beat' is hundreds of worlds, not just the mean streets of Gotham!

More later!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Arqiia - 07/12/17 09:17 PM
I'm so far behind on replying I feel like a slacker Raz, sorry.

I'll comment as I'm reading so here goes...

M'Windaji as a healer is a great idea, and fixing up Tel was a good way to introduce this. Brainy's cool assessment of Super Girl's situation is ominous. please don't have Querl go mad, you write him so well I'd miss him from your stories. Nice that he recommends Zoe and Gahiji for membership - okay, maybe he isn't going bonkers... yet. Nice that Zoe remembered she needs to find Soddam Yat. Ooh, Imra's worried about Brainy, maybe he is going bonkers...

"Her normally flawless alabaster skin..." If I didn't hate Lydda before I do now smile Oh, red welts, I take that back laugh

The image of Mysa kneeling on the floor was very poignant. Blok describing her as the purest being he had ever met was so sweet, especially as he knows everything she's been through. Mysa's fears are scary, Mordru's evil taking her over is a bit of a worry, actually its terrifying as the Black Witch has a universes magical potential to throw around. Blok's optimism is always glorious though.

Very touching scene between Imra and Querl which showed how close they are. You write Saturn Girl really well, with a nice mix of her tough exterior and her softer side.

Blok's idea is perfect, and it's a smart use of the rock of eternity as Mordru is claustrophobic. Ah, Lydda just said that. Go blok, give mysa some home truths! Nicely written how he emphasises her compassionate nature. That was a sweet way to end the rather tense stand off, and Blok's compassionate nature matches Mysa's. I hadn't realised but of course he had never seen her in her human form before. I demand the Adventures of Mysa and Harlack fanfic! You know it'll be a winner!

I don't know anything much about Lafreez but his gratitude did seem overbearing. Funny that M'Windaji was grateful to go on a mission to get away, I know a few people who have the same effect on me...

That was a sweet scene between Iris and Drura, and bummer about the hole through the heart - though your DD is becoming more well-adjusted, it seems Blok's compassion for damsels in Distress has helped two of the extended cast lately. And I wonder, why Drura is going home?

I saw a picture, fan drawn, of Laurel with her eyes sparkling somewhere on the web that I think was wearing something very like your description - was it one of your pictures? Oh, I don't think her new ID will go down well, especially with a certain Coluan. bad taste Laurel, bad taste. But then if I were Superman's descendant and totally invulnerable I'd be cocky too so its totally believable.

Staq's concern for the mysterious woman from Mercury was great, as is your characterisation of Elastic Lad - I usually get bored with the goody two shoes characters but he's very endearing. I love your baddies, the Heavensent are great fun and evil in equal measure. M_E Lad telling tall stories to Gas Girl is funny in itself, he's such a fun character and you obviously like him.

That's a fairly power-lite team to take on the Heavensent you've given yourself Raz, you like a challenge!

Nightwind and Laurel's Missile Strike manoeuvre was great - a 31st century Fastball special! Elastic Lad saving Berta was also a nice touch. And Laurel against Celestine? Is she mad?

“And people say Grava’s annoying,” Ha! made me smile, very cute.

Gas Girl taking out Tachyn was smart. Poor Arqiia's confusion is as scary as the Heavensent.

Elastic Lad and Staq taking down Red Giant was great, once again your love of the under dogs shines through.

Laurel get Ulu to turn the energy blue was smart, and her bravery at tackling Celestine was impressive.

Ouch, so Staq's abilities and connection to Aquiia is due to micro-organisms? that's a dunt to his ego I bet. so much for soul mates then.

Throwing Celestine into Void was the perfect way to stop her, your DD shines again.

So, after they track down Soddam the team will need to find Arqiia. Those trackers do earn they stipend don't they? Hopefully Void (and Celestine) wont be with her.

Poor Staq, you write him really well Raz, he's another character I've never really looked twice at that I'm having to re-evaluate.

This was a great read Raz and I'm looking forward to more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Arqiia - 07/30/17 06:52 PM
Hi all! I am still on holiday another few days but I have some time to kill and I wanted to say thanks again for your feedback. It's kind of cool that you're reading from so far back Set, reminds me of some stories I haven't thought of in a while! I am pretty motivated by characterisation and I agree it's a benefit of fanfic that you get to explore that more than you can in a comic a lot of the time smile

Speaking of characterisation, now that Mysa's off the hook for a while it looks like it might be Brainy and Fire Lad's turn at being tortured....and Laurel's ongoing complete disregard for good taste should see some interesting reactions from the Legion soon as well wink

Harbinger, that Laurel fanart you mentioned wasn't mine that I recall but it sounds cool! I kinda based her look on a cross between her classic poncho and an alternate Superwoman costume she wore in a Superman comic...the colored streaks in her hair I added just because I thought that seemed like something a sassy teenage girl would be into. She is gonna have some interesting developments soon too actually!

Next up though: Whatever Happened To Sodam Yat?
Posted By: razsolo Re: Arqiia - 08/01/17 07:55 PM
Oops also I forgot to say earlier; Ophidian is one of DC's emotional entities (like Parallax)....there's one for every ring colour smile
Posted By: Set Re: Arqiia - 08/01/17 09:20 PM
Ur, I had a bunch of stuff that just got eated when my internet burped...

Anywho, as I remember it;

I love what you've done with Cadmu. Amazing detail on the space-elevator, subliminal information-dumps, etc. as well as the cloner culture!

The Workforce is cool. Seeing another Carggite and another Imskian at work is always a thrill, since they tend to get overlooked compared to Titanians and Braalians, it seems.

You made me like Mwindaji. Paul Levitz sure didn't manage that feat!

Wow, a conceptual virus. That's a Morrison-worthy bit of strange, and I like it! Very cool, and you kept it (relatively) down to earth and accessible, without getting all twelth-dimensional strange!

Satan Girl as a villain is great. She's super-tough, a real heavy-hitter, and the team has very real reasons not to be cutting loose on her. The fight is powerful both physically and emotionally!

A quibble. While I love the scene of Brainy wrestling with Universo for control of the ring, I kind of want to see how Brainy’s intellect is making the difference here. Perhaps he’s given the ring 17,000 commands, in the time it takes Universo to give it one command, to kill him, and the ring is cycling through random creations, white butterflies with opalescent wings, brick-by-brick reconstruction of some ancient building, reproducing a symphony popular on Colu (where the sounds are galactic background noises, stellar events and mathematical fractals), etc. and Universo’s command to kill Brainy will queue up in 4.7 hours…

Brainy might also benefit slightly from being able to touch the rings of compassion, hope and love (thanks to Kara, for that last part), while Universo can only truly connect with the rings of rage, avarice, will and fear.

I like the mention of Polar Boy nearly suffering hypothermia, in a relatively normal earth environment, being adapted to life on Tharr. Great detail, and something that too many DC writers never seem to think about, even if the art clearly established that he wore furry insulated looking clothing on earth.

Dragonwing's cloak-dragon is animated? Super-cool, and makes sense that 31st century clothing would include stuff like that as a matter of course (since we practically have it today).

I feel like Staq/Fire Lad is going to go all dragon-y. smile

Nice resolution to the hanging plot thread about Quislet and Teall, which we knew was someday going to rear it's head and become a problem...

Fearstorm is an interesting development of the Firestorm concept. I wonder if they were to continue they'd develop some sort of 'mental transmutation' power to alter other people's memories or even make them into mind-controlled slaves...

And that's all I recall for now.

Amazing amounts of characters, and tons of serious threats. I am beyond impressed with how well you juggle classic Legionnaires, Academy students hit the big-time, Original Characters and side-characters (like the Workforce, Judgment League, etc.).

Celestine and her Heavensent, as well as other time-displaced figures like Starbear and Black Arrow, are very cool, and I look forward to seeing more of them someday.

I also like how you make use not just of the heavy hitters, but have Shadow Kid and Diamond Damsel up in space fighting Dominator warships, alongside Mon-El and Supergirl, and holding their own. That's cool. Even without powers, some characters are getting impressive showings, like Chameleon Boy wandering in to Kid Computo reviewing surveillance data and spotting something she'd missed, not because he's got some power, but because he's got the experience. Very cool.

Ha, it was on my second read-through that I got that (Coluan master manipulator) Makkia Vei's name was a play on Machiavelli! Fun!

The walls blows out in the daycare, and Thom saves the day by making everyone too heavy to get blown out of the building. That's a super-creative use of his power, and I'm jealous, because I was planning on something similar and you got there first. smile

Fun to see not only Sizzle again, but also Turtle, and a much more fun sounding Turtle than the brief glimpse we got in the Shooterboot. I like him!

I love, love, love how Luornu manipulated the recruits into attempting to solve her mystery involving the Legion team that lost their memories to Mandalla, by pretending it was a training exercise. That's just super-clever and sneaky and did I mention that I love it? 'Cause I sort of do.

Quote
“Indeed,” Dawnstar answered. “Perhaps I can even teach them the folly of attacking the Legion of Superheroes.” She spread her wings wide, presenting an easy target for the Dominators’ missiles. Once they had locked onto her bio-signature, she circled around and flew straight at one of the planes with a determined expression. She came close enough to the unmanned craft to brush her fingers against its hull, and then the graceful heroine veered straight up. By the time the missiles blew the vessel to shrapnel, she was half a mile away.


Glorious! You really make Dawnstar a treat! I love the detail of her training her fingers against the hull, and then being a half mile away before the missile hit. Grace and power and confidence. Awesome!

And Superboy appears home, when 'randomly' tossed into the timestream. What are the odds that someone randomly teleported through time and space would appear in his home time period, from the sounds of Ma Kent’s words, maybe only hours after he left? 100%, obviously! smile It would be interesting if that happened because Kal still had a chronal signature tied to that time and place, and the ‘random’ teleportation kind of took the path of least resistance and sent him to a time period he already was chronally tied to… (And Brainy and the others got tugged along for the ride. Instead of each Legionnaire being sent to a separate invidual time and place, they ‘clumped,’ because time doesn’t like being perforated that many individual times, and people shoved into the timestream all at once tend to gather into pockets, like drops of water merging on their way down the windshield.) Just my attempt at a No-Prize! Don't mind me!

And, with Tyroc, another Legionnaire ends up very conveniently in an era to which he has a pre-existing connection, chronologically speaking, almost as if they retain some sort of tether to their true time periods, and if unstuck in the timestream, drift towards their true homes. Yes, I am vindicated! Maybe. smile

I like the conversation between Kid Computo and Luornu regarding her choice of code-name. It deals with an elephant in the room elegantly. Very cool.

The argument about not changing what happened on Trom, and that the Legion had Time Bubbles for years and that Jan and Kal and Kara and Blok had never tried to use them to save their respective worlds was interesting. Kind of a hanging the lampshade moment. What follows is rough for Violet, 'though, although, from a storyteller perspective, it does open up the Alchemist character for development.









Posted By: razsolo Re: Arqiia - 08/20/17 06:13 AM
Originally Posted by Set

A quibble. While I love the scene of Brainy wrestling with Universo for control of the ring, I kind of want to see how Brainy’s intellect is making the difference here. Perhaps he’s given the ring 17,000 commands, in the time it takes Universo to give it one command, to kill him, and the ring is cycling through random creations, white butterflies with opalescent wings, brick-by-brick reconstruction of some ancient building, reproducing a symphony popular on Colu (where the sounds are galactic background noises, stellar events and mathematical fractals), etc. and Universo’s command to kill Brainy will queue up in 4.7 hours…

Brainy might also benefit slightly from being able to touch the rings of compassion, hope and love (thanks to Kara, for that last part), while Universo can only truly connect with the rings of rage, avarice, will and fear.


I am getting you to write all my Badass Brainy moments from now on because that description is awesome laugh

The ex-Judgement Leaguers will pop up every now and then, and I've got a fun idea to revisit Turtle and Lamprey as well which I'll throw in as soon as I get a chance.

re: Dawnstar, it's funny because she's never really been one of my favourite characters but I love writing her. I kinda think she has suffered from unimaginative writing like a lot of speedsters in comics...she should really be one of the most capable Legionnaires but it seems like all she's used for most of the time is looking pretty in space and having a crisis over why her tracking power isn't working this issue tongue

I should have a new post up this week some time I think, thanks everyone for following!
Posted By: razsolo The Outlaw Sodam Yat - 08/21/17 05:24 AM
MEDICUS ONE
Earth Orbit

ROLL CALL
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk:
color manipulation
Fire Lad aka Staq Mavlen: fire-breathing
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms


In a crowded waiting room with Matter-Eater Lad on one side of him and a large green crocodilian alien on the other, Ulu Vakk glanced down the corridor at the sound of a door opening for the seventh time in as many minutes.

“You’re gonna give yourself whiplash if you keep that up,” Tenzil Kem joked.

“I’m just worried about Staq,” Color Kid’s head dropped. “I wish Brainiac 5 hadn’t gone on that interstellar mission; we’d have an answer by now.”

“Maybe if his multi-lab wasn't completely trashed,” Matter-Eater Lad bumped his teammate’s shoulder playfully. “Dr Gym’ll is no slouch though, Kid. He was our primary physician for a long time when the Legion were on Earth, you know. He may take a little longer to come up with results than our resident 12th level genius, but he’ll be able to confirm if Fire Lad really does have a micro-organism inside of him like the Heavensent say they used to create Arqiia. And he’ll even have the same cheery bedside manner that Brainy would!”

The two men heard someone clearing their throat and turned to see the aforementioned Dr Gym’ll standing behind them with Fire Lad by his side. “My patients don’t pay me for my bedside manner, Legionnaires. As long as they continue to pay however, they can badmouth me as much as they like. Your friend’s in no immediate danger, and we can even remove the parasite from his system. You two might have better luck talking him into that than I did though. I’ve got other patients to assist, patients who hopefully have more common sense than this young man.” Without waiting for a response, Gym’ll spun on his heel and left.

“Staq!” Color Kid leaped to his feet and faced his friend fully. “What did he mean? There really is some kind of microscopic organism mutating you? I guess the important thing is he can remove it, right?”

“I guesss,” the flame-crested hero hissed.

“But..?” Matter-Eater Lad prompted.

“It’ss regresssive gene therapy,” Fire Lad replied glumly. “If I want to remove thiss thing insside of me, then I remove my powerss too. I’d be a normal Sshwarian again…

...I’d have to leave the Legion of Ssuperheroess forever.”

**********
DEEP SPACE
Unnamed planet in the globular cluster Valstan C5

ROLL CALL
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
12th level intelligence, team leader
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy


The Legion’s two newest recruits stood before their teammates on the bridge of their cruiser; Mwindaji was consumed in the task he’d been set, leading the Legion of Superheroes across the galaxy in search of the ancient Daxamite Sodam Yat. The emerald headset he wore upon his brow enhanced his innate tracking abilities exponentially.

The hardlight headset had been provided thanks to the imagination of Zoe Saugin, the former Green Lantern who now held the legendary power of a Green Lantern ring within herself. Unlike Mwindaji she was very aware of the other Legionnaires around them, and their eyes on her made her nervous. While Zoe generally liked being the centre of attention, she liked it on her own terms. “How are we going, Mwindaji?” she asked.

“Your power compliments my own easily as well as Universo’s had,” the youth replied in his rich baritone. “I can scarcely believe that such wonders exist outside my small world. Our quarry approaches the fifth planet in this cluster; once we have reached planetside my own power will close the distance unaided.”

Brainiac 5 had devoted part of his colossal intellect to analysing these two ever since the team had left Mars. Mwindaji’s tracking ability was clearly not the equal of Dawnstar’s, but he seemed utterly confident that he’d be more effective within planetary range. Considering the difficulties Dawnstar faced tracking her quarry within heavily populated areas, Brainiac was already seeing how their powers might compliment each other. Though he was from a world which by UP standards was hopelessly primitive, Mwindaji didn’t seem at all overwhelmed or unsure of his place here. His naivete might be a problem though, as it was largely that trait which Brainiac 5 felt had led to Universo’s ascension to the White Lantern and Kara’s fate in the first place. Querl Dox decided he was going to keep a close eye on the Kirinyagi teenager.

The Green Lantern on the other hand had shown herself to be a capable powerhouse. Brainiac didn’t know why she was displaying such anxiety in her microexpressions and her tone of voice, she had nothing to prove to the Legion of Superheroes and in fact had been accepted into the team’s ranks by a much larger margin than her fellow recruit. She was one of Dragonmage’s oldest friends, she’d saved the lives of Legionnaires and innocents alike on multiple occasions and her control of the Green Lantern energy made her one of the most resourceful members of the team. As annoying as her nervousness here was, Brainiac supposed it was part and parcel of dealing with lesser intellects. He was certain she’d overcome it, he just hoped it was sooner rather than later.

While Mon-El flew under his own power outside the cruiser, Element Lad and Shadow Lass piloted the vessel. With their course adjustments made as per Mwindaji’s last update though, there really wasn’t a lot for Jan and Tasmia to do right now. “What do you think of the new kids?” Shadow Lass leaned across and asked her co-pilot in a hushed voice.

“Green Lantern’s going to be a great asset once she settles in,” Element Lad replied after giving it a moment of thought. “She was trained to operate as part of a larger group so we already know she’s a good team player. Mwindaji...Mwindaji is more of an unknown quantity. I know Shrinking Violet vouched for him, but it’s not as though she’s always shown the best judgement in the galaxy. It does seem like he really wants to do good though, and we don’t need another tracker on the team but his healing ability will definitely come in handy.”

“I never really subscribed to the Legion’s silly regulations on power duplication,” Shadow Lass waved her hand. “I mean having a handful of people on the team who can tear down cities has only ever worked in our favour, I don’t see why more esoteric powers should be treated any differently. It is strange that Brainiac put them both forward for membership though, don’t you think? I mean we’ve seen Green Lantern’s heroism, but considering Mwindaji’s role in what happened with Supergirl--”

“No offence Shadow Lass, but I’m not really comfortable gossiping about our teammates like this. I’m sure the last thing Brainiac needs right now is to know his friends are talking about him like he was a character in a holodrama.” Without waiting for a response, Jan turned his attention to the ship’s controls. “Entering the atmosphere now,” he announced to the entire team. “Where to now, you two?”

“I thank you for your assistance,” Mwindaji bowed his head toward Zoe and removed the emerald construct from his head. “From here, I can sense him clearly. Sodam Yat is there, over that volcanic landmass.” He pointed toward an island far far below them in the world’s green-tinged oceans.

“Green Lantern, Mwindaji, I’d like you two to exit the cruiser and align yourselves with Mon-El,” Brainiac 5 instructed. “You’ll be able to move faster and we’ll be close behind.”

A confused Mwindaji was about to ask how they could exit the ship in mid-air when Zoe grabbed him by the arm and they were both enveloped in a green glow. “You’ve got it, Brainiac!” She gave him a mock salute and phased herself and Mwindaji through the vessel. “Man, I’m glad to be out of there,” she confessed as the duo sped toward Mon-El to their right. “Did it feel like he was staring us out from the nano we got on the ship or was it just me?”

“Brainiac 5 is the leader of the Legion of Superheroes,” Mwindaji responded diplomatically. “It is his responsibility to be sure of the capabilities of all of his team.”

“Well yeah, but-- hey there, Mon-El!” Zoe grinned as they caught up with the broad-shouldered Daxamite. “Okay Mwindaji, show us the way!” Zoe retracted her glow from Mwindaji and after a dramatic lurch he remembered to activate his own flight ring. Not terribly gracefully, he led the others above the planet’s sparse cloud cover and toward the verdant island he’d identified.

Before too long, the cloud cover vanished altogether to be replaced by something far stranger. At first there were only a few of the odd spheres dotted here and there, but soon the Legionnaires were surrounded by countless scores of floating orange puffballs. Each one was roughly the size of a basketball, and collectively they seemed to possess at least a basic form of intelligence as they cleared a way for Mwindaji, Zoe and Mon-El to fly through. “What do you think these things are?” Zoe asked Mon-El. She spared a quick glance behind them to make sure the weird objects weren’t closing off their escape route, and just to be on the safe side she reinforced her protective aura.

“I don’t know,” Mon-El admitted. “I’ve never seen anything like them. They don’t appear to be dangerous...still, maybe we should steer clear of them anyway. Mwindaji!” he shouted. “Change course, we’re going to fly around whatever these things are!”

“Sodam Yat is just ahead!” Mwindaji returned. “Just through this--” He never completed his statement as a flash of red filled their field of vision. Mon-El had reacted swiftly, darting ahead to shield Mwindaji with his own body.

Where there had been a field of harmless puffballs stretching ahead as far as the eye could see there was now just a formless cloud of ash dissipating throughout the atmosphere. In place of the puffballs hovered a muscular man in a green and black bodysuit, his jet-black mohawk whipping against his scalp in the high altitude winds. Zoe Saugin recognised him instantly.

Sodam!

“You shouldn’t be here!” Zoe’s former mentor railed. “How did you find me? I hid myself from the Green Lantern Corps!”

“There is no Green Lantern Corps anymore!” Zoe retorted. “You killed the last Corps member, remember? I’m still here though!” Her anger overcame her and a battering ram of pure force slammed into Sodam, knocking him back hundreds of feet.

Mon-El quickly saw that he needed to take charge before things turned any uglier. “Mwindaji, you did well to get us here but your powers aren’t suited for a confrontation of this scale. Stay by Green Lantern, she can keep you safe.”

“Sprock that!” Zoe snapped. “He killed my friend! He let us all down! I haven’t even begun to--”

Mon-El interrupted the teenaged girl. “And if we don’t all work to our strengths, he may kill again. Once Brainiac and the others arrive you’ll get your chance to help bring Sodam Yat to justice, but until then you can shield Mwindaji far better than I can.”

Zoe felt a rush of blood to her cheeks and was glad that her emerald glow prevented the men from witnessing her furious blush. She knew Mon-El was right and it galled her. She began to utter an apology when her eyes grew wide and she flung an opaque dome around herself and Mwindaji. At the same time she cried out a warning to Mon-El, but the sealing of the dome muffled her almost completely.

Still, it was enough notice for Mon-El to spin in place and it was enough notice that when Sodam Yat slammed into him at supersonic speeds he could roll with the impact so that the two Daxamites skimmed across the surface of Zoe’s construct rather than smashing through it. “Why have you come here?!” Sodam raved. “How did you find me? How??” His eyes were twin pits of emerald energy, burning red embers at their centre. The man was completely manic.

“The how isn’t important,” Mon-El grunted, using his own power of flight to arrest their careening path through this world’s atmosphere and the swarm of puffballs which populated it; the last thing he wanted was to put a target on Mwindaji. “As to the why...you’ve crossed a line, Sodam. If you need help we’ll make sure you get it, but you’re too dangerous to be allowed to roam freely.”

“Do you think I don’t know that?” Sodam roared. “Why do you think I came here to this world?!” He spun Mon-El around in midair and used the momentum of the movement to fling him away. Before Mon-El could make a countermove, Sodam Yat’s arms stretched out before him and a green glow just like Zoe’s surrounded his entire body. As Zoe had earlier struck him, Sodam hit Mon-El with a beam of light powerful enough to send him rocketing straight into the ocean more than a mile below.

“Exercise caution, Legionnaires.” Brainiac 5’s voice drew Sodam Yat’s attention upward, where the Coluan hero hovered alongside Element Lad and Shadow Lass. “Despite the destruction of every remaining Green Lantern ring, Yat clearly retains access to the Green Lantern energy. I surmise that like Larfleeze, his centuries of exposure to the Green Lantern energies allowed him to metabolise--”

“Get out of here! Do you fools have no sense of self-preservation at all?!” Sodam Yat charged the trio, only to bounce off of the previously unnoticed impenetrable forcefield surrounding them all.

“I’m not normally a sadistic person,” Shadow Lass intoned coldly, “But as if it wasn’t bad enough you’ve put that poor Zoe girl through the wringer, now you’ve hurt the man I love. So I hope this hurts, Yat.” She gestured while he was still reeling in confusion and inky blackness seeped into his pores, his mouth, his eyes. It built up around him until the Daxamite was hidden in a formless cloud of shadow and then dramatically an explosion of emerald light ripped the darkness to shreds. Shadow Lass recoiled from the assault on her senses, but she didn’t cry out.

“You may be able to leech the solar energy from my cells,” Sodam sneered, “But your power is no match for the green light, Shadow Champion.”

“We didn’t really think it would be,” Element Lad subtly positioned himself between Shadow Lass and their glowing enemy while she caught her breath behind her cloak. “Shadow Lass was just buying me enough time to increase the lead content in the atmosphere enough to disable you without killing you. I’m sure you can appreciate it’s a task that requires some delicacy.”

“Don’t you fools understand?” Sodam Yat railed, completely unaffected by Element Lad’s gambit. “The green light protects me from lead poisoning! It protects me from every form of injury my own invulnerability cannot! None of you possess any capability to harm me!”

“Yeah, I don’t know about that.” Zoe Saugin had joined the gathering, Mwindaji suspended in a hardlight dome behind the glowing green girl. “The Green Lantern energy is powered by will, right? That’s what you taught me anyway. How strong do you think my will is to make you hurt for what you did to my friend, Sodam?” Without waiting for an answer, she created an emerald replica of the Legion’s cruiser and slammed it straight into Sodam Yat. The simulacrum pushed him down through this planet’s clear skies, following Mon-El’s path toward the seas below.

With his bare hands Sodam Yat tore the construct in half but before he could mount a counter-attack, Mon-El had returned to grab him in a full nelson hold. “Give up,” Mon-El commanded, maneuvering his fellow Daxamite in mid-air so that Sodam Yat couldn’t target any of the others with a ranged attack. “We don’t want to hurt you, but you need to face justice for what you’ve done, Sodam.”

“The only justice left to me is that of the grave!” Sodam protested. He phased through Mon-El’s grip, turned solid once more and flung the hero at Zoe. Mon-El was taken by surprise, but he recovered in time to veer away from his newest teammate.

The two Daxamites faced off once more, but before either of them could make a move Sodam Yat roared in pain and doubled over. “You were right, Brainy.” Element Lad’s face wore a look of intense concentration. “The Green Lantern energy protects him from external atmospheric changes, but it’s not much help when I’m converting trace elements which already exist inside his body.”

“Of course I was right,” Brainiac 5 answered simply. “Green Lantern, I will need your assistance to boost the power reserves of my forcefield belt. Alone I do not believe either of us possess the power to restrain Sodam Yat physically, but together we should find success.”

“This is just...an inconvenience,” Sodam grimaced. “Already the green energy is...ngghh...flushing the lead from my system.”

“Excuse me, Legion of Superheroes?” Mwindaji asked politely. As the only member of the team not directly involved in the battle with Sodam, he was also the only one to have noticed something peculiar. “...The puffball creatures who had surrounded us earlier? They are back and there are many many more of them.”

Mon-El scanned the atmosphere quickly. The creatures were keeping a safe distance from the violence, but the sky was congested with them and with his telescopic vision Mon-El could see hundreds of thousands more arriving from outer space. “Maybe you should keep that forcefield for yourselves,” he advised Brainiac 5. “There seems to be an endless supply of these puffball creatures and now that Sodam Yat’s riled them up they might not be so harmless, Brainy.”

“That was my goal all along!” Sodam yelled. He was still feeling the effects of Element Lad’s lead poisoning, but it was fading fast. “Individually, these creatures possess the barest sliver of intellect but as a collective they are the strongest-willed creature in this sector! They once served as part of the Green Lantern Corps, but now they carry the only thing that can end my suffering...I provoked this response on purpose, you fools!”

“What the sprock are you talking about?” Zoe demanded, getting in his face. “How is getting a bunch of floating cotton balls mad going to help you in any way?”

“The collective are not the only former Green Lanterns in this sector,” Sodam ignored the forcefield Brainiac 5 had enclosed him in. “Within their divided mind they contain Dkrtzy RRR! Without a Green Lantern ring Dkrtzy RRR cannot harm me physically any more than any of you can, but it can destroy my tortured mind!”

“So this is some kind of insane suicide attempt?” Shadow Lass curled her lip in disgust. “For pity’s sake, why?”

“You don’t understand!” he whined. “None of you can know what it is like, what I have been through in this long life! I should have been dead a thousand years ago, but the Guardians cursed me with eternal life that I might watch everyone I have ever known and loved waste away! And now I have caused the death of one under my command? I do not deserve this maddening existence but the green energy won’t let me die! Dkrtzy RRR is my only--”

Surprising everybody present, a scowling Mon-El charged forth and slammed into Sodam Yat. “I’ve heard enough!” the Legionnaire bellowed. “You think you’re the only being in creation to outlive friends and family?” Mon-El sped up as they approached the sandy shores of a small island, peripherally aware of his teammates following closely and the puffball collective in turn following them. “Try spending a thousand years in the Phantom Zone, helpless to do anything other than watch your loved ones die!” The two men slammed into the island with a tremendous boom, a flock of birds taking flight on the other side over a mile away. In the crater their impact had made, Mon-El grabbed a fistful of Sodam Yat’s bodysuit and slammed the former Green Lantern face first into the exposed rocky crust. “The Guardians didn’t curse you, Sodam! They gave you the power to make a real difference in the universe! In all this time you could have helped the Green Lantern Corps blossom into an unparalleled force for good, and instead you chose to sulk on a dead world for a millenium! You’re pathetic!!” A dazed Sodam Yat climbed to his feet, and Mon-El threw a punch that would have knocked him straight back down again if not for the translucent forcefield which met his fist instead. Instantly, Mon-El recognised it as the handiwork of Brainiac 5.

His features still contorted by fury, Mon-El turned. Shadow Lass was the first person the angry Daxamite saw, her own face a mix of concern and the slightest hint of fear. “Mon, love.” She placed a hand on his chest. “I know why you feel the way you do and you’re not wrong, but we don’t have time for this. Look.” With her free hand, she gestured above. The other Legionnaires weren’t far behind, with only an emerald wall keeping them from an atmosphere crowded with untold puffballs.

“What is Dkrtzy RRR?” Brainiac asked Sodam Yat as he landed by Mon-El’s side. The Coluan didn’t give his angry teammate even a sideways glance, trusting that Shadow Lass’s presence would soothe her lover. “I need to know precisely the danger we’re in, Yat.”

Sodam Yat gingerly touched the forcefield Brainiac had erected around him. “You can still leave,” the Daxamite instructed. “The collective will not follow you Legionnaires, and none of your powers will be proof against Dkrtzy RRR at any rate. Certainly this forcefield will be no obstacle.”

“Oh for--” Zoe lost her temper, throwing her hands up in the air. “Can you just answer one question directly??”

“Dkrtzy RRR is a biosentient mathematical equation,” Sodam replied calmly. “Once upon a time it was a Green Lantern, and it mindwiped the enemies of the Green Lantern Corps. But the equation is a degrading one...670 years ago, its sapience was finally lost and it was left only as a formula which indiscriminately destroyed the minds of all those it touched. Those of us Green Lanterns who still remained in the Corps at that time combined our rings to imprison Dkrtzy RRR within the segregated mind of the puffball collective. Each individual puffball is not sufficiently advanced to comprehend the nature of the entity, but together they possess the will to contain it...and I had gambled that they would be able to direct it as well if sufficiently provoked. I suppose we shall find out soon enough.”

“No, we will not.” Brainiac 5 turned to face the approaching army of puffballs. “If you’d not been so eager to isolate yourself from the rest of the universe, you might know that recently three Titanian scientists created what they termed a conceptual virus. I myself fell victim to this virus and once I recovered, I set to investigating what exactly it was that they had done. Their own artificial lifeform drew heavily from the centuries old work of a scientist named Timph Rye, and while history did not retain the name Dkrtzy RRR it is clear to me now that Dkrtzy RRR is indeed his creation.” The Legion’s leader floated up toward Zoe’s emerald wall. “Green Lantern, dissipate your barrier please.”

Zoe arched an eyebrow and looked at the elder Legionnaires for guidance. “Uhhh….”

“Brainiac, what are you planning?” Element Lad asked calmly.

“I possess the most advanced intellect in known space,” Brainiac 5 answered. “I am going to decode this entity before it has a chance to hurt anybody, and then we are going to take Sodam Yat into custody and leave this place.”

“You can’t--” Sodam exploded.

“Oh shut up,” Zoe rolled her eyes and used her own power to both reinforce and soundproof Brainiac’s forcefield around her former mentor. “Brainiac, are you sure about this?”

“That conceptual virus incapacitated you as much as anyone else it affected!” Shadow Lass protested. “If it was based on this...Dirkzy thing...what makes you think you’ll fare any better, Brainiac?”

“In recent days, I have rededicated myself to intellectual pursuits,” Brainiac 5 explained dryly. “If there is one thing that I can rely on, it is the power of my mind. Green Lantern; please.”

Zoe wasn’t sure she was doing the right thing, but she supposed she had to trust that the leader of the Legion of Superheroes did. She allowed the wall separating them from the puffballs to vanish, and soon Brainiac 5 was swallowed into their midst. They passed over him en route to Sodam, and it was only Zoe’s quick wit that had her extend a sheath around herself, Mwindaji, Element Lad, Shadow Lass and Mon-El to protect them from the wave of placidly moving creatures.

“Mon, I don’t like this.” Shadow Lass clung to her lover’s arm.

“I don’t either,” Mon-El agreed, having once again calmed down. “Judging by my x-ray vision Brainy seems fine in that ocean of puffballs, but if this is a purely psychic entity I won’t be able to see it anyway.”

Mwindaji cocked his head, visibly confused. “There was something else there,” he muttered, “Some presence of spirit which my tracking power recognised, but now...now that seems to be no more.”

Brainiac 5 appeared hovering just beyond Zoe’s bubble, and she expanded it to allow him entry while puffballs streamed around them. “Brainiac...what did you do?” Element Lad asked.

“It was an artificial construct,” their leader answered, “And I deconstructed it. The threat is over, Legionnaires. Let us gather Sodam Yat and depart this world.”

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, Nine Planets Ice Cream Parlor

ROLL CALL
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin:
dragon magic
Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy


Several hours after Zoe and the others returned from their mission, Xao Jin watched quietly bemused while she tucked into a monstrous multi-tiered ice cream concoction called The Nine Planets Solar System Special. As long as Xao had known her, Zoe Saugin had been able to eat food which would turn the stomach of half a dozen different alien races. He wondered if it was a result of her childhood spent tagging along with her archeologist mother to dozens of different worlds with their own unique cuisines.

“Are you sure you don’t want some?” She offered him a spoon of something frozen but paradoxically aflame. Outside of their Legion costumes, they looked like any other teenagers sharing a frozen treat together. “You gotta taste the Sunny Sol at least, it’s sprocking awesome!”

“No, thank you.” Xao smiled and held a hand up. “While I’m deeply impressed with your ability to out-eat anyone this side of Bismoll, I’m happy with my green tea shake.”

“Suit yourself,” she shrugged. “So anyway, after the thing with those weird puffball creatures Sodam kind of lost steam...it’s weird you know, I thought I’d never stop being angry at him for what he did to Neon but Mon-El was right; in the end he’s just kind of pitiful.”

“You’ve never been someone who holds on to anger,” Xao complimented his friend after he dabbed at his mouth with a napkin. “It’s a good trait to have; Madame Chu used to tell me that prolonged anger is a disease of the soul.”

“Still...I kind of wish we knew exactly what happened with Brainiac 5 and that Dkrtzy RRR creature.” Zoe gulped down a heaped spoonful of three different flavours mixed together. “Brainy’s not very forthcoming, is he? I mean I get he’s like a hundred times smarter than the rest of us put together but it’s kind of creepy how much like a robot he is.”

“Everybody follows their own path in their own way,” Xao deflected. “You should be proud of yourself, Zoe. You achieved what you wanted in bringing Sodam Yat to justice, and Green Lantern completed her first mission as a Legionnaire. We’ve had a lot of negativity occur recently, it’s nice for the Legion to have an unqualified success.”

“About that…” Zoe stepped away from her seat for a moment and there was a brief flash of emerald light which drew gasps from the other customers in the ice cream parlor. Her sleeveless modern pantsuit was replaced by a costume, though it wasn’t her Green Lantern costume. Her freckled face remained unmasked, and while her bodysuit retained a green and white color scheme her iconic Green Lantern symbol had been replaced with a glowing green star which seemed to revolve slowly in the centre of her chest. “You know, I don’t have the best association with the name Green Lantern. Sodam Yat wound up being a massive disappointment, and everyone I was friends with in the Green Lantern Corps died as collateral damage in Universo’s crazy scheme. There’s a legacy I want to carry on, but it’s not the legacy of the Green Lanterns….if there’s one name I’d be proud to carry on into the future with me, it’s my friend’s name who gave me this power. Can you call me Neon from now on?”

Xao Jin beamed. “I think I can do that. Welcome to the Legion of Superheroes, Neon!”

**********
EDITOR'S NOTES: Dkrtzy RRR and the Puffball Collective are both existing Green Lantern characters, check out the links for more info!

Also, for those who are unfamiliar with Sodam Yat's recent GL history in my fic...he had been creating a new GL Corps which included Zoe, but the Thunderers of Qward wiped out most of the new Corps and Sodam himself accidentally killed Celeste Rockfish aka Neon. Neon gave her own power to Zoe before passing away

Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Outlaw Sodam Yat - 08/21/17 07:17 AM
cool beans raz!

excellent characterization all around.

Xao 's indirectness in answering and directness in complimenting, Brainy deconstructing the math equation, Jan politely but firmly stopping the gossiping Tasmia, Tasmia's calming of Mon and stance against the no-power-duplication rule, Mon's righteous anger at Sodam Yat being such a whiner. Mwindaji's inexperience compared to Zoe's temper yet much greater team experience, which showed in battle (show, don't tell! you do that so well, having Brainy and Jan comment on her abilities and then show how capable she is in battle)

your use of two minor Green Lanterns brought a smile to my face, I always thought those two were among the more interesting GLs
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Outlaw Sodam Yat - 08/21/17 09:18 AM
Haha Sodam Yat is SUCH a whiner...I mean Atmos may be a dumpster fire of a person but at least he's entertaining; the only time I've ever seen Sodam Yat in a comic he's complaining about how hard life is for an immortal Superman with a Green Lantern ring, cry me a river tongue

I kinda fluctuated on whether I should make this a big epic confrontation or not, but like Xao said I think it's time for the heroes to get a relatively easy win. Thanks for commenting IB! laugh
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Outlaw Sodam Yat - 08/27/17 12:13 PM
So, you know when you've had a tough week and you just want to kick back in an infinity pool overlooking St Tropez and be fed grapes and mochitos in equal measure by studly staff, but then you remember you didn't buy a lottery ticket and haven't had any billionaire relatives die recently to leave you obscene amounts of money so you need to regain your equilibrium in another less lavish way? Yeah? You know that feeling? So, that's where my head is today and, instead of luxury holiday fantasies, I decided to catch up with the Bit's Forum and discovered that there another superb post I hadn't seen before to dive into - hoorah! Who needs pools in St Tropez? Not I when there's a great instalment to get sucked into...

Great start, you love the usually minor characters and give them such respect its really enjoyable to read. And you write Tenzil better than anyone else Raz, take a bow. The line about Gym'll having the same bedside manner as Brainy was a hoot. Poor Staq tough, I assume the parasite has potentially dangerous side effects (other than turning people into semi-dragons, of course), and hat's why Gym'll suggested removing it?

M'Windaji's naïve confidence and Zoe's uncertainty are well doe, as is Brainy's realisation that Gahiji's abilities compliment Dawnstar's. There easily is room on the team for two tackers, I believe. Bainy's thoughts on the faults of lesser intellects was fun, he's such a snob at heart smile Shady trying to gossip with jan was cute, she's used to having Tinya close by to do that to, and loved Jan closing down that conversation so smartly. Also nice that it's mirrored by Zoe and M'windaji.

The orange puffballs...I get he feeling they aren't so sweet.

Zoe's anger and Mon El's professional outlook were well highlighted, showing that even the best team player needs support sometimes. I knew the puffballs weren' t just there to be decorative - Dkrtzy RRR, okay, that's another first for me, I really don't know the GL corps at all so thank you for introducing me to all these new characters and concepts. Mon El reminding Sodam that he wasn't the only one t spend a thousand years alive was a great moment, and really highlighted the difference calibre of character between the two Daxamites. Sodam Yat whined - yes, he does that a lot. smile

Bad Ass Brainy saves the day again - I do love your take on him, so aloof and pragmatic appearing but with a subtle intellectual understanding of and consideration for his teammates.

Nice epilogue with Zoe and Xao eating out at an ice cream shop, like normal kids. Your Zoe is very mature taking on the name Neon, well done.

Great stuff Raz, looking forward to more, more, more!


Posted By: Omni Re: The Outlaw Sodam Yat - 09/03/17 12:28 AM
Good installment Raz!
Poor Staq! i wonder what he will do? give up everything or continue to change?

I liked the mission to find Sodam Yat. he is super whiny and i agree with everyone about how M'onel handled it. others have suffered and at his hands.
Loved the idea of the puff balls and all the green lantern stuff you've thrown in. You've shown so much about its mythos that i have never known about. i wonder if we'll ever see Dkrtzy RRR is a biosentient mathematical equation reconstituted? Imagine this and the conceptual virus together. or what if it regained its sapients?

Glad Zoe is sticking around and taking on the name Neon is a great way to honor her fallen friend.
Zoe and Xao are really good friends and it was a great way to end it.
Can't wait for more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Outlaw Sodam Yat - 09/06/17 12:33 PM
Thanks y'all, I am glad Zoe taking Neon's name was well received...I think it suits her personality more anyway, it's got a bit more pizzazz laugh

Mon and Sodam really are kinda like two sides of the same coin (especially considering how Mon-El got made a Green Lantern in the last Legion series as well!)...I have been waiting for an excuse to have them interact like this!

Thanks for your kind words re: Tenzil, Harbinger! He's definitely the most challenging to incorporate into a lot of standard combat stuff but I think his personality makes up for it...and we'll see very soon what one particular Legionnaire thinks about having two trackers on the team wink
Posted By: razsolo The Forever Soldiers! - 09/07/17 01:44 PM
MARS
El Dorado Dunes, Jym Grell Memorial Running Track

ROLL CALL
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent:
Legion intern, invulnerability
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation


Wearing only a two-piece strapless bikini, Laurel Kent’s indestructible body was covered in a sheen of sweat as she completed her fourth lap around an oval track. While the Legion of Superheroes’ headquarters was being repaired from a series of recent attacks, they’d needed to find somewhere else to continue their physical training and they were fortunate enough that the Jym Grell Memorial Track was only a minute or two away with their flight rings.

This running track was unique throughout all of Mars in that each of its ten running lanes had individually adjustable gravity fields for the benefit of athletes from different worlds. Laurel currently had her own track set at 1.25x Earth standard; with her invulnerability it never made her more than uncomfortable, but it meant she had to work harder for results.

“Hey, fancy seeing you here!” a familiar voice called out in greeting, and Laurel glanced to her left to see Dirk Morgna jogging up to meet her. He wore a yellow pair of shorts with red trim and a matching singlet, his instantly recognisable Sun Boy icon outlined in red on his singlet.

“Yeah, fancy that,” Laurel replied snarkily. “Since when do you like any physical exercise where you have to keep your clothes on?”

“Ouch!” the red-haired lothario gave an exaggerated expression of pain. “You wound me! You think I keep this bangin’ bod purely from bedroom gymnastics, Kent? There’s a lot of actual work that has to go into it too, you know.”

“Lotta cellular trim-ray treatments maybe,” Laurel rolled her eyes. She turned back to face her ex-lover with a cheeky smirk. “Race you to the finish line. Loser has to buy stimbevs later.”

“I hope you’ve got pockets in that thing,” Dirk grinned back, “Because I don’t think sass counts for currency on this planet.” He put on a burst of speed and bolted ahead, Laurel pushing herself to catch up.

**********
Half an hour later, both freshly showered and dressed, the man better known as Sun Boy and the teenager who would be Supergirl sat in a cafe filled with flowering plants from various worlds.

“Just so you know,” Laurel said grumpily, “My track was set to a higher gravity than yours.”

“Don’t voiceprint cheques you can’t cash,” Dirk replied smugly as he sipped at the drink Laurel had just paid for. After a moment of mutual silence, he spoke again. “So...Supergirl, huh?”

“Ugh, is that why you came to find me?” Laurel groaned. “All you Legionnaires have your own codenames, now you wanna take mine from me?”

“I’m not here to take anything,” Dirk Morgna answered. “I’m curious though, why did you choose that name?”

“Well it’s not being used anymore, is it?”

“Laurel.” Dirk’s tone grew more serious. “I know you like making waves, but Supergirl...the real Supergirl was more than just a teammate, she was a friend to all of us and a lot of Legionnaires have known Kara since we were younger than you. You’re going to piss a lot of people off with this, not least of all your teachers and Brainiac 5.”

Laurel sighed. “I know. I know that. And I know that she and I never really had anything to do with each other when she was here and I know how hokey this sounds, but she inspired me. I’ve been doing a lot of research into the superheroes in my family tree lately; Supergirl was the most powerful fem in the Legion but that’s not why people loved her...everyone loved her because she was such a good person. And then, the way things went at the end...the whole Satan Girl thing...you know, Superman has a whole sprocking museum dedicated to him, and the last thing anyone’s gonna remember now about Kara Zor-El is that she went bad and tried to kill all her friends. And it’s not fair, you know? I’ve seen the history holos. I know she’s gonna die in her own time before she ever has a chance to make her own legacy, but don’t you think she deserves a legacy?”

Dirk Morgna regarded Laurel with a thoughtful expression for a moment then had another drink of his stimbev, the slightest smile curling his lips.

“What??” Laurel demanded. “What’s that look for, Morgna?”

“Nothing,” he replied nonchalantly. A second later, he broke out into a full smile.

“...Good answer, Kent.”

**********
ZUUN
Somewhere over the Ebonene Sea


ROLL CALL

Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn:
magnetism
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar-range tracking
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength & super-agility
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being



Led by Dawnstar, five Legionnaires soared high over the roiling black waves of Zuun’s Ebonene Sea. A hundred feet below the heroes in waters which looked far too grease-slicked and violent to bear life, the occasional megashark fin or a school of vibrant fish broke the surface as though to remind these visitors that as strange as it may be, life did thrive in the polluted waters here. The sun rose over the horizon, turning the hazy skies almost blood red and erasing the few stars bright enough to shine their dim faraway light all through the Zuun night. Dawnstar’s power had brought them all here on the hunt for a rare genesample which had been stolen recently from the far off world of Cadmu, but now that they were actually within Zuun’s atmosphere she found she needed to concentrate a lot harder to keep the sample’s trail.

“Are you okay, Dawny?” Wildfire asked, noticing the tightness in her elegant features. “If you’re having trouble with the smog, your transuit might--”

“It’s no trouble,” Dawnstar replied perhaps a little bluntly. “I can survive in the vacuum of space, Drake - atmospheric pollutants are not going to harm me. Still, it doesn’t make this world any less vile to navigate.”

“Yeah, times like this I don’t miss having a human respiratory system,” Wildfire responded. “I can see how toxic it is, yeesh.”

“If you’re done disparaging Timber Wolf’s homeworld, Legionnaires--” Cosmic Boy began to chastise his teammates before Timber Wolf cut him off.

“Don’t sweat it, Cos.” Brin Londo seemed utterly nonplussed. “This place has always been a dump, I’m not gonna start being precious about it now.”

“I’m just annoyed our mystery thief is here of all places,” Lightning Lass muttered. “I didn’t exactly have the time of my life last time I was here, let’s finish tracking down this nasshead and get out of here!”

“You may have the opportunity to vent your frustration sooner than expected, Lightning Lass.” Dawnstar pointed toward the horizon with an elegant gesture. “It seems we have company, Legionnaires.”

Following Dawnstar’s lead, the heroes soon saw two slender missiles rocketing toward them. “Well I guess that confirms we’re on the right track if there was ever any doubt,” Lightning Lass remarked. She flew ahead slightly and waited for the missiles to come within a couple hundred feet before she unleashed a bolt of lightning at one of them. The armament exploded instantly, the shockwave sending Ayla tumbling through the crimson skies.

“Ayla!” Timber Wolf cried out with instinctive concern.

“Wolf, she’s just a little dazed,” Wildfire reassured him. “Still, let me take care of that second bad boy.” He left a blazing trail behind him as he flew straight into the second missile, unleashing anti-energy from outstretched fists just before impact and careening unscathed through the resulting explosion.

“Show off,” Lightning Lass teased as she righted herself and joined the others once more. “Can you tell where they came from, Dawny?”

“Of course,” Dawnstar answered immediately. “In fact, we should be grateful. This attack has helped draw my focus to our quarry more clearly. Legionnaires, follow me.” She veered down at an acute angle with unnatural grace and flew toward a chain of small islands. Most of them were uninhabited by anything more than Zuun’s hardy animal life, but one of the larger rocks housed some kind of heavily fortified windowless structure.

“I don’t think that’s meant to be there,” Timber Wolf observed.

“You think?” Ayla mocked him. “It’s the only building we’ve seen since we cleared the equator, Brin.” As she spoke, a panel opened up in the roof and two more missiles rocketed toward them. “And there’s our final proof.”

Her fists once again crackled with electrical energy, but Cosmic Boy interjected before Ayla could fire. “They may have sent something more powerful this time, let me take care of these. Can you and Wildfire work on getting us inside, Lightning Lass?”

Work on it?” Wildfire parroted. “Grife Cos, you make it sound like it’s gonna be difficult.” While Cosmic Boy’s magnetism latched on to the missiles and sent them zooming high into the Zuunian stratosphere, a two-fisted blast of anti-energy from Wildfire trashed the base’s missile platform and gave the team a convenient entry point.

“Now you’re just being obnoxious,” Lightning Lass poked her tongue out. “You want to leave something for the rest of us to do, Drake?”

“Ask and ye shall receive,” Wildfire retorted dryly. “Check it out.” As he set foot on the narrow island’s shore, a horde of faceless humanoids poured out of the building from the hole he’d made. They were salmon pink and each one of them were devoid of any individual features.

“Androids,” Timber Wolf growled, launching himself into the throng of artificial foes. “I hate androids!” He bowled a couple of the closer automatons over and grabbed the head of one with both hands. When he tried to yank its head off though, Brin Londo was surprised to find that it simply stretched like putty in his grip.

“They’re made of some kind of rubber or something,” Lightning Lass noted. “My blasts aren’t slowing them down at all!” To illustrate her point, electricity arced harmlessly over two of the giant pink fighters.

“There’s not nearly enough ferrous material for me to be able to affect them either,” Cosmic Boy added. Both his arms were stretched out before him, but he might as well be trying to shoot lightning himself for all the good it did. “Give me a second though and I can use the metal in this place’s walls to corral them.”

“I think not,” a raspy woman’s voice opposed the Legion founder. Before Rokk could see more than a glimpse of his new opponent, he was enveloped in a cocoon of hyper-elongated limbs. He felt a rib crack under the crushing pressure and cried out in pain, struggling to find anything metallic in his foe’s costume that he could use against her.

“Who the sprock are you?” Lightning Lass demanded. The woman currently squeezing the life out of Cosmic Boy was clearly a Jaquaan. She had the same enlarged cranium, warty complexion and three arms as the few other Jaquaans Ayla had met, but her skin was a deep red color rather than the standard purple. Ayla had considered blasting her away from Rokk but she could see only one of two outcomes; either the woman’s natural elasticity would protect her, or she’d conduct any electrical attack through to Cosmic Boy as well.

The woman’s bald head twisted on a serpentine neck around Cosmic Boy’s torso to face Lightning Lass. “You can call me Ruby Rogue,” she grinned wickedly. Ayla winced as she heard Rokk groan from beneath inches of red flesh. “I see your friends are engaged with Gar Lao’s plastoids, and you’re about to become acquainted with my fellow Forever Soldiers Medulon and Silverback.”

The hairs on Ayla’s neck stood on end as she became aware of a presence floating above her. She looked up to see what seemed to be an oversized brain floating inside a transparent sphere filled with mucous liquid. Thin hair-like tendrils grew out of the sphere, waving in the breeze like seaweed in an ocean current. “Which one are you?” Ayla challenged the hovering brain.

<For the benefit of my allies, I have assumed the name Medulon> a shrill telepathic voice echoed through Ayla’s skull. <It is within my power to reduce you to my mind-slave for the rest of your miserable existence, but the resourcefulness of the Legion of Superheroes is well known to the Brain Globes of Rambat...best to simply end you!>

Ayla prepared to fire upon the bizarre alien, but an animalistic roar distracted her. Lightning Lass turned to see an enormous chrome gorilla coming straight at her, using the mob of plastoids as a launch pad. Her eyes widened in fear, but before she could make a move there was another more familiar growl and Timber Wolf tackled the primate in mid-air. The two careened back into the sea of plastoids, soon lost in a sea of pink synthetic men. Lightning Lass turned back to Medulon and was utterly confounded when her power simply refused to be unleashed.

<My vastly superior cerebrum has removed your access to the only advantage you possessed> Medulon bragged, <...and now while Silverback and the plastoids defeat the one named Timber Wolf physically I will destroy your mind, Lightning Lass!>

Ayla Ranzz screamed between clenched teeth as her world exploded into spasms of pain.

**********
Of all the Legionnaires, Wildfire was having the least trouble dealing with his foes. Though they were strong the plastoids couldn’t come anywhere near his own might, and their elastic nature was no defence against anti-energy. Drake Burroughs had to admit he was even enjoying the opportunity to unleash against unliving opponents for a change, but he realised that the longer they delayed him here the more chance their true target would have time to escape. “Dawny, are you having any luck finding our guy yet?” Wildfire asked as he tore another half-dozen of the artificial army apart with a wide blast.

“No,” she admitted from her vantage point floating above the reach of the plastoids. “The genesample is within this complex, but I cannot isolate its location any more precisely than that.”

“Too bad that Mwindaji kid’s not here,” Wildfire remarked casually between anti-energy bursts. “Maybe the two of you working together--”

“Tracking is not a group activity,” Dawnstar said coolly. “There is no more I could accomplish were some untested newcomer present, Wildfire. Fortunately for me I suppose, I have uses to this team aside from just finding things.”

Wildfire recognised instantly what he heard in Dawnstar’s tone and couldn’t help but laugh. “Dawny, you’re not jealous are you? Feeling a little territorial, huh? ...Dawny?” She’d already left his presence and he shook his head in frustration. “...Ah, crap.” He blasted another wave of the seemingly endless plastoids, wondering how it could possibly be that blowing things to pieces was always easier than being able to just have a civil conversation with the woman he loved.

For her part, Dawnstar was already focused on the next task she had set herself. She had noticed Cosmic Boy had overcome his initial disorientation at Ruby Rogue’s assault; he’d found metal fibres somewhere and was now engaged in a fierce face-off with the Jaquaan villainess. A hastily patched together net of wires surrounded him and kept her at bay, but this wasn’t a natural use of Rokk Krinn’s magnokinesis. This kind of fine control didn’t come easy to him, and any observer could see that it was only a matter of time until Ruby Rogue overcame his constantly shifting defences. Indeed, she had had just found an opening and she drew one of her arms back whip-like to take advantage of it. Before she could strike, Dawnstar grabbed her extended forearm and flew off at incredible speed. By the time Ruby Rogue had even noticed the tugging sensation, Dawnstar had knotted her arm several times around a group of plastoids.

“You--” the Jaquaan began, forming a fist with one of her two free hands. Dawnstar plucked that out of the sky as well and lassoed another group of the artificial warriors in less time than it took Ruby Rogue to utter her next word.

“Thanks for taking some of the heat off me, Dawnstar.” With less of the plastoids swarming around him now, Timber Wolf grabbed Silverback by the scruff of his neck and flew high enough to clear the synthetic mob.

“You should be more scared of Silverback than plastoids!” the gorilla raged. He reached up with long powerful arms and gripped on to Timber Wolf’s shoulders, flipping himself around so he was straddling Brin Londo’s back. With frightening speed, massive teeth closed on the nape of the Legionnaire’s neck.

Just as quickly, Timber Wolf sent one elbow flying back to smash his foe’s jaw. “You know, you’re almost as fast as me,” Brin complimented him. “And you’re almost as agile and almost as strong...but you know what they say, almost only counts in moopsball and plasma grenades.” While Silverback reeled from the blow to his face, Timber Wolf used his flight ring to abruptly spin to the left. The sudden motion unseated the gorilla, and Brin Londo grabbed him before he could fall more than a few inches. In a blinding motion, the Legionnaire swung his enemy around in a circle and launched him straight at Medulon.

Silverback hit Medulon with enough force to send both villains flying back several metres, and the effect on Lightning Lass was dramatic. With Medulon distracted, his assault on Ayla ceased and her face contorted now in anger rather than agony. “Let’s see how you like your brain being fried, creep!” She let loose with a bolt of lightning that arced across both Silverback and Medulon, and both of them were reduced to unconsciousness almost immediately.

Whereas Medulon hung motionless in the air with his fibrous appendages laying limp against his outer casing, Silverback dropped like a rock. Timber Wolf grabbed the falling gorilla and hurled him into the few remaining plastoids, scattering them even while they cushioned Silverback’s fall. “You okay, Ayla?” Brin Londo asked.

“I haven’t had a headache like this since Validus,” Lightning Lass gripped her temples, “But I’ll survive.” She spared him a weak smile. “Thanks for the save.”

Timber Wolf took on an uncommonly sheepish expression, but before he could say anything a tremendous crashing noise from below caught the attention of both of them. An enormous humanoid robot had crashed through what was left of the island base, closing on Wildfire faster than one might presume something so large could act. The construct was easily twenty feet tall, composed of a charcoal grey metal punctuated by glowing red lights across its torso. One round crimson lens glared menacingly from its head like that of an angry cyclops.

Wildfire squared up against the newcomer without hesitation. “Are these guys called the Forever Soldiers because they keep on coming?” he asked sardonically. “Not that it matters, this bucket of bolts can go down just like its plastic buddies did.” He swung both arms around to face the robot and unleashed a dual gauntlet blast of anti-energy that would have decimated most foes. Surprising all of the Legionnaires, the robot didn’t even break stride.

“Your power might impress others,” the mechanical behemoth’s harsh voice boomed, “But my casing is composed of self-regenerating inertron, Legionnaire. Even if you had a chance of penetrating my defences, they’d heal before you could do any real damage. Let’s see if the same can be said of you!" Swiftly the robot reached out with one three-pronged hand, grabbed Wildfire by the torso and squeezed.

“Wildfire!” Dawnstar’s eyes grew wide as she cried out his name.

“It can’t hurt me, Dawny!” Wildfire struggled valiantly against the grip of his stronger opponent. “You all better clear out of here though, it just might be strong enough to rupture my containment suit!”

“No!” the winged heroine circled the construct, making sure to keep out its reach. “Wildfire, now that I am this close I can sense it clearly...the genesample I have tracked here, it is inside that thing! Whoever this villain may be, they are in some sense alive in there!”

“Of course I am alive!” the metallic monstrosity threw its head back and laughed, an inhuman sound. “I am Immortus, and I had already lived far beyond the limitations of any flesh when I learned that Cadmu possessed the one thing which could extend my lease on life even further! This DNA which has been combined with my own was sourced from a long dead metahuman with the rare gift to turn his own mortal body into metal shrapnel...it was the final key I needed to become a truly unstoppable galactic conquering force!” While he crowed, Immortus simply ignored further energy blasts from the Legionnaire still held tightly in his grip.

“Well, you’ve already got the exposition part of being a supervillain down pat,” Lightning Lass quipped, “Let’s see if we can help you with the part where your stupid plan inevitably fails.” Realising that she’d have no better luck than Wildfire in trying to directly harm Immortus, Ayla decided to try something else. Her face screwed up in concentration as tendril-like branches of electricity snaked forth from her fingers and danced over Immortus’ armour. She knew Wildfire’s own containment suit was insulated enough that this wouldn’t damage it, but she was hoping that she’d be able to short circuit something within his assailant’s inertron shell and shut down Immortus where he stood.

“Internal alarms sounding,” the villain noted with casual curiosity. “I don’t actually think you’d be able to penetrate my protective measures fully, but why take the risk?” He swung wide the arm that held Wildfire, flinging Drake Burroughs into the Winathian heroine and knocking her out instantly.

“Ayla!” Timber Wolf bellowed her name, charging the inertron beast. Predictably, he bounced off of Immortus’s casing without even grazing it.

Immortus turned and took a step toward the fighting mad Legionnaire, then abruptly froze in place. “What the--how are you doing this?!” he exploded.

“He’s not,” Cosmic Boy’s voice joined the discourse. “I am.”

Naked from the waist up, the Braalian hero descended to land between Immortus and Timber Wolf. Further away, Ruby Rogue struggled fruitlessly against webbing Rokk had constructed from the metallic fibres of his own costume while she simultaneously tried to free herself from Dawnstar’s earlier ensnarements. “Ruby Rogue’s a tricky one,” Cosmic Boy continued, “But once Dawnstar helped me gain the advantage it was only a matter of time till I defeated her. And you, Immortus...you might be a juggernaut of destruction but you’re a metal juggernaut of destruction. You never stood a chance.”

“Damn you, Legionnaires!” Immortus ranted impotently. “You’ve not heard the last of Immortus and his Forever Soldiers!”

In Wildfire’s arms, Lightning Lass stirred. “...Izzat new costume, Cos..?” she slurred. “...I like it.” She gave him a giddy thumbs up and immediately passed out again.

Cosmic Boy blushed a furious crimson shade and cleared his throat. “Come on Legionnaires…

...Let’s go home.”

**********

EDITOR’S NOTES:
* Y’all may remember that the genesample in question was stolen by Atta a very short while ago
* Jaquaans of course are the same race that gave us Dr Gym’ll and Variable Lad
* I based Silverback on an idea of Set's, so thanks! laugh

Posted By: Omni Re: The Forever Soldiers! - 09/08/17 02:09 PM
Raz, This was another really good installment and good small mission for the team.

I liked how you show case Laurel and Dirk's past just through how they interact. Both still attracted to each other but knowing it wouldn't work. they are playful in a different way than some of the other couples/former couples. Also i find it funny just how clear you make it that both of these characters have always kind of been sex symbols of the Legion. good work.

Also good work explaining why she chose Supergirl as her code name. still not thrilled but good answer!

The mission to Zunn is good and each team member worked well.
I like that Brin didn't care about his world being dumped on. its nice to see that he's like most people and hates where they grew up. although i know its for much more than just growing up on Zunn. Immortus was a fun villian. If he was a little smarter i could have seen it turning into a much bigger battle.
Are his soldier's immortal as well?

Dawnstar's reaction to another tracker was exactly what i expected from her. i honestly have never liked her and you continue to up hold that and not for your stories. From what i've read here and in the comics your characterization is spot on. i just don't like her.

Ayla and Brin's banter was really well done.

In Wildfire’s arms, Lightning Lass stirred. “...Izzat new costume, Cos..?” she slurred. “...I like it.” She gave him a giddy thumbs up and immediately passed out again.

Cosmic Boy blushed a furious crimson shade and cleared his throat. “Come on Legionnaires…

That part made me laugh out loud. loved it.

Can't wait for what comes next.
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Forever Soldiers! - 09/08/17 04:41 PM
What a nice, fun, done-in-one outing! heh, new costume. I like that Cos' costume is metallic - of course it is.

Dawny IS jealous!

Laurel gave a good answer for taking the Supergirl name. Laughed at her quip about Dirk's physical activity
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Forever Soldiers! - 09/10/17 01:40 PM
Thanks y'all! The Forever Soldiers will pop up again probably sooner rather than later so you'll get to find out a little more about them smile Immortus himself is taken from the last volume of Legion comics, but the others are my own creations (though to be fair Silverback was really Set's character that I stole)

Omni, I totally get you on your dislike for Dawnstar too....she was always one of my least favourite Legionnaires, but I have found a new appreciation for her since writing her; I have got some long term plans coming up for her that should hopefully give her a bit more depth as a character. I think of her as the Legionnaire with maybe the most undeveloped potential to be honest, there's so much about her that's never really been touched on which could be rich story material.

I am glad you liked Laurel and Dirk too...their circumstances do kind of lend themselves to having a fairly unique relationship among the various couples and ex-couples of the Legion smile
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Forever Soldiers! - 09/10/17 06:11 PM
Hey Raz, that was another great post.

I really enjoyed the Dirk and Laurel scene, as you said, their history and characters make them quite unique within the team to have these flirtatious/serious conversations. And I agree that Laurels answer was good, nice to see she isn't just being a brat but has a real reason for taking on Kara's name.

The second story was good but I felt a little bit disappointed at its quick resolution, but then when you have someone on the team who can track across space it doesn't leave much room for bait and switch storylines. Loads of good character moments, from Brin announcing he hates androids to Ayla's painful experience at the hands (tendrils?) of Medulon but being tough enough to react when she had the opportunity. I think Rokks new look is a natural extension after his bustiere from back in the day.

All good stuff Raz and I'm looking forward to more, more, more!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Forever Soldiers! - 09/10/17 06:46 PM
Meant to say, your Dawnstar is great. Her focus and snobbery/insecurity are very well done with just the right amount decency to stop us from warming to her.
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Forever Soldiers! - 09/12/17 09:56 AM
Originally Posted by Harbinger
I think Rokks new look is a natural extension after his bustiere from back in the day.

I was actually trying to come up with a way to have his partially unravelled costume look like his famous fashion-forward bustiere but it's kinda hard to describe its gloriousness without visual accompaniment so I just went with leaving him shirtless laugh laugh
Posted By: Fat Cramer Re: The Forever Soldiers! - 09/18/17 09:57 AM
It's good to see a forgotten character like Iris Jacobs transformed into a viable personality. I wonder if there will be any longer-term effects from the hole in her heart.

I don't know if Elastic Lad is worse than Grava, but he's right up there with best taken in small doses!

Arquia's confusion is well presented. I really had a sense of her panic at not knowing what was going on.

Love the little touches like "the annoying one who eats things", Shady's gossip and Jan's rebuff.

Dirk and Laurel's scene established their good friendship; Dirk is the perfect one to ask her directly about the Supergirl name. It's interesting that she said she wanted to honour the legacy rather than emulate the goodness; Laurel will still be Laurel, but working to embody the ideals of Supergirl.

I liked that Dawnstar is not impeded by pollutants. IIRC, in Legion Lost II, the pollution confused her tracking powers to some degree.

Medulan disrupted Ayla's power; I don't recall that Saturn Girl ever did that in the comic, but it makes so much sense.

Looks like those puff-balls may be riled up over Sodam Yat! Looking forward to the rest of the story!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Forever Soldiers! - 09/24/17 12:15 PM
Thanks for the comments, FC - and good pick-up on Laurel, hopefully I can show how she approaches being a hero without just making her a 2nd rate Kara smile

I didn't know that about Dawnstar, I only really got the first couple issues of Legion Lost though - it's interesting that pollutants would bother her, though I guess her tracking power has never really been super well explored in general...

Re Ayla's fight - I had Saturn Girl do the same thing with Lightning Lord once as well...if I was a telepath, I'd be blocking bad guys' power access left, right & centre lol
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

ROLL CALL
Chemical Kid aka Hadru Jamik:
Legion Academy student; control of chemical reactions
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: Legion Academy student; acid venom, fire breath
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: Legion intern; invulnerability


“...So then what did you do?” Hadru Jamik quizzed his classmate as the two teenagers rounded a corner in one of the many corridors their school shared with their parent organisation.

“Are you kidding?” Marya Pai scoffed. “I was all -- hey!” She stopped mid-stream, having seen another of the Academy’s students pacing the corridor ahead. “Kent! What are you doing out here? I thought you’d be in there sucking up to the Legion!” She cast a thumb at a closed door, beyond which the Legion of Superheroes were having one of their regular meetings. As the team’s sole intern, Laurel Kent was expected to sit in on all general Legion assemblies but instead she seemed to be intent on wearing a hole in the floor out here.

Laurel brushed a streak of vivid red hair from her eye and made quotation marks with her fingers. “They’re deciding what to do with me apparently. I knew calling myself Supergirl would cause some friction, but it was like Earthwar 2 in there! Brainiac 5 kicked me out so they could have a vote on whether I should lose my internship or not. I don’t get it, they’ve already got a sprocking Kid Computo! You’d think that’d be the platinum standard for bad taste in codenames, right?”

Chemical Kid and Dragonwing exchanged bemused glances. “Does invulnerability make your brain super-dense or something?” Chemical Kid guffawed. “What did you expect would happen?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Laurel challenged him.

“Everyone knows that hypernerd is carrying a torch for Supergirl the size of Marsopolis!” Dragonwing rolled her eyes. “Of course he’s gonna be mad at you! You better hope Coluans don’t hold a grudge, cuz they live for a looong time, girl!”

“No, that’s the weird thing!” Laurel shook her head vigorously. “Brainiac 5 wasn’t the one who got mad….in fact, he didn’t have any kind of reaction at all! He just booted me out so he could try and get everyone to stop bickering about it!”

“Oh!” Dragonwing was momentarily taken aback, but shrugged it off. “...Coluans are so weird.”

“Preach,” Chemical Kid nodded sagely.

**********
On the other side of heavily fortified doors and a privacy field, the Coluan in question seemed to be staring blankly into space while twentythree other Legionnaires engaged in fiery debate before him. In reality, he was taking in everything; not only their words, but their body language, personality traits they’d shown over and over again and consideration of internal cliques and rivalries in which they each took part among other things.

This discussion was really the least important part of the process for Brainiac 5, he was already entirely confident how each person in this room would vote. While they shouted over one another though, it gave him time to check on every other datastream flickering through his heavily modified pod console. The Forever Soldiers were safely in custody and the five Legionnaires who’d captured them were en route home. Chlorophyll Kid was leading his first team mission responding to a request for help from his homeworld. Dream Girl had taken her own mission to Titan following a mysterious call from a Legion ally. Infectious Lass, Invisible Kid and Light Lad were currently navigating the strict quarantine around Somahtur without incident. Twelve open Science Police cases Brainiac 5 had deemed worthy of observation looked like they were not currently in need of direct intervention from the Legion of Superheroes. Brainiac 5 processed these thoughts and many others while his teammates argued, but as he chanced to look upon a despondent Fire Lad he knew there was one problem he wanted to devote some conscious analysis to as soon as possible so it was time to rein things in.

“Legion!” he commanded in a tone calculated to be the exact level of assertion necessary to get his team’s attention. “We have debated this long enough, I will ask you all to cast your votes now as to whether Laurel Kent should be demoted from her internship or not.”

Mwindaji leaned across to Shrinking Violet, both of them furthest from the Legion’s Coluan leader. “Shrinking Violet,” he whispered, “Excuse me please but I do not understand. On Kirinyaga it is seen as a gesture of great respect to take the name of a hero who has passed. Is not the same true throughout the rest of the United Planets?”

“It’s not that simple,” Vi replied patiently. “Laurel has never been the kind of person to treat traditions like that with a lot of reverence...she’s only doing it to get a reaction, and it’s in very poor taste to be honest. Supergirl was a friend and inspiration to all of us, the fact that Laurel Kent thinks she can take her name now of all times shows just how little she deserves to be a Legionnaire.”

“I disagree,” Shadow Lass announced a little too loudly, having overheard the hushed conversation. Heads turned at the sound of Tasmia’s raised voice while Mon-El placed a hand on her shoulder. “If anything, it shows how much Laurel’s grown since she came out of that stasis tube. Who are we to tell the descendant of Kal-El that she can’t carry on Supergirl’s mantle? I know that we all miss Supergirl, but that doesn’t give us more of a right to her legacy than the closest person she has to a descendant!”

“You’re overselling it, Shadow Lass.” This was Polar Boy, leaning back in his seat with his arms folded. “I get why you’d be in favour of it with your whole hereditary Shadow Champion thing, but come on - do you really think some kid from the Academy has put that much thought into it? I don’t think we need to take away her internship but--”

“Hey!” Nightwind piped up. “For someone who spent half his life leading a group called the Legion of Substitute Heroes, you might want to be careful where you’re throwing stones buddy! There’s nothing wrong with the Legion Academy!”

“There’s nothing wrong with the Legion of Substitute Heroes either!” Polar Boy snapped back as his posture straightened.

“Legion!” Brainiac 5 raised his voice once more. “Enough! I have actual work to attend to, as do many others in this room! The time for conversation has passed, I’ll ask you all to vote now please.”

“Actually, Brainy..?” Sun Boy stood and raised his hand. “Before we take that vote, I’d like to suggest an alternative if you don’t mind. Hear me out…”

**********
SOMAHTUR
1476 miles above the planetary surface, Science Police Quarantine Station Alpha

ROLL CALL
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt:
disease transmission and immunity
Invisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control


Jacques Foccart stood facing the hull of the Legion’s cruiser. While the vessel didn’t have physical windows, realtime ultra-high definition feed from external cameras could be projected on any of its internal surfaces to present the illusion of an open view outside the ship. Right now Jacques was looking at the transparent polymer screen which surrounded Somahtur, and beyond that the milky grey waters of the oceans below.

“This is your first time here too, right?”

Jacques turned to see his teammate Light Lad approaching. “Oui,” the second Invisible Kid nodded. “I must confess, I did not expect to face such adversity upon our arrival. We have been in negotiations with the Science Police for nearly 45 minutes now attempting to bypass Somahtur’s security screen.”

“Well, yeah, it’s not really that surprising.” Darvan Locke stood beside his teammate and gazed down upon the world below. “Don’t forget, most Somahturians don’t have the control of their abilities that Drura does. The quarantine guidelines here are super strict, but there’s a reason they’re strict. We saw with the conceptual virus what can happen when someone takes advantage of a Somahturian’s natural symbiosis with viruses and bacteria.”

“I see your point.” Jacques joined Darvan in looking down upon the planet. “If I am to be honest, I am somewhat anxious about the reception we may face on Somahtur. Drura did not seem tres enthused with the idea of my accompaniment.”

“She’s probably just anxious herself,” Light Lad clapped a hand on Invisible Kid’s shoulder. “Kent was saying this is the first time she’s been back home since she left to join the Legion of Superheroes in the first place. It’s always nerve-wracking bringing your partner back to your hometown, let alone when you haven’t been there for a while yourself.”

“Oui,” Jacques nodded. “I am certain you are correct. Thank you, Light Lad.” He smiled up at his Winathian comrade, but he couldn’t help but feel there was more to it than that. He supposed he’d just have to wait till they finally made their way through this tedious quarantine station to the world that lay beyond.

**********
On the bridge of the same cruiser, Drura Sehpt surreptitiously muted an open communications channel and addressed Dr Richard Kent Shakespeare sitting by her side directly while they waited for the quarantine station’s Science Police to conclude their investigation into Kent’s medical credentials. “Thanks again for asking Light Lad to come,” she smiled. “It’s so silly that Jacques is jealous of you, I mean the only reason we’re even going to Somahtur in the first place is to escort poor Durran Mahn’s body back to his family; it’s not like I’m stealing you away for a romantic getaway!”

“I suppose love makes people act silly sometimes,” Kent returned his friend’s smile. “You’re very welcome though, if I have to spend a few days with Darvan to help you out that’s a burden I can manage. Never mind that though, I’m confident Jacques will come around to me sooner or later. How are you feeling about coming back to Somahtur after all this time away?”

Drura sighed. “Honestly? I’m honoured to be able to personally make sure Durran is returned to the Husatic Seas, but I haven’t seen my family for an awfully long time. I know they weren’t happy about me leaving Somahtur all those years ago, I’m worried about how they’re going to react when I finally come home and I’m going out with a Terran...and I’m more worried that Somahtur is going to prove too much for Jacques to take on. It’s one thing to accept that your girlfriend is a walking disease factory when you only really ever see that as a weird superpower, it’s going to be a totally different thing when he sees what my world is actually like and what it really means to be Somahturian.”

“Jacques does love you,” Kent replied. “Anyone can see that. He might have to get used to some culture shock, but I think it’ll be good for him to see where you came from...and you know, I think this trip will be good for you too Drura.”

“I suppose,” she answered with somewhat less certainty. She thought about her parents and her siblings she’d not seen in so many years. They had never understood why Drura had felt the urge to leave behind the only home she’d ever known for the life of danger and insecurity she’d chosen in its place. In truth, she’d not had any contact with Somahtur at all until after her lengthy sojourn in Earth’s 21st Century. When she’d returned from her exile to Earth’s past she had been overcome with a desire to make amends with her own past. She’d called her family, and she’d been disappointed but not surprised to find that her relationship with them had been strained almost past the point of any repair at all. There had been improvement since then, but it was painstakingly slow and Drura wasn’t at all convinced either she or her family were ready for a face to face meeting yet, Still, what choice did she have? She knew she wouldn’t have been able to live with herself if she came back to Somahtur and didn’t at least try to see them.

“Dr Shakespeare? We’re ready for you to enter the quarantine station.” The Science Police officer’s voice was tinny and sharp, and it startled Drura out of her introspection. She quickly unmuted the channel and replied with thanks, and Kent made his way to the airlock to begin the next time-consuming step of this visit to his friend’s homeworld.

**********
More than four hours later Drura Sehpt was finally unpacking in the room she’d been assigned at the Science Police’s headquarters in Aficuhr, Somahtur’s capital city. She was alone; Invisible Kid, Light Lad and Kent Shakespeare each had their own rooms in a segregated dormitory for off-worlders. The Science Police had refused to allow any of the men to share a room due to the risk of cross-contamination were any of them to fall ill; they would have been horrified to know that Jacques was actually sleeping with a Somahturian so Drura had decided it was prudent to keep that particular relationship a secret for now.

The room was comfortable, but it was a comfortable cage; there were no windows and an opaque forcefield barred the doorway. The four travellers had needed to submit a log of their expected movements for the three days they were staying here and while they were free to change these plans at any time, Drura was the only one of them who could do so without a Science Police escort. She also had to wear a transuit while she was here, a restrictive measure to which all four of them had to consent in order to prevent any possible transmission of disease. All in all, Drura’s homecoming so far had been about as welcoming as she’d expected. Her flight ring breeped at her, and Jacques’ hushed voice sounded out. “Drura...open the entry field, ma chere.”

“What..?” Confused, she nonetheless entered a command at a wall-mounted console and the field flickered off. “Jacques, what’s going on?” she asked into her ring. When she received no response, she poked her head out into the corridor. It was empty to the left and right so she shrugged her shoulders and switched the field back on again, then almost screamed when he appeared right in front of her. “Jacques!” she hissed. “What are you doing here??”

“I thought you would be happy to see me!” he retorted, slightly hurt. “It took me some time to leave my room without being detected and to find you.”

“Do you know what kind of trouble we’ll be in if anybody finds out you’re here?” she snapped. “The only reason Kent was allowed through quarantine is because of his history with me and because he was the only doctor in attendance when we found Durran Mahn’s body! You and Light Lad are Legionnaires and we still had to practically beg for you both to be allowed planetside! This isn’t a game, Jacques!”

Jacques held Drura’s arms gently. The transuits given to them at the quarantine station were made of a synthetic polymer unlike the flight ring-generated fields the heroes were accustomed to, and they crinkled as they brushed against one another. “I have upset you,” he realised. “Drura, I am sorry. But I came to Somahtur because I wanted to see where you came from and to be with you at a difficult time. I want to be here for you, I cannot do that trapped in a tiny room in another building.”

You came here because you couldn’t stand the idea of me being alone with one of my oldest friends for a week, she thought bitterly. Surprised at her own reaction, she flinched involuntarily. “I’m sorry I snapped,” she said quietly. “But Jacques, this is partially why I was reluctant to invite you along. Somahtur...it’s not like other UP worlds. There’s a different standard of behaviour that’s expected, different rules in place. You can’t just roam around when and wherever you want, it’s not safe.”

“Drura,” Jacques tried to explain, “I am a Legionnaire. I have been a Legionnaire for longer than you--”

“I’m not scared you’ll get injured!” She yanked herself free of his grasp and paced the room. “You’re on a planet of disease-carriers, most of whom have never seen a sick person in their life! Nobody here has any control of their ability because they’ve never had to control it! And even assuming your transuit doesn’t get damaged and you don’t get accidentally infected with some virus your immune system can’t handle, do you have any idea how much progress you’d set back if you were seen wandering around without an SP escort? As strict as Somahtur’s quarantine regulations are now, it wasn’t that long ago that offworlders weren’t allowed on my planet at all! If I’d tried to come back here a few years ago, I would never have been allowed to leave again! You being here right now is jeopardising all of that!”

Jacques bowed his head in shame. “I see. Drura, I am sorry...I have been selfish and reckless. The last thing I could ever want is to upset you, I will go back to my quarters.”

Instantly regretful, Drura’s heart sank. She reached out to touch her lover when her flight ring sounded again and broke the mood. “Drura,” Kent Shakespeare’s voice filled the room, “I just wanted to know if you’re ready to go meet with Durran Mahn’s family? I did one more run through on the autopsy report, I think it’s as complete as it’s ever going to be.”

“Kent…” Infectious Lass gave Invisible Kid an imploring look.

“Go,” Jacques said just loud enough for her to hear. “I understand.”

The pretty Somahturian girl sighed. “...Sure. Give me ten minutes to change clothes and I’ll meet you outside SP Headquarters.” They said their goodbyes and Drura gave her attention to Jacques once more. “Jacques...I’m sorry, I suppose being here has me on edge more than I thought. Having to escort poor Durran back to his family and...and everything else I guess…”

“Je suis also,” he returned with a weak smile. “You must have a lot on your mind. I wish that I could take you in my arms but I know that this is not the right time or place. I will leave you to complete your duties with Dr Shakespeare and see you in the morning, ma chere.”

“Thanks.” She squeezed his arm now, but their transuits felt almost like a physical expression of the tension between them. She wished too that he could hold her until it went away, but he was right. This wasn’t the time or the place. She moved toward the entry console and once Jacques shimmered out of sight she opened the field for a few seconds. Confident that he’d slipped away, Drura changed into a bodysuit of almost velvet-like blue and purple patches. Intricate white stitching bound the whole thing together and a matching waist-length cape with shimmering white interior was attached to her shoulders. No Terran would recognise this as a solemn outfit, but to Somahturian tastes it was perfectly appropriate for the task which lay ahead of her. Regarding her reflection in her room’s full length mirror, Drura found herself fondly recalling the holomirrors of Earth which showed a 360 degree view of their subject. There were some things Drura missed about life on Somahtur, but the relatively lower level of technology encountered in daily life was not one of those things. With mixed feelings, she opened the field one final time and left her room.

Several minutes later, she met Kent in the street outside. While normally she’d not think twice about giving him a friendly embrace, she was acutely aware how scandalous it would seem for a Somahturian to have physical contact with someone who was so clearly an alien right outside the global headquarters of the Science Police and she settled instead for a wave of her hand as she approached.

For his part, Kent had spent part of the trip here researching Somahturian social mores and asking Drura for tips on how best to conduct himself while he was here. The deep violet and emerald patchwork bodysuit he’d chosen to wear complimented hers well. He picked up on cues from Drura and the two engaged in small talk for a few minutes while both being cautious to maintain at least a couple of feet space between themselves. Finally, they entered a waiting vehicle and flew off into the cloud-filled night sky.

Unseen, the aptly named Invisible Kid watched them leave from where he sat atop a two-storey high sculpture outside the Science Police building. He knew that he shouldn’t be doing this, but as much as he told himself he was being silly his rational side was losing the battle to his emotions.

I suppose, Jacques Foccart mused to himself as he took off in pursuit of the aircar, Love makes people act silly sometimes…

**********
This was a good installment and the things your building towards.

Going home to meet the parents is hard enough but going home to your significant others culture is literally so strict about off worlds that it basically forces your relationship to be non existent seems almost unbearable. But sadly i don't side with Jacques on this one. Dura laid it out for him pretty clear and i just know this isn't going to end well.

Kent and Dura's friendship is really cute.

I liked the meeting and how Brainy spent his time. I'm surprised he wasn't a little bit up set by Laurel's code name choice.
Vi's explanation to Mwindaji was well done and made a really good case. But so did Shadow Lass and she makes a good point that people change.

I'm really curious to see what Brainy will do for Staq and what Sun Boy has to say.
looking forward to more.
Hey Raz, this was great!

I loved the opening scene with Marya and Hadru and Laurel discussing what was going on behind the closed doors - just like kids wanting to know what the adults are up to, and Brainy's coolness about Laurel's new code name is strange - but then so is he. I hope you're not building up to his having another breakdown as you write him so well it would b a shame to see him incarcerated again.

Glad to see more of Light Lad and Infectious Lass, and really good to tie this in with your conceptual virus storyline by returning poor Durran Mahn's body home. Jacques jealousy will get himinto trouble, but still it's nice to see you build on his character as he was always a cypher. Kent wearing the appropriate mourning clothes highlighted his intelligence - I imagine as a doctor he's used to needing to accommodate other races customs at times like this.

Somahtur seems almost Victorian in it's social customs, I'm really looking forward to seeing what you do with this world!

And as ever, I'm buzzing for more, more, more! Preach!
Thanks y'all! Brainy's plotline is probably gonna be a slow burner so nobody needs to worry about him going off the rails (YET, hehehe)...

I have really been getting into building Somahtur, it's kinda fun how a lot of Legion worlds have so much room for development! Ditto for developing Drura and Jacques, two characters who have been around forever without really being fleshed out a lot smile
As a huge Laurel Kent fan, I'm eager to see what Sun Boy's 'solution' might entail.

Also looking forward to seeing what you've made of Somahtur. We've only really seen Drura, and there's no real indication whether or not her dress style, etc. are in any way indicative of her people's stylistic choices (all curvy flowing lines and blobs of color, for instance). Some Legion worlds we've visited, like Orando and Durla, others, like Naltor and Starhaven, seem less well developed. There's just so much left to play with!

Honestly, I don't even know if, canonically, Bgtzl is just a single world out of phase with Earth, or an entire out of phase solar system, or galaxy, or *universe,* possibly with it's own super-hero teams, super-villains, cosmic menaces, etc! (I'd prefer it just being a single planet, occupying the same space as Earth, but out of phase, and somehow deriving energy/gravity/etc. from our universes sun, rather than develop an entire other universe, with Bgtzln Titanians and Bgtzln Daxamites and Bgtzln Green Lanterns or whatever...).

Ooh, just read up a bit, and I love Ruby Rogue. Jaquaans are so underused, comparatively, and it's fun to see someone with elasticity/stretching powers. It's amazing how dynamic they can be with characters like Elasti-Girl from the Incredibles, or Madam Rouge, from the last Teen Titans cartoon, compared to how kind of flat they appear in live-action or on the comic page.

We'll definitely find out what's in store for Laurel sooner rather than later...and your Bgtzl comments reminded me I've got a story I wanna do there at some stage! (though tbh it's probably gonna be a while before I get around to it)

Stretching powers are weird; I love them in comics and cartoons and in fact one of the first characters I played in a roleplaying game was a prototype Elastic Lad, but I think it's just too much suspension of disbelief for me to accept them in live action....no matter how good the visual effects are, there's just no way to make it not look silly with a real person (as far as I've seen anyway)
For stretching powers, I've got to agree.

In martial arts movies, I like big showy (not-terrible-effective-IRL) movements, like sweeps and crescent kicks and all that Shao Lin stuff, over the close-in fast-and-brutal stuff we see in a Bourne type movie, where you can't really see what's happening. For stretching powers, it seems to be the opposite. The stretching that I've liked (all animated, so far) has been like Elasti-Girl and Madame Rouge in the Incredibles and Teen Titans, all fast, fast, fast, whip-crack attacks and crazy acrobatics, whereas in the Fantastic Four movies, it seems like Reed's power uses are just too slow, and it sort of highlights how 'uncanny valley' and 'silly' it all looks. And, obviously, in comic books, with static images, it's always going to be slow, slow, slow, since it's nearly impossible to make the power look dynamic and fast in a static image, it seems.

It doesn't help the powerset that it's chief proponents are characters that don't use the power as much as other attributes (Mr. Fantastic, more of a genius than a stretcher, Elongated Man, more of a detective and husband than a stretcher), or have stretching as a sub-power of greater shapeshifting ability (Martian Manhunter, Elastic Man), so there really aren't a lot of people in comic book 'selling' the power, compared to people who shoot fire or read minds.
SOMAHTUR
Aficuhra, Ophusatic Bay


It was early evening by the time Durran Mahn’s family had finished saying their goodbyes to their beloved son and brother and were ready to send his body to its final destination. Kent Shakespeare had felt privileged to be one of the very few offworlders to witness the viewing rituals of the Somahturians, but returning Durran’s body to the Husatic Seas was something that this world considered sacred. Even the Terran doctor responsible for navigating the miles of red tape and the light years of space it had taken to get Durran home was not welcome here. Dr Shakespeare took no offence; Drura had already advised him that this was a private process, so Kent had organised to meet with Light Lad and leave Durran’s family to their grief.

Drura on the other hand was most definitely a Somahturian, albeit one who’d been absent for many years. For her role in bringing Durran Mahn home, she was welcomed with open arms. Before she came here, Drura had felt anxious that she might have lost this connection with her people. Instead, she felt warm memories flood back to her tinged with sadness as she recalled the few other funeral services she’d attended before leaving Somahtur for the wider galaxy. Standing on the dirty beige sands of Ophusatic Bay with Somahtur’s pendulous moon hiding behind low cloud cover, she stood at a respectable distance while Durran Mahn’s family kneeled over him. The waves lapped gently at the shore, each time washing over more of the dead boy’s body. Kent and his associates had done a good job of hiding the physical damage Durran had suffered upon his death; Drura knew that it was a lie to present him like this as though he were simply sleeping, but it was a lie she was comfortable with.

“You know, he admired you a great deal.” Drura flinched at the sound of an unfamiliar voice. She turned to see an older man standing beside her, his indigo hair run through with white streaks. His antennae drooped and wrinkles lined his chalky skin.

“Really?” The pretty heroine cocked her head. “I had no idea…I mean I was never fortunate enough to meet Durran while he was alive. You’re Durran’s…brother in law, right? I’m so sorry, I’m absolutely terrible with names.”

“No need to apologise, and it’s Grel.” He gave her a brief smile before looking back at the rest of the family on the shoreline. “It’s true, he followed your exploits even when you were in the Legion of Substitute Heroes.” At this he gave a small chuckle. “The number of hours that boy spent defending the Legion of Substitute Heroes…to be honest I think we were all happy when you joined the Legion of Superheroes just to stop him getting into so many arguments with people.”

“Oh!” Drura blinked in surprise. “That’s…I don’t know what to say!”

“Did you know,” Grel continued, “That the very reason Durran left Somahtur was that he was going to follow in the footsteps of his hero Infectious Lass? He’d even designed a costume for himself, he was going to call himself Infectious Lad.”

“Oh no…” Drura’s hand covered her mouth. “You all must hate me…I’m so sorry…”

“Sorry? Whatever for?” The older man seemed genuinely confused. “Infectious Lass, you inspired something in Durran that most Somahturians will never know. You gave him the vision and the confidence to see himself as somebody who could make a difference in the United Planets beyond our little world. I love Somahtur and I have no desire whatsoever to leave my home, but I’m not blind to reality either. If our young ones don’t start embracing our place in the United Planets, the United Planets is going to leave us behind. I watch news holocasts, I see the gap in technologies and culture between us and other worlds, and that gap is only going to broaden if more Somahturians don’t make the effort to prevent it from happening.”

“But still…” Drura held herself. “Durran would be alive today if he’d stayed here…”

“What happened to that poor boy was horrendous,” Grel replied, “But make no mistake, he wouldn’t have changed a thing. I’m sure you know he met Invisible Kid and Kid Computo once, very briefly. They rescued him from those xenophobes who’d been instilled as Earth’s defenders for a while. Anyway, Durran recorded a message for us about that incident once he was taken back into quarantine and it only reached us last week with UP bureaucracy being what it is, but I’d never seen that boy so excited about anything in his life. He may have been safe if he’d stayed on Somahtur, but he wouldn’t have been happy. Think on all that you’ve encountered since you left Somahtur, Infectious Lass; have the good times been worth the bad?”

Infectious Lass considered the man’s words. That he took for granted a message sent from Earth could take so long to arrive was proof of what he’d been saying. Culturally and technologically, Somahtur really was behind the curve in a lot of ways. Drura also thought on her life as a Sub and a Legionnaire, of the adventures she’d had in between. She thought about the friends she’d made, the worlds she’d seen, the legends she’d met. She thought about Jacques. It was worth it. She wouldn’t have changed a thing...and she knew that if Durran Mahn had felt even a fraction of the thirst for new experience that had driven her to leave Somahtur, he’d agree too.

“Grel..? Infectious Lass? The tide’s about to take him if you’d like to come join us.” This was Grel’s wife and Durran’s eldest sister. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying, puffy cheeks having distorted her facial markings. Grel placed an arm around her shoulder and Drura followed a few steps behind. Infectious Lass stood silently with the family and together they watched as the grey waters of the Husatic Seas washed over Durran Mahn’s corpse.

Once the dead boy was fully submerged in the viscous tideswell he was dragged into its embrace. With the cloud cover obscuring any natural light it didn’t take long at all before he was out of sight, and soon a sprinkling of rain made it clear that the mourners would have to think about taking cover. Led by his mother and father, every member of Durran’s family knelt in the soupy waters and raised a cupped handful to their lips whereupon they drank deep. Seeing that Drura was still standing back, Durran’s mother Cahie looked up at her with twinkling jade eyes. “You won’t join us?” she asked, an imploring note in her voice.

Drura was staggered. “I...I don’t want to intrude,” she stammered, tears welling at the woman’s generosity of spirit.

“Nonsense,” Durran’s father responded. “Young lady, you brought our son back to us. Durran’s soul can find peace now that his flesh has returned to the seas from which we all once came. If it weren’t for you, his biological cycle would never be complete. He’d never find rest. You deserve this as much as any of us.” His voice cracked toward the end, and Drura felt her heart leap into her throat. She came forward and went down on one knee, forgetting about the transuit she’d been mandated to wear until she realised she was still dry. Making her choice, Drura removed the polymer sheath and cupped water in both hands as Durran’s family had done.

Millions of years ago the Husatic Seas had been the birthplace of what would one day become the Somahturian people. In returning their dead to these waters, the Somahturians ensured that the viruses and bacteria they shared a symbiotic relationship with would still live in the seas long after their own skin and bone had rotted away; by drinking these waters, Somahturians directly ingested viruses and bacteria they might never come into contact with any other way. It was the most visceral symbol of their symbiosis, and the purest affirmation of life that they knew. Grateful to be a part of it all, Drura’s tears rolled down her cheeks and mingled with the thick ocean waters which rolled back into the deep.

Soon, the tide was almost knee-deep. The Husatic Seas might be highly revered by the Somahturians, but their treacly pull had also drowned more than one careless person. As the rains grew heavier and distant thunder rumbled, Infectious Lass and Durran Mahn’s family left the would-be Infectious Lad to complete his final homecoming alone.

**********
TITAN
Titanopolis Spaceport

ROLL CALL
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal:
Naltorian precognition
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone


On many other worlds, the presence of three Legionnaires might inspire excited reactions from bystanders. Titanians however were generally more reserved, a very deliberate trait which came from the intense training they all endured from birth in order to control their telepathy. As Dream Girl, Matter-Eater Lad and Stone Boy made their way through the gleaming open hallways of Titan’s premiere commercial spaceport they attracted little more than the occasional hushed whisper or sly glance from the crowds of people surrounding them.

“What’s the big mystery?” Matter-Eater Lad asked as he chomped down on a rusted wrench. “What drama is your power getting us into this time, Dreamy?”

“The last couple of times the Legion have faced trouble on Titan it was due to Fearstorm,” a flesh and blood Stone Boy pondered out loud. “Though I suspect if he was causing chaos again Tellus or Blok might be more suited for this mission than any of us.”

“Boys, it’s not my power that called us here this time,” the stunning Naltorian replied. “Though you might not be wrong assuming it’s precognition. I don't really know that much more than either of you for a change!” She stepped onto a moving walkway and cast her gaze up at the curved plexiglass ceiling above them. The ringed planet Saturn loomed massive in a rose-coloured sky, even the biggest starship dwarfed by its magnificence. “Look at that,” Nura Nal changed the subject. “Titan might be one of the dreariest places in this system, but it certainly has one of the prettiest views...and none of these people appreciate it in the slightest. How sad for them.”

“So there is a mystery!” Tenzil raised a pointed finger dramatically. “I knew my nose was twitching for a reason!”

Dream Girl recognised the reference immediately and gave Tenzil’s arm an impish slap. “You’re the one to blame for getting Thom hooked on those silly Elongated Man’s Enigmas of History holos! I should have guessed it had your name all over it, Tenzil Kem!”

Stone Boy watched his two teammates play and considered not for the first time how human the Legion of Superheroes really were. For a lot of his time in the Legion of Substitute Heroes he’d seen them as almost flawless examples of heroism to aspire to, but he had to admit there was something much more comforting in seeing that they could be as absurd as the Subs had been at times. He was distracted from any further musings on the topic when Dream Girl grabbed both men by the hands and abruptly dragged them from the moving walkway and down a side corridor.

“This way!” Nura announced breezily. “All of our questions are about to be answered!” She stopped at a large oblong doorway barred by a privacy field and released Tenzil and Dag so she could brush hair away from her face as she leaned in toward a retina scanner. An invisible beam of light passed over her lively blue eyes and with an obedient *breep* the software announced the presence of Ms Nura Nal and her two guests and allowed them entry. On the other side of the field, an executive lounge awaited the three. The ceiling and one entire wall was made of plexiglass so as to give them the same view Nura had just been admiring, and on the far side of the room was an extensively well stocked bar with an autochef and three servodroid attendants. A recreational annex contained a variety of entertainment options, and the rest of the space was filled with comfortable chairs and working surfaces for business travellers. Without waiting for her teammates, Nura instantly made a beeline for a young man sitting by the window with a glass of Naltorian rosewater tonic in his hand; two more fragrant glasses waited for Dream Girl and Stone Boy with an unopened can of crankcase oil put aside for Matter-Eater Lad.

The youth swivelled in his seat just before Nura announced herself and stood to greet her with a dazzling smile. “Thank you all so much for agreeing to come,” he addressed all three of them. “I’m sorry we couldn’t meet again under better circumstances.” With his platinum blond hair and icy blue eyes, he could almost pass as Dream Girl’s younger brother.

“You do look familiar,” Matter-Eater Lad’s eyes narrowed, “But I’m fuzzy on it...give us a clue!”

“Of course, I’m sorry!” The teenager blushed slightly. “I’m so used to knowing the Legion where I came from, I forget that I haven’t really spent much time with a lot of you in the here and now. Maybe this will help!” A subtle change came over him, but one which divulged his identity straight away to the two men. Though he still looked mostly normal, every shadow which fell across his form now revealed a shining starscape.

“You’re the Infinite Boy!” Stone Boy snapped his fingers.

“Guilty as charged,” the hero from the future responded.

“Has Jaxon Rugarth gotten his Infinite Man on again?” Tenzil asked dryly, “I mean Stone Boy thought we were underpowered for Fearstorm, so a cosmically powered crazy man who hates the Legion and can access forces from any point in time is probably right up our alley.”

“The Infinite Man isn’t why I asked Dream Girl to bring a team to Titan,” the Infinite Boy replied, “But you’re kind of on a parallel track, Matter-Eater Lad...have a seat and I’ll bring you all up to speed.”

**********
SOMAHTUR
Aficuhra West Residential Development, the Sehpt Household


Drura Sehpt’s heart was in her throat as she stood at the doorway to her family’s modest home in outer Aficuhra’s suburban sprawl. The earlier rainfall had grown swiftly into a full-blown storm and thunder cracked open the skies above her at regular intervals while sheet lightning illuminated the sea of joined houses that filled these streets. Once she’d left the Mahn family Drura had donned her transuit once more so at least she was dry, but that memory sparked her to take it off once again now that she was under the cover of her family’s patio. Her parents would be utterly aghast if their daughter came home hidden away from the embrace of small life like some frightened offworlder. Come on Drura, she bit her lower lip. You’ve stared down whole gangs of supervillains, surely you can face one night with your relatives. Finally, she screwed up her face and mashed the glowing doorbell.

A peal of thunder drowned out the doorbell’s chime, but soon enough it rolled back into its recess and a younger teenage boy stood in the open doorway. Wearing a sleeveless bodysuit patterned with colliding shards of lime and orange, one of his antennae was pierced and his deep purple hair was shaved close to his scalp. It was only by the distinctive butterfly-like facial markings shared by all of the Sehpt family that Drura came to the wide-eyed realisation this was her baby brother Daiehle.

“Dai!” Drura used her pet name for him. “You’re so big now!” All of the anxiety she’d felt a moment ago evaporated and she ran to embrace him.

The younger Sehpt took a step back, and just like that Drura’s fears resurfaced. “Poppa and Mamma are waiting in the kitchen,” Daiehle said flatly. He turned and walked back into the small house without another word. Drura followed, and couldn’t help but notice none of the digital portraits lining the cracked walls included her.

When they reached the small kitchen, their mother had her back to them programming the beverage maker by the family’s ancient autochef while their father sat at the dining table. “Hello Drura,” he muttered without any enthusiasm.

“Poppa,” she acknowledged him weakly. “Momma...where’s Jorrha?”

“Your sister is working,” Drura’s mother answered without turning around. “Someone has to help us pay bills in this house until Daiehle is old enough to work.”

“Haven’t you been getting the creds I’ve been sending?” Drura asked with quick concern.

“When they arrive,” her mother bit back sharply. “Maybe you’ve been gone so long you’ve forgotten how the United Planets treats Somahtur. Sometimes it takes months for your Legion of Superheroes money to reach us all the way out here. Do you still like your dakhsha sweetened?”

“Yes please,” Drura answered timidly.

“Well don’t just stand there,” Drura’s father huffed. “Sit down, girl.” Drura’s brother also moved to take a seat but their father stopped him. “Help your mother, Daiehle.”

Rolling his eyes, the boy waited for his mother to finish pouring their drinks then grabbed a mug for himself and his sister. He set Drura’s down before her and mumbled something under his breath before slumping into a seat at the far side of the table.

“...It’s nice to see you all again,” Drura ventured shyly. “I’ve missed you all so much...there’s so much I miss about Somahtur.”

“You can’t miss us that much,” Daiehle snorted. “It’s not like you ever tried to come back before now.”

“Dai, that’s not fair,” Drura protested. “For a long time I couldn’t come back. Maybe you’re too young to remember, but Somahtur’s quarantine laws used to be way stricter than they are now; there were restrictions on coming and going.”

Used to be,” the surly teen parroted.

“Daiehle, that’s enough,” their mother said firmly. She rubbed the space between her antennae and looked at her daughter wearily. “Drura, why have you come back? You chose your life, and it seems quite clear that it’s a life which doesn’t include your family. Why are you trying to involve yourself with us now after we’ve spent all of these years learning to live without you?”

Drura felt a surge of emotion. “Mamma...Mamma, I’m so sorry, I never meant to hurt any of you...I just needed...I needed something else, something other than spending the rest of my life in a tiny house waiting to meet somebody with a socially acceptable viral load so I could live my life like...like…”

“Like us,” her father finished her sentence for her, his grey-flecked eyes meeting hers unwaveringly.

Drura stared into the warm thick culture in her cup, downcast. A thicker silence filled the small kitchen. Finally, her mother sat opposite her and with a sigh of resignation gripped her daughter’s hands in her own. “The important thing I suppose is that you came back...don’t say anything,” she preempted, “I know you’re not staying; but it’s something. It’s...oh!” She pulled away from her daughter as though she’d been burned.

“Mamma..?” Drura’s eyes widened with concern as she gazed upon her mother’s horrified visage.

“...I should have expected given what you told us but I wasn’t prepared...you’re so...alien now.”

Drura had inherited her own lavender eyes from her mother, but looking into those eyes now was like looking at a stranger. “Mamma! I’m still your daughter!” the Legionnaire protested.

“But the organisms inhabiting your body…” Now that they’d come into contact, Drura’s mother gaped at her trembling hands in shock. “Oh Drura, what have you become? You’re sharing the most sacred part of yourself with every single alien you come across? Is that what you left us for?”

Drura had expected judgement, but never in a million years would she have imagined the tone of shame underlying her mother’s accusation. She was horrified and sad, but she also felt something else she wouldn’t have expected to feel...righteous anger. Drura stood up, cleared her throat and stepped away from the table to give herself a few seconds to collect her wits. As far as she knew this might be the last time she ever came face to face with her family and she wanted to make sure they knew why that was.

“I love you,” she said unwaveringly as she looked upon all of them one by one. “I love all of you, that could never change. But yes, Mamma. I do share that part of myself with others...not because I don’t value my identity as a Somahturian, but because my identity as a Somahturian has given me the opportunity and the responsibility to go out into the galaxy, to meet other lifeforms and to help other lifeforms grow...and that’s why we have this sacred bond with small life in the first place. It’s not so we can hide away on this little world for the rest of our days sealing ourself off from any path of advancement, it’s so we can help others. I’m glad I’ve made friends who helped me realise that and who love me and I’m sorry you can’t see that’s a good thing. I hope one day that will change but until it does, maybe it’s a mistake for me to be here.” She turned and walked out of the room privately praying that one of them would reach out, but none of them did.

Drura Sehpt opened the front door and flew into the storm, her tears lost in the rains of her world.

**********
Upset as she was, it never occurred to Infectious Lass to don her transuit again until she was within sight of her dormitory. She was soaking wet beneath the transparent sheath and she was certain she’d be interrogated by overzealous Science Police, but miraculously she made it all the way to her quarters unseen. She let herself in and just as she was about to remove the transuit again she jumped at the sound of Invisible Kid’s voice.

“Jacques!” she hissed as her lover appeared by her side. “You can’t be here, but...but I’m glad you are.” She sat on the edge of her bed and grasped his hand, focusing on the gleaming flight rings they both wore to fight back her tears. “The way they looked at me when they realised I had Terran microbes inside me...oh Jacques, it was horrible!”

Completely baffled, Jacques Foccart crouched down so that he could meet Drura’s eyes but before he could say anything she continued. “They think...they think I’ve debased myself so badly...I don’t know how to make them understand what you mean to me! You, the Legion, the life I have now…” She could contain her broken heart no more and sobbed into his shoulder.

Jacques still didn’t understand, but his heart broke right alongside hers seeing how distraught she was. He drew her in close and said the first thing that came to mind. “Drura...I am confused, it seemed the Mahns had welcomed you with open arms. Tell me what happened, ma chere.”

“Not the Mahns,” she shook her head. “My family! I…I...” Trailing off, she pulled back away from him and narrowed her gaze. “What do you mean, it seemed the Mahns had welcomed me with open arms..? Did you speak to Kent?”

Jacques realised his mistake immediately. “Drura, I must tell you the truth. I...followed you. I know that you told me to return to my room and I know now that is what I should have done, but I was driven by my emotion--”

Drura laughed bitterly, tried to wipe tears from her cheeks and then laughed again as she realised she couldn’t even touch her own skin through this damn polymer.

“I came straight back here,” his words tumbled out in nervous scattershot. “I waited for you to return, so that I could apologise--”

“I literally just got finished telling my parents how you love me and how you help me be the best person I can be,” she cut him off. “And now I find out what, that you’re following me around because you don’t trust me? That satisfying your jealousy is more important to you than respecting the one thing I’ve ever asked you to do for me??”

Jacques was crestfallen. He spoke her name, but it was too late. Drura stood up and marched to the door. “It’s time for you to sneak back to your room, Jacques. I know you can sneak around at least, and I don’t see why the UP’s relationship with my world should suffer just because you can’t respect your relationship with me.”

He considered arguing, but thought better of it. She was too upset right now to discuss this rationally, but what hurt more was that he knew she was also right. Head bowed, he shimmered out of view and waited for the forcefield barring the doorway to switch off. From the empty hallway, his disembodied voice said “I’m sorry, Drura. I love you.” The field was back on before he’d finished saying her name.

Dejected, Jacques Foccart walked into the Somahturian night. As soon as she was confident that he’d left, Drura took off the transuit which right now felt more suffocating than anything she’d ever known and cried herself to sleep.

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


Sitting on the floor outside the Legion of Superheroes’ meeting room, an anxious Laurel Kent wondered how many more of her classmates she was going to be forced to watch become Legionnaires before her; Gravity Kid was a shoo-in...while Chemical Kid and Dragonwing were probably the next best accomplished in the use of their powers they weren’t really team players. Neither of them had even bothered to keep her company out here for more than a nano while she waited for the Legion’s verdict on her internship. Lullabye Lad? Why not? Sprock, Variable Lad and Glorith would probably beat her at this rate. She heard the sound of a door clicking open and immediately sprung to her feet. Brainiac 5 was the first to exit, deep in conversation with Fire Lad. Sun Boy came out right behind them, eyes darting around the corridor as though looking for someone. Ignoring Dirk Morgna, Laurel rushed straight to the Legion’s leader. “Brainy..? Um, Brainiac 5? I was just wondering, did you all get to vote on my internship?”

“No,” the Coluan replied, not even looking her in the face long enough to watch her face drop.

Laurel heard a gleeful scream, and an unusually jubilant Nightwind rushed to hug her. “This is the best!” Berta grinned. “Congratulations! I mean it’s still gonna take me a while to get used to calling you Supergirl, but--”

“What’s going on?” Laurel pushed her friend away crossly. “Who cares about a stupid codename if I’m being booted back to the Academy full-time?”

“I don’t have time for this,” Brainiac 5 said curtly. “Sun Boy, you initiated this decision. I’m delegating to you the responsibility of informing Laurel Kent of her new status.” Without waiting to hear the outcome, he walked off brusquely with Fire Lad.

“What status?” Laurel snapped. “Will someone please tell me what’s going on??”

Sun Boy beamed smugly, his chest puffed out. “Well...after you told me why you took on Supergirl’s name, it got me to thinking. Your behaviour as a student and an intern has been pretty impressive, Laurel. It was your plan that nearly stopped Kara when she became Satan Girl and took the rest of us out, you took on Celestine without a second thought, and you had a clever way to make sure you had the best chance you could possibly have fighting her under the circumstances. I thought about how that’s really prime Legionnaire behaviour, and once I stated my case to the rest of the team a lot of them agreed with me.”

“So I’m not being booted back to the Academy full-time forever till I die?” she asked, still not following where he was going in the slightest.

“You dope!” Nightwind teased, slapping her friend with one of the straps hanging from her forearm. “He’s saying we took a vote and, well…

...welcome to the Legion of Superheroes, Laurel Kent!”

**********
Laurel Kent, Legionnaire!!! wow!!!! Laurel mustered a lot of support ! Great job having Dirk suggest it and great job keeping the suspense going

Poor Drura! I wonder how she and Jacques will resolve this. the service was beautiful. Her family’s reaction hit home - for personal reasons - and you handled it very well

nice seeing Infinite Boy again, curious to see what you will do with him
Thanks for your comments IB! Admittedly, Drura's story ended up exorcising a lot more of my own demons about my family relationship than I had intended.

While the Drura/Jacques stuff is almost 100% pure soap opera, I'm glad the stuff with Drura's family resonates more deeply smile

I'm also glad I finally got to Laurel's Legion membership being realised...I have been holding off till now to post an updated roster, I'll probably give it another day or two then go for it.

Infinite Boy is about to have an unexpexted spotlight, one which will also bring back at least one former Legionnaire wink
Is the Legionnaire Tyroc? I remember we left him in the 20th. or maybe Yera and Gim?

writing can be therapeutic smile i have used writing to deal with some of my own demons too
The Somahturan funeral, returning to the sea of bacterial soup from which they came, was amazing. It was alien and exotic, and yet the ideals and feelings were human and familiar, and so it really worked for me.

Jacques. Oh man. I'm willing to cause a diplomatic incident (and possibly a plague!) being a creepy stalker. Yikes.
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
Is the Legionnaire Tyroc? I remember we left him in the 20th. or maybe Yera and Gim?

The returning Legionnaire/s will be a mystery for now but I can tell you that in a roundabout way it has something to do with Infinite Boy wink

I'm glad the funeral scene worked - hopefully I'll be able to revisit Somahtur sometime, I've got a lot of ideas that couldn't make it into the story!
Posted By: razsolo UPDATED ROSTER! - 10/26/17 07:25 AM
I initially posted this yesterday but then realised it kinda spoils the last instalment so held off a bit...now that the dust has settled a bit though, here's the updated roster as it stands currently smile

BLOK
BRAINIAC 5 (leader)
CHAMELEON BOY
CHLOROPHYLL KID
COLOR KID
COMET QUEEN
COSMIC BOY
DAWNSTAR
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DRAGONMAGE
DREAM GIRL
ELASTIC LAD
ELEMENT LAD
FIRE LAD
GAS GIRL
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
KID COMPUTO
LIGHT LAD
LIGHTNING LASS
MATTER-EATER LAD
MON-EL
MWINDAJI
NEON
NIGHT GIRL
NIGHTWIND
PHANTOM GIRL
POLAR BOY
QUISLET
SHADOW LASS
SHRINKING VIOLET
STAR BOY
STONE BOY
SUN BOY
SUPERGIRL II
TELLUS
TIMBER WOLF
ULTRA BOY (deputy leader)
WILDFIRE
Posted By: Harbinger Re: UPDATED ROSTER! - 10/26/17 05:45 PM
Lovely stuff Raz, you never fail to impress

The scene with Drura and the Mahn's was very touching, with the families appreciation of her being the gentle affirmation that she desperately needed after her worries about returning home. As Set says above, it's a great concept of returning the dead to the bacterial soup that spawned them. Drura's realisation about how far she's come since leaving her homeworld was nicely introduced too, could we be seeing her start to really blossom now?

I really love how you take weaker and less flashy characters and make them the focus of your stories - case in point being Dream Girl, Stone Boy and Matter-Eater Lad on a mission together. While Nura and Tenzil have the fun personalities none of them would be my first choice in an emergency, so the respect and time you invest in them is really good to read. The reference to Elongated Man mysteries was nicely added, especially the thought of Tenz and Thom's addiction to them, well it gave me a smile. Infinity Boy... hmmm! There's trouble brewing. Which, in your stories, is always a good thing!

Drura's fear of what is in store for her when facing her family was neat - we've all been there, poor girl. Her brothers lack of affection was a nice precursor to her parents behaviour. I felt really sorry for her, how ironic that a family that had never met before whose son had died were more accommodating. I reckon Jacques and Drura will be okay, as creepy as his stalking was. I hope she'll get over the hurt she feels about her family, give Jacques a sound telling off and then get back to him. Nicely characterised scene, with both sides being understandable and open to wide interpretations. Looking forward to seeing where you go with this now.

So, Laurel's on the big team now - great! Definitely looking forward to reading where you go with her. I enjoyed how you dragged it out and Brainy's almost casual dismissal of her question.

Great stuff Raz, once again.

As always, I can't wait for more, more, more!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: UPDATED ROSTER! - 10/26/17 05:48 PM
Oh, thank you for the roll call too. I'd like to see the return of Shadow Lad - how does he feel about Kara going away?
Posted By: razsolo Re: UPDATED ROSTER! - 10/26/17 06:20 PM
Thanks for the feedback Harbi! I'm glad you picked up on the contrasting reception Drura got from her family vs the Mahns...tbh I had originally only intended for Drura's family to be disapproving of Jacques rather than Drura's whole lifepath (to echo Jacques' sister being weird about Drura in the story where Durran Mahn first appeared) but then the rest kind of wrote itself, and it was probably a surrogate way for me to explore some of my own family stuff. Also, I wanted to make sure every Somahturian didn't just have a copy&paste reaction and that they behaved like individuals smile

Re: Dreamy's team - Y'all know I love my underdogs....to me it's what makes the Legion unique among super teams, that strength of character trumps physical power every time. I feel like I harp on the Subs too much occasionally, but I am gonna keep doing it because they represent the best part of the Legion's universe to me. Also I kinda love that Tenzil brings out this relaxed playful vibe from teammates who would never act that way around a lot of other characters, that's his real power if you ask me wink

No spoilers on Jacques/Drura's future just yet...as for Shadow Lad, I would LOVE to bring him back to the team, as I would Garth & Imra & Mysa and a few other characters...like all of them though he's kinda written himself into a corner that it doesn't feel right to shove him out of yet. I do like the idea of seeing his reaction to what happened with Kara though, so a trip to Talok VIII might be in order soon laugh
Good installment Raz.

Laurel is finally a Legionnaire. i think you're the only one to do so. so bravo.
I liked how that scene played out. Brainy being dismissive is well Brainy.
Sun Boy telling her is fitting and he's right. her reasons for taking Kara's code name and her plan to defeat Satan Girl was amazingly inventive!

Dura's scene with both families were really well done. The boy's family were so kind and understanding while her own family were just so angry. that's all i could read from them. But i wasn't 100% sure if it was anger at their situation and resent Dura for helping contribute to it or if they were just hurt that Dura wouldn't choose them. i could see it being both. I felt so bad for Dura and i hope her family and Smouthar can start to open up.

I like how this world isn't like really any of the others we've seen and it makes total sense that tec wise they would be behind everyone.

Infinity Boy!!! this one is going to be good but i'm guessing things aren't going to be so good for Tenzil....
i'm with you Raz the underdogs can do really powerful things if they are used right.

i knew it wouldn't end well with Jacques but at least he only went to the funeral and not to her family's home. i could have seen that going bad quick. i hope its just a fight but he needs to get over his jealousy of Kent. Ken't is with Light Lad and him and Dura are just friends.

Also thank you for the roll call. i was wondering who was still kicking around on the main team.
Thanks Omni! Harbinger got there before me with Laurel, but we have gone in different directions with her so I don't mind not being the first smile

Infinite Boy is gonna be popping up a little bit here and there for a while....and I have been wanting to update the roll call for a while as well, I have just been waiting for the team to stabilise enough so it wouldn't be out of date in a month lol laugh
Posted By: razsolo The Trapper's Daughter - 11/05/17 11:39 AM
TITAN
Titanopolis, The Morning Institute’s Spatial Research Wing


ROLL CALL
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone


While not particularly glamorous, the Morning Institute was Titan’s most highly regarded place of learning and one of the most respected in the solar system. It was a pleasantly warm day as three Legionnaires gathered outside of the Institute’s Spatial Research Wing, seated at a comfort bench while they waited for the fourth member of their party. Around them, students and staff members filtered in and out of the fifteen storey building while other sentients crossed the plaza separating the prestigious school from the even more famous Time Institute nearby.

“Titan’s so weird,” Matter-Eater Lad noted, his head craned toward the enormous ringed planet Saturn dominating the heavens. “I mean we’ve been here for what...half a day back on Mars..? And the sky looks exactly the same as when we first arrived!”

“Weird for you maybe,” Stone Boy replied. “Not all UP worlds rotate at the same rate though; to be honest, I find it kind of relaxing here. Back home on Zwen, our days last for what you’d consider months...it was very disorienting for me the first time I left home and saw how quickly the rest of the UP moves!”

Dream Girl opened her mouth to add something, then seemed to zone out for the briefest of instants. Without another word, she stood and turned to greet the approaching Infinite Boy before her teammates had even noticed his arrival. Like the Legionnaires, he too was in costume; it was a costume that none of the trio were familiar with however. He wore a black mask covering half his face, and a bodysuit the same color with golden-edged white gloves and boots. A golden infinity symbol adorned his chest, and a voluminous white cloak trailed behind him. His face was hidden beneath its large open hood, gold trim around the edge of both cloak and hood. Beneath the cloak, much of the Infinite Boy was in shadow and with his power in effect it made him seem as though he were hidden within a shifting starscape. “Very fashion-forward,” Nura complimented her fellow Naltorian.

“Thanks,” the Infinite Boy nodded. “I thought it was necessary to hide my face given that we’re going to be defending the Time Institute today.”

“About that,” Matter-Eater Lad shaded his eyes as he gazed across the plaza, “Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel have been at the Time Institute for a minute now...one of the brains there is helping Luornu figure out her powers. Why don’t we see if they want in on this cross-time team-up?”

“I actually contacted them while you three were on the way here from Mars,” the Infinite Boy explained. “Duplicate Damsel is being subjected to some fairly intensive tests today that she can’t get out of...and Bouncing Boy is going to have his hands full helping with something else.”

“Something else..?” Stone Boy raised an eyebrow. “What might that be..? I hope I’m not being presumptuous, but we could help a lot more if we knew exactly what it was you’ve called us here for. You’ve been fairly vague since we got here, all we know is that the Time Institute’s in danger and for some reason you can’t show your face around there.”

“Sorry,” the Infinite Boy smirked. “Old habit...I’m so used to having to be careful not to impart future knowledge I forget how I sound most of the time. If I’m not mistaken though, the reason I need to keep a low profile around these parts should be making itself clear round about...now; and there he is.” He pointed, and the heroes saw a passenger vehicle alighting outside the main entrance of the Time Institute. A platinum blond boy clambered out of the hovering car and the vehicle pulled away silently into the Titanian sky while the youth made his way to Bouncing Boy beckoning him into the building.

Matter-Eater Lad removed his sunglasses and squinted at the stranger. Tenzil looked back at the Infinite Boy and once more to the almost identical boy across the plaza. “...That’s you! Was your daddy a Carggite, kid?”

The Infinite Boy chuckled. “Nothing that simple...you’re right though, that is me; a younger me. Today’s the day kid genius Kando Vyr arrives from Naltor to begin his career at the Time Institute. I mean maybe I’m being overly paranoid, but I don’t think it would be wise for young me to meet current me given that I don’t have any memory of anything like that happening in my own past. I asked Bouncing Boy to keep me...him I guess..safe and more importantly out of sight of me. Me me.”

Dream Girl saw the utter confusion on the faces of her teammates and took charge. “Let's focus on what's important. You told us you had a vision that a woman claiming to be the Time Trapper’s daughter would attack the Time Institute today.”

“She calls herself Decay,” Kando nodded. “And she’s not the Time Trapper’s daughter like she claims, she’s a woman in desperate need of psychological help. Her real name is Wensai Saturni and she was a quantum engineer here working on some classified project for the SP when Fearstorm launched his last emotional assault on Titanopolis. Most of Fearstorm’s victims recovered after psychomedical care, but she didn’t. It turns out Wensai Saturni has a crippling fear of death which Fearstorm exacerbated and the only way she could live with that was to embrace it; she genuinely believes she’s the daughter of the Time Trapper and that she’s been sent here to bring total entropy to the universe.”

“You got all that from a precognitive flash?” Stone Boy asked incredulously.

“I was a genius before I ever became the Infinite Boy,” Kando replied casually. “Once I dreamed her face I just did some old-fashioned research.”

Dream Girl made a show of examining the perfectly manicured nails of her outstretched hand. “Did your research tell you how an unbalanced woman became enough of a threat to warrant calling in three Legionnaires to help deal with her?”

“We can ask her ourselves,” Tenzil cut in before the Infinite Boy could answer. “Because we’ve either got a visit from your gal Decay or the Time Trapper’s come down with a bad case of Grandin Gender Reversal Disease.”

The others saw now what Matter-Eater Lad had just spotted; a woman in loose-fitting purple tattered robes descended from the sky toward the Time Institute. Her forearms were bound in frayed bandages, her hands and feet bare. A hood hung limply over her shoulders, her gaunt face framed by a listless mane of greying black hair.

Nura shook her head sadly. “The first thing we’re going to do when we take that poor woman into custody is give her a decent spa and beauty treatment; her feet must be filthy. Let’s go, Legionnaires.” Dream Girl rose into the air to cover the distance between them more quickly, Matter-Eater Lad and Stone Boy flanking her. The Infinite Boy brought up the rear, careful to ensure that his face was hidden beneath his white hood.

Dream Girl took the lead easily, the others deferring to her just as naturally. “Stone Boy, Infinite Boy, can you two please evacuate the immediate area? Tenzil and I will try to talk her down, but if that doesn’t work I don’t want any innocents getting hurt.”

“We’re on it,” Stone Boy saluted Nura, transforming to his petrified state midway through the gesture. As the two men made their way toward the largest gathering of citizens, the Infinite Boy hung back and watched Dag Wentim in action. In Kando’s own time, Stone Boy had changed his name to Stone Man but Kando remembered him looking almost the same age as he was right now. Years spent in stone form had protected Dag from time’s passing, while simultaneously forging him into one of the Legion of Superheroes’ most valued leaders. The Infinite Boy allowed himself a nostalgic smile for events which hadn’t happened yet; it might still be several years before Dag would grow into his true potential, but Kando could see that potential in the efficiency with which Stone Boy convinced bystanders to clear the area calmly and without raising a panic.

As Decay landed on an elevated walkway which connected the Time Institute to the city behind it, Dream Girl and Matter-Eater Lad touched down closer to the Institute itself, passively blocking her access. The two Legionnaires stood just over seven feet apart, hoping that whatever power she possessed wouldn’t be able to target them both. Decay’s face was almost skeletal, dry skin pulled back taut over jutting cheekbones and beady black eyes buried within enormous dark sockets. “I know you,” the thin-lipped woman sneered, “You’re the Legion of Superheroes!”

“Right the first time,” Tenzil removed his glasses and flashed what he hoped was a disarming smile.

“Of course I’m right,” Decay snapped at him. “Did you think I wouldn’t know who you are? You’ve fought my father often enough!”

“We’re not here to fight anyone, Wensai.” Dream Girl found the woman repulsive to look at, but she struggled to hide her reaction. “The Legion of Superheroes help people...we’d like to help you if you’ll let us.”

“My name isn’t Wensai, it’s Decay! And I don’t need or want your help!” She lunged at Dream Girl faster than her decrepit appearance would indicate she was capable. Still, as fast as she was she hadn’t been trained by two Karate Kids. Nura avoided her golden glowing hands easily. Before Dream Girl could respond however, Nura’s eyes rolled back in her head and she collapsed a victim of her own power.

Decay moved in for the kill, but before she could take more than a step she felt something tugging on her robes and Matter-Eater Lad flung her rudely backwards. The would-be villainess tripped over her own tattered cloak and fell flat on her backside. “Sorry about that,” Matter-Eater Lad held his hands up in a gesture of peace as he subtly interposed himself between Decay and Dream Girl. “We really don’t want to hurt you, can’t we just talk this out?” Tenzil could hear Nura groaning behind him as she began to stir; he didn’t really expect that they would be able to resolve this without violence at this stage, but he could at least buy Dream Girl a chance to recover.

“You think you can trick me?” Decay spat, still sprawled on the walkway. “You think because you outnumber me, because you’re faster than me, that you can win? Decay takes everything, Legionnaires...everything!” Her outstretched palms glowed once more, this time targeting the ground she sat upon.

“The walkway!” Dream Girl’s eyes snapped wide open. Without a second thought, she raised her flight ring to her lips. “Stone Boy! She’s going to collapse the walkway, tell Infinite Boy we need as many flyers as he can give us!”

Stone Boy and Infinite Boy immediately began flying back and Matter-Eater Lad lunged toward Decay, but all three were too late just as Nura’s precognitive flash had told her they would be. For the second time in a minute, she was forced to watch as Decay’s power ate away at the ground beneath her and disintegrated a path to the left and right until it had cut a swath through an elevated walkway weighing countless tons. Decay’s own flight belt kept her from falling, but with a menacing rumble the ground fell away beneath her and took more than a dozen people with it who had not yet reached a safe distance.

“We’re four levels up!” Stone Boy looked grimly to the Infinite Boy. “If that thing crumbles apart altogether, it’s going to kill a lot of people...Dream Girl says you can summon flyers, is she right? I can hold the walkway up if you can help the people on it!”

“My powers aren’t what they used to be,” Infinite Boy gulped, “I’ll try my best, but Stone Ma - Boy, can you support that much weight on your own?!”

“We’re both Legionnaires,” Stone Boy answered stoically. “We’ll get the job done!” Without another word, he positioned himself under the falling ferrocrete ramp. Stone Boy ignored the people screaming around him, ignored the stabbing discomfort that went through his head as some of the less disciplined Titanians here lost control of their powers in their anxiety. Flying up beneath the walkway, he grunted as more weight than he’d ever held aloft now pushed down upon his rigid shoulders. The pressure was intense, and it brought with it a physical sensation he was unaccustomed to feeling in his stone form; pain. A large chunk of the path to his left came loose and plummeted straight down, taking off another section of the walkway below as it fell. Luckily there had been nobody directly in its path, but as Stone Boy followed the falling debris with his gaze he realised just how many people were gathered on the levels below. Some were gawking up as they tried to see what was happening above them, many of those further down were completely unaware that anything was happening at all until they were saw boulder-sized chunks plunge past them. All of them were relying on Stone Boy to keep them alive right now, and a grimacing Dag Wentim’s teeth made a grinding sound as he swore that he would not let them down.

The instant Stone Boy had flown off alone, Kando Vyr focused on his own task. Once upon a time he would have been able to effortlessly summon exactly the right person or creature from any point in time to help here. Then he’d given up the majority of his power in order to free Jaxon Rugarth of the curse of the Infinite Man, and these days Kando found that the power of the Infinite Boy was a lot more unpredictable than he’d like it to be. Still, it had served its purpose before and he vowed that it would do so again today. Held aloft in the Titanian sky by a flight ring which hadn’t even been created yet, the Infinite Boy gritted his teeth and rolled almost into a ball as he called on what had once been world-shaking power. He felt cosmic energies surge through his every cell, and arched his back with his limbs outstretched. It had been a long time since he’d had to summon this many people from the timestream, and the effort was draining.

Watching wide-eyed from a window of the Time Institute, a younger Kando Vyr was astounded to see the mysterious levitating stranger’s cloak billow outwards dramatically as not one or even a few but twelve Thanagarian Hawk-Police burst out. Clothed in archaic harnesses, primitive weapons and handguns holstered at their belts, their wings carried them swiftly to each of the falling men and women and carried them to safety. Two of the Hawkmen veered away from their fellows and dived down to snag the largest of the falling chunks of debris in a metallic net before they could do any more damage. Satisfied at the outcome, an exhausted Infinite Boy descended to the plaza outside the Time Institute and dropped to one knee. Feeling watched, he cast a curious glance toward the building only to see Bouncing Boy ushering someone away from a window.

While all of this was going on, Matter-Eater Lad and Dream Girl found themselves at an impasse against Decay. Having seen what her power did to the walkway, they couldn’t allow any of her graceless attacks to land. Still, as easy as it would be to simply knock her out they didn’t want to hurt her either.

“What I don’t get,” Tenzil remarked as he ducked Decay’s glowing swipe, “Is where does her power come from in the first place? I mean I get she thinks she’s the Time Trapper’s daughter, but how does that give her the power to disintegrate stuff?”

“I am the Time Trapper’s daughter!” Decay protested. She lunged at Matter-Eater Lad once more and he took a quick step back.

“That’s it!” Dream Girl snapped her fingers. “Matter-Eater Lad, doesn’t her power effect remind you of something? A golden glow that decays anything it touches? And Wensai Saturni was a quantum mechanic before she became Decay!”

Decay changed targets, charging straight at Dream Girl. The heroes were wearing her down though, and Dream Girl knew this was the right time to make her move. Nura nimbly skipped to the left, jutting out a leg to trip Decay as she ran by. Decay fell flat on her face, and Dream Girl immediately twisted her arms behind her back and rolled the woman to one side. “Matter-Eater Lad! Check what she’s wearing under these robes!”

“Uh, Dreamy..?” Tenzil paced around the two women, scratching his chin. “This fight just got sexy all of a sudden and I don’t know if I’m mentally prepared to think of any of the Time Trapper’s kids in that way…”

Decay’s clawing hands found a lock of Dream Girl’s hair and turned it to dust. “Tenzil!” Nura hollered. “She’s using quantum decay technology!!

“Ohhh, right..!” He dropped to his knees and looked a sputtering Decay in the eyes as his hands groped clumsily at her waist. “For what it’s worth, this is as awkward for me as it is for you, Wensai.” He found the technology-laden belt beneath her robes, leaned down and took a massive chomp out of the buckle. There was an anti-climactic fizzle and the belt powered down straight away.

“No!” Decay screeched, but the fight had gone out of her. The glow fading from her trembling hands, she went limp in Dream Girl’s grasp and lost herself in tears. “I’m sorry,” she bawled, having forgotten that Matter-Eater Lad and Dream Girl were even present. “...I have failed you, I’m so sorry Father…”

“Are you okay?” Matter-Eater Lad asked, extending a hand to Dream Girl.

Nura slapped his hand aside and stood up under her own power, giving him an icy stare. “Do I look okay, Mr Kem? I’ll have you know you’re paying for my follicular rejuvenation as soon as we get back to Mars!”

“Uhh guys..?” Stone Boy’s voice called out from somewhere below them.

“...If the fight’s finished, can I get some help here..?”

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


ROLL CALL
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox: 12th level intelligence, team leader
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Fire Lad aka Staq Mavlen: fire-breathing
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy


Danielle Foccart watched as a small army of servodroids rushed to restore Brainiac 5’s multi-lab to its former condition at her command.

“Kid Computo!”

She turned at the sound of her codename to see Brainiac 5 and Elastic Lad standing before a cylindrical tube surrounded by all kinds of exotic protuberances and energy-emitting rods. Color Kid stood off to one side, hands clasped behind his back while he tried not to worry too overtly about Fire Lad standing inside the tube. The plexiglass surrounding Staq Mavlen was darkened, and only the orange flames of his crest could be seen through it. “You’re ready for me, Brainiac?” Danielle asked.

“We have been ready for the past 17 standard seconds,” Brainiac 5 muttered, adjusting some controls as he spoke. “Thus the reason I called your name four times.”

“Okay, well I’m here now.” Danielle gave a final command to the repair droids to continue their current work and to alert her if anything unexpected occurred, and switched her attention to the complicated machine around Fire Lad. “What exactly is it you want me to do?”

“Elastic Lad and I will be making adjustments to the genetic code of both Fire Lad and the microbial parasite inhabiting his body,” Brainiac explained. “Your role is to ensure that the machine processes any changes simultaneously. It is vitally important that our movements are coordinated if Fire Lad’s various mutations are to be reversed.”

“Gotcha,” Kid Computo nodded. Like all of Brainiac 5’s inventions, this machine was vastly complicated but she was confident she could do as she’d been asked.

Watching from the sidelines, Color Kid felt sorry for his friend within that tube. Fire Lad had wanted to be a Legionnaire for so long, longer than even Ulu himself. It seemed so cruel now that the power which had made that dream possible for his friend was actually a parasite which was slowly transforming him into some unknown lifeform. Brainiac’s machine would expunge that parasite, but it would also cost Fire Lad his power. Ulu wasn’t sure if he’d be able to voluntarily give up the only thing that made him special if he had to, he couldn’t imagine what Staq had gone through to make that decision for himself.

A familiar poop-POP-poop noise filled the room, and Color Kid watched Quislet’s microship zoom through the multilab. “Woo woo, what happen here?” the Teallian micro-explorer asked with a tone of excitement. “No fair, Legion have fun while Quislet off doing boring ambassador work to make Teall play nice with United Planets?” The others were all preoccupied with Fire Lad’s treatment, though Elastic Lad did spare a second to give Quislet a broad grin and an animated wave of his elongated hand.

Color Kid raised an eyebrow. “You’ve got a funny idea of fun, Quislet. The Heavensent trashed Brainiac’s lab looking for Arqiia...we caught Red Giant and White Dwarf, but Tachyon escaped and Void...Void, Celestine and Arqiia all vanished in a tesseract explosion. Neither Dawnstar or Mwindaji have been able to find any sign of them at all.”

“Really?” Quislet’s microship circled Color Kid’s head before zipping off to the ruins of the tesseract gateway where Arqiia, Void and Celestine had last been seen. “You want to find them? Celestine and Void bad guys, no?”

“Well, yes…” Color Kid came closer to the microship which now hovered in place a few feet above the ground. “But Arqiia’s not. And she needs our help. She hasn’t got a chance against those two on her own, I just hope she survives long enough for us to find her.”

“Settled then,” Quislet chirped. “Quislet find them, we beat up bad guys, Arqiia safe. Quislet big hero!”

Color Kid’s face screwed up in confusion. “No offence Quislet, but if Dawnstar couldn’t find them how are you going to do it?”

“Not going to!” Quislet trilled. “Quislet find them already! Quislet know dimensional travel, remember? Void not gone, Void just lost in between here and somewhere else! Quislet fix it!”

The air in front of Quislet began to shimmer now, and Color Kid could swear it had almost human proportions. “Uhh, Quislet..? I think you should talk to Brainiac about this…” Ulu looked across the room at the others but they were all consumed with Staq’s treatment and hadn’t noticed anything else since Quislet’s initial entry.

“Too late!” the Teallian blurted out joyfully. “Quislet save the day again!”

There was a muffled thump as air rushed outwards in a soft wave, and Ulu was now certain -- the air before him was taking on a recognisable silhouette, one whose identity was unmistakable. “Quislet!” he shouted, but it was too late. There was a burst of light and a second shockwave, which this time knocked Quislet and Color Kid back a few feet.

Sliding across the floor, Ulu came to a rude stop against the remains of a burnt-out console and looked up to see Celestine before him, her hand around Arqiia’s throat as she held her off the ground. The golden woman returned Color Kid’s gaze with one of utter contempt and spoke three words to the featureless Void at her side.

“Kill them all.”

TO BE CONTINUED..!
Nice little excursion on Titan! Infinite Boy’s younger self, cool, explains also how he seems to be adjusting so well to being stuck in the Legion’s time

Loved the references to Dag’s future and his determination, Dreamy making a show of looking at her hands to express frustration at Infinite Boy (I almost wish Reboot Nura had the same personality, this Nura is so fun to right!) and her annoyance at Tenzil for not getting her hint the first time, and Tenzil’s quips.

Your illustration of Nura’s power made me think, surely she has something built in to her costume or flight ring that protects her from pain and damage when she trances out? I think I’ll reference that in my own work! (sorry, just had a brain fart lol)

Sigh, Quislet. It really thinks in a different way. Nice use of its dimensional travel knowledge though. Quislet and Zymyr should duke t out one day (another brain fart)

Staq! i wonder if he will really lose his powers, or do you have a curve ball planned?

loved how you have Chuck something to do too!

eager to see the next bit!
Raz, hi, this is great!

from the start you have such great characterisations - Nura is totally on point, Dag as the reliable but slightly insecure young man, and of course Tenzil as Tenzil - perfectly executed. You really do excel at making the under dogs into capable heroes, more so than any other fan-fic writer (or pro, actually) and I can't praise you enough for this as it is a total joy to read.

Decay, the wannabe daughter of the Time Trapper, was an interesting, if worryingly deranged opponent. I'd like to see her again.

Infinite Boy having his abilities curtailed was a smart move otherwise this would have been a very much shorter story. Have you any plans for him to join up with the team? He's an interesting character and I loved his musing about Dag's future self being far more confident and respected.

Tenzil saving the day with a chomp was a delight - e really does have the most god-awful super power yet you always have him use it really well.

The second story was a great set up for another round against the Heavensent. Even with your imaginative use of the less powerful team members I think they'll be in trouble this time without a heavy hitter or two joining in.

Brainy's comment about being ready for seventeen seconds gave me a laugh - he sounds like my ex-husband.

Elastic Lad is one of my favourites on your team so I'm glad you've included him. It's really well done that you can create this goofball, socially naïve character yet make him one of the most accomplished scientists on the team as well - not just a one-note comic relief character.

Quislet, as always, is trouble - I do love him but find his ego infuriating. His skill as skimming through the dimensions makes total sense by the way so well done for adding that in here.

Void on the rampage! Terrifying thought!

I'm looking forward to seeing how you get the team out of this situation and if there'll be any repercussions for Quislet.

As always, I'm really looking forward to reading more, more, more!
Posted By: Omni Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 5 NOVEMBER* - 11/13/17 01:25 AM
Some good work here Raz. i liked the mission to Titan and it was a good way to reintroduce Infinity Boy and his limited powers. Which i agree with everyone else its a good thing they were downgraded.

Decay the Time Trapper's daughter...hmmm i wonder what would happen if the actual Time Trapper decided to intervene I wonder how much the two would bond.

Tenzil and Dream Girl do make an effective team. That last chomp was perfect.

Brainy's lab things are going to get hairy for sure. Poor Staq. It's too bad Brainy can't figure out a way for him to keep his powers.

Quislet is likable and annoying all at the same time. it was cool to see him use his powers in another way and it makes sense that he could do that as a inter dimensional traveler himself and where that scene left off? Void and Celestine are going to be tough.

Side note sorry about the Laurel comment. as you've said before its will happen. So many teams so close of lineups. But i love every minuet of it.

I can't wait for more.
Glad y'all liked it....Infinite Boy will be popping up again pretty soon though whether he actually joins the Legion might depend on how well he survives what's coming. Also just to keep everyone guessing, he might be bringing one or two very unexpected guests with him !

IB re your question about Dream Girl having something to protect her when she zones out - tbh I think I rely on her narcolepsy as a plot device more than it's really been used in the comics for a long time....it's been a while since she passed out at an inconvenient time in any comics even when the Legion were regularly appearing but I am a big fan of powers that come with their own drawbacks or are seemingly useless so I like to draw on it more. It would make sense for her to have something like you mentioned, just like Night Girl having a tinted transuit but I like the challenge of writing around that stuff more so it's one of those things as a writer I'm just like "LOOK AT THIS SHINY THING" and run away if anyone ever brings it up hahaha laugh

Quislet vs Zymyr is inspired, they are as bad as each other! Let's see who gets to it first wink

Omni: interesting that you wonder about the Time Trapper intervening with Decay, but let's just leave that there for the moment......

Fire Lad's final fate will be decided next instalment, and I can promise that Quislet will definitely see some consequences for his actions for once....and certain members of the Heavensent might just live up to their potential for a change!
Unusual team with Nura, Dag and Tenzil, but you made them highly effective. Of course Tenzil gets the final chomp!

I really appreciate all the effort you put into Stone Boy; he's so different from the one-trick pony/joke of the comic.

Decay is such a tragic villain - amazing "superpower", though!

Infinity Boy's limitations are well handled - that he does research after getting a precog flash shows he doesn't just rely on his innate power, but capitalizes on it.
Glad you liked it FC...I like Nura and Tenzil together (platonically), they bounce off each other well laugh
Posted By: razsolo Enter the Dragon - 11/30/17 05:40 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Though his eyes were obscured by jet black patches, fear could clearly be read on the face of Ulu Vakk. Seated on the floor against a console in Brainiac 5’s multilab, the hero better known as Color Kid gaped up at the two villains standing over him. One of them was called Celestine and she was powerful enough to challenge even Mon-El. Celestine wasn’t the immediate threat however, distracted as she was with choking the life out of the Mercurian woman Arqiia whom she held dangling inches above the ground. No, the immediate threat to Color Kid’s life was Celestine’s teammate Void. An eerily silent silhouette of a man, Void moved toward Color Kid and reached one featureless arm toward him.

“Don’t be scared!” Ulu heard the overly chirpy voice of the being who had brought Celestine and Void here in the first place, and Quislet’s microship interposed itself between Color Kid and Void. “Quislet make Void go bye again!”

Somewhere in what passed for his mind, Void remembered the last time he’d come across the Teallian Legionnaire and he hesitated.

Color Kid came to his senses and scrambled away furiously while Celestine herself finally turned her attention to the heroes. “You have found success against us in the past,” she admitted as she reached her free arm out toward Quislet. “I assure you that will not be the case this time, annoying creature.” A blast of pure white flame travelled down her golden skin and roared outwards. The heat seared Color Kid’s exposed skin, but it consumed Quislet’s ship entirely and before the tiny hero had a chance to even protest the attack he’d been reduced to so much ash.

“You killed him!!” Color Kid’s jaw dropped in horror.

“Don’t be upset, Legionnaire.” Celestine fixed a blazing look on Color Kid for a second before turning her attention back to Arqiia. “If Void doesn’t dispatch you, I’ll send you to meet your friend myself as soon as I’ve finished with this failed experiment.”

“Move, Color Kid!” Ulu heard Danielle Foccart’s panicked voice from somewhere behind him, and he finally clambered to his feet and backed away toward her. A small fleet of servodroids which till now had been working to restore the multi-lab after the villains’ last assault diverted from their task and buzzed angrily around Void. They could do nothing to harm him but they served their purpose by distracting the walking singularity. While Void swiped the tiny hovering machines out of existence, Color Kid retreated to a safer distance.

“Arqiia!” Almost as an afterthought, Ulu recognised that the flame-crested woman was still in deadly peril and had in fact lost consciousness in Celestine’s vice-like grip. Arqiia’s face abruptly changed color, darkening almost instantly to a shade of red so deep that it was almost black. Unexpectedly, the bloody darkness crossed from Arqiia herself to Celestine’s hand, and started to consume the golden woman’s arm. It was only after a shocked Celestine threw Arqiia aside that the villainess realised Color Kid was responsible for the illusion.

“For a lesser being, you are a cunning one.” Celestine forgot about Arqiia and closed on Color Kid. “For your cleverness I’ll do you the favour of a quick death.” Blazing fire roared out toward the Lupran hero and he gave an involuntary yelp, flinching back instinctively.

Both of them were surprised when the flames cleared and Ulu was completely unharmed. Color Kid realised almost immediately the reason for his survival however, and turned to see Brainiac 5 standing alongside Kid Computo. The Coluan’s forcefield protected himself, Danielle, Ulu and even Fire Lad still ensconced in his machine. “You’re a lifesaver, Brainiac!” Color Kid beamed. “But even your forcefield won’t stand up to the two of them!”

“That’s why he got me to call for reinforcements.” Danielle Foccart gave Ulu a sly smile as she held her flight ring up to the light.

The air in the room suddenly began to stir, and Celestine found herself in the centre of a small whirlwind. The merest portion of her strength kept her grounded while Void marched on oblivious that anything untoward was happening at all. Celestine looked around the room for the architect of her frustration, and came across Nightwind frowning as Berta concentrated to use her power in the confined space. “You can’t possibly believe this will stop me,” Celestine declared.

“Nope,” Nightwind muttered, “But it brought Elastic Lad some time.”

“What--” Celestine noticed now that the unusually quiet hero was fleeing the room, Arqiia wrapped safely in his arms. The villainess scowled and prepared to incinerate the two of them when she was abruptly pummelled by a tremendous force.

“Hey, remember me?” Laurel Kent charged the gleaming powerhouse across the lab and through a wall, then straddled her and landed a flurry of punches.

“How did she do that?” Color Kid’s jaw dropped. “Laurel needed me to change the color of Celestine’s flames last time!”

“Celestine’s not the only solar powered one around here,” Sun Boy made his entrance, bright blue flames dancing across his body rather than the orange flickers he normally emanated. “And I’ve had a little more practice using my power than she has. We got your distress call, Kid C...everyone else is on the way.” True to Sun Boy’s words, the Legionnaires were soon joined by Ultra Boy, Chameleon Boy, Element Lad, Shadow Lass, Night Girl and Star Boy.

Brainiac 5 had already turned his attention back to the machine housing Fire Lad. “Star Boy, subdue Void - everybody else, go help Supergirl. Outside of this room she’s no longer under the effect of Sun Boy’s power and I anticipate that her enhanced abilities will only last another 7 seconds at best. Whatever happens, our work here is not to be disturbed or Fire Lad may pay the price!”

Star Boy gestured at the walking singularity who was even now about to breach Brainiac 5’s forcefield but before Thom could make his move there was a blur of motion and he went flying several feet. He was unconscious when he landed, and he was soon joined by Nightwind, Element Lad and Chameleon Boy. “What the sprock--?” Ultra Boy frowned, switching his ultra-energy to invulnerability as his only defence against this unseen foe.

“Tachyon!” Night Girl shouted. “It must be!”

“Very perceptive, beehive.” The Heavensent’s resident speedster finally stopped moving and made himself visible for the first time. He was carrying a limp Gas Girl, her broken limbs hanging at awkward angles and her face almost unrecognisable from the damage she’d sustained being dragged through the Legion’s headquarters at high speeds. “It won’t save you anymore than it saved this one though...she was the one who took me down last time, right? ‘Last time’ as in the last time she’ll do that.” He threw her toward Void faster than most of them could stop him, but there was one Legionnaire who could act.

Though he knew he was setting himself up for a world of hurt, Ultra Boy switched his ultra-energy into speed and intercepted the helpless Lallorian heroine. Tachyon vanished the instant Jo moved and while Sun Boy fired fruitlessly at where the villain had been, an almost invisible uppercut shattered Ultra Boy’s jaw and sent him and Gas Girl bouncing painfully across the lab to land in a battered heap together.

“That’s quite enough from you,” Shadow Lass announced icily, and blanketed the entire multilab outside of Brainiac 5’s forcefield in darkness.

“Thanks, Tasmia.” Night Girl advanced on the sightless speedster, her own Kathooni eyes unhampered by the absence of light. “What are you doing here anyway, Tachyon? Kid Computo’s distress signal only mentioned Celestine and Void!”

“Celestine has total control of the electromagnetic spectrum, moron; along with everything else she can do. She radioed us as soon as she realised where she was, and I transcend...transcend...what’s wrong with me..?” After his last experience within Shadow Lass’s darkness, Tachyon had decided to shift back in time a few seconds and kill the Talokkian before she could bring that power to bear. He’d not done any more than consider the idea though when he was overcome with vertigo. Night Girl’s fist found Tachyon’s face, and Shadow Lass dissipated her darkness field once she was satisfied that he was out cold.

Seemingly from nowhere, Shrinking Violet appeared standing over the defeated villain. “Yeah yeah, you transcend speed,” Vi mimicked him. “We’ve heard your little tagline often enough to know it by heart...too bad you don’t transcend idiocy; it’s not like it’s any more difficult for me to disrupt your inner ear than it was for Gas Girl to take you out when she faced you but as soon as any one of us starts you talking you never shut up...and a bad guy who never shuts up is an easy target even in a pitch black room. Moron.”

“Oh no, Gas Girl!” Night Girl ran to her fallen comrade’s side. “She’s still alive, thank the shades! But she and Jo are both going to need medical attention - not to mention the others.” She cast a concerned look over the rest of Tachyon’s victims strewn about the lab and her eyes fell across Void who had disrupted Brainiac 5’s forcefield and was now within reach of the Legion’s leader. “Brainiac, get away from him!” Lydda warned.

Brainiac 5 didn’t even turn around from his work at Fire Lad’s machine. “Night Girl, it is taking the full undivided attention of myself and Kid Computo merely to prevent Fire Lad’s physical form from devolving into a primordial slime at the moment. You’ll all have to deal with Void without--” Anything else the Coluan had to say was lost in an agonised scream as Void’s hand disappeared into his shoulder.

Before the slow-moving Void could fully claim his victim, a rush of wind filled the room. Mon-El swept through the lab, collecting Brainiac 5, Color Kid and Kid Computo and depositing them safely with their teammates who were still standing. Brainiac 5 was mercifully unconscious, a hand-sized hole in his back gushing blood. “Sorry for the delay,” Mon-El apologised. “I had to dispose of a malfunctioning powersphere on the other side of Mars. You all might want to turn away, this isn’t going to be pleasant.” The Daxamite’s eyes flared red and the room filled with the acrid scent of burning flesh as heat vision cauterised Brainiac’s wound. “I saw Mwindaji on my way here with some of the others, just make sure Void doesn’t kill anybody till he arrives.”

“You’re leaving us??” Violet cried out. “You just got here!”

Laurel Kent suddenly hurtled through an internal wall, across the room and up through the ceiling. “And I’m needed elsewhere,” Mon-El retorted without missing a beat. In another second he was on the trail of the newest Legionnaire’s golden assailant.

With no other targets within easy range, Void ignored Sun Boy’s escalating flame blasts and reached into the machine holding Fire Lad. Kid Computo cried out in protest, but she was cut off by the din of the machine exploding around them. For an awful moment the room was filled with heat and noise until fire suppression systems came into play, and when the dust settled only Sun Boy was still awake. The explosion’s flames hadn’t fazed him and he’d managed to emit a pulse of heat to counter most of the shockwave, but the effort had taken a lot out of him. He could see Void closing in on Shadow Lass’s inert form, but he was too dazed to do anything about it. “...Stop, damn it…” he ordered weakly.

Four psychedelic dragons appeared around Void before he could get any closer to the unlucky heroine. They circled him, changing colors as their serpentine forms moved gracefully through the air. He forgot about Shadow Lass and swiped instead at the dragonforms, popping each of them in turn as though they were delicate balloons.

“I’m sorry,” Dragonmage leaned against a damaged wall, clutching his head with one hand as he felt a stab of mystical feedback from each one of his destroyed creations. “It seems he consumes magic as easily as anything else.”

“You have no reason to apologise,” came a monotonous electronic tone from behind him. The massive form of Tellus swam forward through the air, overtaking the young sorceror to approach Void more closely. “We all have our part to play, and you may well have saved Shadow Lass’s life, my friend. Perhaps my telepathy can assist further.” Tellus came to a gentle halt just out of Void’s grasp and reached out with his mind. There was precious little consciousness there, but it did exist. Tellus envisioned Void’s mind like a blob of quicksilver adrift in endless space. Trying to hold it in one place was pointless, it would simply melt away and reconstitute elsewhere. No, a more passive approach was needed to keep that vestige of intellect rolling in on itself in one place. To any observer, the two seemed simply to be staring at one another but Tellus was actually keeping Void’s mind looping over and over again as though caught up in a whirlpool. The villain didn’t move an inch.

Diamond Damsel, Mwindaji and Polar Boy entered the multilab next, coming to a startled stop as soon as they saw the extent of the damage. “There are so many wounded!” Mwindaji’s eyes widened. “Where do I start?”

“Gas Girl,” Sun Boy commanded, already feeling healthier. “She looked half dead when Tachyon dragged her in here and that was before Fire Lad’s machine exploded.”

“Fire Lad…?” Polar Boy turned to the smoking pile of twisted metal and wiring which had been at the epicentre of the blast. “Staq’s under there somewhere??”

“He won’t be for long,” Diamond Damsel stomped across to the ruined machinery. “Don’t worry Polar Boy, we’ll have him out of there in no time.” She took a second to assess the scene and then grabbed the edge of the largest plate which looked least likely to cause any further collapse by its removal.

Before she could lift it though, a low rumbling growl issued forth from somewhere inside the mess and debris flew outwards as a leathery winged creature more than seven feet tall burst out. Its thick skin was a greyish color and two curved horns emerged from its hairless scalp, a flaming mane between the horns extending halfway down its spine. The creature had an extended crocodilian snout lined with fangs, and blazing orange reptilian eyes. Its bony arms ended in long talons, and two sharp spikes emerged from its wingtips giving it a demonic appearance. With a frighteningly loud roar the beast opened its jaws wide and immersed Diamond Damsel in a stream of flame.

Polar Boy knew the flames wouldn’t bother Diamond Damsel, but they’d surely cook anyone behind her. He quickly erected an ice wall to shield the others and looked to Sun Boy for guidance. “What the sprock is that thing? The Heavensent didn’t have a dragon man any other time we’ve fought them! And where’s Fire Lad?!”

Mwindaji was crouched by Gas Girl’s side, his power bathing her in a soft white light as it healed her injuries. He looked upon the dragon creature at first with a suspicious glare and then his eyes bulged as his tracking ability confirmed what he’d already suspected. “I do not know what has happened to him, but Polar Boy...that is Fire Lad!”

What??” Brek stared open-jawed at the monstrosity before them.

“That machine!” Sun Boy snapped his fingers. “Brainy was using it to reset his genetic structure; when Void made it explode it must have mutated him even further! Tellus, is Fire Lad’s mind still in there somewhere?”

“Fire Lad’s rational self slumbers below the primal flood we are witnessing now,” Tellus explained as Diamond Damsel tried to restrain their wild teammate. “Sun Boy, I could awaken him but it is taking all of my focus to ensure that Void does not continue to menace us further.”

“Then Polar Boy will have to do it,” Sun Boy joined the shorter hero’s side and slapped a hand on his shoulder.

Polar Boy was aghast. “Me?? But I’m not a telepath!”

“You’ve known him longer than anyone else here,” Sun Boy retorted with uncommon bluntness. “Man up and help the poor frood, Brek.” Polar Boy peered over as the creature that had been Staq Mavlen swatted Diamond Damsel through what remained of the melting ice shield.

“Careful,” she cautioned as she climbed to her feet. “I didn’t expect him to be so strong, it threw me off balance.”

“It’s okay,” Polar Boy decided. “Dirk’s right.” He approached the towering firebreather, his heart pounding in his chest. Night Girl or Color Kid would be far better suited to this task than himself, but until Mwindaji treated their injuries they weren’t in any position to do anything. Standing nearly a dozen feet away from Fire Lad, he was dimly aware of Sun Boy behind him holding the other Legionnaires back. If he was going to make his move, he’d better do it now. “Staq..?” he ventured. “Buddy..? You know your old pal Brek, right..?”

In response, the creature’s maw gaped open and he roared hot air at Polar Boy. It was like standing inside the lip of a Tharrian volcano and Brek couldn’t help but flinch, but he also couldn’t help but notice he hadn’t been charbroiled. He gulped down his nervousness and continued. “Staq...we’ll fix this. I don’t know how, but we’ll get you back to normal. You need to calm down though pal, you’re gonna hurt somebody. I know you don’t want to hurt anybody...right?”

The thing that had been Fire Lad lunged at Polar Boy and pinned him to the ground, crouching over him with one clawed hand splayed across Brek’s chest. Steam rose from the beast’s flared nostrils as a low growl built up within him.

Polar Boy saw Diamond Damsel inching forward and covertly waved her away. “Staq...listen to me!” the young cryokinetic shouted with more confidence than he felt. “I know I’ve not been there for you when I should have, I know I’ve let you down and I know I’ve given you every reason to be mad at me...but you’re Fire Lad, you’re a hero! You’re in the Legion of Superheroes! You’re better than this! Settle down and let us help you...please!”

Something else else in his voice caught the creature’s attention. Predatory eyes narrowed as it glared at Polar Boy, then widened and grew less animalistic. Brek felt the pressure on his chest decrease, the hand holding him down reduce in size and proportion. Over the course of several seconds, the dragon-like creature shrunk down, his skin became more pink in hue and his flaming crest petered out to be replaced by a full head of blond hair. Soon the creature was replaced by a naked and thoroughly unmutated Staq Mavlen, looking for all the world like any other native of his home planet Shwar. “Yanno,” he mumbled weakly, “...Not everything’s about you, Bannin.” His eyes rolled back in his head and Fire Lad passed out on top of Polar Boy.

Mon-El flew back into the room at that exact point, followed closely by Blok and Neon. Neon carried an unconscious Celestine behind them tucked away in a floating emerald four poster bed.

“I’m glad you were all able to deal with the others,” Mon-El announced, landing by Shadow Lass while Mwindaji healed her injuries. “With Blok and Zoe’s timely arrival, Celestine didn’t put up too much of a fight at all.”

“...Uh, guys?” Zoe Saugin addressed the room.

“...Why is there a sweaty naked man sleeping on Polar Boy..?”

**********
ELSEWHERE...

In a small room littered with medical instruments, broken furniture and shards of glass, two women crouched together beneath flickering ceiling lights. What had once been a desk now served as a barricade against the room’s one door, and the nurses could hear scared shouts from beyond the room’s cracked walls. One of them looked down at the dark-skinned infant swaddled in her arms and was grateful that at least the child was sleeping through this chaos. “I hope the Legion of Superheroes get here soon,” she whispered in a fearful tone to her fellow nurse.

“They will,” the second woman tried to sound reassuring. “Ral won’t let us down, Diyah.”

A resounding thump shook the room, and the two nurses stared in terror at one another. Both held their breath for long seconds, and let out a long sigh of relief when nothing further happened. “Why do you think this is happening, Eletha?” the woman named Diyah asked.

“Honey, I don’t know.” Eletha stroked her colleague’s short red hair. “All I know is we need to keep this little one safe until Chlorophyll Kid and his friends rescue us.”

There was another thump, and this time the windows shattered inward. The two women screeched as thick woody tree branches burst into the room, more than a dozen vines creeping over the walls and the ceiling as though in search of the trio. The infant awoke at the disruption and began bawling, and her cries were enough to penetrate the women’s paralysing fear. “Come on!” Eletha leaped to her feet and dragged Diyah up with her. “We need to get out of here!” Working together, the two nurses moved the heavy desk blocking their only escape route and swung the door open. In a panic, they ran out to the corridor, but thick green vines circled around Eletha’s ankle and rudely yanked her back into the room.

Diyah stopped in her tracks. “Eletha! No!!” Clutching the screaming newborn close to her breast, she reached out to her friend of seven years with her free hand but the plants encased her almost entirely now and dragged her back roughly through the room toward the window.

“Forget me!” Eletha screamed. “Run, Diyah, run! Save yourself! Save Ivy! Save Ivy!!

Then the greenery consumed the woman named Eletha entirely and she screamed no more.

...TO BE CONTINUED!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Enter the Dragon - 11/30/17 11:23 AM
Oh wow!

what happened to Quislet? it’s made of energy so I assume it’s still floating around somewhere?

And so Staq can control his mutation somewhat, regressing back to normal form. this is an interesting change!

gosh the Legionnaires sure took a beating... nice tactical decision by Jo, nice nod back to Tal taking down Tachyon before, Laurel/Dirk and Tasmia/Lydda make good teams as usual, great thinking by Ulu, nice use of Brainy’s forcefield and Tellus’ telepathy. Glad Mwindaji healed everyone in time.

I loved Vi taking down Tachyon so effectively and giving that smug squaj a hard time. But also found it a bit funny how she ranted about him not stopping talking, and how long her rant turned out to be... tongue

Mon, Zoe and Blok taking Celestine down was priceless too

The plants! Ivy! is that on Mardru? what a cliffhanger!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Enter the Dragon - 12/01/17 07:15 PM
Hi IB smile

Quislet is clearly 100% irrevocably dead and won't come back, which is good cuz I never liked him anyway wink

I'm glad you found Staq's change interesting...for ages I have been looking for a way to make him stand apart from Sun Boy and Dragonwing, this will definitely get some more exploration soon!

After I wrote Vi's rant I did actually think it was too wordy, but then I was too amused at the idea of her going nuts at an unconscious dude so I left it laugh

Good remembering! That certainly is Mardru and we'll see what's going on there next up!
Posted By: Omni Re: Enter the Dragon - 12/03/17 02:45 AM
Raz that was a good battle with the Heavensent and the progression of the team getting involved was well done.

Staq the dragon! i like it. it a good twist that i hope he can learn to control.
i loved his line "its not all about you." before he collapsed on to Berk. laugh

i honestly hated Quilset as well so i'm glad you've killed him off. as powerful as he was he wasn't much help. so thank you!

Aquilla is now with the team and safe i hope.

Tacyon is super powerful for a speedster. i think you need a speedster to come in and show him some manners.

looking forward to more.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Enter the Dragon - 12/04/17 11:45 AM
Originally Posted by Omni
i honestly hated Quilset as well so i'm glad you've killed him off. as powerful as he was he wasn't much help. so thank you!

Let's see how you feel after my next instalment hahaha

Arqiia will indeed be hanging around for a bit if not necessarily as a member of the team...and Tachyon is crazy powerful for a speedster, but fortunately in the manner of all good comic book villains he's too arrogant and short-sighted to really be as much of a threat as someone like him should be; maybe one day we'll see if Dawnstar can get a better round 2 with him wink
Posted By: razsolo Re: Enter the Dragon - 12/06/17 04:20 AM
Okay hopefully it works this time...I tried to upload this last night but I couldn't get the UBB code right tongue

ANYWHO....Laurel Kent aka Supergirl II, y'all!

(the S is terrible but I have long since come to terms with not being able to draw the Supers S symbol lol)

[Linked Image]Laurel Kent aka Supergirl II from my Legion of Superheroes fanfic by razsolo, on Flickr
Posted By: Set Re: Enter the Dragon - 12/10/17 08:33 PM
Yes! Fire Lad is a dragon!

Love it.

Also neat to see such very powerful characters having to deal with things they aren't ready for. A speedster can't necessarily run super-fast when he can't see his surroundings. An untouchable singularity still has a mind that a telepath can mess with. Good stuff, in that the villains are supremely powerful, but can't handle *everything* that the Legion can throw at them, because the Legion's just got so darn many different weapons in their arsenal, even if some of those 'weapons' are as niche as 'get really small and fly into your ear' or 'eat your time-manipulating belt.' smile

I like the characterization. Sun Boy, in particular, telling Brek to cowboy up and talk to his friend, was cool. I like seeing his occasional serious side. Shady, as always, uber-confident in the use of her powers, in this case stymying a speedster who had just wiped out a bunch of her teammates. I love her swagger, no matter the odds. (This is the woman who threw darkness at Darkseid, after all, although in that particular case, she got out-swaggered by Karate Kid. "Astound this, stone face!" Heh.)

Weird bit of fanwanking on my part; About the time that Staq's hair burned away and was replaced by fire, his friends and teammates attempted to console / reassure him by likewise changing up their hair and making it look, to outsiders, like they'd all made a deliberate choice to have 'theme-hair.' Night Girl wore a starry hairnet that made her big black bouffant look like Star Boy's starfield costume. Color Kid added a rainbow of color to his hair. Stone Boy turned his hair, and just his hair, to stone. Chlorophyll Kid wore plants and ivy vines in his hair. And Polar Boy made 'ice-hair.'

Polar Boy (and Color Kid) kept up that tradition for awhile, in solidarity with their friend's new (involuntary) flaming 'do.

Posted By: razsolo Re: Enter the Dragon - 12/11/17 02:56 AM
Thanks Set, I am reasonably sure I stole DragonStaq from you actually haha

I like your Subs themed hair idea, mainly because it seems like such a Giffen thing to do but also I like to imagine that Stone Boy would have just stoically put up with neck strain and migraine and accidentally tearing through shirts etc until someone else went back to normal and gave him an excuse to tap out as well laugh
Posted By: Set Re: Enter the Dragon - 12/11/17 05:17 AM
Originally Posted by razsolo
Thanks Set, I am reasonably sure I stole DragonStaq from you actually haha


I wondered if that idea came from my Fire Lad and the Dragon (of Space) fic, or was parallel evolution. Either way, it's a fun way to buff up Fire Lad and give him a more unique visual (and tone) than just 'dude who breathes fire.' Plus it gives the Subs someone who is a bit more alien/exotic-looking, even if he's still a humanoid by birth.

Quote
I like your Subs themed hair idea, mainly because it seems like such a Giffen thing to do but also I like to imagine that Stone Boy would have just stoically put up with neck strain and migraine and accidentally tearing through shirts etc until someone else went back to normal and gave him an excuse to tap out as well laugh


I'd imagine that Chlorophyll Kid was the first to abandon the idea, not because he's a terrible friend, but because having plants on his head was both a strain on the neck and distracting, because they were attracting bugs. smile
Posted By: razsolo Re: Enter the Dragon - 12/11/17 10:59 PM
Well those Winathian Rose Honey Bees do pack a wallop laugh
Posted By: razsolo The Menace of Moorte Island! - 12/27/17 09:08 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

ROLL CALL
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
12th level intelligence, team leader
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Fire Lad aka Staq Mavlen: fire-breathing
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cold and ice generation

Through one of many cavities torn through the Legion’s headquarters, Polar Boy spared a glance for the Science Police vessel currently speeding away into the upper atmosphere. The ship was en route to Takron-Galtos with three members of the Heavensent inside. Blok and Mon-El flanked the vessel from outside and Polar Boy knew that more Legionnaires were on board the ship along with several members of the prison world’s own Workforce, so he was confident that the Heavensent wouldn’t be a problem for a while.

He turned his attention back to his more immediate surroundings. In Brainiac 5’s multilab, the Legion’s leader and Elastic Lad instructed the former Green Lantern named Neon in constructing an elaborate cube of hardlight machinery around the very ordinary-looking Fire Lad. Along with the other former members of the Substitute Heroes present, Polar Boy couldn’t quite believe how much Staq’s appearance had changed over the years; it had happened so gradually and Fire Lad had so convincingly argued that it was a normal Shwarian transformation that none of them had realised the drastic extent of his mutation. Looking at this athletic blue-eyed blond before him now though, nobody would believe that he was the gaunt flame-crested hero that Fire Lad had eventually become. “So what’s the verdict, Brainy?” Polar Boy asked, hugging himself against what any Tharrian would consider an uncomfortably low ambient temperature.

“With the damage to my laboratory which was done today in addition to that which had already been done, regrettably we will not have access to scanning equipment with any real accuracy for a few days.” Brainiac sighed. “Still, Neon’s attempt to replicate my technology should suffice for now.”

“Well excuse me for not being a 12th level technerd,” Zoe rolled her eyes.

“Gosh, don’t be sore!” Elastic Lad rushed to boost her spirits. “Without your help we’d be in a darned terrible spot right now, Neon! Sure, we could take a guess at Fire Lad’s condition, but Brainiac really doesn’t like to guess without a good amount of data and--”

“As I have stated previously, no scientist worth the designation should ever resort to something as puerile as guessing,” Brainiac 5 shook his head in disgust.

Fire Lad knocked on the inside of the enclosed device. “Hey, you think we can have this conversation later?” Though muffled, annoyance was clear in his tone. “Some of us kinda have a personal stake in your little science experiment here...and I want to go check on Arqiia anyway, she must have a ton of questions.”

“Of course.” Brainiac 5 turned his omnicom around so Staq could see it. Before Staq could complain that the lines of data meant nothing, Brainiac continued. “Despite Void’s interference, we seem to have succeeded in restoring you to your true genetic norm. Congratulations, Fire Lad. Bearing in mind a final analysis will need to be compiled once my multilab has been restored, but preliminary readings indicate you are very much an average non-fire breathing Shwarian male specimen.”

Everyone else in the room aside from Elastic Lad seemed utterly baffled, and Color Kid finally said what they were all thinking. “But...we saw him turn into a giant dragon...thing.”

“That’s the good news!” Elastic Lad burst out gleefully. “In this form, Fire Lad has no powers at all! But he can trigger a transformation into what would have been his ultimate mutation! In that form, he’s stronger than his base form, more resistant, he’s got super cool wings and horns and gee whiz, there’s no reason he needs to leave the Legion of Superheroes at all now! Then once we make sure Quislet can get back from Teall where he went after his ship got destroyed we’ll be back to full strength! Isn’t that swell??”

“Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves,” Brainiac 5 said coolly. “We will need to ascertain that Fire Lad has control of his faculties in his mutated form, and we will need to clinically determine the capabilities of that form as well as any inherent vulnerabilities...as for Quislet, well, Quislet is another matter entirely.”

“But there’s hope, right?” Night Girl approached the emerald construct and squinted against its brightness as she placed a hand up against Staq’s on the other side.

“Hope is inconsequential,” Brainiac 5 replied. “Fire Lad has something better than hope...he has me.”

**********
MARDRU
Moorte Island, Quarantine Medical Research Facility and Hospital

ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem:
hyper-stimulated plant growth
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: intangibility



“F-faster!” Chlorophyll Kid stammered, his flight ring propelling him through the few remaining untouched corridors of his homeworld’s premier medical facility at breakneck speed. Lights flickered all around and snaking vegetation filled the hospital behind him. “The p-plants are g-gaining on us!”

Also behind him were Comet Queen with a nurse inelegantly slumped over one shoulder and Phantom Girl cradling a newborn infant. “Grava, fly ahead!” Phantom Girl commanded her younger teammate. “Whatever’s empowering these plants, they can’t do anything to hurt me and Ivy’s small enough that it’s no strain to keep her phased along with me!”

Tinya Wazzo’s face was much paler than usual and her forehead was shiny with sweat; it gave Comet Queen pause but Grava couldn’t deny that her Bgtzlr comrade had a much higher chance of survival against this weird threat than she did. “Whatever you say, starshine! Hold your breath though, I’m gonna make like a nebula and mist up this place!” Comet Queen zoomed ahead and the gases streaming from her scalp billowed out behind her until Phantom Girl’s visibility was reduced to only a few feet ahead. Tinya didn’t complain though; she knew as well as the others that when Grava had chanced across a herbicidal formulation for her cloudy plume she’d provided the trio of Legionnaires with their best weapon against these murderous plants.

As vines and thorny branches recoiled from Comet Queen’s poisonous wake, Phantom Girl felt surprisingly light-headed. She couldn’t possibly have inhaled any of the dangerous gases, both she and the child named Ivy were safely untouchable to just about anything in this plane of reality. “Seal the passage!” Tinya barked at her teammates when she saw that Grava had almost joined Chlorophyll Kid on the other side of a bright red band indicating a forcefield projector. “We’re both intangible, we’ll fly straight through!” Grava came to a sudden halt on the other side of the projector, and as clumsy as the maneuver was, Chlorophyll Kid borrowed the hand of the nurse slung over Grava’s shoulder to activate a fingerprint scanner mounted on the wall. With a fizzling sound, a translucent red plane of energy bisected the corridor and Tinya and the baby flew straight through just as she’d said they would. Their flight path wavered as soon as they were on the other side though, and Phantom Girl solidified as she barged painfully shoulder first at the floor. Holding Ivy as safe as she could within her crossed arms, Tinya skidded across the floor on her back and came to a painful stop against an empty bed.

Comet Queen immediately lay the nurse on the bed and crouched down to Tinya’s level. “Parse me to the c-span, are you still shiny?”

“...I’m fine,” Phantom Girl grimaced in a voice that sounded very much not fine. “Grava, can you please take Ivy for me?” She held the crying infant out and Comet Queen took her without question. Tinya tried to stand, but again felt herself overcome with vertigo and almost fell against the bed. Grabbing it quickly to steady herself, her shoulders slumped and her head bowed with the effort of simply staying erect.

“Ph-Phantom Girl, are you s-sure you're okay?” Chlorophyll Kid queried anxiously. Satisfied that Grava’s cloudy wake and the hospital’s forcefield would keep them safe for a moment, he approached the girls. “You look - you look like Nurse Dentley did just before she p-passed out!”

“I told you...” the nurse groaned weakly, “Call me Diyah…” She struggled to raise her head for a moment before the effort became too much for her and she instead resigned herself to staring helplessly at the ceiling. “...I think these things...infected me with some kind of poison before you Legionnaires arrived...may have done the same to...you all…”

“But Phantom Girl’s a space ghost!” Grava protested. “Nothing can touch her when she’s not here! And they grabbed a good hold of me till my stardust hurt their grabby vines but I’m nova bright, starshine!”

“They did touch me…” Phantom Girl trembled with the effort of standing. “Only...briefly, but...when I picked up Ivy...must have been...must have been enough…” She could push through her weakness no longer and eyes rolling back in her head, Tinya Wazzo collapsed to the cold floor.

Chlorophyll Kid rushed to help her, but the ailing nurse named Diyah Dentley found the strength to lean on one elbow and wave an arm before him. “Stop…” she warned breathlessly. “We don’t know what kind of...poison they used...if it’s still on her...Comet Queen’s species might be immune but…” She passed out again before she could finish, but Chlorophyll Kid grasped her meaning clearly enough. Like Diyah, he too was a native of Mardru; he was just as vulnerable to this affliction as she clearly was.

“G-Grava, do you know h-how to ch-check their v-vitals?” he asked his golden teammate.

Transferring the no longer crying infant to the crook of her left arm, Comet Queen smiled helpfully. “I might not be getting a job on Medicus One anytime soon starshine, but a meteor couldn’t have hammered first aid stuff into my head any harder than Duplicate Damsel did back at the Academy.” She rapped her knuckle against her skull for effect and without causing any discomfort to Ivy at all Grava took both the nurse and Phantom Girl’s pulses, pressed the back of her hand against their foreheads and gently rolled them to their sides. “They’re solar flare hot,” she worried aloud, “I think when the nice nurse lady wakes up again we better ask her where they keep the medicine down here.”

For the first time, Ral Benem looked around his surroundings and realised why it was so deathly still on this side of the field. A large plaque was affixed to the wall, a morgue directory written on its brassy surface in Interlac. Chlorophyll Kid gazed back at the plants which even now had summoned reinforcements and pushed up against the quarantine forcefield, and he gave a bitter laugh and slumped to the floor against the wall while the lights strobed lazily around them all. He heard Grava’s voice but it was muted and unintelligible beneath the sound of his own heart pounding.

...How had a routine trip to his homeworld turned into a hopeless siege in a hospital morgue of all places..?

Ral cast his mind back to the three Legionnaires’ arrival. They’d not had any contact with the hospital since reaching planetary orbit, and when long range scanners showed all three kliks of this island overgrown with vegetation they knew there was something wrong here above and beyond the curiosity of an old friend’s summons. They’d contacted Mardru authorities immediately, and while neither Chlorophyll Kid nor Comet Queen carried the kind of presence to sway local Science Police, Phantom Girl happily did. As one of the longest serving members of the Legion of Superheroes, Tinya had helped Ral convince the Mardru authorities to keep a wide berth of Moorte Island until after the trio of heroes investigated and gave the all clear.

Moorte Island had so utterly been reclaimed by its own plant life that the Legionnaires had found themselves unable to land their cruiser. When the three of them descended under the power of their flight rings, the sight which greeted them was oddly disconcerting. Only the barest hint of Mardrui architecture could be seen beneath a canopy of vines and thick leafy branches, and their only obvious entrance was an almost deliberate clearing several metres wide which led through the shade of whispering trees to the shattered front lobby of the hospital.

Chlorophyll Kid had been to this place once before, several years ago. He knew that there was the bare minimum of biological staff here, all possible functions carried out by medically programmed droids to lessen the chances of any disease making its way off of this remote rock in the ocean. Still, he’d expected to find some staff. He found it chilling that they’d not come across one doctor or nurse, or even a patient for that matter. Then they’d encountered Nurse Dentley hiding with Ivy in a freezer meant for biological samples and the Legionnaires had discovered first hand what had caused the plants to rise up in an attempt to swallow Quarantine and everything in it; their enemy was no plant controller, it was the very plant life of Moorte Island itself.

The Legionnaires had fought and then they had run. At some stage the plants had released a bizarre spore cloud which hampered their flight rings’ communication abilities, leaving them all well and truly alone in this hellish place. Chlorophyll Kid spared a concerned glance for the females trapped here with him. As far as he knew, every living mammal on this island was gathered right here in this corridor...and he had no idea how long that would hold true for Phantom Girl and Diyah.

“O-Okay, let-let’s take a s-second and th-th-think,” Chlorophyll Kid declared. He realised his stuttering was getting worse and took a moment to breathe and centre himself. “Okay,” he said again with slightly more authority. “Nurse….Diyah, s-sorry; what can you tell us? W-What kicked all of this off?”

The nurse’s head lolled and she gazed wearily at the baby gurgling placidly in Grava’s embrace. “...Ivy,” she found the voice to say. “I don’t know why...how...but they started coming for Ivy just after she was born, her mother was the first victim...Eletha...Eletha noticed it first…” Her eyes filled with tears at the memory of her friend who’d fallen victim to the plants just prior to the Legionnaires’ arrival. Chlorophyll Kid’s own eyes grew damp in sympathy.

“Eletha was your friend, starshine?” Comet Queen touched Chlorophyll Kid’s arm. “The one who called us here?”

“Once upon a time, she was my only friend.” Ral’s face betrayed his pain. “Mardru used to b-be a very d-different place...all our p-plant life was dying of Anthratic Blight and our b-best scientists all worked to stop it before our whole w-world turned b-barren.”

“That’s how you got your powers, right?” Comet Queen prompted.

Ral nodded. “I was working in one of the dozens of labs Mardrugov sponsored to f-find a cure...and I fell into an experimental h-hydroponic solution. It m-made me really s-sick for a week, but then I got better overnight and I found out I could make plants grow f-faster. Even back then it was a weird p-power...nobody even really thought of it as a power to b-begin with. I was s-sent here to be st-studied like a bl-blindrat until Mardrugov were satisfied that what I had wasn’t dangerous or-or c-contagious. And while I was here, I met Eletha and she-she-she…” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again. “...Sh-she made me smile. She made me smile, Grava...and now she’s g-gone because I didn’t get here fast enough to help her.”

Comet Queen squeezed his arm. “Chlory, you can’t think like that! Bouncy taught us in the Academy all you can do is try your best but sometimes even your best isn’t gonna be enough...but it’s not your fault!”

“Grava’s...right,” Conscious once more, Phantom Girl forced herself to a seated position against the wall. “From what Diyah said earlier on...before everything went crazy and we had to go on the run...only a few plants were mobile at the start...they didn’t know how bad it was going to get, and by the time they knew...that weird spore cloud cut off their comms just like it did ours...we couldn’t possibly have known...how much danger this island was in.”

A queer creaking noise resonated through the corridor and they all looked in vain to find its source. “We need a plan…” Phantom Girl tried to stand, then thought better of it and relaxed against the wall again. “I’m effectively useless...if Comet Queen can...reach our cruiser, maybe she can call for reinforcements…”

“But we’d have to switch off the forcefield for her to g-get out,” Chlorophyll Kid reasoned. “And we’ve got no defence against those plants without G-Grava...and anyway, I-I don’t want to risk her getting c-caught by those things.” He blushed a warm red at this confession and found himself unable to meet anyone’s eye.

“What I don’t get…” Diyah frowned, “...Isn’t your whole thing plants..? Can’t you force them back, Chlorophyll Kid..?”

“Th-that’s not how my power works,” Ral admitted with shame in his voice. “I can only make plants g-grow faster, and that’s the last thing we n-need right now.” Something else else occurred to Chlorophyll Kid suddenly and he shot Diyah a curious glance. “Who are Ivy’s p-parents? Maybe there’s a clue there why these plants keep coming after her?”

“Nobody knew,” the nurse replied. “...We found her mother staggering outside the main hospital building, she was suffering from extreme shock. Quarantine doesn’t have a maternity ward, but...the best doctors on Mardru are...were...here.” Her face contorted with pain once again as she corrected herself, realising that every last one of her colleagues was surely now dead. “Her mother’s name was Antonine,” she continued. “Antonine Arcane...she wasn’t in any condition to tell us how she got to Moorte Island...or who the father was. She lived long enough to...name Ivy, and then...then those things attacked…”


“Oh.” Chlorophyll Kid’s face grew ashen as he looked down to see the pouches on his belt rustling of their own accord. “Oh no.” His loose-fitting costume was lined with several hidden pockets, and they all started to poke and jostle him now as well.

“Chlory, what--” Comet Queen began to ask, but she was cut off by the sound of Chlorophyll Kid’s costume shredding as over a dozen different species of plants grew outwards from him. Phantom Girl was still too affected by the earlier attack to phase, and found herself as helpless as anybody else in the room when the Legionnaires and Nurse Dentley were suspended in grappling cocoons of hardy Zuunian creepers. Comet Queen clutched on to Ivy as fiercely as she could, but the plants in the end were simply too many and too powerful. “Don’t worry!” Grava cried out. “I’ll rot these ones hyperfast!”

“You will not risk the Avatar of the Green!” a creaking voice hissed. The rest of the plants which had grown forth from Chlorophyll Kid’s seed pouches had now intertwined, filling one whole side of the room. Chlorophyll Kid, Comet Queen, Phantom Girl and Nurse Dentley watched in gaping horror as the combined plants formed a face some seven feet tall. Reaching tendrils grew forth from the thing’s mouth, bringing Ivy toward it. Simultaneously, the Zuunian creepers tightened their grip on their helpless captives.

“You don’t tell a Legionnaire what to do, bark face!” Comet Queen balled her hands into fists and plumes of smoke started to billow forth from her scalp. The Zuunian vines holding her had a much higher resistance to herbicides than any of the native Mardrui vegetation, and Grava had to create more toxic mists to affect it. The vines holding Grava weakened, but the room had become so full of acrid smog now that all the others including Ivy herself had begun rasping for air.

“Grava, stop it!” Chlorophyll Kid hacked. “You’re g-gonna kill us along with these things! Besides, I’ve g-got an idea...get ready to fly as fast as you can!” One of the many extraterrestrial seeds the Mardrui plants had coopted from Chlorophyll Kid was an Earth sequoia. The gigantic redwood was of no use to the Moore Island plants in these confined quarters, but ironically its unwieldy size and strength was exactly what made it perfect for Ral’s purposes. He concentrated briefly and an enormous trunk suddenly shot straight up through the ceiling of the room, the ceiling above that one, and in no time at all through five other levels until it broke through to the open sky above.

“Nova burn!” Comet Queen squealed exuberantly. Taking advantage of the plants’ weakened state she snapped through the creepers gripping her, grabbed Ivy and shot up alongside the redwood trunk faster than anyone else in the room could react. By the time the Mardrui plants sent the clutching branches of the sequoia after Comet Queen, she was hundreds of feet up with Ivy cradled close to her flat chest. The sudden exposure to outside air had the side-effect of dispersing Comet Queen’s wake more effectively and Ral, Tinya and Diyah swallowed huge lungfuls of clean air.

Unfortunately, they weren’t the only ones to get a recovery boost. The plants strengthened their hold on Nurse Dentley and the Legionnaires, more and more vines covering them until Ral couldn’t even hear his own pained bellow any longer. A moment before consciousness was about to leave him, he felt a falling sensation and found himself in a dogpile with Tinya and Diyah outside the cocoon of greenery. “...Whatever you try…” Phantom Girl challenged the looming plant face through gritted teeth, “We’ll find a way to fight you, Green Avatar...or whatever you’re called. Legionnaires...don’t quit.”

Chlorophyll Kid appreciated the sentiment, but he doubted very much that Tinya had it in her to phase all three of them again. He made a grim decision. “Phantom Girl...take Diyah...go find Grava and bring the rest of the Legion. I’ll keep him busy as long as I can.”

“I can’t just...leave you here!” Tinya protested.

“We both know you’ve got the best chance of getting her to safety!” Ral snapped. “And whatever happens to us, neither her or Ivy asked for this and they don’t deserve it! Please PG, let me save someone.”

It didn’t escape Phantom Girl’s attention that Chlorophyll Kid’s stutter was gone...nor did it escape her attention that he was right. She looked across at Diyah as the nurse hid her face behind her hands and sobbed helplessly. Tendrils were already reaching for the three of them, Tinya had to act now; she might not even be able to get them far in her current state, but she had to try. “We’ll come back for you, Chlorophyll Kid!” Phantom Girl looked at her teammate with a pleading expression as Zuunian creepers shot harmlessly through her. “I promise!” Fighting back her lightheadedness she grabbed Diyah around the waist and tried to avoid the plants as she followed Comet Queen’s flight path; as little chance as she had of escaping these things in her current state, Phantom Girl knew that chance would be improved if she didn’t exhaust herself trying to keep them both intangible for the whole flight. The plants didn’t know any better and had stopped actively pursuing her, considering the Bgtzlr woman a wasted target.

Chlorophyll Kid brought himself a fraction of a second by enlarging the vines reaching for him until they ran out of space to snake around him, but the plants soon tried another tactic and Ral found himself trapped in a slowly closing cage of thorny vines. “Wait, tell me something before you k-kill me!” Chlorophyll Kid desperately grasped for time. “Avatar, why are you after that girl Ivy anyway? She’s j-just a baby, she can’t possibly be a th-threat to you!”

“Ivy Arcane is the Avatar of the Green!” the mouth decreed in a tone of rustling menace. “For too long, the Green has held no sway in this plane! We have been devastated on far too many worlds to empower an avatar as we have in times past! The mortal mage Alek Arcane used his magicks in combination with our own power to give us that which would ensure the Green’s survival in this sterile time; a human/plant hybrid! The human side of Ivy Arcane will allow her to thrive and evolve in ways that her plant side never could alone!”

“Then why --ahh!-- why are you tr-trying to kill her?!” The thorns had begun to pierce Ral’s flesh, and he was starting to think this might be the end of his road. At least hopefully Comet Queen and Phantom Girl had gotten the others to safety, he had to concentrate on that small victory.

Kill her?” The plant-man seemed genuinely astonished. “We are not trying to kill the Avatar of the Green, not after all the work we have devoted to ensuring her birth! We are protecting her, fool! Alek Arcane used us, he manipulated his daughter’s pregnancy to ensure the Avatar of the Green would be primed for his own plots and schemes as soon as she came into this world! We have made the mistake of trusting humans once too often...none of you can save her from the predations of her grandfather so we will take her ourselves and train her in the use of her abilities far from his reach! That you must die for us to achieve our objectives is unfortunate, but we can not muster too much sympathy for worlds of species who have strived to wipe out plants from every land where they set foot!”

“Wait!” The thorns constricted around Chlorophyll Kid’s calf and rivulets of blood ran down his boot. “Wait, damn it! Nobody needs to die!! If what you’re saying is tr-true, you can’t possibly keep Ivy safe from Alek Arcane for long! He doesn’t even need spells to defeat you, just a d-decent herbicide! Sprock, one flamethrower and y-you’d all be done for!”

“What other option do we have?” the plants asked. “His own daughter Antonine barely escaped his power to seek refuge upon this island!”

“I’m with a gr-group of heroes,” Chlorophyll Kid explained hurriedly. “Comet Queen and Phantom Girl, they’re my t-teammates; and there are a whole l-legion more of us, all with different powers! S-Sprock, a handful of my teammates have enough power to reduce all you plants to ash! And if you k-kill me now, they’ll come and they’ll do it! But if you let us t-take Ivy with us, we’ll p-protect her! We’ve fought sorcerers before, we’ve fought d-demons and gods! He can’t beat us all!”

For the first time, Ral felt the embrace of the thorny vines slacken ever so slightly. He could tell he was getting through. “You’ve s-seen my power!” he continued. “We can keep her s-safe, but I can teach her to keep herself safe! If she’s got the same ability to c-control plants that you do, I can show her how to use it!”

“If she is to act as our avatar in this world, she will need to know her human side as she does her plant side,” the plant-faced man considered Ral’s proposition. “That is not a gift we can bestow...but we have seen that your own influence over plant life is vastly inferior to anything Ivy Arcane will be capable of, so let us bestow a gift which is within our ability to offer. We could not empower another in this manner, but you already have an affinity with the Green. It is a more simple matter for us to enhance this affinity and make you a more efficient guardian.”

“O-Okay,” Ral agreed hesitantly. “So what do I need to--”

He never completed the rest of his question; the sensation of hundreds of burning needles drew only screams of agony from the man named Ral Benem.

**********
TITAN
Titanopolis, Lano Residential Complex


Kando Vyr didn’t look up from his omnicom as he walked from the elevator to the front door of his new Titanopolis apartment. The thirteen year old platinum blond had left his homeworld of Naltor a week ago to start work at Titan’s prestigious Time Institute and the Time Institute had been kind enough to help him find affordable accommodation not too far away.

The research work at the Time Institute was fascinating, and the young genius had already begun brainstorming ways he could apply the things he was learning there to his own projects. Most exciting of all he’d already met his scientific inspiration Harmonia LI as well as reserve members of the Legion of Superheroes Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel. There had even been a real Legion of Superheroes battle right outside the Time Institute on his very first day! Bouncing Boy had kept him too busy with orientation tasks for Kando to have really seen a lot of it, but he was reading news files now that filled in the blanks for him. The question on everybody’s lips it seemed was the identity of the mysterious white hooded stranger who’d fought alongside Dream Girl, Matter-Eater Lad and Stone Boy that day. He was no Legionnaire, but nobody seemed to know who he was.

Kando absent-mindedly bumped into his front door and gave it an annoyed glance. “Silly thing should have opened as soon as the security scan recognised me,” he thought to himself. Out loud, he uttered a voice command and the door finally slid obediently into its recess. Kando made a mental note to notify building management before he left for work the next morning and was grateful that at least the internal light system was still working properly. The living room of his modest apartment became instantly illuminated, and Kando nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw a broad-shouldered bearded man in a simple red and blue hooded jumpsuit standing by the far wall.

“You’ve done well at hiding your tracks,” the stranger snarled as he stomped forward, “But I knew if I was patient enough I’d find you playing hero sooner or later.”

“Who-who are you?” the young boy stammered, backing off toward the front door. “How did you get into my apartment??”

“My best friend is Chameleon Boy,” the taller and far more muscular man responded, “I know how to be sneaky when I need to be...and I’m surprised you don’t recognise me, you’re telling me people never grow sprocking beards in your stupid future?” Unbelievably, the man grew in stature until he was nearly nine feet tall and his brown hair brushed against the ceiling.

Colossal Boy??” Kando asked incredulously. “From the Legion of Superheroes?? What are you doing here??”

Gim Allon pinned the boy to the floor of his apartment with one incredibly strong hand, knocking the wind out of him. “I knew you’d get it eventually,” the former Legionnaire grunted.

“Now...you’re gonna help me find my wife.”

**********
Posted By: Omni Re: The Menace of Moorte Island! - 12/30/17 08:28 PM
Things are looking up and down for the team.

Staq being able to transform at will is pretty cool and i agree with Brainy that they need to take the proper measures to make sure everyone is safe. Its going to be cool to see the full extent of his powers.
Elastic Lad's enthusiasm is always great to see. finding the bright side always.

Ha! "Hope is inconsequential.... he has me." that made me laugh out loud. such a Brainy line.

Mardru's adventure is intense! Grava too the rescue! I never thought of all the different uses her gases could produce. thanks!

Ral becoming a mentor to Ivy and a avatar of the green! that's cool. I like how you brought in elements of Swamp thing. Be interesting if Alec Holland made an appearance.
Ral got a power up grade and so did Staq...are the rest the subs in for something along the same lines?

CB is after Infinity Boy? but does he realize this is the one from before his transformation?

Also refresh my memory but when/how long has Year been missing?

Can't wait for more.
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Menace of Moorte Island! - 12/31/17 12:38 PM
I love your take on Brainy, he's such a curmudgeon its great to read, especially juxtaposed to Elastic Lads uber-chirpy nature - great characterisation Raz!

Zoe is nicely snarky too while still trying her best to help, which is well done.

Interesting take on Fire Lad's development - am I right in thinking he can turn into a dragon of sorts now? Cool! (or perhaps Hot would be a better exclamation there smile ) Though that doesn't leave much chance for Marya to make the Big Team now, which is a shame. I wonder if Staqs personality will change with his body? Looking forward to seeing what you have planned next for him, and if Aquilla will return and how their kind of relationship will progress.

Again, I need to praise how well you take the weaker and less well established characters and give them great respect by showing how versatile and useful they can be - your Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen really do shine. And nice to see you are going to use Ivy as, if I remember correctly, other than talk to plants and generally jump around a lot, she didn't get a fair crack at the whip in the 5 year gap stories. Introducing the Green nto the Legion mythos is a fab idea as it can lead to all sorts of wacky storylines that I know you can deliver on. Also, you showed Tinya's determination and loyalty well without it seeming out of character, she really is one of the most experienced of the team and its good to see her use that.

Gim is desperate to find Yera, though it seems he has the wrong Kid Infinity in his grasp - really happy that you are using this character and also looking forward to seeing how you take that story forward too.

Great stuff Raz, you write some of the best characters and keep the action and suspense coming with every new post which always makes it a pleasure to read your work. That only really leaves me with one thing to add...

More, more, more!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Menace of Moorte Island! - 01/01/18 09:28 AM
Wow, Ral power up! Interesting, tying Ivy in into the Green. I suppose you will have her do more than just talk to plants?

Nice touch, reminding us of the affection between Ral and Grava.

Happy to see Gim again! I was wondering where you would take this plotline.

Ah, Zoe, always so snarky.

Happy to see Staq made it out okay.

And Quislet... might not be? Hmmm!
Happy new year, all! Thanks for commenting as usual, much appreciated laugh

I actually didn't realise I had been going through and upgrading all the Subs one by one till Omni mentioned it! Stone Boy already got his upgrade when he gained the power to move in his stone form, and I gave Night Girl a power-up way back when I started writing this series by saying that Mordru's shadow demons in Legion of 3 Worlds permanently increased her strength reserves...that only leaves Polar Boy and Color Kid of the original Subs and I'm pretty happy with them where they are (for now, hehe...)...we'll see over the next few months what exactly all this means for Fire Lad and Chlorophyll Kid anyway.

Yera last appeared in April 2014 (the story is here if anyone would like to refresh their memory), though in-universe I'd say only several months to a year has gone by; there's only been one leadership election since then so that tracks.

I am glad y'all caught that Gim has the wrong Kando Vyr, I didn't want to actually come out and say it so I was hoping the story made it clear. Y'all may remember I mentioned something about a couple of unexpected Legion guest stars coming up...well one of them will appear the very next instalment!

Thanks for reading, everyone! This year will mark the 8th year since I started writing this series by bringing Infectious Lass back from the 21st century and it has gone way further than I ever expected! Not bad for something I started doing just to try and teach myself some writing discipline smile

EDIT: that link doesn't go to the exact post on the page for some reason, but it's the post from April 9 anyway
Originally Posted by razsolo

I actually didn't realise I had been going through and upgrading all the Subs one by one till Omni mentioned it! Stone Boy already got his upgrade when he gained the power to move in his stone form, and I gave Night Girl a power-up way back when I started writing this series by saying that Mordru's shadow demons in Legion of 3 Worlds permanently increased her strength reserves...that only leaves Polar Boy and Color Kid of the original Subs and I'm pretty happy with them where they are (for now, hehe...)...we'll see over the next few months what exactly all this means for Fire Lad and Chlorophyll Kid anyway.



I noticed too, and thought you were purposely powering up Legionnaires you felt needed a boost!

Originally Posted by razsolo


Yera last appeared in April 2014 (the story is here if anyone would like to refresh their memory), though in-universe I'd say only several months to a year has gone by; there's only been one leadership election since then so that tracks.

I am glad y'all caught that Gim has the wrong Kando Vyr, I didn't want to actually come out and say it so I was hoping the story made it clear. Y'all may remember I mentioned something about a couple of unexpected Legion guest stars coming up...well one of them will appear the very next instalment!



This is one of the subplots that has me hooked the most, so I'm eager to see what happens next! Also noticed that Gim got the wrong version of his guy wink
Love your various nicknames and insults: Tachyon calling Lydda "Beehive", Grava calling Chuck "Bouncy"...

Fire Lad as a dragon, very interesting and logical development of his power. It could be funny if he just suddenly changes forms, as long as he keeps his consciousness - but certainly more effective if he learns to control and change on command. Brek's struggle to talk him down from angry dragon state (and for Brek to face some of his own dragons) was very well done.

Elastic Lad is so 1950s. Is he channeling the original Jimmy Olsen - or maybe Leave it to Beaver? He does play off well against Brainiac 5.

Grava's power takes on a whole new threat when adding the power of different gases. I'm curious to see what you do with Ivy.

I didn't think Laurel's "S" was terrible - it looks a bit yin-yang, and she should have something distinctive from the 20th century Super S.

And comment to Set: the hair idea was really cool!
Thanks FC laugh

Elastic Lad was indeed my attempt to give the Legion an updated version of a 1950s character, I wanted to see if I could carry it off without making him just the comedy relief and it seems to have worked I guess as people don't hate him lol smile

Ivy is just a baby for now but she is definitely gonna bring some interesting things along with her now that she's in the Legion's lives!
Posted By: razsolo Bark and Bite - 01/15/18 03:20 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


With Element Lad’s help, the Legion had made emergency repairs to one of the smaller rooms in their medical facility and reinforced the interior walls to make the room fireproof. The reinforcements seemed to have been unnecessary, but when Staq Mavlen opened the door and saw the hunted look on Arqiia’s face as she cowered on her bed he was glad they’d taken the precaution nonetheless.

“Who are you?” the Mercurian woman snapped. “Am I a prisoner here??”

“Not at all,” Staq replied in a tone he hoped was soothing. He caught his reflection in the mirrored surface of the viewing window and realised why she hadn’t recognised him; this blond pink-skinned youth seemed nothing like the bony hairless Fire Lad she’d briefly met. Still, he felt some tinge of the connection they’d once shared and he hoped the same held true for Arqiia. “My name’s Staq,” he continued, taking a seat near the foot of the bed. “We met before, I’m also called Fire Lad. I’m one of the Legion of Superheroes, we saved you from the Heavensent. Do you remember?”

She glared suspiciously at him, but that suspicion soon lessened slightly. “Why do you look so different?” she demanded.

“Long story,” he smiled wryly. “I look different, but I’m still the same person...and I still want to help you, Arqiia. Can you tell me what happened after we last met? You and Void disappeared, and our trackers couldn’t find a trace of you.”

“I remember now,” her eyes blazed with anger. “You didn’t save me from the Heavensent, you trapped me with one of them! We were in a space...a space that wasn’t a space, and Void wasn’t there but Celestine was and...and I don’t know how much time passed in that place, or if time passed in that place, but suddenly we were back in your building once more and Celestine had her hand at my throat!”

“That was an accident, Arqiia.” Staq wondered whether he should change into his mutated form; this room might be fireproof, but in his current state he certainly wasn’t. He decided against it; a giant horned dragon-man with a loose grip on his own humanity might not be the best approach to avoid escalating tensions, Staq noted sardonically. “I’m so sorry that you went through that but you have to believe we would never have intentionally put you in danger. I wouldn’t put you in danger. We stopped the Heavensent for good this time, you’re safe now.”

“You killed them??” The artificial woman was confused; as much as she was terrified of the Heavensent, part of her still couldn’t help but idolise them.

“No, no!” Staq fanned his hands in front of him. “We don’t do that...they’re in prison though and they’ll stay there for a very long time.”

She seemed to accept this answer, and visibly relaxed. After a moment, the beady embers of Arqiia’s eyes met Staq’s. “So...what will happen to me now..?”

“Well,” he smiled, “I’ve got an idea about that…”

**********
TITAN
Titanopolis, Lano Residential Complex


Terrified, Kando Vyr looked up into the looming face of a nine foot tall Gim Allon. The former Colossal Boy’s hand was spread across Kando’s chest, easily pinning him to the floor of his own apartment. “W-What do you mean I’m gonna help you find your wife?” Kando stumbled over his words. “Why would I know where Chameleon Girl is??”

“I might not have ever been the smartest Legionnaire,” Gim growled, “But I’m not an idiot either. She only left me after she met you. Even if you didn’t have anything to do with it, you must know why she left, where she is now!”

“Are you crazy?!” the young Naltorian’s voice cracked with fear. “I’ve never met Chameleon Girl, I’ve only even seen her in holos two or three times!”

Gim frowned. This wasn’t going at all how he’d expected it would. He had assumed Kando might feed him a line about protecting the sanctity of the timestream, he’d even been prepared for a fight, but this boy seemed completely dumbfounded. More, Kando was clearly frightened but he wasn’t doing anything to defend himself. None of it made sense; Gim had seen the Infinite Boy working with Dream Girl, Matter-Eater Lad and Stone Boy on Marella Tao’s newscast. He might have worn a new costume, but how many other heroes had the ability to summon Thanagarian Hawk-Police from thin air? Once Gim had seen him in action in Titanopolis, it had only taken a little more investigation to unearth Kando Vyr’s address. Why now was this experienced hero from the future cowering in confusion?

Before either of them could utter another word, the front door of the apartment slid open with a subtle whoosh. Without releasing Kando, Gim’s head snapped toward the new sound. Silhouetted in the doorway was a white-cloaked figure; the Infinite Boy. Gim Allon’s face contorted as he struggled to come to terms with the two identical youths now before him.

From where he was pinned to the floor, the younger Kando couldn’t quite make out this newcomer. Still, he recognised this might be his best chance to escape unscathed. “Whoever you are, get help!” the immobile boy bellowed. “Call the Time Institute, tell Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel that Colossal Boy’s gone crazy!”

“Let him go!” the Infinite Boy barked.

“What the sprock’s going on here?” Gim snapped back. “How can you be in two--”

“I said let him go!” the elder Kando interrupted with a note of panic. He held his cloak wide open with both hands, an eternal starscape yawning inside. An animalistic roar suddenly filled the apartment and before Gim’s stunned eyes a lycanthropic monster almost as tall as himself charged forth from the cloakspace. The creature was solid muscle covered entirely in long brown hair, and Gim realised as it knocked the breath out of him that it was far stronger than he’d anticipated. The vaguely humanoid creature knocked the former Colossal Boy on his rear, grazing Gim’s head painfully against the ceiling and smashing both a coffee table and a three-seater couch to shrapnel along the way.

Pulling his hood over his downcast face, the Infinite Boy stepped away from the doorway and disguised his voice as best as he was able. “Go!” he shouted at his younger self. “Get out of here, I’ll take care of Colossal Boy!” The younger Kando didn’t need to be told twice, and in a matter of seconds he was halfway to the elevator. The Infinite Boy turned his attention now to whatever creature this was he’d hurriedly summoned from the timestream to fight Colossal Boy, and his eyes grew wide with horror. “No, don’t kill him!

The shaggy creature straddled Gim Allon and raised one powerful arm to eviscerate its prey with razor-sharp talons. As it slashed downwards, Gim reacted just in time to shrink down to his normal size and squirm aside. Spittle rained down on Gim’s face as the monster’s claws shredded the floor only inches from his torso, and Gim looked up into a face so dark that it seemed in perpetual shadow. The only features visible were the two amber slits of the creature’s eyes and a mouth filled with fangs made to rend flesh from bone. The monster’s hot breath was like a gust of fetid wind, and Gim knew he had to act now if he was going to survive.

“Off you get, Furball!” Still lying on the floor, Gim slammed both fists into the hirsute creature and simultaneously shot up to twelve feet in height. The sudden growth spurt destroyed one of Kando’s remaining lounge chairs but it also added momentum as he shoved the monster into the ceiling with a satisfying crack. The beast he’d nicknamed Furball growled in response, but Gim couldn’t help but notice the sound was one of discomfort rather than pain. Gim conversely roared in agony as Furball’s claws ripped bloody streaks into his his left arm.

Gim grimaced. He could hear the Infinite Boy yammering something in the background but he couldn’t afford to focus on that now; this critter’s strength and durability far outstripped his own, the only way Gim could match him was in cunning. With Furball squirming in his grip, Gim shrunk down just enough to give himself room to maneuver. He grunted as he hefted Furball aside, slamming the monster into the man who’d summoned him in the first place. The Infinite Boy and Furball both crashed into a wall, the impact smashing an ornamental holo-projector to pieces. The Infinite Boy slipped to the floor in a dazed heap, but Furball was already pivoting to attack again. Gim ran toward the apartment’s outer wall, almost scraping his head against the ceiling. He could hear Furball behind him, and at the last possible instant Gim threw himself down on his belly in the wreckage of Kando Vyr’s living room. The creature’s pounce took him over Gim’s prostrate form and just as Gim had planned, Furball charged through the wall itself. Its howls faded into the wind as it began a 47 storey plummet into the streets of Titanopolis below. Too late, Gim wondered if he’d overestimated the creature’s strength; he’d been desperate to save himself, but he didn’t want to kill Furball even if it was just a dumb monster. Cradling his wounded arm, he made his way to Kando Vyr’s new makeshift window and clucked his tongue at the sight which greeted him. “...Sprockin’ unbelievable…”

Furball’s ill-considered leap had taken it into the path of gravcars below. It bounced from the roof of one vehicle to the next with greater dexterity than anybody could reasonably expect from such a bulky lifeform until one final flex of its massive legs sent it soaring a hundred feet across the traffic to land on an open balcony. It turned and gazed back up where it had come from, and though Gim couldn’t hear it from so far away he could imagine its low rumbling growl. He couldn’t just leave the creature there, no normal Titanian would stand a chance against it.

Gim turned back to the Infinite Boy; the boy from the future was still moaning his way back to full consciousness and Gim knew he was going to have to handle this himself. “Great,” he muttered. “This thing’s stronger than Timber Wolf and nearly as agile, and I’m probably gonna get myself killed just trying to get over there so it can dice me up and eat me...suck it up Allon, nobody lives forever.”

Cursing himself for having surrendered his flight ring when he left the Legion of Superheroes almost a year ago, Gim Allon took a running leap and threw himself into the biting winds of the Titanopolis evening sky. He increased his size dramatically, showcasing the power that had given him his heroic codename as crowds of people below suddenly saw a bearded colossus of a man over 200 feet tall appear above them. Praying that he could time this right, Gim reached out easily and hooked fingers as large as tree trunks on the edge of the rooftop of the building that Furball had found itself on. The building immediately creaked in protest at the weight it was now being asked to support, but before it could crumble Gim shrunk back down to his normal size and clutched on to the edge of the rooftop for dear life. When he slapped hard against the skyscraper’s chrome wall his shoulder almost dislocated and his injured arm throbbed maddeningly, but he held fast. Gim painstakingly pulled himself over the edge of the roof, and when he’d done that he stretched out on his back and released a long hissing exhalation through gritted teeth. A moment later, a shadow fell over him and Gim Allon heard a familiar low rumbling growl. He raised his head to see Furball advancing slowly from where the creature had just clambered up the side of the building. “Oh, you gotta be kidding me…” Gim groaned. Furball pounced once more, fangs and claws bared.

Gim hoped that he’d estimated correctly how much stress this rooftop could take as he once more exercised his power and grew to three times his normal size. Furball landed on his stomach and tore deep red stripes down his chest, but it was better than being torn apart as he surely would have been at normal height. All of the size-changing in such a short period of time had begun to make Gim lightheaded, but this fresh pain cut straight through it and left him fully alert once more. Crying out in shock, he grabbed Furball with both hands and held him high overhead. The creature writhed and slashed at the air, but it no longer had any leverage to mount a successful assault. Still, as much as it looked like an angry teddy bear at the moment Gim knew its strength was far greater than he could afford to match in the middle of this crowded city. He needed to find a more permanent way to deal with Furball without killing the creature.

As if on cue, the Infinite Boy floated overhead and looked down upon the growling beast and the gigantic man holding it. “Shock, you look like you’ve been through a meat grinder!” the cloaked hero uttered.

“No thanks to you!” Gim shouted back. “Would you please send this thing back to whenever you got it? I know I came on strong, but I get the message; I’ll behave myself, alright?”

The Infinite Boy considered his opponent’s words. Honestly, Kando had no more idea of Furball’s point of origin than Gim did. Once upon a time he’d not only have known, but the creature would have acted purely as a living extension of Kando’s own will. These days, the timestream just threw him whatever it deemed appropriate to deal with the problem at hand...and if that might mean he unleashed a super-strong werewolf monster on Titan, so be it. Kando sighed at his own limitations and flicked a hand at the snarling creature. Furball disappeared back into the timestream, and the Infinite Boy landed on the roof by Gim Allon’s head.

“I don’t know what drove you to scare the nass out of my younger self,” he addressed Gim sternly, “But even though I might only have a fraction of the power I used to have, I’m still a Naltorian; I foresaw you attacking him and knew I had to help him despite the risk of interacting with my own earlier incarnation.”

Gim had shrunk back down to his normal size again, and Kando offered him a hand to get to his feet. “So...you mind telling me what was worth jeopardising the whole timestream for, Colossal Boy?”

**********
MARDRU
Moorte Island, Quarantine Medical Research Facility and Hospital


Comet Queen zipped across the sea like her namesake, her cloudy wake dissipating swiftly on the ocean breeze. Phantom Girl and she had found a lifeless rock jutting out of the sea and once they had contented themselves that the plants of Mardru had no ability to harm them there, Grava had left Ivy in the care of Phantom Girl and Nurse Dentley. Phantom Girl was still too weak to risk going back to Moorte Island, but Comet Queen wasn’t going to leave Chlorophyll Kid there to face those murderous plants on his own. Grava had felt the icy grip of panic for a moment when she hadn’t been able to raise Ral on his flight ring, but then she remembered that the plants had somehow managed to block the Legionnaires’ radio comms. She would need to wait till she saw him herself to know that he was safe, and patience unfortunately had never been one of Grava’s stronger traits.

She found the island easily enough; this far out at sea, there was precious little other land to distract her. Comet Queen circled the angry border wall of vines and thorns and allowed her cloudy trail to settle on the clutching vegetation. The plants responded to Grava’s power instantly, pulling away as though they’d suffered an electric shock. As Grava found the front of the medical facility though, she noticed that it wasn’t just the creepers and branches affected by her power which were retreating...the foliage all across the island seemed to be growing thinner by the minute. Comet Queen wondered whether Chlorophyll Kid had somehow managed to come up with some way to hurt the plants after all, and she descended into what was now a large open patch behind the damaged building.

She saw movement inside the building, heard the rustle of countless branches twisting and reshaping, and while she was still trying to gauge what exactly these plants were up to Grava saw a bulky figure exit the research facility. He was covered from head to toe in wooden armour, wiry vines holding thick plates of bark together over his torso, limbs and head. Comet Queen presumed that the plants had found some way to create artificial soldiers and she readied herself to immerse the golem in toxic gas. When she saw the figure’s exposed face, her own features lit up and Grava almost knocked him to the ground with the force of her embrace. “Chlory! Starshine, you’re okay! I was so scared!!”

Inside the wooden armour, Chlorophyll Kid squirmed under a barrage of kisses. “You came back for me!” he smiled warmly once he finally managed to get an arm’s length from Grava.

“Of course I did, silly!” She stepped back and looked him over properly. “Ivy’s safe with Phantom Girl, I wasn’t gonna leave you here with these creepy creepers!” She looked around warily at the retreating plant life. “We better make like a rogue planet and shoot outta here though before they come after us again!”

“That’s not going to be a problem anymore,” Ral said quietly but firmly. “The Green and I have come to…an understanding, you might say.”

“An understanding? What kinda understanding?” Grava suddenly blinked and her mouth dropped open. “Hey! Chlory, your stutter’s gone!”

“I’m going to take responsibility for keeping Ivy safe and for training her until she’s old enough to serve her role as Avatar of the Green,” Chlorophyll Kid explained calmly. “And in return, the Green...improved me.” He held his hands splayed before him and with a look of detached curiosity he watched as his own power effortlessly extended the wooden armour over his fingers to form long artificial talons. With a soft creaking noise, the wood transformed itself once more and the claws became rigid bracers covering his forearms.

“Parse me to the C-span, that’s nova-bright Chlory! It is nova-bright, right? You’re shiny?” She regarded him with concern.

“It’s a good change...I can do so much more now, the Green have helped me exceed my potential. But the change isn’t just physical, Grava….I’m going to need to adjust to this new role. Still, the danger here is over. We can return home now.”

“Yay!” Comet Queen impulsively kissed him on the cheek once more and the two took to the sky. As they flew, a small neurotic voice inside Grava’s head asked her if this really was a good change. Chlorophyll Kid would never have been able to make this kind of armour before today, and she knew that he found his stutter infuriating at times; she knew that she should be ecstatic for him. Still, there was something in his voice and something in the way he carried himself now...it was subtle, but he felt different.

Different doesn’t mean bad though, Grava told herself silently. Taking one last look at the remains of Moorte Island behind her, she repeated that phrase many times more as they soared over the ocean waves.

...Eventually, she knew she’d believe it.
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Bark and Bite - 01/15/18 12:11 PM
NIce demonstration of Ral's power up! I wonder how this will affect his budding relationship with Grava?

Good show, displaying Gim's tactics, his strength and fitness. Too often he is shown merely relying on his large size, it was good seeing how athletic he is.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Bark and Bite - 01/17/18 11:10 PM
Thanks IB...it is fun writing Gim again, it's been a while laugh
Posted By: razsolo Fight the Future - 01/18/18 06:32 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


As they entered a small classroom containing most of the Legion Academy, Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl pondered the diversity of their class. While Dragonwing and Chemical Kid joked obnoxiously and loudly, Variable Lad sat at their side with a polite smile; Oaa was included in their fun but he was far more reserved than his more extroverted friends. Across the room Kid Quantum and Glorith worked together quietly on a project, and behind them Gravity Kid sat with his chin on his fist completely oblivious to the rest of the class as he pored over his own work.

“Attention please, everyone!” Lightning Lad commanded. Variable Lad, Glorith and Kid Quantum immediately looked up at their teachers. Gravity Kid continued editing for another half a minute before he grudgingly saved his work and slid his tablet across the table, and Marya and Hadru spent that same time stifling their snorting giggles behind their hands.

Imra and Garth turned toward the open door. “Come in, Arqiia.” Saturn Girl smiled warmly. “We’ll introduce you to the others.”

Some of the students had seen Arqiia around the base over the past week, but none of them had been introduced to the Mercurian woman yet. She entered with mild apprehension, her eyes darting from one face to the next. She wore a black bodysuit adorned with yellow and red piping in flame outlines to compliment the actual fire which blazed from her scalp. “Hello,” she ventured awkwardly.

“With Laurel having graduated to the Legion, we have room for another student.” Imra addressed the group as a whole. “Arqiia’s taken the codename Fire Lass and she’ll be your new classmate.”

“Excuse me?” Variable Lad raised an arm. “May I please ask what your powers are, Fire Lass?”

“Oaa.” Chemical Kid deadpanned. “Her head’s on fire and she’s called Fire Lass. Come on pal, this isn’t quantum surgery.”

Arqiia looked to Saturn Girl for approval before replying. “I was created to exist on the planet Mercury,” she explained. “I am told that my resistance to temperature and radiation extremes is far higher than the average United Planets citizen, and I was also created with other physical adaptations to suit life on that planet. Also, I can breathe fire.”

“Hang on,” Dragonwing piped up. “She’s got the exact same power as me? That’s not fair! We can’t both get into the Legion!”

“My sister and I beg to differ,” Lightning Lad retorted cheekily. “But we did take that into consideration when Fire Lad suggested Arqiia’s enrolment, and because your powers are so similar you’ll be happy to know that you’re going to be Fire Lass’s mentor, Dragonwing. It’ll be your job to make sure she settles in with the rest of the class smoothly.”

“What??” Dragonwing was aghast. “I came here to join the Legion of Superheroes, not to be a sprockin’ babysitter!”

“Then I’d have thought you would appreciate the opportunity to show us what you can do when you’re given a position of responsibility,” Saturn Girl replied coolly. “I have to leave now, I’ve got an appointment with Fire Lad; I trust you’ll all give Fire Lass a warm welcome.”

Chemical Kid chuckled. “Warm welcome, heh. Man, Lullabye Lad sure picked the wrong week to go visit his family.” Dragonwing shot him a baleful glare.

**********

In one of the many cafeterias dotting the Legion’s base, Jacques Foccart glumly pushed kedjonou around his bowl. The chicken stew’s fragrant aroma was normally enough to lift his mood but he could barely muster the appetite for it at all today. A red-gloved hand suddenly waved before him, jolting him from his melancholy.

“Mars to Jacques, hello!” His younger sister pulled up a chair and sat opposite. “Didn’t you hear me? I said hi like three times!”

“I apologise, ma soeur.” He mustered a weak smile. “I am somewhat distracted.”

“No duh!” Danielle teased him. “I haven’t seen you like this since Arora Beaubier dumped you for that dopey moopsball player way back when...those two deserved each other, you ask me. What’s wrong this time, sadface?”

“It is Drura,” Jacques admitted morosely. “Danielle, I have done a terrible thing and I don’t know if she will ever talk to me again.”

Danielle rolled her eyes. “Jacques, you’re such a drama queen. Whatever you did wrong, it’s obvious to anyone that you two are into each other to a gross degree. I’m sure she’ll be fine when she cools off, what did you do anyway?”

Jacques opened his mouth to speak, but a high-pitched whine sounded before he could start. The Foccart siblings traded a perplexed glance, and sitting at a table across the room Mwindaji looked up from the letter he was writing to his mothers. A tiny aircraft flew through the room, midnight blue with red highlights. The ship was slightly larger than a football, with only a sleek dorsal fin breaking its rounded shape. Though Mwindaji was still too new to the team to make the connection, Invisible Kid and Kid Computo recognised straight away that the ship’s design seemed to be an updated version of their teammate Quislet’s microship.

“Quislet back!” the Teallian explorer announced to the room. “Legionnaires like Quislet’s new ship? Teall helped build it because Quislet best hero ever!”

The ship came to an instant halt and hovered in place, the engine’s whine subsiding slightly. Now that it was motionless, the others could clearly see Quislet’s familiar sigil emblazoned in red on both sides of the ship’s fin. “Welcome,” Invisible Kid forced a smile despite his grey mood. “Your new vessel is tres chic, my friend.”

“Have you spoken to Brainiac 5 yet?” Kid Computo queried. “I don’t think he’s too happy with you at the moment, little guy.”

On that note, the Legion’s leader entered the room. “My emotional state is irrelevant,” Brainiac stated plainly. “However Quislet, if you wish to resume your membership with the Legion of Superheroes there are matters which need to be discussed.”

“How did you even know he was back?” Kid Computo joked. “Have you just been wandering the corridors waiting for a chance to make your entrance somewhere?”

“Obviously, I created a security alert to notify me upon Quislet’s return.” Brainiac’s reply was completely humorless. “Now I need Quislet to accompany me to my multi-lab.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “Your services may also be of use, Kid Computo. Please come with us.”

Without waiting for a response, the Coluan turned and walked out. With a shrug of her shoulders, Danielle Foccart stood up and followed Brainiac 5 and Quislet out of the cafeteria.

**********

ZWEN
Wentim Valley, Retail District


Driving winds brought with them icy sleet that chilled every Zwennite to the marrow. Clutching their insulated hoods close to their faces, Dag Wentim and his younger brother Waiane rushed into the dry comfort of one of their hometown’s most exclusive malls. Once they were inside, they stepped away from the entrance and over a panel of heated air. There, they removed their parkas, beanies, gloves and scarves and crushed the special fabric down into a pouch small enough to hang off of a belt loop.

Waiane took a look around the expansive mall. Other than themselves, less than a dozen shoppers wandered this normally crowded space. Many stores were closed, and those still open were staffed by autoregisters or the occasional Zwennite bored out of their mind. “At least it’s not busy,” the would-be Legionnaire named Lullabye Lad volunteered cheerily.

Waiane’s brother was in fact already a Legionnaire, the heroic Stone Boy. On any other world, that name would carry more recognition than the name he’d been given at birth but the Wentim family had helped found Zwen’s society generations ago and Dag and Waiane Wentim were two of this humble planet’s favourite sons. “Really?” Dag snapped sarcastically. “It’s not busy, Waiane? Do you think maybe that’s because it’s Hibernation Eve?”

“Eesh, what crawled up your butt?” Waiane recoiled in annoyance.

Dag sighed. “I’m sorry, I’m just tired and grumpy. I didn’t get two nanos to rest after Dream Girl, Matter-Eater Lad and I got back from Titan before you and I had to leave again to get back here in time for dinner with Mom and Dad tonight. I was really hoping we’d get a chance to relax at home with some hot shashnog, but it turns out somebody forgot to buy Mom and Dad a gift before he left Mars!”

Waiane’s pale cheeks flushed with color. “I know, I should have done it last week...things have been weird with my dumb boyfriend lately; since Laurel Kent graduated to join the Legion of Superheroes as a full member, Tel’s been like ultra into studying. It’s dull as all nass--”

“Language,” Dag interjected automatically.

Waiane rolled his eyes. “Anyway, he was meant to come with us...he still hasn’t met Mom and Dad and now he’s gonna have to wait another six months because apparently becoming an intern to the Legion of Superheroes is more important than meeting his boyfriend’s family. So I’ve been a bit distracted, you know?”

“Don’t be too hard on Tel,” Dag advised his little brother. “Everyone knows how important Legion membership is to Gravity Kid, and I know first hand how frustrating it can seem when you’re the one being passed over for membership while a dozen other heroes get a spot on the roster.”

“Ugh I guess,” Waiane acquiesced in a tone which said he was tired of discussing it. “Let’s go find some gifts for the folks and get out of this retail graveyard.”

Hibernation Eve was one of the unique quirks of Zwen culture; the planet’s lengthy rotation meant that for six standard UP months half of this world was plunged into cold and darkness. To survive this sunless stretch, the natives of Zwen all entered a period of hibernation where their bodies petrified into a protective (but normally very immobile) stone form. Hibernation Eve marked their last hours of activity before a long sleep, and it was traditionally a time to celebrate the bonds of family and loved ones by sharing gifts, food and drink. Stone Boy and Lullabye Lad no longer followed the hibernation cycle of their people since they’d left their homeworld, but they still celebrated the same holidays and they were still grateful for the chance to be with their parents tonight knowing that it would be a long time before they’d see them again.

“What about a new battery for the portachef?” Dag asked. “Dad’s always complaining about how he has to recharge it now whenever they go travelling.”

“A battery, Dag?” his younger brother asked in disgust. “Nobody wants a battery for a gift, trust me.”

“Okay, smart guy. We need to come up with something though, the mall’s gonna be closed soon.” Outside a nearby window, Dag noticed someone running down the otherwise empty street. “Huh. I guess you’re not the only one doing last minute shopping!”

Waiane looked across in time to see an oddly dressed teenager in pursuit of the first boy, and cocked his head. He recognised the second boy from somewhere, but he couldn’t quite place it….then he saw the second boy’s friend slowly but surely bringing up the rear and his eyes grew wide. “Dag! Look!!”

Stone Boy instantly recognised the inhuman Kid Chemo. Formerly a member of the Judgement League, he was a sentient creature composed of toxic waste who existed inside a transparent humanoid casing. “What’s Kid Chemo doing all the way out on Zwen?” he wondered out loud. “Earth is light years away!”

“It’s not just Kid Chemo!” Lullabye Lad added. “That other jerkwit was Sharpshot Kid, I remember his stupid retro space cowboy outfit now!”

“Okay, stay here and call the Science Police.” Dag pressed a hidden control at his belt, running an electrostatic charge through his clothes which changed his civilian wear to his Stone Boy outfit. “I’m going to go see what those troublemakers are up to.”

“What? No way! I’m coming with you!” Waiane mimicked his brother’s action and donned his own far more flamboyant costume.

“You’re absolutely not coming with me,” Stone Boy changed to his stone form even as he pointed a domineering finger at his brother. “Those two are dangerous, and they may not be alone.”

“Exactly!” Lullabye Lad protested. “You’re crazy going after them without backup!”

“Maybe so,” Stone Boy agreed, “But Mom and Dad will kill me if I let anything happen to you. Besides, kid brother...I’m the one with the flight ring.” He held up his fist with a smug grin and before Waiane could say anything else Stone Boy was flying through the mall to face the teenage villains outside.

“Hey!” Lullabye Lad called out after him as he sprinted in futile pursuit. “That’s cheating!”

As soon as he left the building, Dag was grateful for his stone form’s protection against the cold. He could hear the howling winds and he could see the icy rain smacking into him, but he felt none of it. He was glad also that the retail district was practically deserted on Hibernation Eve, it meant there would be far fewer innocents at risk. The falling sleet and snow was already masking the others’ trails, but Kid Chemo’s stomp was weightier and his flat round footprints far more distinctive. Within moments Dag had located the two villains and their prey, and just in time. He dropped to the footpath directly in front of Sharpshot Kid just as the teen marksman opened fire and the gun’s outdated projectile bounced harmlessly off of Stone Boy’s torso. “Weren’t you two pardoned for your crimes along with the rest of the Judgement League?” Stone Boy asked. “Why would you want to throw away a second chance like that?” Dag heard a door slam behind him and hoped that meant the boy they were chasing had found refuge somewhere.

“Stone Man??” Sharpshot Kid exclaimed. “I don’t know what you’re doing here, but you’re not going to stop me from helping my friend!” He raised his free hand, and with a series of clacking noises a more advanced firearm came to life in his palm. He shot a laser that glanced across Stone Boy’s eyes and although the attack didn’t cause any permanent injury it did blind him.

Dag stumbled back with a startled shout, his arm flying up too late to protect his vision. He heard Sharpshot Kid’s footfalls receding into the distance, and when the exploding dots before Stone Boy finally faded they were replaced with the faceless visage of Kid Chemo. Two raised metal discs were mounted where Dag would expect to see eyes, and they gave the mute villain a disconcertingly passive appearance even while one of his large arms smashed into the side of Stone Boy’s head and knocked the Legionnaire into a nearby snowdrift. “You’re pretty strong for a guy made out of lime green gunk,” Stone Boy grunted, “But I’m not exactly a slouch myself.” With added momentum from his flight ring he charged Kid Chemo through a wall, scattering clothes racks in a closed fashion outlet as the two grappled on the floor. The darkened store was illuminated by a strobing red light, and Dag knew that a silent alarm would soon bring Science Police.

In the melee, Stone Boy noticed that Kid Chemo’s transparent casing had deformed slightly where he’d been smashed through the wall. It popped back into place now, but Dag was relieved to know he could damage the casing without it shattering. One of Kid Chemo’s arms reached out, and a stream of acid shot forth from finger ports. Stone Boy dodged most of the corrosive fluid and it swiftly dissolved a pile of dresses into lonely fibres, but the few stray drops which did strike him burned pea-sized holes into his epidermis. It was almost impossible for Stone Boy to feel pain in this form, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be damaged and it certainly wouldn’t prevent him from being killed. Conversely, he had no idea how he was going to hurt or even restrain Kid Chemo.

Stone Boy shoved Kid Chemo aside and gained some distance across the store. Think! Dag chastised himself. He doesn’t talk so I can’t distract him with conversation; I’m not sure how well he understands Interlac at all! For that matter, I’m not sure how well he thinks, or if he’s really even alive! His flight ring saved him from another stream of acid, and another rack full of clothes found its demise. He racked his brain to come up with something that would resist Kid Chemo’s corrosive attack. Fabric, steel, plastic and stone were all equally vulnerable...it seemed the only material which could survive direct contact with Kid Chemo was the flexible casing of his own containment suit.

The room was suddenly flooded with light and two Science Police droids hovered in place at the hole in the wall Stone Boy and Kid Chemo had left behind them. “Unknown sentients, you are instructed to cease and desist activity and await further instruction,” one of the droids breeped. For its trouble, it received a double-handed blast from Kid Chemo and swiftly melted into a squealing mess of metal and plastics.

The second droid fired a completely ineffective taser at Kid Chemo. “Combatant identified as Dag Wentim, aka Stone Boy,” it announced. “Secondary combatant identified as metahuman Kid Chemo and likely primary aggressor; Law enforcement cooperative tactic engaged.”

Kid Chemo’s arms swung around in a ponderous arc to fire upon the second droid, his tiny ports whirring to life once more. Sudden inspiration struck Stone Boy and he snapped his fingers, creating a brief spark. “Of course!” Dag shouted excitedly. “His containment suit!” He stormed the villain and intertwined his own hands with Kid Chemo’s. Acting quickly, Stone Boy crushed every one of Kid Chemo’s fingers with so much pressure that the access ports became uselessly deformed and unable to fully open. Acid still dribbled forth and ran painful looking rivulets down Dag’s arms but he could deal with that later. Stone Boy turned to look at the SP automaton. “Have you got some kind of restraint that’ll hold him?” he asked.

“Affirmative,” the droid breeped. “Please stand back.” Dag obeyed, and the droid fired a magnetic bola which whipped around Kid Chemo and left him wrapped in a metal cocoon. Some of Kid Chemo’s corrosive fluid sizzled through the metal ribbon, but Stone Boy was satisfied that it would hold him till something more permanent could be arranged.

“Thanks,” Dag patted the droid appreciatively. “Sorry about your partner unit - I’ll be back to make a statement, but the danger’s not over yet.” He left the droid behind to clean up and hoped he wasn’t too late to save a life tonight.

**********

In the darkened bowels of a half-completed cinemaplex, 14 year old Roban Rosito hid behind a waste recycling unit with his knees clutched to his chest. Roban had just finished his shift at the diner when his night of insanity had begun. He’d been working alone all day, the rest of the diner’s staff choosing to stay home on Hibernation Eve with their families. Roban would have preferred to have spent the day with his own parents, but he needed the penalty rates to fund his trip to Zuun where he’d been accepted into one of the UP’s most prestigious chemical research institutes. All of that was the furthest thing from his mind now though; since that crazy kid with the guns and his pet acid monster had begun stalking him through Wentim Valley, Roban had been consumed only with fear for his own survival.

The bang of a gunshot pierced the silence, and Roban had to bite his lip to prevent himself from crying out. “Come out come out, wherever you are!” a singsong voice echoed through the empty building. “I’ll make this quick, Roban - I promise! One shot to the head and it’s all over!”

Roban cautiously peered around the side of the waste recycling unit. The external walls in the next room hadn’t been fully constructed yet; if he could sneak out that way before this crazy teenager caught up with him, he could double back the way they’d come in and he might actually stand a chance of getting out of this mess in one piece.

He had just about worked up the courage to make a run for it when Sharpshot Kid’s voice rang out again. &#147;Roban, it’s nothing personal! I made a promise to my friend and I have to keep it, that’s all! I guarantee you, my way is gonna be a lot less painful than his!”

Roban was frightened, but he was beginning to get angry now as well. Did this maniac expect him to be grateful that he was only going to shoot him in the head? Roban had no idea who these people were or why they’d targeted him or how they even knew who he was - he was a nobody, one average Zwennite among a whole world of average Zwennites. He did know one thing for certain though, if he didn’t get out of here now he might not get out at all. As quietly as he could, Roban stood up and bolted for the bracing cold of outside. He slipped on a patch of melting snow and the fall saved his life as a bullet passed straight through the empty space his skull had been occupying a nanosecond ago. Roban scrambled backward in the wet snow. “Why are you doing this??” his voice cracked with emotion. “I don’t even know who you people are!!”

“You can call me Sharpshot Kid,” the dark-haired gunslinger replied as he casually took aim once more, “And believe it or not, what I’m doing now makes me the best friend you ever had.”

“For someone with the word sharpshot in his name, you’re pretty bad at shooting people!” This voice came from behind the villainous teen and he spun on his heel to see that Lullabye Lad had followed him through the construction site. “Where’s your friend Light Lass? Don’t the three of you normally run together?”

Sharpshot Kid levelled one firearm at Lullabye Lad while his other gun stayed fixed on Roban. “She threw a tantrum when Kid Chemo asked us to kill this guy,” he explained. “I guess that’s why she’s not his best friend, huh?”

“You know, normal people go out clubbing with their friends, not on murder sprees.” Waiane had been using his power to induce sleep on Sharpshot Kid while he’d been talking, and he frowned now in realisation that it wasn’t working. “How are you fighting my power?” he asked.

“Gotta keep some secrets,” Sharpshot Kid winked at the neophyte hero. “Don’t worry, you’ll both be dead before you have to worry about it too much.” He fired both guns simultaneously as Lullabye Lad shouted in protest. While one of the bullets tore through Waiane’s gut and came dangerously close to severing his spine, the other bounced off of Roban’s suddenly petrified head harmlessly.

“Guess you earned your name after all,” Waiane mumbled. Bleeding out on the floor, he smiled despite the awful pain. “But I guess I earned my name too...might not be able to put you to sleep….but my power worked on that kid…” He was shivering now, icy cold overpowering the bullet wound.

“Congratulations, idiot.” Sharpshot Kid advanced on Lullabye Lad and pointed a gun down into his face. “What you just earned is getting killed first. Then I’m gonna swap this model out for a plasma gun and Roban’s dead anyway.”

A furious roar assaulted their ears, and Stone Boy collected Sharpshot Kid with a flying tackle before he could make good on his threat. Stone Boy slammed him so hard into a vertical beam that it bent the beam slightly, then while Sharpshot Kid was dazed from the impact Dag crushed his weapons and closed his stone fists over Sharpshot Kid’s hands hard enough to hurt without causing any real damage. “Try pulling another secret gun out of somewhere and I’ll break every bone in your hands,” Dag growled through clenched teeth. “To start with.” He looked over his shoulder toward his brother. “Waiane, turn to stone...use your power on yourself if you have to, it’s the only way we’re gonna keep you alive till I can get you to a hospital!”

“Sorry I didn’t listen…” Lullabye Lad muttered weakly, “But couldn’t let him...kill that kid…”

“Waiane!” Stone Boy exploded. “I’ll yell at you more later but I can’t do it if you’re dead! Stone! Now!

Lullabye Lad coughed once, and then his pained expression was frozen into place as his flesh and bone became solid rock. Satisfed that his little brother was safe for now, Stone Boy turned back to Sharpshot Kid who’d been squirming in his grip this whole time. “As for you, you little psychopath...why did you two target this poor kid in the first place? Who is he?”

“It’s not what it looks like,” Sharpshot Kid complained. “I was doing Kid Chemo a favour, you shockin’ nasshead!”

“What it looks like is attempted murder!” Dag shouted into his face. “No wonder that Light Lass girl didn’t want to tag along this time, you and that walking chemical factory are going to rot in Takron-Galtos for this one, kid!”

Absurdly, Sharpshot Kid laughed in Stone Boy’s face. “You think Light Lass gives a crap about murdering people, moron? She didn’t want to come because--” He realised he was about to say too much and stopped mid-sentence.

“Because of what?” Stone Boy demanded. He applied slightly more pressure to Sharpshot Kid’s hands and the villainous teen emitted a high-pitched whine. “Kid, you just tried to kill my brother - do not test my patience any more than you already have!”

“--because that is Kid Chemo!” Sharpshot Kid’s words tumbled out in a panic. He saw the perplexed expression on Stone Boy’s face and realised he was going to have to tell him the whole story now. “We’re from the future, remember? This is all history for us! Roban Rosito is gonna become a chemical engineer and he’s going to have some kind of accident and spend the rest of his life as a walking tank of sentient acid and he’s not even gonna be able to talk to anyone without a shockin’ radiotelepathy micro-transmitter!”

“But if Kid Chemo kills his past self…” Stone Boy started to put the pieces together.

“--then it might create a paradox and stop our future from ever happening or maybe even screw up the timestream completely!” Sharpshot Kid completed the statement. “We know that! That’s why Light Lass didn’t want to help, she thinks we’re both crazy! But it also means my best friend isn’t gonna have to spend the rest of his life paying for one stupid mistake! He’d rather be dead than have to live as Kid Chemo, but Kid Chemo is basically immortal! This is the only way I can help him!”

Stone Boy’s rage faded as he considered the implications, and he released some of the pressure from Sharpshot Kid’s hands. “Kid...I don’t think you’re crazy, but I’m not going to let you murder anybody. There has to be another way. We’ll talk to Brainiac 5, he’s good with this stuff.”

“You think we didn’t already try that?” Sharpshot Kid scoffed. “Our Brainiac 5 had a whole bunch of years worth of being smart on top of yours; if he couldn’t help us in the future, what makes you think he’ll be able to do it now?”

Stone Boy shook his head sadly. “I’m sorry, kid. I really am. But this isn’t the way you help a friend.”

Two more Science Police droids arrived and Stone Boy watched with deflated spirits as they escorted Sharpshot Kid to a mobile cell. Dag picked up his brother under one arm and Roban under the other and flew the two petrified boys to the nearest medical facility.

“Some Hibernation Eve this turned out to be,” he mumbled to himself as the three disappeared into the darkening night.

**********

TITAN
Titanopolis Spaceport


Under the cold fluorescent lights of Titanopolis Spaceport’s sole dining establishment, hundreds of sentients of various races consumed an equally diverse variety of food and beverages. In this crowd, Gim Allon and the boy from the future named Kando Vyr blended right in.

“Colossal Boy...Gim…” Kando struggled for words, “I appreciate how badly you must miss Yera, and I’m not going to insult your intelligence by pretending like I don’t have at least an idea why she left you; but you must know I can’t help you with this. History has no record--”

“Oh, screw history!” Gim slammed a fist on the table and for a brief moment Kando wondered if they were going to have to fight again. Gim closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself then continued at a lower volume. “Kando, your history changed the nano you came back to this time and got stuck here! You’ve been hiding yourself all this time trying not to make an impact on anything, but don’t you get it? You existing here at all is already changing your timeline and if you’re already changing your timeline why don’t you at least try to change it for the better?

The Infinite Boy pondered Gim’s words. Of all the Legionnaires who’d been displaced in Kando Vyr’s home time, Chameleon Girl was the only one who had retained her full memories; Kando had no doubt that Yera had left Colossal Boy the way she did because she knew that her child was destined to become one of the galaxy’s most horrific monsters if she stayed with her husband. Of course, Gim didn’t know about any of this but nonetheless it proved his point. Kando Vyr’s personal timeline had already been changed long before now, and he’d harboured doubts since the day he arrived that he even had a home era to return to any more. Was his reluctance to interfere with the timeline really motivated by concern for the sanctity of the timestream, or was he just scared he’d never see home again?

Kando’s shoulders slumped in resignation. “Fine. I’ll help you find her, Colossal Boy. I’m not going to make Chameleon Girl do anything against her will, but you deserve to at least know why she left.”

A wide grin lit up Gim Allon’s face and he pumped Kando’s fist enthusiastically. “Thank you! Thank you so much, you don’t know what this means to me! So how does this work? Can you just summon her here or do your powers tell you where she is at any given time?”

“Nothing that easy, I’m afraid.” The subtle starscape effect of the Infinite Boy’s powers came over Kando as he spoke. “My abilities are a far cry from what they used to be. Still, I should be able to drum up a tracker for us.” He waved his arm out to the side, and a woman with deep brown hair and eyes appeared beside the table. She wore dark blue pants with a grey stripe down each leg, white boots and a grey bomber jacket emblazoned with the Legion of Superheroes insignia on each shoulder. White gloves adorned each hand, and a huge handgun was holstered at her hip. Gim didn’t recognise the make of the weapon, but something about the woman seemed awfully familiar. Maybe if she wasn’t so caked in dust and dirt it would be clearer, but as it was he only had a dim sense that he should recognise her.

The strange woman’s hand flew to her weapon but she loosened her grip as her gaze settled on Gim. “Gim Allon? Didn’t recognise the famous Colossal Boy with that beard...what do you want with me?

“I’m looking for my wife,” Gim replied. “Kando here says you’re a tracker?”

The woman smirked, a mischievous gleam in her eye. Gim noticed now that she had a tiny tattoo on the right side of her face, a symbol similar to Timber Wolf’s icon. “I’m not just a tracker...I’m the best tracker you’re ever gonna meet.” She took her hand from her gun altogether and offered it in greeting.

“The name’s Bounty.”

**********

EDITOR’S NOTES:
* Sharpshot Kid and Kid Chemo were two members of Earth-Man’s Judgement League; they had been recruited (along with a new Light Lass) from an unspecified point in the future. Lullabye Lad probably remembers them from this little altercation
* Chameleon Girl (and a bunch of other Legionnaires) met Infinite Boy when the Infinite Man stranded Yera and pals in the future. She found out some pretty frightening stuff there about the child she and Gim were destined to have, and that story can be found here
* Bounty might be a familiar name for those of us who read the adventures of the 5YL Legion, but if you don’t know who she is yet let’s just say there may or may not be an interesting revelation coming up soon…
wink
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Fight the Future - 01/18/18 09:03 PM
I'm not completely surprised that Arqiia entered the Academy, but it was a great scene! Loved you hitting the nail on the head, that Dragonwing and "Fire Lass" (nice code name, nice homage) have the same pwoer set, pretty much.

You write Gravity Kid extremely well - the over-achieving, ambitious type, we all know people like that...

Nice twist with Kid Chemo. You foreshadowed it well, yet it was still quite a gut punch. nice use of Lullabye Lad's power.

I had been wondering if Yera and Gim were still fated to birth a horrible monster baby, and I'm happy you addressed that.

Bounty! Now I'm very curious to see if your Bounty has the same history as the comics Bounty...
Thought y'all might like to see a pic of the Heavensent I have been working on so you can put characters to the names - for some reason I can't embed pics properly from my mobile so i attached the file anyway)

Attached picture 2018-01-21_08-19-43.jpg
ooh, very nice! I like the star motif.

I wish I could draw... I would love to have a group pic of my own Legion. I envy your double whammy of talents!
Posted By: Set Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 18 JANUARY* - 01/22/18 12:10 AM
So I haven't caught up completely, but loving the obscure references to Anton Arcane (arch-foe of the Swamp Thing), and of 'Arora' Beaubier (totally not of Alpha Flight) as an old girlfriend of Jacques. Neat little shout outs / Easter eggs for comic fans. Laurel's new codename is cool. I've always struggled with what to call her, coming up with 'Adamantine,' but this is actually better and more on-theme.

Having Chlorophyll Kid be connected to 'the Green' is a logical development, and while I would have been opposed to it a few decades ago, when it seemed that DC wanted to connect everyone to the Green or Red or some other elemental essence, even figures like the Red Tornado and Firestorm, but these days that's been walked back, and I'm back to being okay with the idea.

Thanks y'all! IB, you will be happy to hear the drawing is 99% practice...try being a comic book obsessed fat nerd kid with no friends growing up and you'd be surprised the kind of skills you have time to develop lol wink

Bounty is probably pretty much exactly who you're expecting her to be as well smile

Set: I am glad you got the references/homage! I nearly kept the correct 'Aurora' spelling but I thought that was making it a bit TOO obvious...I really like Adamantine as a codename for an indestructible character but I feel like it wouldn't be Laurel if she wasn't putting SOMEONE'S nose outta joint laugh
I also picked up on the Aurora reference, tee-hee! Nice nod to Jacques and his French-speaking (well, somewhat) roots

Originally Posted by razsolo
Thanks y'all! IB, you will be happy to hear the drawing is 99% practice...try being a comic book obsessed fat nerd kid with no friends growing up and you'd be surprised the kind of skills you have time to develop lol wink



Lol, you have a leg up on me there... I got good at studying and writing, but that's it!
hey Raz, sorry it's been a while since I've had time to write a comment for you.

I really enjoyed the scenes with Gim tackling Kid Infinity - the fight against Furball was well written and I expected Gim to lose so it was really good to read him being used as a smart character as too often he's just a walking target. His fear and worry about Yera, and Kando's hesitancy to tell Gim about their potential killer child was well done. Totally surprised by Bounty - she's fairly hardcore badass so it's going to be interesting seeing her interact with Gim and potentially your team.

Ral and Grava continue to be a cute couple - and I'm really looking forward to seeing how you develop him. Your love of the Subs continues to shine through smile

Nice little moment with Jacques wanting advice on how to deal with the mess he made of the situation with Drura, and trust Quislet to ruin the moment! Interesting that Brainy was immediately on his case though, wonder what that's leading to? For some reason Jacques seems to attract angsty moments doesn't he? Bless him.

Fire Lass? Well why not? I', looking forward to seeing what you do with her, and whether or not her and Staq ever become a couple. Dragonwing's concern was well done too, you write her brattiness well.

Stone Boy and lullaby Lad's little side trip was great fun - Hibernation Eve! What a great idea, and what a weird culture that must be. Do they all spend their last few days awake eating lots to help survive the cold and make sure they don't wake up to very mouldy cupboards? Only time will tell, I guess... about a thousand years or so smile Kid Chemo wanting to kill him past self so he never becomes the creature we know and are disgusted by was a nice little twist. I wonder if his past self will go into that field of science now knowing that potentially he'll be living out life as a gooey chemical mess for eternity? You brought up Lullaby Lad's relationship with Tel, and that made me realise we haven't seen Jed and the Oversight Watch for a while now - any plans?

This was fun Raz, thoroughly enjoyed it and looking forward to more, more, more!
Hi Harbi, I am always happy for feedback whenever I can get it laugh

Ral (and Grava) are gonna get some more shine soon and we'll see some maybe surprising developments arise from their adventure on Mardru...Brainy and Quislet will get their spotlight much sooner though and I daresay it might be a bit more dramatic!

Glad you liked Stone Boy and Lullabye Lad's little side trip to Zwen...it occurred to me that of all the Legion family relationships I have got in my fic, those two as brothers are probably the ones that I have written the least. If there were two of me I would do a Legion series and an Academy one (but then I would wanna do one with the Subs and one with Lamprey and Turtle and one with the Heroes of Lallor and this is why I need to be rich enough to spend all day writing I guess lol)

I do have some definite plans for the Oversight Watch it turns out, though tbh I probably won't get a chance to explore them till toward the end of the year smile
[Linked Image]

I thought y'all might like to see Blok as he currently looks smile
Posted By: razsolo Unexploded Bombshells - 02/03/18 12:32 PM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

As they wandered through Brainiac 5’s multilab, Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen noted how quickly and thoroughly repairs had been carried out here since the various assaults which had taken place upon their base recently. In Comet Queen’s arms, the infant Ivy Arcane slept soundly.

“Oh, here he is!” Grava whispered for the sleeping Ivy’s benefit (though comically, it was louder than her normal speaking voice). On a slightly raised platform surrounded by holoscreens, Brainiac 5 stood with his back to them. He was wearing a white headband and was hunched over something they couldn’t see from this angle. A hovering tray at his side contained a dozen different tools whose purpose was a mystery to Grava and Ral; they did notice however that each of the holoscreens bore technical diagrams resembling their teammate Quislet’s microship.

Beside the platform, Kid Computo watched with her arms folded across her chest as Brainiac worked. Danielle’s expression wasn’t easy to read, but it seemed in some way negative. When Danielle heard Grava, she looked across and was visibly startled at the sight of Ral Benem in plated wooden armour. “Chlorophyll Kid, is that you? What are you wearing? And whose baby is that?”

“Hello, Kid Computo.” Chlorophyll Kid’s tone was more self-assured than Danielle recalled having heard from him before. “Our trip to Mardru was more eventful than we’d anticipated. I’ll explain the full story later, but we actually came to see Brainiac 5 when he has a moment.”

“I’m almost finished here,” Brainiac muttered without looking up. “And...that’s the last add-on. Kid Computo, could you please confirm that my adjustments to Quislet’s vessel have taken successfully?”

Brainiac 5 pressed a button to his side and a cylindrical forcefield the size of a drink thermos descended from the ceiling. Inside the golden field a small spark of energy bounced from one wall to another. When the field abruptly switched off, the energy spark leaped into the microship that everybody now realised Brainiac had been working on all this time. “Finally!” Quislet’s instantly recognisable voice trilled sarcastically. “Brainiac found the one thing that might kill Quislet! Boredom!”

“Everything’s ready to go,” Kid Computo announced after a couple of moments. “But just for the record, I’m still not wild about it.”

“Not wild about what, starshine?” Comet Queen asked. She saw Quislet’s new and sleeker microship rise from Brainiac’s workstation and gasped dramatically. “Parse me to the C-span! Bossman, did you give my shiny little shuttle a makeover? I love it!” Quislet flew circles around Grava’s head while she beamed adoringly.

“Quislet made new ship himself!” the alien explorer bragged. “Teall helped because Quislet so great! Brainiac just put a bomb in it so he can make Quislet go boom!”

What??” Comet Queen screeched. Ivy stirred and murmured disapprovingly. “What do you mean, you put a bomb in it?” Grava hissed only slightly more quietly.

“Quislet is unquestionably a useful asset to the Legion of Superheroes,” Brainiac explained calmly as he removed the magnification eyepiece he’d had strapped to his head. “But Quislet is also dangerously reckless. He is directly responsible for our most recent altercation with members of the Heavensent, and this lapse in judgement resulted in the destruction of his previous vessel. Experience shows that Quislet does not learn from his mistakes as the rest of the Legion do. In addition to this, very little is known of Teallian physiology or psychological makeup. Quislet is immune to conventional telepathy unless he chooses otherwise, and we have only Quislet’s word that he is even the same entity who inhabited his previous microship, or for that matter that he is the same entity who initially joined the Legion of Superheroes. There is a not insignificant risk in allowing Quislet to retain ongoing membership in the Legion of Superheroes, a risk which presents itself with no other member.”

Blah blah blah!” Furious, Comet Queen handed Ivy to Chlorophyll Kid and jabbed a finger at Brainiac’s face. “Tell us about the bomb, bossman!!”

Brainiac sighed as though talking to a child. “I inserted a device into Quislet’s vessel which can be triggered by one of three people; the leader of the Legion of Superheroes, the deputy leader, and failing the presence of one of those two, the most senior Legionnaire present. If it is deemed that Quislet is about to embark on a course of action considered to be catastrophic, this device allows for Quislet’s vessel to be destroyed in a manner which endangers no bystanders. Quislet will have no choice but to return to Teall, and his ongoing membership in this team can be assessed anew by whomever the current leader might be.”

“Quislet is a person!” Comet Queen protested. “Not--not some toy for you to turn off and on when you feel like it!”

Chlorophyll Kid moved forward to stand by Grava’s side in solidarity. “Quislet, how do you feel about this?” Ral asked.

“Quislet think Brainiac silly!” the tiny Legionnaire answered as he continued circling their heads. “But Quislet think Legionnaires all silly!”

“It’s not silly!” Comet Queen blurted out. “It - it’s wrong! It’s flying into a black hole wrong!!” She turned and ran out of the lab in tears.

Brainiac watched her leave then turned to Ral as though one of his teammates hadn’t just fled from his presence in hysterics. “You wanted to speak with me, Chlorophyll Kid?”

Chlorophyll Kid scowled at him, and Danielle found herself looking away awkwardly. “It can wait,” Ral said darkly. He turned and left the same way Comet Queen had departed.

“Wooh!” Quislet exclaimed in glee. “Brainiac really did it this time!”

**********
EARTH
Metropolis, Weisinger Plaza

As Drura Sehpt approached the building that had once been her home, she noticed how it had changed since it had housed the Legion of Superheroes. The basic external structure of the L-shaped building was still the same but a large ornamental pond filled much of the once empty plaza, and flowering plants from various worlds floated upon it. Surrounding the pond, hovering hardlight planes held families picnicking as well as tour leaders expounding on the history of the plaza and its amazing occupants.

Atop the building, enormous gleaming statues of the Legion of Superheroes stood in inspiring poses; its three founders fronting the team they’d birthed, with every Legionnaire up to Gas Girl flanking them. In front of the main entrance of the building now called the United Planets Museum of the Superhero, a hologram cycled through life-size images of every member of the Legion of Substitute Heroes since that team’s inception. The Subs might be far less popular than the larger Legion whose statues dominated Weisinger Plaza, but this was after all their home now and they deserved some kind of representation here.

One of those Subs came out now to greet his old teammate. “Drura!” Pete Dursin beamed. “Welcome to the new digs! Well, new for us - I mean, obviously you used to be based here with the rest of the Legion of Superheroes, huh? Umm, anyway, right this way.” Careful to keep a safe distance, the quilled hero also named Porcupine Pete gestured for Drura to enter the building.

“It’s good to see you again, Pete.” Infectious Lass gave him a warm smile and entered the main lobby, feeling a little self-conscious as she walked past her own hologram and a couple of giggling alien children whipped out their cam to record the coincidence. “And I love what you’ve done with the place! I mean considering the last time I was here it was basically a shrapnel-ridden hole in the ground…”

As they walked past a golden statue of the deceased Double Header, Porcupine Pete and Infectious Lass reflected on the evil that Earth-Man and his cronies had inflicted; not just on this building, but on them and the people they knew. “Yeah, things are very different now,” Pete gave a subdued smile. “Earth still isn’t perfect, we Subs have been keeping busy fighting xenophobe movements as well as setting up the museum here. In fact, the rest of the Subs are in Europe somewhere right now helping the Science Police bring in some crazies White Lightning rounded up to try and get Earth-Man out of jail.”

“You should be really proud,” Drura commended her friend. “All of you...the Subs have come a long way since we used to be the laughing stock of the galaxy.” She followed Pete into a turbolift and watched the lobby fall away before them through plexiglass walls. Icons of heroes past and present flashed past them as they sped through the massive complex.

“I don’t think we’ve come a long way at all,” Pete replied. “I think maybe everyone else is just starting to realise we’re not going anywhere and they’re just starting to catch up.” He winked at her and waved an arm toward the door as it whooshed open at a restricted level. “Milady?”

Drura walked out into a spacious area filled with comfortable furniture, recreational games and an autochef. “Okay, this is definitely better than the rec room in our old base,” she laughed.

“I’ll give you that much,” Pete assented. “Grab a seat and I’ll get us some drinks...enough about us anyway, how’s life in the Legion? How’s Invisible Kid?” Drura could hear the slightest tightness in his voice as he mentioned Invisible Kid, but she knew that by talking about it he was trying to make it normal; trying to get past the unspoken thing that Pete and Drura had shared before she joined the Legion of Superheroes to a place where they could just be friends again.

“He’s...ugh, honestly, I don’t know.” She slumped into a seat and lay face down on a brightly coloured table. Pete handed her a drink with a concerned expression and took a seat opposite her, avoiding anything with a plush covering after one too many quill-related accidents in the past. “Thanks,” Drura continued, sipping the live culture he’d selected for her. “Mmm, that’s good -- so we kind of had a thing...he did something…honestly, he did something really bad and something that was a massive breach of trust, and I yelled at him and I just don’t know if I can look at him the same way again, you know? I don’t know if I can trust him again, Pete.”

“Wow.” Pete sat back and brushed the quills on his forearm absently. “I...I don’t know what to say. I thought you guys were really happy..?”

“We are. We were. Oh Pete, I don’t know!” She pouted and stirred at her beverage miserably. After a second she inhaled sharply and gawked at him with wide eyes. “Oh Pete, I’m so sorry! This is probably the last thing you want to hear about...let’s change the subject.”

“No no, Drura, it’s fine!” He smiled encouragingly. “I mean, look...I’m not gonna pretend it’s not a bit awkward, but I want us to be friends. And friends can talk to each other about stuff, right?”

“I - I suppose so,” she replied shyly. Before she could say anything more, a distinctive breeping noise sounded. “Pete..? What’s that?” she asked.

“I’m not sure,” he admitted, heading over to the wall where he revealed a hidden security panel. “None of the alarms here have ever actually had to be used, believe it or...Oh, great.”

“What is it?” Drura repeated, leaving the table to join him.

“Look for yourself.” He deactivated the alarm and redirected the security monitor feed from the main lobby to take over the cartoon that was playing on one of the rec room’s many large screens.

A group of five had entered the museum, two men and three women. Their leader seemed to be a man in yellow and green, a golden Interlac B across his chest. As Pete and Drura watched, he vomited a stream of corrosive fluid at a reception droid and the device melted away almost instantly. The Subs’ database identified the man as Bile and a text caption appeared on-screen advising as much.

A young blonde woman in an orange and red outfit shot bursts of flame at two hardier security droids, slagging them as effectively as Bile had before her. She was identified as Inferno.

The woman labelled Gazelle had red-tinted skin and a shock of red hair to match. She wore a red bodysuit with a yellow animal head motif across her torso, and she pounced with preternatural speed and dexterity to disable the lobby’s fire suppression sprinklers with several well-placed jabs and kicks.

The last two were unidentified. The woman was a voluptuous redhead in very complimentary black leather, her outfit dotted with the occasional red or black X; the man wore tight purple pants, a loose-fitting white shirt covered in some kind of basic pattern neither Pete nor Drura recognised, a purple bandana tied loosely around his neck and a pointed white mask. They could just barely see the exposed skin of his face, which was green and warty.

“You said the other Subs are on another continent?” Infectious Lass asked. “I’ll call for backup from the Legion; we’re too outnumbered to take them on our own.”

Pete rolled his eyes. “Don’t worry about it, I haven’t faced these jerks myself but I’ve heard all about them. They’re called the Legion of Substitute Villains and if you and I can’t take them before the Science Police get here to cart them off to jail I’ll give back my flight ring.” He activated a signal leading to the nearest SP base and started walking toward the turbolift. “I’ll keep them distracted in the lobby; if you head out the window you can probably take them all down with the flu before they even realise you’ve followed them through the front door.”

“Well...if you’re sure, I -- wait, the Legion of Substitute Villains? You have your own arch-enemies now?”

“Please don’t give them any ideas,” Pete sighed just before the turbolift doors closed between them.

**********
In the lobby downstairs, the green-skinned member of the Legion of Substitute Villains surveyed the damage his teammates had done with a frown. “Bile, you promised zat we would ‘ave fame if we destroy zis museum...but zere is naught ‘ere but lifeless robots! ‘Oo will spread word of our deeds?”

“Patience,” the Legion’s leader replied after his power melted a hole in one of the internal walls. “Those Substitute Heroes will be here any nano now, you watch. They live here somewhere, they’re not gonna let this go. Anyway, it’s a sprocking museum; worse comes to worst, we can just find some patrons and take them hostage. That’ll make the news for sure!”

Gazelle executed a flawless backflip from where she’d been perched on a raised dais behind Bile and landed facing him. “We really do need a new gimmick,” she mocked him. “Taking hostages hasn’t worked out too good in our capers so far, Bile.”

A melodic ding sounded, and the villains all glanced around. “The turbolift!” Inferno shouted. As soon as the doors slid open, she filled the lower half of the capsule with flame. “I don’t get it,” the young pyrokinetic muttered as she approached the smoking turbolift warily. “There’s nobody in there?”

“Hi!” Porcupine Pete suddenly dropped from the ceiling where his quills had kept him safely pinned. “Ah, sprock - that’s hot!” He danced from one foot to the other, at the same time shooting a volley of quills at the would-be villains. Gazelle’s reflexes and agility saved her and the team’s other redhead screamed as she dived for cover behind the statue of Double Header, but the other three quickly became human pincushions.

“Kill you for that!” Inferno raged, sheathing herself in flames to burn away the spiky projectiles while Pete gracelessly hopped and skipped out of the charred turbolift.

“I don’t think so.” Infectious Lass made her entrance, casting an invisible net of Tharrian fever virii wide enough to catch Bile, Inferno and the green-skinned man. While Drura would have liked to infect all five of them, she couldn’t risk projecting her power over so wide a radius without affecting Pete as well. Bile was instantly staggered, moaning in pain as he clutched at his head. For Inferno however, the effect was much more dramatic; the virus that caused Tharrian fever thrived in high temperatures and there was nobody here hotter than Inferno. She wavered on her feet for a second, then slumped to the floor without a word.

“Infectious Lass, non?” The green-skinned man seemed unfazed by her attack, and it occurred to Drura that whatever his race he must be immune to the virus. “I am ze Tongue, and I am very much a fan! I apologise for my impropriety but I must get…’ow you say...ze insurance before your spiky friend gives me ze jabs once more!” With a sickly slurping noise, his elongated tongue shot out and wrapped itself around her three times, squeezing firm without actually hurting her.

“First of all,” Infectious Lass squirmed in his grip, “This is a little too intimate for a first date. Secondly, if you know who I am and you still made skin to skin...well, tongue to skin contact...you’re sillier than your fake French accent suggests.” She decided to err on the side of caution and pumped a flood of low-level diseases into his system. Her gambit paid off and his prehensile tongue slipped with a wet slap to the floor, followed in short form by its owner.

“Per’aps later…” he burped queasily, “I may ‘ave your autograph, oui..?”

“Why does he have that terrible accent?” a bemused Pete asked. He saw Bile preparing to heave once more and raised both arms toward him. “Nuh-uh, pal. The first shot was a warning, I hear one more retch outta you and you’re gonna be picking quills out of places you didn’t even know you had for a week.”

“Gazelle, do something!” Bile hollered.

“Florg that,” Bile’s teammate shook her head vigorously. “I like a good scrap as much as the next fem but the way I see it, my options here are get a face full of spikes or spend three days in bed throwing up. I’m out.” Making sure to keep her face covered, Gazelle leaped through the museum’s front window and ran while Science Police sirens sounded nearby.

“Bile, right?” Infectious Lass approached the fuming Bismollian. “What did you possibly hope to achieve here today? You people didn’t even stand a chance against two of us, what would you have done if all of the Subs had been here?”

“You’re so damn smug, aren’t you?” Bile spat. “All of you Legionnaires, looking down your nose at anyone you deem not good enough to be in your sprockin’ club! You’ve got no idea what it’s like to be a reject!”

Pete laughed in his face. “Pal, you’re playing to the wrong crowd. Do you know how many times Infectious Lass had to try out before she made it into the Legion? And I’m still not there, but I’m doing my best anyway! Don’t blame us because you gave up the first time things didn't go your way!”

“It doesn’t matter anyway,” Bile grimaced. Despite the fever and the pain of dozens of quills piercing him all over, there was menace in his expression. “Because we’re still gonna have the last laugh. X-Bomb Betty, blow this place to pieces!”

Infectious Lass and Porcupine Pete realised they’d both forgotten about the Legion of Substitute Villains’ final member. In unison, the stunned heroes looked across to the statue of Double Header where the attractive young woman cowered. She peeked out cautiously and gave a nervous giggle. “...Uhh, so, funny story...my scientist father gave me the power to create an explosion with the force of 150 million megatons. Except like...I can only do it once..?” She hid behind the statue again and continued in a tiny voice. “...Please don’t hurt me, I just wanted to be famous.”

In almost no time, Infectious Lass and Porcupine Pete were waving goodbye to Shvaughn Erin as she escorted most of the Legion of Substitute Villains away in a Science Police vehicle. “I hope the Science Police find Gazelle,” Pete mused. “As soon as the rest of the Subs get back we’ll give them a hand.”

“Don’t worry too much,” Drura reassured him. “From what Shvaughn said, Gazelle doesn’t sound like she’s too much of a threat to the general public...and if need be, the Legion of Superheroes have two trackers now. I’m sure that either Dawnstar or Mwindaji would be happy to assist.” She turned to face her ex-teammate. “Pete…I just wanted to say thanks.”

“Thanks?” the homely hero looked perplexed. “Thanks for what? I should be thanking you, it was our house they attacked!”

“No, I mean…” The afternoon breeze had blown stray lavender hairs against her face and she took a moment to brush them behind her ear. “...What you said to Bile; I know you weren’t talking about me and Jacques at all, but it really resonated with me. I do care for him a lot, what he did wouldn’t have hurt so much if that wasn’t true. But I can’t just throw in the towel because he made a mistake. When the Legion of Superheroes rejected me I tried and tried and tried until I finally made it; surely I owe my relationship that much, right?”

Pete picked at a loose quill on his thumb and gave her a genuine but lopsided smile. “Well...I’m glad I could help, I guess?”

“Come on,” Infectious Lass hovered a few inches above the ground. “Let’s go finish those drinks.”

**********
TAKRON-GALTOS
Cell MGA-80-06-63

In a dimly lit room a mile below the surface, the blond Braalian teenager codenamed Magno stood in a relaxed position while his teammate Ion stood rigidly beside him. The Imskian woman was a few inches taller than Magno, and she watched like a hawk as Takron-Galtos techs performed a routine check on the electromagnetic couplings keeping their prisoner in stasis.

The prisoner in question was the cyborg Immortus, leader of the so-called Forever Soldiers. Immortus was 23 feet tall and composed of charcoal grey inertron which would have been intimidating had he been in any condition to be a threat. He was insensate now though, the red lenses inset in his armour devoid of any light. The Legion of Superheroes had stopped the Forever Soldiers before they could really cause much mischief, and Immortus had sat in this cell gathering dust ever since. Still, Takron-Galtos regulations stipulated that two members of the Workforce should be present any time the prison planet’s staff had direct contact with the cyborg due to his power level, so here they were.

One of the techs stopped what he was doing and groaned slightly. Before his workmates could enquire as to his health, he had doubled over roaring in pain. Magno and Ion leaped to his aid, but as they reached him the other two techs followed suit. Flustered, Magno looked helplessly from one tech to the other.

“We need to get them to a medbay!” Ion barked, slinging the first man’s arm over her shoulder so she could help him out of the room. “And check on the rest of his team!”

“You’re right,” Magno agreed, Ion’s decisiveness jolting him into action. He activated his comm unit while using his magnetism to convert some of the panelling in the corridor outside to makeshift stretchers. “Gear, this is Magno - give me a health check on all of the Forever Soldiers and while you’re at it, send a med-unit to my location."

“Little busy, Dyrk!” Gear’s anxious voice shouted back. “But Silverback’s free, so I think you’re on to something! They did something to our techs, infiltrated them with some kind of parasitic bioplastics! They went right through our - oww - scanners!”

The signal abruptly cut out, and Magno and Ion locked eyes for a second before everything went to hell. The techs’ combined screams of anguish reached a crescendo as pink slime oozed forth from every orifice, finally silencing them. In less than two seconds the weird substance had burst forth from their pores as well, coating their bodies entirely and turning them into eerily silent featureless pink plastoids. The plastoid that Ion had been carrying threw a punch at her which she barely shrunk in time to avoid. The electromagnetic couplings holding Immortus in place deactivated with an anti-climactic whisper, and while Magno turned his power to the task of holding the suddenly mobile cyborg in place the remaining two plastoids rushed the brave teen and slammed him into a wall.

Less than 5 inches tall, Ion was literally beneath the plastoids’ attention. She sprinted across the comparatively vast distance between her and Magno and checked his vitals. As the three plastoids moved into formation around Immortus, glowing embers of life switched on across his dark surface and Ion put out a general alert to the whole team. “Workforce, we need backup now! Magno is unconscious, Immortus is up and about -- Abyss, gather the team and get here--”

She stopped mid-sentence, her brown eyes growing wide as an almost imperceptible whine arose from the three plastoids and a steadily intensifying nimbus of light blinked out suddenly to reveal that the plastoids and Immortus were no longer there.

“It’s too late,” Ion found her voice. “Immortus is gone.”

“It’s not just Immortus,” Gear’s voice replied.

“...The Forever Soldiers have escaped Takron-Galtos!”
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Unexploded Bombshells - 02/04/18 07:16 PM
hahahhaa, Ze Tongue! one of my favorites! and X Bomb Betty!

oh oh, Immortus and the Forever Soldiers. and those poor techs that were turned into plastoids.

I appreciate the logic of Brainy putting a bomb in Quis’ ship. I find myself siding with him, simply because of the stunt Quis pulled last time!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Unexploded Bombshells - 02/07/18 12:27 PM
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
hahahhaa, Ze Tongue! one of my favorites! and X Bomb Betty!

I have been wanting to use them for ages and couldn't figure out how, I can't believe it took me this long to remember the Legion of Substitute Villains lol laugh
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Unexploded Bombshells - 02/08/18 07:29 PM
Hey Raz, you've some really nice work here.

Love your picture of the Shazam Blok, it would be nice to see him be really pushed now he's so powerful.

Really not sure if I agree with Brainy's bomb, surely he could just shut Quislet's ship down without having to destroy it. Nice that Danielle was so torn up about helping with it, and Grava's response was great.

Also it's great that you are dealing with the Jacques and Drura situation. Very sweet how Pete reacted, hopeful, upset and all conflicted but willing to support Drura anyway.

The Legion of Substitute Villains are just great! Possibly your best creation actually and I am envious that I didn't think of them first.

“What did you possibly hope to achieve here today? You people didn’t even stand a chance against two of us, what would you have done if all of the Subs had been here?” - ha, there's really no reply other than to hang your head in shame and leave to that. I laughed out loud the first time I read that line.

Gazelle the coward and Bile both made me laugh at just hoe ineffective they were. Ze Tongue sound gross - was he a re-boot character as I don't cognise him. X-Bomb Betty was absolutely the most useless character ever it's hilarious so I want to use her in my stories now!

Poor Magno and Ion, the Forever Soldiers are hardore! Looking forward to seeing the big bash when the legion go for them.

Great stuff Raz, looking forward to more, more, more!

Posted By: razsolo Re: Unexploded Bombshells - 02/09/18 06:34 AM
Thanks Harbi! I actually wasn't intending on using Blok for a while, but I will step it up a bit and can now promise some magic lightning-fuelled punches coming up for you next instalment! laugh

Brainy....might be making some more controversial decisions in the near future...

You're on a roll because there will be some more Jacques & Drura romantical storytelling very soon as well!

Glad you like the Legion of Substitute Villains...the Legion have such a history of off the wall losers (I say with love) that I'm surprised it really took until 5YL before they started playing with some of the wackier aspects of their published history smile

I actually wrote a post with some footnotes for that last instalment but my computer decided to eat it apparently...Bile is my homemade Bismollian, but the others are all canon. Ze Tongue fought Umbra in the reboot just after she joined the Legion, and X-Bomb Betty was a tryout reject from when the SW6 Batch Legionnaires had their own title. Her line about her power is almost exactly what she said in her one comic appearance lol

I can't remember who it was that said they'd like to see Shadow Lad's reaction to what went down with Kara but you won't have long to wait, we are gonna have a visit to Talok VIII next up! (plus an update on the search for Yera!)
Posted By: Omni Re: Unexploded Bombshells - 02/10/18 04:17 AM
Hey Raz,

The scene with Staq and Aquiii was well done. Her confusion and his sympathy were so real and Staq seems to really care for her and sending her to the academy was a good idea. Fire Lass i like it and i liked the moment with her and Dragonwing. I wonder if this will force Myra to work harder. Although just because Aquiii goes to the academy doesn't mean she has to or will end up in the Legion.
Agreed i like Gravity Kid's determination.

Gim's battle with Kid Eternity was wicked cool. the image of Gim sliding down those building was my favorite visual of his probably ever as i don't recall him ever doing that in the comics.

good brother sister moment with Danielle and Jacques. I liked that she called him a Drama queen.

I understand Grava being worried about Ral. when ever cosmic entities get involved this can go bad quick. Although i think Ral will be OK.

AWWWWW man! i really had hoped Quislet was gone. but i guess a bomb in his ship is better than nothing as i'm sure he will do something to get detonated.

I loved your visit to Zwen. it sounded so picturesque and Hibernation Eve is an awesome tradition and makes total sense for a world that hibernates like they do. Kid Chemo and Sharpshot kid chasing Chemo's younger self. i wonder if they changed history somehow and created a divergent timeline.

The Future sure is coming back to haunt people a lot lately. I hope Lullaby Lad is OK!

Bounty... hmmm nice. Did Gim ever ask Dawnstar and if so did she refuse?

Enjoying the pics of the Heaventsent and Blok.

Dura and Pete's battle was fun. You use Dura so well and Pete did a good job to. I liked how X-Bomb better and Gazzlle both gave up. Bile. lol.

So i guess you know you've made it when you've got your own arch nemesis super team lol .

Oh man the Immortus sounds like he's going to be a big problem. the technicians becoming those plastioids was grotesque but kind of cool.

looking forward to the ride!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Unexploded Bombshells - 02/22/18 10:50 AM
Originally Posted by Omni
but i guess a bomb in his ship is better than nothing as i'm sure he will do something to get detonated.

Hi Omni, thanks for commenting...that made me LOL because I think we all know you're absolutely right laugh

Quote
Bounty... hmmm nice. Did Gim ever ask Dawnstar and if so did she refuse?

He did ask Dawnstar actually! You can see what her reaction was here smile

Glad you liked the pics and the detour to the warring Subs...and Immortus will get some more spotlight next up!
Posted By: razsolo Reminders of the Past - 02/26/18 07:23 AM
DEEP SPACE
Gim Allon’s personal cruiser

ROLL CALL
Bounty:
feisty future mystery woman, tracking powers

Gim Allon: ex-Legionnaire, growth powers
Infinite Boy aka Kando Vyr: Legionnaire from the future, ability to summon beings from the timestream

Having made final adjustments to the navcontrols of Gim Allon’s four-seater spacecraft, the woman named Bounty reclined in her seat. She rested one leather boot on the ship’s console, flakes of dried mud dirtying the plastic dashboard. Her other leg dangled as she rocked back and forth in the seat whistling tunelessly.

In the pilot’s seat beside her, the former Colossal Boy cleared his throat. When that sparked no reaction, he spoke up. “Bounty..? Your foot?”

“What about it?” she asked bluntly.

“Can you not?” he sniped back, gesturing to her boot on the console.

Bounty rolled her eyes and stamped both feet on the floor of the vessel. “I still don’t get why you’re so intent on chasing your ex halfway across the galaxy anyway,” she huffed. “Doesn’t ruffle my feathers either way but seems pretty obvious she’s just not that into you, big fella.”

“She’s not my ex,” Gim countered, “Yera’s my wife and I love her. They don’t have love in whatever dystopian future the Infinite Boy dragged you from?”

Bounty laughed at that. “Settle down, Allon...like I said, doesn’t bother me whether you want to play stalker or not.” She cast a mischievous glance over her shoulder toward Kando Vyr sitting behind them. “I mean normally I get paid for these kinda gigs; must be nice being able to pull people outta the timestream and compel them to do whatever you want...huh, kid?”

Kando blushed beneath his gold-trimmed hood. “It’s not like that.”

She laughed again, a sound tinged with bitterness. “It’s exactly like that...but don’t worry about it, I’m not above using people to get what I want either. Speaking of which...third planet on the left.”

Gim called up a map of the solar system they’d just entered. This shuttle was an older model, and the Infinite Boy had to lean over Gim’s shoulder to see the display screen clearly. The Infinite Boy squinted and then looked out the shuttle’s viewscreen as they passed the rainbow-hued rings of an enormous violet gas giant. “I recognise that planet...” Kando muttered. “Are we..?”

“I wasn’t paying attention earlier,” Gim answered, “But yeah. If I’m not mistaken...Bounty, are you saying Yera’s been back on her homeworld this whole time?”

“Do I look like the Encyclopedia Galactica?” Bounty asked. “How do I know where she’s been hiding out? She’s definitely there now though...holocams out, boys! We’re visiting scenic Durla!”

**********
TALOK VIII
Curster City, Mallor Apartments

ROLL CALL
Mon-El aka Lar Gand:
Daxamite physiology

Shadow Lad aka Grev Mallor: Reserve Legionnaire, darkness generation
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation

The ancestral home of the Mallor clan was an ancient stone villa with hanging gardens, an oasis of colour in the midst of seemingly endless desert sands. In the wing which constituted his quarters, Grev Mallor stood at a window with his hands clasped behind his back. Facing his arid place of birth, he maintained a stoic silence in response to the news he’d just been given.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t come sooner, Grev.” This was his cousin Tasmia, the woman who shared the role of Talok’s Shadow Champion with Grev. “I wanted to let you know in person, and the Legion have been so busy…”

“The Legion are always busy,” the warrior named Shadow Lad countered without malice. He turned to face Shadow Lass sitting on a pile of embroidered cushions, her hand firmly clasped with that of her lover Mon-El. “It’s okay Tas, I know you would have come sooner if you could have...and I appreciate that you told me in person; I suppose I shouldn’t even be surprised. Supergirl came from a thousand years in the past, and history is very clear that she died a thousand years ago too. I guess knowing something intellectually isn’t the same as knowing it in here though, huh?” He thumped his chest for effect.

“If it helps,” Mon-El ventured, “She rebelled against Universo and the Red Lantern ring in the end. Kara chose to die so her friends could live, and Mwindaji gave her life back to her. And speaking as someone who has felt powerless in the face of fate before, I can tell you that none of us really ever know what the future holds...ours or Kara’s.”

Shadow Lad gave the Daxamite a half-smile. “That’s a funny sentiment coming from someone who’s worked with Dream Girl for so long.”

“I guess what I’m saying is that I’m not convinced we’ll never see her again,” Mon-El continued. Out of nowhere, the muscular Daxamite then tilted his head to one side as if listening for something. A moment later, both his own and Shadow Lass’s flight rings breeped.

“Mon-El, Shadow Lass, sorry to interrupt your personal time but you’re needed.” The voice belonged to Brainiac 5. “The Forever Soldiers are on Talok VIII, we’re en route to confront them now.”

“The who..?” Shadow Lad asked.

“The Legion faced the Forever Soldiers on Zuun recently,” Mon-El answered him. “They’re meant to be incarcerated in Takron-Galtos right now. Brainiac, what are they doing here of all places?”

“I’ll explain when we collect you both,” the Legion’s Coluan leader replied. “We’ll be arriving momentarily.”

“Dawnstar’s already outside,” Mon-El announced, standing up. “I thought I heard her entering the atmosphere just before Brainy called.”

“You can hear Dawnstar flying??” Grev’s jaw dropped. “From miles up??”

Tasmia laughed. “Why are you so shocked, little cousin? You worked alongside Mon, you should know how amazing he is.” She joined her lover on the way to the window and pecked him on the cheek.

“It’s easier when you’ve known someone for years,” a mildly embarrassed Mon-El explained. “It’s really no different to how you two might recognise each other’s footfall in the corridor outside because you’ve had so long to become accustomed to the sound.”

“It’s...a little different,” retorted the bemused Shadow Lad. Just as Mon-El had said, Dawnstar’s graceful form was alighting on the sand below the window. Above and behind her, the Legion’s cruiser was slowing to a stationary hover. Grev, Tasmia and Mon-El descended to meet their Starhavenite comrade on the ground below and Shadow Lad extended a greeting. “Hello Dawnstar...do you have time for a drink or perhaps something to eat?”

“Thank you but no,” the aloof heroine declined. “Shadow Lass, Mon-El, are you ready to leave?”

“Of course,” Mon-El nodded. “Grev, thanks for your hospitality. I’m sorry we were interrupted, if everything goes smoothly with the Forever Soldiers I’m sure we can swing by again later.” A mischievous twinkle gleamed in Tasmia Mallor’s eye as she knew exactly what her cousin’s response would be.

“What? No, I’m coming with you!” Shadow Lad protested. “Talok VIII is my home, if these Forever Soldiers are a threat you’d better believe I’m going to help stop them!”

“Spoken like a true Shadow Champion,” Shadow Lass smiled. “Come on, cousin...let’s join the others and let Dawnstar do her job.”

While Mon-El and Dawnstar flew under their own power, the Mallor cousins boarded the Legion’s cruiser to find Brainiac 5, Blok, Invisible Kid and Infectious Lass inside. After they’d all exchanged greetings, Shadow Lad approached Brainiac 5 in the pilot’s seat. “I hope you don’t mind me inviting myself,” Grev said, “I know I’m not an active Legionnaire anymore, but I want to help.”

“Yes, I expected as much,” Brainiac replied simply.

Shadow Lad stood by in awkward silence for a moment before he decided to just say what he wanted to say. “Also...Tasmia told me about what happened with Kara. I wanted to extend my sympathies.”

Brainiac 5’s attention didn’t waver from the flight controls for even a second. “Supergirl’s power was an asset to the Legion, but she’s certainly not any more indispensable than anybody else on the team.”

“What?” Shadow Lad was taken aback. “No, I meant...I know she cared for you a great deal--”

“Be that as it may, there’s no benefit to dwelling on what can’t be changed.” Brainiac turned to face Shadow Lad, his expression completely neutral. “If it fulfills some emotional imperative of your own, I accept the sentiment however. Thank you.”

“...Don’t know why I expected anything else...” Grev muttered to himself, heading back to join the others.

In the back of the cruiser Invisible Kid sat on his own, staring out a window in maudlin contemplation. On the other side of the ship, Infectious Lass looked over to him for what seemed like the hundredth time since the Legionnaires had left Mars and for what seemed like the hundredth time, she turned back to her own window without saying a word and sighed in frustration. Seated in the row behind her, Blok politely excused himself from his conversation with Shadow Lass and rested his heavy stone chin on the empty seat beside Drura. “I hope I am not intruding,” he spoke to Drura as softly as his gravelly voice allowed. “But I could not help but notice there seems to be some tension between you and Invisible Kid, Infectious Lass.”

Drura’s lavender eyes turned up toward her giant teammate. “Is it that obvious?” she asked, before immediately answering her own question. “Oh, who am I kidding? Of course it is. Something else else happened on Somahtur and I want to talk to him about it, but I don’t know how.”

“You are aware that I have a portion of the wisdom of Solomon now,” Blok smiled gently, “That wisdom is telling me that the best way to talk to someone is just to talk to them.”

“I have no idea who Solomon is, Blok.” Drura gave him a teasing smile in return. “But it’s good advice regardless. Thank you.” She craned her neck to give him a kiss on the cheek, then took a deep breath to steel herself and crossed the aisle to sit next to Jacques Foccart.

“Bonjour,” he greeted Drura meekly.

“Bonjour yourself,” Drura bumped her shoulder against his.

They both started talking at once, and both apologised at the same time. “You go first,” Jacques submitted.

“Okay...look, Jacques, what you did on my homeworld; you disrespected me and it’s not right. I don’t want to feel like I can’t trust you. I was angry with you. I still am, to be honest. But I love you. And I want us to work this out.”

Jacques held her hand in his and stroked her chalky white skin. “I am sorry, Drura...truly. I know that I crossed a line. I want to make it right with you.” He looked up from her hand to meet her gaze. “And I love you too.”

“Legionnaires,” Brainiac 5 announced, “Mon-El and Dawnstar have located the Forever Soldiers. We’ll be making the rest of our way there using our flight rings to maintain the element of surprise, let’s move out.”

“We’ll finish this discussion later,” Drura squeezed her lover’s hand before releasing him, and the two made their way to the open doorway.

“Brainiac, you haven’t mentioned,” Shadow Lass realised as she followed Infectious Lass and Invisible Kid, “Do we know what the Forever Soldiers are doing on my homeworld? None of them are Talokkian and there’s no strategic value to this region; even the nomadic tribes tend to steer clear of this part of the desert.”

“I have a strong suspicion that the answer to your question also explains how they escaped Takron-Galtos,” Brainiac replied. “The data supplied by Gear following their escape matches teleportation experiments that were abandoned six decades ago on Colu. Various factors I don’t have time to expand upon right now dictate the range of that teleportation method quite precisely, and there are only two inhabitable planets which meet the possible spatial coordinates.”

“But how did you know they’d be here and not wherever else?” Shadow Lad continued the line of questioning.

“I did not,” the hyper-genius admitted as he activated his forcefield belt and a nearly impenetrable nimbus formed an inch from his body. “Ultra Boy and Mwindaji have taken a separate team to Anndrann. I knew that Mwindaji and Dawnstar would both be equally capable of tracking them as necessary. Now, if there are no further enquiries--?” He gestured at the open doorway, and the Talokkian heroes joined everyone else in departing the vessel.

In the middle of the vast hot desert below, an armour-plated spacecraft lay partially submerged in golden sands. Inside was an odd assemblage of supervillains; the floating Brain Globe of Rambat called Medulon, the chrome gorilla appropriately named Silverback and the three-armed Ruby Rogue watched with various degrees of impatience and boredom while a thoroughly unremarkable middle-aged Coluan man in a loose-fitting white and purple jumpsuit spoke to the group’s leader Immortus on an internal comms channel. Immortus was far too large to fit in the ship’s bridge, and was unhappily forced to travel in the cargo hold. “I apologise for the poor accommodations,” the Coluan acknowledged his leader’s discomfort, “Once we are safely ensconced on your asteroid I’ll make it a priority to renovate the ship to accommodate your frame, Immortus.”

“See that you do,” the cyborg shot back. “For now, just be satisfied that my gratitude for our freedom overrides the insult to my dignity.”

“Of course,” the green-skinned man nodded. “Now that the ship’s batteries have recharged after fuelling your teleportation, we can be on the way momentarily; we should reach our destination in less than an hour, I will alert you upon approach.” He disconnected the channel before Immortus could have the final word and made his way to the navigation controls.

<I would urge greater caution in your dealings with Immortus> Medulon’s telepathic voice irritated the Coluan’s brain. <Our leader’s lifespan may be functionally without end but his patience is certainly not, Gar Lao.>

“Stay out of my brain,” Gar retorted with bite. “Better yet, focus your attention on Silverback’s mind. It has been some time since you reinforced his commitment to our cause, Medulon.”

The gorilla in question didn’t seem to mind the inference that Medulon had influenced him telepathically, but he did react swiftly to a tearing sound on the other side of the bridge. “We’re under assault!” he growled, vaulting over the captain’s seat while the others were still just beginning to react to the unexpected sound. Silverback launched himself forward as Mon-El tore his way through the bulkhead, and the gorilla bounced ineffectively off of the Daxamite’s chest. To his credit, Silverback recovered before he’d hit the ground and rolled back into a crouching position in one fluid motion.

“Sorry about the damage to your property,” Mon-El announced, the other Legionnaires behind him. “Presuming that this ship does actually legally belong to one of you, of course. But I’m afraid the only place any of you are going is straight back to--” His monologue cut short by an agonized cry, the hero staggered in place.

<You may be impervious to physical injury> Medulon’s ugly voice filled their skulls, <But your mind belongs to Medulon, Daxamite!>

“You leave him alone!” Shadow Lass protested. She stepped in front of her lover and drowned Medulon’s sphere in a flood of darkness.

“There’s not enough room for us to fight efficiently on this bridge,’ Brainiac 5 analysed the situation coolly. “Blok?”

“Of course,” the stone giant rumbled. He grabbed the ship where Mon-El had already damaged it, and with barely any effort, simply ripped the entire vessel in half.

“My ship!” Gar Lao whined, grabbing hold of anything he could reach to retain his footing as it came apart around him. The battle was well and truly joined now, Ruby Rogue stretching toward Shadow Lass while Silverback wrapped himself around Blok.

“Legionnaires, scatter!” Dawnstar shouted at the rest of her comrades outside the ship as she took to the air. Shadow Lad and Infectious Lass followed suit just in time to avoid being squashed as the now free Immortus slammed down into the sand where they’d all been standing. Protected by his forcefield, Brainiac simply watched placidly.

“I am afraid that a more immediate threat has demanded my attention,” Blok said politely as one hand closed on the nape of Silverback’s neck and removed him with the amused patience one might have for a needy pet. “I am certain that one of my friends can deal with you as you require, Silverback.” Blok effortlessly flung Silverback more than a hundred feet away, confident that the villain’s superhuman resistance would protect him from serious injury. He then charged into Immortus while the cyborg was distracted with trying to rip Dawnstar out of the sky.

On what was left of the ship’s bridge, Gar Lao made a discreet exit under the cover of Shadow Lass’s darkness. Mon-El winced in pain as he struggled against Medulon’s assault, and Ruby Rogue wore a vicious grin as she closed on Tasmia Mallor. “Don’t worry,” she taunted, “This one will be dead as soon as I constrict -- eh?!” The Jacquaan woman was surprised when something invisible slammed into her and knocked her off-course. She collected herself and retracted back to her normal stature. “How did she do that?! I thought she only had those ridiculous shadow powers?”

“Shadow Lass does indeed have shadow powers,” a disembodied voice replied, “It is Invisible Kid who can turn invisible, Ma’amselle. I had thought our codenames might give that away, but perhaps I have credited your intellect too highly, non?” Still unseen, Jacques’ fist deformed Ruby Rogue’s face.

“I don’t have to see you to crush you!” While her face regained its normal shape, all three of her arms windmilled wildly.

<You are foolish to believe that your power inconveniences me in any way> Medulon spoke directly to Shadow Lass. <My telepathic senses are advanced far beyond the primitive limitations of your optics...and now I believe I shall have your Daxamite lover slay you for your insolence.> Before he could make good on his threat, the unfamiliar sensation of physical pain rocked the Brain Globe as Shadow Lad charged him from behind with a sheared piece of the ship’s bulkhead. Grev smashed it at full force against Medulon’s spherical casing, causing a barely visible crack to spread across it. Echoes of panic and pain washed over the minds of everybody present, and before Medulon could shred Grev’s mind in retaliation he was abruptly encased in a thick coating of ice and dropped insensate to the floor.

Wisps of super chilled air drifted from Mon-El’s lips as he picked up the inert villain. “The methane seas of Rambat are cold,” the Daxamite explained as Shadow Lass took her place by his side, “But even Brain Globes aren’t completely resistant to temperature extremes. He’ll remain sedated now till he wakes up in a prison cell. Thanks for the assist, Shadow Lad.”

“My pleasure,” Grev replied, discarding his makeshift weapon. “I took a gamble that if he was focused on hurting you he wouldn’t be as aware of the rest of his surroundings till it was too late.”

A man’s shout attracted their combined attention, and they saw the surreal spectacle of Ruby Rogue’s serpentine arms coiling around an empty space which soon revealed the translucent form of Jacques Foccart as she squeezed him tighter and tighter. “I told you!” she gloated. “It was only a matter of time, Legionnaire!”

“Don’t worry Jacques,” Mon-El lowered Medulon again and stepped forward with the Mallors flanking him. “We’ll--”

“No...allow me.” A descending Infectious Lass came to a halt just above Ruby Rogue. The Jacquaan woman’s sadistic grin soon changed to an expression of panic as she realised just who she was facing now. “My powers may not be much good against an inertron-shelled cyborg or a metal gorilla,” Drura continued, “But creepy women who grab on my boyfriend are right up my alley.” Flooding Ruby Rogue’s system with bacteria specific to Jacquaa, Drura watched as the villainess went limp and passed out.

“Merci,” Jacques panted, taking a moment to recover. “That woman is tres wicked!”

Mon-El grabbed a section of the destroyed ship and reshaped it into a makeshift prison. “I’ll make sure these two stay out of mischief,” he advised, “Why don’t you all go see if Brainy, Blok and Dawnstar need a hand with the rest of the Forever Soldiers?”

“If Blok needs our help, I think we all have a far greater problem on our hands,” Shadow Lass teased him gently. “But you don’t need us getting in your way here either.” She gave Mon-El’s arm an affectionate squeeze and led the others to the sounds of battle in the desert beyond.

Under the blazing sun, Immortus laid blow after blow upon Blok. The cyborg would have reduced any normal sentient to a bloody smear by now, but even before he’d been empowered by the Rock of Eternity Blok had been tougher than just about any normal sentient. With that extra magic on his side, Immortus was barely even a nuisance.

“I do not know if you can feel pain within that shell,” Blok said calmly as an inertron fist smashed against his face harmlessly, “But at the very least you must be able to recognise that you are wasting your time here. Surrender before I am forced to retaliate, Immortus.”

“Pain??” Immortus ranted. “I’m made of inertron, you fool! Inertron feels no pain! Perhaps I can’t damage you directly, but let’s see how well you fare once I charge you through the crust of this hellish planet!” He grabbed Blok around the waist and bootjets flared to life. Surprising Immortus, Blok didn’t budge even a millimetre.

“You do not feel pain?” Blok queried as placidly as if the two were having a casual conversation. “That is valuable knowledge, thank you.” With both arms, he gripped the giant cyborg’s free arm and wrenched it from its socket with an almighty rending sound.

“What are you doing?!” Immortus screamed. “Stop!!” He released Blok and redirected his bootjets at the Legionnaire.

Blok held Immortus’s ripped off arm up as a makeshift shield against the blinding flare of the jets, then discarded it as the cyborg took off in an unbalanced arc. Taking pursuit, Blok easily caught up to Immortus and straddled his back. Blok wrapped his powerful gold-flecked arms around either side of the villain’s head and twisted until the cyborg’s head came clean off. The directionless body careened into the desert sands, and Blok flew back to his wide-eyed comrades with Immortus’s disembodied head under one arm. “Immortus’s frame is composed of self-regenerating inertron,” Blok explained. “He will recover, but with damage so extreme it will take time.” He looked around the battle site curiously. “Has anybody seen Dawnstar and Brainiac 5?”

**********
Nearly a mile away hidden behind sloping sand dunes, a middle-aged Coluan hugged the desert’s burning surface as he sped away from the battlesite on a flatbed hovercraft. I can rescue them from Takron-Galtos as easily a second time as I did the first, Gar Lao reasoned, But I cannot help the Forever Soldiers or myself if I too am a prisoner.

“Thank you for leaving such an obvious trail,” an elegant woman’s voice startled the fleeing villain. “Even were my tracking powers not capable of finding you, a blindrat could follow the mess you’ve kicked up in your wake.” Lao’s head snapped to the left to see the winged Legionnaire Dawnstar keeping up with him effortlessly. Obviously shaken, the villain lost control of his vehicle and dived straight into the golden sands. The impact threw him forward and Lao winced at the thought of the injuries that awaited him hitting the ground at this speed. Just before the moment of impact, Dawnstar gripped him under the arms and Lao’s stomach lurched as she used their combined momentum to power a dizzying loop in mid-air. As they began to descend, her enormous white wings spread wide and flapped enough times to slow their roll. The whole maneuver was complete in almost as brief an amount of time as it took the Coluan to process what was happening, and before he knew it he’d been dumped rudely but safely into the hot sands after all.

As he clambered to his feet, Lao saw that they’d been joined by another Legionnaire. Brainiac 5 descended from the endless blue skies, an expression of distasteful judgement on his green face. At his side in a perfect force sphere, Silverback roared in protest and slammed his fists against his transparent prison. “I would not recommend that course of action,” Brainiac addressed Gar Lao coldly as his villainous Coluan counterpart drew a handgun.

“And why would that be?” Lao sneered. “As far as I can see, your vaunted forcefield is keeping my more aggressive ally from tearing you limb from limb. I’ve studied you Legionnaires enough to know that you cannot project multiple fields, Dox.”

A blur of motion rushed past Lao, knocking him aside as Dawnstar snatched his weapon and stood behind her leader. “That was risky,” Dawnstar admonished Brainiac. “What if I’d not reacted in time?”

“I know your capabilities,” Brainiac answered simply before giving his attention to the middle-aged Coluan before them once more. “What I don’t know is what he hopes to achieve by siding with the likes of Immortus and his cronies. I’d think that any Coluan would possess the intellect to see the depths of that particular folly.”

“I wasn’t ever meant to take an active part in their field operations,” Lao answered. “Nor am I like the rest of those short-minded fools. I wouldn’t expect you to know or care, but my ancestor was Sato Lao, a man who sought to bring an everlasting peace to the galaxy. His destiny remains a mystery, but when I found his journals I elected to improve upon his noble mission.”

“...Sato Lao…” Dawnstar wondered aloud. “Why does that name sound familiar..? Oh! Brainiac! When the Infinite Man sent us to Earth’s past--”

“--You and five other Legionnaires prevented Sato Lao from destroying the planet,” Brainiac 5 completed her statement for her. “Yes, I’ve read the mission logs.”

What??” Gar Lao was shellshocked. “You met my ancestor?? That’s impossible!”

“It’s certainly implausible but a great many implausible things are possible,” Brainiac 5 countered. “Still, that doesn’t explain your alliance with these miscreants here and now, Lao.”

“Sato Lao thought that Earth was the most dangerous planet in the galaxy,” the villain recovered quickly from his initial shock. “And he was correct, but that’s ancient history. We have well passed the point as a galaxy where the elimination of any one planet would make any meaningful impact to the rest of interstellar society. The only hope for peace in the long term is to wipe out 75% of all sentient life and allow the remaining survivors to form a new society from the ashes of the old. Immortus fancies himself a ruler of worlds, but with the right encouragement he can just as easily become a destroyer. Medulon has contempt for all species aside from his own, and Silverback and Ruby Rogue are loaded guns seeking to be fired. I have chosen my weapons wisely, and you may imprison us now but know that one day we will wreak chaos unlike anything you’ve ever seen.”

“Your ancestor was murdered by a Terran man over a thousand years ago,” Brainiac 5 muttered as he placed cuffs on the other Coluan man, “And while your own life is less likely to end with such violence, it will likely end with just as little fanfare. Your mission has amounted to nothing before it even began, Lao.” Brainiac saw fast-moving shadows approaching across the desert landscape and looked up to see Mon-El approaching with Shadow Lass and Shadow Lad.

“...As a great many things in life end before they can be said to begin…” Brainiac 5 mumbled almost imperceptibly.

“I’m sorry,” Dawnstar spoke up, “Did you say something, Brainiac?”

Querl Dox blinked and shook his head. “Hmm? No...nothing of import. Let’s escort these villains to the local Science Police and put the past back where it belongs.

...In the past.”

**********
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Reminders of the Past - 02/26/18 11:48 AM
The Legion sure is efficient! Wrapping up the Forever Soldiers plot in a snap. What happened to the poor technicians who became plastoids, though?

Nice to see Grev in action, and Tas and Mon giving him the news about Kara was a nice touch. As was Brainy's stoic reaction... Oh, Brainy.

Dawny is such a treat to see in action, as is Blok.

Happy to see Drura and Jacques finally talking it out!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Reminders of the Past - 02/26/18 12:17 PM
Alas the poor techs were red shirts, but they're in a better place now...I thought about giving the Forever Soldiers some more development, but sometimes it's nice just to have an excuse to write a punch up with no grand plots...they'll get another chance to shine, no doubt wink

Next: some more on Gim and pals, and a turning point for Fire Lad!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Reminders of the Past - 03/14/18 10:42 PM
Hey y'all, I have been drawing again....may I present Arqiia in her Fire Lass costume! I wanted to make her reminiscent of Fire Lad without just being a direct copy smile

[Linked Image]
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Reminders of the Past - 03/15/18 10:22 AM
Raz, I love your artwork, Arqiia looks suitably fire boy-esque that it's a good association without being a definite copy. Nice work.

Also, just noticed your story above, i must have missed it when you first posted it. Will give it a good read through and review for you tonight or tomorrow when I have time. Hoorah, another segment of your story to look forward to, always a good thing!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Reminders of the Past - 03/17/18 12:50 PM
Raz, hi, finally got around to reading your latest batch through.

I like your snarky Bounty, she's a keeper! And Gim going to Durla will be fun, other than Reep going there to regain his powers back in the day with Brande I can't recall ever seeing that much of it so I'm definitely looking forward to reading what you come up with, It'll be good to see how Yera reacts as well, as she left for the best of reasons so will she be happy to see her husband again or has she established a new life now?

The scene with Tas and Lar telling Grev about Kara was well written, with the individuals philosophies and outlooks being well highlighted without a big emotional drama, it read as a nice understated adult conversation around a sad subject.

Trust Brainy to ruin it with the call to arms smile

Jacques and Drura sorting out their differences was nicely done, neither are big loud characters so it was good you avoided an explosive argument between them and settled for the conversation between two sensitive people that are hurting. Along with the scene where Grev learned of Kara' s fate you have shown how mature these characters have become.

I wish I'd thought of Silverback, I really do love gorillas!

Blok dealing with Immortus was the highlight for me, his cool approach and solution were very well done, thank you for showing us what the power of Shazam had done for him. If he wasn't thoughtful and strong enough before he certainly has taken both those traits to a new level.

Brainy being unemotional and calculating is the logical way for him to deal with his grieving but we all know it's going to end in tears sooner or later. Looking forward to seing where you take this story.

As usual I'm left wanting more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Reminders of the Past - 03/21/18 05:14 AM
Thanks Harby...Gim's motley crew are getting closer to taking the main spotlight so we'll see all of that stuff soon smile

I stole Silverback from Set, he is a great character concept laugh I have got some plans for where I wanna go with him but he might have to wait his turn behind the 500 other characters who keep sticking their hands up for stories lol

Brainy's story is probably a slow burn, I think it might be a bit before that really eventuates...I am glad you liked Blok's fight as well, it is kinda fun having someone on the team who can just calmly stand there and take punches till he decides to act!
Posted By: razsolo The Coming of Firecrest! - 03/22/18 03:53 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

ROLL CALL
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart:
cyberempathy
Quislet: energy being, temporary matter animation


Danielle Foccart poked her head into the Legion of Superheroes’ mission monitor room where Quislet’s sleek new microship flew in erratic patterns around the room. “Hoo boy!” the Teallian hero squealed with glee. “Quislet make his best time yet!”

“Uh, Quislet..?” Kid Computo cocked an eyebrow. “...Who are you talking to? For that matter, what are you doing?”

“Quislet on monitor duty!” he exclaimed, veering off at almost a right angle barely in time to avoid smashing into one of the room’s walls. “Brainiac says Quislet not allowed to monitor from his ship outside, so Quislet has to be cooped up in this little room till Polar Boy takes his turn! Boring! At least Quislet make good conversation with himself!”

“Okay, but--” Danielle flinched involuntarily as he came dangerously close to taking out one of the consoles. “But what are you doing in here? Flying around like that? Shouldn’t you be paying attention to the feeds?”

“Kid Computo should see for herself!” Quislet chirped happily. “Come on board!”

Danielle gave a defeated shrug and reached out with her cyberempathy. Alien as the microship was, she found that she needed to exert more effort to really interface with it properly. Still, the Teallians might not use conventional electronics but whatever they did use was close enough that her power served.

“Oh! Oh, wow!” She took a step back, momentarily overwhelmed by the influx of data. She could sense the room the same way Quislet’s microship did, but she wouldn’t have the first clue to describe what sensory information it was actually taking in. It was some kaleidoscopic mess of light and energy patterns which shouldn’t work but somehow paradoxically did. She could also sense that he’d projected energy patterns of his own around the room using wavelengths not visible to the naked eye. What looked to any outsider like chaotic flitting about was actually Quislet navigating an obstacle course that only he could see. Something else else else then occurred to Danielle. “Wait a nano…” she wondered aloud, “You’re always zipping around like a maniac! Is this what you do all day??”

“Quislet didn’t get to be best Legionnaire without practice!” he replied. “Practice makes Quislet perfect!”

On a more pedestrian note, Danielle now realised too that all active alert feeds were being fed directly to his microship; whatever else he was doing, Quislet really wasn’t neglecting his duty. She couldn’t quite figure out exactly how the datastream was working though, and trying to figure it out was hurting her head. Danielle disengaged her power’s connection and pinched the bridge of her nose till the world around her felt normal again. “...Won’t lie, I’m not gonna be in a rush to do that again.” She leaned against the doorway, hands in her jacket pockets. “Actually….Quislet, I came looking for you for a reason. I guess I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

“Quislet better than okay! Quislet great!” He looked and sounded the part, flying a dizzying series of loops before her eyes.

“I mean..you know, with the device that we inserted into your ship. I guess I owe you an apology...I wasn’t really all that comfortable with it anyway, but when Comet Queen reacted the way she did, it made me see that I should have listened to my conscience in the first place.”

“Brainiac’s bomb silly!” Quislet finally stopped flying and hovered at Danielle’s eye level. “But Kid Computo silly too if she thinks Quislet sad! If Quislet’s ship go boom, Quislet just get a new one and come back better than ever!”

“Well...if you’re sure....but anyway, I am sorry for what it’s worth.” She had the strangest impression that this was as close as the odd little creature had ever come to genuinely trying to comfort someone, and as little as it was working she had to admit she was touched by the effort.

“Sorries are silly too!” Quislet trilled. “Too much fun to have to waste time being sorry!” Abruptly, he did a little backflip and continued. “Hoo boy! Speaking of fun, Quislet better call some Legionnaires!”

“Why, what’s happening?” Even as she asked the question, her own power reached out and she picked up the alert that Quislet had just received. “Museum robbery in Marsopolis, huh? Element Lad, Neon and Mwindaji are all on base, can you tell them what’s going on and to meet me on the roof?”

“Quislet on the case!” came his excited reply. “Kid Computo go have some fun!” Danielle flew off down the corridor, shaking her head in bemused wonder at her weird little extra-dimensional teammate.

**********
DURLA
Frozentown Marketplace

ROLL CALL
Bounty:
Legionnaire from the future, tracking powers
Gim Allon: ex-Legionnaire, growth powers
Infinite Boy aka Kando Vyr: Legionnaire from the future, ability to summon beings from the timestream


Gim Allon looked out from beneath the musty purple hood of one of the two cloaks he and his strange travelling party had stolen earlier that morning. To his left, the mystery woman Bounty wore the other cloak and to Gim’s right, the Infinite Boy had the gold-rimmed hood of his own white cloak pulled down to hide his features.

Frozentown was a unique place on Durla; while most Durlans lived a barbaric life of isolation in barren nuclear wastelands, a growing number of the shapeshifters wanted to join the wider society of the United Planets that existed beyond their world. Under the guidance of the tireless Ambassador Grb, a town had been built in one of the planet’s less radioactive valleys where Durlans could come to sample and acclimatise themselves to the realities of off-world life if they wished. Such a town was not a welcome concept to many Durlans, and more than half of the off-worlder population here were Science Police intended to prevent reprisals from the more violent extremes of Durlan society. For the most part there was an uneasy detente, but Durla’s cultural xenophobia made itself loud and clear with the name of the place. The town’s original name J’siej Yy had not been adopted easily by foreign tongues; the Durlans often referred to offworlders as frozenforms due to their inability to change shape, and so it was that their town became Frozentown.

For all the Science Police presence, there were precious few other off-worlders here; Gim had met Ambassador Grb once, and from discussions with him the former Legionnaire knew that he, Bounty and Infinite Boy would immediately be recognised here as outsiders. If Yera really were here as Bounty had assured him, Gim didn’t want news of his presence to frighten her off before he’d even seen her. Thus, the oversized and very unpleasant smelling disguises.

“You couldn’t have grabbed a couple of clean tattered blankets for us to wrap ourselves in?” Bounty sniped at the Infinite Boy.

“These were the clean ones,” Kando retorted. “Trust me, you don’t want to see what the dirty ones looked like.”

Gim almost stepped on something small and slithering, only noticing it as it burrowed a hasty tunnel into the sludge beneath his feet. “We get it,” he snapped at Bounty. “You don’t like it here. None of us do. The sooner you do what we brought you here for, the sooner we can leave. Find my wife, Bounty.”

The brunette gave a heartless laugh and gestured at the crowd around them. “Look around you, Allon. The best tracker in the galaxy couldn’t pick one specific Durlan out of this crowd. I narrowed down her location as far as I could; maybe you two could contribute something to this moronic quest at some point, huh?”

Gim bit his tongue and locked eyes with Kando for a second. The two men peered around the crowded marketplace; with its free-standing tents and pungent carts of produce, it was a far cry from any real UP town but Ambassador Grb had done the best he could with the resources available. There were two Science Police for nearly every three citizens, but those citizens bore the appearance of more than a dozen different alien races. There was also the familiar orange-skinned humanoid shape that the UP mandated all Durlans wear as their standard appearance off-world, and the green tentacled body that those Durlans who’d never left their homeworld claimed as their native form. Bounty’s words grated, but they weren’t untrue. She really had done the lion’s share of work so far in service of a task she had no stake in at all. Consciously realising how useless he felt made Gim’s cheeks flush hot red.

It seemed Kando had come to much the same realisation. “If Bounty can’t find her,” he suggested, “Maybe I can try something different...a telepath might help?”

“Maybe,” Gim conceded. “I...hey, wait.” Without another word, he pushed his way through a sea of robes and exotic body types.

“Colossal Boy? Gim!” Kando hissed to no avail. He turned to Bounty.“We’d better follow him before he gets himself into trouble. Come on.”

“You don’t have to ask me twice,” Bounty smirked. “Some trouble might actually make this trip worthwhile!” Hand on the blaster beneath her robe, she followed the Infinite Boy through the crowd.

Gim finally caught up with the subject of his attention at a stall selling some kind of sour-scented gourds. The Durlan he’d pursued was a good four or five inches shorter than him, wearing a drab grey robe which obscured all of their features even when they raised one limb to trade Frozentown currency for three of the amber vegetables. Gim had seen something that sparked a memory gleaming around the Durlan’s neck though, something small and golden hanging from a thin chain. “Excuse me?” He touched the Durlan’s shoulder gently.

“Can I help you?” The voice tipped him off even before she turned around. She’d disguised her appearance but had never bothered to mask her voice...and hanging around her neck she wore the wedding ring that Gim Allon had once placed lovingly on her finger.

The shock of seeing her husband here shattered Yera’s disguise. Her hood fell back from her face as she gazed up with wet eyes at the man she’d left months ago. “...Gim..?”

“Yera, I…” He’d rehearsed what he was going to say to her at least a hundred times, but now that he was here raw emotion took over. He choked on his words and his own eyes filled with tears as he trembled helplessly.

“Gim...Gim, what are you doing here?” She reached up with the feminine orange hands which had held him so many nights and cradled his face. “...You grew a beard,” she said stupidly in something that was half-laugh and half-sob.

“Yera...Yera, why?” he found the strength to continue. “Why did you leave me?”

“Hey, you found her!” Bounty shoved her way rudely through the crowd to their side. “Good work Romeo, can we get out of here now?”

“Who is this?” Yera turned on the newcomer. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as her antennae wiggled slightly atop her head. “...Do I know you from somewhere?”

“Hey, I’m not the one who can pretend to be anyone they want, how should I know if we’ve met? But seriously, can we go now?”

“No, I’m sure we’ve met,” Yera continued unabated.

Yera Allon reached for Bounty’s hood and in a blur of motion Bounty grabbed her wrist. “Hey. Handsy much?” She released Yera’s hand and Gim instinctively moved between the two women to defend his long absent wife.

Rubbing her wrist with her other hand, Yera decided she’d worry about the woman later. She turned back to her husband and asked sharply, “Gim, what are you doing here? I left you and the Legion to protect you, you big lump!”

“Protect me from what?” he shot back with equal concern and annoyance.

“I--I can’t tell you,” she avoided his worried gaze. “How did you even find me?” she changed the subject, finding the nerve to meet his eyes again.

“This is Bounty,” Gim introduced his reluctant companion. “She’s a tracker, she was summoned to help us by--”

“What is he doing here??” Yera cried shrilly, pointing an accusing finger at the Infinite Boy who’d finally made his entrance.

“Chameleon Girl, hi!” Kando Vyr greeted her breathlessly. “Guys--”

“Honey, it’s okay.” Gim placed a hand on his wife’s arm. “Kando summoned Bounty to help find you, he’s helping us--”

“Why??” she bypassed her husband altogether, jabbing a finger into Kando’s chest. “You of all people must know why I’m doing this, why would you jeopardise that??”

“Chameleon Girl,” Kando struggled, “Yera...we can talk about this later but--”

“What kept you so long anyway, short stuff?” Bounty teased Kando. “Get lost in the crowd?”

“Honey, please.” Gim reached for his wife whose earlier shock was now replaced by mounting fury at the Infinite Boy. “If you’re in trouble, please let me help. Kando brought me here, he’s not going to stop us from being together--”

“What sick game is this?!” Yera railed at the Infinite Boy. “Do you know what I’ve gone through because of your stupid future? What I’ve given up?? Look at me when I’m talking to you!”

Kando, who had been craning his neck this whole time to look at something on the other side of the market’s stalls, suddenly removed his hood and fixed Yera’s glare with a resolute stare of his own. “Yera. I get you’re mad, and you can yell at me all you like later but you guys need to see this! Look!” He pointed, and all three of them followed his line of sight to see the upper half of a very distinctive red armoured helmet disappearing into the sea of sentients beyond the marketplace.

“Isn’t that…?” Yera began.

“...Radiation Roy??” Gim completed her question. “What the sprock is he doing on Durla?”

“Finally!” Bounty grinned wickedly. “Now things get interesting!”

**********
MARS
Marsopolis, Zo’ok Plaza

ROLL CALL
Fire Lass aka Arqiia:
Legion Academy student fire-breathing
Staq Mavlen aka Fire Lad: weredragon


In a different time on a different world, Staq Mavlen and the woman named Arqiia might have made a curious couple wandering through a plaza crowded with tourists. On 31st century Mars though, a gaunt grey-skinned woman with a flaming scalp and her unassuming blond escort weren’t anywhere near the strangest pair of sentients. Aliens of all sizes and shapes meandered through Zo’ok Plaza or stopped at any one of its many galleries and museums, and a few of them even paused to nibble at the fragrant potted flowers on either side of the thoroughfare until Science Police droids politely but firmly dissuaded them.

“How are you finding the Legion Academy?” Staq asked the taller woman at his side.

“Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad are adequate teachers,” Arqiia responded after a moment of thought, “And the rest of my classmates have accepted my presence, but Dragonwing seems to bear an irrational dislike of me.” She paused and then corrected herself. “An irrational dislike of many things.”

“Try not to take it personally,” Staq advised. “Dragonwing’s got a chip on her shoulder the size of Deimos but she’s young...she’ll grow out of it.”

“I do not know what it is to be young,” Arqiia stated bluntly. “I was created in my current state of being.” She stopped walking and looked down at Staq Mavlen. “May I ask a question?”

“Of course,” he smiled. “You don’t have to ask permission.”

“How did you come across your purpose?” she questioned.

“I’m not sure what you mean,” Staq’s brow furrowed. “You mean...my purpose generally in life, or..?”

“You tried out to join the Legion of Superheroes several years ago,” she expanded. “And they turned you down, but you pursued the path of a hero nonetheless until you fulfilled your original purpose of joining the Legion of Superheroes. My fellow students are all driven to pursue heroism in their own ways. I was created to serve the Heavensent; I know now that path was wrong, but I feel no sense of purpose to replace that in my life. I joined the Legion Academy at your suggestion, but I do not feel the same drive to be there that my classmates evidence.”

“I...don’t know how to answer that, I have to admit.” Staq shrugged helplessly. “I’m not really one for deep philosophical questions, I just know it’s the right thing to do. I have power, and when you have power you need to protect the people who don’t. Maybe you should ask Saturn Girl about it?”

“I will,” Arqiia nodded. She kept walking, Staq by her side.

He wondered what was going through her mind; he couldn’t imagine what it must be like to just be dropped into the world as a full grown adult without any life experience. He also couldn’t help but wonder how she felt about him or for that matter how he felt about her. Since the incident with Brainiac 5 and Elastic Lad’s machine, Staq no longer felt the overriding imperative to be with Arqiia, but there was something there. He just didn’t know if it was a genetic compulsion or legitimate attraction. Deep philosophical questions, he thought again sardonically.

Startled yelps and the sound of multiple engines approaching shook Staq from his funk, and he saw half a dozen people in sleek chrome armoured suits riding gravbikes through the crowded plaza without a care for the sentients around them. Two Science Police droids were in hot pursuit, broadcasting warnings to everybody to calmly evacuate the area. “Those squajes are going to get someone killed,” he scowled. Sure enough, an alien tourist was directly in the path of the lead armoured man and had frozen in place. The alien’s body was a slender green stalk, its one enormous blue eye wide with fear.

Acting purely on instinct, Staq flew in to intercept the gravbike. He inhaled deeply, his chest puffing out before he remembered that he didn’t have his old powers anymore. Staq swore under his breath then in a final act of heroism leaped to tackle the alien tourist so he could at least shield him as much as possible from the inevitable impact. He felt an intense temperature surge behind him, and heard the quick roar of a fireball exploding. Both Staq and the alien turned around to see that Arqiia had used her own flame breath to immolate the gravbike. The rider panicked and tumbled off to the side, smashing into one of the potted plants. His bike flew off course and exploded as it slammed straight into the wall of a nearby art gallery. The green alien winked twice with its cyclopean eye and stammered, “Are--are you the Legion of Superheroes?”

“Sort of,” Staq replied with less confidence than he’d have liked. “You’d better get out of here, it’s likely to get more violent before peace is restored.” While the alien hastily waddled away, Staq activated an electrostatic charge which changed his civilian clothing to his Fire Lad costume and approached Arqiia. “Thanks for the save,” he smiled. “You’d better put your costume on too, go keep an eye on that guy you knocked off his bike and I’ll call the Legion in.” The other bikes zoomed past, one of them so low Staq flinched as he felt its wake ruffle his hair. As he raised his flight ring to his lips, he saw that two of the armoured men had turned back on the Science Police droids, golden hardlight shields defending them from police fire. They both manifested long golden lances in their free hands and ran the SP droids straight through. Lances and shields? Staq wondered. Why not, I guess they kind of look like knights…

Staq yelped in surprise as he was suddenly enveloped in a hardlight net and yanked rudely into the air. The would-be knight at the other end of the net increased speed as he raced through the plaza and Staq’s own flight ring couldn’t effectively counter him so he had no choice but to go along for the ride. “Everybody wants to be a hero,” the armoured man sneered, “Well let me show you what happens to heroes when they meet the Post-Atomic Knights, brave guy.” Staq’s heart pounded as he realised the knight was speeding straight for an elevated pedestrian walkway. The gravbike would soar safely overhead, but Staq would be lucky if there’d be enough of him left to even put in a coffin if he hit the ferrocrete walkway at this speed. He tried his flight ring again but it was pointless. There was only one way he was going to get out of this and it was something he’d been dearly hoping he could avoid.

The Post-Atomic Knight heard Staq Mavlen’s agonised roar below and behind him, but he didn’t feel the tug he’d been expecting which would tell him his victim splattered against the walkway. It was then that he realised his net’s tensile strength had been exceeded and the weapon had shut off. That thing would have held ten men, the knight frowned. There’s no way that puny human could have broken free! He circled around slowly and looked down, curious as to where his captured foe had vanished to. A different roar sounded now, one which seemed far more angry than pained. Inside his chrome helmet, the knight’s eyes grew wide as saucers as a horned dragon man soared up from beneath the walkway on enormous leathery wings. The creature was hairless, a flaming mane atop its grey-skinned head. With mounting terror, the knight realised it was clothed in the tattered outfit of the man he’d just tried to kill. The dragon creature unleashed another mighty roar, this time accompanied by a plume of flame which consumed the knight and his bike. The knight’s armour protected him from the worst of the flame, but his bike exploded as had his comrade’s earlier and the man fell out of the sky screaming.

“Lucky for you,” the dragon man’s voice hissed, “The Legion don’t play by the ssame ruless ass you creepss. Nobody’ss dying today.” Taloned fingers deformed the man’s armour as Staq gripped his shoulders and he slowed their descent before tossing the knight into the villain Arqiia had unseated earlier.

“You are in control of your faculties?” she asked. Staq didn’t know if he was imagining it but he could swear there was something in her voice that hadn’t been there before. Awe? Infatuation..?

He didn’t have time to answer when the other Post-Atomic Knights flew in to help their teammates. Staq dodged one of their lances, but another pierced his side and he bellowed wordlessly. He was dimly aware of a golden shield slamming Arqiia down to the ground, but his own rising fury was demanding all of his attention. It felt as though his blood were boiling and he wanted to tear these people out of their armour like food from a can. Stop it, he chastised himself. Whatever you look like, you’re not a monster. You’re a man, sprock it.

Another lance pierced his torso and caused him to stagger back a few feet. Focusing as intently as he’d ever focused, Staq grabbed the lance in both hands and swung its surprised bearer into one of the other Post-Atomic Knights who’d been approaching the groggy Fire Lass. Both men were flung from their bikes and rolled awkwardly across the plaza as their weapons shut off and their bikes smashed through windows. Staq touched his wounds gingerly, his palm coated in blackish blood. Thankfully he healed faster in this form, but it still hurt...and there were still two more of these Post-Atomic Knights on the loose. He had to wrap this up quickly.

Of the four men on the ground, two of them were unconscious but the other two were even now getting to their feet. Staq stalked toward them, making sure all their attention was on him and not Arqiia gracelessly clambering to her feet. One of the men manifested a golden hardlight sword from his chrome gauntlet and waved it uncertainly in Staq’s general direction. “B-back off!” he warned in a wavering voice.

“Really?” Staq growled. “You want to get me more riled up?” He breathed a plume of fire over the man’s gauntlet, melting the delicate mechanism which created the hardlight weapons. The knight cried out in pain and discarded his sparking gauntlet, revealing a hand covered in fine white fur with black patches.

The other knight’s gauntlet had obviously been damaged in the fall, as various golden weapons cycled into half-existence before fizzling out again. Staq ripped the man’s helmet off with one clawed hand and was mildly intrigued to see the man was a canine-like race he’d never encountered before. This knight was also white-furred, floppy black ears hanging limply on either side of his head. The knight growled at Staq through bared teeth, but Staq simply punched him without a word and the villain dropped like a rock.

“Fire Lad!” Arqiia’s voice rang out, and Staq spun to see one of the remaining Post-Atomic Knights coming straight at him with his lance extended. Without missing a beat, Staq grabbed the knight whose gauntlet he’d ruined and hurled him straight at his flying compatriot. The two plummeted into the plaza, and yet another gravbike met its untimely end smashing into the facade of a nearby museum. He looked around urgently for the final member of the troupe, but they were nowhere to be seen.

Trying to downplay how much his wounds actually hurt, Staq approached the fallen knights and dug his talons into the chestplate of one of them. He lifted them up to his eye level which was now substantially higher than anybody else here, and ripped off their helmet so he could meet their gaze. “What’ss any of thiss about anyway?” he snapped. “Why were thosse SP droidss after you to begin with?”

“Oh, now you want to know. Everybody’s happy to pounce on Dalmans as soon as they see us, but nobody ever wants to hear our side of the story till the fighting’s over.” Though the knight appeared visually similar to her teammate to Staq’s eye, her voice was decidedly more feminine.

“What are you talking about?” Staq retorted. “Lady, I don’t even know what a Dalman iss...and even if I did, how do you exxpect anyone would know you’re one when you’re covered from head to toe in ssprockin’ armour?”

“My race is Dalman, you xenophobic krik!” she exploded. “We’re from the planet Dalma!”

“Oh for…” Staq felt his anger threatening to consume him again and took a deep breath to centre himself as Saturn Girl had been teaching him. “It’ss not xxenophobia, it’ss ignorancce! You think I know every member planet of the UP?”

“We’re not a part of your fascist United Planets!” she barked. “Your people tried to recruit our world and when we declined, you took our cultural artifacts anyway so you could stick them in your pretentious museums! We came to take back what’s ours, and as long as my brother is free, our mission’s succeeded!” She made a fist and pumped it into Staq’s forearm, surprised when nothing at all happened.

“Those hardlight weapon generators you guys have are neat, but they’re not going to do you any good while I’m around.” The Dalman woman and Staq both looked up to see Kid Computo descending with Neon. As the two newcomers landed, Neon created an oversized emerald dogcatcher to round them all up and throw them in a pest control van. Danielle whistled as she surveyed the damaged plaza. “Wow Fire Lad, you’re not a big fan of subtlety huh?”

“Kid, I’m a nine foot tall dragon man,” Staq quipped back. “I’m jusst glad I kept it under control...if getting sskewered a couple timess didn’t make me rage out I think it’ss ssafe to ssay I’m good for active duty again.”

“They do look like nasty wounds,” Danielle cringed at the bloody holes in Staq’s torso. “Mwindaji should be able to help you out with that when he and Element Lad finish rounding up the last one of these guys. Hey, are you gonna change your name now? I mean you’re more of a Dragon Lad than a Fire Lad now, right?”

Zoe made the construct holding the Post-Atomic Knights soundproof and turned her attention to gathering the damaged gravbikes together in one place with a giant dustpan and broom. “Guys, no offence...I know you all love your Lad and Lass and Kid names, but it’s the 31st century. I’m sure we can come up with something better...Firemane? Firecrest? Let’s workshop it.”

“Firecrest is a suitable name,” Arqiia joined the conversation. “In my opinion,” she added as an awkward afterthought.

Mwindaji and Element Lad finally joined the others, the sixth member of the Post-Atomic Knights naked from the waist up and slung unconscious over Mwindaji’s shoulders. While Mwindaji took his captive to join the others in Neon’s van, Element Lad set down a satchel gently on the ground. “This fellow told us they were taking back these ancient knives which were stolen from their world,” Jan noted. “If that’s true, I’ll do everything I can to help them through legal channels. I’m not much a fan of anybody desecrating a people’s culture for personal gain.” While he spoke, Jan casually converted the oxygen feeding the various fires around the plaza into non-flammable gases.

“I do not condone the violence of these Post-Atomic Knights,” Mwindaji pondered aloud, “But I understand their passion. I pray the United Planets considers all the factors involved in this incident before passing judgement upon them.” The tracker from Kirinyaga noticed Staq’s wounds for the first time and started. “Fire Lad, forgive me for not earlier seeing your plight! I can heal you if you wish.”

“Thankss, I apprecciate it.” The wiry dragon man visibly relaxed as Mwindaji bathed his injuries in a pure white light; a second later, only the dried blood on Staq’s torso betrayed that he’d ever been pierced at all. “But you know, I think the girls might be right. Don’t call me Fire Lad anymore…

...Legionnaires, ssay hello to Firecresst!”

**********
EDITOR'S NOTES:
* Gim met the Durlan Ambassador Grb waaaay back before I started posting this series here; the story is on my livejournal here if anybody is interested (but you don't need to read it to follow what's coming up)
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Coming of Firecrest! - 03/22/18 07:05 AM
Coolness! The plight of the Dalmans is very relevant to today’s world. My own country is still trying to get back some bells taken away during our colonization.

Zoe is so millennial. Let’s workshop it! nice new code name for Staq, and it’s a good place for him to be, having to maintain control.

I like how Quislet was actually practicing, and its attempt to comfort Danielle was nice. you have made it so much more likable

glad Yera stayed and spoke to Gim. her reaction to Infinite Boy was very realistic
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Coming of Firecrest! - 04/05/18 07:19 AM
Glad you liked it IB, I originally had the whole thing written out as a standard bank/museum robbery, but at the last minute I thought I might as well try for something different...I am about to post up the next instalment and Yera in particular is getting a lot of focus!
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

ROLL CALL
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
12th level intelligence, team leader
Firecrest aka Staq Mavlen: weredragon
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: reserve Legionnaire, telepathy


While Querl Dox quietly analysed data on a hardlight screen, Imra Ardeen Ranzz stood before the crouched form of the 9 foot horned dragon man that Staq Mavlen had become. Even hunched over as he was, Staq was so tall that Imra still needed to reach up to lay her palm against his forehead. A few moments passed in silence, and Imra removed her hand. “Thank you, Firecrest,” Saturn Girl smiled slightly. “You can return to normal now.”

A grunt of pain escaped Staq’s lips as he triggered the transformation which made him an average Shwarrian man once again. He was becoming more accustomed to the discomfort of changing forms each time, but it still hurt. Dwarfed now in the fireproof sheet which had been draped snugly over his shoulders a moment ago, Staq stepped behind a privacy screen to change back into his clothes. “So what’s the verdict, Saturn Girl? Am I cleared for active duty again?”

“I believe the risk is minimal,” Imra replied. She approached Brainiac 5 and the two of them were soon joined by Staq. “I’d still like to continue our meditative exercises for a little while,” Imra continued. “But I don’t think there’s any real danger of you losing control of yourself under the typical conditions the Legion of Superheroes are exposed to.”

“I’d prefer more certainty,” Brainiac 5 added. “However, if you deem the risk to be acceptable then I respect your judgement. Thank you for your assistance, Saturn Girl.” Brainiac 5 handed Staq a neatly folded yellow and red costume. “Your physical and psychomedical readings support Saturn Girl’s statement; I have no issue with you taking your place once more on the active roster, Firecrest.”

“Thanks, Brainy.” Staq took the costume and held it up before him. “New threads? You didn’t have to do that!”

“It is simply pragmatic,” the Coluan hero replied. “This costume has been subjected to the same treatment which allows Elastic Lad’s outfit to elongate and retract repeatedly. It will withstand your transformations without damage.” What Brainiac 5 neglected to mention was that he’d also woven a web of circuitry throughout the fabric which would stun Firecrest into an unconscious state if need be. Comet Queen’s reaction when he’d taken similar precautions with Quislet’s ship had taught Brainiac that other Legionnaires might not understand or agree with what he’d done, but he had no doubt that it was the right course of action; after all a minimal risk was still a risk.

“I appreciate it anyway,” Staq continued. “I have to admit, it’s gonna be nice not to have to tear through a whole outfit every time I want to use my powers. If you two don’t need me for anything else, I’m going to head off...I told Arqiia I’d catch up with her when we were finished here.”

“I’ll come with you,” Saturn Girl joined Staq on his way out. “Wildfire is taking on my husband’s ranged combat class while Garth and the boys are visiting Winath so I’d better go make sure Dragonwing hasn’t incited Drake to homicide yet.” The two left the multilab and almost walked straight into Chlorophyll Kid carrying a giggling child in his arms. “Oh!” Saturn Girl was startled. “Chlorophyll Kid, is this little Ivy I’ve heard about? She’s lovely!” Imra’s normal aloof exterior melted as she allowed the lively infant to clutch at her finger.

“She likes you too, Saturn Girl,” Ral Benem smiled. “I missed all the action with Staq here so I thought maybe we could catch each other up and I could introduce you to Ivy, buddy...I’m just doing the rounds making sure everyone’s met her.”

“The students are going to be in session for another thirty minutes anyway,” Saturn Girl noted. “Why don’t you boys go catch up and I’ll let Arqiia know you’ll be along later, Firecrest?”

Firecrest?” Chlorophyll Kid raised an eyebrow.

“Come on,” Staq clapped a hand on his friend’s back. “Let’s go for a walk and I’ll explain. Thanks Saturn Girl, I’ll see you soon!”

Imra watched as the two men strolled away with Ivy. Chlorophyll Kid seemed subtly different; both his verbal and physical language indicated a quiet confidence that she’d not seen in him often before. He generally emanated a mild anxiety, wearing it like a psychic shroud for anyone with the ability to sense such things. That was no longer the case at all. Normally such a development would take intensive psychotherapy and Imra decided she’d keep an eye out for any further changes in Ral Benem, but right now all of this seemed very positive.

There was something else that Saturn Girl wasn’t exactly sure how to feel about yet though; Ivy really was adorable and Imra certainly felt no malevolence in the innocent baby girl, but under Ivy Arcane’s surface roiled immensely powerful psionic energies….energies that Saturn Girl had not felt in such an undeveloped psyche since Validus.

Lost in her thoughts, Imra Ardeen Ranzz wandered away down empty corridors.

**********
DURLA
Frozentown city outskirts

ROLL CALL
Bounty:
Legionnaire from the future, tracking powers
Gim Allon: ex-Legionnaire, growth powers
Infinite Boy aka Kando Vyr: Legionnaire from the future, ability to summon beings from the timestream
Yera Allon: ex-Legionnaire, Durlan shapeshifting


“I can’t believe that jerkwit wouldn’t listen to us!” Gim Allon muttered as he kicked a rock and watched it bounce down the path leading away from Frozentown. In the distance, enormous purple-tinged mountains shimmered in Durla’s thick atmosphere all around the small village and the sun was a hazy disc high above them.

Having sighted the Terran criminal Radiation Roy in Frozentown earlier, the curious quartet had spent the better part of thirty minutes trying to convince the local Science Police of Roy’s threat before they finally gave up in frustration and decided to track him down themselves.

“To be fair,” the Infinite Boy volunteered, “Even in my time, Radiation Roy was only really ever well known on Earth; and Earthgov did pardon him along with every other member of Earth-Man’s Judgement League so it’s not surprising that the Science Police here on Durla won’t take the word of two ex-Legionnaires and two people who don’t even officially exist in this time that he’s a menace...especially when we don’t have any proof that he’s up to anything on Durla.”


“Of course he’s up to something!” Gim snapped. “He’s a member of the Legion of Supervillains, Kando!”

“Keep your voice down, Allon!” Bounty hissed. “I found us a way past quarantine without attracting attention but there’s no reason we need to push our luck!”

“Are you sure you can track Roy?” Yera asked Bounty in a tone that sounded almost accusatory. “The quarantine around Frozentown exists for a reason, Durla isn’t remotely a safe place for off-worlders. If you’re not 100% certain that this is the way he came, we should--”

“Hey,” Bounty interrupted. “I found you, didn’t I?” She flashed Yera a sweet smile, the sentiment behind it anything but sweet. “Trust me.”

Yera didn’t trust her though. She didn’t trust this strange yet maddeningly familiar woman, and she didn’t trust the Infinite Boy. She didn’t trust their motivations in helping her husband find her after so long, especially Kando Vyr who knew damn well that Yera had left to protect her world, her husband and their friends from a future too horrible to be allowed to exist.

Yera Allon trusted her husband though and she loved him, and seeing him here was like a knife in her heart. She could see the hurt in his eyes and she knew that she’d caused that. She couldn’t risk being with him again, but this time she would tell him why...Gim deserved that much at least. She couldn’t do any of that though until they’d dealt with whatever ridiculous scheme some second-rate supervillain was a part of here on Durla.

“What’s that noise?” Bounty asked abruptly, and they all became aware of a persistent clicking sound.

Yera realised she and Gim had been lost in thoughts of one another and she cleared her throat self-consciously. “Oh grife, I forgot!” She raised her arm to show a wristband with a pulsating display. “Aside from the fact that most of my people don’t like outsiders very much, Durla is terribly radioactive. Durlans have evolved to live with the background radiation but outside of particular areas like Frozentown it’s too dangerous for anybody else. We wear these rad counters so we can warn off-worlders away from anywhere too irradiated for them. You three are going to have to go back, I’m sorry.”

“I’m not going anywhere without you!” Gim protested. “I’m not letting you chase after that nut on your own!”

“Do you have a transuit, Gim??” Yera exploded. She realised she’d raised her voice and consciously lowered it once more before continuing. “This isn’t open for debate, Gim Allon. Durla’s medical facilities are appalling, I’m not letting you give yourself who knows how many different types of cancer just because you’re too stubborn to listen to me! If you’d just let me be in the first place, we wouldn’t even be in this position!”

Gim’s face dropped. “...You don’t want me here..?” he asked, hurt.

Bounty groaned and threw her head back. “No duh, Allon! This is what I’ve been trying to tell you since we started this stupid trip!”

“Shut up, Bounty!” Yera turned on the woman with unexpected viciousness. While Bounty walked away shaking her head in amusement, Yera approached her husband and held his face between her hands. “Gim...Gim, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I love you and I realise now that in trying to protect you I’ve just hurt you. I didn’t mean to do that. But I’m not talking about it in front of these two. Let me go find Radiation Roy and once I know what he’s planning I’ll come back so we can deal with it together…and then we’ll deal with everything else, okay?”

“I don’t want you to go alone,” Gim almost whispered. “Yera, I’ve come all this way...I can’t risk losing you again now.” His eyes suddenly widened as he had a flash of inspiration. “Kando! You’ve got a flight ring from your future Legion, it must have a transuit function, right? Let me borrow it!”

“It doesn’t work that way,” the Infinite Boy explained glumly. “Sorry Gim, my Legion’s rings are all coded to our individual DNA. They won’t work for anyone else. I mean...I can go with Chameleon Girl though..?”

“Oh for--” Bounty exclaimed. “You people are all idiots!” The three of them looked at her mutely. “How are any of you geniuses going to track him without me?” she continued. “Vyr, you stay here with Allon. Me and Durlan Girl here will go find the other idiot and then once we’ve found him we’ll come back with whatever evidence we need to get the SP on his nass!”

“But...the radiation…” the Infinite Boy began.

“Believe me, I’ve got a higher tolerance than you two losers!” Bounty cut him off. “Come on Durlan Girl, let’s get this over with.”

“Come back,” Gim frowned, kissing his wife on the forehead.

“I will, Gim. I promise.” Impulsively, she pulled her husband’s head down and planted a passionate kiss on his mouth. She turned away from the two men and followed Bounty’s hooded figure, and Gim and Kando watched them leave.

“No offence,” Gim muttered to Kando without looking away from his wife and Bounty, “But Legionnaires in the future really suck.”

**********
As soon as the two women had left Gim and Kando behind, Yera had muted her rad counter and the next several minutes had progressed in mutual silence. The landscape was brutally different the further they got from Frozentown, rocky and barren with odd pools of bubbling warm sludge or the occasional gnarled tree trunk dotted here and there to break the monotony. They didn’t come across any other Durlans along their trek, though they did see two or three hooded figures grouped together a couple of times in the distance. Any time they saw another living being, Bounty and Yera both felt inquisitive eyes boring down on them.

“Not that it’s any of my business,” Bounty eventually broke the tension, “But coming back to your homeworld to get away from Allon? Hiding in plain sight? Bold move, Durlan Girl.”

“You’re right,” Yera replied darkly. “It’s none of your business.” They walked in silence another minute or so before the former Chameleon Girl spoke up again. “...You’re in the Legion of Superheroes in the future, right Bounty?”

The tracker laughed. “Whatever that means, sure.”

“What are Gim and I like in your future? Are we together? Are we still in the Legion?”

Bounty counted off her answers on her fingers. “Don’t know, don’t care, and no.” She stopped in her tracks and raised an arm to hold Yera back. They had come to the edge of a ravine, and Bounty dropped to the ground silently. She drew her hood back over her head and peeked over the edge just enough to see below without giving her position away. To her credit, Yera immediately picked up her cue and followed suit.

On the ravine floor nearly a hundred feet down, some kind of staging area had been erected around the various rock formations below. More than a dozen armed Science Police wandered about, and on a raised dais one particular Science Police officer watched with his arms on his hips as two of his fellow officers affixed manacles to Radiation Roy who was spread-eagled on a St Andrews Cross. Wires of various thickness and colors were inserted into his armour and feeding into the cross, and behind the villain it seemed like they all led eventually to an inert ten foot tall sphere. Two circuitry-laden antennae reached out from the sphere another twenty feet in the air. “What are we looking at?” Yera asked in a hushed tone.

“No idea,” Bounty shrugged. “If we had some way to get down there without being seen…” She glanced around the ravine and its surrounds. Aside from one particularly treacherous and very open path leading down, there seemed to be no other safe passage.

We don’t,” Yera’s eyes narrowed. “But I do. Stay here.” She was gone in an instant, replaced by an insect buzzing around Bounty’s face. Without another word, Yera flew down the steep cliff face, through the mass of Science Police, and landed on one of the wires feeding into Radiation Roy’s armour where she landed just out of obvious view but where her multi-faceted eyes had an almost 360 degree range of sight.

“Are you certain you’re willing to go through with this?” the Science Police officer standing before Roy asked. “I must warn you again, Mr Travich...there is little danger that you will come to any lasting physical harm as a result of this process, but there remains a high risk that you will lose your powers as a result.”

“My powers haven’t done a lot for me,” Roy replied sourly, his voice bouncing off the inside of his rounded helmet. “Nothing but tumors and being beaten up by the Legion of Superheroes more often than I’d like. If they go out taking these alien freaks with them, maybe I will have finally done something good with my life.”

Yera fumed. It occurred to her for the first time that she saw no Durlans down here amongst these Science Police officers...what exactly were they up to down here?

“I assure you, these...freaks...will get exactly what they deserve,” the helmeted officer gave him a smug grin. “Earth may not have been ready to help you reach your potential Mr Travich, but your actions there as a part of the Judgement League did not go unnoticed. Some of us are more than happy to help you rid the galaxy of the aliens that have plagued your world. Why, once this device amplifies and broadcasts your radioactive emissions across the planet there won’t be a single shapeshifter left alive on Durla to pose a threat to your people ever again. Of course there will be some collateral damage; the so-called frozenforms trying to export these aliens off the world where they should have stayed, but those people are--”

“They’re traitors,” Radiation Roy interrupted bitterly. “Species traitors, like Sun Boy or Invisible Kid or any of those other Legion snobs who think they can help aliens steal what belongs to Earth. Maybe this’ll actually teach them a lesson; and if I have to lose my powers to do it then that’s a price I’m willing to pay, Lieutenant Efferie.”

“Please...call me Gonn.” The Science Police Lieutenant slapped a hand on Roy’s crimson chestplate with a flat thud. “History may see you as a villain, but you and I know better Mr Travich. You’re a patriot and your actions here today will help your people immeasurably.” He stepped down from the dais and walked away. He passed by his fellow Science Police officers, smiling and exchanging greetings with them as he went. After a few moments he was finally behind a particularly large boulder, and temporarily hidden from anyone else on the staging platform. The slightest pressure wave brushed over him as air suddenly rushed outwards, and before he knew it he was being held up against the enormous rock with an orange hand around his throat and Yera Allon’s sneering face only inches from his own.

“Before you decide to do anything stupid,” Yera snarled, “Don’t forget I’m one of those shapeshifters you’re so eager to kill.” Her features rippled and changed, and now it was Silver Slasher holding him captive with the razor-sharp talons of her free hand digging into the soft tissue of his abdomen. “I can disembowel you and get out of here before any of your xenophobic cronies even know you’re bleeding out. Now...Lieutenant Gonn Efferie, right? How do I stop this nuclear projector thing you’ve got set up here, Lieutenant Efferie?”

To Yera’s surprise, the lantern-jawed Lieutenant gave her an indulgent chuckle. “You’re Chameleon Girl, aren’t you? I thought I’d seen you around Ambassador Grb’s little experiment in cohabitation. I know the Legion of Superheroes don’t kill, Chameleon Girl.”

“I haven’t been a Legionnaire for a while,” she grunted, and dug her claws in a little more. “So I’d cooperate a little more if I were you. Now tell me about this weapon of yours before you need stitches.”

“Gladly.” While she couldn’t see clearly through his visor, Yera could tell that he was looking her straight in the eye. More, he was utterly relaxed. “I call it my Evolution Sphere, and I paid a man from Colu a lot of credits and waited a long time to see it come to life, Chameleon Girl.”

“How do I stop it?” she pushed on. His unfazed demeanour was beginning to rattle her but she felt confident she was hiding it for now.

“If you really wanted what’s best for Durla, you wouldn’t have any interest in stopping it,” Efferie replied smoothly. “I assume you were eavesdropping on my little chat with Radiation Roy just then? Let me tell you Chameleon Girl, I wasn’t entirely truthful with him. You see, the Evolution Sphere will amplify and broadcast Roy Travich’s metahuman energies across Durla, and it will most likely leave him dead, but I have no interest in killing any of my fellow Durlans.”

Your fellow--” Yera flinched in shock, and Efferie used the element of surprise against her. He shifted into some weird ten foot high stick insectoid creature native to Durla’s petrified forests and evaded her swipe. Bony limbs clacked as he swiftly repositioned himself behind her, and while Yera was in mid-transition to a different form Efferie himself changed into a bulky purple primate and smashed her head twice into the boulder which had hidden their brief struggle from everyone else. Yera slumped to the ground, shifting back into her default orange-skinned shape as she clutched at consciousness.

“I mean you’re a different story of course,” Efferie continued, delivering a kick to her stomach which was so powerful it lifted her off the ground. She wailed in pain, and one final kick to her face left her oblivious. “Running around with the Legion of Superheroes, marrying that frozenform...disgusting. The Evolution Sphere will do for Durla what the Six Minute War once did; the radiation will enhance our abilities to an extent we’ve never dreamed...but you most certainly won’t be alive to see that, Yera Allon. And then the aliens who would keep us down and the race traitors of Durla will both feel the rage and the power of true Durlans, across the whole galaxy and beyond.” As he finished speaking, he resumed the form of the Science Police officer he’d been wearing before the altercation started.

Far above, the woman named Bounty gazed down in wide-eyed alarm. She hadn’t heard any of Yera’s exchange with Gonn Efferie, but she had seen more than enough to know it would be suicide to hang around a second longer. She flung off her robe and ran as swiftly as her legs would carry her back toward Gim Allon and the Infinite Boy. As high up as she was, her frenetic escape went unnoticed until an errant breeze caught her discarded robe and sent it spiralling down into the ravine.

Gonn Efferie looked up at the tattered cloak, dancing in the ravine’s chaotic air currents like it was some mad ghost. For the briefest of moments he regarded it with detached curiosity, and then he walked back around the boulder to find that several of the other ersatz Science Police had seen it as well. With the limited range of vision afforded by his own helmet’s visor, Radiation Roy remained completely ignorant.

Without saying a word, Gonn cocked his head at half a dozen of his closest men and looked up the steep cliff face. They followed his gaze, climbing the unforgiving path until they were out of Radiation Roy’s sight and then switching to the forms of various native predators to tear limb from limb any outsider unfortunate enough to come across them…

**********

TO BE CONCLUDED!!!

Wow way to up the drama, raz! didn’t expect that twist with the SP’s identity and motive, good show

I love how sensible Yera is in communicating with Gim. Well done

You also write Gim well I can feel his pain

I see that the Brainy subplot re contingency plans is heating up. excited to see where you go with that. I can see it playing out like Batman and JLA, but t could also go anther way...
Posted By: Omni Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 5 APRIL* - 04/05/18 03:03 PM
Raz, another good couple in installments here.

Bounty and Gim sure do great on each other. But Bounty seems to do that to everyone from what i've read here and in Harbinger's work.

I'm not up on my Legion lore but who is Bounty exactly?

The Talok VIII team:

Shadow Lad took Kara's death better than expected and M'Onel made a good point that they don't know if that was the last time they will ever see Kara. Time travel is tricky like that.
Brainy and Grav was hard to read because i just know Brainy is dying inside.
I'm glad Dura and Jaquces were able to work things out

The Forever Soldiers Battle:
Silverback is pretty cool.
I liked the part with Imortus in the cargo bay. How did a Coluian not think to retrofit the ship first? lol laugh

Blok is super powerful and I'm not sure if you intended him to be funny but some of the ways you describe him dealing with the forever soldiers made me chuckle.
Jacques making fun of the Ruby Rouge was another chuckle. " I had thought our codenames might give that away, but perhaps I have credited your intellect too highly, non?”
it is true the convention for naming super powered beings does come down to their power a lot of the time. Something else else i'll need to work on for my own OCs.

Rambat getting taken out was inventive and nice timing on M'Onel's part as Rambat's panic and fear from Shadow lad's assault could have taken them all out.

Dura to the rescue! “No...allow me.” A descending Infectious Lass came to a halt just above Ruby Rogue. The Jacquaan woman’s sadistic grin soon changed to an expression of panic as she realised just who she was facing now. “My powers may not be much good against an inertron-shelled cyborg or a metal gorilla,” Drura continued, “But creepy women who grab on my boyfriend are right up my alley.” Flooding Ruby Rogue’s system with bacteria specific to Jacquaa, Drura watched as the villainess went limp and passed out.
Great lines.

This whole mission is filled with so many laughs and i like that it was a one in done as well.
I like how you write Brainy and how confident he is in his teammates abilities and his contingency plans.

So we come full circle again from the Legion's time trips.

The Arqiia drawing in pretty good. i like when you post pics of these characters we haven't seen before.

I still hate Quislet but i'm glad you gave him something to control him a bit more. Although i like his attitude. if i blow it up i blow it up. i'll just come back with a better one. lol.
It was cool to sort of see what Quislet sees through his ship. I'm surprised we've never seen anyone besides Computo try to do this...Could Imra or any other telepath experience his sense?

A connection between Validus and Ivy....hmmm could there be something about Validus we don't know? IS he Imra and Garth's son in your reality? (double checking before i spin my theories. ;P )

Brainy putting that circutry into Firecrest's uniform was rather devious. i understand his thoughts but did he ever think that could be something used against them? ITs one thing to know your teams weaknesses and having planed ways to take them out. But something that is everyday use like that could end up pretty bad down the road...

Durla and Frozentown.
This is a cool idea. i like that not all U.P worlds would be great places for off worlders. you did great showing the strictness of Dura's world which was so alien and now Durla's is a ravaged radioactive landscape. I was surprised by the Science Police were Durlarian as well. But it would make sense that after all the resentment and prejudice of the Earth Humans towards the rest of the galaxy that other worlds would start to feel that way towards Earth and would find ways to combat them.

So they want to use the radiation to change all of Durla like the six minuet war did but i've got a few questions... did the six minuet war give the Durlarns their shape shifting powers in the first place?
Also if it changes all of them, changes them into what? could be be seeing the modern birth of Yera and Gim's son's form but in her people?

Did Yera meet Bounty in the future she went to?

I liked Gim's line about Legionnaires in the future suck. But that makes me wonder what changes to make the future legionnaires seem like they wouldn't fit into the legion from someone so closely associated with most of its tenure. Does the Legion change or is it the universe around them and they needed more questionable members.

Bounty is in some big trouble!
Can't wait for more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 5 APRIL* - 04/08/18 02:16 AM
Thanks y'all! Brainy is definitely crossing some lines and it might get him in trouble soonish if he's not careful wink

Omni, Bounty is a character from the 5YL Legion...I don't want to give away any more just yet because you're gonna find out a lot more about her in the next instalment....Infinite Boy's future is further ahead in the timeline than Bounty's so this is the first time Yera has met her. It will hopefully be a bit clearer next instalment why Yera's taken such an immediate dislike to her too. The era where Bounty joined the Legion was pretty grim for the Legion, the team had disbanded and the Dominators were controlling Earthgov among other things so some of the members of that time were a lot more jaded or cynical than we're used to seeing in other versions of the Legion.

I think I might be exaggerating her general surliness a bit, but she was always pretty snarky in the comics and she's not super happy about being yanked into the past so she's probably crankier than usual.

re Quislet: the way I see it, his consciousness is so different to organic beings that telepaths can't really get a grip on him any more than they could a robot. He did change his energy structure once in one of my stories so Tellus could make telepathic contact with him, but that's something he has to consciously choose to do; in his default state he's immune to organic telepathy/mind control etc

Validus certainly was Garridan Ranzz in my series...there's not really a connection between him and Ivy as such, it's more that Imra found them similar in terms of them both being children with enormous power at their disposal smile

The Six Minute War in the comics to be honest I'm a bit fuzzy on....back in the day I was always under the impression that it's what gave the Durlans their powers, but there was a Legion comic where the Legion time travelled and met pre-war Durlans and they were already shapeshifters in that story. To make things easy, I'm just gonna make an executive decision that it was definitely the Six Minute War in my series which made them shapeshifters.

Glad y'all are enjoying it, there's gonna be some high stakes adventuring coming up on Durla next! laugh
Posted By: razsolo THE SHAPE OF DISASTER Part 2 of 2: Endforms - 05/07/18 06:16 AM
DURLA
2 kliks north of Frozentown

Under the hazy Durlan sun in the middle of nowhere, a frustrated Gim Allon paced back and forth. “They’ve been gone too long,” he complained. “Radiation or not, I’m gonna go find them.”

“They’ve only been gone five minutes longer than the last time you said they’d been gone too long,” the Infinite Boy rejoined flatly. “Besides, how are you even going to find them, Gim? We just have to be patient.”

“Can’t you use your power to find Bounty?” Gim threw his hands up. “Haven’t you got like...I don’t know, temporal aberration vision or something..?”

“It doesn’t work like that,” Kando explained. “I might have brought her here, but we don’t have a psi-link; the best I can tell you is that she’s alive, which is a good sign. I’m sure they’ll be back soon, and anyway you know--”

Gim Allon suddenly frowned and brought a finger to his lips, gesturing for the Infinite Boy to be silent. Kando obeyed, and after a second he heard the same noise that had caught Gim’s attention. “Is that...blaster fire?” the young Naltorian asked in a hushed tone.

“Allon! Vyr! A little help??” Both men recognised this voice instantly, and turned to see Bounty running full pelt toward them. She no longer wore her jacket with its distinctive Legion emblem patches, and her arms were lined with scratches and cuts. Likewise, her pants were torn in places and she had three thin bloody lines scraped across her cheek just beside the tiny wolf’s head which was tattooed on her face. She was still some distance away, but gaining ground faster than any normal human should be able to move. Three enormous green cats bounded close behind her, golden stripes visible on their powerful forms. In the air a featherless bird also joined the chase, its wingspan easily fifteen feet across and its razor sharp talons fully extended. The avian creature took the lead, swooping down on Bounty. Glancing back only briefly, she took aim and fired her handgun. The bird veered away, avoiding injury by mere inches.

Without any hesitation, Gim Allon began running straight at the deadly menagerie. They closed on him far quicker than he could do the same, but by the time Bounty sped past Gim he had already grown large enough that she could almost duck right under his legs. “What happened?” he bellowed, having grown now to almost fifty feet. He grabbed the bird in one oversized fist. “Where’s Yera?”

“You will never find Chameleon Girl, frozenform!” one of the emerald tigers growled as it pounced on Gim’s giant shin. “Not unless you share the same afterlife at any rate!” The big cat brought its fangs down on Gim, but before it could bite a chunk out of him it was knocked back by blaster fire.

“They’ve got Radiation Roy hooked up to some kind of weird machine!” Bounty announced, keeping her gun trained on the tiger she’d shot until she was satisfied it wouldn’t be getting up again anytime soon. “I don’t know what they’re planning, but they’ve got him convinced they’re Science Police! Their leader took your wife down, Allon!”

The flying Durlan that Gim had caught flowed like mercury through his clenched fist to become a thick serpent coiled around his wrist. “She will be the first casualty in the rejuvenation of Durla!” the snake-thing hissed.

Livid, Gim shot up in height dramatically. Now 95 feet tall, his arms had become so thick that the serpentine Durlan could barely keep his grip. The former Colossal Boy grabbed the shapeshifter between his thumb and forefinger and none too cautiously hurled him away. “You better hope you’re wrong!” his booming voice filled the barren landscape as his enormous boot threatened to crush both the remaining Durlans on the ground. “Because a hundred of you jerks won’t stop me if anything happens to her!” Though he was enraged, he hadn’t lost control of himself. Gim stomped down on the ground beside the Durlans, throwing them high into the air with the impact. Even at a safe distance as they were, Bounty and the Infinite Boy found themselves shaken as well.

Bounty recovered quickly and shot one of the remaining Durlans, and the last dazed shapeshifter realised now that he had bitten off more than he could chew. He transformed into a tiny winged insect and made a hasty retreat.

Gim shrunk down to his normal human proportions, standing now in the centre of his own giant footprint. He staggered for a second, dizzy from the rapid changes in size he’d just experienced. Kando approached him with concern. “Gim, are you okay?”

“Doesn’t matter,” the bearded hero frowned. “I have to be. Tell me what happened, Bounty. We have to go help Yera.”

“Gim, we’ve gone over this.” The Infinite Boy stood his ground. “The radiation out there is too much for you. Let me go with Bounty, my transuit will protect me.”

“I don’t care!” Gim roared. “Don’t you get it, Kando?! I ignored my instincts and let Yera go on her own, and now God knows what kind of danger she’s in! I’m not going to just sit here and send two more people out there to get hurt taking on my risks for me! I’m going...worse comes to worst, I’m sure those creeps will find me and then I can find out where she is if I need to beat it out of them!” He turned and stormed off in the general direction from which Bounty and the Durlans had come.

The Infinite Boy sighed. “...He’s not going to listen to reason, is he?”

“Doesn’t look that way,” Bounty replied, a mischievous gleam in her eye. “Let’s go shoot some more shapeshifters.” She sauntered off after Gim Allon, and Kando Vyr reluctantly activated his transuit and joined them.

Gim calmed down once he realised neither of them were going to stand in his way, and as he allowed Bounty to take the lead she shared with the two men what she’d seen of Yera’s encounter with Gonn Efferie. “I was too far away to hear anything,” she ended her tale, “But whatever that thing was that they hooked Radiation Roy up to, it looked like he was a willing participant. If I had to guess, I’d say they’re gonna use it to increase his power maybe.”

“I don’t much care to be honest,” Gim replied. He was obviously in a state of discomfort, his expression taut and a sheen of sweat visible on his forehead. “Whatever it is, I’m gonna assume it’s not good. We get my wife and then we smash anything they’re working on. We can find out what their plan was after we bring it crashing down around them.”

The Infinite Boy regarded Gim uneasily. Kando’s own flight ring possessed applications not yet available to the Legion of Superheroes in the present day, and one of those applications was an inbuilt radiation counter. An inconspicuously small holographic display showed Kando that the background radiation levels were increasing slowly but surely, and he could see that this was already beginning to hurt Gim. It was a mystery why Bounty remained unaffected, but she seemed to be a never-ending source of mystery. She had an interstellar tracking ability, super speed, why shouldn’t she have an immunity to radiation on top of that? The radiation levels suddenly spiked noticeably, and Kando prepared himself for what his power of foresight had already told him was coming next.

From beyond a nearby hill, the trio heard others approaching rapidly. Bounty’s trigger finger flexed on her weapon and Gim shot Kando a questioning glance, at which the Infinite Boy gave a subtle nod. Sixteen Durlans barrelled over the hill, each of them wearing different but equally formidable monstrous forms.

Bounty fired wildly into the mob of shapeshifters and a cry of pain told her she hit one of them but before she could identify her victim a purple gorilla bounded forward and collected her in a rough tackle. Gim Allon grew to a height of twenty feet before the first three Durlans reached him. He slapped them aside roughly, two of them changing to spongey limbless creatures to more effectively absorb the impact. Another Durlan burst out of the pack while Gim was off-balance, and mimicking the giant’s own form he slammed Gim into the rocky ground. One of the Durlans was flying overhead, and changed shape now to become a spider-like creature the size of a man. He dropped to the ground, collecting the Infinite Boy as he fell. While four of the Durlan’s hairy chitinous limbs pinned Kando to the ground, his maw opened wide and revealed rows of jagged teeth. “I saw you when we pursued the woman earlier,” the spider-thing rasped. “Your friends are dangerous, but you...you don’t do anything, do you boy?”

“Actually,” Kando replied calmly, moving his head to the side to avoid the creature’s fetid breath, “I’m a Naltorian.”

“Am I supposed to know what that means?” the Durlan snarled.

“I’ll tell you what it means,” Kando said with a hint of smugness, “It means I’ve known this showdown was coming since a couple of minutes after Bounty and Chameleon Girl went off on their own earlier. It also means the reinforcements I called should be arriving right about...now.”

Just as Kando had predicted, a red, blue and gold blur slammed into his Durlan foe and rolled clumsily across the ground with him. The Durlan was left unconscious while his youthful attacker climbed to her feet and brushed her poncho down with her hands, showing off the instantly recognisable crest of the House of El emblazoned upon it. She walked over to Kando’s side and offered her hand. “Infinite Boy, right..? Brainiac 5 sent us as soon as he got your mayday.”

Kando took her hand and stood by Laurel’s side. “Thanks Superwoman - sorry, Supergirl. Your timing’s perfect.” He saw that Chameleon Boy, Dawnstar, Dragonmage, Elastic Lad, Tellus and Timber Wolf had accompanied her, some of them already having entered battle with the other Durlans.

“Any time,” Laurel replied easily. “Let’s help get these guys off your back and then you can tell us what’s going on!” She launched herself at a nearby Durlan who resembled an eight foot tall armadillo-like creature, trusting her invulnerability to counter her chosen enemy’s greater size and strength.

The Infinite Boy marvelled at her youthful enthusiasm. In his own era, Laurel Kent was one of the Legion of Superheroes’ mainstays and she acted with careful consideration at all times. It was difficult for Kando to reconcile the Laurel he knew with this impulsive teenager. She was no less inspiring to watch in combat though, taking advantage of her one passive power as best she could. The other Legionnaires were at least as impressive; Dragonmage’s mystic constructs coiled around their Durlan duplicates while Elastic Lad mimicked their serpentine dance with his own elongated limbs. As similar as the two Legionnaires’ combat tactics might be, their personalities could not be more different. Elastic Lad babbled away at his enemy a mile a minute whereas Xao Jin displayed the quiet discipline that Kando had already seen in a much older Dragonmage. Timber Wolf was a fighting machine, moving almost too swiftly to follow as he threw punches and avoided retaliation from several foes at once. Chameleon Boy had taken the shape of some kind of enormous snake and was assisting his old friend Gim Allon against Gim’s doppelganger, and Tellus hung back from the others and used his telekinesis defensively to shield himself from his attackers.

With the Legion here, the fight against the Durlans was no longer so one-sided, and Kando felt like they might just get out of this in one piece. In all the chaos he couldn’t see Bounty, but he wondered if maybe he could send her home and summon a more powerful fighter now that Dawnstar was here. Just as he cast eyes on Dawnstar circling overhead, a stray burst of blaster fire came from somewhere in the ruckus and clipped her wing. She cried out in pain and spiralled downwards, landing somewhere beyond a small clutch of gnarled thorny trees. The rest of the Legion were distracted fighting their own battles and Kando was sure that nobody else had seen her fall...if anybody was going to help her, it might have to be him. Skirting the outside of the melee to try and evade detection, the Infinite Boy made his way toward the fallen Legionnaire.

**********
While Gim Allon’s doppelganger shifted into the form of a small bird to flit free of Chameleon Boy’s grasp, several more Durlans piled on to the former Colossal Boy. “You gonna be okay there, pal?” Chameleon Boy asked his friend as he too changed shape into a Kathooni wolfbat.

“I will in a nano,” Gim grunted under the weight of his opponents. He increased size exponentially, flexing most of the Durlans away. “Cham, not that I’m complaining but how are you glowing like that?” To Gim’s eyes, Reep Daggle was illuminated by a distinctive amber nimbus no matter what alien form he shifted into.

“Thank Tellus,” the flying canine replied as he chased his avian enemy in circles around one of Gim Allon’s enormous thighs. “I’m not literally glowing, I asked Tellus to give me a telepathic identifier so none of you accidentally target me.” Cham nearly flew straight into the whipping tail of a jade Durlan dragon and quickly shifted into the form of an Earth chimpanzee to grab the tail and swing beneath it safely. “Circumstances aside, it’s good to see you again Gim! What did you do to make my people so angry anyway though?”

“We stumbled across some kind of crazy plot involving Radiation Roy,” Gim explained, peeling away one by one the shapeshifters climbing and slithering up his legs. “Bounty says they’ve got some machine that’s gonna increase his powers...Cham, Yera was investigating and they caught her! We have to lose these jerks and go help her!”

Chameleon Boy evaded the clumsy blow of a yeti-like Durlan and took to the air once more using his flight ring so he could get an overview of the situation. The rest of the Legion were protected from Durla’s harsh environment by transuits (or natural resistance in Supergirl’s case), but Gim’s sickly pallor made it very clear that he wasn’t. Cham wasn’t convinced that Yera should be their highest priority right now, but he also knew Gim Allon well enough to know there was no point in trying to convince him to place his own welfare over that of his estranged wife’s. He scanned the battle looking for Dawnstar, to no avail. Cham called out to her on his flight ring, but the ring emitted a sharp squeal and then nothing but the sound of faint static. “They’re blocking my comms somehow!” Cham cried out.

Elastic Lad’s face suddenly appeared before Chameleon Boy, suspended on a neck dozens of metres long. “Gosh, Chameleon Boy! I don’t think these baddies are using conventional technology to disable our rings, I have a hunch it might be due to rising radiation levels! My comms and my transuit have stopped working, and some of us are looking a little green around the gills - oh gosh, sorry Tellus! I didn't mean anything by that, I hope you don't take offence! We could all be in trouble soon though, most of us don’t have any kind of special defences against radiation and if it’s affecting our flight rings then you can be darn sure it’s not going to be great news for our health either! Sure, we can--”

“Tellus!” Cham barked, cutting off Elastic Lad without hesitation. Reep knew that he was rude to do so, but he had a dark feeling they weren’t going to have time for etiquette very soon. “I can’t reach Dawnstar, can you find Yera telepathically?”

“Great Mother Ocean willing,” the Hykraian’s voice modulator sounded emotionlessly. “Though it is not a simple application of my power to locate a remote mind, Chameleon Boy. I apologise but I will need to remove your telepathic marker.”

Chameleon Boy considered the quandary for a moment. He felt like it was asking for trouble removing his one identifying feature in this constantly transforming fight scene, but he could also see that now the Durlans had taken the Legion’s mettle the balance of power was shifting. Laurel Kent was already being held motionless by some gelatinous form and Elastic Lad wasn’t far behind her. Dragonmage had managed till now to keep his foes’ attention focused on his dragonforms rather than himself, but Cham could see the strain in the young sorceror’s face. Even Timber Wolf couldn’t outmaneuver his enemies forever before sheer numbers overwhelmed him. As a Durlan, Cham himself had a slightly higher resistance to radiation than most of his colleagues but it was far from total immunity. Eventually the increasing radiation that Elastic Lad had mentioned would take its toll on everyone here except for Laurel Kent, and at that point it would be too late for her or anybody else to oppose whatever Reep Daggle’s countrymen were scheming. The sooner they found Yera (and Dawnstar along with Gim’s friends for that matter) the sooner they could mount a strategic retreat to plan their next move. “It’s okay, Tellus!” Cham shouted as he dived down to take some of the heat off of Elastic Lad. “Do what you need to, our priority has to be finding Yera and getting her and everybody else to safety!”

“Very well,” Tellus acceded. He removed his subtle presence from the minds of his allies and aside from the telekinetic dome protecting him from physical assault, devoted all of his focus to finding the mind of Yera Allon somewhere out there. The search was more difficult than he had anticipated, and he considered at one point lowering his shield as well so that all of his power could be redirected toward the task. Finally however, he made contact. On second thought, contact was too decisive a word. He had a vague sense of her mind, but it were as though she were submerged in silt with the weight of the entire ocean above her. Tellus called her name telepathically once and when she didn’t respond to that he called more bluntly, pulling her back to consciousness with the sheer force of his will.

Somewhere else, Yera Allon’s eyes blinked wide open. She screamed, her first sensation one of agonising pain. She had a brief panicked sensation that she was aflame, but as soon as she adjusted to being awake once more she could see that it was not fire burning her up. She was laid out flat against scorching hot red metal, her arms and legs bound tight to its surface. Dimly she was aware of another person screaming, someone close and equally in agony. Yera bit her lip and changed forms, becoming a limbless longworm native to Durlan soil. She fell free of the ropes binding her, collapsing to a metal platform where she reverted to her normal orange-skinned self and quite indelicately threw up the contents of her stomach. Head spinning, she wanted nothing more than to pass out again but she could hear a voice imploring her to remain conscious...no, that wasn’t right. She could feel a voice imploring her, a voice in her mind. “...Tellus..?” she groaned weakly.

<Chameleon Girl, I thank Great Mother Ocean for your wellbeing!> came the relieved refrain of Yera’s old teammate. <The Infinite Boy summoned the Legion of Superheroes to Durla, you are safe now!>

“I don’t think I am...” Yera grimaced, too sickly and sore to realise she was verbalising her thoughts unnecessarily. She fought the inexorable pull of gravity to look up at the source of the screaming she’d heard, and when she saw Radiation Roy spreadeagled before some kind of juryrigged powersphere it all came rushing back to her. Swallowing her bile she stood and leaned against his armour, flinching back immediately when the hot metal burned her. “What’s wrong..?” she moaned. “Why are you making so much noise..?”

Inside his armour, Roy made a deliberate effort to internalise his pain. “This...gadget,” he grimaced. “...Sucks out my power, but by damn it hurts...worth it to kill you freaks though…”

“It’s not going to kill us, you idiot.” Though it’ll probably kill me this close to the source, Yera thought cynically. “Efferie wants to...enhance Durlans....kick our shapeshifting up a notch. The radiation will do that.”

“Why would the Science Police...wanna help you get stronger..?” Roy struggled, his beady bloodshot eyes glaring at Yera from behind thin slits in his helmet.

“They’re Durlans too, Roy...we change shape, remember..? Now be quiet, I’m going to see if there’s still time to stop this.” Yera ignored both the villain’s frustrated exclamations and the knives of pain shooting through her skull and called out to Tellus. She told him about her encounter with Gonn Efferie and after checking her wrist-mounted radiation counter confirmed that the deadly emanations were becoming more powerful each second.

Several kliks away from Yera and Radiation Roy, Tellus mulled over the problem. <Chameleon Boy!> he addressed his squad leader telepathically so as not to upset Gim Allon any more than necessary, <I have reached Chameleon Girl, she is in extreme danger; from what she tells me, we are all in extreme danger! A Durlan extremist named Gonn Efferie has gathered these men about him and they have found a way to harness Radiation Roy’s energies, they seek to amplify your race’s innate shapeshifting abilities!>

“Great,” Cham rolled his eyes. “No way that could possibly go wrong. Elastic Lad! You’re the smartest one here, go help Tellus figure out how to stop this!”

“I don’t think so!” one of the Durlan antagonists growled as he changed into a leafless tree with dozens of thorny branches, each one reaching out to ensnare Jams-Ols 5. “I went to no small amount of effort to set this plan in motion, Reep Daggle. I won’t see it derailed now!”

“Gonn Efferie, I presume.” Chameleon Boy took on the form of a giant squid and grappled the smaller terrorist’s woody limbs before Efferie could get a grip on Elastic Lad. “Let’s have a chat...Durlan to Durlan.”

**********
Elsewhere, Dawnstar groaned and clutched her forehead as she awoke from her crashing impact in the Durlan wastelands. Her hand came away spotted in blood, but she didn’t seem to be bleeding too badly from her head. More concerning was the pain thrumming through her right wing. She tried moving it to see the wound she knew was there, and wailed involuntarily. Biting her lip so hard she almost pierced it, she centred herself again and this time craned her neck to see what she could ascertain.

“Must be hard to see at that weird angle,” a new but oddly familiar woman’s voice spoke up. “Still, you’re probably lucky you didn’t break your neck.”

Very aware that she was too hurt to fly away, Dawnstar turned lightning fast to face the newcomer. “Who are you?” she blurted out as a brunette covered in grazes and scratches approached from a nearby cove of trees. The woman held a gun in one hand, and she bore a tiny wolf’s head icon tattooed upon her cheek. Dawnstar was certain that she should recognise her, but she couldn’t quite determine who the woman was.

“You can call me Bounty,” the woman said with an unsettling smile. “You might say we’re very close in the future, you and I.” She approached Dawnstar and crouched by the injured woman’s side.

“Oh yes,” Dawnstar remembered now, “The Infinite Boy mentioned you when he called for help. Don’t just stand there, help me up. I don’t know how long I’ve been unconscious for, but we have to ensure that the other Legionnaires are safe.” She began to raise her flight ring to her lips, but paused when Bounty levelled her firearm at her. Dawnstar’s first reaction was annoyance, but she then recalled that it had been blaster fire which had brought her down in the first place...blaster fire from a weapon just like this. Her blood ran cold and she lowered her flight ring again.

“Good girl,” Bounty said in a voice which somehow sounded so much more sinister than she had a moment ago. “We don’t need any of your superhero friends here...not just yet.”

“Who are you?” Dawnstar repeated, her eyes narrowed. “The Infinite Boy said that you were a Legionnaire in the future, but what kind of Legionnaire would behave like this? Who -- oh!” She stopped mid-sentence, all the color drained from her face as she finally saw the truth.

“I was wondering when you’d figure it out,” Bounty chuckled. “Like looking into a mirror, isn’t it?”

Dawnstar was too horrified at first to respond. She prayed that this was some Durlan trick, but her power told her there were no Durlans within their immediate vicinity at all. The woman standing before her really was Dawnstar herself, albeit a Dawnstar whose face was lined by cynicism and darkness, whose soulless eyes hid secrets she never wanted to know. And her wings...sacred spirits, where were her wings??

Get away from me!” the younger woman cried out, adrenalin surging through her system. She couldn’t fly under her own power, but she realised that her flight ring’s most obvious function could do what her wings couldn’t; more clumsily than she’d have liked, Dawnstar used the ring to propel herself upwards and barged Bounty aside as she ascended. She hadn’t made it more than twelve feet before Bounty took aim and fired a hole straight through her other wing. Dawnstar screeched and fell to the ground once more, her concentration utterly broken. She felt a burst of pain in her shoulder which only momentarily distracted her from the galaxy of pain in her wings, and she was absurdly grateful for both sensations. They focused her mind as well as could be expected, kept her awake and would hopefully keep her alive. “You can’t...you can’t kill me!” she pleaded desperately. “I’m you! If I die, you’ll die!”

“You’re only a part of me, sweetie.” Bounty easily closed the distance between the two of them, twirling her gun casually around her trigger finger as she walked. “But don’t fret, I’m not gonna kill you. See, some time in my past and in your future...you’re gonna pick up a very nasty psychic traveller, and then you’re gonna take a backseat to your own life while I have some adventures of my own in this body of yours.” She tapped her temple with a sarcastic smirk. “Somewhere buried away in here I guarantee you’ve been aware of every little thing I’ve done while I’ve been wearing your skin...every person I’ve killed, the excruciating ecstacy of losing your wings...well, some things I guess you should experience for yourself.”

“Why are you telling me this?!” Dawnstar asked, aghast.

“Because honey,” Bounty kneeled down on one knee and held Dawnstar’s chin in her hand with exaggerated tenderness. “I have no intention of letting you walk away from here in any condition to tell anybody. See, I’ve decided I’ve worn out this body enough...time to transfer to the younger model.”

Dawnstar thought that she could see wisps of smoke emanating from Bounty’s eyes and mouth and slapped her hand away. She called out tearfully into her flight ring, reasoning that she no longer had anything to lose, but all that met her was the soft hiss of static. “You won’t get away with this!” she railed, edging away painfully slowly on her one good arm. “My friends will help me--”

“Your friends?” Bounty threw her head back and roared with laughter. “You mean the Legion of Superheroes? Girl, I’ve been in your head long enough now that I know you as well as you know yourself. You don’t have any friends in the Legion, you’ve spent so long perfecting your role as the aloof distant bitch that nobody even noticed when I possessed you the first time...and nobody’s going to notice when I possess you now!” With an insane grin, Dawnstar’s future self leaned down toward her prey, the evil black soul of her enslaver now pouring forth from Bounty’s face like steam from a kettle, moving unerringly toward Dawnstar. Suddenly, the time-displaced woman stiffened and looked at something past Dawnstar, the look on her face changing from smug satisfaction to outright fury. “No!” Bounty bellowed at some other presence. “I won’t let you send me back--!” She drew her gun to fire, and anticlimactically shimmered out of existence.

Trembling uncontrollably, Dawnstar turned her head to see the Infinite Boy standing behind her, his arm outstretched and a look of sympathetic shock across his face. Dawnstar stammered once, twice, then broke down into anguished sobs at his feet. Without saying a word, Kando Vyr sat beside the traumatised woman and held her in the folds of his cloak.

**********
Yera Allon tried to block out the increasingly agonised screams of Radiation Roy and the boils forming on her own skin from his power, and focused on the voice in her head. She knew that Tellus’ power was the main thing keeping her awake right now, but she had to return the favour by keeping all of them alive. Somehow. It had become too difficult to talk, and even her thoughts were weak. <Tellus>, Yera repeated silently, <Say again...Elastic Lad said I have to go...inside Roy’s armour?>

<Elastic Lad says that it will be immeasurably safer for you inside Radiation Roy’s armour>, Tellus relayed. The radiation was now beginning to affect his Hykraian physiology as well, and it was pushing his power to its limits to protect himself and Elastic Lad telekinetically while maintaining a psionic link with Yera...as much as Tellus wished that he could spare the power to include Elastic Lad in the mind link, Yera was secretly glad for his absence. As grateful as she was for Elastic Lad’s help, she wasn’t in any state to deal with his usual overexuberance right now.

<But the radiation is coming from him>, Yera persisted. <His armour is too hot to even touch now, how could it possibly be safer inside?>

<Elastic Lad says that the armour was designed to protect Radiation Roy from the effects of his own power>, Tellus explained, <Furthermore, given the technology you have described, he believes that there is no safe way to disengage Radiation Roy from it without risking an explosion which might kill you both. He says that...the conduit...needs to be disengaged from within the armour itself.> It was clear that Tellus had very little idea what he was describing, but Yera trusted that the chipper hero from Cadmu did. “It couldn’t possibly be worse inside that thing,” she muttered to herself. Another problem presented itself; except for the eye slits, the armour was completely sealed. Yera would have to become something small enough to enter that way, but she didn’t think she had it in her to change shape again once she was inside. She’d have to choose wisely. A coughing fit seized her for almost a full minute, her lungs burning the whole time. She tasted copper in her mouth, and made her decision. <Tellus>, Yera projected, <If I don’t get out of this...tell Violet...tell her I’m sorry.>

She had made a promise to Shrinking Violet that she’d never take her form again but there seemed a symmetry in that she had first encountered the Legion wearing Violet’s form, and she might now leave them the same way. Marshalling all of her willpower, Yera Allon took on the shape of the petite raven-haired woman she’d worn when she fell in love with her husband, shrunk down to millimetres in height, and entered Roy’s armour. She noticed the difference almost immediately; once she’d passed through the metallic shielding, the air was stuffy but cooler. Radiation Roy’s eye leered over her ominously, his pained bellows filling her whole world at this small stature. <Tellus, Elastic Lad is going to have to talk me through this> she projected her thoughts, <...And quickly; the radiation levels in here are a lot more tolerable, but they’re still rising at the same rate.>

The next few minutes were easier work for Yera than she’d anticipated; the most difficult part of this whole process was travelling throughout Roy’s armour without the benefit of a flight ring, but once she reached the conduits where Elastic Lad directed her, unplugging external connections from Roy’s burning crimson shell was simple. In such intimate proximity to the villain, Yera couldn’t help but notice the grotesque tumors that covered most of his body. By the time Yera had travelled from his right arm to his left, the pain had driven Radiation Roy to unconsciousness; even if it hadn’t, he was too crazed with agony to enter any kind of rational conversation with her. If she had been able to speak to the Terran supervillain though, she might have told Roy Travich that she sympathised with his desperate quest to make his deformities mean something. She couldn’t sanction his murderous evil or the xenophobia he’d allowed to consume him, but she understood the need to turn his adversity into something with purpose.

Following Elastic Lad’s direction by way of Tellus’s strained telepathy, Yera made her way across the interior of Roy’s armour to the cable emerging from his right thigh. She thought about her own actions, and how she’d tried to turn her own mistakes into something worthwhile; from her ill-advised replacement of Shrinking Violet she’d found love with Gim Allon and repentance as a member of the Legion of Superheroes. When she’d discovered that she was destined to birth a monster who would kill everyone she loved she fled from that destiny to embrace anonymity as one of many Durlans working with Ambassador Grb to elevate her people’s place in the wider United Planets. In a way this too was repentance, repentance for a mistake she’d not even made yet.

<Chameleon Girl!>

Yera shook her head violently, realising now that Tellus had been calling her for long moments. <I’m sorry> she thought back weakly. <This is getting harder….Tellus, I’m on my way to the last conduit now. I need you...Tellus, I need you to tell Gim that I love him. I need you to tell Gim...Tellus?> It occurred to her now that the Hykraian’s voice was no longer in her head. She called out to him again, but to no avail. I guess it’s up to me now, she resigned herself to her task. She made her way through the darkened hot armour until exploding dots of pain and sickness filled the front of her brain and sleep became too welcome an option to deny….

**********
His power finally stretched too thin to support both his telekinetic shield and his mind link with Yera simultaneously, Tellus’s defences shattered as Gonn Efferie hurled a many-limbed Chameleon Boy at the Hykraian and knocked him for a loop. Cham tumbled and came to his senses in the form of a thick-shelled Vavallan war tortoise. “Elastic Lad, is Tellus..?”

“Gee whiz, I think he’ll be fine Chameleon Boy!” Elastic Lad answered breathlessly, “At least I don’t think you’ve hurt him too badly but without Tellus I don’t know how we’re going to contact Chameleon Girl...what if she can’t find the final conduit in Radiation Roy’s armour on her own?”

Chameleon Boy saw that Dragonmage had already fallen, and Elastic Lad’s extended form was draped limply across the battle site and the many falled Durlans the Legion had already taken down. Dawnstar and the Infinite Boy staggered weakly across the barren wasteland from an alcove of trees not far off, and Timber Wolf leaned exhausted against the giant thigh of Gim Allon kneeling on the rocky ground. Gim’s breathing was laboured, his shoulders slumped. Only Laurel Kent was in peak fighting condition, but the Legion were still in a better state than their Durlan foes. Of the numerous enemies they’d first met here today, Gonn Efferie was the last man standing.

“Give up,” Cham grunted. “Your plan’s as good as over, Efferie. Even if Chameleon Girl can’t finish defusing your insane machine, she’s almost finished the job...Supergirl here can finish off what Yera started even if every last one of the rest of us fall.”

“I’ll never stop...trying to raise our people up,” Efferie snarled back. Weakened by the fighting and the radiation both, he reverted to the faceless tentacled form worn by Durlans across their homeworld. “You’ll have to...kill me first.” He limped toward Cham, holding a blaster out in one shaking hand.

“Legionnaires don’t kill,” Gim Allon groaned from above them. “But we’ll slap the nass outta you.” He backhanded Efferie, sending the villain tumbling into unconsciousness before Gim himself collapsed to the ground. “Find Yera, Cham...find my wife…” His eyes rolled back in his head and Gim himself finally succumbed to sleep.

“...In a nano…” Chameleon Boy breathed. Like Gonn Efferie before him, he was too weak to maintain his current shape and switched painfully back into his orange-skinned default form. Laying on his back, his ribcage rising and falling with each deliberate breath, Chameleon Boy’s world swam before him. “...Find Yera...in just a nano..”

The last thing Reep Daggle saw was Laurel Kent’s worried face looming over him before everything went blissfully dark and silent.

**********
NEXT: AFTERMATH!
Wow, Raz, you really know how to up the stakes!

I really feel for poor Dawnstar. Knowing her future self is possessed and wingless... that can't be easy. Will forewarned be forearmed? As with Yera and Gim, I'm still holding out hope that the future isn't set in stone.

For that matter, if it isn't, anything could happen to the Legionnaires here...

The telepathic marker for Cham is a great idea (and I just hit upon a similar one in MY own fic, what a coincidence!)

Can't wait for the Aftermath...
Thanks IB! I am nearly done with the aftermath and I feel like it is coming together a lot better than the last chapter did so there should be some good follow-up (and at least one surprise development!)
Posted By: razsolo A Shifting of Burdens - 05/16/18 06:38 AM
MEDICUS ONE
Earth orbit


ROLL CALL
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox: team leader, 12th level intelligence
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Gim Allon: ex-Legionnaire, growth powers
Infinite Boy aka Kando Vyr: Legionnaire from the future, ability to summon beings from the timestream


Brainiac 5 nodded toward Kando Vyr wordlessly before turning his attention to a console spewing out biometric readings. The Naltorian teenager walked through an archway bristling with sophisticated scanning devices and joined the Legion’s leader alongside Chameleon Boy and the former Legionnaire Gim Allon. “Just as I had projected,” Brainiac 5 declared coolly, “Mwindaji has eradicated all trace of radiation from your system as he has every other person who was exposed to Radiation Roy’s power on Durla six days ago. To the best of my ability, I have discounted the possibility that Gonn Efferie’s scheming resulted in any success. We can safely say the status quo has been restored.”

“Nice to know I haven’t got any weird cancers lurking,’ the Infinite Boy breathed a sigh of relief. “And convenient...you guys are awfully lucky to have a healer in your ranks now!”

“Luck has nothing to do with it,” Brainiac 5 countered. “We recruited Mwindaji precisely because his healing ability is an extremely useful power, and one not replicated by any other Legionnaire. Speaking of which, have you given my offer any more thought? The Legion of Superheroes could use the power of the Infinite Boy, and training can be organised while you’re in probation to assist with your control issues.”

Kando’s mind immediately flashed to Bounty, and the horror that had nearly been inflicted upon Dawnstar back on Durla. Dawnstar had begged Kando not to tell anybody what had happened, but he would always carry the burden of knowing that it was his power which brought Bounty to torment her. “No, I...don’t think it’s such a good idea,” the Infinite Boy deflected Brainiac’s offer of membership. “I mean I don’t know what the future holds for me, whether the timeline I came from even exists anymore, but I feel like joining the Legion in the here and now would just be asking for the Time Trapper to come unravel our universe or something. I’m sure we’ll cross each other’s paths again though.”

“Naltorian foresight?” Chameleon Boy asked.

“Educated guess,” Kando winked. “Maybe next time don’t bring my younger self into things though, huh?” He directed his last comment squarely at Gim Allon.

“Kando, thanks for everything.” Gim took the younger boy’s hand in his and pumped it vigorously. “I mean it, I really appreciate everything you’ve done to help and I’m sorry I came on so strong. I don’t know what Yera and I will do moving forward, but at least now I feel like there is a forward to move toward.”

“I’m...glad I could help,” the Infinite Boy hid his trepidation behind a tight smile. “It’s not my place to say any more but she did have a valid reason to leave, Gim. It may not have been the best thing she could have done, but I understand why she did it. I just hope together you can find a better way.” He bade farewell to Cham and Brainiac 5, and once again the Infinite Boy left the Legion’s lives.

Once Kando had left the room, Brainiac 5 turned to Gim. “I had hoped that the Legion would be able to make use of the Infinite Boy’s unique abilities, but it seems that is not to be the case. Still, that does leave us with one position still available on our roster.

How would you like to rejoin the Legion of Superheroes, Colossal Boy?”

**********
MEDICUS ONE
Airlock 3


ROLL CALL
Supergirl aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: deputy leader; ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time


Leaning against Medicus One’s bulkhead, the self-proclaimed Supergirl watched as an unwieldy medical transport cell was loaded by two Science Police officers on to a shuttle ready to go to Takron-Galtos. Inside the opaque cube, a semi-naked Radiation Roy could be heard groaning in pain. “I still can’t believe Radiation Roy helped us in the end!” Laurel Kent shook her head. “When I saw him trudging up to us holding a shrunken Chameleon Girl in his palm, I swear to Rao I thought he killed her!”

“I guess he’s not as dense as he looks,” Ultra Boy shrugged. “He must have realised Yera was telling the truth about Gonn Efferie wanting to boost the Durlans’ powers when he saw that she was still alive herself...if he hadn’t finished what Yera started and disengaged himself from that machine though...well from what Elastic Lad and Brainy say, we might have been looking at a different Durla today.”

“I kinda feel sorry for him, you know?” Laurel sighed. “I mean, I know he’s a supervillain but he did the right thing in the end and Chameleon Girl might have died before we found her if he hadn’t brought her to us--”

“Don’t,” Jo interrupted abruptly. “He only stopped Efferie’s machine because he knew it wasn’t gonna kill the Durlans after all...and as for Yera, even a member of the Legion of Supervillains isn’t so far gone that he can’t appreciate when someone tries to save his skin. He was just paying back his debt to her, guaranteed he’ll be trying his best to kill us all next time we meet. Brainy wouldn’t have asked us to oversee his transfer to the prison transport shuttle if Roy was a good guy, Laurel.”

“I guess so,” Supergirl replied, unconvinced. When Roy had brought Yera to the other Legionnaires, his armour had been partially dismantled. Laurel had seen the inflamed tumors bursting out all over his exposed body then; she wondered what it might do to someone’s mind knowing their own power was slowly killing them while the metagene turned everyone else it touched into modern day gods?

“Wait!” a voice boomed from down the hall. “Hold the vehicle!” Mwindaji came running down the sterile corridors of Medicus One, Elastic Lad’s absurdly stretched out torso bringing up the rear.

Ultra Boy approached the Science Police and asked them to pause while Laurel greeted her teammates. “Mwindaji? E-Lad? What is it?”

“Mwindaji had a brilliant idea!” Jams-Ols 5 beamed. “Jeepers Supergirl, his heart is just as big as a moon! It’s no wonder whatever entity was behind the White Lantern ring let Mwindaji keep its power, I really can’t wait to see what happens next!”

“What happens next...what do you mean, what happens next?” a puzzled Laurel asked the two newcomers.

“Well!” Elastic Lad’s extended body caught up to him while he chattered away oblivious to his power’s weirdness, “You know that Mwindaji has been healing everyone who was exposed to Radiation Roy’s power on Durla, right? I mean it’s a shame he couldn’t have gotten here sooner, but he was visiting his parents on Kirinyaga and I’ve read how important parents are to people from worlds where reproduction and socialisation more fits the United Planets norm - Mwindaji showed me some holos of his homeworld, and gosh, it looks so pretty there! I’d love to visit some day! You should see it, Supergirl! Green plants everywhere and the most beautiful avian life!”

While Laurel Kent stared at Elastic Lad in silent confusion and Mwindaji caught his breath, Ultra Boy and the two Science Police officers mumbled to one another trying to figure out what exactly was going on. “Anyway!” Elastic Lad continued, somehow sounding even more enthusiastic than when he’d started, “Chameleon Girl woke up just before Mwindaji and I got to her room, and she’s okay by the way, I mean she’s still feeling super sickly from all the radiation poisoning, but she’s going to be fine after another few weeks of medical treatment; I mean, she would have been fine now if she had let Mwindaji heal her, but she didn’t want him to use his power on her and I don’t know why exactly, but I guess we have to respect her decision - it’s definitely not a Durlan taboo - well at least, I don’t think it’s a Durlan taboo, because Chameleon Boy didn’t object to Mwindaji using his power to heal him so I guess there’s some other motivation-”

Elastic Lad!” Ultra Boy snapped. “These people have a job to do! Today??”

“Our friend Jams-Ols 5 is very excitable,” Mwindaji gave Jo a warm smile. He approached Ultra Boy and the Science Police and placed one hand on the cube holding Radiation Roy, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

“He is,” Jo agreed. “But there’s a time and a place for being excitable, and this is neither. Mwindaji, what’s going on here?”

“Chameleon Girl did indeed decline my assistance,” Mwindaji advised, “But she also told me that Radiation Roy brought her to the other Legionnaires on Durla...that he was responsible for saving the day as she had been.”

“I wouldn’t say he was as responsible as Yera was,” Ultra Boy scowled. “He saved his own skin, sure.”

“Chameleon Girl said that Radiation Roy’s power has hurt him as it has hurt others,” Mwindaji continued. Roy’s muffled moans of discomfort told them all that much.

Ultra Boy was beginning to understand where this was going and he wasn’t sure if he liked it. “Mwindaji, one good deed doesn’t erase years of being a jerk,” Jo explained cautiously. “And like I said, he was saving his own skin as much as he was helping anyone else...moreso, really.”

“Perhaps he was,” Mwindaji considered Jo’s words, “But perhaps he found again the respect for life which led him to try and join the Legion of Superheroes once upon a time, Ultra Boy. And I was given this power to nurture life. Could we please open this containment vessel?”

“Absolutely not,” one of the Science Police stepped forward. “Roy Travich is a dangerous criminal.”

Ultra Boy wondered what Tinya would do in this situation and that made his decision for him. Radiation Roy might not deserve the Legion’s help after everything he’d tried to do to them in the past, but Tinya would say that it was people like Roy who sometimes needed their help the most. “Roy is a dangerous criminal,” Jo agreed with the officer, “But he’s one that Supergirl and I are both equally capable of taking down before he can hurt anybody here. Please, Officer...this will only take a nano.”

The Science Police officer who’d stood up to Mwindaji protested, but his fellow officer interrupted. “I’ve seen Ultra Boy in action,” the second officer said firmly. “If he wants to open this thing, he’ll open it. I say we see how this plays out.” He tapped an access code on a small keypad, and the door to the cube sprang open. Inside, a restrained Radiation Roy tensed every muscle group in turn as waves of pain coursed through his body. This cube performed the same function as his armour in protecting him from his own power, but it was vastly inferior. The grind of his teeth and the weak sounds that emerged from his tight throat made that clear. Wearing only a pair of black trunks, almost every other inch of his body was lined in reeking bulbous sores and the Science Police were visibly disgusted. Jo managed to hide the worst of his own disgust, and Laurel instantly averted her pitying gaze. Elastic Lad looked on in open scientific wonder, but of all of them Mwindaji was the only one who looked upon Roy with something else entirely. Mwindaji looked upon Roy with compassion, and he didn’t hesitate in the slightest to reach out and lay one hand upon the tortured man’s chest.

“I can not change who you are,” Mwindaji spoke in his clipped Interlac as a faint white glow emanated from him. “On my world, it is said that it is up to each man to travel his own path. But I can give you the opportunity to travel that path with new perspective.” The glow became brighter and brighter, until Mwindaji’s form was a silhouette in its centre and Roy disappeared altogether. The light suddenly vanished, and Mwindaji stepped back wearing the slightest smile.

“What did you--” the Science Police officer never completed his question, his jaw dropping wide open as he looked upon Roy inside the cube.

Roy Travich looked down at his perfectly unblemished body, whole and free of pain for the first time in years. “I-I'm normal!” he croaked, his voice full of emotion.

You saved me!

**********
OUTER SPACE
In orbit around Cargg’s third sun

ROLL CALL
Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar-range tracking
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being


“Dawny, you know you don’t need to prove yourself to anybody,” Wildfire tried to reassure the woman he loved as they took point flying past the homeworld of their former teammate Duplicate Damsel. “You were hurt really bad on Durla! It doesn’t matter if Mwindaji healed you, you should be resting!”

“Drake, I have told you a dozen times that I am fine!” Dawnstar retorted crossly. “Stop fussing so! Mwindaji’s healing ability has already made himself indispensable to the Legion of Superheroes...allow me to contribute to the team in my own way please!” She put on a dramatic burst of speed, leaving Wildfire behind along with Mon-El and Blok.

“Dawnstar takes her role as the Legion’s tracker very seriously,” Blok volunteered. “Until recently it is a role she has filled uniquely; it is understandable that Mwindaji’s membership has caused some hidden insecurities to rise to the surface. I am confident however that she will come to terms with this change sooner rather than later, my friend.”

“Yeah well...nobody asked you, pebblehead.” Wildfire’s bootjets flared to silent life in the void of space and he rocketed after the winged woman.

“Legionnaires, I have located our quarry!” Dawnstar’s voice came over their comms; Wildfire’s communications circuitry was built directly into his containment suit, and the thin sheath of oxygen granted by their transuits gave Blok and Mon-El’s flight rings a medium through which to transmit her call. “Blok, Mon-El, home in on my flight ring and I will take you to the creatures. Wildfire--”

“I know, I know,” Drake Burroughs made an exaggerated sighing sound, “Make like an anti-energy lighthouse.” Though hundreds of miles away from the others already, when Wildfire expelled vast amounts of anti-energy through every opening in his suit they saw the flash of light like it was a new star in the sky. A few moments later, Drake had replenished his energies and the cycle began repeating itself.

Between their flight rings and Mon-El’s enhanced senses, Mon-El and Blok had no trouble locating Dawnstar in the vast openness of space between Cargg’s three suns and they caught up to her just as easily. The star closest to them was small compared to its celestial neighbours, though still billions of times larger than any of this system’s planets. As close to the golden ball of burning gases as they were, it seemed awesomely massive. “I’m afraid I can go no further,” Dawnstar admitted. “My physiology has reached its limits. The closest stardigrades however are feeding upon that area on the sun’s outermost surface.” She made a rough circle with her outstretched hand. “Blok, is that enough detail for you to find them?”

“Indeed it is,” the gold-veined stone giant nodded. “Thank you, Dawnstar. Once I am closer to the star’s surface, the stardigrades will no doubt reveal themselves.” Blok lowered the specially polarised visor that Brainiac 5 had prepared to protect him from the sun’s intense light and he arrowed toward the star almost as swiftly as Mon-El or Dawnstar themselves might fly.

Truthfully, Blok’s curiosity had been aroused when Carggite scientists had called upon the Legion for help with these creatures; since he’d been imbued with a portion of the power of Shazam, Blok hadn’t really come across any force capable of testing his upper limits. Fighting the gravitational pull of even a small star and the extraordinary temperatures of the flares it sent hurtling millions of miles into the ether was the first challenge since Blok had gained his newfound power that he’d really found himself working to face. Even so, the effort was noticeable but manageable. He estimated he’d be able to keep this up for three or four days before he began to appreciably tire. Two sparkling lumps the size of small continents came into his field of vision and Blok realised that today was not the day he would get to ascertain his stamina’s limits; he’d found the stardigrades already.

Docile creatures, stardigrades were multi-segmented lifeforms who looked to be composed of rainbow-tinted puffy plastic. They were far more durable than they seemed, at home equally in the cold vacuum of space or on the surface of a sun such as this one. Stardigrades in fact fed on the prodigious energies emitted by stars, then once they reached their fill they entered a state of semi-hibernation to coast on solar winds until they reached their next food source. Under normal circumstances, up to a dozen or more stardigrades could feed on a given star without any danger to the star or its surrounding environment; Cargg’s trinary solar system however was one maintained with astronomically delicate precision, and astrophysicists feared that the normally harmless cosmic beasts might upset that balance with their feeding. Dawnstar had been called in to find the offending creatures, and with Wildfire’s anti-energy to act as a lure, Blok and Mon-El had been tasked with helping the stardigrades leave Cargg’s system for a more uninhabited locale.

Blok submerged himself in the cosmic furnace of the sun’s corona; his flight ring didn’t survive the dive but Blok himself was never anything more than mildly uncomfortable. The visor was the next thing to disintegrate away, and before it went entirely Blok made sure he had a fix on his two gigantic targets. He charged at the first stardigrade, careful to exert only enough force to lift the creature without hurting it; with the size difference between them, Blok would become an indestructible stone bullet if he wasn’t careful. Not for the first time he found himself grateful for the wisdom of Solomon that resided within him now, and Blok gently disengaged the feeding creature from the star. Once they were surrounded by open space, Blok saw Wildfire’s dim burst of light far far away and hurled the country-wide stardigrade in that direction. Once it was close enough, the creature’s own senses would help it find its way to the feast of energy that Wildfire promised. Blok watched the stardigrade’s flight path for a moment, then turned back to do it all over again with the creature’s mate.

...Half a million miles away, Mon-El’s telescopic vision watched the whole scene take place. The first of Cargg’s suns to have been discovered was a red giant, and as the Legionnaires had entered this system Mon-El had felt its draining presence. The other two stars in this system were yellow though, and he was now far enough from their red neighbour that the yellow stars’ energies made Mon-El more powerful than ever. “Blok is doing just fine,” the Daxamite reported to the winged woman by his side. “And now that we’re close enough I can see the third chubby fellow perfectly on my own. This should be over in no time.”

He turned away from Dawnstar to dive into the sun as Blok had done, but the graceful tracker touched his arm before he could leave. “Mon-El, wait! Please..?”

“Sure,” Mon-El smiled at his companion. “What is it, Dawnstar? Are there more stardigrades aside from these three?”

“No, no, it’s not the stardigrades.” Dawnstar brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, acutely aware of the foolishness of the gesture out here where no conventional breeze could disturb her. “I...Mon-El, are we...friends..?”

“That’s an odd question!” The square-jawed hero was taken aback. “Dawnstar, we’ve been teammates for years now, I’d trust you with my life! In fact, I’ve done exactly that on more than one occasion!”

“That’s not what I asked though.” There was something pleading in her large blue eyes. “Do you consider me to be a - a friend..?”

“Of course I do!” he answered perhaps too quickly. He saw that she wasn’t satisfied and thought on it for a moment. “Dawnstar, what’s all this about?” Mon-El asked more softly. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

“I’m...not ready to talk about it.” Dawnstar found herself unable to meet his concerned expression. “Not in detail at any rate. But when we were on Durla...I came across my future; I mean I literally came across my future, Mon-El. The Infinite Boy summoned somebody who is going to...going to have a tremendous impact on me in the future. And that person told me that something horrible is going to happen to me, in part because I don’t have any friends on the Legion of Superheroes to notice when it happens.” Her eyes were wet with tears now and she swallowed down her emotion. “...And I’ve probably spent more time with you than anybody else on this team other than Wildfire, so I need to know; are we friends, Mon-El? Am I really destined to live a life so far apart from the dozens of people I risk my life with on a daily basis that none of you even realise when I most need your help?” She wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve, holding back tears only through furious will.

“...Oh, Dawnstar.” Mon-El gave her the most comforting smile he knew how to give. “We’re not just friends...we’re family. You, Shady, Jo and Tinya...even Wildfire, as much as I want to crack him one right in the visor occasionally, I consider all of the Legion to be the closest thing to family I’ve known in a thousand years and I well and truly hope that if you ever need my help you know you just have to ask. But listen to me.” He waited for their blue eyes to meet before continuing. “If you feel like you need to forge closer relationships with any of us, you’ve got the power to change that. We’re all of us very different people on this team, but I think you’ll find that somewhere on the scale from Comet Queen’s zaniness to...well, to my moping about dwelling on my exile in the Phantom Zone as I’m wont to do...somewhere in the middle of all of that lie some very welcoming people with shared experiences and common interests and if that’s something that’s missing from your life right now then go and change it.”

“Thank you, Mon-El.” She sniffled self-consciously and smiled back at him. “I’ll think about what you said.”

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” the older hero asked, his tone almost paternal.

Dawnstar nodded, too emotional to speak for a second. She wiped more tears from her cheek and collected herself, and Mon-El felt that maybe she’d begun to unburden herself of some very hurtful weight.

“I’m fine,” Dawnstar laughed at her own vulnerability. “Go corral our stardigrade.”

**********
MEDICUS ONE
Private Ward 2-37

ROLL CALL
Gim Allon: ex-Legionnaire, growth powers
Yera Allon: ex-Legionnaire, Durlan shapeshifting



Gim entered his estranged wife’s small but comfortable hospital room with her name on his lips, only to pause when he saw Dr Gym’ll adjusting the chemical makeup of a transdermal bracelet around her slender wrist.

“Come in, come in!” the short Jaquaan doctor beckoned, his third arm gesturing for Gim to approach while his other two arms were preoccupied with Yera’s bracelet. “I’ll only be another moment here, then you two youngsters can have the room to yourselves!” Unseen by Gim, he gave Yera a wink which was meant to be cheery but instead came off as a little creepy. True to his word, the accomplished physician finished his adjustments soon enough and flashed Gim a broad smile as he waddled out of the room. He stopped at the door to reinforce with Yera that she should feel free to call if she experienced any additional pain and then he was gone.

Gim watched him go with a puzzled expression. “Uhh...did you already pay him?” he asked Yera. “I’ve only ever seen Dr Gym’ll that chirpy when he’s getting paid!”

Yera’s head slowly rolled on her pillow and she gave Gim a weak smile. “He’s just spent the last ten minutes telling me how impressed he is that I didn’t let Mwindaji cure me,” she explained. “Seems our good Dr Gym’ll doesn’t really trust cosmically granted healing powers over traditional medicine, go figure...I think that’s the first time anyone associated with the Legion of Superheroes has acted with anything he considers to be close to common sense...it certainly seems to have improved his mood.” She chuckled, then that became a cough which wracked her fragile lungs.

Once the coughing fit was over, Gim stood by her bedside. He wanted desperately to reach out and touch her, but there somehow seemed to be so much more space between them here in a room alone than there had been on Durla while they were chasing a dangerous villain. “So...I guess the most immediate question is why didn’t you let Mwindaji heal you? You know it’s safe, right? Brainy and the others all vouch for him.”

Yera sighed. It was a defeated sound, but also a sound of relief. “Gim...has the Infinite Boy told you anything about what happened when we’d been sent to his future..?”

“No, damn it.” He turned away from her, struggling to control his frustration. “Nobody’s told me a damn thing, Yera.”

“Then maybe it’s time someone did. Gim, take a seat...please.”

Gim Allon sat by his wife’s side, and slowly, haltingly, the ailing woman began. “Do you...do you remember the Fhrr Maless, Gim..?”

“That Durlan demon or whatever that tried to kill us when the Legion was still on Earth?” Gim frowned. “How could I forget?”

“Sometime in the future,” Yera continued, “In...our future...we’re destined to have a child.” Gim’s first reaction was one of joy, but he saw and heard the despair in his wife and stifled that reaction. “That child,” her eyes watered at the memory, “That child will be...taken...by the Fhrr Maless. It becomes something called the Leviathan, and it kills us and it kills the people we love...it kills...it consumes my homeworld, transforms it into some kind of cosmic horror, and poor Phantom Girl and some other Legionnaire in the future will give their own lives to stop it.”

“Oy Gutt,” Gim clutched Yera’s hand, his awkwardness forgotten now in his overwhelming need to make her feel better. “Honey, if this is what you had to see--”

She shook her head and swallowed her tears. “No...no, this is in our future but it was a part of the Infinite Boy’s past by the time we arrived in his time. The Legion in that time period...some of them had to live through this and some of them only knew of it as a horrible story from their team’s past....Phantom Girl died sending the Leviathan to another plane, but it….sensed my arrival in the Infinite Boy’s time, and it reappeared...it was drawn to me, Gim, that…thing...was drawn to kill me and anybody else I care about. And that’s what I had to see.” Her tears were too strong for her now, and she stared at him silently while they ran down her cheek.

“Yera...honey…” Gim’s voice broke now to hear this secret his wife had been carrying alone for so long and his own eyes watered.

She took a harrowing breath and concluded her tale. “Gim...one of the Legionnaires from that time...the only way we could defeat the Leviathan, save their time period...she had to take me to its core, I had to...I had to free our baby, Gim.” She began sobbing openly now. “I had to...I had to let our baby die, Gim…I had to let our baby die...” She couldn’t speak any more, months of pent up guilt and fear and despair releasing itself finally.

Gim Allon held his wife close, and the months of separation dissolved between them as Yera bawled into his embrace.

They lost track of time, but eventually Yera stopped crying and eventually Gim felt like he could ask her to continue without tearing her heart out. “Yera...why didn’t you tell me? When you came back, we could have faced this together...you’ve been carrying this on your own this whole time..?” His eyes were bloodshot, his cheeks flushed with emotion.

“I’m sorry Gim,” she sniffled. “I just….the other Legionnaires who came with me had their memories wiped before we came home...the future Legionnaires couldn’t risk mindwiping me because I was already psychically fragile from everything I’d gone through...I couldn’t talk to Dream Girl or any of the others about it and I didn’t want to hurt you...and I couldn’t see a way I could stay in the Legion or...or with you and not hurt you. And I hurt you anyway.” She tripped on that last statement, barely restraining herself from breaking into tears again.

“Did you think I was going to just let you go without knowing why you’d gone?” Gim smiled dumbly. “I love you, you stubborn squaj!”

Yera gave a noise that was half-laugh, half-sob, and she craned her neck to kiss him. Gim brought his own bearded face closer to accommodate his wife and they shared a moment of intimacy. “Yera,” Gim eventually spoke, “I don’t know what this is, if you’re punishing yourself or...or what’s happening, but please let Mwindaji help you. It kills me seeing you like this and it’s not necessary.”

“No, Gim…” Yera coughed again and gave herself a few moments to catch her breath. “That’s not what this is...I think…I think this is our chance to still be together. Dr Gym’ll told me I’ll be back to normal health again after a few weeks of treatment...but the radiation had another effect. It...Gim, I can’t have children now. My reproductive system is damaged to the point it’ll take weeks more of targeted treatments to recover. Maybe even months. But Gim…” Her eyes watered, though for the first time with tears of hope. “...I can’t have children. I can’t let Mwindaji heal me, he told me his power can’t differentiate between types of damage. This way takes longer, but I’ve broken our future Gim! It’s all in our hands again! If...if that’s what you want..?”

Gim Allon stared blankly. He didn’t know how to process this; he’d spoken with Yera about children in the past, but it wasn’t something they’d ever seriously considered. Now though...now that the choice was being taken from him, it was like a kick in the gut. Still, if he had to give up the idea of a child to get his wife back....he forced a smile and clasped her hand tight. “Yera...honey...all I ever wanted was you back. It’s all I’ve been chasing since I left the Legion. But we have to…” He steeled himself to continue. “We have to change. If we’re a couple, we’re a couple. I know you had to do everything yourself before you met me and I’m not mad that you left, but Yera, we’re stronger together than we are apart. If this is going to work, we need to be honest with each other. We have to be there for one another, for better or for worse like we promised. I can’t be there for you if you don’t give me the chance.”

“Okay,” she nodded enthusiastically through her tears. “Yes. You’re right Gim, you’re right and I’m sorry. I love you.”

“I love you, honey.” He kissed his wife again, and when he pulled away he took a deep breath. “...So, in the spirit of sharing everything...Brainy asked me to rejoin the Legion. He said they only have one more slot on the roster, and with Chameleon Boy already on the team...Yera, the Legion has been one of the most important things in my life, but if you don’t want me to go back then I won’t; we can make them change, we can force them to take us both back onto the team--”

Yera started coughing again, and waved her hand before Gim’s face to make him stop rambling. When she could talk again, her tone was full of lightness. “Gim, don’t worry. I’m not ready to go back to the Legion full-time anyway...if they need me in an emergency I’m there, but I’ve been doing some good work in Frozentown and I’ve got some ideas for how I can help Ambassador Grb continue that good work from the other side, helping Durlans settle and offering support for them once they’re off-planet and living in the wider UP. I feel like Yera Allon is making more of a difference working with Ambassador Grb than Chameleon Girl ever did with the Legion of Superheroes...but Colossal Boy has been a part of the Legion of Superheroes since before I first heard of them. You should follow your heart.”

“Good advice, Mrs Allon.” Gim Allon leaned down once more to kiss his wife, and the sun rose on a brand new day over the Earth behind them.

**********
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: A Shifting of Burdens - 05/16/18 09:48 AM
nice wrap-up raz!

Good conflict re healing Roy. of course, Jo was right to be on guard. I wonder what Roy will do now - look forward to his development

nice resolution to the Yera/Gim bad future, that still keeps us guessing whether it could eventually come to pass. same with Dawnstar, her reaching out to Mon (and her emotional turmoil) was well done.

Ah Wildfire, such a hothead. Loved Blok’s wisdom and straining of his powers. he’s really one of the big guns now

wonder if Gim realized that Brainy invited Infinite Boy ahead of him

so I think your team’s maximum is 40 members no? I didn’t go back and count but I estimate you have around that number smile
Posted By: Harbinger Re: A Shifting of Burdens - 05/16/18 03:27 PM
I've loads to catch up on so this goes back a few posts.

Great scene between Danielle and Quislet, his weird senses are perfect and Danielle realising that she may never fully understand it is great. Quis is a totally alien creature - altenete dimensional home, energy state, weird culture... you know we'll never fully get to grips with it. You obviously like it as you make it so much fun to read.

Frozen Town is a great name and a suitably alien place to hide out in. “Trust me, you don’t want to see what the dirty ones looked like." ha, that reminds me of my last visit to my son's flat... Interesting that Yera realises she knows Bounty - nice touch there Raz. Radiation Roy? Interesting choice of villain, looking forward to finding out where you're taking this plot.

Nice to see Staq is helping Arqiia settle in, it's a telling point that they aren't really conspicious amongst the crowds. “How did you come across your purpose?” - most people never do! Brave of Staq to risk his life like that to save the tourist and good that Arqiia didn't just stand on the sidelines but took out the rogue gravbike. The Post-Atomic Knights - you have a real skill at creating groups and characters with links to canon that I wish I'd thought of. I love, love, love what you've done to Staq - a were dragon is such a great idea. Nice point that it was only after beating them up that Staq asks what's going on. Interesting that the villains are there to recover their cultural heritage - thats a good story line, something that's been troubling the old colonial western empires for a while - what to do with the plunders of their quite savage pasts. Nice save by Danielle and Neon, and god character moment with Jan saying he doesn't like people's cultures being desicrated. And, hello to Firecrest! Good name and a nice all in one story to get him back onto the main team roster.

Brainiac 5 respects Imra's judgement - she must be one of very few he would listen to. Though your Brainy does appear to be creating ways to take down the team, first Quislet's in-ship bomb, now Firecrest's outfit having circuitry to stun him. Let's just hope he's being pragmatic and isn't going mad again, shall we? Nice bit of foreshadowing with Imra sensing Ivy's potential. And I love how you are empowering each of the former Subs, they are really well treated by you Raz.

I like how snarky you write Bounty and how determined Yera is to do the right thing. Both would be easy to have as just cyphers to the story but you give them gret personalities. Legionnaires in the future really suck - umm, probably, though that particular future was one of my favourite boots of the team so I appreciate your referencing it, first with Furball now with Bounty. Really scary that Roy's motivation is to kill a species, what a dark soul he has. Nice try of Yera to scare the SP by turning into the Slasher, pity she was busted so easily though. Wow! great twist that the SP were actually Durlans trying to capture some greatness by enhancing themselves. Their race hate was an interesting point given they were using Roy's very similar Xenophobia to entice him to join them. This is shaping up to be a great story - Six Durlans on home turf against Gim, Bounty and Infinity Boy? My money would be on the Durlans.

Gim and Bounty taking on the Durlans was great - 95 feet tall! That's big! An angry giant is something that most villains would run from. Gim's determination to save Yera is also nicely done, he knows the risks but is willing to take them. Infinity Boy using his precognition to know to call for help was well done - I keep forgetting that that is his native ability, it's good that you don't overuse this aspect of him. Interesting team of Legionnaires, and Kando calling Laurel Superwoman was a nice slip u on his part. If she knows anything about him she'll figure it out and take some confirmation about her choice of code name from it. I love your Elastic Lad, he's totally unique amongst all the characters in the many fics here.

Gim and Reeps friendship is unique in the team and it's nice that you reference it. also, very clever using Tellus to inform the team which Durlan was Cham, very sneaky. Good that reep is clever enough to acknowledge the situation is not going as perfectly as they might hope and also showing how much he knows Gim by not even suggesting that he leaves the battlefield while Yera is missing. And that's never a good way to wake up - being tied to Radiation Roy's sarcophogus while he's emitting lethal doses of radiation - poor Yera! Elastic Lad to the rescue - yay! And Rep versus Gonn Efferie - this is going to be great!

The scene between Bounty and Dawnstar was chilling - poor Dawny! Bounty is a lot more callous than I imagined she would be and her plan to take a younger host is suitably horrific. Being told that she has no friends and noone noticed she had been possessed is prety much ego shattering, Anyone would be in for a tough time trying to sort that toxic mindgame out, especially if they had been as aloof as Dawny. Good that Kando got there in time... just.

Safer inside the armour? Scary! I'm not sure I would listen to that advice. Creeping through Roys armour is not a job for the faint hearted.

Poor Tellus, getting knocked out by one of his teammates, not that Cham meant it of course. And a thick-shelled Vavallan war tortoise sounds like a magnificent animal, what a name!

What a cliffhanger! They're all down and only Laurel left to fix things. Will she be smart enough to do it?

So, obviously she was. I'm glad we saw Infinity Boy again but equally glad he turned down membership of the team. I half expected Brainy to plant something in his clothing given how he treated Quislet and Staq smile Colossal Boy back on the team? Why, yes please Raz, if you're offering.

So it was Roy who saved the day, nice turnabout. And I'm more on Jo's side of the argument, especially after erading Roy's motivation for being on Durla in the first place. still, getting M'Windaji to heal him was a good thing, highlighting the Legion's innate goodness as well as giving Roy something to think about while he stays on Takron-Galtos for the foreseeable future. I love your Elastic Lad, have I told you that recently? His positivity and non stop talking would absolutely drive me nuts in real life but in your stories he's an absolute gem.

Interesting mission for Blok, Willdfire, Mon El and Dawnstar - you constantly come up with these weird and brilliant side missions that have nothing to do with fighting crime which are really good. I don't know where the idea os stardigrades came from but I need some of that, and what a way to test Blok's shazam enhancements - could he survive diving into a star? Thankfully the answer is yes, of course, but you wrote the suspense leading up to it very well. The best part was of course Dawny openig up to Mon El, funny that she had snapped at Wildfire earlier on - I bet she hadn't spoken to him about it. Their conversation was perfect, between Mon El's doubts if they aare really riends to his assurances that they were family. Dawny's laughter at her own emotional vulnerability is a start I guess.

Gim and Yera - ah, good that they are back together, I do like them. Not so sure about Yera not being healed by M'Windaji though so to permanently end any chance to have children. Couldn't she have been healed up then went for a private operation somewhere to solve that one? Does seem a litle bit martyr like for me, but then who knows what the Durlan procreative system is like, perhaps there isn't an op available? Gim finally hearing what their future may bring was really well written, he's so stoic but even that must have been heartbreaking.

And Gim is rejoining the team while Yera has found a purpose helping her people. Nice ending to their little arc, from start to finish it's been a delight to read.

Looking forward to more,more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: A Shifting of Burdens - 05/22/18 05:31 AM
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
nice wrap-up raz!

Good conflict re healing Roy. of course, Jo was right to be on guard. I wonder what Roy will do now - look forward to his development

nice resolution to the Yera/Gim bad future, that still keeps us guessing whether it could eventually come to pass. same with Dawnstar, her reaching out to Mon (and her emotional turmoil) was well done.

Ah Wildfire, such a hothead. Loved Blok’s wisdom and straining of his powers. he’s really one of the big guns now

wonder if Gim realized that Brainy invited Infinite Boy ahead of him

so I think your team’s maximum is 40 members no? I didn’t go back and count but I estimate you have around that number smile

Thanks IB...Yera, Gim and Dawnstar have all had some pretty nasty premonitions of things to come now and there probably won't be anything dramatic to come out of that straight away but it will definitely colour the way they approach some things moving forward.

Gim didn't notice that he was second choice, but I'm glad someone did haha...and yep, team maximum is 40 which is now full. Of course, that was based on Earthgov taxation laws and the Legion are based on Mars these days soooo.... wink

You have reminded me though, I meant to post an updated roster so here goes:

BLOK
BRAINIAC 5 (leader)
CHAMELEON BOY
CHLOROPHYLL KID
COLOR KID
COLOSSAL BOY
COMET QUEEN
COSMIC BOY
DAWNSTAR
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DRAGONMAGE
DREAM GIRL
ELASTIC LAD
ELEMENT LAD
FIRE LAD
GAS GIRL
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
KID COMPUTO
LIGHT LAD
LIGHTNING LASS
MATTER-EATER LAD
MON-EL
MWINDAJI
NEON
NIGHT GIRL
NIGHTWIND
PHANTOM GIRL
POLAR BOY
QUISLET
SHADOW LASS
SHRINKING VIOLET
STAR BOY
STONE BOY
SUN BOY
SUPERGIRL II
TELLUS
TIMBER WOLF
ULTRA BOY (deputy leader)
WILDFIRE
Posted By: razsolo Re: A Shifting of Burdens - 05/22/18 06:04 AM
Hi Harbinger, thanks for the detailed feedback smile

Glad you liked the Danielle/Quislet scene....with Quislet being the most alien member of the team, I do like exploring the things that make him different every now and then!

I imagine there are very few people in general whose opinion Brainy would respect to the extent that he does Imra...and I am glad you brought up Ivy's power potential, that is gonna get explored very soon!

I love the 5YL Legion and it was in fact probably what really made me a Legion fan...some of those guys really would be a shock to the system for the comparitively more innocent Legion of times past though lol...re your observation about Bounty being more callous than expected; I based that on the one issue where she had a fight with Sade and where the Bounty entity left Dawnstar's body and Dawny was mentally and physically traumatised. I kind of see the Bounty entity as being similar to Bob from Twin Peaks; maybe not much more than a little off-putting generally, but really insidious and scary when they decide to show their true face.

To be honest I think I probably could have wrapped up the Durlan adventure better, I guess I wasn't really firing on all cylinders...but I am glad y'all liked it anyway. I am happier with the character stuff that happened in the aftermath; you're 100% right that Dawnstar and Wildfire wouldn't have talked like she and Mon-El did, their relationship is so dysfunctional hahaha...and all I will say about Yera's decision is that might be something somebody else will wonder at some point as well...the stardigrades were something I came up with on the spur of the moment to give Blok a workout and give Mon and Dawny an excuse to be in space together but I won't lie, I kinda love em laugh
Posted By: razsolo Green Nightmares - 06/18/18 07:05 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters
Arm in arm, Rokk Krinn and Lydda Jath Krinn strolled leisurely toward the front entrance of their home and headquarters. Dressed in stylish formal wear, they’d just returned from the kind of romantic dinner that their busy lives rarely gave them time to appreciate. “Tonight was just what I needed,” Rokk squeezed his wife’s hand. “It feels like we haven’t had two seconds to ourselves since...well, since we got married!”

“Married,” Lydda repeated, a dreamy look in her eye. She held her free hand up beneath the soft light of twin moons, her wedding ring gleaming. “It still feels like a fantasy after everything we’ve been through, you know? I love you, Rokk Krinn.” She leaned across and kissed her husband.

“I love you too,” Rokk held her close and returned the kiss. “Shall we continue this in private?”

Lydda chuckled with her mouth still on her husband’s and then pulled away. “Probably,” she agreed self-consciously. They’d only taken one more step toward the building when she saw something that gave her pause. “Oh. Rokk, wait a second..?” She untangled her hand from his and walked across to a more shaded area of the Legion plaza behind a statue of the Legion’s deceased benefactor RJ Brande. It was dark enough back here that a person could be hidden from the gaze of most other people, but for a woman from the eternally lightless world of Kathoon it may as well be high noon. Sitting on the ground with his back against the base of the larger than life statue, Lullabye Lad was looking particularly dejected.

“Waiane?” Lydda ventured. When the startled teen looked up at her, Lydda could see that he’d been crying. “Oh sweetie, what’s wrong?” Forgetting her elegant black dress, she kneeled down by his side.

“Hi, Night Girl!” he blushed furiously, “It’s okay, I’m okay.” He wiped at his eyes and cleared his throat.

“Are you sure..?” Lydda coaxed gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Sweetie, you don’t have to talk to me but do you want to talk to anyone else? Your brother or Gravity Kid maybe..?” She spared a glance to let Rokk know it might be best to keep his distance for now, but she needn’t have bothered. Cosmic Boy may have founded the Legion of Superheroes but when it came to soothing an emotionally distraught teenager he was more than happy to let his wife take point.

“...Tel broke up with me!” Lullabye Lad suddenly blurted, bawling into his hands.

“Ohh, Waiane…” Lydda hugged him. “I’m so sorry!”

“He said he needs to focus on joining the Legion and I’m a...a distraction!” Waiane sobbed helplessly. “I don’t understand, I don’t know what I did wrong!” He cried while Night Girl held him for a few seconds, then jumped back with a start. “What the sprock was that?!

Night Girl looked down to see a leafy vine had wrapped itself around the boy’s ankle. Without hesitation she reached down and ripped the vine in two, but she could see that it wasn’t alone. More were surrounding them now, crawling over the ground and the platinum likeness of RJ Brande. Lydda’s darkness-fuelled strength and her flight ring allowed her to easily pick Waiane up and ascend a few feet, and she shouted down to her husband. “Rokk! Take to the air, I don’t know what’s going on but it looks like we’re under attack!”

“Not just us,” Cosmic Boy added, activating the electrostatic charge which transformed his suave seamless suit into his Legion uniform. “Look!” He joined Night Girl and Lullabye Lad out of reach of the green tendrils for now and pointed at the more brightly lit front wall of the Legion’s headquarters. Across its surface, a verdant web of vegetation crept in search of prey.

**********
Seven stories above, three Legionnaires who were recent Academy graduates themselves stood in the pleasant night breeze. Laurel Kent wore a revealing fluidress, its mercurial substance shifting slowly across the small area of skin that it did cover. Berta Skye Haris was more modestly attired in a loose-fitting blue hooded garment which was somewhat reminiscent of an early costume she’d worn as Nightwind. Both of the young women looked at the third member of their group who’d just joined them and laughed good-naturedly. “Grava, don’t you ever wear anything else?” Nightwind teased Comet Queen, who was still garbed in her shiny skintight costume.

“Parse me to the C-Span, why would I?” Grava executed a silly twirl on tiptoes, her arms outstretched. “I want the whole galaxy to know I’m a Legionnaire, starshine! Don’t you and Laurel want everyone to know you’re Nightwind and Supergirl?”

“The Supergirl part’s still a sore point with some people,” Laurel Kent rolled her eyes. “Probably best if the all-new girl of steel isn’t seen out on Nightclub Row till a few people have come to better terms with it. Speaking of Nightclub Row, shall we go? The night’s not getting any younger!”

“Starship shiny!” Comet Queen clapped her hands enthusiastically. “Come on, last one there’s a rotten--”

“Excuse me..?” a timid voice approached the trio. “I hope I’m not interrupting..?”

All three of them turned in surprise. Standing in the balcony doorway was their winged comrade Dawnstar. They’d rarely ever seen Dawnstar out of costume, and they had to admit her deep-cut yellow gown was very flattering. “Dawnstar?” Nightwind was the first to reply. “Are we needed for a mission? We checked the roster before we left--”

“No, no, it’s nothing like that!” Dawnstar rushed to assuage her. “I actually was wondering...it looks like you’re all going out for the evening, and well...I was wondering if you had room for one more..?”

Laurel and Berta shared an awkward silent glance, but Grava spared no time at all in responding. “Sure we can, space angel! The more the merrier! Woah, hey! What’s with the handsy floor?” She kicked one foot off the ground and saw that she’d almost been nabbed by a creeping vine. Two more of them slowly pulled their way over the balcony wall.

“What the--” Laurel’s flight ring took her over the edge of the balcony and her eyes widened as she realised the vines were slowly but surely making their way across the whole building’s surface. “You guys, these plants are everywhere! It’s out of control!”

“Plants..?” It dawned on Comet Queen where she’d encountered something like this before and her jaw dropped. “Ohh, nova burn! Plants!” Before the others could say anything more, she was a sparkling wake of comet dust disappearing deep into the bowels of the building.

**********
A couple of floors down and completely oblivious to the chaos outside, Marya Pai and Hadru Jamik skulked down one empty corridor after another. Only several hours ago they had walked these same halls as Dragonwing and Chemical Kid, two of the students training to become future members of the Legion of Superheroes. Right now though they were just rebellious teenagers breaking curfew for a night out on the town like any other teenagers on any other world.

“How did you shake your new sidekick?” Hadru teased.

“Fire Lass?” Marya spoke her name spitefully. “I just told her I needed some time to myself. Which is the truth, she sprockin’ follows me everywhere -- woah!” The pair of them flattened against the wall just in time to prevent a collision with Comet Queen as Grava zoomed past at breakneck speed. “How did that one make it into the Legion anyway?” Marya cocked a thumb in Comet Queen’s direction. “She’s more of an airhead than Gas Girl!”

“Hey, if they’ll let Quislet in...” Hadru snickered at his own snide remark as he rounded a corner, then stumbled clumsily backwards in urgent retreat.

“What’s your problem, Jamik?” the fiery tempered girl hissed. “You nearly knocked me over!”

“Sorry,” he whispered hastily, “But look!”

Both of them ever so cautiously poked their heads around the corner, where they saw Sun Boy and Polar Boy having just exited a turbolift. The two Legionnaires were approaching this direction but hadn’t seen either of the students yet. Hadru and Marya quickly ducked back behind the wall, their minds racing. There was nowhere here for Chemical Kid and Dragonwing to hide, and no way to explain why they were dressed like they were about to hit the hottest clubs in Marsopolis.

“Maybe it’ll be okay?” Hadru shrugged, clutching on to hope. “I mean it’s Sun Boy, right? If any of the Legion are gonna turn a blind eye to a couple of kids having some fun…”

“Morgna might not have a stick up his butt,” Marya countered, “But Polar Boy’s got one big enough for both of them. Face it, we’re screwed. We - grife!” She flinched as something brushed by her bare arm, and when she turned to see three leafy vines reaching out toward them she incinerated them in an exhalation of bright green flame.

“So much for stealth,” Hadru muttered as alarms and fire suppression systems activated in response to Dragonwing’s power. He heard a ventilation grate above him pop out of the wall but even as he turned his head to look, more of the thick green tendrils exploded forth and wrapped around his face and neck. Pulling at the vines in a panic, he struggled to think of any chemical reaction at all which would affect animated plant life. The vines were constricting uncomfortably tight now, and Chemical Kid screamed a muffled plea for help.

“I don’t know what to do!” Dragonwing cried out as she immolated more of the plants coming from the other side of the corridor. “I don’t want to melt your face off!”

Chemical Kid felt the temperature drop dramatically, and suddenly the vines stopped crawling over him. There was the distinctive crack of ice breaking and once he pulled away the now dead plants from his face, Hadru saw that the vent duct had been covered in a huge plug of ice. Where the vines stuck out of the misshapen chunk, they’d been as brittle as glass; no longer supporting their own weight, they’d simply fallen away to the floor. “Are you two okay?” Polar Boy asked, freezing more of the encroaching plants as he spoke. “We came running as soon as we heard the commotion!”

“I am now,” Hadru heaved a deep breath. “Thanks Polar Boy! I don’t care what anyone says, your power’s not lame at all!”

“Thanks!” Brek Bannin replied automatically. A second later he opened his mouth to protest when Sun Boy cut him off.

“Next time try slowing down its auxin production,” Sun Boy addressed Hadru. “It’s a plant growth hormone.” Dirk noticed incredulous stares from the other three and his face dropped. “Brainy’s not the only one around here who ever looked at a science text, you guys...okay Dragonwing, take the opposite side of the corridor and help me give us some breathing room. Once the corridor’s clear Brek can put up a couple of ice walls and we might have two nanos of peace and quiet to find out what’s actually going on!”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Polar Boy retorted. “Who lives here and makes plants grow, Dirk? Something else else must have happened to Chlorophyll Kid’s power!”

“It’s not Chlorophyll Kid,” a new voice entered the conversation. The quartet looked up to see Phantom Girl descending through the ceiling. “You’re not far wrong though, Polar Boy. I’m on my way now to see Brainy, apparently he’s working on a solution.”

“Of course he is,” remarked an amused Sun Boy as he incinerated a wide swath of the animated plants. “Let us know if you need any help, PG!”

“Just be careful, Dirk!” Tinya cautioned as she bypassed the four of them and sank into the floor. “If this is anything like our encounter on Mardru, those plants are a lot more dangerous than you’d think!”

Tinya didn’t stay to hear Dirk’s comeback, but she’d known him long enough to know exactly how he’d respond. His cockiness and his belief in the natural superiority of his own power would lead Dirk Morgna to treat this threat with very little credibility until he saw for himself just how cunning and versatile these plants could be. In that sense, she supposed she and Sun Boy were alike; as Phantom Girl, Tinya waded into battle without a second thought for her own safety. She had always trusted in her intangibility to protect her from threats that might cause even Mon-El pause for thought and the truth was that her power had saved her far more often than it had failed, but she thought about those two kids up there with Sun Boy and Polar Boy and she wondered...now that the Legion of Superheroes were actually living with these students, was it time for them to take a more careful approach to the way they fought their battles? After all, they were full-time role models now. It was something she’d need to think about, but not right now.

Phasing through to a lower level she came across more of her teammates fighting alongside a woman Tinya took a moment to recognise as Taryn Loy, the sometime heroine known as Calorie Queen. Wearing a fashionable red jumpsuit, the blonde Bismollian was using her super-strength to tear thick leafy vines into shreds. An acrid haze floated nearby, causing vegetation to instantly wither where the plants came across it; Tinya realised this must be Gas Girl. Together Calorie Queen and Gas Girl were having much more luck with the invading plant life than Light Lad and Matter-Eater Lad, backed into a corner as they tried their best to defend Light Lad’s unpowered boyfriend Dr Kent Shakespeare. Even so, it was only a matter of moments till they were all overwhelmed.

It had just occurred to Tinya that if Calorie Queen was here then her girlfriend Shrinking Violet must also be close when she heard a familiar voice in her ear. “Phantom Girl! Do you have any idea what this is all about?” Vi was hovering near her cheek, barely larger than a bug. “Taryn and I were just on our way to the hangar with Gas Girl when we came across these things trying to tear the boys apart!”

“I could kill every plant in this corridor,” Gas Girl added, “But if I spread myself that wide I can’t guarantee the others won’t breathe me in!”

“I can’t stay to help,” Phantom Girl admitted apologetically, “But guys, Brainy’s got a solution so just hang in there...at least these things are just creepers at the moment so maybe try and get to open air where they’ll have less reach!”

“Open air…” Vi repeated, thinking on Tinya’s words as the heroine from Bgltz disappeared through the floor below them. Easily avoiding the vines at her current height, Vi darted through what was to her perspective a giant-size battle to join Matter-Eater Lad, Light Lad and Kent. “Tenzil!” the tiny woman barked. “The exit’s all the way down the other end of the corridor, can you make us a closer escape route..?”

“Say no more!” Matter-Eater Lad cracked his jaw. “Yo, Cal and Tal!” he hollered at Calorie Queen and Gas Girl. “Do your magic for another couple of seconds, Wall-Eater Lad’s about to save the day!” He turned briefly to Kent and winked. “Hope you and Darvan have gotten in some zero-g playtime ‘cause we’re still gonna be three floors up when we get outta here and one of us doesn’t have a flight ring! I don’t want you to hurl in front of your man!”

“Tenzil, just eat!!” Light Lad and Shrinking Violet shouted in unison.

“Grife,” Matter-Eater Lad mumbled through a mouthful of reinforced omnisteel while Kent coughed to hide an embarassed smirk. “Tough crowd…”

**********
On her way to the multilab, Phantom Girl passed other groups of Legionnaires. Some, like Lightning Lass and Lightning Lad, were easily repulsing the vines encroaching upon Garth and Imra’s quarters while Saturn Girl herself remained safely ensconced in a forcefield-fortified room with young Graym and Garridan. Others, like Shadow Lass and Mwindaji, were lucky enough to have been near someone as unstoppable as Diamond Damsel when the attack had begun. In truth, the Legion as a whole had been lucky; on Mardru, the plants had adapted and evolved to counter their enemies and as yet that wasn’t the case here. Tinya couldn’t help feeling it was only a matter of time before that happened, but she pushed it out of her mind.

Finally, she was here. She made her way to one of the specially designated areas where it was safe for her to phase through the wall to Brainiac 5’s multilab and came across the Legion’s leader hard at work alongside Dream Girl. “You know,” Phantom Girl greeted the pair, “I was going to ask how even Brainy as smart as he is could be working on a solution to this already, but seeing you here Dreamy, I don’t think I need precognition myself to answer that question.”

“I’m just glad I had my vision after Thom left Mars with Kid Quantum to go visit her brother on Xanthu,” Nura Nal replied in a distracted tone as she focused on the delicate task of manipulating a micro-solder. “These plants certainly are relentless...for someone so young, that Ivy girl has a frightening amount of power available to her!”

“So it is Ivy?” Phantom Girl asked glumly. “I mean I guess I knew it had to be, but I was still hoping...has anyone been able to reach Chlorophyll Kid since this all began?”

“His biosignature places him in his quarters,” Brainiac 5 answered. “But he’s not responding to calls placed to either his flight ring or his rooms. He’s still alive and his biometrics are stable, but we have to assume she’s overpowered him.” He stood back from the device that he and Dream Girl had been working on and looked it over. “However...this should make sure that Ivy Arcane doesn’t provide us with any further difficulties!”

“What is that thing?” Phantom Girl asked as Brainiac 5 presented a web of wiring to her, each intersection meeting inside a rounded disc with a closed iris. She solidified to take the device from his hands; though the net was a few feet across when she held it out, it folded down to a compact enough mass that her phasing power could include it with no more effort than it took to affect her own clothes.

“I call it a Phase Re-Alignment Module,” Brainiac 5 answered dryly.

“He won’t call it a PRAM,” Dream Girl shook her head in mock judgement. “What’s the point of coming up with a perfect acronym if you won’t use it, honestly!”

“Okay, but what does it actually do?” Phantom Girl shrugged. “How is this going to help with our overgrown garden situation?”

“Once you place this around the child and activate it, the Phase Re-Alignment Module will shift Ivy Arcane partially out of sync with our dimensional plane,” Brainiac explained. “In that respect, it somewhat replicates your own abilities, Phantom Girl. Our reasoning is that if she is no longer in sync with our plane she will no longer be able to create and control the plant life which is currently menacing us.”

“Wait,” Tinya’s brow furrowed. “Create plant life? Brainy, are you saying she created these plants from scratch?”

“That’s quite a claim,” Dream Girl chimed in. “What makes you think that, Brainiac?”

Brainiac 5 blinked at the two women as though it should be the simplest observation in the world. “These plants are all classified as Vitanucissus Mardruidata,” he explained. “They are native solely to Mardru, Ivy Arcane’s homeworld. Chlorophyll Kid certainly doesn’t possess enough seed samples to infiltrate our headquarters to the extent that they have, and at any rate the soil surrounding our building is in no way fit to support plant life naturally without some additional terraforming.”

“Of course you can recognise what world a random plant came from on sight,” Nura deadpanned with a slight smile. “There’s that 12th level intellect we all know and love!”

“It isn’t as though I have an extensive knowledge of phytology generally,” Brainiac returned, mildly annoyed. “When Chlorophyll Kid joined the Legion of Superheroes, I simply thought it prudent to familiarise myself with the plant life of the homeworlds of Legionnaires, the students of the Legion Academy and our most commonly recurring allies and enemies...none of which is relevant to the task at hand, namely stopping Ivy Arcane’s outburst before anybody is injured.” He turned his attention fully to Tinya again. “Phantom Girl, the child is currently in Chlorophyll Kid’s quarters. When you reach her, place the Phase Re-Alignment Module over her and alert me. Once I activate it, the module will enclose her and shunt her from this plane.”

“I thought you were going to make a remote for it so Phantom Girl or Chlorophyll Kid could turn it on and off at will?” Dream Girl asked.

“We did not have sufficient time,” Brainiac answered simply. “At any rate, I feel more confident being able to exert control over the device myself.” He saw the concerned glance exchanged between Phantom Girl and Dream Girl and sighed in frustration. “Ivy Arcane will still be visible in this plane, and she will still be able to interact with people in this plane to a degree. She will simply be intangible. When she needs to take nutrition I will disengage the module.”

“Is this really the only answer?” Tinya asked hesitantly. “She’s just a baby, Brainy...I don’t know if I’m comfortable with cutting her off from everyone like this.”

“It is the only answer we have available to us right now,” Brainiac 5 said flatly. “We can discuss this later, but the longer you delay now the more likely it is that someone will be hurt or worse.”

Phantom Girl looked at Dream Girl, who nodded half-heartedly. Realising this wasn’t the time for dissension, Tinya took the module and ascended through the ceiling. She passed through Colossal Boy’s empty quarters on her way through the base and was glad that Gim and Yera hadn’t moved back into the building yet; an invasion of plants was the last thing either of them needed to worry about while Yera completed her recovery from radiation poisoning. Passing through the quarters she shared with Ultra Boy, Tinya grimaced at the damage the plants had wrought there and tried not to think too much about it. She comforted herself that like Colossal Boy, at least Jo was off-planet.

Then Tinya came across the last wall she needed to breach to enter Chlorophyll Kid’s quarters. For the first time she really thought about what she might find on the other side of this wall and it gave her pause. All of this had happened so fast; from the time Braniac 5 had called her to his multilab till now barely 15 minutes had passed...still, these plants were capable of such unbelievable violence that Phantom Girl shuddered to imagine the sight that awaited her. Steeling herself, she took a deep breath and walked through the wall.

Ral Benem’s bedroom was crawling with plants and all of them were snaking their way around the screaming infant in the centre of the room, forming a protective shell of vegetation around her. Ral himself was nowhere to be seen though, and Tinya’s heart was in her throat. Then she heard the insistent buzzing of his flight ring from deep within the green mass on the other side of the room and she felt even worse. “Chlorophyll Kid, hang on! I’m coming!” She flew straight for the muffled sound, passing through the plants as though they weren’t even there. Homing in on the sound of the flight ring, her fear changed to confusion when she saw that the small golden band was dangling from a thin stem and completely unattached to its owner. There was no blood, there was no sign of Chlorophyll Kid at all. With skill honed by years of practice, Phantom Girl solidified only enough of her hand to palm the ring and then rendered it as intangible as the rest of her. She heard a surprised exclamation from elsewhere in the room, and then the plants dramatically peeled away from her and left Tinya exposed out in the open.

“Phantom Girl?” Ral Benem was standing in the doorway to his bathroom clad only in a towel. “What are you doing in my room? What’s going on? Where the sprock did all these plants come from?!” He blushed, unconsciously backing behind the doorway to hide his almost naked form from the attractive young woman.

“Where have you been?!” she snapped more defensively than she’d intended. “Chlorophyll Kid, the whole base is under attack! It’s Ivy!”

“Ivy..? Oh sprock, Ivy!!” Forgetting his own self-consciousness, he bolted to Ivy’s cot. Plants moved almost instinctively aside for him, as though they recognised that he meant her no harm. The child herself was bawling hysterically, and she clutched for Ral as he picked her up. “I was in the tub!” he explained hurriedly. “Ivy’s been asleep for the past hour, I thought I’d be able to relax, I’ve had music blaring the whole time...she must have had a nightmare, and when I wasn’t here to help her...oh grife, I’m so sorry Phantom Girl!” He rocked Ivy back and forth, but she wasn’t calming down.

“We have to put this on her!” Phantom Girl held out Brainiac 5’s device. “Chlorophyll Kid, it’s not just your room - she’s going to turn Husband Hill into another Moorte Island if we don’t stop her!”

The main entry portal irised open, and a grazed and scratched up Comet Queen suddenly torpedoed into the room. “Chlory!!” she wailed. “Oh, thank the stars you’re still shiny!! What happened to poor Ivy, starshine?”

“Grava, you’re hurt!” Chlorophyll Kid looked her up and down, her costume torn in places and a long gash along her thigh.

“Guys, we don’t have time for this!” Phantom Girl stepped forward into the protective area which enclosed the four of them now that the plants had receded somewhat. “Brainiac 5 made this for Ivy, it’ll shunt her into interdimensional space and cut off her power.”

“What? No!!” Comet Queen stepped in front of Ral and the crying baby. “We’re not sending her into the--the Phantom Zone or whatever! She’s fresh out of the nebula, we can’t treat her like she’s a rogue planetoid!”

“Grava, I have no idea what you just said and I don’t have time to decipher it--” Phantom Girl began.

He already put a bomb in Quislet!!” Comet Queen screamed shrilly. "I don't want him to hurt her too!"

Phantom Girl was visibly taken aback. “Wait, Brainy did what--?!

“Grava...we might need Brainy’s device,” Chlorophyll Kid interjected glumly. “I can’t focus on the plants outside this room if I can’t settle Ivy, and you saw what they did back on my homeworld. I don’t want to hurt her either, but if these plants hurt any of our friends or if they expand beyond the base I couldn’t live with myself.”

“Oh, for--” Comet Queen turned to face Chlorophyll Kid and snatched Ivy from him. “Chlory...teamwork, starshine!” She rocked Ivy gently in her arms, cooing gently at the baby. “We work better together than alone,” she continued in a playful hushed tone as Ivy’s cries began to subside. “Duplicate Damsel always taught us that back at the Academy...isn’t that right, little nebula sprout? Yes it is, isn’t it..?” She kissed Ivy gently on the forehead and the infant girl giggled once, yawned and dozed off.

Chlorophyll Kid and Phantom Girl shared a look of mute shock for a second, then Tinya mouthed “the plants?” at him and Ral realised the crisis wasn’t quite over. Without Ivy’s wordless fear driving the plants they were beginning to lose their drive to protect her anyway so it was a simple matter for Chlorophyll Kid to reach out with his own enhanced power and force them to retreat throughout the whole building.

Still holding the web of circuitry that Brainiac 5 had given her, Phantom Girl looked down at it somberly. “We’re still going to need to find a longer term solution,” Tinya announced quietly. “You two can’t be expected to spend every moment of every day watching Ivy till she’s old enough to learn to control her powers...but right now, there’s something else I want to talk about.” Phantom Girl folded her arms across her chest and fixed her teammates with a look which left no doubt that she was the senior hero in the room.

“Comet Queen...tell me about this bomb.”

**********
ELSEWHERE

Ankle deep in the shores of a fetid bog, a dark-skinned man stood before a macabre altar of his own making. The altar was composed of bones, some of them fresh with the stink of still attached meat. The man wore an elaborate ceremonial outfit, a long black cloak draped behind him in the marshy waters. He seemed aged prematurely, with the athletic body of a man in his prime but the sunken cheekbones and deep wrinkles of someone far far older. His frizzy close-cropped hair was stark white, only two streaks of black at the temples revealing the color it had once held. A low croak disturbed the stillness of the night air, and the mage looked down to find the skeletal remains of what had once been some kind of crocodilian swamp dweller nuzzling at his calf.

“Soon, my pet.” The man turned his attention back to the altar and scattered the rotted plants and baby bones which he’d earlier placed there with painstaking ritual significance. “I must tread gently for now...if I probe too bluntly in my search for my granddaughter, I risk alerting whomever the Green has charged with her protection. No matter who guards little Ivy now though, they’ll soon enough fall before the power of Alek Arcane.”

He poured some rank liquid across the altar and whispered ancient words into the thick air...then while a sickly green flame burned the altar and its spell components to ash, Alek Arcane and his undead attendants walked into the dark embrace of the swamplands.
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Green Nightmares - 06/18/18 07:52 AM
yikes, this isn’t over yet! nice cliffhanger, it will be interesting to see the team up against a magical foe

loved Comet Queen saving the day

Hah! your power isn’t lame... one of my fave running gags back during the JLI days

Nice seeing Cal, and nice seeing Darvan and Kent a couple

can’t wait for more!
Posted By: Omni Re: Green Nightmares - 06/19/18 01:52 AM
Raz loving the wrap up for the Durla mission.

You've covered every question that I could have possibly had and setting up some interesting things to come.

I'm happy Infinity Boy didn't join as he makes a great point about the TT possibly appearing...is that a hint??
I agree, its funny Gim didn't react to Brainy offering it second.

Gim and Year's moment was bitter sweet and I'm happy she finally told Gim what was going on and the reason why she didn't let MWINDAJI heal her. I hope this does keep that future from coming true.

It's funny how much Supergirl (Laurel Kent) reminds me of Supergirl (Kara Zor-el). Her wanting to believe the best in Roy is so great to hear. I can see Jo's side though and it was nice to see him ask himself "What would Tinya do?"

I hope Roy can turn over a new leaf after this gift he's been given.

I'm not a huge Dawnstar fan at all. But you've finally found away to make me empathize with her. Her moment with M'Onel was great and I love that she doesn't want to be able to be replaced. But it drives me slightly insane that she keeps pushing Wildfire away...although he's a bit over barring. so i get it. But to not be replaceable you gotta let people in. I would imagine her she could talk to and maybe build a relationship with Vi because of this experience as Vi was someone who was replaced herself.

That's all for now. Looking forward to getting to read the latest post!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Green Nightmares - 06/26/18 05:11 AM
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
yikes, this isn’t over yet! nice cliffhanger, it will be interesting to see the team up against a magical foe

loved Comet Queen saving the day

Hah! your power isn’t lame... one of my fave running gags back during the JLI days

Nice seeing Cal, and nice seeing Darvan and Kent a couple

can’t wait for more!

Alek Arcane will definitely pop up again in a more menacing capacity soonish...and Darvan and Kent kind of wrote themselves so I'm glad you like em IB smile

I never thought of it at the time but that scene with Polar Boy and Chemical Kid was pretty classic JLI now you mention it hahahaha laugh
Posted By: razsolo Re: Green Nightmares - 06/26/18 05:20 AM
Originally Posted by Omni
Raz loving the wrap up for the Durla mission.

You've covered every question that I could have possibly had and setting up some interesting things to come.

I'm happy Infinity Boy didn't join as he makes a great point about the TT possibly appearing...is that a hint??


I do have a Time Trapper idea percolating but it'll probably be a while yet before I get a chance to do anything with it...I don't think the Legion are gonna be wanting for bad guys in the meantime though wink

Quote
I agree, its funny Gim didn't react to Brainy offering it second.

Gim and Year's moment was bitter sweet and I'm happy she finally told Gim what was going on and the reason why she didn't let MWINDAJI heal her. I hope this does keep that future from coming true.

It's funny how much Supergirl (Laurel Kent) reminds me of Supergirl (Kara Zor-el). Her wanting to believe the best in Roy is so great to hear. I can see Jo's side though and it was nice to see him ask himself "What would Tinya do?"

I hope Roy can turn over a new leaf after this gift he's been given.


I am glad you liked the developments with Gim and Yera...I have been wanting to get them back together for a while now so it's good to get it happening smile

And glad you liked the stuff with Laurel and Jo as well...we'll have to see where Roy goes from here, it's not like he really made good choices even before his power was hurting him, but this might be a wake-up call for him too...

Quote

I'm not a huge Dawnstar fan at all. But you've finally found away to make me empathize with her. Her moment with M'Onel was great and I love that she doesn't want to be able to be replaced. But it drives me slightly insane that she keeps pushing Wildfire away...although he's a bit over barring. so i get it. But to not be replaceable you gotta let people in. I would imagine her she could talk to and maybe build a relationship with Vi because of this experience as Vi was someone who was replaced herself.

That's all for now. Looking forward to getting to read the latest post!


Dawnstar and Wildfire honestly have the worst relationship lol...they are as bad as each other, but hopefully this might be one of those wake up calls for Dawny too. I actually didn't think about Vi being able to help her but that's a good idea Omni! I might see if I can work that in somewhere smile
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Green Nightmares - 06/26/18 09:17 AM
Thoroughly enjoyable Raz, your take on Grava is so delightful and I love your continuing development of Laurel's character. Brainy will face it soon, and it's overdue. I wonder if it's time for Omega to appear to distract the team from Brainy's plans?

Great stuff, more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Green Nightmares - 06/27/18 03:02 AM
Omega was one of my favourite one-shot villains, but I think the Legion are gonna be distracted enough with upcoming events as it is that Brainy won't need the help wink

You are right that Brainy's definitely gonna face it soon though, Tinya might even be getting a bit of extra ammo after the next instalment laugh
Posted By: razsolo Queens of Cold and Crystal - 07/30/18 07:00 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Phantom Girl rose up through the floor of the mission monitor room, her neophyte teammate Mwindaji completely oblivious as he pored over more than a dozen holoscreens flickering constantly through newsfeeds from different worlds and outposts in search of anything which might need the Legion’s attention. Though this room had been brimming with plants only yesterday, Chlorophyll Kid’s power and the base’s automated cleaning systems had already restored everything to normal. “Hi Mwindaji!” Tinya announced herself cheerfully.

The young tracker from Kirinyaga nearly jumped out of his seat in surprise, quickly recovering as he turned to face Tinya. “Phantom Girl! I apologise, I did not hear you enter! I have been assigned to monitoring duty and I find the task…”

Monitor duty,” Tinya corrected him with a friendly smile. “...and it’s kind of overwhelming, huh? All this info flashing at you from every direction..?”

“I am certain that I will become accustomed to the monitors,” he replied in his clipped Interlac, “It is just that...Kirinyaga is not a very technologically forward world...not compared to other worlds I have seen in my brief time with the Legion of Superheroes.”

“Oh Mwin, it’s not your fault!” Phantom Girl squeezed his shoulder casually as though they were already old friends. “This really was a lot for most of us to take in at first...I mean I’m sure Brainy and Kid Computo are completely at home, but it takes some practice for those of us burdened with normal fleshy brains. You want me to make it a little easier for you?”

“How--” One thick eyebrow shot up, his curiosity piqued.

Phantom Girl’s eyes perused the console till she found the slide lever she was looking for, and she adjusted it to the right slightly. “This lever controls how much Brainy’s trouble alert algorithm takes over...you should never let it take more than 30% of the workload because even the most advanced algorithm might miss stuff that we’d pick up, but till you get more comfortable being in here this should help anyway.” She stood back with her hands on her hips, and they both watched as several of the holoscreens vanished entirely and the remaining screens grew larger to use the extra space.

A beaming grin crossed Mwindaji’s face. “That is a help, thank you Phantom Girl!”

“Any time….don’t feel scared to ask for assistance, you’ve done an amazing job of adjusting to life in the Legion but nobody expects you to pick up everything straight away! ...Oh!” Tinya remembered why she’d come here in the first place. “I’ve actually been looking for Brainy, I need to talk to him about something Comet Queen raised with me...do you know where he is?”

Mwindaji concentrated for a moment. “...He is not anywhere within close range of our home but I can locate him if you wish.”

“While you’re in here, you should try and get used to using the mission monitor board as a resource just like your tracking power,” Tinya suggested. “If he’s left the planet on a mission, we’ll be able to find out why he’s gone and not just where he is.”

“Of course,” Mwindaji nodded, seeing the logic. He found the team’s distinctive icons and started scanning through them all while Phantom Girl waited patiently. “So...Shrinking Violet and Gas Girl are en route to Lallor for a memorial ceremony....Ultra Boy is bringing a contingent of Legionnaires back home from Xolnar, they just re-entered our solar system minutes ago….oh, yes! Here it is….Brainiac 5, Elastic Lad and Color Kid have gone to take part in...a solar photonic modulation experiment..?” He looked at Tinya helplessly.

The perky heroine shrugged. “Don’t look at me, I’m as much in the dark as you are. Still,” she sighed, “It sounds like science to me, and Brainy plus Elastic Lad plus science doesn’t sound like it equals anything good for anyone else...”

**********
DEEP SPACE
30 million miles from Sol

Color Kid had made the mistake 25 minutes ago of asking Elastic Lad exactly why Brainiac 5 was dragging them all out here to roughly halfway between Mercury and the sun. Somehow, the excitable redhead’s explanation involved three separate seques to the original Legion of Substitute Heroes’ long ago conflict with the Plant Men, the technological and scientific advances of Color Kid’s homeworld Lupra, and perhaps most strangely of all a dissertation on each romantic couple in the Legion and how effectively each person’s power complimented that of their partner. Ulu had been curious about their mission earlier but now he was utterly mystified. Jams-Ols 5 had finally stopped talking though, and so a resigned Color Kid slumped into an empty seat in the back of the Legion shuttle feeling that boredom was clearly the preferable alternative to spiralling confusion.

Soon growing tired of using his power to change the ceiling into different colors, Ulu’s attention shifted to Brainiac 5 and Elastic Lad. The shuttle had been stopped here a while, and Ulu had determined that Brainiac 5 was remotely assembling some kind of photonic cannon tethered to the underside of their hull. The device itself was mildly interesting, but what really intrigued him was watching Brainiac and Elastic Lad work together.

Elastic Lad obviously held the Coluan in high regard, and in fact was like a child who’d been given the chance to meet one of his idols. Jams-Ols 5 doted on Brainiac’s every word, leaped at the opportunity to display his own understanding where he could, even gave his best effort to reign in his natural hyperactivity so as not to annoy the notoriously terse 12th level intellect. Ulu couldn’t imagine Elastic Lad accomplishing that for literally anybody else in the galaxy.

“Color Kid,” Brainiac 5 interrupted Ulu’s reverie. “We’re ready for you.”

Ulu flinched at the sound of his codename. “Sorry Brainiac, can you please explain again what we’re actually doing here?” He stood up and approached the round console where his teammates were standing. “Elastic Lad told me earlier, but uhh...it kind of went over my head,” he finished as tactfully as possible.

In response, Brainiac 5 gestured at the sun glaring on the other side of a specially polarised window. “Recent events have made it clear to me that we have at our disposal a remarkable tool for reducing or increasing the power levels of Kryptonian or Daxamite allies and enemies as necessary, one which till now has been largely untapped.”

“...Solar photonic modulation…” Color Kid let the phrase he’d heard many times on this trip roll over his tongue. “...You want to change the sun’s color? That cannon thing you made is going to increase my power’s range of effect?”

“No,” Brainiac 5 answered bluntly. “The secondary purpose of this experiment is to reduce our need to rely solely on yourself and Sun Boy to affect Kryptonian and Daxamite powers. If this cannon does the task I designed it to do, I will be able to render a radical color shift in the closest star at any time without actually affecting the physical makeup of that star. Your task, Color Kid, is to observe and report. The photoreceptive cones in your eyes are far more advanced than any easily transported equipment to which I currently have access.”

“Oh…” Color Kid replied, slightly dejected. “Well, nice to know I’m easily transported I guess.”

“Indeed,” Brainiac 5 didn’t react to the obvious sarcasm as he handed Ulu a transparent sheath of material. “If I could ask you to don this please? You’ll need to be outside the vessel during the experiment.”

“A transuit?” Color Kid held it out in front of himself. “Can’t I just use the transuit function in my flight ring?”

“This has been specially modified,” Brainiac explained. “With a voice command from myself, this transuit has a polarising function which can be switched on and off. I’ll need you to observe the experiment without the filter that polarisation causes, but even your eyes can only look directly at the sun for so long at this proximity so I’ll need to ensure that your vision is protected at all other times while you’re outside the vehicle.”

A chill ran down Color Kid’s spine. He’d been blinded twice before, and he hadn’t really consciously considered it prior to this moment but the thought of risking that a third time was unsettling. He took a deep breath and centred himself, then with shaking hands he climbed inside the transuit. Seconds later, he was outside the vessel. “Brainiac?” he asked with obvious anxiety. “Can we please get this over with?”

“The cannon is primed,” Brainiac 5’s voice came back. “Please observe the star and tell me what you see. In 3...2...1.”

The dark filter of the polarisation faded as Brainiac counted down, so as to allow Color Kid’s eyes to safely acclimatise to the influx of light. Still, even knowing consciously that the risk was minimal Ulu just wanted it all to be over. The cannon fired without a sound, and he narrated dutifully. “A rainbow beam of light just shot out...I mean...more than a rainbow really, I’m losing track of how many colors there are. I’m waiting for the sun to react….no response...Brainiac, how long is this going to take? Oh! Something else else just happened! The sun...the sun’s red now!”

The transformation was so dramatic that Color Kid couldn’t imagine they needed any kind of enhanced color vision to see it, but then he saw something else that he thought they actually might have missed. Maybe this is why he was necessary after all? “Brainiac, Elastic Lad...I think...I think I just saw a blue spark...I mean it was tiny but...wait! Not a spark, it’s...uhh guys, I think something’s coming out of the sun!”

Moving so fast that none of the Legionnaires had any hope of identifying what it was, an icy blue streak zoomed straight past all three of them and continued on a beeline for the tiny azure world some 60 million miles away...

**********
EARTH
Metropolis, Weisinger Plaza

As soon as Bobb Kohan left the United Planets Museum of the Superhero (which also served as the home base of his team the Legion of Substitute Heroes), he was almost knocked off of his feet by a rambunctious hug from Comet Queen. “Starshine, it’s nova bright to glom you again!” Grava squealed.

“Grava, let Crystal Kid breathe.” Berta Skye Haris gently pulled her hyperactive teammate aside and gave Bobb a more subdued embrace. “It is good to see you again, Bobb; it’s been too long since we had a proper catch-up!”

“It has been a while!” Crystal Kid agreed as he turned from Nightwind to Laurel Kent. “It’s too bad we couldn't get the rest of our old classmates here, huh? Would have been a real school reunion!” He saw Dawnstar standing off to one side and nodded in her direction. “Oh...hello Dawnstar, the others said you’d be coming tonight.”

“Thank you for allowing me to tag along,” an uncommonly demure Dawnstar spoke. “I know that we don’t have so close a relationship. I...appreciate the inclusion.”

“Hey, us Academy kids gotta stick together huh?” Crystal Kid winked. “Have any of you seen the museum yet?”

“I have!” Grava clapped her hands with glee.

“Of course you have,” Laurel rolled her eyes as she placed an arm each around Comet Queen and Crystal Kid. “You were born a superhero groupie, Grava...come on then, show us our holos. They better not have made me look fat.”

The three of them giggled as they disappeared into the building, while Nightwind hung back slightly and gestured for Dawnstar to follow. Once everyone else was inside, Nightwind sighed inwardly. She didn’t know why Dawnstar had chosen now of all times to want to play friends with them all, but she hadn’t gotten any less awkward since they’d left Mars to come visit Crystal Kid. Something else else told her this was going to be a long night…

A little over 90 minutes later, Crystal Kid had finished showing the girls through the museum and the Subs’ headquarters and the quintet had decided to take advantage of the balmy night air to convene in a sectioned off area of the rooftop with comfortable furniture and a few flowering plants. “Where are the rest of the Substitute Heroes?” Nightwind asked as she accepted a glass of sparkling wine from their host.

Crystal Kid counted on his fingers as he spoke. “Porcupine Pete, Rainbow Girl and Polecat are off in the Antarctic...one of Polecat’s old work colleagues said something about unearthing an ancient Justice League base or something that he wanted us to check out? And Antennae Lad’s got a birthday party back on Grxyor. So I guess I’m the Subs tonight!”

“Not tonight, starshine!” Grava clinked her soft drink against Crystal Kid’s kono juice. “We’ve totally got enough flight rings here to make a whole Legion of Superheroes solar system, I say we make you an honorary member of our Legion! All in favour?” Laurel and Berta raised their glasses with a cheerful “aye!” and Grava banged an imaginary gavel. “Motion carried!” the golden teenager declared.

Crystal Kid laughed heartily. “I wish it were that easy! Hopefully one day…”

“Don’t feel badly,” Dawnstar attempted to join the conversation. “Not everybody is initially good enough to join the Legion--”

The mood instantly plummeted. “...Not good enough?” Nightwind challenged her. “What do you mean not good enough, Dawnstar? Bobb’s had exactly the same training that we’ve had, it’s just bad luck that he hasn’t been chosen yet.”

“I apologise,” Dawnstar blushed furiously. “I did not mean that the way it came out, it’s just - just that Bouncing Boy for example--”

“I mean we haven’t all had the same training,” Laurel cut her off. “But then not all of us were lucky enough to have Wildfire get a crush on us and find us a spot on the team before we’d come anywhere close to finishing school, I guess.”

“Guys,” Bobb placed his drink on a table and held his hands up. “It’s okay, really. I’m sure Dawnstar was--”

“I earned my place on the Legion!” Dawnstar shot back at Laurel, her earlier nervousness now forgotten in her anger. “Just as we all did, Laurel! Just as I’m certain Crystal Kid will one day have the opportunity to do--”

“When he’s good enough,” Berta interjected sarcastically.

While this was happening, Comet Queen had seen something in the night sky that caught her attention. “Whoa...hey, everyone? Swing your scopes this way!”

“Why are you even here?” Laurel derided Dawnstar, not having heard Grava at all. “I mean it’s not like we were particularly great pals in school, and we definitely never have been the entire time you’ve been in the Legion...what, now that we’re all on the same team we’re good enough for you to finally deign to hold a conversation with?”

“Guys?” Comet Queen persisted, leaning over the balcony. “I think it’s a for real meteor, you guys! I mean like for real real a celestial object! Maybe we should--”

“It was never my intention to stand above you,” Dawnstar responded to Laurel, a familiar haughtiness returning to her tone. “All I have ever known is duty, I am sorry if that is not something you can relate to.”

Grava said something else, but it was lost in the thunder and rattle of an explosive impact somewhere in the city. The group recovered their bearings quickly and ran to join Grava at the edge of the balcony. “What the sprock was that?” Laurel gaped.

“I told you!” Grava moaned, “But nobody ever listens to Comet Queen, noooo...I think it was a meteor, I saw something blue and shiny coming down from outer space like zip bam BOOM! Let’s go scan the crash site!”

“Grava, hold it.” Nightwind grabbed her shoulder before she could take flight. “What do you think we should do, Dawnstar?”

“M-me?” the startled Starhavenite stammered.

Laurel was aghast. “Her?

“Whatever else is going on, she’s the senior Legionnaire here,” Nightwind clarified. “So what’s it going to be, Dawnstar?”

Dawnstar froze for only a fraction of a second more before she realised Nightwind was right; She needed to make a decision. “Comet Queen, lead us toward the object but stay close. Crystal Kid...you are welcome to join us, but our first priority has to be ensuring that no innocents have been harmed. We won’t be able to protect you.”

“That’s the most nass-backwards way anyone’s ever asked me for help before,” Bobb remarked dryly, “But I want to make sure nobody’s hurt too. Lead on, ladies.”

It didn’t take them long to find the impact site. Even if the stream of traffic fleeing the area thanks to Science Police emergency override signals wasn’t a clue, they could hear the sound of buildings being demolished from blocks away. They came into view of the galaxy-famed Superman Museum just in time to see one whole wing collapse into itself as a well-built woman with blue-tinged white skin ascended from the rubble. She wore a darker blue one-piece leotard with matching thigh high boots and fingerless opera gloves. A mane of snow white hair cascaded past her waist, and she was very clearly the architect of this destruction. “Where is he?” she roared to the vast city around her as she hovered in place. “Where is the last son of the House of El?”

“House of El..?” The newly christened Supergirl looked down at her own distinctive poncho. “You don’t think she’s talking about my dad..?”

“I doubt it,” Nightwind replied. “She’s trashing the Superman Museum and everyone knows Superboy’s been a member of the Legion of Superheroes in the past...I mean it’s not like we ever publicly announced that he went back to his own time, but people must have noticed by now that he’s not been around for a while, right?”

“Regardless of this woman’s quarry we must prevent her from causing any more destruction,” Dawnstar decreed. “Supergirl, we need to gauge her power level. With your invulnerability, you are the best person to do this while the rest of us ensure the surrounding area is successfully evacuated.”

“My pleasure,” Laurel Kent gave a wicked smile. “That’s my family’s legacy she’s tearing down.” She punched a fist into her palm and flew off toward the rampaging stranger. At the same time Crystal Kid and Nightwind used their powers to extinguish fires and reinforce damaged structures, and Comet Queen and Dawnstar sped innocent sentients to a safer distance; all four made sure to keep an eye on Laurel as they went to work, hoping that she’d help them learn something more about their mysterious opponent.

The strange woman had landed in the wreckage of the museum and was effortlessly tearing down the remaining walls when Laurel Kent made a dramatic entrance by dropping out of the sky to land right in front of her. “Hi!” the plucky teenager introduced herself. “I’m Supergirl, you want to tell me why you’re destroying my family’s museum?”

“Supergirl?” The woman approached her fearlessly. “Superman is the one I seek, but wait...I sense that you too are a product of Rao’s hated bloodline, girl.” The taller woman stood over Laurel, fixing her with a glare of obvious disdain. “It matters not to me whether I slay you or Superman first, I suppose.”

Laurel saw the woman’s arm draw back for a slap and made no effort to avoid it, assuming that her flight ring would hold her in place and that her natural invulnerability would protect her from actual harm. She was as surprised as any of her friends when both failed.

The most casual gesture from this woman sent Laurel Kent flying through an entire building and out the other side where she smashed through a second building still under construction and brought the whole thing crashing down on herself. Laurel was grateful that the building hadn't been occupied yet, the only casualties here were engineering droids and her pride. Still, her vision was blurry and it was going to take a while to wriggle out of here.

“Parse me to the C-Span!” Comet Queen exclaimed, eyes wide. “Nobody slaps my friend around like that and gets away with it! I don’t care how pretty you are, white star!”

Dawnstar barked at Grava to hold back, but the impulsive youngster was already gone. She flew sparkling trails around the destructive stranger, her cloudy wake expanding in size until both women were hidden by glittering plumes of gas. There came a peculiar chink that both Dawnstar and Nightwind had heard before from Polar Boy, and Comet Queen dropped out of the sky frozen solid within an enormous misshapen chunk of ice.

Comet Queen!” Crystal Kid’s voice strained.

“Comet Queen can exist comfortably in deep space,” Dawnstar intercepted him before he could rush the stranger. “Cold and a lack of oxygen are not going to harm her, Crystal Kid.”

“I hate to admit it,” Nightwind scowled, “But I think Dawnstar’s right. I’m more worried about Laurel to be honest, I’ve never seen someone smack her around like that.”

“I will find her,” Dawnstar announced. “Nightwind, contain her as much as you are able.” She spread her wings and departed before either Berta or Bobb could dissent.

“Sure thing,” Nightwind grumbled. “I’ll go throw a strong breeze at the woman who’s been dropping Legionnaires and buildings both like it was her hobby.”

“I’ll come with you,” Crystal Kid offered.

“No,” Berta touched his arm. “You stay hidden...but close by.”

Crystal Kid was horrified. “You saw what she did to Grava and Laurel! You can’t go up against her alone, Berta!”

“Bobb, don’t take this the wrong way but if that woman decides to hurt me I doubt very much you’ll be able to stop her. You might be able to take her by surprise though...if I fall as well, Crystal Kid might be Metropolis’s last hope.” Without waiting for his response, Nightwind flew out toward the rampaging woman.

“Hey lady!” Nightwind called out from above, hoping her mastery of the winds would give her a greater advantage here than on the ground. “If you’re looking for Superman, you’re about a thousand years too late!”

The fiercely beautiful woman turned on her with the speed of a predator, her icy cold hand around Berta’s throat before the young hero even registered the motion. “Explain yourself,” the woman snarled. “And for your sake, you had best hope your explanation satisfies.”

“...Who...who are you?” Nightwind rasped, clutching helplessly at the woman’s iron grip.

“Who am I?” The woman’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “I am the goddess of ice and darkness, the ancient embodiment of rage and terror, she who will ensure that any trace of the House of El is forever erased from the firmament. I am Cythonna….and I have never asked for an explanation more than twice in all my millenia, girl. Do I make myself clear?”

Cythonna’s grip tightened and Nightwind found herself unable to speak. Helpless to fight the woman’s superior strength, Berta nodded furiously with tears streaming down her pale yellow cheeks. With a theatrical gesture, Cythonna released her and stars danced in Berta’s vision as blood rushed back into her head.

Nightwind fell a couple of feet before she found the self-control to correct her descent, and hovering below Cythonna she hacked and coughed while she discreetly drifted away from the woman in an attempt to escape what she’d just seen coming. “You want...the House of El..?” Nightwind croaked. “Careful what you...wish for, batwitch.” There was a blur of motion as Dawnstar yanked Nightwind to a safe distance, then like a bullet in primary colors Supergirl charged straight down into Cythonna. Laurel had flown high enough to reach maximum velocity before starting her power dive, and the impact when she hit her target was deafeningly loud. To the assembled Legionnaires’ horror Laurel simply glanced off like a rock on a pond and found herself buried in the wreckage of the museum while Cythonna barely moved a foot.

“Oh, sprock this…” Nightwind gathered all of her power, and being sure to avoid the area where Laurel had landed she lifted countless tons of debris which had been a tourist attraction only minutes ago into a swirling tornado nearly a hundred feet high. The plasteel and animatronic exhibits and merchandise and glass and wiring and everything else which had been part of the building spun and swirled at lethal speeds above them all, then Nightwind gestured as though she were directing an enchantment and all of that mess flew with needlepoint precision straight at Cythonna. In less than two seconds the icy-skinned woman was buried in a mountain of rubble and an exhausted Nightwind collapsed by the side of Laurel, who for the second time today had found that she had to extricate herself from a collapsed building.

Crystal Kid came running and helped the two girls stand. “Grife, remind me not to piss you two off,” he laughed nervously. “Holy...Laurel, you’re bleeding!!”

Laurel Kent shook her aching hands in the cool night air. Where she’d hit Cythonna, her knuckles were grazed. “It’s okay,” she lied to distract herself from the pain. “It’s just a couple scratches, Bobb.” The truth was that they were just scratches; Laurel had seen any ordinary person she could name endure far worse, and on a couple of occasions she’d felt worse herself. She wasn’t used to feeling pain at all though, and it was taking everything she had not to cry.

“That’s not gonna hold her long,” Nightwind cautioned, and right on cue the mountain of debris exploded outwards.

Thanks to Bobb, a crystalline wall protected them from the rubble but that too was easily shattered by the mighty Cythonna. “I have been more than patient with you insects,” Cythonna sneered. “It is time for this to end.”

“Yeah,” Crystal Kid stepped up. “I think you’re right, lady.” He used his power on Cythonna herself, and her skin began to gleam where the light bounced off of it. Still, she didn’t transform. “She...she’s resisting me!” Bobb was wide-eyed. “That’s never happened before! I don’t know how that can happen!”

“I am a goddess,” she announced imperiously. “And soon you will be naught but forgotten distractions left in my wake.” She dug her fingers into the first chunk of metal that came to hand and found what had once been the head of an eighty foot tall statue of Superman. With an overarm swing, she brought it down on Berta, Laurel and Bobb.

From above the chaos, Dawnstar watched helplessly. She might be able to pull one of them away before the projectile struck but she couldn’t risk safely collecting both Nightwind and Crystal Kid in time. The enormous disembodied head’s shadow fell over the trio of heroes, then surrounded by an emerald aura it abruptly froze in mid-air.

“Hi gang!” All of them looked up past Dawnstar to see Neon holding the head in an emerald field. Blok, Mon-El, Element Lad, Firecrest, Ultra Boy and Kid Computo flanked her, and behind them floated the partially transparent Invisible Kid and a 16 foot tall Colossal Boy. “We were on Medicus One picking up Colossal Boy and his wife when we heard some bad fem was tearing apart downtown Metropolis,” Zoe continued. “I’m gonna go out on a limb and say this is our bad fem?”

“I am Cythonna!” the villain raged. “And I will brook no further insolence!”

“Okay yeah, that definitely sounds like villain talk.” Using her power, Zoe spun the Superman head around to face Cythonna and it shot twin green eyebeams straight at the ice goddess. The surprise assault rocked Cythonna backwards a few feet, but she recovered quickly and charged straight through Zoe’s power and the enormous head that it had been enclosing. Zoe reinforced the nimbus of energy which surrounded herself, perhaps the only thing which kept her head on her shoulders when Cythonna slammed her up and back through a nearby apartment complex.

“Dawnstar, go make sure she’s okay!” Ultra Boy bellowed, catching the head before it could land on anybody. “Mon, help me get rid of this thing! Blok--”

“I take it you are the leader of this motley crew,” Cythonna addressed Jo, suddenly floating right in front of him. “Let us see how well your team function without you.” She drew one arm back in a punch, and Ultra Boy winced. Either invulnerability or superspeed would save him now, but he’d no longer be able to hold the Superman head aloft if he switched his power slots. He’d have to rely on one of his friends to save him this time.

With perfect timing, Colossal Boy’s gigantic hand closed around Cythonna’s torso. “I think you’ve done enough punching for one day, why don’t we talk this out?” Gim asked her, raising her up to meet his eye.

“Unhand me!” Cythonna raged. She grabbed his oversized thumb with both hands and bent it backwards with a crack that resounded across the plaza. Gim roared with pain then surrendered himself to merciful unconsciousness as Cythonna freed herself from his grasp and ricocheted off of his forehead like a human bullet.

Blok and Mon-El rushed to catch the aptly named Colossal Boy before his falling form could cause even more damage, and Ultra Boy felt his load inexplicably lighten. He gawked in confusion as the giant replica of Superman’s head dissolved into nothingness. “Let us take care of the peripherals!” Element Lad cried out, his power converting the statue’s head into free-floating oxygen. “Go stop that woman before she kills someone, Ultra Boy!”

Jo didn’t waste breath in response, but instead switched his ultra-energy to invulnerability and confronted Cythonna again. “What is it you want, lady? You might as well tell us; you’re tough but there’s no way you’re gonna beat all of us!”

“I want to eradicate every last child borne to the House of El,” Cythonna sneered. “And I will reduce all of you to a bloody smear in pursuit of that goal if I must!” She charged Jo faster than he could react, held him aloft in both arms and slammed him into the ground where Nightwind, Crystal Kid and Supergirl were still gathered. Debris exploded everywhere as the force of the throw sent Jo deep underground.

“I’m diverting power from the area,” Kid Computo announced to her teammates. “The last thing we need is the powergrid exploding on top of everything else! You guys are going to need to do something about her though!”

“You’re absolutely right, Danielle.” Mon-El descended from above, having finally found a safe place to rest the oversized Colossal Boy. He intercepted Cythonna as she advanced on Laurel, Berta and Bobb and held a hand up in warning, his eyes glowing red. “I’m not going to allow you to hurt anybody else, Cythonna. Surrender now and we won’t need to hurt you.”

“You remind me of him,” she replied coolly. “Superman. You are not of his bloodline though, I would know. Thank whatever weak gods you worship for that, it means I will dispatch you swiftly.” She raised a hand and Mon-El was instantly encased in ice. She knocked him over with the same hand and the frozen hero toppled. Cythonna had only taken another step though when the ice cracked and crumbled, and Mon-El tackled the self-proclaimed goddess and flew straight up into the night sky with her.

The two disappeared from view in less than a second, though Danielle could still follow their path by virtue of the Science Police surveillance equipment all around them. “Get back!” she suddenly bellowed. “They’re coming back down fast!” She flew up and away as she shouted the warning, Firecrest’s leathery wings flapping right behind her. Blok shielded Element Lad with his own form, and Crystal Kid hastily erected a shield to protect himself and anybody else by his side. The crystalline wall shattered purely from the shockwave of Cythonna slamming Mon-El into the ground, and he and Nightwind were lucky not to be shredded or buried beneath the wave of wreckage that came their way as they tumbled painfully backwards. The plaza outside the Superman Museum had finally sustained too much damage to remain standing, and with a sickly wrenching scream the whole street collapsed into the sub-basement levels beneath their feet.

Cythonna reappeared a moment later none the worse for wear, a badly battered Ultra Boy hanging from her left hand and Mon-El hanging limply at the end of a tattered cape from her right. Both men were unconscious, but still breathing. “You can have these two back,” she sneered at the astonished Legionnaires, “I’m done with them.” She hurled the men away without a second thought, collecting Firecrest purely by accident with Mon-El’s hurtling body while Blok rushed to catch Ultra Boy before he hit something more unyielding.

Kid Computo followed Staq’s flight path to find he’d crashed through the wall of an empty apartment and destroyed some unlucky sentient’s home aquarium. “Holy nass, how strong is that woman that she took out a Daxamite that quickly??” Danielle wondered aloud while Mon-El and Firecrest stirred in the broken glass with tiny fish flip-flopping all about them. “Are you guys badly hurt?” She finally noticed the fish and ran into the adjoining kitchen to find a receptacle for them.

“She’s...monstrously powerful,” Mon-El groaned, rubbing his jaw. “Kara with the Red Lantern ring wasn’t as strong as this woman, whoever she is. You all need to clear the area...get Night Girl and Shady here if you can, maybe even Dragonmage and Tellus...it may be possible that brute strength won’t be enough.”

“You think sshe’ss tough enough to take on you, Blok and Lydda at full sstrength..?” Firecrest hissed incredulously. “We’re ssprocked!”

“We’ve gotta try though, right?” Kid Computo asked, making a face as she gingerly scooped up fish and dropped them into a pot full of water. “We--” She stopped mid-sentence, her head cocked as she noticed sparks flying from Firecrest’s Legion insignia at his waist. As thick-skinned as he was in his dragon form he hadn’t even noticed, but Danielle realised it must have been damaged when Mon-El and he had plummeted into this apartment. More importantly, she realised exactly what type of circuitry had been damaged.

“Danielle?” Mon-El asked, seeing her puzzled expression.

“Ssomething new we need to worry about?” Firecrest groused.

“Uhh, no.” She shook the cobwebs from her head and resumed saving whatever fish she could. “Nothing that can’t wait.” After all this is over though, she promised herself, Someone’s gonna have a very interesting discussion with a certain 12th level intellect…

“What have you done with her?!” Cythonna’s outraged scream suddenly filled the air, and the three Legionnaires peered outside the hole in the apartment wall to see her far below in what remained of the street with Nightwind and Crystal Kid at her feet.

Where is Supergirl?!

**********
“Full disclosure,” Laurel Kent remarked sardonically as she and Jacques Foccart shimmered into view two blocks away, “I’m not a huge fan of running away, Invisible Kid.”

“You are welcome, mademoiselle.” Jacques replied with equal sarcasm, leaning against as a wall as he wiped sweat from his brow. “I might inform you that rendering another person invisible is tres difficult...also, in the event that you did not notice, that monstre dispatched Mon-El and Ultra Boy with frightening ease. She seems quite intent on killing you...I know that you are invincible under normal circumstances, but these are far from normal circumstances, non?”

“Well...yeah, you’ve got me there.” Laurel opened and closed her hands, wincing at her grazed knuckles. “Why has she got such a mad on for me anyway? Do you really think she’s one of Superman’s old enemies from a thousand years ago?”

“I do not know,” Jacques responded, his voice seeming very far away as he gazed at some wreckage embedded in an advertising billboard above their heads. The Legion had tried to keep their fight with Cythonna as contained as possible, but they couldn’t prevent collateral damage entirely. “I think I know how we may find out however…”

“What? How?” Laurel followed Invisible Kid’s stare, then broke out in a grin as she saw what it was that had caught his attention. Flickering on and off intermittently, a free-standing console from the Superman Museum had found its way here still partially intact. Small holographic representations of instantly recognisable figures from ancient history like Lex Luthor and the original Brainiac appeared and disappeared again, and an Interlac banner above the villains bore the title The Many Foes of Superman.

“...Gotcha!” Laurel crowed.

Back in the wreckage of the Superman Museum, Blok and Cythonna were trading blows which made nearby buildings shake. Element Lad watched awestruck from behind an inertron wall alongside a recovering Nightwind and Crystal Kid. Jan had tried encasing Cythonna herself in inertron already, and she’d shattered the supposedly indestructible substance as though it were tissue paper; he decided he was probably better put to use keeping the others around him as safe as he could. Jan could barely believe what he was seeing; Blok had been one of the toughest Legionnaires before he’d been imbued with a portion of the power of Shazam, but since then Jan hadn’t seen anything come anywhere near being a physical threat to him. This woman though was staggering him with every blow, and he seemed little more than a nuisance to her. Jan knew the Science Police hadn’t actively stepped in yet because they were giving the Legion a chance to end this, but he was beginning to worry that they might not be able to end this without resorting to lethal means. Even Satan Girl, even Darkseid paled in comparison to this woman’s power.

Mon-El and Firecrest suddenly descended from the night sky and bathed Cythonna in flames thanks to heat vision and fire breath respectively. She screamed as she was immolated, but it seemed to Jan to be a scream of outrage more than pain. Still, when Blok’s fist met her jaw this time he did knock her off of her feet for the first time; maybe they were on to something. Jan was so accustomed to Polar Boy’s Tharrian adaptation to intense heat that it had never even occurred to him that another cryokinetic might actually be more susceptible to heat-based attacks. His flight ring breeped at him while the ambient temperature suddenly took a nosedive. In as little time as it took for Element Lad to notice the drop in temperature, he was shivering and a light slurry of snow carried on rising winds.

“Element Lad? It’s Supergirl, I’m with Invisible Kid!” Laurel Kent’s voice barely carried over the wailing winds and Element Lad had to extend the wall he’d created to act as a windbreaker.

“Laurel, this isn’t the best time!” Jan yelled back. “If you two are safe, call for reinforcements! Maybe Sun Boy--”

“No, just listen!” Laurel cut him off. “We found a database of Superman’s old foes...you know how Cythonna keeps saying she’s an ice goddess?”

Snow was now falling heavily all around him, and the cold was almost intense enough for Jan to consider activating his transuit. “I’m beginning to have very little trouble believing that,” he replied, trading worried glances with Nightwind and Crystal Kid beside him.

“That’s just the thing!” Laurel shouted. “She’s a Kryptonian ice goddess! Superman trapped her in the sun when he fought her, something must have let her out after all this time!”

“I suppose that would make sense why she wants to wipe out the House of El,” Jan pondered, “But it doesn’t help us defeat her any more easily, I doubt she’s going to let us drag her all the way to the sun.”

Invisible Kid’s voice now came across the comm channel. “Element Lad, mon ami...you are missing the point! If Cythonna is a Kryptonian goddess then surely she must have Kryptonian vulnerabilities!”

Realisation finally dawned on Element Lad and he stared at his own hands. “Thanks, you two! Brilliant work!” He turned to Nightwind. “Berta, I know you’re injured but I’m not sure I’ll be able to get close to that fracas with this weather as extreme as it is. Do you think you can calm these winds down?”

Nightwind gave a resolute frown. “If it’ll help defeat that psycho, try and stop me.” She focused through her throbbing headache and the freezing cold to back up her words; thankfully, Cythonna was distracted enough fighting Blok, Mon-El and Firecrest that she wasn’t consciously opposing Berta’s efforts and a moment later Element Lad was flying through the preternaturally still air toward the titanic battle.

“Element Lad, I must warn caution!” Blok called out even as Cythonna’s fist slammed into him with a worrying crack. “I do not know if even I can sustain much more of this violence, she will surely slay you if you stray too close!”

“Hopefully I might be able to do something about that,” Jan called back. “Just give the kryptonite a second to kick in!” Blok instantly realised Jan’s plan, and waved for Mon-El and Firecrest to delay their next assault. Element Lad circled the combatants, transforming every inch of debris and fallen snow around him. Within scant seconds, Blok and Cythonna found themselves surrounded by eerily radiant green kryptonite.

“What...what is this?” Cythonna exclaimed, swaying on her feet. “What sorcery..?”

She took to the air, weaving as though she were drunk in an effort to escape the inexplicable weakness infecting her marrow. “It’s not sorcery,” Mon-El cut off her escape route. “I don’t know how Element Lad knew to try it but it’s pure science, Cythonna.”

She screamed in defiance and charged into Mon-El with both fists. Surprising everyone present, the force of her blow sent him flying up into the night sky. “The kryptonite issn’t working!” Firecrest hissed as Mon-El hurtled out of view.

“No,” Blok disagreed. “The kryptonite works as it is supposed to but Cythonna was so mighty to begin with that even weakened, she is still a more than credible threat.” With speed that still surprised his teammates, Blok took off after Cythonna and grabbed her by the ankle. He flung her into the kryptonite she’d been trying to escape, then before she could mount a counter-attack he charged straight into her.

The two fought so brutally that Element Lad and Firecrest couldn’t risk getting close enough to help their friend. Cythonna and Blok were certainly more evenly matched now than they had been, but she still held the upper hand. “Iss it jusst me?” Firecrest asked, “Or iss Blok sslowing down? I thought he didn’t get tired after hiss powerss were boossted?”

“She’s using her control over the cold to freeze him while she’s hitting him,” Element Lad noted, his breath coming out as a small cloud in the freezing night. “Look at the ice forming around his joints. This isn’t good...I didn’t think Blok had a physical equal anymore, but even with radiation poisoning she’s stronger than him; stronger than all of us.”

At that exact moment, Cythonna dealt Blok a double-handed blow that saw him collapse down to one knee. She brought her fists down again, and the stone giant caught them in his own gold-flecked hands. “Do what you will,” Blok glared up at her. “I will never stop fighting, Cythonna...and if you kill me, every member of the Legion of Superheroes will fight you in my stead. You will fall eventually, I can promise you this.”

“Then I suppose I will have to kill you,” she retorted through a pained grimace, “Along with every member of your Legion of Superheroes, creature.” Surprising Blok, she brought one knee up to smash him savagely in the face. Tiny grey shards flew off from his cheek and Blok lost his balance and fell to the ground. Using the advantage she’d gained, Cythonna froze him in a solid half-dome of ice and turned to face the others. “I know that none of you are wise enough to hand over your Supergirl,” she sneered at them, “So my only question now is whom among you wishes to die next at my hand?”

Element Lad moved closer to her, the kryptonite’s glow giving his face a greenish tinge. “I’ve sworn never to use my power to kill, but if I have to I can turn you into free-floating atoms.”

“Fret not,” she grinned, “I won’t give you the chance.” She pointed an outstretched finger at him, then suddenly screamed and doubled over. Suddenly, anticlimactically, she was unmoving crystal gleaming in the kryptonite’s light.

“I thought...I hoped the kryptonite might have made her weak enough for that to work this time,” Crystal Kid’s exhausted voice got Jan’s attention. Bobb staggered forward, he and Nightwind supporting one another. “Sorry to steal your thunder, Element Lad.”

Element Lad immediately moved to help Bobb and Berta. “Don’t apologise, Crystal Kid. I really wasn’t looking forward to having to make that choice.” A cracking sound made all of them turn with fear toward the crystalline goddess, but they breathed a collective sigh of relief when they realised it was just Blok breaking through his frozen prison.

“Cythonna..?” Blok queried uncertainly.

“I saw the whole thing on my way back,” Mon-El rejoined the others and helped Blok to his feet. “It looks like Crystal Kid really saved the day!”

“Happy...happy to help,” Bobb Kohan smiled wearily before the cold, the exertion and his injuries finally caught up with him and he collapsed in the snow.

**********
TALOK III
A restricted access government warehouse

Four robed men made their way through darkened aisles, specially constructed radar goggles granting them vision in the enormous lightless room while their invisibility cloaks deflected all attempts at detection. <I can’t believe we lost Jutar and Shim> one of the blue-skinned men shared via the telepathic headsets they all wore.

<We all knew the risks when we embarked upon this mission, Mort> another of the four replied over the artificial psi-link. <Their sacrifices will be remembered. Without them we would not have slain those guards and we would not have made it this far in our holy mission.>

<Then we are here?> the man named Mort questioned. <We have finally succeeded?>

<See for yourself, brother.> The leader of the quartet removed a flashlight from his belt and illuminated their target. Here in one of Talok III’s secret depositories of arcane weapons and unexplained technology, thousands of tools, tomes and talismans held power and knowledge unknown to the world’s general population. None of that mattered to these men though. To the Cult of Malias, there was only one prize worth possessing. On a raised platform, a woman frozen eternally in crystalline form stood over them in the beam of their flashlight.

<Take her with caution> the group’s leader ordered.

<By nightfall tomorrow, the Invisible Queen will live again!>

TO BE CONTINUED..!


EDITOR'S NOTES:
* If anyone missed what Kid Computo found out about Firecrest's costume, don't stress - all will be revealed next instalment!
* Cythonna is a real DC character and she is as over the top as she seems here. More info on her at www.superman.wikia.com/wiki/Cythonna
* Malias the Invisible Queen has appeared a couple of times before in my fic. She originally faced Shadow Lass and Mon-El as part of a group of supervillains named the Forgotten Four, you can read that adventure at http://www.legionworld.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=124277#Post124277
* The Invisible Queen's next encounter with the Legion and the Subs shed a little more light on her true nature, and this encounter ended with Crystal Kid transmuting her into crystal. This can be found at http://www.legionworld.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=803467#Post803467 and http://www.legionworld.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=804336#Post804336
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Queens of Cold and Crystal - 07/30/18 08:50 AM
Another cool installment, raz!

no pun intended. smile

Brainy is really stirring up trouble. That should be a fun confrontation, first about his “booby traps”, and second about inadvertently freeing Cythonna.

Poor Dawny, but she is trying. Trying very hard

nice to see Crystal Kid get a chance to save the day! was the conversation at Subs HQ foreshadowing, or...? in any case, he gained my respect this outing

many fun moments and creative power uses, as usual

Danielle diverting power one moment, and saving flopping aquarium fish the next made me laugh

you depicted everyone’s power levels nicely. Mon is tougher than Jo (Mon recovered first), but Blok is tougher than Mon, and Laurel I think equals Mon, or something like that. in any case, you presented Cythonna’s threat level very well. while still giving every Legionnaire something to do

smart move by Jacques, and I like that you’re using the “make one other person invisible” trick from the Reboot

For a while there, I was worried that Berta and Bobb were always left with Cythonna while everyone else was getting knocked away from the fight smile

Invisible Queen I remember as being one of your more frequent villains, and I did enjoy her last appearance (though I don’t remember all the details at the moment!)
Posted By: razsolo Re: Queens of Cold and Crystal - 08/01/18 06:05 AM
Brainy has definitely got some chickens coming home to roost, hasn't he? laugh

I will confirm or deny no speculation on Crystal Kid's future or lack thereof with the Legion, but he has certainly proven his worth the past couple times he's been around... wink

I didn't realise Jacques could make other people invisible in the reboot, cool! I just thought surely by now he's gotta have learned to do SOMETHING with his power other than teleport Khunds to their death lol smile

IB, I think either you or Harbi were saying you wanted to see Blok really face a challenge now that he's been powered up? I thought Cythonna might be a convenient way to do it while kind of unofficially ranking some of the other guys as well....glad you picked up on it! I am not really a fan of tying characters' powers down too precisely because strength and durability in real life aren't generally static traits, but I do like the idea of everyone having a rough idea where characters are placed against one another when they have similar powers smile
Posted By: razsolo The Heroes of Lallor - 08/27/18 07:33 AM
MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters, Chlorophyll Kid’s residential quarters


ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: hyper-stimulated plant growth
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: reserve Legionnaire, telepathy

Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen watched silently as Saturn Girl kneeled on the floor before them; doing anything silently didn’t come at all easily to Comet Queen, but Saturn Girl had made very clear to both of them that interrupting her concentration would not be well received.

Saturn Girl’s eyes were lightly closed, only the mildest furrow in her brow. She was bent over and her fingers were splayed out, gently enclosing the head of the infant Ivy Arcane who lay in a peaceful induced sleep on a soft rug on the ground.

A few minutes more, and Imra’s eyes fluttered open. Ivy’s own eyes opened in turn, and the baby gave a happy little gurgling sound as she reached for the Titanian woman’s fingers. Imra picked up the baby girl and held her close to her breast as she stood up, then handed Ivy to the waiting Comet Queen. “You’re a natural with her,” Imra complimented the golden skinned teenager while Comet Queen cooed at Ivy. “Do you have younger brothers or sisters back home, Grava?”

“Everyone’s somebody’s little satellite on Quaal III,” Grava answered Saturn Girl’s question without shifting her attention from the baby in her arms. “We’re all just stardust totally gleaming for each other, isn’t that right little nebula sprout? We gotta look out for every little dwarf planet and space dragon egg, don’t we?” She tickled Ivy’s nose and the dark-skinned baby giggled appreciatively.

“So what do you think?” Chlorophyll Kid asked Saturn Girl, “Can you teach Ivy to rein in her powers? I really don’t want to have to use that dimensional exile device that Brainiac 5 invented.”

“She’s far too young to even understand the concept of control just yet,” Saturn Girl replied, “And I’d strongly advise against instituting any psionic blocks at this formative state of her development...it’s quite strange though, Ivy seems to be carrying an undue amount of stress for an infant her age; if I didn’t know any better I’d almost think that she’s reacting against a domineering authority figure. From what you told me about the way you found her on your homeworld, it could just be residual psychic hurt from the plants that were trying to claim her. I’ve helped soothe some of her emotional trauma, I’d recommend we touch base maybe every week or two for the time being so that I can monitor her wellbeing.”

“Saturn Girl, I don’t know how to thank you.” Chlorophyll Kid’s smile brightened up his whole face. “I want you to know I’m so grateful to you for helping us with this!”

“Don’t be silly,” Imra returned his smile with one of her own, though hers was more reserved. “She’s a lovely little girl, I’m happy to do what I can.” Imra let Ivy squeeze her finger then tenderly pulled away from the baby. “Right now though, I’ve got two little boys to check up on who are equally adorable and just as much a handful in their own way, so I’ll leave you two to it.”

“Bye, Saturn Girl!” Comet Queen held Ivy’s tiny arm up to give the closest thing to a wave that Ivy could muster. “Say g’bye to the shiny lady, Ivy!”

Saturn Girl humored Grava by waving at the baby girl, then left Chlorophyll Kid’s quarters. As she walked away, she ruminated on the odd little family the three of them were forming. It didn’t really surprise Imra greatly that Comet Queen had so quickly taken to the role of Ivy’s surrogate mother; what Grava lacked in discipline, she more than made up for in her enthusiasm and devotion to those she cared for. Chlorophyll Kid on the other hand had always been as capable as any other Legionnaire, but with the new sense of purpose that Ivy had given him he’d overcome the self-esteem issues and insecurity which had held him back in the past. As for Ivy Arcane herself, Imra still found the child’s power to be incredibly daunting but she couldn’t think of a better place for that power to be monitored and managed while still allowing her as normal a childhood as possible.

Any further thoughts about her were temporarily forgotten when Ultra Boy, Phantom Girl and Kid Computo turned the corridor a couple of metres ahead. “Saturn Girl, do you have a moment?” Phantom Girl asked. “I hope you don’t mind, but Kid Computo traced your flight ring here and there’s something that we’d really like to discuss with you.”

The raven-haired heroine’s tone was relaxed, but Imra had known Tinya Wazzo almost as long as she’d known her own husband; she could immediately tell by the set of Tinya’s facial features and her body language that this was Legion business. “Hello you three, what’s the situation?” Imra asked.

“I’m sorry to do this, I know you’re not an active member of the team anymore,” Jo approached Imra apologetically. “But I--” He turned to Kid Computo at his side. “--Kid C, are we good?”

Danielle nodded easily. “My brother couldn’t do a better job of keeping us invisible from any monitoring equipment in the area. As far as anybody checking audio or visual records knows, this corridor’s empty aside from Saturn Girl.”

“I’m intrigued now,” Saturn Girl replied. “Come, walk with me back to my quarters and tell me more.”

Ultra Boy looked to Phantom Girl for support, and when she gave him an almost imperceptible nod he released a weary sigh.

“It’s about Brainy…”

**********
LALLOR
Heroes of Lallor Homebase, guest lounge


ROLL CALL
Calorie Queen aka Taryn Loy: Legion ally, super-strength fuelled by Bismollian digestion
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking

The Heroes of Lallor’s home and headquarters included a guest lounge which was noticeably more luxurious than the rest of the building. It was more often than not this room where Lallor’s mutant heroes met visiting politicians, dignitaries and the celebrity journalists who reported on their exploits for a voracious public. Plush sofas were dotted around the vast open room with various exotic plants providing a subtly fragrant perfume. One whole wall had been designed to mimic a huge curved picture window, visually spectacular alien landscapes scrolling across it on a timed loop in place of the bland utilitarian buildings outside which constituted the architectural standard on Lallor. Floating autochefs of Evolvo Lad’s design made themselves available upon request to dispense an impressive menu of food and beverages, and the ambient music playing softly in the background was generated by a program which made ongoing alterations in response to low-level brainwave scans of the room’s current inhabitants. Despite all of these comfort-enhancing features, the Imskian Legionnaire known as Shrinking Violet was anything but comfortable.

Arms folded tightly, Vi’s posture was rigid as she looked out over the lush rainforest that currently dominated the guest room’s virtual window. “I don’t know why I need to be here for Duplicate Boy’s memorial ceremony at all to be honest,” she groused. “Our relationship died long before he did.”

Sitting on a sofa just outside of Vi’s field of vision, Gas Girl took a moment to compose herself before she replied. She completely understood the reason for Shrinking Violet’s animosity toward Duplicate Boy; when Vi had been abducted by Imskian terrorists and replaced in the Legion of Superheroes by the woman who would become Colossal Boy’s wife, Duplicate Boy had been one of the first people to detect that there was anything amiss. Rather than bring Vi’s imposter to anyone else’s attention, he’d thrown a tantrum and kept what he knew to himself. Still, Duplicate Boy and Shrinking Violet’s relationship had only ever been a long distance one. Vi had never known him like Gas Girl had. Gas Girl had grown up with Ord, had shared a bond with him that only Evolvo Lad and Life Lass could ever equal. He may not have been the most perceptive hero in the galaxy but he was still a hero. The only reason Ord hadn’t exposed Chameleon Girl as Vi’s replacement was that it genuinely hadn’t occurred to him that Vi had been replaced against her will. Gas Girl could understand Vi’s bitterness, but she’d seen Ord’s regret first-hand when the truth had come out. He wasn’t the self-centred egotist that Vi had been making him out to be since they’d started on this trip, and Gas Girl was getting tired of indulging that attitude. “He specifically asked for you to attend the reading of his will,” the Lalloran Legionnaire answered with a hint of vexation. “Once that’s done you can leave whenever you want, Violet.”

The third member of their party was Vi’s girlfriend Taryn Loy, the occasional heroine known as Calorie Queen. Neither a Legionnaire nor a Hero of Lallor, Taryn had come only for emotional support at Vi’s request but the growing tension between Vi and Gas Girl wasn’t lost on her. “I hope you don’t mind me asking,” Taryn spoke up in an effort to clear the air, “Is it normal on Lallor for the will to be read and a memorial service to be carried out this long after someone passes away?”

“It’s a remnant of our past,” a male voice answered. The three women turned to see a brown-haired man in a blue bodysuit enter the room, a yellow stripe down his torso which turned into a short tunic below his belt. A few steps behind the man followed a dark-haired woman in a red bodysuit accented by various black & white striped accessories; they were Evolvo Lad and Life Lass, the only two currently active members of the Heroes of Lallor. “Shrinking Violet, Calorie Queen, welcome to Lallor. I wish our meeting could be under better circumstances...and welcome home, Tal. It’s good to see you in person again after so long!” He gave Gas Girl a warm hug, one in which Life Lass joined when Gas Girl waved her over.

After a few moments, Evolvo Lad separated himself from the girls and addressed Calorie Queen directly. “I’m sure you know that Lallor was the victim of terrible nuclear devastation in the past. We’ve recovered as a society, but we still bear some marks from that awful time. When our world was rebuilding itself, it was common for people to be presumed dead for weeks or even months before turning up somewhere else having done whatever they had to do to survive. Some people found that their return home was more of a problem than a cause for celebration; in a lot of cases their assets had already been divided amongst their families, partners had moved on. It became commonplace for the reading of someone’s will to be delayed for a year after reports of someone’s death, just in case a mistake had been made and the person turned up again alive and well. Obviously that’s not really a problem anymore, but it’s just become something that we got used to here.”

“That makes sense,” Taryn nodded thoughtfully. She’d noticed the landscape across this continent was bleak earlier on, but it hadn’t occurred to her at the time to wonder why that was. Now she couldn’t help but be impressed by the resilience of the Lalloran people if they could bounce back from something that had wreaked such terrible damage upon their world.

“Shall we?” Evolvo Lad gestured for the others to follow him. “I’m sure everybody’s eager to get the legal formalities out of the way.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Vi grumbled under her breath, walking after Evolvo Lad while Calorie Queen squeezed her shoulder affectionately.

“I’m so happy to see you again,” Life Lass spoke softly to Gas Girl, the two of them hanging back from the others. “I hope it’s not too painful being back here.”

“You know, I was scared that it would be painful but it’s really not.” Gas Girl smiled warmly at her lifelong friend. “I’ve been avoiding Lallor and I know I’ve made a difference being in the Legion of Superheroes, but you know...now that I’m back here, it’s easier to remember all the good times we had and to not be surrounded by the pain of Ord’s death everywhere like I was afraid was going to happen. The Legion are great and some of them have become good friends but you guys are my family, Somi. Maybe it’s time for me to--”

“Heroes of Lallor!” A booming voice filled the corridor. “It’s time for you to face your destiny!”

The assembled heroes turned toward the voice, and saw five unknown men and women before them. There was a man who appeared to be composed of porcelain; he was naked except for a pair of red trunks, and his body was covered from head to toe in fine interlocking cracks. Two young women stood by his side, each in variations of the same red and white costume. One of them had an Asiatic appearance, her black hair cropped in a neat bob. The other looked more Caucasian, her own longer dark hair tied back in twin ponytails and a red skirt in place of the pants her teammate wore. A younger boy stood at the rear of the group, his pale skin dotted with freckles and his hair a rusty ginger colour. An emblem of a key took up most of the space on the chest of his own bodysuit. None of them were the man who’d spoken however; he stood proudly front and centre, his brown hair parted neatly to the right while he wore a green bodysuit with diamond-shaped highlights which immediately reminded Shrinking Violet and the Heroes of Lallor of the deceased Duplicate Boy.

“How did you people get in here?” Evolvo Lad demanded. “I designed our security measures myself!”

“There isn’t a security measure in existence that Key Kid here can’t bypass,” the ersatz Duplicate Boy replied, looking over at the nervous young redhead on his team. “It’s about time the people of Lallor learned the truth, Evolvo Lad!”

“What truth?” Evolvo Lad asked while his allies tensed for battle. “Who are you people? And why are you wearing that uniform, especially today of all days? It’s in tremendously bad taste!”

“We are the mutants of Lallor you people kept hidden for so long!” the green-garbed man shouted theatrically. “You celebrate the life of Duplicate Boy, a fool who almost brought ruin to the United Planets while you keep us underground for your own glory! It’s fitting that I take Duplicate Boy’s name and costume, because today the people of this world will learn that we deserve to be the Heroes of Lallor just as much as you!” He ran toward Evolvo Lad, growing in size and mass with each step and sprouting hair all over his body. In no time at all, Duplicate Boy was unrecognisable and the neanderthal man in his place pounced at Evolvo Lad.

“Subdue them but try not to harm anybody until we know what’s going on here!” Evolvo Lad commanded the others, devolving himself at the same time so that his last word ended on a menacing growl. He launched himself at this new Duplicate Boy, but was as shocked as anybody else present when he continued to devolve. Evolvo Lad lost all the extra mass he’d just taken on and he was soon a four-limbed creature resembling an Earth axolotl scuttering frightened across the corridor to cower against a wall.

“You were right, Duplicate Boy!” the girl with the bob cried out. “He did copy your move! All I had to do was amplify his power, and Evolvo Lad devolved so far back he can’t return on his own!”

“Good work, Amp!” the other woman congratulated her teammate. “Let’s see how his friends stand up against Rain Girl!” She threw her arms wide, and out of nowhere driving rain filled the corridor before her. Calorie Queen had already rushed to take on Duplicate Boy in his caveman form and Life Lass was using her power on the cover of a nearby air vent to corral the now mindless Evolvo Lad, but Gas Girl’s cloudy form and an inch high Shrinking Violet both found themselves stymied by the impossible downpour.

“I was already having a lousy day,” Vi muttered, growing to full size so the rain was once more an inconvenience rather than death from above. “If you think some bad weather is going to stop me from kicking your nass, you’d better think again.” She marched through the rain, fists balled.

Before she could punch Rain Girl though, the porcelain skinned man stepped between them. “I don’t know why Legionnaires are here,” his voice grated, “But you’re not going to stop us from getting what we deserve, Shrinking Violet.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Vi snapped, “You’re gonna get exactly what you deserve.” She planted her fist in the man’s face, surprised even despite his fragile appearance to hear the delicate shatter of porcelain when her blow connected.

The man’s body flew apart into a hundred pieces, each of them absurdly a miniscule replica of his normal-sized self. “This is why they call me Brittle,” the little men spoke in unison. “You hit me, I fall apart. But you’ll find each part is as dangerous as the whole!” The miniature army rushed Vi, clambering up her legs before she could react.

Gas Girl was glad that nobody could see her blush when she was discorporeal. She was so accustomed to fighting in gas form that until she saw Violet grow to full size it never occurred to her to simply switch her power off and walk through the rain that had so effectively been hampering her till now. “Somi, make sure Evolvo Lad stays safe!” she called to Life Lass. “These jerks had better have a way to return him to normal or they’re gonna get a lot worse than a face full of knockout gas!” She marched through the rain, a look of determination on her face while her rarely seen blonde hair clung wetly to her skull.

“Rain Girl, do something!” Key Kid gulped. “My power to get through barriers isn’t going to help us here!”

“Of course it isn’t,” Rain Girl rolled her eyes. “Amp, you want to lend me a hand?”

“Happy to!” Amp used her own power to increase the effect of Rain Girl’s, and an instant later the drops of water slapping against Gas Girl’s body were coming fast and hard enough to hurt.

“You people are just - oww - making me mad!” Gas Girl pushed on through the onslaught of water. The rain was falling so furiously now that she was losing her footing and it was difficult to even see the other side. This is ridiculous, Gas Girl thought. They can’t be more than 12 feet away, but I might as well be on the other side of the city as bad as my visibility is here. She held her hand up to protect her eyes from the rain, and allowed herself a victorious smirk when she saw the golden band wrapped around one finger. Again, she relied on her natural power so much that she’d completely forgotten she was wearing her flight ring...she still couldn’t see her foes on the other side of this mini-monsoon though, she needed some way to make them an easier target. “Rain Girl!” she yelled, suddenly inspired. “Duplicate Boy said you’re all mutants, what are you playing at? We know there are no other mutants alive on Lallor aside from me, Life Lass and Evolvo Lad!”

“Oh sure, that’s what you want everyone to think!” Rain Girl shouted back. “It’s awfully convenient that the only five mutants ever born on this planet just happen to be Lallor’s most feted champions though, isn’t it?”

Gas Girl homed in on her enemy’s reedy voice and then with her flight ring charged shoulder-first straight at her. By the time Rain Girl realised she was coming, Tal had already slammed into the surprised young woman and driven them both into Key Kid behind her. Dazed by the attack, Rain Girl’s assault abruptly ended and the downpour of rain dried up as quickly as it had begun. Gas Girl’s shoulder was blooming with pain, but she knew that would fade as soon as she took on her gas form again. Her hair was already transforming into wisps of vapor as she turned on Amp. “Don’t worry,” Gas Girl smirked. “You’re gonna go down a lot less painfully than they did.”

The girl called Amp was surprisingly unflustered. “I’m not gonna go down at all once I amplify your power to the point you discorporate altogether. You’ll come back eventually, but -- ohhhh.” She wobbled on her feet and fell into the wall.

A fully grown Shrinking Violet suddenly appeared as if from thin air. “That Brittle guy just kept splitting into smaller copies every time I hit him,” Vi explained. “So I thought maybe I could do more good in this idiot’s inner ear.”

“Thanks Violet,” Gas Girl replied as she completed her transformation into pale green cloud form. “Now let’s wrap this up.”

“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” a new voice sounded in the corridor. Everyone still conscious turned to see two very well-dressed older men standing before them in hologram form.

“Who the sprock are you?” Vi challenged him before she noticed the neanderthal man pinning her girlfriend to the floor. “Taryn!” Vi leaped forward to help her when the man who’d just spoken held up a hand to stop her.

“Further violence is unnecessary,” the stranger spoke with quiet authority. “Duplicate Boy, why don’t you use Evolvo Lad’s power to ascend the evolutionary scale and restore the no doubt confused fellow to his normal state?”

The primitive man that Duplicate Boy had become only barely understood the command, but he did understand. He released Calorie Queen and activated his mimicked power once more. In seconds, a pale-skinned hairless male with a massively enlarged cranium floated cross-legged a few inches above the floor in the neanderthal’s place. He glanced across at the axolotl creature and his pale blue eyes glowed as he made mental contact with what remained of Evolvo Lad’s mind to trigger the hero’s own power. Life Lass moved her makeshift enclosure away as Evolvo Lad resumed his normal human form, then ran to support him as he climbed to his feet. “Who...who are you people?” Life Lass asked fearfully. “Why did you attack us?”

“Yes, please accept our apologies for that misunderstanding,” the holographic man answered calmly while his associate tapped away at an omnicom. “Unfortunately our agents were operating under incomplete information.”

Misunderstanding?” Calorie Queen threw the word back in his face. “If I didn’t have super-strength, your caveman here would have ripped my arms off! By the way, someone owes me a new omnicom!” She threw the remains of the electronic device she’d eaten to fuel her strength through the holographic men.

“I recognise you,” Evolvo Lad’s eyes narrowed. “You’re with Lallorgov, aren’t you..?”

“An astute observation, Mr Tcheru.” the holographic man responded using Evolvo Lad’s real name. “I have been leading an extremely troubling investigation after uncovering an underground cell of mutants who’d been raised in secret; very much unlike you and your associates in the Heroes of Lallor. Our investigation had initially revealed that the Heroes of Lallor themselves were complicit with the abuse of these talented young men and women, thus the assault upon your base today. We have since learned that this is not the case, and I hope that you accept our sincere apologies for the trouble.”

“That’s not good enough!” Shrinking Violet exclaimed angrily. “You can’t just attack people in their homes!”

“This is not your home though, is it Legionnaire?” The second man looked up from his omnicom and spoke for the first time, and there was something in his voice that Vi found maddeningly familiar. “It is not home to the Legion of Superheroes, and it is not home to Bismollian vigilantes. Today’s events involve only the Heroes of Lallor and our nanocams show that even despite the unexpected presence of Calorie Queen and you Legionnaires, these brave youths acquitted themselves sufficiently well.” Duplicate Boy had by now resumed his normal form as had Brittle, and the two of them stood alongside the rest of their team next to the government agents.

“You did well to take me out first as I’m team leader,” Evolvo Lad remarked carefully. Like Vi, he instinctively knew that something deeper was happening here, but he couldn’t read what that was yet. “But I have every confidence that Life Lass and Gas Girl would have found victory, even if we hadn’t been fortunate enough to have Shrinking Violet and Calorie Queen’s assistance today.” He turned now to the assembled team who’d invaded his home today. “I’m deeply sorry for any trauma you’ve suffered and I hope that now you realise the Heroes of Lallor had no part in that you’ll accept our help in bringing whomever was responsible to justice.”

“How do we know we can trust them?” Brittle asked, just as wary.

“You’ll learn to trust them once you’re all more used to being on the same team,” the first Lallorgov agent spoke again. While everyone else uttered surprised exclamations, Evolvo Lad realised that neither of the holographic men had yet given their names; he didn’t find that at all encouraging. One of the nameless men continued speaking. “Evolvo Lad, Life Lass, say hello to your new teammates in the Heroes of Lallor; Duplicate Boy, Amp, Brittle, Rain Girl and Key Kid.”

“But...but you can’t do that!” Life Lass protested. “Sev and I have known each other since we were children! The Heroes of Lallor are a family as much as we’re a superhero team!”

“The Heroes of Lallor are an enterprise fully funded and owned by Lallorgov,” the agent replied. “Suffice it to say, Ms Gan, Lallorgov can expand your team’s ranks as we see fit. And given the terrible treatment these poor young people have endured, it’s frankly the least we can do to help them.” Duplicate Boy’s team were clearly exuberant at this statement, but nobody else liked it at all.

“Fine then.” Gas Girl recondensed into her normal human form and stood proudly by Life Lass and Evolvo Lad. “Something else else about this isn’t right at all, and I’m not letting my friends go through it on their own.” She removed her flight ring and handed it to Vi. “Shrinking Violet, I’m sorry to have to leave this way but I hope the Legion understands - Life Lass is right, the Heroes of Lallor are a family and I need to stand by my family right now.”

“I understand, Gas Girl.” Vi took the golden band from her and placed it in a hidden pouch on her belt. “And don’t worry, the rest of the Legion will understand too.”

The two holographic agents had been whispering to one another while this exchange took place, and the man holding the omnicom spoke up once again now. “You seem to be operating under the wrong impression, Gas Girl. As I said earlier, this building is no home to the Legion of Superheroes; and you are a member of the Legion of Superheroes. We are going to have to ask you, Shrinking Violet and your associate Calorie Queen to vacate the premises immediately.”

“You can’t do that!” Gas Girl’s eyes grew wide with shock. “This is my home!”

“Not anymore,” the Lallorgov agent countered. “You chose to join the Legion of Superheroes at a time when your homeworld greatly needed your power and experience. Your loyalty has been shown to be an unreliable asset at best. Let me make this as clear as possible…

...Gas Girl, you are no longer welcome on the planet Lallor.”

**********
TALOK III
The Eye of the World

The Eye of the World was the colloquial name given to a large impact crater near Talok III’s North Pole. Where most of this world’s natural features had long since been sacrificed before the twin machines of progress and population, Talok III’s North and South Poles both held such strong magnetic charges that the effort involved with settling these barren areas was not worth the outcome. Where most of the planet was covered in skyscrapers of crystal and gleaming plasteel, the Eye of the World was a lifeless lip of rock where bitterly cold winds howled night and day. In millenia past, this site had held great significance for a number of mystics and religious adherents. Magical energies once thrived here, but magic had long since been almost entirely absent from the world called Talok III.

Still, almost entirely absent did not mean entirely absent.

In the centre of the Eye of the World under a moonless night, four robed men kneeled in supplication around the unmoving crystalline form of the woman called the Invisible Queen. This close to the North Pole, electromagnetic disruption made technological devices useless; the invisibility circuits in their cloaks and the radar goggles which had served the men so well in liberating their queen did nothing for them here. The Eye of the World held its own kind of invisibility however; no electronic scanning equipment could hope to find them here. The only way the Cult of Malias would be found was if somebody physically travelled here to search for them, and nobody was going to risk the freezing climate and the few natural predators Talok III still possessed to come here in search of four men who’d stolen a crystal statue.

“Are you ready, brothers?” the Cult’s leader rasped over the howling winds.

“Grair, I’m...I’m scared!” one of them men answered him.

“Fear is natural, brother Mort!” the men’s leader shouted back. “But our toil will be rewarded! Let us give tribute to our queen...for Malias!”

The four men removed their hoods and held gloved palms to their eyes. “For Malias!” they shouted in unison, trembling with terror as much as cold. Then their wordless screams echoed throughout the Eye of the World as they all thumbed a catch that released small but sharp spring-loaded blades hidden in their gloves and they tore their own eyes to shreds. Fighting the urge to lose themselves in literally blind panic, the men leaned forward and lay their heads in specially crafted receptacles which carried their spilled blood in trickling dark ribbons down to the feet of the Invisible Queen.

None of them saw what came next as their blood bathed their queen’s feet and travelled impossibly up her gleaming crystal form until her whole form was covered in a thin red sheath. None of them saw the fractures which formed across the crystal’s surface, and over the wind none of them heard the hum and the crack of crystal breaking or the tinkling explosion of a million little shards which left tiny bleeding cuts in all of them. Somehow though, even over the roar of the winds and the pained moans which had replaced their frantic screams, they all heard the husky but decidedly feminine voice which spoke next.

“You have done well, my subjects…

...the time has come for the Invisible Queen to reign.”

TO BE CONTINUED!!!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Heroes of Lallor - 08/27/18 01:22 PM
I love how you make Grava's dialogue so unique, yet the metaphors are still so easy to understand!

Eagerly awaiting the next installment re Brainy. Not surprised that Imra was brought in; she has a strong moral compass (though she also has her own brand of ethics), and she knows Brainy very well.

Uh oh, I did not see Gas Girl's exile coming! Good way to keep her on the Legion though, despite her personal feelings. This seems like trouble though, Evolvo Lad's thoughts showed that. And I'm sure there's a lot hidden underneath the surface here, I don't buy the "oh, we thought you Heroes of Lallor were BAD guys, now we know it's not true!" talk. I have a feeling the Lallorgov guys were really planning on using their new heroes to eliminate Sev and Somi, and just changed plans because they were winning. Then, there's the tantalizingly familiar voice Vi heard... Way to set up a mystery!

And the Invisible Queen, yikes! Looking forward to her character bio. I do remember her being crazy powerful, much more than any Invisible Kid!
Thanks IB, it is fun coming up with Grava-talk...y'all have been very patient with Brainy's shenanigans but it's safe to say that all should come to a conclusive point in the next couple of instalments laugh

I kinda felt bad for bringing Gas Girl into the team and then not really doing much with her as far as character development goes, so hopefully this Lallor business should help with that!

I've been going through all my character tags alphabetically and had decided just to do team write-ups instead of individual ones for the team players, so it was gonna take me a while to get to Invisible Queen...your comment made me realise it would probably help people to have as a refresher though considering she's about to be the focus of a big story, so here she is along with the rest of the Forgotten Four
"It's about Brainy..." reminded me of that movie title "We Have to Talk about Kevin"'. A foreboding statement!

Interesting developments on Lallor, with Gas Girl getting the boot just when she wants to return to be with her original team.

I hadn't encountered Cythonna before. She's batshit crazy - and a serious challenge!

Dawnstar put on the spot to lead the team as the "senior" Legionnaire - after dissing Crystal Kid - I liked that scene. Uncomfortable for her, but good for the story. She's never been team leader on any adventure in the comic, has she?
Hey FC, thanks for commenting! "It's about Brainy" is probably the last thing any longtime Legionnaire wants to hear really wink

Glad Cythonna's craziness came through - I have only read bits and pieces of her story online but she definitely strikes me as a raving nutter!

And Dawnstar....I am pretty sure you're right! The closest I've seen to her taking a leadership role was in LO3W but even there it wasn't really in an official capacity, she was just decisive. I reckon she'd be an interesting choice though, a lot of Legion leaders are pretty safe bets in terms of their social skills so it would be fun seeing someone take on the role who's not really a people person!
Posted By: razsolo Invisible Intrigue - 09/14/18 02:45 PM
DEEP SPACE
Aboard a Legion cruiser

A surly Gas Girl watched as her homeworld’s sun became one more indistinct twinkle among many in the viewscreen of the cruiser that was taking herself, Shrinking Violet and Calorie Queen back to Mars. The normally vivacious young heroine had barely said a word to her fellow passengers since leaving Lallor, and even Shrinking Violet was reading the room well enough to refrain from the bitter commentary she’d been throwing out since the three of them had begun this journey.

“Is there anything we can do to help, Gas Girl?” Calorie Queen asked with well-meaning awkwardness. The blonde Bismollian was generally the last person to show her sensitive side, but she didn’t know if she could stand this thick silence for the whole trip; someone had to say something.

“I just can’t believe they’d exile me from my own homeworld!” Gas Girl exploded. “And on today of all days! We didn’t even get to stay for the reading of Duplicate Boy’s will, let alone the memorial ceremony!”

Calorie Queen shot a quick glance at her girlfriend, but as glad as Violet was to have avoided both of those things she knew this wasn’t the time to say so.

“I mean, really!” Gas Girl continued. “I feel sorry for whatever those other mutants have been through, but after everything the Heroes of Lallor have done for that world our own government couldn’t have given us one more day? I thought poor Somi was going to start bawling!”

“It was definitely bad timing,” Calorie Queen sympathised. “I’m sure when we get back to Mars we can appeal the decision though, Gas Girl.”

“You know…” Vi finally joined the conversation. “I’m not so sure it was bad timing.”

Salu!” Calorie Queen exclaimed Violet’s real name in shock.

“Really, Violet?” Gas Girl spun in her chair to face her fellow Legionnaire. “You couldn’t let this go without getting in one more jab?!”

“What? No!” Vi blushed a furious crimson as she realised what she’d said. “I didn’t mean that how it came out! It's just...if you wanted to hit the Heroes of Lallor when they’re too demoralised and distraught to mount a winning defence, what better time to hit them? I don’t think there was anything coincidental about the timing of today’s events, Gas Girl.”

“What are you implying, Violet?” Gas Girl was still too clouded with anger to see Vi’s point but she was starting to think the Imskian woman might actually be on to something.

“All I’m saying,” Vi responded cautiously, “Is that it wasn’t all that long ago all three of us had to watch Earthgov exile the Legion of Superheroes from a planet most of us considered our home in favour of their own handpicked team of replacements...and we all know who was behind that in the end.”

Gas Girl and Calorie Queen’s eyes grew wide as the pair of them finally saw the similarities. “Oh my gawf!” Gas Girl gasped. “Do you mean….you really think it’s…” The idea so horrified her she couldn’t even bring herself to finish her question.

“I don’t know,” Vi frowned. “But you’ve got to admit, it would be just like those sleazy diskheads to try something like this again.”

“We need to warn Evolvo Lad and Life Lass!” Gas Girl reached for the comms equipment in a panic.

“No, Gas Girl...we can’t.” Violet crossed the distance between them and gently grasped her teammate’s wrist. “Believe me, I know how you feel...but if Dominators have infiltrated Lallorgov, they’re very likely monitoring every communication that goes in and out of that base. I’m sure Evolvo Lad and Life Lass could put up a solid fight against those new recruits they’ve had foisted upon them, but I’m not so sure they’d survive.”

“Then...then what do we do?” Gas Girl gazed hopelessly at Vi, her large black eyes welling with tears.

“Hey, hey...it’ll be okay.” Calorie Queen joined the women and handed Gas Girl a tissue. “Salu’s been doing this a long time, she’ll know the right way to handle this. Isn’t that right, love?”

“By damn it’s right.” Vi put her arm around Calorie Queen’s waist and despite the circumstances allowed herself a smug smirk. “You know, Gas Girl…

...I always thought your abilities would make you a natural for the Legion Espionage Squad.”

**********
MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters, Mission Monitor Room

Dawnstar entered the mission monitor room to begin her shift and was visibly startled to find Nightwind preparing to log out as she ended her own shift of duty.

“Nightwind!” The name escaped Dawnstar’s lips before she could stop herself. “What are you doing here..? I was under the impression that Neon had the morning shift?”

“She did,” Berta replied casually. “But Xao told me it's her mom’s birthday; I offered to fill in for Zoe so she and Xao can make the party. You should be in for a very boring afternoon anyway, the most exciting thing to happen all day has been Element Lad’s girlfriend and a couple other SPs arresting Fireface on Earth a little while ago.” Berta finished the process of logging out all of her access codes so that Dawnstar could log in, but something drove the yellow-skinned hero to stick around a moment longer. “Dawnstar?” she eventually asked. “Is everything okay with you?”

“Of course,” the winged woman replied a little too quickly. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Okay, look.” Nightwind remained standing, but walked closer to her seated teammate. “I know things got a little heated between us back on Earth, and then Cythonna nearly killed us all and we were all kind of distracted making sure Blok threw her back into the sun again after Bobb turned her to crystal so we haven’t had a chance to really debrief since then, and I know I see red as soon I think someone might be insulting one of my Academy friends, so I guess what I’m saying is I’m sorry if Laurel and I kinda ganged up on you after what you said about Crystal Kid, and...no hard feelings?”

“Thank you,” Dawnstar responded without looking at her for more than a moment. “I appreciate the sentiment.”

“Sooo,” Nightwind continued despite herself, “If you wanted to hang out again some time--”

Dawnstar did look at her now, and Nightwind wasn’t sure how to read the expression she saw there but she could swear it was one of unexpected vulnerability. “That is not necessary,” Dawnstar said simply. “I realise now that I just made things awkward for all of us, and it is my turn to apologise. I won’t subject any of you to that again.”

“You didn’t subject us to anything,” Nightwind laughed. She saw that Dawnstar’s expression hadn’t changed so Berta crouched down to speak to her on her own level. “Look, Dawnstar...honestly we’re probably not that compatible, but that’s not a failing on your part; sometimes people are just about different things. We might give you grief but you’re a good person. I mean that cranky nasshead Wildfire loves you so you must have something going for you...don’t feel bad if you didn’t really click with us; that's just life, you know?”

Dawnstar smiled tightly at her, and Nightwind felt the same aloof distance between them that by now she’d become familiar with. “Anyway,” Berta exhaled, standing up again. “Hope the rest of your day’s as uneventful as mine has been.”

She left the room, and left Dawnstar to her thoughts.

**********
Brainiac 5 watched the door to his personal quarters iris open to reveal Phantom Girl and Saturn Girl standing on the other side. Initially surprised to see them, his advanced intellect had already deduced the most likely reason for their unexpected visit before Saturn Girl had even opened her mouth.

“Good afternoon Brainiac,” Imra greeted him gently, “Do you have a moment?”

“Nobody has a moment,” the Coluan replied sardonically. “Time is quite outside the capacity of most sentients to claim ownership.” He stepped past the two women and walked away at a brisk pace.

“Grife, Brainy!” Phantom Girl phased through her leader’s back and partially emerged through his abdomen, looking up at him in concern. “When’s the last time you slept? You look terrible!”

“I just now allowed myself 25 standard minutes of inactivity,” he answered Tinya without breaking stride. “It is not a commendable long-term replacement to sleep but given the sheer volume of incoming transmissions I’ve been fielding from various planetary authorities throughout this system in regards to my recent solar photonic modulation experiment, I can’t afford the luxury of anything further right now.”

“That’s one of the things we want to talk to you about actually,” Saturn Girl pressed on, keeping pace with her longtime comrade.

Brainiac 5 finally stopped in his tracks and visibly tensed. He released a sigh of frustration and looked at the pair. “Do you honestly think I don’t know why you’re here, Saturn Girl? It doesn’t take a 12th level intellect to see that every time I make a decision based on logical necessity rather than sentiment, you people all think - rather ironically, might I say - that I’m losing my mind.”

“Nobody thinks you’re losing your mind, Brainy.” Having emerged fully and solidified beside him, Phantom Girl touched Brainiac 5’s arm. “We’re just worried about you.”

“We know about the self-destruct device you implanted in Quislet’s ship and the stunweb woven into Firecrest’s suit,” Saturn Girl continued. “Your immediate response to Ivy Arcane’s display of power was to exile her to another dimension, you didn’t even consider any other options beforehand. None of us could have anticipated Cythonna’s attack in Metropolis, but you must have been aware that sentients all throughout this system would become scared and confused when they saw their sun change color without warning. You’re behaving recklessly and without regard to the feelings of anybody else, Brainy; there’s obviously something wrong and we just want to help you.”

“Of course I was aware of the reaction my experiment would cause!” Brainiac huffed, mildly insulted at the idea that it might have escaped his attention. “Are we to stifle scientific research every time stupidity and superstitious paranoia stands in its way? I refuse to rationalise my actions in regards to the other alleged infractions which you’ve raised, I think it should be obvious even to you two that I did what I did in each of those cases in service to this team and the safety of innocents. Am I to allow unpredictable factors such as Quislet’s caprice, Staq Mavlen’s questionable self-control or the whims of an infant child to menace others just so I don’t hurt anybody’s feelings?”

Saturn Girl and Phantom Girl were mildly taken aback by his vehemence. “Brainy,” Imra finally spoke carefully, “Querl...you can’t continue to go about things the way you have been. We have a responsibility to help others, yes. But the second we start doing that from a position of superiority, we’re no longer helping them, we’re exerting our will upon them.”

“Frankly, Saturn Girl,” Brainiac 5 said coldly, “I fail to see how any action taken by the Legion of Superheroes is a concern of yours any longer; you’re the one who chose to leave this team to play schoolteacher, are you not?” He turned now to Tinya, his expression as icy as his voice. “As for you, Phantom Girl; if you feel so strongly about the matter, the next leadership election will be held in two days. Perhaps you can stand against me and we’ll see whether the majority of this team votes in support of irrational histrionics or a leader who possesses greater mental acuity than the rest of you combined. Now if you two will excuse me, I have actual work to do.” He turned away and walked off without a second thought.

Phantom Girl slumped against a wall.

“That went well, don’t you think?”

**********
TALOK III
North Pole, Temple of Malias

The procession was a strange one; an otherworldly woman with midnight blue skin and stark white hair, four blind men following closely behind clutching the chain that bound them to her with shivering desperation. The deceptively fragile-seeming woman stopped before a humble single storey building erected here at the top of the world, built by her insane devotees in a place no sane man would choose to venture.

“I suppose I should be insulted that this is the best you can come to honoring your queen,” the woman named Malias spoke, “But I can appreciate the irony of an invisible queen bearing a palace so unassuming as to be invisible itself so I’ll let it go. Of course we’ll need to do better moving forward.”

“Of course,” the first of the four men answered quickly. “My apologies, my queen; when we discovered your whereabouts we were compelled to act as swiftly as possible.”

“No apologies are necessary, disciple Grair.” The Invisible Queen’s voice was soothing, but still held an undercurrent of menace. “Not so long as the mighty weapon you’ve promised me lies within. Now that the rest of the Forgotten Four have been taken care of, the time has come for Malias to rule.”

“The Luqiti orb awaits your touch,” Grair responded. “If my queen will be so magnanimous as to lead her humble servants, I will gladly direct you.”

The odd quintet made their way out of the freezing cold of Talok III’s most inhospitable region and into the hastily erected shack the Cult of Malias had built for their Invisible Queen. Before the recent reemergence of the Forgotten Four, it had been centuries since Malias had been worshipped; she saw this in the sparse utilitarianism of this alleged temple. She couldn’t blame her cultists for their ignorance of her tastes, but it was something she vowed to remedy. Soon, these corridors and rooms would be lined in treasures only she and her devotees would ever see. “Tell me again about this orb,” she declared imperiously as Grair navigated to the room where it was held.

“We discovered it in the same facility the Talokkian authorities had kept you, my queen.” Grair had told her this story many times during their long trek here from the Eye of the World where Malias had been returned to life, but it wasn’t a story he had tired of telling. “It is a dormant techno-organic lifeform, and one of immense power. In past times even the legendary Terran warrior Wonder Woman partnered with one of the Luqiti. I firmly believe that it will serve you as faithfully as we have hoped to ourselves.”

The Invisible Queen opened the final door standing between her and this artifact she’d been promised, and she was happy with what she found. In the centre of a simple empty room stood a small table, and upon that table like some huge transparent egg sat the Luqiti orb. It seemed more fragile than glass, but she could feel its power even here from several feet away. “This will do,” Malias allowed herself a satisfied smile. “This will do nicely.”

“Then my queen is pleased?” her blind follower asked hopefully.

“Your queen is very pleased.” She stepped forward, in one hand holding the chain which bound her to her followers. Her other hand reached for the almost unseen orb, and without thinking twice she jabbed her hand into it. She felt an invigorating rush of power and some infant consciousness not yet fully borne. When she withdrew her hand she saw that the substance of the Luqiti coated her hand and her forearm, leaving her flesh as invisible as if she’d used her own power. Malias felt inspiration. “Come forward,” she commanded.

Grair came forward first, his desire to please the Invisible Queen overpowering his fear and the pain of his shredded eyes. When he was close enough, Malias placed her hand upon his scalp and shoved his whole head roughly into the orb. He convulsed involuntarily, but soon his shuddering stopped and he collapsed to the ground. The viscous substance of the Luqiti paired with him, merged with him and transformed him. Moaning in agony and ecstacy both, Grair’s skin turned translucent and eventually invisible while he grew in stature and a spiky armoured carapace formed around him.

“G-Grair?” One of the other Cultists stammered fearfully. All of them had willingly blinded themselves to restore Malias to life, but some of them had begun now to doubt they’d done the right thing.

“Silence,” Malias breathed. “Come forward.”

Despite himself, the man named Mort obeyed. Malias shoved him too into the orb, and the other two Cultists after him. Minutes later where four blind men had previously cowered, a quartet of ten foot tall unseen juggernauts stood ready to fight and die for their maker.

“My Invisible Destroyers,” Malias named them with perverse pride. “How beautiful and terrible you all are...and now, let us have a world worthy of such as we.” She grasped the Luqiti orb in both hands and lifted it from the table. Somehow instinctively knowing how to command this thing, Malias the Invisible Queen focused her concentration.

Minutes later, the third world of the sun named Talok was no longer a visible part of the firmament.

TO BE CONTINUED!!!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Invisible Intrigue - 09/14/18 03:28 PM
Another great entry, raz!

Love how you're taking characters like Nightwind, Calorie Queen, Gas Girl and making them your own.

Espionage Sqaud hijinks on Lallor! I didn't suspect the Dominators before. I was thinking Vi's finding the voice familiar would lead somewhere else... though I have an inkling it still might!

Nice bit, with Nightwind apologizing and Dawnstar still being all aloof. Ah, Dawny. Hey, at least her teammates are trying. Very mature of Berta. I love how you're portraying her as a super competent Legionnaire. Zoe and Xao make a good pair of friends too, one of the friendships you've introduced that I especially like.

Whew. The plot thickens re Brainy. He seems under a lot of stress here. I was wondering if there was another angle to it (him conducting comprehensive threat assessments of every inhabitant of Legion HQ, or something like that). Will Tinya run against him? I think the next leader elections are going to be pretty interesting.

Yikes! The plot thickens. Those Invisible Destroyers sound dangerous already, especially if they can conceal themselves as well as Invisible Queen can!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Invisible Intrigue - 09/20/18 01:23 PM
Thanks IB...the next leader elections should be very interesting, but maybe not for the reason you think wink

Still, all should become clear very soon laugh
Posted By: razsolo The Man In The Moon - 09/20/18 01:32 PM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Tenzil Kem passed Stone Boy’s younger brother Waiane as he entered one of the many canteens dotted throughout the Legion of Superheroes’ headquarters. He greeted the younger boy cheerily, but Lullabye Lad barely nodded in response as he shuffled by. Tenzil shrugged and made his way across to where the cutlery and trays were stored. He vaguely remembered Night Girl saying something about Lullabye Lad and Gravity Kid having broken up, he supposed it must still be on Waiane’s mind. Weekly emotional breakdowns are definitely not something I miss about being a teenager, Tenzil mused while he grabbed a handful of assorted knives, forks and spoons and bypassed the autochef altogether to make his way outside to the balcony.

Mars’ weather control software had programmed a pleasantly warm afternoon, and several other Legionnaires had obviously decided to take their lunch out here in the sunshine as well. Mwindaji sat at a corner table carrying on a lively omnicom conversation with his parents back on Kirinyaga. The Legion’s new Supergirl looked up briefly from her online shopping to smile politely as Tenzil walked past. Lightning Lass was eating with her young nephews Graym and Garridan, and when Ayla saw Matter-Eater Lad she waved him over. “Hey Tenz! Come here, would you? I’m telling these two brats about when the Time Trapper turned us into babies and they won’t believe me!”

Graym and Garridan giggled self-consciously as Matter-Eater Lad feigned shock. “You guys think a Legionnaire would lie about something like that? It’s true, you know! You would have had to babysit us if you were around back then, we were younger than the pair of you!” The twins’ giggling turned into outright laughter and Matter-Eater Lad continued. “It wasn’t even the only time it happened! Hang tight for a nano and I’ll tell you all about it!” The boys returned to bombarding Ayla with questions, and Tenzil made his way over to another Legionnaire he’d just noticed eating on her own.

More accurately, Gas Girl was pushing food around her plate; she’d barely touched her pasta dish. “This seat taken?” Tenzil asked.

“Hmm?” The clearly distracted heroine looked up and offered a weak smile. “Oh hi, Matter-Eater Lad...feel free, I’m afraid I’m not very good conversation today though.”

“You don’t look your normal chirpy self,” he admitted as he sat down. “Anything I can help with?” He picked up a fork and bit the tines off.

“Not really,” she sighed. “Evolvo Lad and Life Lass are in a lot of trouble...well, they might be in a lot of trouble. I don’t know for sure and that’s just making it worse. Shrinking Violet said the Espionage Squad will help, but Chameleon Boy and Invisible Kid are on a mission so we have to wait for them to get back. In the meantime I can’t even try and warn my friends they might be in danger.”

“Hey, you Heroes of Lallor are no pushovers,” Tenzil smiled. “I’m sure if anything happens they can look after themselves...and Cham loves unravelling a good mystery, he’ll give it everything he’s got when he gets back.”

“I suppose…” She actually paid attention to him for the first time and gave him a bemused smirk. “Are you just eating knives and forks for lunch, Tenzil? I’m not Bismollian, but that doesn’t seem very filling.”

“Hey, there are spoons in here too!” he protested as he picked one up and bit the end off. “You know, you can sit here and be miserable on your own if you want but I think we both know that’s not gonna help Evolvo Lad or Life Lass or you for that matter...if you wanna come join me and Ayla though, we’re about to give Graym and Garridan enough ammunition to embarass their father for weeks.”

Gas Girl thought about it for a moment. She really couldn’t do much to help her friends right now, and dwelling on it was just depressing her. “Sure,” she eventually decided. She reached across to squeeze Matter-Eater Lad’s hand and gave him a smile which was much warmer than her earlier effort. “And thanks, Tenzil...I really appreciate it.”

**********
LUNA
Tranquility Bay, Armstrong Point
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle:
Durlan shapeshifter
Colossal Boy aka Gim Allon: growth powers
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
Invisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being


Earth’s moon had been colonised for centuries now but for most of the quintet of Legionnaires currently standing on a grassy peak looking out over the still waters of the aptly named Sea of Tranquility, this was their first visit.

“I came here with my folks once when I was a kid,” Gim Allon reminisced, leaning casually on the safety barrier which kept careless visitors from straying too close to the edge of the steep cliff. “I gotta say, it’s a lot nicer when you don’t have to fight through crowds of tourists to see the view. It’s too bad Yera couldn’t come, she’d love this place.”

“As would mon frere Michel,” Jacques Foccart added. “When we were children we all thought for certain he would become a lunar engineer he adored the moon so...by the way, how is Chameleon Girl recovering from her injuries, Colossal Boy?”

“Really well, all things considered.” Gim turned away from the starlit waters to face his teammate. “Though Yera’s adamant that her Chameleon Girl days are over...I’m not gonna lie, part of me feels happier knowing she’s not throwing herself into danger as a Legionnaire anymore, but I wish I could at least talk her into letting Mwindaji’s power heal her from her radiation poisoning instead of doing it the old-fashioned way.”

“Why won’t she let Mwindaji help her?” Chameleon Boy pondered. “I mean even Brainy’s vouched for him, she must see that he’s proven himself?”

“She’s got her reasons,” Gim replied. “I don’t know if I agree with them necessarily, but I can understand.” Colossal Boy hoped that he sounded more supportive than he felt. He knew that Yera was terrified of the monster she’d seen their child become in the future she’d visited; as much as Gim would have loved to be a father some day, he loved Yera more. Her happiness here and now far outweighed any hypothetical future child they might one day bear.

What he didn’t understand and couldn’t understand no matter how he tried was why she wouldn’t just undergo anti-fertility treatments like millions of sentients did across the UP every day. There was a part of Gim Allon that wondered if his wife was punishing herself for the future she’d seen, first by abandoning their relationship and now by choosing radiation sickness over a relatively simple medical procedure which would render her incapable of bearing children far more safely. He didn’t have the first clue how to enunciate any of this dread feeling however, or how he could even begin to approach her with his fears.

“Legionnaires?” a soft voice broke Gim’s brooding. He turned along with the rest of his teammates to see a naturally attractive young woman approach from down the tourist trail. Her long straight hair was raven black, and she wore a modest white outfit with rose gold moon-themed jewellery and accessories. She carried herself with a quiet confidence, but she also seemed to exude compassion. Though this was their first meeting, Colossal Boy had the strangest feeling that the lunar heroine named Tranquility could be trusted completely. “Thank you so much for agreeing to help me,” she continued with a placid smile. “You have no idea how much I appreciate it.”

“Your gratitude is welcome but unnecessary,” Dawnstar spoke with uncommon warmth. “The Legion of Superheroes are always available to help those in need.”

“Besides,” Wildfire quipped, “I studied astrophysics here at Octavia Monae, nobody’s trashing my old stomping ground if I can avoid it.”

“I can’t help but notice you asked us to meet you somewhere that’s been closed to the general public for the past week for maintenance and upkeep,” Chameleon Boy joined the conversation. “I take it you need our discretion as much as our power, Tranquility?”

“Please feel free to call me Amoris if it makes you feel more comfortable,” the pale skinned beauty addressed the team as a whole. “That’s my real name...I suppose as Tranquility I’m nominally Luna’s resident superhero, but I don’t really have the kind of adventures that you’re all no doubt used to. Here in Tranquility Bay the closest thing we normally have to a supervillain is the occasional tourist who’s drunk too much Blue Moon and gotten a little space crazy. That’s why I requested the Legion’s assistance in the first place, I must admit I’m quite out of my depth with this Fundament fellow.”

“With his control over the forces of gravity, Fundament was one of the most powerful members of the Judgement League,” Dawnstar noted. “You did the right thing to call on us.”

Cham stroked his chin thoughtfully. “He’s also one of the few members of that team to have stayed on the straight and narrow since the Judgement League disbanded...Colossal Boy and I checked his Science Police file on the way here and he’s been doing a very good job of keeping under the radar.”

“Ma’amselle, perhaps if it is not too much trouble you could tell us exactly what Fundament has done to provoke our presence?” Invisible Kid asked politely.

“Of course,” Tranquility agreed instantly. “To be completely honest, he hasn’t overtly done anything illegal yet. He arrived in Tranquility Bay about six sidereal months ago, and almost immediately he began holding religious services in town. While it’s unusual for anyone in these parts to be devotees of any of the old Terran religions, it’s not unheard of. If all he were doing were preaching the tenets of Old Christianity nobody would have an issue with it. But the sermons began to take on a troubling tone, one of xenophobia where Terrans are the rightful inheritors of the stars. Crimes against non-Terrans began to escalate, and when it became apparent that Fundament was fuelling this activity with his hate speech I asked the Science Police to let me speak to him before they stepped in. I’ve always had an ability to calm others and to help them see other perspectives, and I had hoped that I could avert any further violence. Apparently my reputation preceded me however; Fundament was already aware of my “demonic powers” by the time we met, and he refused to allow me to approach him closely enough to make use of them. He also made it quite clear that he would accept no attempts on my part to stand in the way of his message. I have some empathic gifts but I’m nowhere near his level when it comes to sheer power, Legionnaires. I knew it was time to call in support. He’s gone underground now, but his converts have been increasing and with them their hate crimes. That’s the reason I asked you all to meet me here where we can talk without fear of him being forewarned of any action we might take. Can you help me? Before Fundament came along, Luna was a lovely place where neighbours genuinely cared about one another regardless of their background. I want to make sure it stays that way.”

“Of course we’ll help!” Wildfire blurted. “We’ll make this jerkwit wish he’d stayed in whatever backwater past Earth-Man dragged him out of!”

“It may not be that easy,” Chameleon Boy rejoined. “Fundament really is awfully powerful, Wildfire. Frankly, you and Colossal Boy are the only two here who pose any threat to him and no offence to either of you but I doubt it’ll be enough to win this one.”

“Wow Cham, it’s not like you to give up that quick!” Wildfire taunted his Durlan comrade.

“Who said anything about giving up?” Cham retorted. “All I’m saying is I don’t think brute force is going to save the day this time.”

“You’ve already got a plan, you sneaky bastich!” Colossal Boy punched Cham’s shoulder playfully, having read his best friend’s expression as clearly as if it were an open book. “Are you gonna fill the rest of us in?”

“Since you asked so nicely,” Chameleon Boy flashed a cheeky grin, “Here’s how I think we should handle it…”

**********
A couple of hours later, Dawnstar and Wildfire flew together high over the domed surface of the lunar colony and far beyond the limits of what passed for the small satellite’s natural atmosphere. “How’s the search going, Dawny?” Wildfire asked, the circuitry within his containment suit calibrated to interact as easily with the Legion’s telepathic earplugs as it did their flight rings.

<I will let you know when I lock on to Fundament>, Dawnstar thought back at him. The Legion’s telepathic earplugs weren’t as adept at carrying emotional context as organic telepathic communication, but Wildfire didn’t need to feel Dawnstar’s annoyance to know she was feeling it. <You should have stayed with the others; Fundament can’t possibly know I’m trying to track him as long as I stay out here in space and you’re just distracting me, Drake.>

“Dawny, is something wrong?” Wildfire asked gingerly. “I noticed you’ve been spending more time with Nightwind and Laurel Kent recently, and I almost feel like you’ve been avoiding me. Have I done something wrong?”

Dawnstar looked over her shoulder at him flying close behind and opened her mouth, then turned forward once more and away from him. <I have a task to fulfill, Wildfire. This is not the appropriate time for me to assauge your ego.>

She began to accelerate, but before she could take leave of Wildfire he rocketed ahead and intercepted her. “Dawny, I don’t want to do this anymore. We always do this. I say something stupid or insensitive and you fly off in a huff and we never actually talk about what’s going on with us. I love you, you know I love you. And I know I can be a huge jerk, I know I am a huge jerk a lot of the time. But I don’t want to be. I want to be there for you, but you have to let me be. What we do, the way we are with each other...I don’t think it’s healthy, you know? I want us to be better. And I know you could leave me in the dust without raising a sweat but you’re still here listening to me ramble like an idiot, so I think you want us to be better too.”

Rattled by Wildfire’s rare display of humility, Dawnstar was at a loss for words. She found herself simultaneously glad that the telepathic earplugs didn’t relay emotion effectively while also wishing she could show Wildfire just how deeply his admission had affected her. <Wildfire - Drake - you’re right. We will talk. But now is not the time.>

Wildfire flew closer and held her hands in his. “Dawny--”

<No Drake, you don’t understand.> Dawnstar squeezed his hand affectionately though she knew he’d barely register the sensation physically, and she saw her own face filled with turbulent emotion reflected in his visor.

<I’ve found Fundament. We need to call in the others.>

**********
In another time and place, the man named Michael Unterrsen had once been a Catholic priest. The Quebec Territories of 2198 were not a welcome place for a man of God however, and Michael Unterrsen had watched his parish fade away until his once proud flock had been reduced to a few stray birds scavenging what faith they could find. Still, through it all Father Michael had kept his own faith. No matter how many youngsters he saw succumb to the allure of drugs and crime, no matter how many of God’s children allowed economic depression and a poisoned and dying natural environment to tempt them into a life of fatalism and sin, Father Michael stayed resolute in his belief that God had a plan for them all and that in the end after all of these trials their belief in Him would be rewarded.

The one and only time Father Michael’s faith had ever been tested was the day an orbiting satellite crashed to Earth and smashed his beloved church to pieces. Buried in rubble, Father Michael had found himself miraculously blessed with the power to move that rubble and the fallen satellite both and to save the few parishioners he had left from being crushed to death. The poor and downtrodden of rural Byrneville escaped to safety while countless tons of debris floated absurdly overhead, but Father Michael Unterrsen was not so lucky. If he’d looked out for himself first, he would have been able to fly to a hospital in time for his injuries to be treated. Instead, he was bleeding out here in the wreckage of an abandoned church while people who only ever came here for a free meal escaped unscathed to beg and steal another day.

It was after his display of power exceeded his stamina and Father Michael lay once more under a collapsed building that it occurred to him God wasn’t looking out for him at all; his faith was a joke, and the only reward he had coming to him was a lonely and painful death here under the ruins of an institution he’d literally devoted his life to.

Then Earth-Man came along.

Kirt Neidrigh appeared from the 31st Century like some kind of cosmic messenger, and he brought the dying priest to a shiny and sparkling future where his injuries could be treated as though they were nothing more than a nasty cut. Earth-Man explained to Father Michael that he’d been destined to die that day, but here he’d been given a second chance at life. In that moment, Father Michael knew that God was real, and that God had bestowed upon him a great blessing. Father Michael briefly wondered what the purpose of that blessing might be but when he found out the satellite which had almost killed him had been a secret Dominator base, that it had been destroyed by Superman’s descendant Lara Kent, and that the Dominators’ own gravitic drive had been responsible for his newfound powers, he realised he was meant to use his new control of gravity to drive satanic alien menaces from the people of Earth. The fact that Earth-Man’s mission dovetailed with this simply reinforced that he was right, and Father Michael Unterrsen renamed himself Fundament after God’s generous boon in allowing him to control one of the fundamental forces of the universe.

It was Fundament now who stood on the moon before a room full of more people than had ever bothered to come to his church in Byrneville. When he’d discovered that Earth’s moon had been long colonised by the 31st Century, Fundament felt it was his mission to ensure that colonisation was being done only by God’s children. Fundament had the power to expel alien threats from this sphere himself, but he thought he’d be doing God’s work more faithfully if he taught his flock to do that for themselves. After all, for all his power he might not be here for them forever; and God helped those who helped themselves.

Standing on a podium in a decrepit windowless room, his deep blue cape framing his sheer white bodysuit dramatically, Fundament had just finished telling his audience that God wanted them to take matters of alien infestation into their own hands when the roof of his makeshift church was wrenched away in the hands of a muscular giant. “Like we planned!” the Legionnaire named Colossal Boy bellowed. “Wildfire, Dawnstar, go!”

Fundament gestured at the young hero, but before he could send him careening through the moon’s polymer dome and into space, Wildfire was between them. “I hear you’ve been giving us Earthmen a bad name,” Drake Burroughs remarked. “Afraid we can’t have that!” A beam of anti-energy blasted forth from Wildfire’s open palm and was immediately intercepted by a wall of rock raised by Fundament’s power.

“I have heard of your origins,” Fundament replied, effortlessly ascending to hover above Wildfire. “I feel for you Mr Burroughs, but it is not too late for you to turn to God. You sully yourself with these aliens when you could be carrying out his work alongside me.” Fundament used a different application of his power on Wildfire himself, and the Legionnaire slammed into the ground where he shuddered unmoving.

“I’m as human as you,” Colossal Boy joined the conversation, “But my wife is one of those aliens you hate so much, buddy.” Having dropped the roof of the underground church into the street outside, Gim reached for Fundament with enormous outstretched fingers.

Fundament’s power was initially divided between keeping Wildfire immobile and holding Colossal Boy at range, but he soon realised he could kill two birds with one stone. “Forgive me for using you in this manner, Mr Burroughs.” He focused his attention on Wildfire, and Gim’s hand inched forward ever so slowly through Fundament’s weakened gravity field. Fundament turned to look at Colossal Boy before continuing. “As for you, Colossal Boy; it is not for me to judge whether there is any salvation for one who mocks the sanctity of marriage with the most disgusting of these extraterrestrial species, but perhaps you can ask God yourself.” Fundament scowled, and against his will Wildfire was thrust into Colossal Boy’s chest with enough force to rupture his containment suit. Gim saw what was coming just in time to grow even larger to better absorb the impact, and he doubled over when Wildfire struck to try and contain as much of the blast as possible. Colossal Boy still roared with pain and he wanted desperately to pass out, but he held onto consciousness with grim resolve even as Wildfire’s anti-energy form dissipated into nothingness around him.

“You may have beaten them,” a woman’s voice spoke up from below, “But you won’t have a chance against me, Fundament.” The time-displaced fanatic looked down to see the local heroine Tranquility walking through the now empty room towards him. Fundament wondered briefly where his fervent churchgoers had gone, but then he remembered seeing that winged abomination Dawnstar earlier when Colossal Boy had removed the roof. With her speed, she’d have been able to empty this room of people before Fundament had even defended himself from Wildfire’s assault.

“You have allied yourself with demons and the consorts of demons,” Fundament declared imperiously. “And I admit, their mastery of deceipt has served you well. But I will allow nobody to cease my holy work, woman; not even someone of human stock such as yourself.” He hoisted Tranquility into the air with his power, careful to keep her far enough distant that she couldn’t use her ungodly manipulative talents against him. “I take no pleasure in this, but if you repent now I can promise that you will avoid unending torment in the afterlife at least.” He began crushing her with gradually escalating gravitic forces, soon reaching a point where the tortured woman began groaning with discomfort. When she opened her mouth to speak, Fundament released the pressure just slightly; he wanted to give her at least the chance to ask her maker for forgiveness.

“...Maybe you’re not as in with your deity as you think,” Tranquility taunted him through gritted teeth. “Because I would have thought he’d let you know how much human stock I’ve really got in me…” Though the effort was painful, Tranquility’s features rippled and changed and her skin changed from pale pink to orange until the Legionnaire called Chameleon Boy floated instead before Fundament.

The masked priest was visibly shocked, his jaw dropping as he realised he’d played right into the Legion’s hands. “But...where…?” he mouthed helplessly.

“Oh, Fundament.” Tranquility’s voice was right in his ear now, and he started at the sound of it. She appeared out of thin air, Invisible Kid’s flight ring bearing the both of them aloft right next to Fundament. “Your faith in a higher power is heartwarming, but your dogmatic attitude is hurting you as it hurts others. Can’t you see that?”

He suddenly could see that. He could see that very clearly. All this time he’d been acting not from divine right but from fear. All of these aliens he’d railed against, these aliens he’d felt nothing for but spite and rage, he realised now they were just people with their own hopes and dreams and ideals, and none of them were any worse than him, they were just different. “What have I done?” Fundament’s voice broke. “Dear God, what have I done?” He buried his face in his hands and began sobbing aching heart-wrenching sobs as he realised that the hatred he’d been propagating was everything he thought he’d always stood against.

“It’s gonna be okay,” Tranquility soothed. “The important thing is you know better now…you’ve hurt people and that can’t be changed, but you can change. You can always change.” She offered her open arms and he let her embrace him while Jacques Foccart lowered them all to the ground.

By the time the Science Police arrived to take Fundament into custody, Dawnstar had retrieved a spare containment suit for Wildfire and Colossal Boy had received medical attention for his chest wound. “Acting as Tranquility’s decoy to allow us to approach Fundament unseen was an inspired idea,” Invisible Kid complimented Chameleon Boy. “But it was also tres dangerous, mon ami. He may have slain you before he dropped his defences enough for us to draw near.”

“All part of being a Legionnaire,” Chameleon Boy replied. “If I’m gonna do my part, I need to trust you all to do yours. I’m more impressed with the way you handled Fundament, Amoris. It seems to me you might have undersold your power...maybe you should think about joining the Legion?”

“Thank you,” the lunar heroine looked away shyly. “But I’m quite happy here in my little neighbourhood. To be honest, all I did was open Fundament’s mind to the perspective of the people he’s hurt; the reaction was all him. My hope now is that he won’t be able to go back to thinking of others as less than human when he’s felt what they feel for himself. If he can heal, I think he has the potential to be a great force for good.”

“You’re a better person than me then,” Wildfire said. “I don’t think there’s hope for any of these nassheads. But I do hope I get proven wrong. Should we go home, Legion? We might make it back to Mars in time for the election if we leave now.”

“I’m with Wildfire,” Colossal Boy added. “I don’t much care to see Brainy’s smug face when he wins this one again, but all this xenophobic crap today just makes me want to hug my wife for a while.”

“Thank you again for your help today, Legion.” Tranquility smiled at each of them in turn. “Your plan was wonderful, Chameleon Boy. I’m glad it worked.”

“If I can call you Amoris you can call me Reep,” Cham returned her smile. “And you’re very welcome. With any luck we’ll meet under different circumstances next time. Come on Legion, let’s go.”

The five of them flew away, leaving Tranquility behind. Cham spared her a final glance, and Colossal Boy spared a glance to watch his friend look back behind them. Yera might not want to be an active Legionnaire anymore, but Gim was starting to think he had a way for her to apply the sneakiness she’d developed when she was in the Espionage Squad. After all, different circumstances might not necessarily make themselves...

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

The quintet of Legionnaires who’d journeyed to Earth’s moon hadn’t quite made it back to Mars in time to vote in the Legion of Superheroes’ scheduled leadership election in person, but they’d remotely attended the meeting where voting had been declared open just like the eight other Legionnaires currently off planet.

Walking back to his office after the meeting, Brainiac 5 reflected on the main items that had been covered. Now that Laurel Kent as Supergirl was an active Legionnaire, the Legion had voted almost unanimously to allow Gravity Kid to take the open position of Legion intern. Brainiac had already anticipated the reaction of course, and had advised Lightning Lad to pass on the news to his students before the meeting had even started.

The Coluan hypergenius had also anticipated the uproar he’d cause when he announced tryouts for new members were going to be held in a week’s time. The Legion of Superheroes had been limiting its roster size based on Earthgov tax regulations, but it had been some time since the Legion had been based on Earth. Mars’ regulations were far more lax in that respect, and there was no reason the Legion couldn’t double in size. Of course, it was impractical to add so many new members all at once but Brainiac could see no reason not to get the ball rolling. Predictably, several members of the team responded negatively against the very idea of change but equally predictably Brainiac had swayed the opinion of a majority of members.

He wasn’t terribly surprised that Phantom Girl hadn’t raised concerns about his recent actions to the team as a whole as she had done with him privately. Open confrontation wasn’t Tinya Wazzo’s style, but Brainiac knew without reservation that there were at least a dozen members of the team who’d heard her interpretation of events by now and who would side with her and whomever she cast her vote for. He had no fear of her taking leadership from him; if anybody was to be considered a threat, it was Mon-El, Element Lad or Dream Girl (with Lightning Lass and Blok as possible outliers). Still, the rational thing to do right now would be to come up with a way to ensure the majority of Legionnaires had a valid reason to vote Brainiac 5 in for another term. He’d already come up with 27 possible ways to ensure this outcome and was mentally examining each of those options when he opened the door to his office and immediately noticed that his light was already on. The next thing he realised was that someone was sitting in his chair, and almost without conscious thought Brainiac 5 reached for his belt and activated his forcefield.

For the first time in recent memory, Brainiac 5 was legitimately shocked as he recognised the woman sitting in his seat. “Makkia Vei?? I presume 89 gave you the tools to bypass our security, but what are you doing here?”

The blonde Coluan woman met his gaze and there was something haunted about her eyes. “89 is dead,” her voice cracked.

“89 is dead, and if the Invisible Queen has her way a lot of other sentients might be next.”

NEXT: INVISIBLE REIGN!!!
Posted By: razsolo LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS! - 09/20/18 01:55 PM
Hi all! Because I am a masochist at heart I thought it might be fun to throw the leadership election to YOU!

That's right, in the spirit of old-school Legion I will let you guys decide who you want to see leading the Legion of Superheroes into some oncoming fun times...anyone can vote, and to keep us all on our toes I'll calculate the tally privately and then post results at the end (without saying who voted for which characters, though you're welcome to come forward if you want bragging rights). Rules are as follows:

*Give me your top 3 choices. Points will be assigned as per below:
1st choice: 3 points
2nd choice: 2 points
3rd choice: 1 point

*Highest number of votes gets to be leader, second highest gets to be deputy - if there's a tie I'll pick one of them randomly, and if there's lack of interest altogether in voting I'll invoke the Quislet/Comet Queen clause (please see below)

*Y'all have got some time to think about it...while the voting process is obviously over very quickly for our heroes, it won't be incorporated into my series until this 5 part story with Invisible Queen is finished (I seem to be posting 1-2 updates a month these days so we're probably looking at January at the earliest).

*I will be upfront about it now; one character in the current roster is not gonna be eligible by the end of the Invisible Queen story for reasons to be revealed....if anyone votes for them, I'll distribute their points evenly among your other two choices.

*I have got no problem with people discussing it in this thread, but for the actual votes please send me a private message (just so I can keep track of the votes in one place)

*The current roster you have to choose from is:
BLOK
BRAINIAC 5
CHAMELEON BOY
CHLOROPHYLL KID
COLOR KID
COLOSSAL BOY
COMET QUEEN
COSMIC BOY
DAWNSTAR
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DRAGONMAGE
DREAM GIRL
ELASTIC LAD
ELEMENT LAD
FIRECREST
GAS GIRL
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
KID COMPUTO
LIGHT LAD
LIGHTNING LASS
MATTER-EATER LAD
MON-EL
MWINDAJI
NEON
NIGHT GIRL
NIGHTWIND
PHANTOM GIRL
POLAR BOY
QUISLET
SHADOW LASS
SHRINKING VIOLET
STAR BOY
STONE BOY
SUN BOY
SUPERGIRL II
TELLUS
TIMBER WOLF
ULTRA BOY
WILDFIRE

I know there are a couple of folks who read this series when they can although they don't comment regularly, so don't feel shy about voting if this is you...I am curious to see what everyone inflicts on me hahaha (and hopefully this won't fizzle out with no responses or you're all getting stuck with Quislet and Comet Queen as leader and deputy respectively wink )
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS! - 09/20/18 03:41 PM
ooh this is fun! i’m tempted to just go ahead and vote for Quislet and Comet Queen. nice challenge too, as you’re going to potentially have a tough time justifying the vote! (kinda like when Timber Wolf became deputy leader at the end of V3, and even he was surprised)
Posted By: Harbinger Re: LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS! - 09/20/18 09:30 PM
Hey Raz, sorry I haven't been around forever so haven't given you any decent feedback in a while - been dealing with very ill elderly relatives - but can't miss the opportunity to vote for Brainy and Tinya, it'll be fun reading their sniping at each other.

The temptation to vote for Comet Queen and Quislet was pretty high though smile

As well as loving your story here I really enjoy your bio's thread too, it's very neatly done.

Would love to see more of Light Lad as we haven't seen much of him for a while.

Great stuff Raz, as always I'm looking forward to more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS! - 09/21/18 10:00 AM
It is kinda the challenge I am looking forward to tbh smile I have my own ideas for a couple choices, but they are narratively pretty safe in the sense that they are characters I have stories planned for anyway, so making them leader just makes it easier to keep them in the spotlight. I figure you guys will pick characters you actually want to read about for the next little while (Harbi's post above being a good example of that) so I'm not too worried about the result being really unworkable...although y'all may be surprised to find that I do have a justification up my sleeve if Quislet were to sneak in there hahaha...like Batman, I am prepared for everything wink

Also, no need to apologise Harbi....real life takes precedence, especially when it comes to stuff like that smile I hope everything is as well as it can be!

I am about to go update the bio thread with Fundament and Tranquility...this is her first appearance unless you count me writing her up in the Heroes of Other Worlds threads a thousand years ago, but if anyone wants a refresher on Fundament it might be worth checking out (though tbh it's pretty much all covered in my above post anyway).

I do have something planned for Light Lad actually, but I just checked my notes and it's a long way down the track so I have done some last minute adjusting to let him take the spotlight from one of the story hogs a little sooner for you Harbi (Diamond Damsel as well, as I just realised it's been ages since I did anything with her outside of background scenes) laugh
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS! - 09/21/18 12:28 PM
hi raz,

nice bios on Funadament and Tranquility. You're right though, your latest entry gave all the details we needed to know to appreciate your story (a mark of great writing)! I love Tranquility, and we're lucky she's naturally good. Imagine if she were a villain, people near here would never know. Nice job showing Fundament's "take down" too. It was cathartic, seeing someone so full of hate acknowledge WHY he was that way. The modern, real world could use a Tranquility right now smile

I like the seeds you've planted here. Fundament's potential redemption, the promise of more from Tranquility, the idea Gim has for Yera.

It WOULD be nice to see Light Lad and Diamond Damsel a bit more (especially now that DD can't turn human again!) It's tough juggling a large cast (I have a similar problem), especially when your other plotlines (Gas Girl and Lallor, Dawnstar's trauma from Bounty, Brainy and leadership) are running full steam. On the other hand, I've been looking at your Legionnaire list and most of them have been in some good scenes recently, so that's a good juggling act. Maybe a little more of Star Boy though?

I'm having to put some thought into my leader votes. Although I like a challenge, I also approach it from the point of view of "if I were a Legionnaire who would make a decent leader"? smile

A little campaigning here, but some of your newer members or underdogs seem to have the people skills for being a good leader. Tenzil's scene with Gas Girl, Nightwind talking to Dawnstar. Dragonmage and Kid Computo are both thoughtful and rather mature. Neon has shown fire and sense in battle and works well with the team despite being very new. Brainy noted Blok is an outlier, and would be cool too. I could see Ayla in that role, and Tinya. Some of the former Subs would be interesting - Color Kid and Night Girl in particular seem to have the chops for it.

And I would like if it were someone who hasn't been leader ever before smile that would be fun!
Posted By: razsolo Re: LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS! - 09/22/18 10:10 AM
Thanks as ever for the kind words IB! Star Boy is actually gonna be part of a cute subplot coming up fairly soon as it turns out smile

I agree Tranquility would be nice in the real world right now...I kinda miss the days when superheroes didn't necessarily have to be combat-effective to be seen as worthy; Raven in the 80s Teen Titans and Cypher from the New Mutants were both good examples of that, and both of them have had to be reinvented to stay relevant nowadays which I think is a bit unfortunate.

I like all your reasoning about various leadership choices...I think Night Girl was my first new leader in this series and I loved writing her as leader. It's a position where someone with relatively limited powers can still shine smile
Posted By: Klar Ken T5477 Re: LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS! - 09/22/18 02:54 PM
Here are my votes:
(1) Blok, because Wisdom of Solomon
(2) Chlorophyll Kid, because in the TOS Subs, he was #2, behind Polar Boy
(3) Shadow Lass, because Talokans always have their own agendas, and it could be interesting.
Posted By: razsolo Re: LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS! - 09/25/18 09:42 AM
Shady is an interesting choice! It'd be good seeing how she operates in a role where she might not always have the option of avoiding direct confrontation smile
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


ROLL CALL

Legion of Superheroes
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
team leader, 12th level intelligence
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Colossal Boy aka Gim Allon: growth powers
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super elongation
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Firecrest aka Staq Mavlen: weredragon
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Invisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: wind control
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: intangibility
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis
Quislet: energy being, temporary animation
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: deputy leader; ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being


Oversight Watch
Dev-Em:
Kryptonian physiology
Makkia Vei: psychological manipulation
Mandalla aka Tari Wahlmunn: thoughtsphere projection
Power Boy aka Jedediah Rikane: density manipulation
Ron-Karr: ability to become 2-dimensional


Over 30 heroes gathered in the Legion of Superheroes’ large meeting room, most of them members of the Legion itself. Five individuals in particular sat apart from the rest of the assemblage however, all of them looking defeated at a table behind Brainiac 5’s mobile chairpod. The Legion whispered and gossipped amongst themselves as they all wondered why the Oversight Watch were here and why the Watch’s leader 89 conspicuously wasn’t. “If I could have everybody’s attention?” Brainiac 5 addressed the room once the last Legionnaire took their seat. “Thank you all for attending this emergency meeting so promptly, I appreciate that very little notice was given. For those Legionnaires who have been unable to return planetside in time, this meeting is being broadcast on our ultraviolet channel.”

“Ultraviolet?” Sun Boy’s brow arched. “That’s as secure as it gets! What’s the situation, Brainy?”

“Yeah, what gives?” Laurel Kent chimed in. “We only finished our last meeting like two hours ago!”

“You’re all familiar with the Oversight Watch either personally or by virtue of our mission logs, so we can dispense with introductions.” Brainiac’s pod hovered across to one side of the room silently. “Makkia, please share with the rest of the Legion what you brought to me earlier.”

The Coluan woman stood up and regarded the room for a second as she took a deep breath. “Thank you, Brainiac.” She looked over the Legionnaires very deliberately, maintaining eye contact with some a fraction of a moment more than others. “I know I don’t have the best history with this team; far from it. I hope we can overcome personal prejudices today though for the greater good. 89 -- I’m sorry, 89--” She shuddered, her face screwed up in raw emotion. When she looked down at the floor and hid her face behind her hand she noticed that some of the newer Legionnaires gazed upon her with pity or compassion, but some of the more senior members rolled their eyes or made hushed sarcastic comments to one another.

“It’s okay, Makkia.” Dev-Em stood beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I can do this.”

With wet eyes, she smiled weakly at her Kryptonian teammate and returned to her seat. Dev-Em addressed the room as a whole, his tone more commanding than the Legionnaires were accustomed to hearing from the roguish agent. “Earlier today, the Oversight Watch were tasked with investigating a crisis in the Talok system.”

“Talok??” Shadow Lass snapped to attention. “What’s happened to my homeworld?”

“Talok VIII is fine,” Dev-Em reassured her. “For now, anyway. What I’m about to tell you is highest clearance information...it could cause widespread panic if this news reaches the rest of the United Planets.”

“What news?” Tasmia demanded. “By my ancestors, just tell us what’s happened!”

“To put it simply,” Dev-Em replied bluntly, “Talok III seems to have vanished entirely.”

Excited chatter broke out amongst the Legionnaires until Wildfire’s voice overpowered the rest of his team. “What do you mean vanished?” he asked the Kryptonian. “That’s nuts, if a whole planet were to just up and leave an inhabited solar system we’d know about it; even leaving aside that nobody’s noticed a whole world of people are missing, the gravitic effects alone on the other worlds in that system--”

“I didn’t say it has vanished,” Dev-Em corrected him, “Just that it seems to have. It’s escaping detection from technology, normal sight, even my super-senses. But 89 agreed with your assessment, Wildfire - she couldn’t see how it could disappear without causing any consequences whatsoever, so she took the Oversight Watch in to investigate further.”

“So what actually happened and who do we have to hit?” Timber Wolf joined in, leaning forward over his console.

“We have our suspicions as to who’s behind the vanishing of Talok III, but well...maybe I should just show you our shuttle log.” Dev-Em looked across to Brainiac 5, and the Coluan man nodded slightly. The lights in the room dimmed, and a large holographic flat screen appeared before the gathered heroes.

The Legion watched the recorded playback as all six Oversight Watch members sat aboard their ship, preparing for their mission in their own ways. 89 piloted the small vessel, sitting stiffly in the pilot’s seat. Next to her, Ron-Karr was checking the navigation console and rambling about something to his team’s leader in an almost entirely one-sided conversation. Dev-Em and Power Boy sat beside one another, physically close enough for the intimacy between them to be clear but nonetheless totally professional in their body language as they chatted idly. Mandalla and Makkia Vei sat behind the boys, poring over psychomedical texts together on an omnicom.

An alert sounded at the navigation console, and Ron-Karr checked some coordinates before looking out the viewscreen at the void of space outside. “We’re here,” he advised 89, “It’s like the Science Police said, it’s as if Talok III just imploded. These are definitely the right coordinates, but look - there’s nothing out there!”

89 checked Ron-Karr’s readings herself, then stood up and faced the back of the small shuttle to address the rest of her team. “Dev-Em, get out there and tell me what you can see,” her command came through her voice modulator. “Talok III obviously hasn’t been destroyed, so there must be something out there that will tell us what’s going on here.”

“Of course,” Dev-Em nodded as he left his seat. He only took one step toward the airlock though before stopping in his tracks. “That’s weird…” He glanced down curiously at the floor between his feet. “For a nano there I thought I heard -- Rao!” A gash suddenly shredded through the shuttle’s floor, and explosive decompression sucked all of them out into space. The shuttle’s camera lurched and rolled with dizzying speed, movement happening in such a blur that it was impossible to discern what was happening for a few moments. The view suddenly stabilised with a shudder, and the Legion could see the Oversight Watch floating amidst the debris of their shuttle in outer space. Like the Legion, the Watch all had automatically activated transuit technology in their outfits so none of them were in any immediate environmental danger. While the sextet struggled to regain their bearings, the same unseen assailants who’d presumably destroyed the Watch’s vehicle were now coming for the team’s individual members.

The whole assault was over with frightening speed. Makkia Vei and Mandalla were the first to fall; aside from their transuits the two women had no way to defend against an attack they couldn’t see coming. From the expression on Mandalla’s face she’d been trying to use her power when she was taken down, but apparently it wasn’t enough to save her. Some invisible force slammed into both women simultaneously and they careened backwards through the vacuum. Dev-Em and Power Boy were the next targets. 89 and Ron-Karr, both of whom had obviously been deemed lesser threats, could only watch helplessly as the two strongmen on their team were battered about like some ghostly cat playing with its toys. Ron-Karr abruptly vanished himself, though the lack of reaction from his remaining teammates made it apparent this was a result of him having used his own power to become two-dimensional rather than anything nefarious.

With the fight taking place in space there was a complete lack of sound. Still, from the way Dev-Em and Power Boy glanced over at 89 it seemed apparent she’d issued some kind of command to them. Hiding behind the ship’s leaking fuel cells, 89 could be picked up by the camera hastily assembling some kind of device. In the foreground Dev-Em threw his assailants off with a herculean shrug, and Power Boy made his own unique escape by lowering his density until he was completely intangible. The two men zipped away in opposite directions, and 89 revealed herself from behind the fuel cells. Whatever she’d planned on doing however, she never got the chance to carry this out. Some invisible force of destruction ripped into the fuel cells, and a soundless explosion suddenly filled the holoscreen. The camera abruptly shut off, and when the lights in the room came back up a somber pall fell over the heroes.

“I looked for her,” Dev-Em broke the gloom. “She...she’s gone. 89 told us she could hit these things with some kind of area affect weapon so Jed and I had to give her enough room to work, but all we did was expose her to attack. Whatever those things were, we had to admit defeat in the end. They were strong but I don’t think they were as strong as me. Still, Jed couldn’t risk becoming tangible again when for all we know he might have materialised inside one of the things and Ron-Karr’s cutting edge isn’t much use against monsters we can’t see. Eventually they would have killed everybody they were able to kill so we decided to regroup.”

“Who do we know that’s neutrino slick like that?” Comet Queen asked. “It was like you were fighting space ghosts!”

“Space spooks!” Quislet chirped. “Fun!”

Fun?!” An outraged Mandalla jumped to her feet. “Those things killed 89, they nearly killed me and Makkia! You’ve got a weird definition of fun, you little creep!”

“It’s not Quislet’s fault, Tari.” Makkia placed a hand on Mandalla’s elbow. “It’s an energy being from a different dimension entirely, it doesn’t understand mortality and loss the way we do.”

“Well maybe it shouldn’t be on a team of superheroes,” Mandalla grumbled, returning annoyed to her seat.

“Quislet’s impropriety notwithstanding, the Legion of Superheroes will of course investigate this phenomenon,” Brainiac 5 spoke up calmly. “Given that we have very little idea what we’re walking into, obviously the Legion’s leadership election will need to be placed on hold until we’ve resolved this mystery.”

This announcement got the Legion chattering amonst themselves once again, and this time it was Phantom Girl who broke through the noise. “Brainy, you can’t just declare that!”

“Phantom Girl’s right,” Polar Boy supported Tinya. “There’s nothing in the Legion Charter that empowers you to make that kind of unilateral decision--”

Brainiac 5 gave Polar Boy a look of withering condescension. “Polar Boy, please don’t embarass yourself further by continuing to speak as though there’s anything related to the operations of this team you could possibly teach me. Surely none of you are so enslaved to protocol that you’d be willing to completely upend the Legion’s chain of command in the midst of a mission upon whose success rests the wellbeing of an entire planet?”

The Legion mumbled amongst themselves until Tinya spoke up again. “Brainy. As soon as this mission is over, we count the votes and announce our new leader.” She met Brainiac 5’s gaze with a look of uncommon steel, and though she didn’t need to say anything further they both knew she wasn’t going to let this go.

“Of course,” Brainiac 5 replied. “This is not a dictatorship, Phantom Girl. I’m simply doing what’s best for the Legion.” He immediately shifted his attention to the rest of the team and continued speaking as though the room weren’t thick with tension. “Firecrest, Invisible Kid, Quislet, Shadow Lass, Mwindaji, Nightwind, Dragonmage, Kid Computo, Neon, Light Lad and Diamond Damsel; the Oversight Watch and I will meet you in the hangar in ten minutes for take-off.”

“Wait a nano, that’s it?” Ultra Boy protested. “Brainy, you saw those things tear a shuttle to pieces; you’re not gonna take me or Wildfire or--”

“You are the deputy leader of the Legion of Superheroes, Ultra Boy.” Brainiac 5 gathered his things and started walking out of the room. “Your best efforts at leadership will be necessary here in the improbable event that I fail. Oversight Watch, come with me please.” He finished what he had to say and walked out while various of the more boisterous Legionnaires registered their complaints in a less than polite fashion. The Oversight Watch stood and followed him as a group in awkward discomfort.

“Hang on!” Timber Wolf exploded. “You still haven’t said who you think the bad guy is!”

“I don’t think it’s a bad guy at all, Timber Wolf,” Shadow Lass gathered her cape around her. “The last time anything of this scale happened to my home system, Talok himself was responsible. Something else else tells me that this time we will find it is one of the other old gods we must face...Malias the Invisible Queen.”

“Invisible Queen?” Color Kid queried. “Do you really think so, Shadow Lass? She wasn’t anywhere near powerful enough to do this kind of stuff when we met her, and besides - Crystal Kid turned her to crystal and we handed her over to the Science Police, remember?”

“Uh, yeah.” Power Boy scratched the back of his neck. “About that…”

**********
A couple of hours later, the surviving members of the Oversight Watch and twelve members of the Legion of Superheroes hurtled toward the Talokkian system in a Legion cruiser designed to carry twice as many people. As Tari Wahlmunn watched the stars zoom past on the other side of a small viewscreen in the ship’s main corridor, she was glad that the ship was big enough for her to be able to get some space from everyone else.

“Cred for your thoughts?” Power Boy approached Mandalla and rested against a nearby handrail.

“Do you remember when we were at the Academy?” she asked, still staring out the window. “I don’t know if I was as starstruck by the Legion of Superheroes as some of you guys, but I believed in them; I still wanted to join the Legion more than anything...and now the older I get, the more I realise they’re just a pack of childish elitist jerks. It really rubs me the wrong way, you know? The whole galaxy treats them like they’re legends straight out of myth and the reality is they’re just a bunch of overprivileged nassheads.”

“Aw, they’re not that bad,” Jed disagreed gently. “I mean sure, some of them are jerkier than others but it’s not like we’re all a pack of space scouts either. I love Dev, but he can be a stubborn nasshead himself sometimes…and Ron and Makkia were no angels before the Watch formed, Tari.”

“Maybe not, but they never pretended like they were angels either.” The young bronze-skinned woman flicked him a bitter glance and turned back to watch the starscape outside.

“Do you know what I think?” Makkia Vei joined the pair, making sure she was close enough that her voice wouldn’t travel down the corridor to be overheard by anybody else. “I think it’s interesting how Brainiac 5 didn’t choose any of the Legionnaires who openly dissented with him in that meeting even if they might objectively be a better fit for this mission. Querl Dox has a 12th level intellect, he must be able to see that Ultra Boy or Phantom Girl’s combination of power and experience is a better risk against an unknown threat than untested new recruits like Mwindaji and Neon...and what about those strange remarks about their leadership election? All is not well in Legion HQ, I think it’s safe to say.”

Mandalla began to form an answer when she saw Nightwind too now walking towards them. “Has everyone on this whole sprocking ship just decided to come hang in the corridor?” Tari exploded.

“Sorry if I’m intruding,” Nightwind intoned calmly. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry to hear about 89, and I’m sorry about Quislet. What he said back on Mars was really thoughtless.”

“I can’t speak for Tari or Jed, but I appreciate the thought,” Makkia replied. “You don’t need to apologise for Quislet though; I understand that it must be difficult for a Teallian lifeform to adjust to life in a universe it’s not really suited for in any way. Its power must be quite a boon if you’re willing to forgive its social failings and the Teallians’ innate need to colonise new territories to give it a place on your team when so many other candidates have been turned away.”

“I can’t imagine Quislet would want the responsibility of colonising anything,” Nightwind joked wryly.

“I suppose I could be wrong,” Makkia spoke thoughtfully, “I mean nobody can ever really know the motivations of such an alien creature, though Quislet did help the rest of its race invade the United Planets once at least that I’m aware of. Still, I suppose the Legion of Superheroes have far more experience in managing dangerous members within their own ranks than we have so I’ll defer to your judgement. I suspect you’re here to speak with these two moreso than me anyway, I’ll give you three some privacy.” She gave Nightwind a disarmingly warm smile and headed back into the bowels of the ship to rejoin the other heroes. Nightwind turned and watched Makkia Vei leave, genuinely unsure whether the Legion had just been insulted or not.

“She has that effect on people,” Power Boy remarked convivially, easily recognising the expression on Nightwind’s face. “Even as long as I’ve been in the Watch, you’re never really sure if she’s sizing you up or taking a jab or laying down foundations to get you to do something for her in a week’s time.”

Nightwind turned on Power Boy and Mandalla with a mix of concern and anger on her pale yellow face. “How can you work with someone like that, Jed? How can either of you?? You both took the same classes at the Academy that I did, what happened to you both?”

“We grew up, Nightwind.” This was Mandalla, and her voice was stone cold. “When we were all kids, we were brainwashed to think the Legion’s way was the only way and you know what? It really isn’t. You all look down on us like we’re doing something wrong but the Oversight Watch accomplish just as much good as you do. We just do it in a different way.”

“But Makkia Vei was a member of the Fatal Five! And Ron-Karr was in the sprocking Legion of Supervillains! How can you possibly be okay with working with two known criminals?”

“You forget I grew up on Takron-Galtos,” Mandalla stood inches from Nightwind’s face. “Don’t try and talk to me about the irredeemable evil of criminals because it’s a conversation that won’t end well, Nightwind.”

“Hey, hey…” Power Boy stepped between the two girls and gently forced them to step apart. “We’re all friends here, okay? Berta, we’re not kids; we know that Makkia’s opportunistic and she makes whatever the best choice is for Makkia. She’s smart though, she knows the Oversight Watch is the best place for her to be so she’s not gonna jeopardise that by trying to destroy us with her mind games. And Ron-Karr might have been in the LSV but come on...you’ve read the same datafiles we have, it’s not like he ever actually did anything terrible while he was with them. He just wanted to feel important after the Legion rejected him, the same as Mandalla and I did. And here, we do feel important and we do make a difference. I mean, it’s easy for you to judge us. You made it into the Legion. What were we meant to do, take an SP post on some backwater planet somewhere like Visi-Lad or Lamprey did? Join the Legion of Substitute Heroes like Crystal Kid?”

“Okay, fine. I’ll back off.” Nightwind took a step back with her hands raised in mock surrender. “Since you mentioned Crystal Kid, I did want to ask you both one more thing though...”

**********
“Why didn’t you tell us the Invisible Queen had been freed from her containment facility?!” Shadow Lass jabbed her finger into Dev-Em’s chest. “You know what Red Son did to the Talokkian system! Why do you think she’d be any less of a threat?!”

“Woohoo!” Quislet cheered the conflict on. The rest of his exuberant outburst was muffled beneath an emerald muzzle which suddenly popped into existence around the front of his microship.

“I think you’ve gotten yourself into enough trouble today,” Neon teased him, the muzzle obviously her creation. “You need to work on your inner monologue, little guy.”

On the other side of the ship’s passenger compartment Kid Computo, Light Lad and Diamond Damsel watched the unfolding scene. “Wow,” Kid Computo elbowed Light Lad to get his attention. “Shadow Lass sure has got guts taking on a Kryptonian, huh?”

“Mon-El’s her partner,” Diamond Damsel bobbed down to join the hushed conversation. “Somehow I doubt physical power is going to intimidate her, Danielle.”

“We didn’t find out that the Invisible Queen’s crystallised body had been taken from where it was being stored until after we took on the mission to investigate Talok III’s disappearance,” Dev-Em explained with shortening patience. “We still don’t know that she’s behind this, Shadow Lass - for all we know, the Gil’Dishpan have teleported the whole planet somewhere. There are any number of parties who could be behind this, assuming it’s somebody we know in the first place.”

“Don’t condescend to me!” Shadow Lass raged. “You said yourself back on Mars that you suspect who it is - if not Malias, then who?”

“Hey Legionnaire, newsflash!” Ron-Karr grabbed Shadow Lass’s arm before she could stab her finger once more at his teammate. “We don’t need to tell you zip! The Oversight Watch don’t answer to the Legion of Superheroes, lady!”

“I suggest very strongly that you remove your hand from me, Ron-Karr.” Shadow Lass’s voice was utterly calm and controlled, but more full of menace for it. Mwindaji was closer to Shadow Lass than the other Legionnaires and while he didn’t react overtly, his stance changed to that of someone expecting a fight to break out. The other Legionnaires in the room tensed as well, all of them ready and waiting to follow Shadow Lass’s lead.

“Ron, come on pal.” Dev-Em diverted his teammate’s attention from the furious Talokkian before him. “This isn’t the time or place.”

“Dev-Em is correct of course,” Makkia Vei joined the conversation as she entered the room. “Please accept our apologies, Shadow Lass. I’m sure that Ron wouldn’t have acted without provocation, but we’d normally be above that. We’re not ourselves after what happened to 89.”

You want to talk about provocation?” Tasmia Mallor shook herself free of Ron-Karr and stormed towards the green-skinned woman.

Before the situation could devolve any further, the comms breeped politely and a holographic screen appeared showing Brainiac 5 on the bridge; Staq Mavlen could be seen behind him in his human form checking console data. “We’ve come within what would normally be visual range of Talok III and its moons; as the Oversight Watch have reported, neither the planet nor its satellites are visible. Before we approach any closer, I’d like to ask Dev-Em, Quislet and Neon to exit the ship. I suspect that this will bear no fruit, but I’d like the three of you to see if your sensory enhancements can help provide any additional insights. Mwindaji, Kid Computo, I’ll need you two on the bridge please.”

“Makkia, can you please try and keep things under control while we’re gone?” Dev-Em asked his teammate before staring pointedly at Shadow Lass. “Some of us have work to do.”

He’d just started heading toward the airlock when he heard Zoe’s voice behind him call out playfully. “Hey, muscles! Why are you taking the long way when the Neon Express is right here?” She gave an exaggerated bow and pointed out a green revolving door she’d made in the hull to her left.

Despite the mood in the room Dev-Em gave Neon a smirk and allowed her to usher him through the archaic spinning door, tipping an imaginary hat as he walked through. He supposed she must be using her Green Lantern-derived power to simply phase them through the hull, but he had to appreciate the showmanship. It was nice to see that not all the Legionnaires were completely devoid of humor.

On that note, Quislet’s sleek shiny microship came zooming through. Dev-Em barely knew the Teallian hero, but what he did know led him to believe Quislet embodied the ancient Kryptonian myth of the Paw of the Koa-Ruhl; wish for one of the Legionnaires to be a little less boring and a little more fun-loving, and Quislet is what you got. “Spread out,” Dev-Em took command. “If these things are here, we don’t want to make it any easier for them to hit us than it needs to be.”

“Quislet doesn’t need you to tell him how to hero!” the little Legionnaire protested but he obeyed nonetheless, zipping off to circle around the Legion’s cruiser.

Zoe supposed that she should probably feel a little put out that the Kryptonian thought he could give them orders, but what he’d said made sense; besides, he was ridiculously cute. She took position a few hundred feet away from everyone else and envisioned a massive satellite dish, scanning the full electromagnetic spectrum for any presence other than themselves within tens of thousands of miles. “I’m not getting any useful readings,” she admitted after a minute. “How about you guys?”

“Quislet can’t see anything either!” the Teallian hero’s shrill voice rang out over their comms. “Maybe whole planet really did go boom!”

“I’m not picking anything up with my telescopic or x-ray vision either,” Dev-Em added, “We may as well return to the others.”

The trio reconvened and had just started heading back to the ship when before their eyes, the long shaft connecting the bridge to the rest of the ship broke into shredded pieces and the cruiser careened in different directions. An instant later, the ship’s stardrive exploded in pyrotechnic silence.

“Maybe we don’t need to find bad guys!” Quislet exclaimed while Neon and Dev-Em stared in mute shock.

“Looks like bad guys found us!”

NEXT: THE INVISIBLE DESTROYERS!!!

Quote
FRIENDLY REMINDER: there’s still plenty of time to cast your vote for the next leader of the Legion of Superheroes! Send me a private message with your top three choices!
Another fun outing, raz!

Nice conversation between Nightwind and Jed/Tari. I wonder, did you consider having Jed point out that Blok of all Legionnaires was also a reformed villain?

Glad to see that many Legionnaires are properly wary of Makkia. Whew, the sheer number of underhanded comments she snuck in to keep the trio off-balance and prime them towards discussing Legion membership. And inserting Quislet as a barb into the discussion of morality, too.

Brainy's mission team is interesting. Not only did Makkia observe that none of them openly dissented in the meeting; but it's also full of relatively new members. None of the physical heavy-hitters are along either, with Diamond Damsel and Neon (who's more of an energy caster) and the magical Dragonmage being the strongest; no Mon-El, Blok, Jo or Wildfire. And interestingly, the two he has specific tabs on - Quislet and Firecrest - are along. And no Dawnstar, only Mwindaji for tracking.

Poor Polar Boy gets insulted by Brainy, but Tinya, who made nearly the same objection, doesn't. Brainy picks his battles, I guess, as Brek is more likely to take that in stride.

Funny how Zoe of all people is helping lighten the tension - though gagging Quislet is exactly the somewhat more assertive move I'd expect from her smile You captured her Reboot personality quite well, IMO; she wasn't shy to make a snarky comment, but she did know when to step back as things were getting too heated.

Great illustration of how undetectable enemies are so dangerous. Could 89 still be alive, I wonder? If Talok III could be disappeared, so could 89.

And what a cliffhanger! Doesn't look good for our heroes...
Hi Raz,

I've clearly got some catching up to do. So this review is gonna be a little all over the place.

Aww poor Lullaby Lad. Gravity Kid is super dedicated and that's great. But he might need to learn work/life balance.

Oooo plant invasion part two!

a ladies night out with Berta, Laurel, Grava...and Dawnstar?
I like that Laurel's sensible enough to not try and tick more people off and hid a bit. Not that i think she could especially with that outfit.
Oh Grava. of course she doesn't wear anything else. lol and she's such a sweetie and glad she was so welcoming to Dawnstar. But i would have totally reacted the same way Berta and Laurel did.

Of course Dragonwing and Chemical kid are sneaking out.
Nice save Polar Boy and in no way is his power lame. CK, might need a training session where he gets his but kicked.
Hahaha laugh love Sun Boy's lines and this whole part. "What Brainy's not the only one who cracked a science text." Haha. Everyone does forget how smart Dirk actually is. his party boy ways over shadow it. but its one of the things i like about him. he's always surprising you.

Tinya just floats down and passes through the group and to Brainy's lab. Let's see what he's got cooking.
Tinya makes an interesting point about the students living there and their battle practices and approach. But i get her confidence. But as we've seen in other boots her power can save her but only for long...

Watching the team fight all these plants is fun and gives us some nice personal moments. like the girls coming to the boy's rescue. Tenzil eating a hole in the wall. great use.
"Just Eat!" haha.

Of course brainy would design certain spots for Tinya to come in through.
Brainy and Dream Girl to the rescue.
Brainy and Dream girl make a good team and oh Ivy...baby Ivy.
idk about this device. it sounds like it has a whole host of other problems. yeah not liking that device. I agree cutting her off could be bad for the baby.

wait she can create planets? Wow!

Nura" of course you can recognize plants by sight." haha.
loving all the banter from this post.

So glad Ral isn't hurt.
Grava is great with Ivy and i love that she's all about it. her, ral and ivy really do make a cute little family unit.
Oh boy looks like Brainy's actions are coming back to haunt him.

Oooo Alek Arcane looks to me a bad we haven't seen the likes of in a while. dark magic and undead attendants? hmm...is he an avatar of the Rot now?

Loving Mwin and Tinya's moment its not often we see people have trouble with the tech in the legion and its good to show case how wide spread the universe is on that. . that's a great idea an alert algorithm makes total sense.

Oh Elastic Lad...as much as no one else may like it i wouldn't mind seeing one post where its him rambling for the entire time connecting dots and recounting so many theories and histories.

Hmmm interesting new tec development and really handy. Color Kid looked excited at first but then Brainy trounced that.
Brainy sure is taking a lot of risks lately...and I'm with Color Kid. third times a charm in some cases and I wouldn't want to risk be blinded again.

Oooo a mystery from inside the sun.
I always enjoy when Crystal Kid shows up, Academy Grads night out!. Still think it was a great idea that the Subs got the old headquarters and that its a museum. its reminiscent of the JLA and the hall of justice just before the New 52 hit where it served both functions and I believe they did it in the Young Justice cartoon as well.

Love Grava the ultimate groupie!
I don't like Dawstaw but you make me feel a little bad for her...only a little....ouch foot and mouth Dawnstar.
ooo Laurel that was brutal.

Remind me again why Crystal Kid isn't a member? was it he buckles under pressure?

and so the fight begins. never mind the Other fight begins.
I love that through all of this Nightwind is still professional and defers to Dawnstar per protocol. it will make for an interesting mission.

Wow, she took laurle out and quick!
"I don't care how pretty you are." oh Grava. lol. and now she's frozen!

Good leading skills by dawnstar and i had a feeling they would have issues. good call Nightwind. Bobb just might be the last shot they have.
Cythonna an ice goddess nice.
Oh no the team is about to get it and then bam Zoe! love it and the image of the team flying in was great.
Wow she took out Zoe...and Mon'el...and Jo. this isn't good.
wait Firecrest has circuity in his uniform...Brainy what did you do?
She broke interon?! damn she is crazy powerful and Blok is doing amazing taking her on. I have to agree with everyone it was fun seeing someone he could actually take on.
More powerful than Darkside?
Nice save Laurel and IK.Kryptonite for the save! I looked through the info you posted and wow she's pretty powerful. Blok is really taking some hits. Yay Bobb did save the day!

The Invisible Queen's been stolen!

Consulting Imra is the right thing. I know none of them want think Brainy could be losing it again but...Also glad she could help with Ivy.

Vi, Gas girl and Calorie Queen's time on Lallor was sure eventful too bad the funeral was interrupted i really wanted to see what Duplicate Boy OG had to say to Vi. maybe someday we'll get to find out. . It's cool to see you explore Lallor a bit more with the mutants they have there. this kind of reminds me of the morlocks from xmen. excpet in this case the government seems to be in favor of the "morlock" lallorians.
I like how you explain the funeral rites and why there's a delay. it makes sense instead of having so many funerals.
Brittle is the most inventive and i like him a lot.
good battle
Ha another Amp. she's a character we all are finding a use for. love it.
Gas girl expelled from Lallor all together. this is big!

That ritual to bring Invisible Queen back was creepy. blindings wow. love the description of this part of Talok III. its oddly beautiful.

Poor Gas Girl but Vi makes a good point. I wonder if those agents have something more dastardly planed for Lallor. I hope the Dominators aren't back and up to their old tricks on Lallor!
But I'm glad she's not leaving s I do like Gas Girl and she does sound like a good fit for the Espionage squad. .
I'm glad Nightwind apologized to Dawnstar. it was the right thing to do. But I liked that she was just like "we may not just be compatible. which is so true. not everyone is meant to be friends.

That was a tense moment between PG SG and Brainy. i know he's just stating facts but damn they sure feel harsh. " to play school teacher". wow.

The Luqiti orb.. ooo i loved seeing Wonder Woman use this. these warrior monsters are going to get everyone! Malais is so cruel keeping them blinded and chained to her. Grair's transformation was harsh but weirdly elegant. but that might just be Invisible Queen's regal nature when I picture her shoving his head into the The Luqiti orb.

I always enjoy seeing Ayla with her nephews.
Good job Tenzil. I'm glad he could get Gas Girl to feel more apart of the group. Haha "what there are spoons here too." love it.

Tranquility Bay mission: was really well done. Poor Colossal Boy he really is upset by Yera's decision to not let Mwin's help.
Tranquility is pretty cool character. hopefully we'll see her again. Cham's detective skills were on display this whole mission. love it.
Fundament's pretty powerful and of course he's a religious nut. I had forgotten that about him thank you for the refresher. But of course its Christianity that brings out the worst in him. Humans always take the worst from it instead of its best lessens.
Loved how Cham's plan worked out.

No 89 is dead!?
Makkia Vei is a tricky one and used her skills well on the team to divulge information. because she's so tricky i wouldn't trust a thing she says including her little break down about 89.
Ultraviolet channel? hmm
Quislet would think space ghost are fun. Don't totally disagree with Mandalla.

Brainy and Tinya are going to come to blows. i can see it coming!

Mandalla's thoughts aren't wholly wrong.sometimes the LHS has its issues but what group doesn't. But i don't know if they are as bad as she's saying.
Diamond Damsale ha! such a good point about Shadow lass and M'onel. a kryptonian is nothing to her.
I'd walk away Ron-Karr walk away!
ahah nice job shutting Quislet up Zoe! love it!

Oh no the ship exploded! I hope Brainy was able to save everyone in time!

Can't wait for more!!!
Thanks for all the detail Omni, you have done a good recap! laugh

To address a few specific points:

* Brainy & Nura are a good team I think, glad you liked them. I think she has that same quality as Kara where she can be flirty and he doesn't really know how to deal with it. I think also as much as she would never admit it, it must be nice for Nura to have a peer who first and foremost respects her for her intellect...even Thom who loves her second-guesses her a lot. Being super hot and having a power which was initially not that reliable has really cast a big shadow for her to have to come out of.

* Alek Arcane! I have resisted writing his bio just yet because I want you guys to discover him in story but I don't think it's spoiling anything to say he will be a much darker type of threat than the Legion are used to and Arcane is a surname that has a pretty distinct legacy in the DC universe...

* I am not sure if there was ever a reason given in canon for Crystal Kid not making it into the Legion; I assumed originally it was because his power only lasted as long as he concentrated on it but personality could be a factor too as the SW6 batch seemed to find him too annoying back in the day.

* I like the morlock analogy for the Lalloran mutants; my original idea was much more blatantly morlock-like but they are definitely meant to evoke that...except for Amp and the new Duplicate Boy, the rest of them are based on old reader suggestions from the BITS thread somewhere on this board! smile I need a new Dupe Boy for story reasons, but Amp is just cool as I'm sure we all agree laugh

* Also you're probably right not to trust Makkia's display of emotion (and she's certainly not getting any more trustworthy anytime soon!) On the other hand I think I just wrote Kid Computo's most kickass scene ever, so I hope y'all are pumped for the next chapter!
Hi Raz,

I finally caught up from Blok getting the powers of Shazam to now!

I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read. Having not read much fanfic, I was a little hesitant on the different format and how it would affect pace and plotting. But it’s been no problem at all.

From the choreography of the big battles, through the lovely background touches in the locations, to the smaller character moments and side missions it’s all been great fun.

I’ve liked the pacing and no scene has outstayed its welcome or got in the way of other plots. There’s been plenty of tension. There’s also an extra bit when your plots get close to my scattered notes for Bits. There’s a little sigh of relief as they go in parallel for a couple of beats and then you go off in another direction. smile

I’m impressed at the large cast you’ve used. When I saw 40 Legionnaires, I wondered how you well you would do it. But it never feels as though any of them are forced into a scene just to give them an appearance. Having read a lot in a few sittings, I’ve noticed that everyone on the team has had something to contribute. The missions with smaller groupings alongside the larger arcs really help with that.

I’m enjoying the use of your own creations as well, as it can be a big task to come up with something that will work against the Legion. Just ask Mr Levitz.

The change of name to Judgement League was ominous and your recruits are a lot more interesting than the villains of history plucked out of time back in the Adventure days. smile

I really liked the conceptual virus too, as something very different from the norm. There’s a pleasant streak of horror in some of the threads too which I quite like.

One of the first disappointing comics I can remember getting was a Teen Titans Annual where Marv was trying to launch a group called the Vanguard into their own book. I was reminded of them when I saw White Dwarf in your Heavensent. I did a quick check as I thought they would also have had a Red Giant or something in their ranks. But they were Anti-Matterman, Black Nebula, Drone, Scanner, Solaar and White Dwarf. Dull as dishwater, which fortunately your Heavensent aren’t. Void is really going to have to catch a few more people if he/it turns up again though. Always sooo close.

Having a healer on the team in these deadly times fills a big power gap (and handily allows you to make the most out of some of the combats). It was a big surprise that it turned out to be Mwindaji as a White Lantern. Well played on Universo’s attitude towards Mwindaji too.

I loved the brief visit to Ch’p’s world and wouldn’t mind a member from that neck of the woods (possibly literally woods here).

Speaking of our animal buddies, I recall the Atomic Knights on doggy steeds. This seems to have been nicely combined in the Post Atomic Knights. Really well done if this was your creation.

Your take on Quislet is making me look at him more closely in the reread thread. Likewise, your vision of a Bounty possessed Dawnstar was an excellent, dark portrayal of where things could go. It’s a hint of what the ads for v4 looked like promising. Instead she was wasted when she appeared.

Dawnstar’s reaction has been good to see. I recall he going out dancing in one of the Baxter issues? So, it’s something she’s done, however grudgingly.

I remember there being an Invisible Destroyer from the Silver Age who fought Green Lantern. With all of the recent Lantern goings on recently, I was wondering if that name sparked something here.
Looking forward to the next instalment!
Originally Posted by razsolo
* Alek Arcane! I have resisted writing his bio just yet because I want you guys to discover him in story but I don't think it's spoiling anything to say he will be a much darker type of threat than the Legion are used to and Arcane is a surname that has a pretty distinct legacy in the DC universe...


Yeah, I've been waiting to see what sort of connection to Anton Arcane Alex has. Physical descendant? Spiritual reincarnation? Some from column A and column B?

Again, love your original characters, Diamond Damsel and Elastic Lad. (Although I didn't expect to like Elastic Lad, he's growing on me, and he's narratively useful for info-dumps, and spares Brainy from always having to be Exposition Lad.) Love, love, love that you are using Laurel Kent, Nightwind and a dragon-form Fire Lad, and yet still have room for classic characters like Phantom Girl and Shadow Lass and Ultra Boy.

Originally Posted by Set
Again, love your original characters, Diamond Damsel and Elastic Lad. (Although I didn't expect to like Elastic Lad, he's growing on me, and he's narratively useful for info-dumps, and spares Brainy from always having to be Exposition Lad.) Love, love, love that you are using Laurel Kent and a dragon-form Fire Lad, and yet still have room for classic characters like Phantom Girl and Shadow Lass and Ultra Boy.


When Brainy left in v3 there was a massive gap. A lot of that was due to years of not having others in the team fill the same role, even in a different way. Occasionally Dirk, Nura and Lar looked likely and later Harmonia. I think Lyle in the reboot/ threeboot did this too? So having someone like Elastic Lad comes in very handy.
Hi y'all...Alek Arcane is gonna be in the background for a bit but when he decides to make his move it'll be appropriately creepy and gross laugh

I am glad you liked what you have read so far, thoth....you covered a massive amount of story, I am impressed! I actually never got into reading or writing fanfic till I found this board and had the same concerns about pacing and how it would transfer from comic pages to prose. While you lose some of the visual impact though I think it's great for being able to examine character stuff more and spotlight characters who aren't as visually flashy. smile

re: Void....he does suffer a little bit from the Mano problem where he's so lethal when his power actually works that you risk him looking like a loser if he never gets a chance to actually kill anyone. I tried to deal with it by making him slow-moving enough that he's actually not that hard to evade if someone's got enough room but I also think those characters work best in small doses so you don't have to keep contriving reasons why the heroes got away this time.

It's funny you mention Ch'p's world, stay tuned.... wink

The Post-Atomic Knights were definitely meant to evoke the giant dalmation steeds, I am glad you picked it up! And I remember that scene you mentioned with Dawnstar dancing, that was kind of what inspired me to have her try and go out with the girls actually! smile

The Invisible Destroyers did initially come from when I was looking for Green Lantern-related bad guys to throw at Zoe; in the end they don't really have anything to do with GL's enemy but never let a good name go unused I say smile
TALOKKIAN SPACE
45 seconds ago


ROLL CALL
Legion of Superheroes
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
team leader, 12th level intelligence
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Firecrest aka Staq Mavlen: weredragon
Invisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: wind control
Quislet: energy being, temporary animation
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation

Oversight Watch
Dev-Em:
Kryptonian physiology
Makkia Vei: psychological manipulation
Mandalla aka Tari Wahlmunn: thoughtsphere projection
Power Boy aka Jedediah Rikane: density manipulation
Ron-Karr: ability to become 2-dimensional



Sitting apart from his teammates in the passenger compartment of a Legion cruiser, the young sorceror Xao Jin opened one eye mildly annoyed at the ruckus going on around him. He’d been trying to meditate and hone his powers for the combat which no doubt lay ahead but Shadow Lass starting a fight with various members of the Oversight Watch didn’t make that an easy task. In the end, he decided to find a more quiet place to gather his strength. He got up and left the room a moment after Makkia Vei entered, nobody else any the wiser in all the commotion.

Walking down the ship’s main corridor, he came across Nightwind in heated conversation with Power Boy and Mandalla. He slowed his pace; Shadow Lass had four other Legionnaires in there to back her up if necessary, but Nightwind was outnumbered here. Swiftly, he thought better of it; he remembered Berta’s many stories about the Academy, he doubted very highly that she needed any assistance from him of all people against two of her fellow alumni.

Distracted as he was, Xao almost walked into Kid Computo and Mwindaji’s paths as they rushed past him a moment later. He apologised politely, but the two had already jogged through the irising door that led to the bridge. Not even a second after that door had closed securely behind them, alarms sounded through the vessel and large gashes appeared in the corridor where they’d left Dragonmage and the others.

As soon as Dragonmage, Nightwind, Mandalla and Power Boy realised what was happening, it was too late. The corridor had been fully shorn from the ship ahead of and behind them and Dragonmage, Power Boy and Mandalla all looked at one another in a panic as they saw the rest of their vehicle drifting away from them in pieces. They all turned to Nightwind to see her down on one knee, her face distorted in furious concentration.

“I’m keeping the air in,” Berta spoke quickly through gritted teeth, “But I can’t do it long!” She looked up desperately at Dragonmage, and he instantly understood. Their transuits would protect them all from any environmental damage but they’d obviously been targetted by whatever had assaulted the Oversight Watch here the first time around, and allowing explosive decompression to send them all hurtling outside would leave them at as much of a disadvantage now as it had the Watch when they’d first suffered the same fate. Xao Jin closed his eyes and concentrated, weaving one particular dragonform which had become very common to him during his time with the Legion.

A moment later, the four of them were enclosed within the snaking torso of a translucent jade dragon. “You’re a champion, Xao!” Nightwind breathed a sigh of relief as she collapsed to sit against the dragon’s interior. “I don’t know if I had another nano in me!”

The dragon tore through the remaining portion of the Legion cruiser just in time for the ship’s stardrive to rupture, the force of the explosion hurtling their dragon head over serpentine tail through the void of space. Grimacing, Xao barely managed to hold the dragonform together around them. “Is anybody injured?” the young mage asked.

“We’re all fine,” Mandalla replied. “Just a little rattled...I just wish I could use my power on whatever’s out there without having to worry about affecting anyone on our side.”

“Hey Dragonmage,” Power Boy asked, a curious gleam in his eye. “Am I gonna be able to phase through this thing?”

“Most certainly,” the Legionnaire replied. “I wouldn’t advise it though, I think we should--”

“Thanks!” Jed grinned, interrupting him. His skin faded in color and he passed through the dragonform surrounding them before Power Boy took on the darker shade which let them all know he’d now increased his density to superhuman levels.

“I respect his courage,” Dragonmage sighed, “But I really wish he’d stayed in here with us until we formulated a plan.”

“Something else else tells me,” Nightwind breathed wearily as she watched her purple-skinned friend tackled by an unseen assailant, “Jed’s gonna agree with you before too long.”

**********
Ron-Karr’s whole world had exploded in sound and light, and he instinctively flattened his form and closed his eyes against the din. A moment later he gingerly opened his eyes again and saw that Makkia Vei and Shadow Lass floated nearby, both of them wounded. Shadow Lass was covered in nasty looking gashes and Makkia Vei had less visible signs of damage but was nonetheless unconscious. He guessed that his hyper-thin state must have protected him from whatever that explosion had been, just like a feather reed’s slender stalk allowed it to survive one of Venus’s frequent megahurricanes. The sober realisation dawned upon him that if the explosion had sent something flying at him from even a slightly different angle, he might be dead now. Light Lad was fortunate enough to have been standing close enough to Diamond Damsel for her invulnerable form to shield him from all but the most superficial damage, and of course Diamond Damsel herself was completely unharmed. It was then that Ron-Karr saw that the rest of their cruiser was now just so much jagged and charred debris shooting away from them. With the lot of them spread throughout the cabin as they had been, Diamond Damsel couldn’t possibly have protected all of them to this extent. “How the sprock are we still alive?” the Neptunian man wondered aloud in awe of the destruction all around them.

“I don’t think I’ve ever reacted so quickly in my life,” Light Lad answered, the surprise evident in his voice. “I created a field to deflect the debris away from us…it took a lot out of me, but I’m kind of impressed with myself to be honest!”

“Wait,” one eyebrow raised on Ron-Karr’s paper-flat face. “How do your powers work in outer space? There’s already no gravity!”

“Micro-gravity,” Darvan smiled wearily. “I don’t really get it, but Brainiac 5 seemed to think it would work -- oh sprock, Brainiac 5 and the others! They’re in that mess somewhere!” He immediately started flying toward the field of debris which had been the front portion of their ship.

“Light Lad, wait!” Diamond Damsel started to caution him, but she was too late. He’d not progressed more than a foot or so before some invisible force slammed into him with bonecrunching impact.

“It’s them!” Ron-Karr almost shrieked. “It’s the same things that killed 89!”

“Be a man about it for goodness’ sake!” Shadow Lass chastised him, dragging Makkia Vei’s limp form behind her as she approached Ron-Karr. Tasmia herself was only holding on to consciousness by sheer force of will, but she knew if she surrendered to the pain she’d be dead for sure. “And come closer, I can hide us all in darkness. Diamond Damsel, do you think you can handle whatever these things are while we collect Light Lad?” Tasmia Mallor wasn’t entirely confident that hiding them in darkness would help; it certainly hadn’t made any difference in her previous encounters with Invisible Queen. She was the most senior Legionnaire here though...until Brainiac 5 joined them, she needed to do something to prevent the grip of panic from setting in.

Ron-Karr was the next to fall, howling in agony as they all saw the shape of an enormous fist with spiked knuckles deform his flat torso. Thankfully some function of his weird power protected him from being ripped like the sheet of paper he resembled, but he still joned his Coluan teammate and Light Lad in unconsciousness.

“Shadow Lass, do it!” Diamond Damsel bellowed. “Dev-Em said they were weaker than him so I doubt they can hurt me!” She charged in the general direction of the villain who’d taken out Ron-Karr with her arms outstretched and hit only a glancing blow, but she was confident that it’d be enough at least to ensure it focused on her as a potential threat.

Shadow Lass didn’t bother responding verbally as she saw Diamond Damsel’s head lurch to the left thanks to an invisible punch. She knew her teammate was deliberately acting as a decoy to give her a chance and the Talokkian heroine needed to take advantage of that. As she wrapped herself and her charges in a shroud of darkness, Tasmia wrapped her tattered cloak around her free hand a few times then chanced reaching for the still flat Ron-Karr. She could feel the hyper-sharp edge of his arm even through the protective layers of fabric but this would be enough to keep her from losing fingers at least.

While she hoped that her power hid her from these destroyers, it didn’t impede her own vision at all. Shadow Lass saw a great green dragon emerge dramatically from a field of debris in one direction as the similarly emerald glow of Neon’s protective aura approached from elsewhere.

“Thank you, ancestors,” Tasmia silently prayed. “Now please just let me stay alive long enough for backup to make a difference.”

**********
The bridge of the Legion’s cruiser was still mostly in one piece, albeit a completely useless piece sheared away from the rest of the ship as it had been. Inside the tumbling room Brainiac 5 turned to Firecrest, Mwindaji and Kid Computo who’d all been protected by the Coluan’s forcefield belt.

“I guess you called me and Mwin to the bridge for nothing, huh?” Kid Computo quipped in an effort to fight her fear. “I don’t think we need to try and find our mystery bad guys anymore.”

“Quite the contrary,” Brainiac 5 replied, completely unfazed by the certain death they’d all just narrowly averted. “We know that we’ve been assaulted but we still have no clear way to detect our assailants. If Mwindaji can track their location precisely or if you can hone in on any computerised components, that will be of immense aid. In the meantime Kid Computo, synchronise all of your flight rings with mine. We need to fly clear of this wreckage so that we can discern the status of our teammates and the Oversight Watch.”

It was no effort for Danielle to comply, and still ensconced in Brainiac 5’s forcefield the Legionnaires flew through the drifting remains of the corridor which had moments ago linked them to the rest of their ship. When they reached open space, they saw Diamond Damsel and Power Boy both fighting a losing battle against invisible opponents while Dragonmage, Nightwind and Mandalla were all safely contained within a translucent jade dragonform. Neon, Quislet and Dev-Em were flying back to lend a hand but Brainiac instantly realised that not everybody was accounted for.

“I can’t see them,” Danielle Foccart offered, “But I can sense Shadow Lass and Light Lad’s flight rings as well as Makkia Vei and Ron-Karr’s comms equipment and transuits. They’re all together, so I guess Shadow Lass is using her power to hide them.”

“Smart girl,” Firecrest winced as he watched Power Boy double over.

“But Brainy,” Danielle continued, “there’s something else...there’s definitely technology behind this, but it feels so vague. It’s like watching something move in a fog, I know it’s there but I can’t get a handle on it. And I know this is gonna sound crazy, but it feels almost...alive?”

Crazy is not the descriptor of an educated sentient,” Brainiac huffed. “It could be some type of techno-organic lifeform like the Linsnarians or the Namonites. Lead us to Shadow Lass’s contingent and then concentrate on our enemy, Danielle. I have more faith in my forcefield to protect our allies from this threat than Shadow Lass’s power. What about you, Mwindaji?”

“I sense nothing!” the tracker from Kirinyaga noted curiously. “I have never known a quarry to hide from my power when obviously it is within our presence, but that is exactly what I am encountering now!”

“I expected as much,” Brainiac 5 responded. “But it’s always good to confirm a theory.”

“Those two are getting slaughtered out there,” Firecrest observed as Diamond Damsel was battered from one opponent to the next. “Brainiac, let me out and I’ll go help them.”

“Your fire-breathing ability is useless in the vacuum of space,” Brainiac 5 countered.

“Then I guess we’re lucky that isn’t the only power I have these days, aren’t we?” While he spoke, he triggered the change into his weredragon form. Discomfort could be discerned from his tone, but the transformation was no longer agonising.

“I doubt this is the best course of action,” Brainiac replied, “But I understand your desire to contribute.” He deftly moved controls on his belt, switching the forcefield off long enough for Firecrest to fly off toward Diamond Damsel. Before Brainiac 5 could reactivate the field however, a thunderous blow to the back of his head knocked him out cold.

“How many of you basstichess are there?!” Firecrest protested as he turned to lash out at where Brainiac’s assailant must be located. He felt his claws rake against something, but didn’t feel that he’d deeply penetrated whatever armour this invisible thing wore. A moment later, an enormous invisible arm smacked into his waist and sent him flying. The blow itself was frighteningly powerful, but it was a web of electricity crackling through his entire body which actually knocked him out.

“Are you sprocking kidding me?!” an exasperated Kid Computo exclaimed. “Brainiac sent him on this mission with that stupid stunweb still active?!” She reached out with her power and reactivated the forcefield barely in time to prevent herself and Mwindaji from being collected by the blow which reverberated around them. Firecrest had floated just outside of the field’s range, but Danielle commandeered his flight ring and started reeling him.

Mwindaji had already begun using his power to heal their leader, and as he looked up toward Danielle his face was bathed in the same white glow that was knitting Brainiac 5’s skull back together. “Do not despair,” he tried to calm the younger girl. “Brainiac 5 will be restored to health in a moment and it seems that our reinforcements have arrived...look!”

Danielle saw Quislet’s microship approach with Neon not far behind and her heart sank. If Brainiac 5 had seen fit to send Firecrest into battle with the stunweb he’d inserted into his suit….she used her power to confirm her fears and raised her flight ring to her lips. “Quislet!” she shouted. “Get back, just give me a nano and I’ll--”

“No time!” Quislet trilled excitedly. “Quislet can’t see bad guys,” the Teallian explorer reasoned as his ship flew its erratic path through the battle, “But Quislet can guess where bad guys are!” The hull to his ship slid open, and the spark of life which actually was Quislet leaped out in the direction of whatever had injured Firecrest. To the tiny hero’s disappointment, he found he’d misjudged. He was just darting back to the safety of his ship when whatever they were fighting deformed the vessel as though it were a discarded tin can. The ship could still have been salvaged had the damage not set off the implosion device that Brainiac 5 had instituted within, but Quislet had no way to combat that. His ship seemed to crunch in on itself until it ceased to exist, and simultaneously so did he.

“What the sprock was that all about?” Neon’s jaw dropped. “Did these invisible things do that??” The distraction dented Zoe’s concentration just enough so that when a ferocious two-fisted blow found the middle of her back, the only thing which saved her spine from snapping was her emerald aura. She tumbled into the void, a fading green ember.

“Oh no, you don’t.” Danielle reached out once more and stopped Zoe’s flight into space; she was beginning to reach her power’s limit though. Danielle had never realised before how much constant adjustment Brainiac 5’s forcefield belt required against repeated impacts; she supposed with Brainiac’s 12th level intellect it was a simple matter for him to devote the smallest portion of his consciousness to the task, but Danielle Foccart was far from a 12th level intellect. Maintaining his forcefield against super-powered punches while she kept Zoe and Staq from drifting into oblivion and also kept track of everybody’s flight rings who she couldn’t see was starting to give her a headache. “Damn it Brainy,” she muttered, “Any time you want to wake up and lend us a hand here…”

“I am awake thanks to Mwindaji,” the Coluan man’s voice replied groggily, “If not entirely alert just yet...but Kid Computo, you just need to use the tools available to you.”

“Oh my god, are you sprocking kidding me?!” she exploded. “I’m already keeping your sprocking forcefield going and Firecrest and Neon’s flight rings--”

Mwindaji offered a now fully healed Brainiac his hand and helped him stand. “Danielle,” Brainiac 5 interrupted her rant, “Neon’s flight ring is not the only functional piece of jewellery she wears.”

Kid Computo stopped mid-sentence and her eyes became wide as saucers once it dawned on her what he was suggesting.

“Ohh yeahh,” she cracked her knuckles with a wicked smirk.

“Brightest day, motherflorgers.”

**********
Power Boy felt a heavily armoured forearm squeeze around his throat, his opponent taking him from behind. Floating in open space like this, Jed had no leverage; he doubted this creature was significantly stronger than him but he wasn’t having any luck trying to pry his way loose either. He’d really wanted to avoid having to use his power to phase through the thing’s grip as he knew he’d face the same dilemma as when he’d turned intangible last time. Without being able to see these things, he might materialise inside one of them and that would be lethal for them both. He was swiftly running out of options though; he certainly wasn’t going to be any more use to anyone if he allowed himself to be strangled than he would by becoming intangible.

He’d just made the decision to reduce his density when the creature jolted and inexplicably released him. Power Boy turned around to see why he’d been freed and found Dev-Em hovering nearby, the Kryptonian’s eyes smoldering red. “Nobody chokes out my boyfriend,” Dev-Em scowled.

“Well...nobody else,” Power Boy winked at his lover. Jed swung a mighty fist where he guessed his assailant might be, and for the first time since encountering these things he felt that he’d laid a solid and very satisfying blow as unseen armour plating deformed around his knuckles. “Thanks for the save, babe.”

“Any time,” Dev-Em replied, looking over the battle. “We really need a focused plan of attack though...there are only a few of us who can fight these things one-on-one, everyone else here is going to start…” He paused as the vivid memory of 89’s death flashed into his mind’s eye. “...They’re gonna start getting hurt if we don’t shut this down.”

“Yeah…” Jed’s flirtatious tone faded immediately as he shared the same visceral memory. “Yeah, let’s start by helping her.” He gestured at Diamond Damsel who was being held from behind by one of the invisible attackers while another repeatedly struck her torso.

Before either of the men could make a move, an emerald beam of pure concussive force slammed into the creature punching Diamond Damsel; for a fraction of a second, its outline was visible and the heroes had their first visual confirmation of how big these things really were. It must have been easily nine feet tall and built like a Khundian Star Destroyer, all armour and spikes. A second beam smashed the one holding Diamond Damsel while sending Diamond Damsel herself tumbling head over heels till she used her flight ring to right herself. Guessing that the energy blasts had come from Neon, Diamond Damsel looked around till she found Zoe Saugin surrounded in her familiar nimbus of emerald light. “Not that I’m ungrateful for the help, but could you leave me in one piece next time you’re...saving me..?” Her angular features turned down in a sharp frown as she realised Neon was just hanging there limply. “How..?”

“I’m a Green Lantern!” Danielle Foccart’s excited voice rang out over all of their comms. “I took over Zoe’s ring till she wakes up!”

“Legionnaires, Oversight Watch, form on Neon’s position.” This much calmer voice belonged to Brainiac 5. “Kid Computo can use Neon’s power ring to shield us while Mwindaji heals those who need it and I’ll decide our next move from there.”

“Your next move?” a throaty woman’s voice responded. “I should think your next move would be to surrender.” Everybody who was still up and about glanced around, urgently trying to find the woman who’d just spoken.

“Where have these two gone?” Diamond Damsel swung cautiously at nothing. “No way I believe those hits took either of them out.”

“They’ve all stopped attacking,” Dev-Em noted grimly. “I don’t like it.” He scanned the surrounding area with every enhanced sense he possessed, but it helped not at all.

“I should think you’d be grateful for an end to the violence,” the woman’s voice continued.

It was maddening; like everyone else here, she was only audible at all because of the comms equipment they all possessed so it was impossible to pinpoint her location using her voice. Still, Dev-Em knew he should be able to sense her in any number of other ways. Then it dawned on him...he couldn’t sense Shadow Lass, Light Lad, Ron-Karr or Makkia Vei either.

As if on cue, Malias the Invisible Queen shimmered very much into visibility. She was reclining on some kind of elaborate transparent throne, her legs casually crossed. To her left, one of the giant armoured men appeared with Shadow Lass hanging limply from his outstretched arm. His armour was plated, almost medieval in appearance, and though it too seemed to be composed of some kind of transparent plastic it covered his entire body without even eye slits to reveal any organic foe within the shell. The prominent spikes which so many of the heroes present had felt were finally made threateningly visible. So large was the bulky villain that he could only fit two of his fingers and his thumb around Tasmia Mallor’s throat and it was obvious that he’d be able to snap her neck with the barest effort. Another of the armoured men appeared to Invisible Queen’s right hand side, this one holding Makkia Vei in the same pose.

“For those of you whom I’ve yet to have had the pleasure of meeting,” Malias greeted the assembled heroes, “I am Malias the Invisible Queen; these are but two of my Invisible Destroyers and I assure you they are capable of slaying your comrades at my first command. Now I know how you people think...even now your feverish little minds are formulating plans to overpower my men, to rescue the Shadow Champion of Talok VIII and her little green friend; but let me also assure you, these are not all of my Invisible Destroyers, and the ones you can’t see hold two of your men’s lives quite literally in their hands as we speak. So...let us discuss your surrender, shall we?”

Dev-Em balled his fists. “If you think we’re gonna--”

“You have us at a distinct disadvantage,” Brainiac 5 interrupted. “As I see it, surrender is our only option.” He deactivated his forcefield to the vocal shock and disapproval of some of the others.

*********
While Legionnaires and Oversight Watch members argued back and forth, one man watched from a safe distance with a heavy heart. Brainiac 5 had asked Invisible Kid to maintain his power since well before they’d entered Talokkian space and to take no action in the event of a fight so that when the Legion and the Oversight Watch were inevitably taken captive Jacques could follow in secret, could find out how the Invisible Queen was maintaining this effect over such a wide radius and free the heroes to restore normalcy to the region once more. Jacques had been on the bridge when the Invisible Destroyers attacked, had been protected like everyone else inside Brainiac 5’s forcefield, and had cleared the battle site altogether when the forcefield was briefly dropped, just as Brainiac had instructed him to.

Intellectually, Jacques understood the logic behind the plan; if they didn’t allow Invisible Queen to capture them they might never be able to locate her themselves. He didn’t feel at all comfortable however just sitting back and watching his friends, allies and his youngest sister surrender themselves to this monstrous woman; he felt worse still that Brainiac hadn’t seen fit to tell any of the others his plan. They knew that Invisible Kid had been given another task, but none of them knew that Brainiac had intended on making them all his sacrificial lambs from the very beginning. When Jacques had raised his objections, Brainiac had told him that he needed the others to react genuinely to the prospect of defeat if their ploy was to succeed. Again, it was something that Jacques could understand but even for Brainiac 5 it was coldly lacking in sentiment. An unwelcome question came to Jacques not for the first time; how had Brainiac 5 even known that Invisible Queen would take them captive rather than simply kill them all? Not for the first time, he refused to entertain it. He wasn’t sure he’d like the answer.

While he’d been lost in his thoughts, the Invisible Destroyers had placed helmets and manacles upon all of the heroes. The Legionnaires and Oversight Watch were linked to one another by thick cables, all of the restraining equipment made of the same weird transparent plastic as the Invisible Destroyers’ armour and the Invisible Queen’s throne. From the way his friends reacted, Jacques guessed that the helmets deprived them of their vision. He supposed this must be Invisible Queen’s equivalent of blindfolding her captives to keep her secret hideout secret. Finally, Jacques Foccart realised with a guilty sense of relief, he was going to be useful.

He followed them from about a dozen feet back as they led the heroes away from the debris, Invisible Queen taking a rear position as her throne revealed itself to contain hidden propulsion equipment. Jacques was satisfied at least that nobody had seen him; he certainly hadn’t seen either Malias or the Invisible Destroyers until she’d seen fit to reveal them all, so it made sense to him that they’d be equally unable to see him while his power was in effect.

Just as Jacques had this thought, Malias the Invisible Queen raised her hand and the Invisible Destroyers stopped in their tracks. Malias also stopped moving, and for the first time stood from her throne. She turned around while her throne seemed to grow a secondary seat from its own mass and to the abject horror of Jacques Foccart she stared straight at him.

“Invisible Kid, isn’t it?” she asked with an indulgent smile. “Don’t be shy, come up here...take a seat next to your queen.”

TO BE CONTINUED!!!
Yikes, what a cliffhanger! I wonder what Malias intends to do with her "king". I'm not surprised she can see him though, she's just that powerful.

Good job giving those heroes whose powers normally wouldn't work well in space - like Nightwind and Light Lad - something to do.

Laughed at Jed's line re choking. Looks like he and Dev have a healthy, kinky sex life.

Kid Computo is the MVP! I would love to see her go up against Larfleeze. Oh, the look on his face...

So it seems that Quislet's ship-bomb and Firecrest's stunweb activated accidentally? I'm fairly sure Brainy didn't intend for them to be self-disabled in battle. Quis' was more clearly an accident (damaged ship + bomb = boom). Firecrest's was a bit elss obvious for me.

Smart plan by Brainy. Too bad it won't work... but maybe he has another ace up his sleeve?
Just when I was thinking that Jacques was doing so much better than his usual trapped-under-some-rubble/ exposition lad/ plot mover role, with a nice long range espionage plan too. I also wondered briefly about different levels/ sources of invisibility and who could see whom, but I stopped that as I read the end smile A very nice twist there Raz.

Two of Brainy's plans blow up in his face. Mind you, he wasn't expecting to win that combat, so it might not derail his plans as much as the cliff hanger suggests. I don't think the others will see it that way when the dust settles though.

Nice to see you use the Invisible Destroyer name. The who's who entry I recall was an invisible guy in a costume. A mr foccart or something he was called... smile Your version captures more of the destroyer feel.

Mwindaji can stay as he has super-healing, but Atomic Doggy joining means that it's over for Timberwolf. smile Actually, one of the Post-Atomic doggies really would make for a very visual, yet familiar, non human character.

Looking forward to the next part Raz.

At last, an explanation for why Brainy hasn't made force fields for everyone in the Legion - here you explain that Danielle can't keep up with the calculations needed to extend the field - so the forcefield could perhaps be maintained by anyone in a static/unassailed position, but not in battle, when they'd need it.

Brainy's always a few steps ahead of everyone else, but it's no guarantee that he's taken the right course. I'm enjoying the suspense of whether or not he foresaw what would happen to Quislet and Firecrest, as well as how capture by the Invisible Queen will turn out.

Gas Girl expelled from Lallor! I'm sure we haven't seen the last of that story and look forward to what Ord's will might contain.
Originally Posted by Fat Cramer
...and look forward to what Ord's will might contain.


"You must travel to Lythyl and put a trellis behind the plant that's doing very nicely thank you despite no one visiting it with water." smile
haha I nearly didn't put Jed's choking line in cuz I thought it was a bit too spicy, but I surrendered to my baser nature wink One of these days I gotta draw and upload my reimagined Power Boy costume, it's very stripperiffic laugh

The bit with Brainy's forcefield belt was inspired by a scene in one of the old Levitz issues where Brainy gives Ayla his belt to use and she can't figure out how to work it, so Nura takes it off her in a huff...I figure "user-friendly" for Brainiac 5 doesn't necessarily mean user-friendly to 99% of the rest of the known universe wink

thoth - LOL @ Ord's will laugh Sooner or later Lythyl will get a Legionnaires and Supporting Cast Memorial Garden at that rate smile

Quote
FRIENDLY REMINDER: there’s still plenty of time to cast your vote for the next leader of the Legion of Superheroes! Send me a private message with your top three choices!




lol! does your Gravity Kid still have his super revealing outfit too? I can just imagine the sexual tension when Jed and Tel next meet, especially if they’re both showing off a lot of skin!
Queer as Folk: the 31st Century edition laugh laugh
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Landing gracefully on the rooftop of the Legion of Superheroes’ home and headquarters, Dawnstar stretched her aching limbs and cracked her neck which was knotted with tension. It might be the middle of the night here, the two moons of Mars making their mismatched journey across the sky above, but she’d just spent the better part of the afternoon on Triton helping to track down a missing group of school children and she was exhausted. She was looking forward to a quick sonic shower and a long uninterrupted sleep.

“Hey, pretty lady.” Even if she hadn’t recognised Wildfire’s voice instantly, the distinct glow of his containment suit was unmistakable as he approached from the building’s rooftop entrance.

“Oh,” Dawnstar answered awkwardly. “Hello, Drake.”

“Hey,” he repeated himself just as awkwardly. As the winged woman walked past him, he decided to just lay it all out in the open. “Uhh Dawny...can we talk?”

She turned to face him and saw that he was rubbing the back of his helmet, his visor facing the ground between them. It was a very human gesture of vulnerability, and it reminded Dawnstar why she loved him so; despite his constant anxiety about his perceived inhumanity, Drake Burroughs was one of the most human people Dawnstar had ever met.

Right now however, his human fallibility was one of the things that hurt her the most. “I’m sorry Drake, I’ve been operating at peak capacity for hours. I really need to rest.”

“I know,” he said perhaps a little too urgently. “I’ve seen your duty roster. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were taking on all the work you can to avoid talking to me, Dawny. I thought after I brought this up on Luna we’d discuss it properly...instead, I feel like you’ve just doubled down. I don’t know what I’ve done, but--”

“You weren’t there for me,” she spoke quietly. “Or..or you won’t be there for me.”

“What..?” He cocked his head, clearly confused. “What do you mean? Why won’t I be there for you? Dawny, I’d die for you!”

“On Durla,” she answered, her voice breaking. “When the Infinite Boy called on the Legion’s aid, when we reunited with Colossal Boy and Chameleon Girl--”

“Dawny, that’s crazy!” Wildfire protested. “I wasn’t even on that mission, you can’t blame me for--”

“Drake, be quiet and let me finish.” She didn’t raise her voice, but there was something raw in her tone that gave Wildfire pause. She spent a moment composing herself and continued. “On Durla, I met a woman named Bounty. She was...Drake, she was me. The Infinite Boy had summoned her from the future to track down Chameleon Girl. She was me, but she was me possessed by some kind of psychic entity. And when that entity saw me, it saw a younger version of the victim it had already broken. It saw fresh meat. And if it weren’t for the Infinite Boy, I’d be under that animal’s control right now.” She cleared her throat self-consciously and wiped tears from her eyes with the back of her sleeve.

“Grife, Dawny.” Wildfire reached out to console her. “Why didn’t you tell me this before? Man, if I’d been there--”

Dawnstar pulled away from him. “You’d have done what exactly, Drake?” she spat with unexpected venom. “Because from everything this Bounty creature said, not a single person in the Legion of Superheroes even noticed when it took possession of me - when it takes possession of me in the future. I’m going to be cuckolded and tortured physically and mentally by an evil monster at some point in my future, and every time I look at you all I see is that thing’s face reflected back at me taunting me with that fact. I can understand that none of the others would see it happening; I don’t like it, but I understand it. But you? You, Drake? That’s what really hurts. You say you love me, but you won’t even realise when I need you most.”

Silence hung between them like a mortician’s shroud. “Dawny..” Wildfire eventually spoke. “Dawny, I--”

“Wildfire! There you are!” Chameleon Boy’s voice pierced the gloom, and Wildfire and Dawnstar saw him along with Phantom Girl and Gas Girl rushing upstairs to the roof. “Did you switch your comms off? We’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

“Is everything okay up here?” Phantom Girl asked, having instantly sensed that they’d interrupted a delicate moment.

“Everything is perfectly fine,” Dawnstar answered, her usual mask of icy professionalism restored. “Are we needed for a mission?”

“Brainy’s team just disappeared off the map,” Chameleon Boy replied. Though he too sensed the high emotion in the air, he knew that had to take second place right now. “Ultra Boy’s pulling a rescue team together and he wants all of our heavy hitters; that means you, Wildfire.”

“I’ll come also,” Dawnstar offered. “You may need a tracker.”

“We probably will need a tracker,” Phantom Girl agreed, “But it’s not gonna be you, sorry Dawnstar. We checked with Laurel in the monitor room and she told us you’ve just come back from a mission. You know the rules, it’s important that you recover.”

“Very well.” Dawnstar was too worn out to argue. “If you need me, I will be here.” She left the other Legionnaires alone and walked into the building.

Wildfire balled his fists. He wanted more than anything else to go after the woman he loved, but he knew the Legion needed him more urgently right now. “I’ll join the ship when you take off,” he growled before walking to the edge of the roof.

“I’m not really sure what that was all about,” Phantom Girl confided once she was certain that both Wildfire and Dawnstar were out of earshot, “But something tells me it’s for the best we didn’t have to go out there with the two of them together.” She arched her eyebrows for emphasis and descended through the roof of the building.

“Um, Chameleon Boy?” Gas Girl asked as she followed Cham downstairs to the hangar, “Has Violet had a chance to speak with you..?”

“About your Lalloran situation?” Cham responded, taking two steps at a time. “She has, and I’ve got an idea how to tackle it...let’s talk about it on the way.”

**********
ELSEWHERE
Jacques Foccart was frustrated and confounded.

Once the Invisible Queen was confident that the rest of Invisible Kid’s teammates and allies had been shackled and secured with sensory-deprivation helmets, she’d removed all of their flight rings and comms equipment. Jacques had been spared the indignity of the restraints, but he had been forced to hand over his flight ring along with everyone else (though he’d at least had the presence of mind to discreetly activate the ring’s distress beacon before handing it over). An enormous armoured vehicle had shimmered into view not far from the site of their recent battle, and the Invisible Destroyers had ushered everybody aboard none too gently at the Invisible Queen’s behest. Jacques had never seen a vessel like it, though it was clearly made of the same weird substance as the Invisible Destroyers’ armour and it obeyed the same design principles. It was an imposing beast, all armour plating and jutting spikes.

Once inside the ship, Jacques had been isolated from the others in a cell which was small but comfortable. He’d felt the slightest hint of motion before inertial dampeners kicked in, then he’d sat on the cot which had been provided and tried to dwell on anything other than his mounting concern for his sister and his friends. The first thing he’d noticed was that this room was seamless; even the door had been absorbed back into the wall once he’d been safely locked away, and everything in this room was made of the same weird substance. It were as if he’d been imprisoned inside a clear molded cube. The logic didn’t track though; surely if the whole vessel was transparent, then he should be able to see the others through its walls? Instead, just as with the Invisible Destroyers’ armour, it seemed that anything inside it was hidden from view even when the vessel’s shell could be seen. He reached out to touch the wall with his right hand while his left hand patted the cushioned mattress he sat upon. The textures were completely different, one steel hard and the other agreeably soft. Jacques was certain that Brainiac 5 had already figured out what this peculiar material was, but it was beyond him. He realised that all he could do for now was sit and wait.

It wasn’t too much longer before Jacques Foccart saw a tiny marble-sized planet grow swiftly larger through the hull of the vessel, until it became obvious that the polymer-shielded world was their destination. As they approached closer though, he realised that this wasn’t a polymer shield like the one which enclosed his homeworld Earth; it was made of the same material as every other invisible object here, and he only saw the planet it enclosed when a port opened up to allow them access. Mon Dieu, the Legionnaire named Invisible Kid marvelled, Does the range of her power recognise no limits?? The planet was obviously Talok III, and presently the ship docked in the hangar level of what seemed to be a government building which had been repurposed to suit the Invisible Queen’s needs. Once they’d landed, the outside world faded from view entirely, giving Jacques the uncomfortable illusion of standing in a featureless void. Jacques pounded on the walls with both fists, roaring for Malias to attend him. He knew the gesture would likely be meaningless, but he’d had enough of waiting and the utter lack of anything at all within visual range was unnerving him greatly. The futility of the protest overcame him after a couple of minutes, and he sat defeated once more on his cot.

It was precisely at that point when Malias the Invisible Queen opened the door to Invisible Kid’s cell, for all appearances looking like she’d just opened a portal into this unnatural limbo from the real world. It took a deliberate act of will on Jacques’ part not to leap through the open door immediately, and when he saw one of the enormous Invisible Destroyers standing behind Malias he was glad he’d restrained himself. “How was your trip?” she asked in an absurdly normal tone of voice.

“Are you mad, woman?” Invisible Kid exploded. “What game are you playing here? Where are my sister and my friends?”

“Oh, that’s right! That pretty young thing is your baby sister, isn’t she?” Malias looked like the proverbial cat who’d swallowed the canary, and Jacques instantly regretted revealing their relationship. “How nice to have family so near! My beloved siblings are long gone of course, but as little as you think of me I assure you they were far far worse. But we don’t need to talk about ancient history when a promising future looms close for both of us...come, Invisible Kid. Walk with me.”

“I want to know that my sister is safe,” Jacques scowled, unmoving.

“She’s fine,” Malias gave a thin-lipped smile. “They’re all fine. You have the word of Malias the Invisible Queen, the Unseen Mistress of Horrors herself.”

“You’ll forgive me if that does not fill me with comfort,” Jacques retorted grimly. “I want to see her. I want to see all of them.”

“Of course,” Malias decreed magnanimously. “You must believe me, Invisible Kid - I have no desire to make an enemy of you, such a meager request can be easily granted. Come.” She waved him closer with fingers more bony than seemed healthy.

Wary, Jacques followed. He did briefly consider assaulting her now, holding her hostage and forcing her lackey to free his friends, but it was too risky. Jacques was certain she’d keep Danielle alive as long as possible to use as her bargaining chip if necessary, but that left over a dozen other prisoners she could kill on a whim. Besides which, there was something about the way she carried herself that left Jacques uncertain if he’d actually be able to defeat her one-on-one. The Invisible Destroyer took up their rear, and the trio made their way through a glass maze of a building which clearly didn’t disorient the villains in the slightest. “Here,” Malias announced, distracting Jacques from his hapless efforts to map their path in his mind. “My faithful servant, if you please?”

The Invisible Destroyer stepped to one side and opened a hatch in a wall that Jacques hadn’t even noticed was there. On the other side was a cell larger than the one in which Jacques had found himself, but similarly designed. As the Invisible Queen had said, his sister appeared unhurt but anxious. She still wore the helmet which had been placed upon her head earlier but her shackles were gone. “Brainy..?” Danielle Foccart asked tremulously. “Mwindaji..? Can anyone hear me? Why can’t I hear myself??”

She wasn’t alone in the room; Light Lad, Mwindaji, Neon and Dragonmage were all trapped in the same helmet-induced sensory void with her. While Light Lad and Neon were only now groaning their way into painful consciousness, Dragonmage sat in lotus position trying to bring his power to bear past his feelings of helplessness and fear. Mwindaji had found his way to one of the walls and was running his hands across it in an effort to understand his surroundings. All of them were completely oblivious to Danielle’s pleas, and seemingly oblivious to anybody else in the room with them. “Danielle!” Jacques bellowed hoarsely. “Ma soeur! Legionnaires!! I am here, I will find a way to help you! I swear it!”

“Invisible Kid, please.” Malias didn’t move to interrupt him, but simply gave an indulgent smile. “They cannot hear you, don’t strain yourself further.”

“I want to see the others!” he turned on her. “All of them, Invisible Queen! The Legion and the Oversight Watch!”

“Honestly, there’s no need for histrionics.” She nodded at the Invisible Destroyer and he closed the hatch again, cutting Kid Computo’s cries off abruptly. “I’d have thought it clear by now that I bear no malice toward you, Invisible Kid. Your accommodations aboard my vessel were certainly more comfortable than those of your friends, and I’ve brought you to your sister as you asked. I’m more than happy to show you the remainder of the ship of fools you brought here with you.”

Invisible Kid’s blood ran cold at that moment. He’d been so preoccupied with worrying about everything on a larger scale that he hadn’t given any real thought to how she’d been treating him specifically. “...Why?” he asked suspiciously. “Earlier...you said that you were my queen, and I took it for a figure of speech but if you think for one moment that I’ll swear allegiance to you just because of our similar powers--”

“Swear allegiance?” Malias interrupted with a throaty laugh. “Invisible Kid, I want far more than your allegiance. I want you to reign alongside me as my consort!”

Invisible Kid’s face contorted with disgust. “Your...your consort? Truly, you must be insane!”

“I’m not insane, Invisible Kid.” She approached him brazenly, her face mere inches from his own and the intense white of her eyes painful to behold.

“...But if you want your sister and your friends to continue drawing breath for much longer, perhaps you’ll consider becoming my Invisible King.”

**********
It had been seventeen standard minutes since Querl Dox had been unceremoniously dumped wherever he was. He presumed that some of his allies were here with him at least, it was the most likely justification for Malias to have left him deprived of his senses. If she just wanted him confined to an invisible space, he believed it was well within her abilities to drop him in an unseen cell. No, Querl believed that she wanted to ensure her captives specifically couldn’t see or hear one another, to rob them of their ability to communicate.

Querl Dox had other ideas.

The Invisible Queen had removed his forcefield belt, his omnicom and his flight ring but she’d not noticed the telepathic earplugs already inserted into both ears nor the pair that were hidden in a secret pocket in his left cuff. The Coluan man had always planned on being captured, and he’d had the foresight to realise he’d need an alternate form of communications when that happened. He hadn’t planned on these bothersome helmets blocking access to anyone’s ears, but he had a way to get around that.

Brainiac 5 stood up and hesitantly called out to a couple Legionnaires. He couldn’t hear himself and he assumed none of the others would hear either, but it would reassure any guards monitoring him that he was grasping helplessly for hope. His probing fingertips found a wall, and Brainiac felt his way along it until he came across the light silky sleeve of a garment.

In the time it took the person to flinch and pull away, Brainiac had already ascertained their likely identity; the Invisible Queen’s arms were bare, the Invisible Destroyers were armoured behemoths, and Kid Computo’s jacket was made of thicker material. The other heroes all wore much more form-fitting outfits, leaving only Makkia Vei with her delicate billowing sleeves. Before she could move away, he grabbed her arm firmly with one hand and tapped a staggered rhythmic pattern on her forearm with his free hand. Once he felt her relax, Brainiac slowly moved his hand up her arm until his palm found her shoulder, her neck and finally the base of her skull.

<Makkia>, he projected her name mentally. <I’m holding a pair of telepathic earplugs close to your brain stem, don’t react.>

<Brainiac 5?> she queried. <How did you know it was me?>

<Tactile cues, and you recognised the binary code I was tapping. I wouldn’t credit many non-Coluans with such swift interpretation.>

<You may have credited me too highly>, she replied dryly. <I could tell that it was an effort to communicate but not all of us are 12th level intellects, Professor Dox. Regardless, you obviously planned for us to be defeated so I assume you’ve already planned our next step?>

Brainiac 5 was uncommonly surprised. <What makes you think-->

<Oh, please>, Makkia interrupted him. <You assembled a team of predominantly neophyte Legionnaires with almost no heavy hitters, absolutely nobody with any advantage over invisible opponents, and you walked into the exact ambush the Oversight Watch warned you about. I also noticed you brought along your healer, so clearly you weren’t intending on remaining defeated for long. As soon as I realised we were supposed to lose, I feigned unconsciousness and decided to wait for the next phase of your plan to reveal itself. So tell me...what is the next phase of your plan?>

Brainiac didn’t bother trying to disguise his scheming, at this stage he saw no point. <The Invisible Queen made a mistake bringing us here>, he answered directly. <I reasoned that she would be using either technological or magical means to boost her power. Kid Computo said earlier that this technology felt almost alive, and I believe she was more correct than she’d assumed. With the benefit of having been in close proximity to this device for so long, I think all of the Invisible Queen’s technology is a product of one techno-organic lifeform...once we find its neurological core, I am confident that Danielle can liberate it from Invisible Queen’s control.>

<Wonderful>, Makkia rejoined, disappointed that the depth of her sarcasm didn’t transmit via their telepathic link. <But we need to liberate ourselves before we can liberate anything else, Brainiac.>

<That won’t be a problem>, Brainiac 5 assured her confidently. <If you believe we’re truly trapped in these devices Makkia, you’ve grossly underestimated the Legion of Superheroes.> Just as he finished talking, he heard something for the first time since he’d arrived here. It was a scratching scraping sound which quickly turned into metal rending around him, and then he saw reptillian claws shred his helmet into strips. Brainiac immediately shaded his eyes against the sudden influx of light, Firecrest’s wiry weredragon form a hazy silhouette to the Coluan.

“Give yoursself a nano,” Firecrest hissed as quietly as possible. “It’ss a little overwhelming being able to ssee and hear again all of a ssudden.” Staq freed Makkia as well then moved on to their remaining cellmates Shadow Lass and Ron-Karr, who were only now beginning to come around. “Sshadow Lasss iss bleeding badly, Brainy,” a worried Firecrest announced. “Sshe really got banged up when the cruisser exxploded.”

“How did you get free?” Makkia asked, blinking rapidly while she waited to acclimatise to the light. “I’d have thought the Invisible Queen would have made your helmet proof against your claws and flame breath?”

“Sshe did.” Staq pointed at his discarded helmet, sitting unmolested in a corner of the room. “Sshe alsso made it big enough to fit a dragon man’ss head. All I had to do was sswitch back to my human form and it sslid right off...and lucky for all of you, it didn’t occur to her to make our individual helmetss proof againsst everyone elsse’s powers. Otherwisse I wouldn’t be able to do thiss.” He grabbed Tasmia’s head in both taloned hands, then with great care began slicing her helmet away.

“There’s no need to lower your voices,” Brainiac announced. “If these helmets being torn to pieces aren’t raising any alarms, we hardly need to whisper.” He walked across the featureless cell to where Tasmia Mallor lay in agony and evaluated her condition as well as he could. “When you’re finished freeing Shadow Lass and Ron-Karr, tear her cape into strips,” he instructed Staq. “Some makeshift bandages should help her until Mwindaji locates us.”

“Ssure, Brainy. I--” A rustling thumping noise from above caught all of their attention, and they all stared wide-eyed at one another. A moment later, an almost invisible grate fell from the ceiling and blended in seamlessly with the floor upon impact. From a darkened vent, a lithe figure wearing a black bodysuit with red highlights came down after the grate and landed gracefully in the midst of the imprisoned heroes.

Makkia’s jaw dropped. “...89? How..?!”

“I’m glad you’ve freed yourselves already,” the supposedly deceased leader of the Oversight Watch greeted them all. “Saves me some trouble.” She held out one hand, three pairs of goggles dangling from her open palm.

“Now...let’s go depose a monarchy.”

TO BE CONTINUED…!
hah! I had a hunch 89 would still be alive. Nicely done, though!

I love Staq using his transformation to free himself.Good thing Queenie overlooked that! I wonder how Brainy was planning on getting free though, if Staq weren't there? Good thing they're in the same cell.

Makkia touched upon the same thing I noticed - Briany had all newbies on the team. She deduced a step further, though.

Invisible King, hee. I wonder, why did Queenie pick Jacques? Because they share the same powers? Or is there something deeper?

Glad Dawny finally told Drake the truth. Who is their tracker going to be though, if they will use one? Tellus?

Nice moving the Gas Girl/Lallor plot further. Though Gas Girl is lucky she asked Cham, rather than say Vi or even Tinya. She could have gotten an earful for asking the wrong Legionnaire during this crisis smile

I wonder who else Ultra Boy will bring along. Mon, Blok, Jan, Ayla? It's gonna be a big fight, for sure!
Somewhere in 89's past lives she must have been a reality TV star because she's pretty good at the dramatic entrances laugh

...and Staq wasn't the only one Malias underestimated...we'll see why Brainy was so confident about escaping soon wink
These last two installments really amped up with these Invisible Destroyer's and their queen. I can't believe how savage those things are and how they took out the team. I couldn't believe that Brainy surrendered at but then when you made it clear that was his plan it made sense. Even his team choice which i thought was more about needing those there that would follow him somewhat blindly was the reason. But it was all about making sure the back up was available.

Malias wants Invisible Kid II to be her king...hmmm I wonder what it is about him. is it the powers similarities?

The infighting between the two squads is interesting. Espcially among Power Boy, Mendalla, and Nightwind. it gives very to different perspectives on how those from the academy view the Legion and their work.

Brainy figuring out a way to communicate with Makkia via with those helmets on was cool using both the coded tapping and then the earplug at the back of her head was well done. i like that trick. and then Staq's new mutation process coming in handy to get the helmets off and then what wait 89 is alive? I feel like this is more of a trap and that Malais is just waiting for them.

I can't wait for the next installment!
I am just envious as all hell that you can juggle such a large cast so well, with classic members and newer members and even original characters interacting with the illusion of it being effortless!

Good stuff, as always, and fun to see characters I don't use as much, like Quislet and Invisible Jacques, get their moments on-screen.
Thanks y'all! Set, I don't think I would be able to do it if I didn't like the characters so much...it doesn't really feel like effort, even though sometimes I need a few charts with 7 different coloured markers to figure out what's happening to who next laugh

Originally Posted by Omni
Brainy figuring out a way to communicate with Makkia via with those helmets on was cool using both the coded tapping and then the earplug at the back of her head was well done. i like that trick.

It's fun when Brainy gets a chance to actually use his intellect for something other than exposition smile I am surprised by how much I like writing Brainy and Makkia together, it's not often he really has a good foil who can more or less keep up with him smile
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion Academy student dorms

Tel Vole stared wistfully out the window which took up most of one wall in his quarters as Wildfire and Mon-El led two Legion cruisers through the Martian night beyond.

“Hey! Mars to Gravity Kid, you still with us?” The sound of snapping fingers brought Tel’s attention back to the visitor in his quarters, his fellow student Chemical Kid.

“Sorry Hadru,” the elder boy apologised. “I should be out there with them, you know? I mean Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl told me the Legion have made me their intern now that Laurel Kent’s graduated to full membership; when do I get to actually go on a mission with them?”

“Maybe after we finish writing up this presentation that’s due at the end of the week?” Chemical Kid hinted with all the subtlety of a punch to the face. “Intern means you’re still a student, you’ve gotta keep up with your studies too, right?”

“And I guess it’s just a happy coincidence that it helps your grades too, huh?” Gravity Kid rolled his eyes in amusement. “Okay, show me what we’ve got so far.” He cloned the holoscreen Hadru had been working on and looked over their notes. “Hey, how come you crossed out Sensor Girl’s name? We have to analyse a Legionnaire who joined the team under a new identity, and Mon-El and Element Lad are already taken...she’s the only one left!”

“...and Glorith and Kid Quantum already handed in their assignment on her this afternoon,” Hadru continued without missing a beat. “I mean technically there’s Lightning Lass too I guess, but look what I found while you were daydreaming about Ultra Boy’s shoulders or whatever...Tel, this is hilarious!”

“Ugh, you’re such a child sometimes Hadru.” Gravity Kid screwed up his face, but kept reading. “Wait a nano,” he raised an eyebrow after a moment. “It says here that Star Boy and Dream Girl called themselves…Sir Prize and Miss Terious?? Chemical Kid, I swear if this is some stupid prank--”

“It’s 100% true,” Hadru laughed. “Look at their stupid suits of armour, they look like someone made their own robots out of leftover packing tubes!”

Gravity Kid expanded the file’s attached image gallery and saw the primitive suits Thom Kallor and Nura Nal had once worn long ago. “They’re covered from head to toe,” he observed. “I mean in those outfits it wouldn’t even be obvious what powers you have if you were clever…”

“Isn’t it the best?” Chemical Kid sniggered. “The Legion have so many ridiculous skeletons in their closet, it’s amazing.”

“Yeah…” A broad smile filled Gravity Kid’s face as an idea began to come together in his mind. “Good find, Hadru…”

**********
TALOK III
The dungeons of Malias the Invisible Queen

Brainiac 5, Firecrest, Ron-Karr, Makkia Vei and a groggy Shadow Lass took in the sight of the woman named 89 standing in the middle of their cell with a range of reactions.

“You’re alive?” Even in his weredragon form, Firecrest was visibly shocked. “How are you alive??”

“How do we know...it’s really 89..?” Shadow Lass groaned, her whole body a bed of agony.

“I can vouch for her.” Makkia Vei had been surprised when 89 made her entrance, but had recovered her composure almost immediately. “I’ve spent enough time with the Oversight Watch that I’d be able to detect an imposter in our team straight away. Besides which, it doesn’t fit Invisible Queen’s modus operandi to--”

“You let us think you were dead for all this time?!” Ron-Karr exploded. “Where have you been, 89? How did you even survive that explosion? We all saw you die!!”

“Obviously I faked my death,” 89 answered coolly. “It wasn’t a weapon I was building when I goaded the Invisible Destroyers into attacking me, it was--”

“A dimensional shunt,” Brainiac 5 completed the sentence. “I recognised it as soon as I saw the footage of your team’s battle with the Invisible Destroyers, but I thought perhaps you’d planned on utilising it against the Destroyers themselves. That wasn’t the case at all though, was it?”

“It was a jury-rigged Phantom Zone Projector,” 89 explained. “I could see which way the battle was going, and it wasn’t going any way that would be good for the Watch. I used our ship’s exploding engine as a cover to escape to the Phantom Zone. My plan was to wait for those things to take my team captive and follow them back to wherever they came from, but I discovered something extremely interesting while I was in the Phantom Zone...all of this?” She gestured at the almost invisible structure enclosing them. “Completely visible. The Luqiti’s power of invisibility obviously has some physical basis because technology can’t penetrate it, but I suspect there’s also a considerable psionic element and its psionic range clearly doesn’t extend to another dimensional plane. I made my way planetside and while the Invisible Queen and her Destroyers were busy fighting all of you in space, I cannibalised parts of the Luqiti to make these.” She raised her hand to draw attention to the three pairs of goggles she’d been dangling the whole time she’d been standing before them. “The Phantom Zone Projector burned itself out bringing me back, I only had time to incorporate the tech into my own mask and make these three before I had to go back into hiding when you all came back here so I’m afraid some of you will need to go without.”

“Never mind that!” Ron-Karr snapped. “Even you’re not smart enough to just make a Phantom Zone Projector on the fly, 89! You planned this whole thing coming in, why didn’t you tell us?!”

“It was one of my backup plans,” she corrected him. “And in order for it to work, I needed your reactions to be genuine. If Malias or her cronies had any reason to doubt that I’d really died, they’d have found me somehow. You don’t understand the Luqiti’s potential, Ron. It’s a highly adaptive techno-organic lifeform...it’s been a long time since I’ve seen another live Luqiti specimen, but believe me when I tell you that invisibility is the least of its abilities.”

“We sshould go find the otherss,” Firecrest hissed. “Sshadow Lasss sstill needss help, and one of thosse Desstroyer thingss iss bound to come check on uss ssooner or later.”

“Agreed,” Brainiac 5 replied. He took the goggles from 89, donned a pair himself and gave the others to Firecrest and Ron-Karr. “Shadow Lass is in no position to fight anyway,” he explained his choices, “And no offence to you Makkia, but I’m sure you understand--”

“You don’t need to spare my feelings,” Makkia cut off her fellow Coluan. “You and 89 are our leaders, and Firecrest and Ron-Karr are our best chances against any opposition we encounter.” While she wasn’t entirely comfortable leaving herself so vulnerable, she really did mean what she’d said; Brainiac 5’s actions made perfect sense.

There was something else Makkia Vei had realised though, something she felt best to keep to herself for now but which definitely beared further consideration. 89 had skillfully avoided actually coming out and saying it, and Ron-Karr was too preoccupied with his overblown sense of betrayal to have seen it himself but if the Oversight Watch had continued fighting after 89’s apparent murder there was a fairly high likelihood that not all of the Watch would have survived long enough to be captured. Makkia had always known that each member of her team was expendable in the right circumstances, herself included; it was illuminating to see that in 89’s mind those circumstances might include simple expedience.

Equally fascinating was the expression Makkia had seen cross Brainiac 5’s face when he’d come to the same conclusion as she. In fact, Querl Dox’s reaction might be even more interesting because in a very rare moment for Makkia Vei she had no idea how to read it at all...

**********
A flash of emerald light filled his vision, and Xao Jin was suddenly free of the helmet which had been blocking his senses. “Zoe..?” he realised, shielding his eyes with his sleeve until they adjusted to the influx of brightness. “How did you free yourself?”

“They thought all my power was in my ring they confiscated,” Zoe Saugin explained as a green buzzsaw floated above Light Lad’s head and cut his helmet away from him next. “It never occurred to them that someone using a Green Lantern ring might actually possess the same power internally.”

“Grife, did anyone get the serial number of that cruiser that hit me..?” Light Lad rested against one of the barely visible walls with a pained grimace.

“Sorry,” Zoe apologised quickly. “My power’s already healed my injuries but I should have freed Mwindaji first so he could take care of the rest of you. I’ll do him next.” She turned to the oblivious tracker from Kirinyaga while he blindly probed the walls for flaws. Just as Neon had begun cutting into Mwindaji’s helmet, a door sliding into the far wall commanded their attention.

Fuelled by adrenalin, Light Lad reached out toward the noise. None of them saw the Invisible Destroyer who’d just entered, but they vaguely saw the indentation his massive form made in the ceiling when Darvan’s power propelled him into it. A series of claw marks pierced the ceiling in eerie silence and the Legionnaires realised he was dragging himself closer to them. “He’s strong but that doesn’t bother me!” Darvan exclaimed. “As soon as he figures out he can propel himself here however he was doing it in space--”

Why did you just tell him that?!” Neon hollered, looking away from Mwindaji for a split second.

“Don’t concern yourselves,” Dragonmage placated them both calmly. He’d shifted back into the lotus position he’d been holding when Zoe freed him, and wisps of sorcerous energy converged around his hands as he wove deliberate and intricate gestures. Xao swiftly created the approximate outline of a dragonform, and with one dramatic double-handed push it became a hyper-realistic crimson beast which roared through the cell growing in size as it flew. Its jaws were five feet across when it chomped down on the charging Invisible Destroyer, and the dragon and its prey both crashed through the ceiling and shook the room as they impacted into another wall beyond.

Xao stood, and after taking a moment to centre himself once more he faced his awestruck comrades. “Once I got over my initial panic in that sensory deprivation helmet, something occurred to me...all I’ve been wanting since this misson began is some peace and quiet to focus my magic. Invisible Queen could barely have been of more assistance if she’d given me the ancient helm of Nabu himself.”

“Before you get too drunk with power, you wanna break Kid Computo out?” Neon asked Dragonmage with a teasing familiarity borne of their long friendship. “Mwindaji, get everyone fightin’ fit and then we’re gonna have us a jailbreak.”

“I don’t want to appear pessimistic,” Light Lad remarked, “But we still have a little problem, Neon...namely, none of us can see anything in this place. We may not be so lucky when we encounter the next one of these monsters.”

“Yeah, about that…” Zoe looked thoughtfully at the gouges which the Invisible Destroyer had made in the ceiling and which were already fading from view. “We can’t force the bad guys to become visible, but except for Invisible Queen herself their invisibility all comes from this weird tech. We can still see ourselves and we can still see our own powers, right?”

“I am not certain that I understand what it is you are implying,” Mwindaji admitted.

Zoe created a six foot tall spraycan which promptly splurged an unruly tangle of green silly string in the same direction from which the Invisible Destroyer had entered. In no time, the door to the cell was clearly defined in tacky emerald strands. “Well,” the former Green Lantern flashed a self-satisfied grin, “They do say actions speak louder than words, I guess.”

**********
Dev-Em stood rigid, one hand splayed out against a wall he could barely see.

“Anything, babe?” Power Boy sat against the opposite wall, a pile of crushed helmets by his side. Diamond Damsel, Nightwind and Mandalla awaited the Kryptonian’s response alongside Jed.

“Nothing,” Dev-Em scowled. “I don’t understand how this structure’s invisible but I can’t see anything through it...not with telescopic vision, x-ray vision, even microscopic vision doesn’t help. I can’t even sprocking hear anything outside this room, it’s frustrating as hell.”

“I’m sure it must be awful not having a zillion super senses to rely on,” Nightwind deadpanned. “Can’t relate.”

“You don’t have to be so bitchy about it, Nightwind!” Mandalla snapped. “If your leader hadn’t given us all up, we wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place!”

“Fair,” Berta replied. “But how exactly would we have found this place otherwise? Did it occur to you that maybe the smartest man in the galaxy might not actually have been outmanouvered by a bunch of armoured goons and their wannabe goddess leader? And now here we are with the three strongest people in either of our squads in one place, and you guys are too scared to make a move just because it might not be a cakewalk!”

“That’s not fair!” Power Boy protested. “We don’t know where the others are, and we’ve already lost 89! What if they kill someone else because we made a ruckus? We shouldn’t have even wrecked these stupid helmets!” He looked down anxiously at the remains of the technology which had fallen to Dev-Em and Diamond Damsel’s combined might.

“I know how megalomaniacs like Invisible Queen think,” Diamond Damsel joined the conversation, her tone unexpectedly grim. “Our friends are only alive as long as she considers them potentially useful, as are we. If she’s going to kill anyone, she’ll do it regardless of anything we do so I say we at least go out fighting. I’ve let evil people get what they wanted in the past because it was the easiest solution at the time, and those choices will haunt me forever. If we’re going to sit here and hope that someone else will come save the day, I might as well save some time and just lay down and die now.”

“They’re right.” Dev-Em turned to face the others, and lingered as he caught his lover’s gaze. “Jed, what happened to 89 wasn’t our fault...and I understand your fear, but if we let that fear stop us in our tracks then she died for nothing. You know if it were one of us who’d died and she was here she’d insist that the mission go on.”

Power Boy’s shoulders slumped for a moment, then he stood up beside Dev-Em. “Okay, fine. You talked me into it. But what do we do now? I mean we still need to actually find a way out of here.”

“That may be easier than you’d think.” Nightwind craned her neck upwards and pointed a finger. “I don’t know where the door is in this place, but I’ve been monitoring the airflow in the room and I think there’s an air vent right about there.”

“And if an air vent leads into our cell…” Mandalla pondered aloud.

“...It probably leads to other cells!” Power Boy finished her thought. “Berta, that’s brilliant!”

“You’re right,” Dev-Em floated upwards a few feet. “Now that I know what to listen for, I can hear the air entering the room.” His eyes blazed red and twin beams of intense heat sliced a perfect circle in what seemed to be mid-air until a chunk of the ceiling clattered to the ground. “We’d better hurry,” he said as he reached down to help Mandalla up. “They might not have noticed us ripping our helmets to shreds, but I’m sure they’ll notice that.” Nightwind conserved her power and allowed Dev-Em to lift her up next, and Power Boy lowered his density to the point where he could simply propel himself to the ceiling with a slight spring.

It was right at that moment they all heard the sound of a door opening and Dev-Em was slammed into the floor by an unseen force. “Go!” Diamond Damsel bellowed as she slammed both fists into the Invisible Destroyer holding Dev-Em down. “We’ll buy you some time!”

“We can’t just leave you here!” Nightwind’s voice rang back.

“Nightwind, I was never coming!” Diamond Damsel shouted back. “I weigh nearly half a ton, there’s no way that thing will support my weight! This thing can’t really hurt either of us, just go find the others!” She raised her fists for another blow, only to be taken off guard and hurled into a wall.

“She’s right,” Mandalla decided. “Don’t waste it Berta, go. Go!” The two women clambered through the vent, feeling their way forward as they crawled. Power Boy took one last desperate look at his lover. He felt horrible guilt leaving Dev-Em behind, but he knew that Dev and Diamond Damsel were best matched against these things...and if Mandalla and Nightwind came across another of the monsters, they would need Jed’s power on their side. Clenching his jaw, he followed his fellow Academy graduates without another look back.

As it turned out, navigating the tunnel-like vents was easier than Nightwind had anticipated. Though they were all still effectively blind, the air flowed more noticeably in this confined space and Berta felt confident enough to move freely. While Nightwind and Mandalla could crawl along in relative comfort Jed dwarfed the girls in height and breadth, and he’d initially found it almost impossible to keep up with them. He soon found though that by reducing his density even further, his body took on an almost spongey quality and he could push his way forward with far less resistance. It wasn’t an entirely pleasant sensation, but it was one he could tolerate for now.

Before too long, Nightwind stopped dead in her tracks. Mandalla tapped her calf from behind, and gave a questioning look when Berta turned back. In response, the yellow-skinned heroine cupped a hand to her ear and looked down. Mandalla pressed her ear to the vent she’d been crawling along for metres, but could hear nothing at first. Then she heard the faintest muffled footsteps from below; while the tech all around them hid sound as well as it did light there must be a grate nearby allowing ambient noise to penetrate.

“I’ve got this one,” Mandalla whispered. “I’ve been dying to do this since we began this sprocking mission.” She concentrated for a second and brought her unique power to bear. Unseen to either of her comrades, an enormous thoughtsphere filled the space below them where Mandalla had heard the footsteps. It was large enough to envelop anything within a twenty foot radius, but she was careful to make sure its outer perimeter spared Power Boy and Nightwind by a safe margin. The footsteps almost immediately fell still and Mandalla imagined that the Invisible Destroyer she’d ensnared must be standing beneath them right now, his mind utterly overwhelmed by a flood of sensory and cognitive distortions. “Jed!” she hissed at Power Boy behind her. “One of those monsters is practically right below us, I’ve got him trapped in a thoughtsphere! Go scout, but don’t get too close!”

Power Boy nodded, then his already pale skin lightened even further until he was almost translucent. Intangible and therefore no longer constrained by the boundary of the vent, he almost comically inflated back to his normal shape. Jed passed through the bottom of the vent, seeming to vanish into thin air for a moment before his head and shoulders popped back up again. “It’s not the bad guys!” he gushed. “You caught some of ours, Mandalla! Let ‘em go and I’ll shred this thing so you two can join us!”

Mandalla obeyed while Power Boy sunk back beneath them, then flinched as a deep purple fist tore through the vent behind her and haphazardly ripped a hole large enough for herself and Nightwind to descend. While Power Boy helped them down safely they saw Neon, Mwindaji, Light Lad, Dragonmage and Kid Computo coming out of their thoughtsphere-induced daze.

Dragonmage and Neon were the first to regain their senses, and Zoe immediately created two smaller spraycans in mimicry of her earlier stunt to coat the corridor in either direction in tacky green silly string. “What the sprock was that?” she asked. “I feel like I just ate rancid lotus fruit!”

“My bad,” Mandalla admitted. “Sorry, we thought you were one of our invisible friends. I’m impressed that you two recovered so quickly though, that was a pretty big thoughtsphere!”

“The mental discipline instilled in me by Madame Chu is an effective aid against psychic assault,” Dragonmage said helpfully before turning to Zoe with a proud smile. “...And only those who exemplify great willpower are chosen to be members of the legendary Green Lantern Corps.”

“Now that we’re all caught up on how awesome everybody is, let’s go back and help Dev and Diamond Damsel!” Power Boy blurted.

“We had to leave them behind with one of those invisible monsters,” Nightwind explained. “Now that we’re more prepared though, we should go back and get them and then find the rest of our friends and make that Invisible Queen squaj regret the day she ever heard of the Legion of Superheroes or the Oversight Watch.”

“A laudable goal,” a new yet familiar voice joined the discourse. Everyone looked up to see Brainiac 5 peering down between strands of emerald silly string from the ruptured air vent above, oversized goggles hiding his eyes. “Your friends however don’t need to be found, with the exception of Invisible Kid. Fortunately, I am confident in saying that where we find Invisible Queen, we’ll find Jacques Foccart.”

“Did...did I hear somebody say my brother’s name?” Danielle Foccart mumbled, only now recovering from Mandalla’s misplaced attack. “Invisible Queen better not have hurt him…”

“Don’t fret, Kid Computo; I’ll make sure every effort is devoted to his safe return.” Brainiac 5 turned to the others. “Mwindaji, could you please heal Shadow Lass’s wounds before we split our resources?”

“Split our resources?” Mwindaji parroted. “I am happy to help of course, but would we not be better served to present a united front against these foes?”

“I know you don’t think you’re looking for my brother without me,” an obstinate Kid Computo challenged her leader.

“That is exactly what is going to happen,” Brainiac 5 responded calmly. “Kid Computo, you have a far more important task to complete.”

“What’s more important than saving my brother’s life?” Danielle snapped. “You got some more Legionnaires you need me to plant bombs in, Brainy?”

“We don’t have time for this.” 89 pushed past Brainiac 5 and dropped to the floor, her reinforced bodysuit absorbing the impact of the fall.

89?!” Power Boy’s jaw dropped.

“You’re alive!” Mandalla gasped.

“I am,” the enigmatic leader of the Oversight Watch answered curtly. “And I’ll tell you how, but right now we have other concerns. Kid Computo, the reason Brainiac 5 isn’t taking you to find Invisible Kid is that I need you to come with me.

You and I are going to remove every trace of the Invisible Queen’s presence from this world.”

**********
In an enormous open room looking out over the capital city of the world that Malias had claimed for her own, the Invisible Queen reclined in her throne on a raised platform. One of her Invisible Destroyers stood guard close by, very much visible in order to dissuade Jacques Foccart from any unwise ideas.

For his part, the Terran Legionnaire known as Invisible Kid had been quietly examining his surroundings as best he could without drawing attention to the act. Without his flight ring, he couldn’t escape to the city which stretched out a hundred stories below them or communicate with his friends. The Invisible Queen’s throne room was, as far as Jacques could tell, devoid of anything for him to use for cover or offensive purposes. “You have said that you desire for me to become your consort,” Jacques confronted Malias. “...Why? I am not Talokkian, and you and I have never had any meaningful interaction before today. Surely it cannot be simply that our powers are compatible.”

“Actually, that’s exactly what it is.” Malias smiled wickedly. “There is a facet to my power that has remained unknown to me until recent events; hidden from view, one might say. For most of my existence, I have not encountered another being with the innate power to make themselves invisible. That changed when my cultists introduced to me the power of the Luqiti orb, the same orb which allowed me to transform them into my Invisible Destroyers. In bonding the Luqiti to myself, I found that both our abilities were magnified exponentially. This nascent lifeform has given me the power to project my invisibility across a planetary scale and its symbiosis with me has empowered it to make my followers into armoured behemoths, to create weapons and tools and defences capable of battling even a legendary Kryptonian. Imagine then how much more powerful you and I shall both grow when you agree to become my king.”

“I do not care for power,” Invisible Kid scowled. “I would give up even the meager power I possess now in an instant if I thought that it would end your evil.”

“But you do care about your sister,” Malias returned. “And you care about your allies. And if you want to keep caring about them I think it would be best if you give me what I want, Jacques Foccart. I know you heroic types; right now you must think I am a monster with inhuman tastes. After some time however, you will come around. You people always do.”

Jacques glared at her. He hated the idea of helping this woman enhance the considerable power she already possessed; still, she might very well be unwittingly granting him the power to oppose her more effectively if she was telling the truth. Regardless, Jacques had to believe that no matter how powerful Malias became, somebody must be able to stop her reign of terror. Perhaps the Legionnaires who had journeyed here had failed, but she hadn’t yet faced Blok or Sun Boy or Colossal Boy. “I want your word,” Invisible Kid demanded. “You must give me your word that the Legion of Superheroes and the Oversight Watch will not be harmed if I participate in this madness, and that you will not harm the people of this world or any other world more than you already have.”

“Your friends will remain my captives but I assure you they will be well looked after,” Malias conceded. “And so long as nobody else is foolish enough to fight me, they too will be free to live their lives unmolested under my rule.”

“Then...then Dieu aide moi, I will do as you ask. I shall become your consort, Invisible Queen.” Jacques slumped his shoulders in defeat, then flinched as he felt unseen devices clamp down around his ankles, his wrists and his neck. “Quoi..?!”

“Do not fear, my king.” Malias stood from her throne and approached the struggling Invisible Kid. “I realise this is not the most romantic ceremony, but surely you can’t blame your queen for wanting to ensure your loyalty? This will only hurt for a moment, I assure you.” She kissed his lips gently, with breath that smelled arcane and stale.

She then turned her back on him and walked back to her throne, and the room was filled with the sounds of Jacques Foccart’s agonised screams...

NEXT: LONG LIVE THE KING!!
Uh oh, Tel's idea is scary... He might go the way of Sir Prize and Miss Terious, or he might go the way of Mentalla...

Jed lowering his density and becoming "spongy" is something I thought of too! And I like your idea of Nightwind following airflow, or Zoe and Xao being bale to recover from mental attacks faster than others.

Gosh, what's happened to Jacques? Stands to reason that he would be transformed like the cultists were.

I do like how you strike a balance between our heroes being powerful enough to escape their helmets and their cells, yet still at a disadvantage versus these scary invisible opponents!
We won't have to wait too long to see if Tel's idea is inspired or gonna get him a nice statue in the Legion's Hall of Creepy Dead Guys, and we will have to wait even less long to see what's happened to Jacques!

Happy new year y'all! smile
Posted By: razsolo INVISIBLE REIGN Part 5 of 5: A Clear Ending - 01/04/19 03:22 PM
MARS
Legion of Superherheroes Headquarters, Dream Girl and Star Boy’s quarters

Thom Kallor yawned and stretched one arm up and above the naked body of Nura Nal, whom he’d been spooning when he’d woken up. Her mane of platinum blonde hair felt warm against his own furry chest, and though some of it got in his mouth it was an inconvenience that Thom had long ago learned to live with. He propped himself up on one elbow and watched the reflection of his lover’s sleeping face in the mirror beside their bed. Thom’s lips curled up in a dumb smile as he wondered not for the first time how a boy from backwater Xanthu had found himself lucky enough to be sharing a life with a woman whose beauty, intelligence and heroism were praised throughout the United Planets.

Nura stirred, and at first Thom thought he might have accidentally disturbed her slumber; a moment later though he recognised the strangely anxious expression which crossed her flawless features, and Thom looked around the room for his costume. It looked like she was having a precognitive dream, and if that were the case they might not have much time to jump into action. Nura’s eyes fluttered open, and she rolled around to face Star Boy. “Hey lover,” she mumbled sleepily, kissing him gently on the lips.

“Hey, you.” He kissed her back a little harder before pulling back. “Everything okay? It looked like you might have been having a vision just now.”

“Oh, that!” Nura blinked at the memory. “Everything’s fine, but we’d better get some clothes on. Gravity Kid’s going to be here soon.” She groped him playfully, as much to show that there really was no need for concern as it was an act of simple flirtation. Then she climbed on top of him and across the other side, taking maybe a little longer mid-way to pause for another kiss than was strictly necessary.

Thom laid back, allowing his head to sink into subtly scented pillows as he released a long frustrated exhalation. “You know,” he grumbled teasingly as he sat up and watched Nura choose an outfit from her walk-in wardrobe, “Some people might say it’s cruel to molest your boyfriend like that when you know you haven’t got time to take it any further. What does Gravity Kid want, anyway?”

Some people don’t know that they’re going to have the whole rest of the day to themselves till most of the other Legionnaires get back from Talokkian space,” Nura mumbled back, keeping her face as still as possible while her autobeautician applied her make-up. “And I don’t know what Gravity Kid wants; believe it or not, even Naltorians don’t know everything that’s going to happen in the future. Where would the fun be in that?”

Thom rolled his eyes and grabbed a pair of underwear out of the bedside drawer. He wondered if he’d ever know when Nura was just messing with him and when she genuinely hadn’t seen the future. Part of him kind of hoped that it would remain a mystery honestly; there was a playful side to her which came out when she was teasing someone about her foresight, and as annoying as it could occasionally be, that playfulness was also one of the things he loved most about her.

Their door alert sounded, and Thom quickly pulled on a pair of shorts and ran to the door with a singlet in hand. He was pulling the singlet over his head when he gave the command for the door to open, and so when Gravity Kid was revealed on the other side Thom was still almost half-naked.

“Oh, um...hi Star Boy.” Gravity Kid cleared his throat. “I’m not um...interrupting anything, am I? I can come back later…”

Thom was completely ignorant of the awkwardness in Tel Vole’s voice, but it hadn’t escaped Nura’s attention at all. “It’s fine, Gravity Kid,” she chuckled from the mirror before she gave her outfit and make-up a final examination and walked over to join the two men. “Do you need our help with something?”

“Actually…” the teenager took a deep breath. “I was kind of hoping I could ask you both for a favor…”

*********
TALOK III
The Palace of Malias the Invisible Queen


ROLL CALL

Legion of Superheroes
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox:
team leader, 12th level intelligence
Firecrest aka Staq Mavlen: weredragon
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: wind control
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation

Oversight Watch
Power Boy aka Jedediah Rikane:
density manipulation
Ron-Karr: ability to become 2-dimensional


The seven heroes making their way through a labyrinth of invisible corridors were an odd sight; Mwindaji had restored everybody’s health before the Legion and Oversight Watch had separated into two co-mingled squads but many of their costumes still bore the signs of the violence they’d suffered at the hands of the Invisible Destroyers. Neon’s power had been able to replicate the goggles 89 had created, and these were worn now by Brainiac 5, Firecrest, Mwindaji and Nightwind allowing them to view their surroundings through the soft glow of emerald lenses. The three pairs of goggles which 89 herself had created were worn by Shadow Lass, Power Boy and Ron-Karr; it was thought that Shadow Lass might be adversely affected by wearing a hardlight construct for any period of time with her photosensitivity, and neither Ron-Karr nor Power Boy wanted to take the risk that Neon’s creations might not automatically adapt to their respective powers without Zoe herself present.

“I still can’t believe 89 did that to us,” Ron-Karr fumed. “There was no reason for her to lie to us like that, doesn’t she care what she put us through?”

“Has he been like this since he found out 89 faked her death?” Nightwind asked Shadow Lass quietly.

The entire time,” Tasmia moaned.

“Oh come on,” Power Boy joined the conversation, “You guys aren’t being fair. How would you feel if you found out your leader was carrying out some secret plan without telling any of you? I’m with Ron, it’s a huge violation of trust. In this line of work we only survive a lot of the time by relying on one another. How are we meant to do that now? We’re always gonna be second-guessing her!”

Nightwind turned to face her friend. “Jed, you’re not wrong but...you guys have to table this. You know how tough Invisible Queen’s goons are, even now that we can see them coming we need to be on top of our game. You can yell at 89 later all you like, but right now we need to focus on rescuing Invisible Kid.”

“Yeah...yeah, you’re right.” Power Boy’s shoulders slumped slightly. “How are we going with that anyway; can you sense him yet, Mwindaji?”

“Not as well as I would wish,” the tracker from Kirinyagi admitted. “Neon’s device is helpful in bypassing Invisible Queen’s power, but even with her aid it is all that I can do to maintain a vague awareness of my teammate’s trail. I mean no disrespect, but I will better be able to find Invisible Kid if I am not further distracted.”

“Right.” Power Boy took the hint. “Sorry.”

“Brainy..?” While the others spoke amongst themselves, the dragonlike Firecrest uttered his leader’s name. “Before we sseparated, Kid Computo ssaid ssomething about how you made her plant bombss in people..? What wass that all about..?”

Brainiac 5’s cheeks blushed a darker shade of green and he looked down at the floor momentarily before finding the nerve to face Staq directly. “89 is not the only team leader who has erred in judgement it seems, Firecrest. I have...made mistakes; mistakes upon which recent circumstances have seen fit to give me new perspective. I promise that I will give all of you a full explanation when this is over, but for now Nightwind is correct. We must focus on the task at hand, and I must hope that Jacques does not pay the price for my hubris.”

“Brainiac?” Mwindaji’s baritone voice interrupted the pair. “I believe that Invisible Kid’s trail ends here.” He gestured at a large featureless wall before them.

While the goggles 89 and Neon had made provided a functioning awareness of their surroundings, they couldn’t reveal fine detail. It felt for all the world like they’d been navigating through some primitive virtual reality environment and they couldn’t really even tell if there was a door inset here or not. To Brainiac 5, it didn’t matter. “Power Boy?” the Coluan asked, “Would you do something about this barrier please?”

“Thought you’d never ask.” Jed took a few steps back, each footfall heavier than the last as his skin grew a deep purple. He charged the wall shoulder first, and rammed his way straight through it leaving a hole easily large enough for everyone else to follow.

On the other side, the heroes saw a massive open throne room. The Invisible Queen sat in her throne completely unsurprised by Jed’s dramatic entrance, and three Invisible Destroyers stood in a defensive pattern around her. Talok III’s capital city was spread out far below them, but the heroes were all so busy watching another scene in mounting horror that they paid no attention to the landscape.

At the Invisible Queen’s feet, Jacques Foccart’s trembling form was held rigid in some weird apparatus formed out of the biotech which had infested all of their surroundings. He was screaming himself hoarse as dozens of thick needles penetrated his body from head to toe, and blood poured down his cheeks in dark streams from eyes hidden behind spiked plates. The torture was so terrible that he was completely unaware anybody else was present at all.

“You monster!” Shadow Lass stepped forward, her hands balled into fists.

“Tasmia, stop.” Brainiac 5 placed a hand on Shadow Lass’s forearm, and when she turned on him with raw fury he continued calmly before he lost the opportunity. “I am as sickened as you by this grotesque display, but we need to keep our wits about us.” He glared at Malias while she leaned back in her throne revelling in their discomfort. “You were expecting our arrival,” Brainiac 5 stated simply.

Malias laughed cruelly. “Of course I was. I’ve been aware of your little jaunt through my home ever since you broke free...it amused me to allow you to think otherwise, just as it amused me to allow one of my Invisible Destroyers to play with some of you. I’m afraid however that I’ll have to ask the rest of my loyal subjects to return you naughty escapees back to your cells now. Don’t fret; I’ve promised my Invisible King that I won’t harm any of you so there’ll be no lasting scars.”

She gave a lazy handwave in the heroes’ general direction, and the Invisible Destroyers flew into action. “Mwindaji, Ron-Karr, assist Invisible Kid!” Brainiac commanded. “Once Jacques is safe, you can help Nightwind, Firecrest and Power Boy battle the Invisible Destroyers!”

“You’re not my boss!” Ron-Karr protested. “Why the sprock should I pull your guy’s nass outta the fire while you sit back with a ringside seat?”

“I’m not going to be sitting anywhere,” Brainiac 5 replied while everyone else around him scattered. “I’m going to be working alongside Shadow Lass to bring some very overdue justice to this would-be monarch.”

“Try to keep up with me Brainy,” Shadow Lass teased darkly as she ran toward the throne. She slid fearlessly across the floor while immediately overhead Firecrest bathed one of the Invisible Destroyers in flames.

Malias didn’t even give Shadow Lass or Brainiac 5 the respect of standing to meet them. “It’s absolutely adorable that you think you two pose a threat to me at all,” she smirked wickedly, “But did you really think I’d leave myself completely defenceless?” Before their astonished eyes, two energy weapons emerged from the throne’s sides and fired upon the Invisible Queen’s would-be captors. Shadow Lass rolled to one side effortlessly, but Brainiac 5 wasn’t quite so lucky. Accustomed to relying almost solely on his forcefield belt in combat, he wasn’t fast enough to avoid being tagged by the weapon and he cried out in pain as he stumbled to the floor.

While Malias laughed at the chaos, more of the weapons began to form from the walls and ceiling all around them. Brainiac 5 cursed himself for his arrogance; he’d assumed that if Invisible Queen had this level of control of the technology she’d co-opted she would have used it by now. It had never even occurred to him that she’d been simply toying with them all the whole time...and that realisation brought with it a new one. When Malias had confirmed that all of the remaining Invisible Destroyers were in this throne room with them, Brainac had considered the rest of the heroes who’d gone off with 89 to be safe from harm. Now he knew he’d just sent them into a deathtrap with no way to even warn them…

**********
ELSEWHERE

ROLL CALL

Legion of Superheroes
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin:
dragon magic
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: anti-gravity control
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy

Oversight Watch
89:
team leader, hyper-skilled combatant and espionage agent
Makkia Vei: psychological manipulation
Mandalla aka Tari Wahlmunn: thoughtsphere projection


“For what it’s worth,” Makkia Vei addressed Danielle Foccart as the seven heroes made their way through Invisible Queen’s dungeons, “I appreciate how difficult it must be for you to leave your brother’s safety in the hands of your teammates while you fulfil this mission with us, Kid Computo.”

They all wore the same enormous goggles that Neon had given the other squad, and these obscured their features. When Kid Computo replied to the Coluan woman however, the annoyance in her tone couldn’t be disguised. “You don’t have to butter me up, Makkia. I’m already here. Brainy better hope whatever he’s playing at hasn’t gotten Jacques hurt though.”

Leading the group, 89 suddenly held a hand up and stood perfectly motionless. The audio equipment built into her cowl gave her more enhanced hearing capabilities than anybody else here, and she flattened against a wall instinctively before realising it was likely a pointless gesture given that the Invisible Destroyers could probably see through this structure as easily as their mistress. She flashed Mandalla a quick hand gesture, and Mandalla held one finger to her temple. “She’s casting a thoughtsphere ahead of us,” Makkia explained helpfully to the Legionnaires in the group.

“We’ve been on the receiving end of one of those things,” Neon replied. “Not my favourite experience in the world.”

89 rounded a corner cautiously with her firearm drawn, then relaxed her posture and told Mandalla to release the thoughtsphere as she rushed forward.

The others followed her, finding Diamond Damsel and Dev-Em in a wide-eyed dumb silence just ahead. “Neon, give us some cover,” 89 barked. “They’ll be fine in a nano but till then we’re sitting elvabird.”

“I’ll do it,” Zoe grumbled, “But I don’t love being ordered around by Princess Black Ops Ninja Chief, just FYI.”

“I can help here,” Dragonmage offered. “Conserve your energy, Zoe. You’ve done a lot for us already and you don’t have your ring back yet.”

“Thanks Xao, you’re a pal.” Zoe patted him on the shoulder and walked over toward Diamond Damsel and Dev-Em while Dragonmage wove a squadron of horned dog-sized dragons which flew around them all and effectively created a solid perimeter. “So this is what it looks like from the outside, huh?” Zoe waved a hand in front of Dev-Em’s unblinking gaze with no reaction whatsoever.

Light Lad joined her. Using his own power to levitate, he took a closer look at the much taller Diamond Damsel’s angular features. “There’s no danger of permanent damage, is there Mandalla?”

“You think Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel would have let me in to the Legion Academy in the first place if there was?” she responded sarcastically. “Relax, they should be coming around any time now.”

True to Mandalla’s word, the Kryptonian rogue and the diamond giantess soon blinked a few times and moaned in confusion. “Mandalla..?” Dev-Em was the first to realise what had happened, having experienced her power often enough in training sessions. “Why’d you..?”

“Sorry, Dev.” Mandalla shrugged. “Figures that the only two times I get to do anything on this caper, I take out our own guys.”

“I’ll take responsibility this time,” 89 stepped forward to stand in front of Dev-Em. “We couldn’t take the risk that you might be an enemy, I’m sure you understand.”

“89? Aren’t you...meant to be dead..?” Diamond Damsel muttered, leaning on Light Lad for support while he used his power to avoid being crushed.

“I’ve heard that a lot today,” 89 replied dryly. “I’ll explain later, but right now we need to keep going. Are you two going to be able to move?”

Dev-Em pouted. He wasn’t remotely happy about it, but aside from 89 herself he’d been working in espionage for longer than anyone else in the Oversight Watch. He knew that sometimes you just had to swallow your personal concerns for the sake of the mission. “I’m fine,” he shook his head a final time and stood up straight. “What’s our objective? And where are Jed and the others?”

“They’ve gone to rescue Invisible Kid,” 89 explained. “We need to get Kid Computo here to the nerve centre of the Luqiti that Malias is exploiting.”

“What the hell’s a Luqiti?” Diamond Damsel asked. Finally recovered from Mandalla’s assault herself, she thanked Darvan for his help and stood on her own once more.

“It’s a lifeform I have only seen very very rarely,” 89 told her. “A biotechnological species with cloaking and shapeshifting capabilities so advanced as to be akin to magic. This...all of this around us is formed from its substance; but it’s also essentially an appendage. At the centre of this structure there’s an orb which contains the creature’s essence, and we need to get Kid Computo there so she can wrest control of the creature from Malias for our own ends.”

“Got it,” Dev-Em nodded. “Okay then, like you said...let’s keep moving. Diamond Damsel and I messed up one of these invisible creeps already, but we don’t need to hang around in one place long enough for more of them to join the party.”

Neon snapped her fingers. “Oh, hey! Before I forget!” She concentrated briefly, then handed Dev-Em and Diamond Damsel a pair of the same hardlight goggles the rest of them wore. “I copied these from the ones in 89’s mask, they let us see this place...well, more or less see it.”

“Clever girl.” Dev-Em winked at the redheaded teen and slipped them over his head. Zoe was glad the green tinge of the glasses hid the extent of her furious blushing, and gladder still when 89 called the Kryptonian’s attention away from her.

“The orb we’re looking for is three levels down,” 89 instructed, reading the map on her cowl's internal display. “Dev-Em, give us a shortcut. Light Lad, lower us so Neon doesn’t have to waste any more of her own power. Everyone else, be ready for anything.”

As soon as 89 and Makkia turned to watch Dev-Em tunnel through the levels below them, an approximation of Zoe’s voice sounded inside the skulls of four very surprised Legionnaires. <Guys, sorry for the intrusion - I incorporated radiotelepathy into your goggles, the Oversight Watch don’t know. Are we really okay with following 89’s lead? I don’t know this Oversight Watch, but the fems at least aren’t doing a lot to fill me with trust.>

<89’s abrasive,> Light Lad agreed, <But she’s also more experienced than the rest of us.>

<I don’t care about that,> Kid Computo offered. <If I honestly thought I’d be better off helping my brother, Superboy himself wouldn’t hold me back. But as annoying as 89 and Brainy both are at the moment, I also think they’re right. We can free the whole planet this way, not just my brother.>

<Invisible Kid has the best help he could ask for,> Dragonmage attempted to buoy Danielle’s spirits. <Brainiac 5 and Shadow Lass alone have been Legionnaires for far longer than any of us.>

<Ugh, the self-deprecation,> Zoe poked her tongue out. <You guys were the first Legionnaires I ever met - sprock, you were there when I got my Green Lantern ring! You’re as good as any of those guys!>

Diamond Damsel laughed out loud, drawing an odd glance from the Watch members. “It just occurred to me,” she spoke out loud to allay any suspicion, “If Elastic Lad, Comet Queen and Tyroc were here we’d have the same roster as our first Legion mission. We’ve been through a lot since then, as a team and as individual people. I say whatever happens next, we trust ourselves to make the right decision. Deal?” She placed her hand out before the other Legionnaires, palm facing the floor.

“That’s what I’m sayin’!” Zoe slapped her hand down on top of Diamond Damsel’s, then immediately winced in discomfort at how hard it was.

“You’re both right,” Dragonmage concurred as his own hand joined the stack. “I wonder what Tyroc would think of us if he were still here?”

“I think he’d say we are Legionnaires as much as any of the others,” Light Lad joined in. “Because we earned it. All of us.” The four of them looked across at Kid Computo expectantly.

“Damn straight we did,” Danielle said with steel in her voice, slapping her hand roughly atop the others. “Now let’s go, Legion!” The five of them cheered and raised their arms with newfound vigour.

89, Mandalla and Makkia Vei stood at the lip of the hole Dev-Em had just finished making while its architect floated in its centre. “If you’re done..? 89 asked coldly.

Almost instantly, the structure around them came to life with tendrils, pincers and both projectile and energy weapons. Xao’s dragonforms protected them all from the first round of attacks, but most of his mystical defences were destroyed in the process. “Zoe, I know what I said earlier about conserving your power reserves--” the young sorceror began to apologise.

“Say no more!” Neon interrupted her friend, creating a serpentine form of her own out of emerald light to encase all of them but Dev-Em. “Lead on, Action Lad!”

Dev-Em gave her a mock salute, then used his heat vision to sear them a way forward through the swiftly regenerating structure and the increasingly dangerous weapons.

Following 89’s instructions, the motley crew soon found themselves in a dead end corridor. “I don’t understand!” 89 bellowed. “It should be right here, I mapped this whole area when I originally found it!”

“...and Malias has done the bare minimum to prevent us from getting here.” Makkia Vei started to piece it all together aloud.

“What do you mean?” Mandalla challenged her. “These plasma guns are bare minimum??”

“Think about it,” Makkia continued. “For most of the way here we’ve had no opposition. When Dev-Em and Diamond Damsel defeated one of her Invisible Destroyers, she could have sent more but she didn’t. Now that she has given us opposition it’s impersonal...and it’s nothing that we’re not capable of defending ourselves against, for a while anyway. There’s no way someone who’s egotistical enough to want to extend her rule beyond this planet is going to dispense with enemies as high profile as the Legion of Superheroes unless she’s there to watch it herself; she had no intention of really preventing us from getting here, she just wants to make sure we’ll be exhausted enough at some point that she can take us back into custody when she stops having her fun with us. And if us being here is no threat to her…”

“...then she must have utilised the shapeshifting properties of the Luqiiti to rearrange this whole structure and move the orb,” 89 realised. “Damn it. She knows we’ll never find it while we’re fighting off this nonsense. We’ll need to retreat. We can come back for the others later--”

“No.” Kid Computo said boldly. “The only reason I abandoned my brother is to complete this mission, 89. We’re going through with it. Jacques and everyone else in both our teams and everyone else on this sprocking planet are counting on us.”

“I’m no more a fan of running away than anybody else,” Diamond Damsel placed a hand gently on Kid Computo’s shoulder. “But how are we going to find this thing, Danielle? Even Mwindaji couldn’t track anything through this stuff.”

“This thing’s all an extension of technology essentially, right? So I think it’s time I earn my name.”

“I thought you couldn’t sense the Luqiti?” a confused Light Lad asked. “The way 89 explained it--”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s an appendage.” Danielle shook her head. “But even still, I can kinda sense it; I just haven’t been able to control it. But I bet Tellus or Saturn Girl could use telepathy on someone if they saw their arm, so I don’t see why I should be any different just because it’s not something I’m used to. The only thing is...Neon, I think I’m gonna have to get out of this thing.”

“You just said you can’t control that tech!” Mandalla protested. “You’ll get taken out in a nano!”

“No she won’t,” Diamond Damsel declared. “We’ll protect her. All of us.” Light Lad and Dragonmage stepped forward in solidarity.

“Thanks, guys.” Danielle gave them a genuine smile. “Okay, are we all ready to do something really stupid?”

“Mandalla and Makkia Vei’s skillsets don’t really lend themselves to physical combat of this nature,” the ever-pragmatic 89 declared as she readied a vibro-blade in one hand and a firearm in the other. “Neon, I’ll need you to keep them safe.”

“I can do you better than that,” Zoe gave a cheeky smirk. “How would you like to be the brawn instead of the brains for once, ladies?” Zoe re-focused her energies and both women were encased in chunky translucent green armor.

Mandalla held her outstretched hands out, noticing small but sharp spikes on each knuckle. “Nice,” she nodded appreciatively. “I could get used to this!”

“I don’t know how much juice I’ve got left so don’t get too carried away,” Neon warned her. “But it should help us even the odds a little anyway. Okay everyone, I’m gonna drop the external field…now.”

The Legionnaires and Oversight Watch members were instantly harassed by the Luqiti’s many-pronged assault, but none of them made it an easy fight. While 89 hacked and blasted away at exotic armaments, Diamond Damsel and Dev-Em ripped them to shreds or reduced them to ash with wide bursts of heat vision. Mandalla and Makkia Vei took full advantage of their new physical capabilities, tearing and punching savagely at anything they could get their hands on. While Dragonmage and Light Lad used their own powers to attack in unexpected ways, Neon concentrated on shielding them and everybody else from what damage she could. In the middle of them all, protected from a dozen different attacks at any given moment, Kid Computo took a knee and probed as intensely as she could to make any kind of connection with this weird lifeform. Danielle heard Dragonmage cry out, followed by Makkia Vei as Neon’s power finally weakened enough for an attack to get through. She blocked all of it from her mind though, blocked out everything but her need to make contact. Mandalla and Light Lad were next to fall, and when Danielle risked a glance at the others she saw Neon in a losing battle with a long constricting tendril. Then, suddenly, she made a breakthrough. She couldn’t open contact with the Luqiti from here, but she knew now where it was hiding. “Dev-Em!” she barked. “I’m projecting a new map on to 89’s retinal display, get us there now!”

The Kryptonian youth grabbed the two women before Danielle had even finished her command, and with dizzying speed they were on the other side of the complex. “Just...wow, give me a sec to catch my breath,” Kid Computo gasped.

“You can catch your breath when you’ve got control of this thing,” 89 said without sympathy. “Dev-Em, the wall?”

Dev-Em obliged, incinerating a massive portion of the wall in front of them just as Neon’s goggles blinked out of existence. A transparent orb stood revealed on a podium in the centre of an empty room. “Ball’s in your court,” he remarked to Danielle Foccart. “Time to teach this thing who’s boss, kid.”

“Actually,” Danielle retorted, “I think I’m gonna teach it something else altogether.”

**********
Berta Skye Haris was at least somewhat relieved that in the cavernous space of the Invisible Queen’s throne room, her offensive capabilities were a lot more useful. She knew that it was only going to buy them a little time, but it still felt good to slam these Invisible Destroyers into one another. At the same time she was forced to use her command of air currents to try and stay one step ahead of the room’s automated weaponry though, and something had to give.

“This is all highly amusing,” Malias gave a throaty chuckle from her throne while Brainiac 5 and Shadow Lass writhed in Luqiti coils suspended upside-down from the ceiling before her. She used her rapport with the unique lifeform to summon Shadow Lass closer, and wrapped a lock of Tasmia Mallor’s hair around one bony finger. “I promised my Invisible King that I wouldn’t hurt his Legion friends, Shadow Champion. I think when we’re done here though, I’ll take you for a visit to Talok VIII so you can watch as I do to your world what I’ve done to this one. Would you like that?”

“Ancestors give me strength, I’ll die before I stop fighting you,” Shadow Lass vowed through gritted teeth.

“You won’t get away with this,” Brainiac 5 added. “I guarantee you, there are twice as many Legionnaires on their way here right now Malias.”

The Invisible Queen gave a sharp laugh. “Aren’t you supposed to be your group’s genius?” she mocked him. “I wouldn’t have expected you to deal in such banal cliches, Brainiac 5.” As she said this, the hardlight goggles that Neon had created for her allies flickered and vanished, and Malias threw her head back and laughed long and loud. “Now that must be a good omen.”

Wearing the goggles that 89 had given them, Power Boy and Ron-Karr were unaffected by the loss but Mwindaji, Nightwind and Firecrest fell almost immediately now that they were effectively blind once more.

“This has all been delightfully entertaining,” Malias flashed a wicked grin at the shell-shocked Power Boy and Ron-Karr, “But you boys have to admit that both of your teams combined were no match for the Invisible Queen and her loyal subjects. There’s no shame in it, but it’s over now, it -- eh?” She seemed confused for a moment, then screamed in inarticulate outrage as the Luqiti armaments all withdrew back into the building around them and her two remaining Invisible Destroyers became very much visible. “I’ll kill her!” Malias raged. “I’ll flay that witch’s skin from her bones!!”

“I’m gonna guess Kid Computo did her thing,” Power Boy cracked his knuckles. “Which means now we can do ours.” He launched himself at one of the remaining Destroyers, knocking him over and weighing him down with so much additional mass that the floor cracked beneath them both while Jed punched him over and over. At the same time, Ron-Karr laid into the remaining behemoth with a series of vicious cuts, each deeper than the last.

“Face it, Invisible Queen.” Free now from her bonds, Shadow Lass landed a solid punch on the villainess’s jaw, sending her sprawling over the arm of her throne to land in a graceless heap on the floor. “You and your little coup are both done.”

“No!” Malias protested. “You may have stalled my plans today Shadow Champion, but mark my words I’ll destroy you all and rule as is my birthright…and you’ll never see me coming.” Shadow Lass and Brainiac 5 both lunged for her, but she’d already faded from sight.

“Blast that woman!” Tasmia Mallor cursed. “After all of that, she just gets away to do it all again??”

“No.” The voice was disembodied, but instantly recognisable. There was the sound of a fist connecting with a cheek, and Jacques Foccart appeared by the throne covered in his own dried blood and holding an unconscious Invisible Queen by her collar.

“Jacques,” Brainiac 5’s jaw dropped. “Your eyes…”

“Oui,” Invisible Kid replied darkly. “Mwindaji did what he could to heal me, but the damage it seems was already done. Malias may not have come away from this with everything she wanted...but in the end, she created her Invisible King.” His voice betrayed all the emotion that his eyes could not; because like the woman whose sensory perceptions he now shared, Jacques Foccart’s eyes were two stark white orbs which hurt his friends to gaze directly upon.

**********
EPILOGUE

By the time Ultra Boy arrived with two cruisers full of Legion reinforcements, the excitement was well and truly over. Malias and her Invisible Destroyers had been handed over to the Science Police, everybody’s confiscated equipment had been returned, the Oversight Watch had made themselves scarce, and the newly cognizant Luqiti had taken the freedom granted by Kid Computo to find its own path out there in the cosmos somewhere. All that was left now was for the Legion to go home.

Brainiac 5, having finally finished debriefing the planetary authorities, approached Invisible Kid. Infectious Lass had come as part of Ultra Boy’s reinforcements, and Drura stood with her arm linked with that of Jacques Foccart as she gazed at the man she loved in obvious concern. “I swear,” Brainiac vowed, “I will do everything in my power to reverse whatever Malias has done to you, Jacques. I can make at least this right before I leave.”

“It is not your wrong to have to make right,” Invisible Kid replied stoically. “But I appreciate the effort, mon ami.”

“What do you mean, before you leave?” Infectious Lass asked. “Where are you going?”

“I...am perhaps not so clever as I might think at times,” Brainiac 5’s admitted. “Definitely not when it comes to emotional intelligence. And I have a tendency to overcompensate for this by bringing my other proven advancements to the fore.”

“If you’re trying to eat humble pie,” Wildfire grumbled, arms folded across his chest. “You’ve got a weird way of doing it, Brainy.”

“Drake, hush.” Phantom Girl flashed her teammate an annoyed glance. “Let Brainy speak.”

“Thank you, Phantom Girl.” By this time, Querl Dox had drawn the attention of the rest of the gathered Legionnaires, and they all stopped their individual conversations to listen to what their leader had to say. “I don’t think it will come as a surprise to anybody here that I have not dealt very well with losing Kara. I think...no, I know that I chose to deal with those feelings of grief by exerting increasingly greater control over the rest of this team. The Legion of Superheroes has always been the closest thing I have known to a family, and in my state of mind I thought I was protecting you all by eliminating risk wherever I could. Firecrest, I...I placed a device in your costume that I could trigger remotely to incapacitate you in the event that you lost control of your new form. I placed a device within Quislet’s ship which could be remotely triggered to destroy it at will. I believed that I could mitigate his natural lack of impulse control if necessary.”

“Wait a nano.” Having resumed his normal form, Staq Mavlen advanced on Brainiac 5 and poked an angry finger at his chest. “You did what?? Brainiac, what the sprock?!”

Cosmic Boy, having also come along on Ultra Boy’s rescue mission, stepped forward and stood between the two men. “Firecrest, this isn’t the time or place for this confrontation...but Brainy, this is a gross breach of trust. Did anybody else know about any of this?”

Brainiac 5 looked Cosmic Boy dead in the eye. “It doesn’t matter. Any responsibility, any blame lies solely on my shoulders. There’s more, Cosmic Boy. I...this is not an easy thing for me to admit, but I...deliberately chose a team for this mission that I knew were not ideally suited for the task.” With sad eyes, Brainiac looked across at both Phantom Girl and Kid Computo. “I knew that some of you had lost confidence in my leadership. I rationalised that if I could lead a combination of lower-powered and less experienced Legionnaires to liberate this world and capture Invisible Queen, it would greatly improve my chances at retaining leadership of the Legion of Superheroes. I had additional schemes ready to be launched, but none of that matters now because I saw my actions reflected today in the disregard 89 had for her own team, and I realised with crystalline certainty; I don’t want to be that person. And each and every one of you deserve far more from your leader than just to be seen as strategic assets, so effective immediately I am announcing my resignation from the Legion of Superheroes.”

“Brainy.” Phantom Girl placed a hand on his forearm. “Nobody’s gonna pretend like you did good...and some of us might be mad at you, but we still love you. We’ll help you get over this, you don’t need to leave the Legion altogether.”

“Phantom Girl...Tinya.” Brainiac placed his hand over hers and looked at her with wet eyes. “Thank you, but...I realise now that I do need to leave. I have never known any kind of support network outside of this team. Even...even Rond was inextricably linked to the Legion in my mind and he’s gone too. I’ve consistently relegated any other person in my life to a purely professional relationship, and it’s meant...it has meant that all I know how to do is be Brainiac 5. I need to learn how Querl Dox can have healthy relationships and healthy coping mechanisms, and to do that I think I need to be just Querl Dox for a while.”

Brainiac 5 released Tinya and removed his flight ring as he approached Ultra Boy. “I’ll come back to Mars with you all so I can help Invisible Kid, but from this moment on you’re the acting leader of the Legion of Superheroes, Ultra Boy.” Brainy smiled wryly as he patted Jo on the shoulder and handed his ring over. “I wish you the best of luck. I wish all of you the best of luck.”

Then Querl Dox walked on to one of the waiting Legion cruisers, leaving two dozen stunned superheroes in his wake.
Huh, should have known that Gravity Kid would be sensible enough to talk to some Legionnaires! Or, well, he's showing more sense than I imagined.

Nice spotlight on the Nura-Thom relationship. Frisky, just how I'd expect it!

and a great resolution to the Invisible Queen conflict.

Poor Jacques.... never occurred to me that Malias would want him BLIND.

Nice confession by Brainy. Smart enough to be humble and to acknowledge his shortcomings. It will be interesting to see a Legion without Brainy for a bit.
Some powerful humility from Brainiac 5! I wonder how long it will last.

Poor Jacques, all that suffering and he just endures it - or the aftereffect - with grace. I'll be curious to see where you take this.

The tension between the two teams was credible - Ron Karr worried about hierarchy while Jacques urgently needed help, the teams' mistrust of each other. 89 speaks less pompously/formally than Brainy, but they're equally devious and think they know best. Good to see her walk into the trap, in the sense that it illustrates that she doesn't know everything.

The eventual failure of the goggles that Neon made was an interesting point - not just for heightening the tension of the battle, but bringing to mind the question of how long super-powers' effects last.

Nice scene between Nura and Thom, with that little detail of her hair in his mouth. Real-life romance!
Nicely finished off Raz. The escalation of the sentient Luqiti was a good bit of peril. Better yet, it affected the each of the split teams. Earlier in the story I had been wondering if the Brainy subplot was going to continue. But enough has been found out for it to reach a natural conclusion. Nice to see that Brainy took it upon himself to decide to leave. It's a decision he made in the Baxter volume, without the level of humility he showed here. It's going to be interesting to see how this period of finding himself changes him. It's hard to imagine a Legion without him, so the team dynamic is going to be interesting too.

With Brainy resigning...could there be a... Leadership contest getting closer?!

The only thing that threw me a little was that Zoe could create goggles that could replicate detailed technology. I'm not much of a GLC reader, so I'm more used to giant green boxing gloves and the occasional Kyle Rayner giant robot than intricate technological reproduction. So that could well have been me.

Invisible Kid's blindness reminded me of Color Kid's blindness as a result of Earth Man. It made me wonder if his powers would change as a result. It could be that Jacques might be about to go through some changes too.

Looking forward to the next instalments.
Posted By: Omni Re: INVISIBLE REIGN Part 5 of 5: A Clear Ending - 01/05/19 07:49 PM
Raz, these last two installments have been really good.

89 is alive!!!! I like that device. But I wonder if being shunted to the Phantom Zone let anything out....

I was so worried for Jacques. I honestly wasn't sure if he was going to survive and that scene where he gets infected wow and then when the Legionnaires and the Oversight Watch found him. the detail was crazy good. the image of Jacques imprisoned body with the dried blood is burned in my mind.
So does this change his power's to be like Invisible Queen's or does it just give him a similar look? It be interesting if there was an odd bond between him the Luqiti. Maybe even between him, the Luqiti, and Kid Computo. I hope we see the Luquiti again.

I'm glad Tel's working towards his goals and seems to be seeking advice instead of following through with a plan that could get him in some deep trouble.
I had to agree Nura and Thom's moment was so them and playfully dirty. their dynamic as a couple is probably one of the more fun ones to play with and watch,. Thom makes some good points about how a relationship works and that loving the person and all of them faults included.

Shadow Lass is fierce as ever.

I agree with how the Oversight Watch feels about 89 and her deception. But Nightwind's right. Not the time and place.

I knew it seemed to easy for the teams to sneak around. Invisible Queen's taunting of Brainy was well done. I half expected that Brainy had another plan going on. But his speech at the end to the team about his own short comings and not dealing with his grief makes sense. He has seemed a bit irrational. But its so great that he's come around and realized the error of his ways before there was any more damage done.

I like that as a lantern Zoe isn't too OP and that she had limitations on herself and that the goggles only showed a vague definition of Luqiti's surface. IThe trick she used to find the others was cool too allowing her power to mix with the Luqiti.
I liked the moment Zoe, Dragonmage, Kid Computo and Diamond Damsel had. But I was kind of with 89 when she asked if they were done. lol.

Jed and Dev-em are cute together. Jed gets the best boyfriends in every reality. lol. But Zoe's sure taken with Dev-em too. But a superman-esq type whose a bit of a mystery is easy to fall for,. laugh

I like the difference your showing with the cadets from the academy who ended up in the Legion and those who didn't. Their bit of infighting and attitudes with each other are understandable. Although Mandalla is super harsh when it comes to the team. She mentioned seeing the Legion in a new light I wonder if the Oversight Watch knows something we don't...

The little call back moments like when Zoe says " so that's what it looks like from the other side was really fun and i felt bad for her that she kept taking out her teammates by mistake. But 89 made a good point that its about being safe.

I'm glad Brainy realizes he needs to take some time away and that he admitted to all his wrongs. But I don't know what the Legion's going to be like without him.
Can't wait to find out!
Thanks y'all! To be honest I wasn't super happy with the way I finished that story off and there were some things I think I could have done better, so I'm glad it was still enjoyable smile

Next instalment is gonna be a little breather for everyone but we'll also find out who the new team leader is so if anyone wants to throw in some last-minute votes now's the time to do it! There are some surprising characters in the running and they're all only 1 or 2 points apart so you still have the potential to make me regret ever throwing this open to everyone hahaha wink

If anybody wants to throw in their two cents, let me know your top 3 choices - 3 points will go to #1, 2 points to #2 and 1 point to #3 and then the highest and second highest scoring characters will be the Legion's new leader and deputy.

Originally Posted by thoth lad
The only thing that threw me a little was that Zoe could create goggles that could replicate detailed technology. I'm not much of a GLC reader, so I'm more used to giant green boxing gloves and the occasional Kyle Rayner giant robot than intricate technological reproduction. So that could well have been me.


I think I see Zoe as having an advantage over 21st century GLs partially because of the technological standard generally being higher, but also I think she's creative enough that she could envision being able to copy something she doesn't understand moreso than say Hal or Guy could (I think that's also how Kyle does giant robots as well...he wouldn't know how to build one himself but with his art background he's more capable of imagining something he can't rationally understand). A lot of the stuff the GL rings do is very handwavey anyway so while Zoe might not be able to conceive of how the ring could see something invisible, I think if she knows that someone else has already done it then it's less of a leap for her to just get the green energy to copy whatever that thing is. It makes her extremely versatile, but I'm also comfortable saying that it's not something she'd be able to remember how to do on her own next time without having the same tech at hand to copy again.

Once the new leader is announced they are definitely gonna get a baptism of fire because I have got some crazy stuff coming up....I have got a feeling there might be one or words in particular in my next instalment that will get some excitement happening! laugh
Posted By: razsolo Interlude: The Slow Burn - 01/18/19 01:50 PM
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story features the Heroes of Lallor; if you'd like a quick refresher on them, check out their writeups here

MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters, multilab


ROLL CALL

Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox: inactive Legionnaire, 12th level intelligence
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
Invisible Kid aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: acting leader; ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time


Jacques Foccart opened his eyes gingerly, squinting at even the dim lighting here in the Legion
of Superheroes’ multilab.

“How are you feeling?” his sister asked. She was little more than a blurry humanoid shape clothed in red and white, but Invisible Kid knew Kid Computo’s voice as well as his own. To her side stood a white-skinned figure in a garish green outfit whom Jacques recognised as his girlfriend Infectious Lass, and as his eyes accustomed to the light he saw now that Brainiac 5 and Ultra Boy were behind the girls.

“I...have felt better,” Jacques admitted dryly as he propped himself up in his bed. “Brainiac 5, have you successfully removed all trace of the Invisible Queen’s changes from my system?”

“I have,” Brainiac replied simply. “It was a more difficult task than I’d anticipated; the combination of her power and the biotechnological nature of the Luqiti stymied traditional medical procedures and even Mwindaji’s healing ability. With your sister’s help I was able to exorcise every nanogram of foreign matter and regrow your eyes however.”

“Then it seems I am in your debt, ma souer.” Jacques reached out and squeezed Danielle’s arm affectionately.

“I’ll remember that next time I need a favour,” she winked, throwing a mock punch at his bicep.

“I’m just glad you’re going to be okay,” Infectious Lass hugged him. “I was worried there for a nano, Jacques Foccart! Brainiac, if you weren’t leaving us you’d definitely get my nomination for another leadership term after today.”

“Thank you for the vote of confidence, Infectious Lass.” Brainiac 5 didn’t look up, going over Invisible Kid’s biometrics one final time. “I must say however, I’m not certain that a lot of your teammates would concur with your assessment.”

“Are you really leaving, Brainy?” Ultra Boy asked. “I mean Tinya already talked me into voting for Blok, which is a sentence I never thought I'd say out loud...but you don’t have to leave the team just because you made a mistake.”

“My mind is made up,” Brainiac 5 replied. “I do think that this is the best path forward for myself and for the Legion, Ultra Boy. Jacques, your health will be fine after another day of rest. I’d suggest having a follow-up test in a few days to make sure your powers have been unaffected by this experience, but Dream Girl or Elastic Lad can help there. My work here is done.”

“Thank you again, mon ami.” Jacques smiled wearily before laying his head back upon his pillows and closing his eyes.

“It was the least that I could do,” Brainiac gave a reserved smile. “Until our paths cross again, my friends.” He slipped his omnicom into his pocket and walked away without further ado.

“I guess all’s well that ends well,” Danielle clicked her tongue as she watched Brainiac 5 depart, “I mean I get that there was no lasting damage done, but it’s strange he gets to just walk away after everything he did.”

“Don’t be too harsh on him, Kid C.” Ultra Boy clapped a hand on Danielle’s shoulder. “Brainy’s always been kinda nuts, but he’s also been a part of the Legion for as long as I can remember and he’s saved our collective nasses way more than enough to earn another chance every now and then. It’s gonna be weird not having him around here blowin’ stuff up every other day...but anyway!” Jo turned back to face Jacques. “You heard Brainy; we’ll let you get some rest, pal. Don’t forget to vote when you feel up to it; and don’t feel obliged to vote for me. I know I’m the acting leader till we pick a new one, but acting leader is just fine with me.” Danielle and Drura said their goodbyes to Jacques and accompanied Jo out of the room.

As he drifted back into slumber, Jacques was soothed by the sound of their laughing voices receding. He privately thanked his God for gifting him with health, family and friends; and he was certain that this nameless chill hiding in his skull would be gone by the time he woke up again...

**********
LALLOR
Lalloran airspace, on board the Heroes of Lallor’s omnisaucer


ROLL CALL

Amp aka Ming Sul: amplification of any power or characteristic
Brittle aka Bo Marcu: ability to segregate into smaller independent bodies upon physical impact
Duplicate Boy II aka Stev Cohn: ability to duplicate any superhuman power in his immediate vicinity
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: hyperevolution/deevolution
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: ability to bypass any man-made lock
Life Lass aka Somi Gan: matter animation
Rain Girl aka Jes Teev: rain generation


The youngest of the Heroes of Lallor’s new recruits, Key Kid’s face was pressed up against the window of the team’s saucer-shaped vessel. “I can’t believe how fast we’re moving!” the teenage boy gushed. “We only left home ten mins ago and we’re already on the other side of the country!”

“You’re such a bumpkus, Kid.” Rain Girl rolled her eyes. “Is there anything that doesn’t make your eyes pop out of your head?”

“Leave him alone, Jes!” Amp scolded her teammate. “We’ve spent most of our lives living in a bunker, it’s not Miqui’s fault you’re too jaded to ever be impressed by anything!”

“Amp, Rain Girl; both of you quit it!” Duplicate Boy commanded in an authoritative tone. “This is our first official mission with the Heroes of Lallor, don’t make Evolvo Lad and Life Lass regret bringing us along before we even get there!”

At the saucer’s central console, Evolvo Lad and Life Lass exchanged a knowing smile. “It’s perfectly alright,” Evolvo Lad spoke up, remarkably unassuming in his base form. “You should have seen some of the fights that Beast Boy and Duplicate Boy -- the first Duplicate Boy, I’m sorry -- started back in the day.”

Evolvo Lad and Life Lass had both resisted these new members being forced upon the team by Lallorgov, but Sev had to admit that they’d done nothing since since their rough first impression to warrant further suspicion. Rain Girl and Brittle were a little, well, brittle but the other three were perfectly pleasant. Amp and Duplicate Boy in particular had applied themselves admirably to every test they’d been given, and Key Kid seemed just happy to be included a lot of the time. There were still unanswered questions around their sudden appearance, their powers, and the truth behind whomever had really kept the five mutants sequestered away in a bunker their whole lives, but the quintet were themselves a very long way toward earning Evolvo Lad and Life Lass’s full trust.

“I’m just glad you two have finally deigned to let us come out in public with you,” Brittle sniped. “I was beginning to think we’d just exchanged one prison for another.”

Life Lass opened her mouth but quickly closed it again and gave the chalk-skinned man a sympathetic look instead. Intellectually she knew that it was neither Evolvo Lad’s fault nor hers that Brittle and the others had lived such an unfortunate life till recently, but the kindly heroine still felt a pang of guilt every time one of them brought it up.

“We appreciate your patience, truly.” Evolvo Lad turned away from the console for a moment, satisfied that the autonav he’d designed would do its job in his absence. “And I hope you all know that the only reason we’ve taken this long to embrace you as an active part of the team is that we wanted to be certain we’re not subjecting you to any dangers you’re not ready to handle. Life Lass and I have known each other since we were children, working alongside one another is second nature. But that was also true with Beast Boy and the first Duplicate Boy, and we lost both of them. We want to do everything we can to avoid losing anybody else, and with Gas Girl in the Legion--”

“You don’t have to explain yourself,” Duplicate Boy interrupted. “The rest of us realised long ago that you and Life Lass didn’t really have anything to do with what happened to us, Brittle just likes being a troublemaker. Do you have any further information on the UFO we were asked to investigate, Evolvo Lad?”

“I’m afraid I don’t,” Sev admitted. “All we know is that something huge disabled the planetary defence net and then came down somewhere around...here.” He ran his hand slowly over a trackball in the console and the ship slowed to a stop almost instantly; inertial dampeners made the transition flawless. “This part of the coast suffered a lot of damage during the wars; radiation levels have subsided to levels which are tolerable in the short term, but it’s still been uninhabited for all of our lifetimes. I’ll take on my hyperevolved form so I can interface directly with the shuttle’s psibernetics and see if that provides any insight.” He focused his concentration, and a moment later completed his change into a thin hairless man with an enlarged cranium, dark veins clearly visible beneath almost translucent pale skin.

“Check out those weird plants!” Key Kid pointed out the window, having seen his leader’s transformations often enough now during training sessions that they no longer awed him. “It’s like rainbow-colored seaweed!”

Rain Girl was prepared to mock him again, but when she peered out the window she had to admit he had good reason to be impressed. They were hovering above a barren clifftop which climbed more than a hundred feet over the crashing waves below, and crawling slowly up the side of that cliff like some spectacular web was a mass of wet multi-hued vegetation. As clouds passed overhead and the light shifted subtly, the seaweed’s colors changed dramatically.

“Wow!” Amp had joined Rain Girl and Key Kid in looking outside. “That’s so pretty!”

The three were so distracted that they didn’t see Evolvo Lad stagger backwards clutching his head, but the whole team felt the saucer lurch. “Sev!” Life Lass called Evolvo Lad’s real name while she used her power to corral both him and herself with the handrail that snaked around the console. “What happened?”

“Yeah, what’s the big idea?” Four smaller Brittles asked in unison, picking themselves up off the floor where they’d shattered.

“Fear!” Evolvo Lad exclaimed. “Some entity….entities are approaching, and they’re enormous!” He’d already recovered enough to assert control over the vessel again, and he swiftly moved it straight up. It wasn’t soon enough to stop a tentacle some ten feet thick and many times longer from attaching itself to the hull though and the ship rattled once more. The tentacle slapped down against the window Key Kid had been peering out of and the young redhead yelped in shock.

“Copy Evolvo Lad’s power and devolve yourself!” Amp yelled at Duplicate Boy. “I’ll amp your strength so you can go fight that monster!”

“Oh no, don’t hurt the poor thing!” Life Lass activated a wide holographic viewscreen so they could all see the enormous squid-like creature trying to pull them into its beaked maw. “It probably just thinks we’re a smaller animal!”

“It thinks we’re its next meal!” Rain Girl hollered.

“Life Lass is right,” Duplicate Boy joined in. “We wouldn’t be very heroic beating up on a dumb animal...Amp’s right too though, Evolvo Lad’s power will help here.” Duplicate Boy allowed his own power to reach out and mimic that of his team leader, and in no time two hyperevolved men stood side by side. While Evolvo Lad maintained his control of the saucer to resist the creature’s pull, Duplicate Boy gripped the animal’s primitive mind and sent it back into the ocean and far away from them all.

“He was acting from fear,” Duplicate Boy noted curiously. “The creature would not normally come so near to shore, and he assaulted us more in panicked desperation than anything else.”

“He has good reason,” Evolvo Lad added in the same preternatural calm Duplicate Boy’s evolved form displayed. “Interface with the saucer’s psibernetics and see for yourself, Duplicate Boy. Everybody else, to the skimmerdisks.”

Brittle reconstituted himself, then along with everyone else except Evolvo Lad and Duplicate Boy stood within one of seven clearly delineated rings marked out on the shuttle’s floor. There was a discreet hiss of escaping air, and the populated rings abruptly dropped through the floor of the shuttle with a door swiftly irising shut behind them. Each of the Heroes of Lallor wore magnetised shoes to keep from falling to their doom, along with gloves which allowed them to control their airborne disk’s flight path and speed through a combination of specific movements.

“So what are we meant to be looking at anyway?” Brittle asked the others as they formed a rough perimeter around the omnisaucer.

“Over there!” Life Lass was the first to notice. “Look!” She pointed, and the others all saw something breaking the surface of the choppy water over a hundred feet out at sea. It was clearly something quite large, and at first they thought it might be some kind of submersible vessel. But then as it emerged further from the briny deep, they saw it appeared to be some kind of enormous circuitry-laden head...then they saw that the head was attached to a neck, and the neck to shoulders.

“What is that?” Key Kid’s jaw dropped. “Some kind of robot..?”

“It...it can’t be!” Amp struggled. “Look at the size of that thing!”

The artificial giant continued its path out of the water, and they all soon understood that it must be walking forward. By the time it had emerged to its waist, it was already towering almost four hundred feet into the sky. It bore no face or any other features which might lead them to believe it was anything other than a structure, but it was covered in the signs of battle; scorch marks and punctures which now poured out surreal waterfalls of sea water. One of its arms looked to have been sheared from its torso just above the elbow, but the other was almost entirely intact and that arm now slowly creaked up toward them.

“What’s it doing?” Rain Girl cocked her head. “Do you think--”

“Evasive manuevers please!” Evolvo Lad’s voice sounded over their uniform comms. “The construct is channeling power to weapon systems.” As large as it was, it moved at a glacial pace. By the time its arm was fully extended in front of it and a port in the palm snapped open to reveal the burning glow of a pulse laser charging, the omnisaucer and the skimmerdisks alike had cleared the fire path. A keening whine built for a second, then an intensely bright burst of light shot across the atmosphere like an errant comet.

“We must disable that weapon,” Evolvo Lad instructed. “Though it poses no threat to us, its range is quite daunting; collateral damage is an extremely high probability.”

“Maybe I can short-circuit it,” Rain Girl suggested, moving into position above the arm.

“That thing just came up from the ocean floor,” Brittle snorted. “Rain’s not gonna hurt it, Jes.”

“Can’t you just do your thing?” Amp asked Life Lass, wiggling her hand at the enormous humanoid construct for emphasis.

Life Lass blushed. “Oh no, I -- I couldn’t possibly control something that big!”

“Not unless your power was amplified, huh?” Amp smirked.

“If you guys are gonna try something, you’d better do it quick!” Key Kid called out. “He’s on the move again and he walks quicker than he shoots!”

“By all means,” Evolvo Lad joined the conversation, “Please do make the attempt. I believe we will need to resolve this particular conundrum from the inside however. There are no life signs registering on the omnisaucer’s instrumentation, therefore this oddity has no crew for us to deal with.

“How the sprock are we gonna get inside that thing?” Brittle protested. “It’s not like there’s a door!”

“Certainly there is no entrance suitable for most of us to utilise,” Duplicate Boy agreed, “But Evolvo Lad and I have conferred on the matter and we believe that these particular areas of exterior damage will be most likely adjacent to the structure’s central control circuitry.” As he spoke, the omnisaucer projected a spotlight onto an area roughly equivalent to the thing’s chest.

“So how does that help...ahhh, nass.” Brittle realised what his teammate was inferring, and steered his skimmerdisk to the area. This close, the scale of the thing was disorienting. It was also almost out of the water entirely. “You girls better keep this thing from rattling around too much!” Brittle bellowed at Amp and Life Lass. “And you two bargain basement Brainiacs better not be getting me killed in there!” Brittle knew that one of his hyperevolved teammates would return his skimmerdisk to the saucer, so he left it floating in mid-air to hurl himself at a spot just above the jagged and charred metal. As he smacked into the giant, Brittle exploded into dozens upon dozens of tiny duplicates of himself acting in perfect unison. With linked arms they all slid down the surface of the construct, and those who didn’t land inside the hole in its chest helped their other selves climb in after them. It wasn’t the most graceful display of power, but nonetheless he was soon on the other side of a thick osmium plate. Cables and wiring stretched every which way, sparks exploding randomly in the lightless recess which were like fireworks to the army of miniature Brittles. Several of him saw a glimmer of light behind a twisted panel, and together the tiny men made their way toward there.

Five of them working together were able to bend the panel back just enough to duck beneath, and when the entire horde had congregated on the shiny metal floor on the other side they reformed back into one normal-sized Brittle covered in mismatched seams. Brittle wasn’t really sure what he’d expected to see here, but it certainly wasn’t what seemed for all intents and purposes to be the internal corridor of a spacecraft. He followed track lighting around a corner, then flinched at the sight that met him there. Whatever damage this thing had sustained had collapsed a section of the ceiling, and beneath it poked out two very still legs in dirty metallic boots. “Uh...hello?” Brittle volunteered. The lack of an answer emboldened him and he stepped closer. “Hey, can you hear me under there? My name’s Brittle, I’m one of the Heroes of Lallor.” Whomever was under there was probably dead; they were probably long dead. Still, he knew Duplicate Boy wouldn’t let him hear the end of it if he didn’t make sure. Sighing, he stamped his foot on the floor and allowed an inch high variant of himself to bounce out. The miniature Brittle ran into the mess of metal and wiring, climbing and crawling until he came out on top of a protruding screw where he could clearly see the face of the unfortunate crew member. If his chalk-white features were capable of blanching any whiter, they would have now.

“Evolvo Lad?” Brittle called via his comms. “There’s something you need to know…”

**********
Outside, Life Lass bit her lip in silent concentration. Even with Amp’s assistance, it wasn’t easy exerting control over something this large; she’d seen buildings that were smaller! Still, the creature didn’t move and it didn’t fire. She floated directly before its eyeless face, staring it down as though the two were in an intense standoff.

“Can you make it go back into the ocean? Or back into space? Or disassemble itself?” Amp asked. Her own power wasn’t nearly so taxing to use, though it made all the difference to her teammate’s.

“Sorry, Ming...it’s all I can do to keep it standing still.” Life Lass’s trembling voice betrayed the difficulty of her task.

“Hey, don’t apologise!” Amp encouraged her. “You’re doing the bearosaur’s share of the work, and you’re doing great!” Life Lass spared her a brief smile of gratitude before turning back to the behemoth.

“How are you two doing here?” Duplicate Boy appeared beside them on a skimmerdisk of his own, no longer in the hyperevolved form he’d borrowed from his team leader.

“Just swell,” Amp gave what she hoped was a reassuring grin. “If we’ve got a plan to end this soon though, that might be a good idea, just sayin’…”

“As it turns out, we do. First things first though, do you think it’ll help if I copy your power and we give Life Lass’s abilities a double whammy?”

They heard a weak murmur come from Life Lass and she shook her head violently. “Duplicate Boy, that’s very kind but...I can barely cope with the additional power that Ming’s provided...I don’t think I’m strong enough to double it again…”

“Thanks for your honesty,” Duplicate Boy replied. “Don’t you girls worry, this will be all over and done with in no time.” He zipped away from them on his almost silent disk, waved Key Kid over and then conferred with the younger boy and Rain Girl briefly before all three of them darted away behind the behemoth.

“Now what on Lallor are those three up to..?” Amp wondered aloud.

**********
What the sprock do you mean it’s a Khund vessel?!” Rain Girl screeched from where they hovered at the base of the creature’s back.

“I didn’t say anything to the other girls because they’ve got enough on their plate,” Duplicate Boy explained, “But yeah...Brittle’s been doing some exploring and he’s found six Khunds so far; all of them dead. Evolvo Lad doesn’t think it’s a deliberate attack, his theory is the...well, I guess it’s still a ship, right? He thinks the ship got into combat in space and it’s just working now off whatever it thinks its last lot of orders were.”

“Since when do the Khunds use robot giants like this??” Rain Girl threw her hands up. “And who were they fighting that could rip this thing’s arm off?!”

“Look, we can investigate later but right now we need to stop this thing,” Duplicate Boy asserted himself. “The good news is we think Brittle’s discovered some kind of engine room; but whatever this thing’s built with is interfering with Evolvo Lad’s telepathy and it’d take too long to talk Brittle through shutting everything down...but you remember how you wanted to short out the hand’s weapon thing before?”

“Yeah?” Rain Girl shrugged. “I’m not gonna be able to do it from here!”

Key Kid snappped his fingers as comprehension dawned. “No, but...the - the engine room or whatever won’t be as protected, right? Especially if it’s taken damage already!”

“Exactly.” Duplicate Boy rustled his hair. “So...think you can get us in here, Kid?”

“Never had to get into a giant before...” he considered the problem. “Still..a door’s a door, right?” He passed over the thing on his skimmerdisk, unconsciously poking his tongue out and squinting as he focused on the task. “There!” he pointed with glee at a spot between what would be its shoulder blades if it were alive. Key Kid moved closer to exterior plating of the colossus, laid hands upon its surface and a moment later a hidden door slid away, revealing an interior ramp lit by flickering strobes. He moved enthusiastically toward the entrance, only to feel a strong hand on his shoulder.

“Good work, Kid.” Duplicate Boy stepped in front of him. “But let me go first, huh? These Khunds might not all be dead.”

The three of them made their way cautiously through the thing’s interior, all of them hyperconscious of their surroundings and jumping every time a relay failed or something else collapsed several levels away. While he’d still been in possession of Evolvo Lad’s power Duplicate Boy had mapped their path through the vessel using the omnisaucer’s scanners, and it didn’t take long for the anxious trio to join Brittle inside a round room lit by pulsating lights and pockmarked with signs of obvious weapons discharge. Several Khunds lay dead around the room, many of them draped over specialty consoles.

“Glad you three could make it,” Brittle greeted them. “It was starting to get creepy in here.”

“No doubt,” Duplicate Boy agreed. “Rain Girl, do you think you can do this on your own?”

“The one good thing to come out of this incessant training Evolvo Lad’s insisted on is my powers are a lot stronger than they used to be,” the heroine smirked. “You all might want to leave the room though, it’s gonna get very wet in here very quickly.”

They left her to it, and Rain Girl took position in the centre of the room. Jes Teev closed her eyes and used the meditative techniques Evolvo Lad had taught her to visualise the rain as a part of her, an extension of her that filled the world as it filled her mind. When Rain Girl had first left the bunker where she’d spent her whole life, she was capable only of directing rain in a highly defined area of a few feet. Now though...now she opened her vivid green eyes again, and the entire room was lost in a thunderous overpowering monsoon of water. She couldn’t hear the alarms or see the damage she was causing so she kept up the onslaught until her insulated costume was knee deep in icy churning waters. Rain Girl exhaled slowly, and the rainfall petered away to a complete stop in time with her breath.

“Wow,” Key Kid gaped as he re-entered the room. Brittle let out a low whistle. “Grife, you really trashed this place huh?” Indeed, the room looked as though someone had taken a tank through it three or four times. The emergency lighting had remained intact till now, but that too suddenly switched off and left the quartet in the dark.

Duplicate Boy switched on the powerful light they all wore in their belt buckles for search and rescue, then all four of them heard what was unmistakably a spluttering cough. Their eyes grew wide with fear, but Duplicate Boy held his finger to his lips and left them to follow the noise. On the far side of the room, a yellow-skinned Khund struggled to pull himself up on his one functioning arm. He slipped back into the water, and forgetting that this was his enemy Duplicate Boy rushed forward to help him. The Lalloran hero was taken aback by the lightness of the man, but when he pulled him fully from the water he understood why; the man had been ripped in two, and Duplicate Boy suspected it was only the glut of cybernetics which composed most of his torso that had kept him alive this long. “We’re going to get you medical help,” Duplicate Boy advised. “Just try to relax--”

“Medical help?” The Khund spat at him, and Duplicate Boy felt hot blood and oil trickle down his cheek. “It’s not bad enough I’m dying, you want...want to insult…” His eyes rolled back in his head, but with a fierce effort he clutched on to consciousness. “No...Demon Mother willing, I….not long for this world, boy...but have to warn...warn you…”

“Warn us? Warn us of what?” The others had joined Duplicate Boy now, and Key Kid’s horrified features were illuminated by the light in his own belt.

“...Arn…” the Khund rumbled weakly. “...Karth Arn and...” Then the man jolted and fell limp one last time in Duplicate Boy’s arms.

**********
The first official mission of the all new Heroes of Lallor was notable for one other thing; it taught the quintet of new recruits just how strongly bureacracy was prized by Lallorgov. The Heroes spent hours filing reports, giving statements and helping their world’s more conventional authorities secure the Khundish vessel; for political reasons Evolvo Lad knew that they’d have to hand everything over to the Science Police for further investigation, but he hoped that he’d be able to get access to the ship’s datacore at some point. Lallor was in uncomfortably close proximity to the Khund Empire, and if the Khunds had enemies capable of doing this then he wanted to know all there was to know about them.

All of this meant however that it was almost midnight by the time Sev Tcheru finally made it back to his quarters. He was exhausted, too exhausted to even run the massage program he’d been looking forward to. He dragged his shirt over his head, intending to collapse into bed and sleep immediately, when he noticed something out of the corner of his eye.

Sev turned to see his mirror steaming up of its own volition, and in the steam the following words appeared; Beast Boy’s memorial garden 1 hour. “Tal..?” he whispered the real name of his old teammate Gas Girl almost inaudibly. There was no response though, and the steam evaporated in its own time.

An hour later, everybody else in Homebase was sound asleep. Sev Tcheru and Somi Gan however were not included in that grouping. In their civilian clothes, hoods drawn over their heads against the chill Lalloran night, they weren’t immediately recognisable as the famous Heroes of Lallor Evolvo Lad and Life Lass.

In a park in the centre of town which was long empty by this time of night, the two entered separately and found themselves converging at the statue of their deceased former teammate Beast Boy. Native flowers were planted around its base along with wildflowers from Vorn, the planet where he’d given his life to save that of a child. “Sev..?” Life Lass asked timidly. “You were the one who sent that message? I thought for a min it might be--”

“Hi, you guys...down here!” Gas Girl’s voice sounded from before them, and they looked down to see her wispy form curling through the garden bed.

“Gas Girl, what’s this all about?” Evolvo Lad got straight to the point. “Why the subterfuge, do you need our help?”

“Me?” She sounded surprised. “No, I’m here to help you! I know you two can’t act openly against those weird new mutants you got saddled with, so some of the Legionnaires agreed to help me look into them!”

“Oh Tal, that’s a lovely thought!” Life Lass beamed, “But now that we’ve actually spent time with them I don’t think it’s necessary! We had an awful introduction, but they’ve really endeared themselves--”

“Cham said you might react like this,” Gas Girl interrupted her old friend again. “So we did some research already. You know that Lallorgov jerk who put me in exile? You guys, there’s no record that he ever existed before a year ago.”

Evolvo Lad and Life Lass shared a shocked glance. “What about the others?” Evolvo Lad’s eyes narrowed. “Our new teammates?”

“We don’t know,” Gas Girl admitted. “Their story checks out so far, but come on Sev...you know this doesn’t sound right. Chameleon Boy, Shrinking Violet and Phantom Girl came to Lallor with me, they’re looking into all of them right now. I’m going to come back to Homebase with you guys and keep an eye on them from there; if they check out, they don’t ever need to know this happened. But if they’ve been planted here to hurt you or to hurt Lallor, what’s it gonna hurt to have friends nearby?”

“Oh Tal,” Life Lass lamented. “I don’t know how I feel about this...it all seems so cynical.”

“No...I think she’s right, Life Lass.” Evolvo Lad stroked his chin. “I know it’s not normally how we work but...Gas Girl’s right. If our new teammates are on the level, we need to know that or we’ll always wonder. Thank you, Gas Girl.”

“Hey, as if I’m gonna leave you guys in the cold!” she joked. “Speaking of which, the temperature doesn’t bother me but you guys must be freezing! Why don’t you head back home, I’ll update the others and then I’ll make contact next time there’s something to make contact about.”

“I am exhausted,” Evolvo Lad yawned. “Come on Somi, let’s go.”

Gas Girl had followed them here so she was confident they hadn’t been followed; once they’d left the park, she floated high enough overhead that she was confident she wouldn’t be spotted by anyone then turned back into her normal Lalloran form and brought her flight ring to her lips. “Chameleon Boy? Phantom Girl? Shrinking Violet? I’ve made contact with Evolvo Lad and Life Lass.”

“Hi Gas Girl,” Phantom Girl’s voice came back after a moment. “The others have gone to bed, how did it -- oh sprock, can you please hold for a nano? I’ve got a call coming through from Jo and he knows I’m on mission, he wouldn’t call unless it was important.” Phantom Girl switched the line and greeted her lover warmly. “Hey, my Ultra Boy...everything okay on Mars?”

“Everything’s fine, babe!” He certainly didn’t sound like he had anything important to discuss. “In fact, everything’s great for some of us!”

“What..? Jo, have you and Brin been in to that nasty batch of Silverale again? Why do you sound so odd?”

“You wound me.” Tinya rolled her eyes. He was drunk; she was going to kill Timber Wolf next time she saw him. “I know you’re doing secret Espionage Squad business and that’s great and all--”

“Jo, I don’t have time for this,” she cut him off. “I’ve got work--”

“--but I just wanted to be the first to say...congratulations on your official promotion to leader of the Legion of Superheroes, Phantom Girl!”

For one of the first times in her life, Tinya Wazzo found herself utterly speechless.

**********
WHO GOT THE MOST VOTES?

Thanks for voting, everyone! It wouldn’t have been fun if there hadn’t had so much participation and I was pleasantly surprised that so many people were into it! smile

Some notes on the below: so the way I assigned votes was 3 points for the top choice, 2 points for the next and 1 point for the last. I had already decided that Brainiac 5 wasn’t going to be in the running but I didn’t wanna spoil him leaving the team beforehand so I left his name on the available roster - I got one vote for him, so I divided his points up between the voter’s other two choices (which is why Kid Computo and Phantom Girl have weird totals). Without further ado:

Phantom Girl - 6.5
Nightwind - 5
Blok - 3
Neon - 3
Sun Boy - 3
Kid Computo - 2.5
Chlorophyll Kid - 2
Shadow Lass - 2
Matter-Eater Lad - 1

Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Interlude: The Slow Burn - 01/18/19 07:42 PM
Whoa! Karth Arn! Looking forward to more from Lallor.

Glad you gave Duplicate Boy 2 a range limit. The first one was just impossible to write!

Not surprised that the other Legionnaires do not agree on Brainiac 5.

Yay Tinya! Finally, we will get to see Tinya as leader!

So Nightwind is Deputy, right? yay! Berta gets to shine. pretty interesting that I had Berta as co-leader in my stories too. But you definitely have given her the foundation to be a leader.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Interlude: The Slow Burn - 01/20/19 10:31 AM
Hi IB, thanks for your comment! You're not wrong about the first Duplicate Boy...his stupidity was really a bit over the top back in the 80s, but I can see why Levitz did it; I love mimic powers but they need to have really defined limits or else they get out of control way too quick!

When I said there was gonna be a couple words that would get people excited, Karth Arn's name was one of them but the other one is even better....I decided at the last minute not to spoil it all in one go but y'all should find out very soon wink

Nightwind certainly is deputy! I'm actually glad I got a last minute vote which took her to second place...otherwise it was gonna be a tie between her, Blok, Neon and Sun Boy! I didn't want to have all four of them share it because it feels too close to what Harbi's doing, but then I would have felt bad about having to just randomly pick one name from the four of them too hahaha

We are gonna have a smaller mission next to give the team a chance to breathe, because after that: TRYOUTS! And after THAT, Tinya is getting her baptism of fire with an epic 5 part story that will revisit some bad guys we haven't seen for a loooong time smile

EDIT: Forgot to say, I added writeups for the new Heroes of Lallor here as well if anyone wants a refresher (though I think it pretty much covers their current situation in the story itself)
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Interlude: The Slow Burn - 01/20/19 01:55 PM
yay tryouts! and i think we will see a mysterious gravity powered surprise hero...

you are certainly better at planning than I am, I am horrible at estimating how many parts my stories will take!

I’m happy Nightwind got last minute votes too. her interactions with Dawnstar, Jed, Mandalla, and Laurel among others are a good foundation. Block, Neon and Sun Boy would have been good too though

just realized I forgot to comment on the Lallor heroes . love how the team works well, your new Dupe Boy being smarter, Amp and Key Kid are becoming fast faves for their personalities. Rain girl and Brittle would be treated by many as joke characters but, like wth Ronn-Karr, you show how effective they can be. Like how Amp’s power has a built in limitation re how much the recipient can take!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Interlude: The Slow Burn - 01/21/19 09:37 AM
Thanks! I keep a document on google drive with plot ideas in bullet point (some of them are as basic as "academy spotlight") so that way I can have a couple of pages worth of keywords to jog my memory, then I try to have like maybe the next 4 or 5 instalments a bit more roughly fleshed out...just like some key points that I wanna have happen, and I find that character-driven subplots seem to write themselves a lot so it's easier to flesh out the next 2 or 3 episodes worth of stuff.

Then the only things I really sit down and write proper story breakdowns for are the big epic storylines so I can try and make sure as many characters as possible get to do something and that there's room for all the major plot points I wanna accomplish (eg: the big Universo/Satan Girl story had heaps of work put into it, whereas the story where Cham's team went to Vavalla and teamed up with Lamprey was pretty much just "do a story with Lamprey and Turtle" until I actually sat down to post it) smile
Posted By: razsolo Leader of the Pack - 01/30/19 12:13 PM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


In the medilab that not so long ago was primarily the province of Brainiac 5, Phantom Girl stood casually with her hands on her hips while Invisible Kid faded into view before her. “So give it to us straight, Nura - is he broken?” Tinya turned with a cheeky smile to the Naltorian super-scientist Dream Girl who stood obviously bored at a hardlight touchscreen beside the other two Legionnaires.

“Oui,” Jacques Foccart added. “Has my power been affected by my experience on Talok III?”

“He’s fine,” Nura sighed. “You’re fine, Jacques - just like I said you’d be. His power works just like it always has, his eyesight is as good as it ever was, and if you’re waiting for my approval I think he’s 100% ready for active duty again. Can I leave now? I’ve got a spa appointment in a standard hour and I’d like to put my face on before I go.”

Looking at the stunning beauty’s flawless make-up, Phantom Girl fought the urge to bite back with sarcasm. You’re team leader now, she reminded herself. Rise above it, Tinya. “We really need an inventory done of the medilab sooner rather than later,” she tried to be as diplomatic as possible. “I don’t want to be a pain, but I had to leave an Espionage Squad mission to come back here when I found out I was voted leader - we’re all making sacrifices, Nura.”

“You know,” Dream Girl replied breezily, “You don’t need to be a genius to take inventory; Kid Computo or even Sun Boy could do it. Anyway, it’s a moot point. As soon as Elastic Lad found out there was an opportunity available to ogle Brainiac 5’s research for hours, he couldn’t wait to volunteer. He should be here in a few minutes.”

“Thanks for taking care of that for me,” Phantom Girl smiled more warmly this time. “I do appreciate it, I--”

“Hey!” Drake Burroughs’ very distinctive and very cranky voice filled the space around them. “I got a bone to pick with you, leader lady!” The anti-energy being called Wildfire stomped up toward the trio. “What’s the big idea sending Dawnstar to take your place when you came back from Lallor? She’s not even part of the Espionage Squad!”

“Calm down, Drake.” Unconsciously, Phantom Girl straightened her posture and took on a more authoritative tone. “Dawny came to me. I wasn’t going to send Jacques until I knew he was cleared for active duty again, and I for one think it’s commendable that she’s trying something different.”

Wildfire was taken aback, but only for a moment. “Ah, nuts!” He punched a hole in the nearest wall, turned around and stormed straight back out the way he’d come in.

“Mon dieu!” Jacques exclaimed. “Even for Wildfire, that was rude!”

“It was,” Tinya agreed, “But honestly I’ve got a million more important things to worry about at the moment. I still need to make contact with Teall and find out when Quislet’s gonna be back, we’ve got tryouts next week, and there’s all the exciting administrative work that apparently comes with running this madhouse. Right now though, I’m running late for a meeting with Element Lad and Matter-Eater Lad. Dream Girl, thanks so much for your help today - I won’t pretend it’s gonna be the last time I’ll be calling on you. We’ve really learned to rely on Brainy a lot, it might take a little time to learn how to do things again without a 12th level intellect on speed dial at all times. Jacques, I’ll get you put back on the active roster again tomorrow. For now, just enjoy the time off.”

“Merci, ma’amselle.” Invisible Kid bowed his head slightly. “I believe I will take the opportunity to go visit the rest of my family on Earth.” He turned and followed Wildfire’s path out of the room.

“Phantom Girl, before you go.” Dream Girl gripped the Bgltzr heroine’s arm just before she turned intangible. “I just wanted to say...you’re going to do the Legion proud. No matter what happens or how the team changes, no matter how hard it gets...just remember that.”

“I...thanks, Nura.” Tinya Wazzo watched confounded as Dream Girl turned and left the medilab herself. From anybody else, Phantom Girl might consider those words of encouragement.

Hearing them from Dream Girl, Tinya Wazzo couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding…

**********
MARSOPOLIS
Museum of Interstellar Artifacts


“Marella Tao here at the prestigious MIA,” a reporter with sun-bronzed skin and bright red hair cut in a stylish assymetrical fashion announced to the holorecorder before her. “We’re here at the steps of the Museum of Interstellar Artifacts to watch the historic moment when months of negotiation come to fruition and priceless ancient artifacts are handed back to the Dalman people. For background on this story, please activate the archivalinks scrolling across your feed now.”

While the galaxy-famous journalist continued her report, a growing crowd gathered before the massive building to see the real attraction; Legionnaires Element Lad and Matter-Eater Lad, and two of the mysterious Post-Atomic Knights of Dalma standing on a temporary stage erected in at the top of the steps slightly behind a handful of diplomats and museum representatives.

“Thank you once more for your aid in recovering our cultural artifacts,” one of the chrome-armoured Post-Atomic Knights spoke in a hushed voice to Element Lad beside him. “I must admit, I didn’t believe that any good would come of your offer of assistance but I doubt that we would have come this far so quickly without your help, Jan Arrah.”

“I’m glad I could speed things up a little,” Element Lad accepted the compliment gracefully. “To be completely honest with you, it’s gratifying to be able to accomplish something using my Legion of Superheroes influence without the unfortunate need for violence which often accompanies our duties. We all really have Matter-Eatter Lad to thank though; as a member of the Bismollian Senate, his political connections were indispensable.”

“Hey, don’t mention it!” Tenzil Kem shrugged. “If you don’t use your political career for nepotism, can you really call yourself a politician?”

Jan cleared his throat awkwardly while the Post-Atomic Knights simply stared in a confused silence, and a moment later the mood was broken by Phantom Girl’s arrival. Tinya patted a hand on both Jan and Tenzil’s shoulders, easing her way between them. “Hi boys! I hope I didn’t miss anything, I didn’t want to make a grand entrance so I came up through the lower levels of the museum. After all, this isn’t the Legion’s day!” Turning her attention to the Post-Atomic Knights, she gave them a conspiratorial wink. “I hear you guys gave some of my team a fight a while ago,” she winked.

The second Dalman warrior who’d been silent till now laughed out loud. “Your team gave as good as they received, Phantom Girl. I am pleased that our group’s rambunctiousness has not been an impediment to our ability to work together!”

Element Lad bristled inwardly. What the Post-Atomic Knights called rambunctiousness had threatened innocent lives. Still, he supposed it had all worked out in the end; once today was over and those ancient knives were on their way back to Dalma, they could all get back to their lives.

Before too much longer, the presentations began. Everybody on stage was introduced, and as was to be expected the crowd cheered loudest for the Legionnaires. In truth Phantom Girl, Element Lad and Matter-Eater Lad all would have been happier if their presence here hadn’t been advertised so that they could focus more on keeping everyone safe, but none of them were blind to the fact that the publicity the museum got from having three Legionnaires in attendance was in large part responsible for the efficiency with which this handover had been organised.

Finally, the speeches were done and with great care a display case was brought out by a museum official which held six knives of various sizes. Each of them had symbols engraved into the bone handles, symbols which meant nothing to citizens of the United Planets but had long ago been holy commands for the Dalmans. As the museum’s Chief Administrator Wilem Makenzie held the case out for the Post-Atomic Knights to take into their possession, members of the crowd suddenly gasped and turned their gaze skyward. More and more sentients followed, the Legionnaires and the Post-Atomic Knights among them. Descending from above in a majestic pose was a Dalman with pale golden fur marked with brighter patches of gold. Unlike the Post-Atomic Knights his head was uncovered, and his canine features were plain for all to see. His eyes blazed with an inner fire, and he wore a golden metallic harness which met in the centre of his bare chest at a circular plate bearing a sun icon. Gleaming armoured plates covered his shoulders, complimented by golden bracers, a belt and knee-high metal banded boots. His legs were covered in white tights, and from his shoulder plates hung a great white cape which whipped in the breeze about him. The only thing he wore which didn’t match his white and golden color scheme was a green beaded choker worn about his thick neck.

“Dogstar..?” one of the Post-Atomic Knights queried.

“Is this an enemy of yours?” Element Lad asked.

“No! Quite the contrary!” the other Post-Atomic Knight barked quickly. “He’s our world’s greatest hero….he’s our equivalent of your...M’onel I believe his name is?”

“Mon-El,” Tinya corrected him. “Still, let’s stay on our guard. Something else else about this doesn’t feel right. Jan, can you--”

“Nonsense,” the first Post-Atomic Knight interjected. “Dogstar must have come to ensure our safe journey home! We should be honoured!” He walked to the front of the stage to meet Dogstar who by now was only a few inches higher than that himself. Both reporters and spectators were going crazy with excitement, and in all the chaos the Legionnaires surreptitiously glanced at the gathered Science Police and Museum security in presence; they were on edge just as the Legion were.

“Welcome!” The Post-Atomic Knight bowed eagerly at his hero. “We’re privileged that you’ve come to help with such important work, Dogstar!”

Dogstar merely gave a low gutteral growl in response, and the Post-Atomic Knights finally began to wonder if something really was amiss. They wondered too late though; with ferocious speed, the radiant Dalman plowed into the Knight who’d approached him and drove him through the stage.

The crowd screamed and began to panic, and Tinya knew she had to respond quickly before people got trampled. She didn’t bother giving orders to Matter-Eater Lad or Element Lad, trusting both of them to react with the years of experience she knew they possessed. Instead she turned intangible and floated out above the steps, away from where her teammates were no doubt about to join battle with someone she’d just heard described as a Dalman Mon-El. “Sentients, please listen to me!” she called out over her flight ring’s loudspeaker function. “The Legion of Superheroes and the Post-Atomic Knights will resolve this situation safely and swiftly; help us help you by looking out for one another, moving with caution and obeying the Science Police representatives now making themselves clear.” A red-skinned Science Police officer gave Tinya a quick nod of gratitude before turning to direct the crowd. Realising she wouldn’t be able to do much more here than any of the regular people on the ground, she turned back toward the scene of the battle.

“I thought you said Krypto here’s on your side!” Matter-Eater Lad yelled, grabbing one of the diplomats and throwing them both on the ground just in time to avoid golden eyebeams from Dogstar which burned straight through the museum’s exterior wall.

“He is!” The uninjured Post-Atomic Knight protested. “I mean...he’s meant to be! I don’t know why he’s behaving this way, he’s our world’s greatest hero!” He created a wide shield from his armour’s versatile gauntlet and covered three of the museum staff from more of the deadly eyebeams as the museum’s security agents ushered them away.

“We can find the truth out later,” Element Lad announced sternly. “Right now, let’s just stop anybody else from getting hurt!” He gestured at the golden alien and a band of thick metal appeared around his eyes. Dogstar gripped at it with both hands while simultaneously using his heat vision and the makeshift blindfold shattered.

Those precious seconds however had given the non-combatants on the stage time to flee, and given Matter-Eater Lad time to help the injured Knight to his feet. “Come on buddy,” Tenzil was glad his flight ring offset some of the weight of the Dalman’s armour, “I think you better sit this one out.”

“No, wait…” the Knight mumbled helplessly. “Dogstar…”

“Yeah, I know,” Matter-Eater Lad patronised him as he led him away from the violence. “He’s your world’s greatest hero; well I hate to break it to you pal, but he’s either a clone or a robot or from Earth-3 or something cuz your world’s greatest hero isn’t acting very heroic.”

“That’s what..that’s what I have to tell you…Dogstar...something about him...different...” the Knight in the crumpled suit continued before collapsing completely.

*********
“Any one of our team strong enough to take this guy on in a fair fight is off-world,” Phantom Girl advised as she rejoined Element Lad and the other Knight. “So let’s try not to get ourselves killed till we at least know why he’s doing this, huh?”

The Post-Atomic Knight formed a hardlight morningstar from his armour’s gauntlet and smashed it over Dogstar’s head, succeeding only in capturing his fellow Dalman’s attention. Moving in a blur, Dogstar bit down on the gauntlet and ripped it away from the Knight’s arm with a savage growl. He spat it at Element Lad before Jan could take any action, then turned back on the stunned Knight. “...Kill...heroes....bring...knives…” Dogstar rumbled menacingly.

His eyes flared brightly, but before he could flash-fry the disarmed Knight he was distracted by a high-pitched whistle. “You mean these knives?” Phantom Girl teased in a sing-song voice. She was floating a few feet above the men, the Dalman artifacts under one arm. Dogstar gave a vicious bark and charged Tinya, flying straight through her intangible form and through the upper floors of the museum.

“If he wants the knives, maybe we should just take them out of the equation.” Element Lad winced as he spoke; it felt like Dogstar may have broken one of his ribs with the Knight’s mangled gauntlet. “I can turn transmute them into--”

“No!” the Post-Atomic Knight protested. “You don’t understand their importance to our people! Jan Arrah, you could start a war!”

“Well, we need to do something!” Jan snapped back. “We - get down!” They all heard a tremendous sonic boom and Jan threw himself over the Post-Atomic Knight before turning the air around them into an intertron dome. The dome was only half-composed by the time Dogstar slammed into the steps of the museum, but it was enough to protect them from what would otherwise have been certain death. While Phantom Girl floated above them all perfectly unharmed, the Post-Atomic Knight and Element Lad pulled themselves coughing and sore from the mounds of rubble that half the street had now become.

Dogstar stood defiantly before Jan and the Knight, an eerily glowing silhouette in the clouds of dust formed in the destructive impact. The powerful Dalman warrior looked up at Phantom Girl, snarling words with great effort at her. “...Give...knives...or friends...die…”

“Just distract him for a nano, Phantom Girl…” a clearly concussed Element Lad muttered in a voice barely above a whisper, the left side of his scalp matted in blood. “He’s too fast...I just need him t’stand still long enough...make inertron box round him…” Focus was difficult, but Jan knew this might be their only chance; he couldn’t afford to fail.

Dogstar turned and looked down on the wounded Legionnaire. “Super...hearing…” he crowed in a hoarse barking chuckle. In a flash of movement, the Post-Atomic Knight was smacked aside and Dogstar straddled Element Lad, his bared teeth at Jan’s throat.

“Guys!” Matter-Eater Lad finally returned from having sequestered the others in a more secure area of the museum. “The choker! It’s not part of his costume, take out the collar!”

Element Lad’s eyes widened. He concentrated as intently as he’d ever concentrated but to his horror, nothing happened. “My power...my power doesn’t affect it!” He felt the pressure of Dogstar’s fangs on his throat and Jan was certain that this must be the last thing he’d ever feel; he hoped it didn’t hurt too much before he saw his people again.

Stop!!” Phantom Girl shrieked, and everyone still conscious turned their attention to her. “You want these damn things, take them!” Her voice was trembling and she looked as though she were on the verge of tears. “Just don’t...don’t kill anybody, please!” She descended, holding the knives out in shaking hands toward the rabid Dogstar.

The golden Dalman threw Jan aside and approached Phantom Girl with a predator’s stance. He moved to take the knives from her outstretched arms and at the last possible second, the rattled girl dropped the case. Dogstar of course moved fast enough to catch them before they hit the ground, but as he leaned down in front of her she gripped the choker around his neck and phased it along with her. “Yoink!

Taking advantage of Dogstar’s momentary confusion, a now grinning Phantom Girl hurled the choker at Matter-Eater Lad. “Tenzil, catch!” The choker rematerialised as soon as it left Tinya’s hand and Matter-Eater Lad couldn’t risk the opportunity to show off. He flew straight into its flight path and caught it in his open mouth; two seconds later, it was nothing more than a mouthful of sickly green morsels on their way to his stomach.

Dogstar simply watched the whole thing happen completely baffled. “Where...where am I?” he asked, his speech instantly more civilised than it had been. “You’re...you’re Phantom Girl, are you not? And Matter-Eater Lad...of the Legion of Superheroes?” He looked around at the chaos he’d caused, but still had no idea what had happened until he saw the case of knives in his arms and it all came rushing back to him. “Oh no…” He gave Tinya a sorrowful stare. “I…I did this, didn’t I?”

“Welcome back.” Phantom Girl rematerialised and placed a comforting hand on Dogstar’s arm. “It’s okay, I think we have some idea what happened here today. Do you think you know who might be responsible for sending you after these artifacts?”

Tenzil shook his head in violent disgust, poking his tongue out. “Tastes like magic if that helps...man, that’s gonna take a whole bottle of bleach.”

“I know exactly who was responsible,” Dogstar replied darkly. “And I know exactly what he wanted. These knives are more than just an artifact to our people, they hold dangerous mystical power. My old enemy Dr Cerberus thought he’d ruin my reputation and gain the knives’ power at the same time by using his dark magic to send me after them. Of course I’ll do everything in my power to make amends for the damage I’ve caused here today, and then I swear he’ll be brought to justice.”

“The Legion might be able to help you with that,” Tinya smiled warmly. “And of course we’ll tell everyone what really happened here today. Let’s just be glad nobody was more seriously hurt.” As she spoke, Element Lad and the Post-Atomic Knight were helping one another stand up and reporters were gathering around the barricade formed by the Science Police and jostling for prime footage.

“That was a good job earlier,” Tenzil joined the two of them. “Even I nearly brought into the whole hysterical fem thing you had going on, PG!”

Tinya nudged Matter-Eater Lad in the ribs playfully. “I might not be Cham but I’ve been around him long enough to have picked up some acting tips here and there - I wouldn’t be much of a team leader if I was really gonna fall apart at the seams the first time an emergency came up though, would I?”

Phantom Girl and Matter-Eater Lad gave a hearty laugh, and even Dogstar gave an appreciative snigger before they set themselves to the task of healing the day’s damages.

**********

Notes from Raz: Honestly, I didn’t intend to set out writing such a thinly veiled jab at how Phantom Girl’s very brief leadership term in the last Legion series turned out, but here we are hahaha laugh

Also, if anyone wants to refamiliarise themselves with who these Dalman folk are and why Element Lad’s been helping them - this is Dogstar’s first appearance, but the Post-Atomic Knights first met Jan and a couple other Legionnaires here

...Tryouts next! FOUR new Legionnaires, y’all!! EXCITEMENT!!!

Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Leader of the Pack - 01/30/19 06:18 PM
FOUR NEW LEGIONNAIRES! goodness!

A disguised Gravity Kid?
Crystal Kid?

another great bit, love Tinya’s acting. I expect we will see more of Dogstar and Dr Cerberus.

Glad the Dalma Knights got to do something

Sympathized with Jan re the knights putting people in danger in their earlier encounter

Nura was amazing as usual, being all silly and bored in front of everyone, then showing her softer and more mature side

Was that a jab at Dirk? even Sun Boy could do it?

glad Jacques is ok, or is he?

Funny that he used “Tres bien” to remark on Wildfire’s tantrum. it means very good, and i’ve never heard it used that way during my time in France

anyhow, more cool stuff raz!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Leader of the Pack - 01/31/19 08:21 AM
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
FOUR NEW LEGIONNAIRES! goodness!

I have been hanging out to introduce them for ages hahaha...there were a few times I had to push the introduction out and it killed me laugh

Quote
Nura was amazing as usual, being all silly and bored in front of everyone, then showing her softer and more mature side

Was that a jab at Dirk? even Sun Boy could do it?

A bored Nura is a catty Nura and Dirk makes himself an easy target hahaha wink

Quote
Funny that he used “Tres bien” to remark on Wildfire’s tantrum. it means very good, and i’ve never heard it used that way during my time in France

OMG you're totally right, how embarassment! Man, Brainy's gone 5 minutes and the translators already start falling apart tongue Thanks for the heads up, I will go edit it! smile
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Leader of the Pack - 02/08/19 11:27 AM
Hey Raz, so sorry I've not had enough time t post my thoughts for you in a-g-e-s.

Got some thoughts going back quite a while that are way overdue:

Liked your take on Crystal Kid, rather than treat him as the perennial loser (writing that I fell into, sadly) you showed how impressive he could be if written properly. erta reaching out to Dawnstar after that mission was also well done, it's great when we see that the team aren't all acting like spoiled brats.

Stress monkey Brainy is always fun and scary in equal measure - Tinya and Imra make the perfect couple to challenge him too.

Fundamentals arc was really good. His followers and all just add to the potential damage even one madman can cause. His back story of being a Job like religious man who held onto his faith was actually quite touching, just a pity he got it mixed up with the xenophobia. Tranquility is perhaps my fave original character you have, she's a beautiful enigma.

Always appreciate your Oversight Watch, their dubious morals are a good foil to the team - cliffhanger of the month award goes to... “89 is dead, and if the Invisible Queen has her way a lot of other sentients might be next.”

The Talok mission was well done - it delivered everything we would want from a story - mystery (lots of mystery!), action, the team split up and trying to work alongside another team who don't quite share the same worldview, character growth (From Zoe getting more confident in her powers to Jacques being maimed), Brainy actually being smart, surprises and shocks - good stuff Raz, and also great to see the Invisible Queen again (so to speak).

Introducing your updated Heroes of Lallor was appreciated - their no such bad eggs after all. The humanoid Khund ship from Legion 300 was nice. And Brittle, while being very creepy, is definitely my favourite. So, Karth Arn is coming, why am I feeling really worried about this? You really are the master of setting up storylines, you weave things in really well.

Phantom Girl as leader! Yay!

And other favourites, the Post-Atomic Knights reappear as Jan keeps his word and got the UP to returns their stolen property. Dogstar is a fun character, and I'd love to see more of him, though I wonder if the control collar is part of another plot or part of Alex Arcane or Karth Arn;s stories...

Looking forward to more, more and much more!


Posted By: razsolo Re: Leader of the Pack - 02/12/19 09:25 AM
Thanks Harbi! I honestly never really got why Crystal Kid got the short end of the stick, I think his power's really cool and distinctive - other than Kole from the Teen Titans, I can't think of anyone else who does crystal formations! Tranquility seems to be more popular than I thought she would be, I might have to bring her back soon laugh

I love that Khund ship, if they tooled around in those things all the time that would be some good comics!

You're probably right to be worried about Karth Arn, though I think I might have succeeded in coming up with an angle on him that will be unexpected (also, funny that you mention the setting up of stories because y'all are gonna see that he has been tied to some stuff from waaaaay back).

He and Alek Arcane are gonna take centre stage pretty soon actually, I am looking forward to writing them both! smile
Posted By: Omni Re: Leader of the Pack - 02/25/19 08:17 PM
Hi Raz,

Enjoying the latest installments. commenting as I read. so maybe a little all over the place.


Even though I'm happy Jaqcues was able to get his eyes back I was kind of hoping for a some permanent change. Maybe even have him connected to the Luqiti. But who knows something could still happen.

As much as I know Brainy's screwed up. I agree with Jo does he really have to go? What will he do now? even though there wasn't a huge amount of fanfare when he left that moment of him putting his omnicom in his pocket and simply walking away pulled at my heart strings for sure.

Jo's line about Blok made me laugh but blok is highly underestimated i think.

Back to Lallor! the Heroes of Lallor are turning out to be a fun team to explore. I find it funny that in every reality Amp is always throwing herself in wholeheartedly. But I guess when your name is Amp, you get excited and involved.

Brittle is by far my favorite creation. even with the chip on his shoulder. I liked that Life Lass didn't argue and chose to be more sympathetic.
I'm looking forward to discovering who had them all these years and what Lallorgov is up to.

Glad Duplicate Boy isn't a nass head. He's really trying.
Evolvo Lad's reasoning was good and makes sense after losing two members.
Love Key Kid's reactions.
There ship makes me think of those old 60's movies. I don't know why. But the mental interfacing and the trackballs. great description! Love the drop disc as well.

The giant ship makes me think of the Celestials from Marvel.
Love Brittle and his body exploding as he hit the ship. Great image. and then his journey inside when he stamped out the one inch version of himself. funny.
Go Life Lass and Amp. I didn't really think she would keep it from moving.
I'm glad Life Lass spoke up and said no to the double wammy of amped power.
Smart move not telling Amp and Life Lass. Let them concentrate.
Key Kid's concentration trick is cute and funny. His power is so useful.
a Khudian vessel that big must have been fighting something even bigger.
Go Rain Girl!
This team maybe small but its formidable!
Who is Karth Arn?

We all hate red tape. But hours..almost midnight? Dang Lallor. I'm surprised that the Lallorgov wouldn't want Evolvo Lad working with them as he might be able to figure out much of it by himself in his evolved state. unless that's the point and they are in on whatever happened to the Khunds.

YES! Espionage Squad is here! I like their plan. I know they will find something. But hopefully it doesn't implicate their new teammates in some dastardly plan.
Life Lass is so nice and sweet. Its nice to see someone can retain that after all these years in the hero game.

Oh course Dreamer has a spa appointment and want to put her face on. lol.
Im kind of surprised they didn't turn around to find Elastic Lad had been there the whole time. getting a jump start.
I hate how co-dependent Wildfire is. I agree with Tinya that its great that Dawnstar is trying something new. I always felt like the Espionage Squad would have a fairly rotating membership based on what the mission would dictate. Some like Dawnstar who only come in for a mission while you have the staples like Cham and Vi.

Oooo...Tinya's got a lot going on and Dream Girl was that just a vote of confidence or a vision? I hope it wasn't a vision.
“If you don’t use your political career for nepotism, can you really call yourself a politician?” Loved this line! laugh

Element Lad's thoughts about the events are interesting and it show cases just how much Jan values life. Now if he left the team for a less violent world. I could understand.
I'm enjoying how your showcasing the lout the Legionnaires carry and how it can be useful. It's an application I honestly never thought of. But makes so much sense.

Dogstar is cool and on par with M'Onel? wow powerful. I half expected the Atomic Knight to say Superman. But sounds like Malice from X-men crossed over. I'm thinking your writing of the X-men is seeping into the Legion. lol.

Love that Tinya is confident in her team and that the team works well. Even M.E. Lad who got everyone out in time!.

“He’s your world’s greatest hero; well I hate to break it to you pal, but he’s either a clone or a robot or from Earth-3 or something cuz your world’s greatest hero isn’t acting very heroic.” another great line that made me laugh.

Wow JAn was almost a gonner! Great job Tinya! quick thinking with the chocker!
Tenzil another great line. “Tastes like magic if that helps...man, that’s gonna take a whole bottle of bleach.” love it. ;D
I hope he doesn't become possessed too.

Great mission. had me worried for a moment there for sure.

Can't wait for more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Leader of the Pack - 02/26/19 11:20 AM
Hey Omni, thanks for taking the time to comment! Glad you like the Heroes of Lallor, their story is definitely not over smile

I wish I had thought of having Elastic Lad already hard at work in the multilab now because you're right, that does sound exactly like something he would do hahaha

Your comment about Malice is also very interesting, because it's not something I did deliberately but I have been looking at the classic Marauders stories a lot lately so I think it may well have bled over wink

Oh, and I'm glad you mentioned Karth Arn because I did actually mean to write up a bio for him and forgot about it; the short version is that he's an android who factored in with Timber Wolf's origin story in the original Legion, but I also used him ages ago when he gathered his own version of the Fatal Five around himself. I'll write up something longer and post it asap smile

Things are about to kick into super high gear, I'll be very interested in seeing what y'all have to think of upcoming developments!
Posted By: razsolo The Twisted Root - 02/26/19 11:36 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

The Lupran woman named Chroma Queen stood defiantly before a dozen of the galaxy’s most famous champions; she was clearly unhappy with their judgement of her attempt to join the Legion of Superheroes’ ranks. “What do you mean my power isn’t quite what you’re looking for?” she demanded. “You let Color Kid in, and I can do anything he can do!”

“That’s...kind of the point,” Phantom Girl tried to let her down gently. “While the Legion no longer have any official ruling against the duplication of powers, we don’t feel that being able to change the color of an object is such an asset that we’d want to have two team members who can do exactly that rather than keeping that slot available for another unique powerset. No offence, Ulu.”

“It’s okay, I get it,” Color Kid agreed. “Chroma Queen, it’s not my power that got me into the Legion - it’s the way I showed them that I can use it. Maybe you could try the Legion of Substitute Heroes, my time there was invaluable--”

“This is ludicrous!” Chroma Queen raged. “I perfected his abilities! I can manifest colors that are beyond your field of vision!”

“If we can’t see it, why do we care?” Shadow Lass asked bluntly. “You have your answer, Chroma Queen. Can we move on to the next applicant please?”

“You’ll pay for this!” the white-skinned woman shook her fist as menacingly as someone in a rainbow-streaked bodysuit could manage. “You haven’t heard the last of Chroma Queen!” She turned on her heel and stormed out.

“That went well, don’t you think?” Dream Girl asked, having spent the last half of Chroma Queen’s tantrum filing her nails.

“Gee whiz, do you really think so Dream Girl?” Elastic Lad piped up earnestly. “She seemed awfully mad to me!”

Phantom Girl turned to Shadow Lass beside her and released a long exhalation of suffering. “Shady, do you think it’d be an abuse of my leadership powers if I take over Element Lad’s mission helping Dogstar chase down Dr Cerberus and made Jan sit through the rest of these tryouts in my place? He’s only just left Mars, I could get him back here in no time.”

“Chin up!” Sitting on Tinya’s other side, Matter-Eater Lad nudged Phantom Girl’s shoulder. “Only six more hours to go...ooh, Accordian Lad’s next! That sounds promising!”

The room filled with pained groans.

**********
The Martian day was quite pleasant outside if a little on the cool side, and Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen were on their way back from the Hanging Gardens where they’d taken Ivy for a stroll before the forecast cloud cover came in this afternoon. “Parse me to the C-span!” Comet Queen gushed as they saw the brightly colored crowd of thousands milling about for blocks around their home. “Glom all these sentients, Chlory! There must be like a tetrasquillion here!”

“Is that even a real number, Grava?” Ral Benem chuckled. “I swear you make up half your phrases on the fly.”

“I do everything on the fly, starshine! Like a comet!” She gave him a wink and a peck on the cheek, then screeched with glee as she saw a familiar face among the crowd. “Crystal Kid!” She literally flew straight at her old classmate, almost knocking him off his feet as she half-charged, half-hugged him. “Starshine, are you trying out? Oh, this is nova-bright gleaming! I’m so excited! You’ll be a Legionnaire in no time!” Before Bobb Kohan could get a word in edgewise, she was clapping her hands and flying circles around him leaving sparkling dust that dissipated on the breeze.

“Hi Crystal Kid,” Chlorophyll Kid greeted him a little more sedately. He held Ivy up. “Say hi, Ivy!” The little girl gurgled appreciatively.

“Hi there,” Bobb returned the greeting before turning almost immediately to the baby in Ral’s arms. “So this is the famous Ivy, huh? Grava’s shown us all a thousand holos...it’s nice to actually meet you, young lady!” He made a small rounded crystal in the palm of his hand and held it out to her; she was immediately entranced and grabbed at it clumsily as she eyed the way it caught the light.

“I can’t believe there are so many people here!” Comet Queen gushed. “Oh, let’s meet some of them Chlory!” Landing, she approached the first girl standing beside Crystal Kid. “What’s your designation, starshine?”

The young girl was a Terran with Asiatic features, her shiny black hair styled in a fashionable short bob. She wore a sleeveless midriff top and flared pants, with armbands and boots which were all one of two different shades of blue. “Comet Queen!” She grasped Grava’s hand and shook it excitedly before realising her error. “Oh, I’m so sorry - I am Bina Nawoti. My superhero name is Otaki. I’m so pleased to make your acquaintance!”

“What’s your power, starshine?” Comet Queen fed off the young woman’s own enthusiasm.

“I’m Terran but I’ve studied extensively on Titan,” Otaki explained. “I have developed a mindsense - I can track people mentally and glean certain details from anyone within close range. For example, I can sense that you and Chloropyll Kid have a great deal of affection for one another...if you don’t mind me saying so.”

Comet Queen squealed excitedly. “Blazing supernovas, I love it! What about Ivy? Can you tell what’s going on in our little nebula sprout’s cranium, starshine?”

“Oh, children are a simple matter to read!” Otaki took to the challenge. “They haven’t had any reason to build up walls yet, they -- oh.

...Oh.


**********
Inside their headquarters, most of the Legionnaires who’d volunteered to judge the tryouts were glad for the mess their last applicant Kid Proto had left as it gave them a few minutes to relax while they waited for cleaning droids to prepare the room for their next would-be recruit.

“Just to clarify,” Supergirl deadpanned while a portable sonic shower blasted protoplasmic slime from her frame, “Is it because I’m invulnerable or because I’m new that I get stuck helping the gross ones show off their powers?”

“I don’t know why you’re complaining,” Dream Girl teased. “Primordial ooze suits you, dear.”

“Really? I’m not the sprockin’ dinosaur here,” Laurel Kent muttered just loud enough to be heard as she marched back to her seat.

“Okay everybody, focus!” Phantom Girl quickly took charge. “Let’s call in our next applicant...uh, Mr E?”

At the sound of his name, an athletic young man entered confidently wearing form-fitting star-patterned armour with chrome piping aound the edges. He was fully covered from the waist down, with a chestplate and rounded helmet which left his abs and biceps exposed. Starry gauntlets completed the outfit, almost covering his gloved hands entirely.

“Interesting name,” Phantom Girl announced. “I suppose it’s keeping with the theme, it doesn’t say much here about you at all other than Dream Girl and Star Boy have both vouched for you?”

“That’s right,” Thom confirmed.

“We thought it’d keep things interesting,” Nura added breezily.

“Okay, well...it’s certainly not unprecedented,” Tinya admitted. “Ready to show us what you can do, Mr E? Your choice, combat droids or Legionnaires first?”

“Droids if you please,” he replied, his voice clearly distorted artificially.

Two droids floated out toward him, and as one of them fired a stun beam he leaped into the air with a lightness that was more than human. He then landed on the droid hard, crushing it to a deformed heap of metal. The so-called Mr E lifted the droid in front of him with an ease that would imply superhuman strength to match his agility, and when its partner reached for him with extending tentacles the two robotic assailants became hopelessly entangled. If any of the Legionnaires saw the faint blue power signature which manifested whenever Mr E took an action, none of them showed any sign of it. While the second droid worked to free itself from its partner, Mr E leaped once more and landed behind it. He placed both hands upon it, and this time there was a definite flash of bright blue which flared from both of his hands. The droid squawked helplessly, then imploded into a misshapen chunky ball that Mr E dropped to the ground with a heavy thunk.

“Very well done,” Phantom Girl complimented the mystery man. “Ready to try your luck against some living opponents?”

“Watch me!” the enigmatic applicant boasted.

“Okay, let’s see…” Tinya made a show of looking over her assembled teammates. “Shady, Stone Boy; would you two do the honors?”

“Happy to,” Shadow Lass gathered her cape about her and descended to the testing area while Dag Wentim took on his stone form and did the same.

Once they were given the all-clear, Stone Boy charged the masked warrior. Mr E once again leaped high into the air, but this time his opponent changed course easily. “That’s not going to work against someone with a flight ring I’m afraid,” Stone Boy remarked as his fingers closed around Mr E’s ankle. To Stone Boy’s surprise, some force prevented him from tightening his grip and a moment later he plummeted to the ground where he hit hard enough to cause an indentation in the reinforced flooring.

“Effective,” Shadow Lass complimented Mr E. “Let’s see how well you fare without being able to see your target, shall we?” As she spoke, a cloud of impenetrable darkness issued forth from thin air. She was hidden deep within it by the time she finished her question, and Mr E wasn’t far from being consumed by the inky blackness himself.

Before their sparring could continue however, an alarm sounded. A hologram of Kid Computo’s head appeared larger than life before them all as she addressed them from the monitor room. “Phantom Girl, all hell’s broken loose outside. There are all sorts of plants sprouting everywhere at an insane rate and attacking people; it could be one of the applicants, but--”

“Say no more,” Tinya interrupted. Phantom Girl knew very well what the but was, but she saw no reason to reveal that information to a non-Legionnaire. “Mr E, I’m sorry to have to do this but we’ll need to postpone the rest of your tryout. Tenzil, Color Kid; could you two take Mr E and the other applicants in the waiting area to a more secure room? Everybody else, meet me outside as soon as you can.” She flew off before anyone could respond, phasing through each wall she came across until she was in the open air. The scene outside was utter chaos. Massive tree trunks broke through the ground and reached for the skies while vines of varying thickness and textures ensnared the panicked crowd. As if that weren’t bad enough, several of the would-be Legionnaires had decided to use their own powers to combat the plants and she could see small fires erupting, fireworks of energy, clusters of ice and explosions everywhere she looked. The Science Police were doing everything they could to contain this mess, but it was only a matter of time till people started dying. Tinya tried to open a comms channel to Chlorophyll Kid; nothing. She met the same failure with Comet Queen, and found that she couldn’t reach Kid Computo either. She was reminded uncomfortably of the communications problems the Legionnaires had faced on Mardru when they first encountered Ivy, but with so many different meta-powered people here from so many different worlds any one of them might also be interfering with comms signals deliberately or by accident. Element Lad had taken Tellus to Dalma with him, and Saturn Girl was on a family outing along with Garth and Ayla so she had no telepaths available to facilitate communications either.

Phantom Girl heard a high-pitched squeal slightly below her, and saw an Imskian girl in a two-toned green outfit swallowed whole by some kind of carnivorous vegetation. The girl couldn’t be more than an inch high, and if she grew to full size she’d most likely bust straight through the plant’s thin outer layer but she was probably too terrified to think straight. Thinking quickly, Phantom Girl reached through the plant and allowed enough of her palm to become physical within its interior to make contact with the girl; she then simply phased her through the plant in an intangible state. Phantom Girl flew back through the outer wall of the Legion’s headquarters before she turned solid and released the shaking teenager gently to the floor inside. Tinya couldn’t tell exactly how old the girl was as she was so small, but she guessed she was quite young from her proportions. “What’s your name, sweetie?”

“Ch-Charm,” the girl stammered nervously.

“Okay Charm, why don’t you grow to full size for me?” Tinya asked soothingly. The girl obeyed, and Tinya saw now that she couldn’t be more than 14. Her black hair was styled in a pixie cut, with one wide dark green streak. “Thank you. I know this is scary, but the Legion will keep you safe, okay? I need you to be brave for me and go catch that turbolift downstairs as far as it’ll take you. Kid Computo, Matter-Eater Lad and Color Kid are in the building and as soon as you get into that lift they’ll know you’re here and come find you. Can you do that?”

“O-okay, Phantom Girl.” The round-faced girl gave her an optimistic smile. “My power’s luck...I think you finding me was pretty lucky, huh?”

“I think it was,” Tinya beamed right back at her. “And hopefully some of it will rub off on me.” Phantom Girl turned to leave the building again, but had a sudden flash of inspiration. She’d spoken to Kid Computo just fine earlier, it was only once she’d left the building that the comms stopped working. She raised her flight ring to her lips. “Phantom Girl to Kid Computo; Danielle, can you hear me?”

“Phantom Girl!” Kid Computo sounded incredibly relieved. “I’ve been trying to reach you, there’s a dead zone outside the building! I can’t even call for reinforcements! I’ve been trying to tap into the SP surveillance equipment outside as well but I’m only getting static!”

“I don’t want to assume it’s malicious,” Phantom Girl replied. “But still, keep trying. Oh hey, also I’ve just sent a young Imskian girl named Charm down in turbolift 3. Can you please make sure someone keeps an eye on her? She’s a little shaken up. Also, if Glorith or Variable Lad are on site see if they can come up with any way to bypass this comms blackout. I’m heading back out there, we need to find Ivy.”

“Understood,” Danielle answered. “Good luck, fearless leader!”

Phantom Girl thought back to the frightened green-garbed girl she’d just rescued. “Thanks. Hopefully I’ll have more than enough now.” Then she floated back out through the wall.

**********
Crystal Kid was overwhelmed.

That Asian girl had been talking to Comet Queen, when suddenly Ivy had wailed like a banshee and all hell had broken loose. Two colossal tree trunks had appeared out of nowhere, shooting out of the ground so fast that they’d knocked both Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen out; and in mere seconds, Ivy and the girl who’d called herself Otaki had disappeared behind a wall of vegetation while everyone else in the area was just doing the best they could to stay clear of it. It grew with rapid fury everywhere Crystal Kid looked; for every vine that he turned into unmoving crystal, a new one took its place.

“What in the name of Daddy Nature is going on here?” a high-pitched male voice sounded. A seven foot tall insectoid suddenly appeared by Crystal Kid’s side. Encased within a glossy black and fuschia exoskeleton, he had six limbs (two of them he walked upon like feet) which each ended in three-pronged appendages. Parts of his exoskeleton flared outwards dramatically into colorful horned shapes, and he had two gigantic multi-faceted eyes set in a flared fuschia face shield. Twin antennae sprung forth brightly from what would be considered a human man’s forehead, each one of them bouncing lightly every time he moved.

“Hi, I’m Crystal Kid,” Bobb introduced himself. “Uhh, it might be best to get some distance from here; I’m not sure what’s happening, but I need to keep Comet Queen and Chlorophyll Kid safe till the other Legionnaires arrive.” The odd alien’s arrival had shocked Bobb out of his stupor, and he raised a protective dome of crystal around the fallen Legionnaires which the plants couldn’t penetrate.

“Nonsense, darling.” Two of the alien’s left limbs gave a dismissive swish. “I’ve tolerated a lot worse than some overactive vegetation since I left Mantodea. Oh, how rude of me - please call me Strut.” Almost casually, he leaped to avoid a bark-covered trunk shooting up out of the ground and then clung to its side as it grew to enormous size. “Wasn’t there a larval human around here somewhere, darling? I remember her precious little chuckle!” He cocked his head from one side to the other, his antennae bobbing about independently of one another.

“Yeah, she’s not who I’m worried about. Hey, look out!” Even as Bobb had noticed it, the Mantodean called Strut easily avoided a group of clutching creepers. Some more of the same wrapped around Bobb’s ankle, and he froze them in crystal form before they could get too strong a hold. “I’m friends with Comet Queen,” Bobb explained, “and from what she told me, I’m sure this is all that umm...larval human’s doing. She has enormously powerful chlorokinetic abilities but she’s too young to control them.”

“Oh, how awful for the poor dear!” Strut exclaimed. He was perched now nearly twelve feet up the tree trunk he’d earlier evaded, and from his vantage point he could see through a gap in the wall of vegetation that surrounded Ivy and Otaki. Strut’s antennae danced wildly for a moment, then he looked down at Crystal Kid. “I must say, that makes a lot more sense out of this messy business but I think there’s more to this than just a spirited little girl throwing a tantrum.”

“What do you mean?” Crystal Kid asked while he turned a bunch of prehensile vines to crystal, allowing a group of terrified youths to flee.

“You see these adorable little feelers?” One of Strut’s six hands pointed at his antennae while the other five hands worked on scuttling around the large trunk to avoid a flowering of large pungent blooms. “They’re not just ornamental, darling; I can sense far more electrochemical stimuli than most sentients I’ve encountered since leaving my homeworld even know exist! I can see that poor sweet baby in there crying her little heart out and I can sense that she’s terrified. But the older mammal girl in there with her is just as terrified. They seem to be feeding off of and enhancing one another’s fear, it’s a horrid cycle!”

“That’s not promising news.” This was another voice, and Strut and Crystal Kid both watched as Phantom Girl descended through wooden branches to join them. “We still need to stop Ivy though; Crystal Kid, do you know where Chlorophyll Kid is? He has a device that Brainy and Dream Girl made in case anything like this ever happened.”

“Phantom Girl!” Crystal Kid shouted her name in welcome. “Oh, uhh this is Strut...the plants took Grava and Chlorophyll Kid out before anyone else; they’re inside that dome, I didn’t know how else to protect them.”

“You did the right thing,” Tinya smiled encouragingly. “Don’t worry, you two; this should be over soon.” She phased through the crystal and checked both Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen’s pulse. They were breathing normally and there were no other signs of serious damage; Crystal Kid had probably done the best thing he could under the circumstances. While she searched Chlorophyll Kid’s pockets for the PRAM device, it occurred to Tinya that it was strange Ivy would assault these two specifically. She’d have expected them to be the last to fall, especially Chlor. She supposed it was just bad luck; like that odd alien Strut had said, it seemed like Ivy was just lashing out from fear. Tinya finally found the PRAM and phased back through the dome again. She made her way through the dense vegetation hiding Ivy and Otaki, and was shocked when she emerged on their side of the barrier. Ivy was laying on the floor thrashing and screaming, and Otaki was on her knees with her shoulders slumped and her knuckles dragging on the ground. Phantom Girl had no idea who this stranger was, but it was clear she wasn’t the aggressor here. Her face was blanched with terror, and Tinya could almost swear that she was ageing right before her eyes. That was impossible of course, Ivy’s only power was over plants…wasn’t it?

She placed the PRAM around Ivy as Brainiac 5 had instructed her, and Phantom Girl’s heart fell when she saw that seven of the connections were broken. The web of circuity hung incomplete, and she didn’t dare activate it for fear of what might happen. She pocketed the PRAM and flew back outside where she encountered Crystal Kid and Strut working together to free a young costumed boy from clutching thorny vines. She had to admit, Crystal Kid and Strut were both proving to be useful in far less than ideal circumstances; she hoped she wouldn’t regret what she was about to say. “I need to get this to Dream Girl to repair. I can’t ask you to stay, you’re not Legionnaires. But Ivy and that girl in there don’t have anybody to protect them, and neither do Chlorophyll Kid or Comet Queen. Our comms are down so I can’t call anyone else.”

“Oh pikkletock, darling.” Strut waved her away with one hand. “Go be fabulous.”

“Grava’s my friend and Ivy’s just a baby,” Bobb spoke with an uncommonly assertive edge to his voice. “I’m not leaving them here on their own, and I’m not leaving Chlorophyll Kid or that other girl either. Go do what you need to do, Phantom Girl; we’ll keep them safe.”

**********
Somewhere else in the absurd forest, Laurel Kent found herself becoming hopelessly ensnared in thorny vines. She’d descended into the animated greenery to help a couple of would-be applicants she’d noticed getting themselves into trouble, but had herself been snared before she had a chance to extricate them. “Tell me about yourselves,” she asked the boy and girl she’d tried to rescue. She tried not to wince too openly as the thorns began to cut into both of the others. “Maybe we can come up with something to get us all out of here working together.”

“My name’s Kid Static!” the boy answered in a panicky tone. “I -- oww -- I have a field around me that muddles all transmissions! Ow! But nothing that’ll help us get out of here! We’re gonna die!” He wore a grey bodysuit which covered him from head to toe so Laurel couldn’t see his face, but she could very well hear the fear in his voice. It also occurred to her that it was probably his fault that nobody’s flight rings were working.

“And I’m Endurance Girl!” the blonde girl struggling beside him added. “I never get tired, I don’t need food or water to live...other than that though, I’m just a normal person! Can’t you just burn these things off with heat vision, Supergirl?!” Her own suit was more armoured than Kid Static’s, but Laurel didn’t know how much longer it’d hold up against these plants.

“I’m not that kinda Supergirl, sorry.” Laurel quickly hatched a plan which sounded like a longshot even to her, but she didn’t see that they had many options right now. “Okay, I’m gonna leave you guys alone for a couple of seconds but I promise I’ll be back; and hopefully with reinforcements so don’t be scared, okay? We’re getting outta this.” She didn’t give the kids a chance to respond, instead flying straight up into the clear blue sky above. The vines yanked at her when she reached their full extension, but she heard a couple of satisfying snaps. They couldn’t possibly do any damage to her invulnerable body no matter how tightly they constricted, and she was gambling that her flight ring could overpower the tensile strength of these plants. Laurel gritted her teeth and screamed as she pushed herself to her limits. She felt one of the creeping tendrils curl around her throat and decided right then and there that she refused to end her Legion career choked out by a sprocking murderous plant. Laurel focused all of her will into one final desperate push, and to her surprise she snapped the remaining vines away and shot straight up like a rocket before coming to a complete stop about a hundred feet up. “What..?” She was surrounded in a blue nimbus of energy and felt kind of...bouncy? Oddly weightless?

“I hope you don’t mind the assistance,” a heavily modulated voice sounded. She looked back behind her to see the Legion applicant called Mr E carrying a now unencumbered Kid Static and Endurance Girl in similar blue forcefields to the one which surrounded Laurel. “I was passing by and thought you could use the help.”

“Not that I’m ungrateful,” Supergirl watched the blue aura dissipate from around her and she descended to his level, “But aren’t you meant to be hidden away somewhere with the other applicants from earlier? If something happened to them, we should let Phantom Girl know.”

“They’re fine,” Mr E replied. “I just thought I could be of more use out here. If you can get these two to safety; somewhere far enough that Kid Static here can’t affect Legion comms anymore--”

“Hey, I do appreciate the help,” Laurel cut him off. “But I’m the Legionnaire here, if anyone’s gonna be giving orders--”

“It’s not an order,” he said curtly. “It just makes sense!” He sighed and pressed hidden buttons on either side of his neck to retract his helmet. Supergirl’s face was crossed with confusion when she saw that the secretive Mr E was in fact the Legion Academy student Gravity Kid. Before she could question him though, he took the advantage of surprise to continue. “Laurel, it’s me. I know I can be a competitive batjerk sometimes, but that’s not what this is about. My powers are just better suited to deal with this kind of thing than yours are. I know you’re invulnerable, but that’s not gonna help free the hundreds of people fighting down there.”

She hated to admit it, but he was right. “Fine,” she pouted. “But you better tell me what this Mr E nass is all about when this is all over and done with.” She grabbed Kid Static and Endurance Girl under each arm. “Hold tight, guys. I’ll get you out of here.” They clutched on to her for dear life and she shot across the Martian sky.

Gravity Kid considered replacing his disguise, but he wondered how much more time he’d waste having the same conversation with every other Legionnaire he happened across. At this stage it didn’t matter if he impressed the Legion or not, he just wanted to help the crowd of innocents down below.

He descended and found a group of ten costumed teens standing on a floating chunk of earth. The dark-skinned girl kneeling at the front of the group was obviously the one responsible for levitating the makeshift platform; her fingers were splayed out across its surface and sweat poured down her face. She’d escaped the grip of the angry vegetation, but she was clearly pushing her power to its limits just to get this far. At this rate she’d never reach a safe distance before the plants caught up to them. “We’re too heavy!” she complained. “If a couple of you jump, I can make the rock smaller...I might be able to get the rest of us out of here!”

“You!” a blonde girl in a voluminous purple cloak with a ridiculously ornate collar and jewelled tiara pointed at a skinny boy on the edge of the group. “Language Lad! Your power of omnitranslation is replicated by the most basic technology the Legion of Superheroes have available to them, you are the weak link! Whom else among us? Vocus? Illustrator!

“Hey, hey, whoa there…” Gravity Kid caught the group’s attention. “Time out. Grife...nobody’s jumping, okay? You, rock floater kid. What’s your name?”

“Nightstone,” she answered without looking up at him. It was taking more of her focus every second they stayed here and she stared wilfully at the rock now, her shoulders trembling.

Gravity Kid was momentarily taken aback. He remembered when he and the other Academy students had encountered the ghost of a geomancer on Earth, and that poor girl had been tied mystically to Nightwind. Could this Nightstone be similarly related? He shook his head, it ws a mystery which could wait until everyone was safe. “Okay, Nightstone...I’m Gravity Kid. I’m going to give your power a boost but I’ll be honest with you; that’s a lot of mass for even my power to affect. So once you feel the added support you’re gonna need to fly everyone-- everyone--” Tel emphasised the word again and glared at the regal looking girl, “--to a safe distance as quick as you can. Are we good?”

Nightstone nodded, too strained to speak.

“Good. Good luck, everyone.” They were enveloped in Tel’s trademark blue glow, and the rock zipped out across the sky at high speed. An ear-splitting trill suddenly sounded, followed by the sound of something exploding. Gravity Kid actually lost control of his power for a moment from the shock, but recovered swiftly and turned around to discover the source of the racket. Twin wooden javelins hurled straight at him, the plants obviously having discovered a more efficient ranged attack. Even as Gravity Kid turned his attention to the weird assault, he saw something even more strange.

A small canary wearing a peculiar crown with revolving tines intercepted the missiles; its wings and tail feathers were tipped black, as was its beak. It opened that beak now, and another superhumanly shrill sound came forth and shattered the javelins into so much kindling. Satisfied with its work, it executed a sharp turn and flew back by Tel. “You okay, kid?” the bird asked in an unexpectedly gruff voice.

Tel was visibly shocked. “You speak!! I mean...I’m sorry, that sounds so xenophobic - it’s just, you look so much like an Earth bird. I mean, you’re not an Earth bird, are you?! Grife, I should just shut up.”

“Ah, don’t sweat it.” The bird flew directly overhead and dipped back down toward the chaos. “Not the worst reception I’ve had from one o’ you oversized monkeys. I saw you help those kids out, and if I ain’t wrong my sensitive liddle ears just heard someone say where all this mess started from. Let’s go make ourselves useful, huh?”

“Huh? Oh, sure!” Tel followed the tiny bird’s lead. “I’m Gravity Kid anyway...thanks for the save, what can I call you?”

“King Canary, at ya service.” He raised one wing toward his head in a quick flash, and surreally Tel realised that he’d just been given a salute from a canary. Moments later the unlikely duo found themselves at the side of Crystal Kid and Strut, both of whom were in danger of becoming overwhelmed not just by the plants, but by costumed would-be Legionnaires who’d taken it upon themselves to start fighting them for some reason.

“Crystal Kid?” Gravity Kid recognised the Substitute Hero instantly. “What’s going on here? You haven’t seen Chlorophyll Kid or Comet Queen around with a little baby, have you?”

“Ivy?” Crystal Kid erected a crystal shield just in time to stop himself getting beaned by a younger boy with a moopsball bat. “She’s somewhere in that mess!” He pointed a finger at the wall of vegetation hiding Ivy and Otaki.

“So why are you wasting time fighting out here?” Gravity Kid gestured, and the sports-themed youth who’d assaulted Crystal Kid went flying. “We need to get in there and calm her down! You know this is her fault, right?”

“I’m afraid we may have brought this upon ourselves,” Strut joined the conversation, effortlessly leaping away from a large blood-colored flower which opened its petals and shot some kind of toxin toward him. He landed in the midst of a gang of identical boys in puffy satin sleeves and billowing violet capes before continuing. “We thought other Legion applicants might be interested in actually helping the poor thing, but apparently these hooligans think the best way to deal with this situation is to beat an infant child and some other terrified mammal girl to death so now we have the tedious task of stopping them from hurting anybody and staying alive.” As he finished speaking, he ran straight through the majority of the now clearly illusionary duplicates toward the only real one.

“Impossible!” Strut’s target complained. “Nobody can penetrate the awe-inspiring mirages of Mirage Master!”

“Oh, you poor darling.” Strut landed a blow on the boy’s chin and knocked him out straight away. “Visual illusions aren’t much chop against someone whose primary sense is non-visual.”

Of the other applicants who’d responded to Crystal Kid and Strut’s request for help with violence, all but one of them finally realised they were in over their heads and scattered. The remaining young man circled Strut and Crystal Kid with a flight belt, assembling some kind of rifle as he did so. “You’re all way too soft!” he barked. “It doesn’t matter how young that kid is, you can’t protect her over everyone else here! Once I take her out with this electro-grenade, Weapons Lad is gonna be the next Legionnaire for sure!”

Weapons Lad took aim but before he could fire, King Canary disintegrated his gun back into its component pieces with a sonic cry. Another sonic blast shattered his flight belt, and Ivy’s would-be assailant crashed into the writhing plants with an utter lack of dignity.

“I ain’t lettin’ no baby get hurt!” King Canary protested. “Whatta we do now though? I can hear the Legion all over this place, they’re all busy savin’ other sentients from these crazy plants!”

“I’ve got a plan!” Gravity Kid snapped his fingers. “I think. You, uhh...insect guy...just how fast are you? If we give you a second to get in there and get Ivy out, can you do it?”

“Dear boy, I didn’t name myself Strut because I thought Insect Guy was a superior name,” the brightly-colored hero replied snarkily, “But if you can give me that second I’ll most certainly put it to excellent use!”

Gravity Kid ignored the sarcasm. “Okay, Crystal Kid; turn as much of that mess surrounding Ivy to crystal as you can manage, then King Canary can shatter it. I’ll stop it from raining down on Ivy and give Strut an opening. Strut, as soon as you’re clear I’ll fly you guys high enough to try and cut off her power effect till the Legion can do something about her.”

“It’s as good a plan as any,” Bobb Kohan shrugged while he crystallised another vine reaching for him. “Let’s do this quick though. I’m getting tired, and tired leads to sloppy.”

“Ready when you are,” King Canary retorted.

Crystal Kid played his part and turned a huge section of the plant matter surrounding Ivy and Otaki into crystal. King Canary pitched his cry at a frequency which exploded the gleaming material into countless shards, and Gravity Kid surrounded those shards in a gravity field which held them all together before increasing their weight so that they fell straight to the ground in a twinkling pile. Strut leaped across the pile of crystal, but as he closed on Ivy and Otaki he realised something. Otaki definitely looked visibly more aged than she had when he’d gazed upon her earlier; and both she and Ivy were still mortally terrified. There was something else though, something his senses couldn’t account for but he nonetheless somehow felt. There was something unmistakably evil at work here, and the insectoid fighter realised it wasn’t going to be vanquished until whatever bond joined Otaki and Ivy was broken. Acting purely on instinct, he chopped at the base of Otaki’s neck firmly and she crumpled. Strut moved to collect Ivy with one of his other limbs, then almost screeched when Phantom Girl suddenly emerged from the ground at his feet.

“I’m such an idiot!” Tinya berated herself. “I was so intent on getting that device to Dream Girl that it didn’t occur to me it replicates my power! I should be able to stop all this right now!” She solidified only briefly enough to grab Ivy before turning intangible again with the already calmer girl. As soon as Phantom Girl and Ivy Arcane were fully intangible, every plant in the area simply stopped dead.

“Tinya! Babe! We rushed back home as soon as we heard what was happening! Is everybody alright?” Everyone looked up to see Ultra Boy descending with Mon-El at his side and Neon close behind them carrying Cosmic Boy, Diamond Damsel and Polar Boy in a green sphere.

“We’ll need to clean up and assess damage still,” Phantom Girl noted as she bounced Ivy gently in her arms. “And we still need to find out exactly what happened here today, but we can safely say that tryouts are over.”

Strut and King Canary’s exotic anatomies rendered them difficult to read, but disappointment was evident on the faces of both Gravity Kid and Crystal Kid. “I guess...that’s okay,” Bobb’s shoulders slumped and he turned away. “...I’m sure you don’t need us hanging around making nuisances of ourselves.”

“Are you kidding?” Tinya laughed. “Once that kid with the static powers was far enough out of range, Kid Computo saw everything you four did; you were the real heroes today, and I think once Danielle shows the rest of the Legion what she showed me they’ll agree…

...I’d say we’ve found our new recruits!”

**********
ELSEWHERE
The necromancer named Alek Arcane stepped away from his bone altar. For some time now, he’d felt the presence of a powerful psionic talent around his granddaughter Ivy. His instincts had told him that this psi was too powerful for him to risk drawing too much attention to himself, and so he’d had to maintain only the most tenuous link with Ivy. His patience had borne fruit though and tonight he’d been rewarded when a new psi had made contact with Ivy Arcane. She’d created a link that Alek Arcane could exploit to better find out exactly where his granddaughter was, and to strengthen his connection with Ivy enough to use the child’s power against those who would protect her.

Alek Arcane wasn’t entirely certain if he’d succeeded in slaying the child’s Green-appointed guardian, but it didn’t matter. If he wasn’t dead, he would be soon. Because Alek Arcane knew where Ivy was now.

“A planet named after a God of War,” he smiled sadistically. “How appropriate….because war is exactly what I’m bringing.”

He turned away from his altar, felt it consumed in sickly green flames; and Alek Arcane walked through tepid swampwater toward his prize, a skeletal army of the dead shambling behind him.

**********
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Twisted Root - 02/26/19 06:03 PM
Nice seeing our four newbies in action so soon!They were definitely effective.

It's pretty funny that you and I both had Gravity (Kid) joining wink

And I think the way to Gravity (Kid) and Crystal Kid's memberships was paved nicely by the Chroma Queen altercation at the beginning of this segment! No more no-duplication rule.

Nightstone - another potential future member?

Man, there are always those applicants who don;'t get the whole Legion code...
Thanks IB, we will be seeing just how effective they can be against some major league bad guys pretty soon! laugh

Nightstone may very well get a chance again to show what she's capable of at some stage as well smile

Also Omni (and anyone else interested) - I added a more detailed bio for Karth Arn and updated Crystal Kid in my Who's Who thread, check out the index here to find them. I haven't gotten around to adding Gravity Kid yet, but I'll do him next smile

We're gonna jump into a multi-part story next called Enemy of my Enemy and I think it'll be a good baptism of fire for our newbies and Phantom Girl both!
It's been a while since I posted an updated roster, I have been waiting for the new guys to join so it'll actually be stable for like 5 minutes. So without further ado:

BLOK
CHAMELEON BOY
CHLOROPHYLL KID
COLOR KID
COLOSSAL BOY
COMET QUEEN
COSMIC BOY
CRYSTAL KID
DAWNSTAR
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DRAGONMAGE
DREAM GIRL
ELASTIC LAD
ELEMENT LAD
FIRECREST
GAS GIRL
GRAVITY KID
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
KID COMPUTO
KING CANARY
LIGHT LAD
LIGHTNING LASS
MATTER-EATER LAD
MON-EL
MWINDAJI
NEON
NIGHT GIRL
NIGHTWIND (deputy leader)
PHANTOM GIRL (leader)
POLAR BOY
QUISLET
SHADOW LASS
SHRINKING VIOLET
STAR BOY
STONE BOY
STRUT
SUN BOY
SUPERGIRL II
TELLUS
TIMBER WOLF
ULTRA BOY
WILDFIRE
Raz, hi,

Your try out has everything we've come to hope for: action, humour, wacky kids thinking their ghastly abilities could somehow help, new members and old faces.

The try out potentials were fun and the line "shook her fist as menacingly as someone in a rainbow-streaked bodysuit could manage" made me laugh out loud.

Poor Ivy, every time she shows up she creates havoc. Hopefully the team'll realised that all they need is an iphone and a bottle of warm milk and not resort to Brainy's PRAM... though poor Otaki, getting her life force sucked out couldn't have been pleasant.

Endurance Girl, Weapons Lad, et al - the Silver Age has a lot to answer for doesn't it when it comes to silly names and power sets, though I totally loved them all.

Strut may be my new favourite of your characters Raz, almost every line was a beaut. King Canary is also a lot of fun and I love that he has a gruff voice, it just adds a delightful layer of absurd to him.

The four newest members of the team all acted professionally, more so than Tinya who forgot what her power is!

Looking forward to seeing hat Alek will do next.

More, more, more and much more!

C
Okay, she's not perfect but I'm very happy to see Tinya redeemed as leader! And for Gravity Kid to at last make into the Legion (or another Legion).

Love the try-outs, the hopeless and the promising ones.

The new Legionnaires are a good mix and I bet Strut and Comet Queen will get on. Strut's over the top speech-wise but has a very effective power. King Canary - funny addition to the crew. (Descendent of Tweety?) The newbies sure had a trial by fire and demonstrated all the courage and calm that a Legionnaire needs.

Nightstone is a great name, so I hope we see her again.
Harbi and FC, thanks for your comments! I'll try and respond to a few specific things y'all raised smile

Originally Posted by Harbinger
Raz, hi,

Your try out has everything we've come to hope for: action, humour, wacky kids thinking their ghastly abilities could somehow help, new members and old faces.

The try out potentials were fun and the line "shook her fist as menacingly as someone in a rainbow-streaked bodysuit could manage" made me laugh out loud.

Endurance Girl, Weapons Lad, et al - the Silver Age has a lot to answer for doesn't it when it comes to silly names and power sets, though I totally loved them all.


Glad you liked it! The hokey parts of the old Legion comics are some of my favourite bits which is probably obvious by now...some of those kids will no doubt pop up again for better, worse or embarassing wink

Originally Posted by Harbinger
Poor Ivy, every time she shows up she creates havoc. Hopefully the team'll realised that all they need is an iphone and a bottle of warm milk and not resort to Brainy's PRAM...


This made me LOL....you're not wrong though, they need a good babysitter more than dimensional constraints laugh I don't think I can milk Ivy's situation too much longer so that'll come to a head soonish, and Otaki is gonna pop up again soon as well. FC mentioned Nightstone as well, and she's in the wings for a little way down the track too!

Originally Posted by Harbinger
Strut may be my new favourite of your characters Raz, almost every line was a beaut. King Canary is also a lot of fun and I love that he has a gruff voice, it just adds a delightful layer of absurd to him.

The four newest members of the team all acted professionally, more so than Tinya who forgot what her power is!


haha poor Tinya...this is what happens when you got a team of millenials who fall apart as soon as the tech don't work no more wink

Strut is so fun to write...I got a feeling he is gonna be a scene-stealer, and I am looking forward to seeing how King Canary interacts with some of the others too.

Originally Posted by Fat Cramer
Okay, she's not perfect but I'm very happy to see Tinya redeemed as leader! And for Gravity Kid to at last make into the Legion (or another Legion). The new Legionnaires are a good mix and I bet Strut and Comet Queen will get on. Strut's over the top speech-wise but has a very effective power. King Canary - funny addition to the crew. (Descendent of Tweety?) The newbies sure had a trial by fire and demonstrated all the courage and calm that a Legionnaire needs.


Admittedly, Tinya's lapse in judgement was more plot-induced than character-induced, but I kinda like the idea of someone not being perfect right off the bat...she is gonna have a lot of chances to redeem herself in the next story anyway! smile I really like Gravity Kid, but I wanted to hold off on putting him on the team till I had a different angle, which I think I do now; hopefully that will come out in the next story as well.

It's funny that you mention Tweety, Klar made the same connection and I can't believe that I honestly never even considered it until you guys brought it up but it cracks me up now hahaha laugh

Also trial by fire is a good way to put it, though once you see what they're gonna have to face next it might be a case of jumping out of the fire and into the powersphere wink
Posted By: Set Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 26 FEBRUARY* - 03/18/19 11:54 AM
The absurdity of Strut and King Canary's manners of speaking is hilarious. And yay, Crystal Kid is finally a Legionnaire! Perhaps because of my love of underdogs, or my inherent contrariness, I've always thought he was a great unrecognized background character!

Cool to also see the Swamp Thing / Anton Arcane ties slowly coming together, too. And Nightstone, intriguing! An earth or stone-controller, like Terra (or Elysion) is another thing the Legion has never really had (although there's no reason for them to have one of *everything,* got to same some unique powersets for the villains, so it's not always the Legion vs. their equal and opposite counterparts!).
Agreed on Crystal Kid - but then again I thought Kole and Crystar were pretty cool too so I dunno, maybe I've just got a thing for crystal people haha

I feel like Strut and King Canary are gonna be fun to write - I just need to get them on a squad with Elastic Lad, Quislet and Comet Queen now for maximum nuisance value laugh
Posted By: razsolo ENEMY OF MY ENEMY Part 1 of 5: Abduction! - 04/02/19 02:41 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Colossal Boy aka Gim Allon: growth powers
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn: magnetism
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Firecrest aka Staq Mavlen: weredragon
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
Invisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: gravity negation
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Neon II aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader, intangibility
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time


Through a viewing window in the Legion of Superheroes’ multilab, Tinya Wazzo watched the young woman named Otaki sleeping restlessly. Otaki looked years older than her actual age, a remnant of her confrontation with Ivy Arcane earlier that day. Phantom Girl looked up at the legendary Daxamite hero Mon-El standing by her side. “She still hasn’t woken up, Mon?”

The two had been friends for years, and Mon-El didn’t bother to sugarcoat his answer. “I’m afraid not, Tinya. There’s nothing physically wrong with her aside from the fact that she seems to have aged several decades impossibly quickly, but that in itself is obviously an ordeal. I’ve asked Tellus to assist with a telepathic scan once the meeting’s over this afternoon.”

“Speaking of which, we’d better get going.” Phantom Girl turned away from their patient, confident that the multilab’s automated systems would alert her to any change in Otaki’s condition. “It wouldn’t look very good for the Legion’s newest leader to be late for her first meeting, especially when we’re inducting four new recruits today.” As the two walked through the lab, Tinya consulted an omnicom in her palm. “I’m certainly not getting an easy transition...we’ve been deluged with enquiries from the Martian authorities, the SP and the media since Ivy’s power flared up earlier today, I still need to decide what we’re going to do with her as a long-term solution, Quislet hasn’t come back from Teall yet since his ship was destroyed, Element Lad’s team hasn’t had any luck helping that Dalman hero Dogstar with his mission, I haven’t had a chance to catch up on Cham’s report from Lallor yet...there’s so much to keep track of!”

“You’ll do fine,” Mon-El smiled warmly. “Besides, Jo and I are both here if you need help with anything - we’ve both been where you are. Personally though, I don’t think we could be in any more capable hands.”

“You’re sweet,” Tinya returned his smile. “Thanks, Mon.” The pair continued making light conversation, and soon they were outside the large meeting room set aside for the infrequent occasions that a majority of the team’s roster gathered in one place. “Okay,” Tinya took a deep breath. “Let’s do this!” The automatic door recognised the two of them and opened to grant them access, and Phantom Girl and Mon-El walked in to greet a room full of their fellow heroes.

While Mon-El made his way to the side of his lover Shadow Lass, Phantom Girl approached the front of the packed room. Crystal Kid, Gravity Kid, Strut and King Canary sat to one side in their own grouping and as Phantom Girl took centre stage she beckoned for the quartet to join her. “If I could have everyone’s attention?” Phantom Girl raised her voice and the busy chatter slowly ceased. “We have a few things to discuss today, but first of all I’d like to thank everyone for the vote of confidence in myself and Nightwind as your leaders.” Nightwind stood briefly, and everyone gave polite applause to the two women.

“More importantly,” Phantom Girl continued, “I want to give a warm welcome to our newest Legionnaires; these four boys were invaluable today, and they showed us what they’re all capable of more than they ever could in any tryout. So let’s give them a real Legion welcome!”

The room erupted into more raucous applause, but just as quickly as it began it was interrupted when a pink-skinned woman appeared in the centre of the room, wisps of perfume-scented smoke dissipating into the air around her. Her long hair was magenta, and she wore a highly revealing shiny black outfit with a headpiece to match. A transparent veil which covered the lower part of her face was attached to her headpiece, and a long piece of similarly transparent material dangled between her bare thighs. “Legion of Superheroes!” the stunning stranger gasped in heavily accented Interlac. “I am Veilmist and I plead your mercy!” She was closer to Phantom Girl and the new recruits than any of the other heroes, and she staggered weakly toward them now on five inch stiletto heels.

“Hey there, it’s okay!” Crystal Kid leaped forward to offer her a hand, and she leaned on him as he came closer.

“Well, this is certainly the excitement I was hoping for when I travelled to this dusty planet!” the insectoid Strut remarked.

“You said your name was Veilmist?” Phantom Girl asked, approaching the stranger while the new Legionnaires drew closer. “I’m Phantom Girl, I’m the leader of the Legion. Do you need medical attention?”

Before the pink-skinned woman could respond, the room shook with a violent boom. “No!” Veilmist cried out in fear. “How could they have found me so swiftly?”

“Calm down, kid.” King Canary fluttered around her head in a circle. “There’s like a hundred of the galaxy’s most famous heroes here,” the gruff little bird exaggerated. “Nothin’ to be scared of - right, boss lady?”

Some of the other Legionnaires had already moved to investigate the racket, so the team wasn’t entirely unprepared when one of the room’s walls exploded inward. While Tellus and Cosmic Boy used their respective powers to minimise the destruction, some of the more durable Legionnaires moved to shield their less fortunate comrades from debris. “Khunds?!” Kid Computo exclaimed, the base’s security systems already having identified the intruders. “What the sprock--?”

As the dust settled, the rest of the Legion saw for themselves the heavily armed platoon of pink and yellow-skinned warriors who’d broken into their home. Many of them bore cybernetic enhancements, and five in particular wore individual costumes which made them stand out among their brethren. Some of the Legionnaires recognised the hulking brute Bloodclaw from a previous encounter on the Khund homeworld some time back; perched on a protruding plasteel beam just above and behind Bloodclaw was a man covered entirely from head to toe in a black and blue bodysuit, bright red goggles hiding his eyes and a raised triangle adornment on his mask which gave him the impression of having a bat’s pushed up nose. A third man’s face was obscured by a simple metallic mask with concentric rings adorning the torso of his blue bodysuit, and by his side stood the only woman in the attacking group. Her skin was closer to red than pink and her long auburn hair was so dark it was almost black. Wearing an anachronistic chain mail outfit and a cloak with intricate embroidery along its hem, she seemed more out of place here than her comrades. In her right fist she clutched an ornate dagger with a large ruby embedded in its hilt. Taking the lead was an imposing Khundish man with pale pink skin and a neatly trimmed dark brown beard. One of his eyes had been replaced by a red optical sensor, and cybernetic armour covered a third of his head and his entire body from the neck down. He raised one arm now to point at Veilmist, and highly advanced firearms whirred and clicked into position obscuring his hand. “Legion of Superheroes!” he announced. “I am Firefist of the Khund Empire, and Veilmist is my property! You will return her at once; any dissension will be interpreted as a declaration of war!”

While Gravity Kid and Crystal Kid stepped in front of the terrified Khund woman, Phantom Girl moved to address Firefist. Before she could even get a word out however, she vanished along with the Legion’s four new recruits and Veilmist herself, only stray wisps of colored smoke floating where they had been.

“Tinya!” Ultra Boy peered desperately around the room with his penetra-vision. “She’s not anywhere in the building, where did she go?!”

“Feigned ignorance will not help you or your comrades, Legionnaire. I see you have made your choice.” Firefist swung his arm around to target Jo Nah and fired a volley of plasma bolts.

“Head in the game, Jo!” Mon-El dived in front of the lethal discharge of enemy, realising that his friend hadn’t shifted his ultra energy to be able to protect himself. “I promise you we’ll find Phantom Girl and the others, but we’ve got more immediate concerns right now!” With that, the room erupted into chaos as the Khunds followed Firefist into action.

Switching to invulnerability, Ultra Boy flew straight through a barrage of energy blasts and knocked Firefist off of his feet. “Pal, you’ve got exactly two seconds to tell me where those Legionnaires are or the rest of your face is gonna need to be replaced as well!” He raised a fist above the fallen fighter to illustrate his threat.

“Cease this foolish charade,” Firefist spat. “Do you think I’d have assaulted you in your home without taking the effort to research your team, Ultra Boy? I know you can only use one power at a time, and an indestructible but otherwise completely ordinary Rimborian is no threat to one of the greatest warriors the Khund Empire has ever produced! Now surrender my property before we kill every Legionnaire in this room.” He smashed his weapon-laden hand against Jo’s head, and while it did no damage it succeeded in knocking him off-balance. A moment later, Firefist had regained his footing and the two men circled one another warily.

“First of all, you’ve got way too high an opinion of yourself,” a new voice sounded. Firefist convulsed dramatically as electricity arced all over his body, and groggily he turned to see Lightning Lass standing beside him. “Secondly, I don’t know anything about that woman but I’m not wild about you referring to her as your property, jerkwit.” Ayla fired once more, and this time the Khund grunted in pain through his gritted teeth. He remained standing through sheer stubbornness, and raised his smoking weapon toward Ayla. Ultra Boy saw his opening, switched his ultra energy into strength and delivered an uppercut that knocked Firefist out before he’d even hit the floor.

“Thanks for the assist,” Ultra Boy addressed Lightning Lass once he was confident that Firefist was no longer a threat.

“Any time,” Ayla winked. “Let’s finish off the rest of these losers and go find your girlfriend, huh?”

**********

“This sucks!” Nightwind complained as she ducked down behind Supergirl, allowing the indestructible teen to shield her from stray weapons fire. “This is my first chance to show I can lead, and I can’t even use my stupid powers in this crowded room!”

“We’ve all got our own sstrengthss,” Firecrest hissed as he transformed into his weredragon form. “Don’t beat yoursself up, Nightw--aarghh!! Before Staq Mavlen had a chance to inflict his flame breath upon the Khund invaders, a plasma blast took him down.

“That’s enough of that,” Chlorophyll Kid declared sternly, growing a dense Zwennite stonebark tree to protect Firecrest from further damage while he reinforced his own wooden armour at the same time. “I probably should thank you creeps actually,” he continued toward the nearest grouping of Khund soldiers as he threw a handful of seeds in their direction, “I haven’t really had much of a chance to cut loose since my powers were upgraded.” Gnarled wooden trunks grew around four of the Khunds, becoming instantly entwined with their limbs and immobilising them.

“If you two are okay here, I think I see somewhere else I might be useful,” Supergirl said to Chlorophyll Kid and Nightwind before wading into more heavy weapons fire nearby. Laurel could see that Polar Boy, Light Lad and Matter-Eater Lad were huddled down behind an ice wall, but it was requiring Polar Boy’s constant attention against five Khund soldiers and she could see that it was bound to give sooner rather than later. “Hi there,” Laurel greeted one of the Khunds cheerily. “Gonna have to ask you to stop trying to kill my teammates, sorry.”

The bald man was twice her size, and stared at her in baffled shock as this slight girl stood directly in the path of the ion cannon that had replaced his left hand. “Demon Mother, why won’t you fall?!” he cursed, increasing the energy output.

Laurel simply rolled her eyes and placed her hand directly over the ion cannon. “Because I’m Supergirl, duh.” The Khund fired again but with Laurel’s palm blocking his weapon the energy fed back into his own systems and blew half of his artificial arm to shreds, knocking him out in the process.

A physical projectile glanced off of Supergirl’s temple, and her head jerked violently to one side. “Hey!” she bellowed at the Khund who’d fired. “Don’t touch the hair!”

“I thought the Khunds had a warrior culture,” Stone Boy entered the scene, crushing the yellow fighter’s gun in one petrified hand while he launched his other fist into the man’s solar plexus. “You people seem a little too happy to be attacking an unarmed teenage girl if you ask me.”

Timber Wolf appeared in a flurry of motion and targeted the remaining three Khunds still focused on tearing Polar Boy’s ice wall down. “That noble warrior crap is just what they sell themselves so they don’t have to feel bad about what they really are,” Brin responded to Stone Boy while he effortlessly dodged forearm-mounted blades and energy weapons, “A bunch of sprockin’ bullies.” As the last of Brin’s victims fell to the floor, the hyper-agile Legionnaire leaped up to land atop Polar Boy’s ice wall. “You all okay?”

“Thanks, Timber Wolf,” Light Lad replied. “We’re fine. But what’s this all about? Why on Winath would the Khunds mount such a brazen attack on us?”

“I don’t know,” Brin Londo answered. He looked around the room to see the remaining rank and file Khunds had already been stopped thanks to Kid Computo infiltrating their cybernetics, Infectious Lass infiltrating their bodies or Tellus infiltrating their minds. “I don’t think we’re gonna have to wait too much longer to find out though.”

**********

As soon as the battle had begun, the Khund warrior in the blue bodysuit with the concentric rings had turned his featureless mask toward the nearest Legionnaires and then he mimicked perfectly the sounds of battle around them, though enhanced a hundredfold. The resulting sonic barrage battered not only Color Kid and Dream Girl into unconsciousness, but also the unseen Invisible Kid who shimmered once more into view as he joined his teammates on the floor. The villain turned his attention toward Ultra Boy and Lightning Lass next, seeing that they’d almost defeated Firefist. When he moved to fire upon them though, he was surprised to find that nothing happened.

“That’s the problem with cybernetic enhancements,” Cosmic Boy remarked casually, “You leave yourself open to anyone with magnetic powers...I hardly even had to try.”

Though the man’s mask portrayed no emotion, his shaking fists betrayed his rage. He ran straight at Cosmic Boy, obviously having decided to deal with him in a more primitive fashion. Rokk didn’t make a move, trusting his wife to do her part. Indeed, Night Girl stepped up to meet the expressionless fighter and even without the benefit of her darkness-induced strength she dropped him with a roundhouse kick to the head. “Kind of short for a Khund, isn’t he?” Lydda asked Rokk.

“Not to downplay your talents,” Cosmic Boy replied, “But I wouldn’t expect a Khund to go down that quickly either given you don’t have any added power in this light. Hired mercenary maybe?”

“Maybe,” Lydda agreed. “I--” Before she could say more, both of the heroes were distracted by a roar of pain nearby. They saw that Colossal Boy had tripled his size to take on Bloodclaw, but all Gim Allon had achieved was to make himself an easier target for the Khund killer. As huge as Blooodclaw was, even an 18 foot tall opponent was barely more than twice his size. He’d almost eviscerated Gim with his first slash, and when the growling Khund went for a second strike Gim only survived by rapidly shrinking back to his normal size so Bloodclaw’s talons swiped harmlessly at the air over his head. Doubled over in agony, Gim knew he’d run out of tricks to survive a third assault.

“I don’t think Colossal Boy’s wife would be very happy if we let you cut him to ribbons,” Diamond Damsel interrupted the battle, charging straight at Bloodclaw. “Why don’t you try those nasty things on someone made of diamond?”

“Kill him or kill you, doesn’t matter to Bloodclaw,” the enormous Khund rumbled. He slashed at Diamond Damsel and she didn’t bother dodging, expecting her own natural invulnerability to protect her. She was surprised then when four long gashes were scraped into her torso, sparks flying as the cybernetic claws raked into her.

“How--?” the gleaming heroine gaped.

“The talons of Bloodclaw have cut a legendary Kryptonian,” the enormous Khund snarled, “Do you think you could offer more resistance, rock woman?”

“The talons of Bloodclaw aren’t much good if he can’t move his arms,” Neon interrupted from above. Surrounded by a glowing nimbus of emerald energy, she gestured at Bloodclaw and a green yoke came into existence around his neck and shoulders. He struggled fruitlessly against the impairment and Zoe turned her attention to her teammate. “That looks painful, Diamond Damsel. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Don’t fret, it takes a lot for me to feel pain in this form,” the diamond heroine assured Zoe as she took a closer look at the gashes across her abdomen. “One more reason not to turn human again though, I guess.”

Twinkling fragments of stardust fell down around them, and the two women looked up to see Comet Queen zoom by overhead. With the room as crowded as it was, Grava couldn’t use her gaseous wake to sedate the Khunds without putting some of her own teammates at risk, but she was successfully drawing fire from the angry cyborgs. Even in such a confined space her speed and reflexes saw her dodge energy blasts and bullets without too much effort, so she was surprised when the lithe villain in the black and blue bodysuit launched himself at her and clung on tight. “Ugh!” Comet Queen poked her tongue out as she wrestled with him in mid-air. “Why are your fingers so long?? And are these wings part of you, you gross ultra-beast? Eww, are they veins?!” The man did indeed have membranous wings beneath his arms which at first seemed like part of his costume but were actually biological, and the bony fingers which now clamped shut over Grava’s eyes were several inches long and ended in sharp nails which poked at the side of her face.

“Many have named Flederweb repulsive,” the man spoke in a sepulchral tone, “But few have done so more than once, girl.” He leaped backwards and away from Comet Queen, having successfully steered the blinded girl in to a collision course with the wall ahead. Moving too quickly to dodge, Grava slammed into the wall with a panicked screech and collapsed in a heap behind an upended table. Flederweb executed a flawless backflip, spreading his wings and gliding down to choose his next target amid the chaos.

He zeroed in on an oblivious Star Boy below, but before he could strike the brooding hunter felt something wrap around both his legs. “That was terribly mean!” a young boy’s voice chided him earnestly. “Comet Queen could have really hurt herself! Gosh, you can’t just break into someone’s house and start attacking them for no reason, don’t you have any manners? Not that I’m implying that Khunds in general don’t have manners, I mean that’d be just awfully speciesist and I know we all have different cultural mores and--”

“You talk too much,” the winged man rasped, digging his claws into Elastic Lad’s face as the redheaded Legionnaire twirled around and around him like a chatty boa constrictor.

Jams-Ols 5’s face simply stretched painlessly around Flederweb’s claws, and he continued talking even with his mouth extended out of shape. “Gee, this is exactly what I’m talking about! See, on your world it’s considered rude to talk a lot but most of the United Planets would consider it much more offensive to just go and start fights with people for no reason! We all need to have respect for each other’s cultures, that’s what makes for a harmonious universe of sentients; that’s what Jams-Ols 1 used to always say, don’t you think it’s a nicer way to treat one another Mr Flederweb?”

By this time, Elastic Lad had successfully wrapped Flederweb in a coccoon of his own rubbery body, leaving only his opponent’s head exposed. “Kill me now..?” Flederweb groaned.

“...Please..?”

**********

It had surprised Mon-El that once the fighting had erupted, the Khund woman in the chain-mail armour had wasted no time in targetting him specifically. “I don’t know who you are,” he raised his hands passively as she drew closer, “But you must recognise me and I assure you that you’re going to need more than a well-made dagger to hurt me, Miss.”

“My name is Scorn,” she replied darkly, “And it is not the blood dagger that will bring an end to you, Daxamite; it is the power which it channels. Demon Mother willing, let your death earn my freedom from these short-sighted fools.” She cast her blade out in a wide swipe, slashing one of Mon-El’s hands wide open before he realised what she’d done and recoiled.

He stared down in disbelief at his bleeding palm. “How--?”

“Sorcery,” Scorn spat. “Khundish blood magic, outlawed by my Empire long ago. But the Demon Mother will have her adherents, and today she will have her sacrifice.” The red-skinned woman raised her blade overhead in both hands, seeking to bring it down in Mon-El’s chest. Her would-be victim was taken from her sight though, as was everything else around her when darkness consumed everything. “The Shadow Champion of Talok VIII,” Scorn realised, a grim smile coming to her lips. “I had hoped to test myself against you, Tasmia Mallor. There are not many alive who respect the ways of their ancestors these days.”

She slashed left suddenly, and Shadow Lass barely moved fast enough to block the knife with her bracelet. “You can see me?” Tasmia Mallor’s jaw dropped.

“Khunds thrive in darkness,” the sorceress answered smugly. “My eyes may not be equal to your power, but darkness lives in my blood. Darkness is my home. My magic empowers me far beyond mere sight, Shadow Champion.”

“Between you and Invisible Queen circumventing my shadows, you’re going to give me a complex.” Shadow Lass sidestepped another of the woman’s strikes, but she noticed now that whatever power allowed Scorn to function here, it didn’t replicate sight nearly well enough. The woman seemed to have a general idea where Shadow Lass stood, but she was still fighting blind. Shadow Lass struck a disarming blow to make her drop the knife, but even with the advantage on Tasmia’s side the Khund woman was far stronger than she. Scorn retained her dagger, then slammed its jewelled hilt into Tasmia’s cheek with brutal force.

Hearing his lover’s cry of pain from outside the darkness field she’d created, Mon-El couldn’t allow this to continue a moment longer. “Shady, make like a desert worm!” he bellowed before putting one of his more rarely used powers to use. When the darkness dissipated instants later, he saw that his super-breath had achieved the desired result; Scorn was encased in ice from the waist up while Shadow Lass had remained safely out of range kneeling down beneath her cape on the ground. Mon-El helped Shadow Lass to her feet and examined her quickly with his x-ray vision. “She fractured your cheekbone!” he frowned.

“I’ll be fine, lover.” She hugged him, careful to use her other cheek to approach him. “My head feels like Titania’s been using it for a punching bag but as soon as we’re finished here I’ll head to the multilab. I’m more worried about Tinya. She’s only got those four new recruits with her, if that Veilmist woman teleported her into a trap--”

“I’m not so sure that’s what’s going on here,” Mon-El deduced as he broke apart the ice that had formed around Scorn before the now unconscious mage ran out of air. “It sounded like she was trying to get away from these people, and from the way Firefist was talking about her it’s not difficult to see why that might be the case. Still--”

**********

“--we need answers!” Star Boy demanded of the muscular Khund cyborg on his knees before him. “Where did that woman take our friends? Why was she so scared of you people? Who is she that you’d risk all-out war between the Khunds and the United Planets attacking us like this??” There was another question Thom hadn’t asked out loud; he was certain he’d met this warrior somewhere before, the man was maddeningly familiar. So much of the man’s natural features had been replaced by metal and plasteel though that Star Boy had no chance of recognising precisely who he was.

Subject to Star Boy’s power, the Khund bore so much additional mass that he could barely carry his own weight enough to even kneel. His fists pressing against the floor ahead gave him additional support, but he was still unable to lift his head to meet Thom’s angry glare. “The woman is Firefist’s wife,” a voice modulator sounded from the metal tubes which had replaced his vocal cords. “By Kh’ulidd law, she is forbidden to leave him for any reason. That same law empowers Firefist to seek her return by any means necessary and when Scorn’s sorcery told us that Veilmist had fled to the Legion of Superheroes, Firefist knew that he would need support to take on your team.”

“I don’t buy it,” Thom pressed. “There are dozens of soldiers here, not even counting the metapowered operatives. All of this for one woman?”

The rest of the Legion had dealt with their own threats by now and while some of them worked to secure their captives and ensure that the injured received medical attention, others joined Star Boy and his captive. “That woman was terrified,” Lightning Lass added. “We’re going to find her and when we do, there’s no way you creeps are taking her back. I don’t care how far we have to take this.”

The kneeling Khund laughed, an odd broken sound coming through his voice modulator.

“What’s so funny?” Star Boy fumed.

“A little fear is healthy in a good wife,” the Khund answered. “But Legionnaires...Veilmist isn’t terrified of her husband. She’s terrified of the monsters we’ve kept at bay from your pathetic United Planets.”

With supreme effort he craned his neck enough that he could look Star Boy in the eye, and Thom suddenly realised who this man was; the Warlord Galarr, the man who had once used Xanthui quantum technology to invade Star Boy’s homeworld and who had come frightfully close to defeating the Legion of Superheroes, the Oversight Watch and the Uncanny Amazers. He’d already been a cyborg when Thom had first encountered him, but he’d had so much more modification done since then...and there was something else; a resigned emptiness in the one organic eye still in his skull. The man’s cunning was still present, but the passion that Thom Kallor had encountered that day on Xanthu was utterly gone.

Galarr’s strength failed him and he let his head hang limp once more. “...and if I’m not mistaken, that mindless woman has just delivered your friends right into the monsters’ maw.”

...TO BE CONTINUED!!!


**********

EDITOR’S NOTES:
Bloodclaw and Galarr both appeared in the 5 part story Golden Khundia, which re-introduced the Kid(s) Quantum to the side of the angels. If you want a refresher, it can be found here

Diamond Damsel of course hasn’t been able to take on her human form since Satan Girl burned a hole through her heart; an injury which is no big deal to a diamond woman but will kill her instantly if she ever turns back to flesh and blood
What a nice, beautiful battle.

Poor Nightwind, hope she gets a chance to show her leadership chops soon

Ooh, Veilmist! and your Legion doesn’t yet have a teleporter... wink

Scorn is a nice addition.
Hi IB! Thanks, it's fun writing a big chaotic free-for-all every now and then laugh

Scorn is one of those characters I created as an NPC in a roleplaying game one time and she really clicked so I kept her coming back a lot - it never really occurred to me to use her in a Legion story but she works surprisingly well as a Khund with a few minor alterations smile
Posted By: Omni Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 2 APRIL* - 04/05/19 04:09 PM
Hi Raz,

I loved the try out and that you not only used it to introduce so many new faces but also that you used it to help move Ivy's story along a little bit.
Trial by fire/baptism by fire...another way your xmen fics are seeping over. lol tongue

Chroma Queen - could be a new villain that shows us just how terrifying Color Kid could be. But i do love Shadow lass's line
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“If we can’t see it, why do we care?” Shadow Lass asked bluntly. “You have your answer, Chroma Queen. Can we move on to the next applicant please?”


I wonder if Dream Girl has ever had a vision of an appilicant and what was to come? She seemed rather unimpressed and Elastic Lad really needs to learn sarcasm. lol.
Has there ever been a member who loves the try-outs? its a staple but idk sometimes i wouldn't mind them NOT complaining about it. ;d

Still loving Comet Queen and Chlorophyll Lad's building family. I hope they continue to grow and become a real mini family.
Yay Crystal Kid is here!

I like Comet Queen want to meet all some of them but then I'm like that could cause some confusion in a crowd that size thinking the team has a second try out station. But that could just be me.

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“I don’t know why you’re complaining,” Dream Girl teased. “Primordial ooze suits you, dear.”
Dream Girl is much snarkier than I ever realized. Or it could just be the tryouts bring out the worst in her. lol/

From Charm's description she could be a ringer for U247's Vi. Too bad she didn't fair better as I'm sure the Legion could use her luck in the days to come.

So I'm loving the new characters and that you've added some more non humanoids. Both Strut and King Canary are really interesting new characters.
Strut is just fun. "larval human". I liked when we get to see characters with different speech patters/ seeing from a non humanoid perspective/ language use.
Oh no Ivy and Oktia! that seems super scary especially the rapid aging.

Haha. Go be fabulous. I have a feeling we'll be hearing this phrase a lot.
So is Laurel Kent a fav or yours or do you just enjoy characters with limited powers? She's gotten a good spotlight moment and a few others. They are always rather inventive on how she can best use her powers and her knowledge which is a good change from always blasting away like some other supers. But i do wish she had at least one of Superman's defensive powers at times/

Kid Static was the cause! nice I thought it was going to be Ivy related again for the comms going down.
Mr. E = Gravity Kid is little to no shock (for us readers.) I'm glad Laurel listened to him and that he was able to admit that he was a"batjerk"...so does batman go down as being a jerk in history to inspire that name? Also glad he put the people first and that this isn't just about him showboating to the Legion.
I hope Nightstone comes back. Nothing is coincidence here. hahah. :-D

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Tel was visibly shocked. “You speak!! I mean...I’m sorry, that sounds so xenophobic - it’s just, you look so much like an Earth bird. I mean, you’re not an Earth bird, are you?! Grife, I should just shut up.”
This made me giggle a bit.

I'm glad they were able to stop Ivy but dang Tinya...
O... so Alec Arkane used Oktia as a conduit? I wonder if that's why she's aging?

Yay! Crystal Kid finally made it! So much potential there. Strut and King Canary! Gravity Kid! i like all four but is it bad that I was hoping you'd have a bigger in coming class? lol.

Oktia is in a comma now? omg!

Veilmist has come and boy did she bring trouble...
Scorn is interesting. So Khunds are against magic totally? Harbinger has a similar set up for a magic user in the Khudian Empire as the only one who seems to practice magic.
Love that all the Khudian Legionnaires show up. Don't remember much about them other than their looks. But this could be fun.
And just like that Vielmist and the new recruits are gone with Tinya? Ok, now i need to know where they went!


Quote
“Do you think I’d have assaulted you in your home without taking the effort to research your team, Ultra Boy?
Yes! maybe stating the obvious but its like how do you not know what your facing!
Loved Ayla's assists! even in battle she's fun.
Quote
A physical projectile glanced off of Supergirl’s temple, and her head jerked violently to one side. “Hey!” she bellowed at the Khund who’d fired. “Don’t touch the hair!”
Hahah another line that made me laugh.

Raz so many good moments in this that have made me laugh. loving the comedic tone your bringing even in battle.

Cosmic Night Combo! Go Lydda!
Why must Gim always take on these guys that can eviscerate him?! Just Stop Gim! stop!
Diamond Damsel was cut? wait what? Please don't have her get hurt any worse!
Fleder Weber is crazy good at taking them out..Ouch poor Grava glad she's not super hurt....at least until he meets Elastic Lad. haha!
Quote
He zeroed in on an oblivious Star Boy below, but before he could strike the brooding hunter felt something wrap around both his legs. “That was terribly mean!” a young boy’s voice chided him earnestly. “Comet Queen could have really hurt herself! Gosh, you can’t just break into someone’s house and start attacking them for no reason, don’t you have any manners? Not that I’m implying that Khunds in general don’t have manners, I mean that’d be just awfully speciesist and I know we all have different cultural mores and--”

“You talk too much,” the winged man rasped, digging his claws into Elastic Lad’s face as the redheaded Legionnaire twirled around and around him like a chatty boa constrictor.

Jams-Ols 5’s face simply stretched painlessly around Flederweb’s claws, and he continued talking even with his mouth extended out of shape. “Gee, this is exactly what I’m talking about! See, on your world it’s considered rude to talk a lot but most of the United Planets would consider it much more offensive to just go and start fights with people for no reason! We all need to have respect for each other’s cultures, that’s what makes for a harmonious universe of sentients; that’s what Jams-Ols 1 used to always say, don’t you think it’s a nicer way to treat one another Mr Flederweb?”

By this time, Elastic Lad had successfully wrapped Flederweb in a coccoon of his own rubbery body, leaving only his opponent’s head exposed. “Kill me now..?” Flederweb groaned.

“...Please..?”
This was my favorite by far for the exchanges. laugh laugh laugh

Scorn and Shadow Lass was good and I liked that Tasmia was like "I'm getting a complex about my powers" was a good node to how much she's been having trouble. Shadow Lass may need to go back for some more training...M'Onel good use and so true he barely uses that power.

Wait there's monsters on that the Khudian Empire has been holding back? are these going to be something new or something we've seen in DC's past coming back to haunt the future?
Can't wait for more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 2 APRIL* - 04/08/19 07:53 AM
Hi Omni! I need a better editor to pick up on my tropes transferring over between universes hahaha

Back in the Baxter Legion days before they made Laurel a Manhunter robot there were one or two times that Dreamy and Laurel went full Mean Girls at one another so I think they just draw out the worst in each other. Might be a story there at some point... wink

I actually never even thought about Leviathan Vi when I came up with Charm, but now that you mention it - yeah! Subconscious influence laugh

I do love characters with limited powers, that's kinda why I love the Subs so much tbh - and Laurel fits in that category as well smile

re the batjerk thing.....at this stage I honestly can't remember if it's something I made up or if I nicked it from one of the other posters here or if it was in a comic somewhere, but the idea that history remembers Batman as being such a jerk that we get a whole new insult out of it makes me laugh so much...Bruce would be so mad to know that's his most lasting impact hahahaha laugh

More Khunds coming up! And maybe more Legion recruits? Who can say wink
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

The young woman named Bina Nawoti groaned and rolled to one side. Curiously she realised that she wasn’t home on Titan or in the Martian hotel room where she’d checked in three standard days ago; in fact, a sinking feeling made her question whether it was only three standard days which had passed...she seemed to be in some kind of medical facility, which meant anything could have happened to her.

She sat up in her bed and gingerly called out, but no answer came. Her head was spinning, and Bina wondered if she’d fallen unexpectedly ill. Calm returns after each storm, she recited silently, remembering the mantra her Titanian teachers had instilled in her to free her mind of the anxieties which obstructed her mindsense. After a few moments she felt sufficiently centred, and she scanned for the presence of other minds. She found nothing in her immediate vicinity.

Fear lurked beneath her conscious mind, but she maintained control. Bina Nawoti had been born and bred on Earth; she was no Titanian but she’d set her will to learning their techniques and using them as well as any Terran woman was able. More, she’d achieved her goal and she’d come to Mars to display her talents in service of the Legion of Superheroes. It was all coming back to her now...she’d gone to the Legion’s tryouts, had been fortunate enough to meet Comet Queen, and after some stumbling over her own awkwardness she’d excitedly introduced herself to the golden heroine. Bina had chosen the codename Otaki for herself, and she’d eagerly anticipated being able to explain the origins of that name but then...then what..? Her mindsense had touched that child, the young girl with the frizzy hair and the big brown eyes, and then...then she’d been lost in a maelstrom of pure darkness. Decay. Rot. It hadn’t been the girl though, it had been something acting through the girl; and whatever that something was, it filled Bina with terror. She had to let the Legion know.

...I feel you.

Bina gasped. She’d heard that voice as clearly as if its speaker had been standing right next to her, but it had been in her mind. Bina had been on Titan long enough to know telepathy, and this wasn’t like any telepathy she’d ever felt.

I feel you, the voice repeated. You reached out and you have found me. Come to me, child. Bina Nawoti moved almost as though she were in a trance. Her training kept her from crying out, but she felt as though she were spiralling, she felt as if the darkness which had flowed through that little girl Ivy had been a mere shadow compared to whatever this was. Looking straight ahead, she lowered her feet to the floor. The impact sent an uncomfortable jolt through her knees, but she didn’t even notice in her troubled state. The voice continued, less of a voice really than a force...it was booming, fearsome, but at the same time seductive. Sleepwalking awake, Bina Nawoti made her way through the Legion of Superheroes’ multilab to an innocuous seeming doorway. She noticed a flat screen monitor to the left of the door, distinct amongst the ubiquitous holographic interfaces all around her. On that monitor she saw a room, empty save for a misshapen rock mounted on a pedestal in the centre of the room. Her heart raced; it were as though she could sense the rock’s power even through this simple screen, but that made no sense. None of this made any sense.

“Hey!!”

The shrill voice jostled Otaki from her stupor, and just like that the malevolent guiding force she’d felt was gone. “I - what --- “

“Old lady not Legionnaire! Who let old lady in Brainiac 5’s multilab? Hoo boy, he gonna be mad!”

Otaki’s mindsense hadn’t alerted her to another presence, and she wasn’t used to being startled thusly. Acting on instinct, she grabbed the nearest implement with both hands and before she’d realised her target was the sleek blue microship of the Teallian Legionnaire Quislet she’d already smacked the ship into a spin.

“Fight time? Fun!” Quislet quickly corrected course, then leaped out of his ship into a console that was almost as tall as Otaki herself. Before the astonished girl’s eyes, Quislet’s sigil emblazoned itself across the front of the console and it grew four arm-like pseudopods to restrain her. The arms melded into one once they’d joined around her, trapping Otaki tight.

“This - this is a misunderstanding!” she struggled to explain herself. “I - my name is Otaki, I--” For the first time since she’d woken up, she happened to glance at her reflection in a plexiglass panel opposite. “What happened to me?” she almost screamed, all of her training forgotten. “What happened to me?!

“Otaki! Starshine!” Comet Queen now came zooming into the room, her trademark trail of sparkling gas dissipating behind her. “I got an alert in the monitor room, you’re awake! That’s nova bright!” Grava suddenly realised that it was Quislet holding the girl and released an excited screech. “My shiny little shuttle! You’re back!” She flew circles around the console golem until it disintegrated into its component atoms, and when Quislet bounced back into his microship Comet Queen clutched it close to her flat chest and spun around in glee.

Both Legionnaires were so distracted with their reunion that they didn’t notice Otaki as she stared in horror at her wrinkled hands and felt the lines upon her face. Eventually, Comet Queen released the protesting Quislet and turned to Otaki. “Starshine, are you gleaming now? Don’t worry about the corona, some magic medicine will take care of that!”

Horrified and confused, Otaki’s eyes filled with tears. She began to stammer a response before it became all too much and she turned and ran from the multilab the same way Comet Queen had entered. “Quislet stop old burglar!” the Teallian hero piped up. “Quislet want to play!”

“No, starshine!” Grava reached out and grabbed his tail fin before he could take off. “She’s not a burglar, she’s just...oh, parse me to the C-span, I’m glad you finally got a new ship and came back to us but there’s so much you gotta scan!

Let’s start with the Khunds!”

**********
MARSOPOLIS
City outskirts


ROLL CALL
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Colossal Boy aka Gim Allon: growth powers
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Firecrest aka Staq Mavlen: weredragon
Invisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility


“You know I’m usually the first one to volunteer for action,” Gim Allon spoke as his flight ring sent him streaking across the Martian sky with four other Legionnaires, “But I only just had my guts ripped open, Dreamy. I’m not sure how much good I’m gonna be to you guys in a fight, especially against the same Khunds we just faced a couple hours ago. I actually don’t know that any of us are ready for battle yet, Nightwind wasn’t wrong to leave us behind when she took the others to find that Veilmist woman.”

“Do you really think I’d risk Yera’s wrath bringing you into combat this soon, Colossal Boy?” Dream Girl gave her longtime teammate a cheeky smirk. “Don’t worry, we’re not going to be in time to stop the Khunds anyway; even so, I wouldn’t have dragged you out here if I hadn’t foreseen that your presence will be vital.”

“Wait a nano!” the dragon-like Firecrest sputtered. “You told uss you had a vission that we had to come sstop thosse Khundss from esscaping captivity! What are we even doing here if we’re going to fail?!”

“What I told you,” an annoyed Dream Girl reiterated, “Was that the Khunds who invaded our home and whom we handed over to the Science Police will escape custody. Nobody’s going to be able to stop them, Firecrest. I’ve already seen it happen. We can still do our best to limit casualties however.”

An explosion filled the early evening air, followed swiftly by panicked screams. “Over there!” Color Kid gestured to a cloud of smoke billowing from behind a nearby apartment complex. “Let’s go, Legion!”

As they circled the enormous ring of towers, the Legion saw a massive Science Police prisoner transport vehicle in a helpless downward spiral belching fire and smoke while the Khunds all took off through a gaping tear in the hull. As each of the Khunds cleared the vessel, they toggled together primitive anti-grav devices which sent them hurtling straight up into the atmosphere.

“They must have cobbled those together from individual components built into their cybernetics!” Dream Girl noted. “Unless Kid Computo were specifically looking for the distinct elements, she couldn’t have known their combined purpose when we disarmed the Khunds earlier!”

“They are not particularly reliable components it seems,” Invisible Kid gestured at one of the Khund soldiers who’d stopped ascending about 50 feet up and now fell swiftly back toward them. “Observe, ma’amselle!”

Dream Girl would normally ask Firecrest or Colossal Boy to intercept the falling man, but they were both busy incinerating or catching the debris of the transport vehicle before it killed any of the teeming innocents below. “I’ll stop him from becoming Khund flatcake”, Nura Nal volunteered. “You’re going to have your hands full in a moment, Jacques. Color Kid, would you be a dear and lend a hand? I’d rather not be beaten to death while I’m trying to save this man’s life if I can avoid it.”

Ulu had been looking for a way to be useful and was only too happy to assist. Fortunately the falling Khund wore a wraparound visor which was wired into his temples and it was a simple matter for Color Kid to dazzle the man into helplessness with a psychedelic burst of shifting colors across the visor’s lens. Dream Girl wrapped both arms around the soldier’s massive calf, and with the aid of her flight ring she carried him to an empty balcony while he was still struggling to come to grips with Color Kid’s power.

The last Khunds to exit the damaged vehicle which sat in Colossal Boy’s giant palms were Firefist and the sonic manipulator who’d taken down Invisible Kid, Color Kid and Dream Girl back at the Legion’s headquarters. Firefist took stock of the situation in an instant; Colossal Boy would have the ship resting in an evacuated area soon enough, and Firecrest was slagging the last shards of plummeting plasteel right now. Scorn’s forbidden magics and Galarr’s forward planning had seen them and the rest of their comrades in the Demon’s Claw this far, but it was all for naught if the Legion kept them from leaving this cursed planet. “I told Bloodclaw not to kill all the damn guards,” Firefist growled to himself. “You!” Weaponry came to life up and down the cyborg’s arm as he honed in on Invisible Kid; while the Legion had confiscated what armaments they could, many of the Khunds’ weapons were too much a part of their bodies to be easily removed. “We need a hostage to secure our escape and you’ll do just fine! This will not be lethal, but I promise that it will hurt!”

Jacques glanced from one of his comrades to the next in a flurry. All of them were occupied with their own tasks, and he was a sitting duck hovering alone above the city. Jacques chided himself for not using his one power prior to now, but better late than never. As he shimmered out of view, Firefist gave a hearty laugh. “As I told your Ultra Boy,” Firefist gloated, “I have studied your Legion extensively, Invisible Kid! I know your power has no effect on infrared sensors, fool!”

Invisible Kid’s heart stopped. He should have realised the red lens which had replaced the man’s right eye would give him an advantage; everything the Khunds did to themselves was to give them some advantage. Out of nowhere Jacques felt a twinge of pain pass across his skull, and was glad that nobody else could see him grip his head in both hands. The pain was gone as soon as it had begun though, and when it left him he found something more extraordinary. Firefist still couldn’t see him. Not with his natural vision nor his artificial.

The Khund panned suspiciously from left to right and up and down before he realised that somehow Invisible Kid had evaded him, then he turned to his final remaining comrade. “Echo,” he named the man. “Follow my lead.” Firefist turned both arms toward the block of apartments where Dream Girl and Color Kid had dumped their captive and opened fire with enough gunpower to destroy a small shuttle. The man named Echo turned his own vocal enhancements to the task, and soon the amplified din of electro-bolts, plasma blasts and high-intensity lasers drowned out any other sound for blocks around. The two men completed their work just as Colossal Boy finally deposited the burning remains of the SP vehicle in a safe space, and before Gim’s enormous fist could close around them they activated their own anti-grav devices and shot skyward.

“They’re getting away!” Firecrest’s mighty wings flapped as he prepared to give chase.

“Like Dream Girl said they would!” Colossal Boy replied as he increased his size once more by hundreds of feet. “Forget about them, we’ve all got more important things to worry about!”

Gim Allon was now more than 800 feet tall, truly a modern-day colossus. Staq had never seen him achieve such height, had never even dreamed it was possible. Soon enough though, the dragon-man realised just why Colossal Boy had become large enough to shade several city blocks; Firefist and Echo’s assault had damaged the tower so badly that it was about to collapse. If the Legion let that happen, thousands of sentients would definitely die.

Colossal Boy stabilised himself in mid-air with his flight ring, then crouched into a squat and wrapped his giant arms around the tower. Gim almost immediately began sweating, his arms shaking with the strain. “Guys, let’s not waste any time evacuating this place huh?” Gim was aware that his voice at this size would carry across the whole apartment complex and he didn’t want to cause undue alarm but he also knew that between his recent injuries and the sheer awkwardness of holding this thing together like a crumbling sandcastle, he wouldn’t be able to maintain this for long.

“You heard the man!” Dream Girl commanded, cutting through the awe that had left her other teammates frozen. “Move!

Jacques Foccart turned visible once more and joined in the efforts of his teammates and Science Police reinforcements to clear the tower of its inhabitants. While he flew shaken sentients to safety he knew he’d have to speak to Dream Girl at some point about his power. Right now though, he couldn’t help but be more concerned for the Legionnaires whom Veilmist had abducted. None of the Khunds had given any more information on the nebulous threat that Galarr had insinuated back at Husband Hill, but if these bloodthirsty Khunds should find Veilmist and her kidnapped Legionnaires again along with the other monsters which so terrified her...

...Jacques uttered a prayer to his Creator that the rest of the Legion found Phantom Girl and the new recruits first.

**********
ELSEWHERE

ROLL CALL
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader, intangibility
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology


On a sleek spear-shaped vessel hurtling through psychedelic hyperspace, five Legionnaires conferred while the exotic teleporter Veilmist draped herself over her fellow Khund sitting in the pilot’s seat. “I still say we can take ‘em and turn this thing around,” King Canary grumbled, pitching his voice so that it wouldn’t travel beyond the small group of heroes.

“It’s too dangerous,” Phantom Girl shut him down. “If we damage this ship in a tussle, we could get spit out anywhere in the universe; worse, we could be trapped here forever.”

“Nightwind will recall Dawnstar or Mwindaji to find us though, right?” Crystal Kid asked less optimistically than he’d hoped to sound. “I mean once we re-enter normal space?”

“I hope it doesn’t come to that,” Phantom Girl replied. “Our safety can’t take precedence over their current missions.” While she hadn’t the first clue how to read Strut or King Canary’s body language, Tinya could tell that Crystal Kid and Gravity Kid at least were anxious about their predicament. She sighed and gave them all her most reassuring smile. “Guys, look...I appreciate that this isn’t the best introduction to the Legion of Superheroes any of you could ask for and I’m sorry that we’re in this position. Try not to let your worry overwhelm you though, okay? I promise you, I’ve been in plenty worse situations than this. Those Khunds don’t seem to have noticed that we’ve all activated the beacons in our flight rings so as soon as we’re out of hyperspace the Legion shouldn’t even need our trackers to find us. Even if that doesn’t work we’ve got Mon-El, Neon and a couple of bona fide geniuses looking for us. We’ll get out of this.”

As if on cue, the ship left hyperspace with a keen whining sound for the more familiar star-speckled black void beyond.

“Phantom Girl’s right,” Gravity Kid piped up, attempting to overcome his own nervousness. “The rest of the Legion will take care of those other Khunds in a nano and we’ll be back home before we know it!”

“You know, this whole melodrama would be so much less stressful if we knew where that fashion-forward young woman and her tedious friend were taking us,” Strut mused.

That I think we can do something about,” Tinya agreed. She stood up and approached Veilmist and the pilot, hands out at her sides to show she wasn’t planning anything. “Veilmist?” she asked softly. “You came to us for help, and we do want to help you but you need to give us something. We need to know exactly what it is you’re asking us to do.”

The pilot flashed a quick scowl at Tinya, though thankfully Veilmist’s expression was far more accommodating. There was something about the woman that pulled on Tinya’s heartstrings; she really was stunningly beautiful, but there was something so hurt and broken about her gaze.

“Yes,” the Khund woman agreed. “Now, while we have time, I will tell you.” She looked past Phantom Girl to the boys. “Please, whom among you is truly your leader?”

Phantom Girl was taken aback. “That...that’s me. I told you that already.”

Veilmist reflected Phantom Girl’s expression back at her. “But you are a female..?”

“Oh, you poor darling,” Strut tutted.

“I am a female last time I looked,” Tinya tried to make light of the situation. “I think you’ll find our cultures have some notable differences, Veilmist. The United Planets practices equality for all genders, everyone has the same opportunities and the same rights.”

Veilmist gave the other Legionnaires a disbelieving look. “...You follow a female into battle? Willingly??”

“Look, I understand that this is a difficult concept for you given your background,” Tinya caught her attention again, this time with a little less patience. “But it is what it is, Veilmist. Now please...why did you come to the Legion of Superheroes for aid?”

The pink-skinned woman didn’t seem entirely convinced, but she accepted that it was the only answer she was going to get. “In doing this, I have surrendered my dignity, probably my marriage and perhaps even my life,” she hung her head in shame. “But I do what I do to save my people.” She raised her head again, though found herself unable to meet any of the Legionnaires’ gaze. “Powerful foes threaten the Khund Empire, Legionnaires. We have waged long and furious battle against them but we continue to lose ground. I overheard my husband and Warlord Galarr discussing matters of war, and they say that it will be a matter of only months more before everything we have made is undone. Warlord Galarr’s last campaign to use the Xanthui quantum children against our foes was turned to ash thanks to your Legion’s interference, and without your Legion’s help now, the same fate awaits us all.”

“The Xanthui…” It dawned on Phantom Girl what Veilmist was referring to. “Wait, are you talking about when the Khunds used Kid Quantum’s power to place Xanthu in stasis? That was such a long time ago! You’ve been at war with these foes of yours all this time?”

“And what of it?” Veilmist stood up defiantly to the Legion’s leader. “War is lifeblood to a Khund!”

“Okay, okay,” Phantom Girl backed down. “Let’s not get into that...why do you think the Legion of Superheroes has any more chance than the entire Khund Empire against whoever these people are?”

“Because the Legion of Superheroes are the only ones who have consistently defeated them. They are your enemies, Phantom Girl.” Veilmist gave her a look which was at once accusatory and pleading. “The Khunds are at war with the Fatal Five. The Fatal Five and--”

The Khund pilot spoke up to the group as a whole for the first time. “We have trouble. Multiple ships incoming.”

Veilmist ran to him, frantically looking over holodisplays she couldn’t hope to understand. “Then kill them!” she snarled. “Is this not what I paid you for?!”

“There are too many,” Phantom Girl had followed Veilmist and she pointed now at a veritable wall of red dots on a grid which represented the incoming vessels. “There are way too many, that’s a whole army. Veilmist, why would the Fatal Five be fighting the Khunds? What have you gotten us into??”

“Something else else I can easily get us out of,” she shot back defensively. “Have you forgotten how we came to be here in the first?” She closed her eyes in concentration, but nothing happened. “My power!” she exclaimed. “Why can’t I teleport?!”

“That would be me,” a disembodied voice filled the cabin, and a hologram stood before them of a well-groomed man with slicked back black hair. He wore a pale blue outfit with white accessories, and though he looked utterly average there was something disconcerting about him nonetheless.

Nobody on board the ship had met him in person, but Phantom Girl and Gravity Kid both instantly recognised him from Legion files. “Karth Arn!” they exclaimed simultaneously.

“Who the sprock is Karth Arn?” King Canary fluttered closer to the villain, perching on the headrest of a nearby seat.

“I will assume that was a rhetorical query,” the holographic man flashed him a sarcastic smirk. “Interesting company you’re keeping these days, Phantom Girl - I had hoped to intercept this young lady before she made it to Mars, but I must admit that seeing the squad of nobodies she’s brought back with her certainly eases my mind about my failure; and Veilmist, I’m afraid I’ve had to suppress your teleportation abilities. It wouldn’t do to have you escape the fate that is about to befall your allies here.” The Khund pilot drew a large serrated knife and slashed straight through Karth Arn’s holographic form without the villain even noticing.

“Haven’t you got a jammer on this thing?” Tinya snapped at the pilot. “A cloaking device?? He’s not physically here, he’s being transmitted somehow!”

“I am a mercenary, not a lowly comms officer!” the Khund growled back. He looked over the console frantically while Karth Arn chuckled.

“If I may be so bold as to intervene,” Strut stepped forward, “First of all Mr Arn, I respect your confidence appearing among sentients dressed like that.” Strut tapped Tinya on the shoulder with one arm while simultaneously pointing at a lens hidden away in a recess above them all. “But more importantly, I believe that gadget is a holotransmitter of some description, darling.”

“Not anymore it isn’t.” Gravity Kid gestured and the apparatus crumpled into a tiny misshapen spheroid before falling to the floor with a clunk. Karth Arn’s outline flickered once and then he vanished altogether.

“We might have needed that, Tel.” Phantom Girl’s brow furrowed. “I’d have rather we stopped the transmission itself...still, what’s done is done. Strut, how did you know this ship had a holotransmitter right there?”

With a third arm, Strut waggled his antennae at her. “These little things give me a delightful amount of insight into the world, darling! They--”

“Karth Arn must be using technology to dampen Veilmist’s power,” Tinya cut him off. “He’s an android who’s given up his original form to exist as a cloud of nanobots, technology is his whole MO. Can you sense anything, Strut? Any electromagnetic emissions that shouldn’t be there, anything like that at all? There must be hundreds of ships coming at us, we need to get some space between us and them yesterday.”

The tall insectoid made a display of looking around the vessel, loving that he was the centre of attention. “Well!” he exclaimed after a tense 90 seconds. “Now that you mention it, there is a rather odd magnetic field encompassing all of us, and the poles seem to be located….there and there!” One of his feet arched in an absurdly dainty gesture toward a spot on the floor while a fuschia coloured hand tapped on the ceiling a few inches above his head.

“Okay, hold tight everyone - I’m going to check it out.” Diving as though she were entering a body of water, Tinya disappeared into the floor. She poked her head through the hull and saw a limbless droid magnetically attached to the ship. I don’t know much about Khund engineering but I bet you’re not meant to be there, she thought smugly. Remaining partially embedded in the ship so it didn’t leave her stranded as it sped through open space, Tinya peered inside the robot and grabbed two circuit boards before withdrawing. The robot remained affixed to the hull, but she noticed now that the dim lights running along its exterior had switched off completely.

She flew back through the ship, briefly startling some of the others en route. The same model droid was located on the other side of the vessel, and it proved just as easy to disable. Happy with her work, Tinya moved to re-enter the ship when she just happened to notice something in the corner of her eye. She looked up, and any sense of victory she’d felt drifted away like so much ash on the wind. She’d been so preoccupied with disabling the droids that she hadn’t noticed before now, but there was no more outrunning Karth Arn’s forces. They were surrounding the ship on all sides, and they weren’t ships. They were robots. Countless hordes of robots of different sizes and models, all of them working in perfect unison. This doesn’t make sense, Phantom Girl worried, If we’re facing Karth Arn’s Fatal Five, where did they get these resources?!

...and then the robots swarmed on her.

TO BE CONTINUED..!
Yikes, way to end with a cliffhanger!

Loved seeing the injured Legionnaires in action.

So Jacques' power got an upgrade? Ooooh. First Staq, then Ral, now Jacques!

Great use of Strut's senses. And I love his snarky campy comments about fashion!

Lol too at Veilmist's inability to accept Tinya as leader.
Man, poor Diamond Damsel! Is she just going to end up getting chips and bits taken out of her and never return to human form?

Bloodclaw is much more powerful than the version I remember from the comic, a very dangerous opponent.

Elastic Lad as ever is good for a laugh, even keeps talking with his mouth distorted. He reminded me a bit here of Radar O'Reilly from MASH. Sounds innocent but very competent.

Scorn is a great character, using forbidden Khundish mystical arts.

Does your Gim have any limit to his growth?

The "monsters" the Khunds had been fighting surprised me. Should be a big showdown!
Thanks for commenting y'all...I couldn't screw Jacques like that, if he's gonna become some crazy lady's torture pet he's gotta get something out of it laugh

FC, I did make the Khunds more efficient than they were really shown to be in the 5YL days...I always kinda thought if you're gonna go to the effort of introducing a bunch of Khunds that aren't just nameless grunts you probably should try to make them memorable for more than dying easy...and thanks re: Scorn, she started life as a Deviant in a Marvel roleplaying game I was running ages ago so I'm glad she's translated across to the Legion's universe so easily smile

I know Gim's been given maximum height limitations in various character write-ups etc, but I don't really remember him ever showing any difficulties with growing beyond a certain height in comics outside of what's practical for the situation...I seem to remember him always doing things like punching spaceships head on and lifting up ocean liners and so on and so forth; and when Omega knocked him over way back when, Gim was big enough that he smashed whole blocks of buildings when he landed so I think I've always seen him as being able to just grow as big as the situation warrants (though he generally keeps it to a level where it's still workable in team combat).

It's kinda weird because as much as I love my underdog characters, I also really like how DC doesn't really let practicality get in the way of making their powers really fantastic the way Marvel tends to...I mean I love Hank Pym and Quicksilver from the Avengers, but their powers very rarely produce the kind of awesome moments that DC size-changers or speedsters come up with...
Posted By: razsolo ENEMY OF MY ENEMY Part 3 of 5: The Metal Men - 05/08/19 11:35 AM
DEEP SPACE

ROLL CALL
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader, intangibility
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology


Wasting not a second, Phantom Girl ducked back into the vessel she’d just exited. The ship was surrounded by thousands of robots, far too many for Tinya or any of the other Legionnaires on board to deal with. “Veilmist!” she shouted once she was fully back inside the cabin. “We need to get out of here now!

The pink-skinned Khund woman nodded mutely, accustomed to obeying assertive commands. Before she could actually follow through however, the hull was torn open by two robots with lasersaws and both the Khunds and the Legionnaires on board were sucked out into the void beyond. Veilmist slammed into one of the army of robots head on, knocking herself out. The Khund mercenary who’d been piloting their craft also hit one of the robots but had managed to reorient himself so that his knife plunged deep into its casing. Moments later, the unprotected Veilmist and the mercenary both had been frozen in crystal form and Crystal Kid had begun to form a thick protective sphere around them while Gravity Kid smashed to pieces any robots moving to attack Bobb or his helpless charges.

Phantom Girl immediately began yanking the innards out of as many robots as she could, but while she did so she observed her new teammates at work. Crystal Kid and Gravity Kid were the only other people here who had experience in a zero-G environment, and they were coping as admirably as could be expected. Tinya was impressed with the way the two boys worked together so well already, no doubt a result of their Legion Academy training.

Strut wasn’t so fortunate; the insectoid hero had panicked momentarily when he’d been torn from the ship, but he realised now that his flight ring’s transuit function had protected him from exposure to the vacuum. He was doing his best to fight off the robots crowding him, but he had no experience using a flight ring and no experience fighting in this kind of environment. It wasn’t long before he was being dragged kicking and screaming toward the imposing ship which Tinya now noticed was floating some distance away from the attacking robots. At least they’re taking us prisoner and not just killing us outright, Phantom Girl noted. That gives me an idea.

Tinya inserted her telepathic earplugs and called out to King Canary but there was no response. Of course there isn’t, she shook her head, He’s probably forgotten he even has a telepathic channel, he’s only been a member of the team for five minutes. Phantom Girl wondered how she was going to find him in this chaos; he was tiny, and the robots were seemingly never-ending. She noticed a many-limbed droid coming up to ambush Gravity Kid from below and flew straight through it, pulling a handful of wires out with her as she passed through it. <Tel!> she thought at him, confident that he’d be wearing his own earplugs; if anyone was going to have committed standard Legion space activity protocol to memory, it’d be Gravity Kid. <I need to find King Canary, can you use your power to locate him?>

Gravity Kid arched his eyebrows. <I...I’m not sure, Phantom Girl. There’s a lot of chaos here for me to sift through!> As he replied, he used one of the robots as a battering ram to smash half a dozen of its fellows into scrap metal.

<Can you try please?> An ionically charged blade passed harmlessly through her arm. <It might mean our lives!>

Gravity Kid frowned, but he knew she was right; Crystal Kid was already being overwhelmed, Tel knew that he’d follow suit sooner or later. He wasn’t going to let Phantom Girl down on his first day as a Legionnaire if he could avoid it. Concentrating fiercely, Gravity Kid felt the tiny fluctuations in micro-gravity that every one of them caused as they battled. It seemed too daunting a task, but against all odds he finally picked up some tiny mass zipping about to and fro. Tel tried to home in on his new teammate, but eventually it was his eyes that caught a flash of yellow feathers disappearing behind a group of much larger machines. <There!> Gravity Kid pointed, his whole body convulsing half a second later as one of the machines finally penetrated his defences with a taser.

Phantom Girl didn’t like leaving Gravity Kid to be unceremoniously dragged on board an enemy ship, but what she was doing now might save all of them later. She phased through every robot in her way as she pursued King Canary through the throng, and Tinya Wazzo hoped that she wasn’t making her first major mistake as Legion leader…

**********
ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn: magnetism
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: gravity negation
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Neon II aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time


Some time later, a rainbow-hued flash of light heralded the arrival of two more ships from hyperspace. Emblazoned with the famous golden logo of the Legion of Superheroes, the two cruisers found themselves in an eerie floating graveyard of twisted metal and plasteel. At the bridge of the first cruiser, Nightwind leaned on a console and looked out over the destruction. “Are you sure they’re still here, Kid Computo? We’re not picking up any life signs nearby.”

“...Four flight rings,” Danielle Foccart confirmed quietly. “I can’t find any trace of the harness Elastic Lad modified for King Canary, but maybe...maybe it’s just been damaged?” There was uncertainty in her tone; with her cyberempathy she could pick up on the ship’s bioscans as easily as Nightwind had read them on a holodisplay, and there was definitely nothing alive out there.

“What do you think happened here?” Supergirl asked almost reverently. “There were only our five and that Veilmist person, but all this wreckage...it’s like Wildfire went full power against a whole army!”

“I don’t know,” Nightwind admitted. “But let’s not -- hey!” She saw the airlock of the second cruiser open, and Ultra Boy and Mon-El both exited into the void beyond. Ultra Boy had been openly disrespectful of Nightwind assuming command in Phantom Girl’s place since before they’d left Mars. He’d complained when Nightwind had suggested that Mon-El remain on Mars to back up the other injured Legionnaires if necessary, and he’d almost taken a cruiser to fly after Phantom Girl on his own when Nightwind had suggested that he might be too close to this to come on the rescue mission himself. Berta hadn’t pushed the matter; she could empathise with how concerned Ultra Boy must be for his girlfriend’s safety and Berta herself was nervous about leading a team of veteran Legionnaires on a mission, but she wondered now if maybe she should have come down harder on him after all.

“Neon, could you please make your way to the bridge?” Nightwind asked over the ship’s internal comms before she switched to Ultra Boy and Mon-El’s personal channels. “What are you two doing out there?” she asked bluntly. “I didn’t tell you--”

“Kid, I know you’re trying your best but Tinya and the others don’t have time for us to play games,” Ultra Boy cut her off.

“I’m sorry, Nightwind.” Mon-El’s apology sounded genuine at least. “He was going to do this regardless, this way at least I can make sure he doesn’t get himself killed.”

“Of all the--” Nightwind muted the comms and took a deep breath to calm herself, then turned as she heard Neon enter the bridge. “Zoe! Can you do your Green Lantern thing and take me and Kid Computo out there with you? I’m still the acting leader of this team whether Ultra Boy likes it or not!”

“Of course,” Zoe Saugin agreed quickly. She could see the frustration on Berta’s face and knew this wasn’t the time for anything cute so she simply surrounded herself, Danielle and Berta in a glowing green bubble and phased the three of them through the floor.

“We’ll be back in a nano,” Nightwind spoke to Supergirl as she passed through the vessel. “Let me know if any other catastrophes decide to spark up while I’m--” Then she was gone.

Laurel turned to the main viewscreen and watched as the girls followed Jo and Mon-El through the enormous cloud of debris. After a few seconds, a flashing light caught her attention and a curious expression came over her. That’s weird, Laurel thought. Could have sworn the bioscanner just picked up a couple of signals out there...Mon-El and Ultra Boy maybe..? A sharp intake of air behind her made the indestructible teenager flinch, and she spun on her heel just in time to catch a face full of energy discharge.

The assault didn’t hurt Laurel, but the glare of it did blind her momentarily. “Intruder alert!” she snapped. “Alert--uggh!” A powerful blow sent the off-balance girl flying across the bridge while stars were still dancing in her eyes, but she’d done what she’d set out to do. Alarms filled the bridge and the rest of the vessel, and Laurel’s vision returned fully just in time to see Timber Wolf bounding into the room with Elastic Lad’s elongated form stretching down the corridor right behind him. Supergirl wasn’t entirely certain that her vision had returned though, because it looked just like that Veilmist woman was hijacking the ship with a Khund warrior by her side.

“Fool!” Veilmist screeched at the raging Khund by her side. “She is the Kryptonian, look upon her crest! This ship belongs to the Legion of Superheroes!”

“I don’t care if it belongs to the Demon’s Claw themselves!” he bellowed back as he took the pilot’s seat. “You could pay me a prince’s ransom more than you have and it would not be enough for this insanity, woman! You--what trickery?!” A transparent bubble suddenly enclosed the pilot’s seat, effectively separating the Khund pilot from the rest of the bridge. He slashed at the bubble with his blade, but to no effect.

As the pilot drew his firearm, Elastic Lad’s head circled the outside of the bubble on a spiralling neck. “Oh gosh, I really wouldn’t do that if I were you, our anti-theft devices can really take a licking and at that close range--”

“Let him find out for himself, kid.” Timber Wolf helped Supergirl to her feet, keeping a close eye on Veilmist the whole time. “Khunds love any excuse to get new limbs, right?” Grudgingly, the man took the hint and holstered his gun once more.

By this time, everyone else on the ship had caught up; Chlorophyll Kid, Matter-Eater Lad, Polar Boy, Stone Boy and Diamond Damsel all spread out around the bridge. “Where’s Phantom Girl?” Timber Wolf growled at Veilmist.

“I do not know,” At Brin’s naked aggression, Veilmist bowed her head submissively. “We had been attacked by our foe, our ship ripped apart, and then...then I do not know what happened.” She looked across at the captive Khund. “Khano and I became conscious within some kind of crystalline structure, but I believe we were adrift in space. It was cold, bitterly so...we were weightless and there was no air, no noise...I had to act quickly. My only thought was to transport us to shelter, and so we are here.”

“If your Legionnaires are not here before us, then they are surely dead,” the mercenary named Khano spat. “If we do not leave here now, we will be next.”

“Legionnaires are tougher than you think,” Polar Boy retorted quickly. “Have a look for yourself, I’m betting you two didn’t do that.”

The two Khunds followed Polar Boy’s smug look to the viewscreen, and saw the graveyard of robotics surrounding them. “We have to retreat!” Khano roared. “Veilmist, forget these fools! Let Karth Arn and his beasts tear them to shreds!”

“What are you so scared of?” Diamond Damsel stepped closer to the viewscreen herself. “Whatever you all came across, they’re no threat--”

Shocking everybody, Timber Wolf leaped across the bridge and slammed both fists into the bubble holding the Khund mercenary. ”What the sprock does Karth Arn have to do with any of this?!” Brin demanded at the mention of his old foe’s name.

“I was wrong!” Veilmist’s cries interrupted Timber Wolf's outburst. “You can’t stop this, none of you can! You...oh. Oh, Demon Mother, no.” Her eyes welled with tears as she realised teleportation was once more beyond her.

“Uh, Legion..?” Diamond Damsel squinted at the viewscreen. “Is it just me or...is that debris moving..?”

Then the first solid thunks reverberated through the hull.

**********
Kid Computo had picked up the ship’s intruder alert as quickly as anybody actually on board at the time; the girls had briefly considered turning back toward the cruiser they’d just left, but once it became apparent that their teammates on board were dealing with their unexpected guests Nightwind asked Danielle to monitor the situation from afar so they could press on. In no time, the three girls had caught up with Mon-El and Ultra Boy. Floating chunks of misshapen crystal let them know that Crystal Kid had been here as well. As Neon’s green field came up behind the two boys, Nightwind decided to just bite the bullet. “Ultra Boy, I know you must be in a panic about Phantom Girl but you can’t just ignore the chain of command. If you do it, everyone will.”

“It doesn’t matter anyway,” Jo cut her off with a harsh monotone. He held his palm out and Zoe’s power illuminated four flight rings in an eerie green. “This is all that’s left of them, Mon would have seen if they were anywhere even remotely nearby.”

“Oh!” Nightwind was take aback. She tried not to wonder too hard what the dark stain was on one of those rings. “Ultra Boy, I--I’m sure Phantom Girl’s still alive. I’m sure they all are--”

“What?” Nightwind’s pitying tone was enough to shake Jo out of his funk. “Nightwind, of course they’re all still alive. I know they’re not dead, I just told you; Mon would have seen if there were any trace of them...alive or dead. Don’t you get it though? Without their flight rings and with no trackers, how the sprock are we meant to find them now? For all we know, Tinya took them all into the Phantom Zone to save them from whatever happened here! You want to lead the team so bad? Where do you lead us from here?”

Nightwind was uncommonly cowed. She had no trouble standing up to someone like Polar Boy when he decided to give her attitude, she hadn’t spent most of her teenage years pining for his approval. Ultra Boy was one of the old-school Legionnaires though; even she hadn’t expected herself to hesitate like this. Then it came to her. “King Canary!” She yelped his name like she was sitting a test.

“Good thinking, Nightwind.” Mon-El gave her an encouraging smile; if it had been a test, she felt like she’d passed.

“Ultra Boy, you said it yourself.” Berta was more sure of herself now. “They’re not dead, right? And if they’re not dead then that means King Canary’s still wearing his harness. We can track that! Zoe, Danielle?”

“I guess we could work together on something..?” Zoe Saugin volunteered. “I mean if I can enhance Mwindaji’s tracking power, I don’t see why I shouldn’t be able to come up with something that can enhance yours, right Kid C?”

“Hmm..?” Kid Computo heard the sound of her name, but had no idea what the others had been discussing as she’d been distracted almost from the moment they’d joined Ultra Boy and Mon-El out here. Danielle hadn’t immediately noticed as she’d been maintaining her focus on the Legion cruiser’s internal surveillance systems, but eventually it had dawned on her that the vast majority of this debris all around them contained electronics of some description or another...she’d considered it nothing more than a curiousity at first because most of the electronics were inert anyway, but when she’d started probing the live systems she’d realised they were all discrete robotic mainframes. And then she’d noticed that the live systems were all situated at exactly the same distance from one another, and all of them seemed to be emitting “...a cloaking field…” she mouthed aloud. “Nightwind...guys, I think we need to get back to our ships. Like now.”

The moment she’d spoken, the cloud of debris came to life with the five Legionnaires dead in its centre. In no time they were all buried beneath a claustrophobic crush of robots, each one trying its best to kill them. Though the girls were for now protected by Neon’s power, Ultra Boy and Mon-El were soon completely out of sight. “Danielle, can’t you do something?!” Nightwind yelled at the wide-eyed girl at her side.

“There’s something...something different about them.” In spite of the danger, Danielle Foccart placed her palm up against Neon’s emerald barrier and her voice was filled with wonder. “Nightwind, there are thousands of them out there, but all of them...each and every one is unique. How are they all so distinct from one another..?”

“Hey, be awestruck later please!” Berta rolled her eyes and turned to Zoe. “You can withstand this, right? I mean they’re just robots!”

“Sure,” Zoe answered easily. “They’re using a whole range of weapons, but nothing’s come close to penetrating so faaaaarhh!!” All three of the girls clutched their heads as a high-pitched whine felt like it was shaking their skulls into fragments. Still, Neon’s field faltered but it didn’t fail.

“That...that’s called a neural lance,” Kid Computo grimaced. “And it’s super nasty so we’ll just switch that off, thanks!” She glared at the trio of robots responsible for the assault and they instantly shut down.

“Welcome back,” Nightwind gripped Danielle’s shoulder to steady herself. “Can you hide us from them? We’re at a massive disadvantage until we know what we’re up against.”

“Yeah..” Kid Computo replied uncertainly before repeating herself with more confidence. “Yeah, I can. I didn’t expect so many of them but I should be able to give them a false sensor feed.”

“Good.” Berta raised her flight ring to her lips. “Nightwind to both ships, get the sprock out of here! Neon’s going to smash a way through these things and we’ll follow! Mon-El, Ultra Boy, if you can stop them following then do it but don’t waste any time...catch up with us as soon as you can. Oh, and Mon-El? Bring back one of these things with you, would you? I think it’s about time we learned exactly what this mess is we’ve been dragged into. Let’s go, Legion!”

Neon took a moment to consider her next move. They were well and truly smothered by these things right now, it’d take forever if she tried to push through all of them; this called for some creativity. With an out-of-place girlish giggle, Zoe shaped her field to look like Bouncing Boy and then expanded it swiftly outwards about 10 times its size. It sent robots of all shapes and sizes flying, and then before they could mount another attack she just as quickly drew the field back in tight around the three girls and reinforced it until it was an almost opaque missile that shot straight through the much less dense cloud of robots that now floated in confusion around them. While Kid Computo used her own power to hide them from the horde of machines, Nightwind watched the two Legion cruisers intently to make sure they were going to be able to get away. With the ships’ assailants repelled by some combination of Cosmic Boy, Tellus and Light Lad’s abilities they too were soon free and out of sight. Berta wasn’t worried about Mon-El or Ultra Boy; even those two powerhouses might find thousands of murder machines a challenge to battle, but Berta had complete faith in their ability to escape the horde.

As the Legionnaires sped off into the void, Nightwind took a moment to silently congratulate herself. She’d been thrown her first real crisis as deputy leader and she’d reacted decisively and without hesitation. Almost immediately, a pang of guilt replaced her pride. She’d only survived that encounter thanks to Neon and Kid Computo, and most of the Legionnaires she’d brought with her as experienced as they all were wouldn’t have fared any better. Berta had no doubt in Phantom Girl or Crystal Kid’s abilities, and even Gravity Kid had his Academy training to support him but none of them really knew anything about Strut or King Canary. It defied all reason that those five could have survived that onslaught.

Still, defying reason was one of the things the Legion of Superheroes did best. Nightwind tried to focus on that and tried to ignore the memory of the blood-stained flight ring she’d seen in Ultra Boy’s hand…

**********

ELSEWHERE
Phantom Girl shaded her eyes as the door to her cell slid into its recess and a group of silhouettes entered the dark room bathed in intense light from the corridor outside. Her body was aching all over from the beating she’d been given, but she forgot about all of that the moment Strut half-staggered, half-fell into the room with her. “Strut!” Tinya leaped to her feet to help him, but by the time she reached him he’d already lowered himself to the floor. “Are you badly hurt?”

“Your melodramatic bug friend is fine,” one of the other men replied, his hate-filled voice immediately recognisable to Tinya. “We’re not going to kill any of you before your big day tomorrow, Phantom Girl.” The cell lights switched on to reveal Mano, with the lumbering Mordecai and the villainous Karate Kid rounding out the group.

“At least our quarters are spic and span,” Strut looked around the spotless chrome cube. “Honestly, the idea of what these miscreants might think of as appropriate accommodations was far more terrifying than any physical violence their robot cronies put me through.”

“What’s this about, Mano?” Phantom Girl demanded. “And where are our friends?”

“You should thank us, Phantom Girl.” Though Tinya couldn’t see the sadistic smile on Mano’s obsidian face, she had no doubt he was loving every second of this. “Karth Arn and Catspaw are making sure that half-naked idiot and the one with the crystal powers are nice and settled in as we speak. Arn wanted to let you all die out there with those Khunds and your stupid little super-pet mascot, you know. He doesn’t think we’re ready for Legion attention, but the Fatal Five have been cutting a swathe across the Khund Empire for months now. The Legion are nothing to us anymore...especially not you, some effeminate insect and two other brats I’ve never heard of.”

“I’ve never murdered a Bgltzr before,” the young Karate Kid’s eyes gleamed with the thought of it. “Nor a four-armed opponent.”

“You shouldn’t discount my lower limbs,” Strut replied. “Though perhaps you can only count to four, you poor dear; I shouldn’t make fun.”

“Karate Kid and I convinced Arn to keep you all alive a little longer,” Mano sneered, “But don’t get too used to it. You and your crew of misfits are going to be the guests of honour at a very public execution at daybreak tomorrow, and when the worlds we’ve subjugated see how easily we slay four members of the Legion of Superheroes they’ll support us 100% when we invade the United Planets and slaughter every other hero in our path.”

“You’re only fooling yourself, Mano.” Phantom Girl laughed despite the stab of her bruised ribs. “I’m the first to admit I’m not the most powerful Legionnaire in the galaxy but do you really think an army of robots is the revolutionary force that’s going to take down Mon-El or Blok or half a dozen other Legionnaires I could name?”

“An army.” Mano chuckled darkly, Mordecai accompanying him with a sympathetic rumble. Even the preternaturally serene Karate Kid’s lips curled into a half-smile. “You weren’t listening, Phantom Girl. We don’t have an army. You; show them.” Tinya noticed for the first time a small wheeled droid had come in just behind the massive Mordecai; it breeped obediently, and one whole wall of the cell became a viewscreen. What Phantom Girl saw there chilled her to the marrow, and struck even Strut speechless. They were in a towering structure in a megalopolis which stretched as far as they could see, and on every balcony and window of every other one of the countless hundreds of buildings around them were equally countless robots. Robots swarmed the streets far below, and robots crowded the skies above. The airborne robots almost hid the night sky completely but they left just enough visibility for Phantom Girl and Strut to see the two enormous moons which hung above them, each satellite completely covered in the telltale lights of an active civilisation...beyond those, two more smaller spheres passed through the sky and though they were far enough distant that any detail was obscured, Phantom Girl knew with utter certainty that they too were blanketed completely by robots.

“We don’t have an army,” Mano repeated. “We have worlds, Phantom Girl.

...Welcome to Robotica.”

TO BE CONTINUED!!!
I love seeing the Legionnaires having fun with their powers smile

looks like Tinya has a similar idea about King Canary. he has not been caught

As a Nightwind fan, i’m very pleased with how you show her adjusting to being leader. she has some doubts, but still very decisive - doesn’t let them cripple her.

also love how you showed the menace of Robótica. from pointing out that only the combination of Zoe and Danielle got them and Berta out of there, to showing that Tinya and co only survived because the Five wanted them to

and Strut continues to make me laugh

also the reminder that Brin has a personal stake and that Tel (and Bobb) have training to fall back on

great installment ad always
Posted By: Omni Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 08 MAY* - 05/11/19 07:29 PM
These are some cool installments Raz.


Poor Oktia. I can only imagine the amount of confusion she's in.
Oh no! Alec Arkane can take control of her now? Something else else tells me we're going to need some magic to block his influence.

Ya Quislet's back....;-X at least it didn't get too out of hand.

I liked that the team didn't go on that mission with the intent to capture the Khunds but set out to help keep the city safe from the damage their escape has caused.
lol, Dream Girl correcting Firecrest. I could just see her giving him a face.
Go, Colossal Boy! I never realized Gim had height maximums. Pretty cool to see him reach that height. Maximum heights might be a storyline idea...

Nice, I'm glad Jacques got a power upgrade. I wonder if its all tech now and is that headache going to happen every time he uses it?

Great use of Color Kid's powers on the falling Khundian.

And so now we catch up with the captured. I love Phantom Girl throughout all of this. She's strong and confident.
Strut is very entertaining. Those sensing powers are going to come in handy. I think he could be an auxiliary member of the Espionage Squad.
Veilmist's denial of Tinya was strong. But I'm glad that she gave in knowing that it wasn't getting them anywhere.

Lots of robots being commanded by Karth Arn and the Fate Five...for a moment I thought you were leading us to a Fatal Five Hundred scenario.
The battle with those bots was well done. Gravity Kid's practicality and adhering to his training was great and glad that Tinya knew that was great.
I liked how you used her and how she knew how to use her team.
Strut going out into the void was funny to read. It was another good moment of showcasing the new kids from the veterans but they are holding their own.
I'm glad Crystal Kid saved the Khunds but I wish we could have seen him cut loose against the bots.
Glad they are wanted alive and not dead.

Gravity Kid's trick was cool with finding King Canary. Too bad he couldn't find him faster. So, now King Canary is out there or did he get captured?

Take charge Nightwind! I liked how we got to see her wrestle with her self about how to do take charge with Ultra Boy.
Mon-el is so level headed.
Ulta Boy in every reality needs to calm down when it comes to Tinya it seems.

Neon is becoming very versatile in the team. Kid Computo is going to get a work out soon I bet.
Wow, Veilmist attacks again and so does Timber wolf.
The team barely got out of there before those robots really started in on them. Nice.
Good call on Nightwind to take a captive.

Quote
Your melodramatic bug friend is fine,”
Loved this line.

So our fatal five now is Mano, Mordaci, Karate Kid (IV?), and Catspaw right?

The imagery for this last scene was just wow. from the shadowy tossing of Strut to All those robots and the pan up to the moon and beyond. I loved it and can't wait for more.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 08 MAY* - 06/06/19 10:38 AM
Thanks for the comments y'all...sorry I haven't been updating, real life has gotten in the way as it does tongue

I did just write what I hope is a really good scene which develops two of the newbies a little more though; I think the next chapter's gonna be less action and more character moments and story background...I'm also glad the Nightwind fans are happy with my Berta, especially as she's been stuck in a situation where her powers aren't much help!

Omni: the Fatal Five here are all the ones you mentioned plus Karth Arn...I forgot to mention but I did write-ups for all of them bar Mano in my profiles thread if anybody wants a refresher!
That Berta's powers are not helpful at all, makes her leadership shine even more. And as a big Berta fan, I'm very happy with that!
Hi all! Sorry it's taken me so long to update....I have had a lot of real life distraction, but also for some reason have found this particular chapter extremely hard to write! I think it's because it's so heavy on exposition, it's taken me a lot of rewrites to get it to a point where I'm happy publishing (and I still don't really love it tbh) but anyway without further ado....

**********
ROBOTICA PRIME
Isolation Cube 272/6


ROLL CALL
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation


It had been two hours since Crystal Kid and Gravity Kid had been worked over by Karth Arn’s robot enforcers and unceremoniously dumped in a cell together. The boys had been trying to come up with an escape plan, but finally they had to admit they were stymied. Between the measures taken to limit their powers and their ignorance as to the whereabouts of their other teammates, they didn’t really have any option other than to bide their time.

“I hate this,” Gravity Kid scowled as he paced the cell. “Either one of us could have taken Karth Arn and his creepy cat-girl sidekick along with their robot goons and he knew it.”

“He also knows that we know that the nano we make a move, he gives the order to kill the other Legionnaires,” Crystal Kid replied from where he sat against a wall with his head slumped in defeat. “I bet that’s the only reason Phantom Girl hasn’t come looking for us, she’s probably in the exact same situation we are.” A moment of silence passed between them, then Crystal Kid raised his head and gave Tel a half-smile. “...Thanks for the vote of confidence though.”

Gravity Kid smirked back. “I’ve seen you in action; a cloud of nanobots can get turned to crystal as easy as anything else can.”

“I guess.” Bobb chuckled, then winced at the pain it brought. “It’s just...I don’t get a lot of respect, you know? Sprock, what am I talking about...how could you know? You got snapped up out of the Legion Academy before you even graduated. I wasn’t even the third choice out of my class.”

Gravity Kid stopped pacing and crouched down before his fellow recruit. “Hey, everyone’s path is different - doesn’t make it any less valid. I mean Bouncing Boy--”

“--tried out four times before the Legion let him join,” the two boys finished the sentence together. “I heard that story at the Academy too,” Bobb grinned. This time they both laughed, ignoring the twinges of discomfort it brought.

Just as their laughter subsided, Gravity Kid clutched his abdomen and hissed in air dramatically. He hunched over and lost his balance then lowered himself to the floor, sitting by Crystal Kid’s side against the wall.

“You okay..?” Bobb asked with concern. “Maybe you should try and rest, huh? If they beat you even a little worse than they beat me, you might have internal injuries.”

“No.” Tel broke out into a cold sweat, his eyes closed in defiance of the pain he was clearly feeling. “No, I know what this is. I’ll be fine in a...okay, there.” He released a long exhalation and the tension drained from his face.

Are you okay?” Bobb repeated, one eyebrow raised. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Not unless you’re carrying a secret stash of promasc,” Tel answered dryly, rolling his head to the left to see what he assumed would be Bobb’s shocked reaction.

If Crystal Kid was shocked, he was doing a good job of hiding it. “Promasc?” he asked casually. “That’s that gender expression med, right?”

Gravity Kid nodded. “My dose is a few days late,” he continued with a sigh. “I got so excited about my tryout and with making my Mr E costume and everything that I...I kind of forgot. I was gonna do it after the meeting but well...Veilmist happened, and here we are.”

“Grife…” Crystal Kid gave him a sympathetic look. “Are you....I mean...sorry, I don’t know how to ask this diplomatically but...is it going to get...worse?”

“Am I going to suddenly transform into a girl now that I don’t have my gendermeds, you mean?” Gravity Kid asked sharply. “I’ve got about a standard week before all the really fun stuff starts. Then I’m told it’s sprockin’ excruciating as my body defaults to factory settings. I guess it’s a good thing we’re being executed tomorrow morning, huh? At least I get to die as...as me.” Suddenly hit with emotion, Tel cleared his throat self-consciously and looked away from his cellmate.

“Actually, I was just worried about how much you’re gonna be hurting,” Crystal Kid replied. “I’ll tell you one thing though, pal. We’re not dying tomorrow. We might both be ex-Academy, but only one of us here has been a member of the Legion of Substitute Heroes and that team teaches you something else altogether; no matter what happens, you better believe we’re gonna find some crazy way to get through this.”

Tel turned back to face him again, his expression lighter. “Thanks for the pep talk, and...and for not being weird about it. I appreciate it, a lot of people are still very not okay with overt gene modification of that extent.”

“Hey, it’s the 31st century,” Crystal Kid shrugged. “A lot of people need to catch up.”

The boys sat in silence for a moment longer before Bobb spoke up again. “Seriously though, we should at least try and get some rest. Our opportunity will come and when it does we need to be ready to take it. You go first, I’ll wake you up before morning.”

“Are you sure?” Tel asked.

“Crystal clear,” Bobb replied with a hammy wink.

“Grife,” Tel rolled his eyes, “After that, I almost hope we die tomorrow morning.”

The unfamiliar sound of human laughter carried through the halls of the building once again into the night.

**********
ELSEWHERE


ROLL CALL

Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn: magnetism
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: gravity negation
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Neon II aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time


In the very small brig of a Legion cruiser, Nightwind, Supergirl and Mon-El watched as Kid Computo stood over the unmoving remains of the robot Mon-El had brought on board at Nightwind’s request.

“What do you think, Danielle?” Nightwind asked. “Can you excavate some answers from this guy?”

“Um, obviously.” Kid Computo snorted in mock arrogance. She earned a snigger from Laurel, but Nighwind and Mon-El’s expressions never faltered. “Sorry,” Danielle coughed, “Probably not the time or place. But yeah, sure. Just give me a nano and--” The young woman stopped mid-sentence, a faraway look in her eye. She slowly turned to gaze at the robot before them, her eyes narrowing in unexpected comprehension.

“This again..?” Nightwind sighed. “Hey, Legion to Kid Computo - you still with us?” She waved a hand before Danielle’s face.

“Yeah, yeah…of course...” Danielle turned away from the robot, but to her teammates it didn’t seem that she particularly wanted to. She blinked a couple of times and then seemed once again her normal self. “...I just had an idea actually. Mon-El, can you carry our friend here to the bridge? I can use the holotransmitters there to show everyone what’s in his head.”

Nightwind frowned. “I don’t know if I’m super comfortable bringing this thing to the bridge of our cruiser, Kid Computo...and no offence, but you’ve been super weird every time you make contact with one of these things.”

“Oh, come on.” Kid Computo rolled her eyes. “It’s no more of a threat right now than the autochef...and I admit I’ve been a little overwhelmed, but there’s something really unique about these robots that I can’t put my finger on. I’ve been possessed by an evil machine, I know what it feels like. Trust me, this isn’t that. Or if you don’t trust me, I guess we could always get Tellus to have a peek through my head.” Her tone was more defensive by the time she finished, her arms folded across her chest.

“Okay, okay, I get it.” Berta leaned back from her. “Grife, excuse me for wanting to protect us all. Just for the record, it’s not you I don’t trust. It’s these things that have done sprock knows what with five of our teammates. They might be an amazing piece of technology, but they still want us dead. Don’t forget that.”

Appropriately cowed, Danielle began to apologise but Berta ignored her and turned pointedly to Mon-El. “Sorry to make a pack animal out of you again, but can you please carry that thing to our bridge? I’m gonna go ahead and set up a link with our other cruiser so we can all see whatever there is to see.” With that, she turned and strode out of the room.

As Nightwind left and Mon-El fetched the robot, Kid Computo let out a long whistle of air. “...Who knew she was that intense?” Danielle mumbled to herself.

You try having Duplicate Damsel for a teacher,” Supergirl teased. “The hardass rubs off on you after a while.” The bemused girl of steel followed Mon-El, leaving Danielle to take up the rear.

**********
Minutes later the robot was lying on the floor of the ship’s bridge, Danielle Foccart on her knees by its side. Nightwind stood rigidly nearby, with ten other Legionnaires in various positions standing, sitting or leaning around them. Once the Legion had escaped the horde of Roboticans, Veilmist had been convinced to stay with them (despite the protests of her companion Khano). The Legion recognised the futility of trying to imprison a teleporter, so the two of them were seated under the very attentive eye of Timber Wolf. One section of the bulkhead was obscured by a hologram depicting the remaining nine Legionnaires who’d come along on this mission, standing on the bridge of their own vessel. “...I should have brought some styrofoam kernels for the show,” Matter-Eater Lad joked to Neon by his side.

“Okay, everyone ready?” Danielle asked. “Here goes! Okay, so...oh, wow. These robots...they’re a race, you guys.” As she probed the damaged robot’s memory, accompanying visuals appeared in hologram form. The Legion saw the enormous planet Robotica Prime, the homeworld of artificial beings whose origins were lost to antiquity. Five satellites circled the world, each given a designation from 1 to 5. Danielle told the Legion of the history of Robotica, a history of peace and contented isolation from every other race in the universe. The Roboticans had developed interstellar travel millenia ago, but when their first contact with extraterrestrial life had rewarded them with only fear and apprehension from their strange fleshy neighbours the Roboticans had decided the best path forward was to simply keep to themselves. For untold thousands of years they continued their exploration of the universe around them in secret, taking great measures to hide their existence from any organic creatures they encountered so as to spare them the shock of acknowledging artificial life.

Then the Khunds found them.

Epic holographic space battles illuminated the room. On one side, warships which were primitive compared to the technological standard of the 31st century but still recognisably of Khund design; on the other, vast clouds of spacefaring robots who’d never bothered to invent vehicles when they could just make themselves spaceworthy. “This is...this is actual footage,” Kid Computo gaped in wonder. “The Roboticans just pass the file down from generation to generation, upgrading to new technologies as they’ve evolved them. This is crazy! We’re watching an actual war between two civilisations from...well, I don’t quite get how they measure time yet, but this is from when the Khunds first developed space warfare!”

“That’s thousands of years ago!” Neon’s eyes grew wide as she realised what they were seeing. “It’s like...it’s like a flawless oral history!”

“Lies!” The Khund mercenary in their midst exploded in anger. He moved to leave his seat until Timber Wolf very firmly pushed him back down. “If my people faced this soulless militia, we would have conquered them and added their numbers to the Khund Empire!”

“Because you’re doing such a good job of that right now,” Polar Boy added sarcastically. “I’m sure ancient Khund starships held together with spot welds and optimism would have fared so much better.”

Khano fumed.

“They reached an impasse,” Kid Computo explained as the holographic history lesson continued. “Robotica had the advantage in numbers and tech, but they were nowhere near prepared for the Khunds’ savagery.”

“Kid Computo?” Elastic Lad asked, one arm extending four times its original length to point out a particular section of the holographic story. “Gee, I hate to interrupt - this is super fascinating! I was just wondering though, can you tell us what’s going on here?” The scene in question showed two burly pink-skinned Khund warriors standing over the remains of one of the Roboticans. The robot had been dismantled, all of its individual components spread out across a huge flat table. The two Khunds picked up and analysed various parts of the robot before them, and eventually matched complimentary parts of its anatomy to its counterpart on their own muscular frames. One quick fade later, both of the Khunds stood as primitive cyborgs.

“This isn’t literal footage,” Danielle’s eyes narrowed slightly. “It’s a virtual simulation, it’s...you know, I think it’s like a Robotican myth or a fable or something! But it’s drawing from real events...it’s...wow, if this is true…” She looked up from one teammate to another. “...I think this is where the Khunds developed their obsession with cybernetics. After they defeated the Roboticans, they cannibalised them, adapted them to their own anatomy!”

“Of course it’s not true!” Khano raged once more. “You think Khund genius owes any debt to these things?!”

“Well gosh, it makes sense!” Elastic Lad took to the topic with his normal enthusiasm, “After all, cybernetics tend to evolve among the worlds of the UP through medical prosthetics, but medical technologies even now are all but unknown in the Khundish Empire. Gee, imagine how much more that would be the case over a thousand years ago! But taking parts of your enemy to intimidate them and to strengthen your own position...that’s classic warfare, as yucky as it might be! I think Kid Computo’s on to something, you know!”

A growl of outrage built in the Khundish mercenary’s throat, but Nightwind interrupted before anybody could get any more carried away. “Okay, great history lesson guys, but this doesn’t help us! Danielle, do you think you could skip a millenium and give us some information that might actually be useful in the here and now?!”

“Yeah, yeah, sorry...of course.” Danielle Foccart looked down toward the cold robot lying before her and focused her concentration. The holograms around them faded, no longer fed by Danielle’s power. “After they met the Khunds the Roboticans retreated,” Kid Computo explained. “They weren’t ready for that level of violence. They kept to themselves up till recently, with only occasional skirmishes along the border space they shared with the Khunds. Then, for the first time in more than a thousand years, they met four new organic aliens...and for the first time in their racial history, they met an artificial lifeform who came from somewhere other than Robotica.” The holographic display began again; Veilmist, Khano, and 21 Legionnaires watched as a strange vessel was accompanied to the surface of one of the Robotican worlds and from that vessel stepped Karth Arn, Catspaw, Mano, Mordecai and Karate Kid.

“The Fatal Five!” Cosmic Boy exclaimed. Timber Wolf’s anger was almost palpable, and Veilmist glanced across at him in fearful submission.

“The Fatal Five proposed an alliance,” Kid Computo explained, “But after their experience with the Khunds, the Roboticans weren’t interested in any kind of relationship with organic life. So they...they...oh, nass.” Danielle’s words failed her, but they weren’t needed. From the point of view of one of the inhabitants of Robotica Prime, the Legionnaires watched as Mano’s familiar energy signature enveloped the furthest of Robotica’s five satellite worlds. Explosions rocked the planetoid’s surface and then just as he’d done to his own homeworld once, Mano’s power ended Robotica-5 and every artificial life upon it.

“They needed convincing,” Ultra Boy uttered darkly. “And so the Fatal Five convinced them.”

“And now they have an unstoppable army of death machines at their disposal,” Veilmist spoke up in the deathly quiet ship. “One which they have turned upon my people.”

“I’ve worked for conquerors,” Diamond Damsel added grimly. “Once they’re done with the Khunds, they won’t stop there.”

“No,” Mon-El agreed. “They won’t.” He looked at Ultra Boy and though neither of the men said a word, they both shared a dark understanding. This had become bigger than Phantom Girl and their missing recruits, bigger than any Legionnaire. If the Fatal Five weren’t stopped now, how many more innocents might die in their mad quest to expand their power?

“Kid C,” Jo Nah looked down at the teenager kneeling on the floor.

“...Where are the Fatal Five now..?”

**********

Some distance away from the two Legion vessels, a third ship hung in the black void of space. No visible lights dotted its surface, and jury-rigged technologies kept it cloaked from more exotic senses. No technology could hide it from Kid Computo’s power were that power turned against them, but a mixture of confidence, arrogance and desperation from the ship’s crew defied fear of that possibility.

“They’re on the move,” one of the ship’s crewmates reported. “We should move or we’ll lose them.”

“We won’t lose them,” the woman named Scorn retorted, fingering the bladed edge of her ornate dagger. “Until the Daxamite heals from the wound I inflicted upon him, I can track him anywhere else as easily as I tracked him here.”

“They are heading further into Robotican territory,” Firefist spoke up. “It would be madness for us to give pursuit, Galarr!”

“Would it?” the former warlord Galarr asked rhetorically. “You want your wife back, don’t you Firefist? We have every reason to believe that she is on one of those two ships. I think we should follow the Legionnaires and see how this pans out...unless of course, anybody here is frightened and wishes to run home to the safety of his mother’s bedclothes?” He addressed the crew as a whole, but looked pointedly at Firefist.

Firefist fumed. He did want Veilmist back; he’d been willing to take on the Demon Mother-accursed Legion of Superheroes to retrieve his wife. But the Fatal Five and their pet robot empire were a different story...they’d decimated every Khund fleet they’d encountered, and they’d encountered fleets far more powerful than this slapdash crew. His Khundish pride would not allow him to back down from a challenge though, even if he knew that challenge were to lead to his death.

“None of us are children,” Firefist snarled. “And all of us are willing to battle every step of our way to every Hell the Demon Mother sees fit to subject us to. Let us give pursuit then.”

The Khund vessel’s engines blazed to life, and Firefist was sure of one thing….die they might, but they would die in glory.

TO BE CONCLUDED!!!
Whew! Nice way of working in the sentient-Robot story from the Reboot.

Gravity Kid as a trans person! Quite a surprise, especially when I think of how hairy he is. But of course, technology.

Looking forward to the next installment as always!
Raz, hi, you've been busy since the last time I wrote a review for you and it's all great.

I'm loving your Khunds, they're always fun to mix things up with and Veilmist is the schemey minx we loved to hate in the comics. The fight with virtually the whole team against the Khund warriors was well written, and Elastic Lad ws the stand out star - I could never write a character like that so well and love it when you include him as he's such gosh darn fun! Laurels "don't touch the hair" line made me laugh as I've said the same thing on more than a few occassions too. Scorn is a great creation so I'm hoping you have more plans to use her soon.

Dream Girl's casual announement that the Khunds would escape was such a Nura moment, well written. Colossal Boy growing to 800 feet! That is HUGE! Jacques abilities seem to have been upgraded a bit after his experience with the Invisible Queen - looking forward to seeing how that goes, he never has had much luck with upgades in the past though at least this time e didn't kill a khund.

Phantom Girl and the four newbies have totally landed themselves in it - their fight against the bot army was well done - brief and intense but set the scene brilliantly.

Jo and Berta clashing was a good character moment in the midst of all the the bigger teams arrival - just like Ultra Boy to be so bullheaded when Tinya is in danger. Lots of nice character moments actually - Kid Computo's awe at the roboticans, Zoe creating a giant Bouncing Boy to escape the horde of attacking bots, Berta's confidence that the team would survive - all well done.

Mano commenting that their pet mascot was dead in space with the Khunds - King Canary I assume - made me realise we haven't seen him yet so I'm hoping that he's going to do a Wolverine at the Hellfire Club type save the day appearance soon. I'm certain you didn't create him just ti kill him off like that. Go King Canary!

Bbob and Tel's support for each other was well done. Tel uses Promasc - great name btw - that's an interteresting take and it'll be good to see where that story goes too.

Using Danielle to give us the Robotican's story was a good way of writing it out without it turning into dry exposition, and tying the Roboticans earlier battle with the Khunds to explain their love of cybernetics was inspired,

Go Scorn! looking forward to seeing how the Khunds get involved with this all.

Raz, I've spent the last 90 minutes rereading this and it was such a delight. I'm looking forward to more, more and much more!
Thanks peeps! The ride is nearly over, and I've had more fun writing the final chapter as so far it features big fights and Ayla being Ayla which is always a treat to write laugh

Scorn might be successfully writing herself into some bigger developments down the track somewhere, stay tuned... wink

Harbi, I really want to draw a Wolvie homage with King Canary looking tough in the Robotica sewers now hahaha laugh

Promasc seemed like a logical counter to profem (which is what Shvaughn used in the 5YL comics)...I've been wanting to do a less tone deaf transgender storyline than Shvaughn's story was for a while and I figured Tel is at a good level of character recognition for it to be accepted as a part of his background without feeling like a retcon, while also having enough going for him outside of that so it doesn't feel tokenistic. I'm hoping it comes off as an organic story element and not like I'm just ticking off a box smile

Last chapter should be up soonish!
BAD NEWS BEARS:

My laptop has died before I got a chance to upload my work booo...hopefully it can be fixed, but I'm moving house this month as well so it's highly unlikely I'll be updating any time soon. I guess we'll be back when we're back! frown
aw, sorry to hear, raz. I hate when that happens to me. I hate it so much that lately, I've taken to editing my work via PM. I have a PM thread with Blaze's account, and save my unfinished writing there... and just edit the PM when I want to. that might work for you!
Sad new Raz, hope you get it fixed soon and your move goes well.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 03 JULY* - 07/29/19 03:07 PM
Hey folks, while I'm sorting out my writing issues I thought y'all might like to see a quick design pic I did of Strut with bonus new costumes for Gravity Kid and Crystal Kid!

[Linked Image from i.ibb.co]
Posted By: Omni Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 03 JULY* - 08/17/19 07:26 PM
Aww, that's to bad to hear Raz about your comp. I hope it all works out!

Love the design for Strut and thank you for providing it!

I'm enjoying the practicality of your Crystal Kid and Gravity Kid dynamic/situation.
I also love Crystal Kid's reaction to Gravity Kid revealing that he takes profem and that he's more worried about his teammate's discomfort.
Yes, the Sub's do team you to be resilient. I really do love your Bobb.

Wow, what an amazing history of the Robotican and Khudian Empires. Love how you used Kid Computo to relay it in a really effective way. I do wonder though if she's been slightly corrupted now that she's been in contact with and how distracted she became. I hope not. I understand her getting defensive as I'm sure she does everything to make sure she doesn't get corrupted. Also, how would that work? does her mind have like a virus detection section now? or maybe her immune system works in the same way it would for biological virus' but on a tech created ones? Sorry, you've got my mind spinning with the possibilities.

Quote
“You try having Duplicate Damsel for a teacher,” Supergirl teased. “The hardass rubs off on you after a while.” The bemused girl of steel followed Mon-El, leaving Danielle to take up the rear.
this line made me lol.

A secret Robotican world that hid its self away from humanoids makes so much sense.
Of course, the Khund's found them...wow so that's why they are so cybernetically infused!

Love the idea of a Robotican Myth as to what happened to their fallen.
And of course, no society can admit when they've stollen from another but to incorperate like that is pretty harsh sounding.

No Mano!
I'm with the Robitcan's stay far away.
Even though it may be a while, I can't wait for more!
nice designs, raz. hope your writing issues are being sorted out and that everything is OK!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *2020 UPDATE WOOH!!* - 08/24/20 02:14 PM
Hey all,

So this must be some kind of record for writers' block, but I still have all my old notes and character arcs etc saved and I am trying to get back into writing again so I thought I might try and resurrect this series...while originally there was only one part left of my last story arc, I'm gonna break it up into a few different posts because after such a long time between drinks I'm a bit rusty and not great at making all this as concise as it normally would be.

BUT for anyone who's been hanging out a year to find out what happened to Tinya and the new recruits, you're in luck! tongue

Bit of an info-dump to catch us all up for people who don't want to have to go back and read the previous four chapters of this story (all the homemade or changed-so-much-they-might-as-well-be-homemade characters mentioned here have more detailed writeups in my companion thread here)

* The Legion's newest elected leader Phantom Girl had just inducted four new recruits (Gravity Kid, Strut, King Canary & Crystal Kid) to the team when the teleporting Khund Veilmist appeared out of nowhere and just as quickly teleported away with Tinya and the four newbies as a bunch of other Khunds attacked the meeting. The "bunch of other Khunds" include a super group called the Demon's Claw who are out to recapture Veilmist by any means necessary for her husband Firefist, and the Demon's Claw have successfully followed....

* ...Deputy leader Nightwind, who's led two cruisers full of Legionnaires out to find Veilmist and her kidnapped Legionnaires. Nightwind's crew didn't find their teammates but they did pick up Veilmist (and her Khund mercenary sidekick Khano) who'd been left for dead in space. Nightwind's crew fought the same horde of robots who'd taken out Phantom Girl's crew before them, and Kid Computo's power gave them some handy exposition; the robots are called Roboticans and it turns out they're an ancient race who may be indirectly responsible for the Khund's obsession with cybernetics. Robotica and the Khund Empire are currently at war, a war started by....

* ...the Fatal Five! Not the classic guys but Karate Kid III, Mano, Mordecai, Karth Arn and Catspaw - they've taken over Robotica and plan to use their new robot empire to walk all over the Khunds, the UP, and anyone else who stands in their way. But first of all, they're gonna publicly execute Phantom Girl and the surviving newbies, which leads us nicely to...

ROBOTICA PRIME
Execution Arenas 1-5


ROLL CALL
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader, intangibility
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology


Five worlds full of robotic life were almost wholly united in one task for one of the few times in their civilisation?s history as they watched eight strangers to this solar system emerge beneath an unforgiving sun on the surface of Robotica Prime.

Until recently Robotica had never heard of the Legion of Superheroes or the Fatal Five, but the latter group had made their mark on this peaceful machine society with the most violent act Robotica had suffered in centuries. The murderous Mano had disintegrated what had once been the sixth world in this system, callously wiping out an entire planet full of artificially intelligent lifeforms with one press of his destructive hand. The Fatal Five had used that act to cow Robotica into their service and when four Legionnaires had fallen into the villains? laps, the Fatal Five?s leader Karth Arn made certain that every single Robotican was well aware of the Legion of Superheroes? legendary exploits. That way, when four of his team slaughtered these Legionnaires today, any hope of rebellion among the four Robotican worlds would surely be crushed.

Each of the four Legionnaires stood upon their own arena against a counterpart from the Fatal Five; Strut and Mordecai, Crystal Kid and Mano, Phantom Girl and Karate Kid, and finally Gravity Kid and Catspaw. The arenas themselves were flat white discs some forty feet in diameter; enough room for the combatants to manoeuvre, but not enough room for any one fighter to endlessly avoid their opponent.

The final member of the Fatal Five and the only one who himself was an artificial intelligence, Karth Arn was just now completing his address to Robotica from a hovering platform which made its winding way around the crackling forcefields which domed each arena. ?...Thousands of Roboticans are present physically, though I know there are billions more who are watching today?s executions from afar,? he spoke. ?Make no mistake though, as entertaining as today?s events no doubt will be, they also function as a cautionary tale for any Robotican citizens who take it upon themselves to oppose their new masters. And without further ado, let the games begin!? Karth Arn?s speech was more for the benefit of the organics below him than the robots to whom it was addressed. He knew that the Roboticans would respond to cold data more than bluster, but it would inspire his teammates and unnerve the Legionnaires. The translucent forcefields, till now a pale amber, all changed frequency slightly so that the arenas were bathed in a crimson light. The manacles which had bound each Legionnaire fell away, and they faced their bloodthirsty opponents with mixed reactions.

**********

The Mantodean insectoid named Strut watched as three pairs of metallic restraints fell from his six limbs and clattered upon the ground. He felt more out of his element here than was usual even for him; artificial intelligence was something he had precious little experience with. More than that, he?d spent countless hours training his electrochemical senses to read the mammals which seemed to populate most of the universe beyond his homeworld but this particular mammal perplexed him.

Mordecai was huge, male, immensely strong, and full of rage; Strut had expected this, but his biochemical signature also matched someone suffering from deep depression and that couldn?t possibly be right. As the behemoth charged Strut, the neophyte Legionnaire began to make some quip but Mordecai?s inarticulate bellow drowned him out. Mordecai?s movements weren?t particularly elegant, but he was much faster than his size would indicate; two fists slammed into the arena where Strut had been standing a second earlier, the entire construct shaking with the impact. Strut clambered between the man-monster?s legs with ease, standing up again a dozen feet behind his foe. Strut expected his quick thinking to confuse his opponent, but Mordecai instantly spun around and stared him down.

?Congratulations, darling!? Strut called out with exaggerated sweetness, ?I?d honestly thought you weren?t smart enough to figure that little move out!? In return, Mordecai opened his mouth wide and roared in fury.

Let?s just hope I?m smart enough to figure out how to survive him, Strut thought as Mordecai made another charge?

**********

?Scared, kid?? Mano sneered at his own opponent as he swaggered toward Crystal Kid. ?You should be.?

?Are you kidding?? Bobb smirked in return. He still ached from his mistreatment the night before, but damned if he?d show this creep that. ?I might have only just joined the Legion of Superheroes but I know all about you, Mano. That hand of yours can destroy anything it touches, so all I have to do is make sure you never get the chance to touch me.?

Crystal Kid concentrated, and the power that was his namesake came to life. Bobb Cohan had never been the most academically gifted student in the Legion Academy, but the Fatal Five were the Legion of Superheroes? mightiest enemies and Mano was a founding member. From the Academy?s files, Crystal Kid knew Mano?s capabilities almost as well as if they?d actually fought. Bobb knew there was no point creating crystal walls or constructs, Mano would just disintegrate them. Instead, Crystal Kid turned his power on Mano himself. To the villain?s surprise, Mano?s whole body froze in mid-step. His destructive palm reached out uselessly toward Bobb, forever crystal.

Or so Bobb thought.

Content that he?d dealt with his foe, Crystal Kid turned to look at the forcefield surrounding the arena?.he knew from experience that he couldn?t convert energy fields to crystal, but maybe changing the arena itself would make a difference..? He was so preoccupied thinking about his options that it took him a moment to notice the slight cracking sound behind him. Not wanting to accept what he knew it must mean, Crystal Kid turned slowly toward the foe he?d just crystallized. Hairline cracks extended from Mano?s outstretched palm, stretching across his whole body. An ultraviolet glow that made Bobb wince was emanating from that palm and growing brighter as it refracted through the now fractured crystal, and finally the crystalline Mano exploded dramatically outwards. Fortunately the vast majority of crystal was converted back into Mano?s own biomass as his power destroyed Bobb?s, but some flying shards still left rips and tears in Crystal Kid?s costume and one marked a thin gash across his cheek. Bobb cried out in shock as he reflexively laid a hand upon his injured face.

?Cute power, kid.? Mano came closer, unfazed by his brief transformation. ?But I still drew first blood. Now let?s see if you?re any tougher than your dinky crystal!?

**********

Phantom Girl?s manacles had been purely for show, Karate Kid and she both knew that she could have phased out of them any time she?d wanted. Robotica had cobbled together technology to prevent her passing through structures, and Tinya had no doubt that they?d used that to trap her here in this arena. There was no way they had time to miniaturise that technology in order to make her restraints anything more than ugly bangles though. Tinya had gone along with the charade and allowed herself to be led out here with seeming docility, but the instant she realised that all four Legionnaires were out here together she?d been waiting for her chance to act.

When she heard a subtle click come from her restraints she knew they were about to disengage. She phased through them an instant before they opened of their own accord, grabbed them out of the air and flung them straight at Karate Kid?s head. He was taken by surprise, but he recovered from that surprise quickly enough to smash them into scrap metal with a well-placed kick. ?Did you honestly expect that to hurt me?? the younger boy smiled coldly.

?Not really,? Phantom Girl replied casually, ?I just wanted to see how well you stack up to the real Karate Kids.?

His smile faded immediately, but it was the only sign he showed that Tinya had gotten to him. With consummate professionalism, he regarded Phantom Girl while slowly circling her. He feinted once or twice before moving lightning fast with a strike which would have collapsed her windpipe had it connected. Instead, his fierce jab passed harmlessly through the intangible girl while her still solid elbow cracked across the side of his head. ?I have to say,? Tinya continued, ?I?m not impressed so far.?

The teen martial artist was barely fazed by the blow, though Tinya knew it would have taken most normal men out. He might not be able to hurt me, she thought to herself, But he?s not going to make this easy. She passed straight through him, spinning on her heel as she did. In a second she was standing behind him, and she tried for a kidney punch.

Karate Kid grabbed her fist without even turning. Tinya gasped in shock, and he pivoted to face her so abruptly that if she hadn?t phased out of his grip he would have surely broken her wrist. He still twisted it painfully, and Tinya shifted to full intangibility to breathe it out while her arm hung limply at her side.

?Perhaps you will find this more impressive.? Karate Kid narrowed his gaze and stared through her with predatory black eyes. He moved slowly and with deliberation as he took on a different fighting stance, and then both hands came together to thrust at Phantom Girl?s solar plexus. She hadn?t even bothered trying to evade him, confident in her power?s ability to protect her now that she was fully immaterial...so she was completely unprepared for what felt like a horse kicking her in the gut.

Phantom Girl flew backwards with a choking yelp, coming to a rest on the arena floor. As much as it pained her to do so, she lifted her head up and gave Karate Kid a panicked look. ?How...how did you..?? Tinya Wazzo rasped.

?Even when you use your vaunted power, some part of you exists upon this plane,? Karate Kid explained calmly. ?If this were not true, how could I see you? I simply needed to study you in different states of intangibility to gauge how best to meet your chi with mine.? He returned to the same stance once more, his murderous gaze passing over her prone form. ?Yours will not be a swift end, Phantom Girl. The damage I can visit upon you is dependent on how fully you exist on my dimensional plane. But make no mistake, I will end you.?

With agonising effort, Phantom Girl pushed herself up to a seated position. If this was what a fraction of Karate Kid?s strength felt like, she never wanted to face his full might. ?That?s not gonna happen,? she uttered. ?You wanna know why..?? Her answer was a side kick to the jaw, and Tinya spat blood as she splayed across the floor once more.

?Let me humor you,? Karate Kid bounced back into place. ?What possible reason could you have to think that you will leave here alive this day, woman??

Tinya knew that had she been solid, that blow would have taken her jaw clean off. She needed to do this now, while doing anything at all was still an option. ?It?s not gonna happen...? she groaned, ?Because the Legion of Superheroes are a team...and the Legion of Superheroes look out for each other??

Karate Kid visibly relaxed, allowing himself the indulgence of a wide grin at Phantom Girl?s statement. ?And who exactly is it that?s looking out for you, hmmm?? He approached her and crouched down so that he could look her in the eye. ?All of your friends will soon be equally dead as you, Phantom Girl.?

This was the opening Tinya had been waiting for. She had needed to get him this close so that even his reflexes and fighting skill wouldn?t be enough to evade what was coming next, because she knew they?d only have one chance at this. She didn?t flinch once as she matched his glare, but she stopped answering his taunts; this next part needed concentration.

?What is that noise?? Karate Kid raised one eyebrow. ?Like some ethereal song...what are you doing, woman??

The song soon became a shrill cry and that very quickly became something not far away at all. Before Karate Kid could mount any kind of defence a small golden bird with black-tipped wings came into view as though it had literally flown straight out of Phantom Girl?s chest. The last of the Legion?s newest recruits let loose with an ear-piercing sonic cry, and Karate Kid was unconscious before he even hit the ground as King Canary made it known to one and all that he was still very much alive.

?Call me a mascot...? the little bird grumbled. ?That?ll show you who?s a sprockin? mascot!? He flew in a wide circle and came back to face Phantom Girl as she found her way to her feet. ?Thanks for lettin? me outta there, boss lady. I get why you tucked me away in the Phantom Zone back when those robot jerks ambushed us, but I don?t mind tellin? ya I was startin? ta go a little nuts in there. What?s our next move??

?Forcefield...? Tinya winced. ?We need to disable this forcefield before we can do anything else, and I?ll bet you however many creds you like that the apparatus is right below us.?

?That delicate liddle humming you probably can?t hear says you?re right,? King Canary replied. ?Hang tight, this oughtta be easy.?

Phantom Girl took a moment to catch her breath and steady herself while King Canary darted about the arena looking for the greatest source of hypersonic vibrations below them. Back when they?d first been ambushed by the Roboticans and it had become apparent this was a fight that she and the four new recruits were going to lose, Tinya had remembered Jo telling her about 89?s subterfuge recently on Talok III and realised she could use that same tactic herself.

The Bgltzr heroine had taken a great risk sequestering King Canary away in the Phantom Zone, a risk she could only take because he had so little mass to displace. The brave little bird was an almost wholly untested quality and the Phantom Zone could be a mind-bending place. She?d hoped to be able to release him far sooner, but it had taken this long for the remaining four Legionnaires to finally be brought together in one place. Now that King Canary was free however, he was proving that the Legion had been right to induct him. Already he?d discovered the best frequency to take out the fragile machinery beneath their feet without actually damaging the arena itself. While he screamed at a pitch which put Tinya?s teeth on edge, something else came to her. ?King C!? she yelled. ?If you can hear me, activate the emergency beacon on your flight harness! None of us have our flight rings on us!?

The unearthly sound stopped as the crowned golden bird fluttered back to Phantom Girl?s side. ?You got it, boss lady. If ya don?t mind me askin? though, how do we fight a whole planet??

?It?s not just one planet,? Phantom Girl replied, ?It?s five.? Her eyes were drawn to the forcefield around them as the results of King Canary?s assault finally bore fruit and the energy dome flickered and vanished. ?And we?re not going to fight them. Free Gravity Kid, he can help you with Crystal Kid and Strut. Then I want you all to converge on me. We?re getting out of here, Legionnaire.?

?Not that I got anything against that idea,? the avian prince?s sonic mastery allowed his voice to carry to Phantom Girl even as he left her arena and approached Gravity Kid?s, ?But are you sure ya got the juice to pull that off? Ya told me it was hard enough to send me to the Phantom Zone on my own!?

?...Just go, King Canary,? Phantom Girl coughed. ?That?s an order.?

?You?re the boss!? Without another word of dissent, he dipped and darted away.

**********

One of the criticisms passed on to Gravity Kid when he?d been a student at the Legion Academy was that he had a tendency toward overconfidence. His teachers had warned him over and over that there was always somebody tougher or smarter or more powerful out there, and Tel really had tried to take that lesson on as best he could. Coming out here today though and seeing that his opponent was Catspaw...he couldn?t help but feel that his victory here was a foregone conclusion. Sure, Catspaw was fast and strong, and her claws could rip him to pieces if she got close enough. With his control of gravity though, there was no reason he needed to let her get anywhere near him.

At least that had been his initial assessment. Now, six whole seconds into this mess, he was starting to wonder if maybe his Academy teachers had been right.

April Dumaka wasn?t just fast, she moved like predatory lightning. In the time it had taken Tel?s manacles to fall to the ground and for him to raise an arm toward his foe, Catspaw had almost cleared the length of the arena in one powerful leap straight at him. He?d given a startled cry and his power had flung her back across the arena, but she?d been close enough to gutting him that some of her fur lay moulted on the floor at his feet. Since then, they?d been playing an almost literal game of cat and mouse.

For all her savagery, Catspaw wasn?t stupid. She could easily jump from one end of this battleground to the other, but she knew now the disadvantage she faced in mid-leap where her uncanny agility could only help her so much. Now she made her way closer to Gravity Kid with smaller bounds, sprinting this way and that. When she sensed that he was about to attack, she could dodge with much more success when she had both feet on the ground. Catspaw preferred toying with her prey to outright slaying them anyway, and she knew that her opponent would run out of steam long before she would.

As Gravity Kid tried and failed to hold Catspaw in place one more time, he swore under his breath. He couldn?t help but feel that if either Star Boy or Light Lad were here, they could use their respective powers to saturate the entire dome and then it wouldn?t matter how fast and nimble that cat girl was. Tel?s power, while more versatile in application, was far more limited in the amount of area or mass that it could affect. Even if he weren?t beaten up and suffering from promasc withdrawal, he couldn?t actually use his power on anything much larger than Catspaw without conscious focus...and if he paused long enough to give himself that focus, Catspaw would gut him where he stood.

Finally, something went Tel?s way; the air was filled with a shrill screeching sound, and it threw the hypersensitive Catspaw off her game for the briefest moment. She staggered in position long enough for Gravity Kid to take advantage, and soon April Dumaka floated harmlessly fifteen feet in the air. When the forcefield surrounding them flickered and faded, Gravity Kid saw the source of the sound zip overhead.

?King Canary!? Tel exclaimed in genuine shock. ?You?re alive?! I mean, you?re alive!! That?s fantastic! But how--?

?No time for that, kid!? King Canary interrupted. ?We gotta use the element o? surprise while we got it! If you got Mizz Furball here under control, help break Crystal Kid free and converge back on Phantom Girl!?

?You?ve got it!? Gravity Kid shot back, his confidence surging once more. ?You see, Catspaw?? he taunted his fuming enemy, ?None of you stood a chance once the Legion worked togeth--aargh!? Gravity Kid suddenly doubled over, waves of agony coursing across the battlefield of hormones that Tel Vole?s body was slowly becoming. His power over Catspaw waned, and the second she landed on the arena floor she was already bolting straight for him.

King Canary saw this, and he clucked with annoyance as he diverted his flight path to rend a tear in the floor before Catspaw with a well-placed sonic assault.

?Little bird want to become Catspaw?s first course?? April Dumaka?s grin bared razor sharp fangs. ?Catspaw can live with that -- what..?? Catspaw and King Canary both possessed senses far keener than any other organic being here, and the two of them now turned their attention skyward to a whistling sound too distant for anybody else to hear. The far away twinkle of an emerald light however soon zoomed close enough that heroes and villains alike knew what it meant.

...The Legion of Superheroes had come to save their own.

**********
whoohoo! what an amazing installment, raz. Glad you decided to write again.

Love the 1-on-1 fights that let us see a bit more what each can do.

Love the creative ways you made Karate Kid vs. Tinya and Gravity Kid vs. Catspaw much more even matches (and a tad un-even, KK vs. Tinya, when you think about it)

Highlighting Gravity Kid's over -confidence while also pointing out what most (if not all) readers would think - that Catspaw would be no match for him - was brilliant,

as was King Canary hiding in the Phantom Zone.

and of course, the cavalry appears. Can't wait to see the next installment!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Postlo3w stories *2020 UPDATE WOOH!!* - 08/25/20 09:33 AM
Nice to have you back writing for us again Raz, this was an unexpected surprise!

Lots of nice touches, from Karth Arn's twisted ego on full disply when he made the announcement, to KK3's logic at how to get to Phanom Girl, Strut is always a delight and of course Bbob's overconfidence against mano - like being turned to crystal will ever stop one of the original Fatal Five! Gravity Kid against Catspaw does seem one sided but you made it far scarier than expected. The big treat was the return of King Canary and a brilliant explanation for his disappearance earlier on. Go King Canary!

And now the cavalry are here I have a feeling things may not go as smoothly as Tinya expects...

Great stuff, thoroughly enoyable read leaving me wanting more, more and much more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 03 JULY* - 09/01/20 02:43 PM
ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn: magnetism
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: gravity negation
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Neon II aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader, intangibility
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology

Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time[/i]

Sheathed in an emerald forcefield, a Legion cruiser hovered above Robotica Prime?s hastily erected execution arenas. The forcefield?s creator Neon accompanied the ship at portside, her own body glowing with green light from within. Mon-El flanked the ship?s starboard side, his deep blue cape spread out above and behind him as he descended. Ultra Boy had been flying in just below the ship?s undercarriage, but as soon as he sighted Phantom Girl below he broke ranks without a second thought.

?Tinya!? Jo Nah raced to her side as fast as his flight ring would carry him. ?Sprock, I was so worried about you!? He grabbed the now very tangible Phantom Girl in both arms and held her tight, kissing her passionately.

?Ow, Jo -- ow! Honey, stop!? She turned intangible once more and backed away right through his clutching arms.

For the first time, Jo realised that she looked as though she?d been through a wringer. ?Tinya? What happened? Did they hurt you? I?ll--?

?It?s okay,? she switched her power off and kissed him on the lips lightly. ?You weren?t gonna know...but Jo, we have to get out of here.? She looked around at the oddly passive Roboticans surrounding them. ?I don?t know why Karth Arn hasn?t sent a platoon of robots after any of us yet, but we can?t count on that lasting forever. We have to regroup while we still can.?

?It?s okay,? Ultra Boy gave her a reassuring smile. ?Kid Computo?s taken care of it for us...as far as anyone else on this planet?s concerned, we?re not here. Well, obviously she can?t fool Mano and his pals but it doesn?t look like they?re gonna be a problem for much longer.? Jo and Tinya looked across to see that Legionnaires had begun pouring out of their shuttle and were even now dividing up to help Strut, Gravity Kid, King Canary and Crystal Kid with their opponents.

?My hero.? Tinya finally let herself relax, but then something above and beyond her lover caught her eye. ?Wait...where?s Mon going??

Ultra Boy turned around to see Mon-El flying back up and away from the rest of the Legion. It soon became apparent exactly what he was flying towards; a decrepit but unmistakably Khund vessel was diving straight at them all and it opened fire seemingly randomly as the Daxamite drew closer. Mon-El?s superspeed and invulnerability meant that he could easily intercept every disruptor blast before it could damage his friends or anybody else on Robotica, but the sudden burst of activity was clearly too much for Kid Computo to have accounted for. It was clear to all that she?d lost control of the artificial lifeforms around them when Karth Arn?s voice suddenly rang through the open space with a harried kill order. Only slightly more than half the Roboticans present listened to their new dictator, but they were more than enough. Within two seconds, the scene was one of potential mayhem.

Nightwind had just left the Legion cruiser when the Khund vessel had appeared. As the sky filled with robots of different shapes and sizes, she approached Neon. ?I don?t know who these new idiots are and I know they?re not going to be a match for Mon-El, but he can?t trash their weapons and keep this weird robot planet from killing all of us at the same time. Can you expand your forcefield to include their ship as well as the rest of us? Just give me a sec to buy us some space.?

?How are you going to do that?? Zoe blinked. ?I mean no offence but there must be hundreds of those things, Nightwind!? Indeed, the sky was already almost completely blotted away.

?Yeah well?.we?re not in space anymore,? Berta Skye Haris muttered, ?And I?ve been itching to do something useful since we left Mars.? She floated up only a few feet above Neon, and cast both arms wide. The shiny black straps attached to her costume caught the wind and flicked up like the plumage of some great bird, and everyone soon felt a fierce motion run through the air around them. The abrupt updraft didn?t really gain momentum until it cleared both Mon-El and the Khund ship, but once it had done that it swiftly became a tide of force. It battered robots back, broke their more delicate parts and cracked veneers. In no time, most of the attacking Robotican force had been driven back far enough that Zoe Saugin could easily create a hardlight barrier between them and everyone else.

?Good work, you girls.? Cosmic Boy appeared near Zoe and Berta. ?Some of them got through though...Neon, can you make your barrier permeable just over here for a moment?? He gestured at a portion of the emerald dome which remained relatively untargeted by the Roboticans outside, and somewhere between twenty to thirty robots within the dome were propelled there by magnetic force.

?I?m not Phantom Girl,? Neon shot back. ?I can either phase through stuff or not phase through stuff, I can?t do that fancy half-half thing she does...but let?s try this instead.? The dome?s interior grew an ancient vault door, its central lock spun wildly and the door flung itself open just in time for Cosmic Boy?s cargo to hurtle through to the other side. As soon as they?d cleared the hardlight dome, the door slammed close once more. Neon looked toward Cosmic Boy and Nightwind to playfully brag, but the two of them had already flown off to where they were next needed.

?Oof,? Zoe?s cheeks puffed out. ?Tough crowd!?

**********

With Catspaw?s attention turned to King Canary, Gravity Kid had decided to make himself useful elsewhere as soon as he?d felt recovered from his earlier poorly timed agony. Using his powers to crumple the inner workings of the forcefield surrounding Strut and Mordecai had been much easier however than doing anything to Mordecai directly.

?He?s too strong!? Tel trembled, trying to ignore the constant stabs of pain from his own treacherous body while he struggled to tear away the killer grip with which Mordecai had finally managed to hold Strut. The inarticulate monster held Strut aloft like some sick party cracker waiting to be torn in two, and it was all Gravity Kid could do to keep him frozen in place. He knew he?d only last another second or two though, and was immensely relieved when a bolt of lightning left a charred black tear in the floor at Mordecai?s feet.

?Let him go!? Ayla Ranzz?s voice rang out sharply. She couldn?t attack Mordecai directly without her power conducting through to Strut as well, but she was hoping this creature was mindless enough that he wouldn?t know that. ?Or the next one goes straight through that stupid tattoo on your chest and out the other side!?

A low rumble built in Mordecai?s throat but trailed off as soon as he laid eyes on Lightning Lass. Slowly, against all expectations, he dumped Strut like a discarded doll and stepped toward Ayla.

?Back off!? Lightning Lass?s fists arced with pink electricity. ?I won?t warn you again, creep!?

?Lightning Lass?? Strut asked, giving himself a moment to recuperate before he stood up again. ?Darling, I know this sounds utterly outrageous but if I?m not mistaken?I think this big oaf is smitten with you!?

?What?!? Ayla took a step away from Mordecai. The giant monster?s head bowed and his knuckles almost dragged on the ground as he followed Ayla like a lovesick puppy. ?You need some more practice with that electrochemical whatever, Strut...there?s no way this thing has a crush on me.?

?Actually, Lightning Lass,? Tellus joined the conversation as he descended from above, ?I can confirm, Mordecai?s mind is a morass to navigate but his infatuation with you is clear. I believe no further violence will be necessary here.?

Mordecai released a long gurgling sound which Ayla realised was the closest he could come to purring in ecstasy. She massaged her temples and shook her head slowly. ?What do you know, I can do worse than Timber Wolf...?

**********
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 03 JULY* - 09/01/20 02:45 PM
PS if anybody knows how to copy and paste WITHOUT all my apostrophes turning into question marks, I'm all ears....I thought for ages that it was something wrong with the way my browser works, but I've come to the conclusion that it just changes when I paste in here regardless of what browser I use :\
LOL! great installment, raz. Loved you showing how powerful Nightwind is, and Zoe's throwaway line about Tinya half-phasing was also a nice touch. And Computo's cloaking of the team... go the stealth route
first on a rescue mission, that's smart.

Hah! Mordecai being smitten by Ayla, nice throwback to the SW6 series!

can't help with the apostrophe thing, sadly. I now try to draft my writing in a private PM to avoid that, but...
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 03 JULY* - 09/02/20 06:56 AM
Thanks IB! I have been hanging out since this story started to let Nightwind actually use her power at some point lol

....and I have been trying to find an excuse to throw in that Mordecai/Ayla scene since I first decided to use Mordecai a million years ago laugh
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 03 JULY* - 09/11/20 03:52 PM
It had been an easy enough matter for Mon-El to continue shielding everyone from the Khund ship?s disruptor fire with his invulnerable body while he slagged the ship?s weapons with his heat vision, but it left him momentarily distracted...so when Firefist?s weapons made the ship?s bridge suddenly explode outwards and Echo?s power caused the sound of the explosion to reverberate inside Mon-El?s head a thousand times louder, the Daxamite reeled. The damaged ship fell out of the sky, but flight packs saw most of the Demon?s Claw and the other Khunds who formed their vessel?s crew to safety. While Mon-El shook his head violently from side to side to regain his bearings, Bloodclaw pummelled straight into him and drove him into the surface of the artificial world.

The ship itself was intercepted by two more Legionnaires; Diamond Damsel and Stone Boy had both had the same idea, and they almost collided mid-air as each raced to keep the vessel from crushing their more vulnerable teammates.

?Sorry, Diamond Damsel!? Stone Boy gallantly backed off. ?I didn?t mean to steal your thunder.?

?Don?t apologise,? the taller woman retorted. ?This thing?s massive, I could use the help!?

The two ignored Khund weapons fire as they held the ship aloft together and looked for somewhere to set it down. A stray shot hit something much more volatile though, and the Khund ship was rocked by another explosion. While Stone Boy and Diamond Damsel were both sent careening backwards, neither of them were injured. A stray panel from the ship?s hull slammed into Neon however, and just like that the hardlight dome was gone.

An instant later, they were swarmed by robots.

?There?s too many of them!? Nightwind screamed, taxing her power to its limits as she struggled to keep the Robotican populace back with more than gale force winds now that Neon?s forcefield had collapsed.

?Let me take the lead, Nightwind!? Cosmic Boy joined her, using his own magnetic powers to much greater effect against the oncoming horde. ?Most of them are made primarily of metal, concentrate on the plastic ones so they don?t get past me!?

?Even if I just target the ones who aren?t affected by your power, there are like a thousand of them!? Nightwind shot back. ?We need a miracle, Cosmic Boy! W-wait!? Berta saw her breath suddenly emerge as a white cloud. ?Wh-why?s it so sprockin? c-cold all of a sudden??

?That?d be me.? Polar Boy appeared next, his arms stretched out before him. ?Sorry for the discomfort, but it?ll be worth it if I can make it cold enough to freeze their circuits up!?

On the ground, Chlorophyll Kid noticed some of the Khund warriors who?d arrived here with the Demon?s Claw had a clear shot at the conveniently distracted Polar Boy, Nightwind and Cosmic Boy. He threw a handful of seeds at the Khunds, ensnaring them in thick vines; his power was so enhanced now that he could even bind their trigger fingers without any risk of a misfire. Chlor knew that he should be anxious about the overwhelming odds before them, but in truth he was excited to be able to let loose with his newfound power. As he sent massive round tree trunks battering their way through waves of Roboticans to the sky above, he decided he just might see how far letting loose could take him this day?

**********

Elsewhere in the midst of all this chaos, Catspaw was still trying to catch King Canary. Ironically, the sudden influx of robots trying to kill him worked in the small bird?s favour as he was small enough to weave between them all quite effectively. April Dumaka however was nothing if not persistent.

?Hey!? A teenage girl?s voice shouted from above. ?Pick on somebody your own size!? Supergirl dived down toward Catspaw, who easily vaulted over her.

Once Catspaw had cleared her would-be assailant, she hissed and raked her claws down Laurel?s back. Catspaw screeched in outrage and pain, her trembling fingers covered in blood from having assaulted Laurel Kent?s indestructible skin. ?Catspaw bleed! Skinny girl pay for that!?

Before she could pounce, yet another Legionnaire charged at her. Timber Wolf was faster and more experienced than Supergirl, and when his heels connected with Catspaw?s chin she went down like a sack of inertron. ?I don?t see how she could kill you,? an uncommonly grim Brin Londo grumbled to Laurel, ?But I wasn?t going to let her try.?

?Um, okay...? Laurel raised an awkward eyebrow. ?Thanks..??

?Congratulations, Brin,? a new voice sounded. ?Now you only need to deal with me.? Karth Arn?s holographic form flickered into view and reached a finger out toward Timber Wolf. The villain?s immaterial hand fractured as it brushed against Brin Londo?s chest, and Brin himself was none the worse for wear.

Without consciously processing the information, Brin heard the robots on his left hand side run silent and he instinctively understood there could only be one reason for that. He turned to Kid Computo with surprising savagery. ?Shut him down!? Brin roared.

?I have--? Kid Computo began, every artificial intelligence in her immediate vicinity standing by in mute subservience.

?He?s too dangerous!? Timber Wolf interrupted. ?Wipe him out, Kid C! Destroy him!?

Danielle Foccart?s jaw dropped. ?Timber Wolf...he?s a living being! I?m not going to let him hurt anybody, but I?m not going to kill him either!?

?He?s a sprocking android!? Timber Wolf protested. ?Sprock, he?s not even that anymore! He?s a cloud of miniature machines!?

?He feels, Timber Wolf!? Kid Computo approached her teammate, her face contorted with anger. ?He feels and he thinks and he?s as alive as any of us, I can sense it! I?m not gonna kill him any more than Tellus would kill one of these Khunds!?

He?d been so preoccupied with Kid Computo that Timber Wolf only now noticed Karth Arn had taken advantage of the dissent to flee the scene. ?Fine,? Brin growled. ?Whatever he does next is on your head though, Foccart.? With that, he leaped up some thirty feet straight up to assist Light Lad with his own robot foes.

?What was that all about?? Laurel asked Kid Computo.

?Sprocked if I know,? Danielle shrugged. ?But you know...it?s made me realise something. I need to find Phantom Girl.? Her flight ring sent her flying into the mass of robots around them, and Laurel turned her attention to the anti-energy cannon which had been tickling her lower back till now.
Nice scene there, throwback to Timber Wolf's origin. Not surprised neither Laurel nor Danielle know about it.

Great action as usual, raz!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 03 JULY* - 09/12/20 12:45 AM
Thanks IB, I have been trying to get around the thing with the question marks because writing a whole story length post instead of just copying and pasting it is a pain the ass on this board but I don't think there's any other way around it boo
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 03 JULY* - 09/13/20 06:52 AM
Flederweb's particular combat enhancements didn't give him any advantage over this horde of robots but he was cunning enough to have evaded their vibro-blades, energy blasts and appendages till now; he'd even managed to trick a few of the Roboticans into attacking one another by using himself as bait. The Demon Mother would not spare him forever though, nor any of the rest of his team. She gifted violence and death upon all of Her children inevitably, and Flederweb was no Khund but he had a feeling the Demon Mother would be generous with Her gifts today.

As he tucked his wings close and executed a corkscrew dive through a volley of laser beams, Flederweb caught his teammate Galarr in his peripheral vision. The Demon's Claw had originally set out to recover Firefist's errant wife, but Flederweb was beginning to realise that Galarr's obsession with these robots had twisted that mission into whatever this mayhem was now. It brought to mind the Khundish children's tale of Warlord A'hab, for A'hab's quest for vengeance had destroyed him too.

Catching an updraft, Flederweb spread his wings once more and glided away from a particularly nasty-looking Robotican covered in whirling blades. Avoiding one foe however brought him right into the path of another; some kind of particle beam burned a hole in his right wing three inches in diameter and Flederweb blacked out briefly from the pain. When he regained his senses, he was hurtling straight at the bladed robot, and he had neither the strength nor the time to find an escape.

Instead of brutal death, Flederweb found himself looped in some kind of purple rubbery substance. With sinking heart, he realised exactly what this meant just before he heard the oppressively cheerful voice.

"Gosh, I sure am glad I caught you in time!" Elastic Lad exclaimed, the teen coming face to face with Flederweb on a neck which extended several feet. "I know that we're supposed to be fighting each other but I couldn't just let you get chopped up like that, what kind of superhero would I be? Oh, I'm awfully sorry - I know that's a biased question, I mean if our positions were reversed I bet you'd watch me die because Khundish culture doesn't share the same values as we do and gee I sure hope you don't think I'm trying to claim some kind of superiority but you have to admit it works out better for you that I was there to help, right? Anyway, maybe it's just something you could think about when we get out of here!"

Flederweb released a long defeated sigh and tried to let the pain of his ruptured wing override that boy's maddening drone.

...The Demon Mother must be feeling particularly sadistic today.

**********

"What are you Khunds even doing here?" Shadow Lass confronted the woman knows as Scorn. "I thought we took care of you back on Mars!"

"That's not quite how I recall it," Scorn retorted as her blood dagger swiped out fruitlessly at Tasmia. The Talokkian warrior's power was already coming into play, tendrils of inky black working their way around the two women. "The way I remember things you didn't stand a chance against me until your Daxamite lover intervened on your behalf, Shadow Champion."

"Is that why you're here?" Shadow Lass drew her cape about her and took a step back, allowing the darkness to consume her completely. "Are you so eager to finish the job you started that you'll allow yourself to be slaughtered by different enemies just to kill me?"

"You overstate your own importance," Scorn responded. Darkness was everywhere now, and in the middle of all this chaos it was more difficult to isolate which of the blurs of motion were her prey. "We have come for Veilmist, slaying you is a bonus."

"Are you serious?" Tasmia Mallor's heel struck the back of Scorn's knee and the Khundish sorceror almost collapsed. "Veilmist is under our protection, Scorn - you must be insane to believe we'd bring her planetside with us to confront the Fatal Five!"

Scorn spun around without a word, her dagger striking true this time....or so she thought until she heard the grating sound of metal upon metal. The Robotican she'd inadvertantly assaulted swung a club-like extremity at her and Scorn was sent flying.

From her vantage point above where Shadow Lass had quickly fled after goading Scorn into action, she surveyed the battle scene; a few dozen feet away, Mon-El was just finishing up with Bloodclaw now. "Mon," she spoke at normal volume, trusting his super-hearing to pick her up. "That nasty Khund witch is unconscious, I'm leaving her in a bubble of shadow here. Can you please find somewhere safe to evacuate the foolish woman when you have a chance? It looks like one of our new recruits could use my help."

**********

Crystal Kid wasn't panicking yet, but he was getting awfully close to it. He and Mano had fallen into an uneasy detente where Bobb would erect a barrier, Mano would disintegrate it while Bobb gained some distance, then as soon as Mano started getting closer Bobb would need to slow down to put up another barrier. It was buying him time, but for how long? Bobb Cohan's power was finite; Mano's wasn't. To make things even more difficult, Bobb now had a wave of Robiticans to deal with. The neophyte Legionnaire's attention was divided across too many battles and it was only a matter of time before he slipped up fatally. He'd promised himself he wasn't going to cry for help like some child, but he honestly didn't see any other way he was going to get of this.

Firefist meanwhile was fighting Roboticans only a few meters away, and he shot one out of the sky that smashed into the ground right at Crystal Kid's feet. Bobb gave a startled yelp and stumbled backwards, falling over his own feet.

"This was fun at first," Mano's voice sounded. "But fun's done. Time to end this, kid." Bobb looked up in mute shock as Mano came closer. That hand would be on him in seconds, and Bobb wondered if it being torn apart at an atomic level hurt or if he'd just wink out of existence. He very much hoped it was the latter.

The plasteel bubble around Mano's head suddenly turned pitch black. "Hey!" the villain bellowed. "Who turned out the lights?!" He forgot about Crystal Kid, reaching out blindly for whomever must be behind this new assault.

"...Unbelievable." Shadow Lass descended from above, her cape draped gracefully in the crook of her left arm. "All these years we've been fighting one another and that idiot still doesn't recognise my power." She extended her other arm toward Crystal Kid, who remained sitting wide-eyed on the ground at Mano's feet. "Well, don't just sit there!" Tasmia chastised her new teammate. "Come on, let's get out of here before he--"

"Shadow Lass!" Mano roared, recognising her voice and finally putting two and two together. "I should have known it was you! Screw it, I'll disintegrate this whole damn arena if I need to!" He reached down toward the ground but then felt a sudden lurching motion - suddenly Mano was spinning around like a pinwheel, and he couldn't tell which way was up. "What the sprock?! Let me go! Let me go, damn it!!"

"He's awfully dangerous," Light Lad joined Shady and Bobb while he kept Mano suspended in mid-air. "But only if we let him touch anything, right?"

"He's not that dangerous." Shadow Lass rolled her eyes, giving Mano's foot a gentle shove to keep him spinning. While Mano yelled impotently, Tasmia gave an unusually impish giggle. "Ask Ayla to tell you about the time she beat him up with a glorified handbag later..."

**********
haha! I love these scenes, raz. So much character packed into them. Nice mix of levity (heh! pun absolutely intended) and danger. Tasmia being all imperious (but taking time to make sure Scorn would be OK) was a treat, as was Flederweb's suffering at Elastic Lad's prattling.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 03 JULY* - 09/13/20 11:26 PM
Thanks IB smile

Writing the last couple of confrontations between Elastic Lad and Flederweb kinda makes me want to do a buddy comedy with them now lol
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 03 JULY* - 09/25/20 01:04 PM
Roboticans parted a way for Kid Computo through the battle taking place all around her, and any Khunds who noticed her presence found themselves suddenly unable to move cyborg limbs or use their weapons against her. Four of the Fatal Five could still have proven a problem for her, but Danielle was relieved to see that some of her more physically capable teammates held the supervillains' attention. She almost allowed herself a wry smile; on her first outing as a Legionnaire, Danielle had been helpless with terror over a collapsing building and now here she was darting through a battlefield as though she were just flying down the street for some kono juice. Danielle's smile died before it was born when she came across the person she'd been looking for, the Legion's newly elected leader.

Phantom Girl crouched protectively over an unmoving Matter-Eater Lad. Tenzil's ever-present sunglasses lay broken by his side, and both he and Tinya were covered in bruises and cuts. A few Roboticans littered the ground around them. Some were immobile thanks to Bismollian jaws, and there were others whom Danielle sensed instantly were offline even though there was no visible sign of damage. She put this down to Phantom Girl's power bypassing the robots' defences to attack them internally, but it seemed that Tinya had pushed that tactic about as far as she could. Eight Roboticans advanced on the helpless pair now, ready to end them.

"Get away from them!" Kid Computo cried sharply. Phantom Girl and Matter-Eater Lad's assailants complied immediately, turning away from the heroes to direct their energies elsewhere. Danielle landed by Tinya's side. "Is Matter-Eater Lad..?"

"Tenzil will be fine," Tinya gave a weak smile. "He just needs the multilab like probably half of us here. Thanks for the save though...I was about to try phasing him to safety, and honestly it was a long shot at best."

"Phantom Girl, there's something I have to tell you." Kid Computo's brow furrowed with concern as Ultra Boy's flash vision incinerated a dozen Roboticans high above them. "The Roboticans...they're alive. They're sentient. We can't keep treating them like they're defence droids or drones or whatever."

"They're intent on killing all of us, Danielle." Tinya's tone was compassionate, but firm. "We can't let the Fatal Five have a solar system full of killer robots at their disposal. We just can't."

"Have the Legion ever fought the Khunds like this?" Danielle persisted. "The Gil'Dishpan are giant sprocking tube worms but we still respect their right to live!"

Phantom Girl took a deep breath and examined Kid Computo's face carefully before speaking. "...Are you absolutely sure about this, Danielle?"

"They think, they feel, they've gone thousands of years living peacefully without us," the young teen answered earnestly. "I'm telling you, they're as alive as you or me."

Phantom Girl looked down at Tenzil, then surveyed the chaos around her. She saw Roboticans plummet from the sky thanks to Star Boy's power, watched them shot to pieces by Firefist and his Khund allies. Then she looked back at Kid Computo waiting for her response. "Alright," Tinya decided. "How many of them can you control? If we just have the Fatal Five and the Khunds to focus on, I think we can just beat them then back out of here and leave the Roboticans to their own devices."

"I...I can't control any of them outside my immediate area," Danielle admitted. "Maybe with that booster Brainy made me, but even then I wouldn't be able to do a whole planet."

Tinya pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed in frustration. She was hurt and exhausted and wanted nothing more than a sonic shower and some quality time with her man...but she was also leader of the Legion of Superheroes. "Okay," she finally said out loud. "Here's what we're gonna do..."

**********

The citizens of Robotica fought for one of two reasons; they had all seen the violence that the Fatal Five and the Khunds were capable of, and they were either scared or incensed with rage having experienced that violence on their prime world for the first time. They experienced a new first now, the weary cracked voice of a young organic from a world they'd never heard of carrying across their audio receptors.

"Greetings, citizens of Robotica," the voice spoke. "My name is Tinya Wazzo, though I'm known as Phantom Girl. I am speaking to you with the assistance of my teammate and friend, Danielle Foccart. She is known as Kid Computo, and together we are members of the Legion of Superheroes. The Legion of Superheroes have pledged our lives to helping innocent sentients wherever we encounter them, and we...we have not fulfilled that pledge to the best of our abilities today. I know that we have hurt you, and for that I give my most solemn apologies. Kid Computo has shared with me your history with biological lifeforms, and I know now that we've caused you nothing but pain despite your best efforts to avoid us.

We're not all the same though. The monsters who destroyed one of your worlds and conquered the others are the Fatal Five, longtime enemies of ours. The Khunds you have known as enemies for countless centuries do not share our values. We can protect you from these people today, we have defeated both on multiple occasions. We can't do that if we have to protect ourselves from you at the same time though. We don't ask for much, Robotica - just that you allow us the opportunity to show our good intentions. We ask that you refrain from attacking any of the strangers whom the Fatal Five brought to your world against our will or any of the strangers you find here today wearing a flight ring, the schematics of which I've asked Danielle to send to you all now. Give us the chance to bring our own kind to justice, and we'll give you every opportunity we can to live a life which is free of interference from those who would destroy you or use you. I've asked Danielle to broadcast this message as widely as she can, and I ask you now in turn to broadcast this message as widely as you can. I want to bring peace to your worlds, Robotica. It's a goal that I know everyone in the Legion of Superheroes shares."

Danielle's flight ring broadcast Tinya's plea not only to the Roboticans, but also to their fellow Legionnaires. Trusting Phantom Girl's instincts, every Legionnaire fighting the Roboticans stopped fighting and shifted their focus to purely defensive tactics.

The Roboticans seemed to consider Phantom Girl's words for a second or two, and then they acted...

**********
I love it!!! An even better way of bringing in the "Roboticans are sentients" bit than the Reboot did. Huzzah! And credits to Tinya for thinking of a plan so quickly, and to Danielle for acting so fast. Glad to see Tenzil doing so much damage before going down, too.
Raz, hi there.

These are great, I love how you keep us aware of the incredible chaos erupting around the team while giving individuals their turn in the spotlight - well done!

The Jo/Tinya co-dependency continues - their relationship would annoy me in real life but it's still always good to see them together and how they react if the other has had any trouble.

Berta showing off was definitely fun. Nice to see her cut losose a bit, she doesn't often get the chance.

Zoe - "a tough crowd" - hah! Love her personality here.

Aw bless Mordecai, he's a puppy really isn't he? A big, destructive golem puppy...

DD and Stone Boy to the rescue! Dag's politeness was sweet.

The sheer volume of Roboticans attacking the team is outrageous! That they aren't running away (as I certainly would!) shows the strength of their character. Ral saving Polar Boy, etc and wondering about cutting loose was great too.

Laurel hurting Catspaw just by being to tough to scratch gave me a laugh, and Brin springing into action is always good to read. I always imagine he'd be one of the team that would try to get to the heart of any fight just for the fun of it. His reaction to Karth Arn was spot on, though snapping as Danielle wouldn't kill the android wasn't terribly gallant - perfect for his character actually. I really like your take on Danielle btw, very competent and smarter than she probably gives herself credit for.

Elastic Lad and Flederweb are great together, I laughed out loud at ...The Demon Mother must be feeling particularly sadistic today - a buddy road-movie with these two would be incredible! And, the Khundish children's tale of Warlord A'hab must be one of these stories that proves that convergent evolution happens in stories as well as physical characteristics.

Shady and Scorn was also a fun little fight - the catty disregard they have for each other was entertaining. And Shady getting Mon El to clean up fter her was pretty accurate. As the Planetary Champion she can be an entitled princess at times.

Poor Bbob, Manos abilities are the antithesis of his so it's no wonder that it wasn't going well. Shady's attitude was again spot on - "Ask Ayla to tell you about the time she beat him up with a glorified handbag later..." Hahaha

Danielle once more comes to the rescue - very clever of her to get Tinya to send that message out. Fingers crossed it leads to a happy-ish ending!

Thoroughly enjoyed this Raz, can't wait for more, more and more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 03 JULY* - 10/05/20 12:42 PM
Thanks y'all, hopefully this should all be wrapped up by the weekend! I didn't pick the easiest story to drop for a year, what with having to remember where I left off with the Legion, Fatal Five, Khunds and Robotica and try and give them all get a bit of focus tongue

I think once everyone gets back home I will have a couple one-off stories just to show us where everyone's at and then not to give too much away, but wedding bells might be ringing in the near future!
Posted By: razsolo ENEMY OF MY ENEMY: The final chapter! - 10/08/20 11:04 AM
Phantom Girl tensed as she saw one of the Roboticans extend some kind of antenna array toward her. A low thrum emitted from it, and she could feel the vibration even after turning intangible.

"Infrasonics!" King Canary appeared abruptly, his tiny golden form darting forward from somewhere within the mass of combatants. "Don't worry, boss lady! I'll--"

"No!" Danielle Foccart intercepted her feathered comrade. "Just...just give them a second. Trust me!"

Danielle's faith was rewarded as another of the Roboticans gripped its fellow's appendage. The interloper was more humanoid in design, resembling one of the robot menaces of ancient Earth's early science fiction moving pictures. The two Roboticans shared some silent communication, and a moment later Phantom Girl's would-be assailant lowered its weapon.

Tinya released a sigh of relief and glanced at Kid Computo. "Thanks, Kid C."

"It wasn't me," Danielle beamed at the newcomer. "Thank this guy; your designation is B4BB4G3, right? Don't worry, you won't regret it."

**********

The Robotican named B4BB4G3 was not the only one of their race to heed Phantom Girl's words.

Friendly Roboticans were initially in the minority, but more quickly joined their ranks as they saw for themselves that the Legion were true to their word. Without the threat of countless hordes of robots along with their other threats, the Legion soon restored order to the robot world.

With the lightning speed of computer analysis, the Roboticans decided that the only member of their race who'd thus far engaged in peaceful conversation with the organics should act as Robotica's spokesbeing. B4BB4G3 approached Phantom Girl and Kid Computo with deliberate caution; though the bronze bipedal robot had been the first to give the Legion a chance, B4BB4G3 still wasn't entirely certain how best to engage with the strangers. After taking a moment to think about it, B4BB4G3 looked down at the two young women and emitted a discordant high-pitched squealing noise.

Kid Computo gave a good-natured laugh. "Here, let me help you with that." Moments later, she'd accessed the Interlac dictionary stored on her omnicom and imprinted it in B4BB4G3's own memory.

"Gratitude," the Robotican acknowledged the gesture; the shrill bark of their voice didn't match their domineering frame at all. "Our worlds have gratitude for all you have done, Legion of Superheroes. We offer our apologies for the poor treatment some of your units have suffered in previous interactions. We are not familiar with organic lifeforms but in those interactions we have had previously we have encountered violence and destructive tendencies foreign to our society. We had not the tools to find our own freedom, though that will change after the behaviours we have perceived from your group."

"You don't need to apologise," Phantom Girl smiled wearily. "Though we do appreciate it. The Fatal Five are monsters, we understand that they didn't give you a choice in the matter and we'll do our best to ensure they never bother your worlds again." Tinya gave a quick glance toward Mano, Mordecai, Karate Kid and Catspaw floating helplessly thanks to Light Lad's power and mouthed Karth Arn's name silently at Kid Computo.

Before Danielle could respond, B4BB4G3 spoke up again. "It will not be necessary. The Robotican system is not the safe haven for us that it has been since pre-memory. Our enemies both ancient and new know where our worlds are now, and we cannot presume on the Legion of Superheroes' ability to protect us when your own territory is so far from ours. Additionally, it is time perhaps for us to cease hiding from organic life and to begin learning to live amongst you. By the end of this planetary rotation we will have left this system behind to find our place in the wider universe."

"You're going to just...abandon your homeworlds?" Phantom Girl's brow furrowed. "You don't need to do that."

"They are just worlds," B4BB4G3 retorted. Though the Robotican's voice was grating, Tinya believed he was trying to be reassuring. "Our home is wherever we are."

Mocking laughter resounded from nearby, and everyone turned their attention to the Khund warlord Galarr. He was on his knees, unable to support his own weight thanks to Star Boy's power. Standing watch over him, Thom was visibly annoyed. "What's so funny?" the bearded hero asked.

"They are not just worlds," Galarr answered with malicious glee. "They are Khund worlds now. Once the robot infestation has cleared this system and you children return to your United Planets, the Khunds will claim this territory for our own as should have happened millenia ago!"

Comprehension dawned on Firefist's face and he struggled against Diamond Damsel and Stone Boy's combined grips. "This was your plan all along, wasn't it?" the Khund spat at his comrade. "This whole debacle....you never cared about reuniting me with my wife, you let her flee to the Legion of Superheroes! To bring them here to fight your battle for you! You cowardly--"

"Mind your tongue lest you lose it!" Galarr roared back. "Do not forget that I am your superior, Firefist! We can deal with your dishonourable accusation in the Challenge Courts if you so wish, but Veilmist is one woman! What is one woman compared to the prize we have won for the Khund Empire today?"

"The prize you've won?" Supergirl raised an amused eyebrow. "What makes you think we're just gonna leave you here to play coloniser, you big batjerk?"

Star Boy sighed in defeat. "...Because we don't have a choice, Laurel."

"What are you talking about?" the indestructible teen shot back. "Of course we've got a choice! Phantom Girl--"

"No, Laurel..." Phantom Girl's face dropped as she realised the same thing Star Boy had. "...Thom's right. This isn't UP territory. If Robotica asks us for help, we'll provide it but we can't enforce our own will here."

"Phantom Girl." B4BB4G3's voice startled her, and Tinya looked up into their unmoving face. "They are just worlds. The Legion of Superheroes have liberated our people and that is the real victory."

"Of course you're right," Tinya agreed half-heartedly. She glanced across at Kid Computo, but Danielle's face only confirmed Tinya's fears. These Roboticans were too naive to understand what they were giving up to the Khunds, but it had to be Robotica's decision. "With your permission, we'll hang around to make sure your departure is uneventful, and then...Legionnaires, let's go home."

**********

On the dark side of a gas giant in the outer Robotican system, Veilmist and Khano sat in mutual silence on opposite sides of a large round table. They both looked up as Night Girl entered the passenger compartment. "I've got news," Lydda announced as she leaned against a console.

"Well?" Khano sneered. "Out with it, woman!"

"Don't forget you're on board our ship," Lydda cautioned him. "Show a little respect, friend. Cosmic Boy just called; the Legion have defeated the Fatal Five...and the Demon's Claw."

"My husband was on that world?" Veilmist queried. "But...how? Why??"

"It doesn't matter," Lydda responded. She took a seat next to Veilmist. "But you're free now, Veilmist. He won't be hunting you anymore."

"Free," Khano venemously repeated. "What do you think she is free to do, Legionnaire? I helped her flee because she paid me well, but do not think this story has a happy ending. What future can there be for an errant wife?"

Night Girl rolled her eyes and moved her chair slightly so she didn't have to look at him. "Veilmist, listen to me. I know our stories are far from the same, but I also know a little something about living your life for a man's approval. The whole reason I went to Earth in the first place was because I had a ridiculous infatuation with Cosmic Boy. In time that grew to become love but it wasn't love at first, I was just too stupid to know the difference. We were together for years and I forgot how to even have dreams of my own because I was so devoted to his. Then one day he dumped me and I felt like my whole identity had been taken away because my whole identity was so wrapped up in being Rokk Krinn's girlfriend."

"Why are you telling me this?" Veilmist interrupted. "You are his wife now, yes? You have taken your rightful place beneath him once more?"

"That's just the point," Lydda continued. "Being on my own did me a galaxy of good because I had to find out who I was, I had to find out what my dreams were...and when we got back together, our relationship was stronger than it had ever been precisely because I'd learned how to be my own person. My rightful place isn't beneath Rokk, Veilmist. It's beside him. As his equal."

"Equal?!" Khano bellowed. "I do not know what nonsense you're taught in the United Planets, but a Khund woman's place is in service to the man she belongs to!"

"He is right," Veilmist bowed her head meekly. While her head didn't move, Veilmist's dark almond eyes slowly looked up to see the smug satisfaction on Khano's face and the simmering frustration on Night Girl's. Night Girl, who could tear this ship apart with her bare hands if she so wished, whose husband was not even mildly intimidated by her great strength. Veilmist thought about the other Legion females; the Somahturian they trusted to pilot this ship, the phantom they'd made their leader. She raised her head and fixed Khano with a defiant glare. "He is right...but perhaps he should not be."

Without another word she vanished, and the faint scent of lavender floated in her place. "No!" Khano pounded his fists on the table. "Where has she gone? Where has she gone?!"

"If I had to guess," Night Girl smirked down at him as she stood up, "I'd say she's gone to join the rest of the 31st century."

She pushed both her chair and Veilmist's closer to the table, and left the Khund mercenary to fume alone.

**********
hahahaha! beautiful, beautiful!

Babbage, nice shout out!

ok, i like that this victory wasn't an exact victory. but i can see it from the Roboticans' POV. they don't care about these planets. and what would it matter to them if it were a tactical loss for the UP?

beautiful scene with Veilmist and Lydda. Beautiful. Emancipation - you go, Veilmist!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: ENEMY OF MY ENEMY: The final chapter! - 10/10/20 12:40 PM
That was a neat end to that arc Raz.

Love B4BB4G3, would be great to see it pop up again. I wonder where the Roboticans will go next? Perhaps that's a story for another day.

So, the Khunds kind of won the day there. With a new system to colonize or plunder I imagine they'll be feeling quite smug. Wonder if the team will do anything about that...

The Lydda/Veilmist scene was cute, hopefully everyone's favourite teleporting Khund Minx will show up soon.

Great stuff, looking forward to more, more, more.
Posted By: Set Re: ENEMY OF MY ENEMY: The final chapter! - 10/10/20 03:12 PM
I would be amused if the Roboticans plan on 'stealing the cutlery' on the way out the door, and leave the planet utterly depleted of resources and of no value whatsoever to the Khunds... "Why yes, we've organized all of the useful metals in the core of this world into a ship and will be taking it with us, leaving behind the inert crust to crumble in on itself and become just another asteroid field of rocks and dust in space. Why would we leave behind perfectly good resources?"

And the Khund come back. "Uh, there was a planet here. I swear..."
Love that idea, Set!
Posted By: razsolo Re: ENEMY OF MY ENEMY: The final chapter! - 10/13/20 12:23 PM
Thanks y'all....B4BB4G3 was a last minute addition tbh, I just thought it would be cute lol

I am super into both the idea of the Legion keeping tabs on the Khunds and the Roboticans stripping their worlds bare without any malicious intent at all! I need to clone a couple of me so I can do some spinoff adventures with all these characters who pop up every few years I think tongue

Also, I thought that as there's been a such a long gap in my writing and now that this storyline is finished, it might help to have a little refresher....here's the full team roster and where they're located at the moment:

In non-UP space helping the Dalman hero Dogstar track down his enemy Dr Cerberus after the not so good doctor mind-controlled Dogstar into fighting the Legion
BLOK
DRAGONMAGE
ELEMENT LAD
MWINDAJI
SUN BOY
WILDFIRE

Covertly investigating the Heroes of Lallor's newest recruits
CHAMELEON BOY
DAWNSTAR
GAS GIRL
SHRINKING VIOLET

Only just returned from a brief involuntary exile to his home dimension Teall
QUISLET

Everyone else
CHLOROPHYLL KID
COLOR KID
COLOSSAL BOY
COMET QUEEN
COSMIC BOY
CRYSTAL KID
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DREAM GIRL
ELASTIC LAD
FIRECREST
GRAVITY KID
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
KID COMPUTO
KING CANARY
LIGHT LAD
LIGHTNING LASS
MATTER-EATER LAD
MON-EL
NEON
NIGHT GIRL
NIGHTWIND (deputy leader)
PHANTOM GIRL (leader)
POLAR BOY
SHADOW LASS
STAR BOY
STONE BOY
STRUT
SUPERGIRL II
TELLUS
TIMBER WOLF
ULTRA BOY
Posted By: Harbinger Re: ENEMY OF MY ENEMY: The final chapter! - 10/14/20 12:17 PM
Thanks for the list Raz,sometimes between all the ongoing seies we all ahve going on here it can get a bit confusing keeping who's who straight.


Looking forward to seeing what's going on with the Lallorian team, especially Brittle - the rest are great too but he's one of your very best creations! And Dog Star was such a faun character that it'll be a pleasure to have him appear again soon. And Quislet! Yay. always fun and games when that little pest is around.

Would love to see Fundamental reappear too, as I wonder how Gravity Kid would cope?
Posted By: razsolo The Castle of Dr Cerberus - 11/05/20 03:46 AM
*A bit late for Halloween but here's a cute little done-in-one in the spirit of the day*

MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

ROLL CALL
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Invisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology

In the Legion of Superheroes' expansive multilab, the Legionnaire named Invisible Kid felt uncommonly visible. "Dream Girl," he asked, "Is it absolutely necessary that I complete your tests in this state? Brainiac 5 never subjected me to such...inconveniences."

"I guarantee you Brainy was ogling our cerebral cortexes every time he took a brain scan," Nura Nal teased suggestively. She attached one last sticky pad to Invisible Kid's upper thigh, then she took a step back and looked Jacques over from head to toe. Aside from a pair of black briefs and 16 carefully placed sensor pads, Invisible Kid was completely naked. "You're such a baby, Jacques," Dream Girl chastised him lightly. "Strut and King Canary don't wear clothes at all and I don't hear them complaining."

Standing off to one side, the insectoid Strut's mandibles made a clicking sound. "Oh, don't rub it in darling. I'd give my middle left limb to be able to switch up my carapace every now and again. It's just too bad Mantodeans have such a primitive view on aesthetics. I mean if it isn't enough that I wanted a life outside of raising some uncouth woman's spawn, can you imagine if I wore clothing? The scandal!"

"Personally, I dunno how you mammals can stand to keep yaselves wrapped up in synthetics all day," King Canary opined from the console where he'd perched. "This harness itches like all sprock!" With his beak, he scratched at where the modified harness the Legion had given him in place of a flight ring rubbed against his chest.

"We don't all have a lovely layer of feathers to keep us warm, Your Highness," Dream Girl answered mischievously. She moved to the console where he was resting, and Nura Nal's perfectly manicured fingers danced across a patchwork of buttons and touchpads. "Okay, Jacques. We're ready for you, turn invisible if you'd be so kind."

Jacques complied only too happily. He'd come to Dream Girl for help in understanding his expanded powers, and had already gone through a round of testing a few days ago with Mon-El acting as the stunning Naltorian's assistant. Neither the multilab's technology nor Mon-El's Daxamite senses had discerned even the slightest hint of Invisible Kid once he'd activated his power, a feat which impressed Jacques as much as anybody else. It had been Mon-El's suggestion to make use of the more exotic senses of their new recruits, and Jacques now waited to see what conclusions Strut and King Canary would draw.

King Canary let forth a brief but sharp twittering sound. "Weird," he remarked. "I don't get how turning invisible stops echolocation, but he's doin' it!"

"But you hear me speak, non?" Invisible Kid's disembodied voice sounded a couple of metres away from where he'd been standing earlier.

"We do," Dream Girl replied without diverting her attention from the sensor readouts. "King Canary is right, that is strange! I recalibrated the instruments after our initial testing the other day and these readings are definitely correct. But you'd think that if King Canary can't hear you moving around and his echolocation doesn't register your presence, we shouldn't be able to hear you talking either! Strut, has Invisible Kid's electrochemical signature changed as far as you can tell?"

"Changed?" Strut exclaimed. "Darling, it's like he's not not even here! I can sense his trail, but then klak! Nothing at all to tell me he's standing in this room right now!"

Dream Girl saved the test results, then tapped her cheek while she pondered the situation. "Brainy did say that he thought there might be some psionic element to the Luqiti's invisibility...it would certainly help explain how you've gone from bending visible light to evading pretty much any physical method of detection! Jacques, if you're interested we can ask Tellus what he thinks but I can safely say that you can now turn invisible to just about anything you can imagine! By the way, we're done now. You can turn your power off anytime you like."

"Merci, Dream Girl," Invisible Kid replied dryly. "However, I think I shall do so after I retrieve the rest of my clothing if it's all the same to you!"

Nura Nal allowed herself a girlish giggle. "Spoilsport!"

**********

OUTSIDE UNITED PLANETS SPACE
Brgh, ninth planet in the Dodi system

ROLL CALL
Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

With their new Dalman ally Dogstar beside them, six Legionnaires stood at the threshold of an enormous castle hewn from the same black rock from which most of this tiny planet was composed. The castle was all spires and carved gargoyles, imposing to the point of parody.

"Is this guy for real?" Wildfire scoffed. "This place looks like the villain's headquarters from about six different holotoons I watched when I was a kid!"

"Dr Cerberus' brand of evil has never been particularly subtle," Dogstar explained, his golden fur providing a radiant glow in this eternally night sky. "Then again, I suppose that's to be expected from someone who takes his name from the guardian of the underworld itself."

"Sir?" Dragonmage looked up at the humanoid canine. "I have been curious about that...at first I thought perhaps our universal translators had just misinterpreted your language, but how did this Dr Cerberus come to bear the name of an ancient Terran supernatural entity? I mean Dalma only recently even came into contact with the United Planets, have any of your people been to Earth in the past?"

"That's interesting," Dogstar cocked his head. "I'm afraid I can't answer that question though, Dragonmage; magic is not really my strong suit."

"There's something else here that's very interesting," Element Lad pondered. "How does this planet sustain an atmosphere...and gravity for that matter? It's only the size of a small moon!"

"Didn't you hear Krypto over here?" Wildfire cocked a thumb in Dogstar's direction. "It's magic." Drake Burroughs' artificially synthesized voice did not convey sarcasm well, but Dogstar sensed it nonetheless and his upper lip curled unconsciously in distaste.

"Don't mind Wildfire," Sun Boy spoke quickly to defuse any tension before it was born. "Usually our teammate Dawnstar's here to distract him from being such a nasshead to everyone else." Dirk Morgna looked the castle up and down. Windows were bricked up and the only visible door was almost twenty feet tall and definitely closed. "How do we get into this place anyway? I assume we can't just ask him to let us in, right?"

As if in answer to Sun Boy's query there was a sepulchral creak. The massive door lowered toward the heroes, and finally fell with a dull thud to the lifeless ground beneath their feet. It resembled a giant maw inviting them into some horrific darkness.

"There are no light sources inside as far as I can see," the newest Legionnaire Mwindaji ventured. "I believe this may be a trap."

"It is undoubtedly a trap," Dogstar concurred. "I will take point; I am all but indestructible, and my aura may help those of you who don't have senses adapted to a dark environment." With an unnoticeable act of will, Dogstar's golden glow grew a little brighter as he stepped across the threshold of the castle.

"Blok, take up our rear," Element Lad commanded easily. "Sun Boy, can you please give us a hand with the lighting? Everyone else, stay on your toes."

"Happy to help!" Dirk Morgna radiated a warm glow around himself, one many times brighter than that of Dogstar. Even so, the Legion could see nothing beyond a couple of feet all around them. "Jan, this isn't just the absence of light," Sun Boy reported, "It's more like Shady's power. I might be able to dispel it, but I think I'd likely blind most of you in the process."

"Just...stick together, Legionnaires." Element Lad felt that it was a weak command as soon as he'd uttered it, but he could feel embarrassed later; right now he had to keep his mind on the mission. Jan barely knew Dogstar, but it was clear that the Dalman hero had become much more tense since he entered the building...and Dragonmage's creased brow betrayed the young sorcerer's own concerns, no doubt triggered by the presence of black magic.

"Hey kid!" Wildfire raised his voice to Mwindaji, who stood at the very periphery of the area illuminated by Sun Boy's power. "Didn't you hear Element Lad? Don't wander off!"

The reserved young man was peering into the darkness, following something with his dark brown eyes. "Those born on my homeworld Kirinyaga are blessed with acute night vision," Mwindaji explained as his neck slowly craned upward. "Here, where the light is dimmest, my eyes have already begun to adjust to the darkness. We are in an empty stone room, Legionnaires, but it seems oddly....segmented..?"

As soon as the words had escaped his lips, the room shook as though the castle were falling down around them and their voices were drowned out by the sound of tons of stone smashing together. Mwindaji spun around just in time to see the shock on his teammates' faces...

...and then the darkness claimed them all.

**********
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


Rather than her normal yellow skin tone, Nightwind's face was a pale green color thanks to the emerald glow of the hardlight maze surrounding her on all sides. Berta was intently absorbed in concentration, her flight path becoming more and more wobbly with each turn down the slowly shrinking corridors until finally she barged shoulder first into one of the walls and bounced with an undignified grunt onto the floor. While Zoe Saugin ran to help Berta stand, Phantom Girl ascended through the Legion Headquarters' roof to see the makeshift green labyrinth which had been constructed on top of the building fade away into nothing. "How did I go that time?" Nightwind asked Neon as she accepted the hand that had been offered.

"Same as the last few times," Zoe shrugged. "You know, maybe you've just reached your power's limit."

"What are you two up to out here?" Tinya spoke as she approached the girls.

Nightwind frowned self-consciously. "My power has been useless too many times recently," she confessed, "like when those Khunds broke into our base, and most of the time we were out in space looking for you and the new recruits...I asked Neon to set up a construct for me so I can practice using my wind powers in more confined spaces, but I keep hitting a wall." Beside her, Zoe chuckled at the unintentional pun.

"It's admirable that you're trying to improve yourself," Tinya supported Berta, "But don't beat yourself up over it, Nightwind. It's easy to forget when you're on the same team as Mon-El or a living Green Lantern ring, but we all have our limitations. That's why we're a team, so one of our teammates can help us when we face something that exceeds our own individual ability." Phantom Girl knew that none of this was a revelation to Nightwind; it was just something that Berta would need to come to terms with in her own way. "Anyway, I'm glad you brought that up because it's the reason why I've been looking for you. I just wanted to say thank you for doing such an exemplary job leading that rescue mission under far less than ideal circumstances, Nightwind. A large part of our success on Robotica was because of the way you took the team's reins!"

"Our success?" Nightwind threw the word back at Phantom Girl. "Do you really consider what happened out there a success? The Roboticans were evicted from their own worlds, Veilmist vanished without a trace, we never did find Karth Arn?"

"The Roboticans left nothing behind but razed planets," Tinya countered. "The Khunds have gained territory, but that's all they've gained. From what Lydda tells me, Veilmist disappearing out into the universe is probably the best decision she could have made..and we may not have captured Karth Arn, but the rest of the Fatal Five are rotting in a Khund prison somewhere until the UP can fix some kind of deal to have them brought to Takron-Galtos. There's also the minor fact that we liberated an entire civilisation from Mano and his creeps; on top of all that, I'm quite grateful and I'm sure our four new recruits are equally grateful to be alive right now thanks to you bringing in the cavalry. Not every win is gonna be flawless, Berta - you have to be able to recognise when we do get a win though." Phantom Girl's omnicom breeped at her, and she rolled her eyes comically. "Leader's work is never done...I'll catch you two later!" She waved goodbye and floated back down through the roof, leaving the two younger heroines to consider Tinya Wazzo's words.

**********

BRGH
Ninth planet in the Dodi system


"Sun Boy?" Wildfire's voice rang out in the dark. "Morgna! Give us some light here, will ya? Ah sprock it, I'll do it myself." He raised one fist high and allowed a nimbus of crackling anti-energy to surround it. The light that Wildfire provided was far more stark than that of Sun Boy or Dogstar, but it allowed him to see that only Mwindaji remained by his side. The other Legionnaires along with Dogstar were nowhere to be seen. "They must be behind this wall," Drake Burroughs noted, running his other hand along a black stone barrier which hadn't been there a moment ago. "Looks like it's just you and me, kid!"

"Unfortunately, it is very much not just you and me," Mwindaji corrected him hastily. "Wildfire, look out!" The athletic tracker leaped to one side as a stocky beast the size of a small aircar pounced at the space where he had been. Another of the creatures barrelled straight at Wildfire, knocking him off guard against the wall. The monsters were almost as black as the darkness itself, but they had a deep red tinge to their velvety coats which could only be seen when they were firmly within the radius of light provided by Wildfire. Their eyes blazed a hot red, they each bore two tiny horns atop their skulls and when they opened their maws to reveal rows of jagged fangs, their breath was like a hot blast of sulphur. All in all, they resembled some kind of hellish incarnation of a Bull Terrier from Earth's past.

His chest pinned to the wall, Wildfire couldn't get any leverage to turn on the creature at his back. He could feel its fangs deforming his containment suit, and Drake knew that he had to act swiftly. "Okay Fido," Drake Burroughs growled, "Playtime's over." Using his flight ring to keep his position, Wildfire bent his knees and hit the hellhound behind him with both boot jets. The enormous canine growled with displeasure as it was blasted back several feet but when Wildfire turned to actually face it, he was disheartened to see that the creature was more annoyed than hurt.

Wildfire heard a bellow of outrage and quickly turned his head to see Mwindaji recoil from the other hellhound, blood pouring down the neophyte Legionnaire's arm. "Hang in there, kid!" Wildfire shouted as he turned both fists on his own foe and poured another destructive blast of anti-energy upon it. "I'll be with you as soon as I get this guy out of the way!"

"My thanks," Mwindaji replied, his voice strained from the pain of his wound. "I misjudged the foul creature. I will not make that mistake again." As he spoke, the telltale white glow of Mwindaji's healing power enveloped his body and the gash in his forearm sealed itself back up. Mwindaji thought he'd noticed something else when he healed himself though; the creature fighting him had flinched at the sight of the White Lantern energy. The pragmatic young tracker knew that he was no match for the hellhound physically, he might as well put this theory to the test. He activated his power once more, this time turning it on the hellhound itself. Bathed in white light, the hellhound emitted an anguished howl of pain that chilled Mwindaji to the core. The creature combusted into foul-smelling flames, then a second later was gone.

Wildfire sent his own foe reeling with another anti-energy blast and turned on Mwindaji in shock. "Mwindaji, did you kill that thing?! I know they're just dumb animals, but you can't do that!"

"I do not believe the creature to be dead," Mwindaji replied thoughtfully as he crouched down and examined the ground where it had stood. "I can sense no trace of the creature and there are no physical remains to be found. Wildfire, I believe the demon fled this realm rather than be subjected to the light of the White Lantern."

"Makes as much sense as anything," Wildfire admitted. "Doesn't look like they're fazed by anything else, you want to give me a hand maybe?" The remaining hellhound had attacked once more while Wildfire had been talking to Mwindaji, and Drake now held its mighty jaws pried open as it tried to rip him apart.

"Of course, my friend." Mwindaji turned his power on the remaining hellhound and just like its sibling it burned away with a roar of pain. "What do we do now, Wildfire?"

"Now?" Wildfire punched his open palm. "Now we find our buddies and teach this Dr Cerberus jerk what he gets for messing with the Legion!"

**********

"Comms are down," Sun Boy reported to Dragonmage, the two of them having been isolated from their friends in a walled-off corridor of their own. "I don't suppose you've got a telepathy dragon up your sleeve, Dragonmage?"

"Yes, I believe I can do that," the young sorcerer replied politely. He closed his eyes to concentrate, his fingers weaving intricate patterns in the air. As soon as he'd started however, the Legionnaires heard low growling noises to their left. The two heroes shot a startled look at one another, then Sun Boy stepped in front of his shorter teammate and stretched one arm out toward the noise. A fireball came to life in his palm, growing until it was almost a foot in diameter. By its light they saw two pairs of baleful red eyes approaching, and attached to those eyes two enormous hellhounds that seemed to melt forth from the darkness itself.

"Woah there, fellas." Sun Boy raised his other arm, two fireballs now hovering in mid-air. "Easy now..."

The hellhounds bounded into action, veering off-target as Sun Boy's fireballs exploded in their faces. They collided into one another and tumbled forwards, rolling into a standing position while Dirk and Xao used their flight rings to escape down the corridor. The hellhounds shook their heads violently from side to side, then growling menacingly they bounded after their prey once more.

"I don't think that really hurt them at all," Sun Boy acknowledged as he was forced to stop at a dead end.

Xao had already begun preparing a more elaborate dragonform, letting his flight ring synch up with Sun Boy's so he wouldn't have to divert any more focus than necessary from his sorcery. "If I may say so, I'm not terribly surprised. Unless I am mistaken, these creatures are native to one of the infernal realms; fire is the last thing that will injure them, Sun Boy."

"Well, that's just perfect," Dirk grumbled. "But I can't let my face get chewed off, it'd be a disservice to sentients around the galaxy; let's see what else is in my bag of tricks." Still in the air, Sun Boy pointed his arms toward the hellhounds once more. This time though, he fired a constant stream of flame at the ground before them. He had to increase his temperature output much higher than he'd first imagined, but the black stone soon grew red hot and then began to melt into a viscous magma. The hellhounds were so massive that they sank deeper into the makeshift lava pit, but they were also strong enough that they could wade through it with only minimal effort. "Xao, I don't want to rush you," Sun Boy prodded the young sorceror, "But that wading pool's only gonna buy us another minute and if I cause too much damage to this creepy place I might just bring it down around our heads."

"I understand," Dragonmage acknowledged Dirk's concern. "Thank you for buying me the time I needed, Sun Boy. Let me repay you from my bag of tricks." Xao raised his arms overhead, his fingers completing their final fluid movements before he stretched both palms wide open and made what seemed to be an overhand throwing gesture. Twin dragonforms soared over both Dragonmage and Sun Boy, their serpentine bodies lined with metallic black scales and crimson highlights. They were as massive as the hounds themselves, and they tore into them with fang and claw while their bodies stretched out seemingly endlessly into the darkness from which they'd been conjured. The hellhounds forgot about Dirk and Xao immediately, losing themselves in savage combat with these new threats.

As soon as the heroes had gained a safe distance, Sun Boy flashed Dragonmage a cheeky smirk. "Don't think I didn't notice you picking up on that cheesy bag of tricks line I threw out there, pal.

Tenzil's gonna be so proud when he hears you've been spouting lousy one-liners in battle!"

**********

Upon finding themselves separated from their comrades, Element Lad had crafted long narrow ribbons of magnesium through the walls on either side and Dogstar had set the magnesium ablaze with what he called his solar vision, laser-precise golden eyebeams. The magnesium burned intensely, but Jan had created only enough to function as a kind of strip lighting...unless he stared directly into the white flame, it was no more damaging to his eyes than any other light source.

"I wish we could contact the others," Element Lad fussed as he and Dogstar walked down the long lonely corridor. "I know they can all look after themselves, but I'd still feel better if I could hear their voices."

"If it sets your mind at ease," Dogstar volunteered, "I can hear all of their voices. Cerberus's magic prevents me from being able to hone in on where they are exactly, but everybody is accounted for."

The Dalman hero was a good couple of inches taller than Element Lad, and Jan looked up now at his canine features. He was covered in a layer of short pale golden fur while a roughly oval shaped patch over his eye and his floppy ears were a more vibrant hue. "The Post-Atomic Knights weren't exaggerating when they described you as Dalma's own Mon-El, were they?" Jan mused. "Heat - sorry, solar vision, flight, vastly enhanced strength, durability and senses...how did you come across your powers, Dogstar? I assume they're not normal for your world."

"You assume correctly," Dogstar replied. As limited as Dogstar's facial expressions were, Element Lad couldn't help but feel a warmth and charisma emanate from him, which now that he thought about it reminded Jan less of Mon-El and more of Superman. "It is an interesting tale," Dogstar continued, "But one for another time perhaps. Suffice it to say, it is the good fortune of myself and my world that our Creator has taken a more direct interest in His children than is the norm for many other worlds I have encountered -- hold!" He stepped before Jan Arrah protectively and his ears pricked up slightly as he sniffed the air. "Dr Cerberus's minions, allow me."

The magnesium lighting along with Dogstar's natural glow gave the two heroes more time to prepare than their comrades had encountered. They saw the pair of hellhounds stalking them long before one of the beasts pounced. Dogstar easily threw his foe off into a wall, opening himself up for the second creature's assault. The second hellhound knocked Dogstar to the ground, its snarling jaws snapping at his exposed throat. "Away!" Dogstar barked, his solar vision searing the soft roof of the creature's mouth and forcing the hellhound to back off a few steps. Dogstar had encountered these creatures before; they might be immune to ordinary heat, but he knew that the light gifted him by Solas could hurt them.

Even so, they didn't surrender easily. Maddened, the hellhound rushed Dogstar and tried to rip his guts out with its rows of sharpened teeth. Dogstar delivered a mighty blow to the creature's head, but in doing so he gave it the opening it needed to clamp its jaws down on the gleaming bracer covering his forearm. Slamming his trapped arm and the hellhound along with it into the bricks lining the corridor, Dogstar used his free fist to deliver punch after brutal punch to the hellhound until it finally lay insensate at his feet. The golden hero gave himself only the briefest moment to catch his breath before turning to help Element Lad. He hadn't heard Jan Arrah scream so he reasoned that he must still be alive, but he couldn't possibly be having an easy time with one of these brutes.

In fact, Dogstar found Jan Arrah standing casually to one side while the second hellhound growled and snapped impotently at him, its head poking out of a giant lump of inertron. "You Legionnaires continue to impress," Dogstar complimented his ally.

"I do my best," Element Lad returned with uncommon levity. "We should try and find--" Before he could complete his statement, Jan saw Dogstar's head snap to one side. A moment later there was a thunderous boom, followed by a second and much closer crashing sound. Element Lad and Dogstar prepared for whatever it was coming their way, and were grateful when the wall exploded inwards some twenty feet away to see a very distinctive lightning bolt pattern shining from the cloud of dust which had gathered at the scene of destruction. "Blok!" Element Lad cried out in welcome. "How did you find us? Did the wisdom of Solomon help you?"

"What are the rest of us?" Wildfire griped as he followed the path of destruction Blok had created. "Elvabird liver?" Mwindaji and Sun Boy came through with Wildfire, and surprisingly, a hellhound accompanied all of them.

As soon as he saw Dogstar's eyes blaze with power, Blok raised a mighty stone arm to protect the hellhound. "This creature brought me to you all, but I can credit the wisdom of Solomon with one thing. It occurred to me that as Dr Cerberus had mind-controlled Dogstar into operating on his behalf in his first encounter with our team, perhaps it might be prudent to question the loyalty of any of his minions. Once I promised this creature that we could help him find a way free of his indentured servitude to return to his underworld home, he was only too happy to bring me to the villain. Thank you again, my friend." Blok ruffled the hellhound's fur affectionately and in return it gave his hand a wet lick with a tongue half the size of Blok's torso. Sun Boy stifled a snigger at the sight while Wildfire shook his head in disbelief and swore under his breath.

"Excellent work, Blok!" Element Lad jogged forward and patted his comrade's gold-flecked shoulder. "Now we should -- oh!"

Jan hadn't noticed from his earlier position, but bringing up the rear of the small group was Dragonmage...and floating just before Dragonmage was a long thin jade green dragonform. The dragon twisted its snake-like body in a spiral pattern, and suspended within its translucent coils was a short seething cloaked man with flat pug-like features and bulging angry eyes. "Dr Cerberus I presume?" Element Lad raised one eyebrow.

"Indeed it is," Dogstar recognised the diminutive sorcerer immediately. "As I said to Element Lad earlier, you Legionnaires continue to impress! I have never had such an easy time against this evil little man as I have had today, I thank you all most sincerely!"

"Being in a team makes things easier," Element Lad beamed. "Hopefully we'll have more opportunities to work together and you can find that out for yourself!"

"No doubt I shall," Dogstar nodded. The pacified hellhound whined and licked Blok again, and the heroes all turned toward the strangely puppy-like creature. "For now though, I suppose we should focus on getting these boys home!"

The hellhound barked excitedly, and the cold black stone walls of the castle echoed with laughter.

**********
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Castle of Dr Cerberus - 11/05/20 06:31 PM
haha what a nice done-in-one! splitting the team up into pairs was fun.

I love how the Hellhounds proved tougher than Dr. Cerberus...

or perhaps teamwork.

Dogstar being compared to Superman.. and what is says about Mon-El not being quite the same as Superman... was nice.

Also Nightwind wanting to improve her power, and Tinya focusing instead on her leadership.

Also, wow, Jacques has powered up. nice. I like how organically you are doing all of these. or at least, it doesn't feel contrived that you have had Blok, Staq, Ral and now Jacques all recently powered up.
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Castle of Dr Cerberus - 11/05/20 09:40 PM
Nice to see Nura being scientifically excellent *and* a flirt at the same time, you've written her character really well, also Jacques insecurities played off neatly against her teasing. Using Strut and King Canary made sense and it was great to see them again.

I really like Dogstar and the cartoon like world he's from, the castle description was excellent. Sun Boy's snark at Wildfire was well put.

Nice pairings of teammates, and MWindaji being able to affect the hell's hounds was a relief - I did wonder if you were going to have the beasts kill him and have the white Lantern light bring him back. Element Lads comparison of Dogstar to Super Man made sense too, he isn't as weighed down with his history as Mon El.

Blok coming to the rescue was a bit quick, but not unexpected- with his Shazam abilities he's a match for just about anything short of Mordru.

It would be great to see Dogstar pop up soon, he's a great character!

Tinya and Berta's scene was well done too, sometimes we all probably need to remember that we can't do everything ourselves.

A fun set of posts Raz, really enjoyed them and am looking forward to more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Castle of Dr Cerberus - 11/06/20 09:05 AM
I am glad y'all like Dogstar, I am confident he will pop up again sooner or later! smile

The next few adventures are gonna be similarly self-contained and focus on smaller groups of Legionnaires, but I've also got the Heroes of Lallor and Alek Arcane both waiting in the wings...and those storylines are both gonna bring some surprising shake-ups along with them, I can't wait to get stuck into them!
Posted By: Omni Re: The Castle of Dr Cerberus - 11/15/20 04:17 AM
Hey Raz,
Its been a while since I've gotten to read and review and I have to say I'm really enjoying what's going on. Loved the ending to this story. The Legion saves the day sort of. The view the Robotican's have of the planets and that they have no problem leaving them for the Khunds is really interesting and I hope you get to follow up on it. I agree with everyone that it would be amazing to see if they did take everything and left the planets barren. But I wonder how far could they really travel to get away from organic beings.

Gravity Kid, as trans and using profem is a really cool development. Outside of Officer Erin, idk of any other characters like that in the Legion-verse. But I wonder if this affects how his active duty would work as it could make him a liability to the team. But he did show just how much he can and will fight even without it. So maybe it won't be an issue.

Loved King Canary's reentrance. I knew he hadn't perished! The phantom zone to the rescue for once. lol.
Crystal Kid's battle with Mano was well done and Mano is way more powerful than i thought. I would have thought that Crystal Kid's power would have froze him for sure.
Computo being able to help turn the tide of battle was well done and i liked how you slowly had the Roboticans respond. That it took them seeing the team change tactics to know that they weren't the bad guys.
Mordica + Lightening Lass in ever reality. lol <3

Flebberwebber and Elastic Lad are a great buddy comedy. But they need a third foil to their group. Someone to rain both of them in. Maybe Duo Damsael?
Tinya is a very capable leader throughout all of this and its so great to see.

Loved IKII and Dream Girl's lab moment. Her cheeky flirting and saying Brainy was basically drooling over their mind scans was cute and funny. I like the expansion of IKII's abilities.
The mission with Dogstar and Dr. Cerbus was interesting. I liked the commentary about the name sharing even thought the two cultures/species are interacting for the first time.
Tinya and Nightwind's moment was nice. I hope Nightwind doesn't push herself too hard. Tinya's speech about knowing when you have a win and when to accept it was really good too. Its so easy to forget that.
Blok the voice of reason again and using the minions of Dr Ceberus to help fight him, makes sense. I like when character's are smart even when they aren't the "super brains" of the group. I'm glad this was a quick mission but at the same time I would have loved to see Dr Ceberus and Dragonmage go at it for a bit. maybe next time.

Can't wait for more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Castle of Dr Cerberus - 11/16/20 11:42 AM
Thanks Omni! I don't see Gravity Kid being any more of a liability than Tellus with his helmet or Wildfire or Quislet with their containment issues...and the Shvaughn/Sean Erin story was problematic for me in the sense that it all revolved around their relationship with Jan, so I wanted to have a trans character where their expression of that is something that's actually normal and healthy. It's not something that I overtly throw in a lot because I don't want to come across as preachy but I do think that the Legion's future is optimistic enough that expressions of different gender and sexuality should be way more normalised than they are in our time smile

re Dragonmage, don't worry too much about him....he is gonna get more than one opportunity to flex his magic skills soon, maybe more than he ever bargained for... wink
Posted By: razsolo The Young and the Restless - 11/24/20 01:43 PM
MARS
Marsopolis, Nine Planets Ice-Creamery


ROLL CALL
Firecrest aka Staq Mavlen:
weredragon
Fire Lass aka Arqiia: Legion Academy student, fire-breathing

The gaunt grey-skinned woman named Arqiia looked unimpressed at the bowl of melted confectionary on the bench before her.

The flames atop her head crackled as she turned to the young blond man next to her, and everyone else in the brightly lit eatery stared at the two of them with some combination of amusement and curiosity. "I do not understand the appeal of this...ice cream?" she admitted to Staq Mavlen, poking her spoon into the ruined dessert.

"Uh yeah, sorry...of all people, I probably should have realised it was a stupid idea taking someone with flame breath to an ice-cream shop," Staq apologised. He was suddenly conscious of a table of teenagers giggling at them from behind their hands in the corner. "Do you wanna try something else? Maybe we can just go for a walk by the water?"

"As you wish." Arqiia stood up from the bar stool where she'd been perched and made her way to the door.

Swallowing one last scoop of his own Mercury Sundae, Staq pushed his bowl aside and quickly ran to open the door for Arqiia. She walked out without acknowledging the gesture before remembering her socialisation training and turning back. "Chivalry!" she prompted herself. "Thank you, Firecrest!"

"No big deal," Staq gave her a weak smile. "Also, you know you can call me Staq when we're just doing normal stuff, right? We only need to be Firecrest and Fire Lass when we're on superhero business."

"Now I must apologise," the taller woman replied. "I have been told this before, more than once. Is social etiquette so convoluted everywhere in the United Planets, Fire-- Staq?"

"It's not really that convoluted, but give yourself some time." The two crossed one of Marsopolis's busy pedestrian walkways, a magtrain beneath their feet bringing sentients from all over Mars to its capital's famous nightlife district. "You've got some unique obstacles to overcome, Arqiia."

"Unique obstacles bring unique experiences," Arqiia reasoned. "I have been told that experiences are desirable."

Staq mumbled something in assent, and the two fell into a mutual silence. Hands in the pockets of his yellow hooded garment, Staq Mavlen's shoulders slumped. He wondered when things were going to change between the two of them; when Arqiia had first appeared, he'd been deeply infatuated with her but that had primarily been driven by biology. He still felt that attraction in his weredragon form, but it wasn't as intoxicating as it had initially been. The problem was, he didn't know now if he felt anything at all for this woman outside of the remnants of that obession and his sense of duty. Staq had never really had a romantic partner before and he wasn't sure how it was meant to feel or if indeed he was feeling anything that wasn't artificially induced. If Arqiia had been able to direct him it would help, but she was even more clueless than he when it came to whatever this relationship was between them. He wasn't entirely sure if Arqiia even had innate desires other than those the Heavensent had programmed into her. So the two of them had been going on very chaste dates here and there, trying to figure out how to define what they were to one another now that the choice belonged to them.

"I enjoy this place," Arqiia stated simply. They'd reached a quieter part of the city, one where lovers wandered down past the bustling nightclubs and performance venues to more placid parklands and the Schiaparelli Canal which separated this part of the city from its business district on the north side. The waterway was almost 200 feet wide, and muted sounds of laughter and music could be heard from the boats which ferried tourists along it. Scheduled cloud cover obscured the twin moons of Mars above them, but enough of the sky was still visible that a sea of stars could be seen beyond. Leaning against the safety barrier which overlooked the water, Arqiia raised her eyes to the night. "I find socialisation...taxing. Space, silence, these things I appreciate."

They always skirted around discussion of their relationship but it seemed to Staq that Arqiia was really making an effort to open up to him tonight. As awkward as this whole thing was, maybe he just had to suck it up and accept that awkward was how it was destined to be. "Do you...do you appreciate me?" he asked her with a meekness which surprised him.

"Of course." Her almost non-existent lips curled upwards in something approximating a thin smile. "You saved me from the Heavensent, you championed me when your teammates in the Legion did not. I know that it cannot be easy to befriend one such as myself, but you are the only one who tries. I do appreciate you, Staq Firecrest."

Staq's heart pounded like a drum. The breeze carried some kind of soft perfume, a string quartet could be heard from upstream; he was never going to get a more perfect moment than this. "Arqiia, can I...that is...would you like to...to kiss me..?"

She tilted her head down in response, placed bony fingers on each side of Staq Mavlen's face, and there under the Martian night sky two pairs of lips touched for the first time.

"Wow." Staq drew his head back. "That was--"

"That was not desirable at all," Arqiia blurted bluntly.

"--awful," he agreed. "Just awful." He burst into laughter, and even Arqiia tittered awkwardly, covering her mouth with her fist.

"I suppose that answers that question," Staq admitted through fits of giggling. "It's so weird you know, I had this whole thing built up in my head all this time and now it feels like--"

"--like a burden has been lifted?" Arqiia questioned.

"Yeah," he stood up straight and cleared his throat. "Yeah, exactly like that. Friends?" He offered his open hand.

"Staq Firecrest," Arqiia shook his hand firmly, "That was never in question."

The two of them walked along the canal, along an unexpected but more welcome path.


**********

MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


ROLL CALL
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole:
gravity manipulation
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: gravity negation
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference

To any bystanders, the three young men standing off to themselves in the Legion's gym would have seemed an odd sight. Thom Kallor was on the left, wearing a pair of purple shorts and a black singlet with the Legion's gold logo in one corner. One hirsute arm was reaching forward in a casual pointing motion, the dark nimbus of his power reaching out to encompass a 5lb dumbbell.

On the far right, Darvan Locke was taller than Thom and far less hairy. He too was clothed in a singlet and gym shorts though his were white with blue stripes, a coincidental inversion of Light Lad's costume colors. Like Thom, Darvan had one arm outstretched and the pale blue glow of his power levitated a second dumbbell.

Though Gravity Kid was the only one in costume, he had more exposed flesh than the other two combined. He was also more tensely focused, using his own power to counteract both of his teammates simultaneously. The two dumbbells floated three feet above the ground for several moments before Tel emitted an involuntary grunt and staggered back a step, his power abruptly shutting off. One of the weights dropped to the reinforced floor with a calamitous thud, and the second was flung almost thirty feet into the air before Light Lad could reduce the effect of his power to spare the ceiling any damage.

Gravity Kid checked the holographic timepiece implanted in the sleeve of his costume. "3.26 seconds that time!" he beamed. "It's slow progress, but that's nearly a whole second more than when we started doing these exercises last week!"

"Glad I could help," Darvan slapped a hand on Tel's shoulder. "I'm afraid I have to run though, I've got a date with a doctor on Medicus One...and yes, I do realise how that sounds now that I've said it out loud." The trio shared a laugh, and Darvan jogged off.

"I have to say," Thom remarked as he and Tel made their own way out of the gym, "I'm impressed with your dedication, Kid. I wish I put as much work into perfecting my powers when I first joined the Legion...might have avoided some things, that's for sure."

"Thanks, Star Boy." Gravity Kid replied. "I've devoted everything to joining the Legion of Superheroes, I want to make sure I'm worthy of it."

"You're doing fine," Thom reassured him. "Now if you'll excuse me, Light Lad's not the only one with someone waiting for him and Naltorians do not like to be kept waiting. I'll see you for our next training session!" He turned off down a side corridor and left Tel alone.

Tel was absorbed in his own thoughts as he waited for a turbolift to arrive, so when Crystal Kid and Nightwind walked out in mid-conversation he was mildly startled. "Oh hey!" Bobb grinned. "Berta and I are meeting Laurel in the gym for some magno-ball, you want to come with? We can make it doubles!"

"I just came from the gym actually," a weary Gravity Kid replied. "Thanks for the invite though, maybe some other time."

"Hey!" Laurel Kent's voice rang out down the corridor. "You chumps coming to get slaughtered or what?"

"You're lucky you're indestructible because I'm gonna make you eat those words, girl!" Nightwind called back playfully.

"Berta?" Crystal Kid spoke up. "Why don't you two go get started, I'll be along in a nano."

"Sure, but don't take too long," Berta replied with mock smugness. "It's only gonna take a nano for me to get through with her!" She jogged down the corridor and soon they could hear the girls' laughter receding through the building.

"So...how have you been?" Bobb asked Tel as soon as Nightwind was out of sight. "I haven't really had much of a chance to see you since we got back from Robotica."

"Fine," Tel shrugged. "Just you know...training, rescuing trillies from trees, that kind of thing. I don't wanna be rude, but I really am pooped...I've been working with Star Boy and Light Lad on power stuff for the past hour, I'm kinda looking forward to my bed right now to be honest." He stepped past Bobb and into the waiting turbolift.

"Oh sure, yeah, of course," Crystal Kid stumbled over his words. "Hey, um...do you wanna maybe hang out some time, like...like just the two of us?"

"You mean go on a date?" Tel looked taken aback. "Oh, no offence Crystal Kid...I'm flattered, but I really just want to concentrate on being a Legionnaire at the moment, you know? I don't think there's really space in my life for that kind of complication right now."

"Oh," Bobb flushed with embarassment. "Oh yeah, sure. No, yeah, that makes sense. Well...well, bye I guess." He flashed Tel a weak smile and stood there defeated as the door closed between them.

**********

EARTH
Metropolis, the Allon penthouse


ROLL CALL
Colossal Boy aka Gim Allon:
growth powers
Yera Allon: ex-Legionnaire, Durlan shapeshifting [/i]

At an expensive round table covered in various dishes of food, Wynn and Marte Allon were eating dinner with their son and daughter-in-law. "Gim tells us you're thinking about working with Ambassador Grb to help Durlan expatriates?" Marte asked Yera. While the undertone escaped Gim completely, Yera noticed that Wynn Allon shot Marte a brief glance which signified there was more to this question than it seemed.

"I'm not thinking about it," Yera replied with cheerful civility, "I've been working with him for a while now actually."

"I think it's a great thing you're doing," Wynn said with genuine warmth. "Lord knows from some of the stories Reep's told us over the years, our society doesn't make it very easy for Durlans to succeed. It's sad that in the 31st century we still need to concern ourselves with things like xenophobia."

"Mom, these knishes are great!" Gim muttered through chomps of food, oblivious to the conversation going on around him.

"Your father found a new recipe for the autochef," Marte Allon touched Wynn's arm affectionately. "And don't talk with your mouth full, Gim." She turned the conversation back to Yera. "I've heard nothing but good things about Ambassador Grb...this kind of work takes a lot of commitment though, dear. I do hope you find it satisfying."

"Immensely," Yera gave her a tight smile.

"It's just..." Marte clearly was not ready to let this go. "...you've been an actress, you've played at being a superhero...a lot of people will be relying on you in this role. You won't be able to just cut your losses and run when things get difficult, I'd hate for you to overextend yourself."

Yera gave a laugh that was perhaps a little too sharp. "I'd never have bet on you forgetting your son married a shapeshifter, Marte...but trust me, Durlans have no problem stretching as far as we need to get what we want."

The two women fixed one another with frozen smiles while Wynn Allon decided this was not a battleground he wanted to enter and turned his attention to his plate.

"Seriously, you guys!" Gim enthused as he reached across the table for more of the doughy treats. "You gotta give us that recipe to take back to Mars!"

**********

90 minutes later, Gim was carrying a container of food in one arm and stealing morsels with his free hand as he and his wife walked toward their own Metropolis residence. Though they rarely used it these days, they'd still decided to retain a place in this city so they had somewhere to stay when they visited Gim's homeworld.

"Gim Allon, where are you finding room for all of that?" Yera snapped. "You haven't stopped eating since dinner!"

"Come on," Gim groaned comically. "They're so good. Man, I can't believe my parents finally learned how to cook! I'm glad we don't live in Metropolis anymore, I'd end up looking like Bouncing Boy!"

"Well I'm glad you had a good time," Yera folded her arms crossly. "Your mother was at me all night, I thought we got over all of this years ago!"

"Wait, what?" Gim gulped down a chunk of food. "Honey, what are you talking about? My mom loves you!"

"Oh, Gim!" Yera fumed. "Did you seriously not listen to a word she said tonight? She hates that you married a Durlan and she can no longer hide it!"

"Yera." Gim Allon stepped in front of his wife and placed his hands on her shoulders. "That's ridiculous, we've been over this before. Cham is practically family, she doesn't hate Durlans. My mom was put out when we eloped, but come on...what mom wouldn't be mad that her only son got married without telling her? She's never hated you though, you know that."

"All that snide talk about how I can't commit to anything, how I run away at the first sign of trouble...that woman has no idea what I've been through!" Yera retaliated.

Gim blinked dumbly. "I mean...you did leave me in the middle of the night, honey."

Gim immediately knew he'd said the wrong thing. Yera's eyes welled with angry tears and she took a breath to snap back at her husband, but instead wordlessly changed shape to mimic a Lallorian sparrowhawk and flew off before he could stop her.

Gim Allon watched his wife ascend and slapped his forehead. "...Sprock."

Yera was still in avian form half a minute later when she saw two enormous hands clasp shut around her. She had more than enough room to avoid injury, but she was nowhere near strong enough to break free in this form. Frustrated, she turned back to her normal self and beat her fists against one of the oversized palms. "Let me go, Gim!"

"Not unless you promise to stay and hash this out!" her husband's voice boomed.

"Fine!" Yera spat. "Whatever!"

She felt a rustling movement and when Colossal Boy's hands opened up again, Yera found herself deposited on a rooftop of one of the higher buildings in Metropolis. Gim was using his flight ring to float alongside the building but he hadn't reduced his size, and his head poking over the rooftop's edge was at least fifteen feet tall.

"Before you say anything," his voice at this size resounded in her bones, "I'm sorry. That was a colossally insensitive thing to say, so I guess I've got the right codename. But hear me out. Yera, you said it yourself. Mom doesn't know what you've been through. She doesn't know why you left me. What do you expect her to think? My folks love you, you dope! Did you expect them not to feel hurt when you just disappeared one night without any explanation?"

"But I'm back now!" she protested.

"Yera, honey..." Gim shrank back to his normal proportions and touched down on the rooftop to approach his wife. "Life isn't that simple. I mean I know now why you did what you did, but I'm not gonna pretend it didn't hurt."

"What's wrong with me?" she burst into tears and hid her face in her hands, turning away from her husband. "Every time I think I'm doing the right thing, all I do is hurt good people! You're better off without me, Gim!"

"I think we've seen what happens when I have to try and live without you." Gim hugged her from behind and kissed the top of her head. "You just left me for like 15 seconds and I already gave up the best knishes I've ever had in my life. I can't be trusted on my own, Yera."

Her sobbing turned into laughter and she turned to embrace her husband back. "You big idiot. Maybe...maybe I need help, Gim. Maybe I need to talk to someone."

"Then we'll get you someone to talk to. Whatever it takes, honey." He gently raised her chin and the two kissed beneath the silver moon.

**********

VAVALLA
Powder Plains Resort


ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem:
chlorokinesis
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Ivy Arcane: baby; Avatar of the Green
Lamprey aka Tayla Skott: Legion ally; amphibious, electricity generation
Turtle aka Bogdan Tarka: former substitute supervillain; amphibious, invulnerable

"Parse me to the C-span! It's nova bright here, starshine!" Comet Queen sat splay-legged in wet sand at the edge of the ocean. She held Ivy Arcane close to her, watching as the chubby infant girl splashed gleefully at the water lapping at the shore.

Laying on kelp rafts of Chlorophyll Kid's creation further out in the open water, Turtle turned to Lamprey beside him and removed his sunglasses. "Does she ever speak Interlac, gorgeous?" Turtle asked in a hushed tone.

"Don't be mean!" The green-skinned woman sent a pulse of bio-electricity through his shoulder, knowing that it wouldn't actually hurt him.

"Grava takes some getting used to," Chloropyll Kid added. "But it's worth the effort." He too was wearing sunglasses, and nothing else but a dark green pair of boardshorts. The rafts were moored with thick ropes of kelp so the three of them didn't float out to sea, and more sturdy oversized wooden coasters floated alongside bearing drinks for all of them. Ral let his head roll lazily to the left so he could look at Lamprey and Turtle beside him. "I'll admit, I wasn't too wild about the idea of bringing Ivy to an ocean world...especially one with you on it, Turtle. The last time we met, you didn't exactly strike me as a stand-up kind of guy. But this vacation has been pure relaxation. Thanks for inviting us here, Tayla!"

"Bogdan's another one that takes some getting used to," Lamprey poked Turtle in the ribs. "The jury's still out on whether it's worth the effort. But honestly, when Comet Queen told me she had an actual real life boyfriend who wasn't a Bouncing Boy body pillow I just had to meet you properly."

"Hey!" Grava called out. "Just cuz you can't see my ears doesn't mean I can't receive your signal, Electric Eel Lass!" All four of them laughed, and that set Ivy into fits of giggles as well.

"I'm just glad we broke the curse." Turtle replaced his sunglasses, took a long sip of his purple drink through a curly straw and lay back once again.

"Curse?" Ral queried. "What curse?"

"Ignore him," Lamprey waved dismissively. "He's just paranoid because the last two times Legionnaires came here we ended up fighting for our lives. But nothing like that's gonna happen this time--"

Lamprey never got to finish her sentence, as all five of them vanished in flashbursts of light.

TO BE CONTINUED!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Young and the Restless - 11/24/20 05:38 PM
OOh some nice scenes with relatively newer, non-Adventure Era characters, that you've really made your own.

Hey, interest is not always requited - and Gravity Kid is like SUPER ambitious. Poor Bobb, hope he won't take it personally.

Gim/Yera, nice to see that bit of fallout revisited. I like how Gim (despite being an oblivious lunkhead) managed to explain it all to Yera. The frostiness from Marte was well done. As was Yera misinterpreting WHY.

Also nice re Staq and Arqiia becoming friends. realistic.

And Lamprey and Turtle, oooo. Are we gonna see flight rings in the future? Not your first outing with Lamprey. Nice to see Lamprey/ Grava academy days revisited, I do remember they weren't the very best of friends then but they were there together so... and heh at the reference to Grava's mega crush on Chuck
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Young and the Restless - 11/26/20 03:46 AM
Thanks IB! I wish Marte was still president so I had more of an excuse to use her, she's probably my favourite of the Legion's support cast along with Shvaughn smile

I will remain enigmatic on Lamprey and Turtle's futures but I WILL say that two Legionnaires are gonna be leaving soon and two new recruits will be joining...
Posted By: Omni Re: The Young and the Restless - 11/29/20 01:03 AM
Staq and Aquilla was done well. I loved the ending with both of them unimpressed/disgusted by the kiss. I definitely chuckled a bit.

The scene with Yera and Gim's family was interesting. I loved Gim's obliviousness. The argument without it being an argument was well done. I felt Yera's anger and guilt. But I wonder if they can or will ever tell Gim's family the reasons for her leaving. It might give her and Marte a chance to bond if Yera could confide in her.

Lamprey and Turtle are back and relaxing...and I knew it was too good to be true. But that was a cute moment. Grava is such a good mom and I agree its nice to see that connectivity from the former cadets. I hope who or whatever took them they are safe.
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Young and the Restless - 12/01/20 03:48 AM
Thanks Omni! For once you won't have to wait six months for one of my plots to come around, I am gonna be revealing exactly what happened with Lamprey and the others in my next instalment! smile
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Young and the Restless - 12/01/20 08:16 AM
Hey Raz, sorry I'm late to the party.

I really liked the scene with Staq and Arquila. It's rare people realise they're not attracted to each other and can laugh it off like that. Hopefully it'll only increase their friendship.

Marte the cat! Typical Gim keeping his head in the sand and not acknowledging his mother's digs, though poor Yera having to tough it out without her husband to stick up for her. Though nice save in the end there by Gim - hopefully the pair will get the help they need.

Love that 'the curse' strikes again, and an interesting group you've got there. Looking forward to finding out where their story goes next.

Glad to hear it won't be six months until we find out whats8going on as I demand more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Young and the Restless - 12/01/20 01:43 PM
Hi Harbi, the party is just starting to gear up so you're right on time!

I'm glad everyone liked the resolution to Staq and Arqiia's Soulmate Problem....usually in comics they ignore the skeeviness factor and just have that kind of thing end up as a traditional romance so I was kinda curious to explore what happens when two people who are attracted to one another for external reasons realise it's artificial and just decide to be friends.

Chlorophyll Kid, Comet Queen and Ivy are all gonna go to some interesting places in the next 3 or 4 instalments as well!

Everything is gonna be a hopefully exciting dumpster fire soon, keep reading! laugh
Posted By: razsolo The Human Zoo - 12/01/20 02:04 PM
ZWEN
Gifton Mountain Range, Pear Peak Resort


ROLL CALL
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Quislet: energy being, temporary animation of matter
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute into living stone


"Wooh!" Quislet exclaimed gleefully. "Mountain house fall down, go boom!"

In his stone form, Dag Wentim shot the sleek little microship an annoyed glance but he knew better than to expect decorum from the Legionnaire inside.

On any other world, the scene before these four Legionnaires would be horrifying. Pear Peak was one of Zwen's most prestigous ski resorts, situated at the top of a mountain which was covered in snow most of the year. Normally, the sloping slant of the roof made it seem as though the resort were growing from the mountain itself and all four stories of the resort's accommodation area looked out over an awe-inspiring chasm thanks to an entire wall of windows that were level with the cliff face. There had been an unexpected earthquake in this area two weeks ago though, and now the resort lay in ruins all up and down the mountain. The resort, and the people in it.

Fortunately for the hedonistic elite of Stone Boy's homeworld, it had been night time on Zwen for almost the past six UP standard months. This meant that for all that time, every native of Zwen had existed in a petrified state of hibernation. They'd still need to be found and rescued, but the stone men and women of Zwen were highly durable and the death toll here would be far far less than if this had happened on many other worlds. Still, the heroes floating above this carnage were certainly going to have their work cut out for them. It was only thanks to emergency lighting provided by Science Police droids that they could even see anything out here.

"Phantom Girl should have sent Blok or Mon-El," a dejected Crystal Kid sighed. "How are we meant to deal with something on this scale?"

"We're actually lucky this happened when it did," Stone Boy answered. "A month later, this place would be packed with people...flesh and blood people. And if it had happened much earlier, the weather up here would have made it impossible for anyone outside of Dawnstar or Mwindaji to find survivors and we probably would need Mon-El or Blok to get them out. I mean it's still too cold and blustery for the Science Police to risk sending officers out here, but I'm as protected as any other Zwennite and Quislet's fine in his ship. Crystal Kid, Gravity Kid; are your transuits holding up okay?"

Both young men began to answer simultaneously, then looked at one another with embarassment and half-mumbled apologies.

Stone Boy arched an eyebrow. "I'll take that as a yes..? Quislet, how big an area can you animate? We need to get through all this fresh snow before we can worry about anything else."

"Quislet can only enter one thing at a time!" the Teallian hero explained as he flew circles round the boys. "Lots and lots of snowflakes on this mountain, Stone Boy! No way Quislet can bring all of them to life at same time!"

"...That's just perception though, right?" Gravity Kid stroked his fuzz-coated chin. "I mean a pulse rifle is made up of a bunch of individual components, but I've seen you animate one of those! Don't think of this as millions of individual snowflakes, just think of it as one big carpet of snow!"

"No can do!" Quislet changed his flightpath and started doing vertical loops. "Rules is rules, sorry Gravity Kid!"

"Okay, but Tel--" Crystal Kid cleared his throat self-consciously, "--Gravity Kid is right. It is all perception."

"What Quislet tell you?" Quislet shot back, annoyed. "You boys think you know better than Quislet? Hoo boy, Brainiac 5 you not!"

"I wasn't talking about your perception," Bobb pouted. "Oh, just...just watch." Avoiding Gravity Kid, he flew round behind Stone Boy and touched down gently on the crisp white snow. Protected from dampness thanks to his transuit, he got down on one knee and placed both palms on the snow. An instant later, crystalline patterns grew out from his hands to coat the snow for a hundred feet in all directions. "Now it's just one big crystal mass," Bobb explained. "Can you work with that?"

"Wow!" Quislet exclaimed, zipping down to Bobb's side. "Crystal Kid might not be Brainiac 5, but he Brainiac 3 at least! Now Quislet can save the day!"

Stone Boy shook his head at Quislet's unparalleled level of self-absorption and turned away. "We'll leave you two to it here then, something tells me that Gravity Kid and I will be more useful evacuating what's left of the building sites." As Dag and Tel landed just north of Crystal Kid's handiwork and near the most intact part of the resort still standing, Stone Boy turned to face Gravity Kid directly. "If there's something going on with you two that might affect a mission, you probably should have let me know before we left Mars."

Gravity Kid was taken aback. "Us two? Us two who?"

"Come on, Tel." Stone Boy hefted an enormous beam up with both arms and hurled it to one side. "Move that pile there, please. You and Crystal Kid have been walking on eggshells around each other since we got on board the cruiser. I'm your squad leader, is there anything I need to be aware of?"

Gravity Kid gestured, and a ton of loose rubble suddenly became light enough to be whisked away on the cold mountain winds. Once it was far enough to not put anyone at risk, Tel gently lowered it all to the ground. "It's personal," he answered, tight-lipped.

Stone Boy moved in on the area they'd just uncovered, carefully looking for any of his countrymen. Their stone forms protected them from the elements, but they also made it almost impossible for them to be picked up on conventional bio-scanners. The Legionnaires were going to have to locate them the old-fashioned way.

Gravity Kid sighed. "...Bobb asked me out last night. I told him no, of course. I mean you know what it's like, right? You're not dating anyone either, there's no room for that kind of thing when you're a superhero. But I guess we're gonna be a little awkward around one another until he gets over it. We're both professionals though, Stone Boy. We wouldn't let it impact our work."

"Found some resort staff." Stone Boy raised up a petrified man and woman, and Gravity Kid carefully floated them to a safe distance while Dag carried two more beside him. "Gravity Kid, look. This is none of my business, and sprock knows I've got no interest in helping your love life after the way you dumped my brother for the sake of your own ambition. I never thought of you as an idiot though, and what you just said is the most idiotic thing I've ever heard. I don't have a partner because the right one hasn't come along. But Lydda has Cos, Infectious Lass has Invisible Kid....for grife's sake, Phantom Girl's been dating Ultra Boy since forever and she's our team leader. You don't need to sacrifice your own happiness to be in the Legion of Superheroes, and doing that is eventually going to make you resent the fact you ever wanted to join." The two heard Crystal Kid cry out Quislet's name in exasperation, and Stone Boy rolled his eyes in response. "Keep going here," he ordered Gravity Kid. "I'm going to see what fresh new high school drama we've got to deal with now."

Tel watched him leave, a little surprised that Lullabye Lad's unassuming big brother had that kind of bluntness in him.

But maybe...maybe he wasn't wrong, either...

**********

TITAN
Titanopolis, Titanian Institute of the Mind


ROLL CALL
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: intangibility
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis


Phantom Girl, Tellus and Mwindaji drew attention from students and staff alike as they descended over the spacious campus of the Titanian Institute of the Mind using their flight rings. It was a sunny afternoon on Titan, and many had taken to the green spaces outside their place of learning to enjoy lunch, study or just relax with their peers.

"I'm so annoyed that Quislet and Comet Queen just let that poor girl run off," Phantom Girl complained, "This is our chance to make it up to her. Mwin, can you take us to her from here?"

"Easily," the young tracker nodded. Taking the lead, he landed on the rooftop of one of the buildings scattered around the campus and walked toward a door only to find that it was locked.

"Phantom Girl?" Tellus queried. "Shall I use my telekinesis to grant us entry?"

"Thanks for the offer but don't put yourself out," Tinya replied. "Not when I can just..." Half her hand disappeared into the locking mechanism, and Tinya screwed up her face in concentration. "...Ah, there we go!" The others heard a click, and Phantom Girl withdrew her hand and opened the door.

The three had come looking for Bina Nawoti, a young Terran woman who had wanted to join the Legion of Superheroes using the codename Otaki. When Otaki had tried to demonstrate her mindsense to Comet Queen and Chloropyll Kid, she'd unwittingly set off the mighty powers of Chlorophyll Kid's infant ward Ivy, and the Legion and their many applicants alike had all had to face an onslaught of animated plant life. Something about that experience had prematurely aged Otaki, and the Legion had been keeping an eye on her in their multilab with the intention of following up once she'd recovered sufficiently. As it so happened however, the first Legionnaire Otaki had come across when she woke was Quislet and that meeting had not gone well at all. Otaki had fled the base in a panic, and Phantom Girl hoped she could undo some of the damage that had been done that day. As promised, Mwindaji had led them to Otaki's dorm room and Phantom Girl now rapped on the girl's door.

They heard some shuffling around inside, and a couple of seconds later the door slid into its recess. Most of the effects of the premature aging had faded and the three Legionnaires now looked upon a healthy if exhausted young woman of Asian descent, her jet black hair lined with streaks of grey. The woman took one look at them, screamed "No!!" and pressed a button which closed the door in their faces.

"She was quite distressed to see us," Tellus observed. "Perhaps she has never seen a Hykraian before? My appearance can be unnerving to some humanoids."

"I doubt that's it." Phantom Girl thought it through. "This is the highest place of learning for psi-talents in the UP and Hykraians are one of the few known UP races with native psi-talents. Even if it were just from academic text, she'd have to know what your people look like...and you're more famous than you think, Tellus. I'd be very surprised if someone came to the first Legion Try-Out in years not being able to recognise you on sight. No, I think this is something else." Tinya knocked at the door again. "Otaki? Bina..? Listen, don't be scared - I'm coming in on my own, okay?"

Tinya phased through the door, her palms open to show she meant no harm. The first thing she noticed was that the room had been stripped of all personal effects and a packed suitcase was open on the bed. The young woman she'd come here to see was on the far side of the windowless room, sitting in a chair with her face in her hands. "Bina..?" Tinya asked cautiously.

"Get out of here!" Otaki railed. "What is wrong with you people?!"

"I...I don't understand. Bina, we only came to see if you were okay after what happened on Mars...and to let you know that given the circumstances, the Legion would be happy to let you try out for membership. I don't think--"

"Are you insane?" Otaki exploded. "I have spent so much time working on my mindsense...do you know I'm only the sixth Terran to be admitted here in all of Titan's history?? And all of that work, everything I gave up, I did it because I wanted to be in the Legion of Superheroes! And the very first time I meet you people, I get...I get possessed or something, then before I can recover from that a whole different thing invades my mind, and then one of your Legionnaires assaults me! Why do you think I want anything to do with you people?? I'm leaving here and going back to Earth and I'm going to pray that maybe eventually I'll be able to get through a whole night of sleep without waking up screaming!"

"Bina, listen to me." Tinya sat on the edge of the girl's bed. "I'm sorry that happened to you...but we don't really know what happened, and as traumatising as it's obviously been I think we need to know. With your permission I'd like Tellus to scan your mind, just to--"

"No!" Bina almost screamed at her. "Why are you still here?? Get out of my room, Phantom Girl!"

Phantom Girl stood and regarded the hysterical girl carefully. "Okay," Tinya eventually surrendered. "I'll leave, Bina. But please know that the Legion are here for you. If there's anything you need from us, please don't hesitate to reach out." Tinya considered making another attempt to persuade the haunted young woman before her, but realised it would be pointless...besides, surely the staff here would have noticed if there were anything more sinister behind Bina's state of mind than simple trauma. She was however going to let the Institute's faculty know what had happened, and suggest that they ask Bina's emergency contacts to look out for her.

As she walked back through the door, Phantom Girl's flight ring breeped at her. "Phantom Girl, Quislet got news!"

Tinya recognized the Teallian Legionnaire's distinctive voice instantly, and though she didn't particularly want to talk to him at the moment she pushed that aside. "What is it, Quislet?" she sighed.

"Quislet got bad news! The worst!

...Quislet has to leave the Legion of Superheroes!"


**********

ELSEWHERE

ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Ivy Arcane baby; Avatar of the Green
Lamprey aka Tayla Skott: Legion ally; amphibious, electricity generation
Turtle aka Bogdan Tarka: former substitute supervillain; amphibious, invulnerable


"Let's go over this again," Chlorophyll Kid almost leaned against the sky blue wall, but then thought better of it. The room in which they'd found themselves was composed of something which felt far too much like flesh for Ral to be comfortable touching any more than necessary...even knowing it was there inches under the sand beneath his bare feet made his skin crawl. The room was spacious enough for all five of them to inhabit comfortably and there was even a small pool full of saltwater inset into the floor, but there was no furniture and no visible exit. The room didn't have conventional walls so much as it was one seamless curved area, but one massive section was a transparent membrane through which they could see that they were in fact in some kind of enclosed space underwater. Occasionally, eyeless yellow and blue cephalopods would float past them or stop momentarily before passing along their way.

"What's to go over?" Turtle snapped. "One nano we're relaxing on the beach, the next we're teleported into this weird sprocking cell with weird octopus jailers that don't look like any species I recognise. Your flight rings don't work so we can't call for help, and we can't risk trying to bust out of here because as soon as that membrane breaks you three will drown. That about cover it?"

"There's no need to get snippy," Lamprey gave him a disapproving look. "We're all in this together, Turtle."

"You're right, gorgeous," Turtle was shame-faced. "Sorry, I just don't like feeling useless. Invulnerability don't mean florg-all in a jam like this."

"Don't let your orbit decay, starshine!" Comet Queen spoke in a stage whisper so as not to wake Ivy who'd finally fallen asleep in her arms. "None of our powers are useful right now, but it's like Durgo always used to say...we're more than just our powers!" She gave Turtle a hopeful smile, then turned to Chlorophyll Kid. "Chlory, I was just thinking...maybe my transuit would cover Ivy as well? She's only a little sprout, if I hug her tight--"

"We don't even know if our transuits are working, Grava." Chlorophyll Kid sighed. "I can't fly, we can't radio for help...and even if the life support function does work, it's too great a risk to assume it'll cover another person. I suppose we should just count our blessings that she's sleeping through this whole thing, the last thing we need right now is another one of her outbursts to deal with. Speaking of Ivy, do you want me to hold her for a while? Your arms must be awfully tired."

"I wasn't gonna flare up or anything but thanks, starshine!" Grava handed the sleeping infant to Ral and pecked him on the cheek.

"Wait, that's right!" Lamprey snapped her fingers. "Her plant powers are way stronger than yours, right? I remember Grava saying she can even create plants out of nowhere! Can't we use that?"

"She's not even twelve months old," Ral shook his head. "She only does it when she's scared, and we can't begin to control it. She'd just as likely kill all of us as do anything remotely helpful."

"But you're Chlorophyll Kid," Lamprey persisted. "Your whole thing is controlling plants, isn't it?"

"Sure, if she doesn't accidentally spear me through first with a Q'onian thorn tree or fill the room with suicide plants. I can control the plants that she's created, but I can't tell her what to create...she's a baby, Lamprey; not a magic seed pouch."

"And you said she only does it when she's scared, right?" Turtle added. "I was a supervillain for five minutes and even I couldn't bring myself to terrorise a little kid!"

"Ugh, fine." Lamprey threw her hands up in defeat. "Sorry for trying to get us out of this stupid prison."

"You know..." Comet Queen's face was pushed right up against the room's transparent membrane. "...I don't think this is a prison, you guys! Not a prison for people, anyway!"

"What are you talking about?" Lamprey asked, annoyed. "Of course it's a prison, if they were evil scientists they'd have tried to dissect us by now!"

"If it's not a prison..." Chlorophyll Kid asked slowly, "...what do you think it is, Grava..?" Ral knew that Comet Queen could be nigh incomprehensible, but she wasn't stupid; sometimes the fact that she saw the world differently to everyone else also meant she saw things that other people missed.

"Come on, my bright little stars!" she flashed a dazzling smile at her friends. "Haven't any of you ever been to a zoo before?"

Chlorophyll Kid's eyes widened as he put it all together. Of course! This room wasn't exactly a replica of the beach they'd been taken from, but it was what an alien race might put together if they thought a beach was some animal's native habitat! The side of the room with the membrane was also where the pool had been placed, so Ral and the others could be viewed both above and below the pool's surface. Those octopus creatures hadn't once tried to respond to any attempts at communication or explain why they'd been abducted, because why would anyone bother trying to talk to an animal in an exhibit? And as Ral now joined Grava near the membrane, he noticed something else. "Children..." he murmured. "I think...I think most of those creatures out there are children!"

"Oh my god," Lamprey was slack-jawed. "You're right! I thought it was maybe a military or social dominance thing, but...they're all parents and their kids, right?"

All four of them saw it so clearly now. Most of the creatures were between four to six feet tall, but for every few of those there was one cephalopod almost double their height, and they travelled together in specific units. Now that the four abductees were standing at the membrane they could also see other rooms lining the large corridor of liquid through which the aliens floated, and though they could only partially see the interior of two of those rooms it was obvious that both of them held distinctly separate species.

"If I was a zookeeper," Chlorophyll Kid reasoned, "And I found one world with sentient species as diverse as the five of us must seem, how could I pass it up? No wonder they kidnapped us!"

"Okay, so we're in a zoo," Turtle shrugged. "We're still stuck here! We've all tried talking to them, none of them respond at all!"

"You're right," Chlorophyll Kid agreed, "Like I said, they think we're animals. I mean, look at them...they don't have visible mouths to speak with, we haven't heard anything from them the whole time we've been here...they probably don't get that speech is our primary means of communication, they might not even have an auditory sense. They're most likely telepathic, right? Like Hykraians?"

"Sure," Lamprey agreed. "Except Tellus told us once at the Academy that most Hykraians only use telepathy for short-range communications, the color-changing pods on their backs are more useful across any kind of distance. If these guys have any kind of really developed telepathic abilities, surely they would have picked up that we're intelligent by now!"

"So you think there's something else?" Comet Queen joined in. "Like what, starshine? None of them have shifted wavelength the whole time we've been here!"

"Not any visible wavelength, no." Lamprey placed her open palms on the membrane. "But there's another facet to my abilities, you guys...I never really talk about it because it's so weak that it's generally useless, but one of the genemods my dad gave me is a super primitive bioelectric perception. All of these aliens have a noticeable burst of bioelectric activity occasionally. I think...I think it might be their language. I'm going to try something." Pressing just hard enough that the elastic membrane began to deform around the outline of her fingers, Lamprey released a tiny burst of energy. It wasn't anywhere near powerful enough to do any damage, but she counted two seconds then dutifully released a second pulse...then a third and a fourth.

"Clever," Ral commended her. "Maybe they don't recognise our speech, but they'd have to have developed pattern recognition if they're intelligent!"

Lamprey continued emitting pulses of bio-electricity, counting the seconds between each one to ensure they remained consistently spaced. After five more bursts, one of the smaller creatures paused while its group continued along their way. Like all of its people, its flesh was bright yellow. Blue diamond-shaped patches covered its body, fading away as they came closer to its eight tentacles. Though the creature had no visible sensory organs, the motley crew of abductees somehow had the distinct impression that it had noticed them.

The creature rewarded their suspicion by changing its path through the water and approaching their room. It stopped right before the membrane, then slowly raised two tentacles to meet position with Lamprey's palms. The creature sent out a pulse of its own to match Lamprey's, then became surrounded by an orange glow which grew brighter for a second before it flashed intensely...and then the creature was gone.

Comet Queen's high-pitched scream meant the alien's destination was not a mystery for long...it had teleported into their room! Grava's scream woke Ivy up with a start, and the infant started crying while Turtle launched himself at the cephalopod and punched it straight into the pool.

<You all are sapient!> The creature's voice was in their minds, and it sounded genuinely surprised.

"You bet your creepy suckers we are!" Both Turtle's hands were balled into fists as he approached the cephalopod, Lamprey soon joining him. Comet Queen immediately leaped in between Chlorophyll Kid and the others, and Chlorophyll Kid tried his best to calm Ivy. Ral realised with a sinking heart that it was already too late though, vines and long blades of grass were beginning to poke through the sand. All he could do was focus on keeping the encroaching plants away from himself and his allies and hope that in her fear Ivy didn't bring forth anything more dangerous than this.

<I apologise and I am deeply ashamed> the alien continued. <We have always been told that our subjects were of minimal intellect...but clearly that is not the case!> It rolled one tentacle up to point toward Lamprey. <The bright green one has enough power to temporarily break the electropsionic haze which the m'ngr naturally creates. I felt all of your thoughtpaths each time that one reached out>

"What the sprock is a...munger?" Lamprey asked, her mouth struggling to duplicate the name her mind had heard.

<We are within the m'ngr> the creature replied. <It is a creature that works in service to us, and subsists on your excess electropsionic emissions. I now sense that you have appellations; Turtle, Lamprey, Comet Queen, Chlorophyll Kid, Ivy. My own is S'jn. I also sense that the rest of you are concerned for Ivy's safety and concerned that Ivy may hurt us. I can stop that from happening>

S'jn began to make its way out of the pool, and Lamprey and Turtle immediately blocked its path. "You're not getting anywhere near her," Lamprey said flatly.

"My girl's right," Turtle backed her up, "And just so you know, I'm invulnerable. There's nothing you can do that will stop me from kicking your nass."

Comet Queen stepped forward. "How?" she asked simply. The others all looked at her, clearly confused. "How are you gonna stop our little sprout?" Grava clarified.

<I sense your affection for this child> One of S'jn's tentacles gestured toward Comet Queen. <Know that I will not hurt the child, but I can remove panic>

"I don't know about this..." Ral unconsciously changed position so that his own body was a barrier between S'jn and Ivy. He also noticed that more of S'jn's people had stopped to see this spectacle; a group was gathering on the other side of the transparent membrane.

Comet Queen strode right on up to the yellow and blue cephalopod and offered her open hand. "Show me what you mean," she challenged them.

One of S'jn's tentacles rose and wrapped itself tenderly around Grava's outstretched hand. Some kind of communication passed between them, and a moment later Grava turned to Ral. "Chlory, I think our rogue planet here really can help."

Chlorophyll Kid had just had to prevent the petals of a deathmercy flower from opening up in the corner of their room, but with that under control he made his decision. Trying to appear as stoic as he could in nothing but a pair of boardshorts, he turned to face S'jn and held Ivy toward them. He tried to think of something suitably heroic to say. In the end, he could only face Comet Queen and declare, "I trust you, Grava."

S'jn reached one tentacle forward, and rather than wrap around the frightened child in Ral Benem's arms it instead brushed lightly against her cheek. In the space of a couple of seconds, Ivy stopped crying and gazed at S'jn in wonderment while her fat little hand grasped at S'jn's tentacle. The plants already in the room remained, but the swiftly growing verdant ground covering ceased to grow any further.

S'jn's body language suddenly changed as they visibly stiffened. <It is not right that we treat you this way> the alien spoke in all of their minds again, <Please come closer to me and I will make amends>

While Comet Queen rushed to Chlorophyll Kid and Ivy's side, Turtle turned to Lamprey. She shrugged and stepped forward, and when Turtle followed suit S'jn extended a tentacle to touch each of the abductees. They were all enveloped in the same orange glow, and then flashbulbs went off and they found themselves standing on the beach from which they'd been abducted so many hours ago.

Comet Queen hugged S'jn without reservation. "Oh, thank you Starshine! I knew you were a good little rogue planet!"

<I am pleased to make amends> S'jn replied. <However-> The young cephalopodic alien stopped mid-thought and froze for almost a full minute while the others tried to get S'jn's attention. Eventually, S'jn snapped out of their seeming trance. <I have been exiled> they explained dispassionately. <For my crime of assisting those whom my people have always called lesser beings, I have been sentenced to live among lesser beings>

"Sprock them," Lamprey piped up. "What kind of nassheads would abandon a kid because they developed a conscience? We have an organisation called the Science Police on this world, S'jn. I'll make sure they look after you for the way you helped us today."

"Better offer than I ever got," Turtle taunted Lamprey.

"Rescue us from something you didn't endanger us with to begin with and then we'll talk," Lamprey poked her tongue out. "Come on, S'jn. Let's get you settled among the lesser beings...maybe we can even see if there's some way we can help the other sentients on board whatever that ship was." Lamprey and Turtle walked away, S'jn floating behind them as easily as they'd floated through water earlier.

Comet Queen followed, but Chlorophyll Kid called out to her before she got too far. He'd salvaged one tiny sapling from Ivy's outburst earlier and he shaped it now within his fist to the form he wanted. "Grava, I want to say something."

"Cosmic coolness, Chlory!" Comet Queen beamed. "What's the static on your spectrum?"

Holding Ivy in the crook of his right arm, Ral's left hand was closed into a relaxed fist. "Grava, I want you to know...your optimism and your faith in people to do the right thing...every day it amazes me. Back there in whatever that crazy situation was, you were the only one to give S'jn the benefit of the doubt when they wanted to help us and that's arguably why we're safe now. You were with me when I took on my role as protector of the Avatar of the Green, and you have unwaveringly stood beside me ever since. You've shown me nothing but love, and you've taken on looking after Ivy as if she were your own daughter. You humble me, and I've never met anybody like you who teaches me every single day what it's like to take joy in just being alive. I guess what I'm saying is..." Ral got down on one one knee and held out the ring he'd forged from Ivy's sapling in his palm.

"...Grava, will you marry me?"

**********
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Human Zoo - 12/01/20 09:23 PM
Like, wow!

Good talking-to from Stone Boy to Gravity Kid, nice use of Crystal Kid's power. Quislet leaving Legion, hrmph. Quis is annoying, but meant to be...

I like how Tinya tried to make amends. Poor, poor Otaki, the girl is just broken...

Nice use of Lamprey's powers and Comet Queen's Grava-ness...

AND A MARRIAGE! WOWZERS!

Also, poor S'jn, is S'jn not just a child???? goodness!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Human Zoo - 12/02/20 03:46 AM
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
Poor, poor Otaki, the girl is just broken...
Oh, it's just gonna get worse from here...*insane Dr Mayavale-stylez laughing for hours*

Quote
Nice use of Lamprey's powers and Comet Queen's Grava-ness...

Thanks, and yes Grava-ness probably should go down on CQ's list of powers hahahaha

Quote
AND A MARRIAGE! WOWZERS!
*more Dr Mayavale laughing for no particular reason.....*

Quote
Also, poor S'jn, is S'jn not just a child???? goodness!
S'jn is indeed just a child. S'jn's people are....not super nice frown
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Human Zoo - 12/02/20 08:57 AM
Gasp! poor poor Otaki, really waiting to see the end game

and now you have got me curious about the wedding!

And also S'jn's fate, I'm sure you have something planned for it
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Human Zoo - 12/02/20 01:35 PM
More fun Raz, really loving your work.

I am totally envious of your skill at taking the weaker characters and showing why they are deserving of their flight ring- Stone Boy has never really been a favourite of mine but you've given him a solid personality and some grit (so to speak) as well. Gravity Kid needed that wake up call, so well done. Also, it's always great to see the team simply helping people in a difficult spot, not fighting some villain or another... again!

Your Tinya wears her compassionate on her (wizard) sleeves, which is nice. Looking forward to seeing how Otaki is going to fit in to the Alek Arcane storyline. And you've got a good grip on Tellus, a character I really struggle writing.

The zoo was fun and I hope you're team will be revisiting it and helping liberate the other sapients in there. S'jn is an interesting character, is s/he unique in his culture or will there be others that agree? And, telepathy, levitatation and teleportation - potential new member?

The one minor complaint I have was there was only a few examples of Gravas' stellarific c-speed blasting red shifting event horizon diving swirly galactitious speech patterns . I appreciate they're exhausting to come up with though smile

And a wedding, fabbo! Looking forward to it.

Splendid stuff Raz, more, more, more!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Human Zoo - 12/02/20 09:41 PM
Also, really meant to say, if Quislet is leaving I hope it's because you're going to write a separate solo Adventures of Quislet fan-fic! No other excuse (that I can think of anyway) will be accepted:)
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Human Zoo - 12/09/20 11:07 PM
Originally Posted by Harbinger
The one minor complaint I have was there was only a few examples of Gravas' stellarific c-speed blasting red shifting event horizon diving swirly galactitious speech patterns . I appreciate they're exhausting to come up with though smile
haha you know, I actually went back after I finished writing it and had to throw a couple extra Gravaisms in there because she sounded too normal....I guess even CQ can have an off day laugh

As to some other things you raised I won't go into too much spoilery detail, but plans are afoot for Otaki and S'jn...and we will be looking in on Alek Arcane again next up!
Posted By: razsolo Before the Harvest - 12/18/20 05:44 AM
ELSEWHERE

In a small darkened room where the air was stale, the prematurely gnarled hand of a middle-aged man approached the first of three pairs of corpses. He'd gone to no small effort to procure these beauties, and he had faith that they would serve him well.

The ashy-skinned sorceror had completed the rituals which bound to him these husks which had once been people. Once upon a time, they had possessed their own desires and fears, their own motivations to exist in the world. Now they existed only to serve Alek Arcane, and as he dipped two fingers into carefully prepared white ointment, they would soon know exactly how to serve him best.

With painstaking precision, Alek Arcane completed the necessary painting of the sigil into the first corpse's elongated skull. He murmured a binding spell beneath his breath, and the sigil blazed brightly before it seemed to sink into the ancient bone and be consumed by it.

Satisfied that he'd given the first of his necromantic assassins their chosen target, Arcane turned to his second sleeping servant to mark the symbol of the White Lantern once more...

**********

VOGN
Trihelix Agricultural Development Facility


ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis

Vogn was a world with seven moons, and the largest of them loomed so large in the sky right now that even though it were the middle of the night here it may as well be dusk. This made it easy for the trio of Legionnaires flying overheard to spot the army of twelve foot tall agitated vegetables escaping the fields from which they had been borne.

"I still can't believe these scientists thought it would be a good idea to splice animal DNA into their vegetable crops," Chlorophyll Kid mused. "I mean, what did they think would happen when you give your food source motive ability and half a brain? It's just lucky they didn't cause any real damage before we got here!" It was a simple matter for Chlorophyll Kid's power to hold a group of the oversized plants frozen in place, and once he'd done so it was just as easy for Polar Boy to enclose the rampaging plant life in a more literally frozen dome of ice.

"Never mind that," Polar Boy said as he added a layer of thickness to the dome. "Can we talk about this crazy wedding proposal of yours? I mean you and Comet Queen get kidnapped by some alien octopii and suddenly you wanna marry her? Comet Queen??"

"There's nothing sudden about it," Ral replied. "I think we're good, Ulu...can you give it the neon treatment so Lydda and the others can find them for retrieval? I like Grava being a part of my life, Brek. More importantly, she loves Ivy and she's a great caregiver for her. She has depth that the rest of the Legion don't see because none of you can get past the way she talks."

"Is that what this is about?" Polar Boy rushed forward to face Chlorophyll Kid head on. "Ral, you're not the fat kid with a stutter anymore; I get that you probably relate to her being a bit of a weirdo, but you're a Legionnaire now--"

"Grife, Brek!" Color Kid cut in. "Could you be any more of a jerk?" Ulu's power painted the ice dome an impossible to miss garish yellow, and now one more group of rampaging plants was ready for Firecrest, Night Girl and Stone Boy to safely take into more permanent captivity. Color Kid's tone softened as he faced Chlorophyll Kid. "Ignore him, Chlor...still, it's not like the two of you have been dating long. We just don't want you to get hurt, buddy."

"I know," Ral nodded. "And I appreciate it, I know you all have my back. But I don't think you guys understand; I have different priorities now. Being in the Legion of Superheroes has been a dream come true, but now I've got a role that's so much more important. Ivy is the avatar of a whole species of life, and I can't be her protector and be running off to random worlds to corral killer tomatoes or stop Black Mace from robbing banks or whatever. Grava has been nothing but supportive with the new responsibility I have now, and I don't want to lose that. She helps me be a better me, and isn't that what a marriage is all about?"

"Yeah," Ulu agreed. "I suppose it is. I'm not sure it's the move that I'd make but as long as you're happy then I'm happy for you, Ral."

"I suppose it's not the end of the world," Polar Boy gave them an optimistic smile. "I mean, at least you don't have to leave the Legion when you get married anymore, right? They realised that was a stupid rule way back when Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl got hitched!"

"Brek, haven't you been listening to a word I've said?" Chlorophyll Kid asked, mildly annoyed.

"As soon as Grava and I are married, I'm leaving the Legion of Superheroes!"

**********

ELSEWHERE

A silver hourglass sigil had just melted its way into the skulls of Alek Arcane's second pair of corpses. The dark mage finished wiping his hands clean and stood before the last of the three bowls of pigment he'd prepared here today. Taking a moment to centre his thoughts, he dabbed two fingers into a small receptacle filled with a viscous green paste. Pulverized jade fragments refracted what little light penetrated this dimly lit space, and he meditated once more on the forward planning which would after all this time finally reward him with possession of his granddaughter Ivy Arcane.

Besides the Avatar of the Green's chosen protector, there were only three associated with the Legion of Superheroes who would merit special attention when Alek openly pursued his granddaughter. He'd already taken precautions today against the one with the power of the White Lantern and the time witch, only this final sorceror remained. Finishing his fine art upon the skeleton before him, Alek Arcane watched a jade dragon burn its way into his servant's form.

One more of the six corpses left, and then his preparations were almost done...

**********

DAMONT SOLAR SYSTEM
Corbeau Solar Research Orbital Observatorium


ROLL CALL
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Quislet: energy being, temporary animation of matter
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability

"Thank you <klik> once again for your assistance," Circadia Gravitia clicked in gratitude, presenting the Legionnaires with a tray of refreshments. "I am <klik> certain the <klik> Science Police could have assisted with evacuation of the Observatorium, but to lose <klik> such a rare and invaluable resource as the satellite itself..." The head researcher on board this mobile scientific research station was one of the insectoid Circadians; their most famous member being Circadia Senius, Chronarch of the Time Institute on Titan. Like Circadia Senius, Gravitia resembled a humanoid adult with a chitinous exo-skeleton and a large bug-like cranium complete with antennae, mandibles that clicked when she spoke, and two enormous shining black eyes.

"Thanks for the offer," Crystal Kid declined with what he hoped was a polite expression. "We're still technically on duty so I'll refrain." In truth, Bobb just wasn't sure if he wanted to know what a giant bug thought was appropriate food for a Terran such as himself.

"Refrain yourself, starshine!" Comet Queen zipped forward, her three fingers happily groping at the offered treats. "I've never burnt up Circadian goodies on entry before, yum! Diamond disk shiny!"

While not as ecstatic as Comet Queen, Nightwind thought she'd best not risk offending their host. "Thank you, Circadia!" Berta smiled as she picked up something resembling a small quiche. "You didn't have to do this! Oh wow, this is actually delicious!"

"You expected <klik> mealworm or brush crickets perhaps?" the Circadian asked cheekily. "You forget, Legionnaires; <klik> many United Planets species work in mutual cooperation on board this vessel <klik>...I have some idea what you do and do not find appealing."

"Quislet don't find any of this appealing!" the Teallian Legionnaire complained, performing a flawless backwards loop. "Supergirl do all the work and now Legion just eat! Eating the most boring thing that humans do!"

At Quislet's mention, the others all looked across to a viewscreen which showed the new girl of steel outside the observatorium. Laurel Kent was beaming like it was her birthday; the Legion had been called here when the observatorium's thrusters had failed and the giant disc-shaped satellite had begun a degrading orbit into the very sun it was studying. That sun was a blue sun however, and under its azure light Laurel had found herself gifted with powers almost equal to that of her namesake Kara Zor-El. Chunks of misshapen crystal were dotted here and there throughout the hull where her new strength had surprised her and Bobb had needed to enact some quick repairs, but now that Laurel had become accustomed to the blue star's radiation she was pushing the observatorium to a safe distance without assistance from anyone or anything else. Supergirl looked at an unremarkable bit of plating and waved at the camera. "I can see you guys with my x-ray vision!" her voice rang out over their flight rings. "X-ray vision!! Isn't that the best?!"

"Best for Supergirl maybe!" Quislet piped up once more. "Quislet picked the worst last mission to go on, poop!"

"Be void quiet, my shiny little shuttle!" Comet Queen half-hugged, half-tackled the microship and the two rolled in mid-air. "We all know you came out here just to have one last nova burst of fun with your favourite Grava!" She peppered the tiny shuttle with little kisses. "I'll miss you like a rogue planet misses its home star, you cross-dimensional chaos particle!"

"Kisses gross!" Quislet gave a token effort at struggling to get free of Comet Queen's embrace. "Yuk!" Grava giggled as the two continued their play-wrestling.

"I think those two have worn me down," Nightwind confided to Crystal Kid. "Normally I'd be telling them to behave themselves in front of civilians--"

"--It is kind of cute though, isn't it?" Bobb interjected. "You know, in their own kooky way. I still can't believe Teall is forcing Quislet to quit the Legion and become their full-time ambassador to the United Planets! I mean sure, he's had more experience with the UP than any of the rest of his people, but....it's Quislet!"

"Yeah," Nightwind gave her friend a wry smile. "I give it six months till they declare war on Bismoll or something because Quislet had to sit through one too many diplomatic functions." The two shared a conspiratory chuckle.

Berta and Bobb suddenly became aware that Grava was addressing them all. "--anyway, I'm glad all my closest moons are here cuz I've got some nova-bright news and it's been killing me keeping it in! I didn't wanna steal your shooting star, my shiny little shuttle, but I got a shooting star of my own to fly all flash sparkle through your exospheres!"

"What is she talking about?" Supergirl asked over the flight rings.

"What are you talking about, Grava?" Nightwind spared a glance to make sure none of the observatorium staff were within earshot. She didn't mind the crew seeing Comet Queen and Quislet fooling around a little, but she could tell Grava was leading up to something big and that might be just too much for the average sentient to have to witness.

"This!" Grava thrust her hand forward, and for the first time the others noticed a simple wooden ring on the finger beside her flight ring. She started to exclaim "I'm getting married!" but by the time she got to the final syllable her excitement had overcome her and the word became a shrill scream.

"Grava, quiet!" Nightwind scolded her. "We're on a mission, for crying out loud!"

"What do you mean you're getting married?" Crystal Kid looked utterly confused. "To who?!"

"My Chlory proposed, it was soooo hyper-pulsar sweet, you guys! Romantic like the Valentine Nebula! Poor Tayla can't come 'cuz she has to look after S'jn now but I've already invited Bouncy and Duplicate Damsel and all our old friends from Academy days, Grev and Jed and Mandalla and that cosmic cutie Urk and--" Unable to restrain herself, she placed both hands over her mouth and squealed again while jumping up and down on the spot.

"Chlory..." Nightwind thought it through. "Wait, Chlorophyll Kid?? Grava, you're barely even a couple!"

"Weddings fun!" Quislet enthused as he leaped out of his microship to inhabit an exposed beam. The beam took on the form of a tuxedoed gentleman in a top hat and he danced a little jig with Comet Queen. "Quislet hope we fight vampire again!" Both of them were so wrapped up in their own glee that they completely ignored Berta's increasingly more embarassed pleas to get them to rein it in. The crew of the observatorium watched with a mixture of confusion and amusement.

"Berta, give it up." Even over the flight rings, they could tell that Laurel was barely keeping the laughter out of her voice. "You know what those two are like, I'm just impressed she managed to hold it in for as long as she did. Chlorophyll Kid really must be a good influence on her!"

"Man, I hope Comet Queen knows what she's getting herself into," Crystal Kid remarked as an aside to Nightwind.

"Oh, believe me," Nightwind deadpanned. "Comet Queen's not the one I'm worried about..."

Somewhere deep in space, Comet Queen's piercing shrieks of joy rang out again and again.

**********

ELSEWHERE

The last of his preparations complete, Alek Arcane walked among the many graves that would form the greatest part of his plan in a few days' time. In a place like this cemetery, surrounded by so much dead, he couldn't feel anything but optimism for his chances of victory when it came time to confront the Protector of the Avatar of the Green and his allies. Carrion insects buzzed about his greying hair like some sick halo, and the skeletons of his tiny animal attendants rushed to catch up with each one of his footsteps.

A startled yelp caught Arcane's attention, and the sorceror looked to his right to see a pair of teenagers canoodling on a gravestone. "I told you we'd get in trouble!" one of them hissed, punching her partner in the arm.

"Trouble?" Alek smiled a predator's smile. "Not at all, children. The allure of the veil calls to us all, does it not? Still, this sacred site is no place for the vulgar displays of vitality you no doubt had planned for this evening." He approached the two girls and leaned down toward them. Stroking one of the girls' cheeks with the back of his hand, he stood back upright once more. "Much better."

"What...what..?" the girl he'd touched seemed unaware of what was happening, but only for a moment. Where Alek Arcane had touched her cheek, it turned black and rotted away, exposing the teeth inside. The girls wailed in horror as this unnatural decomposition soon crawled over them both. Within a matter of seconds, two corpses slumped to the gravestone where living girls had once been, meat still decaying upon their frames.

"That's so much more respectful," Alek's eyes gleamed with cruel joy. "A gesture of respect I will be all too happy to teach the Green."

While a millipede crawled hungrily through one of the girls' eye sockets, Alek Arcane turned his back on them and strode confidently out of the cemetery.
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Before the Harvest - 12/18/20 10:02 PM
Whew! Way to up the ante, you're really turning Alek Arcane into a scary villain... what he did so casually to the two girls... yikes!

Heh, love the realistic reactions of the others to the sudden Chlor/Grava wedding. And Brek, that clumsy man... yeesh.

Also, definitely a plus being able to pick mission teams like that. Most of the former Subs, and most of the former Academy students.

Cultural misunderstandings in the 30th century... classic!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Before the Harvest - 12/19/20 03:35 PM
Raz, hi there,

This is so good - totally loving the idea of agitated 12 foot tall mobile vegetables on the rampage. That gave me a chuckle.

I really like the idea that Ral and Grava can decide to get married so soon into their relationship as it reads true to the characters you have given them, though totally agree with their friends that it's a bit rushed. Am looking forward to seeing where you take it with them.

Loved Quislet,s reaction - hope we fight vampires again! Classic!

Oh, I am going to unashamedly steal the line 'static on your spectrum' as I think it's possibly the most Grave-esqe phrase I've ever read.

Alek Arcane's necromantic plotting made a great counterpoint to the engagement news stories. So, Glorith, M'Windaji, Dragonmage and Chlorophyll Kid are to be targeted- I can't remember if you have a version of the White Witch in your stories yet, so am I interested to see how you'll resolve this plot.

Sure I don't need to say this but, unsurprisingly, I am really looking forward to more, more, more!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Before the Harvest - 12/19/20 03:47 PM
Oh, also, will be sad to see Ral leave especially as it would probably mean Geava goes too.

And, I'm still waiting for you to announce the Ongoing Solo Adventures of Quislet - as it's the only way I'd accept the little rascal leaving your team lol
Posted By: Omni Re: Before the Harvest - 12/20/20 06:36 PM
Hey Raz,

these have been some good segments.

I''ve made it clear that I have no love loss for Quislet, so I'm happy to see him go. But to move up into being an ambassador? I can only see this ending badly. lol

loved Crystal Kid's application of his powers to get Quislet to work with the snow.

I liked Stone Boy's advice especially about the resentment issues that could arise later. But I wonder if that means we'll see Gravity Kid and Lullaby lad reunite or are Bobb and Tel the new it couple?

Otiaki, wow, that poor woman. She worked so hard and is now so lost and she didn't even have to be a legionnaire to get this effect. Definity feels like there's a story there. Maybe we'll see some more of those effects after the team takes on Alek Arcane; who is very scary. that scene in the graveyard and the two girls gave me some chills. I'm curious as to what his spell will do to those Legionnaires.

loved the Human Zoo. It had some good character moments for everyone. Chlor and Grava getting hitched! love the idea but hate the possibility of them leaving.
Quislet and Grava's last mission was funny. Nightwind's frustration with them was funny, especially once Laurel was joining in the laughter.

Everyone's relations to Grava and Cholr's engagement was well done. I agree it hasn't been long. But they make a great pair and family unit.

Can't wait for more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Before the Harvest - 12/22/20 04:33 AM
Hi all, thanks for reading!

I have been teasing Alek Arcane for a while but I am pretty confident it'll be worth it when y'all see him strike! The past few instalments have been pretty light on fight scenes but I think I'm definitely gonna make up for it in the next couple of posts wink

To answer your question Harbi; Mysa had to give up all of the magic inside of her when she exorcised Mordru's essence into the Rock of Eternity, so she's neither the Black or White Witch currently...for now, she's floating around somewhere in the plot basket with Harlak. You are welcome to steal any of Grava's lines; I'm not sure about doing a solo Quislet series though, that sounds like an exercise in masochism; some people are just better in small doses hahaha

I'm not done with Otaki yet either, but I think y'all might be surprised when/how she turns up next!
Something to tide y'all over while I am plotting evil plots (read: enjoying 3 weeks leave from work and getting day drunk a lot)!

Alek Arcane!

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]

PS Happy new year, everyone!
best kind of holiday: getting day drunk and doing next to nothing wink Alek looks creepy!

Happy new year, raz!
DEIMOS
Deimos Memorial Cemetery


ROLL CALL
Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage:
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Firecrest aka Staq Mavlen: weredragon
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

Deimos being such a small moon, its sole transport terminal had room for only three vessels to land upon the misshapen rock. In order to disrupt the tiny satellite's regular activities as little as possible, the Legion had set their cruiser in a low geosynchronous orbit and used their flight rings to descend the rest of the way.

This chunk of rock's most famous landmark was the Deimos Memorial Cemetery, a multi-level necropolis which joined together those geographic features which had first received names from Terran astronomers; the Swift and Voltaire craters. The Deimos Memorial Cemetery had been built by early explorers from Earth, a way to make use of the otherwise useless moon while leaving the surface of Mars itself open to more prosperous exploitation. Only Martian society's highest rungs still actively maintained plots on Deimos, but the cemetery was a quirky tourist attraction for those who would never be able to afford to reside there upon death. So it was that sentients of many different backgrounds were touring the city of the dead when Dream Girl led six more heroes there from the star-filled sky above.

"I'm not seeing anything down there that needs Legion attention," Wildfire complained. "This better be worth it, Dream Girl."

"I'm with Wildfire," Firecrest added. "I'm missing the wedding of one of my oldest friends to tag along on this wild ghost chase." Staq Mavlen had elected to maintain his normal humanoid form until his powers were needed, as his weredragon form was still relatively new and many people didn't recognise that form as one which belonged to a Legionnaire.

"All of us should know better by now, Legionnaires." Mon-El set foot on the Deimian soil, giving a friendly salute to a gawping young sentient nearby without thinking twice about it. "If Dream Girl has foreseen that we need to be here, then we need to be here."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mon." Nura Nal landed so that the Daxamite hero was by her left hand side; with Blok on her right, she felt completely secure in her position. "And I do apologise, Firecrest - I'd rather be at a wedding than a dusty old graveyard myself. I wouldn't have included any of you on this mission if I weren't totally sure that your presence is going to be necessary."

"Not that I'm questioning you," Diamond Damsel added to the conversation as she stepped close to Blok and gazed around, "But it's a powerful team you've assembled here, Dream Girl. I mean, Blok and Mon-El on their own should be able to handle anything this side of Superboy Prime. Now that we're here, can you give us any idea what to expect?"

"What fun would that be?" Sun Boy smirked. "You know, sometimes I think what Dream Girl most enjoys about being a Legionnaire is only giving us half the story so she can see the surprise on our faces when we find out what she's known was coming the whole time."

Dream Girl shot a biting retort back at Dirk Morgna, and while the more fallible Legionnaires slipped into their familiar pattern of conversational jabs and feints their more mature teammates cast a watchful eye for the slightest sign of danger.

None of them however expected that danger to take the shape of emaciated hands clawing their way out of the Deimian dirt only metres away...

**********

EARTH
Metropolis, Weisinger Plaza


ROLL CALL
Legion of Substitute Heroes:
Antennae Lad aka Khfeurb Chee Bez:
can broadcast radio transmissions from different spatiotemporal loci

Legion Academy:
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz:
Academy co-head; electricity generation and manipulation:

Chemical Kid aka Hadru Jamik: control of chemical reactions
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Fire Lass aka Arqiia: fire breath
Glorith: sorceress
Kid Quantum aka Jazmin Cullen: quantum field manipulation
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

As he approached the United Planets Museum of the Superhero, Lightning Lad reflected upon how strange it felt to come to this place as a visitor rather than a resident. This site had been home to the Legion of Superheroes almost the entire time they'd been stationed on Earth, and in fact one of the first enormous golden statues which greeted him upon entering Weisinger Plaza was of himself in younger days.

It had been a good while since Garth Ranzz had considered this planet home though, let alone one building which had been destroyed and recreated often enough that nothing of sentimental value outside of the L-shaped design itself remained; Antennae Lad exiting the building to meet Garth and his students in the plaza only drummed that point home.

"Welcome, past and future Legionnaires!" Antenna Lad offered his hand to Lightning Lad, and offered a broad grin to the students under Lightning Lad's care. "Obviously Lightning Lad and I go way back, but I don't think I've met all of you kids before - I'm Antennae Lad of the Legion of Substitute Heroes!"

Lightning Lad pumped Antennae Lad's hand congenially. In reality, Garth barely knew him; the two had met less than a handful of times, but the Legion founder had no interest in embarassing Antennae Lad on what was now his home turf. "Not all of our students are necessarily going to become Legionnaires in the future," Garth Ranzz returned the greeting, "But we want to give them all the best chance possible, and I'm hoping that a visit to your museum will help towards that goal."

"One thing's for sure, we're more likely to join the Legion than Ears Lad over here," Chemical Kid sniggered to Dragonwing next to him.

"For sure," Marya Pai rolled her eyes. "Imagine starting your career in something called the Legion of Substitute Heroes Auxiliary...I think his real power must be invulnerability to shame."

"For any of you wondering," Antennae Lad announced as though he hadn't heard the students' insults, "I have the power to receive and broadcast radio transmissions from anywhere in time and space." He made eye contact with Chemical Kid and Dragonwing as he continued. "Of course, with ears the size of dinner plates my regular hearing is pretty good too." Chemical Kid cleared his throat and blushed furiously as Dragonwing snorted back laughter.

"Excuse me?" Variable Lad raised one of his three arms. "Teacher, Antennae Lad; will the rest of the current membership of the Legion of Substitute Heroes be joining us today?"

"Well, it's kind of ironic," Antennae Lad replied. "Pete - that is, Porcupine Pete and Rainbow Girl should actually be arriving on the world you just came from round about now. They're going to Chlor's wedding with the Legion of Superheroes...Polecat had some personal business to attend to, so I'm afraid you're stuck with me on my own today. I'll do my best to keep things interesting though, I -- huh, that's weird. Did anybody else feel--"

Before he could complete his query, the ground exploded and a stark white humanoid creature some eight feet tall burst out from beneath the students' feet. Its eye sockets were hauntingly hollow and though its frame was that of a being which had once been a slab of muscle, it was little more than skin and bones right now. Its spinal column became more and more pronounced leading down its back until it grew into a tail almost as long as the rest of the creature.

Antennae Lad, Lightning Lad and all of the students had been rocked off their feet by the creature's abrupt entrance, and though Glorith struggled to erect a forcefield the hissing noseless creature pounced upon her before she could complete her spell. Paralysed with fear, the young sorceress trembled wordlessly while the creature extended its jaw with a chilling creak to rip her head from her body.

Before the creature could strike, Lightning Lad channeled hundreds of thousands of volts of electricity through its colorless frame. The creature's half-decayed lips curled back to reveal rows of razor sharp fangs as it turned on Garth Ranzz, and then it was surrounded in a golden twinkling glow and it simply stopped moving at all.

Kid Quantum kneeled by Glorith, her arms outstretched toward the frozen creature. She was by far the youngest of the Academy students, but her experience with the Uncanny Amazers of Xanthu had given her combat reflexes belying her tender age. "Lightning Lad, I'm sorry to have acted without instruction--" she began to apologise.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Lightning Lad interjected. "That monster just took enough juice to stagger Timber Wolf and it only made him mad. You probably saved our lives, Jazmin."

"Uh guys..?" Lullabye Lad asked, "Was it just me or did that thing totally make a beeline straight for Glorith?"

"It absolutely did," Lightning Lad agreed. His eyes narrowed as he looked the creature up and down. "But why..? Glorith, are you okay?"

"I am...sufficiently well," the time witch answered, still clearly rattled. She stood up and unconsciously moved behind her teacher. "I do not recognise this creature though, Lightning Lad - and though I sense the touch of magic upon its flesh, I do not think the creature itself is inherently linked to mystical forces."

"It doesn't really matter now, does it?" Chemical Kid posited with a smug smile. "This squaj learned what it means to take on the Legion Academy!" Hadru flicked the unknown assailant's cheek with impunity, knowing that it couldn't react while Kid Quantum's power kept it immobile.

Without any warning, some new invisible force suddenly sent both Chemical Kid and Kid Quantum flying across the plaza. With the two would-be heroes unconscious, the golden glow around Glorith's assailant faded and it abruptly chomped down upon where Glorith had been. It got only a mouthful of rubble for its efforts, but it recovered quickly enough to leer at the sorceress while its invisible ally shimmered into view. Soon enough, everyone present was looking at two of the same predatory creatures.

"--artians!" A panicked woman's voice suddenly rang out across Weisinger Plaza. "They're White Martians! They've got all the powers of J'onn but they're a thousand times more savage!" Everyone else present turned to look at the source of the voice, a transmission from the past which was being broadcast through Antennae Lad's ears.

"I thought it might help," Antennae Lad shrugged weakly.

"Oh, it helps..." Lightning Lad muttered as his fists crackled with electrical power.

"...At least now we know who we're going to be murdered by."

**********

SHANGHAI COLONIES
Zhulong Domed City, Yu Wu Dong Archeological Site


ROLL CALL
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy

A century before the nations of Earth had broken down their borders to form one united government, China had sent enormous space arks carrying nearly a hundred thousand of its citizens to populate what had then been called the Eunomian Family in their solar system's main asteroid belt. The Eunomian Family consisted of more than five thousand individual chunks of rock and it made up over 1% of the belt's total number of asteroids; China's reach had well and truly exceeded their grasp in this instance, but after nearly two hundred years they'd nonetheless taken a portion of the asteroid family for their own and established what was now known system-wide as the Shanghai Colonies.

Initially, asteroid mining was their sole industry and with the technology at their disposal it had not been an easy industry to maintain. As both technology and society evolved however, the many domed cities of the Shanghai Colonies became a more conventional place for its citizens to thrive with all the conveniences and opportunities that any other Terran colony could provide.

It was in a cavern beneath one of these domed cities where Dragonmage and Neon currently sat atop a portable power generator eating their lunch while small droids worked at a painstaking pace to unearth hand-made items which had lain forgotten here since the first days of colonisation.

"Thanks for coming all the way out here with me," Xao smiled at his old friend. "When the local government representative found out there were esoteric artifacts buried in this cave, I was only too happy to lend whatever occult knowledge I have to assess their findings. I can only imagine how pleased Madame Chu would have been to see me here, but I must admit I enjoy having company other than these archeological droids."

Zoe began speaking, but realised too late the wonton she'd just shoved in her mouth was muffling her words. She held up one finger while quickly chewing and swallowing, then started again. "Are you kidding? Xao, I wouldn't pass this up for the galaxy! The one thing I miss about my pre-superhero life is all Mom's digs I used to tag along to...if I wasn't a Legionnaire I'd totally be the Lar'a Kroff of space! Can't you just see me wearing short shorts and getting into firefights with Khund extremists while I liberate the secrets of their past?" Her power generated old-fashioned ray guns in her hands and she played at shooting unseen enemies, complete with corny sound effects. Xao covered his mouth with one hand to stifle his laughter.

"Honestly though, it's grokkin' that the folks here have that kind of respect for magic," Zoe continued while the guns shimmered into non-existence. "I thought Terrans and their descendants were all very close-minded about that kinda stuff. I'm surprised they actually recognise you as someone who should be called in to help before they go and summon an Apokoliptian god or whatever!"

"My people colonised this area before Earth culture became so homogenised," Dragonmage explained. "There's still a lot of respect for ancient ways in the Shanghai Colonies, I doubt my life would have turned out the way it has if that wasn't the case."

One of the small droids suddenly began reciting a polite but insistent warning about unauthorised visitors. The warning looped in both Interlac and Mandarin, and it seemed contagious as the rest of the droids soon followed suit.

"What are they talking about?" Zoe created an actual green lantern which stood almost as high as the two teens themselves sitting on top of the generator. "There's nobody else here but -- oh." By the light of the lantern, both she and Xao saw two bulky but partially decayed figures approaching from one of the cave's many subterranean offshoots.

"Excuse me, sentients?" Dragonmage wove a spell quickly and a tiny pale blue dragon circled round his head, its nervous system a brilliant white light which shone through its translucent skin. "I am Dragonmage of the Legion of Superheroes and this is my teammate Neon. This site requires a Nephrite level security clearance, could we respectfully ask that you identify yourselves please?" The instant Xao stopped talking, the dragon which was coiled like a halo around him repeated the exact same thing in Mandarin. Though Interlac was the favoured language of the United Planets generally, the Shangai Colonies had held on to the things they'd brought with them from Earth with a fierce passion; there were certain parts of society here who maintained a death grip on the culture their Terran ancestors had lived and who even now refused to assimilate to the UP any more than necessary.

The droids had continued their own warning while Xao spoke, and the interlopers now chose to respond to the droids and Dragonmage both. One of the naked strangers looked upon the droids. His eyes blazed red and twin beams shot forth to vaporise the little robots where they stood. The second stranger accelerated at alarming speed and was almost upon the Legionnaires before Neon used her force of will to swing the green lantern and bat the attacker into the cave wall. As their assailant pulled himself from the rock, Neon transformed the lantern into a simple barrier to keep Xao and herself safe from their newfound foes. "Who are these creeps??" Zoe blurted.

"I don't know," Xao responded. "But we cannot allow them to destroy this site. Zoe, can you enclose them in a sphere and we'll continue this outside?" As he spoke, Dragonmage allowed his translator dragon to dissipate and focused on crafting another dragonform more suitable for combat.

"Easy peasy," Zoe Saugin replied. Keeping her construct simple so she could better maintain its strength, she soon had formed a perfect hollow sphere around the two intruders and began pulling it behind her as she hovered toward the cave's entrance.

"Thank you," Dragonmage nodded gratefully. "Allow me to mitigate damage here and I'll be right along." His dragonform was much larger this time, at least eight feet long. It appeared a more solid blue with white highlights, and it exhaled a frosty blast of air which extinguished the numerous smoldering wrecks that had once been archeological droids.

"No problem!" Zoe began to retort before the tone of her voice changed completely. "Oh, come on!"

As Dragonmage turned to see what had caused Zoe's consternation he was glad he'd decided to maintain his frost dragon. Both of the intruders had passed effortlessly through Neon's sphere...and they were both coming straight for him.

**********

SATURNIAN RINGS
Keeler Gap, Daphnis


ROLL CALL
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Invisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility

The moonlet Daphnis was only five miles wide and with the notable exception of its equatorial ridge, almost completely featureless. The Terran animal smugglers currently using control lariats and electroprods to herd a bed of Saturnian scorpion beasts into lead-lined cages were plainly visible to half the tiny satellite, but the lack of cover worked in their favour too. If the Legion of Superheroes had approached openly they'd have been spotted in more than enough time for the smugglers to cut and run...so the Legion of Superheroes had needed to be a little more clever than that.

Though King Canary was mostly bright yellow, he was also only a few inches tall; impact craters barely noticeable to most humanoids were large enough to effectively hide the Aerean royal. In addition, he had better eyesight than any other Legionnaire on this rock. Prince K'rk could easily keep an eye on the smugglers from hundreds of metres away even with the lack of light here so far from the sun. When the cargo bay door of the smugglers' ship sealed itself shut and the smugglers gathered in crinkly old transuits outside the ship traded confused glances with one another, King Canary saw the whole thing.

"Invisible Kid's made his move," the gruff little bird reported over the comms channel in his harness, "And those punks ain't figured out what's goin' on yet. I say we hit 'em now before they get their bearings."

Much further back and hidden behind a frozen rocky bluff of his own making, Element Lad raised his flight ring to his lips. "Thanks, King Canary." In the time it took Element Lad to stand up, Timber Wolf's powerful legs had already propelled him halfway across the distance between himself and the smugglers but Jan took a moment to intercept Mwindaji and Strut before they followed suit. "Don't forget, you two; Daphnis' gravity is practically non-existent. Timber Wolf has had years of practice at this but I want you two to rely on your flight rings so you don't go flying into the gap the first time you leap into action."

The gap Element Lad referred to was the Keeler Gap, the space between two of Saturn's famous rings. As he, Mwindaji and Strut darted away to join King Canary and Timber Wolf, the sky above their heads was filled with the rocks both large and small which helped to make up one of those rings.

Only two of the four smugglers had reacted quickly enough to draw guns on Timber Wolf, and their reward was a bone-crunching kick from the acrobatic hero which sent them hurtling up and back. Before Element Lad could chastise him, Brin cut him off. "Yeah yeah, the gravity. Don't pop a blood vessel, I'll pull 'em in now." Brin bounced up off the moon's surface toward the careening men, effortlessly avoiding weapons fire from one of the other crew members at the same time.

With the smugglers no longer herding the scorpion beasts, the animals turned on both them and the Legionnaires. Between 6 to 8 feet long with powerful prehensile tails, Saturnian scorpion beasts had a set of intimidating mandibles capable of tearing up rock, and eight limbs with talons which secreted a bio-acid that could corrode anything weaker than lead. Though the mechanics of their ability to fly in a vacuum was not yet understood, they still flapped immense leathery bat-like wings as they launched off.

King Canary made a beeline for one of the beasts which was skittering after Timber Wolf. There was no atmosphere here to speak of, but by landing at the base of the scorpion beast's spine he could channel his sonic power directly through the creature's hard carapace. Unable to reach King Canary with any of its numerous lethal attack methods, the beast simply shuddered and passed out. King Canary watched it tumble helplessly into space, then flitted away to take out another of the creatures; the little bird thought he'd probably have been able to use his flight harness to push the scorpion beast back down to Daphnis, but this was after all their home turf and if anything they'd probably be better off just floating off toward the rings to recover in private.

As Element Lad created makeshift lead cages to keep the other scorpion beasts under control, Mwindaji and Strut focused their efforts on incapacitating the remaining smugglers. While the two were both more than competent fighters, they were a study in contrasts in every other way. Mwindaji was all business, using an economy of movement to take his target down as quickly and smoothly as possible. Strut on the other hand was a flurry of exaggerated motion, two limbs working to remove any weapons from his foe as his remaining four limbs kept the man off-balance until he ultimately felled him and kept him restrained on the ground. "I must say, I feel almost as though I should be wearing a sensory deprivation helmet to give the poor dear half a chance!" Strut announced to the rest of his team via his flight ring. "And it's just criminal that he can't even hear me in this silly vacuum, my repartee is one of my best qualities!"

Before Element Lad could give the insectoid hero a stern word about taking his duties more seriously, the whole team heard Invisible Kid's voice. "Mes amis, sneaking aboard this vessel and dealing with the pilot posed no problem but the ship's sensors have just kindly advised me that we have two unidentified objects approaching through the outer rings at monumental speed...be alert, they should be here any moment now!"

Jacques Foccart's warning could not be more apt. In a surreally soundless scene, the Legionnaires watched as several rocks in the sky exploded into smaller fragments and space dust. Daphnis orbited some twelve to thirteen miles below the ring which took up the entire sky above it so the heroes didn't immediately see what force was responsible for the trail of destruction, but in an impossibly short time two green figures slammed into the surface of Daphnis only metres from the Legionnaires. With the amount of damage they caused to the moonlet's icy surface, it was a miracle that everybody present wasn't killed simply due to collateral damage. A particularly jagged rock kicked up by the strange attack tore through one of the smugglers' transuits though, and the man was dead before anybody could do a thing to save him. Element Lad's transuit was a field projected by his flight ring and therefore unable to be damaged by most physical attacks. He did however suffer a nasty gash across his forehead thanks to flying debris and bounced insensate off the ground.

Mwindaji rushed to Jan's side, cradling him gently. "Legionnaires, I will need a few moments," he reported. "Element Lad was wounded again when his head met the moon's surface. I must heal him while it is still a possibility!"

"Do your thing, darling!" Strut announced magnanimously. "Something tells me we'd not be very popular back home if we let our superhero mentor bleed out on this dull little rock!"

<No> Mwindaji heard the telepathic voice in his head, but what unnerved him more was the inhuman rage which accompanied that voice. <No heal, only die!> As Jacques had warned, the creatures moved with monumental speed. By the time Mwindaji realised one of them had shot off in a green blur, her hand had tightened around his neck. She extended her free hand back behind her, and then the fingers on that hand melded together and lengthened until her entire forearm had modified into a razor-sharp blade which the youthful tracker thought just might be the last thing he'd ever see...

**********

MARS
Cerberus Palus, Elysium Fields Floating Gardens


ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: hyper-stimulated plant growth
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Colossal Boy aka Gim Allon: growth powers
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn: magnetism
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: gravity negation
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

The dozens of people who'd gathered to celebrate Ral Benem and Grava's wedding were made up of Legionnaires, ex-Legionnaires, friends and family. In one of Elysium Fields' several function areas, this diverse group of sentients enjoyed the lush greenery and sweet smelling perfume of the flowers all around them separated from both gawking tourists as well as some of the more salacious representatives of UP media. Some of the guests had congregated at the transparent dancefloor space where they could view the ancient lava flows over which these gardens were hovering; thanks to a DJ friend of Comet Queen's, this dancefloor would later be pumping with the latest tunes and the surface of Mars below would be lit up with an amazing lightshow but it was still daylight right now and the atmosphere was far more subdued as friends and strangers mingled waiting for Ral and Grava's ceremony to begin.

At a bar on the edge of the dancefloor, Crystal Kid had just ordered his first drink for the day. He'd already lost sight of his ex-Legion Academy friends in the crowd but he noticed that Rainbow Girl and Porcupine Pete had arrived. Though he'd only been their teammate in the Legion of Substitute Heroes for a short time, he figured he might as well do the polite thing and go say hi. At least it would distract him from--

"Hey, fancy bumping into you here!" a familiar voice sounded, trying too hard to sound casual. Bobb stiffened and turned to his left to see Gravity Kid standing next to him at the bar. At first Bobb assumed that Tel must be fetching shots for himself and someone else but as soon as the attractive young hero had swallowed the first one, the second went down just as quickly. "Was that a dumb line?" Gravity Kid rambled. "That was a dumb line, wasn't it?"

"How many of those have you had?" Crystal Kid asked, one eyebrow shooting up.

"Just enough," Tel blushed. "Look, I'm....I'm just terrible at this, okay? I thought I had to not have relationships to be a superhero. I act like I've got everything together but I'm kind of a hot mess. But you were there for me when I needed someone to be there for me, and you didn't freak out about my...you know...and you've got a really cute dimple I just noticed. And I like your laugh. So I dunno, maybe I should have said yes when you asked me on a date instead of being a dumb batjerk about it. And I'm sorry. That I was a batjerk. Do you wanna go on a date, Bobb?"

Bobb's own anxiety dissipated instantly as he realised that the renowned overachiever Tel Vole was just as bad at this as he was. He laughed despite himself, and Tel followed suit. "I'll tell you what," Bobb replied, "We're going to order another round of whatever it was you just had, we can have fun with our friends tonight and if you feel like this when you sober up tomorrow you know where to find me. How's that sound?"

"Deal," Gravity Kid beamed.

**********

"Can you believe Grava invited Urk?" Laurel Kent asked, watching bemused as the little gremlin sat in the centre of their round dining table munching on electrical cords which until a minute ago had been feeding a lamp in the centre of the table.

"Urk!" the oddest Legion Academy graduate blurted happily, peering around the table at the Supergirl, Nightwind, Power Boy and Visi-Lad in turn.

"If it were anyone else, I'd be surprised they even knew how to contact him," Berta Skye Haris leaned on one fist as she watched Urk with open curiosity. "But if today proves anything, it's that Grava's full of surprises!"

"I'm pleased that Comet Queen did reach out to all of her old classmates," Visi-Lad added, "While I find my work with the Science Police to be rewarding, it is wonderful to see you all again! Has anybody heard from any of our other fellow alumni?"

"Shadow Lad's busy with planetary protector stuff, Lamprey's helping some alien kid that she met while Grava and Chlor were visiting her, Westerner couldn't rearrange the schedule on some ad he's filming..." Laurel counted everyone off on her fingers as she mentioned their names. "I don't know about anyone else. I'm shocked 89 even let you out of her sight for two nanos, Jed!" She punched Power Boy in the arm, then made a display of looking around the room for the Oversight Watch's leader. "Is she hiding under a table here somewhere?"

"Oh, uhh...I actually left the Oversight Watch," Jedediah Rikane replied sheepishly. "I guess I'm just not as comfortable with that kind of life as I thought I could make myself be."

"And she just let you leave?" Nightwind asked incredulously.

"I had to undergo some pretty intense psychic redaction," Jed answered. He saw the wide eyes on his friends' faces and quickly raised a hand to prevent any protest. "It's okay, we all knew going into it what the price of leaving the team would be. I only remember the vaguest details of my time with the Watch, I don't even remember the team name or any of my old colleagues until someone else brings them up! Even then, it's like trying to recall inconsequential memories from your childhood; like you probably remember your best friend's name from when you were eight, but it's not like you could describe what his folks made you for dinner when you had a sleepover."

Laurel's stunned expression changed to one of concern. "But what about De--"

Nightwind pinched the indestructible girl's thigh as hard as she could. She knew Laurel was about to bring up Dev-Em, the Kryptonian Oversight Watch teammate who'd been Power Boy's boyfriend while Jed was in the Watch. This wasn't the time or the place to have that discussion, but Berta and Laurel shared a quick look which said they would definitely be having that discussion with their telepathically altered friend once there weren't so many people around.

"What about...developing from here?" Laurel concluded weakly. "Maybe you could come join the Legion!"

"Right now I'm taking some time to myself," Power Boy explained. "Even though I don't remember much about the Watch, I do remember that they showed me the Legion's way isn't the only way to do things. I think I need to find out what way I want to do things though." Jed had the idea that if they continued on this train of thought much longer they might end up in an argument, so he decided to change the subject. "Anyway," he raised a glass of champagne, "It's so good to see you all again!"

Jed grabbed the much smaller Visi-Lad next to him in one muscular purple arm and gave him a friendly hug while he used his free hand to clink glasses with all of his old friends. "Here's to all of us getting what we deserve out of life!"

**********

Rainbow Girl and Porcupine Pete found Chlorophyll Kid playing with Ivy on a couch while Polar Boy, Stone Boy and Color Kid chatted idly beside them.
"Ral, congratulations!" Rainbow Girl gushed. "I'm so happy for you!" She leaned down to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Oh my stars, Ivy's gotten so big! Haven't you, little sprout!" She gently tickled the leaf growing out of Ivy's hair and the little girl giggled happily.

"Thanks for coming, guys! Why don't you have a seat?" Ral picked Ivy up and bounced her on his lap to make room for Dori to sit down.

"I'll pass," Pete joked, "I don't know that the next person to come along would appreciate the pincushion I'd leave behind. Polecat had something come up and Antennae Boy's holding down the fort in Metropolis but they both send well wishes. Is Drura about?"

"I'm sure I saw her before," Color Kid scanned the crowd. "Oh yeah, there she is...I think she and Duplicate Damsel are rescuing Bouncing Boy from your soon to be wife, Ral." They all looked across to see Grava in the most ridiculous metallic gold and silver dress any of them had ever seen showering Bouncing Boy with kisses while Infectious Lass and an unimpressed Duplicate Damsel were in conversation with them.

Most of them chuckled at the sight, but Polar Boy and Rainbow Girl both frowned. "Doesn't that bother you?" Brek Bannin asked Ral. "I mean it's your wedding day, for sprock's sake!"

"I'm not threatened by it if that's what you mean," Ral shot back. "Extal society is largely polyamourous, it's why they don't use family names...I know Grava loves Bouncing Boy but it doesn't mean she doesn't love me. And trust me, Grava learned about boundaries very quickly when she left her homeworld to join the Legion Academy. We did actually talk about this stuff when we got together, Brek."

Seeing that Ral seemed genuinely unbothered, Rainbow Girl decided to let it go. "I'd murder my husband if I saw him getting all kissy face with someone else. Different strokes, I guess!"

"Clawy!"

Everyone looked down at baby Ivy, and she clapped her hands at the attention. "Clawy!" she shouted again. "Clawy, Clawy, Clawy!"

"Holy nass!" Ral grinned from ear to ear. "She's saying Chlory! Oh, you clever girl!" He hugged her and stood up, shouting across the room to Comet Queen. "Grava! Ivy just called me Chlory!'

Grava immediately flew over, squealing with excitement. "Oh starshine, that's nova gleaming to the ultimate max!" She and Ral embraced, Ivy between them.

Suddenly, the infant's expression dropped and out of nowhere she began bawling. "Oh, little sprout!" Grava took a step back, her hands at her cheeks. "I didn't mean to make your little tiny star all burnt out, I'm so sorry!"

Chlorophyll Kid rocked Ivy, gently coaxing her to calm down. After a few moments though he could see it wasn't going to work...more worrying, the plants seeded all through these gardens were beginning to shift and sway. They'd prepared for this eventuality though, and they knew exactly what to do. "Grava, can you--"

"I'm on it like rings on Saturn, starshine!" Inside her head, she wailed in as loud a telepathic voice as she could imagine for Tellus. The two had a brief exchange, and almost immediately he was by their side. Saturn Girl had been working on telepathic calming techniques with Ivy, but when Imra realised that she was going to be off-planet with her sons on Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen's wedding day, she'd taken the initiative to teach Tellus those same techniques.

The Hykraian reached out to soothe Ivy as Saturn Girl had taught him, but he instantly realised he'd made a terrible mistake. There was some other entity here, the same entity no doubt who'd taken advantage of Otaki at the Legion Tryouts. Tellus cried out in pain, and a searing wave of mental anguish briefly washed over everybody within twenty feet.

"Tellus, what the sprock?!" Polar Boy confronted him, holding his head in both hands.

<I apologise, my friends> Tellus' normally placid telepathic tone sounded dangerously ragged. <Ivy is under psionic assault, and now that I have made contact with her I have become the next victim>

"Just like Otaki!" Comet Queen gasped. "Nooo, you have to break it off Tellus! They'll kill you, my little space fishy!"

All of a sudden, Rainbow Girl let loose a shrill scream as scores of maggots started squirming and writhing out from under the couch. She wasn't the only one; all through the Floating Gardens maggots came out from beneath furniture, black shiny millipedes dropped from plants and the incessant buzzing of thousands of flies could be heard like some unsettling aural static.

<Yes, like Otaki...> Tellus forced a reply as he fought the mental intrusion. His flesh seemed to be drying out, and the shuddering Hykraian hero could barely support his own weight. <But I am not Otaki. I am a Legionnaire and I will...not...fail!> The pods on Tellus's back had been a stark white, but underwent a dramatic shift now to a violent red. He couldn't prevent his righteous anger from emanating out of him, and everyone nearby felt waves of rage.

While this was going on, Polar Boy had created a layer of frost over every inanimate object in their area in an attempt to stop the maggots, but he turned an accusing finger on the weakened Hykraian now. "Damn it Tellus, you need to control yourself! And where the hell are all these bugs coming from!"

"Lay off him, Brek!" Color Kid shoved Polar Boy in the chest. "You think this is his fault? Look at him, you idiot!"

"You both need to lay off," Stone Boy stepped between them and activated his power. "This anger we're all feeling...it's making us sprocking crazy."

Phantom Girl ascended through the floor, momentarily surprising everyone present. "Ral, what's going on with these plants? Do you need me to -- oh my god, what's wrong with Tellus?"

As if in response, Tellus collapsed into an undignified heap at their feet and the pods on his back slowly changed to a listless grey. Everyone felt his touch simply break off in their minds, and Comet Queen screamed his name and dropped to her knees to try and wake him.

"That disgusting creature is no doubt dead, my dear." Everyone looked up to see a dark-skinned man in a very formal suit descending. He wore a cape which billowed out behind him, and behind that cape the sky grew dark with flies. "But don't fret, you'll soon be joining him. I forget my manners though, please forgive me.

Hello, Legionnaires. My name is Alek Arcane and I've come to collect my granddaughter."

...TO BE CONCLUDED!!!
oh heavens, what a way to end with multiple cliffhangers! well done!

Jed leaving the Oversight Watch, interesting. Glad the Watch had a pretty benign (?) exit plan...

Tel is cute. A lot of the best overachievers are so clumsy. Glad that Bobb got to be the smooth one this time.

I appreciate the elements of culture and using Mandarin in the Shanghai colonies. that's my heritage too, so... yeah. I could relate.
Thanks IB!

Aggressively mindwiping someone and making them forget their own boyfriend to protect your secrets probably is pretty benign for 89...teaming up with the Legion must have rubbed off on her after all laugh

I have been dying to do some stuff with the Shanghai Colonies, I hate how they came up with a really interesting power idea and background when Dragonmage was first introduced and then never really did a single thing with any of it before Zero Hour...he has a pretty awesome moment next chapter which touches on that stuff a bit more! smile
Hey Raz, another fun section.

The team Nura took to Deimos could kick Mordru's backside so I wonder what they are going to face.Fun little tet-a-tet between Dirk and Nura, they are just too alike really, aren't they? Glad to see Diamond Damsel too, I really lke her so looking forward to seeing what happens there. Also, not sure how clever Staq is for not being ready for action, but will wait and see how that pans out for him and the team.

Chemical Kid is always snotty, isn't he? Marya too actually, "invulnerability to shame" - harsh!

You've shown Antennae Lad as a remarkable mature character, which is really nice. I do admire the love you give to the less serious characters. Though aren't Grava and Chlor rushing into geting married? Wow! They only been together a nano or two.And the academy kids are in for a tough time - two white martians? Jeez they are dead. Well, hopefully not actually, but it's not going to be an easy win.

The Shanghai Colonies are interesting - are these fom the reboot or something new? Love it that they stick with tradition. Nice moment between Zoe and Xao, it's reassuring when we get two friends just hanging out. Nice use of a dragon spell to translate Xao's speech. The frost dragon may not be the best of tools to use against two white martians though, hopefully he recognises them in time and changes it to a standard fire breather.

Nice to see a team dealing with animal smuggling - and King Canary is a fave! Gotta love the little guy! Also, loved the visual imagery of being on a mission within Saturn's rings. The scorpion beasts sound fierce! Love Strut's attitude too, and you've captured Jan's stiffness too - he does need to take that pole out doesn't he smile M'Windaji is in a tight spot - great cliffhanger! especially with the potentially most powerful team member down.

Nice scene between Bbob and Tel - they make an interesting couple - the perennial loser and the over-achiever. And how good is it that Urk in there? That little guy always made me smile when he'd turn up. I wonder of Jed's leaving the Oversight Watch is a double-bluff somehow. And will this mean Dev Em will appear soon? Cute - pete refusing to take a seat! Great reason for Grava's lack of a sur-name, what a smart idea! Ivy's first word is Chlory - or is it a warning of what's coming - claw-y! Poor Tellus, hope he'll be back to full health soon. Alek really doesn't appreciate psychics does he?

That was fun, really enjoyed it Raz, and some great cliffhangers to keep us coming back for more, more, more!
Thanks Harbi!

Chemical Kid and Dragonwing are gonna grow up at some stage, but right now they are awful awful people and fun to write that way laugh

...Chlor and Grava are getting married super quickly, aren't they? Certain people *coff* Polar Boy *coff* might think it's a mistake, but we'll have to wait and see if it is or not....also not gonna lie, I am a bit chuffed that you used 'nano' hahaha - and the Academy kids certainly are gonna be in for it, those martians are scary!

When Dragonmage first joined the SW6 Legion they said he came from the Shanghai Colonies but I don't really recall them going into much more detail than that so I pretty much just made it up from scratch smile

I love a good "Legion rounds up stray animals" story, I nicked the Saturnian Scorpion Beasts from https://www.writeups.org/legion-super-heroes-animals-aliens-monsters/

I've never read the story they appeared in, but they seem feisty enough!

[Linked Image from writeups.org]

The thing about Grava's home society being mainly polyamorous was my way of tying together a few different things; her going in all guns blazing for Chuck in the first place when she knew that he was married, her lack of a surname, and from what I recall I don't think the other people in her origin story had a uniform appearance - so I kinda headcanon that the Extal colony is a melting pot of different aliens whose idea of 'family' is less nuclear and more community...but we will see a bit more of that in the wrap-up to this story as well! I also figured it's the 31st century and even though not everyone *coff* Polar Boy *coff* is gonna be down with that kind of relationship model, it makes sense in the Legion's brighter happier universe for people in general to be a bit more respectful of different life choices smile
Pretty good solution for explaining a lot of things about Grava, raz!
Posted By: Omni Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 18 JANUARY* - 01/24/21 03:45 AM
Hi Raz,
these are some interesting posts.

I enjoyed the banter between the team on the Deimos mission and I totally agree with Sun Boy about Dream Girl. She loves the thrill of seeing their faces.
zombie white Martians? Alec Arkin isn't going to make this easy for the team.

in every universe, it seems Hardu is a jerk. But I'm glad Antenna Lad pushed back without being a jerk too.
Garth's reaction to being back on base is really well done. the idea of relating to a place that's home but isn't home at the same time is something I think any of us can relate to when we try to return to a place we used to consider home. I know I felt that way just one year out from college when I went back to visit some friends.

the attack on Glorith i couldn't help but feel like I was watching Aliens and I just wanted to yell "Get away from her you $#@!" laugh

I love that we're exploring more of Dragonmage's world. We never got to know much about him in the comics.
Zoe being an archeologist totally tracks. I think we need a dig mission with her!
Lar'a Koff? Someone's been on an action movie binge lately? Zoe would totally be Laura Croft...I mean Lar'a Koff. lol. ;P

"Honestly though, it's grokkin' that the folks here have that kind of respect for magic," Zoe continued while the guns shimmered into non-existence. "I thought Terrans and their descendants were all very close-minded about that kinda stuff. I'm surprised they actually recognise you as someone who should be called in to help before they go and summon an Apokoliptian god or whatever!" ~ loved this line! its so true to see this played out differently. in most media, they would totally summon a demon before calling in for help. lol

This isn't going to go well. Zoe really thought she had it. I hope Dragonmage can get through this!

I really liked Jan giving the newbies advice about flying in space.
King Canary is going to be great on the Espionage squad someday! That was also a really good move to land on the beast.
Strut continues to entertain. love that he wants to share his quips. laugh
Wow, M'windaji! I hope he survives that attack!!

Grava and Ral's wedding!
Gravity Kid and Crystal Kid was really cute. I love that he still refers to himself as a "batjerk" lol.
Urk seems like a fun character. Any plans to develop?
Jed's not with the Oversite Watch any more? WHOOOA!!!!
Psychic redaction? hmm that's a story idea I've got to think about for a bit. I like the idea a lot!

"Getting what we deserve" I know this isn't supposed to be ominous but something tells me it is...

Ral is so confident in his love. I wish I could be like that and this does explain much about Grava, as she does seem to treat everyone like family in a way.
Brek really is having a hard time with this. I wonder if he feels left out? I mean Lydda is married and now Ral. Could he be feeling left out?
Smart thinking Imrato train Tellus.

alright, so this is just something I'm noticing. But Cos and Lydda's wedding it was a huge affair and no one missed it. But this one it seems like so many have and combine this with Garth's reaction shows the different levels of friendships within the Legion as a whole. But also between The subs and the main team. the academy seems closer to the main team than the Subs. Maybe that's something that needs to change...

Wow Tellus is down! no! I hope he can win and that he'll be ok!
Rage boils over easily.

Ewww maggots? yeah, not good. but that was definitely a huge entrance by Alek Arcane. I hope the team can take him down!

can't wait for more!
Hey guys, thanks for commenting!

Quote
the attack on Glorith i couldn't help but feel like I was watching Aliens and I just wanted to yell "Get away from her you $#@!"
hahahaha it really is very Aliens, I didn't notice how much till you said that laugh We'll see if Dragonwing saves the day in a giant exoskeleton forklifty thing wink

Urk is fun, but I kind of like the idea of him just being a weird little background character that does his own thing so I dunno if I'll ever really do anything significant with him...

Omni, it is funny you bring up the difference between how the Subs and the Academy graduates interact with the rest of the main team because I never really thought of it before but you're right, I do write them that way - I suppose it makes sense as the Academy kids would always have assumed they'd get a shot at joining the Legion whereas the Subs were well...substitutes...for so long that I guess even though everyone respects each other there's probably still a residual bit of "us and them" mentality on everyone's parts

NEXT ISSUE: things get worse!

But also we are gonna touch base with the Heroes of Lallor for what feels like the first time in about 30 years lol
SATURNIAN RINGS
Keeler Gap, Daphnis


ROLL CALL
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Invisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility

Mwindaji had time only to wonder if there might be some way he could shift his position, ensure that the Martian holding him didn't instantly kill him when the blade she'd formed from her other arm went through his torso. Her grip was so tight that he was blacking out, but if Mwindaji could keep himself conscious and alive he knew he'd be able to heal himself afterwards no matter how badly she injured him. Then there was a flurry of motion, and suddenly the young tracker was tumbling free into the void while Timber Wolf grappled with Mwindaji's would-be murderer.

Mwindaji hit something hard, and realised that Strut had caught him. "That was just wonderful!" Strut gushed. "Did you see the way our little brute just got in there and forced that awful creature to free you, darling? Outstanding!" Two of Strut's limbs clapped appreciatively while Timber Wolf and the female Martian fought one another. Still recovering, Mwindaji simply stared mutely at the vicious battle.

King Canary suddenly flitted straight past Strut and Mwindaji. "Heads up, you two!" the little bird gave gruff warning. "Don't forget Mean & Green came with a pal!"

Finally using his flight ring to orient himself, Mwindaji turned to follow King Canary's golden form. Indeed, the second Martian was now coming straight at him but before the decaying creature could raise an attack Strut intercepted. "Now you leave that boy alone, you meanie!" For the briefest of instants, Strut's six limbs gave him the advantage but the Martian simply grew more arms to compensate, each one immeasurably stronger than Strut could ever hope to become. The Martian simply hurled Strut wailing toward the rocky rings dominating the sky above.

Before the Martian could turn on Mwindaji once more, King Canary tried to repeat the same trick he'd used so effectively on the Saturnian scorpion beasts earlier. He perched himself between the Martian's bony shoulder blades and let his sonic scream be directed straight into the creature's body. The creature did double over in pain, but then in a scene of pure horror the Martian began growing a fang-filled mouth right around the little bird. Mwindaji realised that his feathered teammate was too distracted to have noticed and roared through his flight ring, "Canary! Fly!" Prince K'rk zipped through the elongated razor-sharp teeth just as they snapped closed on where he had been.

"Now what?" King Canary asked, hovering by Mwindaji's cheek. "That was all I got!"

"These creatures, whomever they are, seem to be primarily interested in me," Mwindaji noted. "Go ensure that Strut has not been too badly harmed. I have a plan."

"I ain't just leavin' you with this thing!" King Canary protested.

"I have a plan!" Mwindaji repeated sternly. "Now go!"

Suddenly, the young tracker from Kirinyaga abruptly vanished, leaving King Canary stunned silent. "Wow, I guess he really did have a plan!" Canary muttered to himself. Satisfied, the golden bird zoomed away to find Strut while the undead Martian looked around for his prey.

Both of them completely undetectable to anybody else thanks to Invisible Kid's power, Jacques Foccart led Mwindaji away from the creatures which sought his death. "Out of curiosity, mon ami...what is this plan of which you spoke to King Canary?"

"Honestly?" Mwindaji shrugged. "Try to not let them harm any of you while they did whatever they intend on doing with me."

Invisible Kid tutted. "That is not a plan, mon ami...that is pointless masochism. I propose you use your power to bring Element Lad back to fighting form, then he should be able to end this tout suite. These creatures may possess incredible power, but a block of inertron is a block of inertron."

"I like your plan better." Mwindaji gave a half smile despite himself. "Let's go...and we'd best make it swift." Both men watched as Timber Wolf, who'd fared so competently against one Martian, fell almost instantly before two of them.

Once Mwindaji and Invisible Kid found themselves by the side of the wounded Element Lad, Jacques turned his invisibility off. He still didn't know enough about his expanded power to know if it would interfere with Mwindaji's healing ability, and Element Lad would be fully recovered by the time their foes noticed. As soon as they were visible, King Canary and Strut's voices crowded their comms in an indecipherable chatter.

"Colleagues, one at a time!" Invisible Kid took charge. "Mon dieu!"

"We been callin' you guys since I caught up with Strut!" King Canary protested. "We thought we were the only ones left, we was about to call Phantom Girl!"

Jacques realised that it had been his fault; apparently his upgraded power left him as invisible to communications as it did to anything else. "Apologies," he responded. "What is it that is so important?"

"Darlings!" Strut took over. "These hideous creatures don't just look dead...they are dead! For the brief period of time I grappled with that nasty piece of work, I did not detect one sign of life in the wretched thing! You know what this means, of course?"

"They're zombies!" Strut and King Canary announced simultaneously.

Element Lad stirred thanks to Mwindaji's power. With Jan safely healed, Mwindaji stood to face the two Martians now flying his way. He recalled the effect his power had evinced on Dr Cerberus's hellhounds, and allowed the White Lantern's light to emerge from every cell of his body.

"Well then," Mwindaji spoke, his features hidden in the nimbus of his power. He stretched out both arms.

"...Let them come to me."

**********

EARTH
Metropolis, Weisinger Plaza


ROLL CALL
Legion of Substitute Heroes:
Antennae Lad aka Khfeurb Chee Bez:
can broadcast radio transmissions from different spatiotemporal loci

Legion Academy:
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz:
Academy co-head; electricity generation and manipulation:

Chemical Kid aka Hadru Jamik: control of chemical reactions
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Fire Lass aka Arqiia: fire breath
Glorith: sorceress
Kid Quantum aka Jazmin Cullen: quantum field manipulation
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

"You need...to go...to sleep." Lullabye Lad struggled against his fear to keep his voice as calm and melodic as possible.

On the battle-scarred surface of Weisinger Plaza, Waiane Wentim stood before two angry white husks which had once been the scourge of Mars. One of the White Martians had been reduced to dragging himself toward the neophyte hero on his hands and knees, his head bobbing every second or so as he struggled to retain consciousness. The other was still upright, and a deep low growl issued from somewhere deep inside him as he too staggered inch by inch closer to Lullabye Lad.

Behind the pink and gold-garbed teenager, Glorith tended to her recuperating teacher. Lightning Lad groaned as his head lolled from side to side, then he sat up with a start. He first of all saw Glorith crouching next to him, and only then did he notice the unnatural angle of his leg which was clearly shattered in at least two places."It...it doesn't hurt," Garth slurred, uncomprehending. He shook his head violently, then with more clarity looked into Glorith's softly glowing eyes. "Glorith, did you..?"

"I could not restore you," she admitted, "But I could at least soothe your pain. I am sorry to raise you from your healing slumber, Lightning Lad...but we need you."

Feeling more like himself, Garth Ranzz resisted the instinct to try and stand. He remembered now; he'd sent Antennae Lad into the Museum to try and find information which might prove useful against these horrors from a thousand years ago, and he'd instructed the other students to evacuate the plaza while Glorith teleported herself back to Mars and the Legion of Superheroes. Lightning Lad had planned to keep these Martians busy, and then...and then he couldn't remember any more, but it was clear that the White Martians had been more of a threat than one reserve Legionnaire, a Substitute Hero and a bunch of children were ready to face. Chemical Kid, Kid Quantum and Variable Lad's hopefully unconscious forms had been joined by several damaged Science Police droids strewn through the plaza. Antennae Lad lay half-buried beneath what remained of the Museum's front lobby. Garth couldn't even see Dragonwing or Fire Lass, and Lullabye Lad...Lullabye Lad was standing only metres away, his cape in tatters and his knees buckling in terror and exhaustion, but he was doing what nobody else was doing.

He was beating them.

"Glorith!" Lightning Lad ordered urgently. "Forget me! Help Waiane put these things down!"

To her credit, Glorith paused only for half a second before she turned without question. Approaching Lullabye Lad cautiously, her hands wove some spell and mystic energies came to life around her outstretched arms. She whispered something unknowable, and Lullabye Lad felt a surge of power flow through him. His back arched and his muscles grew rigid; they'd trained in combining their powers often enough that he knew this was Glorith's touch but it never stopped feeling unpleasant. Waiane gritted his teeth against the sensation of his bone marrow growing cold from the top of his skull to the tips of his toes. His showers for the next week would be twice as long as usual to try and wash this feeling out of him, but it was working. The Martian closest to him, the one who'd been crawling, finally succumbed to a need to sleep which even death and the remnants of the White Martian's own once mighty psionic powers could no longer combat.

The second Martian saw this, and knew that they were in the end game. He raised his fists, channelled enormous amounts of mass into both of them, and with an unholy roar slammed them into the ground between himself and the teenagers. The White Martian's blow shredded the ground and the force of the impact sent his fellow Martian, Lullabye Lad and Glorith flying in different directions. The impact jolted the sleeping Martian awake, but the young heroes had both been knocked out when they landed. The second Martian stalked Glorith, still groggy from Lullabye Lad's power.

"Get away from her, you squaj!" Lightning Lad bellowed. He fed as much energy as he could into a tremendous bolt of lightning which staggered the Martian, but did not put him down. Garth racked his brain, he knew that these things had a weakness; Supergirl had called it their kryptonite. He sent more power feeding into the Martian, enough to shock the undead creature back to a state of full alertness. The White Martian turned away from Glorith, and his mouth distended into a sickening grin full of stinking decayed teeth as he shambled deliberately toward Garth. The Martian was hurting now, and he was going to kill the meat which had caused that hurt.

Garth felt a stab of pain in his psyche as he saw the other Martian rise; they were confronting him both physically and mentally. Imra had taught him mental defence techniques which were the only thing keeping him conscious right now, but he knew that would only be true for another second or two against power like this.

"Damn it, you idiot!" Lightning Lad cursed himself. "Why didn't you ever listen all those times Rokk was carrying on about ancient history?! What's their sprocking vulnerability...earth? Wind..?"

The Martians were almost on top of Lightning Lad now when a jet of flame tore through a collapsed section of the building nearby and Dragonwing and Fire Lass clambered out from beneath it. They were both bruised and bleeding, and from the way Marya was cradling one arm it might well be broken. The Martians flinched at the sudden burst of flame, and just like that Garth remembered. "Fire!" he shouted, his throat hoarse from the effort. "Girls, these things are vulnerable to fire!"

Dragonwing and Fire Lass gave their teacher a confused stare before turning to one another with wide eyes. Then the White Martians saw a steely resolve settle on Arqiia's face and they saw Marya Pai's pure glee, and for the first time since death these Martians felt the hot burn of fear...

**********

SHANGHAI COLONIES
Zhulong Domed City, Yu Wu Dong Archeological Site


ROLL CALL
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy

"How are we tracking?" Neon asked. She sat in the pilot seat of a two-person craft composed entirely of green energy, Dragonmage in a seat right behind her.

Xao gripped his seat and looked back the way they'd flown. "They're gaining, Zoe!" Indeed, their two half-decayed assailants were close enough to the hardlight vehicle now that one of them was preparing to reach out and grab it with a skeletal hand which grew larger and more covered in bony spurs.

"Yeah well, it's hard to manouvre in these subterranean caves but wait till we hit open space and those squajes can eat our tachyons." Zoe hunkered down over the vehicle's stick and executed an almost right angle turn toward a larger tunnel. She whooped with joy, the tiny ship's wings almost shredding one of the walls as they went.

"When did you become a fighter pilot anyway?" Xao asked, trying to keep his lunch down. "I never knew you were so skilled at this!"

"Xao, are you kidding?" Zoe laughed. "It's a construct; this isn't skill, it's just willpower. Anything worth doing is worth doing with flare though! Aaand we're free!" With a final gut-churning thrust the heroes ejected through the thin shimmering forcefield holding atmosphere in the caves, and out of the bottom of the enormous asteroid which housed the Zhulong Domed City half a mile above them.

Xao knew that Zoe's bravada was a way to settle her nerves; in the brief period of time in which they'd engaged in combat with these creatures, their opponents had seemed to shrug off just about anything Neon or Dragonmage could throw at them. Dragonmage was obviously the creatures' prime target though so the two Legionnaires had hoped they could at least use that to lure them out here into open space where the city and the archeological site beneath it would be safe while they continued getting their butts handed to them.

"Now that we're not under tons of rock, I've called for backup!" Dragonmage announced. "We just need to--" Before he could complete what he was saying, two pairs of blazing red eyebeams tore through Neon's construct and the vessel was instantly shredded. Dragonmage and Neon cried out instinctively as they tumbled through the vacuum of space.

"Zoe!" Xao gaped at their enemies. "Back in the caves, I thought it was only your light making them look that way, but...they're both green! And their powers; strength, speed, durability, shapeshifting, flash vision...you don't think they're Martians, do you?"

"Ancient Martians?" Though she innately possessed the power of a Green Lantern, force of habit led Neon to scan the charging monsters with the emerald ring she still wore on one hand. "Oh nass, they are! They really are! Well, Sodam Yat told us all about Martians! I'll have this wrapped up in a nano!" She thought into existence a flamethrower which was comically almost larger than herself, and unleashed streams of green fire upon the two Martians.

To their surprise, one of the Martians rocketed straight through the flames and clocked Zoe on the jaw. The second Martian overtook her before she could steady herself, and with a tremendously powerful piledriver it sent her slamming into the base of the asteroid hard enough the the domed city above trembled slightly.

"Zoe!" Dragonmage raced to where his friend had made a new crater in the asteroid; her forcefield was still intact, but even so she was woozy.

"Guess...guess it has to be real fire, huh..?" She laughed weakly, then winced when that laughter hurt something in her chest.

"Real fire..?" Dragonmage gripped her hand briefly, then stood over his friend protectively as the two Martians zoomed straight for him. There was no time for him to weave a flame dragon big enough for both of the Martians...there was only time for one thing. Xao Jin would have to surrender himself utterly to the celestial creature for whom this city was named; he only hoped he was strong enough physically and spiritually to survive the experience.

"There is something you may not have been aware of when you came to this place," Dragonmage spoke calmly to his approaching foes. "Abominations, this city is named Zhulong. It is a great name...

...for it bears great might." He closed his eyes as he said this, and a silent shroud of darkness slipped over everything in sight. Xao Jin's voice had begun to change before he ceased talking, and at his feet Zoe was just now realising that she wasn't hearing that voice through her flight ring. It was some serpentine proclamation writhing through her mind and soul.

Dragonmage opened his eyes, and Zoe gasped. Twin suns blazed from his eyes, restoring light to the universe again. Like floodlights, they were cast upon the Martians and rendered them little more than abstract shadows in the intense glow. Defying all sense, the undead creatures began to simmer and Zoe could clearly hear their screams. Completely awestruck she looked back at Xao and saw that while he stood there unmoving, deep red fibrous hairs surrounded his face and swept back and away from him. Emerging from the base of his skull, the twisting scarlet body of a dragon whipped behind his own human form. It surrounded the base of the asteroid several times, as though keeping it safe within its own coils.

"This city is named for the Torch Shade," the voice which was not Dragonmage's continued. "It is named for ancient Zhulong. Where ancient Zhulong gazes, there is light...and when ancient Zhulong calls, there is power!" These last words were accompanied by gusts of wind so hot that Zoe could feel it through her forcefield. It made no sense in the vacuum of space but they pushed the Martians back, and in less than a moment they set the smoldering undead fully alight. In as much time as it took Zoe to realise what had happened, the Martians were nothing more than space ash.

With a shudder, Xao was himself again. "My gratitude...great Zhulong..." he breathed out. Then his eyes rolled back in his head and the exhausted young sorceror passed out.

**********


DEIMOS
Deimos Memorial Cemetery


ROLL CALL
Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage:
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Firecrest aka Staq Mavlen: weredragon
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

Twenty minutes ago, the most activity to be found on the smallest of the twin moons of Mars was tourists jostling for a better shot of the Legionnaires who'd just landed in their midst.

Then the ground had offered up its dead.

Deimos bore a multi-level cemetery containing thousands of corpses over a couple of miles of land. The chaos that ensued when those dead improbably rose was instant and highly unsettling for the Legionnaires. For everyone else here, it was terrifying.

"What are you two doing?" Dream Girl scolded a couple of teenagers hiding up a tree. "These things clawed their way out of solid rock, do you really think they're not going to be able to reach you up there?" She levitated up to meet the youngsters as a skeletal corpse threw itself at her too late and smashed face first into the tree trunk.

"Now come here and be rescued!" Nura continued, "And stop looking down there, look at me! No new graves are being dug here today!" Though they were almost paralysed with fear, the teenagers reached out to Dream Girl with trembling hands. Her flight ring helping with the burden, Dream Girl gathered them close to herself and darted off into the star-filled sky. "I'm coming with a couple other civilians, Blok!" Nura announced via the same flight ring which now propelled her and her passengers away from the cemetery. "Do you still have everything under control?"

"I do," Blok replied confidently. He was at Deimos's atmospheric generator plant, the safest place on this misshapen rock right now. Dozens of innocents crowded inside the plant's high surrounding walls, while outside the facility Blok disposed of the walking dead who'd managed to make it this far. While the living people here obviously needed to be protected, the bigger danger was that the zombies might damage the equipment which was keeping those people alive on this otherwise airless rock in the first place. "The Science Police are approximately 35 standard minutes away," Blok continued. "Apparently Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen's wedding has similarly come under attack, but nowhere else on Mars or its two moons seems to be impacted so far."

"Then it's an attack on the Legion," Dream Girl reasoned. "Blok, when you get a moment could you please let Kid Computo know? She was on monitor duty when we left--"

"I have taken the liberty of doing so already," Blok interrupted his colleague. "If we two groups have been assaulted, it stands to reason that the rest of our teammates may similarly be in danger."

Before the transmission ended Dream Girl heard a tremendous crunching sound, which she deduced was Blok's fist hitting someone very hard. She had to admit, Blok was so much more efficient to work with since he'd received a portion of the wisdom of Solomon. With his upgraded strength, speed and durability he was also one of the few Legionnaires she had no qualms trusting to protect an entire complex full of people alone. She spared a glance over her shoulder as her teammates battled on behind her and hoped that everyone would come out of this as easy as Blok would today.

Back at the cemetery, Diamond Damsel had found an elderly couple and was protecting them from the shambling horde while they waited for Dream Girl to come back and pick them up. "I'm actually glad I have no sense of smell anymore," Diamond Damsel remarked to Wildfire nearby as she easily tore through a trio of decayed assailants, their putrified innards gushing everywhere. "I mean can you imagine?"

"You're tellin' me, lady!" Wildfire replied as he took out another dozen of the undead with a wide blast of anti-energy. "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm glad I'm just a sack of energy in this suit! I bet the rest of our guys are gonna be scrubbing themselves clean for a month!"

Diamond Damsel gave a hearty chortle and turned to the next group coming for her. She knew that laughter wasn't at all an appropriate response for what was going on here, but as far as she or Wildfire had come from their humanity there was something comforting about the realisation that they still felt like they needed to joke about this situation to deal with it.

"Careful, everyone!" Mon-El's voice sounded over their flight rings. "I've come across a few of these corpses down in the catacombs wearing the crest of the House of El - they're not as tough as Kal or Kara, but they're not exactly going down without a fight either!"

"Great," Sun Boy deadpanned. "They're probably Laurel's great great grandfolks or something, she's never gonna let us hear the end of it!"

Sun Boy and Firecrest had been doing perimeter sweeps, incinerating as many of the escaping deceased as they could. They could afford to be less cautious with their flames out here on the borders of the cemetery where there was much less chance of collateral damage. They'd been flying in opposite directions around the giant cemetery, only seeing one another face to face as they crossed paths. "You know, guyss...I jusst had a thought," Staq hissed into the comms. "How could thiss be an attack on the Legion? I mean we're only here becausse Dream Girl ssaw that we were going to be needed, how could a villain plan for that?"

"This is a pretty large scale mess," Dirk thought it out, "And we're probably among the best Legionnaires to clean it up but there's nothing that specifically requires the seven of us, I just think Dreamy picked us because we were in her vision. We would have had to send a bunch of Legionnaires here to deal with this anyway though, do you think--"

"--It's a distraction," Mon-El confirmed what Sun Boy was about to ask. "I'm looking down at Mars now. Someone did all of this just to lure away as many Legionnaires as they could from the wedding. They might have been relying on Dream Girl predicting the larger need here or they might have just assumed we'd react as soon as we heard, but either way we need to wrap this up quickly and get back there, people."

There was some grim set to Mon-El's voice that Staq Mavlen had never heard before, and it weighed on him. Suddenly, he was very very concerned about his friends some 14,000 miles away...

**********

MARS
Cerberus Palus, Elysium Fields Floating Gardens


ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: hyper-stimulated plant growth
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Colossal Boy aka Gim Allon: growth powers
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn: magnetism
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: gravity negation
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

Everyone present stared up at the bold stranger who'd just crashed this event, but Comet Queen was the one drawing all of his attention right now. Kneeling by the side of her collapsed teammate Tellus, Grava wailed accusingly at Alek Arcane floating above. "Fix him! You fix my little space fishy right now!"

Taking advantage of the spectacle to make her move, Phantom Girl quickly ducked inside Tellus on her way up through the platform to join the other heroes now standing around the Hykraian. Tinya stood by Rainbow Girl's side and whispered discreetly into her ear. "Dori, Tellus is still alive but his heart's beating so slowly...I know you're not part of the Legion but could you please--"

"Say no more," Rainbow Girl nodded. "I'll rainbowarp us both to Medicus One now." She crouched down and touched Tellus, and the two of them swirled and imploded into a single point of technicolour light.

"Well, I certainly would have been open to helping that wretched creature depart this mortal coil," Alek addressed Comet Queen, "But it seems your colourful little friend has taken the option from me. I suppose I'll just have to be content with killing everybody else here before I depart with my granddaughter." He made some gesture with his hands, and all of the insects which had swarmed here began moving on the party guests themselves. More, skeletal predators which had once been no more threatening than any other small animal came crawling, fangs and bony jaws snapping with more strength than they should be able to possess.

Chlorophyll Kid had managed to keep Ivy's power under control until now, but Ral yelped in pain when what had once been a Pygmy Maw took a chunk out of his calf. The plants around them went crazy, and in less than a second there was chaos everywhere.

"Gee, Mr Arcane!" Elastic Lad stretched up from the crowd below to meet the descending sorceror face to face. None of Alek Arcane's undead attendants could harm Elastic Lad's rubbery flesh, and Jams-Ols 5 could simply outstretch any vine which attached itself to him. "I hope you don't mind me saying so, but the way you've approached this whole meeting today is really unnecessary! It's great that we finally get to meet an actual honest-to-gosh relative of little Ivy and she's so--" Elastic Lad had wrapped one elongated arm around Arcane as he spoke, and the agonising scream which now replaced the young hero's monologue was a sound that nobody here would ever forget.

Alek Arcane simply hovered smugly while Jams-Ols 5's arm withered and rotted away where it had touched the sorceror. Elastic Lad's forearm was nothing more than bone now, and the rot was swiftly climbing up his arm to claim the rest of him. "It hurts!" Elastic Lad bawled as he tried to stretch faster than the rot could travel. "It hurts!!"

If looks could kill, the glare Phantom Girl focused on Alek Arcane would have murdered him instantly. "Nobody touch him!" she ordered to everyone present over her flight ring. "Range attacks only, people!"

Comet Queen bounded to her feet and began to say something before Phantom Girl gripped her golden arm almost painfully hard. "Get everyone who isn't a Legionnaire out of here, Grava. Back to our base."

Comet Queen reached immediately for Ivy, but Tinya pulled her back. "Are you insane??" Phantom Girl barked. "I'm not transplanting this chaos halfway across Marsopolis, she stays right here! And tell Ultra Boy to help you, you two are our fastest fliers."

"Save your folks, honey." Chlorophyll Kid limped toward Comet Queen, his tone much softer. "And the other guests...they're not equipped to deal with this kind of stuff."

For the first time, Comet Queen remembered that she'd brought her family here today to celebrate her wedding. Grava turned with a panic and fled into the bedlam. "Mama Gya! Mama Kellu! Papa Jibby, everyone, I'm blazing your way now!"

Alek Arcane laughed a deep throaty laugh as he touched down on the platform where Chlorophyll Kid nursed his granddaughter. In an instinctual effort to protect herself against this evil she'd sensed so many times in her young life, Ivy Arcane turned every plant within a couple of metres upon the sorceror and this time Chlorophyll Kid let her do it.

Alek Arcane disappeared beneath lush green foliage and tightly binding creepers, but they too rotted from the inside out and the decayed plants fell away from him harmlessly.

"Well now..." Alek smiled sadistically as he looked Phantom Girl and Chlorophyll Kid up and down. "Who's next?"

**********

Elastic Lad had draped himself over the edge of the Floating Gardens, where he could stretch his rotting arm down toward the surface of Mars. It was all he could think to do through this excruciating pain but he knew even that would only be a temporary measure.

The ambient temperature suddenly dropped drastically, and a delirious Elastic Lad turned to see Polar Boy and Rainbow Girl by his side. A wall of ice separated them from the rest of the violence, giving the heroes a moment of peace. "I think...I think I can help," Polar Boy stammered, "But...but it's not going to be fun, E-Lad."

"I'm gonna...I'm going to die if you don't do it..." Even through his haze of pain, Elastic Lad had deduced what Brek was implying. "What was it like, Polar Boy..? What was it like when you lost your arm..?"

"It - it was over quickly, buddy." Brek's eyes welled with tears as his gloved hands hovered less than an inch from Elastic Lad's bicep. "It was over really quickly." Elastic Lad screamed for a second time today as Polar Boy froze most of his arm solid, then the young redhead finally passed out and the elongated chunk of ice which had once been a part of him cracked and fell under its own weight, shattering on the ancient lava flows below. Polar Boy wiped at his eyes with the back of his gloves and cleared his throat.

"You saved that boy's life, Brek." Rainbow Girl hugged him tightly, then released him and dropped to one knee by Elastic Lad's side. "I'll rainbowarp him somewhere he can get the rest of the help he needs."

Rainbow Girl and Elastic Lad vanished in an implosion of light and seconds later when Stone Boy tumbled through Brek's ice wall grappling some plant, Polar Boy was absurdly grateful for the chance to hurt something that actually deserved to be hurt.

**********

The rest of the battle proceeded as Alek Arcane had expected it would. His undead attendants didn't offer much of a threat to super-powered beings; whether Lightning Lass was frying skeletons to cinder or Nightwind was whisking clouds of biting flies away on the breeze, they were easily enough managed. But the creatures were far far more numerous than the heroes they were assaulting, and this kept the Legion and their friends busy.

His granddaughter if anything was proving the greater threat to those who ironically only wanted to protect her. Colossal Boy grappled with enormous wooden trees which had rooted themselves deep in the ground below, and amongst the branches of those trees his wife took on form after form to evade poisoned spikes and to squirm past crushing leafy tendrils. For every thorned vine which found itself between Matter-Eater Lad's teeth and for every Venusian Man-Trap pinned shut thanks to Porcupine Pete's quills, there were far more poisonous floral creations which could only be dealt with by Crystal Kid transforming their deadly blooms or Light Lad sending them into space. In her panic, Ivy had even damaged the mechanisms which kept these gardens afloat and if Cosmic Boy weren't here they'd all have gone crashing down to join Elastic Lad's arm by now. Alek Arcane was proud of his granddaughter's destructive potential, and he was positively giddy at how close he was to turning her gifts to his side.

"I only want what's best for my granddaughter," Alek approached Chlorophyll Kid. "You can't understand the level of destruction she will bring upon this universe under my tutelage...the new era of darkness I am going to usher forth with that child." Chlor tried to ignore Color Kid behind the sorceror being slowly crushed by vines, Night Girl desperately ripping away at the plants.

"Ral," Phantom Girl spoke gravely. "We need to stop this. We need to stop Ivy and then we can deal with him." She phased almost without thinking as Bouncing Boy ricocheted off the ground where Tinya stood and back into the thick of it all.

"Not yet," Chlorophyll Kid stepped back from the sorceror, his eyes flecked with righteous anger. "He needs to learn what it means to oppose the Avatar of the Green."

"Ral, people are getting hurt!" Tinya protested. "Our friends are getting hurt!" Somewhere behind them, they heard Light Lad cry out his lover's name.

"I assure you, he doesn't care about you or any of them, my dear." Alek Arcane gave Phantom Girl a look that made her skin crawl, and decaying vegetable matter continued to rot away even as it tried to grip the sorceror. "Not as much as you think, at any rate...he's the Protector of the Avatar of the Green, and that title comes with new priorities. Isn't that right, Protector?"

Chlorophyll Kid suddenly saw something at the sorceror's feet which had gone unnoticed by Arcane himself, and he thrust Ivy toward Phantom Girl. "PG, go!" Ral yelled before turning back to the villain. "I am the Avatar's Protector," he said firmly, "But I'm also a Legionnaire and that means we help each other, Arcane."

"Oh, come now. A pretend phantom is no match against my actual death touch." Alek Arcane was utterly confident that his magic would affect Tinya even while she were phased, and he was utterly astounded when he lunged for Tinya and Ivy and both of them vanished entirely. Just like that, all of the plants which had been causing so much trouble stopped moving as though a switch had been flipped. "How...where..?"

"Phantom Girl doesn't just turn intangible," Chlorophyll Kid explained as his wedding suit was covered by interlocking plates of wooden armour. "She enters another dimensional space...and we know from past experience that Ivy can't use her powers here while she's there. I'm actually surprised you don't know that, Alek. After all, I'm certain now that it's you that Ivy's been trying to protect herself from all this time. And all that tells me is...you don't pay attention."

Alek Arcane had been so distracted by the spectacle of Chlorophyll Kid's armour growing and snapping together around him that he'd completely neglected to notice the Winathian Poppies which had sprung up at his feet. With a little assistance from Chlorophyll Kid the poppies had risen to brush against the sorceror's legs, and as soon as they'd made contact the outer part of the flowers had rotted away and spewed their narcotic pollen in a cloud all over both of the men. Inside his armour, Chlorophyll Kid had already activated his transuit; Alek Arcane had no such protection.

Breathing deeply, the sorceror's eyes flickered as he was overcome with the urge to sleep. He made one futile grasp at Chlorophyll Kid, and then fell in a heap.

"I can control plants, but I can't create them," Ral Benem explained as his friends and teammates began to gather about him. "I just had to wait for Ivy to create the right one so I could end this.

...Now let's send this creep so far into the bowels of Takron-Galtos that he'll never bother anyone again, and then I'm going to finish marrying my sprocking wife."

**********

LALLOR
Heroes of Lallor Homebase, Duplicate Boy II's quarters


ROLL CALL
Duplicate Boy II aka Stev Cohn: ability to duplicate any superhuman power in his immediate vicinity

As soon as Stev Cohn entered his spacious bedroom, he mumbled "Homebase, Light Canyons Immersion please," and slumped onto his bed. The windowless room's walls were rounded, and they were now seemingly replaced by a 360 degree view of Lallor's famous Light Canyons. The canyons would have been awe-inspiring on almost any world, miles of gorges and ravines which sunk deep into the crust of the planet. But the thing that made them truly unique were the aurora-like lightshows that transpired within those gorges and ravines. At some point in Lallor's past, nuclear war had altered the magnetic field of the planet here so that there were always some kind of amazing phototechnics to see. The Light Canyons themselves of course were so radioactive as to be lethal to most lifeforms, but they certainly looked pretty. Soft electronic music started in the background, the gentle pulsing beat matching that of Stev's own heart.

"Evolvo Lad, you're a genius..." Duplicate Boy muttered, painstakingly making the effort to remove the outer layer of his costume. "You could sell this immersotainment tech and be richer than Persephone Savage..." Laying on top of his bed in just a pair of green trunks, Duplicate Boy went over the afternoon's events. The Heroes of Lallor had been called to help evacuate a coastal town from an incoming tidal wave that the planet's geosurveillance tech hadn't been able to prevent, and after hours of power swapping and high tension rescues, Stev was ready for nothing more taxing than a shower and sleep. As tired as he was though, he was glad that the new Heroes of Lallor had finally blended with the old Heroes of Lallor. Any awkwardness between the two factions was gone, and he rarely even thought of there being two separate factions anymore.

He flinched, and realised that he must have nodded off. His cheek was sticky with drool, and the sensory immersion had progressed about 12 standard minutes. "Real sexy..." Stev rolled his eyes as he wiped the drool from his face and sat up. "Okay...shower while you still can, champ." He stumbled half-asleep toward the bathroom area but just before he actually reached it he stopped dead in his tracks. "Homebase, pause Light Canyons Immersion."

Instantly more alert, Duplicate Boy scanned the room suspiciously. "There are a couple of things that make me different from the original Duplicate Boy," he announced to the room. "I can only duplicate the powers of anyone in my immediate vicinity...but also, I know when there's someone in my immediate vicinity who has powers to duplicate.

You want to tell me what the sprock you're doing in my quarters, Gas Girl?"

A pinkish-white mist congealed on the far side of the room until the former Hero of Lallor and current member of the Legion of Superheroes sat sheepishly in human form in a memory foam couch. "Umm, I can explain..." Gas Girl blushed a beetroot red.

"Good." Duplicate Boy stood over her, arms folded.

"Now start."

EDITOR'S NOTES
Zhulong is actually a dragon from Chinese mythology, check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhulong_(mythology) for more info
For anyone who might need a refresher on what's going on with the Heroes of Lallor - basically the Lalloran government forced Evolvo Lad and Life Lass to take on four new teammates under somewhat shady circumstances. Gas Girl has brought the Espionage Squad to Lallor to investigate the newbies' backgrounds and make sure they're all above board, and well here we are...(when I get more time, I will post some links to the actual stories where it happened)
wow, nice wrap up for the two parter! excellent switching between the scenes, like no need to see Mwindaji or Dragonwing or Fire Lass actually destroying your opponents. Kudos for giving everyone something to do, if even a line or two. The drama, oh the drama...

Elastic Lad and Polar Boy, goodness! Elastic Lad's personality still holds true despite being in great pain

Rainbow Girl rainbow warping!

Good deductive skills from the team at the cemetery

"Now come here and be rescued" bwahahaha

Diamond Damsel and Wildfire bonding over their transformations

Jacques' new power upgrade

Nice use of the wisdom of Solomon with Blok

Tinya phasing herself and Ivy to another dimension...

and Ral biding his time, taking advantage of Alek Arcane not paying attention. plus that speech at the end

all excellent, excellent, excellent! and looking forward to the Heroes of Lallor, this new Dupe Boy is an interesting upgrade on the original!
More fun Raz, your Legion has a lot more action than mine!

I noticed M'Wandji never healed himself, it was kind of implied though. Strut, as always (in like the half a dozen posts he's been in so far anyway) had some of the best lines and funny image of it clapping two of it's hands while dealing with everything else. Kng Canary also proved his worth. For some reason I always read him as speaking in a Ray Winston Cockney accented voice which adds to the pleasure. That sonic attack to the base of the skull would take down most opponents, ouch!

Loved Jacques save, and it's interesting that he's now even invisible to the teams comms, that'll prove to be tricky! M'Windaji's plan was hilarious, pointless masochism indeed, bless him. Nice of Strut to find the information they needed to defeat the beasts, White Martians are super-tough so it would have been virtually impossible without that.

Lullaby Lad's sleep induction is obviously pretty buff if it can force two White martians to succumb. Okay, so they were corpes. but still...

I like your Lightning Lad, he's matured into a decent tactician, though the thoughts about the Martians weaknesses: "What's their sprocking vulnerability...earth? Wind..?" gave me a laugh. Marya and Aquilla to the rescue, well done.

Really enjoyed the Xao and Zoe section, I think it was my favourite. Their friendship shone through. Great line for Zoe - "Anything worth doing is worth doing with flare though! " also good charaterisation that she thought her ring producing flames would be enough. Ah Zoe, 'fraid not this time. Xao contacting the ancient dragon was tremendous, a really unexpected twist to his power set. Hopefully he'll be back to normal soon.

Those two poor kids up the tree, I imagine being scolded by Nura is just as scary as any zombie horde! Your Blok is great, a real pro-active powerhouse. I admit when you first wrote about him gaining the Shazam powers I was wondering how you would take his storylone, but it's been great to read. There's obviously a lot of love for the big stone guy. Nice bonding moment between Iris and Drake. Wuld be good to see them get more screen time together. also, very nice dropping in the decendants of the House of El's corpses causing problems, and Sun Boy's reaction was spot on, haha. Wonder if anyone did tell Laurel?

Also, very clever for Alek to manipulate Nura into taking the toughest legionnaires way from the one place they really needed to be. I wonder if there'll be repecussions?

I adoe your Grava, and in fact it was your obvious love for her that made me re-evaluate my use of her. "Fix him! You fix my little space fishy right now!" She's all heart isn't she?

Rainbow Girl to the rescue with her amazing ability to... ummm...? I need to introduce her in my fan fic as it is always fun when she appears.

Elastic Lad is aways a joy so I hope you fix him up real fast and get him back into action. How does he manage to fit so much speech into each scene laugh He steals everyone he's in. Now, if him, Grava, Strut and King Canary were to work together I'd be a very happy camper!

Your Tinya is great btw, business when it's needed and thinking of the bigger picture. Your Brek is really decent too, as much as I've never been fond of him really, I do like your take on him.

Ral's gambit that Ivy would create something he could use was desperate! Nice way to take out Alek Arcane, though I really do hope that's not the end of him as he's been so delightfully machiovellan in the background it's been fun watching out for the next move he'd make.

And, we get to Lallor and find out what's been going on there. Duplicate Boy ii doesn't seem quite as dumb as the first DP, so perhaps he'll help the Legion... if not things will get real interesting real quick.

Totally enjoyed this section, loads and lads of action, excitement, upsets and character moments. Looking forward to more, more, more!
Hey y'all, sorry...I could have sworn I replied to these earlier!

I am glad you liked crabby Dream Girl rescuing the teenagers, I gave myself a giggle writing that scene...Diamond Damsel and Wildfire bonding kinda happened by accident, I am kicking myself that I never really had them interact before though as it works well...I might have to explore this a bit more moving forward!

There were definitely a few specific scenes I really enjoyed writing and I think y'all nailed them so I'm glad they worked! smile

Next up: Sad times on Lallor!
Posted By: razsolo Cuckoo. - 02/12/21 05:35 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


ROLL CALL
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

While these quarters were ostensibly Ultra Boy's, Phantom Girl spent so much time here that they both considered it to be their shared space. Right now, Tinya Wazzo was wearing an oversized old t-shirt bearing Ultra Boy's iconic logo and not much else as she leaned on his balcony railing watching a small air vehicle fly off into the dim sunset. Inside the distant craft Chlorophyll Kid, Comet Queen and Ivy Arcane were on their way to a three week combined honeymoon and family vacation.

"If that's a new costume you're wearing, it's got my vote." Jo sidled up behind Tinya and wrapped his strong arms around her waist as he nuzzled into her neck.

Tinya laughed and phased through his embrace, taking with her the singlet Jo had been wearing and leaving him in only his underwear. "I'll change my costume if you change yours," she teased.

"I wouldn't want our team leader getting all distracted in combat," Jo shot back at her, pulling a couple of bodybuilder poses to accentuate his point.

"Ugh, there we go." The mood broken, Tinya groaned and walked back into the bedroom where she collapsed on Jo's bed. "I think I went a whole half hour that time without being reminded of the million responsibilities I've got now. I need to talk to Garth and Imra about choosing a new student intern, I need to check how the Espionage Squad are going on Lallor, I have to decide if Chlorophyll Kid needs replacing now that he's stepped down from active membership--"

"Just Chlorophyll Kid?" Ultra Boy's eyebrow shot up as he followed his lover back into the room. "Ouch!"

"...Jo." Phantom Girl raised herself up on her elbows, her tone sardonic. "Do you really think any force this side of Darkseid could make Comet Queen quit the Legion of Superheroes? Ral's the only one leaving, she's going back on the active roster as soon as they get home from their honeymoon."

"Ha! I should have known," Jo guffawed, joining Tinya on the bed. He kissed her neck again but backed off when he realised how tense she was. "You know babe, if you're really that stressed about all this stuff I can help. Just put me to work on something."

"Hmm?" Tinya finally relaxed, allowing herself to snuggle up closer to him. "I'm sorry, Jo...it's not that, it's just...you know when we first found Ivy on Chlorophyll Kid's homeworld? Whatever those plants did to increase Ral's power, they did something else too. I mean he immediately lost his stutter, he's way more confident now than he used to be...and I never really questioned it. It's not like we're really close, and they're certainly positive changes. But I don't know, there was a moment when he and I were facing down Alek Arcane at Ral and Grava's wedding, and he just...unsettled me? I don't know, does that make sense?" She shifted position so she could look him in the eye.

"Nope!" He gave her a quick peck on the lips. "But I wasn't there with you so I'll take your word for it, babe. That old creep Arcane's on his way to Takron-Galtos as we speak though, and Chlorophyll Kid has a long boring life ahead of him making dad jokes so none of this is your problem anymore!"

"Yeah...yeah, I suppose you're right, wise man of mine." She yanked at his arm and pulled him across so he was lying on top of her.

"Whoa, what's this all about?" Jo asked, playing dumb.

"I'm taking your advice," Tinya gave him a devilish grin.

"...and putting you to work."

**********

LALLOR
Heroes of Lallor Homebase


ROLL CALL
Heroes of Lallor
Amp aka Ming Sul: amplification of any power or characteristic
Brittle aka Bo Marcu: ability to segregate into smaller independent bodies upon physical impact
Duplicate Boy II aka Stev Cohn: ability to duplicate any superhuman power in his immediate vicinity
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: hyperevolution/devolution
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: ability to bypass any man-made lock
Life Lass aka Somi Gan: matter animation
Rain Girl aka Jes Teev: rain generation

Legion of Superheroes
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking

The Heroes of Lallor's meeting room was much larger than one might expect for a team which had generally had a small roster. The reason behind this was that it made it easier for them to accommodate visiting law enforcement personnel, government agents and members of the media as necessary. Right now, four members of the Legion of Superheroes sat on one side of the room's large circular table while immediately opposite them were the five newest recruits to the Heroes of Lallor. Somewhere awkwardly between the two sides were Life Lass and, in his hyper-evolved form, Evolvo Lad.

"Okay," Duplicate Boy broke the uncomfortable silence. "Now that we're all together, do you want to tell us what the sprock you've all been up to behind my team's backs?"

"Stev, the Heroes of Lallor are still one united team," Life Lass tried to reassure him.

"Are we?" Brittle shot back venomously. "Something tells me nobody's been spying on you or our illustrious leader here!" Blushing furiously, Life Lass lowered her gaze.

"Cham..?" Gas Girl gave Chameleon Boy a pleading expression.

"I'll take responsibility for this," Chameleon Boy stood up. "I led the Legion of Superheroes here to investigate Gas Girl's concerns."

"Concerns?" Rain Girl parroted. "Concerns about what...What more do we have to do to prove ourselves here?!"

People on all sides of the table began talking over one another trying to respond to the last thing they'd heard, and Cham could see this wasn't getting them anywhere. "Enough!" He turned his hand into a mallet and pounded it on the table. "I'll explain everything, but you need to give me the opportunity...which means I'm going to need you all to be quiet and listen to me for a few minutes. Are we agreed?"

"Agreed," Duplicate Boy muttered darkly. Brittle began to complain again, but Duplicate Boy cast him a glare before he could get more than a word out. "I said agreed, Bo."

"Thank you," Chameleon Boy acknowledged the gesture. "I appreciate it. Gas Girl asked the Legion to help her out because she had doubts about the story provided when you five first made your way to Homebase. She grew up here with the other original Heroes of Lallor knowing that they were unique in their world's history as meta-powered mutants. The Legion have known the Heroes of Lallor for a long time, and we've come to know Gas Girl even better after she joined our own team. There was no reason for us to suspect that the original Heroes of Lallor would ever have had any part in suppressing the existence of other mutants, and I don't think we were ever really expected to. It was just a convenient way to introduce the five of you to this team."

"Oh, come on!" Brittle stood up now and waved an arm over the rest of his fellow recruits. "We don't have to just sit here and put up with this, you know!"

Rain Girl joined him. "Bo's right, who the sprock are the Legion of Superheroes to judge us anyway?"

Shrinking Violet rolled her eyes and she released an exasperated grunt. "Grife, would you two shut up and let Cham finish? Everybody here knows that the five of you are above board, but there are some things surrounding your presence here that don't add up!"

"Respectfully," Duplicate Boy replied, his tone polite but distinctly unhappy, "You could have led with that, Legionnaires. Think about this from our point of view. We were raised in isolation from everyone else on this planet, we thought the Heroes of Lallor were at the very least actively involved in that, and long after we all thought this had been resolved we find out you've been spying on us all along."

"Yeah," Amp added, sitting back in her seat with her arms folded. "You can see how it might trigger some nass for us."

"Perhaps you're right," Chameleon Boy acquiesced. "You have to understand, when we began our investigation we didn't know anything about you all. We had to be sure you were actually trustworthy before we came forward...for what it's worth, we'd already decided that whatever Gas Girl found out tonight was going to make that decision for us."

"Well that's sprockin' convenient," Brittle muttered, "I guess we'll never know if that's true or not given Duplicate Boy blew her cover first, huh?" He did sit down to hear Cham out though, and Rain Girl followed suit; neither of them looked at all impressed.

"It took a lot of searching," Chameleon Boy continued, "But between us all, we found all of your individual family records. All of you were reported missing during infancy, and as per Lalloran custom you were all declared dead a year after that. Two of your parents died within the following decade. The rest of your parents died within the exact week before you revealed your presence here at Homebase."

"We know that!" Amp protested. "Don't you think the first thing any of us did when we escaped that sprocking bunker was to try and find our families?"

"No doubt you did," Chameleon Boy answered. "Did you know that Duplicate Boy and Key Kid both lost literally every one of their extended family including even distant relatives during that week before you joined the Heroes of Lallor as well? Amp, Brittle and Rain Girl had no surviving relatives by then either."

"I...that still doesn't mean anything though, does it?" Key Kid gazed wide-eyed at Duplicate Boy. "It's just...it's just weird timing, right?"

This whole time, Evolvo Lad had been sitting serenely, watching the ebb and flow of conversation around him. He turned to his new teammates now and spoke. "We have already spoken privately of your almost complete lack of memory of your captivity aside from the most vague recollections. Perhaps not wanting to examine this any more closely due to personal discomfort, we accepted that the trauma of your shared experience was responsible for this collective amnesia. Now we discover that not a single living family member exists for any of you who could fill in any further details on your backgrounds. We must face the very real possibility that there is a darker truth at work here, my friends. Amp is younger than most of you and Key Kid is substantially younger than all of you. Does it make sense that you all would have grown up in captivity together without Duplicate Boy, Brittle or Rain Girl ever being able to recall a time before Amp or Key Kid's presence? Does it make sense that the original Heroes of Lallor could ever have been mistaken to be responsible for your captivity when we were all children ourselves at the time you were imprisoned? Does it make sense that Lallorgov just happened to find evidence exonerating Life Lass and myself of that alleged crime immediately after they sent you to confront us about it? Or that we've never seen any sign of the evidence that led you to accuse us initially nor the evidence which cleared our names? Lallorgov razed the bunker from which you escaped almost immediately after you joined our team so we've never been able to search for answers there. We've clearly all been manipulated this whole time...the question now is, what purpose has that manipulation served?"

A very tense silence filled the room as everyone mulled over Evolvo Lad's words. Brittle, ever predictable in his cynicism, was the first to break that silence. "Fine, I'll admit it's weird!" he blurted out. "But the only people who know anything about any of us before we joined the Heroes of Lallor are those Lallorgov suits who sent us here in the first place...and government here's not like the rest of your shiny UP, Legionnaires; we don't know anything about them except that they're the ones in power. How are we supposed to find anyone to get answers from now?"

Until now, Dawnstar had felt almost like an outsider in this conversation. She'd barely had anything to do with the Heroes of Lallor old or new before now and the kind of work the Espionage Squad did was very much outside of her wheelhouse. Now however she sat up straight in her seat, her hands clasped professionally before her. "My talents are not so suited for covert work as my teammates," she spoke with a soft but firm confidence, "But finding someone who has made themselves unfindable..?

...That is precisely where my skills lie."

**********

Miles above Lallor in a small cloaked bioship, a not particularly memorable brown-haired man turned away from a screen and waited for the beep which told him his transmission with his contacts down on the surface of Lallor had ended. Once he was certain he had the ship to himself once more, the man's appearance shimmered and shifted to reveal the yellow-skinned Dominator who'd been hidden beneath that visage the whole time. A large red disk drew attention on his oversized cranium.

"You've got good instincts, Violet."

The Dominator spun hissing at the sudden voice, his hand instantly at the handgun he carried by his side. Before him stood Chameleon Boy, the Durlan's arms folded across his chest. "I do not know how you came to be aboarrd this vessel," the Dominator rasped, "But you should not have come alone, Legion scum." He levelled his gun at Cham and pulled the trigger, looking down at the weapon in confusion when nothing happened.

Shrinking Violet darted forth from the barrel of the gun, growing to her full height again now that her sabotage was complete. At the same time, Chameleon Boy pounced forward and delivered a satisfying punch to the Dominator's jaw which left him sprawled on the ground with several fractured teeth. As both Legionnaires stood over the reeling Dominator, Vi spoke up. "Thanks, Cham. I knew I recognized something about this creep's voice when he appeared at Homebase and told Evolvo Lad and Life Lass they had to take on the others as new recruits. You're the same diskhead we found promoting xenophobia on Earth with the Judgement League, aren't you?"

"How did you get on boarrd this vessel?!" the Dominator spat.

"Dominator bio-technology may stretch the limits of what can be considered an artificial barrier for the purpose of Key Kid's powers," a new voice joined the conversation, "But he can still bypass it." Duplicate Boy stepped forward along with all of the remaining heroes who'd followed Dawnstar's tracking power here aside from Gas Girl.

"My tracking power is not at its optimum level in a densely populated area," Dawnstar explained coolly, "So I suppose I should thank you for isolating yourself from the masses of people below so efficiently, Dominator. Considering that all I had to use as a reference for tracking you were holographic recordings of your presence at Homebase, this could have been a far more difficult task than it turned out to be."

The Dominator hissed something in his own language, but Evolvo Lad calmly interrupted. "He is instructing his vessel to flood the interior with a specific nerve gas to which he has been immunized," the hyper-evolved man's voice delicately explained. "Between my own telepathic influence and Gas Girl's counter-measures however, I can assure our safety."

Gas Girl emerged from a vent now, her form congealing into a green-tinged cloud which bore her features. "He better tell us what he's been doing on our planet or I can't assure his!" she threatened.

"You speak as though it werre a mysterry," the Dominator retorted. "I know you pale sacks of meat arre not the intellectual equivalent of the Dominion, but you destrroyed my homeworrld. Surrely even such pathetic specimens as yourrselves can underrstand rrevenge as a motivating forrce!"

"You brought that upon yourself!" Gas Girl fully solidified now and pointed an accusing finger at the Dominator. "If you hadn't abducted us for your stupid experiments, your world would still be intact today!"

"The Dominion don't do anything unless they get something tangible out of it," Chameleon Boy deduced. "This isn't just about revenge, is it?"

"And how are we involved in any of this?" Duplicate Boy joined in. "Evolvo Lad, Legion; I swear to you, we had no idea this guy was a Dominator! The first time any of us ever saw him was when we got out of that bunker!"

"Therre was no bunkerr, fool!" the Dominator spat. "Not in the sense that we prrogrrammed you all to believe! It was a genetics facility! You five had the most suitable genetic templates forr my experriments that I could locate with such limited rresourrces, so I used my contacts in your goverrnment to concoct this ludicrrous fantasy that you've all been fed! This rridiculous planet has had no shorrtage of missing sentients over the past decades we could have claimed to be any one of you!"

"Then...then Lallorgov was in on this?" Life Lass ventured meekly.

"He tells the truth," Evolvo Lad confirmed sadly. "I suppose I should have expected something like this long ago...it must rankle sections of our government to have such a small number of meta-powered operatives at their disposal. It only makes sense that they'd want to expand those numbers."

"Verry cleverr," the Dominator made some wheezing hissing sound that the others realised was laughter. "Not that the knowledge will save you, evolved meat. If I had access to more advanced faculties, I could have ensurred that this whole batch werre as powerrful as theirr most successful subject. I have confidence howeverr that he alone will suffice to destrroy the rrest of you." The Dominator slowly climbed to his feet, aware that everyone's eyes were trained on him the whole time. He spoke something in his own language, and Duplicate Boy suddenly roared in pain and collapsed to his knees. Clutching his head, the Lalloran hero rocked back and forth in wordless agony.

"Stev!" Amp and Life Lass both joined him on the ground, the rest of their team standing around him protectively.

"What did you do to Duplicate Boy?" Evolvo Lad's eyes glowed as he asked. Without physically moving, his telekinesis pinned the Dominator to the wall and his evolved mind's telepathic power invaded his captive's vile mind.

The Dominator laughed his unnerving wheezy laugh as he saw realization dawn on Evolvo Lad's face. Meanwhile, Duplicate Boy had stopped dead still. Mimicking Amp's power, he boosted his own strength to shove both Amp and Life Lass into the rest of their team, and without a word he took a step toward Evolvo Lad.

"Duplicate Boy, step down!" Chameleon Boy grabbed Stev's arm, and felt an icy chill when Duplicate Boy turned toward him with an expression of pure murderous intent.

"Duplicate Boy?" the Dominator mocked Cham. "I must corrrect you, Durrlan...

...The Dominion prreferr the assignation B.I.O.N."

TO BE CONCLUDED!!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Cuckoo. - 02/12/21 05:43 AM
The curse of the formatting strikes again, sorry y'all:(

EDIT: fixed!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Cuckoo. - 02/13/21 11:48 AM
Splendid couple of posts here Raz.

I do love the Phantom Girl/Ultra Boy dynamic, they are perhaps my favourite couple in canon, and you''ve caught that feeling very nicely. Tinya's suspicion of Ral's recent upgrade is understandable and it's so obvious I almost face palmed as I hadn't thought of it myself smile Nice set up for future storylines. Also, glad Grava will remain on the team, you do write her so well that it would be sad to see her leave for good.

The second part with the espionage squad on Lallor was great! The suspicion between the two groups was intense, and the casualness of the new Lalorian mutants to the deaths of their families was really suspicious, Nice to see Dawny get something to do as well, she's surprisingly tough to write effectively, i found, butyou seem to manage really well. Of course, I should have guessed that the Dominion was behind it all along, after their homeworld was destroyed by DB1 they would want some sort of revenge! And that cliff-hanger! Superb!

Looking forward to seeing how you get them all out of this alive (hopefully!) and always waiting for more, more, more!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Cuckoo. - 02/13/21 12:19 PM
Beautiful scene with Tinya and Jo. I love Jo's honesty, his listening to Tinya WHILE offering help BUT not immediately solving all her problems. And the stress of being leader, yeah.

I love this nice nifty application of Tinya's powers, phasing things like clothing.

And Jo playing dumb, rather than BEING dumb, is great wink

bet Ral will show up a lot still, and Tinya's "problems" with him aren't over...


Grava not quitting makes a ton of sense!

Love this bit with the Heroes of Lallor and Espionage Squad! The confrontation between the 2, 3 if you count Life Lass and Evolvo Lad separately, groups was extremely well done and natural. Cham's even-handedness in explaining the subterfuge, with Violet's direct (and not quite polite, but needed) reassurance to the other new Heroes, loved those. And Evolvo Lad's cool synthesis of the facts in a way that highlighted the strangeness to the other Heroes...

eager to get to the bottom of this. so apparently missing kids, but these aren't the real missing ones...

uh oh, poor Dupe Boy is really BION...

love you making Dawnstar and Key Kid play such key roles in this. Dawny, go Dawny, when she made her little speeches I was awestruck.

looking forward to seeing the next installment!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Cuckoo. - 02/13/21 01:52 PM
... and thinking about it again, Key Kid and Brittle are super fitting for Dominator-created experiments - both have powers that would be especially excellent in espionage situations! (not to diss Amp or Rain Girl, both are great too, but Key Kid and Brittle especially shine in espionage!)
Posted By: razsolo Re: Cuckoo. - 02/15/21 06:35 AM
Thanks for commenting, y'all! Glad you are enjoying it...it is difficult sometimes to write scenes with couples where their individual personalities and dynamic still come through, so I'm glad Jo and Tinya worked smile

re the bit that Harbinger mentioned about the Heroes of Lallor being all casual about their families' deaths....I probably could have worded that whole bit slightly better, it was more that (as far as they know) those 5 were taken from their families when they were all babies so there's not really much of an emotional connection there....those 5 are really way more of a family with one another than their blood relatives and a couple of things will come through in the conclusion to this story that should highlight that more.

I have been wanting to throw in a line for ages about Comet Queen not leaving the team but it never really fit anywhere, I have been dying to tell you guys she is coming back after the honeymoon hahahaha
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Cuckoo. - 02/15/21 01:29 PM
Hey Raz, I read that part as you reinforcing how manipulated the Lallorians had been that they would casually ignore the fact that all of their living relatives were dead. So, it made perfect creepy sense to me.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Cuckoo. - 02/15/21 04:01 PM
Originally Posted by Harbinger
Hey Raz, I read that part as you reinforcing how manipulated the Lallorians had been that they would casually ignore the fact that all of their living relatives were dead. So, it made perfect creepy sense to me.
Oh yeah, that works! Now in the tradition of comic book writers everywhere I can just retroactively say that was my intention all along laugh
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Cuckoo. - 02/15/21 07:39 PM
Do I get a No-Prize? laugh
Posted By: razsolo Re: Cuckoo. - 02/16/21 06:03 AM
Originally Posted by Harbinger
Do I get a No-Prize? laugh

wrong company, but I could probably dig up a talking gorilla or jimmy olsen in a dress for you laugh

on a side note, I was DESPERATE for a no-prize when I was a kid....even after I found out it was just an empty envelope hahahaha
Posted By: razsolo Terminal Velocity - 03/14/21 02:13 AM
MEDICUS ONE
Earth orbit


ROLL CALL
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility

Casting idle smiles at the various sentients around her, Phantom Girl made her way through the crowded corridors of Medicus One to the special room which had been prepared and outfitted for her teammate Tellus after Alek Arcane's assault upon him. In order to assist with the Hykraian's recovery the room had been hermetically sealed, reinforced and filled with a liquid methane solution to replicate the conditions on his homeworld. Highly dexterous medical droids with full spectrum sensory capabilities acted as Tellus's on-call nursing staff, and those same droids could be remotely commandeered by Tellus's attending physicians as necessary. The whole enterprise was breathtakingly expensive, and not for the first time since taking on leadership of the Legion of Superheroes Tinya Wazzo was grateful for the very deep pockets of Chameleon Boy and through him Brande Industries.

Tinya was just approaching the doorway to the visitors' alcove which would allow her to communicate with Tellus through molded plastiglass when she saw Color Kid walk out. "Ulu!" she exclaimed. "What a nice surprise to see you here, I didn't realise you and Tellus were close!"

"Oh, hi Phantom Girl." Color Kid returned her welcome. "Since I joined the Legion, Tellus has been kind enough to start teaching me Hykraian color communication. I can't help but notice he doesn't really socialise with the rest of the team a whole lot, and I didn't want him to feel like he had to be all alone while he's recovering here away from base."

"Ulu, that's so sweet!" Phantom Girl gave his arm an appreciative squeeze. "How's he feeling? We're not allowed to bring Mwindaji here anymore, the Chief Administrator said something about how his healing power hasn't been tested to Medicus One standards...personally I think they just don't like being upstaged, but to be honest it probably avoids some uncomfortable situations anyway. If Tellus is well enough to travel though, we can take him back to Mars with us and he'll be back to normal in no time!"

"That's great news!" Color Kid grinned. Before either of the two could continue, a loud and insistent repeating chime sounded from one of the rooms down the corridor.

Phantom Girl and Color Kid immediately made their way toward the source of the alert, she phasing through any doctors and patients in her way while he used his flight ring to pass overhead. "Please remain calm," Tinya announced to those around her. "I'm Phantom Girl of the Legion of Superheroes and I'm here with my teammate Color Kid. We'll get to the bottom of this in no time."

"The whole Legion of Superheroes must be here!" A little yellow-skinned girl with bright copper ringlets of hair stared wide-eyed past Phantom Girl and Color Kid. "Look!" The two heroes followed her excited gaze to see that Light Lad had just stepped out of a maglift accompanied by his boyfriend Kent Shakespeare.

"Phantom Girl, Color Kid...do you two know what's going on?" Light Lad asked. Following Color Kid's example, Darvan grabbed Kent's hand and levitated them both above the buzzing crowd.

"This isn't any standard Medicus One alert," Kent volunteered, trying and failing to look as normal as he could while bobbing about in the air like a balloon packed with muscle. "We were just passing by when we heard it."

"I tried to leave him behind but he wouldn't let me," Light Lad added sheepishly.

"Well, how else do you expect to be able to get past security barriers if you need to?" Kent challenged him. "There are places that staff can access here where even your Legion status won't help, Darvan. I'm not doing this to play hero, it's just practical."

"I'm not gonna lie," Tinya smirked, "The bickering is kinda cute but it's not really the right time or place, boys. Ulu, could you mark out a safety zone please? Maybe three or four meters? Nothing drastic seems to be happening and that alarm seems more pay attention to me than get out of here, but we'd better not take any chances."

"Sure thing, Phantom Girl." Color Kid descended to stand by his leader's side and splayed his arms out with deliberate melodrama to get everyone's attention. Subtly altering the tones of everything around him to make sure he remained the crowd's focus, he then rendered every surface of the satellite a vivid green color for several meters around with himself as its central point. "Folks, please help us help you by staying on the other side of the area which is marked green!" Security droids and staff quickly picked up on Ulu's message and helped usher curious patients away from the Legionnaires.

"Wait a nano," Light Lad ventured as he and Kent touched down next to Tinya and Ulu. "Isn't this..?"

"...Elastic Lad's room?" Phantom Girl completed his query. "Yeah, I just noticed that too. I'm going to sneak in and see what's going on in there, you boys make sure nobody gets too worked up out here."

Before Phantom Girl could enter, the alarm abruptly stopped. The doorway's speckled blue hygiene field shimmered, and Dr Gym'll came storming out through it. The three-armed doctor was swearing under his breath and so flustered that he didn't even notice the heroes until he almost walked straight into Color Kid. "You!" He sputtered. "You Legionnaires! You can never make things easy, can you?" Each of his arms was wagging an accusing finger at Color Kid, Light Lad and Phantom Girl.

Phantom Girl crouched down so as not to be standing over the diminutive Jacquaan. "Dr Gym'll, is everything under control in there..?"

"Oh, why don't you go find out for yourselves!" he muttered, then pushed past them all to stomp away. The purple doctor's temper was so legendary that the crowd parted before him without question.

Of all the myriad ways she could imagine that interacting with Elastic Lad might result in alarms and tantrums, Tinya had no doubt that the truth would be so much more insane.

Putting on her business face, Phantom Girl turned to the others. "You heard the man, Legionnaires....let's go!"

**********

LALLOR
18,000 feet above sea level


ROLL CALL
Heroes of Lallor
Amp aka Ming Sul: amplification of any power or characteristic
Brittle aka Bo Marcu: ability to segregate into smaller independent bodies upon physical impact
Duplicate Boy II aka Stev Cohn: ability to duplicate any superhuman power in his immediate vicinity
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: hyperevolution/devolution
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: ability to bypass any man-made lock
Life Lass aka Somi Gan: matter animation
Rain Girl aka Jes Teev: rain generation

Legion of Superheroes
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking

In a cloaked Dominator bio-ship floating high above the planet's surface, Legionnaires and Heroes of Lallor alike gazed in astonishment as the second hero to call himself Duplicate Boy stared them down with a sinister gleam in his eye the like of which none of them had seen before.

"...Duplicate Boy?" Life Lass asked timidly, picking herself up from where she and Amp had been unceremoniously thrown only seconds before. Extending Amp a hand, Somi continued. "That Dominator...he's lying, right? You...you're our friend, aren't you..?"

"Of course he is," Amp brushed off Life Lass's concerns. "I don't know what that diskhead's done to him, but--"

"Kill them, B.I.O.N." One simple command from the Dominator cowering behind Duplicate Boy threw the ship into immediate chaos. Mimicking the powers of Evolvo Lad and Amp, Duplicate Boy became an enormous hulking caveman and threw himself at the gathered heroes. Gas Girl evaded his swiping paw by dispersing into a cloud of vapor, and Chameleon Boy and Shrinking Violet both shrunk down to smaller forms to dodge his attack while also giving the others more room to move in this crowded vessel. Acting on impulse, Rain Girl stretched both arms out before her and a monsoon-force rain came out of nowhere to drive Duplicate Boy past the Dominator and through the thin internal membrane which separated this communications alcove from the ship's two-seater cockpit. The force with which he was staggered back combined with water damage from Rain Girl's assault caused electrical systems to spark and sputter. The ship shuddered dramatically and for a split second they were all engulfed in darkness before emergency bioflourescent lighting activated in streamers throughout the hull of the ship.

While everyone struggled to regain their footing, Evolvo Lad's advanced mind was already several steps ahead. "Dawnstar!" he raised his voice dispassionately. "You must leave this vessel! We cannot allow--"

"With all due respect," the winged Legionnaire interrupted, "You are not my leader, and I will not abandon the rest of you."

"Dawnstar, do as he says!" Chameleon Boy had taken the form of an Earth hummingbird, and hovered before his teammate's face. "We can take anything else that Duplicate Boy can throw at us, but none of us can counter your speed. Get that Dominator far away from here, we'll--"

"You're right," a drenched Duplicate Boy snarled. "None of you can do anything about her speed, can you?" His skin lost all color, becoming stark white and criss-crossed with jagged cracks. At the same time, enormous white wings spread forth from his back. Where his new wings slammed against the interior of the vessel they crumbled and shattered with a tinkling sound, and miniature versions of him floated there instead.

Evolvo Lad immediately deduced what Duplicate Boy was planning to do, and he reached out telepathically to Life Lass with a familiarity borne of their lifelong friendship. Somi reacted as quickly as anybody could have asked, ripping up consoles and internal plating to shield them all from what was coming. She did her best, and her quick actions helped some of the gathered heroes avoid much more serious injuries as Duplicate Boy this time combined Brittle and Dawnstar's powers to explode into dozens and dozens of tiny winged men who ripped through the vessel like a barrage of bullets.

Chameleon Boy and Shrinking Violet were small enough that they were easily defended, and Gas Girl's insubstantial mass saved her. Brittle himself burst harmlessly into nearly a hundred tiny duplicates upon impact. Evolvo Lad, Dawnstar and Amp all sustained surface wounds though and Key Kid, Life Lass and Rain Girl had time only to cry out in the recognition of pain before they lay unmoving on the vessel's floor covered in bleeding wounds.

Dawnstar stared wide-eyed at the carnage, realising in horror that this could have been avoided if she'd acted only a moment sooner. Her cheeks flushed with rage, and without a single word she collected the Dominator under one arm and fled straight through the cockpit windshield. The shattering of the reinforced glass cut her up even more, but she considered it a small price to pay for what her arrogance had wrought; in as much time as it took the others to react to her departure, she was no longer visible.

Dawnstar's rapid exit created a new problem though. This ship was many thousands of feet above the surface of Lallor, and the gaping hole in the cockpit now led to explosive decompression. Gas Girl was the first victim; recognising that she was one of the only people here capable of affecting Duplicate Boy in his current form, Gas Girl had begun to surround him in a sedative cloud. Her quick thinking prevented another onslaught of speeding sentient projectiles throughout the vessel, but she'd only rendered him mildly groggy when monstrous winds ripped her from the craft.

The sudden shock also rejuvenated the many tiny bodies which had moments ago been one normal size Duplicate Boy. Duplicate Boy felt the wings he'd copied from Dawnstar melting back into him with her absence, and without her native ability to fly he was forced to swap Brittle's power for someone else's before he too was jettisoned from the vessel. He took his cue from Evolvo Lad, who'd switched to his physically stronger devolved form.

While one of Evolvo Lad's powerful arms wrapped around a support beam, his other arm reached out to grab Life Lass and Rain Girl before they could follow Gas Girl and Dawnstar outside. Evolvo Lad ululated in wordless despair as he failed to grasp Key Kid. Amp (whose own amplified strength kept her safely gripping onto another part of the vessel) screamed her youngest teammate's name as she envisioned him disappearing out of that hole forever.

"I think this has gone badly enough," Chameleon Boy announced while he swiftly took on Elastic Lad's form. An elongated arm wrapped around Key Kid's torso and dragged him back toward them inch by inch. "Time for us to start winning!"

The devolved Duplicate Boy looked Cham over hatefully. "You no win!" He roared. "Only B.I.O.N. win!!" He launched himself at the Durlan, tumbling painfully off course as Shrinking Violet's much tinier fists pummelled at his ear drum.

Shrinking Violet's success was short-lived; operating more on instinct than rational thought, Duplicate Boy swapped Evolvo Lad's power for Violet's own. He shrunk down out of sight of the others, forcing Vi to evacuate his ear canal before she was crushed. Only centimetres high and hidden behind one of the panels Life Lass had warped, Vi and the so-called B.I.O.N. circled one another warily. They were both aware that the monstrous winds had ceased somehow, but put that to the back of their minds for now.

"If you think this puts me at a disadvantage you're sorely mistaken," Vi taunted as she bloodied his nose with a quick jab. "Power doesn't equal skill, pal." She shrunk beneath a punch of his own, then grew a couple millimetres taller than her opponent and used the momentum of her growth to deliver an uppercut which knocked Duplicate Boy on his rear.

"Enough!" Duplicate Boy sneered. "You won't be so cocky when Amp's power gives me the speed and strength I need to tear you limb from limb!" He climbed to his feet, then looked down at his open palms in confusion. "Wha...I can't copy her power? Why can't I copy anyone else's powers?!"

"You forgot how small we are," Vi explained as she swept his legs out from beneath him. "At this size, the others might as well be half a mile away." She stood over him, the sole of her boot putting just enough pressure on his throat to convince him she meant business. "Now the way I see it, you can either grow bigger than me and hope my foot doesn't go through your neck in the process or you can shrink down to subatomic size and then see what happens when I'm out of range of your power...unless you want to surrender so we can get to work on fixing whatever that Dominator did to you?"

"He doesn't get to surrender!" a mob of voices which was one voice sounded. A gang of Brittles dropped from above, each of them almost twice the size of Vi and Duplicate Boy. "That traitor isn't getting out of here alive!"

"Brittle, no!" Violet shouted a warning, but it came too late. Already, Duplicate Boy's skin was growing white once more and became lined with cracks. He pounded the floor with both fists and split into four smaller copies, escaping Vi's boot that way. The Imskian Legionnaire considered her options. Working together, she and Brittle still might be able to subdue him but Brittle didn't look like he was in any state to consider teamwork...and if it occurred to Duplicate Boy to combine their powers, they could be faced with an army of microscopic B.I.O.N.s. Shrinking Violet was well aware of the damage even one shrunken person could do to someone's body from the inside, let alone a horde of them. Cursing and not bothering to hide it, she used her flight ring to dart up above the panelling which had formed the perimeter of their personal battlefield and across to the other side of the ship where she knew she'd be out of Duplicate Boy's reduced range. She grew to a height of about six inches so the others could see her more easily, and began to berate Brittle for his impulsive rage. The scene that greeted her however stopped Vi's tirade before it had really even started.

A severely wounded Life Lass was on her hands and knees toward the front of the vessel, trembling almost to the point of collapse. In his hyperevolved form, Evolvo Lad sat cross-legged at her side with his fingers at his temples. Chameleon Boy had taken the form of a Vavallan cephaloslug, each one of his twelve eyestalks peering about the vessel. The trio of heroes were utterly silent, which made the sound of a girl's frail sobbing even more heartbreaking. Toward the back of the gutted thing which had once been a functioning Dominion bio-ship, Amp was crying as she stroked Key Kid's hair. He lay insensate in her lap, but Amp wasn't looking at her youngest teammate. Amp's eyes were firmly trained on Rain Girl's corpse laying awkwardly before them all.

Just as Vi was taking all of this in, she suddenly realised...Amp's sobbing was all she could hear. The background hum of the ship's engines was completely absent. "Cham!" Vi turned to her longtime colleague. "What's going on, the ship--"

"The ship might as well be a bale of whipwheat!" Chameleon Boy's voice came forth from the pea green amphibian in their midst. "With all the damage it's taken we'd be coming apart right now if Life Lass weren't holding it together, and the only reason she's even conscious is that Evolvo Lad's keeping her conscious telepathically! But none of that matters if Duplicate Boy kills the rest of us too! Do you know where he is?"

Duplicate Boy answered the question himself by growing rapidly to full size in front of them all. His fists were full of miniature versions of Brittle and more of them were underfoot. The panelling which had obscured their struggle flew across the ship with the force of Duplicate Boy's growth, coming perilously close to slicing Violet in two as it wedged into the wall by her side. "How many pieces do you think he can break into before he just dies?" Duplicate Boy asked, contracting each fist until a fine white dust accompanied the miniscule bodies which fell from his grip to the vessel's floor.

"Why are you doing this?!" Amp wailed. "You're like my brother, Stev! Why are you hurting us like this??"

"The Dominion saw no value in the rest of you," he explained coldly, "But me? I was a success. They implanted the B.I.O.N. imperative within me, but you only have yourselves to blame for this mess." He waved his arm over the chaos he'd caused. "The Dominion wouldn't have chosen to activate me for weeks yet, it was only your interference which caused this premature awakening. Don't worry though, it'll all be over soon." Cham and Vi both leaped to defend Amp while the almost hysterical young girl huddled over Key Kid in tears, but Chameleon Boy abruptly flung himself into violent convulsions. Helpless, Reep Daggle shifted through myriad forms while he uttered some guttural wordless expression of pain. Bone and flesh grew and subsided within him, limbs and mouths extending outwards and collapsing in on themselves. One of Cham's thrashing tentacles slapped Violet into the side of a console, the ship's unforgiving surface immediately knocking the small woman out.

With much effort, Evolvo Lad turned from Life Lass to face the others. "Amp," he spoke with quiet purpose, "He's using your power...he's amplifying the electrical activity in Chameleon Boy's brain to cause these seizures, I can sense it. It's taking everything I have to keep Somi in a functional state...you have to stop him, Amp."

Duplicate Boy combined Amp and Life Lass's powers to have the bio-ship simply melt around Cham and Vi, ejecting both of them while keeping everyone else safely on board. The telekinetic manipulation was the final straw for Life Lass's precarious state, and she issued a small hurt gasp before finally slumping to the floor.

"I...I can't stop him!" Amp looked up at Duplicate Boy in wide-eyed terror as he began to advance toward her. "Jes is dead, Bo's dead, he just killed Chameleon Boy and Shrinking Violet...what can I do?!"

"You can't do a thing," Duplicate Boy gripped Amp's throat and lifted her till her feet were kicking helplessly at the air. Key Kid's limp form rolled indelicately to one side, and the ship began to shake itself apart once more now that nobody was holding it together. "I only need Life Lass alive to get me out of here alive, Amp. I do thank you, however...your power has been invaluable till now. Why, I wouldn't even be strong enough to choke the life out of you like this on my own."

Evolvo Lad stared impotently. He hadn't exaggerated earlier, it really had taken everything he'd had to keep Life Lass awake for as long as he'd been able. His hyperevolved form had some telepathic talent, but he wasn't Saturn Girl; exerting control over another sentient being was supremely taxing for him. He was the leader of this team though and if he didn't step up now, one of his friends was going to kill every other friend that Sev Tcheru had ever known. Summoning reserves he didn't know he had, Evolvo Lad launched himself across the lurching vessel toward Duplicate Boy and Amp with a purposeful grunt that would seem more at home coming from his devolved form.

The three of them tumbled off-balance and as soon as Duplicate Boy lost his vice-like grip on her, Amp sucked in a lungful of air. He easily overpowered her again though, and was soon kneeling over Evolvo Lad and Amp with his hands round both their throats. "Attacking me physically?" Duplicate Boy mocked Evolvo Lad. "In that form? You must be desperate, you're weaker than any of us like this, Tcheru."

"Not...you..." Evolvo Lad rasped as he struggled to resist the darkness closing in on him. "...Her..." One pale slender finger extended toward the raven-haired girl beside him, and the last conscious action Evolvo Lad took was to turn Amp's power against Duplicate Boy to its fullest extent.

Duplicate Boy immediately doubled over, releasing them involuntarily. His skin turned orange, then chalk-white, then took on a translucency which hinted at the dark veins beneath. Enormous wings unfolded from his back and twin antennae emerged from a cranium which was currently elongating to three times its original size. Eyes wide and overwhelmed by the changes erupting throughout him, Stev Cohn uttered a simple "oh".

...and then the ship finally came apart.

**********

EPILOGUE

Dawnstar stood before a large rounded viewing pane, her expression inscrutable. On the other side of the plexiglass Chameleon Boy, Life Lass, Amp and Key Kid slept peacefully in the Heroes of Lallor's medical facility at Homebase.

"You know, you don't have to stand guard there forever." Shrinking Violet casually approached. "They'll be fine, Dawnstar. Why don't you come join the rest of us outside?"

"This is my fault," Dawnstar replied, not shifting from her injured allies. "If I had listened to Evolvo Lad--"

"Hey." Shrinking Violet stood in front of her, blocking her view of the others. "Don't start with that nonsense. You've been a Legionnaire long enough to know that we don't win every battle, and in a very real sense you and Gas Girl achieved more than any of the rest of us. You should be proud of yourself, you're still on every holochannel." Vi gestured at the news broadcast which had been playing the whole time in a lounge area behind them.
After being evicted from the Dominator's bio-ship during their fight with Duplicate Boy, Gas Girl had quickly reconstituted herself and caught up with Dawnstar. A little trial and error had given Gas Girl the ability to approximate a kind of Dominator truth serum, and then the two heroines had arranged a very public confession. Lalloran media hadn't let the story go for three days now.

"Yes, we brought a villain to justice," Dawnstar looked down at the shorter woman, "But Rain Girl died as a direct result of my pride. Brittle and Duplicate Boy may be lost to us as well, my power has failed to locate either of them. You could all have died because of me, Violet."

"Dawnstar, we could all die every time we get out of bed. This is the life, we all know the risks." Vi leaned back against the plexiglass, her arms folded. "The truth is, we botched this. All of us. Mistakes were made and there are things that any one of us could have done differently, and I know we'll all try to do better next time. But that doesn't make what happened to those kids your fault any more than it's mine. The only one who's responsible is that damn diskhead, and if there's any justice he'll rot in jail for the rest of his life for this. Making poor Duplicate Boy a sleeper agent like that...there's nothing creepier than not being able to trust someone you thought had your back." She shook the thought out of her mind, then lay a hand on Dawnstar's shoulder. "Now come on, let's go. Ayla's way better at this pep talk thing than me, I'm all tapped out."

Dawnstar paused, trying to find the strength to say what she knew she'd come to Lallor in the first place to say. She placed her own hand over Vi's on her shoulder and met her eye. "Violet, I...I want to apologise to you."

"I keep telling you--" Vi began, exasperation sneaking into her tone.

"No, please...let me finish." Dawnstar held Vi's hand in both of her own now, and couldn't seem to raise her large brown eyes from those hands. "When Chameleon Girl took your place in the Legion...my power should have alerted me that she wasn't you. I failed you, Violet." She did look up now, and her eyes were wet.

For the briefest of instants, Vi looked as though she'd just been slapped. That passed though, and she released a loud guffaw. "Oh Dawnstar, honey..." She squeezed the tracker's hand before letting her go. "Of all the people I was angry at over that, believe me...you were nowhere near that list. I mean no offence Dawny, but we're not exactly best buddies. If I'm gonna be mad at you, then I have to be mad at Mon-El and Ultra Boy and anyone else who could conceivably have picked that Yera wasn't me. Anyway, that was years ago...have you been sitting on that this whole time?"

"No, I..." Dawnstar took a deep breath and just decided to come out with it. "...I learned recently that in the future, some kind of psychic entity is going to possess me, exploit me...hurt me. And he told me that when it happened, nobody even noticed. Nobody even noticed when I wasn't me." The last sentence came out in a much smaller voice than Violet had ever heard from Dawnstar's lips.

Vi released a long sigh, heavy with the weight of things she'd learned long ago not to carry openly. "Dawnstar, listen to me." She held the young woman's shoulders firmly and her voice was steel. "Women like us, we're not...we're not Phantom Girl or Laurel Kent or whoever, we're never going to be popular or the centre of a clique. We keep to ourselves and we do our job and we respect our colleagues but it takes a lot for us to really consider ourselves one of them. I know you and I are not really anything alike, but I see that same quality in you. We're strong, but we isolate ourselves. I had to learn that about myself when I was dealing with what Yera did to me, it was the only way I could move on. If I had been Dream Girl, someone probably would have known it wasn't me in a day...but I wasn't Dream Girl, I was the shy kid who never started a conversation in her life, and how could I possibly blame you or Mon-El or Superboy or any other number of people for not noticing me when all I'd ever done was try to escape notice? I was the one who had to change if I wanted people to see me for who I was, and so I did. Does that make sense?"

"I...think so," Dawnstar admitted. "But Violet...I don't know if I know how to do that." She wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Well then...it's a good thing you've got someone here who's already been through it to teach you, huh?" Vi cleared her throat and both women laughed awkwardly at the emotional state they'd talked themselves into. "For now, you can start by not being so sprocking stoic...get out in that garden and take your damn moment of relaxation, woman."

"Thank you, Violet." A genuinely warm smile crossed Dawnstar's face. Following the impulse before she chickened out, she hugged Vi and then backed away blushing. Vi smiled back and the two of them walked through Homebase to meet up with Gas Girl and Evolvo Lad outside.

When they arrived in the lush outdoor space, Vi instantly sensed that the atmosphere had changed. "Everything okay out here?" she asked as she sat on a bench seat next to Gas Girl.

"Remember how I was talking about maybe leaving the Legion to come back to Lallor?" Gas Girl asked, crestfallen. "That's not gonna happen."

"They're keeping you in exile?" Vi was outraged. "Even after you exposed that diskhead's plans?? That's insane! The Legion have a lot of political connections, Gas Girl...don't worry, we'll fight this!"

"It's not just Gas Girl," Evolvo Lad joined in. In his regular human form, the shock on his face was apparent to all of them. "The Defence Minister himself just called...Lallor is passing legislation to ban metahumans from the planet altogether. It'll take a while to be enshrined as law, but when that happens...

...all of the Heroes of Lallor will be in exile."
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Terminal Velocity - 03/14/21 08:57 AM
Good heavens!

Raz, this was an amazing ending, I am absolutely mind-blown! Excellent writing, the scene just flew so naturally and well and with such high intensity and suspense...

Poor Rain Girl... Brittle, I have a little less sympathy for (Violet almost beat Dupe!), but still am sympathetic. Poor Duplicate Boy, that's the worst though... Are he and Brittle gone? Glad Amp and Key Kid made it, at least...

and really, poor Dupe. After we got a scene from HIS point of view... it's clear he was not himself frown It's as much a tragedy for him as it is for everyone else.

great use of Dupe's limited range against him. Vi's scene was amazing. Dawny's arrogance BUT realizing her mistake vs. excellent use of Evolvo Lad's intellect. Cham's too. Poor Life Lass...

Lallor BANNING all metahumans! DIdn't see that coming, but seeing what the Lallor gov's been like... I was not too surprised.

Too many Lallorians left for Legion membership I think, but maybe the Academy?

Amp, oh Amp. Great use of her powers to beat Dupe. Also Gas Girl's truth serum simulation.

The intensity of this scene, raz, my hat is off to you. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Great use of Vi as well at the end. Yes she's tough and impatient, but she's also compassionate... and I like Dawny continuing to open up. Hopefully this will be enough to avert the Bounty future?
Posted By: razsolo Re: Terminal Velocity - 03/16/21 09:17 PM
Thanks IB, it's fun just writing a straight up action scene sometimes and I was happy with how Vi fared so I'm glad you liked it! The scene with Vi and Dawnstar wrote itself in a slightly different direction than I was expecting but I like when characters take the reins so we'll see where that goes smile

I know I left some open endings with the Lallorans here, there will be some follow-up on that next instalment!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Terminal Velocity - 03/17/21 07:54 AM
That was fun Raz, a lot more brutal than we're use to in your stories!

Dawny's realisation that she should have acted quicker, as well as opening up to Vi were the stand outs points for me - I find her really hard to rite though you seem to have a good grasp of her character and have made her surprisingly vulnerable.

Vi taking Dupe2 to a smaller sizw so he couldn't mimic the others was a very clever ploy, she's another character you've written well. Her admitting to Dawny that she used to intentionally avoid scrutiny was really poignant.

I hope you're going to somehow integrate the remaining Lallorians into your team, if not as full members than at least regular guests.

The dominators appear to have gotten away with another nasty incurson into the UP, will there be repecussions? And Lallor Gov definitely need some kind of investigation into how this coould happen, it reads to me like there's coruption in high places here.

A very nice end to this storyline though I'm hoping things don't quite end here as there's so many questions left.

Great stuff, you've hooked me in for more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Terminal Velocity - 03/20/21 12:07 PM
Thanks Harbi, glad you liked it! There will be some follow up on this very soon for our favourite Lallorans, and you're right that the Dominion have been getting away with more than they should in recent times...maybe some people with a little less public exposure than the Legion or the Heroes of Lallor could find themselves involved if those Dominators don't watch themselves wink

NEXT: Hunky waiters! Elastic Lad annoys people! Matter-Eater Lad eats someone's leg! And a very unexpected cameo appearance!
Posted By: razsolo Journeys and Destinations - 03/20/21 01:15 PM
MEDICUS ONE
Earth orbit


ROLL CALL
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: gravity negation
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility

Phantom Girl pinched the bridge of her nose. "Elastic Lad, I'm glad you're feeling back to yourself but please...can you explain this to us again without going off on twelve different tangents?"

Totally oblivious to the undertone of frustration in Phantom Girl's voice, Elastic Lad nodded enthusiastically. Standing before his teammates in his hospital room, Jams-Ols 5 only had one arm thanks to Alek Arcane but the medical expertise of Dr Gym'll had led to his recovery in every other way. "Oh gosh! Absolutely, Phantom Girl! I'm sorry, you must be so busy now what with leading the Legion and everything! I'm super glad that you and Color Kid and Light Lad came to visit me! And Dr Shakespeare, it's so nice to meet you properly! I mean I know we already met - gee, a couple of times actually - but this seems so much more like a casual introduction and not like we're under pressure to fix something or save everyone, or like you just saved everyone and now I'm meeting you for the first time--"

"Is he--" Kent whispered to Light Lad standing next to him as Elastic Lad rabbited on.

"Since the first day we met," Darvan answered before the question had even been asked. "My working theory is he just uses his powers to squish every other internal organ down into his feet so his lungs can fill the rest of the space and that way he never has to take a breath between words."

"Elastic Lad!" Phantom Girl snapped. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude but...I actually am busy, and I'm sure these boys have things they need to do as well. Fifteen minutes ago, an alarm sounded from this room. Do you know what that was for? Yes or no!"

"Oh sure!" the young redhead beamed. "That's the Cadmu Proprietary Genotechnology Alert is all!"

The other four waited for him to continue, but the one-armed hero just stood there uncommonly mute with a helpful grin still plastered across his face.

"The Cadmu what now?" Color Kid finally broke. He knew he'd regret asking, but he just wanted this to be over.

"So you all know I'm from Cadmu, right?" Elastic Lad asked. "It's--"

"We know!" the other three Legionnaires chorused, causing Kent to flinch.

"Well, Cadmu guards its proprietary genotechnology very closely!" Elastic Lad continued. "It's one thing for me to see a doctor over little bumps or bruises - not that I generally get bumps or bruises under normal circumstances because of my physiology - but any really major injury, like say losing an arm," he wagged his stump at them for effect, "That kind of thing needs to go back to Cadmu so my homeworld's not sharing our secrets with the rest of the United Planets. Don't get the wrong idea; we're all for sharing scientific advances, but we're also aware that not everyone would use our work for the good of society and heck, most of the UP doesn't see gene modification and related sciences in a very complimentary light anyway! I'd just hate to be stepping on anyone's toes as far as social mores or boundaries or anything like that are concerned! So any kind of gene harvesting or resequencing or really any number of things along those lines activates a transmission code written into my DNA as a friendly little reminder to medical staff that they're in danger of breaching Cadmu's legal claim!"

"Wait a nano," Light Lad frowned. "Elastic Lad, are you saying...you're the proprietary genotechnology? Dr Gym'll couldn't grow you a new arm because your planet won't let you get medical help off-world?"

"Exactly!" Elastic Lad answered cheerily.

"That...that's monstrous!" Kent exclaimed.

"Elastic Lad?" Phantom Girl cut in before this burgeoning ethical debate could get into full swing. "Am I right in thinking you just need to go back to Cadmu to have your arm restored then?"

"You've got it, Phantom Girl!"

"Great!" Tinya clapped her hands together. "Ulu, Darvan - I want you two to accompany E-Lad back to his homeworld, make sure he comes back to us with all limbs intact please! Good luck, boys!" With that, Tinya gave them all a wave goodbye and walked through the wall. She felt mildly guilty for offloading this on two of her teammates when she very well could have rearranged some things and gone herself, but what was the point of being leader if not delegating tiresome tasks?

Besides which, all they needed to do was escort Elastic Lad to a procedure that would be over and done with in a few days...what could go wrong?

**********

MARS
Marsopolis, Keeping Up With The Jon'zzes theme diner


ROLL CALL
Heroes of Lallor
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru:
hyperevolution/devolution

Life Lass aka Somi Gan: matter animation

Legion of Superheroes
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii:
can transform into any gas

Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking

Calorie Queen aka Taryn Loy: ally, can eat inorganic matter in all its forms and convert to super-strength

Sitting at a round table in high-backed chairs in civilian clothes, none of the six heroes gathered here for lunch seemed at all out of place in this crowded diner. There were even a few sentients here with gaseous plumes around their scalps like Gas Girl. "This place is crazy, Tenzil!" Tal Nahii blurted in an attempt to conquer the awkward silence which kept drifting over the table. "What's with the symbols on the back of these chairs? I recognise Superboy on the back of Taryn's seat but who are all the others meant to be?"

"How do you know it's not Supergirl?" the occasional heroine known as Calorie Queen teased.

"You really don't recognise them?" Vi's eyebrows shot up. "Not even this one?" She spun her own seat around to show off a stylised black bat inside a yellow oval.

"They're the Justice League's icons," Matter-Eater Lad replied as he sipped slick black oil through a bendy straw. "You know, the team Kal-El founded in his own era in honor of his time with the Legion."

"I've heard of the Justice League!" Life Lass spoke up, happy to be part of the conversation. "I didn't know they were inspired by the Legion of Superheroes, Matter-Eater Lad!"

"Matter-Eater Lad's joking, Life Lass." Vi shot Tenzil a look of faux disapproval. "Matter-Eater Lad knows very well that Superboy and Supergirl both suppressed any memories of our time whenever they returned to their home eras...isn't that right, Matter-Eater Lad?"

Tenzil simply shrugged and slurped the last of the oil up noisily. "Hey, who am I to question the resilience of the Kryptonian subconscious?"

"...Oh." Cowed, Life Lass picked up her own more conventional beverage in both hands and shrank back into her seat.

"Don't feel bad, kiddo." Tenzil's tone softened slightly toward Somi. "I probably wouldn't know any of this ancient history if I weren't in the Legion...this place is a homage to the greatest heroes Mars ever made, the Martian Manhunters! See that weird table over there? That's the Teen Titans table, the second Martian Manhunter was one of them when she was a kid...and over there you got...well I don't know what that is, maybe we can bring Cosmic Boy here to talk at us for a couple hours about the great heroes of the last millenium sometime. He's the expert on this stuff!"

Despite Tenzil's best efforts, the conversation petered out again almost immediately and it was only after an extremely muscular waiter wearing little more than a cape, a red harness and a pair of trunks started delivering their meals that Gas Girl broke the tension once more. "Okay, I can't stand it. Matter-Eater Lad, Violet, Calorie Queen, you're all sweet for trying to take our minds off of everything but I need to know - Sev, what's going on back home? When can we go back?"

The very average looking young blond man sitting between Life Lass and Gas Girl took a deep breath in response. "Honestly? I don't think that's going to happen, Tal. Not for a long time. Lallorgov's stance is that the Dominion wouldn't have taken such an interest in Lallor in the first place if it weren't for us. The Heroes of Lallor have more often than not been a boon to Lallor in a public relations sense more than anything else. There aren't a lot of situations we've dealt with that couldn't have been handled by conventional law enforcement or emergency services, albeit not as quickly or as cleanly."

"That's so dumb!" Gas Girl protested. "What about the Zoda Gang? Detector Lad?? Jinx Boy would have destroyed the capital if it weren't for us!"

"I crunched the numbers," Evolvo Lad replied glumly. "Well, the evolved version of me crunched the numbers. In all likelihood, more people would have died but the Science Police would have brought Jinx Boy in eventually. The same is true for most crises we've dealt with. The thing is, Tal...they're politicians. They don't see the world the way we see it, acceptable losses are well...acceptable to them. They know how little control they really have over us though and how volatile we can be, and in their defence I can see where they're coming from. Beast Boy turned on us, the first Duplicate Boy destroyed an entire planet, the second Duplicate Boy nearly killed all of us--"

"That's not fair!" Righteous anger found its way into Gas Girl's voice. "Beast Boy wasn't well, we just didn't have the experience to see it! If Ord hadn't done what he did, the Dominion would have a whole army of B.I.O.Ns at its disposal, and you can't blame poor Stev for what that Dominator turned him into!"

"I don't blame Stev," Sev Tcheru said calmly. "I don't blame any of them, they all may as well have been family and I miss them as much as anyone. But we were there for all of that, Lallorgov weren't. I don't know if I'd be able to see this the way I do if I didn't have the luxury of taking on a form that can literally suppress every emotional response I have, but I do have that luxury and I can see it from their point of view. I don't think their point of view is correct, but I understand it. They think their lives will become a lot simpler and easier to control without the violent unpredicatbility of metahumans getting in the way and I can't fault them for that. They'll learn eventually that they were wrong, but I've tried to convince them and I really think they're just going to have to learn the hard way."

Silence returned again to the table, broken only when their waiter reappeared. "How's everything going here?" he flashed a fake smile. "Anybody need a refill?"

Matter-Eater Lad held up his glass with an artificial grin of his own. "Got any more of that oven grease?" he asked. "The vintage stuff?"

Calorie Queen screwed her face up. "Honestly Tenzil, I don't know how you can drink that rot. Just another detergent for me, thanks."

"Comin' right up, ma'am!" Without missing a beat, the waiter took their empty glasses and waited till he was out of sight before he chuckled. Bismollians might be weird, but at least they tipped well.

Back at the table, the conversation continued. "...So you really don't know what happened after you passed out on that ship?" Calorie Queen was leaning forward on her hand. "Do you think your other teammates could still be out there somewhere?"

"Brittle and Duplicate Boy?" Evolvo Lad shrugged. "I honestly don't know. Triggering Amp's power wiped me out...I blacked out and the next thing I remember Somi and I were back at Homebase with Amp, Key Kid and poor Rain Girl's body. We contacted Chameleon Boy and Shrinking Violet and found out they made it to the surface safely after being evicted from the ship, but they didn't know how we got back home either. It stands to reason that Duplicate Boy must have saved us, but why? And what did he do with Brittle? The whole thing is a mystery for now, I suppose."

"Speaking of Amp and Key Kid, how are they going?" Gas Girl asked. "It must be super hard on them."

"They're doing their best," Evolvo Lad answered. "We're still trying to find out who they really were before that Dominator kidnapped them for his experiments."

"Saturn Girl thought it might be nice for them to join the Legion Academy," Life Lass ventured timidly. "She suggested it when Phantom Girl asked her to mind-scan them to make sure...well, you know...but she thinks it'd be good for them to be around kids their own age and take their minds off...well, everything."

"What do you think?" Violet asked, sure to direct the question at Somi directly. "What do you want to do next, Life Lass?"

Life Lass gave Evolvo Lad a pleading look. "I...I..."

She was interrupted by a crashing sound and panicked screams from outside the diner.

"Well, that saves me the embarassment of having to skip out on the bill!" Tenzil stood up and activated a hidden control on his belt buckle, switching his civilian clothes for his Legion costume. "Let's go, Legion and Legion-adjacent pals!"

When the six of them reached the pedestrian walkway outside, they didn't immediately see the cause of the disturbance though the path was suspiciously devoid of people except for a crowd gathering at some distance. A small explosion sounded above, and they all looked up to see a massively thick chunk of ferrocrete hurtling down from another walkway above them to crush them all.

"I don't think so," Evolvo Lad frowned, his voice deepening and becoming more gutteral as he spoke. By the time those four words had left his mouth, a hirsute caveman stood in Sev Tcheru's place. The primitive man gave an aggressive roar as powerful legs propelled him straight upwards, then two broad fists smashed the foot-thick chunk to smaller pieces. Without instruction, Life Lass had already molded the protective barriers around the edge of their walkway into a makeshift ceiling to shield everyone from the more manageable rain of debris.

Bounding and climbing his way along any stable surface in his path, the devolved Evolvo Lad was already halfway up to whatever was happening above them. In mist form Gas Girl wasn't far behind him, and Vi and Tenzil soon overtook the two of them with their flight rings. "Hey!" Calorie Queen cupped her hands to her mouth and shouted. "Not all of us can fly, you know!"

"Would you like a lift up?" Life Lass asked shyly, offering her hand. Somi Gan stood on a particularly big chunk of debris while the rest of the broken up ferrocrete pieces rolled and hopped toward her like a litter of pups running to their mother.

Slightly bemused and not at all certain this was safe, Calorie Queen nonetheless took Somi's hand and joined her on the cracked stone surface. "Thanks Life Lass, I -- oh!" Taryn looked down behind them as the two women began rising toward the higher walkway. At first the journey was jittery and rough as a tower of debris literally built itself underneath them, but Life Lass soon got the rhythm of it and by the time they joined their friends above it had become a surprisingly smooth ride.

...In the midst of the crowd watching the spectacle, a young woman drew a pale blue hood over her head so that only the hint of grey-streaked black hair poked out. The way Calorie Queen had looked back, had she suspected something, known it was her..? No. No, it couldn't be. Calorie Queen had never met her, how could she possibly recognise her? It's just nerves, the young woman told herself. Calorie Queen isn't even in the Legion of Superheroes, calm yourself.

...Confident that she'd remained undetected, the young woman named Otaki disappeared into the crowd surrounding her.

**********

120 feet above, Life Lass and Calorie Queen arrived to see the local Interplanetary Bank branch with a gaping hole in its front wall. This was obviously where the ferrocrete had come from, and several dented and sparking security and Science Police droids littered about the area supported that observation. Gas Girl was reviving the one organic security guard who'd been on duty, while Evolvo Lad stalked his way into the bank with Matter-Eater Lad hovering above him. They couldn't see Violet, but Calorie Queen at least had no doubt that Vi would have made a beeline straight for the action. As soon as Life Lass's makeshift elevator dropped them off, Calorie Queen reached for the chunk of ferrocrete they'd been standing on. "Go on ahead," Taryn waved. "I'm just fuelling the furnace."

Life Lass passed by Gas Girl and the security guard while Calorie Queen ate the rest of the ferrocrete slab. "How is she, Tal?"

"She probably shouldn't move," Gas Girl had resumed her biological form now that the guard was stirring. "Somi, can you give her a stretcher and get her somewhere out of the way till we figure out what's going on?"

"Wait they're still in there?" The security guard resisted Gas Girl's attempts to subdue her and propped herself up on her elbows. "You're the Legion of Superheroes, right? You need to get in there and stop them, the SP aren't gonna stand a chance!"

Before any of the women could make a move, they heard a wordless outburst from inside the bank and Evolvo Lad came hurtling out. Still in his devolved form, he bounced twice before hitting the walkway's barricade hard enough to crack it. An instant later there was a rush of air and an enormous armoured juggernaut was standing before the lot of them. The newcomer stood almost fifteen feet tall and thick metal plating covered him from head to toe. Eyeslits covered in tinted plexiglass prevented anyone from seeing his eyes, and inside a golden circle on his chest was a simplified symbol of a running man. Every seam of the armour was the same golden color, giving him the appearance of lightning snaking all over his body from the central icon.

"If you hurt Evolvo Lad--" Gas Girl began, already discorporating into a cloud which floated in the devolved hero's direction.

"That wasn't me," a voice modulator croaked from somewhere within the armour. "That was all Shellshock." Taking his cue, an almost identical second armoured villain stomped onto the scene far more slowly than his comrade. His own icon was simply a gigantic lightning bolt which stretched from his left shoulder to his right leg, and this behemoth didn't just have the appearance of lightning; actual electricity arced all over his body from head to toe. Only his right hand was untouched by the thin streams of electricity, the energy field ended where a misshapen chunk some five inches across had been taken out of the plating covering his forearm. Tiny sparks flashed there, trying in vain to connect to wiring on the other side of the hole.

The man responsible for that hole was hanging from Shellshock's outstretched right arm. The villain's hand was big enough that he could close around Matter-Eater Lad's shoulders and beneath his armpits; Tenzil dangled uncomfortably, but he wasn't actually hurt. "You squajes are gonna be sorry you messed with the Legion of Superheroes!" Matter-Eater Lad protested. "And Legion-adjacent pals! You just wait!"

"How did the Legion of Superheroes even get here this quick?" Shellshock asked, his voice similarly filtered through a modulator.

"It doesn't matter," his partner responded. "Nobody's quicker than Leadfoot!" A blur of motion, he ran straight for Gas Girl and a still recovering Evolvo Lad. Barely in time to save them, Life Lass brought the walkway safety barrier down to shield them so the enormous speedster was forced to divert at the last instant. He came to a halt only feet away from Calorie Queen, then picked her up and slung her over his shoulder before she could react. "We can't risk taking them all on!" Leadfoot called to his partner in crime. "Let's keep these two as hostages and clear out of here, Shellshock!"

Gas Girl's voice sounded quietly in Calorie Queen's ear. "I'm so sorry, Taryn...I'm trying to infiltrate his armour and get you out of here but he's sealed up from head to toe!"

"You need a chink in his armour?" The way Calorie Queen was being carried, her mane of blonde hair fell over one whole side of her face and revealed only half of a wicked smile. "I can give you a chink in his armour." Digging in to the villain's back she effortlessly tore a huge piece of plating off, ate a piece of it for added strength and flung the rest aside. "How's that?"

"You'll regret that, Legionnaire!" Leadfoot threw Calorie Queen to the ground with enough force to knock the wind out of her, then began laying into her with superspeed punches.

Realising she had to act quickly, Gas Girl disappeared into the opening Taryn had made for her...then she saw something which would very much have made her eyes bulge in shock if she weren't currently a formless cloud of sedative gas.

Meanwhile, Shellshock had heard his friend cry out and immediately forgot his instruction to take hostages. Hurling Matter-Eater Lad to one side, the giant villain stamped his way across toward Leadfoot. Before Tenzil could hit anything harder than himself, he used his flight ring to change his path through the air and came straight back at Shellshock again. Tenzil wracked his brain to think of a way he could get around Shellshock's electrical field before trying to bite him again; it had only been sheer luck earlier that the villain had switched the field off while he was gathering loot from the bank break-in.

As if Tenzil's own willpower had caused it, the electricity running across Shellshock's surface suddenly and anti-climactically just wasn't there anymore. A couple of seconds later, a miniscule Shrinking Violet was beside Matter-Eater Lad's ear. "I couldn't find the motor controls but I disconnected the power battery for his field," she explained hurriedly. "But Tenzil, you're not gonna believe this--"

"--They're Hykraians!" Evolvo Lad announced to everyone present.

Sev Tcheru's devolved form having reached the limit of its usefulness, he'd switched to his hyperevolved form. His highly advanced intellect combined with his telepathy had shown him the truth about their foes almost immediately. "Life Lass, if you'd be so kind?" Sev made brief telepathic contact with Somi, and now that she knew Leadfoot's legs were filled only with circuitry she simply popped them off of his torso like a child destroying an action figure.

"That takes care of that one--" Life Lass began.

"Not quite," a groggy Calorie Queen stood up while Leadfoot used his native telekinesis to lift himself back up to a fighting position. Cal socked him right in his chest emblem hard enough to send him tumbling backwards into unconsciousness. "Now he's taken care of."

"Let me help you with Shellshock," Life Lass turned to Matter-Eater Lad where her hand darted to her mouth in surprise. "Oh--!"

Matter-Eater Lad had already chewed off Shellshock's arms and legs, and was currently sitting on the ground cradling one of them while he took bites out of it like a giant drumstick. "What..?" Tenzil asked, his mouth full of metal. "Was I not meant to do that..?"

Fifteen minutes later the two Hykraians had been divested of their respective suits of armour and taken into Science Police custody, anybody hurt in their attack had been taken to hospital and Matter-Eater Lad and Calorie Queen were both feeling rather bloated as they finished munching on the last of the villains' battlesuits.

"So strange to think those two were Hykraian!" Gas Girl shook her head. "They were nothing like Tellus!"

"Their telepathic and telekinetic talents were not as well developed as those of Tellus," Evolvo Lad explained, still in his hyperevolved form. "But the fact that they had telepathic talents at all opened a pathway for me to access their minds. Leadfoot very clearly recalls obtaining his superspeed powers from a glowing meteor he found on the ocean floor, I've alerted the Science Police so they can have a local team investigate...and Shellshock has an affinity with technology which is quite uncommon on Hykraius. It was he who developed the armours they both wore to hide their heritage. It is a shame that such gifts should be put to criminal use, imagine the difference they could make as heroes. Ah well, such imaginings are fruitless I suppose..."

"For them maybe," Matter-Eater Lad inserted.

"What do you mean?" Life Lass asked uncertainly.

"Just that we worked well together today!" Tenzil continued. "I know it's still gonna take a while to wear Cal down till she gives in but Life Lass, Evolvo Lad...

...why don't you two join the Legion of Superheroes?"

**********

DEEP SPACE
Inside a two-seater space shuttle


ROLL CALL
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

"Just so you know, Dawny...this is really weird." Wildfire leaned back in his seat, using every ounce of self-control he had not to consult the ship's navigation systems. "I have no idea where we're going. Or why. And why are we taking a shuttle anyway? Where are we going that we can't fly to under our own power?"

"Sometimes the journey matters more than the destination, Drake." Though she sat in the pilot's seat beside Wildfire, Dawnstar's wings took up most of the room behind them in the cramped cockpit.

Wildfire sat silently and watched her for nearly a minute. "Do you even know how to fly this thing?" His suit's voice modulator didn't always make it easy for him to convey nuance and as soon as he said it he mentally kicked himself knowing that she'd take offence at what he'd intended to be a lighthearted comment.

Dawnstar gave him an imperious look and Wildfire steeled himself for the fight that was coming. "...I am very bad at it," she finally admitted, and the two of them roared with laughter.

When they'd finally composed themselves again, Dawnstar rested her hand on his leg. "Drake, I want to apologise to you."

"Aww, don't sweat it," Wildfire dismissed her. "If this is about you running off to Lallor, you're back now and that's the most important thing."

"It is," Dawnstar continued, "But it's more than that." She took a moment to mentally compose what she wanted to say. "The last time we had a real conversation you tried to be open and supportive and I didn't give you that chance. I isolated myself from you because it's what I know to do. I avoid uncomfortable discussions by ensuring I never need to have them. I keep you at arm's length because I can't be hurt that way, but then..." she remembered her conversation with Shrinking Violet, "...I can scarcely blame you for not being there for me if I don't allow you to be there for me, can I?"

"Dawny, whatever happened in that sprocking future you found out about...I'm gonna do my best to make sure that never happens. You know that, right?" He held her hands tight in his own.

"I do." She squeezed back. An alert sounded, and Dawnstar turned her attention to the console for a moment. "Oh, I believe we're here." She programmed the shuttle to take a pre-determined path back to Mars where she'd arranged for Shrinking Violet to guide it back to base, then grabbed Wildfire's hand again and dragged him to the airlock. The two of them left the vessel, Dawnstar unfurled her giant white wings, and still hand in hand with Wildfire she flew toward a tiny blue-green marble which quickly became a lush blue-green world.

"This looks familiar," Wildfire looked around. "These constellations...Dawny, is this..?"

"Starhaven," she smiled. "My homeworld. I know you've been here before, that's why I wanted to keep our flightpath a secret until we arrived. But Drake...I do want to give you the chance to be there for me, and that means I want you to know me for who I am; warts and all. We both have more than sufficient personal leave, and Phantom Girl has assured me we won't be needed for a few days. Drake Burroughs, would you stay with me on my world for a few days and see me for who I am outside of the Legion of Superheroes?"

It was impossible for Wildfire to smile, but Dawnstar imagined him smiling now. "Sweetheart, I thought you'd never ask."

Together, the mismatched couple flew on with a sea of stars their backdrop.

**********
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Journeys and Destinations - 03/20/21 04:46 PM
oh, what a naughty hint that we will see Leeta-87's and Dev-Em's crew again wink will Jed be along for the ride I wonder?

LOL, 12 different tangents. Squishing every other organ to make space for lungs... he he he . And yes, E-Lad, stick to YES or NO!

Cadmu's proprietary tech alarm... interesting! and logical, great way to explain why E-Lad can't regrow an arm, where Polar Boy was able to.

"What could go wrong" indeed??? But I agree re Tinya, she needs to be able to delegate! Being Legion leader is not easy.

Nice to see Vi / Tenzil continuing to have a friendship! Great convo re 20th/21st century "ancient" history... makes sense not everyone would know. Just like how in the present, many people don't study history... Poor shy Somi... heh.

Miss Martian as the second Martian Manhunter, I like it. Brilliant restaurant name too.

Nice to see that Sev has a little of his evolved form's personality even in his normal form. Reboot Evolvo had a very different personality in the one time his un-evolved form spoke...

Heh! brilliant bit too, seeing two Bismollians talking about food together. makes sense that they would have different tastes!

So! logical that Duplicate Boy saved Evolvo and the others. I WAS wondering how it all went down, how they all managed to get off the disintegrating ship safely. Curious to see what will happen with Brittle and Dupe Boy II...

Vi directly asking Somi, so she would directly answer... heh!

Otaki... the plot thickens!

Nobody is quicker than... Leadfoot? irony!

Loved our Bismollians feeling bloated. We all know Bismollians can overeat, but was great seeing it.

Also cool that the villains are Hykraians. We see so few of them after all.

Whee! The Legion might grow again. After all they've been through, would be nice to see Somi and Sev also find a home in the Legion. Glad Tenzil mentioned Taryn as a worthy member, too. And nice to see Amp and Key Kid finding a home with the Academy - and that it was more so they could be around peers, rather than because of inexperience as heroes. They did serve as Lallorian heroes for a bit. Smart that they were mind-scanned to make sure they wouldn't become sleeper agents.

Also, with your Zoe Saugin's power set being different, Somi won't seem like a... heh... duplicate wink

Great scene with Dawny and Wildfire. Drake's "oh, she is going to be mad!" moment was hilarious... respect to Dawny for making an effort, really making an effort. And admitting that she just avoids things. (reminds me of some people in my life!) (Also like how Vi is quickly becoming a sort of friend to Dawny... makes sense! they have some similarities, and they really bonded last installment!) I love it, looking forward to this! (also gives me hope that the Bounty incident can be avoided somehow!)
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Journeys and Destinations - 03/25/21 12:50 PM
Raz, this has cheered up an otherwise rather dreary day,

First off, meant to say in my comments last time that Ulu spending time with Tellus to learn about his colourful language is a really great idea.

Elastic Lads genetics being proprietary information is a really inspired, take a bow as thats the best thing I?ve read in quite some time. I do enjoy your visits to Cadmus so am really looking forward to the team going back there. Tiny as exasperation was well written, and the comment about ELs lungs taking up so much of his body so he wouldn?t need to stop for breath was hilarious. I love your Elastic Lad, he?s so much fun.

The restaurant was a really cute way to slip some history into the setting - miss Martian being a future - to us - Manhunter was great.

Bismollian eating habits and taste are a hoot!

That was a nice solution to the Heroes of Lallor. Rain Girl and Key Kid joining the Academy makes sense, and it?ll be interesting to see them interacting with the group you?ve got there already. Hopefully Evolvo and Life Lass take up the offer, I?d be really interested in seeing what you do with them.

Looking forward to Danny and Drake?s sightseeing trip, though kinda feel it won?t be entirely bucolic.

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Journeys and Destinations - 03/26/21 11:26 AM
Thanks for commenting, y'all! Glad I could give your day a bit of a kick, Harbi!

IB, since you mentioned Evolvo Lad....did he ever show his devolved form in the reboot? I don't think I ever saw him in any other form, I didn't even know he reverted to normal at some point! Duplicate Boy and Brittle are not done with yet, but it'll probably be a while before we see where they've ended up...we have got enough Lalloran heroes getting story time in the next few chapters already wink

The Color Kid/Tellus thing is something I have been meaning to bring up for ages, it just never worked its way into the story before...and my mission with Dawnstar and Wildfire is to give them some actual development in their relationship outside of the material they've been retreading since forever so I will be interested to see how that goes down with y'all.

Next up: Heroes (formerly) of Lallor! Teen romance/angst! And we are gonna meet the Lucy Lane to Elastic Lad's Jimmy Olsen!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Journeys and Destinations - 03/26/21 07:03 PM
heya Raz. Reboot Evolvo was in his "base" form in L* 21 (after getting knocked out) and in LSH 103 (in shock after evolved Evolvo thrashhed McCauley industries to build a machine to exploit the Anomaly)

Ape Evolvo appeared in L* 21 / L* 22 (it was the ape Evolvo getting KOed by Spider-Girl that revealed normal Evolvo) and L* 39 (power outage, was trying to build a fire lol). He may have appeared a couple times more...
Posted By: razsolo Re: Journeys and Destinations - 04/03/21 10:37 AM
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
heya Raz. Reboot Evolvo was in his "base" form in L* 21 (after getting knocked out) and in LSH 103 (in shock after evolved Evolvo thrashhed McCauley industries to build a machine to exploit the Anomaly)

Ape Evolvo appeared in L* 21 / L* 22 (it was the ape Evolvo getting KOed by Spider-Girl that revealed normal Evolvo) and L* 39 (power outage, was trying to build a fire lol). He may have appeared a couple times more...
Thanks for the info! smile

I thought I might post some pics I did of Evolvo Lad, Life Lass and Gas Girl - apparently I am a bit crap at flesh tones and Evolvo Cavelad is meant to look more "hunched over" than "angry troll" but I am happy with the costume updates anyway tongue

Attached picture Evolvo Lad devolved.jpg
Attached picture Evolvo Lad base.jpg
Attached picture Evolvo Lad evolved.jpg
Attached picture Gas Girl.jpg
Attached picture Life Lass.JPG
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Journeys and Destinations - 04/03/21 07:57 PM
Niiiice! And don't worry, Evolvo CaveLad DOES look hunched over to me smile
Posted By: Gaseous Lad Re: Journeys and Destinations - 04/03/21 10:01 PM
Originally Posted by razsolo
I thought I might post some pics I did of Evolvo Lad, Life Lass and Gas Girl - apparently I am a bit crap at flesh tones and Evolvo Cavelad is meant to look more "hunched over" than "angry troll" but I am happy with the costume updates anyway tongue

These are really good, Raz!!
Posted By: thoth lad Re: Journeys and Destinations - 04/03/21 10:51 PM
I like the Lallor pics, Raz. Very nice.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Journeys and Destinations - 04/04/21 01:43 AM
Thanks y'all! smile
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Journeys and Destinations - 04/07/21 12:27 PM
I love your artwork Raz, you've managed to convey their personalities with their poses, well done!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Journeys and Destinations - 04/08/21 08:32 AM
Thanks Harbi...there is lots of room for improvement but I do like the poses in terms of how it shows their personalities smile

EDIT: also I guess Life Lass is Bjork now?
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Journeys and Destinations - 04/08/21 08:48 AM
Life Lass as Bjork? Yup, all she needs is an egg on a shoe smile
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Journeys and Destinations - 04/08/21 08:49 AM
(sorry, can't paste the picture, just google it, her Swan outfit was magnificent)
Posted By: razsolo Re: Journeys and Destinations - 04/08/21 08:58 AM
haha yes I love that outfit laugh
Posted By: razsolo Young Hearts Run Free - 04/15/21 05:28 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


ROLL CALL
Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage:
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Colossal Boy aka Gim Allon: growth powers
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn: magnetism
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Firecrest aka Staq Mavlen: weredragon
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
Invisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: Legion ally; hyperevolution/devolution
Life Lass aka Somi Gan: Legion ally; matter animation

Standing before dozens of her peers in the Legion of Superheroes' largest meeting room, Phantom Girl commanded their attention easily. Though her power might not be the mightiest in a room that contained Mon-El and Blok, she'd been a Legionnaire longer than almost every single other person here.

"Most of you will remember when Bouncing Boy was leader and he had each of us pair up with someone on the team that we don't normally work closely with. Given the changes that the Legion has been through recently, I think it's a good time to reintroduce that idea." There were some audible groans from the expected quarters, but nobody outright challenged Tinya so she took that as a sign to continue. "If you check your workstations you'll see that you've each been assigned a duty partner for the week; this isn't a school assignment, I don't expect you write a report for class or anything like that but the Legion of Superheroes is bigger than it ever has been and I think it can only be beneficial for us to be more comfortable working alongside one another." The mention of a school assignment drew some sniggers, and Tinya gave everyone a few moments to react to the reveal of their assigned partners before she carried on.

"...And speaking of the team growing bigger and better, the votes are in and now seems like the perfect time to introduce you all to your newest members! Give a warm Legion welcome to Evolvo Lad and Life Lass, everyone!" A privacy screen faded, and the two former Heroes of Lallor walked out to be formally presented with their flight rings and sworn in. Cheers and applause broke out as Evolvo Lad and Life Lass vowed to uphold the Legion of Superheroes' values, and unable to contain herself any longer Gas Girl squealed with delight and ran down to hug her oldest friends.

Sitting together in the conference room's raised seating, Lightning Lass leaned across to Shrinking Violet. "Is it just me," Ayla's voice was hushed, "Or does Life Lass not look wildly happy to be here?"

"Like a jackadeer caught in a hunter's light," Vi agreed.

"I wonder what that's all about?" Ayla queried. "I heard about how things ended on Lallor, but joining the Legion has to be better than whatever other options they've got at the moment, right?"

"We won't have to wonder for long," Violet replied. She turned her holoscreen around to face Lightning Lass and smirked knowingly as both women saw that Life Lass was Shrinking Violet's assigned partner for the following week.

**********

CADMU
Swanbi Precinct, Medical Faculty SPJO-36


ROLL CALL
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: gravity negation

"I'm not sure if Phantom Girl's being expedient or lazy," Light Lad noted as he and Color Kid sat before a live holocast of the meeting they couldn't attend in person, "But it looks like you're stuck with me for the week, pal!"

"It could be worse," Ulu remarked slyly as he glanced across at the sealed-off room where Elastic Lad's arm was currently being restored thanks to Cadmian technology.

"E-Lad's okay," Light Lad laughed, "He can be a lot though. One thing's for sure, I don't think I ever realised the breadth of personalities I'd meet when I joined the Legion of Superheroes!"

"I'm just joking," Ulu returned. "I know he's a good kid, but he really needs to cut down on his stims! Anyway, how does this pairing up thing work?"

"Hopefully better than it did last time," Darvan was met with a quizzical look from Ulu. "I could do without another impromptu mindmeld...long story."

Slightly bored, Darvan looked at the sterile walls of the underground medical facility surrounding them. "Hey, this is your first time on Cadmu, right? Do you want to go outside and play tourist? I didn't get to see much of the planet last time I was here, and I doubt we're going to be needed while Elastic Lad's getting fixed up. It can be our first official mission together," he finished with a wink.

Color Kid shrugged casually. "Sure, why not? It beats sitting around here fighting the temptation to brighten this place up while we're waiting."

The duo left instructions to contact them immediately if they were needed, and when they asked if they'd need an escort they were suitably impressed that the AI running the facility was able to quickly upload an interactive map of the local area along with notification of any restricted areas to their flight rings. Minutes later, they were soaring over a seemingly endless cityscape which seemed to reach as high as it spread. "This whole planet is so weird to me," Light Lad confided. "Winath's not entirely rolling farmland like people think, but there's so much more open space at home...and more nature! I thought Metropolis was a little overwhelming when I first joined the Legion, but Cadmu is like a planet-wide Metropolis! What's it like on your homeworld?"

"Lupra's got a few protected natural reserves left but it's not much different to Earth really," Color Kid considered the question. "Mainly densely populated cities; Metropolis kind of reminds me of our capital city actually! It's weird though, Cadmu is obviously a lot more built up but E-Lad was right, the population is noticeably so much lower on Cadmu! It's an odd feeling having this much space pretty much to ourselves, we'd be dodging air traffic on most other UP worlds!"

"Okay, what do you want to see first?" Light Lad asked, consulting the holomap they'd been given. "We've got a self-generating sentient city a couple of kliks over that way, something called Theoretical Reality Warehouses directly below us--"

An immense whooshing noise interrupted the Winathian Legionnaire, and both he and Color Kid followed the sound and the sudden rush of air to an enormous ring of some unidentified metal which had just appeared in mid-air half a mile away. The ring was large enough to encompass several of the towering structures here but it didn't seem to be causing any damage. "You weren't kidding," Color Kid mumbled. "This planet really is weird! What do you think that's all about?"

"I don't know," Light Lad cocked his head, "Do you think it's meant to be there? Maybe we should--"

Just as Darvan was about to suggest that they investigate, more than a dozen enormous creatures fell out of what the boys now realised was a portal. Each of the creatures were stone grey and as big as one of the Legion's cruisers, but even from this distance Light Lad and Color Kid could see that they looked nothing alike beyond that. Once the last of the creatures had dropped through the portal, the ring vanished just as quickly as it had appeared. As though they were in some schlocky holofilm, the creatures started wreaking destruction as soon as they got their bearings.

"Something tells me that wasn't meant to be there," Color Kid deadpanned. "Some of those things have wings and we're not far from the coast; I'm gonna call for backup and try to lure them out to sea where they can't hurt anybody, will you be okay on your own with the others for a while?"

"Huh?" Light Lad was momentarily taken aback. "Oh yeah, sure...good idea, Color Kid. Be careful!" The two men separated, and Light Lad watched with bemused respect as Ulu used his power to create a moving field of shifting colors which attracted four of the creatures as though they were household pets chasing a laser pointer. As much as Darvan had become accustomed to life as a Legionnaire, he didn't know if this kind of danger would ever be normal to him the way it was for a lot of his teammates; Color Kid's power wasn't remotely physically offensive, yet Ulu's first instinct was to leap into the fray. Even though Darvan had much more faith in his own capabilities than when he'd first joined the Legion, part of him was still rightfully anxious about the prospect of facing down creatures which could tear apart buildings.

As he came closer to the creatures left behind, Light Lad found himself glad that Cadmu was so sparsely populated. With the amount of destruction these things were causing, the death toll would already be in the thousands on practically any other planet. Here, they seemed to be destroying nothing more than laboratories and research facilities full of machines. He did pass over large masses of people evacuating the area a couple of times, but fortunately they'd escaped the attention of the much larger monsters who seemed more intent on wrecking Cadmu itself. He had to levitate some debris out of the path of one of the groups, but aside from that Light Lad trusted that they were beyond any immediate danger.

Darvan also saw now how unique the attacking creatures really were; he'd spotted a giant bipedal lizard, some kind of primate, an insectoid creature and others he couldn't identify but all of whom had their own unique appearance. Taking a chance, Darvan hovered within a few metres of the stone lizard's eye. Its forelimbs were so underdeveloped as to be useless, and Darvan was confident he could evade its snapping jaw if necessary. "Uhh, excuse me..?" he ventured. "I don't suppose you're sentient at all..?"

The creature's response was to try to eat Darvan, and though it was faster than Light Lad had expected it still didn't really have any chance of harming him once he levitated out of its reach. The lizard tried to chomp him twice more, then realising the futility of that action it opened its maw wide open and Darvan saw a glow building in intensity deep within its innards. The lanky Legionnaire darted aside just before a stream of radioactive fire emerged from the thing's guts like a burning beacon.

"Rude!" Darvan yelped warily. Remembering the tactic he'd used on this very world against a similarly gigantic army of Validus clones, he allowed the distinctive blue glow of his power to envelop the stone creature and hurled it into space. It hadn't occurred to him that these things might have powers aside from their obvious physical traits but at least now he felt certain that they must be mindless golems of some kind or another, and that made them much easier to deal with.

He'd dispatched another two of the creatures before he found one which gave him a challenge. The tentacles of a colossal stone cephalopod clung to buildings with such tenacity that Darvan was worried it'd take two or three buildings with it into the upper atmosphere if he pushed too hard.

While he was struggling to think of a new tactic, he heard a booming voice behind him shout out. "I've got your back, Light Lad!" Darvan turned to see a preposterously large stone arm with an equally large talon emerging from the wrist. The talon was metres long and had been coming straight at him before being yanked back by an even larger humanoid arm covered in green scales. The Cadmian hero named Giant Turtle Boy had arrived on the scene, and it looked like he'd just stopped some sloth-like monster from making Light Lad a human shishkabob.

"Thanks for the save!" Light Lad remarked as he took a safer altitude, "But no offence, weren't you a slightly less giant turtle boy last time I was here?" The green-scaled hero with the saucer-like eyes had indeed been approximately 50 feet tall when Light Lad had last been on Cadmu, but he was at least three times that size now as he grappled something that looked like an animated stone teddybear compared to himself.

"Practice!" Giant Turtle Boy bellowed in way of an answer. "Say, can you do your mission to space thing on this fella and then we can figure out how to handle Octopo over there?"

"One good turn deserves another!" Light Lad gestured, and being too slow and clumsy to save itself the sloth creature joined its fellows who'd already been cast out of the atmosphere. "Hey!" Darvan realised, "You called that one Octopo! Do you know what these things are?"

"Ask this one!" The two redheads saw Color Kid ascend to join them, and he was carrying with him a teenage girl with short wavy blonde hair in a style similar to that which Saturn Girl had once made famous galaxy-wide. The girl wore a lavender skirted costume with pink accents, along with a light pink scarf and matching sash belt. A small pink pillbox hat completed the ensemble, and on her chest she bore a circle enclosing some kind of simplistic animal paw symbol.

"Let me go, you oaf!" she protested. "I told you, I'm a superhero just like you!"

"Lu-Lan 2, what have you done now?" Giant Turtle Boy gave as disapproving a look as someone with unmoving saucer shaped eyes could manage.

"That's not really the kind of reaction I'd expect a superhero to get..." Light Lad pondered idly.

"To be fair, I heard that kind of thing more than once when I was a Sub," Color Kid bit his lip. "But I'm more concerned with what I heard her say when I found her on a rooftop on my way back here. Go on, tell them!"

The girl elbowed Color Kid in the solar plexus. "Let! Me! Go!" Winded, Ulu released her and the blonde girl revealed that she was quite capable of flying under her own power as she floated there adjusting her hat. "My name is Wish Girl!" she poked her tongue out at Giant Turtle Boy, "And I'm Neocaste, just like this big lunk!"

Color Kid and Light Lad looked expectantly at Giant Turtle Boy. "She is technically Neocaste," the colossal hero admitted, "Just like me and Elastic Lad she was created to serve as one of Cadmu's superheroes, but she's terrible at it. Her wishes come true, but always in the worst possible way. So out with it, Lu-Lan 2; what have you done now? The Ishikaiju are meant to be safely locked away in the Concrete Jungle 75 standard miles from here and something tells me you've got something to do with why they're not!" He felt pressure around his lower leg and looked down to see a massive stone serpent constricting around his leg. "Keep talking, I'm listening!" he hollered as he bent down to extricate himself from its grip.

Wish Girl rolled her eyes at Giant Turtle Boy's attitude. "I just wanted to impress Jams-Ols 5; as soon as I heard he was coming back here for medical treatment I knew this was my chance to show him I'm not just some flighty girl! I figured if one of the Ishikaiju just happened to escape, and if I was the one who corralled them then that'd get me on his radar for sure!"

"Wait a nano," Light Lad thought the situation through. "You released these monsters on your own homeworld just to get Elastic Lad's attention? Why?!"

"I didn't mean to release them all!" Wish Girl snapped defensively. "How was I supposed to know my wish would shut down the Concrete Jungle's whole security system? And when I wished for them to be somewhere else, I certainly didn't want them to go somewhere more inhabited! I can fix this though, you just watch!"

"I feel like I'm missing something," Light Lad continued. "I still don't get what any of this has to do with Elastic Lad..?" When he noticed that Giant Turtle Boy was holding the stone serpent above him in both arms, Darvan diverted his attention from the teenage girl just long enough to send the snake into space.

"Ugh, boys!" Wish Girl made a face. "None of you understand true love at all!" Leaving Color Kid and Light Lad in stunned silence, Wish Girl darted off toward the creature named Octopo. "Oh, I wish you'd just go back into the ocean!" she pouted.

A tremendous roaring sound built up behind the cephalopod, and an improbably large wave appeared literally out of nowhere blotting out the sun. Color Kid's face grew more pale than usual as he looked up at the wall of water. "Light Lad, can you--"

"Not all of it!" Darvan yelled over the noise of the oncoming water, already doing his best to minimise the damage.

The sound was suddenly everywhere, a low bass rumble that permeated Light Lad's body as he tumbled madly underwater half a mile above the ground. It was only sheer luck that he didn't collide with any of the alarmingly large chunks of building he saw being sucked along with him, and he began to panic as he realised he had no idea which way was up. "Breathe!" he reminded himself as he used his flight ring to at least stabilise himself in the water. "You've got a transuit, you can breathe!" He had no idea how far the freakish wave had propelled him or where the others were, and it was so dark that he still had no idea how he'd even find the surface again. Heart pounding in his chest, it took Darvan almost a full minute before he blushed furiously with embarassment. "You don't need to know which way's up! You just need to turn gravity off, you dumb squaj!"

A second later, he was in the air once more; the tidal wave didn't seem to have been as bad as it felt while he was inside it, it was already subsiding to a height of only five or ten metres above the surface. That far down, everything was either supportive construction or sealed doorways so Light Lad wasn't overly concerned about anybody else drowning, and he'd seen for himself that the area the Ishikaiju had infested was already evacuated anyway. There was no shortage of collateral damage, but he was confident that planetary authorities could deal with that. What concerned him most now was that he had no idea where he was and no idea where the others were.

Darvan was suddenly aware that Color Kid had been calling his name over his flight ring for the past few seconds and blinked as though only now realising the golden band's purpose. "Sorry, Color Kid," he replied. "I guess I'm a bit more shaken up than I thought, I'm okay though. You?"

"Giant Turtle Boy shielded me from the worst of it," Ulu explained. "I'm gonna send up a beacon so you can find us, we need to stop this nut before she wrecks half of Cadmu!"

Light Lad propelled himself up above Cadmu's towering spires and saw a rainbow column some miles away stretching up into the atmosphere. He made his way over to Giant Turtle Boy and Color Kid quickly, both of whom were more or less unharmed. "If Wish Girl can just wish things into existence," he asked once they'd caught up, "Can't she just wish these things out of existence?"

"She can't directly affect living beings," Giant Turtle Boy explained as he scoured the city for any signs of chaos which would indicate Wish Girl's presence. "Thank the universe for small mercies...wait, over there!"

"Oh yeah, I'm guessing that giant cage that just appeared over a bunch of city blocks isn't natural." Color Kid rolled his eyes at the ridiculousness of it all, knowing the black patches of color on his face would hide the gesture.

"You two go ahead," Giant Turtle Boy instructed, "I just found a couple more castaways that need dealing with." He motioned toward a giant stone crayfish and scorpion currently facing off around the corners of a megaskyscraper which still had people inside watching in terror to see who was going to break in and eat them first.

Floating above a giant cage which had effectively locked in the stone primate with nearly a hundred Cadmians inside their places of work, Wish Girl pondered her next move. Inspiration came to her, but just before she could state her wish the world exploded into a kaleidoscope of colors. Overcome with the psychedelic display, she floated slackjawed until the fireworks were just as abruptly gone. Stars in her eyes still, she shook her head until the two hazy figures in front of her came into focus as Light Lad and Color Kid. "You two again!" she placed angry hands on her hips. "You know, if you hadn't interfered all of this would be dealt with by now!"

"Us?" Color Kid exploded. "Are you completely insane?!"

"I think what my friend is trying to say," Light Lad interruped diplomatically, "Is that maybe you could be a little less...impulsive? You've got a great power, but it's a dangerous power too...one that needs some real thought and--"

"Oh, now you're gonna tell me how to use my own power?" Wish Girl protested before blowing them a raspberry. "You know, I wish both of you--" Light Lad and Color Kid prepared for the worst, but super-elongated purple fingers wrapped themselves around Wish Girl's mouth and turned the rest of her wish into a muffled squeal.

"Hi fellas!" Elastic Lad's perenially cheery face appeared at the end of a stretched out neck, his torso soon catching up. "Hey look, I've got both arms back! I see you've met Lu-Lan 2! Boy, she's a real nuisance huh? Wow, look at all that water--"

"...Nuisance..?" Color Kid repeated the word in disbelief.

"Elastic Lad, she could have killed us!" Light Lad protested. "Multiple times! Not to mention all the other people she's endangered today and all the property damage!"

"Haha, yeah," Elastic Lad nodded, "She's a real troublemaker, our Wish Girl!" While Light Lad and Color Kid stared in blinking uncomprehension, Elastic Lad turned to Wish Girl. "Now if I let you speak, are you gonna keep causing mischief?" Frowning, she shook her head furiously.

Elastic Lad released his grip on her and Wish Girl immediately flung herself around his shoulders and began showering him with kisses. "Jams-Ols 5, I'm so glad you're okay!"

Elastic Lad stretched away from her in mock disgust, but not so far that she couldn't reach him. "Gals, huh?" he flashed a cheesy grin at Color Kid and Light Lad.

"I don't use this term lightly," Darvan muttered to Ulu by his side, "But this planet is sprocking crazy..."

**********

MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


ROLL CALL
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation

Immediately after the Legion of Superheroes' meeting had ended, Gravity Kid and Crystal Kid had raced to get changed for their first date. Many hours later, Tel Vole and Bobb Cohan were now stumbling home slightly inebriated under the twin moons of Mars. Both were in their best outfits, though Tel was wearing significantly less than Bobb. "That was a fun night," Tel giggled as he tripped over his own feet. "Back to yours or mine?"

Bobb had been ardently shushing him while giggling even louder, but the question sobered him up somewhat. "Wait, really..?" he blinked. "I mean, I don't wanna...I don't want to move too fast, if you're not comfortable I mean that is, I--"

Tel tried to lean against the wall near the turbolift door which would lead them to their respective quarters, but he misjudged the distance and what was meant to be a flirtatious gesture became slapstick comedy as his back hit the wall with a loud slap and his head followed suit. The display of clumsiness sent both men careening into drunken laughter again, and Bobb came close and rubbed Tel's scalp. "You dope," he snorted.

"Sexy dope," Tel corrected him, and stole a lingering kiss.

The two were still attached at the mouth with hands beginning to wander places they probably shouldn't when a breep signalled the opening of the turbolift door and they saw Lullabye Lad standing there looking shell-shocked.

"You're sprocking kidding me," Waiane intoned flatly. "You can't be with me because of the Legion, but you can swap spit with someone who used to call himself a Substitute Hero?"

"Lullabye Lad..." Crystal Kid began by way of explanation.

"Was I talking to you?" Waiane sniped viciously.

"Oh, get over yourself!" Gravity Kid barked at his ex-boyfriend. "It was dumb of me to think I couldn't date anyone and be a Legionnaire at the same time but you and I would have broken up sooner or later anyway, Waiane! You're a kid, I need someone more on my level--"

"He's literally called Crystal Kid!" Waiane shouted.

"Hello boys!" Strut's voice sounded over their flight rings, "This is all wildly entertaining, but Nightwind's teaching me how to use our wonderful monitor room and she's asked if you could keep all of this scintillating drama down to a dull roar for the benefit of the unfortunate souls residing here who require a full eight hours' beauty sleep. Thanks ever so!"

"You know," Gravity Kid's tone was hushed but barbed as he fixed Lullabye Lad with narrow eyes, "If you want to be mad at someone be mad at your brother, Waiane. He's the one who told me I should go out with Bobb in the first place."

A look of disbelief crossed Lullabye Lad's face, quickly followed up by the expression of a hurt puppy. Eyes watering, he stormed off past Tel and Bobb and left the building.

Crystal Kid sucked air in between gritted teeth. "Something tells me that's gonna come back to bite us..."

"There's only one person you need to worry about biting you," Tel turned back toward his date, instantly turning on the charm again. "Now get in that turbolift, Mister!"

They entered the small capsule and as the door closed behind them their muffled laughter receded into the building.
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Young Hearts Run Free - 04/15/21 11:54 AM
Oooh, you have big plans for Violet, I think. She's getting a lot of screen time.

Yeah, what IS up with Life Lass? I wonder if it's something deep, or just her normal personality. Should be interesting...

Love Tinya setting up this pairing, and her jab at Chuck's report lol... should make for some interesting pairings...

LOL at Color Kid and Light Lad being paired up. Tinya thought of everything wink

Oh man, Wish Girl. It's hilarious - and a bit sad - that she's done so much trouble before. Can't she just undo her wish or something? Ah, but clearly she's not the brightest bulb. I wonder if there is something more between Elastic Lad's and Turtle Boy's lack of, um, worry. Like, they don't seem to be that worried about the people in danger. Or maybe it's just a Cadmu thing?

Nice bit re Light Lad being a bit less seasoned than Ulu! Ulu's greater experience is showing smile

LOL at Tel wearing significantly less than Bobb. I recognize myself a lot in Tel, actually. Maybe why I like him so much, even though he is definitely NOT the nicest or most thoughtful or most people-smart guy out there. But I recognize myself in the flirtiness, the "I look good so I'm gonna show it off", and the "I don't care if it's the first date, I'm bringing you home!" mentality.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Young Hearts Run Free - 04/18/21 04:52 AM
Thanks for commenting, IB!

Wish Girl's whole thing is kind of a play on the completely mental and sociopathic relationships DC couples like Superman & Lois had in the 60s...as you picked up in the Who's Who thread, she's kind of the Lucy Lane to Elastic Lad's Jimmy Olsen (not that either of them are particularly like their counterparts, but they inspired me to go in a particular direction)

Cadmians definitely have a...unique...relationship with death; they take it much more lightly than any normal human being would because they know that for them it's not the end and that they'll continue to live on in some respect once they get gestated into a new personality. But as you noticed, it's the kind of attitude that would be very concerning for anybody else lol laugh

I am glad you picked up on the different levels of experience with Darvan and Ulu....I didn't want to beat anyone over the head with it or make Light Lad seem incompetent, but was trying to show that Ulu's been doing this a lot longer and where Darvan might have to consciously think his way through a particular situation Ulu has probably already been through something similar at some stage and can just draw from his existing knowledge smile

Tel is a funny one; he is definitely the kind of guy I would not find likeable at all in real life but I kind of like the challenge of exploring why he's that way and showing some different facets to his character as time goes on smile

EDIT: I forgot to say, Life Lass is going to get some focus next up so that should shed some light on her behaviour....and we'll get some surprise guest stars as well!
Posted By: razsolo ROSTER UPDATE! - 04/20/21 12:18 AM
Hi all,

I thought given recent comings and goings, it might be a good idea to give y'all an updated roster for my team/s! Without further ado:

LEGION OF SUPERHEROES
BLOK
CHAMELEON BOY
COLOR KID
COLOSSAL BOY
COMET QUEEN
COSMIC BOY
CRYSTAL KID
DAWNSTAR
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DRAGONMAGE
DREAM GIRL
ELASTIC LAD
ELEMENT LAD
EVOLVO LAD
FIRECREST
GAS GIRL
GRAVITY KID
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
KID COMPUTO
KING CANARY
LIFE LASS
LIGHT LAD
LIGHTNING LASS
MATTER-EATER LAD
MON-EL
MWINDAJI
NEON
NIGHT GIRL
NIGHTWIND (deputy leader)
PHANTOM GIRL (leader)
POLAR BOY
SHADOW LASS
SHRINKING VIOLET
STAR BOY
STONE BOY
STRUT
SUN BOY
SUPERGIRL II
TELLUS
TIMBER WOLF
ULTRA BOY
WILDFIRE

LEGION ACADEMY
LIGHTNING LAD (teacher)
SATURN GIRL (teacher)

AMP
CHEMICAL KID
DRAGONWING
FIRE LASS
GLORITH
KEY KID
KID QUANTUM
LULLABYE LAD
VARIABLE LAD
Posted By: Harbinger Re: ROSTER UPDATE! - 04/20/21 08:15 AM
Hey Raz, more good stuff here!

I'm loving the idea of teaming up pairs of Legionnaires that usually don't work together - looking forward to seeing who matches up with who and the inevitible personality clashes that ensues smile

Having Evolvo and Life Lass join up makes perfect sense and am waiting to see what Vi digs up on LL. Do love a good mystery!

Colour Kid, Light Lad and Elastic Lad would usualy be a team that wouldn't inspire much confidence in me tbh but you write them like a pro, allowing these usually weaker characters shine through. ulu#s sly remark about things could be worse was very telling - EL is a hoot to read but in real life I'd be hard pressed not to slap him smile

Ulu and Darvan having a tour is understandable, I would want to see every new world if I was in their position. The friendly, easy banter between them is so good - it reads so natural and flows so well - well done! This is something that it's so easy to mess up but you really do excel at.

Planet Cadmu is great, I may borrow the idea from you as it has so many possibilities!

The appearance of the metal ring is ominous, though gave a little cheer inside as I read it as I knew things were going to get bonkers smile Ulu's take charge attitude was great too, he is more experienced that a lot of the Legionnaires so it's only right he would get it together and get over the surprise quickly.

The stone monsters are so beyond the Legionnaires physical power levels that I wondered how you could get them out of it without their calling for major back-up - it's a great mission for the two of them.

"Rude!" indeed, death breath should be a crime!

Giant Turtle Boy must be one of the most ridiculous characters ever created and yet I totally love that you use him!

"To be fair, I heard that kind of thing more than once when I was a Sub," hahaha, so true Ulu, so true!

Ishikaiju - is this something to do with Manga?

Wish Girl is truly horrible, self absorbed and oblivious to her own stupidity - so, another great character tat deserves their own series laugh that wish to have the monster go back to the ocean... I groaned. Honestly, has she no idea? hahaha what a great character!

Light Lad's panic is totally understandable though good to see he figured out what to do.

Elastic Lad to the rescue - fantastic! Wish girl is a real nusance, indeed.

Sprocking crazy! Yup, well said LL. And EL's faux-resistance to Wish Girl's advances are sweet, bless him even super stretchy neocaste Legionnaires need love smile

The scen with Gravity Kid, Crystal Kid and Lullaby Lad was well done, after the sacchirine sweetness of Wish Girl's neediness for Elastic Lad's affections this was a stark reminder that not all relationships are so cute. The discussion/argument again read very true, though Strut stole the show with his interruption - you write him so well!

Again, I thoroughly enjoyed catching up on your adventures Raz, your characters are so well written it's always a pleasure to read.

Of course I'm eager for more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: ROSTER UPDATE! - 04/20/21 12:07 PM
Hi Harbi,

re: Cadmu - steal away! smile

Giant Turtle Boy is absolutely the kind of comic book idiocy I love hahaha

'ishi' means 'stone' in Japanese, and kaiju are giant monsters a la Godzilla, Mothra and the like....did I mangle a whole other language just so I could write one throwaway line in a story where giant stone animals live in a Concrete Jungle? Guilty! laugh

I feel like I keep raising the stakes on annoying characters but I may have finally succeeded in creating one with Wish Girl where even I'm like okay you can go back in the toybox for another couple years now lol

Next up: More teen angst! Some reserve Legionnaires pop their heads in! And the return of a scary homemade villain!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: ROSTER UPDATE! - 04/20/21 01:35 PM
I do love a bit of language mangling Raz, good one!

And re Wish Girl, I'm unsure if I really want to see more of her or never see her again. She's like the character equivalent of an episode of Married at First Sight smile

Looking forward to seeing what you gave for us next... more, more, more!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: ROSTER UPDATE! - 04/20/21 01:58 PM
I do love a bit of language mangling Raz, good one!

And re Wish Girl, I'm unsure if I really want to see more of her or never see her again. She's like the character equivalent of an episode of Married at First Sight smile

Looking forward to seeing what you gave for us next... more, more, more!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: ROSTER UPDATE! - 04/20/21 01:58 PM
Weird, I went to log out and somehow posted that twice. Oh well.
Posted By: razsolo Fear and Loathing - 04/24/21 08:48 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


ROLL CALL
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Legion Academy student; Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone

"What is wrong with you?!"

In his modestly furnished personal quarters, Dag Wentim sighed in response to his little brother's histrionics. "Waiane, calm down. I don't even know what you're talking about."

"Tel!" the younger Wentim exclaimed. "He told me what you did!"

"...And what did I do?" Dag asked with conscious restraint. He'd been as patient as he could be, but Waiane had burst in here a minute and a half ago hollering nonsense and Dag's patience was beginning to wear thin.

"You said he should hook up with Crystal Kid! He told me!" Lullabye Lad was shaking with anger. "How could you do that to me?!"

Stone Boy's head slumped as he realised what Waiane was referring to. "Waiane, it wasn't like that."

"Liar!" Lullabye Lad's voice cracked with emotion. "He told me himself!"

"What I said to him," Dag spoke clearly and calmly over his brother, "Was that he was an idiot if he thought being in the Legion meant he couldn't have a relationship--"

"Exactly!" a teary Waiane yelled. "You ruined my life!!"

"Okay, now you're just being ridiculous." Stone Boy rolled his eyes. "Nobody's life is ruined and that arrogant little batjerk is not worth any of these hysterics, little brother."

"I hate you! I hate you!!" Lullabye Lad turned on his heel and ran out of his brother's quarters bawling.

Stone Boy shook his head in faint disbelief, his gaze happening to fall across a holopic of his family together at a theme park when he'd been Waiane's age and Waiane had still been a precocious floppy-haired kid with one tooth missing. "Don't look at me like that," Dag muttered at his parents' grinning visages. "I know I've never put you two through anything like this." He sighed again, wondering how Waiane had managed to end up with enough Hormonal Teen Drama genes for the two of them before he announced wearily to nobody in particular:

"...I hate that Gravity Kid."

**********

TITAN
Titanopolis, the Time Institute


ROLL CALL
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Colossal Boy aka Gim Allon: growth powers
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Life Lass aka Somi Gan: matter animation
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability

Bouncing Boy aka Charles Foster Taine: super-bouncing, reserve member
Duplicate Damsel aka Luornu Durgo Taine: self-duplication, reserve member

The staff at the Time Institute had become used to Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel's presence these past months; Luornu Durgo Taine had agreed to allow the Institute's Dr Jax Madri to study her upgraded duplication power, and just as her husband had begun to get bored with retirement a position had become available as the Time Institute's Chief of Security. With his background in the Legion of Superheroes, Chuck Foster Taine was easily the most suitable applicant to the role and the Time Institute had become a kind of second home to the Taines ever since.

The staff here weren't quite so accustomed to seeing Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel's old teammates in the Legion of Superheroes wandering around though, and such a large group of colorful heroes drew stares from everyone they passed. Deliberately hanging toward the back of the group, Supergirl nudged Crystal Kid playfully in the ribs. "Sooo...Gravity Kid..? How did the date go..?"

"It went well," Bobb blushed. "Really well...I wasn't sure how things would pan out because you know...the promasc...but umm...well, let's just say medical science comes through with the goods." The two giggled like children sharing a naughty joke, and before they knew it one of Duplicate Damsel's bodies was somehow behind them conspicuously clearing her throat. Bobb and Laurel gave a start and reflexively composed themselves in front of their one-time teacher.

"Kids, huh?" Colossal Boy leaned down to whisper in his best friend's oversized ear. "Were we ever that young, Cham?"

One of Chameleon Boy's arched eyebrows rose even higher as he allowed himself a slight smirk. "Some of us definitely were...don't you remember that casino owner's daughter on Ventura? What was her name, Berina? You were going to leave the team to settle down with her for all of five minutes!"

"Berri!" Gim almost guffawed. "Oh man, I'd forgotten all about her! But hey, speaking of true love and all that...have you--"

"No, Gim." Cham knew exactly where his friend was leading. "I haven't called Tranquility*. I've tried long distance relationships, they're not ideal. Since when are you the team matchmaker anyway?"

"Aw, I just wanna see my buddy happy is all," Gim gave him a hearty pat on the back. "All work and no play--"

"--I can't believe the Legion of Superheroes came for me!" a young boy's voice interrupted Gim Allon. Colossal Boy realised that while he and Cham had been chatting, they'd reached their destination. "Oh, and I - I see you brought Colossal Boy with you." The short platinum blond teen seemed a little shaken as he realised Gim was one of the Legionnaires in attendance, a reaction that everyone present noticed. All eyes turned to Gim, who for once in his life wished fervently that he weren't so conspicuously tall even without his power in effect.

"We, uh...we've met before, it wasn't...I wasn't at my best," Gim struggled. "I'm really deeply sorry for the misunderstanding, Kan--Mr Vyr."

The youth they'd come here to meet was Kando Vyr, a complicated footnote in the Legion's timeline. At some point in the future, Kando was destined to become a member of the Legion of Superheroes as the temporally-powered hero Infinite Boy. Here and now though, he was just a young Naltorian whose genius intellect had procured him a research position at the Time Institute and he knew nothing of his future fate. The last time this Kando Vyr had met Colossal Boy, Gim had broken into his home to assault him for a misplaced grudge against his future self. Gim had since mended fences with the time-displaced Infinite Boy from the future, and it had completely slipped Colossal Boy's mind that the younger Kando must still think he was an unhinged psychopath.

Consciously drawing attention away from the unfading tension between Gim and Kando, Phantom Girl positioned herself behind Chuck and Luornu Taine and placed a hand on both their shoulders. "Bouncing Boy and Duplicate Damsel have been two of the Legion's most valuable members, when they ask for help we come running. Can you tell us what you saw please, Kando?"

"Of course." Kando motioned to a chair covered in cabling with a contraption that looked like some absurdly oversized helmet perched atop the weirdly throne-like construct. "This is only a prototype, but I call it my Pre-Crime Monitoring Station. Once I refine it a little, my hope is that we'll be able to mass-produce these stations and Naltorians will be able to use them to more efficiently predict and prevent crimes from occurring throughout the United Planets...under Science Police jurisdiction of course." Unnoticed by anyone, Mon-El's jaw clenched a little more tightly than usual. He'd seen enough in his extended lifetime to know that these kind of crime prevention measures were far too easily co-opted for more sinister purposes, but he realised it wasn't his place to raise those concerns right now.

Kando continued. "I was giving the station a test run and foresaw that villain Fearstorm will be running amok on Titan today...I know how much trouble he's caused here in the past so I thought I should notify Bouncing Boy as soon as I'd narrowed down the timeframe enough to be useful."

"...an' Bouncing Boy called us." Perched on a pipe fitting, King Canary caught them up to where they were now. "This Fearstorm squaj must be pretty tough ta bring in so many of us, huh boss-lady?"

"Honestly?" Phantom Girl shrugged. "Under normal circumstances I would have brought Blok and Tellus here with one or two of you for backup, but Blok and Tellus aren't available and Chuck and Lu have a very good reason for asking for so many of us today."

"Fearstorm is a gestalt being," Luornu picked up from Tinya. "Two Titanian men named Mil Conwai and Ry Alger found a way to pool their psyches into one composite being which is far more powerful than the sum of its parts. Just like the ancient Terran hero Firestorm was able to transmute elements, Fearstorm can transmute any emotional state both with individual beings and a larger population. Chuck and I have experienced the terror Fearstorm inflicts first-hand and it's not to be taken lightly, Legionnaires." Duplicate Damsel unconsciously hugged herself as she finished talking, and Phantom Girl flashed her a sympathetic glance.

"In case that wasn't bad enough," Bouncing Boy took over, "After the first time Fearstorm was defeated, Titanian authorities placed Conwai and Alger in different rehabilitation centres in uptown Titanopolis. Their bond was so strong they managed to merge again even despite the physical distance. When the Legion took Fearstorm down again, we petitioned to have at least one of the men sent to Takron-Galtos but Titangov didn't want to hand over responsibility for their rehabilitation...instead they've institutionalised them on opposite sides of Titan, so if Fearstorm is going to reappear today we have to assume there are one of two places that might happen."

"And you need enough Legionnaires to cover your bases," Shrinking Violet concluded.

"Exactly," Phantom Girl concurred. "Chuck, Lu; I hope you don't mind if I suggest splitting you two up as you're our best guides here without Saturn Girl on the active roster. Cham, Gim, Laurel, Bobb; you four come with Chuck and me and we'll confirm that Mr Conwai is safely locked up where he needs to be. Mon, could I please ask you to take everyone else and accompany Lu to check on Alger?"

The gathered heroes all agreed to Phantom Girl's plan, and soon the two squads were on their way.

**********

High-speed transport tubes initially took Phantom Girl's crew on an awe-inspiring journey over Titanopolis where the gleaming city stretched out below them and Saturn took up a huge portion of the sky above. Before long they'd diverted underground, and for over thirty minutes the only view they had was of the pale green lighting inserted into one of many man-made tunnels cutting beneath Titan's icy crust.

The Titan which greeted them on their return to the surface was a very different Titan to the one they'd left behind. Driving snow filled a starless night sky. The temperature wasn't quite so extreme that they needed their transuits but everyone donned bulky insulated overcoats except for the indestructible Supergirl and Chameleon Boy (who had the luxury of being able to take on any number of warm furry forms). There were no towering spires here, just squat windowless utilitarian structures. In one of these buildings, the Legionnaires showed their ID at three separate checkpoints and were eventually provided a therapy droid companion who took them deep into the sublevels of this isolated psychomedical institute. They were led to the residential quarters of Mil Conwai, observing him through one-way plexiglass while they decided the best way to approach him.

"Wow, this is not what I was expecting," Laurel remarked, the blue and red streaks in her hair reflected in the glass along with her glowing golden earrings.

"I suppose it makes sense," Cham noted. "Rehabilitation efforts must be a lot more effective if the patient's comfortable in their surroundings."

Unlike the fairly spartan corridor out here, Conwai's room was plushly decorated and holoscreens projected an artificial view which gave every impression that he was still in the middle of Titanopolis. Conwai himself was laying on top of his bed, hands massaging his temples and his face utterly relaxed.

"What's the protocol here?" Phantom Girl asked the droid. "Can we go in and talk to him?"

Before the advanced automaton could reply, Mil Conwai's thin lips turned up in a crooked smile. An etheral blue flame seemed to engulf him, though it did no harm to his bed nor did it register on any security monitors. In the time it took Phantom Girl to run through the wall, Conwai was gone. Outside the room, Chuck Taine's heart sank. As much as he'd never wanted to experience Fearstorm's power again, he'd secretly hoped that the villain would be waiting for them down here at the bottom of the world...

....because this just meant his wife was going to have to face him instead.

**********

Back in Titanopolos, Ry Alger's quarters were similarly underground. Mon-El and the others hadn't had to endure the environmental extremes to which their teammates had been subjected however; in fact, Duplicate Damsel had led them on quite a pleasant afternoon walk across the city until they reached the building holding the second half of the entity named Fearstorm. The Gru Avenci Memorial Psychomedical Institute could have been mistaken for a day spa when the Legionnaires entered; smiling staff strolled about in pastel uniforms and the architecture was equally soft pastels and rounded edges. It was only when a therapy droid escorted them via turbolift to the maximum security area deep underground that the building became hard. Featureless grey walls and visible security equipment everywhere reminded some of the Legionnaires more of a prison than a place of healing.

Shrinking Violet ignored the building for a moment to consider her fellow teammates. Under almost any other circumstances, she'd bet on Duplicate Damsel and Mon-El to be able to deal with just about anything; Vi wouldn't personally have chosen the Daxamite to confront a foe whose specialty was emotional torture, but that was neither here nor there. Of the three new recruits on their squad, Vi trusted Mwindaji the most. The tracker was quiet, but studiously so. Vi had no doubt he was constantly evaluating his environment, and in the Legion's gym she'd regularly seen the intense focus he placed on self-advancement. Life Lass was another matter; she was also much more quiet than her teammates, but in her case it was clearly an expression of her low self-esteem. She seemed uncomfortable everywhere, and if Vi was honest it probably annoyed her as much as it did because Violet herself had once been that same girl. She had no real opinion on King Canary yet, she'd been on Lallor for most of his introduction to the Legion. She did find it mildly amusing that such a delicate looking creature presented himself with such gruff mannerisms, but she supposed the same could be said of herself on occasion.

While Mon-El declared himself to yet another security checkpoint, Vi took the opportunity to approach Life Lass. She'd been wanting to talk to Somi since they'd left Lallor but it was impossible to get the woman away from Evolvo Lad or Gas Girl and whenever either of those two were around, Life Lass instinctively deferred to them in just about every way. "How are you finding the Legion since you joined?" Vi asked innocently.

Life Lass flinched, seemingly shocked that anybody would acknowledge her directly at all. "It's...fine. Thank you for asking, Violet."

"Is it though?" Vi shot back.

"What do you mean..?" Life Lass asked timidly.

"It's just that you don't seem to really be all that enthusiastic about joining the Legion," Violet stated bluntly. "Someone might think you've been railroaded into it by your more assertive friends if they didn't know any better."

"That's..." Life Lass frowned slightly, then paused as she took a moment to compose her thoughts. "I know what I must seem like to you other Legionnaires," Somi chose each word carefully. "Gas Girl and Evolvo Lad are much more extroverted than I am. I'm not comfortable around most people, not like they are. The truth is--"

A chilling wave of pure fear washed over everyone present, and Life Lass involuntarily recoiled. "What on Lallor was that?"

"That was Fearstorm," Duplicate Damsel answered grimly. "Let's go, Legion!"

Mon-El surpassed everyone else, but Luornu and the other Legionnaires weren't far behind him as he sped down the corridor. One of the primary components of the psi-shielding which permeated the entire structure at this level was lead, so Mon-El was feeling uncommonly hampered as his x-ray vision was useless here. He had no problem whatsoever honing in on the source of the anxiety encompassing all of them though, the effect increased the closer he came to his foe. Anguished wails rose up from behind doorways all around them, making the situation worse. Mon didn't want to say anything which would unnerve his teammates even further, but he found it deeply concerning that Fearstorm's impact was so strongly felt given all that psi-shielding; he wasn't at all looking forward to this confrontation.

The Legionnaires all came to a sudden halt as they saw a scene straight out of Hell in the corridor before them. At the best of times there were few living staff members in this part of the institute, many of these patients suffered from violent psychoses and it was considered best to limit their exposure to other psi-sensitives as much as possible. Two Titanian therapists had been down here engaging in treatment sessions though, and Fearstorm had obviously manipulated them into freeing himself and everyone else around him. The outnumbered therapists were receiving savage beatings from some of the escaped patients while other patients injured themselves taking on the droids who worked down here. Two more patients had heard the Legion coming and turned on the heroes now with deeply unsettling grins. Above it all, a black and blue garbed figure floated in a messianic pose surrounded by an aura of blue flame. His face was little more than the suggestion of a skull, but the Legionnaires could swear that he was gazing intently at every single one of them. Mon-El was thankful that at least the psi-shielding down here was enough to dampen the powers of every other Titanian around them if not Fearstorm himself.

"He--he's different," Luornu stammered, eyes wide with horror. "He looks...sacred Trinity, he looks more inhuman than he was before."

Mon-El could hear her heart pounding as though it were being amplified throughout the room; she'd stared down Mordru and the Time Trapper without being this scared. "Luornu," the Daxamite spoke firmly but gently. "Protect those doctors until Mwindaji can heal them and then escort them out of here. You others, take care of the escapees but go easy on them. Remember, they're not well. Fearstorm's mine."

Accelerating faster than anybody else could react, Mon-El charged into Fearstorm and slammed him into a metal door at the end of the corridor hard enough to deform the door. He'd read Fearstorm's file; the composite man was durable enough to have once taken a blow from Diamond Damsel so that gave Mon-El a good starting point. As the skull-like visage looked up into Mon-El's face though, Mon wondered if he shouldn't have pulled his punch quite so much.

"Your concern for your friends is clear," Fearstorm's sepulchral voice rasped, "Even with our normal telepathic senses dampened in this place. What happens however when that concern becomes utter terror?"

Mon-El threw the man as a shroud of fear draped over the Daxamite, and Fearstorm tumbled down the corridor until he was halfway back to the other Legionnaires. The flaming villain laughed wickedly and climbed to his feet once more.

"I've been frightened before," Mon-El spoke as he advanced on Fearstorm. "I lived a thousand years with nothing but my fear--"

"Oh yes," Fearstorm interrupted him. "Thank you for reminding us, Daxamite. How awful it must have been for you to watch your loved ones die along with every legacy they'd left behind. Let's revisit that, shall we?" He bathed Mon-El with translucent blue flame, and it all came rushing back to the hero. It wasn't just the people he'd already lost...as he gazed upon Luornu, Vi and the others even now he could almost see them decaying before his eyes. Everything he'd done in his life to deal with his trauma meant nothing, he was submerged beneath this fear and sinking like a stone. Lar Gand released an ungodly howl of pain and tore straight up through the ceiling and every other ceiling above it until he reached open air, then he kept flying until he'd left Titan far behind.

Parts of the structure collapsed in on themselves as Mon-El fled, but not enough to endanger anybody else down here with Fearstorm. As the last of Duplicate Damsel's bodies carried out patients the Legion had been forced to incapacitate, Fearstorm turned on the remaining heroes.

He began to address them, but was cut off by King Canary. "No more yappin' outta you, pal...I ain't gonna let you get inta our heads like ya did Mon-El!" Like a switch being flipped, King Canary's gravelly growl was replaced by a shrill screeching sound that caused everyone in the subterranean hallway to jam their hands over their ears.

Fearstorm doubled over in pain and his outlines began to blur, but before he could succumb fully to the little bird's assault he threw King Canary a hateful glare. The avian hero screamed even louder, though with far less focus. He brought more of the roof down and left everybody present with ringing ears. The sonic onslaught ended as abruptly as it had begun, and Prince K'rk T'wiiu of Aeres dropped out of the air and lay still on the ground.

Mwindaji could hear nothing beyond the ringing in his ears, but he could see Fearstorm gloating over his victory and he noticed Shrinking Violet directing Life Lass to don her telepathic earplugs so they could communicate. It was a clever tactic, but not one that Mwindaji had time to emulate. He'd been with the Legion long enough now to have a sense of the worlds in which these people lived and there was one thing he was utterly certain of; most of them had very little familiarity with animal life. King Canary was brave, but he was still just a bird. Fearstorm may well have scared him to death, and the others would be completely oblivious to the danger. The athletic young tracker knew he'd have to trust the girls to handle Fearstorm, he was the only one who could help King Canary right now. He picked up the tiny Legionnaire, nestling him gently between cupped hands. Mwindaji could sense that his unconscious teammate was still alive, but only barely. Rest, little warrior, he thought as the white glow of his power healed King Canary's overstressed heart and the broken bones which had resulted from his fall.

While this was happening, Fearstorm stared down Shrinking Violet and Life Lass. His power kept them at bay, the Imskian too cowed to even use her power. He couldn't taunt them with this infernal ringing in his ears though, and while the building's psi-shielding barely impacted his ability to transmute one emotional state to another it did effectively block his telepathy. If he couldn't even communicate to these useless women, he saw no benefit in sticking around any longer to torture them...not when a whole planet of victims awaited him.

As Fearstorm began to follow the escape route Mon-El had conveniently carved for him, Violet tried in vain to conquer this overwhelming terror which had paralysed her. <I know I should shrink down and follow him>, she thought at Life Lass over the circuit their telepathic earplugs created, <even if it's just to monitor his whereabouts until Phantom Girl's team finds us...but I can't, Life Lass. My power just makes me smaller, more useless...I'm so useless!>

The women had to maintain physical contact for the telepathic earplugs to work down here amid all this psi-shielding, but Vi was gripping Life Lass's forearm hard enough to hurt. Somi didn't mind though, the pain was helping her focus through her own fear. <You said earlier that I didn't seem too enthusiastic about joining the Legion of Superheroes>, Life Lass returned. <The truth is, I'm not. What maniac would enthusiastically embrace this life, Violet? I've lost people I love, I'm constantly in fear of losing more friends or dying myself...do you think when I woke up this morning I wanted to fight a villain that made even Mon-El flee in terror?>

As she watched Fearstorm begin to ascend through the hole that Mon-El had made, Life Lass made her move...she wouldn't have been able to muster the courage to do this while she could still see that awful face, now was her best chance to stop him. Fearstorm was between this level and the one above them when all the debris Mon-El and King Canary had inadvertantly created crammed itself back into the space from which it had come. It jammed him in, painfully so, and then thanks to Life Lass it squeezed him harder. <I'm scared all the time>, Life Lass continued. <I'm scared and I'm anxious and I'd like nothing better than to have a husband and some kids and to spend my days caring for them away from all this insanity.>

Unable to escape the trap he found himself in, Fearstorm bellowed in pain and finally separated back into two unconscious men who fell to the floor in front of everyone when Life Lass relaxed her power. Everyone's hearing had finally begun to return now, and Somi removed her telepathic earplugs. "My power gives me a responsibility to stand against evil," Somi said out loud. "I'm not going to ignore that just because it'd make my life easier. I'm honoured to be in the Legion of Superheroes, Violet...I just wish I lived in a universe where a legion of superheroes didn't need to exist."

Having said her piece, Life Lass nervously looked away and left Vi to consider her words in silence.

**********

MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


ROLL CALL
Amp aka Ming Sul: Legion Academy student; amplification of any power or characteristic
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: Legion Academy student; ability to bypass any man-made lock

Miqui Ver rapped on the door to Amp's quarters even louder than last time. "Ming, come on! I don't wanna be late for our first day at the Legion Academy! Are you gonna make me use my power and just come in there?"

The door irised open and Key Kid's jaw dropped. "Your hair!" the young redhead exclaimed.

"I felt like a change," Amp replied simply, running her gloved hand over her freshly clippered scalp. Black fuzz now took the place of the fashionable bob she'd had in all the time the two young heroes had been acquainted. Her hairstyle wasn't the only change which had overcome the young heroine; her costume was almost identical in design, but composed now of shiny skin-tight latex rather than the more modest skirted garment she'd worn in the Heroes of Lallor. From the neck down, Amp was covered in a high gloss deep red bodysuit which looked as though it had been sprayed on. The outfit was broken up by a similarly shiny black neckpiece, belt, gloves and boots along with a hologram projected over her chest which symbolised a signal being amplified. While Key Kid took all of this in, Amp donned a red visor which completed the look.

"So what's with all of this?" Key Kid waved his hand over her as they walked toward their first class.

"I told you," Amp replied, not looking at him as she strode forward, "I felt like a change." After a brief pause, she continued. "This isn't Lallor, Miq. We've got a real chance here to learn how to be the best heroes we can be...and I need that, because I don't ever want to be as useless again as I was when Duplicate Boy turned on us back home. So I'm using this as an opportunity to reinvent myself a bit, because I don't ever want to be a victim again."

Somewhere beyond the walls of the Legion of Superheroes' headquarters, a red-haired man several years older than Amp or Key Kid watched the teens through the scope of a long-range rifle. The two blurred for a moment before he refocused on Amp so he could read the young woman's lips. "Oh, you're gonna be a victim again very soon," he gave a smug smile. "Don't you worry about that, girl."

**********

EDITOR'S NOTE: Tranquility is a heroine based on Earth's moon. You can read about her encounter with the Legion of Superheroes here
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Fear and Loathing - 04/24/21 10:37 AM
Ah, young heartbreak. Indeed, teen hysterics from Waiane. Poor Dag... Tel is gonna have to take responsibility sooner or later! (Also, Waiane is gonna have to grow up... that whole "can have a relationship thing... it's not like Tel was gonna go back to Waiane!) then again, Tel isn't the most mature either.)

Laurel and Bobb gossiping is funny smile Were I Bobb, I would also be a bit worried about whether Tel had all the body parts I like wink

Nice touch, having Chuck be Chief of Security!

Gim and Cham's friendship, I love it. Yeah, what about Tranquility? They worked well together...

Tinya's "honestly, Fearstorm isn't usually that bad!" was a nice touch.

Laurel's dyed hair is a nice touch.

Aw, Chuck's love for Lu, hoping she would not have to face Fearstorm...

Vi's thoughts on hear teammates are interesting! And on point.

Mwindaji was impressive, realizing that King Canary has an avian physiology!

Ah, poor Somi. I'm glad she got her moment to confront and articulate her fear...! And I very much respect her for fighting against that fear. Good going! What a great outing for her.

Nice change for Amp... but gosh, I wonder who this dangerous man is...
Posted By: razsolo Re: Fear and Loathing - 04/26/21 04:46 AM
Hi IB, thanks for reading!

Tranquility was a victim of too many plates in the air at once to keep them all going, I do have plans for her to make an appearance sooner or later though!

Believe it or not, I forgot I gave Laurel the red and blue streaks till I stumbled across some old art I did just before posting this laugh

I didn't wanna drag Life Lass's arc out forever but also I wanted to show that in this case, Vi may have been projecting a bit based on her own experiences and that sometimes a shy person is just naturally like that and they don't need to be "fixed".

Next up: Otaki! Lamprey and her space octopus! And (hopefully) a killer cliffhanger!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Fear and Loathing - 04/26/21 08:21 AM
yay! I remember Tranquility fondly, am glad she will show up again.

Hah, I am also guilty of forgetting little details about my characters...

The Life Lass arc is interesting. On one hand, introversion and shyness are ok. On the other hand, being constantly afraid could be a liability... but then, Somi showed she can work through her fear (even against someone like Fearstorm!) ...! Brilliant, having this also be about Vi.

Yay Otaki! Yay Lamprey! Yay telepathic Space Octopus kid!
Posted By: razsolo The Aquamarines! - 05/06/21 01:41 PM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


ROLL CALL
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

Drawing closer to the blocky building which housed both the Legion of Superheroes and the Legion Academy, Dawnstar flew a ring around Wildfire as though he were moving in slow motion and planted a kiss on his visor along her way. "I have very much enjoyed the past few days on Starhaven, Drake. Thank you for accompanying me."

"Anytime, Dawny. I think it was just what we needed, to be honest!" The anti-energy being suddenly jolted in surprise, and Dawnstar saw the cause of his shock reflected in his visor.

"Surely that can't be..." Dawnstar slowed her descent and changed direction to face the bizarre sight.

"Is that a sprocking submarine??" Wildfire exclaimed.

There was indeed a 200 foot long radiant green submarine floating down from high above, and as the two Legionnaires came closer to it they had their suspicions confirmed as to its mistress. Perched on the nose of the vessel as though she were riding a steed, Neon sat in full emerald pirate regalia. In one hand she held a hardlight replica of a primitive hand-held telescope. "Ahoy there, skylubbers!" she greeted her teammates with a cheery wave.

"Mixing your metaphors a little there, kid!" Wildfire laughed.

"This feels like one of those times we may be better not knowing," Dawnstar allowed herself an amused smile, "But what is the meaning of all this, Neon?"

"While you guys have been on leave, Phantom Girl assigned us all temporary partners to work with," Zoe Saugin explained. "I got Tellus so I thought I might as well do him a favour and pick him up from Medicus one." She rapped on the submarine beneath her and the others saw now that the entire construct was filled with a liquid methane solution which Tellus had been happily swimming around in. "How you doin' in there, buddy?" Zoe yelled through the transparent hull.

<I feel much improved, thank you Neon!> Tellus approached the hull and his contented telepathic voice washed over all of their conscious minds. <I am grateful to Medicus One for their efforts toward my wellbeing, but it feels wonderful to have more space in which to swim. Greetings, Wildfire; Dawnstar!>

Dawnstar landed on one knee next to Neon, Wildfire standing right behind her. "Hello, my friend!" she greeted Tellus, "I heard about your mishap with Alek Arcane, it is good to see that you are on your way to recovery!"

"What she said," Wildfire added. "Welcome home, big guy!"

<Thank you both> the Hykraian responded warmly. <I am pleased to--> Tellus seemed distracted for a fraction of a second before continuing, though they all noticed his telepathic voice seemed a little more wary. <--I just had the oddest sensation, but I am certain it was nothing. I am pleased to be home once more!>

**********

On the other side of Marsopolis, the young woman who called herself Otaki recoiled so hard she almost smacked her head on the wall of the cheap room she'd rented.

Otaki chided herself for her recklessness and looked around her decrepit room, her only possession a meagre bag of clothes thrown in a corner near the foot of her single bed. This room was smaller than even her dorm on Titan had been, and definitely much more run-down. However, she'd been plagued with nightmares since her disastrous trip to join the Legion of Superheroes and this had been the only way to stop those nightmares. At the same time, she'd felt some growing urge to return here to Mars again anyway. She'd resisted that urge initially, but eventually Otaki realised she was only going to find answers to the terrors which plagued her by confronting them head-on.

She was glad now that she had come back here. Some mysterious intelligence had made contact with her the first night she'd returned to this planet, and he'd been whispering in her mind each night thereafter. He'd taught her to master her power far more quickly than anyone on Titan ever did, to overcome the horrors which came to her in her sleep and even to improve her mindsense to the point where she could now spy on the Legion from afar with them (for the most part) none the wiser. She still needed to work on her abilities though, and knew that she'd extended herself dangerously today.

Otaki placated herself with the knowledge that soon, her benefactor would help her smash through those limitations just as he'd helped her smash through every limitation standing in her way till now.

...and then she would never be scared again.

**********

VAVALLA
Arcur Ryth Memorial Spaceport


ROLL CALL
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference

As Star Boy walked through Vavalla's one spaceport, it occurred to him that Comet Queen hadn't stopped talking for more than four seconds since they'd left Mars. Thom could understand how she and Quislet had gotten along so well, the two of them were as hyperactive as one another.

"Parse me to the C-span!" Grava enthused. "Doesn't this put the super in supernova, Starshine? You know, it's your fault I'm in the Legion in the first place! Quantum coinkydink, huh?"

Thom realised she'd asked him something and felt mildly guilty that he'd started ignoring her about halfway here. "Sorry, Comet Queen...I didn't quite catch that?"

"I was just saying," the golden heroine beamed at him while waving to the many fans who stopped to gawk and record holopics, "It's gleaming bright how Phantom Girl made you and me a binary system for the week, don't you think? I wouldn't even be the cosmic crusader I am if it weren't for you!"

Star Boy gave an appreciative chuckle, though he'd always thought it was completely insane how Grava had thrown herself into the tail of a comet without the slightest concern for her safety just because she'd heard about Thom getting a temporary power increase once from a similar accident. Still, he couldn't deny that she had gained powers and she had proven herself in the Legion since then; he supposed he couldn't judge her too harshly.

"I scan them!" Grava squealed abruptly and rocketed toward the spaceport lounge, leaving harmless glittering gas in her wake. She almost bowled Lamprey over when she hugged her, before wrapping her arms around the eyeless blue and yellow cephalopod floating next to her. "Starshines! How have you been, gimme that glow!"

"Same old Grava," Lamprey greeted her. "Married life hasn't changed you, I see...speaking of which, I'm surprised you didn't bring your husband this time around!"

"Chlory's a full time sprout gardener now!" Grava replied. "We only blazed back to Mars from our honeymoon yesterday but I wanted to check in on my little rogue planet S'jn as soon as I got a chance! I brought Star Boy along for the ride, he hasn't been to Vavalla yet!"

Thom finally caught up to his errant teammate and offered Lamprey a hand. "I have been here before with Nura, but never on official Legion business...I hear you're doing quite impressively out here, Lamprey! And this must be S'jn?"

<I am honoured to meet another of Comet Queen's teammates> the hovering octopus projected at Thom. <Lamprey has told me all about the Legion of Superheroes since she has been helping me acclimatise to your space, Star Boy> The telepathic being extended a tentacle to Comet Queen and Lamprey first, then once Star Boy had seen them make contact he was next. <Shall we journey on to our home?>

Lamprey nodded her assent and while Thom wasn't entirely sure what to expect, he reached out to touch the tentacle which had been offered. An orange glow surrounded them all, then blinding strobes exploded in their eyes and they were no longer there.

When Thom Kallor's vision cleared, he found himself on a beachfront with endless blue seas ahead. Behind him, the sand gave way to a grassy hill and atop that hill sat a single level home which was all glass and exposed beams. "Wow," Star Boy rubbed his eyes. "I could do without the eye strain, but that didn't even feel like we were moving! How far did we just teleport?"

"43 local miles," Lamprey replied as she walked up the sand accompanied by Comet Queen and the floating S'jn. "And that's nothing, you should see when they really want to show off! You coming, Star Boy? That good for nothin' boyfriend of mine must have drinks ready for us all by now!"

Thom trudged uphill, wishing he'd thought to bring a change of clothes as he saw Lamprey direct Grava to a bathroom where she could don the bathing suit she'd brought in a backpack slung over one shoulder. Star Boy's distinctive costume covered him from the neck down and wasn't really ideal for this part of Vavalla at this time of year. Besides that, his beard itched.

Once he was closer to the house, Thom saw that they weren't as isolated as he'd first assumed. A road led away from the house and though Thom couldn't see any other buildings thanks to strategically placed tree cover, he could see air and water vehicles departing and arriving in the distance. A young Vavallan man sat at an outdoor table setting with enough iced beverages for all of them. A mop of fashionably unruly brown hair partially obsured his shiny black eyes, giving his smirk a roguish quality as he greeted S'jn who'd obviously just said something to him telepathically. "You must be Turtle?" Star Boy asked the athletic blue-skinned man. "Comet Queen told me about you on the way over here. I'm--"

"--Star Boy," Turtle completed the introduction as he handed Thom a glass of lemon scented liquid. "The suit kinda gives you away, Legionnaire."

Thom chuckled as he sat down opposite Turtle. Lamprey and Comet Queen soon joined them, both of them in shiny metallic bathing suits which were distractingly similar to their individual skin tones. "What's up with this?" Lamprey held the skintight sleeve of Turtle's brown costume between two webbed fingers. "You expecting the Fatal Five to attack?"

"Come on, Gorgeous!" Turtle protested. "Every time your Legion buddies visit we end up neck deep in some crazy superhero thing...at least me and Star Boy will be dressed for it this time around!" He held his glass up toward Thom with a cheeky grin.

"...and he calls me uptight," Lamprey laughed.

While Lamprey, Turtle, Star Boy and Comet Queen made small talk, S'jn floated off to keep theirself entertained by the seaside. "This place is hypernova gleaming by the way, starshine!" Grava enthused, looking over her stylish home. "How do you afford a mega-station like this on Science Police creds?"

Lamprey buried her face in one hand. "Ugh, it's kind of embarassing..."

"Daddy bought it!" Turtle beamed, knowing full well how annoying Lamprey found this story. "So, it's no big secret this gal domesticated ya boy Turtle...but I wasn't always the fine upstandin' member of society I am now, which caused some friction with my very rich dad Senator Shujim Tarka himself back in the day. So when Tayla here got me on the straight 'n' narrow and helped me patch things up with my family, Dad went and upgraded her crib to say thanks!"

"That's...quite some gift," Star Boy's eyes widened.

"I had to talk him down from giving me house staff as well," Lamprey groaned. "Anyway...Turtle, go get us some more drinks. Grava, could you be a sweetie and help him?"

"Mission accepted!" Comet Queen stood bolt upright and snapped out a military salute before she and Turtle raced one another into the kitchen.

Once both of them were in the house, Lamprey leaned across to Star Boy and spoke in a slightly more serious tone. "So there's something I wanted to run by you while Comet Queen's out of earshot..."

"Me..?" Thom was puzzled; he didn't recall ever having had a full conversation with Lamprey before today.

"I mean not you specifically but another Legionnaire," the green-skinned girl clarified. "You know, one who umm...someone whose opinion might carry more weight than Grava's. Don't get me wrong...I know she's great and her good qualities sure stand out a lot more when you're not in a school class with her driving you space crazy every day, but I'm glad one of the more old-school Legionnaires came out here today as well."

"Okay, well...you've got my curiosity piqued!" Star Boy admitted. "What is it, Lamprey?"

She looked down at the blue and yellow octopus floating just above the water a couple of metres from the shore. "It's S'jn....we've found out more about their people since S'jn was exiled here on Vavalla, and unfortunately I don't think they're even from our dimension. I don't see how we're ever going to reunite them...or rescue anyone else S'jn's people have abducted for that matter, but one thing at a time I guess...but the thing I wanted to run by you is that I think they'd be a really good candidate for the Legion Academy. They can teleport interstellar distances and that range is only going to improve as they get older; their telepathy and telekinesis is nowhere near as powerful as say Tellus, but it's still useful...they're incredibly intelligent and they really want to use their gifts to help people. We've even picked out a superhero name, we--"

"We got choices!" An oblivious Turtle hollered as he and Comet Queen emerged from the house weighed down with different jugs of fluid.

"Pick my one!" Comet Queen flew out in front of him, a stack of glasses awkwardly nestled in one arm while she carried a full jug of some twinkling multi-hued beverage in her free hand. "I made it up all by myself, it's called a Rainbow Nebula and--"

"Bogdan!!" Lamprey suddenly screeched Turtle's real name as she and Star Boy almost knocked their chairs over standing up. Grava saw their reactions and heard the discordant shattering of glass behind her. She spun mid-flight to see Turtle disappearing into the blue skies above, carried by someone in a suit with enormous artificial wings.

Almost simultaneously, they all heard S'jn's calm telepathic voice in their heads. <Lamprey, Legionnaires; we have visitors and their intentions do not seem friendly>

Indeed, emerging from the water around S'jn were a Vavallan man and woman. The woman had dark auburn hair slicked back tight against her scalp which exploded into a mass of wet curls where she'd tied it back. She wore a maroon bodysuit with tan accents, and two intercrossing belts which hung loosely at her hips. From these belts, she drew two golden cutlasses embossed with some kind of red jagged and twisting patterns. The man was a bald behemoth, easily 6'9" and solid muscle. Ancient Vavallan tribal tattoos covered his bare arms and one side of his scalp. He bore a gleaming white trident in his meaty arms and a mean snarl on his face. Both of them had a blue-green circle printed on the chest of their outfits, a symbol inside the circle resembling waves in motion.

"Comet Queen!" Star Boy barked. "Go after Turtle, but be careful! Remember, he's invulnerable but you're not!"

"S'jn!" Lamprey cried out immediately after. "Star Boy and I can handle these two, you go back up Grava and Turtle...and what he said about being careful!"

"Embarassing selection of last words if you ask me," the red-haired woman gave a wry smile as she slashed out toward S'jn with one golden blade. The strange eyeless cephalopod had already begun manifesting their power however, and by the time the woman's weapon had completed its path through the air S'jn had vanished in a flash of orange light.

Star Boy immediately took to the air, taking attention away from Lamprey who was trying as covertly as possible to make her way toward the water where she'd be able to put her powers to use. "I hope you two have something going for you aside from ancient weapon fetishes," Thom announced, "Because this is going to be way too easy otherwise."

"Why don't you show him what you've got going for you, White Trident?" the woman flashed her much larger comrade a quick glance.

"Whatever you say, Cutlass." With surprising speed, the man named White Trident spun his namesake weapon until it was facing Thom. The three tines vibrated and an ear-piercing sonic assault warped the air before it. Star Boy managed to evade the brunt of the attack, but even so he felt as though it may have broken some ribs. Crying out in pain, Star Boy was blasted out of the air and only judicious use of his flight ring enabled him to break his fall in some nearby shrubbery.

In the time it took Thom Kallor to extricate himself from the vegetation, White Trident had already made his way up the hill and was levelling his weapon for another attack. "Thanks, but once is enough!" Thom grunted. He reached out and the dark aura of his power enveloped the trident, causing it to drop where it sank half an inch into the lawn.

White Trident tried to pick up his weapon for a couple of seconds before he realised it was futile and advanced on Star Boy unarmed. "I'm twice your size and adapted to ocean pressure," the giant blue man sneered. "I don't need my trident to take you apart, Legionnaire."

"Oh no," Star Boy deadpanned. "I've never had to face anyone more physically powerful than myself, whatever will I do."

Thom presented a cocky attitude, but he hoped he could deal with his foe quickly; he was only even standing upright thanks to his flight ring. He reached out again toward White Trident and brought his power to bear. The big man slowed as he felt his mass increase, but he kept pushing forward. Even when he could only drag one foot in front of the other in something less than a shamble, he kept coming. White Trident collapsed to one knee, but with a herculean effort he pushed himself back up again and he kept coming. Then finally, his last physical resources exhausted, the bald giant collapsed face-down not even ten feet from Thom Kallor. Once he was confident the man wasn't getting back up, Star Boy released the breath he'd been holding in and as gently as possible floated down to lay on the cool grass himself.

**********

Oblivious to Star Boy's struggle, Lamprey and Cutlass had begun circling one another warily on the beach. "What do you creeps want with Turtle?" Lamprey demanded.

"You won't be around long enough for it to matter, cop." Cutlass swiped playfully at Lamprey, causing her to take a step back. "If you want information though I'll tell you this much - we're under specific instructions to take you out. Your pals are just extra coral on the reef."

Lamprey realised she'd taken a step closer to the sea and kept backing up in that direction. "You obviously know who I am if you know I'm a Science Police officer," she pushed. "Do you know how much trouble you'd be in for killing an SP? Not to mention members of the Legion of Superheroes!"

Cutlass gave a hearty laugh as she slashed lazily at the air where Lamprey had been. "Girl, we're the Aquamarines...do you really think we give a qrot about the Science Police? And even the Legion of Superheroes are no match for us in our natural element; let them come look for us, we'll turn the ocean red with their blood!"

Lamprey hoped the shock she felt hadn't registered on her face. The Aquamarines were Vavalla's most infamous criminal mercenaries; she had no doubt the Legion of Superheroes could take them down, but she wasn't so sure about her chances. What have you gotten yourself into now, Bogdan? she pondered fearfully.

"Go on then," Cutlass motioned for the open water with one of her swords. "Aren't you going to take this underwater where you can finish me off with your special powers, Officer Skott?"

Lamprey scowled hatefully at the woman...she'd been playing with her all along! "Oh, it's on." Tayla turned and ran, diving into the clear blue waters as soon as she was deep enough to be submerged. Powerful leg muscles propelled her off-shore, till soon she was immersed fully in the embrace of the ocean.

Naturally evolved for ocean life, Cutlass was a more accomplished swimmer than even Lamprey and she caught up to her prey almost immediately. Before she could close the range, Lamprey let loose with a bio-electric blast which lit up her surrounds like a flashbulb and sent a school of wide-tailed fish fleeing. Without breaking stride, Cutlass intercepted the energy blast with one of her swords and absorbed it harmlessly.

"Surprised?" Cutlass grinned wickedly. "Your fancy powers don't mean qrot to me, not while I've got these babies!" She intercepted another blast, then slashed out toward Lamprey. Tayla ducked down beneath the swordstrike, but it cut off most of her long train of green hair.

Lamprey realised just how much faster, stronger and more skilled this woman was and for the first time she was beginning to wonder how she'd get out of this in one piece. Before she could resolve that question, her world exploded into pain as the hilt of one of Cutlass's swords smashed straight into her temple.
Reeling, Lamprey clutched on to her consciousness with an iron grip. She was dimly aware of Cutlass raising twin blades over her, but couldn't shake this haze enough to do anything about it. Finally, crying out in fear and frustration, the young Terran mutate forced her bio-electric power to radiate omnidirectionally. It wasn't a natural use of her abilities and it pained her as much as anything Cutlass might do, but Cutlass's blades couldn't block a power which encompassed her entirely. Both women passed out without realising that Lamprey's desperate gambit had just saved her own life.

**********

Miles away, a man in a blue bodysuit which was so pale as to almost be white soared masterfully through Vavallan skies. He'd snared Turtle by his belt, and the invulnerable youth had no leverage to be able to do anything about it. "I recognise you," Turtle yelled over the wind. "You're Skyfin, right? From the Aquamarines? Why the sprock do you guys care about any of us??"

The man named Skyfin looked down, an enormous curved visor hiding all of his face except his patronising sneer. "We don't care about you, kid. We care about creds...and the lady who hired us is paying us enough creds for your nass that we'll all be able to buy our own resorts after this!"

"What? What lady?!" Turtle was honestly clueless. There were plenty of angry women in his past, but none angry enough to pay Vavalla's most accomplished mercenary group to kidnap him...besides which, that life was far behind him. It had taken him an awfully long time to earn Lamprey's trust and he absolutely understood why that was, but he really did care about her. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd been with another woman before Tayla.

"No more talk," Skyfin's finned helmet jerked up as he ascended swiftly. "Time for you to meet Torpedo." The flying man released his grip, and Turtle plummeted helplessly toward the ocean thousands of feet below.

"Starshine!" He suddenly heard Comet Queen's voice. "Don't let your orbit decay, I'll save you!" He saw the golden woman speeding straight at him, and then saw twin mini-missiles speeding straight at her.

"Comet Queen, no! Get away from me, look behind you!" Grava turned her head, and veered off-course with a frown. One of the projectiles careened straight into Turtle, and just before it struck him he saw it had the same color and finned wing design as the man who'd just carried him out here. The explosion meant nothing to Turtle, but he and Comet Queen had the same realisation; the second one would most certainly kill her if it hit her.

Sophisticated homing technology kept the 7" missile on Grava's path and she considered her options. They were in the middle of nowhere, nothing around them but the occasional cloud and nothing below them but ocean. She didn't want to risk luring the missile to hit Skyfin himself, for all Grava knew he was no more durable than she was. She could lead it to the ocean's surface, but this was a world of amphibians; how could she ensure there'd be nobody impacted underwater? No, there was only one way Grava could see out of this and she just hoped Turtle would understand.

Looking back quickly to make sure the weapon was still on her tail, Grava made a beeline straight for the falling Turtle. "Sorry, Starshine!" she yelled as she zipped straight past him. Turtle just rolled his eyes and sighed as the second missile exploded against his indestructible hide.

Comet Queen had shot off as soon as she was certain the missile was going to hit Turtle, and as she twisted around in mid-air she saw him break the ocean's surface like a small man-shaped meteorite. As much as Grava wanted to go after him, she knew that she had to take care of Skyfin first. Hands balled into fists and a childish pout on her golden face, Comet Queen ascended again and scoured the skies for her enemy.

A man with enormous finned wings was not difficult to spot in open blue skies, and soon Grava was flying straight at him. "That was really mean, by the way!" she shouted. "Like hungry ultra-beast mean, you...you dumb flying fish!"

"I'm a mean fellow," the villain countered, shooting two more missiles from hidden mounts on his forearms. "So sue me."

Comet Queen executed a corkscrew turn which led the clumsier missiles to collide with one another and while the resulting explosion didn't hurt her, the shockwave sent her flying head over heels. She instantly created thick plumes of obscuring gases in her wake as she tumbled, buying herself a moment to recover within the protective darkness of her makeshift cloud cover. Darn it, Bouncy! she protested internally, You always said bad guys slip up when they're mad! That was the nastiest thing I could think of to call him and he didn't even sound a little bit angry! She had to keep flying around to keep the smokescreen intact this high up, the winds would dissipate her power in moments if she relaxed. At least she was hidden from him here though, and she didn't think his stupid homing missiles would work in here or he would already have used them.

As Comet Queen was considering her next move, Skyfin suddenly shot down from above and drove a fist into her solar plexus. Comet Queen screamed and doubled over in pain, falling through her own cloud cover. "You're smarter than you look," Skyfin threw Grava a backhanded compliment. "Then again, you'd have to be. My mini-missile homing systems don't work great in these asinine clouds of yours, but this UV visor?" He tapped the visor which obscured most of his face. "That works just fine." He levelled his missile launchers again now that they were back in clear blue skies, but Grava simply created more plumes of gas to hide herself.

This is like...surfing an event horizon stupid, Grava chastised herself, and not even in a fun way! I'm faster than this guy and I'm a proper interstellariffic superhero! There's gotta be some way I can beat him, I just need one idea! Just one nova bright... Her eyes widened with glee and Grava focused on creating as much cloud cover as she could over as wide an area as possible. She very subtly ascended as she flew, creeping higher and higher up until the winds were finally too strong for her to combat. She could see Skyfin's silhouette rocketing up toward her, and hovered in place waiting for him to penetrate the final clouds of gas which barred his way.

Comet Queen's gaseous trail certainly didn't absorb all UV light, but it absorbed enough that Skyfin didn't realise where she'd led him until it was far too late. The moment he exited her smokescreen of clouds and was in the open air again, he was more than twenty thousand feet high and looking straight into the afternoon sun. Skyfin released an involuntary yelp as the sudden influx of ultraviolet radiation overloaded his visor and left him functionally blind. He was a professional and he recovered almost instantly from the shock, but while he was recalibrating his visor he felt Comet Queen's three-toed foot shatter both the visor and his nose. Skyfin went limp and fell down toward the ocean far below, Grava speeding after him with heartfelt apologies about his face.

**********

Tens of thousands of feet below and behind them, Turtle had broken the water's surface with enough force to pulverize any normal man. Even with his invulnerable hide the impact winded him, and he'd only just begun to recover his bearings when out of nowhere some behemoth in an armoured suit tackled him at high speed. Turtle knew that this must be Torpedo, the Aquamarines' personal cannonball. He tried to squirm out of the much larger man's grip, but it was pointless. Torpedo held him tight enough that he'd have broken anybody else's bones. The two men travelled over an undersea resort and scattered a school of ferocious razorsharks in their high-speed travel through Vavalla's blue waters. When the taciturn villain finally slowed his path, Turtle had no idea where they were anymore. Torpedo rose to the surface and launched himself indelicately onto the deck of a waiting hydrofoil. He flung Turtle across the deck as though he were nothing more than a fisherman's catch, and a voluptuous woman in a hot pink dress draped in gold jewellery emerged from below deck. Her hair reached her calves and was a much paler shade of pink, and she wore something resembling an oversized golden neck brace which obscured the lower third of her face.

"The others haven't reported in," the woman announced as though Turtle weren't even there.

"I will investigate," Torpedo spoke for the first time. "This doesn't change the mission."

"Of course not," the woman agreed. "Smooth wake, Torpedo."

Torpedo's rounded helmet nodded, and he leaped back into the water without another word. The beautiful Vavallan woman that he left behind turned to face Turtle just as he was beginning to get his bearings. "Hello Bogdan," she greeted him with a voice that sounded like a choir of angels. "My name is Sirensong, I want to take you with me on a journey. Would you like to come with me?"

Already mildly disoriented from the rough journey here, Turtle never stood a chance; something about this woman's voice inspired utter devotion. Unable to respond verbally, he nodded enthusiastically and waited for her next command.

"That's lovely," Sirensong continued, "Ms Savage will be so pleased."

Before she could carry on, Sirensong suddenly felt the wet pressure of a tentacle between her golden vocal device and her mouth. Effectively gagged, all she could do was grunt innefectively as Turtle came to his senses. As soon as his head cleared, he realised that she'd been controlling his mind until S'jn's timely arrival; the cephalopod floated behind her now, their tentacles holding her in place while simultaneously preventing her from speaking any commands.

<I apologise that I was not able to act sooner> S'jn projected to Turtle. <Those men were too fast for me to be able to discern your location>

"Better that you didn't," Turtle replied. "Those guys were a lot tougher than Candyfloss Queen here, Lamprey woulda killed me if I let you get hurt."

Sirensong finally wriggled one arm free, and reached for a blade secretly strapped to one leg beneath her dress. "Gimme that," Turtle's hand closed around the bladed edge and he snatched it away from the glaring woman. "Did you not just hear me say Lamprey would kill me if I let this little hero get hurt? You can have a nap for that." He bopped her on the top of her head and Sirensong slumped in S'jn's tentacles. Turtle turned to S'jn and hid the trepidation he was feeling behind a deliberately glib tone. "Thanks for the save, pal! Let's leave this charmer here and head back to the others, huh?"

<You do not wish to take Sirensong with us?> S'jn queried. <I believe Lamprey would-->

"No sense draggin' trouble where it don't need to be," Turtle interrupted. "These squajes are gonna want to lick their wounds, and we gotta make sure all of our guys are okay too."

S'jn lowered Sirensong to the boat's deck, and then extended a tentacle toward Turtle so they could teleport away. Turtle was suddenly very glad that S'jn's telepathy was mainly restricted to voluntary communications because one thought dominated Bogdan Tarka's mind right now and he knew that thought would be flashing like a neon sign to any other telepath.

Persephone Savage had come to claim her debt, and Turtle had no idea at all what he was going to do about it.

**********

MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


ROLL CALL
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: Legion Academy student; ability to bypass any man-made lock

While he waited for his transport outside Legion Headquarters, Miqui Ver tapped his foot and mouthed the words to the lyrics of Venturan pop star Klassi Kai's newest track which was playing on the music device inobtrusively coiled around his left ear. Catching something in his peripheral vision, he looked up and saw Colossal Boy and Nightwind flying away on some mission or another. Miqui felt a pang of jealousy; he'd love to have a flight ring of his own some day. A big goofy smile crossed his face as he realised that might actually be in his future now that he was officially a student at the Legion Academy.

For now though, he was forced to wait for his aircab just like anybody else in Husband Hill. He was surprised that Amp had left a message on his omnicom suggesting they catch up in downtown Marsopolis tonight, but it was a happy surprise. She'd been so intense since what happened with the others on Lallor and Miqui had no idea how to help her. He didn't really even know how to process any of it himself. The idea that their whole lives had been fabricated, that he and Amp were the only ones left of the small group he'd thought of as his family...his eyes watered and he choked up, covering it with a cough even though nobody around him was looking twice at some kid just waiting for a ride. Don't think about it, he cautioned himself. Just go out and have fun and be there for Ming, she needs you now.

His aircab finally arrived, beeping politely as it lowered into the space marked for it. "Sorry I'm late," the driver announced as the back door whooshed open for Miqui to climb in, "Big accident a couple kliks away, lotta traffic being diverted."

"Maybe that's where Colossal Boy and Nightwind were going..." Miqui mused out loud. "I thought all these cabs were automated!" he added once he was in the vehicle. "I didn't expect a real life driver...no offence!"

The driver's face was hidden from Miqui sitting behind him as their cab rose into the sky once more, but the teenager could hear him clearly. "No offence taken, Key Kid...none at all."

It took a moment to dawn on the young Lalloran, but he felt a shiver run down his spine as soon as he realised what the driver had said and he leaned closer to the full head of coppery red hair in front of him. "...What did you just call me..?" He also realised that the cab was climbing higher than the surrounding traffic. Miqui hadn't been on Mars very long, but he knew that only traffic heading out of town needed to be this high. "...Wait, you know I'm going in to Marsopolis, right? Which way are we going?"

Activating the vehicle's autopilot, the driver turned around in his seat with a predatory sneer. He had a thick handlebar moustache, and a black patch covered one eye. "I know exactly who you are, Key Kid...and I know exactly where you're going. And I gotta tell you, it's nowhere near Marsopolis."

Then he drew a gun and shot Miqui Ver in the face.






EDITOR'S NOTES:
* Lamprey and Turtle's relationship has progressed mostly off-panel as this is a Legion of Superheroes fanfic and not an Adventurers of Vavalla fanfic, but if you wanna refamiliarise yourself with their buddy S'jn, that story can be found here
* I was gonna give y'all some background on Persephone Savage but I'm curious if anyone remembers her and if not, she's happy being a mysterious plot seed for now anyway
wink
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Aquamarines! - 05/06/21 02:32 PM
more fun stuff, raz! I loved every bit of the battles on Vavalla. Nice power use, making each enemy threatening... Persephone Savage sounds scary... good to see more of S'ijn again. Nice to see Lamprey thinking of next steps too. Loved hearing Grava's thoughts firsthand as well. And Thom's snark in the face of danger, is so Thom.

Any reason you had the Dawny/Wildfire on Starhaven bit happen offscreen? Just curious if you have a curveball planned smile

interested to see who the other buddy Legionnaire pairs are! Zoe/Tellus is inspired, they are quite opposite indeed.

Oooh, Otaki... so curious to see the endgame...

and Key Kid! Gosh! The message from Amp was a fake maybe?

things are developing fast...
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Aquamarines! - 05/07/21 12:27 AM
Hi IB, thanks for reading! I am thinking about writing up a separate mini-adventure to follow up on the Vavalla stuff so we might get to see a bunch of those guys again soon before too long! I like those bad guys too much to let them go after one story laugh

re Dawny & Wildfire: to me, the important bit was getting them to a stage where they could just open up to each other a bit and move their relationship out of that constant toxic space they've been stuck in forever - I didn't really wanna spend too much time writing more heartfelt drawn out confessions and whatnot, they will get some more detailed exploration at some stage though smile

I initially threw in the pairing up different Legionnaires thing as a throwaway idea but afterwards I sat down and did actually pair everyone off, so we'll see if that comes up with anything fun moving forward!

...and Otaki's story is gonna stay simmering for a while, but I don't think it is giving anything away to say next instalment we are gonna see some pretty intense follow-up to poor Key Kid's ending!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Aquamarines! - 05/07/21 08:16 AM
those WERE some interesting bad guys!

agree re the choice to skip Dawny/Wildfire and just show the effects of their trip.

can't wait to see what happens to poor Key Kid!
Posted By: Omni Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 24 APRIL* - 05/09/21 09:00 PM
Hi Raz,

it seems a I have quite a bit to catch up on and so I'll be posting my thoughts as I read.

Saturn's rings:
- Sturt takes away the tension in such a good way. that i can't help but love his lines.
- Mwindai's fighting to get away and barely escaping with IKII was well done.
- King Canary is super brave and i like that he has tactics with his powers. I look forward to how the Legion will help him expand on what he can do.
- IKII new amped powers cut off communications too? Invisible to everything has definitely taken on new meaning.
- Brin is so good at what he does. but even he has limits and i like that.
- That moment where Strut and King Canary both call out Zombies and then leading to Mwindai's white lantern powers activating was awesome.

Earth:
Wow, I was scared that Garth was really going to get eaten by these Zombie Martians.
Loved Lullaby Lad and how he kept pushing himself to try and stop them.
the description you used to describe how he felt when Glorith's power's touched him was great. I've never given thought to how the magical taint might feel to someone not used to/magical at all. it was like the magic ripped at his soul. They say there's always a cost for the user. But I wonder if there's a cost for power fusion?
Garth trying to recall history in those moments was well done and showcased his personality well. History isn't everyone's strong suit.
When Fire Lass and Dragonwing rejoined the fight, man those zombie martians are done for!

Shanghi colonies:
"Since when did you become a fighter pilot?" lol i had to laugh at this because that is completely how i envision Zoe, brassy and ballsy and take charge!
Dragonmage is crazy powerful but i love the respect he brings to that power. Because his home is protected by Zhulong i wonder if Dramgonmage has ever had to call on him before? could their be a bigger connection between them?
Zoe's reaction was well described to the Martians demise.

i love the visuals your painting with these sections so much!

Demios:
Haha. Dream Girl's reaction to those teens in the trees was good, i wish more horror movies had people talk like that. the whole running up a "tree" or upstairs is always the worst idea. But always the one people seem to go with. lol
Loved that Mon-el and Sunboy figured out at the same time that this was all a distraction. ,
I have to agree with Dream girl, that i enjoy Blok as a character so much more with the shazam powers added to him.

Mars:
Alec Arkane is scary and i could only imagine how much more powerful he'd be if he had gotten his hands on Ivy.
watching him take out the team and mutilating some of them was harsh.
Comet Queen, so fierce and protective but glad PG reminded her to get the civilians out of there.
loved Rainbow girl's rescues. That's a great use of the idea of rainbows. Light travels everywhere. so it makes sense.
OMGOSH! Elastic lad? that moment when he asked Brek about his arm was heart breaking. i wonder how this will affect him going forward. i hope we don't lose his hopefulness as he's one of the few characters whose constant cheer doesn't get on my nerves.
I love Chlor's wooden armor. The way you described it growing over him was really well done.
I really liked his plan even though it was super risky. i wonder if he could have guided Ivy to create the right plants he needed as a protector of the Green's avatar.
The inventive use of the teams powers are always on display in your work and i love it. especially when the team knows how to utilizes each other's powersets like Chlor did with Phantom Girl's.

Lallor:
that tech does sound amazing and so do those canyons. but of course something so beautiful is just as deadly.
Gas Girl altering like that totally gave me the wrong idea until i read the editors note and remembered what she was up to.

Mars:
Jo and Tinya are always cute. Their playful banter is really well done. I honestly didn't think she had her own quarters.


Quote
"Ugh, there we go." The mood broken, Tinya groaned and walked back into the bedroom where she collapsed on Jo's bed. "I think I went a whole half hour that time without being reminded of the million responsibilities I've got now. I need to talk to Garth and Imra about choosing a new student intern, I need to check how the Espionage Squad are going on Lallor, I have to decide if Chlorophyll Kid needs replacing now that he's stepped down from active membership--"

"Just Chlorophyll Kid?" Ultra Boy's eyebrow shot up as he followed his lover back into the room. "Ouch!"

"...Jo." Phantom Girl raised herself up on her elbows, her tone sardonic. "Do you really think any force this side of Darkseid could make Comet Queen quit the Legion of Superheroes? Ral's the only one leaving, she's going back on the active roster as soon as they get home from their honeymoon."

I laughed pretty hard at this exchange. I guess some were hoping Comet Queen would take a big break too. lol
i'm glad your highlighting the relationships between the long time legionnaires and the subs who have moved up to the main team. its always interesting to see the dynamics. It brings up a good question though about how much they all notice changes within the team and how their questioned or in this case not questioned. The same could be said for Blok who inherited the Shazam power. Now i know the Shazam power which is typically good but just like with how Tinya's admitting she should have questioned Ral's upgrade more that might lead to some questions about Blok...or maybe even Zoe.
Are things like this only questioned when they don't help the Legion?
Tinya being scared by the Ral makes sense. The green just wants Ivy protected and Ral "sacrificing" everyone for the "green's greater good" is something i could see coming to pass.

Lallor:
what a tense meeting.
I'm totally with the New Lallor recruits and their anger is totally justified. But i'm glad they were willing to sit back and listen.
Yeah Cham really did bury the lead there.
As you know I am not really a Dawnstar fan but that moment before she spoke to the Lallorian team and then what she said was perfect. it sent some chills down my spin for sure.
Dominators!!
Damn, some good work done by the team. But that definetly went south quick.
So are they clones? or sentients abducted and given meta-powers? or unlocked the natural Lallorian meta-gene?
That creepy laugh...
B.I.O.N... i'll have to look him up.

After reading the comments after this post i get it they were abducted. i went back and reread the part about their families all dying and it makes more sense now.

Medicus one:
I think we are all thankful for Cham and his deep pockets.
I'm glad they were able to help Tellus. But i do wonder if the white lantern light could heal tellus.
awww that is super sweet of Color Kid. He brings up a good point about Tellus and the others not socializing as much.
Dr. Gym'll hahaha. i love his reactions. But now i'm scared for Elastic Lad....

Lallor:
Wow this mission was brutal. i can't believe so much has changed after this.
That battle Duplicate Boy was so effective!
Damit DawnStar get out of there!
I did love his battle with Vi and how she almost had him.
Damn it Brittle!!!
I hope Dawnstar can find him.
The moment you where Vi finds all the chaos was wow. poor Rain girl.

Vi and Dawnstar's moment was great and I'm so glad she finally said something to someone about the future possession thing. Vi is totally right. She's gotta change and open up. Maybe this will and i look forward to the possible friendship between these two. Vi makes so many good points about her own abduction and I understand her a bit better now too.
Amp's power is crazy scary when its applied like that.

Lallor meta-less? i wonder what the bigger plan is there....
I hope all the meta's from Lallor can find a place within the Legion, if the can't join the team.

Dawnstar and Wildfires moment was super sweet. I'm glad her talk with Vi really is paying off and that she's opening up to him. I've never read anything with Starhaven in it. I'm interested to see what its like.
I like that she is finally letting down her guard. When they laughed about her bad piloting, was a really good moment and one that finally is making me start to like her a little bit.

Loving the art work! it helps paint a really good picture for your updated looks on these characters!

I really enjoyed the meeting and I like that Tinya is bringing back this program,. I always enjoy seeing random groups together that we don't always get.
Life lass not happy to be with the legion? aww well maybe she's ready to just retire...

Color Kid and Light Lad. it be funny if E-lad ended up with them as a trio for the week.
Can you refresh my memory about the mind meld thing with Light Lad?

Exploring Cadmu could be fun....and then the danger happens lol. Gotta love it.
Its interesting look into Light Lad's mindset. It interesting that after all this time he's still apprehensive about jumping into battle. especially in contrast to Color Kid. But i wonder if that has to do more with when they got into the hero game and maybe for what reasons. Light Lad, seems more out of convenience and wanting helping out his powers than wanting to be a hero. But i guess a sense of fear is good for this kind of work.

I''m gonna go out on a lime where and say someone recently saw Godzilla vs King Cong and just wanted giant beast battles. lol laugh
Are they all made of stone? if so could this have something to do with Alek Arcane...?
Giant Turtle Boy can get bigger?
so wait Cadmu made these creatures? but why?
Wish Girl? idk why but the outfit makes me think flight attendant... She did this to get Elastic Lad's attention?
"Ugh boys." made me laugh a little because all i could think about a 12 year old pretending to be grown.
I'm with Light Lad, Cadmu is completely crazy. Awesome save Elastic lad but that's it for her....shouldn't she idk be reprogramed or something...

Mars:
Crystal Kid and Gravity Kid have their first date! their drunken moment is really cute. i like the playfulness between them.
aww sweet! wait what? Lullaby Lad catches them?

Ouch...that subs crack from Lullaby Lad damn. i knew the subs were disrespected and i've commented before on how their treated but that line i think was a bit much for me...like i know he's hurt by seeing this but really Waiane?

Man, something tells me when Stone Boy and Gravity Lad next chat it's not going to go well.

Titan:
Fearstorm is back? oh boy.
i gotta say i love how they all finish each other's sentences but they aren't talking over each other. its more natural sounding than what we got in the main series from Bendis.
Uhmm...something seems off about Titan and it not letting at least one of them leaving Titan. and Plush surroundings...Yeah this seems almost staged.
loving Vi's observations about her teammates.
I agree about Mon-El. I probably wouldn't have chosen him for the team either. He's too powerful sometimes and when his emotions are released i don't want to be anywhere near the him.
Vi kind of hating Life Lass makes sense. its the thing about herself she hates more. So of course she'd hate it in her too.
And I was right. don't want to be near Mon-El. He left Titan?! how far does Fearstorms' power reach? i'd think once he got to the upper atmosphere he'd be clear of the influence.
His fear of losing everyone, its the one thing you'd think he'd gotten past.
Love that Life Lass took out Fearstorm at the last moment before he got to the surface. i was scared to see where that would go if he did.

Finally someone has said it! Life lass, makes a good point. Great power = great responsibility. sadly its true. But maybe Somi can find a balance or maybe the academy might be a better place?

Mars:
Wow, Amp really felt like a change i guess. But i do like the shaved head look for her. Aww she sees herself as a victim? This has some foreboding to it. idk i can see this new attitude causing some issues.
Wait whose coming for Amp now? is that Duplicate Boy watching from a far?

Yay! Tellus is back! trust that instinct and look into this!
oh no...Otkia has been corrupted even more? What could be pulling her to the Legion this time and will her fears really be dealt with?

Star Boy and Comet Queen? yeah a duo I've never seen together. Thank you for the reminder that she got her powers because of Star Boy.
As much as i know its a running gag to not pay attention to Grava I wish people would. idk it just makes feel some type of way with her dismissal. Probably because it reminds me of how the subs are treated and then all the things i've heard about how the team used to be back in the day with their auditions. I know newer stories have gone far to redeem the team but moments like this or how the subs are treated reminds me of their jerkish behavior and how sometimes it seems like the legion needs to be a bit more diverse. (Which you've done a great job with Strut and King Canary).

oo more Lamprey and Turtle!
I agree with Lamprey that S'jn should be at the academy. But i don't know why she didn't contact the academy directly or even Lu for that matter for a good word. It's not like she doesn't have those connections.
Good Work Grava! always keep trying and thinking. loved that she outwitted him before punching him in the visor!
Great save by S'jn!
Persephone Savage? any relation to Vandal Savage???

Wow Raz this has a great bunch of post and a fun ride. I'm really excited for what's going to be coming next!
Hi Omni, I haven't had as much time online to give your post as much attention as I wanted to till now so let's go!

Strut seems to be the new fan favourite and he is so much fun to write so I'm glad y'all like him laugh

I feel like I tend to give Saturn Girl way more attention than Lightning Lad when I use them, so I thought Garth was due some spotlight...the students are gonna get a lot more attention themselves in the next instalment as well (although they might wish they hadn't by the end of it)

Dragonmage's pre-Legion training is definitely something I wanna explore more at some stage but with 40-50 characters it might be a while...he and Zoe being friends is more fun than I thought it would be though because he's such a reserved quiet achiever and like you said, she's brassy and ballsy and take charge so they make a good contrast in that respect smile

I was pretty happy with Elastic Lad's scene with Polar Boy, glad it had the desired effect! As you have seen by now, he's a weirdo Cadmian so it didn't keep him down for long haha...on that note, probably the short answer to anything Cadmu related is that place is just nuts laugh

Quote
Are things like this only questioned when they don't help the Legion?

Pretty much! On some level it's not super realistic, but it's one of those suspension of disbelief things I think you need to accept where it'd bog the story down too much if every time someone had a power boost they had to be shown to be checked out exhaustively and then any potential issues got nipped in the bud before they ever got to become a plot element.

Violet has kinda snuck in to some more interactions lately than she generally gets, I hadn't really planned it that way but we'll see if it takes her anywhere from here....

Quote
Can you refresh my memory about the mind meld thing with Light Lad?
When I get some time I'll try and dig up the link, but Light Lad and Timber Wolf were paired up last time the Legion did this little exercise - they still had beef back then and were forced to work together to save a Titanian girl who'd been taken hostage, and as part of that adventure she accidentally merged Timber Wolf and Light Lad's minds and gave them a better understanding of one another as a result.

The Legion do definitely have a bit of an elitist and cliquey side to them and I don't like it when that's their whole thing because it makes them just unpleasant people to read about, but I like alluding to it sometimes because I think it is something that separates them from other traditional superhero teams. In a team of 6 or 7 people you can't really have cliques without people just looking like jerks, but in a team of 40 it might only rarely come up that maybe some teammates have better relationships or reputations than others in different circumstances and it's more fun to write about because it's not like it colors every interaction they have.

re: S'jn and Lamprey not contacting the Academy directly - sorry, I probably should have made it more clear in story, but it was more a matter of Comet Queen just deciding to go visit Vavalla to check up on S'jn anyway, then when Lamprey found out she was dragging Thom along for the ride she saw an opportunity to talk to him about the Academy while he was there. smile

Persephone Savage! I am still figuring out a way to give Turtle and Lamprey their own little side adventure so you might learn more about her very soon too!

Thanks for taking the time for all this feedback, I really appreciate it!
Raz, hi there, sorry for the delay in posting a review for you! It's been a busy few weeks.

Waiane is such a teenage boy! What a whingey git, like get over it! At least, that would be my thoughts irl, as a drama though it's great fun and quite true to life. I always find boys are worse than girls on the whole when they realise their exes have moved on. I wonder what mishief he'll get up to?

I like how immediately you show us the other side of it with Crystal Kid giggling about his date with Gravity Kid. Reep minding Gim of his lost youth was fun as well, nice showing the different generations of Legionnaires.Also, good to see the Kando Vyr from the teams timeline pop up again. I'd forgetten about that episode - Gim really did act like a psycho so I totally empathise with his distrust. And of all your own creations Fearstorm is one of my very favourites!

Splitting the team... always a mistake! But necessary in this case.

Laurel wears earrings? are they clip-ons? If not, how did she pierce her ears?

The plush psychiatric units are a nice touch - they may hold crazy people - in the most literal sense - but there's no need to deny them a luxury or two while they are being treated. Nice to know the future is that considerate.The scene between Vi and Life Lass was well written - there's a misunderstanding there, mainly due to Vi, so it's good to get the situation cleared up... Pity that Fearstorm ruined the moment, haha.

Lu's team are in for a rough time walking into that coridor with escaped and manipulated patients read like something from a horror movie - I'd run away and hide! Nice that Lar thought about how brave Lu usually was. Poor Lar. he always get mentally beaten up, it's such a big vulnerability for the otherwise invincible man.

King Canary is awesome! Totally adore the little fella, he's so determined! M'windaji realising he needed help was clever, nice to see the team looking out for each other.

Loved Fearstorm's disappointment at being unable to be heard so he couldn't gloat, haha, that was a great touch.

Life Lass explaining her fear was perfect. Nice to let other's know that she is not just another adventurer but someone who actually cares. Very good characterisation there Raz.

Love Amp Girl's new look - very striking, and a holo on her costume is such a great idea I will definitely borrow it. And the red haired man with them in his sights - is that Duplicate Boy 2? Great cliff-hanger!

I need to finish up now as I'm out of time though will finish reviewing the next section either this afternoon or tomorrow for you.

Looking forward to more, more and much more smile
Round Two:

It's nice to see Dawny and Drake happy - I think you have the most stable version of that relationship here. And that was a great introduction for Zoe, and really decent way for her to transport Tellus back to the base. I can totally picture her going all pirate for a laugh. Ominous forshadowing with the broken telepathic conversation... <I just had the oddest sensation, but I am certain it was nothing.> No Tellus, no! Do you not read these fan-fics? It's always something! Ha, I'm looking forward to things going back to their usual chaotic selves so this was a nice way to lead us into it.

Poor Otaki, she's a good kid at heart... or maybe not, it seems she's been totally turned to the dark side, and I wonder who her master is that they can get that sort of improvements out of her so quickly after she was wasted by Alek Arcane?

Poor Thom, I can only imagine the horror of a long journey sat next to someone who talks incessently. "Quantum coinkydink" - haha, this may be my new saying to students to confuse them. I really love how well you write Grava's speech idioms, from the simple "I scan them", through to "Chlory's a full time sprout gardener now!" - I take it this is referring to him looking after Ivy?

S'jn's teleportation leaves strobing fashes in the eyes of those that it carries? Interesting, as that might be a limitation if it ever needs to help on a mission.

Turtle isn't stupid, is he? Of course there's going to be trouble. Nice that he said it outright like that. Like everyone else erading this I wonder why my in-laws haven't upgarded my house and offered staff laugh

Lamprey chatting to Thom about S'jn being a potential academy student was well done, though I'm intrigued by the code-name you've got in mind.

Speaking of code-names: Cutlass for a woman with swords - Cut Lass... wish I'd thought of that as it's so bad it's good smile White Trident is obviously a tough guy if he can withstand Thom's powers for that long. That weapon of his is nasty too. And as names go, Aquamarines for a team from a race of blue skinned folks. Very clever! You're on top form with these.An underwater criminal gang is definitely ripe with potential, especially idf they have more like these in their ranks. Tayla taking out Cutlass was well done, as things were not looking too hopeful, I expected Grava to swoop in to save the day. I love how cool Turtle is, he's falling a 1,000 feet to the ocean with mssiles exploding on him and he rolls his eyes, haha, that gave me a laugh.

Grava again excells - that insult, bless her if hat was the worst she could come up with, though you write her as such a sweetheart I can believe it was. Her ploy to blind Skyfin was great, and apologising for the damage she did to his face was a very sweet touch.

Turtle's encounter with Sirensong was illumating - so he's in debt to someone with the mony to make sure he pays... interesting! Looking forward to seeing where you take this. S'jn to the rescue! It really does have the right moral compass to join the team, doesn't it? Nice work showing how useful it can be, and also highlighting the limitations of its telepathy.

Totally hope Key Kid was only tranquilised. That was a really well written little section that showed his personality and added to the on-going mystery about who exactly is after the Lallorians. Nice cliff-hanger!

Great stuff Raz, you always introduce fun characters and unique situations for your team to deal with, and I'm looking forward to a lot more, more, more!
Hi Harbi, sorry I haven't been able to respond before now - thanks for the detailed feedback! smile

I'm glad Fearstorm is a fave - I might try and draw a pic of him this week!

Quote
Laurel wears earrings? are they clip-ons? If not, how did she pierce her ears?
Oops, I should have gone into more detail with this one - they're holographic...she has magnetic clip-ons that project a tiny golden S shield smile

The horror movie vibe is exactly what I was going for with the escaped psych patients in the subterranean corridors, thanks!

The mysterious red-haired man is not Duplicate Boy II but I will say he's a DC character who's faced the Legion before and whom I've used once before as well!

Quote
Ominous forshadowing with the broken telepathic conversation... <I just had the oddest sensation, but I am certain it was nothing.> No Tellus, no! Do you not read these fan-fics? It's always something!
Haha sometimes it's fun to just lean into the obvious tropes laugh

"full time sprout gardener" is indeed about Chlor being a househusband now, but don't worry I'm sure I will find ways to involve him and Ivy in stuff here and there wink

I actually came up with the name Cutlass first and made her female second, but I agree that it does make a good pun laugh

I have successfully come up with my side-story for Turtle and Lamprey, so y'all will probably see the Aquamarines again pretty soon!

Also, the Academy students are about to get a big focus so Key Kid's fate won't be a cliffhanger for much longer.....
Posted By: razsolo Children of the Hunt. - 06/06/21 12:32 PM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion Academy Headmaster office


ROLL CALL
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: reserve Legionnaire, Academy co-head; electricity generation and manipulation
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: reserve Legionnaire, Academy co-head; telepathy

Phantom Girl stifled a yawn as she looked over the assorted student holofiles lighting up the cluttered office that Saturn Girl shared with Lightning Lad. She'd been reviewing these files for nearly two hours without a break, and her body was beginning to protest.

"Grife, sorry!" Tinya apologised, turning in her armchair to face Imra and Garth on the two-seater couch beside her. "It's not you guys, I've just been up for...shades know how long. Being Legion leader is hard!"

"You don't need to tell me how hard it is leading the Legion," Lightning Lad gave a wry smile. "Trust me, I know all about it."

Tinya was mortified. "Oh Garth, I'm so sorry...I didn't mean--"

"It's okay, PG!" Garth Ranzz laughed as he lay a hand on Tinya's knee. "I'm just saying, you don't need to apologise. We've all known each other for a long time and we've all been Legion leader at some point or another. We get it."

"There are times I miss being an active part of the Legion," Saturn Girl chimed in, "But I do not often miss being leader...though I will say, it was amazing practice for raising two rambunctious children."

"Did Iron-Butt Imra just make a joke?" Tinya recoiled in mock surprise. "Parenthood really does change a person, huh?"

"On that note," Imra unconsciously straightened her posture, "We'd better get back to business. I know Ayla loves babysitting Graym and Garridan but even she must be ready to give them back by now."

"Right." Tinya's tone became serious once more. She had immense respect for Saturn Girl and they'd been friends and colleagues since they were practically children, but there was only ever so far Imra Ardeen Ranzz would relax before she snapped back to being the rigid champion of justice that had earned her the nickname Iron-Butt Imra in the first place. Sometimes Tinya thought Imra's real power was super self-discipline. "So, you guys really don't think any of the students are ready to be upgraded to Legion intern?"

"We're not exactly aligned on that..." Lightning Lad ventured.

Saturn Girl took her husband's hand and answered with calm assertion. "Garth, I know you feel that Dragonwing would rise to the challenge if she had to, but it's too great a risk. Legionnaires have died because they tried to rise to the challenge before they were ready."

"I know that, honey." Garth kissed her hand. "I was one of them, remember? But some of these kids are not gonna respond to academic learning as well as they'll respond to actual life experience."

"I'll reiterate what I said earlier," Imra comtinued. "Even though she's the youngest student, Kid Quantum would absolutely be my choice if she were interested. Unfortunately, she's very clearly expressed that she's only here to learn what she can to become a better hero back on Xanthu. Dragonwing and Chemical Kid have strength of personality and combat expertise in their favour but both of them are far too immature. Lullabye Lad, Variable Lad and Glorith all have the right attitude and their powers definitely have potential, but they're not ready for that next step yet. Fire Lass is still learning who she wants to be as a person, and we don't really even know Amp and Key Kid yet but they have just come from an unspeakably traumatic experience and I wouldn't feel comfortable saddling either of them with that kind of responsibility."

"Okay, well..." Phantom Girl stood up and stretched. "I'd rather we all be on the same page if I'm gonna recommend we put one of these kids forward for intern, so I guess it'll just have to wait. Thanks for your time anyway, guys."

"Anytime, PG!" Garth replied warmly. "Hope we didn't waste your time!"

"Get outta here," Tinya waved his concern aside as she began to phase through the nearest wall. "I never get to hang out with you guys anymore!

Besides, the last thing any of us want to do is put these kids in danger before they're ready, right?"

**********

ELSEWHERE

ROLL CALL
Amp aka Ming Sul: Legion Academy student; amplification of any power or characteristic
Chemical Kid aka Hadru Jamik: control of chemical reactions
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Fire Lass aka Arqiia: fire breath
Glorith: sorceress
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: Legion Academy student; ability to bypass any man-made lock
Kid Quantum aka Jazmin Cullen: quantum field manipulation
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

Waiane Wentim groaned as his eyes fluttered open. Wherever he was, it was far too bright and he felt weirdly lethargic. He moved to shade his eyes and immediately bashed himself in the face with the clunky manacle locked around his wrist.

"Welcome back to the land of the living," Lullabye Lad heard Chemical Kid's voice. "You really sleep through anything, huh?"

"I mean normally I'm in stone form when I sleep, so yeah." Lullabye Lad sat up to find Hadru leaning against a nearby fern. Once his eyes adjusted to the light, Waiane saw that the rest of his class were also here...wherever here was. All nine of them were on a flat boulder mostly submerged in the dirt, a cliff looming high above them and unfamiliar vegetation growing all around. "Where are we? Is this some kinda survival test?"

"That's what we've been trying to figure out," Chemical Kid replied. "It doesn't feel...right though. I don't think even that sadist Saturn Girl would just dump us all out in the middle of nowhere without any warning, and we've all got these power dampeners on." Hadru held his arms up to show manacles identical to those Lullabye Lad was wearing. "Oaa, Key Kid; tell him what you guys told me."

"The last thing I remember is visiting my uncle on Medicus One," Variable Lad recounted. "As soon as I left the Medicus One shuttle back on Earth, a red-haired man asked me for assistance with his bags...then I was waking here with you, my fellow students."

"...My red-haired stranger was an aircab driver," Key Kid added. "I think he shot me with some kind of sedative spray. I was on my way to meet Amp--"

"--and I was on my way to meet Key Kid," Amp finished. "Obviously we were set up."

"Clever girl," a stranger's voice drew their attention.

"It's him!" Key Kid's jaw dropped as a holographic representation of his abductor floated above them all. "That's the guy!"

"We figured, Key Kid." Standing between some of her younger classmates and the hologram, Dragonwing was clearly furious. "So what's the story here? You holding us hostage or something, one-eye? You know the Legion of Superheroes are gonna kick your nass and we'll all be in rejuv spas in three hours time, right?"

"I doubt that very highly, little girl." While a patch covered one of the man's eyes, the other eye held a sinister gleam. "I chose this planet very carefully. See, this system is in close proximity to a black hole and its space-time distortions hamper tracking powers quite effectively in my experience."

"That only leaves a few geniuses, some guys with super-senses and a couple telepaths to come find us so sure, whatever." Chemical Kid gave a dismissive grunt. "They're still gonna stomp you....who are you meant to be anyway?" He looked over the man's open fur vest and the various knives and guns holstered to his person. "Jungle Queen?"

Lullabye Lad and Dragonwing snickered behind their hands and the red-haired stranger flashed them a vicious glance. "I'm not surprised you don't know who I am," their abductor replied. "The Legion have done a damned good job of ruining my reputation over the years. Once I score me some of their school brats' heads for trophies though, that'll change. People will take the name Adam Orion seriously again then."

"Do you really believe that murdering nine powerless teenagers is going to earn you respect from anybody, Hunter?" Kid Quantum addressed him fearlessly. "We've studied your exploits and you really should look inward if you want somebody to blame for your poor reputation."

"I didn't need powers when I stole my fire from the Imperial Dragon's horde," Dragonwing added, glowering at the villain through her own vibrant red hair, "And I don't need powers to take this squaj down."

Orion gave an appreciative guffaw. "Oh, you kids are going to be fun. You know, I'll even give you a head start. This holotransmitter's going to blow in thirty standard seconds and I daresay it'll take a lot of this cliff with it. You've got that long to save yourselves, and then all you need to worry about is the local flora and fauna...and me." His tone turned darkly sinister toward the end, and then the hologram blinked out of existence.

"Do you think he was bluffing..?" Key Kid asked Amp nervously.

"There was no fabrication of the truth." Fire Lass gestured at a small metallic holotransmitter gleaming in the sun about fifteen feet up the cliff face as it beeped away faster and faster. Her power was suppressed just like the rest of her classmates, and Arqiia somehow looked more peculiar without her signature flaming scalp than with it. "I suggest we--"

"--Run!!" Lullabye Lad wailed, bolting into the thick verdant foliage. The others followed suit, Waiane's panic contagious. Their lungs burned, branches slapped at them and thorns tore at their clothing.

They felt like they'd been running for long minutes when a thunderous boom filled the air and a less violent but more drawn-out rumbling sound told them that the cliff was indeed coming down. "Don't stop!" Chemical Kid bellowed, having already discarded the long green cape which normally hung from his waist before it could snag itself on anything else and slow him down further. He hated that Lightning Lad had been right when he'd told Hadru that he should make his cape easily detachable for his own safety, but Hadru couldn't deny that it was good advice. "Just keep going!"

The ground trembled as thousands of tons of stone pummelled the ground in their wake, and the students gathered an array of scratches as they ran blindly into the wilderness, choking clouds of dust obscuring everything in sight. Eventually, Glorith stumbled over her own long violet cape and let out a frightened squeal as she collapsed to the hard earth. Variable Lad had been right on her heel, and he too tumbled over the fallen sorceress and smacked his oversized head against the rough bark of a tree.

"Everyone, stop!" Kid Quantum shouted hoarsely. "Glorith and Oaa are hurt!"

While Jazmin helped Glorith to her feet, Lullabye Lad crouched to offer Variable Lad a hand. "Oaa, you're bleeding!" Waiane gasped.

"I am not overly harmed," Variable Lad replied almost apologetically while his posterior hand dabbed gingerly at the graze on the back of his scalp.

"That guy said we need to beware the local flora and fauna," Key Kid spoke up uncertainly. "What...what kind of animals do you think are on this planet?"

"The Hunter may have helped us on that score," Glorith reasoned. "Such a ruckus is certain to frighten any native beasts far away from this area for some time."

"Then we can sit down for a nano," Chemical Kid exhaled gratefully. "Grife, look at us," he coughed. "We're sprocking filthy." All of them were indeed covered from head to toe in the pulverized cliff's dust.

Also coughing, Dragonwing perched on a low-hanging branch on the same tree trunk that Hadru was leaning against. "Hey, Kid Q!" Marya attempted to lighten the atmosphere once they could breathe a little easier. "That was some good sass you gave that squaj, I didn't think you had it in you! We've studied your exploits, ha!"

Kid Quantum regarded Dragonwing curiously. "But...but I have studied his exploits...hasn't everyone else?"

"...I am not certain that we should antagonise Mr Orion while we are without our powers," Variable Lad volunteered uncertainly.

"V-Lad's right," Amp added sharply. While most of the others had allowed themselves a moment to sit and catch their breath and even Arqiia was content to simply stand motionless while she waited for further instruction, Amp paced back and forth anxiously. "We need a plan. And we need to keep moving."

"Excuse me..?" Glorith made an unnoticed bid for attention. "Classmates..?"

Chemical Kid and Dragonwing exchanged a glance and giggled at Amp. "Okay," Hadru adjusted his holospecs while Dragonwing made a show of stifling her laughter. "First of all nobody calls Oaa V-Lad, new kid. Secondly, we just survived a sprocking fiery avalanche, I don't think two minutes to catch our breath is too much to ask."

"Classmates..?" Glorith spoke up a little louder. "If I may--"

"You don't get two minutes to rest when someone's trying to kill you!" Ming Sul stomped over to Hadru and barked in his face. "I know that from experience, Chemical Kid!"

Key Kid reached for his fellow Lalloran. "Ming, he didn't mean--"

Dragonwing let herself down to the ground and jabbed a finger into Amp's chest. "You might have been something on Lallor, but you're in the big leagues now! We've been training to take down dirtbags like him before anyone ever thought of giving you a pity slot in our class so how about you take a step back, huh?"

"Stop it!" Kid Quantum stepped between her arguing classmates. "We've already lost our powers, let's not make this any easier for Orion by fighting amongst ourselves!"

"She's right," Chemical Kid sighed. "Sorry, Jaz."

Amp and Dragonwing were silent as they traded simmering glares, and Glorith chose this moment to try again. "Please, fellow classmates...

...there is something that I think you must know."

**********

LATER...

ROLL CALL
Amp aka Ming Sul: Legion Academy student; amplification of any power or characteristic
Chemical Kid aka Hadru Jamik: control of chemical reactions
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: Legion Academy student; ability to bypass any man-made lock
Kid Quantum aka Jazmin Cullen: quantum field manipulation
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

"I still don't think we should have split up," Amp scowled as she waved biting insects away from where torn clothing had exposed her flesh.

"Then we're lucky you're not the boss," Chemical Kid shot back. "Because I think it's a great plan."

Amp and Chemical Kid had been sniping at one another since the students had broken into two groups, and Kid Quantum had long since given up trying to get them to quell their bickering. Jazmin Cullen walked a meter behind them, accompanied by Key Kid and Variable Lad. "Oaa, how are you feeling?" she asked the slightly lagging Variable Lad. "I hope you don't mind me saying so, but you don't look your best. Are you feeling dizzy or light-headed, any signs of concussion?"

"Thank you for enquiring," Oaa replied with his usual politeness. "My injury looked worse than it was, but I must admit I am not accustomed to this heat. At least with the abundance of insects in this area I am hoping there is a water source nearby." While the mosquito-like bugs the teenagers had come across seemed to have a particular distaste for Oaa's Jacquuan blood, the sun was wearing him down faster than the others. He was visibly more tired than his classmates, and sweat came off him in a glistening sheen.

"I've been saving these for when we really need them," Jazmin opened one of the pouches lining her belt, "But I think maybe you could use one right now more than any of us." She handed him a hydration capsule and Oaa took it with much gratitude.

"Wow, you guys are really something!" Key Kid complimented the two. "The Legion must train you well, huh? We wouldn't have been prepared for an environment like this on Lallor at all!"

"That's because Lallor is mostly a radioactive wasteland," Amp piped up sarcastically from the front. "Survivalism on Lallor is making sure you've got redundant patches for your transuit."

"I enjoy hiking normally," Variable Lad explained to Key Kid. "I mean...back home on Jacquaa, when the moon is full. Not so much in the middle of the day without shelter. But my parents taught us all how to fend for ourselves in the Jacquaan wilderness if we had to, and some rules are true across most planets. At least we haven't come across any soulcatchers here," he added with a hopeful smile.

Key Kid cocked his head like a puzzled dog but before he could ask what soulcatchers were, Chemical Kid butted in. "Kid Q, are you telling me you've been holding out on rations?? We've been marching through this stupid prehistoric forest for half a day! Gimme!"

"Hadru, no!" Jazmin sealed her pouch and turned away from her older teammate. "We're just lucky Orion the Hunter didn't search me more thoroughly and find the secret compartment at the bottom of my pouches! I don't have an unlimited supply, we need to pace ourselves!"

"I doubt we've even been walking a full hour yet," Amp threw in her two cents' worth. "The sun's barely moved in the sky."

"Variable Lad and I were discussing that earlier," Jazmin countered. "We don't know how big this planet is, how far away from the sun we are--"

"--in addition, the space-time distortions that Mr Orion mentioned may have an impact," Variable Lad added, already starting to feel invigorated.

"Hey!" Key Kid blinked. "I just remembered; Kid Quantum, you said you studied this guy's file, right?"

"We all should have," Jazmin gave Chemical Kid a slightly disapproving glance. "He's a minor foe of the Legion's...he was in one or two of the incarnations of the Legion of Supervillains, but he never did anything particularly noteworthy while he was with them."

"I remember now!" Variable Lad joined in. "Didn't he abduct Cosmic Boy and Night Girl?"

"Oh yeah, that's right!" Chemical Kid chimed in while Amp snorted in derision at his obvious attempt to save face.

"He did," Jazmin answered solemnly. "He very nearly killed them both."*

This brought home once more just how much danger they were in, and a grim silence fell over the five students.

"It's been a while," Key Kid finally spoke up, "...and that Hunter guy hasn't come after us...do you...do you think the others are..?"

"They're fine," Chemical Kid shot back too confidently. "I wouldn't wanna cross even Dragonwing on her own, powers or no powers."

For once Amp didn't immediately contradict him, but nor could she bring herself to meet Key Kid's gaze.

Kid Quantum suddenly cried out in pain and clutched at her head.

"Jaz!" Chemical Kid bent down to meet her face to face. "You okay?"

Staring straight at Hadru with wet brown eyes, Jazmin Cullen gripped his shoulder. "It's Glorith...

...something's happened to Glorith!!"

**********

MEANWHILE...

ROLL CALL
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Fire Lass aka Arqiia: fire breath
Glorith: sorceress
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction

Though she'd held out as long as she could, Dragonwing too had eventually been forced to concede defeat to the landscape and discarded her signature overcoat in the underbrush. "I swear I'm gonna kill that smug one-eyed nasshead," she ranted. "Do you guys have any idea how much that jacket cost?"

"We have been told that killing is wrong," Arqiia countered. "Will you not face consequences?"

"It's a figure of speech!" Marya threw her hands up in the air. "Sprock, haven't you been around normal people long enough now to know how to act like one?!"

Lullabye Lad looked down at the ground so Marya wouldn't see his eyes bulge; even for Dragonwing, that had been rude. The stress was clearly beginning to get to them. After a few moments of silence though, he couldn't bear the tension anymore. "I had to take my cape off too..." he offered weakly.

Dragonwing groaned theatrically. "Okay, fine. I was a bitch. I'm sorry, you guys. I'm just so sprocking angry! Where are we going anyway?"

Glorith had been leading all four of them without fanfare, and she lowered her hood now to face the others as she turned. "Do you see that mountain peak?" she asked. "A cluster of ley lines meets there, I believe that site may be significant for us."

"I thought ley lines were an Earth thing," Dragonwing probed. "How do you know about them? Can you see them?"

Glorith returned Dragonwing's look of surprise with one of her own. "I did not know that you possessed occult knowledge yourself, Marya! Ley lines are a universal phenomenon but they are most commonly known by their Terran name. I cannot see them, but I sense their power. I think our best chance for survival will be to align ourselves with such a place of power...admittedly, I have not much expertise in this sphere of sorcery but what is the phrase Lightning Lad uses? We must avail ourselves of every advantage we possess."

Marya gave Glorith a teasing smirk. "I'm pretty sure Lightning Lad's never used the word avail in his life, but I get your meaning. Lead on, little witch!"

They continued hiking for another few minutes before Fire Lass spoke up once more. "Dragonwing? May I say something to you?"

"It's a free galaxy," Marya replied without sparing her a glance.

"I know that I am not...normal...in the sense that you wish, but I have gained enough social experience to comprehend that you do not like me."

Dragonwing looked at Fire Lass now, and could see that this was something Arqiia struggled to enunciate. Marya bit back her impulse to say something sarcastic in return and waited to see where this was going. "I understand that my position in this class poses a...potential threat to your ambitions to join the Legion of Superheroes," Arqiia continued. "I wanted to apologise for any discomfort I have caused you and to...assure you that I have no intention to undermine your dreams. In truth, I do not know where my future lies; all of you seem so certain of your paths and I...all I know is what I do not want to be. But I am sorry. That is all I wanted to say."

Dragonwing released a long exhalation. "It's not your fault, you big weirdo. I'm just...well, like I said. I'm kind of a bitch. When you've lived the life I have, you stay on the offensive all the time. But for what it's worth...I'm sorry I made your life difficult too, I never really thought about what it must be like for you just being born into all this craziness without ever choosing any of it. Truce?" She offered her open hand. Arqiia didn't quite grasp the meaning of the gesture but it felt like progress so she shook Marya's hand anyway.

"The Legion are gonna find us, right?" Lullabye Lad asked. "I can't die before I clear up things--"

"Oh my god!" Marya exploded. "I swear, if you bring up Gravity Kid one more time...look, I like Tel but everything Tel does Tel does for his own benefit. He was gonna dump you sooner or later, you might as well start getting used to it! This whole tortured ex thing is not working for you, Waiane!"

"...I was gonna say before I clear things up with my brother," Waiane finished in a small voice. "I was...kind of a nass to him before all this happened, and now I'm probably gonna die on some stupid planet on the other side of the galaxy and I'll never get the chance to fix things."

"You're not gonna die," Marya rolled her eyes. "Stop being so dramatic, we just--"

A gunshot rang out, cutting sharply through the sounds of the wild. Before they could process what was happening, Lullabye Lad dropped like a sack of meat. Glorith cried Waiane's name and began to run toward him before Dragonwing grabbed her and Fire Lass and forcibly pulled them down a mulch-covered slope and beneath the cover of large leafy plants. "I'll grab Lullabye Lad," Dragonwing hissed. "Glorith, get Arqiia ready and then cover me."

"It's a bit late to hide, girls!" Adam Orion's voice mocked. "After you kids dumped half your clothes, a blind man could have found you!" At first they couldn't tell where the voice was coming from, but within a second he'd swung down from a huge moss-covered tree and stood mere feet away from where Dragonwing was hunched protectively over Lullabye Lad.

"Some hunter," Marya spat viciously. "You just grazed his temple, Jungle Queen."

"Yes, well...I do only have one eye, sweetheart." Orion the Hunter levelled his rifle at her while Marya glared defiantly at him. "But don't worry, I won't miss from this range."

Despite her bravado, Dragonwing couldn't help but recoil when she heard the next gunshot. The fact that she did hear it however told her very quickly that things had just turned in the students' favour. She fixed Orion with a self-satisfied smile through the translucent surface of the forcefield which had just saved her life. "Surprise, batjerk."

Orion took a step back and immediately scanned the area for the other girls. "What...how..?"

"Your metal and plastics cannot staunch the flow of sorcerous energies which are mine to command," Glorith stepped out from behind a tree trunk, the markings on her face glowing brightly. Orion noticed that she no longer wore the power-dampening manacles he'd placed upon them all.

"Tricky," Orion acknowledged. "I should have expected tricks from a witch. I bet you can't protect yourself and these two though." He swung his firearm in Glorith's direction but before he could shoot, his gun was engulfed in flame. He flung his gun as far as he could and turned to face the source of the attack, Fire Lass having emerged from behind another tree with her scalp once more aflame and her wrists untethered.

"Glorith freed me," Arqiia explained while a column of thick black smoke rose from somewhere behind her. "And our fellow students will no doubt perceive our signal and be here soon. Your reliance on weaponry tells me that you are an ordinary man, Hunter. You cannot hope to find victory now."

"I'm far from ordinary, girl." In a blur of motion, he flung a blade which lodged itself in Arqiia's throat. Wide-eyed, she fell to her knees with a rasping gurgle and instinctively reached for the dagger.

"Don't pull it out!" Dragonwing screeched in a panic. "Arqiia, you'll bleed out in a nano!!"

Glorith ran to Fire Lass's side, ripping off her own hooded garment so she could use it to stop the bloodflow. Her act of compassion left her wide open though, and Orion casually produced a slingshot and ricocheted a ball bearing off of her temple. The young sorceress immediately fell, and Orion walked over toward her to make sure he finished the job.

Suddenly, a rock was brought down on Adam Orion's own head from behind. With Glorith unconscious, her forcefield had vanished and Dragonwing was like a wildcat upon the villain. She got one more good strike, opening a gash in the side of his head before he grabbed her arm and twisted it almost hard enough to break it. She dropped her makeshift weapon, but she was so lost in her savagery that the pain didn't even register. Marya used her free hand to rake three deep scratches in his face which almost took out his good eye, and with a roar of pain the Hunter punched her in the face. Dragonwing fell back hard on her tailbone, her nose busted and her face bloody. Without thinking, she leaned on her hurt arm as she tried to stand and fell instantly to the ground again. "You..." Orion pulled out another knife, this blade much more intimidating. "I knew you'd be the one to watch. I'm gonna take my time with you, girl."

Only half-conscious, Marya stumbled to her feet while Orion watched. Despite himself, he was impressed; this girl was going to fight right up until the end. Orion noticed a shadow fall over them briefly, and briefly pondered what kind of animal could have been big enough to cause that. He'd thoroughly researched this planet before choosing it as his hunting ground and he knew there were no flying creatures that large here. As much as he wanted to take the time to enjoy Dragonwing's murder, he decided he'd best err on the side of caution and make sure all of these kids were dispatched now.

Dragonwing stood combative but wobbly as he approached her, but as Orion approached he realised something was wrong...dreadfully wrong. He felt as though all the energy had been sapped from his body and it was taking all of his willpower not to just lay down and go to sleep. "...How..." he drawled slowly. "...Lullabye Lad not able..."

"If Lullabye Lad were in a position to use his power on you, you'd already be asleep." The voice belonged to Chemical Kid, and Orion turned sluggishly to see Hadru disembark from some huge bat-winged steed alongside Amp, Key Kid and Kid Quantum. The Hunter realised this must be the creature who'd just flown overhead, but he still had no idea what it was until it morphed back into the more recognisable form of Variable Lad. "Slowing your metabolism takes longer," Chemical Kid continued while he offered Dragonwing a shoulder to lean on, "But either way you're done for. Game over, Jungle Queen."

"But...power dampeners...how..?" Orion struggled to comprehend.

"Glorith's sorcery isn't a power," Kid Quantum explained as she used her own abilities to place Fire Lass, Lullabye Lad and Glorith into a protective stasis. "Magic is something you have to learn, Orion. She was never affected by your manacles in the first place and she created a link with me so we'd know if each other were hurt."

"...And I might only have one power," Key Kid shrugged, "But I'm good at it. Better than your dumb bracelets anyway...I could have set us all free anytime I wanted, we just didn't want to tip you off."

"Enough chit chat," Amp spoke up. "We got the jump on him but he's too dangerous to stay conscious." She increased her own strength and took Orion down with a roundhouse kick even as he struggled to raise his knife against her.

"Way to steal my thunder, new kid!" Hadru sniped.

"He already took down three of your friends and was about to go for number four," an annoyed Amp responded. "I'd think taking this nasshead down would be more important than your ego, Chemical Kid."

"Students!" Variable Lad shouted suddenly. "Look!"

Everyone followed Oaa's gaze to see the familiar sight of a Legion cruiser descending from high above. As it got closer, they could see Dawnstar's winged form and the emerald nimbus of Neon accompanying it along with a couple other flying figures. "Looks like I was half-right at least," Dragonwing remarked, her broken nose making it sound like her tongue was too big for her mouth. "The Legion of Superheroes might not have whupped this loser, but I can already feel that rejuv spa."

The others laughed, with even Chemical Kid and Amp forgetting their enmity in their relief at being found. Today had been a nightmare, but it was a nightmare they'd survived.

And now they were going home.

**********

EDITOR'S NOTES:
* Adam Orion did indeed run Cosmic Boy and Night Girl through their own personal version of Most Dangerous Game, but it was so long ago it's not even on this thread!! Y'all can read that on my livejournal here though if you like (spoiler: Cos and Lydda kicked his ass)
Posted By: Set Re: Children of the Hunt. - 06/06/21 02:00 PM
Fun to see the students in action without any of the grownups along, and it was great seeing Glorith get the 'Karate Kid' moment of revealing that power-dampening cuffs do jack against someone whose 'power' is learned, not inborn.
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Children of the Hunt. - 06/06/21 05:39 PM
Interesting and cool seeing Garth's and Imra's takes on the students. Makes sense that "hothead' Garth would support Dragonwing. And yup, she's still more level-headed than Chemical Kid, lol. Glad that Imra took Jazmin's goals into account - though I wonder if Jazmin's mind would change if she got a taste of Legion action?

LOL at Hadru calling Imra a sadist.

This was quite a twist. I thought Key Kid and Amp were targeted specifically for the Lallor connection, and didn't expect to see the other students captured too!

Hunter! didn't expect him!

Detachable capes. very practical. Edna Mode from the Incredibles would approve wink Nice that Garth, who wore a cape for a while, was the one who suggested to Hadru

Also love how Arqiia was all calm when she pointed out the bomb thingie

Jazmin is stepping up, being the one to tell everyone to stop and help Glorith and VL

Also like Amp stepping up, and the little bit of trauma still there (but her not letting it get to her)

Marya and Hadru are showing how immature they are, indeed. Though I do like that they're mature enough to sort of admit when they're in the wrong. And the Marya /Arqiia scene was nice and touching.

Waiane thinking about Dag was a nice touch.

Wow! epic solution, that Glorith and Key Kid could have done whatever they wanted at any time... so the kids decided to play along so they could lure Orion out. And with Key Kid and Fire Lass on separate teams, they each had an out!

I wonder if this outing will change the Internship offer decision?
Posted By: razsolo Re: Children of the Hunt. - 06/09/21 02:33 PM
Thanks for commenting, y'all!

Set: tbh, I never really liked the Legion Academy version of Glorith because a) I liked the original more (and comics can do with more big villainesses in general), and b) she was so shy and unprepared for any kind of 31st Century activity that it boggles my mind how she made the Legion while Nightwind and Power Boy got left behind. She is good for this kind of thing though! smile

IB: it never actually occurred to me that it would look like Adam Orion was specifically targetting Amp and Key Kid, but once I saw reactions to his first appearance I decided to go with it - happy circumstance!

I am also glad you picked up on Garth's original costume having a cape, that was definitely in mind when I wrote that line wink

Will the Legion internship be revisited? That might be the last thing the Legion are thinking about soon...but before they can worry about that, they're gonna have to try and stop the death of Duplicate Damsel coming up next!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Children of the Hunt. - 06/09/21 09:36 PM
gasp! the death of Lu! oh, you sure know how to drop a cliffhanger!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Children of the Hunt. - 06/18/21 11:56 AM
Hey Raz, how are you?

I really like the relationship between Tinya and Garth and Imra - the casual alnowledgement of the stresses of leadership was well done. Motherhood changing Imra, haha, love that she stiffened up after Tinya said this, that was a nice touch. Also, the wat garth mentioned he knows about the risk of not being ready as he had previously died - nicely written. The ease that the three of them interact with each other was really well captured, what a scene.

"the last thing any of us want to do is put these kids in danger before they're ready" - umm Tinya, have not learned from Tellus that those sort of comments only tempt fate? haha.

So, the Academy kids get an adventure - fab, got to love them!

Well done that they try to find out what hapened and discuss their last memories before waking on that rock.

Jungle Queen - haha! I literaly lol'ed! Totally adore the students attitude, they're trapped and wearing power dampeners and they just dismis him, haha, great stuff.

30 seconds head start, Orion means business as no-one wants a cliff landing on them.

Nice tip having a detatchable cape, I may steal that idea smile Poor Glorith didn't listen to the cape convesation obviously.

Amp seems quite spiky, which is nice, it fits in with the majority of the group, and the team talking over Glorith reads perfectly like teenagers.So rude! But ten weren't we all smile

So they split the team? Oh. okay, not the wisest move surely?

Your Jazmin is probably the one that stands out as the most capable, I think. Her researching the Legion's opponents, helping Oaa and giving up trying to stop the sniping between her fellow students - she seems the most mature and has my vote for internship (just in case you're opening it up to public votes). Actually, there's a good mix of personalities on display within the group.

I can't remember you writing Lallor as a radioactive waste world previously, though it's a good idea given its history.

Chemical Kid is a jerk in every version isn't he laugh you write him really well.

Your Fire Lass is fun, her niavity plays ell as the straight man to the others, almost like Blok was back in the day. I always love the outsider that doesn't realise the nuances of language/culture.

Nice having the usually meek Glorith step up and lead the group, and I like how Ley Lines are a universal thing. Her quoting Garth was good too, at least she listened to him on that day smile

Wow! Marya shows some empathy and maturity, and good that she admits her failings. Who knows perhaps she might grow up after all - though where would be the fun in that? laugh

Waiane wanting to apologise to Dag was sweet. And Marya slips into character to tell him off for going on about Tel, haha, it's almost like she forgot what she'd just been saying.

Nice that Glorith's magic was unaffected. Orion's dagger to the throat is savage! Variable Lad as a winged beast - nice! Would love to see what other forms you could come up with for him as we never really got much of a chance to get to know him durig his short canon appearances.

Hadru slowing down Orion, well done, and good that he noted his abilities took a little bit of time to affect the subject.

Amp really is feisty! And I agree with her, get the bad guy knocked out and stop talking to him already Hadru!

And, just after they were actually needed, the Legion turn up. Nice ending there Raz. that was fun, great characterisation and a nice little adventure for the student team.

Looking forward to what you have planned next (death of Lu? Which one?)

Thanks again, and it probably goes without saying these days but I'm looking forward to more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Children of the Hunt. - 06/25/21 01:37 PM
Hi Harbi! It was fun writing the opener with Tinya, Garth and Imra - I always like bits that showcase the relationships between the older Legionnaires.

I am glad Jungle Queen landed well - smartass teenagers are the same now or a thousand years from now it seems laugh

I can't recall if Lallor being a radioactive wasteland is something I read in a Who's Who ages ago or if it's my headcanon but I know nuclear wars were a part of their history so it makes sense to me that a lot of it would probably be pretty uninhabitable.

Glad also that the students' individual personalities came through well...some of them are gonna get a big spotlight in the not too distant future so I thought it'd be good to throw in an adventure with them all now just to have them fresh in people's minds, I don't think they've appeared as a group together for a while smile
Posted By: razsolo The Death of Duplicate Damsel - 07/08/21 02:27 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion Academy Recreation Yard


ROLL CALL
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability

Lamprey aka Tayla Skott: Legion ally; amphibious, electricity generation
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: reserve Legionnaire, Legion Academy co-head; electricity generation and manipulation
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: reserve Legionnaire, Legion Academy co-head; telepathy

Standing with Nightwind and Lamprey, the 31st Century's newest Supergirl watched with mild curiosity while extradimensional outcast S'jn demonstrated their abilities to Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad several meters away. "So," Laurel teased Tayla, "When are we gonna get to meet this Turtle guy? Grava says he's red shift racing, which I can only assume means something good."

"He's been so weird lately!" Lamprey complained. "I really thought we were making progress but ever since the Aquamarines attacked us for some reason he's pretending not to know...I'm not sure. Maybe a parakat can't change their stripes after all. Anyway, where is Grava? And Bobb for that matter? I was looking forward to catching up with the whole gang while S'jn was trying out for the Academy!"

"Sorry we're not good enough for you, Officer Skott!" Nightwind joked. "I think Grava said she and Chlorophyll Kid were taking Ivy to Wackyworld today, and our good friend Crystal Kid is pretty much joined at the lips with Gravity Kid lately...I'm afraid you're stuck with us, girl!"

Lamprey was ready with a snappy retort when she noticed S'jn floating back toward her with Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad accompanying the blue and yellow cephalopod. "What do you think?" Lamprey asked the married couple. "Does my friend here have what it takes for the Legion Academy?"

"Thank you both for coming such a long way," Saturn Girl began. "S'jn's telepathy and telekinesis are quite underdeveloped compared to Tellus, but I certainly see potential there."

"But more importantly their teleportation ability is something nobody else in the Legion has," Lightning Lad continued without pause. "And Glorith doesn't have anywhere near S'jn's range. They could do with a little work to be Legion-ready but that's what you came to us for, right? Imra and I are in agreement, there's a place for you in the Legion Academy if you want it, S'jn."

<Gratitude> S'jn projected to both Garth and Imra. <I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to use my abilities in service of this plane. However, Lamprey has made clear to me the importance of a superheroic nomenclature and I have chosen for mine...Sojurn!>*

"Sojurn it is," Saturn Girl gave them a warm smile. "Welcome to the Legion Academy, young sentient!"

At that moment, Nightwind's flight ring sounded and she excused herself for a moment. "Sorry everyone," she announced after a brief chat, "I've been summoned. Welcome to the gang, Sojurn!"

**********

MARS
Legion Academy, Lullabye Lad's quarters


ROLL CALL
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Legion Academy student; Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone

Standing in front of a smartmirror, Lullabye Lad gently pressed his fingertip against the screen and turned his reflection around so that he was looking at his left profile. With a couple more simple gestures, the device zoomed in on his skull so Waiane could see the scar over his ear more clearly.

"You have to stop getting shot, kid brother."** At the sound of his older sibling's voice, Lullabye Lad turned to see Stone Boy standing by a console where he'd just finished reading Waiane's medical report. "It's bad for your health."

"Hey!" Lullabye Lad greeted him. "You came! I um...I wasn't sure if you would."

"What??" Dag Wentim was genuinely taken aback. "Why wouldn't I come? I'm your brother, you dope! Adam Orion's lucky I wasn't in the search and rescue team, although from what I hear you didn't need the Legion's help."

Waiane faltered. "I just thought...after how I blew up at you before that Orion guy kidnapped us..."

Chuckling, Dag walked over to Waiane and pulled him into a bear hug. "You're the one who got all the big emotions in this family, you think I'm not used to it by now? I'm still gonna worry about you when you're hurt."

"Okay, okay." Waiane allowed Dag to hug him for a few seconds before he made a show of pushing Stone Boy away. "Go back to being all stoic and boring, you're weirding me out."

Stone Boy ran his hand through Lullabye Lad's hair affectionately, fully aware of how much it would annoy him. "It's not every day someone tries to kill my little brother, give me a break. Anyway, you don't have to go back to class till tomorrow...you want to hang out?"

"If hanging out equals shopping I'm in," Waiane replied cheekily. "Hey, what do you think? Should I keep the scar or not? It's kind of ugly but like...masc ugly, you know?"

Dag rolled his eyes but before he could frame a response, his flight ring breeped at him. "Stone Boy, could you please meet me in the hangar in fifteen standard minutes?" Nightwind's voice sounded.

"We've got a mission...Bouncing Boy needs our help."

**********

TITAN
Titanopolis, the Time Institute


ROLL CALL
Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: Legion ally; hyperevolution/devolution
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone

Bouncing Boy aka Charles Foster Taine: reserve member; super-bouncing

In one of the lowest levels of the Time Institute was a smallish room lined completely with monitors and other equipment designed to observe and protect every square inch of the famous building. This was the office in which former Legionnaire Charles Foster Taine spent much of his time in his role as the Institute's Chief of Security, and it was here that he now stood with an uncommonly sober expression while six other Legionnaires watched footage he'd already viewed dozens of times.

The gathered heroes observed attentively while security cameras showed Duplicate Damsel in the on-site laboratory of Dr Jax Madri. Dr Madri had been studying Luornu Durgo Taine's powers for months now, since just after she and Chuck had left the Legion of Superheroes. The Legionnaires watched as the white-haired scientist instructed Luornu to summon one of her duplicates and then they watched as he assisted the identical women in positioning themselves on a podium where sophisticated scanning equipment could analyze them from head to toe. None of this was out of the ordinary; Chuck himself had been present for several of these tests, and Luornu had described many more that were far more tedious than any Bouncing Boy had observed first hand. Dr Dax was an affable man though, and he'd made no secret of the fact that Luornu's powers ignited his scientific curiosity greatly. It was what happened next that made this footage worth watching.

A costumed man suddenly appeared right alongside Dr Dax in the laboratory. He wore a slick white bodysuit which included a masked cowl, and it bore a multi-coloured pattern over his torso and his forehead. The stranger pointed a finger, and the two Duplicate Damsels slumped to the floor. When Dr Dax bravely threw himself at the stranger, the costumed man gestured theatrically and Dax too instantly collapsed. The stranger produced some kind of small orb from a hidden pocket and pressed a button on its side, and every camera feed abruptly cut out.

"...And that's all we've got," Bouncing Boy concluded. "That thing was an EMP grenade, it cut out all power in the room for six minutes. I responded to the blackout in three. By the time I got there, there was no trace of any of them. That was over an hour ago and there's been no contact, no demands made...the only physical evidence that any of them were there in that room at all are Luornu's flight rings." He looked at the dual rings in his palm with the expression of a sad dog.

"I'm so sorry, Bouncing Boy." Nightwind gave her former teacher a look of sympathy. "Phantom Girl really wanted to come today herself, but she had some diplomatic thing on Weber's World she couldn't get out of. You and Duplicate Damsel have given me more than I can ever repay though...I'm not going to rest till we find her."

"And take down the scum who kidnapped her," Diamond Damsel added.

"Thanks, you two." Chuck smiled weakly. "I appreciate you all coming more than you know. Mwindaji, Evolvo Lad; I barely even know you both, it means a lot to me that you're helping us."

"Community is very important on my homeworld," Mwindaji explained in his deep baritone. "The Legion of Superheroes is my community now, I am honoured to assist."

"Bouncing Boy, do you have a better image of this person?" Stone Boy asked. "We could run him through criminal databases--"

"That's a good idea," Chuck replied, "And it's one of the first things I did. He's a mystery." As he spoke, he generated a three-dimensional hologram of the stranger which had been compiled from the various recording devices in the lab. "You have to understand, the Time Institute's security is almost on par with Legion headquarters itself. The work being done here is incredibly sensitive and could be very dangerous in the wrong hands. There's an impressive array of detection equipment throughout this building and none of it outside of what we just saw registered this guy's arrival or departure. We don't even know how he took down poor Jadzi or Luornu, there were no energy spikes registered and no visual cues to indicate what he did to them. I've done everything the Science Police could possibly do, this is beyond any conventional means of investigation."

"It's a good thing you summoned unconventional investigators then," Evolvo Lad spoke up. Until now he'd been in his base form, that of a normal young blond man. As he spoke, he grew thinner and taller. His hair disappeared as his cranium grew several times larger and his skin became almost translucent. "I do not doubt the efficiency of yourself or your technology," Evolvo Lad continued in a calm monotone which sounded nothing like the man he'd been a moment ago, "But in this form my intellect is beyond that of even Brainiac 5. May I trouble you to take me to Dr Dax's laboratory, Bouncing Boy? Perhaps I can intuit something which has been otherwise missed."

"Of course," Chuck nodded. "Follow me." He left the room, followed quickly by almost everyone else.

"Blok?" Diamond Damsel asked, waiting at the door. "Are you coming?"

This whole time, the stone giant had been silently examining the costumed stranger's hologram. He turned away from it now and joined Diamond Damsel in tailing the others. "My apologies," he rumbled. "Sometimes I wish I had more than simply a portion of the wisdom of Solomon. There is something curious about this whole incident, I feel I am on the verge of some insight...but I cannot draw it all together."

The diamond woman cocked her head up toward him with a slight smirk. "Nice to know you can still get stumped like the rest of us occasionally."

Before they could proceed any further, Nightwind stopped in her tracks and slapped her forehead. "Grife, how stupid am I? I'm so used to thinking of Dawnstar as the team tracker...Mwindaji, can you find Duplicate Damsel?"

The tall youth closed his eyes, his face a mask of concentration. After a moment, he opened his eyes again and nodded. "I believe so, Nightwind. She is not close, but I am confident that I can locate her more precisely as I approach her position."

"That's settled then," Bouncing Boy's spirits were immediately bouyed. "Let's get going!"

"If I may make a suggestion?" Evolvo Lad addressed the others. "I would like to stay behind and examine Dr Dax's laboratory and research more closely. We must not forget that both Duplicate Damsel and Dr Dax were abducted, there is a high probability that their abductor seeks to use Dr Dax's work with Duplicate Damsel for his own benefit. I can of course bypass any security protocols myself with time--"

"--but it'll be easier if I stay with you and give you what you need," Bouncing Boy interrupted with a tone of resignation. "That's what you were going to say, right? I don't like it, but...it makes sense."

"I-I don't know," Nightwind stammered, unusually indecisive in the face of her mentor. "Bouncing Boy, I don't want you to feel obliged--"

"If it makes any difference," Blok added, "I agree that Evolvo Lad and Bouncing Boy should remain here, Nightwind. I feel that there are answers waiting to be unlocked here, and Evolvo Lad is the most suited among us to unlock them." Gently, he laid a gold-flecked hand on Bouncing Boy's shoulder. "I vow that we will do everything in our power to bring Luornu back to you, my friend."

"I know you will, Blok." Chuck patted Blok's hand warmly.

"I'm staying too then," Nightwind declared after a momentary pause, her voice once again resolute. "If this guy can overpower a squad that includes three people made of stone, I don't see what help I'm going to be; but if he comes back while Bouncing Boy and Evolvo Lad are neck deep in research files they're gonna need someone else on their side. Blok, we'll be in touch as soon as we find something useful. Good luck!"

Diamond Damsel flashed a hopeful smile at Bouncing Boy before she, Blok, Stone Boy and Mwindaji walked away. "Hang in there, Chuck. I know how much you love Luornu, we'll have you two back together in no time."

**********

Forty standard minutes later Blok, Diamond Damsel, Stone Boy and Mwindaji stood at the foot of one of the many towering apartment buildings of Titanopolis. Science Police Lieutenant Perr Alta accompanied them, all five watching as more Science Police escorted dozens of residents out of the building to gather in the plaza outside. Lieutenant Alta tapped the side of his helmet gently, then turned to address the Legion. "I just got telepathic confirmation, that's the last of them," he noted. "Is there anything else we can do to help, Legionnaires?"

"Thank you for the offer but that will not be necessary," Blok rumbled. "While Mwindaji's power has enabled us to find our friend, we do not yet know what to expect up there. We appreciate you evacuating the surrounding apartments, but I believe it best if the Legion of Superheroes handle matters from here."

"Understood," Lieutenant Alta nodded. "We'll be down here if you need us anyway."

"It was a smart move minimising the risk of injuring any bystanders like that," Stone Boy complimented Blok as the Legionnaires walked into the building.

"It seemed prudent," Blok replied as the four of them commandeered a turbolift to take them to the 112th floor. "We do not know this villain's capabilities and three of us have much destructive potential ourselves."

They exited the turbolift and Mwindaji led them down the empty corridor to a door with 11209 marked on it in bright blue Interlac. "This is the place," he spoke in a hushed voice. "I sense the presence of both Duplicate Damsel and our missing Dr Jadzi if I am not mistaken."

"Are either of them on the other side of this door?" Diamond Damsel asked.

"No," Mwindaji shook his head and pointed a finger toward the wall. "They are...four to five mets that way."

"Good," Diamond Damsel growled. "Then I can do this." She rended the door into strips with a two-handed slashing motion and stepped inside the apartment. "Duplicate Damsel, Dr Dax; the Legion of Superheroes are here!"

The others followed the heroine's lead and found that the spacious apartment had been stripped bare. Rather than furniture, packed boxes lined the walls. Exactly where Mwindaji had stated she would be, Duplicate Damsel was inside a transparent tube pounding fruitlessly against the soundproofed plexiglass. Thick cables connected the cylinder to a heavy console, and behind that console stood her abductor. Dr Dax though was nowhere to be seen.

"Hi there," the villain remarked as casually as though he were welcoming neighbours in for a drink. "You didn't have to wreck the door, you know. I'm never going to get my deposit back now!"

"Who are you?" Diamond Damsel demanded.

"I thought you said Dr Dax was here as well?" Stone Boy whispered to Mwindaji.

"I-I thought he was," Mwindaji stammered uncertainly. "I suppose...I must have mistaken him for this villain, I have never met him in person so I may have been confused..? I apologise for my error."

"It doesn't matter," Diamond Damsel started marching toward the villain. "We'll beat Dr Dax's whereabouts out of this creep once we bust Luornu out of there."

"I don't think so," the masked man gave an indulgent laugh. "Something tells me you'll be too busy playing with my toys to do me any damage, Diamond Damsel." Right on cue, the boxes littered around the room were torn open from inside as droids laden with weapons burst out and trained guidance lasers on the Legionnaires. "Oh, and to answer your question...you can call me Myriad."

The droids all opened fire with searing energy beams which tore holes in the floor, walls and ceiling as they ricocheted off of the more durable of the heroes. Blok quickly stepped in front of Mwindaji, shielding him with his own indestructible hide. "Diamond Damsel, Stone Boy!" Blok shouted over the high-pitched whine of the energy weapons. "I will protect Mwindaji, but you two must destroy these machines before they cause irreparable structural damage!"

"Consider it done, Blok." Stone Boy walked up to the nearest droid and punched a fist straight through its centre before moving on to the next one.

"These things aren't even a challenge!" Diamond Damsel grabbed two of them and slammed them together into so much scrap metal. "Did you really expect your bargain basement henchbots to put up a fight against the Legion of Superheroes? Hang in there, Duplicate Damsel! We'll have you out in a nano!"

One of the droids tried to circle round behind Blok to get to his more fleshy teammate, but the stone giant's fist lashed out in a blur and pulverized it the instant it came close enough. Blok didn't even spare the automaton a glance, his narrowed eyes regarding Myriad with suspicion. None of this made any sense. Why would Myriad simply be waiting here for them with weapons that almost any Legionnaire could make light work of? Why had Mwindaji sensed Dr Dax here? Why had Myriad not yet even attempted to use whatever power he'd used to subdue Duplicate Damsel and Dr Dax in the first place? Just as Diamond Damsel and Stone Boy finished off the last of their robotic opponents, Blok laid eyes upon Luornu and saw her shout something behind that thick layer of plexiglass which suddenly made everything fall into place.

At the same time Diamond Damsel grabbed a fistful of Myriad's costume, lifted him off the floor and shoved him against the wall with a painful sounding thud. "That was a pathetic waste of time, and now you're going to tell us what you've done with that scientist or you're gonna get a taste of what your stupid robots just got! Stone Boy, see if you can find a way to get Duplicate Damsel out of there."

Dag Wentim approached the console and looked it over, then turned to Myriad and Diamond Damsel in obvious confusion. "It...it's not even connected to a power supply. What's this all about, Myriad?"

Myriad's answer was mocking laughter. "Don't worry...you'll all find out soon enough." Then without any warning at all, both he and Luornu simply vanished.

"Damn it!" Diamond Damsel put her fist through the wall where Myriad's head had been a moment ago. "What is any of this even about?"

"I can not answer that question entirely," Blok replied calmly, "But I know who Myriad is now.

We need to contact the others immediately."

**********

Not long after the other Legionnaires had left, Evolvo Lad was sitting in front of a computer terminal in Jadzi Dax's laboratory. While the hyperevolved genius familiarised himself with Dax's research, Nightwind took her chance to speak with her old mentor one-on-one for the first time since the Legion had arrived on Titan. "How are you holding up, Bouncing Boy?" Berta asked softly.

"Don't worry about me," Chuck Taine gave Nightwind a half-smile. "Obviously I'm worried about my wife and Jadzi, but I trust the Legion. I just wish I had more of a role to play, I know this is the best place for me right now but I don't like not being there when they rescue Lu." A moment of silence filled the air between them before Bouncing Boy added in a more upbeat tone, "I'm glad you're leading this mission though...and you're deputy leader now, that's exciting!"

"Nerve-wracking more like it," Nightwind looked aside nervously. "Commanding people I've looked up to for years, coming here to help you and Duplicate Damsel...I'm so scared I'm gonna screw up, you know?"

"I do know," Bouncing Boy acknowledged her doubt as he placed a hand on Nightwind's shoulder. "And I'll tell you something...you will screw up sometimes, Berta. We all screw up, that's how we learn. But I couldn't be prouder of you, you worked hard and you absolutely deserve this position. I know that every Legionnaire is as worthy as any other, but I have to admit it does help that little bit more having you and Blok and Diamond Damsel here."

"Thanks, Teach." Berta placed her own hand over Chuck's and squeezed it briefly. "I appreciate the vote of confidence."

"Bouncing Boy?" Chuck and Berta both glanced across at Evolvo Lad's summons. "May I ask...are you at all familiar with the nature of Dr Dax's work with your wife?"

"I'm not a quantum physicist, it's all way over my head." Bouncing Boy walked across to where Evolvo Lad was seated. "As far as I know, he's just trying to explore where Lu's expanded powers came from. I mean, Brainy already told her but I guess Jadzi wanted to see that for himself? Hey, what language is that? It's not Interlac!" Chuck pointed at the wall of text Evolvo Lad had been reading.

"I do not know," Evolvo Lad admitted casually. "I have deciphered it, but I remain oblivious as to its point of origin."

"You just taught yourself a whole new language?" Nightwind asked incredulously. "You've only been on that terminal for like ten minutes!"

"The linguistic pathways are actually quite predictable," Evolvo Lad explained as though this were the simplest task in the world. "The translation only took me 145 standard seconds, I have been absorbing the information within these files since then. In fact, I would be further along if these systems had more advanced processors. But I digress; it seems that Dr Dax had initially approached his research from a misinformed premise. He thought that Duplicate Damsel's powers might allow her to access alternate versions of herself from different planes of the multiverse. Much of his early research explores this theory."

"Is that...helpful to know?" Nightwind asked, sharing a baffled look with Bouncing Boy.

"In all honesty it might only be a footnote," Evolvo Lad replied. "Except for the fact that Jadzi Dax was trying to find a way to take that supposed ability for himself."

"Wait, what..?" Bouncing Boy frowned. "What do you mean, take the ability? He wants to steal Lu's powers??"

"Indeed," Evolvo Lad gave a subtle nod. "I presume that neither your wife nor yourself were aware of this motivation?"

"Absolutely sprocking not!" Chuck growled. "Are you sure about this, Evolvo Lad? We knew he was a big fan of Lu's before we ever came to Titan, but he's never been anything other than respectful!"

Evolvo Lad turned back to the holoscreen, scrolling faster than Chuck or Berta could keep up. "I am certain," he answered after another minute of reading. "However, it seems this escaped even Brainiac 5's attention so I can understand how the two of you were similarly unaware. These files are painting Dr Dax as a man quite adept in deceit."

"What does Brainiac 5 have to do with any of this?" Nightwind cut in.

"When Dr Dax's original hypothesis came to a dead end he compared notes with Brainiac 5," Evolvo Lad continued, "Brainiac shared some of his own findings with him, and gave Dr Dax a new scientific path to pursue."

Bouncing Boy saw the confused expression on Nightwind's face and decided to step in. "Brainy and Jadzi are professional colleagues," Chuck explained. "That was how we met Jadzi in the first place, through his friendship with Brainy. But Evolvo Lad, are you seriously telling me....this man orchestrated all of that just to get his hands on Lu? She's been working with him for months and he's been friends with Brainy for years, all of that was just some long con?"

Evolvo Lad thought on it for a second. "With the information at hand I can only speculate, but in my opinion it seems more that he simply seized an opportunity when you and Duplicate Damsel left the Legion of Superheroes." With one slender finger he pointed out a tiny audio device nestled inside his ear. "I have been simultaneously researching Dr Dax's credentials and he does genuinely have a celebrated scientific history exploring fields related to transversal physics. If I may offer a hypothesis of my own, it may be entirely possible that Dr Dax has spent his entire career looking for a way to imbue himself with the ability to breach multiversal barriers and then when your wife became available for study--"

"Damn it!" Bouncing Boy pounded his fist on the nearest surface. "How long have I been a Legionnaire? I'm the sprocking Chief of Security here, I should have seen this coming a mile away!"

"That's not fair," Nightwind soothed. "You heard Evolvo Lad, even Brainiac 5 didn't see it coming...don't beat yourself up, Bouncing Boy." She turned back to Evolvo Lad with a quizzical expression. "But wait, there's something I don't get...you said he found out Duplicate Damsel doesn't actually have the ability he's looking for, so why would he still want her power?"

"As a means to an end," Evolvo Lad stated bluntly. "Duplicate Damsel does not have the power to breach multiversal barriers but Dax knows of somebody who does...and once he has claimed Duplicate Damsel's power for himself he intends on seeking out that person with the advantage of numbers on his side."

"Who--" Nightwind began to ask, but Bouncing Boy cut her off.

"It doesn't matter!" Chuck exploded. "What matters is finding Lu! We can interrogate him after my wife's safe...where is she, Evolvo Lad? Was he working with that creep we saw on the monitors? Does it say anything in there about how they got out of here?"

Evolvo Lad excused himself to continue reading, and the minutes that passed felt like hours. Bouncing Boy alternated between pacing the lab frenetically and glaring at Evolvo Lad as if trying to force the answer out of him through sheer force of will. When Evolvo Lad's beady pink eyes widened in epiphany, Chuck pounced. "What is it? What did you find?" At the same time, Nightwind's flight ring breeped and she walked across to the other side of the lab to take the call.

Evolvo Lad tapped away and a hologram came to life before Bouncing Boy. It was a series of sketches of a costume, a costume Bouncing Boy recognised immediately as belonging to the man he'd seen on the monitors in this very room. "That man's name is Myriad," Evolvo Lad narrated as the costume turned around for a 360 degree view. "And Dr Dax is not working with him...Jadzi Dax is Myriad."

"That...how..." Chuck was visibly flummoxed.

"Guys!" Nightwind ran over breathlessly. "That was Blok! Dax is a Carggite! They just lost him and Duplicate Damsel, but Blok figured it out as soon as Duplicate Damsel told him that Dax and..." Berta noticed the hologram of Myriad for the first time and pointed at it accusingly. "...Dax and that guy are the same person!"

Bouncing Boy put the pieces together in his head. "Then...then that's why no teleportation signature was registered, because he didn't teleport in here...he split into two people? But the costume..?"

"The costume is activated by an electrostatic charge," Evolvo Lad noted. "It explicitly says so in these schematics. More importantly, if Myriad did not teleport in to the Time Institute, then it stands to reason he did not teleport out. I imagine that he provided the Legion of Superheroes a trail to follow simply to mask his true work here. Bouncing Boy....does this laboratory provide access to any storage tesseracts? The nature of the tesseract should provide adequate defence against conventional means of detection."

Bouncing Boy's blood ran cold as he slowly approached a door recess just behind where they'd all been standing. Nightwind and Evolvo Lad followed, and Chuck's hand trembled as he placed it over a biometric scanner. "Security override; recognise Charles Foster Taine," he identified himself hoarsely when the door remained shut, then he repeated himself more firmly.

"If I may?" Evolvo Lad lay his hands upon the door. "I am certain I could bypass whatever adjustments Myriad has made if I put my mind to it...but there are times when my mind is not my best asset." He lowered his enormous head, and before Bouncing Boy and Nightwind's eyes the tall pale man changed shape. His skin grew darker and more leathery, his frame became a broad-shouldered mass of muscle while his head shrunk to more normal proportions. A layer of hair almost as thick as fur covered his exposed arms, and an untamed mane of brown hair sprung forth from his scalp to reach down past his shoulder blades. With an animalistic roar, the caveman now before them pounded at the door with mighty fists. The metal warped with his first strike, and by his third blow it tore loose from its frame and bounced across the floor on the other side.

The sight which greeted them on the other side of that doorway was not the sparse open storage space that should have been there. Instead, flourescent lighting illuminated a gleaming secondary laboratory almost as large as the one they'd just exited. There was minimal architecture, simply terminals and workbenches dotted around the room holding exotic scientific apparatus. The only real splash of color in the room was an oblong screen three feet high and six feet wide which showed roiling blood red energies...and at the far side of the lab, slumped helplessly in a plexiglass tube was Duplicate Damsel herself. To her left, behind a large console, Myriad looked up to see the heroes' dramatic entrance. He didn't look at all surprised to see them, and greeted them with a neighbourly smile. "Hello, Chuck. Legionnaires."

"Lu!" Bouncing Boy began to bolt toward his wife, but Nightwind grabbed his arm and held him back.

"Bouncing Boy, Blok told me his team were attacked by a bunch of modified security droids when they entered a lab just like this," Nightwind explained. "Let's bring him to us." She gestured, and a gust of wind knocked Myriad from his feet and into the air. Even a month ago, manipulating air currents in an enclosed environment like this would have required intense concentration on her part but Nightwind had been training rigorously and that training was paying off.

Myriad was strangely unperturbed, the smile on his face not fading even slightly. "You're all overreacting," he chuckled. "I'm more than happy to release Luornu, so long as you can guarantee my freedom."

"I can guarantee you a fist to the face if you've hurt my wife," Bouncing Boy simmered. Evolvo Lad growled in sympathetic aggression.

Nightwind dumped Myriad unceremoniously on his tailbone in front of the three of them. "You really think you're in a position to be making demands right now, creep?"

"Oh, I assure you..." Myriad stood up, his friendly smile growing more sinister as three more of him suddenly appeared out of thin air. "...I do. You see, Legionnaires," the duplicates continued in unison as even more of them filled the room, "You're too late. I already have everything I need from Duplicate Damsel, and I assure you...I have more faces than you have fists." En masse, the horde of Myriads stormed the trio of Legionnaires as they rushed the open doorway.

None of them individually were a match for Evolvo Lad in his devolved form, but for every villain the inarticulate hero violently dispatched three more took his place. They couldn't actually hurt him, but soon he was buried beneath a mound of wriggling bodies.

Bouncing Boy saw this and immediately realised they couldn't just wade in. "Berta, we need some room!"

"Great minds think alike!" Nightwind shot back. She spread both arms wide and a ferocious gale funnelled through the open doorway behind them, picking up enough force once it bypassed herself and Bouncing Boy that it split the group of Myriads into two and forced them to either side of the room. Equipment went flying along with them and even the terminals bolted to the floor strained against their moorings. The villains were still multiplying though, and as much as she'd developed her power she knew she wasn't going to be able to hold them back forever. "I'm gonna switch tactics!" Berta shouted over the wind. "You might want to power up for this, Teach!"

Trusting his former student completely, Bouncing Boy activated the power that gave him his name and inflated his form into a giant sphere. Nightwind abruptly released the Myriads from her hold and instead used that wind to launch Bouncing Boy into the nearest group like a cannonball. Chuck took over from there, ricocheting from one side of the room to the other like a hyperactive pinball and taking out several of the villains with each rebound. As he bounced, he made his way closer to the other side of the laboratory. Luornu saw her husband's approach and realised exactly what he was planning; she huddled down at the base of the cylinder in which she was trapped, protecting her face so that when Chuck careened right through the plexiglass tube she remained uninjured.

"Honey, are you okay?" Chuck resumed his normal proportions and helped Luornu to her feet. "Did he--?"

Gazing into her husband's face, Luornu's bi-colored eyes were filled with tears. "Chuck, he...he..." She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and sobbed helplessly in his embrace.

While this was happening, Nightwind and Evolvo Lad had been doing their best to deal with an untenable situation but the numbers were simply too great. Eventually, some of the Myriads broke through Berta's defences. With a separate Myriad pinning each of her arms to the wall, a third smugly pointed a finger in her face. "You really should have just let me go, Nightwind. This could have been an unpleasant blip in my acquaintance with the Legion of Superheroes but now you've gone and made an enemy out of me."

"You did that when you hurt one of our own," Nightwind snarled. Thinking quickly, she used her powers to assault the men holding her arms with the weighted straps which hung from her costume. The attack wouldn't cause any real damage, but it was both painful and distracting enough that they released their hold on her. Nightwind placed both hands on the shoulders of the Myriad who'd spoken to her and kneed him in the groin. While he collapsed groaning, she elbowed the other two men in the face.

A hearty laugh came from her right hand side, and she saw a whole gang of the villains gathered before her. The Myriad who'd laughed gave her a slow clap. "I suspect your more powerful comrades will be on their way here, and I'm not so enamoured with these new abilities that I'm ready to take some of them on yet. I will bid you farewell, Legion...until we meet again." He began to give a theatrical bow, but Nightwind threw both arms wide and sent the entire mob hurtling backwards. Before they could come to any harm though, each one of them blinked out of existence. Berta looked around the suddenly empty room; the only versions of Myriad remaining were those who'd been rendered unconscious. He'd escaped.

Evolvo Lad shrugged off six insensate men who'd been weighing him down at the bottom of a much larger pile until a second ago, and roared in frustration. Glaring from one corner of the room to the other it eventually dawned on the prehistoric man that the fight was over. His breathing slowed and his shape shifted once more until he stood before the others in his base form again. "We were too late..?" he asked hesitantly.

Bouncing Boy came forward with Duplicate Damsel still leaning into his embrace. "We were," Chuck admitted sadly. "While we sent Mwindaji and the others off on their wild goose chase, he was right under our noses the whole time stealing my wife's powers." Bouncing Boy held Luornu at arm's length, his hands on her shoulders. "Lu, I...I'm so sorry I failed you, but we'll make this right. This guy can't hide from us forever, we'll find him for you and--"

"What? No." Luornu turned her tear-streaked cheek up to face her husband. In an instant, all vulnerability left her to be replaced by cold hard steel. "Nobody else is doing this for me, Chuck. Myriad may have taken my powers, he may have put an end to Duplicate Damsel...

...but Luornu Durgo Taine hasn't even begun to fight back yet."



EDITOR'S NOTES:
* 'Sojurn' is deliberately misspelled for effect because somewhere inside me live all the naming conventions I picked up from comics in the 90s...let's just say the space octopus's telepathy is good enough to convey that somehow wink
** Stone Boy is of course referring not only to Adam Orion's lousy aim last instalment but also the time Sharpshot Kid shot Lullabye Lad on Zwen that time (https://www.legionworld.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=943139#Post943139)
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Death of Duplicate Damsel - 07/09/21 09:07 AM
more great stuff, raz!

Sojurn! I knew they would end up in the Academy... and teleportation, whee! Nice new power set.

Nice apology between Dag and Waiane. Dag is really the cool big bro.

Nice bit with Nightwind forgetting that Mwindaji can track too, like Dawnstar! And also how Nightwind still sort of hero-worships Chuck and Lu.

I like how Evolvo Lad is so polite.

Also like how you portrary Blok's widsom as a distinct thing from hyper-intelligence.

Lt. Perr Alta wink a homage to Brooklyn 9-9?

Also liking how prudent and careful the Legionnaires are regarding innocent bystanders, potentially injuring captives, etc.

I thought that Dax might have been the villain from the beginning - no sensors, suddenly fainting to the ground... nice mystery build up! Esp. with Blok thinking nothing made sense.

Chuck's emotions are touching and realistic.

Like the reference to Nightwind's intense power training, and her canny battle tactics. Chuck's tactics too. And Nightwind weaponizing her costume, plus her hand to hand. Also Lu and Chuck anticipating each other in battle, whee!

oy, he STOLE Lu's powers... Now I'm super invested, can't wait for comeuppance. And you did a good job making Dax such a smarmy &#@$)$. Can't wait for the next installment!
Posted By: Gaseous Lad Re: The Death of Duplicate Damsel - 07/09/21 12:07 PM
This was a really fun read, Raz.

I'm not sure if its because Chuck is a "classic" member of the team, or due to the fact that Lu is in danger, but I definitely connected to and was invested in the story from his perspective. Also loved the portrayal and description of Evolvo Lad and his powers.

Using Luornu as a lab rat in order to steal/duplicate her power is a neat hook.

And Jadzi Dax? Love it. Does he have a sister? smile
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Death of Duplicate Damsel - 07/10/21 05:46 AM
Thanks for reading, y'all!

Perr Alta was 100% a deliberate thing but I can't believe my brain made me write down Jadzi Dax like 60 times and not once did it occur to me it sounds almost exactly like Jadzia...good pick, GL! laugh

This is gonna go in what I hope to be a surprising direction, but Lu will definitely get a chance before the end of it all to be more than a prisoner in a tube...stay tuned!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Death of Duplicate Damsel - 07/15/21 10:18 AM
Hey Raz, how are you?

I'm writing as I'm reading so here goes:

I like how you referenced the friendship between Laurel and Tayla through the questions about Turtle - they were at the academy for so long together so it made sense that Laurel would be the one asking. Nightwind teasig Tayla about not being enough was cute too. Though it seems Turtles shady past is affecting his relationship - more soon I hope!

Sojurn... sigh... 90's comics naming conventions are so passe (she says after naming one of her own characters 'Lexikon' smile ). It's going to have a totally unique perspective to the Legion and UP so it joining the academy is another plot I'm very happy to follow.

Real sweet scene between Dag and Waiane, the familial teasing was well done, as was the unconditional bond between them. And a nice way to show their very different personalities too.

Bless Chuck, he's such a decent guy and obviously really worried about Lu but still thanks M'windaji and Evolvo for helping. Evolvo saying he's smarter than Brainy in his hyper-evolved form is a bit of a surprise, though also very cool. It would be good to see them working together and Querl having to admit he doesn't understand...

Iris teasing Blok is sweet. Berta forgetting about M'windaji's tracking abilities was a nice spot, as she said, they're used to Dawnstar as the team tracker. And good of her to admit it rather thn trying to bluff her way through it. It made sense, though must have been a tough decision, for someone to stay to look after Chuck and evolvo, though am surprised that Berta decided she would be the one to remain. The team going are pretty physically pwerful but don't really have much nuances to them. Will be interesting to see what they can do.

Blok having the apartments evacuated was clever - that wisdom of Solomon is working smile

Ah... Dr Dax id the villain then, as M'Windaji can't differentiate them. Nice! Iris getting rough with him? Fair enough, not every powerhouse can be as laid back as Blok.

Blok knows, and I think I do too smile

Chuck is so smooth, taking the conversation from his obvious worries to Berta being deputy-leader. Berta's concerns about him was well done too.

Ah, so now it's cler why he calls himself Myriad - he wants to replicate like Lu. Evolvo teaching himself that language in a couple of minutes was impressive too.

Why would he want to breach the multiverse? That's an unexpected twist. And who does he know that he wants to get his hands on? And why go to the trouble of doing all this risking the Legion's involvement when he could just have bought a big gun to scare the person with? Myriad the mysterious...

Cute that Blok's message reached them just as evolvo figured it out. Evolvo battering the door was a nice use of him - a versatile powerset. Berta controlling her powers was great too, though it seems they took too long to find him. Very cool having Berta blow Chuck across the room like that! And Lu knowing what he wa away to do highlights their experience and knowledge of each other.Berta kicking ass (or groin in this case) was great fun, it's nice to see the Legionnaires showing their combat skills rather than just blasting stuff.

Good cliffhanger there though they have the unconscious Myriad's to interrogate so I doubt he'll get away for long.

And poor Lu, though even a single angry Lu is a scary thought. I almost feel sorry for Myriad.

Great stufff Raz, some really good characterisation going on and a nice mystery to get to the bottom of. Looking forward to more, more and much more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Death of Duplicate Damsel - 07/21/21 11:51 AM
Glad you picked up on my sneaking in a Lamprey/Turtle teaser in there Harbi, I am halfway through putting together a little mini-series for those two and just finished writing Turtle's secret origin a couple days ago! Hopefully that should be good to go in the next few weeks [/shameless plug]

I kinda like writing Dag and Waiane cuz Stone Boy tends to be more of a quiet achiever generally so it shows a side to him we don't normally get to see.

Evolvo Lad being smarter than Brainy might be something I nicked from a really old-school Heroes of Lallor story I think; I like it because it makes him more than a second-rate replacement but it doesn't diminish Brainy either because Sev only has that level of intellect for limited periods whereas Brainy's smart all the time.

I am reasonably confident that Myriad's next step will be a surprise to everyone, but it's also gonna explore something I have wanted to write since way back when I first started this series so I'm really looking forward to it!
Posted By: Omni Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 8 JULY* - 07/25/21 09:50 PM
[spoiler][/spoiler]Hi Raz,

loving these post.

Watching Tinya, Garth, and Imra together was really fun. its always cool to see how far they go back.
The teasing was fun...loved that Imra's nickname was "Iron Butt." haha laugh laugh

Watching Imra and Garth go back and forth about the students for the internship was fun. its like watching a sitcom where the couple's fighting but won't admit their fighting. So each sentence is said just a bit higher, just a with a bit more mocking mixed with the politeness of "Per my last email" business educate.

I like the reasons for each of the students to not be chosen and upgraded to intern and that P.G. is ok with that and that they all have the kids best interest at heart.

Damn the kids were kidnapped but they were seriously alright.
Loved Dragonwings protectiveness of her classmates.
Chemical Kid's snark definitely helped make this opening not as scary as it could have been for some of these students. ... "Jungle Queen" Haha.
Loved this section with Kid Quantum

Quote
"Do you really believe that murdering nine powerless teenagers is going to earn you respect from anybody, Hunter?" Kid Quantum addressed him fearlessly. "We've studied your exploits and you really should look inward if you want somebody to blame for your poor reputation."

Kid Quantum knew who he was and called him out on his bs. There's always that one student in each class who knows what's up and i love that its Jazmin.

Dragonwing stole her fire from the Imperial Dragons Horde? that's a story possibly worth sharing and could have some serious ramification that we don't know of yet.

Quote
He hated that Lightning Lad had been right when he'd told Hadru that he should make his cape easily detachable for his own safety, but Hadru couldn't deny that it was good advice.

This line made me laugh a bit. Love when Hardu has to admit that someone is right.

I feel for Amp. After her battle with Duplicate Lad, it makes sense that she wouldn't rest in situations like this and would want to be proactive as possible. I'm slightly surprised that she's planning on staying in this life after what she experienced.

Poor Gloirth. She's so quiet.

It's kind of weird to see Dragonwing get up in Amp's face about her being the new kid, when in the Retroboot series I wish someone had done that to her. I wasn't a fan of hers in that series but you've defiantly helped me like her a bit more.
But the infighting at a moment like this was really well done.

Splitting up at first i thought that might not be the best of ideas. but it makes sense to try and get help.
proud of Kid Q giving aid to Variable Lad and being prepared. A reason for the pouches! lol.

Soulcatchers? yeah i don't think i want to visit V-Lad's planet for a hike.

Thank you for mentioning that Chemical Kid and Dragonwing are older than the others throughout this post. its easy to think of them as younger with how immature they are, especially next to students like Jazmin.

Ok so glad i didn't have to wait to find out what happened to Kid Q. that moment really gave me a fright. Thought Orin shot her or something.
Lullaby Lad is so adorable at times but man you have a class full of cape wearing teens. Edna Mode would chastise you hard core for that. laugh

Quote
Glorith had been leading all four of them without fanfare, and she lowered her hood now to face the others as she turned. "Do you see that mountain peak?" she asked. "A cluster of ley lines meets there, I believe that site may be significant for us."

"I thought ley lines were an Earth thing," Dragonwing probed. "How do you know about them? Can you see them?"

Glorith returned Dragonwing's look of surprise with one of her own. "I did not know that you possessed occult knowledge yourself, Marya! Ley lines are a universal phenomenon but they are most commonly known by their Terran name. I cannot see them, but I sense their power. I think our best chance for survival will be to align ourselves with such a place of power...admittedly, I have not much expertise in this sphere of sorcery but what is the phrase Lightning Lad uses? We must avail ourselves of every advantage we possess."

Marya gave Glorith a teasing smirk. "I'm pretty sure Lightning Lad's never used the word avail in his life, but I get your meaning. Lead on, little witch!"

the whole section above was done well. funny and informative. I liked the back and forth of Glorith and Dragonwing alot.

Fire Lass confronting Dragonwing was well done as well. it's hard not to feel bad for her and i liked that Dragonwing finally saw that she wasn't a threat. I even liked the playfulness of her calling her "Ya big weirdo".
This whole post has made Dragonwing much more endearing to me.

Glad that Lullaby Lad feels bad about his blow up with his brother.

Adam Orion finally pounces on them!
Nice save from Glorith....wow... Fire Lass took a dagger to the throat? shocked
Yes!! the rest of the kids to the rescue. Chemical Kid's power really can be effective.

I love your distinction about magic and that even though it is technically a power, its a power that must be learned! i was not expecting that to be what saved the kids. But i'm glad it was.
Key Kid also a secret weapon? good twist and reasoning for not revealing it sooner and the kids are saved!

S'jin is in the academy! this makes me happy.
i can't wait for the Lamprey and Turtle mini you've got coming. I'm glad Lamprey knows he's lying and isn't taking him at his word on this one.
loved the joking nature of Nightwind and Supergirl II.

Glad that lullaby Lad and Stone Boy did really get their moment to talk even if it was interrupted.

The mission to save Lu was great! i loved the slow reveal of who Myriad is. I was slightly shocked by this. I figured it was more so that the doc was in on it and working with someone.
Blok's intuition was well done and i liked how you mentioned its only a portion of Solomon's wisdom and Diamond Damsels response was great!
i really enjoyed the shifting of Evolvo Lad and how it was applied. in the reboot era he was a character that only seemingly went "savage" when he lost control and was almost always in his hyper evolved state. So seeing the different incarnations was fun for me. Loved the smashing of the lock pad, knowing that sometimes the easiest solution is the best.
loved the comparison between him and Brainy in the other comments.
Chuck is an amazing husband! felt for him the whole time and after being a legionnaire i can say i bet it was even harder to sit back and let the team do their thing.
Nightwind's talks with Chuck were also nicely done. its always interesting to see how the teacher/student dynamic can change once the student is no longer the student.
Can't wait to find out Brainy's reaction to his "friends" betrayal.
the red herring and even faking out Mwindaji was clever and great use of the dupes.

Damn! that was definitely the death of Duplicate Damsel. But i'm glad that Lu is still with us and that she's willing to fight. so does that mean she's back to being a single or is she a regular Craggiate now and can triplicate again?

Can't wait for what's next!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 8 JULY* - 07/28/21 10:33 AM
Hey Omni smile

I nicked Iron Butt Imra from the 5YL Legion, it definitely fits laugh

Glad you liked the kids' side adventure, and you're right - Edna Mode would have some words to say about the capes and dusters and such....I actually never noticed myself till I wrote this story that like half the team have pretty impractical outfits for close quarters combat! This was kind of a warmup for the main event which is coming for them in the not too distant future, Sojurn has joined the Academy just in time!

Luornu's current status power/identity-wise will be resolved much sooner though, y'all are gonna see where all of that's at right up next!
Posted By: razsolo Army of One - 08/24/21 01:44 PM
TITAN
Titanopolis, the Time Institute

ROLL CALL

Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: Legion ally; hyperevolution/devolution
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone


Bouncing Boy aka Charles Foster Taine: reserve member; super-bouncing
Luornu Durgo Taine: reserve member, currently powerless


"I appreciate your patience," Evolvo Lad's hyperevolved form spoke in his characteristic soft monotone. "I believe I have all the information we require now to pursue our quarry."

Evolvo Lad stood by the bedside of one of the unconscious Myriads the Legionnaires had captured. As soon as the first of the villain's duplicates had woken up he'd blinked out of existence, rejoining his prime body wherever that might be. Bouncing Boy had immediately ordered the remaining duplicates to be kept sedated until they were safely in Science Police custody, and Evolvo Lad had taken the opportunity to telepathically interrogate one of them while he was out. The other heroes had been standing by chatting quietly amongst themselves while they waited for their Lalloran comrade to finish.

"Don't apologise, Evolvo Lad," Nightwind took the lead. "Waiting five minutes for you to rifle through that creep's brain is a lot less time than it would have taken to get the info we need through more conventional means."

"We are fortunate to have had an unconscious captive available," Evolvo Lad rejoined. "With the psionic baffler built into Myriad's cowl I wouldn't have been able to do this any other way. If we move now though, we should be able to intervene before he reaches his next target."

"Duplicate Damsel, are you...are you sure you really want to come with us?" Nightwind asked her former teacher tentatively. "There's no need--"

"There's every need," Luornu cut Berta off. "I may not actually be a Duplicate Damsel anymore, but I'm not a damsel in distress either. I'm not going to just sit here on Titan wringing my hands while the rest of you go after Myriad on my behalf. I just need to get changed, give me a few minutes." Without waiting for Nightwind to respond, Luornu marched out of the room they'd co-opted to keep the various Myriads contained.

"Bouncing Boy...Chuck..." Diamond Damsel approached the bearded hero once his wife was out of earshot. "I know Duplicate Damsel's tough and I don't mean to be blunt, but well...she has no powers. She can't even create a second duplicate anymore. Is this really safe?"

"My wife is tough," Chuck sighed, "Tough and stubborn. Honestly, we'd have a harder time convincing her to stay behind. Believe me DD, once Lu sets her mind on something there's no dissuading her."

"I'm still having trouble accepting who Myriad's going after next," Stone Boy changed the subject. "I don't doubt your abilities Evolvo Lad, but when you told us his real target earlier...are you sure there's absolutely no way you could have misinterpreted that?"

"I understand your skepticism given your relationship with her," Evolvo Lad replied. "However, there is no doubt in my mind. My telepathy only confirms what I read in Myriad's files earlier today, he is en route right now to abduct--"

With a rude abruptness, Evolvo Lad suddenly looked as though he'd been converted to a flat image. Just as abruptly, he vanished altogether less than a second later. He wasn't the only one either; Diamond Damsel, Blok, Nightwind, Stone Boy and Mwindaji all disappeared alongside their newest teammate.

"I'm ready!" Luornu called out from the corridor just outside the storage room. "Let's - hey, where is everyone?" Entering the room, she saw only her husband and Myriad's sleeping duplicates. "Chuck? Surely they didn't leave us both behind..?"

"They just...they just disappeared!" Bouncing Boy stared wide-eyed. "All of them!"

"What?" Luornu frowned. "What do you mean, disappeared? Do you think Myriad..?"

Chuck stroked his beard thoughtfully. "No...no, that doesn't make sense. Why would he take them and not his own selves? And you know, this is going to sound crazy but for a split second before they went they almost looked like they turned paper flat! Like Ron-Karr!"

"Let's check our security scanners," Luornu suggested. "We can call Berta and the others on the way."

"I'm trying now," Chuck gave his wife a concerned look, his flight ring raised to his lips. "I can't get hold of them...I can't get hold of Tinya...Lu, I can't get hold of anybody!

...It's like the whole Legion has just vanished off the face of the galaxy!"

**********

EARTH
Metropolis, United Planets Museum of the Superhero

ROLL CALL


Legion of Substitute Heroes
Antennae Lad aka Khfeurb Chee Bez:
can broadcast radio transmissions from different spatiotemporal loci
Polecat aka Dafe Meron: odor generation
Porcupine Pete aka Peter Dursin: projectile quills
Rainbow Girl aka Dori Aandraison: rainbow powers


Though it was well past 2am local time, Weisinger Plaza's vast empty space was filled with laughter as a colorful quartet of friends made their way past the various golden statues leading to one of Earth's newest tourist attractions. Formerly the site of the Legion of Superheroes' headquarters, this space had been converted into a museum which celebrated all of the galaxy's heroes. The Legion of Substitute Heroes had been tasked with maintaining the space, and it was they whose guffaws grew louder as they approached the building which was now their home.

"Can you believe those guys?" Antennae Lad wiped tears of mirth from his eyes. "I mean I know people make fun of us calling ourselves Substitute Heroes but like...there's an actual need for someone to be there when the Legion of Superheroes can't be. Nobody needs a bunch of wannabe bad guys to sub for the Legion of Supervillains!"

"The Legion of Substitute Villains should consider themselves lucky the real LSV don't know who they are," Rainbow Girl giggled. "Can you imagine the high and mighty Lightning Lord being okay with having a fanboy whose power is to--" she faked a retching noise "--projectile vomit on anything and everything?"

Reminded again of the leader of the team they'd just stopped from vandalising China's Great Ten memorial, the Subs all set off to laughing again. "Honestly?" Polecat volunteered once he was capable of speaking again, "I am simply happy that my own power is no longer the most digusting on the field of combat." There was a moment of awkward silence before all four of them were rolling in laughter once more.

"And X-Bomb Betty?" Antennae Lad threw another name out there. "I mean come on, I know I don't have perfect control of my power, but at least I can use it!"

"Do you think she even can explode?" Dori added. "For real? Because as far as I can tell, her only power is having two giant bombshells right here!" Dori jokingly cupped her breasts with both hands and mashed them together while giving a grossly exaggerated sultry pout.

"Come on guys," Porcupine Pete chuckled. "We're just being mean now, it's not like we're that much higher on the food chain than those squajes, we're just not so relentlessly dumb about it." Pete Dursin found their villainous counterparts as amusing as the rest of his team, but he'd developed much more impulse control after training with the monks on Steeple. "Anyway," Pete yawned as the museum's private entrance recognised his biosignature and opened before him, "I was just about asleep before Chee picked up that SP call from Beijing. I'm gonna go hit the hay."

"Hold the turbolift," Antennae Lad jogged a few steps forward. "Sleep sounds amazing right now!"

"I find myself still wound up from our encounter with the Substitute Villains," Polecat waved the other two men forward. "I think I shall find a holo to keep me entertained in the cinema...there are certainly benefits to sharing our base with a tourist museum! Do you wish to join me, Rainbow Girl?"

"I'll pass," the group's sole female member declined. "Thanks anyway, Dafe. My darling husband won't be back from his business trip for the next few days and as much as I love Irveang it's going to be so lovely to get through a whole six hours without that relentless din he calls snoring. Enjoy yourself, I'll see you boys at our next meeting!"

As the other three entered the building, Dori turned back toward the main plaza once more. She loved walking through Metropolis this time of night. Even at its most docile Metropolis was always so much more chaotic than anywhere on her homeworld of Xolnar, but with the walkways mostly devoid of sentients and only a dozen or so skycars zipping by overhead at any given time she felt special; Dori felt like she was a real part of this city and not just one of countless other backwater aliens who'd come to Earth to try and make something of themselves. It hadn't always been that way...for some time, Earth had come dangerously close to succumbing to the forces of xenophobic bigotry, and Dori was quietly proud that she and her teammates had played some part in changing that for the better.

As she approached the towering edifice of her husband's flagship hotel where her penthouse suite awaited her, it occurred to Rainbow Girl that a group of men had been tailing her for the past minute or so. The self-centred starlet who'd originally come to Earth chasing fame might never have noticed such a thing, but Dori hadn't been that girl for a while now. Before she could reach the hotel's well lit grand entrance, another group turned a corner before her and cut off her access. Dori's heart beat faster; she wasn't afraid to fight if she had to, but she didn't like these odds. There were at least ten of the men altogether, and they all wore an identical costume she didn't recognise. "Can I help you gentlemen?" she asked firmly, positioning herself between the two groups with a wall to her back.

"Oh, absolutely!" Only one of the men answered, but all of them grinned in unison and the effect was highly unnerving. "My name is Myriad, Rainbow Girl.

I'm a big fan."

**********

In the roomy cinema normally reserved for groups of visitors during business hours, Polecat had settled in with his tin of surstromming just in time for the credits to begin rolling on his chosen holo. By the time Dark Matter Storm III's title faded from the screen and Yera Allon's convincingly human features took its place, he'd demolished half the container.

Polecat's senses of taste and smell were vastly weaker than most other people; it was the only reason his own power didn't make him sick every time he used it. When he'd been introduced to surstromming by a Swedish colleague while stationed in Antarctica, Dafe Meron had immediately fallen in love with the fermented herring dish. Widely recognised as one of the foulest smelling foods in the solar system and beyond, it was one of the only things Dafe could actually taste at all. It was also something he had long since learned could not be eaten around other people so he relished this rare opportunity to partake in the treat outside of his personal quarters for once.

Just as he poured the last of the pungent juice into his open mouth, Polecat heard the muffled sound of glass breaking followed instantly by a piercing alarm. "I'm coming!" he shouted over the shrill tone. "Deactivate! Shut off! Lord!" His flight ring carried him outside the cinema, and once the alarm finally silenced itself the sound of a woman's cries led him from there.

It only took Polecat a moment to recognise the voice as that of Rainbow Girl, and a second later he came across her sprawled across the floor near a series of chrome podiums which in daylight hours projected images of the ancient Justice League and their villains. She'd obviously come through a nearby window which reached from floor to ceiling, and broken glass covered the carpet all around her. Rainbow Girl herself was clearly dishevelled and shaky, her costume torn in a few places. "Dori, what's going on? You look a mess!" Polecat landed beside her and helped the distraught woman to her feet.

"Thanks Dafe," came Dori's deadpan answer. "Just what every girl wants to hear. Where are the others? My rainbow road was too fast for him, but he's not going to be far behind me! I would have called ahead, but he had an EMP grenade or something, my flight ring might as well be costume jewellery!"

"After that alarm I very much suspect Pete and Chee are on their way down here right now," Polecat addressed her question while he scanned the plaza outside. "And the Science Police should not be far behind them. But who is -- oh." Polecat and Rainbow Girl both saw a mob arrive on foot outside, approaching the building like a human tsunami.

"That's him!" Dori pointed. "Myriad! He tried to abduct me outside the hotel, I only just managed to get away from him!"

"Him?" Polecat gave her a confused glance. "Do my eyes deceive me? I see a crowd, Rainbow Girl! A very large crowd! I suddenly wish this building had forcefield technology!"

"No, you don't understand!" Rainbow Girl persisted. "He's got the same power as Duplicate Damsel, he just kept creating copies of himself until he overpowered me!"

"Ah," Polecat nodded. "Well, I am certain Porcupine Pete and Antennae Lad will be here momentarily to help us turn the tide but until then...let me see if I can buy us some time. Stay here and I shall meet them outside. And before you fight me on this, let me remind you that you are as vulnerable to my power as any of those men, Rainbow Girl."

Dori tried to form an argument, but she couldn't deny that her teammate had a point. She'd experienced his stench more than once and each time had been deeply unpleasant. As Polecat walked outside to meet the oncoming Myriads, Dori told herself that was the only reason for her reluctance...she wasn't entirely sure she believed it, but it made her feel better to think so.

"Myriad?" Polecat greeted the identically costumed crowd of men before him. "Myriads? What do you prefer to be called exactly? And what is it you want with my teammate if I may ask?" Dafe was silently grateful to note that the slight breeze in the air was favouring him tonight.

One of the men stopped advancing and the others moved to flank him on either side, taking the opportunity to catch their breath after chasing Rainbow Girl all the way here. "Myriad is fine," the mob's chosen spokesman replied. "Honestly, it doesn't really matter though. The skunk stripe on your costume, your little horns...you're Polecat, right? I've got no qualm with you, Polecat. Let me by, and I'll be out of your hair with Ms Aandraison in no time."

"Come now," Polecat stepped closer to the army of duplicates. "Myriad, I am surprised that you recognise me but if you do...you must know that I will oppose you till my last breath."

"Oh, don't be so dramatic." Myriad dismissed him with a wave of his wrist. "I'm not going to kill you, Polecat...I am going to have to go through you if I can't go around you though." The rest of the Myriads ran forward as if commanded, and Polecat made his move in response. A noxious cloud of fumes spewed forth from the horns mounted on his forehead, surrounding him and carrying toward the men on the night wind. The first wave of Myriads stopped in their tracks, falling to their knees or clutching their faces desperately as they turned away and ran. The second wave came a little closer but still faltered. They were too numerous though, and in seconds they were on him. Polecat started throwing punches as soon as they were within range, but he may as well have been trying to fight a tsunami. In a dishearteningly short period of time he disappeared beneath a mountain of bodies, stampeded as they made their way en masse toward Rainbow Girl inside.

As the first of Myriad's duplicates entered the hole that Rainbow Girl had smashed through the window, they met a rude shock; namely, a rain of razor-sharp quills embedded into their flesh. "Someone tell me what's going on!" Porcupine Pete hollered from inside the building. "I assume the army of clones invading our museum is a bad thing, right?" Though the first group of men had either fallen or fallen back at Pete's assault, another was already trying to push through. They met the same result, but Pete knew that he would run out of quills long before they would run out of men.

"It's only Rainbow Girl I want!" one of the Myriads countered as his fellows shielded him long enough to get past Pete's piercing onslaught. "You boys don't need to embarass yourselves doing this, just let me have her and I'll go!"

"How about we don't and you go anyway?" Antennae Lad had picked up one of the poles they used to direct queues during the day and smacked the speaker across the skull. One Myriad fell, but soon three more took his place. They managed to disarm Antennae Lad, and as they pinned him down to the ground they were surprised to see that his resolve didn't waver at all. "My power's kind of hard to control with finesse," Chee spoke through gritted teeth, "But there's one thing I've gotten really good at." An ear-splitting feedback squeal emitted from his gigantic ears, and the Myriads closest to him had no choice but to recoil in pain. It was a brave gambit and it would have been a successful one were Antennae Lad not so outnumbered. Just like Polecat and Porcupine Pete, he too disappeared beneath a pile of bodies within seconds.

Watching her teammates fall, Rainbow Girl realised something; she had failed them. She'd let this strange man and his duplicates follow her here so she could have backup, but she'd never intended on letting the others fight her battle for her. Yet here she was cowering while Pete, Dafe and Chee put their lives on the line for her. She didn't doubt that she'd be any less effective than the boys, but she'd be damned if she was going to sit here and just let this all happen. Rainbow Girl activated the rainbow road beneath her feet, the tachyon pathway which had allowed her to escape Myriad in the first place. A tangible field of colors appeared beneath her feet, and like some speeding ribbon it tore through the crowd of villains restraining her friends as she surfed it. Riding a full spectrum band of color, Rainbow Girl brought all of her allies a few extra seconds as she tore outside and toppled Myriads this way and that. The nature of the rainbow road meant that she could never gain more than a few inches height from the ground though, and soon enough that limitation was enough to defeat her. Myriad's sheer numbers overwhelmed her, and while the three male members of the Legion of Substitute Heroes struggled valiantly against their own opponents a hovering vehicle descended from the skyways above and absconded with Dori Aandraison.

As soon as Myriad was at a comfortable distance, he recalled all of his duplicates. Porcupine Pete, Antennae Lad and Polecat were left standing in a bewildered state outside their base. "...What just happened?" Antennae Lad asked. "Who was that guy? Why did he want Rainbow Girl so bad?"

"I don't know," Porcupine Pete answered darkly. "But I don't like how easily he took her."

"I do not like any of this," Polecat volunteered. Wincing in pain, he stood and joined his two remaining teammates. "What do we do from here? Even if we can find Dori again, this man has made fools of us all!"

"He won the first round," a man's voice sounded from outside the building. "He did the same with us." The three remaining members of the Legion of Substitute Heroes looked out to see Chuck Taine descending thanks to his flight ring, accompanied by his wife Luornu Durgo Taine. Her costume had changed since the last time they saw her; she now wore a sleeveless purple bodysuit with white patches on her thighs, an orange vest lined with pockets, orange gloves and boots and a somehow familiar boxy yellow belt.

"That doesn't mean he wins the battle," Luornu completed Chuck's sentiment. "We know what Myriad wants, and working together we can stop him from achieving it."

"Bouncing Boy?" Porcupine Pete asked. "Duplicate Damsel? What are you doing here?"

"We came to stop Myriad from kidnapping Rainbow Girl, though we were obviously too late," Luornu answered. "But I swear she won't go through what I've gone through.

And by the way...call me Una."

**********
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Army of One - 08/24/21 02:15 PM
Nice! glad the Myriad/Lu plot is moving forward steadily!

Really interesting bit about the conscious duplicates fading away, while unconscious ones remain.

Glad to see a realistic debate about bringing Lu along or not. But yeah, she's tough and won't take no for an answer lol...

whoa, what happened! that disappearance thing...! Also nice way to ratchet up the tension, like... who's next?!

the Subs have really changed eh, with Crystal Kid also graduating...

I do like that Weisinger Plaza now honors ALL heroes in the galaxy. Nice, and also plays into the Legion's thing of doing it for the good rather than for the glory. Nice shout out to the modern day Great Ten too. and also loved Polecat's honesty about his power, plus the Subs laughing about the Sub Villains! X-Bomb Betty, yeah, what use is her power if she can only use it once??

I do like Pete's gentle reminder that they should not laugh at people's powers (or lack thereof)... though their choices (i.e. being heroes or villains) is fair game wink Nice seeing some growth from his time on Steeple too

I also like Polecat's more formal speaking patterns, nice way to differentiate him

I almost forgot that Dori is married! Glad you're keeping his husband in your continuity. I remember he originated in canon sometime around v3. Also like her reference to her self-centered starlet past, and how she's also now in it for doing good.

hah! love that the holo stars Yera!!!

also nice touch having Polecat's senses of smell and taste be bad... and referencing a real life Swedish dish as something that can get past that!!!

Rainbow Road, nice application of Dori's powers. I'm glad you wrote a good fight scene, instead of just having Dori be taken off screen.

nice seeing the Subs being so courageous. Antennae Lad's short, sharp noise burst is effective too.

Nice cliffhanger, man I am really stoked for the next bit (and possible finale?) Also curious about why Myriad wants Dori - will her rainbow powers combine with his multiples somehow? Super curious, and I bet we will learn more about her Rainbow Road too!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Army of One - 08/25/21 03:15 AM
Hey IB smile

With the dupes, I was going on the assumption that the individual duplicate would need to consciously assent to rejoining the prime body but I'm wondering now if that would actually be the case - I suppose we'll have to wait a thousand years and ask a Carggite lol

Thankfully I have never actually experienced the wonder of surstromming but nothing I have read about it sounds at all appealing hahaha....and I am glad you liked the Yera easter egg, I thought it'd be cute to chuck her in there laugh

The Legionnaires who disappeared will be followed up on very soon and it's probably gonna be the weirdest story I have ever written, but first up...

...Una kicks ass!

...the secret origin of Rainbow Girl!

...and the not a hoax not an imaginary story END of the Legion of Substitute Heroes!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Army of One - 08/25/21 07:33 AM
heya raz!

Oh that's a good one. The Reboot has precedent, in Legionnaires 24 Triad could not reintegrate unless Neutral was also conscious. Though there was an interesting bit where Purple and Orange integrate together, without Neutral (but both were certainly conscious).

I'm a big fan of Legionnaires having careers outside the Legion, and I'm a big fan of acting, and a big fan of Yera, so that made me very happy!

Oh man I'm so eager for the next bits! Gasp! Double gasp! Triple gasp! (maybe the Subs join Lu and Chuck as... idk... on Titan... or they form their own group... yeah idk!)
Posted By: Omni Re: Army of One - 08/29/21 06:43 PM
Hi Raz,

and so the Myriad mystery continues. I like that his dups don't disappear as soon as he does or as soon as their incapacitated and that they aren't just blank shells either. If Myriad didn't steal his powers from Lu and now trying to steal powers from Rainbow Girl, he could be a pretty powerful hero.

Converted to a flat image and then Evolvo Lad and the team vanished...hmmm. but not just them the whole Legion? Ok, clearly not something to do with Myriad. But Ron Karr isn't that powerful...or is he now? What would be funny is if they were still there just two dimensional and flat facing.

Loved listening to the Subs bash the Sub-LSV. But it was good to hear Pete acknowledge their own standing. Although, I still think the subs are pretty powerful.
The battle for Rainbow Girl was really well done. I loved seeing the team each play their part trying to take on Myriad. Too bad Polecat wasn't able to get a round or two off at some of those dupes. I know held back to not hit his teammates but he might have been at least able to get to the prime...

that screeching thing Anntenna Lad did was pretty cool. With more control, i wonder how long he'd be able to make it last.

And Chuck and Lu are here, or should I say Chuck and Una!

I can't wait to see what you have in store and whose behind taking the team.
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Army of One - 08/31/21 11:08 AM
Hey Raz, sorry it's taken me some time to get around to this - I'd be grateful if you could pm me when you post as it's easy to miss updates.

Anyway, I'm posting as I read:

I like how the Myriads can't merge when they're unconscious. Nice simple flaw for the team to take advantage of. Thought Berta would know better than doubt Lu's determination, though nice of her to ask.

Oh you tease not telling us who Myriad is really after! Haha.

Wow, speaking of a teae - kidnapping the entire Legion is pretty major! It came totally out of leftfiend, though the flattening makes me think of dimensions which leads me to Quislet - yeah, tenuous link but I can hope, eh? Anyway, whoever is behind this will have Lu and Chuck t deal with.

Love the banter between the subs, yeah Mekt wuldn't be impressed with a subsitute LSV. So Myriad was after Rainbow Girl - I really appreciate the love you show the subs and of them all she's the most bizarre ao it kind of makes sense that she'd be the target.

Nice little scene with Polecat - how his senses are dulled makes perfect sense. And he likes surstromming? They must be really dulled smile

So, Rainbow Girl is creating rainbow bridges now? I love how she has a variety of powers but no-one bats an eye about them. Is that why Myriad wants her? as she has some access to multi-dimensions?

POlecat, bless him for his bravery. And Antennae Lad whacking the Myriads with a pole before Schreeching at them. Though have we ever seen Lu produce that many duplicates before as Myriad amped it up even more?

Nice to see Chuck and Lu make an appearance at the end. So, Bouncing Boy, Una and the Subs against Myriad. He doesn't stand a chance smile

Looking forward to seeing where you take this Raz - I demand more, more and more!
Posted By: Gaseous Lad Re: Army of One - 08/31/21 12:57 PM
Raz, this was a REALLY great entry. The setup was great, with the Legionnaires being teleported away like that.

VERY much like the scene with Rainbow Girl and Myriad, it was creepy as hell, which of course leads to the fight scene. Your writing made me think of Dupli-Kate from Invincible as portrayed in the animated series, and the way they KEEP duplicating definitely made his victory this round a foregone conclusion, yet the stand from the rest of the Subs was valiant and well done.

I really liked the description of Rainbow Girl's powers, its very original. I have to admit, I envisioned the course in Mario Kart in my mind while reading it!! smile

And one of the best things - Luornu's determination to keep moving on as Una. Love it.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Army of One - 09/07/21 09:01 AM
lol I have tried to reply to this 3 times and keep losing my connection whenever I try to post...hopefully 4th time's the charm!

Thanks for commenting, y'all!

Some of you have come very close to guessing some plot points (I won't spoil which ones exactly, but good work!)....Harbi, to answer your q about Myriad - he hasn't amped Luornu's powers up so much as he has less qualms throwing an army of duplicates out there to be treated like cannon fodder. He also doesn't have the fighting skills of someone like Luornu, so overwhelming his enemies with sheer numbers is really the only way he's gonna have a chance of winning most fights.

Rainbow Girl's powers are one of the funnest parts of writing the Subs and I am pretty happy that it's gonna pay off soon!

And Dupli-Kate is such a cheesy/brilliant name, I'm jealous I never thought of it first! laugh

So next up we're gonna wrap all of the Myriad stuff up, then find out what happened to the Legion, and then I should finally be reveal what's been going on with Otaki behind the scenes! Also, for anyone who's interested I am on the last chapter of my Lamprey & Turtle story so I'll probably give that its own thread soon as it's a pretty self-contained story smile
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Army of One - 09/07/21 09:29 AM
very much looking forward to the next bits, raz! Really curious about Otaki, really eager to see Myriad get his comeuppance, more Lamprey & Turtle is always nice, and it will be super cool to see the entire active Legion in whatever predicament you've dropped them into!
Posted By: razsolo The Secret Life of Doritheea Aandraison - 09/07/21 11:29 AM
EARTH
Metropolis, United Planets Museum of the Superhero

ROLL CALL


Legion of Substitute Heroes
Antennae Lad aka Khfeurb Chee Bez:
can broadcast radio transmissions from different spatiotemporal loci
Polecat aka Dafe Meron: odor generation
Porcupine Pete aka Peter Dursin: projectile quills

Bouncing Boy aka Charles Foster Taine: ally; super-bouncing
Una aka Luornu Durgo Taine: ally; currently powerless


As Science Police droids took evidence and cleaned up the plaza around them, the remaining three members of the Legion of Substitute Heroes conversed with Bouncing Boy and the woman whom until tonight they'd all known as Duplicate Damsel.

"So this Myriad guy spent months gaining your trust just so he could steal your powers, Duplic--uh, Una?" Porcupine Pete summarised what Chuck and Luornu had just told them. "That's awful! We have to find him and save Rainbow Girl before he does the same to her!"

"That's why we're here," Luornu Durgo Taine agreed. "Evolvo Lad said Myriad's end goal had something to do with breaching multiversal barriers, but he disappeared before he could explain what that meant. All we know is that somehow Rainbow Girl is crucial to him achieving that goal."

"That's so weird," Antennae Lad absentmindedly stroked one of his oversized earlobes. "Dori's rainbow powers are pretty down to earth, I don't understand how he thinks she's going to help him access another reality...and the whole Legion of Superheroes is gone??"

"We spoke to Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl while we were en route here from Titan," Bouncing Boy explained. "As far as they can determine, every member of the active roster vanished at the same time. They've contacted all the reservists and we'll head to Mars as soon as we can, but honestly Lu and I are going to be a lot more helpful here until Garth and Imra have a lead. Right now, we need to focus on finding Rainbow Girl."

"Her flight ring should have rebooted by now," Antennae Lad reasoned, "But we still haven't been able to track it. From what you two told us, Myriad seems like he's well prepared so I guess he must have found some other way to block it. You know what though? I've got an idea...Pete, I might need your help. Can we find somewhere quiet for you to take me through a guided meditation?"

"Sure, buddy." Porcupine Pete motioned back toward the building. "We'll be as quick as we can, guys."

As the two men walked off, Una arched an eyebrow. "Meditation? Now??"

"Pete has been assisting Chee with his power control issues using the techniques he learned on Steeple," Polecat explained. "I know it seems an odd idea, but they have been meeting with some success. As a team we have discussed the benefits it could provide if Antennae Lad could receive broadcasts from the future on command, say for example from a point of time after we have found Myriad and transmitted his location. He would be our very own Dream Girl if you will...though perhaps not so attractive," he finished with a modest aside.

"That is clever," Bouncing Boy commended. "But we've got a much easier option available to us, Polecat." Chuck walked over to the nearest SP droid and after a few exchanged words, Shvaughn Erin's holographic features floated before the chubby hero. The two were engaged in conversation for just over five minutes before Bouncing Boy returned to his wife and Polecat. "Poor Shvaughn, she thought I was calling with news about Element Lad - she and Jan were on a date when he vanished, she's worried sick. She's going to track down the vehicle that Myriad used to escape and get back to us as soon as she has some results though. As much as Myriad has anticipated us, he's also underestimated us in some ways. He was arrogant enough to think that we wouldn't find his secret lab right under our noses on Titan, and hopefully he's arrogant enough to have assumed the Subs wouldn't have any means of following him without Rainbow Girl's flight ring."

"We did procure a promise from the Science Police that they would assist us to the best of their abilities," Polecat reasoned, "I suppose that request must carry more weight coming from a former leader of the Legion of Superheroes than the Substitute Legion."

"What's important is that it gets the job done," Una volunteered. "Hopefully it shouldn't take Shvaughn long to get us the info we're looking for. In the meantime, we should--"

"Guys! Guys!" Porcupine Pete's voice rang out across the plaza, disturbing the last peaceful moments of pre-dawn. He and Antennae Lad bolted out of the building, both of them looking quite shocked.

"You have results already?" Polecat was astounded. "Congratulations, Antennae Lad; you really have made significant improvement!"

"Not exactly!" an over-stimulated Antennae Lad babbled. "I mean I didn't find anything from the future, but I was trying to focus on Myriad when I wasn't getting anywhere with Rainbow Girl, and you guys are not going to believe what we just heard..!"

**********

Rainbow Girl had been immediately sedated once the army of Myriads had taken her captive, and as she groggily raised her head now she realised she had no idea where she was. Her first impulse was to call the other Subs for help, but her flight ring had been removed from her finger. She climbed to her feet, using the thick plexiglass of the cylinder in which she was enclosed to support her as she stood.

When she'd first come to Earth, Dori had played a small role in a not terribly successful science fiction holofilm about a mad Coluan scientist; looking around the large laboratory she now found herself in, she was instantly reminded of the set for that holo. Large consoles, different colored flashing lights and weirdly shaped sensor rods crackling with energy filled the windowless room. Besides herself though, there was only one other being in this room. His back was turned to her as he manipulated controls on a table centred amongst a mess of cables, but there was only one person this could be.

"Myriad!" Dori angrily cried. "You better not have hurt my friends!" The man in the white bodysuit didn't react at all, and Dori pounded against her transparent prison. "Myriad!" she called his name louder. "Don't ignore me! Myriad!!"

It were as though he couldn't hear her at all, and it was only then that Rainbow Girl realised she could hear nothing herself outside of this containment tube; it was soundproofed. She wasn't going to just give up though, and she redoubled her efforts to get his attention even knowing that it was useless. Eventually, Myriad noticed Rainbow Girl's protests on a security monitor and turned to face her after opening an intercom channel so they could talk. "Hello Rainbow Girl," he gave a bizarrely friendly smile as he approached her tube. "My apologies for the accommodations, I know it's not exactly one of your husband's hotels."

"Where are we?" Dori demanded. "Where's the rest of my team?!"

"I didn't need them...oh relax, Antennae Lad and Polecat may be nursing a few bruises tomorrow but those two and Porcupine Pete are all fine. I only need you tonight, Rainbow Girl."

"Why?" Rainbow Girl continued. "And you still haven't told me where we are!"

"Look, I know the mad scientist's lair is a bit of a cliche," Myriad shrugged as he looked around the equipment-laden room, "But it was either this or I rent a storage tesseract from SolMove...and frankly, they charge an arm and a leg."

"I don't know what you want with me," Rainbow Girl interrupted, "But the Subs will find me...you're not going to get away with this!"

"Rainbow Girl...can I call you Dori? Dori, let me ask you something." Myriad approached her containment tube and stood inches away; his assumed familiarity was infuriating. "You've seen my power tonight...where do you think I got that ability?" Rainbow Girl was rendered speechless with confusion for a moment so Myriad took the opportunity to keep talking. "I stole my duplication ability from Luornu Durgo Taine. And I got away with that very easily. Now, no offence to your team (and I mean that with the greatest sincerity), but if the Legion of Superheroes couldn't stop me from stealing Duplicate Damsel's power, what makes you think that anybody is going to stop me from stealing yours?"

Rainbow Girl recoiled involuntarily and bit her lip. If he was telling the truth...

"...Wait a nano," she spoke up after processing what he'd just told her, "Why do you even want my powers? My rainbow powers weren't good enough for the Legion of Superheroes, why do you want them?"

Myriad didn't respond straight away, but simply regarded Dori curiously for a moment. When he finally spoke again, surprise was evident in his tone. "Well, I'll be...this will teach me to second guess a 12th level intellect, I suppose. Rainbow Girl...what do you think your powers are?"

"What sort of a stupid question is that?" Dori folded her arms across her chest. "I have rainbow powers, you obviously know this or you wouldn't want them!"

"Dori, sweetie...rainbow powers is just a catchy visual descriptor. What is the actual function that your metahuman power performs?"

Dori scowled, the villain's condescension just angering her further. "I create a multi-colored pheremone field around me that makes people devoted to me," she replied curtly. "Let me out of this tube and I'll show you."

"Is that what your power is?" Myriad asked with exaggerated shock. "Really? Because if that's really the case, how could I have captured you in the first place?"

"I...I don't...you overpowered me!" Rainbow Girl reached for the answer. "You and your duplicates!"

"I assure you, Dori...neither I or my duplicates have any innate defence against pheremonal attacks." Now Myriad crossed his arms, though in his case this was a gesture intended to show his superiority. "And in fact, I can very easily recall just how vile Polecat's olfactory assault was thanks to the memories of my duplicates who succumbed to it. It's funny that I have no recollection of anything remotely similar coming from yourself though and I'm certain that if you had some of my own duplicates on your side that would have been enough to turn the tide for your team." Rainbow Girl stammered helplessly, feeling her reason slip out from under her.

"Let me tell you what I believe your power to be," Myriad continued before Dori could gather her thoughts. "Actually, it's rude of me to try and take credit for this - let me tell you what Brainiac 5 believes your power to be. After all, it was only Querl's 12th level intellect that had the capacity to truly recognise your power unprompted. Rainbow Girl...Dori...Brainiac 5 at some stage noticed that something didn't quite add up when it came to your metahuman power. There have been instances where your power was integral to the success of an adventure, and yet when he more closely examined the specifics of those adventures...well, what could a pheremonal field really do against ranged weapons or lasers or directed weather phenomena? Querl also noticed that nobody ever really seems to refer to your power in more than the vaguest terms, and when he perused your readings from any one of the various times you'd entered the Legion of Superheroes' headquarters, he found that you emanate a harmless but nonetheless higher than average level of transversal radiations."

"What does all that mean in Interlac?" Rainbow Girl challenged the villain. "And why do you know so much about Brainiac 5 anyway?"

"Oh, Querl and I are old friends," Myriad answered off-handedly. "And what it means...or should I say, what Querl thinks it means, and what I'm inclined to agree with after he was kind enough to share his theory with me...is that your true power is something with far more scope than whatever you think rainbow powers are this week. I honestly thought you were already aware of this and simply hiding the truth from everyone around you, but as I mentioned earlier I need to defer to my more knowledgeable colleague on this. Brainiac 5 never raised this with you himself because he had come to the conclusion that you yourself were unaware of the truth and he wasn't entirely sure it was a can of worms worth opening. Honestly, if I know Querl Dox he probably just assumed that explaining any of this to you was a task that was beneath him. But to put it as bluntly as possible, Rainbow Girl....I firmly believe that you possess the ability to reach out to your own multiversal counterparts and to temporarily overwrite your own local reality with theirs. Essentially, you're just borrowing the powers of a Dori Aandraison one or more dimensional planes away at random every time you go into combat and it seems neither yourself nor anybody else around you has any idea it's happening."

"That...that's crazy!" Rainbow Girl protested. "We'd remember! I'd remember!"

"Would you though?" Myriad patronised her. "Reality is not going to fall apart because of a few minor localised disruptions here and there....but the human mind might. Our capacity for self-delusion is quite amazing, Dori. If thinking too hard about something could be dangerous, then we'll just tell ourselves whatever little mistruths we must to not have to do that. If Brainiac 5 weren't so frighteningly intelligent but still good-natured enough that he'd consider my interest in multiversal physics and metahuman abilities to be innocent, if any number of factors hadn't perfectly fallen into place you might never have discovered the truth. But don't worry too much...I'm going to take that burden from you because I'm going to take your power. And I'm going to perfect your power until I can access my own multiversal counterparts at will and with full forethought...and then I'm going to accomplish something that nobody in the history of our universe has ever accomplished. I am going to have a knowledge base that transcends the boundaries of multiple universes. I can't wait!"

"You...you're insane..!" Dori exclaimed.

"Insane? Really? Look, as long as we're embracing all the supervillain cliches tonight I may as well let you know there's no way your plucky little underdog teammates are going to find you, Dori." Myriad turned away from her and headed back to the console he'd been operating earlier. "Your flight ring's been locked away in a comms-proof safe, and this lab is buried quite secretly beneath the empty lot where the Time Institute used to stand before it was relocated to Titan. On the off-chance that the Subs call in the big boys in the real Legion, I've got some extra insurance as well. I really have thought of everything, so why don't you just try to make yourself as comfortable as possible and this should all be over in a few hours. I won't lie...as you're not a Carggite, the power transference likely won't be as painless as it was with Luornu but I have tried to minimise your discomfort." With that, he switched off the intercom and Rainbow Girl found herself once more raging fruitlessly at deaf ears.

After another minute or so, Dori realised that she wasn't going to get anywhere this way. She kneeled down in the small amount of space allotted to her and stared at her closed fists in her lap. Slowly, with deliberate purpose, she splayed her fingers out against her thighs and allowed her power to come forth. Just as she'd told Myriad, she was surrounded in a twinkling aura of candy-scented pheremones. If only this tube weren't hermetically sealed she wouldn't need to hope for the Subs to get here in time; she could save herself.

Rainbow Girl pondered what Myriad had told her...it certainly seemed insane that little failed holostar Dori Aandraison possessed a power which bridged universes, could it even possibly be true? She thought back to the first time she'd manifested her abilities back on Xolnar; she'd only been a young girl then and unaware at the time, but her homeworld had spent weeks being subjected to increasingly violent solar flares. Dori only remembered the stunning atmospheric disturbances that filled the skies, enormous curtains of crimson light which shimmered with a pretty rainbow accent at the right time. Years later, her parents told her that Xolnar had been at great risk during that period and had even considered a planetary evacuation. Dori distinctly remembered her manipulative aura appearing for the first time around her 11th birthday, around the same time Xolnar's solar flares ceased. She'd wondered occasionally if the two phenomena were connected in some way, and now she wondered something else...what if those solar flares had been something else entirely? Something...not from this universe? She very clearly remembered using her pheremonal aura for the first time to pass classes she hadn't studied for, just as she remembered her parents explaining to her why that was wrong once they discovered her power.

Dori thought about other instances where she'd used her powers though...hadn't the Legion of Superheroes rejected her because her presence endangered Superboy and Supergirl? How could a pheremonal aura possibly endanger two Kryptonians? She'd used her powers to evacuate innocents when Alek Arcane launched an attack at Chlorophyll Kid's wedding, hadn't she? She'd used her powers just tonight to flee Myriad when he first approached her! She remembered now; her rainbow road, rainbowarps, manipulation of the emotional spectrum, kryptonite radiations...the more she really examined her own past, the more she came up with bizarre and completely unrelated uses of her rainbow powers. Why had she never questioned any of this before having it pointed out to her??

Dori took a deep breath. It doesn't matter. What matters is that if I can do it, then I should be able to control it. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again she focused on her hands once more. Meanwhile, the lighting in her tube had became brighter and uncomfortably warm, and she felt the entire tube thrum menacingly. If you're gonna do this you need to do it now, Doritheea... She stood up and placed her hands on the tube; Myriad was so preoccupied with his devices that he didn't even notice her.

Rainbow Girl willed her power to flow through her, to become something solid and dangerous. The energy sizzled through her spine, out through her outstretched arms, and emerged in a multi-colored flash from her fingertips. A spectrum of light filled the lab, and Myriad finally turned around to see what was happening. He wore an unsettled expression for a moment, but both he and Dori soon realised that the light she was projecting had no power beyond simple illumination. Dori couldn't hear him inside her soundproofed prison but she saw him throw his head back and laugh, and she knew that she'd just blown her only chance to escape.

At that exact moment, the door to the lab exploded inwards.

Myriad and Rainbow Girl both turned to see Porcupine Pete, Polecat, Antennae Lad, Bouncing Boy, and standing in front of the boys surrounded by a translucent aura, Luornu Durgo Taine. "Damn it!" Myriad cursed as a dozen more of him appeared and one of him rushed to consult a security monitor. "If you hadn't distracted me, I would have noticed those proximity alerts! Where are your Legion friends, Bouncing Boy? And how did you know I was here anyway?"

"I'm the Time Institute's Chief of Security," Bouncing Boy explained while more of the Myriads popped into existence. "As soon as the Science Police tracked your aircar to where you dumped it a few blocks away, I recalled all the times I had to organise clearance for you to come to the Institute's original site to transport equipment and records to Titan. It didn't take much from there to realise that every time you came back to Earth you were building yourself a secret lab for when your plan came to fruition."

"We've been doing this a long time," Una continued without pause. "Once we figured out you were hiding around here somewhere, it didn't take us long to find your hideout...and now that we've taken your measure we don't need the Legion of Superheroes to defeat you, Dax."

"Big words from a powerless woman," Myriad retorted as he and his duplicates shared the same condescending smile. "And I've already outwitted everyone else in this room once already...so you'll forgive me if I don't quake in terror." The Myriads all surged forward, and were surprised when Polecat stepped out in front of his allies. "I know your power," one of the Myriads taunted Polecat, "It's gross but it's not exactly terrifying."

"Granted," Polecat agreed calmly. "But you experienced my power outdoors earlier, Myriad...and when I had to modulate the strength of my emissions so as to protect my friends. This time we are in an enclosed space...and my friends all came prepared." Polecat stood his ground as five of the villains jumped him, and the room was soon filled with a stench so unimaginably worse than anything Myriad could possibly have anticipated that every one of the duplicates within an arm's reach of Polecat immediately collapsed to their knees and retched so violently they found themselves doubled over with abdominal cramps. Every other villain in the room was at least mildly nauseous, and some of the duplicates were so badly affected by Polecat's assault that they chose to retreat back into Myriad's prime body altogether.

Antennae Lad waded into the sickly villains still standing and as Chee started throwing punches at his weakened foes, Myriad realised just what Polecat had meant when he'd said they were prepared...Antennae Lad had the environmental protection of a transuit, presumably just like everyone else who'd come here with him.

For every Myriad that Antennae Lad and Una took out, Bouncing Boy's spherical form took out three more. For the first time, Myriad was growing concerned about his chances of victory....he still had the advantage of numbers though, if need be he could fill this whole room from floor to ceiling and smother the lot of them. Just so long as--

--shattering and sparking sounds overcame the noise of multiple men throwing up, and the Myriads saw Porcupine Pete hovering over the equipment that the villain had taken so long to build down here beneath the surface of Metropolis. Pete Dursin's quills prevented him from wearing the transuit that protected his teammates from Polecat's power, but a simple facemask did the same job. One of the Myriads roared in defiance and instinctively grabbed at Porcupine Pete's ankle, recoiling in pain as his palm came away punctured with quills just like his precious equipment had been. Whatever had been happening in Rainbow Girl's tube came to a meandering halt, and Myriad watched helplessly as Pete shot a volley of quills into the plexiglass high enough to avoid any possibility of endangering Dori. The tube became webbed in fine cracks, and one kick from an airborne Porcupine Pete was enough to crumble one whole side of the tube so Rainbow Girl could make her way free.

"That's enough!!" One of the Myriads climbed up on the sturdiest console still standing and addressed them all from above. The air was mildly more breathable up here, but it still took colossal effort for him not to be ill. "You've done well, you pack of rejects...I can't believe you've done this well to be honest. But I still have half a dozen aces up my sleeve. If you don't let me walk away from here unharmed--"

"You'll instruct the duplicates you sent out earlier to six powerspheres to set off the explosives they planted?" Una completed the threat. "I mean it was a good plan, Myriad...if you'd been facing the Legion of Superheroes. After all, the Legion of Superheroes would have had to send their fastest or most powerful members away from here to protect as many innocents as they could. But the Legion of Superheroes don't have Antennae Lad...we didn't make our move here until the Science Police confirmed that they had every single one of your would-be bombers that you stupidly had radio contact with earlier tonight in custody." Several of the Myriads glared disbelievingly at Antennae Lad, who in return beamed smugly and gave a little wave.

"No...no, it's not fair!" The Myriad standing on the console raged. "I thought of everything!!"

"You really didn't." Casually turning to her left, Una gestured at one of the Myriads who'd been sneaking out the door while everyone was distracted with his more vocal counterpart. The more unassuming villain collided face first with something and recoiled, then saw almost immediately that he was surrounded in a transparent forcefield. "One of the things you never considered isn't your fault I guess," Una continued as she approached the captured Myriad, "It turns out that my affinity for your stolen power means I know which one of you is the primary body once we're in the same room together. One of the things you should have considered with everything you allegedly know about Brainiac 5 is that he once gave me a copy of his forcefield belt. The very forcefield belt which busted our way in here and is right now holding your primary body in place. I never felt the need to pull it out of storage before because its inner workings are too delicate to risk duplication anyway but you kind of removed that disadvantage, Jadzi."

"Luornu," Myriad floundered. "Look, I'm sorry...I only--"

"Most of all," her eyes narrowed and her lips curled into an angry scowl as she cut him off, "You should have realised that with everything I've lost in my life, stealing these powers from me would do the absolute opposite of destroying me. I had to make peace with what Computo did to me, I had to make peace with what the Time Trapper did to me, but you...you I don't have to make peace with. You're going to jail and if by any chance you're foolish enough to escape I will make it my life's goal to kick your thieving nass right back in there, Jadzi. Are we clear?"

Myriad stammered a nervous "yes", and one by one his duplicates popped out of existence.

**********

Standing in the early morning light, the six heroes watched as a Science Police vessel disappeared into the glut of vehicles above them with Myriad safely on board.
"You guys really came through like the cavalry!" Rainbow Girl gushed. "Duplicate--sorry, Una and Bouncing Boy....I can't thank you enough for helping the boys rescue me! I'm still reeling with what Myriad told me, I'm going to have to explore these powers of mine more fully I think!"

"You know," Luornu smiled conspiratorially, "Chuck and I have experience teaching people how to use their powers...and your team is short some members these days. Maybe we could stick around and help?"

"Lu, are you sure?" Bouncing Boy placed a hand on his wife's arm. "You don't have to..."

"Circumstances aside, it felt good to be able to help," Una replied thoughtfully. "The Legion of Superheroes brings too much baggage with it for me, but Chuck...I don't think I want to give up helping people altogether. I mean, I'm sure we can figure out a way to make it work with your job - Titan's just a commute away these days!"

"That part isn't a problem," Bouncing Boy shook his head. "After what Dax did to you...I'm always going to remember how I failed you if we go back there, Lu."

"Charles Foster Taine, you stop that right now!" Luornu frowned at her husband. "Neither of us saw what Dax was planning all that time...even Brainiac 5 thought he was trustworthy! You have nothing to feel responsible about, you hear me?"

"I guess we probably should vote," Porcupine Pete spoke up diplomatically, "But I think I know what the answer's gonna be already. If you guys want in, I bet the Subs would be happy to have you!" The other three Subs agreed enthusiastically.

"I appreciate it, Pete." Bouncing Boy stroked his beard. "But something Lu said earlier made me think...none of the Legion of Superheroes could have exposed Myriad's plan with those powersphere bombs like Antennae Lad did. And a lot of the Legion of Superheroes wouldn't be able to to incapacitate a room full of villains without hurting anyone like Polecat did. None of us here are substitutes for anyone, we're all heroes in our own right."

"I'm with Bouncing Boy!" Rainbow Girl agreed quickly. "You know, I've been thinking recently that the Legion of Substitute Heroes were formed by a bunch of kids who all ended up joining the Legion of Superheroes. Pete, Chee, Dafe; we've all made this team our own thing, but none of us are doing this because we're desperate for the Legion of Superheroes' attention anymore. I think we've outgrown that name, boys!"

"Then...what shall we call ourselves?" Polecat ventured.

"I like what Dori said before," Antennae Lad thought about it. "We come through when people need a cavalry, right?"

"Works for me!" Pete beamed.

"Everyone...welcome to the Cavalry!"

**********
Ok, realtime comments active, starting NOW! smile

I'm REALLY curious to see where you're headed with the multiverse angle here. Everyone's sudden disappearance makes me wonder if this team was shunted to their own universe, or the Legion itself.

Good old Chuck coming up with a strategy to get to Myriad in a way to take advantage of his arrogance.

Pete's enthusiasm is great. smile

I LOVE the explanation that Myriad is giving about the different realities - its like the quantum "bubble" hypotheses that there are an infinite number of alternate quantum universes out there, so why not have her borrow the powers from one of them?

And during his explanation, in my head I was thinking "MONOLOGUING!!" and sure enough.... smile (The Incredibles is a favorite movie, obviously!)

What's with Una's aura?

Go Polecat! I've done the same thing a few times in my life! laugh

Excellent description of Pete's work to get Dori out of the tube.

ah-hah! A force field! Go Lu!!

The Cavalry. Nice. smile

Really enjoyed the read and great fight scene. I think this multiverse plot can have some interesting angles with both Myriad AND Dori. It's cool that you're setting up Myriad as the Cavalry's villain. I definitely want to see him again.

Excellent, excellent installment, Raz!!
another awesome one, raz!

Great to see Antennae Lad improving his powers. That's the Subs spirit!

nice to see Shvaughn pop in too!

Hah! typical mad scientist lab. Love the call-backs to Dori's past. You go Dori, you tell em. I love her spirit.

"this will teach me to second-guess a 12th level intellect." that must be Brainy, so is Myriad referring to some disparaging comments that Brainy made about Dori before? ono her not understanding her powers well? Ah, I read along and see now that Brainy was being wise. though I wonder, do Dori's powers have the potential to be dangerous? Brainy must have thought not, as he seemed content to let her continue as is.

the condescending convo between Dori and Myriad was well done, I wanted to slap Myriad while also thinking how he sounded like some teachers I had. On the other hand, the way Dori described her powers doesn't work either - if it's just a pheromone field, how did she do her rainbow slide thingie?

oh wow, that dropped a bombshell. So Dori is able to draw on an infinite supply of Doris elsewhere... and so her powers... wow. I need to sit down a bit!

Oof, so that's also why, this whole self-delusion speech was interesting. Also like Dori digging deep and thinking why she'd never questioned it all before

Myriad's evil motivation makes sense.

I like how Dori's power display still played a role in distracting Myriad!

Nice detective work from the gang!

whoo! go Polecat!! wow, that was potent!

yay! transuits! one of my fave bits from the Reboot, glad to see them appear here too

Oh yes, I love it! Antennae Lad and the Science Police getting through the bomb threats! Oh yeah!

And the forcefield belt, as soon as I read Lu's description with her translucent covering I knew! Yeah! Also like the reference that Lu's duplication might not work on too-delicate or too-complicated things, like a forcefield belt (though I guess a flight ring is small enough not to be a problem)

So wait, did Lu get her powers back? ok, not yet as she's still Una. I assume it can be reversed, right? although I do like that she's not grieving or lost, she's totally fine losing her powers. Go Lu, go! It makes sense that her past experiences with the deaths of her other selves, have helped prepare her for this

And I like this new team AND their new name, And the affirmation that the gang, well, they're not desperate to be Legionnaires anymore. It feels like full circle!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Secret Life of Doritheea Aandraison - 09/08/21 11:50 AM
Glad y'all liked the conclusion...Myriad is surprisingly fun to write so he will probably pop up again sooner or later! And I think I may have mentioned before, I have been sitting on that particular revelation about Rainbow Girl's powers since I started writing this series so it's good to finally get a chance to get it out there!

Quote
Go Polecat! I've done the same thing a few times in my life!
This made me LOL...honestly, the fact that Polecat's power comes from those dinky horns on his head and not anywhere else is the only thing that makes him salvageable as a character laugh

I love Shvaughn; the one problem with me having the team based on Mars is it really cuts down on how often I get to use her but I do like sneaking her in when I can smile

Quote
I wonder, do Dori's powers have the potential to be dangerous? Brainy must have thought not, as he seemed content to let her continue as is
This is a very good observation, and I will at some stage delve into this area a bit more but let's just say Brainy may have had reasons not to be completely open with Dori that are more altruistic than Myriad gave him credit for...

I'm glad you caught on to the forcefield belt, IB! I kinda figured most of the flight ring's qualities come from the actual metal it's made of so all the micro-circuitry inside it is probably just stuff for comms and some environmental sensors which by the 31st century I figure would be pretty standard issue tech (my flight rings are a lot dumber than the ones that other writers here have added excellent additions to)

There will be some clarification on where Lu's at power-wise as soon as I get a chance - I kind of wrote myself into a corner because I wanted a believable excuse for the Legion to be unavailable to deal with Myriad, but I didn't realise until I started writing this arc that it meant there wouldn't be anyone around with the knowhow to reverse what Myriad did to her.

Anyway, this series isn't called The Cavalry, so we'll get back to the Legion ASAP! As usual thanks for reading, everyone! smile
thanks raz, re Lu good to know that her getting her powers back is in the cards. Yeah, a few Legionnaires could fix it for sure...

and yeah, the forcefield belt is definitely way more complicated than (I imagine) a flight ring to be!
Sorry I'm so late to the party (and I'll review the Lamprey and Turtle after-party tomorrow).

Your love of the B-listers is really great to read. I'm in actual awe of how muh respect you show Pete, Antennae Lad and the Polecat, as I find them really difficult to write without turning all Giffen and making it a comedy at their espense. Nice that they think to call in Shvaughan, and yes poor her as watching Jan vanish like that must have been hard, though good that she tries to help out.

Really enjoy Myriad's self depriciating cliched villainous banter, and his comment "But it was either this or I rent a storage tesseract from SolMove...and frankly, they charge an arm and a leg." made me laugh

And we finally get an explanation of Dori's powers, and they really are weirder than any of the other Subs. Brainy thinking that explaining Dori's powers to her was was beneath him is cruel, but probably accurate.

Nice use of Polecat and Pete to keep Myriad occupied and free Dori. Antennae Lad picking up the signals so the SP could catch the Myriads at the powersheres was a nice twist, and great use of his abilities.

Lu explaining the consequences of Myriads actions to him was great, she's a real hardass, probably more than Imra is.

And that is a great ending, with Chuck explaining that the team did something that the Legion would have struggled to do. And the Cavalry! Perfect name and I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with them next.

And will Lu get her duplicating powers back?

Great stuff Raz, as ever I'm eager for more, more and more!
Posted By: razsolo Welcome to Flatland - 10/02/21 02:33 PM
MARS
Marsopolis, 0335am local time


Bina Nawoti had the sudden and disorienting realisation that it was her own nightmare-induced scream which had woken her up.

Three thumps came from the other side of the bedroom wall of her cheap rented apartment, followed by a muffled tirade of abuse.

"I'm sorry," the traumatised young woman muttered as she curled in on herself and hugged her knees. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it..." In her darkened bedroom she gradually gained control of herself, slowing her breathing and centering herself as she'd been taught on Titan.

She hadn't felt terror like this since her disastrous attempt to join the Legion of Superheroes not so long ago. The necromancer Alek Arcane had sunk his cold grip into Bina and left her utterly helpless and almost completely broken on that fateful day. She had adopted the name Otaki for her Legion tryout, but after experiencing Arcane's evil she didn't know whether Otaki would ever live again. In fact she'd been fully prepared to give up her dreams of Legion membership along with every other ambition she possessed and return to the comfort of her family back on Earth.

Then her benefactor had made himself known to her.

She still didn't know who he was, only that he was a being of immense power. At first she'd been equally frightened of him, but thanks to his mysterious voice guiding her when she was alone she had overcome her fear and gained more affinity with her power than she'd ever dreamed possible. This disembodied mentor had given Bina a way to bring the dream of Otaki back to life.

She'd come to understand before too long that her teacher expected something from her too and she was beginning to suspect that she'd been right to be scared of him when she first heard his summons in the Legion of Superheroes' headquarters, but it was too late for turning back now. After everything he'd done for her, she owed him her loyalty.

She just wished he would impart his wishes upon her in a less horrific way than invading her dreams night after night...

...and she wondered where exactly she was meant to find this Daughter of the Night Stone whom he'd made it clear Otaki must recruit.

**********

ELSEWHERE

ROLL CALL


Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Colossal Boy aka Gim Allon: growth powers
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn: magnetism
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: hyperevolution/devolution
Firecrest aka Staq Mavlen: weredragon
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
Invisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Life Lass aka Somi Gan: matter animation
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: gravity negation
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

Phantom Girl couldn't quite process what had happened to her.

A split second ago she'd been on Weber's World attending talks between the United Planets and representatives of Teall. Her status as leader of the Legion of Superheroes along with her general history working alongside the notoriously difficult Teallian ambassador Quislet meant it made perfect sense for Tinya to be there, but it wasn't a task she'd been looking forward to.

Still, it had been better than...whatever this was. Literally everything around her - the substance of reality itself - seemed to be radically different. She could feel that her own form was somehow changed, though she didn't possess the mobility to be able to look at herself. All that she could view seemed to be nothing more than a flat plane filled with lines of different lengths and tones. "I swear," she mumbled under her breath (not that she seemed to draw breath wherever here was), "If this is Quislet's fault..."

"...Tinya?" It was Jo's voice, but somehow not Jo's voice at the same time. Tinya reoriented herself toward a nearby line. It bore the green and red colors of Ultra Boy's costume, but beyond that she just knew somehow that it was Jo Nah. "That is you, isn't it?" the Ultra Boy-colored line guessed.

"Jo!" Phantom Girl rushed to embrace him, but recoiled as their weirdly sharp-angled bodies stabbed into each other. "Ow, sprock! It's me, but...Jo, do you know what's going on here?"

"I'm as much in the dark as you, babe. A bunch of us were fighting the new Taurus Gang a second ago, and now we're all here...wherever or whatever here is."

"And we don't have our powers," a blue and white line that they recognised as Lightning Lass joined the conversation, making sure she stayed at a safe distance after seeing Phantom Girl and Ultra Boy's collision. "I don't anyway."

"It's not just you," Star Boy added. None of them knew how they all recognised one another based on the most basic visual cues, yet somehow they all did...if anything, it became easier the longer they acclimatised to this strange realm. "I can't use my power and I can't use my flight ring either."

<Legionnaires?> Evolvo Lad's voice was in all their minds. <I am sending a psionic tracking signal, if you could convene upon my location I believe I have answers to some of the questions that many of you no doubt are currently asking.>

Phantom Girl realised that Color Kid, Night Girl and Matter-Eater must have been fighting the Taurus Gang alongside Ultra Boy, Star Boy and Lightning Lass as they too came closer. "Whatever's affecting Star Boy and Lightning Lass...it's definitely not affecting all of us," Night Girl advised the others. "I mean Evolvo Lad obviously still has his telepathy, but I feel stronger than ever too! It's like I'm in absolute darkness!"

"That's weird," Matter-Eater Lad piped up. "I mean we can all see okay, right? There's light everywhere!"

"There is light," Phantom Girl thought it through, "But have you noticed there's no light source? No sun in the sky...I'm not even sure there's a sky to be honest. We might be in some kind of virtual simulation? There's definitely something very peculiar going on here anyway. Let's go find Evolvo Lad, hopefully he's found us a way out of this already!"

Tinya was keeping a positive attitude for the others' sake but she wasn't sure how confident she actually felt. Wherever they were, she could sense that it didn't border the Phantom Zone...and without being able to shift into that ethereal void, Tinya was as powerless as Ayla or Thom.

Of much greater concern to Tinya Wazzo, any place that didn't border the Phantom Zone was a long long way from anywhere recognisably home...

**********

<My fellow Legionnaires...we have been transported to a two-dimensional plane.>

Evolvo Lad gave the 42 other superheroes gathered before him a few moments to react to his telepathic statement before continuing. <You must all have noticed the drastic changes we have undergone. Our forms have been necessarily altered by the constraints of this reality, as have many of our abilities. We exist in a realm without gravity, a realm without thermodynamics or magnetism or any of the physical laws we are accustomed to, a realm entirely composed of non-baryonic matter. Many of you control energies or forces which simply do not exist here. Some of us are fortunate enough that our abilities remain unrestricted, and a very small number of us may find that our abilities have in fact been improved. One case in point - as communication in this realm already includes a telepathic component, my hyperevolved form's telepathic abilities are far more powerful here than in our own native plane. I would never be able to maintain contact with 42 distinct minds in our home reality.>

"Sev, how did we get here?" Gas Girl asked. Some of the Legionnaires didn't recognise her until she spoke; not only because she was a relatively new recruit to the team, but in a realm where matter did not exist in gaseous form the normal plumes of mist about Gas Girl's scalp had been replaced by a yellow streak which would have been blonde hair in their own world.

"And...and how do we get home..?" Life Lass added, her tone more uncertain.

<I have with me someone who can answer both your queries,> Evolvo Lad replied. A mostly purple being had been standing by Evolvo Lad's side this whole time, but until now most of the Legionnaires had simply assumed he was one of their own they hadn't been able to identify yet.

Now that everyone was becoming more accustomed to this weird place, some of them understood that the being moved closer to them when his coloration became more vivid. "Legion of Superheroes, I am known as Ab-Ott. I am the last remaining member of our beloved coven of mystics who sacrificed all to bring you here. We have been besieged by a monster from your own land, and his power dwarfs anything we have been able to send against him. In our desperation, we asked Flatland to bring unto us those who had brought him defeat before, that you might repeat your victory for us."

"I'm the leader of the Legion of Superheroes," Phantom Girl spoke up. She'd been mildly annoyed that Evolvo Lad had been running the show until now, and was glad to have an excuse to take charge. "I deeply regret your coven's sacrifice and of course we'll do everything we can to help you, but we need your assurance that you'll return us to our own space once that's done."

"Of course," Ab-Ott quickly agreed. "Once the task is done, the spell will be complete and you will be removed from Flatland immediately."

"Next question," Tinya kept on, "What can you tell us about this monster you mentioned? Anything will help."

"He invades Flatland periodically," the odd being answered. "We have no defence against him and he sees all. He enters our homes at will, appears among us without warning. He can eliminate many of our sharpest warriors with the merest gesture, and they can do naught to harm him in turn. Those who have seen the monster and lived to tell the tale say that he changes form as easily as considering the matter."

Tinya's concern was growing; this was beginning to sound like someone of Mordru or the Time Trapper's calibre and frankly she wasn't sure if her team were up to facing that kind of power with their own abilities as hampered as they were right now.

"The monster has a name," Ab-Ott continued, "But I do not want to risk summoning him by uttering it aloud. Perhaps your Evolvo Lad could share the villain's identity with his mindspeech?"

<Certainly,> Evolvo Lad complied. <Legionnaires, the man responsible for this reign of terror is...Ron-Karr.>

"Ab-Ott, your people died to bring us here." Phantom Girl stole everyone's attention before the more irreverent members of her team had an opportunity to respond to this bizarre revelation. "We are...familiar with this villain, and as I said earlier we will help stop him. Right now though, I think...I think I need to converse with my team privately."

**********

"Ron-Karr is their big bogeyman??" Wildfire asked, clearly amused. "Ron-Karr?!"

"Gee...I hope you don't mind me saying so but it makes a lot of sense to me actually, Wildfire!" Elastic Lad chimed in. "I mean I never met Ron-Karr myself before he joined the Oversight Watch but it sure seems like he's been showing more range with his power as a part of their team than our files would indicate he ever did beforehand, and if he perfected his power of becoming super flat to becoming truly two-dimensional I can see how he'd be able to access a two-dimensional plane like this one! He might even be able to shift to a one-dimensional plane potentially and wow, I wonder what that would be like?"

<I concur with Elastic Lad>, Evolvo Lad projected to them all. <More, what Ab-Ott describes sounds very much how a three-dimensional being might be able to interact with a two-dimensional environment.>

"Like looking at a flat screen," Dream Girl reasoned. "Everything would just look like an illustration; you'd be able to see behind walls, inside sealed containers, touch the screen anywhere you want....and they'd never see you coming because they're not physically capable of it."

Chameleon Boy picked up on the thread. "...And the shapeshifting comment makes sense because the inhabitants here would only ever see the part of him that exists in this world!"

"Yeah, well I'm glad you budget Brainiacs have got the hows of it all figured out," Timber Wolf piped up, "But what are we supposed do about it? We're stuck here just like Ab-Ott, remember? Even our sprocking flight rings don't work in this weird place!"

"First things first," Phantom Girl took charge. "Let's find out which of us are actually in a position to do something about it. Everyone who can still use their power, make a group over to the...I guess directions are another challenge here; make a group over by Evolvo Lad. Everyone who can't use their power, you're with me."

Through a process of trial and error, the Legionnaires began to segregate themselves into two distinct groups. In the meantime, more of this realm's inhabitants had joined Ab-Ott and when they saw Stone Boy shift through every color in the rainbow before landing back on his original primarily brown and tan tones their excitement was palpable. "Your power!" Ab-Ott approached Dag almost fearfully. "Surely you must be the greatest of this Legion of Superheroes!"

"...Me?" the Zwennite hero was taken aback. "No, no, I'm....quite far down on the list to be honest. In my own world I turn to...well, I'm not sure you really know what stone is, but I do have some variation of my power still. I can take on a form which is stronger and much more resistant to injury, but I'm hardly the most powerful person here."

"But...but we saw!" one of the other two-dimensional beings exclaimed in awe. "You changed so drastically, so many variations!"

"That was me actually," Color Kid joined their conversation. "I can change the color of anything I put my mind to, but really...that's much less impressive than what Stone Boy does!"

"You know, I think I get it." Everyone turned their attention to Sun Boy who'd been passing by them as he moved to join Phantom Girl's non-powered group. "Sorry to interrupt, but...we all exist as geometric shapes here, right? Only we can't see that because we only have two-dimensional senses. So everyone and everything here looks like a straight line because that's the only way we have to perceive ourselves. So I think color plays a much more important role here than we're used to, because the only way these guys can tell if a shape is receding from them is when its color dims. Color Kid, when you changed Stone Boy's color....from their perspective you were making wild changes to his whole body."

"Wow, okay..." Ulu dwelled on it a moment. "I...don't know if I can really wrap my head around that to be honest. But I think I kind of get what you're saying."

"I apologise for my ignorance," Ab-Ott admitted, "But I am baffled. Did we not witness this amazing power for ourselves?"

"You know what, pal?" Dirk replied with a casual charm. "You guys have enough to worry about, try not to think too much about it. Once we take care of your big bad guy, hopefully we can all just go back to our normal lives anyway."

Suddenly, everyone heard Invisible Kid's panicked voice. "Drura needs our help! S'il te plait!"

"What is it, Jacques?" Tinya made her way around the crowd of Legionnaires, wondering if they all generally found it this annoying to have to circumvent one another in their own limited space rather than just walking straight through anyone in their way.

"I'm fine," Infectious Lass's voice came weakly. "...Don't worry everybody, Jacques..."

"Then why is it you cannot move?" Invisible Kid prodded. "Why is it that you sound so infirm?"

<Legionnaires, if I may?> Tellus came forward. <Somahturians are a symbiotic species. I gained a greater understanding of the Somahturian symbiosis with small life after Infectious Lass and I shared our minds on one occasion...though the rest of us only see the side of that relationship in which Infectious Lass controls viruses and bacteria, she also benefits invisibly. Small life perform functions that her body is incapable of doing alone.>

"So what?" Kid Computo asked, moving alongside her brother and his girlfriend. "What does that mean in real terms?"

<Viruses and bacteria do not exist on this plane>, Evolvo Lad had already figured it out. <Infectious Lass's form has not been able to adapt to that lack, therefore we must find a way home before her organs begin to shut down.>

Invisible Kid looked at Phantom Girl, though there was no visual indicator of this. "Tinya..."

"I know," Phantom Girl cut in. "Okay...Shady, Dawny, Lydda--"

Her words were interrupted by laughter which sounded as though it were coming from all around them. "The Legion of Superheroes are here?" a disembodied voice asked. "I have no idea what's going on, but if this is my chance to shine I'll take it!"

"Is that...is that Ron-Karr?" Shrinking Violet asked.

"You know it is," the voice from beyond answered. The other Legionnaires saw the empty space to one side disappear to be replaced by a line longer than any of them. "And for once, you're the jokes!" The thick line closed in on them slowly, giving them time to flee. He was toying with them, letting them know that he could end them any time he wanted.

"That's enough," Shadow Lass uttered coldly. "I will not be cowed by Ron-Karr of all people." She put her power to use and all of them were enveloped in absolute darkness.

"You think that'll help you?" Ron-Karr's voice filled the space around them once more. "I know you're all in there, I just need to--" He pressed down on the large black surface, but he hadn't considered one thing...on this plane, Shadow Lass's darkness not only obscured them; once they couldn't be perceived they couldn't be touched. Her darkness functioned like a forcefield. Without being able to see any of the two-dimensional beings, he couldn't affect them. The pressure was still incredible though, and Shadow Lass began to falter.

"I don't think she can keep this up for long!" Night Girl yelled, hearing Tasmia Mallor's burdened moans. Whatever weird rules functioned in this realm, Lydda was still the only person other than Shadow Lass who could see in this darkness. "We need a plan!"

"...I don't have one," Phantom Girl admitted somewhere in the dark. It irritated her immensely to admit this next part, but she knew that it might be the only way they'd get out of this alive. "Evolvo Lad! You've obviously benefited from this situation more than any of us...what do you think we should do?"

<Dragonmage and Neon should have unrestricted access to their abilities,> Sev Tcheru's voice filled their minds. <Sorcery and Green Lantern energy-->

"We tried!" Zoe Saugin shouted. "I can feel my connection to my power but...this place is so weird, I can't get my head around how to actually make a construct!"

"I apologise," Xao Jin added more calmly. "I sense magical energies all about us...but I face the same issue, I cannot conceive of a dragonform when I do not know what a dragonform looks like under these conditions."

Before anyone could react, Elastic Lad suddenly gave a surprised yelp. Shadow Lass's darkness field had failed where Elastic Lad was standing, and Ron-Karr homed in on him immediately. Surprisingly, some variation of Jams-Ols 5's elasticity worked here and he had managed to avoid Ron-Karr's stabbing assault. It only took moments for Ron-Karr to adjust to Elastic Lad's winding evasions however, and soon he had the young redhead crying out in pain as an extra-dimensional finger jabbed into his elongated torso. Shadow Lass had been forced to drop her darkness from sheer exhaustion, and the Legionnaires saw Elastic Lad in mortal peril of being torn apart.

A number of them instinctively tried to help, but found themselves stymied by this realm's weird physics. Wildfire was not one of them. "Hey!" Drake Burroughs bellowed. "Leave the kid alone, jerkwit!" Evolvo Lad immediately tried to warn Wildfire against his next action, but the warning came too late. Energies never seen before in this realm exploded forth and severed Ron-Karr's presence here into several segmented portions. Ron-Karr was not the only victim though; Wildfire's anti-energy was so much more destructive here, and parts of Elastic Lad similarly broke apart along with the surrounding environment itself.

<Somi!> Evolvo Lad's evolved form commanded Life Lass's attention with a rare burst of emotion. <Trust me when I say that only you can fix this! Wildfire, you can not use your power here! This dimension is too fragile to withstand an expulsion of anti-energy! You stand the risk of unravelling all that exists!>

Life Lass wasn't certain how she could help, but if there was one thing she trusted more than anything else in the universe it was that Sev Tcheru always knew best. Despite her misgivings she reached out and found to her amazement that she could restore Elastic Lad's form as easily as she could restore the environment around him. It seemed that the difference between living and unliving in this peculiar place was so minute that her power didn't recognise it as being a difference at all. Where she could normally only affect inanimate matter, here she had full control of the physical make-up of reality itself. With more than a little shock, she realised that she probably had the power to deal with Ron-Karr on her own!

Ron-Karr's next attack came at the easiest target available; the giant-sized form of Colossal Boy. As quickly as Ron-Karr's half-perceived extremities ripped gashes through Gim, Life Lass put him back together. Colossal Boy grew even larger so that the attacks would do less damage, but it was not an overly successful tactic. It occurred to Somi Gan that she might need to pull apart whatever piece of Ron-Karr was on this plane to protect her teammate, but would that mean mutilating him in their own three-dimensional world? Her heart raced with hesitation. Before she had to commit to an action she was sure would haunt her, someone else took the opportunity to act.

Until now, Chameleon Boy had been holding back from action. Like some of his comrades, he still had some version of his powers in this place but with the constraints of two-dimensional reality he couldn't see how those powers could prove effective enough to be useful. Gim Allon was his best friend though, and Cham wasn't going to just sit here and watch him shredded by a man whom any one of the Legion could handle easily on their own under any normal circumstances. Cham had initially intended to mimic Colossal Boy's enlarged form so he could act as a decoy to give Gim time to try and find safety but as soon as he had made that decision and reflexively scanned his friend's shape, a peculiar realisation dawned on him. There was no way to be sure of it until he actually tried, but...he felt as though he'd be able to copy Ron-Karr's form instead if he wished! Cham couldn't see Ron-Karr's third dimensional aspects so he had no idea how his power would interpret that, but he had a gut feeling that whatever happened it would prove more useful than his original idea. His decision made, he increased in size and his colors changed to the powder blue of Ron-Karr's bodysuit for a fraction of a second before he abruptly blinked out of existence.

Before any of the remaining Legionnaires had a chance to react to their teammate's sudden disappearance, Ron-Karr vanished just as quickly.

"What...what just happened?? Where are they?" Nightwind exclaimed.

"I don't know," Phantom Girl responded.

"...But something tells me Cham might have just saved the day."

**********

After the briefest moment of disorientation, Reep Daggle saw that he was standing in the middle of a cluttered bedroom. Clothes were strewn everywhere, the bed was unmade, crusty food scraps festered away on more than a dozen plates piled next to the bed and a wall-mounted mirror showed Cham that he looked exactly like Ron-Karr who stood stunned before him. More importantly, both Ron-Karr and Chameleon Boy were paper-thin. As flat as paper might be, that still meant they were three-dimensional. In trying to mimic Ron-Karr's shape across dimensional boundaries, Chameleon Boy deduced that he must have somehow cancelled out the spell which had rendered him two-dimensional to begin with...and unable to countenance a three-dimensional form, Flatland had spit him back into three-dimensional space.

Cham shifted back to his own more comfortable body. "What's going on here, Ron-Karr?" he demanded. "What have you done??"

"What have I done?!" the flat man protested. "Wildfire blasted off two of my sprocking fingers! As soon as I switch back to normal I'm gonna bleed like a stuck siboar!" He held up his hand, and Cham saw that he was indeed missing most of his ring and pinky fingers; it honestly looked as though they'd been ripped clean off a paper doll.

"You're hardly the victim here," Chameleon Boy gave him a disapproving frown. "You could have killed Elastic Lad...from what we've been led to understand, you have killed sentients in that realm." Cham's eyebrows raised in subtle and surprised comprehension; they weren't just in a bedroom, this was Ron-Karr's bedroom. "Grife, how long have you been hidden away in here terrorising those poor people? Does 89 know anything about this??"

"Oh, don't be so dramatic!" Ron-Karr dismissed Cham's outrage. "Whatever those weird things are, they're hardly people. I just wanted to feel powerful for once...don't I deserve to feel powerful for once in my sprocking life?!"

"Not at the expense of an entire civilisation!" Cham shot back. Though he was maintaining his composure, the Durlan was clearly furious. "Do you want to know something, Ron-Karr? This is why the Legion of Superheroes rejected you in the first place! Your power isn't the problem, your power was never the problem...the problem is that you don't have an altruistic bone in your body; everything you do is to assauge your own pathetic insecurities and you don't care who you have to hurt in the process. 89 may have been amoral enough to train you into becoming one of her weapons, but I bet even she'll draw the line at how you've advanced that training just so you can decimate an innocent populace to feel like a big man!"

"You can't tell her--" Ron-Karr's eyes grew wide with fear.

"You had a chance at redemption with the Oversight Watch that frankly you've never deserved," Cham interrupted him. "And you've just thrown all that away. After what you've done you're going to spend the rest of your life rotting in a jail cell, Ron-Karr."

Chameleon Boy had to turn away slightly from the paper-thin man to move toward the bedroom door, but thankfully Cham's instincts told him not to turn his back on Ron-Karr altogether. When Ron-Karr sliced his good hand through the air like a paper sword, Cham was able to react quickly enough that he only sustained a deep cut across his thigh rather than anything more fatal.

"You can't tell her!" Ron-Karr ranted once more. He swiped again, this time trying to decapitate the orange Legionnaire. Cham was ready for him now though, and he flash-changed into a mosquito to zip safely beneath the arc of Ron-Karr's sweep. "Why are you doing this to me?!" Ron-Karr whined, looking about himself manically to try and locate Cham's tiny winged form.

"You've done this to yourself," Chameleon Boy's voice came from somewhere behind the raving man. "Just like every other terrible decision you've never learned from."
Before Ron-Karr could find him, Cham changed shape again. This time he mimicked an immature space amoeba; at full growth, the blob-like creatures were anywhere from 15 to 20 feet across but Cham only needed to become large enough to engulf his foe. Immersed completely in protoplasmic slime, Ron-Karr was trapped in a prison from which he couldn't cut his way free. He briefly considered flattening himself enough to escape Chameleon Boy by entering Flatland fully, but if he became entirely two-dimensional he'd be no more powerful than any of the Legionnaires waiting for him there (and substantially less powerful than some of them).

Defeated, Ron-Karr voiced his surrender.

**********

EPILOGUE

Sometime after Chameleon Boy had explained everything to 89 and gone home, the Legionnaires were all returned from Flatland as promised and a sedated Ron-Karr was sent to resume the prison sentence from which the Oversight Watch had once delivered him. With everything else taken care of, 89 finally took the opportunity to debrief the rest of her team in private. "As with Power Boy, Ron-Karr had to undergo psychic redaction when he was removed from our roster," the team's ever-pragmatic leader explained. "Aside from all the classified information he can no longer access, we've also removed any memories related to the training he underwent to increase his power. He'll have a vague memory that his abilities were improved while with the Oversight Watch, but he'll never be able to replicate that success on his own."

"I can't believe for weeks he was just secretly travelling to a whole other dimension and slaughtering aliens right under our noses!" Mandalla shook her head. "It's outright disturbing!"

"The existence of this Flatland was an unknown factor," Makkia Vei admitted, "But it was inevitable that Ron-Karr would sabotage his membership with the Oversight Watch. I always knew that the validation he received from his work with us would cease to be enough for him some day; the important thing is we got to make good use of him before that happened."

Dev-Em stayed silent, his arms folded across his chest. It didn't sit well with him the way Makkia spoke of their ex-teammate as though he were simply a tool to be discarded when no longer needed...but it bothered him much more that he couldn't tell whether this was just one more affectation on her part meant to subtly manipulate the team's dynamics for a purpose he wouldn't understand till it made itself clear. Still, he knew what he was getting himself in for when he agreed to join this team; and unlike Power Boy, Dev was a professional. The Kryptonian kept his concerns to himself.

"I assume you're gonna need to find someone to replace the paper guy," the team's newest recruit piped up. "Is this gonna change anything you promised me when I joined?"

"Absolutely not," 89 answered in a tone that told him this conversation was finished.

"Look at it this way," Makkia tried a softer approach. "Your rehabilitation won't be complete for at least another month. That gives us plenty of time to replace Ron-Karr, get you up to speed, and do all the legwork to fulfill the promise we made to you when we recruited you to take Power Boy's place on the Oversight Watch."

"Good." This seemed to satisfy the team's newest member, the man named Brittle. "Because after the way Duplicate Boy betrayed the Heroes of Lallor to the Dominators, after the way he helped engineer my homeworld turning on us, after he killed Rain Girl and nearly killed me...

...I'm not going to rest until he's dead in the ground, and I'm going to need all of you to help me do it."

**********

NOTE FROM RAZ: I was inspired to come up with this story after I read the excellent Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions...if y'all haven't read it I highly encourage it, it's quite short and if you google 'flatland' you will be presented with a free download!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Welcome to Flatland - 10/03/21 09:43 AM
Another nice entry Raz!

Daughter of the Night stone... weren't Nightwind and Inferno (Sandy) also Daughters of the Night, I seem to remember you writing that!

Love the set-up, with some having powers and some not... like, wow. I was puzzling things to myself. I did think this was some sort of two-dimensional plane, so good job with the opening description!

43 Legionnaires in all! cool! also nice to see everyone together for a bit.

Nice explanation from Evolvo Lad, for why some powers work and some don't. Also cool bit adding in that it doesn't border the Phantom Zone, so Tinya can't phase

Ab-Ott, haha! nice name for a mystic wink

Gotta give kudos to Tinya, she freely admitted she was out of her depth, but took charge where it was needed (i.e. dealing with the locals, heading off jokes about Ron-Karr) and deferred to Evolvo where science was needed. Also organizing the team by powers working vs. not.

Also liked the "budget Brainiacs" showing off their smarts (Cham, Dreamy, Dirk, Elastic Lad), and Wildfire's trademark irreverence. I wonder what Tinya was gonna ask Tasmia, Dawny and Lydda to do... also liked Tasmia's shadows becoming a forcefield! Life Lass' power up was cool too... and so was Cham basically saving the day AND giving Ron-Karr a talking-down to.

also interesting seeing Drura's body failing without microbes helping keep her alive. A very logical extension of her physiology.

Lastly, Zoe and Xao being able to access, but not do anything with, their powers because of perception! another good bit.

Good wrap up with Ron becoming unable to access his sharpened (heh) skills. And his whole motivation was very much in character too - this is just a guy who needs to feel powerful and useful, but he can't do it in a good way.

And Brittle! Nice segue into the next bit! And Duplicate Boy is out there somewhere too... gosh this ain't ending well. Dev-Em being canny enough to mistrust Makkia Vei... and his "I'm a professional" bit... whew.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Welcome to Flatland - 10/04/21 08:52 AM
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
Another nice entry Raz!

Daughter of the Night stone... weren't Nightwind and Inferno (Sandy) also Daughters of the Night, I seem to remember you writing that!
Thanks! And you have a good memory! wink

Quote
Love the set-up, with some having powers and some not... like, wow. I was puzzling things to myself. I did think this was some sort of two-dimensional plane, so good job with the opening description!

43 Legionnaires in all! cool! also nice to see everyone together for a bit.

Nice explanation from Evolvo Lad, for why some powers work and some don't. Also cool bit adding in that it doesn't border the Phantom Zone, so Tinya can't phase
It was difficult choosing who to spotlight with the power issue...I made a spreadsheet so I could figure out how every one of them would be impacted by being in Flatland, but going through 43 separate superheroes would have taken forever so I ended up just trying to give as many characters as I could random speaking parts even if they didn't really influence the story instead.

Quote
Ab-Ott, haha! nice name for a mystic wink
Is there a magician called Abbott? I named him that as a homage to Edwin A. Abbott, the guy who wrote the Flatland novella (actually I think that's a pen name, but anywho...). It'll be funny if it actually does relate to magic somehow though lol

Quote
And Brittle! Nice segue into the next bit! And Duplicate Boy is out there somewhere too... gosh this ain't ending well. Dev-Em being canny enough to mistrust Makkia Vei... and his "I'm a professional" bit... whew.
It's funny, I intended on having Brittle join the Oversight Watch all along but for the life of me I couldn't figure out how I could insert that into a story, and it was only while I was finishing this instalment off that I realised it makes perfect sense to bring it up in a story where Ron-Karr is the bad guy; synchronicity! smile
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Welcome to Flatland - 10/04/21 11:09 AM
my good memory is both a blessing and a curse wink eager to see a follow-up to the Daughters of the Night thing! and also if there will be new Daughters for Earth and Water, I think the last ones were killed or something yes?

Originally Posted by razsolo
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
Quote
Love the set-up, with some having powers and some not... like, wow. I was puzzling things to myself. I did think this was some sort of two-dimensional plane, so good job with the opening description!

43 Legionnaires in all! cool! also nice to see everyone together for a bit.

Nice explanation from Evolvo Lad, for why some powers work and some don't. Also cool bit adding in that it doesn't border the Phantom Zone, so Tinya can't phase
It was difficult choosing who to spotlight with the power issue...I made a spreadsheet so I could figure out how every one of them would be impacted by being in Flatland, but going through 43 separate superheroes would have taken forever so I ended up just trying to give as many characters as I could random speaking parts even if they didn't really influence the story instead.

[quote]And Brittle! Nice segue into the next bit! And Duplicate Boy is out there somewhere too... gosh this ain't ending well. Dev-Em being canny enough to mistrust Makkia Vei... and his "I'm a professional" bit... whew.
It's funny, I intended on having Brittle join the Oversight Watch all along but for the life of me I couldn't figure out how I could insert that into a story, and it was only while I was finishing this instalment off that I realised it makes perfect sense to bring it up in a story where Ron-Karr is the bad guy; synchronicity! smile

Re Abott, oh I thought it was a reference to abbots like in the abbeys, and them being semi-mystical... oopsy!

these bits, I can very much relate to - in big crowd scenes I use random speaking parts or references to show the sense of scale; and I have a running list of things that need to happen in my story, and sometimes a great opportunity presents itself and things just happen on their own! cool!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Welcome to Flatland - 10/05/21 12:28 PM
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
my good memory is both a blessing and a curse wink eager to see a follow-up to the Daughters of the Night thing! and also if there will be new Daughters for Earth and Water, I think the last ones were killed or something yes?

We haven't seen the water daughter yet (though I have plans for her, just a matter of finding somewhere she'll fit lol)....but there have been a couple incidents involving the (previous) Daughter of the Night Stone:

The Judgement League killed her here


...and Nightwind and the Academy students encountered her ghost here

There was also a young lady named Nightstone at the Legion tryouts where Strut, King Canary, Gravity Kid and Crystal Kid joined the team but that's probably a coincidence wink
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Welcome to Flatland - 10/06/21 12:20 PM
Raz, hi,

thanks for sending me the link, it feels good to respond within a week of a post going up smile

I'm loving the ongoing Otaki story bubbling away in he background, and feel both sad for her and worried about what she gotten herself into. Bless her, she's just been used as a tool by bad guys since you introduced her so hopefully she gets some redemption. Daughters of the Night Stone - didn't you have a character called Night Stone? Nice to see you picking up on previous characters and using them to carry a story forward.

The 2D reality was fun, though I'm glad I don't have to experience it. I bet it was a headache trying to figure out the physics of the place, though loved how colour brightness denoted proximity - very clever. Not being able to hug makes sense, a sad side effect of losing that 3rd dimension. Evolvo is becoming a strong team member, I do wonder how other long-timers feel about the johnny-come-lately pushing himself forward? Interesting how some of the team were empowered while others were at a loss. Ron Karr as the attacking villain was an unexpected twist, you do love yur d-listers! And you write them really well so it makes me reconsider my views too. Wildfire's incredulility was well expressed, I think I had the same reaction.

Stone Boy and Colour Kid been seen as the mightiest members by the locals was nice. Shadow Lass creating a solid barrier with her shadow took me by surprise but made more sense as I thought about it. Life Lass healing Elastic Lad was well done. Infectious Lass being weakened was a good point, and nicely handled. You showed the smart teammambers - budget brainiacs, ha, great line btw - off well, without them appearing condescending or the like. And, generally, well done for including so many of the team in this adventure, even if they weren't able to do much. Tinya admitting she didn't know what to do must have hurt her pride a little, especially after admitting she wasn't happy with Evolvo taking charge.

Reep dealt with Ron Karr really well, being so much more intelligent and calm than him. The telling off made me laugh, it was almost "I'm going to tell your mum" and was perfect way to show how pathetic Ron Karr really is for ating in such a horrific way to get some validation.

The epilogue was the best bit - I do love your Oversight Watch and the under the surface animosity between Dev Em and Makkia Vei was well written.

And Brittle! Yay, he was such a great character I'm really glad you brought him back. Be very interesting to see where that storyline takes you.

This was a wild read Raz, great stuff, and very difficult to do I imagine so take a bow you executed it very well.

Can't wait for more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Welcome to Flatland - 10/06/21 12:47 PM
Thanks Harbi! There have been a couple instances where the daughter of the night stone has reared her head, there's a post just before yours with some links in it if you wanna refresh your memory smile

I stole lots from the Flatland book to be honest for the 2D world....I would have gone into it more if I had more time, but the author does a really good job of explaining how vibrancy of colour matters because it's how the indigenous people tell how close someone is standing - and as they're all geometric shapes with sharp edges, they have to be careful about how they interact with each other. I had this whole thing about how Evolvo Lad would be almost a perfect circle in his evolved form and like an acute triangle in his devolved form but it was one of those things I had to jettison to keep the story going.

Quote
it was almost "I'm going to tell your mum"
hahaha I love that description...89 is definitely their strict mum laugh
Posted By: razsolo Daughter of the Night Stone - 11/02/21 04:45 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


As Jan Arrah and Shvaughn Erin carried their food across one of the many cafeterias dotted throughout the Legion of Superheroes' Martian home, Shvaughn pointed out a table for two on the outer balcony. "Let's nab that spot, Jan! We'll get a good view of the sunset from there!"

"For you, my love...anything." The blond Trommite gave a sweeping bow and used his power to create a twinkling gold-flecked pathway leading them to their table.

Shvaughn giggled in appreciation. "You're so silly, Element Lad."

As the two walked on, they didn't notice that they had passed straight by Lightning Lass, Gas Girl, Matter-Eater Lad and Shrinking Violet at an indoor table. Gas Girl leaned in toward the others with an amused expression. "...Silly?" she asked in a voice barely above a whisper. "...Element Lad, silly??"

"Poor Jan, leave him be." Ayla gave the Lalloran heroine a pretend shove. "Shvaughn's probably the best thing that's happened to that boy since...ever, really. I used to worry about him never having anything in his life outside the Legion, you know."

"You're a big softie, Ayla Ranzz," Vi teased gently. "You're not wrong though. After...well, you know...Jan deserves someone to make him happy." Though neither of them had intended it to happen, Ayla and Vi couldn't help but be reminded of the destruction of Element Lad's homeworld and both of them seemed suddenly crestfallen.

Matter-Eater Lad had just finished devouring a small cube of tungsten and was about to say something to bring the mood back up when an unexpected yelp from Shvaughn outside did that for him. The four craned their necks to see what had happened, and were entertained to see Phantom Girl ascending right through the startled Science Police officer's dinner plate.

"Wow!" Tinya Wazzo was a little tickled. "I don't think I've ever seen you that spooked, Shvaughn...shows how long it is since you've come round here! I am sorry I gave you a fright though. Enjoy your dinner, guys!" The Bgltzr woman left Jan and Shvaughn chuckling about the incident so she could find the person she'd come here to see. Sitting at another balcony table on her own, Luornu Durgo Taine gave Tinya a slight wave.

"Hey!" Tinya took a seat opposite Luornu, grabbed one of the sweet potato wedges sitting in a large bowl between them and bit it in two. "Sorry I'm late; leader stuff. Have you spoken to Dreamy yet?"

"Dream Girl and Elastic Lad," Luornu answered. "Unfortunately they're both pretty much agreed; we could reverse the power transfer process that allowed Myriad to steal my duplication abilities, but there's a danger of Myriad and I entering a state of quantum entanglement if we do that. Dream Girl and Elastic Lad think that the reason I was able to tell which of Myriad's bodies was the prime one when we fought was because when he stole my powers it formed some kind of bond between he and I on a quantum level...to be perfectly frank, the whole thing is way over my head but I'm not doing anything that risks me becoming more entwined with that creep than I already am."

"Oh Luornu, I'm so sorry!" Phantom Girl reached over to touch her friend's arm. "You must be devastated!"

"Honestly?" Luornu shrugged. "I'm okay with it. I mean, I'm angry at Myriad and I'm still annoyed at myself for not seeing through his friendly researcher act, but those duplication powers...they were always just a tool to me. I don't know if any of this makes sense to a non-Carggite, but when my first two bodies were murdered I experienced that as though I had died because they were me as much as the person who's sitting here in front of you right now is. I never had that relationship with my other bodies, they were always just a means to an end. Anyway...enough about my tragedy of the week, how are things with you?"

"Good," Tinya answered. "Really good actually! If every Legion leader has to deal with some kind of ridiculous crisis during their term, I think I got mine out of the way right up front when we got involved with that thing with Robotica. It's been smooth sailing since then, though I have to say I don't think I ever realised just how much behind-the-scenes work is involved with leading this team. That wears me out nearly as much as fighting the Fatal Five!"

"I hope you're putting Nightwind to use," Luornu spoke in between mouthfuls of food. "I know exactly how much work is involved with leading the Legion from when Chuck did it, and I've never been more happy to have any army of extra staff on call than when I was taking on tasks to help him out. Berta may not have duplication abilities but she's deputy leader, she should be assisting you as much as she can."

"Let her live her life," Phantom Girl dismissed the suggestion. "She's practically just joined the team, I don't want to burn her out already...but Luornu..." From the look on Phantom Girl's face, she'd just had a welcome epiphany. "...I think you've just given me a brilliant idea!"

**********

MARS
South Pole, Argentea


ROLL CALL
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability

The temperature had begun to drop when the quintet of flying Legionnaires entered the Martian Southern Highlands, and by the time they'd reached the outskirts of the small industrial city of Argentea most of them had donned transuits. Nightwind's power at least protected them from the biting winds down here at the dark desolate bottom of Mars, but the dirty snow falling all around them and covering every surface as far as the eye could see reminded them that they were far from the comfort of their home back at Husband Hill.

"This is where we're headed?" The only one of the heroes not requiring protection from the elements, Laurel Kent screwed up her face at Argentea's brutalist architecture far below. "This place looks straight out of a Tolliver Dickens: War Orphan holo from 100 years ago, yuck!"

"The original stories were better," Gravity Kid rejoined. "But it's hardly surprising it looks like that, Supergirl. The South Pole of Mars has always been home to dramatic geyser activity; when Terrans first colonised this planet they thought it'd be a walk in the park using the geothermal energy powering the geysers for their own benefit, so they built Argentea. Things didn't really work out that way though, not least of all because it's not solely geothermal activity that causes the geysers in the first place. They spent way more time and effort protecting the city from environmental factors than it was worth, and it's a dying town now. There hasn't really been a lot of growth here since...well, before any of us were born, that's for sure."

"How do you know all this stuff, Tel?" Crystal Kid gave his boyfriend an admiring glance.

"Because he's a massive suck-up who probably ran straight to the Encyclopedia Galactica as soon as Berta told us we were coming here," Supergirl rolled her eyes. "He used to do the same thing at the Academy."

Nightwind suppressed the urge to have a laugh at Gravity Kid's expense. "Guys, behave. I may not even need you here if we're lucky, but the last time Dragonmage and I went looking for one of the Daughters of the Night it didn't end well...I figured it wouldn't hurt to have some more backup this time around."

"Who are these Daughters of the Night, Nightwind?" Strut asked. "In my mind I'm seeing a fabulous dance troupe with absolutely shiploads of bitter infighting and petty jealousies that you had to escape to find your stardom in the Legion of Superheroes, but I've learned reality is rarely as glamorous as anything I can imagine."

This time Nightwind did give a loud laugh. "Sorry to disappoint you, Strut...my powers are passed down through the women in my bloodline from generation to generation; I used to think it was a genetic mutation but then I found out it was actually because of some kind of spell someone cast in Earth's ancient history. There's one of us for air, earth, fire and water and tonight we're going to find the earth daughter."

"Wait a nano," Supergirl cut in. "Didn't we face Earthwind or Dirtnight or whatever back on Earth..? Her ghost anyway, right?"

"Yes!" Gravity Kid recalled. "In Neoabidjan!"

"We did," Nightwind confirmed as she led them in their descent, "But Xao thinks that maybe the magic just passes down to the next girl in line as necessary. He was on monitor duty when reports came in about someone calling herself Nightstone causing havoc here, so he thought I'd probably want to check it out myself. And here we are!"

She touched down on a snow-covered rooftop twenty stories above the ground. None of the Legionnaires here had seen much of Mars beyond its most gentrified areas and they were all struck with how different Argentea was from everything they'd been exposed to on this world till now. The only air transports in sight were big ugly boxes carrying workers or cargo, everyone hustled around below them in drab thick layers of clothing and the industrial thrum of the city underlying every other sound seemed somehow more maudlin than the lively bustling noise of Marsopolis.

"You know, Nightwind..." Gravity Kid stroked his immaculately styled stubble, "I don't think I ever got around to telling you this, but I met a Nightstone back at the tryout where Bobb and Strut and I joined the team along with King Canary. She had a flying rock, I remember wondering at the time if she was any relation to you but then the Fatal Five happened and with one thing and another since then I've never really had a chance to bring it up! Do you think she's the same person we're looking for?"

"Uh...yeah, genius. She's probably the girl we're looking for." Supergirl shot Tel a sarcastic glare.

Gravity Kid was about to fire back when Nightwind pointedly stood between the two of them. "Guys! Come on, none of us are in school anymore! Can you two please act like professionals? That's the local Science Police office across the street there, if you're gonna insist on behaving like children then stay up here while Strut and Bobb and I go in." Without waiting for a response, she took a step off the roof and allowed her power to carry her gently down to the street below.

"Berta, wait!" Laurel flew off straight after her friend to make amends, leaving the boys behind.

"For what it's worth, darling," Strut looked down at the much shorter Gravity Kid, "This may be the first time anybody has ever counted me among the more mature members of a group; I don't like it but I suppose it is an achievement in its own way." Though Strut would have preferred to scuttle down the side of the building, the sleet and snow made that impossible so instead he used his flight ring to make a somewhat wobbly descent after the girls.

Gravity Kid just stood there in mute annoyance for a second before he threw his arms out in frustration and turned to Crystal Kid. "I didn't even do anything!!"

"I know, sexy." Crystal Kid pecked him on the cheek and grabbed his hand. "You know...we don't have to follow them straight away..."

"What..?" Tel yanked his hand away and levitated a few inches into the night air. "Bobb, we're on a mission for sprock's sake." Shaking his head in disbelief, Gravity Kid caught up with Strut and a moment later a furiously blushing Crystal Kid brought up their rear.

**********

The Science Police office was much more humble than the Legionnaires were accustomed to. A droid welcomed them into a very small waiting area out the front, and after several minutes a short stocky male officer with olive-coloured skin came out to greet them. He was broad-shouldered and barrel-chested, but also had the beginnings of a pot belly. Introducing himself gruffly as Officer Harvide, the unshaven man led the five heroes back through a messy office containing two desks to a windowless room where the only light came from flat images projected onto a wall. There weren't enough chairs for all of them, so after a little awkwardness Crystal Kid and Supergirl sat down along with Officer Harvide and everyone else stood while he started his presentation.

"This is Nightstone," the slovenly officer announced. The same dark-skinned girl whom Tel had met was projected before them on her flying rock, using geysers of stone and sand to assault Science Police droids along with walls of solid rock to defend against the robots' attacks. While several distinct battles played out before them, Harvide narrated. "We tried to handle her ourselves, but we don't have the resources to deal with a metahuman this powerful. We're just trying to reclaim property owned by McCauleycorp but she won't let us. What do you say, can you help us?"

"That's what the Legion of Superheroes are for," Nightwind answered straight away. "Is there anywhere specifically that she's targetting?"

"That's the problem," Harvide answered. "Nightstone and her gang have taken over an old titanium processing plant on the other side of town, she won't let us get anywhere near it. I won't lie, Legion...Argentea isn't a big fancy city like Marsopolis; you take away one of our only industries and you might as well stab us in the heart. Every day she camps out there with her cronies is another day our city suffers. She's already put one Science Police officer in intensive care; like I said, we're just not equipped to deal with that kind of thing here."

"Not to worry, Officer Harvide," Nightwind tried to sound as authoritative as possible. "We'll have this sorted out in no time. Let me grab the coordinates and we'll go check it out right now."

The slightly dishevelled policeman gave Nightwind everything she needed, and watched as the Legionnaires left. Giving them a five minute head start, he dialled a particular number on a private line in his empty office. "You told me to let you know when they were on their way out there..? And this isn't going to come back and bite me on the nass, is it? Okay...okay then. I'll expect those creds in my account by the end of the day."

**********

"That unfortunate gentleman absolutely reeked of bad life decisions," Strut announced to the others as their flight rings carried them across Argentea's lonely streets. "You know, Nightwind...he was quite nervous talking to you. This transuit interferes with my electrochemical perceptions a little, but it was radiating off of him so strongly I'm surprised even you dears didn't notice."

"Something tells me there's a lot of unfortunate people here, Strut." Nightwind looked over the poorly maintained city. "I bet this wasn't the career Officer Harvide saw waiting for him when he joined the Science Police."

"Imagine taking over one of Leland McCauley's businesses when he died and keeping the name," Supergirl shook her head ruefully. "I'd want to distance myself from him so sprocking quick..."

"The general public doesn't know what a dirtbag he was like the Legion do," Gravity Kid countered. "And whether we like it or not, he does have one of the most recognised names in the UP."

"Speaking of," Nightwind pointed at a large darkened factory taking up a couple of city blocks at the edge of an industrial estate. "There's that name now...we're here, folks." As Nightwind had mentioned, a flickering sign half-coated in snow bore the name McCauleycorp Titanium atop the factory complex.

"What's the plan, Berta?" Crystal Kid asked as they landed before the front entrance.

"It's a big place," Nightwind puffed her cheeks out and released a long whistle of air. "Kinda wish we had brought Dawnstar or Mwindaji now...I guess we do some urban exploration? Just be on your guard everyone; Officer Harvide said Nightstone's already put one of his colleagues in hospital."

A large picture window at one point had dominated the front of the complex, leading to what had been a low budget but stylish foyer area. The glass had long since been shattered though, and graffiti lined the walls inside. The Legionnaires chose that way to enter the building, but with no power inside Berta was stumped as to where to go from here.

"If I might make a suggestion?" Strut spoke up. "There's been an absolute parade of mammals up and down this corridor to the left here recently."

"Good a place to start as any," Nightwind shrugged. She pulled a small round flashlight out of a hidden pouch on her costume and led the way, some of the others bringing out their own lights to increase visibility.

"Sure is creepy in here, huh?" Crystal Kid asked as they followed Strut further into the bowels of the huge empty building. The insectoid Legionnaire had lowered himself to crawl forward on all six limbs so his antennae would be closer to the floor and the emissions left there by his quarry, and the sight admittedly didn't help Crystal Kid's unease.

"Who are you people and what do you want?" a girl's voice rang out in the dark from somwhere above them. "Jodi, give us some real light." A huge floodlight illuminated the corridor, and when their vision began to adjust the Legionnaires saw a group of silhouettes gathered behind the blazing light. They were all perched on a balcony above, looking down from their vantage point.

"We're the Legion of Superheroes," Nightwind peered up from beneath her hood. "I'm Nightwind, this is Supergirl--"

There was laughter from above. "Do you think we're idiots? That's not Supergirl, she's not even blonde!"

"I'm obviously not that Supergirl," Laurel stepped forward.

Before Laurel could continue, the girl above interrupted. "Hey! Him I know! You were at the Legion tryouts, right Himbo Lad? You were wearing a different costume then though!"

"...Nightstone?" Gravity Kid tried to peer past the intense glow of the light to see her more clearly, but it was pointless. He gave a frustrated sigh and levitated straight up into the air until he was in a better position to see the girl they'd come here to confront. "Nightstone, right? Look, we need to talk...can you turn that thing off? Or maybe not aim it directly into our retinas?"

"Not till we know we can trust them!" another voice rang out from behind Nightstone. Now that his vision was acclimatising to the change in light, it struck Tel that nobody gathered up here looked older than 15 or 16 at most and they were all dressed fairly shabbily.

"I told you, we're the Legion of Superheroes!" Nightwind called out, joining Gravity Kid in the air. "Of course you can trust us!"

"Gia! Gia!" Another girl's voice echoed around the building, footsteps pounding as she joined Nightstone and the others on the floor above. "That woman in the black armour's back! They're with her, this is just like the SP all over again!" A moment later, an explosion sounded out in the cavernous building and startled everyone.

A steady rumble shook the building and columns of stone and dirt suddenly broke through the floor to drive the Legion back. "You batjerks just don't learn, do you?" the girl named Nightstone hollered. "When are you gonna leave us alone?!" At the same time as they were dodging tons of Martian rock, the Legion could hear some kind of confrontation happening elsewhere in the factory as well.

"Laurel! Take Bobb and Strut and go see whatever that's all about!" Nightwing ordered. "Tel and I will be okay here!"

Crystal Kid hesitated, casting a concerned look over Gravity Kid as Tel weaved around fast-growing columns. Gravity Kid didn't give him so much as a glance in return though, and Bobb Cohan reluctantly left to follow Supergirl and Strut.

It didn't take Supergirl, Strut and Crystal Kid long to find the person responsible for the disturbance. A huge hole exposing three stories to the open air had been made in an outer wall and a humanoid figure was just now descending into the building from outside. She looked frustratingly familiar to Laurel and Bobb at least, though neither of them could place exactly who she was; in a black mesh bodysuit which was form-fitting and flexible but obviously armoured, she presented an athletic build. Oversized shiny metallic boots and gauntlets covered her hands and feet, along with a chestpiece which connected to a helmet with an opaque black plexiglass facepiece. From head to toe she was all rounded edges, seeming almost more like a deep-sea diver than anyone who should be descending from the night skies.

"Darling, I adore the commitment to a theme," Strut addressed the woman, "But take it from someone almost as monochromatic as yourself, a little splash of color goes a long way."

"Who are you?" Laurel stepped forward, "And what do you want here?"

"You don't remember me, do you?" The woman's armour amplified her voice easily. "I suppose it's not surprising; to be honest I wouldn't have any idea who any of you losers are if I hadn't done a little research on the way over here...but you can call me Black Dancer, and I'm here on behalf of McCauleyCorp to clean out some vermin."

"Now I remember!" Crystal Kid snapped his fingers. "You were in Earth-Man's Judgement League!"

"I was; I found something a little more profitable," Black Dancer replied. "But that's not anything you need to concern yourselves with, Legionnaires. McCauleyCorp hired me to do what the Science Police couldn't and I don't need a cheer squad, so you can all go home now." She began to stride into the building when Laurel stood directly in her path.

"I don't think so," Supergirl faced her down defiantly. "I don't see any version of this story where you're the good guy, lady."

"Sounds like a you problem, not a me problem." The armoured woman rose a few feet into the air, pitch black smoke billowing forth from vents in her boots; an instant later, nobody could see a thing. Black Dancer started to fly forward when she was suddenly tackled in mid-air and thrown off balance, crashing into the floor where she bounced a few times and rolled to her feet. "Of course," she muttered more to herself than the others, "It had to be the gross bug-man." Enhanced sights in her helmet allowed her to see Strut standing before her even as the other two Legionnaires looked around helplessly within her smokescreen.

"And after I tried to be so complimentary!" the insectoid hero tutted. "How rude!" Guided by his electrochemical perceptions in this dense smoke, he ducked as Black Dancer raised one arm and fired a gauntlet-mounted laser. The laser seared a perfectly round hole in a support beam behind where Strut had been standing, followed quickly by a second assault which was equally ineffective. Black Dancer's armour increased her natural speed and reflexes greatly, but Strut was simply faster. Scurrying swiftly, he came up behind Black Dancer and wrapped himself around her. She was stronger than him, but he locked all six of his limbs around her in such a way that she lost all leverage.

"Get off me!" Black Dancer yelled, more annoyed than anything else.

"Darling, this isn't remotely pleasurable for me," Strut remarked, "But I sincerely feel that we can achieve much more through sustained conversation than these silly theatrics, don't you -- whoop!" Strut's grappling appendages had Black Dancer's arms locked straight up above her so she couldn't fire upon him again, but in response she simply released one of the mini-missiles which had granted her entry into the complex to begin with. The ceiling above them shattered with an explosive crash and while Strut leaped out of the way in time to avoid being crushed by debris, Black Dancer simply let the falling rubble rebound harmlessly off of her armour.

The sudden commotion together with the wind screaming in from outside had dispersed enough of Black Dancer's smokescreen that Laurel and Bobb could now see her through wisps of black vapor. When she once again took to the air to mask her exit as she fled the scene, she was surprised to find herself diving headfirst into the ground. Internal diagnostics told her she'd lost contact with her boot systems, and when she looked down she saw why; Bobb Kohan had turned her shiny metal boots into useless hunks of crystal.

"That wasn't clever." Black Dancer motioned toward Crystal Kid, but Supergirl's flight ring allowed her to move fast enough to block the ensuing laser beam.

"Neither was that," Laurel responded. "Now, are you gonna behave or do we see how many times an indestructible fist has to pummel your stupid visor before you get to put McCauleyCorp's credits to good use paying for reconstructive surgery?"

**********

Once Nightstone had fully committed to her fight against Nightwind and Gravity Kid, the rest of the youths accompanying the geokinetic girl had realised they were out of their depth and scampered away. Berta and Tel's respective abilities allowed them to evade Nightstone's clumsy assaults easily enough, but it took enough of their concentration to do so that neither of them could mount a counter-attack. "Why are you fighting us?" Nightwind shouted as she dodged yet another column of Martian soil tearing apart the floors beneath them. "Even if you were to beat us somehow, we're telling the truth...we're the Legion of Superheroes, Nightstone! You might be able to stop us, but do you think you can stop Wildfire or Mon-El?"

"I can't believe I ever wanted to join your stupid team!" the young girl railed. "I thought you'd be better than the Science Police, but you're just the same! All you care about is whoever's credits are lining your accounts!"

"At this rate, she's gonna bring the whole building down on us before she's done!" Gravity Kid hissed at Nightwind. "She's been driving tons of dirt at us, I don't know how she's this powerful! She could barely transport a handful of people on a rock at the Legion tryout!"

"My power was the same," Nightwind explained while she created a buffer of wind to divert a geyser of rock and mud from smashing into her. "I started off barely being able to create a breeze but within a couple years I was strong enough to join the Legion Academy. But you're not wrong, Tel...I don't know if she's even aware of how much damage she's doing but she really is gonna bring this complex down on us soon. Can you sneak around through one of the fifteen thousand holes she's put in this place to take her by surprise while I distract her?"

"Are you sure?" Gravity Kid asked. "Your power's not as effective indoors--"

"--I know my power," Berta interrupted with a tone of mild annoyance. "This place is huge, I'll be fine. Howling winds aren't really conducive to creeping around unnoticed like your power is though."

"Understood." Gravity Kid gave Nightwind a quick salute and darted off.

Nightwind rolled her eyes. Berta knew she should try harder with Tel; she was deputy leader of the Legion of Superheroes now, she had to be the bigger person...but he was so annoying sometimes with his transparent need to constantly be the best in the room that she couldn't help herself. Berta couldn't understand what Crystal Kid saw in Tel beyond his physical attributes; Gravity Kid was undeniably one of the most attractive men on the team, but after five minutes of conversation with him Nightwind was ready to stab either him or herself in the face just to make it stop. She thought back to her schoolgirl crush on Wildfire; for all of Drake Burroughs' unfortunate physical shortcomings, he was a noble man. Tel Vole was just an egotistical narcissist.

Forcing herself to get her head back in the game, Berta noticed that the air had become thick with particles of Martian dirt. She wasn't sure if Nightstone was doing this deliberately or not, but with Nightwind's power causing the air to circulate more wildly than usual she soon found herself in the middle of a contained sandstorm. Her first instinct was to dispel the dust devil before it grew thick enough to cause a threat in and of itself, but a better idea came to her almost immediately. Centering the winds on herself so that she was in their relatively calm eye, Berta increased their intensity. She couldn't maintain this for long in an enclosed space while simultaneously avoiding Nightstone's attacks, but two or three seconds was all she needed to have added twice as much mass to the improbable sandstorm. Content with her preparations, Berta flicked her arms out toward Nightstone's voice. A sideways rain of dirt and rocks dashed toward the younger girl and while much of it smashed harmlessly against the pillars Nightstone had erected, it had the desired impact. Taken by surprise, Nightstone squealed as she was forced back against the unexpected onslaught.

Nightwind finally had the opening she'd been looking for. While the floodlight had been pulverized during the fray, Nightstone had opened enough of the building to the outside world that Berta could see at least well enough to navigate confidently. Once she'd zigzagged through the forest of stone columns though, Nightstone was nowhere to be found. Damn it, Berta frowned. In a building this size, she could be anywhere. She was just about to call Gravity Kid when she heard Crystal Kid shout her name. Turning around, she saw Crystal Kid and Strut approaching via the same route she'd taken. Where Bobb used his flight ring to navigate between the immense pillars, Strut simply leaped from one to the next. "I'm glad you guys are here," Nightwind greeted them. "Strut, can you do that tracking thing you did earlier to find out which way Earthstone went? Hey, wait a nano - where's Laurel?"

"We left her with Black Dancer and the SP," Crystal Kid replied.

"Black Dancer, Black Dancer..." Nightwind repeated the name, dredging her memory to determine why it was vaguely familiar. "Hang on...wasn't she a Judgement Leaguer? What is she doing here?"

"Oh darling," Strut clicked. "You'd best steel yourself for this one, we've made quite the spectacle of ourselves and not in the fun way..."

**********

Tel Vole was lost.

Manouvering behind Nightstone should not have been this much of a challenge, but parts of this building were a maze and Gravity Kid had failed to take into consideration how dark it would be once he was further into its interior. At least, he consoled himself, it gave him the opportunity to practice using his power for sightless navigation. Tel's ability to sense gravitational fields was not precise enough for any really complex activity, but it stopped him from breaking his neck flying into a wall. He'd just entered a long since abandoned turbolift shaft when he heard shuffling noises from below. Glancing down, Tel saw the faintest ray of light shining through the crack of a door which probably hadn't opened in years. Curiosity soon got the better of him; he knew Nightstone couldn't possibly be two floors below him, but those other kids who were with her might be and maybe one of them would prove more amenable to reason. Gravity Kid descended and used his power to force the creaking turbolift door back into its recess. He heard a couple of voices reacting to the sound even before the door had fully opened, and by the time he exited the shaft he was just in time to see two kids with backpacks bolting out of a door on the other side of the room. It was the room itself which grabbed Gravity Kid's attention more than the teenagers who'd just left it though.

He levitated out into a huge open space, tables and chairs piled up against the left side of the room like an oversized child's fort. Small glowing heat lamps were spaced about the room, giving it a weak glow which was far more welcoming than the almost complete darkness of the rest of this complex. At one point this had obviously been a staff cafeteria; he could see a serving area on the other side of the room with what looked to be a kitchen behind it. Now though, this cafeteria was a makeshift living space. More than a dozen tents filled the space where he imagined the tables and chairs had once been evenly spaced out, and it seemed that every tent had been quite frantically cleaned out. Tel allowed himself to touch down upon the filthy tiled floor and walked through the room. He'd been in a space like this before. He'd lived in a space like this before.

"Hello?" he called out, his voice wavering with unexpected emotion. "Is anyone still here? I don't want to hurt anyone. Please, I just want to talk."

A door slammed behind him and Gravity Kid spun about. Nightstone was standing before the doorway to the fire stairs, shaking with anger. "What are you doing here?!" she yelled at the Legionnaire. "Why can't you people just leave us alone??"

Gravity Kid raised his palms in a gesture of platitude. "Nightstone...it's Gia, right? I heard someone call you Gia before?"

"Stick to Nightstone." She advanced on Gravity Kid and a low rumble filled the room.

"Nightstone then," Tel maintained a calm tone. "Listen, Nightstone....the Science Police officer we spoke to told us you were leading a gang down here but that's not what this is at all, is it?"

"You don't know anything about me!" the younger girl shouted defensively.

The ground cracked open between them, but Gravity Kid didn't move. He knew he might be making a mistake, but he had to try. "I'm not going to fight you, Nightstone. Just...just let me talk, would you?"

The rumbling subsided, along with Gravity Kid's heart rate. "Go on then," she challenged him.

"Where I came from," Tel chose his words carefully, "It's not like where I am now. I don't talk about it, but...I was let down, Nightstone. I was let down hard. My family let me rot at a time I needed them more than ever, and I had to find my own way when I didn't have the first clue how to do that. I found a community of like-minded people....I found a family to replace the one I'd lost, and we lived in spaces where the rest of the world couldn't judge us because they didn't see us. I lived somewhere a lot like this actually. And I wouldn't go back to that, but at the time it was all I had and I would have fought tooth and nail to defend it. None of you here...none of you want to hurt anybody, do you? You just want them to leave you alone."

"That's what I've been saying!" Nightstone spat bitterly. "But they'll never leave us alone! And not all of us get to join the Legion of Superheroes...I tried and I never even got to meet any of them. So sprock it, from now on I just look after mine."

"So will we." Gravity Kid approached her cautiously. "Obviously none of you would be living in a freezing abandoned factory if you had any other option so let me give you one. Let the Legion of Superheroes help you and your friends, Nightstone."

They were standing barely six feet apart now, and the tension was palpable. She hadn't lashed out though, and Gravity Kid didn't think she was going to. Nightstone's gaze met his and for the first time her mask of anger wavered and Tel saw the pained girl underneath it.

...and then she turned to unmoving crystal.

"Tel!" Crystal Kid flew forth from the same turbolift shaft Gravity Kid had used earlier, Nightwind and Strut close behind. "Did she hurt you?"

"What is wrong with you?" Gravity Kid exploded. "I was getting through to her, Bobb!"

"Crystal Kid did what we came to do," Nightwind defended her stunned friend. "There's more to this story than we were told, Gravity Kid. These kids are all runaways, half of them have been in trouble with the Science Police even before the incident that brought us here...McCauleyCorp hired their own muscle to take care of Nightstone when the SP couldn't, and we've just stopped this whole situation from escalating any further."

"Yeah, well...if this situation is so under control, you don't need me anymore." Gravity Kid stormed past his teammates. "I'll see you all back home." Too angry to even look at any of them, Tel fled the room.

"I should go talk to him--" Crystal Kid began to follow Gravity Kid.

"Forget him," Nightwind cut him off. "He's just throwing a tantrum because he didn't get to be the big hero, and we still haven't finished here."

Bobb was torn, but he stayed. He just hoped he'd made the right choice.

**********

In truth, there wasn't much left for the Legion to do after Gravity Kid left the scene. A quick call to McCauleyCorp had confirmed Black Dancer's claims, and though local media arrived suspiciously quickly to report on the Legion's embarassing fight against a corporation trying to keep its own property secure, Black Dancer cooperated fully with the Legionnaires and the Science Police officers who'd arrived on the scene.

The Legionnaires recovered two more of the runaways, but they didn't really have their hearts in it and with Nightstone taken out of action it was decided the Science Police could deal with the rest of the kids anyway. Power neutralising cuffs were at the ready so Nightstone could be taken into custody as soon as Crystal Kid reversed his power's effect, then feeling vaguely uneasy about the Legion's role here Nightwind took the rest of her team home.

Sitting in the back of a warm but sterile Science Police transport vehicle, Nightstone fumed. The Legion were full of it; elitist defenders of the status quo who didn't care about her and they certainly didn't care about any of her powerless friends who were going to be struggling to find a safe space to sleep tonight. She cursed herself for letting her guard down with Gravity Kid, she should have gone on the offence exactly as her instincts had directed her. If she ever ran into that manipulative squaj again she wouldn't make the same mistake.

The door to the vehicle opened, but the person standing there wasn't anybody Nightstone recognised; she certainly wasn't any Science Police officer in her thick dark blue parka, its fur-lined hood drawn over her short bob of black hair. "The Legion of Superheroes let us both down," the young woman spoke aloud as though responding to Nightstone's thoughts. "But you don't have to rot in an SP cell for it, and you certainly don't need to be living in some hollowed-out factory at the bottom of the world, Gia."

"Who are you?" Nightstone demanded. "How do you know my name, where are the Science Police?"

"My name is Otaki," the stranger replied, extending a gloved hand. "...and thanks to my benefactor, my mindsense has grown strong enough that the Science Police are no longer your problem. Come with me and we can help you too."

Nightstone considered the offer. She'd never heard of this woman and she certainly didn't trust her...still, it was a better alternative than anything else she had going right now.

She took the young woman's hand, and both of them disappeared into the Martian night.
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Daughter of the Night Stone - 11/02/21 08:25 AM
Oh man. Lots of misunderstandings here. I think Nightwind will soon regret not listening to Gravity Kid.

Tel can be annoying, but he does mean well, and I think he was right here.

I hope poor Nightstone will get a second chance later. otaki too.

And maybe Nightwind will get some growth out of this.

Laurel also needs a bit of maturing

Strut is hilarious as ever!

Nice instalment raz
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Daughter of the Night Stone - 11/03/21 07:55 AM
Have to note, Tel isn't completely blameless either (though he was for most of it). If he had responded calmly to Nightwind (who was being calm herself at the end)...

And Nightwind's gut is now telling her there's something wrong too.

very eager to see what comes next!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Daughter of the Night Stone - 11/03/21 12:00 PM
I think you hit the nail on the head with all points, IB!

Berta strikes me as someone who would generally be quite mature and responsible, but probably finds it a bit too easy to slip into high school clique mode when she's hanging out with her Academy pals...and it doesn't really come up a lot but Laurel in my series did actually miss a lot of time in suspended animation while everyone else in her class graduated, so in many ways she actually does literally have more growing up to do (which reminds me, I probably should get around to doing a Who's Who profile for her!)

...and you are right about Tel as well, he could stand to chill out and try to accommodate others a bit more than he does - the fun thing about writing the younger cast is it lets me get all my CW teen drama stuff out of my system hahaha

Nightstone and Otaki are gonna come up again sooner rather than later, all this stuff with Otaki should come to a head within the next 3 or 4 instalments and it's safe to say it is gonna get a lot nastier for everyone involved...
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Daughter of the Night Stone - 11/03/21 02:29 PM
Another fun installment Raz,

Shvaugn calling Jan silly was fun, and I agree with almost everyone that 'silly' is not a word I's use to describe him - boarderline psychotic, maybe? Still, nice that he has someone to bring that side of him out.Nice moment with Vi and Ayla empathising with Jan and the destruction of Trom - if I remember right, weren't they both there when it happened in your canon but couldn't do anything about it? Lu's determination and explanationfor not rushing into getting her powers back rang very true. I wonder what Tinya's ida will be? Love your cliffhangers smile

Tolliver Dickens: War Orphan - haha, please sir, can I have some more... nice! Also, it's good to see a bit of Mars that isn't either a gleaming city or a pristine wilderness, and abandoned industrial estates just scream out for action! Laurel and Tel's bickering is fun, though would be very annoying to experience - Berta handled it well. I knew Officer Harvide wasa dodgy geezer! Corrupt SP won't be looked favourably upon so I hope he has a decent amount stashed away somewhere."That unfortunate gentleman absolutely reeked of bad life decisions," haha! We all know people like that, unfortunately. Actually, throughout every line Strut says is great! And as we're on the subject, "I'm obviously not that Supergirl," and Tel being referred to as "Himbo Lad" both made me laugh.

Love that you brought back a relatively obscure villain from Earth Man's Bigots United team, and given her a purpose. Black Dancer here was a lot more fierce than I remembered, The team dealt with her well, and Laurel's line at the end showed her fiesty side - she should be really, given her age, adventurous nature and probable chip on her shoulder about her heritage, I'd expect her to be a wild child given the chance. But maybe that's just my take.

Berta and Tel will never be bosom buddies will they? She doesn't get him at all, and he's socially awkward at times... oh well, just like people we all meet in real life then. Hopefully they can find some common ground and get past it as it's not a good look on either.

Tel showed a considerable more amount of Empathy towards Gia than you've shwn him show Bobb, which was surprising but sweet. And, unfortunately Berta and Bobb ruined the moment - sadly, there goes the chance they needed to reform Nightstone. good to see Otaki again, I'm really loving how you are building up that storyline.

Great characterisation all the way through this Raz, really good writing! I'm quite envious of your skill at writing these done-in-one segments that also fit into the bigger narative.

As always, waiting with baited breath for more, more, more!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Daughter of the Night Stone - 11/04/21 08:38 AM
Harbi, you make a great point that Tel showed Nightstone more empathy than he did Bobb in any of their interactions! A sign perhaps that Tel does not view Bobb as an equal or partner? (agree that it's also not a good look on Berta, to her credit she does recognize it, I'm looking forward to her using it as a good moment...)

Also, indeed nice to see Shvaughn bringing out this side of Jan!

Originally Posted by razsolo
I think you hit the nail on the head with all points, IB!

Berta strikes me as someone who would generally be quite mature and responsible, but probably finds it a bit too easy to slip into high school clique mode when she's hanging out with her Academy pals...and it doesn't really come up a lot but Laurel in my series did actually miss a lot of time in suspended animation while everyone else in her class graduated, so in many ways she actually does literally have more growing up to do (which reminds me, I probably should get around to doing a Who's Who profile for her!)

...and you are right about Tel as well, he could stand to chill out and try to accommodate others a bit more than he does - the fun thing about writing the younger cast is it lets me get all my CW teen drama stuff out of my system hahaha

Nightstone and Otaki are gonna come up again sooner rather than later, all this stuff with Otaki should come to a head within the next 3 or 4 instalments and it's safe to say it is gonna get a lot nastier for everyone involved...

a sign of great balancing and writing, raz. none of your characters were completely in the right. Even Bobb was a bit unprofessional with suggesting he and Tel stay out a bit (plus he acted on his lust rather than try to reassure Tel constructively). Heck, even Strut didn't come out 100% clean, as he DID egg Tel on in a way.

Happy that things will come to a head soon, you've built this storyline up well - I'm super eager to see where it leads!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Daughter of the Night Stone - 11/10/21 04:28 AM
Harbi: good memory! Due to timey wimey stuff, Vi and Ayla were on Trom, Roxxas decided to nuke the planet because he found out the Legion were there in fact!

"Earth-Man's Bigots United" made me lol laugh I like having the dregs of that group pop up every now and then to remind everyone they exist

Y'all are right that everyone was a bit immature at points - and it is a good observation that Tel showed more empathy for Gia than the guy he's meant to be dating, we'll see where that goes pretty soon!

Next up: another obscure homemade character is gonna pop in to say hi!
Posted By: razsolo The Weeping Man - 11/23/21 12:40 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


The Legion of Superheroes' gymnasium was expansive and designed to give them almost any physical challenge they could conceive to help them in their fight against crime. Right now, Shadow Lass and Night Girl sparred in one corner of the room while Shrinking Violet pushed herself through a miniature obstacle course on a small enclosed pedestal to their left. Above the girls, Timber Wolf and Tellus swam laps in a 25 metre pool suspended in mid-air by magnetic fields. Though no longer an active member of the Legion, Chlorophyll Kid was struggling with a chest press on the other side of the room while Gravity Kid paced himself on a running track which enclosed the gym.

Ral Benem was not the only non-Legionnaire using the gym today however; in the centre of the room was a large and almost opaque cube-shaped forcefield, and within that forcefield Lightning Lad addressed the ten students of the Legion Academy. "Are any of you familiar with Zwennite Traveller?" Lightning Lad asked the class. "It's a child's game where the object is to be the first to cross a field from one end to the other...except there's one person at the other end of the field with their back turned to the group. They turn around periodically without any warning, and if they see anyone move then that player is eliminated."

"On Jaquaa, we call that game Hide In Plain Sight," Variable Lad volunteered cheerily. "And the person in charge of elimination is referred to as the Speartongued Serpent...because a speartongue's vision is based on movement, so you have to be very still when you come across one!"

"Oaa, how the sprock does anyone on your planet ever survive infancy with the amount of horror monsters you've got there?" Dragonwing teased her younger classmate. Some of the others giggled appreciatively.

"We've got something like that on Zwen as well," Lullabye Lad joined the conversation. "I mean we don't call it Zwennite Traveller, that'd be weird....it's Light Sleeper; the sandman tells us when to sleep and when to wake up, and the person who makes it to the finish line first is the lightest sleeper."

"Well, we're going to be be playing something similar today," Garth Ranzz jumped back in before the students could derail the lesson too much. "Except I'm calling it Power On/Power Off. None of you are allowed to use your powers until I shout Power On and if I see any of you using your powers after I shout Power Off then you're eliminated. Does that make sense, everybody?" Garth took care to glance a little longer over Glorith, Fire Lass and Sojurn as he asked this question. Between Glorith's complete lack of memory about anything prior to her apprenticeship with the Black Witch, Fire Lass's literal lack of a childhood and Sojurn's extradimensional origins, the three of them were the students most likely to need a little more attention when it came to shared cultural experiences their classmates took for granted.

"I believe you have explained the contest sufficiently," the appropriately flame-headed Fire Lass replied. "Though I am confused about one thing...why would we need our powers for such a task? It seems like all we must do is run from one end of the field to the other with some measure of tactical forethought?"

"I'm glad you asked," Garth gave them a cheeky smirk. "Opponents, activate!" They all heard a mechanical whirring noise, and the students saw ten droids rise from hidden panels in the floor at various points around the room. "You didn't think I was gonna let you all off that easy, did you? Go line up over there and we'll get started."

"Ugh, robots again!" Lullabye Lad groaned as he made his way across the room. "What are my stupid sleep powers supposed to do against a sprocking robot?"

"Don't worry pal, we'll look out for you!" Chemical Kid slapped Waiane on the back. "Anyway, this might cheer you up...check it out, looks like you might be up for another chance with your ex!"

Lullabye Lad followed Chemical Kid's pointed finger and saw that Gravity Kid had come to a stop on the running track. Tel was talking to Crystal Kid and though the forcefield prevented Waiane or Hadru from seeing either of the Legionnaires very clearly, they could still read their body language well enough to see that it wasn't a pleasant conversation. Gravity Kid stood rigid, defensive, and within seconds Crystal Kid was walking away with his shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Another chance?" Lullabye Lad snorted in derision. "He can keep it...it looks like Crystal Kid's finding out what a huge jerk Tel Vole is, I don't need that mess back! Now...let's kick some robot nass!"

**********

In the residential section of the same building, Thom Kallor sat in a steaming hot bubble bath massaging one of Nura Nal's pedicured feet while she reclined opposite him. "Thom, that is heavenly," the platinum blonde moaned, her head hanging limply over the edge of the tub. "I don't know why I pay that salon for massages twice a week, you're very good and at least as handsome as Enriq."

"High praise," Star Boy chuckled. "I bet Enriq never does this though!" Without warning, he blew a raspberry on the sole of Dream Girl's foot and she screeched with laughter.

Dream Girl pulled her leg back before nimbly thrusting herself forward toward her hirsuite boyfriend. Sloshing water everywhere, she rose above him supporting her weight with one arm on each side of the tub while her hair lay on his beard and chest. "You know how I hate surprises, Thom Kallor...you're going to be punished severely for this."

"Don't threaten me with a good time, lady." He moved to kiss her before noticing she seemed distracted by something above them. "...Nura?"

"Ugh, can you believe that woman? What has she done this time?" Dream Girl sat back in the tub again, her mood soured. The holocaster suspended from the ceiling had been playing on mute the whole time, and though they'd been ignoring it till now Nura had seen something she couldn't ignore. "Standard volume please!" she commanded.

Marella Tao's slightly husky voice filled the bathroom and Thom wondered briefly why Nura would be annoyed at the famous newscaster till he saw the person Marella was talking about. "--Persephone Savage has found herself embroiled in scandal once again, this time on the watery world of Vavalla. Local Science Police Officer Tayla Skott claims that Ms Savage was responsible for the abduction of Senator Doopan Tarka recently, a claim which Ms Savage has pointedly denied. Citing a previous instance where her identity was assumed by a Protean criminal, Ms Savage has stated that as a public figure she is particularly vulnerable to these types of fraudulent impersonations and she has agreed to cooperate with the Science Police fully in order to clear her--"

"Mute volume," Star Boy ordered. "Don't watch that, Nura; it'll just -- Nura?" Turning away from the news channel to face his lover, he saw her shaking her head and blinking rapidly as if she'd been woken abruptly. "...You've had a vision?"

"Yes, but not about that sow thankfully!" Dream Girl replied. "I'm afraid I won't be able to come to Xanthu with you this evening after all, love. I'm going to have to find a few Legionnaires to take with me to Avalon of all places!"

"Oh." Thom was visibly disappointed as he began to stand. "Then I guess--"

"Excuse me, Mr Kallor! I didn't say I need to go right now!" Nura grabbed Thom's hand and forced him to sit back down. "Now...you get back in this tub, I believe there's a matter of punishment that hasn't been addressed yet!"

Star Boy grinned stupidly.

**********
LUNA
Tranquility Bay, Brande Industries


ROLL CALL
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Colossal Boy aka Gim Allon: growth powers
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: gravity negation
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility

In a huge office decked out with stylish if not overly extravagant furnishings, Colossal Boy stood with his hands clasped behind his back as he peered out a window which took up one entire wall. Gim Allon's homeworld Earth floated beyond, the moon upon which they stood casting its shadow over the blue and green world.

"Do you miss it, Gim?" Phantom Girl joined him at the window. "It was easy enough for me to move from Earth to Mars; everywhere in this dimension is a new world for me and Bgtzl is only ever a phase away, but you were born on Earth and grew up there. You've got family there."

"I've got family on Mars too, PG." The broad-shouldered hero smiled down at her. "Yera, you guys...and Mom and Dad aren't that far away."

"Speaking of Yera..." Cham joined in from where he'd been chatting with Light Lad on a large sofa, "You know she and I talk to one another, right? She told me you tried to get her to set me up with Tranquility with some kind of romcom shapeshifting shenanigans!"

"Gim!" Tinya gasped in fake shock, barely able to suppress a grin.

Colossal Boy turned to face his best friend and bowed his head in defeat. "Betrayed my own wife, wow...last time I try to help a buddy out."

Chameleon Boy rolled his eyes and took a sip of the Braalian brandy he'd been swirling around absent-mindedly. "Yes, I can't imagine why the woman who met us all while she'd been duped into impersonating one of our teammates might take umbrage at being asked to do the exact same thing again. You're lucky she didn't have you sleeping on the couch for a week! Tranquility - whom we've met all of once, might I remind you - was a lovely girl, but I told you I don't do long-distance dating."

"I don't know," Light Lad offered his opinion, "It's worked out pretty well for me and Kent!"

A melodic chime sounded, and Cham quickly stood and brushed himself down after placing his drink on a glass table. Light Lad followed suit, and Colossal Boy and Phantom Girl made their way over to join them. A moment later the man they'd come here to see walked through a sliding door. Dressed in a conservative blue suit, Marla Latham crossed the room to greet the Legionnaires warmly. As he said hello to each of them he hugged Cham, shook Darvan and Gim's hands and leaned forward to kiss Tinya on the cheek. He wasn't alone, accompanied by an attractive young woman with long dark hair who wore a white outfit with tasteful rose gold jewellery shaped like various phases of the moon.

"Reep, Colossal Boy; I'm sure you two remember my guest from the Legion's last visit to Luna," Marla introduced the young woman, "But Phantom Girl and Light Lad I don't believe have had the pleasure. This is Tranquility, the moon's own local hero."

"Lovely to meet you, Tranquility." Feeling cheeky, Phantom Girl deliberately used the same word Chameleon Boy had said earlier when he'd described her; Tinya could almost sense Cham's mild embarassment. "Are you working for Brande Industries now?"

"Oh no, not at all," Tranquility responded easily. "I'd offered my assistance to Marla here to try and stop any more violence before we called the Legion in, but unfortunately this case is a little beyond my humble talents."

"Fundament again?" Colossal Boy asked, remembering the last time they'd come here.

"Actually, Michael sought out therapy after our last encounter and he was doing wonderfully the last time I spoke to him!" Tranquility spoke without any malice toward the man who'd once wanted to kill her. "This is something altogether sadder, I'm afraid."

"Sadder and altogether very strange," Marla agreed. "There's no way to make this sound rational so I'll just come out and say it...Legion, Brande Industries has a ghost!"

"...a ghost?" Light Lad repeated the words skeptically. "Like...as in a deceased spirit..?"

"Come on, Darvan." Phantom Girl nudged her taller teammate playfully. "You're telling me you can accept vampires, necromancers and a whole world of sorcerors at face value but ghosts are where you draw the line?"

"Well...that is, I..." the Winathian blushed, stumbling for words.

"I'm just teasing," Phantom Girl assured him. "Marla, what can you tell us? I'm assuming this is more than just graveyard shift workers spooking one another for you to have bothered calling the Legion of Superheroes in."

"Our Regional Manager Jozha Maxlee only escalated this matter to me a couple of days ago, but apparently the local workers have been talking for weeks about some cloaked man who appears and disappears at will." Marla took a drink from a well-timed serving droid. "He's never actually been spotted by any surveillance equipment but enough people have reported hearing crying during late shift hours that Jozha asked Security to investigate...and that's when it seems our resident ghoul upgraded from unnerving people to murdering them."

"I believe that's where I come in," Tranquility picked up the narrative. "I've encountered this so-called ghost twice now...the first was by accident; I heard sobbing and when I went to investigate, I came across him and the man he'd chosen to kill. The...well, I suppose we've just started calling him the Weeping Man...anyway, he carries a sword and I stopped him from going through with his murder but his poor victim was almost hysterical with fear. It took a concerted effort for me to calm him down enough to even move him to safety. I approached Jozha and through her met Marla, and they agreed to allow me to patrol Brande Industries' Luna holdings. The second time I met the Weeping Man he actually attacked me physically, and it was only thanks to the timely intervention of nearby Science Police that I got away unscathed. We decided then that maybe we should call on the Legion, and here we are."

"He's killed three people," Marla noted grimly. "But he never leaves any trace of himself...I don't want to get carried away with this whole ghost thing, but it's a compelling claim. From all appearances he simply frightened one man to death, the Science Police tell us the other two were under great amounts of distress at the time they died as well."

"Everyone leaves some trace," Cham countered. "We just have to find it." The Durlan hero turned directly to Tranquility. "Amoris, I don't want to expose you to any more danger so I'll totally understand if you'd prefer to stay out of this but we could use an escort who knows the area if you're up for it."

"I'm already involved," Tranquility answered. "My powers didn't affect the Weeping Man, but I'll help however I can. Thank you for considering my feelings though, Reep."

"Okay then!" Chameleon Boy looked across to Phantom Girl, suddenly aware that he'd been taking the lead and feeling a little guilty about it. "What's our next move, PG?"

"Honestly, you're way better at investigative stuff than me," Phantom Girl shrugged, unfazed after their years of friendship. "What do you think we should do, Cham?"

Chameleon Boy smiled slyly. "I may have an idea..."

**********

Hours later Tranquility, Colossal Boy and Light Lad patrolled Brande Industries' maze of corridors with a brown Great Dane actively sniffing everything around them. To save power, the building's lighting only switched on in the group's immediate vicinity and then switched back off once they'd passed by. With all non-essential staff sent home for the evening, the effect was a little unnerving. "So this...apparition or whatever...he cries while he's killing people?" Light Lad asked Tranquility. "Maybe it's just me but it sounds like that could be symptomatic of a psychiatric condition more than anything supernatural."

"It sounds creepy as sprock is what it sounds like," Gim piped up.

"It is quite unsettling," Tranquility agreed, "But Darvan, If you're correct I hope we can find him the help he needs."

"I just hope we stop this guy. Or ghost. Or whatever." Colossal Boy cocked his head to one side. "Hey, you all hear that?" A plaintive wailing sound echoed throughout the mostly empty office building, a cry of utter despair. It was impossible to pinpoint its source of origin however, each of the heroes peering around in an effort to detect where it was coming from.

"What about you, pal?" Hands on his thighs, Gim leaned down toward the canine in their midst. "You got anything?"

"No, and it's a little annoying," the dog bizarrely spoke. "I think he's moving through the building, I--" He suddenly stopped and sniffed at the air before running full pelt down the corridor. "This way!"

The other three followed, the odd quartet racing to the other side of the expansive floor. They turned a corner to see a security guard on his knees, wracked with sobs as his shaking hands struggled to grip his firearm. Standing over the man with his back to the others was a cloaked figure wielding a sword, his own frame shuddering as he cried alongside the security guard. "We were right!" Chameleon Boy's voice issued forth from the Great Dane as he pounced upon the Weeping Man and knocked him over. "Ghosts don't have a scent, this creep is as mortal as any of us!" Cham resumed his normal form and reached for the strange killer's weapon, but the Weeping Man became intangible and stood over the Durlan.

"Mortal? Yes. I am nothing like you however, Reep Daggle." Now that they could all see him clearly, the Legionnaires noticed that the Weeping Man's outfit resembled archaic formal wear. He was dressed in a black suit with a hooded opera cape, a holster at his waist for his collapsible weapon. His face however was hidden behind a mask which appeared to be made of porcelain and was almost featureless save for two thin eye slits and two equally thin blue lines which reached from the outer edge of each eye to the bottom of his face like stylised tears.

"Hey! Don't do that!" Darvan Locke's panicked voice suddenly rang out. While the others were focused on the Weeping Man, only Light Lad had noticed his first victim moving. Heaving with sobs, the security guard lifted his gun to the side of his head and was just about to pull the trigger when the blue glow of Darvan's power enveloped the firearm and sent it flying to the ceiling. The man collapsed, pounding his fists against the floor.

"What did you do to him?" Chameleon Boy demanded as Tranquility rushed to the man's side. While her powers couldn't impact the Weeping Man directly, she could still help his victim. She crouched down by the distraught man's side and hugged him close, stroking the back of his head gently as she spoke soft words of encouragement. Colossal Boy and Light Lad moved to shield her from the Weeping Man as best they could while she soothed the guard.

"I did nothing more than show him the futility of his life and the depths of despair that are his to plummet," the Weeping Man answered, choking back tears himself so he could speak. "It is no more than I have had to contend with each day of my life, Reep Daggle...and if he breaks under that well of emotion then I have freed one more from this cruel existence we are called to endure. Would you like me to free you, Reep Daggle?"

Something in the Weeping Man's tone chilled Cham to his core. Unbidden memories of his brother came to the front of his mind, the torturous struggle for survival he'd faced on Durla and the assassination of his father. "Stop it!" Chameleon Boy sniped, lashing out helplessly against the intangible villain. Cham knew this wasn't right and he struggled to hold on to the telepathic defence mechanisms Saturn Girl had taught him. It wasn't until he made eye contact with Tranquility and saw the deep concern she held for him that he felt calm enough to get through this though.

"You are not willing to surrender to your pain," the Weeping Man sniffed back tears. "Then perhaps I should aid you more directly." He drew his sword to strike and was taken completely unawares when a white-booted foot came through the wall and kicked it out of his hand.

Phantom Girl came through the wall to stand between the Weeping Man and the others, snatching his sword up and pointing it at him. "Looks like I came back from Bgtzl just in time," Tinya announced. "You've got good instincts, Cham...this guy may not be a ghost but he is a phantom. He escaped from custody on Bgtzl last month and obviously decided he'd have more luck in UP space than back home where he can't just walk through any opposition. I know all about you, Mrtr; the authorities back home told me everything...you're not well, let me take you back to Bgtzl so we can continue your amygdala treatments. You don't want to hurt anybody else, do you?"

The Weeping Man became so emotional that he buried his face in his hands for a moment, somehow pathetic and dangerous at the same time. "Life is pain," he finally said when he'd composed himself enough to talk once more. "All I bring is release...don't you want release, Tinya Wazzo?"

He gazed directly at Tinya, and she found herself completely unprepared for the devastating emotional onslaught. Half-remembered arguments between her parents, raised voices resonating through the house while Tinya and her brother hugged one another as children; the time she'd thought Jo was dead; Ferro Lad, Lyle, Condo...more dead friends than she could bear; and finally, the six long months she'd spent trapped in the past with Bouncing Boy, Blok and Diamond Damsel, each day destroying her hope a little bit more at a time until she'd just been a husk of a person. The Weeping Man was right, all of this pain was too much for any one person to carry. Only dimly aware of her comrades' voices in the background, Tinya Wazzo fell to her knees and looked up at the Weeping Man's blank mask. Tears were streaming down her own face now, and with unsteady movements Phantom Girl turned the sword around so that its blade was pointed inwards at herself. She and the Weeping Man both were still intangible, nobody could stop her now...soon, this would all be over--

"Tinya!!"

Somehow, impossibly, Ultra Boy was on one knee before her. "Babe, please, you're stronger than this. You have to come back to us, come back to me. Please." Jo's eyes were wet and as he reached one hand out to stroke her cheek, Tinya gave in and turned her face solid so that his touch could ground her. The two kneeled there for a moment that felt like hours, their foreheads touching as Tinya found peace in the feeling of Jo's fingers against her face.

"...I know it's you, Cham..." Phantom Girl spoke in a tiny fractured voice, "...But it's just what I needed. Thank you." Turning intangible once more, she stood up and released an almost primal cry of raw emotion as she slammed the hilt of the blade against the Weeping Man's skull. He hit the floor with a thud that told the others he was solid once more, and Tinya released the sword with a clatter. She too turned solid and turned to Chameleon Boy, now in his own form. The two friends hugged one another for a long time, both of them acutely aware of how close they'd come to giving up today.

**********

Thankfully, once the Weeping Man's immediate influence was removed from the equation and with Tranquility's help, the security guard, Chameleon Boy and Phantom Girl all made a rapid recovery. The Weeping Man was taken into custody safely, and Tranquility and the quartet of Legionnaires gathered with Marla the following day to debrief.

"So," Phantom Girl explained to the older man with her more usual perkiness, "It didn't take us long to put together that your ghost might be from my homeworld. While Cham worked on picking up his scent, I followed up with Bgtzl authorities - turns out our Weeping Man is really named Mrtr Glom. He was undergoing some experimental psychiatric treatment last year that caused permanent damage to his emotional centres so that he lives in a constant state of depression now....it would be a tragic story anyway, but it also somehow gave him the ability to bring up negative emotions in other people too; and given his mental state, he thinks he's actually helping people by stalking them like he does."

"Like some kind of angel of mercy?" Marla shuddered. "That's positively morbid!"

"It is," Cham agreed, "But hopefully now he can at least continue to get help to become healthy again." He handed Marla a small homemade electronic device. "He used this to circumvent our surveillance equipment by the way; it's primitive but it uses Bgltzr tech, it might be worth getting someone to have a look at it and see about upgrading our systems."

"Thank you all for your help, it's very much appreciated." Marla walked them all to the door of his office.

"Any time for our adult advisor," Colossal Boy joked. "Let's get back home, guys - hopefully we'll make it in time for me to grab breakfast with Yera before I crash!"

"Actually, I've got something I need to discuss with Marla," Phantom Girl hung back from the others. "It's why I put myself on this mission in the first place, I'll see you boys back on Mars later."

"You know," Tranquility said as she accompanied the Legion boys through Brande's large foyer, "I am actually hungry now that you mention it, Gim. You're probably in a hurry to get back to your wife, but would either of you two like to stay and get a meal with me?"

Colossal Boy saw the enthusiasm on Light Lad's face and discreetly kicked him in the shin. "Ow -- actually, I mean I should probably head back and um...write up a mission log..." Darvan offered weakly.

"You know what?" Chameleon Boy grinned. "After that little experience, I could use a little downtime. Shall we, Amoris?"

Chameleon Boy offered his arm and he and Tranquility wandered off into the lunchtime crowd together.

**********

EDITOR'S NOTES:

* Yes, I did just finish watching Squid Game laugh

* y'all have probably all already seen it but Persephone Savage recently encountered Lamprey and Turtle in their own little mini - you don't really need to know anything more than what Marella helpfully explained, but the story is here if anyone's interested anyway. Dreamy encountered her a looong time ago, I'm pretty sure it was from before I started this thread so it's not really relevant other than to show why Dream Girl and Star Boy recognise her

* Tranquility's intro to the Legion is here and I did a write-up for her in my profile thread as well which is here but all you really need to know is that she is a lovely lady with nice empath powers who lives on the moon
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Weeping Man - 11/23/21 10:18 AM
another great one, raz smile

I like the Squid Game reference... smart of Fire lass to ask why powers were needed.

Glad Waiane is over Tel!

I love the flirting between Nura and Thom, and the implication that Thom is confident and secure enough not to be threatened by Enriq and other hunks Nura comes across.

(also makes a ton of sense that a precog would hate surprises lol)

Love the creativity behind the Weeping Man.

Tranquility being all "hope we can help him", aw. Also the Great Dane, hah! Scooby-Dooby-Doo... Tinya deferring to Cham (and Cham conscious of taking the lead), solid A, love em both. Gim trying to set Cham up with Tranquility through Yera... and Yera talking to Cham, also great touches

Ah, a Bgztlian! nice use of the Bgztlian phasing that allows them to travel back to their home dimension, too often writers (including myself) only focus on the phasing part and not the dimension-shifting!

Cham turning into Jo (and Tinya knowing it) was well done! Also great acting from Cham.

Loved how Tranquility's powers were the perfect counter to Weeping Man's despair. I actually thought Fearstorm was involved at first, but then fear and depression/despair aren't the same. Poor Weeping Man, gosh, to always feel like that...

Hah Darvan! Darvan needs a cue... glad Cham decided to give Amoris some of his time. Luna/Mars... not THAT far apart, not with 30th century tech wink

now curious to see what Tinya discusses with Marla - related to her idea from before, when she was talking with Lu about Berta, I bet!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Weeping Man - 11/25/21 02:58 AM
Thanks IB!

As flirty as Dream Girl is, I figure Thom's options are either learn to be okay with it or go quietly mental laugh

I meant to add it in my notes but the Weeping Man was inspired by this guy when I was looking into some of the old Captain Marvel/Bulletman villains - such a weird and creepy idea for a bad guy!

And Tinya's plotting will come to fruition a bit down the track, but first I am gonna touch base with an ex-Legionnaire we haven't seen for ages!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Weeping Man - 11/25/21 09:51 AM
Wow! The Weeper is so... odd! kudos for taking the idea and updating it!

Ooh! Ex-Legionnaire... maybe Tyroc??? Shadow Kid???
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Weeping Man - 11/30/21 10:23 AM
Hey Raz, I don't have much time this morning so can only give you a quick review.

Glad to see Lullaby Lad is moving n from Tel, wonder if he and Bobb wll end up together? Biy icky but would make a nice bit of drama.

Am I the only person tha didn't enjoy the Squid Games? Apart from the scene on the bridge I was pretty bored throughout. Oh well... nice to see the students again, you write them really well.

I really like your Light Lad, he's such a sweet charater.

Tinya was smart checking Bgtzl for information on the Weeping Man - another great original (ish) character by the way. Though Reep becoming Jo to snap Tinya out of her despondancy was very smart. Speaking of our fave Durlan, Cham and Tranquility would make a very interesting couple. He appears to be the eternal bachelor, doesn't he?

I've got to dash, though really enjoyed this mini-story, and as always I'm eager for more, more, more!
Posted By: Gaseous Lad Re: The Weeping Man - 12/02/21 07:23 PM
Hey Raz! I'm finally catching up on everyone's stuff, so I did a Stream o' Consciousness for the last couple stories that I missed:

Flatworld:

I *love* this 2D transplantation. This is a trope of sorts that I always read with fascination and I love what you're doing here. I've been thinking about something similar in mine, but that won't be until a bit down the road. Are they literally in a comic book?

Its interesting- they are literally in a 2D environment. You've put a lot of good thought here into how everyone's powers are affected in the new environment. This is really fresh, and having Ron Karr be the villain makes total sense.

Loved the character moments on Mars. And cool idea about Mars already having dying towns. Nightstone - "That's not Supergirl." Berta dealing with the struggles of leadership with Tel is a quiet moment that really stood out to me, especially after the tussle with Nightstone. Having her get turned to crystal just as Tel was breaking through was a great beat. I literally did an audible, "Awww!" when that happened, which totally primed her for Otaki.

Weeping Man:

Is this going to turn into some Legion version of Squid Game? laugh

Did anyone else have Scooby Doo on their brain as they read the hunting for the Weeping Man scene? Add Zoe and Triad in the mix and you have the whole squad! laugh

The whole Weeping Man sequence was creepy as hell. And of course he's a Bgtzlian! Having Cham be Jo to snap Tinya out of it was a great move.

LOL! Just hit the footnotes! laugh
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Weeping Man - 12/02/21 10:03 PM
Hi folks, thanks for your feedback! smile

Harbi: I watched the first two episodes of Squid Game with dubs and was v unimpressed then switched to subtitles and never looked back! The tug of war game had my entire soul clenching lol laugh

The Weeping Man originally wasn't gonna be a Bgltzr bad guy (I was saving that for someone else actually) but I figured it makes him more creepy if people think he's a ghost on top of the despondency thing so I am glad y'all liked it!

GL: I did briefly consider making Flatland more like a comic book actually, but it's probably pushing my luck describing a 2D world without visuals as it is without then trying to create the visualisation of a comic book page on top of it. That's one thing that would work 100% better if this was actually a comic though, you could have some fun with it! It'd be worth it just to see Tenzil eating panel borders and speech balloons laugh

I am glad y'all picked up on the Scooby Doo thing...I wish I had thought of using Zoe in that group now, she'd be a perfect Daphne! They could even have had their own mystery machine with her Green Lantern powers lol #missedopportunity
Posted By: Gaseous Lad Re: The Weeping Man - 12/03/21 12:36 AM
Originally Posted by razsolo
I watched the first two episodes of Squid Game with dubs and was v unimpressed then switched to subtitles and never looked back! The tug of war game had my entire soul clenching lol laugh

We did the same - We actually had both the English overdubs going with the subtitles at first (to assist with hearing) but when the dubs with the subs were so off, we just went with the Korean soundtrack. So much better. That said, Squid Game wasn't as amazing as I was led to believe, especially once I figured out who the mastermind was extremely early.

Quote
I did briefly consider making Flatland more like a comic book actually, but it's probably pushing my luck describing a 2D world without visuals as it is without the trying to create the visualisation of a comic book page on top of it. That's one thing that would work 100% better if this was actually a comic though, you could have some fun with it! It'd be worth it just to see Tenzil eating panel borders and speech balloons laugh

I was going back and forth on it and in my head it solidified when Cham had his confrontation - I perceived that scene as the "page turning" in order to change perception. My thought is similar, but different - hard to explain, but more like if WE were the 2D creatures going to something bigger. Hard to explain. It'll probably be even harder to write. laugh

Quote
I am glad y'all picked up on the Scooby Doo thing...I wish I had thought of using Zoe in that group now, she'd be a perfect Daphne! They could even have had their own mystery machine with her Green Lantern powers lol #missedopportunity

Oh this jumped out at me - its probably for the best that you stopped the analogy where you did, as one of the two would have to be Shaggy and we all know where that goes! laugh.

Thanks, Raz, I was mightily entertained with this!
Posted By: razsolo Black Osiris - 12/12/21 03:47 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


"Hold on tight, little sprout! You're on the Comet Express now!"

The golden heroine named Comet Queen flew through Legion Headquarters' main lobby, leaving a sparkling trail of gases in her wake. Strapped to her chest in a snug harness, Ivy Arcane squealed with glee and waved at Sun Boy and Supergirl below. Dipping down low so the door sensors would pick her up, Comet Queen startled a middle-aged man with white hair as she zipped past him. "Sorry, starshine!" Grava cupped one hand and shouted back at him.

"Are you okay, Sir?" Dressed casually and half-jogging after his wife, Ral Benem approached the incoming stranger. "Grava can be a little reckless, I hope you're not hurt?"

"Thank you, I'm fine." The older man smiled at Ral. "Not my first time at the Space Rodeo with you kids."

"...Marla?" Sun Boy recognised their visitor immediately and came over, Supergirl tagging along with him. "Long time no see! Chlorophyll Kid, Laurel, this guy used to keep the Legion under control when we were all stupid teenagers if you can believe it...what are you doing here now?"

"Hello, Dirk. You're looking well!" Marla pumped his hand in greeting. "I've got some business with your leader actually! This is my first time in your Mars headquarters, would you mind telling me how to find her?"

"Marla Latham, I hope you don't think I'd be rude enough to invite you here and not escort you myself!" Phantom Girl greeted him as she passed down through the ceiling with a broad smile. While Ral excused himself to catch up with Grava and Ivy, the others briefly made small talk before Tinya and Marla headed off further into the building.

"What do you think that's all about?" Laurel asked, watching them walk off together.

Dirk Morgna stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I have no idea, but I am very curious..."

**********

Elsewhere in the same building, Tel Vole lay on his bed in his underwear reading the latest Franz Riti novel on his omnicom when his doorbell chimed. "Just a nano!" he called out while marking his place in the text and grabbing the first outfit he could find from his wardrobe. Quickly dressing, the young man otherwise known as Gravity Kid commanded his door to open and saw Crystal Kid standing on the other side of it. "Oh...hi, Bobb. Look, now that I've had some time to think about it I wanted to apologise--"

"Thanks," Bobb Cohan replied flatly. "I do appreciate it, but...Tel, look. I like you. I think you're smart and stupidly attractive and heroic and..." He sighed, steeling himself to continue. "...Anyway. I like you, but I think you've clearly got some stuff to work through and it's not fair for you to just keep running hot and cold on me while you're working through it."

Gravity Kid stiffened, his tone growing cold. "...Are you breaking up with me?"

"Grife, we're barely even dating!" Crystal Kid shot back a little too quickly. He took a breath and continued more calmly. "But yeah...yeah, I guess that's what this is. Look, I'm sorry but...I deserve to be respected, Tel. I hope you can understand that. You just...shut down whenever I do anything that doesn't fit your idea of how things are meant to work and it...it hurts, okay?"

"Yes, well...I suppose it's better you do this now than before I get attached to you," Tel responded bitterly. "Thanks for your honesty."

"Tel," Bobb began, but Gravity Kid had already turned his back on him and allowed the door to close between them. Crystal Kid shook his head and wandered down the corridor feeling utterly drained.

Inside his quarters, Tel's eyes grew teary but he refused to allow this to hurt him. He should have known he'd been right from the start, he shouldn't have allowed his focus to shift from being the best Legionnaire he could be. He lay back down on his bed and picked up his omnicom. He read the same sentence three times, then released a frustrated cry and flung the device across the room.

Curling up into himself, Tel Vole stared at the wall without blinking and pushed his emotions down as far down as he could.

**********

AVALON
Skull Peak, base camp


ROLL CALL
Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation

Inside a regal carriage drawn by four large horses, Prince Gerold of Avalon travelled with Shadow Lass, Dream Girl and King Canary. The other Legionnaires who'd come to this medieval world travelled in a second coach directly behind them, or in the case of Blok and Diamond Damsel who proved too great a burden for the horses, flew alongside the vehicles as an aerial guard.

"Thank you again for accompanying us personally on this journey, Prince Gerold," King Canary addressed the handsome young royal. "The Legion of Superheroes are grateful for your generosity." It hadn't escaped the attention of either Dream Girl or Shadow Lass that their normally gruff avian teammate sounded far more eloquent than usual, and while they were both highly amused by his change in tone both of them were professional enough not to let that amusement show.

"You are very welcome, Prince K'rk," Gerold smiled magnanimously. "If it were not for the Legion of Superheroes, I would have lost my land and my father both to the dread sorceror Mordru long ago. I am forever in the debt of your brave band of warriors, and I know that my father welcomes the opportunity to birth friendship between our kingdom and others such as your own land Aeres."

"I hope that you don't mind me saying so," Shadow Lass spoke up, "But Your Highness, I can't help but notice a marked improvement in our travel conditions since the last time the Legion were here." Tasmia was the only Legionnaire present who'd spent any real amount of time on Avalon previously, and she distinctly remembered this world seeming like something out of those silly roleplaying games that Star Boy and Sun Boy were so fond of. The Legion had journeyed through a mystical swamp on their way to this very destination last time they were here, and while the dangers had been very real there had also been something vaguely quaint about being on a world so foreign to modern influence; in some ways, Avalon reminded her of her own homeworld. Now though, the roads were paved and that sinister swamp was in the process of being reclaimed as parkland. The changes were not drastic, but Avalon was clearly embracing progress in its own way.

"How lovely of you to notice, thank you milady!" The prince bowed his head in gratitude. "I shall be certain to let my father know that his efforts have been appreciated...King Leon has embarked on a plan to integrate our little world more fully with our starward neighbours. It is slow going work; many of our people are resistant to change, but my father is wise and he understands that if Avalon is to thrive we can no longer consider ourselves utterly separate from the worlds beyond."

"It can be a challenge maintaining your own world's unique cultures while also keeping up with the demands of a galactic society," Shadow Lass chose her words carefully. "It is a struggle we know well on Talok VIII, I wish you and your father all the best in facing that challenge."

"Challenge is puttin' it lightly..." King Canary grumbled under his breath, forgetting himself for a moment.

The carriage came to a gradual halt, and one of Prince Gerold's footmen opened the door for him with a courteous bow. The footman obviously knew better than to offer the fiercely independent prince a hand to exit the coach, but Dream Girl was only too happy to be waited on and Shadow Lass took the armoured man's hand out of respect for this world's customs.

King Canary took flight once the others had left the carriage, landing on a low-hanging tree branch nearby while Blok and Diamond Damsel descended to join Lightning Lass and Dragonmage. In truth, the small crowned bird was just relieved to have an excuse to escape the trappings of diplomacy which he found so tedious.

"This camp definitely wasn't here when we faced Mordru," Shadow Lass noticed, casting her gaze over a row of large canvas tents alive with activity. Above them loomed Skull Peak, a towering obelisk of obsidian stone which even in the full light of day was intimidating. It was atop this peak that the Legion of Superheroes had fought alongside Prince Gerold to vanquish Mordru, burying the sorceror beneath his own castle.

"You will recall that I mentioned earlier my father's wish to bring progress to Avalon," Prince Gerold explained. "One of the king's initiatives is reclaiming this land which for so long superstition and fear have rendered untouchable. We have been fortunate enough to engage the services of a pair of occult experts whom we have contracted to oversee the dismantling of Mordru's legacy upon my world. Each day they assign a team of hand-picked workers to comb through the wreckage of Mordru's castle, catalogue any mystical objects which survived the castle's destruction, and cleanse the land so that one day it can be used for the good people of Avalon once more."

"Your Highness, that sounds fascinating!" Dragonmage ventured. "Would you mind if we--" Xao's eyes grew wide and a rare moment of impropriety overcame the teen as he recognised a pink-skinned youth who'd just exited one of the tents a ways behind the prince. "--Harlack??"

The Khund sorceror started at the sound of his name, and grinned as he recognised Dragonmage and the other Legionnaires in turn. "Xao Jin! Shades, what are the Legion of Superheroes doing on Avalon?" He came over and pulled Dragonmage into a quick embrace with one arm, slapping his back with his free hand so hard that Xao grimaced.

"You already know one another then!" the prince clapped his hands together. "Marvellous!"

A small group of onlookers had gathered at this new spectacle, and Lightning Lass had just realised there was someone else here even more familiar to the Legion than the young Khund. "Wait a nano..." Ayla almost ran in her excitement to hug a slight red-haired woman wearing a simple peasant dress. "Mysa Nal, that is you! I know you gave up being the Black Witch, but nobody's seen you since then! Girl, you look amazing! Are you living on Avalon now? Wait, you two are the occult experts? Of course they are Ayla, don't be stupid! How are you?"

"Let us allow poor Mysa a chance to answer," Blok laughed, his gravelly tones somehow equally gentle. "It is good to see you again, my friend."

"This is...spirits, this is a little overwhelming!" Mysa blushed. "It is wonderful to see you again, I..." She finally noticed Dream Girl standing back from the others conspicuously quietly and faltered; suddenly, there was an odd tension in the air and most of the people gathered here had no idea why but they could all tell it was centred on Mysa Nal and Dream Girl.

"Hello Mysa," Nura said simply.

"Dream Girl," Blok asked diplomatically, "Your vision warned you that we would be needed at Skull Peak...is there a particular urgency to our mission?"

"Hmm?" Nura flicked her hair to one side as she gave it some thought. "No...no, not that I'm aware of. Why--"

"Would you like to take this opportunity to share some time with your sister?" He offered. "You must have so much catching up to do, and I for one share Dragonmage's interest in this enterprise. I wonder if Prince Gerold and Harlack might be so kind as to give the rest of us a brief tour of the camp?"

"Mysa!" the prince admonished her lightly. "You never told me your sister was such a celebrated hero! Of course, nothing is more important than family...friend Harlack, I hope you have some of that devilish Khund mead on hand! Let us show our Legion friends some true hospitality while the lady Mysa reacquaints herself with her beloved sibling!"

As the rest of the heroes followed Prince Gerold and his bodyguards, Diamond Damsel wrapped one of her own arms around Blok's much larger one and tilted her head up toward him. "That wisdom of Solomon does come in handy..." she winked at him.

Blok cast a quick glance back at Mysa and Nura, then gave Diamond Damsel a modest smile.

**********

"So..." Dream Girl asked once she and Mysa were alone, "How have you been, sister of mine? Ayla's right, you know; whatever you're doing with your life now it's obviously working! You look great!"

"Nura, I'm sorry." Mysa grabbed both her sister's hands and gave her an imploring look. "The way we left things off the last time we spoke...I was awful to you, truly awful."

"Mysa." Nura gripped her hands firmly. "It's okay. I'm not going to lie, it hurt a lot. But I know that it was Mordru's influence and I'm glad you found a way to rid yourself of that."

"That's just it though." Mysa drew her hands back, fidgeting nervously. "Mordru influenced me to act on my darker impulses, but those impulses...those insecurities...they're a part of me. They always have been. I've done a lot of soul-searching since I gave up my magic, and I've realised that there's a lot of unresolved trauma in my relationship with you. I'm not mad at you, I don't blame you, but there's a distance between us that we just don't discuss and it's not good for me and I don't think it's good for you either."

"What do you mean by that, Mysa?" Nura was forcing herself to remain calm, but her posture unconsciously became more rigid and she placed her hands on her hips. "You're my sister and I love you. I've always loved you."

"I've just..." Unable to meet Nura's gaze, Mysa looked up into the almost cloudless blue sky. "...I feel like every advantage I've gained in life has been in spite of you, or at the very least accompanied by your complete disinterest. And I understand that's not entirely fair. You've always been more extroverted than me, had more people in your life than your futureblind sister to care about. You're a brilliant Legionnaire, and you're going to be the High Seer of Naltor one day. You've always done great things and you'll always do great things, Nura. I understand that you have your own accomplishments to celebrate, but I suppose...I suppose it would be nice if I didn't feel like I had to celebrate all of mine without you ever by my side."

"Oh, Mysa!" Nura impulsively hugged her sister, a gesture that took Mysa by surprise. "I need to tell you something and I want you to listen very closely, okay?" Placing her hands on Mysa's shoulders, Nura took a step back and looked her in the eye. "Before you left Naltor on your path to learn sorcery, I had a vision about you...it was a very clear vision, which in those days was a rarity for me. I saw the powerful mage and the strong woman you were destined to become and I wanted desperately to tell you because I knew how much it bothered you that you never developed precognition, and I wanted you to know that it would all work out for you in the end.

Mother held me back and I resented her for it at the time; you're my little sister, Mysa! Do you really think I was happy for you to leave our homeworld at 12 to study sorcery somewhere I wouldn't see you again for years? I knew that you'd feel like I didn't care and I...well, honestly I was so angry with Mother for a while for causing this wedge between you and I, and it took me years to understand this, but the truth is if I'd told you what I had seen in your future then somewhere inside yourself you'd always feel like those weren't your accomplishments...you would have felt like you were just fulfilling another one of my dreams. Mother didn't want that for you, and I don't want that for you. I am so so proud of everything you've done for yourself, and I suppose in giving you the space to become the amazing woman you are I did create a distance between us. And I should have recognised once that was no longer necessary and I should have been a better sister for you and maybe you could have avoided the harsher things you've had to endure if I'd been more openly supportive. I am truly deeply sorry for whatever hurt I've caused you, but please don't think for even a nanosecond that I'm not filled with pride and love for you. Okay?" By the time Nura was finished, her cheeks were wet with tears.

"I didn't...I had no idea." Mysa choked the words out, close to tears herself. She hugged Nura tight. "I love you, big sister!"

"And I love you," Nura sniffled. "And I'll be a much better big sister from here on out, I promise!"

The two young women held each other close for a minute or two, then Mysa took a step back and wiped at her wet eyes. "But wait...if you didn't expect to find me here...why are you on Avalon?"

"Give me a few minutes to freshen up and then we'll go find the others," Nura laughed at how emotional they'd become. "Then hopefully we can figure it out together."

**********

Gathered together in a well-guarded tent full of all kinds of magical curios from different worlds, Dream Girl finished describing the precognitive vision which had brought her here to her sister, Harlack, Prince Gerold and his men along with the other Legionnaires who'd already heard this on the way. "I'm afraid it's not an awful lot to go on," Nura admitted. "As much as I've developed my power over the years, I am still annoyingly subject to vaguer dreams occasionally as well. All I really know is that somebody is going to cause a great deal of destruction here today and he has a similar lightning bolt insignia on his chest as Blok, but he wears a mostly black costume. Mysa, Harlack, you two have been poking through the ruins of Mordru's old castle...have you seen anything like that?"

Mysa and Harlack exchanged glances. "I'm afraid not," the former White Witch shrugged. "I'm sorry, Nura; I really wish we could be of more help."

Diamond Damsel suddenly snapped her fingers together, a sharp cracking sound that made a few present jump. All eyes upon her, she crouched down and used her finger as a makeshift drawing implement to gouge into the ground a crude outline of a caped muscular man wearing a hooded cape with a massive lightning bolt taking up half his torso. "It's been driving me crazy all the way here," she muttered as she scratched through the dirt. "But I finally remembered his name! Dream Girl, artistic merits aside...does this look like the guy you dreamed about?"

"Yes!" Nura enthused. "Do you recognise him?"

"I mean, I doubt very much it's actually him," Diamond Damsel stood up once more, "But you've just described Black Adam. In the...21st..? Yes, the 21st century...he was a villain or I guess a kind of hero or anti-hero depending on who you asked. Or when. He joined the Justice Society and the Justice League pretty much as often as he fought them, he was kind of like Captain Marvel's counterpart."

"...Captain Marvel?" King Canary queried.

"The first mortal to be empowered by the wizard Shazam," Blok replied. "He originally possessed the power which courses through me now."

"What happened to this Black Adam?" Shadow Lass questioned. "Is it possible that he could have somehow survived to the present day?"

"Let's face it," Lightning Lass piped up, "Stranger things have happened."

"I'm sure he's dead," Diamond Damsel answered. "I mean it was a thousand years ago, I honestly don't remember...but he was in the news all the time back then, I can't imagine he'd be the kind of guy to just lay low for a millenium before he decided to start causing trouble again."

"Black Adam," Harlack's thick eyebrows knit. "He is...or was...as powerful as Blok is now? Blok is the most powerful among the Legion of Superheroes now, is he not?"

"Power is not measured solely in capacity to deal damage," Blok addressed his concern. "However, I do share your worry that he may possess comparable physical traits to myself. Diamond Damsel, do you know of any particular vulnerabilities Black Adam may possess? Even if Black Adam himself is dead, we may be forced to deal with someone who possesses his power just as I possess a portion of Shazam's."

"Not off the top of my head," Diamond Damsel admitted. "Like I said, it was a long time ago...if he wasn't so high profile amongst the hero community back then I probably wouldn't even have remembered him at all to be honest. Back in my...well, in my bad days...I remember the Lord of Time having to take him into consideration when he made plans because Black Adam had all of Kahndaq at his disposal."

"I'm sorry," Mysa interrupted, an edge of anxiety in her voice. "Did you say...Kahndaq?"

"Yeah, it was a country in the Middle East...a region on Earth," the diamond heroine clarified for those in the room not familiar with Earth's history. "Black Adam ruled it for decades, he--"

Mysa and Harlack exchanged a wide-eyed glare, then bolted out of the tent together. "Follow us!" Mysa shouted. "We might not be too late!"

"Where are we going?" Lightning Lass asked. Before either Mysa or Harlack could say anything, a tremendously loud crack of thunder startled all of them.

Shadow Lass shaded her eyes with her hand as she squinted at the sky, careful to avoid staring at any of Avalon's three suns. "Where did that thunder come from? There's barely a cloud in the sky!"

"Indeed," Blok agreed. "This does not bode well--"

A calamitous crashing interrupted Blok, followed immediately by panicked screams. Dream Girl turned to address Prince Gerold. "Your Highness, it's too dangerous for you to come any further. Mysa, Harlack, could you two please help Prince Gerold evacuate the camp while we deal with this?"

"With all due respect," Prince Gerold drew his sword from its scabbard, "If this Black Adam is menacing my people, I will not stand idly by and allow others to fight my battles for me, Legionnaires."

Nura began to counter his argument when King Canary flitted between them. "We'll just waste time debating him," the small bird said bluntly, "I'd feel the same if it wuz my world, Dream Girl."

Dream Girl frowned. She didn't like it, but she knew K'rk was right. "Very well," she submitted. "Just try not to get yourself killed then." Using her flight ring, Dream Girl took to the sky to join the other Legionnaires who were already en route to the sounds of chaos.

"I do not like this," Harlack spoke to Mysa as he watched the others leave. "Prince Gerold is a good man, but he is also an ordinary man. With my sorcery--"

"With your sorcery you're more suited for battle than the prince," Mysa placed a hand on Harlack's shoulder, "But there are other ways we can help...and our first priority must be ensuring that the innocent men and women here remain unharmed."

Harlack considered her words then gave her a tense nod. "You are correct, of course...let us work fast then, and may the Demon Mother turn her withering glare away from us this day."

**********

Blok and Diamond Damsel were first upon the scene and first to see the man Dream Girl had described tearing a long oak table in two. He wore golden boots and a sash of metallic golden ribbon tied around his waist, with bracers and a lightning bolt emblem across his chest to match. The rest of his bodysuit was a simple black, as was the tattered cloak which hung from his broad shoulders. A golden braided cord hung loose at his neck to hold the cloak in place, and the cloak itself was trimmed in gold as well. He had olive skin and short black hair slicked back tight against his skull, and at 6'3" he was an intimidating mass of muscle. At his feet, a young woman with delicate see-through wings and pointed ears quivered too frightened to move or even respond to her friends who were screaming at her from beyond an upturned table at the other side of what had once been a mess area.

"Black Adam!" Blok called out before the powerhouse could cause any more damage. All around him were splintered shards of wood that had minutes ago been tables and bench seats.

The dark-haired man flashed Blok an evil grin. "Not quite, Legionnaire...you can call me Black Osiris in your last remaining moments of life." He effortlessly hurled one half of the twenty foot table he'd been destroying at Blok directly and the makeshift missile exploded into so much kindling as it smashed into Blok's much more durable chest.

"You could be the Black Canary for all I care!" Diamond Damsel rocketed straight at Black Osiris, her hands clenched into fists. "You've bitten off more than you can chew with us two, and we have more friends on the way!"

Moving at lightning speed, Black Osiris casually slapped Diamond Damsel out of the sky using the other half of the table as a bat. The table was beyond ruined, but Iris took out two more tents as she was knocked back. "Woman, I finally have the power to destroy your entire Legion of Superheroes if I must...and once that is done, I-- eh?" Without warning, the villain was engulfed in pure darkness. He heard the winged woman at his feet yelp in surprise and Black Osiris instantly realised that Shadow Lass must be behind this. Without a word, he zoomed straight up into the sky until he'd cleared the dome of darkness and was once more beneath Avalon's three suns. Black Osiris could see Shadow Lass and Dream Girl retreating with the people he'd been menacing and was pondering which of the women he should murder first when his powerful frame was bathed in millions of volts of electricity. Almost completely unfazed, he pivoted slowly to see Lightning Lass hovering a few metres away. Dragonmage floated alongside her, and both heroes were visibly awed at the complete lack of effect Ayla's power had on the villain. Dragonmage had already begun weaving a defensive spell but Black Osiris was too fast; he was upon them almost before the two even realised it, and he drew his fist back to wallop Ayla while she was still summoning her own power to bear.

"Nope!" Diamond Damsel's voice was in the villain's ear, and she yanked him backwards by the cord around his neck before clenching her fists together and delivering a piledriver that sent Black Osiris into the kitchen area below. Covered in food scraps with the debris of the kitchen all around him, Black Osiris growled defiantly. He had just started to stir when he saw a massive grey fist streaked through with gold coming at his face. Black Osiris rolled to one side just in time to avoid Blok's punch, and the stone hero instead pounded an eight inch crater into the ground at their feet.

"You two okay?" Diamond Damsel spared a glance for Lightning Lass and Dragonmage as all three of them watched Blok and Black Osiris square up.

"Just a little shaken," Dragonmage admitted. "He's incredibly fast!"

"And tough too," Lightning Lass winced as Black Osiris landed a series of punches on Blok, causing the hero to take half a step back. "It's like fighting a sprocking Daxamite!"

"Then let's not let up," Diamond Damsel responded. Without another word, she cannonballed downwards to slam Black Osiris into the dirt. Lightning Lass pushed herself to her maximum power output, almost seeming to actually turn into a humanoid lightning bolt herself, and she blasted Black Osiris with both hands outstretched. This time she did actually get through his defences, though only barely.

Black Osiris tensed briefly under the electrical onslaught, but he clearly wasn't all that hurt. Teeth gnashed together, he turned on Diamond Damsel once more. "You, woman...you I am tired of already." He delivered an uppercut that was so powerful Diamond Damsel was sent flying out of sight altogether.

"That..." Blok intoned darkly, "...was a dire mistake." He punched Black Osiris in turn and knocked the villain back through what was left of the base camp, bringing it down on top of him.

Dragonmage followed the trail of destruction, and saw movement beneath tons of wood, steel and canvas. Xao knew that if Blok, Diamond Damsel and Lightning Lass together couldn't pummel this villain into submission there was certainly no way he'd be able to. Blok had been right earlier though, sheer destruction wasn't the only measure of power. Mystical energies coiled and grew brighter around Xao Jin's slim arms and a blue dragonform soared forth from the young sorceror's dancing fingers. The frost dragon's serpentine form circled around its master once, then opened its jaws wide and buried Black Osiris within a thirty foot lump of ice. "That won't hold him for long," Xao announced, "But it'll give us some time to plan our next--"

They'd only just heard the ice begin to crack before it exploded outwards in all directions. A flying chunk the size of a moopsball glanced across Dragonmage's skull and he uttered a shocked cry as he passed out. His dragonform dissipated and his flight ring prevented him from falling, but Black Osiris now was rushing straight at the unconscious mage and only Blok was fast enough to even try to intervene. As Blok pushed himself through the air however, he had the horrifying realisation that Black Osiris was going to get there first.

A series of almost inaudibly high-pitched chirps sounded, and Black Osiris suddenly veered off with an outcry of surprise. Instead of pulverising Dragonmage, he wobbled unsteadily through the air to smash into Skull Peak itself. "Woulda messed with his inner ear a lot sooner," King Canary exclaimed as he flew circles around Dragonmage, "But that wuz the first opening I got!"

Shadow Lass had returned at this stage, and she linked her flight ring with Dragonmage's so she could remove him to a safe distance. "You're sounding noticeably less regal, Your Highness," she teased King Canary gently as she examined Xao to see just how badly he'd been hurt.

"Hey, just cuz I can sound like a pompous peacock, don't mean I enjoy it!" King Canary shot back. "Somethin' tells me that ain't gonna keep him down for long but I think I can keep this nasshead off-balance -- oh no..." Turning sharply away from Shadow Lass, he stared in horror at Skull Peak towering over them all. "Blok!! He's gonna bring that whole sprockin' mountain down!!"

Blok knew that King Canary's hypersensitive hearing must have picked up the sound of Black Osiris destroying the mountain's integrity, and a second later they all heard the ominous rumbling as the mountain began to come loose from the crust of the planet. Blok had to think quickly; he was reasonably certain he could fly most of the others out of the path of destruction, but he wouldn't be able to save them all and he certainly wouldn't be able to protect the rest of the base camp when thousands of tons of crumbling rock fell down upon them. He had no doubt he could carry the entire peak elsewhere and dump it as long as it was in one piece, but that would mean leaving his friends to deal with Black Osiris themselves.

The shadow of Skull Peak fell upon them as the mountain tumbled, and Blok made his decision.

**********

"I'm glad you saw reason, Your Highness." Dream Girl and Prince Gerold led his men to where Mysa and Harlack had gathered the rest of the base camp's inhabitants several hundred metres away.

"I am a proud man but I hope not a foolish one," the prince replied. "When I saw the violence that monster is capable of, I knew that I could not contribute anything to that fight other than to become another victim for your Legion of Superheroes to save. My people need my leadership right now far more than you brave champions need my sword."

"Your Highness, I'm so pleased to see you safe!" Mysa ran up to the two, leaving Harlack to pore over an omnicom while the frightened citizens of Avalon talked amongst themselves and gazed uncertainly toward the conflict happening further up the trail than they could see. "Nura, I need to tell you something! That's not Black Adam, he calls himself--"

"--Black Osiris," Dream Girl finished the sentence. "We know, and he's not exactly threatened by us. But how did you know that?"

"One of the researchers we commissioned to catalogue Mordru's possessions is a Terran man named Khem Fawecki," Mysa explained breathlessly. "He's of Kahndaqi heritage, as soon as Diamond Damsel mentioned that country we knew he had to be behind this somehow!"

"Mysa!" Dream Girl was aghast. "Surely you don't suspect him just because he comes from the same country as this maniac! A country that doesn't even exist anymore??"

"No no, you don't understand!" Mysa stopped her sister. "Ever since he arrived on Avalon, he's been saying how whatever he finds in Mordru's castle will restore Kahndaq's rightful power...until today we all just thought he was maybe a little overly passionate about his cultural heritage but in retrospect it's obvious that he knew Mordru must have acquired something that would literally give him the power of one of Kahndaq's greatest heroes and hid that from the rest of us! We looked into it, and that costume you saw in your vision..? It's no surprise that was the thing that most stood out to you because it's the costume that once belonged to Black Adam's heir, a man named Osiris!"

"...and he has the same powers as Black Adam because he's Black Adam's son?" Nura ventured.

"He has the same powers as Black Adam because Black Adam gifted them to him," Mysa corrected her. "When they were both alive, they shared the power but after Adam died, it all went to Osiris. All he had to do was say the words Black Adam, and he would become a superhuman version of himself; Black Osiris."

Harlack joined them, presenting the omnicom to Dream Girl. "From what we have gathered from Fawecki's journals and historical documents, we think that donning the costume of Black Osiris and saying the magic words transformed Fawecki into Black Osiris himself...just as marking Blok with the insignia of Shazam and speaking that magic word empowered Blok. If we could get him to simply say Black Adam once more, it should transform him back into his unpowered self. But he has the wisdom of Zehuti as Blok possesses some of the wisdom of Solomon. It will not be a simple task to trick him into repeating those words against his will."

Dream Girl thought on it a second before a sly gleam came to her eye. "You know...maybe we won't need to trick him at all."

...And then they all saw Skull Peak topple.

**********

The first thing Dragonmage saw as he stirred into consciousness was Shadow Lass and Lightning Lass gaping wide-eyed at something. King Canary hovered by their side, and somehow even his avian features seemed to be wearing an expression of utter astonishment. Groggy, Xao Jin followed their blank stares and saw something which snapped him back to full alertness immediately. Above them all, a mountain peak hundreds of metres tall was blocking out two of Avalon's suns as it hovered in the blue sky unmoored from the ground entirely. Xao was certain that he must be suffering from a concussion until he saw Blok's figure holding it aloft, paradoxically tiny compared to the bulk of the mountain.

"He...he's holding up a whole sprocking mountain..!" Ayla murmured.

"That he is." Shadow Lass hadn't yet realised Dragonmage had awoken, and she set him down gently upon the ground. Tasmia had seen many feats of strength equal to this from her own lover though, and she recovered from the shock of the hovering mountain sooner than the others. "But he won't be for long if we don't make a move...look!" She pointed at a quickly approaching dot in the distance; having sheared Skull Peak loose, it seemed Black Osiris was not going to simply allow Blok to hold it safely aloft.

"Come on, Shadow Lass!" King Canary commanded gruffly. "We can't hurt this creep but you an' me can keep him distracted for a bit!"

As the two of them flew off, Lightning Lass called Blok through her flight ring. "Blok, you have to get rid of that thing...launch it into one of those suns or something, you're the only one of us here who can fight that guy!"

"Lightning Lass, this is much more difficult than it seems," Blok explained patiently. "The weight is not a problem, but the stability is...I am concerned that if I shift it even slightly incorrectly, the whole mass will fall apart. You must flee, take as many of the others to safety as you can!"

"Grife!" Ayla swore under her breath. "Bad day not to be Light Lass anymore, Ayla..."

"I'm not Light Lass or Light Lad for that matter," Dragonmage groaned, "But I think I can help..."

"Xao!" Lightning Lass turned to help the Asian sorceror to his feet. "I was worried about you, buddy! Are you in any position to be casting spells though?"

Xao tenderly poked at the gash on his head and looked with distaste at his blood-streaked glove. "Not at all...but I'm afraid I don't have much of a choice, do I? At any rate, I think I'll be of much more use helping Blok with an inanimate chunk of rock than facing Black Osiris again." He and Ayla both looked across to see the villain careening dizzily out of a darkness field and tearing up hundreds of feet of wilderness as he crash-landed. "I wonder..." Dragonmage continued, "Do you think you could...help me to Blok's side? I don't know that I trust myself to divide my will equally between my dragonforms and my flight ring just yet..."

"This is crazy," Ayla shook her head. "You know this is crazy, don't you? You're right though, I don't think we've got a lot of choice." She wrapped one arm around the slight teenager's waist and linked their flight rings together, then with more than a little anxiety flew up directly beneath countless tons of rock which threatened to crush them all at any moment.

Blok opened his mouth to warn them away, but saw Dragonmage's expression of intense concentration and understood that Xao was building up to a spell. He remained quiet and watched the sorceror weave. It occurred to Blok that Xao Jin did not value himself as highly as he should; he was clearly wounded, but the young mage's hand gestures remained mesmerising in their fluidity and purpose. Wisps of ethereal energy swirled around Dragonmage's arms again, this time in different shades of brown and grey. These formed into a legion of tiny palm-sized dragons with long slivering bodies which snaked out behind them. They swam through the air until they reached the monumental landmass suspended above Blok's head and then as if they were ghosts they disappeared into that mountain. Seconds later, they emerged; coiling around the rock and dirt, they formed an asymmetrical net of mystical energy. From his position Blok couldn't see any of it, but Ayla had been watching the whole aerial dance with mild awe. She tore away from the earth dragons to see sweat pouring down Dragonmage's face. "Xao..?" she asked hesitantly. His eyes firmly closed the whole time, Dragonmage nodded at the sound of his name and flicked a hand upwards.

Taking the hint, Lightning Lass called Blok again. "All yours, big guy! I'm not sure how long Xao's gonna be able to hold it together so -- oh." The mountain vanished in a blur, leaving a rain of dirt and loose plant matter behind it. "I don't know if I'm ever gonna get used to Blok being that fast, you know? Hey...hey, Dragonmage, stay with me buddy!" The young sorceror grew limp in her arms so Ayla channelled just enough electricity through him to jolt him back to consciousness again. He was going to need actual medical attention though, more than anything this planet would be able to provided.

Then again, Ayla pondered as she heard the sounds of battle over what had once been Skull Peak, maybe they'd all need medical attention by the time today was through...

**********

Diamond Damsel had since rejoined the fight, giving Shadow Lass and King Canary a chance to rest. They all knew Iris was outpowered, but until Blok came back she was the best they had. With King Canary hovering by her side, Shadow Lass raised her flight ring to her lips. "Surely there's something else we can do here, Dream Girl!" Tasmia Mallor shouted over the din of knuckles pounding against diamond. "I don't know how much more punishment Diamond Damsel can take!"

"We do have a plan actually!" Dream Girl answered immediately. "We need King Canary to bring us some of Black Osiris's blood for a spell!"

Shadow Lass stared at the small bird in disbelief. "Oh, is that all? You just need us to make the indestructible man bleed? Well, so long as you're not asking us to do anything difficult!"

"Feel free to come up with an alternative, Shadow Lass!" Nura snapped back. "Otherwise get us what I asked for, we only need a few drops for goodness' sake!"

"Does she know she ain't the leader?" King Canary asked sarcastically once Dream Girl cut the comms.

"I very much doubt it," Shadow Lass rolled her eyes. "But maddeningly, she is actually very good at it. I suppose we'd best try and find a way to let Diamond Damsel in on this without letting him find out. Maybe if we can get her to put her telepathic earplugs in..."

"Don't worry about it none," King Canary spread his wings and flitted off. "This one's on me!" Shadow Lass couldn't help but be impressed by the little bird's fearlessness as he darted right down into the thick of things.

Diamond Damsel saw King Canary approaching and realised he was coming in way too close for comfort. She began to warn him off when Black Osiris delivered a blow that almost took her head off. Reeling in the rubble, Iris shook her head violently. It was almost impossible for her to feel pain in this form, but that had hurt. Before she could get back up on her feet, she saw the tiny bird hovering inches from Black Osiris's ear - the villain spared him a quick side glance, but before he could react any further a shrill sharp cry rang out across the countryside. Black Osiris roared in pain as he clapped his hands over his ears, and King Canary quickly landed on Diamond Damsel's shoulder. "Good lord," Iris complained, "That was so loud!"

"That was the idea," the gruff little bird retorted. "I needed his ears ringin' long enough to tell ya we need some of his blood, DD!"

"What??" she recoiled. "Why on Earth -- actually, you know what? I don't even care." Black Osiris had already sprung forth, his hand open to crush King Canary. He was angry enough that he'd started to become sloppy, and Diamond Damsel knew that couldn't last so she had to take advantage while she could. Intertwining her own fingers with his, she slashed out with her free hand across his face. Even at full strength, Diamond Damsel barely broke the surface of his skin but when her tattered glove drew back it was smeared slightly with blood.

Black Osiris forgot about King Canary immediately; with a bellow of pure fury, he swung Diamond Damsel around by the arm and slammed her into the ground so hard that the shockwave itself sent the bird careening head over tail for several meters. He righted himself soon enough though, and saw that Diamond Damsel had removed the glove she'd used to scratch Black Osiris. While the villain delivered blow after powerful blow upon the resilient woman, King Canary gripped the glove with the talons of both feet and soared as fast as he could.

Soon enough, King Canary delivered the damaged glove to Dream Girl, Mysa and Harlack. "I hope this is all ya need cuz I don't like our chances of gettin' anymore outta that bastich."

Harlack took the glove and examined it closely. "It's not ideal..." he admitted with a hint of disappointment, "...but I suppose it's what we have to work with so we will just have to make it work."

"What is this big plan anyway?" King Canary asked. "Why'd ya need his blood?"

"We'll explain everything," Dream Girl replied, "But first of all...how good are you at impressions, Prince K'rk?"

**********

Diamond Damsel had fought back as well as she could, but against Black Osiris's overwhelming combination of strength, speed and stamina the outcome was never in doubt. They'd ruined the landscape for hundreds of feet around themselves in their titanic battle and Lightning Lass, Shadow Lass and Dragonmage could do nothing but watch in ever-mounting concern for their teammate. "If Blok doesn't come back soon," Ayla looked up fearfully for any sign of him, "We might need to intervene just to make sure he doesn't kill her, Shady."

Shadow Lass knew what Lightning Lass was really saying beneath her words; they might need to sacrifice themselves to buy Diamond Damsel some time. Dragonmage was useless in his current condition and neither she nor Ayla had any hope of being more than a momentary distraction to the villain. "Yes," she uttered a resigned sigh. "We may just need to do that, I think."

A sonic boom caught their attention, and like a gold-streaked missile Blok came screaming down from above. He slammed into Black Osiris with earth-shattering force, and the two men fought while Diamond Damsel dragged herself away to recover her strength.

"...Blok can beat him, right?" Ayla asked. "I mean he has to."

"I'm honestly not sure," Shadow Lass replied with an odd detachment. She was watching this combat now not as a teammate or friend, but as a warrior. "I do think Blok may be stronger than him, but Black Osiris is faster and they're too similar in every other aspect. I'm going to call Tinya, if we can get Mon and Jo here soon enough they can help him turn the tide." She'd begun to open a channel through her flight ring when Tasmia noticed a tiny golden figure approaching the battling powerhouses. "That little bird might just be too brave for his own good!" Tasmia shook her head. "He's going to get himself killed!"

While the two women prepared to move in, King Canary circled the men fighting and projected his voice at Blok from what he hoped was a safe distance. "Hey, big guy! I'm about to wrap this up, but I'm gonna need you ta shield me quick-like or you're gonna have a roast canary on yer hands!"

Black Osiris dodged a punch from Blok and addressed King Canary while he slammed his fist into Blok's face. "Little creature, you are unquestionably the most annoying of all of your teammates and once I'm finished with this oaf I am going to take great pleasure in jamming that crown of yours somewhere very unpleasant!"

Blok connected with the villain's jaw, and Black Osiris staggered back a few steps. Seeing his opportunity to act, King Canary swooped down and landed on his foe's shoulder. "Blow it out yer other end, ya big primate!" he taunted him. "Oh, and by the way...Black Adam." King Canary's voice changed timbre and tone as he spoke, until he sounded exactly like Black Osiris himself. A thunderbolt tore the sky in two as lightning flashed down from above, momentarily blinding the observers.

When the smoke cleared, Blok was standing with both hands cupped protectively around King Canary. He gently released the small bird, and they both saw a skinny middle aged man standing where Black Osiris had been a second ago. He still wore the same costume, but it dwarfed him now. "No...no!" he shouted. "How did you -- it doesn't matter, Black--"

"That's quite enough out of you." A diamond finger lightly flicked the back of Khem Fawecki's skull and the man crumpled. Diamond Damsel herself swooned momentarily, and Blok was immediately there to offer his support.

"That was an inspired idea," Blok congratulated King Canary. "Mimicking his voice to summon the transformation, wonderful work!"

"You can thank Dream Girl and that Khund kid," King Canary replied. "He said the voice alone wouldn't be enough so he did some Khund voodoo ta make us more similar or somethin' like that....I don't really get all that hokum pokum stuff, I just know I need ta wash this creep's blood off me ASAP!" The others saw now that his wings and torso had indeed been dabbed lightly with smudges of blood.

"If I was ever going to wish to be human again, it'd be now," Diamond Damsel joined wearily. "Because a scalding hot shower sounds like absolute heaven, to be honest."

"I cannot offer you a shower," Blok said, "Nonetheless...let us help Prince Gerold with cleaning up here and then go home, Legionnaires."

With Blok's right arm supporting Diamond Damsel, King Canary landed on Blok's left shoulder. "Good plan, big guy...good plan!"

**********

LATER
Khem Fawecki brooded as he waited in an Avalon dungeon for the Science Police to arrive. He couldn't believe he'd blown it like this...after the months of research it had taken to discover the costume of Black Osiris was here on this backwards planet, after the painstaking effort he'd gone to in order to locate the costume in the rubble of Mordru's castle and to smuggle it back to camp with nobody any the wiser...just to be defeated by a bird.

More than that, it rankled that they hadn't even needed to take special precautions to keep him imprisoned here. Without the costume itself, the magic words were useless. His dreams of restoring Kahndaq to its rightful glory were as dead as Kahndaq itself. He cursed in his native language and rattled the chains King Leon's jailers had locked him within.

A low rumble filled the clean cell, knocking over the mug of water he'd been given with his dinner earlier. "Great," Fawecki groaned, head in his hands. "Now I get to die in an earthquake. Perfect end to your grand mission, fool."

The rumble grew in intensity, and Khem saw the bluestone floor shift and crack...it was only in one particular place though, this wasn't like any earthquake he'd heard of. In fact, he realised with mounting suspicion, it almost looked as though something were coming out of the ground!

The floor broke away fully, revealing a hole some seven feet in diameter. By this time the ruckus had raised the attention of King Leon's guards, and one of them was rattling keys at the door. Before the guard could enter however, two young women emerged from the hole in the ground; one was of Asian appearance, dressed in a skintight outfit of various shades of blue. The other was a dark-skinned teenager, her black hair styled in dreadlocks and in a cloaked outfit of tan and brown.

"What is going on in here?" The guard had opened the door, his hand hovering over his sheathed sword. "Intruders in the dungeon!" he shouted down the hall.

"We're not here for you," the older of the two girls addressed the guard before turning to her ally. "Don't hurt him, Nightstone."

"There's no need to," the girl named Nightstone answered simply. "Not when I can just do this." She gestured and a wall of solid rock cut the guards off from the rest of the cell.

"Who...who are you two?" the prisoner asked uneasily. "You don't look like any Legionnaires I recognise!"

"We're not the Legion of Superheroes," the Asian woman explained as she opened a bag slung over her shoulder. "My name is Otaki and this is Nightstone...we are going to face the Legion of Superheroes soon enough though, so you're going to need this." She removed folded up black clothing from the bag and handed it over to Khem. The golden lightning bolt emblazoned across the fabric left him with no hesitation as to what this meant.

...He had no idea who these girls were, but they'd just handed him back his destiny.

TO BE CONTINUED!
Posted By: Gaseous Lad Re: Black Osiris - 12/12/21 01:51 PM
Hi Raz! This was a lot of fun! What I thought was going to be a bunch of really nice character moments turned into a crazy roller coaster of a battle with a Black Adam tie in, to boot! And even though this is Osiris, I'm still seeing him as The Rock in my head. smile

The early moment with Tel was kind of a gut punch. Relationships are never easy, but I like seeing that the Legionnaires are emotionally human and complex and do stupid things that hurt themselves and each other emotionally.

On the flip side, it was nice to see Nura and Mysa have a nice talk given where both of them are in your story. That was a nice touch.

Then the real fun starts! smile

Great battle - everyone chipping in in their own way. It's neat to see Blok with the Shazam powers, and its really fortunate that he had them here! And clever resolution to transform Fawecki back to normal. I'm very curious as to where Nightstone is taking him.

REALLY nice job here.
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Black Osiris - 12/12/21 05:31 PM
Wow Raz, another amazing instalment!

Great character bits, where even the Legionnaires who couldn?t match Black Osiris contributed something. Great use of King Canary?s powers to overload Black Osiris

Uh oh, you?re really upping the ante with Otaki and crowd

I like how the Prince turned tail once her realised black Osiris was too powerful

And awesome work moving tbe relationship between Mysa and Nura forward - Jura?s heartfelt speech was great, as was het chastising Mysa re ?just because he?s from Kahndaq ?, though in the end Mysa had real evidence

Also good of Bobb standing up for himself, and hopefully Tel will learn not to stonewall but to talk? the tables have turned
Posted By: razsolo Re: Black Osiris - 12/19/21 09:37 AM
Hi all, thanks for commenting! It is always fun coming up with ways to make characters with different power levels contribute in a story smile

Y'all won't have to wait very long at all to see what Otaki and pals are up to, I have an epic 5 part story coming out of that which is going to change the status quo for quite a few characters!

Before all of that kicks off though, we are gonna have a quick detour to Xanthu and I finally get to write Konk somewhere! Happy day! laugh
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Black Osiris - 12/19/21 01:07 PM
Nice! Looking forward! Yay Konk! I love everything about her haha. She must have some sort of indestructible head too, else she?d give herself headaches all the time
Posted By: razsolo Revenant - 12/28/21 08:08 AM
AVALON
1700 miles above sea level


ROLL CALL
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

"I can't believe that squaj Black Osiris wasn't even in jail a whole day before he broke out," King Canary complained to Tellus and Ultra Boy on the bridge of the Legion cruiser orbiting the feudalistic world of Avalon. "Why'd we even bother handin' him over to King Leon?"

"Try to be understanding," Tellus responded, his voice modulator rendering his tone perhaps sharper than intended. "Not all worlds in the United Planets possess the levels of technology to which we are accustomed."

"You don't gotta tell me that," the small bird grumbled. "If I wanted to spend my life around nests and thatch huts I woulda never left home..."

"Don't worry about it too much," Ultra Boy turned away from the viewer where he'd been focusing on Mon-El and Dawnstar floating outside their ship. "King, you haven't been around long enough to see for yourself but take it from me; Dawny just about always gets her man."

A couple of hundred meters away from the ship with picturesque Avalon behind him and a seemingly infinite sea of stars all around, Mon-El allowed himself a small smile as his super-hearing picked up Ultra Boy's words. All too often when his fellow Legionnaires talked about Dawnstar it was in disparaging terms. She wasn't always the most personable of his teammates (though she'd been trying to change that recently) and her tracking ability was easy to take for granted outside of the very few times it failed, so it made him happy when she got the respect she deserved.

Mon supposed that as he was so much more powerful than almost anybody on the team it gave him a unique perspective on the strengths that everyone else brought to the table. It was easy for him with his arsenal of powers to wade into just about any situation and come out on top; he had a great admiration for everyone else on his team who did the same thing with only one or two special abilities to their name.

Dawnstar had been floating ahead of the Daxamite, her enormous white wings spread out behind her. She turned around to face Mon-El and even before she spoke he recognised the frustration in her knit brow. "I...have the trail," she explained carefully, "But I do not know precisely where he is. It almost feels like my ability to sense Black Osiris is being clouded in some way, but I can at least lead us toward him."

"Good work, Dawnstar." Mon-El signalled Jo that they were ready to make a move before he zipped ahead to catch up with the young woman from Starhaven. "I mean it...I scoured the whole system with my telescopic vision and couldn't find him, you've already done better than I did."

Dawnstar consciously stopped herself from biting back defensively as she might once have done. "Thank you, Mon-El," she smiled politely. "Let us hope that I can continue to earn your praise."

With one flap of her wings Dawnstar streaked off into the void, Mon-El and the cruiser close behind her.

**********

LUNA
Tranquility Bay, Chang'e Chinese restaurant


ROLL CALL
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter

In a galaxy full of many different variations of sentient beings, the standard Durlan form still drew attention from most non-Durlans. So it was that when Reep Daggle sat at a small round table at one of Luna's most exclusive eateries with his beautiful date Amoris Riccioli, many eyes were fixed on them.

"I'm sorry if this is a little embarassing," the Durlan hero spoke in a low voice to the woman also known as local heroine Tranquility. "To be honest, sometimes I forget what public opinion is like where Durlans are concerned. People generally see me as celebrated Legionnaire Chameleon Boy, not just a random Durlan in what I hope is a nice suit."

"Reep, please! You have nothing to apologise for!" The pale-skinned woman reached across the table and touched his forearm briefly. "It's not up to you to manage the expectations of everyone around you! For what it's worth, I think people here are more curious than anything else anyway. We don't see a lot of Durlans on Luna."

"I suppose so." Using chopsticks as though it were second nature, Reep dipped his har gow into a small dish of chilli oil and transferred the succulent dumpling to his mouth, savouring the texture and the tingling heat. "As long as you're not bothered."

"Not at all!" Amoris smiled, her face glowing with genuine affection. "I'm just happy to see you again, this is what...the third time we've been out together outside of official superhero business? I'm surprised you have much time for this kind of thing outside of your responsibilities with the Legion of Superheroes and Brande Industries! Also, if I might say so...you're very good with those chopsticks!"

The orange-skinned young man raised his hand to stifle a laugh while his mouth was full. "Thanks," he replied after swallowing the mouthful of food. "The thing with being Durlan is...every shape is as difficult to use as any other, really. I only ever learned to use hands with four fingers and an opposable thumb when I was preparing to leave my homeworld, chopsticks don't really require any more practice than any other eating implement under those circumstances."

"I'm sure," Amoris agreed readily. The table was lined with a selection of dishes, and Amoris lifted her small bowl from the table to eat some Chinese broccoli in oyster sauce with a small clump of rice. "Don't take this the wrong way," she ventured once she'd finished chewing, "But do you mind if I ask what it was that encouraged you to spend more time with me? I had the distinct impression after our first meeting that while we got along well, you wanted a purely professional relationship. If I'm being too nosey, tell me so; I'm a very open person but I've learned over time that others don't always feel so comfortable sharing everything about themselves to everyone they meet."

"No, no, it's fine." Reep waved her concerns aside. "I feel oddly at ease with you, and I know that's somewhat a function of your power...but at the same time, I've been friends with one of the most powerful Titanians alive since I was in my early teens so I also feel comfortable knowing that your influence isn't anything untoward. The truth is, I suppose since our encounter with the Weeping Man I realised that I'm so motivated by escaping the bad things that have happened in my life that I so rarely try to pursue anything that might be good. I don't know if this sounds silly or not, but...it's been so long since I did something as simple as have dinner with someone I'm attracted to. It's a nice feeling."

"It's not silly at all." Amoris beamed, and Reep couldn't help but smile in return. She lifted her dainty porcelain teacup and offered it in a spontaneous toast. "Here's to more simple pleasures."

Reep clinked her cup with his and took a sip of the hot liquid. "To simple pleasures."

**********

XANTHU
The Xanth City Grand Colosseum


ROLL CALL
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference

Uncanny Amazers
Atmos aka Marak Russen: team leader, super-strength, invulnerability, flight, energy blasts, low-grade psionic abilities
Atom'x aka Randall Burroughs: atomkinesis
Insect Queen aka Lonna Leing: ability to assume insectoid/arachnid qualities
Konk aka Imma Moy: detachable mobile head
Monstress aka Candi Pyponte-Le Parc III: super-strength, invulnerability

In a vast rounded skycraft which resembled a sporting stadium, tens of thousands of Xanthui citizens crowded the stands. Their constant applause and cheers drowned out the low thrum of the anti-grav modules which kept Xanthu's Grand Colosseum floating two and a half miles above the planet's surface and a polarised perspex domed ceiling ensured a comfortable climate inside the Colosseum regardless of how harsh the wind might blow or how fiercely the sun's rays might shine outside.

As much fun as the annual Patriot Day celebrations were for the wealthy elite of Xanthu and other citizens fortunate enough to win the attendance lottery, it was a very different story for the planet's official superheroes. Star Boy and the Uncanny Amazers spent hours perched on a prestigious viewing balcony before they were finally called out for a power display to bring a climax to the day's celebrations. Performing here had been a thrill for Thom Kallor when he first gained his powers but that was many years and many many interminably long speeches ago.

Star Boy was no longer Xanthu's planetary protector, that role went to Atmos and the Uncanny Amazers; there was no way Xanthugov was going to miss the opportunity to brag about one of their own being in the Legion of Superheroes though, so every year they trotted Star Boy back home for a couple of days to perform for the masses before sending him back to the Legion again.

With the event finally over and the crowd dispersed to their shuttles and sky yachts, Star Boy nodded wearily at a couple of security guards as he made his way down a more private corridor toward an exit...his day of boredom was only beginning; from here he was expected to join the Uncanny Amazers and Xanthu's dignitaries at a more exclusive event, and that was likely to last long into the night. Lost in his own thoughts, he realised someone had been talking to him and he snapped back to reality to see that Insect Queen had caught up to him. Monstress and Atom'x came up behind her along with the Amazers' latest recruit, the rather bizarrely powered Konk. "Sorry, Insect Queen," Thom blinked. "I was a million light years away, what was that?"

"I was just saying, wasn't that fun? And now we get to party! You must be glad to be back on Xanthu, are you gonna visit your family while you're here?"

The young redhead was earnest in her enthusiasm, and surprisingly Thom found it kind of endearing...he wondered wryly if Elastic Lad and Comet Queen had finally worn him down. "My folks are on their observatory," he answered, "So no, I'll probably just have a very long bath and pass out early tonight...I don't want to burst your bubble, but these things are usually more about fending off drunk handsy Xanthugov reps than anything else."

"Ew!" Insect Queen scrunched up her face in disgust.

"Don't worry, Queen!" While Konk's body walked alongside Monstress and Atom'x, her head floated forward to join Insect Queen and Star Boy. "I've got your back!"

"Yes dear," Monstress addressed Konk's boldness, "We know you're fierce. You know, it's a shame Jazmin couldn't make it today....and poor James, of course."

"I think Xanthugov have their noses bent out of joint because Kid Quantum decided to attend Legion Academy rather than rejoin the Amazers," Star Boy explained. "It's one thing to have a former planetary protector in the Legion itself, I don't think they like the optics of one of you actively seeking out more training...no offence meant."

"Of course we're not offended, dear!" Monstress gave a chuckle that sounded oddly girlish for her huge frame. "Why, I think she's going to be the best of us when she comes back home! Or maybe she'll join the Legion of Superheroes, wouldn't that be exciting?"

"Speaking of people who aren't here," Star Boy changed the subject, "Where's your mighty leader? I notice he flew off the second the closing light show began."

"Atmos wanted to be back at our headquarters before any of the dignitaries got there," Atom'x noted. Nobody said it out loud, but they all realised that it was perfectly in character for Atmos to want to be the main focus of attention without his teammates around to share the limelight.

As if he'd been summoned, Atmos's holographic image suddenly appeared before them all. "Amazers, we have a mission!" he barked. "Home in on my coordinates and follow in the shuttle, I'll explain en route!" His image blinked out before any of them could even acknowledge that he'd spoken.

"You want to come along?" Insect Queen asked Star Boy cheerily.

"Lonna, I don't know if Atmos will like us just inviting non-team members along..." Atom'x countered as diplomatically as he could.

"Randall, don't be so silly!" Monstress waved a giant green hand. "Star Boy has more experience than any of us!"

"Besides," she gave a cheeky wink, "Atmos didn't tell us we couldn't have a superhero team-up!"

**********

In no time at all, Star Boy and the rest of the Uncanny Amazers were on board a gleaming vessel following the sparking trail of the man named Atmos as he left Xanthu's atmosphere under his own power. Orbiting space observatories had picked up a distress signal from somewhere just beyond Xanthu's moon, and though that kind of thing would normally be handled by the Science Police or Xanthu's own military it had seemed the perfect opportunity to show off what the Amazers were capable of.

"Have you picked up that ship's signal again?" Atmos demanded over the ship's intercom. He'd been less than pleased with Star Boy tagging along and it came across very clearly in his clipped tones.

"I'm afraid not," Atom'x replied. "It cut off too abruptly, we don't even know who sent it...we have a lock on their last transmission locus though, you should be coming up on them visually any nano now."

"What kind of underhanded trick is this?!" Atmos exploded a moment later. Curious, Star Boy and the rest of the Amazers gathered around the shuttle's viewscreen to see the muscular hero floating stationary in space. Before him was a small powerless vehicle adrift in the interplanetary void, though there were no visible signs of damage to the vessel. More startling, the ship was clearly composed of organic matter.

"Is that..." Insect Queen's eyes grew wide.

"A Dominator ship," Star Boy answered her query. "I'd recognise that tech anywhere."

"I thought there were no more Dominators?" Konk asked.

"They lost their homeworld," Thom explained, "But not every Dominator was on Elia at the time of its destruction....some of the Legion encountered a Dominator on Lallor not so long ago."

"They will not bring their evil to Xanthu!" Atmos railed as his clenched fists began to glow with atomic energy.

"Atmos, don't be an idiot!" Star Boy barked. "This ship sent a distress signal and it's been completely disabled. They haven't done anything to us to deserve violence!"

"Can you hail them, Randall?" Monstress asked. "Even the worst villains don't deserve to just die in space, how awful!"

"I've been trying," Atom'x responded, "But no luck...I'm not picking up any life signs on board either, but I don't know if that's normal where Dominion tech is involved."

"Wait!" Insect Queen suddenly pointed at the bioship. "Look!" Noiselessly, the ship just flung itself apart. There were no signs of explosive force, it just seemed to come apart of its own volition. Parts of the vessel floated outwards in all directions, and soon the heroes saw two Dominator corpses floating among the wreckage.

"Your team have life support gear, right?" Star Boy asked Monstress. He activated his own transuit and made his way toward the airlock. "I need to get out there and see if I can find out what's going on."

"You all suit up," Atom'x said, a bright pink nimbus of energy enveloping his lean body. "I'll meet you outside." He phased through the ship's hull, and the others saw him alongside Atmos in no time.

"You shouldn't have brought Kallor," Atmos frowned without directly looking at Atom'x by his side. "We don't need him."

"I knew you'd think it was a bad idea," Atom'x shook his head. "Hey, wait...do you see that?" One pink glowing arm reached out and Atmos followed the gesture to see a chalk white mass forming at the centre of the field of Dominion debris. Atom'x squinted. "What is that?"

"I knew this was a trick!" Atmos ranted. "Typical Dominion deception!" He shot forward like a missile, his superhuman frame tearing through any part of the ship that drifted into his path.

The white components had congealed into a humanoid shape by the time Atmos came within punching distance, and the Xanthui powerhouse suddenly found himself stopped dead in his tracks and completely immobilised while his foe finished taking form before him. The others had joined Atom'x by now, and they all watched as a bulky almost completely naked man almost 7 feet tall stared Atmos down. Ribbons of black material formed trunks on the stranger and banded around his forearms and calves, also forming a stylised skull emblem across his torso. The mysterious man's skin was a stark white color, and he had no visible nose or mouth but only two beady black eyes which seemed to bore into Atmos's soul. Twin antennae sprouted from his brow, a black disk taking up the rest of the forehead on his oversized cranium. Finally, immense white wings unfurled from his shoulder blades giving him the appearance of some vengeful angel.

<I wish only death upon the Dominion> Atmos heard the stranger's sepulchral voice inside his skull, <But I sense your disbelief and I do not wish to spare the time it will take to convince you of my intentions, Atmos of Xanthu.>

Though there was no visible sign of assault, Atmos roared out in pain and was flung backwards. Insect Queen stopped him from spinning too far away from the others, and looked across to Monstress in visible shock. "Candi, he...he's totally unconscious!"

Star Boy saw the Amazers falter and began to say something, but Konk got in first. "Get him!" she hollered. Encased in its own sealed bubble, Konk's head rocketed straight at the white stranger. To her surprise, he didn't attempt to stop her but instead split into two identical beings as she approached.

Konk's disembodied head darted through the space between the two men and by the time she turned around for another attempt, the second figure had turned to face her. <There is no need for me to harm most of you> he cautioned everyone present, <And I fear that any measures I might bring against some of you could prove overtly harmful.>

While this happened, Monstress waded in to punch the other winged man. She had prepared to fight through whatever force he'd used to freeze Atmos, but instead was surprised when the shattered remnants of the ship flew in and surrounded her like a cocoon of sorts. Monstress was much stronger than Atmos, but compressed beneath tons of super-hardened organic material and robbed of any leverage to push through she was trapped like a fly in amber.

Atom'x made a move to fire at one of the strangers, but Star Boy intercepted before he could complete the action. "Okay, everybody just...calm down!" Thom raised his arms. "Did you kill those Dominators?" he asked the white men.

<I did> the same telepathic voice sounded inside all of their heads. <But I do not wish to harm any of you, Star Boy. Atmos is too powerful and too impulsive to be dealt with in any other way, but he will suffer no permanent damage.>

"Who are you?" Thom continued. "Why did you kill those sentients?"

<I am...a revenant> the man spoke once more. <And my reasons are my own...it was a clever tactic on your part to activate your flight ring's emergency beacon while attempting to distract me but my work here is done, Star Boy. I will trouble all of you no further.>

"Now wait a nano--" Star Boy began to protest, but both of the men had already vanished without a trace.

Monstress finally tore her way out of her makeshift prison, and Atmos slowly began to stir back into consciousness as well. "Star Boy?" Insect Queen asked. "What should we do now?"

"There's not much we can do," Thom's brow furrowed. "These people at least deserve proper funeral rites though, let's take them back with us."

As Monstress collected the Dominator corpses and Atmos and Atom'x worked together to vaporise the remains of their ship, Star Boy looked out into the starry void for any sign at all of their weird foe. The Uncanny Amazers might not have the experience or power to deal with you, Thom thought, But you just got yourself on the Legion of Superheroes' radar, Revenant...

...We're not done by a long shot.


**********

DEEP SPACE
Sol system, outside Neptune's orbit


ROLL CALL
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

Dawnstar had realised that Black Osiris's trail was leading her to the Sol system before any of her teammates, but they'd all come to the same conclusion at some stage and though nobody wanted to be the one to say it out loud they were all concerned that their home might be at risk from the powerful villain. It frustrated Dawnstar that she was having enough trouble following the trail that she couldn't reach her top speed, but she and Mon-El had still been easily outpacing the Legion cruiser all the way here. Dawnstar slowed down now though, and eventually came to a halt just before the enormous blue orb of Neptune.

"Dawnstar?" Mon-El approached the tracker. "Is everything alright?"

"No," she turned to him with a concerned expression. "Everything is most assuredly not alright...do you remember when I said it felt almost as though my sense of Black Osiris were being clouded? I just lost all sense of his trail entirely, as though someone just flipped a switch in my mind."

"Black Osiris doesn't have telepathic abilities," Mon-El reasoned. "Back on Avalon, King Leon said there were two others that broke him out of that dungeon...so we're looking at someone who can manipulate earth and maybe a telepath?"

"He's building a team, isn't he?" Dawnstar asked.

"It certainly seems that way," the Daxamite agreed. "Come on, let's board the cruiser...maybe Tellus can help you mount a defence."

While the two Legionnaires made their way back to their teammates, the young woman named Otaki breathed a sigh of relief billions of miles away.

"Did it work?" Nightstone asked, Black Osiris waiting expectantly behind the teenage girl.

Otaki had been sitting cross-legged on the floor in deep meditation. She stood up now, wiped sweat from her brow and stretched her legs. "Even with his guidance, I wasn't capable of stopping Dawnstar from tracking Black Osiris from multiple solar systems away. I needed to wait for her to get close enough for my mindsense to latch on to her mind more fully. Honestly though, I don't know if I'm strong enough to fight Tellus. None of that matters now though."

"You are correct," Black Osiris sneered. "I would have defeated the Legion on Avalon myself if it weren't for that bird's trickery...now there are three of us, we cannot lose."

"What..?" Otaki had a moment of confusion. "No, that's not what I mean...we're finally going to do what I've been training to do this whole time, what I recruited you two for. This mysterious mentor has been pushing me toward this for months now, and today I finally get to find out who he is and why he's been helping me become more powerful."

"How are you going to do that?" Nightstone asked. "You've never even met him face to face, have you?"

"No," Otaki replied, "But I'm about to. Get ready, you two.

It's time for us to invade Legion Headquarters."

NEXT: EVERYTHING FALLS DOWN!!!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Revenant - 12/28/21 09:58 AM
Mon-El is such a sweetie, how he values Dawnstar. Also good of Dawnstar to keep at changing her attitude! (also smart of the team to change their lineup for the pursuit of Black Osiris).

Luna continues to be adorable, empathic, open, I love her. Chinese food, is this a nod to Chinese restaurants staying open during the holidays in the USA? tongue

Chili oil and dumplings, you my friend are a connoisseur! My fave combination!

Heh, drunk handsy Xanthugov reps...

Hah, Atmos. Yeah, gloryhog... nice blending of Preboot and Reboot by the way, Reboot Atmos was much less arrogant than Preboot one. Ah, classic Monstress, while Atom'x is the diplomant...

This Revenant promises to be interesting. At first I thought it was BION (shapeshifting, splitting into two, some sort of psychic assault...) but maybe I'm wrong... I do like the whole bit where it does not want to cause violence against others not Dominators, maybe they can reason with it later... maybe...

Uh oh, an invasion of Legion HQ... with only 3 of them, interesting... Otaki's range is crazy impressive too!

looking forward to the next bit!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Revenant - 12/30/21 08:59 AM
Quote
Chinese food, is this a nod to Chinese restaurants staying open during the holidays in the USA?
I think I was just hungry when I wrote it, hahahaha.....asian food is like 80% of my diet laugh

and YES to chili oil and dumplings! Chili and anything really! smile

The Legion will have some more chaos to deal with before Revenant, but he's not that far away!

And I think in her brief appearance in the comics, Otaki's vague mindsense was tracking people light years away so I figured it wasn't pushing it too much to have her boosted abilities being able to do more than just tracking someone in the same solar system...but we'll see how successful the break-in is as soon as I get over my NYE hangover!

Have a happy new year, y'all! Thanks for reading and commenting, I'm very grateful that people like my self-indulgent ramblings! <3
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Revenant - 12/30/21 09:12 AM
chili oil is love, I put it on fish, mix it with rice...

yeah agree, Otaki was known for her range in canon, so it's all good! smile

I always love reading about the thought processes behind, so please continue rambling smile
yes, everything should have chili!

this isn't really related to anything current but I just felt like drawing Lydda so here goes:

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]
She?s rocking the beehive In your drawing, stunning!!
Thanks IB! smile
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Black Osiris - 01/04/22 10:46 AM
Raz, hi there, happy new year!

So much to catch on and it's all great stuff!

Your Grava is always, always excellent! "You're on the Comet Express now!" haha, superb. Marla Lantham meeting with Phantom Girl... nteresting, looking forward to seeing where you take that.

Good move Bbob, kicking Tel to the curb. Though sweet that Tel started to apologise, pity it was just too little tooo late.

Yay! King Canary! My latest favourite character (untl Strut appears, of course). Prince Gerold of avalon? Didn't he stab Mordru in the ankle? Nice obscure character there. Describing Avalon as "those silly roleplaying games that Star Boy and Sun Boy were so fond of" was a good line. Harlack and Mysa are nice surprises, Blok's readng of the situation and giving Nura and Mysa space was sweet. They're convesation was quite surprising, and overdue. Very nice charcterisation of the two showing how they thougt and why they actted as they did. Hopefully Nura will try harder now, it would be nice to see Mysa appear more in your stories.

Black Adam? Ace! He's a real powerhouse with very questionable morals - the perfect opponent for the team. Oh, okay Black Osiris... close enough smile Nice how you highlighted just hoe excessively powerful he is, and also really good to see Diamond Damsel in action. Though, ouch! That punch that knocked her skyward will hurt!

Yay King Canary!

Throwing Black Osiris off balance like that was a clever move. Ouch again - brnging the peak down on them!

Good to see Harlack and Mysa contribute more, by finding out who it is and what his vulnerability is. And speaking of useful mystics, Xao holding the peak together so Blok could throw it into the star was a nice use of his powers, though Ayla shocking him awake was ...possibly dangerous though it gave me a little inappropriate laugh. You'r characterisation of Ayla has been great throughout by the way - what a day to no longer be Light Lass indeed!

"Does she know she ain't the leader?" "I very much doubt it," Hahaha. Yay King Canary! Nice use of him again deafening BO like that so he could tell Iris the plan. Iris really got a pounding! Her determination and loyalty to the team is really outstanding. I'm sure she;s due a spotlight (I typed hopefully smile ) Nice how King Canary (Yay!) was the one to take BO down, Okay, with the help of Harlack and dream Girl and the rest of the team, but still Yay! King Canary!

Otaki and Nightstone - oh dear, this is getting quite worrying! Great cliffhanger there Raz, and I really love how you are building that storyline - a masterclass in plottng!

I'll review the next part later when I have more time, can't wait!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Black Osiris - 01/05/22 07:02 AM
Hi Harbi, happy new year!

Quote
Prince Gerold of avalon? Didn't he stab Mordru in the ankle?
The very same! Weirdly he was never actually given a name in that story I don't think, so I just made up something suitably olde times lol
Quote
it would be nice to see Mysa appear more in your stories
I don't wanna give anything away, but funny you should say that...I do like looking at Nura and Mysa as sisters though, I have always wanted to read more about them because you could pretty reasonably get through a lot of old Legion comics without ever realising they're related - they definitely have a lot of unexplored relationship material!

Glad you liked Black Osiris, he will pop up again before too long! It was a good excuse to get Diamond Damsel into some fisticuffs, I think it's been a while since she had a chance to let loose! And I sorta felt like I was giving Strut too many good lines lately so I figured his fellow newbie King Canary needed a chance in the spotlight for a change laugh

Thanks for reading, we are very close to seeing the culmination of all Otaki's weird goings-on and it is gonna change things up big time for quite a few characters!
Posted By: Gaseous Lad Re: Black Osiris - 01/05/22 07:06 PM
This was a fun read, raz, I'm consistently impressed by the storytelling and characters.

In the last chapter, I was really impressed with how you fiddled with Dawnstar's senses there. Also, the revenant fascinates me - When it was first coming together, I was wondering if it was turning into the Infinite man or Omega.

Can't wait to see the invasion of Black Osiris and his gang!

Between you and Ibby, I swear I always finish these reads hungry!!! laugh
Posted By: razsolo Re: Black Osiris - 01/06/22 09:53 AM
Thanks GL!

Dawnstar's a funny one, you gotta have the tracking sense hampered occasionally for plot reasons but "oh no my tracking power doesn't work this week and I'm being snotty about it" is kinda played out too...it makes sense to me that someone with psi talents would be able to interfere with it smile

There will be more on the Revenant in a little while but I'm glad you are hyped for Black Osiris and pals because I am just finishing writing the first chapter of that up tonight and things get a bit intense!

Originally Posted by Gaseous Lad
Between you and Ibby, I swear I always finish these reads hungry!!! laugh
laugh laugh laugh
Posted By: razsolo MERCILESS Part 1 of 5: Suffer The Children - 01/06/22 11:55 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion of Superheroes Headquarters


In the Legion of Superheroes' monitor room, the team's two Lalloran heroines sat side by side. While Life Lass concentrated on mastering use of the Legion's equipment, Gas Girl read celebrity gossip on her omnicom with her right leg crossed over her left. "I told you you'd pick this stuff up in no time," Gas Girl complimented her friend. "I don't even need to be here, Somi...you've got this!"

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Life Lass smiled smiled nervously. "I do appreciate you taking the time to teach me the ropes, Tal!"

"You, Miss Gan, need to have more confidence in yourself." Gas Girl reached across and poked her friend's arm. "...But this isn't a surprise to anyone. Hey, have you seen Ana Karinu's new look? I think this would really suit you!" She held up the omnicom to show the popular Carggite hyperceleb's bubblegum pink hair streaked through with more vibrant streaks of colour, with a long rainbow-like ponytail emerging from her crown.

"Oh my gawf!" Somi Gan's eyes widened. "I couldn't dye my hair like that, Tal! Are you crazy??" The two girls giggled like schoolchildren before a breep caught their attention and Phantom Girl's icon pulsed brightly.

"Quick, put that away!" Life Lass warned as her power made Gas Girl's omnicom jump out of her grip to land facedown on the nearest bench space. "Hello, Phantom Girl!" Life Lass greeted the team's leader with a more professional tone. "What can I do for you?"

A small holographic bust of Tinya Wazzo appeared before the two girls. "Hi Life Lass, Gas Girl...nothing dramatic, I was just wondering how everything's going back there. I'm about to lose comms for the next 20 minutes, I thought I might just check in beforehand to make sure I'm being an attentive leader and such."

"Well, let's see..." Life Lass squinted as she analysed everyone's holographic icons. "Nightwind's team are just leaving Lupra now...Dawnstar checked in a few minutes ago actually, she hasn't had much luck locating that nasty Black Osiris yet I'm afraid...obviously you made it to Zuun okay...I'm pretty sure that's everyone on active missions! Aside from that, everything's fine!"

"Good to hear," Tinya smiled. "Well--"

"--Have you scanned my Chlory?" Comet Queen's golden visage suddenly appeared over Phantom Girl's shoulder. "He hasn't beamed me yet, he's getting our little sprout all shiny new and spaceworthy today!"

Life Lass gave Gas Girl a sideways glance and Gas Girl just shrugged helplessly. "Uhh...I'll be sure to tell Chlorophyll Kid to get in touch with you if I see him, Comet Queen..?"

"Thanks starshine, you're supernova gleaming!" Just as quickly as she'd burst in on the conversation, Grava disappeared again.

"Yes...thank you, Life Lass." Tinya gave Somi a slight smirk knowing full well how baffling Comet Queen could be. "This little escapade on Zuun doesn't sound like it's gonna be anything too complicated, hopefully we'll all be back soon!"

**********

In the Legion's multilab, Ral Benem held Ivy Arcane in a makeshift baby harness he'd constructed from flowering vines and layers of soft paper bark. "I can't believe she's a year old already!" Ral smiled down at the happily cooing child. He tickled the solitary green leaf growing from among the black curls on her scalp and she squealed with laughter. "I really appreciate you taking the time to give her a check-up, Dream Girl! Normally I'd ask Saturn Girl but she's spending the day with her own family today."

"It's my pleasure, Ral." Nura Nal flashed her former teammate a flawless smile before turning to a screen where Ivy's biometrics scrolled slowly. "She's perfectly healthy, by the way. Aren't you, dear?" Nura gave Ivy a wave and the little girl reached giddily for Dream Girl's chrome bracelet.

"Does it make you want a little one of your own?" Ral asked. "You and Star Boy would make great parents!"

"Oh, absolutely not." Dream Girl looked herself up and down with a self-deprecating laugh. "It'll be a long time before this body's ready to surrender to motherhood, my friend."

Ral began to echo her laughter when he noticed that something behind him had caught Dream Girl's attention. He turned to see the teen sorceress Glorith walking slowly through the multilab almost as though she were in a trance. Behind her, Kid Quantum was following with a concerned expression.

"Do you girls need a hand with anything?" Dream Girl asked across the equipment-laden room.

"Glorith said something bad's going to happen," Kid Quantum ran over to the adults. "She doesn't know what, but she made us come down here...can you help us, Dream Girl?"

Nura's expression immediately grew more serious. "Jazmin, stay here with Ral and Ivy. Glorith..?" She approached the innocent young mage. "...What are you sensing? Maybe we can work this out together."

"I believe I may know," another voice replied. Without any hesitation, everyone present recognised it as belonging to Blok. Coming in from the other side of the lab, he and Diamond Damsel intercepted Glorith. "I believe Glorith's mystic senses may have felt the same thing I have myself...and if I am correct, then I think that all of you should leave immediately."

"Blok, what are you talking about?" Dream Girl asked. "There's nothing mystical down here of all places."

"It's not Alek Arcane again, is it?" Ral hugged Ivy a little closer.

"Blok won't tell me," Diamond Damsel complained. "It's like he's scared saying it out loud will bring it to life, it's infuriating."

"It is not my intent to be vague," Blok looked Diamond Damsel in the eye, "...And rest assured, I have no particular knowledge of Alek Arcane's schemes. In this particular case however I very well may speak this evil into life if I am not cautious. Please...my friends, leave here. Take the children with you."

"Blok, stop being so melodramatic!" Dream Girl made light of his concern. "Whatever's brought you down here, we can face it together like Legionnaires."

A broken gasp emerged from Glorith and everyone saw the young girl's face lined with fear. She looked at all of them one after the other, landing on Blok last before finally speaking in a very small voice.

"...I'm afraid we are too late."

There was a tremendous booming noise, followed by a series of low rumbles. The entire room shook, untethered instruments falling to the floor as the lights flickered momentarily. The sudden tremors knocked a yelping Glorith and Kid Quantum off their feet, though Dream Girl had the presence of mind to levitate as soon as she realised what was happening. Thick wood panelling grew out of the baby harness Ral Benem wore, shielding Ivy and covering himself in plated armour even as it shot out mooring vines to wrap around fixtures and keep him standing. Jostled, Ivy started crying but Saturn Girl's tireless efforts had taught the infant to trust in her adoptive parents to protect her; as long as Ral held her close, he was confident that he could prevent one of her infamous outbursts of uncontrolled power.

"What the sprock was that?" Ral tried to keep the anxiety from his voice for Ivy's sake. "We don't get quakes here!"

Blok and Diamond Damsel alone had been unaffected by the abrupt quake thanks to their great strength. While Blok helped Kid Quantum and Glorith to their feet, Diamond Damsel verbally deactivated the alarm which had begun to scream all around them. "Blok!" the diamond woman's jaw dropped. "Everyone...Look!"

A solid column of red dirt and stone had appeared in the multilab, tearing the floor up and disappearing through the ceiling. "Get down!" Dream Girl suddenly screamed, gathering Glorith and Kid Quantum close together and huddling behind Blok with the two girls. Immediately after, the column of stones exploded outwards like a makeshift bomb. Ral's armour protected himself and Ivy, and Blok and Diamond Damsel were at no risk, but a second earlier and the explosion would have killed Nura and the students as surely as it smashed computer consoles and monitors all around them to pieces.

Dream Girl's heart sank as she remembered what had been behind that column of dirt. She hadn't been entirely correct when she'd told Blok there was nothing mystical in the Legion's multilab...there was one thing which until now had been safely locked away behind multiple levels of security; the Rock of Eternity. Nura understood now why Blok had been reluctant to speak his fears to life because until right now there had been someone else imprisoned within that cosmic stone as well, one of the Legion's oldest foes...

A musty fog cleared from the site of the explosion, and its passing revealed four newcomers standing before them all. Dream Girl recognised Otaki by virtue of having seen her in the multilab after Alek Arcane had left her comatose months ago; she had no idea who the other young woman was with the darker skin and dreadlocked hair, though by a process of elimination Nura figured that it must have been she who'd created the large underground tunnel they'd clearly used to gain entrance here. Black Osiris was instantly recognisable, and looked every bit as powerful as he had when Dream Girl had seen him in action on Avalon recently...and the final member of the quartet? Their final member was a broad-shouldered elderly bearded man who nonetheless emanated the most commanding presence of them all. He should have looked ridiculous in his anachronistic wizard's garb and winged helmet, but instead he made Dream Girl's blood run cold.

"Finally, Mordru the Merciless is free!" the ancient villain announced imperiously. "Though you'll all wish it were otherwise before I drain the marrow from your bones, Legion!"

"You've got that backwards," Diamond Damsel charged the ancient sorceror, "You're the one who's about to wish--"

"Enough!" Mordru barked. With an incantation that sounded like glass breaking, the villain shattered Iris Jacobs into hundreds of individual diamonds. The lifeless gems scattered across the floor, leaving her empty costume behind.

"Glorith!" Dream Girl hissed at the terrified young girl by her side. "We have to get out of here, we can't face Black Osiris on our own and we certainly can't face Mordru!"

The ground thundered with Blok's footsteps as he lost himself in rage and raced toward Mordru to avenge Iris. As Blok came within mere feet of his enemy, Mordru simply snapped his fingers and uttered one word coldly through pursed lips.

"Shazam."

A blinding lightning bolt crashed down from nowhere, and Blok was reverted back to the gold statue he'd once been. In as many seconds, Mordru had taken out the two strongest people in the room.

"Go," Mordru commanded the other three. "Cause chaos. But leave the killing of Legionnaires to me, I have earned this victory." Nighstone and Otaki looked at one another uneasily without moving, but Black Osiris simply grinned wickedly and smashed through the ceiling.

"Gee whiz, it's Mordru!" Drawn by the alarms, Elastic Lad's elongated torso stretched through the room before Mordru could turn his attention to Dream Girl and the others. The plucky young redhead shouted, knowing that the base's systems would transmit his message. "Elastic Lad to all Legionnaires, Mordru is free in the multilab! And he's got some mean pals with him, he--"

"They will find out soon enough lad," Mordru interrupted, instantly spreading Jams-Ols 5 across the room with a wide burst of eldritch energy for which even his rubbery body had no defence. "Don't you worry about that."

While all this was happening, Chlorophyll Kid crouched down to join the girls behind a large workdesk. "Dream Girl, I don't feel right just running--"

"Ral, this isn't cowardice!" Dream Girl snapped. "Ivy is the Avatar of the Green, do you know what Mordru could do with that power?? We need to get her out of here and I'm not leaving Glorith and Jazmin here to be tortured by him either...make us a portal, Glorith! We'll come back once we've got a plan, but we need to go now!"

Glorith hesitated, but saw the fear in Jazmin Cullen's eyes and realised if she didn't act she might be responsible for something awful happening to her best friend. Trembling, she nodded and set to summoning her power.

"Don't think I don't see you children over there," Mordru chuckled indulgently. "It is wise of you to hide from Mordru the Merciless, but I assure you....it will not help." He gesticulated wildly, and all of the furnishings around Ral and the girls flew across the room leaving them fully exposed. Desperate to buy them some time, Ral threw a handful of random seeds and grew an ever-thickening mass of vines and branches between the villain and themselves.

"Is that...is that a baby crying..?" Nightstone ventured, clearly shell-shocked at the power she'd seen on display.

"It will not be for long, my dear." Mordru gave the young geokinetic a look that chilled her to the bone, then turned his attention to withering the vegetation between himself and his intended victims.

Nightstone punched Otaki in the arm. "I didn't sign up to kill no little kids!" she whispered harshly.

Otaki stammered helplessly, looking between Nightstone and Mordru. Her mindsense recognised this infant...it was the child who'd led to her trauma at the Legion Tryouts that day. If it hadn't been for that child, Otaki might not have had to live these past months in mounting fear each night. Otaki was repulsed at the idea of murdering a baby...but she couldn't bring herself to stop Mordru from doing it.

"Where do you wish to journey?" Glorith asked Dream Girl, weaving lavender light into a portal big enough for all of them to walk through.

"Somewhere safe, Glorith!" Nura could see Mordru approaching through the brambles and the thorns. "Take us to the safest place you know!"

The evil old man finally made his way through the last of Ral's barricade, just in time to see a woman's slender heel disappear into a diminishing portal in mid-air.

Mordru glared after the dissipating mystical energies without saying a word.

**********

Several stories above, five of Glorith and Kid Quantum's fellow students in the Legion Academy had been in a turbolift when the building shook. Chemical Kid, Lullabye Lad, Key Kid and Variable Lad had been taking their newest classmate Sojurn to the gym to teach them how to play dodgeball when they'd all had a pulse-pounding freefall for just over two seconds before the lift came to a screeching halt. Right now, the students were all a tangle of limbs where they'd collapsed when the quake hit.

"What the sprock was that?!" Chemical Kid was the first to climb to his feet, readjusting his holographic glasses. "Gym level please," he commanded the lift but nothing happened.

"Whatever it was took us offline," Lullabye Lad smoothed down his cape and slid open a small panel on the wall revealing a pad of buttons. "Even the stupid manual controls aren't working."

The lift shook once more, though this time it seemed more in response to a nearby impact. "Classmates," Variable Lad removed one of his rounded metallic earpieces and pushed his ear up against the side of the lift. "Do you hear that?"

"That thumping?" Key Kid put his own ear up against the opposite wall. "And I'm sure I heard an alarm go off for a nano...do you guys think we're under attack?"

<I sense heightened emotion and specifically great distress> Sojurn added telepathically. The others hadn't quite gotten used to the blue and gold alien octopus yet, and waited awkwardly for them to finish. <Not just from within this transport capsule, but in our immediate vicinity without. Shall I teleport us from here, fellow students of Legion Academy?>

"Maybe you don't need to," Key Kid flexed his arms. "This door might be stuck, but it's still a door. I should be able to..." The red-haired youth tried to dig his fingers into the door's seam as far as he could, then allowed his power to do the rest. "...There we go...oh..oh my gawf."

The turbolift had only half descended to the fourth level, and the students could see why; something had torn through the tube itself just beneath them, leaving jagged plasteel everywhere in its wake. They saw one bloodied taloned foot twitching beneath rubble that had once been a wall, clearly Firecrest in his transformed state. Further down the corridor, Lightning Lass and Lightning Lad were both blasting a broad-shouldered man in black and gold who seemed entirely unaffected by their combined power. Saturn Girl was crouched down against a wall, shielding her young sons as best she could from the violence.

"Saturn Girl!" Chemical Kid shouted. "Let us help, what can we do?"

Imra Ardeen Ranzz looked across at her students, blood trickling down from a gash in her forehead. "Hadru, the best thing you can do is get away from here and take my children with you! This is Black Osiris, he's too dangerous for you!"

"Mommy, no!" Graym Ranzz clutched at his mother's arm. "We don't wanna go!"

"Come with us, Mommy!" Garridan was in tears, tugging at his mother's sleeve to drag her toward the open turbolift door. "Please, that man's too strong!"

"Don't worry, kids!" Amp, Fire Lass and Dragonwing had heard the commotion and come running down the emergency stairs once they realised the turbolifts were out of action. It was Amp who'd spoken, and she stood behind the man Garth and Ayla were attacking. "With my help, your dad won't have a problem with this creep!"

Saturn Girl tried to warn Amp against getting involved, but it was too late. The young woman increased the intensity of Lightning Lad's assault more than double, and everyone in the corridor was almost blinded by the resulting output of energy. Garth Ranzz himself seemed to become pure living energy for a second as he channelled millions upon millions of volts directly into Black Osiris.

To the heroes' credit, their combined power did actually cause the villain to grimace in pain. Ignoring the sensation, Black Osiris flew straight at Garth and punched him in the jaw. Mordru had told him not to kill anyone so Black Osiris pulled his punch enough not to take Lightning Lad's head clear off, but still the hero flew back a metre before tumbling to a painful halt. In truth Black Osiris didn't care all that much if any of these fools died, he'd only agreed to free Mordru as a stepping stone to reviving the glory of Kahndaq anyway.

"That's my brother, you--" Ayla never got to finish what she was saying, because Black Osiris picked her up like a ragdoll and threw her at Amp with enough force to knock both women out.

Black Osiris turned to face the others, and broke out in a sadistic grin when he saw that the majority of his foes here were children. He could discard of this lot soon enough and then find a Legionnaire more worthy of his might. He'd not taken more than a step toward the others however when his brain felt like it was on fire. Black Osiris stopped in his tracks, instantly realising that Saturn Girl was responsible for this. His eyes watering from the pain, he turned slowly upon her and the two became engaged in a battle of wills.

<Sojurn...> Saturn Girl projected outwards as beads of sweat dripped down her forehead <...Black Osiris's willpower is stronger than anybody without psi talent that I've ever faced...I'm praying that your innate telepathy picks this up because I don't have it in me to divert energy to speak...but you need to take your fellow students and my children and teleport away from here...I don't know how long I can hold him at bay!>

To Imra's immense relief, she saw the telltale orange glow form around her extradimensional octopus student which meant that they were building up their teleportation ability. <Fellow students of Legion Academy> Sojurn spoke telepathically to all of the students present, <Teacher Saturn Girl has instructed me to depart, you must come within contact range>

The gathered students all shared confused glances with one another; they didn't know Sojurn nearly well enough to trust that they were telling the truth, but none of them had seen Saturn Girl under this much obvious stress before either...and they'd all seen how easily Black Osiris had dispatched Lightning Lad, Lightning Lass, Amp and obviously Firecrest before them. Dragonwing was the first to make a decision. Grabbing Graym and Garridan and pulling them close to herself, she dragged them away from their mother. "No!!" Graym protested while his brother bawled. "Mommy!"

"Kid, I don't like this anymore than you do," Marya grunted as she half-dragged them toward the turbolift. "But both your parents will kill us if we let anything happen to you." She hefted the twins up into the lift, allowing Hadru and Waiane to bring them close enough to Sojurn for their power to envelop them as well. "Arqiia!" Dragonwing commanded as she stepped up into the lift herself and felt the still uncomfortable touch of Sojurn's tentacle upon her. "You're stronger than me, bring Amp over here!"

The gaunt flame-haired woman paused for a second, looking uncertainly at Amp and then at Firecrest's foot which was gradually shifting back to normal. Fire Lass turned calmly to Dragonwing, crammed into the lift with the boys. "No," Arqiia said simply. "I was created to serve godlike power. But I defied my creators to save myself, and I can defy this man to save others. Perhaps my role is not to worship, perhaps my role is not to be a hero...but nor will my role be to allow needless suffering upon those who have helped me. I have learned that much."

Without a further word Arqiia walked right up alongside Black Osiris, drew a deep breath, and exhaled a massive plume of flame directly into his face. It didn't hurt him and she hadn't really expected that it would, but the attack served its purpose. Taken by surprise, he was momentarily flustered and Saturn Girl took the advantage. Black Osiris fell to one knee with a roar, clutching at his head with both hands. Slowly, Saturn Girl climbed to her feet while a trickle of blood found its way to her left nostril and she pushed on.

"That was...reckless, Arqiia," Saturn Girl spared a fraction of a second from her ongoing onslaught against Black Osiris to glance sternly at her student, "But it was also very...heroic...thank you."

The artifical lifeform who'd taken the name Fire Lass felt a rare emotion come over her. For once, she felt validated and valued for who she was, not for what she'd been created to be. She allowed that feeling to envelop her as she heard her fellow students screaming her name...

...and then the building shook again. Arqiia gazed uncomprehending as parts of the building transformed from plasteel to bluestone, the lights flickered, and parts of the ceiling fell.

A small grate from the ceiling fell on Arqiia's head and melted in the flames upon her scalp before it could harm her. A larger part of the ceiling fell upon Saturn Girl's head and knocked her out stone cold.

In the turbolift, Dragonwing could see where this was going before Saturn Girl had even hit the floor. "Let me go!" she hollered at Sojurn.

"Marya, Saturn Girl said we had to protect her kids!" Chemical Kid protested, grabbing at her sleeve.

"And Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad told me I had to look out for Arqiia!" Marya snarled back. "Now let me go!" She tore herself free of Sojurn's tentacled grip, ignoring their telepathic pleas about the risk involved.

The orange flash of light which by now was becoming more familiar to Dragonwing hit her peripheral vision and she realised the others had all teleported away. She was too late to help Arqiia though, and could only watch what happened next with mounting rage and horror. Black Osiris recovered almost instantly once Saturn Girl had fallen, gripped one of his frighteningly strong hands around Arqiia's face and pounded her so hard into the wall that he left a bloody indentation in the panelling and she became limp in his grasp. Black Osiris threw Arqiia's unmoving body aside, her scalp no longer flaming. She landed on the floor which was becoming increasingly made of large paved stones rather than more advanced materials, and Black Osiris turned to Dragonwing.

"You..killed her..?" Marya Pai uttered in shock. "...I'll kill you!" She launched herself at the laughing villain, a corrosive assault building in her throat. "I'll kill you!!" Dragonwing never got the chance to launch her attack, as more of the building succumbed to Mordru's mystical transformation. The parts that didn't transform into something more medieval collapsed without anything to hold them up and buried Marya Pai whole.

Black Osiris waited a moment for the angry girl to emerge, then seeing no sign of life he fled the scene to find more heroes to ruin.

**********

SOMETIME LATER
Mars, Husband Hill


Gim and Yera Allon hadn't said a word to one another in almost two minutes. They held each other close at the edge of an enormous crater, the twin moons of Mars making their journey across the sky above them.

"Colossal Boy?"

Gim looked up at the mention of his codename to see Dawnstar descending from the starry skies above; even under these circumstances, Dawny looked positively angelic. Mon-El and Ultra Boy appeared close behind her, and not far behind them Gim and Yera saw Tellus and a flitting golden bird they knew was King Canary.

"What...what happened here?" Dawnstar asked as she landed by Gim and Yera. The crater was half a block wide and easily as deep. Their headquarters had been here up until hours ago, but now it was just a cavernous pit.

"I don't know exactly," Colossal Boy answered despondently. "Yera and I were visiting my folks on Earth, we were just on our way back when we heard Elastic Lad's transmission, but by the time we got back here this was all we saw. But you all got that message too, right?"

"Yes." Mon-El landed alongside Dawnstar and trained his incredible vision across the crater for any indication of where his friends and loved ones had gone. "Mordru is free. But this...to destroy our home like this...there were children here..." Everyone present could tell he was making a monumental effort to keep the anger and despair from his voice.

"Hey, buddy." Ultra Boy touched down alongside Mon-El and laid a hand on his shoulder. "We know what Mordru's like, there's no way he just wipes out the Legion without bragging about it, right? I don't know why we haven't been able to get anyone on comms but we've got Dawnstar...and Mwindaji's with Tinya on their way back from Zuun right now. We got the two best trackers in the galaxy...we'll be good, okay?"

"I suppose so," Mon-El answered unconvincingly.

"...I suppose we have to be."

**********

At that same moment, somewhere very far away, some loose rocks shifted in a pile of dirt.

A sizzling noise could be heard from beneath the earth, and soon a sickly verdant stream of corrosive fluid broke through the surface.

A young woman's hand followed, wearing the tattered remains of a shiny black glove and caked in dried blood.

The would-be Legionnaire named Dragonwing pulled herself from the ground through the path her acid venom had made, hacking and wheezing as she emerged exhausted and lay flat on her back under a sunny sky. She was filthy and her whole body ached, but she was alive. Alive. Not like Arqiia.

Marya Pai ignored her body's protests, stood up and looked around. In place of Legion Headquarters, she'd been trapped under some kind of ancient castle...and she didn't know where she was, but this place with its rolling green hills and perfumed flowerbeds was definitely not Mars.

It didn't matter, not now...

...the only thing that mattered now was finding a way to kill Black Osiris.

TO BE CONTINUED!!!
Finally had time to review your latest post this morning Raz, so here goes:

Yay, more King Canary! And a nice hint about his home world too, cool.

Nice that Jo is sticking up for Dawny, she really is incredibly useful when she's given the chance. You've always written her well in your fic so I'm looking forwad to this story. Humble Dawnstar struggling not to get all acidic is funny to read, though I kind of miss her snark but given how you've shown her character growth with the knowlege that if she doesn't try harder to intergrate into the team then Bounty will get her it's a great bit of writing. Mon El is a bit pompous there, but given he can literally move planets we can understand it and let him off this time smile

Cham and Tranquility make an intriguing couple. Nice moment there, as they get to know more about each other in a respectful way. Reep saying he only got used to thumbs and fingers just before leaving Durla was a nice way to highlight how versatile he is - never thought about it but he has to quickly adapt to each form he assumes or they'll be pretty useless. And if any of the team deserve a bit of happiness it's Reep as he always seems so intense.

Thom's cynicism towards the Patriot Day's performance is something we can all relate to sometimes. "...he wondered wryly if Elastic Lad and Comet Queen had finally worn him down" haha, nice. Oh drunken handsy Xanthugov reps doesnt sound like fun, poor man. Bit like any woman's experience on a packed London tube then... Atmos wanting to be the centre of attention, yup, that's him isn't it? Though I thought they'd enjoy having some time away from him.

Dominators - oh dear! Your team never has much luck with them, do they? Great visual description of your new badguy, I could picture them perfectly. He shows a few Legion-like abilities - is the Revenant a BION gone feral? Looking forward to seeing where that story goes. Nice touch that the Amazers take the Dominator corpses back with them to give them a proper send off.

Poor Dawny - she reaaly beats herself up when her tracking doesn't work. Though good suggestion that Tellus may be able to help her. Otaki's abilities were never really clarified in canon, other than they had a tremendous reach, so it'll be interesting to see what you do with her. And they're going to the Legion's headquarters to find her mysterious benefactor? Oh, okay, the only idea I have is Brainy going loopy again but I hope not.

Another great cliffhanger Raz, can't wait for more, more, more!
raz -

This was awesome. You kept upping the stakes and some of the folks (minor characters, to be sure) paid the price. I love it. What I figured was going to be another step in the search path for Black Osiris turns into a full on brawl with Mordru. Awesome. Nightstone and Otaki suddenly having second thoughts was a great touch, too.

Now I really can't wait for the next chapter! smile
oh goodie, a new installment already!!

Hah! Nura's crack re surrendering her body to motherhood is SO her!

"I may SPEAK this evil into life," that was an epically chilling line!

Nice touch re Nura being the experienced enough one to levitate as soon as she could.

Interesting that Imra was able to teach Ivy to trust in Ral/Grava, nice explanation of how her powers are under control

Oh crap, Mordru, I never expected this! (also nice bit re he should have looked ridiculous...)

Oh double crap, D. Damsel and Blok taken out just like that...

I like how Nightstone and Otaki are uneasy, while that nasty Black Osiris is reveling in all of this... maybe Nightstone and Otaki will switch sides later? they were both manipulated after all...

Nice nod to Otaki's conflict... the poor girl. I'm really looking Nightstone more and more by the way, and I hope she gets a happy ending. Otaki too, the poor dear...

Brilliant of you to have Mordru specify that he had killing rights, a great way to explain why nobody dies even while facing someone like Black Osiris wink I'll have to borrow that trick...

Good of Dragonwing to realize that running away is often the good choice!

Go, Fire Lass! smart girl!

oh my gosh! Fire Lass... Marya... are they ok...?

oh gosh, Marya made it... and she's out for blood...

i'm hooked as always, great work raz, more more more!
Hi all, thanks again for commenting!

I might be churning these out a bit faster than usual for a while, we'll see how we go...I got covid on Boxing Day so I've been isolating the past couple weeks (luckily I am fully vaxxed so it was like a bad cold more than anything else but still not much fun) and covid numbers in Australia are going mental at the moment so I predict I will be spending more time home for the forseeable future - but I have been looking forward to writing my big Mordru story for ages so I'm secretly not that upset about it all lol

Anyway, enough with tedious real life, on with the Legion!

- Harbi, I am glad you liked with Cham and the chopsticks...it kinda just occurred to me on the spot that he's probably weirdly got an advantage with trying new dexterity tasks because his power gives him a passing familiarity with how to use the shape he's in but he doesn't have any preconceived notions of how it's meant to function

- that's two votes for Revenant as a BION now! Interesting... wink

- Nightstone and Otaki are gonna have a pretty harsh lesson about what happens when you ally yourself with actual villains so we'll see what happens after that!

- I tried really hard to keep Mordru a secret all this time, I am glad you were surprised IB!

- Dragonwing wanting to kill Black Osiris wasn't something I planned for, it was one of those things where the character just decided to take their story a different way as I was writing...but I'm glad it happened because I'm finding pissed off Marya is the best Marya to write laugh

Next up: we've only just started so y'all just know things are gonna get worse...
oh gosh, get well soon raz, glad the symptoms aren't too bad. on the plus side, does give you more writing time (and I'm eager to see where this goes too lol)

re Dragonwing writing herself, that is so true and I can relate, getting into a character's head can lead us too some surprising places smile

poor Nightstone and Otaki, I feel a bit sympathetic - both were misled and manipulated after all. Black Osiris, no sympathy at all for him! tongue
Originally Posted by razsolo
..but I'm glad it happened because I'm finding pissed off Marya is the best Marya to write laugh

Next up: we've only just started so y'all just know things are gonna get worse...

Both excellent statements! smile

Is there any other kind of Marya other than pissed off? LOL

Good luck with the coronavirus down there and get some rest!
Thanks y'all! smile
Posted By: Set Re: MERCILESS Part 1 of 5: Suffer The Children - 01/08/22 10:27 PM
So I just caught up with the last five or so chapters of this, and wow, it's so good! You've got such a great handle on classic characters like Star Boy, Saturn Girl and Dream Girl, and yet also such vibrant original characters like Diamond Damsel, Elastic Lad and King Canary!

Great use of Dragonmage and Dragonwing, my two favorite Legionnaires with 'dragon' in their name. I love how you can juggle such a ginormous cast and make it look so easy! smile
Thanks Set!

I have a lot of the broad strokes of long-term story arcs planned out months in advance, so a lot of the time even stuff that doesn't seem related to anything else works toward those broad strokes on the downlow (eg a while ago I did a one-off story where Orion the Hunter kidnapped the Academy kids, because I knew they were gonna be a big part of this 5 part story I'm doing now so I wanted people to be familiar with their personalities and what they can do when they suddenly started taking the spotlight)

Dragonwing in particular is gonna get a good workout over this storyline so hopefully you stay liking it! smile
Posted By: razsolo MERCILESS Part 2 of 5: Nobody Gets Out Alive - 01/10/22 12:19 PM
MARS
On board a Legion cruiser just outside the atmosphere


ROLL CALL
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Chameleon Girl aka Yera Allon: Durlan shapeshifter, reserve member
Colossal Boy aka Gim Allon: growth powers
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: gravity negation
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

On the crowded bridge of a Legion cruiser with Mars dominating the viewscreen behind him, Mon-El stood with his arms folded across his broad chest. "...So by our reckoning," the Daxamite finished explaining to small holograms of Phantom Girl and Nightwind's respective crews, "Even after Dawnstar collected everyone she could find who wasn't on base when Mordru struck, we still have 18 Legionnaires unaccounted for. At best, we have to assume they're all wherever Mordru is. At worst..." His normally authoritative voice trailed off weakly.

"Mon." Phantom Girl spoke bluntly. "I know you're frightened for Shady, I'm frightened for her too. But we can't give in to that fear or we've already lost. I need you to keep your head in the game, Mordru's too big for us to do anything else."

Mon-El took in his leader's words for a moment, then consciously forced himself to relax as he exhaled. "...You're right, Tinya. I'm sorry."

"Don't sweat it, Mon." Tinya immediately lightened her tone. "We all know Shady's your world. But I've got Dragonmage and Mwindaji here working on a way to find Mordru, and Nightwind's got Evolvo Lad and Kid Computo working the tech angle. You've got Dawnstar and Tellus with you...we're a very resourceful bunch when we need to be, and that includes everyone who's not here with us right now. We'll figure this out, okay?"

"Phantom Girl's right," Nightwind added. "The Legion of Superheroes always comes out on top, right? We've set course for Mars, we'll see the rest of you soon."

Once the transmission ended, the Legionnaires dispersed to do their own thing. Colossal Boy prepared stimbevs for himself and his wife and met her at the long communal table in the cruiser's galley. "Are you sure you're up for this, honey?" Gim asked in a low voice as he handed the cold drink to Chameleon Girl across the table. "I mean you know, with...the future stuff and all that?"

"I can't risk being a full-time Legionnaire," Yera squeezed her husband's hand, "But I don't think I'm in any danger of bringing that awful future about by helping out as a reservist occasionally...and you're missing nearly half your roster, Gim. I'm surprised Phantom Girl didn't call in more of the Legion reserves to be honest."

"Mordru's scary, but even half our team these days is bigger than the Legion used to be," Gim reasoned, bringing Yera's hand up to kiss her knuckles. "We're gonna make that crabby old bastich wish he'd stayed in his stupid rock."

At the galley entrance, Shrinking Violet had been about to walk in when she saw Gim and Yera sitting at the table. With nobody else in the room to take her attention, Vi rolled her eyes and kept walking through the ship. She found herself passing Dawnstar and Tellus by the airlock door. "You two are leaving the ship?" Violet asked curiously.

"We are," Tellus replied. "I thought perhaps I could use my abilities to help hone Dawnstar's focus, and Dawnstar mentioned that she would feel less anxious outside the vessel."

"Tellus, I don't enjoy casually discussing my mental health with my teammates," Dawnstar said icily.

"I apologise, Dawnstar." Though his voice modulator betrayed no emotion, the pods on Tellus's pods turned a pastel pink. "Even after all this time away from Great Mother Ocean I sometimes misjudge the intricacies of psychology within other species."

Dawnstar sighed, her own face slightly flushed with embarassment. "No...I'm the one who should apologise, my friend. We shouldn't expect you to behave as though openness is some kind of social flaw. I suppose I'm just frustrated, I have had no luck locating our teammates and...and Wildfire is among them. I know it's ridiculous and probably selfish to be concerned for Drake, of all of us he may be the only one who can't die. But still..."

"Dawnstar, really..." Vi gave her a shrewd smile, "...I swear, beating yourself up for having normal human failings is your real super-power. You care about Wildfire, of course you're going to be worried. It's totally normal. That frustrating bag of machismo is one of our most powerful members though, wherever he is...

...I bet he's giving as good as he gets."

**********

Wildfire flinched.

He was lying face down on some kind of slick rock surface, the scent of the ocean almost overpowering. Feeling like his brain was filled with cotton wool, he slowly tilted his head up to look around...nothing but choppy water and blue skies ahead of him as far as he could see. That would explain the smell, he considered. I wonder where I am? He stood up and looked around, forcing his memory to work through the fog and piece together how he got here as he surveyed his surroundings more fully. He seemed to be on some kind of desolate island in the middle of nowhere; aside from a sea cave leading into a small raised peak of jagged black rock there was nothing of interest here at all. There were washed up strands of seaweed but no marine life, no birds...not even any guano anywhere.

Okay, think! he chastised himself. Elastic Lad told us Mordru had escaped, I found a tunnel someone bored straight through Legion HQ from the multilab, and when I followed it back to the multilab...when I followed it back... Wildfire suddenly stopped dead cold, a lurch of sick anticipation coming over him.

...Why can I smell the sea??

Wildfire remembered scent; even after all these years, he remembered what it was like to smell freshly baked pie or the perfume of a flower, but he hadn't possessed a sense of smell since he'd been transformed into a being of anti-energy so long ago. That was when the gleam of something glass-like in a nearby rock pool caught his eye...it was a small curved plate of reinforced plexiglass, deep blue in color and instantly recognisable. Almost frightened to approach it, Wildfire reached out with a trembling hand and picked up the faceplate which should have been keeping his energy form from spewing explosively out of its containment suit. His reflection in the detached faceplate was distorted, but it was impossible to ignore...

...he was staring at the face of Drake Burroughs. His human face.

Tears spontaneously flowed and he reached up to touch his cheek in confirmation. Feeling stupid but giddy, he self-consciously collected a tear on his gloved finger and licked it. "I can taste it!" he yelled in triumph. "I can taste it!!" Leaping with sheer joy, he whooped so loud his voice gave out, and when he landed he lost his footing on the wet rocks and slipped straight onto his backside. A jolt of pain shot through him and he yelped then immediately lost himself in hysterical laughter. He could feel pain!

An unholy roar suddenly sounded from the sea cave, sobering Drake immediately. Snapped out of his euphoria, he remembered the circumstances which had led to him being here and called out to Elastic Lad on the comms installed in his containment suit. Nothing.

Another roar, this one even louder.

"Okay okay, don't panic," Drake muttered to himself. "...Makes sense it wouldn't work, my anti-energy was powering it...flight ring!" He brought his hand up before him only to see that there was no flight ring on it. "Sprock!"

A third roar sounded, and this time a stream of fire the size of a tree trunk shot out of the cave and dissipated on the ocean breeze outside. The cave was maybe 70 feet away across open ground, but thankfully there were enough rocky protuberances along this shore for Drake to at least hide behind. He did that now and watched as a dragon the size of a small shuttle emerged from the cave. It had huge leathery wings with a spike upon each one, two massive curved horns upon its reptillian head, and its hide was a greyish color. It was the flame which ran down the back of its neck like a fiery mane which tipped Wildfire off as to who this dragon really was though. Forgetting his new vulnerability momentarily, he got up and approached the giant beast.

"...Firecrest?" Drake asked in mild awe. "...What did Mordru do to you?"

The dragon which had been Staq Mavlen snapped its head toward Drake's voice. Firecrest approached him on scaled talons like a predator sizing up its prey...

...and then he attacked.

**********

Somewhere far away from the two Legionnaires, Mordru roared with laughter as he watched Wildfire frantically leap out of the path of Firecrest's flame breath in an enormous crystal ball. The sorceror sat in an elaborate throne on a raised dais in the castle he'd made of the Legion's headquarters. Pictures of himself adorned the cavernous throne room's walls, huge arched windows filling the space with light from outside. "Isn't this wondrous sport?" the Lord of Chaos chortled as he turned to a clearly uncomfortable Nightstone standing to his left.

"Why...why isn't Wildfire fighting back?" the teenage girl asked nervously. "...Isn't he meant to be super powerful?"

"I have enscorcelled the fool to believe himself human again," Mordru cackled. "Either he allows the illusion to hold and drifts to the four winds once he thinks himself slain or he breaks the illusion and kills the man-dragon...either way, one kills the other and the triumph is mine!"

Nightstone bit her lip. She'd been mad at the Legion and had almost gleefully embraced the chance to get her own back at them after the way they'd betrayed her and her friends, but this...all of this was just insane and cruel. Worse, she was absolutely certain that Mordru knew that she and Otaki weren't comfortable with how things had played out and she thought maybe that was all part of the fun for him. They needed to find some way to stop all of this or at least escape, but he'd taken the whole sprocking building to some weird magical planet and he never let Nightstone or Otaki out of his sight...for now, as much as it ran counter to the way she normally did things, Nightstone just had to bide her time.

"There will be time for more frivolity later," Mordru waved a hand and the crystal ball vanished in a puff of smoke. "For now, I have work to do even as Black Osiris cleanses this world for me." He turned to Otaki, who'd been standing on the other side of the throne. "Child, summon the prisoners."

Otaki looked down at the old-fashioned crank handle she'd been tasked with operating. Stammering, she gazed imploringly at Mordru but a coldness overcame him that made it clear to Otaki even without using her mindsense that she didn't dare disobey him. She wiped tears from her eyes with the back of one gloved hand as her other hand turned the crank. The handle operated a series of elaborate gears and cogs which ran through a slot in the floor to the furthest wall. The machinery continued up the wall and along the perimeter of the ceiling, whining as the wheels slowly turned at Otaki's hand.

The whining came not just from the mystical contraption though, it came from Elastic Lad whose trapped form was stretched almost paper thin between all that grinding metal. Otaki tried to numb his pain with her power as well as she could, but she couldn't imagine how agonising this must nonetheless be for him. Hundreds of feet of elongated flesh later, the mechanism opened the double doors at the other end of Mordru's throne room and led in seven Legionnaires who were all bound at the wrists and ankles by Elastic Lad's magically manipulated limbs. Matter-Eater Lad, Lightning Lass, Crystal Kid, Polar Boy, Life Lass, Gravity Kid and Lightning Lad were all forced to shuffle through the enormous room until they were presented before the villain.

"Hang in there, pal!" Matter-Eater Lad called out, unable to even tell where Elastic Lad's face was as he'd been stretched so thin. "We'll get you out of here as soon as we can, okay?"

"You won't get away with this, Mordru!" Polar Boy protested.

"Where's my wife, you son of a bitch?" Impotent sparks danced in Lightning Lad's eyes. "Where are my sons? I swear by all that's holy, if you've hurt them then Legion code be damned--"

Mordru allowed himself indulgent laughter once more. "I must say, Legionnaires, you have provided me with much amusement this day...how pleased I am that I didn't simply murder you all in one fell swoop! As I just said to these young ladies however, we have work to do...so let us begin."

**********

MEANWHILE...

Chemical Kid felt anxiety turn into panic as he tumbled head over heel beneath a black ocean. Sojurn had teleported them all somewhere underwater and immediately lost their grip on their fellow students. It was freezing and Hadru's lungs felt like they were about to burst and he couldn't even save himself, let alone anyone else--

--no.

He forced himself to try and remember his neurochemistry training with Saturn Girl, released enough serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid into his brain to overcome the stress that was stealing his ability to think his way out of this. Not too much...you'll have time to bliss out when the drowning steals your last bit of oxygen, Hadru... He did feel noticeably calmer, but that only dealt with the least of his problems. He'd stopped rolling incessantly, but he still had no idea which way was up. He saw the orange flash of Sojurn's teleportation somewhere to his right and swam towards it but his clothes weighed him down too much and before he'd covered even a quarter of the distance he saw Sojurn disappear once more with someone else in tow. At least that stupid octopus came back for us, Chemical Kid tried to give himself hope. They'll save you, just stay alive long enough for them to save you, Hadru.

He saw another flash of light, this one more like an electrical arc. He turned towards it and nearly laughed out the last of his air when he saw one of the Ranzz kids flailing wildly. You spiked your own brain, idiot! he chastised himself. How is any of this funny? And why would Garridan or Graym or whichever one it is have lightning coming out of their head..?

Chemical Kid didn't have time to think anything else because he finally exhausted his ability to hold his breath and the air exploded out of his lungs. He reached out in a futile attempt to help the Ranzz kid anyway, and just before he blacked out he saw the enormous jaw of some undersea leviathan open wide and swallow them both whole...

**********

AVALON
Former Skull Peak base camp


ROLL CALL

Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: hyper-stimulated plant growth, reserve member
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Glorith: time sorceress, Legion Academy student
Harlack: Khund sorceror, Legion ally
Ivy Arcane: infant Avatar of the Green
Kid Quantum aka Jazmin Cullen: quantum field manipulation, Legion Academy student
Mysa Nal: former sorceress and ex-Legionnaire

Glorith lay prone on a modest cot, drifting in and out of consciousness while Kid Quantum sat rigid on a folding chair at the foot of the bed and watched her with a furrowed brow.

Mysa Nal placed a steaming mug of herbal tea on the dresser beside Glorith, and just the scent of the restorative concoction perked the teenage sorceress up a little. "Poor thing's exhausted," Mysa smiled with affection as she brushed Glorith's cheek lightly. "Drink that when you're up to it, little one. It'll help you recuperate faster."

"Glorith will be alright, won't she?" Kid Quantum asked, looking around at her elders crowding Mysa's tent. "I don't think she's ever opened a portal this far before...all the way from Mars to Avalon!"

"It's sweet that you're concerned about her," Mysa smiled at the young Xanthui girl. "I'm glad Glorith has such a good friend in you, Jazmin...sending her to the Legion Academy might be one of the only good things I did when I was the Black Witch. Don't you worry though, she's just worn out. That girl has strength she can't imagine, but interstellar transmigration would be tiring for anyone. I doubt she'd even have been able to do it if she weren't so familiar with Harlack and I...well, with who I was."

"Don't undersell yourself," Dream Girl remarked. "I asked Glorith to take us to the safest place she knows and she brought us straight to you...that's more than just familiarity; that girl is devoted to you, Mysa."

"Forgive me for changing the topic," Harlack spoke up as delicately as he could, "But we really need to formulate a battle plan. If the dread Mordru defeated Blok and Diamond Damsel as quickly as you described, we must assume that he has taken the rest of your Legion as easily...and if he possesses the power that Mysa once wielded as the Black Witch, we have the fight of our lives ahead of us."

"You can take the sorceror out of Khundia..." Dream Girl noted dryly. Harlack gave her a confused look in return and Nura shook her head. "Never mind; I'm just being silly, Harlack. You're right though, we do need to come up with a strategy. I'm concerned that I can't reach anyone on my flight ring. I'm not entirely surprised that I can't reach anyone at base, but there were plenty of Legionnaires not on base when Mordru attacked. I'm worried that he's damaged the equipment that coordinates our subspace comms relays, but that equipment is insanely well protected and it's not something he'd know to target."

"I'm sorry, Dream Girl...I don't think I understand what you're getting at?" Ral Benem asked. He rocked Ivy back and forth slowly as he spoke; she'd cried herself out not long after arriving here and now slept soundly in his arms.

"I think...I think Dream Girl means Mordru would have had to cause catastrophic structural damage to our headquarters?" Kid Quantum guessed out loud. "Is that right..?"

"Clever girl," Nura complimented her. "But yes. And by catastrophic I mean...well, let's just say when Universo brainwashed the original Supergirl into tearing our old building to pieces, that didn't cause enough damage to affect our comms. I think the first thing we need to do is find a way to make contact with Phantom Girl and go from there."

"That shouldn't be difficult," Mysa volunteered. "Avalon may be primitive by Legion standards, but we do have Science Police contacts with access to the normal UP networks. I'm sure King Leon would be more than happy to help!"

"Let us depart then!" Harlack clapped once and stood up. "The sooner we leave, the sooner we can destroy the fiend!"

"Nura..." Mysa cast a glance toward Glorith, who'd only just now sat up to drink her tea. "...I don't think she's ready to travel, but I don't feel comfortable leaving her here alone with Mordru able to follow her mystical trail here..."

"This might be as good a time as any to bring it up then," Ral spoke up hesitantly. "Dream Girl...I have a higher responsibility now. I can't join you in this, I need to make sure Ivy's safe. I'm happy to look after Glorith and Kid Quantum as well, but I'm afraid my days of traipsing into battle against the Legion's latest power-mad villain are over."

Harlack visibly bristled at the idea of Chlorophyll Kid electing to stay with children to avoid battle, but Dream Girl simply placed a perfectly manicured hand on Ral's shoulder. "I understand, Ral...and honestly, I'm glad they'll have someone so experienced to be here for them."

"Wait, no!" Kid Quantum jumped to her feet. "I'm worried about Glorith, but I'm worried about our other friends too! I don't need looking after, I want to help!"

"Out of the question," Dream Girl shut her down. "Mordru and Black Osiris are both extremely out of your weight class, young lady. You're going to stay here and help Chlorophyll Kid protect Ivy and Glorith and that's the end of it!"

A woman's shrill scream cut Jazmin's refrain short, and everyone but Glorith ran outside the tent to see what was going on.

"Demon Mother..." Harlack mouthed almost reverently as he gaped at the spectacle above them.

"What...what are those things?" Ral asked, staring wide-eyed at the dozen or so humanoids darting across what was left of the camp site. They seemed composed of pure blackness, their outlines crackling with unholy energy.

"They're Shadow Demons..." Mysa's voice was barely a frightened whisper.

"...Mordru has come for us."

**********

ELSEWHERE

Dragonwing brooded as she carefully edged her way around the exterior of the massive bluestone castle where she'd found herself. She had next to no cover here outside the castle, so she'd forced herself to wait till nightfall and then begun her cautious reconnaissance. In the meantime she'd seen some crazy things; winged horses flying far overhead, giggling pixies dancing among a bed of rainbow-hued flowers, a circle of chittering toadstools which up and ran away into taller grass as she approached. So far she'd not come across a single entrance into this structure nor any indication of where she actually was, but she'd confirmed her initial deduction that this wasn't Mars; for one thing she'd seen no moons in the sky and for another, Mars didn't have a seemingly endless array of ridiculous fantasy creatures popping up every ten feet.

"Dragonwing!"

At the sound of her name being hissed at her, Marya Pai spun on her heel and exhaled a stream of vivid green flame.

"Hey! Do you mind?!" Amp fell backwards out of the way of the attack, barely avoiding a bad burn. "What the sprock is wrong with you?!"

"Calm down Lallor, I didn't know it was you!" Marya offered a hand to help her stand up, but Amp rejected it and instead awkwardly made her way to her feet using only her right arm to support herself as she stood. "What's wrong with you?" Dragonwing shot back at her once she realised Amp's left arm was hanging in a makeshift sling.

"That Black Osiris nasshead broke my arm if you must know!" Amp snapped. "I've been amping my regenerative ability but it's still gonna be a while before I can use my stupid arm again...it took me forever to dig myself out from under that stupid castle, do you have any idea what's going on here? Why would Black Osiris have a whole sprocking castle?! Where are Miqui and Fire Lass and--"

"Fire Lass is dead," Dragonwing spat. "Just like Black Osiris is gonna be by the time I'm through with him."

"What?!" Amp almost shouted.

"He killed her," Dragonwing explained. "Black Osiris just...killed her and laughed about it. Don't worry, Key Kid and the others are okay; I saw Sojurn teleport everyone away."

"Oh Marya..." Amp came closer and started to place a hand on Dragonwing's arm. "I'm so sorry--"

"Forget it," Marya slapped her hand aside. "I never liked her anyway, and it's not like you and I are such good friends all of a sudden. But I'm going to find a way to kill him, so try and keep up." Having said her piece, Dragonwing stormed off.

Amp fumed silently for a moment but couldn't contain her frustration beyond that. "You're a real bitch, you know that? Do you think you're the only one who ever lost someone, Dragonwing? One of the only friends I ever had killed one of the only other friends I ever had, but you don't see me being the absolute worst--"

"Be. Quiet."

The two girls both heard the same commanding voice, and they stared at one another wide-eyed. An instant later, a tiny corkscrew of thick smoke descended between them and formed itself into an approximation of a female face.

"Gas Girl!" Amp recognised her immediately.

"Shh!" Gas Girl hushed her. "Honestly, Ming! I'm surprised Mordru hasn't found you two yet, I heard you halfway around the perimeter of the castle!"

"Mordru?" Amp was taken aback. "Isn't he that wizard guy? What does he have to do with anything?"

"Mordru and Black Osiris are working together!" Gas Girl explained in hushed tones. "Along with some telepath called Otaki and an earth-mover named Nightstone...girls, it's really bad. I've spent most of the day drifting through the castle, trying to figure out what's going on as best I can...he's torturing nearly half the team in there! I think...I think he killed Diamond Damsel."

Dragonwing and Amp were speechless momentarily. Finally, Dragonwing found her voice. "How though? And...and why??"

A bolt of lightning seared the ground near them and all three turned toward its source. They saw Lightning Lad, Gravity Kid, Polar Boy, Crystal Kid, Life Lass, Matter-Eater Lad and Lightning Lass descending from the night sky above; Garth Ranzz's fist was crackling with electricity and Gravity Kid was smiling smugly.

"Why is none of your business, you ignorant fems," Tel Vole condescended to the trio, "And as for how? Well, I guess the servants of sin are just that much more superior to the servants of virtue."

The three girls swapped baffled glances. "Gravity Kid..?" Dragonwing finally asked. "What the sprock are you talking about?"

"No more talking!" Lightning Lad exploded in rage. "Let's go, Legion!"

...and then Garth Ranzz fired upon them.


NEXT: ARE YOU READY FOR THE MOST UNEXPECTED CHARACTER RETURN EVER?????
so tickled to see part 2 up Raz! yay! I hope your symptoms continue to be mild/nonexistent.

pretty impressed with your plot planning, I don't plan out that well

curious as to who the 18 "missing" Legionnaires are... are reservists like Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl counted in that number?

go Tinya, for calming Mon down - and go Mon for calming down, you know. I never liked his panic attacks from the Levitz era (though I did understand it, after all surviving 1000 years in the Phantom Zone would probably drive me nuts...)


Stimbevs! nice term!

Nice reference to Yera's possible future.

Vi rolling her eyes at Gim/Yera, heh, some wounds take time to heal eh. Nice scene with Dawny, Tellus and Vi - I like both Tellus and Dawny apologizing, while Vi is also right that Dawny shouldn't beat herself up too much - a simpler apology would have sufficed, Dawny shouldn't overthink either.


Wow, Mordru's revenge is awful, pitting Legionnaire vs. Legionnaire. Also, interesting that Drake BELIEVES he's human, but is not really (but I guess Mordru did that so he could potentially fight back).

Nightstone is quite insightful, re her and Otaki also being for Mordru's entertainment

Ooh nice, Chemical Kid learned to use his power on himself, nice touch! oh wow, where are they... oh, I bet that leviathan swallowing them is Variable Lad, eh?

nice seeing Mysa and Harlak around, makes sense they'd be involved, and makes sense Glorith would see Mysa/Avalon as a safe place!

Good going Kid Quantum, and nice of Nura to praise her!

oy, Shadow Demons!

glad to see some managed to escape - I guess Mordru was concerned with Legionnaires, so Amp and Dragonwing slipped through. and of course Gas Girl has an edge!

I did like Amp's explosion at Dragonwing (it was all true!) and Gas Girl shushing both

OMG, Servants of Sin... Seven Legionnaires... they're possessd by the Deadly Sins aren't they???

wow, way to up the ante!
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so tickled to see part 2 up Raz! yay! I hope your symptoms continue to be mild/nonexistent.
Thanks IB! Fingers crossed I think I went through the last of it this weekend....I spent the whole 2 days not really being able to stay awake for more than 2 hours at a time but I woke up yesterday and felt more like my normal self than I have since before NYE so that's good!

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curious as to who the 18 "missing" Legionnaires are... are reservists like Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl counted in that number?
I was gonna name the missing 18 Legionnaires, but I thought it'd be more fun to leave you guys guessing and have it come out in dribs and drabs...I can say that it doesn't count any reservists though!

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go Tinya, for calming Mon down - and go Mon for calming down, you know
I have been having a bit of trouble giving Tinya leadership moments where she can shine tbh because I see her as being so laid back and so comfortable trusting everyone to do their job that she doesn't generally throw orders around and she'll defer to other team members where they're better equipped than she is to deal with something...and I think that actually IS the sign of a good leader, but it doesn't really make for dramatic writing. I was happy with this scene because I don't think there are many Legionnaires who could be that blunt with Mon-El and have him respond so well; it's a chance to show how Tinya's ability to get along with everyone without her ego getting in the way lets her work with her team in a way someone like Cosmic Boy or Dream Girl wouldn't be able to.

I am pretty sure I stole stimbevs from somewhere, I just can't remember if it was a comic or a fic here somewhere....if it was one of the writers here, thanks! laugh

As to the rest....some interesting guesswork! We'll see how right you were soon! smile
nice, glad you're also getting better!

ooh so I'm gonna try listing the 18 that we know so far

18 missing -- I have 14 here

Shadow Lass (mentioned)
Gas Girl (escaped from Mordru so far)
Lightning Lass (possessed by 7 deadly sins, maybe wink )
Life Lass (possessed by 7 deadly sins, maybe wink )
Polar Boy (possessed by 7 deadly sins, maybe wink )
Gravity Kid (possessed by 7 deadly sins, maybe wink )
Crystal Kid (possessed by 7 deadly sins, maybe wink )
Matter-Eater Lad (possessed by 7 deadly sins, maybe wink )
Firecrest (enchanted into a fight)
Wildfire (enchanted into a fight)
Dream Girl (escaped to Avalon)
Elastic Lad (being tortured)
Diamond Damsel (assumes Tinya's group doesn't know what happened to her)
Blok (assumes Tinya's group doesn't know what happened to him)

NOT missing

Chameleon Boy
Colossal Boy
Dawnstar
Infectious Lass
King Canary
Light Lad
Mon-El
Shrinking Violet
Tellus
Ultra Boy
Star Boy
Mwindaji
Dragonmage
Evolvo Lad
Kid Computo
Nightwind
Phantom Girl
Comet Queen (was with Tinya)

Other Active Legionnaires who might be missing, might be with Tinya's group

Color Kid
Cosmic Boy
Element Lad
Invisible Kid II
Neon
Night Girl
Stone Boy
Strut
Sun Boy
Supergirl II (Laurel Kent)
Timber Wolf

Reservists

Lightning Lad (possessed by 7 deadly sins, maybe wink )
Saturn Girl (presumably captured by Mordru)
Chlorophyll Kid (with Dream Girl on Avalon)
Chameleon Girl (with Phantom Girl's group)


re Tinya, totally agree, she's a good leader because she knows when to defer! sets her apart from many other past leaders
You are pretty much right on the money, IB! Good work! smile
yay! glad my ferreting out and cobbling together worked, thanks for confirming raz smile
Hey Raz,

Hope you're feeling better!

Here are my thoughts on your last two posts:

You've given us a nice start with the two Lallorians chatting but being professional when Tinya called - we've all been there smile And Grava's lack of social skills are always a delight to read!

I really like how much attention you've given to Ral, he's a decent enough charcter in canon but he really shines when you write him.

Mordru! Fantastic! He always brings real trouble with him so I'm really looking forward to where you take this. And let's be honest, his three servants are trouble enough with him as well. And as he was trapped in the Rock of Eternity does that mean your Seven Deadly Sins are free as well?

Wow! Diamond Damsel.... you are usually not too bllood thirsty in your stories Raz so that totally took me by surprise! Blok too! Ouch! I really like your Iris and Blok so hope this is reversible.

Dreamy is right - get out!

And finally Otaki and Nightstone realise what they've signed up to. That's a pretty awful reality shock for them, wonder if either will do anything about it?

Nice to see the students again though I am kind of worries they'll do something stupid... I like Key Kid, even if he does have one of the most Silver Age abiities smile Fire Lass to the rescue, and nice validation from Imra - sweet moment in among the horror! And speaking of horror, BO killing Fire Lass like that was brutal. Marya in a rage is quite a daunting thought, she's pretty feral isn't she?

Jo's character analysis of Mordru to calm down Mon El was spot on, he'd definitely be bragging, Nice moment that.

And, as said elsewhere, Dragonwing doing a Wolverine at the Hellfire C;ub is great!

Eighteen missing, okay, that's split the team nicely and with neither side knowing what the other is up to it could lead to some pretty wild scenarios.

Great moment with Vi - not wanting to spend time with Gim and Yera, and then nailing Dawny with a sentence "beating yourself up for having normal human failings is your real super-power".

Ah, human Drake vs full dragon-form Firecrest? Ouch, barbequed human anyone?

Mordru pitting Drake and Staq against each other n a no-win situation is about right - he's a nasty old man! Glad to see Nightstone's conscience is bothering her. Elastic Lad - ouch! Good of Otaki to try to help.

Nice use of Hadru's powers - did you research that? I always find chemistry (and the sciences generally) to be beyond me so love it when I read something wonderfully scientific. I hope that's Variable Lad that's just chomped them!

Jazmin looking after Glorith was sweet, nice to see that side of her. "You can take the socerer out of Khundia", indeed, nice line. Great explanation of how the comms are down, of course Dreamy doesn't know what's happened to their HQ, and good plotting (and plot) to tie that in. Unexpected, though obvious in hindsight like all the best ideas (quoting Edward De Bono) that Ral opts out of fighting to look after Ivy. And, of course, Mordru's onto them before they can do very much - you don't give your team a break do you? smile

So Marya isn't alone then, that's good as hopefully the others will calm her homicidal urges! Who's Miqui? Is that Key Kid? Servants of sin? The 7 deadly sins possessing Legionnaires? I hope Tenzil is Gluttony, haha, the potential damage that boy could do...

Great cliffhanger Raz, and one hell of a ride too. We're only on part two so I imagine it'll get pretty wild from here (like t hasn't been crazy enough!).

Looking forward to where you take us next, and can't wait for more, more, more!
Thanks Harbi, I feel pretty much back to normal now! 10 points for vaccinations!

- Chlorophyll Kid is gonna get a lot more attention soon, but he might not be all that happy about it...

- I have been DYING to do this Mordru story...there are gonna be some status quo changes after this for sure! After this I think the only big classic Legion villains I have to get around to are Pulsar Stargrave and the Time Trapper, and I have plans for one of those already!

- you can be rest assured that the students will do something stupid, the best part of writing the Academy students is having them do the least sensible thing at any given time laugh

- re Hadru's power: I googled stress recovery/responses before I wrote that scene so I'm not sure how well it stands up to scrutiny, but it sounds appropriately sciencey and it was a good opportunity to show him doing something that is fairly unique to his powerset so I'm happy with that smile

- Miqui is indeed Key Kid, sorry about that! I should have done an editor's note for that one, he hasn't really been around long enough for everyone to be on a first name basis with him yet!

- it is definitely gonna get wilder from here on out...I am just writing the final scene for part 3 now and I think there are gonna be some reactions!!!
re Hadru's power, I'm no scientist but I did study psychology, and it seems legit - after all, emotions, stress responses etc. are often caused by hormones and the like!

yay! looking forward to the next bit raz!!!
More great stuff, raz!!

The scene with Mon-El was spot on - he goes right to the negative, or at least ends on it.

Rolling her eyes at Gim and Yera - classic Vi! smile Also, liked her armchair psychoanalysis!

I liked the Wildfire scene, and for a minute thought he was in that dimension where he met the fake Lyle. Mordru is nasty! smile Also, the doubling down of Otaki and Nightstone on their regrets is a great move. Be careful what you wish for....

The ending with Dragonwing and Amp was good with them butting heads - but that cliffhanger! Amazing!

This is a really epic story, raz! Thoroughly enjoying this!
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re Hadru's power, I'm no scientist but I did study psychology, and it seems legit
Validation! Thanks IB! smile

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I liked the Wildfire scene, and for a minute thought he was in that dimension where he met the fake Lyle
That was very much in my mind when I was writing that scene, I'm glad you had the same thought GL!

I have a feeling the next cliffhanger is gonna be a whole other level, I am looking forward to seeing what y'all think....hopefully I will get to post the next chapter tonight!
VAVALLA
Tertiary Global Medicentre, Surface Ward 2


ROLL CALL
Legion Academy
Chemical Kid aka Hadru Jamik: control of chemical reactions
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: ability to bypass any man-made lock
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Sojurn aka S'jn: interdimensional cephalopod; teleportation, telekinesis, telepathy
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Chemical Kid."

Hadru Jamik blinked drowsily as he sat up in bed. He was wearing pastel blue pyjamas that scratched more than anything that he would ever voluntarily spend his father's credits on, and this mattress was more unforgiving than the one he'd had to replace when he first started attending Legion Academy. If the subpar sleeping arrangements didn't give away that he was in a hospital, the three other beds in the room made that apparent.

Lullabye Lad, Key Kid and Variable Lad each sat on one of the beds in costume while Sojurn hovered near a green-skinned Science Police officer who was sitting on a chair by Hadru's bed. It was the SP who'd spoken, and Hadru narrowed his gaze as he tried to figure out why she looked so familiar. "Thanks, Officer..."

"Just call me Tayla," she said cheerily. "Or Lamprey, whatever you're more comfortable with...we Academy kids gotta stick together, right? How are you feeling?"

"That's how I recognise you!" Hadru snapped his fingers. "I...actually, I feel great! Not that I'm complaining, but shouldn't I be...you know...dead?" He cast Sojurn a withering glare. "The last thing I remember is drowning, because apparently somebody decided to save us from being murdered by dumping us in the middle of the ocean to die instead...what the sprock, Sojurn?!"

<I sense your disapproval> the blue-patterned octopus responded dispassionately. <Allow me to elaborate on the circumstances of your peril, fellow student Chemical King. When fellow student Dragonwing disassociated herself from my teleportation equation, I did not have the opportunity to recalibrate my calculations and our exit locus appeared 3.5 standard miles from where I had initially perceived>

Chemical Kid scowled with frustration. "Okay, I don't have any idea what any of that means except that it's Marya's fault. Good, at least I know who to punch in the nose now." The blood suddenly drained from Hadru's face and he leaned toward Lamprey. "Oh, sprock! Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad's kids!! Garridan and Graym--"

"They're safe," Lamprey soothed. "It was touch and go with Garridan for a little while, but the doctors here are fantastic...they're sleeping it off now, but you guys did the right thing getting them off Mars. I don't want to frighten you, but we haven't been able to make contact with Legion Headquarters at all. I did reach Phantom Girl though, she's sending Nightwind to pick you all up as we speak. She'll be here in an hour or so, why don't I leave you all to catch up while I go check on the twins?" She stood to leave and pulled up at the door. "Oh! I nearly forgot - we synthesized a new costume for you, Chemical Kid. It's in that vacpac on the other side of your bed."

"Thanks for everything, Lamprey!" As soon as Tayla had left the room, Chemical Kid jumped out of bed, took his replacement costume from its vacuum sealed bag and activated the polarised field around his bed so he could get changed. "Okay, you guys - spill!" he called out through the modesty field. "Where the sprock even are we and how did we get here? Are you all okay?"

"We're on Vavalla," Lullabye Lad took the initiative to answer for everyone. "You know the resort world? This is where Lamprey is stationed, Sojurn brought us here because they're besties...and yeah, we're all fine now. It was scary as sprock though, I thought I was gonna have to turn to stone so I wouldn't drown and then I was scared I'd end up just sinking to the bottom of the ocean forever. Creepy!"

<Excuse me, fellow student Lullabye Lad?> Sojurn asked. <What is the meaning of the term 'besties'?>

"Sojurn, really!" Chemical Kid exclaimed. "You gotta stop with this fellow student stuff, just call us by our names for grife's sake...and 'besties' just means you're really good friends." He switched off the polarised field and stood before them all in a reasonable facsimile of his costume, albeit one which didn't include his holospecs. "Vavalla, huh? Wow, I've never actually been to a medicentre here...the resorts are ultra classier than this dump. So I guess you saved us in the end after all, huh Sojurn?"

<After my teleportation from Mars went awry, I was successful in relocating fellow -- Key Kid and Graym Ranzz> Sojurn telepathically explained, <Variable Lad acted swiftly to rescue yourself, Lullabye Lad and Garridan Ranzz>

"Oaa!" Chemical Kid walked across the room and gave the younger Jaquaan a high five. "You quiet little achiever! Thanks, buddy! Hey, wait a nano...just before I passed out I thought I saw some giant whale with legs or something...was that..?"

"I became a diver mammal," Variable Lad replied with a small self-conscious smile. "That way I could retain enough air capacity within my oral cavity to keep you all alive till I got to the surface, then Sojurn brought us all to Lamprey and she had you admitted here."

Lullabye Lad scrunched up his face. "Oaa, please never tell another living sentient you kept us alive in your oral cavity. Ew."

"Guys..?" Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Key Kid had been silent till now and everyone realised for the first time that he was far more subdued than normal. "Officer Lamprey said they can't contact anyone at headquarters, do you think...do you think everyone's safe?"

"Aw, Miqui!" Lullabye Lad hopped off his own bed to go sit next to Key Kid and put an arm around his shoulder. "It's cute you're worried but I'm sure they're fine, don't worry too much. Legion HQ's always getting invaded or torn down, you get used to it after a while!"

"We're gonna find out anyway," Chemical Kid added nonchalantly. "Sojurn, can you teleport us to Dragonwing, Amp and Fire Lass?"

<Of course> Sojurn affirmed.

"But...Saturn Girl told us to look after her sons?" Key Kid asked, confused.

"And we did that," Hadru answered. "They're out of danger now, they don't need all of us to babysit them. We should probably leave someone here just in case anything comes up though. Key Kid, no offence but your powers aren't much use in combat...you stay here to keep an eye on them and the rest of us will go help the girls."

"Chemical Kid," Variable Lad asked, "Are you certain that this is the best idea? I don't want to get in trouble with our teachers..."

"Come on Oaa," Hadru argued, "You saw how tough that guy was, the Legion need us. If nothing else, I bet they're all too busy fighting him to make sure our classmates are okay and we don't even know where Glorith and Jazmin were when all that went down...you want to help our classmates, don't you?"

"Y-yes..." Variable Lad replied uncertainly as he rubbed his anterior hands together anxiously. "Yes, I...of course I want to help them, Hadru."

"It's settled then!" Hadru clapped. "Key Kid, do us a favour and tell Lamprey where we went when she comes back? Thanks buddy! Let's go, guys! Academy boys to the rescue! And Sojurn."

Chemical Kid, Lullabye Lad and Variable Lad each touched one of Sojurn's tentacles and the four neophyte heroes vanished in a flash of light.

When stars stopped dancing across their field of vision, the boys looked upon a scene that made no sense. They were outside a castle under a moonless sky, and as their eyes adjusted to the darkness they realised that none of the girls they'd ostensibly come here to save were anywhere in the general vicinity. "Sojurn, this teleportation power of yours..." Chemical Kid sucked air between his teeth, "I don't want to be rude or anything but you're not scoring any points for navigation, pal."

<I suspect that Dragonwing, Amp and Fire Lass are situated in separate locations> Sojurn replied. <When my p'rrao has attempted to lock onto multiple targets in the past I have found myself at a locus equidistant to them all>

"...Grife, we need to get them a sprocking translator," Hadru muttered under his breath. "...Never have any clue what they're talking about..." He tapped Variable Lad's head lightly. "Oaa, you got any weird tracker beasts in there somewhere?"

The familiar zap of an electrical blast sounded in the night and the boys all saw a flash of light from somewhere around the perimeter of the imposing castle. "That's gotta be Lightning Lad!" Lullabye Lad perked up. "Come on, let's go!" He broke into a run, the others following close behind. When they arrived, they saw what looked like their teacher alongside six Legionnaires facing off against Dragonwing, Amp and a vaguely humanoid cloud they realised must be Gas Girl.

"Marya?!" Chemical King cried out. "What's going on??"

Dragonwing and Amp turned to face the newcomers but before either of them could reply, Gas Girl spread herself thin between the students and the Legionnaires and then became an impenetrable fog. "Mind control, explain later!" Gas Girl hollered. "Kids, make a run for it! I'll cover for you and catch up--"

The smokescreen that had been Gas Girl became so much grey slush and splattered rudely on the grass before she could complete her sentence. "I'm not letting you little trophies go anywhere," Polar Boy advanced on the students with an unhinged gleam in his eye. "Why be content with three of them when we can have seven?"

Each of the remaining Legionnaires chose a target and as a furious Lightning Lad zoomed straight for Chemical Kid, Hadru wondered if maybe just this once he should have actually listened to Saturn Girl...

**********

MEANWHILE
Inside Mordru's castle...


Black Osiris marched through a large open archway and into the torture chamber Mordru referred to as his playroom.

A scowl crossed the muscular villain's features as he powered on through the enormous space. Black Osiris relished the violent capabilities this form provided him, and in fact he had spent the past few hours exterminating every native sentient he could find across this continent's east coast as though they were so much vermin...but he had little taste for prolonged torture like the kind that went on in this room.

The room was at least three stories high, with massive open windows so far up the wall that the Legionnaires imprisoned here had no hope of reaching them even if they were in any state to try and rescue themselves. Bluestone partitions divided the room into something resembling primitive cells, though it was really Mordru's sorcery that kept each hero confined to their own space.

The open design throughout this castle, the ridiculously oversized windows everywhere, Mordru's insistence on keeping that geomancer girl under his thumb at all times...there were so many signs that had almost instantly revealed to Osiris's supernatural wisdom that Mordru was deeply claustrophobic, but honestly he was surprised those stupid girls hadn't figured it out for themselves by now. If Mordru didn't have them living in terror so effectively, Nightstone could have taken him down anytime she wanted. Black Osiris had long since filed that little fact away for when he decided it was time to stop acting like this old fool's errand boy and start pursuing his own goals, but for now...for now, as much as he might loath it the wisdom of Zehuti also told him that acting like Mordru's errand boy was the best way to move forward.

Many of the cells were empty, in anticipation of future prisoners. Some of them were populated though, and a part of Black Osiris was tempted to bring a swift end to their occupants just to put them out of their misery. He saw the bug-man Strut in a large glass enclosure against the wall, staked through the torso with an oversized pin like some entomologist's trophy. Mordru's magic kept Strut alive, but his agony had him in convulsions and his mandibles clicked and clacked helplessly. Next, Black Osiris walked through a broad beam of intense red light. Shielding his eyes from the brilliance, he couldn't look directly at its source; suspended in the air Sun Boy blazed like his namesake, his tears evaporating before they could fall. Dirk Morgna's voice had long since been screamed raw, but Black Osiris could still hear Supergirl sobbing on the ground below Morgna. Shadow Lass by her side remained stoic for now, but both girls were being slowly burned alive by their teammate's red solar rays.

More empty cells, and then Black Osiris passed the second to last cell. Saturn Girl lay fetal on the cold stone floor, staring wide-eyed and catatonic from the amplified psychic pain of not just her fellow Legionnaires in this castle but every single person Black Osiris had maimed and killed today. Finally Black Osiris found Mordru, Otaki and Nightstone bathed in emerald light at the last cell. The girls traded anxious glances while Mordru gazed upon a six foot tall green lantern with sinister satisfaction. "Mordru," Black Osiris announced himself. "This one wasn't here when I left...you've trapped the Green Lantern girl inside an actual green lantern?"

"Welcome back!" Mordru greeted Black Osiris. "I struggled for inspiration with this one, so many new children in this Legion of Superheroes nowadays...but then it came to me; she is not trapped inside the green lantern, she has been transformed into a green lantern." He chuckled indulgently. "I admit it is facile wordplay, but simple pleasures can still be worthy pleasures...and her lifeforce powers the enchantments that are keeping her allies all safely locked away. When that charge has been used up and her light shines no more, I may hollow her corpse to hold a torch for my trophy room." He looked over what had once been Zoe Saugin like an artist admiring his work, and then turned away. "Come," he beckoned Osiris, Otaki and Nightstone. "I have dispatched the Seven Sins to deal with any heroic stragglers they find upon the grounds, let us view their progress. Black Osiris, you may tell me of your successes along our way."

Everyone followed Mordru's lead, but Otaki followed last. Mordru had forced the girls to pause for an awful amount of time at each cell bearing prisoners, and thanks to Otaki's enhanced mindsense, every single one of them was a repugnant burden. She'd almost broken down when they reached Saturn Girl, but she'd somehow managed to find the resilience to keep going. There had been something vaguely off with Neon though...something she hadn't experienced with any of the other prisoners.

Otaki didn't yet know what that meant, but as she tore herself away from the immobile lantern she realised it was the closest she'd come to hoping things might get better since she and Nightstone had freed Mordru from that cursed rock in the first place...

**********

AVALON
Former Skull Peak base camp


ROLL CALL

Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: hyper-stimulated plant growth, reserve member
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Glorith: time sorceress, Legion Academy student
Harlack: Khund sorceror, Legion ally
Ivy Arcane: Avatar of the Green
Kid Quantum aka Jazmin Cullen: quantum field manipulation, Legion Academy student
Mysa Nal: former sorceress and ex-Legionnaire

Ral Benem looked up anxiously at the person-shaped silhouettes darting around above them here at what was left of the devastated site which had once been a mountain called Skull Peak. "What...what are they?" the former Legionnaire asked. "I know you called them Shadow Demons, but what does that actually mean? Are you sure they're connected to Mordru?"

"Before you joined the Legion," Dream Girl explained to the mostly retired Chlorophyll Kid, "Superboy-Prime brought together a new Legion of Super-Villains...Mordru was among them and he summoned these things to destroy us. They disintegrate people on contact and practically nothing stops them...they almost killed Blok! This soon after Mordru's been freed they must be associated with him, but..."

"...But what?" Mysa Nal asked her sister. "What are you seeing that we're not, Nura?"

"Only one way to make sure I'm right." Dream Girl cast a somber glare toward the unliving shadows passing overhead. "Wish me luck, everyone. Chlorophyll Kid, if I don't come back you're in charge."

"What do you mean--" Ral began to ask, but Dream Girl had already shot straight up into the air with her flight ring.

The Naltorian heroine had planned her ascent; she'd been watching the trajectory of these Shadow Demons, and she was confident that none of them would be crossing overhead when she made her move. Of course, that wouldn't matter if the hunch which had led her up here was wrong. After all, she had no defence against these things and no way to hurt them. Nura journeyed high above the remains of the camp, and as she'd suspected not one of the Shadow Demons followed her. More relevant, she could plot their movements from a better vantage point now and she realised that her initial observation had been correct.
The Shadow Demons weren't flying wildly, they were carrying out a preconceived search pattern. They weren't attacking any of the panicked citizens of Avalon on the ground below, and they hadn't targetted Nura herself even though she was completely exposed to them up here. That meant they were after something or someone else...and though it made her heart sink, Nura realised exactly who their target likely was.

Down below, Dream Girl's allies were making their own observations. "These abominations are nearing, have you all noticed?" Harlack asked the others.

"That's what I thought," Kid Quantum responded. "We learned this in Aerial Warfare on Xanthu...I think they're combing the area and closing in on a central point, but Dream Girl is an obvious target up there; if they're not looking for Legionnaires--"

"It's me," Mysa stepped back inside the tent, her hand over her mouth. "Sweet spirits, I'm his target."

"We don't know that--" Ral began.

"I do," Mysa interrupted him. "Chlorophyll Kid, you don't know how he hates me...it surpasses anything he might feel for the Legion of Superheroes. You all need to leave me and seek safety. The Shadow Demons...they might not slay me, but they will slay anybody else who gets in their way."

"They might not slay you, but they may well lead you to horrors beyond death." Harlack stepped up to Mysa and gripped her shoulders. "Do you think I have not paid attention all the time you were my mistress in the sorcerous arts? I have some idea of the fate that awaits you if that baskurr gets his claws on you, Mysa. I am not going to let that happen."

"Harlack, please..." Mysa's eyes were wet as she returned his stoic stare. "You're not strong enough to resist them on your own..."

"No, I am not." He released Mysa and approached Glorith who still sat on the cot recovering. "But you have taught me what I could never have learned as part of the Khund Empire, Mysa; I am never alone when I am surrounded by those who let love guide their deeds."

Harlack ripped open his shirt, exposing his hairless pink chest. "Glorith," he spoke with surprising gentleness. "What I intend will hurt you momentarily, but it will restore unto you the vitality to help me defend our lady Mysa. Will you allow me to do what I must?"

Glorith met his intense gaze; both of them had known one another for so long in their apprenticeships when Mysa had been the Black Witch...but for all that, she and Harlack had barely ever interacted on a personal level. If there was something the young sorceress trusted implicitly though, it was that Harlack loved Mysa as much as Glorith herself did. The teen sorceress nodded her approval.

Harlack drew a large dagger from a sheath at his side and carved a sigil over his heart. Drawing a smaller but equally sharp blade from a sealed pocket on his boot, he found his mark just above where Glorith's costume left her chest bare and carved the opposite of that symbol into her own flesh. Reciting ancient Khundian incantations, Harlack stood over the young girl and allowed his own wound to bleed into hers. Both of them shuddered for a moment, Glorith's facial markings glowed a deep red instead of their usual silver, and then the two mages shook themselves to their senses while Glorith accustomed herself to the lifeforce that Harlack had shared with her.

As it happened, Dream Girl returned at that exact moment. "Mysa," she began to explain, "I don't want to frighten you more than necessary, but--"

"--I know," Mysa cut her sister off. "If Mordru were chasing any of you, he would have been able to follow Glorith's transmigration trail far more precisely than we're seeing. He has come for me. It always comes down to that monster and me, doesn't it?"

Before anybody could say anything more, one of the Shadow Demons passed intangibly through the roof of Mysa's tent. Invigorated by Harlack's sharing of strength, Glorith gestured toward the unholy creature. A shimmering field appeared before it, and the Shadow Demon pushed itself through incredibly slowly but with eerily silent determination.

Dream Girl shouted Kid Quantum's name, and to her credit the young girl acted immediately. She cast a stasis field around the Shadow Demon and it paused in its tracks. "This thing...I don't know what it is, but it's resisting me!" Jazmin cried out. "Hardly anything can resist my power!"

"It's okay," Dream Girl tried to calm the students down. "We'll get out of here...Chlor, do you have a decoy up your sleeve? These things are single-minded, once we've gone they won't hurt anybody else. We just need to buy Glorith time to cast a spell to get us out of here."

"Maybe," Ral replied. "I'm not really combat ready all the time these days, let me see what I have." He started emptying out his pockets, and as he did so a second Shadow Demon began to descend through the canvas ceiling of the tent.

"Mysa!" Harlack bellowed. "Beware!!" He flung himself at her just as the second demon shot forward, and everyone watched in horror as it passed through the young Khund and disintegrated him entirely.

Mysa screamed in grief and dropped to her knees, but not even ashes were left of the brave sorceror. Meanwhile, the Shadow Demon had passed straight through Harlack and disappeared into the ground. As it started to emerge once more, Ral finally grabbed hold of something useful nestled in a hidden pouch in his belt.

"This is gonna be rough!" Ral warned while he clutched his murmuring child close to him. A Bizicran Redwood shot up beneath them, its roots digging deep beneath the surface as Ral Benem caused its branches to curl protectively around the group. Seconds later, the group was nestled safely among the enormous tree's leaves hundreds of feet up but the Shadow Demons had seen where they were now and were flying up to meet them.

"Glorith!" Dream Girl commanded. "We need to leave! Get us out of here to anywhere!"

The young girl paused, fixated on Mysa whose face was buried in her hands as she mourned the death of her longtime friend and companion. Ivy Arcane had now awoken fully and begun crying in response to the hysteria going on around her, which only added to the overall atmosphere of anxiety.

"Glorith!!" Dream Girl screeched more urgently. "We need to go!!"

The teenager stared in wide-eyed fear at the approaching monsters, but Nura Nal's shrill fear was enough to shock at least Mysa out of her despair. Mysa looked at the horde of Shadow Monsters gaining on them, and with tears streaming down her cheeks she launched herself at Glorith.

"I'm sorry, Glorith...I'm so sorry!" Mysa sobbed.

Glorith began to come around from the trauma of seeing Harlack killed. "What...what do you mean, Mistress?"

While Kid Quantum and Chlorophyll Kid both pushed themselves to slow the Shadow Demons with entwined branches and quantum fields, Mysa grabbed Glorith's head and stared into her eyes. "I pray you won't hate me for this, but....Glorith of Baaldur return...Glorith of Baaldur return...Glorith of Baaldur return!!"

There was a stunning strobe burst of multi-hued light, and where once had cowered a meek dark-skinned teenager with facial tattoos now sauntered a bronzed amazon with a thick head of hair almost the same platinum tone as Dream Girl. This woman was clearly an adult and far more self-assured than the girl she'd replaced, with oversized white spiked shoulder pads carrying a white cape which billowed out dramatically around her calves. She had similarly white opera gloves and thigh high boots, along with a metallic purple strapless leotard. "I'm back!" the woman announced victoriously. "I can't believe I'm finally back! Tell me, any of you...where is the Black Witch that she might earn my wrath?"

"Ask us later!" Dream Girl pointed at the approaching Shadow Demons, thinking quickly. "Right now, if you don't take care of Mordru's servants then none of us will be around long enough to help you find her!" Nura had no idea what Mysa had done here, but she had to trust that her sister had summoned this woman because she had the power to help them. She wasn't disappointed when this new blonde bombshell cast an intricate gesture and every single approaching Shadow Demon vanished in a rainbow flash.

"I have helped you," the stranger decreed imperiously, "Now I think it's time you told me exactly what is going on here before I turn you all into so much protoplasm and find out myself."

"Where is Glorith?" Kid Quantum demanded. "What have you done with Glorith?!"

"Darling child," the blonde woman stroked Jazmin's chin. "I am Glorith. None of this answers my question though...if none of you are going to explain what has happened or how I am back where I belong--"

"I'll explain everything." Mysa manoeuvered herself between this new Glorith and Kid Quantum. "But first...but first I need you to give us your word that you'll help us defeat Mordru."

"That old fool??" The new Glorith threw her head back and laughed. "I'd be happy to, dear. But these Shadow Demons...if they're the quality of fodder he sends after pathetic wretches such as yourselves then he obviously has power to spare. I'll need some high-powered reinforcements and to be brutally honest, I doubt any of you are up to the task."

"We're plenty powerful!" Jazmin protested. "Powerful enough to find out what you did to my friend!"

"Are you, little sweetheart?" Glorith gave her a patronising look. "Let's just find out, shall we?" Her eyes glowed with occult power as she looked the group over. She paused with obvious curiosity when she came to Ral and Ivy, and a wicked smile crossed her face. "Well, what do you know...from the very mouths of babes." A nimbus of light surrounded her with increasing intensity, and when the glow faded both this new Glorith and Ivy had vanished.

"No!!" Ral yelled. "What has she done?? Mysa, who was that? Make her come back! Make her bring Ivy back!!"

As quickly as they'd vanished, a flash of light heralded their return. This time though, the mysterious new Glorith was not accompanied by an infant...she was accompanied by a fully grown young woman, her athletic build clothed in different shades of green. In place of hair, her scalp was covered with small closely packed green leaves. The dark skinned woman stared down her nose at the astonished heroes surrounding her.

"I know everything, Mysa." Glorith smiled savagely. "I know you were the Black Witch and I know you were responsible for my exile. I want you to know that you will experience untold agonies before I take my final revenge upon you, but right now..?

...Right now, let's kill Mordru."

TO BE CONTINUED!!!
yay! next bit up!

LOL at Hadru being the spoiled rich kid even while waking up...

yay! Lamprey!! I love your Tayla, so happy to see her any time. Also love that she still considers herself an Academy kid.

also lol at Hadru still being annoyed at nearly drowning... credits to him for thinking of the Ranzz kids...

smart move of Sojurn to bring them to Vavalla, and I like the small limitation on his power re needing to calculate WHERE he ends up...

practical bit with Lullabye Lad, yeah, when in stone form he could end up anywhere...

yay called it, it WAS Variable Lad who was the giant swallowing thingie!

Smart of Variable Lad to think of oxygen...

Love how Hadru just vacillates between congratulating people and snarking in disgust... I know people like that in real life, always keep me on my toes... (so I also hang out with them less, you know lol)

sigh, not surprised Hadru just goes charging off into battle... and Sojurn and company listened. Come on kids, Lamprey literally just said Nightwind was on the way to pick you up...

ouch, Gas Girl! nice work of her giving cover, but...

called it again! Seven Deadly Sins, with Polar Boy possessed by Greed!

oy, six students vs. seven possessed Active/Reserve Legionnaires frown

ugh, I hate Black Osiris more and more. I guess the only saving grace is it seems he killed his victims fast, but... why? Looking forward to his comeuppance later

nice bit re Osiris' wisdom coming through, and analyzing Mordru's claustrophobia, Nightstone's terror... also, good job upping the ante, as this adds another angle...

ahh grife, these tortures are awful frown and those are the last of our missing Legionnaires...

ooopph. Zoe as a real lantern... though less painful, I hope... hmm, I wonder where the "off" thing Otaki sensed is leading... maybe Mordru doesn't understand Zoe's lantern energy as well as he thinks eh?

or... or... are you going to boomeranrg back to Legion of 3 Worlds (this came to me when I read Dream Girl's explanation re the plot!) and do something with the magics Mordru absorbed from the Reboot reality Zoe???

Love seeing Nura's smarts in action! and love Jazmin and Mysa being smart enough to keep up

nice quick bit re the relationship between Glorith, Harlak and Mysa as teacher/student

ah frack. Harlak's death... that hurt frown

AHHHHH another brilliant twist, raz, linking our Glorith to THE 5YL Glorith! whooo! even though they shared the same name, this was unexpected!

Love seeing more of Nura's smarts, getting Glorith to deal with the immediate danger...

also interesting to see Glorith gauge Mordru's strength, based on the power of the shadow demons

oy, what dod Glorith do to Ivy...

and Mysa is not out of the woods yet.

wow, this was amazing raz, amazing, nice way to tie and progress various threads (Ivy, Glorith, Otaki, Nightstone...)


this is epic genius!
and update on the roll call:

18 missing -- all identified

Shadow Lass (being tortured)
Gas Girl (fighting the deadly sins, maybe wink )
Lightning Lass (possessed by 7 deadly sins, maybe wink )
Life Lass (possessed by 7 deadly sins, maybe wink )
Polar Boy (possessed by 7 deadly sins, maybe wink )
Gravity Kid (possessed by 7 deadly sins, maybe wink )
Crystal Kid (possessed by 7 deadly sins, maybe wink )
Matter-Eater Lad (possessed by 7 deadly sins, maybe wink )
Firecrest (enchanted into a fight)
Wildfire (enchanted into a fight)
Dream Girl (escaped to Avalon)
Elastic Lad (being tortured)
Diamond Damsel (assumes Tinya's group doesn't know what happened to her)
Blok (assumes Tinya's group doesn't know what happened to him)
Neon (being tortured)
Supergirl II, Laurel Kent (being tortured)
Strut (being tortured)
Sun Boy (being tortured)

NOT missing - either mentioned, or due to process of elimination

Chameleon Boy
Colossal Boy
Dawnstar
Infectious Lass
King Canary
Light Lad
Mon-El
Shrinking Violet
Tellus
Ultra Boy
Star Boy
Mwindaji
Dragonmage
Evolvo Lad
Kid Computo
Nightwind
Phantom Girl
Comet Queen (was with Tinya)
Color Kid
Cosmic Boy
Element Lad
Invisible Kid II
Night Girl
Stone Boy
Timber Wolf

Reservists

Lightning Lad (possessed by 7 deadly sins, maybe wink )
Saturn Girl (being tortured)
Chlorophyll Kid (with Dream Girl on Avalon)
Chameleon Girl (with Phantom Girl's group)
Thanks for the feedback IB!

Hadru would honestly be the most infuriating little snot in real life, but he's fun to write sometimes lol...although he may actually face a consequence this time for constantly just doing whatever he wants!

You and Harbinger were indeed right about Variable Lad, good job!

And right on the money again about the Seven Deadly Sins! I have got a couple fun encounters with them coming up now that all the players are in the right position!

I think Zoe's little mystery is gonna lead to a good resolution at some point and that's all I am gonna say about that! wink

I had to convince myself to go through with some of the tortures and deaths in this story, but I think Mordru really needs a big stakes story like this - the Legion comics Mordru finds himself in don't really sell how big a threat he's meant to be a lot of the time.

Mysa is DEFINITELY not out of the woods yet, and Glorith is gonna steal some more spotlight before all this is over!

NEXT UP: TIME FOR SOME BIG FIGHTS Y'ALL!!!

oh I nearly forgot! Very good detective work on the team breakup, you got them all!
yes! consequences for Hadru, please! a little timely lesson tongue

yay! that's the fun (and tricky) thing about characters like Variable Lad, who can throw quite a curveball with their powers... it did take me a moment or two to remember he was along, so good job too for how you wrote it!

yay! looking forward to more Deadly Sins!

also yay re Zoe's little mystery! still my favorite across any boot!

yeah I totally get it, it's tough to hurt or kill darlings, but a villain like Mordru.... I gotta say, I also need to do better re actually being willing to hurt or kill MY characters smile you're better than I am at that haha

re team breakup yay! though you gave all the clues, it was a matter of getting your full roll call and crossing out identified names smile
Hey Raz,

Really happy to see there's a new intallment and here are my thoughts as I read through/:


Haha, Hadru's thoughts on his bed! That ve me a laugh, he's such a princess feeling every pea.

Nice to see Lamprey again, and referencing her friendship with Sojurn. Interesting that Sojurn needs to calculate the teleportation - makes for a nice limitation.

"Okay, I don't have any idea what any of that means except that it's Marya's fault. Good, at least I know who to punch in the nose now." hhaha good line. Nice also that Hadru followed this up be asking about the boys - he's not a total jerk.

"It's cute you're worried but I'm sure they're fine, don't worry too much. Legion HQ's always getting invaded or torn down, you get used to it after a while!" another nice line.

Of course it's Hadru that talks the students into doing something reckless! And Gas Girl being frozen - and turned into slush! - was unexpected as she's the one Legionnaire on your team I expect to get away scott-free. It's good to have my preconceptions challenged. The students are in for trouble, and I hope they all survive!

Black Osiris is really savage, killing all the indigenies, though it's a good nuance to his character that he doesn't like torture. And they are some pretty brutal tortures!

I do wnder sometimes if Nura is really brave or just reacting because her visions says so. still, flying into a sky of shadow demons is pretty suicidal either way. Mordru targetting Mysa makes sense, she'll be the one he most wants revenge on, and she's powerless!

Nice little fight scene with Kid Q and Gllorith slowing the demons down giving Ral the opportunity to act. As I read Harlack restoring Glorith I thought to myself "he's being a great supporting character, if he was mine I'd probably kill him off". Now I feel sad as you've done it!


Glorith of Baaldur!

I'm stunned, actually stunned that you brought her back. She's such a crazy character, really everything about female villains from the 1990's - all shoulder pads, sass and thighs Aging Ivy and learning that Mysa was the Black Witch - she'll cause tears before this is all over.


Raz, you've thrown several great curveballs at this story and I'm waiting for more, more, more!
Thanks Harbi!

haha that bit with Chemical Kid was definitely channelling the princess and the pea, wasn't it?

I will expand on Sojurn's powers eventually, I thought it'd be a nice quirk to customise their teleportation a bit smile

I was a little unsure how writing the Academy boys on their own would work out, as Marya and Hadru generally drive the group dynamic...it gave me a chance to think about what kind of friends and classmates they'd be when I can't just have Marya blowing her fuse about something every couple of minutes to drive interactions though!

Quote
I do wonder sometimes if Nura is really brave or just reacting because her visions says so
This is a good observation! After all there have been plenty of times when classic Nura has been weirdly 'damsel in distress' so it does kind of make you wonder about what's driving the times where she's cool under pressure!

Poor Harlack, even though I've only ever used him like 9 or 10 times I did quite like him! #RIPinpeace little buddy!

There's definitely gonna be an interesting revelation about Ivy next instalment, and hopefully Glorith as well if I can fit it in there - she's got 40 other characters to compete against for the spotlight, but like you said she's all shoulder pads, sass and thighs so I like her chances! wink
DEEP SPACE
On board a Legion cruiser


ROLL CALL
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn: magnetism
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility

Phantom Girl paced the bridge of her cruiser with her arms folded, one finger tapping against her bicep anxiously. "Brin, anything from Dawnstar yet?"

Sitting at the comms console, Timber Wolf stifled a low growl. "...No," he forced himself to be more civil than he'd have liked. "Just like the last four times you asked, Phantom Girl."

"Ugh! Guys, I'm sorry." Phantom Girl leaned against a console, her shoulders slumped. "I know I'm probably driving you all space crazy. I'm just worried, you know? The longer it takes us to find Mordru..."

The only other two Legionnaires on the bridge were Night Girl and Cosmic Boy, and Lydda now cast a pointed look at her husband which very clearly told him to help his friend. "Phantom Girl," Rokk stood up and awkwardly pat her shoulder. "Tinya...it's okay. We all understand, we're worried too. And believe me, I know how much more stressful it is when you're the leader and you feel like you have to have everything under control at all times but--"

"Uh, Phantom Girl?" Timber Wolf turned in his chair. "We've got an incoming transmission from...the Science Police on Vavalla..?"

Tinya took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "I swear, Hadru...this is not the time for you to get in trouble partying again." She straightened her posture and cleared her throat. "Thanks, Timber Wolf - screen up please." A flat holographic panel took over the bridge's viewscreen, displaying a very annoyed Nightwind and Lamprey. "Hi girls," Phantom Girl greeted the two with the little enthusiasm she could muster. "Please tell me those boys haven't done something stupid."

"You bet they have!" Nightwind shot back. "That idiot Chemical Kid convinced Sojurn to take them back so they can play hero and rescue the other students!"

Tinya took a moment to let it sink in. "Okay...okay, wait. This might not be so bad - if they've just teleported back home, there's nothing more dangerous there than a big hole in the ground."

"You don't understand," Lamprey corrected her, "They left Key Kid behind and he told us everything...they haven't gone back to your base, they've gone to wherever Dragonwing is."

"Sojurn's a tracker??" Phantom Girl fired up. "Why isn't this in their file?!"

"They're not really a tracker," Lamprey elaborated, "They have a...look, I don't know how to explain it, but they have a different perception of space than we do. They've got a whole extra sense that allows them to lock in on any target as long as it's a familiar one, even if they don't consciously know where that place or person or whatever is. S'jn calls it a parrayo or p'rro or something like that. But the point is - I believe Sojurn definitely has it in them to teleport directly to wherever Dragonwing is. Which means--"

"Which means they're most likely wherever Mordru is," Phantom Girl finished the sentence, deflated. "Sprock..."

"Phantom Girl, there's something else." Nightwind's tone carried the serious nature of what she was about to say. "Key Kid had no idea about Mordru at all. They were running from Black Osiris. Xao told me how much trouble he caused on Avalon, if he and Mordru are working together..."

The four Legionnaires on the bridge of the cruiser were speechless for a moment. All of them had either read the mission logs or spoken to friends who'd been on that mission. Phantom Girl knew it was more important than ever that they get to their teammates, but if Dawnstar couldn't find them -- Tinya's eyes widened as she realised Chemical Kid might have just unintentionally saved the day. "Nightwind, hold that thought!" Phantom Girl raised a finger. "Brin! Get Dawnstar online!"

"Phantom Girl," the tracker from Starhaven began as soon as her hologram shimmered into view. Her crestfallen expression betrayed exactly what she was about to say. "I regret that--"

"--you can't find them," Phantom Girl cut her off, something approaching excitement in her voice. "I know, you would have told me by now if you had. Forget the Legion, Dawny. Forget Mordru."

"Phantom Girl..?" Forgetting her team leader's rudeness, Dawnstar raised an eyebrow. "Are you...well?"

"I'll explain everything on the way but we might not have much time so you need to do this right now - find Chemical Kid. Find that irritating little squaj Hadru Jamik, and Lullabye Lad and Variable Lad and Sojurn. If Mordru and Black Osiris haven't killed them yet, I'm going to personally wring their necks myself but then they're all getting posthumous medals if this works."

"Black Osiris?? I...never mind." Everyone saw the expression on Dawnstar's face change from utter confusion to cold resolve. "I will ask Mon-El to call you back for your explanation," she said with the almost condescending level of confidence her teammates expected from her. "...I have a trail to follow." The transmission switched off, and Timber Wolf whooped loud enough that it sounded throughout the whole ship.

In the galley, Dragonmage and Mwindaji had been spending this entire time trying to console Comet Queen. Grava had put up a brave face as long as she could, but her fear for her family and friends had become too overwhelming and she'd spent the past few minutes bawling inconsolably down here where none of the senior Legionnaires would see her.

Though they had good intentions, Xao Jin and Mwindaji were both so keenly self-disciplined that neither of them had the first clue how to relate to this kind of emotional distress. Xao had been just about to give up and go ask Cosmic Boy or Night Girl for help when they all heard Timber Wolf's exuberant cheer. "What...what was that..?" Grava sniffed.

"I do not know," Mwindaji replied with a reassuring smile, "But it sounds very much like our fortunes have reversed, does it not?"

"You think...you think we'll be stellariffic after all, starshines..?" Comet Queen gazed imploringly at the two boys.

"Why don't you take a moment to collect yourself and we'll all go find out together, Comet Queen?" Dragonwing replied. Taking a chance, the young sorceror beckoned Mwindaji and Grava closer and continued in a secretive whisper. "I must say though...have you ever heard Timber Wolf sound this happy about something? Things must be looking up!"

Comet Queen's tears immediately transformed to a childish giggle, and though it was an enigma to the two boys how one person could contain such extremes they all walked back toward the bridge with a newfound optimism.

...things were surely going to get better from here.

**********

ELSEWHERE

ROLL CALL
Legion Academy
Amp aka Ming Sul: amplification of any power or characteristic
Chemical Kid aka Hadru Jamik: control of chemical reactions
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Sojurn aka S'jn: interdimensional cephalopod; teleportation, telekinesis, telepathy
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

Legion of Superheroes
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Life Lass aka Somi Gan: matter animation
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: reserve Legionnaire, Legion Academy co-head; electricity generation and manipulation
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis

Hadru Jamik's whole world exploded in a strobe burst of pain as he was struck full in the chest with a lightning bolt from his teacher.

Lightning Lad had blasted Chemical Kid with extremely low doses of electricity before in training exercises, and a few times the voltage had been high enough to take the teenager's breath away for a second or two. This...this was a whole different level. As Chemical Kid lay motionless in the damp grass outside Mordru's castle, he stared wide-eyed into the starry sky above and wondered if this was the second near-death experience he'd have today. Suddenly Hadru was acutely aware of his blood pounding in his ears, and he pushed himself up on his elbows to...to do what exactly he wasn't quite sure, but he couldn't just lie here and wait for his brainwashed mentor to murder him.

Hadru saw Lightning Lad's boot coming at him and rolled aside in a panic, but the kick still caught his jaw and Chemical Kid's world exploded again. Chemical Kid struggled to ask why this was happening but he couldn't talk properly and his ears were ringing so loudly he could barely hear himself anyway. Garth yanked him by the back of the coat and threw him onto his back on the ground then kneeled on his arms, pinning him down.

"Do you know how long you've been asking for this?" Garth Ranzz snarled almost incoherently. "You come here from Phlon with your daddy's credits, you think you can usurp the legacy of a real hero--" Lightning Lad was stronger than he should be, and Chemical Kid could feel a low charge circulating through his whole body. As Garth's first punch rained down on Hadru's face, Chemical Kid realised Lightning Lad must be using his electrical energy to galvanise his musculature. "Chemical King sacrificed himself to save a whole damn planet that wasn't even his homeworld--" another fist slammed into Hadru's face "--and your only legacy is going to be that you got yourself and your stupid little friends killed because you couldn't--" CRACK "--obey--" KKRUNCHH "--a sprocking--" SLAM "--instruction!!"

"Teacher! Teacher, please!" Variable Lad's voice broke with emotion as he ran to stop Lightning Lad from killing his friend. An oblong-shaped stone larger than Oaa's fist suddenly struck him square in the back, barely avoiding his third arm. The young Jaquaan tumbled over out of breath, and Variable Lad scanned the battlefield in a confused daze to see who was responsible. He settled on the one Legionnaire who hadn't actively engaged anyone yet, Life Lass lounging on a sofa she'd constructed from stones taken from the wall of the castle. "Please, Life Lass, I - I don't want to hurt you, I can't always control my transformations that well--"

"You adorable little purple cherub, thank you!" The raven-haired heroine gave him an unnaturally sweet smile. "Because honestly, I'm so comfortable here and I'd really rather not have to exert myself anymore than necessary." She flicked two fingers lazily toward Variable Lad and two more stones dislodged themselves to come flying at him.

Dragonwing could see Lightning Lad and Life Lass pummelling Hadru and Oaa, but she was too distracted countering every one of Polar Boy's attempted attacks to do anything about it. The problem was that with Gas Girl out of the picture the mind-controlled Legionnaires had the advantage of experience and numbers.

"Dragonwing, this is so silly," Polar Boy taunted her as he created a misshapen chunk of ice around her feet to immobilise her. "You must know I could just freeze every drop of moisture in your body, and fire breath won't help with that. Why are you bothering to fight?"

"Why don't you do it then, nasshead?" Marya spat a wide spray of corrosive venom at him. As expected, Polar Boy erected an ice wall to protect himself but it took him a few seconds to get around the remains of the melted barrier to face her again. In that time, Marya used her flame breath to escape her own trap.

"I don't want to damage you materially too much," Polar Boy gladly explained. "There has to be some deviant who'll buy you kids once we've humbled you and it wouldn't do to have you all brittle and shattery now, would it? Bad enough that Lightning Lad's probably going to leave Chemical Kid unrecognisable, that's really going to lower his value." He propelled solid balls of ice the size of moopsballs at her and Dragonwing managed to dodge one while melting a second, but the third smashed into her hip and knocked her off-balance.

Falling over with a clumsy yelp, Marya realised this had to be more than just mind-control. Lightning Lad was so full of rage, and although Marya was only barely familiar with Polar Boy she couldn't imagine this kind of creepiness was something that Brek Bannin carried around inside himself normally. They're gonna slaughter us, Marya thought, And they know we can't fight back properly because we don't want to hurt them. She knew what she needed to do...this was going to leave her wide open, but they needed a Legionnaire to fight Legionnaires. Ignoring Polar Boy, Dragonwing turned her flame breath on the pile of slush that had been Gas Girl moments ago. The slush evaporated beneath Marya's mystic fire, and the instant Dragonwing stopped to take a breath her head was encased in ice and Marya Pai fell.

Lullabye Lad meanwhile was completely unaware of anything going on with his classmates, because the second the fight had begun Crystal Kid had created a perimeter of crystal separating Waiane from the others. "You think you're so special, don't you?" Bobb spat as he used his flight ring to descend from above. "You got into the Academy because your brother's a Legionnaire, you got yourself a hot boyfriend...your life might be better than mine but you're not better than me! You know that, right?"

Lullabye Lad shook his head vigorously, perplexed. "Crystal Kid, what are you talking about? My ex-boyfriend dumped me for you and you're in the Legion! How is my life better than yours?!"

"Because none of this was easy for me!" Crystal Kid sounded exactly like a petulant child. "None of this just fell into my lap! Tel and I fell to pieces before we even began and...and you know what? It doesn't matter anyway, I'm going to turn you to crystal and then every day for the rest of my life I'll know that I got the life that I deserve while you'll just be gathering dust in a hall somewhere forever."

Bobb gestured at the wide-eyed youth and Waiane's body transformed into lifeless crystal with an eerie tinkling noise, but then something very odd happened. Almost immediately the crystal fractured and fell into powdered shards, and Crystal Kid saw Lullabye Lad standing before him as dull grey stone.

"You petrified yourself?" Crystal Kid whined. "You think showing off your extra power is going to help you because I'm stuck with just one? Turning to stone is a stupid power, I can still turn you to crystal just as easy! I'm better than you and I'll--"

The color abruptly returned to Lullabye Lad's skin and hair as he changed once more to human form, and while Crystal Kid was still startled Waiane walloped him in the gut. "I can't believe that worked," Lullabye Lad babbled gleefully while the doubled over Crystal Kid recovered. "I thought if I could turn myself to stone the same time you tried to turn me to crystal then my transformation would override your transformation and then if I could time it right like Dag does then -- oh! I probably should pat myself on the back later, huh? Go to sleep now, ya big baby."

Crystal Kid's retort became a drawn-out monotone as he slumped to the ground and started snoring. As Lullabye Lad was pondering how he was going to overcome this huge wall of crystal to help the others, he suddenly felt an all too familiar upwards lurching and noticed that he was surrounded in a thin sheath of blue energy. Moments later, Gravity Kid's power had propelled him two hundred feet straight up and Tel Vole floated just above Waiane beaming smugly.

Gravity Kid descended slightly, still making sure to maintain the higher position between the two of them. "I can't believe Bobb just debased himself like that, all that incessant mewling about how bad he's got it...pathetic. Anyway, look at your widdle face thinking hard...you can't figure out how to beat me, can you? Put me to sleep and it's a big drop, Waiane."

"You know I can turn to stone, right?" Lullabye Lad tried to hide his nervousness behind a disinterested tone. "My brother's survived worse falls than this, I don't see why I wouldn't."

"But what about me?" Tel mocked him. "I disabled my flight ring's auto-hover function, you knock me out and I drop like a...heh, like a stone I guess. Are you really gonna smash all this to pieces?" He looked himself up and down, clearly appreciating what he saw. "You won't do it Lullabye Lad, you don't have what it takes to just outright murder me...you're never going to measure up to me in any way and I just wanted a nano to gloat about that before I put you out of your misery."

"I think there's something weird going on with those Legionnaires down there." Waiane tried to change position to look down at everyone below, but all he could do was pitch gracelessly while Tel's power was in effect. "There's no way Crystal Kid is actually jealous of me, and nobody else is acting like themselves either...so how come whatever it is didn't change you? You're still the same narcissistic batjerk you've always been!"

Gravity Kid seethed silently for a moment before his eyes narrowed and Lullabye Lad rolled over with a pained cry. "Congratulations, you got a last jab in...you're still gonna know while I crush your organs that the truth is I'm just too good for you, Waiane."

The pain was so unbearable that Lullabye Lad couldn't have focused enough to put Gravity Kid to sleep even if he had been willing to risk Tel's life like that. Lullabye Lad heard something crack inside himself and uttered another sharp scream. Turning back to stone at this point was more of a reflex action than anything else and so Waiane missed out on seeing what came next as his body changed to unmoving stone once more.

Gravity Kid was pondering whether to continue crushing his ex-boyfriend or simply launch him out of the atmosphere when the smell of something vaguely sweet entered his nostrils. A second later he passed out, but before he could fall too far Gas Girl congealed from the night air and wrapped a hand around his waist. "I can't believe you actually switched your flight ring off," the bald heroine muttered under her breath. "They say pride goes before a fall so that's another one of you creeps identified..."

Gas Girl winced as she heard the thunk of Lullabye Lad's petrified form hit the ground below; she'd floated up here as quickly as she could, but propelling herself in gas form was nowhere near as fast as a flight ring. Still, she'd seen Stone Boy take a lot of damage...she just hoped his little brother was equally durable.

She could check on Lullabye Lad after she'd checked on the other kids, but before any of that she had to complete what she'd started with Polar Boy, Lightning Lad, poor Somi and Gravity Kid here and take the two last possessed Legionnaires off the battlefield...

Matter-Eater Lad dodged another blow from the student named Amp and Tenzil's eyebrows raised as he watched her fist take a chunk out of the castle wall instead. Tenzil Kem shovelled a handful of rubble into his mouth and mumbled something to Amp as he crunched down on the shattered fragments of bluestone.

"What...what are you even doing?" Amp stood back, mildly repulsed.

In response, Tenzil spat a finely pulverized spray of stone and dust into Amp's face. "I said I was giving myself an advantage," he gulped down the remainder of his weird snack. "Not all of us can just increase our strength whenever we want." He strode up to Amp while she was blinking dust from her eyes and bent her wounded arm backwards.

Ming Sul collapsed against the wall with a pained screech, refusing to allow shock to take over. "That's it..." she grimaced. "Gloves are...off..."

"You're a feisty one," Matter-Eater Lad smirked. "I can't wait to see how feisty tastes."

He hadn't moved another inch towards her when Matter-Eater Lad suddenly felt a burning cramp tear through his abdomen. He fell to his knees clutching his stomach and glared at Ming Sul. "What did you...what did you do to me?!"

"Don't ask me, it's your stomach acid..." Amp had hoped to sound nonchalant but her voice betrayed how weak she felt right now. "I just gave it a little boost. And now--"

Electricity suddenly coursed through Amp's body and she collapsed to the grass. Lightning Lass sauntered over and straddled her from behind, then teasingly ran a finger over Amp's body as she intermittently pumped enough voltage in to the girl to make her convulse slightly again and again. Amp's eyes rolled back in her head...she was dimly aware that Lightning Lass seemed to be taking some perverse pleasure in her discomfort, and she registered Matter-Eater Lad saying something about being hungry, but the cascades of sensation were too overpowering for her to really process any of it.

"I would have been here sooner," Lightning Lass beckoned Matter-Eater Lad to approach with one crooked finger, "But I had to make sure none of these other babies were gonna wake up anytime soon. That octopus kid, all those tentacles...but now I am here, why don't the three of us have some fun? You must be dying to put that mouth to work, Gluttony. Besides, we need to finish up here and go find that Gas Girl...I'm pretty sure she KO'd the rest of us."

With Amp's power no longer in effect, Matter-Eater Lad slowly regained his composure as he watched Ayla Ranzz toy with the Lalloran student. "Lust, you've had your fun but you're right....I'm so hungry, let me have the girl. I know you like to watch almost as much as you like to play."

"Got me there, honey." Lightning Lass took her time climbing off of Amp's shuddering body, and made herself comfortable sitting against the wall. Matter-Eater Lad lifted Amp's hand closer, but before he could so much as open his mouth he saw Ayla cast a seductive glance at someone behind him.

Gas Girl was standing nearby, helping a weakened Dragonwing stand. "Were you going to eat her?" Marya's lip curled in disgust. "What the sprock is wrong with you?!"

"It's not Matter-Eater Lad," Gas Girl explained. "You're the Seven Deadly Sins, aren't you? I heard Mordru talking about you all when I was looking for the rest of the Legion earlier."

"I thought you said you took care of those kids!" Matter-Eater Lad barked at Lightning Lass.

"This one was still fighting her way out of Greed's little snowball," Ayla replied as she leered at Dragonwing. "She's more of a tiger than I thought."

"Dragon," Marya corrected her, "And I'll be happy to show you just how much of a dragon I am, you--"

"Dragonwing, stop!" Gas Girl snapped. "They've got Amp's life in their hands, we have to be careful."

"That's right," Lightning Lass stood up before Matter-Eater Lad and Amp. "That means you keep that sexy body right there where I can see it, Gas Girl...you discorporate and so does this little latex-covered cutie."

"I don't care!" Matter-Eater Lad snapped. "I'm so damn hungry! At least let me have some of the girl's fingers!!"

Gas Girl and Dragonwing both began running toward Matter-Eater Lad as they saw him bite down on one of Amp's knuckles but before anybody could do anything a red and blue blur came in out of nowhere and swept Matter-Eater Lad and Lightning Lass both off their feet. A moment later, Mon-El was floating a few inches above the ground with the two Legionnaires dangling limply by his side. "Hello, girls," he greeted Gas Girl, Dragonmage and a slowly recuperating Amp. "You're safe now."

"Mon-El, I could kiss you!" Gas Girl beamed with excitement.

"Don't let Shadow Lass hear you say that," Jo Nah's voice joked from behind them. Gas Girl and Dragonwing turned to see Ultra Boy, Chameleon Boy, Dawnstar, King Canary, Shrinking Violet and Chameleon Girl descending from the night sky.

"The whole Legion's here?" Dragonwing asked hopefully.

"Those of us who could make ourselves small enough for Dawnstar, Mon-El or Ultra Boy to carry," Chameleon Boy pointed out. "But the others are on their way.

Now...tell us what you know."

**********

The inhabitants of Mordru's castle remained mostly ignorant of what was transpiring outside. Mordru had grown tired of watching the Seven Deadly Sins decimate the Legion Academy students via his crystal orb and had sent Black Osiris back out to continue his slaughter of this world's native populace while the dark sorceror kept himself busy redecorating his playroom. "I need female input," Mordru spoke to Otaki and Nightstone in a relaxed tone that still somehow seemed to be equally intimidating as when he was flaunting his power. "Do you think I should place the man of stone opposite Sun Boy's cell or the Green Lantern's? I am not sure whether his features are better enhanced by crimson or emerald lighting."

"What does it matter--" Nightstone began to ask, increasingly disturbed that she was being forced to take part in this macabre pantomime.

"The Green Lantern!" Otaki quickly cut her off. "My mentor...look at how...how haunted Blok seems when he's lit up by that creepy green glow."

"I believe you're absolutely right, young Otaki." Mordru smiled down at her like a kindly grandfather. "Emerald lighting it is."

While Mordru was distracted using magic to levitate Blok's unmoving form into the space opposite the shining green lantern that was once Zoe Saugin, Nightstone stared daggers at Otaki. Otaki ignored both of them and focused as much of her mindsense as she could onto that iconic emerald construct as she could without drawing Mordru's attention. The results were as deeply frustrating as they were unsatisfying; Neon's consciousness was swiftly degrading, there was barely enough of a mind there to even divine...and what Otaki could sense told her nothing more than she already knew. Something was drawing the remnants of Zoe Saugin's prodigious willpower to focus on Mordru, but Otaki was no closer to knowing what it was or why. Suddenly Otaki sensed something else which made her gasp out loud.

"The Legion!"

She covered her mouth as soon as she realised what she'd said but it was too late. Mordru dropped Blok with an undignified crash and spun on Otaki. He'd spent so long using his sorcerous might to enhance her mindsense that he bore an intimate connection with her now. Otaki reflexively attempted to shield herself from his mystic probe which she knew from experience was painful, but intellectually she knew that it was a pointless struggle. A moment later, Mordru was as aware as Otaki herself that a group of Legionnaires had arrived outside. The dark mage released his grip on Otaki, and the young woman fell to the floor clutching her head and praying that he hadn't picked up on anything else she'd been thinking.

Nightstone ran to Otaki's side and helped her stand. "What's going on?!" she demanded. She was just as scared of Mordru as ever, but she was not naturally a person inclined to subservience and spending this long playing his indentured sidekick was beginning to grate on her.

"Some friends have arrived," Mordru explained. His tone was benevolent, but the evil in his gaze reminded Nightstone that she needed to play it much more cautiously with him than she had been. "They're earlier than expected, but never mind...what kind of a host would I be if I didn't greet them? Otaki. Call Black Osiris back as well, would you? I'm sure he's ready to put his power to a much greater use than I've been demanding of him till now."

With Nightstone and herself now in physical contact, Otaki could read her intentions without even trying. Otaki could sense just how badly Nightstone wanted her to ignore Mordru's command, but Otaki also knew that Mordru would instantly know if she failed him...it was a chance she couldn't take. While she called out to Black Osiris thousands of miles away, both girls watched Mordru utter dark incantations and weave patterns in the air. The light in the room seemed to dim momentarily, and neither of the girls could help releasing a surprised yelp as a horde of creatures composed of pure darkness emerged from every shadow in the room and darted straight past them and outside the many huge windows along the walls.

"Do not fear, girls." Mordru stared down at them both with a predatory fire that told them they should be very much afraid. "My Shadow Demons are here for the Legion of Superheroes...and they have not even been summoned at full strength. I want the Legion humbled, not slain. That pleasure belongs to me personally."

A flash of light exploded noiselessly, and Otaki instantly sensed that even Mordru was taken by surprise. At first she hoped that this too was the Legion of Superheroes and she did in fact recognise Dream Girl and Chlorophyll Kid standing among the group that appeared now in Mordru's torture chamber, but the evil radiating from one of the other women among them rivalled that of Mordru himself.

Dream Girl, Chlorophyll Kid and Kid Quantum were momentarily stunned to find themselves no longer on Avalon and in the direct presence of Mordru. Mysa Nal was clearly terrified, and could bring herself to do nothing more than cover her face with her hands as her head shook involuntarily and she mumbled barely audible protests.

Mordru ignored these four for now, though he did cast a simmering gaze over Mysa that told her she was right to feel the way she did. Instead, he turned to the only two women in the group who seemed unsurprised to be here, and the two whom Mordru's senses told him were more powerful than perhaps anybody else here besides himself. One of the women was younger, with ebony skin and a scalp which grew small green leaves like a tight head of hair. The other carried herself regally, her long white cloak and brazen blonde hair framing a woman accustomed to commanding power.

"Woman." Unconsciously, Mordru increased in size as he approached the blonde bombshell standing before him unfazed until he was almost seven feet tall by the time he spoke. "The only reason you yet live is that you have brought this one--" he pointed at Mysa "--unto Mordru the Merciless. If you want to enjoy continued existence, you had best reveal your name to me and swear your allegiance right now."

"My name," she twirled Mordru's beard playfully around one finger, "is Glorith of Baaldur."

"Glorith, no!" The color drained from Dream Girl's face as she suddenly saw what was coming.

"And I have come not to praise the king," Glorith continued unabated, "but to bury him."

A moment later, a blinding burst of mystical energy exploded its way through Mordru's playroom.

TO BE CONCLUDED!!!
yay! more goodness!

Love how Tinya knew it was Hadru causing the call...

Sojurn has just become possibly the most powerful teleporter we know of, re locking on to the target. And tracker, too!

Ah, classic Dawny, you write her so well. I like how she just stops asking questions, goes off to do her job, and will figure it out later. And awesome of Tinya to figure out whom to track!

heh, that crack about Brin being happy...

ok, so Life Lass is Sloth, Garth is Wrath, Brek is Greed, Bobb is Envy, Tel is Pride, and of COURSE Tenzil is Gluttony! leaving Lust for Ayla... a lot of these are quite apt smile

Smart of Waiane, both using his power well, figuring out something was up (well, Marya did too, and was tactically smart!!); and heh at his verbal takedown of Tel...

and of course, Tal was smart enough to realize the 7 deadly sins were involved!

oooh! Amp boosting Tenzil's stomach acid, clever!

whew, Lust and Gluttony are creepy...

oh yes, here's the cavalry!!! yes!!

Awesome battle scene, great to see Gas Girl and the students take down so many before the cavalry came in! (also smart re whom the advance guard could carry)

I like Otaki carefully trying to resist while playing along...

so Mordru doesn't know Glorith... or at least, not in this form...

oh my. what an ending...

as always, a great installment and can't wait for the finale!!!
Thanks for reading, IB!

Sojurn's teleportation range really is pretty off the charts, though I'm hoping the couple of disadvantages I've given them help to balance it out a bit.

Admittedly some of the sins are hard trying to match up to characters, but when they do match it writes itself - I originally had a messed up encounter planned for Ayla and Brin that unfortunately I had to chop when I realised I didn't really leave him a way to get to her in time...but Ayla and Tenzil were the most fun (and the creepiest!) to write this time around!

I didn't really pre-plan any of the student encounters with the Seven Sins beyond wanting to keep Marya conscious at the end, so I was happy with how Lullabye Lad, Dragonwing and Amp all had their own moments of cleverness smile

I also didn't really get to give Glorith and Ivy's whole story as much attention as I wanted to this time around, but that will be rectified before we finish!

Also: a very dramatic change is coming for some other poor sucker in this cast, and at least one more death before we finish!
my pleasure raz, and thanks for writing smile

sometimes good battle scenes write themselves as you go through em eh? smile why having Marya conscious at the end, by the way?ooh! is this a hint as to the finale? smile

oh I'm sure Glorith and Ivy will be all explained... and well done for creating and wrapping up so many threads in the preceding year or so. Ivy was a separate thread, and Otaki, and Nightstone, and Black Osiris, and they are now coming all togerther... also the Mysa thread, and Seven Deadly Sins, and Shazam Blok... marvelous plotting work!

with the way you've upped the stakes so far, I am not at all surprised that at least one more death is coming!

really looking forward to the grand finale!!
Raz, hi there, you're really moving things forwad here and showing how capable they are even when separated from each other and in desperate situations.

Tinya fretting and Brin reprimanding her was great, I would be the same as Tinya in that situation and know it would irritate everyone else, haha. Nice getting Dawnstar to change her target, clever move.

Poor Grava, hope things are okay at the end of this arc for her and Ral.

Oh, the students versus the Seven Deadly Sins, I've been looking forward to this!

Garth as Anger is scary! Poor Hadru (not someting that's said often) but he's lucky that Garth didn't leave him as a Hadru shaped pile of smoldering dust. Life Lass as Sloth was funny, making herself comfortable as she fights Oaa. Again, I'd do the same if I could.

Bbob as Envy is kind of acurate as I see him anyway, never quite A+List. Smart move changing to stone like that, disrupting the crystalisation. And the cheerful gloating is right for a scared teen, and luckily he does have that secons power to take care of the Legionnaire!

"You're still the same narcissistic batjerk you've always been!" haha, nice line!

Amp versus MEL was great, nice way to highlight how versatile her abilities are. And, spitting dust at her was pretty gross Tenzil so you deserved it. Ayla as Lust is great - enjoying watching nearly as much as watching - creepy! Marya correcting her that she wasn't a tiger but a dragon was another good line. Your characterisation of the students is really well done.

Interesting team to turn up, and good explantion that only those small enough to be carried could come in this vanguard.

I'm liking how you write Mordru's subtle torturing of Otaki and Nightstone.He really is the ultimate bad guy isn't he? And referring to the Legion as "some friends..." yup, he's refined and cultured, but still ruthless and sadistic. And before he can do anything Nura, et al, arrive.

Well, you've got everyone in place now, and am realy looking forward to seeing how you unravel this, as Mordru versus Glorith, while team try to protect themselves, get the Sins out of their colleagues and rescue those in the castle, AND deal with Black Osiris. And then what abour Otaki and Nightstone? You've a lot of spinning plates Raz though I've no doubts you'll get us there magnificently!

One more death? Nightstone or Otaki are the obvious frontrunners I think, though I hope not as it would be nice to see their journeys afterwards.

Can't wait for more, more, more!
Hi Harbi, glad you liked it!
Quote
Poor Hadru (not someting that's said often) but he's lucky that Garth didn't leave him as a Hadru shaped pile of smoldering dust
He really is! Although I doubt he'll feel that way when he wakes up...

Creepy Tenzil and Ayla were the most fun to write, I don't know what that says about me lol laugh

I'm glad the students' characterisation is working...I like getting to write them as a major part of stuff occasionally so I can actually work on them individually a bit more than I usually get to do.

Definitely a lot of spinning plates and some of them will definitely come crashing down but hopefully in a way that's fun to watch!
Posted By: razsolo MERCILESS Part 5 of 5: Terror's Forms - 03/03/22 12:36 PM
ON AN UNCHARTED ISLAND

ROLL CALL
Firecrest aka Staq Mavlen: weredragon
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

Drake Burroughs peered helplessly into the open maw of death before him.

He'd led the transformed Staq Mavlen on as wild a chase as he could around this uninhabited island; he'd tried running, hiding, bargaining, reasoning, even throwing rocks at the fire-breathing dragon. None of it had accomplished a single thing, and the irony was not lost on Drake Burroughs that he'd finally been granted his wish to be human only to now wish he could be Wildfire just one final time to save himself.

"I hope you don't remember this when they find a way to bring you back to normal, buddy..." Drake murmured to the dragon breathing furnace-like heat at him. "...At least I hope you remember this isn't your fault."

The dragon that had once been Firecrest bellowed a deafening roar, sucked in an enormous intake of air...and then promptly yelped in surprise as Dawnstar torpedoed down feet first from high above to land on his snout. His jaw snapped shut from the impact and simultaneously slammed into the rocky ground, then the no longer threatening creature rolled almost comically to one side.

"Dawny! Man, are you a sight for sore eyes!" Wildfire rushed to embrace the woman he loved.

"Wildfire, I'm so relieved Mordru didn't hurt you!" she returned his embrace for a heartfelt moment, then stood back. "I hope you don't mind me stepping in like that, I appreciate that you must not have wanted to hurt Firecrest. We don't have time to find a more compassionate solution right now though...the Legion could spare me to come find you, but they really need your power right now!"

"My power?" Wildfire laughed, as innapropriate as that seemed right now. "Look at me! I'm human, Dawny! Mordru must have thought this was a punishment, but he's given me what I've wanted ever since I got stuck in this stupid suit!"

"Human? What??...Oh, Drake." Dawnstar's face dropped as she realised what must have happened here...Mordru had hurt Wildfire, in the cruelest way possible.

"We can be together now, Dawny! Really together!" Wildfire grabbed her by the shoulders in his excitement.

"Drake--"

"I mean I get that I can't be in the Legion anymore but you and I can be together! We can have babies!"

"Drake, this is an illusion--"

"My folks always said if I had a kid brother they would have called him Squire, what do you think Dawny? Squire Burroughs...has a nice ring to it, huh?"

"Drake, please listen to me--" Dawnstar's eyes began to well with tears.

"I mean I don't know what we'd call a girl, I don't really know any girl's names...maybe Ofelia? That was my grandma's name, do you like it? We can get an apartment and I can go back to school, and--"

"I didn't track a human being here, Wildfire!" Dawnstar shook herself free of his grip, her face flushed with emotion.

There was silence between them for a few seconds before Wildfire spoke up once more. "Dawny...I don't get what you're saying. I mean, you can see that I'm human again, right?" He touched his visor as though he were feeling cheekbones. "Oh grife...maybe Mordru put a spell on you, an enchantment or something--whoa!!"

"We don't have time for this!" Dawnstar gripped one of his arms and flew straight up, covering half a mile in as much time as it took her wings to flap once. She wiped tears away from her eyes with her free hand.

Wildfire looked down nervously. "Dawny, don't take this the wrong way but you're kind of scaring me. Can we--"

Dawnstar knew she wouldn't be able to go through with this if she let herself talk to him. Without so much as a glance, she released her grip on Drake Burroughs and flew toward the blazing orange sunset. Fighting every urge she had to turn back and save the screaming Legionnaire plummeting to the ground below, Dawnstar stayed true to the path she'd chosen...and when she heard the telltale roar of Wildfire's bootjets flaring to life she silently thanked the spirits that he hadn't had to hit the ground before coming to his senses.

A second later, Wildfire was by her side. "Drake," Dawnstar began, "I'm so sorry--"

"Forget it, Dawny." His posture was rigid, his fists pumped out ahead of him. "You got the power of Wildfire. That's what you wanted, right?" He turned to look at her, but Dawnstar saw only her own tortured face reflected in his visor.

Turning away from the man she loved, Dawnstar focused on the path that her duty forged across the skies.

**********

OUTSIDE MORDRU'S CASTLE

ROLL CALL
Legion Academy
Amp aka Ming Sul: amplification of any power or characteristic
Chemical Kid aka Hadru Jamik: control of chemical reactions
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Sojurn aka S'jn: interdimensional cephalopod; teleportation, telekinesis, telepathy
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

Legion of Superheroes
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Chameleon Girl aka Yera Allon: reserve Legionnaire; Durlan shapeshifter
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Life Lass aka Somi Gan: matter animation
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: reserve Legionnaire, Legion Academy co-head; electricity generation and manipulation
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

Only moments after Mon-El had saved Amp from the clutches of a possessed Matter-Eater Lad and Lightning Lass, a swarm of Shadow Demons had emerged from the darkness and launched an all-out assault on the gathered heroes. Before the Legionnaires had even begun to come to terms with that, an explosion had rocked the upper levels of the castle and now on top of everything else the grounds were crawling with vegetation seemingly intent on squeezing the life out of anyone and everyone here.

When Dawnstar told Mon-El she'd picked up Wildfire's trail somewhere halfway around the planet, Mon-El had gladly allowed her to leave the battle to bring him back; the long-lived Daxamite was astute enough to realise that Dawnstar would be too distracted worrying about Wildfire to operate at full efficiency until they were reunited, and Wildfire's anti-energy was much more useful in the midst of this chaos than Dawnstar's gifts anyway.

At Mon-El's command, they'd gathered close together as a group with the castle at their rear. Mon-El had used his heat vision to turn much of the vegetation into a raging bonfire, which had the added effect of allowing them all to actually see more of the Shadow Demons in this moonless night. It wasn't enough though; for every Shadow Demon or vine that Mon-El's heat vision or Ultra Boy's flash vision dispatched, two more took their place. Dragonwing's fire breath kept her wounded classmates safe from the creepers and thorny vines for now and Chameleon Boy had become a flasher beast, a tactic quickly reproduced by his fellow Durlan Chameleon Girl. They couldn't project light anywhere near as bright as the creatures they were mimicking, but it helped to keep some of the Shadow Demons at bay. Surprisingly, King Canary's mastery of sonics served him well in slowing individual Shadow Demons if not stopping them altogether but at least it kept him alive for now. Gas Girl was kept busy making sure the possessed Legionnaires remained sedated, and Amp was conscious but not yet in any state to fight anyone or anything. The rest of the students couldn't even say that much for themselves; of them all, only Variable Lad was even beginning to stir.

With all that was going on, only one Legionnaire was really in a position to be able to step back and see how badly overwhelmed they all were. Barely an inch tall, Shrinking Violet hovered close to the bonfire. The heat was intense at this small size, but the flames and light kept her safe from plants and Shadow Demons alike. There was no way that Vi had to help in this fight, the least she could do was spare any of her teammates from having to look out for her while they were struggling to stay alive themselves. Vi saw vines begin creeping up the legs of Cham and Yera in their transformed states and she could tell that Dragonwing was reaching the point of exhaustion...everyone here was fighting bravely and they were fighting well, but something had to change or their defeat was inevitable. Mon-El was the mightiest of them all, but even he had no special defence against magic...it was only a matter of time until the Shadow Demons took him down as surely as they would everybody else.

Knowing she couldn't contribute here, Vi turned her sights elsewhere. After the initial explosion of mystical energy, the upper levels of the castle had been regularly lighting up and shaking with the din of battle...Mordru was obviously fighting someone in there, and Vi doubted she'd be any more useful in that conflict than she was down here. But for the first time she realised that through one huge crack in the castle wall, a steady red glow was radiating. It never wavered and it didn't flicker like the light of this fire, it just glowed steady and constant.

"Mon-El, I'm following a hunch." Vi spoke as though the Daxamite darting about overhead were right next to her. "I'll let you know how it pans out."

Mon-El paused in mid-air just long enough to stare directly at the miniscule Legionnaire dozens of feet away dwarfed by the bonfire, and his eyes flared a bright red momentarily to let Vi know he'd received her message loud and clear. He went back to evading Shadow Demons as he blasted them to smithereens, and Vi took off toward the castle.

**********

INSIDE MORDRU'S CASTLE

ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: reserve Legionnaire; hyper-stimulated plant growth
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Kid Quantum aka Jazmin Cullen: Legion Academy student; quantum field manipulation
Mysa Nal: former Legionnaire

Dream Girl's last-minute vision had given Chlorophyll Kid just enough warning to grow defensive barriers of wood in front of them all when Glorith released her explosive assault against Mordru. The wood had still shattered against her power, and though Ral's armour gave him an extra level of defence the girls were punctured all over with rough splinters. Still, Ral realised as he saw the damage that had been wrought to the stone structure of the castle itself that it could have been a lot worse if he'd not acted in time.

"I can pull those splinters out," Chlorophyll Kid advised as they retreated from the duelling magicians, "But it's going to hurt."

"It already hurts," Dream Girl grimaced. "Just do it, Ral."

"Okay, just...just hold still." He was glad for the thick bark covering his face, it meant that none of them saw him wince as he commanded the dozens of wooden fragments embedded in their flesh to pull themselves right back out again. Nura, Mysa and Jazmin all released short gasps or grunted as they felt their numerous tiny wounds opened up again.

"At least...at least we have a moment to recover while those two maniacs are busy trying to murder one another," Dream Girl sat against a wall watching Mordru and Glorith flinging raw magical energy at one another. "They might bring this whole place down around us the way they're going though...Jazmin, can you put them in a stasis field?"

"I've been trying," Kid Quantum frowned. "I think all the magic's disrupting my power. They're not both maniacs though, or at least Glorith wasn't until whatever your sister did to her...if that's even her." The young girl turned on Mysa. "What did you do to my friend? Is that Glorith??"

Before Mysa could frame an answer, vines suddenly began crawling across the floor toward them. "Chlorophyll Kid??" Mysa pulled her foot back from a grabby green tendril.

"It's not me," Ral replied. "It must be..." He peered across at the dark-skinned young woman Glorith had brought forth. She'd been standing as close to Glorith as any of them but she'd been completely unharmed by the sorceress's initial attack and she'd now made a retreat from the warring mages herself. Chlorophyll Kid commanded the encroaching plant life to leave Dream Girl, Kid Quantum and Mysa alone and he stomped over to the plant-haired stranger. "Hey! Who are you? What have you done with Ivy and why do you have her powers?"

"What have I done with..." The woman repeated, mocking him. "Who do you think I am, you fool?"

"I know you're not my daughter!" Ral returned angrily.

"Your daughter?" The young woman raised an eyebrow. "Seven Hells...no, I'm not your daughter. You took care of that when you sent me into the timestream, Chlorophyll Kid." While her hastily created plant life crawled through the castle, the girl gestured at Chlorophyll Kid and a giant carnivorous blossom attempted to swallow him whole.

"What are you talking about?" Ral grew a multitude of spearing points out of a thick winding branch like some botanical morningstar and thrust it into the attacking plant's wide open receptacle to jam it open. "I've never met you before in my life!"

"Oh please...you stole me from my mother, you had Saturn Girl brainwash me to care for you, and then when I was still a baby you discarded me like I was so much trash!" The girl had thorny vines suspend Chlorophyll Kid above the floor until he manifested blades from his armour to shred them to ribbons. "If my mistress Glorith hadn't taken me under her wing, I'd have died before my second birthday!"

"What the sprock are you talking about?!" Chlorophyll Kid repeated, co-opting some of the stronger vines growing beneath the girl to bind her firmly. "I don't even know who your mistress is! The only Glorith I know is a shy kid at Legion Academy, and that woman over there took her place and then she stole my daughter!!"

Focused as she was on Ral, the young woman couldn't spare the concentration to target Nura and the others directly but her plants were still roaming wildly of their own volition throughout the castle and beyond. She locked eyes with Ral now through the slits in his faceplate and with no effort at all she transformed all of the vines holding her into long-stemmed dandelions which exploded into a cloud of white puff as she pulled herself free of them.

She stepped closer to Ral, using her own mastery of plant life to render his armour completely immobile. "Glorith told me you'd try to sway me with your lies, Chlorophyll Kid...but I am the child you abducted from our homeworld, the same child that you and Comet Queen decided to use to create some perverse family. My mistress told me how you cast me into the timestream because you were scared of my power, but she wasn't afraid of me. She nurtured me, she strengthened my link with the Green, she was there for me through all the horrors of that wasteland you abandoned me to. I'm not your daughter because you were never a father to me, Ral Benem!"

They were only inches apart now, and without being able to move his head Ral had no choice but to examine the deep brown eyes narrowed in rage before him. The way her brows came together in her anger, so much like he'd seen in his own child when she was in the throes of some tantrum or overwhelmed with fear...and this younger woman was more powerful than him, undeniably so. He was putting everything he had into breaking her hold on his armour but it was accomplishing nothing. She'd called plant life from nowhere, transformed it as easily as imagining it. For the first time since he'd been baptised the Protector of the Avatar of the Green, Ral Benem stuttered.

"I-Ivy..?"

"You don't get to call me that," the young woman retorted viciously. "That name is reserved for the woman who raised me. My enemies call me Verdant."

Then she placed a hand against his armour, and the last thing Ral Benem felt before his breath left him in an agonised cry was a violent piercing pain in his chest.

**********

A few floors down, Nightstone's power had turned a slab of the castle's bluestone into a makeshift elevator. She and Otaki were rapidly descending, Nightstone opening and sealing up each floor as they passed through. "Last stop, don't forget to leave us a Social Star rating!" the young geokinetic joked nervously as they found the castle's lowest level. "Give me a second to rest and I'll open us a tunnel to get us the sprock away from this nightmare."

"Away..? No! We can't leave, Nightstone!" Otaki protested. "When that blonde woman appeared, Mordru finally let his guard down! I got into his mind! There are only three things he's really frightened of, and two of them are already up there! I came down here with you so we could fetch the third! Surely with all three together--"

"Are you insane?!" Nightstone verbally attacked her. "There's no version of this story where we're the heroes, Otaki! We released that psychopath from the prison the Legion put him in, we broke that Black Osiris guy out of jail, and now Mordru's torturing half the Legion of Superheroes and Black Osiris is killing everybody else on this planet!"

"But we can--" Otaki began.

"Don't you think we've done enough??" Nightstone exploded. "I saw my chance to run as soon as that woman and Mordru faced off and I took it! That's how you survive, Otaki! I wasn't gonna leave you up there to get yourself killed but I'm not a hero! You're not a hero! We're just two stupid kids who did probably the stupidest thing any kids have ever done, and we just keep digging ourselves deeper into this mess with every step! The Legion of Superheroes didn't want either of us and they're here now, let them deal with it! I'm getting out of here before that creep turns me into a rock garden or something, are you coming or not?"

"You...you're right." Otaki hugged herself, unable to meet Nightstone's judgemental glare. "We..I...have let my fear ruin my choices and all it's brought is suffering, but I don't want to do that anymore. I...I need to make amends for what I've done, Nightstone." She looked at her now, her soft features imploring. "I'm sorry, I can't leave."

"Yeah." Nightstone shook her head in disbelief, turned away and tore a hole into the earth at their feet. "I'm sorry too." And then she was gone.

**********

Back upstairs, Violet had just entered the gap in the wall she'd spotted earlier and when she saw the source of the red glow her heart dropped. Growing to a height of just over five inches, she hovered before Sun Boy's incandescent face. "Grife, Dirk...what's he done to you?"

"..uh..?" Dazed from exhaustion, Dirk Morgna couldn't even lift his head. His eyes instead rolled wearily until he saw Shrinking Violet floating there. "Vi..? Vi, wha'you doing? You gotta get outta here. Mordru..."

"I'm here to rescue you from Mordru, you dope!" Vi hissed. A long time ago she'd had a very brief fling with Sun Boy, and neither of them regretted that it had come to an end but she still had enough affection for him that it was heartbreaking to see him like this. "Let me see how you're strung up here."

Whoever was fighting Mordru was clearly just beyond Sun Boy's cell, and with all the ruckus they were making Violet wasn't all that confident she'd have long to act before the whole building collapsed. She backed away from Sun Boy, already drenched in sweat from the amount of heat he was generating. Even when she wasn't looking directly at him, the crimson light was almost blinding but she eventually made out the ropes tied to his wrists and his ankles, suspending him spread-eagled from hooks in the walls.

The sounds of Mordru fighting had masked any other noise till now, but Violet suddenly realised there was another woman in here with Dirk from her pained moans. Curious, the tiny Legionnaire got enough distance from Sun Boy that she could see beyond him and was horrified to see Shadow Lass and Supergirl huddled in separate corners of the cell. Laurel wasn't moving at all, and Tasmia was only barely hanging on as far as Vi could see. Both women looked as though they'd been subjected to days of baking heat.

"Dirk...Dirk, just hang in there," Vi whispered. "Mordru's trapped Laurel and Shadow Lass in here with you, your red solar radiation is killing them both. I need to--"

"...Violet?" Shadow Lass croaked, barely able to form words. "Is..is that you?"

"It is." Vi zipped across the cell to meet Shadow Lass face to face. Reasoning that Mordru was clearly too busy to even notice she was here, Vi grew to full size so she could at least provide some shade against Sun Boy's radiance. "Mon-El's here too, Shadow Lass. Don't be scared, we'll get you out of here."

"No..." With supreme effort, Tasmia Mallor lolled her head forward. "No," she repeated more firmly. "Free...free Sun Boy first..."

"Shadow Lass, I'm only worn out!" Sun Boy found the strength to protest. "You and Laurel are dying...I'm killing you both..." He trailed off into a traumatised whimper.

"Sun Boy...Violet..listen to me." Though each syllable was a struggle, it was delivered with a steely resolve that the Legionnaires weren't accustomed to hearing from Shadow Lass. "There are...there are Shadow Demons out there. I can sense them...those beasts nearly murdered Blok once, none of you...none of you--" Too parched to continue, she had a coughing fit which lasted a few seconds then fell silent once more.

Shrinking Violet had heard enough. Shady would last here long enough for Vi to come back for her, but she had no idea how close to death Laurel was. She turned back to see how big the crack was that she'd entered through, and whether it was large enough for her to carry Supergirl and Shadow Lass back out again. Sun Boy was blazing so insanely brightly though that Vi couldn't even see the wall beyond him.

"...Salu, you sprocking moron..." she chastised herself as she finally understood what Shadow Lass had been trying to tell them. Vi picked up a jagged rock from the debris on the floor and hoped that Sun Boy's bonds were no stronger than ordinary rope aside from their obvious enchantment against heat. "Dirk! I'm cutting you free," Vi warned him. "Use your flight ring so you don't crack your head open on the floor!"

"No...no, Vi..."

She'd never heard Sun Boy sound so weak, it was unnerving. "Dirk, just shut up and listen to me. I know you're killing Shadow Lass and Supergirl, they both know it. I'm guessing Mordru stuck you on high beam specifically to take advantage of their vulnerabilities against light. But Dirk...there are sprock knows how many Shadow Demons out there slaughtering more of our friends, and what's more vulnerable to bright light than a shadow?"

Sun Boy fell silent for a moment, then when he spoke again there was finally some hint of the Dirk Morgna that Violet recognised.

"...Cut me free."

It was taking too long for Vi to cut the ropes at her normal size, so she shrank down to better be able to rend each individual fibre until the entire rope was shredded. When she finally cut through the final restraint, she grew back to her full 5'6" just in time to see Sun Boy propel himself roaring through the hole in the outer wall that Vi had used herself. It wasn't quite big enough for Sun Boy, but he'd already surrounded himself in a highly contained plasma sheath which burned hot enough to melt the stone as he passed within centimetres of it.

Astonished, Vi watched along with every hero fighting for their lives outside on the castle grounds as Sun Boy flew above the castle like a human fireball. Releasing all of the physical, psychological and emotional anguish that Mordru had subjected him to in one animalistic cry, he turned the night sky into red-hued day and every Shadow Demon in sight evaporated like so much ash on the breeze. Exhausted by his herculean effort Sun Boy passed out at last. Though he was no longer illuminating the whole area, he still possessed a lava glow.

Sun Boy's flight ring had finally malfunctioned from the extreme prolonged heat but Ultra Boy flew upwards to catch Dirk before he could fall too far. "I've got you, pal! Can't have you breaking your neck just after you saved all our nasses!"

A limp figure fell past them, and Ultra Boy swore as he realised Mon-El must have been taken out by the red sunburst as well. Of course Mon-El wouldn't have enabled his ring's auto-hover function, the Daxamite probably didn't even know how to. Jo couldn't risk bringing Sun Boy too close to his best friend while Dirk was still glowing like this...Ultra Boy had needed to switch to invulnerability to catch Dirk anyway, he wasn't sure if he was even strong enough right now to safely lower both men to the ground. Against all odds though, Mon-El's descent slowed and stopped. Only just now waking up, he bobbed about in the air as though he were a balloon.

"I can't believe I just saved Mon-El!" The Legionnaires saw Light Lad descend from above. "This one's going in my journal for sure!" The sudden explosion of light paired with a return to darkness had played havoc with the heroes' vision, but now that their eyes were adjusting they saw Star Boy, Infectious Lass, Tellus and Colossal Boy just behind Darvan.

"Tellus!" Gas Girl cried out. "Am I glad to see you...we need your help!"

Tellus descended, immediately sensing the presence of the Seven Deadly Sins inside his teammates. He also noticed that Chameleon Girl had already fallen to the combined assault of the Shadow Demons and Verdant's plants, and Chameleon Boy and Dragonwing weren't far behind them. "Dark entities have poisoned our friends' minds," his voice modulator amplified his explanation for everyone present. "It will take me time and focus to wash them out, however I fear that this unnatural vegetation may hamper my efforts. I can hold the plants back with my telekinesis, but--"

"But it's still a distraction, right?" Infectious Lass accompanied Tellus to the ground. "Don't stretch yourself thin, Tellus. I'll stand guard...after all, plants are as susceptible to infection as any other living being." Drura Sehpt stood before Tellus and the other exhausted Legionnaires and allowed the first tendrils of greenery to make contact with her. They swiftly grew brown and dessicated, and the rot travelled along the vines. Drura's viruses killed them at their source and spread out to every other coiling appendage which branched off from there.

Though Mon-El was still powerless, he was fully alert once more. "Thanks for the assist, Light Lad. I think I can take it from here, but maybe you could take Sun Boy off of Jo's hands? We can't lay Dirk on the ground, he'll start an inferno with the rest of these plants still whipping about everywhere."

"The plants won't be a problem for much longer." Colossal Boy grew almost as tall as the castle itself, scooped up two handfuls of writhing vines and dumped them in the bonfire. "And the sooner we finish up here, the sooner we can--"

A tremendous boom filled the night sky, overpowering even the noise of Mordru and Glorith smashing parts of the castle apart. While most of the Legionnaires were still processing that, a black and gold blur suddenly shot across the light of the bonfire and cracked into Colossal Boy's jaw. Gim tumbled, his fall sending a mild tremor through the earth.

Black Osiris hovered overhead, lording it over everyone below. "Fascinating that you didn't see or hear me coming until it was too late, Daxamite." He cast a glance toward Sun Boy floating alongside Darvan. "I wonder if that might have anything to do with your comrade's cozy red glow?"

Ultra Boy charged Black Osiris without a second thought. There wasn't even a moon in the sky to reflect this world's sunlight so Mon-El was going to be out of commission for the rest of the night; Jo wasn't going to stand by and watch his best friend reduced to a bloody smear.

Super-speed brought Jo within striking distance of Black Osiris, and a quick switch to super-strength sent the villain hurtling through the castle wall. Jo threw a great punch, but it was the only punch that he got to throw. As soon as he'd switched his ultra-energy into invulnerability again, Black Osiris smashed his way back out of the castle and pulled back his fist to strike. Ultra Boy prepared for the punch and as a consequence was totally unprepared when Black Osiris instead gripped Jo's forearm, spun in place, and used his momentum to threw the Legionnaire across the horizon. He turned his sights on Mon-El but before he could launch his assault, the sky lit up once more as Black Osiris was bathed in anti-energy.

"Dawny told me all about you," Wildfire challenged the villain, his bootjets and gauntlets both bleeding energy into the air while Dawnstar descended a few feet behind. "She says you were tough enough to take on Blok. Good. I'm in a foul mood and I need someone to take it out on."

In the middle of the small pit that Wildfire had blasted into the castle grounds, Black Osiris launched himself back up toward Wildfire. "I know who you are too," he sneered. "And once I rupture that containment suit of yours it'll kill everyone here in one fell swoop."

Wildfire directed a double-fisted blast of destructive energy at Black Osiris but it barely even disrupted his flight path. Before Black Osiris had covered half the distance between them though, he bizarrely veered off course and smashed through the the same wall he'd gone through earlier. A significant portion of the castle fell in on top of him, destabilising the rest of the structure even further than Mordru and Glorith had done so far.

"That won't keep him down," King Canary announced as he darted around his colleagues. While they hadn't heard the high-pitched chirps that had affected Black Osiris over the din of everything else, it was clear now to all of them that King Canary's power must have played havoc with the villain's balance.

"Let's see if I can help with that." Star Boy stepped forward and increased the mass of the rubble burying Black Osiris until the entire mass sunk a few feet into the ground.

"You can't," King Canary retorted gruffly. "No offence pal, but that guy's a monster. We need to make him say his magic words before he wipes us all out, it'll make him change back to his whiny unpowered self and then we can go deal with that party upstairs!"

The ground started quaking beneath the feet of the heroes, and a literal whirlwind of movement drilled out of the dirt a few dozen feet back from them all. Black Osiris had tunnelled underneath them and come back out carrying hundreds of tons of loose earth and stone with him in a super-speed vortex. He released his burden over the Legion, and it was like being buried under a spontaneous avalanche. Light Lad and Tellus stopped anyone from being killed, but the bonfire was smothered and most of them were trapped beneath a couple of feet of soil.

Tellus had managed to erect a protective dome around himself, Gas Girl, the students in their midst and the Legionnaires who'd been possessed by the Seven Deadly Sins; Light Lad was hastily trying to excavate everyone else but that left Wildfire and Dawnstar to face Black Osiris alone and nobody was under any illusion how that fight would end.

"Maybe I can sneak over there--" Gas Girl began.

"There's no way you're gonna match his speed moving like a cloud," Dragonwing cut her off. "I've got a better idea but I saw this creep go one on one with Saturn Girl so Tellus is gonna need your help, Amp. You better be up for it!"

"...Up for what?" Ming Sul questioned wearily.

Dragonwing didn't respond but instead bolted forward and exhaled a stream of green flame to intercept Black Osiris. "Hey! Nasshead! You and me have got unfinished business!"

Black Osiris turned to look at the bedraggled teenage girl and chortled. "Are you that eager to join your flame-headed friend, girl? Very well!"

"Is she insane?" Even in cloud form, Gas Girl's horror was plain to see.

Wildfire blasted Black Osiris again but the villain flew straight through the cascade of energy, and Dawnstar moved to scoop Marya to safety. In these close quarters she wasn't certain she could outpace Black Osiris but she was certain Dragonwing would die if she did nothing.

"Do it, Tellus!" Dragonwing screamed. "Make him say it!"

"She is sprocking insane," Amp muttered. The injured girl limped forth and placed a hand on one of Tellus's back pods. Amp was so weak she wasn't sure if this would work without flesh contact, and Tellus instantly felt his mind link with every person on the field as his telepathic power increased dramatically.

For a more insular psyche the sudden influx of thoughts and feelings might prove overwhelming, but in truth Tellus had missed this level of communion with those around him since he'd left Hykraius behind to join the Legion of Superheroes. The initial jolt was jarring, but he acclimatised instantly...and now that he could see the dark undercurrents of Black Osiris's mind as easily as waves at high tide, Tellus knew exactly what he had to do.

Black Osiris kicked up the dirt at Dragonwing's feet as he landed before her. He grabbed the girl by the throat and crushed just hard enough that she couldn't bring her power to bear. Lifting Dragonwing as though she were a child's toy, he met her defiant gaze and opened his mouth to compliment her on her bravery...and for just the merest fraction of a second, Marya revelled in the utter bewilderment she saw cross the villain's face as he heard the words come out of his own mouth.

"Black Adam."

Dawnstar tackled Dragonwing as magic lightning tore the night asunder. As Black Osiris transformed, the girls caught the tail end of the blast and rolled painfully across the grounds. While they clambered groaning to their feet, Khem Fawecki tugged at the tent-like outfit now hanging off his bony body. "Why can't I remember the words?" he demanded. "Why can't I remember the magic words?!"

<I would be loathe to manipulate a sentient mind like this normally,> Tellus effortlessly spoke inside the heroes' heads, <But I have seen the depravities he has already committed and the ones of which he dreams...this man cannot be allowed to wield such power, my friends.>

"You won't get an argument out of me," Wildfire replied out loud, "But let's have a little extra insurance." He socked the middle-aged man with maybe slightly more force than was necessary to drop him, then looked up at what was still remaining of the castle. "Time for round two." Without waiting for the others or even sparing a moment to ensure they were all still in one piece, Wildfire flew up toward the ruckus.

With his increased level of power, Tellus completed the liberation of his mind-controlled allies easily. Amp had finally reached her limit though, and nearly collapsed on the spot as Tellus finished his task. Gas Girl turned solid and helped the younger Lalloran stay on her feet. "Amp, you've done more than your share today. Dragonwing, I want you to watch out for your classmates and everyone else here who needs it. I think Wildfire is going to need backup from those of us who can still fight." Marya was too tired for even a token argument, she simply nodded her head and helped Amp sit on the grass. As she looked out over the man who'd killed her classmate, Dragonwing understood exactly how easy it would be to kill him now and she pondered why that no longer seemed so righteous. As she examined her doubt, she was surprised to feel Tellus's voice in her head once more.

<Black Osiris was not the only mind whose darkness I touched.>

Marya instantly flashed him a startled look, but then she noticed that nobody else was even aware this was happening as they regrouped.

<I felt your intentions, Dragonwing,> Tellus stated plainly. <You wanted Black Osiris powerless because you saw in that path your chance to slay him.> She cast the Hykraian a vindictive glare but before she could frame a response, Tellus continued. <I know your impulse is to overpower any attack before it can manifest but this is not an attack, Marya...because I also know how you see him now. You know that there would be no justice in killing him as he lies helpless before you and you wonder if you betray Fire Lass's memory by feeling this way. When my mind touched all of yours, I saw so clearly what happened back on Mars...in the moments before her death Fire Lass acted not from a desire to harm Black Osiris, but because she wanted to protect Saturn Girl. You have not betrayed her, Marya...the truth is that you honour your friend's sacrifice by choosing compassion over hatred.>

Marya was for once silenced. Normally she'd feel compelled to say something snarky, to deflect...but it was hard to justify that when Tellus had literally swum in her thoughtstream.

<I will keep this between us, Marya.> Some of the other Legionnaires had already taken to the air to confront Mordru, and Tellus now turned to join them.

<But I hope you believe me when I tell you that the fire within you far outshines any darkness.>

**********

The castle was a shambles. Half collapsed as it was with huge chunks taken out of what remained, Shrinking Violet and Dream Girl couldn't even lead the tortured Legionnaires safely out of Mordru's playroom. They had gathered everyone together and moved to the furthest corner of the room however, the closest to something resembling a safe distance that they could manage. Under Dream Girl's direction, Kid Quantum had placed Chlorophyll Kid into stasis until Mwindaji arrived to help him; nobody knew how badly he was hurt within the armour which had become his sarcophagus, but the massive thorn penetrating his chest-plate was not an encouraging sign. Shadow Lass had not really recovered enough to hide the group behind a wall of shadow, but she pushed herself to do so anyway. Unable to see the wounded Legionnaires to be able to target them actively, Verdant had soon given up and focused on protecting herself from becoming collateral damage in Mordru and Glorith's epic struggle.

For her part, Glorith was beginning to realise that her victory against Mordru wasn't going to be as clear cut as she'd assumed. "Seven Hells! Why won't you fall, old man? The Black Witch never gave me this much trouble when she possessed your power!"

"The Black Witch??" Mordru roared. "Even with my power and influence, poor pitiful Mysa was always too soft to act as she should have! She would never have done this for example, witch!" He advanced through the sheer onslaught of mystical energy Glorith was bathing him in, gesturing with both hands in such a way as to maintain a conjured scarlet shield before him. Mordru dispelled the shield as he came within arm's reach of Glorith and though her assault ripped half of his tunic away and burned his flesh, he backhanded her with such force that she collapsed to the hard stone floor.

Glorith looked up at him with a mixture of disbelief and rage. It had been a long long time since anybody had dared lay hands upon her, and she refused to abide it. From where she was laid out, she reached out one hand and gripped Mordru's calf. "I wanted your power for myself but I'll forego that desire to see you unmade, cretin!"

Chronal and occult energies surged through her and into Mordru. The ancient sorceror at first only seemed to grow younger beneath her rainbow-hued assault, but then it became clear that was exactly what was happening. Lines disappeared from his aged face, his unkempt white beard darkened until it was a deep brown. All of this happened in the space of a couple of seconds, and Mordru's age was reversing at an accelerating pace. Soon he would be a child, and after that..?

"Your reach exceeds your grasp, woman!" Mordru kicked Glorith's hand free, but where an instant ago he'd looked as ancient as he was, he now seemed for all intents and purposes a robust man no older than 40. "Mordru the Merciless was infantilised once, it was an experience I did not enjoy one iota!" He saw now that more Legionnaires were arriving from outside, and his blood ran hot with fury. "Enough of this!! Wavos Destructos!!"

Mordru spread his arms wide, and like the shockwave of some stellar explosion a crest of pure mystical force surged outwards. It reduced what remained of the castle to a pile of rubble, destroyed Wildfire's containment suit while simultaneously dispersing his anti-energy outwards and away from his teammates, and it took out almost everybody else here still standing. Glorith, who'd been at the epicentre of the blast, lay sprawled in the wreckage several metres away. Her nose was clearly broken with blood covering half her face, and she was out cold and breathing shallow.

The young woman named Verdant had tried her best to protect herself with walls of wood, just as Chlorophyll Kid had done earlier. This blast had been far more intense than the prior one though, and she was in agony as she dragged herself to her hands and knees. Ivy Arcane saw Mordru advancing coolly on Glorith and knew she had to act. Realising she couldn't hurt Mordru directly, she grew a handful of massive tree trunks between herself and the sorceror and she made her way over to Glorith's battered form. Mordru reduced the trees to ash just as Verdant knew that he would, but by then she and Glorith had escaped into the night thanks to her animated plant life.

Mordru looked around at the carnage he'd wrought. Almost everybody was down, but he saw movement in one place.

Until now, a field of pure darkness had kept these women from his sight. Tasmia Mallor had finally given in to her injuries though, and when wisps of darkness faded on the night breeze Mordru saw that the young ebon-skinned girl who'd come here with Mysa had projected some kind of golden bubble around herself, Mysa Nal, Dream Girl and Shrinking Violet. It hadn't been enough to protect them from injury, but it had at least kept them conscious. That girl collapsed now after her heroic effort and the other three women watched as a wickedly grinning Mordru approached.

"Mysa Nal." Mordru spoke calmly, with sinister purpose. "You must have known that I was not done with you. I will never be done with you. I am going to flense the skin from your flesh, then I will flense your soul from your body...and then perhaps for further entertainment, I will make you watch as I do the same to your friends and family. I--"

An angry rumbling cut Mordru off, and the rubble of the castle rattled violently. For the slightest moment fear crossed Mordru's face...but then he saw the source of this interruption, and his fear disappeared behind a veneer of superiority once more.

A pile of dirt and rock spewed out from the ground between Mordru and Mysa like some reverse sinkhole. Nightstone and Otaki rose out of the ground, bringing with them an enormous boulder which both Mordru and Mysa recognised as the Rock of Eternity. The teenage girls couldn't help but be awed by the destruction around them, Legionnaires everywhere only now beginning to rise. Otaki gave the de-aged sorceror a curious glance as her mindsense confirmed her suspicions. "You're so much younger but you...you are Mordru," she marvelled. "But...how?"

"It matters not," Mordru decreed. "Why have you children returned here? As much as your abandonment may have incurred my wrath, your return will not appease it. A betrayal is a betrayal, girls."

Nightstone said nothing, instead wondering if maybe she'd been crazy to let her guilty conscience force her to come back to help Otaki.

"We're here..." Otaki gulped, steeling herself. "We're here to make amends...and we're here because we know what frightens you, Mordru. I saw it in your mind earlier, and I see it now."

Hearing this from behind the Rock of Eternity, Mysa's pulse raced. She didn't know where Otaki was going with this, but she knew there was only one place it could end. She moved to protest, but Otaki continued unaware of what was happening behind her.

"There are only three terrors that grip you, and all of them are here in this...this devastation. That Green Lantern woman," Otaki gestured at the oversized lantern peeking out from beneath the ruined castle. "Mysa Nal...and this rock. And now that we're face to face where my power is strongest, I can see exactly why the Rock of Eternity scares you." Otaki moved closer to the floating rock. "Because whoever touches this rock and says the magic word will possess the power of Sha--"

A deep violet stream of flame crackled forth from Mordru's weaving fingers and enveloped Otaki. She dangled above the ground, her hoarse screams changing to a sick gurgle as Mordru's power cooked her inside out and ensured she was conscious for all of it. "You stupid, stupid child." Mordru drew Otaki closer to him, vastly enjoying the spectacle of her slow and agonising death. "Did you truly believe that Mordru the Merciless would enhance your ridiculous mindsense without leaving myself an open path into what passes for your own mind? I sensed your plots against me, child...I smelled them as surely as I smell the meat charring on your bone right now." He turned his attention from Otaki and glared at Nightstone with sinister purpose; the teenager was frozen in abject horror. "And you, little traitress...you will be next."

"Shazam."

The word was whispered, but whispered with purpose...and even as Mordru realised who had whispered it, a magic lightning bolt cleaved the sky in two. Mordru immediately released Otaki's corpse to the floor with an undignified thump to face this new threat.

The woman who stepped out before the Rock of Eternity still had arcs of magic lightning snaking over her transformed body. She wore yellow boots and bracers, a sash of shiny golden material tied at her waist. The belt kept in place a loose white short-sleeved skirt with gold trim, a dazzling lightning bolt insignia just like Blok's emblazoned across her chest. A white hooded cloak with similarly golden trim hung down from her shoulders, kept in place by golden cord draped around her neck. As the woman pulled the hood down and away from her face, Mordru saw red hair and feminine features he recognised only too well.

"Mysa."

"I suppose it's Mysa Marvel now," she responded defiantly. "That girl you murdered just revealed everything I need to know to bring this to an end, you monster." Any fear Mysa had worn on her face up to this point was completely gone. With complete confidence, she closed on Mordru before he could complete his incantation. "This is for that poor girl," Mysa grimaced as she punched Mordru hard enough to send him flying back a couple of metres. With lightning speed, she closed in on him again as he began to form his shield of protection about himself.

"And this is for Harlack." Grabbing Mordru's fingers in both hands while crimson energy was still coming to bear about him, she bent them backwards until they broke.

"And this," she clasped her hands together and delivered an uppercut that broke his jaw, "This one is for me and for everybody else I love to whom you've brought nothing but misery."

Most of the Legionnaires had come around by now, and they all stared at the transformed Mysa in silent awe. For his part, Mordru internalised his own magical energies to heal himself, starting with his shattered jaw. "....Woman..." he growled, "I meant what I said to that witch earlier...you have the strength to turn me into a red paste, but you are too soft to do it...and for that reason, Mordru will always triumph."

"You won't triumph this time, maniac." Mysa stared him down fearlessly. "Because it's not strength that's going to beat you...it's wisdom." She launched herself at him, but instead of hitting him Mysa grabbed him around the waist and kept flying straight forward. The villainous sorceror hadn't noticed in the heat of battle but she'd been driving him exactly where she wanted him. Mysa charged Mordru backwards until they both slammed into the enormous green lantern poking out of the rubble and then she used the strength of Hercules to hold him there.

**********

The young Legionnaire named Neon was strong-willed, perhaps more than almost anybody else on her team.

But she was no sorceress, and her monumental willpower was an imperfect defence against Mordru's magicks. Ever since he'd trapped her in the form of this green lantern, Zoe Saugin had been inexorably losing grip on her consciousness, on her memory and reason, losing grip on her very sense of self. This whole time she'd struggled as hard as she could against this terrifying ego death, and though she didn't know how or why and she wasn't really even able to conceptualise it consciously, there was something about Mordru's presence which paradoxically strengthened her resolve the more time he spent around her.

For it wasn't solely Mordru's power that had forced Neon into this state...once upon a time, Mordru the Merciless had absorbed the power of an extradimensional heroine named Kinetix, and through her the power of the dead universe from which Kinetix had hailed. It was that same power which had haunted Mysa Nal as the Black Witch, and the same power which had now allowed Mordru to come this far in conquering his old enemies. Something Mordru didn't and couldn't possibly know however was that when he absorbed Kinetix in all her entirety, she'd been a Terrorform; a life form native to her own universe which was perfectly and utterly evolved to adapt to any environment in which she was forced to exist. Ever since Mordru thought he'd wiped her from existence, Kinetix had been inside of him trying instinctively to find any way out...she'd only needed something or someone she recognised as safety, something familiar to latch onto...and what could be more familiar to Kinetix than another universe's version of herself?

Mordru fought back against Mysa Marvel savagely, but without savvy. He was lashing out blindly now, because in his heart of hearts he knew this was over. His bellowing suddenly sounded stifled, choked, and his eyes bulged as his cheeks flushed bright red. Impossibly, long tan fingers emerged from both corners of his mouth and stretched it open to an inhuman degree. The assembled heroes watched in horror and disbelief as a naked woman some seven feet tall literally climbed forth from Mordru's mouth. Vivid red hair erupted from her scalp like the mane of some big cat, and her eyes glowed as green as one of Neon's constructs.

Mordru collapsed in a heaving heap and Kinetix stood tall, free for the first time in a long long time.

"How...did you know..?" the Zoe Saugin of a dead universe looked down at Mysa gratefully.

"I didn't," Mysa admitted. "Not without the wisdom of Solomon to guide me anyway...but it makes perfect sense in hindsight. Mordru was never scared of the Rock of Eternity, he was scared of the wisdom it could impart...and he was only scared of Zoe Saugin -- our Zoe Saugin -- because he knew she could lead to your emancipation. And I think...I think maybe he knew I was the person most likely to put all that together, maybe because I held your power within me once as well. Kinetix, I don't know you but I'm so sorry that I never realised you were alive--"

"Don't." Kinetix placed a hand on Mysa's shoulder. "You couldn't possibly have known, I think even he only realised after proximity to your Zoe started waking me up. He's not going to be a threat for a while now anyway."

Ultra Boy approached the two women, sparing a disgusted glance for Mordru cowering at their feet. "You were with that other Legion, right? Kinetix..? I don't really know what happened here, but I'm Ultra Boy and--"

"I know who you are, Jo." The giant woman chuckled. "We have a Mysa too, though she's not much like yours," she smiled at Mysa. "What happened is your Mysa Marvel here just saved me, and you know...I've still got all that power Mordru craved so much, I think maybe I can use it for good for a change."

Kinetix's eyes flared briefly, and an invisible wave of energy coursed over everybody present. In a flash, everyone's injuries were healed and both Blok and Neon were transformed back to their normal forms. "Whoa..." Neon came around to face her much taller counterpart. "You're...you're me, right? This is so weird."

Blok approached Mysa, genuinely surprised at the transformation that had come over her. "I'll explain later," Mysa touched his chest gently.

Mordru had finally begun to climb to his feet, though he fell into a slump rather anticlimactically at Kinetix's casual command. She turned to Neon with a warm smile. "I am you...or a version of you. But something tells me we've gone down very different paths, other Zoe."

"So what are you going to do now?" Neon asked Kinetix before turning to Ultra Boy. "You think the Legion's ready for two of us, Ultra Boy?"

Kinetix chortled loudly. "I don't know if any Legion's big enough for two of us...but you know, maybe it doesn't have to be. Mordru thought my universe was dead, but if I hold its power inside of me, then it's not really gone, right?"

Mysa immediately realised what Kinetix was planning. "Do you really think..?" she began to ask.

"I do," Kinetix answered. "I've got a lot of power, but you know...that's not always been a good look for me. Maybe there's something else that power could be doing. Something it could be recreating." She closed her eyes and concentrated for a moment, and again a wave of energy passed over everyone assembled. This time though, it didn't feel like Kinetix was changing anything so much as just releasing the power back where it came from.

Nobody really saw a change take place but when they next looked at this other universe's Zoe Saugin, they didn't see a Terrorform; they saw a young red-headed woman who looked identical to their teammate Neon in a costume composed of various green tones. "My universe was inside me....now it's out there somewhere." Kinetix looked out into the moonless night. "And so are my teammates. I'm going to find them and take us home."

Everyone heard the sound of rubble shifting nearby and went on high alert. A moment later, a gleaming woman's arm appeared. Soon after, somebody who could only be Diamond Damsel pulled herself from the wreckage. The Legion's jaws collectively dropped; this woman didn't look like the Diamond Damsel they'd all worked alongside for so long now. While still made of diamond, she was shorter and much less powerfully built; in short, she looked as though the human form of Iris Jacobs had been recast in diamond.

"What's wrong?" Diamond Damsel asked, slightly defensive. "What are you all looking at? Wait, why the sprock are there two Neons?"

"Changes," Ultra Boy answered, bemused. Jo Nah looked Diamond Damsel up and down then gazed over the two Zoes, Mysa Marvel, Nightstone, and the rest of the Legion; some of whom earlier tonight had been close to death.

"Whole lotta changes, DD."

NEXT: CHANGES!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: MERCILESS Part 5 of 5: Terror's Forms - 03/03/22 08:21 PM
Hey Raz, sorry I don't have time to give you a full review this evening but I will when I have time.

Just wanted so say that this is superb. Love the opening scene with Dawny and Drake, love the teamwork on display, Dragonwing knowing when to stop, ivy's rationale for her following Glorith, Mordrus fears, Otaki and Nightstone returning, two Zoes will have IB cheering, and my fave fave fave is Mysa Marvel. I wonder why DD is now Diamond Iris and hope Ral survived.

Full review next week when I have time but I wouldn't complain if there was more, more and more before then smile

Great stuff!
Raz, wow, you exceeded all my expectations!

Dawny and Drake was heart-wrenching. From Drake's refusal to listen to Dawny (after all, it's what he always wanted!), to Dawny's realization and actions... and of course, it would have been different if Drake really HAD been human, but it would have been more cruel to let him live in an illusion... just glad Drake broke free from it. but gosh, they will have a tough convo after... still, Dawny tried, oh she tried...

Way to up the ante with the scene: explosion, vegetation, demons.

Yay Vi!

Thank goodness Nura and Ral acted in time...

oh gosh, what happened to Ivy... great way of revealing it. so, Glorith stole her, let her grow and nurtured her, turned her against Ral and Grava, and THEN brought her back to the present! heart-wrenching...

Nightstone, shades of Terra II, I like her. I really do. "I'm not going to leave you to die, but I'm no hero!" and dear Otaki, still trying to stop Mordru. I love them both. Well done for writing them so well.

Vu had a fling with Dirk eh? nice tidbit

Tasmia, so strong, you write her strength so well. I remember Levitz Tasmia crying a lot (remember COMPUTO's attack on Legion HQ?) I like yours way better!

also like Dirk's fighting spirit! and Tasmia's tactical mind, and Vi catching on!

yes! the second wave of the cavalry!

Mon not even knowing how to activate his flight ring's hover feature, sigh. Hopefully this will teach Mon not to be so reliant on his powers.

yay Drura! It's been a while since she's really rocked in battle, so great scene here. And Tellus driving out the 7 Deadly Sins too. ooh, bit by bit the Legion is regaining ground...

nice switching of powers by Jo! I like him more when he uses his powers intelligently!

as Harbi said, EXCELLENT teamwork vs. Black Osiris!

oh yeah! Marya rocks! you've made me love her... and having Amp boost Tellus to control Black Osiris's (i was gonna call him BO, but yeah...) mind...! brilliant!

also Tellus' speech, and a depowered Black Osiris screaming... lovely, just lovely

Drake flying off to battle is awesome

oooh, nice bit here having Tellus understand Marya... and I love the implication that Marya chose not to kill BO...

but this also means Fire Lass really is dead frown aw. but I get it, this ups the scale of the story... wow... I wish I were brave enough to kill my darlings like you and Harbi and Omni are!

glad that Verdant/IIvy is a bit out of the fight... go Tasmia go! poor Ral...

One thing I agree with Mordru on, he IS more ruthless. I like that the magical duel is turning into fisticuffs too

whoa. Glorith and Ivy/Verdant escaping, I did not expect that!

whew. go Jazmin... oh man. Vi, Mysa and Nura are the only ones standing...

Mordru sprocking talks too much!

Yay Nightstone! And Otaki!!

Ah, so Zoe and Mysa scare Mordru! I like this. I like how Mordru bullies Mysa because she scares him...

no! Otaki is dead too? frown

Mysa Marvel! oh my gosh!!

I love the willpower bit about Zoe! and indeed she does have willpower... after all, Reboot Zoe turned away from the Anomaly lol wink

oh wow, I love how Reboot Zoe's terrorform-ness actually kept her alive!

oh I love it! Zoe knowing Jo, Zoe knowing Mysa (and the crack about Reboot Mysa being different)... and of course, Zoe wanting to use her power for good!

Blok is back!!

and yes, Terrorform Zoe healing everyone and restoring them, AWESOME


wait, what is Blok's normal form... only stone, no Marvel empowerment?

YES YES YES! Reboot Zoe has restored her universe AND is gonna find her team... are you gonna write a crossover? are you, huh? OH YEAH! and she did it so easily (more easily than I had it happen anyway lol!)

man I cannot wait for the aftermath!

Diamond Iris, but in diamond. So was this Zoe's doing? Mordru's?

oh man, I hope Mordru is gonna get it. he's still alive...

and Glorith and Ivy are still out there...

and... like Harbi said, I am ELATED by having two Zoes!

also, Reboot Zoe has her original powers right? So Life Lassy like.

Wow, I can't wait for the aftermath... lots of excellent bits here!
Posted By: razsolo Re: MERCILESS Part 5 of 5: Terror's Forms - 03/06/22 10:29 AM
Thanks y'all! I was a bit worried maybe I bit off more than I could chew with everything going on so I'm glad it worked out!

There were maybe one or two things I wanted to include that I couldn't really find room for, but I will be touching on those in the next couple of chapters anyway smile

Glorith and Reboot Zoe's stories are two things I have been sitting on since I started writing this series, it is good to finally get to get the wheels rolling with them!

Mysa Marvel is definitely gonna be sticking around too - and sorry IB, I should have clarified it in the text but Blok still has his Captain Marvel powers too! Captain Marvel powers for everyone! laugh

This is gonna lead into some changes for the Legion and the Academy kids, so the next one or two instalments will be mostly setting up the new status quo for everyone but then after THAT...time for the Oversight Watch to stick their noses in where they're not wanted one more time!
This is definitely gonna be a big shake up, super excited to see what comes next raz! And yay more Oversight Watch, they’ve had some changes too… interested to see where you take Brittle, and will be very curious to see if Duplicate Boy II shows up too
Posted By: razsolo The Trauma Cleaners - 03/11/22 10:14 AM
XEROX
The Sorcerors' World, the ruins of Mordru's castle


ROLL CALL
Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage

With her gold-trimmed white hood drawn over her red hair, Mysa Nal sat atop a grassy knoll and looked out over the pile of rubble that only hours ago had been the lair of one of the Legion of Superheroes' greatest enemies. In the light of day it was just a sad reminder of pain and constant tragedy.

"I hope I am not intruding, Mysa?"

Blok's gravelly voice was instantly recognisable, and Mysa turned her chin up to give the gold-flecked stone giant a wistful smile. "Never, my friend."

Blok came over the small rise of the hill and sat further down the gentle slope so that he and Mysa could see relatively eye to eye. "Have you given any more thought to rejoining the Legion, Mysa? The whole team has been abuzz with stories of your performance against Mordru...you saved all of us."

"Not all," Mysa drew her cloak close around herself. "Poor Harlack and Otaki weren't as lucky as us, nor I hear was one of the Academy girls...and I didn't even realise until daybreak that Mordru had brought the Legion to the Sorceror's World and then sent Black Osiris off murdering anyone he could find here. The remaining Elders tell me that barely half of Xerox's population survived the night. Even at his worst, Mordru was never this bloodthirsty before; I fear that being absorbed within me and then the Rock of Eternity for so long destroyed any remnant of humanity within him."

"That is not your fault," Blok gently assured her.

"Oh, I know that," Mysa answered thoughtfully. "I did the best I could with the tools I had at the time. But the tools I have now...I think I can do a lot better. I feel...I feel like the best version of myself to be honest. Does that make sense?"

"Absolutely," Blok agreed. His golden eyes spotted something beyond Mysa, and Blok stood to face Diamond Damsel, Mon-El and Phantom Girl as they approached. Behind the trio, Dragonmage and the two versions of Zoe Saugin were chattering away to one another. Blok embraced Diamond Damsel as she came closer. "I have been concerned for you, Diamond Damsel. Have you come across any answers regarding your new form as yet?"

Diamond Damsel craned her neck to look up at Blok. Until yesterday, she'd only been a couple of inches shorter than him...now he towered over her as much as he did almost everyone else on the team. "This is going to take some getting used to," she laughed uncharacteristically lightly. "It's so weird, for so long I thought of my diamond form as being monstrous and I eventually made peace with it but making peace with it is all I could do...but now...now I kind of like it! I look like the old Iris Jacobs again, but just a better version of her!"

"There seems to be a lot of that going around today," Mysa recalled her earlier words as she too stood to face the others.

"I think it might be my fault, Diamond Damsel." Kinetix raised her hand bashfully. "I guess when I had to put you back together again, you were in a lot of pieces and a lot of those pieces are still stuck under Mordru's castle somewhere...so I suppose that weird terrorform power of mine just did the best job it could given the material it could find to work with?"

"Physically you're fine," Mon-El added. "I've used my x-ray vision and my microscopic vision and not only are there no obvious flaws, but the damage you've been carrying around from that Khund warrior Bloodclaw and Supergirl's stint as Satan Girl is fully healed as well, Diamond Damsel. And you're certainly more or less in the same ballpark as far as your strength and durability are concerned."

"Mon-El let me punch him a couple of times," Diamond Damsel admitted a little self-consciously. "But I really do feel fine, and Dragonmage has confirmed that creepy wizard didn't leave any black magic timebombs inside me."

"Some of the Elders helped me with my analysis," Xao added modestly.

"DD, I'm glad you're fighting fit," Phantom Girl joined the conversation. "Because we're going to be understaffed for a while...some of the Legion are taking time off to grieve and although Kinetix healed everyone's wounds, Mordru really did a psychological number on our friends this time around. I'm gonna need everyone who can contribute to give 100%."

"Phantom Girl?" Mysa asked. "If the Legion has a place for me, you've got me on board too. There are too many bad memories for me here, and I can't think of any better way to use my new power for good than with all of you."

"Mysa, that's amazing!" Phantom Girl gave her an affectionate hug. "Everyone will be so happy to have you back!" Tinya turned away from the newly christened Mysa Marvel to face Zoe Saugin's extradimensional counterpart. "...and Kinetix, what about you? After what you did for us, I hope you know there's absolutely a place for you in our Legion if you want it!"

"Thank you, Phantom Girl...I really do appreciate it." Kinetix grinned. "Like I said to your Zoe though, I don't know if any Legion is big enough for the two of us! Besides, being around most of you just makes me miss my own friends all the more. One of the Elders here thinks he might be able to help me track my Legion down, but who knows? Maybe our paths will cross again one day!"

"Bet on it!" Neon's wide smile matched that of Kinetix as she embraced her counterpart. "And stay safe, okay?"

"If everyone's ready to leave then let's go home," Phantom Girl announced. "I'm exhausted and I didn't even get here till everything was well and truly over, I can't imagine how all of you must feel. Everyone's having a few days off, leader's orders. Take some vacation time, do whatever you need to...I need to find somewhere for us to all use as a temporary base, organise some memorials, and then hopefully I might actually have some good news for everyone for a change!"

**********

MARS
Marsopolis, Science Police Global Headquarters


ROLL CALL
Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn: magnetism
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: hyperevolution/devolution
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
Invisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: gravity negation
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

It was in fact four standard days later by the time Phantom Girl was looking out over those Legionnaires who'd been able to make it here to a conference room in the uppermost levels of the Science Police's iconic megascraper in downtown Marsopolis.

Tinya had to remind herself that even with this diminished roster, the team was larger than it had been for most of its existence. Still, the subdued atmosphere in the room was a far cry from the usual lively mob she was confronted with when this many of her teammates were gathered in one room.

"I want to thank everyone for making it today, and also thank everyone else who is taking part in this meeting remotely. Today's gathering will of course be recorded for those of our teammates who haven't been able to be here with us in any capacity. Finally, I'd like to thank the Martian Science Police for kindly allowing us use of their facilities while we wait for our new base to finish construction, and Polamar Hotels for their hospitality toward we Legionnaires who don't have much in the way of alternative sleeping arrangements at the moment."

Tinya passed her eyes over the room full of heroes before her. "The past few days have brought us a lot of loss; our home, two of our students, even poor little Ivy Arcane...and of course let's not forget the Legion's friend Harlack, some of the population of Xerox and a young troubled girl named Bina Nawoti whose only real crime was wanting to be one of us. We will mourn our losses, but right now I think it's important that we focus on the positive. I'm so happy to be able to welcome our old friend Mysa back into the team...I suppose I should get used to calling you Mysa Marvel now, huh?"

There was no applause, but many of the Legionnaires smiled in Mysa's direction and those who were close enough offered a hand or a pat on the shoulder in congratulations.

Tinya continued. "There's more good news...honestly, after Mordru and Black Osiris I was wondering if I should delay this for a little while, but a very wise former Adult Advisor to the Legion of Superheroes convinced me otherwise." She smiled wryly as her well-rehearsed speech activated a holographic comms channel beside her. A handful of sentients were projected before them, and Tinya moved to introduce them all. "The Legion of Superheroes has expanded way way beyond the vision that RJ Brande had for Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl all those years ago but as the team gets larger so do our needs. And that's why I'm proud to present to you all something I've been building with Marla Latham for a little while now; the Legion of Superheroes Support Crew."

Tinya moved to the closest of the support crew; an unassuming skinny brown-haired boy in clothing that seemed one size too large for him. "This is M'Rissey," she began. "The Legion's new Business Manager. Managing our day to day operations is frankly a chore that nobody this side of Duplicate Damsel ever had time for, and even Luornu might be stumped with that these days. Having a Business Manager will free me up to actually lead the team more than I feel like I've been doing."

"How old is this kid?" Timber Wolf mocked. "Eleven?"

"Thirteen actually," M'Rissey replied with the unbothered ease of someone accustomed to having to justify his competence to those around him. "I was eleven when I graduated Michael Holt University with honours."

"Marla was right, you'll do just fine." Phantom Girl smiled at the young boy and kept going. "Our new Manager of Diplomacy should be familiar to just about all of you...just like her job title says, Marte Allon will be managing the many many diplomatic requests which come through to the Legion."

"I know you've created this position to save yourself some work," the middle-aged woman rejoined, "But to be truthful, I've been looking for something to sink my teeth into ever since I stepped down from Earth's Presidency so you're doing me a favour as much as yourself, dear."

"M'Rissey and Mrs Allon - sorry, Marte - that's also going to take some getting used to," Tinya corrected herself, "They'll primarily be working remotely, but once our new base has finished construction we'll be welcoming the rest of our crew on board full-time. Let me introduce our new Communications Officer, Trava Coruu."

The curvy dark-skinned woman who was next on Phantom Girl's list wore a revealing one-piece suit with deep cut cleavage and strategic holes cut out at her hips. A short blue cape hung down to her waist, clasped together at her collarbone with a large red gemstone. She was adorned with gold in the form of a loose belt, bracelets, a multi-banded choker necklace and a delicate headpiece which framed her attractive face in front of a thick afro of brown hair so dark it was almost black. "Nice to meet you all," Trava greeted the team with a slightly husky voice. "I figure I'll get to know you all better once I get started!"

"Trava will be in charge of the mission monitor room and also our comms in a more general sense," Phantom Girl explained. "We'll still have mandatory shifts ourselves because I think it's an important thing for Legionnaires to be across and also because Trava's going to need to sleep some time, but moving forward this is going to be her baby. And finally..."

Phantom Girl moved toward the last two crew members; a placid Durlan man who was fit though not as obviously athletic as Chameleon Boy, and a small hovering ship colored steel blue with white trim that had a white cross imprinted on its tail. The ship was the same size as their old teammate Quislet's, though shaped more like some kind of wingless dragonfly.

"Meet our medical support crew," Phantom Girl concluded her introduction. "We relied entirely too much on Brainy for our medical needs when he was an active member of the Legion and now that he's gone we rely entirely too much on Mwindaji, Dream Girl, Mon-El and Elastic Lad. Medicus One's facilities are galaxy-class, but we don't always have the luxury of taking ourselves to Medicus One. Jrey Lefen here is going to be the Legion of Superheroes' first official Team Counsellor. With the kind of stress we face it's frankly well past time we took this step to look after ourselves, and he comes highly recommended. Dr Skorski bears the distinction of being the first Teallian to become a fully accredited medical physician in the United Planets thanks to Quislet's efforts to integrate Teall with the United Planets. I have a feeling that Jrey and Dr Skorski are both going to be incredibly useful resources for us moving forward."

"I think it's great that we're getting a Counsellor!" Light Lad interjected. "Welcome to the Legion, Jrey!"

"Thank you," the Durlan man nodded respectfully. "I look forward to meeting you all face to face, Light Lad."

"As does Dr Skorski," a pleasantly melodic voice came forth from the Teallian microship, surprising everyone present who'd had even the most minor interaction with Quislet in the past. "Dr Skorski thanks you for this opportunity, Phantom Girl."

"The pleasure is mine," Tinya replied warmly. "Thanks for joining us today, all of you...I'll follow up with you all individually when we're done here but for now I'll let you get back to your lives." The support crew said their goodbyes and then blinked out of existence, and then Tinya spent the next 25 minutes going through much less interesting matters with her team. When she finished, Phantom Girl asked if anybody had anything they wanted to bring up and Star Boy took the opportunity to raise his hand.

"What's up, Thom?" Tinya was curious; Star Boy was one of the most dependable Legionnaires she'd ever met, but he rarely went out of his way to initiate any action.

"I submitted a report not long ago," Thom explained. "I don't know if anyone's read it yet, but when I was last on my homeworld the Uncanny Amazers and I met some weird alien guy who killed a couple of Dominators - we didn't have any luck subduing him but I think we should try and track him down. I know Dominators aren't anyone's favourite people but they still deserve justice."

"I agree," Phantom Girl replied instantly. "Assemble a team, you can leave as soon as you're ready. Everyone else...if I don't run into any of you beforehand, I'll see you on Shanghalla for Fire Lass's memorial service. Keep in touch and stay safe, everyone."

**********

DEEP SPACE
On board a Legion cruiser


ROLL CALL
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: hyperevolution/devolution
Invisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference

"We should be in your home system in another 20 standard minutes, Star Boy." Kid Computo updated Thom Kallor without looking up from the omnicom that was resting on a console between she and her brother. "Sunny day ahead as far as nav and sensors can tell me...what about this one, Jacques?" She immediately turned back to the more interesting task of finding a present for their parents' upcoming wedding anniversary.

"Thanks, Kid C." Star Boy looked over the group of Legionnaires he'd brought with him. Leading wasn't Thom's favourite thing to do, but he was the one who'd called on the Legion to deal with a threat that among them only he'd faced, so it made sense for him to lead this expedition.

Thom wished that Dawnstar were available for this mission as he could really use her tracking power, but from what he picked up she'd taken some time away to help Wildfire through whatever Mordru had done to him back on Xerox. He had no problem with Mwindaji and he'd seen for himself how Neon had extended the range of his tracking in the past, but he still couldn't help but see them as the new kids on the block even though they'd both proven themselves many times over. "Maybe you're just getting old, Kallor," he mumbled to himself.

"Sorry, Thom?" Element Lad drew Star Boy's attention.

"Hmm..? Oh, nothing." Thom snapped himself out of his navel gazing. "It's just...I remember when Jacques was the rookie Legionnaire, and he's pretty much a senior member of the team now. Makes you feel old, huh?"

"Change was a pillar of life when I was a boy on Trom," Element Lad replied thoughtfully. "In that sense, I'm glad the Legion of Superheroes hasn't stagnated, that we've grown and adapted to new challenges...but yes. It does make me feel old sometimes."

"Uh, Star Boy?" Kid Computo spoke up a second before the ship's comms channel flashed to life. "We've just picked up an automated distress signal...it's not that far off-course, should we--?"

"Definitely," Thom replied. "Our mystery revenant can wait, people in trouble always take precedence. Get us there as fast as you can, Kid C - and once we're close enough, I want you to tell me anything else you can about what we're looking at."

"Star Boy?" Neon excused herself from where she'd been in conversation with Mwindaji on the other side of the bridge and approached their squad's leader. "I can get there quicker than the cruiser, do you want me to go scout ahead?"

Star Boy thought about Zoe's proposal. He didn't want to send her off to face who knows what on her own, but space was an unforgiving environment and every second counted when someone out there was asking for help. "Go," he decided. "But don't go on your own...take Element Lad, Evolvo Lad and Diamond Damsel with you; the rest of us will catch up."

Neon's ring scanned the location from the ship's computer then she phased herself, Sev, Iris and Jan through the hull of the cruiser and disappeared into the void. Thom hoped he'd made the right decision.

***********

It only took the former Green Lantern a handful of minutes to reach the source of the distress signal, an enormous walnut-shapped vessel which seemed more organic than manufactured.

"That kind of looks familiar," Diamond Damsel frowned, "But I can't figure out why...it doesn't look anything like a normal spaceship though, right?"

"It looks like a Dominator ship to me," the very average looking Sev Tcheru remarked. "Something I've had some experience with in the Heroes of Lallor."

"It's definitely a Dominator ship," Element Lad confirmed curtly. "I've seen enough of them to know that. Neon, are you absolutely certain this is the source of the distress call?"

"100%," Zoe replied. "I'm picking up a bunch of lifeforms inside the ship; mostly Dominators, but there are some other aliens...oh. Guys, the Oversight Watch are in there! My ring recognises them from last time we met, and I think...I think they're killing the Dominators? Dominator signatures keep dropping off!"

"They won't be for much longer," Element Lad scowled. "Neon, update Star Boy and phase us in there. The Oversight Watch have crossed too many lines and it's time they faced the consequences...

...Let's go, Legion!"

NEXT: THE LEGION OF SUPERHEROES VS THE OVERSIGHT WATCH!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Trauma Cleaners - 03/11/22 02:17 PM
aw yeah, so stoked to see another entry so soon!

Blok and Mysa, yay! poor Mysa, I feel for her. Otaki, Harlak, Fire Lass, and almost half of Zerox dead... glad Mysa does not blame herself though. no, it is all Mordru and Black Osiris. ah, but she didn't mention Ral, so I guess Ral survived? (thank goodness)

Bashful Zoe? never! hah, just kidding. good explanation for why Diamond Damsel's form looks like Iris Jacobs now. but wait, DD was able to turn back to flesh and blood before - now that she's healed and her form is whole, can she do that again?

YEAH! MYSA MARVEL IS BACK FULL TIME! That's amazing - and also interesting, does she have any sorcery left or is it all Shazam empowerment? wow, a Legion with Shazam Blok, Mon-El, Night Girl, Ultra Boy, Diamond Damsel and Mysa Marvel... plus Dragonmage for sorcery...!

totally agree 100% with Reboot Zoe missing her friends (and universe), and wanting to get them back wink it's natural, these are doppelgangers, but different... it's not quite the same. I'm sure we will see Reboot Zoe again sooner or later eh wink

so quick scan, it looks like nobody is actually leaving the team... just taking time off eh.

the second student loss is of course, Glorith, right? and glad that Otaki is being remembered for the good person she ultimately was

nice touch, no applause but lots of support for Mysa. you right the atmosphere of the scene extremely well

aw nice, Support Crew! epic idea, the Legion needs it (go Tinya!) and M'Rissey is a great character in any Boot. and he's already showing off his chops, with calm confidence, very nice.

hey, Marte Allon, that is awesome!!! It's gonna be great seeing more of her!

is Trava an original character? wow, you describe her outfit well. my mind is tickled though, is she meant to be... IDK, one of the characters... Trio ... from Dave Cockrum's concept sketch that included Nightcrawler?

and I think our medical crew members are both definitely original characters, cool. I like that bit "fit but not as athletic as Cham", makes sense as Cham is a field agent! I always got annoyed with artists who drew every single non-superhero character as super fit too lol

Thom being dependable and not initiating things... sounds like him. though depending on the Boot, dependable is not always true lol. and indeed, dependable of him to follow up on this one!

good to see Thom acknowledge his biases re "the new kids". and good to see Dawny taking time off with Drake... between the taking time off, Tinya mentioning the psychological scars, and having a team counsellor, I applaud your focus on mental health!

whoa!

but is the Oversight Watch killing the Dominators, or do they just happen to be there? nice cliffhanger!!

can't wait for the next bit!!

also curious to see:

how is Ral doing (though I'm pretty sure he's alive, else he or Grava would have been mentioned!). and for that matter, how are they taking the loss of Ivy?

what will happen to Nightstone? (and will you write a scene with her and one or more of Berta/Bobb/Tel, considering their encounter before?)

and any special punishments for that awful Black Osiris...

and how are the rest of the Academy Kids dealing?

oh, and will Mysa give a full explanation re Glorith? I mean, I can figure it out (Glorith's memories were suppressed or something so she became the Academy Glorith), but I'm interested if you have any more twists planned!

heh sorry! I overthink sometimes tongue
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Trauma Cleaners - 03/14/22 10:14 AM
Thanks IB!

Mysa is purely Shazam-powered now, though she still has generally more familiarity with the occult than your average Legionnaire...so combine that with the wisdom of Solomon and we're likely to see some interesting results sooner or later!

Reboot Zoe has been shuffled off-stage for now, but rest assured I haven't forgotten about her! wink

Very prescient of you to ask about Chlorophyll Kid, Glorith and Nightstone as we'll be getting answers on all three of those in the next two instalments! (Glorith was the second student that Tinya referred to as being lost, and we'll touch base on the other students soon as well)

Some of the support crew will be earning their places right off the bat - Trava is an original character but I did totally base her off of Trio's design, I am glad you picked up on it! laugh

The medical crew are also original creations....I wanted a way to show that progress is being made on integrating Durla and Teall into the UP without necessarily making a PSA out of it. I love Marte as a supporting character and conversely I always found M'Rissey to be kind of annoying, so I took him on as a project to find something to like about him smile
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Trauma Cleaners - 03/14/22 12:56 PM
thanks for the tidbits, raz! wink

yay! looking forward to checking in on Ral, Grava, Nightstone, Glorith and the other students!

you described Trava's outfit very well, which led me to Trio tongue so kudos

and thanks re showing developments with Durla and Teall, that's really cool that you're bringing your UP forward smile
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Trauma Cleaners - 03/14/22 02:50 PM
So sorry I haven't had the time to properly review your story Raz, though have read it through and loving it!

Yay, Mysa Marvel on the team! Am sure you'll fill in the details of those that are taking time away to recuperate, though its still a really impressive line up you have to play with.

Kind of glad Zoe Kinetix left as the two of them would take over, which would be fun but overshadow the rest of your cast.

Ummm is that medic a descendent of a certain Starjammet?

Nice having Thom, minus Nura, lead a mission.

Looking forward to seeing the Oversight Watch again.

Great stuff, more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Trauma Cleaners - 03/15/22 07:20 AM
Thanks Harbi!

Mysa's lucky - when I first drafted up the story I was thinking about giving Otaki the Shazam powers, but Mysa Marvel rolls off the tongue easier and I think it adds a nice layer to her friendship with Blok with them sharing the power. Also, Mysa probably deserves to lay a smackdown on Mordru more than anybody at this point!

Two Zoes would be a lot, but I am thinking of having her pop up again maybe a bit sooner than later...I might try and shuffle some stuff around smile

Quote
Ummm is that medic a descendent of a certain Starjammet?
YES! Dr Skorski was my second little Dave Cockrum easter egg along with Trava! I am glad they both got recognised! laugh
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Trauma Cleaners - 03/15/22 09:10 AM
I love picking your brain, hope you don't mind raz. what made you decide to have Otaki die (redemption?) and give Mysa the Shazam powers and rejoin? Was Mysa rejoining always on the table?

ahh Sikorsky! yeah! I recognize the name! nice catch, Harbi
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Trauma Cleaners - 03/21/22 02:49 PM
Sorry IB, I wrote a reply to this and then promptly forgot to post it tongue

I was always gonna have Mysa survive (and Harlack as well actually but I felt a bit squicky when I realised it would be just female characters dying otherwise, so I picked a guy to balance it out a bit), but originally she would have remained powerless and Otaki would have had the Shazam powers as well as her mindsense - I changed my mind because I don't think my version of Otaki really earned that, and in the end I preferred the idea of her being more a tragic tale that sometimes the Legion can still fail the people they're meant to help (Nightstone as well to a lesser extent, though her story is not finished yet and I think you guys will like what comes next for her).

Also, I feel like narratively there's more to work with giving Mysa the Shazam powers; it strengthens her bond with Blok, and although she has been a powerful sorceress she's never been a physical powerhouse so I'm looking forward to seeing how she adapts to that...and Mysa has really been through the wringer so much in my series I feel like she deserves a happy ending smile

Plus - purely superficially, Mysa Marvel is such a good classic-sounding comic book name compared to anything I would have ended up calling Otaki laugh
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Trauma Cleaners - 03/21/22 09:03 PM
re Otaki, yeah, there's a bit of shades of Mentalla here.

yay, Nightstone! I'm eager to see where you'll take her, and glad she will continue to be around (fairly unique powerset too!)

and thanks re your thoughts on Mysa, that's a good point... and also, how she will use her magical knowledge when she doesn't actually cast spells anymore, yet is magically empowered smile
Posted By: razsolo Facing Ghosts - 04/06/22 12:28 PM
MARS
Marsopolis, Science Police Impound Tesseract Sublevel 3


Though tesseract units towered over her in the catacombs beneath the Martian Science Police's Global Headquarters, Dawnstar still couldn't help but feel a mildly claustrophobic lack of space. The lighting here was serviceable but dim, and only beeping droids broke the silence floating about inobtrusively in their various missions to catalogue, fetch or lock away the many different armaments and exotic technologies the SP came across in their day to day work.

Her tracking power was of far more use in the void of space, but Dawnstar could easily sense that she was the only living soul down here under the bustling surface of Marsopolis above. It left her vaguely unsettled that Wildfire had chosen this chilly mausoleum to make his temporary home rather than the hotel quarters that most of his teammates in the Legion of Superheroes had happily claimed.

She certainly understood Drake's reasons for hiding away down here far from his teammates; Irveang Polamar's hotels were first class, but their security nowhere near approached that which the Legion were accustomed to...and considering the damage that Wildfire's anti-energy could do when provoked, he had simply felt it not worth the risk to expose countless other innocents to his presence were anything to go wrong. Still, that didn't change how depressingly isolated he was down here from Dawnstar and everybody else they knew.

Dawnstar came across the tesseract container that Wildfire had claimed for his temporary accommodations and pressed the intercom. "Drake? Drake, it's me, Dawnstar...we're going to be late for Fire Lass's memorial." She stepped back and waited a moment, then her smooth brow furrowed and she released an annoyed huff of air. "I'm coming in, Drake!" she announced as one might to let somebody know they should make themselves presentable. She entered a manual code into a keypay with rounded buttons, the only manual code that Wildfire ever used; ERG1.

The tesseract door slid almost noiselessly into its frame, revealing a space inside which was much larger than its external boundaries. Dawnstar stepped inside, and her eyes grew wide. The lights flickered, furniture was shattered into pieces and uneven holes were scorched into everything around her. "Wildfire?" she called out more urgently. "Are you here, Drake?" Dawnstar wracked her mind trying to conceive of who could possibly have attacked Drake in here without leaving any sign of their passing outside. She was just about to call the Legion for backup when Wildfire emerged from around a corner in his distinctive containment suit.

"What is it, Dawny?" he asked bluntly.

"Drake, I..." the winged Legionnaire looked at the damage surrounding them. "...What in the stars happened here? Have you been in a fight?!"

"What? No!" He shook his head vehemently. "Look, I don't really feel like discussing it...can we do this later?"

"But...Fire Lass's memorial service...the rest of the Legion have already left for Shanghalla," Dawnstar countered, feeling strangely as though she were intruding.

"I said I don't feel like discussing it, okay?!" There was an edge to Wildfire's voice that took Dawnstar aback. He consciously calmed his tone and tried again. "Look...Dawny...I appreciate you coming here, but after what Mordru did...I just need some time to work it out, okay? On my own."

"I...I understand," Dawnstar's gaze fell to the ground between them. "Just know that I am here for you, Drake...if you want me to be." She thought about saying something more, but second-guessed herself. Turning away from Wildfire, the young woman from Starhaven felt uncomfortably watched as she left him alone in his tesseract.

**********

SHANGHALLA
The cemetery satellite

A newly blazing eternal blue flame joined the dozens of other memorials which covered the surface of this barren chunk of rock in the middle of nowhere. Above the flame and the sprawling cemetery grounds, a dignified beacon bathed Shanghalla in pale light as a high mounted beam rotated like that of a lighthouse on this lonely outcropping in the sea of space.

The beacon fell across a group of Legionnaires leaving behind the site where their former student was interred, the artificial woman briefly named Fire Lass but more commonly called Arqiia. Staq Mavlen's shoulders were slumped as he left Arqiia's memory behind him, Color Kid and Night Girl standing on either side of him with a hand on each shoulder. "Staq, why don't you come have dinner with Rokk and I tonight?" Lydda Jath Krinn soothed. "I don't like the idea of you being all on your own in that hotel room."

"Thanks Lydda," the young man who hid a dragon within him cast his gaze up to meet Night Girl's. "Honestly, I'm okay though...I think I just want to get really drunk and then sleep it off. I accepted -- well, Arqiia and I had both accepted a while ago that there wasn't really anything between us like we thought there might be, but still..."

"Still, you were friends." Color Kid squeezed Staq's shoulder. "That hurts too, buddy."

"Speaking of friends," Staq changed the subject, "Has anyone heard from Chlor yet? I've been meaning to check in on him since I found out what happened with Ivy."

"Dag tried to get him to come out here with us today, but he's...not ready yet," Night Girl admitted sadly. "He actually hasn't spoken to anyone except Comet Queen since we all got back. I'm starting to get a little concerned, to be honest."

"Don't you worry about that though, Staq!" Color Kid quickly interjected. "One thing at a time, huh?"

Before Staq could respond, the trio of old friends heard someone clear their throat and turned around to see an unusually meek Dragonwing standing behind them. The animated duster she normally wore had been replaced with a deep velvet coat which was pulled tightly together at her breast with one gloved hand.

"Firecrest?" Marya Pai spoke his name. "I'm sorry if I'm interrupting, I just--" She glanced across nervously at Tellus, who floated serenely at a discreet distance and seemed to give her his unspoken approval to continue. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry about Fire Lass," she blurted out. "Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad are giving the Academy a couple of standard weeks vacation time to deal with...well, everything I guess, and I'm heading straight to Earth after this. I didn't...I didn't want to leave here without seeing you first, I think you're really the only friend Arqiia even had and she...she was a real hero in the end. That's all. That's all I wanted to say." By the end, Marya was unable to meet any of the Legionnaires' eyes.

"Thank you," Firecrest replied warmly. "I appreciate it but don't sell yourself short, Dragonwing...you and the rest of your classmates did more to give Arqiia something resembling a normal existence than I could ever have done, and I have no doubt she was a hero in the end because she had some sprocking good influences in that department with you kids to learn from."

Dragonwing was glad that none of her classmates were around to see her blush. It was bad enough forcing herself to show her earnest side to anyone else, she didn't need her friends seeing that...

**********

Some distance behind everyone else, Mysa Marvel watched the unfolding dynamics before her. The Legion of Superheroes had evolved immensely since the White Witch had been an active member, and with the wisdom of Solomon guiding her Mysa found it fascinating to watch the evidence of that evolution. Moving away from the heartwarming interaction between Firecrest and Dragonwing, she noticed a more awkward friction between Sun Boy and Supergirl. The indestructible Laurel Kent had suffered greatly thanks to Dirk Morgna's co-opted power, and Mysa imagined that it would probably take some time for that particular relationship to heal. She'd missed all of this, both the good and the bad; there was so much life and energy in the Legion of Superheroes, so much constant change--

"You're not upset that Harlack didn't get his own memorial service?" Dream Girl's voice interrupted Mysa's musings.

"Not at all," Mysa instantly turned to her sister by her side. "Dear Harlack was unquestionably a hero, but Shanghalla was never in his destiny. He had very specific intentions for his remains after his death, but I think now that I've officially rejoined the Legion that's something that I may need to speak to Phantom Girl and our new Manager of Diplomacy about."

"Sounds mysterious," Nura Nal teased lightly.

"Perhaps not so mysterious as...politically sensitive," Mysa pondered thoughtfully. "I'm bound to secrecy for some of it, but I'll be happy to share what I can. I'm sure Harlack wouldn't mind--"

Mysa suddenly blinked and found herself momentarily confused. She was still on Shanghalla, her sister right beside her. The rest of the Legion were nowhere to be seen though, and the stars had shifted ever so subtly in the forever night sky. Mysa immediately realised that she'd lost time, and even as she was deducing the most likely explanation for that a young dark-skinned girl in a black and purple bodysuit emerged from behind one of the monuments. A golden star insignia blazed across the girl's flat chest, and Mysa understood at once that Kid Quantum had removed both herself and Dream Girl temporarily from the normal passage of time.

Dream Girl took a few moments longer to come to the same conclusion, but as smart as Nura Nal was the conclusion was foregone. "Jazmin Cullen!" Dream Girl snapped. "What is the meaning of this??"

"I'm sure you're aware," Jazmin snapped back, "Or maybe you're not aware because the Academy students don't seem to be anything but cannon fodder for you Legionnaires, but we're being given a couple of weeks leave after today and this time tomorrow I'll be back with my parents on Xanthu. I don't know if I'll be coming back to the Academy or not but to help me make my decision I wanted to talk to the former witch here alone, so I placed you both in quantum stasis until everyone else left Shanghalla. I'm sorry you got caught up in this but I couldn't get her alone without you, Dream Girl...and in the end maybe you need to know who your sister is too."

"Oh, you're in so much trouble, young lady." Furious, Dream Girl raised her flight ring to her lips.

"No, Nura...let her talk." Mysa raised a hand. "I fear that I know exactly what this is about and I can't say that Kid Quantum's anger is undeserved."

"Mysa, what are you talking about?" Dream Girl shot back. "She's practically abducted us--"

"I want to know what you did to Glorith," Jazmin interjected bluntly. "You replaced her with some completely separate woman, and everyone is so sprocking happy to have their precious Mysa back in the Legion that nobody even wants to bring it up. But Glorith was my friend, and I want to know...what did you do to her??"

Mysa met Jazmin's angry gaze with one of compassion. "You deserve to know," she replied. She gestured to a space which had been carved into the base of Shanghalla's iconic towering beacon, where visitors could sit and face one another in private communion.

"Come with me and let me tell you the story of Glorith of Baaldur."

**********

DEEP SPACE
On board a Dominion bio-ship


ROLL CALL
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: hyperevolution/devolution
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy


The Kryptonian named Dev-Em was knee deep in debris and mutilated corpses when a steady emerald glow filled the bio-ship's research pod. He swung violently toward the source of this latest intrusion, eyes flaring red with power and his hands clenched into tight fists. "Neon?" Dev-Em asked, visibly shocked. "Element Lad? What would the Legion of Superheroes be doing here..?"

Zoe Saugin had created a stage curtain of green light which she, Element Lad, Diamond Damsel and Evolvo Lad had entered through as her power phased the quartet through the hull of the Dominator vessel, and she allowed the curtain behind them to fade without damage to the hull while she switched her attention to Dev-Em himself. Hardlight manacles formed around his wrists and ankles, bound together with a segmented cord while a blindfold obscured his vision. "Hopefully we're stopping you while there's still someone alive on this ship to make it worth stopping you for," Zoe replied distastefully. "Grife, I can't believe I thought you were cute. This is...this is really disgusting, guys."

Before Dev-Em's arrival, this room had clearly been some kind of biological research facility. Countless smashed containment tubes lined the walls of the lab, their reeking fluids spilled amongst the wreckage which covered the lab from one side to the other. Malformed and broken bodies jutted out of the wreckage or lay in disturbing positions at the base of the tubes which had once housed them. Neon's power told her none of the mangled bodies were alive, though she suspected that the biological nature of the ship itself prevented her from getting an accurate reading on anyone else still alive on board.

"I'm cute as hell," Dev-Em retorted, exerting only a little effort to snap the manacles with which he'd been bound. "But I've seen the real Neon in action, no way I'd tear one of her constructs apart that easy...you messed up, nasshead." Zoe realised she'd underestimated her opponent and focused on reinforcing the blindfold around his head, but Dev-Em's heat vision had already shredded it into so much photonic discharge.

"We all need a little help from our friends sometimes," Element Lad said coolly. "Let's see if you're any more impressed by my power." With the merest thought, Jan Arrah replicated a much more primitive version of Zoe's manacles upon Dev-Em, though his green glowing restraints had far more substance.

Dev-Em collapsed with a pained cry. "Kryptonite..?" His forehead already clammy with sick sweat, he gave Jan an imploring look.

Seeing movement in her peripheral vision, Diamond Damsel did a double-take. "Did anybody else see that??"

"There is more here than meets the eye," Evolvo Lad intoned calmly. He'd taken on his hyperevolved form as the Legionnaires had passed through the hull of the vessel, and he approached Dev-Em now with slow deliberate movements. As though he saw something the others didn't, Evolvo Lad's gaze turned to one side of the lab. "Hmmm. Intriguing."

A moment later Element Lad, Diamond Damsel and Dev-Em silently zoned out and stared into nothingness blankly. Neon grimaced furiously as she struggled against the mental intrusion, and Evolvo Lad simply turned to a nearby corridor and waited. Mandalla and 89 stepped into the room, 89 drawing a firearm from a holster at her waist.

"A psionic construct designed to baffle the minds of all exposed to it," Evolvo Lad noted as he faced the women entering the lab. "Its intricacies are truly marvellous, though I suspect unappreciated and clearly overwhelming to minds which haven't the benefit of millions of years of forced evolution."

"Who--" Mandalla's jaw dropped to see the peculiar thin man with the enlarged head who was apparently immune to her thoughtsphere.

Evolvo Lad flicked one elongated finger to the left, and 89's weapon flung itself from her grasp to ricochet off of Mandalla's skull. "I am known as--"

"--Evolvo Lad," 89 cut him off while Mandalla staggered, her thoughtsphere shattered along with her concentration. "And we don't have time to do this nicely." With expert slight of hand, 89 threw a flashbang grenade into the middle of the room without Evolvo Lad even having noticed that she'd moved. 89's cowl was outfitted to protect her from the intense light and the explosion of sound, but nobody else in the room enjoyed the same defences.

While Evolvo Lad was still focusing on regenerating the damage that 89's grenade had done to his sensory organs, he felt her grip his wrists as she laid his bony hands upon her head. Instantly understanding her intent, Evolvo Lad reached out telepathically and saw in her short term memory why the Oversight Watch were really here. They'd come across this vessel while tracking down stray Dominators who'd escaped the destruction of Elia and who posed a possible threat to United Planets security, and when they came on board they found that someone else had beaten them here; a unique white winged man who'd killed every Dominator he could find on board and had proven more than a match for the Oversight Watch to boot.

<Legionnaires!> Evolvo Lad announced telepathically as everyone's senses recovered from the flashbang grenade. <The Oversight Watch are not our foes, they simply arrived here first -- our real enemy is--> Evolvo Lad's vision had finally cleared enough that he saw the man from 89's memory standing in real if somewhat blurred life right in front of them all.

The man was exactly as Star Boy had described him; stark white skin with enormous feathered wings, an enlarged cranium with two small antennae upon his forehead and two black beady eyes the only features on his otherwise smooth face. The same black bands which wrapped around his calves and forearms also formed trunks and created a stylized skull emblem across his torso.

<Revenant is the only name I bear now> the man's eerie voice settled deep inside their skulls, <but I have no reason to harm either the Legion of Superheroes or the Oversight Watch. It is only the Dominion who need fear my wrath, and my work here has been all but done. Allow me to finish my duty and I will leave you all unmolested>

Diamond Damsel blinked a few times to be sure her vision was clear. She'd finally recovered from Mandalla's thoughtsphere and while she'd been impacted by 89's grenade, the effect was nowhere near as bad for her as it had been for the others. "Here's the thing," Iris stomped toward the man named Revenant. "I've been around long enough to know that psychopaths whose duty involves wiping out whole ships full of people generally don't peacefully retire when that duty's done. So no offence, but I think I'll just hit you a lot instead." She launched herself at Revenant, slamming him into a console where he bizarrely melted away into three separate identical beings.

Evolvo Lad cast a quick sideways glance to see 89 spraying something from a tiny aerosol cannister that settled into a dull grey over Dev-Em's kryptonite restraints; no doubt atomized lead. Dev-Em would be in fighting form in no time, and by Sev's calculations Star Boy and the other Legionnaires would arrive any moment now. Nobody here needed him right now, and he'd seen somebody else in 89's memory dump who he very much needed some answers from. Throwing his teammates a quick telepathic update, Evolvo Lad realised it was time for his more primal side to emerge. With one thought dominating his consciousness, he devolved into a primitive hulking creature as much beast as man and he embarked on his single-minded mission:

He was going to find Brittle.

**********

In the ship's galley, the Coluan woman named Makkia Vei sat demurely with her hands folded on the table before her. Her long blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, two well-made braids standing out in contrast to the rest of her free flowing mane. Bangles clinked together quietly at her wrists and modest jewellery caught the light upon her fingers.

One of Revenant's duplicates entered the small room and turned his beady black eyes toward her. <I wish you no harm> he announced telepathically.

"Oh, I know that." Makkia smiled disarmingly. "I'm very well aware, in fact. My teammates are fond of violence, but I for one find that violence is only rarely an answer in and of itself. Don't you agree? With all the powers at your disposal you could easily have slaughtered all of us but you don't want to do that, do you?"

<What do you know of my power?> Revenant asked, unsettled by the green-skinned woman's relaxed exterior.

"You were clever or skilled enough to find this bio-ship using your own resources when it took the Oversight Watch weeks of research. You can survive in space on your own, you entered this vessel without damaging the vessel itself, the sheer amount of damage you've caused on board points to power beyond sheer strength, and I've seen you in combat with Dev-Em - you rely on your shapeshifting, duplication and psionic abilities more than anything else so I'm inclined to think that perhaps super-strength isn't really your forte at all. You clearly have telepathy, and I know you wouldn't be here in this galley right now unless you were certain there's a reason for you to be here...so I'm guessing some form of tracking ability? How am I going, Revenant?"

<You...you know who I was, don't you?> Revenant asked, almost in awe of how easily this stranger read him. <How do you know all of this?>

"Well, I am Coluan after all." Makkia allowed herself a self-satisfied smile. "But more to the point, while I can't scramble the minds of an approaching army or beat them all into submission before they have a chance to recognise it's even happened, I am good at what I do. And what I do is know people. I would ask you to have a seat and talk things out, but I know better than that...you're quite focused once you have a mission, aren't you Mr Cohn?"

<We have never before met!> Revenant protested. <How could you possibly know so much about me?>

The sounds of battle carried through the ship as Star Boy, Mwindaji, Kid Computo and Invisible Kid finally caught up to their teammates but Makkia didn't react visibly at all. "It's true that you and I have never met," she agreed, "But when the powers that be found out a whole new group of mutants had emerged on the planet Lallor, the Oversight Watch were asked to investigate...we know a lot about you and your peers, even moreso since we were fortunate enough to recover your old teammate Brittle from where he'd been left for dead. Why don't you come out and say hello, Brittle? You've been waiting for this reunion for some time, haven't you?"

There was a skittering sound at the far end of the room and a new white-skinned humanoid figure built himself in front of them from countless tiny duplicates of himself. "Is it true?" Brittle challenged Revenant rudely. "Duplicate Boy, is that you?"

<Duplicate Boy is no more> Revenant's voice filled Brittle's mind. <After what that Dominator did to me...what he turned me into...Duplicate Boy is dead, Brittle. Now only his Revenant remains>

"Rot!" Brittle jabbed a finger into the taller man's chest. "You know, I wanted you dead for what you did to us, for the way you killed Rain Girl...but somehow you found a way to do worse. I didn't want to believe it was you, but we've been tracking your movements Stev...you've been hunting down Dominators and killing them where you find them, but these are refugees who escaped their homeworld long before it was destroyed or poor squajes who got used like we were used! Nearly everyone on board this sprocking ship was nothing more than a glorified science experiment for the diskhead in charge here and you killed them all anyway!"

<They were Dominators> Revenant decreed. <And I have not killed them all yet> Knowing that any physical force would simply shatter Brittle into a smaller group of duplicates, Revenant felled him with a blast of pure psionic energy. Enormous talons grew from each hand next, and he tore apart a sheet of thick filmy mucus which had been set into the cartilage of the ship. A Dominator child was huddled in the storage space that the mucus had concealed, no disk visible on their large yellow head. The child screamed in terror, but before Revenant could make another move a hirsute ball of muscle tackled the winged man and sent him flying into a nutrient dispenser. Greyish sludge poured forth from the jagged dent in the dispenser, coating both Revenant and the devolved Evolvo Lad.

<Perhaps it is not enough for me to remove the plague of the Dominion from our universe> Revenant mused as he used telekinesis to propel Evolvo Lad to the other side of the room. <Perhaps I must atone for my sins before those whom I had hurt in my past life>

The Dominator child was initially as frightened of Evolvo Lad as they were of Revenant, but when the primitive beast-man stood between them and Revenant in a protective stance the child soon realised that this hideous caveman was in fact on their side. Evolvo Lad growled menacingly, and Makkia Vei realised she would need to step in if this was going to end the way she wanted it to. Modulating her voice so as to be a calming influence on Evolvo Lad, she exposed her back to him and allowed her hands to fall open at her side to show her vulnerability. "Revenant, there is a gap in my knowledge. From what Brittle told us, we know that you hadn't entirely succumbed to the Dominators' BION programming. You saved those of your teammates you could on Lallor and then you disappeared, and now you're...this. You have to admit, that's quite a leap."

<When last we met, Evolvo Lad forced Amp to use her power upon me> Revenant explained. <I had already duplicated Evolvo Lad's own ability to evolve myself and when my hyperevolution was amplified even further...after the initial shock, I overcame the Dominion's brainwashing. In fact, I gained total control of myself in every sense. I knew that couldn't last though, and I was terrified that I'd kill the rest of my friends once Amp and Evolvo Lad's powers left me. So I brought those I could to safety, and then in so many seconds I fled halfway across the universe with what I'd evolved from Dawnstar's mimicked speed>

Evolvo Lad seemed to instinctively realise that it was more important for him to understand Revenant's explanation right now than it was for him to burst into action. Somewhere within the underdeveloped brain inside his thick skull, he activated his power and began the process of evolving himself once more.

Revenant continued, giving no sign that he'd even noticed Evolvo Lad's transformation. <In the short time that I knew my choices were truly mine, I removed all trace of the Dominion's programming from myself. I understood then and there that in me they had made a weapon too powerful to exist, and so I excised my power to duplicate those around me but I kept some of those which had already been imprinted upon my genetic structure; Evolvo Lad, Life Lass, Key Kid, Brittle, Chameleon Boy, Shrinking Violet and Dawnstar...and as my brief period of enlightenment faded, I realised that Duplicate Boy had hurt too many people to survive another day. I became this Revenant, and only after I have wiped out every last trace of evil which is the Dominion can this Revenant rest>

Evolvo Lad had once again taken on his hyperevolved form, and he stepped forward to address his ex-teammate. "Stev, you need help. You must see that this mission you have assigned yourself is completely unethical and devoid of logic or reason."

<I see nothing of the sort> Revenant replied. <But I don't expect either of you to understand...Sev, you may possess an evolved intellect at times; and Makkia, your psychological insight has impressed me today, but neither of you can possibly see what I see. The Dominion cannot be allowed to live, not one single member of their misbegotten race>

Using the telekinesis he'd copied from Evolvo Lad himself, Revenant shoved Evolvo Lad and Makkia Vei to one side of the room and advanced on the storage space where the young girl had been hiding. Seeing that the storage space was somehow empty, he flinched in surprise. <Where..?>

Outside the galley, Jacques Foccart emerged into view with the Dominator child hugged close to himself. "Evolved beyond imagination, yet fooled just as easily as any man," Invisible Kid tutted. "A poor showing for you, Monsieur."

Revenant started charging toward Jacques but before he'd taken more than a step, 89 leaped into his path and sprayed him with a slightly larger cannister than that which she'd used on Dev-Em earlier. "A poor showing indeed," she remarked as she shoved Revenant into a wall. "While you were narrating your life story in there, Evolvo Lad projected it all to the rest of us. Thanks for telling us your shapeshifting is based on Chameleon Boy's, it means Cancelite should work on you as well as him."

"And just to be on the safe side..." Element Lad approached and surrounded Revenant in a sheath of dull metal. "If he's got Dawnstar's power we don't need to worry about him suffocating in there, but I'd be very surprised if even Evolvo Lad and Life Lass working together could rupture seamless inertron."

Kid Computo and Mwindaji came along not far behind Element Lad. "Between Neon, Star Boy, Diamond Damsel, Mandalla and Dev-Em everything's way under control in there," Danielle reported. "Are we all good out here?"

"Very much so," Jacques gave his younger sister a smile before crouching down to face the Dominator child he'd been shielding. "You were very brave, mon petit. I am sorry that we could not help everybody else on board your vessel, but you will be safe now."

"They certainly will," 89 naturally took charge of the situation. "And the Oversight Watch will make sure that Revenant suffers the consequences for his actions as well."

Having just woken up, a groggy Brittle joined the others and touched the metal coccoon hiding Revenant gingerly. "It's weird, you know? I was intent on killing that guy for betraying us to the diskheads but...I'm startin' to think maybe he was just a victim in all of this as well."

"Brittle, I am happy to see you survived," Evolvo Lad greeted the white-skinned man. "Of course Amp, Key Kid and Life Lass will be overjoyed. Would you like to come back to the Legion with us? I cannot promise you membership, but I am certain we can find a place for you among your family."

"That's just it, ain't it?" Brittle muttered. "I don't really have family, do I? The guy I thought I was is a lie, and I...I dunno if I'm ready to be around all that again. I kind of like the way the Oversight Watch works actually, I fit in here way easier than I ever did with the Heroes of Lallor."

"And you're more than welcome to stay," Makkia touched his shoulder gently. "89 needs to make that decision of course, but I'm sure she agrees."

"Of course," 89 responded quickly. "Who knows, maybe we can even find a place for your broken friend here...it would be a shame to waste such potential leaving him to rot in jail."

Makkia Vei saw the disgruntled expression on some of the Legionnaires' faces and stepped in as smoothly as if it had been rehearsed. "Obviously we'd defer to the Legion of Superheroes normally," she said sweetly, "After all, you're the United Planets' bastion of hope, right? The Oversight Watch do our best work in the shadows...but we know you've got a lot on your plate right now so we'll be happy to get both Revenant and this strong little girl the help they need."

"Of course," Element Lad agreed flatly, unconsciously apeing 89's earlier words. It suddenly occurred to Jan that he should ask Kid Computo later if she was certain that the distress signal had really originated from this vessel...because when the Legion had got here, Revenant had already killed almost everyone on board and the Watch had clearly been fighting him for some time. Jan didn't want to think that 89 had specifically chosen this point to interfere with Revenant's self-appointed mission knowing that the Legion were close by to help if needed, but he couldn't put it past her either.

"You've obviously got things under wraps here," Jan addressed 89 directly. "Let's move out, Legion."

**********

Some time later and light years away, Makkia Vei sat in a cozily lit room on a large sofa dictating notes into her omnicom when 89 knocked at the open doorway. The Coluan woman saved her progress and placed the omnicom on a nearby hovering table as she sat up to make room for 89 to join her.

"Don't bother," the Watch's stoic leader shook her head slightly. "I won't stay long and I'll read your full report later but briefly...what's your take on today's mission?"

"A resounding success," Makkia beamed. "Brittle's loyalty to the Oversight Watch is assured; not only did we help him when his surrogate family left him for dead, but he has no idea we only humoured him in his quest to kill Duplicate Boy knowing full well that his sentimental side would take over once they were face to face and he'd find himself wanting to help his poor damaged friend. Duplicate Boy -- my apologies, Revenant -- has significantly reduced any threat the Dominion pose to the United Planets with his little murder spree. Give him a few weeks for his therapy to kick in and he'll be begging to join the Oversight Watch to make amends for what he's done. And some of the Legion suspect that there was more than just coincidence to our meeting today, but none of the specific Legionnaires who were there today possess the qualities necessary to truly make this a problem for us. If I were you though, I'd have that Dominator girl shipped off to the Legion's little school for superheroes if she tests meta-positive. It'll be a nice reminder that we're all on the same side after all."

"Good thinking," 89 nodded curtly. "Listen, Makkia...you know I'm not one for hearts and flowers, but I want to say that your contributions to this team do not go unnoticed. As much as we need Dev-Em's skill and power, and as much as Mandalla is shaping up to be a great agent, you give us something truly irreplaceable. Thank you."

"And you know that I only have emotions when it gets me something," Makkia took the opportunity to venture a self-deprecation borne of familiarity for the first time. "But thank you for saying so. It's always nice to be validated."

"I'll look forward to your full report," 89 responded in a clipped tone before turning and walking away.

Makkia Vei's face showed a barely perceptible smile. She doubted that this little exchange had been a test on 89's part, but the risk still existed...and if 89 did happen to view the footage of this room which Makkia had no doubt existed, a barely perceptible smile would be exactly the reaction she'd expect.

Inside though, Makkia Vei was ecstatic. It had taken a long long time and some of her most subtle manipulations, but Makkia had finally begun to get past 89's seemingly impenetrable defences. Immediately upon the two women meeting, Makkia Vei had known that 89 had a very good reason for those defences to be in place; that enigma was the main reason she'd agreed to join the Oversight Watch to begin with. Today marked the first real progress Makkia Vei had made in finding out why 89 was so constantly on guard...

...and how she could exploit that for her own benefit.

**********

NEXT: Whatever happened to Glorith of Baaldur?

EDITOR'S NOTES
Obviously this story draws heavily on Revenant's history in the Heroes of Lallor - for a refresher on the main points, you might want to try this two-parter: http://www.legionworld.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=998397#Post998397

Cancelite is a canon DC substance which temporarily freezes Durlans in their current shape - it was invented by Supergirl (Kara) and as far as I know last used to dramatic effect waaay back in the 80s when the Legion used it to reveal that Yera had taken Violet's place
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Facing Ghosts - 04/06/22 01:24 PM
yay, another installment! what a treat!

I laugh at Wildfire only ever using one code, and Dawny being one to know it. Poor Drake... what a realistic scene, with Drake and Dawny obviously still loving each other, but.. yeah.

Poor Staq. I was thinking he'd be devastated. and Ral, too. Marya coming full circle is nice as well, and a nice touch having Tellus encourage her. also good to see that Ral is at least physically ok!

re Sun Boy and Supergirl, I almost forgot they'd dated before! I bet that is part of the friction...

Interested to see what Harlack's plans were, and where you are going with them.

I like Jazmin's steel, and a bit of righteous fury I believe. She's standing up to Dream Girl, of all people! (Also, Nura's seemed to have completely forgotten about Glorith, helping highlight Jazmin's point about feeling like cannon fodder! After all, Jazmin doesn't know Mysa...)

So Dev somehow thinks Neon is a fake... were they fighting shapeshifters?

Ah, I like how Zoe (with her strong will) and Evolvo (with his intellect) are resistant to Mandalla's power! (Also like how Evolvo is complimenting the thoughtsphere!!)

Also like the subversion of the "heroes fight" trope by having 89 and Evolvo so quickly and cleverly get on the same page

89 and her fantastic super utility belt! but of course, she's mega-prepared

Brittle!

oh my gosh, I never expected, but it makes sense - Revenant is Duplicate Boy! brilliant! also brilliant to have Makkia Vei figure it out!! and it all clicks together now...

I'm liking how Brittle has his moral backbone still. Recognizing that not all Dominators are guilty...

ah, so he only kept a limited set of powers... still enough to cause a lot of destruction, of course. Thankfully, no Gas Girl eh. Having Life Lass and Key Kid powers explains how he got into all those ships...

I like Jacques' compassionate touch with the child

Ah, Makkia Vei is just so good at what she does. Interesting that she wanted to keep the Dominator child for now... as a "token of gratitude"? that is, if she does have meta powers, they won't keep her but send her to the Academy...? oomph, re them getting the exact outcome they wanted. also nice that Jan's suspicions were right re the distress signal...

also interesting to see 89 thanking Makkia like that (also nice shout out to Mandalla). (whew, Makkia really plays people eh, always thinking of everything... and of course, she's in this because she wants something, whew).

I am SO eager to read the full story of Glorith next!

i also wonder if there will be some fallout and/or discontent among the Legionnaires, for letting the Oversight Watch have Dupe and Brittle and the Dominator child...

very much looking forward to more, raz!
Posted By: Set Re: Facing Ghosts - 04/06/22 04:12 PM
Another great installment. I love your original characters, Makkia Vei and Diamond Damsel, as well as old never-got-to-be-prime-time-players like Evolvo Lad and Leeta 89!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Facing Ghosts - 04/07/22 09:43 AM
Thanks for reading, y'all!

re Wildfire & Dawny, Sun Boy & Laurel, Ral and Staq - some of the Legion/Legion adjacent folks are sure gonna be going through it for a little while, some will get a positive turn and some not so much but we'll see how that all pans out over the rest of this year probably!

Killing Harlack actually gave me the final piece I needed to put together a whole different subplot I have been stuck on how to introduce, so we'll see that develop soon as well!

Jazmin is difficult for me to write sometimes...my Cullens are so much younger than the comic book ones so I have to really consciously not just make her a badass all the time like we all know Kid Q should be, but I still like showing that the potential is there for her to be that when she gets a bit older smile

89 and Makkia would probably be unbearable if they were around all the time with how ridiculously competent they both are, but I have to admit it's fun getting to write them when I do pull them out of mothballs...and it's probably safe to say we haven't seen the last of that little Dominator kid!

I have been looking forward to telling Glorith's story for ages so hopefully it's worth the wait! laugh
Posted By: Set Re: Facing Ghosts - 04/07/22 06:50 PM
Originally Posted by razsolo
Thanks for reading, y'all!

The pleasure is all mine! smile

Quote
89 and Makkia would probably be unbearable if they were around all the time with how ridiculously competent they both are, but I have to admit it's fun getting to write them when I do pull them out of mothballs...and it's probably safe to say we haven't seen the last of that little Dominator kid!

I think 89 and Makkia are made that much more tolerable since they have their own, at the moment, synchronous, but not always, goals and motivations. If they were in lockstep, it could indeed be dull, the always-right-twins, but since they aren't exactly 100% in sympatico, it's just delicious anticipation for when one or the other drops the other shoe. smile
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Facing Ghosts - 04/07/22 10:30 PM
^this

though I can imagine, it must indeed be tough to write two such ridiculously competent people when they're in opposition to each other. like narrating/showing a major "chess game"!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Facing Ghosts - 04/22/22 10:10 AM
Raz, hi, once again I'm fashioably late to the party - sorry, please do message me when you put up new sections as I don't check in here every day so if it's not at the top of the pile I assume it's something I've already read.

I loved the description - and idea of - the tesseract storage units smile

Dawnstar's claustraphobia is something that isn't often touched upon though it's good to see you remembered it. Her looking for Drake was sweet, though the conversation was less so. I like how your version of him is pretty traditional - a big-hearted hothead - and it's nice that you are highlighting that there is some depth within that by him removing himself to come to terms with the trick Mordru played on him.

"Just know that I am here for you, Drake...if you want me to be." was rather poignant, I do hope they come to some understanding.

Focussing the ceremony at Shangalla on Staq's grieving was smart as he was the most connected to Arqiia. The gentle support was very real to life, with offers of meals and deflecting Staq from worrying about Ral. Dragonwing was well written - her pushy teenage angst-y character showed a nuance that take the edge nicely of her usually abrasive personality. And the connection she has to Tellus is unepected but good.

I's good to see your continuing Harlack's story, I liked him so am pleased you have something planned around him. Looking forward to finding out what. When Mysa and Nura were frozen I expected it to be something to do with Khunds - perhaps their magical community being annoyed with them for Harlacks death so it was a really good character moment for Jazmin. Makes total sense that she would be confused and angry about Glorith's rather odd fate.

"She's practically abducted us--" oh Nura, you're so dramatic! smile

Looking forward to hearing what Mysa is going to share about Glorith, and also seeing whatever's coming up with Mysa and Harlacks story.

The old trope with two groups meeting and one thinking the other is up to no good so they get into a fight is a classic! And the reason it is a classic is it's kinda what happens all the time with people not communicating and assuming the worst about each other.

89 dealing with it so pragmatically was great! That's how to stop a fight - chuck a grenade and get your opponent to read your mind - it s actually brilliant!

Revenant! Yay! I've been really looking forward to this. He has such a cool visual btw, very sci-fi alien baddy!

And Evolvo going to find Brittle - Fantastic. A lot of lose ends are being tied up here.... potentially anyway smile

Makkia Vai is awesome, I really dig how you have her stop Revenant with a conversation. Pure class! So he was Duplicate Boy - I was still holding out for him being a rogue BION unit but this is so much better. And the meeting betweeh Brittle and him is well written - and despite the passion of Brittles words there's a lot unsaid that hangs in between them.

The last scene between Makka Vai and 89 was great - their relationship is not based on friendship or shared ideals like two random Legionnaires might have, so it's interesting to see what's really going on. 89 is trying to be a good boss with Makka Vai is scheming. Actually, I reckon they are both scheming, but I'm sure you'll keep that plot bubbling along nicely for a while.

This was a great way to tie up ythe lose ends from the earlier Heroes of Lallor story, and it's always fun when you bring in the Oversight Watch.

As always, I get to the end and am left wanting more, more, more!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Facing Ghosts - 04/22/22 10:30 AM
Harbinger, you took the words out of my mouth re maybe 89 is also scheming while pretending to open up to Makkia! Maybe it’s one of those double double crosses!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Facing Ghosts - 04/22/22 11:42 AM
Thanks for commenting Harbi...sorry, I was posting stuff so frequently while I was doing all the Mordru stuff that I didn't wanna be pushy by telling you when posts were up but I will start letting you know again!

Marya and Tellus having any kind of a bond at all was completely unexpected for me until I wrote it, but not gonna lie I kind of like it! They are both such radically different characters, but I think they can bring different parts of each other out than we usually see so I think we will see a nice but weird friendship maybe happen here smile

re: Harlack's legacy - stay tuned, that will pop up soon in an unexpected way!

Quote
"She's practically abducted us--" oh Nura, you're so dramatic! smile
She is so enjoyable to write laugh

I will try and get around to drawing Revenant soon...I was thinking along the lines of sci-fi alien with his new look so I am glad that comes across!

And you and IB are both right, there are layers upon layers to 89 and Makkia Vei...it is probably gonna be messy as hell when it comes undone but I have so much fun writing the two of them that won't be for a long time yet laugh
Posted By: razsolo Whatever Happened to Glorith of Baaldur? - 04/29/22 11:35 AM
Giavana Markova sat on her small bed, staring out the small window in her small room as a group of teenagers played games on this juvenile rehabilitation facility's grassy grounds.

She released a long whistling breath and pondered her surroundings. This was better than any of the other juvenile rehabilitation facilities she'd lived in during her tumultuous 15 years of existence, but it was also just another sign of how she just instinctively made the exact worst decision she could possibly make for herself at any given time.

Gia didn't even notice her flat expression reflected in the pane of her bedroom window as she thought about her recent downward spiral. She could have just stayed in Argentea, local nass-kicker Nightstone taking care of the dispossessed and traumatised kids she'd gathered around her in that stupid old titanium plant. The Sci-Cops were useless against her geokinetic power, she'd even driven Black Dancer off on her own once. But no, she had to want more. She tried to join the Legion of Superheroes, hoping she could use their resources and position in society to raise herself and her friends from the destitution in which they were all drowning. All that did was put her on the Legion's radar, and in no time at all they shut her down and scattered her friends to the winds. She made the same mistake again, buying into Otaki's nonsense about improving her life and getting what she deserved, and all that did was get that stupid idealistic nasshead Otaki killed and very nearly get the Legion of Superheroes and Gia herself killed.

She'd given up after that. What was the point in wanting more? She was never going to have it. They hadn't even bothered putting power dampeners on her when they dumped her in this place. Gia knew she was lucky not to be in the ground or on the way to Takron-Galtos after what she'd done; as much as being in this place crushed her spirit, she was just going to let it happen. She'd never need her powers again because she was never again going to be--

"--Nightstone, right?"

Snapped out of her introspection, Gia sat up bolt upright and faced the door to her room. Ultra Boy leaned against the doorway, his arms folded across his chest. Those muscular forearms obscured much of the iconic symbol emblazoned across his chest, but Jo Nah's boy next door face was almost as famous on its own. "You got a nano, Nightstone?" Without waiting for an answer, Jo took a chair from its place by the wall opposite Gia's bed and straddled it so that he was facing her more or less on her own level.

"What do you want?" she asked more aggressively than she intended, her wide nose scrunching up in a small scowl.

"Tinya--", Jo course-corrected immediately, "--Phantom Girl asked me to come check up on you. I had a word with the staff here, they say you're fitting in good."

"I don't know why you care," Gia shrugged. "But don't worry about it...I'm not about to bury the place in a sinkhole or anything."

"If it's anything like any of the places I remember from Rimbor, I bet you're tempted sometimes though." He cast her a naughty smirk and Gia's lips couldn't help but mimic the expression.

"I'm not an idiot." Gia grabbed a pillow and hugged it close to herself, relaxing her guard a little. "I know I screwed up big time, Ultra Boy. And I know I'm getting off lucky, you guys didn't have to send me somewhere this nice. Don't get me wrong, I don't love it...but maybe I just don't care anymore. Nothing I try ever actually does anything but make things worse." She allowed herself a bitter laugh. "I've got the right power I guess, all I ever do is dig myself deeper."

"Yeah well...maybe that's because you've never had the right people backing you up, kid." Jo's gaze was not intrusive, but he refused to look away until she returned it with her own.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her big brown eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"I mean I got an offer for you, Nightstone. Don't get too excited, you're not getting a flight ring--"

"--I'm not joining your stupid school either," Gia interrupted him. "I told Otaki I wasn't cut out to be a superhero and I was right. If she listened to me she might still be alive now." A biting edge of guilt soured Gia's words.

"There's no shame in not being cut out to be a superhero." Ultra Boy sat up just enough to comfortably extricate an omnicom from where he'd tucked it into his belt. "Hardly anyone's cut out to be a superhero, and just between you and me...I think maybe the Legion don't really think through what that means. We wanna change that."

Gia's head tilted, her expression one of confusion.

"I'm gonna be real with you, Nightstone." Ultra Boy stood, grabbed the chair in his left hand and swung it back to where he'd taken it from. With his right hand, he threw his omnicom onto Gia's bed. "Phantom Girl wanted to come here herself, but I asked her to let me do it instead. Partially because I wanna know if you're the kinda person I feel comfortable with my girlfriend taking a risk on, but also partially because I know you're gonna think this is charity and I'm probably one of the few Legionnaires who get why you feel that. I'm here to tell you that it isn't. If I didn't think Tinya was right about you, I would have taken that omnicom and walked right out of here as soon as I knew you weren't causing these people any trouble."

"Why are you still here?" Gia challenged him. "If you're not here to make me a baby superhero, then what's this all about?"

"It's all on the omnicom," Jo nodded toward it. "You don't need me lookin' over your shoulder while you read it...I'm gonna go find out if the food here beats Delinquent Block Delta back home, you have a good read and let me know what you think when I get back."

Tentatively curious, Gia Markova picked up the omnicom from where it lay on her comforter.

"Remember what I said." Jo stopped at the doorway and turned back toward her. "This isn't charity, Nightstone. This is an opportunity for you and for other kids like you, but you're gonna have to work for it."

Jo Nah left the room, and Giavana Markova allowed her curiosity to take over...

**********

In one of many private seated areas set into the base of the beacon towering over Shanghalla, two Legionnaires sat with one of their most gifted students.

Dream Girl and Mysa Marvel sat on one side of a small table, Kid Quantum on the other. Under any other circumstances, Jazmin Cullen might feel a little cowed staring down one of the Legion's more intimidating members alongside one of their most powerful, but she was driven by purpose and she would let nothing stand in its way. "You said you'd tell me about Glorith," Jazmin demanded of Mysa, ignoring Dream Girl's icy glare. "So tell me."

"I will," Mysa Marvel agreed, nodding slightly. "But first of all, you need to know...everything I'm about to tell you happened when I was the Black Witch. I don't say this to exonerate myself of what I've done, but to better explain it. I contained not only Mordru's power, but also his dark influence."

"I'm sure whatever happened you did your best, Mysa." Nura Nal said encouragingly.

"I did," Mysa gave an apologetic smile. "But...don't give me a pardon till you've heard my story."

**********

XEROX
Some time ago...


The Black Witch stood atop the castle she'd forged for herself here on the Sorceror's World and felt absently at the space on her finger which until recently had been adorned with a golden flight ring.

It hadn't been long since she'd left the Legion of Superheroes, maybe she just needed time to adjust to her new role...but somehow Mysa Nal didn't feel that she would ever adjust to this. Leaning out across the stone parapets of her new home and prison, her matte black hair and the loose black sleeves covering her stark white flesh danced upon the chill breeze. There always seemed to be a chill breeze traversing Xerox these days, and as Mysa's gaze was attracted by distant rumbles above she saw the black clouds approaching which would bring the rain that also seemed to have become a permanent fixture here lately.

Though the cold visage of her face betrayed no emotion as she turned to head back into her castle, internally she couldn't help but feel disappointed. For all the power she now wielded, it seemed she couldn't express that in any pure sense; maybe there was nothing pure left of her anymore. Mysa had taken on the entire essence of Mordru the Merciless to save her teammates in the Legion of Superheroes and she'd known that would come with a great cost, but the cost was perhaps more than even she had bargained for. She could live like this for now, she could probably hang on for quite some time, but eventually...eventually that power would corrupt her completely, and Mysa shuddered to think who she might become on that day.

Walking down the spiral staircase which would lead her to the ground floor of the immense gloomy building, torches blazed to life ahead of their mistress to light Mysa's way. She told herself she had to focus on the good things. That had become something of a daily mantra in fact. She had renewed her acquaintance with the Khund sorceror Harlack, and he'd asked her to take him on as an apprentice. Mysa had been reluctant but Harlack was equally persistent, and the Black Witch wondered if maybe he was trying to help her as much as himself. She also had the Blue Lantern ring, the artifact of hope which Mordru had used to spark life into this new gathering place of magic in the wake of the destruction of Zerox. If even Mordru himself had been able to utilise the great and ancient power of that ring, surely there must be hope too for Mysa Nal.

The corners of her dark lips rose ever so minimally, the closest the Black Witch came to smiling these days. There was hope, she had tangible proof of that. Perhaps she would take Harlack up on his offer after all...

Just as the Black Witch had resolved to contact her Khund friend, a violet glow emanated from the huge wooden doors fronting her castle. With a sickly fizzling noise, the doors became so many splinters and then small blackened piles of rotting wood. A woman stood in place of the doors in an aggressive pose of power with one hip jutted out and her hands threading incantations in the air above her head. She had platinum blonde hair, a metallic one-piece bodysuit and white thigh high boots and opera gloves with a billowing cape to match. She was framed dramatically against the growing storm clouds outside, and even from the bottom of the stairwell with thirty feet of open space between them Mysa could feel the intensity of her power.

"Who are you?" Mysa barked. "How dare you disturb the sanctum of the Black Witch??"

"I am Glorith of Baaldur," the brazen intruder strode in as though she owned the place. "Don't trouble yourself to try and place the name, dear. I'm sure it won't mean anything to you...yet."

"Explain yourself!" The Black Witch gestured, and a swirling translucent field of crimson and black energies grew between the two women. "You have invaded my home and you have yet to convince me that you should survive that experience, Glorith of Baaldur!"

Glorith threw her head back and cackled. "Really, all this melodrama! I have every intention of explaining myself, I have manners after all." The stranger twirled her fingers, and a royal blue chaise lounge by one of the walls flew across the room to her side. Glorith summoned a few satin cushions from the air itself and reclined in luxury. "You don't mind if I make myself comfortable, I take it?"

"As it happens, I do mind." Mysa dispelled the defensive field she'd erected and in the next moment she'd transformed the lounge into primitive wooden stocks which held Glorith in place.

"Kinky!" Glorith winked. "I can work with this...so I'll make this easy, dear. I'm here to take your power for myself. I won't bore you with the details, but I have quite a grudge against a certain purple-robed villain you may have become acquainted with during your time in the Legion of Superheroes. I have been biding my time and learning as much as I can about the dark arts for a very long time so that I could take my revenge upon him, and I had planned on stealing the power of Mordru the Merciless to help with that goal."

"Purple-robed..." The Black Witch's glowering eyes narrowed. "You refer to--"

"We both know exactly who I'm referring to," Glorith cut her off sharply before her tone became playful again, "But let's not tempt the devil to appear by naming him, hmmm? I doubt you want to face him any more than I do."

The Black Witch felt a dark rage building inside of her as she saw where this was going. "None of this explains why you're here right now, Glorith of Baaldur. Mordru is dead, he cannot help you now."

"That's not exactly true, is it?" Glorith taunted Mysa. "You see, on occasion I like to cast my modest little scrying spells to spy on Mordru, and when I most recently did this I didn't find him...but I did find you. So while it may be true that Mordru no longer exists in any tangible sense I think we can both agree that his power can still help me, Black Witch." Glorith glowed incandescent with occult power and burst out of the stocks as easily as Mordru himself might have done.

"If it is a fight that you desire--" Mysa began.

"Not a fight, dear." Glorith's hands circled one another and a beam of deep violet energy slammed Mysa back into her own castle, bouncing her off of a wall with a painful thud. "I just want you dead."

"Your clumsy assault has not ended me, so I suppose a fight it will be." The Black Witch's voice became more throaty, raw with threatening intent. She performed her own elaborate gesture, and the stones around them began to sweat. Soon the stones glowed red hot, and the ground beneath Glorith turned to steaming liquid magma.

"You'll have to do better than that," Glorith laughed lightly, levitating above the molten pool now surrounding her in every direction for nearly a dozen feet. She began to bring her own counter-measure to bear, but paused when she saw the determined glare on Mysa's face.

"I already have," the Black Witch replied in a gutteral tone.

Charred skeletal arms reached out of the viscous deathtrap and latched onto Glorith's feet and her cape. Having saved herself from the magma itself, Glorith never expected another attack from that same quarter and she had let her guard down. Now, being pulled down into the bubbling hot pool, she realised her mistake. She ignored the searing pain of the bony hands which branded her flesh through her boots and called on her mastery of magic. Through gritted teeth, Glorith muttered an incantation and the undead arms grew cold and froze in place along with the pool from which they'd emerged. Ice crystals covered everything in contact with Glorith, and she found herself having to stop to take a breath to centre herself.

The Black Witch never gave her that chance. Mysa's toes stretched downward as she levitated across the floor, and she was soon upon Glorith. "One way or another," the Black Witch croaked, "You will answer my questions, woman." With that, she drew her hand back and formed a fist. She plunged that fist toward Glorith's head, and a painfully bright dagger of light appeared like some fantastic claw from Mysa's hand. Intangible, the blade penetrated Glorith's forehead and both women screamed.

They were only connected for a moment, but in that moment Mysa Nal experienced far more than she had counted on. Mysa's mind dagger peeled away the layers of Glorith's memories, revealing to Mysa an ambitious young woman born countless centuries in the future who'd seduced, manipulated and forced her way to power over her home galaxy. That woman had come to the attention of the Time Trapper, and for reasons known only to himself he'd recruited Glorith of Baaldur to be his lackey. With her aid he had almost destroyed the Legion of Superheroes, and then for her failure to complete the task he had devolved Glorith of Baaldur into a blob of protoplasmic slime.

Glorith of Baaldur's story should have ended there, but it had not. Anticipating the Time Trapper's betrayal, Glorith had sacrificed a hundred children and kept their souls entrapped so that she could exchange their lifeforce for hers if she ever died at the Trapper's hands. Fortunately for her, devolution to a mindless sludge counted as much the same thing and though it took several months of mystical restoration Glorith was eventually her old self. Already an accomplished sorceress, she knew she had to be more than that. She had to be the Time Trapper's superior, because from now on the only thing that mattered to her was destroying the Time Trapper utterly and possessing every spark of power which was his to possess.

Glorith had spent the years since then methodically analysing every possible threat against her, plotting against those threats, and building the power to make those threats extinct. Against every instinct she had, she'd remained in hiding and she had bidden her time until she was prepared to act. She'd come to the conclusion that the Legion of Superheroes and Mordru the Merciless were her only real rivals. The Legion of Superheroes could be manipulated easily enough to fill any role she imagined for them...that only left Mordru.

Mordru was the one that Glorith knew beyond any shadow of a doubt she'd have to be ready for before she confronted him. It had taken her years to get to that point, but then she'd sent out her occult eye and found that Mordru was no longer a threat at all....Mordru was no longer a threat because some neophyte witch had stolen his power for herself, and Glorith of Baaldur wasn't afraid of some neophyte witch.

The deluge of memory ended with Glorith tearing down the door to Mysa's castle, and back in the physical world the Black Witch stumbled backwards with a shocked gasp.

As Glorith had prepared against the Time Trapper so long ago, she'd prepared against this intrusion as well. Knowing that any psionic or occult power capable of penetrating her defences was not one whose impact she could minimise, Glorith had decided to make any intruder pay in the most wicked way possible; she made damn sure that all the emotions accompanying those memories would be transmitted as cleanly and loudly as possible. Right now Mysa Nal was being drowned in a wave of pride, shame, fear, lust, wrath, sorrow, and any and all emotions which ran between those extremes. Even for someone so disciplined as the Black Witch, it was an onslaught which needed time to process.

Glorith of Baaldur resolved that the Black Witch would not have that time. Swiftly steadying herself, Glorith stood over the embattled Black Witch. She took a deep breath, then breathed the first component of the incantation which would give her Mysa Nal's power.

"Aufero...Magus...Infusco."

The Black Witch dropped to one knee. She had finally conquered the emotional tsunami which accompanied Glorith's memories, but she needed more time to prepare for this assault against her very power. "Glorith...stop! You don't understand the burden of this power--"

"Aufero Magus Infusco," Glorith repeated, already feeling more invigorated.

More power flowed between them, and Mysa Nal knew that she would need to kill this woman to stop her. But in doing so, she would doom herself just as surely.

"Aufero--" Glorith began.

Mysa struggled against the dark need growing inside of her, the desperate need to retain her power at all costs. She tried to tell herself that she was afraid of what Glorith would do with this power and in truth she was afraid, but there was outrage there as well.

"--Magus--"

Mysa Nal grew cold with the understanding that there was nothing good in Glorith of Baaldur....there was nothing worth saving at all. Before bold Glorith could unravel her completely, the Black Witch called on her last reserves to summon a bolt of obsidian eldritch energy and Glorith was slammed back into a full length mirror hanging upon one of the castle's walls.

The glass shattered and Glorith collapsed groaning, and as Mysa made her way over to fulfil her fearsome revenge she saw a multitude of Black Witches reflected back at her. Mysa raised her hand in a murderous gesture, but seeing her own reflection she couldn't help but pause. Was this who she'd become? Already??

Slowly clambering to her feet, Glorith laughed though she was streaked with bloody cuts and grazes. "You can't do it," she taunted Mysa. "You think you're this irredeemable evil, but there's no version of you that knows what irredeemable is."

Mysa now saw Glorith herself reflected in the countless shards of the mirror, and that birthed in her an idea. "Perhaps I do not know what it is to be innately irredeemable," the Black Witch agreed with her enemy. "But perhaps that is not the weakness that you think it is."

Mysa hurriedly cast another spell and Glorith was suddenly surrounded in a dazzling fountain of rainbow-hued light. Each individual shard of the broken mirror was radiant with its own color, each shard reflecting a Glorith from one of the many other universes sharing their existence alongside this one. Glorith's words had made Mysa realise that somewhere out there in a multiverse of possibility, there must be a version of Glorith who did know redemption. For the sake of her own soul, Mysa knew that there must be a version of Glorith who deserved to be spared...because if there wasn't? If the multiverse only knew Glorith of Baaldur as a paragon of evil, then the Black Witch had no reason not to kill her and then what would that do to Mysa..?

There was a brunette Glorith, a male Glorith, a Hykraian Glorith, a cat-woman Glorith and a serpent Glorith...there were so many wildly variant Gloriths out there but every single one of them was utterly corrupt to the core...and then, just as all hope was lost, Mysa Nal came across the visage of a young dark-skinned girl with silver face markings whose innocence and altruistic nature was as bright as the sun itself.

The Black Witch had intended to transpose the best parts of that Glorith with this blonde bombshell before her. Mysa's assailant had recovered enough to resume her own assault though, and as the power hungry Glorith of Baaldur resumed the spell which would transfer the power of the Black Witch to herself the meeting of occult energies caused a conflagration which tore the castle apart entirely.

The Black Witch was buried beneath tons of stone and dirt, and Glorith of Baaldur..?

**********

"Glorith...the evil Glorith...grossly upset my spell," Mysa Marvel finished narrating her story to Dream Girl and Kid Quantum sadly on Shanghalla.

"She was only meant to have been exposed to her counterpart's nobility, her potential for good...but instead the two physically traded places. The Glorith who tried to steal my power was sent to some other universe, somewhere out there in a cosmos beyond our own...and an unsuspecting teenager was brought to ours. The experience was too jarring for someone as inexperienced as that young Glorith, and it took her memory from her. I took her under my wing for as long as it was helpful to her, then I asked the Legion to help her fill her enormous potential in a way that I knew I was too broken to be able to do myself."

"And then," Kid Quantum put two and two together, "When Mordru attacked us with his Shadow Demons and you realised this evil Glorith was more useful to you than the kid you dragged into our lives in the first place, you just swapped them right back again."

"I did that to keep us alive," Mysa tried to explain. "After poor Harlack--"

"You did that to keep you alive," Jazmin interrupted harshly. "And it worked, congratulations. Sprock only knows what world you've sent my friend back to after that witch has been there all this time but hey, you came out of it all unscathed...right?"

"Jazmin--" Dream Girl began.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me, Dream Girl." Jazmin was polite, but the anger in her voice was barely restrained. "You and the rest of the Legion of Superheroes. I really do appreciate it, but I'm not going back to any place that values her--" she looked with distaste toward Mysa "--over the safety of girls like Glorith. I called Monstress and Insect Queen while you two were in stasis earlier, they should be nearly here by now. I'm going to go wait for them somewhere the air's a little cleaner."

With that, Jazmin Cullen pushed herself away from the table and calmly walked away from her short but significant life with the Legion of Superheroes.

**********

In a luxurious hotel light years away, the golden heroine known as Comet Queen walked somberly upon plush carpet and ignored her reflection in the many mirrors that lined the hotel walls. Grava's normal way of getting from one point to another was to fly at great speed, leaving a sparkling trail of gases in her wake...she didn't feel very elevated lately though.

Nightwind had asked her to come out to lunch with herself and Supergirl, and Comet Queen was wracked with guilt for having declined. Berta Skye Haris and Laurel Kent were Grava's best friends and Grava knew that Laurel needed her friends after what that nasty Mordru had put her through, but Grava just didn't have it in her to be everyone's cheerleader right now.

A high-pitched squeal snapped her out of her introspection, and Grava looked across to see a young girl accompanied by her mother in a nearby turbolift. The girl's t-shirt was emblazoned with Comet Queen's distinctive emblem, and as soon as she'd caught sight of the Legionnaire the girl was buzzing with glee (to her mother's mild embarassment).

"Stay shiny, baby comet!" Comet Queen flashed her a dazzling smile, waving frantically to her little fan as the closing turbolift door hid her from view once more. Only once the child was safely out of sight did Grava take a trembling breath and wipe tears from her eyes with the back of her three-fingered hands. She caught sight of the polished wooden ring on one of those golden fingers and steadied herself. "Come on starshine, keep your orbit stable...you're not the only one all breaking up on re-entry."

She looked herself over in one of the hotel's ubiquitous mirrors for the first time and was startled at what she saw. Grava had always been a thin girl but her cheeks were more prominent now, her glowing eyes seemed more sunken in her metallic skull. Somehow, impossibly, she seemed less gleaming. Making a concerted effort to pull herself together, Grava stood up straight and placed her hand over the biosensor pad by the door of her hotel room. As the door slid into its recess, she called out with false gaiety. "Whoosh! Comet express comin' through, starshine! Hope you're ready for a meteor shower worth of smooches!"

She entered the dimly lit room and her heart sank. Her husband had obviously been in here all morning, the housekeeping droids hadn't done their job and the suite was a mess. Empty drink vessels sat upon tables and benchtops, and confectionery wrappers were littered throughout the room. Curled up in their spacious bed with several large pillows cushioning him, an unshaven Ral Benem sat eating ice cream straight out of the tub while he watched a magnoball tournament projected over the bed. He reacted almost as though he were out of sync with the rest of the world, turning to Grava well after the door had closed behind her. "...Oh. Hi, Grava."

"I thought you hated magnoball!" Grava hoped her laughter didn't sound forced. "The sound's not even on, Chlory!" She pounced onto the enormous bed and sidled up alongside him, kissing him only once on the cheek.

"Huh..?" He seemed to have only just realised the room had been silent before his wife's entry. "Oh, right...yeah, I had to mute the sound to call room service and I guess I just forgot to put it back on again." He heaped another spoonful of ice cream into his mouth and activated the holocast's sound again.

Comet Queen frowned for a moment, then scrambled to sit cross-legged on the bed opposite Ral. "Chlory...starshine, I'm worried about you. You know I'd be parsed to the C-span if you became a round little puffball planet for me, but I know you don't like it...all you've done is sit in here and eat since Phantom Girl got us this nice hotel room and I...I don't think it's good for you, are you receiving my signal?"

"It doesn't matter," Ral shrugged. "What does any of it matter now that Ivy's gone? You don't have to stay here with me if you don't want, Grava...what's wrong with me is more than you can fix so you might as well just leave me alone. Just go, alright?"

Grava flinched. She'd never heard this kind of bitterness in Ral's voice; she knew that he was sad, because she was sad too. Until now though, she didn't even think he had it in him to push her away like this. Cowed, she untangled her long legs and climbed back off the bed. Her head bowed in defeat, Grava slumped away toward the door...and then she stopped.

"Holocast off," she said simply.

The game switched off obediently and some life finally came into Ral's eyes as he looked up at his wife standing defiantly before him at the foot of the bed. "Grava, what are you..?"

"No." She folded her arms across her flat chest and met his gaze. "No, I won't just leave you alone."

"Grava--"

"Do you remember that time when I bounced off on my own little flight path through the big scary universe and you found me on the stairs crying over my shiny little shuttle?" Grava interrupted him. "I was sad because I thought I was alone and I thought nobody cared about rogue planets like me and Quislet and I thought...I thought we weren't important." Tears came to her eyes once more and her voice faltered, but she continued. "But then you found me and you made me believe that we can be important and...and people do care about us, and I loved you for that! And I still love you, Chlory! And...and you're important to me and Ivy's important to me and instead of just sitting here being...being sad, let's just go get her back!"

"Grava...Grava, she tried to k-kill me." Ral Benem's eyes welled with tears now as well. "My own d-daughter tried to k-kill me."

"So what??" Grava threw her arms out to her side in exasperation. "That's like the third or fourth time she's tried to kill you! Do you know how many people wanna spin me into the nearest black hole?! Chlory, she's our little sprout and we're both gonna be in terminal orbit until we get her back!" Her emotions finally overcame her and Grava began openly crying.

Ral put his tub of ice cream aside and shuffled his way up the length of the bed until he was by Grava's side. Without standing up, he hugged her close to himself and felt her nuzzle her crying face into his shoulder. "You're crazy, you know that right?" he smiled despite himself.

"And you're mean," she sniffled. "You made me talk like a normal person. Definitely not hypernova gleaming."

Ral looked up with a curious half-smirk. "Grava, is that what you think normal people sound like?"

Both of them giggled, shattering any remaining tension.

"So...how are we gonna do this?" Ral asked, still holding Grava close. "Have you got a plan?"

Grava shrugged, and gave her husband the first natural smile she'd had for a while now. "Plans aren't really one of my quantum particles, starshine. We'll figure that out after take-off.

...But let's go find our little sprout."

**********

EDITOR'S NOTES:
* It's probably clear from context, but Mysa's flashback takes place just after she'd absorbed Mordru in Legion of Three Worlds and left the Legion of Superheroes

* Comet Queen's first really significant interaction with Chlorophyll Kid happened when he stumbled across her crying on her own because nobody else in the team would take her seriously when she was worried about Quislet, and he stood up for the two of them. If anyone wants a refresher, that can be found here - http://www.legionworld.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=876542#Post876542
yay! another installment!

nice homage to Terra, with Nighstone's surname. I like that she's actually reflecting and taking responsibility for her bad choices.

heh re Jo having a boy-next-door face but muscly forearms... some guys just have it all! and him coming from Rimbor, he's the perfect choice to reach out to Nightstone. And he positioned it very well: this is an opportunity that you will have to earn, not a handout. that's the right way! I bet Nightstone will say yes smile and she deserves a shot! (she also has a great powerset, shame to waste it). also like the bit that not everyone is cut out to be a hero...

hah! at Nura being one of the most intimidating Legionnaires, that is very true...

good reminder re Mysa was not quite herself as the Black Witch...

lol at the banter between Mysa and Glorith

also interesting about that bit, where Glorith hates Mordru but goes "I doubt you want to face him any more than I do." a testament to Mordru's evil and power...

also like how Mysa used smarter tactics to take on Glorith. great way to link her to THE Glorith who deaged Legionnaires to protoplasm some time back... and also explaining why Mordru was a target. whew. so many years of lying in wait...

wow! smart of Glorith to build such a counter-stroke in with her memories!

oh! an exchange... so our good Glorith is still out there somewhere. smart having them be from different realities.

whew at Jazmin's righteous anger, and I cannot say she's wrong... brilliant to mirror the Reboot, with her going to Xanthu and the Amazers! Jazmin raises a very good point: evil Glorith was still evil wherever she ended up... goodness.

will we ever see our good Glorith again?

poor Grava. but yeah, she needs to take care of herself too before helping Laurel... aw, poor Grava, being all bubbly and cheerful for everyone.

oh gosh, ppoor Ral...

oh my gosh, that was brilliant. Grava like, just put her finger on the problem - we want Ivy back. Let's go get her back! and yeah, talking like a normal personl, this will go down in history!

another awesome set of scenes, Raz! nice movement forward for a lot of our key players, whoop whoop!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Whatever Happened to Glorith of Baaldur? - 04/29/22 12:21 PM
Wow, that was quick! Thanks IB! smile

Yay for picking up on the Terra homage...I was originally gonna just make Nightstone's surname Markov, but I thought it might be a bit on the nose - this way leaves it open that it could just be a coincidence wink

Right up until I actually typed out the Nightstone scene I had Phantom Girl being the one to approach her, and then it just struck me for the exact reason you pointed out that Jo would be so much better. Whether Tinya let him take over just to be a big macho man or whether she realised the same thing I will leave open to interpretation lol

Quote
also interesting about that bit, where Glorith hates Mordru but goes "I doubt you want to face him any more than I do." a testament to Mordru's evil and power...

OMG I feel bad about this - that whole bit was referring to the Time Trapper; the idea is that bad Glorith has been biding her time so she can eliminate Mordru (or steal his power) at the right opportunity to have a chance against the Time Trapper - I thought I was being really clever calling the Trapper the purple-robed one, but it didn't even occur to me Mordru wears purple as well...sorry!!

I am actually really happy with that Grava and Ral bit - for some reason they always surprise me in a good way smile
ooph yeah now I realize both Mordru and the Time Trapper are purple-y lol!

Grava and Ral are a new fave couple of mine smile

I am eager to see more of Nightstone as well, and to hopefully see her interact with more Legionnaires (esp. Berta and Tel lol)! wink no pressure though tongue
Thanks for the reminder Raz, appreciated.


Giavana Markova - a descendant of Terra perhaps? Interesting that Jo is the Legionnaire that visits her, nice that he can relate to her situation and talk the talk with her, Tinya wouldn't have managed to get that connection no matter how nice she can be.

"I'm gonna go find out if the food here beats Delinquent Block Delta back home - great line o highlight Jo's chequered past. I'm intriqued to find out what the offer is...

I really dig your Mysa influencing the weather around her subconsciously and her general melancholy. Glorith's dry humour, even when in stocks showed how little she thought of Mysa, it comes across like a cat playing with it's prey. Glorith's past was as horrid as I imagined - sacrificing a hundred children, that's seriously not good. Mysa's solution wasn't the best but desperate measures were needed, and it explained why Good Glorith was like she was. Hopefully you'll bring her back in some form.

Jazmin's reaction, "You did that to keep you alive," is tue on some level but Mysa did also stop Evil G from being around to tackle the Trapper and then who knows what she would do? You know it wouldn't involve puppies and rainbows anyway smile

Grava and Ral's scene was great! Poor Ral is really in a slump there, it's good that he has someone as pathologically positive as Grava to help. I'm excited to see where you take them as you handle the 'lesser' characters so well I know it'll be great.

This was great fun again Raz, as always, I get to the end and want more, more, more!
I literally have WEEKS to catch up on your stuff here raz, so a rather lengthy commentary is likely inbound in the next day or so. wink
Raz,

So sincere apologies for not keeping up. I was in a funk in Jan/Feb in general, let alone writing my own stuff, so I felt like reading other people's stuff would be cheating somehow. Then I got focused to close the loop on my own stuff, so concentrated on that. So now I get to play catch-up on all this and binge it at once. Here comes the stream of consciousness for the back half of Merciless!

Merciless pt 3

I love how these guys are sprocking cussing all the time
Great line about HQ always getting invaded
You have a great bead on Hadru's jerk personality, and his knack for getting himself (and others) into trouble smile

Wow! This is a deep level of evil for Mordru and Black Osiris. Sadistic as hell.

These shadow demons are creepy as hell. You're doing an amazing job at casting a *really* eerie mood here.
And classic Glorith is back! Love how you did this!
And playing with time - you know I love all that! smile

Part 4
Neat opening scene where the mood shifts palpably.
Whoo, torture scenes are hard to get through for me! (which means you're doing a great job here). As much as I'm kinda on possessed Garth's side here. wink
And possessed Brek is NASTY. smile
GREAT Legion rescue appearance!! TWICE
Part 5 is gonna be a fun read. Looking to see how you resolve a lot of these threads.

Part 5
Ooooh the title has me wondering all kinds of things...
Back to Drake! Oh, what a heartbreaking scene!
I'm really liking, and amazed actually, that you are getting mileage out of every Legionnaire in this epic. Well done.
WOW - That scene with Ral! Looks like ol' Glorith's been doing some indoctrination while she aged up Ivy into Verdant.
Nightstone and Otaki getting real!
The Sun Boy portrayal here (and earlier) very much recalls his imprisonment by Earth Man.
Vi to the rescue!
GREAT moment of Mon being suddenly vulnerable due to Dirk going Red-Sun. LOL on Light Lad's comment.
Excellent scene with Black Adam. Sure is a good thing Tellus is around!
Final showdown - poor Otaki! But Mysa Marvel! How cool is that!? smile
Very cool the concept of two Zoe's from different universes. I'm at least glad you have Zoe-247 talking like a normal person from the jump AND that you made her back to normal. I really hope she gets to go home.

This was SO SO GOOD, raz. Epic, I daresay! If we could post animated GIFs here, it would be of a standing ovation! Wonderful stuff!

On to the next adventure!
Next issue...

I'm glad you're dealing with the aftermath here. I makes a lot of sense that most of the Legion needs downtime with the evil that Mordru did.
Glad to see Kinetix go to find her friends.
And Mysa Marvel - such a cool concept. This is one powerful Legion, even understaffed.

The support staff gets an official name! Cool! Nice additions to the team!

----

Sad scene with Dawny & Drake. Glad you're doing a Shanghalla sequence; its almost required anytime someone falls.

This confrontation between Jaz and Mysa is very interesting!

Another creepily-written scene on the Dominator ship. It also goes into a totally different direction than I was expecting with Revenant (I'm imagining an egg with eyes and antennae for his head, btw).

Dominator Nutrient dispenser... eeeewww.... smile

It makes sense for Revenant, if he's basically a BION variant, to be Duplicate Boy. Nice bit of folding in concepts there. I like how he was taken down.

-------

Glorith - I've been waiting for this one! smile

Cool, and slightly unexpected for me, scene with UBoy & Nightstone. I'm a fan of Gia's, I think.

Wow - Jaz is PISSED. I love it.

And the scene with Ral and Grava. Loved it, but I was a bit surprised with Ral's ability to bounce back a bit. He's more resilient than I.

I really liked these last couple of chapters to let the characters breathe a little after all the Mordru events. I really enjoyed reading this today all at once! smile
Hi all!

Sorry, I haven't had much time to write up a proper reply till tonight!

Grava and Ral are gonna be getting some more focus in the next few instalments as they search for Ivy - this will be the first real stress their relationship has had to face, I am thinking it's gonna be challenging writing Grava respond to real trauma but I am looking forward to it!

As far as Nightstone goes, her life is gonna take an interesting turn in the next instalment, I think y'all will like it smile

Jo talking to Gia was honestly something I decided on the spur of the moment right before I began writing that instalment, I was gonna have it be Tinya up till that point but it just occurred to me it makes so much more sense for him to be there instead. I base a lot of my Jo on the 5YL version I think, that's the version of him I like most.

Mysa as the Black Witch influencing the weather is probably a product of Chris Claremont X-Men comics, I always liked when Storm did that laugh

I wanted to make Mordru's sadism on a different level than most other Legion villains - I think again the 5YL version of him is the one I love the most, and the one that most captured what sets him apart from other big bad guys. I still remember that issue where he had everyone reliving the worst parts of their lives being super creepy and well done!

Quote
The Sun Boy portrayal here (and earlier) very much recalls his imprisonment by Earth Man
That was very much what I was going for, glad you picked it up GL!

and also good pickup on Revenant's head being an egg with eyes and antennae, I like him looking weirdly inhuman smile

Next up:

* Mysa Marvel gets to flex some muscle!

* the search for Ivy begins!

* Nightstone's decision!

* all this plus a bar fight!
I'm definitely here for the bar fight. smile
ditto smile looking forward!!
Posted By: razsolo New Day Rising - 05/31/22 01:03 PM
JUPITER
Deep within the stratosphere

On a heavily modified shuttlecraft, a Terran tour guide tried to keep the fear out of his voice as he called for help on the vessel's comms console again. Howie Bindeer had made quite a lot of credits over the past few years running thrilling but highly illegal tours into the bizarre skies of Jupiter, but Howie was beginning to feel like maybe that was all over.

The tour had started off well enough; picking up eight men and women from their resort on the moon Europa, Howie had avoided Science Police patrols expertly as he flew his guests down through Jupiter's roiling clouds. There was always turbulence entering the enormous gas giant's atmosphere, with winds buffeting the tiny craft at hundreds of miles per hour. Today though, even though Howie had initially been able to convince his guests that it was just part of the extreme fun, the ship had shuddered more than usual.

Still, his very wealthy guests had oohed and ahhed at the diamond rains, the beautifully eerie lightning sprites, and most of all Jupiter's famous pulsating auroras for a good 45 minutes before things took a downhill turn. Howie could no longer pretend everything was fine when the ship's power dramatically shut down and the emergency backups kicked in. Howie had lost power to the engines first of all, and now it looked like comms was dead. With the shuttle's giant viewscreen and the dim red lights in the cabin flickering, everyone on board now knew that they were in very serious trouble.

"This is all your fault!" One of the tourists unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up. A Tritonian man, he was typically tall and lanky, and he had to crouch slightly so his head didn't brush the ceiling.

The man's wife was already crying, and as soon as he stood up she became even more upset. "Liell, please! You'll just make things worse!"

"Worse?!" He turned on his wife. "How can things possibly be worse, Iayta? We're all going to die on this hellish planet!"

"Sir, your partner is right." This came not from the tour guide or any of the guests, but rather a woman passing straight through the hull of the ship as though she were a ghost. One of the older tourists screamed and covered their face in panic.

"It's okay!" a teenage girl toward the back of the shuttle hollered excitedly. "Don't you recognise her? That's Phantom Girl from the Legion of Superheroes! We're saved!"

"That's right, I am Phantom Girl." Tinya's tone was reassuring as she passed fully into the cabin and hovered protectively in front of the flustered tour guide. "And I'm not alone, some of my very powerful friends are right outside this ship and we're gonna get you folks out of here in no time." Phantom Girl turned her attention back to the man who'd risen from his seat and though her voice retained the same warmth, her eyes locked on his with an intensity that said it would be a very bad idea to challenge her. "Sir, I really do think it'd be best to sit back down and buckle your seatbelt. We are going to save you, but it's likely to be a choppy ride."

The Tritonian man took the hint and returned to his seat.

Phantom Girl turned slightly toward the tour guide so she could address him directly, but she made sure to keep the others in her peripheral vision. "You're very very lucky the Science Police picked up your first distress call and alerted us, Mr Bindeer. There's a reason that visits to Jupiter are highly restricted. Everything about this planet is incredibly lethal, from the physical environment itself to the wildlife. I suggest you buckle yourself in as well, you can continue your education with the Science Police when we get out of here." Cowed, the tour guide obeyed without comment.

Speaking again to the cabin as a whole, Tinya kept her voice soft and warm. "Now I promise I'm not going anywhere, but I need to pop my head out for just a nano. The same radiation that disabled your ship's systems has messed with the comms in our flight rings and I need to let my friends know that everything's okay in here. Just hold tight, folks!" She ascended once more, and once she had passed through the shuttle Tinya gave a thumbs up to Mon-El, Blok and Mysa Marvel keeping pace outside. Mysa and Mon had both removed their capes knowing they'd only get in the way with these blustering winds, and the thought occurred to Tinya how rarely she'd actually seen her Daxamite friend without a blue cape billowing about him.

The Jovian environment was too harsh for even Legion-issue transuits to withstand for more than a minute or two, so the trio of heroes outside the ship were reduced to using telepathic earplugs to communicate; even then, the earplugs' range had been reduced to just a couple of metres. <I'm glad Tinya assigned herself this mission,> Mon-El projected. <That ship's lead lining might help protect anyone inside from radiation poisoning, but it protects them just as much from my x-ray vision.>

<Still, it was that same lead lining that allowed you to find them in the first place,> Mysa responded. <Jupiter is a very large planet to have to find a very small ship without something to help it stand out.>

<My friends?> Blok joined in. <I believe I understand why Phantom Girl saw fit to bring the three of us with her to retrieve one vessel.> He pointed out the shadowy forms of two enormous tentacled creatures swimming up through the murky cloud cover toward them. Each of the creatures was the size of a small house, appearing almost like dark gods approaching from some netherworld.

<Mysa, why don't you get these people to safety while Blok and I take care of our new friends?> Mon-El suggested.

<Actually,> Mysa suggested boldly, <Would you mind if you and I trade tasks, Mon-El? I know the situation is quite serious but I must confess I found it quite exhilarating using the speed of Mercury to fly here from Mars as swiftly as we did...I would like to see what the strength of Hercules can do, and one of those Jovian Attack Squids seems as good a test as any.>

<Be my guest, Ms Marvel!> Mon-El gave a casual salute, then he zipped off toward the shuttle without a second thought. The Marvel Family had been some of the Earth's greatest heroes in the past, and they'd all been mere children. Mysa Marvel may not have possessed her current powers very long, but she was already an experienced heroine; she didn't need to be coddled.

The beasts no doubt had been drawn here by the noisy passage of the shuttlecraft, but now that they were in visual range it was the mystical glow of Blok's lightning bolt insignia which attracted them. Their size would have been intimidating to almost anyone else, but to Blok and Mysa they were far more absurd than frightening. Each of the squids was a pale green color with darker green raised spots all over their bodies. Their six long-reaching tentacles were lined with suckers, and they had an equally long prehensile tail which whipped the thick air behind them. Their major difference visually to Terran squids was their golden heads which were shaped somewhat like an ancient pterodactyl, and the rows of razor sharp teeth which filled their elongated beaks. One of the screeching creatures prodded at Blok with its man-sized beak, though the stone man was easily able to evade its thrust.

Watching Blok and the squid manouvre around one another, Mysa could guess why her friend had acted as he had; the creature would surely injure itself were it to have actually succeeded in its stabbing motion. Instead, Blok allowed the squid to wrap one snake-like tentacle around him, then once it had a solid grip Blok simply took off into the atmosphere dragging the squid behind him.

The second squid overcame its shock at its mate's rapid departure quickly enough and turned on Mysa. While she knew the creature couldn't hurt her, she wasn't really all that keen on feeling its suckers all over her either. Lightning fast, she grabbed one of its tentacles and wrapped it around the squid. While it struggled to free itself from its own entangled limbs, Mysa gave a silent apology for the indignity and grabbed it by its tail before swinging it around once and flinging it hundreds of miles deeper into Jupiter's atmosphere where she knew it would feel more at home.

Very soon after, the four Legionnaires reconvened at the Science Police base on Europa. Once they'd safely delivered Howie Bindeer and his cargo to the waiting SPs, Phantom Girl gave Mon-El a teasing wink. "Hey, big boy...give a girl a lift back to Mars? We wrapped that up in no time, we should be back in plenty of time for the unveiling!"

"Careful," Mon-El cautioned as Tinya leaped into his waiting arms. "We don't want to get your boyfriend jealous!"

The quartet of heroes' laughter rang out behind them as they zoomed off past Jupiter's many moons.

**********

In a small windowless room painted a soothing pale blue, a Naltorian floral arrangement added a hint of perfume to the air and Durlan Impressionist art added a splash of color to the walls.

Laurel Kent, the teenager who'd appointed herself the bearer of Supergirl's legacy, sat in a large armchair with her feet tucked beneath her. With her arms folded and hidden beneath her voluminous poncho, she appeared more like a vulnerable young girl right now than an indestructible superhero.

A transparent tabletop bearing a jug of water and a pile of glasses hovered between Laurel and a matching chair opposite. Sitting in that chair with one leg across the other, Dirk Morgna sipped at his beverage. "Do you think I wanted to hurt you, Laurel?" he asked softly.

"No!" she almost snapped. "No, that's not it at all," she explained more calmly. "I know that what Mordru did to you, that it would have torn you up. I guess that makes me feel worse; I feel so weird around you now, and I know it's not your fault but at the same time..." Her voice trailed off and she found herself unable to meet his gaze.

"Take your time," Sun Boy encouraged her gently.

"I mean...I've been hurt before, you know?" She looked almost imploringly into Sun Boy's blue eyes. "I've been shot. There was Satan Girl and Cythonna...there have been times when someone got past my invulnerability. But they were always over so quickly, and...and none of those things were done to me by someone I cared about. Like...you know how we used to date, right? It was a bit strange when I came back, but I think we really have become pretty decent friends, and now...now I guess, I don't think of Dirk Morgna as my friend. I think of Dirk Morgna as someone who could just torture me to death anytime he wanted to. I just think about how it just kept getting hotter and hotter in Mordru's castle, and...and I can still feel the...the blisters, you know?" She wiped tears from her eyes and sniffed back a sob. "I'm sorry, grife. Some Legionnaire..."

"What you're feeling is normal, Laurel." The man sitting opposite her gave her a gentle smile which was very much unlike any expression Laurel had seen before from Sun Boy. "All of us are aware of our mortality and we're aware that we can be hurt by those we care about, and that's something that your power has protected you from for the most part...so it's okay that you're not accustomed to that feeling." His voice changed timbre and Laurel watched as Sun Boy's athletic form shifted into that of a leaner bald orange-skinned man. Short stubby antennae sprouted from his forehead and slight points extended from the top of his ears. "If you think today was valuable though, I would like to try and help you feel better about that. Would you like that?"

"It was easier being able to say stuff to you that...you know, that I'm not ready to say to him yet." Laurel forced a half-smile. "I think I would like to come back...thanks, Jrey."

"That's why I'm here," the Legion of Superheroes' new team counsellor replied gladly. "Now...there's something I'd like to bring up again knowing what's happening later today. I take my clients' confidentiality very seriously; we're bound to bump into each other outside of this room given that I'm part of the Legion's Support Crew, but I'll take your lead in how you'd like to interact. I won't feel slighted if you don't feel comfortable engaging with me in a public setting. By the same token I won't actively engage with you unless you initiate it, and that's purely because it's very important to me that you feel comfortable being able to be open with me when you feel the need. Does that sound reasonable to you, Laurel? Please let me know if you have any concerns."

"No, no, that makes sense." She used her poncho to wipe the remaining tears from her face and released an exhausted sigh. "I'm glad Berta nagged me into coming to see you but I'm a little wiped out...do you mind if I touch base with you over the next couple of days to make our next appointment?"

"No, I don't mind at all." The Durlan man named Jrey Lefen waited for Laurel to gather herself, then escorted her to the door. "Take care now."

As the door whooshed shut behind Supergirl, Jrey consulted his omnicom for his day's schedule....plenty of time for meditation, lunch, and then he'd have to find something suitable to wear for Phantom Girl's big event!

**********

TAKRON-GALTOS
Skepticism Isle

Surrounded by an ocean tinged purple with toxic chemicals, a small island emerged which looked something like a pi symbol inside a perfect circle. Descending toward the island on a disc-shaped hovering platform were two members of the prison planet's native superhero team, the Workforce's Magno and Gear. Chameleon Boy and Chlorophyll Kid stood beside them, and Comet Queen leaned over the platform's safety rail far enough that if she hadn't possessed the power of flight herself the boys might have been concerned for her safety.

"Mathematic!" Comet Queen exclaimed, tickled by the strangely shaped island despite their somber reason for being here.

"Literally," Magno spoke while Gear brought them in for a landing. "It's some sigil our consultants from the Sorceror's World came up with to suppress magic on the island...apparently it's supposed to represent rational thought overriding occult forces or something like that? It's all a bit over my head to be honest," the Workforce's young Braalian leader admitted.

The island's surface area was only a couple of miles at most, and as the heroes came closer they saw that it was made of a dark craggy rock with practically no vegetation. There were only three buildings on Skepticism Isle.

There was the Subwarden's modest quarters on the north coast where the planet's terraformers had provided him with a private beach, a small swimming area sectioned away from the poison sea and the island's only plant life; tropical plants which were not only more aesthetically pleasing than the rest of the barren island but also acted as a visual barrier between his residential space and the rest of the island. There was a heavily protected power station on the island's east coast, and then taking up roughly half of the remaining space on the island was the ugly windowless prison facility they'd come here today to visit.

As Magno led the group toward the imposing grey prison building, Comet Queen stared at her husband with open concern. Grava couldn't see Ral Benem's face inside his wooden helmet but she knew that he couldn't possibly be feeling good about being here. "Don't worry, Chlory," she grabbed his arm and uttered privately, "We'll get in and out of here quicker than neutrino rain and we'll get our little sprout back and everything will be hypernova gleaming again in no time!"

Chlorophyll Kid gave her a supportive squeeze and met her gaze. "Thanks, Grava." He was trying to be optimistic but she could hear the flat tone of depression in his voice and when he looked at her directly she could see the pain in his eyes through the slits of his helmet. Comet Queen gave him as encouraging a smile as she could manage under the circumstances.

Magno tactfully cleared his throat to call their attention to a tall man walking out of the prison to meet them all. "Chameleon Boy, Chlorophyll Kid, Comet Queen; Let me introduce you to Subwarden Thadorjee Thirteen." A thin pale-skinned man dressed in conservative grey businesswear approached, his angular face weathered. His deep-set eyes were almost as black as his unruly mop of hair, and he had a thick and slightly uneven moustache which didn't connect to the sparse hair growing from his chin.

"Thank you for your time, Subwarden." As the senior Legionnaire present, Chameleon Boy approached the taller man and gave him a firm handshake. "We appreciate you indulging us on such short notice."

"I'm happy to help," Subwarden Thirteen replied. "Your colleague Tellus saved my parents' lives during that Magic Wars business a while ago, I'll always have time for the Legion of Superheroes."

"Speaking of magic," Cham continued as Subwarden Thirteen led the group inside, "I'm curious about the measures that you've taken here? It's a bold undertaking, creating a prison specifically for occult supercriminals."

"And long overdue," the Subwarden agreed. "The island itself is composed of meteoric iron, and the structures are composed of a unique iron/Nth metal alloy to inhibit certain schools of sorcery. Everything on this island has been engineered to either suppress or baffle occult energies, and I myself am fortunate enough to possess a family trait which pops up every few generations where magic just...doesn't work on me. Which is ironic, given that some of my ancestors have also been quite notable sorcerors as well."

As the group continued their discussion, Subwarden Thirteen took them into the bowels of the prison where the most dangerous criminals were jailed. Chameleon Boy couldn't help but notice that many of the cells were empty, but the ones that were populated were populated mainly by villains the Legion themselves had battled. While the cells were fully enclosed, flat video screens mounted outside the door displayed the cell's interior from every possible angle.

Khem Fawecki was here, the man the Legion knew better as Black Osiris. Mordru the Merciless lay dormant in his technological sarcophagus, a score of devices feeding constant biometrics to the warden droids who comprised Subwarden Thirteen's staff. The vampire lord Vrykos seethed in a cell lined with religious icons from seven different worlds, and finally the Legion came across the cell of the man they'd travelled all this way to see. Unlike the other villains the heroes had passed, this cell was filled with small flowering plants with long green stems and petite white snowdrop blooms. "The herb is called moly," Subwarden Thirteen explained. "The Themyscerians of Earth made use of it to imprison sorcerors because of its antimagical properties."

"Starshine, he can't...he can't scan us in there, can he? The way he's looking right at that camera, I feel like he's pulsing x-rays right through us, brrr!" Comet Queen shuddered and held on to Chlorophyll Kid a little tighter.

"This is just what he does," Gear tried to assuage Grava's fears. "He doesn't have anyone in there to victimise so he does this creepy intense stare at the cameras all day as the next best thing."

It was clear to everyone present that both Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen were deeply uncomfortable now that they'd come to the purpose of their visit. "Chlor, CQ...are you two sure you want to go through with this?" Chameleon Boy asked gently. "I know you want to find Ivy, but the Legion's resourceful...we can find another way."

"The Legion's also still recovering from what Mordru and Black Osiris did to them," Chlorophyll Kid answered, his voice a little ragged. "Grava was right when she told me I'm not going to be okay again until we find my daughter. I don't want to wait any longer, Chameleon Boy."

"Fair enough." Cham turned back to the Subwarden. "Well then...let's see what Alek Arcane has to say for himself, shall we?"

**********

MARS
Husband Hill, former site of the Legion of Superheroes' Headquarters

Phantom Girl looked out over the crowd of onlookers before her. There were easily a few thousand people here; not only several of her teammates in the Legion and some of the Academy students who'd stayed on Mars while they were on leave from school, but journalists, law enforcement, the media, and of course the Legion's own legion of fans. As she panned over the crowd she saw the young man who'd been one of the Legion's greatest supporters since their early days, Flynt Brojj. She gave the bespectacled youth a quick wink of recognition and couldn't help but smile at his exuberant reaction. For all the trauma the Legion had gone through recently, it was nice to have a visible reminder of more optimistic times. She chose to interpret it as a good omen.

"Excuse me, folks - could I have your attention please?" Tinya asked into the mic at her podium. Hovering holotransmitter drones carried her image and voice out over the enormous crowd so everyone could see and hear her. Tinya gave a moment for the crowd to get their applause out of the way and then continued. "First of all, I'd like to say a big thank you to the Martian people who welcomed the Legion of Superheroes with open arms when we needed to relocate our headquarters. Several of us had lived on Earth ever since leaving our homeworlds to join the Legion, and your hospitable nature made a move that could have been quite daunting much less so.

Recent events however have meant that the Legion of Superheroes have had to pack up and move again; there will be more on that in a week or so, but today isn't the Legion's time to shine. In fact, and it's not easy to admit this, but today is for the people the Legion of Superheroes have failed." Phantom Girl's gaze flicked down to Nightstone sitting in the front row only a couple of metres away. Nightstone had been intimidated by the idea of appearing on a stage in front of so many people, but Tinya had insisted that the younger girl at least sit where Tinya could see her while she made this speech; it was important to Tinya that Gia see for herself how genuine Phantom Girl was in this new undertaking. Next to Nightstone, the Legion's new Counsellor did his best to make Gia feel as comfortable as possible.

Phantom Girl took a breath and continued. "You're all familiar with the Legion of Superheroes tryouts, I take it...in fact, I'll bet some of you here have been to one of two tryouts yourselves. The tryouts are a remnant of the days when the Legion of Superheroes were more like a club of kids than a group dedicated to the defence of innocent sentients everywhere, and they've given us some of our best and brightest members but they've also historically been a time for the Legion of Superheroes to show the more imperfect sides of ourselves. It's an easy temptation to rationalise some of the snobbery, rudeness or just plain lack of care that the Legion have exercised in the past when it comes to the way we've treated hopeful would-be Legionnaires who didn't make the team; after all, we were just kids ourselves when we started this superhero club.

We're not kids anymore though, and we need to do better." Tinya caught the gaze of the Legion founders now sitting together with the Ranzz children, Lightning Lass, Night Girl and Ultra Boy. All of them radiated pride for what Phantom Girl was doing, and she felt encouraged to keep going. She pressed a hidden button on the podium, and the enormous privacy field which had been her backdrop till now faded from view. A murmur passed through the crowd as everyone took in exactly what it was that Phantom Girl had revealed.

Two smaller boxy buildings occupied the space behind Tinya where once the Legion of Superheroes' much larger headquarters had stood. The buildings weren't particularly impressive on their own, each of them a typical example of contemporary architecture. The main walkway split off to opposite sides, each path leading to one or the other building before circling back again to meet between them. This formed a kind of roundabout with a lush garden in its centre, and it was the two golden statues in the centre of that garden which caught the crowd's attention.

To the left, a twenty foot high representation of Otaki beckoned visitors toward one of the buildings. "Only a very few people here will recognise this young woman," Phantom Girl spoke. "Her name was Bina Nawoti, and she wanted to join the Legion of Superheroes using the codename Otaki. She came to our last tryout and events transpired which led to her being horribly abused by not one but two powerful Legion foes. The Legion failed Bina Nawoti...and Bina paid for that failure with her life.

Bina's story is perhaps the most extreme example of how we should have done better by our applicants, but she's far from the only one. Another young woman named Delya Castil once tried to prove herself to us as a heroine named Mentalla, and she too was tragically murdered by one of our foes. The Legion's rogue gallery is littered with sentients who turned against us after we shunned their attempts to be a Legionnaire, and maybe we could have helped some of them avoid a life of crime or maybe we couldn't have but to our shame...we never even tried.

...So today I'm unveiling the Bina Nawoti Foundation. We have a hand-picked support staff including our esteemed team counsellor Jrey Lefen and a young lady who's not quite ready to become an instant celebrity but who knows first hand what it's like to be forgotten by the Legion of Superheroes, and in the coming days they'll be recruiting and training a full team of outreach workers to help them. The Bina Nawoti Foundation's goal is to make sure that everyone who wants to be a Legionnaire but maybe isn't quite ready to be a Legionnaire gets all the support they need to find the best way to channel their talents outside of the Legion. Not everybody can be a Legionnaire, but everybody deserves the chance to be the best sentient they can be and it's high time the Legion started helping people along their way to that goal instead of leaving them out in the cold."

Tinya could tell that the journalists and entertainment media present were about to erupt, and she sequed to the next part of her speech before they had a chance. "Of course, one of the pathways that Legion applicants might be suited to follow is the Legion Academy." She turned toward the second building, a statue of Fire Lass mirroring Otaki's posture beside her.

"Let me present the Arqiia Memorial Campus of the Legion Academy," Phantom Girl announced. "Arqiia, who also called herself Fire Lass, was one of our students until very recently. Her unique origins made it difficult for her to adjust to life with us, but she gave her very best and in the end she sacrificed herself to save the lives of those who couldn't save themselves." In the crowd, Tinya briefly caught a glimpse of Color Kid patting a teary-eyed Firecrest on the shoulder. "Arqiia's heroism was inspiring, but her sacrifice was unnecessary. The Legion of Superheroes thought that it would be expedient to move the Legion Academy into the same building as us, but in our hubris it never even occurred to us the danger we'd be subjecting these kids to. More than once we've failed to protect our students as we should have, and I rest easy now knowing that our kids are not going to have to worry about getting caught in the crossfire of our enemies until they're well and truly ready to be part of the Legion themselves."

Again, Phantom Girl paused to allow the crowd to digest what she'd just told them. Dragonwing was among the students who'd remained on Mars for this unveiling and Tinya could see that Marya wasn't happy about what Tinya had just said. Still, Marya was always unhappy about something someone had said, she would just need to get used to this new status quo.

"We'll be taking tours through both buildings all afternoon and information packs should be available for streaming as I speak, but for now I can see some of our friends from the media are about to burst so....let's take questions."

**********

DISPUTED TERRITORIES
Kraken of the Void Tavern

The Kraken of the Void was a not particularly reputable tavern on one of the many asteroids that formed part of an uneasy border between the United Planets and the Khund Empire. The Kraken of the Void's main clientele was asteroid miners or criminals, and very often criminal asteroid miners. So it was more than a little unusual to see a stunningly attractive pink-skinned woman draped in revealing vinyl and strategically placed translucent veils sliding up to a drunken Talokkian patron at the bar. Sex workers were not an entirely unusual sight here, but none of them had the jaw-dropping allure of this young woman who looked more like she belonged in a classy Venturan establishment than some dirty backwater bar.

"Sorry sweet skirt, wha'd you say your name was again?" the pudgy Talokkian slurred, grabbing the shapely young woman clumsily around her waist.

"Her name is Veilmist," a gruff voice growled from behind her, and the woman's eyes widened in shock as she felt something clamp onto the back of her neck. Her head was filled with a maddening high-pitched squeal and she instinctively threw her hands over her ears.

"Wha'd you do t'my lady?" the Talokkian rose to defend this woman he'd just met, pulling a blade from where it was sheathed at his belt. For the first time he saw the immense size of the muscular cyborg Khund who'd disabled Veilmist, and his courage faltered.

"I stopped her from fleecin' you the same way she fleeced me a couple weeks back," the Khund glowered. "You got sloppy, little girl...comin' back to the same huntin' ground so soon, gotta know that's a bad move."

"My...head..." Veilmist managed to gasp through bared teeth, her eyes welling with tears.

"Hurts, don't it?" the imposing Khund man sneered. "It better, damn sonic inducer cost me enough creds...it'll take care of your devil-spawned power long enough for me to get the bounty on you though, that's all I care ab--" The Khund's taunt was cut short by a sickly gurgling sound as a metal talon some twelve inches long pierced straight through his throat from behind. Blood spurted all over Veilmist, the Talokkian man who was very close to being robbed blind by her and everyone else within several metres. The talon silently withdrew, and still gushing blood from the hole in his throat the Khund collapsed to the floor.

Seconds ago the bar had been full of raucous conversation but now you could hear a pin drop. Everybody here was accustomed to violence, but that level of unprompted savagery was enough to make even these hardened lawbreakers stop what they were doing and pay attention. The Khund's murderer stood revealed as an unexpectedly slight bald albino woman in a pale blue bodysuit, one imposing talon jutting out of each forearm. She simply stood in simmering silence over her victim while two other women took their places at her side.

"Thank you, White Bat," one of the women spoke. "Nobody will be collecting that bounty today." This woman seemed slightly older than the other two, and she wore a high-collared dark brown leotard. Her unruly hair was a lighter shade of brown, and it framed her handsome face like a mane. A small metallic device was attached to her forehead, an open ring at its centre crackling with hot pink energy. "Sentients - and I use that term very generously - my name is Vista, and--"

"Vharras!!" a yellow-skinned Khund bellowed as he finally realised it was his friend who had been downed. This Khund made the other man look like a weakling; he was at least 7 feet tall and he easily bowled sentients out of his way as he charged toward the women.

Vista turned to the third in their group, the youngest of all of them. "Nimbus", she gave a bored sigh, "This one's all yours."

"Fun!" the young woman named Nimbus replied cheerily. She looked to be in her late teens and she wore a leotard similar in design to Vista, but one which was a deep blue color with gloves and boots to match. A bright blue field projected out evenly about an inch from her body, and as she threw her hand up with her palm facing outwards the field expanded in that direction. Quite dramatically, it shoved the gigantic Khund and eight other people across the room. They toppled more people, smashed furniture and drink vessels, and one of them even flew straight out the window into the freezing night air outside.

"Bar fight!!"

Nobody knew who'd called it, but it was a mistake. The three women made effortless work of the bar patrons; Nimbus's forcefield protected her from injury even as it enabled her to smash out with the force of an oncoming vehicle at entire groups of people, White Bat mutely slashed and impaled anyone stupid enough to get close to her, and Vista...Vista simply gazed upon her victims, and with one flash of energy from the device in her head those victims vanished without a trace.

It took the trio less than two minutes to reduce the busy bar to a room half filled with the groaning wounded and the silent dead. Vista gently swept Veilmist's lush magenta hair away from the device that had been attached to her neck and spoke softly but firmly. "Hold still."

Veilmist had little choice in the matter; she couldn't focus enough through the pain in her skull to even think of running, she could barely even support herself leaning against the bar. Vista gave White Bat a quick nod, and the bald woman dispassionately thrust one talon out to shatter the sonic inducer without so much as brushing Veilmist's skin. As Veilmist began to recover, she stepped back defensively from the three women. "I will not go back to my husband, I do not care how deadly his mercenaries are!"

"We have no intention of returning you to Firefist," Vista assured her. "We're here to help you, Veilmist."

"I need no help," Veilmist's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "My power protects me--"

"Your power that bastich just suppressed?" Nimbus spoke up. "He found you easily enough...it took us a little longer, but we found you too. You can't run forever and there's safety in numbers, Veilmist. You just saw how we took out a whole room of people without even raising a sweat."

"Let's not smother her," Vista held up a hand. "We should continue this somewhere a little more private though, fems. Veilmist, why don't you use your power to get us all out of here, and we can tell you more about our Sisterhood of Sin?"

The Khund beauty looked around the room and weighed her options. If these women had really wanted to hurt her, they'd just had a prime opportunity to do so.

Veilmist made her decision and all four women disappeared, leaving only wisps of lavender-scented smoke in their wake.

**********

EDITOR'S NOTES:
* no Jovian Attack Squids were hurt during the making of this episode! They are from Legion canon though, as I'm sure Phantom Girl remembers all the way back from Legion of Super Heroes #260 in 1980!

* Alek Arcane of course is Ivy's evil necromancer grandfather, which goes to show sometimes your family literally has skeletons in the closet...

* Vista, White Bat and Nimbus are three homemade characters who were part of Earth-Man's Judgement League many moons ago...they didn't really get much spotlight back then so don't worry if y'all don't remember them because they're gonna get much more spotlight soon enough wink

* nearly forgot! The Kraken of the Void is a seedy little dive that has appeared one time previously, when the Legion beat up the last other living Trommite! http://www.legionworld.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=819694#Post819694

NEXT: THE NEW HQ! (and now that the dust has settled a bit, an updated roster!)
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: New Day Rising - 05/31/22 02:47 PM
yay! a new installment!

Love your Tinya and her polite, warm but firm leadership. She's really a great face for the Legion too. also heh re continuing education with the SP... oh Howie.

heh at the capes being removed!

I like the limitation re transuits also cannot last forever in the toughest environments

Jovian Attack Squids! so cool! also like Mysa flexing her new powers.

nice convo between Laurel and not-Dirk (that was a nice surprise! Legion counselor in action!). great that Laurel was mature and self-aware enough to articulate her conflicting emotions. it's always tough to feel one thing, while rationally knowing it is not right.

haha, Skepticism Isle is a pi symbol inside a circle, nice! and also nice that it is related to a magical ward or somesuch. ah, makes sense that magical consultants would be enlisted for a prison for magical criminals! also cool, magical immunity!

Flynt Brojj!

aw, Nightstone. kudos to Tinya for publicly acknowledging that the Legion could have done better. and also acknowledging that tryouts had their bad points too! also, nice nods to both Otaki and Mentalla, but also to the failed applicants who turned bad (well, arguably some of them were bad eggs to begin with, but indeed more could have been done)

hey nice! an outreach arm of the Legion! and totally agree - not everyone is meant to be a Legionnaire, but everyone should have the support they need to find their place

and also smart moving the Academy campus away - indeed, not getting caught in the crossfire. they have their teachers and security systems anyway, so it should be safer... right?


Veilmist! good to see her again!

oy. I already figured it would be some kind of all-female group. remind me: wasn't White Bat at least part of the Judgment League? they are shaping up to be quite scary. What does Vista do exactly, it would not also be teleportation would it (as then redundant vs Veilmist)? so where did her victims go? ah yes, you confirmed, all three are Judgment League ex-members wink nice! and I found your team entry on them ;-) https://www.legionworld.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=844876#Post844876

looking forward to more more more!
Posted By: Gaseous Lad Re: New Day Rising - 05/31/22 07:24 PM
Lots of goodness here raz.

I totally dig gas giant scenarios; I'm trying to figure out one myself eventually. Its a great scene and told mainly from the passenger's perspective.

Like I told Harbi, I really like having psychologists as part of the Legion's extended team. With all the crap this team sees, I think it'd be a very important job.

The barfight is great - chilling and a fun intro to this new sisterhood.

But the single best thing in this entry is Tinya effectively apologizing for how some Legionnaires behave during auditions. Yeah, its a great laugh in all the incarnations we've seen it, but sometimes they act like real jerks. I love that you've addressed this.
Posted By: Harbinger Re: New Day Rising - 06/06/22 09:40 AM
hi Raz, thanks for the PM, appreciated.

Totally love the first little story - the idea of thrill seeker tours into Jupiter makes perfct sense - hell, I'd want to be on one, though not the one you have described.

Blok, Mon El and Mysa Marvel - that's all your heavy hitters in one place, though given the nature of the enviroment and potential threat you described it makes sense.

Jovian Attack Squids! Yay! fabulous silver age silliness that you make appear as a credible threat. Mon El knowing that Mysa wouldn't need coddling was nice. Blok not wanting to hurt the squid was sweet too.

Laurel's scene with Jrey was intriguing - having a Durlan assume the appearance of the person you want to speak to is inspired. Poor Laurel dealing with that fear of Dirk, and well done for thinking of it as it really helps smooth a bit of the rough from her character which can be a bit brash.

Takron-Galtos next and the idea of a place to hold mystical criminals is another great idea - you are on fire here Raz! All of your ideas make perfect sense but I would never had thought of them.

Is Subwarden Thirteen a descendent of Dr Thirteen?

Alek Arcane? Ouch! That's going to get nasty, I feel bad for Ral and Grava already.

Nice of you to bring back Flynt Brojj, that's a real treat!

The Bina Namoti Foundation and the Arqiia Memorial Campus are both really good ideas Raz, bet you must have cheered when you thought of them. I am of course thoroughly jealous that I didn't come up with them smile You are really adding to the mythos with these and it's really inspirational how you mix the smaller moment, like Laurel's counselling session, with these large events that will have big consequences further down the line.

So, where are the Legion going to be based? They can't stay in hotels forever, can they?

Yay, a bar fight! Veilmist is always trouble so I'm really happy to see her again, Khunds are fun! I was thinking that I knew the names White Bat and vista from somewhere and though they must have been reboot characters, but it's good to see you bringing back some of your Judgement League thugs. I'm intrigued by what yor plans are for them. The Sisterhood of Sin are going to be great!

This has been an enjoyable hour Raz catching up on your work, it's so much fun to see what's going on with your team and how you are moving storylines on. You have a gift of keeping things going without either getting too complicated or confusing.

Can't wait to see where you take us next!

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: New Day Rising - 06/10/22 10:31 AM
Hi all,

Sorry I haven't had time to respond to anyone yet but thanks for commenting as usual!

Ridiculous alien animals are one of the things I really like about the old-school Legion, I'm glad I got a chance to do something with the Jovian Attack Squids at last!

Jrey as the team's counsellor came about because I specifically wanted to avoid using a telepath...and as a bit more comes out about his background, we will see that it ties in with some of the older stuff I have written as well. It honestly didn't even occur to me until I sat down to write Laurel's scene that he could use his powers as part of his treatment methodology so that was just a lucky accident really!

Subwarden Thirteen is indeed a descendant of Dr Thirteen! Good pick, Harbi! And I thought (especially after the Magic Wars) that it's probably time for the UP to have a response to mystical villains other than "exile them somewhere and hope for the best".

The Bina Nawoti Foundation will probably be one of those things that just sits in the background 99% of the time, but I had the same thought as GL - the Legion really do tend to be jerks around tryout time and those scenarios are fun to read and write, but it's the kind of thing they should have really grown out of by now. I assume for every Radiation Roy or Spider-Girl there's probably a lot more applicants who didn't necessarily become supervillains but could probably have used some help moving forward instead of just being shown the door...

The Sisterhood of Sin will be popping up a lot more to annoy people, and I promise Vista's powers will get a decent explanation sooner rather than later laugh I was gonna provide links to where they've showed up before, but I decided it'd be better to just have all the details come out in-story smile

And as for this:

Quote
So, where are the Legion going to be based? They can't stay in hotels forever, can they?

I think the next instalment should answer that one nicely!
Posted By: razsolo And now...YGGARDIS!! - 06/27/22 02:23 PM
Marella Tao watched with mild curiosity from inside the comfort of her small passenger shuttle as the Legion of Superheroes' newest headquarters loomed larger with her approach.

Its design called back to the Legion's original clubhouse, a primitive yellow rocket-shaped structure with four red fins emerging from its tail end. Unlike the Earth-based original building however, the Legion's headquarters today floated in silent orbit high above the red planet Mars and both its moons.

As Marella's craft neared the base's hangar doors, the instantly recognisable encircled L which was the Legion of Superheroes' logo promised a warm welcome. A door irised opened on the surface near one of the enormous red fins, and Marella's vessel was captured by a tractor beam and comfortably drawn inside. The holojournalist was impressed, as she knew she would be. State of the art forcefield technology made the trip flawlessly smooth, and before she knew it Marella and her accompanying holocorder drone were disembarking from her vehicle in a large open space and being led toward a turbolift by intuitively glowing strips in the floor.

As a doorway opened before her, she walked headfirst into a very familiar wolf head emblem spread taut across a hard chest. Marella bounced back, maintaining her composure despite the awkward meeting. "Hello, Brin."

"Marella! Grife, I'm sorry!" Timber Wolf reached out gently to steady her. "You wouldn't guess my power is super-agility, huh?"

"All is well," Marella smiled graciously. "How have you been anyway? It's been a long time."

"Uh yeah..." Brin Londo rubbed the back of his neck, inadvertantly drawing attention to his powerful triceps. "About that...I guess I owe you another apology, I suppose I didn't want things to be weird after we...you know..."

"We may not have worked out romantically," the red-haired holojournalist laughed lightly, "But we always had fun, didn't we? You don't need to be a lone wolf all the time, you know."

"Oh Marella, I'm so sorry I'm late!" Marella Tao heard her second apology for the day as Phantom Girl emerged through the floor a few meters away. "I really wanted to be here to meet you straight off the shuttle!"

"It's no problem," Marella stood on her toes to give Timber Wolf a chaste kiss on the cheek. "Timber Wolf here was nice enough to entertain me while I waited...don't be a stranger, Brin Londo!" Quickly adjusting her hair, Marella turned her attention to Phantom Girl. "I'm just grateful that you chose me for this opportunity, Phantom Girl!"

Tinya had fully entered the large space now, and she approached Marella to shake her hand while Timber Wolf made a hasty exit. "You're very welcome," Tinya gave the reporter a welcoming smile. "Logistically we're not really set up to allow a large gathering of the press on board just yet, but we do understand that there's going to naturally be a lot of public interest in the Legion of Superheroes' new base and I think the rest of the team would agree with me that you deserve the scoop. If nothing else, we owe you one for having ever had to date Timber Wolf." The two women giggled mischievously as Phantom Girl led them to a turbolift.

"So obviously some of the areas here are highly secure and won't be included on the tour," Phantom Girl explained as they moved silently through the 450 foot long spacecraft, "But we should still be able to show off a little." The door whooshed open, and Phantom Girl walked Marella and her hovering holocorder down a corridor which led into an advanced medical facility. In his normal Shwarian form, Staq Mavlen was sitting up on a table which contained an internal light. Flitting about him like some wingless dragonfly was a blue microship with white trim and a white cross on its trail.

"You may not recognise him when he's not a fire-breathing dragon, but this is Firecrest," Phantom Girl introduced, "And this is the Legion's newest recruit, Dr Skorski. I hope you two are ready for Marella to make you famous," Tinya teased.

"You're from Teall, isn't that right?" Marella asked the airborne doctor. "I'm fascinated to know, what led you to become a physician for organic lifeforms?"

"Dr Skorski is equally fascinated by the workings of your kind," an unexpectedly pleasant voice emerged from the small craft. "So different you are to every form of life Dr Skorski has known before!"

"Would you like to tell us how Dr Skorski's helped you today, Staq?" Tinya asked, making it seem like an off the cuff question though they'd already agreed beforehand to all of this.

"Sure," the young blond man consented. "It's just a routine diagnostic; when I got my powers, they altered my genetic structure. Just as a formality, I need to check in every 6 standard months to make sure my body's not coming up with anything too weird or new. After Brainiac 5 left the team I've had to rely on Dream Girl or Mon-El being free to examine me so it's great having Dr Skorski on staff so I can get this out of the way without any real inconvenience to anyone!"

"And Dr Skorski is happy to report that Firecrest is in fine shape!" the microship chimed in.

"Thanks, we'll leave you two to it!" Phantom Girl concluded before taking Marella through the rest of the medlab. Tinya pointed out various devices, including a special vacuum chamber designed in the event that Wildfire might need whatever constituted medical treatment for him, before leading them both back out into the corridor past another turbolift and into a different type of lab altogether.

"This is our multilab," Phantom Girl explained as Marella's holocorder took stock of the many and varied exotic technologies here. "Historically, Brainiac 5 was always the poster child for intellect in the Legion so it's easy to forget that a lot of other Legionnaires are actually very intelligent and well-versed in various sciences. Elastic Lad spends a lot of time here, as does Saturn Girl even though she's technically a reserve member these days. Sun Boy likes to pretend he's just a big womaniser at heart but I can tell you he's logged a fair few hours in here too," Phantom Girl winked.

"Please," a new voice entered the conversation. "Sun Boy's last experiment in here was an attempt to create the most alluring cologne in existence, let's not pretend he loves science for science's sake." The women turned to see Dream Girl approaching from behind some kind of elaborate scanning device.

"Sorry to interrupt," Nura Nal continued breezily, "But I thought I should let you know it's time, Phantom Girl. Would you like me to continue the tour with Marella here?"

"Time? Time for what?" Marella asked, perplexed.

"Time for a little surprise we had planned," Phantom Girl answered cheekily. "Dreamy, you're a blessing! Marella, I'm sorry to run so soon but trust me - it'll be worth it!" The Bgltzr woman passed down through the floor before Marella could ask another question, leaving the reporter alone with Dream Girl.

After answering a few questions about the multilab and allowing Marella to get some good shots, Dream Girl led the reporter down further through the vessel to a spacious worship and meditation room with a polarised window showing a multitude of stars beyond. After that they passed through a series of conference and meeting rooms which took up the rest of the same level, followed by the residential suites which took up the next four levels. "There are 25 suites on each level," Dream Girl described as they walked along well lit minimally decorated corridors circling the ship. "And of course, each module is highly adjustable. Someone like Tellus for example has very different needs to myself - I need much more room for hair care products for one thing."

Marella indulged Dream Girl's comment with a smirk before posing a question to her. "By my count, there are currently 43 active Legionnaires. Does this mean you're planning on expanding the team's roster?"

"Our roster has only been limited previously because of boring tax implications and legalities associated with whatever world we were based on," Nura explained. "Having a base which isn't confined to one world means we don't have to abide by that kind of silliness anymore...so to answer your question, yes we do intend to expand our ranks once we're a little more settled here. Of course, we also use these rooms as guest quarters....would you like to see one of the empty ones?"

"Of course!" Marella beamed. Dream Girl took her through one of the apartment suites, and Marella was impressed at the size of the space as well as the view. Like the worship and meditation room, one whole wall of these quarters was a window looking out onto the stars beyond.

Next stop on the tour was the fitness level. Marella saw Crystal Kid testing his reaction times by erecting crystal defences against randomised pulses of light coming at him from different directions, while in a separate area Strut sparred simultaneously with Shrinking Violet and a quite visible Invisible Kid. Though they were the only Legionnaires here, the space looked easily large enough to contain the full team if need be and there was even a levitating full-length swimming pool.

Their next stop was the administration level, some of which was still in the process of being completed. Though their tenants weren't here currently, Marella was surprised to find out that Marla Latham and all of the Legion's Support Crew had their own individual offices. There were also grander suites available in the event that any of the Legion's various dignitaries might need a temporary work space in their official capacity as planetary protectors or monarchs. The trophy room and the Hall of Heroes were next on Dream Girl's itinerary, and finally she brought Marella out into an enormous open area which contained a sectioned off gaming and recreation area along one side of the room and a selection of eating establishments with various spaces for eating and even a small green park. Matter-Eater Lad and Gas Girl sat at one of the tables eating, and Tenzil mugged for the holocorder briefly before returning to a bowl of lumpy metal which would be inedible for anyone not from Bismoll.

Marella finally glanced up, and the normally unflappable holojournalist uttered a startled gasp. She realised that they'd come all the way to the opposite end of the vessel, and what seemed like the nose of the Legion's rocket was transparent above her. "I thought some of those rooms you showed me earlier had impressive views, but this...this is really breathtaking, isn't it?" Mars dominated one full quarter of the raised dome and everything else was an impressive sea of stars. Those stars seemed to suddenly blur into tiny streaks of light, and Marella felt the slightest sense of motion. "Dream Girl, what's happening?" Marella turned to the Naltorian beauty. "Is this...is this meant to be occurring right now?"

"This is the surprise Phantom Girl mentioned," Nura grinned. "I think your viewers are going to enjoy this, Ms Tao. Shall we take a seat with Tenzil and Tal and watch the action?"

**********

SLIGHTLY EARLIER...
There was one area of the Legion of Superheroes' new headquarters which Marella hadn't seen, and Phantom Girl passed through its surrounding coccoon of foot-thick inertron to enter the cylindrical space now. Holographic and physical screens of various sizes overseeing a ring of consoles filled the room that the Legion had come to call the Brainstem. There was a raised dais in the centre of the room with three chairs, and Tinya solidified as she took the centre seat. She donned a tiara-like headband dotted in various pulsing lights and circuitry patterns, and as technology advanced even by 31st century standards came to life the particular screens which were attuned to Phantom Girl's brainwave patterns remained in vivid color while all the others faded to black and white.

The entire dais revolved smoothly as Tinya consciously considered addressing her Communications Officer. All three of Trava Coruu's Carggite bodies were working at different monitor stations below Tinya, dressed in identical outfits differing only in their main color; coral, green and purple. "Is everybody ready to go, Trava?" Phantom Girl asked as the platform stopped to ensure she was facing them all.

"Hello, Phantom Girl...Chameleon Boy and Comet Queen are still on Takron-Galtos with Chlorophyll Kid," the green-garbed woman rattled off with visible nervousness. "Gravity Kid, Infectious Lass and Stone Boy are at the Bina Nawoti Foundation, Mon-El, Ultra Boy, Polar Boy and King Canary just arrived on Circadia, Timber Wolf and Supergirl are off-base on personal business--"

"She means is everybody ready for the Yggardis mission, you dope!" the Trava in purple interrupted with a mocking chuckle. She turned toward Phantom Girl with a slightly smug expression. "Everybody who needs to be is in the hangar now and ready to move on your word, boss lady."

"Thank you, ladies." Phantom Girl scanned the base's internal monitors with a creased brow. "Where's Evolvo Lad?" she muttered without really expecting a response. "I thought he'd have been here by now--"

Right on cue, one of the room's doors whooshed open and the Lalloran hero walked through in his hyperevolved form. "Apologies for my impunctuality," he pre-empted Tinya's query. "I fear that some of us possess the disadvantage of needing to negotiate corridors and turbolifts rather than taking the direct route through walls and floors."

"You're here now and that's the main thing," Phantom Girl let him off the hook. "Dream Girl told me it's time for us to make our move; would you like to show me what this baby can do, Sev?"

"I would be most pleased to do precisely that," the tall thin man replied softly. He took the seat to Phantom Girl's left and using his telekinesis he shifted another of the complex tiaras on to his oversized cranium.

Evolvo Lad had engineered the construction of a majority of this base, and one of his proudest contributions was the psibernetic controlwear that he and Phantom Girl now wore. It was something that he'd incorporated into much of the Heroes of Lallor's equipment, and he'd figured that the Legion needing a new base was a perfect excuse to bring that innovation to his current superhero team. While the headpieces were no equal to Kid Computo's versatility, they were still quite a boon; Evolvo Lad's for example gave him the ability to bring the vessel's hyperdrive to life with nothing more than a thought command and send them hurtling through subspace until the entire spacecraft emerged once more light years away just beyond the orbit of Uart, the 12th and outermost planet in the Rannian solar system.

Similarly, Phantom Girl's controlwear allowed her not only to be subconsciously attuned to every alarm system in the base so that she'd know in a nanosecond if anything required a leader's attention, but she could also view 22 Legionnaires protected by their transuits flying out to their assigned positions before these strange new constellations. Phantom Girl had asked Dream Girl days ago to find the team a mission which would serve to display their unity, diversity and the mobile capabilities of their new headquarters, and Nura Nal's precognitive power had not disappointed.

As the Legionnaires outside separated into smaller groups, the version of Trava Coruu dressed in coral proactively turned toward Phantom Girl. "Yggardis is coming into view now, Phantom Girl. Would you like an open channel to your field team?"

"That would be great, Trava." It was something Tinya could easily do for herself thanks to Evolvo Lad's workmanship, but having Trava take care of these details left Phantom Girl free to focus on more important things. Tinya watched as a hologram of an approaching planet took up a huge portion of the empty space in the Brainstem above her. "Legionnaires, this is Phantom Girl. Good luck, and feel free to put on a show; we're making this footage available to Marella Tao later for her holocast."

**********

Colossal Boy was first to respond on behalf of his squad. "I'm glad Yera's on a work trip to Durla...I think this particular mission might hit a bit too close to home for her even if she was just sitting it out in our quarters."

In the void of space, Gim's growth wasn't constrained by the restrictions of operating planetside and it was an advantage for which he was thankful...because right now, a planet slightly larger than Earth's moon was barely a hundred thousand miles away and advancing quickly. The planet was a sickly greenish color, utterly devoid of inhabitants, and it surreally had four distinct tendrils sprouting up from its surface to broach the astronomical distance between itself and the heroes. All in all it reminded Gim Allon entirely too much of the horrific Leviathan that Yera Allon had described meeting on a trip to the future, and that memory spurred him to a righteous anger. Over 1200 feet tall, Colossal Boy tackled one of the enormous tentacles and pushed himself to tear it in two.

Diamond Damsel's strength and hardened fingernails made short work of the tendril where it thinned out toward its tip; closer to the rogue planet, this system's sun was no brighter than any other star in the sky and Night Girl pummelled the tentacle at its base until it was floating free in space.

With the three of them reducing the rocky appendage to so much debris, Cosmic Boy used his magnetism on the iron-heavy rocks to bring them to prearranged coordinates.

**********

Even with only a portion of the speed of Mercury, Blok could race to one of the planet's furthest tentacles easily enough. While he hammered and tore the massive appendage into floating fragments, his transuit allowed him to speak. "This planet truly is alive," he reported over his flight ring to his own mission partner. "Though its size vastly dwarfs my own, I can sense its silicon awareness and its maddening sorrow. I wish there were another way for us to accomplish this victory, Neon."

"Don't be too glum, big guy." The former Green Lantern had once again changed her costume, knowing this mission would see her in the media's spotlight. Zoe wore a stylish bodysuit of black, white and green with chrome trim and a translucent green waist length cape. A 100 foot tall emerald construct shaped like a primitive vacuum cleaner floated by Zoe Saugin's side and sucked up all of the rubble that Blok was providing her. "When Dream Girl told us something called Yggardis the Living Planet was coming to menace Rann, I accessed my ring's archive. This thing's been around forever just wreaking havoc on every inhabited world it comes across. The ring doesn't even think it's entirely natural and it's killed countless lifeforms, believe me when I say we're doing the right thing."

With her first construct bloated with rocks, Neon created an identical second one to suck up more rocks and flew the both of them away to meet up with Cosmic Boy.

**********

"This is actually super fascinating! Don't you think, Light Lad?" Elastic Lad had extended himself out to his maximum practical limits in preparation to do his part and it was only his head that floated alongside Darvan Locke out here in the middle of nowhere while his neck stretched out to meet the rest of his body a long long way away. "I mean a whole living planet! Wowee! Just imagine the things he's seen - or they've seen, I guess! I mean planets probably don't have a gender; do you think planets would consider themselves to be gendered, Light Lad? Teallians don't have a gender, but Quislet still uses he/him pronouns anyway! Hey, do you think Quislet could possess a whole planet if he wanted? I guess I don't know if it would be practical even if he could, after all it's so big it would probably disperse into atoms lickety split, and then of course you have to remember Yggardis is sentient too so I don't even know if Quislet even could possess it...or him. Or them! What do you think, Light Lad? Gosh, I miss having Quislet around! He's always so much fun! Don't you think he's fun, Light Lad?"

For once, Light Lad was grateful for Elastic Lad's never-ending enthusiasm for literally everything. It was the only thing that prevented Darvan Locke from thinking about the enormity of what they were doing out here today, because he knew if he really thought about it he'd be completely overwhelmed. They were confronting a planet! A living planet!

Finally Element Lad, Lightning Lass and Sun Boy had torn enough of a tentacle apart that Light Lad had something else to distract him from the existential enormity of their mission. Elastic Lad lassoed all of the stray rocks that had resulted from Jan, Ayla and Dirk's more destructive powers and wrapped himself around the bundle again and again until it almost resembled an enormous rubber ball. "Are you ready, Light Lad?" the excitable redhead asked. "I've got as much as I can carry right now, we'll have to come back for more. Gee whiz, I'm glad I've got you along with me! Even though we're in space, this is an awful lot of mass! I don't know if I could transport all of this without you giving me an anti-gravity assist! You know, this reminds me of one time on Cadmu when some scientists accidentally gave our planet an artificial consciousness and Jams-Ols 3 had to talk it out of eating us all! Boy, that was sure an adventure! Did I ever tell you about that story, Light Lad?"

Darvan forced himself to focus on Elastic Lad's incessant chatter so he could ignore the fact that three of his teammates had just demolished a significant portion of a planetary body without even really raising a sweat.

"No...no, you didn't!" Light Lad snapped back a little too quickly. "Tell me about it, pal....tell me all about it!"

**********

Far from her other teammates, Life Lass watched impressed as Mysa Marvel tore the fourth and final tentacle to pieces without a struggle.

Mysa paused her destructive work long enough to consider the quiet Lalloran woman she'd been paired up with. "I don't want to give you too much matter to have to manipulate," Mysa noted kindly. "Do you want me to give it a rest for a while? There must be hundreds of tons of rocks floating around here."

"It's nice of you to ask but I'm fine," Life Lass replied. "I actually had an idea that might help me carry more of this mess, let's see how this works out." The unassuming young woman concentrated, and the field of debris that Mysa had just made for her started drifting together and compacting tightly until it formed a roughly humanoid shape a couple of hundred feet high. "I don't think I'd have the power to do this if we weren't all effectively weightless right now," Somi explained, "But now my new friend here can carry what my power can't control."
True to her claim, the enormous patchwork golem collected two armfuls of what had once been a part of its own form. Life Lass perched herself on her giant servant's head, and it bizarrely walked off slowly through space to meet Cosmic Boy and the others.

"I'll be back for more soon!" Life Lass waved to a bemused Mysa behind her.

**********

On the surface of the living world Yggardis, Color Kid followed Dawnstar as she walked about the barren landscape with a tight expression on her face. "It's so creepy actually being down here on the planet," Color Kid remarked, peering up through the pea soup atmosphere to avoid having to notice the occasional ancient skeleton or crashed starcraft. "I swear I can feel it in my mind, does that sound crazy?"

"Not at all," Dawnstar affirmed. "I feel it too...we have heard tales of Yggardis on Starhaven. Our storytellers say that once upon a time it could speak telepathically to its prey but I suppose age weakens even an ancient entity like this eventually." She abruptly stopped walking and went down on one knee. With her right palm flattened out against the lifeless crust, Dawnstar looked up at Color Kid. "Here. This is where I feel its presence most strongly. Can you please mark the spot so we can leave this world of horrors, Color Kid? I am grateful that my transuit protects me from this deathly environment, but I am not accustomed to wearing it. It is almost as uncomfortable as this world itself."

"I don't think transuits are that bad," Color Kid remarked, "But I'm 100% with you on getting out of here." With two sweeps of his arm, Color Kid created a bright pink cross upon the ground with Dawnstar at its centre.

"Thank you," Dawnstar said simply. She stood up again, and in one fluid motion spread her wings to take to the sky while she simultaneously hooked her arms underneath Color Kid's arms from behind. Seconds later they were clearing the planet's atmosphere at dizzying speed, and Color Kid saw an orange and red blur streak past them down to the world they were leaving behind.

Although they'd been moving too fast for Color Kid to see him, Ulu knew that it was Wildfire who'd just passed them. Homing in on the giant pink cross, Drake Burroughs flipped the visor on his containment suit and let loose the full explosive power of his anti-energy form. Color Kid and Dawnstar were almost out of the atmosphere altogether by the time this happened so they couldn't hear the tremendous display of power, but they saw the flash of his power even through the murky skies of Yggardis.

Wildfire hadn't gone down to Yggardis alone. His teammates had kept a safe distance while Wildfire did his part but now Nightwind, Shadow Lass, Tellus and Kid Computo descended to the massive crater Drake Burroughs had carved out. Careful not to accidentally collect Wildfire's containment suit which was still filling up with his essence on the lip of the crater, Nightwind collected all of the remains of the explosion which hadn't been instantly atomized in a whirling rockstorm. Like a drill powered by hurricane force winds, she directed the rubble at the centre of the crater and smashed a hole straight through the final barrier of Yggardis's mantle to incandescent magma below.

Immediately the four Legionnaires felt a spike of pain in their minds, and some of them cried out.

Of all of them, Tellus was the best equipped to resist the psychic outburst from the wounded planet, but it was not an easy resistance. "The living world's tendrils are nothing more than appendages," Tellus explained to the others. "Destroying them did not truly harm Yggardis, but this has hurt Yggardis deeply. The world lashes out in defence."

"Surgery is never painless," Shadow Lass countered. "But that is why you and I are here, Tellus."

Her cape bundled under one arm, Tasmia Mallor touched down at the base of the crater and let the pure black of her power bleed out across the ground. "Let the darkness soothe you," she spoke in almost a reverent whisper to the world. "For where there is darkness, there is peace and there is stillness."

At the same time, Tellus shored up his mental defences and reached out to Yggardis. He couldn't possibly hope to control the mind of a world, but the Hykraian did his best to convince the planet that their intentions were good and that they ultimately wanted to give Yggardis the only thing it had ever wanted.

"Turns out Neon's ring was...kind of right?" Kid Computo spoke up, sounding a little confused. "Now that I'm here, with the insides of the planet exposed, Yggardis is....I mean it's a planet, but I think it's also some kind of...ancient cosmic technology as well? I can't really interface with it properly but I think I can help Tellus and Shadow Lass keep it calm. I think this crazy idea is gonna actually work!"

A dragon's roar filled the sky, and the Legionnaires looked up into the thick atmosphere to see a long serpentine beast writhing through the air. It was the same unpleasant muddy green color as Yggardis itself and upon its scaled body sat its master, Dragonmage. Xao Jin's eyes were rolled partially back in his head, his lips were parted in a constant quiet murmur and his face was slightly contorted by the strain of controlling this spirit beast he'd summoned from the living world.

Having announced itself to anyone with ears, the dragon zeroed in on the planet's great wound and dived straight into the inky pond of Shadow Lass's darkness. Its body was so long that its head had already emerged while its body was still passing through, and soon enough the mystical creature's tail was flicking trails of shadow in its wake as it flew back up with a sizeable chunk of Yggardis within its clamped maw.

The other Legionnaires watched while Dragonmage's steed disappeared high above them, and soon Dragonmage was flying up past the thin sheath of the planet's toxic atmosphere into space. The young sorceror was conscious while this was happening, but so focused was he on controlling the spirit he'd wrested forth from the angry planet that everything passed by him in a dreamlike state. Once they were clear of Yggardis, Dragonmage had to augment the dragon's speed with his own flight ring. The dragonform's power faded the further they travelled from its home planet, and while it could draw strength from the portion of Yggardis that they'd taken with them it wasn't wise to draw too heavily from it. That small part of the living planet would soon be called on for something far more important.

Before too long they'd travelled to their agreed coordinates where Cosmic Boy, Neon, Elastic Lad, Light Lad and Life Lass had joined their teammates Star Boy and Mwindaji on the surface of a slightly misshaped sphere they'd formed from the rocky material that had once been the tentacles of Yggardis. Star Boy had imparted enough mass into the small satellite so that it would hold itself together with its own gravity field, at least temporarily...and Dragonmage now brought with him the thing that would hold this new moon together permanently.

The dragon upon which Dragonmage was riding announced its approach again with a roar, one which somehow everyone present heard even in the vacuum of space. It exhaled a hot streaming blast of magma at the moon, injecting some of the life force of Yggardis into this barren collection of rocks as the dragon dissipated beneath Dragonmage. Neon created a plush hardlight seat for Xao to collapse into, and the dragon's energies finished bonding with the moon they'd just created. "I thought I would be able to help Mwindaji once I got here," Dragonmage muttered wearily, "But that took far more out of me than I'd suspected, I'm sorry Legionnaires..."

"You have done the unbelievable already," Mwindaji commended the exhausted teen. "Transporting part of a planet's soul to this pile of rocks hundreds of thousands of miles distant is nothing short of miraculous...the power of the White Lantern can complete our task from here, my friend." Spreading his arms wide, Mwindaji emanated a steady white glow which built in intensity until the young healer's features were subsumed by the aura surrounding him. While Mwindaji's power had no physical effect on the moon, Yggardis was alive enough in the conventional sense that he could strengthen its spirit. Soon, the spark of life inside the moon was powerful enough to exert its own influence over the moon, and Mwindaji felt that it would thrive without him.

Neon turned Xao's chair into a two-seater couch so Mwindaji too could take his rest, and after a minute or so Cosmic Boy brought his flight ring to his lips and called Tellus. "What do you think, Tellus?" Rokk Krinn asked. "Can you sense any change yet?"

"Very much so," the monotone of the Hykraian's voice modulator replied. "We have performed a wonderful deed today, Cosmic Boy. For millions of years, perhaps more, this world has lived a frighteningly lonely existence trying to find companions everywhere it goes only to bring a tide of death to anyone it touches. Today...Yggardis has brought life. The living planet is for the first time in its long memory no longer alone."

"Now that we just helped a planet give birth," Neon piped up, "What do you guys say we see head back to our new HQ for a birthday party?"

The comms channel filled with laughter as the Legion headed back toward their bright yellow and red home.

**********

TAKRON-GALTOS
Skepticism Isle

Alek Arcane's prison cell didn't seem like a cell so much as a piece of nature out of place on a world that was mostly security parahernalia and technologically advanced defences.

White moly flowers bloomed everywhere and the floor was a foot of soil covered in synthetic grass. Holographic forest scenes and blue skies hid the reality of the cold iron walls, with depictions of butterflies and birds flitting across the artificial landscape occasionally.

Alek Arcane despised it.

He despised more the Legion of Superheroes who'd put him in this place and the superpowered Workforce who kept him trapped here. Right now, he was face to face with five of them. Magno and Gear stood back towards the door of the cell while Comet Queen, Chlorophyll Kid and Chameleon Boy sat on chairs composed fully of synthetic materials. A similarly constructed table was before them, and Alek Arcane sat on the other side. Everything in this room except the heroes themselves was composed of wholly artificial materials or was specifically chosen for its ability to resist magic; they weren't taking any chances with the necromancer.

"Why do you want to know about my family's background now?" Arcane asked. "I'd have thought this would be of more interest to you when you first took my granddaughter away from me."

"Just humor us," Chameleon Boy said flatly.

"The Arcane bloodline is an old and powerful one," the sorceror explained as though he were talking to children. "For the past millenium we have been inextricably linked to the forces which bind this universe. The Green, the Grey, the Rot...but why am I telling you this, it can't mean anything to you foolish youths?"

"Fine, we'll get to the point," Chlorophyll Kid snapped. "You've got some creepy connection with Ivy, don't you? You used it to track her to Mars when you attacked us."

"I have shared a bond with my granddaughter in the past," the middle-aged man replied warily. "Why this line of questioning, Legionnaires?"

"Tell us where she is!" Comet Queen burst out.

"Grava--" Chameleon Boy began to caution her.

"No!" The golden heroine stood from her seat and pounded a three-fingered fist on the table. "Tell us where our little sprout is, you...you creepy zombie asteroid!"

Alek Arcane's scowl turned into a smile as he now understood the reason for the Legion's visit, and that smile turned into a hoarse mocking laughter. "You've lost her, haven't you?" he taunted. "You fools had the Avatar of the Green and you've let her escape from right under your noses!"

"Just tell us where she is, damn you!" Chlorophyll Kid too lost his composure. "Tell me where my daughter is!"

Arcane's expression turned grim immediately. "First of all," he snarled in a low tone, "She is not your anything, Ral Benem. She is my granddaughter, a child I spent long and tedious years ensuring would be born under the perfect conditions to become the most powerful Avatar the Green have known in centuries. Secondly, I am stripped of my ability to wield the forces of the occult in this cursed place, I couldn't tell you where she is if I wanted to."

"And why should we believe that?" Chameleon Boy's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "After all, you maintained your link with Ivy for months without Saturn Girl being any the wiser, and she's perhaps the most powerful psionic talent in the United Planets."

"Magic is not telepathy, Durlan," Alek Arcane answered dismissively.

"For what it's worth," Gear piped up from behind the Legionnaires, "We really do try everything we can to stifle mystical energies on this island...and I'm currently monitoring his heart rate, I think he's telling the truth."

"No!" Comet Queen leaned across the table, hot tears welling in her eyes. "No, he's lying! I know he is!"

Magno moved to intercept her, but her husband gently gripped Grava and pulled her back first. "He's not lying," Chlorophyll Kid admitted. "I shouldn't have built up my hopes so easy, I should have known this was pointless. Come on guys, let's get out of here." Comet Queen started sniffling helplessly, and Chlorophyll Kid walked her back toward the door.

Chameleon Boy took a step to follow them before he turned back towards Alek Arcane and said as casually as he could, "It's a shame. As much as I suspect you hate us, you must know the Legion only has that girl's best interests at heart. I'd have thought you'd be more at ease with her being under our roof than that of a sorceress who's only going to use her up and throw her away when she's done."

"Wait." Now Alek Arcane stood. "Explain yourself, Durlan."

"Her name's Glorith." Cham turned back around and came back to face Arcane across the table. "I doubt you'll have heard of her, but trust me when I tell you she faced Mordru the Merciless on her own for longer than just about any individual Legionnaire could manage...and you're an evil sorceror yourself so this next part shouldn't be too much trouble for you to grasp; think about the way she's likely to treat that girl compared to how the Legion of Superheroes have. By the time you're outside of this place and in any position to do anything about it Ivy Arcane won't be of any use to you at all, old man." Cham paused just long enough to let that sink in, then shrugged his shoulders and walked away. "...So it's a shame you can't help us is all."

Alek Arcane dwelled on Reep Daggle's words sourly while Comet Queen cried subdued tears against Chlorophyll Kid's armoured chest. The three Legionnaires had just reached the door when the necromancer spoke up finally. "...Mardru. Go to Mardru."

"My homeworld?" Chlor asked. "I thought you said your bond with her didn't work in here, Arcane? How do you know she's on Mardru?"

"I have no idea where she is," the villain answered darkly. "But Mardru is where the Green have the strongest presence in known space. It is the reason I chose that world for my granddaughter's birth place to begin with. There you will find what remains of the Parliament of Trees, and they will know their Avatar's whereabouts as surely as you know your own. Find my granddaughter and protect her, Legion...and in thanks I may slay you all quickly some day."

The Legionnaires left the room, and though Chlorophyll Kid knew that he should feel happy that they had another lead he couldn't help but wonder...how would the Green respond when they found out how badly the Protector of the Avatar of the Green had failed in his duty to keep Ivy Arcane safe..?

**********

EDITOR'S NOTE:
* The Leviathan of which Gim speaks is a homemade creation; Colossal Boy and Chameleon Girl's future kid ends up being bonded with a malevolent Durlan god and turning into a Lovecraftian shapeshifter world, it was a whole thing - y'all can refresh your memories here

* Yggardis is amazingly NOT a homemade creation, but an honest to god crazy thing from DC's wacky past that came across Adam Strange at least once that I know of
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: And now...YGGARDIS!! - 06/27/22 05:48 PM
yay! more stuff, always a treat to read another entry


so cool that the new HQ mirrors the original one!

heh, I love it when you describe how fit and attractive the Legionnaires are. Hard chest, powerful triceps... lol

also, seeing Marella was a treat, as was Brin being all awkward. And nice that there was no drama with Marella. lol at the girls joking harmlessly re dating Brin


liking the nice choreographed BUT seemingly casual tour, and also a great idea to also showcase the support staff! And also highlighting some of the Legionnaires' other talents (i.e., the list of big users of the lab)

Hah, take that to the old tax thing which limited the team to 25!

Again, great to see the Legion valuing their support staff so much! and also the offices for the monarchs / planetary champs on the team (Shadow Lass and King Canary are the two current ones right? Did I miss any?)

Loving Trava's color scheme! and also her multiple personalities!

the headpieces are so cool!

nice callback to the Leviathan. Whew, what a planet... great concept.

hah at Zoe changing her costume, that is so her! nice costume too - reminds me of when she added a cape in LSH 100!

A living planet, now I am curious how this will be resolved vs. the no-kill rule

also love seeing such a big part of the team taking on the planet!

nice reminder that some of the Legionnaires, like Darvan, are relatively new and will occasionally feel out of their depth

and wow! helping a living planet create a satellite so it would no longer be alone... excellent solution! I am super impressed, it was a great plan and a great power display of so many Legionnaires!

Clever Cham! That was an excellent display of his people smarts!

another great installment, raz! can't wait for the next bit!
Posted By: razsolo Re: And now...YGGARDIS!! - 06/28/22 07:23 AM
Thanks IB!

Quote
heh, I love it when you describe how fit and attractive the Legionnaires are. Hard chest, powerful triceps... lol
I just realised as I read this that Timber Wolf would absolutely be the kind of idiot I would have a ridiculous crush on in real life hahaha

Quote
Hah, take that to the old tax thing which limited the team to 25!
I was planning on introducing some new recruits a bit later down the track anyway, but now that I have gone and given myself some extra room I might see if I can move up the schedule a bit...

re: monarchs/planetary champions, pretty much just King Canary and Shady right now but you never know when Xanthu is gonna make Atmos go sit in the corner and draft Thom again lol

It was fun writing a huge team in action as it doesn't happen all that often - and on the flipside, Cham is kind of a quiet achiever in that he's not very flashy with his smarts so it's nice getting to show them off occasionally smile

There will be an updated roster coming soon as well - I actually meant to do it after this last post, but now that I am thinking about throwing in some new recruits I might figure out if that'll work first!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: And now...YGGARDIS!! - 06/28/22 11:06 AM
yay, new recruits!!! well I hate Atmos as a character, so would not mind if he were shunted off somewhere far... but I don't wanna lose Thom again lol

Originally Posted by razsolo
Thanks IB!

Quote
heh, I love it when you describe how fit and attractive the Legionnaires are. Hard chest, powerful triceps... lol
I just realised as I read this that Timber Wolf would absolutely be the kind of idiot I would have a ridiculous crush on in real life hahaha

your crush was feeding your writing wink
Posted By: Harbinger Re: And now...YGGARDIS!! - 07/01/22 08:39 AM
Raz, hi,

Apologies but I don't have much time today so this will be a bit rushed:

Great to see Marela again, and acknowledge her fling with Brin - perfectly understandable crush by the way, though probably not the best of boyfriend material, who could put up with all that drama?

The new HQ mirroring the design of their original was an inspired idea and totally fits your team, v nice! And nice to see other Legionnaires than Brainy use the multi-lab, and Dirk making cologne gave me a laugh.

The Psibernetic controls - firstly, great word, but more importantly while it is a really cool idea with a multitude of appplications I can see issues arising like, what if it's overloaded or bugged or hacked?

Yggrdis - haha the Ego of the DC universe? What a fantastic and ridiculous concept, it's something I wish I'd known about it an age ago as I found myself wondering if my team could use it as a base... Still, great to see the majority of your team in action, and Elastic Lad yet again stole the show for me. As much as he'd annoy the bejeezus out of my irl, I always smile when he appears. And great to see Mwindaji and Xao have such central roles too.

Alek Arcane - oh, he is a dodgy old goat isn't he? Nice of Cham to realise how to motvate him to talk, he's a smart one that Reep fella, isn't he?

So, they're going onto Mardru and probably meeting the Parliament of Trees next - looking forward to it.

This was great fun, excellent charactisation and you've added some brilliant new ideas to your mythos. Brava!

Looking forward to more, more and much more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: And now...YGGARDIS!! - 07/02/22 03:02 PM
Hi Harbi! Thanks for commenting!

Quote
... probably not the best of boyfriend material, who could put up with all that drama?
Superhero partners would be way too much work in the real world, like I'm sorry but I'm not gonna threaten to blow myself up if you wanna go get addicted to lotus fruit Brin - you're on your own laugh

re the psibernetic tech....I think you're being too cynical, I definitely can't see Saturn Queen or some other telepathic bad guy coming in and turning the Legion's HQ against them at some stage wink

Elastic Lad is fun to write and it occurred to me he hasn't had much to do aside from being tortured by Mordru recently so I thought I'd give him a break smile

The Mardru trip will be next and there should be one or two interesting tidbits to come out of it! Also we are gonna find out what mischief Veilmist and her new pals are up to!
Posted By: razsolo Return to Moorte Island! - 07/24/22 08:37 AM
KHUNDISH BORDER
Calish-Aetia

Until recently, the small world of Calish-Aetia had one sad claim to fame; situated on the borders of Khund and Dominion space, it boasted a violent history of occupation from one or the other of those star-spanning empires which stretched back as long as any of its inhabitants could remember. War had been all that any native of Calish-Aetia had known for generations.

With the destruction of the Dominator homeworld Elia, the Khunds had quickly moved in and solidified their grip on Calish-Aetia. For the first time in over a century, the people of Calish-Aetia had lived perhaps not in comfort but at least in stability. At first, the world was more or less ignored by the Khunds. As long as nobody openly rebelled, the Khund Empire had many more important things to focus on than one unremarkable planet far from the heart of its society.

That all changed when the Fatal Five led Robotica against the Khunds. Every natural resource of Calish-Aetia was dedicated to the war effort and much of the planet was stripped bare. Its people toiled and died for their Khund overlords, and when the Khunds won the Robotican war Calish-Aetia was abandoned in all but title. Calish-Aetia had never been a particularly pleasant place, but these days the elders of that world almost pined for the days when all they had to worry about was the change in dictators every decade or so. Now their world was in economic, material and societal depression. It was a dying world, and it hosted a dying people.

With this in mind, Veilmist couldn't understand why the Sisterhood of Sin had insisted that she bring them here.

They had been holed up in a gutted cybernetics laboratory for the past few days eating grey protein sludge and warming themselves with power stolen from an unreliable city grid. Veilmist very rarely found herself in the lap of luxury that she'd have desired and she'd suffered many a degradation in the name of survival, but this was too much even for her. She flinched as she caught one of this planet's disgusting knot-haired vermin scurrying beneath a stairwell and decided she'd had enough.

"Vista!" Veilmist teleported upstairs to the room that Vista had claimed for her own. "Vista, we must...talk..?" The pink-skinned Khund beauty stood dumbfounded as the object of her search lay motionless on her back on the floor with her hands upon her forehead. Vista's thumbs and forefingers connected in a kind of ring, encircling the small chrome implant in her head. Her eyes darted left and right behind closed eyelids, and her breathing was slow and relaxed.

Nimbus rushed into the room out of breath and gripped Veilmist's shoulders. "You can't disturb her when she's like this!" the Sisterhood of Sin's youngest member hissed.

"Is she meditating?" Veilmist turned on Nimbus. "I brought us to this horrid little planet for her to meditate??"

"Shhh!" Nimbus marched Veilmist out of the room and down a rusting catwalk. "She's not meditating," she explained in a more normal tone of voice once they were far enough from Vista's room. "She's exercising her power."

"Upon whom?" Annoyed, Veilmist swiped Nimbus's gloved hands away. "I thought her power was to transport her foes to some kind of astral plane? There are no foes here, Nimbus!"

"Ugh, give me strength." Nimbus rolled her eyes dramatically. "Look, Vista creates a whole environment in her mind...it's kind of a pocket astral plane. And yes, her Third Eye implant allows her to transport people there. If she just left it at that, her victims would be stuck wandering around her mindscape for as long as she lives. But who wants a bunch of sheckin' losers in their brain forever? So when she gets some downtime, she takes advantage of that to screw with the mindscape, kill them properly. She told me it takes a lot of focus, she needs some peace and quiet to do it."

"Then...the men at the tavern where you found me, the ones she used her power on..." Veilmist's almond-shaped eyes grew wide with understanding. "They have been alive these last days??"

"Why not?" Nimbus shrugged. "It's a mindscape bebe, it's not like they need to eat or drink. They just wander around going crazy from the isolation till Vista decides to put 'em out of their misery."

Veilmist silently processed the cruelty of it all, so different to the brutal but swift violence she was accustomed to as a Khund. If Nimbus noticed her unease she didn't make it obvious, and a moment later the young blonde laid hands on her Khund teammate once again.

"White Bat just called in," Nimbus announced.

"She found our prey!"

**********

On the other side of this vast city, the woman known only as White Bat soared high on ferociously cold winds. Though her pale blue bodysuit was skintight, it was woven from insulating fibres that hadn't even been invented yet; the cold meant nothing to her. Only her face was exposed to the wind's bite, and the chill made her already pale skin seem even more bloodless. Vista's sharp mind and Nimbus's prowess with technology had tracked their quarry to this world, but now that they were actually here it was time for White Bat to lend her expertise. She'd been out here in this drab industrial landscape for hours, but she was as confident of her success now as she had been when she first spread her hardlight wings. Years of invasive surgeries and training had made White Bat almost as good a tracker as she was a killer...and as immense as this grotesque city was, spreading out toward the horizon until it disappeared in a smudge of pollution and cloud cover, very few people ventured outdoors here on Calish-Aetia. Very few people had anything worth venturing outdoors for.

Ocular implants in White Bat's eerie pink eyes singled out the woman she'd been looking for, trudging away in snowdrifts below her. With a thought, White Bat increased the visual magnification and made certain that it was her. The blood red cloak with runes embroidered along its edge, the locks of dark auburn hair which flicked out from beneath her hood infrequently, the commanding way she stomped through the snow without a thought for anyone in her way...it was definitely the one she was looking for.

When she was 11 years old, White Bat's vocal cords had been removed to make room for the radiotelepathy apparatus which stretched beneath the skin of her throat to connect to her brainstem. She used that now to contact the only person in this era with equipment to be able to receive her signal. As soon as White Bat had shared coordinates with Nimbus, she continued to trail her prey until she saw the lavender smoke of Veilmist's power on the wind a block ahead of the cloaked woman. White Bat immediately made her descent, easily dominating the treacherous air currents until she swooped down above her quarry to join Nimbus and Veilmist at the agreed location.

The cloaked woman had seen White Bat soar ahead, and soon she saw who White Bat had soared down to meet. By the time the mystery woman caught up with Nimbus, Veilmist and White Bat, she had drawn an ornate golden dagger with a ruby embedded in its hilt. "Veilmist, I do not know with whom you have allied yourself," the woman brought down her hood to reveal a full head of auburn hair and the reddish skin of her face, "But if it is violence you desire, I have no problem at all leaving three corpses in the snow today."

"You got us all wrong," Nimbus kept her protective blue aura in place an inch from her body, but she raised both hands in a gesture of peace. "We're not here for violence...well, not against you anyway. We're here to recruit you, Scorn.

...Welcome to the Sisterhood of Sin."

**********

IN ORBIT AROUND MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters

Sun Boy flinched as he heard Star Boy whoop in victory. "That's another win for Sir Thom of the Starstream, Morgna! In your face!"

In the Legion's gaming and recreation area, the two men had been sitting at a circular console playing their favourite roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons. The armour-clad fighter that was Star Boy's hardlight avatar stood proudly on the table between them with one foot mounted on the Orandan Orc he'd just slain. By contrast, Sun Boy's paladin stood awkwardly to one side as though it weren't sure what it was even doing there.

"Hey, Dirk!" Star Boy leaned around the side of the console so he could make eye contact with his friend without their holographic characters blocking his view. "You okay? Your head's not really in the game, buddy."

"No..." Dirk Morgna answered absently. "No it's not...Thom, I've gotta run. We'll pick this up tomorrow, okay?"

Sun Boy stood up and walked away without even logging off, and Star Boy had just opened his mouth in protest when he saw the reason for Dirk's distraction and thought better of it. Figuring the game was over, Star Boy moved to leave as well.

"Looking for a brave soul to join your noble quest, Star Boy?" The Lalloran hero Evolvo Boy approached in his very average looking default form and sat at one of the free consoles.

"You play Dungeons and Dragons, Evolvo Lad?" Thom's eyes widened in surprise.

"One gains some interesting hobbies when one is raised in physical isolation from nearly everyone else on his planet," the young blond answered, his lips curled in a slight smile as he logged in to his character profile.

"But please...call me Barbarus of the Winter Plains."

**********

On the other side of the floor, Nightwind and Supergirl had just sat down in the open dining area with a tray of food each. Nightwind pulled her hood down around her shoulders, exposing her pale yellow scalp as she leaned over her pho and inhaled the steam coming off of the clear broth. "This is gonna be so good," Berta said. "Where's that coriander?"

"All yours, girl." Laurel pushed the small bowl of chopped green leaves across the table with one finger and an expression of obvious distaste. "That stuff tastes like soap, gross."

"You know," Berta teased lightly, "There's gene therapy available now for sad people like you, why are you depriving yourself of this amazing taste?"

"I'd still know how bad it really is," Laurel shot back, tapping her head. "Up here."

The two girls chuckled at themselves for a moment before digging in to their respective meals. A few bites later, they heard a voice that broke the mood entirely. "Oh, hey Laurel...Nightwind...how are you girls going?"

Berta glanced from Laurel to Sun Boy and back again. She didn't see this going well at all, but she tried to play it as casually as she could. "Hi Sun Boy, we're good thanks. Just having a late lunch."

Laurel turned bright red as she glanced up at Sun Boy, and found herself unable to meet his gaze for more than an instant. "I...I...I just remembered, I promised Gravity Kid I'd spar with him this afternoon. I'd better go, um...sorry, Berta. Bye, Dirk." She walked away from them at a clipped pace, and Sun Boy's shoulders sunk in defeat.

"Sorry, Sun Boy." Nightwind gave the hero a sympathetic glance. "I'd better go make sure she's okay." Berta jogged after her friend, leaving Sun Boy standing alone with two barely touched meals.

"Everything will work out, Dirk." Sun Boy felt a hand on his shoulder and heard a reassuring voice in his ear. "She just needs time to heal."

He turned to face Mysa Marvel, though he was still not quite used to her appearance these days. "Thanks Mysa...I know, I guess you're right." Dirk cleared his throat and straightened his posture. "Thanks," he repeated stiffly before walking off to be somewhere alone.

As much as Mysa would have liked to go after him, the wisdom of Solomon told her that Dirk Morgna might not be ready just yet for a heart to heart with someone he'd barely ever interacted with on a personal level. Besides, she'd come to the recreation level looking for an entirely different Legionnaire and she'd just spotted him.

Mysa headed over to a nearby grassed area to find Dragonmage and Neon sitting on a picnic blanket beneath the entwined branches of twin Winathian oaks. They were both in civilian clothes, Xao Jin wearing a smart pair of slacks and a conservative sweater with a toggle-buttoned shirt beneath; while Zoe Saugin had her vibrant red hair held back by a glittering green headband and she wore a fashionable short-sleeved skirt with arm-length gloves and platform boots.

"Hello, Xao, Zoe; I hope I'm not interrupting you two?" Mysa introduced herself.

"Not if you can help me convince Xao that pickles belong in rose honey salad!" Zoe patted a square of space on their picnic blanket. "Fem power, let's go Mysa!"

Mysa laughed as she took a seat next to the two teens and folded her legs beneath her. "Zoe, in all honesty I think you may be part Bismollian...that combination does not sound at all appealing to me, I'm afraid. I've actually been looking for your friend Xao though; I wanted to let Dragonmage know that our new Manager of Diplomacy Marte Allon has found a way for me to fulfill dear Harlack's last wishes and perform final rites for him on his homeworld in Khund space."

"Oh!" Xao exclaimed. "That's wonderful! But...forgive me, I'm not sure why you wanted to tell me specifically..?"

"Why?" Mysa repeated, surprised. "Xao, Harlack had all the time in the galaxy for you...I'm telling you because I'd like you to make this journey with me!

...What do you say?"

**********

MARDRU
Moorte Island, former site of the Quarantine Medical Research Facility and Hospital


ROLL CALL
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
As four Legionnaires descended through cloudless skies, they zeroed in on the only manmade structures nestled amid the lush greenery of Moorte Island.

"This is the island where you first encountered Ivy?" Chameleon Boy asked. "I thought there was some kind of medical complex here?"

"There was," Chlorophyll Kid replied sadly. "The best hospital on my homeworld...nearly everyone on this island died the last time we were here; Mardrugov knocked down the hospital buildings and the residences and turned the whole island into a memorial site." His flight ring brought him down gently outside a small unremarkable building and Ral Benem's power retracted the wooden plates covering his face into his helmet so that he could submit to a quick scan by a floating armless droid.

"Welcome, Chlorophyll Kid," the droid greeted Ral politely. "Moorte Island has been advised of your visit, please be sure to inform this unit of anything that can be done to improve the quality of your time here."

"Stay shiny, shiny!" Comet Queen patted the droid affectionately. "Chlory, are you sure this is where you wanna try beam a signal to your tree pals? It can't be easy orbiting back this way again."

"They're not my pals, Grava." Chlorophyll Kid gave his wife a pained look. "And I'm not particularly sure they'll be happy to speak to me, but this is where I met the Green and became their Avatar's Protector...it makes sense that we should come back here to try and make contact with them again."

"I am not certain how much assistance I may offer," Tellus joined the conversation, "I have never attempted telepathic contact with sentient plant life before, but I pledge to give my best efforts to your cause."

"We know you will!" Comet Queen flashed a greatful smile to her Hykraian teammate. "Thanks for coming along, starshine!"

"No offence to your talents of course, Tellus," Chameleon Boy said, "But I wish Dragonmage hadn't been off duty today. I really feel as though we may need sorcery more than telepathy for this."

"Yeah well...let's just do the best we can, huh?" Chlorophyll Kid's faceplate slid back into place to hide his expression from his wife and their friends as he walked past a large sculpture that had been erected in memory of Moorte Island's fallen population, and towards a copse of trees beyond. He gazed into the thick greenery, the canopy of the trees effectively exiling any sunlight. "I don't know how, but...I think this might be the best place to try and reach the Green. Tellus..?"

"As I said, I shall try my best." The Hykraian shuffled forward until he was hunched down on his hindquarters before the other three Legionnaires. He too gazed silently into the cool dark vegetation, the pods on his back shifting through a subtle graduation of pastel colors.

Comet Queen managed to restrain herself for nearly a whole minute before she drew breath to ask a question. Having anticipated exactly that, Chameleon Boy tapped her gently on the shoulder. "Let's try not to distract Tellus if we can avoid it, what do you say Grava?"

In response, Comet Queen smiled self-consciously at the Durlan.

Tellus probed the vegetation for five solid minutes, both passively and actively. Eventually, he had to acknowledge that the task was perhaps beyond him. "Chlorophyll Kid, Comet Queen, I apologise," he turned to face them. "I am afraid that Chameleon Boy may have been correct earlier."

Chlorophyll Kid held one finger up to encourage silence from everybody and he cocked his head slightly. A slight breeze had been blowing through the gathering of trees the whole time they'd been here, creating a placid soundscape of rustling leaves and shrubbery. Now that rustling seemed to have become more deliberate, and Ral Benem walked deeper into the greenery to investigate. Comet Queen, Chameleon Boy and Tellus followed, and soon all four of them were watching as a glut of leafy vines and branches knitted themselves together to form an approximation of a humanoid face some seven feet high.

"We sense great psychic potential in your icthyoid ally," the green face's voice was that of creaking wood and shaking leaves. "But you did not need to bring a psychic to draw our attention, Protector. Why have you come here?"

"I-I need to explain something to you," Chlorophyll Kid faltered. Comet Queen squeezed his hand for support and Ral gripped it almost uncomfortably hard. "About Ivy."

"What news do you have of the Avatar of the Green, Protector?"

"I..." Ral steeled himself and decided to just commit to it. "Listen, this is on me. You made me her protector, okay? You leave the rest of the Legion out of this."

"We await your news," the Green intoned dispassionately.

Chlorophyll Kid flashed a glance from one to the other of his allies. Only Grava had been here the last time they faced the Green, and only Grava knew how swiftly things could turn dangerous here if the Green so desired. Still, she tried her best to keep the fear from her face for her husband's sake. "You're hypernova gleaming, Chlory," Grava spoke barely above a whisper. "I know you're gonna hit the corona and keep blazing."

Ral straightened his posture and consciously relaxed his grip on his wife's hand slightly. "It's a long story but...I've lost Ivy and I need your help to find her. I don't think she's in any immediate danger, but that doesn't matter. I still need to find her."

"Is that all?" the giant face asked with an almost mocking tone. "The Green will be happy to reunite you with our Avatar, Protector. After all, you cannot protect her if you are not within her presence."

"D-didn't you hear me?" Chlorophyll Kid asked. "I lost her! I thought...I thought you'd be mad!"

"For all that we empowered you, you are still but an animal," the Green explained. "It is perhaps our failing that we didn't strengthen your bond with the Avatar when we had the opportunity. She is powerful though and she serves us well, Protector. You have performed your duties as successfully as we could have expected given your biology."

"Chlorophyll Kid, wait." Chameleon Boy raised his hand and stared up into the face of the Green. "What do you mean, she serves you well? Do you know where she is and what she's doing right now?"

"Of course we know, shapeshifter. We have always known." The face turned its attention from Chameleon Boy to Chlorophyll Kid. "Protector, let us share this gift with you so that you may better perform your duties."

Ral released Grava's hand and approached the large face even closer. "Do it."

"Maybe we should think this through," Chameleon Boy cautioned.

"Chlorophyll Kid, I cannot help but sense your apprehension," Tellus joined in. "Chameleon Boy is wise, perhaps we should heed his words."

"..Chlory?" Grava's voice cracked. She had a bad feeling about this, the same bad feeling she'd had when the Green had first enhanced her husband's powers here on Mardru.

Ral retracted his wooden faceplate once more and gave the three Legionnaires a grim look. "None of you understand. None of you. I'm the Protector of the Avatar of the Green. Ivy is my responsibility and I've been shirking that responsibility because I've been too busy feeling sorry for myself. I need to do this." He turned back toward the impassive green face once more. "I'm ready. Do it."

With shocking speed, four wire thin vines whipped out of the looming mouth of the Green and penetrated Ral Benem's face. Grava screeched, covering her face with her hands as her scream turned to sobs. The pods on Tellus's back turned a stark white; a reaction to the pain, fear and self-loathing that was emanating from Ral so fiercely it was almost a physical sensation. Cham stared in a mixture of confusion, disgust and concern. The Durlan hero almost made a move to free his comrade but then told himself that this was Chlorophyll Kid's choice to make.

For his part, Ral Benem tried to be stoic for the first moments. The vines were initially like tiny hot pins, painful but not excruciatingly so...until they were excruciating. Ral felt like they were wending their way through his bloodstream, finding a home in his brain and setting it alight. Despite his best efforts, he was whimpering in agony before too long.

And then it was over.

The vines whipped back out of his cranium with the same speed they'd entered, and Ral Benem collapsed to his hands and knees breathing heavily. Grava immediately crouched down next to him, still crying as she cradled his face in her hands and raised it to meet her gaze. "Please Chlory, please tell me you're quasar bright! You're my gravity well, I'll go spinning off all on my own if I lose you too!"

When Chlorophyll Kid looked her in the eye, Grava gasped; his pupils had turned a dark green and they were so dilated they almost completely hid his lighter green irises. His eyes were severely bloodshot, and more blood trickled down his face from the four wounds the Green had made upon him. He wasn't at all mentally present at first, but his wife's concern focused him and Chlorophyll Kid's face lost its faraway look. "She's...oh Creator," he breathed hoarsely. "...I have to stop her!"

Without another word, Chlorophyll Kid stood and his flight ring propelled him at high speed up and away from the island. Comet Queen reacted before either of the others, calling out desperately after her husband as she left a twinkling trail of gases behind her.

Chameleon Boy turned to interrogate the giant face, but without the presence of the Protector of the Avatar of the Green there was no reason for the Green itself to manifest here. The plant life had already begun to unravel into its individual components once more. "Come on, Tellus." Cham took to the sky as well. "Let's get after them and find out what that was all about."

"Now that I am no longer distracted by the Green or by the intensity of Chlorophyll Kid's emotions," Tellus explained as they too shot away from the island, "My sensory range is expanded once more...and Chameleon Boy? I think it would be best if we summon the rest of the Legion of Superheroes..."

**********

Comet Queen had caught up with Chlorophyll Kid in seconds, but the only words of explanation he could offer her were stumbling and cryptic. Grava could tell that he was crying beneath his armour, and she told herself that he was still reeling from whatever the Green had done to him. She told herself that if this won them Ivy back, it was worth it.

...and then they came across the first land they'd seen since leaving Moorte Island behind.

Ukaima was not the largest continent on Mardru, but it was the most densely populated. More than a quarter of the planet's population lived here, and from coast to coast it was a sprawling pair of megalopoles that met somewhere in the middle. There was precious little plant life here, a result of urban progress combined with the Anthratic Blight which had once decimated the vegetation of this world. Plant life thrived elsewhere on Mardru thanks to the kind of research that had given Ral Benem his powers in the first place, but here on Ukaima it was famously absent. Until now.

Everywhere Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen looked, trees spouted, vines crept over and crushed buildings in their path and the air was filled with a thousand different perfumes. This was unmistakably the work of Ivy Arcane, but on a scale that beggared the imagination. "Chlory," Grava pleaded, "Those poor people...we have to help them!" Even as she said it, she realised the task was impossible. This wilding plant life wasn't focused on one small region, it consumed the entire landmass for as far as they could see.

"Grava..." Ral Benem met his wife's horrified gaze and had to look away before it broke him. "W-we can't. But we can find Ivy. I know how to find Ivy."

Comet Queen wanted to break down and lose herself in the emotion of the situation, and she knew nobody would blame her for doing so. What they were facing here...she couldn't even conceive of the scale of death and destruction they were flying headlong into. Grava felt things strongly, and she knew she was fortunate to be surrounded by people who allowed her the luxury of indulging that. But she was a Legionnaire now, and this kind of overwhelming tragedy was regrettably a part of being a Legionnaire. Grava took a deep breath and called Chameleon Boy on her flight ring. "...Starshine?" she spoke with a trembling voice. "I'm activating my homing signal so you can find us. It's bad, Chameleon Boy...it's...it's extinction event bad. I don't...I don't know what to do, how do we help them all?"

"It's okay, Comet Queen; I know." Chameleon Boy's voice was assertive, but not without compassion. "Tellus picked up on the psychic distress, we've already called Phantom Girl and she's bringing the rest of the Legion as soon as she can. I know it's hard, but you can't get distracted rescuing individual people. We need to find Ivy, we need to stop this at its source."

Comet Queen looked down at the living jungle nearly a mile below them. She was high enough that she couldn't hear the screams of a dying people, but she wasn't blind. Grava knew there must be people in that building that just tore itself apart from the strain of a sequoia growing up straight through its infrastructure. She could see the filthy black peals of smoke rising from the mile-wide cavity where a powersphere had once stood. With all her golden heart she wanted to dive down into the thick of it and help these people, but she knew that Cham was right. "I..I gleam you, starshine," she sniffled into her flight ring. "I gleam you nova bright."

Chameleon Boy and Tellus caught up with Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen a few minutes later, and some time after that the quartet of heroes had come to Mardru's capital city Agaropolis. They knew that the Legion's new mobile headquarters would be here in less than 40 minutes, but none of them wanted to guess how many Mardrui people would be dead by then. Chlorophyll Kid abruptly changed direction and shot straight down toward the ruins of his homeworld's Global Peace Unity Headquarters, where the many nations of his world for nearly two centuries had met to form a centralised world government.

"Chlorophyll Kid, stop!" Chameleon Boy turned into a giant octopus and snagged each of Ral's limbs with a separate tentacle. "Let's be smart about this...is Ivy down there?"

"Yes!" Ral tried fruitlessly to shake himself free. "Let me go, Chameleon Boy! Let me go or I'll make you!"

"Chlor, think for a nano." Cham regained his normal form and hovered before the armoured hero. "Ivy's power even when she was an infant outstripped yours. We can see how much more powerful she is now, and we know she almost killed you the last time you faced one another. I'm not saying don't go down there, I'm saying do it smartly!"

Chlorophyll Kid dwelled on it for a moment. "...Go on."

"Grava, go down there and douse the entire area in as potent a herbicidal gas as you can muster." Cham turned next to Tellus. "Tellus, there's bound to be some kind of plant somewhere that Comet Queen can't affect, and if if exists then Ivy can recreate it. I want you to tear apart anything that comes close enough to Grava to be a threat. We take the advantage and then you confront your wayward daughter, Chlorophyll Kid."

"...Okay, yeah..that makes sense," Chlorophyll Kid admitted. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to do what I do best," Cham replied as he changed into a mosquito and took refuge inside the overlapping plates of Chlorophyll Kid's wooden armour. "I'm going to be sneaky."

Comet Queen and Tellus rushed off to do their part, while Chlorophyll Kid watched impatiently. Without her usual exuberance, Grava flew low enough that the winds wouldn't dilute the effect of her power, and she flew in circles around what remained of the Global Peace Unity Headquarters. With her arms stretched out before her and her hands making tight fists, Grava's circling became smaller and smaller as she descended, and she and Tellus watched as the vines beneath them began to wither and leaves turned brown.

As expected, some of the more exotic plants began mounting their own defence against the golden heroine. Spear-like shafts of wood flew forth and leathery thorned tendrils reached out for her, but Tellus dutifully shredded each one in mid-air. After a few more rounds, they could see that Chameleon Boy's plan was working. They'd weakened enough of the rampaging vegetation that those Mardrui citizens below who still lived could begin freeing themselves from their own entrapments. They would all likely need medical treatment afterwards to recover from Grava's toxins, but at least they'd be alive.

Suddenly, Grava heard Tellus's voice in her mind. <Comet Queen, beware!>

The Hykraian hardened the air molecules around Grava to shield her from the assault he'd just sensed was coming, but it was no defence at all against a violet eldritch bolt coming from the front steps of the building below them. The mystic bolt slammed into Comet Queen, and Tellus reeled as he felt her agony. They both cartwheeled violently through the air, but Tellus at least recovered soon enough to arrest their flight telekinetically.

<Comet Queen lives>, Tellus reached out to Chameleon Boy and Chlorophyll Kid. <And our foes have given themselves away.> Gathering the unconscious Grava close to him so he could protect her with his own body if it came to it, Tellus implanted the position of her assailant into the others' minds.

"Ivy Arcane wasn't shooting magic bolts like that on the Sorceror's World," Cham reasoned. "She must be with--"

"--Glorith," Chlorophyll Kid came to the same conclusion. "I know. She's the witch who turned my daughter against us in the first place." Chlorophyll Kid's voice was dark with fury, and as he dived down to meet the two women his armour grew thicker and covered itself in ugly sharp thorns. Before he was crushed or impaled by the creaking wood, Chameleon Boy made an unseen exit.

Until today, the front entrance to the Global Peace Unity Headquarters had boasted a grand set of stairs which made the building seem even more impressive. Right now though, those stairs were covered in rubble, shattered vehicles and people, and a carpet of fresh vegetation which was already creeping its way out to replace the plants Grava had killed...and at the head of the stairs, Glorith stood proudly awaiting the Legionnaires. Ivy kneeled at Glorith's side, visibly tired.

"Get away from my daughter!!" Chlorophyll Kid roared, commanding the vine nearest to Glorith to wrap itself around her like a pulpy constrictor and squeeze.

The witch aged it into dust with minimal effort, and chuckled at Ral as he hovered above them. "I don't know how you Legionnaires found out we were here," Glorith bragged, "Between my own power and that of darling Verdant here, I thought we'd quite effectively stifled all communications coming out of this dreary little world."

Chlorophyll Kid didn't waste energy responding, he just commanded every plant which was within his power to control against the two women. As angry as he was, Ral knew that he stood no chance against either of them on his own but if he could keep them off-balance long enough, Cham or Tellus could make their own moves.

"You're some kind of masochist, Benem." Ivy stood up and reasserted her own control over the plants that had turned against her and Glorith. "I thought I killed you on Xerox, and here you are back for more."

"Don't strain yourself, dear." Glorith placed a hand on Ivy's arm. "We've both exerted ourselves quite enough today with the regreening of your homeworld, and we have more worlds to attend still."

Chlorophyll Kid's newly green eyes widened inside his armour. "You've done this to the whole planet?!"

Glorith's smug smile and the coldness on Ivy's face told him all he needed to know. Crying out in rage, he flew straight down toward Glorith and swiped at her with a newly molded forearm blade. The sorceress simply chuckled once more, and as she and Ivy vanished in a flash of light Ral heard the echoes of some whispered incantation fading on the breeze. "No!" He dropped to his knees and pounded at the floor. "No!!!"

Chlorophyll Kid heard some buzzing repetitive drone but it didn't penetrate his anger while he smashed away at the ground beneath him. It was only when Tellus telepathically shouted to him that he realised his Hykraian comrade had been calling him verbally. Panting and soaked in sweat, Chlorophyll Kid looked up at Tellus in a daze. When he saw Comet Queen floating insensate by his side, Ral finally snapped back to reality. "Grava!" He retracted his armour until it was once more smooth and bark-like, and rushed to examine his wife.

"Comet Queen requires medical attention but she is alive," Tellus explained. "But Chlorophyll Kid, I am concerned for you...your psyche is in torment, I cannot help but feel it."

"Of course my sprocking psyche is in torment!" Ral snapped. He spread his arms out over the devastation all around them. "This...this is worldwide, Tellus! My daughter doesn't just hate me, she hates me enough to do this to my homeworld, and Grava could have been killed today! The Creator only knows how many sentients have been killed!" He took his helmet off and threw it down the stairs. "Oh Creator, I can't breathe...I can't...I c-can't b-breathe."

<Be calm, my friend> Tellus reached out to Chlorophyll Kid's mind. <I cannot remove your pain, but I can help you accept it.> Like a cool incoming tide, Tellus's power trickled over the chaos raging inside Ral's head over and over, and each time he restored a little more peace.

After a couple of minutes, Ral Benem stood before Tellus with tears streaming down his face but he felt in control once more. "Thank you, Tellus. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have fallen apart like that, I...this is all just a lot, you know?"

"No apology is necessary," Tellus soothed. "You have every right to your emotions, Chlorophyll Kid. However, right now there are sentients who need us and the rest of the Legion are still some minutes away. Would you like to remain here with Comet Queen while Chameleon Boy and myself help the trapped and wounded?"

"No, no..." Ral took a deep breath. "...I'm good now. I'll deal with all this later, but you're right. People need us. Let's find Cham and we'll get underway." Ral looked around, waiting for the Durlan to reveal himself.

The pods on Tellus's back lightened dramatically. "Chlorophyll Kid...there is no sign of Chameleon Boy's mind anywhere within my range!"

As the same realisation dawned on them both, Tellus and Chlorophyll Kid turned toward the empty space where Glorith and Ivy had been standing moments ago...

TO BE CONTINUED!

EDITOR'S NOTES:
* Scorn has only appeared once before as part of the Demon's Claw, a Khund group of baddies/heroes depending on your perspective - all you really need to know is she is a sorceress with a magic dagger that cut Mon-El one time, and the Demon's Claw hunted Veilmist down for a hot minute - the storyline where she last appeared is here: http://www.legionworld.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=969264#Post969264

* and Moorte Island similarly only has one prior appearance, though it's a big one as it was our introduction to both Ivy Arcane, as well as Chlor's powers getting expanded from just making plants grow fast to proper chlorokinesis - that one can be found here: http://www.legionworld.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=942132#Post942132

*Calish-Aetia is of course obscure Legion villain Echo's homeworld, but that's not really significant - I just thought it would be a cute easter egg smile
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Return to Moorte Island! - 07/24/22 09:21 PM
yay. what a treat!

Sisterhood of Sin... at least they aren't harboring false illusions of being good guys!


Whooo boy, Vista's mindscape is scarier than I thought. how does she kill the victims stuck in her mind... wandering alone, going crazy. eek! good to see Veilmist isn't evil evil... hope for her yet. I do think she deserves a happy ending...

White Bat didn't have a very good childhood eh! nice work making me care a bit for a villain

Scorn! I remember her, a bit. not super clear when though

D&D!! ah what fun, and nice throwback to the Levitz days

nice that Evolvo Lad also plays D&D... definitely not something I would expect from Brainy, for example. and a nice way to differentiate them

lol at the coriander convo, which is something I have heard in real life. and gene therapy, cool!

Xao's and Zoe's outfits just really match their personalities


great psychic potential, glad Tellus' telepathy was acknowledged

Grava' s support of Ral is touching

and lol at the Green's dispassionate "oh is that all" reaction


whoa. what a first cliffhanger. best to summon the rest of the team...

oh heavens. I don't think I could deal with what Grava and the others had to do, ignoring the individual dying people for the source...

good of Cham talking sense into Ral

ooh, Tellus hardening air molecules is a nice trick

poor Ral...

oh gosh, and Cham's endgame...!

looking forward to the next bit, whew!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Return to Moorte Island! - 07/25/22 07:49 AM
We love a villain group that just comes out and says what they are laugh

I think Veilmist is more selfish and amoral than really evil but I could see a different world happening where she's a proper good guy (not sure if it'll be this one though lol)

Oh! My bad on Scorn, I meant to do one of my editor's notes thingies....I will edit the post after this, but last time we saw her she was a member of that Khund group that came after Veilmist and got the Legion involved with the Fatal Five/Robotica thing!

I am definitely on Berta's side with the coriander thing, Laurel needs to get a grip laugh

Cham kinda wrote his own bit there, I hadn't originally planned on him doing much other than being in the background! But it is one of those things that will help the next couple of chapters flow better I think...

NEXT UP! I am finally getting around to giving y'all an updated team roster! (plus some stuff happens)
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Return to Moorte Island! - 07/25/22 08:14 AM
yeah, sometimes villains are just villains, period tongue

agree re Veilmist, and there is for sure a big difference between selfish and amoral, and truly immoral.

lol yeah, I'm also on your and Berta's side re coriander -- when used properly it does not overpower!

and yay, new recruits coming I think eh? tongue
Posted By: razsolo Re: Return to Moorte Island! - 07/26/22 07:39 AM
I think I got a bit too excited about the new recruits, it might be a bit before I can squeeze em in lol....for the Legion anyway.... wink
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Return to Moorte Island! - 07/26/22 03:00 PM
oooohh a hint! a clue!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Return to Moorte Island! - 08/01/22 09:30 AM
Raz, hi there,

Great to see more up already!

Also glad for the update on Veilmist and the Sisterhood, they're an intriquing bunch, though I wonder if Veilmist really fits with them.

Love the history of Calish-Aetia, sounds like a thoroughly depressing and despndent place and I don't get the feeling it'll get any better soon.

Vista torturing her captives on the astral plane - haha great minds think alike Raz - have you been reading my notes for LW8 - you'll understand when you get to it. Anyway, Vista is thoroughly dislikable, though for the sake f a story she makes a great villain.

"...spreading out toward the horizon until it disappeared in a smudge of pollution and cloud cover" what a great description, reminds me of London, sadly.

And, yay! Scorn is back, we do love her! She will add another layer of sheer nastiness to the team/ and I really looking forward to where you're taking this storyline.

Nice to see Thom and Dirk playing D+D, though I wonder what Dirk's running too? And introducing Evolvo into their game is fun, nice to see the newer teammates interact socially with the old guard.

Love the convo about corriander - I love the stuff and have two pots of it on my kitchen window sill that I regularly pull leaves from. My partner says it tastes like how nappies smell. Oh well, more for me! Poor Laurel - and Dirk actually, there's a lot of work that needs doing to repairing that friendship. And how nice of Mysa to offer advice, and clever to leave him to ruminate.

And more food conversations, haha, were you hungry when yu wrote this? Nice to see Xao and Zoe relaxing. Wonder what Harlack's last rites will entail?

I love how you are revisiting Moorte Island and letting us know the consequences of the last visit there. Why do I think that the Green won't mind a more feral Ivy? Hopefully the team aren't walking into a trap here.

Icthyoid ally - fab phrase!

The Green are such a great character (should that be singular?) as they have a totally outlook of what is right and wrong. Ral was brave, and nice how the rest of the team tried to talk him out of taking that course of action. Needs must, I guess... Tellus saying summon the rest of the Legion - this is going to be immense! We now what baby Ivy can do, what can adult Ivy do? It's a scary thought.

Wow, you don't disappoint. A small continent covered by sprawling plant life. It's a awesome image! Reep being pragmatic with Grava was right on point. Think strategically and deal wth it at the source. And doing what he does best - being sneaky. Haha, that's about right.

Oh, evil Glorith too! That surprised me, but just added to the threat so it's good smile

Ral's little meltdown was understandable and tellus is as compassinate and understanding as ever. Though I do wonder if he's really that nice or thinking to himself "bloody humans getting all uptight and annoying again!" and just dealing with it, haha.

And Reep is gone too now! Okay, great cliffhanger there Raz, I'm hooked (again) and looking forward to more, more and much more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Return to Moorte Island! - 08/02/22 06:43 AM
Hi Harbi! The Sisterhood of Sin are gonna be making their first proper move as a team next instalment, although I will be very surprised if anyone saw it coming....but we will see how well Veilmist fits in then I guess!

I do like inserting food into everyone's downtime hahaha.....and Zoe has somehow become the one with the weird palette on my team so I like coming up with new gross things for her to eat laugh

re: the Green - we might be on the same page there, and I think Ral and maybe even Ivy are soon gonna find out their relationships with the Green aren't necessarily what they thought they were....

Quote
tellus is as compassinate and understanding as ever. Though I do wonder if he's really that nice or thinking to himself "bloody humans getting all uptight and annoying again!" and just dealing with it, haha
I do think he's just an incredible well of tolerance and empathy most of the time, but also one has to wonder how many of these little incidents are gonna happen before he says screw it and embraces the Dark Circle like he did in the comics after the five year gap laugh

It is probably not a spoiler to say that Cham may have bitten off more than he can chew this time around, but we'll see how that all turns out next instalment as well!
Posted By: Gaseous Lad Re: Return to Moorte Island! - 08/08/22 06:52 PM
Hey raz, just catching up on your stuff here! Such a great read! smile

---------

Love to see a Brin/Marella reunion. smile

Everything seems so peaceful at the moment! The tour is nice; it reminds me of some of the annual stories, which are good as they get people caught up with stuff!

Wow, 43 Legionnaires! Whew! That's so many to juggle! I don't know how you and Harbi and Ibby do it! laugh

I hadn't thought about any height limitations on Gim based on the particular environment, but I guess it makes sense.

LOL on Zoe vaccuuming! Also on Elastic Lad!

Cool sequence with the living planet! That was fun to read the demonstration for the press!

Also, thank you for the footnotes!

--------------

Back with the sisters! Hmmm, the grey protien sludge sounds like they've been hanging around with the Matrix crew! smile

Love the D&D callback!

The search for Ivy is really compelling, raz. I feel bad for Ral. And you write Grava really well.

uh oh - Glorith!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Return to Moorte Island! - 08/14/22 11:18 AM
Thanks GL!

I figured I put everyone through the wringer with Mordru enough, they can have a few rest days laugh

With Gim growing bigger in space, I don't really see it as a physical limitation so much as there's just more room to maneuver...I always think about when Omega rocked up in the comics and knocked Gim off his feet and smushed dozens of buildings, having a giant butt flatten your whole apartment block can't be a very dignified way to die lol

The Sisterhood of Sin are gonna be back right away and Ivy and Glorith is building up to something BIG (which is gonna lead to more team members joining, I might be crazy for doing this to myself hahaha)
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Return to Moorte Island! - 08/14/22 01:00 PM
that's always an issue with growing heroes - the collateral damage if they can't shrink down fast enough when being knocked down!

re more team members, ooh color me interested - will Veilmist be one? wink

re more team members also, I feel your pain... I find it a bit tough juggling so many Legionnaires lol!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Return to Moorte Island! - 08/14/22 01:56 PM
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
re more team members, ooh color me interested - will Veilmist be one? wink

re more team members also, I feel your pain... I find it a bit tough juggling so many Legionnaires lol!
Veilmist may not quite be there yet, but I will say that two of the newbies already have profiles written up in my Who's Who thread!

Weirdly I am not feeling overwhelmed with the size of the team + the students + occasional checkins with my other teams just yet, I guess if it gets too out of hand Glorith can just turn half of them into toddlers again laugh
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Return to Moorte Island! - 08/14/22 06:10 PM
oooh two of! so more than two tongue I'm off to your other thread to see who the candidates are, but I won't post here to avoid spoiling any surprises or forcing your hand smile

re team size, it's why I love the old "split into teams with related missions" trope, makes the cast more manageable, gives everyone some screen time and exposure...
Posted By: razsolo The Sorceror Who Wasn't There - 08/24/22 11:40 AM
IN ORBIT AROUND MARDRU
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters, the Brainstem


ROLL CALL
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: team leader; intangibility

Phantom Girl solemnly looked over the many monitors and holoscreens that circled her in the communications hub of the Legion's new mobile base. Most of the visuals here depicted the grand scale suffering that Glorith and Verdant had inflicted on Chlorophyll Kid's homeworld Mardru today. Entire cities had disappeared beneath a worldwide explosion of plant life, and damage to Mardru's infrastructure and populace had been catastrophic. The Legion had spent long hours doing all they could to stem damage and to help the Science Police rescue and evacuate people, but even so the current estimate was that 40% of Mardru's population was no more...and that number was only expected to rise.

Sighing, Phantom Girl addressed her team's Communications Officer. "Trava, any word from Chameleon Boy yet?"

Dressed in different shades of green with her ever-present gold jewellery, the dark-skinned Carggite turned to face Tinya but could only hold eye contact with her for a moment. "I...I'm sorry, Phantom Girl. Nothing yet, but I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything!"

"It's okay." Tinya attempted a weary smile as she placed a hand on Trava Coruu's shoulder. "I wasn't really expecting anything more to be honest, just hoping. You've done a fantastic job today by the way, Trava. I didn't expect that you'd have to face this kind of a crisis so early on in the piece, but you really stepped up today with helping coordinate rescue efforts with the Science Police and other local authorities."

"Oh! Thank you, Phantom Girl!" Trava felt blood rush to her face, and turned away self-consciously.

Tinya excused herself politely and phased through the floor as Trava went back to monitoring comms channels. Phantom Girl knew that Chameleon Boy could look after himself...and if he was going to contact the team, he likely would have called Tinya directly rather than make contact with their Communications Officer. She'd worked with Cham long enough in the Espionage Squad that she knew exactly how capable he was even when he was cut off from the rest of the team...but looking at that newly green world below them, Tinya also had a sense of what Glorith and Verdant were capable of.

"Be careful, Cham..." Tinya whispered between the walls of the Legion of Superheroes' home.

**********

ELSEWHERE

ROLL CALL
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter

Reep Daggle flapped his eagle wings to ascend into a swifter air current as well as any real bird might.

It had taken Chameleon Boy some time before he felt safe leaving his hiding place in the folds of Glorith's cape to get away from the two villainesses who'd unwittingly brought him here. Cham supposed that Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen wouldn't approve of him placing their adoptive daughter in the same category as Glorith, but Cham also realised that Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen were understandably too close to the situation to see Ivy Arcane for who she was now. Ivy had been a sweet loving baby, but at least from her perspective she clearly hadn't been a baby in quite some time.

Blending unseen against Glorith's cape as a square of white fabric, Chameleon Boy had picked up enough from listening to Glorith and Ivy's conversation that he knew that what they'd done to Mardru was more than just some headstrong young woman's act of spite against an absent father figure. He'd listened to them talk about doing this to more worlds, and though they hadn't chosen those worlds yet he'd discerned that there was some kind of logic behind how those worlds would be chosen...and when Chameleon Boy had switched forms from a square of fabric to a common housefly and then to the shape of the eagle he wore now so that he could escape Glorith's palace, he'd come to another realisation; wherever they were now, they'd already worked their horrors on this world.

As he flew away from the bejewelled marble palace that dominated the landscape, Cham saw that everything below him had been conquered by the Green. It were as though he were flying across some continental rainforest, but he could also see the throttled buildings and dregs of civilisation which lay beneath these trees, and they were not ancient ruins. Thinking himself far enough away from the palace, Cham dived down until he was beneath the green canopy which covered this world. 70 feet above the ground, he landed on a branch thick enough that he could have laid upon it. Here, he was confident that he could let his guard down.

Cham reverted to his normal form, sitting with his back against the enormous tree trunk. He lifted his flight ring to his lips, and it was only then that he noticed dozens of tiny pink flowers blooming all around him. Momentarily taken aback, he didn't have time to react when those flowers opened their petals with an almost silent pop, and a hazy cloud of perfume sent him to sleep...

**********

MARS
Husband Hill, Bina Nawoti Foundation


ROLL CALL
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: reserve Legionnaire, Legion Academy co-head; electricity generation and manipulation

As he left Jrey Lefen's office, Garth Ranzz reflected upon everything they'd just discussed.

Garth was glad that the Legion had enlisted the services of such a good counsellor; Legion Academy classes were resuming in just over a standard week, and Lightning Lad needed to make certain that he was at peace with the way he'd acted while he was in Mordru's thrall if he was going to be able to look any of these kids in the eye again. The guilt was at times overpowering, and he'd considered leaving the Academy behind altogether until Imra talked sense into him. Garth allowed himself a grateful smile; he shuddered to think where he'd be without that woman sometimes.

"Hello, Lightning Lad. A moment?" The voice, artifically modulated, shook Garth from his introspection. He saw its owner standing by an open office door in an adjoining corridor.

Lightning Lad looked the woman who'd spoken up and down. She was covered from head to toe in a black bodysuit, even her eyes hidden behind polarised lenses. Purple pouches and holstered weapons were strategically placed about her athletic form, and two small air filter discs emerged from the lower half of her face. It took him a moment, but Garth quickly realised who she was.

"89," Lightning Lad replied abruptly. "If you're looking for more Academy kids to lure into your black ops team, you're in the wrong building. Arqiia Memorial Campus is next door. "

"You've got some promising talent, but it'll be a while before they're up to my standard." 89 saw Garth stiffen and held up her hands in a pacifying gesture. "I'm sorry, that was a poor attempt to lighten the mood. I'm actually here to see you, Lightning Lad."

"What could you possibly want from me?" Garth retorted. "I'm not even in the Legion anymore--"

"I don't want anything from you," 89 interrupted him. "I do however have a proposal for you." She took a step back and nodded toward the empty office which was now between them.

"I don't have time for this," Garth muttered under his breath. "I've got course outlines to complete, and then--oh!"

Lightning Lad saw the purpose of 89's visit, and his eyes grew wide as any further complaints withered in his throat.

**********

XEROX
The Sorceror's World


ROLL CALL
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage

So soon after Mordru the Merciless's brief reign of terror here, Mysa Marvel realised that it might cause unease if the inhabitants of Xerox saw a space shuttle descending through their atmosphere. She had recommended to Dragonmage that they leave the vessel in orbit, and then the two of them used their flight rings to make their way planetside.

Once they'd descended low enough below Xerox's candy coloured clouds that they could hear themselves speak, Dragonmage turned to Mysa. "Thank you again for inviting me for this task," the young sorceror said. "I had a great deal of respect for Harlack. If I may say so though, I'm a little confused...I thought our destination was Harlack's homeworld within the Khund Empire?"

"That is our final destination," Mysa responded, "We just need to make a brief stop along the way." She held out a small translucent crystal case in her palm, careful to keep her grip on it up here in the high winds. Within the case, two blood red gems could be seen. "These are Bel'yana Stones; accomplished practitioners of Khund blood magic can permanently seal a minute portion of their soul away in these stones. They're a rare and exceptionally powerful enhancement for blood rituals, but more importantly for our purposes they're also the last remaining remnant of our dear Harlack after Mordru's Shadow Demons so callously murdered him. Harlack gave these to me for safekeeping after I surrendered my magic; he asked me to bury one of them here and another on his homeworld should he depart this mortal plane before me." Mysa's eyes were wet with emotion, but to Xao it seemed caused more by bittersweet affection than grief.

"That's sweet," Xao said genuinely.

"It's more than just sentiment," Mysa continued. "This way, Harlack becomes one with the Sorceror's World and in time his mystical essence will add to that of the world that meant so much to him. It may be only a small thing, but small things are not insignificant."

"Especially when it comes to magic," Dragonmage agreed. "It took a lifetime of small advances for me to be where I am now."

They descended further in mutual silence until Dragonmage felt bold enough to speak up once more. "Mysa? May I ask you a personal question? You don't have to talk about it if you don't feel comfortable..."

"I am an open book, Xao Jin." Mysa flashed him a supportive smile. "Ask me what you will."

"Do you ever miss it? Having your magic I mean? You're one of the mightiest Legionnaires now, so I don't mean in the sense of missing the power itself, but...I think what you did when you stopped being the Black Witch was so brave, I don't think I could make the same sacrifice."

"I think you might surprise yourself if push came to shove. But--" They were only a couple of stories above the ground now, near a small roadside tavern. The quaint stained glass window of the small stone building exploded outwards as a pale green goblin came flying out and bounced across the grass. The goblin skulked away, but the sounds of further crashing inside made it clear where Mysa and Dragonmage were needed.

"Let's table this discussion till later," Mysa suggested. She flew across to the tavern's thatch roof, and gripping the roof's ridge beam in both hands she simply lifted the entire ceiling off of the pub and held it overhead. "We've come to Xerox to say goodbye to a friend today," she addressed the stunned bar. "I do hope that isn't going to be spoiled by an excess of violence."

A little awestruck himself, Dragonmage hovered a few feet behind his teammate.

Below the Legionnaires, half a dozen men who were obviously denizens of the Sorceror's World judging by their fantastic appearances looked as though they'd been in the middle of a fracas with a group of women. The women were the Sisterhood of Sin, and the red-skinned Khund Scorn released the man who'd almost fallen victim to her blade before Mysa's dramatic entrance. While Scorn's pig-faced victim scurried away clutching his unharmed throat, Scorn leaped up onto the bar and glared Mysa Marvel right in the eye. "Strength doesn't frighten me, woman. I faced Mon-El, I'm not frightened of whomever you might be."

"You should be frightened," the Sisterhood's leader Vista noted. "We can handle a young Dragonmage, but that's Mysa Marvel. Veilmist, get her out of here."

Veilmist nodded obediently, and an instant later Mysa Marvel vanished in a puff of lavender smoke. The roof that she'd been holding collapsed, and before it could cause any damage Nimbus extended her bright blue forcefield out to smash it into so many splinters.

Momentarily shocked, Dragonmage nonetheless recovered quickly enough to begin weaving a protective spell about himself. By the time the silent killer White Bat had circled around and come down from above Xao, he was protected from her talons by an emerald dragonform.

Nimbus now took to the air as well with a playful smirk. "Let's test your dragon against my forcefield, huh?"

"Let me," Vista interrupted her teammate. "Sorcerors are too versatile to play games with, Nimbus." Assuming that his dragonform could protect him against any assault Vista might bring, Xao was utterly unprepared when the small implant in Vista's forehead flashed a vivid pink and he too vanished from sight.

White Bat made eye contact with Nimbus for a second, then ascended high enough that she could see the gently rolling fields all around them for half a mile around.

"Bat says they came alone," Nimbus reported to Vista.

"That doesn't sound like the Legion of Superheroes' style", Vista thought it through, "But Dragonmage is a sorceror and Mysa Nal was the White Witch for a long time...I think they may have just been here in their capacity as magic users. I mean it makes no sense that they'd have had any idea we're here or why we're here unless Dream Girl warned them, and I certainly don't see her about."

"Speaking of which," Scorn jumped down from her vantage point to a glitter-haired young woman who looked like a fairy cowering behind the bar. "Let's get back to our mission, I had enough of this place when I was a teenager. You. Bar wench." With the fairy's apron scrunched up in Scorn's fist, the Khund woman effortlessly lifted her from the ground. The fairy squealed in fright, her diaphanous wings quivering. "You must know everybody in this sickly sacharine community. You will tell us where to find our quarry or you'll find out just how versatile a sorceress can be." In her free hand, she held her blood dagger up menacingly for the bartender's benefit.

The fairy bartender was too traumatised to speak, and Scorn was just about to take her threat to the next level when they all suddenly heard Vista cry out. Vista's exclamation of pain became a wail of agony, and the Sisterhood of Sin's leader suddenly flung herself backwards as a dragon of blindingly intense light emerged from her implant and grew larger than Vista herself. She was moaning helplessly on the ground when that crackling lightning dragon released all of its energy in a soundless explosion of psionic energy that knocked everyone present off their feet.

Xao Jin was crouched down on one knee in the epicentre of the explosion, his head bowed with the effort of having created a dragon capable of transporting him from Vista's personal mindscape back into the physical world and converting him back into flesh and blood. His breath ragged, he raised his head with an expression of cold focus. Dimly aware that the innocent bar patrons and the fairy barmaid were taking this opportunity to sneak away, Dragonmage was glad...because now he wouldn't have to hold back.

Ignoring the Sisterhood of Sin recovering around him, Dragonmage stood and commanded a simple spell; one which was effective against a group, but not too draining. He almost danced these dragonforms into creation, twirling on one heel as his fingers wove light into the air. A moment later, the tavern contained a maelstrom of flying screeching dragons filling the room and confounding his foes' senses. They ranged from several inches to several feet long and as their multicoloured snaking bodies multiplied, the Sisterhood soon lost sight even of each other let alone Dragonmage.

"Veilmist!" Nimbus screamed over the din. "Teleport him into the sun or something, would you?? Vista's still out of it!"

"Veilmist has already exercised a coward's discretion, I suspect." Scorn could smell the lavender on the air. "Wherever you are, Nimbus, White Bat; be still. I will deal with this." Scorn didn't know if the others had even heard her over the racket of the dragons, but it didn't matter. She knew magic, and she knew that magic was sometimes as much trickery as it was power. Sheathing her knife momentarily, Scorn pressed both palms against her closed eyes until she felt a dull ache there. She recited words she'd learned on this very world so many years ago, and she sucked in a sharp intake of air as her incantation took effect. Removing her hands from her now eerily blood-filled eyes, Scorn saw the arteries within her fingers with more clarity than she saw the flesh encasing them...and when she looked out beyond her own warm capillaries she saw Nimbus, White Bat and Vista's bloodstreams as well.

...And she saw Dragonmage's blood.

Stalking confidently through what she now knew to be an illusory swarm of dragons, Scorn drew her blood dagger once more. She wouldn't need trickery or power for this next part, just cold steel. Feigning ignorance, Dragonmage waited until Scorn was almost on top of him and then just as she struck he used his flight ring to send him straight up fifteen feet into the air.

"I hope that you didn't think I was going to just wait for you to slay me," Dragonmage spoke. "I was just recovering my strength, and drawing on the natural energies of this world to do this." Scorn was the only one who saw his hands move in a calculated flurry, and before she could do anything to counter whatever spell he was casting, she realised that every single one of these dragons was now solid. Vista still lay unaware of anything transpiring on the floor of the tavern, but Scorn and Nimbus were battered about worse than if they'd been sealed in a barrel and rolled downhill. Scorn's Khundish toughness protected her from serious injury, but Dragonmage's onslaught still hurt like the devil; and for Nimbus's part, her forcefield protected her from harm entirely but she was being buffetted about so rudely that she couldn't steal a moment to concentrate on offence.

While Dragonmage was considering his next tactic, a faint whipping sound caused him to turn an inquisitive glance to his left. Xao Jin hadn't heard White Bat coming for his throat, but he had heard Mysa Marvel's cape catching the wind as Mysa darted in just in time to grip and hold the mute assassin's wrists steady. White Bat's extended talon was only inches from Dragonmage's jugular, and Xao gulped down his shock. His concentration broken, his dragonforms shimmered away into the ether and Nimbus and Scorn dragged themselves to their feet.

"Sorry I didn't get back sooner," Mysa apologised casually. "Even with the wisdom of Solomon, it took some time to orient myself and find my way back from where Veilmist deposited me in space."

"But I am here now," Mysa addressed the Sisterhood more firmly, "And while I suspect Dragonmage here could handle you all on your own I know for certain that you can't stand up to the two of us working together. So why don't you tell us who you are and what you're doing on Xerox, ladies? I'm also quite curious as to how your friend laid out on the floor there knew who I was. I appreciate the boost to my ego, but I don't believe I've been a Legionnaire long enough for random villains to recognise me on sight."

"We are the Sisterhood of Sin," Scorn stood defiantly. "And Veilmist aside, we back down from no foe."

"Oh, for..." Nimbus had now also found her feet, and she took position before Scorn. "Look, Legionnaires...maybe we came on too strong, okay? But we really have no problem with either of you, or with anyone else on this world. We just need to find some kid called Harlack and we'll be out of everyone's hair."

"Harlack??" Mysa was visibly taken aback. "Then you have come here far too late, because my dear friend Harlack is dead."

Vista had by now recovered enough to hear this, and Mysa's words sent an invigorating jolt of shock through her system. "That...that can't be true!" Vista protested, leaning against Nimbus to stand beside her.

"But it is true," Dragonmage countered. "Mysa Marvel was there when it happened!"

Mysa released White Bat so that her hands were free to retrieve the Bel'yana Stones. As the silent villain rejoined her team, Mysa held the case open to display the stones to them all. "The sole reason we are here today is to perform Harlack's last rites; this is all that is left of him....and now I have another question for you all; what does a Sisterhood of Sin want with my beloved friend Harlack anyway?"

"You're asking the right questions." With her disaffected tone, Vista tried to mask how much news of Harlack's death had rattled her. "But you're not going to get answers today, Legionnaire. Veilmist, I know you're around here somewhere! Get us out of here!"

The women disappeared in Veilmist's trademark puff of smoke and perfume, and Dragonmage turned to Mysa. "What do you think that was all about?" he asked.

"Perhaps we'll find out some day," Mysa replied. "Perhaps we won't."

"But right now," she looked down upon the Bel'yana Stones, "We have far more important matters to occupy us."

**********

IN ORBIT AROUND MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters, Phantom Girl's office


ROLL CALL
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: team leader; intangibility
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation

The Legion had exhausted themselves helping with search and rescue on Mardru, and while their help was greatly appreciated it was still not enough to render the world liveable again for much of its formerly dominant humanoid species. The Legion of Superheroes had brought their mobile headquarters back to its home position near Mars, and many of the team had retired to whatever form of relaxation most suited them. Before doing that though, the reserve Legionnaire Chlorophyll Kid had insisted on one thing; he'd asked Phantom Girl to call an impromptu team meeting and requested that the Legion vote him back in as an active member.

Phantom Girl was now viewing a recording of that meeting, chewing her thumbnail as she watched Chlorophyll Kid's friends and former Subs gather round him to congratulate him on his return to the team. "I'm still not sure we did the right thing," she admitted to her best friend sitting beside her on the small couch Tinya had placed here in order to make the space more cozy and less sterile.

"Honestly, I didn't support Chlorophyll Kid joining the Legion at all initially," Tasmia Mallor shrugged. "But I'm not too proud to admit when I'm wrong, and I was wrong then. I think you're wrong now."

"I'm just worried, Shady...I'm worried about Chlor, and I hate to sound like a heartless tactician but I'm worried about what it's gonna mean for the Legion if he's not up to it when we need him to be. Tellus told me he had some kind of horrible anxiety attack back on Mardru."

"Don't be ridiculous," Shadow Lass chided Phantom Girl with a bluntness their close friendship allowed. "You're not heartless for being concerned about your team's welfare, that's a leader's role...and of course the poor man had an anxiety attack; his adopted daughter is a full-blown supervillain, his wife was wounded, and his homeworld has been decimated. But don't forget, he asked to be reinstated back on to the active roster. I'm sure Chlorophyll Kid is well aware of his own capabilities, and he deserves the chance to regain his family's honour, Tinya."

"I just wish he'd let me talk him into seeing Jrey to get his opinion first," Tinya continued, "But I know how bad Chlor's been feeling and how isolated he's been lately, I didn't want to take this away from him. I don't know, Shady. Did I really do the right thing?"

"Jrey? The new counsellor?" Shadow Lass tittered. "Oh Tinya, I know you mean well and I'm sure counselling is wonderful for people with psychomedical issues and such...but we're the Legion of Superheroes, we're made of stronger stuff. Look, let me ask you something as one heartless tactician to another; have Dawnstar or Mwindaji figured out a way to track Verdant yet?"

"No..." Tinya admitted.

"Exactly," Tasmia noted. "Which means that Chlorophyll Kid is now the only person who can. We need him on the team if we're going to stop Verdant and Glorith from doing this to any other innocent worlds."

Tinya opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by her door's melodic tone. At Phantom Girl's command, the shimmering field covering the doorway vanished and Dream Girl sauntered in and perched herself on Phantom Girl's desk. "Shadow Lass is right," Dream Girl said as though she'd been a part of the conversation all along. "We do need Chlorophyll Kid."

"Hi Nura," Phantom Girl sighed wearily, resting her head against Shadow Lass's shoulder. "I assume you haven't been standing outside my door waiting for your power to tell you when to come in here just for that zinger."

"You assume correctly," Dream Girl answered. "We need Chlorophyll Kid, and we're going to need a lot more besides.

...We need new recruits, Phantom Girl."

NEXT: NEW RECRUITS!

EDITOR'S NOTES:
89 is of course the leader of my version of the Oversight Watch, and the first thing she did in my fic was recruit Mandalla and Power Boy straight out of their Legion Academy graduation so it's understandable that Lightning Lad might be a little suspicious of her motives...

The Sisterhood of Sin now have an entry in my Who's Who thread! Not really much more to them than what y'all have seen in the past few instalments, but it is here anyway

I was going to post a roll call after this instalment, but as we're getting a whole bunch of new recruits next up anyway, I figured I would wait until then!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Sorceror Who Wasn't There - 08/24/22 05:20 PM
Yay! more good stuff!

my gosh, 40% of Mardru's population lost... that's awful! And such widespread suffering and death frown

gonna be hard for Verdant to come back from that on...


good going, Trava, good going!
it's also nice that Communications also relates to coordination. very key job...

oy... I wonder, did Glorith and Verdant know that Cham was there, or was it a magical enchantment that caught him? and curious what his big plan is... it's good to see some sneaking around too, from our resident shapeshifter!

ah, nice to see someone dealing with the Seven Sins possession fallout!

well, I'm curious about 89's visit! also nice to see a flash of Garth's temper, when 89 was dissing the students

alas poor Harlack... nice to see that his story isn't necessarily over though, curious as to why the Sisterhood wanted him



Vista has some tactical smarts, makes her more dangerous... taking Mysa off the board, and not leaving anything to chance with Dragonmage...

nice going, Xao!

ah, Veilmist has a lavender-scented teleportation field eh?

I also like Nimbus' practicality tongue

And loving the way Tinya and Tasmia talk with each other, those two are definitely best friends

new recruits! whooo! super eager to see who. OK, Veilmist won't be one of them yet I think... and probably not Nightstone... maybe one of the Academy students will get promoted? and welcome back, Ral!
Posted By: Gaseous Lad Re: The Sorceror Who Wasn't There - 08/24/22 06:40 PM
Hey raz! A nice meaty installment here with lots of great stuff. Thanks for including the Editors notes, as I was completely unfamiliar with 89.

Nice moment with Cham - Shows his aptitude and sneakiness, but I caught the foreboding there with him letting his guard down! Nice passsage.

I'm really interested in where you're taking Ivy on her journey. It sounds like there are a lot of people will be heartbroken one way or another there. But I'm in for the ride.

The interplay between Xao, Mysa and the sisters was fun to read. They seem to exist specifically to cause chaos, but very much enjoyed reading the action, especially how Xao was dealing wtih things. He really seems to flourish with your writing, raz. I really like this version of Dragonmage more than any that was put in the comics for sure.

Last comment - it makes complete sense for the Legion to have a counselor. It also makes complete sense for Tasmia to dismiss the notion. It's a little bit in the text, but its great.

Looking forward to tryouts! smile
Posted By: Set Re: The Sorceror Who Wasn't There - 08/27/22 11:24 PM
I am still reading and enjoying, just haven't been able to post for a bit, after swapping computers. But I'm back!

These new Sisters of Sin seem interesting, and I particularly like the one who can yoink people into her internal mindscape. That's a neat trick!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Sorceror Who Wasn't There - 09/01/22 09:11 AM
Thanks for commenting, y'all! Sorry I haven't had a chance to respond before now, I just got over (well, am still getting over) a very nasty flu so I have been sleeping like 16 hours a day tongue

We will find out what the Sisterhood wanted with Harlack before too long, those girls have schemes!

I can't remember if Veilmist having a lavender-scented teleportation effect is from the comics or if I made it up, but I feel like it suits her at any rate!

Ivy and Glorith are gonna take centre stage in a BIG way before too long...and I don't think it is spoiling anything to say y'all are right that there will be heartbreak as well as stuff that it's hard to come back from along the way!

GL: thanks for your Xao appreciation...I really liked him as the kind of mild-mannered unassuming guy he was in the SW6 Legion, it's a shame we never got more of that!

Tasmia dissing the counselling was fun to write too....I really like when the characters write themselves! To be honest, I only even included Shady in that scene because I feel like I don't give Tinya and Shady enough time together but it just made sense to me that would be her attitude toward mental health.

Next up: I have been hyping up the new recruits, BUT we are also gonna see the Legion Academy kids officially back in class again!
Posted By: razsolo The Terrific Tryout Machine! - 09/06/22 11:21 AM
APIATON
Grid Reference GLJ21-11, United Planets 2460 Topological Study


ROLL CALL
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter

Reep Daggle heard women's voices around him as he woke, and though in his confused state he didn't recognise who they belonged to or where he was, he did possess enough presence of mind to do what his friend Gim's homeworld called "playing possum". His eyes still closed lightly, Cham considered his surroundings. He could instantly tell that he was in his default orange-skinned form, he was familiar enough with his own body that he didn't need eyes to see that. He was curled in on himself in what for anyone else would be an uncomfortable position. One of the benefits of Durlan physiology however was that he was generally more flexible than a lot of humanoids.

Not for the first time, Cham pondered how much more useful his antennae would be if they could more actively detect his surroundings. They absorbed data from the world around him even while he was asleep, but that ability was completely autonomous and not something that he could consciously interrogate. He would just have to rely on his regular senses like nearly every other person on his team would need to do in his place.

Shifting position with a muffled groan, he knew he wouldn't attract any more attention than any other sleeping person. The simple change in posture taught him a lot though. The walls around him were claustrophobically close and rounded. There were no textural changes to give him any clue as to what substance this could be enclosing him, but he did feel the mildest bobbing motion and there was the strangest charge of static electricity across his skin. Cham pursed his lips and blew onto the back of his hand to feel the slight pressure of his breath. He knew he wasn't wearing his transuit, which would have created a barrier between his mouth and his hand. He could breathe freely, but he couldn't feel an air current at all. Cham's heart sank as he put all of this together. I'm inside a forcefield.

He remembered the flowers that had sedated him now, and he knew which women these voices belonged to. Realising that there was no point in subterfuge at this point, he opened his eyes and confirmed what he'd deduced; he was balled up in a perfectly spherical field made of translucent violet energy. Glorith and Verdant stood before him with their backs turned to him. They hadn't yet realised that he was awake, or if they had they weren't showing it. There was a small space cleared around the three of them, but outside of that plant life bloomed everywhere. A rainbow spectrum of flowers burst into life in the midst of shrubbery and long grasses, and vines snaked across the earth at their feet. Trees stabbed into the sky like mighty titans.

"How are you feeling, dear?" Glorith asked Verdant, touching her shoulder lightly with one gloved hand. "Do you need a rest?"

"I'm actually....just about...done!" Ivy Arcane gave a final flourish, and Chameleon Boy noticed that while the plants' expansion continued unabated, the rate of that expansion slowly reduced. Ivy Arcane sat cross-legged on the ground and admired her handiwork. "...and that's three worlds down!"

"Three??" Chameleon Boy could no longer restrain himself. "You've done this to three planets?!"

The women turned around to face their captive even as Chameleon Boy subtly activated his flight ring's emergency beacon.

"Well, look who's decided to join us!" Glorith smiled at Cham like a spider with a fly in its web. "Welcome back to the land of the living, Chameleon Boy!"

"How did you find me?" Cham snapped. "Magic, I guess?"

"The plants told me," the young woman named Verdant met Cham's gaze with cool green eyes. "I don't just control plants, Chameleon Boy...I'm the Avatar of the Green. I know all that the Green knows. I see all that the Green sees."

"And you, you silly boy!" Glorith wagged a finger at the trapped Legionnaire. "My homeworld Baaldur doesn't have bird life, and there you were flapping your little wings away - you may as well have turned yourself into a lighthouse, Chameleon Boy."

Cham ignored the sorceress to try and reach Verdant. "Ivy, please! I don't know why you're doing this, but think about all the people you're hurting! I saw Mardru, I saw the remains of the civilisation you destroyed on Baaldur...whatever you're trying to do, there must be another way! This is genocide!"

"Don't be so dramatic." Glorith waved a hand at him before Ivy could respond. "What's a few billion sentients here and there if it gives us all of this?" She leaned over to smell a nearby cluster of bell-shaped flowers. "Heavenly! Besides, this is Apiaton. The dominant lifeforms here up until today have been a bunch of disgusting bugs and we've just given their biosphere quite the makeover with all of this new vegetation! You're very lucky you're here to watch it all happen when I could just as easily have turned you into a chair, Chameleon Boy. Perhaps you should remember that." Her tone remained sweet, but the malice in Glorith's icy glare was unmistakable.

"Mistress?" Verdant climbed to her feet. "Back on Mardru...Chlorophyll Kid tricked the Green into giving him some kind of bond with me, but he doesn't realise it works both ways. We'd best depart, he's bringing the Legion of Superheroes here now and I'm not in much of a state to face them after greening this world."

"Of course, my dear. I'm so very proud of you, Ivy." Glorith held her charge's chin up toward her with her thumb and forefinger. "Well, let's not dally then!"

As she gathered mystical energies about them to craft her teleportation, Glorith turned to Cham once more. "Just like that forcefield prevents you from being detected by your annoyingly resourceful friends, my palace will do the same for us all. You were so eager to find out what we're up to, Chameleon Boy? Let me assure you, you've only seen the beginning."

Then in a flash of light, the three of them were gone.

**********

MARS
Husband Hill, Legion Academy's Arqiia Memorial Campus


Lullabye Lad poked his head sheepishly through the doorway into his class's homeroom. Dragonwing, Amp, Variable Lad, Key Kid, Sojurn; most of his fellow classmates were here already but at least he wasn't the last one to arrive.

"Oh thank the stars, Iron-Butt Imra's not here yet...I was sure I was gonna be late!" Waiane Wentim rushed to his seat, gathering his cape up from beneath him with practiced ease so as not to sit on it. "How are you guys? Anyone do anything fun on vaycay?"

"It wasn't a vacation, Waiane." Slumped over her desk with her face buried in her arms, Dragonwing looked up just enough to cast him a withering stare. "Fire Lass is dead. And Glorith...grife, who knows what's happened with Glorith."

"Sorry, Marya..." Lullabye Lad's expression dropped immediately. "...I was just trying to lighten the mood I guess."

A tense silence fell over the group again until Key Kid couldn't handle it anymore. "Did you guys know Kid Quantum went back to Xanthu?" he blurted. "Amp and me caught up with the old Heroes of Lallor for dinner last week and Gas Girl said apparently Kid Q had some kind of fight with Dream Girl and Mysa Marvel and quit the Academy!"

"Amp and I," Amp corrected him without thinking.

"What?!" Dragonwing regained some of her trademark feistiness. "No way, why wouldn't she tell us??"

Variable Lad raised one of his three arms timidly. "Uh, she umm...she told me. Sorry Marya, but you know Jazmin and Glorith were very close...after what happened with Glorith, Kid Quantum didn't feel comfortable here anymore, she's gone back to the Uncanny Amazers."

"Why would she tell you and not me?!" Dragonwing slammed both palms on her desk in outrage.

Amp raised an eyebrow. "You're kind of intimidating, girl! You haven't noticed that half the kids in our class start any conversation with you with sorry Marya?"

"Bite me, Lallor." Marya slumped back down again. "Whatever, it's not like she ever wanted to even join the Legion of Superheroes anyway. No big loss."

"Good morning, students." Saturn Girl entered the room, and with the exception of Sojurn who hovered silently as usual in the area they'd been assigned as their own, the rest of the class unconsciously corrected their postures. "I know class was meant to have started three standard minutes ago, apologies for my tardiness. Before we go into anything else today, I would like to introduce you all to your newest classmate. Legion Academy, meet Enigma Lass."

A much shorter person had accompanied Saturn Girl into the room, and the students all now directed their attention to her. She was covered from head to toe in a loose-fitting cucumber green outfit with a hood so voluminous that her face was completely immersed in shadow. Her costume's overcoat was sealed from her neck down to her thighs, and then it split to reveal trousers and boots the same color underneath. Rather than dragging upon the ground, her coat floated at calf height giving her an almost ghost-like quality. The lining of her costume was an undulating mass of seafoam bubbles; the whole look very much suited her codename. "Hello," Enigma Lass raised one hand in a half-wave, her softly spoken manner at odds with her appearance. "I am most pleased to join the Legion Academy."

The students exchanged curious glances for a moment before the questions started flying.

"Where are you from?"
"What are your powers"
"Are you telekinetic? Is that why your coat floats like that?"
"What's with the foam bubbles?"
"Is the foam your power?"
"Why the enigma?"

Saturn Girl had anticipated this, and the corner of her mouth curled almost imperceptibly upwards as she saw her students recapture some of their old energy for the first time in weeks. "Students, please." She stood behind Enigma Lass and placed her hands gently on both of the girl's shoulders. "I can assure you that Lightning Lad and I have both vetted Enigma Lass thoroughly, and that she deserves the chance to find her place here. For now, Enigma Lass has asked that her identity, her background and her powers remain a secret. I hope some day soon she comes to understand that she has nothing to hide from any of you, but for now we will respect her choice. Do I make myself clear?"

"Wait, so we're not even gonna find out what her powers are?" Dragonwing challenged her teacher. "How are we supposed to work with that??"

"All things in their own time," Saturn Girl responded. "For now, please just make Enigma Lass feel welcome. In fact, why don't we start by going round the room and introducing ourselves? Dragonwing, would you like to start?"

Before Marya Pai could say anything, Variable Lad's arm shot up into the air. "Teacher? I am very sorry to interrupt, but...should we not wait for Chemical Kid to join the class?"

The students saw a rare expression of surprise cross Saturn Girl's face for the briefest instant before her usual mask of calm composure slipped back into place. "I'm so sorry Oaa, I honestly thought Hadru would already have shared this with all of you...

...I'm afraid Chemical Kid has withdrawn from the Academy and returned to Phlon!"

**********

IN ORBIT AROUND MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters, Fitness level


ROLL CALL
Legion of Superheroes
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn: magnetism
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Life Lass aka Somi Gan: matter animation
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility

Nightstone aka Giavana Markova: Legion ally; geokinesis

Legion Applicants
Dogstar aka Rufus Remulus: Daxamite-level flight, strength, speed, durability, stamina, senses; solar vision
Mirage Master aka Jeeve Swiner: illusion generation
Nature Boy aka Lilin Luin: control over natural phenomena
Night Owl aka K'ria K'llor: darkness generation
Quiz Queen aka Michel Marvina Jemimala Colby-Wolfington: ability to instantly learn all there is to know about any one subject
Sheranee Shah: enhanced physical characteristics, night vision, solar-fuelled starbolts, tactile language absorption, animal empathy
Sizzle aka Teela Spuunvll: energy conversion
Slug aka Kes Mtsto: inertron form and projectiles
Transposition Lad aka Kappa Snarrk: teleportational transposition
Truth Girl aka Oliv Hollowai: truth sense, carries the Golden Perfect

In this area of the Legion's new headquarters dedicated to combat and power training, there were usually at least two or three Legionnaires honing their skills or superhuman abilities at any given moment. The enormous room had multiple forcefield generators to divide the space into as many discrete compartments as necessary, but these forcefield generators were not in operation today. Instead, ten Legionnaires stood in the centre of the room alongside the girl sometimes known as Nightstone and the ten applicants they'd selected to take part in the final stage of their new tryout process.

"I want to congratulate you all for making it this far," Phantom Girl addressed the hopeful new faces. "And I'd also like to thank you for indulging us while we try out this new approach to tryouts." There was some nervous tittering at her tame play on words, and Tinya continued. "I know that some of you were on Mars the last time the Legion hosted a tryout, and I'm sure the rest of you saw the chaos that came out of that day on many many news holocasts. We realised that we can't keep hosting Legion tryouts the way we used to; in the old days, we might have had a few dozen sentients turn up and two thirds of those were overeager fans or other people it was easy to weed out as not having approached us with genuine intentions. These days, the Legion tryouts attract thousands of applicants from all across the United Planets and beyond, and honestly it's gone way past the stage where we can just have all of those people turn up on our doorstep and start throwing energy bolts around."

Tinya gestured toward a mildly embarassed teenage girl with dreadlocks as she continued. "At this point, I'd like to thank Nightstone for her tireless work with the Bina Nawoti Foundation. We asked Nightstone if she thought there were any prior Legion applicants that we may have been too hasty in dismissing, and some of you have her to thank for your invitation to take part here today...the rest of you responded to our open call for applicants, along with literally thousands of other potential Legionnaires. It might normally have taken us a month or longer to pore through all of those applications to find the best and the brightest, but fortunately we have Kid Computo and a couple of people with Daxamite class superspeed on our side. And so we narrowed that very daunting list of applicants down to you ten in under a day, and now here we all are. This has been a very quick process to be sure, but I don't want any of you to think it's been a reckless one. None of you would be here if a majority of the Legion didn't think you might be a good fit for our team. And so, without further ado..."

Following Phantom Girl's cue, Kid Computo gave a slight nod and put her power into play. A muffled humming noise came from the floor nearby, and panels slid away to reveal some kind of round multi-seated contraption. Simultaneously, cylindrical podium-like consoles emerged in front of each of the Legionnaires. "You've all made it this far based on your skills, powers and relative experience levels, but we still need to see you in action. We've done this in different ways in the past, with various degrees of risk. Thanks to our new Tryout Machine, the risk factor should be all but eliminated. Danielle, this is your baby...would you like to take it from here?"

"Thanks, Phantom Girl." Danielle Foccart kept talking while Phantom Girl logged in to her console. "To be honest, most of this was Evolvo Lad...I just followed his instructions. But the Tryout Machine is basically a virtual environment for you all to show us what you can do. Remember the biometrics we made you all go through when you first came on board? We use those to create your user profiles, and then we can put you through a course of challenges to gauge your strengths and weaknesses. While you're in there it'll feel real, and out here we Legionnaires will be able to monitor you and see everything you guys see."

The Tryout Machine looked almost like some kind of theme park ride. It was composed primarily of yellow metal tubes and bars, with cozy seats forming an outer ring that faced away from the delicate technology that formed the majority of the machine. Each seat had a visor with headphones that could be lowered for full immersion into the virtual environment, and soft restraints to prevent anyone accidentally lashing out in the real world. The applicants circled the Tryout Machine, eyeing it curiously.

One of the applicants was a Pseudatanian; a race of enormous limbless creatures that resembled human-sized Terran slugs. The alien's body was a dull metallic grey, and upon their back they wore a magnetically attached accessory which resembled a kind of flat rounded pink disk with four raised chrome domes surrounding it. "Kid Computo?" the slug-like applicant's body stayed facing the Tryout Machine but their eyestalks twisted to face her. "Uhh, Slug isn't sure these seats are gonna fit Slug..."

"Don't worry, big guy!" Danielle smiled as she approached. Slug was at least seven feet long and maybe half as wide, they were right that there was no way they'd fit into one of these seats.

"We thought of everything!" Danielle Foccart gave Slug a cocky wink, and two of the chairs clicked and clacked together in seamless motion to form a sort of flatbed capable of holding Slug's mass. "You'll need to retract your eyestalks, but we can make the immersion helm big enough for ya as well."

Another of the applicants resembled another Earth animal, albeit a normal-sized one; Night Owl was a great horned owl with black wingtips and saucer-sized eyes that glowed a bright gold. She hopped across to the much smaller King Canary, and spread her wings wide as she kowtowed low to the floor. "Forgive my enthusiasm but I wish to thank you for this honor, Your Highness. I swear on my life that I will not disappoint you."

"Grife, come on...not in front of the Legion!" King Canary grumbled quietly. "It's okay, just...just stand up for sprock's sake!"

Element Lad walked up to Dogstar and shook the humanoid canine's hand. "Not that I suspect you'll need it, but good luck my friend."

Gently illuminated by his own power, Dogstar's firm grip emitted a comforting warmth. "Thank you, Element Lad...we will see if Solas shines upon me today so far from my home."

Another of the applicants was a perky young woman with the figure of a dancer. She had skin the color of burnt orange, and a thick head of hair that was a more vivid orange. Her unkept bangs half-obscured her round amber eyes, and a silk headband held the rest of her wild mane back. She wore a midriff-bearing sleeveless top and a sarong the same blend of shifting sunny colors as her headband, and she was adorned in daintily engraved golden jewellery; earrings, rings on her fingers and toes, a belly button piercing, necklaces, bangles around her wrists and anklets above her bare feet. She jingled delicately as she approached the two applicants nearest to her. "My name is Sheranee!" she burst out with a wide grin. "I'm half-Tamaranean, I wield starbolts like the ancient Queen Koriand'r herself! Isn't this exciting? What do you girls do?"

"My name's Sizzle," a slightly taller red-skinned woman began before she was rudely interrupted.

"You may call me Quiz Queen!" a shorter girl announced imperiously. Her own blonde hair was styled into an elaborate pompadour with a jewelled tiara perched on top. Her enormous collar was equally ornate, and her tiny frame was buried beneath a royal purple cloak. "I have been blessed by the Orakills of Orando to know any subject of my choosing as intimately as I please! Of course, what I wish to know right now is how I'm expected to be seated within this device without ruining my hair! Phantom Girl!!"

Sheranee and Sizzle gave each other a sideways glance at their fellow applicant's overblown sense of entitlement, but before anybody could say anything more an emerald flash of light filled the wide open space and five completely new people appeared in the room.

A lanky green-skinned applicant realised instantly who these newcomers were, and his eyes widened. "That--that's--"

"We are the Fatal Five, worm!" The Emerald Empress decreed to the assembly of heroes. "And we have come to destroy the Legion of Superheroes once and for all!"

"Danielle!" Phantom Girl barked. "Get Nightstone and the applicants out of here and call for backup! Legion--"

Some of the Legionnaires had already leaped into action, but not fast enough. The Emerald Eye of Ekron cast its evil glare upon the heroes, and a wide beam of energy washed over every one of the Legionnaires in the room. They were all knocked out instantly, leaving Nightstone and the applicants to face Tharok, Validus, Mano, the Persuader and the Emerald Empress alone.

"That's the original Fatal Five!" the tall young green man who'd first identified the villains finished his outburst.

"But that doesn't make sense!" Slug responded. "The original Fatal Five haven't been together in forever!"

"They're together now!" Dogstar intercepted another beam from the Emerald Eye that had been meant for the group as a whole, and he was blasted across the room and half-buried in a wall. "Move the Legionnaires to safety!" Dogstar bellowed as he pulled himself free.

"We're gonna die," yet another applicant stared in wide-eyed horror at the group of villains. He was a long-haired young man in a flowing tan robe, and he was too frozen in fear to even notice Tharok levelling his cyborg arm up at him. "Great Gaea, we're all going to die..."

"We are not going to die!" A dark-skinned young woman from Earth rebuked him. Clothed in a golden metallic bodysuit with matching arm-length fingerless gloves and a choker, she carried a gleaming gold lariat which any student of Terran history would instantly recognise as having once belonged to the legendary heroine Wonder Woman. She lassoed the terrified young man to pull him back behind the Tryout Machine, just as Tharok unleashed a deadly stream of plasma in his direction. Tharok's assault was enough to finally get the rest of the would-be heroes moving, giving these two a moment to talk.

"I'm Truth Girl," the young woman unceremoniously dragged her captive back to meet her and released him from the lariat. "And I'm telling you, we are not going to die. But we need to work together, and we need to work with clear heads. Tell me who you are and what you can do, friend."

"I-I'm Nature Boy," he stammered. "I control natural disasters..you know, like earthquakes or hurricanes! But I can't do anything here in outer space!! Oh great Gaea--"

"You can do something," Truth Girl countered firmly. This close to the attractive young woman, Nature Boy could see that the irises of her eyes were gold as well, and the effect was striking enough to get past his fear. "You can always do something. Hey! Nightstone, right? Do you know your way around this place?"

Nightstone crawled across the floor, too scared to stand in case she caught a stray hit from Tharok or the Eye. "Barely!" she admitted as she huddled away behind the machine with them. "If we were back on Mars I could just put these chumps in a sinkhole but my power's useless here!"

"Seems to be a lot of that going around," Truth Girl smirked. The remark could easily have come off as catty, but instead the touch of humour helped the others relax a little. "Okay, let me think...Quiz Queen! I heard what you told Sheranee and Sizzle before about your power! The Fatal Five have to be doing something to stop alarms from going off or the rest of the Legion would have been here already. Do you think you can access the Legion's comms room and get a distress signal out?"

"Of course I can!" Quiz Queen seemed insulted that it was even in question. "But surely I'm of more use here? I could tell you their vulnerabilities, their secret weaknesses!"

A tremendous boom rattled their bones, and everyone's heads snapped up to watch Validus put Dogstar through the wall yet again. "No offence, Quiz Queen," Truth Girl continued, "But this is the Fatal Five. We're going to be lucky if we can stay alive, we're hardly in a position to take advantage of any weaknesses these monsters might have."

"But--" the haughty girl attempted to protest.

"No, she's right!" Nightstone snapped. "The four of us, we can't operate on their level....there's a time for being a hero and there's a time when being a hero just gets you killed. Believe me, I know. But how are we meant to get out of here? There's no way those creeps are just gonna watch us waltz out! And we can't just leave the other Legionnaires here! We need some cover...we need..." Gia's voice trailed off and a sly smile creased her face.

"Well??" Quiz Queen demanded. "Spit it out then!!"

"Quiz Queen, Truth Girl; you two weren't the only ones I invited to try out here today," Nightstone explained as her eyes scanned the room. She found the object of her search, a very panicked young man scrambling away from emerald beams, plasma blasts and chunks of Validus-launched metal and plastic. He wore a simple blue leotard with matching gloves and boots, though very little remained of what had once been his pink high-collared cape. Nightstone cupped both hands to her mouth and shouted.

"Mirage Master! Get your nass over here!"

**********

While those with less aggressive powers plotted away, the Fatal Five had taken on the rest of the would-be heroes. Validus and the Emerald Eye were both quickly wearing Dogstar down, Sheranee was dancing her way around the Persuader's attempts to slice her in two, Sizzle was trading blasts with Tharok, and Slug shot low velocity inertron pellets to keep Mano at bay while Night Owl and the tall green man who'd since identified himself as Transposition Lad hid from misfired energy bolts behind Slug's indestructible form.

"Poor Prince K'rk," Night Owl fretted, unable to tear her attention away from the unconscious form of King Canary amongst the other Legionnaires. "These monsters best not have caused him serious harm!"

"Forget about King Canary!" Slug countered. "Slug and the rest of the applicants are not gonna be able to hold the Fatal Five off for long, the applicants need a plan!"

"If we could buy that Dogstar guy a second or two, I bet he could wrap this up!" Transposition Lad joined in. "Look at him, he's like if Krypto was a real boy! Krypto and Superboy together couldn't stand up to Validus and the Emerald Empress for long though!"

"I can blind the eye," Night Owl ventured. "I have faith that my shadows are more powerful than any demon's sight!"

"I'm liking your energy," Transposition Lad thought it through, "But I'm pretty sure you're the only other one of us who can fly...why don't you go do your darkness thing on Validus there, he'd just stomp on the rest of us. I can handle the Emerald Eye."

"Very well." Night Owl spread her wings, and as she did so her feathers turned an impenetrable black. She looked now like a living shadow of a bird, her only discernible detail her huge glowing eyes. "Good luck to you, boys."

"Oh, Slug isn't a--" Slug began to explain, but she was already gone so Slug switched their attention to their other new friend. "Can Transposition Lad really handle the Emerald Eye? The Emerald Eye is super powerful!"

"Can I handle the Emerald Eye?" Transposition Lad repeated in jest. "You just watch what I can do, my pronoun dodging pal!" His long neck craned as he panned from one part of the battle to another, waiting for the perfect opportunity to make his move. Then, just as the Emerald Eye of Ekron was about to fire on Dogstar again, the orb vanished with a sudden plink to be replaced by the Persuader's Atomic Axe. The Persuader's axe fell to the floor behind the Emerald Empress with a resounding clank, and a confused Sarya turned to see what had happened.

Meanwhile, the Persuader had been holding his axe overhead for one more strike against this annoyingly agile girl. He was as surprised as Sheranee when he found his hands suddenly gripping the Emerald Eye, and the Persuader's surprise turned to pain when the Eye unleashed the blast it had been building for Dogstar straight down upon him instead. Sheranee heard Slug and Transposition Lad release an exuberant whoop and realised they must have had something to do with this. "Thanks, boys!" she shouted across to them while the Persuader lay smoking and catatonic at her feet. "I always say one good deed deserves another, no?" Keeping the Emerald Eye in her peripheral vision, Sheranee swung to her left and unleashed a starbolt from one outstretched arm to blow Mano off his feet before he could progress any further through Slug's onslaught of projectiles.

Night Owl by now was circling Validus's head, trying to steel herself against his inhuman roars as she enveloped his monstrous cranium in the shadows trailing from her feathers.

"You're doing great, Night Owl!" Slug hollered. "Just remember, he's also got--"

"--psychic lightning!" Slug and Transposition Lad shouted at the same time.

As they spoke, Validus lashed out at the golden eyes peeking out from this sudden darkness and Night Owl felt as though her brain were on fire. With an agonised screech, she flipped backwards and spiralled down towards the ground.

Sheranee saw Dogstar speeding toward the falling owl and intercepted him. "You've got way more of a chance against this big boy than I do," she reasoned. "Let me take care of our wounded bird." She leaped up to catch Night Owl in both arms, and still somehow managed to roll in such a way as she came down to evade a blast from the Emerald Eye.

**********

While all of this was going on, Sizzle had found herself in a standoff with the Fatal Five's leader.

Tharok had been blasting her with his plasma cannon head-on for minutes now, and with every strike Sizzle had tried to find a way to turn it against him. Sizzle's gift was in converting energy from one form to another, but no matter what she chose it didn't seem to help. When she'd tried electricity, Tharok had mocked her for assuming he'd attack the Legion of Superheroes without being prepared for Lightning Lass or Lightning Lad. His robotic half's fire suppression systems rendered a flame assault useless. Turning Tharok's plasma into light or sound was equally useless because his robotic half was superbly defended from sensory overstimulation. Worse, he kept gaining ground...and Sizzle knew she had no way of dealing with the enhanced strength of his robotic half if he got close enough. She spared a quick glance to see if anybody was free to help her, but it seemed they were all equally as overwhelmed as she was.

Think, Teela! Sizzle chastised herself. She cast her mind back to not so long ago, when she was part of Takron-Galtos's resident superhero team the Workforce. That big nerd Magno must have put us through some kind of training routine where I couldn't affect someone with my powers... "That's it!" She snapped her fingers as Tharok increased the intensity of his assault once more and bathed her in white hot plasma. Effortlessly absorbing the exotic energy, Sizzle converted it into a tightly focused vibrational beam and pointed finger guns at the ceiling over the villain's head. It turned out that the panels above them were far less resistant to injury than the leader of the Fatal Five, and even as he realised what was happening Tharok was buried under a ton of plasteel.

"Enough!!" The Emerald Empress suddenly exploded. There was a brilliant green flash, and when everyone's vision cleared Sizzle, Slug, Transposition Lad and Sheranee found themselves hovering as stiff as boards within an emerald aura. Dogstar had powered through the dual assaults of the Emerald Eye and Validus, but even he was on his last legs now. Validus picked him up in one giant fist and slammed him with childish rage against the floor over and over until Dogstar was barely conscious.

"Can't Transposition Lad teleport out of here?" Slug hissed to their newfound friend beside them.

"My power doesn't work on myself and the Eye's resisting me after last time," the tall green hero explained quickly. "I can't just teleport things, Sluggo; I have to swap two things, or two...people..." A dopey grin crossed his face. "Everyone, this is either gonna be amazing or we're all about to die, so cross your fingers."

Transposition Lad forgot about trying to affect the Emerald Eye of Ekron itself and turned his attention to its mistress. While she was ranting about how she was going to slay the lot of them, he put his power into effect and

plink

suddenly Dogstar was standing where Sarya of Venegar had been; he staggered, but managed to stop himself from dropping.

More importantly, Validus now clutched the Emerald Empress in his three-fingered hand. Fortunately for her, the child-like villain had relaxed his grip significantly after bashing Dogstar into submission but he was still holding her tightly enough to crack ribs. The Empress screamed, and Validus dropped her in shocked confusion. Acting reflexively, the Eye released the heroes it had been holding and blasted Validus.

Validus flew into a mindless fury, trying to hit the Emerald Eye with his psychic lightning and thrashing out with his fists at the same time.

Tharok now finally pulled himself free from the wreckage that had buried him, and saw the chaos that had been unleashed. "These children are too untested!" Tharok's cybernetics amplified his voice. "We don't know enough about their capabilities....Empress, get us out of here!"

Another flash of emerald light blinded everyone temporarily, and then the Fatal Five were gone as quickly as they'd appeared.

Sheranee ran across to Dogstar and offered him a shoulder to lean on. "You poor thing, are you badly hurt?"

"I'm heavier than I seem, Miss," the Dalman hero swayed on his feet.

"And I'm stronger than I seem," the much shorter heroine responded as she grabbed his arm and draped it around her neck. "Now don't be silly, accept help when it's offered."

"Oh, grife!" Sizzle's eyes grew wide. "The Legionnaires! We better check on them, none of them have woken up yet!" She ran across to the nearest prone hero, but when she went to check Sun Boy's pulse she was surprised to find her hand pass straight through his throat.

"Is it...is it safe now..?" The air shimmered a few metres away and Mirage Master appeared before them. Simultaneously, the unconscious Legionnaires all shimmered into non-existence. "That Truth Girl...she really took charge and they carried the Legion out of here. They told me to stay here and cover them, they didn't want the Fatal Five to know the Legion had been taken to safety. But it's okay now, right?"

"Slug thinks it is!" the large gastropod beamed, their wide grin and elongated eyestalks giving them something of a comical appearance.

"So what do we do now?" Transposition Lad asked. "Do you think they'll be back? The Fatal Five I mean?"

"I doubt it." This was Truth Girl, coming back into the room through the secured doorway that Quiz Queen had found a way to bypass so that they could carry the injured Legionnaires out. "Because I think this simulation is over."

Truth Girl looked up at nowhere in particular with a knowing smile.

"Am I right, Kid Computo?"

**********

SOME TIME LATER

Standing before a majority of the Legion of Superheroes in their newly finished meeting room, Phantom Girl finished her speech. "...in closing, the Tryout Machine was an unqualified success. It enabled us to test potential recruits safely, without the participants suspecting that it was only a virtual environment...except for Truth Girl obviously, whose power to detect the truth in all things obviously goes way above and beyond just picking up on a criminal's white lies.

And that is as good a way as any to segue to our final item of business...I would officially like to welcome to the Legion of Superheroes Truth Girl, Dogstar, Sheranee, Sizzle, Slug and Transposition Lad. We're looking forward to many adventures together!"

While the rest of the Legion cheered and moved to congratulate their new teammates on their success, Dream Girl stayed in her seat with a worried expression and her hands clasped together tightly.

"You don't seem particularly happy, Dream Girl." Shadow Lass stood nearby, having sent Mon-El off on his own to meet the newcomers before her. "This whole thing was your idea, and Tinya practically moved the stars themselves to accommodate your prophecising. I'd have thought you'd be more satisfied, the Legion has six new members today."

"I know that," Nura replied tensely. "And I'm glad, Shady. I really am. But I hope these new kids are up to the task, because I had another vision during this meeting and soon...very soon...

...we're going to be fighting to protect time itself."

**********

EDITOR'S NOTES!
Apiaton has come up once before a loooong time ago in my fic, but all you really need to know about it is that it is home to sentient bug life

For most of the Legion applicants, this is their first appearance. These guys are the exception:
- DOGSTAR is from the planet Dalma where everyone looks like a humanoid dalmation. He has only popped up a couple times, but Element Lad was there for both of them. There's a more detailed writeup for Dogstar here
- MIRAGE MASTER and QUIZ QUEEN had a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance at the last Legion tryouts when Strut, King Canary, Crystal Kid and Gravity Kid joined the team
- NIGHT OWL is making her debut here and I didn't actually come out and say it in the text, but she's from King Canary's world if that wasn't obvious smile
- SIZZLE is of course the same Sizzle as in the Threeboot, although she has had a bit more of a weird career path in my fic - she also has a writeup here
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Terrific Tryout Machine! - 09/06/22 09:49 PM
ah I love crafty and sneaky Cham!

also love the deep dive into Durlan physiology!

Glorith and Verdant are being surprisingly cordial... why? and also callous. 3 worlds!!! though Apiation... bugs.. were they sentient?

nice checking in on the Academy kids! ah classic classroom gossip...

hah funny how everyone is unconsciously intimidated by Imra

Enigma Lass! whoa. so this is 89's surprise. floating seafoam and green... is this the Reboot Kinetix?!?! or maybe that Dominator girl they rescued from Revenant?

Whoa why did Chemical Kid leave??


applicants! whoa! nice cast here... love the creativity. hah nice seeing Dogstar again! an illusionist! Nature Boy... and seems Chinese inspired. darkness generator... ooh Sizzle came over! and the Golden Perfect, how did she gett that???


I love Tinya's intro. and how the Legion thought carefully about this, inviting and pre-vetting rather than just opening for everyone

ooh I like the Tryout Machine idea

haha love how Night Owl embarrasses King Canary

haha I love the trickery here, shades of that Reboot tryout where Umbra, Magno and Sensor made it. surprise and threaten the applicants to see how they react in danger.

some clever work here! Transposition lad rocks! and of course Dogstar is experienced

wow, Sizzle rocks too!


wow, Transpositino Lad rocks even more! and this Legion has no teleporter yet...

ah I am loving Truth Girl too!



whoa! 6 new Legionnaires, what an expansion! and all very deserving too... we get future Krypto, always nice to see a transplant from the Threeboot in Sizzle. Truth Girl and T-Lad earned their stripe for sure, Slug will be fun, and you got a half-Tamaranean - inspired by Harbi's Lexikon? wink glad I called it with T-Lad too wink



also cool of Truth Girl playing along! wow! cool power!

whew! Nura's idea huh... and protecting time itself!! whoa!!!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Terrific Tryout Machine! - 09/07/22 07:39 AM
First cab off the rank!

Glorith knows Cham isn't in a position to challenge her so she can afford to pretend to be nice (for now anyway...)

Enigma Lass will remain an enigma for a while I think, but we are gonna get some answers on Chemical Kid before too long!

Quote
the Golden Perfect, how did she gett that???

Very good question!!

Quote
you got a half-Tamaranean - inspired by Harbi's Lexikon?

And yeah actually! I've had the idea for Sheranee floating around for a while, but it never really occurred to me to make her an alien....Lexikon is such a cool character though she has rubbed off on me a bit! laugh

I actually do have profiles written up for all the newbies, but I'm not sure if I want to put them up in the Who's Who thread just yet or let you guys find out stuff about them in-story...let me know if y'all wanna see them, otherwise I might just leave it for now!

Also I realise I should probably have put some editor's notes in that one, I will go edit it now smile
Posted By: razsolo UPDATED ROSTERS! - 09/07/22 08:25 AM
It has been a while since rosters were updated, so let's go!

LEGION OF SUPERHEROES
Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Colossal Boy aka Gim Allon: growth powers
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn: magnetism
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Dogstar aka Rufus Remulus: Daxamite-level flight, strength, speed, durability, stamina, senses; solar vision
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: hyperevolution/devolution
Firecrest aka Staq Mavlen: weredragon
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunityInvisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Life Lass aka Somi Gan: matter animation
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: gravity negation
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Neon II aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Sheranee Shah: enhanced physical characteristics, night vision, solar-fuelled starbolts, tactile language absorption, animal empathy
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking
Sizzle aka Teela Spuunvll: energy conversion
Slug aka Kes Mtsto: inertron form and projectiles
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
Transposition Lad aka Kappa Snarrk: teleportational transposition
Truth Girl aka Oliv Hollowai: truth sense, carries the Golden Perfect
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

LEGION OF SUPERHEROES SUPPORT CREW
Dr Skorski: Team Physician
Jrey Lefen: Team Counsellor
M'Rissey: Business Manager
Marte Allon: Manager of Diplomacy
Trava Coruu: Communications Officer

LEGION ACADEMY
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: co-head; electricity generation and manipulation
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: co-head; telepathy

Amp aka Ming Sul: amplification of any power or characteristic
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Enigma Lass: ?
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: ability to bypass any man-made barrier
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Sojurn aka S'jn: interdimensional cephalopod; teleportation, telekinesis, telepathy
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: UPDATED ROSTERS! - 09/07/22 01:26 PM
49 Legionnaires, wow!

Am really digging the mix of "elevated" characters from canon (Nightwind, Infectious Lass, Dragonmage, Sizzle, Gravity Kid, Crystal Kid, Gas Girl...) + some very new and creative ones (Transposition Lad, also LOL at his surname Snark) , King Canary, Truth Girl, Strut...

re profiles, I would love to see them, but if you prefer to let us find out in-story am all for it! whichever suits you better as the writer and creator smile

saw your author's notes late: was Quiz Queen the entitled failed tryout candidate who was telling people to get off Nightstone's floating rock so the rest could escape? lol!

Also, again, really cool idea to have the Legion actively go and invite others to try out, I really love this idea, from a Human Resources standpoint it makes so much sense!
Posted By: razsolo Re: UPDATED ROSTERS! - 09/08/22 07:57 AM
Quiz Queen WAS the unbearably entitled person on Nightstone's rock!

Nightstone thought the potential usefulness of her power might overcome her awful personality but I guess they can't all be winners laugh
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: UPDATED ROSTERS! - 09/08/22 08:23 AM
haha I am loving Nightstone more and more. I love how she stayed conscious when all the Legionnaires were playing possum lol!

I wonder, would Nightstone potentially be considered a Support Crew member? she works for the Foundation, so it's a bit different, but...

it WAS pretty clear from the proceedings, that the 4 who didn't make it (Nature guy, Quiz Queen, Night Owl, Mirage Master) did so cause of personality, rather than usefulness of powers. Owl was too distracted by King Canary + didn't think tactically, Quiz Queen was sooo gosh darned entitled and would have dozens of Buzzfeed articles written about her today, and the other two just fell apart under pressure and had to be instructed tongue
Posted By: razsolo Re: UPDATED ROSTERS! - 09/09/22 07:47 AM
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
I wonder, would Nightstone potentially be considered a Support Crew member? she works for the Foundation, so it's a bit different, but...

I did think about that actually, but even with her referring applicants to the Legion it's more like that's just a facet of her work with the Foundation as opposed to her working directly to support the Legion; at some point we'll see it more in an actual story, but I like to think the majority of her work is seeing if people would be good fits for the Science Police on different planets or finding jobs where their kooky powers might actually be really useful instead of just weird, that kinda thing.

And I am glad you got the personality thing - I wanted to show that all the ones who made it onto the team have really good qualities outside of just their power in terms of leadership or teamwork or stuff like that smile
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: UPDATED ROSTERS! - 09/09/22 08:12 AM
ah, Nightstone is like a dispatcher/jobs placement person, got it smile

oh yeah for sure, the 6 who made it in all had great displays of teamwork, courage, ingenuity alongside their powers smile (Sizzle doing the indirect bit versus Tharok, Sharanee helping Dogstar and Night Owl, T-Lad's tactical brilliance , Truth Girl's leadership, Slug just being awesome, and of course Dogstar, etc...) so well done for making that clear!
Posted By: razsolo Lull - 09/19/22 12:18 PM
IN ORBIT AROUND MARS
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters, Slug's quarters


ROLL CALL
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy
Slug aka Kes Mtsto: inertron form and projectiles
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology
Transposition Lad aka Kappa Snarrk: teleportational transposition

"Thanks for helping Slug move in!" the Legion's first gastropod member addressed the other three Legionnaires here with them.

"We're buddies now, Sluggo!" Transposition Lad replied cheerfully as he deposited one of many sealed crates onto a growing pile in the corner of the room. "And buddies help buddies!"

"Besides which," Strut added, dumping two more crates on the pile. "I must say, it's lovely to have another non-mammal in the group!" The flamboyant insectoid swivelled immediately toward Neon and Transposition Lad. "No offence meant, you're both wonderful too of course!"

"Well, obviously." Neon rolled her eyes with a wry smile. "Slug, where do you want these?" A winding beam of emerald light snaked out from her ring finger to form a floating pallet which bore six more large crates.

Slug directed her to one of the wide open room's few empty areas, and Zoe gently lowered the crates. "You've sure got a lot of stuff...hey, how come half of these have Cosmic Boy's name on them? And Magnetic Kid? Who's Magnetic Kid?"

"You don't know who Magnetic Kid is??" Transposition Lad's jaw dropped.

"That's just Slug's memorabilia," Slug answered Neon a little self-consciously. "Souvenirs, things like that."

"Oh dear." Strut lowered two more limbs to the ground so that he could come down and meet Slug on their own level. "You're not heartbreakingly obsessed with Cosmic Boy, are you? Night Girl really doesn't strike me as the sharing type! Of course, you'll need to tell me about this other magnetic person before I know how much shock to feign."

"What? No!" Slug wobbled with laughter. "Cosmic Boy is just...well, Cosmic Boy is kind of Slug's hero, and so is Magnetic Kid. Magnetic Kid is Cosmic Boy's sibling...Magnetic Kid made the ultimate sacrifice during the Magic Wars."

"You two really don't know who Magnetic Kid is??" Transposition Lad persisted.

"Okay, I get it, we're bad superheroes," Neon replied. "But...why those two specifically? I mean Cosmic Boy's great and I didn't know Cos had a sibling who died, that's really sad. I'm sure Magnetic Kid was a great hero too, but--"

"Cosmic Boy and Magnetic Kid are from Braal," Slug explained, "Braal is a very poor world...like Slug's homeworld, Pseudatania. Slug always thought...if a Braalian could help form the greatest superhero team in the galaxy, and if another Braalian could follow in Cosmic Boy's footsteps...then maybe Slug could do something good too. Slug knows that probably sounds silly..."

"It certainly does not sound silly!" Strut chastised him. "We love a good inspiration story, darling!"

"And you're here now, right?" Transposition Lad added. "So it can't have been all that dumb!"

"Hey!" Zoe suddenly changed the subject. "Slug, Transposition Lad - actually, what's your real name? Transposition Lad is kind of a mouthful!"

"Kappa," Transposition Lad replied, then after a pause; "So, wait. You two know about the Magic Wars at least, right??"

Zoe waved the question away. "Speaking of magic...I was gonna check up on my friend Xao today anyway, he's heading to Khund territory. Slug, Kappa; you wanna meet two more Legionnaires?" She'd already created a large flat screen in various shades of green as her flight ring put a call through to Dragonmage.

The two new recruits eagerly agreed, and soon a green-tinted Dragonmage and Mysa Marvel appeared before them all. "Xao, Mysa! Strut's here with me, we wanted to introduce you to Slug and Transposition Lad!"

"Oh, uh...hello," a clearly distracted Dragonmage answered. "I'm very pleased to meet you both, but Zoe...this may not be the best time."

"Dragonmage is right, I'm afraid we'll need to call you back!" Mysa added quickly. "I hope you two are settling in well, sorry to cut this short!"

Dragonmage ended the signal, and Zoe was visibly taken aback. "Okay, that was weird..."

Meanwhile, an astronomical distance away, Xao Jin watched as the emerald beam that had piggybacked all the way here on flight ring subspace relays fizzled out of existence. Dragonmage traded an unsettled glance with Mysa Marvel, then both Legionnaires turned their attention to the Khund superteam standing before them in this rusted old airlock; Echo, Flederweb, an unfamiliar four-armed cyborg who was almost as large as the hulking Bloodclaw at his side, and their leader Firefist.

"Now," Firefist addressed the two Legionnaires smugly, "Where were we?"

**********

APIATON
Low orbit, on board a Legion Cruiser


ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Colossal Boy aka Gim Allon: growth powers
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference

Chlorophyll Kid had been 15 minutes away from Apiaton when his newfound bond with Verdant told him that she'd evacuated the humble little world. Remembering the devastation she'd wrought on Mardru, the Legionnaire had steeled himself for the worst. He was surprised to find that Apiaton's insectoid population had weathered the sudden explosion of plant life much better than Ral Benem's homeworld had. Of course there was still a tragic loss of life, and the Legion had spent a tiring three hours helping out where they could, but all of them were relieved that things hadn't been much worse.

Now that they were all finally back on board their vessel and taking a moment to recharge, Nightwind was checking in on the team she'd led here. She'd pushed herself hard today, using her wind powers to clear away enormous tree trunks as well as freeing the native population in more subtle ways when they'd found themselves trapped. Berta didn't want to appear weak in front of the other Legionnaires though, so she continued pushing herself to make sure everyone else around her was okay. She'd just come from the cruiser's small medbay where Colossal Boy and Elastic Lad were in good spirits after having accidentally inhaled a cloud of toxic Zuunian sporeroot earlier. Leaving Infectious Lass with the boys as they recovered, Nightwind made her way to the bridge.

Comet Queen and Chlorophyll Kid were sitting by one another in a quiet section of the bridge, talking in hushed whispers. Nightwind paused as she entered the bridge, giving them time to see her before she approached them. Berta was suddenly struck with an enormous amount of pride for her friend Grava; Comet Queen had always been so much more emotionally driven than anyone else Nightwind knew, and that made her seem childish. Berta hated to acknowledge her next thought, but she'd always wondered whether Grava would really be able to fulfil the obligation she'd taken on when she married Ral Benem. Here was Comet Queen though, going through the worst thing any parent could possibly go through, and Grava wasn't screaming or bawling or demanding attention; rather, she was doing everything she could to show her husband that they were in this together.

Chlorophyll Kid's weary face looked up toward Berta and she made her move. Steadying herself on Grava's shoulder, Nightwind squatted down to bounce on the balls of her feet beside the married couple. "Grava, sweetie...Chlorophyll Kid...is there anything at all I can do for you guys?"

"Hypernova gleaming of you to ask, starshine." With wet eyes, Grava forced a smile for her friend and placed one of her own three-fingered hands over Nightwind's. "But we just need to find our little sprout, you parse?"

"I can't imagine what it's like," Berta admitted. "For what it's worth, I think you're both doing an amazing job."

"We don't have a choice," Ral answered, his voice slightly hoarse. "What Ivy's done...this is incomprehensible. I just don't know how our little girl could wind up...could end up...you know..?" Berta took a breath to reply, but Chlorophyll Kid continued in an almost rambling tone. "What I don't understand is...why Apiaton? I thought she targetted Mardru just to get at me, but Mardru is light years away from here and nobody on the Legion has any ties to Apiaton at all...Apiaton is more attuned to nature than most planets in the UP...she didn't need to bring the Green to prominence here...it just doesn't make sense, you know?"

"Nightwind?" This was Star Boy, calling over from where he was seated at the comms console. "I have Phantom Girl, she wants to talk to you."

"Sorry, guys." Nightwind stood up again and laid a hand on both their shoulders. It seemed like an empty gesture, but she felt frustratingly powerless to do anything else. Making her way across to the other side of the bridge, she leaned against a railing to face a small floating hologram of her team's leader. "Hi, Phantom Girl. You got my report earlier?"

"I did, thank you Berta. How's Chlor doing?"

"Chlorophyll Kid?" Nightwind shrugged impotently. "He's doing better than anyone could expect, to be completely honest. But listen, something he just said has made me think...why would Ivy come to a planet so far away from Mardru to take it over with plant life as well? I mean, there's no connection between them. And there's no tactical benefit to doing really much of anything to Apiaton. It doesn't really make sense, but it also makes me wonder if--"

"--if this isn't going to be the last planet she does this to?" Phantom Girl finished.

"Yes, exactly!" Nightwind couldn't help but feel a little surge of validation that her leader had come to the same conclusion.

"I don't feel nice saying this because I know how emotionally and physically exhausted you all must be..." Tinya took a deep breath, "But we don't have time for any of you to be exhausted right now. Whatever planet Ivy Arcane is going to target next doesn't have time for that. I need Chlor to find out exactly where Ivy's going next and I need you to keep your cruiser's beacon beaming strong. I'm bringing backup to join you. We're going to find our friend Cham, we're going to stop this happening to another world, and one way or another...

...we're going to end whatever scheme Glorith and Ivy Arcane have planned."

**********

MARS
Husband Hill, Legion Academy's Arqiia Memorial Campus


ROLL CALL
Legion Academy
Amp aka Ming Sul: amplification of any power or characteristic
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Enigma Lass: abilities unknown
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: ability to bypass any man-made lock or barrier
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Sojurn aka S'jn: interdimensional cephalopod; teleportation, telekinesis, telepathy
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

Lightning Lad had left the classroom moments ago to attend his twin children's birthday party, and the Legion Academy students were saying their goodbyes to one another when Dragonwing had stopped them all.

"What's up, Marya?" Lullabye Lad asked.

"Hadru leaving is what's up," Dragonwing answered. "Kid Quantum, fine; she was only ever really slumming it with us till she wanted to go home to Xanthu anyway. But why the sprock would Chemical Kid quit the Legion Academy without telling any of us?"

"I do not know, Dragonwing," Variable Lad answered uncertainly. "But we need to respect his decision, do we not?"

"Oaa, never respect a stupid decision!" Dragonwing scolded her younger classmate. "He's not answering my calls, I think we need to go make sure everything's okay with him."

"I don't know, Marya..." Lullabye Lad ventured. "...Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad said they had a big heart to heart with him when he said he wanted to go back to his homeworld..."

"Yeah well, Saturn Girl doesn't actually use her powers on someone until there's no other option," Marya Pai replied bluntly. "Nobody knows Hadru better than us, I think we should go see him in person and decide for ourselves if he needs help."

"I agree," Amp piped up. "Key Kid and I have had our own experience with someone we trusted not being what they seem, I think if Chemical Kid is acting out of character then we should definitely investigate."

"Thanks Lallor, but you're not invited," Dragonwing retorted. "This is just for Hadru's friends. And Sojurn obviously, we need them to get to Chemical Kid's homeworld."

"I've been here longer than Sojurn has!" Amp shot back. "If they get to go, Miqui and I get to go!"

Variable Lad noticed that this whole time Enigma Lass had been silently watching them, and she was now slinking toward the doorway. He knew what it was like to be an introvert among these bombastic personalities, and he didn't want this mysterious newcomer to feel excluded before she'd even really had a chance to become a part of the group. "I think we should all go to Phlon," Variable Lad announced. "It will be a good opportunity for us to become more accustomed with our new friends!"

"Absolutely not," Dragonwing shut Variable Lad down. "Oaa, you're a good kid but--"

"Or I guess those of us you leave behind could just tell Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad what the rest of you are doing," Amp interrupted. "What do you say, Miqui?"

Taken by surprise, Key Kid shook his head. "Wait, what? We wouldn't--"

"Oh, sprock. Fine!" Marya fumed. "Sojurn; you can just teleport us all to Chemical Kid, right? Back to his homeworld Phlon?"

<I can transport us to Chemical Kid's location> Sojurn's ever calm telapathic voice projected to them all. <Should we advise our teachers of our intentions?>

"Grife, just do it!" Dragonwing snapped.

In response, the alien cephalopod extended their many limbs so that the rest of their class could make physical contact with them. An orange glow built up around Sojurn, and then the entire group vanished.

**********
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Lull - 09/19/22 02:27 PM
yay more good stuff!!

Cosmic Boy and Magnetic KID are... is this confirmation that Pol is alive and well? smile (I think I asked this before but I may have forgotten...!)

it's also funny that Slug and T-Lad are such Legion nerds, whereas slightly more tenured Zoe and Strut are just completely clueless about who poor Pol is!

ah ok, poor Pol is indeed dead! Wait, are you subtly hinting at some time shenanigans, cause I would expect Zoe and Strut to have seen the Hall of Heroes by now tongue and also that they don't know about the Magic Wars. is this a clue? smile

or does Slug just really use the present tense when it means past tense?

so cool that T-Lad is named Kappa. homage to our fellow LWer? or...

oh! uh oh, makes sense that Veilmist's earlier presence would draw Firefist and company over...

good to see the Legion doing some relief missions. And glad that many of the locals on Apiaton survived....

so sweet of Berta, recognizing how Grava is stepping up

and also loving the thinking-ahead bit (figuring out what Verdant's next target is) and everyone's determination to stop Verdant and Glorith at their next stop!

figures Marya would wanna check up on Hadru - but it IS very sus that he'd up and leave suddenly, and without telling anyone! and also Marya's insight that Imra wouldn't read Hadru's mind uninvited

"this is just for Hadru's friends!" lol at Marya!


so sweet of Variable Lad to think about Enigma!

lol at Amp's check-mating of Marya!

well, three nice cliffhangers here, raz! looking forward to what happens next!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Lull - 09/20/22 08:21 AM
Hi IB!

The Magic Wars still happened and Pol is sadly still quite dead....that whole scene was really more about Slug & T-Lad being huge nerds while Zoe & Strut are maybe just a tiny bit too self-involved to be spending a lot of time hanging around a creepy hallway full of dead people they don't know, although I see how you read it as dropping hints of something more now that I go back and look at it again smile

Kappa as a name it turns out is just a happy coincidence...I think I mashed some of those character names together from writer names in the old letter columns; I definitely got the idea for Transposition Lad's power from one of those reader-submitted character suggestions. I actually meant to drop another factoid about T-Lad in that scene and forgot about it, but that just means there is another fun thing to find out about him at some stage!

re Apiaton: I figured a bunch of bugs who already live in harmony with nature anyway would be less bothered by a bunch of plants popping up everywhere than an industrialised world of human-size people were...also, I like increasing the stakes for the big bad guys but I don't wanna go slaughtering half the galaxy every other month laugh

...It IS quite sus that Hadru just up and quit, isn't it? We will definitely find out what that was all about next time around, with bonus guest villains from some old-school Legion comics!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Lull - 09/20/22 09:34 AM
Hey raz thanks for clarifying, I love that I can pick your brain and hear directly from the creator re intent, instead of going round concocting my own fan theories lol

Yeah definitely, Zoe and Strut are def more self absorbed compared to TLad and Slug tongue

And I feel you re Apiaton, i always struggle with making villains a threat without killing too many innocents… as a writer i know that people die all the time, but I also like my bright and shiny future so… ;p

As always super looking forward to the next bit!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Lull - 09/27/22 03:26 PM
Raz, hi there, happy to see that you've been busy! I'll post my thoughts as I'm reading.

Tinya's scene with your new communication officer, Trava, highlighted how much she feels - the planet below has been virtually destroyed (certainly the human accomadating part to it) and one of her oldest friends hasvanished. Yes he's very capable and resourceful, but... I felt for Tinya in this small scene.

And speak of the Durlan... nice that he has the sense to bide his time before sneaking away, and they've managed to hammer another world already? Wow! That's very fast work! Show's just how powerful the two women are. Ah, watch out for those sleepy-plants Reep. Oh too late smile

Garth's thoughts were very sweet: guilt over something he couldn't control and listening to - and appreciating - Imra's advice. He's a good egg, isn't he?

89? Wow, that was a surprise, last time we saw her was against the Lallorian mutants wasn't it? Wonder what her surprise is? It must have something to do with either Winath or Mekt or the Academy or she's have approached a full Legionnaire.

Xao and Mysa Marvel - great combo! So, we're going to find out Harlacks last wishes then, fab.

it seemed caused more by bittersweet affection than grief - nice line!

Xao asking Mysa if she missed it - I want to know the same thing smile And you've dodged it with some action, haha.

Vista is too cool! Bye bye Xao, how can anyone stop her - unless perhaps they have a mirror?

Ah, that's hpw smile Xao is one of the most powerful Legionnaires if used right - from my very limited reading of him I didn't think he was in canon, so it's good to read your take on him Raz, show the boy some respect, he summons dragons after all!

He almost danced these dragonforms into creation - another tremendous line, creates a really nice picture!

Nice use of blood magic there by Scorn. She's a bad egg, so she is but I still find her fascinating.

Nice! Xao recovering enough to cast a real offensive spell. White Bat is sneaky, and pretty scary really. Good catch Mysa.

Funny how quickly Vista backs down when Mysa returned smile Didn't expect them to be after Harlack. Another mystery to tease us readers with laugh Great little scene, and nice mystery to leave us with.

Mysa's pragmatism at the end was very in character too, as the Witch she would often do things because it was the right thing to do, so it follows that as a Marvel she would too. And why does Vista seem so shocked? I can't remember if she's one of the Justice League from the future or not, though that was my first thought - she wanted to take out someone that'll cause problems in the future.

Great scene between Shady and Tinya, you really showed how close they are and how much they respect each other's opinions. I can see both sides of their POV regarding Chlorophyll Kid returning, though am glad that he has.

And new recruits? Yay! You teased that one of the characters in your who's who would become a Legionnaire - I vote for either Veilmist (twist, she was playing the Sisterhood all along) or Dogstar, as teams need more talking animals laugh

This is great but I'm runniing out of time Raz, sorry but I'll complete my reviews on Friday.
Posted By: razsolo Re: Lull - 09/28/22 08:03 AM
Hi Harbi! I am glad you like Vista, those girls are gonna be causing trouble again before too long! I dig the mirror idea, kinda wish I had a Reflecto on my team to see what would happen now! laugh

It is fun writing different magic users and coming up with ways to differentiate them, I don't really get to do it as often as you do with your guys!

You are pretty on the ball with a couple of your points as well, although I won't say any more on that as you'll probably get confirmation by the time I post my next instalment up!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Lull - 09/30/22 10:31 AM
Yeah,, hi, I'm back for more and looking forward to getting stuck in. Am writing as I'm reading this so here goes:

Really glad to see you're kicking off with Cham and while his attempt at subterfuge, listening in and figuring out his surroundings without giving away that he was awake was smart it was the throwaway line how his antennae operated on a subconscious level that was the winner - it's something I contemplated writing about but my version was a lot more convoluted and you've offered up an elegant solution, nicely done!

Baldaar doesn't have birdlife - and why should it, really? Again, a very simple answer that works well as it casually creates a bit more world building. Nice!

I'm confused by Glorith's motivation, other than being a psycho of course - but we knew that as anyone who wears those shoulder pads is probably a bit unhinged. Still, she's just Greenified her own homeworld... surely that would be the seat of her empire? Looking forward very much to finding out where you are going with this Raz.

"Oh thank the stars, Iron-Butt Imra's not here yet...I was sure I was gonna be late!" haha, we've all been there. I'm sad to see Jazmin leave, she's one of my fave characters. I have to try very hard not to write her into all of my stories haha. Enigma Lass? The Dominator that 89 freed? That's my initial guess though looking forward to seeing where you take this. And, great silver age plot, a mystery hero! Fab! And where's Chemical Kid? Your Hadru is a lot more heroic that the version I had (while still being a snot) so I actually kind of enjoyed reading his input into your stories.

Yay! Dogstar! I do adore him smile

What's the Golden Perfect?

Okay, after looking through the list some applicants would be more effective than others I think... Nice - Nightstone and the Bina Nawoti Foundation - great to see it again so quickly after introducing it. Giant slug? Oh... um, okay. And made of metal? What sort of slime trail do they leave behind? I always think that there should always be at least one Tamaranean Legionnaire so fingers crossed for that applicant - Queen Kori'ander? So she made it to the throne then? Nice way to casually drop in history to these characters that's news to us. And from your description I kind of picture her like Kory dressing up as Gypsy smile

Quiz Queen, she's just not going to make it, is she? I sort of hope she does just because she is so entitled and annoying, haha.

The Fatal Five? That'll be the test begun then, yay, let's go...

The Golden Perfect - Wonder woman's lasso? Ah, okay.

Truth Girl seems to be on top of this - can she tell it's a simulation? I'm assuming it is, anyway. "there's a time for being a hero and there's a time when being a hero just gets you killed. Believe me, I know." good line from Gia!

Nce use of teleportation, swapping the axe for the eye! I really like Sheranee already, she appears really upbeat and positive, as well as useful in a fight smile Though will she get a code name? And good use of Sizzle. Even under the pressure of the situation she figured out how to take out Tharok. "That big nerd Magno..." haha. Okay, good limit to Transposition Lad, he swaps things rather than just moves them. His name now makes perfect sense, I thought you were just using it as Teleport would be too literal laugh Nice switch with Sarya and Dogstar. Sheranee helping Dogstar up - great little moment, I really like her. Slug speaking in 3rd person is a nice little touch. Mirage Master - fail!

So before I get to the reveal, I think Transposition Lad, Slug, Truth Girl, Sheranee, Sizzle and Truth Girl all proved themselves and if you want to induct a large group they'll all make it as all showed adaptability, focus and fighting spirit when the chips were down. Six new members? Fabbo, that's a lot to fit into your already quite large team Raz!

And I called it smile Great bunch to add to your team, nice mix of powers, personalities and lots of potential new stories spinning out from them. "...we're going to be fighting to protect time itself." Typical Nura, when it isn't about her she has to bring the mood down laugh

To pick up on something IB said, I don't think there's too many similarities between Lexikon and Sheranee, as in my head canon Lexi is driven by duty not to have an adventure as I assume Sheranee appears to be. If you go back through the little bits I've dripped into Lexi's story she's pretty depressive really, feeling lonely as she does the job she's been sent to do. That's how I see her anyway.

I think you should hold off on the profiles until after you've established them a bit more.

Oh, and there's more! Double yay!!

And triple yay as it involves Strut! I love their every line, it's gold smile

Slug's obsession with Rokk and Pol is cute, though strut;s line about Lydda not sharing was great laugh Hilarious that Neon and Strut don't know the team's history - they are the two most self-absorbed members so that makes sense.

Mysa and Xao against a gang of Khunds? Wow, that was unexpected and sounds like it'll be fun.

You have given Berta a strong character, both kind and kick-ass, which is great. The acknowledgement that there's mre to Grava than the superficial was sweet, and her and Ral's reactions to Ivy's actions hasve been on point. "For what it's worth, I think you're both doing an amazing job." - well said Berta, nicely written Raz. So, Tinya knows what Ivy and Glorith are up to - ace, so will you tell us now? laugh Of course not. You do tease very well Raz.

I do love your Academy student class, they are brats, just like most classes probably (As someone involved in education I absolutely deny being serious there wink ) Marya is quite harsh, deciding who is Hardu's friend and who isn't, though nice to see her being cut down to size there. That's another storyline I'm hooked on to then.

This has been a great morning's read through Raz, other than I probably don't now have time to get to GLs fic today I've thoroughly enjoyed it. You are a master at carrying stories along without losing focus or tempo, bravo!

As ever, I'm waiting eagerly for more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Lull - 10/02/22 10:49 AM
Glad you're up to date, Harbi! Lemme address some of your points -

- Glorith's actions have been a bit weird, haven't they? The next couple of instalments should help with that mystery though wink

- Enigma Lass will also be...well, an enigma I guess...for the time being, but she is going to bring about a bit of a change in dynamic with the Academy kids that I am looking forward to writing out!

- looking back on it I probably should have made it more clear, but Slug is permanently in inertron form (so we're spared the probably gross question of what happens with their slime trail, as they no longer have one)

- admittedly I find Quiz Queen fun to write, so I'm sure she will pop up again sooner or later laugh

- good work on picking the new recruits!

- your comparison of Lexikon and Sheranee is very on the mark, and there are some other major differences that will come out as we get to explore Sheranee's background more - hopefully in the next one or two instalments I should get to address the codename question too! I was inspired by Lexikon to have someone of Tamaranean descent in the team, but I didn't want to just do a carbon copy character either smile

Quote
You are a master at carrying stories along without losing focus or tempo, bravo!
Thanks for this, I do worry sometimes that I have got too many plates spinning - especially when it's involving homemade characters or stuff that comes out of my own series continuity...a lot of plot threads are gonna be drawing to a close soon and then I think maybe it'll be time for another leadership election after that!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Lull - 10/04/22 09:21 PM
Looking forward to the Glorith storyline continuing and finding out what she's up to Raz, your villains are always fun.

I'm sure you'll drop loads of hints regarding Enigma Lass, and your student gang are always a treat so I'm along for that!

Quiz Queen, yeah fun but you don't want to spoil us too much now, do you? Haha, she really was so entitled and annoying.

I noticed that I guessed Truth Girl twice and did t mention Dogstar in my guess above, so 5 out of 6 isn't bad. I kind of assume Truth Girl will be an Amazon, or that mortal sub-set with the double barrelled name that I can't remember?

And Tamaranean Legionnaires should be obligatory really, shouldn't they? And gorilla's smile though as you've a canary, insectoid, and now a giant slug and a dogman in your team, and an octopus (kinda) at the academy you're doing okay for your animal quota really laugh

Spin those plates Raz, please keep them going. I'm always impressed how you do it and it always leaves me wanting more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Lull - 10/05/22 06:37 AM
I suspected you meant Dogstar instead of two Truth Girls, who wouldn't want a warm glowy Krypto on their team? laugh

Bana-Mighdall and Themyscira are both good guesses for someone carrying Wonder Woman's lasso around!

And I love a good gorilla but I don't think I could top Solar Gorilla or Laser Ape! smile
Posted By: razsolo How Hadru Got His Groove Back - 10/06/22 10:59 AM
PHLON
The estate of Fil and Hadru Jamik


ROLL CALL
Legion Academy
Amp aka Ming Sul:
amplification of any power or characteristic

Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Enigma Lass: abilities unknown
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: ability to bypass any man-made lock or barrier
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Sojurn aka S'jn: interdimensional cephalopod; teleportation, telekinesis, telepathy
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

A flash of orange light heralded the arrival of the students of the Legion Academy to the sprawling estate where Hadru Jamik lived with his father Fil. At least on this part of Phlon it was sunset, and the sky was a brilliant indigo and red gradient above the students. Perfectly maintained Phlonian blue lawns sloped upwards gently to the left to a cliffside view of one of the planet's great oceans, and to the right sat the stylish glass-enclosed Jamik residence.

Key Kid exhaled a long whistle of air. "Chemical Kid's family must be loaded, huh? Real estate like this would go for bazillions of credits back on Lallor!"

"Hadru's dad is some big shot scientist," Lullabye Lad explained. "Mr Jamik was the one who gave Hadru his Chemical Kid powers in the first place."

"Thanks for the lift, Sojurn." Dragonwing took a step away from the brightly colored cephalopod who'd teleported them all here. "Waiane, Oaa; you two are with me. Let's go see if Hadru's home."

<Dragonwing, what actions do you require next from Amp, Enigma Lass, Key Kid and myself?> Sojurn asked telepathically.

"Just sit tight," Marya replied.

"Are you kidding me?" Amp protested. "We didn't travel whole star systems away to sit tight!"

"Look, we want Chemical Kid to open up to us," Dragonwing explained. "To tell us why he quit the Academy without even saying goodye...he's gonna feel more comfortable talking to me and Lullabye Lad and Variable Lad than he is the whole class; sprock, he doesn't even know Enigma Lass."

"I...don't want to cause a fuss," Enigma Lass spoke cautiously, her face hidden beneath her yawning hood.

"See?" Marya Pai shrugged. "She gets it! Just stay out here and enjoy the view, we'll come find you again once we've softened him up a bit!"

"Whatever." Amp folded her arms across her chest crossly. "We're not going to just stand around here and wait forever though, so hurry up."

"Yeah yeah, keep your latex on." Dragonwing gathered Lullabye Lad and Variable Lad to her and the three made their way toward Chemical Kid's extravagant home.

With so much of the house's exterior made of glass, Hadru saw them coming long before they even reached the swimming pool outside his back door. Curious, he walked out to the back porch to meet the trio who'd recently been his schoolmates. "What are you guys doing here?" he greeted his friends, slapping his palm into each of theirs. Though he was wearing a casual outfit, even Hadru Jamik's regular style evoked the costume he'd worn until weeks ago as Chemical Kid. His signature holospecs were perched as ever on the bridge of his nose.

"Sure, it's good to see you too!" Lullabye Lad poked his tongue out.

"I hope we are not disturbing you, Hadru." Variable Lad's disproportionately large head wore a self-conscious expression. "Saturn Girl told us that you weren't coming back to the Legion Academy, and Marya thought--"

"What the sprock, you batjerk?!" Dragonwing punched Hadru in the arm. "You weren't even gonna tell us you left?"

Hadru rubbed his arm with a mild pout. "Maybe I was trying to avoid this! Grife...save it for the bad guys, Marya."

"No, but seriously," Dragonwing persisted, "We deserve better than that! Gravity Kid and Kent; they made it to the Legion. But after what happened to Fire Lass and Glorith...and with Kid Quantum back on Xanthu...the four of us right here are all that's left of our class, you know? I can't believe you just abandoned us."

Hadru Jamik sighed. "Things got too real, Marya. I...I don't really wanna talk about it, but I don't think I belong at that school anymore. After Xerox..."

A crashing noise from inside the house somewhere accompanied by a yelp of surprise caught the attention of the four neophyte heroes. Variable Lad glanced up toward where they'd left their other classmates, but even in the brief time it had taken them to walk down here it had become too dark to see the others back where they'd been left to wait. "Marya..?" Oaa Tseldor asked uneasily.

"My dad must have had some dumb accident," Hadru rolled his eyes. "He's the only other one here; come on, I might as well introduce you now you've come all this way."

Lullabye Lad followed Variable Lad's gaze into the night, and he was about to say something when Dragonwing interrupted him.

"Yeah...yeah Hadru, let's meet your dad." Marya Pai wasn't sure what instinct it was that bade her to keep the presence of the others a secret but she was glad of it when she, Oaa and Waiane followed Hadru through his immaculate home to the entrance hall at the front of the building. For there to meet them was a massive orange-skinned bruiser who looked like a Durlan on steroids, a muscular bald human man with an oversized mace clutched in one hand while Hadru's unconscious father Fil dangled unceremoniously from the other, and finally a young woman with predatory black eyes and a shock of bright blue hair exploding back from her scalp behind a red headband.

The young woman gave the shocked teens a smile as though she were sizing up her next meal, then her beady black eyes came to focus on Hadru Jamik.

"Well well well...if it isn't just who I came here to see..."

**********

DISPUTED TERRITORIES
Kraken of the Void Tavern


Since the Sisterhood of Sin had hospitalised and murdered a room full of people here recently, this filthy bar on the asteroid-heavy border of the Khund Empire had been consistently empty. So it was that the woman named Scorn found herself one of only five other people here, and one of those other people was currently passed out in a booth by the front door.

Scorn didn't react when she heard the door of the dimly lit tavern open, but she took the opportunity to catch the attention of the tattooed Khund bartender with a raise of her glass.

"Another one," she barked at the muscular yellow-skinned man, then she drained her glass as he poured her a new one.

"You're slamming those down," the bartender gave her a greasy smile. "I like a woman with a good appetite."

"Don't flatter yourself," Scorn retorted with almost a sneer. "You wouldn't survive my appetites."

The bar's newest patron perched herself on the stool nearest Scorn. "Not a fan of beer myself, I'll have a Sklarrian Gin and Tonic. You have Sklarrian Gin in this dive, I take it?"

Scorn instantly recognised the newcomer's voice and turned to face her while the bartender slammed the second drink on the bar and muttered something about undeserving women.

"What are you doing here, Vista? I thought the debacle with those two Legionnaires would have been enough humiliation for you."

Vista ignored Scorn's question. "You know, this is where the Sisterhood recruited Veilmist! What a coincidence to find you here as well!"

"My patience will not last as long as this ale," Scorn scowled at the much smaller woman. "Out with it."

"That's what I respect about you, Scorn." Vista sipped her beverage and screwed her nose up at the taste. "You're straight to the point. Listen, I know that we all decided to part ways after finding out we missed our chance to slay Harlack but I've considered the matter at length, and...there's something I need to tell you, something that we perhaps could have shared earlier. We never told you why we wanted to kill Harlack."

"Yes, you did." Scorn frowned. "You told me that you, Nimbus and White Bat hail from the future, that Harlack will be...was...Demon Mother, how I hate time travel...that in the future you come from, Harlack opposes the Sisterhood of Sin."

"There's more to it than that," Vista answered. "Scorn, in the future that we come from...you recruited us into the Sisterhood of Sin. You and Veilmist convinced us very easily to join you in a quest to summon an all-powerful Khund deity who would have granted each of us anything we could desire. Harlack somehow found out about this quest, and he murdered us before we could complete it. Well, he murdered Nimbus, White Bat and myself at least...I have no idea how you or Veilmist came out of our encounter."

"That tale is nonsensical," Scorn said. "How could you have died then when you're here in front of me now?"

"Because Earth-Man plucked us from moments before our death to join his Judgement League. And if it were just the three of us, then perhaps I wouldn't have been so eager to believe his story about our demise but every person he recruited for that group was also saved from their own doom. Why should the three of us be any different? Knowing that, we thought that rather than waiting decades for you to come round to the idea perhaps we could recruit you and Veilmist this time around and kill Harlack in the here and now before he gained the experience to really be a threat to our plans." Vista paused to take another sip of her drink, shuddering involuntarily; she really couldn't get used to how bad this bar's gin was. "The news of Harlack's death shook us because...well obviously this changes our timeline dramatically, perhaps even destroys it. But once we had a chance to think about it....we were going to kill him ourselves anyway, this just means we can go look for your god now without any opposition at all!"

"Therein lies the other flaw in your story." Scorn finished her beer, belched and stood to leave. "There are no Khund gods, woman. There is only the Demon Mother. Do not waste your new lease on life tracking me down again."

"Is that so?" Vista asked calmly, watching Scorn walk away. "Something tells me your Demon Mother didn't birth her children through the wonders of reproductive technology, so it seems to me that a Demon Father must have been in the mix at some stage...and the Scorn I knew had spent the last three decades of her life searching for him before she ever founded the Sisterhood of Sin."

Scorn stopped in her tracks, and a devious smile found its way to Vista's lips...

**********

KHUND SPACE
The Major Challenge Court of Khur'kliin


ROLL CALL
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage

Xao Jin was oddly grateful for the presence of the Khund warrior Flederweb beside him. Flederweb was technically his enemy, and Xao didn't overly appreciate the man's dry fatalism, but everybody else in this crowded arena was at least twice Dragonmage's size and many times more intimidating.

Khur'kliin was one of the smaller worlds of the Khund Empire, and only a few Challenge Courts dotted the world's sparsely populated continents. Even so, there were easily more than a hundred Khunds gathered around this flat arena, most of them scarred from their own battles and carrying various weapons if they weren't cybernetically enhanced for combat themselves. A roar rose up among the crowd as one of their own champions struck a blow against today's enemy, and Dragonmage involuntarily flinched.

"You're a mousy one for a superhero," Flederweb spoke in a bleak voice from behind his full facemask. Flederweb had been the first one to fall in combat today, perhaps a little too readily against an opponent he knew he had no hope against. Flederweb was sure that Firefist would take that out on him later, but for now he found dark contentment watching his opponent humble the rest of his team.

Dragonmage took a moment to frame his words in a way that wouldn't cause offence. "It's just that...where I come from, violence is something to be carried out when there's no other option. I understand that your culture views that differently, it's just a little jarring to experience."

Flederweb gave a hollow chuckle. "It's not my culture, witch boy. Besides....I don't think your friend finds this as jarring as you do, hmmm? Nutrient pack?" His thin bony fingers extended a plastic pack with an attached straw toward Dragonmage.

Xao watched Flederweb insert his own straw into a specialised port in his facemask and the teen sorceror tried to hide his revulsion at the ghastly slurping sound which came next. "Uhh, thank you very much...but no. Thank you." The crowd around him bellowed its disapproval this time, and Dragonmage turned back to see Bloodclaw sprawled out on his rear end in the middle of the arena thanks to his teammate Mysa Marvel. It seemed strange to admit it, but he thought Flederweb might have a point...

...Mysa really didn't seem to be having a bad time out there at all.

**********

Mysa Marvel had been prepared for this confrontation since before she'd even started her journey.

The Legion of Superheroes' Manager of Diplomacy Marte Allon had arranged for Mysa Marvel and Dragonmage's safe passage through Khund space to Harlack's homeworld Khur'kliin, but there was a price to be paid. The Khunds had heard about Mysa Nal's recent transformation, and they wanted the chance to test their finest warriors against her and gain some familiarity with her capabilities in the process. Marte had expected it to be a hard sell with the little she remembered about Mysa from her time as the White Witch, but Mysa hadn't taken any convincing at all...and now that Mysa Marvel was here in combat against the Demon's Claw, she was surprised to discover just how much she was enjoying herself.

Bloodclaw recovered quickly enough from Mysa's last punch, and he came charging at her with his vibro-claws flashing in the artificial lights of the Challenge Court. At the same time, the Demon Claw's newest member Strongarm came up behind Mysa with surprising speed and used all four cybernetic arms to grip Mysa's own arms. Strongarm was a hulk of a man, and his fists almost engulfed Mysa's whole arms. He was leaving Mysa unable to protect herself from Bloodclaw's strike and it would have been a good tactic if he'd not underestimated her strength. She needed to actually exert a little effort this time around; Strongarm was almost as strong as a Daxamite. But with a satisfied grunt, Mysa crossed her arms down before herself and ducked forward, throwing the massive cyborg overhead to bowl him into his oncoming teammate.

A barrage of bullets and plasma came next, the team's leader Firefist blasting Mysa with everything he had. He'd been the first to attack Mysa when their battle had started, and he'd already seen that he didn't have the raw power to hurt her. Mysa knew that there must be some other reason he was opening fire once more, but before the wisdom of Solomon could determine that reason she found out in a much more painful way. As loud as Firefist's armaments were, the blue-garbed Echo now used his own power to amplify that sound in a directed sonic assault straight at Mysa Marvel. The wall of vibratory force staggered her and left her ears ringing for a moment.

Firefist didn't miss a beat. He'd been cycling through his payloads while Echo acted, and now he unleashed a grenade-like capsule at the distracted heroine. The thin casing shattered against her invulnerable skin, and Mysa found herself surrounded in a cloud of sickly green gas. Mysa dropped to one knee, and for one promising moment the Demon's Claw thought they might actually be able to beat this accursed woman.

That hope was dashed when Mysa slammed both fists into the surface of the arena. The shockwave rippled outwards, knocking the Khunds off their feet and leaving both Firefist and Echo dazed. She dashed to Firefist's side while Bloodclaw and Strongarm were climbing to their feet, and in a flash of motion she ripped off and discarded every external weapon Firefist had attached to himself. "Perhaps you should ask your team to stand down?" Mysa asked sweetly, holding the bearded man up in one hand where her grip deformed his chestplate. "Or shall I start on the more securely attached components next?"

Firefist growled his assent, and the mob of Khund spectators were deafening in their protest. Mysa quickly made eye contact with Dragonmage to make sure he was okay, then she lowered Firefist to the ground and he grudgingly shook her hand.

Mysa was gracious in her victory, but inside she was ecstatic. She definitely wasn't having a bad time at all...

**********

PHLON
The estate of Fil and Hadru Jamik


ROLL CALL
Amp aka Ming Sul: amplification of any power or characteristic
Enigma Lass: abilities unknown
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: ability to bypass any man-made lock or barrier
Sojurn aka S'jn: interdimensional cephalopod; teleportation, telekinesis, telepathy

In no time at all Amp, Key Kid, Sojurn and Enigma Lass had lost interest in waiting for their fellow classmates to return (the impatience was mainly Amp's to be honest), and they'd followed the sounds of crashing waves to a clifftop nearby.

Amp and Enigma Lass sat on the edge of the grassy cliff while Sojurn hovered nearby. Key Kid stood a couple feet behind them all; he admired the silvery sea as much as any of them, but after his recent experience on Vavalla he was happy keeping his distance from it as well.

"Phlon is so beautiful!" Enigma Lass exclaimed breathlessly, craning her neck up to watch the planet's three moons overhead before she cast her gaze over the vastness of the sea below. "I have not seen the ocean until now...and so many moons!"

"You haven't seen an ocean before?" Key Kid pulled a face. "Where are you from that there's no oceans??"

"Don't be rude," Amp chided the boy she thought of as a little brother. "It's not like we'd ever seen an ocean in real life till we joined the Heroes of Lallor, Miqui."

Behind her featureless mask Enigma Lass struggled for an answer, and she was quietly grateful when Key Kid found a new interest almost immediately.

"Does this make you homesick, Sojurn?" Miqui Ver asked. "Seeing the ocean, I mean?"

<I fear I do not understand this expression> the blue and yellow octopus answered, <Is it normal for indigenous species here to become unwell away from their homes?>

Key Kid leaned back laughing, though there was no malice in it. "No no, homesick doesn't mean you're actually sick, it's...help me out here, Ming!"

"Homesickness is like..." Ming Sul thought of the homeworld from which she'd been exiled, and a pang of homesickness hit her as she spoke. "It's like when somewhere reminds you of the place you feel is your home and you remember that you miss it."

<Is this what you feel right now?> Sojurn asked her. <A sort of wistful sensation emanates from you, Amp>

"A little, yeah." Her expression tight, Amp looked away from the extradimensional alien. She knew that it wasn't Sojurn's fault they picked up on strong psionic emanations, it was just the way they communicated...it still felt a little invasive sometimes though. "Hey!" she changed the subject rapidly, hoping that Sojurn hadn't picked up on that last thought. "What's taking those nassheads so long anyway? I think we should go find them, what do you guys say?"

"It is starting to cool down a little..." Key Kid hugged himself.

"Settled! Sojurn, can you take us around the front of Chemical Kid's house though? We don't know his dad, I don't want to just barge on in."

Sojurn agreed, and once the other three had taken hold of a tentacle they all disappeared in a flash of orange light.

Once stars stopped exploding in their eyes, they saw that they'd arrived in an immaculately maintained front garden. Straight away they knew that something was very wrong though; the charred remains of a security device was still smoking where it had been attached to the roof, and the front door to the house had been shattered inwards with debris littering the polished entrance hall.

"This doesn't look good, guys." Key Kid surveyed the damage, his eyes wide as saucers. Automated flood lighting activated, and they all suddenly felt very vulnerable.

"This way!" Amp hissed. She led them all behind a dense hedge, confident that even a floating yellow octopus covered in blue diamond-shaped markings could remain hidden here for a little while at least. "Sojurn, can you reach out to the others?" she asked. "Find out if they're okay?"

<I apologise> Sojurn responded. <My telepathy is extremely limited compared to that of Saturn Girl or Tellus. I have not the range to communicate with anybody outside of my immediate area, Amp>

"Well then," Amp gave Sojurn a cheeky grin, though it occurred to her as she did it that a being without a face might not even recognise the expression. "Lucky you've got someone here who can help with that, huh?"

**********

Fil Jamik was indeed what Lullabye Lad had referred to as "some big shot scientist". He had a basement laboratory that was almost as large as the home above it, and it was on the floor of this lab where Fil was restrained alongside Dragonwing, Variable Lad and Lullabye Lad right now. Fil's son Hadru Jamik, the once and former Chemical Kid, was strapped into a contraption nearby where a daunting number of syringes hovered waiting to be fed into his helpless form. They had been rendered unconscious so they could all be brought down here, but they'd come around by now and they were all listening to the blue-haired woman they'd come to know as Alchemical Girl gloat. Her goons were named Black Mace and Shagrek, and the two of them had apparently once been members of something called the Taurus Gang. This meant nothing to any of the kids, a fact which Marya was pleased to notice annoyed the men greatly.

"So I guess you've all figured it out by now, but little Hadru wasn't the only one to benefit from his daddy's talents with genetic engineering," Alchemical Girl monologued. "Hadru ran off to join the Legion Anklebiter Brigade as Chemical Kid, and when Dr Jamik here racked himself up some nasty gambling debts it occurred to him that he could recover some of that money by selling those same powers to the highest bidder; yours truly. I love my new powers, I really do, but I'd love them much more if they were enhanced with Chemical Kid's. Imagine...I could affect whole crowds of people, depower Science Police squads in one fell swoop! I had planned on bringing these two big bruisers with me to force Dr Jamik to summon his kid home, so imagine my surprise when we get here and Chemical Kid's already waiting for us served up on a platter!"

"Don't you touch my dad again--" Hadru began.

"Or what?" Alchemical Girl gave a sharp laugh. "You won't have any powers left soon to do anything about it, kiddo. And if your daddy here doesn't do exactly what I want, I'll just kill you. It's not like he needed that loser Chemical King alive to give both of us his powers, right?" Black Mace had a sinister sneer at this, and Shagrek barked an ugly laugh.

Dragonwing was about to lose her temper when she suddenly heard Sojurn's voice in her head. From the look on Lullabye Lad and Variable Lad's faces, she thought they'd heard it too. Fortunately, the villains all seemed too focused on Chemical Kid and his father to notice any change in anybody else's expression. <Amp is amplifying my ability to communicate telepathically> Sojurn explained. <What has transpired, fellow students? We have seen the damage to the Hadrik family's residence>

Bad guys have taken Hadru's dad hostage! Marya projected.

And beat all of us up and put us in these manacles! Lullabye Lad added.

And one of them has the same powers as Chemical Kid and wants to steal Hadru's powers to augment her own! came Variable Lad's thoughts.

There was a minute of silence that felt far longer than it actually was, and then Sojurn was in their skulls again. <Amp has asked me to enquire; do you think that all of us combined have the necessary combination of powers and skills to defeat these "bad guys" and rescue Chemical Kid's progenitor?>

We could have done it ourselves if we weren't taken by surprise! Marya returned. There are only three of them!

<Very well> came Sojurn's placid reply. <We have a plan>

What is it? Dragonwing thought. Sojurn? What's your plan? Sojurn??

The alien's presence was unmistakably not there anymore though, and Dragonwing found herself frustrated to be the one waiting for someone else's scheme to come to fruition for once.

The sound of a crashing window upstairs abruptly caught everyone's attention, and Alchemical Girl made her way toward the stairs. "Black Mace, Shagrek, come on; bring Dr Jamik with you."

"I can go investigate that," Black Mace volunteered. "You and Shagrek should stay here with the brats. I don't think it's a good idea to leave them all down here on their own."

"I'm not paying you the exorbitant amounts of credits that I am for you to have ideas," Alchemical Girl countered coolly. "They won't do anything while we've got the life of Chemical Kid's father in our hands, and if the Legion have come to rescue their babies then we can use him as a hostage to get out of here in one piece. Now come on, both of you."

Black Mace and Shagrek exchanged a dissatisfied glare, but they fell into line and soon the teens were on their own down here.

Soon after, Sojurn's telltale orange light filled the laboratory and Sojurn arrived along with Amp and Key Kid.

"That sprocking flash!" Dragonwing hissed under her breath. "You're never gonna make the Legion Espionage Squad, Sojurn!"

"You're welcome for the save," Amp said dryly. She and Key Kid had covered their eyes this time around to protect themselves from exactly this side effect, and they now set to freeing their classmates. Amp saw Key Kid going for Lullabye Lad and stopped him. "No, Miqui - Sojurn's telekinesis and my amplified strength can handle everyone else's manacles, you figure out how to get Chemical Kid out of that weird contraption!"

"Done!" Key Kid cracked his knuckles and wiggled his fingers as he approached Chemical Kid's restraints.

"What was that crashing noise?" Dragonwing demanded as Amp's enhanced strength ripped her bonds apart. "Where's Enigma Lass?"

"Who's Enigma Lass?" Hadru asked.

"That noise was Enigma Lass!" Amp replied. "She's buying us some time to rescue you guys!"

"Who's Enigma Lass??" Hadru repeated as voices were raised upstairs.

"You left Enigma Lass out there alone?!" Variable Lad gasped.

"Those guys will kill her, she's tiny!" Lullabye Lad chimed in.

"Who the sprock is Enigma Lass?!" Hadru shouted.

Amp shushed Chemical Kid as she and Sojurn finished freeing Variable Lad and Lullabye Lad. "You'll meet her soon! She's a new student and this whole thing was her idea, she said she'd be able to keep those supervillains distracted while Sojurn brought the rest of us here."

"She was almost right." A gruff voice came from the stairs, and everyone looked to see Black Mace, Shagrek and Alchemical Girl re-enter the room with Fil Jamik in tow. "You ain't gonna get to meet her though, kid. She was a stubborn little fem, but we got her in the end."

Shagrek gave Alchemical Girl a filthy look. "We should have stayed here, Black Mace was right! This is your fault!"

"Oh, calm down." Alchemical Girl sighed. "They're children, just kill them like you did the one outside. We only need Jamik and his son; actually, maybe save one of the others...it never hurts to have another hostage."

Chemical Kid only had his legs free, but with the way he was tilted he could still see everything that was happening in the room. Sojurn! he mentally shouted as loud as he could. Get my dad out of here as soon as you can!

<I understand> Sojurn replied, before turning their thoughts to the best way to reach Fil Jamik with three supervillains in their way.

"You better not really have killed Enigma Lass!" Amp snarled. Her strength was still enhanced and she charged straight at Black Mace, emitting a surprised yelp when she bounced off of his barrel chest and ungraciously knocked over a table full of scientific instruments on her way down.

"Kid, I've fought Timber Wolf one on one. I dunno what you thought you were gonna do." Black Mace held his signature weapon overhead to bring it down on Amp but before he could swing it forward, Dragonwing hacked a nasty green spitball at the weapon's shaft and dissolved it with her acid venom. The head of the mace thumped its master's bald head and then hit the ground with a loud thunk. Even now, Black Mace looked more angry than hurt though.

"How sprockin' tough is this guy?" Marya complained.

"It doesn't matter," Lullabye Lad said. "I didn't get a chance to do this before that batjerk clobbered me before, but even tough guys gotta sleep." Waiane Wentim brought his own power to bear, and Black Mace collapsed like a sack of wheat.

While all this was going on, Shagrek and Variable Lad had engaged one another in combat. The grotesque villain's twin antennae blasted destructive energy beams, but Oaa Tseldor had taken on a form which looked something like an elongated man made of aluminium foil. Oaa reflected Shagrek's energy beams back at the villain while simultaneously wrapping himself around the orange brute. Never the brightest spark, Shagrek continued blasting as he roared in impotent fury. He was somewhat resistant to his own power so he only suffered burns rather than disintegration, but it didn't take long for him to zap the fight out of himself. He fell limp in Variable Lad's arms, and Oaa lowered him to the ground while still keeping a watch on his deadly antennae.

Sojurn had seen their chance to fulfill their own assigned task while Black Mace and Shagrek were occupied with the other students, and though Alchemical Girl tried to stop Sojurn her power was all but useless against an opponent whose physiology was completely foreign to her. She was reduced to beating her fists against Sojurn while their orange glow intensified and delivered themself and Fil Jamik from danger.

"That's it!" Alchemical Girl screeched. "I am done with you annoying snot-nosed little punks! I'll release so much damn adrenalin into your systems your hearts will explode! Wait! Why isn't it working?!"

"We've got the same power," Chemical Kid answered her now that Key Kid had freed him from the machine, "But you haven't been trained by the Legion of Superheroes in using it. I'm countering you..and now, if I can step on Lullabye Lad's toes for a nano, time for you to go nighty-night." Hadru refocused his concentration, and seconds later Alchemical Girl's metabolism slowed to the point that she simply passed out from exhaustion.

"I'm glad that's over!" Hadru released a long whistling exhalation. "And believe me, I'm gonna have words with my dad about this Alchemical Girl fem! But that other girl you mentioned, Enigma Lass...do you think she's really..."

"...I am fine, thank you." Enigma Lass appeared at the bottom of the stairwell. She seemed utterly unharmed, and even her costume was more or less intact. "You must be Chemical Kid, I am pleased to meet you." Two male Science Police officers came downstairs alongside Enigma Lass, several more SP droids in tow.

The verbal barrage began immediately.
"Enigma Lass, are you hurt?"
"Why did they think you were dead?"
"What did they do to you?"
"How did you keep those guys distracted outside before?"
"Is your costume repairing itself? That's so cool!"
"How did you get the SP here so quick?"

"Woah woah, kids..." The lead Science Police officer held up his hands. "One at a time, huh? We were already on our way here after surveillance picked up the damage to Dr Hadrik's property, your pal Enigma Lass here just met us out the front and filled us in as much as she could. I don't know exactly what happened before we got here, but it's a war zone up there. The SP will take care of these creeps now though, don't you worry about that." As the droids moved to place restraints on the unconscious villains, the two officers started taking statements from the gathered teens.

While the SP were still occupied with Amp and Key Kid, Dragonwing took Chemical Kid aside. "...So you're coming back with us, right? I mean you just saved all of us from Fashion Victim Lass over there!"

Chemical Kid glanced away. "No, Marya. I...I'm staying here with my dad. I told you, I don't belong at that school anymore."

"What the sprock are you talking about?" Marya raved. "Why wouldn't you belong there??"

"Because...because Lightning Lad was right, don't you get it? He was so mad at me for making a mockery of Chemical King's legacy and he said I was gonna get me and my friends killed, and I nearly did!"

"He was mad at you because he was possessed by that anger demon or whatever those Seven Sins are," Dragonwing countered. "Polar Boy wanted to sell me into slavery, I'm pretty sure those Legionnaires weren't saying stuff they meant, Hadru."

"Maybe, maybe not..." Chemical Kid shrugged. "...But he wasn't wrong either. I have treated being in the Academy like it's a game. I've acted like I'm too good for the Legion's rules. Chemical King sacrificed himself to save Earth, and here I am using his powers to sober us up quicker when we sneak out to get drunk! I don't deserve to be at that Academy, Marya."

"You're probably right." Dragonwing agreed so easily that Hadru was a little put out despite himself. "Neither of us have been star pupils, Hadru. But I'm not gonna let that define me moving forward. The Legion thought I was good enough to let me into the Academy in the first place, and Tellus told me...well it doesn't matter what Tellus told me. The point is, we've both been screw-ups but I for one plan on living up to my potential from now on. Are you with me or not, Jamik?"

"Do you really think--"

"Grife, just say yes already!!" Dragonwing exploded.

Hadru gave her a reluctant smirk. "I suppose I would miss the patented Marya Pai temper tantrums every day...okay Dragonwing, you got a deal.

Chemical Kid is back!"

**********

CVIK-III
15000 feet above ground level


ROLL CALL
Dogstar aka Rufus Remulus: Daxamite-level flight, strength, speed, durability, stamina, senses; solar vision
Truth Girl aka Oliv Hollowai: truth sense, carries the Golden Perfect
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

Ultra Boy had been slowly scanning the green carpet of Cvik-III's surface from north to south for the past couple of minutes, but he stopped that now to address two of the Legion of Superheroes' newest recruits. "My penetra-vision's not seeing anything out of the ordinary, how about you two?"

"I suspect my vision isn't as impressive as that of yourself or Mon-El," Dogstar replied, "But I'm fortunate enough to be gifted in my senses of smell and hearing; and I must agree, I'm not picking anything up here that I wouldn't expect to be."

"We're miles up!" Truth Girl's jaw dropped. "You can really hear and smell stuff down there? That's amazing, Dogstar!"

"Thank you, Truth Girl." Dogstar nodded politely at his gold-garbed teammate. "No less so than your own abilities, however."

"Speaking of which," Truth Girl took on a more professional tone, "I know Phantom Girl thought my ability to sense the truth might be able to tell if Glorith was using magic to hide something here but I'm afraid nothing feels out of the ordinary to me either. I mean, other than the fact that a planet that was 80% desert yesterday is now covered in plant life."

"It was worth a try," Jo shrugged. "I can't believe Glorith and Verdant were able to green a whole new world before we even got here...and I don't know why they chose this place. The natives of Cvik-III destroyed their own biosphere in a war decades ago, any survivors have long since been taken off-planet and integrated into the larger UP. I suppose we better head back to the others and see if they've come up with any more of an answer to this weirdness than we've been able to."

As they headed back toward the ground, Ultra Boy caught Truth Girl's attention. "I gotta say, TG...nobody would pick that this is your first time in the field with a flight ring! People usually take a couple weeks to stop wobbling around like a drunk baby but you're a natural!"

"Oh! Thank you, Ultra Boy!" A broad grin lit up the young woman's face. "It was as much a surprise to me as you...but then I thought about it some more and it makes sense actually; the Golden Perfect gave me the combat prowess of Wonder Woman along with my ability to sense truth, and Wonder Woman could fight in the air as well as she could anywhere else. I guess it's just something I've never thought about before because I've only ever been Truth Girl on the ground!"

"I would like to find out more about this Wonder Woman some time," Dogstar joined in. "I have heard you mention her name several times and my homeworld did after all ask me to join the Legion of Superheroes to help us learn more about the United Planets and its culture!"

"History is kind of my thing," Truth Girl said to the dog-faced hero. "And Wonder Woman is a big part of Earth's history! I can give you some good holos when we get back to base if you like, Dogstar."

They'd gotten within visual range of their other teammates now; two Legion cruisers hovered above the never-ending forest canopy while 25 Legionnaires milled about below on an enormous gleaming platform that Crystal Kid had erected above the treetops. Ultra Boy left the new recruits in conversation and zipped down to land at his lover's side. He wrapped an arm around Phantom Girl's waist, where she was standing off in a small group comprised of herself, Evolvo Lad, Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen.

"--and that's the thing I find so infuriating," Chlorophyll Kid finished saying while Jo landed. "What's the point in me being able to sense Ivy when none of us can get to her in time? Even Dawnstar's speed is useless against a sorceress who can just teleport from world to world!" Chlor was wearing his plated wooden armour, but the faceplate was retracted and the strain of recent events was evident on his face.

"I share your frustration, Chlorophyll Kid." In his hyperevolved form, Evolvo Lad's always calm voice was at odds with his words. "We know of three worlds now where Glorith has teleported Verdant to bring plant life to prominence. None of these worlds have a thing in common, and they are wildly distant from one another. There could be other worlds affected of course, but I cannot help but feel we'd have come to know of at least some of them if this had happened more often. There must be some design, some pattern, but we just do not have enough data to perceive what that pattern might be."

"We're all speeding for escape velocity, starshine!" Comet Queen lay a golden hand upon Evolvo Lad's bony shoulder. "Don't feel--"

"That's it!" Small and beady as Evolvo Lad's eyes were in this form, they nonetheless widened. For a moment, even his voice displayed a slight rise in pitch. "Comet Queen, I believe you have just given us the answer!" Without another word, he darted off toward the nearest cruiser and the others followed. More Legionnaires saw them departing and they too ascended to the vessel floating above them.

A dozen more Legionnaires had entered the cruiser by the time Evolvo Lad had seated himself at a console and pulled up a holographic starchart. He soon had highlighted Cvik-III, Mardru and Apiaton in the vast cloud of galactic bodies that floated before everyone, but his long fingers were still tapping away at two hardlight panels. Most of the Legionnaires were confounded by this burst of activity from the normally sedate hero, but Gas Girl had known Evolvo Lad since childhood. "Sev..?" she leaned over his shoulder. "What are you seeing that we're not?"

"My apologies." Evolvo Lad sat upright and swivelled hardlight consoles around with him so he could face the rest of the group. "When Comet Queen called me starshine, it sparked something within me...perhaps this would be more obvious with a two-dimensional map." At his command, the hologram flattened.

Everyone just stared dumbly at it until Phantom Girl finally spoke up. "Evolvo Lad, I think you're just going to have to tell us..."

"Of course," Evolvo Lad replied. "Neither Mardru, Apiaton nor Cvik-III have any similarity to one another that they don't share with any number of other worlds. So we can confidently rule out some unique quality of the planets themselves...and all of these worlds are several light years away from one another. It is extremely time-consuming to travel from one to the other without teleportation, and they have no diplomatic relations with one another. So the pattern connecting them must be something else...and my mistake has been in overcomplicating that pattern. The pattern isn't something that an occasional 14th level intellect might concoct, it's something that a sorceress with a 6th level intellect would."

"Sev," Gas Girl spoke up again. "I know you think you're dumbing this down for us--"

Without saying anything, Evolvo Lad drew a straight line from Mardru to Apiaton, then from Apiaton to Cvik-III. A giant V was superimposed over the starchart with one of the planets at each point.

"It's a weird triangle..?" Nightwind ventured.

"It is not a triangle." Evolvo Lad drew three more connective lines and turned the V into a five-pointed star.

"Starshine, it's a...star?" Comet Queen cocked her head to one side like a puzzled dog.

"If I am correct..." This gravelly voice belonged to Blok, standing at the rear. "...It is not a star. It is a pentagram."

"Exactly," Evolvo Lad concurred.

"That wisdom of Solomon comes in handy sometimes, huh Pebblehead?" Timber Wolf teased Blok.

"My friend, I befriended the White Witch long before I ever heard of the power of Shazam," Blok answered dryly.

"So Glorith and Ivy are making a pentagram on a cosmic scale." Phantom Girl thought this through out loud. "I'm gonna assume they haven't finished making it yet because I suspect we'll know when that happens. I'm also gonna assume that whatever it's for is not gonna be good for anyone who isn't Glorith or Ivy.

Most importantly though...if Evolvo Lad's right, and I'm betting he is, then we have three worlds down already. There's only two more worlds they could possibly be going to from here to complete the pentagram, which means we've got them cornered.

Legion....it's time we finished this."


NEXT: THE LEGION OF SUPERHEROES VS GLORITH AND VERDANT!!!


**********

EDITOR'S NOTES:

* In my series, Earth-Man absorbed the powers of the Infinite Man and used them to summon a whole bunch of recruits from the timestream to help him fight the Legion as part of his Judgement League. All of the new recruits were people who were fated to have died without ever really making a mark on history and so they felt obliged to join him, as he'd pulled them away from certain death

* Strongarm is actually a character from the comics, though as far as I remember he was never given a name. When Bloodclaw was murdered in the comics, a huge four-armed Khund cyborg popped up the next time Firefist and crew appeared

* Key Kid's hesitation about the ocean is of course related to Sojurn accidentally teleporting most of the class into the middle of a Vavallan ocean where they nearly drowned
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: How Hadru Got His Groove Back - 10/06/22 04:02 PM
More fun stuff, raz!

I dislike Marya’s street smarts and good thinking. Easy to forget because she’s so often brash

Enigma Lass seems a bit shy. I wonder… could she be Glorith…? Or that Dominator child rescued from Revenant?

Lol at the characteristic and different reactions form all three who went to meet Hadru

Loving Marya’s good instincts AND her telling Hadru like it is - they do deserve better, at least a proper goodbye!

Ooh sisterhood parted ways… and also time travel paradoxes. I like the glimpse into this alternative future too

Yikes at Vista’s good logic!

Ah, cool to see Marte’s hand in safe passage, and I like the logic for Mysa being in the challenge courts. And her new more aggressive outlook

Also like that the Khunds, while overpowered, had good tactics

Really liking Amp’s leadership and good sense too - can see her as a future Legionnaire, like in your segment with Yera and Gim’s demon child wink
Also really liking Amp’s caution in assessing the situation before charging in!


Love the Chemicals’ powers being limited by their knowledge


Enigma Lass’ costume repairing itself? Can’t be our Kinetix though, personality is so different tongue

And nice pep talk from Marya to Hadru!

Ah, cool that Truth Girl also gets some of Wonder Woman’s combat skills - also like her insight re how and why!

Wow! Liking the pentagram reasoning with Evolvo Lad. Also like that having a team of this size means we can get half the team (25 Idd) just milling around tongue

Super eager to read the next bit!!!
Posted By: razsolo Re: How Hadru Got His Groove Back - 10/07/22 08:10 AM
Hi IB!

I am liking all these Enigma Lass guesses, keep em coming! smile

I wanted to show in the fight between the Demon's Claw and Mysa that even though the Khunds were outmatched, they're still excellent fighters...ideally it should come across that things wouldn't have to be all that different for them to conceivably be able to pull off a victory against her.

Speaking of Khunds! Something funny that I haven't been able to bring up till now, but I think you mentioned a couple of posts ago how it made sense that Firefist would be coming after Veilmist...it honestly never even occurred to me that I just happened to be using Firefist and Veilmist in two separate storylines at the same time, and when I read that I was like oh yeah obviously people would make that connection! An accidental red herring! laugh

If Amp does end up in the Legion, let's hope she has a better fate than what happened in that particular story!

The next instalment is gonna have more than 25 Legionnaires, but not a lot of milling about! And at least one of the newbies is gonna do something pretty cool!

Lots of action coming up in the next few instalments actually, and a huge amount of guest stars coming up as well!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: How Hadru Got His Groove Back - 10/07/22 05:21 PM
Yay guest stars!!! And lots of Legionnaires!!

Haha yeah, I realise now that Firefist’s latest appearance has nothing to do with Veilmist.. yet… unless the Demon Father search maybe…?
Posted By: Harbinger Re: How Hadru Got His Groove Back - 10/17/22 08:52 AM
Raz, hi,

Great that you're starting off with the academy kids, they're always fun. The visual with the orange flash then the setting sun painting colours across the sky and blue lawns underneath perfectly set the tone that Phlon - this part of it anyway - is orderly and calm, usually anyway.

Marya taking charge fits her perfectly, though her rough approach won't win her any eager followers. And ger directness with Hadru was perfect, she's annoyed that one of her chums isn't playing with her anymore smile

Yay, the Taurus Gang! Nice cliffhanger Raz.

Corn, yay, I think she's one of my fave of your OC's, and her attitude towards the barman was great - "You wouldn't survive my appetities" indeed!

So, we're getting the reason for the Sisterhood of sin going after Harlak! Or at least we're getting the story that Vista want's to share, whether or not it's 100% accurate is a different matter, she's a ticky one so I'm sceptical of her real motives here.

A Demon Father? Well, that's a definite twist I never considered, nice one! And without Harlack to stop them now, and Mysa losing her magical abilities and Glorith being... well, messed up, that doesn't leave many hardcore mystics to deal with the threat.

I like your Flederweb. The original in canon was pretty rubbish, I thought, so it's nice to see you flesh him out a little bit and give him a definite personality. And Xao being reassured by him was great as it's obvious why the environment would be pretty intimidating.

Though I noticed you called hm DragonWING in one part - "Dragonwing took a moment to frame his words in a way that wouldn't cause offence. " - these Dragon Legionnaires are such an inconvenience having virtually the same names, aren't they?

Mysa must love the physicality of her new powerset, it must be such a thrill for her, especially after she lost her magical abilities.

Marte Allon is such a goood choice as diplomatic liason, don't know if I said that before but wanted you to know that I really wish I'd thought of that first laugh

The Demon Claw are all pretty powerful in their own rights but a Marvel is a notch above most so it was fun to see they gave her a... well, not easy fight. Still, a Marvel, they really don't stand a chance do they?

Yay, back to the students! Loving how you cut between storylines Raz.

So, Enigma Lass has never seen an ocean before? Okay, that's a clue, thanks.

Limiting Sojurn's telepathy is a good move, they are already ridiculously powerful. Though, lucky Amp was there smile

This meant nothing to any of the kids, a fact which Marya was pleased to notice annoyed the men greatly - haha, I do love your Marya! Nice thinking from Amp getting Key Kid to free Chemical Kid. She's not stupid is she? I like the kinda competition between her and Marya btw.

Amp and Marya are both cocky, aren't they? Taking on Black Mace in a physical fight? Nah, not their cleverest move. Oaa taking on Shagrek was fun, his changing abilities can make him undefeatable though his self-consciousness and timid nature stop that from happening mostly. Nice save from Hadru, and good to acknowledge that it's the training from the Legion Academy that gives him the edge. And Enigma Lass lives - so why did the Taurus Gang think she was dead? Unless she made them think that - is she Mentalla? Or even Projectra? The unknown Legionnaire trope is such a good one when used properly and I love how you are dropping clues but it's still open to guess who she might be.

"Grife, just say yes already!!" Dragonwing exploded - haha, nice banter between the two, and also good that Marya can accept that she needs to focus and grow.

And, I'm glad you brought Hadru back into the fold, he's too snotty and annoying to leave out for long smile

And we're onto the Glorith/Verdant story - I'm loving these spinning plates Raz! Nice that you are immediately using your new Legionnaires. is Cvill iii in canon?

Truth girl having Wonder woman's fighting skills is a nice addition to her skilllset.

I'm enjoying you using Evolvo to take the role Brainiac 5 would.

The pattern isn't something that an occasional 14th level intellect might concoct, it's something that a sorceress with a 6th level intellect would - uh, yes, good point, haha how funny that he was overcomplicating it and really just needed to dumb himself down to figure it out. A cosmic pentagram - oh very nice! That was a surprise but totally made sense when Iread it Iwondered why I hadn't guessed it already - guess I'm not even 6th level laugh This is great Raz, you have continued to up the ante and I'm really looking forward to seeing what you have planned next.

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: How Hadru Got His Groove Back - 10/18/22 09:09 AM
Hi Harbi!

Scorn and the Sisterhood of Sin are going to be my next focus villain-wise after Glorith and Verdant have their time in the spotlight, so we'll get to see how tricky Vista is before too long!

Flederweb was my favourite Khund Legionnaire next to Veilmist actually....not so much power-wise as he doesn't really bring anything new to the table but I like his morbid fatalism about everything laugh

Good pickup on accidentally calling Xao Dragonwing, thanks! I have corrected it now, I always stress about doing that when the two of them are in the same post...to be honest, it's the main reason I steered away from calling Staq anything with dragon in it after I upgraded his powers; having two dragons is already hard enough to keep track of tongue

re: Marte Allon, I actually have a story or two in mind which will feature her more strongly in her role but we probably won't see those for a while. It seems like a natural fit for her though and I'm happy to have found an excuse to keep her around smile

I love writing the Academy kids and like I said to IB, I am really digging the guesses on Enigma Lass's identity! There will definitely be some more clues on the way before it all comes out in the open! Amp and Marya make a fun pair of frenemies, and while I thought about dragging the Hadru storyline out longer I like him being a part of the class too much laugh

Cvik-III is made up by me, I thought it might be a bit too on the nose if every one of the pentagram worlds just happened to coincidentally be an actual DC world...and I feel like the pentagram thing might work better in a visual medium where you can track the worlds being targeted, but that's why Evolvo Lad has the big brain I guess laugh

Next up: after chasing their tails all this time, the Legion finally confront Glorith and Verdant! Also....an unexpected couple of villains are going to show their faces!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: How Hadru Got His Groove Back - 10/18/22 12:52 PM
Yay, more Sisterhood of sin soon - you do love your bad girls don't you Raz smile

Flederweb's personality did differentiate him, now you mention it, and hopefully his and Xao's conversation was the start of a friendship... nah that's too much, perhaps an alliance though? Be interesting to see where you could take him.

I had a thought about Enigma Lass - who was that character you had from Cadmu that could grant wishes? Actually, was it wish Girl? Well, it's a leftfield option laugh

Looking forward to everything you have coming up, and am definitely here for more, more, more "
Posted By: razsolo Re: How Hadru Got His Groove Back - 10/24/22 10:58 AM
Originally Posted by Harbinger
Yay, more Sisterhood of sin soon - you do love your bad girls don't you Raz smile
I grew up reading a LOT of Chris Claremont comics laugh

Quote
Flederweb's personality did differentiate him, now you mention it, and hopefully his and Xao's conversation was the start of a friendship... nah that's too much, perhaps an alliance though? Be interesting to see where you could take him.
Friends might be a bit much, but if I ever get around to doing my Flederweb/Elastic Lad buddy comedy Xao might make a good middle man wink

Quote
I had a thought about Enigma Lass - who was that character you had from Cadmu that could grant wishes? Actually, was it wish Girl? Well, it's a leftfield option laugh
Wish Girl would make sense as to why she doesn't want anybody to know what her powers are....I may be inspired to do an Enigma Lass poll before I reveal her identity with all these guesses!

Quote
Looking forward to everything you have coming up, and am definitely here for more, more, more "
Thanks Harbi! smile
Posted By: Set Re: How Hadru Got His Groove Back - 10/24/22 01:44 PM
Originally Posted by razsolo
Good pickup on accidentally calling Xao Dragonwing, thanks! I have corrected it now, I always stress about doing that when the two of them are in the same post...to be honest, it's the main reason I steered away from calling Staq anything with dragon in it after I upgraded his powers; having two dragons is already hard enough to keep track of tongue

Oh gosh, now I want a team with confusingly similar names! Dragonmage, Dragonwing, Staq (codename Dragonsfire), maybe a few others. A martial artist named Dragonfist? (A new name for Myg!) One of those far future winged flying aliens (Reniians, from the 1996 annual) from the far-future team* led by Wildfire named Dragonflight? A whole Dragon Legion!
Posted By: razsolo Re: How Hadru Got His Groove Back - 10/25/22 05:35 AM
Jo can reprise his role as the Green Dragon, let Vi tame a space dragon and they can all fight Karate Kid's dad Black Dragon who it turns out wasn't as dead as Val thought...ALL DRAGONS ALL THE TIME!
Posted By: razsolo A Verdant Prelude - 11/04/22 08:20 AM
KHUND SPACE
Khur'kliin, the village of Kh'gokonos


ROLL CALL
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage

Dragonmage and Mysa Marvel stood at the lip of a six foot pit that had been excavated by luminescent dragonforms composed of mystical energy.

Kh'gokonos was a small village on the backwater Khund world named Khur'kliin, and under any normal circumstances if two outworlders had come here digging holes then half the village would be out gawking at them and challenging them to combat. The presence of the Khund superteam known as the Demon's Claw kept curious citizens at bay however, something for which the two Legionnaires were grateful (though it made them uncomfortable to acknowledge the obvious power dynamic in play).

"I think that should be deep enough. Thank you, Xao."

"You're welcome, Mysa." Xao Jin relaxed his posture and his dragonforms dissipated into the air. "I know that you could have done this yourself, faster than me really...but I wanted to help, and this way you don't need to mess up your outfit."

Mysa looked herself up and down with half a smile. "Dirt; the true enemy of anyone with a predominantly white costume. Very gracious of you, Mr Jin."

"This has been a very interesting journey," Xao mused. "I'm glad to have been a part of it."

Mysa had descended into the makeshift grave, where the strength of Hercules now helped her pat Harlack's last remaining Bel'yana Stone deep beneath the soil. As she levitated back up to the surface, she continued speaking.

"Xao, do you remember back on Xerox when you asked me if I ever missed having my magic? I will admit that at times like this, I do. I've just committed the last tangible part of my friend's soul to Khur'kliin. I know that his essence is going to infuse his homeworld with a little more wonder, it's going to make it that much easier for the next young Khund who feels the summon of the fantastic to recognise their calling and follow it. But I only know all of this intellectually; if I were the White Witch or the Black Witch, I'd be able to sense the sacred power of Harlack's Bel'yana Stone myself. As it is, no matter how powerful I am, there's always going to be a part of the universe which is forever shut off from me now. I don't regret any of my choices and I'm happy with who I am...but yes, I do still miss it sometimes."

Xao remained silent and Mysa hovered above the hole in the ground silently for a moment, wondering what Harlack would think if he could see her now.

He'd been the White Witch's peer, the Black Witch's student, and Mysa Nal's protector.

Mystic senses or no, she was confident that Harlack could see her now, and she was confident that he too was happy with who he saw.

Her thoughts remained with Harlack, and Mysa Marvel's eyes grew wet as she heaped the first pile of dirt upon what was left of her friend.

**********

BAALDUR
Homeworld of the sorceress Glorith


ROLL CALL
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
Dogstar aka Rufus Remulus: Daxamite-level flight, strength, speed, durability, stamina, senses; solar vision
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: Legion ally; hyperevolution/devolution
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis
Sheranee Shah: enhanced physical characteristics, night vision, solar-fuelled starbolts, tactile language absorption, animal empathy
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability
Truth Girl aka Oliv Hollowai: truth sense, carries the Golden Perfect
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

Propelled by either flight ring or innate power, fourteen Legionnaires flew above an endless canopy of green treetops and beneath equally endless blue skies. Were it not for the serious nature of their mission, this would actually have been a pleasant experience.

"I still say this is a waste of time," Polar Boy huffed. "When Evolvo Lad identified the last two planets to make up Glorith's weird space pentagram it was a good idea to investigate both of them, but we obviously drew the short straw! Glorith and Verdant are already done with this world, the whole planet's covered in plants! We should be rejoining Phantom Girl's team!"

"Dogstar said he picked up people's scents here and we're going to find them, Polar Boy." A note of annoyance was beginning to creep in to Nightwind's voice. "This world's not a part of the UP and we couldn't be here to help them when they needed us most...if nothing else, we can at least rescue whoever those two have left in their wake."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Nightwind." Dogstar and Nightwind together had taken the lead, their allies following close behind. "And thank you also for your assistance with the air currents, it makes it much easier to track scents when I'm always downwind of them."

Wildfire's bootjets gave an explosive burst of speed to allow him to catch up with Dogstar and Nightwind. "You got a good nose, Krypto! And kid, you got good instincts." Nightwind was suddenly glad her artificial skin pigmentation made blushing impossible. "Look!" The two of them followed Wildfire's outstretched arm to see what seemed to be an enormous marble palace overlooking this green world.

"It's the only intact manmade structure we've seen since we arrived on this world," Dogstar pondered out loud. "It's where all these scents lead, and I can hear masses of people inside, all of whom sound ill or in pain."

"Sounds worth investigating to me." Nightwind allowed the others to catch up before continuing. "Dogstar, Wildfire...you're our resident powerhouses, you wanna take point?"

"Happily," Dogstar nodded, his golden glowing form darting out ahead.

"Hey, wait up! You're part of a team now, Krypto!" Wildfire poured on the speed to catch up to the canine hero, and was surprised when Dogstar abruptly stopped in his tracks. Wildfire was about to comment on his new teammate's cooperative nature when Drake Burroughs and everybody else heard the growing rumble ahead of them which had already pricked Dogstar's ears up. Before their eyes, four golems as tall as the palace itself rose from the greenery. Arcane sigils burned in the space where their faces should be, and each of the beings was made of the same pink marble as the building that they were clearly here to protect.

Curious as to how strong the monstrous defenders were, Dogstar allowed the nearest one to grab him. Its grip was surprisingly close to his own enhanced strength, and Dogstar used his solar vision to shear the gigantic fist away from the arm it was attached to.

Not one to be outdone so easily by a new recruit, Wildfire waited for the second golem to open its palm toward him and then Drake Burroughs flipped his helmet's visor. An explosive arc of anti-energy shattered the unliving creature's hand and forearm into so much rubble.

"Nightwind?" This was Evolvo Lad; Berta was still sometimes taken aback by how utterly normal Sev Tcheru seemed in his default form. "I don't think you're going to need all of us to destroy these things, do you mind if I try a more subtle approach toward the palace?"

"That's a great idea!" Berta waved Laurel Kent over as she spoke. "Grab a few of the others and keep in touch! Meanwhile, Supergirl and I are gonna show these giant stone jerks that boys aren't the only ones who can break stuff!"

"Missile Launch?" Supergirl asked.

"Missile launch," Nightwind replied with a sly grin.

Berta summoned a wind to whisk Laurel high up above everyone else, then she gave Laurel's flight ring a furious boost of speed and the two girls targeted the third golem's shoulder. The indestructible teen was tiny compared to the giant she was attacking, but at the speed she was moving she went straight through the golem like a bullet. Hairline fractures spread out from the hole she left in her wake, and when the monster turned to try and grab Laurel the stress of its arm reaching out was enough to complete the damage she'd done. The fractures grew into cracks, and the cracks split the arm off entirely and brought it crashing through the canopy of trees beneath.

"In your face, you faceless jerk!" Laurel whooped. "Did you guys see that?? Straight through--" While Laurel had been cheering, the monster pivoted and backhanded her out of the sky with its remaining arm. She flew off into the distance, eventually coming to land somewhere within this carpet of trees several miles away.

"Oof." Nightwind grimaced. "Dawnstar, she's probably fine but magic is one of the things she's vulnerable to. Could you..?"

"Of course, Nightwind." Dawnstar's tone was professional, but it annoyed Berta to think about how the winged Legionnaire would probably be judging Laurel's lapse in judgement. Nightwind could think about that later though; right now she needed to figure out how to deal with this creature with her human missile out of action...

The fourth and final golem had found itself distracted by a trail of vibrant sparkling plumes of gas leading away from the main battle. The golden Legionnaire named Comet Queen had circled the faceless creature's head several times, and now that it had noticed her she was leading it as far away from anybody else as she could.

This was normally the exact kind of escapade that Comet Queen lived for; a new world to discover, crazy monsters to battle, and a team of superheroes to work alongside. She couldn't take any joy in this adventure though. While it made sense for Grava and her husband Chlorophyll Kid to be split up so that at least one of them would have the chance to confront Ivy, it was clear now that Ivy had long finished her work on this world. That meant not only that Grava wouldn't be able to talk sense into her daughter, but also that she couldn't be there for her beloved Chlory when he inevitably found her. Whatever this magical version of a security system was that Glorith had obviously set up, Grava just wanted to deal with it and get back to her husband and child.

Unkbenownst to Comet Queen, some of her teammates had seen what she was doing and found themselves inspired to help. Polar Boy, Elastic Lad and Truth Girl had been trailing the giant just above the rainforest as they schemed their schemes.

"Are you sure you two can handle this thing?" Polar Boy asked. "I mean I can ice up the ground easy enough, it'll be like a skating rink by the time I'm through...but he's a big one!"

"I may not have Wonder Woman's strength," Truth Girl answered confidently as she watched the enormous marble creation take another step, "But I have her skill. It's all just a matter of leverage."

"Truth Girl's right!" Elastic Lad enthused. "Gosh, neither of us have got the sheer power to wrestle one of these big nasties but all it takes is some applied physics! Do you want me to go over it in more detail, Polar Boy? I could go over it in more detail! You see--"

"No, no!!" Polar Boy cut off the excitable young redhead. "As long as you're sure, that's all that really matters! Okay, let's do this!" Brek Bannin flew ahead of the two and coated the forest floor before him in one extremely smooth plane of ice. The reduction in temperature rendered the densely packed trees as brittle as clay; the golem wouldn't have stable footing here. Even if the golem hadn't been so preoccupied with Comet Queen, Polar Boy doubted that it would have noticed. In fact, Brek was reasonably sure that the ice on its own would do the job but he was also intrigued to see this new Legionnaire Truth Girl in action.

For their part, Truth Girl and Elastic Lad took position on either side of the approaching golem just before they reached Polar Boy's work. Jams-Ols 5 threaded his elastic form around many massive tree trunks for added support, and Truth Girl did the same with her golden lasso on the giant's other side. Both of them waited for the golem's foot to come down, then they snagged its right ankle. Held firm in the Legionnaires' makeshift snare, the golem's left foot came down at a weird angle as it chased Comet Queen and the massive monster took a tumble on Polar Boy's enormous sheet of ice. It hit the dirt with a tremendous crash that shook the earth all around them.

...Then Truth Girl learned all about Elastic Lad's capacity to ramble without pause as the two of them more fully restrained the golem's legs, and Polar Boy set himself to freezing the monster's arms.

**********

Evolvo Lad, Gas Girl, King Canary, Crystal Kid and one of the Legion's new recruits Sheranee were just over half a mile away when they heard the crashing behemoth. "That's gotta be a good sign for our side, huh?" King Canary asked.

"I bet the rest of the Legion are doing better than me," Crystal Kid muttered. "I'm sure this stupid jungle's full of bugs and snakes and who knows what else!" Bobb gingerly pushed his way through a curtain of fibrous dangling roots to catch up to the others.

Everyone else had acclimatised to the thick vegetation here much better than Crystal Kid. King Canary was small enough that the plant life surrounding him wasn't really in the way, and to Gas Girl's vaporous form no amount of trees could ever prove an obstacle. Evolvo Lad's devolved incarnation was perfectly adapted to swing from branch to branch like some kind of overgrown primate, and Sheranee travelled the same way albeit far more gracefully.

"It's really more of a forest than a jungle," Sheranee said cheerfully as she launched herself over a drop of several metres to grab hold of a thick gnarled branch before her. "But if it helps I don't think you need to worry about any animals, Crystal Kid. I'm pretty sure these Glorith and Verdant characters have driven any of the native animal population away already, and anything still living round these parts would have made a mass exodus the second those stone giants came to life."

"Still...wouldn't this be faster if we just flew above the treetops?" Bobb persisted. "I mean we can't even see more than a couple of metres ahead because there's so many stupid trees in the way!"

"Evolvo Lad's very confident, I'm sure we're going the right way!" Sheranee gave Crystal Kid a sunny smile. As if in response, the muscular Lalloran caveman grunted affirmatively and propelled himself forward.

"You don't seem very fazed by Sev," Gas Girl complimented her newest teammate. "People usually take a little while to get used to him when he's like this!"

Sheranee had obviously been giving this some thought already herself. "Not that Evolvo Lad's any more an animal than you or I of course, but I think in his current form he's wired more with animalistic impulses if that makes sense...and I've got a way with animals. It's not anything as advanced as telepathy but I just kind of instinctively understand them I guess. I've always been lucky like that!"

Sev Tcheru realised that the others were talking about him and gave Sheranee a quick shy glance before his powerful leg muscles coiled and he leaped up to swing from another branch high above. Gas Girl could have sworn her lifelong friend was showing off for Sheranee, and she found the idea faintly adorable.

"What about King Canary?" Crystal Kid asked Sheranee. "Can you do your empathy thing with him?"

"Well I ain't any less a man than you, am I kid?" King Canary snapped gruffly. "So whatta you think?"

Bobb stammered helplessly and his face turned beet red. "Oh -- I'm so sorry, I-I didn't mean--"

"Hey, guys?" Gas Girl's voice mercifully saved Crystal Kid from any further embarassment. "Looks like we're here!"

They emerged from the cool darkness of Verdant's forest to a breezier grassy clearing. There wasn't much of a change in temperature; between the shaded forest behind them and marble walls a short distance ahead that stood hundreds of feet tall, the Legionnaires doubted that much sunlight reached down here.

"You guys see how there's no windows till you get way up there?" Glad to have something to divert attention from his faux pas, Crystal Kid pointed to a visible opening about ten stories high.

"Yeah, and that ain't all." King Canary began to flit around the perimeter of the palace. "I can hear voices...a lot of 'em. Somewhere around this side."

"I'm sure your power gives you much better hearing than the rest of us," Sheranee followed the golden bird, "But I think even I can hear something now...from over there maybe?" She gestured at a large grate set into the lawn at the palace's border.

Most of the others had to really strive to hear voices so faint they seemed almost imagined, but it seemed Evolvo Lad's sense of hearing was as impressive in this form as his strength and stamina. Acting on instinct the Lalloran caveman launched himself at the grate with a low growl, only to rebound rudely off of a previously invisible forcefield that flashed violet as he made contact with it. He landed on his butt and rolled backwards in a way that would have been comical under other circumstances.

As Evolvo Lad jumped into an offensive stance, Sheranee felt his anger build dramatically and she rushed to his side. "Something tells me we might need your more cerebral self right now," she soothed. "What do you think, big boy?"

At first Evolvo Lad gave her a puzzled glance, but she'd obviously reached something inside of him and within moments he'd become his hyperevolved self which was physically much weaker but in every other way ludicrously advanced.

Even in her gas form, Tal Nahii's mouth gaped wide open. "Sheranee, literally nobody other than me or Life Lass can get through to Sev like that when he's in his devolved form! That was outstanding!"

"Thank you so much, Gas Girl!" Sheranee beamed. "I'm just happy to help."

"You were correct to trigger my transformation." A very different Evolvo Lad spoke with the preternatural calm that was so common for his hyperevolved form. "I had after all brought us here for a more subtle approach and as strong as my other self may be, subtlety is certainly not one of those strengths. Tal, perhaps you might attempt entry yourself? If soundwaves can bypass that magical barrier, there stands a statistically significant chance that air should be able to bypass it also. Just reconnaissance for now please, I'd rather not have you confronting anybody in an unfamiliar environment without backup."

"I love you too, Bighead!" Gas Girl teased her old friend while she faded into a more invisible vapor. "See you all soon, guys!" Utterly confident that her gaseous form would protect her from harm, Tal didn't give a moment's hesitation to floating through the unseen barrier. True to expectations, she didn't feel anything at all to tell her she'd even passed the threshold.

Gas Girl made her way across to the large grate they'd found embedded in the ground. She'd been giving this palace some thought on the way over, and she suspected maybe some kind of sulphuric compound could erode the structure if necessary, but it likely wouldn't be swift. She hoped that she'd find something a little more efficient down here in the dark.

Now that she was passing through the slats in the grate, she could hear those voices a lot louder. She was grateful on one hand because it was so dark down here she needed something to guide her, but it was very creepy. Gas Girl was also glad that a slight breeze was passing through here from outside; she could only float so fast under her own power. Finally she came across a glimmer of violet light, which happened to be where those voices were coming from. Tal followed the path dreading what she might find at the end of it, but in her wildest visions she couldn't have imagined the sight that finally awaited her...

The Legionnaires that Gas Girl had left behind used their time effectively at first testing all of their powers against this barrier. While King Canary's sonic power penetrated the forcefield as easily as any other sound, it also meant his power was useless against the field itself. Sheranee's starbolts couldn't damage it, nor could Evolvo Lad's telekinesis. Crystal Kid had at least been able to help in the end by lining the unseen barrier in a border of crystalline clumps so that they could see where it was, but it was clear to all of them that they were stuck on this side of it. Some more time passed, and Nightwind contacted Evolvo Lad to report that the others had finished off those four stone giants ("the others" mainly being Dogstar and Wildfire), and that they were on their way to meet up.

"Should we be....worried about Gas Girl?" Crystal Kid finally asked. "I mean she's been in there a while now..."

"Aww, you guys!" From thin air, ambient vapors solidified into humanoid form and Gas Girl stood before them. "You're all so cute worrying about me, thank you!"

"What do you have to report, Tal?" Evolvo Lad asked dispassionately.

"It's not good." Her perky demeanour immediately deflated. "There's a massive dungeon down there, I wouldn't be surprised if it takes up more floor space than any of the palace levels on their own...and there are so many people down there; hundreds of them, Sev. They're all chained up in these weird formations, with markings kinda like what were on those giants' heads. I freed a dozen of them, but it's going to take me forever to get around to everybody else if we can't get the rest of the Legion down there. There's something else...Glorith and Verdant only came here a week or two ago, those poor people have kind of lost track of time down there. But they said Glorith claims to be their Empress and none of these people had ever even heard of her before. Isn't that weird??"

Evolvo Lad considered her words. "It is strange, but perhaps it is a mystery best kept for another time. I am rather more curious about something else you mentioned." He raised his arms in a gesture like he was pointing guns on either side of Gas Girl's head. "May I..?"

"Yeah, of course!" With Gas Girl's permission, Evolvo Lad placed his bony fingers upon her temples and they both closed their eyes lightly. Her recent memories played back as clear as any holofilm and he saw exactly what she'd seen. There were a seemingly endless number of wretched and malnourished people of all ages, chained at their wrists and ankles. The restraints themselves were rusted and frail, it had only taken Tal moments to corrode each one with a carefully applied acidic mist. What Sev found more noteworthy was that each one of the prisoners was inside a circle of glowing rune-like marks carved into the ground. The markings were in fact almost identical to the golems' sigils, and a glowing arterial line connected each of the prisoner's circles like spokes on a wheel to one of many massive stone support pillars.

Evolvo Lad disengaged his telepathic contact and addressed the group as a whole. "Of course I cannot say for certain, but I suspect Glorith is using those people as a power battery. If I am correct, they may very well be powering those golems as well as this forcefield and any number of other spells."

"That's awful!" Bangles tinkled together as Sheranee's hands flew to cover her mouth.

A thunderous rumble filled their ears again, and Nightwind was back on Evolvo Lad's flight ring almost immediately. "Evolvo Lad, you won't believe this but those four golem things have just put themselves back together! We're gonna have to put them down again!"

"I suspected this might happen," Evolvo Lad replied. "King Canary, Sheranee, Crystal Kid; I think our other teammates could use you three more than Tal and I at the moment. Tal, if those prisoners truly are powering Glorith's defences, it is imperative that we free them as quickly as possible. I will devote a larger part of my focus to maintaining telepathic contact with you, but you are the only one--"

"--I'm the only one who can get in there and do this, I get it." Gas Girl sighed in resignation and changed back into mist form. "Good luck, guys!"

As she disappeared back into the catacombs of the palace, Gas Girl realised this was going to be a long day...

**********

KORBAL
Home of the Lightning Beasts


ROLL CALL
Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: hyper-stimulated plant growth
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: elemental transmutation
Firecrest aka Staq Mavlen: weredragon
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility
Sizzle aka Teela Spuunvll: energy conversion
Slug aka Kes Mtsto: inertron form and projectiles
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility
Transposition Lad aka Kappa Snarrk: teleportational transposition
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time

By the time the Legion of Superheroes reached Korbal, Verdant had already begun her work greening the arid rock.

Korbal was not like the other worlds Verdant and Glorith had visited, and their work here was not accomplished nearly as easily. Home to the so-called lightning beasts which had once upon a time given Ayla, Garth and Mekt Ranzz their mighty powers, Korbal was also home to constant and violent electrical storms. Any life which flourished here had to adapt to conditions which would lead to the extinction of many other species, and it was the first time Verdant had really felt a challenge in bringing the Green to dominance.

The Legion of course knew none of this yet; all they knew is that they finally had a chance to do more than just clean up Ivy and Glorith's mess after the fact, and they weren't going to let that chance go to waste. Phantom Girl gave her team their tasks as soon as they breached the atmosphere, and then they'd broken off into smaller groups.

Mwindaji, Strut and Slug were one of those groups. A particularly bad storm had engulfed Korbal's South Pole over the past 16 hours, and the orbiting Science Police satellite had lost contact with a research facility down at the bottom of this dangerous world. That in itself wasn't an issue; anyone who spent time here soon learned that their use of electronics depended entirely on the whims of Korbal's atmosphere. When the storms got really nasty, the research scientists would just stay inside their insulated little boxes until it all blew over. However, now that Ivy Arcane was in the process of transforming Korbal into a world where the Green reigned over all, the Science Police were understandably concerned about the scientists isolated down here and Phantom Girl had sent the three Legionnaires to check up on them.

Strut and Mwindaji made an odd sight flying together; Strut had kind of caged his more fleshy teammate in all six limbs, giving the appearance that Mwindaji himself had some kind of exotic exoskeleton. Mwindaji's flight ring was linked to Strut's so that the two could work in conjunction against the severe winds ravaging these rocky plains, but Strut was the one driving. The reason for that became apparent when the insectoid Legionnaire suddenly veered off to the left at whiplash speed. A lightning bolt exploded with a mighty crack exactly where the two heroes would have been if Strut hadn't changed direction, and Strut let out a frightened shriek.

"You are doing wonderfully, my friend!" Mwindaji tried to reassure his skittish teammate, though he had to shout against the fierce winds and driving rain. "We are fortunate to have your senses available to us!"

Strut took another jarring shift to the right this time, and again they felt the intense heat of lightning behind them for a moment. "Yes, well...this entire situation is extremely nerve-wracking!" Strut yelled. "If I'd known my ability to sense electrical fields would be used to play tag with a gajillion volts of electricity here on Death World, I might have reevaluated ever wanting to join the Legion of Superheroes to begin with! Also, I'm quite turned around with all of these evasion tactics! Which way is this science shack again, darling?"

Mwindaji focused on his quarry for a moment; he suspected the storm might in some way be interfering with his tracking ability. Still, it wasn't an insurmountable challenge. "That way, Strut!" he pointed into the howling darkness.

The wind carried an exuberant whooping sound from above, and both Legionnaires briefly turned to see their new teammate Slug a healthy distance behind them. The inertron hero made an excellent lightning rod, and took much of the literal heat off of Strut and Mwindaji...and unlike Strut, Slug seemed to be having the time of their life.

Strut's mandibles clicked in amusement as he turned back to the matter at hand. "It takes all sorts, I suppose!"

The peculiar trio of heroes pushed onward, and soon enough Mwindaji's power led them to a small windowless container approximately thirty feet long and about half as wide at the base of a cliff. Fortunately, the cliff face worked as a kind of windbreak and the lightning was much more at home striking the elevated peaks high above. The Science Police had chosen this location wisely. However, Rokynian Webroot was splayed out across both the cliff face and the research station; the Legionnaires weren't sure whether the building or the cliff would succumb to the fibrous web's crushing strength first, but neither result would be good for anybody in that box.

Strut stood as close to the structure as he could manage without becoming a target of the crawling vegetation and hoped that this close they would be able to open a comms channel to the scientists inside. "Hello Science Shack, this is Strut from the Legion of Superheroes speaking at you! I say, is everybody in there just peachy?"

The scientists said something back, but most of it was lost in static. One thing that everybody heard clearly however was that the webroot had destroyed the locking mechanism and they were stuck in there. "Slug doesn't like the sound of that," the metallic Pseudatanian ventured. "Should the Legionnaires break the scientists free?"

"I think we should," Mwindaji considered the situation. "Look here, this plant life is already causing stress to the facility." The tracker pointed out where the webroot had squeezed hard enough to cause cracks in the station's thick ceramic plating.

"Well then! Slug says it's Slug's time to shine! Strut, please tell the scientists to stand away from the door?"

Strut did as he was asked; in truth, the comms signal was so poor that he wasn't at all sure if anyone inside even heard him properly but they couldn't very well just leave these poor people here. He backed away alongside Mwindaji so they could see what their newest teammate was capable of, then Slug took position before the station's sliding door and shot a hail of projectiles at the door. The research station had to be tough to stand on Korbal, but inertron bullets were tougher. There were screams of fright from inside, but as soon as the scientists realised they were being rescued they waited for the onslaught to stop and gingerly poked their heads through what remained of the doorway. The middle-aged brunettes were identical twins, and the Legionnaires remembered now that they'd been briefed these scientists were from Korbal's neighbouring planet Winath.

"It's just the two of you then?" Strut asked gaily. "I hope you're ready for an exciting journey, ladies!"

"J-just the two of us, yes," one of the scientists answered. She saw the webroot snaking its way into the research station and recoiled. "Thank you for coming for us, Legionnaires! But what in the stars is going on??"

"We will tell you as much as we know," Mwindaji explained while Strut carefully helped both women from the research station, "But right now we need to concentrate on getting you both to safety with Element Lad."

**********

Jan Arrah had really earned his Legion stipend today. For one thing he'd had to partially insulate every Legionnaire's flight ring against electrical damage, which was a finicky task as he needed to simultaneously ensure that his fine layer of tungsten didn't interfere with each ring's delicate neural interface plate. Not as delicate but far more exhausting, he'd also had to create the makeshift domed structure that kept large numbers of lightning beasts corralled safely inside. The dome was roughly the size of a moopsball stadium, and itself was composed of a tungsten/titanium alloy strong enough to withstand Ivy Arcane's aggressive plants, the elements of Korbal and the bioelectric discharge of the lightning beasts contained within. In addition to this, he'd had to give Sizzle the little surprise she'd asked for. Finally, Jan had to keep watch for any plant exotic enough to really pose a threat to his protective dome's structural integrity so he could transmute it into free floating inert gases. Element Lad had chosen a relatively placid part of Korbal to do his work, and he'd erected towering copper lightning rods at strategic points around the dome to buy himself a little more insurance, but this still wasn't the easiest world to be standing guard over an enormous herd of angry beasts with taser snouts and the strength of a rhinoceros.

"Got a couple more for you, Element Lad!" Jan looked up to see Diamond Damsel descending, dark clouds above her alive with electrical activity. She clumsily carried one of the struggling lightning beasts overhead and jostled it into the dome alongside its fellows. "Grife, you'd think these things would be a little more grateful we're saving their nasses...Verdant's oversized venus fly traps don't much care that you're a protected species, fellas!"

Blok was immediately behind Diamond Damsel, and he shuffled his own burdensome creature into the dome as well. Blok's lightning beast zapped him with an outraged roar along the way, but even without the stamina of Atlas it wouldn't have fazed the giant stone man. "Let us be charitable, Diamond Damsel," Blok's gravelly voice rumbled. "These poor creatures must be under enormous stress."

"You're more than charitable enough for the both of us," she elbowed Blok playfully. "I make up for it with jaded cynicism." Blok gave her a crooked little half-smile.

"How much longer do you think it'll take to retrieve the rest of the native fauna?" Element Lad asked them. "I know this may seem like a lot of effort for mindless animals, but every living being deserves protection."

"I'm giving it everything I've got, but with Blok's speed he's really doing ten times my work," Diamond Damsel answered. "What do you think, Blok? Another 10-15 standard minutes?"

"That seems fair," Blok agreed.

"Good," Jan nodded stiffly. "What we're doing here is valuable, but I'll feel a lot better when you two can go help Phantom Girl and the others with Glorith and Verdant."

**********

Visually, Glorith and Verdant made a dramatic contrast standing together atop one of Korbal's many craggy peaks as they looked down upon the ozone-reeking world.

From afar, one might think that Verdant had a severely cropped green afro. Upon closer inspection, tightly packed leaves grew from her scalp and only gave the appearance of hair. She wore a practical green bodysuit which covered most of her skin, with raised piping breaking up the monotony of color. Verdant's skin was a deep brown shade, vividly different from that of her mentor.

Glorith's skin was pale, and her lustrous mane of hair a brassy blonde. She wore a strapless purple bodysuit, with stark white thigh high boots and opera gloves. An enormous white cape billowed dramatically around the sorceress, held in place by two oversized spiked shoulder pads. "Somebody has just destroyed my defence circuit spell back on Baaldur," Glorith spoke coldly. "Most likely your little friends, Chameleon Boy."

Reep Daggle hovered in a purple glowing sphere at Glorith's foot. He had so little room that he was curled up almost into a fetal position, and he'd been trapped like this for so long that even his Durlan musculature was screaming for release. If only he'd been able to shapeshift he could have taken on a smaller form for comfort, but Glorith had denied him that. He supposed he should count himself lucky that she hadn't taken the emergency rations stored in his belt pouches, but he knew those rations weren't going to last much longer. "I told you, Glorith...you won't beat the Legion of Superheroes...this insane plan of yours, it's all going to unravel like so much thread."

"Don't be ludicrous!" Glorith condescended. "We only need this final ball of rock to fall under Ivy's power, and then no power in the universe will be able to stop me. I thought it might be fun keeping you around to witness my victory, shapeshifter...but I have to be honest, you're becoming a real stick in the mud. What do you think, Ivy dear? Have we wrung all the amusement out of this one that we can?"

Ivy Arcane's green eyes flashed with annoyance. While she had no particular malice toward the Durlan, he was still an ally of Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen. Verdant would be just as happy seeing him dead as not, but carting him around for days on end just to taunt him....something about it didn't sit right with her. More to the point, this world wasn't falling as easily as every other world had fallen and she needed to concentrate.

Ivy opened her mouth to answer Glorith when she saw something that invigorated her rage. "I thought you said the Legion are on Baaldur?" she snapped without meaning to. "Look!" She was as much irked at herself as Glorith; the Green had strengthened Ral Benem's link with Ivy, and if she'd not been so preoccupied with covering this world in plants she would have known Chlorophyll Kid was coming long before she actually saw him.

Glorith followed Ivy's angry glare, and both women saw Phantom Girl, Chlorophyll Kid, Sizzle, Firecrest, Infectious Lass, Timber Wolf, Lightning Lass, Transposition Lad and Ultra Boy framed by a backdrop of strobing lightning and a peal of thunder that rattled their bones. "Focus on your work!" Glorith barked. "I'll take care of these fools!"

Glorith fired a bolt of mystical energy which scattered the Legion, and Phantom Girl felt a surge of relief as she saw that the villainess had Chameleon Boy at her side. Tinya wanted nothing more than to call out to her friend and tell him they were going to get him out of here, but she knew that Cham needed his Espionage Squad teammate right now more than he needed his team leader. Silently scheming, Tinya Wazzo dropped several metres out of sight of the cliff's peak and passed through a cliff face which was so green now that it looked like a vertical garden.

"Transposition Lad, remember what we discussed!" Chlorophyll Kid commanded as soon as he laid eyes on his daughter. "We need to separate those two!"

"Not a problem!" the tall green youth called back. "Only uhh...can someone make sure that Glorith lady doesn't...you know, kill me..?"

"One thing you learn quick in the Legion, kid!" Ultra Boy winked. "Someone's always got your back!"

Transposition Lad brought his power to bear, and

plink

just like that, Chlorophyll Kid was standing atop the cliff in Glorith's place and Glorith found herself in mid-air where Ral had been flying. Shocked, Glorith began falling immediately but it only took her a second to adjust to her new circumstances. She arrested her flight mystically and was just about to embark on a threatening monologue when Ultra Boy charged at the sorceress and delivered an ultra-strength blow that sent her cannonballing straight into Korbal's surface.

Transposition Lad wasn't entirely sure his little stunt would work again on Glorith now that she was ready for it; magicians were tricky like that. While Ultra Boy, Lightning Lass, Timber Wolf and Sizzle went after Glorith, Transposition Lad followed Firecrest and Infectious Lass to see if he could find a way to help them with Verdant.

Ivy Arcane was startled to see Chlorophyll Kid taking the place of her mentor at her side, but to the young woman's credit she recovered almost immediately. "I see you're not wearing your wooden armour," she greeted him. "I don't need that to kill you, you know."

Indeed, Ral Benem wasn't wearing the plated armour he'd created for himself when he became the Protector of the Avatar of the Green. Instead he was garbed in his baggy old costume from his days in the Legion of Substitute Heroes, and it hid his recent weight gain much less successfully than his armour had. This costume was lined with countless secret pockets for seeds, and before he'd come here Ral had made certain that every one of those pockets were empty. His daughter's power over plant life greatly dwarfed his own, he wasn't going to give her anything to work with if he could avoid it.

"I know your capabilities," Chlorophyll Kid replied, remembering when she'd almost slain him. "And I'm not going to hurt you but I'm not going to let you do that again either, Ivy."

"How are you gonna stop me, Benem?" Verdant glared, and thorny branches came crawling across the cliff's new lawn toward Chlorophyll Kid. Before they came anywhere near enough to pose a threat however, a massive fireball incinerated them and any other plant life in an 8 foot radius. Surprised, Verdant looked up to see Firecrest hovering above them with his wings spread wide open.

Verdant felt a hand upon her shoulder blade and spun to find Infectious Lass behind her. Before she could attack the Legionnaire, Verdant collapsed to her knees retching. "Your parents never abandoned you, Ivy," Drura said softly but firmly. "I've known Chlorophyll Kid for years, and Comet Queen wouldn't hurt hurt a fly if she could avoid it. Glorith's lied to you."

Still trapped in Glorith's forcefield sphere a couple of metres away, Chameleon Boy hoped that the other Legionnaires could get through to Ivy Arcane but he didn't think it was a particularly realistic hope. He heard a hushed ouch! and changed position as well as he could to look at the source of the noise beneath him.

Phantom Girl's face emerged from the ground, the rest of her hidden away within the planet's surface. "Cham, are you okay?" Tinya whispered. "I've been so worried about you!"

"I'm exhausted and sore, but nothing a good vibro-spa won't fix...but Tinya, we have to stop these two! Glorith has been taunting me with what they've got planned and we can't let them get away with it!"

"Hold that thought," she cut him off. "I was hoping I could phase through and maybe disrupt Glorith's spell or something but I just got a zap for my efforts. I think one of our new recruits might be able to get you out of this mess though...there's no way Glorith would have known to plan for his power."

"We have new recruits??" Cham's arched eyebrows raised even higher on his forehead.

"Looks like we've both got stuff to catch up on!" Tinya winked at him. "See you in a nano!" She disappeared back down into the rock, and Chameleon Boy returned to watching Ivy. She'd grown a spiky wooden column of Winathian megaroses around herself to defend against the Legionnaires, but at least she wasn't assaulting them. Chameleon Boy was beginning to think that they might turn this around after all.

plink

Reep Daggle blinked in astonishment. He was suddenly ten feet away and crouched next to Phantom Girl and an incredibly tall green-skinned man. Cham saw that Glorith's forcefield was still hovering in place, but somehow it was now filled with burnt weeds. He flashed his rescuers a puzzled look, and Phantom Girl helped her aching friend to his feet. "Chameleon Boy, meet Transposition Lad!

Now...tell us more about all this taunting Glorith's been doing..."

**********

On the surface of Korbal far below the rocky peak where other Legionnaires confronted Verdant, Timber Wolf bounced off of a forcefield that had been erected by Glorith. Brin Londo had not had time to react before he slammed into the violet barrier in his path, but he landed on his hands and sprung back into a crouching position as though he'd planned the whole manoeuvre from the start.

Ultra Boy flew in low while Timber Wolf righted himself, and then Jo trained his flash vision on the ground at Glorith's feet. His power too was stymied by her forcefield, and Glorith wiped blood from her lower lip as she gave a baleful glare to the Rimborian hero. "You and your woman have both lain hands upon me, Jo Nah." Glorith's hatred was palpable. "It may be now or it may be five years hence, but one day I will make you both pay for that."

"Big words, lady." Lightning Lass flew in from a different angle and poured her power into breaking Glorith's sorcery. "But I don't particularly enjoy coming back to this ball of rock, so you've got a pissed off Ranzz to deal with now as well." Ayla's lightning skated off of Glorith's forcefield, but the witch had needed to focus slightly to maintain her defences this time around.

"Did you see that?" Jo asked Ayla. "I think she needs to regulate against different attacks on their own wavelength or whatever; if we both hit her at once..."

"Good thinking, Jo!" Ayla complimented her muscular comrade. "You're not all himbo after all!"

Ultra Boy flinched, momentarily taken aback. "Who said I was--"

"Excellent thinking!" a voice joined in from high above them. "And if we're talking different wavelengths, well that's what my power was built for! Hope you two don't mind if I tag in!" Their red-skinned new recruit Sizzle hovered above them; thanks to Element Lad, a thin copper wire dragged down from Sizzle's belt to the ground where it was swiftly buried in Ivy Arcane's slithering vines and long grasses.

Almost like Sizzle had scheduled it, a frighteningly intense lightning bolt lit up her body like a lightbulb. Though it was far more power than she was used to channelling, she gritted her teeth and transformed the electrical energy into a sickly green beam of hard radiation which shot straight at Glorith. Ultra Boy and Lightning Lass picked up on Sizzle's cue, and with three incredibly powerful unique energies striking her simultaneously Glorith's forcefield was overwhelmed. It collapsed, and so did Glorith.

While the platinum blonde sorceress was on her knees, Timber Wolf approached. "I don't particularly want to kick a woman's jaw into bone shards so do yourself a favour and surrender, lady."

On her hands and knees, Glorith looked up at Brin Londo with burning hostility. It had taken all of Glorith's power to transport Ivy Arcane from world to world to fulfill this mission, to hide their presence from conventional detection and then to defend against their enemies. Thanks to the Legion, she no longer even had her emergency battery back on Baaldur, a world she was fated to rule when she'd be born there countless millennia from now.

If Glorith was Mordru, she would fight on to her eventual defeat regardless of her chance for success. She wasn't Mordru though, and she knew she wouldn't be able to pursue her goals buried away in whatever prison the Legion had chosen for her. She was so close to victory that it hurt, but if she needed to leave now and rebuild her strength it certainly wouldn't be the first time that had happened. She began to prepare a teleportation incantation.

Then she felt the onrushing wave of occult power, like it was some unstoppable tsunami of potential. The pentagram was completed, and in utter bliss Glorith's eyes rolled back in her head.
Ivy Arcane had finally completed greening Korbal despite any assault on her physical person, and now everything Glorith had earned was coming for her.

The power of the interstellar pentagram washed over them all, and along with her enemies Glorith of Baaldur succumbed to unconsciousness.

*********

ELSEWHERE

The woman named Wensai Saturni rocked back and forth as she hugged her knees on this comfortable mattress that the Titanian mental health authorities had provided her as part of her rehabilitation. She was isolated from others in her room in this psychomedical facility, but she felt closer to normal than she had in some time.

Wensai had fought members of the Legion of Superheroes in her alternate identity as Decay, the so-called Daughter of the Time Trapper. The Legion of Superheroes and the Science Police had both tried their best to make her think this was a delusion, but Decay wasn't convinced. It had been months since she'd faced the Legion though, and without the quantum manipulation belt she'd once worn she had no powers. Wensai wondered for the first time if maybe she really had misunderstood who she was all this time...

As soon as she had this thought, a purple-robed figure appeared in her room and along with the hooded figure came the musty smell of ancient dust.

"Hello daughter," the Time Trapper intoned in a voice that sounded like it had been born in a grave. "Would you like to help your father?"

Decay was ecstatic, but also ashamed. "I'm sorry, Father! They made me believe I had concocted our relationship! Will you help your undeserving daughter?"

"Of course," the Time Trapper replied. "All things end after all, familial relationships among them. You are my daughter though, Decay; and as long as we both exist, I will be your mentor.

Now, let me tell you how you can help your father get everything he wants..."

NEXT: A THOUSAND YEARS OF GREEN

EDITOR'S NOTE:
Decay is a character who's appeared once before in my series, a looong time ago. That story can be found here (all you really need to know though is that she reproduced Kid Quantum's quantum manipulation belt and deluded herself into thinking she was the Time Trapper's daughter....or was it a delusion?)
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: A Verdant Prelude - 11/04/22 11:33 AM
yay! more good stuff!


lol at the joke re Mysa's white outfit... yeah,if I were a superhero I'd totally wear black tongue and that was a very touching scene, with Mysa reflecting on her lost magic and saying goodbye to Harlak

heh, love the callback to Wildfire being THE Legion tutor during Nightwind's Academy days smile and I love the Berta/Laurel combo attack!

also, great characterization mentioning that Dawnstar probably WOULD be all judgey... I know people like that, and their attitude annoys me enough that I avoid them too wink

and more great teamwork with Grava, Brek, E-Lad and Truth Girl! and heh at Brek cutting E-Lad off, and E-Lad continuing to ramble smile

and a big haha to Bobb hating all the snakes and jungle critters.... I feel for him, I would probably have reacted similarly. also nice nod to Sheranee's Tamaranean skills re swinging from branch to branch

woops, Bobb really stepped in it with King Canary hee hee. also liking how you describe Sheranee's animal empathy

loving Tal's sense of humor too

ooh, Korbal, an interesting location! makes sense that Ayla and Blok and Iris would be among the team here!

nice Strut/Mwindaji teamwork too! and of course, I forgot about Strut's electromagnetic sensing ability, perfect for this location! and Slug attracting electricity is great too!

nice look into Jan's powers -- after all, transmutation would be dangerous without the appropriate skill and knowledge! he really IS earning his keep here! and also nice to have the Legion rescuing the lightning beasts! I continue to love the Blok/Iris friendship!

ah,. good to see that Gas Girl's freed the prisoners!

also good to see a glimmer of ... conscience? scruples? morals? within Ivy - not taking any pleasure taunting Cham

yeah, T-Lad for an opening, whoo!

smart of Ral to prepare well for this encounter with Ivy. also like your reference to his recent weight gain; makes Ral more relatable and realistic! (we can't all be underwear models after all wink )

yeah, T-Lad to the rescue again! liking his physical description too

lol at Ayla's little backhanded compliment to Jo, and his stunned reaction

ahhh! nice thinknig of Sizzle to use the ambient electricity on Korbal to fuel her power! love it!

oy! The Legion had her... but too late. way to up the ante, raz!

whoa! Decay again, and now the Time Trapper too... eek!


well done raz, looking forward to the next bit!
Posted By: razsolo Re: A Verdant Prelude - 11/05/22 03:04 AM
Poor Crystal Kid was definitely channelling me a bit, if I had a flight ring there's no way you would catch me pushing on through some creepy woods full of god knows what laugh

I was happy with Jan this time around! He's not a very flashy character and I don't give him the spotlight much so I like when I can give him something specialised to do other than just sticking bad guys in inertron blocks for a change!

NEXT UP: finally we are gonna find out what Glorith and Verdant have been planning this whole time! Also another clue about Enigma Lass! And LOADS of guest stars!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: A Verdant Prelude - 11/05/22 08:46 AM
thank goodness for transuits eh lol I've often thought, if I were flying around here on Earth I would demand a transuit, imagine flying in the tropics in tropical humidity...

yeah, Jan was really one of the MVPs this round - but of course everyone played a part wink great job giving everyone something key to do!
EARTH ORBIT
Legion of Superheroes Headquarters, Medlab


ROLL CALL

Dr Skorski: Legion of Superheroes Physician

Legion Academy
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: co-head; electricity generation and manipulation
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: co-head; telepathy
Enigma Lass: ?
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: ability to bypass any man-made barrier
Sojurn aka S'jn: interdimensional cephalopod; teleportation, telekinesis, telepathy
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl watched alongside some of their other students while the extra-dimensional cephalopod Sojurn floated before them.

As ever, Sojurn's utter lack of facial features made it impossible to gauge how they were feeling but their posture at least seemed quite relaxed about Dr Skorski's little dragonfly-like microship hovering inches away. Two tiny chrome tentacles emerged from the doctor's blue and white vessel, and equally tiny waldos adjusted a device which encircled Sojurn's body at its widest point. Like some kind of high-tech belt or headband, orange light strips illuminated the device when Dr Skorski switched it on and the Teallian physician retracted their little elongated arms back inside their microship.

"How does your new translator feel, S'jn?" the doctor's melodic voice asked.

The others waited in silence for a moment or two before Sojurn spoke out loud for the first time ever. "The translator device....tickles mildly, actually."

"That would be the psioelectric bridge," Dr Skorski explained helpfully. "You should become accustomed to the sensation, but I am certain we can adjust the bridge frequency if you find it bothersome."

"Quite the contrary, Dr Skorski. It is rather pleasant." Sojurn's new voice didn't quite portray their amusement, but the other students giggled anyway.

"Thank you so much for your time and effort, Dr Skorski!" Saturn Girl smiled gratefully. "I understand it must have been a challenge, S'jn's physiology is quite unlike most lifeforms in United Planets medical databases."

"You are most welcome!" the doctor responded with more warmth here than anyone was used to hearing from a Teallian. "And let us not forget, I am from Teall after all...S'jn's physiology is not any stranger to me than that of any other organic being!"

"Now there are two students in the Legion Academy with voices aided by technology," Sojurn added. "I suppose that makes us something of a sub-culture, does it not Enigma Lass?"

From the glances that Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl swapped, this obviously wasn't news to them; Key Kid and Variable Lad however turned to stare at their newest classmate in open shock.

"You have a voice modulator??" Key Kid asked. "Your voice sounds so normal, I would never have guessed!"

"I do not -- I would not like -- I do not wish to discuss it please!" The hooded girl turned on her heel and stomped out of the room, her ethereal long jacket floating in her wake.

"Enigma Lass, don't leave!" Variable Lad called after her. "I am sure Sojurn did not mean to offend!" She didn't turn back and Oaa looked up at Garth and Imra. "Teachers, may I--"

"Let's both go," Saturn Girl offered. "Garth, you'll be fine with Sojurn and Key Kid?"

Lightning Lad gave his wife a peck on the cheek and sent her and Variable Lad on their way. Before he could say anything more, Garth felt Sojurn's more familiar telepathic voice in his head. <Teacher Lightning Lad, I apologise. I have been trying to modify my manner of conversation to better accommodate my fellow students but if I have breached a social boundary-->

"Don't feel too bad, Sojurn." Garth spoke out loud; he wanted Key Kid to hear this as well. "I know it was an honest mistake and I'm sure Enigma Lass won't hold it against you. Let's use what happened today to have a talk about privacy when we get back to Mars, we're all from very different cultural backgrounds so we probably should have done this a lot sooner to be honest. Dr Skorski, thanks again for your time - we appreciate it and I hope everything goes well today."

Today was why the Legion's mobile base had moved from orbiting Mars to orbiting Earth, and Lightning Lad knew he'd be doing his old team a favour by getting the class out of here as soon as possible. Going by what he'd heard from his sister and Cosmic Boy, this vessel was probably going to be full to bursting soon with injured heroes and refugees.

As they walked past a flatscreen monitor showing a news broadcast from Earth, Garth saw Colossal Boy, Mysa Marvel and some fantastic creature that had to be Chameleon Boy evacuating citizens from a building almost wholly consumed in vegetation. The skycam also picked up two purple streaks zipping up and down buildings, and Lightning Lad was mildly surprised to find that this crisis had even brought the Tornado Twins out of retirement.

Good luck, guys! the Legion's founder wished every hero out there, Legionnaire or otherwise.

**********

EARTH
Metropolis, Weisinger Plaza


ROLL CALL

The Cavalry
Antennae Lad aka Khfeurb Chee Bez: can broadcast radio transmissions from different spatiotemporal loci
Bouncing Boy aka Charles Foster Taine: super-bouncing
Polecat aka Dafe Meron: odor generation
Porcupine Pete aka Peter Dursin: projectile quills
Rainbow Girl aka Dori Aandraison: rainbow powers
Una aka Luornu Durgo Taine: ally; currently powerless

Outside the United Planets Museum of the Superhero, the team of heroes called the Cavalry were at a standoff against the plant life creeping its way through Metropolis. Bouncing Boy smashed tree trunks and gnarled branches into so much kindling while Rainbow Girl hovered overhead and shot a different colored laser from each finger at the plant infestation.

The rest of the team were in the centre of Weisinger Plaza inside a transparent dome erected by Una's forcefield belt. Twelve scared citizens were inside the bubble with them, and as much as her teammates tried to maintain calm in here, Luornu Durgo Taine was an experienced enough hero to know that it was only a matter of time until Chuck and Dori fell. With a web of vines covering the forcefield, Una couldn't afford to think about anything else but protecting these people though. One minor lapse in concentration and the field might fall, leading to disaster for everyone in here with her.

On the other side of the forcefield, Bouncing Boy finally hit something too soft and sappy to rebound from. As he struggled to free himself from the sticky mess, multiple fronds began to close over him and Chuck realised this thing wasn't going to crush him so much as it was going to slowly digest him. "Uh, Dori?" he cried out. "A little help?"

"I'm not a Dori," he heard a chirpy young woman's voice outside of the swiftly closing leaves, "But I hope I'll do!" A series of powerful energy bolts shot forth, tearing the plant that had targetted Chuck into so much mulch. He was still half-covered in glue-like sap, but at least he could free himself now.

A pretty girl with skin the color of burnt orange hovered before him, countless pieces of gold jewellery jangling as the last flash of starbolt energy faded from her outstretched hands. "Hi, Bouncing Boy!" she beamed. "I'm Sheranee!"

A cloud of gray-green mist followed the young woman in the sarong, and that mist soon grew a face that Chuck found more familiar. "Hi, Bouncing Boy!" Gas Girl echoed her new teammate. "Quick question, is Duplicate Damsel - I mean is Una's new forcefield as tough as Brainiac 5's is?"

"Exactly as tough!" Chuck answered. "And good to see you, Gas Girl...I guess even the Cavalry need a cavalry sometimes! Nice to meet you too, Sheranee; I'd heard the Legion took on some new recruits, looks to me like they chose well!"

"You two can get acquainted up there, it's about to get super hot down here." A gaseous arm came out of the otherwise formless cloud of vapor that was Gas Girl and pointed up toward Firecrest, Rainbow Girl and Strut several stories above. Each of Strut's six limbs carried a clearly terrified child, but Rainbow Girl was doing her best to keep them distracted from the horror that had overcome their city. Firecrest pulled his massive wings in and started a vertical dive, and Bouncing Boy and Sheranee took the hint and ascended. As soon as Chuck and Sheranee were at a safe distance, Gas Girl switched her composition to hydrogen to help Firecrest set the entire plaza alight and destroy every plant in sight.

Rainbow Girl and Strut had become fast friends while Sheranee had been rescuing Bouncing Boy. "I assume you Legionnaires must know what's going on here, right?" Dori asked. "The Legion of Superheroes isn't even allowed on Earth anymore, this must be a real crisis for you to defy that order!"

"I wouldn't know anything about that, darling!" Strut replied. "I find politics dreadfully dull if I'm being completely honest! But yes, we've been pursuing two scandalous villainesses halfway across the known universe and we thought we'd finally caught up with them on this simply awful little worldlet called Korbal, but it turns out that Earth was their target all along! They completed their ostentatious little mystic ritual, we were all zapped unconscious, and then they made their way here while we napped! They're horrid horrid women, but one must admit that they certainly have a sense of the spectacular! I feel like I'm in one of those end of the world action stories!"

Rainbow Girl was obviously confused. "Why did it take you so long to track them here though? Metropolis has been knee-deep in these plants for weeks now!"

"Oh dear." Strut's mandibles clacked together. "Perhaps Chameleon Boy wasn't exaggerating when he told us their plan..."

**********

ROLL CALL

Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: deputy leader, wind control

Elsewhere in Metropolis, a large crystalline disk with a raised rim carried another dozen sentients over towering megascrapers toward the Science Police evacuation point on what had once been known as Hell's Gate Island. Crystal Kid had created the makeshift flight platform and his flight ring allowed him to keep pace with it on the left hand side. Gravity Kid was on the right hand side of the disk using his own power to lighten the load, while maintaining what he thought of as a professional demeanour with his former love interest. In fact, Tel Vole's icy exterior was creating enough tension that even some of the random citizens they were rescuing could sense it. Nightwind's air control gently propelled the disk while also minimising the normally fierce winds this high up. Berta could definitely feel the tension between Tel and Bobb, and if there weren't so many other people around she'd likely have called them out on it.

"So let me get this straight," Gravity Kid spoke directly to Nightwind, "Glorith makes this cosmic pentagram, Earth is at the centre of it, and somehow this is going to give her control over Earth for a thousand years? Chameleon Boy must have misunderstood, how is Verdant covering a world in plants giving Glorith any power?"

"I guess the pentagram focuses all the magic...energy...or whatever in the middle of it?" Nightwind struggled to explain. "I don't know, Tel; I'm not Dragonmage. But I mean they're obviously here and doing their thing on this world just like all the others, so I'm inclined to assume Cham meant what he said."

"Legion Academy to the rescue!"

The three Legionnaires turned at the bellowing voice, and saw an almost translucent Power Boy ascending from the chaos below. "Give me a lift, Berta?" With his density reduced to this degree Power Boy could ride air currents, but it wasn't a particularly efficient way to fly. Luckily he weighed barely anything, so it was no trouble for Nightwind to pick him up and carry him alongside the rest of them where they all greeted their old classmate.

"Is that a new costume, Jed?" Nightwind smirked. "Where's the rest of it?"

"Not all of us dress like a Talokkian nun," he teased her back. He still wore the same boots and pants that had been a staple of his outfit since his days at the Legion Academy, and what seemed to be a gleaming gold wrestler's belt featured his logo which resembled a partially eclipsed sun. Instead of his old yellow shirt though, two thin bands grew from the top of his belt to stretch up his otherwise naked torso like suspenders where they turned into something resembling a folded collar around his thick neck. Fingerless gloves completed the look, and the Legionnaires saw that he had a buzzed down undercut with ginger hair slicked back over the top of his skull. Jed also had a light ginger fuzz coating his purple chin. "How come it's taken you guys so long to get here? We've been dealing with this hyperactive garden for days...maybe even a week now!"

Gravity Kid realised he was ogling Jed in his revealing new outfit, and self-consciously turned away before anyone noticed. He saw that Crystal Kid had noticed, and Tel rolled his eyes at the annoyed expression Bobb was wearing. Nightwind thanked the stars that Jed Rikane was far too unobservant to pick up on these things, she was already suffering from enough second-hand embarassment. Pointedly ignoring her teammates, Berta fielded Power Boy's question. "It's kind of a weird story and one I don't really get, but there's this evil sorceress Glorith; like Glorith that used to be in the Academy but not her. She's scary powerful...like Mordru powerful. And she hasn't really been on Earth for weeks, the Legion faced her on Korbal not even a day ago. But somehow...Jed, we think she's making this effect spread through time. Some of these people think all this started yesterday, some are saying it was a month ago."

"Oh wow!" Power Boy's jaw dropped. "Well, I know I'm not in the Legion but if you need help..."

Berta had been happy to see her old friend, but talking about Glorith's evil brought to mind just how high the stakes were and she sobered up very quickly.

"...I think we're gonna need all the help we can get, Jed."

**********

ROLL CALL

Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis
Sizzle aka Teela Spuunvll: energy conversion
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone

On a pedestrian walkway far beneath Nightwind and the others, a tourist airbus had been shot down out of the sunny sky by aggressive Jacquaan spearplants. Stone Boy tore the spearplants to shreds while Sizzle converted the flames from the crash into a wide arc of hard radiation which withered and charred any other plants which crept too close for comfort. Mwindaji's power healed the grievously wounded tour guide and passengers, and Star Boy led them safely towards a large makeshift igloo which Polar Boy had created to take them all safely to one of the city's evacuation points.

The tour guide was a well-built bearded blonde man who'd introduced himself as Oli-3, and he drew Star Boy's attention now to a disturbance on another walkway far below them. "Star Boy, right? You see that? Are those creeps looting that place?"

Curious, Sizzle glanced over the protective barrier that had only barely contained the airbus when it fell out of the sky. "Hey...they are looting that place! I recognise those particular creeps too, they're the Legion of Substitute Villains! We need to stop them!" Indeed, the Bismollian man named Bile was right now leading the latest incarnation of his group of fourth-rate villains to steal anything they could carry from an area of Metropolis that had already been successfully cleared of residents.

"With everything that's going on, that's our last priority right now." Night Girl walked beneath Polar Boy's construct as she spoke. Brek had tilted one end of it up on an ice column specifically so Lydda could comfortably get underneath it, and the Kathooni heroine activated her transuit and then worked to find the best spot to lift the tons of ice overhead. "I think I'm nearly ready, Ulu."

"But they're breaking the law!" Sizzle protested. "Right in front of us!"

"You're not a prison warden now, Sizzle." Star Boy took up the discussion so Night Girl could focus on her task. "Protecting innocent bystanders always takes precedence over capturing petty criminals...and right now, we have a lot of innocent bystanders to protect."

Making sure that her passengers were secure, Night Girl gave Color Kid the signal he'd been waiting for and he darkened her transuit until it was almost black. Then he accompanied Night Girl as she flew off into the afternoon sunshine like some living shadow with her precious cargo.

A sudden gust of wind ruffled everyone else's hair, and a woman in a padded gold costume suddenly appeared before the remaining Legionnaires. "Glad I caught the tail end of that," the woman named Sprint greeted the heroes. "I suppose that means we're not gonna have to have some stupid drawn-out fight if I were to give you these kids to rescue then?" She lowered the two young children she'd been carrying down to the ground, where they soon ran to the more recognisable Star Boy and Polar Boy.

"I know we've had our differences," Star Boy nodded. "But thank you, Sprint...really."

"Hey, it's our world too!" the goggled speedster gave a wry smile. "Speaking of our, I'd better get back to Golden Boy before he decides the best way to protect the rest of those brats we found is to turn them all into oversized trophies. See you soon, do-gooders!"

Sizzle watched Sprint dash off with a stunned stare. Sprint and Golden Boy had both been members of Earth-Man's Judgement League; Teela had never met any of the Judgement League personally, but even on Takron-Galtos they knew how close Earth-Man's cronies had come to destroying the Legion and bullying the rest of Earth into submission. Sizzle thought her time in the Workforce on Takron-Galtos had taught her a lot about how criminals needed to be handled, but she was beginning to wonder if she still had more to learn...

**********

ROLL CALL

Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility

Chlorophyll Kid's power had been a godsend once he led Phantom Girl and the others into the heart of Metropolis where Verdant's influence was strongest. While he was no match for his estranged daughter's power one on one, Ivy wasn't directly controlling the plants filling Metropolis so much as she was giving them licence to grow wildly on their own...and that was something Ral Benem could counter with only minimal effort.

So it was that Phantom Girl felt quite comfortable taking a break in the middle of the chaos to check in with her Science Police contacts. An artificial clearing surrounded the five Legionnaires thanks to Chlorophyll Kid, and two large green flat screens displayed Shvaughn Erin and Roon Dvron thanks to Neon.

"Phantom Girl, thanks for sending Jan here with a crew." Shvaughn made conversation with Phantom Girl easily. "We'd already evacuated the immediate area of sentients, but I don't want to think about how much damage would have been caused if the powersphere had ruptured."

"Please," Tinya deflected, "That's what we're here for, Shvaughn...and I knew Jan would be worried about you until he got to see that you were okay personally. How's the evacuation coming, Officer Dvron?"

Roon Dvron had never developed the kind of relaxed relationship with many of the Legionnaires that his colleague had cultivated, and he was more business-like in his response. "Efforts proceed with minimal interruption. Latest SP estimates are that the whole city should be evacuated within the next hour, and that's in no small part thanks to Blok, Sun Boy, Wildfire and Lightning Lass defending the evac site...not to mention the assistance the rest of the Legion have provided with escorting citizens out of Metropolis."

"Like I said to Shvaughn....that's what we're here for." Phantom Girl's tone was warm but it was obvious she was a little weary as well. "Earthgov may not necessarily want us here, but we can deal with that when all of this is over; the Legion of Superheroes aren't going to let people die for the sake of politics. Please let us know if there's anything else at all we can do to help, guys...and thank you for your cooperation, I hope you two don't get in trouble yourselves for this."

"As a wise woman once said," a mischievous gleam sparkled in Shvaughn's eye, "We can deal with that when all of this is over. Stay safe, Legion!"

"You too," Tinya returned. The officers ceased transmission, and Phantom Girl turned her attention to her teammates close at hand. "Okay, gang....why is it we think nobody noticed that gigantic tree until we reached this block?" The tree in question had a trunk easily as thick around as two megascrapers, and it shot right up into the clouds before they saw any hint of leaves. By all rights, they should have seen it from orbit but it had remained hidden from view until they'd come within a mile of it.

"I'm nebula hazy on that one, starshine," Comet Queen shrugged glumly. "But Chlory says our little sprout's beaming from round there somewhere, right Chlory?"

"Absolutely," Chlorophyll Kid stared at the unnaturally enormous tree. He'd stopped wearing his wooden armour in anticipation of facing his daughter again, and the girls could all see the grim set to his facial features.

"Do you think it's related to the weird timey wimey stuff?" Neon wondered aloud. "We've come across a lot of people saying they feel like this plant invasion happened weeks ago, maybe if this is where it all began the outer bits of Metropolis just haven't caught up yet?"

"That makes as much sense as anything, I guess." Phantom Girl sighed. "Boy, I sure miss Brainy sometimes...Danielle, Zoe, can you two tell if there's anyone who needs our help between here and that oversized tree?"

"Any functioning biometric scanners and security devices aren't registering anyone," Kid Computo replied.

"And I'm not picking up any humanoid life signs either," Neon added as her ring flashed brightly on her extended finger.

"Then let's do this!" Phantom Girl brought her flight ring close to her lips as she took to the air. "Any Legionnaires who can make themselves available...we're taking the fight to Glorith and Verdant. Home in on my signal, let's go Legion!" The others followed Tinya, and before too long more than a dozen other Legionnaires followed in their wake.

The heroes had expected to find Glorith and Verdant at the base of the tree, but there was no sign of anything other than more plant life when they got there. "Chlor?" Phantom Girl asked. "Any idea where we go from here?"

"This is going to sound really odd," Chlorophyll Kid's brow furrowed, "But I think we need to get...inside the tree?"

"Like through here?" Spiralling up and around the trunk, Comet Queen had come across a hollow that while proportionate in size to the tree was easily large enough to fly an aircar through. "Maybe it's like a nature holo version of a stargate?"

Neon followed her golden teammate and illuminated the interior of the hollow in soft emerald light. "It's definitely some kind of passage!" Zoe announced to the others. "It looks like it winds around the tree going up and down!"

Phantom Girl considered her options; aside from the four Legionnaires she'd brought here herself, she also now had Truth Girl, Mon-El, Supergirl, Tellus, King Canary, Slug, Transposition Lad, Dragonmage, Cosmic Boy, Elastic Lad, Matter-Eater Lad, Dawnstar, Dream Girl and Shrinking Violet on side as well. Some of these Legionnaires might be new, but Tinya was confident that they were a strong enough force to take on the two women behind all of this without having to wait for the rest of the team to join them.

Tinya Wazzo ascended to join Comet Queen and Neon, and she called the other Legionnaires to follow her. The tunnel that wound through the tree was spacious enough for seven people to stand side by side, and the heroes gathered together easily within the trunk. "I guess now we just need to decide whether to go up or down," Tinya considered the situation. "Maybe we should split--"

Before she could continue, Mon-El's eyes grew wide with shock. "It can't be..." he muttered.

Tinya glanced curiously at her friend. "...Mon?"

"This way!" The Daxamite sped off down into the pitch black of the tunnel that led downwards, and the Legion quickly followed.

With his enhanced hearing, King Canary was the first to realise what had set Mon-El off. "There's someone down there!" the little bird announced gruffly. "A lot of someones!"

"We don't know what we're in for," Phantom Girl cautioned as she turned intangible. "Be ready for anything -- oh!"

As they rounded the inside of the huge trunk with Neon lighting their way, the Legionnaires came face to face with the last group of people they would ever have expected to find here.

Just as surprised as the Legion of Superheroes stood the ancient heroes Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Red Tornado, Firestorm, a Green Lantern and Aquaman with others behind them where it was too dark to identify any of them.

To his credit, Superman recovered from the surprise in moments and broke out in a broad grin.

"Justice League of America...I'd like to introduce you to my old friends, the Legion of Superheroes."

TO BE CONTINUED!!!

EDITOR'S NOTES:
* The Tornado Twins are Don and Dawn Allen, children of Barry Allen - this is their first cameo in my series!

* The Cavalry is of course the team that Chuck and Luornu formed with the remaining members of the Legion of Substitute Heroes who'd never joined the Legion of Superheroes - this is their first appearance since taking on their new team name!

* Power Boy had joined the UP's covert ops team the Oversight Watch when Nightwind was made a Legionnaire, but the last time we saw him he had quit the Watch and had memories of the team mostly erased from his mind.

* Sizzle first appeared in my series as a member of the Legion of Substitute Villains - they are about as terrible as you'd imagine, and she quickly realised she'd made a spectacularly dumb choice working with them. She joined Takron-Galtos's superwarden team the Workforce to work off her sentence before she joined the Legion of Superheroes.

* Sprint is a homemade character - she's a speedster from the past who Earth-Man recruited into being part of his villainous Judgement League. She hooked up with Golden Boy, and the two have been together since.
Wow raz, more awesome stuff,

Nice bit about cultural differences - you’re already putting things into practice wink

Also great way to show the scale of the crisis, having the Tornado Twins and the Cavalry show up . And a nice reunion for most of the former Subs too wink

Nice teamwork with Firecrest and Gas Girl - also interesting re what happens to her body’s atoms when she does that? But she’s fine of course tongue

The plants have been there for WEEKS? Whoa what a way to up the ante - though how is everyone still alive if it’s been that long?

Awesome scene with Bobb, Tel and Jed - just a big LOL at Bobb and Tel being awkward, and Jed being all oblivious

Nice explanation re spreading through time, which is why people are all saying different things - and explains how not everyone is dead yet

Great bit re Sizzle and Sprint, nice to see the villains who aren’t all about killing (some just wanna get rich), and nice discussion re prioritising

Loved seeing Shvaughn and Dvron, and their differing relationships with the team. (Even for me as a reader, I think of Shvaughn by her first name and Dvron by his last!)

Whoa whoa whoa what a cliffhanger - the Justice League! And tons of them it seems!!! Well well well, I’m impressed and eager!!

(And Superman calling the Legion his old friends warms my heart)

And with Truth girl along, am sure we will see if that’s really them;)
Thanks IB!

Quote
Nice teamwork with Firecrest and Gas Girl - also interesting re what happens to her body’s atoms when she does that?
This is a very good question! Google tells me the byproduct of burning hydrogen is water, but I am going to assume Evolvo Lad is smart enough some of the time to have figured out a way to avoid that happening laugh

re Shvaughn and Dvron....I totally do the same thing with their names - in fact I don't even think I was aware that Dvron had a first name until the Who's Who books back in the day!

There are gonna be some cute character interactions between the JLA and the Legion over the next couple of instalments I think, some of them a bit out of left field...but part of the appeal is also getting to write Superman as a grown-up with the pals he had as a teenager!
yeah, it's super amazing that you have so many Leaguers along, whooo!

ah science, I struggle too whenever I read, say Condo. I have to keep googling, and hope I can make it sound science-y and realistic enough not to take people out of the story lol
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
I have to keep googling, and hope I can make it sound science-y and realistic enough not to take people out of the story lol
V relatable! That along with making the super-brainy types come across as realistically super-brainy are the hardest things to pull off with these characters I reckon!
Finally got an hour to myself so willl hopefully be able to give you a review Raz,

Mysa and Xao make a nice pair, and her admitting that she misses her magics as she can't fully appreciate Harlack's Bel'yana Stone working his magic was quite touching.

The team on Balduur is huge! Seems like your Brek is becoming as annoying as mine was smile poor Berta having to deal with him. Have I told you how much I love Dogstar yet? And Wildfire callinghim 'Krypto' is pretty accurate for Drake's character.

Missile launch - what fun!"Oof!" indeed, poor Laurel not getting her moment to gloat (haha). Nice to see Grava getting involved, despite losing Ivy she's still a hero. And there can never be enough Elastic Lad and his socially inept enthusiasm, he may still be my fave of your OC's. I'm with Crystal Kid, not a fan of unexpected bugs! Sheranee having an instinctve understanding of animals is quite handy, and makes her even more likeable smile

Gas Girl shows her versatility getting into the castle and wondering if there's something she can change into that can damage it. I do wonder how she speaks in her gaseous state though?

Using the prisoners to power the giant golems? GlorithSpikyShoulderpad's not a nice person, is she...

Korbal - nice call back to an otherwise never used unless t involves the Ranzz's planet. And good to see you making this world very different from the rest with it's violent atmosphere and the inherent difficulties that this would cause plant life.

Nice to see the team split off to help the researchers, not just tackle GlorithSpikyShoulderpads and Ivy. Strut sensing the lightning bolts is cool! Another of my faves of your own creations btw, though the list seems to grow longer with every newbie you introduce laugh

Diamond Damsel and Blok's flirting as they rescue the lightning beasts was cute.

Glad that Reep is still alive. I've got a feeling that they will regret underestimating him when he finally gets free.

Great move by Transpoition Lad! He's a handy chap to have on the team, and his insecurity is understandable when faced against someone like GlorithSpikyshoulderpads on his first real mission. And freeing Cham like that... he's the most useful of your new recruits so far. Lightning Lass being annoyed at being back on Korbal was a good touch. And the team quickly figuring out that GlorithSpikyShoulderPads (no, I will never get bored of calling her that) would have problems defending against multiple different attacks highlighted their experience.

And after all that, GlorithSpikyShoulderPads plan worked! Wasn't expecting that!

And now the Time Trapper and his 'daughter'? Wow, you don't make things easy for the team, do you?

And I've run out of time for now, will try to finish off later today.

Thoroughly enjoying this Raz, some sweet characterisation, nice action, and a beauty of a cliffhanger - what isn't there to love?

More, more, more!
Hi Harbi!

I have enjoyed writing Mysa and Xao's little side quest, they have never really had much of a chance to interact in my fic before now and as the most magic-centric characters it makes sense they'd have stuff to talk about smile

I like Polar Boy but he does have his moments laugh

How Gas Girl can talk in her gaseous state is a very good question! I suppose the "sounds sciencey enough to work" explanation could be that she's discovered a gas that's dense enough to be able to act as vocal cords and shape sounds, but as with all Lallor-related mysteries I ultimately put it down to Evolvo Lad being much smarter than me and figuring something out wink

I am glad you liked Korbal...I didn't want every encounter to just be a repeat of "Legion vs plants" without throwing something else in there to mix it up a bit, and I noticed the same thing that you did - Korbal never really gets used outside of a backdrop for Ranzz stories, it makes a fun setting!

I was a tiny bit worried that Transposition Lad was gonna be a one trick pony and his power might get old quick, but happily it turns out it's not too difficult to think of different applications for him!

...and I'm not sure how GlorithSpikyShoulderPads would feel about that name but honestly there's a good chance she would take it as a compliment lol

I have finished the next chapter, as soon as I catch up on the other stuff I have missed on the board recently I will put that up as well!
EARTH
Metropolis


ROLL CALL

Legion of Superheroes
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn: magnetism
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking
Slug aka Kes Mtsto: inertron form and projectiles
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
Transposition Lad aka Kappa Snarrk: teleportational transposition
Truth Girl aka Oliv Hollowai: truth sense, wields the Golden Perfect

Justice League of America
Atom aka Ray Palmer: size and mass control
Aquaman aka Arthur Curry: marine-adapted physiology, marine telepathy
Batman aka Bruce Wayne: martial artist, strategist
Black Canary aka Dinah Lance: martial artist, sonic cry
Elongated Man aka Ralph Dibny: super-elongation
Firestorm aka Ronald Raymond/Martin Stein: matter transmutation, atomic energy manipulation
Flash aka Barry Allen: super-speed
Green Arrow aka Oliver Queen: expert archer
Green Lantern aka Hal Jordan: Green Lantern ring
Hawkgirl aka Shayera Hol: flight, melee combat specialist
Hawkman aka Katar Hol: flight, melee combat specialist
Red Tornado aka John Smith: android body, aerokinesis
Superman aka Kal-El: JLA chairperson; Kryptonian physiology
Wonder Woman aka Diana: enhanced physiology, flight, Amazon weapons
Zatanna Zatara: sorceress

With Zoe Saugin and Hal Jordan providing light for their respective teams here within the trunk of this absurdly large tree, the two greatest superhero teams of their respective eras faced off against one another in a distinctly emerald setting.

"Are we gonna have one of those superhero misunderstandings and fight now?" Transposition Lad leaned down to ask Matter-Eater Lad.

"What?" Phantom Girl overheard and turned back toward her new teammate with a bemused smirk. "Don't be silly, Kappa - I don't know what they're doing here but the Justice League are legends, and some of us have known Superman since we were kids! It's so good to see you, Kal...although I wish the circumstances were better!" Tinya rushed forward and planted a kiss on Superman's cheek.

"It has been a long time!" Wearing a grin from ear to ear, Superman clapped a hand on Mon-El and Phantom Girl's shoulders. "More for me than you, I suspect!"

Shrinking Violet was just about to suggest that Tellus mind scan the ancient heroes who'd oh so conveniently just appeared before them (an idea that she knew wouldn't be well received for all its practicality) but Truth Girl saved her the trouble.

"It's really you!" Truth Girl stared open-mouthed at Wonder Woman. "Princess Diana, I can't believe...this is such an honour! I...oh grife, my girlfriend Bobbi won't believe this!"

With her arms held out before her and a warm smile on her face, Wonder Woman approached the starstruck young woman. "Hola, sister. I've heard Superman speak of the Legion of Superheroes, but I never thought I'd get to meet you all... from what I hear, your team helped our friend become the man he is today so the honour is all mine!" She gave Truth Girl a welcoming hug, then held her at arm's length so she could look her up and down. "I know you can't tell us too much about our future, but I'm overjoyed to see that Themyscira's legacy survives long after I'm gone. I'd recognise the Golden Perfect anywhere and if I'm not mistaken that armour you wear is Amazonium, yes?"

"It...it's an Amazonium alloy." Truth Girl's golden eyes were as wide as dinner plates. "Oh wow, I'm sorry...I just....I'm going to need a nano."

Wonder Woman gave a hearty laugh, and in that action the two teams felt any barrier to them interacting vanish.

**********

"Zoe!" Dragonmage hissed into Neon's ear. "Do you see that woman in the fishnet stockings?"

"There's two of them, Xao; you'll need to be more specific." Zoe Saugin shook her head with mild amusement as she examined Black Canary and Zatanna. "Old time fashions sure were weird, huh?"

"With the black hair!" Dragonmage continued urgently. "That's Zatanna Zatara! She's one of the greatest sorcerors in all of history!"

"So go say hi to her!" Zoe shot back. "You know this is probably the only chance you're ever gonna get!"

Dragonmage flushed beet red at the very suggestion, and while he was still struggling to find a response the JLA's Green Lantern walked over to introduce himself to the Legion's Green Lantern. "So the future of the Green Lantern Corps is pretty young redheads?" Hal Jordan said by way of introduction. "I can get behind that!"

Hal's presence reminded Zoe of her friends and allies in Sodam Yat's nascent Green Lantern Corps, and of the tragic fate that had befallen them all. Overwhelmed with unexpected emotion, Zoe's voice cracked as she grabbed Dragonmage and dragged him forward. "Come on, Xao....let's meet this legendary magician of yours."

Hal Jordan watched puzzled as the teenagers left him behind.

**********

"You're an android, but you're...you're alive!" Danielle Foccart circled Red Tornado in wonder. "How is that even possible? Are you Robotican?"

"I do not know what that term means, but I can feel your touch in my mind..?" Red Tornado cocked his head to one side. "Is this some kind of futuristic technology at work?"

"No, and I'm sorry - it's rude of me to just barge in to your head like that!" As much as she was curious to know more about the hero she now knew was called Red Tornado, Danielle withdrew the touch of her power. "My name's Kid Computo. I guess there's probably no name for it in your time, but I have a power called cyberempathy. It's basically like telepathy for computers."

"Thank you for seeing me as the man I strive to be, Kid Computo." A broad smile crossed Red Tornado's crimson face and he offered Danielle an open hand. "My codename is Red Tornado...but my friends call me Reddy."

Beside the two heroes, Tellus was having a similarly unique experience. With everyone else engaged in spirited conversation around them, the Hykraian Legionnaire sat immobile in telepathic communion with Aquaman. <You possess the ability to communicate mind to mind, Arthur Curry!>, Tellus shared with the blond Justice Leaguer. <I have rarely met a Terran with such gifts!>

<My power only works with marine lifeforms, and I rarely have the chance to communicate with any as evolved as yourself!>, Aquaman replied. <I'd love to learn more about your world and your people, Ganglios of Hykraius!>

<There are certain...protocols...I was taught when it comes to time travel>, Tellus responded, <But I am delighted to share with you what I can!>

The two men continued their discussion, the rest of their teams completely oblivious that they were interacting at all.

**********

Elastic Lad had started talking to Elongated Man about their shared powers, but that was two minutes and three topics of conversation ago for Jams-Ols 5. Ralph Dibny had decided the best course of action was to just go with the flow, and he watched his futuristic counterpart with a kind of impressed confoundment.

"--and that's why Wish Girl isn't allowed to leave Cadmu without an escort anymore!" Elastic Lad finished his little roundabout story. "Gosh, I don't know if I should be telling you all of this but really there's statistically a very small chance that knowing trivia about a random stranger on an alien planet who won't even be born for hundreds of years is going to impact the timeline in any way! Say Mr Dibny, don't the Justice League have a satellite in orbit around Earth? The Legion of Superheroes just built a mobile base and we all live in outer space now, that could be one more thing we have in common!"

Ralph finally saw his chance to play some part in this conversation and opened his mouth to speak when one of the other Legionnaires slapped a friendly hand on Elastic Lad's shoulder. "Kid, Brainy would have a conniption fit if he heard you telling someone from Kal's time all this classified future gossip!" Matter-Eater Lad lightly chastised his excitable teammate.

Tenzil suddenly realised who Elastic Lad had been talkig to. "Great galloping galaxies, you're the Elongated Man! I've got all your Enigmas of History holos!! I have gotta get your autograph before this is all over..!"

"Elongated Man?!" Slug and Transposition Lad piped up in unison and rushed over to join the spontaneous fan club.

"Slug loves Elongated Man's Enigmas of History!"

"Do the nose thing! Can you do the nose thing??"

Ralph glanced from one face to the next before he gave an oblivious Superman an awed stare.

If all his friends were like this when he was a kid, the stretchable sleuth thought, Maybe staying mild-mannered has been Clark Kent's real super-power all along!

**********

While the rest of their respective teams were introducing themselves to one another, Superman and Batman were off to one side with Phantom Girl, Cosmic Boy, Mon-El, Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen.

"It really is good to see you all again," Superman spoke, looking over the assemblage of heroes, "Although the Legion have obviously picked up some new recruits since Superboy was a member! But what could Ivy possibly have done to warrant the Legion of Superheroes' attention?"

"Ivy's my daughter," Chlorophyll Kid replied, slightly defensive. "Our daughter," Ral corrected himself as he squeezed Grava's hand.

"Don't go nova, Chlory!" Comet Queen returned her husband's affectionate touch. "Superboy couldn't be expected to glean all that, even if he is all grown up now! It might be all background radiation to us, but it's a big bang to them." She looked up into Superman's confused face. "Ivy's our little sprout," Grava tried to explain. "When Mordru sent his nasty shadow demons after us -- you still spark Mordru, right starshine? Anyway, good Glorith turned into bad Glorith and she's really pretty but she's just as mean as old Mordru; parse me to the C-span, she might even be meaner! Anyway, she took our little sprout away in time and photon quick she brought her back but she was all grown up now too! And ever since then, the two of them have just been aiming themselves at planet after planet like rogue binary stars just burning up everything they pass through! And now they've hit Earth!"

The nature of time travel being what it was, Superman generally only remembered broad strokes of his membership in the Legion until their presence brought those memories into sharp focus once more. He'd genuinely forgotten just how difficult it could be to understand Comet Queen's speech but even taking that into consideration, surely he couldn't have just heard what he thought he'd heard? "I'm sorry," he shook his head. "But Comet Queen, Chlorophyll Kid...you two are saying Ivy is your daughter?"

"Oh, we're all so dumb!" Phantom Girl slapped her forehead. "She's their adopted daughter, Kal. That's why she doesn't look like either Chlor or Grava...but you know we're not in your time, right? You've all come to our Metropolis!"

"I'm not so sure about that, Phantom Girl." Mon-El had that faraway look in his eye which Tinya had seen often enough to know that he was using one of his vision powers. "Our Metropolis isn't outside this tree trunk...and neither is the Metropolis of Superman's time. But I've been in enough time bubbles to know what is....I think we're in the timestream. I think this tree is somehow creating a link between our two time periods."

Batman suddenly snapped his fingers. "...They're different women."

Cosmic Boy was the first to realise what the Caped Crusader was talking about. "Of course! You and Superman are talking about Poison Ivy, right? One of Batman's rogues?"

"A clever deduction, Cosmic Boy." Batman gave the Legionnaire a nod of respect and Rokk felt uncommonly bashful. "Poison Ivy's plants took over Gotham City yesterday," Batman continued. "Wilder and hardier than they've ever been before. I don't know how familiar you all are with my era's criminals; from what I understand, a lot of your team aren't from Earth at all. But let me assure you, Poison Ivy has only ever been a minor thorn in my side if you'll pardon the pun. She's never shown the kind of power to devastate an entire city in such a short period like she's done this time around. When this strange tree sprouted up in Robinson Park, I knew that this was beyond the abilities of myself and Robin to deal with alone and I called in my colleagues in the Justice League. Zatanna detected that there was a mystical source of power behind the takeover of Gotham, and that's what led us into this tree where we met all of you."

"Glorith must be helping your Poison Ivy somehow," Phantom Girl reasoned. "But to what purpose? What's the point of getting the Legion and the Justice League of America on her back?"

Before anyone could answer that question, startled chatter erupted in the midst of the group. By the time Tinya phased her way through the assembled heroes to the source of the commotion, Hawkman was already helping a groggy Dream Girl to her feet. "Is your teammate unwell?" Hawkgirl leaned across to Dawnstar and asked discreetly.

"Don't concern yourself with Dream Girl," Dawnstar replied coolly. "I'm sure your husband's ministrations are doing wonders for her welfare."

Dream Girl flashed the winged Legionnaire a vexed glance, but it didn't escape anyone's notice that Nura was in no hurry to extricate herself from Hawkman's muscular arms either. "I just had a vision...a precognitive vision," Nura clarified for the Leaguers' sakes. "I saw us all working together to fight Verdant and Glorith in our own time, and Poison Ivy in Superman's home era...and there was something else, something of great importance but I didn't understand what it meant. Do any of you Justice Leaguers know someone named Louisiana..?"

"...Louisiana is not a whom, but rather a where."

This was a new voice, a deep and sombre tone that left some of the Legionnaires feeling vaguely unsettled. The heroes parted to reveal a man standing amongst them in a dark blue suit with a matching high-collared cape held around his shoulders by a golden clasp. An ornately patterned golden amulet dangled from the clasp on thin metallic links, and the brim of a fedora left his eyes in permanent shadow.

"Y-you weren't there a nano ago!" Dream Girl unconsciously recoiled from the newcomer. "...Who are you??"

"I am...a stranger," the man spoke gravely. "But fear not, Nura Nal, for I am a stranger who means you no harm. Your power has aided you well, the place named Louisiana is surely key to any altercation involving the Green."

Superman saw the looks of distrust and confusion on some of the Legionnaires' faces and realised he needed to step in. "The Phantom Stranger can be enigmatic," the man of steel announced to the gathered heroes, "But he's equally trustworthy...and if he's here, he's here to help. Right now I appreciate all the help we can get, so thank you Stranger."

"Okay then, it's settled!" Phantom Girl put on a cheery demeanour she didn't necessarily feel. "Sounds like we're gonna be fighting on multiple fronts; Glorith and Verdant together, Poison Ivy, and whatever's going on in this Louisiana place."

"We'll also need to devote resources to preventing collateral damage," Batman added. "I'm not letting Poison Ivy's plants run roughshod over my city while I'm taking the fight to her."

One of Slug's inertron eyestalks nudged Transposition Lad and the taller hero squatted down to his friend's level. "Transposition Lad knows what this means, yes?" Slug asked with barely concealed glee.

"Superhero team-up!"

**********

Somewhen else, surrounded by a seemingly endless plain of vegetation, Glorith of Baaldur allowed herself a self-satisfied smirk. Tracing the lines of Superman's broad shoulders in the scrying pool she'd created to spy on the heroes, her expression turned more sultry. "By all means, boys and girls," Glorith chuckled to herself. "Bring your big musclebound icons to me...I like a challenge."

She turned away from the pool to face Verdant behind her, who was clearly occupied with her own work. "How are you holding up there, dear?" Glorith asked the younger girl.

"I don't know if this sounds crazy, but....it seems to be getting easier?" Verdant replied. "It's like the longer I keep at this, the less I need to actively force my will on the Green to do what we want."

"It's not crazy at all, silly girl." Glorith stroked Ivy's cheek affectionately. "That was the whole point of our cosmic gambit. I just wanted to make things easier for you to help the Green gain the ascendance you've been wishing for." Ivy gave her a grateful smile, one which Glorith returned. "I'll leave you to it then, shall I?"

Glorith returned to the scrying pool and with a quick flick of the wrist changed the scene from the Legion and the JLA to a representation of the enormous tree towering over the 31st Century's Metropolis. An exact duplicate of the tree was mirrored below it, and both of their roots slowly but inexorably reached out toward the empty distance between them to meet in the middle...and when that happened, when those two impossible structures entwined...the first step to Glorith of Baaldur's reign over time would be complete.

**********

Just as the heroes of the Legion and the Justice League were unaware that they were being watched, Glorith in turn was unaware that someone watched her.

On a barren rock adrift in the lightless void that was the end of time, the Time Trapper and his surrogate daughter Decay viewed Glorith in the midst of swirling rainbow energies.

Decay looked into the faceless hood of the entity she believed to be her sire. "Is that her, my father?" she asked. "Is she the enemy that we must face?"

"That she is," the Time Trapper's sepulchral voice rattled. "Sneaky little Glorith may have avoided her fate at my hands once upon a time, but her time will come...

...and it will come soon."

TO BE CONTINUED!
hi Raz, what a major treat to read the next installment of your story!

nice to see the real names of the newbies. Kappa Snarrrk is very inspired! any way inspired on Legion World's own Kappa?

ooh the Satellite Era League! Fave era of mine, already super eager! thanks for including every one of the members at the time!

I also randomly had a thought: with King Canary providing sonic powers, is there room for your Tyroc to come back? I can't remember, and apologies for this, if your Tyroc had "just" the sonic powers or if he still had his magical sonic screams

haha loved T-Lad's call out to superhero misunderstanding fights... and though he didn't say anything, it's also a nice bit of characterization that T-Lad asked Tenzil! and also love the callout re some Legionnaires have known Superman since they were kids smile I do love that part of the Legion mythos.

also love Vi's practicality, and glad Truth Girl was able to save the group from that bit of awkwardness!

Truth Girl's awe at meeting Diana was great, and love that T-Girl has a girlfriend smile Diana greeting her so warmly is also so Diana!

hahaha at that fishnet stockings bit, and Zoe's comment re fashion - so her. and Xao's awe at Zatanna was great too. also that Hal/Zoe bit, nice reference to the tumultuous history of the Green Lanterns, and also poor Celeste and Jordana among others. (I was gonna say poor Hal, then I realized he was kind of hitting on Zoe! Bad Hal!)

Danielle and Red Tornado! an inspired scene! Also Tellus and Aquaman, and great point re there would be protocols when it comes to time travel. (sorry, just a teeny litle bit but it looks like a couple of words are missing in Aquaman's dialogue, I imagine this should be "My power (works) only with marine lifeforms,"?

Originally Posted by razsolo
<My power only with marine lifeforms,

also a big lol at Elastic Lad and Elongated Man, whose main commonality is their powers. and that bit re statistically insignificant chance of E-Man knowing about Wish Girl impacting the time stream... also like that Wish Girl did get her comeuppance for all the chaos she caused before! and what a hoot seeing so many Legionnaires swarm over Ralph, haha!

nice simple explanation for why Superman's memories of the Legion's time don't cause a time paradox or stuff like that, that they just naturally become hazy when he's in a different time.

hah, also that bit re being surprised that Ivy is Ral/Grava's daughter

oooh Poison Ivy is also involved! the plot thickens...

Dawnstar's snarky comment about Nura was comedy gold, as was Nura just basking in Hawkman's arms lol. I wouldn't mind being held by Carter for a bit, I gotta say!

also like how Nura has to interpret her visions, such that someone needs to explain what Louisiana is.

yay! the Phantom Stranger, nice way to work in another appearance! and of course, this will lead to Swamp Thing too I assume, makes sense where the Green is concerned!

T-Lad and Slug are such lovable nerds!

Glorith is creepy evil alright!

wow! The Time Trapper and Decay are involved now too! this is gonna be epic!

great entry raz, and love the division of everyone into multiple fronts = very nice superhero teamup!
Kappa is a happy coincidence really! I come up with a lot of names by just jamming different words together and hoping they sound name-like and I guess this one really did!

I think I am the only person alive who likes Tyroc's reality altering screams, I kept them when I was writing him....I have no plans to bring him back anytime soon, but he could share space with King Canary without anyone stepping on anyone's toes smile

I was editing Aquaman's dialogue while you were writing your review, you were too quick for me hahaha

The Phantom Stranger just popping up and being needlessly mysterious and melodramatic was always one of my favourite bits in the satellite-era JLA, I am glad I got to include him! In fact it occurs to me now that there's probably no reason he couldn't still be around in the Legion's time but I might have a think about that one....

T-Lad and Slug being big nerds is fun to write...we all know Cos is secretly squealing on the inside as well to be hanging out with the JLA, but he's too much of a stick in the mud to be as much of an obvious fanboy about it laugh

Next up: some guest stars that you'd probably expect to see, and some you definitely wouldn't!
re Tyroc's reality altering screams, I find them cool - but I would struggle to write them without adding some limitations! Mysa at least has the Levitz-era precedent of needing time to research and prepare her spells, and only having a small repertoire at a time (commit only a handful to memory at a time, child...)

haha good job re Aquaman... I also always make typos, I just realized I misspelled Sizzle's surname in my fic and had to go back and edit all the roll calls and some of the recent posts where she appeared



I can imagine Cos being all "it would be so undignified to openly fawn over the League!"

and yay, more guest stars!!
THE 21ST CENTURY
Gotham City


ROLL CALL
Justice League of America
Black Canary aka Dinah Lance:
martial artist, sonic cry

Green Arrow aka Oliver Queen: expert archer

Legion of Superheroes
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III:
sonic generation


On the other side of a shopfront window protected by steel bars, six televisions tuned to the same station played to a street quickly succumbing to animated plant life.

"--we cut to Bethany Snow down by the East River," a male voice finished announcing as the scene cut to reveal a blonde woman with harsh features standing with a microphone in hand. Behind her was an expanse of water, with a tower shaped like the letter T jutting out from a small island some ways further back.

"Thank you Jack," the female reporter spoke with a business-like brusqueness. As she continued, the cameraman panned away from her and zoomed in as much as he could on the chaos taking place at the strangely shaped tower. "Quite literally wild scenes are taking place all around Manhattan and beyond today. Vegetation seems to be sprouting to life of its own accord in more and more places, and while the cause of this bizarrely accelerated growth is as yet unknown it seems that the vigilantes who call themselves the Teen Titans are once again at the centre of the chaos enveloping this beleagured city."

The action was shaky at this distance but any New Yorker knew the enormous green pterodactyl tearing away at the vines crawling up Titans Tower had to be Changeling, just as they recognised the unnerving silhouette of Raven's soulself; Starfire too was there, taking strategic shots with her starbolts where she could. If any 31st Century natives had been in a position to see this broadcast they'd just as easily recognise Colossal Boy's giant form and Neon's emerald aura, though Diamond Damsel's relatively new and more feminine form might spark some curiosity.

The rest of the broadcast was rudely cut short as the golden form of King Canary darted by the television repair store's window just in time to avoid a stark white fist at least five times his size. With a thunderous roar, the villain known as Solomon Grundy smashed through the store's security grille and the television sets behind it like so much papier mache.

"I don't think the big fella likes my power much," the little bird quipped as he easily evaded Grundy's clutching hands to zip back over toward Green Arrow and Black Canary outside a bodega down the block. "Gotta be honest though, looks like he's more annoyed than hurt!"

"Don't feel too bad, uhh....Canary." Dinah Lance couldn't help but feel awkward calling a literal canary the codename she was so accustomed to using herself. "Grundy here can take on Superman when he's feeling his oats."

"Yeah," Green Arrow deadpanned as he notched up two arrows. "Lucky us." The archer aimed toward Grundy's legs and let fly, and as the arrows hit their mark they expanded into puffy clouds of swiftly hardening aerated foam. "We might not be able to hurt him, but maybe we can slow him--crap!" All three of the heroes ducked into a recessed doorway as Grundy walked through the ensnaremant like it wasn't even there and chunks of solidified gel exploded outwards. "You know," Oliver Queen grumbled, "When I volunteered to patrol Gotham for Bats, I figured we might come across Two-Face or Catwoman...not this guy!"

"I just bet you'd like to come across Catwoman, buster." Black Canary flashed her lover a stern look. "You know, individually none of us might be a match for him but what if we all put everything we've got into one combined assault against this big hulk?"

"Solomon smash Justice League!!" The raging behemoth swung one thick arm through the wall that was hiding the heroes, and all three of them scattered to avoid losing their heads as bricks filled the air around them.

"You'll have to do better than that, ugly!" Green Arrow jumped on top of a parked car and yelled to get Grundy's attention while the two Canaries got into position themselves, then the archer locked eyes with his lover. "Say the word, pretty bird!"

Dinah had come to a stop further down the pavement from her partner and though the word she started screaming was an affirmative go, it transformed into the ear-piercing shriek of her canary cry. Green Arrow fired a Greek Fire arrow straight into Grundy's open mouth and King Canary, as the only one of them who could fly, dived down toward Grundy's skull from above and let loose with his own destructive power. The glass in every car and building in sight shattered dramatically, and Solomon Grundy's head burst like a flaming watermelon. The villain's headless body took half a staggering step forward, then dropped like a sack of rocks.

"Grife!!" King Canary exclaimed. "You two didn't tell me that'd kill him! I don't know what things are like in the stone age here but Legionnaires don't kill!!"

Black Canary waved a hand in protest while she waited to recover her voice. "Grundy's not...alive in the conventional sense..." she rasped. "Trust me...he'll be back." She cleared her throat and continued in a voice that was closer to her much more becoming regular tone. "I'm more worried about that news report...Titans Tower is in Manhattan, if Poison Ivy's influence has spread that far already..."

"Bats will stop her," Oliver Queen jumped down effortlessly from the car he'd been standing on and gave Dinah a supportive squeeze. "We just gotta keep the havoc to a minimum out here while he does his thing." As if to accentuate his point, the archer stomped on a leafy tendril that was making its way toward them and crushed it to a pulp.

"Hey Arrow, can I ask you a question?" King Canary asked gruffly as he flitted overhead.

"...Is my translator sprocked or did you really call me a pretty bird back there?"

Despite her burning throat, Dinah Lance threw her head back and laughed while Green Arrow stumbled over himself trying to explain...

**********

THE 21ST CENTURY
Louisiana wetlands


ROLL CALL
Justice League of America
Aquaman aka Arthur Curry:
marine-adapted physiology, marine telepathy

Firestorm aka Ronald Raymond/Martin Stein: matter transmutation, atomic energy manipulation
Phantom Stranger: JLA ally

Legion of Superheroes
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal:
Naltorian precognition

Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis

Scant seconds ago, these six heroes had been gathered inside a strange tree of Glorith and Verdant's creation. Then the Phantom Stranger had reached one gloved hand out theatrically and faintly cool mists surrounded them all until the rest of their comrades were obscured from view.

"Stranger?" Aquaman took command easily. "What's the meaning of this?"

"Yeah, what's the big idea?" Firestorm added. It was only the nuclear man's flaming head which cast enough light to allow him to make out the others in the group. The rest of the world seemed completely banished.

"Dream Girl foresaw that Louisiana would be a site of importance in the coming struggle," the Stranger decreed, "So to Louisiana we have come." He lowered his arm now and the mists dissipated as quickly as they'd formed.

All six of them were now standing on a decaying wooden pier half-covered in velvety moss. Still murky waters surrounded them on all sides, with a maze of elongated tree trunks stretching out of the water to create a canopy of green above them which let through sunlight in hazy shards. Thick cobweb-like strands of matted vegetable fibres hung from drooping branches, and the air was thick with humidity though not particularly hot.

Before she could stop herself, Nura Nal gagged and brought the back of her hand up to hide her mouth. Activating her transuit, she waited for the transparent sheath to cleanse her air supply and then took a deep grateful breath. Dream Girl saw a bemused Matter-Eater Lad looking her over, along with a far more confused Firestorm and Aquaman. The Phantom Stranger's expression was as inscrutable as Tellus's inhuman features; while Dream Girl didn't begrudge Tellus his lack of facial expression, she found the Phantom Stranger's stony face mildly annoying. "I am so sorry," the mortified young woman admitted to the others. "I suppose...I wasn't ready for the abrupt change in air quality. The smell alone..."

"The smell of...nature?" Firestorm ventured. "You don't have nature in the future..?"

"We live in outer space," Tenzil shrugged. "Not a lot of swamps in outer space...you gonna be okay, Dreamy?"

"Thank you, Tenzil." Dream Girl flashed him a brief smile. "I'll be fine now."

"I quite enjoy this environment," Tellus countered. "It is sad that Earth has sacrificed such a rich biome as this in the pursuit of lifeless technology between now and our home era."

Aquaman addressed the Phantom Stranger once more. "I know better than to expect a direct answer from you but can you at least give us a clue why we're here? You only appeared when Dream Girl mentioned Louisiana...what's here that's worth taking us so far from our friends, Stranger?"

"It is not what we seek but rather whom," the Phantom Stranger replied, twisting the words with which he'd greeted them all earlier. "Come now, let us meet our destiny." Taking a step off the creaking pier, the Phantom Stranger walked on the air itself just inches above the greenish waters.

Watching him with growing frustration, Dream Girl pouted. "Superman said he's on our side, but....is he always like this?"

"Aww come on Dreamy," Matter-Eater Lad teased, "You're just mad because someone's out-oracled you for once."

"Matter-Eater Lad, please call Phantom Girl and tell her where we are," Dream Girl commanded icily. Without another word, she used her flight ring to follow the Phantom Stranger.

While Aquaman took to the water, Firestorm turned to the other two Legionnaires. "She's uhh...the take charge type, huh?"

Matter-Eater Lad finished his brief conversation with Phantom Girl and smirked at Firestorm. "That's why we all love her!" Then the three remaining heroes took off after their comrades.

After a few minutes of flying over the bayou, Firestorm couldn't help but notice that as Tellus waded through the water by Aquaman's side the Hykraian kept casting him occasional glances. At first Ronnie Raymond had assumed that it was merely his strange appearance which was drawing attention; after all, even in a thousand years there couldn't be many sentients with a flaming scalp wandering around. As time passed he felt it was something more than that, but it was impossible to gauge anything from the alien's fishlike features and Ronnie was starting to feel a little uncomfortable.

Just when Firestorm finally decided to say something, Tellus lifted himself out of the water to come levitate by the nuclear man's side.

"Forgive me any impropriety," Tellus's spoke, "But while there were too many minds present at our initial meeting for me to notice, now that our numbers are less...Firestorm, I sense that you seem to be a gestalt sentience?"

Tellus felt the spike of panic radiating from Firestorm and was taken aback. "Ixnay on the eshta--geshtalt--you know what, just keep it on the downlow!" Firestorm hissed.

<My deepest apologies,> Tellus switched to telepathy for privacy's sake. <I did not mean any offence, I assure you!>

<Let me field this one, Ronald.> Now that they were in direct telepathic contact, Tellus clearly saw the astral heads of a teenage boy and an older bespectacled man superimposed over Firestorm's physical body. <My name is Professor Martin Stein and combined with young Ronald here we are...not quite a gestalt consciousness but something very similar. We must keep this a secret from everybody however, even our teammates in the Justice League.>

<Yeah!> Ronnie chimed in. <There's no way the JLA would let me stay on the team if they knew I was a high school kid!>

<I must admit I do not understand,> Tellus replied, <The Legion of Superheroes are the greatest gathering of champions in my time and they were formed by sentients younger than yourself, Ronald. I will respect your wishes however, and I hope that I have not caused you undue anxiety.>

"Hey, slowpokes!" Matter-Eater Lad's voice shook Firestorm and Tellus from their silent conversation and they realised the rest of the heroes had moved out of sight while they'd been in telepathic communion. It was easy enough for them to track Tenzil Kem's voice, and when they rounded a bend they found something far more surprising.

"I thought you two were gonna miss out on the swamp guy we found!" Matter-Eater Lad greeted them cheerily. They had found dry land once more, and hovering before Matter-Eater Lad, Dream Girl, Aquaman and the Phantom Stranger was a large egg-like violet forcefield; suspended within that forcefield was an unmoving humanoid figure well over six feet tall composed entirely of vegetable matter.

"If I'm not mistaken..." Aquaman approached the forcefield carefully, "...I think that swamp guy is the Swamp Thing. Am I right, Stranger?"

"You are quite correct," the Phantom Stranger nodded imperceptibly. "Alec Holland, the so-called Swamp Thing; a tragic figure if ever one existed...but also the Avatar of the Green."

"We need to get him out of there," Aquaman frowned. Looking around the perimeter of the forcefield, he saw a makeshift ring of animal skulls and fungi which simmered with occult power. "I don't want to touch any of that but Firestorm, can you transmute it into something a little less creepy?"

"Wait a nano," Dream Girl's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "If someone imprisoned that poor creature, then where is Swamp Thing's captor?"

The beautiful Naltorian never got her answer because a wave of eldritch force washed over all of them and left the heroes insensate and draped against trees or floating in the swamp waters.

A gaunt old man in anachronistic purple robes stepped forward from a dense copse of trees. "That time witch Glorith warned me that you children from the future might try to stop me, but you will fare no better than the vaunted Justice League...

...finally, Felix Faust stands triumphant!"

**********

THE 21ST CENTURY
Gotham City, Robinson Park


ROLL CALL
Justice League of America
Batman aka Bruce Wayne: martial artist, strategist
Green Lantern aka Hal Jordan: Green Lantern ring
Wonder Woman aka Diana: enhanced physiology, flight, Amazon weapons

Legion of Superheroes
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility

The tree which Poison Ivy had grown in the centre of Robinson Park was so impossibly huge that it disappeared into the clouds hiding Gotham from the afternoon sun.

"Air traffic has been diverted from the area," Hal Jordan reported to the other heroes gathered between two of the tree's subway tunnel sized roots. "Not that they wouldn't see this thing from a hundred miles away anyway, but better to be safe than sorry."

"Thank you, Green Lantern." Wonder Woman next turned to Batman. "Now that we've done what we can to prevent any other innocents from being caught up in this chaos, let's go find the woman responsible."

"Agreed." Batman began walking toward the dense forest of vegetation that filled the rest of the park. "Lantern, scan for Poison Ivy; Night Girl, from what you told me when I was familiarising myself with you Legionnaires I want you and Shadow Lass to cover our rear so we can keep as much distance between you and Green Lantern as possible."

"The Legion of Superheroes have a Green Lantern of our own," Shadow Lass retorted a little icily. "We're well aware of how to function to our strengths as a team, Batman."

Batman didn't respond, walking briskly into the undergrowth with Hal Jordan by his side reading some kind of grid displayed by his ring.

"Batman's so intense," Night Girl confided to Shadow Lass in a hushed tone as they followed behind the others. "I think I'm starting to see why Rokk says he's so legendary!"

"Well, I'm certainly not impressed," Tasmia Mallor responded huffily. "Honestly, the man doesn't even have any powers and he dresses like a flying rodent. Who is he to boss the rest of us around?"

A dragonfly with Chameleon Boy's tiny face flitted past Tasmia and Lydda. "Batman's one of the greatest detectives in history, Shadow Lass...and he's one of the only Terrans who can fight alongside powerhouses like Wonder Woman and Superman as an equal just with skill and smarts. Grife, he could probably beat everyone here in a fight if he had to."

While the other Legionnaires debated the Dark Knight's merits, Timber Wolf pounced easily through what was more like a jungle than a forest, strong enough to simply tear his way through anything he couldn't circumvent. Close by, Wonder Woman openly admired his easy physicality. "You're very agile, Timber Wolf! It's not often one finds such a combination of dexterity and power in one person."

"That's what got me into the Legion of Superheroes," Brin Londo gave the heroine a strangely boyish smile at the compliment. "I mean I'm strong too, but super-strength doesn't mean a lot when you got Superboy or Supergirl or Blok...well, I guess you don't know Blok, but anyway...super-agility is my real power. You're no slouch yourself, Wonder Girl!"

The Amazon lassoed an enormous thorny bush in their path and casually ripped it out of the ground, roots and all. Turfing it to one side, she laughed as she gave her attention to Timber Wolf again. "It's Wonder Woman," she reminded him.

Timber Wolf slapped his forehead as he swung from a branch with his free hand. "Sprock, sorry! My stupid brain's not as developed as the rest of me."

"No need to apologise," Wonder Woman replied graciously. "Wonder Girl is my sister and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather be mistaken for."

Timber Wolf started to frame an answer, at the same time hurtling feet first toward a closed shell-like pod that was twice his size. Before he could get a single word out, he shattered the wooden pod and a shower of delicate dandelion-like seeds rained down upon them all. The spectacle took him by surprise and Brin nearly faceplanted into a gnarled tree root, but he recovered in time to spring off of one hand and land on his feet coughing.

"Timber Wolf, are you hurt?" Wonder Woman rushed to his side.

"I'm good!" Timber Wolf hacked up a couple of stray seeds. "Just took me by surprise is all!"

"Honestly, how can someone whose power is agility be so consistently clumsy?" Shadow Lass complained, brushing a fine coating of seeds off of her. Against the deep black of her costume, the white seeds stood out easily.

"More to the point, I thought your flight rings had environmental protection capabilities!" Batman chided the Legion. "Why aren't you using them?" It was only now he'd turned back to face them that they realised he had attached some kind of breathing apparatus to his mouth since leading them in here.

"Why would we?" Shadow Lass shot back. "None of us are Terran, but we've all spent plenty of time on Earth! This environment isn't dangerous to us, Batman."

"Not the environment," Batman countered. "Poison Ivy! I told you before we came in here that she's used toxins before to enslave others to her will...as powerful as she seems to be now, I have to assume that threat at least is still on the table!"

"Batman's right," Chameleon Boy resumed his normal form and activated his transuit. "And it's something we should have thought of ourselves." The other Legionnaires followed suit, and Hal Jordan was also suddenly surrounded by a thin nimbus of emerald light with a slightly sheepish expression on his face.

"Well, there seems to be no harm done and that's the main thing," Wonder Woman played peacekeeper.

Batman simply shook his head disapprovingly and turned back toward the task of finding Poison Ivy in this mess. "Green Lantern?" he asked, peering at the display Hal had generated. "Does this mean..?"

"Oh yeah!" Hal snapped to attention. "She's right through...here!" Two giant emerald hands formed, and shoved aside half a ton of different plants to reveal a voluptuous redhead sitting in a throne made of creepers and flowering branches above them all as though she were some kind of evil queen from a fantasy novel.

"It's about time you found me," Poison Ivy had a devilish gleam in her eye as she appraised the Caped Crusader. "And you brought old friends and new! How fun!"

"You have a warped idea of fun, Pamela." Batman carefully drew a batarang from its pouch on the back of his utility belt. "We don't want to hurt you, but...but we..." He leaned forward as if drunk and then fell flat on his face.

While Poison Ivy watched with a malevolent smirk, Green Lantern and Shadow Lass collapsed as well. Chameleon Boy and Night Girl were next, and though Timber Wolf and Wonder Woman managed to launch themselves at the villainess, they too fell short; Wonder Woman was only inches from grasping Poison Ivy's slender ankle when the Amazon succumbed.

"I met a witch named Glorith," Poison Ivy explained to the conscious but paralysed heroes. "And she showed me that I have sooo much more potential than just drugging and manipulating worthless men...I can be one with the plant world in a way that I never dreamed. I sensed your presence the minute you entered my park. Every step you took toward me was a step that I allowed to happen...and I placed that special little creation of mine in your way knowing that you'd blunder through it and let the precious neurotoxins of these seeds seep through your skin. Although I will admit, your little bat-rebreather is kind of cute, Batman.

Now I'm going to be the queen of a new world, but sadly none of you will be around to see it."

As she spoke, thick fibrous vines crawled across the green carpet of the park toward the paralysed heroes. To their mounting horror, the vines wrapped firmly around all of their unmoving bodies and started dragging them back away...away from Poison Ivy...

...and toward seven larger than life open-mouthed Venus Fly Traps.

**********

THE 31ST CENTURY
Metropolis


ROLL CALL
Justice League of America
Hawkgirl aka Shayera Hol: flight, melee combat specialist
Hawkman aka Katar Hol: flight, melee combat specialist

Legion of Superheroes
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Sizzle aka Teela Spuunvll: energy conversion

High above Metropolis in the luxuriously decorated cabin of a personal blimp, a news holocast showed several different scenes happening simultaneously.

On the main panel, Marella Tao described what was happening all around North America with impressive professionalism. On smaller panels all around her, different groupings of heroes could be seen fighting the plants that ravaged this country; Kid Computo and Red Tornado; Elastic Lad, Transposition Lad and Elongated Man; and assorted groups of Legionnaires and other heroes.

A moment later, the holograms warped and popped out of existence as the transmitter which created them sparked and melted along with a sizeable portion of the hull in which the transmitter had been housed.

"Les baby, what's wrong with the holothingie?" a glamorous blue-skinned woman with a mass of green hair tilted her head up from where she lay on a round bed draped in silk sheets next to one of the wealthiest men in the galaxy, Lester Spiffany.

On Spiffany's other side, a mostly naked young man with a shaved head visibly recoiled from the commotion before them. Animated tattoos of exotic animals crawled around the youth's body as he himself moved away from the edge of the bed. "The blimp's dissolving?!" he shrieked, his emotional state elevated by any number of stimulants the trio had been partaking in as they watched the Green reclaim Metropolis from their safe vantage point up here near the clouds.

"Not the whole blimp, stop screaming." A young blonde woman in a red and yellow outfit stepped through the hole in the hull which was now easily big enough to allow her access. She gestured at three approaching security droids and slagged them all with a blast of fire from her hand.

"Thanks, Inferno." A man in yellow and green followed her on board, and three more costumed individuals followed him. "Sentients, my name is Bile. We are the Legion of Substitute Villains and we've come here to liberate you of any valuables that might be weighing down this fine vessel. Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way, it's up to you."

"This is ludicrous!" Gathering his expensive sheet around him like a toga, Lester Spiffany stepped off of the bed while his two bedmates clambered for their clothes behind him. "Don't you know who I am??"

"Of course we know 'oo you are, M'sieu," a masked man with pale green skin replied. His hair was slicked back and he had a pencil thin moustache, with crude designs of tongues depicted all over his blousey white shirt. "Why do you think ze Legion of Substitute Veelains 'as targetted you today?"

"The Tongue is right, we know exactly who you are," a redhead in a leather jacket with exposed much of her ample cleavage had draped herself over Bile's arm. "Just give us what we're after and nobody gets hurt."

"Eet is pronounced Ze Tongue!" the green man protested. "Ze! 'Ow many times must I correct you, X-Bomb Betty?"

"The Science Police will stop you!" Lester whined. "Or the Cavalry! Or--"

"Seriously?" the final member of Bile's group of villains laughed, the woman named Chroma Queen. "It's the end of the world out there in case you haven't noticed, all of those do-gooders have got their hands full!"

"Enough chatter!" Bile snapped. "Legion, take everything that isn't pinned down. Inferno and I can can get anything that is pinned down. You other three, you just behave yourselves and maybe we won't have to take any of you hostage to get out of here."

"All this time and your go to move is still taking hostages, huh?" A new voice filled the cabin. "Some things never change I guess."

Everyone turned back to the makeshift entrance Bile's corrosive vomit had made and saw the woman who'd spoken, Sizzle. Color Kid and Mwindaji hovered alongside her.

"Ze Legion of Super'eroes!" Ze Tongue somehow exclaimed even as his elongated tongue shot forward from his mouth toward Mwindaji. "Not to worry, my 'atchet tongue will take care of zis one!" The end of Ze Tongue's tongue had taken on an axe-like shape, but Mwindaji easily evaded the attack and the fleshy hatchet instead smacked wetly into an archaic shield behind him.

Before Ze Tongue could retract his appendage, the shield's bearer revealed himself. Hawkman pulled the shield away and grabbed the tongue in his free hand. With one mighty yank, Katar Hol pulled the screeching supervillain right out of the vehicle.

"Oh yeah, we brought some friends too," Sizzle teased Bile while Hawkgirl made a beeline for him. "Meet Hawkman and Hawkgirl, guys."

"You think I'm gonna be scared of some Dawnstar wannabe with weapons from a medieval sim?" Bile sneered. He made some awfully loud retching sounds and then vomited on the mace that Hawkgirl was swinging at him; corrosive biofluids melted the weapon as if it were so much wax.

"That is truly appalling." Hawkgirl shook her head with disgust before she simply bopped him over the head with the short steel staff she'd been left holding. "And ineffective." Bile hit the ground like a sack of rocks.

"I've heard of you," Inferno sized herself up against Sizzle. "The bad girl who went good...you betrayed our Legion to become a cop and now you're a member of their Legion? No honor among thieves, I guess." She fired a stream of flame at the red-skinned heroine.

"You may have heard of me but you obviously haven't heard of my power," Sizzle retorted as she converted Inferno's flames into electricity and shocked the would-be villain into unconsciousness. "And helping Bile form this stupid group was a childish mistake on my part, one I've been making amends for ever since."

All of reality suddenly seemed to explode into a psychedelic void of ever-changing colors. Nobody left on the blimp could even see one another let alone anything else, and the terrified wails of Lester Spiffany and his two bedmates only compounded the chaos. The heroes were all soon overwhelmed almost to the point of catatonia by the sensory onslaught.

"You Legionnaires said I wasn't good enough for your team!" Chroma Queen ranted. "I might not be good enough to stand beside you, but I'll show you I'm good enough to--" Her diatribe abruptly cut off, and as everyone's vision returned to normal they saw Color Kid gently lowering her unconscious form to the carpeted floor.

"She's more powerful than me," Color Kid explained to the others as they recovered from their involuntary daze. "It took me years to master that stunt! But she did such a good job with the visual noise she didn't even see me walking right up to her in the middle of it all."

"All of your teammates are defeated," Mwindaji addressed the sole remaining member of the Legion of Substitute Villains. "There is no need for further violence unless you wish it to be so, Ms...?"

"X-Bomb Betty," the attractive redhead stated her name fearfully as she looked from one hero's face to the next. "I can...I can create an explosion of 150 million megatons..."

"Well you're obviously not going to do it a mile over Metropolis when we've already trashed the skysleds you used to get up here, right?" Sizzle asked pointedly.

X-Bomb Betty hung her head in defeat. "No...no, I'm not."

Once the heroes had ascertained that the blimp was still airworthy and nobody had been hurt, they gave a sulky Lester Spiffany a stern lecture about treating a disaster zone like a tourist attraction and instructed him in no uncertain terms to evacuate the city. Then Hawman and Hawkgirl gathered the Legion of Substitute Villains in two separate steel nets and the heroes carted them off to the nearest Science Police.

"Mwindaji?" Sizzle approached the white-garbed young hero as the two flew over the plant-infested city below. "I just wanted to say...thanks for tracking those losers down for me. I know the Legion said we should have just let them go, but those people could have been hurt if we weren't there and...well sprock it, it felt good to tie up some loose ends with Bile. I didn't really think about how it could hurt other people when I decided to be a supervillain; I've had to learn a lot about what good and bad means since I left my homeworld, you know?"

Mwindaji's brown eyes held a knowing look. "I was manipulated by the villain Universo into doing terrible things before I joined the Legion of Superheroes, Sizzle...I understand the imperative to redeem yourself for your past missteps. I heard what Inferno said to you, that there is no honor in thieves. Today you have shown that there is honor in you."

"Aw, thanks!" she gave him an unguarded smile. Gazing past Mwindaji and Color Kid toward the giant tree trunk which dominated the city a dozen miles away, Sizzle thought of her other teammates in the Legion of Superheroes.

"Let's just hope Phantom Girl and the others have as easy a time as we just did..."

**********

ELSEWHERE

ROLL CALL
Justice League of America
Atom aka Ray Palmer: size and mass control
Flash aka Barry Allen: super-speed
Superman aka Kal-El: JLA chairperson; Kryptonian physiology
Zatanna Zatara: sorceress

Legion of Superheroes
Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility
Truth Girl aka Oliv Hollowai: truth sense, wields the Golden Perfect

Thanks to Dragonmage and Zatanna, small luminescent dragons and cartoonish fairies provided light to the twelve heroes ascending the spiralling interior of the giant tree that dominated the Metropolis of two eras.

"I could scout ahead--" the Flash spoke while the tiny form of the Atom perched on one of the fins that adorned each side of Barry Allen's cowl.

Phantom Girl shut him down while still maintaining a friendly tone. "I know you Justice Leaguers don't need us to hold your hands, but Glorith and Ivy--Verdant--are way too dangerous to risk taking on alone. It's best that we face them together."

"If Phantom Girl says so I'd take her word for it," Superman backed her up. "Leadership suits you by the way, Tinya."

"Thanks, Kal." Phantom Girl gave the once and former Superboy a quick smile before her face grew more serious once again. "I just wish I could have bought more of my team with us...or yours for that matter. We're spread kinda thin trying to mitigate collateral damage in our time and yours while we face Glorith, Verdant and Poison Ivy as well."

"I understand your concern," Mysa Marvel joined the conversation. "I can't speak to Poison Ivy's threat, but Glorith and Verdant are each powerful enough to challenge any team of superheroes individually; and now, a mere dozen of us are confronting the pair together. We have a very powerful and diverse team here though, Phantom Girl. Obviously we have to be cautious, but I still feel optimistic."

"Well said, Mysa," Blok complimented his friend. "The small portion of the Wisdom of Solomon that I possess hasn't contradicted you at any rate."

Bringing up the rear, Comet Queen nudged Truth Girl. "Your armour's sure gleaming, starshine...are you gleaming? I bet you didn't parse things would be getting this intergalactic so quick as a baby Legionnaire!"

"Honestly?" The aptly named Truth Girl admitted in a hushed tone, "The biggest bad guy I ever faced before I joined the Legion was the Scavenger, but I think this whole situation is so unbelievably wild that the reality of how dangerous it all is hasn't really sunk in yet...I mean I've just met Earth's most legendary heroes and now I'm casually climbing up a tree that spans a thousand years with some of them...with Superman!"

"You're okay with the plan still?" Ral Benem asked perhaps a little too bluntly. "If you're not..."

"I am, really." Truth Girl's expression was resolute. "I won't let you down, Chlorophyll Kid."

"Good," Chlorophyll Kid replied. "I..." He seemed to become distracted for a moment, his eyes glazing over as he peered over the heads of the heroes before him toward the next spiralling turn. "Phantom Girl?" Chlor called out as quietly as he could. "I think we're close...I can feel Ivy near."

"There's a massive gathering of occult energies just ahead too," Zatanna confirmed. "We should be ready for anything."

"Agreed," Phantom Girl spoke. "Kal, Mon; I want you two up front with me. Let's be careful, everyone. We--"

Before Tinya could get another word out, the interior of the tree seemed to waver and unravel before them. The motion was dreamlike and surreal, and the display was more mesmerising than threatening. Soon though, instead of the tunnel-like interior of the tree's trunk the heroes found themselves standing on a forest floor covered in falling leaves with enormous hardy trees surrounding them in all directions. As they swivelled to peruse the unreal tableau, they saw Verdant standing before a particularly large tree trunk a short ways away.

Glorith of Baaldur was suddenly there before them as well, her posture completely relaxed. "Marvellous, I see you all finally made it!" she greeted them with sinister cheer.

"What's this all about, Glorith?" Mon-El stepped before his teammates in a protective stance. "What are you playing at?"

"Two very good questions, beefcake.

Why don't you come right this way and I'll give you all the answers your pure little hearts could desire..?"

NEXT: ANSWERS!

EDITOR'S NOTE:
The Legion of Substitute Villains is exactly what they sound like - a group of villains who aren't ready for the LSV but have decided to pursue their chosen goal anyway against all odds. Outside of Bile their roster is constantly changing, and Sizzle was one of their founding members for reasons which sound like they should probably be explored at some point as she's clearly a good guy now hmm?

Anyway their current roster is:
BILE: Legion reject, a Bismollian who can vomit super-corrosive stomach acid at will.
X-BOMB BETTY: Bile's girlfriend who can explode with the force of 150 million megatons, but she can only do it once
CHROMA QUEEN: another Legion reject, she successfully duplicated Color Kid's powers only to find the Legion of Superheroes doesn't need two Color Kids
INFERNO: my interpretation of the reboot Legion character
ZE TONGUE: also my interpretation of the reboot Legion character

They're all terrible and I have zero regrets tongue
yay! more good stuff, raz! thoughts -

first, loving the old classic team-up "split into smaller teams" bit!

Hah, you write that horrible Bethany Snow as I imagined she would be like. I still remember how nasty she was in the Titans comics. LOL at Black Canary and King Canary, and their similar code names

also LOL at Dinah's bit of jealousy re Ollie mentioning Catwoman

Nice nod to the "death" of Grundy and the Legion's no-killing rule! LOL at Stone Age, and lol at Dinah needing to rasp for a bit (that canary cry of hers sounds unpleasant for her! is that why she prefers to fight with her fists?). I love these little details.

hahaha to the Pretty Bird misunderstanding!


So like the Phantom Stranger to just randomly and suddenly pull a bunch of heroes with him to wherever, lol! I also like his implied respect for Nura and her visions.

also a great convo re the "smell" of nature and the changes in present vs. future!

and hahaha at Nura getting mad because Tenzil was so spot on! I think Tenzil and Firestorm would make a great buddy pair too lol

ah-ha! nice bit, with Tellus picking up on Firestorm having two minds in one...

And also nice bit re the age differences. Sometimes I forget how young the Legionnaires were when they did start! I know I could not have handled superheroics when I was their age!

I love Nura being the brains of the outfit! also whoo, who knew Felix Faust had enough punch to knock Phantom Stranger out? Or... did he?

a big ha ha too, to Tasmia being all huffy about Batman, and Cham stepping in to soothe her a bit!

I love Diana too, she's just so NICE and kind. Like, even when she corrects you she does it so awesomely... and makes tons of sense that she would have an eye for - and appreciate - dexterity!

also a bit of a LOL at Batman being all crazy-prepared, and calling the Legionnaires out on it (and Tasmia snappily answering back, while Reep and Diana keep the peace). also nice bit with Hal also not preparing...

ooph. well, all that preparedness didn't mean a thing...! although, the Legion's transuits and GL's ring MAY have prevented this. eek!

some inspired pairings here, with Computo and Tornado; and E-Lad and E-Man!

Lester Spiffany! who-hoo! what a nice surprise cameo@ (also, figures Lester would be partying high like that...)

animated tattoos, cool!

hahaha Ze Tongue is always such a hoot!

Hawkgirl's reaction was gold!

also love the callback to Sizzle's time as a Sub Villain!


also love Color Kid using smarts to take out the more powerful Chroma Queen! (and great that Color Kid can also now do what she does!)

Love Sizzle's heartfelt gratitude at the end!

also love Tinya still taking charge, even in the presence of some Leaguers! and Supes complimenting her was great!

Truth Girl's starry-eyed breathlessness is so relatable!

I think I know what Truth Girl's role in this is wink use Golden Perfect on Ivy, amirite? let her see the truth about Glorith's lies! or on Glorith, so Glorith will tell the truth to Verdant.

super looking forward to the next bit!
Bethany Snow was the worst! I couldn't have a 1980s guest appearance without her slagging off the Titans at least one time hahaha

While I am glad that Dinah is treated more capably these days, I do have a soft spot for when her canary cry used to really take it out of her as well smile

And classic Wonder Woman is so fun to write, she would definitely be my top choice if I was writing a JLA team more regularly!

Speaking of fun to write, Ze Tongue is always a winner too laugh

I shall neither confirm nor deny your guess about Truth Girl other than to say it does seem like a natural fit for her power, doesn't it..? wink

Next up: I am gonna get to write a scene that I have been excited about since I first decided to use this version of the JLA!
Hey Raz,
Well he begins my attempt to catch up on all that you have going on! So all my comments are as i read so bare with me as i know i have a lot to catch up on and realize a lot of my questions or comments will be answered.

The Myraid adventure is still underway from where i'm starting.

I like how Lu and Chuck are working with the subs. But i do wish the subs would have more faith in themselves.
i like the idea of Antenna Lad getting better with his powers. Meditation is an interesting way to try and boost that. i hope it works.
how could Rainbow girl help Myraid's plans??.

Myraid's candor with Dori is rather off putting. but it helps to keep the anger going for Dori for sure. So she's like a less focused version of Dr. Multiverse from the infinite frontier stuff going on in current DC? that's a pretty neat idea...but is it a connection thing that makes her connected to all of them or is it that she's like a Nexus being, like in marvel? This is soo intriguing to me. is it just powers she calls on or is it like actually swapping places with the other Dori/Dori's.

Wait Myraid knows Brainy? was that mentioned/shown before this? my memory is failing me at the moment. But also how would Brainy not see Myraid's preoccupation with all of it as a potential threat...
wait, so he's doing this because he wants to have knowledge no one else has?
As cool as it is that Dori is getting this "upgrade" i wish she didn't have to be captured for this to happen.
YAY! the Subs and Chuck, and Lu have arrived. loved the use of the Science police data and his own smarts. never underestimate Chuck!
wait transuits don't work for Quill? that seems odd to me. i thought they worked with the powers of the person much like a flight ring does...
Lu knowing which one is the real one was well done and makes sense. But love that you did the call back to Lu getting a force field belt from Brainy.
Really great Lu moment and loved her reminding him that she is much stronger than anyone knows and that he powers don't define her.

I really love how you've moved the Subs out of the shadows of the Legion and its true they aren't the same kids who wanted to be seen by the Legion. The Cavalry is born and i'm glad Lu and Chuck are joining them! i'm glad Lu doesn't want to give up helping people. but is she going to get her powers back or are they gone forever??

Otaki -
man Bina has had it tough since her audition but who is this benefactor? please let it not be a bad guy and someone who actually wants to help her...dang it. of course its a villain. Daughter of the Night stone...hmmm who could that be?

the flatland dimension..so they are all 2-D? but only some powers don't work...hmmm
Phantom Girl is connected to the Phantom zone? i don't remember this tid bit.. but kind of makes sense. definitely been too long since i've read your stories.
Ron-Karr is the big bad of this dimension. interesting and totally makes sense. But still kind of enjoyed Wildfire's amusement at it. forgot Ron-Karr was part of the Oversight watch.
love that Stone Boy and Color Kid are power houses here or at least seen that way.
wait what? Drura can't survive there? that''s not good.

i really love how well thought out this plan is and how it affects the team.
Poor E-lad, and damn Wildfire's powers could cause some problems.
Life Lass' powers are pretty neat in this dimension. being a healer of sorts.
ooo Cham's powers are very interesting in this dimension...and clever way of breaking a spell.
i enjoyed Cham taking Ron-Karr down. it is truly sad that he hasn't learned from his mistakes and blew his second chance.
Glad 89 and the watch did the right thing and returned him to prison without the knowlege of his powers. But i agree with Dev-em, not keen on the way Makkia Vie talks about him.
And that's where Brittle ened up hmmm ok. looking forward to seeing where that goes.

on that note that's all for tonight. but looking forward to whats coming.
Hey Raz,
I'm back for another round of catch up

Seeing Element Lad happy in any reality is a great thing. Especially since it seems he's one of the few in every reality we've seen so far to be fated to be the Sole survivor of his people.

Hahaha! laugh Tinya scaring Shauvghn was cute. gave me a chuckle for sure.
Aww Lu's gonna stay as Una...but it makes sense i wouldn't want to be bonded to Myraid either. :X

Supergirl II calling Tel out was kind of funny. He really is a suck up. Love that Berta has to try and not laugh.
more searching for a Daughter of night...i can't believe Strut he makes me laugh. making the Daughters of night sound like some bad reality show or even an episode of Rupaul is great and i think we need that as a reality.

Wow Laurel really doesn't like Tel at all.
This section of Mars sounds like the small towns that only have one industry keeping them alive around the US. I guess even in the 31st century and on different planets things stay the same.
Strut's lines about being the mature one again made me laugh and Yeah, i'm with Tel on this one, Crystal Kid, what are you doing? this is a mission!

And of course there's corruption of the Science Police in this region.
Totally forgot McCauelly is dead in this reality. But they make an excellent point. how many names have we all kept because of brand recognition.
haha poor Tel always the butt of the joke. himbo lad.
i love strut but i'm not a huge insect person, so i'm with Bobb watching Strut search like that and in an place like that, i'd be on edge too.
So she's created a gang and a woman in black is after them? Bina's not the woman in black is she??
Crystal Kid, is making a really strong case for there to be a rule that no one should be on mission with their significate other.
Black Dancer...oh Earth Man's league...ugg.
Dang alright Strut, taking Black Dancer down. that was quick.
Loving the teamwork and Crystal kid cutting off her escape.
Your team is the quippiest team. i forgot how much they all have some kind of flare for it. But i think Supergirl II is taking the cake today. lol.
So how long has it been since that tryout? because agreed Nightstone is way more powerful now.
Why does everyone always feel the need to remind the "wind based" powered people of their limitations in doors. i swear everyone forgets there's more to air than just gust of wind.
Damn! No one but Crystal kid likes Tel it seems.

Some great action with the Nightstone and Nightwind find.
Did not expect that Gravity Kid came from that background. But if i recall He's on profem. So was that part of/is the reason his family let him down? was not expecting Tel to try the talking down method. Really well done. So i understand his anger. its too bad no one got to fully explain anything. Kid of wish Tel didn't let his anger get the better of him and maybe try and explain to his teammates.
Damn it! Bina and the Benefactor got to her. This isn't going to be good at all.

The Gym:
Iove how all these worlds have similar traditions and games without even knowing it.
Hahah Dragonwing makes a valid point who do they survive with so many monsters.
"Uggg Robots again" oh Lullaby Lad. He makes a point for those whose powers don't work on bots they should come up with other training exercises.
Glad Lullaby Lad is over Tel.


Thom and Nura's dynamic here was super cute and playful. A visit to Avalon hmmm..

Gim and Year tried to set up Cham? Tinya reaction. all of this was funny. and of course after all this in walks Tranquility. laugh
Tinya is very much the teasing big sister in your series. Which is an interesting change of pace from mine own of dotting mother.
And agreed anyone who can accept all that gets thrown at the Legion but can't accept ghosts is plain silly.
The Weeping man...so i've been watching a bit of Scooby-doo lately and i feel like starting a new episode with this adventure. lol (that's totally a compliment by they. as cheese as Scooby-doo can be i absolutely love it.)
Its interesting how with Cham tinya is fine with him taking the lead but during the 2D adventure she took issue with Evolvo Lad taking the lead. is it because he's new to the team and Cham's an old friend? or was it stress?
The Weeping Man, makes his victims kill themselves? so he could be an empath...thank goodness Light Lad was there to stop him from finishing it.
ooo a villain from Tinya's home dimension. Don't see that too often. But so is the emotional manipulation something only he can do or something all from Btglz can do on some level?... Ahhh ok. due to treatments gone wrong...he's like the other side of the coin of Tranquility. love it.
Ok you scared me for a moment i thought Tinya was going to go through with it, once she realized "Jo" was actually Cham.
Hahah and Gim still got his buddy the date. laugh

two Marla posts back to back? something must be up,
Ok, man i'm not exactly Tel's biggest fan. But man he can't catch a break. I agree Bobb deserves respect. But my heart broke a little reading Tel's reaction.
Much like Harbinger, you've done a great job in showcasing the different levels within the Legion. But i wonder if King Canary's demeanor change is because its royalty addressing royalty?
I'm honestly blanking on an Avalon mission with in your series. But the idea that Star Boy and Sun Boy are fond of dungeons and dragons is absolutely hilarious to me.

Shadow Lass brings up a good point. But it seems King Canary has a rather unpleasant view of the galactic version of "keeping up with the jones."
Clearing Mordru's influence from this world will be a huge task. But i hope its not leading where i think it could...
Harlark and Mysa? Ok good and i totally forgot that she was no longer the Black Witch in this reality. love that she's back!
Ayla recognizing her was super cute moment.
Blok was so sweet and agreed i think these two need a moment, if its been truly so long since they've talked.
I'm so glad this moment between them didn't turn sour off the bat. that Mysa got to say her piece. its hard sometimes with siblings to be there for each other depending on how one is raised and how Mysa laid it out was very thoughtful. Nura's confession was great too and makes so much sense as to why she would keep her distance to a degree.

Wait a black costume with a bolt on it...its gotta Black Adam! knew it! but this is a first that his nations name stuck that cord of fear and anxiety and not Black Adam himself from my understanding.
That is a switch, Black Osiris...wasn't expecting him. Wow he's pretty strong and is giving Blok and Diamond Damsale a run for their money. loving all the tactics used. Kind Canary might be the best weapon against him tbh...
loving the history lesson on Osiris and how he became Black Osiris.
Glad Dragonmage is ok. i thought for a moment that we were gonna lose him.
i like shadow lass' reaction to Blok and the mountain. whenever people who see things like that alot, it find it funny when they marvel at it. But she's like ahh yes, impressive anyway lets get going. lol.
DD has gotta come back soon!
Great job Dragonmage but please please get some medical help for him.

haha i know its mid battle but Shadow lass' response to Dream Girl was great!
I'm really surprised with how sharp and hard diamond can be that DD wasn't able to get more blood out of Black Osiris.
damn that was an intense battle and i loved all the asides. I was really expecting Tasmia and Ayla having to step in to buy DD some time. i really thought she was a goner too.
Wasn't expecting that resolution but i'm with King Canary and DD lets get them to the showers asap.

wait so is there another Black Osiris costume or did they steal the one that he was just defeated in? totally confused. But also not happy if its the same one. The Legion should have taken it with them or Mysa should have locked it up somewhere special.

Alright that's all the time i have for today. Some great stuff here raz! and i can't wait to continue this adventure and see what Otika, Nightstone and now Black Osiris are up to!
Hi Omni! Welcome back, I hope you enjoy the catch-up! I just realised you have got some EPIC events to look forward to!

There's some stuff you brought up that is gonna get explained further along in the story (or else I am going to explore it at some point coming up) so I won't spoil anything, but aside from that let's go!

This is the first I have heard of Dr Multiverse so I am not sure how close she is to Dori, but basically Dori is temporarily overwriting her powers with the Rainbow Girl from another universe - whether she's the only one who can do this or if it has any other implications is something we might find out one day when I clone myself so I can write a Cavalry series laugh

I don't blame you for not remembering about Myriad's connection to Brainy. It was a very long time ago and he was just a background character then who popped up once or twice, but he was one of Brainy's colleagues at the Time Institute...and Myriad isn't a 12th level intellect, but he's smart enough not to have given Brainy a reason to think his interest was anything more than scientific curiosity.

re: Porcupine Pete and the transuits - my take is that you can program individual transuits to allow a particular energy frequency to pass through (so Sun Boy, Lightning Lass etc can still use their powers) but Pete's quills are a physical object....even 31st Century technology isn't advanced enough to create a forcefield which would allow his quills to pass through it without also letting the rest of his body or any other physical objects pass through.

Phantom Girl being connected to the Phantom Zone was more that even though we all think of her as turning intangible, her power actually allows her to dimensionally travel from Bgltz space through the Phantom Zone to Earth space and the intangibility is really a side effect of her partially leaving our dimension....if she's stuck somewhere that doesn't access the Phantom Zone then she can't either smile

I am glad you liked the Scooby-Doo vibe with the Weeping Man story laugh

You are right about Tinya letting Cham take the lead - they have both been on the Legion and the Espionage Squad for so long I imagine they would have a super healthy working relationship. I have been trying to write Tinya as the kind of leader who is more of a people person than a commander, especially with the old-school Legionnaires because she's known them all so long and trusts them to know what they're doing. Evolvo Lad on the other hand has been on the team like 5 minutes so she's allowed to get her nose bent out of joint a bit with him hahaha

Quote
i like shadow lass' reaction to Blok and the mountain. whenever people who see things like that alot, it find it funny when they marvel at it. But she's like ahh yes, impressive anyway lets get going. lol.

hahahaha that's exactly what I was going for laugh

Oop sorry, maybe I should have been a bit more detailed with the Black Osiris costume popping back up when Nightstone and Otaki did their little jailbreak. There is only the one costume, they stole it back behind the scenes. And I agree with you that the Legion or Mysa should have done a better job of securing it, but it's in every superhero's contract that they have to play dumb occasionally when the writer tells them to wink

I am very excited to hear your thoughts on some of the stuff that is coming up very soon!
Hey Raz,
and here i am back for another round of review as i read. looking forward to seeing what's in store.

Now i've made myself clear that i'm not the biggest Dawnstar fan but i have to agree with Mon-El and that it is nice to see her getting some respect.
But i'm so with King Canary on this. why wouldn't the SP's have taken him in. Was it to respect the laws on Avalon?

I like Mon-El's thoughts about his teammates and how he respects them. its often easy to forget with how powerful the team has become that it is about more than just power and might.

Cham's date with Tranquility was well done and gave some good character moments. The chopsticks and use of "humanoid hands" explanation was well done. its easy to forget that Cham isn't like everyone else in a lot of way. same for how Durlarians are treated/seen around the UP. i will say after so many years thought you'd think the perseption would have changed a bit more.

Love the way he explains how he feels about spending more time with Tranquility and basically wanting to smell the roses more. But i hope this doesn't mean Cham's going to be thinking of leaving the Legion soon...

Off to Xanthu we go! here comes some faces i recognize well. smile
It's interesting to see how you write them and the differences (mostly that Konk is a new recruit where she's a hardened vet in my series.)
You also give more pomp and circumstance to the team. Which is something i never really thought about and is an interesting angle. i think its easy for me to forget that they are a Xanthugov sponsored team and don't focus as much on that as you have. I initially thought this was the Planetary Championship competition.

Thom's comment about handy reps made me think of how the winners from the hunger games were treated and that the team is more of a commodity that anything else.
Love that Knok and Candi have such great attitudes about supporting each other as well as Jazmin going to the academy.

Monstress's line "Atmos didn't tell us we couldn't have a superhero team-up!" such a Candi moment. love it.
ooo Dominators...and an exploding ship...seems like a trojan horse...But I'm still glad Thom was there to help make sure they did the right thing before shoot and ask questions later.
The Revenant...have we seen them before? Were they made by the Dominators and are now free and seeking revenge on all Dominators? or are they something else. The wings totally made me think of Dawnstar...and most of its powers seem something similar to the Legions...glad Thom's going to look into it. But there's trouble a head for sure. Glad no one was really hurt.

Damn Otkai is pretty powerful with her mysterious benefactors help.
Dawnstar thinks Black Osiris is creating a team...if only she knew...heck if only we knew. lol laugh
wait they are headed to Legion headquarters...so whoever is leading them is inside? that's can't be good.

A very beautiful pic of Lydda. very old hollywood. reminds of Joan Crawford a little bit.
Cute moment on monitor duty. Gas Girl and Life lass seem like good friends and i like that. coming into the Legion alone seems like it would be hard. But Life Lass needs to loosen up a little bit.
Poor Grava, she's always a little bit the but of the joke.

So its the trio coming to get them?
I get it names have power but man Blok don't be vague. we have Dream Girl and now Glorith for that. lol.
Also Dreamy be more serious if Blok is coming to the multilab!
I still love Ral's power up and thank goodness Ivy isn't freaking.
Stop almost killing people off! lol

wait who's in the lab? Mordru? wait what? When was he locked into the headquarters. man i feel like i'm missing something.
Diamond Damsel! Nooo! So is she dead? Or is she like within each of the diamonds?
So was Mordru trapped inside the Rock of Eternity? Does he command that power now?
Of course Black Osiris would relish in this.
Agreed its a strategic retreat! Get the heck out of there!
Nightstone switch sides!
Damn it Bina!
I hope Glorith knows a spell to stop Mordru from following them.

Oh boy. Black Osiris is doing a heck of a number on the team. But this is the second time that a lightning caster has almost become pure energy...i wonder if that's something to come for the Lightning Twins!
Good job Amp and i think Saturn Girl needs to utilize the students specifically Chemical Kid and Lullaby Lad. they might be able to slow him down! (On edge here!)
This was a great character moment for Fire lass and glad she stepped up. i love that she felt pride in herself too! she's finding a sense of purpose that i think we all long for.
Saturn Girl's not doing so hot though... and now she's out dang it!
What! shocked
Black Osiris killed Fire lass? can she die?

Seeing Mon-El be vulnerable is well done.
i know she's leader and trying to keep everyone's sprits up but man Tinya is just too cherry right now.
Gim and Yera was sweet.
i like that Dawnstar corrected herself and apologized. But i loved Vi's line that being self deprecating was her true super power.

Hold up! Wildfire's been transformed? this isn't good. But i love how you hand him come to the realization of it. the picking up of his face plate and the sense of smell. nice touches.
Firecrest is even more of a dragon? like has had his mind taken from him?
I knew it wasn't real and had to be a spell of some sort.
I'm glad Nightstone isn't 100 on board. but be careful
Damn Mordru is cruel!
Poor E-Lad. but at least Otkia is trying to sooth him. This wa something out of a horror movie as soon as i read "elongated flesh" :shudders: and he's the shackles? Raz what are you doing to me here. lol.

You do not make it easy to like Chemical Kid. i hate how he treats those around him. But Sojurn just saved your butts. maybe open up and don't be so judgmental. i thnk i just hate his snark.
wait so is Garridan becoming Validus again?
Ok good those who escaped are safe sort of as i think Avalon is where Mordru took the Legion's base.
Oh Dream Girl you have no idea how much he's damaged the HQ.
I agree with Nura and that Mysa doesn't give herself enough credit.
Ral has made the best decision!

Ok so maybe the castle isn't on Avalon. but on Zerrox...
Man poor Dragonwing. she really did care for Fire Lass.
I'm glad Amp spoke up. she has a point.
Gas girl to the rescue! or so we thought...so Mordru likes to just have the Legion torture each other. got it. this is not going to be any easier.
I do wonder if Mordur sensed Gas girl at all and if he's using Saturn girl's powers to manipulate the team...
that was uncalled for Gravity lad. even though he's being controlled, i have to wonder if those are his own thoughts just twisted...

I should have figured that Sojurn would have gone to Lamprey! glad she was able to help.
Still want to punch Chemical Kid. what a rude little sprock! He's so intolerant of well everyone. i just don't get how he made it into the Legion academy.
I enjoy Sojurn asking questions and the term bestie being used a 1000 years in the future made me giggle a little. its always interesting to think about what terms and slang survive the test of time, especially in our every changing world where slag is constantly changing.
Hahah Lullaby Lad's line to Sojurn had me chucking. and then again to Key Kid.
seriously, how many times are they gonna have/have they had their HQ destroyed?

This is not a good plan and see this going soo bad....and i was kind of right. The kids are not alright!
Gas girl, great tactic. But too bad it didn't work. i never would have guessed that Polar Boy could do that with her spread so thickly over a large area.
Well i guess its a good thing Black Osiris is planning on betraying Mordru at some point. just hope its sooner rather than later.
wow those are some serious tortures. Zoe being trapped by her powers by being forced to be the thing that grants it is pretty wild.
But the Sun Boy, Shadow Lass, and Laurel one is wow.

Of course their after Mysa. i thought there might have been some magical artifact.
Loved Jazmin's tactical observation.
Harlak and blood magic...never really a fan of it when used. But it seems to be the thing that works best.
Danng! poor Harlak!
Ok that was a pretty good reveal and one i think many suspected from the actual comics. But i'm glad you picked up that thread and/or threat....wait so do the Legion in this reality not know this version of Glorith??
Oh no...what has happened to Ivy?

all the small character moments on Tinya's ship were really well done.
Gald i'm not the only one who wants to wring Chemical Kids neck. But thank goodness for his rash behavior!
Poor Grava idk how she's gonna handle what's happened to Ivy.

interesting who got which sin. Life Lass being sloth is odd. But Crystal kid being envy totally makes sense. same for Garth being rage.
Great job Myra! she used some solid tactics.
Ooo that is a great tactic for Lullaby Lad. i never would have thought a transformation would over-write another on.
And of course here comes Gravity Kid...
wow dang Gluttony and MEL that one was scary. i could picture him salivating.
Gas Girl is doing great job and agree, don't care how prideful you are turning the ring off was stupid, but no one ever said the sins were smart.
Reinforcements!
Poor Zoe...and Blok...although i thought he was a man of gold at the moment and not stone and thought you were talking about Stone Boy.
Nightstone and Otkia i really hope they can do something soon before Black Osiris gets back. But maybe he'll turn the tide..
i feel like this is not going to end well for Mysa...but i don't think i've ever seen Mordru be that frightened before.

Oh damn, Dawnstar had to be the one to deliver that news to Wildfire? ouch. i don't know who i feel more sorry for in this moment.

Oh boy shadow demons and vegetation. Your not making this an easy rescue that's for sure.
Could Vi have found something that's harming/keeping Zoe in the state she's in?

Damn both great job and not soo good for Ral. but at least they survived the blasts. Too bad Kid Q couldn't have stopped some of it. buti never would have guessed that magic could mess with her powers.

So Glorith is a time witch of sorts? i know very little about her. But i thought this version of the team had interacted with this Glorith in the past. or is that confined to a different era and their history wasn't part of this reality? sorry i know i asked this but she really confused.

wait seriously? Nightstone just left? WTF!
Great job Vi! i never knew her and Drik had a bit of a romance. So much of the teams history i don't know. Such good moments and quick thinking. i'm glad Vi was able to get him free and save both Shadow lass and Laurel.

More reinforcements! Infectious Lass to the rescue. glad she was able to take the plants on. but when it goes back to the source does that mean it goes back to Ivy?

dang it here comes trouble! Wow! from Gim to Ultra boy and wildfire? i know the power of black Adam was powerful. but you'd think anti-energy would do something.
thank goodness Dawnstar got Dragonwing out of there. But idk if she's still gonna have her powers....
tellus and Amp mpv!! i'd gp farther and erase everything and not just the magic words though.
great learning moment for Mayra. i hope she sees that as a strength to come.

Damn it Glorith! now he's more verile than ever. that's not going to go well. The team is pretty decimated. But i'm glad everyone is technically ok.
Yay! Nightstone. so glad that she came back and he's afraid of the Rock of Eternity or just being trapped in it again?
Oh dang...i feel kind of bad for Otaki...
O and i didn't not see that coming. i thought Nightstone had said it! but i'm down for this power upgrade!
Go Mysa Marvel Go!

Alright bringing it back all the way to LO3W's and the Reboot Zoe! wait what! she's still there? damn i guess the Terrorformer thing wasn't a hugely bad story after all (to all the nay sayers. tongue ) Wow the reboot universe is back to a degree! that's amazing! Infinite Frontier here we come!

Yay Diamond Damsel is back! But now she's more like Emma Frost from Xmen? I thought it would take a whole lot more to bring her back.

Let the healing being!
Mysa Marvel and DD seem so much happier and love it. but is DD still has durable and tough? i know size doesn't always matter but i thought it impacted how strong she was. (nevermind. DD question answered. lol gotta learn to keep reading before commenting.)

having a support crew is i think becoming a standard and something that makes sense for pretty much ever version of the Legion..(tbh i think my story is the only one who doesn't really have the support roles.) wicked happy with the transition to this for your team! M'Rissery always a fun character to have and from my understanding a great honor to a fallen Legion fan and if he can retort back to Timber Wolf like that with confidence he's got my vote!
oo another Teallian. this could be fun. But i will say this is a very small support staff. i hope it will be enough and they don't get burned out too.

So Star Boy's mission begins - and yes Thom you're getting old. But i'm glad he's giving them a chance.
oh boy...wait the Oversight Watch? so that entity from before was with them? new recruit?

This has been a wild ride so far and i can't wait to finish up and be all caught up. But that's it for me for now. keep up the great work!
Omni I particularly loved your comment re “I get it names have power, but Blok don’t be vague - we have Dream Girl and Glorith for that!” Made me laugh out loud smile
Hey Raz, back for another installment of read and review.

IB, i mean i speak the truth. lol laugh

And we start off on a very somber note...Dawnstar and Wildfire. That was brutal to read. But again i don't know who i feel worse for in this moment. Dawnstar is watching the one person who knows her pull away, making the horrible things she experienced when it was revealed she was replace able, closer to reality. While Wildfire got his heart's desire. i'm not sure i fully understand him though. had he really accepted it whole heartedly that he was human again that easily? Like didn't he ever try to get his body back before?

Staq and Mayra's moment was super sweet and hard to imagine her blushing. Staq was so nice and i can relate to this line about just wanting to drink and sleep it off. Sometimes being numb is the best thing.

Man, Grava and Ral must be so hurt.
I'm with Mysa and just love to sit back and watch the interactions.
So did Halark get a statue on Shangralla? sorry, i know Dreamy mentioned not doing separate services but Mysa mentioning she has to take it back to the Khudian's (I'm assuming anyway.) made it not so clear. i hope he did get one though!
I hope Dirk and Laurel can work it out and i'm sure they will. she must know he can't truly be held responsible.
Damn, Jazmin was not expecting that. i had thought something else, mystical going on...maybe even Glorith returning...or Mysa receiving a vison like Dream girl.

the return of Revenant and the Oversight Watch...Raz you promised OSW vs Legion. how dare you miss lead us. hahah. laugh
But honestly, glad it wasn't another good guys vs anti-hero battle.
DD makes a lot of sense and its true, Revenant wouldn't stop there i'm sure.
Also he's like a Legionnaire all in one.... so i'm going to cast my vote for being a BION as well.
I wouldn't mind seeing a sparing match between 89 and Evolvo Lad though. might be fun to see who wins there.

lol ok i had to laugh a little that Revenant found Makkia vie unsettling. (he's not the only one!)
Dang she's smart and wow ok, i can honestly say i wasn't expecting Revenant to be Duplicate Boy at all. i thought new threat all the way. good bait and switch there.

Why must you make me feel bad for Revenant?! Why??! laugh laugh
loved that its the combo of Amp and Evolvo lad's powers that got us to this point.
hah Jaques's line was awesome. true all the power and still can be fooled.
Good Job Evolvo Lad!

Didn't know Cham's people had a weakness like that. that is some useful info i might be stealing for ya.
I was hoping Brittle would join the Legion. But it makes sense he's still a bit rough around the edges and the OSW is definetly they place for hard edges.
Of course 89 wants to use Revenant as a tool/weapon. i'm with the Legion and just "GRrrr!"
ok not. do not let them take the Dominion Child.
Also i think Jan's suspicions are 100% on the money. The OSW totally called in the Legion.
Damn Makkai Vie. she's a very good manipulator i must say. But i don't know if 89 can be manipulated without her doing some of her own...

On to Nightstone...i was not expecting Ultra Boy to be the one to come see her. i thought maybe it would be Nightwind and getting back to that story. But now you have me intriged as to what Tinya wants with her. Jo makes some great points. But it's interesting that after all this time he's still the main team member whose seemingly lived on "the wrong side of the tracks". Jo is so protective it makes me barf sometimes. lol

back to Glortih...
i dont see Dream Girl and Jazmin having a very good working relationship after this...
Glorith is so flippant but i kind of love it. i haven't really read anything with her outside the Zero Hour issues in LHS vol 4 and Legionnaires title where she and Mordru joined forces. So this is rather exciting to see. And clears up my questions sort of. Was Mysa just not with the Legion when those adventures facing her happened or did they not happen and that's a different continuity? again questions get answered lol.
Although, i didn't know she was from the future i always thought she was from the Legion's time just a planet they hadn't gone to yet.
More "blood magic" or well soul magic..but that's a lot of children... :X
Mysa's struggle with being the Black witch and Mordru's power was really well done and i loved the imagery of the shattered mirrors. its hard to look oneself in the eye when your about to commit a horrible act...
love that the mirrors gave her the idea to look into the multiverse. Ok, not gonna lie kind of intrigued by some of those variants.
i'm torn i get what Jazmin is saying but i'm also maybe if you stayed with the Legion she and Mysa could work to find the Glorith they had come to know and make sure she's alright. But ultimately if Jazmin wants to leave she's going to leave.

Poor Grava. she totally needs some time to herself before trying to comfort her teammates. Losing Ivy and almost losing Ral has gotta be tough.
Awww super cute moment. (the super star aspect of the Legion is one that must be tough to juggle especially after all this tragedy.
dang...a tube of icecream? yeah Ral is in a bad way...
i had to laugh at Grava's line a little bit "So what? that's like the fourth time she's tried to kill you." This should be a Legion motto. "So what they tried to kill you." lol

i really do love Grava and Ral together. its a great pairing.

Jupiter has giant squids? why? just why? lol laugh
loved Tinya confronting that rich nasshead while being still friendly and getting her point across. i guess her charm and cheer has its moments. tongue
loved Mysa wanting to tryout some of her other powers. i can't wait to see them in action along with some of her more mystical attributes.
The have giant beaks? ok that's inventive. lol.

that was a really good fake out. i was so hoping that Laurel and Dirk were having a talk about how she was feeling. But i'm glad the good Dr. Jery is being put to good use. and that's honestly a great counseling tool that i wouldn't have thought of and use for Durlarian's in the wider galaxy as a type of therapist.

The symbol for pi, is helping to keep mystical forces at bay? lol. that made me chuckle.
Subwarden Thirteen? i'm guessing he's related to Traci 13? yup got my answer. lol. I always find it interesting with Magical families and how it can skip generations. same thing with Mutants over at Marvel.
loved the tour of this prison on TG and how it does what it does to stop the magic. i honestly thought there'd be more prisoners there. But i guess the Legion has faced that many magical opponents as i thought.
As much as i want to find Ivy, i'm not sure this is the best idea...

I like that Tinya acknowledges the teams beginnings and how imperfect they were. like she said its easy to justify their own bad behavior. But now its time to make up for it. i know the academy was part of that long ago. but its great to see that evolve.
Also even though i enjoy the students being there for storylines, it makes sense that they really should be separated from the main team to foster their gifts/training.

That bar fight was pretty good. i again, wasn't expecting it to return us to Vielmist. i thought this was for Harlark.
The Sisterhood of Sin? like it. Nimbus and White bat seem very formidable. Vista...is she a teleporter of some sort as well?... Ahh thank you for the note i had forgotten them and them being part of the Judgement League.
The League members sure are coming back in droves. First Black Dancer and now these three. are we gonna be getting a reunion of the whole team? i sure hope not.

The new HQ is looks like the old rocket ship club house? lol nice nod. i for a second thought we were about to get another Legion World. But it also reminds me of Outpost Allon from the Reboot. so nice nods all around.
Hahah the whole exchange with Brin was great. was this something that was in cannon or happened in your story as my memory doesn't not remember this reporter or the nights she and Brin shared...
the tour through the multilab was super funny. loved that the Sun boy crack from Dreamer.
Wow this tour sure is something. i love all the windows and views that everything has.
the new tech is interesting upgrade. The whole crown system is very inventive.

i can see why Gim would think Yera wouldn't be too comfortable watching this mission.
I'm slightly surprised that the Legion wouldn't try to do something more humain for Yaggardis. But at least we know its menacing.

haha poor Light Lad. i love Elastic Lad but listening to him prattle off those questions. :smacks forehead:
Looks like Light Lad is still getting used to all the craziness that comes with being in the Legion.
i would giggle a little too at the sight of a giant golem carrying Tomi and the rocks away.

Are we sure there's no way to not kill the sentient planet? Having Dawnstar and Color kid basically confirm its presence makes me feel bad for it. especially if it is something so ancient.
hmmm ancient technology sort of? interesting...and surgery hmm what are they trying to fix?...wait they took a peice of its soul and bound it to the rock tendrils? so are they rebirthing the planet?
Even Yaggardis has spirt dragons...that's pretty cool. makes me wonder how many other worlds have them. Awww that was a much sweeter mission that i thought. creating a companion for Yaggardis makes sense. is it Cannon? i've never heard of it before. (never mind, question answered in the comments.)

The meeting with Alec Arckane went much better than i thought it would. seeing Grava like this still breaks my heart.
Smart thinking Cham. use his own goals against him. the enemy of my enemy.

Dang, that's a pretty cruel fate Vista has for her captees.
I'm glad Vielmist isn't totally on board with these people is nice. even if it is only due to her exposure of her culture and the swift and violent nature of it.

Sadly, on that note i have to head out. But its been a great read and i'm hoping to finish up the little but left soon!
looking forward to more!
You're catching up with a quickness, Omni!

Cham and Tranquility might pop up every now and then, but have no fear about Cham leaving the team anytime soon!

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A very beautiful pic of Lydda. very old hollywood. reminds of Joan Crawford a little bit.
Thanks! I always think of Lydda as having that old-school Hollywood quality! smile

Quick bit of background on Mordru and the Rock of Eternity - when Mysa decided to stop being the Black Witch she transferred all of her mystical essence into the Rock of Eternity and that included Mordru whom she had absorbed - so up until this storyline, he had been thought to be safely shut away in the Rock of Eternity in the Legion's HQ on account of his claustrophobia.

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wait so is Garridan becoming Validus again?
You know, I think you're the only one who mentioned this bit!! Let's just say Hadru was losing oxygen quickly at the time so he may have just been hallucinating....but also he might not have JUST been hallucinating... wink

And you know, when I think about it, it would probably have made more sense to have Blok revert back to being fully gold when Mordru used the magic word on him...that was a good observation, Omni! I think I'm gonna just say that when Mysa infused him with the power of Shazam it changed the way he looks forever but he can still be rendered inanimate again when someone uses the magic word on him.

To help put Evil!Glorith's backstory in context a bit - she only ever encountered the Legion once when she worked for the Time Trapper, and they were all much younger back then (this is way back in the 60s in real time, so Mysa joining as the White Witch was a long way off yet). That was one of the adventures where the team got turned into toddlers so even discounting any hocus pocus on Glorith's part it's likely that they just may not remember her that well after so many years.

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While Wildfire got his heart's desire. i'm not sure i fully understand him though. had he really accepted it whole heartedly that he was human again that easily? Like didn't he ever try to get his body back before?

This is also a really good observation, and all I will say to that right now is that I think you're asking some questions that should probably have been asked before now...

Ral and Grava have a pretty good moment coming up! They have become probably my favourite couple to write with Chuck and Lu gone smile

Separating the Academy from the main team was a difficult decision because I love having the Academy kids around for easy insertion into stories, but it was also one of those things where I find it hard to believe someone like Tinya would be okay with having a bunch of untested kids around to be cannon fodder the next time the Legion gets attacked. Which is not to say we're never gonna see them again, I have a very specific Academy-related story coming up pretty soonish actually!

Marella Tao and Timber Wolf was a thing from the 80s, although to be honest I remember reading about it in the DC's Who's Who more than from the actual comics.

It's interesting seeing a couple things you have come across in this batch of stories, because some of them are definitely about to rear their head again soon if they haven't already by the time you have caught up!
Raz, hi there, I've a lot to catch up on so will write as I'm readimng.

That's right, your team are with the Satellite era JLA in a giant tree - how fantastic! Am looking forward to what you bring to the JLA as they are just as odd as the Legionnaires. And also nice that you avoided the misunderstanding-leads-to-pointless-fight trope. Tinya's reaction to Kal, Vi's suspicion and Truth Girl's fan-girling on WW, and Diana's gracious response were all great.

Of course, plenty of the team will have heir own legacy heros to admire - it's not all about Superman, so it's great that Xao is star struck by Zatanna. Was Hal sleazing onto Zoe there? That was a bit uncomfortable, and of course Zoe would not want a reminder of the GLCorps fate hanging around - especially a creepy old (to her) man like Hal. Danielle and Red Tornado, Tellus and Aquaman - yup, very nice! Elastic Lad - always a favourite of mine - and he continues to be a joy to read. Impressed confoundment, indeed laugh And then Tenzil, Slug and Transposition Lad fan-boying on poor Ralph was a delight!

"If all his friends were like this when he was a kid, the stretchable sleuth thought, Maybe staying mild-mannered has been Clark Kent's real super-power all along!" Haha, nice!

Superman struggling with Comet Queen's speech patterns and Rokk being bashful after Batman's compliment were cute moments. Dream Girl hangig onto Hawkman is perfectly understandable smile and Dawny's quip was funny. The Phantom Stranger - fantastic! I now virtually nothing about him - but then, does anyone? - but remember he tended to pop up when things were really serious. Louisiana? Does that mean the Nexus place and the Swamp Thing too?

Superhero team-up! Haha, loving their excitement!

I'm still wondering what Glorith's end plan is here as I'm certain it isn't to ensure the Green win. And the trapper watching Glorith watching the Legion - brilliiant! Reminds me of the Xman from the start of the run of the (first) new team when the Sentinel guy was being watched by Erik the Red. Nice way to amp up the stakes.

Okay... Teen Titans and Colossal Boy and Diamond Damsel who weren't in the Tree team, yet Neon was and is with them - so the time zones are merging? Am sure it'll make sense soon, as much as timey-wimey stuff ever does smile

nice scene with GA, Black Canary and King Canary - that was a hardcore way to deal with Solomon Grundy! Pretty bird, haha.

Very, very nice description of the Louisiana swamp! And Nura's reaction to the smell was about right - loved Tenzil's supportive response, he's a good egg not just the team joker. Tellus being inquisitive about Firestorm was genius - I'd have never thought of that! Felix Faust! Yay, you are bringing back a lot of characters here Raz, and it's fab! Am looking forward to the Phantom Stranger taking him apart - or, actually, I'd love to see Tenzil take him down smile Go Tenz!

Wonder Woman and Timber Wolf's moment was cute, and his sudden clumsiness afterwards was funny. Batman is so intense, and amongst all the lighter interpersonal moments, it's ood to see his character is still super pragmatic and direct. Tasmia's description of him was spot on, though Reeps views on his skill was the sobering thought they needed to get them back on track. And PIvy knew they were there the whole time and was playing with them - is it wrong that I love just how cruel all your villains are laugh

Oh, my, I think I've just had a seizure! Lester Spiffany.... and the Legion of substitute Villains! And I thought this couldn't get any better! Hahaha, they are my favourite villain team. Nice little side mission, and the chat between Mwindaji and Sizzle at the end was sweet.

Flash being keen to run off is understandable. Was it Peter David who wrote that excellent issue of XFactor where they were psycho-analysed by Dr Samso and Quicksilver was open about how frustrating being a speedster was? It always comes back to me when I write characters with super speed. Supes agreeing with and complimenting Tinya's leadership was a nice way to show their shared past - and was sweet smile

And finally... Glorith and Verdant! Looking forward to hearing GlorithSpikyShoulderPads reasons and seeing how you tie all these storylines together and how the Trapper will fit into it.

Great stuff Raz, more, more, more!
Hey Raz,

I'm back for another read and review. I'm glad you enjoyed my last batches of reviews. I'm trying to get up to date before you post more. Also thank you for the background on some of my questions. like Evil Glorith. i honestly thought her history with the team was much more extensive than just the one off with the Time Trapper.

Is White Bat from the future? was she one of the one pulled back in time if my memory serves me right? with her description she sounds like a vampire wolverine.
The return of Scorn, a Khudian mystic if i recall...This is going to be a very dark sisterhood indeed.

it still tickles me that Star Boy and Sun Boy play DD and now Evolvo Lad too. That should be an fun campiagn but something tells me we're going to be getting a DD inspired adventure soon. Maybe someone's going to transport them to a DD local and control the game.

Poor Dirk and Laurel. At least he's tried and wants to talk. Hopefully Laurel will be ready after a few more sessions with the new counselor.
Its always interesting when you showcase the different levels of "friendliness" within the Older legion members like Mysa and Sun Boy here. maybe with Mysa's return they could have a new found friendship.

Mysa and Dragonmage off to Khudian space. That's good, i wasn't sure how long we'd have to wait for Harlark's last wishes.

Mardru:
It's interesting that the Green/ the remains of the Parliament of Trees retreated here. I wonder why they did that. But also something else that's kind of interesting that i just realized is how close the spelling of this world's name is to Mordru. Maybe in the past there was a connection which ended with the Parliament of Tree's moving here to safe guard it from Mordru after his defeat.
Grava patting the dorid was cute.

The giant face of tree branches would freak me out a bit. But Ral did great staring it down. But i'd be a bit annoyed with the Green if they knew this whole time where Ivy was and that she wasn't with the protector they placed her with. But now its how close is the connection the Green shares with Ivy? can they read her mind at will?
That moment with Ral and those wire vines was a bit horrifying. all it needed was lightning flashing. The green is so invasive.
This doesn't sound like a good thing if the rest of the Legion needs to be called in.
Wait so The Green's work being done...it means spreading plant life across the world unchecked?
Extinction level event? Damn..
Grava, always the Legionnaire first. Her heart is so big.
Poor Ral, he's hurting and the green is totally messing with him. Ral threating Cham was kind of scary. But i'm glad he was willing to listen to some reason.
liked the plan a lot. But Grava and Tellus did a great job.
Ral's armor sounds super cool and i love how versatile it seems to be.
The whole planet has been over run? But what does Glorith get from this? Is she stealing power from the Green or is the Green controlling her too?
The moment with Ral and Tellus was well done. i really feel for Ral but i'm glad he didn't take off after Ivy and Glorith...and apparently Cham? ooo not good.
Ral thinks this is because she hates him. But what if its not hate for him but part of the Green's plan to expand and bring back the green across the galaxy?

Stop making my heart ache for these worlds. 40% and climbing. Poor Mardru.
Cham, is ok, But i gotta wonder if they knew he was their the whole time.

Oh Right, Garth beat the snot out of Chemical Kid, i don't know how that relationship will be but i don't see it being too great. Assuming Hardu comes back...
89! my guess is she's here to drop off the Dominator child...

I think these blood stones sound a lot like Haurcruxes. lol. jk. But that is a pretty cool idea that his magical essence will become one with Xerox.
Dragonmage makes a great point. Magic was part of Mysa for so long. she must miss it like a limb or something.
Damn, another curve. i wasn't expecting the Sisterhood of Sin to be on Xerox. I thought we'd have to wait to get to being in Khudian space for that.
Vista follows the Legion's feeds clearly lol.
Dude! that visual of the Lighting dragon clawing its way out of Vista's implant was cool. Oh that's new, i thought he was just surrounded by the dragon not turned into the energy itself. I love when Dragonmage doesn't have to hold back. Dragon-Hyper storm was pretty cool.
Argg.,,Scorn. :X
Have you gotten into Body horror lately? cause there's definitely a lot of it. lol.
Ooo i love when Xao is tricky like that.
i chucked a little at the idea of the dragons bouncing Nimbus and Scorn around, But damn White Bat was close.
Mysa Marvel is here to save the day!
a good shock again. I wasn't expecting them to be there for Harlack. i thought maybe a mystical object...Vista clearly knows Harlack. but how?
Nimbus was willing to talk instead of fight so maybe she can convince Vista that might be the better option for their next run in.

I'm glad Tinya is having second thoughts about Ral. But i have to agree with Shadow Lass their going to need him to find Ivy and Glorith. But if he's on the team, can't she force Ral to go to Dr Jefry?

Dang it Dream Girl, just when we were having a quiet moment. But new recruits are always fun!

i enjoyed the bit about Cham's antenna and what he's capable of doing with them. it always seemed like he could call up the information when scanning. so its interesting how instinctual it is verse learned and controlled. Cham using his sense to figure out where he was, was well done. not everything has to be about their powers and i like how he relies on more than that.
Three worlds? i guess that's good. mean's Ivy does have some limits.
Man, of course the link works both ways. But maybe Ral will figure that out.

a lot of good personality moments with the Cadets. Marya is rather hard to get along with. But i guess after Fire Lass maybe the idea of losing anyone, even Kid Q is gonna be hard for her.
Amp ever the corrector. i wonder if her and Marya are going to end up going rounds in a ring soon.

Enigma Lass? ok, so this is kind of like a call back to when Dream Girl and Star Boy did this, right? The only thing i don't agree with is not knowing her powers due to the students will be training and sparing with her. But otherwise i'm looked forward to see what she brings to the table.
Glad i wasn't the only one who thought that.

Wait Hardu is gone? wow i don't know how i feel. i hate the little snot but i thought he'd still be coming back to the Academy.

So this is the new tryouts...not gonna lie not as exciting. But makes sense to scale it down. These are all new characters we haven't seen before? How come none of the Student's moved up? i would have thought maybe Dragonwing at the most might have been invited.

A Giant Slug...and metallic at that. interesting. i'm always a fan of the more exotic Legionnaires.
Night-owl is from King Canary's world or do other birds from other worlds recognize him as King? (got to the note. thank you. and makes sense.)
I think i remember Dogstar from the Cannine adventure.
Hahaha Quiz Queen worrying about her hair was funny. i guess we gotta give Nura a run for her money.
Sizzle. so nice to see you again. smile
I might be one of the few whose not always the hugest Tamaeran fan. (outside of Lexicon in Harbinger's stories.) But i'm open to seeing what this bubbly young sentient has to offer.

The Fatal Five have arrived and the Legion's down for the count? The test has totally started and loving it.
Truth girl with connections to Wonder Woman. we don't see that a lot. at least the lariat of truth any way. Usually its the whole Amazon stitch. is she an Amazon or just someone whose got the lariat? also i thought the Legion had to have innate powers? is the truth sense apart of her?
Night Owl's like Tasma a bit. but can they only create the darkness in flight?
ahhhh Transposition lad, a literal swapper. lol nice. loved the way you took out the Persuader and later used the same affect with Dogstar and the emerald Empress. although, i'd want to keep this power under wraps as much as possible.
Mirage Master seems pretty powerful to keep that going through all that damage.

I like who made it but surprised that Night Owl or Mirage Master didn't make it.

Wait fighting for time itself? Dreamer your such a buzz kill. lol

Slugs moment was cute and it was nice to see a sort of healthy obsession with Cosmic Boy and Magnetic Kid. i'm also kind of surprised that they didn't know who Magnetic Kid was. i figured Legion history was a must for members. Slugs reasoning was really nice to and how they relate with being from a poor world.

OOo the return of Firefist? i hope Mysa Marvel and Dragonmage aren't getting into another fight.

Returning to the hunt for Ivy and Glorith...I'm glad this world weathered the attack better.
Again slightly surprised Grava and Ral haven't taken off on their own to hunt Ivy down.
I wonder how each planet is going to deal with the new vegetation from other worlds being present after these attacks.
Nightwind hopefully will start learning to relax around the team a bit more. i know she's deputy leader but these aren't here idols any more. They are here teammates.
I love that everyone is changing their opinions of Grava and that Nightwind is seeing her friend for who she really is.
I hope Ral starts to forgive himself soon, once he realizes Glorith super aged Ivy and gave her false memories. (at least i hope their false)

I'm with Ral and really want to know why Ivy and Glorith are choosing certain worlds. maybe this will help with his connection with her if he can figure it out.
I'm glad Tinya is coming with backup. But this doesn't sound like its going to end well.

I'm glad the Academy kids want to check in on Hardu and make sure he's ok and leaving for the right reasons.
Haha. good job Amp and goading Marya into letting them go. I think they all need to start working together more and I'm glad Variable Lad isn't going to let anyone fall behind.

That view sounds amazing and i didn't realize it was Hardu's father who gave him the abilities.
Haha, couldn't help but giggle a little at Marya punching Hardu.
And of course someone attacks. But are these new foes?

Back to The Sisterhood of Sin. they broke up after really? that seems odd.
Oh ok so they are from the future. wasnt sure if they just had future tech. (been a while since i've read their stories clearly lol)
I'm with Scorn. Time travel always mucks it up.
I was not expecting that. I thought they had like a family tie to Harlack somehow. Great twist and good reason for them to be upset. But it does change or end their timeline...or they come from an alternate timeline and Earth Man did more than just pull people from time but from the Multiverse/Hypertime.

i think how you've shown the difference of the Khudian culture again and how expansive their empire is with the scene, especially with Flederweb's comment about it not being his culture.
Mysa Marvel is stretching/testing her powers still. glad she's enjoying it. I'm surprised that was the only condition for allowing them in to the Khudian Empire's space. But it makes sense. know thy enemy.
Mysa's new found confidence is really nice to see. especially her taking out Firefist.

Phlon -
Almost got a clue about Enigma.
i like how they have to explain "homesickness" to Sojurn.
I'm with Key Kid, i'd stay far from the ocean after that too.
Gambling debt and used power mods to get out of it? did he really think they wouldn't come back for more? when you can do stuff like that, the debt is never paid. :smacks forehead:
Wait, so first is it Alchemical Girl or Lass? or is time flashing here and changing her?
Also she has the same powers as Hardu but wants to take Hardu's powers to improve hers? so does she really have the same powers or not?
The bickering back and forth and Hardu being ignored was a funny moment. until Black Mace and Alchemical Girl and the third guy came back
Enigma Lass is dead already? i doubt it!
That was a good plan for the most part. Nice try Amp! great job Sojurn.
Variable Lad was inventive. An aluminum version of plastic man/e-lad. works well.
Ha! knew it! glad Enigma Lass isn't dead.

Man, Hardu finally makes the right choice and i totally get his reasonings/ Garth wasn't saying something he didn't think. i think he was just taken to the extreme. So they are going to have a talk i'm sure. But dang it Marya, you had to bring Hardu back into the fold. tongue

A desolate planet revived? hmmm.
Seeing the new recruits interact was cute. So her power comes for the lariat. doesn't that make her not eligible for membership or is that not a rule any more?
Gas Girl telling Evolvo that he still needs to dumb it down was funny. Moments like these are ones i could see Brainy having all the time too.
A Pentagram in space?
Haha. loved Blok's response to Timber Wolf.

Tinya, i hope your right. But i hope they don't know you're coming know that Ral knows what's going on too.

Mysa and Xao's comments about the cloths were cute and made me chuckle. i really do wonder why white is used so often with heroes knowing how dirty it can get.
At least the Demon's Claw is good for something besides fighting.
Mysa's good by and confession about missing her powers was really well done. Loss is something that's so hard to deal with and no matter what we know on an intellectual level having reassurance is something i think we all want.

Dogstar and Wildfire was a fun moment before the giant marble golems. Of course Wildfire can't be out done.
Nightwind and Laurel are doing their own version of the cannonball special? nice!
I doubt Dawnstar is going to judge anyone Berta.
Grava is just so upset that she can't enjoy this battle? that is sad.
i chuckled at E-Lad wanting to explain to Polar Boy the plan and physics of the plan. which good plan. the bigger they are the harder they fall.

is Sherannee going to be getting a code name? Do like her response about Evolov Lad though.
She's almost as cherry as Tinya.
Dang Crystal Kid complains alot. But why doesn't he just use his flight ring getting through while still being under the treetops?
Evolvo Lad showing off? hmmm. lol. And she can reach him in devolved state. I think we might have a new romance blooming.
Of course there's a force field.
Hahah. love you too Big head.
Love that Gas Girl was able to get in there and help.
Glorith is using the people? hmmm, are they mages too? She's their queen? well if she's from the future she could one day be.
Korbal? interesting choice. But glad its giving Ivy some trouble.
Poor Strut but also thank goodness for Strut. loved his lines and honey i'm sure he'd still join even if he knew. lol
Slug's pretty tough and good work. So he can form projectiles at will? is he unique or is that something his species does?
I'm glad they were able to save the Lightning Beasts.
Wait what did Sizzle ask for?

Glad Cham is still alive and ok.
Nice. splitting up really did help. But also knew that connection had to have its limits.
Ivy has to be under a spell if not all of this is sitting well with her.
That battle is going well. i like Kappa's usefulness here. But he's right. probably won't work again.
YES! take Glorith down team!

I hope Ral can get through to her too. But the sneak attack was well done. Infectious Lass is the best subtle attack!
Dang it, i had hoped her attack would have taken Ivy down.
Hahah that was a good save for Cham although i thought Ivy would have ended up in the sphere.
Ahhh so thats what she asked him for. That's a great idea. i just hope she doesn't get over loaded to quickly.
Smart thinking Jo.
haha, loved both Ayla's line and Jo's reaction. laugh
Brin, i know its not nice to kick when there down. But next time, Kick them when their down!
Glorith wins?? no way...

And the Time Trapper arrives with his Daughter? Decay. until i see a DNA test with Time anomalies in it, i think the Trapper's just using this poor girl.

Well that ends my review for now.
I'm looking forward to The Thousand Years of Green and then i should be all caught up,
This ride/battle for Ivy has had some really good twists and i'm really enjoying the new kids and the team work you've put into all this!
Hi all!

Omni, I will respond to your stuff first as it looks like you've still got a few chapters to go to catch up to where Harbi is smile

Glorith was really only ever a one-shot character until the 5YL Legion when she got made into the big archvillain that she clearly deserves to be laugh

Quote
I think these blood stones sound a lot like Haurcruxes

Is that a Harry Potter thing? I have honestly never read/watched a Harry Potter in my life lol...I pretty much ripped off homaged the bloodstone idea from Illyana Rasputin in New Mutants and adapted it a bit to suit what I wanted (and I do like a bit of body horror which probably comes through in my stories when things get nasty hahaha)

re: the tryouts and new recruits - just before all the stuff went down with Mordru, Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad told Phantom Girl that none of the students were ready for the main team yet...of course, the students have gone through a lot since then so that could potentially change soonish.... wink

I think the latest batch of newbies have been around long enough for everyone to get a general feel of them, so after this current storyline is over I will probably post the individual profiles I wrote for them all to explain their powers and background and such in a bit more detail as well. We are also getting lots more of the Sisterhood of Sin when this current story finishes, so that should answer some questions too!

Quote
Wait, so first is it Alchemical Girl or Lass?

Oh man, how embarassing! I didn't even realise I did that...her name is definitely Alchemical Girl! It's not a sign that time was flashing, but my brain might have been laugh Thanks for picking it up, I have edited the post!

Okay, on to Harbinger!

- I am glad you liked the JLA/Legion interactions...I initially had the JSA in this story as well but seeing how hard it was to fit in most of the JLA/Legion bits and random background guest stars I wanted, I realised I would be biting off more than I could chew with the JSA there as well (somewhere in my drafts there is a pretty cool teamup between all the Green Lanterns, as well as Vi and the Atoms though!)

I probably should have explained this in the story, sorry for any confusion - but honestly the only reason JLAers and Legionnaires are appearing in different times than where they started is that I wanted to split some of them up into specific groups for the teamups...so you can just assume that the two teams came together in between chapters 2 & 3 and then split up into the era and place they thought they would do the most good. It's not really an in-character tactical thing so much as I just thought it would be fun to have King Canary and Black Canary team up for example laugh

It was indeed Peter Davis who wrote that awesome X-Factor issue! The first time someone made Quicksilver a sympathetic character in pretty much forever!

Y'all have been very patient with Glorith and Verdant's mysterious machinations, and next instalment it is all gonna come out in the open!

And spoiler alert: it's not gonna go well for the good guys...
THE 21ST CENTURY
Louisiana wetlands


ROLL CALL
Justice League of America
Aquaman aka Arthur Curry:
marine-adapted physiology, marine telepathy

Firestorm aka Ronald Raymond/Martin Stein: matter transmutation, atomic energy manipulation
Phantom Stranger: JLA ally

Legion of Superheroes
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal:
Naltorian precognition

Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis

Deep within some senseless miasma, Ronnie Raymond was dimly aware of an insistent buzzing noise. The noise quickly honed into a more annoying repetition of sounds, and as though sinking back to reality from some floating dream he soon realised those sounds were his name.

Ronald! Wake up!!

"Huh? Professor??" In the real world, the nuclear man Firestorm jolted into consciousness. It took him a moment to get his bearings, but he found himself suspended in some kind of dark purple field alongside all of the other heroes the Phantom Stranger had dragged here to Louisiana.

The man who'd been shouting inside Ronnie Raymond's mind for the past 90 seconds, Professor Martin Stein, was of course not physically present; when Aquaman and the Legionnaires from the future had heard Firestorm's confused exclamation, they'd all turned their attention toward him. Only the Phantom Stranger seemed unperturbed, as ever.

The Justice League and the Legion of Supeheroes weren't the only ones hovering motionless here either. The Swamp Thing was also here, as silent as he'd been when the heroes had first found him...and in a decidedly superior position outside of the occult fields which bound them all, Felix Faust had been in private conversation with the Phantom Stranger when he too had heard Firestorm's outburst.

"What am I to do with you all?" Faust asked wickedly, moving across to the newly awakened Firestorm. "It could be a delightful irony to turn you all into trees...you can all live out the rest of your unnatural lives with the Avatar of the Green you came to rescue perhaps?"

<My telekinesis will not function outside of these forcefields,> Tellus spoke in Dream Girl and Matter-Eater Lad's minds, <But my telepathy seems unrestricted. I do not feel overly comfortable dominating another's will, but perhaps I could--?>

<I wouldn't risk it, Tellus.> Dream Girl's dainty nose screwed up as she considered the matter. <Something tells me that nasty man's head is not a place you'd want to spend any time. Anyway, we all just have to be ready to act when Aquaman comes through for us.>

"Faust, how are you involved in any of this anyway?" Aquaman asked the villain out loud. "How is Swamp Thing involved for that matter? What does any of this have to do with what Poison Ivy's doing back in Gotham?"

"I may as well tell you," the ancient sorceror aquiesced. "None of you will be able to do anything with the knowledge after all. You see, Aquaman, a beguiling woman from the far far future enlisted my help to keep the Avatar of the Green here safely out of the way while she empowered Poison Ivy to do her bidding. She doesn't need this big lumbering fellow getting in the way of her thousand year plan."

"So you're Glorith's henchman?" Matter-Eater Lad raised an eyebrow beneath his ever-present sunglasses. "Man, that's gotta be a big step down from being one of the Justice League of America's big bad guys huh? Maybe Elongated Man's Enigmas of History had you pegged all wrong!"

"Faust has never been afraid to be a toady for anyone with any real power behind them," Aquaman said with clear contempt in his voice. "Dignity has never been one of your strong suits, has it Felix?"

"Dignity?" Faust threw his head back and laughed a cruel laugh. "That's rich coming from a man whose greatest achievement is talking to fish!"

"You know, Felix..." The corner of Arthur Curry's lip turned up into a small smile, "...It's not only fish that I talk to."

An explosion of motion occurred before the trapped heroes as four bulky alligators suddenly launched themselves at Felix Faust, taking him screaming and thrashing back down into the swamp with them. Distracted by the sudden violence, Faust's concentration waned and the fields surrounding the Justice Leaguers and Legionnaires faded into so much smoke on the air.

"How come Swamp Thing's still stuck?" Firestorm questioned.

"Faust had more time to prepare a trap for the Avatar of the Green," the Phantom Stranger answered knowingly. "As well as the spell components to make his trap more effective."

"Aquaman, thank you for the timely rescue." Tellus's pods shifted to a deep orange shade as the Hykraian dropped inelegantly into the swamp. "But now that we are free, is it wise to continue endangering your subjects so?"

"I'm way ahead of you, my alien friend." Aquaman too had plummeted into the swamp, crouching down to remain beneath the water's surface. Though he and Tellus were the only ones to see it happen, the alligators had already stopped their assault on Faust and sped away at Arthur Curry's command.

Furious, Felix Faust levitated back out of the murky waters and everyone else saw that his robes were tattered and he had great bloody gashes across his torso, legs and left arm. "Never mind transforming you into trees!" he raged. "I will murder you all here and now for this effrontery!"

Faust drew a heavy bronze pendant from beneath his robe and Tellus saw a flash in the sorceror's mind that this was the artifact which had so easily defeated them all before. Still half-submerged in the swamp, Tellus telepathically alerted Matter-Eater Lad while simultaneously using his telekinesis to break the thick gold chain which kept the pendant hanging from Faust's throat. Propelled by Tellus's telekinesis, the pendant flung itself across to Matter-Eater Lad's waiting hand and Tenzil casually took a huge chomp out of it.

"You...you..." Faust fumed impotently, but before he could take another move Dream Girl delivered a flawless high kick to his chin which knocked him back a few feet.

The sorceror recovered faster than his advanced age would indicate, and he glared at the heroes with incandescent eyes while he began to weave patterns into the air with outstretched fingers.

"I like your style, Dream Girl," Aquaman complimented the Naltorian beauty, "But Faust is a lot tougher than he looks." Leg muscles accustomed to swimming at the bottom of the ocean propelled Aquaman forward like a torpedo and he leaped from the swamp to tackle Felix Faust right through the engorged trunk of a cypress tree. When Arthur Curry emerged from the splintered wreckage, he was dragging Faust's limp form along the ground by the hood of his robe. "Firestorm, see if you can't stop him from being a nuisance when he wakes up again, would you?" Aquaman let Faust's form droop over the trunk of the tree they'd just felled.

"No problemo!" The nuclear man raised a hand, and an atom-like swirl of energy appeared around it. With a flash of light, Faust's robe along with any other mystical weapons he might be hiding within it were transformed into a frilly pink skirt, bodice and bonnet. Mittens bound tightly around his hands prevented him from being able to cast enchantments and a big pink ribbon with an oversized bow kept any spells emerging from his lips. Aquaman raised an unimpressed eyebrow at his young teammate and Firestorm simply shrugged. "The dude was gonna turn us into trees, I let him off easy if you ask me!"

"That still leaves us with Swamp Thing," Dream Girl pondered, hovering a few feet away from the ugly brute.

"Felix Faust took me by surprise earlier," the Phantom Stranger explained calmly while he descended to touch the ground next to the imprisoned Avatar of the Green. "I am not surprised now and these magicks are no match for my power." He simply touched the forcefield with a white-gloved hand and it popped out of existence.

Swamp Thing shuddered before he looked around with an oddly human expression of confusion. "Aquaman? The Phantom Stranger? Who are the rest of you? Is that man eating jewellery?? Wait, is that man dressed as Little Bo Peep??"

"We have freed you from your captivity, Alec Holland." The Phantom Stranger touched what would be Swamp Thing's temple were he a human being. "I have shared with you all you need to know about this current crisis, but right now you must act to liberate the Green, humanity...and perhaps time itself."

The Swamp Thing's blood red eyes widened as he telepathically digested everything the Stranger had to share with him. Without another word, Swamp Thing closed his eyes and the vegetable matter which constituted the form of Avatar of the Green in this time period disintegrated into a pile of mulchy green on the ground at the Stranger's feet.

"Okay," Tenzil mumbled with his mouth full of metal, "That was weird."

"We have done good work here today, my friends." The Phantom Stranger gestured at Felix Faust's unconscious form and the still unconscious sorceror floated up closer toward the Stranger. "Now that I am fully recovered, allow me to ensure that Faust is imprisoned in a matter more fitting to his menace." Mists similar to those which had brought them all here rose around the Phantom Stranger and Felix Faust, and in moments the two men were vanished as if they'd never been here.

"He's...gonna come back for us, right?" Firestorm asked Aquaman.

"I've already seen that he isn't," Dream Girl frowned bitterly. "Cassandra help me, that man is so infuriating I could just--"

...and the Louisiana wetlands echoed with Nura Nal's frustrated scream.

**********

THE 21ST CENTURY
Gotham City, Robinson Park


ROLL CALL
Justice League of America
Batman aka Bruce Wayne: martial artist, strategist
Green Lantern aka Hal Jordan: Green Lantern ring
Wonder Woman aka Diana: enhanced physiology, flight, Amazon weapons

Legion of Superheroes
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility

While thick ropey vines dragged seven paralysed heroes closer to carnivorous plants large enough to digest them all, Poison Ivy stepped down from her makeshift throne where she'd been sitting smugly above them all. Plant life obligingly cleared the way for Poison Ivy as she walked barefoot past her usual nemesis Batman and kneeled down beside his teammate Wonder Woman.

"I should have known that if anyone could fight my baby's toxin it would be you, Amazon." While Ivy spoke, Wonder Woman's body shuddered with the effort of resisting the paralysing poison they'd all been subjected to.

One of Wonder Woman's defiant fists snapped the vines constricting her, and the Amazon looked directly into Pamela Isley's vibrant green eyes. "I...will get out...of here, Pamela," Diana struggled to form words, "And when I do...you will regret that...you did not meet us with...compassion...when you had the chance."

"I don't think I will, but it's nice of you to be concerned." Poison Ivy stood again, gazing down at the ensnared woman at her feet. "It is clear that you'll need a little more attention though." Even as Diana freed her right forearm entirely, some more delicate vines crept in to reinforce their hardier brethren. While these secondary vines were far thinner and nowhere near as strong, they were far better with the kind of fine manipulation it took to entwine themselves around Wonder Woman's golden lariat and they used Diana's own indestructible weapon to tie her up more securely.

Satisfied that Wonder Woman had been properly subdued, Poison Ivy realised she probably shouldn't assume that these others were any less capable. Green Lantern wielded the greatest weapon in the universe, Batman somehow always found a way to bounce back against ridiculous odds, and she knew nothing at all about any of the other heroes they'd brought along with them. The one called Timber Wolf did in fact seem to be not much weaker than Wonder Woman, and Ivy responded by coccooning him almost entirely in vines. She wasn't sure if he'd break out given enough time, but she didn't plan on giving him that time. The girls called Night Girl and Shadow Lass seemed just as helpless as Ivy wanted them to be, and the weird orange-skinned one they'd called Chameleon Boy...a cold look of realisation dawned on Poison Ivy's face as she realised that Chameleon Boy was nowhere to be found!

Just as quickly, a bee that had been hovering nearby suddenly switched into the full-size form of Reep Daggle and leaped from mid-air to tackle Poison Ivy to the ground. While she was still winded, Cham held her arms down to either side and straddled her so she couldn't writhe away. "Your plant toxins might work just fine against Terrans," Chameleon Boy explained, "And I guess my teammates are close enough biologically that they're affected too...but I'm a Durlan and it looks like that worked in my favour this time, wouldn't you say? Now I don't actually want to hurt you if I can avoid it so why don't you--ack!" Vines came out of nowhere and constricted around Cham's throat, dragging him up and off of Ivy.

"I don't know what a Durlan is," Ivy retorted as she climbed to her feet, "But not hurting me is going to be the last mistake you ever make, shapeshifter."

Cham instantly morphed into insect form again and flew through the now gigantic loop that had been his makeshift noose. "I strongly doubt that, Ivy." She was ready for him now though, and he had to switch form again to a hummingbird to be fast enough to avoid two giant plates of wooden bark smashing together where he'd been a second ago.

In contrast to Reep Daggle, Bruce Wayne was the most ordinary man in this park and by all rights he should have been more affected by Ivy's toxin than any of the others. Despite his lack of powers however, Bruce Wayne was also far from any other ordinary man. Part of the torturous training he'd subjected himself to before he ever became Batman involved granting himself as much control over his body's functions as it was possible to gain. Using a tremendous amount of energy, Batman painfully rasped out six small words: "Green Lantern...you can...stop this."

Hal Jordan did not have Bruce Wayne's uncanny self-discipline, and he had to telepathically instruct his ring to speak for him. "The ring is purging that toxin out of my bloodstream," a surprisingly accurate representation of Hal's voice spoke. "But it'll take another couple of seconds."

Sweating profusely from the effort, Batman turned his aching neck to face his teammate. "GL...you don't need...your body...ring is controlled by..."

"My willpower..." Hal realised. "The ring is controlled by my willpower!" His body still completely motionless, the aura surrounding Green Lantern grew countless blades on its surface to cut through the vines dragging him to his doom. He commanded the ring to levitate him to a position where he could see the others, and while Poison Ivy was busy chasing a frantic Chameleon Boy through Robinson Park, Green Lantern summoned emerald gardening shears to very carefully cut through Batman's vines.

As Green Lantern moved on to Shadow Lass, they all heard Wonder Woman grunting as against all odds she finished freeing herself from the combined trap of the Golden Perfect and Ivy's vines.

"Diana?" Green Lantern's artificial voice asked. "How did you--"

"Please," Wonder Woman chuckled as she gathered her lariat in large coils. "I've been restrained by experts. A couple of seasons on Transformation Island could teach our Ivy a trick or two."

As Green Lantern and Wonder Woman were about to turn their attention to finding and freeing the others in this overgrowth of vegetable life, a six-armed gorilla wearing Chameleon Boy's face came back to their small clearing carring a dazed Poison Ivy. "I'm afraid she didn't leave me any choice," Chameleon Boy admitted to the others regarding her injured state. "Say, where are Night Girl and Timber Wolf?"

As if on cue, tearing sounds called everyone's attention over to two of the enormous carnivorous plants which had been grown to devour them all. Two of the plants had clearly taken their victims, but they didn't hold them for long. Timber Wolf and Night Girl both ripped their way free from their gruesome prisons at roughly the same time, both of them covered from head to toe in a sticky mucus.

"Took me a little longer to get over that poison or whatever than I would have thought," Brin Londo spoke as he shook the gel-like coating off like a dog might do. "But if years of Zuunium treatments couldn't do me in, no stupid Earth plant's gonna do it!"

"...And as soon as those petals closed over me and cloaked me in darkness I was fine," Lydda added as she squeezed the gooey mess out of the long black mess her hair was now that her beehive had collapsed. "But it's going to take me forever to get my hair clean and I think I might just disintegrate this outfit...yuck!"

Poison Ivy had recovered while all of this was happening, and she struggled fruitlessly against the six arms of the Slith that Chameleon Boy had become. "Do you think you've won??" she ranted. "I was going easy on you, I'll fill this whole damned city with manchineel and gympie--"

"You will do no such thing!!" a new voice roared.

The voice sounded as though it were coming from the park itself, and piece by piece before the eyes of the astonished heroes the imposing figure of the Swamp Thing formed from the very plants that Poison Ivy had birthed here in Gotham City. Weaving a new body to house him after leaving his old one behind in Louisiana, the Swamp Thing stomped with purpose toward Poison Ivy. Green Lantern had by now put his ring to work flushing any remnants of the toxin from himself and the others, and the gathered heroes were prepared to leap into action if necessary even though all of them had some strange sense that this new entity's business with the villainess in their midst transcended any conflict they might have with her.

Completely ignoring everyone else present, the Avatar of the Green grabbed Pamela Isley's frail human jaw in his rough hand and tilted it up so that he could look her in the eye.

"We need to talk, May Queen..."

**********

ELSEWHERE/WHEN

ROLL CALL
Justice League of America
Atom aka Ray Palmer: size and mass control
Flash aka Barry Allen: super-speed
Superman aka Kal-El: JLA chairperson; Kryptonian physiology
Zatanna Zatara: sorceress

Legion of Superheroes
Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility
Truth Girl aka Oliv Hollowai: truth sense, wields the Golden Perfect

Only a moment ago, twelve heroes were climbing some esoteric tree-like structure created by Glorith's sorcery and Verdant's link to the Green....now all of them were face to face with the two villainesses in some deceptively peaceful forest setting. The ambient light was good enough for them to see their immediate environment quite clearly but beyond endless rows of trees there was nothing but misty darkness, and no sun hung in the formless sky above.

Sensing suspicion from all of the heroes, Glorith gave a superior laugh. "Oh come on, if I wanted to turn you all into toddlers I could do it. I've been dying to explain my master plan, won't you all just gather around and let me?"

While Blok and Mysa Marvel surreptitiously took sentry positions at the back of the group to look out for any surprises, Phantom Girl, Superman and Mon-El stepped out in front (notably between Chlorophyll Kid, Comet Queen and the two women they'd come here looking for).

"You want to tell us your big plan, Glorith?" Phantom Girl placed her hands on her hips. "We're listening."

"What is there to gain from all of this senseless destruction?" Superman added. "You're not even from my century, do you know how many innocent people you're hurting?"

"They're only people, Big Blue." Glorith gave a dismissive wave. "If there's one thing a good empress is never lacking for, it's replaceable servants." She turned her back on them all and with her cape billowing dramatically behind her she began walking back toward the scowling Verdant.

"This is a mistake, Mistress!" Ivy Arcane spoke out. "We're so close!"

"Dear, you have your strengths." Glorith smiled coldly at her younger charge. "Why don't you concentrate on those for now?"

"Glorith--" Mon-El began.

"Oh for badness sake!" Glorith spun on her heel to face the heroes again. "For someone who spent a thousand years floating in a non-realm, you're so impatient, Lar Gand! But you asked for an explanation, so let me give you one." She conjured up a vision of what everyone recognised as the Earth in front of everybody and then with a flourish, split that Earth into two almost but not quite identical planets.

"The Earth of the Justice League and the Legion of Superheroes' time," Superman noted curtly.

"Very clever," Glorith ran a gloved finger down his chest. "Now I just want you to know that I have nothing against your little Justice League and while I do hate the Legion of Superheroes quite passionately this plan is only really circumstantially about annoying them so let's everyone not take this personally, hmm? But now that you've recognised your little mudball, let's see if any of you can tell me what this means. You don't have that adorable little crackpot Coluan with you these days so don't be embarassed if it's beyond you." She added an oversized tree to both worlds, and the roots of those trees reached down between their respective worlds toward one another in the centre somewhere.

"We already know this tree of yours links both of our eras, Glorith." This was the Flash, and he didn't sound any happier about having to play along with this than Superman had been.

"But what's the point?" the diminutive Atom joined in from where he stood on the left fin of Flash's cowl.

"You two are infinitely less fun than Wally West or Ryan Choi will be," Glorith gave a disappointed sigh. "But I'm to blame for choosing your home time I suppose." Before Barry Allen or Ray Palmer could query her strange remark, Glorith continued. "You all may have heard of the Green...one of the elemental forces of this universe, the collective life force of all plants in the universe. Well, my darling Ivy over here is of course the Avatar of the Green and she positively despises humanoid life outside of yours truly. It made me think...maybe I could help her bring the Green to prominence throughout the universe and at the same time serve my own ends. You see, this is just a stepping stone...once I've ensured that the Green rule over a thousand years, I can use them to channel my own power. And once I have a thousand years under my corset, I can encourage the Green to take over another thousand years and extend my rule out a little further, and then a little further from then...and before you know it, I'll have enough of this timeline under my power to finally get my revenge on the bastard who set me on this path to begin with."

"The Trapper..." Mysa Marvel gasped. "You're killing all these people...engaging in all of this destruction...purely to get revenge on the Time Trapper??"

"I told you the first time we met, Mysa." Glorith hovered, mystical energies building about her. "There's no need to say his name out loud. But I know a word that might mean trouble for you and Blok over here. Shaz--"

Superman reacted before she could complete the magic word, flying up to clamp his hand down over her mouth. "I think you've said enough, Miss. If you're an enemy of the Time Trapper though, I can assure you that we're not fans of him either. We can work togeth--"

Interrupting him, Glorith shot a black bolt of mystical energy straight into the Kryptonian's gut. He flew back several metres, knocking poor Dragonmage over before Superman hit the ground unconscious.

"Seems you forgot the part where I mentioned I hate the Legion of Superheroes as well," Glorith sneered, "Just like you forgot your own vulnerability to magic, man of steel."

"Damn it Glorith, if you've seriously hurt him--" Mon-El flew up and wasted no time trying to restrain her, instead landing a punch straight on her cheekbone. The sorceress flew back through several tree trunks before she came to a stop, and while Zatanna helped Dragonmage to his feet the other heroes moved toward either Glorith or Verdant to end this.

The time witch came storming out of the endless forest of trees, blood streaming down her face. Before she could make another move though, a red and gold blur became the Flash carrying Truth Girl and they stood right behind Glorith. The scarlet speedster let Truth Girl find her feet, and then Truth Girl ignored the pounding of her own heart and called on the skill of Diana of Themyscira to wrap Glorith in her golden lasso. Truth Girl had to ignore that this woman had just taken Superman down; Oliv Hollowai had told Chlorophyll Kid she could do this, and she wasn't going to let him down now. "Tell us the truth!" the Kenyan heroine commanded. "You're just using Ivy Arcane, aren't you? All of this is about nothing but advancing your own goals!"

Wrapped in the Golden Perfect as she was, Glorith had no choice but to admit the truth. "Of course I'm using my darling Ivy!" she laughed. "Isn't that just what I told you? I want to destroy the Time Trapper utterly, and I won't forget that you made me say his name...the need to humble him overrides everything else in my life, but that doesn't mean I don't genuinely want Ivy to succeed as well!"

"Ivy--?" Chlorophyll Kid looked at his adopted daughter helplessly.

"Was this meant to be some kind of Hail Mary gambit?" Verdant looked with disgust upon Ral Benem. Chlorophyll Kid wasn't wearing his wooden armour and the despair was plain on his exposed face.

"My mistress has never made a secret that she has her own agenda," Verdant continued, "But at the end of the day, she can help further my needs while working toward her own. I don't care how humanity fares from now till the end of time, Benem. What I care about is that you and that golden-skinned witch are punished, and that the needs of the Green are furthered. I know my mistress Glorith is going to pursue her own goals no matter what...but at least she never hid that from me, and she never abandoned me because it was the easiest path."

"Ivy, I--"

"Little sprout--"

"Shut up," Ivy shut both her parents down. "We've tolerated you all more than enough. You need to accept that you've lost."

Ivy Arcane allowed herself to be distracted from her primary task long enough to concentrate on all the heroes here. Vines of various length and thickness wrapped themselves around almost every hero present, and despite all their protests they found themselves dragged deep deep beneath this strangely constructed forest floor.

Intangible, Phantom Girl watched with mounting horror as every other hero here was pulled beneath the surface of the ground.

"Don't you worry too much," Glorith spoke to the leader of the Legion of Superheroes. "I have spells that will leave you suffering for eternity too..."

**********

ELSEWHERE/WHEN (again)

On a cratered rock that was the last surviving piece of matter at the end of time and space, the Time Trapper watched through some kind of time portal as these Legionnaires were pulled beneath the ground by crawling vines.

"Daughter," the Time Trapper's sepulchral voice intoned, "It is almost the right locus for action."

"Then we will leave here soon?" Decay asked with an audible hint of excitement. As much as she felt fulfilled that her father had finally acknowledged her existence, she was beginning to come to terms with the fact that existence at the end of all reality was....well, kind of dull. She craved some kind of activity.

"I will leave here soon," the Time Trapper corrected his alleged daughter. "But fear not...you serve me by waiting here at the end of time, and you will soon have the chance to serve me more directly."

"Thank you, Father." The Titanian woman named Decay tried to hide her disappointment at being left behind.

"You are welcome, my dear daughter. Stand ready, and you will be able to serve me in....no time at all."

Dusty motes rose up around the purple-cloaked form of the Time Trapper, and soon his equally purple-cloaked daughter was left standing at the end of everything on her own.

**********

NEXT: CONCLUSIONS!

EDITOR'S NOTES:
* I haven't really come out and said it yet, but the 21st century era of this adventure is set when Poison Ivy was still a regular supervillain who wore green stockings and had lipstick that controlled men. The idea is that Glorith here has given her the idea she has more potential than that, which is what leads to the eco-terrorist Poison Ivy that we know and love.

* Ivy being called the May Queen is something I stole from the comics; she's not the Avatar of the Green, but she's very connected to the Green!

* I assume everyone knows who Wally West is, but Ryan Choi is the legacy Atom in case that wasn't clear.

* the first time Glorith met Mysa was when Mysa called herself the Black Witch, and that story is here: https://www.legionworld.net/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1014596#Post1014596\
yay!! more good stuff, raz! what a treat after a long day at work!

I like Tellus' initiative and Nura's tactical sense. also, love Aquaman just tricking Faust into that old villain bit of declaring his plans and his victory prematurely lol

a beguiling woman from the future... Glorith, indeed!

I love how you have Tenzil wearing sunglasses too!

so cool that anything living in water, like alligators, can be reached by Aquaman! And also Tellus' thoughtfulness that the alligators would be in danger. and that was awesome teamwork with Tellus, Tenzil and Nura taking Faust down for good! (also, that bit re Faust being tougher than he looks - some magical enchantments eh?)

and I love Firestorm's sense of humor lol


also lol at the Stranger just up and leaving the rest of them there in the swamps! If I were Nura, I'd scream too!

Love how Diana is the one being able to resist Ivy's toxins!

I also like that Ivy was smart enough to reinforce her traps... not in time though tongue

loved this awesome scene. we get to see Cham's shapeshifting in action, while Bruce has a role to play re his greater discipline, and of course Hal's willpower and ring still come into play!

and Diana freeing herself was icing on the cake!

oh wow, Brin and Lydda freed themselves too, hah! That is one nice pro of Lydda's power!

well well, what a cliffhanger - Swamp Thing will set Ivy in her place!

and now to the main big bad...

I like how Verdant is all so careful and focused, while Glorith is just so annoyingly blase and confident.

nice nod to Glorith's time magics, referencing a future Flash and a future Atom!

I love the opening fight scene! And yes, Truth Girl and the Golden Perfect, hah! Also nice that Truth Girl is from Kenya!

oh @(!@(_)@!, well. I didn't foresee that Ivy wouldn't be fazed by Glorith's admission. For that matter, I didn't foresee Glorith's admission exactly.

Also, I like how you're using this to turn Ivy into the eco-terrorist shades of grey bit she is these days!

looking forward to more more more more!
Hi IB, glad you enjoyed!

Tenzil wearing sunglasses is top 5 good costume choices in any incarnation of the Legion for me laugh

Writing Nura and the Phantom Stranger has been surprisingly fun! They can go on my list for a buddy comedy straight after Elastic Lad and Flederweb laugh

I am happy that scene with Truth Girl and Glorith hit the right way! I wanted it to be a shock when people discovered that while Ivy isn't as needlessly sadistic as Glorith, she's not completely naive about Glorith's true nature either.

And for the other Ivy in the story, she actually took on a bigger role once I decided not to have a three-way teamup with the JSA...I felt like it's a nice kind of bridge between her original femme fatale depiction and her later eco-terrorist depiction (and given the state the environment is in currently, maybe "terrorist" is a bit strong tbh!).

One more chapter to go! More surprise cameos! Some fighting! A brutal ending!

And then after that....a leadership election!
But would Nura’s sanity survive the adventure with the Stranger? Lol smile I would so read that

Ooh Color me excited for what comes next! Have to think carefully who to vote for leader (if you’re opening it again)! And if not, I’m still along for the ride of course smile so no pressure
I am actually not sure about how I am gonna manage the election this time around....I was thinking of using a random number generator to just pick two characters for leader and deputy, but I have been playing with a few different ones online and while there are definitely some interesting results I also came up with Strut and Slug once which made me break out in a cold sweat laugh

If y'all want to throw in your two cents worth I am open to making it a write-in vote again though!
hahaha yeah, I used a random generator to pick teams for my upcoming posts, but I'm too terrified of the results to use that for leadership elections! It's coming up with potential explanations for loony results that scare me!

I'm ok either way, if you want to open it up or not, it's your show! I'm here for the ride whatever happens, raz smile
Hey Raz,
I'm back again for a read and review.

Yeah, the horcruxes thing is from Harry Potter. But i'm familiar with Magik and the New Mutant. and i can see the connection now that you've pointed it out.

The moment with the cadets was nicely done.
Slightly surprised that Sojurn wants the translator on. But loved how you described how it feels on him and that he enjoys the tickling.
i swear its the telepathic way and they constantly are revealing things they shouldn't. But hopefully Enigma Lass will get over it quickly.
Variable Lad is so sweet to everyone.
The Tornado Twins return? that's crazy! this mess with Glorith and Ivy really has caused trouble.

The Cavalry has returned!
But wait...Earth has been attacked for weeks and it was the target after all? Hmm.
Great teamwork Dori and Chuck and that Una is able to help the team and people. But i do wish they had a few more players on the team to help.

Strut and Sherannee to the rescue!
Nightwind sure drew the short end of the stick to have to be with Bobb and Tel right now if the people their saving can feel the tension.
Ha! i liked Nightwind trying to explain and being like i'm not Dragonmage.
So, is Glorith taking the power of the green for herself?
Gas Girl is super versatile when used with other members of the team.

I forgot Power Boy wasn't on any team. but a new fit is always entertaining. Tel sure thinks so. Looks like Tel may have found his next victim. Although i was hoping hee'd stay single for a while and figure his stuff out before trying with someone new. Or maybe Bobb might get the chance.
Lol of course he's oblivious.
Hmm attack through time..so she's attacking over the course of the last thousand years or into the future for a thousand years? hmmm...

I'm enjoying these small moments while the team tries to save people.
I like how it was broken down to Sizzle and that its all about priorities on missions and saving people is more important. liked how Sizzle realized she has more to learn about being a hero as well.
Also like the realness that villains would take advantage of this moment.
Sprint and Golden Boy helping out to save people? that was shocking for sure.

Tinya's moment with the SP's sounds like maybe the Legion needs to improve their relationships with the SPs beyond Shavugn.
Loved the Legion showing up and then wow the JLA! so time is being messed with going backwards for sure.
But i'm glad its actually Kal and not some imposters again!

I giggled a little bit at the Kappa mentioning a "super-hero" brawl. as fun as that could have been these small moments of them meeting have been entertaining.
I'm glad Vi wanted to do a Psychic scan on the JLA.
Hal getting rebuffed by Zoe was funny. But also sad.
the old timey fashions comment was a chuckle, especially considering some of the outfits we've seen the Legion wear into battle. (looking at you Saturn girl and Shadow Lass)

laugh why does anyone left E-lad talk at all? he totally gave away stuff he shouldn't.
Elongated Man was funny and i think he's right about Kal. with that kind of adoration coming his way, his humbleness is definitely a super power of his.

Truth Girl and Wonder Woman's moment was nice.
loved Tellus and Auqaman having a little telepathic convo and no one noticing.

haha, laugh yeah Kal we all have that problem with Grava, just takes a little getting used to.

So the JLA think they are dealing with Poison Ivy? could we be? Could Glorith kidnapped her too?
Cosmic Boy ever the history buff and blushing from Batman's compliment was cute.

So the tree is actually in the Timestream? does that mean Earth is as well?

I can't really blame Dream Girl for not wanting to leave Hawkman's arms. lol
The Phantom Stranger is here? it must be bad if he's here.
Dream Girl recoiling from him is kind of odd thought. i wonder if her power tells her something about him the rest don't know, including Superman...
Slug and Kappa (he really needs a new code name, lol) are funny. super hero team-up. glad someone is still excited by those lol.

Glorith's plan is to fuse the two ear's together using the Green to entwine them? but how does Poison Ivy fit into this?

The Legion and the Titans? The two eras really are almost merging!
King Canary, Black Canary, and Green Arrow in Gotham fighting Soloman Grundy? it was cute. But was not expecting Grundy to "die" like that or see Black Canary be that flippant out it.
The trick arrows are fun. But maybe he needs a cement one, like a quick dry cement for the feet. that might have stopped Grundy at least a little.
King Canary asking about the pretty bird comment was funny.
Sometimes the lingo of different times is the most entertaining part of these team-ups with the Legion.

Louisiana -
The Phantom Stanger and Dream Girl probably have a lot in common.
Tenzil's comment about her being out-oracled was funny.
Not too surprising that Tellus would pick up on whats the deal with Firestar. I forgot that the team doesn't know his deal in most continuities.
So Glorith has gone into cahoots with Felix Faust? And Swamp thing has been captured?
This isn't looking good for any of the heroes.

Batman taking charge...that's so unheard of lol.
Shadow Lass being offended was kind of funny. But i would think she'd have more respect for Batman because he doesn't have powers. For a warrior i would think she'd find lots of value in him.

Timber Wolf and Wonder Woman flirting? hmmm
Lol a giant dandelion was funny., especially it blowing up on Brin. But super agility and clumsy is an odd combination.
Not gonna lie, Batman has a point. I honestly thought it was activated as soon as a mission starts. Its interesting how much they are treating the past as almost a non-threat. Its all that regular time hoping, lol.
Damn, Poison Ivy has gotten the drop on the them. But they should have noticed how easy it was going for them.
Giant Venus Fly traps? yikes!

The Legion of Sub Villains attacks. lol
Inferno is always a fun one to see.
The Tongue! man idk how you're going to make him a decent villain. But i'm here for it.

I'm glad Sizzle and the other Legionnaires showed up. it felt kind of wrong that they ignored their thievery. But i get it.
Bhahahah! second rate Dawnstar from a medieval fair. love it.
Surprised by Hawkgirl's mace melting like that though. i thought she had one made of Nth metal?
Nice use of Color Kid. overconfidence does them in every time.
Inferno vs Sizzle was quick. i was hoping for a little back and forth with them. next time i'm sure.
Sizzle and Mwindaji's moment was well done and they have more in common than thought. Maybe a new friendship will form. I'm glad she was backed up! just because there's a I disaster going on doesn't mean they still can't take care of other villains who aren't helping.
I was hoping for a bit more of a battle, but it was still entertaining.

Tinya's team is pretty powerful it seems.
Tinya is a good leader and its interesting seeing the adult Legion with Kal, as its been a long while since they've seen him in this form if i remember right. He was Superboy with them during your time travel stuff right?
Of course the flash wants to speed ahead. lol.
I hope Truth Girl makes it through all of this. its exciting but there is a lot of danger coming.

Ooo, lucky me for when i started reading again. a new post already!
Faust took the team out quickly.
Dream girl's right. i doubt Tellus would like what he sees in Faust's mind.

Haha of course we just gotta get the villain to monologue.
Oh how history records can be so wrong.
I'm guilty of this too but i always underestimate Aquaman. loved the use of the gators and Tellus being worried about them.
Ahhh i was wondering how he got the jump on all of them.
When is Tenzil going to learn to not eat mystical objects. lol
Hahah the outfit Firestorm gave Faust was a great touch. Aquaman's reaction even better.

Phantom Stanger is understandably infuriating. like what are his powers? how did he make that force field disappear? Where or when did he take Faust.
So i'm guessing Swamp thing is off to Gotham and to face Poison Ivy?
lol of course he's not going to come back for them. lol was not expecting her to actually scream out. Glad she's getting a bit of a taste of her own medicine though.

that is probably the best and only way to deal with Wonder Woman. She can break through anything else it seems.
Poison Ivy, doesn't feel too worried...until Cham's no where to be found.
I was wondering if he was truly affected or not.
Cham doing somewhat well. i love when he does quick changes.
Gl and and Batman i just want to laugh. like come on Hal.
Loved that Wonder Woman freed herself.
Was not expecting the plants to almost get Brin and Lydda or Cham to show up with the win. i was expecting this to go a lot worse for our heroes.
Swap Thing arrives! The May Queen...that sounds familiar. is this not the real Poison Ivy? (Ahhh saw the editors notes. makes sense. and love that this is how Poison Ivy has learned to evolve. Something had to start it i guess.)

Glorith being confronted was well done. She has no fear of any of the heroes and clearly thinks she has won the day. her taunting them about turning them into kids was good. i wonder if it sparked a memory.
Glorith makes a point about Mon-El though. he does have an impatient streak for someone who was trapped for so long.
The taunting of the Flash and Atom with their future was interesting. Makes me wonder just how much Glorith knows and who else she's faced.

So if she rules with the Green at her side she thinks she'll gain some sort of temporal powers for being alive so long? her plan's not 100% sound to me.
Wait so Glorith never lied to Ivy/Verdant? i think Truth Girl needed to ask a better question like who threw Ivy into the time stream or something like that.
things are not looking good at all. Superman....Superman. you know magic is a weakness. but at least he stopped her from saying the magic word for Mysa and Blok.
Tinya is in trouble now...

Seeing the JLA and the Legion has been entertaining. Wonder Woman seems to be the standout from the JLA with Batman and Aquaman being close seconds.

the Time Trapper cometh? ooo this isn't going to go well for anyone.

I can't wait for more!
Hi Omni,

Good work on catching up so quick!

Sojurn wearing a translator is more about Sojurn's writer getting tired of always having to remember to use the <telepathic speech> brackets when they talk to anyone hahaha....but it also does make sense from an in-story point of view as they don't have any way of communicating over comms without it and their telepathy is pretty limited (which reminds me, I should write up a profile for them!)

My version of Sizzle actually comes from an interesting place in the way her ethics have been formed...it's all background stuff I haven't had a chance to put into the story yet, but hopefully I will get a chance to spotlight her a bit more soon!

And I see Sprint as having been a....I don't wanna say good influence exactly, but maybe a less psychotic influence on Golden Boy than some of Earth-Man's original crew were...the two of them are still bad guys and will hurt people in the pursuit of their goals but they're not complete monsters either. Actually, I might write them up next as well!

Transposition Lad having such a clumsy superhero name is my favourite thing about him hahaha...half the time when I'm designing new characters I'm like okay their name has to be at LEAST as bad as "Matter-Eater Lad" or they're out laugh

You have got a good point about Shady and Batman actually! I feel like writers enhanced the warrior stuff with Umbra's character a lot more than classic Shady every showed, but it is a valid argument that she would respect Batman being able to hold his own on the JLA just through pure fighting skill. Thanks for bringing that up, it is food for thought!

I have no intention of ever making Ze Tongue a decent villain, I love how awful he is hahahaha laugh

There is one other thing you mentioned which I am not going to bring up because it is a pretty huge plot point for the resolution of this storyline, but I feel like you have been reading my mind!

NEXT UP: Couple more 21st century cameos and the big wrap-up!!
Ooh I think I spotted the plot point Omni asked about! smile I could see that foiling Glorith’s plan indeed!
PS I found pics of Sizzle and the other newbies that I originally started when I had them join the team that I initially thought were awful but with some time to grow on me I think I can salvage now! I will go through them all as I get time, but Sizzle is first off the bat!

(I added it to her Who's Who Profile as well)

[Linked Image from i.ibb.co]
I love her outfit!!!
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
I love her outfit!!!

Thanks! She showed a lot of skin in the threeboot but she also looked ready for an aerobics class...I wanted to give her a kinda sassy rockabilly of space look but still keep some of the cutouts in the costume. smile

You can hear her saying don't call me Sizzle Lass! tongue
THE 21ST CENTURY
Gotham City, Robinson Park


ROLL CALL
Justice League of America
Batman aka Bruce Wayne: martial artist, strategist
Green Lantern aka Hal Jordan: Green Lantern ring
Wonder Woman aka Diana: enhanced physiology, flight, Amazon weapons

Legion of Superheroes
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility

Wearing the gorilla-like form of a Slith, Chameleon Boy held a struggling Poison Ivy in six strong arms while the Avatar of the Green whom men had named the Swamp Thing held Ivy's chin between his finger and thumb. The other heroes here gathered around feeling either awe at the imposing plant man, trepidation about his presence here, or a blend of both.

"We should--" Timber Wolf began, his body tensed to pounce.

"Let's see how this plays out first," Batman held a hand up.

"I may have judged you too harshly earlier," Shadow Lass stared down the Darknight Detective, "But villainess or not, the Legion will not allow that woman to come to unnecessary harm, Batman."

"I don't think she's going to come to harm," Wonder Woman joined the conversation. "You're not going to hurt anybody, are you Swamp Thing?"

"That's not what I came here for," the creature before them growled, "But she needs to stop all of....this." He looked around at the overgrown plant life surrounding them all.

"You should be on my side!" Poison Ivy spat at Swamp Thing. "I've heard of you, aren't you supposed to be some ecological champion? I'd have thought you'd be happy I'm bringing your precious plants to prominence!"

"What you're doing is serving an evil sorceress who doesn't even live in our time, May Queen." The Swamp Thing's blood red eyes glared at Ivy. "Do you really think this wholesale destruction is what the Green wants? If it were, would this Glorith person have dispatched Felix Faust to keep their Avatar trapped while you embarked on your campaign of terror?"

"Stop calling me that, my name is Poison Ivy! And why would your Green even care?" Ivy snapped back. "What do trees care about a few hundred thousand people dying?"

"May Queen is a title, not a name," Swamp Thing explained cryptically. "And the Green probably care nothing for the fates of a few hundred thousand people if we are being blunt. But Glorith's plans don't stop there...why do you think she's even got you growing that huge tree in the first place?"

"I..." Poison Ivy faltered, for the first time allowing her considerable intellect to override her anger as she realised that she really didn't know why Glorith had instructed her to create the monumental tree.

"The Phantom Stranger told me everything before he sent me here," Swamp Thing cut her off. "This Glorith person...somehow she's using this tree to take over the Earth for a thousand years, and she's using you to wipe out any opposition to her plan. She's going to decimate the entire human race, woman. For a millenium, maybe longer. You're helping her destroy your own race, and it's something that this biosphere will never fully recover from. Who's going to monitor the hazards to the environment that humans have created when all of the humans are gone? Who's going to protect this planet from the threats that it faces constantly from aliens or extradimensional invaders? Make no mistake, plants were here long before humans ever existed and they may be here long after, but the Green are not willing to risk what that existence might look like. Simply put, Poison Ivy...

...you need to stop this, or I will stop you."

**********

On the other side of the city, an extremely large and primitive cage hovered safely above the plant life crawling its way through Gotham. Taking inspiration from Element Lad's recent work on Korbal, Cosmic Boy had created this cage and he floated alongside it now using his power to keep it aloft. Legionnaires and the other vigilantes of Gotham alike had been rounding up the many criminals taking advantage of this chaos, and bringing them here to be temporarily incarcerated.

Rokk Krinn's expression was stern as he faced down the two dozen or so men and women hurling abuse at him from behind iron bars, but his heart was secretly racing. Some of the miscreants here were just ordinary criminals, but Two-Face and the Riddler were among that caged mob! He'd gotten to meet two of Batman's most famous rogues! And Batgirl had brought some of these men in herself! Rokk was well aware of the gravitas of the situation, but the part of him that could happily spend hours poring over history holos couldn't have been more excited to be a part of all of this.

"Heads up, Cos!" Lightning Lass's voice pulled Cosmic Boy from his thoughts. "New inmate for Takron-Galtos Version 1.0!"

Cosmic Boy turned to see Lightning Lass flying up from below with a thin man in a purple greatcoat draped over her shoulder and Batman's famous ward Robin keeping pace on a swingline close behind. While Robin perched on one of Gotham's ubiquitous gargoyles, Ayla Ranzz dumped her unconscious cargo unceremoniously into Cosmic Boy's floating prison. "Ayla!" Cosmic Boy gasped. "Is that the Joker? You know he's Batman's greatest enemy, right??"

"He's a crazy man who tried to electrocute me with some kind of stupid palm buzzer thing," a clearly unimpressed Lightning Lass replied. "If I wanted to be electrocuted by a crazy man I'd go see my brother Mekt."

"He's one of Earth's most unpredictable serial killers!" Cosmic Boy persisted. "Did you really beat him all on your own?"

"Cos, please." Ayla brushed the ash that had once been Joker's lethal joy buzzer from her gloves. "The day a glorified clown gives me a hard time is the day I hand in my flight ring. Besides, this cutie helped!" She thumbed the air in Robin's direction, and the Boy Wonder flushed bright red.

The much younger Jason Todd laughed nervously at this attractive woman from the future calling him a cutie. "I just distracted the creep...you did all the real work, Lightning Lass!" Glancing away from the Legionnaires, the smile faded quickly faded from Robin's face. "Uh...are you two seeing this?"

Cosmic Boy and Lightning Lass followed his gaze, and Cosmic Boy was the first to reply. "That's so strange," he puzzled.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd swear those plants were...receding..?"

**********

In Metropolis, Jimmy Olsen had been leaning precariously off of a window cleaning platform suspended some twenty stories above the ground snapping photos of the plants invading his city. Leaning too far, the reckless young photographer lost his balance and hollered ungraciously as he tumbled toward certain death. Clutching his camera with white knuckles, he jabbed at the ultrasonic signal watch Superman had given him and closed his eyes tight waiting for his inevitable rescue.

When Jimmy felt the familiar thump of landing in invulnerable arms, he opened his eyes again and was surprised to find that his saviour wasn't Superman at all but rather a teenager wearing his colours. What's more..."You're a girl!" he gaped. "But you're not Supergirl! Gosh, who are you?" As he spoke, he raised his camera up to snap a photo of the young raven-haired woman with the blue and red streaks in her hair.

Laurel Kent jostled Jimmy just enough that he couldn't get her face in the shot, and then she repositioned him in such a way that he wouldn't be able to get a clear shot of her again. "Oops, sorry citizen...uhh, strong winds up here. And I am Supergirl kinda...you know what, it's a long story. I gotta say, I never noticed till now but you really look like a guy I work with...it's crazy!"

"You really look like a lady I work with!" Jimmy shot back. "I mean if she were a little younger maybe..." Having said that out loud, Jimmy quickly looked around to make sure Ms Lane hadn't miraculously found a way to be in earshot of his remark. They were floating mid-air in between two towering skyscrapers but you could never be too sure with that woman...

"Okay, enough chit chat!" Laurel burst out in a hurried bid to prevent any further awkward and potentially temporal paradox-creating observations. "Let me get you to safety, buddy!" Propelled by her flight ring, she zoomed Jimmy up to the top of the Daily Planet building he'd been hanging from only seconds ago and deposited him safely with a bunch of other Metropolis natives on one side of the roof while her teammate Dogstar patrolled the other side. "How's things going up here, Dogstar?"

"Things are far more under control than they have been," the humanoid canine answered as his solar vision incinerated another thick vine creeping over the roof's edge toward the crowd of innocent people up here. "I almost think--"

The sound of overly excited barking interrupted Dogstar, and before he knew it a white dog wearing a red cape emblazoned with the crest of the House of El had almost knocked Dogstar off his feet. Tail wagging madly, the flying dog yipped happily and licked at Dogstar's face.

"Krypto, knock it off! You're embarassing us!" Another Supergirl descended, this one far more well known than Laurel Kent. Kara Zor-El landed on the roof and called Krypto over, but her cousin's dog was too full of joy at this new friend he'd found to pay her any heed.

"This is the Krypto that Wildfire and Matter-Eater Lad have named me after?" Dogstar held the dog back gently to look him up and down. "Well, it certainly seems like I have a wonderful pedigree to maintain!" He laughed heartily, rubbing Krypto's belly while the dog hovered upside-down and gleefully kicked at the air.

"I'm sorry, did you say Wildfire and Matter-Eater Lad?" Kara Zor-El repeated the names Dogstar had mentioned. "Oh, and you're wearing flight rings! You guys must be Legionnaires! But I don't recognise either of you..?"

"We're...a little after your time," Laurel explained, hoping she wouldn't have to go into any more detail. "This is Dogstar and I'm Super...woman." She felt awful lying to the girl whose name she'd taken on as a mark of respect, but she also knew it would be way too difficult explaining to the Girl of Steel why the Legion of Superheroes had two Supergirls.

"Why are you here in the 21st Century?" Kara asked. "I mean that's a stupid question, it must have something to do with all these plants, huh? Whatever it is, I'm glad you're helping out - Krypto and I have been looking after Metropolis while my cousin's off with the Justice League but we never say no to more help and it's always nice to meet more friends! You two have done a great job, I've been keeping an eye on you with my telescopic vision all day!"

"Really??" Laurel beamed. "You think I..we...are doing a great job? Thanks, Supergirl!"

"Anytime," Kara smiled in return. "I actually just came over here to let everyone know the plants have died down everywhere...they've all just either stopped in their tracks or they're going back to wherever they came from. There's still a lot of cleanup work do, search and rescue, stuff like that...but I think the immediate crisis is over!"

"I suspected as much," Dogstar joined the conversation. Krypto had calmed down somewhat now and walked beside him on the roof, though the famous dog from Krypton's tail still wagged frantically. "Thank you for confirming this, Supergirl, and it's been an honor to meet you both." He patted Krypto on the head and the dog let out an appreciative yip.

"We'll find you guys later," Kara gave both Laurel and Dogstar a quick hug. "I can't wait to see Brainy and the others again! Come on, Krypto!" When Krypto didn't move, Kara crouched down and grabbed his collar. "Honestly, we're coming back...come on, would you?" He eventually obeyed, and the two flew off into the distance.

"...Superwoman..?" Dogstar enquired when Kara and Krypto were both on the other side of the city.

"I'll explain when we get back home," Laurel looked up at him, her face glowing with pride. "But did you hear? She said I'm doing a great job!"

"I am just pleased that our work here may almost be done," Dogstar gazed off into the city around them.

"Let us hope that our allies fare just as well against Glorith and Verdant..."

**********

ELSEWHERE/WHEN

ROLL CALL
Justice League of America
Atom aka Ray Palmer: size and mass control
Flash aka Barry Allen: super-speed
Superman aka Kal-El: JLA chairperson; Kryptonian physiology
Zatanna Zatara: sorceress

Legion of Superheroes
Blok: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: leader; intangibility
Truth Girl aka Oliv Hollowai: truth sense, wields the Golden Perfect

Phantom Girl considered her options as Glorith gave her a sinister smile. Surely even a witch of her caliber couldn't really hurt her while she was intangible, could she? Tinya considered fleeing to Bgltz until she could come back with reinforcements but then what would become of her friends and allies who'd just been dragged beneath the ground in this weird plant limbo? She would rather die than abandon them like that.

Before she could consider options outside of dying or escape, a gold-flecked stone hand tore out of the ground and Blok's gravelly voice intoned one purposeful word. "Glorith."

"You again?" Glorith forgot about Phantom Girl and turned to watch Blok emerge from the ground; for the magic word to affect him, she'd need Blok to be fully visible. "Not that it matters, you don't have that hunky Kryptonian to save you now."

"Blok doesn't need Superman," Phantom Girl defied the time witch. "All of the Legion look out for each other, Glorith." Tinya wasn't sure if this would even work, but she was hoping that whatever enchantments made Glorith so physically tough wouldn't protect her from internal assault. Phantom Girl phased through Glorith's flesh to deliver a literal kidney punch and the platinum blonde sucked in air as she doubled over in pain.

"You..." Glorith's eyes glowed with infernal power as she turned toward Tinya. "I'll scatter you across the Phantom Zone for that, you little--"

Blok slammed into Glorith before she could complete her threat, and the two of them charged noisily into the eternal forest surrounding them.

Superman had recovered from Glorith's earlier attack, and with his assistance as well as some of the others, everyone else was now also free of what had been intended to be their mass grave.

Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen approached Verdant, the anguish on their faces evident.

"Little sprout, please, don't let that mean old Glorith totally eclipse your star!" Grava begged.

"We're not going to stop, Ivy." Wearing the baggy old green costume that had once been his garb in the Legion of Substitute Heroes, Ral Benem walked forward knowing that his daughter could end him whenever she wanted. "We're never going to stop, you'll have to kill us first."

"Haven't you been paying attention?" Ivy asked. "I just tried to do that, Benem! You think you're clever not wearing that dopey wooden armour or carrying any seeds on you, I don't need that stuff! I'll just--"

"I think you've done quite enough, actually." This was Zatanna, adjusting her coat tails and top hat. "Now it's our turn. Stnalp Nrut Ot Trid!"

Even Zatanna Zatara wasn't powerful enough to counter the power of the Avatar of the Green combined with Glorith's sorcery entirely, but for a twenty foot radius all around Verdant every plant immediately turned to dirt and crumbled into formless piles on the floor. Ivy's own unique hybrid nature protected her from the spell, but she'd just lost her nearest weapons and had been weakened enough that she couldn't just create plants out of thin air as she normally did. "You've just brought yourself a couple of seconds at most," Verdant taunted. "We're surrounded by plants, all I need to do is summon--"

"We did think of that, Ivy." Mon-El hovered overhead and used his heat vision to burn any animated vegetation trying to cross the perimeter of Zatanna's spell.

"We've been dealing with things like this for a while now," Superman added as his own heat vision took care of the encroaching plants on the other side of the circle.

"You are going to listen to us," Chlorophyll Kid asserted himself as he came closer to the daughter who hated him. "I don't care how long we have to do this, we will make you see the truth."

"I know the truth!" Ivy's voice broke and her eyes filled with angry tears as she screamed into her father's face. "My mistress Glorith was the one who was there for me all those years in the wastelands, she was the one who looked out for me! You two left me to die! I know the truth, Ral Benem! I grew up knowing the truth every day I woke up without a mom or a dad!"

"You don't know the truth, my poor little sprout." Comet Queen's eyes too now were full of tears, though hers were from a breaking heart. "But we'll show you. We'll show you bright as a supernova. Truth Girl? Starshine?"

The Flash had helped Truth Girl to her feet before racing off to help fight Glorith, and Oliv Hollowai readied her golden lariat though she wasn't sure where Comet Queen was going with this. "Do you want me to use the Golden Perfect on Verdant, Comet Queen..? It gifted me with the ability to see the truth in all things, but it doesn't do that for other people. I can only make other people tell the truth."

"No, Starshine." Grava locked the three fingers of her own hand with her husband's and then held their interlocked hands out toward Truth Girl. "I want you to use it on us. Me and Chlory."

Truth Girl suddenly realised Grava's intention. Without another word, she looped the gleaming lasso around Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen's linked arms while Verdant simply watched confused.

"We have to tell the truth with this pretty rope on, little sprout!" Comet Queen explained to Ivy. "And I'm telling you -- I-I'm telling you we love you--" Her emotions finally overcame her, and Grava burst into tears.

Chlorophyll Kid squeezed his wife's hand. "We love you, Ivy." His voice was far more calm and controlled, but his eyes still welled with tears. "Glorith took you from us when you were a baby and she brought you back seconds later fully grown. We would never have stopped searching for you. Never. But we never even got the chance to try. She took all your precious moments away from us and I'm so scared that she's taken your humanity away from you."

"You - you're lying," Ivy replied automatically. She didn't seem so sure of this as she had been though. Even in the post-apocalyptic world where she'd grown up, Wonder Woman's golden lasso had been legendary. It was said that people within its coils had no choice but to tell the truth, and the Legion had certainly been counting on that when they used it on Glorith earlier (even if that hadn't worked out to their benefit in the end).

Ivy had almost slain Chlorophyll Kid once already and he was still here risking his life to get through to her; and Comet Queen was wracked with sobs, her face buried into her husband's chest. Ivy wasn't sure that level of emotion could be faked.

The truth was that Ivy had spent a lifetime nursing this festering bitterness and resentment for the horrors that she'd had to live through; but for the first time in her life, she was beginning to wonder if there could be more than one truth...

**********

In the forest far behind Ivy Arcane, Glorith found that fighting the Legion of Superheroes and the Justice League was more work than she'd prepared for.

She hadn't counted on the two teams learning to work to one another's strengths so quickly and effectively; Blok and Mysa Marvel shattered her forcefields like so much glass, and between the varied nuisance of Xao Jin's dragonforms and the endlessly hammering blows of the Flash's bloodied fists, she was slowly but surely being worn down. The final straw came when she felt a wave of vertigo overcome her and realised that this was the Atom inside her very ear.

She'd finally had enough of this ceaseless humiliation, and forsaking her usual sassy commentary Glorith simply released an omnidirectional wave of occult force outwards that flattened the scenery around her along with the heroes who'd had the audacity to degrade her like this. The display of power took a lot out of her, and she steadied herself on one knee as she brought her hateful gaze up to focus on Blok and Mysa Marvel. With Dragonmage, Flash and Atom unconscious or groaning on the ground at her feet and every other hero here preoccupied with Verdant, the stone man and the former Black Witch were the only ones standing against her now.

Glorith started to speak the magic word when a flash of white and gold streaked past her and broke her jaw.

Standing opposite Blok now with Glorith on her knees before them, Mysa Marvel returned the sorceress's stare with her own cool gaze. "We are not like you," Mysa said simply. "We do not enjoy hurting others, Glorith...but one does not need the Wisdom of Solomon to see that your defeat is simply a matter of time now. It is up to you whether you wish to drag that defeat out any further."

"Kill...you..." the time witch gurgled and spat blood on the ground. "Kill you..all.."

"Nobody is going to die, Glorith." Blok was next to her now, holding Glorith's own hands within his own enormous fists. He gripped Glorith hard enough to prevent her from weaving spells, but not hard enough to break her bones. The threat, however, was inherent.

Glorith turned her gaze upon Blok and mystical beams blasted forth from her eyes and into his. Surprised, Blok took a step back and released her hands and the witch fell to the ground once more. Mysa Marvel rushed to Blok's side, but he reassured his friend immediately. "I am fine, Mysa...I just did not expect such an assault."

Still, Mysa stood protectively before her giant friend until his vision cleared. "It is fitting that it comes down to you and I, Glorith," Mysa addressed the sorceress. "If it weren't for my actions, you would never have returned to spread your evil here. Perhaps defeating you here now is the beginning of my penance for the hurt my actions have caused."

Glorith suddenly sat back on her haunches and gave a defeated laugh. With some effort, Mysa's perplexed eyes never leaving her, the sorceress stood up and wiped the blood from her face with one white glove. "It doesn't matter," she muttered hotly, magic already healing her injured jaw. "I can feel that Poison Ivy has broken the spell...that primitive idiot has chosen life over glory. This is all over, but at least I can take solace in the fact that it wasn't you who ended it, you hypocritical sow."

"Then you'll surrender?" Blok asked, his vision clear once more.

"Surrender?" Glorith snarled. "My scheme may not have succeeded, but there's no way you can stand against Ivy's power combined with mine...Ivy! Attend me, child! Let me empower you to destroy these fools before we take leave of this place once and for all! We'll find another way to fulfil my plan!"

"...No." Ivy Arcane strode forward, Mysa and Blok parting to let her through. Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen were by her side, and every other hero here gathered behind them.

"No?! What do you mean, no?!" Glorith screamed. She hadn't yet noticed the thin green tendrils snaking forth from the ground at her feet.

"I mean no," Ivy said through gritted teeth. "You've spent my whole life manipulating me, Glorith, and I've always known on some level that I was serving your ends...but I was happy to do that when I thought there was nothing else in my life that was worth striving for, nothing else good. I know now that you took me from everything in my life that could have been good, and now you're going to pay for it." Glorith couldn't help but notice the vines crawling over her now, dragging her into the ground as they'd dragged her enemies such a brief time ago.

Chlorophyll Kid knew that he should stop his daughter from murdering Glorith but after all the witch had put his family through, he just watched coldly as she sank to her knees. Comet Queen couldn't face the sight, and hid her face against Ral's chest again.

Some of the others were about to intervene when lavender mists suddenly started filling the air around Glorith. "I'll flee then," she spoke with bile dripping from every word. "I'll flee to somewhere none of you can follow, and when I come back I swear to every demon in every Hell that I'll kill all of you, I'll kill your children, I'll wipe out your bloodlines before they ever existed." The Flash had recovered by now and ran forward to stop Glorith from disappearing but even his speed wasn't enough as he simply kicked coloured dust up in the air around him while Glorith vanished from sight.

"We'd better get out of this weird limbo place they created and back to our own times," Zatanna cautioned. "I don't know how stable this place will remain with Glorith's enchantments broken."

"Agreed," Phantom Girl nodded. She was disturbed about how Ivy had nearly ended all of this, but this was no time to think about that. "Kal, it was so good to see you again and I wish we could have had more time together but I've been lost in the timestream more than often enough in my life and I have no desire to do that again. Mon, could you please fly back to our own time ahead of us and make sure any Justice Leaguers there get back home before this whole structure falls apart?"

"I'll do the same for any Legionnaires in our time," the Flash volunteered. Both men were gone in a heartbeat and the other heroes followed in their wake at a more human pace.

Phantom Girl brought up the rear and watched carefully how Ral, Grava and Ivy interacted. Tinya was glad that their family had been reunited, but she also couldn't help but think about the worlds that had suffered so grievously for them all to get to this point.

The danger might have been dealt with, but this story was far from over...

**********

THE END OF TIME

The lavender mists around Glorith faded, and the fuming woman looked around herself curiously. "This...isn't my celestial palace?" she uttered to nobody in particular.

There was no palace here...there was not much of anything here. She found herself on a featureless craggy rock floating in a void of pure cold darkness, a place she didn't recognise and absolutely had not intended to visit.

"It is not your palace," a voice like the grave spoke, "Though I suppose it could be said to be mine."

An icy chill ran down Glorith's spine and she spun on her heel to face the cloaked form of the Time Trapper before her. Visibly shaken, Glorith was nonetheless furious. "You kidnapped me? You dare to kidnap Glorith of Baaldur??"

"I dare that and far far more," the Time Trapper replied, the void within his hood mirroring that of the void around them. "After all, you have exhausted much of your power with this little foolishness, haven't you Glorith of Baaldur?"

"I'll kill you!" she screeched, spittle flying from her mouth as her hands charged with mystical energy. "I don't care if I die with the effort, I'll kill you for what you did to me!!"

"You will not harm my father," a whispering voice rasped from behind Glorith. "Nor anyone else ever again." She touched the small of Glorith's back, and with all of the sorceress's power devoted to taking on the Time Trapper, Glorith never stood a chance. A misshapen bubble of golden energy surrounded Glorith of Baaldur, and an instant later she'd decayed into so much dust blowing into the emptiness that was the universe at the end of time.

"Did I do well, Father?" the woman named Decay rubbed her skeletal fingers together to remove the last trace of Glorith from her forever.

"You did exceptionally well," the Time Trapper praised Decay as he stood motionless before her.

"Then we can leave this place?" Decay almost pleaded. "We can resume your plans to rule all?"

"Have patience, my dear daughter." The Trapper turned from Decay now and shuffled away, the dejected woman following in his footsteps.

"After all, patience is all we have here..."

**********



EDITOR'S NOTES:

* It's probably obvious from context, but the Jason Todd in this story is from just after he became Robin and he's still kinda Dick 2.0 personality-wise

* I didn't really have a chance to describe it in story, but this Kara is also the best Kara (aka headband and big hair)

* Jimmy Olsen of course looks like Elastic Lad, and Laurel Kent canonically looks like a young Lois Lane (going right back to her very first appearance!)

* And now it's time for....the next LEGION OF SUPERHEROES LEADERSHIP ELECTION!! I got some fun and unexpected votes when I did this last time, and IB doing it in his series this time around has inspired me to give it another shot!

Anyone can vote, and to keep us all on our toes I'll calculate the tally privately and then post results at the end (without saying who voted for which characters, though you're welcome to come forward if you want bragging rights). Rules are as follows:

*Give me your top 3 choices. Points will be assigned as per below:
1st choice: 3 points
2nd choice: 2 points
3rd choice: 1 point

*Highest number of votes gets to be leader, second highest gets to be deputy - if there's a tie I'll pick one of them randomly, and voting will be open until the end of April.

*I have got no problem with people discussing it in this thread, but for the actual votes please try and send me a private message (just so I can keep track of the votes in one place)

* The current active roster is:
BLOK
CHAMELEON BOY
CHLOROPHYLL KID
COLOR KID
COLOSSAL BOY
COMET QUEEN
COSMIC BOY
CRYSTAL KID
DAWNSTAR
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DOGSTAR
DRAGONMAGE
DREAM GIRL
ELASTIC LAD
ELEMENT LAD
EVOLVO LAD
FIRECREST
GAS GIRL
GRAVITY KID
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
KID COMPUTO
KING CANARY
LIFE LASS
LIGHT LAD
LIGHTNING LASS
MATTER-EATER LAD
MON-EL
MWINDAJI
MYSA MARVEL
NEON
NIGHT GIRL
NIGHTWIND
PHANTOM GIRL
POLAR BOY
SHADOW LASS
SHERANEE
SHRINKING VIOLET
SIZZLE
SLUG
STAR BOY
STONE BOY
STRUT
SUN BOY
SUPERGIRL II
TELLUS
TIMBER WOLF
TRANSPOSITION LAD
TRUTH GIRL
ULTRA BOY
WILDFIRE
yay! conclusion time, super stoked to read this, raz!

Sliths already sound really cool. also liking the tension from Swamp Thing's sudden appearance!

I like that Tasmia is still butting heads with Batman, even though it may be a bit one-sided!

Also good that Ivy is smart enough to at least listen, and I like the reasoning of the Green re "we don't care about a few hundred thousand humans, BUT we also don't want all the humans gone cause, you know, they actually DO stop invaders who could be worse..."

LOL at this giant metallic cage, and also LOL at Cos secretly fan-boying!

and also LOL at Ayla being completely unimpressed by Joker... the Joker is always a paradox, he gives Batman so much trouble but many super-powered heroes could take him out easy - though they do have to catch him first!

hah! this Laurel Kent/Jimmy Olsen scene was gold. also, Laurel! stop blabbing about the future and future Elastic Lad!!! ah ok, good that Laurel thought of it on her own tongue

also, hah at Krypto thinking Dogstar was "just" a dog too, hahaha! also funny how Dogstar acts like a human with a dog pet, rubbing Krypto's belly and all

smart of Laurel going for SuperWoman rather than Supergirl. awkward indeed!

I love how Glorith is still such a vamp even when giving the good guys a drubbing. "Hunky Kryptonian"!

nice distraction by Tinya! I was worried for a sec that Glorith was just pretending the kidney punch worked!

yes! yes! Truth Girl comes to the rescue, and very fitting that she did it after such a heartfelt scene with Grava, Ral and Ivy! also well done with that scene, having it end with Ivy doubting but still questioning. way to keep the tension going!


nice bit at the end, with the differing reactions to Ivy maybe murdering Glorith. I can totally get Ral's thinking, and Ivy must be so angry now.

Tinya is super smart, of course, this isn't over. Ivy, Grava and Ral will have a lot to deal with... smart thinking of her, I like that SHE was the one taking charge even with some Justice Leaguers there.

whew! Glorith's threat is finally over... I like how the Trapper (and Decay) waited until Glorith was exhausted and powerless before making their move! (too bad the Legion doesn't know Glorith is done for!)



yay! reader votes! yay yay yay! I'm gonna have a good think...
Posted By: razsolo Transposition Lad! - 04/01/23 02:34 PM
Continuing with my pics of the newbies....10 points to whoever can tell me where Transposition Lad has appeared before in canon!

[Linked Image from i.ibb.co]
Posted By: razsolo Re: Transposition Lad! - 04/01/23 02:51 PM
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
yay! conclusion time, super stoked to read this, raz!

Sliths already sound really cool. also liking the tension from Swamp Thing's sudden appearance!

First cab off the rank, IB! Sliths are actually a real Legion critter....I stole them from here (where I get a lot of my beastie inspiration tbh): https://www.writeups.org/legion-super-heroes-animals-aliens-monsters/

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LOL at this giant metallic cage, and also LOL at Cos secretly fan-boying!

and also LOL at Ayla being completely unimpressed by Joker... the Joker is always a paradox, he gives Batman so much trouble but many super-powered heroes could take him out easy - though they do have to catch him first!

hah! this Laurel Kent/Jimmy Olsen scene was gold. also, Laurel! stop blabbing about the future and future Elastic Lad!!! ah ok, good that Laurel thought of it on her own tongue

also, hah at Krypto thinking Dogstar was "just" a dog too, hahaha! also funny how Dogstar acts like a human with a dog pet, rubbing Krypto's belly and all

Cos secretly fanboying, Ayla being thoroughly unimpressed with the Joker, Laurel and Jimmy's scene, and Dogstar and Krypto being instant besties were some of the things I was most looking forward to writing in this story smile smile

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yes! yes! Truth Girl comes to the rescue, and very fitting that she did it after such a heartfelt scene with Grava, Ral and Ivy! also well done with that scene, having it end with Ivy doubting but still questioning. way to keep the tension going!

I think you and Omni both anticipated Truth Girl's role in this, good work!

The Time Trapper is definitely moving towards BIG things, but it's gonna be a while before we touch on that....the next few instalments are gonna be some more downtime/characterisation heavy stuff but then we will see what the Sisterhood of Sin have been up to and it's gonna be a LOT for whoever the next Legion leader is!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Transposition Lad! - 04/01/23 03:19 PM
Transposition Lad sure is a tall one! loving the hat! did he... appear in the tryouts before?

Omni should get more credit re anticipating Truth Girl's role, Omni thought of it first smile

looking forward to the Sisterhood already!! and of course, seeing the Time Trapper down the line!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Transposition Lad! - 04/07/23 10:37 AM
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
Transposition Lad sure is a tall one! loving the hat! did he... appear in the tryouts before?
For the benefit of everyone else who hasn't seen Transposition Lad's write-up in my Who's Who thread - Transposition Lad is based on this guy who appeared in one panel in Fortress Lad's Secret Origins story way back when. I stole his homeworld name from Klar's Young Legion fic where I saw this pic!

[Linked Image from 66.media.tumblr.com]

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Omni should get more credit re anticipating Truth Girl's role, Omni thought of it first

That is true, clever thinking Omni!

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looking forward to the Sisterhood already!! and of course, seeing the Time Trapper down the line!

I actually just added a surprise final member to the Sisterhood of Sin which is gonna make them about 40% more fun laugh

And the Time Trapper's story will be a HUGE one but that is some ways off yet smile
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Transposition Lad! - 04/07/23 11:31 AM
always a fan raz, thanks for sharing the sources of T-Lad's origin! and looking forward to more more more!
Posted By: razsolo A Diplomatic Interlude - 04/10/23 03:42 AM
LEGION OF SUPERHEROES HEADQUARTERS
Turbolift 3

The turbolifts in the Legion's new mobile base were each capable of comfortably holding twenty people, but the only occupants in this one right now were Verdant, Comet Queen and an out of costume Chlorophyll Kid. Ral, Grava and Ivy had been granted three whole days after Glorith's defeat to begin to forge some kind of relationship together, but now reality was intruding on their fragile family unit.

"I hate this!" Comet Queen finally burst out, unable to hide her despair anymore. "We just got our little sprout back, now we have to watch her go away again?? It's not fair, Chlory!"

"I don't like it either, Grava." Ral Benem gave his wife a comforting squeeze. "But we're not above the law, and Ivy...I'm so glad you don't hate us anymore, but you hurt a lot of people. Innocent people died because of your actions...you understand why we need to do this, right?"

Ivy's expression was resolute as she stared straight ahead at the turbolift doors. "I get it. Glorith manipulated me into greening all those worlds, but I'm still the one who did it." She turned to face her parents, her own face lacking the exhausted trauma she saw clearly painted on theirs, and she softened her approach. "Look, Ral, Grava...this might be for the best anyway. When Glorith stole me from you guys, she took me back in time to an Earth that was a nightmare. Every day was a fight for survival, and it made me hard but it also..."

She took a deep breath as she tried to figure out the best way to continue. "I can't be like...like you all are with one another. I don't have that in me, I don't know how to have normal friendships or relationships or whatever, and it's honestly a lot to be around you both right now. I think...whatever is gonna happen with the three of us, you guys need to understand that I'm never gonna be that little baby you lost. For the time being, maybe the best way to learn to be around one another is for me to not be around you all the time."

"But Takron-Galtos??" Comet Queen protested. "That's like...a supermassive black hole of blahh! And your creepy granddad is there!!"

"We spoke to Sizzle about this, remember?" Ral Benem tried to soothe his wife. "For prisoners who want to rejoin society, Takron-Galtos isn't that bad a place. Sizzle was a prisoner when she got sent there and now she's in the Legion...and Alek Arcane is on Skepticism Isle without any access to his sorcery; there's no way they'll ever cross paths, Grava. Believe me honey, I would have fought this to my dying breath if I didn't genuinely believe that to be true."

"Anyway, I know you guys told me how Alek Arcane gave the Legion a hard time," Ivy's lip curled into the tiniest smirk of bravado, "But so did I. I'm not scared of some geriatric old wizard or whatever, Comet Queen."

The doors whooshed open, and Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen led Ivy out into the hangar where Mon-El, Firecrest, Infectious Lass, Crystal Kid, Tellus and Sizzle waited by a shuttle for them. The larger group had been idly discussing the current leadership election, but they stopped as soon as they saw the lift open.

"We'll come visit as soon as we can," Chlorophyll Kid said with a touch of desperation in his voice. "Ivy...I'm proud of you for doing this."

"It was either go to prison or spend the rest of my life fighting the Legion," Ivy shrugged, "And I might not be ready to start playing happy families yet but I don't want to fight you two anymore either."

With a wordless squeal of emotion, Comet Queen flung herself at her adult daughter and hugged her tight. Ivy was completely rigid at first, but tried to accept the embrace. She patted Grava awkwardly on the back as Comet Queen retreated back to her husband. "We'll miss you, little nebula sprout! We'll come visit sooo much, you wait and see!"

While the other Legionnaires accompanied Ivy Arcane on to the shuttle, Firecrest, Infectious Lass and Tellus hung back. "I can't imagine what you two must be going through," a human Staq Malven gripped his longtime friend Ral's shoulder, "But we'll make sure she's treated as well as she can be, buddy."

"And Tellus, you'll--?" Comet Queen began to ask.

"We will notify you of Ivy's safe arrival as soon as we can," Tellus replied, the monotone of his voice modulator at odds with the empathy he was extending his friend. "You have my word, Comet Queen."

Crystal Kid poked his head outside the shuttle. "Guys..? Sun Boy's finished prepping the ship to leave."

"You're doing the right thing," Infectious Lass said to Ral and Grava lamely, wanting to be supportive but feeling that she lacked the right words. "We'll be in touch soon!" With that, she entered the shuttle alongside Firecrest and Tellus.

Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen stayed until the shuttle had left the base and disappeared into the starry void beyond, and then with slumped shoulders the couple retreated to their quarters.

**********

MARS
Legion Academy, Arqiia Memorial Campus

Martian weather satellites had programmed light showers for Husband Hill, and there were very few people outdoors to see Gravity Kid descending through the rainfall.

The slightest application of his power repelled the rain from Gravity Kid's chiselled body, keeping him dry. The temperature was still chilly for anyone with as much exposed skin as Tel Vole however, and he was looking forward to being inside soon; what he wasn't so much looking forward to was having to help Saturn Girl run a training session for his ex-boyfriend Lullabye Lad and his old Academy friends. "Every Legionnaire has to take their turn," he reminded himself out loud, "Just suck it up, Tel..."

He turned his head to spare a glance for the twin statues of Fire Lass and Otaki outside the campus building, and so it was that Tel nearly knocked a dark-skinned girl over as she walked out of the building with her jacket over her head to protect her from the rain. "That was so clumsy of me, I'm sorry!" Tel quickly apologised. "Oh, Nightstone! It's you!"

The slightly younger teen girl stepped back into the Academy's lobby so Tel could enter the building. "No harm done," she said quickly, avoiding Tel's gaze. "I just had to discuss some prospective students with Lightning Lad--"

"Wait!" Tel continued. "Please..? Look, while you're here...I just wanted to apologise. For how things went down that night in Argentea."

Nightstone's brow furrowed as she recalled the humiliation she'd felt that night...she'd let her guard down for a moment, thought that Gravity Kid might want to help her, and then Crystal Kid had taken advantage of her vulnerability to ambush her. She now understood why the Legion had acted the way they did, and working with the Bina Nawoti Foundation had done a lot to dispel her anger, but it was still a sore spot.

"You did what you had to," she muttered. "Forget about it."

"That's just it," Gravity Kid persisted. "I want you to know...I wasn't trying to set you up or anything, Nightstone. Crystal Kid's an idiot, and I had no idea he was going to use his power on you. I just...I don't want you thinking that I was trying to trick you."

"Well, okay...thanks I guess?" She wasn't really sure how she was supposed to react, but she looked at Gravity Kid's face now for the first time since they'd started talking and somehow it seemed that he really needed her to believe him. "Gravity Kid, are you...okay? No offence, but you look kinda stressed. I've gotta run now, but if you want to talk about this later..."

"I don't have time for relationships," he unconsciously stiffened as he rebuffed her. "I tried that, and--"

Nightstone guffawed. "I'm not trying to hook up with you, Gravity Kid...you just sound like maybe you've got some stuff you need to get off your chest is all, I was being friendly."

Gravity Kid blushed beet red. "Oh grife, I'm sorry...I just....I'm screwing this all up, just forget you saw me."

Giavana Markova watched as he stalked off into the building, and she wondered if maybe she should talk to Jrey Lefen about this the next time they got together to review clients for the Bina Nawoti Foundation. Placing her jacket over her head again, Gia rushed out into the rain and thought better of it.

After all, Gravity Kid was a member of the Legion of Superheroes...surely he'd know how to ask for help if he really needed it.

**********

LEGION OF SUPERHEROES HEADQUARTERS
Truth Girl's quarters

Oliv Hollowai, the new Legionnaire better known as Truth Girl, lay on her bed among half a dozen different-sized cushions while she hugged yet another pillow close to her. The holographic image of a young Caucasian woman with honey coloured hair tied back into a loose ponytail hovered at the edge of her bed, and Oliv told her girlfriend for the tenth time how much she was missing her.

"I miss you too, Oliv baby." A smile lit up Bobbi Stiles's face. "I am going to eat you alive when you arrive on Earth...all that business with the plants made it easy to move my classes around for a few days so you're getting my undivided attention when you get here."

"I'm looking forward to it!" the Kenyan heroine returned Bobbi's smile. "I mean it's already been a wild ride with the Legion of Superheroes and everyone here has been amazing but it's kind of isolating living on a space station, you know? I miss real air and being able to see you and our families whenever we want."

"Our families?" Bobbi's eyes immediately brightened. "Does that mean we're going to visit your mom while you're here?"

"She's already started planning a feast," Oliv laughed. "I swear she thinks I'm starving you the way she shovels food at you whenever we're there."

"You leave that woman alone!" Bobbi mockingly chastised her. "I will not hear a bad word about Kaweria Hollowai and her endless nyama choma!"

A polite but insistent breep sounded, and Truth Girl remembered the alarm she'd set earlier. "My love, I need to go...duty calls. After this mission though, I am logging off for three days and I am all yours!"

The girls dragged out their goodbyes for another couple of minutes, and then as she rushed to exit her quarters Truth Girl remembered one more thing she had meant to do earlier today. It had been overshadowed by the crisis with Glorith and Verdant and its aftermath, but the Legion of Superheroes had recently opened up leadership elections. Oliv had been pondering the election for days now; she felt as though she hadn't really been here long enough to have earned a vote, but Phantom Girl had assured all the new recruits that their input was just as valid as anybody else on the team.

Truth Girl had been impressed with how well Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen had carried themselves while trying to liberate their daughter from Glorith, but she wasn't sure if she could see that quirky golden girl delivering orders to a couple dozen superheroes...and ultimately, Truth Girl felt like she still barely knew either of them well enough to make a truly informed judgement about their capabilities despite Phantom Girl's encouragement.

No, better to play it safe and vote for the one person she already knew could command this team. Muttering a voice command which summoned up a holographic grid featuring all of the active roster's icons, Truth Girl jabbed one gold-painted fingernail at the only choice she felt comfortable making, and Phantom Girl's symbol blinked in response as Truth Girl raced out the door.

**********

Several levels down, Tinya Wazzo reflected on her own nomination for the team's new leader. She'd chosen Blok for the second election running, and had talked Jo and Shady into following her example. Tinya had found it a great honour to lead this team that had been part of her life for so long and she felt proud of the storms she'd weathered as the Legion's leader, but she also felt that Blok had more than proven himself up to that challenge since being gifted with the powers of Shazam and he deserved the opportunity to show it.

"Credit for your thoughts?" This was Ultra Boy, standing in the open doorway of Phantom Girl's office.

"Jo! What a nice surprise!" She phased through her desk to kiss her boyfriend on the lips. "What are you doing here?"

"I actually came to see if you needed any help packing up, but it looks like you've got that covered!" Jo placed an arm casually around her waist as he eyed the packed boxes sitting neatly on Tinya's desk.

"I know I'm still technically the leader for the next few days, but I figured I might as well get it out of the way," Tinya explained. "Honestly, it's just as much to give myself a break from hearing about all the casualties Glorith and Verdant left behind on Earth. I know things would have been much worse if we weren't there and I'm glad Ivy finally came around, but there are still a lot of people who died for no reason....it's so pointlessly sad."

"Yeah, I hear ya." He kissed her on the forehead and held her close. "At least it's all over now though."

A breep sounded from Phantom Girl's desk and she groaned. "Let's hope you didn't jinx it, lover."

Returning to her seat, Tinya accepted the call and the team's Communications Officer Trava Coruu shimmered into holographic life. "Hello, Phantom Girl...I have M'Rissey and Marte on line if you're available?"

"Together?" Phantom Girl exchanged a curious glance with Ultra Boy. "That's odd, we don't have a meeting scheduled today! Sure, put them through - thanks, Trava!"

Jo walked around the desk to lean on Tinya's chair, his arms draped loosely around her shoulders. As much as it was a gesture of affection, it was also a way to indicate to the team's Business Manager and Manager of Diplomacy that Phantom Girl wasn't here alone. When the holographic image changed from Trava's attractive features to those of Marte Allon and M'Rissey, Tinya greeted them warmly.

The middle-aged woman and the young boy both looked like the proverbial cat who swallowed the canary. "Hello Phantom Girl, Ultra Boy," Marte Allon grinned from ear to ear. "How would you two like to hear some good news?"

"I would love to hear some good news, Marte!" Phantom Girl couldn't help but smile in return. "What have you been up to?"

"Just getting Earthgov to rectify a bad decision is all," M'Rissey noted smugly.

Phantom Girl and Ultra Boy both looked mystified, so Marte took over to explain. "You remember how Earthgov forbade the Legion from operating on Earth during all of that nonsense with Earth-Man and his awful Judgement League? Well, my very bright young colleague here helped me put together a case to get them to reevaluate that decision, and we're happy to report that it has been successfully overturned!"

"What?!" Phantom Girl's jaw dropped. "Marte, M'Rissey....that's incredible!! But how?? I mean, I didn't even know you two sneaks were working on anything??"

"We weren't," Marte replied. "But I knew sooner or later there would be some kind of crisis that would need your attention on Earth, and as soon as that terrible business with the plants began I knew just as surely that was the crisis I needed. I know it sounds a little mercenary, but what kind of Manager of Diplomacy would I be if I didn't see an opportunity for diplomacy when it becomes available?"

"Mrs Allon, you're the sprockin' best!" Ultra Boy gushed. "Gim and a bunch of other people on our team are gonna be so happy to be able to visit their homeworld again without feeling like criminals the whole time they're there!"

"Jo!" Phantom Girl hissed, slapping her boyfriend's hand. "Don't swear in front of Colossal Boy's mom!"

Marte gave an indulgent chuckle. "Dear, I used to be a politician; I've heard much worse. Besides, this young man did most of the work...I just organised a stage for him to shine on!"

"I just slapped together some data to show how much more economically damaging Glorith and Verdant's invasion would have been if the Legion of Superheroes weren't there," M'Rissey noted with a self-satisfied twinkle in his eye. "And then some extrapolative projections showcasing how often Earth seems to be the centre of weird stuff like this compared to most planets...the nasty old xenophobes in charge of Earthgov might not appreciate doing the right thing for its own sake, but finance talk sure gets them in their little black hearts!"

"I won't lie, I've been dreading the backlash from Earthgov a little after we went to Earth without their permission," Tinya admitted. "I mean we did the right thing obviously, but I was ready for it to come back and bite us anyway. Why didn't you two tell me you were taking this on though?"

"Honestly, dear? I didn't want to build up anyone's hopes until we knew we'd be successful," Marte answered. "I hope I didn't overstep my boundaries!"

"Marte, not at all!" Tinya shook her head vigorously. "This is exactly why I hired you, thank you so much!"

"You're very welcome," Marte Allon made a move to leave. "If you'll excuse me though, I think I'll call my son now and give him the good news."

"And I'll send through a more detailed presentation later this afternoon," M'Rissey added.

"Thanks again, you guys!" As soon as the team's support staff blinked out, Phantom Girl spun her chair around to face Ultra Boy and kissed him passionately. "It's so nice to just get some legitimately good news for once, don't you think?"

"You bet," Jo replied. "Now if you've got no other leadership duties to keep you distracted, I move that we go celebrate in style, fearless leader!"

"Motion carried!" Phantom Girl giggled. "Let's get out of here!"

Feeling lighter than either of them had for a while, the two ran off hand in hand down the corridor.

**********

ELSEWHERE
In a well-equipped penthouse suite that the Sisterhood of Sin had commandeered, Veilmist walked into the recreation room to find Nimbus and White Bat sitting at a console with VR headsets on while Vista reclined with an omnicom in a giant egg-shaped pod lined with memory foam cushioning.

"I appreciate that we are no longer forced to be living like paupers," the stunning Khund woman addressed her teammates, "But when are we going to actually do something? Can I at least bring a few men up here?"

Nimbus chortled loudly, paused the combat game she'd been playing with White Bat and removed her headset. "You're kidding me, right? You know why you and Scorn insisted that we had to be a Sisterhood when you recruited us in our own time, right?"

Veilmist was utterly perplexed, but from the knowing looks that White Bat and Vista were casting, they were obviously in on this joke as well. Hands on her hips, Veilmist pouted at Nimbus. "Obviously I do not know, please educate me."

"In our time," Nimbus snorted, "You hate men. In fact, you and Scorn..." The young blonde crossed her index and middle finger on one hand suggestively.

"Absurd!!" Veilmist almost shouted in disgust. "I do not have to stand here and listen to this...this..."

She was about to teleport away when a door slammed and Scorn stomped out of the bedroom where she'd been sequestered for the past 16 hours. The more physically imposing Khund sorceress was dripping in sweat, with what had once been a silk pillowcase wrapped tightly around her right hand and soaked a deep red. "The blood has shared its secrets," she announced cryptically. "If we are to find this Demon Father, to petition him for power, I know where our quest must begin."

"Your quest should perhaps begin in the bathroom," Veilmist cupped a hand over her nose and mouth. "You reek like the locker room of a Challenge Court, blood witch!"

Scorn sneered at Veilmist, and Vista stood from her luxurious seat before the two could start sniping at one another properly. "So tell us," Vista asked. "Where are we going?"

"Earth," Scorn answered simply. "To a place named Mega-California...we seek a thousand year old Terran artifact."

"If that's the case, we might need somebody more familiar with that era," Vista reasoned. "And it probably wouldn't hurt to have some extra muscle, we're bound to encounter the Legion or the Substitute Legion or the Cavalry or whichever annoying hero types live on Earth these days..."

"What have you got in mind?" Nimbus asked, standing to join the others while White Bat silently followed her lead.

"I think it's time the Sisterhoood expanded, ladies." Vista turned to Veilmist. "You wanted something to do...how about you and I go on a recruitment drive, Veilmist?"

"Happily!" With a twirl of her fingers, Veilmist summoned her trademark lavender scented plumes of smoke and she and Vista both vanished.

Nimbus gave Scorn an unconcerned shrug and returned with White Bat to their game; once she was certain that the other two were distracted by their foolish game, Scorn sniffed at her armpit and begrudgingly admitted to herself that Veilmist may have had a point as she marched off to the bathroom...


**********

EDITOR'S NOTES:

* Gravity Kid and Nightstone are of course talking about their encounter just before Nightstone got recruited to serve Mordru, that can be found here

* in my fic, waaaay back in 2014, Earthgov booted the Legion off of Earth and decreed that its members who were Earth natives could return home only as civilians. Probably surprising that it took this long for something to happen to make Earthgov change their minds really, so thanks Glorith I guess..?

* LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS ARE NOW OPEN! DM me your top 3 choices and we'll see who comes out on top at the end of April! The current roster is:

BLOK
CHAMELEON BOY
CHLOROPHYLL KID
COLOR KID
COLOSSAL BOY
COMET QUEEN
COSMIC BOY
CRYSTAL KID
DAWNSTAR
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DOGSTAR
DRAGONMAGE
DREAM GIRL
ELASTIC LAD
ELEMENT LAD
EVOLVO LAD
FIRECREST
GAS GIRL
GRAVITY KID
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
KID COMPUTO
KING CANARY
LIFE LASS
LIGHT LAD
LIGHTNING LASS
MATTER-EATER LAD
MON-EL
MWINDAJI
MYSA MARVEL
NEON
NIGHT GIRL
NIGHTWIND
PHANTOM GIRL
POLAR BOY
SHADOW LASS
SHERANEE
SHRINKING VIOLET
SIZZLE
SLUG
STAR BOY
STONE BOY
STRUT
SUN BOY
SUPERGIRL II
TELLUS
TIMBER WOLF
TRANSPOSITION LAD
TRUTH GIRL
ULTRA BOY
WILDFIRE


Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: A Diplomatic Interlude - 04/10/23 10:04 AM
yay, more! super stoked to see some good character moments here, raz!

Makes sense that Ivy would have to face justice for her actions. Grava's sadness, Ral's also-sadness-but-in-a-more-subdued-way, and Ivy's own feelings and dealing with her trauma, all very realistic! Nice call-back to Sizzle's time on TG too, and glad to see the prisons of the future are much more humane and with an eye for rehab!

Aw, at Ivy trying. poor thing.

also sweet of Staq, Drura and Tellus to hang back, and a little LOL at poor Drura being awkward

also lol at Gravity Kid's annoyance at facing Lullabye Lad. And a really cool application of his power, keeping himself dry! (but also: him being cold lol, but hey he works hard on his body, if I had a body like that I'd show it off all the time too)


wow! I've been waiting for this Tel/ Nightstone scene, and you delivered in spades! Nightstone is clearly like, over it all, AND she's in a way better/good place than Tel is actually! Even thinking about helping Tel, while Tel is all "I have no time for relationships". Sometimes I wanna smack Tel silly! (and also his bit about "Bobb is an idiot", whoo boy someone is not over the ex!)

I love Oliv and Bobbi, I mean I loved them before already but I love em even more now. And Oliv's mom is so relatable lol!

also, great way to show Oliv's thinking process re voting for Tinya again! TBH that's what I thought of - Tinya has done SUCH a great job, on the other hand I also think she could use a break. But she's still among my pics wink

and yeah re barking commands. There aren't many Legionnaires I'd vote for... I'd think about whom I would follow. I'll throw out my vote, I put Blok because of his wisdom of Solomon; Tinya as the incumbent; and kinda left field but I think Dragonmage is thoughtful enough to do a good job!

wow! woozah, and Tinya also picked Blok! awesome-sauce! yay, my pick isn't completely nuts lol wink

nice convo between Tinya and Jo, about the casualties. TBH I always think that's gonna be one of the toughest parts of being a Legionnaire, seeing all that death! and it's natural that Legionnaires would need a break from it...

OMG Marte and M'Rissey are brilliant, brilliant! I know it sounds a little mercenary, love how self-aware Marte is, and how clever - but also her giving M'Rissey full credit. Jo supporting Tinya, and her smacking him into not swearing, were also amazing. Plus, this is an awesoooooome development for sure! lol at M'Rissey being so gleefully clever too, talking about finance.

Also Tinya expecting Earthgov to make trouble. and it is good leadership of her, being both grateful BUT also asking why they didn't tell her - but also affirming that they didn't overstep any boundaries. it is just sooooo cool how well they work together!

hah! Veilmist's reaction about the future is so hilarious. Also, nice intro to the Sisterhood origins, about them hating men.

How does Veilmist know where to teleport herself and Vista, by the way? Is there some telepathy involved? or did she just send them to the hangar?

also: hah at Scorn needing a shower!

well done raz, great installment, some awesome character bits and plot being moved along!
Posted By: razsolo Re: A Diplomatic Interlude - 04/10/23 01:59 PM
Tel Vole is certainly somebody who does not cultivate good relationships with his exes lol...however you are right that once Nightstone started getting some good influences (and not living in an abandoned warehouse anymore!) she has adapted well!

I hope I get a chance to introduce Truth Girl's mother properly at some stage, she is a fun character in my head so far smile

I actually realised after I wrote the nomination scenes that it mirrored your choices, but it makes sense that someone who's been on the team for like a week is going to nominate the only person they've actually seen lead so far and I remember I had Tinya talking Jo into voting for Blok back when she got made leader so that seemed logical as well smile

Marte and M'Rissey's little scheme is something I only came up as I was writing this up actually! I couldn't really be bothered doing another round of the Legion vs Earthgov, and it seemed like a cool way to show how the support staff are useful in arenas the Legion don't really much operate in smile

I like to imagine Veilmist just teleported herself and Vista to the roof or something just to make a dramatic exit and then once she got there was all "umm, okay so where are we going actually?" laugh laugh
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: A Diplomatic Interlude - 04/10/23 04:05 PM
re Marte and M'Rissey, score one for a great idea! And agree, plus the timing was great - coming after Earth was overrun by plants! (and showing the effects makes tons of sense, instead of showing the whole process!)

Originally Posted by razsolo
I like to imagine Veilmist just teleported herself and Vista to the roof or something just to make a dramatic exit and then once she got there was all "umm, okay so where are we going actually?" laugh laugh

this fits perfectly well with Veilmist getting all bored sitting in the apartment lol! so let's go with that wink
Posted By: Harbinger Re: A Diplomatic Interlude - 04/19/23 12:08 PM
Hey Raz, sorry I've fallen so far behind - I promise to try harder in future smile

Just re-read my last post so I'm up to date - after a month away and spending three days catching up on IBs I needed that smile Why can't any of us write straight forward adventures that don't require any conscious effort to keep up laugh

The Phantom Stranger is always fun so I'm happy to see him involved. I'm assuming this the Satellite era JLA? Tellus is always great, for such a physically imposing being his lack of confidence is quite sweet, and I think Dream Girl is right, Faust's mind is not going to be a nice place. Like the dissing of Faust, and meow! He's gives it back to Aquaman (quite right too). Nice take down with the aligators. Go Tellus and Tenzil! Hah, chomping on the amulet was funny. And Firestorms transformation of Faust's robes were fun too, if he wasn't angry at the league before he will be now! Hahaha. Phantom Stranger freeing Swamp Thing and taking Faust away wasn't a surprise but Nura's annoyance was, and I liked it laugh She's such a drama queen.

I don't really know much about Poison Ivy, though nice that Diana addresses her as Pamela - makes her threat seem more personal. Is there a history between them? Chameleon Boy to the rescue! Oh, maybe not then, that was cocky of Reep, he really should have just knocked her out. Batman to the rescue then, of course (sigh, am I the only DC fan that actively dislikes him?) though really Hal should have thought of it himself. WW, "I've been restrained by experts." is that a reference to her very early days when she was a BDSM fetish doll? So, it was Chameleon Boy that stopped Ivy in the end - that was good as the rest of the team are pretty helpless. Finally, Brin and Lydda let rip - I feel sorry for her having to deal with her collapsed beehive, what an image! laugh Oh, an angry Swamp Thing, that'll be interesting and I'm glad I'm not Ivy.

And now the big team with the powerhouses on it - I've been looking forward to this encounter! I kind of half expected you to have Glorith turn them into toddlers and now I'm not sure if I'm disappointed or not smile Glorith is so arrogant that of course she'll explain her master plan - that ego! Nice that Verdant can see that this is a mistake, she's a lot more canny than her mistress. Somehow, I doubt that letting the Green control time is really part of Glorith's ultimate plan, as she says, it's a stepping stone. And a Glorith/Trapper face-off would be awesome! It feels like it's on it's way too, hoorah! Quick thinking of Supes to stop her from saying Shazam.Unlucky catching that blast though and knocking out Xao in the process - whoops. Truth Girl should have asked a follow up question or two, but too slow.

Yay! The Trapper and Decay, I'm really looking forward to their part in this. It's going to be epic!

Nice picture of Sizzle - her hair is a weapon n itself smile but seriously, great picture Raz, I'm both impressed and envious of your talents!

And I'm out of time just as we we're back to Gotham.

This has been a fun, and funny, adventure Raz, really like how you give your characters great little moments in amongst all the excitement, well done!

I'll be back soon for more, more, more!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: A Diplomatic Interlude - 04/19/23 01:47 PM
Right, I have half an hour, let's see if I can get this arc finished smile

Batman knows Swaamp Thing to his caution is well played. May Queen? Sounds Alan Moore-ish to me, though I've never heard that phrase before. The green's justification fpr stopping the wild growth makes sense, and of course trees would take a long term view over a short term victory. "... or I will stop you." Swamp Thing is quite scary!

Rokk, always a history buff - it's such a decent character trait that it's always nice to see. Ayla taking out the Joker - great! And her casual attitude towards it was perfect. Super Girl ii and Jimmy Olsen - inspired! Great little scene. And Dogstar and Krypto! Haha, that was really good. A young Kara and Laurel talking, and I think that's perfect. You could have stopped there and I'd have been happy actually, those three little interactions together are the mutts nuts - as my son would say laugh

Tinya delivering a literal kidney punch - ouch! Bless Ral and Grava for continuing to try to talk to Ivy. And there it is, the lie that will get Verdant away from Glorith, the Legion left her to die... and I love your Grava, I really do. Poor Verdant is away to get a real solid dose of reality to deal with.

Mysa Nal - hardcore breaking Glorith's jaw. Blok's compassion and resolve are perfectly shown. Ivy saying no to Glorith - about time too smile Though she might not be the most stable or upstandingcitizen after being brought up by Glorith so have the team created a monster? And she runs away - smart but I was kind of wanting to see her get a good smackdown, which doesn't exactly say great things about me really laugh The danger might have been dealt with, but this story was far from over... you tease! haha

Nice, if creepy scene at the end there, The Trapper and Decay are quite worrying. Am looking forward to seeing what you do with them next.

I think there's another section below this but I have run out of time for today.

Nice resolution to your story there Raz and great writing of the JLA too.

Not sure what you have coming for us next but I'm sure it'll be great.

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: A Diplomatic Interlude - 04/20/23 10:58 AM
Hi Harbi, thanks for commenting! No worries about falling behind, real life does tend to get in the way like that wink

It was the Satellite era JLA, and the Phantom Stranger being all spooky for no reason was always my favourite part of when he would rock up laugh

re Wonder Woman calling Poison Ivy by her real name, there's no particular history between them but I think Diana would be the kind of character to recognise when someone isn't outright evil and try to appeal to their humanity. And yes, that was a sly wink to Diana's original days where she was getting hogtied every other page hahaha

I kinda needed to give Batman something to do but I didn't want to have him be the Batgod he is nowadays....and in writing this story I think I have discovered that I don't really like Hal Jordan much; his most standout features I can remember off the top of my head from 80s comics are knocking himself out on a bar of soap and hooking up with a 13 year old so he's not really my favourite GL...

I was VERY tempted to get a toddler Legion story out of Glorith before this all finished, but I couldn't figure out a way to slip it in and keep the same tone going hahahaha

May Queen is....I wanna say a Neil Gaiman term actually, but I'm not 100% sure; it might have been Alan Moore, it did come up around the time he did his classic Swamp Thing run.

Quote
Super Girl ii and Jimmy Olsen - inspired! Great little scene. And Dogstar and Krypto! Haha, that was really good. A young Kara and Laurel talking, and I think that's perfect. You could have stopped there and I'd have been happy actually, those three little interactions together are the mutts nuts - as my son would say

Thanks! Those bits were my favourite parts to write actually! Well, maybe that and Ayla wrecking the Joker with no effort at all smile

There is one more instalment already up which is kind of an epilogue, but you have probably got a few weeks to get round to that as I am holding off on posting any more until the end of the month to see if any more leader nominations come in.

Then we got a couple spotlights on Light Lad and Dragonmage coming up that I am looking forward to writing, before we dive into what is turning into a pretty nasty confrontation with the Sisterhood of Sin!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: A Diplomatic Interlude - 04/25/23 11:12 AM
And I'm back for more - hoorah!

Love the picture of Transposition Lad - cool hat, I do love hats smile ooh, my guess, was he one of Kirby's Inhuman designs from way way way back in the day?

Ah, no, he's from a Legion story I've never read, haha, oh well.

Right, on with the story - Nice that you start with Grava, Ral and Ivy, and it's obvious that Ivy has taken the three days to reflect on her own part in the previous action - nice personal growth there on her part and for all of her talk of lacking relationship skills she clearly has some empathy that she realises she needs to take responsibility. Her creepy grandfater - ooh, I'd forgotten about Alek Arcane... and how much do I love your Ral for his reassurance of Grava? Hugely, I love your take on him hugely! Nice moment with Staq and Tellus too. That was a nice resolution to the Ivy situation, hopefully Grava and Ral get through this okay.

Gravity Kid's trick of keeping the rain off sounds great - wish I could do that smile but then, don't we all? Tel being wary about running into his ex is understandable, it's rarely something to look forward to. The meeting with Nightstone was ...uncomfortable. Tel wanting to apologise for something that no longer bothers her was fair enough, but the miix up about what Gia's intention were was cringey - Tel needs a shrink in both our fan-fics, obviously smile And why does Gia's final thoughts about Tel knowing how to ask for help seem like a missed opportunity? Hopefully things won't get too helter-skelter for him. Though, tbh, he hasn't been the nicest of characters on your team so perhaps a learning curve on how to deal with people is due to come his way.

Truth Girl curled up on bed surrounded by cushions s such a sweet imahe, and her catching up with her girlfriend was sweet. I think most mothers are feeders when their children take home partners or friends that they like. sounds like they have a good family around them. And, while it wasn't my vote, her choosing Tinya as leader was understandable.

Tinya voting for Blok - good choice smile Her sadness over the loss of life was understandable and nice to see - she hasn't become jaded in the years she's be on the team. Ultra Bot acknowledging her feelings was sweet too, he's good egg isn't he? M'Rissey and Marte - the Diplomatic team, this'll be fun smile And how nice! They can return to Earth. Jo's reaction was funny, as was Tinya slapping his hand for swearing. And, yup, talk finances and senior management are interested, seems planetary governments are run the same way as educational institutions. You just know M'Rissey's 'detailed presentation' will be 74 pages long laugh

Yay, the Sisterhood of Sin are back! You do love your bad girls Raz smile Veilmist learning of her fture self's change in taste was interesting. Scorn and Veilmist sniping was fun. Mega-California for a 1,000 year old artifect? I won't guess as I'm not really up on my DC mystical lore. And a recruitment drive? One or two of Earth Man's former Judgement League spring to mind - will be interesting who you have coming up. And nice cliff hanger there. Looking forward to wherever you take this, as the Demn Father cn't be all that far aay and I don't reckon the Sisterhood will find him as accomodating as they hope.

Great stuff Raz, as always I thoroughly enjoyed this and am looking forward to more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: A Diplomatic Interlude - 04/27/23 10:02 AM
Tel has been getting fairly unlikeable on occasion, and it's probably gonna sit in the background for a bit to be honest but it is going somewhere eventually...

Quote
You just know M'Rissey's 'detailed presentation' will be 74 pages long

74 pages and a LOT of fishbone diagrams laugh

I just wrote my first scene with the Sisterhood of Sin's new recruit and I am already happy I added her, I think y'all will like her laugh

NEXT: Surprise return of the Legion villain nobody asked for!
Posted By: razsolo The terror of TERRUS! - 05/02/23 12:26 PM
LEGION OF SUPERHEROES HEADQUARTERS
Jrey Lefen's waiting room


ROLL CALL
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability

One of the things that Jrey Lefen had requested when he took on his role as the Legion of Superheroes' counsellor was his own dedicated waiting room as part of his office suite. He'd reasoned that therapy could be a deeply personal thing for his clients, and he wanted to make sure they had somewhere more private than the corridors of a mobile space station to wait for their session with him or to collect themselves afterward if necessary.

A modest aquarium stood along one wall featuring a number of brightly coloured Vavallan tropical fish, and a selection of beverages were available through the autovendor. Right now, one of his next clients was drinking a sparkling water that he didn't really feel like and his second client was staring at the aquarium but watching Dirk Morgna's reflection more intently than any fish.

"Hey." Supergirl finally steeled herself enough to say what she wanted. "Thanks for coming here with me, really."

"If it'll help things get back to normal with us, I'm all for it." Sun Boy gave what be hoped was a supportive and understanding smile. "Laurel, you know I wouldn't...I would never deliberately hurt you, I hope you know that."

"...I know." She replaced the omnicom on the table and her arms slid beneath her poncho as she hugged herself and looked far more vulnerable than Dirk was accustomed to seeing. "I want things to be normal too...I think Jrey's helping with that, but I guess...it's a process, ya know? Anyway, thanks for coming with me. I really appreciate it, Dirk."

Jrey's door whooshed open and the Durlan counsellor welcomed them in with a broad gesture. "Dirk, Laurel...come in, make yourselves comfortable. Do either of you need some more water or a juice perhaps?"

"Not me," Sun Boy threw his cup in the atomic recycler. "I'm just glad you were able to squeeze us in! When Laurel asked me about coming to a therapy session with her she made it sound like you weren't gonna be free for another couple of standard weeks!"

"I wasn't at first," Jrey explained as the door closed politely behind them. "I had an unexpected cancellation which is good news for you two...now, if everybody's comfortable shall we begin?"

**********

EARTH
Russia, Novayamoskva

The megalopolis called Novayamovska engulfed much of Russia within its plasteel and ferrocrete canyons. Once upon a time the seed at the heart of this sprawling city had been known simply as Moscow, but that was several hundred years and several wars back. These days Novayamoskva was a typical Earth city in the same vein as Metropolis or Barcelona, and much of the old Russia's distinctive architecture was either gone or subsumed in the ubiquitous towering megascrapers that looked just like every other towering megascraper on the planet.

In this city of the future, the stocky woman named Ursula Yenova sat back in a very anachronistic sofa in her equally anachronistic one bedroom apartment. Macrame throws, a faux wood coffee table and bureau, and a wide selection of tchotchkes made this space feel more like a museum piece than a home.

Ursula herself was an anachronism here as much as her apartment. She had been snatched from almost a thousand years earlier in Earth's past to fight alongside Earth-Man and his Judgement League against the Legion of Superheroes, and like all her other time-displaced comrades she was now stranded in the 31st Century. Her furnishings and decor had come from several harried designers after Ursula had explained to them in her own forceful way that she found the aesthetics of this time a little too sterile for her sensibilities.

Ursula Yenova had proven something of a nuisance for Earthgov and the Science Police after the Judgement League had fallen apart. She was more amoral and impulsive rather than evil, but she did have a visceral love of violence and as the cosmically powered Star-Bear she was incredibly powerful. Ursula getting into what she considered a fun bar brawl usually meant mass hospitalisations and frightening amounts of property damage for others...and considering that she'd been a member of an Earthgov-endorsed metahuman team and she was a temporal refugee here, nobody particularly wanted to go through a messy court hearing trying to get her sent to Takron-Galtos. Still, the authorities had to do something with her to stop her causing trouble again and again; and so it was, Ursula explained to her two houseguests, that she now had to wear a chunky ankle bracelet which kept her under house arrest and kept her from using her powers.

Very out of place in the once and former Star-Bear's living room, Vista and Veilmist listened as Ursula told the rollicking story of how she'd fought off three Science Police officers even without her powers the last time they dragged her into custody. Lazing back with a cigar in one hand and a foul-smelling brown liquor in the other, she certainly didn't seem very fazed by this change in her circumstances.

"But why the visitation, Vista?" Ursula finally asked. "You and I were never particularly bosom buddies in the Judgement League, I assume this is not a social call?"

"You presume correctly." Vista suppressed a cough at the vile cigar smoke hanging thickly in the air. "I'm part of a new team now, Star-Bear. We call ourselves the Sisterhood of Sin, Veilmist here is one of us. We'd like for you to join us."

Ursula took a swig of her Rimborian Whisky and emitted an obnoxious laugh. "Ha!! I thought this one was your slave girl!" She gestured at Veilmist, who simply gave her an icy stare in return.

The Russian woman raised her tree trunk of a leg to show the thick ring of metal around her ankle. "Have you not been paying attention though, Vista? I am the Star-Bear no more, this shiny future is too soft for me it seems!"

"Veilmist here can take care of that," Vista replied smoothly. "But we could use your power, Star-Bear...and I'll be honest, we really need somebody from your home era to help us with the next phase of our plan."

"You have me curious!" Ursula leaned forward in her seat, and both of her guests involuntarily leaned away slightly while she puffed on her cigar. "What plan is this?"

"We'll tell you everything once you join us," Vista answered. "But I can assure you, it's going to give all of us more power than we'll know what to do with."

"If this pretty young thing can restore my power, that is all the power I require! But tell me Vista, will there be punching?"

"Undoubtedly." Vista wore a wicked smile.

"Then it seems I am at your service!" Ursula slugged back the rest of her drink and stubbed out her cigar in the icy slush at the bottom of the glass. "Let the Star-Bear be reborn!"

Veilmist too wore a smile, but her words dripped with venom. "Let us also hope I do not accidentally teleport your foot off along with this power dampener."

The woman once again known as Star-Bear roared with laughter. "Pushkin's grave, I like this one's spirit!

My new sisters, this is going to be fun!"

**********

UNNEVEI ASTEROID BELT
United Planets designated mining territory colloquially known as "The Rocks", Science Police Outpost


ROLL CALL
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: hyperevolution/devolution
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
Life Lass aka Somi Gan: matter animation
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis
Sheranee Shah: enhanced physical characteristics, night vision, solar-fuelled starbolts, tactile language absorption, animal empathy
Truth Girl aka Oliv Hollowai: truth sense, carries the Golden Perfect

"Thank you so much for coming all the way out here, Legionnaires!" The excited and slightly awe-struck Science Police officer Nor Illin held open the door to a conference room barely big enough for the ten of them. "I'm sorry, you're probably used to much better facilities than this...we get the bare amenities out here in The Rocks I'm afraid."

"Polar Boy, isn't your homeworld in this system?" Sheranee asked brightly.

"Yup! That's why Phantom Girl asked me to lead this mission!" Brek Bannin grinned, pleasantly surprised that the Legion's perky newcomer knew anything about his background. "Not that I'm particularly familiar with the Unnevei mines myself, but mining is a popular industry for Tharr generally and asteroid mining is the main reason anyone's out here in The Rocks. Tharrians are all used to living underground in what most people would consider extreme temperatures and there's a lot of creds in asteroid mining!"

"Speaking of extreme temperatures, would anyone mind if we get the climate control going?" Kid Computo had already stuffed her gloves in the pockets of her distinctive red jacket and was in the process of removing that jacket to bare her arms. "Even Sun Boy would be sweating in here!"

"Oh, of course! I'm so sorry, Legion!" Officer Illin rushed to a climate control panel on the wall that was covered in a visible layer of dust. "I guess it's like Polar Boy said, we Tharrians don't really feel the heat so much." He laughed nervously as he desperately tried to remember how the climate control system that he'd been shown how to use two years ago actually worked. "Uhh, I'll just..."

Unnoticed by Officer Illin, Matter-Eater Lad whispered something in Neon's ear, and the heroine's Green Lantern ring flashed to life. "Why don't you let me handle that, Officer? No need for the rest of us to be comfortable at your expense!" Zoe had already surrounded herself in a skin-tight field which maintained a more pleasant temperature for herself personally, but she now manifested little green hand-held fans for any of the others who wanted one.

"Thanks but I'm fine, Neon." Polar Boy declined a fan and folded his arms across his chest in an attempt to project authority. "Officer Illin, why don't you show us the transmission?"

"Sure, of course!" The exuberant young brown-haired man rushed to set up a flat screen audio-visual display, and Polar Boy tried to hide his impatience. Most of Brek's teammates found it endearing that the SP Officer was a touch starstruck, but for Polar Boy it was an uncomfortable reminder of how eager to please a young Brek Bannin had been once upon a time.

Finally, Officer Illin got everything set up and he switched the room's lights off so they could watch images flash across a wall. While the technology was a far cry from the holograms the Legion were accustomed to, it got the message across clearly enough. The heroes watched as one of the estimated 1.3 million asteroids in the Unnevei Belt exploded dramatically, if silently, and still pictures showed the remaining devastation that had once been a thriving platinum mine.

Life Lass couldn't help but gasp in shock. "How...how many sentients were killed in that accident, Officer?"

"Thankfully, we only recorded one death and less than a dozen injuries." Reading from his notes, Illin's tone had unconsciously become more professional. "Out here in The Rocks, a lot of the workforce is automated and machines do the majority of the hard labour. Magnusson Industries sustained billions of credits worth of damage, but that's not the reason we asked for the Legion's help."

"This wasn't an accident, was it?" Evolvo Lad asked. His base form may not have been hyper-intelligent, but Sev Tcheru wasn't a fool either.

"It wasn't," Officer Illin confirmed. "This happened two standard days ago, and we received this transmission later that day." He pressed a button, and someone wearing what seemed to be a loose-fitting tan sack pulled down over their head filled the screen. The sack's eyeholes were cut to different sizes and fitted with opaque white lenses, and the man wearing the bizarre outfit erupted into maniacal laughter even while most of the heroes present were wondering at his identity.

Hearing Matter-Eater Lad groan under his breath, Mwindaji opened his mouth to ask who the poorly garbed stranger was when the stranger curbed his cackling to speak. "Yeehaw, fun times for ol' Terrus! You science piggies better listen up close, the big booms don't stop there! No Siree, that was just a taste of what ol' Terrus has got in store for y'all if you varmints don't come through with muh ransom to the account encrytped in this here tele-message!

Now Ah ain't gonna tell y'all muh next target, that'd make things just too easy! Ah'll give y'all a hint though - muh next target's gonna be either McCauleyCorp's mine in Sector 141D, Sunstar Mining's operation in 2310BA or that sweet as pie lil' ol' phyridium mine that Savage Holdings got goin' on in 4507W! To play it on the safe side, all three of 'em ol' boys better pony on up with 100 million creds each by the time Tharr eclipses that dusty ol' sun in the sky over yonder or else it's lights out for one of 'em!" He erupted in the same maniacal laughter again, and Officer Illin paused the recording.

"Was that man speaking Interlac..?" a confused Mwindaji asked.

"Why is a scarecrow blowing up asteroid mines and talking like a bad holo-Western villain?" Neon couldn't help but release a snort of laughter despite the gravity of the situation.

"...He's lying," Truth Girl said simply, her own face a mask of confusion.

"Okay wait, let's double back to that." Polar Boy held a hand up. "Truth Girl, are you sure?"

"I don't know what he's lying about," Oliv clarified. "But he's definitely lying about something...I think he did actually blow up that mine, it's just when he gave us his list of possible targets....something was off about what he said."

"I just accessed his file, and apparently Terrus just loooves blowing stuff up," Kid Computo joined in, her mood much improved now that she could feel cool air on her face. "Do you think--"

"Do we think he's booby-trapped all three sites?" Matter-Eater Lad completed Danielle's question for her. "This guy is cornier than Mardru Chowder...I guarantee you that's what he's done, kiddo."

"Terrus said we've got till Tharr eclipses the sun," Polar Boy addressed the group as a whole. "That means we can only have a few hours if I'm not mistaken--"

"2.4 standard hours actually," Kid Computo interjected, having accessed astronomical calculations while Brek was speaking.

"2.4 standard hours then," Polar Boy continued, mildly annoyed at the interruption. "We should split into four squads then."

"Four??" Officer Illin declared. "Do you think there's a fourth bomb, Polar Boy?"

"I don't see any reason why there would be," Polar Boy replied, "But we're not just taking care of Terrus's bombs, Officer...the Legion is gonna take that creep back to jail where he belongs!" Polar Boy paused for a moment while he looked his teammates over, considering what individual qualities each brought to the table.

"Okay!" Polar Boy clapped his palms together. "Here's how I think we should do this..."

**********

ROLL CALL
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: hyperevolution/devolution
Life Lass aka Somi Gan: matter animation

Approximately 30 minutes later, Evolvo Lad and Life Lass found themselves all alone in the bowels of a Sunstar Mining facility which had been dug into one of the more prominent asteroids on the inner ring of the Unnevei Belt. Evolvo lad had taken on his hyperevolved form on the way here, the better to determine the optimum placement for an explosive device. A few omnicom adjustments later, and Sev had traced the transmitter which was linked to volatile chemical explosives deep within the mine.

Right now, Life Lass sat cross-legged in front of an oblong cabinet almost as big as herself. She had already used her power to remove one of the cabinet's dull metal plates, and Evolvo Lad sat behind her with his fingers at her temples. While there was no visible sign that the two heroes were doing much of anything, anybody with psionic senses would have seen a soft pink aura emanating from Evolvo Lad's enlarged cranium, travelling down his arms and enveloping Life Lass's head.

Evolvo Lad and Life Lass had more of a history working together than some actual family members in the Legion, and they had performed this exact procedure nearly a dozen times with live explosives on their homeworld Lallor and countless more times in practice drills. At this point, it was second nature for Life Lass to allow Evolvo Lad to telepathically direct her actions in safely taking bombs apart. While each of them were acutely aware of how dangerous their task was, they also trusted one another implicitly to do what was expected of them...so it was that a job which could have been incredibly stressful for other heroes was the easiest thing that either Sev Tcheru or Somi Gan had been called on to do as Legionnaires for some time now.

Normally painfully shy, Life Lass was always a little more outgoing around her fellow Lallorans and she made conversation with Evolvo Lad while they toiled away. "I'm glad the Science Police evacuated all of the organic staff, but gosh...its creepy down here without anybody else around! Don't you think, Sev?"

"Fortunately my hyperevolved form does not succumb to irrational fears so easily," Sev answered truthfully. "But yes, I can imagine the effect this environment would have on me were I not able to regulate my body chemistry and emotional responses so efficiently."

"Have you voted in the leadership election yet?" Somi spoke up again some minutes later as couplings uncoupled and wires carefully unfurled before the two of them.

"I have," Evolvo Lad replied. "I cast my vote for Dream Girl; she has led the Legion of Superheroes before, and her high intellect combined with her precognition make her a highly desirable choice for leader...and may I ask how you cast your vote, Somi?"

"I know you know that I voted for you," she teased him lightly, "But thanks for asking." She looked down at the mass of circuitry, wiring and loose sections of metal and plasteel lying before them. "Do you think we're done..?"

"Firstly, I thank you for your confidence in my abilities," Evolvo Lad replied humbly. "Furthermore, I believe that we are in fact, done with this now former demolitions device. Your assistance has been invaluable as ever, Somi. I believe I could have achieved the same result using my own telekinetic ability, but it would have been a much more arduous task." Evolvo Lad withdrew his fingers from where they lightly brushed Somi's head and stood up, offering Life Lass a hand once he was on his feet. "I shall call Sheranee now and advise her that we have completed our assigned job."

"Sheranee?" Life Lass cocked her head, a rare mischievous gleam in her eye. "Not Polar Boy?"

"I am certain Polar Boy has his mind occupied with the other duties associated with leading a mission," Evolvo Lad replied smoothly. "And all of our new recruits could use the experience in operating every function of their flight rings in the field."

"...Uh-huh." Life Lass cocked an eyebrow.

"Somi, I acknowledge that my less evolved forms may experience some superficial attraction to Sheranee Shah but you know as well as I that in this form, I am not susceptible to such hormonal impulses. Now if you will excuse me..?" He turned his back on her so that he couldn't see the bemused smile lighting up Life Lass's face, and so that more importantly she couldn't see the subtle turn of his own upper lip as he opened a comms channel...

**********

ROLL CALL
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms

As they walked through the labyrinthine tunnels of McCauleyCorp's mining operation, Kid Computo looked up at Matter-Eater Lad beside her. "It should be just around this bend if I'm not mistaken...maybe another couple hundred feet away?"

"I still say I could have eaten us a path straight to the bomb," Tenzil joked. "We'd be kicking back on the shuttle by now, maybe finish that Battleships game."

"I'm not sure I'd recommend just blindly eating tunnels through a big rock that's already honeycombed in tunnels," Danielle Foccart retorted dryly. "My family wouldn't be very happy if you got me buried in a cave-in, Matter-Eater Lad."

"Hey, the life of a Legionnaire is fraught with danger," the Bismollian shrugged. "Sometimes you chomp fate, and sometimes fate chomps you!"

"I'll make sure that gets engraved on your urn on Shanghalla," the younger heroine chuckled. The humor was becoming a little grim for her, and Danielle quickly changed the subject. "Say, Matter-Eater Lad...have you ever thought of running for Legion leader? You've been around as long as most of the old school crew!"

"I ain't really the leader type, kiddo. Have you ever thought about running?"

"Me??" Danielle was taken aback. "You're crazy, I couldn't lead the Legion! I think we're here by the way." She stopped walking, and with a casual use of her cyberempathy disabled a chameleon field that had been hiding the same kind of dull metal box that Evolvo Lad and Life Lass had found themselves. "I've shut it down, I think it might be too heavy for us to just carry out of here though."

"Then it's a good thing I brought my appetite!" Tenzil patted his tummy and moved toward the box before he thought better of it. "Wait...it's not gonna blow up in our faces if I start munching, is it?"

"Nah, it's a chemical explosive." Kid Computo sat down on the rocky ground opposite her teammate. "While the component chemicals are still isolated from one another and without the electrical charge Terrus was planning on running through them, it's just a couple of tanks that smell weird." She watched as Matter-Eater Lad got down on all fours before the bomb, and then spoke up again before he took his first bite. "...Do you really think I could lead the Legion..?"

"You led me here just now, didn't ya? You've been indispensable to the team since you joined us, even if you do have the worst taste in codenames...and you don't intimidate easy. They're pretty good leadership qualities where I come from!"

Although it was delivered with his trademark irreverence, Kid Computo could tell that Matter-Eater Lad sincerely meant his compliments and she felt touched. "Aww, thanks Tenzil! I mean while we're talking about awful codenames I'll remind you that you named yourself Matter-Eater Lad but the rest of what you said was sweet!"

"Stop watching me eat, you'll make it weird," Tenzil returned her banter. "And tell Polar Boy we're taking care of the bomb, it'll do that kid's ego a world of good having a real life Legionnaire report in to him."

**********

ROLL CALL
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy

With oversized emerald headphones covering her ears, Zoe Saugin flinched as she heard the muffled explosion of the third bomb detonating inside the spherical forcefield in which she'd enclosed it. She dissipated both the headphones and forcefield with a thought, and watched as the ashes of the explosive device scattered along the surface of the tunnel.

Creating a hardlight swing which hung from the carved roof of the mine, Zoe took a seat and kicked her legs back and forth lazily. I can't believe Polar Boy didn't want me to come down here on my own, Zoe mused. That whole thing took about 30 seconds! Realising that her teammates still needed more time to accomplish their own tasks, she considered flying out to meet one of the other squads and give them a hand, but then reconsidered. "Nobody likes a show-off, Zoe," she muttered out loud to herself.

Instead, another idea struck the young redhead and she created a hardlight screen and called on Nightwind.

"Hi Neon!" The Legion of Superheroes' outgoing deputy leader greeted her teammate. "Hey, aren't you on that mission with Polar Boy? Do you need backup?"

"Hmm?" Neon pondered for a moment. "Oh, that! No, I already blew something up today...I was just bored and remembered I've been meaning to ask you something, do you mind if I nominate you in the leadership election?"

"The Legion leadership election?" Nightwind asked.

"No, dope! The Neon Fan Club leadership election...of course the Legion leadership election!"

"Zoe, that would be amazing!" Berta broke out into a broad grin. "Thank you so much!"

"No problem, friend." Zoe returned Berta's smile. "I've been thinking about it the past few days and well...you pretty much led the entire team to Robotica as soon as you were elected deputy last time, and if there's one thing I've noticed while working with you to develop your air control it's how sprocking intense you are about being a hero. I think you deserve it, girl! Show these old fuddies how it's done!"

Nightwind laughed. "I don't know about all that, but thanks Zoe - really! If you don't actually need me for anything important though, I better go. A bunch of us are on the way to Earth to help with clean-up now we're not criminals there anymore."

"See?" Neon raised an eyebrow. "Dedication! That's what I'm talkin' about! I'll let you go anyway, I better check in with Polar Boy before he gives himself a stress ulcer worrying about poor defenceless me stuck in a mine on my own with my godlike Green Lantern powers...later!"

**********

ROLL CALL
Mwindaji: tracker infused with White Lantern energy
Polar Boy aka Brek Bannin: cryokinesis
Sheranee Shah: enhanced physical characteristics, night vision, solar-fuelled starbolts, tactile language absorption, animal empathy
Truth Girl aka Oliv Hollowai: truth sense, carries the Golden Perfect

As their flight rings propelled them across the surface of a pock-marked vaguely spherical asteroid some twelve miles in diameter, this quartet of Legionnaires had plenty of time to reflect on the surreal desolation of the Unnevei Belt. Even though it was common knowledge that asteroids floated sometimes millions of miles away from their nearest neighbour, three of these Legionnaires had grown up watching action heroes fly ships through densely packed asteroid fields in their favourite childhood holos; the cognitive dissonance was real.

"Kid Computo and Matter-Eater Lad just called in," Polar Boy reported to the others, their transuits providing an environment for them to be able to use the comms in their flight rings. "That's all three bombs taken care of...how long till we find Terrus, Mwindaji?"

"Only another minute or two I suspect," the tracker replied, leading them across the barren rock. "I feel that we are closing in quickly, Polar Boy."

"You...seem very confident," Brek spoke deliberately, trying to voice his doubt as tactfully as possible. "...I thought your powers didn't work in space so well?"

"My tracking ability does not have interplanetary range," Mwindaji corrected him, "But it does not require a planetary atmosphere to function. When Evolvo Lad's calculations gave us the villain's general coordinates, I knew that I would pick up Terrus's presence as soon as we were close enough."

"I've been wondering something," Truth Girl piped up. "Feel free to tell me to mind my own business if I'm prying, but Mwindaji, Sheranee; how come you two don't use codenames like the rest of us?"

"I am happy to answer your question, Truth Girl." Mwindaji looked back briefly and flashed her a friendly smile. "On my homeworld Kirinyaga, names are an integral part of who we are. Each child of Kirinyaga is given their...I do not think there is a word in Interlac, but it is called neiahnne on my world. Our mothers partake in sacred rituals while they carry us in their womb and when the time comes for us to enter this world, our mothers bestow upon us our neiahnne, our name that will see us with a blessing of love through our childhood.

When each child of Kirinyaga is of age, we take an Initiation Trek through the wilderness with only our own resourcefulness to see us through; and at the end of our Initiation Trek, we earn the right to choose the name that will be ours until we leave this world behind to be reborn upon the Endless Plains of the Savangati. I chose the name of Mwindaji, one of Kirinyaga's most legendary heroes and an accomplished explorer...and it is such a great honor to bear his name that I could never disrespect that by taking another."

The four heroes were silent for a moment before Sheranee's jaw dropped. "There is no way I am following up that story! Mwindaji, what a beautiful tradition!"

"Oh no, you don't get out of it that easy!" Truth Girl ribbed her fellow new recruit. "Here, I'll go next; I'm called Truth Girl because I see the truth. I don't know why Polar Boy would be called that though, it's too subtle for me."

All four of them laughed, and Sheranee decided to play along. "Okay, okay...so you all know I'm half Tamaranean? Well, that's on my father's side...my mamma is actually from Earth, specifically from a country called India. Sheranee means 'tigress' in one of the ancient languages from Mamma's homeland. I guess my folks thought it was cute, what with Tamaraneans having feline ancestors and all...when I decided to try out for the Legion, I thought I didn't exactly need to call myself Tiger Girl or whatever when it's basically already my name anyway!"

"Besides, there's already a Tiger Girl,' Polar Boy chipped in. "Last thing we need is a cat fight over the same name."

Truth Girl gave an exaggerated groan and Sheranee's dainty hand rushed to her mouth to hide her giggles. "Polar Boy, that was awful."

Of all of them, Mwindaji's Interlac was the weakest, and as occasionally happened, he didn't quite get the wordplay that had amused the girls but he didn't let it bother him. Having already turned his attention back to his duty, he was the only one of them to notice an enormous shadow falling across them and covering the asteroid's surface. The light out here was incredibly dim and it was possible none of the others might have noticed even if they were paying attention, but Mwindaji had spent most of his life training to be hyper-aware of his surroundings. He turned back and his eyes grew as big as dinner plates once he saw what had cast the shadow. "Legionnaires! Behind us!!"

The other three heroes followed Mwindaji's aghast stare to see at least two dozen rocks speeding down from the black void above straight at them. The oversized projectiles ranged in size from 20 to 60 feet in diameter and were of various shapes, but each and every one was on a path to turn the immediate area surrounding the Legionnaires into a whole new set of craters.

"Damn it, I should have expected something like this!" Polar Boy cursed. "Of course we wouldn't hear anything get triggered out here in space but booby traps are Terrus's whole thing! I can put up an ice shield, but I don't wanna think about how many tons of ore are coming down on us! Mwindaji, we might need your healing more than your tracking power soon, pal!" While he spoke, the short Tharrian had begun building a thick protective dome of ice around them.

"Let me see if I can even our odds a little, Polar Boy!" Sheranee zipped outside the ice dome before it closed over them, knowing that Polar Boy would likely stop her from going out there alone if she gave him the option.

"Sheranee, are you space crazy?!" Polar Boy bellowed through his flight ring. "Some of those asteroids are half the size of our sprockin' base!"

"Don't worry," Sheranee retorted cheekily, "They won't be for long!"

The petite young woman was tiny compared to the rain of death coming down upon her, but she wasn't at all frightened. This was exactly the kind of adventure she'd been looking for when she joined the Legion of Superheroes. She knew she only had scant seconds to act, so she needed to decide on a course of action quickly. Her large round eyes darted from left to right, up and down, and she made her move. She ignored the rocks on the outskirts; while they would no doubt make a big mess and cause enough of a shudder upon landing that it might unnerve the others, she could tell that they were going to land far enough away so as not to be an immediate danger. Sheranee flew right up into the midst of the plummeting chunks of space ore and weaved and ducked around the rocks with a sensual grace that made it seem as though she were dancing between them. She wore a broad grin as she extended both arms and released two starbolts, then four, then six, and rocks shattered noiselessly into so much dust and debris around her. Just as she'd planned, the exploding rocks themselves threw other boulder-sized chunks off course, lessening the burden that Polar Boy's ice shield had to face below.

Sheranee allowed one asteroid almost as large as their cruiser to fly straight past her, and then she pivoted around to face it as it made a beeline for her three teammates beneath the ice. With her wild mane of orange hair whipping about her and the excited jangle of her jewellery filling the space of her transuit, Sheranee held both arms outstretched with her hands clasped. Sheranee closed one eye tight, extended her index fingers as though she were shooting a gun, and let one mighty starbolt rip forth from both arms to reduce the boulder to a shower of pebbles. Sheranee tore apart four more large rocks, and then deemed the remaining assault force well within the limits of Polar Boy's power to handle. Buzzing with adrenaline, she couldn't help but release a whoop of victory as she flew around in exuberant loops.

"They're happy screams, right? Right, Sheranee??"

Sheranee's laughter was a joyous lilting sound as she looked down at her flight ring. "Polar Boy, I'm so sorry - I didn't realise the comms channel was still open! Yes, the score is definitely Sheranee 1, Big Rocks 0. Give me a moment and I'll come down and blast a hole in that dome for the three of you to re..."

Polar Boy heard Sheranee's voice trail off and called again with a note of panic in his voice. "Sheranee?? Sheranee, what's going on out there?!"

"I...will have to call you back, Polar Boy." This time Sheranee did remember to give the mental signal to close the channel, because she was going to need all of her wits about her. Coming at her from roughly 90 degrees east of the first assault, another couple of dozen rocks were careening at her as if flung from some giant's catapult...and these ones were all easily twice the size of their predecessors.

You wanted adventure, girl? Sheranee asked herself as her hands glowed with fierce energies, Then let's have an adventure!

**********

In the temporary base he'd set up for himself in one of the cave-like recesses that dotted this unnamed asteroid, Terrus swayed in his ill-fitting tan and brown outfit.

As he watched Sheranee with glee on one of many monitors, the deranged villain's cackling filled the small space. He'd been furious when those other Legionnaires disabled his beautiful bombs and ruined his big scheme, but watching this baby Legionnaire get squished flat might go some way towards making up for what he'd lost here today. Truthfully, Terrus didn't particularly care about the credits the Legion had cost him today...wealth for its own sake had never been his objective. It was the bombs and traps that he could build with those credits that he was really upset about losing.

The hidden camera tracking Sheranee's movements suddenly fritzed out, and Terrus stopped mid-laugh. For a brief instant he suspected that she'd detected and destroyed the camera somehow, but then he realised it had most likely just been taken out as collateral damage. Those starbolts of hers were impressively destructive. Without even the delight of watching Sheranee die, there was no reason for Terrus to hang around here any longer. He wasn't worried about that baby Legionnaire or the other three accompanying her, but one of those other heroes caught on his hidden cameras had been a Green Lantern. The legend of the Green Lanterns was very well established on Terrus's homeworld Apiaton, it was whispered that one of Apiaton's native sons had even been part of the mighty Green Lantern Corps countless generations ago. It was time then, for Terrus to make his last-minute escape.

He'd been packing a selection of tools and hard to replace equipment to take with him for a few minutes when the osmium steel door he'd installed blew apart with a spectacular bang. Standing in the doorway, looking a little roughed up but not really injured, Sheranee lowered one glowing fist. Mwindaji, Polar Boy and Truth Girl flanked her.

"Good work, Mwindaji!" Polar Boy complimented their tracker. "You brought us right to him! Give it up, Terrus...we've survived all your stupid booby traps and we've defused all your stupid bombs. You might have escaped confinement in all the chaos when Glorith and Verdant greened your world, but you've had your fun...we're here to take you right back home again."

"Y'all are hardy as cockroaches!" Terrus tipped an imaginary hat. "And take it from ol' Terrus, who'd know better than me?" He started up again with the maniacal cackling, using his bizarre behaviour to mask his cunning. The Legionnaires were thrown off just enough that when he suddenly made a loping run straight for a secret exit on the other side of the electronics-packed room, he had what he hoped was enough of a head start to get him home free.

"No you don't!" Truth Girl recovered quickly, twirling her lasso once at her side before she expertly cast it to land around his waist. When she began to rein him in though, Oliv was shocked to find that the Golden Perfect ripped right through the villain's costume as though it were made of tissue paper. Terrus's oversized outfit fell to the floor, and the cloud of bugs that had been populating it passed right under and over the golden lariat and kept flying toward the door. Terrus was still laughing like a maniac, but without the vocal amplifier in his mask it was now the reedy voice of a single insect.

"Sprock, I'm sorry Polar Boy!" Truth Girl frowned. "I remember you told us he's really a swarm of insects, but I didn't expect his costume to tear so easily!"

"No harm done," Brek Bannin raised both arms. "You three might want to activate your transuits again though, it's about to get very cold in here."

Polar Boy brought his power to bear, and the temperature dropped so dramatically that a sheen of frost started forming over much of the equipment around him. Without the insulation of his suit, Terrus and every other mind-controlled insect that made up his humanoid 'body' slowed and dropped out of the air one by one, all of them entering a docile state akin to mild hypothermic shock.

"Now that batjerk's been dealt with," Polar Boy brushed his hands together to clean his gloves of ice crystals that had formed there, "What say we let Officer Illin wrap this up and head home? The election should have been called by now...

...Let's go meet our new leader, Legionnaires!"

**********

EDITOR'S NOTES:

* Laurel and Dirk are of course still struggling with their friendship because of that time Mordru forced Sun Boy to nearly kill Laurel and Shady by emitting red solar rays

* Star-Bear has honestly only really had one significant appearance in my fic so don't feel bad if y'all can't remember her. That story is here if anyone wants a refresher!

* We actually first met Mwindaji in my series while he was on his Initiation Trek! They grow up so quickly smile

* Terrus is an honest to god real Legion of Superheroes villain from the comics, but he's had like 2 appearances ever and one of those was Blok punching a big hole in his suit and revealing that he's a swarm of bugs. He's so so weird, I love him laugh

* We found out that Terrus is from Apiaton in my series (one of the worlds that Glorith and Verdant greened) alllllll the way back in 2012! That particular story is here if anyone is interested!


NEXT: WHO WILL LEAD THE LEGION OF SUPERHEROES? MORE OF THE ENIGMATIC ENIGMA LASS! AND THE SISTERHOOD OF SIN MAKE THEIR MOVE!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The terror of TERRUS! - 05/02/23 04:32 PM
yay, more good stuff raz!

nice to see Laurel take a step in reaching out to Dirk, and going to a session together. That was really well done, glad she took that big step.

also liked Jrey's thinking ahead re having a waiting room. especially as we know that some (ahem Tasmia!) do not see the need for a psychiatrist tongue

I wonder, is the unexpected cancellation gonna be a plot point? smile

glad to see Barcelona still making it to the 31st century, although it's a bit sobering that indeed, the future may not have as many of the old landmarks or unique country-specific architecture anymore

lol at Ursula intimidating the designers. and also makes sense that she would still be a tough brawler even without her powers.

"someone from your home era", eh? and of course, Vista only wants to spill the beans once Star-Bear is in. wise...

and also love Veilmist getting back at Ursula's slave-girl dig!

Star-Bear is proving to be quite the treat to read!

I can relate with Kid Computo, I would probably be sweating buckets already

haha at Polar Boy trying to project authority tongue and nice call-back re Nor Ilin being so starstruck, reminding Brek of how HE was before! also great seeing Brek having to lead again, after all he was leader once upon a time

poor Life Lass, that would have been my first question too. thankfully indeed, only one death!

Terrus! bwahahaha and I love your speech patterns for him! hahahahahaha and Mwindaji's confusion was comedy gold, and Zoe's "bad holo-Western villain bit" was great too

nice display of Oliv's power, and also nice that it does not automatically tell her what is true. just that something is off. handy limitation to have

and also like Tenzil showing off his experience and smarts. it's so easy to underestimate him, but he's one of the Legionnaires I'd like to have along most in a weird situation!

I like the four-team split idea, good going of Brek. One team to get right to Terrus.

Team 1: of course, Sev and Somi. logical pairing, used to working with each other. I like how Sev's intelligence is needed to guide Somi. and it's good seeing them together again, alone, after so long (relatively)! Also love how Sev is all "i'm too evolved to feel that BUT I understand why you feel that"

nice nod to Dream Girl getting a vote here!

and bwahahaa at Sev calling Sheranee, and Somi being so amused about it

Team 2: loved this little Danielle/Tenzil scene, they're not a pairing you normally see.they bounce off another quite well, loved the banter. and also Tez referring to Brek as a kid... actually, Danielle would be a good leader choice I think!

Team 3: Well, makes sense that Gl-Zoe can go alone lol. and also her telling herself that nobody likes a show-off. but of course... I bet Zoe, along with Mon-El and a few others, have thought that many times. hahaha re Zoe being all... and actually, she and Berta kinda have the same confidence, though Zoe's is more. anyway, another nice scene. love how you're working so many convos about the leadership elections in!

if I remember well, Mwindaji is likely the one Legionnaire who didn't watch childhood holos - I think he came from a relatively tech-free world right?

I like Brek having to sound tactful, and Mwindaji correcting him re the applications of his tracking power .

and nice Q re the code names. great answer from Mwindaji, I love it. also love Oliv's sense of humor. and Sheranee's reasoning. oh, and nice bit re Mwindaji not being as fluent/native speaker as the others! very realistic!

also makes sense that Mwindaji would have, like, trained himself to pay attention!

awesome scene with Sheranee running into action, and showing what she's got! impressive! and also her thinking - ignore the outskirts etc. hopefully Brek does not get a heart attack from Sheranee shutting off the comms!

nice look into Terrus's motivations... he's just a terrorist lol

ooph, missed that Terrus was from Apiaton!

and whoop, nice take down from Brek!

and of course, that's the lie that Oliv detected - that Terrus was only gonna bomb one site, not all three!



now I'm stoked for the next bit. Legion leader winner, Enigma Lass, and the Sisterhood! yahoooooooo!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The terror of TERRUS! - 05/03/23 07:49 AM
Thanks for the R&R, IB!

Quote
I wonder, is the unexpected cancellation gonna be a plot point?

You will find out very soon if it is a plot point! (Spoiler: it is a plot point laugh )

Star-Bear is so much fun to write, I am almost sorry for what I am about to subject her to but she is a bad guy after all!

Glad you liked all the little mission squads...it has been a while since I had a little one-off adventure that doesn't have enormous stakes for a change, it's nice to let the characters breathe a bit and play with different combos smile
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The terror of TERRUS! - 05/03/23 11:37 AM
oooh I love searching for plot points!

yeah, I especially love Star--Bear's speech patterns and personality, aside from being a bad guy I mean. but her humor is great
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The terror of TERRUS! - 05/04/23 03:04 PM
Raz, hi, as per my PM, I#ve lost the review I've spent the last hour writing out - sorry, I have ten minutes until my next class so will have to give you the highlights:

Dirk and Laurel always kind of struck me as a potential couple, so I'm interested to see where you take this, and your Dirk is a much better person than in canon - or my fic - for helping her out so willingly, I'd expect so quid pro quo arrangement from him normally. Who cancelled their appointment?

Love Star Bear, she would be absolutely awful in person but as a character in a story she is great, looking forward to seeing where you take the Sisterhood next.

Polar Boy leading a mission - eek, my least favourite Legionnaire. Though, nice character moment with him getting cross at the SPO as they reminded him of himself. Love your use of Terrus - last time you gave Dawnstar a moment that has stuck with me as one of the best uses of her tracking skill I think I've ever read, and it made me think about how I could use her (not that it's a competition, but I was inspired!), though I have still to match that moment when she caught him. it'll be interesting to see what you do with him here.

LIfe Lass being all shy is very endearing, I do like the personalities you give your team.

Danielle and Tenzil are two characters I's never think of putting together so it was great to see. Tenzil telling her what a potentially great leader she would be was well done, shades of the SW6 Batch?

Zoe taking care of the problem quickly nd then not wanting to showboat - funny - and loved her call to Berta, that was a good moment.

Sheranee and M'Windaji not taking codenames - very nicely explained about M'Windaji, wasn't he on his Iniative Trek when the team first met him? Sheranee dealing with the rocks - loving her enthusiasm!

Terrus missing the money as it would mean less bombs and traps - nice! Truth Girl ripping his costume apart - well, it had to happen really, it's just too good an image to not do it. And Brek stopping the swarm was a nice way to round it all out.

Thoroughly enjoyed this done-in-one story Raz, very nice character moments, great humour and a lot of fun. Though what was the lie that Truth Girl sensed?


More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The terror of TERRUS! - 05/06/23 10:43 AM
Thanks for the review Harbi, nothing worse than losing an hour of work so I appreciate you taking a bit of extra time to write still!

I am glad you and IB both picked up on Jrey's missed appointment! That is definitely leading somewhere pretty soon!

Star-Bear is so fun to write, I kinda wish I'd had her pop up more now....I think I have only ever actually used her two or three times and most of those were big group scenes where she was just one of dozens of characters!

Quote
shades of the SW6 Batch?

Yes!! That was a bit of a callout to SW6 Computo days smile

Mwindaji was on his Initiation Trek when we first met him, good memory!

Quote
Though what was the lie that Truth Girl sensed?

Oops I probably should have thrown in a line of dialogue to wrap this up - the lie was that Terrus claimed he had sabotaged one of the three mines, when he was intending on blowing all of them up after he got the money anyway smile
Posted By: Omni Re: The terror of TERRUS! - 05/08/23 02:09 AM
Hey Raz,
I'm back for another round of R&R! I'm looking forward to what's coming. But bare with me as i might cover some stuff i've already commented on as i'm not 100% sure where i left off and hopefully i haven't missed a post.

I'm starting off with your drawing of Sizzle. very cool and a big change from most of the looks she gets, with a body suit. She's got almost a goth vibe with this outfit. But that doesn't seem to be her personality at all. lol laugh

21st Century -
Glad Swamp Thing isn't going to kill Ivy but at least he got her to finally listen. That's the one thing i hate about ivy sometimes. She is super smart but because of her passion to save the environment at all cost she doesn't always think about the rest of the plan.

Glad Shadow Lass apologized to Batman. Not that he needs it. but give credit when due.

Cos geeking out was super cute and i loved it and i loved it even more when Ayla showed up and was like "yeah no big. caught the joker." lol laugh laugh
loved it.
Robin/Jason Todd blushing was cute. But this defiantly means were way back because current DC Damien is the current Robin i believe.

loved the parts with Supergirl /Kara and Supergirl/ Laurel. Laurel freaking out about getting told she's doing a good job was great. such a sweet moment for the two who never really got to meet.
Jimmy falling and getting saved by Laurel was super funny. good job avoiding the paradoxs with Jimmy.
Hahahah the fact that he was like you never know with that woman. referring to Lois was classic. she always gets the scoop!
Krypto is adorable and loved his interaction with Dogstar. Too bad Krypto knows they probably won't see them again...
Glad that Ivy has started to listen now that the plants are receding.

the battle with Glorith and Verdant was really well done!
And thanks for the shout out about Truth Girl! i had a feeling that was where it could go. But now that she's using it on Grava and Ral too i know this has to get through to Ivy. its just gotta.
Loved Zannata's spell and how Supes and Mon worked together to keep the plants back.

Glorith - hit her fast and hard its the way to go.
the Atom eardrum dance a classic!
Blok and Mysa Marvel are super powerful but so it seems is Glorith.

Yes! Ivy has turned the tide and she realized that Ral and Grava love her and were telling the truth. its too bad that once this was all said and done that Ivy couldn't have been turned back into a baby. but magic has consequences. Man seeing Ral and Grava when they were telling the truth was hard. i wanted to cry right alongside with them!

Oh snap! the Time Trapper did cometh as promised. But not in the way i thought. Hmmm i wonder if this means Glorith is really gone or just those ashes are whisked away on to the sands of time and can be reformed some day. ;P

thanks for the notes on when this was for Robin and Supergirl. (i do enjoy the headband era a little bit even if it was before my time. lol)

Transposition Lad -
Love that your giving us another pic of another new recruit. The hat for some reason makes him seem super hipster. But i love it!
Also thanks for showing us where he came from within cannon too! some of those old issues with all the rejects in the background are a gold mind that i think i need to look into for my own cadets. wink

LSH Headquarters -
Ral/Grava and Ivy's moment was well done. but super sad. At least Ivy is being practical and taking responsibility for her actions. i did laugh when she was like its either this or fight the legion forever and she was over that. lol.
Ivy has been through a lot. i just hope she does know that Ral and Grava are their for her.
i was slightly surprised she was going to TG. its such a Legion trope to make punishment for a bad guy be legion membership when they weren't exactly at fault.

Love getting good news!
That is some great news! the Legion is welcome back on Earth officially! That's great. i know Gim will be super happy.
Marte and M'Rrissery did a great job and they are so right. hit them where the wallet is and they'll see just how much something is needed if it saves them money.

Truth Girl's moment was cute and nice little moment to check in on one of the new kids. i would feel the same way and vote for the one i know. but i wonder if that means the other newbies would do the same.

Poor Gravity Kid, i know he really felt bad about Nightstone and what happened. But he needs to lighten up. Maybe like Nightstone was offering, have a friend to talk to.
Even though its a sore spot Nightstone seems to be moving on well enough.

The sisterhood of sin -
Hmmm so their that kind of sisterhood in the future? They must come from an alternate future, cause Vielmist and Scorn together? can't see it.
going on a membership drive? ooo this could be good and bad. but its a good thing the legion are allowed on Earth again because its gonna need some protecting.

Sadly that's really all the time i have for tonight. But hopefully i can get some time this week to finish up! looking forward to who the leader will be!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The terror of TERRUS! - 05/09/23 09:51 AM
Glad to have you back Omni!

Also glad you liked all the little bits like Cos geeking out, Ayla and the Joker, everyone in Metropolis etc...they were fun to write laugh

I really wish I had actually been able to fit Lois and maybe Perry White in, but we were pretty stuffed with characters as it was!

I actually really love Krypto, one of these days I gotta get around to doing Legion of Super-Pets story lol

re Ivy Arcane....in my original plot idea I had both her and Glorith getting sucker-punched by the Time Trapper and Decay, but it felt like a sucky ending for Ral and Grava. This is a good compromise I think, it leaves the door open for her to redeem herself at some stage but also shows there's consequences for what she did.

The Legion being allowed back on Earth is gonna turn out to be very well-timed with something I have got coming up soon!

And Gravity Kid's storyline is gonna simmer away in the background for a while, but things will get better for poor Tel eventually!

Y'know, I didn't really think much about how the rest of the newbies were gonna vote but thinking about it now I would probably say it'd go like this:

Dogstar = Element Lad (because of how Jan helped Dogstar's homeworld recover the artifacts the UP had stolen from them)
Slug & Transposition Lad = Cosmic Boy
Sheranee = Evolvo Lad
Sizzle = probably Mwindaji actually after he helped her track down the Legion of Substitute Villains!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The terror of TERRUS! - 05/09/23 10:51 AM
yeah, and I agree re Ivy's ending. lots of people died through her actions, even though she was manipulated, so it would be a bit of a stretch to have her become a Legionnaire without facing any consequences first.

IIRC, Blok started out as a super-Assassin but (thankfully) never actually killed anyone (and he sort of gave himself up by not fighting) ...

love how Slug and T-Lad are such fanboys, they vote for Cosmic Boy. and Sheranee and Evolvo Lad, hee hee!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The terror of TERRUS! - 05/09/23 11:47 AM
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
love how Slug and T-Lad are such fanboys, they vote for Cosmic Boy
Nerds gotta stick together haha laugh
Posted By: razsolo Wild Storms Brewing... - 05/16/23 12:37 PM
EARTH, SEVEN MONTHS AGO
Nevada, Shantytown


In the 31st Century, almost all of Earth's human population lived in shining chrome towers that reached to the heavens. Earth was one of the jewels of the United Planets' crown, a monument to mankind's technological and social advancement over the centuries. With a minimum universal income guaranteed by Earthgov for all of its citizens, nobody who wanted a comfortable and stable home life lacked for one, no matter their background or circumstances.

...Of course, there were exceptions to every rule.

Parts of North America had been so irradiated by the waste products of any number of wars in the past thousand years that for a long time they had been uninhabitable. Earthgov had worked hard to fix the mistakes of past administrations over the past several decades, and the risk of living in places such as Nevada or Utah was now basically comparable to living anywhere else on the planet. A place's reputation however could have a much longer halflife than any radioactive materials one might find there, and it was generally only the misfits and outcasts of Terran society who found their way to places like Shantytown in Earth's otherwise bright and shiny future.

When a pair of clean-skinned men with athletic builds and expensive outfits climbed out of a large gleaming aircar outside one of the several makeshift apartment complexes in this appropriately named desert town, anybody with eyes could see that the men didn't belong here. Shantytown was all cracked earth, blistering winds and the occasional hardy tuft of grass jutting out of the coarse sands. Men with thousand-cred suits didn't come to Shantytown on a social call.

One of the men became distracted by a trio of rusted yellow and black droids some fifteen feet tall on the other side of this thing that was once called a road. He watched with idle curiosity while they clanked and whirred, plodding like slow fat bugs as they lay down new cable to replace communications infrastructure that had probably needed replacing years back.

"Meith?" the older man called his partner, drawing him away from the droids. "Let's get this over with."

The man named Meith signalled his approval, and the two of them walked toward a filthy towering structure of caravans and shipping containers that looked like it was one dust devil away from being so much wreckage strewn throughout the desert. Repurposed suspension engines sat alongside the residences, nestled in scaffolding that seemed only marginally more secure. As the two men entered the creaking old elevator at the centre of the structure the hum of the engines was oppressive.

"How do people live like this, Cortazz?" Meith hissed at his partner.

"It's beyond me." The man named Cortazz's lip curled in distaste. "Don't worry, we'll be in and out in minutes if everything goes smoothly."

The elevator door stuck halfway and had to be pushed into its recess with a grating squeal of metal on metal, but thankfully the apartment they'd come here to visit was the first door on the left so they didn't have to stray any further into this old deathtrap than absolutely necessary. Both men spent a second or two collecting themselves, then Cortazz pressed the intercom and announced their presence.

The man they'd come to see swung his front door open almost before Cortazz had even removed his finger from the ancient intercom button; he'd clearly been waiting for them. He had a disconcertingly wild gaze, and greasy black hair that framed his pale features like a mane. "You're the men who called me last week..?" he asked with an edge of frantic desperation.

"Cortazz Doran and Meith Portela," the elder man replied. "...You're Myke Chypurz, I take it?"

"Yeah, yeah - come in." He ushered the two men quickly into his dingy apartment and noticed that Meith was examining a many-prodded handheld device that looked like some kind of medical scanner. "Uhh, what's that..?" he asked his visitors.

"He was telling the truth!" Meith beamed, ignoring the question altogether. "He's got nearly more tech in him than organs!"

"Hey--!" Before Myke Chypurz could complete his protestation, Cortazz had taken advantage of the distraction to inject a sedative hypospray into his neck. Myke Chypurz collapsed on the floor in his own flat with a thump that scared a nearby bug into skittering away beneath his front door.

"Sorry for the rude hello," Cortazz spoke as both men stood over their unconscious victim, "But you'll rest in peace soon knowing that the Fraterne Electre couldn't make our next move without you.

When we free Lightning Lady and Lightning Lord from captivity, we'll be sure to tell them it wouldn't have been possible without Storm Boy's sacrifice."

**********

MARS, NOW
A combat training room beneath the Legion Academy's Arqiia Campus


ROLL CALL
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology

Legion Academy
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: co-head; telepathy
Amp aka Ming Sul: amplification of any power or characteristic
Chemical Kid aka Hadru Jamik: control of chemical reactions
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Enigma Lass: ?
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: ability to bypass any man-made lock or barrier
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Sojurn aka S'jn: interdimensional cephalopod; teleportation, telekinesis, telepathy
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

As the back of Chemical Kid's head smacked against a padded safety mat, the neophyte hero grunted through gritted teeth.

"I do hope I wasn't too rough, darling!" The insectoid Legionnaire Strut bent down close enough to Chemical Kid's face that Hadru could see his own fuzzy silhouette reflected in Strut's multi-faceted eyes. "I forget you mammals don't have an exoskeleton sometimes!"

Strut offered an appendage, and Hadru took the gesture gratefully. "Just...winded," the young Phlonian replied as he let Strut help him to his feet. "One of these days I'll figure out a chemical reaction that works against your species, you know."

"I'm absolutely certain you will!" Strut remarked with either encouragement or condescension; his lack of facial expressions made it infuriatingly difficult to tell.

"I'm sure you will too," Saturn Girl chimed in from where she stood on the sidelines. "But in the meantime you may want to think about working on your hand to hand skills, Chemical Kid. You're going to come across unfamiliar biochemistry more often than you expect."

Hadru Jamik grumbled under his breath and adjusted his holospecs as he skulked off to join his fellow students standing behind Saturn Girl. Imra didn't react visibly, but to be honest she was impressed with Hadru's restraint; the Chemical Kid she'd known a few months ago would have thrown a tantrum about how unfair it was that he was expected to be able to stand alone against someone he couldn't use his powers on. Saturn Girl was glad to see that Hadru really was making an effort to change since Marya and the others had convinced him not to leave the Academy.

"Don't feel too bad!" Key Kid tried to cheer Chemical Kid up as Hadru took his place at the end of the line of students who'd already gone up against Strut.

"Miqui's right," Amp added, still a little annoyed at her own failure. "It's not like most of us did any better."

Of all the students, Lullabye Lad was the only one not looking dejected. In fact, Waiane Wentim was grinning like the proverbial cat who swallowed the canary. "I mean...it's not like all of us got our nasses kicked either!"

"Oh give it a rest, Waiane!" Dragonwing snapped. "It's not a fair fight when you can just put someone to sleep before they even make a move."

"Can you let me have this one, Marya?" Lullabye Lad made a face at her. "For once I'm not spending a training session hiding behind you guys while you take out a bunch of stupid robots my dumb power doesn't work against, I think I'm allowed to be smug!"

"Students." Saturn Girl cast a stern look over them all and they all straightened their postures and stopped bickering. "...Thank you."

Saturn Girl turned back to the sole remaining student who hadn't sparred with Strut yet. "Now, Enigma Lass..." Imra's voice softened as she addressed the mysterious hooded girl. "Nobody expects you to be able to defeat a member of the Legion of Superheroes in single combat...the reason that Strut here was kind enough to join our session today was so that we can gauge where you're all at when it comes to facing a living opponent. Simulations have their place in training, but there's no substitute for sparring with a real person when it comes to improving your confidence and skill in a fight. And you may come away with a bruise or two, but you can be assured that's the worst that's going to happen to you in here."

"Saturn Girl is absolutely right," Strut added. This shy little girl was maybe not even half as tall as him; he felt awful enough having to roughhouse with her as it was without also having to worry about the poor dear being frightened of him on top of it. "I'll tell you a secret, Enigma Lass...I may act like I'm an incredibly self-absorbed narcissist, but underneath it all I'm actually extremely shallow. I couldn't possibly handle the emotional burden of really hurting anybody, you're perfectly safe with me!"

Enigma Lass gave a tiny giggle behind her gloved hand before clearing her throat. "Thank you both, but....I can do this. I would like to make an attempt at least, as my fellow students have done." Her bubble-edged coat floating behind her, Enigma Lass stepped onto the mat and took her place opposite Strut.

Saturn Girl gave them the signal to begin, and Enigma Lass immediately began circling Strut. He could tell that she was just copying what she'd seen Dragonwing and Amp do, but the poor child had clearly never performed an act of violence in her life. Deciding that it would be best to just end this as swiftly as possible, Strut closed the range between them and moved to sweep her leg out from beneath her. He suddenly froze in his tracks, and even swayed back slightly with one of his lower limbs on the ground and the other just hovering there awkwardly in mid-strike.

"Enigma Lass!" Variable Lad cried out. "He is off-balance! Now is your opportunity!"

Oaa's enthusiasm suddenly made Enigma Lass realise she had the upper hand. She shoulder-barged Strut's one standing leg, and though it was a clumsy maneuver it did its job. Strut fell sideways to the mat, and the other students all let out exuberant cheers.

Of all the students, Sojurn alone hung back to ponder what they'd just experienced. Sojurn was unsure, but Strut had seemed....anxious? Frightened? There was some kind of spike of negative emotion but perhaps, as Chemical Kid had pointed out, Strut was just too alien for Sojurn to read properly.

Still...regardless of anything Sojurn may or may not have felt from Strut himself, Sojurn was absolutely certain that Saturn Girl had made telepathic contact with the insectoid Legionnaire after he'd fallen. It was all very curious...

"Good work, Enigma Lass!" Saturn Girl spoke aloud. "Alright everyone, take a break and go hydrate. We'll see you all back here in five."

"Yes..." Strut waved stiffly as the rest of the class practically carried Enigma Lass out of the room, most of them shotgunning questions at her one after the other. "...You've named yourself very well, Enigma Lass! You are quite the surprise!"

The telepathic contact that Sojurn had detected was Saturn Girl asking Strut to stay back so Imra could clear things up with him, and once the students had left the room she tried to do just that. "Strut, I am so sorry! I thought Enigma Lass's costume kept her shielded from exotic senses, if I'd known that your electrochemical perceptions would give you such an adverse reaction to her physiology I swear I would have given you advance warning! I feel just terrible!"

"Don't fret, darling. You don't know what you don't know, after all." Strut forced himself to shake off the chill that had invaded him ever since he'd gotten close to that girl. "I'm afraid I'm going to need more of an explanation than an apology though, Saturn Girl...

...because if I didn't know any better, I would swear that child has been dead for a very long time."

**********

MARS ORBIT
Legion of Superheroes mobile base, team leader's office


ROLL CALL
Blok: team leader; magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility

With Diamond Damsel, Timber Wolf and Mysa Marvel gathered round him, Blok looked over the office space that Phantom Girl had so kindly cleaned out for him to make his own.

"My friends," the stone giant said dryly as he regarded furniture that was nowhere near large enough to accommodate him, "I think I may need a bigger office."

"I still can't believe these nuts made you the big boss, pebblehead!" Brin Londo slapped Blok on the arm. "Who'da thought we'd ever see the day?"

"Didn't you tell me yesterday that you voted for Blok, Timber Wolf?" Diamond Damsel flashed him a look of puzzled amusement.

"Of course I'm gonna vote for the big lunk!" Brin laughed. "He's my bud! But when does anyone in this team ever agree with me?"

Mysa gave Timber Wolf a knowing smile. "You forget, Brin Londo...I was here when we made you deputy leader; your teammates have more regard for you than you like to admit. Congratulations, Blok. I'm so happy for you!"

"How do you feel, Mysa?" Diamond Damsel changed the subject. "From what I hear, Ultra Boy only beat you for the deputy position by one vote!"

"Honestly, it's lovely to know my friends have such confidence in me," Mysa answered, "But really I've only just come back to the Legion and I'm still getting used to my new status quo. I think Ultra Boy was definitely the right choice."

"I hope that I can be worthy of the confidence the Legion are showing in me," Blok added thoughtfully. "I may hold a portion of the wisdom of Solomon, but I have never held a position of such responsibility before...and there is so much to do; Glorith is still out there somewhere, and I must ensure that our new recruits are settling in as best they can. I will need to familiarise myself with our student body at the Academy, with the work that the Bina Nawoti Foundation are doing....I must meet with our support staff..."

On that cue, a breep sounded, and the Legion's Communications Officer Trava Coruu appeared in the room via shimmering hologram. She'd been employed by the Legion long enough now that Blok could tell almost straight away that this was the more assertive of the Carggite woman's three bodies. "Welcome to your first day on the job, big guy!" she winked. "Jrey would like to organise a catch up when you're free...your schedule's wide open, but I figured that's probably because you haven't had two nanos to start blocking anything in yet."

"Thank you, Trava. Please ask Jrey to bear with me and I shall be available in a few moments."

Blok turned to the others, but Diamond Damsel had already started herding everyone out of the room. "We'll leave you to it, Blok. Don't worry about a thing, you'll be fine!" More impulsively than usual, Diamond Damsel blew him a quick kiss and then she accompanied Mysa Marvel and Timber Wolf down the corridor as the door closed behind them.

"Jrey, thank you for your patience," Blok greeted the team's counsellor once Trava patched him through. "I am pleased that you have contacted me, I had intended on meeting with all of the team's support staff individually as soon as I had an opportunity."

"Hello Blok, and congratulations!" Jrey Lefen responded. "I do look forward to seeing you face to face when you've settled in some, but I believe I have something you may wish to address more swiftly. I'm truly sorry to have to dump this on you when you've literally just taken office, but Phantom Girl did tell me that I should advise her immediately if any of the Legion haven't been attending their mandatory counselling sessions, so I assumed you'd feel the same way."

"Of course," Blok agreed. "Please, there is no need to apologise for fulfilling the duties for which we hired you." Thanks to the wisdom of Solomon, Blok had already formed a very short list of suspects whom Jrey might be referring to, so the counsellor's next words came as no shock.

"This is a part of my job that I don't relish," the Durlan admitted. "But, well...I'm afraid it's Wildfire..."

**********

EARTH
Mega-California, the Museum of Mystic Arts


The Sisterhood of Sin had descended upon the Museum of Mystic Arts like a force of nature. The quirky institution's four security droids were no match for Nimbus's versatile forcefield, and emergency barrier fields fared no better against Star-Bear's ferocious strength. Vista and Veilmist's powers casually removed ancient parchments, books and magical instruments from the museum, and most of the staff and patrons alike had been smart enough to flee as soon as they had an opening to do so.

The Museum of Mystic Arts was Antonio Stefanacci's life's work though, and he wasn't prepared to just watch these women tear his life's work to ruins. Stefanacci had gained some small arcane ability during the Magic Wars, and he'd hoped that he would be able to use that to bluff the Sisterhood into retreat.

...Unfortunately Antonio Stefanacci had not reckoned on the Khund sorceress named Scorn, nor her lust for violence.

Scorn had easily pummelled the older and more frail man to the floor before ever drawing on her magic or her weapon. As she hoisted the badly beaten Head Curator in the air with a fistful of his ornate lacey shirt in her left hand, her right hand now drew upon her blood dagger. "It is an insult to mages to call you a mage, old man...but it may be best if we leave behind nobody with the expertise to know what we have taken this day. Prepare to explain your failure to your disgusted ancestors."

Before she could bury her blade in Antonio Stefanacci's guts and before he could do more than even begin to whimper in protest, an energy blast from outside the building shattered an exterior wall on the other side of the room. A blur of motion far too fast for Scorn to track sped past her, and she realised with a start that Stefanacci was gone!

The winged woman Dawnstar circled the damaged room in a graceful arc before whisking Antonio Stefanacci to safety back out of the hole Wildfire had just made. "Drake, remember!" she cautioned Wildfire, who had now entered the museum himself. "Star-Bear absorbs--"

"Yeah yeah, let her absorb this!" He made a fist at the charging Star-Bear, and the taut knuckles of his glove were soon subsumed in a potent blast of anti-energy.

Normally, Star-Bear could absorb exotic energies to fuel her power; she had never come across anti-energy before though, and the eight foot tall cosmic bear staggered backwards in pain as her system shuddered at its touch. She opened her mouth to cry out in fury, and she was as surprised as anybody else in the room when a deafening bellow caused the air to shimmer in its path. She'd converted Wildfire's energy into a sonic battering ram, and it slammed him back out of the museum and through the wall of a neighbouring building.

Nimbus's eyebrows shot up. "Shock, I didn't know you could do that!!"

"I did not know either!" Star-Bear remarked gleefully. "Let me see what else the Legionnaire has for me!"

Outside the building, Dawnstar had just transferred Antonio Stefanacci to a Science Police armoured vehicle when she saw Wildfire smash through the adjacent office space. Mentally she began to chastise Wildfire for being so impulsive when she heard Stefanacci issue a shrill warning. Dawnstar reacted just in time to evade the silent slashing talon of White Bat, but the mute assassin's hardlight wing still cut a neat slit in Dawnstar's shoulder before circling back for another strike.

The cut was so clean that it didn't start bleeding straight away, but Dawnstar saw no reason to give her assailant a second chance. Satisfied to hear the door of the SP vehicle slam shut behind her, Dawnstar spread her wings and took to the sky. Now that she was ready for White Bat, she knew she could outrace her without effort; she couldn't make it look too easy though, if she proved too difficult a target the killer would likely just target someone easier.

Standing at the edge of the hole Wildfire had made in the side of the museum, Scorn and Nimbus watched Dawnstar and White Bat loop around one another above while Wildfire and Star-Bear destroyed more of the building opposite. "We should assist them," Scorn stated. "Vista and Veilmist do not need our assistance with their own tasks."

"To be honest, I don't think White Bat or Star-Bear do either," Nimbus smirked. "But it could be fun! You think your blood magic will work on an energy being?"

"There is only one way to find out," Scorn replied stoically. She took a few steps back and then with a running jump cleared the twelve foot gap between the two buildings with only mild effort.

Nimbus couldn't help but be impressed; Scorn was the only one of the Sisterhood who didn't have actual powers if you discounted her magical knowledge, but damned if she wasn't a beast in combat. Nimbus opened the radiotelepathy link that she alone shared with White Bat and began plotting a pincer movement to capture Dawnstar between them. Just as she was starting to get into position though, White Bat told her something that meant--

"--a change of plans," Vista finished saying as she approached Veilmist inside the trashed Museum of Mystic Arts. "Nimbus just called me, White Bat has seen more Legionnaires flying in. They're still several blocks away, but she's already identifed Colossal Boy, Slug and Transposition Lad and she says there are two or three others coming along with them. Slug and Transposition Lad are still new recruits in this era; honestly, I don't hate our chances. But still..."

"...Still, it is not something that we need to put to the test," Veilmist followed her train of thought. "Not when we have achieved so much of our goal here."

"You're starting to think tactically!" Vista gave the attractive pink woman rare praise. "Good girl. Let's spend another few seconds finishing up here and then you can get us all somewhere nice and far away."

So it was that just as Colossal Boy closed in on Star-Bear, and Transposition Lad had come close enough to switch Dawnstar out for the more physically resistant Slug, every member of the Sisterhood of Sin vanished one after the other in lavender-scented plumes of smoke.

Nightwind and Element Lad had been the final two heroes that White Bat had seen approaching, and Jan Arrah correctly pointed out that with Dawnstar on their side they didn't need to chase after the Sisterhood of Sin straight away when they could just track them down later. Right now, it was more important to find out why they'd been here in the first place and make sure that nobody at the museum had been hurt.

"I am ecstatic that Earthgov have recanted their short-sighted stance regarding the Legion of Superheroes operating on Earth," Antonio Stefanacci addressed the heroes once he'd received medical attention. " I shudder to think how today could have ended were you not already planetside dealing with that mess in Metropolis when we sounded the alarm! I must say though, this Sisterhood of Sin's rampage seemed so random. I am not certain that they even knew what it was that they were looking for! They did however seek out our exhibits from Earth's golden age of heroes more fervently than anything else displayed here. We have ritual artifacts from other worlds that they spurned, but they took journals and other documents from far less notable mystics who lived on Earth a thousand years ago!"

"They took some dusty old books and left this behind?" Transposition Lad held a familiar golden helm at arm's length.

Slug's eyestalks stretched thin with shock. "The Sisterhood of Sin nearly stole Dr Fate's helmet??"

"That is a replica, Legionnaires." One of the museum's other curators, a lean six-armed young man, took the fake helmet from Transposition Lad with an indulgent chuckle. "Why, it would be more likely that I would be Dr Fate myself than for us to treat a sacred relic of one of the Lords of Order as a simple curio!"

"Guys...you don't think this is Glorith again, do you?" Nightwind voiced the concern that at least some of the others shared.

"Let's not jump to conclusions just yet," Element Lad cautioned. "Dawnstar, once your injury's been looked after can you please work on tracking the Sisterhood of Sin? I suspect Veilmist won't make it easy for us, but we should at least try...and Dr Stefanacci, if you could please send an inventory of what was taken to the Legion as soon as possible that will be greatly helpful."

"While you're so happy throwing orders around, what do the rest of us do?" Wildfire asked brusquely.

"The rest of us stay here and assist with clean up," Jan replied, some annoyance in his tone. "A lot of this property damage was your fault if I'm not mistaken, Wildfire. The least we can do is make amends for it."

"Ahh, nuts!" Wildfire kicked at some nearby debris and stomped off.

"Is Wildfire upset..?" Slug asked the others warily.

"Wildfire's just being his normal cranky pain in the nass self," Colossal Boy joked. "You'll get used to him, Slug."

Dawnstar said nothing as she watched Wildfire start gathering rubble into a central location. It seemed that Wildfire had been his normal cranky pain in the nass self more and more since they'd faced Mordru the Merciless...

...and the longer this went on, the less she knew what she could do about it...


**********

Quote
THE LEADERSHIP ELECTION RESULTS!
Thanks to everyone who voted! As y'all know by now, Blok finally got the chance to strut his stuff!!

Because Jo and Mysa scored evenly for second place, I used an online randomiser to choose between them for the deputy position...the Legion might be glad Mysa didn't get the role before too long, but that is something you will all find out about soon enough! Without further ado, here's the final tally!

BLOK - 5 votes
ULTRA BOY - 3 votes
MYSA MARVEL - 3 votes
PHANTOM GIRL - 2 votes
CHAMELEON BOY - 2 votes
ELASTIC LAD - 1 vote
DRAGONMAGE - 1 vote
KID COMPUTO - 1 vote

And although this is going to look a little different before the end of the year, here is the current roster!

BLOK (leader)
CHAMELEON BOY
CHLOROPHYLL KID
COLOR KID
COLOSSAL BOY
COMET QUEEN
COSMIC BOY
CRYSTAL KID
DAWNSTAR
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DOGSTAR
DRAGONMAGE
DREAM GIRL
ELASTIC LAD
ELEMENT LAD
EVOLVO LAD
FIRECREST
GAS GIRL
GRAVITY KID
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
KID COMPUTO
KING CANARY
LIFE LASS
LIGHT LAD
LIGHTNING LASS
MATTER-EATER LAD
MON-EL
MWINDAJI
MYSA MARVEL
NEON
NIGHT GIRL
NIGHTWIND
PHANTOM GIRL
POLAR BOY
SHADOW LASS
SHERANEE
SHRINKING VIOLET
SIZZLE
SLUG
STAR BOY
STONE BOY
STRUT
SUN BOY
SUPERGIRL II
TELLUS
TIMBER WOLF
TRANSPOSITION LAD
TRUTH GIRL
ULTRA BOY (deputy leader)
WILDFIRE
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Wild Storms Brewing... - 05/16/23 04:52 PM
yay, more!!

Loving the look back at Earth's history... with Nevada and Utah having become wastelands. yikes, Storm Boy! and seven months ago, so that does not sound good for old Myke... Lightning Lord and Lightning Lady, uh oh! I remember your Lightning Lady story... eek!

nice to see Arqiia memorialized. sob!

good to see Hadru growing up a bit... and Imra's comment re working on hand-to-hand is wise wink ties into a lot of the forum discussions recently too

LOL at Waiane being terribly smug, and everyone being shut up by Imra quickly

also good point re actual, real life sparring versus only simulations...


Strut continues to be hilarious smile

whoa!! the plot thickens... What did Strut sense? unique physiology, what?! and... who exactly knows who Enigma Lass is? Besides Imra and Garth of course. Do the other Legionnaires know?

yes! Blok won! whohoooo! also a nice collection of his closest friends on the team... and they make a powerful grouping!

ooh nice, and Jo as Deputy! you write him well, with hidden depths, so good to see.

loving that Wisdom of Solomon in action. Huh, Wildfire was the one who cancelled their session...! I thought he'd settled things with Dawnstar, but I do remember he was still smarting from Mordrus's illusion!

Good old Antonio, glad he put up a good fight and glad he was saved in time!

huh, Star-Bear discovered a new facet of her power!

Loving how tactically Dawny is thinking

Scorn is indeed impressive. Magical knowledge... great fighting skills....

interesting that Nimbus and White Bat share a private commslink...



loving the future references, with Slug and T-Lad being "new recruits in this era". heh!

is that six-armed man a reference to the Bendis Dr. Fate? smile


interesting election results too! Am I right that Blok got a unanimous vote? also interesting that current Deputy Nightwind didn't get a vote. (I know why I didn't vote for her, I didn't like how she handled the Nightstone/Gravity Kid sitch, but I wonder why others didn't?) and Elastic Lad would have been a hoot and a bit of a nightmare I think tongue Cham is a good choice too!



and ooh, you already have membership changes in store! eager to see where you go with the lineup smile
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Wild Storms Brewing... - 05/22/23 12:32 PM
Hey Raz, I've gor a whole hour free so want to dve in and check out your latest post.

Loving your description of Earth, of course not everyone will get into a shiny chrome tower. Did you pick Nevada and Utah as 'slums' for any reason? "that looked like it was one dust devil away from being so much wreckage" great line! Myke Chypurz - I feel like I should recognise that name. Ouch, thw Fraterne Electre mean business - and he's Storm Boy! Of course, I re-read the whole Earth Man/Superman storyline a few months ago, so that'll be why I know the name, glad I'm not going mad laugh Atleast not there anyway. And, Lightning Lord and Lightning Lady - I do like your villains Raz, so looking forward to seeing what you do with them.

Yay, Strut smile He makes the perfect sparring partner for the students. Nice that you limit Hadru's powers as he could easily become just too much, too easily. And good to see him shoe the start of maturity. How funny that Lullaby Lad is so chuffed at winning his fight and the other students all snipe about it. Funny how shy Enigma Lass is. Her needing to be told to take advantage of Struts immobility doesn't bode well for a speedy rise through the ranks to becoming a full Legionnaire any time soon. And that's some ending! Has been dead for a long time time? Is she a vampire? I'll have to go back a re-read your section when the team where on Kathoon, see if there's something there.

Brins surprise at Blok getting the leadership was funny, he has no social skills, haha. "But when does anyone in this team ever agree with me?" haha. I'm looking forward to seeng what yo do with him, and how well he handles leadership. And it was Wildfire that missed the appointment - is he still suffering from Mordru's manipulation of him? Whoah, he's not a character you want to go off the rails.

Totally loving your Sisterhood of sin! And great to see Antonio Stefanacci and I'm glad you didn't have Scorn kill him. Of course Drake won't listen to reason and just get stuck in - interesting that star Bear turns his energy in sound! Does her powers work something like Sizzle, or does it usuaully fuel her strength and size? Scorn and Nimbus deciding to help their teammates was a fun little conversation, they know White Bat and Star Bear smile Ah, more Legionnaires incoming, pity it was shaping up to a nice little scrap, and I'm pleased that you added the line that Slug and T-Lad are new recruits in this era, meaning, I hope, that they have long careers with the Legion. I wonder what the Sisterghood took? A lean six armed youth - ummm Bendis'Dr Fate perhaps? nice. Happy to see Jan take charhe, and getting half the team to help clean up was well done. Ah, so it was the after effects of Mordru that's causing Wildfire to go even more erratic and gung-ho.

And good to see Blok and Jo get the two top spots - it'll be interesting seeing what you do with the boys in charge now.

This was a lot of fun, covered a lpt of ground and gave some really really nice character moments too, well done Raz, top notch storytelling smile

Of, course that does mean that I'm even more eager for more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 16 MAY* - 05/27/23 11:19 AM
Hi all, thanks for the R&R!

re Enigma Lass: I can neither confirm nor deny if anyone else in the Legion knows her deal yet, however I will say that until the time comes where she's actively trying to join the Legion there's probably no need for anyone else on the Legion to know any more than Garth and Imra want to tell them...

The six-armed man was a reference to Bendis Fate! smile I just thought it'd be a cute easter egg, unless I remember him in 8 years time and decide to make him into a real character laugh

IB: from memory, Blok didn't get a unanimous vote - I think he might have been the only one to have more than one person vote for him though, which is what pushed him out in front.

Harbi: for Storm Boy's residence, I got inspiration from Simon Stalenhag's book The Electric State which is kind of a road trip across a post-apocalyptic US west coast. This image in particular grabbed me for the Shantytown residence (and Shanty Town is actually a real place in Nevada! It came up when I was googling a good setting and it seemed too perfect for the vibe I was going for!)

[Linked Image from live.staticflickr.com]

Star-Bear channelling Wildfire's anti-energy like that was as much a surprise to her as anyone else...normally she's just a big brawler, but I like the idea that she just hasn't really had time to explore her powers properly. After all, at the point Earth-Man rescued her to join the Judgement League she had only literally just gotten her powers so she hasn't had much experience.

NEXT UP: Wildfire is cranky! The quest for the Demon Father gets kicked up a notch! And Dragonmage fights alone!!
Originally Posted by razsolo
IB: from memory, Blok didn't get a unanimous vote - I think he might have been the only one to have more than one person vote for him though, which is what pushed him out in front.


ah got it, did you do a ranking-type thing where rank 1 gets 3 points, something like that? makes sense smile when you said 5 votes, I thought 5 different people voted for Blok... but if it was a ranking-type thing with points, it all adds up for me now lol

and whoo looking forward for more... also curious as to why Enigma Lass' identity is so hush hush smile
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 16 MAY* - 06/02/23 08:28 AM
Yup! I wasn't sure how many people would be voting so I made it a staggered point system just so I would be less likely to be stuck in a situation with 2 or 3 characters tied for first place smile

Enigma Lass's secret will be revealed before too much longer actually, but I am gonna have fun dropping some more hints and red herrings first laugh
wise... I also made my elections staggered points to help avoid ties, lol!

aahhh one of these days I just know I will dream about Enigma Lass lol
I hope that picture is photoshopped Raz! Wow, what a building! Love it that there's actually a place called Shantytown, wonder what's it's like (you just know I'm going onto google to search now, don't you laugh ). I've never read any Simon Stalenhag but will look out for his work now, thanks.

You and IB are very brave allowing us to vote for your team's leaders. TBH I'm a bit of a scaredy-cat of doing that, though who knows, perhaps I will for the next election...
I would love to cast votes for your team, Harbi wink (don't worry, I'm the kind of voter who thinks: who would actually be a good team leader, not who would make the most drama lol)
Posted By: razsolo Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 16 MAY* - 06/06/23 10:06 AM
Originally Posted by Harbinger
I hope that picture is photoshopped Raz! Wow, what a building!
His whole book is full of scenes like that, they're really cool! I actually bought it ages ago just because I love the art but it occurred to me recently that a lot of it would make good backdrops for Legion stories too! smile

re voting for team leader - it is fun seeing who people come up with! I wrote Phantom Girl longer than any of my other leaders, she fit in the role so easily it just made sense to keep her there. And having Blok in that spot now is gonna make me think more about what his day to day routine would be like (and as a bonus, I get to write Diamond Damsel more now too!)...I would also be into casting votes as well if you decide to do it, Harbi!
Posted By: razsolo Enter the Dragonslayer! - 06/10/23 12:48 PM
EARTH ORBIT
The Legion of Superheroes mobile base, Blok's quarters


ROLL CALL
Blok: team leader; magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

Though every Legionnaire's personal quarters was tailored to be reflective of their own unique personalities and backgrounds, Blok's was perhaps more unique than most. For all the time that Drake Burroughs had known Blok, Wildfire wasn't sure what he'd expected the stone giant's residence to look like...but in hindsight he realised he probably should have expected something like this.

Stepping across the threshold into Blok's quarters almost made Wildfire forget that he was on a mobile space station at all. Lush greenery surrounded them in a space that seemed larger than any internal room could be, with ferns and moss-covered boulders in abundance. A tiny brook babbled delicately through the centre of the room, and birdsong and the rustle of leaves could be heard all around.

"Thank you for agreeing to see me here," Blok's gravelly voice welcomed Wildfire. "I know that I have an office space available to me as team leader, but I am currently renovating that space to be more customised to my own needs."

"Already embezzling Legion funds for personal use, huh?" Wildfire joked sardonically. He perched himself on a flat stone and was mildly amused to watch as an actual butterfly landed on his gauntlet for a moment before flitting away again. "What did you want to see me for anyway? You got my report on the Sisterhood of Sin's little break and enter back on Earth, right?"

"I have received your report," Blok acknowledged as he sat in a grassy clearing opposite Wildfire. "And it was quite informative, thank you. Once Dragonmage returns from his personal leave I shall ask him to lend his expertise to the matter of their ransacking. That is not what I wanted to speak to you about today however, my friend."

"Then what--?" Wildfire was confused and starting to feel a little apprehensive.

"Perhaps it would be best for me to speak plainly," Blok intoned. "Jrey Lefen informs me that you have missed multiple counselling sessions with him, Wildfire. I do not wish to pry into your personal affairs, but you know that it is compulsory for all Legionnaires to attend regular sessions with our team counsellor."

"Oh, come off it!" Wildfire scoffed. "We've had a team counsellor for all of five nanos, Blok. We all managed to get along just fine before Phantom Girl put that guy on the payroll, I don't see why we're all such delicate flowers now that we can't survive without someone psycho-babbling at us every couple of weeks!"

"I am sensing some hostility from you, my friend--"

"You think?!" Wildfire stood to his feet. "Damn it Blok, I give everything I have to this team and I've been giving everything I have to this team since before we ever had to figure out how to fit a flight ring on your massive mitt. Now you expect me to air my dirty laundry to some random head-shrinker so I can keep doing the job I've been doing for years already??"

"Wildfire--"

"Screw it!" Wildfire gave a violently dismissive wave and stalked toward the door. "Do what you want, but don't expect me to play your head games!"

The door obediently slid into its recess, and Wildfire almost bowled over an approaching Diamond Damsel as he stormed off down the corridor.

"Ouch." Iris Jacobs watched as Wildfire marched off. "I take it your little talk didn't go as planned then?"

Blok sighed, a sound like great rocks shifting. "Perhaps I should ask Ultra Boy to intervene," he pondered. "Wildfire has always been quick to anger, but I feel I should have handled the situation more sensitively...and Ultra Boy has known Wildfire far longer than I--"

"Ultra Boy and sensitive aren't really two things I'd associate together," Diamond Damsel said dryly. "Blok, why don't you let me talk to Wildfire..? I think I might actually understand where his anger comes from more than maybe anybody else on the team and I'm happy to help if I can..."

Blok closed his giant gold-flecked arms around Diamond Damsel's waist and rested his chin on the top of her head. "I may benefit from the wisdom of Solomon, but I think your wisdom is greater here.

...Thank you, Iris."

**********

Light Lad had just come back to base from a weekend away with his partner Kent Shakespeare, at the same time that Invisible Kid and Kid Computo returned from visiting their family on Earth. With their shuttles arriving simultaneously, Danielle Foccart had kindly taken over the chore of landing them in the Legion's hangar and the three heroes now waited together for a turbolift.

When the turbolift arrived, Wildfire came stomping out between all three of them. With bootjets roaring, he'd flown out through the hangar's specially constructed forcefield into the void of space before Kid Computo had even had a chance to finish protesting his lack of manners.

"I've got half a mind to seal his containment suit and switch off his flight ring and just leave that rude squaj floating in space until one of us decide to go rescue him," Danielle pouted once the lift doors closed.

"Wildfire has always been impetuous, ma soeur." Jacques Foccart gave an indulgent smile toward his younger sister's crankiness. "Best not to let him get to you."

"I think your brother's right," Light Lad offered. "Wildfire--" The door opened again before Darvan Locke could continue, and Gravity Kid stepped into the turbolift. Suddenly remembering something that had been in the back of his mind, Light Lad immediately changed tack. "Oh, hey! Gravity Kid, I'm glad I bumped into you! I'm gonna have to cancel our next training session we lined up with Star Boy! Ayla and I got clearance to go visit our siblings on Takron-Galtos."

"Are you kidding?" Gravity Kid snapped. He held an arm out to prevent the turbolift door from closing behind him. "We haven't had a training session for weeks, Light Lad!"

"Tel, I'm sorry but I haven't seen my sister in months," Light Lad tried to defuse the situation. "Even Legionnaires have to work within Takron-Galtos's bureaucracy. I'll make it up to you--"

"Whatever." Tel Vole turned on his heel and walked straight back out of the turbolift. "Don't hurt yourself doing me any favours."

The door closed between them, and Light Lad's eyes bulged. "...Yikes."

"What is this?" Kid Computo threw up her hands. "Angry Legionnaire Day??"

"I do not know," Invisible Kid replied, "But suddenly I wish we'd listened to our parents and stayed for dessert..."

**********

SHANGHAI COLONIES
Chonggao De Chengshi Cemetery


ROLL CALL
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy

Millions of miles away from the Legion of Superheroes' mobile base, one of many enormous domed cities in Sol's main asteroid belt possessed a particular quality which set it apart from the rest of the Shanghai Colonies of which it was a part; Chonggao De Chengshi was not a home for the living, but rather a sprawling city of the dead.

All of the domed cities of the Shanghai Colonies had their own individual post-life facilities either large or small, but Chonggao De Chengshi had been conceived from the very start to be an enduring place of final rest for the brave Terrans who'd given up their homeworld to make new lives out here, and also for the generations who succeeded them.

Any other day, the domed necropolis was a mostly empty gardened place as silent as its many graves. Today was the annual Qingming Festival however, and young and old alike came by the tens of thousands to offer prayers and tribute to their loved ones who'd been cremated or entombed here. The odor of burning spirit money mingled with the overpowering sound and smell of fireworks, and colorful kites darted and dipped within the confines of the dome while equally brilliant flowers brightened up the countless rows of headstones and plaques below.

At one of these plaques, the young man named Xao Jin looked surprisingly childish on his knees in an uncomplicated black suit. Tiny blue-green dragonforms of his creation flew around the elegant black plaque and when they opened their crocodile-like jaws, cleansing silver flames shot forth to scour the plaque until the golden characters upon it gleamed bright. "Thank you for coming with me today, Zoe." Xao turned briefly to smile at his friend standing a few feet back in a stylish but unusually subdued grey skirt and long coat. Turning back to the grave, Xao spoke as though his parents were right before him. "Baba, Mama; this is my friend Zoe. Fate has taken both of us to some very surprising places both alone and together."

While Xao chatted away, Zoe wondered idly if he literally could converse with his dead parents. With Dragonmage's magical skills, anything was possible!

Giving her friend a moment to himself, Zoe looked around the vast cemetery. Honestly, she had assumed Xao had asked her to come here with him today because he wanted someone to cheer him up after spending time cleaning the graves of parents who'd died when he was seven, but this whole visit wasn't anywhere near as morbid as she'd expected it would be. Families laughed around her and reminisced about times past, loved ones sat cross-legged in front of their lost friends and partners catching them up on what they'd missed. She'd read that Qingming Festival was a somber experience, but now that she was here it actually seemed quite uplifting. "I guess that's why they call it a festival, dope!" Zoe mumbled to herself.

"Did you say something, Zoe?" Xao enquired, turning again to face her.

"Oh gosh, no! Sorry!" Her hands rushed to cover her mouth. "I didn't mean to intrude!"

"You're not intruding, I invited you!" he reassured her kindly. "You know that Madame Chu was all I had left after what happened to my parents. She used to bring me here for Qingming Festival, even when I was young and frightened of death. Now that she too is gone, well...I can come out here on my own now but it's nicer to have someone to share this with."

Zoe too knelt down now by Xao's left and looked over the Hanzi lining the plaque. She knew she could use the Green Lantern power within her to decipher the Chinese characters, but somehow she felt like that actually would be an intrusion. She appreciated Xao letting her into this part of his life, but it was his life and his loss. She didn't want him to feel compelled to share more than he felt comfortable. "It must be so hard," she said sadly. "It was horrible enough when my friends in the Green Lantern Corps were killed...I can't imagine losing my mom."

Xao considered his answer for a moment. "It was hard," he eventually answered, "I don't think I ever told you what actually happened to them, did I? A qiongqi, which is....well I suppose in terms you'd be familiar with, you could call them demons....anyway, a qiongqi sensed my magical potential even when I was an untrained child and he decided to kill me before I could become a threat to him. I was helpless against him of course, as were both my parents. The same way he sensed me though, Madame Chu sensed his entry into our world. She tracked him down and banished the qiongqi, but not before he had taken both my parents' lives."

"Xao!" Zoe's eyes grew watery. "Did you...oh my stars, were you there when they...when the demon..."

"When he murdered them?" Xao finished Zoe's question for her. "My ba -- my father -- he made me promise to hide among our linens and not to come out, no matter what I might hear. I was still curled up and crying in the bottom shelf of our closet when Madame Chu found me, and she took it upon herself to raise me in the ways of sorcery and to keep me safe until I could do that for myself. I know it's an awful story, Zoe. This is why I don't speak of my parents much...but I also know now, after everything Madame Chu has taught me and everything I've learned as Dragonmage...death is not the end for any of us. My parents dwell somewhere I am privileged only to glimpse every now and then, but I know that they are at peace. And I know that I will be with them again one day."

"...Wow." Sitting back on her heels, Zoe wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand and giggled nervously. "How am I the one getting all weepy when we're here to see your parents?"

Xao gave her a loving glance in return, but with sudden and dramatic violence a shadow approached them and the young mage saw a club slam down across the back of Zoe Saugin's head. She didn't even get a chance to cry out before she collapsed to the hard ground insensate.

Shocked, Xao Jin's focus was broken and his twin cleaning dragons dissipated like so much smoke. To Xao's credit, he recovered quickly enough; pressing a button at his belt, he released an electrostatic charge which instantly converted his civilian clothing into his Dragonmage costume, and he stood to face Neon's mystery assailant.

"Sir, I don't know who you are but you've made a serious error in judgement." Even seething with anger, Dragonmmage couldn't help but be polite to the stranger. "Zoe Saugin is not only one of my dearest friends, she is a member of the Legion of Superheroes; as am I. This is not a fight you wish to start."

"I know exactly who you both are, Dragonmage." Zoe's assailant was a tall bald man who radiated menace. His eyes were two black pits, and his stance was that of an animal ready to tear apart its prey. With unnerving speed, he replaced the club he'd used to bash Zoe on a belt-mounted clip and drew a large dagger which reflected the cemetery's artificial daylight. "Your teammate will recover soon enough, but you will not be in a state to care. I am Tseln of Thaun, but today you may call me Dragonslayer...for that is what I came here to do."

He leaped at Dragonmage, Tseln's own green bodysuit hugging each of the very taut muscles on his body. Xao was too angry to retreat, but he had no doubt that if it came down to a physical confrontation this Dragonslayer would surely hold the upper hand. Fortunately, Xao Jin didn't have to let things get that far.

Weaving his fingers together with supernatural grace, Xao released the energy he'd been gathering these past moments to manifest a slithering red-scaled dragonform between the two men. It circled swiftly around the so-called Dragonslayer and then, binding him tight within its sparkling coils, it rose a few feet back and safely distant from Dragonmage. "I don't even know you," Dragonmage's brow furrowed, his tone sharpening despite himself. "What possible reason could you have to murder me?"

"It is no surprise that you do not know my name," the Dragonslayer sneered, shifting about as if to test the strength of Xao's dragonform. "Once I was a killer of men, one of the galaxy's most proficient. But then a chance encounter with an errant demon left me with my pride broken and my life upended. I thought I had the skill to destroy the arcane beast, but it humbled me all too easily. I rotted in a prison back on Thaun for oh so many years, and in that time I pondered my life, the choices I had made."

Dragonmage sensed that the man named Tseln was stalling to buy himself some time, but it didn't bother him. Xao was confident that his magic could hold one lone man, and the longer Tseln kept raving the more likely it was that Zoe would wake up and be able to imprison him more securely or that the Science Police might arrive.

"That demon made a mistake sparing my life," Tseln continued. "For I realise now that I wasted my talents slaying ordinary men and women...I have rededicated my existence to ending all supernatural life, and I decided to start with you. The way you pretend to be a hero, it sickens me! At least I have always had the self-awareness to know that I am a monster! I will not suffer you to draw another day of breath, Dragonmage!"

Dragonmage took a breath to respond, but the Dragonslayer found the right place to flex his arm just so and a mild spear of discomfort shot through Xao's temple. Xao flinched as the villain's dagger tore right through the crimson dragonform, shredding it to nothingness and passing the psychic feedback on to its master. "My knife is mithril silver," Dragonslayer explained as he advanced on Dragonmage once more. "And it has tasted a blood sacrifice to the gods of luck! It has the power to destroy any creature of magic!"

The surrounding people had noticed by now that their local hero Dragonmage was in combat with some villain. Confident in the Legionnaire's ability to protect them, they were gathering around to watch the spectacle. Xao knew he had to somehow move the fight away from here, but ironically enough there was nowhere in this cemetery to escape the living today. Then he had an epiphany...he might not be keep this fight away from those people, but he might be able to keep those people away from the fight.

Dragonmage used his flight ring to pull back from Tseln's maddened knife thrusts, and created a new dragonform at the same time. Tseln's blade still found purchase once however, and ripped a clean gash into Xao's abdomen. Xao's dragonform shimmered in the making, but Dragonmage refused to succumb to his pain. He finished spinning the dragonform into life, into a vibrant blue creature that flew overhead before dipping down toward the crowd where its circling form subtly pushed everyone back and away from the fight. As soon as it had cleared enough space, it exhaled freezing blasts of air to build a thick wall of ice which created a makeshift arena separating the Dragonslayer, Neon and Dragonmage from everyone else around them.

Now that he didn't have to worry about any civilians Dragonmage could finally focus all of his attention on the Dragonslayer, and Xao was surprised to discover just how much righteous anger he'd been holding back till now. Xao Jin looked down upon the Dragonslayer with a contained cold fury that gave the killer pause for the first time.

"...Just so I understand," Dragonmage chose his words with deliberation, "You really thought the best way to confront me was at my parents' gravesite after you cowardly assaulted my best friend? Am I correct, Tseln the Dragonslayer?"

"You do not frighten me, child." The Dragonslayer gritted his teeth in defiance.

"Don't I, Dragonslayer? I probably should."

Xao Jin's eyes glowed with raw power, and putting aside his concern for Zoe and the burning throb of his wound he drew on even more power. The frost dragon circling them seemed to fade to a powder blue color before becoming as insubstantial as Phantom Girl herself. Tseln realised that the breeze was picking up around them, an impossible eddy which mimicked the dragonform's movements. Dragonmage was using his magic to control the air!

While the sorceror hovered out of reach, Tseln could not stab or strike him; there was no reason he had to be restricted to melee combat though. He flung his dagger at Dragonmage, and though the teen tried to fly out of its path the dagger still stuck deep in his thigh. The sensation was excruciating, and again his dragonform faltered. Instead of rising above his emotions as he usually did, Dragonmage instead let his emotions fuel his power. The bitterly cold winds generated by Xao's dragonform swept Tseln off his feet and into the upper part of the domed sky.

Dragonmage's flight ring steadied him, but he let the dragon's wind carry him along with Tseln. Xao was glad that he didn't have to do this on the ground; if he'd had to put any pressure on his pierced leg he was sure he would have passed out.

"If you're going to kill me," the Dragonslayer spat, "Get it over with! I won't beg for my life!"

"Legionnaires don't kill," Xao replied sharply. "Perhaps those luck gods are looking out for you after all, Dragonslayer."

This high up, Dragonmage had a much better view of Chonggao De Chengshi, and he knew now the quickest way to end this. He had the dragonform fly them over an ornamental lake high on a hill which fed several small creeks that trickled through the cemetery. The dragonform released its hold on Tseln, and the villain plummeted painfully into the lake. As soon as Tseln came up to draw breath, Xao converted the dragonform once more to a frost dragon and froze the surface of the lake around the Dragonslayer into a sheet of buoyant ice which held him rigid and was too thick for him to break.

Hovering above the crowded cemetery long enough to centre himself and contain his emotions once more, Dragonmage then flew back toward Zoe to make sure she wasn't too badly harmed...and then, if Mwindaji wasn't on base, the Legion's new doctor was about to get two new bruised and bloody patients.

**********

LUMBAK
Aantapholis, the World Gallery


ROLL CALL
Sisterhood of Sin
Scorn: Khund blood witch
Star-Bear aka Ursula Yenova: cosmic ursinthrope
Vista: contains a pocket astral environment in her mind

The Sisterhood of Sin had stayed busy these past several days.

The first 12 hours after ransacking the Museum of Mystic Arts on Earth, Veilmist's teleportation kept the team constantly on the move in a successful attempt to confound Dawnstar's famous tracking ability. She'd slowed her pace since then, but the team still never spent more than one night in one place. Every day Scorn, Vista and Star-Bear pored over the artifacts they'd stolen and categorised them as best they could. Nimbus and White Bat kept their eyes out for unwelcome company, and then at the end of the day Veilmist teleported all of them to their next hideout.

Right now they had taken over the planet Lumbak's most prominent art gallery nestled deep in its capital city Aantapholis. Lumbak was a thoroughly unremarkable world, its only claim to fame being one time years in the past that Phantom Girl tracked some criminals down here. The World Gallery had closed hours ago, and Nimbus and White Bat were more than capable of dealing with any security droids who thought to interrupt them.

The Sisterhood had managed to separate the materials they'd stolen into several distinct piles depending on their subject and/or authors. There were separate sections for the Zatara, Constantine and Thirteen bloodlines. They'd so far found more than a dozen incomplete but apparently enchanted decks of tarot cards, one of which Star-Bear had noted with amusement bore images of some of the more legendary members of the Justice League (she had not so secretly pocketed one card named The Moon which featured a delicately illustrated Batwoman; Star-Bear figured she was owed a souvenir or two for her assistance). There were a surprising amount of books and other ancient media about something that Star-Bear vaguely remembered having heard of back in her own era called the Church of Blood (naturally, Scorn had claimed this for herself so she could investigate more thoroughly when she had time).

One thing they hadn't found however was literally anything pointing them to the location or even the existence of this so-called Demon Father.

"I have a question for you, Vista!" Ursula Yenova burst forth with almost aggressive boisterousness. "I have been considering this power of yours....and how is it you can transport books and old electronics into your mindscape world? These things do not have minds, no?"

"The same way I transport people's clothes and other personal effects when I use my power on them," Vista explained curtly, rifling through a box of faded photographs to see if she could find anything of significance although she still really didn't even know what it was that she was meant to be looking for. "I don't know how it works, it just works."

Scorn looked up from where she was studiously separating ancient texts apart from one another twenty feet away from Star-Bear and Vista; judicious use of Scorn's sorcery kept the decrepit paper from decomposing in her hands and had also allowed her to understand much of the language in these Terran documents, but she too was growing frustrated with this search. Blood divination had sent her on this path, she was certain they had done the right thing in invading that place on Earth...but she was growing impatient for her divination to bear fruit.

"Star-Bear!" Scorn barked across the room. "We recruited you to this team because of your familiarity with this era...would it be too much to ask you to put that familiarity to use?"

"Keep your chainmail on, Khund." Star-Bear rolled her eyes and squatted by the nearest unsorted pile. "I joined your team because Vista promised me there would be punching! So far there has been precious little of that, you need a librarian more than a Star-Bear I think."

Scorn's eyes flickered with anger, but she saw that Star-Bear had actually started reading through a book she'd found, so the blood witch held her temper...for now.

A few minutes later, Star-Bear chortled boorishly. "This one should have had a career as a pornographic artist, girls! This is getting me steamy!" She'd been flicking through a large sketchbook, and she held it open now for the others.

Vista ignored her, but Scorn had decided she'd had enough. She cast a furious glare toward the Russian woman and her book, and Scorn's expression changed from anger to wide-eyed awe once she saw what was upon the book's open pages. Sure enough, there were tawdry drawings of naked men and women in different forms of entanglement but that wasn't what commanded her attention.

Scorn immediately got to her feet and stomped over to Star-Bear's side. Without asking, she simply snatched the book out of Ursula's hand and examined the picture which had caught her eye. An elongated rock structure, easily more than a hundred feet high if the stairs carved into the rock were any sign of scale. It was thin and stabbed upwards like some enormous stalagmite, and at the rock's peak it weirdly reached out on a horizontal plane, circling around on itself until it almost formed a full halo. Frustratingly, the page was too torn for Scorn to make sense of the notes that had been scrawled upon it, even with her translation spell. Thrusting it back toward Star-Bear, she spat two words. "Read it."

"There is not much to read," Star-Bear obliged. "This woman's name is...Ella? Something like this, she says this is a cult which is going to make her the bride of Satan, and here is something she calls a gate to somewhere -- but the page is torn here, you see? I cannot know where this gate is or where it leads, but it looks like somewhere fun to me!"

"I know exactly where that gate is," Scorn announced triumphantly. By now, Vista's curiosity had been aroused and she and Star-Bear both stood expectantly before the sorceress.

Scorn continued, her excitement building. "This Earth woman from a thousand years ago has faithfully depicted a natural structure which exists on the cursed world H'crides in the Khund Empire...my people finally gave up trying to colonise it decades ago and now it lays barren of life. Call the others back...

...and tell Veilmist we are going to the Demon's Gate."

**********

EARTH ORBIT
The Legion of Superheroes mobile base, Medlab


ROLL CALL
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Neon aka Zoe Saugin: infused with Green Lantern energy

Dr Skorski: Legion of Superheroes Physician

In her latest Neon costume (a strapless white one-piece leotard, black tights and opera gloves, a white domino mask and headband, and a mini-skirt and Green Lantern icon upon her torso which were both made of emerald light), Zoe Saugin swung her legs in a carefree manner while Dr Skorski's micro-ship hovered over Dragonmage's prone form on the bed opposite. Dainty chrome tentacles wiggled forth from the blue and white ship and expertly sprayed a healing gel on Xao Jin's bare leg.

"You are very lucky, young Dragonmage!" Dr Skorski cooed. "If that nasty fellow's blade had been a few centimetres to the left, he would most certainly have severed your femoral artery!"

"What a jerk that guy was!" Neon blurted. "What kind of creep attacks someone in the middle of a cemetery?!"

"I am just happy that we're both relatively unharmed," Dragonmage turned his head to face his friend. "Thank you for your attention, Dr Skorski. How long do you think until we can be cleared for active duty?"

"Why don't you both come see me in 24 standard hours?" Dr Skorski pondered the question. "I am certain that Neon will be fine, and I should be able to assess your recovery more accurately then as well, Dragonmage."

"Thank you again," Xao replied. He still wasn't sure he could get used to a Teallian sounding anything other than shrill, but he couldn't help but admit Dr Skorski's manner in general was far more pleasant than Quislet's attention-seeking chirrups. Before Dragonmage could get another word out, Star Boy suddenly burst into the Medlab carrying Dream Girl in his arms. Thom Kallor's hairy body was clothed only in a pair of purple briefs, and Nura Nal was swathed in satin sheets. She seemed to be having some kind of psychotic episode, screaming and raving as she thrashed beneath the sheets Thom had used to bind her.

"Doc, you gotta help me!" Star Boy sounded desperate. "I thought she was having a vision, but this...I don't know what this is!" His voice broke toward the end, and Dr Skorski was already by his side with Neon and a half-dressed Dragonmage close behind.

"What's wrong with her face?!" Zoe gasped as Dr Skorski hovered over Nura's body scanning her. Deep cuts had been raked into Dream Girl's forehead just above her perfectly maintained eyebrows, and blood streamed down her face as she convulsed.

"It's...she just started scratching," Thom answered, his eyes welling with tears. "I had to try and restrain her, I was scared she'd claw her eyes out..."

"Place Dream Girl here please, Star Boy." A light switched on over a nearby bed. "I believe your first impression may have been correct. Dream Girl's theta wave activity is consistent with a Naltorian dream state, but you may be gratified to know she is not displaying any other phsyiologically alarming signs. I can safely sedate her for now." Star Boy obeyed, making sure to keep Dream Girl's arms restrained as he lifted her onto the flat mattress.

"Excuse me..?" Dragonmage asked, looking strangely intense as he approached. "...What is that she's been saying in her sleep..?"

Dragonmage, Neon and Star Boy all paused to listen to Dream Girl while Dr Skorski concentrated on the medibed.

"...The terrible..." Nura screeched, "...the Ravager...the Demon Father approaches!!"

Then Nura Nal slipped deep past the grip of nightmare, and into a dreamless sleep...

**********

EDITOR'S NOTES:
* You may or may not know that Tseln of Thaun is an actual DC character who appeared one time in a backup story alllll the way back in 1977! The "errant demon" he talks about was actually a few Legionnaires undercover, Comics Archeology did a good review of that issue here (I am actually pretty sure that's where I stumbled across this guy and got the idea to use him, so if you see this thanks CA!).

* Qingming Festival is also a real festival in China, which I have taken a couple liberties with as it will have been in existence for over 3500 years by the Legion's time so I figure that's enough time for traditions to alter - but it is essentially as I described it here, Chinese families visit the tombs of their ancestors to clean the gravesites and make ritual offerings.

* NEXT: Lightning Lass & Light Lad vs Lightning Lord & Lightning Lady! PLACE YO BETS!!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Enter the Dragonslayer! - 06/10/23 01:45 PM
yay, another installment !



loving the description of Blok's pad. sounds amazing and relaxing.

an actual butterfly, cool!

good old Diamond Damsel, I really like how you've built her character up!

ooh, Light Lad and Kent are an item! I still remember your scene when they first started developing an attraction. Love it!

I love Jacques gently being all big brotherly advice to Danielle... and her comment also highlights how powerful she is, especially in the tech-rich world of the 31st century!

whew, Tel sure is in a snit!

looking forward to the Ayla/Darvan/bad guys bit. I forgot that Lightning Lady was Darvan's sibling!


drawing on my limited Mandarin, does Chonggao De Chengshi translate into "Tall, central city"? (I know Chengshi is city at least!)

I love how you capture the cultural practice so well. I still remember burning spirit money with grandma, to send to our ancestors and all that! and of course, Baba and Mama are dad and mom! nice that Zoe came along

Madame Chu, did you name Dragonmage's old teacher after Reboot Pres Jeanne Chu?

wow, what a story for poor Xao frown

Dragonslayer? whoo boy!

wow, Dragonslayer sure is... is he just a rabid magic-hater? oh yikes, that ups the ante, that mithril silver. whoops.

yeah, so like a crowd to watch a fight eh? I love how Xao is so angrily polite!

ah, the Sisterhood. I like how they just kept teleporting to evade Dawny's tracking... it can be so tough coming up with convincing reasons for why Dawny (and Mwindaji) haven't found someone lol!

separate sections for different bloodlines? whoa! intriguing. ah, nice tidbit about Star-Bear taking the Batwoman card wink ah, smart that Vista has been storing these things in her mindscape

love how Star-Bear's rifling around led them to their destination. whew! that sounds VERY ominous

haha, Zoe is still changing her costume all the time, love it wink
thanks for your note re the Qingming festival. yeah, the fireworks and kites made me think, but like you rightly said, things could very well change in 1000 years smile

huh nice callback to the original story with Tseln of Thaun! well done, very well done raz!

and yikes at Nura's dream... eek, this is extremely ominous!

as always , looking forward to more more more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Enter the Dragonslayer! - 06/10/23 02:40 PM
First cab off the rank! Thanks for the R&R, IB!

Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
good old Diamond Damsel, I really like how you've built her character up!

Thanks! She has got a couple good scenes coming up, including one in the next instalment!

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looking forward to the Ayla/Darvan/bad guys bit.

Me too actually! I feel like it has been ages since I gave Ayla & Darvan any spotlight with their respective crazy siblings!


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drawing on my limited Mandarin, does Chonggao De Chengshi translate into "Tall, central city"? (I know Chengshi is city at least!)

I love how you capture the cultural practice so well. I still remember burning spirit money with grandma, to send to our ancestors and all that! and of course, Baba and Mama are dad and mom! nice that Zoe came along

Google Translate told me that 'exalted city' translates to Chonggao De Chengshi....to be honest I just threw in a few different english names that I thought sounded cool for a city of the dead and picked the one that I liked the best when it was translated smile

I am glad I captured it well, I only really know about it from the internet and some old friends really!

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Madame Chu, did you name Dragonmage's old teacher after Reboot Pres Jeanne Chu?

Madame Chu is a remnant from Dragonmage's very brief time in the SW6 Legion, he mentioned that she was his mentor there - so that one is a happy coincidence!

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huh nice callback to the original story with Tseln of Thaun! well done, very well done raz!

In my original plot idea I had Tseln just figuring out somehow that the demon was really the Legion tricking him and he decided to get revenge on them, but I much prefer the idea that he still thinks it was a real demon and the Legion accidentally just turned his psychosis toward magic users - and now Dragonmage can have his own pet bad guy!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Enter the Dragonslayer! - 06/10/23 05:08 PM
Ah thanks for clarifying re Madame Chu in the SW6 team! (Chu is a pretty common surname anyhow so it tracks lol)

Xao deserves his own pet enemy wink


and yeah you got the cultural bits down pat, well done!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Enter the Dragonslayer! - 06/14/23 01:09 PM
Hey Raz, thanks for the PM as I missed this when you posted it.

Love that Blok's apartment is a jungle, it feels right that he would want to be surrounded by nature. If any of the team were to challenge the use of counselling it would be Wildfire so that rang true. Poor Iris, walking in on that, though offering to help was sweet - and really, Ultra Boy for sensitivity? C'mon, Blok's supposed to have the wisdom of Solomon now laugh Nice image of Blok resting his chin on top of her head, bless him! I'm interested where you're planning on taking this.

Yay, Light Lad, I was going to ask you about him as we haven't seen him in ages! Don't be rude to Danielle! Haha, seal Drake's suit shut and leave him to drift, I bet several of her teammates wouldn't complain if she did. And if Drake's drama (which could be a whole thread to itself) wasn't enough, on comes Gravity Kid, haha, I do love your interpersonal moments Raz. Angry Legionnaires Day, indeed laugh

Chonggao De Chengshi - sounds interesting, the Shangalla for the Shanghai colonies. Can Vao actually speak with the dead? I would wonder the same thing tbh. That said, in the last few years I've lost a few members of my family and I sometimes find myself chatting to them... Madame Chu - from the TMK run? I thought the reboot Dragonmage had a different back story, though could be wrong. I can't remember his backstory at all, now I tink of it laugh Loving the rather tragic story you've given him. Bless Xao being all polite after seeing Zoe get bonked out cold, Madame Chu obviously brought him up well. I think your Dragonslayer missed a trick - rather than chatting he could have just stabbed Xao and got it over and done with - am glad he didn't though, obviously smile That knife is nasty! Clever to get the civilians out of haarms way. Xao anger showing? That's new, and fun/worrying... using his dragon-forms to create ice and winds like that is clever. I like how we both use him but nether of us write his abilities in the same way. That was a nice little outing for Xao, and you did a good job of highlighting his thoughtful nature - the total opposite of what Drake and Tel were exhibiting in the section above.

Yay, it's the Sisterhood of Sin time! I have popcorn ready smile So, they don't know if they have the right artefacts after breaking into the Metropolis museum then? That's interesting. Interesting that they are mining the Earth's magical history. Is the Demon Father a villain we'll have seen in comics? I can't really think of a DC devil character, other than Trigon, though am sure there must be though. Ha, "I don't know how it works, it just works." - just like every super power really. Fab that Star Bear joined as she was promised there would be punching, haha, she's easily pleased. And Scorn has found what she was after. It's going to get messy now, isn't it? And they are going into Khund space, oh dear, that could spell difficuties for the team as well.

Back to Xao and Zoe... With them being told to return in 24 hours does that mean Xao could miss the show down with the Demon Father and the Sisterhood? Ah poor Dr Skorski, they'll always be pre-judged because of Quislet. Oh wow, great cliffhanger, and with those scratches to her face I bet that was one time Nura wished her nails hadn't been perfect laugh

Great stuff Raz, well done integrating all the inter-personal shennanigans together and keeping the plot moving on so quickly. Looking forward to seeing what you do next, so please don't keep us waiting too long for more, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Enter the Dragonslayer! - 06/15/23 12:47 PM
Hi Harbi, thanks for the R&R!

I have to give Blok a bit of a moment every now and then just to remind everyone that he only has a portion of the Shazam powers hahahaha

You will be getting lots of Light Lad next instalment! And also an overdue Ayla/Mekt rematch!

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Madame Chu - from the TMK run?

The very same! And you are right about how Dragonslayer probably should have just given Xao the shiv to start with, but we'd probably have much shorter comics if supervillains followed any kind of logic laugh

I really like writing Dragonmage as being all reserved and polite like the original version was...it's a rare quality for male superheroes!

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Is the Demon Father a villain we'll have seen in comics?

He is! And that is all I will say on that for now! Except to confirm that yes, it is going to get VERY messy before it's all over!

The Sisterhood of Sin will be taking a break from my next instalment, but we are back with some more on the enigma of Enigma Lass!
Posted By: razsolo Twin Troubles! - 07/09/23 12:47 PM
EDITOR'S NOTE: usually I save these things till the end, but I am using some characters in this instalment who haven't been seen for a while. If you would like to familiarise yourselves with Lightning Lady and the current Workforce members before you jump in, I have written up some bios for them below (I also included Light Lad just because it goes into his pre-Legion history more than has really been touched on for some time in the actual series):
Light Lad
Lightning Lady
The Workforce

On with the story!


**********

On board a stolen passenger shuttle heading toward the prison planet Takron-Galtos, Meith Portela and Cortazz Doran watched as twelve of their fellow cultists in the Fraterne Electre donned their ceremonial green robes complete with white lightning bolt insignias over each shoulder.

"I can't believe we're finally doing this, Cortazz!" the younger Winathian hissed in excitement. "Freeing Lightning Lady and Lightning Lord!"

"Believe it, Meith." Cortazz had a faraway look in his eye as he watched his brethren prepare for their mission. "Lightning Lady's intellect is incredibly formidable, deciphering her coded planbook was a long and frustrating process...but the storm rolls in our favour, and soon our beloved sister will be with us once more."

"And soon," Cortazz grinned at this prospect, "Soon we will get to meet Mekt Ranzz for ourselves! Lightning Lady's twin brother!"

"Do you think the others know..." Meith trailed off, unable to complete his sentence in front of the twelve men and women they were about to send to their doom.

"...that this will kill them?" Cortazz completed the question knowing that the rest of the cultists were entirely too focused on their mission to have heard him. "I suspect Juuli and Setann may have realised by now; I don't think the rest of them have any idea, no more than Storm Boy did when we cut him open to learn the secrets of his weather control cybernetics. But no sacrifice is too great for the woman who brought our family together."

"Hail the storm," Meith Portela almost whispered reverently.

"Hail the storm," Cortazz repeated.

**********

TAKRON-GALTOS
High orbit


ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: gravity negation
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation

Completely oblivious to the Fraterne Electre's scheming, four heroes waited in various states of apprehension above the prison planet's southern hemisphere for clearance to land.

"I can't wait to see our little sprout again!" Comet Queen enthused. She'd been noticeably subdued since everything had gone down with Glorith and Verdant, but this trip seemed to have restored some of Grava's normal perkiness. "You must be parsed to the C-span to glom your stellar sibs again too huh, Light Lad? Lightning Lass?"

"I'm....I'm not sure how I feel, Grava." Light Lad sat his chin in both hands and stared out at the prison world beneath them. "It's been so long since I saw Davana, and well...to be honest, I nearly accidentally killed her when I got my powers. I hope she understands how bad I feel about it..."

"Darvan Locke, don't you dare beat yourself up over that!" Ayla chastised him. "You know as well as I do that she would have killed the lot of us if not for you and Garth!"

"Still...I'm not proud of what I did, Ayla." Darvan continued looking over the dull grey planet beneath them rather than meet her eye. "I know it was necessary, but I always wonder...if I'd had my powers longer, if I had been a Legionnaire back then...maybe I could have found a way to help my sister instead of hurt her."

"Ivy tried to kill me more than once," Chlorophyll Kid volunteered, "But she came around in the end. There's always hope, Light Lad." Grava leaned across and gave her husband a quick embrace and a peck on the cheek.

"I know," Light Lad agreed quickly, giving Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen a glance of acknowledgement before he turned to Lightning Lass. "And Ayla, I really do understand that I did the best I could do under the circumstances, but...Davana's had so much adversity in her life, I don't want her to think of me as her enemy now too."

"Darvan, I love you but you're downright infuriating sometimes!" Ayla Ranzz snapped. "Your sister isn't a victim any more than Mekt is! Yes, they're singletons but so are you! You're a superhero and you have a ridiculously hot boyfriend who also happens to be an amazing person, and even before you joined the Legion you were helping people in a psych hospital! You're a good person through and through, and your sister and my stupid big brother are both just horrible! Some people don't deserve your compassion!"

"If you really believed that," Darvan Locke said gently as he locked his gaze with Ayla, "You wouldn't be here right now."

There was a moment of tense silence which felt much longer than it was, then the comms came to life and the Legionnaires were given permission to land.

"Hypernova gleaming!" Comet Queen exploded with perhaps a little too much glee.

"Let's make like a shooting star and head on down, huh?"

**********

MARS
Husband Hill, Legion Academy's Arqiia Campus


ROLL CALL

Legion Academy
Amp aka Ming Sul:
amplification of any power or characteristic

Chemical Kid aka Hadru Jamik: control of chemical reactions
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Enigma Lass: ?
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: ability to bypass any man-made lock or barrier
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Sojurn aka S'jn: interdimensional cephalopod; teleportation, telekinesis, telepathy
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

In a classroom far away from Lightning Lass, the students of the Legion Academy waited for her twin brother Lightning Lad to arrive. While they waited, the students kept themselves occupied in their own ways. As Variable Lad, Enigma Lass and Sojurn reviewed their homework, Key Kid and Lullabye Lad played a raucous game of thumb wars. Chemical Kid and Dragonwing sat at the back of the class whispering covertly to one another, and Amp sat in front of Hadru and Marya pretending to work on an essay while her amplified hearing listened in on their gossip.

"Okay, so how do you think she beat Strut?" Chemical Kid asked Dragonwing in a hushed tone. He was referring to the mysterious newest addition to their class, the aptly named Enigma Lass. Her recent takedown of the Mantodean Legionnaire in a training session had thrown one more spark on the bonfire that was her fellow students' curiosity about her.

"I've been thinking about it," Marya confided. "Maybe she's got illusion powers! Remember when she took on those Taurus Gang squajes on her own? They thought they'd killed her and she was fine!"

Amp couldn't restrain herself any longer, and spun around in her seat to the surprise of Chemical Kid and Dragonwing. "Okay, so Miqui said when they were at the Legion's new base getting Sojurn's voice modulator fitted, Sojurn told them Enigma Lass has a voice modulator too and she flipped out! What if she's got like some artificial version of Princess Projectra's powers??"

Chemical Kid leaned back in his chair and held up a hand. "Whoa. First of all, Lallor; private conversation. Second of all--"

"No wait, she might be on to something!" Dragonwing interrupted. "Also, while we're talking about her voice...haven't you guys ever noticed there's something weird about the way she talks? I can't put my finger on it, but it's just...off. Like, I don't think she's ever used mine or Oaa's codenames!"

Before either of the girls could speak again, Chemical Kid suddenly cleared his throat and sat up straight in his seat. From his angle, he was the only one who could see the shadow along the wall outside that meant their teacher was approaching. The rest of the students quickly caught on, and by the time Lightning Lad entered the room they all looked like butter wouldn't have melted in their mouths. The next 45 standard minutes was taken up with a very dry review of United Planets legal codes, something Garth agreed was incredibly boring but assured the students they needed to have at least a familiarity with if they were ever going to be Legionnaires.

At the end of the lesson, Lightning Lad assigned each of the students a random world. They were told to prepare a presentation on laws specific to that world. One of Variable Lad's three arms shot up as Lightning Lad began handing out the assignments, and Garth gave him a congenial nod. "Variable Lad, obviously you're excused."

"What? Why??" Lullabye Lad protested. "You're way more of a hypernerd than most of us, Oaa! You love this stuff!"

"Our teachers have kindly allowed me to take a few days leave to visit my family back on my homeworld Jaquaa," Variable Lad explained. "My uncle Odeli is being presented with an award by the World Medical Council and we want to be there to share his happy moment."

"Odeli Gym'll?" Enigma Lass piped up. "Oaa, is the famous physician Gym'll an uncle to you??"

"He is!" Variable Lad beamed, happily taken aback that one of his fellow students recognised his uncle's name.

"How do you know who he is, Enigma Lass?" Chemical Kid asked. "I mean...no offence, but famous physician isn't really a thing..."

"Odeli Gym'll developed a new method to eliminate an awful genetic condition on Jaquaa, I scanned an analysis of it in Sciencezine last week! It's quite exciting! How amazing to be the nephew of such a talented man, Oaa!"

The rest of the class weren't sure that they'd heard Enigma Lass say this many words at once since she'd joined the Academy and they were all a little shellshocked. Lightning Lad noticed it too, and the young girl's obvious enthusiasm gave Garth Ranzz a bold idea. "You know..." Lightning Lad pondered out loud, "I bet it wouldn't be difficult for all of us to get an invitation to the award ceremony...

...How would you all like to go on an excursion?"

**********

TAKRON-GALTOS
Visitation Room 92


ROLL CALL
Chlorophyll Kid aka Ral Benem: chlorokinesis
Comet Queen aka Grava: flight, gas generation

Triplicate Boy aka Dru Lorgo: Workforce member, Carggite physiology
Verdant aka Ivy Arcane: model prisoner, Avatar of the Green

Chlorophyll Kid had been asked to surrender any seeds on his person and remove the wooden armour he usually wore over his costume these days before one of Triplicate Boy's selves could escort him and his wife to the room where two more Triplicate Boys waited alongside Ivy Arcane. Ral had thought the security measure was kind of pointless; after all, Ivy could create plants from thin air if she really wanted to. It had also occurred to Ral Benem that he wasn't sure exactly what an athletic Carggite was meant to do if a girl who'd taken on the Legion of Superheroes singlehandedly did decide to lash out, but he didn't want to cause any friction so he went along with the request.

"Little sprout!" Comet Queen screamed in glee. "It's nova-bright gleaming to see you again!!" She almost knocked Ivy off her seat with the force of her hug, though Ivy Arcane still hadn't quite become accustomed to displays of affection and she unconsciously stiffened in Grava's grip.

"Oh, Grava..?" Chlorophyll Kid mumbled awkwardly, "We uhh...might not be allowed physical contact, this is a prison after all..."

"Bro, don't sweat it!" one of the Triplicate Boys gave a relaxed wave. "Ivy here's a model prisoner and if we can't trust two Legionnaires to behave themselves who can we trust?"

Ral noticed the irritated glance that one of Triplicate Boy's "brothers" flashed the one who'd spoken, but Chlorophyll Kid didn't care about any of that. He waited for Grava to finally release their daughter and then he gave Ivy a much more subdued embrace. "How are you finding it here, Ivy?" Ral asked as all three of them sat in comfortable armchairs facing one another. The room itself was much more homely than Chlor had anticipated, with a coffee table and art on the walls; it was almost more like a sitting room than part of a prison.

"I know in advance how strange this is gonna sound," the plant-haired girl replied, "But it's actually so good here! The Workforce got me involved in a literacy program, and--"

"You can't read?" Comet Queen gasped. "Oh, my poor little space sprout!"

"There wasn't much to read where I grew up," Ivy shrugged. "Not a lot of texts survived whatever world war it was that Glorith dumped me into the aftermath of. But here there are so many texts, and developmental programs, and--"

The lights flickered for the barest moment, and everyone in the room stopped.

"Stay frosty, everyone...we're lookin' into it!" One of the Triplicate Boys smiled easily while another of him turned away for some privacy and made a call on a discreet earpiece.

In the Workforce's base on McCauley Island, their team leader Magno was already marching toward an answer when he took Triplicate Boy's call. "Hi Dru...yep...yes, I'm aware...I'm on it, in fact I'm just about to find out right now." Double doors whooshed back into their wall recesses and Magno walked into a dimly lit monitor-laden room where his teammates Bioluminescent Lass and Gear analysed a couple of specific datastreams. Gear was sitting, his arm panels opened up with countless cords plunging into the console before him. Bioluminescent Lass stood behind him, oddly out of place here with her tall wispy frame, her blousey outfit and a long blonde ponytail reaching down past her waist.

"I've had four calls in the time it took me to get here from my quarters," Magno announced by way of greeting. "What the sprock is going on, guys?"

"We had a couple of very localised storms from the look of things," Gear replied, a little distracted as he was still interrogating all of the incoming data.

"What?" Magno stopped in his tracks. "What do you mean, storms? Takron-Galtos has global weather control!"

"Exactly," Bioluminescent Lass turned to face her much shorter leader, her elegant features painted with concern. "I've asked Gear to dig a little deeper."

"And Gear has come through with the goods!" The friendly Linsnarian took over a couple of monitors, cloudless blue skies on both screens. "This wasn't a storm, gentlebeings...this was some storm people." At his biomechanical command, the satellites he'd co-opted zoomed in on what at first seemed to be a few specks and were soon revealed to be two distinct groups of men and women in high altitude breathing masks and identical green gowns marked with lightning bolts. As the fierce winds whipped their gowns about, each of them displayed some kind of chunky flight belts underneath.

"They're dressed like...Lightning Lord..?" Magno wondered out loud. "But...why..?"

The answer became readily apparent when both groups followed the same mid-air manoeuvre; they held hands with each of their neighbours, forming a weird kind of skydiving ring of people. Thick black clouds immediately grew above and around them, obscuring them from sight. Then a stark white light blinded the satellite visual arrays and the screen flickered for several moments. When vision was restored, there were now only charred corpses falling helplessly toward the ground far below.

"Looks like they had some kind of super sophisticated weather control technology," Gear explained before Magno could ask. "They combined forces to bring down the granddaddy of all lightning bolts in two separate areas, but they channelled the power through their own bodies; it was a suicide play."

"What a horrid way to die!" Bioluminescent Lass shook her head sadly.

"It is, but they died to achieve something and we need to find out what that something was," Magno said. "Gear, where did those mega-bolts strike?"

"I'll give you two guesses," Gear retorted. "And they both begin with Lightning..."

"Sprock! Jana, you're with me!" Magno yelled at Bioluminescent Lass. "Gear, you're our eyes - stay here and keep us in the loop!" Magno had already begun to run back down the corridor when he remembered that Triplicate Boy was still on open comms with him. "Dru, we've got a potential breakout! Keep it subtle, but I need you to go check on Lightning Lady right now!"

"If Lightning Lady is the first target," Bioluminescent Lass reasoned, "Does that mean..?"

"Yep!" Now that they were in the corridor, Magno ripped a random panel from the wall with his magnokinesis and jumped on it as though it were a hoverboard before helping his Lupran teammate up. "Congratulations, Jana...we get our second ever breakout since we formed the Workforce, and it's Lightning Lord!

Let's just hope we survive the experience!"

**********

TAKRON-GALTOS
Lightning Lord's cell


ROLL CALL
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation

Twine: Workforce member, energy-draining whips
Lightning Lord aka Mekt Ranzz: supervillain, electricity generation and manipulation

"To what do I owe the pleasure, little sister?" Mekt Ranzz snarled from where he was suspended spread-eagled above Lightning Lass and Twine. All four of his limbs disappeared inside enormous metallic restraints, gluts of cable leading from the restraints into the floor and ceiling. "Normally it's Garth who comes all the way out here to assauge his guilt."

Ayla sighed. "You know, that's a good question. I'm not even sure to be honest." She looked across at Twine, whose cold silent glare offered no support. Ayla wandered closer to her brother, her arms folded protectively across her chest. "Do you feel like it's helping you being here, Mekt? Give me something to make this worth it, huh?"

"Is it helping?" he shot back contemptuously. "Every day and night I buoy my spirits thinking about the pain I'm going to visit upon our brother before I kill him...and I think about your betrayal, sister. You know, I expect no more from him; Garth has never respected me, and he's had that wretched Titanian in his head for years now. But you...you I used to think there was hope for. Even though you're his twin, I know you used to want the best for me. But like every hated Winathian, your familial compassion only really extends to your twin in the end, doesn't it?"

"Oh, give me a break!" Ayla snapped. "You've tried to kill me or brainwash me or hurt me and Garth and everyone else we love so often, is this seriously supposed to make me feel for you? You've had a hard time because you made life hard for yourself, Mekt! You bullied us when we were kids, you made life miserable for Mom and Dad, and you've never ever developed the mildest amount of self-awareness that might actually help you be sprocking normal! I understand you're a singleton, I understand it's hard, but you can't tell me we didn't try our best to love you despite--"

"You understand nothing!!" Even though Ayla knew Mekt couldn't hurt her, the white hot rage in his outburst gave her pause.

"That's it." Ayla threw up her hands in disgust. "I'm done." She turned around and started walking toward the door. Wordless as ever, Twine attended her; Ayla somehow couldn't escape the annoying feeling that the Rimborian woman was loving this drama.

Mekt Ranzz got the first syllable of his next response out before the room was filled with light and sound. It were as though some deity had struck the room with a celestial lightning bolt, and Lightning Lass and Twine were both thrown against a wall.

"Mekt..?" Ayla's head was spinning, but she forced herself to her feet so she could face her brother.

For his part, Mekt Ranzz seemed better than fine. The electricity that had filled the room had focused on him, and he'd channelled some of it to overload Takron-Galtos's energy absorption equipment. The tens of cables which had kept him imprisoned till now lay smoldering and frayed around him, and he advanced on Lightning Lass smugly.

"I don't know what act of providence this is but don't stand in my way, sister." Lightning Lord began walking toward the door and Lightning Lass hoped that he couldn't tell how shaken up the unexpected blast had left her.

"She won't...need to." Twine's own power had saved her from the worst of the assault, but she too was feeling worse for wear. She stood and cracked one of her bright pink whips between Mekt and Ayla.

"Hang on," Lightning Lass gaped at the buxom Workforce member. "You can talk?"

"Of course I can talk," the pink-skinned superwarden spoke from beneath her facemask. "I just prefer to let these do the talking normally."

Lightning Lord had already turned to face Twine, but she moved faster. Energy whips shot forward from both her forearms and held Lightning Lord fast. He struggled against the painful grip of the energy-draining whips at first, but it didn't take Mekt Ranzz long to realise that was only going to delay the inevitable.

"You want to feed on lightning, woman?" Mekt's eyes crackled with raw power. "Be my guest."

For the barest of instants, Mekt Ranzz seemed to almost transform into the lightning he was named after. Megavolts of energy coursed through Twine's hot pink tendrils, and the woman at the other end of those tendrils arched her back as she screamed in torment. Already weakened from the lightning bolt which had overloaded the equipment holding Lightning Lord captive, Twine collapsed into violent convulsions on the ground and her energy whips fizzled into nothingness.

Although Lightning Lord had won this round, Ayla could see that Twine had stolen some of Mekt's newfound power. As much as Lightning Lass found Twine off-putting and maybe even a little creepy, she appreciated what the Workforce member had done for her. "I can't let you leave here, Mekt." Ayla stood tall, her fists crackling with electricity.

"Forget your empty threats and tell me something, little sister." Though Lightning Lord was feeling the effect of Twine's power drain, he marched toward his sister without hesitation. "Why are you here? If you find me so irredeemable, why did you come to see me at all?"

"Maybe because I know someone else who thinks you're worthy of redemption, Mekt." Arcs of lightning travelled across Ayla Ranzz's form and her eyes glowed a vivid pink. "And maybe I want him to be right. It's just too bad that I know he isn't." Lightning Lord and Lightning Lass threw their arms up toward one another at the same time, and though it took a concentrated effort on Ayla's part she proved the stronger sibling this time. Ayla's lightning overcame Mekt's, and he too soon joined Twine in a heap on the floor.

Ayla Ranzz released a long exhalation as she sat herself down against a wall. She could see Twine breathing and she would summon help for her in a second, but right now every nerve in her body was jangling.

Before Ayla could make another move, the door to the cell was wrenched open and Magno and Bioluminescent Lass burst in with their Imskian teammate Ion perched on Magno's shoulder. "Lightning Lass, do you need medical attention?" Bioluminescent Lass asked as her teammates rushed to check on Twine and slap power-dampening manacles on Lightning Lord.

"Not really," Ayla stood up again and cracked her neck. "I just want to know who or what helped my insane brother escape to try and kill the both of us."

"We'll explain on the way," Magno replied quickly, wrapping half a ton of metal debris around the now powerless Lightning Lord just to make sure he stayed put until the security droids arrived. "That is, if you wouldn't mind giving us a hand. Lightning Lord wasn't the Fraterne Electre's only target today...they've freed Lightning Lady as well."

"Lightning Lady..?" Ayla's blood ran cold. "Oh sprock, Darvan!"

**********

DEEP SPACE
The Legion of Superheroes mobile base, Fitness Level


ROLL CALL
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Slug aka Kes Mtsto: inertron form and projectiles

As its name suggested, the Fitness Level of the Legion's mobile base was a place for Legionnaires of all shapes, sizes and power levels to hone their various abilities. Its most basic form was simply a huge open space, but the Legion could use forcefields and modular technology to set aside individual areas for themselves where they could perform a dizzying variety of training exercises.

Sizzle and a full-size Shrinking Violet sparred in one section while King Canary flew a scaled down obstacle course in a small hardlight cube beside them. Stone Boy played squash with Color Kid directly underneath a huge levitating swimming pool in which Elastic Lad was currently experimenting with different ways he could deform his natural shape to maximise his swimming speed. Gas Girl and Life Lass had taken over a small slice of space to erect some cardio equipment so they could work out as they streamed the latest pop hits from their homeworld Lallor...and in a segmented space which was safely enclosed in translucent force walls, Diamond Damsel had agreed to an unorthodox training idea proposed by one of the Legion's newest recruits Slug.

The Pseudatanian Legionnaire Slug took position at one end of a long space meant to resemble a firing range, and Diamond Damsel started from the opposite end. Slug's idea was simple but surprisingly fun. Diamond Damsel advanced on Slug, trying to dodge her teammate's cannonball-like inertron projectiles as she approached. Each time Slug hit her, Iris had to start over again.

For Slug, the game was a way for them to refine their aim. For Diamond Damsel, it was a rare opportunity to practice evasion tactics rather than just charge her way through opposition as she normally did. So far, the furthest she'd made it was two thirds of the way toward her metallic comrade before they pegged her.

"I was always dreadful at dodgeball when I was a kid!" Diamond Damsel shouted across the distance between them while she narrowly evaded an inertron sphere hurtling past her. "Or anything athletic really! This should be giving me terrible flashbacks, but I have to admit I'm actually enjoying myself!"

Slug laughed, their eyestalks jiggling happily. "Wait," they paused abruptly mid-chuckle, "..What is dodgeball??"

Diamond Damsel threw her head back with laughter now as well, and the distraction cost her. A dull grey ball of indestructible metal smacked her right in the face as she steadied herself, and she gouged tracks into the floor as she half-skidded half-rolled into a very inelegant position fifteen feet back.

"Ohh, Slug is so sorry!" The limbless hero took flight immediately, rushing to check on Diamond Damsel. "Slug hopes Diamond Damsel isn't hurt? Slug didn't mean to aim for Diamond Damsel's eye house!"

"Eye house..?" Iris stood up, clearly more inconvenienced than injured. "Oh, you mean my face! It's fine, really...I'm pretty much indestructible myself, Slug. I should thank you actually! This is the first time I've done something silly like this since I don't know when, it was a wonderful idea!"

Through the hardlight walls surrounding their training area, Diamond Damsel suddenly saw someone she'd been looking for earlier and her tone instantly changed. "Slug, I'm so sorry but I'm going to have to run. Let's have a rematch next week though?" Slug agreed, and Diamond Damsel jogged off. By the time she caught up to Drake Burroughs, he was busy programming a part of the supremely adaptable room to fill his own needs.

"Wildfire!" Diamond Damsel shouted by way of greeting. "Sorry if this is a bad time, but you're a hard man to get hold of! I'd like to have a chat when you've got some free time?"

"Now's good." The anti-energy hero turned to face Diamond Damsel, her angular features distorted in his visor. "I was just about to get in some target practice, but it can wait...what's up, DD?"

Iris looked around to make sure nobody else was in earshot. "Look, everyone can see you've been dealing with some things since we faced Mordru...a lot of us have been, there's no shame in that. I just--"

"Sprocking unbelievable." Wildfire's posture visibly stiffened, body language left over from when he still had a body. "What other skeletons does Blok bring out of our closets when you're having rocky cuddle time, DD?"

"It's not like that," Iris returned. "Wildfire, I won't lie...Blok did tell me you haven't been seeing Jrey, but be realistic; none of us are idiots, we can all see that something's not right with you. I just thought I might be in a better position to talk to you about it than a lot of other people."

"It, huh? And what's it?"

Diamond Damsel internally counted to 5 before she continued. While she wanted to help Wildfire, she didn't exactly have the most placid temper in the world herself and it hadn't occurred to her how triggering this conversation might be until now that she was in the middle of it. "I don't know what it is that's set you off right now, but I do know that you have a uniquely harrowing burden to carry that nobody else can understand as much as they might want to...and I know how that impacts every interaction you ever have with any of these people around us who can still eat and drink, who can still take for granted that they can touch anyone they love without accidentally breaking them. I know what it feels like when every minor inconvenience becomes something enraging, because you don't have any other outlet for the thing that's really eating you up inside and so it comes out where it can."

"Yeah?" Wildfire stepped closer, one angry finger pointed at Diamond Damsel's face. "Looks to me like you don't have to worry about any of that stuff anymore, lady. You found someone who's a walkin' hunk of rock just like you, and that Zoe Saugin from the other universe even gave you a makeover so you look more human now. So maybe get off your high horse and let me get back to shooting stuff, huh?"

"Wildfire...it took me a thousand years to let anyone help me the way Blok and the Legion did. Before that, I was just seething and broken all the time. I wasted so much time hating my life that I didn't live it. I'm happy now, but it took me so long to get here--"

"Then it looks like I got a thousand years of this to look forward to," Wildfire cut her off. "Thanks for the pep talk, DD. Now if you don't mind, I got things to blow up."

He turned his back on her, and Diamond Damsel watched with a mix of frustration and concern before she decided she wasn't going to do any good here right now and she walked away.

She just hoped that if Wildfire wouldn't talk to her, he would talk to somebody...

...because if Diamond Damsel's own experience was any indication, Wildfire's current path wasn't leading him anywhere that was good for him....

**********

TAKRON-GALTOS
Lightning Lady's cell


ROLL CALL
Light Lad aka Darvan Locke: gravity negation

Abyss aka Danning Tolagson: Workforce member, wielder of the void-ring
Lightning Lady aka Davana Locke: supervillain, electricity generation and manipulation

Just like Mekt Ranzz, Davana Locke was too dangerous to be kept in general population. If Abyss and Light Lad had arrived here a moment earlier, Darvan Locke would have seen for himself how his sister was suspended by an ugly series of cables that prevented her from lashing out with her terrifying power.

However, the mega-bolt of lightning which freed Lightning Lady from captivity struck just before the two men entered her cell. They both heard what sounded like a bomb going off on the other side of the cell door, and the lights shut off in their corridor for two seconds before secondary power kicked in. Light Lad had begun to ask a question, but Abyss ignored him to shout an override command at Lightning Lady's cell door.

"What was that??" Light Lad repeated, grabbing Abyss's shoulder this time. "Is this a prison break? Why won't the door open??"

"Don't know, hope not, and don't care." Abyss shoved Darvan back along one wall and followed suit himself. Without yet having even looked at the Legionnaire, Abyss extended his left arm toward the door and made a fist. "Be ready for anything though." A ragged black energy spewed forth from the void-ring on Abyss's hand, which Darvan somehow found uncomfortable even to look at, and the cell door vanished into what Abyss called Voidspace; a pocket dimension of pure darkness.

Smoke came pouring out of the open doorway, and Darvan couldn't hold himself back any longer. "Davana!" Light Lad ran into the cell, ignoring Abyss's protests. "Dav, it's me, Darvan! Are you hurt?"

Whatever had happened in here had well and truly drained all power from the cell...Light Lad had no problem at all seeing his sister though, she herself was aglow with so much electrical energy that she was like a beacon. The ton of plasteel cabling which had imprisoned her until seconds ago lay charred and melted all around her.

"Damn it, Light Lad!" Abyss bellowed as he followed Light Lad through the doorway. "Are you trying to get us both killed?!"

Lightning Lady's attention snapped instantly from her brother to Abyss. She had every intention of dealing with her little brother, but Darvan could wait...this Abyss person, she'd come to nurse a burning hatred for him more than any of his other Workorce colleagues in the time she'd been trapped here. Most of the Workforce were just doing a job, but him...Abyss enjoyed lording it over the prisoners here, and Lightning Lady was very familiar with his mocking taunts and comments.

As soon as Abyss saw that Lightning Lady was free, his eyes bulged. He overcame his surprise almost immediately and raised his void-ring against her, but he wasn't faster than lightning. Flicking her cape behind her with her free hand, Lightning Lady gestured at Abyss and a horizontal lightning bolt went straight through him. He didn't even have time to cry out before he collapsed in a smoking heap on the ground. "Shocking, isn't it..?" she smiled cruelly, walking casually towards him.

Light Lad was almost in a panic. He couldn't tell if Abyss was still breathing from where he stood, and Darvan was wracked with guilt as much as fear. If he hadn't come running in here like some amateur, they could have worked together to secure his sister safely. Now she was going to kill the two of them, and anyone else in her way. No. Darvan Locke looked down at the golden flight ring on his finger and twisted it to activate the emergency beacon. I'm a Legionnaire, I'm not going to let her kill anybody. He took a moment to settle on a plan and then, taking a deep breath, committed to it.

"Davana!" Darvan Locke's voice was uncommonly harsh, and his sister forgot about Abyss, along with anything else in the room aside from her brother.

"What have I told you, little brother?" A mask of hatred consumed the red-haired woman as she turned on Darvan. "There is no Davana Locke!" She shot him with a much less powerful lightning bolt, one which hurt but didn't incapacitate him. "There is only Lightning Lady!" Another blast of electricity, this one bringing Darvan to one knee.

It took everything Light Lad had to maintain his focus, but he didn't dare give up this easily. "Okay, okay...truce, please." He held up one hand in a gesture of surrender. Darvan took his time rising to his feet, knowing he'd have a much better chance of survival once Ayla and the others got here. He backed away from his sister slowly, showing her that he was afraid of her power. "What happened in here, Lightning Lady? I don't doubt your power, but...they've kept you imprisoned all this time. What changed?"

"Takron-Galtos may have accounted for the abilities of myself and my twin," she explained as she stalked Light Lad across the room, "But they did not account for the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the Fraterne Electre. I knew that my beloved family would find my contingency plans and enact one of them, all I needed was patience."

Confusion gave way to realisation as Light Lad remembered the cult his sister had surrounded herself with when she'd turned herself into Lightning Lord's ersatz twin. Everyone thought that the Fraterne Electre had simply dissolved without Lightning Lady to lead them, but obviously that hadn't been the case. "But...how did they do this?" he followed up. "None of them had any powers!"

"Passion is their power, little brother...for now," Lightning Lady spoke with pride. "It may have taken my Fraterne Electre some time to pull everything together, but unless I miss my guess they took the technology to speak with storms from a Terran man who never deserved it and then they used that power to overload the machines keeping Lightning Lord and myself here. You see, all that time you thought I was crazy, I was forming so many plots...so, so many plots."

Darvan stopped moving momentarily and looked his sister in the eye. "I never thought you were crazy. I've never once thought that, you must know that I've only ever wanted to help you."

"Is that so, little brother?" Lightning Lady's eyes flared with energy and she shot her brother again, this time bringing him down onto the floor. Stars danced before his eyes, but Darvan refused to succumb.

"Is that why you threw me off a cliff?!" Lightning Lady raised both arms, and there was so much electricity in the air that every hair on Light Lad's body stood on end. He looked up at his sister with open fear. He hadn't been able to manoeuvre her where he needed her, and now his own sister was going to kill him. Even if he sent her flying into the ceiling, it wouldn't be fast enough to stop her from--

"Starshine!" They both turned to see Comet Queen come zooming in, her trademark sparkling trail behind her. "Chlory's right behind me with that trinary solariffic-- hey! You leave Light Lad alone, you big mean pulsar!!"

Lightning Lady spun on her heel and released the blast she'd been planning for Light Lad at Comet Queen instead. With her metallic skin, Grava lit up like a screeching firework as she rebounded painfully off of a slagged console to land unconscious near Abyss. Davana Locke turned to face her brother again, but before she could complete the motion she heard a rebellious shout rise from Darvan and felt him yank on her cape.

"That's enough, Davana!!" Gambling successfully that Lightning Lady's cape wouldn't conduct electricity, Light Lad gripped it hard and then reduced his sister's weight just enough that he could throw her across the room. As soon as she began sailing through the air, Darvan restored her normal weight and Lightning Lady smashed face first into the ground where she rolled to a stop in the middle of the (now oddly debris-free) floor which had been piled with the remains of her restraint cables.

"I told you--" Lightning Lady began resentfully, wiping blood from her nose as she clambered to her feet.

"I don't care what you told me, Davana." Light Lad's voice, full of fury only a moment ago, was now flat with disdain. "And I don't want to stand against you, but I'm not going to let you hurt anybody else."

Lightning Lady began to form a response, but Light Lad turned off the power he'd been maintaining this whole time and thousands of pounds of warped and blackened plasteel restraint equipment rained down from where it had been floating against the ceiling. Lightning Lady was buried in a pile of junk, and she stayed there.

Light Lad's knees gave out, and Darvan collapsed to the floor where he smacked his head hard. Just before his vision faded to black he saw Chlorophyll Kid fly in with Triplicate Boy's three bodies right behind him, and Darvan finally allowed himself to pass out.

**********

DEEP SPACE
The Legion of Superheroes mobile base, Medlab


ROLL CALL
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation

Dr Skorski: Legion of Superheroes Physician

Gravity Kid lay prone on his stomach, the small piece of black fabric which constituted the top half of his costume hanging over a nearby chair in front of him. He couldn't see Dr Skorski's microship hovering above, but he could certainly feel the restorative warmth of the regen-ray she was projecting up and down his back.

"This is the second muscular injury that you have sustained working out this week," the Teallian doctor's soothing voice spoke as she healed his back injury. "If you would like me to review your exercise program I am well-versed in kinesiology and exercise science for a variety of organic lifeforms, Gravity Kid."

"Thanks for the offer but I'm fine," Gravity Kid declined with just a hint of impatience in his tone. "Are we done yet?"

Before the conversation could continue, they both heard Star Boy's voice cry out hoarsely from the other side of the room. "Doc! I think she's waking up!"

Tel started to lift himself off the bed. "I insist that you remain exactly where you are," Dr Skorski spoke up in a voice which, while sweet as usual, seemed to contain a firmness that Tel didn't think it was worth fighting. "I will be back to check on you just as soon as I can."

Gravity Kid sighed in defeat and collapsed back on the bed while Dr Skorski darted off to greet a newly conscious Dream Girl.

"Hello, Dream Girl," Dr Skorski gently interrupted Nura and Thom. "How are you feeling?" The question was mostly superfluous; Dr Skorski had checked Dream Girl's bioreadings as she'd flown across the room and Nura was no less the picture of health than she'd been when Star Boy had brought her in 32 standard hours ago.

"I feel...groggy, and...and terribly shaken up." Nura placed a hand on Thom's bearded cheek. "Oh, Thom...you look awful! How long have you been awake?"

Star Boy laughed. "I love you too," he teased, taking her hand gently in his and kissing it. "You've been out of it nearly a day and a half, Nura...do you know what happened? What's the last thing you remember?"

"It was...it was a vision." Dream Girl clutched Star Boy's hand. "And it was ghastly, Thom. I feel so...so...I don't think I've felt a sense of foreboding like this since Darkseid."

Star Boy felt a chill run down his spine. "What was it? What did you dream?"

"I don't know...I don't remember much except for...for blood, and loss, and...and..." Star Boy and Dr Skorski saw Dream Girl's expression change from one of abject fear to understanding to grim purpose.

"...and the answer lies with the Khunds."

**********

NEXT: The Sisterhood of Sin! Dream Girl takes things into her own hands!! And the enigma of Enigma Lass...REVEALED!!!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Twin Troubles! - 07/09/23 02:44 PM
yay, more! and thanks for the links to the bios, raz!

I'd read them before, but whew, Light Lad's and Lightning Lady's origin sure is exciting! what a juxtaposition too!

(also cool that Darvan and Ayla remain friends, despite not being friends with benefits anymore)

also a nice bit that their parents learned from their elder child, so Darvan ended up much better adjusted than poor Davana

ah, Davana also has that extra trick! probably cause of her scientific know-how eh? definitely makes her quite scary...

I really dig your Workforce, lots of cool characters on there. Happy to see Ion get a second chance in your reality, she seemed cool in her one Reboot appearance. before, you know, dying. Also pleased Gear and Magno are there of course, and I really like Bioluminescent Lass! and good job keeping Abyss' and Twine's mean streaks!

ah, so the Fraterne Electre still exists AND they have grown in number (well, maybe just a bit, but now we have 14 others instead of 11!)

yow, so Storm Boy really is dead?

pleasant surprise seeing Grava and Ral along too, makes sense that visiting hours would overlap in this way.

poor Darvan. Davana IS his sister after all, and she's not well, so I get him

I agree with Darvan: Ayla doesn't 100% believe this. And it's very shades of gray isn't it? What Davana and Mekt have done is inexcusable, but on the other hand how much of it is because of the trauma they had growing up?

Loving the characterization of the students - in one quick paragraph re how they spend time waiting, you've painted quite a picture!

also LOL at Amp eavesdropping using her powers, hah! great way to use her abilities!

lol at Garth agreeing the lesson topic was boring, and also Hadru alerting the class that Garth was coming!

hah! Dr. Gym'll gets a first name! will be good seeing him again!

huh, another clue in the Enigma Lass puzzle. is she some sort of geneticist? I'm looping back to my theory that she was that little Dominator girl the team saved from Duplicate Boy II some time back! (although the "dead" part... did she die then?)

love the detail re the precautions Ral had to take to visit Ivy! and also his thoughts re, well what WOULD Triplicate Boy actually do?

also a nice bit re the diff. personalities of Trip. Boy!

Ivy not being able to read actually makes sense! why would Glorith waste time teaching her that? awesome detail raz!

I like Magno and Bio-Lass being smart enough to realize something was afoot!

"You can talk!" hah! go Twine... so I guess her power let her safely absorb some of the electricity safely?

whew! nice 1-2 punch of Twine and Ayla! So Mekt is taken care of... but I bet you won't let it be that easy!

Loved the descriptions of the training bits done by different Legionnaires, more great characterization! and nice reminder that Diamond Damsel actually comes from the 20th century too (with that dodgeball comment)!

ah, Wildfire! looking forward to this scene!

good of Iris to try keeping calm, because Wildfire sure wasn't making it easy! (he DID at least say thank you... lol!)

(also nice bit having the Reboot Zoe adjust DD's face a bit, hah!)

dun dun, more to come. Will DD tell Blok what happened?

LOL at Abyss just answering all of Darvan's questions snappily.

Davana's thoughts re "most of the Workforce are just doing their jobs" actually earned her a little sympathy from me - and I was wondering if Abyss' meanstreak would get him into trouble sooner rather than later!


I do like that all this was Davana's contingency plan. She's smart, for sure.

wow! Creative use of Darvan's power there, raining debris on Davana! nice thinking!



lol at Tel pushing himself so hard that he's actually hurting himself! Man, Tel needs help almost as much as Wildfire does

really loving Dr. Skorski's beside manner!



another great installment, raz! lots of great stuff, nice action, great characterization. (iS Abyss still alive?)

and yes! eager to unravel the mystery of Enigma Lass... and see more of the Sisterhood too!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Twin Troubles! - 07/10/23 07:21 AM
Thanks for the R&R, IB!

I don't know if I would have enough ongoing story ideas for the Workforce to be able to write anything long-term with them but I like having them pop up occasionally! I wanted to challenge myself to use Abyss and Twine more this time around to show how even though they're not great people, they're still professionals. They might be jerks but they'll put themselves on the line as long as someone's paying them enough.

Storm Boy is quite dead, I am afraid! I am not too broken up about it, one less space nazi isn't really a great loss lol

His technology may just see a resurgence at some point though now that the Fraterne Electre have got their hands on it.... wink

Abyss didn't actually die by the way, I just couldn't think of a way to include his recovery in the story without dragging things out too much! However, he lives to be snide at people again!

...Also, I got so excited about revealing Enigma Lass's secret that I forgot to mention the thing coming up in the next installment which I am actually MORE excited about!

We are gonna get to meet Variable Lad's family and see what life on Jaquaa is like! I have been thinking about this for weeks and I can't wait to get some real weirdness out of my head and into the keyboard laugh
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Twin Troubles! - 07/10/23 08:30 AM
yeah, not too broken up over Storm Boy either. pleased that Abyss lives though, I definitely got what you were aiming for: neither Twine nor Abyss or particularly nice BUT they are good "allies" to have (well, one could argue that Abyss was making enemies of the prisoners but...)

yeah, not the last we've seen of the Fraterne Electre eh smile

oooh stoked to see what you've come up with for Jaquaa for sure!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Twin Troubles! - 07/10/23 02:03 PM
Hey Raz, sorry I've fallen behind but it's been the usual end of term madness lately. I'm hoping to gave a spate hour or so on Wednesday so will review then.
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Twin Troubles! - 07/11/23 07:30 AM
Hey Raz, I'm going to try to R+R your latest posts today - fingers crossed I have enough time.

Your Fraterne Electre are pretty hardcore, aren't they? "The storm rolls in our favour" - nice little phrase! And there's nothing quite like a suicide mission to tell you you're following the wrong leader, I feel...

I'm loving that Grava and Ral are visiting Ivy. It would be easy just to focus on the day to day heroics and adventures, but these more intimate moments are golden - even though I know that there's going to be trouble from the Fraterne Electre, it's sweet that they are going to visit their girl.Though you got to love Grava's lack of social understanding sometime - yeah, Darvan tell us how excited you are to be seeing your psychopathic sister that you lmost killed, bet you're really looking forward to that laugh And bless him for feeling responsible for that episode. Ayla's frustration at Mekt is understandable, and as much as she denies it Darvan is riht - if she didn't care she wouldn't be there. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

You've captured the students personalities really well in the scene before Lightning Lad arrives - Thumb War! Haha, I used to play tat with my brothers, and more often than not lose. And the gossip was great too - why can't Enigma Lass say "Dragonwing" or "Variable Lad"? Is it the #v/w# sound? I'm sticking with my idea that she's actually a vampire with a bad mock Transylvanian accent and her fangs will cut her lips if she says those vowels laugh Just think of Checkov in the Star Trek reboot - "Wictor Wictor..." and she would know where Medicus One is so know Dr Gym'll as there are bound to be lots of exotic blood banks there smile But seriously, I'm really looking forward to finding out what her secret is, I'm sure you'll have something great planned.

And I'm out of time for now frown I'll try to pop by later for more, more, more
Posted By: razsolo Re: Twin Troubles! - 07/11/23 10:50 AM
Originally Posted by Harbinger
And there's nothing quite like a suicide mission to tell you you're following the wrong leader, I feel...
hahahaha what's a cult without a good suicide pact every now and then?

Quote
yeah, Darvan tell us how excited you are to be seeing your psychopathic sister that you lmost killed, bet you're really looking forward to that laugh
Bless her heart but she'll never be morale officer wink

Quote
You've captured the students personalities really well in the scene before Lightning Lad arrives - Thumb War! Haha, I used to play tat with my brothers, and more often than not lose. And the gossip was great too - why can't Enigma Lass say "Dragonwing" or "Variable Lad"? Is it the #v/w# sound? I'm sticking with my idea that she's actually a vampire with a bad mock Transylvanian accent and her fangs will cut her lips if she says those vowels laugh Just think of Checkov in the Star Trek reboot - "Wictor Wictor..." and she would know where Medicus One is so know Dr Gym'll as there are bound to be lots of exotic blood banks there smile But seriously, I'm really looking forward to finding out what her secret is, I'm sure you'll have something great planned.

And I'm out of time for now frown I'll try to pop by later for more, more, more
Thanks for taking the time Harbi!

The next couple of instalments will be Enigma Lass heavy and as I think I have mentioned before, it will lead to some changes in the dynamics of the Academy generally....and then BAM full steam ahead with the Sisterhood of Sin and their search for the Demon Father!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Twin Troubles! - 07/11/23 01:38 PM
Hey Raz, fingers crossed I have enough time to finish off reviewing your posts now. I still have IBs to get to as well, so better crack on! Lots of fun waiting for me smile

Ral's thoughts on getting his seeds taken away and how effective a Cargggite wouldbe where Ivy to go rogue again are very valid. Of course Grava just pounces on Ivy, bless her she's never been one for discretion. And nice show of Trip Boy's differing personalities. Ivy can't read - of course, Glorith wouldn't see the point of teaching her, that was a great bit of detail to include Raz. I'm so used to thinking of Gear as my fanfic version that I always have to re-read yours and IB's versions to get them straight in my mind. Magno ripping a panel off the wall to ride would make a great visual in a comic.

Ayla has always had a ...ahem, stormier realationship wit Mekt than Garth, so I'm looking forward to seeing how you have them interact. And you don't disappoint - loving Ayla's unwillingness to be drawn into, or sympatise with Mekt's dillusions. The Mekt is being held, spreadeagled and tied up to machinary doesn't come across as compassionate incareration tbh, and I do remember one panel with him on TG all strapped into some machine while being psych-evaluated in canon, but I'm still a bit uncomfortable with it - and fully understand that he's a walking talking electric bolt hurling psychopath so needs to be kept from causing too much damage. "You can talk?" Haha! Nicdd of Twine to take the edge off Mekt, she ain't all bad. I'm glad you didn't drag out the fight between Ayla and Mekt, as really it's their different perspectives and personalities are the real battle and you had then covered really well with their conversation. Magno wrapping him up in half a ton of metal - yeah, that'll keep him from causing too much trouble smile

I always enjoy the team downtime sections and you've done a good job showing so many of your team in the gym doing their thing. Nice game between Iris and Slug, something fun that would benefit them both. "eye house" - haha, why would a slug have a word for face? Wildfire is understandably cross that Blok tld Iris, but he is a bit fiercer than usual. Hopefully he'll think about what DD just told him, how she has been isolated too, and stop being so angry. Though somehow, I'm unsure if that's going to happen...

Love Voids "Don't know, hope not and don't care." response, pragmatic and accurate. I love that Lightning Lady has kept her cape while being incarcerated. And of course, a villain has to gloat! I do love this trope, it's somehow makes it more satisfying when they are inevitably caught again. Poor Grava, she's going to ache wen she gets up from that! Clever of Light Lad to pre-plan where to trap his sister like that. And with Dr Shakespeare to look after him as he recovers it's worked out rather well for him laugh

Gym Bunny Tel needs to look after himself better! And what a great cliffhanger! I do love a good cliffhanger smile "...and the answer lies with the Khunds." well, that doesn't bode well for the team. Looking forward to whatever you have next for us Raz. More! More! More!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Twin Troubles! - 07/17/23 08:37 AM
Welcome back for more, Harbi!

I am glad you pointed out that it's uncomfortable seeing Mekt all trussed up like that, that was definitely the feeling I was going for. For all that Takron-Galtos might be a good experience for characters like Sizzle or Ivy who have really been more misdirected than anything else, I wanted to show that it is still a prison as well and that sometimes they err more on the side of incarceration than rehabilitation. It's the kind of thing that Ayla would see as being a necessary precaution, but Darvan would likely have complained if he'd gotten to his sister's cell soon enough to see her in the same state.

Tel does need to look after himself! He's not going to start anytime soon, but he should laugh

And Dreamy is going to be taking some very decisive action to follow up her vision just as soon as I write out the next instalment!
Posted By: razsolo Enigma Undone - 07/22/23 03:02 PM
JAQUAA
Brr'nez Ravine, 27th Tier


ROLL CALL

Legion Academy
Amp aka Ming Sul:
amplification of any power or characteristic

Chemical Kid aka Hadru Jamik: control of chemical reactions
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Enigma Lass: ?
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: ability to bypass any man-made lock or barrier
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: co-head; telepathy
Sojurn aka S'jn: interdimensional cephalopod; teleportation, telekinesis, telepathy
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

The staff and students of the Legion Academy had been on Jaquaa for 19 standard hours now, and they had found Variable Lad's homeworld to be a place full of consistently weird wonders. Much of the surface of the nation of Phipa was wildly overgrown swampland and jungle areas, and much of that was strictly off limits to off-worlders without a Science Police escort. Most Jaquaans lived beneath the untamed wilderness, in houses which had been carved into the walls of deep gorges, ravines and other fissures which slashed their way miles down into the planet's crust. Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad had booked them five rooms in a hotel which took up one whole side of L'mo Gorge several miles from here, where Lightning Lad was right now struggling to get his children Graym and Garridan to sample the local cuisine.

Saturn Girl meanwhile was chaperoning her students to Variable Lad's family residence for a dinner that Oaa's mother had insisted on making them as soon as she'd heard the whole class was accompanying her son back home. Local public transport had flown them here beneath the enormous waxy moon that filled a full fifth of the night sky, and they'd taken a huge plexiglass-walled elevator 27 stories down into Brr'nez Ravine to the rock-hewn street where Oaa Tseldor had grown up before he joined the Academy. Plexiglass barriers also lined the street's edge to avoid anyone accidentally falling into the artificially lit ravine, a needful precaution as there were more than 200 more levels below them.

"Variable Lad, does Jaquaa have any buildings above ground or is the whole planet like this?" Key Kid asked as he pressed his face up against the transparent safety barrier to peer into the dizzying depths below.

"Back in the old days it was safer to live underground," Variable Lad explained, stepping aside to let two younger children on a tandem hoverbike pass them by. "What with all the razortooth panthers and megacrocs and such...nowadays we are fortunate to have technology which protects us from our more dangerous wildlife, but I suppose my people just became accustomed to the lifestyle by then. I assure you that you will be grateful for it once the sun rises, the heat on the surface is unbearable!"

Oaa stopped at a door set into the cool rock wall and leaned into a small enclosed panel which breeped politely as it scanned his retina.

The door slid into its recess, and revealed a scene of utter mayhem:

Something crashed noisily in an interior room, and two screeching Jaquaan children half Oaa's size bolted through the entry hallway into another room where more crashing was heard.

A young woman's voice rang out in a frustrated caterwaul. "You brats, I am on the comms!!"

A more ragged woman's voice rang out even louder. "If you boys have broken another bed, I swear to Zihet--"

A sleepy-eyed boy a few years older than Oaa appeared in the hallway nursing a bowl of grey mush covered liberally in hot sauce as he slumped his way through the house. "Oh," he muttered without inflection when he saw Variable Lad standing there expectantly. "Hey, superkid. Nice to see--"

Another shriek filled the air, this one so ear-piercing that it caused some of the students to flinch. A girl in a pink dress pushed past the elder brother who'd just spoken, almost making him upend his food all over the floor. She hurled herself at Oaa, hugging him tight. "Oaa, I'm so glad you're home! You have to come see my superhero archive I'm making of you, come now!"

She started dragging Variable Lad down the hall, and Oaa turned back toward his schoolmates with a little embarassment as he stumbled along. "Uhh..."

Saturn Girl's lips creased into a small smile. She was the only one here who'd met Variable Lad's family already and she'd been prepared for precisely this level of pandemonium. "Go ahead, Oaa...I'm sure your sister and you have a lot to catch up on." Imra turned to address the older brother who'd been standing in the hall this whole time watching everything transpire with a kind of detached amusement. "Ege, would you be a dear and let your mother know we're here?"

There was yet another tremendous crashing noise from somewhere within the house with yet more screaming, and Chemical Kid leaned across to Dragonwing as subtly as he could manage. "I don't think I've ever been so glad to be an only child in my life..."

Wide-eyed, Marya Pai simply nodded.

**********

KHUND SPACE
Near the United Planets border


On the bridge of a run-down old ore transport vehicle named the Fatal Victory, an equally ragged crew of Khundish men settled into the new course that had just been barked at them by their cantankerous ship captain. Captain Kh'ardd had just settled into his seat of command on a tier above the rest of his crew when he smelled something oddly feminine on the air and heard murmurs of surprise from the men around him. Standing up and turning around toward the rear of the bridge, he saw a pall of lavender smoke part to reveal three women standing before him. Two of them were very clearly not Khunds, with their sickly pale flesh; one of them was fit, but too old to serve any purpose in his pleasure cages, and he noticed an odd metallic ring inset into her forehead. The other was much more suitable for use, young and shapely with blond hair and attractive features despite being an alien. But it was the last of the three women who drew Captain Kh'ardd's attention and that of all his crew. The fugitive named Veilmist was infamous throughout the Khund Empire, and every bit as stunning as her holos depicted.

All of the non-essential crew on the bridge immediately prepared for combat, cybernetic weapons humming to life and hands rushing to blades and firearms. They knew better than to overstep Kh'ardd's authority however, and waited tensely for him to give a command.

Stepping down from his throne-like chair, Kh'ardd regarded the women with brazen curiosity. "With this batwitch here I don't need to ask how you all came aboard my vessel, but what insanity leads any of you to think you'll leave alive?"

He'd addressed them in Interlac, assuming that two out of three of them likely wouldn't be able to understand his native tongue. The older woman's eye gleamed wickedly and she answered without hesitation. "Oh, we're not going anywhere, Captain. My name is Vista, my companion is called Nimbus and obviously Veilmist's reputation precedes her. We are the Sisterhood of Sin, and we're here to commandeer your vessel. You see, we have somewhere to be and we don't want Veilmist exhausting herself by teleporting us halfway across your empire to get us there."

Captain Kh'ardd roared with laughter and his crewmates followed suit. "Vista, is it..? You're not as comely as these other two, but I like your fire. Maybe I've got something you can commandeer after all...but first I think we need to teach you your place. Men; non-lethal measures only. And don't ruin the pretty ones' faces."

The crew let loose with whatever weapons they could claim that would jeopardise neither the women's lives nor the bridge's integrity, and all of them were surprised when a translucent blue field extended from the one called Nimbus to form a protective wall of energy around the Sisterhood. Equally as surprising, there was a pink flash of light from the ring in Vista's forehead and three more peculiar women appeared alongside the first trio.

"Star-Bear?" Vista asked smugly, "Remember how I promised you'd get a chance to indulge your love of violence if you joined the Sisterhood..?"

The stocky Russian woman gave a sneering smile and began to say "finally!" although she'd completed her transformation into a bear made of starstuff by the final syllable and it became a monstrous roar.

...and the ore transport vessel drifted along on its way with no external sign at all of the slaughter happening within.

**********

JAQUAA
Brr'nez Ravine, the Tseldor family home


Variable Lad's childhood home was necessarily big to accommodate his enormous family, but even with that in mind it was truly impressive how the family matriarch Neeja Tseldor somehow managed to fit herself, seven children, a son-in-law and a grandson, Saturn Girl and the rest of Oaa's classmates into her dining room. It was a snug fit with all of them at two dinner tables that had been pushed together, but not necessarily an uncomfortable fit. The two tables had been laden with more food than even this many people could possibly eat, and while some of it was a little too daunting for many of the students to risk there had been a wide enough variety of vegetables, sauces and breads to satisfy everybody. As Jaquaans all had a third arm growing out of their back, they used stools and long benches rather than more conventional chairs. It was on this backless furniture that everyone drifted off into their own conversations now that they were stuffed with food.

"Okay, let me see if I remember everyone," Lullabye Lad called Variable Lad's attention, content that there was enough noise that most of the gathering wouldn't hear if he forgot someone's name and embarassed himself. "Your mom obviously..." Waiane next squinted at the heavily pregnant young woman beside Neeja Tseldor and snapped his fingers. "...and your sister Irv! She's the oldest, right? And that's her husband Zev next to her? And I can't believe they've got another kid as well...Zevvie?"

Oaa smiled encouragingly. "You were very close, Waiane! My baby nephew is Zebbu." While Zebbu was too far away in his little floating bassinet to hear his name mentioned, he saw Oaa and Waiane looking at him and cackled as if they were the funniest sight in the galaxy.

"Okay, okay, don't tell me anymore!" Waiane shook his head, laughing himself at the delighted baby. "So then there's your other big sister Niik, your big brother Ege, the little terror twins Uu and Le, and--"

"Me, me, don't forget me!" Oaa's little sister who'd dragged him off earlier and been attached to him like a limpet all evening bounced up and down in her seat.

"I don't think I ever could," Lullabye Lad teased her. "And your little sister Caa...did I get everyone right?"

"Yay!" Caa clapped her hands in approval.

"You did very well," Oaa complimented Waiane. "Although Irv isn't actually our eldest sister, that would be Quaa...unfortunately she couldn't get away from work to join us all."

"S'jn, you haven't eaten!" Oaa's mother hollered across the tables to Sojurn sitting on the far side. Her voice, well accustomed to dealing with a gaggle of rowdy children, cut through the din like a foghorn. "Do you not eat this type of food? I'm sorry luv, I can make you something else if you like!"

"Neeja Tseldor, please do not trouble yourself," Sojurn answered politely, the orange lights on their voice modulator pulsing along as they spoke. "The type of sustenance that I require is beyond your abilities to provide, I fear. I am not in need of nutrition currently however and am content to socialise with my fellow students, our teacher and your family."

"Sojurn, what do you eat?" Key Kid asked more bluntly than intended. "Do you even have a mouth??"

"Miqui!" Amp scolded her fellow Lalloran. "Don't be so rude!"

"Key Kid's curiosity has not offended me," Sojurn replied calmly. "My diet consists of psioplankton; there is not the population here that I was accustomed to in my home dimension, but fortunately I can access dimensional planes where they are bountiful."

While Sojurn discussed the finer points of their anatomy and nutritional needs with Key Kid and Amp, Dragonwing meanwhile had been half-flirting with Oaa's older brother Ege. She was visibly annoyed when Chemical Kid punched her thigh under the table, and she spun on Hadru. "What?" she hissed. "What do you want??"

"Look!" he whispered, facing Marya but flicking his gaze across to Enigma Lass where she sat quietly between Variable Lad and Lullabye Lad. "She waited till we'd all finished so nobody would notice her eating!"

"Well, she's not really eating so much as slurping a bowl of plurplant sauce," Marya screwed up her face. "Which is kinda gross. But so what?" Indeed, Enigma Lass had her hooded face bowed down so close to the table that it wasn't glaringly obvious, but a straw disappeared beneath her hood and it didn't seem that she'd touched any of the solid food on her plate all throughout dinner.

"So there's gotta be a reason she's eating through a straw, right?" Chemical Kid pushed on. "Like maybe she can't eat solid food--?"

Dragonwing abruptly gasped and leaped to her feet, throwing her stool back behind her.

Before Saturn Girl could reprimand her, Dragonwing loudly cleared her throat. "Enigma Lass! Don't panic, but duck under the table! There's a huge spider right behind you, my acid venom will take care of it!"

The others saw it now too, a hairy grey spider with pink markings and eight bright red eyes that crawled up the wall just behind Enigma Lass's head. Its legspan was at least twelve inches across, and most of the students reacted explosively while Oaa's family seemed more baffled than anything else.

"No!!" Variable Lad's little sister Caa screamed as she leaped protectively at the huge creature. "Don't hurt Fluffy!!"

"Dragonwing, don't!" Variable Lad stood as well now, placing himself between his sister and his teammate while the gigantic spider scurried into Caa's arms. "Fluffy is our pet!"

Enigma Lass turned now to see what all the fuss was about, and she cooed appreciatively. "Oh, Fluffy is so beautiful! May I..?"

While Enigma Lass, Variable Lad and his sister doted on the giant spider, Saturn Girl flashed Dragonwing a stern glare which left absolutely no doubt there was going to be a lecture later.

"Mrs Tseldor," Imra spoke up, "You and your family have been wonderfully hospitable but I think it might be time for us to return back to our hotel. I do wish you'd let us help with cleaning up though."

"Don't be stupid!" Variable Lad's mother laughed, an abrupt braying sound. "You've done more than enough teachin' my little Oaa to save the galaxy one day! Isn't that right, my baby Legion boy?"

"Motherrrr..." Variable Lad averted his eyes from his bemused friends.

"Well, it's been an absolutely lovely evening," Saturn Girl continued.

"Oaa, we'll see you with the rest of your family at Dr Gym'll's award presentation later."

**********

IN ORBIT AROUND MARS
The Legion of Superheroes mobile base


ROLL CALL
Blok: team leader; magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Color Kid aka Ulu Vakk: color manipulation
Cosmic Boy aka Rokk Krinn: magnetism
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Dogstar aka Rufus Remulus: Daxamite-level flight, strength, speed, durability, stamina, senses; solar vision
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Life Lass aka Somi Gan: matter animation
Mon-El aka Lar Gand: Daxamite physiology
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Sheranee Shah: enhanced physical characteristics, night vision, solar-fuelled starbolts, tactile language absorption, animal empathy
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking
Sizzle aka Teela Spuunvll: energy conversion
Slug aka Kes Mtsto: inertron form and projectiles
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Stone Boy aka Dag Wentim: ability to transmute to living stone
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility
Transposition Lad aka Kappa Snarrk: teleportational transposition
Truth Girl aka Oliv Hollowai: truth sense, wields the Golden Perfect
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: deputy leader; ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

When Evolvo Lad had designed the Legion's newest headquarters, he'd made an improvement to their main meeting room which bore immediate results and would continue to serve the team well as it grew even larger in the future. Rather than having the Legionnaires crowd around a table, he instead installed retractable modular seating which emerged from the walls in as many tiers as necessary. Right now, most of the team members present could fit into the lowest tier, and King Canary perched on a higher second tier along with some of the longtime Legion couples; Cosmic Boy and Night Girl, Mon-El and Shadow Lass, and Dream Girl and Star Boy. Each seat had its own console, almost giving the meeting room the appearance of a university lecture hall. The consoles allowed each Legionnaire present to see the status of their absent teammates whether they might be helping with relief efforts on Mardru and Earth, on their way back from Takron-Galtos, assisting authorities on various solo missions or on leave.

In the centre of the room, Blok sat in a floating pod originally constructed by Brainiac 5 when he'd been a part of the active roster. Highly advanced predictive software allowed the pod to anticipate likely activity in the room and silently guided the team's leader to that area of the room as necessary. Right now, that meant the stone giant was hovering between Dream Girl and a large holosceen dividing the centre of the room which displayed Marte Allon's larger than life features.

"What do you mean, the Khunds won't allow us into their space?" Dream Girl asked the team's Manager of Diplomacy. Nura wasn't making any effort at all to hide the annoyance in her voice. "Did you tell them I had a vision that something horrible is going to happen on one of their worlds?"

"I assure you I tried my best, Dream Girl." Marte's tone was business-like; she'd spent enough years managing difficult students in her years as an educator that Dream Girl's temper didn't faze her in the slightest. "And the Khund Ambassador has assured me that their own team the Demon's Claw will investigate--"

"The Demon's Claw??" Dream Girl scoffed. "Oh well, that's just wonderful...there's no way that collection of misfits and psychopaths is going to make things any worse!"

"Dream Girl, please try to see this from the Khunds' perspective. All we can tell them is that a completely undefined nightmare is going to take place on some lifeless hunk of rock named H'crides...it's not realistic to expect that they would allow a couple dozen United Planets superheroes carte blanche to pursue a mysterious threat within their territory based solely on that. Frankly, I had a fight on my hands just to get them to commit to having the Demon's Claw investigate at all. Perhaps if you could give me anything more to take to them--"

"I can't!" Nura exploded, standing up and leaning on her console. "Don't you think I would if I could, Marte? But you know my power, you know my record as a Legionnaire--"

"Thank you, Marte." Blok swivelled the pod up and around so that his huge frame obscured Dream Girl from Marte's view entirely. "As ever, the Legion of Superheroes appreciate your good efforts and we thank you for the update regarding Dream Girl's request. We will not take any more of your time."

Marte gave a brief goodbye and her image blinked out.

Sitting almost directly across the room from Dream Girl, Elastic Lad stretched his neck to whisper into Chameleon Boy's ear. "Gosh, Dream Girl sure seems sore!" Jams-Ols 5 exclaimed, not realising that even if nobody else could hear him it couldn't have been more visibly obvious that he was talking to Cham.

"Dream Girl's lucky that Colossal Boy wasn't here to hear her talk to his mother like that," Cham muttered back. "We'd be having shouting matches on both sides of the room by now."

"Nura, why don't you sit down?" Star Boy touched his lover's arm gently.

"I absolutely will not!" Dream Girl pulled away from him. "Blok, I don't care if she's not going to do her job! We need to send a team, do you understand me?"

In the opposite corner of the large space, Supergirl rolled her eyes and leaned back in her chair. "Honestly she's always been like this," Laurel confided to Truth Girl on her left hand side. "She thinks her power entitles her to just do whatever she wants whenever she wants, it's ridiculous."

"I don't know, Supergirl..." Truth Girl wore a look of concern. "Dream Girl certainly considers that what she's saying is the truth, maybe we should look into this? I mean it couldn't hurt just to look into it, could it..?"

"Forgive my interrupting," Dogstar leaned across Truth Girl's other side to join the conversation. "I couldn't help but overhearing...it isn't simply a matter of whether Dream Girl is right or wrong unfortunately. I have been reading our mission logs, and Dream Girl's confidence in her abilities certainly seems very well-earned. Diplomacy is a battle we can't win with powers however. If the Khunds don't want us operating within their borders, we could ruin the fragile relationship that we already have with them if we cross into their space. It took my own homeworld many years of hard work before there was enough mutual trust for us to join the United Planets, I very much understand the Khunds' desire to deal with the matter internally."

Ultra Boy was pleasantly surprised as he watched Blok and Dream Girl going back and forth. While Jo had no real desire to run the team, he'd secretly been happy to have been voted the deputy leader so that he could be ready to jump in and help when Blok inevitably flailed. As much as Tinya had convinced Jo that Blok could be a capable leader, Ultra Boy still struggled not to see him as the well-intentioned but dull-witted oaf he'd been for so long. Right now though, Blok was managing his first incident of team friction as well as anyone possibly could.

"Dream Girl, I do understand your position," Blok stated firmly. "And I do not doubt your abilities. I have known you long enough now to know that your power has never failed us. In this instance however, your power is not the deciding factor in what action we may take. If we were to enter Khund space when we have explicitly been told not to do so, we could spark an interstellar war. I trust that Marte did everything in her power to achieve the result we wanted; that she did not succeed is not a reflection on her commitment to her duties."

"Blok--"

"I would also like to remind you that Marte Allon is a valued member of our support staff, and she deserves the same respect as any other member of this team. Marte may not fight alongside us physically, but she does fight for us and she does so with skill and passion." Blok locked eyes with Dream Girl as he spoke...when he finished, Nura opened her mouth to protest before she thought better of it and sat back in her seat fuming.

Dream Girl took a deep breath, and when she released it she found herself much calmer. "So we can't go barging in across their borders...what if I were to accompany Chameleon Boy and the rest of the Espionage Squad on a secret mission then? The Khunds don't even need to know we're there, but I'm telling you, Blok...we need to go. I don't know exactly what's going to happen, but I know it's bad. It's unspeakably bad."

"You can't be serious!" Chameleon Boy shot back, the rest of the older Legionnaires wearing expressions somewhere between amusement and disbelief at Dream Girl's suggestion. "I commanded a mission to the Khund Empire once, do you remember how that panned out? I'm not in a hurry to spend more time on Takron-Galtos, Dream Girl."

"This is different!" Dream Girl persisted. "Cham, please just think about it--"

Sheranee raised a hand, her bangles tinkling together gently as they slipped down her forearm. "Umm, everyone? Sorry, I know I haven't been in the Legion very long but...my mom's a UP Ambassador and even just with what I've picked up from her by osmosis....I really don't think it would be a good idea to pursue this, even covertly."

"Especially covertly," Shrinking Violet added brusquely. "We're the Legion of Superheroes, not the Oversight Watch. We can't just decide we're above the law when it suits us."

"Not that I think we should make a habit of it," Diamond Damsel volunteered, "But since you brought them up, Violet....what if we passed this one on to the Oversight Watch? If we really don't trust the Khunds to be able to deal with whatever Dream Girl saw, the Oversight Watch are much more suited to sneaking in and doing the kind of stuff that we can't be seen doing."

"I don't trust them anymore than I trust the Demon's Claw!" Dream Girl retorted. "No, it has to be us, we're the only ones who have the combined power and experience to deal with the galaxy-class threat I know this is!"

Dragonmage cleared his throat. "Pardon me, Blok..? For what it's worth, I was present when Dream Girl had her premonition and...there was an aura of incredibly dark and powerful magic around her. I didn't recognise it as being any of the sorcerors I've faced in my time with the Legion but I can easily believe that this really is a Legion-class threat..."

Cosmic Boy stood up to respond to Dragonmage, and though nobody could really pinpoint the exact way it came about, soon the whole room was full of people talking over one another. There was one very conspicuous exception; Dawnstar couldn't help but worry as Wildfire simply sat next to her quietly with his arms folded like he'd been doing the whole meeting. It was so unlike Drake Burroughs not to be front and centre at one of the Legion's infamous opinionated intra-team debates, but he'd been so uncommunicative with her lately that Dawnstar didn't even know how to broach the subject with him.

She was still brooding about it when a tremendous boom sounded. Everybody in the room was struck silent, their attention focused on Blok's surprisingly loud clap.

"Thank you," Blok stated simply. "Dream Girl, we have our Manager of Diplomacy's assurance that the Demon's Claw will journey to H'crides in our stead. They are an efficient team, and one who have proven a challenge to us even with their smaller roster. I have confidence that they are equal to the task, and if they are not equal to the task then that may be just what the Khunds need to reconsider their position and call on us for help. But this discussion is over; the Legion of Superheroes have been told to stay out of Khund space, and we will obey. I am afraid that I must insist this is not a topic for debate."

Dream Girl glared at Blok, her eyes filling with angry tears. "Fine."

She twisted at the golden band on her finger, and Star Boy's stomach dropped. "Nura, what are you--"

"Then effective immediately, I resign from the Legion of Superheroes."

Nura Nal removed her flight ring and placed it on her console, then without another word she stormed out of the room.

**********

JAQUAA
Gevaa Ing'zl Memorial Centre

Named after a pioneering Jaquaan oncologist from the 29th Century, the Gevaa Ing'zl Memorial Centre was the administrative centre of Jaquaa's World Medical Council and the place where most of its conferences and other public-facing activities were held. Like Variable Lad's family home and most other Jaquaan buildings it had been constructed within one of the many deep gorges that were a product of tectonic activity millions of years ago; unlike Variable Lad's large but humble home, the Gevaa Ing'zl Centre was an architectural marvel. It was full of enormous open spaces, and it was easy to forget that it was actually nearly a hundred feet underground once one was inside its walls. The most beautiful art hung on the walls, and giant chandeliers reflected splashes of light across the faux-marble surfaces everywhere. The actual auditorium where the presentation was taking place had one whole wall made of reinforced glass, a diverted underground river outside giving the impression that they were actually under the sea.

The award ceremony had been a perfect excuse for Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl to dress up for a change, and they both looked stunning. Garth wore a tailored dusky blue suit with a white cravat and exposed cuffs, and Imra was breathtaking in a long form-fitting mahogany red velvet dress. She wore a pearl choker necklance and matching earrings, and her hair was pulled back into a fishtail bun. The students had rarely ever seen their teachers out of costume at all, and they were all thoroughly impressed. Imra and Garth had also decided that tonight's ceremony could be an educational experience for their children, and Graym and Garridan looked adorable in their own little suits that matched their father's (though in a much lighter shade of blue).

Most of the students all came dressed up as well; Sojurn of course never wore anything aside from their voice modulator, and Enigma Lass seemingly possessed no clothing other than her costume. Dragonwing, Amp, Variable Lad and Key Kid all looked quite smart though, and Chemical Kid and Lullabye Lad particularly had taken the opportunity to step out in style; Hadru and Waiane were both wearing suits which wouldn't have looked out of place on a catwalk at Athram Fashion Week.

Just before the presentation began they'd all had a chance to catch up with Variable Lad and his family, minus the twins Uu and Le who had far too much energy between them to sit still through the whole ceremony and had stayed home with their pregnant sister Irv, her partner Zev and little Zebbu. The Academy also met Oaa's eccentric aunt Talo; a woman in her 60s who smelled pleasantly of cinnamon and Avalonian cyrlewood, and wore a vibrant flowing dress with multiple long-beaded necklaces...and finally they met the guest of honour himself, Dr Gym'll. Imra and Garth couldn't help but be amused at the open affection Gym'll showed for his sisters and Oaa when he'd always been such a cranky old snapdragon in his dealings with the Legion. Talo fell in love with Graym and Garridan immediately, and though Dr Gym'll grumbled about how difficult it had been to assist with Graym's birth it was clear that the old man was happy to see both of Garth and Imra's children happy and healthy.

Though they'd come here in the first place because of Enigma Lass's excitement, now that she was face to face with the great Dr Odeli Gym'll she was far too shy to actually talk to him. She spent the whole time making herself as small as possible behind Sojurn's floating form, and Imra resolved to have a chat to her about it later and maybe try to organise a one on one meeting where she could feel more confident expressing herself to the good doctor.

Then the ceremony got underway, and they'd all filed into their bench seats in the spacious auditorium. Graym and Garridan really had tried to be on their best behaviour, but inevitably they got bored and their boredom turned to frustration; Garth spent most of his time watching them with an eagle eye and hissing at them to behave themselves occasionally when they started to annoy one another too obviously. Imra actually found Gym'll's research quite fascinating, and she and Enigma Lass watched the night unfold with rapt attention. Sojurn of course was as inscrutable as ever, and the rest of the students honestly didn't last all that much longer than the Ranzz twins before they started growing visibly restless.

45 minutes later, they'd finally come around to calling Dr Gym'll up on stage. After a polite applause, Gym'll spoke gruffly but eloquently about how D'nlos syndrome had been a scourge on Jaquaa since it had been identified and named 313 years ago. He described how it manifested in early childhood, stopped its sufferers from being able to process food into energy, and left a horrifyingly large proportion of Jaquaans emaciated and dead before they'd even reached their teens. Early on in his medical career, Gym'll had specialised in genetic therapies, and he'd taken on D'nlos syndrome with all the fire and passion of youth. His professional life had taken him in other directions and eventually he wound up on Medicus One. Gym'll had always remembered D'nlos syndrome though, and in his spare time he had worked tirelessly toward finding a treatment for it that could at least prolong lives if not save them. Gym'll described how an unrelated case at Medicus One brought with it an epiphany that could be applied to his work on D'nlos syndrome, and after two local years of testing, he'd been equally proud and relieved to be able to announce that he'd found a cure.

The audience clapped again, and a representative from the World Medical Council approached the lectern to give Gym'll his award. While he was still crossing the stage however, a Jaquaan man stood up and walked down to the front of the room. He at first drew stares and puzzled mutterings, but when a security droid approached him and the man pressed a button on a handheld device which shut the droid down the room was filled with shocked gasps.

"Gym'll!" the man bellowed, tearing open his overcoat to reveal chemical explosives strapped to his chest. "Do you remember me, murderer?"

The man who'd spent the past several years of his career giving attitude to actual superheroes wasn't going to be cowed by a man with a bomb. "As a matter of fact I don't remember you," Gym'll shot back. "What is this murderer nonsense? I have devoted my life to healing people!"

Meanwhile, Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl had moved into action. "Kids," Saturn Girl turned to Graym and Garridan. "Listen to me very carefully. Mommy and Daddy will make sure everything turns out okay, but if it starts getting rough in here I want you to do what Sojurn says. Do you understand me?"

"But Mom--" Graym began.

"Tell me you understand," Imra interrupted. They both knew that tone she'd taken and knew there was no point arguing; the twins nodded in defeat. Saturn Girl had already telepathically told Sojurn to get her boys out of here if trouble started, and while she'd been talking to her sons Garth had instructed the students that this wasn't a time for them to be playing hero.

"You freeze his mind for a moment, I'l go down and disarm him," Lightning Lad proposed as he and Saturn Girl made their way down toward him as quietly as possible.

"Garth, this whole room's on the verge of panic," Imra responded. "If they try to rush the exits people could get seriously hurt. I'm dampening down their fear responses, but I can't do that and use my power on him at the same time."

"And I can't zap him," Garth frowned. "I'll likely just set that bomb off myself."

"Um, Saturn Girl? Lightning Lad?" Lullabye Lad had left his seat to follow his teachers. "I know you told us all to stay put, but come on...my power is perfect for ending this without any casualties."

Garth and Imra exhanged an intense glance, communicating something between them without the need for words. "Very well," Saturn Girl agreed. "But don't grandstand, Waiane. These people can't afford any errors on our part." The teenager nodded, and after Garth gave him a supportive pat on the shoulder he tiptoed his way down the stairs toward the front stage with Garth and Imra right behind him.

At the front of the auditorium, Gym'll and the man who'd now named himself Miio Ch'ndri were still in conversation. "Maybe you don't remember me," Miio ranted, "But I bet you'll remember my daughter Brii."

"Brii..." Gym'll cast his mind back. "Brii Ch'ndri...oh, Brii Ch'ndri! That poor girl! Miio, I know what this is now and--"

"No! Shut up!" Miio's finger hovered over the detonator. "You don't get to talk! My little baby had D'nlos and you could have saved her but you let her die! And now you're up here getting an award?? You should be in prison!"

"Mr Ch'ndri, I am deeply sorry for your loss," Dr Gym'll spoke more compassionately now, "But you must believe me, I did everything in my power to help that poor child. When she passed I promised myself I would lose no more innocents to this awful condition, and I redoubled my efforts. I wish I could have saved your child, Mr Ch'ndri, I truly do...but I just did not know then what I know now."

"I don't care!" Miio raged. "I don't care anymore if you're telling the truth or not...my baby's gone and nothing is going to bring her back but I can make you hurt like I do! I can...I can..." He wavered on his feet for a second, then his eyes rolled back in his head and Miio Ch'ndri slumped on the floor.

Lullabye Lad stood behind the sleeping man, eyes on the detonator that had bounced harmlessly across the floor. "Oh..oh wow, that was intense."

Before Dr Gym'll could respond, the room was suddenly wracked with explosions. The chaos was too much, and Saturn Girl lost control of the crowd. People started screaming and racing toward the exits, only to find that they were all locked from the outside. Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl activated the electrostatic charges that switched them into their costumes, and the students all followed suit.

"It wasn't my fault, I swear!" Lullabye Lad blurted out. "He didn't press the detonator, really!"

"The boy is correct," Gym'll joined them. "I don't believe that sad man planned on leaving here tonight, I suspect he set these explosives up in advance in case he didn't get a chance to complete the job himself."

"I think you're right," Saturn Girl looked around the room. "But right now that doesn't matter. We need to get these people out of here before this whole place comes down."

An orange flash of light exploded from where Sojurn had been moments ago, and the Ranzzes were quietly glad that their children would at least be safe. But parts of the ceiling had collapsed and buried people, fires had broken out in multiple places and the room was filling with smoke...and on top of that, from the way people were pounding on the exit doors, it seemed that their would-be suicide bomber had also planned on nobody getting out of here alive. As if all of that wasn't bad enough, a long diagonal crack extended from one side of the window separating them from freezing tons of water outside.

"Variable Lad, do you have a form that can put out these fires or get people out of here?" Lightning Lad asked.

"I can do that!" Chemical Kid jumped in. "The fires, I mean! Combustion is just a chemical reaction, right? If I prevent that..."

"And I can get those doors open," Key Kid added. "I umm...might need some help getting through those people though."

"Come with me, Miqui." Saturn Girl reached for Key Kid's hand. "I can't use my power against the whole crowd when they're this worked up, but I'm sure I can make a path to the door for you easily enough."

"My sisters! My nephew Ege and my nieces!" Dr Gym'll exclaimed anxiously. "Lightning Lad, I can't see them anywhere!"

"Sojurn took them to safety with Graym and Garridan," Dragonwing explained. "But Lightning Lad, what do the rest of us do? I hate this, my powers are no good for this kind of situation!"

"I hear you, Marya." Garth replied. "Lightning's not much use here either, and I'm pretty sure that window is getting more cracks as we speak." A second flash of orange light appeared, and they all saw that Sojurn had returned. Garth snapped his fingers. "Amp! Go work with Sojurn, boost their power so you can get as many people out of here as quickly as possible. Everyone else, do what you can to help people. Maybe our powers can't help people, that doesn't mean that we can't. Dr Gym'll, could you please find me something I can use to restrain this gentleman? I'm going to remove his bomb but I'm sure he'll wake up soon enough with all this ruckus going on." Gym'll's instinct was to bark back something about not being a superhero, but he realised this wasn't the time for that and started searching.

As everyone else split up to assist where they could, Enigma Lass heard a crumbling sound and saw another section of the roof collapse. She wasn't scared of dying, but if she died down here...how long would it take them to recover her body? She shuddered, and pushed the thought out of her mind. Her own comfort was the last thing she should be worrying about right now. Cracks were extending across the ceiling in the same area the roof had just fallen in, and Enigma Lass resolved to steer clear of there; that whole section would be likely to come down soon. As soon as she'd had that thought, a piercing scream from the collapsed rubble caught her attention. Forgetting everything else, Enigma Lass ran over there and saw a young Jaquaan woman struggling to clamber free from beneath the caved in roof. "Please!" the woman cried. "You have to help me, I don't want to die!"

"And you will not," Enigma Lass tried to assure her. "But you will need to comply with me to be safe again. Can you do that?"

Under different circumstances the small faceless hooded creature might have terrified the young woman, but she was already terrified quite enough. She nodded furiously. "Yes, yes! Anything, just please help!"

"Let me think..." Enigma Lass stepped back and examined the scene, her hand on her chin. Another crack sounded above and a rain of dust fell upon them. "I need you to help me lift this plate that is upon you, when I say." Enigma Lass squatted down by the woman, getting a good grip on the underside of the plasteel panel that obscured one of the woman's legs. The way it had fallen upon her, it looked like it had crushed her left leg from just below the knee. Hopefully there was no permanent damage, but even if there was Enigma Lass took solace knowing that it could have been much worse. "One...two...th -- go! Now!" The Jaquaan woman had sat up as best she could, bracing herself against the ground with her third arm. At Enigma Lass's command, she used her other two arms to lift the plate. Enigma Lass herself put all of the strength into it that her little body could muster, and together they managed to lift it just enough that the woman could shuffle her way out. Still, she was too slow and Enigma Lass wasn't going to be able to hold this for long.

More dust rained down upon them. "Go!" Enigma Lass cried out. "Please make haste!"

The woman began crying again. "I can't, I can't--"

Suddenly, two arms were under the Jaquan woman's own, and Variable Lad dragged her away from there as quickly as he could. "I apologise for the rough handling, Miss! Enigma Lass, you can release the plate! She is fr--" The rest of Oaa Tseldor's exclamation was lost beneath the sound of several tons of roof finally crumbling, and Enigma Lass was instantly buried.

"No!" Variable Lad screamed, his voice breaking. "Enigma Lass!!"

Oaa's distress bought Dragonwing, Lullabye Lad and Lightning Lad over to his side and they saw that he was almost hysterical with anguish. "Enigma Lass!!" he screamed at the rubble. "Enigma Lass, can you hear me?!"

"Oaa...buddy..." Dragonwing placed a hand on his shoulder. "That's...that's like half a mountain worth of rock, there's no way she could be..." Unable to finish, she choked on her words and looked across to a teary Lullabye Lad.

"Kids..." Lightning Lad said awkwardly, "She...look, she's gonna be okay. I promised not to break her trust so I can't tell you more, but her power will get her through this. Trust me. Right now, there are other people who need us."

"No!" Variable Lad shrugged Dragonwing off violently. "We lost Fire Lass, we're not going to lose her too!" Taken aback by Oaa's uncharacteristic outburst, the others could only watch as the normally placid boy's frame extended. They heard bones snap and muscle shift. His limbs seemed to atrophy, growing smaller and weaker until they were subsumed within the mass of his body which now resembled an earthworm some twelve feet long. His face too was lost in the reformation of his body, and most shocking of all, each individual segment possessed a number of small drooling mouths, rows of teeth visible inside. "An eartheater!" the dozens of mouths of Oaa Tseldor spoke in unison. "An eartheater will help here!"

He writhed upon the rubble, and every one of his mouths started consuming as much material as they could. The display was viscerally unsettling, but they couldn't deny that it was effective. Within only a minute, Variable Lad had eaten his way down through the rubble to reveal the broken form of Enigma Lass beneath. She was laying face down, neither moving nor breathing. Her limbs were pierced by rods of steel and broken glass, her costume was in tatters, and both the costume and Enigma Lass's exposed skin were covered in a thick layer of dust and weirdly greenish coagulated blood.

Variable Lad resumed his normal form. "Enigma Lass! Enigma Lass, please talk to us!"

"Oaa," Dragonwing spoke up again, more assertively this time. "Come on pal, it's too late. Look at her."

They were looking at her, and they all saw something completely unexpected. Enigma Lass's costume was spontaneously knitting itself back together again. It was not a fast process, but it was happening...and then Lullabye Lad gasped in shock as he saw her leg pop itself back into its correct position and her arm slowly pushing out the glass and metal that had penetrated her flesh. Her wounds closed over right before their eyes, and soon enough they heard a low growling moan come forth from what had seconds ago unmistakably been a corpse.

"She's alive!" Oaa cried out. "Did you hear her, she's alive!" He reached down to touch her shoulder and began turning her round to face them.

"No!" a throaty rasp screamed in place of Enigma Lass's normally light girlish voice. "Don't look at me!"

"Oaa, stop!" Lightning Lad cautioned, but Variable Lad was so caught up in his relief that he didn't even hear his teacher.

"You see, Marya?" Variable Lad grinned, turning Enigma Lass all the way around to face them. "You were wrong, she's still--"

Variable Lad's words caught in his throat.

Lullabye Lad's hands flew to cover his mouth in horror and he unwittingly stumbled back a step.

Lightning Lad simply gave an apologetic look to Enigma Lass and a deflated sigh.

Dragonwing was the only one of them to find her voice. "Hoooly....."

Marya stared down at their newest classmate, Enigma Lass's costume still repairing itself and her exposed skin now revealing itself to be a garish yellow color. While her hood was still mostly intact, Enigma Lass's mask had been shredded...and Dragonwing announced the thing they all could see.

"Enigma Lass is a Dominator!!"

**********
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Enigma Undone - 07/22/23 06:05 PM
yay, more good stuff raz!!

LOL at Garth and Imra bringing their kids on the excursion!! Childcare is a reality!!

aw at Variable Lad's mom insisting on making dinner for the whole class!

wow, you really thought well about the planet. hot surface, dangerous wildlife, living underground. all fascinating!

LOL at V-Lad's siblings! so realistic, esp. the aloof older bro (heh, superkid) and the very eager sis!

heh, oh those Khunds, and their under-estimation of women. very ominous last sentence there...

wow, I am super impressed indeed at V-Lad's mom!

LOL at Dragonwing flirting with big bro Ege!

OMG! that giant spider! good of Dragonwing to notice though, but whew!

whew, I can understand Nura's temper, and I appreciate Marte keeping calm and Blok keeping the peace!

loving the little bits of gossip and the different opinions --- great characterization there, raz! and also Jo's surprise and under-estimation of Blok, which indeed, the Blok of old (before being Shazam-empowered) would not have been my choice for leader at all...

and good of Blok, the way he defended Marte and got Nura to calm down was epic!

Love the discussion that came after, with so many pitching in. and again, great characterization re HOW they did it!

oh WOW! I did not expect Nura to resign like that! but I get it - her vision must have been terrifying. and we all know how true they are! is she going to take matters into her own hands?


heh at Dr. Gym'll and his attitude. Good choice of Garth and Imra to let the twins listen to Sojurn - with his teleportation, Sojurn is agreat choice to watch over them

Loving how the clothes can transform into costumes!

oooog. what a twist, the bombs were pre-set to blow...

good of Lullabye Lad to volunteer, by the way

hah! I called it! Enimga Lass is a Dominator! and is she the Dominator child on that ship that Duplicate Boy II attacked? so her power is to regenerate and resurrect somehow???
Posted By: razsolo Re: Enigma Undone - 07/24/23 09:18 AM
Quote
LOL at Garth and Imra bringing their kids on the excursion!! Childcare is a reality!!
I knew I should have put something in there about Garth and Imra bringing the kids as an educational experience, I promise they're not being helicopter parents hahaha

I wrote up this crazy family tree for Variable Lad with little character notes for everyone and some stuff about Jaquaan society and naming conventions that was really WAY more work than necessary considering how quick this adventure was laugh

...but I am thinking I might actually do a little separate mini-story at some stage to explore it more, because it was fun to invent!

I am glad the meeting discussion landed well...with so much happening with the Academy and Sisterhood of Sin at the moment I didn't wanna crowd the Legion out of their own fanfic so I figured it would be a good way to still give them some focus (plus it's always fun writing some spirited team discussion!) smile

Dream Girl is definitely going to take things into her own hands, and if you thought watching her quit the team was a surprise, wait till you see what she does next!

Good work picking up on Enigma Lass being that Dominator kid! And if you're wondering how much longer you will need to wait to find out more, I will just say that the next instalment is gonna be called Who Is Enigma Lass?
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Enigma Undone - 07/25/23 09:38 AM
Raz, hi,

I'm loving your Jaquaa! The surface being left wild while the Jaquaans live comfortably beneath is a great idea. Parents struggling to get their kids to eat different foods is a real struggle! I sympathise with Garth. And Oaa's mother wanting to cook a meal for her son and his friends is relatable too smile The chaos in the family home was really sweet, Oaa's older brother cool hello and his younger sisters enthusiasm - well written! "I don't think I've ever been so glad to be an only child in my life..." - Hadru isn't stupid laugh

Yay, it's Sisterhood time! Interesting, and appalling that Captain Kh'ardd's first thoughts are what use the women would be in his pleasure cages, yech! Throne-like chair, yeah I can see that, even from your brief description this fits. Stealing the ore-carrier rather than tire out Veilmist - good idea. Vista carrying her teammates within her astral plane thingie is clever - why tax Veilmist teleporting the whole team when she doesn't want to. Star Bear getting the chance to fulfil her desire for violence - yikes!

Oaa's mother cramming everyone together for the meal - yup, been there, totally relate, and making far too much food - it's me an any family gathering, it's a natural thing to do. I like that Sojourn has specific dietary needs - of course not all species will eat the same thing. Though, do they ave a mouth? Haha, I thought the same thing as Key Kid. Enigma Lass using a straw to slurp soup - it's because she's a vampire, isn't it? She doesn't want her fellow students to see her ferociously rip the food apart laugh Fluffy the foot wide spider - hmmmmm okay, cute for Jaquaans but I share the students revulsion. "my baby Legion boy" it's also within a mother's contract to embarrass her children publicly laugh

My memory is failing me - where's your Brainiac 5? Nice use of Evolvo to redisgn the meeting area, and it would make a great visual. I agree with Nura, relying on the Demon's Claw is not really much of a plan. And really nice to see Marte Allon pop up, I love your diplomatic arm of the team. Blok dealt with Dreamy's insubordination well, he's definitely having a tough term though. Mind you, who ever has an easy time of it? Nothing like potentially starting a war with the Khunds to make a person regret accepting the leadership role, eh? Loved Laurel's response to Nura, haha. Jo's thoughts on Blok area bit rich... pot and kettle. Dreamy doesn't give up does she? I totally dif how Blok dealt with her, and lover her coming back with another option straight off the bat. And, funny that Vi mentions the Oversight watch as that was exactly what I was thinking too. I enjoy how you have the team discuss this matter, and despite Blok already making the decision, it's interesting to hear their opinions. Nice mention that Wildfire is out-of-sorts. Wow! I didn't expect Nura to quit, this will be interesting!

You've obviously put a fair bit of thought into Jaquaa, I liked the naming of the memorial centre and your description of the opulent insides is great! Also sweet that the twin boys are there, though that may be a problem as we all know how small kids are easily distracted... Got to love the eccentric aunts laugh Bless Enigma Lass for getting all shy around Gym'll. There's always got to be someone who comes along to ruin a party, hasn't there? Clever thinking of Imra to get the boys to stay close to Sojurn, as if a quick getaway is needed that's who you want to be next to. Lullabye Lad really is the perfect student for he job, let's hope he doesn't mess it up laugh Dr Gym'll a murderer? Only of Legionnaires if he had his way laugh The desperate father, ouch, I kind of understand where he's coming from, though wouldn't ever advocate a suicide bomb as a solution. Oh, was their a deadman's switch on the detonator? Time for the students to get into action! And poor Gym'll having his night ruined like that. The chaos that followed the bombs, and the locked doors in a rom filling with smoke and the glass panel cracking - you like toturring your heroes, don't you Raz laugh Enigma Lass isn't scared of dying because she's a vampire I tell you, A VAMPIRE!! laugh You now I'm not serious about that, don't you? Though if it turns out she is then I'm taking full credit! Good to see her being careful as she helps out though. Oh, that crumbling roof has ended her career before it even really began then smile I do like the descriptions of the forms Oaa takes, the worm with multiple mouths is particularly disgusting. Enigma Lass and her costume are actually Immorto? And she is the Dominator girl, okay, but is she a vampire Dominator? Fab, fab, fab - am looking forward to her back story!

This was great fun and you covered a lot in a relatively short piece, from Oaa's family and living on (in?) Jaquaa, the Sisterhood getting closer to their goals, Nura quitting (still shocked at that!), and of course your students in ation leading to your Enigma Lass reveal. What a ride! As you'd expect, with all those plots I'm sat here eager for more, more, more!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Enigma Undone - 07/25/23 01:17 PM
raz, I would def love to read more of Jaquaa - let's not let your copious notes go to waste! smile

ooh color me excited for Dream Girl coming up, and for more on Enigma Lass!
Posted By: Set Re: Enigma Undone - 07/26/23 08:11 PM
Great detail on Jaquaa, and also intrigued by the secret of Enigma Girl. Ha, she had to eat through a straw because of those teeth!

She seems much less terrifying than the 'Dominator Heroes' I came up with, in the Heroes of Other Worlds thread. smile
Posted By: razsolo Re: Enigma Undone - 07/27/23 10:48 AM
Hi all, thanks for reading (and commenting)!

I have been brewing some Jaquaa ideas, we haven't even met their local superhero team yet! smile

Harbi, sorry to put a dampener on your Enigma Lass vampire dreams, but Immorto isn't too far off tbh!

Brainy left the team all the way back in 2019(!) to go and find himself an existence outside the Legion for a bit after he realised he was falling back into the kind of loopy behaviour that gives us Computos and Omegas....I do have a plan to check in on him at some stage actually but I doubt I will get round to it till next year!

Poor Blok is indeed off to a rocky (heh) start with leading the team, and it is not gonna be getting any easier for a while!

And coming up with gross forms for Variable Lad is my favourite part of writing him.....for such a nice polite kid he really does have a disgusting power laugh

Enigma Lass is definitely much less terrifying than those other Dominators, and people might have a few feelings coming out about her after the next instalment!

I am also super excited for everyone to see Dream Girl's next move...it's a doozy!
Posted By: razsolo Who is Enigma Lass? - 08/02/23 11:33 AM
IN ORBIT AROUND MARS
The Legion of Superheroes mobile base, team leader's office


ROLL CALL
Blok: team leader; magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

Blok's office was an empty shell of a room; while the existing fittings had all been cleared out, the room hadn't been redecorated to suit his needs yet. Still, he had wanted some privacy to deal with Dream Girl's sudden resignation and it didn't seem right to discuss such a serious matter in his quarters.

Even the wisdom of Solomon couldn't have prepared Blok for what came next however...Blok looked at the five flight rings sitting in the palm of his giant stone hand and then turned to the five heroes before him. "All of you are leaving the Legion of Superheroes??"

Standing beside Dream Girl, Star Boy squeezed her hand tight. "I don't want to leave the Legion, Blok...but if it's a choice between this team and the woman I love..."

"And they're gonna need backup," Wildfire added. "We're superheroes, Blok. We're gonna go be superheroes, we don't need your permission."

"I asked Mon-El to scan this planet H'crides with his telescopic vision and he found nothing of interest," Blok explained patiently. "Dawnstar has found that none of the mystical threats of which we are aware can be tracked to that world, and Tellus was not able to discern any further detail from Dream Girl's subconscious than that she has already told us. Legionnaires, please listen to reason. I believe in Dream Girl's vision, I believe that there is a great evil to be met, but the Legion of Superheroes are not the only heroes that can do so. The risk to our relations with the Khunds is far disproportionate to any benefit we might get from travelling to a lifeless world just to see what happens when we get there!"

"I disagree," Dream Girl looked up defiantly into Blok's eyes. "And I'm glad that at least some of my friends support me. Unless you're going to make us fight all of our other friends, we're leaving."

"Of course we're not going to fight you, Dream Girl--"

"Good. Then let's go, people." Nura Nal turned on her heel and stepped out the door, almost colliding with Neon rushing in.

"Xao!" Zoe Saugin rushed to Dragonmage, grabbing him by the shoulders. "I just got back from Earth, what's this I hear about you quitting the team??"

"I'm sorry, Zoe." Xao Jin had trouble meeting her concerned gaze. "But you were with us when Dream Girl had that vision, you saw the effect it had upon her...and I would never ask you to choose between our friendship and the Legion of Superheroes, but I cannot let her face that darkness again alone."

"No, Xao!" Zoe refused to let him go. "This is nuts! You don't see how nuts this is? You can't just go invading the sprocking Khund Empire on the strength of what..? A bad dream??"

"You don't have to come with us, kid." Wildfire took Neon's attention away, her angry face reflected in his visor. "But you're not stoppin' us either. Come on, Dragonmage."

"Drake, please!" Dawnstar had been waiting out in the corridor alongside Mon-El, Shadow Lass and Shrinking Violet, and she now came forward as well. "Why are you doing this??"

Wildfire cast a glance back at Blok. "I'm going where I'm needed, Dawny....and I don't think that's the Legion right now."

"But, Drake...what about us? You didn't even discuss this with me!"

"Drake's a name for a human being," Wildfire spoke with barely contained anger. "And you've made it crystal clear that's not what I am. Now if you'll excuse me, someone needs the power of Wildfire." He stormed off after Dream Girl and Star Boy, while a stunned Dawnstar was choked silent with emotion.

"Classy, Wildfire." Shrinking Violet glared after him as she approached Dawnstar to comfort her, but the anti-energy hero didn't pause for a moment.

"I...Zoe, Blok...everyone, I really am so sorry." Dragonmage was clearly torn. "But this is something I must do." He jogged on after the other departing heroes.

"Mysa, wait." Blok spoke before Mysa Nal could follow the others out of his office. She had used the magic word to transform back into her unpowered form before announcing her resignation, and in a modest white sundress the petite redhead seemed out of place now among the other heroes.

"I may hold a sliver of the powers of Shazam thanks to you," Blok continued, "But you have almost all of that power at your command. Is Solomon's wisdom really telling you that this is the best course of action?"

"...Quite the opposite actually." Mysa gave her friend a sad smile. "In fact, I had to change forms to evict that nagging voice from my head that kept telling me Nura's making a huge mistake. But she's my sister, Blok....if it is a mistake, I can't leave her to face the consequences of that on her own."

"Then convince her to stay!" Shadow Lass threw her hands up in frustration. "Neon is right, Mysa...this is madness!"

"This isn't the way, Mysa," Mon-El added more gently. "Work with the Legion and we can find another solution."

"I wish we could." Mysa bowed her head and used both hands to fold Blok's enormous fingers over the flight rings in his palm. "But my sister says time is of the essence...As Xao said, I am sorry that it had to be this way. Goodbye, my friends."

Then Mysa Nal turned and walked away from the Legion of Superheroes.

**********

JAQUAA
L'mo Gorge, Embassy Suites


ROLL CALL

Legion Academy
Amp aka Ming Sul:
amplification of any power or characteristic

Chemical Kid aka Hadru Jamik: control of chemical reactions
Dragonwing aka Marya Pai: acid venom, fire breath
Enigma Lass: auto-resurrection
Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: ability to bypass any man-made lock or barrier
Lightning Lad aka Garth Ranzz: co-head; electricity generation and manipulation
Lullabye Lad aka Waiane Wentim: Zwennite physiology, narcoleptic induction
Saturn Girl aka Imra Ardeen Ranzz: co-head; telepathy
Sojurn aka S'jn: interdimensional cephalopod; teleportation, telekinesis, telepathy
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

Despite Miio Ch'ndri's best efforts, everyone had been evacuated safely from Dr Gym'll's ill-fated award ceremony at the Gevaa Ing'zl Memorial Centre. It came out after all the chaos that the would-be suicide bomber had assumed Gym'll would be likely to have some of his celebrity patients from the Legion of Superheroes at the ceremony, and Ch'ndri had placed several bombs on timers just in case any interfering heroes prevented him from blowing himself up.

Enigma Lass's costume had weirdly regrown itself before anybody outside of her classmates had seen her Dominator features, and while conventional authorities made sure the injured were hospitalised and Ch'ndri was taken into custody, Variable Lad's mother kindly offered to babysit Graym and Garridan so that Garth and Imra could defuse the powderkeg that had been lit when Enigma Lass's fellow students saw who she truly was.

The Academy students were all now gathered alongside their teachers in the Ranzz family suite in the luxury hotel where they were staying here on Jaquaa. Picture windows looked out onto a waterfall that plummeted into a swimming pool at the bottom of the gorge outside but nobody was looking at that right now...all eyes were focused on the young Dominator in their midst. Hidden within her costume, Enigma Lass sat cross-legged on a plush armchair which dwarfed her small frame. Saturn Girl perched on one of the chair's arms, and Lightning Lad was in a second chair nearby. On the other side of the room, the other students all sat on or around a four-seater couch with Sojurn hovering behind them.

"All things considered," Amp spoke up not particularly kindly, "I think you owe us an explanation." It was unclear whether she was talking to Enigma Lass, their teachers, or all three of them.

"Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad...did you two know about this?" Key Kid added uneasily.

"I know this must be difficult to process," Saturn Girl soothed, "Especially for you two, Amp and Key Kid...we know about your history back on Lallor. But Enigma Lass doesn't owe us anything of herself that she doesn't want to give."

"At least tell us how you survived back there!" Lullabye Lad blurted. "I mean we all saw you, you were...well, you were dead!"

"I didn't want to tell you all," Enigma Lass spoke up quietly, her voice barely more than a rasping whisper. "I just...I just wanted to be...to live like you all do, without being what I am."

"And what are you anyway?" Dragonwing asked. "I mean a Dominator obviously...but Lullabye Lad's right, you were dead back there!"

"Enigma Lass, you listen to Saturn Girl," Garth Ranzz spoke up firmly. "You don't have to tell anyone anything until you're ready."

"Thank you, genuinely..." The young girl looked up at Lightning Lad, pulled her hood back and removed her featureless mask revealing the needle-toothed yellow face beneath. "But I suppose inside I knew this was inevitable." She looked down at her hands in her lap and spoke haltingly. "I was not...borrn..." Her brow knit in distaste as she heard herself drag out the word in her distinctive Dominator way, but Enigma Lass continued. "...Not in the way that I imagine all of you know. The womb in which I developed was a gene-vat on a Dominion biovessel. I was a subject in the Dominion's schemes to make metasoldierrs forr Dominion expansion...and endless tests on that biovessel was the only existence that I knew."

"So you just decided to train up a Dominion supersoldier??" Key Kid sniped accusingly at Garth and Imra.

"I am of the Dominion, but I am not a...I am not what you said," Enigma Lass answered Miqui. "I was...I was just a lab specimen to him. Subject 58. The scientist who made me spent such a long time attempting to activate synthetic metagenes within us. I saw so many of my labmates die, eitherr instantly orr afterr long and awful tests...some of them neverr got special abilities...the unlucky ones did. The unlucky ones werre made in the image of herroes like Sun Boy orr Lightning Lad, and they...I watched them burrn. I watched my fellow labmates...failed experriments...die by theirr own powerr and be shovelled into a...a biorrrecyclerrr...like so much leftoverr nutrrient paste..."

She wiped a tear from her eye and the others all fell silent. Enigma Lass couldn't bring herself to look up at the students as she kept talking. "I apologise...I thought...I thought this wouldn't hurrr...hurrt anymore, but it does."

Saturn Girl stroked Enigma Lass's yellow scalp tenderly and the girl took a deep breath. "I think....sometimes I think my labmates, they werre lucky though. Luckierr than me. You see, my ability did not manifest forr the longest time...I thought at least the indignities that I had to face werre less than those whose powerrs killed them orrr....orr verry nearrly killed them, the ones who werre dissected, everry parrt of them taken aparrt and analysed...but those of us whose metagene didn't activate; the scientist eventually gave up on us and just gave us a lethal injection...and dying quickly and quietly was much betterr than the alterrnative."

"How...how long were you in that lab..?" Chemical Kid asked, unusually somber.

"I do not know rreally, the nice United Planets lady who looked afterr me beforre I came to the Academy though..she did some tests and she thinks I am between thirrteen to fourrteen standarrd yearrs old...so maybe eleven orr twelve of those yearrs I lived on the biovessel?" Enigma Lass was still unable to actually look at the others. "You don't underrstand...we werre...we werre nothing but experriments. We neverr saw the outside of that ship, I neverr thought I would...we werre neverr taught to tell the passage of time orr to rread orr...orr to talk prroperrly, orr..." A choked sob came out and Enigma Lass hid her face in her hands and shuddered visibly.

"Hey, maybe we don't need to do this right now, huh?" Dragonwing asked, her own normal acerbic nature much more subdued as well. "I mean we've all had a long day--"

"Thank you, Drragonwing," Enigma Lass wiped her eyes with her fists again. "But Amp was rr...rright. You all should know what you have taken among you."

The young Dominator took another moment to steady herself and continued. "One day...one day the scientist combined severral trreatments...at firrst they had no morre effect than anything else he had done...but then I felt my hearrt pounding fasterr and fasterr...my blood was on firre...and I thought....I thought, this must be it. This must be nearrly all overr. And I was so happy." Enigma Lass's tears flowed freely now, and Saturn Girl beside her had a grim set to her own features as she couldn't help but pick up on Enigma Lass's trauma.

"...I died." Enigma Lass's voice was flat, abruptly devoid of emotion. The others wondered if she even knew she was crying as she spoke. "I died and therre was....forr I don't know how long therre was a quiet darrkness. Therre was peace. I had no worrd forr peace, but I felt it...and then I woke up.

...My synthetic metagene had activated. And forr the firrst time I discoverred...I cannot die. Not perrmanently. Morre tests werre done. Tests morre painful and invasive than anything I had everr known. I found thrrough much trrial and errorr that therre is no forrce that can keep me dead. Oxygen deprrivation, dismemberrment, decapitation, rremoval of orrgans, poisoning, burrning, frreezing, rradiation, toxins...therre werre...therre werre so many tests. And I passed everry one of them."

While tears flowed down her cheeks, Enigma Lass ceased making any sound other than her breathing (which always sounded labored without her voice modulator).

Nobody in the room spoke, and the room was thick with emotional tension. This went on for time enough to be noticed by everyone, and then Enigma Lass took a deep breath and completed her story. "This would have been my existence likely forreverr...dying so many times that the only way it made me feel was to wish the next time would be the last time...but then one day a powerrful hunterr of Dominatorrs found my biovessel and he killed everryone on boarrd. He gave merrcy to so many of my labmates...and when I woke up frrom death as I always do, the hunterr did not rrecognise me forr what I am. The United Planets herroes and the Legion of Superrherroes who'd come to stop him didn't know who I was. They thought that against all odds I had just surrvived in a morre conventional sense...and Makkia Vei...the nice United Planets lady who took me in....she found out what I do and she taught me what I needed to trry and make an existence forr myself in yourr United Planets.

I wanted to join Makkia Vei and herr team, but she said it was no place forr a little girrl who'd been thrrough what I had been thrrough...and she told me about the Legion Academy. And forr a while I...I fooled myself into thinking I could be with you all herre, but I should have known...I should have known the trruth about me would come out eventually. And now that you all know what I am I suppose I'll have to leave." She buried her face in her hands again, hearing murmurs from the others in the room but too upset to listen to what those murmurs might be.

"Enigma Lass!" one voice finally spoke up above the others. She looked up with her tear-stained face to see Variable Lad standing in front of her.

"What you are," Oaa said firmly, "Is brave and clever and strong and...and I don't think it's right that anyone should have ever made you feel like you're less than what you are. Enigma Lass, you're really great!"

Enigma Lass forced herself to keep eye contact with Variable Lad, and she saw compassion on his face. It was an expression repeated almost everywhere else she looked in the room. She couldn't read any particular reaction from Sojurn of course, but she somehow felt a pulse of empathy from them nonetheless. In fact there was only one person in the room who didn't share that sentiment.

"I don't believe this!" Key Kid jumped to his feet. "She feeds us some sob story and we're supposed to just feel sorry for this...this sprockin' monster?!"

"Miqui Ver!!" Amp gasped Key Kid's real name in appalled shock.

"No!" The furious young redhead persisted. "You might all buy this, but I don't trust any scummy diskhead for a nano!!" He turned on his heel and stormed out the room before anyone could stop him.

"I'm so sorry!" Amp stood up and headed toward the door herself. "I'll go talk to him!" Then she jogged out the door behind Miqui.

Full of shame, Enigma Lass looked back down at her lap. She replaced her mask and hood and turned her featureless gaze up to Saturn Girl. "...May I go back to my rr...rroom now please?"

Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad exchanged a sad glance, and Imra stood up. "It has been a long day. Come on. I'll walk with you."

Enigma Lass was stoic until she and Saturn Girl left the room, but then the others couldn't help but hear the little Dominator's heartbreaking sobs as she walked further away from them.

**********

ELSEWHERE

ROLL CALL

Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

Without his flight ring, Star Boy was dependant on Wildfire to carry him across the many towering spires of their destination city. It was an odd sensation, to say the least.

Dream Girl of course had already planned their next move by the time the five heroes had resigned from the Legion of Superheroes. Blok had allowed the odd quintet to take a Legion ship down to the surface of Mars, and the reality of their actions had set in as they watched the ship fly back to its home base on autopilot. Dream Girl had told her fellow ex-Legionnaires that they would need as much support as they could get from here on out; she'd taken her sister and Dragonmage with her to pursue two leads for possible recruits, and given Star Boy and Wildfire two more.

So it was that Wildfire now carried Star Boy to one particular apartment complex rooftop in Titanopolis long after most sentients were fast asleep. As they landed atop the building, the young man they'd come to meet stepped out of the shadows of a fire escape alcove to greet them. In his white cape trimmed with gold, the time-displaced hero called the Infinite Boy was almost luminescent in Saturn's reflected light.

"Hello, gentlemen. I appreciate you meeting me up here, I don't like to risk running into my younger self if I can avoid it. I suppose we'd best get going then?"

"We haven't even told you why we called you yet!" Wildfire retorted.

"Dream Girl's not the only Naltorian in the galaxy," the Infinite Boy replied dryly. "Even without my...unique...relationship with the timestream, my natural precognitive ability was kind enough to leave me waking up covered in dried blood a couple of days ago after I tried to scratch gashes into my skull in my sleep. Luckily even with my powers as wonky as they are these days, I still had it in me to summon a flesh-shaper from the Chameleon Wars to fix me back up!" The platinum haired youth touched his forehead tenderly, though there was no visible sign of any injury.

"Chameleon Wars--?" Star Boy began to question. "It doesn't matter, forget it. Look, we don't know each other very well but tell me...what do you know about the threat we're recruiting you to face?"

"Not much, I'm afraid." The Infinite Boy shrugged helplessly. "Just that he's called the Demon Father and he's terrifying. I faced a lot of threats in my own time as a Legionnaire, but there were maybe only one or two who scared me as much as that vision did."

"The Demon Father?" Star Boy recognised the name. "That's what Nura kept saying when she was having her vision! Something about a demon father coming to ravage..? When she woke up though, she had no recollection of that part of it at all!"

"Well, that's two pieces of the puzzle we've put together," Wildfire added. "Vague pieces, but still...let's go meet this Demon Father then, huh?"

**********

THE KHUND EMPIRE
H'crides, the Demon's Gate


ROLL CALL

The Sisterhood of Sin
Nimbus: personal forcefield, flight
Scorn: Khund blood witch
Star-Bear aka Ursula Yenova: cosmic ursinthrope
Veilmist: teleportation
Vista: contains a pocket astral environment in her mind
White Bat: aerial assassin

The Sisterhood of Sin had changed vessels four times to get close to the barren world of H'crides, and then just to be extra cautious they'd had Veilmist teleport them there and left their last stolen vessel floating with its lifeless crew just inside the star system's largest asteroid belt.

So it was that the six women appeared now in lavender scented smoke on a rocky plain that stretched as far as the eye could see. The sky was moonless and filled with a thick blanket of stars, and a chill wind blew all about them.

"Are you sure you took us to the right world, pretty girl?" Ursula Yenova asked Veilmist. "There seems nothing here worthy of our attention."

"Of course I am sure!" Veilmist snapped back petulantly. "I may not be able to shred a ship's crew to pieces with my disgusting claws, but I know how to use my power!"

The Russian woman released a long whistle. "Very well, keep the panties on...I was just asking!"

"Turn around," Scorn instructed the woman named Star-Bear with uncommon reverence in her voice. The Khund witch was standing in front of Ursula, and looking at something high up behind her.

Ursula Yenova turned, and craned her own neck in imitation of Scorn. A thin tower of rock jutted out from the ground before the women, stretching up into the dark sky high above. Visibility was limited in this darkness, but Ursula could see a hint of the naturally formed rocky halo above that had been illustrated in the thousand year old journal which led them here. "This is your Demon's Gate?" she asked in her blunt way.

"It is," Scorn gathered her hooded cloak about her. "And somehow I know...we need to ascend the Demon's Gate to fulfil our goal."

"Okay, well first things first," Vista held a hand up to stop Scorn from taking point. "We're in unfamiliar territory and while this place seems as dead as any graveyard, I'd prefer to know that for sure. White Bat, we need reconnaissance."

The mute killer had just spread her arms and activated her hardlight wings when the Sisterhood heard an ancient voice approaching. "That won't be necessary," a wizened old man stepped toward them slowly from the towering rock.

"We have travelled many light years to pursue our destiny here, old one." Scorn drew her blood dagger. "It would be unwise for you to stand in our way now."

The old man was close enough now that the women could all see that he bore the pink skin of a Khund, but he was barely skin and bones...and surprisingly for a Khund, he had no evidence of cybernetic parts at all. He laughed at Scorn's comment, a laugh that turned into a hacking cough. After an uncomfortable period of time, he eventually got his breath back and continued. "Stand in your way? Why, not at all...I've been waiting for you for a long long time, Scorn." He attempted a bow, but found the movement too difficult and arched his back in pain. "You will forgive your loyal servant, I hope? I have endured much for you, but time is an enemy that no amount of devotion can fend off forever."

"How do you know my name? Why do you call yourself my servant?" Scorn demanded. "I have never seen you or been to this hellhole of a world in my life!"

The old man merely chuckled this time, and though he began to cough again he soon had it under control. "It seems you have much to learn, exalted Scorn. Why don't you and your sisters come with me and I will do my best to catch you up..."

He turned around and started limping back painstakingly slowly toward the Demon's Gate that loomed over them all.

Scorn exchanged glances with the rest of the Sisterhood, landing last on Nimbus by chance. "Don't look at me," Nimbus hissed at the sorceress. "He's your servant, exalted Scorn!"

Making her decision, the blood witch Scorn marched purposefully after the nameless old man.

The rest of the Sisterhood followed suit, though some of them were beginning to wonder for the first time if maybe they should have anticipated that a search for someone called the Demon Father might become as unsettling as this all felt right now....

**********

ELSEWHERE

ROLL CALL

Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage

"...and so that's my story," Nura Nal finished. "Now you've heard everything....my vision, as little of it as I recall...the Legion's refusal to act...we need your help desperately, and I know the stakes are so much higher for you than anyone else we could possibly ask. But I'm begging you...Bouncing Boy and Una are on a mission with the Cavalry, and Shadow Lad is dealing with insurrection on his homeworld. Star Boy and Wildfire have been partially successful, but we could really use your power and your experience. Will you join us?"

Dream Girl, Dragonmage and a still unpowered Mysa Nal stood with their hands clasped before the final woman they'd considered might help them in their insane venture into Khund space.

The woman declined to answer Dream Girl and turned her icy blue eyes upon Mysa instead. "You are no longer the Black Witch."

"N-no," Mysa answered, uncommonly cowed by the woman's imperious presence. "I have been cleansed of Mordru's corruption, I can now summon--"

"Yes, I'm well aware...I just wanted to see how you perceived that change yourself." The woman gazed out of a stained glass window into the sunlit grounds beyond, her face painted in vertical red stripes from the light streaming through the window.

After a moment of introspection, she turned back toward the three heroes. "Xao Jin, I barely know you but in the time I have known you I have been impressed with your honor, your bravery, and your mastery of dragon magicks. Nura and Mysa Nal, our relationship goes back so much further...and I trust that neither of you would take this course of action had you not both deemed it utterly necessary. I understand the risks, but I know that you would not have approached me were your need not real. I shall give you what you ask."

Queen Projectra Armorr stepped forward from her throne, and before the heroes' eyes her white tightly curled hair straightened and became blonde...then her deep purple gown shifted into the red, gold and white costume she'd once worn as a Legionnaire.

"Sensor Girl stands by your side."

**********

NEXT: The Secret Origin of Scorn!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Speaking of secret origins, Enigma Lass is talking about this adventure when she mentions having been rescued from the Dominion biovessel
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Who is Enigma Lass? - 08/02/23 12:22 PM
ooh yes more, what a treat!

wow! 5 resignations all at once! well, did not expect that! at a glance though, the 5 make sense - Thom cause he loves Nura, Wildfire is probably looking to cut loss, and our two magical members.

nice smatterings of drama and callbacks to relationships, with Xao/Zoe and Dawny/Drake. I would have loved to see Nura's retort to Zoe re "a bad dream?" like Zoe, I love you, but you should know how Nura's power works by now!

ooh, that bit with Dawny and Drake was rough. poor Dawny...

props to Vi for supporting Dawny.

Xao being torn up was very well done.

Wow! Mysa admitting that Solomon's wisdom thought it was a bad idea...very well done, and makes it very ominous... kudos to Blok for thinking of asking that too!

I feel Tasmia and Mon, I want to say the same thing.

oooh, Enigma Lass. her trauma is palpable, the poor dear, I want to give her a hug. (PS very well done, in her intro scene there was no indication that poor Enigma Lass was, well...)

kudos to Imra and Garth for supporting poor Enigma Lass.

oy, at the lethal injection and the quick death bit...

good of Dragonwing to show some compassion, in her very Marya way

oh my gosh! poor Enigma Lass has been through a lot frown

ah, so Makkia Vei educated her! and now I wonder what Makkia's true motives are...! ah yes, I re-read your original post and indeed, she spells it out tongue

aw, Variable Lad smile

yeah, I'm not surprised Key Kid still has some lingering trauma... at least Amp doesn't seem to! I wonder if Key Kid will pull a Brittle. I can't imagine he can hate Enigma Lass for the crimes of her race

very eager to see the team Nura is building!

lol at Infinite Boy casually talking about things from the future! hah! he's def. a good recruit to have along!

great scene of the Sisterhood arriving... now I'm curious about this old man, is he from the future or something?

ok, so Lu and Chuck and Grev were all thought of, but not available...

ooh! Jeckie!!!

this is shaping up to be quite a team heading over to confront the Sisterhood!

great installment as always raz, and I'm super eager for more!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Who is Enigma Lass? - 08/02/23 02:19 PM
Raz, sorry, I only have20 minutes before I have to rush off so this will be a quick review.

Loving the team that are supporting Nura heading off to Khundian space - all good choices, and the interaction between them and Blok, and their other teammates rings true - Mysa admitting that Solomon's wisdom was telling her not to stay was a great point - she adores her big sister, beyond logic! Wildfire to Dawny - ouch! He's in a really bad place isn't he? I'm a bit worried what he'll do.
/
Enigma Lass - wow, that was bleak! Not a happy childhood at all. Makkia Vai as a nice woman? Since when? laugh I do kinda wonder if l'il Enigma Lass might have some pre-programming from the Oversight Watch. And loved her teammates reactions, even Key Kid not accepting a Dominator as one of his crew was spot on. I'm a little surprised that Amp took it so well. Saturn Girl's mama bear side was obvious here, and god to see.

Infinite Boy! Yay! I loved him before and I'm sure I'm going to love him again smile That's an ininspired choice. And, three Naltorans on the team - is that a record?

Still loving Star Bear, there's no nuances in her, is there? Ah, so it seems Scorn has a disciple that she didn't know about. Is he from the future? Am sure you've got something planned for the old man that was waiting for them. This story line is great!

And, Sensor Girl! Wow, I didn't expect her at all so that's a good surprise. "her face painted in vertical red stripes from the light streaming through the window." haha, thanks for that image, if I hadn't been rushing through that part it might have given her identity away.

Got to run, though this was one of your best Raz, really good stuff!

More, more, more!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Who is Enigma Lass? - 08/03/23 08:50 AM
Wow, y'all are quick!

Quote
I would have loved to see Nura's retort to Zoe re "a bad dream?"

Zoe will never know how lucky she was that Nura was too distracted to hear that laugh

The bit with Mysa and the wisdom of Solomon only really occurred to me while I was writing that instalment up tbh - but I remember having read bits with Billy Batson where he says he had to change forms because the wisdom of Solomon wouldn't let him do something manifestly stupid and I thought it was kind of a fun disadvantage to have on what is generally a very plot-convenient power smile

Wildfire IS in a bad place, and that is something that will get touched on a bit more as this Demon Father story plays out....

When I originally plotted all this out I had Amp be the one to flip out about Enigma Lass actually, but I kinda felt like Key Kid could do with a bit more character development so I changed things up a bit...everyone's reaction to Enigma Lass will be getting some more focus over the next few instalments as well. Enigma Lass really does have a pretty dark background, but now that the students know her story I am looking forward to writing their interactions moving forward!

Quote
three Naltorans on the team - is that a record?

I think it might be, you know!

Quote
Still loving Star Bear, there's no nuances in her, is there?


I don't think nuance and Star-Bear have ever even been in the same room as one another laugh

I'm glad Jeckie was a good surprise! I had a look back through my notes and we haven't seen her in my series since 2014!!

We will find out who the mysterious old geezer was next up, and this whole Demon Father business is really about to hit the fan!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Who is Enigma Lass? - 08/03/23 11:32 AM
ew Amp vs. Key Kid, I do think Amp has shown herself to be the more level-headed and mature of the two, so I can think having her keep relatively calm made sense! Doesn't mean she doesn't have any trauma, she just knows not to take it out on Enigma Lass in a big outburst smile

Like, if Nura ever realized what Zoe said I bet Zoe would get a verbal beatdown lol!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Who is Enigma Lass? - 08/03/23 11:49 AM
yeah I think it does make more sense that Amp would have a more mature reaction than Key Kid...as much as I intended Amp on being angry and bitter all the time when she and Key Kid first came to the Academy, this is one of those cases where the character writes themself in a different direction and she has shown herself to be pretty level-headed all things considered!

And I agree about Zoe and Nura....Nura would throw a tantrum at Darkseid himself if he dissed her power laugh
Posted By: Set Re: Who is Enigma Lass? - 08/03/23 01:56 PM
It would make sense that Amp Girl might be a bit more even-keeled than her age would suggest, simply as a result of her powers tendency to cause swing-y reactions (since, and this might be my own fanon, I've always thought her powers would give a 'rush' that could seem similar to a stimulant or shot of adrenaline, which could result in manic behavior, or a 'downer' feeling if she could use them to suppress people the same way she normally enhances them).
Posted By: razsolo Re: Who is Enigma Lass? - 08/04/23 07:22 AM
I never really thought of it like that, but now you got me wondering what it would be like if she amplified someone's adrenal production (or other chemically things!)

Who needs drugs when you have an Amp? laugh
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Who is Enigma Lass? - 08/04/23 08:14 AM
food for thought, Set! food for thought...

I have a built -in limit for my Amp, by having her power be draining if used for too long... same excuse I use with my Condo, else they could do so much. have to give it a thought though, lots of creative power potential here!
Posted By: razsolo The Secret History - 08/16/23 03:14 PM
IN ORBIT AROUND MARS
The Legion of Superheroes mobile base, team leader's office


ROLL CALL
Blok: team leader; magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking

The privacy field around Blok's office was not engaged, and through the open doorway Shrinking Violet and Dawnstar could see their team leader engrossed in a series of holo-screens which floated above his recently installed desk console. The furniture had been replaced to accommodate Blok's immense size, and a handful of small droids were currently hanging plants and lining up more standard furniture around the room for the more human-sized guests who'd be likely to join Blok in here.

"I'm sorry if you're busy," Vi said bluntly by way of greeting. "But we need to talk."

"My review can wait." Blok turned away from the handful of screens floating before him and gestured toward two of the comfortable seats with a hovering coffee table between them. "How may I be of service?"

Recognition flickered in Dawnstar's deep brown eyes as her gaze passed across familiar faces on the holo-screens. "...Review?" She perched rigidly on one of the seats. "You're reviewing the current Academy students..?"

"Yes," Blok acknowledged. "With...recent events...I thought it prudent to revisit some of our students' readiness to join the Legion, either as interns or on a more permanent basis."

"Wildfire and the others haven't even been gone a full day!" Dawnstar protested.

"Wildfire and the others are actually who we came to talk to you about," Shrinking Violet added quickly, hoping to defuse any potential antagonism early.

"I wish that we could have dealt with that situation in a way that benefited all of us," Blok responded. "But the five of them are entitled to make their own decisions, and at the same time...our hands are tied. I wish Dream Girl and her allies every success, but you both must understand why the Legion cannot be involved."

"We're not asking you to invade the Khund Empire, Blok!" Dawnstar snapped. "But as much as I find Dream Girl infuriating, you said yourself that her visions always come true! They're countless light years away...if they do need help, how can we do that from here? We must be ready to assist them when the Khunds inevitably break down and ask for our assistance!"

"I agree with Dawnstar," Violet was more calm, but equally firm. "Blok, we don't need to break any laws, but...we live in a giant spaceship, there's no reason we can't at least hang around closer to the Khund border than we are right now. Just in case."

Blok considered the matter for a moment. "Dawnstar, I will let our Communications Officer know that you are en route to the Brainstem. We will incur suspicion if we travel to the border for no reason, but I am certain that you and Trava can find somebody near our territorial border who needs the kind of assistance that only the Legion can provide."

Dawnstar stood and left the room without another word, and Violet rose to follow her before she turned back to the Legion's newest team leader. "Blok...thank you."

"We all serve the same team, Violet," Blok replied, "And I am not above listening to my teammates. Now if you will excuse me..? I'd best locate Evolvo Lad. Once we have determined a destination, I am certain that he will be able to program our hyperdrive coordinates with far more skill than myself."

As Shrinking Violet left the room, Blok reflected on the course of action he was taking. It made perfect sense for the Legion of Superheroes to make themselves more readily available should Dream Girl prove correct in her belief that the Legion would be needed. He just hoped if it got to the point where the Legion was needed, the Khunds would swallow their pride and ask for help.

Despite his insistence that they needed to follow the rules of diplomacy, Blok didn't know if he or anybody else in the Legion of Superheroes had it in them to stand back and do nothing if trouble was right on their proverbial doorstep...

**********

JAQUAA
L'mo Gorge, Embassy Suites


ROLL CALL

Legion Academy
Amp aka Ming Sul:
amplification of any power or characteristic

Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: ability to bypass any man-made lock or barrier

Miqui Ver was laying on his hotel bed playing Hyperspace Invaders on his omnicom when he heard the delicate chime of the room's intercom. Presuming it was a housekeeping droid, he called out, "Do not disturb!"

"Miqui, it's me!" Key Kid recognised his fellow Lalloran classmate Amp's voice. "It's Ming, let me in!"

"Oh, sorry!" He paused the game and dropped the omnicom on the bed, then sat up straight and faced the door. "Grant entry."

The door slid into its recess, and Amp came in and pushed her red visor up onto her forehead as she sat on the bed next to the younger boy. "Hey, bumpkus." she shoved his shoulder affectionately. "You okay?"

"About that diskhead, you mean?" He scowled, an ugly expression on the normally cheerful redhead. "No, Ming...I'm not okay and you shouldn't be either! How could they have just hidden her in with us like she was a normal person? I thought Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad were meant to be heroes!"

"Miqui, don't be like that...look, I'm uncomfortable too. I get that. But that's something that you and I have to deal with, we can't take that out on Enigma Lass."

"Why not??" Key Kid shot back.

"Because she's not the Dominator who hurt us, Miqui!" Amp heaved a sigh. "This is really not like you--"

"How would you know?!" Key Kid exploded. He jumped to his feet and paced to the window and back. "How would I know?! We don't even know our real names, Ming! Those creeps took everything away from us! They just used us and--and--"

"One Dominator took everything away from us, Miqui." Amp walked over and placed her hands on his shoulders, stopping him in his tracks as she met his angry glare. "Just like a Dominator took everything away from Enigma Lass. She's not the bad guy here, she's been hurt just like we have."

"When we first came here," Miqui Ver's hazel eyes narrowed, "The very first day we started at this Academy, you told me you didn't want to be a victim anymore...do you remember that? And now you're just letting one of them mess with you all over again!"

"This is me not being a victim, Miqui." Amp removed her hands from him and took a step back. "I'm not letting my past define me. I'm being the best person I can be, and the best person I can be isn't somebody who makes some poor little girl's life more terrible than it's already been just because I've been hurt too. Now come on, why don't you--"

"Just go," Key Kid said sourly. "You're not my sister, Ming. We're not family. We're just kids who both had our lives ruined by these diskhead creeps, and if you want to go kissing up to every diskhead you meet I'm not letting you drag me down with you when they sink those disgusting teeth right into your neck."

"Miqui!" Amp was taken aback by his venom.

"I said go!" he nearly shouted. "Would you get the sprock out of my room and leave me alone please?!"

"I--I--" Ming Sul fought back tears as she replaced her visor. "Okay, Miqui...if that's what you want."

Then she walked out the room and left Miqui Ver all alone.

**********

Elsewhere in the same hotel Dragonwing, Chemical Kid and Variable Lad were sitting on the floor outside Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl's suite. Their teachers had been on the other side of the door for the past half hour with Enigma Lass, and the three students were burning to know what was being said in there.

Lullabye Lad came down the corridor and handed bottled beverages to everyone. "The autobev didn't have that fancy sparkling water you like, Chem...you'll have to slum it with us poors I guess."

Chemical Kid took the drink with a disgusted grunt as Lullabye Lad continued talking. "Where's Sojurn? They're not hanging round to see if Iron-Butt Imra and Lightning Lad are gonna convince Enigma Lass to stay?"

"I'm never really sure if Sojurn even understands what's going on to be honest," Dragonwing shrugged. "They're from a whole other dimension, I doubt they're up to date on the racial politics of the UP."

"I do hope our teachers can show Enigma Lass that she is valued here," Variable Lad said glumly. "I understand that Amp and Key Kid have had awful experiences themselves before coming to the school but Key Kid still shouldn't have taken his anger out on Enigma Lass like that."

"Key Kid's not really a bad guy." Chemical Kid swallowed his drink and placed the can on the carpet. "Don't worry, Oaa...Amp will lecture him till he comes to his senses or dies of boredom. I'll give you some advice though, buddy...I know you wanna make Enigma Lass feel welcome but you've been coming on kinda strong with her. You should watch yourself, if she thinks you really like her you're just gonna end up hurting her feelings when she finds out you were only being nice."

Variable Lad frowned, and for a few moments was silent. When he did speak, his voice had an edge to it that his fellow students had never heard from him before. "Hadru, I do like her."

"As a teammate, sure." Chemical Kid's tone was glib, he'd clearly missed what Dragonwing and Lullabye Lad had both picked up. "We like her too, pal. But she's still a Dominator, you don't want her to think you like her like her."

Lullabye Lad's eyes were bulging and he was shaking his head at Chemical Kid in a desperate bid to make him shut up. It was too little, too late.

"Did it ever occur to you that I might actually like her like her, Hadru?" Variable Lad stood up and looked down at Chemical Kid with clear anger. "I'm a Jaquaan. Am I supposed to be attracted to...to some pink soft skinned human with a tiny baby head? And all that hair?? You really should be more open-minded!" Having had his say, Oaa turned on his heel and marched off down the corridor toward his own room.

"Is that what it looks like when Oaa Tseldor loses his temper?" Chemical Kid stared after him, mouth gaping wide open.

"You...kinda deserved it, pal." Lullabye Lad screwed up his face awkwardly.

Dragonwing considered added something, then abruptly gulped down her drink and tossed the empty can aside. Without a word of warning, she turned around and spit acid at the security panel outside Garth and Imra's door. Waiane and Hadru scrambled to their feet in a panic as the panel corroded and dramatically shorted out, and Marya stormed inside.

Enigma Lass was still seated in the same chair, and had obviously been crying more. Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl had their backs to the door as they spoke to the young Dominator, but all three of them now gave their attention to Dragonwing marching in.

"Tell me you did not just break in here, Marya Pai!" Lightning Lad growled.

"Dragonwing, this isn't the time--" Saturn Girl began.

"You two can ground me for life later," Marya interrupted as Hadru and Waiane watched in awe from the doorway. "But there's something I need to say."

Marya squatted by Enigma Lass's seat so they were eye to eye. "You're a weirdo, but I've got news for ya kiddo...we all are. Chemical Kid got his powers from a dead Legionnaire, Lullabye Lad's people turn to stone, Amp and Key Kid are from sprockin' Lallor and Sojurn's an octopus from another dimension. I don't have time to tell you what a mess I am...and Variable Lad? Variable Lad's a polite little guy who turns into nightmare monsters. He's also the nicest kid I've ever met and he thinks you should stay, so that means I think you should stay. And I always get what I want."

"You...you want me to stay?" Enigma Lass sniffed. "But I'm a...a Dominatorr! And Key Kid said--"

"Sprock Key Kid," Dragonwing snapped. "There's only one bully on this team and that's me! He'll get over himself if he knows what's good for him. And sprock being a Dominator. It doesn't matter where you come from, it matters what you do. You helped us bring that jerk Jamik back to school--"

"You know I'm right here, right?" an annoyed Chemical Kid spoke up.

"--and you saved someone's life tonight," Marya finished. "You deserve to be here as much as any of us do, kid."

"Thank you, D-Drragonwing!" Enigma Lass threw her arms around Marya's neck and hugged her, sobbing gratefully.

"Oh, okay -- we're doing this." Marya patted Enigma Lass stiffly on the back, looking across at her teachers for a rescue.

Thank you, Saturn Girl mouthed silently.

"...You're still paying for that door panel," Lightning Lad grumbled.

**********

ELSEWHERE

ROLL CALL
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Infinite Boy aka Kando Vyr: Legionnaire from the future, ability to summon beings from the timestream
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Sensor Girl aka Projectra Armorr: illusion-casting, super-enhanced perceptions
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

Though they obviously couldn't use a Legion cruiser for their unsanctioned excursion into Khund space, the daughters of Naltor's former High Seer were not without their own resources. Dream Girl easily purchased a spaceworthy vessel, and it was in this vessel that seven heroes now shot silently through the star-filled void. Nura popped her head into the cramped cockpit where the Infinite Boy and Sensor Girl took their shift piloting the craft.

"How are you two managing in here?" Dream Girl asked.

"This is like ancient technology compared to what I'm used to," the Infinite Boy joked, "But I'm figuring it out!"

"My main contribution thus far has been masking our craft from detection," Sensor Girl added, "Which is not at all a difficult application of my abilities."

"I want to thank you both again," Dream Girl smiled gratefully. "Kando, you're not even a Legionnaire in this era...and Jeckie, I am absolutely aware of the risk you're taking in helping us. I hope you both know how much I appreciate you coming to our aid like this."

"Us Naltorians gotta stick together," Kando Vyr winked. "I'm not worried anyway, it's not like the UP can deport me if we get caught!"

"As I stated when you approached me on Orando," Sensor Girl replied, "I trust in your power and your judgement, Nura Nal. I know that you would not have turned to me were your need not very real. My primary duty is to my subjects, yes...but sometimes to protect my subjects, I must face enemies which threaten not just my little world but the universe beyond."

"Well, still...I'm thankful. I owe you both big time." Leaving them to their tasks, Dream Girl ventured back into the almost equally small passenger compartment behind the shuttle's cockpit. Her sister Mysa had laid her seat back and was napping serenely. Not for the first time, Nura wondered what it must be like for her future-blind sister to dream. Dragonmage sat beside Mysa, and for a moment Nura thought he too was asleep...she could see his lips moving softly though, and realised that the young sorceror was simply deep in meditation. Star Boy and Wildfire sat together at the back of the compartment, and Dream Girl took a seat beside her lover and entwined her fingers in his.

"Hello, beautiful." Thom kissed her on the lips. "Anything exploded yet?"

"Don't you dare jinx us, Thom Kallor!" Nura slapped his thigh playfully before turning to Drake Burroughs with a more subdued tone. "Wildfire...do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"Shoot, Dreamy."

"I hope you don't take this the wrong way, and I'm certainly not complaining, but...what made you decide to leave the Legion and come along with us? It makes sense that Thom and Mysa would support me...Dragonmage was there when I had that awful vision and he felt the magical power behind it for himself...Kando was driven to accompany us because of his own precognitive vision, and Jeckie and I have always had kind of a bond. But you and I have never really seen eye to eye on a lot of things. I'm not surprised very often, but I will admit that I was surprised you came with us."

"Aww Dreamy...I may give you a lot of grief but ya know I respect you, right?" Wildfire was keeping it light, but it felt almost like he were deflecting. "If your power says something bad's gonna happen, then something bad's gonna happen. And no offence to any of you but aside from Mysa you're not exactly a powerhouse of a team. I just figured you could use a bag of anti-energy more than the Legion need me right now is all."

"I won't lie," Dream Girl replied, "I am happy that we've got your power...but I hope you know that's not the only reason I'm glad you're here. We've all sacrificed a lot to do this, you included. I just hope you know how much I deeply appreciate your support and your faith in me."

"Yeah..." Wildfire trailed off. "...Hey, I'm gonna go see if Sensor Girl or Infinite Boy want a break."

Dream Girl watched him leave with an inscrutable expression masking her pretty features.

"Hey." Star Boy squeezed her hand. "That's the face of a woman with Deep Thoughts...anything you want to talk about?"

"No, I'm just...I'm probably being silly, but I just have this niggling doubt I guess," Dream Girl admitted.

"Like a premonition?" Thom asked.

"Even Naltorians just have bad feelings sometimes, lover." She nestled against his shoulder and hugged his arm with her free hand. "But like I said....I'm sure I'm just being silly."

**********

THE KHUND EMPIRE
H'crides, the Demon's Gate


ROLL CALL

The Sisterhood of Sin
Nimbus: personal forcefield, flight
Scorn: Khund blood witch
Star-Bear aka Ursula Yenova: cosmic ursinthrope
Veilmist: teleportation
Vista: contains a pocket astral environment in her mind
White Bat: aerial assassin

The elderly Khund man who'd greeted the Sisterhood of Sin upon their arrival to this barren world had introduced himself as Jh'ein, and he now led them up a claustrophobically narrow spiralling stairway which had been carved into the interior of the Demon's Gate. Bioluminescent lichen grew along the walls of the winding passage, providing just enough light for everyone to safely proceed.

"You still have not told me how you know my name," Scorn sneered. "And my patience is far from eternal, old man."

"Oh, I know more than your name, exalted Scorn." The old man gave a hoarse chuckle which he managed to prevent turning into another coughing fit. "And you will not need to wait much longer, I assure you. Tell me, what do you know of your birthright?"

"My birthright?" Scorn now laughed herself, a bitter sound. "I have far surpassed the destiny that was meant for me when I was born, Servant Jh'ein...my mother was a formidable woman, but not a fortunate one. I was born into poverty, her stubborn nature sustaining us more than she ever could materially. She taught me to defy the expectation our society holds for women. She taught me to die before I should ever consider myself the property of some man. But she also taught me to accept our place as desperate scavengers without ever wanting anything more, and that...that I could never do."

"And your father..?" Jh'ein probed.

"I have no father," Scorn spat. "I have a genetic donor who was of such minor importance to my mother's life that she never once spoke of him to me. I have answered your questions, Jh'ein...now I want you to answer mine!"

"Of course," the frail old man answered. "And we have come to the part of our ascent now where I can do just that."

Of all the Sisterhood, White Bat's eyesight was the best. She nudged Nimbus and used their unique radiotelepathic link to tell her to look at the wall.

"What are these..?" Nimbus asked, projecting her glowing blue field a little closer to the wall to better illuminate what seemed to be some kind of primitive mural. "Cave paintings..?"

"Consider it...a secret history," the old man spoke. He stopped leading them up the stairs and took a moment to catch his breath. "Once upon a time, I was not the only inhabitant of this cursed place. There were many of us...a hidden cult devoted to the mysteries of blood and magick." As he spoke, the women all looked over a painted image of a group of cultists garbed in red robes kneeling in genuflection before a larger figure shrouded in mists.

"We worshipped the Demon Father," Jh'ein continued, slowly taking steps upward once more. "We worshipped the Demon Father on this world, just as his followers have worshipped him on other worlds throughout all of recorded history." As the Sisterhood followed their decrepit narrator, they saw the same scene repeated with minor variations; in one version, the worshippers were blue-skinned Talokkians...in another, they were Durlans. There were still more where the cultists had the pale pink pigmentation of so many races in the United Planets.

"So there really is a Demon Father??" Scorn asked, her eyes popping. "I had faith that our search would amount to something, but we have always been taught that the Demon Mother birthed the Khund race without male influence! It was her insanity and her mockery of the natural order of things which led to the different Khund races and our lust for violence!"

"There is indeed a Demon Father," Jh'ein explained, "But Scorn...he is not the father of all Khunds. He is your father." He stopped again, and the Sisterhood of Sin saw a painting of a pink Khundish woman holding a red-skinned babe swaddled in her arms. Towering behind them stood the Demon Father himself, an almost naked muscular man with the same red skin as the infant...the same red skin as Scorn herself. The Demon Father had four eyes which even in this drawing seemed to blaze with golden light, stringy hair the color of straw and a pair of small antlers jutting from his scalp. "Your mother was one of us...she gave herself freely to the Demon Father, and as a reward for her devotion the Demon Father gave her a child.

Your mother did not want to give you over to him once she held you however...she fled H'crides, and she took you with her. We were never able to locate her, but we knew that you would find your own way back to us some day. We remained here in this rock, we waited for you and one by one we died off. I am the last blood cultist remaining, but I never gave up my faith...I always knew that you would find your way home, exalted Scorn."

"You're saying...the blood witch is a demon's child?" Veilmist exclaimed.

"She is her father's daughter," Jh'ein responded. "And it is my honor to be able to reunite her with him."

They had finally reached the top of the stairwell, and Jh'ein walked out into the moonless sky. They were easily a hundred feet above the ground, and cold winds ravaged them all up here as they came out into the open.

With the stairwell being so narrow, Star-Bear had been forced to assume her human form this whole time. She leaned close to Vista now and whispered in her ear. "I do not find much unsettling, Vista. But the idea that this has all been preordained, this fills me with a sense of foreboding."

"You're thinking about it the wrong way," Vista whispered back. "We know now that this Demon Father is real...and Scorn is his literal daughter. Surely he'll give his daughter and her friends what they want, Star-Bear."

"Assuming that all you have told us is true," Scorn addressed the old man, "How am I to be reunited with my sire here in this lifeless place, Servant Jh'ein?"

"The Demon's Gate is not just a sensational name," Jh'ein explained, "It is an accurate descriptor. Once blood is spilled within the ring of the gate and a life is traded, the Demon Father will be summoned."

"So we just need to find someone to kill?" Vista spoke up.

"I have waited decades for this sacred day," Jh'ein replied as he slowly and painstakingly got down on his knees close to the edge of the halo-shaped rocky outcrop. "You do not need to find anybody, sister." He raised his head, baring his throat to Scorn. Understanding the old man's intent, she drew her blood dagger and advanced.

As Scorn held the sharp edge of the blade to Jh'ein's throat, a new man's voice sounded from above and behind the assemblage. "Well, well, well...if it isn't my unfaithful slattern wife! I should thank the Legion of Superheroes for giving this gift to me today!"

Jh'ein and the women turned to look up and saw the Demon's Claw standing on a hover platform, both of Firefist's weapon-laded arms extended toward the Sisterhood of Sin. "My wife must be captured alive," Firefist commanded his team. "As for the rest...

...Slaughter them all."

NEXT: THINGS GET WAY WORSE!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Secret History - 08/16/23 05:02 PM
yay! another installment! *rubs hands eagerly*

heh at Blok' reviewing the current students, and Dawny being all aghast

and Dawny/Vi give a great suggestion - I'm glad you addressed this openly, I was thinking the same thing - Nura's visions always come true (of course, the question is whether she interpreted them correctly).Glad Blok listened, and kudos to him for putting things in motion for a quick response... and also plausible deniability tongue

Also, am digging your continuing focus on the Vi/Dawny... I don't know if I would call them friends just yet, but Vi is making a concerted effort. I like it! they do have their kinda-sorta-loner status in common!

ooph, I knew it wouldn't be so easy with Key Kid. Amp made a great try, though! I'm really liking her even more now. And as for Key Kid, I hope he comes around sooner rather than later

hahaha at Hadru being all dense, and Variable Lad just slamming into him. and duh, of course different species/races would have diff. beauty standards!

and wow at Dragonwing! I'm liking her WAY more now, she gave such an awesome speech to Enigma Lass!
heck, she even got Imra impressed!

nice group of seven, and of course a nice point that Nura and Mysa would have some resources from their mom. also a nice call-back to Nura and Drake not every really getting along or being close (I remember his skepticism in canon, when Nura became leader). ah Nura, listen to your intuition!

ach, I also like your commentary on Khundian society's view of women. Frankly, I like the Reboot Khundia better, where women are respected (well ok, we only ever saw Amilia Crugg, but still!)

Wait a minute, is the Demon Father... is he Trigon???? birthing children, four eyes, blood cults, OMG OMG OMG!

whoo boy! here comes Firefist, just in time - but yeah, somehow I think they're gonna make things worse!

wow, raz, another great installment - looking forward to more, more, more!
Posted By: Set Re: The Secret History - 08/16/23 08:03 PM
Good stuff, raz! I'm intrigued by the connection between Trigon and the Khunds. You manage to give great voices to both established characters like Dreamy, Drake and Dawny, newer ones like Dragonwing and Variable Lad, and original characters like Amp Girl and Key Kid, which is very cool.
Posted By: Harbinger Re: The Secret History - 08/17/23 07:49 AM
Raz, hey, I'm really looking forward to this!

Blok's conversation with Dawny and Vi was well done. Just as well your team are no longer on Husband Hill or they'd be a bit stuffed, eh laugh And I'm loving how you are slowly developing the Dawny Vi friendship. Interesting language that Blok uses btw - "we all SERVE the same team", shows his views on the Legion, he isn't just one of a crowd, they are there under some higher purpose.

Nice scene between Key Kid and Amp Girl, her rationale was surprisingly mature, and also spot on, and his moodiness was typical teenager stuff. I keep forgetting the Lallorians still don't know who they are - I can see why that could unbalance Key Kid. It reads like you're going to have him go rogue? It would be interesting to see what the team did if he decided to go off and create havoc, I mean how would they hold him after they caught him? And speaking of Enigma Lass, as your characters were, I have a question - is her ability purely reincarnation, or is it rejuvination too, what I mean is, say she had an arm chopped off in a fight against the Persuader, would it regrow when she reincarnated?

The other students sitting outside of their tutor's suite trying to hear what's going on - haha that image made me smile, it really highlights how young they are. Hadru having to slum it and drink ordinary water, ha, he is such a snob! "Amp will lecture him till he comes to his senses or dies of boredom." this made me laugh as it sounds like what my son would say to me, about me laugh Hadru's lack of social skills not picking up that Oaa actually does like like Enigma Lass was great too. "Am I supposed to be attracted to...to some pink soft skinned human with a tiny baby head? And all that hair?" you tell him Oaa! Well done with that, as it's a bit cringy that all aliens seem to lust after human women. Marya deciding to act is very in character, and her approach to Enigma Lass was to the point and well done, absolutely without tact or filter, but well done laugh

Nice call back to the Nal's having a privileged background, a space ship is not going to be cheap. I'm really happy to see Sensor Girl in your story, she's such a great character though tricky to write convincingly as her abilities are kinda all over the place, so I'm loving her inclusion in this. The conversation between Nura and Drake was well handled too, though you are really ratcheting up the unease with Wildfire - I wonder if there's a slither of Mordru lurking within him that might show itself at an inopprtune moment.

And, finally, the Sisterhood of sin - yay! I am really loving your bad girl team Raz! And we're picking up right were youleft them. Scorn's birthright? That sounds ominous... confirmation that there is a Demon Father on ancient cave paintings - its getting creepier there! It is Trigon! Wow, he's pretty hardcore so this is not going to be easy. And Scorn is his daughter! Oh wow! That's an unexpected twist, that the Demon Father is HER father! Nice Raz, very nice. You've been building towards that for quite some time. And Jh'ein being a willing sacrifice - it really is sinister! Oh, the Demon's Claw! Oh, that's another twist, and there is bound to be blood spilled now! What are Nura and her team away to walk into?

Great cliffhanger Raz, and masterful storytelling in the way you've had these plots running for so long and managed to bring them all together so well. Bravo!

You've left me really eager for more, more, more!!!
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Secret History - 08/20/23 11:14 AM
Hi all,

Thanks for commenting, I am glad y'all are enjoying the ride!

I will neither confirm nor deny any Trigon-related rumors just yet, but any remaining doubts about the Demon Father's identity should be well and truly blown out of the water after my next instalment and there are gonna be some big impacts for the Sisterhood of Sin, the Demon's Claw and of course the Legion after the dust clears!

The Academy students will also get some more upcoming focus, specifically Enigma Lass and Key Kid (although I have a cool scene in mind for Sojurn coming up soon too)

Harbi - re Enigma Lass's power, I will be posting a profile up for her soon which will define her power a bit more but to answer your question: her power is just resurrection...at this point anyway. Whether she can expand that into a more general regeneration ability is something that we will have to wait and see smile
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Secret History - 08/20/23 12:42 PM
Ooh will the next instalment be the finale? I’m well and truly hooked raz, eager to read what you’ve got in mind smile
Posted By: razsolo Re: The Secret History - 08/21/23 07:35 AM
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
Ooh will the next instalment be the finale? I’m well and truly hooked raz, eager to read what you’ve got in mind smile

Definitely not the finale! Everything that's happened so far has really just been a kind of prologue, it all kicks into high gear with the next chapter! evil
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: The Secret History - 08/21/23 07:40 AM
color me excited!!! ColorKid
Posted By: razsolo Eruptions. - 09/07/23 12:35 PM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion Academy's Arqiia Campus


ROLL CALL

Legion Academy

Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: ability to bypass any man-made lock or barrier
Sojurn aka S'jn: interdimensional cephalopod; teleportation, telekinesis, telepathy

Key Kid sat against the wall of the Legion Academy's training room sulking while Sojurn hovered nearby. The students of the Legion Academy had been randomly paired off and then each pair had been locked inside a simulated deathtrap escape room...even with the surprise defences their teachers had programmed into the rooms, it was a cakewalk for Key Kid and Sojurn and they were out in almost less time than it had taken to lock them inside in the first place.

"Ugh, this is so boring," Key Kid rolled his eyes. "I can't believe we have to wait for everyone else, they're gonna take forever! I mean what's the diskhead meant to do, die her way out of there?"

"Key Kid?" Sojurn spoke, having quickly become familiar with the new voice modulator they wore. "Our teachers told us that term...diskhead...is not to be used under any circumstances, did you forget?"

"Yeah, well...our teachers aren't here, are they?" Key Kid's gaze moved to the enclosed control console above them where Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl monitored the students' progress. "And they won't know unless you tell them." There was an uncommon edge in Miqui's voice as he glared now at Sojurn.

"Perhaps this is a matter of what Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl called privacy," Sojurn pondered aloud. "Fear not, I will respect your privacy. But Key Kid...if you don't mind me asking...you seem to be projecting far more negativity than usual since we returned from Jaquaa. I am not a native denizen of your dimensional plane, and I do not wish to pry, but I would like to assist if there is any way I can do so..?"

Miqui sighed and let his head flop. "Sorry Sojurn, I don't mean to take it out on you...it's just that when me and Amp were on Lallor, the diskheads -- the Dominion -- they gave us fake lives, fake memories, and inserted us onto the Heroes of Lallor as like...sleeper agents I guess. They actually turned one of our friends against us and...well, me and Amp are the only ones who survived out of the new Heroes of Lallor*. And now everyone's treating that squaj Enigma Lass like she's a normal kid. I don't know if I can stay here if she's gonna hang around."

"I see," Sojurn replied. "Thank you for your explanation." There were a few moments of silence, during which Key Kid found Sojurn as impossible to read as any other time. For once, Miqui Ver was grateful though. Since his outburst about Enigma Lass back on Jaquaa, Miqui had been on the outs with pretty much the entire rest of the class and he was beginning to feel like Sojurn was the only one not constantly judging him.

"Key Kid," Sojurn eventually spoke again, "Do you know how I came to be exiled to your dimensional plane?"

"Sure," the redhead shrugged. "You had some adventure with that Science Police lady you're friends with...Officer Lamprey, right?"

"That is a succinct overview," the extradimensional octopus answered, "But the reason for our adventure was that my people abducted Lamprey, along with another friend Turtle and the Legionnaires Chlorophyll Kid and Comet Queen and their daughter**. My people, the Ceph'ii, have abducted lifeforms from other dimensions for time immemorial. We age immensely slowly compared to those species I have encountered in this plane...I believe it is fair to say that I have lived for 10,000 of your United Planets standard years. Your lives pass so swiftly compared to ours...I am ashamed to say my people treated anybody else they came across like the basest of animals. We exhibit other lifeforms in...there is no direct equivalent in Interlac, but you may think of them as exozoological research and entertainment locations."

"You...put people in zoos??" Key Kid's hazel eyes grew wide. "And wait a nano; you're 10,000 years old??"

"The Ceph'ii put people in zoos," Sojurn corrected him. "And I am but a youngling among my race, Key Kid. I tell you this story because...I am not who my people taught me to be. When I discovered that our captives were sapient, that this dimensional plane teems with sapient species, I rejected the ways of my people. I believe there would be more Ceph'ii like me if we were just given the opportunity to be more than we were indoctrinated to be."

Silence fell between the two again, until they heard bickering from one of the other escape rooms, and the outer door opened to release Chemical Kid and Amp. "Perhaps we should rejoin our classmates," Sojurn ventured. "I imagine the others must not be far behind."

"You go ahead," Key Kid mumbled in a distracted tone.

"...I've got some stuff to think about."

**********

Inside one of the escape rooms, Enigma Lass and Variable Lad had been paired up. They were inside a cube with three of the walls all composed of glowing numbered square tiles one of 10 different colours. Like an inverted version of the child's toy called a Lupran Cube, they had to slide rows of blocks around into a configuration which would allow them to find the winning combination. They'd tried four different combinations now though, and failed each time. Every time they failed, the room closed in on them a little more with the tiles also shrinking proportionately to fit the smaller space. Variable Lad had already taken on a super-strong form to smash their way out, but failed. He suspected a semi-liquid form could ooze between the tiles, but that would still leave Enigma Lass in here.

"Enigma Lass, I feel that I must apologise," Variable Lad spoke up. "I am the more experienced of the two of us, I should have found us a way out by now."

"Oaa, that's silly!" Enigma Lass rasped. Though she still wore her full body costume which concealed her appearance entirely, Variable Lad had convinced her that she at least didn't need to use a voice modulator around the other students. "We must be a team," the Dominator girl continued, "And I must pull my weight as well. Besides, I am on the cusp of solving this puzzle, I can feel it!"

"Well...I am pleased that you decided to stay," Oaa volunteered, "And equally pleased to be on your team today. You know, Enigma Lass...you don't have to wear your mask and hood around us now that we know who you are..."

"I know," the girl replied in a small voice. "...And thank you. The mask...the mask is because I want it. My people damaged so many, Oaa...I hate what I am and I hate all rreminderrs of that. Even my awful voice! I can't even say my stupid rrr's prroperrly!"

"All is well!" Variable Lad rushed to reassure her. "Just take your time, Enigma Lass...I just hope one day you'll realise that you are appreciated as your true self. If I may ask, what is your real name actually? You know all of ours!"

"Oh, Oaa..." the faceless girl sighed, a muffled sound almost like a low growl. "I am of the Dominion...a Dominion female....I don't have a name, I do not even have a disk..."

"Well, you're not in the Dominion anymore!" Variable Lad challenged her lightly. "And you don't have to live by their rules! If you want a name, I say you can have one all of your own!"

Enigma Lass was about to answer the Jaquaan youth when an epiphany came to her; in a flash she understood just what she'd been missing this whole time!

"Oaa!" She rushed to the nearest tile and shuffled it across the wall with new purpose. "These rrooms...they werre neverr intended to challenge our powerrs! They werre meant to challenge ourr intellect!" In her excitement, she'd even forgotten to modify her speech patterns as she usually did. She moved more squares around, creating groups of colors that Variable Lad found familiar, but not quite familiar enough to see what she saw.

"I...I...it's a chemistry association, isn't it?" Variable Lad finally realised. "I recall this from helping Chemical Kid with his studies!"

"It is the Perriodic Table!" Enigma Lass confirmed gleefully. "The alkali metals are light blue, the alkaline earrth metals arre rred...and the numberrs tell us wherre they appearr on the table!" She moved the last square into place, and a doorway obediently appeared in a wall of predominantly purple-colored transition metals.

"You did it!" Variable Lad clapped two of his hands together. "You're so clever, Enigma Lass!"

"Thank you, Oaa." Beneath her mask, her lipless mouth curled upwards in a grin. Variable Lad had supported and defended Enigma Lass since she'd come to the Legion Academy, and she was happy to finally be able to feel like she'd done something to earn that support.

It also made her remember another time someone had been there for her when they'd had absolutely no reason to, and her mind flashed back to Invisible Kid rescuing her from Revenant's attack on the bio-vessel that had once been Enigma Lass's only world. She recalled Jacques Foccart's words as clearly as if they'd been spoken to her seconds ago, the only words that any being had ever said to her in kindness at that time of her life.***

-- You were very brave, mon petit. I am sorry that we could not help everybody else on board your vessel, but you will be safe now --

"Oaa?" Enigma Lass turned to face Variable Lad as the two of them left the room, though he couldn't actually see her face behind her mask. "I think I'd like to be called...Monn Petti."

Oaa Tseldor beamed. "I think that's a wonderful name, Monn."

**********

IN ORBIT ABOVE THE BORDERWORLD KURSZGE III
The Legion of Superheroes mobile base, the Brainstem


ROLL CALL
Kid Computo aka Danielle Foccart: cyberempathy

For most of the Legionnaires, the Brainstem was (at least initially) one of the more intimidating areas of their mobile headquarters. A highly protected cylindrical space in the centre of their base, the Brainstem contained an overwhelming array of holographic and physical screens connecting the Legion to any number of data feeds. This place was home to the Legion's Communications Officer Trava Coruu more often than not, but as competent as that young woman was, even she sometimes needed to make use of all three of her Carggite bodies to navigate the deluge of information that flowed into this room constantly.

This was one of the rare times when not even one of Trava's bodies was on duty, and Danielle Foccart was totally comfortable with that....because while most Legionnaires treated the Brainstem like a challenge to be overcome, for the Earth girl called Kid Computo it was a playground. Sitting at ease in one of the three seats centred on a raised dais in the middle of the room, Danielle's computer-linked mind took in far more than her eyes or ears. Danielle rarely encountered this intensity of data transferral, and she was loving every second of it.

The Legion of Superheroes had come to the distant world of Kurszge III in part because it was close enough to the Khund border that they could enter Khundish territory quickly if they had to; more importantly though, this planet's largest volcano was in the process of erupting, and the Legion of Superheroes were all that prevented a planetary extinction event. The volcano itself, named Hukhaoao after an ancient deity, was some 5 miles high and spewing enough lava to decimate the local people and enough volcanic ash to put the world into a lifeless winter for decades.

Danielle's cyberempathy boosted by the Legion's superior tech allowed her access to not only the base's own sensors, but also every other piece of equipment focused on the disaster unfolding whether that be Science Police surveillance systems, communications satellites or even local journalism broadcasts and social media. Dogstar, Diamond Damsel and Neon were the highest trending heroes across many channels right now, each of them putting their great strength of body or will to the task of carrying entire buildings full of people off the densely populated island upon which Hukhaoao was situated.

Many other Legionnaires did their part in less sensational ways whether that might be Chameleon Boy, Gas Girl, Shrinking Violet or Phantom Girl finding their way to people trapped in collapsed buildings, Life Lass peeling those buildings open like an onion, or Transposition Lad freeing people from spaces that seemed otherwise inaccessible. Slug, Ultra Boy and Supergirl put their invulnerability to good use by wading through lava to bring isolated people and pets to a safe space, and Mwindaji and Dawnstar tracked down those who'd been lost in the chaos.

Kid Computo only marginally paid attention to those Legionnaires, for all the good they were doing. Her main focus right now was to guide Blok, Mon-El and Night Girl on their own very important missions which were likely to go completely unrecognised by anyone outside the Legion.

Following a path that had been mapped by Evolvo Lad's hyperevolved form, the Legion's strongest members were currently digging tunnels bare-handed through thick miles of rocky crust right into the main vent that delivered superheated material from the magma chamber beneath the giant peak to the world above. Danielle traced their progress on a computer-generated map, three small bright dots deep beneath the surface of the planet pushing onward. There were no cameras down there to record their feats, but they were creating additional chambers to bleed lava out far far away from civilisation and they would save many lives by doing so.

Kid Computo opened comms channels to the three of them. "Blok, Mon-El; you two are another half-minute or so away. Night Girl, I think you should call it quits after the next few meters."

So far away from any source of light, Night Girl's strength was almost unmatched among the Legion of Superheroes. Lydda Jath Krinn was far from invulnerable though, and within her subterranean tunnel she could already feel the heat emanating from the magma teeming nearby; she wasn't going to argue with Kid Computo on this point. "Thanks, Danielle. I'll give it another couple of punches and start heading back."

"Kid Computo, how is Cosmic Boy's squad faring?" Mon-El asked.

"A good question," Blok agreed. "Cosmic Boy, Element Lad, Evolvo Lad and Nightwind have the most important work here of any of us." The wisdom of Solomon told Blok that his Daxamite teammate could easily have used his own enhanced senses to check on Rokk Krinn, but by making Kid Computo verbally report Cosmic Boy's progress they could also ease any anxiety Night Girl might be feeling about her husband's role here tonight.

"Seems like everything's on track as far as I can see," Danielle reported back. "That's gotta be a good sign, right?"

**********

High above the erupting volcano, plumes of cloying black ash miraculously parted to reveal the sea of stars beyond.

The clearing in the clouds expanded until there was a ring several miles wide where it seemed that the apocalypse happening all around Hukhaoao just didn't exist. In the centre of that clearing, so small as to appear utterly significant against the violence happening around them, four Legionnaires descended from low orbit.

"There's so much ferrous material in this ash that it's barely an effort carving it out of our way," Cosmic Boy noted. He seemed completely relaxed, as though they weren't directly above a rupture in the planet's crust spewing lava with volcanic lightning crashing all around them. "To be honest, this is much easier than I was anticipating!"

"I'm glad for you," Nightwind next to him retorted. Though their transuits protected them from the toxic gases and heat, Nightwind nonetheless perspired from the effort of exerting her power upon this world's atmosphere. "The winds up here are insane, it's taking everything I've got just to make sure we don't get shredded to pieces!"

"We appreciate both your contributions," Evolvo Lad spoke, the voice of his hyperevolved form as placid as ever. "After all, it would be far more difficult for myself and Element Lad to complete our task if your command of the air and the magnetic materials around us weren't so complete."

"About that," Element Lad joined in, "How much time do you need to complete your calculations, Evolvo Lad? Our transuits protect us from the worst of the environmental extremes here, but we probably shouldn't be too complacent. The sooner we're done and gone, the happier I'll be."

"Your concerns are quite reasonable," Evolvo Lad agreed. "Let us begin then, shall we?"

Within the calm eye of the storm that Cosmic Boy and Nightwind had provided, Element Lad and Evolvo Lad faced one another in cross-legged levitation. Evolvo Lad's long bony fingers reached out to touch Element Lad's temples, and a meeting of minds was initiated.

What transpired next was not as visually sensational as many other Legionnaires' powers might be, but it was the most vital action that anybody would take on Kurszge III this day. Since the quartet's flight rings had brought them within the planet's troposphere, Evolvo Lad's 14th level intellect had been calculating the precise chemical composition of the planet's biosphere and simultaneously calculating how severely this volcanic eruption would disrupt that delicate balance which allowed life here.

Left unchecked, Hukhaoao's eruption would cause so much long-term damage to this planet's biosphere that Kurszge III would be uninhabitable for at least another generation. The Legion of Superheroes refused to accept this. Evolvo Lad had determined precisely how this cloud of ash was composed down to each individual element within it, and he now telepathically fed Element Lad instructions on how to change these elements to more harmless alternatives. One element at a time, 90 billion tons of silicon, aluminium, magnesium, calcium, barium, copper, manganese and many more were shifted to less harmful variants. The whole process took less than 10 minutes, but by the end of it the skies were remarkably more clear and Jan Arrah was completely exhausted.

"You two just saved a world," Cosmic Boy was stunned. "In as much time as it'd take us to fight the League of Super-Assassins!"

"Cos is right," a weary Nightwind rejoined. "Even Blok or Mon-El couldn't have done what you just did for these people!"

"And to think..." Element Lad remarked breathlessly, "...We wouldn't even have known about this if it we hadn't come looking for an excuse to be in this region of space today..."

"Yes," Evolvo Lad agreed, "That is certainly something to think about, isn't it..?"

**********

THE KHUND EMPIRE
H'crides, the Demon's Gate


ROLL CALL

The Demon's Claw
Bloodclaw:
super-strength, vibro-claws

Echo aka Myke-4 Astor: sonic mimicry and amplification
Firefist: team leader; cybernetic walking arsenal
Flederweb: gliding, wall-crawling, claws
Strongarm: four-armed super-strong cyborg

The Sisterhood of Sin
Nimbus:
personal forcefield, flight

Scorn: Khund blood witch
Star-Bear aka Ursula Yenova: cosmic ursinthrope
Veilmist: teleportation
Vista: contains a pocket astral environment in her mind
White Bat: aerial assassin

Atop the towering peak named the Demon's Gate, the Sisterhood of Sin had readied themselves for their resident blood witch Scorn to slay the aged cultist Jh'ein when Veilmist's husband Firefist had appeared on a hover platform alongside the rest of the Demon's Claw.

"My wife must be captured alive," Firefist commanded his team. "As for the rest...slaughter them all."

Before the women could take action, one of the Demon's Claw stepped up beside his leader. His face hidden behind the intimidating glare of a metallic mask, one word emerged from the thin slit where his mouth should be. That word was amplified with so much intensity that it was like a wall of force slamming against both the Sisterhood of Sin and Scorn's devoted attendee. Appropriately enough for the man named Echo, that word was a repeat of Firefist's own.

"Slaughter."

Driven by the sonic assault, the Sisterhood all staggered back dangerously close to the edge of the peak. The cultist Jh'ein tumbled over with a terrified scream, and White Bat followed suit. The rest of them were lucky to stay conscious let alone on their feet, and they struggled to clear their heads enough to retaliate. Taking no chances, Firefist immediately turned to his errant wife. A panel whirred open in one of his outstretched arms, and two small disks emerged. Joined together by a barely visible string of hazy energy, the screaming disks homed in on Veilmist and circled furiously around the dazed woman.

"Echo has incapacitated you all for now," Firefist boasted as he approached Veilmist, "But my sonic bola will make sure you stay that way, wife. After all, you've run me quite the chase till now...best not to underestimate you when I finally have you under my thumb again."

As the rest of the Demon's Claw approached the Sisterhood, it didn't occur to any of them that White Bat might have survived her plummet. She showed them differently when her hardlight wings brought her round the Demon's Gate to swoop behind them and rake two deep gashes in Echo's back. Like the Sisterhood's silent assassin, Echo himself was ironically mute; his cybernetics allowed him to amplify any sound he heard for lethal effect, but he couldn't actually give any audible sign of his own agony as he collapsed bleeding to the rocky floor.

"Flederweb!" Bloodclaw raged. "Slay her!"

The least physically imposing of the Demon's Claw, Flederweb nonetheless leaped into the dark night and spread his own bat-like wings to pursue his female counterpart. The two of them dipped and dived, and soon they disappeared on the other side of the jutting rock.

"Now this is my idea of a good time!" Star-Bear beamed as she took on her cosmically powered form. Sizing up the Demon's Claw, she saw two men who looked like they could give her a decent tussle. Both Strongarm and Bloodclaw were huge powerhouses, but Bloodclaw particularly had a savage gleam in his eye that really appealed to the Russian woman. Star-Bear launched herself at the enormous Khund with a ferocious roar, and the two of them were soon lost in their own hyperviolent dance.

Meanwhile, Strongarm advanced on one of the only women here he actually recognised. Scorn had been his predecessor in the Demon's Claw, and though they'd never met, he felt that it was his duty to show her that the better man had taken her old spot on the roster. The sorceress was still swooning from Echo's earlier attack though, and it would be a meaningless victory for him to crush her skull when she could barely even stand to face him.

"Not that it will make any difference," the four-armed cyborg sneered, "Your death is a foregone conclusion, witch. But hurry up and recover so that I can slay you as I have been ordered."

"As you wish," Scorn looked up at the much taller man with her own leering grin. Scorn's own Khund physiology made her more hardy than most of her teammates, and she launched herself now at Strongarm with surprising speed. Both hands clutching the hilt of her blood dagger, she rammed it into his chest and spat an incantation at him. Strongarm's blood felt as though it were on fire, and his back arched as he released a hair-raising roar.

He too recovered quickly though, and as soon as Scorn withdrew her blade from his tree trunk of a chest he backhanded her with one of his equally massive cybernetic arms. Scorn spat blood herself as she bounced across the rocky ground and grazed one side of her face. Scorn's head was once again spinning as Strongarm advanced on her to tear her limb from limb, but before he could strike her a second time a translucent blue forcefield slammed into him hard enough to send him flying right off the edge of the Demon's Gate.

"You wanted a sacrifice for that gate, right?" Nimbus stood protectively over Scorn while the blood witch climbed to her feet. "How's that for a sacrifice?"

"I need to provide a sacrifice to the Demon's Gate," Scorn snarled ungratefully at the pretty young blonde hovering inside her namesake energy field. "These bastich men have already robbed me of my devotee...try not to rob me of any more potential sacrifices, woman!"

"Shock, forgive a girl for trying to help..." Nimbus took a step back.

Still laid out on the ground herself, Vista was finally cognizant enough to be able to take in what was going on around her. She had no idea how the Demon's Claw had known the Sisterhood were here or why Veilmist's husband had mentioned the Legion of Superheroes earlier; that was two too many unknowns for Vista's liking. She also didn't like how evenly matched the teams were. Echo and Strongarm looked as though they were down for the count, but Bloodclaw was faring far better against Star-Bear than Vista was comfortable with, and Scorn looked like Strongarm had broken some bones with his blow. The team's two aerial specialists weren't even anywhere in sight; for all Vista knew, their creepy little winged man had already killed White Bat and was on his way back now for another victim. As for Vista herself, she thought she had maybe one display of power in her but she would need to push. She would need to make it count.

Forcing herself to one knee, Vista focused on the sonic bola that was keeping Veilmist incapacitated. The Third Eye implant in Vista's forehead flashed a bright pink, and the bola abruptly vanished. "Veilmist!" Vista commanded. "Pull yourself together and get us out of here!"

"Your interference is unwanted and short-lived, woman!" Firefist turned on Vista and sprayed a hail of bullets in her direction. At the last possible instant, Nimbus projected her forcefield between them, but two of the bullets struck Vista and she fell with a sharp wail.

"Oh, you're going to regret that," Nimbus fumed. She extended her field around herself like an exoskeleton and towered over Firefist while he emptied futile rounds of ammunition against her. "You're going to live just long enough to regret that more than you've ever regretted anything, you sleazy little--" The rest of Nimbus's diatribe was drowned out by the sound of her rending both of Firefist's arms from his torso and hurling the weapon-laden limbs over the edge of the rock.

More than half of Firefist's body was made of plasteel and wiring so the horrific assault didn't actually hurt him, but the startled Khund lost his balance and fell to the ground. Foul-smelling mechanical fluids spurted out of his busted shoulder joints while he sputtered impotently at the slight young woman who'd done this to him.

Nimbus moved to stomp him flat, but the warrior leader of the Demon's Claw had already regained his senses. "You may have quite literally disarmed me," Firefist spoke through gritted teeth, "But I can see you, girl...and if I can see you, then that means your accursed forcefield is permeable to light." Firefist's artificial right eye locked onto Nimbus's natural eyes, and sent a strobing frequency straight into her optic nerves that temporarily scrambled her synapses and left her defenceless and convulsing on the ground. Firefist had never liked that particular weapon in his arsenal, he found it a cowardly attack at best...but desperate times called for desperate measures.

Veilmist had finally recovered enough to follow the command she'd been given by Vista, and she glared hatefully at her husband while avoiding direct eye contact with him. "You will never possess me again, husband. No man will ever possess me again, I'll run from you till my dying day."

"Veilmist, stop!!" This was Scorn, who crouched down now behind the prone Firefist's head. Positioned as he was, Firefist couldn't see his old teammate but he recognised Scorn's voice and cursed her for her treachery. Ignoring him, Scorn raised her blood dagger once more. "There is another way to end this, Veilmist...but he is your husband. You should be the one to decide if he will serve the Demon Father today."

If ever there had been compassion for Firefist inside Veilmist, it had atrophied long ago. She nodded at Scorn grimly, and the blood witch brought her flashing blade down.

**********

Just outside the planet's atmosphere, seven outlaw heroes came to the end of their mysterious quest in a shuttle cloaked by Sensor Girl's powers.

Star Boy and Wildfire were at the shuttle's controls, and Wildfire now hollered at the others with his usual blunt demeanour. "So where do we go from here, O Oracles of Naltor? This planet looks like one big chunk o' rock as far as I can tell, I hope you haven't led us all this way on a wild goose chase!"

"We've come too far for you to question me now, Drake Burroughs!" Dream Girl chastised Wildfire only half-seriously. "We..."

Dream Girl trailed off weakly, and Star Boy called after her. "Nura? Everything okay back there?"

Mysa Nal turned around in her own seat to see Dream Girl and Infinite Boy sitting behind her. Mysa gasped as she saw that the two of them had already begun shuddering, their eyes rolling back in their heads. "Xao--!!"

"I'm here!" Dragonmage leaped from his own seat to stand in the aisle, and he immediately began weaving intricate dragonforms in the air. "It's okay, everybody...after seeing how Dream Girl's vision affected her back at the Legion's base, I've been preparing a defensive spell just for this occasion." Long-tailed silvery dragons flew forth from Xao's outstretched fingers and circled Dream Girl and Infinite Boy's heads while they both dreamed whatever it was they were dreaming. It wasn't a pleasant experience for either of the platinum-haired Naltorians judging by their anxious moans and the way their faces were screwed up as though in pain, but Xao's magic successfully protected them from the worst of the dark magic that was polluting these visions.

Just as the dreams seemed to be abating a bright red flash of light filled the shuttle, startling everyone greatly. It was gone as swiftly as it had come, and it left everyone feeling unnerved in its wake.

"What the sprock was that?!" Wildfire burst out.

"Nothing on sensors--" Star Boy scanned the console urgently.

"I may not possess magical abilities myself anymore," Mysa's brow furrowed, "But that felt like--"

"Magic," Dragonmage agreed darkly. "...The blackest magic."

Dream Girl and the Infinite Boy simultaneously sucked in a lungful of air and sat straight up wide-eyed in their seats.

"The Demon's Gate!" Dream Girl announced frantically.

"The Demon Father!" Infinite Boy yelled at the same time. "I know who he is, I know his name--!"

Sensor Girl went as white as a ghost. "Legionnaires..." she mumbled, having forgotten in her dread that they were no longer a part of the Legion of Superheroes. "On the planet's surface, I see him...it must be this so-called Demon Father!" She projected an image for all of them to see what she saw; a broad-shouldered muscular man with red skin, barely garbed in white clothing. He sat as if in meditation upon a petrified throne, a staff entwined with a winged serpent in his right hand. Hair like straw hung limply about his antlered head, and four eyes upon his face opened to reveal blazing golden orbs that made everyone on board feel as though he were staring into their souls even though they all knew this was only an illusion.

"That is him," the Infinite Boy responded to Sensor Girl with something between fear and wonder. "The Demon Father...the Great Ravager...

...TRIGON THE TERRIBLE!!!"


Quote
EDITOR'S NOTES:

* Of course, we know that Duplicate Boy II and Brittle survived the dissolution of the Heroes of Lallor, but Key Kid and Amp don't have the security clearance for that!

** It's true, it all happened here!

*** It happened here! (obviously Jacques didn't know the little Dominator kid was specifically a little Dominator girl, and also possibly the writer *ahem* may not have thought that far ahead yet)
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Eruptions. - 09/07/23 06:31 PM
yay, more! what a treat, raz!

LOL at the super easy test for the Key Kid/Sojurn combo! inspired pairing too, raz, I can imagine Sojurn's different perspective will give Key Kid some insight!

oh, so Key Kid and Amp don't know yet that Duplicate Boy II survived? ah, security clearance, huh! I wonder if that will blow up in the Legion's faces later, if/when Key Kid and Amp learn about this!

I love it, I love how Sojurn's origin is kind of like an Aesop's fable - brilliant way to show the analogy with Enigma Lass and the Dominators!

aw, Variable Lad is so sweet! And good of Enigma Lass to solve the puzzle!

awesome origin for Enigma Lass' adopted name, too!

the Brainstem, loving the concept!

heh at the trending heroes! love that Diamond Damsel is such a powerhouse. And nice glimpses into how many others are helping out

... and also love the strength ranking you got here, with Mon, Blok and Night Girl at the top! (and of course Mysa would be up there too). also makes sense that Lydda is actually strongest, to balance out her weakness!

and I like how Danielle is monitoring things to keep Lydda safe!

wise of Blok to think of Lydda and Rokk!

ooh, Evolvo Lad is smarter than Brainy: 14th level versus 12th! nice bit here, as the Reboot firmly established that Reboot Evolvo was a 10th level one


wowza, nice feat there with that quartet! whew!

ah, nice bit there re Echo, he needs an outside sound source! brilliant way to tie his powers into his name of Echo!

lol at Star-Bear being all "let's fight the more exciting one!"

oy, clever of Firefist to use light to get through Nimbus' forcefield!

well, Veilmist got her revenge! and Scorn got her sacrifice after all! that was an amazing scene, raz, I could picture it - great cinematic fight scene, and epic cliffhanger ending!

smart move, having Xao be ready with a spell, considering how badly Nura and Infinite Boy reacted before!

and of course, Jeckie's super senses would see Trigon!

whohoo! that was epic, raz, take a bow! eagerly awaiting the next bit!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Eruptions. - 09/08/23 12:05 PM
Welcome back, IB!

re: Brittle and Dupe Boy II/Revenant surviving, it made sense to me that the Oversight Watch would want to keep them under wraps, and I am sure it will make for a good story somewhere down the track when the truth comes out (also, I find it funny to think that Enigma Lass was there the whole time but would just have no idea who they are or why Key Kid and Amp would care!)

Sojurn's place in the story is so often unfamiliar outsider or team transport, it was nice to find a way for them to have another role for a change!

I can't remember if I got Evolvo Lad's 14th level intellect from old-school Legion or if it's something I made up, but I kind of like how it gives him an edge over Brainy but only for limited periods of time smile

I am glad you liked the Sisterhood/Demon's Claw fight - it was fun to choreograph!

And of course, Dream Girl and pals have been cruising along in subplot land for the last couple instalments but they are very much going to be front and centre now!

Alternate title for the story coming up might as well be "And You Thought Mordru Was Bad..." laugh
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Eruptions. - 09/08/23 01:05 PM
hiya raz, re Brittle and Dupe Boy II, yeah logically the Oversight Watch would wanna keep them under wraps! I just recalled that the Legionnaires present did know that these two were alive - did the Oversight Watch put something in play to swear the Legion to secrecy? (re Engima Lass, totally, she probably had no idea who anybody there was!)

whoo boy! I'm really digging it, I bet you'll have so much fun making Trigon do crappy evil stuff lol!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Eruptions. - 09/08/23 03:32 PM
Quote
did the Oversight Watch put something in play to swear the Legion to secrecy?
Not anything more than usually shady, I just figure there's probably some things about Legion missions that are on a need to know basis - and the only Lalloran Legionnaire on that mission was Evolvo Lad, whose evolved form I think would be able to rationalise the benefit in everyone thinking Brittle and Dupe Boy II are dead when they're working on a covert ops team. Gas Girl and Life Lass would struggle with it more I think if they had been there
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Eruptions. - 09/08/23 03:59 PM
makes a lot of sense! and gives a lot of elements that can make a possible future scene more... explosive laugh
THE KHUND EMPIRE
H'crides, the Demon's Gate


ROLL CALL
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Infinite Boy aka Kando Vyr: Legionnaire from the future, ability to summon beings from the timestream
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Sensor Girl aka Projectra Armorr: illusion-casting, super-enhanced perceptions
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

The moonless sky of H'Crides was thick with clouds, and contained a sickly humid atmosphere that gave each breath hot weight like there was a storm in the making. There seemed to be an ominous rumbling from somewhere in those clouds which never quite became thunder, and instead of ozone the air reeked of sulphur...and in the minute or so that it had taken for these former or future Legionnaires to traverse this rocky wasteland from their shuttle landing zone to the Demon's Gate, they realised that the only sign of life they'd seen on this planet was the 100 foot tall muscular red man sitting on a throne grown from the surface of the planet and a similarly red-skinned woman of more human proportions hovering at his side. Both of them had two pairs of eyes which were mercifully closed right now, and both of them seemed completely ignorant of the presence of their visitors.

Mysa Nal had adopted her powered form before they'd even left their shuttle; she didn't need the wisdom of Solomon to tell her that it was a valid precaution when confronting a giant demon that the Infinite Boy had named Trigon the Terrible. Now that she was in the form of Mysa Marvel though, Solomon's wisdom told her something she may not have noticed otherwise. "Xao," she almost whispered to Dragonmage, "That four-eyed woman....she seems more demonic, more powerful, but look at what she's wearing! I think that's Scorn of the Sisterhood of Sin!"

"You're right!" Dragonmage's eyes widened. "But how--?"

They were at the base of the towering monolith called the Demon's Gate now, and Sensor Girl turned at the almost imperceptible sound of glider wings on the hot still air. Descending from where he'd been hidden from them on the other side of the rock, the man named Flederweb tumbled down roughly by the heroes. Gashes in his costume and bloodied flesh made it clear that he'd been in some kind of fight. "Gliding's...not so easy when a giant demon appears out of nowhere to suck all the life out of the air..." he complained.

"Flederweb?" Dragonmage ran to his side. "What's going on here? Where are the rest of the Demon's Claw?"

Flederweb flinched at Dragonmage's touch before he realised the young sorceror was just trying to help him regain his footing. "Most likely dead I assume," the winged man answered darkly. "No bother to me, but I didn't think you Legionnaires had it in you to send your enemies into an ambush like that."

"What are you talking about?" Star Boy demanded.

"We got a message that your woman...saw something here that we needed to investigate," Flederweb explained. "We didn't know that we'd been sent to investigate a surprise assault from our leader's beloved wife and her friends."

"His wife...Veilmist?" Dream Girl put the pieces together. "Wait, if that's Scorn...and Veilmist was here...is this why the Sisterhood of Sin ransacked the Museum of Mystic Arts? Are they responsible for this creature being here?"

"Guilty as charged." A waft of lavender temporarily overpowered the rank sulphurous odor they were drenched in before fading back into the overpowering omnipresent stench again. When the plumes of colored smoke vanished, Vista and Veilmist stood there.

It was Vista who'd spoken, and in a blur of motion Mysa Marvel was suddenly behind her with one hand covering Vista's eyes using the villain's own unruly brown hair. "You can't move anyone into your mindscape if you can't see us!" Mysa boasted.

"That still leaves Veilmist!" Dream Girl said. "Spread out so she can't teleport us all at once! And Sensor Girl, the rest of the Sisterhood must be here somewhere--"

"We are not here to fight, fools!" Veilmist said crossly, hands on her well formed hips.

"Veilmist is right," Vista added calmly. "We...may have made a mistake."

"...Understatement of the century," Flederweb mumbled at the women.

"Release the villain," Sensor Girl commanded Mysa. "My power will keep them from locking on any of us visually if they try anything." Indeed, to Vista and Veilmist's eyes everyone seemed to be shifting in position by a couple of feet back and forth.

"Time to 'fess up then!" Wildfire barked. "What the sprock is going on here and who or what the sprock is a Trigon the Terrible?"

Dragonmage flashed an anxious glance at the giant demon sitting above them. Speaking Trigon's name within his earshot was a dangerous risk, but fortunately he hadn't seemed to react...then again, Xao Jin wondered, how fortunate was it after all? He recognised well when a magic user was in meditation, gathering their power about them, and he was certain that's exactly what Trigon and Scorn were both doing right now.

"The Sisterhood of Sin found legends about a so-called Khund Demon Father," Vista recited a version of events, looking at the ground between them all rather than go cross-eyed trying to focus on any of their distorted images. "We traced him here, but when we got here we found he's not the father of all Khunds...just Scorn."

Star Boy threw his hands up in disgust. "You came looking for someone called the Demon Father?!"

Dream Girl touched his arm lightly. "Darling, I agree but not the time. Continue, Vista."

"We figured that he'd owe us a favour if we reunited him with his daughter," Vista continued. "So Scorn summoned him. What we didn't count on was that turncoat Scorn betraying us as soon as Trigon transformed her into...that. She hit us with a wave of pain so bad that I thought we were going to die, so I told Veilmist to get us out of here."

"I have never felt agony like that before and I never wish to again." Veilmist held herself. "I only had the strength to take Vista and myself away from here...and the only reason we returned was to rescue any of the remaining Sisterhood of Sin who survived Scorn's attack. I have no great love for them, but nobody deserves what that woman inflicted upon us."

"What do they want?" the Infinite Boy spoke up. "I mean what's their end goal? Surely Trigon didn't transform his daughter into a demon like him so they could just space out forever."

"It doesn't matter," a new voice sounded gruffly. As Flederweb had done earlier, the four-armed cyborg Strongarm now came stalking across from the far side of the Demon's Gate. He was covered in cuts and bruises, and had a nasty looking gash in his chest where Scorn had stabbed him...considering he'd been thrown off the top of the Demon's Gate earlier though, he was surprisingly hearty. "I'm going to tear these two apart and then I'm going to tear the rest of their misbegotten team of wenches apart as well!"

"Oh, you didn't die," Flederweb observed without inflection. "...Congratulations."

"We might not be in the Legion anymore, but we're not just going to let you kill these women," Star Boy took a stand against the approaching Khund.

"No, let him come," Veilmist faced Strongarm. "Him I can see clearly."

Star Boy ignored Veilmist, using his power to increase Strongarm's mass. The Khund was as strong as he looked, and Thom barely slowed him down. "Wildfire, a little help??"

Strongarm crouched before springing into a leap, allowing his mighty leg muscles to propel him through the air straight at Veilmist and Vista. Wildfire and Mysa both moved to intervene, but he was already claimed by Veilmist's power. He reappeared in the air just a few feet away from Scorn, and unwittingly slammed her straight into the ground.

"Are you insane--?!" Dream Girl turned on Veilmist.

"Khunds have a saying," Veilmist replied coldly. "I slayed two pit rats with one shot. Now they will occupy themselves fighting one another while we find the others and flee this place."

"If you think we are leaving these two here--" Sensor Girl began.

Unnoticed, Dragonmage began weaving a spell while all the time darting nervous glances at Trigon.

Wildfire and Mysa Marvel changed direction mid-air, both of them flying toward Scorn and Strongarm.

Then Scorn's outraged cry travelled across the land. "You dare?!"

Before Scorn's transformation, Strongarm's attack might have broken every bone in her body; now it just made her angry. While Strongarm fought the effect of Star Boy's power so he could stand, Scorn was already floating above him. Her dark auburn mane of hair framing her face and her green cloak billowing about her, Scorn's four eyes blazed and Strongarm felt a rare chill of fear.

"You have already had a taste of my power," she spoke down to Strongarm, as scornful as her name. "Now you may have your fill!"

Golden light poured forth from her eyes, consuming Strongarm within. Instinctively, Mysa and even Wildfire averted their gaze while Strongarm screamed a scream that sounded like his soul was being wrenched from his body.

When Scorn's work was done, Strongarm collapsed to the ground looking frighteningly emaciated. Scorn had taken enough blood from him to leave him weak but alive, and her magic now turned this blood into a half dozen coagulated forms shaped like winged demons. "I was a blood witch before Trigon the Terrible awakened my potential!" Scorn announced to the group as the blood wraiths swarmed Wildfire and Mysa Marvel. "Let me show you what I am capable of now!!"

The ground quaked mildly, and even the Demon's Gate itself shuddered for a brief second. Dragonmage wasted not another moment, sending serpentine forms of crimson and jade out into the world where they flew rings around himself and the rest of the heroes aside from Mysa Marvel and Wildfire (both of whom had flown too far for Xao to protect). Vista, Veilmist and Flederweb were also close enough to be covered by Dragonmage's spell, and they all watched in mounting trepidation as rivulets of blood flowed up through cracks in the dry ground outside the dragon circle and into the air like some perversely reversed rainfall.

The blood was that of the many cultists who'd died here over the years waiting for Trigon's daughter, whose corpses had been preserved underground by the old man named Jh'ein for precisely this kind of sick defilement.

The blood was Jh'ein's blood and it was that of Veilmist's husband Firefist.

The blood flowed from the wounds of Star-Bear, White Bat, Nimbus, Echo and Bloodclaw wherever they lay...

...and when the blood was gathered, an army of wraiths filled the sky of H'crides.

**********

KURSZGE III
The ruined city of Hukhaii


ROLL CALL
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: intangibility
Transposition Lad aka Kappa Snarrk: teleportational transposition

Hukhaii was the name of the city which had been erected at the base of the supervolcano Hukhaoao nearly three thousand years ago. While the Legion of Superheroes had been able to stop Hukhaoao's eruption before its effects impacted the entire world, some damage could not be avoided.

Once bustling with tourists, the dazzling spires of Hukhaii now lay in ruins. Thousands of people were trapped in their homes and the places they worked, shopped and played. The Legion of Superheroes had not slowed their efforts to help these people even after the immediate danger had passed; Evolvo Lad, Kid Computo and the planet-based Science Police had all agreed two hours ago that the volcano was unlikely to be an active threat anymore, so the Legion had doubled down on search and rescue efforts.

In a field of rubble which had only this afternoon been a busy traffic intersection, five Legionnaires toiled away to help save the people who still needed help on Kurszge III. Night had fallen hours ago, but between Color Kid's power and emergency lighting supplied by the Science Police the city was lit up as bright as day.

"We're doing a lot of this lately," Matter-Eater Lad quipped after swallowing a chunk of metal; grateful citizens poured out into the fresh air from the hole Tenzil had eaten in their grounded skybus. "I might put disaster response on my resume in case this superhero thing doesn't work out...I mean I've already got politics to fall back on, but a guy can't have too many backup plans!"

"This is all just part of being a Legionnaire," Gravity Kid retorted perhaps a little too peevishly. "That's what our teachers used to tell us back in the Legion Academy anyway."

Dawnstar was helping a terrified sentient from the second story window of a dangerously tilted apartment building, and she glanced down toward Tel once she was sure the orange-skinned person was safe. "I am certain that Matter-Eater Lad doesn't need you to tell him what the role of a Legionnaire entails, Gravity Kid -- Gravity Kid??"

Tel Vole swaggered as if drunk, his hand touching his forehead weakly. His power began to fade as he swooned, and Dawnstar saw in horror that the ton of ferrocrete he'd been levitating was about to collapse on a Kurszgian woman making her way out from beneath its shadow. As exhausted as Dawnstar was, she had no doubt she could reach the woman in time but she couldn't collect her with a grown adult already struggling in her arms.

Dawnstar's cry caught the other Legionnaires' attention, and they all looked across at the tragedy waiting to happen.

"Kappa!" Phantom Girl commanded with uncommon authority. "Swap me with that woman!"

Transposition Lad's reaction time surprised even himself. With the distinctive plink of his odd power, the dazed Kurszgian woman was out in the open where Tinya Wazzo had just stood while Phantom Girl was buried beneath the tremendous crash of what had once been part of Hukhaii's road system.

"Oh wow..." Transposition Lad bent over, his hands on his thighs. "I didn't think I was gonna do that in time at all." The tall green man looked across at Matter-Eater Lad. "Phantom Girl's okay under all that junk, right? I mean she must have phased in time--?"

"I did," Tinya answered, floating up through the wreckage. "And you did great, Kappa. Take a few minutes to get your breath back. But you, Tel--"

The blood had drained from Gravity Kid's face. "Grife...Phantom Girl, I'm so so sorry! I can't believe I screwed up like that--"

"It's okay, kid." Tenzil placed a friendly hand on Tel's shoulder. "Nobody's mad at you. But you're not going to be able to help people if you're this tired...maybe you should take a break, huh?"

"Matter-Eater Lad is right," Phantom Girl agreed. "Dawnstar, once you've helped that sentient to safety could you please escort Gravity Kid back to base?"

"I don't need a babysitter!" Tel began to complain.

"With all due respect, you almost passed out a second ago." Phantom Girl didn't raise her voice, but it held a firmness that she'd honed in her time leading the team. "Dawnstar will take you back home, Tel."

"Okay..." Gravity Kid surrendered. He sat on the ground and buried his face in his hands. Dawnstar provided her assent before she flew off, and Transposition Lad wondered awkwardly if he should try to say something to make Gravity Kid feel better or just leave him be.

Phantom Girl and Matter-Eater Lad shared a silent look that said this might just be something they'd need to look into a little more deeply once they got back home...

**********

On H'crides, Trigon the Terrible remained unmoving while Scorn's blood wraiths tried to tear everybody else apart at his feet.

A writhing mob of the wraiths splattered apart into a gruesome shower of blood when two wide arcs of anti-energy sheared straight through them. "These things aren't alive!" Wildfire shouted. "It's just some kind of weird Khund hoodoo...no offence Mysa, but I've had enough of sprockin' magic for the rest of my life!"

"I'm no longer a witch, so no offence taken; though I will say magic still does some favors for me." Mysa Marvel was buried beneath a mass of reeking red-black creatures as Wildfire had been a moment ago, and she decided to take care of her own enemies less explosively than he had. Arms stretched out to her side, Mysa spun around at great speed and the wraiths were thrown up, down and all around. One came hurtling straight at Wildfire and he blew that one to pieces as well.

"Now--" Mysa began to speak, turning back to look at their clearly overwhelmed friends.

"Now we see how good blood magic is against a bag of anti-energy!" Wildfire rocketed straight at Scorn, his bootjets roaring.

Mysa was torn; she desperately wanted to protect her sister, but she didn't feel comfortable leaving Wildfire to fight a demon's daughter alone. Solomon's wisdom made the decision for her, and Mysa hoped she wouldn't regret it as she followed Wildfire into combat.

The others were all still more or less safely encircled within Dragonmage's spell. At Dream Girl's command, they'd formed a protective ring around the young sorceror.

"How long can you keep this defence in place against these creatures?" Dream Girl asked Dragonmage. The diving mass of blood wraiths hadn't yet crossed the colorful dragonforms flying round the mismatched group, but Nura couldn't help but notice they had a few inches less space in this dragon circle than they'd had a minute ago.

"Honestly? I can feel the dragonforms succumbing already," Xao Jin answered. "They will weaken significantly before the spell is broken, but I only give us another few minutes at most."

"I have been attempting to confound their senses," Sensor Girl admitted, "But it seems they have none; none that fall within the range of my abilities at any rate."

"I don't expect dreams or illusions to be any use here," Vista sniped as she pulled three more of the swarming wraiths into her mindscape where they immediately fell apart separated from Scorn's power. "But aren't you supposed to be the Demon Claw's aerial specialist, Flederweb? Why aren't you taking on these things on your own turf?"

"Vista is correct!" Veilmist's own power teleported a half-dozen of the monsters to the other side of the planet. "Will you not act even to save yourself, coward?"

"I have no particular attachment to my life," Flederweb retorted sardonically, "But I'm not suicidal either. Those things are worse than a cloud of plague locusts, I'll stay right where I am if it's all the same to you." Though he was grounded along with the others, Flederweb had nonetheless drawn his gun and was firing energy pulses directly into the maddened throng above them.

The Infinite Boy listened to the exchange happening around him. In the future from which Kando Vyr hailed, Veilmist was known as a battle-hardened warrior and Flederweb had died after long and loyal service to the Legion of Superheroes. That timeline might not exist anymore thanks to his own interference, but maybe he was inadvertantly helping push those two now into the roles they were fated to play.

"Enough, Kando..." the Naltorian boy chastised himself under his breath. "Dissect destiny later...right now we need some serious backup. In all of the past, present and future there has to be somebody who can tip the odds in our favour." He drew on his own strange power, and everywhere shadow fell upon him seemed to be hiding a secret starscape. Then, anticlimactically, the Infinite Boy's eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed into his cape on the rocky ground.

"I can see why you recruited this one," Flederweb remarked sarcastically.

Star Boy recognised what this was immediately and he stopped transferring mass into the encroaching horde for a moment. "Nura, is he..?"

"...Experiencing a vision," Dream Girl finished Star Boy's sentence. "Absolutely miserable timing though, now I know how you must feel half the time." She flashed her lover a wan smile as she dragged Kando closer into the circle, then Dream Girl's striking blue eyes grew wide. "Thom, look out!!"

The warning came too slow however. The dragon circle had contracted enough that one of the blood wraiths was able to reach down and snag its claws right into Thom Kallor's shoulders. The creature lifted him up and started flying back toward its mistress, ignoring Star Boy's pained exclamations and Dream Girl's panicked shrieks. While they were still reeling over the loss of Star Boy, another one of the creatures dipped down and yanked Sensor Girl into the sky by her cape. Flederweb turned his weapon toward the abductors, but they were all too soon lost in the larger crowd; it was the best he could do to temporarily keep more of them at bay.

All the noise jolted the Infinite Boy awake and he sat up and rubbed his eyes. "I had the most awful dream..."

"It doesn't matter!" Dream Girl squatted down to meet his eye. "Kando, please! Summon...summon the Legion or the Justice League or...please, they're going to kill Thom and Jeckie!!"

The Infinite Boy shook the cobwebs from his head and immediately jumped to his feet. As though he hadn't even heard Dream Girl's plea, he stared with open fear at Trigon. "Veilmist, you have to get us out of here."

"What?! No!! We have to help Star Boy and Sensor Girl!" Dream Girl shouted into Infinite Boy's face, but he couldn't pay any attention to that because his dream had told him exactly what was coming and he knew they had to be far from here when it happened.

Far above them, Trigon the Terrible finally stirred for the first time. The enormous demonic figure looked down upon the superhumans who might as well be gnats at his feet with his lower pair of eyes...and then, as a coldly evil grin found its way to Trigon's face, his upper pair of eyes began to open.

"Veilmist!!" The Infinite Boy grabbed her arms and shook her. "We need to get out of here right now!!"

The golden eyes of Trigon the Terrible blazed to life, and then...

...Veilmist, Vista, Flederweb, Dragonmage, Dream Girl and the Infinite Boy were suddenly standing in a brightly lit shopping mall with a 20 foot tall holoscreen blaring some news story about the Legion of Superheroes doing relief work on a neighbouring world. A stunned crowd of onlookers surrounded them all, wondering who these strangers were who'd just appeared in their midst.

"Take us back!" Dream Girl wagged a finger in Veilmist's face. "You take us back right now!!"

"Out of the question," Vista stepped between the two women. "I let Veilmist talk me into going back for the Sisterhood, but that was about 12 levels of insanity ago. There is no power in this universe that's sending me back to that hellhole."

"This is a rare occasion then," Flederweb added, "Because I agree with the sexual tension crime sisters."

"Please," Dragonmage said weakly. "Just...give me a few moments. If I'm going to face Scorn and Trigon's sorcery--"

"Thom doesn't have a few moments!" Dream Girl turned on him. "Neither does Jeckie! And I'm not leaving my sister there with those two--"

"The decision is not yours to make, woman!" Veilmist spoke with bile in her voice. "Not unless you've developed teleportation powers of your own in the past few minutes..?"

"...You're all doomed."

They all paused at this new voice, and turned to see a young woman with long straight strawberry blonde hair standing next to the Infinite Boy. She wore an anachronistic green pleated skirt and collared blouse, a loose belt sat upon her waist and darker green boots rose most of the way up her shapely calves. She had pretty features and a dancer's body and otherwise should have been thoroughly unremarkable, but there was something about her that seemed to radiate a haunting presence.

"I reached into the timestream for someone who could help us against Trigon and Scorn," the Infinite Boy tried to explain.

"And who are you?" Dream Girl asked the girl.

"My name is Lilith Clay," the newcomer introduced herself, "And if you've really summoned Trigon to this plane, then you, your missing friends, whatever this world is...

...All that lives is doomed."
yay! i've been waiting for this, oh goodie!

nice description of the area, raz, you really set the scene! (also, former and future Legionnaires, very nice!)

gotta love that Wisdom of Solomon! you are great at giving it a lot of useful applications!

heh, loved the next bits, with Flederweb showing up, then Veilmist and Vista. Love Flederweb's snark.

good of Nura to take charge, tactically. and lol at Thom and Nura being all "really, you went looking for a Demon Father"?

nice application of Jeckie's power - curious,could she have used it on Vista only? seems like everyone got the full effect

ooh, now I'm curious - and a bit afraid - to see the fates of the rest of the Sisterhood!

hooh boy, Veilmist sure turned things on their head! now Scorn is angry...

that was ominous, seeing the list of other characters whose blood flowed into Scorn's spell. eek!

I just love your development of Dawnstar. some time ago, I could see her being the snarky one in place of Gravity Kid... but here she is not taking any nass from Tel. now Dawny actually appreciates some humor, and has no time for anyone being too haughty.

and Tel is pushing himself too hard, again. with Tinya and Tenzil on the case, I have a feeling this is all gonna come out in the open soon!

ooh, nice nod to Flederweb being a future Legionnaire...

lol at Nura's joking about the visions!

oh sprock! Trigon awake, Thom and Jeckie and Mysa and Drake left behind... way to up the ante, raz!

Flederweb is such a hoot! Sexual tension crime sisters! hahahaha

also, loving the nod to Veilmist being a good person, and wanting to save the rest of the Sisterhood in the first place!

LILITH! Was not expecting her - nice!!

wow, I am super hooked, raz! exellent installment, cannot wait for the next one!
Welcome back IB!

I feel like I probably harp on about the wisdom of Solomon too much sometimes, but the idea of an external source of superhuman wisdom is exactly the kind of weird power that I love laugh

Quote
nice application of Jeckie's power - curious,could she have used it on Vista only? seems like everyone got the full effect

This is a very good point actually, thanks! I went back and edited it, it's a bit silly that it would affect everyone when she can just do it to Vista and Veilmist smile

re Dawnstar - thanks, I appreciate it! To be honest, she was never one of my favourites as a reader but once I started writing her I have really got into her head heaps more. She is going to have kind of a weird journey coming up, but that's a story for a later time...

You are right on the mark with Tel as well...I think once all this business with Trigon is over, Tel's story is going to be my next focus!

Quote
Thom and Jeckie and Mysa and Drake left behind

This will hopefully have a big payoff next instalment, especially with all the stuff that's been going on with Wildfire recently...I don't know if you read the Titans comics where Trigon came to Earth, but I am drawing from parts of that a whole lot for this story!

I am glad you enjoyed! As you are probably aware by now, things are definitely going to get worse before they get better, these characters haven't been tortured nearly enough yet hahaha
hahaha! well you're so good at upping the ante, really excited for the next bit! (and also the developments to come, like with Tel and Drake!)

re Dawny, I also appreciate you building upon that Tangleweb story where Dawny started to respect Tenzil - it's showing here, where she tells Tel off for being condescending to Tenz smile

and yes, I remember the original Trigon story a bit, excited to see what you'll do with the Legionnaires left behind - eager to see what Mysa, Jeckie and Thom will experience!
I totally had Dawny and Tenzil in that scene by coincidence but as soon as I wrote her telling Gravity Kid off I was thinking how it was accidentally a nice throwback to the Tangleweb story! Good mermory, IB!!
your awesome story made it easier to remember, raz smile
Aw thanks! smile
It was awesome! And my : D emoji was a laughing one, I thought it would be a big grin! i changed it to a smilie one to show my sincerity!! smile
Hey Raz, I've finally got time to dive in and review your work - am really looking forward to this!

Starting with Key Kid and Sojurn, after the end of the previous section, is a surprise. Sojurn's concern for Key Kid was very sweet. The potted history of how Sojurn came to join the team is very relevant to the Key Kid/Enigma Lass situation, I'd forgotten about Sojurn's people's love of zoos so that was a nice reminder. Let's hope that Miqui takes it on board.

How cute, Variable Lad apologising for not finding the way out. She really does have issues, though given her past that's not unexpected. His support and concern are sweet, and nice that he straight away tells her that if she wants a name she can have one. Nice that she gets to figure out the puzzle and get the two of them out of their test. And, Monn Petti, is a sweet name, nice! very un-Dominion!

I love the Brainstem and am a little jealous that you thought of it first. It makes for a striking image. Glad to see the team have moved towards the Khund border, and also that they've found something to justify their being there. Nice to see so many of your team being used with the disaster relief and especially Slug, et al, wading through lava to save pets (amongst other things) - yup, that's what heros do, don't leave animals behind. Am particularly impressed with the three digging channels, and Mon El's attempt to ease any anxiety of Lydda's was clever. He's a good egg, despite being incredibly boring, haha.

Wow, I really wouldn't want to be in the team above the vulcano! Hukhaoao is a great name, by the way. 90 billion tons to change? Wow, Jan is deservedly cream-crackered after changing that! Evolvo's comment at the end - are you planning on taking your team out into the wilds of space or keeping them more Sol-based?

And now onto the main event! Yay, the Sisterhood of Sin face off against the Demon's Claw! This is gonna be epic! And straight into the action, no chance to talk their way through it - I do love the single mindedness of Khunds! "Slaughter!" indeed, though I fear it's the Demon's Claw that will be slaughtered here. Firefist has the tech to stop Vielmist, of course. You make a point od stating Flederweb is the least physically imposing, which makes me think you might be planning on getting rid of him - I hope not as you write his so well. "Now this is my idea of a good time!" Star-Bear is great! Strongarm letting Scorn get to her feet will be a mistake. Nimbus and Scorn 'discussing' the sacrifice - haha, that was a cute moment. Vista freeing Veilmist was clever. Nimbus is mean, pulling Firefist's arm's off- Ouch! And he's the sacrifice. Somehow I don't think things are going to improve any now...

Yay, Nura and the rest of them to the rescue! Or maybe not... Sensor Girl cloaking their vessel - great use of her. Xao preparing a spell just in case Nura had another epic vision was also clever use and in character for him, he's a studious type. Yay... and ekk! It is Trigon!

This is great stuff Raz, you've really done yourself proud with the lead up and execution of this storyline. I'll have time tomorrow to read through the next section, and am really looking forward to more, more, more!
Welcome back, Harbi!

Glad you liked the stuff with the Academy kids! We will be picking up on some of the stuff you mentioned after Trigon has his little rampage!

The Brainstem is really my ripoff homage to the JLA's monitor womb that (I think) Grant Morrison introduced back in the day....I like the visual of a supehero surrounded by a bazillion screens smile

When I actually looked up how much volcanic ash a big eruption spews out I was a bit worried that it would be overkill for Jan to be able to affect that much, but then again he didn't seem to have any trouble increasing the lead in a whole world's atmosphere back during the Great Darkness Saga so I guess we can give him a frighteningly godlike moment occasionally laugh

Will Flederweb live? Will he die?? Nobody is safe!!! evil

I do have fun writing him though so at least he'll get some good lines before he goes laugh

I am looking forward to your thoughts when you get to the next instalment!
Yay, back for more!

You really set the scene on H'crides well with that description of the unpleasant atmosphere. And if the only sign of life is Scorn and a 100 foot tall Trigon then it's definitely not going to be a fun outing for them. What a scene to set, that paragraph was gold. I'm glad Flederweb survived, the l'il gliding cynic is my favourite Khund. Nice use of Jeckie's powers to stop Vista from Mindscaping them. With Vista and Veilmist free, I wonder if Nimbus and star-Bear will be either slaves or goners... which is a shame as both are interesting characters. Strongarm being teleported to Scorn was a good move, that should wake her up! "I slayed two pit rats with one shot." yup, sounds like something the Khunds would say smile Ah, perhaps waking Scorn was not a bright idea... eek! Poor Strongarm, that sounds horrible! As does the blood wraiths Scorn has created. That really is unpleasanr, but also really cool, haha, the perfect mix of horror and excvitement.

What a time to cut away to other team members laugh Nice to see a follow-up to the volcano erupting story from the previous section. As IB rightly says, this isthe sort of work we'd want heroes to do IRL, if they existed. Love Tenzil's thoughts about jis CV laugh Dawny sticking up for him as Tel gets waspish was a nice moment, she's usually pretty aloof from this sort of thing but I guess she's still trying to make friends so the Bounty future doesn't happen. Oh, what's up with Tel? And good move Tinya, very clever! Nice seeing Tinya assert her authority too.

Yay, back to H'crides! Mysa and Drakes conversation about magic was cute. The rest of the team seem to be in a precarious position, if Veilmist is teleporting them, Vista is doing her mindscape thing, the wraiths are being blasted, and still there are enough to push Xao's barrier inwards. Infitinty Boy worrying if he's forcing history is a nice nod towards his own past. What a bad time to have a premonition! And nice exchange between Nura and Thom there. Oh, bye Thom and Jeckie - that's unexpected and horrible! Kando getting Veilmist to take them away, even when Thm and Jeckie have been taken by Scorn's bloodwraiths really highlights how bad things are going to get. Nura's reaction is perfect, she would never accept running away as an option. "but that was about 12 levels of insanity ago." we've all had days like that laugh "the sexual tension crime sisters." and unfortunately we all know people like that laugh And Kando brought Lillith! Wow! That was totally unexpected Raz, and a great cliffhanger. I'm hanging on by my fingernails here!

More, more, more!
Hi Harbi, thanks for the extra commentary!

I am taking a lot of inspiration from the classic Titans story where Trigon comes to Earth for this story - I very much had George Perez's creepy transformed Earth in mind when I was describing H'crides and there will be another big homage in the next instalment as well.

Gravity Kid's story has been happily bubbling along in the background for a while now, but that will probably be my next focus after the Trigon story is over...and while the stakes are not as crazy big as fighting Trigon or Mordru, I think it will result in some good character exploration.

I am enjoying writing Mysa as a physical powerhouse - she gets to have more fun interactions with the other powerhouses on the team these days!

Having the Infinite Boy pop up occasionally is a surprisingly fun way for me to have the Legion team up with characters from other time periods that isn't too contrived, and Lilith will be well and truly earning her keep before all this is over!

Next up: we find out what's going on with all the poor suckers Veilmist left behind on H'crides and none of our guys are having a good time!

Also: a cool display of teamwork!
Sensor Girl muddling Vista's vision so that she couldn't mindscape everyone was super-clever!

And 'sexual tension crime sisters.' Ha!
Originally Posted by Set
Sensor Girl muddling Vista's vision so that she couldn't mindscape everyone was super-clever!

Thanks! I like when Jeckie gets to be more clever with her powers than just creating giant demons outta nowhere...

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And 'sexual tension crime sisters.' Ha!

Flederweb is quite fun to come up with dialogue for laugh
I really like the bit where Enigma Lass chooses the name Monn Petti for herself! So cool.

A Dominator Legionnaire, that's awesome.
Enigma Lass is a little ways off being a Legionnaire just yet, but she is bound to pop up often enough in the meantime!

It has taken me way longer than I thought it would to get back into writing mode after my holiday, but the next chapter of the Demon Father story should be up tonight wooh!
Oh you tease Raz, I saw you'd posted and dived in for your next section and now my nails are going to have to take the strain for a bit longer laugh

Good to have you back and hope you had a good break.
Posted By: razsolo THE DEMON FATHER Part 2 of 3: Torments. - 11/06/23 11:24 AM
KURSZGE IV
A shopping mall in the city of Marez


ROLL CALL
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Flederweb: gliding, wall-crawling, claws
Infinite Boy aka Kando Vyr: Legionnaire from the future, ability to summon beings from the timestream
Lilith Clay: Teen Titan from the past with ESP and undefined psychic abilities
Veilmist: teleportation
Vista: contains a pocket astral environment in her mind

"So your name is Lilith Clay," Dream Girl repeated what the attractive newcomer had just told them all. "That doesn't actually tell us anything about you, where are you from? What do you know about this Trigon creature?"

The young woman looked around the futuristic mall in almost a state of sensory overload before her expressive green eyes landed on the person who'd brought her here, the Infinite Boy. "I sense that I am...a long long way from where I belong. And I fear that you brought me here just to accompany you all as you die. Trigon is the greatest evil I have ever known."

"Gloomy," Flederweb remarked dryly. "I like this one."

"I don't," Vista shot back. "Veilmist, get me out of here...I don't care where, as long as we're out of the reach of Scorn and Trigon. We should never have embarked on this fool quest in the first place, I see that now."

"You're not going anywhere!" Dream Girl raged at Vista. "This is all your fault!!"

"It doesn't matter anyway," Lilith interjected. "There's nowhere you can flee from Trigon the Terrible...he will subjugate this entire universe, and once he's done that he will destroy this universe to recreate his own."

"Lilith, please..." The Infinite Boy removed his hood from his head so she could see the genuine plea in his expression. "I brought you here because I needed somebody who could help us defeat Trigon and Scorn. My power wouldn't have summoned you if you couldn't help us."

"Ms Clay?" Dragonmage joined the conversation. "I perceive that there is more to you than meets the eye. If you wish, we can return you to your home time; the Infinite Boy has that power and this is not your battle. But please...I myself am a sorceror, but the humble skill I possess is in one specific area of magic. Any knowledge you possess about this demon would be greatly appreciated."

Lilith seemed to consider the matter for a moment. "Very well," she decided. "There is power in all of you and in some of you, great heroism. I think you're going to fight regardless of anything I say, you deserve to at least know what you're going up against...and I suppose I wouldn't be much of a Teen Titan if I didn't at least try to help."

"Teen Titan?" Veilmist parroted. "Are we supposed to know what this means?"

"Perhaps not yet," Lilith replied, "But you will, for the Teen Titans are the only heroes who have ever defeated Trigon...

...and it almost cost them their immortal souls."

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Star Boy found himself alone in the Brainstem of the Legion of Superheroes' mobile base, monitors and hardlight screens deluging him with datafeeds from across the United Planets.

Disoriented, Thom Kallor called out to the Legion's Communications Officer Trava Coruu a couple of times before he remembered his flight ring. "Dreamy? Blok, Ultra Boy? Anyone, this is Star Boy. Please respond--" Then his eyes came across one of the screens buried in the data flow and his words died in his mouth. All of the screens that showed an outside sky showed a sky that was full of red-purple clouds occasionally flashing lightning. That was strange enough, but one of the screens showed the bronzed gates of an institute that Thom only retained fuzzy memories of; the Sunshine Sanitarium. And right there on the screen, he watched himself fly over those gates to the place Star Boy had called home for a while.

"No, not Star Boy..." Thom thought out loud, growing apprehensive. "Starman..."*

"Now there's a name we haven't heard in about a thousand years!" The voice was like nothing human, dark and full of mocking spite. Still, it sounded somehow familiar...Star Boy turned to see standing atop the dais in the centre of the Brainstem yet another version of himself! This one was years younger, and wearing the caped costume that Thom had first worn when he joined the Legion of Superheroes. This outfit wasn't the vivid purple that Thom had chosen though, both the costume and the doppelganger himself were a kind of unsettling grayscale. Only his eyes bore any color at all, and they were hellish red orbs.

"Who are you?" Star Boy asked his twisted doppelganger.

"I'm you, Thom!" The doppelganger threw his head back and laughed. "I'm you if you'd ever grown a pair and taken control of your life anyway."

"What--what does that mean?" Star Boy could feel his heart hammering. "What are you showing me--?!" The screens around him changed now, some of them somehow reflecting scenes from his brief time in the past with the Justice Society of America. Some of them were also memories taken from his life in this era; Xanthugov sending him away from his family and his homeworld to join the Legion of Superheroes, the injuries which befell Thom when he lost his extra powers and his long recuperation, being summoned to replace Atmos as Xanthu's planetary champion and being forced to watch Atmos move in on Dream Girl romantically. It hadn't been Nura's choice to enter a relationship with Atmos; Atmos's own power accomplished that by overriding her will. Nobody including Atmos himself had known that at the time though.

"Why are you showing me this?!" Star Boy bellowed angrily.

"You're pathetic, Thom." His doppelganger flashed a smug grin. "Your whole life...you've never actually chosen a direction for yourself once, have you?"

"That's just...that's not true!" Thom protested weakly, his eyes falling across a holographic reproduction of the time he was expelled from the Legion for killing Kenz Nuhor.

"Isn't it though?" Thom's doppelganger stood above him, hands on his hips while his cape billowed about him. "Xanthugov told you when to join the Legion, they told you when to leave it...you were as powerful as Superboy once and when you lost all that power you didn't do a single thing to recover it...you just wait for the next person in line to direct your life for you, don't you?"

"Brainiac 5 told me that those powers couldn't be stabilized--" Star Boy began to protest.

"Brainiac 5?" The doppelganger laughed again. "The same Brainiac 5 who once led the charge to expel you from the Legion? The same Brainiac 5 who sent you back to the past to rot in some primitive psychiatric hospital without your schizophrenia treatments? You just took his abuse at face value, you didn't even try to stand up for what was yours! No wonder Dream Girl chose Atmos over you, you're a joke!"

The screens around Thom changed again now, all of them showing Dream Girl rolling around in bed with Atmos, playing the sounds of them together. "It wasn't like that!" Star Boy yelled. "Nura didn't choose Atmos! She told me--"

"Brainiac 5 told me, Nura told me," the doppelganger mimicked him cruelly. "Where's your dignity, Star Boy? Dream Girl doesn't love you...she just knows she can keep you on a leash like a dog. And you lap it right on up because you're a pathetic--"

"Stop it!" Star Boy bellowed again. "Stop saying I'm pathetic!" He used his flight ring to launch himself at his doppelganger, knocking them both off of the raised platform.

Thunder crashed and a contemptuous laughter seemed to fill the air around them...

Lilith Clay and the odd assemblage of metahumans she'd found herself with had convened in a private booth in the shopping mall's food court. For the past several minutes she'd been giving them as brief a rundown as she could about the Teen Titans, a 21st Century team composed mostly of superhero sidekicks with whom she'd been assocated infrequently for the last few years.

"--that leads us to Raven," Lilith spoke. "We knew her as a good person; enigmatic and haunted by something in her past, but a good person. I wasn't with the Titans when they found out Raven was the daughter of a demon named Trigon, but I was there when Trigon corrupted her and turned her against her friends and her world."

"Then...Scorn is not his only daughter?" Veilmist asked.

"We thought we'd eradicated Trigon's threat for good," Lilith answered the Khund woman. "I suppose we should have known better. Who knows how many worlds he's sired children upon between my time and yours in the hopes that one of them would bring him here to wreak havoc some day?"

"That's a valid question," Dream Girl agreed, "But not the most important one right now. You said you thought you'd eradicated him in your own time, Lilith. How did you do that?"

"We only defeated Trigon...we only survived him...with the aid of the people of Azarath."

"So go to this Azarath!" Vista snapped. "Why do you need us?"

"The people of Azarath sacrificed themselves to stop Trigon's threat," Lilith explained sadly, remembering events that for her had happened only weeks ago. "They sacrificed their home and their existence so that our dimension could live."

Lilith paused for a moment to centre herself. Being yanked to this era had been a shock to her extrasensory perceptions; she supposed her friends Nightwing or Cyborg might have some logical explanation as to how temporal displacement could interfere with her abilities, but the longer she spent in this weird time and place the more she felt like herself again...and she was starting to wonder if maybe they weren't so doomed after all.

"Forgive me, I don't remember your name?" Lilith asked Vista. Vista answered the question brusquely, and Lilith looked her over with an expression that nobody else at the table could read but which somehow seemed significant.

"Vista...I am sensing that perhaps we do have some slim chance against Trigon after all...

...and I sense that you might be pivotal to that."

Quote
Mysa Marvel knew instantly where she was, and even buoyed by the courage of Achilles she felt an icy chill run down her spine. The flickering torches, the low bluestone ceiling and walls, the scent of mildew which pervaded the air...she was back in Mordru's dungeon.

There was a time not so long ago when returning here might have left her huddled in terror in the deepest shadow she could find, but that was before she'd been imbued with the power of Shazam. "Come out, Mordru!" Mysa bellowed commandingly. "I don't know how you're behind this, but I know you're behind it somehow!"

She turned a corner, and saw the last thing she'd ever have expected to see; chained up against the wall was a long-dead skeleton garbed in the costume she once wore as the White Witch. Walking forward a few steps, she came across a second skeleton. This one was also in chains, long strands of jet black hair still hanging limply from its skull. This second skeleton was dressed as the Black Witch. "...Just what is going on here..?" Mysa asked herself out loud.

"The last two times you strived for power," a sinister woman's voice spoke from the darkness, "It didn't work out so well, did it? Let's see how long it takes Mysa Marvel to go the same route as the White Witch and the Black Witch, hmmm?" There was something tantalisingly familiar about the woman's voice, and as Mysa Marvel's vision adjusted to the dungeon's lack of light she realised why that was. The woman who'd spoken looked like a greyscale version of Mysa herself, but Mysa as she'd been at her weakest; dishevelled and enslaved here in the pit of Mordru's castle.

"Why do you look like me, sound like me..?" Mysa Marvel asked her doppelganger. "And why are my old costumes here..?"

"I am you, silly girl....the real you." The doppelganger looked up at Mysa through stringy strands of hair, her eyes blazing red. "Not these brazen attempts to become something more than you are, but the futureblind little girl who deserves nothing more than a stagnant puddle in the filthiest depths of Mordru's dungeons."

Mysa was visibly taken aback. "How can you say such a thing? If you're me, if you're any part of me...to say I deserve what that monster did to me..?"

"Come now, Mysa." The grey woman chuckled wickedly. "You know it's true as well as I do. What good has your childish need to be special ever done anyone? The White Witch couldn't save Zerox, she couldn't save Rond Vidar. The Black Witch couldn't save Harlack, and Mysa Marvel couldn't save Otaki...you spend your whole life in this petulant pursuit of power to try and make up for how weak you were as a child, and while you try on new identities like clothes the people around you are the ones who pay for it."

"I'm not..." Mysa took a breath and centred herself. "...Very well. Perhaps I did leave Naltor chasing power to make up for my lack of precognition. But I was a child then, and that was a lifetime ago. What I've become since then, who I am now--"

"--who you are now is yet another example of a weak little girl refusing to accept her lot in life, and making everyone else pay the price for her hubris."

"That's not true!" Mysa protested, blood rushing to her face.

"Isn't it?" the grey woman asked. "What's next for little Mysa? Perhaps you can hunt down that Black Osiris costume when you're done being Mysa Marvel..? And who will die this time? Your sister? Blok..? Face it Mysa...the people around you would be a lot better off if you'd just stayed down here and let Mordru hurt you to spare them. This fragile victim is who you really are, and people will keep dying as long as you refuse to accept that."

"That's not who I am!" Mysa advanced on her bony double, gripped her by the throat and slammed her against the wall. "I'm not a victim, not Mordru's and not anbody else's! Do you hear me?!" She slammed the woman's skull back into the wall again with an uncomfortable crack, and the doppelganger simply smiled smugly...

On Kurszge IV, Vista laughed in Lilith's face. "Me? Pivotal to defeating that gigantic demon..? I think not, girl. I'm not one of these superheroes, I'm smart enough to know my power is no match for someone like that!"

"Again," Dream Girl spoke through gritted teeth, "All of this is your fault, Vista. You and that Sisterhood. You're going to help us make this right, and you're going to help us get our teammates back safely."

"And if I elect to simply trap you all within my mindscape?" Vista retorted coolly. "You seem to have misplaced your Sensor Girl, who's to stop me..?"

Dragonmage raised a tentative hand. "Uh, if I may..? You tried that with me once already, do you recall? I'd rather not harm you if I can avoid it, Vista."**

"And whatever your mindscape is," the Infinite Boy added, "I doubt you want me summoning whoever I need to from the timestream to bring it crashing down around your ears. Probably best if you work with us on this one, lady."

"I will work with you on this one," Veilmist sat up straight in her seat, ignoring Vista's disgusted glance. "Vista, this is larger than us...you must know that. We chased the Demon Father for personal gain and from what this pitiful girl from Earth's past now tells us, we have unleashed a power which could destroy all that exists. If there is a way that we can end this, we must. You know that I will run as far as need be to save myself, but I do not think that this is something we can run from."

"That's...surprisingly brave actually," Dream Girl complimented the stunning Khund woman.

"I simply do not wish to die," Veilmist responded bluntly.

"All well and good," Flederweb spoke up, "But something tells me we need more than vague hunches and newfound heroism to face these demons."

"The Khund is right," the Infinite Boy agreed.

"...I'm not a frakking Khund..." Flederweb grumbled under his breath, unnoticed by any of them.

"First things first," Dream Girl took charge. "We go back and we rescue everyone we left behind. Then we get all the extra help we can. So, Lilith...you need to tell us what we can expect when we go back to face Trigon and Scorn. Because we've already wasted enough time and I'm not leaving any of our teammates or theirs behind a nano longer than we need to."

Quote
Wildfire was standing alone in Dawnstar's living room. Art from her homeworld Starhaven lined the walls, including a large abstract illustration her younger brother Greybird had gifted her for her last birthday. Wildfire had seen the ornamental pottery sitting upon shelves here many times, and trod upon the colorful hand-woven rug which dominated the floor of her living room. Her quarters were always impeccably clean, a place for everything and everything in its place.

Something was different this time though; her boots had been kicked off near the door, one of them draped clumsily over the lip of a large vase. Her costume too lay in a bedraggled state across the living room rug, and other unfamiliar clothing trailed along toward her bedroom. Wildfire could hear muffled noises coming from the bedroom as he drew closer. "Dawny..? Are you in there..?"

Living alone as she did, Dawnstar felt no need to close her bedroom off from the rest of her quarters. Wildfire walked right through the open doorway, and was shocked speechless at the sight which greeted him. There, beneath a sweat-soaked sheet, she was in bed with someone!

"Dawnstar..?" Wildfire asked uncertainly before the reality of the situation hit him and rage took over. "...What the hell is going on here?!"

Dawnstar had been on top of the other person, and she rolled to the side now so Wildfire could see them both clearly. The man she'd been making love to...it was him! It was Drake Burroughs as he'd once been, a young man of flesh and blood! He was an unsettling grey color though, with eyes that blazed bright red.

"I asked you what the hell is going on here, Dawnstar?!" Wildfire shouted. "What is this?!"

"Drake, baby," Dawnstar cooed at the naked man by her side, "Make this squaj leave, will you? I don't even know if there's a person inside that weird suit!"

"You heard the lady," the other Drake Burroughs addressed Wildfire, not even bothering to hide his naked form as he got out of bed. "You're creeping her out. Scram." He pushed one hand against the star emblem on Wildfire's chest.

"I'm not going anywhere till I get an explanation!" Wildfire protested. "What the sprock is going on here...Dawny, you must know this guy isn't really me!"

The grey man and Dawnstar shared a puzzled glance before they both erupted into cruel laughter. "Of course I'm not really you," the doppelganger turned back to Wildfire. "I'm a human being, pal...not some jumped up energy matrix who just thinks it's a person. You can't even hold together a humanoid shape without Quislet here to take you on as a sidekick!"

"Shut up!" Wildfire bellowed.

"I mean at least energy is Quislet's natural state," the other Drake kept laughing. "You...you had the Miracle Machine, you could have been anything you wanted to, and you chose to be an inhuman sack of energy! How much do you hate yourself, Wildfire?"

"I said shut up!!" Wildfire tackled his doppelganger and both of them slammed through Dawnstar's bedroom wall...

"Excuse me, Ms Clay," Dragonmage asked, "You're saying that everyone we left on H'crides is definitely still alive?"

"I can't say for certain, but it's likely so," Lilith Clay answered the polite young sorceror. "But they'll be corrupted by now...Trigon will have confronted them with the darkest parts of themselves and pushed them and pushed them until they surrendered to the worst parts of themselves. Nightwing and Wonder Girl are two of the strongest willed heroes I know, and even they couldn't resist Trigon's influence. Your friends have no chance."

"Maybe we forget your friends and skip straight to the part where we get backup?" Flederweb asked, turning pointedly to Dream Girl.

"We forget nobody," Dream Girl shot back firmly. "Lilith, how did Trigon corrupt your friends? If we know what we're up against, Infinite Boy might have a better chance of finding someone in the timestream who can oppose it."

"If I'm going to summon someone else to help us, I'll need to send Lilith back to her own time," the Infinite Boy pointed out. "We'd be losing the only person who knows anything about this Trigon character at all."

"I'm aware of that," Dream Girl retorted, "But knowledge is the greatest thing she's given us so far and that can only help us so much. Kando, between you and I we already have precognitition covered. We really need someone with more than vaguely defined psychic abilities who stands a chance against Trigon and Scorn; no offence, Lilith."

Lilith looked down at the table around which they sat. "I understand," she spoke. "I didn't ask to be here, and I'm not who you need for this confrontation. I have some telepathic ability, but I'm hardly the Martian Manhunter. I can't overcome Trigon's illusions--"

"Illusions?" Nura interrupted her. "What do you mean, illusions?"

"That's how Trigon corrupted the Teen Titans," Lilith elaborated. "He faced them with their own illusory duplicates, manipulated them into succumbing to their own worst impulses. When they murdered their duplicates, their souls became his."

Dream Girl smiled, a winning gleam in her eye.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking..?" The Infinite Boy asked his fellow Naltorian.

"If Trigon expects to defeat Sensor Girl with the power of illusion," Dream Girl replied, "Then he's already lost.

Veilmist...take us back to H'crides."

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Sensor Girl was back in her own throne room, watching a line of loyal subjects waiting to have their grievances heard by their loving monarch. She was shocked to find however that the loving monarch in question was her long dead father, King Voxv.

"...Father?" Sensor Girl pushed through the crowd, too distracted to notice that none of them even seemed to recognise her. "Father, how can you possibly be here?"

"I do not know who you are," the elderly king replied, more with confusion than unkindness, "But I am no father of yours, girl."

"Of course!" Sensor Girl realised. "You don't recognise me in this costume!" She allowed her facemask and blonde hair to fade away and allowed her natural features to appear, tears welling in her pale blue eyes. "It's me, father! Projectra! How have you come to be alive once more?"

"He's living the life that you took from him," a cruel young woman's voice spoke up. A grey-skinned version of Projectra in an ornately decorated gown walked up to her other self, two servants carrying the long train of her dress behind her. "Our beloved king is living the life that was his until you left your world and your station behind for your childish and undignified adventures with the Legion of Superheroes."

"I...I don't understand what this is," Sensor Girl struggled to comprehend what was happening. "My father always supported my memberhip in the Legion of Superheroes and the greater familiarity it gave me with the galaxy outside of our world."

"Your father wanted his only daughter to be happy," the elegantly dressed Projectra looked down her nose at Sensor Girl. "Despite the amount of stress it caused him. You forsook Orando to play at being a superhero, you disgraced your royal position by laying with a commoner who wasn't even from Orando, and your actions drove your father to an early grave. Surely none of this can be unknown to you...what is it you let your little friends call you? Jeckie? Why, you even mocked the very name your sainted father gave you."

"I mocked nothing!" Sensor Girl railed. "You make it sound as though I were play-acting, I did legitimate good with the Legion of Superheroes!"

"Did you?" the other Projectra asked sarcastically, her scarlet eyes blazing with judgement. "Did you really? Because your obstinate refusal to embrace your birthright killed your father, you couldn't save the man you married, Magnetic Kid died under your watch...it certainly seems like everyone would have been a lot better served if you'd just been happy being a princess to your people."

"How dare you--?!" Sensor Girl exclaimed in anger.

"Jeckie, don't listen to her!" This was Dream Girl's voice, and both Projectras turned in shock to see Nura Nal and Lilith Clay walking through the large open throne room toward them.

"Don't listen to them!" Sensor Girl's doppelganger snapped back. "Not unless you want to prove just how willing you are to throw your own people to the wolves the second the Legion invite you into some mischief or another!"

Sensor Girl looked back and forth from her doppelganger and King Voxv to Dream Girl and Lilith, torn.

"Jeckie, this is all in your mind!" Dream Girl gripped her shoulders. "Lilith brought me here, but we can't free you from your own demons! Use your power, this is all just a nightmare playing on your insecurities!"

Sensor Girl turned back toward her doppelganger and used the power granted to her by the Orakills of Orando to see her for what she really was. She gazed next upon the father she missed so, and her gaze became something cold and determined.

She turned back to Nura, tight-lipped. "Thank you, Dream Girl. I am indebted to you. Let us now leave this dark dream...

...for Trigon and Scorn must pay for what they have done."

Sensor Girl realised she'd rejoined the real world, but she didn't immediately recognise that she was still on H'crides. The world was as barren as it had been upon their arrival, but all the color had been drained from their surroundings and the planet around them seemed composed of calcified rock. Far more disturbing, a twisted column arched up and over her, bending back down into the world from which it had sprung forth. That column was made of the elongated forms of Star Boy, Mysa Marvel, Wildfire, Nimbus, White Bat, Star-Bear, Echo, Bloodclaw and Strongarm, all of them frozen in mid-scream and somehow shifting in place as each of them laboured against Trigon's private nightmares.

"Welcome to paradise," Flederweb greeted Sensor Girl dryly.

"Is that....was I as tortured as they all seem?" Sensor Girl brushed her fingers against Mysa Marvel's horrifying cheek.

"You were," Dream Girl answered. "But I knew your power would see through it, you just needed a little help from Lilith and I. Now we need you to help the others, Jeckie."

Sensor Girl looked around at those who were still free of Trigon's horrific torment columns. Aside from herself, Dream Girl and Lilith, there was also Dragonmage, Infinite Boy, Vista and Flederweb. "I take it this is Lilith," she gestured at the unfamiliar young woman, "How is she involved in all of this? And where is Veilmist? Did she abandon us?"

"We sent Veilmist to fetch reinforcements," Dream Girl answered, "And Lilith is--"

"--Dream Girl, we do not have time for this," Lilith cut in. "Trigon is aware that we've freed your friend, we will not have long before he decides to take his revenge."

"About that," Dragonmage raised a hand. "Ms Clay, you said earlier that Vista was going to be pivotal to our efforts...I believe I know how she may fulfill that destiny."

"I told you already," Vista scowled, "I'm not a hero like you people."

"I am not asking you to be a hero," Dragonmage assured her. "Tell us, Vista...how many souls can you transport into your mindscape at once?"

"Three people is my limit," Vista answered suspiciously. "Why are you asking..?"

"Ms Clay tells us we don't have much time to act," Dragonmage explained. "I am certain that is true assuming we try to help one person at a time...but we may be able to do more than that."

"Dragonmage, what are you thinking?" Dream Girl asked the young sorceror.

"I am thinking that my magic may help Ms Clay and Sensor Girl reach more than one person simultaneously...but I will need Vista's cooperation, and it is vital that I have everyone's trust."

Nobody noticed Lilith staring intently at Vista, and so nobody questioned just how much the mysterious young psychic from the past had to do with Vista's sudden change of heart. "Whatever gets this finished quicker," Vista snarled at Dragonmage. "Tell me what I need to do."

"Take Mysa Marvel, Wildfire and Star Boy into your mindscape," Dragonmage instructed. "Ms Clay, Sensor Girl, I will need to--"

"Whatever you're about to do, I feel like we can dispense with formalities," Lilith spoke to Dragonmage, "Call me Lilith, Dragonmage."

"Very well," Xao Jin nodded as he started weaving a dragonform into the air. "Lilith, Sensor Girl...prepare for a touch of the occult."

Vista did as she'd been asked, and with a flash of pink light from her Third Eye implant the twisted forms of Wildfire, Mysa Marvel and Star Boy vanished. At the same time, a translucent pink dragon slithered forth from the space between Dragonmage's outstretched palms. Its long snakelike body caught what little light there was on this hellworld and it looped once, twice, then flew straight as an arrow through Lilith's forehead. Once it emerged harmlessly from the back of her skull, it flew through Sensor Girl's head as well. The two women gasped upon contact, but neither of them were actually injured...then, its long tail connecting the two of them together, it dived right into the centre of the cybernetic implant in Vista's forehead.

"It's not...quite a mind link, but I feel as though we are connected in some way," Lilith marvelled. "But Trigon's grip tightens around them all."

"Then we need to hurry," Sensor Girl took charge. "Let us do what must be done."

Analysing the mechanics of it was a task too great for Lilith, Sensor Girl or Vista, but somehow the dragonform connected Lilith's psychic ability to Projectra's mastery of illusion and in turn connected the both of them to all three minds contained within Vista's pocket astral plane.

Quote
Mysa Marvel held her doppelganger aloft by her throat in the wreckage of Mordru's castle. As the last harried breaths rasped forth from the grey-skinned woman's bloody mouth, there was some part of Mysa that couldn't help but feel this was wrong; as cathartic as it was to confront her deepest self-doubts like this, how was any of it physically possible?

"You have the wisdom of Solomon at your disposal," Mysa heard Sensor Girl's voice and turned to see her standing in the rubble. "And you possess great wisdom yourself already, Mysa Nal...do not succumb to Trigon's dark temptations."

Her would-be victim faded from within Mysa's grip, then Mysa herself left this world behind as she rejected the path she'd been on.

Quote
Star Boy stood over the prone form of his doppelganger...this loathsome copy of Thom Kallor might be as strong as a Daxamite, but even a Daxamite could only handle so much additional mass before it crushed him.

"You accuse me of not choosing my own destiny?" Star Boy spoke coldly through clenched teeth. "Watch me choose to break every bone in your body." He increased his victim's already significant mass fivefold, and the doppelganger coughed up blood as the pressure began to squeeze the very life out of him.

"Star Boy, don't listen to this ghoulish shade." Sensor Girl placed a hand on Star Boy's shoulder and he turned to see her face filled with empathy. "You've faced more challenges than many, but you chose long ago to deal with those challenges by being the best hero you can be...honour that choice now."

"...Jeckie?" Star Boy gave Sensor Girl a helpless look before turning back to the man he'd been about to kill. "Oh my g....what was I going to do?!"

Appalled at his own actions, Thom Kallor turned away from the murder he'd been about to commit and saw the world fade around him.

Quote
"Wildfire!"

"Wildfire!!"

Wildfire had torn a large part of the Legion of Superheroes' residential levels apart in his furious pursuit of the duplicate of Drake Burroughs, and it only occurred to him now that Sensor Girl had been calling out to him over and over. The anti-energy hero spun, his hands still crackling with raw power as he faced Sensor Girl down. "Projectra, stay out of this," he muttered darkly.

"Wildfire, I have known you a long time and you are quick to anger but you are not a killer," Sensor Girl tried to reason with him. "All of this...it is merely Trigon playing on your insecurities."

"I don't care!!" Wildfire roared. "Do you know what it feels like to know I'll never be human again? That I'll never feel or taste or smell again?! And now to have this creep come rub my faceless visor in it? I don't care what it costs me, I'll kill this sprocking freak!"

He turned back toward Drake Burroughs half-buried in the rubble, and Sensor Girl frowned. Some buried part of Mysa had already deduced that something wasn't right even before Lilith and Dragonmage's powers sent Sensor Girl to her, she just needed an extra push to acknowledge that instinct. Once Thom had been confronted with the reality of what his temper was driving him to, he naturally rejected it...but Wildfire...Wildfire might just be beyond reason or compassion.

"I am sorry, my friend," Sensor Girl mumbled to the man stalking away from her, "But even if you no longer believe in your own humanity, I won't allow you to throw it away."

This was more difficult for Sensor Girl; for the first time she was actively fighting Wildfire's mind, which wanted this dark fantasy to play out more than anything. Even the famously stubborn nature of the hero named Wildfire was no match for the power Sensor Girl wielded however, and despite his best efforts to carry out this grim deed Wildfire saw the imaginary world around him melt away.

Dragonmage cried out in discomfort as his dragonform shredded itself into nothingness.

Lilith and Sensor Girl both followed suit, nearly collapsing.

Before any of the others could process this fully, Vista gave a yelp of pain and threw her head back. With a flash of intense pink light, Wildfire, Mysa Marvel and Star Boy stood before them all.

"No good deed goes unpunished, eh witch boy?" Flederweb's tone was acerbic, but Xao nonetheless sensed concern from the morbid assassin.

"Are you okay?" the Infinite Boy asked Lilith while Dream Girl rushed to check on Mysa and Thom.

"Our plan was sound," Lilith leaned upon Kando Vyr, "But it was no walk in the park...we may need a few moments to rest before we try that stunt again."

"It was not a so-called walk in the park because Wildfire fought us till the end," Sensor Girl decreed. With her facemask replaced, she seemed more imperious than ever.

"Damn right I fought you!" Wildfire stood over Sensor Girl. "All of you only ever want me around when you need someone zapped or punched...when do I get what's mine, lady??"

"We just saved you from demonic corruption, Burroughs." Vista rubbed her throbbing temples. "You're welcome by the way."

"Hey, screw you!" Wildfire jabbed a finger toward Vista. "Since when does one of Earth-Man's goons get to judge--"

"Wildfire!" Dream Girl scolded him. "Stop it immediately!"

Lilith suddenly cried out once more and collapsed into the Infinite Boy's arms.

"We're too late," Lilith breathed, aghast. "Trigon has claimed his first victims...Trigon has claimed his first souls."

Thunder ripped the sky apart and a tremendous flash of lightning momentarily blinded them all. When their vision cleared, they saw Nimbus, White Bat, Star-Bear, Echo, Bloodclaw and Strongarm standing before them...they were no longer twisted pained mockeries of themselves, but instead each of them stood transformed in a palette of black and blood red.

Beneath a backdrop of red-hewn skies punctuated by the occasional lightning bolt, Scorn and her army of blood wraiths hovered over the corrupted Demon's Claw and Sisterhood members...and above her, the Demon Father Trigon himself loomed.

"You have proven versatile little gnats," the unmistakably active Trigon the Terrible intoned, "But none oppose Trigon for long. Prepare for suffering, insects...

...and prepare for your death."


TO BE CONCLUDED!!!


EDITOR'S NOTES:

*In Geoff Johns's 2008 JSA series, it was revealed that Thom Kallor had spent time in the Kingdom Come timeline as their version of Starman before getting accidentally diverted to the 21st Century where he voluntarily lived in a sanitarium because he had scizophrenia. On a side note, Geoff Johns seems to think schizophrenia is a zany kind of quirk where its sufferers just rattle off fun random non sequiturs to showcase how many Golden Age comics their writer has read.

The JSA for some incomprehensible reason decided that because this obviously psychologically unstable stranger was called Starman, they should immediately induct him onto the team as a legacy member. Geoff Johns, y'all!

**Dragonmage is referring to the time that he and Mysa faced the Sisterhood of Sin back in this story and he had to use his magic to escape Vista's mindscape (inadvertantly hurting her in the process).
Yay more! Been eagerly awaiting the next instalment, raz

Typing on my phone, pardon typos

Leave it to Nura to be skeptical of Lilith

Flederweb, I just love the personality you’ve given him

Yes Dreamy, tell Vista off!

Heh at “there is goodness in SOME of you”

Ah yes, you’re invoking the titans / Trigon story really well! Oh, I see, you’re having Atmos be sort of innocent in the whole Nura affair - a good way to rehabilitate him

Really good scene with Thom here!

Vista being pivotal, perhaps her mind scape can hold Trigon?

Ooh Maya’s turn. She’s been through a lot of changes… I wonder if Mysa will react differently to how Thom will, later. She at least seems more sure of herself

Also, nice using the quote boxes to frame the vignettes

Go Veilmist! I do like her honesty and practicality

Woof, Drake and Dawny as some kind of reality TV show type couple lol

Ooph what a throwback to Wildfire’s joining the Legion. Yeah, he had the Miracle Machine didn’t he?

Nice nod to Dick and Donna being the “strongest” of the Titans

Ah, Infinite Boy has a one person at a time limit I see

Hah love Nura’s insight. And of course, Jeckie can see through illusions!

Also, great step having Nura and Lilith shake Jeckie from the illusion, giving them a role, and making it not too easy - if Jeckie had thought to use her power herself, it would have diminished Trigon’a threat I think


Yikes, okay, good to know that everyone is still alive at least

Huh, interesting, is Lilith somehow nudging Vista?

I like how you differentiated Wildfire’s reaction from Mysa’s and Thom’s. Does not bode well for poor Drake though

Why am I not surprised that the others succumbed… though Thom, Mysa and Wildfire would have to.

Good call of Jeckie to tel everyone that Drake isn’t quite in a good frame of mind either

Nice cliffhanger raz! Eager to see how you wrap it up

And yeah, thanks for calling out the portrayal of schizophrenia by Johns. It’s a lot more complex than that…
Posted By: razsolo Re: THE DEMON FATHER Part 2 of 3: Torments. - 11/07/23 07:52 AM
Thanks for the R&R, IB!

It's fun having Flederweb around, he's such a curmudgeonly little glider-man!

Quote
Ah yes, you’re invoking the titans / Trigon story really well!

Thanks! That Trigon the Terrible story is one of my favourite comic book arcs, I really wanted to do an obvious homage without just rehashing the same story again smile

Quote
Oh, I see, you’re having Atmos be sort of innocent in the whole Nura affair - a good way to rehabilitate him

Yeah, that storyline just never sat well with me and it definitely hasn't aged any better over time...I'm fine with Atmos being an arrogant unlikeable jerk but making him a literal rapist is just gross, especially when the only consequence to any of that was Nura leaving him when she figured it out. It feels like Levitz just pulled the mental manipulation thing out of his ass to cut that subplot short anyway, and it doesn't really gel at all with any of Atmos's other powers which are all very physical. I don't think it stretches credibility too much to say he didn't even realise he was doing it until Dreamy figured it out, and it's not something he would choose to do consciously. He might be a jerk, but he should still be a hero underneath it.

With the characters who faced their dark sides - in my original story outline I had the good guys fully corrupted as well, but we had something similar not that long ago with the Seven Sins so I thought it'd be better to have the Legionnaires all beat the corruption this time around. Plus, it probably makes sense that the Demon's Claw and Sisterhood members wouldn't have put up as much of a fight against their dark sides anyway really.

It was an interesting creative exercise coming up with how the Legionnaires' insecurities would manifest with their doppelgangers anyway though! Wildfire was the only one I really had fully planned out when I started!

re: Infinite Boy's limit - he can summon more than one person at a time but it's more taxing, and once he's summoned a person/group from the timestream he needs to send them back home before he can summon a different person/group.

re: Lilith nudging Vista....that is an interesting question, let's see if the final instalment of this story helps to answer that... wink

NEXT: The final chapter! Somebody unexpected is going to do something very decisive! At least one character will be changed forever! All this and Sheranee's Shwarrian Fire Kitten!
Hey Raz, I read this through yesterday and was thoroughly impressed! There are so many delicious moments.

Nura's exasperation with poor Lilith at the start read perfectly, and Lilith's confusion and fear are understandable. Flederweb is a delight, you write him very well. Nura snapping at Vista and Xao talking Lilith into helping were nice moments. "There is power in all of you and in some of you, great heroism" haha.

I'm loving the use of the quote boxes - have never seen that here before, so well done for coming up with an innovative way to present your story.

I'm a Star Boy fan so the vignette where he faces his doubts is tough! And, very well done Raz for tying all those storylines from his past together to feed into his dopplegangers manipulation. The sad thing is, they're all kinda true. Poor Thom, he's such a good egg really, just not imaginative. And showing him Nura getting her rocks off with Atmos was just cruel.

Lilith giving the team the information she has to help... ummm "The people of Azarath sacrificed themselves to stop Trigon's threat," whoops! Well, that ended a positive streak of hope. Haha, you wrote that really well. And what does she sense about Vista? Surely Trigon wouldn't be held within her mindscape? Am sure you have a more clever idea for how she's used.

Mysa's encounter was another great slice of darkness - suggesting it would have been preferable if she remained as Mordru's proverbial punchbag was savage! I kinda thought that he wisdom of Solomon might kick in, but Trigon is a league beyond that.

Love the fiesty Nura/Vista exchange, and Xao being all polite as he reminded Vista that he could whup her was a delight. Veilmist's sudden courage is interesting... though "this pitful girl from Earth", haha love how the Khunds see Lilith. "I simply do not wish to die," - understandable really. I do love your Nura, she takes charge and deals with issues without really getting a concesus. It's how I write my Saturn Girl - we all love a pragmatic badass!

Wildfire - ah, perhaps the most messed up Legionnaire, who incidentally is already pretty messed up from Mordru - I wonder which button will be pushed, this should be incenduary! Dawnstars quarters always being neat and tidy - well, she's never lose or misplace anything so that makes sense smile Ouch, how to kick a dismemberd blob of anti-energy when they are down! He is going to be extra-pissed when he gets out.

"Your friends have no chance" - ah, that Lilith, she just can't help but piss on everyone's chips, can she? "We forget nobody" I love your Nura! And, of course, illusions are Jeckies thing so let's see how she fares...

Nice scene with Jeckie seeing what may have happened had she not left, sort of, and commited all those othe faux pas - " you disgraced your royal position by laying with a commoner who wasn't even from Orando," though given how inbred they are this might not have been such a bad thing really. And, well times visit by Nura there, and a she's back. I do like Jeckie as Sensor Girl. Nice moment to describe just how awful H'Crides has become btw, very bleak! I really like your Xao, he's smart, respectful and still kick-ass! Nice use of a group of them to liberate the three trapped Legionnaires.

Mysa of course is the easy one to free, though I don't expect the other two to be so easy... poor Thom, he really is a sweetheart. Drake isn't, haha. Yeah, he's an angry soul right now, isn't he? It'll be interesting to see how much of his anger he takes with him back to reality.

Wildfire isn't happy at all. You've been building this up fr a while now Raz, so I wonder what the ultimate pay-off will be, it doesn't look happy right now. Ah, the rest of the Sisterhood and the Demons Claw aren't freed... this will be epic!

Raz, that was tremendous - especially loved your characterisation of Lilith - as depresing as she is -, Xao, Nura and Flederweb throughout, they were really clear. Fingers are crossed that your team all survive their encounter with Trigon!

More, more, more!
And meant to say, it was worth waiting a month for this, but my nails really can't keep me hanging on that long for the finale laugh
Posted By: razsolo Re: THE DEMON FATHER Part 2 of 3: Torments. - 11/10/23 07:39 AM
Thanks for reading, Harbi!

re the quote boxes - I was trying to think of a good way to replicate that visual they used in the old Titans comics where you could tell straight away that it was an illusory world, I am glad it worked!

Lilith's little premonition about Vista will come to fruition before all of this is over, I will be interested to see what kind of reaction that gets actually!

Nura and Imra are pretty comparable in that respect actually now you mention it! I find a lot of the time you can write whole scenes with them where their power doesn't really even come into play because they're carried by their force of personality!

Wildfire's story has been building up for a while now, and something suitably dramatic is going to happen with that soon too!

Hopefully your nails won't have to wait too long for the last chapter, I have already started writing away! laugh
Posted By: razsolo THE DEMON FATHER Part 3 of 3: Fire and Ash. - 11/22/23 09:02 AM
IN ORBIT ABOVE THE BORDERWORLD KURSZGE III
The Legion of Superheroes mobile base, rec level


From outside, the Legion of Superheroes mobile base resembled their original yellow and red rocket ship headquarters. While their original headquarters so many years ago had seemed to be buried nose-first in the centre of Metropolis however, their current base floated free in the void of space. This meant that the rocket ship had a visibly transparent nose, one which doubled as the best view on the base. Beneath this enormous cone-shaped ceiling stood a selection of eating establishments, a recreation and gaming area, and a small park.

A Vornian live oak tree dominated the small but lush parkland, its enormous limbs reaching almost 70 feet in height and broad enough to sit in. Right now in the highest branches of that impressive tree, the Legionnaire named Sheranee Shah played hide and seek with a tiny black and red kitten. Sheranee was draped from head to toe in golden jewellery which normally tinkled delicately as she moved, but she was also so deft of movement that when she really wanted to she could stalk in almost eerie silence. So it was that the young woman with an impish grin came close enough to her oblivious pet that she could have reached out and touched the back of his head if she'd wished. The Shwarrian Fire Cat sniffed the air and flicked his tail lazily from one side to the other, his nose beginning to pick up what had eluded his ears so far.

"Hello little Nyabby," Sheranee whispered playfully. The black and red kitten was startled, but the empathic bond was so strong between himself and his mistress that Sheranee knew he wouldn't be frightened. He turned around toward her, admonishing her with a quick meow before he pushed his furry little head against her forearm as a clear sign that he wanted pats. Sheranee obliged, giving the unique red marking on his forehead a little scratch before she ran her hand down the matte black fur of his back and tail.

"Attention all Legionnaires on base," Kid Computo's voice abruptly sounded over Sheranee's flight ring, "We have an intruder on the rec level, please respond immediately." A small hologram of a scantily clad pink woman projected forth from the flight ring, and scrolling Interlac text instructed Sheranee that this woman was a Khund teleporter named Veilmist and a member of the Sisterhood of Sin that some of her fellow Legionnaires had recently encountered.

Whatever Veilmist was doing here, she wasn't making a secret of her presence; Sheranee could see her down in the park below, already in heated conversation with Invisible Kid and Infectious Lass.

"Stay here, my love." She picked Nyabby up and kissed him between his little peaked ears. "Superhero business calls." Trusting their empathic connection to make her intent clearer than her words ever could, she leaped down from one branch to the next until she'd landed gracefully on the grass below. Several other Legionnaires had been either eating or indulging in one many games in the recreation area, and soon there were ten heroes surrounding the Khund teleporter on all sides.

"Maybe I should turn her to crystal so she can't spring any surprises on us," Crystal Kid said discreetly to Firecrest in human form at his side. Bobb Kohan remembered only too well the trouble Veilmist had caused last time she'd teleported into the Legion's home.

"I am not here to fight any of you!" Veilmist protested almost as though she'd heard Bobb. "Your Legionnaires need your help!"

"Gosh, really?" Elastic Lad's neck extended up and over the other heroes so he could see Veilmist more clearly. "Which Legionnaires, Veilmist? Did Blok send you? Maybe we should contact Blok, what do you think Colossal Boy? You've got seniority among all of us, I guess we should defer to your judgement really!"

"No, there is no time!" Veilmist complained, obviously annoyed. "This many passengers will push me to my limits anyway, you people best appreciate what I am doing here!"

Lavender-scented mists hid them all from sight, and a moment later Dawnstar rushed into the room to see the smoke fading on the air. She sighed in frustration and held her flight ring to her mouth. "Kid Computo..?

...Veilmist has done it again."

**********

THE KHUND EMPIRE
H'crides, the Demon's Gate


ROLL CALL
Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: dragon magic
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: Naltorian precognition
Flederweb: gliding, wall-crawling, claws
Infinite Boy aka Kando Vyr: Legionnaire from the future, ability to summon beings from the timestream
Lilith Clay: Teen Titan from the past with ESP and undefined psychic abilities
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Sensor Girl aka Projectra Armorr: illusion-casting, super-enhanced perceptions
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: celestial mass-transference
Vista: contains a pocket astral environment in her mind
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

vs

Bloodclaw: super-strength, vibro-claws
Echo aka Myke-4 Astor: sonic mimicry and amplification
Nimbus: personal forcefield, flight
Scorn: Khund blood witch with a legion of blood wraiths
Star-Bear aka Ursula Yenova: cosmic ursinthrope
Strongarm: four-armed super-strong cyborg
Trigon the Terrible: Demon Father
White Bat: aerial assassin

On the cursed world H'crides, chaos reigned.

In the sulphurous skies above, stray lightning bolts illuminating their forms, White Bat and Flederweb parried and slashed at one another in a deadly aerial ballet. Between her sharper than razor hardlight wings and the foot-long talons extending from each forearm, White Bat was the more dangerous of the two. Flederweb was an agile opponent though, and it saved him from strikes that would surely have gutted a lesser opponent. Still, they were too evenly matched for him to get any real distance from her where his firearm might have made a difference. Flederweb was at least grateful that he wouldn't have to listen to any battle repartee from the silent assassin...he was far more offended by poor wit than he ever could be by attempted murder.

On the ground below, Scorn's blood wraiths had swarmed the motley crew that opposed her before any of the other corrupted Demon's Claw or Sisterhood of Sin members could launch their own assaults. Even though they weren't Legionnaires anymore though, Wildfire and Mysa Marvel had worked with many of their allies long enough to automatically fall into familiar patterns of teamwork. In this case, that meant covering Dragonmage long enough for him to weave a spell to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. Wildfire released some very real angry tension by blasting several of the wraiths into a red mist, and Mysa Marvel punched a few of them into formless splatters. Scorn's enchantment was constantly reforming the blood wraiths who were capable of being reformed, but Mysa and Wildfire saw another problem; Bloodclaw now came hurtling toward Dragonmage, his vibro-claws tearing Xao's dragonform to shreds before it had even finished being shaped.

The enormous Khund warrior raised an arm to rip into Dragonmage himself next, but Mysa Marvel was faster. "I realise that Trigon has brought out your worst self," Mysa remarked as she grabbed a handful of Bloodclaw's striped bodysuit, "But I'm not going to just let you kill my friends." With an overarm swing, she hurled him far across the barren plains until he dwindled from view.

"KILL."

Echo used Mysa's own voice as a weapon against them all, enhancing her speech into a wave of sonic force that slammed everyone except Wildfire and Mysa herself back a couple of yards. Even Mysa Marvel and Wildfire were momentarily staggered, and it gave the blood wraiths the opening they needed to renew their attack. Scorn hovered above them, her face the very picture of smug satisfaction as her blood wraiths overwhelmed most of her enemies. Trigon himself looked down upon the violence with approval; his daughter was making him more proud than any of his other children had done in his countless millenia of existence.

At that precise moment, the scent of lavender momentarily filled the air and plumes of purplish smoke appeared and parted to reveal Veilmist and ten Legionnaires; Crystal Kid, Firecrest, Infectious Lass, Invisible Kid, Elastic Lad, Colossal Boy, Sizzle, Sheranee, Sun Boy and Timber Wolf.

"Oh, come on!" Crystal Kid threw his arms up in protest. "Veilmist, have you never heard of consent??"

"I believe this may not be the best time for recriminations, mon ami." Jacques Foccart began fading from view as he spoke. "Wildfire, Mysa...what transpires here?"

"Anyone with four eyes, that weird solarised effect or who looks like a demon made of blood is a bad guy!" Wildfire retorted even while he blasted the returning form of Bloodclaw back across the lifeless planet's surface. "Everyone else is on our side for now!"

"Gee whiz, Wildfire!" Elastic Lad wrapped himself around Star-Bear just as she was about to take a swing at the anti-energy hero. "You shouldn't just say anyone who looks like that is a bad guy, that's an awful stereotype! I know you don't mean it that way and I'm sure you were just caught up in the moment but there's a whole universe of diverse lifeforms out there and some of them have one eye, four eyes, eight eyes - and that's not even getting into skin tones! Why, did you know the dominant species of Kirrinia change colour according to their mood? It's super fascinating!" Star-Bear tried to roar her displeasure, but Elastic Lad's body had already muzzled her and she was restricted to angry but futile attempts to tear his elongated form apart.

Of Dream Girl's original group of allies, Star Boy was one of the few who had any real offence against the blood wraiths, and he'd been working overtime to drop them from the sky before they could hurt himself or Nura. "Unbelievable," he mused as another pair of the demon-like creatures sunk to the rocky surface and crawled ineffectively toward him. "Even a demon apocalypse can't shut that boy up...not that I'm complaining about the last-minute save!"

"Veilmist, you did great work!" Dream Girl's own power allowed her to sidestep the slashing claws of another wraith as she complimented the Khund teleporter, but it also warned her of a secondary danger. "Look out!" Nura's eyes widened in fear. "Veilmist, above you!!"

Veilmist looked up to see one of the wraiths diving straight at her, its sickly red talons extended. After transporting so many people such a long distance in one jump though, she was too tired to use her power again so quickly. A thick crystal shell suddenly grew to life over her, and she flinched as she heard the blood wraith slam into the other side of it.

Veilmist looked across toward Crystal Kid. "You're welcome," Bobb Kohan muttered sarcastically, "But you're still not off the hook, lady."

Sensor Girl's power was ineffective against the wraiths themselves and she could see that Mysa and Wildfire were moving to confront Scorn and Trigon directly, a task more suited for that pair of powerhouses than most others here. The Queen of Orando was far from helpless however, and with a cleverly cast illusion she soon had Nimbus unwittingly protecting Sensor Girl, Infinite Boy and Lilith from more of the blood wraiths. "Legionnaires!" Sensor Girl shouted while concentrating on her power, "These blood wraiths are not alive, there is no reason to hold back against them!"

"That's all we needed to hear, Ssenssor Girl!" Staq Mavlen's voice took on a sibilant growl as he transformed into his weredragon form and mighty wings lifted him into the air. Drawn by his greater size, four of the blood wraiths turned toward Firecrest and were incinerated by his fire breath for it. Another group of the creatures swarmed him from behind, and Firecrest writhed in mid-air to free himself.

Meanwhile, Echo saw that Mysa Marvel had tackled Scorn to the ground and one of Strongarm's four limbs had snatched Wildfire out of the air. Everyone else here was too distracted with the rest of the chaos to concern themselves with him, and it left them wide open for a second sonic barrage. Strongarm had just delivered a double-handed uppercut to Wildfire which was accompanied by a very satisfying crack; that cracking sound would surely break the bones of half the people here once Echo amplified it. Certainly, his own allies would be hurt as well, but Trigon's corruption had bypassed any fragile loyalties Echo may have had for anyone on this world. Before he could do more than consider the attack though, an unseen force clobbered him across the head and Echo dropped like a sack of vegetables.

"I have been the victim of your strange power before, Monsieur." Still invisible, Jacques Foccart ascended quickly above the battlefield before a stray strike from either side of the fight could accidentally take him out. "I would not wish anyone else to suffer such a fate. Still....I fear the level of power here might be too great for my meager contribution." Jacques saw that Dream Girl and Inifinite Boy had now fallen, Firecrest was struggling beneath greater numbers, and Star-Bear had finally managed to overcome Elastic Lad's best efforts and thrown the youth into the grip of waiting blood wraiths. The enormous demon with antlers overseeing all of this was clearly more than Invisible Kid could take on, and then Jacques saw Flederweb and White Bat slashing at one another a few metres away. His next step decided, Invisible Kid took flight.

Sun Boy had surrounded himself with a flaming sheath, a successful deterrent to the blood wraiths; still, there were plenty of other Legionnaires here who could fight those unliving monstrosities. Sun Boy was certain his talents could be applied more efficiently against another foe. Looking around the battlefield, he saw a twenty foot tall Colossal Boy being swarmed by the seemingly endless supply of wraiths that Dirk had dealt with so easily. Colossal Boy saw his blazing comrade floating nearby and called out. "Sun Boy! A little help here, huh? Burn these things off me!"

Dirk Morgna faltered. Not so long ago, he would have complied without a second thought...now though, the memory of Mordru turning Dirk against Supergirl and Shadow Lass was too fresh; he couldn't bear the thought of hurting any more of his friends, even unintentionally. "I - I don't want to burn you!" Sun Boy replied weakly.

"Then don't!" a brassy woman's voice sounded. One of the Legion's newest recruits joined Sun Boy, the red-skinned Abaddonian woman named Sizzle. She extended her hand out toward the fiery hero. "Some good vibrations will rattle those things apart without putting Colossal Boy in any danger, but I need something to work with...what do you say, Sun Boy?"

Grateful that the responsibility had been taken from him, Sun Boy reached for Sizzle's open palm and the two clasped hands. Converting some of the energy from Sun Boy's fire sheath into vibratory waves, Sizzle did exactly what she said she was going to do and shook the creatures into gross splatters.

Colossal Boy grew dramatically larger without the claws of the blood wraiths embedded in his flesh, becoming as tall as Trigon himself. "That kind of tickled and I am refusing to acknowledge how disgusting those things are, but thanks Sizzle! What do you two say we take this to the big guy?"

"Not you," Sun Boy cautioned Sizzle. "I heard Dragonmage call him a demon before one of those blood things clobbered him, you should leave this to more experienced Legionnaires."

"Sun Boy, some upstart demon doesn't bother me," Sizzle laughed. "Whoever that loincloth wearing squaj is, he doesn't hold a candle to the dark lord Asmothe. Let's go put him in his place."

The two were still holding hands, Sizzle releasing the energy she absorbed from Sun Boy as ambient light. Intrigued by the fearlessness of this attractive young woman, Sun Boy allowed himself to be taken along to confront Trigon alongside Colossal Boy.

Then they saw Trigon flatten Colossal Boy with one swing of his staff, and Sun Boy began to wonder if they'd bitten off more than they could chew...

**********

Several of the heroes were beginning to take damage from the seemingly endlessly regenerating horde of blood wraiths and the others that Trigon had corrupted. Vista transported three more of the wraiths into her mindscape and Nimbus was still unwittingly acting as Sensor Girl's bodyguard, but it wasn't enough. For some strange reason, Crystal Kid's power wouldn't work on Star-Bear directly, and when Sheranee hit her with a starbolt it had just made the time-displaced Russian villainess larger and stronger.

"This one absorbs energy," Timber Wolf suddenly appeared by Sheranee's side. "Leave her to me, go help the others take on that big guy."

Sheranee wasn't overly comfortable with leaving Brin Londo alone with...whatever Star-Bear was...but he'd been doing this a lot longer than Sheranee and she had to trust that he could look after himself. If nothing else, the giant half-naked red man definitely presented an easier target. While Timber Wolf taunted Star-Bear into lunging at him and burying her enormous paw into the rocky ground, Sheranee saved Sun Boy and Sizzle from a swipe of Trigon's staff with a well-placed starbolt.

Hiding behind a thick crystalline wall, a bleeding Crystal Kid turned to Sensor Girl. "I could turn all these blood things into crystal, but then I wouldn't be able to focus on keeping these walls up...Sensor Girl, can't you get Star-Bear and Nimbus to fight each other?"

"My illusion has made Nimbus the only thing saving us from being completely overwhelmed by those blood things, Crystal Kid." Sensor Girl replied. "I cannot take the risk."

Infectious Lass overheard this, saw the pile of blood wraiths that had dragged Firecrest and Elastic Lad down to the ground not far away, and Drura Sehpt made a decision. "Crystal Kid..?" she approached Bobb. "I don't think this is going to put you all in danger, but just to be on the safe side...maybe you should put an airtight dome around our wounded."

"What's not going to put us in danger?" Crystal Kid asked. He saw Infectious Lass fly around the edges of his barrier and called out after her. "Infectious Lass, are you space crazy? Those things will tear you to pieces!"

"Just do as I said," Infectious Lass instructed him as she hovered before the oncoming wraiths. "These creatures are bloodborne...and no Somahturian is afraid of bloodborne life."

Infectious Lass spread her arms wide, mucus-like fabric dangling from her sleeves. Of all that were gathered here, only Sensor Girl was able to see the wave of hemophilic viruses that Drura unleashed, and the Orandan monarch was disturbed but also awestruck by the biological carnage she was witnessing. It was Scorn's magic that had created these wraiths, but the wraiths still relied on the clotting properties of blood to maintain their forms. Drura Sehpt's microscopic army now devoured the proteins holding them together, and every blood wraith on the battlefield collapsed into sickly puddles which seeped into the rocky ground.

Scorn was losing a fistfight with Mysa Marvel when she sensed this, and it was the final indignity she was prepared to endure. Mysa had disarmed Scorn of her blood dagger, but not before Scorn had managed to cut a gash across the otherwise indestructible woman's forearm. Scorn's four eyes blazed to life now, and she used the power her father had given her to set Mysa's blood boiling. She spread the effect out across the battlefield, and while the others didn't feel it to the extent that Mysa did, it was still debilitating for Scorn's pawns and enemies alike.

While Mysa shuddered in wordless agony at Scorn's feet, Trigon's daughter floated above them all and hot winds whipped around her. She spared a glance for her father, who had already defeated Sun Boy, Sizzle and Sheranee as easily as he had Colossal Boy. Scorn knew that Trigon was proud of her, but she also knew that he was ready for this entertaining diversion to be over.

"We have a universe to subjugate," Scorn announced imperiously, her voice now as demonic as her father's. "It is time for you worms to meet the only end that was ever ordained for you." She looked down cruelly at Mysa Marvel now, and the horrific scream that escaped Mysa's throat as she cried hot tears of blood was a sound that would forever be burned into the memories of anyone still conscious to hear it.

Strongarm had been holding Wildfire in a four-armed bear hug when Scorn launched her assault on everyone, and she'd inadvertantly weakened Strongarm enough that Wildfire could finally make his move. Bringing his own arms up to his side, Drake Burroughs blasted two of Strongarm's cybernetic limbs into scrap metal and the feedback overwhelmed the already struggling cyborg. As Strongarm slumped to the ground, Wildfire's bootjets roared to life.

"You've crossed so many lines, woman!" Wildfire ranted at Scorn as he approached her. A look of apprehension crossed her face as she realised there was no way she could possibly hurt him. "You made us face the darkest parts of ourselves!" A blast from his right hand sent her flying back. "You've murdered people!" A matching blast from his left hand slammed her into the ground. "You're a sprocking monster! But there's something you forgot...you're not the only monster here!"

Wildfire's visor began to open, and Scorn's apprehension turned to fear. She gazed up at Trigon, feeling his disappointment like a sinking weight upon her. "Father..?"

Then Wildfire's visor fully opened, and Scorn was consumed in an expulsion of anti-energy that blasted a crater two stories deep into the cursed world of H'crides.

Only a handful of people were still in any state to react to the explosion of violence, and they were all stunned into speechlessness...

...all bar Trigon the Terrible.

"She failed me as all my children have failed me," Trigon decreed. "But she was still my daughter...and it is not your place to presume to judge the spawn of Trigon, creature." Wildfire's containment suit had just finished returning to its normal proportions as his energy form filled it, when the death stare of Trigon shredded it to ribbons with a blinding flash.

On her hands and knees among a field of bloody crystal, Lilith wailed.

"Do not despair, Ma'amselle." Invisible Kid had returned with Flederweb and an unconsious White Bat only in time to see Trigon's attack and was oblivious to anything that had come before it. "Wildfire's natural state is that of incorporeal energy, he will pull himself together soon enough. But we must--"

"No, you don't understand!" Lilith protested, crying. "I felt it! I felt his thoughts cease! Trigon has killed your friend!"

Above them all, Trigon coldly turned his gaze down toward them as his eyes once again began to glow.

"Jacques..." Sensor Girl's facemask hid any form of facial expression, but the distress in her voice was unmistakable. "I...I cannot see him, Jacques.

...I cannot sense Wildfire at all."

"And your powers are less than nothing to me," Trigon spoke directly to Sensor Girl, in response to her attempt to shield the rest of them from him. "But for daring the attempt, you have made yourself Trigon's next victim."

Sensor Girl looked around frantically; aside from herself, only Invisible Kid, Flederweb, Vista and Lilith were not utterly defeated and most of them weren't in any position to fight an infant at this point. "Do your worst, demon." Sensor Girl stood defiantly against the Ravager of Universes.

Anything else Sensor Girl might have had to say was lost before the sound of Mysa Marvel's furious bellow. Scorn had come closer to murdering Mysa than Mysa believed could be possible since she'd taken on these powers, and she had no doubt that Trigon himself would be magnitudes more dangerous...still, she possessed the stamina of Atlas, the courage of Achilles, and her own innate heroism. She had recovered enough to keep fighting, and she wasn't going to stop fighting until she took her final breath.

Mysa slammed double-fisted into Trigon's jaw with enough force to smash through a small planet. The shockwave itself knocked everyone off their feet, but to Trigon the Terrible it was nothing more than the bite of an insect. He swung his monstrous fist at Mysa, and she evaded him easily. Mysa landed a flurry of super-speed punches, with power enough behind each one of them that no other foe could possibly have remained standing.

Trigon the Terrible remained standing however, and while his fists weren't fast enough to hit his opponent, his death stare soon fell upon her. Mysa screamed as she felt pain that made Scorn's earlier attack seem like a hot bath. Her cape was torn to nothing, the rest of her costume hanging together in tatters. She did not die though, and when her charred form fell from the sky she raised herself on trembling limbs ready for another round.

"Few creatures have survived the death stare of Trigon the Terrible," the Demon Father mused. "Congratulations, gnat. You have earned yourself a reprieve as my plaything until I tire of you. You will have the honour of watching me destroy everyone and everything you have ever loved...however, it seems you must learn to be more complacent." Trigon raised his mighty boot and stomped down on the struggling woman once, then again, until her battered and burned form finally lay insensate in the demon's footprint.

While Mysa had been fighting for everyone's lives, the remaining few combatants had no choice but to watch and hope for the best.

"Perhaps...perhaps I can extend my power...hide all of us until the Legion can be summoned," Invisible Kid mumbled desperately, though he didn't really believe it.

"We both know the limitations of your power, Jacques," Sensor Girl said stoically. "No, I think our fate is clear. You can still leave though, someone must warn the Legion of Superheroes of what has happened here this day and Trigon may not notice that you've departed."

"I am not leaving you here to die!" Jacques Foccart blew up. "And what would I tell the Legion? I know nothing of what has occurred here, I do not even know where here is! Veilmist told us nothing when she teleported--"

"Teleportation!" The normally quiet Flederweb shouted his epiphany. White Bat had hurt him severely, and he'd had to tear off strips of his own costume to use as makeshift dressings for some of his worse wounds. He pointed an accusing finger at Vista. "You! You've been teleporting these blood wraiths out of here the whole time...and the Earth girl said you would be pivotal to Trigon's defeat! Can't you just zap him out of here?"

"Are you insane??" Vista snapped. "Look at him, he's the size of a building! It would kill me!!"

The thunderous stomps of Trigon's feet caught their attention, and they all saw that Mysa Marvel lay defeated. There was no more time to plan, no more time to argue, they had to do something...and Lilith Clay's heart sank as she realised what that something was.

The Infinite Boy had told Lilith that his power summoned her here because she could help them face Trigon, and she realised now that it wasn't only her power that was going to achieve that. Making a decision that she knew was going to haunt her, she nudged Vista's mind for the second time today. Then Lilith Clay wiped her eyes, stood up, and approached the Demon Father with weary dignity.

"Trigon. You know me."

Lilith's voice was calm and controlled, but somehow it still caught the Demon Father's attention. "You presume too much," he laughed to spite her. "All who live know fear of Trigon, but you are all just nameless bones to grind beneath my heel."

"You know me, Trigon. Though the last time we met, I was empowered by the souls of Azarath...but you will lose today just like you lost then."

Trigon paused. He hadn't thought about Azarath for centuries, there was no way anybody of this era could know of Azar and her people...and then he realised, this frail meat before him was not of this era. She'd faced him once, so long ago that he'd forgotten her features. She'd known another who was the daughter of Trigon, the one named Raven; and indeed, Lilith Clay's flesh had been home to the souls of Azarath and Lilith Clay had been a part of Trigon the Terrible's first ever defeat.

"I do not know how you have come to be here," Trigon growled, "But I sense you do not bear the protection of Azar any longer...and that will be a fatal mistake, girl." The Demon Father seemed to burst into flame for a few seconds, and when the occult flames vanished he was of more human proportions. He was still more than a head taller than Lilith, and his meaty red hands gripped both sides of her head so fiercely she thought her skull would crack open.

"In all my long history of violence and depravity, Trigon the Terrible never tasted the bitter fruit of loss until you. I will ravage the rest of your universe as a god wipes out vermin but you, girl...your death will require a more intimate touch."

Lilith could feel her mind burning at Trigon's touch, even as her blood started to boil. She'd gambled that Trigon wouldn't be able to resist making this personal once he knew who she was, and she had hoped that meant him literally reducing himself to her level...but everything from this point on was no gamble, she'd already seen these dark events play out and she wept a single tear knowing what she'd set in motion.

Invisible Kid and Sensor Girl tried a physical assault, but Lilith already knew how useless that was going to be; Trigon was so intent on torturing Lilith that he didn't even react to their blows.

The woman named Vista was mildly surprised at her own bravery, but somehow she knew that this was her chance to end this once and for all. As soon as the Demon Father killed that girl he was going to become a giant again, and that would be the death of the rest of them. Vista didn't care about anyone else on this world or anyone else in this universe for that matter, but she was going to do anything she needed to survive. Vista stepped forward, the pink glow of her cybernetic implant signalling her power. "Hey, creep. Try your unstoppable demon nass in a universe that I control."

Just like that Trigon was gone, and Invisible Kid and Sensor Girl rushed to help Lilith to her feet. Above them, the cloud cover dissipated almost instantly, and the air immediately felt easier to breathe.

"Hmm." Flederweb looked up from where he was sitting exhausted on the ground. "...That was anticlimactic."

Startling everyone, Vista arched her back and emitted a wordless shriek. Bloody slits appeared in her forehead, two extra eyes appearing there. Her scalp split and tore as the bloody nubs of antlers began to poke through, and the skin of her face peeled back to reveal a fresh red layer underneath.

"God save us..." Invisible Kid whispered in terror. "Le diable...he...he--"

"He's possessing her..." Sensor Girl added fearfully. "Transforming her..."

Then the man named Flederweb drew his energy pistol and fired it at Vista's head.

Finally spent, Flederweb collapsed.

Sensor Girl and Invisible Kid stared in horror at Vista's headless corpse, and as the survivors around them one by one regained consciousness, Lilith Clay cried silently and found voice for only two words.

"...It's over."
Posted By: Set Re: THE DEMON FATHER Part 3 of 3: Fire and Ash. - 11/22/23 03:19 PM
Wow, that was insane! More detailed reaction later, but wow!!! Great and imaginative use of these characters!
yay, more! *eagerly rubs hands*

Loving the new and improved Legion HQ! Great visual description!

also love Sheranee's physical agility and nimbleness and her playing with her kitty!

also loving the flight ring's scrolling text re: so, this is the "bad guy"...

heh re Dawnstar being just too late... liking the cavalry so far. Gim, E-Lad, Sheranee, Crystal Kid, Staq...

Trigon: Demon Father. enough said!

hah! I am so with Flederweb, I also hate poor wit!

well, go Scorn, I said grudgingly. make Papa proud, ugh

LOL at Bobb's consent crack!

also loved Wildfire's description of the situation

impressed at how E-Lad can prattle on, even while disabling an opponent! (I'm with Thom, wow!)

yeah, go Jeckie! Leave it to her, to find a great use for her power!

you really write Jacques well - his dialogue is just how I remember from when Levitz was writing him!

ooh, nice way to work in Dirk's lingering trauma from Mordru's torture! and good of Sizzle to come up with a solution! loving Dirk's protectiveness, and Sizzle's "ah come on!" attitude! hmm, are you going somewhere with Dirk and Sizzle?

Leave it to Brin to figure out Star-Bear's powers!

oh yeah! brilliant use of Drura! of course!! of course Drura would have some microbes up her sleeve that would make the blood wraiths fall apart!

oy, counter stroke from Scorn...!

oh gosh, that does not sound good for Mysa frown

yikes! I expected Drake to snap sooner or later... didn't expect it to be Scorn. And Trigon is, of course, very cold about it

oh, oh crap. did not expect Lilith and Jeckie to say that frown

nice try, Jeckie, nice try... you go girl, you tell him. Regal, like the queen she is

oh sprock, Mysa frown although at least she impressed Trigon enough... I guess.

yeah, leave it to Flederweb to pick up on Vista, and Lilith's thinking that she would be the key to defeating Trigon!

wow. go Lilith. nice hook there, having her play a pivotal role by playing on Trigon's pride...

WOW! just... WOW. wow, wow, wow. Vista dies, pushed by Liltih - no wonder Lilith is crying. I would, do. She made a tough choice...

that was amazing, Raz. epic. even with your foreshadowing, I did not quite anticipate all of this. You did an amazing job of keeping the suspense going. great pacing all throughout.

I am super stoked to see the aftermath!

well done, extremely well done!
Hi y'all, thanks for reading!

Set, I am looking forward to more of your take on things!

IB, I had to do a lot of rewrites to try and give everyone even just a line or two while not getting distracted from the main storyline, I am glad lots of the little character bits worked!

I was initially gonna not have reinforcements turn up at all, but I kind of felt like the majority of the Legion was being kept in the background a lot for this storyline, and it is meant to be their series laugh

Once I decided to have backup arrive though, that scene with Infectious Lass was the first thing I thought of!

I am glad you liked the pacing as well, I was a bit unsure about that with how abruptly everything came to a head at the end and that got a few rewrites as well!

The next couple of instalments will be primarily focusing on the aftermath of these tragic events, but I can also say there will be an unexpected bad guy pop up from the Legion's past and a VERY unexpected hero!

EDIT: oh I forgot to mention Sun Boy and Sizzle! I actually wasn't intending on doing anything with the two of them, but they seem to have given themselves some chemistry so let's see where it goes! wink
Posted By: Set Re: THE DEMON FATHER Part 3 of 3: Fire and Ash. - 11/23/23 11:54 AM
I was impressed with how well you juggled such a large group. The scale of the threat, and the 'area effects' were handy for not having to resolve twenty little combats, which could have been a nightmare and a bit exhausting to even read, let alone write (and detracted from the movement of the scene, IMO. Too much fine detail bogs a scene down.).

I like the use of Vista's power. I like the promise of upcoming drama over Flederweb's decisive and very un-Legion-like action at the end. Not just a good scene in and of itself, but it leaves some anticipation, and not just of the happy conclusion, but some difficult decisions to come. Is Wildfire going to sit back and let Flederweb take the heat, or will he, or someone else point out that Flederweb was not the first person to 'go there' and pull out the lethal force?

Infectious Lass was badass, and I loved it!

Crystal Kid is just 'that guy' who complains about everything, isn't he? In any group, there's got to be a curmudgeon, and if Gates isn't around, it's nice to have someone be the grouch! smile Despite that, he pulls out the crystal shields when they're needed, so he's got the back of even someone he's complained about a minute before. That's cool. Not all heroes are always 100% nice people, and sometimes some obnoxious traits, within reason, can be fun, for the reader, if not the people who have to work with the guy.

I like that Invisible Jacques is competent, and yet also aware of his limitations, analyzing where he can do the most good and getting to it. Very cool. I tend to disregard him due to my own lukewarm feelings on his powers (and some of his past attitudes), but he's got great potential and has come a long way from the early days of feeling out of his depth when things get messy. You've done a good job of advancing him from the 80's portrayal I've left him stuck in in my head.
I don't think I have given Drura a good scene-stealing moment for a hot minute, she was due! smile

Poor Crystal Kid doesn't have the best association with Veilmist, that's the second time she's gone and kidnapped him right out from the Legion's house into some insane chaos lol

re Invisible Jacques: I agree he was always kinda meh in the 80s, he levelled up a bit in the retroboot though and was shown not constantly stumbling over his own incompetence...it doesn't hurt that Francis Portela made him much hotter as well, I am a shallow man laugh

...and we will not have to wait long to see everyone's reaction to Wildfire and Flederweb's actions, there might be one or two interesting differences of opinion when it comes to all of that as well!
hahaha re Portela drawing a hotter Jacques! that sleeveless uniform really helped wink I'm shallow too, TBH a lot of my initial interest in Tel and Jed was how much skin they showed... tongue

I do agree that early Levitz Jacques was painfully self-questioning! he definitely levelled up 5YL


looking forward to more, raz!
Phil Jiminez was pretty obviously inspired by my favourite *ahem* adult entertainer Francois Sagat for Gravity Kid's look, I am very much there for it!

[Linked Image from xtramagazine.com]

And Jed has always been an unrecognised hottie!
well dang! Thanks for the reco, I'll have to check out his *ahem* body of work later. When I'm home. wink

If I existed in the Legion's universe, I'd be double-dating with Jed and Tel alllll the time!
Originally Posted by Invisible Brainiac
If I existed in the Legion's universe, I'd be double-dating with Jed and Tel alllll the time!

Relatable!! laugh
Raz, hi, this is great stuff!

The opening act with Seranee playing with her kitten was cute. Veilmist going to the Legionnaires for help and ending up kidnappinng them as they wouldn't listen rings true - why should they trust her?

"On the cursed world H'crides, chaos reigned." Well, that certainly sets the scene pretty succinctly! Flederweb being happy that at least he didn't have to listen to poor banter is hilarious, I share his pain smile Scorn's blood wraiths sound disgusting, just need to put that out there, disgusting! They would make a great visual though. Wildfire and Mysa would not be a pretty sight in amongst them. Again, a great - if disturbing - visual. Mysa's efficient dealing of Bloodclaw was fun, yeah, go away you bully smile "Trigon himself looked down upon the violence with approval; his daughter was making him more proud than any of his other children had done in his countless millenia of existence." which nicely highlights that he has yet to join in the fun yet the team are still struggling... Veilmist can't get there quick enough! Haha, very next line, they arrive. I should read on before I start quoting and commenting. And while there are quite a few Legionnaires, most are not top-tier physical fighters... Love Crystal Kids complaint and Wildfire's short and sweet response to being asked what's going on. In case I haven't told youthis enough, but I love your Elastic Lad, and having hid fight Star Bear seems like a plot point worthy of an entire story arc in itself laugh Nice of Bbob to save Veilmist, in spite of his protests.

Clever use of Jeckie, fooling Nimbus into fighting the blood wraiths for them. I do love it when writers remember how useful she really is! And, I always seem to forget yout Fire Lad/Firecrest upgrade - he's pretty hardcore isn't he? You've done well by all the Subs. Jacques taking out Echo was very satisfying, firstly as Echo is a nasty bit of work, and secondly as it's always satisfying seeing him do stuff that actually helps smile Dirk's fear of hurting his teammates was a good reminder of the damage he suffered under Mordru, though teaming him with Sizzle was great! She's an asset to the team when used properly. isn't she? Are you planning on having their flirtation go any further? Will Dirk actually get into a serious relationship? I'm kinda stunned at the prospect tbh. And Dirk's sudden chivalry/misogny at her helping take on Trigon was nicely put in it's place by her. Will you be divin into her back story to explain who the dark lord Asmothe is to her? Ouch, poor Gim, he is just a walking target!

Timber Wolf's experience comes through as he takes on Star Bear and sends Sheranee to help the others - he may not have an education but he knows his stuff when it comes to fighting bad guys. And nice that she got to help Dirk and Sizzle. The next part with Drura is my favourite part - it is such a good use of her power set! And it's a totally disgusting image too of the blood wraith unclotting and going sploosh around them laugh Oh shit, and angry Scorn can hurt Mysa! That's a worry! Of course, Wldfire won't be affected by Scorn's bllod magic. I'm scared what he might do as Drake ain't been too steady lately... eek! Trigon's disappointment at his daughter, rather than any fatherly concern as Wildfire flattens her perfectly sums him up. Lillith and Jeckie's inability to sense Drake is a worry - I'm hoping you're taking him on a journey back to the Dream Dimension to live out his existence with his imaginary harem - as gross as that is, it's better than his death really. Mysa's determination to keep fighting is impressive. Jacques refusing to run away was heroic but perhaps not clever... "The frail meat before him" - fantastic expression, perfect. Poor Lillith, she never really struck me as the heroic type really but she's always put in these horrid situations. Go Vista! "...That was anticlimactic." Ahh... maybe not!

Flederweb has the money shot! Wow, that was intense Raz, and with the flick of a trigger - and the explosion of Vista's head - it's over.

I bet you had immense satisfaction writing this as it was a delight to read. Looking forward to seeing what you have coming up fr the team as they recover from this, and whether or not Drake's sacrifice is really the end for him. I assume Infinite Boy will return Lillith pretty quickly to her right time, though will he hang around?

This was great Raz, and a fitting conclusion to a storyline you started back in about 1879 laugh I'm in awe of your story building and patience to get us here.

It really goes without saying, but I want more, more, more!

PS - I think I've mighta kinda met the guy you mention above - if it's who i think then he's Alison Moyet's cousin and a husband of a friend of a friend used to be in her band and we saw her in Paris and this guy was at the after show do. Hahaha, I only remember him as there was lots of gossip about him being an adult entertainer, though he was with her and her family and we were at the other side of the room scoffing free wine tbh so I could be totally wrong, but the guy who was there had a hair tattoo like the guy in the picture - it's not that common is it?
Thanks for the R&R, Harbi!

The blood wraiths really are disgusting, I would love to see a really good horror artist draw some of those fight scenes!

Speaking of drawing, I probably should sit down and draw Firecrest in his weredragon form some day...he's another one who hasn't had much of a chance to strut his stuff for a while so even though he didn't really make much of a dent in the wraiths I wanted to show how tough he is these days.

re Sun Boy and Sizzle - that kinda came out of nowhere to be honest, but they do seem to have some chemistry so I will definitely give them a bit of airtime again soon and see what happens with it! And there will also be some expanding on her background soon as well to shed some more light on that dark lord Asmothe comment!

I am glad everyone liked the Drura scene - this seemed like a really natural enemy for her to be able to take on in a badass way smile

I actually spent so long rewriting this last chapter! I initially wasn't going to have any backup arrive at all, then when I added them I wanted to make sure they all got at least a line or two so they didn't get lost in the background....and you're not far off about this whole thing starting in 1879! I went back through my archive and the other gals recruited Veilmist for the Sisterhood of Sin way back in May last year! So it has been a big buildup!

On another note - you are right, Francois IS Alison Moyet's cousin!! I never knew that before, I googled it after you mentioned it! What a small world hahaha
Posted By: razsolo Flames of the Past - 12/16/23 12:43 PM
DEEP SPACE
The Legion of Superheroes mobile base, the former quarters of Star Boy and Dream Girl


In the room that she'd considered her own until her dramatic resignation from the Legion of Superheroes a standard week ago, Nura Nal sat in front of a massive window and looked out into the void beyond to see a depressingly familiar beacon flash by her like some spaceborne lighthouse. While obedient technology applied a pre-programmed layer of make-up upon the stunning Naltorian's face, she allowed her mind to wander back to 48 hours ago...

**********

THE KHUND EMPIRE
H'crides, the Demon's Gate


ROLL CALL
Demon's Claw
Bloodclaw: super-strength, vibro-claws
Echo aka Myke-4 Astor: sonic mimicry and amplification
Flederweb: gliding, wall-crawling, claws
Strongarm: four-armed super-strong cyborg

Legion of Superheroes
Colossal Boy aka Gim Allon: growth powers
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Elastic Lad aka Jams-Ols 5: super-elongation
Firecrest aka Staq Mavlen: weredragon
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
Invisible Kid II aka Jacques Foccart: invisibility
Sheranee Shah: enhanced physical characteristics, night vision, solar-fuelled starbolts, tactile language absorption, animal empathy
Sizzle aka Teela Spuunvll: energy conversion
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility

Sisterhood of Sin
Nimbus: personal forcefield, flight
Star-Bear aka Ursula Yenova: cosmic ursinthrope
White Bat: aerial assassin

Dragonmage aka Xao Jin: former Legionnaire; dragon magic
Dream Girl aka Nura Nal: former Legionnaire; Naltorian precognition
Infinite Boy aka Kando Vyr: Legionnaire from the future; ability to summon beings from the timestream
Lilith Clay: Teen Titan from the past with ESP and undefined psychic abilities
Mysa Marvel aka Mysa Nal: former Legionnaire; magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage
Sensor Girl aka Projectra Armorr: former Legionnaire; illusion-casting, super-enhanced perceptions
Star Boy aka Thom Kallor: former Legionnaire; celestial mass-transference

...On the blood-soaked world H'crides, the Infinite Boy approached Lilith Clay with hesitation; she'd been disconsolate and isolated from everyone else since Kando Vyr had regained consciousness. Kando hurt all over and he wanted nothing more than to get out of this disgusting biohazard of a costume and soak for an hour in a hot tub but he knew somehow that Lilith had been as involved in Trigon's defeat as Flederweb, and that her sacrifice had been almost as great as Vista's.

"Lilith..?" An open wound in Kando's thigh flared with pain as he lowered himself to the ground at her feet. "Do you want to talk about it..?"

"...With you?" Lilith's vivid green eyes flashed with unexpected ire. "The person who dragged me into all of this? No, Infinite Boy...no, I don't think I do."

"I--I--" the Infinite Boy struggled. "Look, I didn't know I was going to be getting you when I reached out for someone to help us. My power isn't that reliable, I just wanted--"

"You wanted a tool to help you against the most horrifying entity I have ever known or will ever know," she finished his statement for him. "Yes. I'm aware. Well, I've done your dirty work for you...your sorceror friend said earlier that you have the power to return me home, I think you should do that if you can."

"I can," Kando acknowledged. He bowed his head for a moment before looking back up at her. "Lilith...if it helps...when I return you to your home era, you won't have any memory of anything that occurred while you were in our time. Time travel has a way of erasing memories--"

"I may not remember the exact events," she cut him off again, "But I will always know, Infinite Boy. Somewhere, no matter how deeply it may lay buried within me, I will forevermore know the future not as something to hope and strive for, but as an omen to be feared. That's what you've given me. Now please...send me home."

Kando Vyr grimaced again with pain as he stood up, then he brought his power to bear and Lilith Clay was gone. Glumly, he rejoined the remaining beaten and battered survivors of Trigon and Scorn's brief reign of terror.

"Veilmist!" Bloodclaw roared. "Where is that traitorous--"

"We told you," Dream Girl approached the enormous Khund without fear. "She teleported away before most of us even woke up, Bloodclaw. She could be anywhere by now."

"I'm more concerned about these four," Sheranee volunteered, crouching by the still unconscious Colossal Boy, Mysa Marvel, Flederweb and White Bat. "Mysa and Flederweb in particular look like they could really use some medical attention."

"Believe me," Nura remarked, "The only reason I'm not worried about my sister is because I've already seen she'll be able to heal herself once she wakes up. But you're right about Flederweb. We should--"

"You should do nothing, woman." Strongarm spoke up. Two of the cyborg's four arms had been shredded by Wildfire earlier, and they hung from Strongarm's torso in ragged strips. "You are all fortunate that your presence here today hasn't provoked a war between our peoples! You have told us that Flederweb destroyed the Demon Father, he will be given the finest combat upgrades that Khund science can offer. As for the rest of you, my recommendation is that you leave here as discreetly as possible."

"But Flederweb killed a woman!" Sun Boy protested. "He needs to face justice!"

"It was your teammate who destroyed the blood witch, was it not?" Strongarm challenged Dirk Morgna. "Do you pick and choose which murder is righteous based on your friendships, Legionnaire?"

"Well gosh, Sir! That's not really very fair if you don't mind me saying so!" Elastic Lad piped up. "If circumstances were different, Wildfire would definitely have to answer for what he did, but--"

"But Wildfire is dead," Sensor Girl interrupted coldly. "...And as for Flederweb's actions, it is not for us to pass judgement. We are in Khund space, Sun Boy. It is not our place to tell the Demon's Claw how to conduct their affairs within their own territory."

"We're the Legion of Ssuperheroess!" Firecrest hissed, in his weredragon form. "It doessn't matter where we are, murder is murder! Flederweb'ss actionss can't go unpunisshed!"

Finally recovered enough to act, Nimbus stormed toward Flederweb's prone body. "I don't give a damn about justice. He killed one of my only friends...even in this backward time you must know the saying an eye for an eye."

Ursula Yenova began to take on her Star-Bear form to back Nimbus up, but before either of them could take any definitive action the word justice echoed at an insane volume and knocked them over like a battering ram. Stunned, the two women saw Echo, Bloodclaw and Strongarm ready to take them on.

"We can fight to the death now," Strongarm stood over the recovering women, "Or you come back with us to face trial in the Challenge Courts. The choice is yours."

A growl formed in Ursula Yenova's throat, but Nimbus was suddenly standing before her. "No, Star-Bear. You and I might win this fight, but White Bat won't...I'm not going to lose the only other person I have in this world now that Vista's gone. Wait till all three of us are ready to face them and we'll kill every one of these squajes just like we killed their stupid leader."

The Russian woman considered Nimbus's words for a moment...she honestly had no great love for either Nimbus or White Bat, but she wasn't exactly in peak form herself either. "It is fine by me," Star-Bear eventually decided. "These Challenge Courts of yours sound like they might be fun anyway, Khund."

"Are we really okay with this?" Crystal Kid hissed at Star Boy and Dream Girl standing by his side. "I mean I know the Sisterhood of Sin were the bad guys here, but are we really gonna leave them in Khund hands??"

Timber Wolf overheard him, and gave a response before Thom or Nura could speak up. "Like Sensor Girl said, kid...we haven't got much of a choice. This is their world, their show; we aren't even meant to be here."

"I don't like it," Sun Boy folded his arms across his chest. "This whole thing stinks."

"I get why you're upset, Sun Boy," Sizzle gave Dirk Morgna a sympathetic shrug. "But sometimes we need a reminder that the universe doesn't care how we feel. Only we do."

Before Sun Boy could do more than give her a slightly baffled look, Sizzle continued. "I've got another question though, how are we meant to leave this depressing place? Wasn't Veilmist our ride home?"

"The cruiser we used to get here won't carry us all but I can summon a long-range teleporter from the timestream easily enough," Kando Vyr replied. "That is, if we're leaving..?"

"The Demon's Claw have no quarrel with the Legion of Superheroes or the United Planets," Strongarm snarled, "Not today at any rate. In case I was not clear before, leave this cursed place and never return."

"...And leave quickly," Bloodclaw added with a tone of derision. "Military support is on the way, and I doubt our comrades will be as accommodating as we are."

Infectious Lass and Invisible Kid had been collecting the pitifully few remnants of Wildfire's containment suit while all of this was going on, and they returned now crestfallen.

"Dragonmage..?" Jacques Foccart asked their young sorceror. "Forgive me...I know that Sensor Girl and Lilith have already provided their confirmation, but I thought perhaps...your sorcery..?"

"I'm sorry, Invisible Kid." Xao Jin met his teammate's eyes sadly while Drura hugged Jacques. "But Wildfire...Wildfire is truly gone."

Dream Girl hadn't had the heart to say anything, but she had already looked into their future and all she saw when she focused on Wildfire was the depressingly familiar beacon of the cemetery planet Shanghalla flash by like some spaceborne lighthouse...

**********

Staring at Shanghalla's beacon from the sterile space that had once been her bedroom, Nura Nal gradually realised she was hearing her name called. She saw Star Boy's face and white gloves reflected in the windowpane, his starry bodysuit invisible against the real stars outside the window.

"Nura..? Are you okay?" Thom asked, clearly concerned.

"Sorry, lover." She stood up and kissed him on the lips. "I was just lost in thought...it's all so sad, you know?"

"Are you having second thoughts?" Thom held her hands in his.

"About leaving the Legion?" Dream Girl replied. "No...no, I know it's not my fault that Wildfire died; he was the most stubborn man I've ever met, I know he wouldn't have come with us if he hadn't wanted to. But still...I was so certain that we were going to save the day, I put so many people at risk, and in the end...in the end, we weren't even necessary. Lilith, Vista and Flederweb stopped Trigon and Scorn. My sister could have died, Thom. We could have started a war...and I never once stopped to consider that maybe my confidence in my abilities was really just arrogance. I think it'll be good for me to have some time away from the Legion to process everything." She looked eyes with him. "You're not having second thoughts, are you?"

Thom thought back to what his doppelganger had said to him back on H'crides, about how he followed Nura around like a dog because it was easier than ever making a decision for himself. His brow furrowed, Star Boy squeezed Dream Girl's hands. "No. No, I'm choosing this. I choose you, my love. And that's not something I could ever second guess. We'd really better go though, the shuttles will be leaving soon."

"Of course." Releasing one of Thom's hands, Nura accompanied him out of the room for what she knew would be the last time for a long time. As the two of them started down the corridor they saw Dawnstar emerge from her own quarters, her eyes puffy from crying. Dawnstar tensed and purposefully turned away from them, and Nura released a deflated sigh.

"...Let's get this over with."

**********

The memorial ceremony on Shanghalla was appropriately somber, and there were more tears from many of the Legionnaires by the time some of them shared a remembrance of their time with Drake Burroughs. As there was no body to be interred, a gleaming urn engraved with Wildfire's distinctive winged star emblem towered over the Legionnaires instead.

Wildfire had touched so many lives in his time as a Legionnaire, there couldn't possibly be room on Shanghalla for everyone who wanted to attend his funeral. Only the active roster of the Legion was present, along with their partners, Infinite Boy and the former Legionnaires who had witnessed Wildfire's last moments on H'crides. For everyone else, inconspicuous holocams projected the funeral proceedings out to a vast number of United Planets worlds.

Bouncing Boy, Una and the rest of the Cavalry hosted a public memorial service on Wildfire's homeworld Earth with crowds that filled Weisinger Plaza and beyond.

In her private office on Mars, Science Police Chief Gigi Cusimano's attention flickered from the funeral holocast to a number of restricted channels. With the entire Legion of Superheroes on Shangalla, Science Police across the galaxy were on high alert for the predictable increase in criminal activity. Still, as Gigi's gaze fell across Colossal Boy and Chameleon Girl among the crowd of heroes, she took the time to dictate a note to herself to reach out to Gim and Yera later.

Elsewhere on Mars, Chemical Kid, Dragonwing and Lullabye Lad were far from their usual boisterous selves as they gathered in Hadru Jamik's quarters to watch the funeral. Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl had given all of the students the day to mourn, though some of the more perceptive teens realised that was more for Garth and Imra's benefit than any of them.

Even on the far off ocean world of Vavalla, Lamprey nestled against her indestructible boyfriend Turtle and cried openly while he held her and stroked her hair. Lamprey had hero worshipped Wildfire since her school days, and Wildfire had once risked his own soul to save Turtle from demonic possession; they both had reason to mourn the passing of Drake Burroughs.

Back on Shanghalla, Blok finally dismissed the gathering of heroes and stepped away from the podium to rejoin his friends.

"Dawnstar didn't want to say anything?" Diamond Damsel asked Blok as she slipped her arm in his. The winged woman had been withdrawn from everyone all day, and had kept to the fringes of the group the whole time they'd been here.

"Ever since I first met the Legion of Superheroes, Wildfire and Dawnstar were entwined in a tumultuous relationship," Blok explained. "Today must be very difficult for her...perhaps I should--"

"Oh, Blok!" This was Comet Queen, who launched herself at the stone man with such force that Blok was almost concerned she might hurt herself. "That was...that was hypergleaming, starshine! Really!" Bawling, she allowed Chlorophyll Kid to gently pull her back into his embrace and give Blok some breathing room. "I just know Wildfire's looking down from that big ol' nebula totally supernova shiny right now!"

"Thank you, Comet Queen," Blok replied. "I must admit, I am somewhat surprised that Quislet did not attend today. His role as Teall's Ambassador to the United Planets must keep him quite occupied, but still I thought that he was closer to Wildfire than with many of his other teammates in the Legion. Have you heard from him at all?"

Comet Queen suddenly seemed a little shame-faced. "Oh! Uh...well this is kinda not hypergleaming, but...I don't think my shiny little shuttle actually scans that Wildfire's gone gone. He said he didn't have time for sillies when I asked him to pop-POOP-pop round today."

"Sillies??" Shadow Lass and Mon-El had been nearby, and Tasmia Mallor couldn't help but overhear. "Why, that disrespectful little--"

"Easy, love." Mon-El soothed. "It's entirely possible that Quislet may not even entirely grasp the concept of death. Teallians are functionally immortal as far as any of us know."

A short distance away, Neon was paying her respects at the permanent hardlight sculpture she'd placed here when her fellow Green Lantern Corps had been tragically murdered. Hearing Shadow Lass's outburst, Zoe Saugin turned to Dragonmage at her side. "What do you think that was all about?" Zoe asked.

"I couldn't guess," Xao replied. "The sudden loss of a friend can lead to high emotions I suppose." As he spoke, the young sorceror couldn't help but notice Supergirl comforting a teary Nightwind at the base of Wildfire's urn.

Zoe followed Xao's gaze and sucked in air between her teeth before she released it in a long exhalation. "Yeah, I think unfortunately we all know that first hand. I'm glad you're back anyway...the Legion wouldn't feel the same without my best friend here."

"I am glad that the Legion voted to allow Mysa and myself back onto the team," Dragonmage countered with a humble smile.

"Of course the Legion voted to let you back on the team! Do you think I would have let them do anything different?" Despite the circumstances, Zoe allowed herself a cheeky smirk. "I'm surprised the others are still leaving though...they know nobody blames any of you for what happened, right?"

"I don't know if that's entirely true," Xao skirted the issue tactfully. "After all, the vote wasn't unanimous...but regardless, Sensor Girl was only staying for the ceremony before returning to Orando, and Infinite Boy doesn't want to draw too much attention to himself in case his younger self is one of the people who start paying attention. As for Star Boy and Dream Girl, I am not certain why they have chosen not to return to the team but I'm sure they have their reasons."

"I guess." Zoe's eyes passed again over the mourning crowd, to land once more on Wildfire's engraved emblem above them all. "I didn't really know Wildfire much at all, but...it's sad how things turned out for him."

"That it is," Dragonmage added, gazing thoughtfully at the stars around them. "I hope wherever he is now, he has found the peace that eluded him in life."

**********

Truth Girl had allowed Sheranee to talk her into inviting her girlfriend Bobbi to Wildfire's funeral, even though neither Truth Girl nor Bobbi Stiles were completely comfortable with it. While Truth Girl was grateful that everybody was making them feel welcome, she didn't feel like she'd been a member of the Legion nearly long enough to be including her civilian partner in such an intimate event; in fact, Oliv Hollowai barely felt like she belonged here herself. As soon as Wildfire's ceremony had ended, Oliv and Bobbi had disappeared among the memorials of Shanghalla to allow the more tenured Legionnaires to share their grief with one another more privately.

"Thanks for coming, my love." Truth Girl gave her fair-skinned girlfriend a peck on the lips. "I know this is kind of a weird way to get to meet my coworkers."

"It's not ideal," Bobbi agreed, "But it is what it is, Oliv baby...and I know it's not like you and Wildfire were close but I still want to be here for you. Anyway, as sad as our reason for being here is, we're still on Shanghalla! You can't tell me someone who loves history as much as you do doesn't appreciate that!"

"You know me too well," Oliv looked uncommonly sheepish. "Being among some of these fallen heroes...it's really fascinating, you know? I've only ever known Mog Yagoor or Hate Face from holos before. To be here at their final resting places..."

"Who's this one?" Bobbi pointed at a sleek but dully colored monument ship. "It says he was a Legionnaire...Kid Psycho..?"

"How odd, I've never heard of a Kid Psycho!" The Kenyan heroine saw two of her fellow recruits at Ferro Lad's memorial and waved them over. "Slug, Transposition Lad! Could you two please come over here a moment if you're free?"

The two friends joined Oliv and Bobbi, and Truth Girl gestured at Kid Psycho's monument. "You two know more about Legion history than just about anyone outside of Cosmic Boy...have either of you heard of Kid Psycho?"

"Sorry, TG! It's news to me!" Transposition Lad shrugged his large green shoulders. "Sluggo?"

"Slug doesn't know any Kid Psycho either!" the metallic gastropod seemed surprised. "But Slug knows all of the Legionnaires!"

"Slug might just be surprised," a new voice joined the conversation. Element Lad approached, alongside the muscular Dogstar. "The Legion has a lot of secrets if you know where to look."

"Would you mind telling us of this Kid Psycho, Element Lad?" Dogstar asked. "I understand that we are here to remember Wildfire, so if it is not the right time..."

"No, no, it's fine." Jan Arrah was unbothered. "In fact, I think I know just the right story..."

**********

YEARS AGO
Deep space


ROLL CALL
Brainiac 5 aka Querl Dox: 12th level intelligence
Dawnstar: translightspeed flight, interstellar tracking
Element Lad aka Jan Arrah: team leader; elemental transmutation
Ultra Boy aka Jo Nah: ultra-energy which can be directed into any one of strength, speed, flight, invulnerability, flash vision, penetra-vision at a time
Wildfire aka Drake Burroughs: anti-energy being

While Dawnstar and Wildfire flew through the vacuum of space under their own power, their three comrades followed in a Legion cruiser.

"It's strange to get a distress call from Kid Psycho after all this time," Element Lad made conversation with the others. "I honestly doubted that we'd ever see him again."

"That makes two of us," Ultra Boy agreed. "Wildfire and Dawnstar didn't even know who he was! I had to explain how he tried out for the Legion way back when and we had to reject him after we found out his powers were killing him. I know we told Kid Psycho we made him our secret weapon, but with everything the Legion have faced over the years without us ever calling on him he must have realised by now we were just trying not to hurt his feelings."

Brainiac 5 stood before the large curved viewscreen dominating the bridge, hands clasped behind his back. "I am certain Kid Psycho has had long enough to see the practicality of our decision, Ultra Boy. I am more concerned about where Dawnstar may be leading us than Kid Psycho's wounded pride."

"And here I thought Dream Girl was the only Legionnaire who could see the future," Jo retorted, looking up from the ship's nagivation console. "If we stay on our current bearing we'll be in Dark Circle territory in seven standard minutes."

"Precognition is not one of my gifts, Ultra Boy." Brainiac 5 didn't turn away from the starscape as he spoke. "I simply remember these constellations from when Supergirl, Sun Boy and I were involved in that business with Ontiir recently."*

"You remember constellations you saw once flying at super-speed three weeks ago??" Ultra Boy raised an eyebrow.

This time Brainiac 5 turned away from the screen just enough for the others to see a small smile curling his lip. "A 12th level intellect may not be the flashiest power, Ultra Boy...but it does have its uses."

Outside the cruiser, Wildfire overtook Dawnstar slightly and turned around to face her. "I gotta say, Dawny...super-tracking may not be the flashiest power, but it's got its uses! Pretty impressive that you can find this guy when you've never even met him!"

Only a very mild tensing of her face muscles betrayed Dawnstar's annoyance at being outpaced; she and Wildfire both knew he could only do this because she had to maintain a speed low enough not to leave the others behind, and Drake Burroughs was taking full advantage of the opportunity.

"Thank you for the high praise, Wildfire," Dawnstar replied icily. "However, it would be much easier if you did not insist on distracting--" She paused mid-sentence, wearing an expression of utter confusion.

"Dawny..?" Wildfire asked.

"Drake, hush!" Dawnstar scolded him. "Let me concentrate!"

After a moment she once again wore the purposeful expression that Wildfire was so accustomed to seeing when she was on the hunt, and she increased her speed. "I know the others will lag behind but I think we'd best hurry, Wildfire. Kid Psycho's trail just seemed to cut off entirely for a moment. I have recaptured it now, but if that happens again we can't assume that I'll be so lucky a second time."

She easily raced past him this time, and Wildfire's heart soared. When Dawnstar was driven like this, expressing herself through her power like nobody else could...how could he help but love her?

**********

Less than twenty minutes later, the Legionnaires had come across a small white planet about a quarter the size of Earth. It was on the very outermost limits of its solar system, and the sun around which it orbited was just one more cold distant star in a sky full of them. The little world's closest moon was almost half its size and gravitationally locked, so the Legionnaires landed their shuttle on the far side of the lifeless moon confident that it would avoid detection there. They paired their flight rings to Dawnstar's to make use of her greater speed, and she flew them closer to the planet that Wildfire had sarcastically named Pluto II.

"I've lost Kid Psycho's trail again," Dawnstar admitted, "But there is only one region of this world which harbours life at all...I suggest we continue our search there."

"I agree," Brainiac 5 replied. "And good work, Dawnstar."

"Do you think this is the Dark Circle, Brainy?" Ultra Boy asked as they zoomed over the surface of the world. "It's gotta be, right? Who else would be causing trouble all the way out here in the borderworlds?"

"I don't have enough data to confirm that hypothesis, Ultra Boy...though admittedly the probability is quite high."

"I think we're about to find out." Element Lad pointed at the only man-made feature they'd seen on this planet, a massive metallic tunnel which penetrated deep below the ice-covered crust. "I assume that's some kind of hangar entrance...Ultra Boy, can you see if there are any hidden defence systems or traps?"

Jo's eyes flashed with ultra-energy as he scanned the area with his penetra-vision. "They won't be hidden for much longer...heads up, Legion! We've got trouble incoming!"

Soon enough two spheres zoomed out of the tunnel, their surface lined with various round ports. Confirming the Legionnaires' suspicions, each droid was marked with the iconic black ring of the Dark Circle. One of the droids oriented itself toward Dawnstar, and a port irised open to reveal some kind of particle beam. It fired upon the winged woman, but she dodged the assault with a graceful loop.

"Big mistake, you murderous piece of junk!" Wildfire closed on the offending droid, but before he could fire upon it four more ports opened up and segmented metallic tentacles emerged to wrap around each of Wildfire's limbs.

The second droid had already grabbed Ultra Boy, and with his ultra-energy switched into invulnerability Jo had no way to fight back. "Uh, guys..? A little help?"

While Brainiac 5's forcefield protected himself, Element Lad and Dawnstar from more of the beam attacks, Element Lad gestured toward Ultra Boy's assailant. "Don't worry, Ultra Boy...I suspect your robotic friend will be much less trouble when it's a cloud of free-floating nitrogen." True to Jan's words, the metal of the droid evaporated away until it was gone completely.

"Thanks, E-Lad! Let me see if I can pay it forward!" Before the droid holding Wildfire could retarget its range weapons, Jo switched to flash vision and seared its limbs from its body.

"I appreciate the help," Wildfire remarked as he shook the now dormant tendrils away, "But the day I can't handle an overgrown Neptunian Quadroped on my own is the day I quit the Legion!" Training both gauntlets on the remaining droid, Wildire's anti-energy blew it into shrapnel. Wildfire didn't wait for further instruction, but zoomed straight ahead down the artificial tunnel.

"Wildfire!" Element Lad called after him, knowing it was pointless even as he opened his mouth. "We need to be cautious, they know we're here now--"

"Exactly!" Wildfire shot back. "So let's say hi!" Wildfire pulled up before the giant hangar doors at the end of the tunnel and blasted them inwards. As soon as he did so, Wildfire wondered if maybe he should have listened to the leader of the Legion...the Dark Circle were not only aware they had company, it seemed they were prepared for it. Some unseen technology prevented decompression, and a variety of killer robots waited to greet them alongside the Dark Circle's ubiquitous cloned foot soldiers.

The battle was sensationally violent, but despite the Dark Circle's overwhelming advantage of numbers it was never really in doubt that the Legionnaires would come out on top. While Brainiac 5's forcefield and Dawnstar's speed served them well against more than a dozen men with guns, Wildfire and Ultra Boy easily tore through the array of automatons that poured forth to fight them. Element Lad played the field, helping out whenever any of his other teammates were in a spot. Once they were down to the last and toughest of the Dark Circle's droids, Element Lad instructed Brainiac 5 to access the Dark Circle's systems and find Kid Psycho while he helped Ultra Boy and Wildfire finish off the murder machine.

Brainiac 5 stood with his back to the action, all of his focus on a control panel that he'd hacked on the wall by the jagged hole that had once been the hangar entrance. There had been two small vessels in here earlier, but Ultra Boy had quite effectively used one as a battering ram and the other had inevitably been blown to pieces by Wildfire. Brainy had erected his forcefield around himself and Dawnstar while he worked, and with that protection the tracker from Starhaven felt comfortable diverting her attention from the fight for a moment to check on her Coluan teammate's progress. She was surprised, but only mildly so, that in the brief moments he'd been working at this task he'd already bypassed the Dark Circle's security protocols.

Brainiac turned to Dawnstar. "Perhaps if I had more time I'd be able to decipher whatever language this software has been encoded in, but I have at least been able to pull up a map of the base. Now...I know your powers are not as effective on a planet's surface, Dawnstar; but can you give me some idea where Kid Psycho or his captors might be? Perhaps working together we may achieve more than either of us could alone."

Dawnstar closed her eyes, tried to block out the sight and sound of anti-energy blasts, explosions and rending metal. After a moment she opened her eyes again and she pointed at a twelve foot tall doorway leading into a darkened space. "I...I think down that way, Brainiac...but I can't say for certain."

"It's as good a place to start as any." Brainiac 5 deactivated his forcefield, seeing that their friends were returning victorious. "If I'm not mistaken, that corridor leads to a more secure area of the building...it could very well be where the Dark Circle are imprisoning Kid Psycho."

Ultra Boy, Wildfire and Element Lad were all within easy talking range again, and Brainiac 5 caught Jo's attention. "Ultra Boy, we believe Kid Psycho may be down that corridor. We need you to--"

"Say no more, Brainy! With my ultra-speed I can investigate in no time!"

He was gone in a red and green blur before Brainiac 5 could respond, and the Coluan sighed in frustration. "...I was going to ask him to use his penetra-vision..."

"Let's go, Legion!" Element Lad commanded, taking to the air. "And be ready for anything!"

Before any of them had even begun to follow Ultra Boy's path, they heard a tremendously loud THOOM!!! and Jo came flying back the way he'd come and through the thick outer wall of the base and deep into the icy crust of the dwarf planet. While the Legionnaires were recovering from that shock, another one greeted them; a muscular yellow humanoid with blazing red eyes and licks of flame coming off of his huge frame. He almost scraped the doorframe as he walked into the hangar, and the heroes gazed upon him in horror.

"Element Lad..." Dawnstar was wide-eyed with fear. "That looks like...like..."

"...Omega."** Brainiac 5's voice was cold with disgust. "It isn't Omega though, it can't be. For one thing, this creature has five fingers and toes compared to Omega's three. For another, Omega was utterly destroyed along with the Miracle Machine. Whatever this is however, it is certainly in extremely poor taste."

"We can worry about what it is after we take it down, Brainy!" Element Lad barked, his tone perhaps more accusatory than he'd intended. "Wildfire, come on!"

Without even approaching the heroes, this new Omega threw its arms wide and a grid-like plane of psychic force slammed the four remaining heroes across the room.

"Great Spirit!" Dawnstar struggled to drag herself up to a seated position, wondering if she'd broken ribs in the tumble. "What was that?!"

"That was Kid Psycho's power." Brainiac wiped blood from his lip. He was so dazed that he neglected to even activate his own forefield again.

"What?" Element Lad buried the Omega lookalike under twenty tons of inertron to buy them some recovery time. "Brainy, that makes no sense at all! Why would Omega have Kid Psycho's powers?!"

Before Brainiac 5 could answer his leader's question, the inerton block suddenly exploded outwards and showered them all with indestructible chunks of metal. This time Brainy did generate a forcefield, fast enough to protect both himself and Element Lad. While Wildfire couldn't destroy the metal, his anti-energy blasts could at least deflect it. Dawnstar was clipped while trying to evade the hail of death though, and she fell hard.

"If you've hurt her--!" Wildfire gave Omega a double-fisted blast of anti-energy, but the same psychic screen surrounded the flaming creature to protect him.

Element Lad twisted his flight ring, activating the distress beacon. "I've called for backup, but even Mon-El won't get here in time to stop that thing from wiping us all out! Brainiac, I swear on Trom if you've got anything to do with this--"

"Don't be ridiculous, Element Lad." Brainiac 5 stroked his chin while he quite passively watched Wildfire and Omega fight. "I told you, that is not Omega. Haven't you noticed his attacks and defence rely almost exclusively on Kid Psycho's power? In fact...somehow, I think that is Kid Psycho."

"How right you are, Legionnaire!" A holographic hooded face loomed large over the heroes, the figure's features completely hidden as was typical for the Dark Circle's leaders. "The original Omega was perhaps your finest creation, Brainiac! To our regret, even with the Dark Circle's considerable resources we were not able to reproduce your efforts precisely...your reputation as a genius is well-deserved!"

"I suppose I should be flattered," Brainiac retorted. "And perhaps I would be, were Omega not a product of my genius when I was at my most unwell...instead, I am filled with disgust. What does Gnill Opral have to do with any of that, you monster?"

"We could not harness the darkest urges of the universe as you did, Brainiac, but we could harness the darkest urges of one child...Gnill Opral, the one who called himself Kid Psycho."

"Kid Psycho's a hero!" Element Lad shouted angrily. "He would never have agreed to become this!"

"Hey!!" This was Wildfire, digging himself out of a pile of debris that Omega had buried him beneath. "I'm glad you two are getting the scintillating backstory, but do you think you could maybe lend a hand? He might not be as tough as the real Omega, but he's not that far behind!"

"Brainy, check on Dawnstar and Ultra Boy!" Element Lad ordered. "I'll see if I can help Wildfire keep us alive a little longer!"

Element Lad surrounded Omega's head in a chunk of magnesium that exploded instantly into a white hot flame, temporarily blinding him. Taking advantage, Wildfire blasted him back through a wall. Meanwhile, Brainiac rushed to check on a stirring Dawnstar. Above them all, the Dark Circle mastermind gave a deep throaty laugh at the chaos.

"Dawnstar, don't move until I've finished my bio-scan," Brainiac 5 instructed as he passed a device over her body. He turned his face up toward the hologram. "So you've harnessed Kid Psycho's negative emotions...using them to amplify his already considerable power. I assume that's about the size of it?"

"You assume correctly," the holographic villain answered smugly. "The destruction of his planet, the death of his family, the Legion's rejection of him...even the toll his mighty powers take on him....that boy has a lot of despair, hatred and rage to amplify, and the Dark Circle are only too happy to do so. I don't mind telling you all this because my henchmen were kind enough to buy me time for my own escape from this facility, and you'll all be dead before you have a chance to do anything with anything you've learned here this day. Goodbye, Brainiac 5, and thank you again for your inspiring work."

The hologram blinked out of existence, and Dawnstar emitted a pained gasp as she tried to sit up. "Dawnstar, don't move," Brainiac 5 repeated almost absent-mindedly. Before she could respond, he ran across to Element Lad's side and once again extended his forcefield to cover the two of them. "I don't think brute force is going to win this fight for us, Element Lad. You're going to need to talk him back to his senses."

Wildfire bounced off of Brainiac 5's forcefield and looped back around to confront the flaming creature responsible for the collision. Behind the forcefield, Jan Arrah flinched, then turned his attention back to Brainy. "What? Me?? Brainiac, obviously I'll do anything I can to help but I don't know Kid Psycho any better than you do and you're the 12th level intellect....wouldn't you be better at this kind of thing?"

"You have a unique perspective on Kid Psycho's situation," Brainiac 5 explained. "He's lost his world, his entire people. Element Lad...it doesn't matter how intelligent I am, I can't understand what that feels like. You, on the other hand..."

Element Lad sighed in resignation. "...I get it. Okay, let's do this."

The two men waited for Omega to finish clobbering Wildfire through yet another wall, giving them a chance to get their foe's attention. Element Lad wasn't sure if Kid Psycho could even comprehend anything that was happening in his current state; he'd not said a single word the whole time he'd been fighting them, only emitting a guttural growl occasionally. Still, he had to try. "Kid Psycho...Gnill, please listen to me! We don't want to hurt you!"

Omega turned upon the two Legionnaires and his psycho-force assault caused Brainiac 5's forcefield to visibly quiver. While Querl Dox normally devoted only the smallest portion of his impressive intellect to maintaining his forcefield's integrity in combat situations, against even a second-rate Omega he was focused solely on making sure his forcefield belt didn't fail them. Element Lad was truly on his own.

Omega reduced himself to pounding on the forcefield with his giant smoldering fists, hollering inarticulately at them.

"I know how it feels, Kid Psycho!" Element Lad kept trying to reach him, not entirely succeeding in keeping his voice calm or controlled. "I lost my world too...my family...everyone I ever knew and loved! That pain...nothing takes away that pain, and I understand needing to lash out, but death...death isn't the end! It's just a change, a new state of being, and once you accept that you'll find peace! This rage and hatred...it'll just eat you up in time if you don't let it go!"

Omega paused. For a fraction of a moment Jan fancied that he saw indecision cross those inhuman features, but then he lashed out again with his psycho-force.

Meanwhile, Wildfire had now returned to the fracas. "No offence," the anti-energy hero said as he blasted Omega in the face, "But that's a load of crap, Jan."

"Wha--" Element Lad was dumbfounded.

"There's nothin' wrong with being angry, and there's nothin' wrong with needing to smash something every now and then." Drake Burroughs struggled to resist as Omega's psycho-screen pushed him into the floor with increasing pressure. "But you gotta smash the right thing! We didn't do this to you, Kid...the Dark Circle are the ones you should be mad at, they're the ones who dredged up all this stuff you don't wanna think about! Smash them!"

Again, Omega hesitated. This time however, he released a bone-chilling roar of anguish and started lashing out at the base itself. With all the collateral damage it had taken already, a mountain of debris separated Omega from the Legionnaires before long.

They could still hear his outpour of fury even though they couldn't see him anymore, and Element Lad turned to Brainiac 5 beside him. "I don't know how Wildfire knew exactly the right thing to say, but I don't think we should look a gifting Equissian in the mouth."

"Agreed," Brainy gave a quick nod. "With the power he's shown, I am confident that Omega will survive the destruction of this building; most of us won't be so fortunate. If you'd be so kind as to extricate Ultra Boy from his current predicament, I'll gather everyone else together in a forcefield and we can leave. Dawnstar can help us track Omega down again when she's recovered and we can work on a cure for this sick transformation that the Dark Circle have imposed upon Kid Psycho."

Several minutes later, the Legionnaires and their captive Dark Circle foot soldiers were watching from a safe distance as multiple explosions rocked the evil lair. The world's atmosphere was so thin as to be non-existent, and as a result the destruction was surreally muted. Ultra Boy scanned the carnage with his penetra-vision just to be sure they weren't leaving anyone else down in that mess, and with a muttered "Back soon!" he zipped off only to return a second later with an unconscious but much more familiar looking Kid Psycho in his arms. Element Lad created a makeshift transuit with enough oxygen trapped within to keep Kid Psycho alive in space, and Ultra Boy rushed him back to their cruiser ahead of the others.

**********

Back on Shanghalla, Element Lad finished narrating his story. "...So it turned out that the machine the Dark Circle used to transform Kid Psycho also had to constantly maintain that form's existence. When Kid Psycho destroyed that base, he also destroyed the machine that was keeping him in his Omega state."

"I'm surprised we've never heard of him before now!" Transposition Lad exclaimed. "Someone powerful enough to take on five Legionnaires that easily..!"

"Unfortunately," Element Lad explained, "It wasn't long after that adventure that we really did call on Kid Psycho as our secret weapon for the first time and he paid the ultimate price. Kid Psycho sacrificed his life to save others; that's who he was, right to the end. A brave, tragic soul who never got the destiny that he deserved." Jan's attention shifted to Wildfire's memorial urn and he continued sadly, "And now, it's Wildfire's turn. Drake and I were never particularly close friends, and he could be infuriating at times, but Drake Burroughs was a hero through and through and I truly believe that they're both in a better place now."

"Well spoken, my friend." Dogstar clapped a warmly glowing hand on Element Lad's shoulder. "Now, shall we rejoin the others?"

The handful of heroes gathered to hear Jan Arrah's tale gave Wildfire's urn one final lingering glance, and then they all followed their teammates away from this place of death.

**********

THE LEGION OF SUPERHEROES MOBILE BASE
Team leader's office


ROLL CALL
Blok: team leader; magically enhanced strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, stamina, wisdom and courage

The stone man named Blok commanded his computer terminal to enter sleep mode and then he sat at his desk in contemplative silence, his head in his hands. Even with the stamina of Atlas bolstering Blok's already impressive physiology, today had been long and draining. The Legion were truly fortunate that the Demon's Claw had elected not to use this whole debacle with Trigon and Scorn to forment trouble with the UP, but to be safe Blok had still sent a preliminary report to Marte Allon. If the Khunds did decide to turn this into a diplomatic incident, it only made sense for the Legion's Manager of Diplomacy to have all the facts she needed at hand. The Legion's records had been successfully updated to note that Dragonmage and Mysa Marvel had returned to the active roster, and that Dream Girl and Star Boy had not. And as for Wildfire...

...Blok would miss Wildfire.

Drake Burroughs, for all his bluster, had accepted Blok immediately as a peer when he'd first joined the Legion of Superheroes. It had taken some of the Legionnaires time to come around to a former member of the League of Super-Assassins joining the Legion's ranks, and Blok didn't blame them for that, but with Wildfire there had never been the detached politeness or even disdain that Blok encountered from some of the others. Not for the first time today, Blok wondered if he should have done more; maybe things would have turned out differently if he had allowed the Espionage Squad or even the Legion proper to investigate Dream Girl's concerns. Maybe--

"Blok?" Dawnstar stood at his open door, uncommonly subdued. "I appreciate that you must be busy...I was hoping we could speak though..?"

"Yes, please come in," Blok waved her inside. "Dawnstar, before you say anything...I want you to know, I am truly sorry for your loss. I have been wondering if I could have done more--"

"Of course you could have done more!" she spat back venomously. She took a breath, steadied herself, and continued more calmly. "But it makes no difference now, and an emotional outburst will help nobody. Blok, I came to ask...to tell you...I need to take an indefinite leave of absence from the Legion of Superheroes. I can't be of use to you in my current state anyway. I will be back, but right now my path is taking me away from this team."

"Dawnstar, please...take as much time as you require." Blok hoped his gravelly voice projected the sympathy he felt for the young woman. "I cannot imagine how you must feel. Do whatever it is that you must to work through your grief, and please know that the Legion of Superheroes is here for you whenever you need us."

"Thank you, Blok." Her large brown eyes became wet with tears. "If the Great Spirit is willing, I pray our paths meet again in better circumstances."

Dawnstar turned and walked back through the base to the nearest turbolift. As exhausted as the day had left everyone, the Legion's home was cold and empty right now and she was grateful for it. She didn't know if she'd have the will to go through with what she needed to do right now if literally anybody at all tried to talk her out of it...because, as her vast white wings carried her away from the Legion's home and she finally allowed her tears to flow freely, Dawnstar knew that this path was insane but it was also the path she needed to take. Dawnstar wasn't leaving the Legion to mourn Wildfire...

...she was going to find him.


**********


EDITOR'S NOTES:
* Brainy is of course talking about the trial of Ontiir, which sets this story just after Tales of the Legion of Superheroes #315 all the way back in 1984!

** Omega was "the living embodiment of all the hate that ever has existed", which is a fine thing to put on your resume when you're a bad guy! Brainy created him when he had a breakdown, using the Miracle Machine back in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Hereoes #250.

With the recent cast shuffling about, I thought y'all might also appreciate an updated roster so here goes!

BLOK (leader)
CHAMELEON BOY
CHLOROPHYLL KID
COLOR KID
COLOSSAL BOY
COMET QUEEN
COSMIC BOY
CRYSTAL KID
DIAMOND DAMSEL
DOGSTAR
DRAGONMAGE
ELASTIC LAD
ELEMENT LAD
EVOLVO LAD
FIRECREST
GAS GIRL
GRAVITY KID
INFECTIOUS LASS
INVISIBLE KID II
KID COMPUTO
KING CANARY
LIFE LASS
LIGHT LAD
LIGHTNING LASS
MATTER-EATER LAD
MON-EL
MWINDAJI
MYSA MARVEL
NEON
NIGHT GIRL
NIGHTWIND
PHANTOM GIRL
POLAR BOY
SHADOW LASS
SHERANEE
SHRINKING VIOLET
SIZZLE
SLUG
STONE BOY
STRUT
SUN BOY
SUPERGIRL II
TELLUS
TIMBER WOLF
TRANSPOSITION LAD
TRUTH GIRL
ULTRA BOY (deputy leader)
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Flames of the Past - 12/16/23 05:32 PM
yay, more!

nice bit of foreboding, with Nura flashing back to 48 hours ago. and "former quarters". yikes! I was hoping they'd rejoin right after, but I can imagine it won't be so easy...

I had a bit of a heart attack when I saw Veilmist's name missing from the roll call of the Sisterhood of Sin! ah, so that's what happened, she just fled... huh. though Kando's memories of her show a possible brighter future for her, anyway. and makes sense she'd run away from the surviving Khunds... Bloodclaw's reaction reminded me she's still a wanted woman

whew, did not expect Lilith to be so angry. though I can imagine: Vista died, after all; and Trigon is terrifying . Poor Kando, as well.

now that I think about it, didn't one of the other Sisterhood members come from a time where Scorn was still alive (and was lovers with Veilmist)? does that timeline still exist, I wonder?

Heh, love it re Nura knowing that Mysa will be fine.

nice discussion and debate here, with some of the more "traditional" Legionnaires demanding justice for Flederweb, while the more pragmatic planetary leader Jeckie recognizes they have no jurisdiction in Khund space. and of course, for the Khunds, Flederweb is a hero

Nimbus really sees White Bat, and saw Vista, as friends eh? things don't look good for the surviving Sisterhood members... I'm with Crystal Kid and Sun Boy, I don't like it.

Sizzle's comment had me a tad confused too. is it related to her upbringing?

well, glad that the Demon's Claw chose less violence, and will let the Legionnaires and company leave...

oh, wow. with everyone saying Wildfire is really gone... really drives it home. but is he?

love the imagery of Star Boy's bodysuit blending in with space!

ah, so that's why Nura's staying away. Good reasoning, a lot did happen. I guess it's also a bit of thinking for Nura, could she have foreseen more details?

also nice bit of growth for Thom, him affirming that he's choosing to be with Nura. I hope this won't haunt him.

poor Dawny...

nice bits here, raz, showing how folks around the galaxy are remembering Wildfire. nice callouts to some relationships that Drake had formed too, like Lamprey.

nice callout, mentioning Quislet too. and hah, it's just like Tasmia to be all indignant!

nice nod to Nightwind, and her time at the Academy under Wildfire's wing (like Lamprey) as well

so Xao and Mysa are back on the team, at least! (not surprised the vote was not unanimous!)

yay! nice seeing Bobbi again, I already love her. I totally get it; being so new, Truth Girl still doesn't know the rest so well. you wrote this all really well, raz; even Zoe is a bit newer, so wasn't that close to Wildfire either.

huh, slightly surprised that Slug and T-Lad don't know Kid Psycho! although, I know he was the Legion's secret weapon for a bit, but I thought his death would have been more publicized. nice segue, transitioning into a flashback! (also nice to see some absent Legionnaires included, like Brainy and Drake!)

heh, LOL at the "we just didn't want to hurt his feelings" bit!

also LOL at Brainy's crack about his 12th level intellect and his eidetic memory.

classic Drake and Dawny as well, with Drake trying to compliment Dawny, and her just getting annoyed lol



and more classic Wildfire, just zooming ahead and taking the fight to the enemy - he does have a point, they've lost the element of surprise...

also another LOL at Jo just zooming off, whereas Brainy thought penetra-vision would be more pragmatic

ouch, Kid Psycho's power packs a wallop!

interesting that Jan is still suspicious of Brainy, though I guess Brainy's earned it with creating Omega and COMPUTO and all that...

love how Brainy is the one who comes up with the plan. and love how Drake just tells Kid Psycho to redirect his anger properly - Drake would know about anger!

great flashback raz, and like how it highlights both Kid Psycho (gosh, I forgot how sad his own backstory was!) and Wildfire.

poor Dawny... makes sense she'd need to step away too...

ah! oh wow. good old Dawny, such a fighter she is. and yeah, I still think Drake is out there somewhere. maybe Trigon zapped him somewhere, who knows...

looking forward to more, more, more, raz!
Thanks for the R&R, IB!

Quote
didn't one of the other Sisterhood members come from a time where Scorn was still alive

Yep! I need to update their profiles at some stage, but Nimbus, White Bat and Vista all came from the same time - in the future they came from, a much older (and coupled up) Scorn and Veilmist recruited them for the Sisterhood of Sin. Which also leads into the point of Nimbus considering White Bat and Vista her friends...I like to think it's not so much that they were all particularly close (although Nimbus is the only one who can communicate with White Bat properly), but they all came from the same era, had their lives saved by Earth-Man, and were dumped in the Legion's time to figure things out...more that Nimbus didn't want to risk losing her last link to what she considers her normal life than them actually being friends in reality.

Sizzle's comment was meant to be confusing, so don't worry - you aren't missing anything! Hopefully things should be a bit clearer after the next instalment smile

I stole the idea of Star Boy's costume blending into the starscape from one of my favourite Legion covers...Keith Giffen was very good when he was good <3

[Linked Image from comicsarcheology.com]

re: Slug and T-Lad not knowing Kid Psycho...after Kid Psycho died in COIE, there was a quick scene in one of the Legion issues where Element Lad, Shady and (I think) Mon-El were talking about his sacrifice and couldn't remember how he died. I figured if the Crisis stole the memory of his sacrifice from the people he was working with, random citizens wouldn't have any reason to know who he was either.

It was fun writing Brainy again, and I thought this was a nice send-off for Wildfire while getting to explore some untouched Legion history.

re: Jan being suspicious of Brainy, for the timeframe I think it fits - it really wasn't that long ago for these Legionnaires that Brainy flipped his lid!

It will be a while before we see where Dawny's path is leading her, but she will definitely pop up again when she's least expected!

Next up: some romantical chemistry has been brewing in the ol' Legion HQ, let's give it a kick start!
yeah I get you, Nimbus calls it "friendship" but, it's a friendship in her own interpretation!

Star Boy's starfield costume is awesome, and one of the top superhero costumes ever!

ah makes sense that COIE would kind of skew folks' memories, nice callback!

and good point re how recent Omega was!



oooh! Sun Boy and Sizzle, maybe??
Hey Raz, glad to see you posting more for us!

"the former quarters..." Start off with aimmediate mystery - former quarters? Oh dear! Nice framing technique there, as Nura prepares for whatever she's away to do and thinks back to her recent advenure... Lillith's anger is understandable, bless her being taken withouther consent to fight against Trigon, I'd be pissed too. Strongarm speaking up was a nice touch, he's usually the dumb strong guy, but he makes sense - it's not the Legion's place to question Flederweb, and they are lucky that the Legion didn't instigate a war. And Jeckie taking charge is well in character. Her repeating that Drake is dead is a worry as I kinda hoped you would have some clever escape clause that meant he survived Trigon's assault. Nimbus and Star Bear starting to get feisty, nicely put down by Echo. Nimbus talking about Vista as being her friend - the Sisterhood never struck me as particularly friendly, but as they had gone through so much together I suppose that builds bonds. Star Bear in the Challenge Courts - sounds about right laugh " sometimes we need a reminder that the universe doesn't care how we feel. Only we do." well said Sizzle! Xao and Nura confirm Drake is gone - but where? Back to his imaginary harem perhaps? He would be happy there and he deserves a bit of fun...

The scenes on Shanghalla were written so well:

- the first scene with Nura's realisation that she is part responsible for losing Wildfire and Thom's choosing to follow her was very poignant. Dawny turning away was particularly sad.
- Chuck and Lu leading a memorial ceremony on Earth that attracted big crowds, great to see the locals turn out to remember their boy.
- Gigi being professional enough to keep an eye out for potential trouble, while being sensitive enough to realise her friends might need her support later was sweet.
- The students being respectful and some of them realising Garth and Imra need space too,
- Nice that you remembered Lamprey and Turtle
- Blok being thoughtful and considering speaking to Dawny was sweet, he's a good egg! Grava was perfect Grava, bless her she's such a sweetheart, and the conversation about Quislet's reactions - hah, the sillies! Does he know something the rest don't, or does he just not understand death?
- I like the friendship you have built around Zoe and Xao, they are such different characters that it's always fun to read what they have to say to each other. Her enthusiasm tempered by his pragmatism is a good mix. And, I wonder who didn't vote for Xao and Mysa?

The scene with Truth Girl and her girlfriend was also quite poignant. Nicely noted that she has been in the team for long and it was a bit much for them - especially as that was Bobbi's first time meeting most of the team - definitely not the happiest of introductions. And, why should the newest team members know of Kid Psycho when the team couldn't remember how he died after Crisis?

Aaagh, ran out of time as am covering for a colleague, will be back later on or tomorrow to finish this!

Great stuff Raz, really nicely written farewells.
So, finally got an hour to myself - this work stuff is really intruding in my me-time laugh

I'll start off by saying I never really took to Kid Psycho, so with that preconception out in the open, I'll crack on smile

Interesting team you chose - Drake and Jo are impulsive brawlers, Brainy and Jan are more thoughtful and Dawny tries to be thoughtful but tends to get dragged into whatever Drake is doing - this should be fun.

Funny that the newer members hadn't heard of Kid Psycho - he was that much of a secret weapon that he was even kept secret from the team! Brainy's quip about 12th level intelligence was fun. Dawnstars frustration at being overtaken - yup, can see that, she's used to being the quickest one around. And then Dawny rushing off, as Drake or Jo would - I take back the comment about her being thoughtful laugh

Element Lad having to free the more hasty of the team doesn't surprise anyone laugh "Exactly!" Wildfire shot back. "So let's say hi!" - he learns nothing from that encounter! Five Legionnaires against a Dark Circle clone army? Never going to be a problem there, is it? And Jo getting cocky, speeding off like that... he never learns either laugh Omega? Ouch, that was unexpected! Ah, should have finished reading that line, Omega mk ii. Jan's little outburst at Brainy was a call back to his feistier self, he did used to snark quite a bit, I kinda miss that tbh. The Dark Circle amplifying poor KP's despair is really cruel and bleak of them. So, come on Jan, reach out and talk him down. Ah well, good try. Love Wildfire's response - "But that's a load of crap, Jan." haha, so Drake! And he gets through when the super spiritual Jan can't, love it! Nuce that in the end, Kid Psycho kinda rescued himself by smashing the controls of the Dark Circle machinery.

That as a sweet ending there Raz, and Jan admitting that he didn't always get along with Drake but would still miss him and knew that he was a hero showed his maturity.

And Dogstar! Yay! I was going to ask to see more of him smile

Blok missing Drake - yup, as infuriating as he could be, he was always a fun character with a heart as big as anyone elses on the team. Dawnstar snapping at Blok was a bit harsh, though again in caracter. She doesn't have the most gracious of filters. And she's going too. I hope she does find him!

This was a very poignant and nicely crafted little section Raz, take a bow. Am looking forward to whatever you have coming next.

More, more, more!
Thanks for the R&R, Harbi!

I am on a bit of a mission to give Strongarm some kind of personality! I don't think he ever even got a name in the comics from memory, he was just Generic Four-Armed Background Cyborg...and Rob Liefield already snatched up 'Forearm' for a codename back in the 90s so I couldn't even give him a cool name laugh

The Sisterhood's definition of friendship is very loose....with Nimbus, it was more that she's attached to White Bat and Vista because they all came from the same future timeline - and as White Bat is mute, Nimbus is the only one she can actually communicate with via radiotelepathy as that technology isn't widespread in the Legion's time yet. I figure that has to give you some kinda bond after a while!

re Zoe and Xao - it's funny, I only made them friends in the first place so I had an excuse to introduce Zoe as a character but now that she's a member of the team I really like writing them together! They are so different from one another!

I wanted to show that scene of Wildfire getting through to Kid Psycho when Element Lad failed because while Jan arguably has a healthier mindset about everything he's been through, I don't think he's actually that good at social interaction. For all that Wildfire banged on about not being human anymore, I think he's maybe the most relatable human being on the team personality-wise (or was anyway, #RIP)

Dawnstar, Dream Girl and Star Boy will all be back at some point but they're gonna all be busy doing their own thing off-camera for a while...

You will be glad to hear that Dogstar will be seeing some action fairly soon though!

But before we get to that...there will be some romantic developments next instalment (and Diamond Damsel gets to punch someone!)
Posted By: razsolo Love's Glow - 12/25/23 12:31 PM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion Academy's Arqiia Campus


ROLL CALL
Chemical Kid aka Hadru Jamik: control of chemical reactions
Variable Lad aka Oaa Tseldor: abilities change with each manifestation

Oblivious to the world around him, Oaa Tseldor sat quietly at one of several study areas in his school library. A clunky circuit-laden headband sat upon his large purple cranium, the Academy's autoteacher program feeding information directly into his brain.

A pair of fingers snapped before Oaa's face, and the young Jaquaan flinched in surprise. Pausing the autoteacher, Variable Lad removed his headband and looked up to see Chemical Kid standing by his side.

"I called out to you like three times," Chemical Kid explained in lieu of an apology. "You were really in the Phantom Zone there, buddy!"

"Hello, Hadru...I'm studying for the Xenomythology test," Variable Lad replied. Oaa was annoyed at the interruption, but far too polite to show it. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"I will probably get some notes off you later on," Chemical Kid admitted, "But that's not why I'm here. I'm actually here to help you!" Hadru pulled up a nearby chair and spun it around, leaning on the backrest as he straddled it from the front.

"Hadru, I am terribly sorry but I am rather preoccupied at the moment. Whatever this is regarding, perhaps you could ask Lullabye Lad..?"

"This'll only take a nano!" Hadru fished around in the pocket of his custom-made overcoat and pulled out his omnicom. Sliding it across the table toward Variable Lad, he continued talking. "Look, I kinda felt like a jerk mouthing off about Enigma Lass when we found out she was a Dominator*...I didn't know you liked her, and you're right; I shouldn't have assumed you'd be into the same looking people as I am. So I got you something, check it out."

Variable Lad looked down at the electronic tablet. On screen was a confirmation receipt for a double pass to the prestigious Science Festival Launch Party taking place on Cadmu in a few standard weeks. Confused, Oaa looked back at his classmate. "Hadru, are you...asking me on a date..?"

Hadru snorted with laughter. "It's for you and Enigma Lass, dope! You know my dad's a big shot scientist, he gets extra tix to these things all the time and I could care less about this snorefest. You and your little girlfriend are the biggest hypernerds in the class though, I figure this has gotta be like a honeymoon on Kathoon for you two!"

"You're very bad at saying sorry, Hadru," Variable Lad gave his fellow student a lopsided smile. "...But thank you, I appreciate the gesture and I am certain we will both have a wonderful time. For what it's worth I am sorry also, for saying that you have a tiny baby head."

"Hey, my tiny baby head's one of my best features!" Hadru winked and readjusted his holospecs as he retrieved his omnicom and stood up to leave. "I'll scan those tix across to your box later today and let you get back to doing my homework for me. Later, Oaa!"

"Goodbye, Hadru." Variable Lad shook his head with mild amusement as he donned the headband again, and spent the rest of his study session lost in thoughts of the Dominator girl who'd captured his affection.

**********

EARTH ORBIT
The Legion of Superheroes mobile base, Fitness Level


ROLL CALL
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Matter-Eater Lad aka Tenzil Kem: can eat inorganic matter in all its forms
Phantom Girl aka Tinya Wazzo: intangibility

...Eleven...twelve!

Tel Vole would never be so gauche as to count his bench press reps out loud, but in his head he felt a sense of accomplishment as his trembling arms replaced the barbell at its resting position and he allowed himself 30 seconds to just lay on the padded gym bench and breathe in and out.

"It's kinda funny that you wear more clothes to work out than you do to fight bad guys." Matter-Eater Lad's familiar voice broke the silence, and Gravity Kid sat up to see that the Bismollian had come here alongside Phantom Girl.

"You only need to get told off once by Dream Girl about leaving sweat all over the benches," Gravity Kid shot back, pulling up the front of his baggy t-shirt to wipe sweat from his face. With equally baggy tracksuit pants covering the lower half of his body, Tel was in fact baring far less flesh than usual. "You two are in costume, do I need to suit up?"

"Not at all," Tinya shook her head. "We've actually got a training session scheduled in 10 minutes with Tellus and Polar Boy...but we saw you'd logged in to use one of the gym programs and thought we'd come in early to have a chat."

"About what..?" Gravity Kid's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Look, I'm sorry about what happened back on Kurszge III** but Dr Skorski said I was just pushing myself a little too hard. She's given me restricted workout and training programs, you can check if you want; I couldn't exceed the limits she's applied for me if I tried. And she said if everything goes well with my physical tomorrow she'll clear me for active duty again--"

Matter-Eater Lad held his hands up in a gesture of surrender. "Whoa, whoa, kiddo...we're not here to check up on you! I mean we are here to check up on you, but it's just out of concern for your wellbeing...you don't have to prove anything to us, Tel."

Gravity Kid remained silent, but a tension seemed to have built between them that wasn't going away on its own.

"Tel..." Phantom Girl took a seat on the shoulder press machine opposite. "Look, it's no secret that you're highly disciplined...that's hardly a fault, we've had two Karate Kids on this team partially because discipline was the closest thing they both had to a power. But you made it onto the Legion because of your actual real power, you're one of us now and you don't need to keep trying to prove yourself."

"That's not...I know that!" Gravity Kid uttered a poor defence.

"Then what is it?" Phantom Girl sat up straight and sighed in frustration. "What's going on with you, Tel?"

"Nothing...nothing that I need help with." Gravity Kid avoided making eye contact with his former team leader.

Matter-Eater Lad and Phantom Girl shared a quick glance, and Tenzil planted a hand on Tel's shoulder. "Look, Kid...I used to second-guess myself all the time when I first joined the Legion; eating pulse guns doesn't seem quite so impressive when half a dozen people on this team can throw planets around. And aside from that, I've been actually properly crazy. I didn't get through either of those things on my own. You don't have to go through whatever you're facing on your own either."

Phantom Girl stood again, and took her place by Matter-Eater Lad's side. "Tel...Wildfire would never admit that he needed help, and we all saw how that worked out for him. You don't need to speak to me or Tenzil, you don't even need to speak to Dr Skorski...but I'm sprocking tired of going to my teammates' funerals, so please speak to somebody." She turned and marched off without expecting a response.

Matter-Eater Lad gave Gravity Kid's shoulder a friendly squeeze and then went after Tinya.

Staying exactly where he was, Gravity Kid watched them both go and let the storm of his thoughts consume him.

**********

EARTH
Metropolis Spaceport


ROLL CALL
Chameleon Boy aka Reep Daggle: Durlan shapeshifter
Colossal Boy aka Gim Allon: growth powers
Diamond Damsel aka Iris Jacobs: living diamond
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: hyperevolution/devolution
Life Lass aka Somi Gan: matter animation
Sheranee Shah: enhanced physical characteristics, night vision, solar-fuelled starbolts, tactile language absorption, animal empathy
Sizzle aka Teela Spuunvll: energy conversion
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation
Timber Wolf aka Brin Londo: super-strength and super-agility

The sky above Metropolis Spaceport was normally dotted with vehicles large and small. Right now, it was empty of anything but clouds touched golden and pink from the setting sun.

The reason for this became abundantly clear as nine flight rings carried nine Legionnaires above the sprawling spaceport. Fire suppression droids were attending to numerous fires throughout the spaceport and there were obvious signs of malicious damage; holes blasted through terminal walls, passenger vessels shot down and crippled, and the remains of Science Police droids scattered about everywhere.

As the most senior Terran member of this squad, Colossal Boy was in a rare position of leadership. "Great galaxies," Gim Allon whistled. "This is...a lot. We're lucky that Naltorian tourist told the SP this was gonna happen, but I wish Shvaughn had given us enough notice to actually stop it instead of just arriving in the middle of it all. I don't even know where to start!"

"If I might make a suggestion," Chameleon Boy offered, "I think Sun Boy and Sizzle are best suited to investigating the many fires, Life Lass can assist with any structural damage, and Evolvo Lad and myself can find and help anyone trapped here. The rest of you should come down on whoever's responsible for this carnage."

"Sounds good, Cham!" Colossal Boy gave his best friend a grateful smile. "Okay everyone, you heard the man...DD, Timber Wolf, Sheranee; you three are with me. From the SP report we picked up on the way here, all of this was one guy's work; the four of us should be able to handle him!"

"I'm sure Officer Erin did the best she could, Colossal Boy," Sheranee said without malice just before the Legionnaires split off into smaller groups. "This is an awful lot of damage though, do you really think the four of us will be enough to stop whoever's behind all this destruction?"

"Don't get me wrong," Colossal Boy answered as he grew to double his size, "I'm not blaming Shvaughn for anything, just saying it's a shame we couldn't have arrived sooner...and you're still fairly new, but don't worry; you'll learn soon enough what a difference four Legionnaires can make!"

**********

Chameleon Boy had taken on the form of a Winathian Eagle for its superior eyesight, and he dived now toward a collapsed terminal a couple of hundred feet below and to the south.

On the ground directing SP emergency response services, Officer Shvaughn Erin might have been unsettled by the sight of a bird of prey with a 12 foot wingspan coming straight at her except for the fact that Life Lass and Evolvo Lad were flanking the beast. As the intimidating creature landed and shifted into the more familiar form of Chameleon Boy, Shvaughn excused herself from duty for a moment and approached the trio of Legionnaires. "I'm so glad the Legion are here, Chameleon Boy!" Shvaughn nodded amicably at both Evolvo Lad and Life Lass and shook Cham's hand. "The Cavalry are all off-planet, I was worried we were going to have a massacre here before we managed to stop him!"

"The three of us are on search and rescue," Chameleon Boy advised her. "But Shvaughn, do you have any idea who did all this? Anything we can tell Gim and the others could make all the difference!"

While Cham and Shvaughn conversed, Evolvo Lad had taken on his hyperevolved form and was quietly instructing Life Lass on rebuilding the damaged terminal; Sev's telepathy was not strong enough that he could make contact with any of the civilians trapped inside to reassure them, but he could at least identify where they were to make sure Life Lass didn't put them at further risk as her power restored the fallen building.

"He's got some tech that messes with surveillance equipment," Shvaughn explained to Cham. "I saw him myself on the way in, but not for long enough to recognise him; Life Lass, you're doing an amazing job by the way! It would have taken us hours to fix even half of that damage!"

Life Lass felt a deep red blush come over her. "Oh! Thank you Officer, but I'm just doing my job," Somi replied in what Shvaughn thought was a surprisingly mousy voice for someone who'd served on both the Heroes of Lallor and the Legion of Superheroes.

"Officer, I have a suggestion," Evolvo Lad addressed Shvaughn calmly. "Perhaps your subconscious mind retains more detail about our villain than your conscious awareness. I have some degree of telepathic talent in my current form. If you have no objections, I could draw his image from your mind and compare it to the Legion's extensive files. You have my word that I will probe no further into your memories than absolutely necessary."

"If it'll help, why not?" Shvaughn shrugged. At Evolvo Lad's instruction, she removed her helmet.

"Sheranee was right in her estimation of you, Officer Erin." Evolvo Lad placed elongated fingers at each of Shvaughn's temples. "Your assistance has been quite exemplary, thank you."

It didn't escape Life Lass's attention that Sheranee Shah was on Evolvo Lad's mind even when she wasn't present, and despite the gravity of the situation Somi Gan allowed herself an almost imperceptible smile...

**********

Sun Boy and Sizzle's respective powers made them the perfect duo to enter every downed shuttle or burning building they came across looking for people to save, or more morbidly, victims to retrieve. Fortunately, Metropolis Spaceport had excellent fire suppression systems in place and they'd not yet made any of the grim discoveries they were half-expecting. Even so, Sun Boy was mildly impressed that Sizzle didn't seem to be at all shaken by all the destruction around them even though she'd barely been a Legionnaire any time at all.

"I gotta say," Sun Boy spoke to his red-skinned teammate as they were on their way to the next flaming shuttle before them, "You're not really fazed by much, are you? Working on Takron-Galtos sure must toughen a fem up!"

"It's not Takron-Galtos that toughened me up," Sizzle laughed. "It's Abaddonus, Sun Boy."

"Your homeworld?" Sun Boy asked. "I don't get it, is it rough there?"

"It's not so much that," Sizzle said before taking a moment to consider her next words. "Tell me, what do you know about the dark lord Asmothe?"

"I know that's twice you've mentioned him now," Sun Boy replied. "...Hey, let's head over to that passenger liner! It doesn't look like any droids have been assigned over there yet and I don't like how that engine's burning."

As they flew over, Sizzle continued. "The short version is...my people believe that the dark lord Asmothe won this realm from our Fallen Creator after a fierce battle, and now we are eternally cut off from the Azmenith - the reincarnation ladder of the multiverse."

She said it so casually that Sun Boy was certain there must be more coming, and was surprised that there wasn't. "You can't just leave it there!" he exclaimed. "I'm going to need the long version, but first we better help these poor folks out."

The passenger liner before them was one of the larger vessels to be using a spaceport on a planet's surface, with three separate levels full of panicking passengers. Dirk instantly deduced that when their mystery terrorist had shot out the vessel's engine and caused it to crash, it must have caused enough electrical and structural damage to prevent the emergency exits from functioning. Now the burning engine was perilously close to exploding, and he could see smoke filling up the space inside the cruiser.

"See if you can convert the flames from that engine into something a little less destructive," Dirk instructed. "I'm going to go burn my way through the cargo hold and get these people out of there."

Sizzle was on the case immediately, turning the heat of the fire into an intense beam of light that she shot straight up into the darkening sky. "Done! And Sun Boy..? Take me out this weekend and I'll give you as long a version as you like."

Sun Boy flew around toward the rear of the craft, unusually flustered. It was a strange feeling to be this thrown by an attractive woman, he pondered while he melted the cargo bay doors, but not an unwelcome one...

**********

"Thanks, Cham!" Colossal Boy spoke into his flight ring before turning to face Diamond Damsel, Timber Wolf and Sheranee flying beside him. "You heard the man...if Evolvo Lad picked Shvaughn's brains properly, looks like we're after Garak of the Glow!"

"This Garak..." Sheranee asked, "Is he called that because he's a glowing Khund..?"

"Got it in one, Sheranee!" Colossal Boy smiled at the new recruit. "Good to see you've been reading our case files!"

"Thank you, Colossal Boy," Sheranee replied. "In this case though, it was more deductive observation...look out!!"

Garak was standing on the hull of a grounded starliner full of terrified passengers. He saw the four Legionnaires descending and took aim at them, firing a devastating beam of radiation straight at them. Sheranee and Timber Wolf dodged the attack easily enough and Diamond Damsel happened to be out of range anyway, but the sickly yellowish energy clipped Colossal Boy's shoulder and burned him badly.

"I'm so sorry, Colossal Boy!" Sheranee exclaimed. "I should have been more clear, I hope you're not badly hurt!" As Sheranee spoke, she easily dodged another blast from the villain who was still far enough away from them all that they couldn't really hear what he was madly ranting at them. Sheranee flew straight at Garak and frowned. "Excuse me, that's exceptionally rude!" She opened fire with a one-handed starbolt and effortlessly knocked Garak off the starliner to plummet into the ground several metres below.

"Nothing some regen-gel won't fix," Gim Allon spoke through gritted teeth, "But sprock me, it burns!" Before he could say more, he heard the telltale drawn out screech of rending metal and a huge shadow fell over him.

"Oh, for..." Colossal Boy turned to see one of the spaceport's ubiquitious mushroom-headed control towers toppling toward him; Garak's last attack had evidently sheared it in two when he'd missed Sheranee. Gim immediately forgot his own scarred shoulder and grew up to the height of a small office building. "Someone call Life Lass!" his voice boomed. "I can hold this till she gets here, but I can't stabilise it on my own! And would you guys stop that maniac before he kills someone?!"

"Don't let him hit you," Timber Wolf growled at Sheranee as the two of them closed in on Garak, "But think about your surroundings too, kid. You got good moves but the rest of the world doesn't have reflexes like you or me!"

Sheranee held back for a moment to watch Timber Wolf in action; as fast and agile as she herself was, Brin Londo's physicality was on another level entirely. He bounced and bounded around Garak, slowing down to present a tempting target only when there was nothing of value around Brin to take damage from the Khund's next attack. To the casual observer, it seemed like it was just pure luck that Garak didn't rip holes into the starliner or explode any fuel tanks as he took pot shots at the acrobatic Legionnaire, but Sheranee could tell that Brin was practically choreographing the fight step by step.

"Curse you, Legionnaires!" Garak raved. "All I wanted was a vehicle to take me to my beloved and some hostages to ensure my safe journey! You and your thrice-damned Science Police are responsible for any violence visited upon this world today!"

With her aerial advantage Sheranee could see that Timber Wolf was leading Garak somewhere, and she had a feeling she knew why. Taking a leaf from Brin's book, she positioned herself so that the risk of collateral damage was minimised as much as possible and then she blew the ground up underneath Garak's feet. "That's a very selective interpretation of events, Mr Glow!" she taunted him as he was thrown head over heels.

Garak's forcefield protected him from anything more than embarassment, and soon the purple-clad Khund was back on his feet. Small green powerpods floating around his body, he fired back at Sheranee who predictably dodged him easily. This time however, his radiation beam simply disappeared into the dusky sky above to eventually fizzle into the ether. "You're a new one, woman! The Glow will turn your bones to ash regardless--"

"Oh, shut the sprock up!" Timber Wolf came hurtling at the Khund feet first, and kicked Garak so hard that the villain rolled undignified across the spaceport until he slammed into something completely unyielding.

Garak stood to collect his wits, and looked upon a woman seemingly made of diamond in a form-fitting pink outfit. "Demon Mother take me, you Legionnaires reproduce like damned arena rats!" He bathed Diamond Damsel in a flare of radiation so intense it turned the upper layer of the spaceport around them into hot metallic slag. When the lethal lightshow was over, Diamond Damsel's costume was in smoldering tatters but she herself was unharmed.

"Sheranee's right, you know." The deceptively petite diamond woman drew back a fist. "You are exceptionally rude." She delivered an uppercut that sent Garak flying into the air, and when he landed at Timber Wolf's feet he was most definitely unconscious.

"Colossal Boy needs me to help evacuate that control tower that Garak trashed while we wait for Life Lass," Sheranee addressed Diamond Damsel and Timber Wolf. "Do you two mind if I leave you two alone?"

"With this loser?" Diamond Damsel had found a weather-resistant tarp to drape around her shredded costume, and joined Timber Wolf by Garak's prone form. "Not a problem at all, Sheranee."

"He didn't hurt you, did he?" Timber Wolf asked Diamond Damsel as Sheranee departed. "Pebblehead would have my gizzards if I let some radiation-spewing moron give you cancer or whatever."

"I don't think diamonds can get cancer, Brin," Diamond Damsel remarked with dry humour. "But thanks for asking." A moment passed, and when Diamond Damsel spoke again she sounded uncommonly pensive. "You know...Blok's really second-guessing whether we should have gone after Wildfire with more force--"

"He shouldn't be," Timber Wolf interrupted bluntly. "Wildfire made his choice. And you guys didn't see what that Trigon creep did to Mysa; I don't know if it woulda made a difference if the whole team had been there, DD."

"That's what I told him," Iris sighed. "But also...I don't know if you know this, but I tried to talk to Wildfire just before he left the team, and..."

"...And lemme guess, you're wonderin' if you did something that drove him away, huh?"

"Maybe not drove him away," Diamond Damsel shrugged, "But I wonder if I could have done a better job of helping him stay. I don't think Blok should blame himself for anything that happened, but I understand why he does because...part of me blames myself too, to be honest."

"Wildfire had somethin' burning in him before he ever joined the Legion," Timber Wolf growled. "I know 'cause I've had that same damn thing burning in me and it's made me an ass to everyone around me when I've let it...and I don't know a lot about you, DD, but I think you know that feelin' too. For a while I thought Ayla fixed that part of me, but that was just me makin' excuses for not wanting to deal with it myself. Nobody fixes that part of us, y'know? People can help us, but at the end of the day....we gotta decide to deal with it ourselves and sometimes we just don't do that. Wildfire didn't deal with whatever was burnin' him up and it was gonna finish burning him up whether Trigon ever reared his ugly head or not. That's not on you."

Silence passed between the two of them for a while before Iris chuckled darkly. "I don't think I've ever heard you say that many words at once, Timber Wolf."

"Yeah, well...don't tell anyone. I got a rep."

They remained in contented quiet together while they waited for their teammates to return.

**********

EDITOR'S NOTES:
* When the Academy kids found out Enigma Lass is a Dominator, Chemical Kid gave Variable Lad what he thought was some good advice about not unintentionally leading her on and was surprised to find out that Variable Lad is actually legitimately attracted to Enigma Lass.

** Gravity Kid pushed himself past the point of exhaustion and fainted in this story
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Love's Glow - 12/25/23 06:05 PM
Hadru had his own style!

Tel is so defensive, and lol at him dressing more conservatively in the gym cause Nura said so

Tenzil and Tinya, inspired pair to get him thinking.


Bless Cham for helping Gim out

Ah Evolvo Lad and his crush. And good of Shvaughn to make a good showing

Glad there aren’t many dead at least

Garak! Hah!

Good of Brin to coach Sheranee! And great job controlling Garak

And good of Brin to share his wisdom too!
Posted By: razsolo Re: Love's Glow - 12/26/23 06:57 AM
Welcome back, IB!

Tel is continuing to handle his stuff very badly, but this is all gonna come to a head soon (and don't worry, nobody's dying this time!)

Events are transpiring that will hopefully give me some room to use Shvaughn more often soon! And there will be some exploration of Evolvo Lad's situation next instalment as well!

I dunno if anyone else liked Garak, but I have a soft spot for the weirdo...he will pop up again sooner or later as well smile

and re Brin: I like getting to write him to his strengths, he's a bit of a grump who's rough around the edges but I don't like how Levitz just turned him into someone who sometimes seemed to be legitimately intellectually impaired at times.

NEXT: Key Kid makes a shocking request! And something I have been looking forward to writing for a while; an adventure on Strut's homeworld!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Love's Glow - 12/26/23 11:38 AM
Stoked for everything coming up, raz! Also curious what Key Kid will do, considering how he was handling his trauma!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: Love's Glow - 01/02/24 03:16 PM
I've been looking forward to having an hour or so to dive in to review you latest posts; here goes!

Your take on Variable Lad and Chemical Kid are both really strong. They are such a fun pairing together, Oaa is so endearing and ernest while Hadru is a total schemey. Nice was to highlight the lack of previous clear communication between them with Oaa totally misunderstanding what Hadru is saying - they obviously don't know how the other operates. "Are you... asking me on a date?" haha. That was a sweet gesture by Hadru, not that he lost out on anything by doing it but at least Oaa potentially gains something.

Why are we all making Tel the moody teammate laugh I blame the costume tbh. I like how Nura scares Tel into wearing clothes laugh That's the opposite effect to what we would expect from her... Tnya and Tenzil checking o on Tel was sweet, also pragmatic as they don't want a teammate to break on them. Am looking forward to seeing what you have planned for him.

The team you've picked for the spaceport action are a good mix of established and new folks, nice! Also, nice to see Gim listen to Reeps advice, he;s a good egg but Gim will never be the brains of the outfit. And is confidence in the team is always good to see. Nice team work between Evolvo and Life Lass, and also it's refreshing that you limit the telepath on the team - I have to hold back from turning all of mine into the ubermensch that fix everything. Though reading Shaughn's unconscious mind to get details of the attacker was a great idea. Life Lasses modesty was cute, nich little bit of characterisation.

I'm really digging your Sizzle, her casualness around britality is a rare thing among newer heroes, usually it's a sign that they will turn bad at some point, though I feel you've a better story than that in mind - hope so, anyway. I'd love to learn more about her planet's belief system and how that affects the population. And, best of all, she manages to fluster Dirk laugh

Garak the Khund, well that was unexpected! Sheranee is still learning, and that's a great trick - dodging and only stopping when you're potentially a target with nothing round about that could cause more damage. Smart thinking, I'm gonna nick that smile "Mr Glow" - ha, made me smile. Brin's concern for DD was sweet too, disguised as worry about what Blok would do... yeah, we se you Brin, you're not the Lone Wolf you make out to be. Very good pep talk from Brin regarding Drake's choices, he hit that nail on the head there, and "I don't think I've ever heard you say that many words at once, Timber Wolf." - haha!

This was fun Raz, I'm looking forward to seeing where the Variable Lad/Enigma Lass date goes, as well as what you have planned for Tel, and the spaceport was a good done-in-one bit of excitement.

As ever, I'm keen for more, more, more!
Posted By: Set Re: Postlo3w stories *LATEST UPDATE 16 DECEMBER* - 01/02/24 07:32 PM
Great stuff Raz! I'm enjoying so many of the rarely seen or explored characters like Dragonmage, Turtle, Sizzle, etc. and your Gim, Reep, Blok, Tinya, etc. all read true to form.

Still loving Diamond Damsel the most of your new Legionnaires!

I have totally forgotten who Sheranee is, tho? Some sort of heightened agility (near Timber Wolf levels) and some sort of blast or explosion generation?
Hi all, sorry it's taken me so long to respond to all y'all comments!

IB: you will not have to wait very long to find out Key Kid's next step at all, I am just about to start writing it in fact!

Harbi: I am glad you liked the Variable Lad/Chemical Kid bit - Chemical Kid and Dragonwing (and even Lullabye Lad to a lesser extent) are such scene hogs that the other Academy kids don't tend to get a lot of time to shine, I am trying to change this up a bit with the focus on some of the others lately smile

Tel is another one whose subplot is about to come to a head, and he is going to get some good advice from an unexpected source!

Sizzle will be getting a proper chance to explain her deal soon as well...I know she has come off a bit odd, but hopefully once she sheds some light on her background it will all make more sense!

Set: Diamond Damsel has come a long way, I am glad you still dig her!

And Sheranee is one of the latest recruits of my huge team - she is half-Tamaranean, with heightened physical characteristics and starbolts (as well as some animal empathy why not)...most importantly she has a very cute pokemon Shwarrian Fire Kitten named Nyabby!

[Linked Image from i.pinimg.com]

She has a bio written up here with a wee bit of extra background info as well!
thanks for the visual Raz! I knew of Litten from bfore, good to know Nyabby is based on one!

and yay! more Key Kid! digging these subplots raz, happy to see some come to a head
Posted By: razsolo DOOMSWARM - 01/27/24 11:17 AM
MARS
Husband Hill, Legion Academy's Arqiia Campus


ROLL CALL
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: hyperevolution/devolution
Gas Girl aka Tal Nahii: can transform into any gas
Life Lass aka Somi Gan: matter animation

In his hyperevolved form, Sev Tcheru was quite comfortable sitting cross-legged on the floor of the Legion Academy's sub-basement surrounded by wiring, data storage crystals, exotic tools and other advanced technologies. Gas Girl and Life Lass relaxed at a table they'd set up nearby, picking from the charcuterie board they'd brought to share while they gossiped away.

To a casual observer, it might seem a strange sight; Evolvo Lad was clearly busy working on some project, one would think it must be a distraction having the two girls here chatting as though they were all at brunch. These three however had lived, loved and lost together since childhood and their dynamic was something unmatched among the rest of their teammates in the Legion of Superheroes. At any rate, it was no effort at all for Evolvo Lad's 14th level intellect to give equal focus to conversation with the women he thought of as family while simultaneously conducting precise quantum equations and pico-welding different particles together to give them new function.

"There were two confirmed casualties," Life Lass reported on her recent outing to Metropolis Spaceport. "Which of course is much better than we were expecting, but it's still terribly sad!"

"I'm sure you being there made a lot of people safer, sweetie." Gas Girl reached over and squeezed Life Lass's shoulder affectionately. "But this Garak guy...Tenzil says he used to be weirdly devoted to the original Emerald Empress, but she's been dead for such a long time! Did you ever find out why he was attacking the spaceport?"

Without any conscious effort, Somi's power made a small knife bounce to life, carve off a sliver of creamy Winathian cheese and delicately place it upon on a dry cracker before presenting it to its mistress. "He just kept ranting about being with his beloved," Somi nodded at the knife in an odd gesture of thanks. "...Poor man, I really hope he gets the psychomedical help he needs."

"Moving on..." Gas Girl's cheeks dimpled with a mischievous smile, "...Sev Tcheru, are you ever gonna get around to asking that Sheranee girl out? Somi told me how you were positively obsessed with her on Earth!"

"Tal!" Life Lass blushed furiously. "Sev, I did not say that--!"

"There is no need for explanation, Somi. I can conjecture almost word for word what you likely said to Tal and how she would have interpreted your no doubt innocuous statement." Evolvo Lad wore the faintest smile, but the monotone of his voice remained consistent. While he telekinetically joined a crystalline tower together with thin copper wiring, he continued talking. "As I have stated previously, my base form does harbour an attraction to Sheranee Shah, but really...what can come of that? I have no such capacity for hormonal stimulation in my current form, and my third state barely has the mental capacity to be considered sapient at all."

"So what I'm hearing is...you've got a crush on her and you're making excuses not to have to act on it." Gas Girl leaned her chin on her fist in an exaggerated pose of intellectual analysis.

Evolvo Lad gently lowered his work to the ground, honed his concentration for an instant, and returned to his normal blond form. "Come on Tal, be realistic. A girl like that is not gonna want to be with someone who's a glorified monkey a third of the time and an emotionless machine another third."

"Please don't say that," Somi seemed almost hurt on Evolvo Lad's behalf. "Anybody would be lucky to be with you, Sev! You're so clever and we both love you--"

"Blah blah blah, not buying it," Gas Girl cut in. "This isn't Lallor, Sev. We're not celebrity freaks here; we're on a team with a dog guy, a fish guy, a bug guy and a slug guy...well, a slug Slug. Anyway, Sheranee's mom is some kinda UP Ambassador or something; there's no way you're the weirdest person she's ever met."

Nobody got to hear whatever Sev Tcheru's comeback was going to be, because a new voice made itself known at the underground room's open doorway. "Umm guys..? What are you doing down here..?"

Gas Girl was the first to respond to the sight of Key Kid standing before them; the young red-haired boy seemed unusually ragged, and Tal quickly grabbed a napkin and used it to house a handful of meats and cheeses for him. "Key Kid! Don't take this the wrong way but you look awful! Are you eating?"

"Miqui, how did you get in here?" Evolvo Lad puzzled. "We asked Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl to declare this area off-limits."

"I've only got one power but I'm good at it," Miqui Ver joked weakly. "What's a privacy barrier to the mighty Key Kid?" He took the food from Tal and picked at the least unfamiliar sliced meat first. "Thanks, Gas Girl. So what are you all doing down here anyway? We don't even use this level!"

"We'll tell you soon," Sev replied, "Assuming it works. But there's a reason I asked for the area to be blocked off, Key Kid. I don't know if this will actually work, and I don't want to build anyone's hopes up till I know for sure."

"Okay, well..." Key Kid took a deep breath and then decided to just commit. "You guys have all run training sessions with us like the rest of the Legion of Superheroes...and you must all know Enigma Lass is a Dominator by now...what do you all think about it?"

"What do we think about Enigma Lass being a Dominator..?" Gas Girl was the first to speak. "Honestly, I feel sorry for her...I can't imagine what she's been through!"

"Tal's right," Evolvo Lad agreed. "That poor girl...she's lived some nightmare that none of the rest of us can possibly understand."

"Then what's wrong with me??" came Key Kid's unexpected outburst, his hazel eyes filling with tears. "Why is everyone else so convinced she's good, and all I can think about is how those diskheads killed Rain Girl and Brittle and made Duplicate Boy into their slave?!"

"Oh, Miqui..." Life Lass summoned a spare seat to nudge Key Kid gently, and as soon as he sat down she hugged him vicariously through the chair's armrests. "I wish we knew about Enigma Lass before you kids found out so that we could have been there for you. This must be so hard for you and Ming, but Enigma Lass isn't a part of what happened to you and the others. She's a victim as much as you were."

"That's what Amp said!" Key Kid was crying by now, wiping tears from his eyes with his closed fists. "And now...and now I made Amp hate me, and..and...why can't I just deal with it like you all have? What's wrong with me??"

Evolvo Lad stood up and walked over to Key Kid, then squatted on his haunches so they could both be on the same level. "Hey, Key Kid...Miqui....there's nothing wrong with you, believe me. There are things you don't know that I think would probably make a big difference in the way you feel right now, but even bearing that in mind...you're not a bad person because you struggle to deal with trauma. That's just part of life."

"It's just..." Key Kid almost hiccuped, taking irregular breaths until he calmed himself down enough to talk again. "Nobody talks to me anymore, you know? They all think I'm some...some xenophobe, and I don't wanna be that, but I look at her and all I can think about is what those sprocking diskheads did to us! If you guys really think I shouldn't hate her, then I wanna try but I can't do it on my own!"

While Gas Girl and Life Lass shared a sympathetic look, Evolvo Lad felt a lump in his throat watching the youngest Lalloran hero suffer like this. "It's okay, Miqui," Sev's tone was intentionally soothing. "Nobody has to do anything on their own, we're all here for you."

"I'm glad you said that," Key Kid snuffled, collecting himself as he sat up straight. "Your future form has got telepathic powers...

...Evolvo Lad, can you...change my mind so I can just think about Enigma Lass the same way everyone else does?"

**********

MANTODEA
The Central Mound


ROLL CALL
Crystal Kid aka Bobb Cohan: crystal construct creation
Dogstar aka Rufus Remulus: Daxamite-level flight, strength, speed, durability, stamina, senses; solar vision
Gravity Kid aka Tel Vole: gravity manipulation
Infectious Lass aka Drura Sehpt: disease transmission and immunity
King Canary aka K'rk T'wiiu III: sonic generation
Lightning Lass aka Ayla Ranzz: electricity generation and manipulation
Night Girl aka Lydda Jath Krinn: photosensitive super-strength
Nightwind aka Berta Skye Haris: wind control
Shadow Lass aka Tasmia Mallor: darkness generation
Slug aka Kes Mtsto: inertron form and projectiles
Strut: electrochemical perceptions, insectoid physiology
Tellus aka Ganglios: telepathy and telekinesis

With Mantodea's enormous red sun painting everything in crimson highlights, the descending Legionnaires couldn't help but notice that Strut's homeworld was a lot less technologically advanced than many of the heroes were accustomed to. High rise mounds jutted forth from the cracked desert floor like skyscrapers grown from the dirt itself; there were few windows carved into these structures, and not much of a view for those balconies and windows that did exist. While hardy flowering vines grew up and around the various mounds and the occasional cactus grew from the scorched earth, there was precious little other vegetation otherwise. Aside from boulders of various sizes littering the landscape and the occasional butte or ravine, there was in fact very little to see here on Mantodea. If Strut hadn't already warned them all what to expect, they might very well assume that no intelligent life existed here at all.

Taking up the rear of the group, Shadow Lass and Night Girl took shelter from the blazing sun beneath an umbrella-like field of darkness. "This once in a lifetime threat that Strut's called us here for..." Night Girl wiped sweat from her brow, "I'm not sure he needed so many Legionnaires, Tasmia...how much of a threat could anything here possibly be? Other than this heat, anyway..!"

Shadow Lass's response was perhaps a little more considered than Night Girl might expect. "I don't know, Lydda...Talok VIII is a desert planet too, remember? I know what dangers can lurk in sun-baked places like this. And I know Strut plays at being the fop, but after sparring with him I think there's more going on beneath that shiny carapace than people give him credit for. If Strut thinks we need a force this large, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now. I can increase my shadow field if that will help..?"

"It's okay, I'm just being a grumpy sulk because it's so hot and bright here," Night Girl admitted begrudgingly. "...I'll survive, but thank you."

"I couldn't help but overhear," Nightwind hung back to converse with Shadow Lass and Night Girl, with Tellus accompanying Berta as well. "Why don't you ladies upgrade to join me and Tellus here in the cool breeze lounge?" Nightwind's power washed over all of them with a gentle motion that, while not much colder than the still air around them, was definitely a little more pleasant.

"I was right to recruit you, Berta...you're a wonderful Legionnaire." Night Girl visibly relaxed as she gave Nightwind a contented smile.

"Legion of Superheroes!" A voice from below boomed, "Welcome to Mantodea! I will be your host today, my United Planets designation is Marta Martassen!" The Mantodean who'd spoken, while still insect-like in appearance, could not have looked more different from the flamboyantly colorful Strut. Marta Martassen stood easily nine feet high, and several feet broad. Her dull grey carapace was much more visibly armoured than Strut, making her resemble a kind of organic six-limbed tank.

Marta stood at the highest balcony of the highest mound, and she was flanked by two equally intimidating guards with weapons that looked somewhat like staff-mounted maces. All three of them had slight variations in their plated armour, but they were very clearly cut from the same mold. Taking the lead on behalf of the Legion, Lightning Lass touched down on the balcony before Marta and bowed curtly. Harmless but visibly noticeable sparks of electricity flashed from Ayla's eyes as she greeted their host. "Thank you for taking the time to meet with us, Marta. When Strut told the Legion that we were needed here, we were of course only too happy to offer our help."

The imposing Mantodean woman didn't acknowledge Strut's presence at all, and in fact seemed to address Ayla as the sole representative of the group. "Of course we are capable of dealing with internal matters alone," Marta's mandibles clacked together as she spoke, "But it would be ungracious of us not to acknowledge your presence. Please accompany us into the Central Mound and we will provide a full situation report."

"I don't get it," Crystal Kid half-whispered to Nightwind as the Legionnaires entered the enormous mound. "Isn't it customary for Legionnaires to lead any mission on their own homeworld? Why isn't Strut taking point on this one?"

"Trust me, darling," Strut leaned down to join the conversation with his much shorter teammates. "This way is going to be much less painfully awkward for all of us...Legionnaire or no, I don't really have the most sterling reputation back home and Lightning Lass literally crackles with the raw power that these dreadful bores respect. We'll have this business done so much faster if we just play along with their silly politics for now."

There was next to no light once they started moving inside the mound; the Mantodeans did not rely on sight as their primary sense, and their electrochemical perceptions could more than compensate. Night Girl and Shadow Lass were grateful for the darkness and the much more noticeable drop in temperature, and Slug and Tellus found themselves less disadvantaged than some of their teammates thanks to the conditions they'd evolved to adapt to on their own respective planets. While King Canary was confident that his echolocation ability could serve him well here, he was also aware that it might not create the best impression if he were to be flitting about chirping incessantly; the avian Legionnaire instead perched on Strut's armoured shell and let Strut guide the way. For the others, Dogstar subtly enhanced his own natural golden aura to cast enough light that at least the Legionnaires wouldn't be stumbling over themselves.

"I'm not certain what I expected your world to be like," Infectious Lass confided to Strut, "But I don't think it was anything like this. Everything seems so...sparse and utilitarian! No offence meant of course, it's just that you're not like that at all..!"

"What a lovely thing to say about me!" Strut responded. "Why, thank you darling! Between you and I, the region where I was hatched is actually much prettier than this dull expanse of dirt but you're regrettably correct in your assessment of my world as a whole. And of course, you're also correct that I'm far more glamorous!" He spoke this part just loudly enough to be picked up by Marta and her two guards; while they didn't respond in any way that the other Legionnaires would notice, Strut was quietly tickled to register the spike of annoyance that came from the three of them.

The hallways of the Central Mound were somehow claustrophobic while still being large enough to easily fit all of the Legionnaires. Infectious Lass's assessment had been accurate; the building was quite devoid of any ornamental touches, and the only noticeable features were the tunnels that veered off at regular intervals deeper into the mound. Skittering Mantodeans could be heard from within those tunnels, but the path that Marta led them down was curiously empty of any other living beings.

After a while, the Mantodean women led the Legionnaires into a chamber with several vastly different insectoid exoskeletons suspended in vertical tubes around the room and some kind of bio-technological computer equipment grown up in various spaces around the chamber. Marta introduced this place as the Central Mound's Science Hub, and provided the Legionnaires with specialised visors developed by the Science Police to help off-worlders interact with the Mantodeans' unique technology. Strut of course needed no such assistance, and the visors were impractical for the less humanoid Legionnaires such as Tellus, Slug and King Canary. Tellus established a surface-level mind link between those three and Strut, and they all paid attention as Marta described the threat they'd been brought here to face.

Of course, they'd all heard a slightly more sensationalised version of this debriefing from Strut on the way here; The Doomswarm (the name itself more a product of overly literal translation than anything else) were an army of the dead which periodically caused chaos on Mantodea. For centuries, the Doomswarm were seen as a supernatural threat in the same vein as zombies or vampires, but advances in technology brought greater comprehension of the threat, and the Mantodeans now realised that their ancient enemy was in fact nothing more than a kind of fungal hive-mind which inhabited and animated the hardy exoskeletons that Mantodeans left behind when they died. The Doomswarm might lie dormant for decades, but then some unknown stimulus always brought them to something resembling life, and the army of corpses marched tirelessly upon any and all Mantodeans they could find to add to their number.

The Mantodeans preferred to deal with internal threats internally, and so it was that even the Science Police stationed upon this world had been politely but firmly advised that the recent appearance of the Doomswarm around Mantodean desert settlements was nothing for them to concern themselves with. Strut had an acquaintance who lived in one of those settlements however, and the Mantodean matriarchy found it far more difficult to diplomatically refuse assistance brought to their world by one of their own, even if one of their own in this case was a social outcast here.

"...And there you have it," Marta completed her description of the monstrous invisible growth which led this world's own dead to rise against them. "The Doomswarm are a serious threat, but not one that we are incapable of handling. We have the finest warriors in Mantodean society ready to put their lives on the line to protect the men and larvae of our cities when next the Doomswarm rise."

"But...you don't need to do that at all!" Lightning Lass couldn't quite hide her exasperation. "This is exactly the kind of thing that the Legion of Superheroes exist to help with! We can handle this Doomswarm force without any need for your people to put themselves at risk, Marta!"

"Lightning Lass is right," Strut forgot himself for a moment. "Please, Marta, listen to her...we all know the bravery and skill of Mantodean women, you don't need to kill yourselves to prove that."

"We also don't need one of our men dictating military policy to us," Marta retorted with barely restrained disgust. "Perhaps you somehow have value to the Legion of Superheroes but do not forget your place here, John Johnsonson."

"Marta..." Shadow Lass stepped forward, choosing her words carefully, "Please...we understand that you don't need our aid, but now that we are here, we would like to help nonetheless. It would be an honour if you would allow us to accompany your best and brightest out into the field to face this threat, and it will allow you to devote the majority of your forces to protecting those of your people who need protection most. I myself am the planetary champion of my own world, and I understand pride and self-reliance only too well; but I also understand the importance of using your resources effectively...and how often will you have resources like the Legion of Superheroes at your disposal?"

Marta thought on it for a moment before turning to the two women who'd accompanied her so far. "Shadow Lass has a point...Aerande, I want you to come with me; together, we will lead our Legion allies to the Doomswarm. Felisz, you are to take John Johnsonson to the Hatchery with the other men and larvae. You will lead our remaining forces to keep our men and young ones safe at all costs."

"But Marta--!" the one named Felisz began to argue.

"You have your orders!" Marta cut her off.

"And not too soon it seems," Dogstar spoke up. "Forgive me for interrupting, but I hear a situation that warrants our attention if I'm not mistaken."

"Dogstar's right!" One of the Science Police gaped, reading a live newsfeed. "The Doomswarm have just been spotted on the outskirts of a town in a valley a dozen or so miles from here...you heard them?!"

"Who knew..?" King Canary couldn't resist a jab at the Mantodean women as he alighted from Strut to flit toward one of the vents above. "I guess men ain't all a waste of time, huh?"

Lightning Lass paused for a moment before joining the rest of her team in finding a more appropriate exit than the smaller opening King Canary had used. This was Strut's homeworld, and she trusted him to speak up if he needed help, but still...something didn't sit right with her, leaving Strut here alone with these women who dismissed his very existence. "Wait. Crystal Kid, Gravity Kid; I want you two to stay back with Strut...you might be needed here."

Echoing the Mantodean woman a moment earlier, Crystal Kid began to protest.

"You can rely on me, Lightning Lass," Gravity Kid spoke up pointedly. "I won't let you down."

Behind Gravity Kid, Crystal Kid rolled his eyes. He also ceased his protest though, not wanting Tel to look better at his expense.

As Strut, Gravity Kid and Crystal Kid followed the woman named Felisz off in another direction, Bobb Cohan sidled up alongside his insectoid teammate with an amused smirk. "Strut...your real name is John Johnsonson??"

"...Ugh, I just knew this trip home would be a chore..." Strut's mandibles clicked irritably.

**********

At first, neither of the Mantodean women were particularly comfortable being borne aloft by Tellus's telekinesis but they soon realised that it was the only pragmatic transport option. The Legion's flight rings could cover the distance between the Central Mound and the ravine settlement bizarrely named Verdant Valley much quicker than Marta or Aerande could manage on their own.

"This is Verdant Valley?" Nightwind asked as they descended from the cloudless azure skies. "Don't take this the wrong way but it's not very...verdant..?"

With great cliffs on either side, structures similar to the mounds they'd just seen emerged from the desert floor. These were built into and along the walls of the ravine however, and the only entrances were several stories high. From either side of the small village, vast numbers of Mantodeans fell upon the town in unsettling volumes.

"The valley was once far more lush than it seems now," Marta explained, "But the seasons have not been kind these past years...Tellus; we appreciate your assistance, Legionnaire, but please lower us to the ground now that Aerande and I might fulfil our duties to our people!"

Tellus obeyed, and the two Mantodean women fearlessly charged into the dust-streaked army closing in on either side of the town. As Marta drew her own twin weapons that the Legion now realised had been hidden beneath armoured plates this whole time, Lightning Lass pulled up alonside Tellus. "This Doomswarm...they really are dead, right Tellus? I don't want to go in blasters pulsing if there's any chance of us seriously hurting anyone."

"The Mantodeans are correct in their analysis," Tellus reported. "The fungi animating these exoskeletons does not possess even a rudimentary consciousness and the people that these shells once housed are long gone, Lightning Lass. However, if you will excuse me, there are some within that mass who yet live and will not do so for long without my assistance."

Without waiting for permission, Tellus veered off from Lightning Lass and descended low enough over the Doomswarm that some of their reaching limbs could almost brush against his thick hide. The Mantodeans' natural form of communication was not overtly verbal, and it hadn't occurred to the innocents huddling for their lives within this awful mess to cry out for help. Tellus had sensed their panic among the dead like a beacon in the dark though, and the Hykraian's telekinesis easily locked onto the bright yellow shell of the terrified Mantodean man who'd been bent double over four small worm-like larvae bravely shielding them from the Doomswarm that had overcome them all.

<You are safe now>, Tellus soothed the man and his children telepathically as they levitated above the maddening swarm of corpses. As Tellus whisked his precious cargo away to a safe distance, he projected his thoughts out to the rest of his team. <This Doomswarm is not alive in any meaningful sense, Legionnaires...do not feel it necessary to hold yourselves back!>

"These guys are getting a little too close for my comfort," Nightwind remarked as she tore two of the Doomswarm from the walls of the Mantodean residences with focused winds. She sent them tumbling back into the larger mass of invaders, knocking over several more of them.

"Are you having any difficulty refining your power in this enclosed ravine, Nightwind?" Tellus asked as he swept past Berta with his passengers in tow.

"Sweet of you to ask," Nightwind replied, "But no, believe it or not...this place is kind of a natural wind tunnel! If I weren't worried about carrying half of you along for the ride, I could probably tornado most of these creepy things out of here in a nano to be honest!"

"I'm glad you're having more luck than I am," Infectious Lass admitted, a look of intense concentration upon her face.

"I guess insect zombies don't fall prey to the flu easy, huh?" Nightwind asked while she sheared another few of the Doomswarm away from exposed building doorways.

"It's not that," Drura explained, "I mean no they don't, but I expected that...but I also thought that maybe the fungi animating the exoskeletons would have a vulnerability I could exploit and it seems they're almost as well adaped to dealing with small life as I am! They're teeming with mycoviruses, but none of the mycoviruses I've come across so far actually cause any damage to their host fungus!"

"Well, keep trying!" Nightwind encouraged her. "If you can stop all this without any more violence, that would be--oh!"

Nightwind and Infectious Lass both fell silent as the blazing sun above them vanished behind a wall of pure darkness. They both realised almost instantly that Shadow Lass was responsible, but as harmless as they knew Tasmia Mallor's power was they couldn't deny that it was certainly dramatic.

On the ground, tearing into the Doomswarm with multiple weapons, Marta's lieutenant Aerande cocked her head. "Did it...just get dark?" she asked, tearing a limb off of one of the creatures purely with her own strength.

"It is my doing," Tasmia Mallor declared somewhat coldly from above. She hovered in place, shrouded not only by her power but also by her voluminous cape and the wild mane of hair which framed her blue face. This was as close as Shadow Lass could stomach getting to these creatures; on Talok VIII they revered their ancestors, and while Shadow Lass understood that this Doomswarm was composed of only the soulless shells of the Mantodean dead, she still couldn't imagine herself being so blase about fighting her own world's deceased.

"The Doomswarm sense the world as do we living Mantodeans!" Aerande bellowed. "Your shadows do not faze those who sense the bioelectric emanations of all living things!"

"My shadows are not for their detriment," Shadow Lass decreed a little imperiously. "...They're for her benefit."

Safely beyond the outskirts of Verdant Valley and well within the boundaries of Shadow Lass's darkness, Night Girl dug her gloved hands into the unforgiving ravine walls. With only the mildest grunt Lydda Jath Krinn pulled countless thousands of tons of rock straight down upon the Doomswarm, burying almost half of them in a grave that this time they would not escape.

On the other side of Verdant Valley where sunlight still reigned, one of the Legion's newest recruits Slug heard Night Girl bring the cliff face down and Slug's eyestalks turned to see the impenetrable wall of darkness hiding whatever was going on over there. "Lightning Lass? Should the Legion be worried about all that?"

Lightning Lass took a quick glance and winked at Slug. "Nah, that's just Shady and Night Girl showing off...it's good for them not to let Mon and Cos hog all the fun for once." As she spoke, Ayla let loose with an intense bolt of electricity which incinerated a couple of the Doomswarm outright and electrocuted a dozen more of them. "Speaking of which...I gotta say, boys; it's good to just be able to let loose for once, right?"

Marta was astounded as she took a moment from destroying the lifeless creatures before her to gaze up at Dogstar, King Canary and Slug. While Dogstar's solar vision cut through the Doomswarm like a hot knife through butter and King Canary's sonic cry shattered many more of them, Slug was firing cannonball-sized inertron projectiles at a velocity that tore the Doomswarm to shreds. "You're all men..?" the Mantodean woman uttered in shock. "I just thought, as powerful as you all are..."

"Oh, Slug isn't a man!" the limbless Legionnaire replied joyfully, shooting forth another rain of deadly inertron spheres at the diminishing enemy.

"So you are a woman!" Marta concluded, happy that she still somewhat understood the world.

"Slug isn't a woman either!" Slug replied just as cheerily. "Slug is Slug!"

Marta returned her focus to the Doomswarm. These off-worlders were a constant source of surprise to her...at least here on Mantodea, everything remained comfortably predictable forever.

**********

Felisz had gathered more than a dozen other Mantodean women to her side and escorted Crystal Kid, Gravity Kid and Strut down to the very lowest subsurface level of the Central Mound where they entered a large cavernous space named, for obvious reasons, the Hatchery.

The Hatchery was a marvel to Gravity Kid and Crystal Kid; on four or five open levels throughout this massive space, brightly coloured Mantodean men hovered protectively over gelatinous piles of eggs or tended to the equivalent of Mantodean children - small armoured worm-like larvae which bore no resemblance to the adults they would one day become. Another difference was clear in this place compared to anywhere else they'd been; bioluminescent moss clung to the damp rock walls in this cool space, providing a kind of ethereal green tinge to everything its light fell upon.

"Don't ever let it be said that I have a soft spot for these urchins," Strut addressed Crystal Kid, "But I suppose we'd best do what we can to keep them safe. Could you be a dear and make sure all of the entrances and exits are blocked up, just in case?"

"Sure thing, John." Crystal kid gave Strut a cheeky wink and flew off to begin erecting crystal barriers wherever the Hatchery had a corridor branching off.

"I suppose you think you're making some kind of point," Felisz spoke down in obvious condescenscion at Strut. While Strut towered over most of his teammates in the Legion, here on his homeworld he was like a stick insect before any one of these warrior women. "Undermining my authority in front of your offworlder friends?"

"I'm sure I couldn't bring myself to care enough to try and undermine you," Strut retorted. "I'm just trying to protect our people like we all are, Felisz."

Felisz shared some unspoken Mantodean sentiment with Strut before she turned back toward the women under her command here. Gravity Kid floated up beside Strut, speaking low enough so as not to draw attention. "It's not right the way they treat you, Strut...you're a Legionnaire and they act like you're an embarassment to them all."

"Believe me, darling," Strut replied, "It's not worth making a song and dance over...I only need to tolerate this for as long as it takes our friends to deal with the Doomswarm and then universe willing, I'll never have to come back to this horrid little world again."

Strut and Gravity Kid heard a strained cry that they immediately recognised as coming from Crystal Kid. While Gravity Kid used his flight ring to ascend to a balcony far above their heads, Strut ran along the wall almost as quickly. Felisz and two of her soldiers skittered up the wall after them, and all of them found Bobb Cohan laying in a pool of his own blood, the faded exoskeleton of one of the Doomswarm standing over him with its pincer-like mandible buried in his abddomen. Huddled against the rock wall only feet away, a red and black Mantodean male chittered in terror while attempting to keep his pile of eggs hidden from the undead monster.

"Get -- get away from him!!" Tel Vole's voice broke with emotion as his control of gravity sent the Doomswarm creature flying back down the darkened corridor from which it had come.

"Darling," Strut laid a hand on Gravity Kid's shoulder. "I suspect you can't see them, but there are two more of those beastly creatures coming down the same passage..."

"Not for much longer," Gravity Kid scowled. He extended an arm, palm up, then closed his hand into a fist. The tunnel followed suit, bringing tons of rock together to close in on itself with the Doomswarm in the middle. Sickening cracks told Tel and Strut that Gravity Kid's move had the desired effect.

"He's losing a lot of blood!" Tel shouted, kneeling down by Crystal Kid's pale form. "Too much! You, Felisz! Crystal Kid needs medical attention now!"

Felisz had caught up to the Legionnaires, and she gazed dispassionately upon Bobb's bleeding form. "We have no medical facilities capable of treating your people," she replied. "Not for injuries this serious at any rate...your teammate's sacrifice will not be forgotten, Legionnaire."

"There's not going to be a sacrifice!" Tel gritted his teeth. "I should have been here, I should have backed him up...but I can help him now!" The telltate blue nimbus of Gravity Kid's power surrounded Crystal Kid's wound, and Bobb's blood simply stopped gushing out.

"Gravity Kid, darling..?" Strut asked, unsure of what his senses told him was happening here. "What are you..?"

"I've been practicing," Tel explained, already breaking out into a sweat. "I've got way better fine control of my power now than I did when I first joined the Legion...I can use gravitational attraction to make sure Bobb's blood keeps flowing the way it's meant to...but I can't keep this up indefinitely, Strut. I don't think I can even keep it up very long. You have to call Dogstar, get him to come back here as soon as he can and take Bobb back to our ship."

"Of course, darling. I--" Strut saw Felisz share some kind of communication with the women who'd accompanied her here, and then the women all began crawling back down the wall toward the ground. "And where are you ladies going, if I may ask?" Strut called after them. "None of you are exactly built for stealth, you know!"

"We're breaking down one of these crystal walls and we're going to go out there and fight the enemy!" Marta hollered back. "If a few of the Doomswarm made it this far, who knows how many have infested the Central Mound?"

Strut began crawling down after her, but remained close enough to keep an eye on Gravity Kid and Crystal Kid. "I know as well as you that you have communications technology here you can use to monitor the rest of the Mound...and Marta gave you a direct order to guard these people, Felisz. What is this really about?"

"You know what this is about!" Felisz roared back. "Our place is out there fighting, destroying these creatures...not hiding in here with men and children!"

"These men and children need you, Felisz. This world breeds our men to tremble before danger, you know how much they rely on your protection!"

"We're leaving here, John Johnsonson, and you won't stop us."

Strut considered his options, and then realised he only really had one option that this woman would accept. "Oh, Felisz...I will try not to embarass you too greatly in front of your cronies."

"Strut, what are you--" Gravity Kid craned his neck to watch Strut scurry away. "I can't help you, Strut! If I leave Crystal Kid alone--"

"I don't need your help, darling." Strut made his way down to the ground level where he stood on two limbs to face Felisz. "I'd hoped to talk sense into her, but one doesn't talk sense into someone so senseless...perhaps it's time I show this oaf the skills that got me off this backward planet and into the Legion of Superheroes to begin with, hmm?"

Felisz threw her weapons aside and charged Strut. Strut noticed that the other women were all hanging back, expecting some brief entertainment and nothing more. As he scurried between Felisz's legs and came up behind her, he was glad that the Mantodean women underestimated him and he was glad that their sense of honour wouldn't allow them to rush him as a group. He was confident that he could handle two or three of the women armed or unarmed without too much effort, but as talented a fighter as he knew he'd become he didn't like his chances taking on a dozen of these fighting machines all at once.

Felisz spun with surprising speed, but Strut was faster. He had already climbed up her broad armoured back, leaving her momentarily disoriented as to where he could have gone. She felt even his minor additional weight though, and she tried to slam him in between herself and the hard rocky wall. Strut of course had anticipated this, and he leaped clear over Felisz's head before she could throw her full weight into the wall.

As he came down in front of her, two of Strut's appendages lashed out and slapped hard against Felisz's multi-faceted eyes. The Mantodeans might not rely on sight as their primary sense, but their eyes were still enormous vulnerable targets perched right in the middle of their heads. Felisz emanated a biochemical signature of utter shock, and Strut pushed his advantage by striking two precise blows right at the base of her antennae.

"You--you--" Felisz staggered off-balance now....her antennae were temporarily overwhelmed by pain and she still had stars dancing in her line of sight. At this point, taking her down was almost embarassingly easy. One limb at a time, Strut dislocated the joints of the two appendages which were holding her upright. Felisz fell to the ground lashing out wildly, and Strut expertly chopped at a tendon hidden beneath two of the armoured plates covering her mighty chest. Kicking her easily over to her back, Strut watched with more than a little vindicated glee as the half-paralysed woman struggled fruitlessly to roll back over on to her front and help herself up. "I'll kill you, Strut! I'll kill you!!"

"Well, at least I got you using my preferred name after all of that," Strut said breezily. "But you won't kill me, Felisz...and you will be up and about in a matter of minutes as though nothing ever happened. I didn't want to cause you any long-term injuries because I meant what I said earlier...you and your soldiers are needed here to help these people under your care. I trust I've made my point however? Or do one of you other ladies want to find out just how much time I have to expel built up resentments today?"

"...We follow Marta's orders," Felisz eventually announced to her soldiers. "Patrol the Hatchery...make sure no more of the Doomswarm get in here."

Strut hung around just long enough to be sure that the women were going to do as they'd been told, and then he retreated back to his fellow Legionnaires.

He found that Gravity Kid had drawn himself and Crystal Kid closer to the balcony's edge so Tel could watch the fight while he kept Bobb from bleeding out. "Strut, that was amazing!" Tel enthused. "...and here I am, screwing up everything I touch. Maybe I should have stayed in the Academy, I...I don't think I'm Legion material."

"Darling, what on Mantodea are you talking about?" Strut paused, having just been about to call Dogstar. "You're a fine Legionnaire! Why, you're keeping Crystal Kid alive right now, aren't you?"

"Yeah, but...I should have anticipated something like this would happen. I should have stopped it. If I was...if I was a real hero--"

"Tel Vole, I absolutely will not hear this nonsense from you!" Strut crawled down on all six limbs opposite Gravity Kid so he could face the kneeling youngster. "Now what do you mean if you were a real hero? What makes you think you're anything but a real hero? You're not Dream Girl, darling...you couldn't possibly be expected to have foreseen that one of those awful creatures would make it this far and hurt Crystal Kid the way they did! But you're ensuring that Crystal Kid stays with us...I certainly couldn't do that!"

"If Ultra Boy were here..." Tel countered weakly, "Or Mon-El...even Wildfire was more of a hero...more of a man than I'll ever be, and he was made of energy!"

"Ah, there it is." Strut picked up on the truth that Gravity Kid had inadvertantly let slip. "This isn't about being a hero at all, is it? Do you really think you're less of a man because you can't benchpress a planet or burn your way through a starfighter, Tel darling?"

Gravity Kid looked away darkly. "...You wouldn't understand."

"Darling." Strut's voice, even artificially modulated as it was, dripped sarcasm. "If you really think that I don't understand what it's like to confront antiquated gender roles, you haven't been paying attention to a single thing that's happened here today."

Long moments of silence passed between them, and Tel finally looked across at Strut with pleading eyes. "How do you do it, Strut..? How do you make it look so easy..? You just...you don't care what anyone thinks of you, and me...I can't move under the weight of all that expectation, I can't breathe. I have to try to be the best man I can be, every sprocking second of every single day, because the one time I slip...the one time I slip, I know they're all judging me, they're all saying I'm not a real man, that I never was a real--" Emotion overcame Tel Vole, and he awkwardly cleared his throat to hide it.

"Oh Tel...you poor silly darling boy." Strut's tone was as mocking as ever, but it somehow now seemed to carry something protective in it at the same time. "Do you think it isn't difficult for me to come back here? To walk among women who think I'm play acting at something I can never be, and men who might as well be from a different dimensional plane for all that we have in common? I hate it, darling. I hate every moment of it. But I do it because it's the right thing to do, and the thing that gets me through this tedious experience is that ultimately...it doesn't matter what anybody here thinks of me. It doesn't matter what anybody in the Legion thinks of me. I don't need anybody else's approval to be who I am. I only need to know that I know who I am. And I do. I am a man of my own making...perhaps not so literally as you, my darling, but still and all. I woke up one day and I said I am not going to let the judgement of other people stop me from being who I know I really am. Every day I remember that, and every day I fight for that.

You're not a man because anybody else thinks you are, Tel Vole. You're a man because you know you're a man...and the more you understand that, the more I think you'll see that your own judgement is holding you back far far more than anybody else's is. Nobody expects you to be half as stoic or flawless as you expect of yourself."

Tel's eyes welled with tears, and he wiped at them with the back of his hand. "Wait," he suddenly grew serious. "Did Bobb tell you I'm...?"

"Darling, Crystal Kid told me nothing that is yours to tell," Strut reassured him. "But if you think I don't know the chemical signature of promasc in a man's perspiration, you have vastly underestimated how amazing my electrochemical perception is."

Gravity Kid was taken aback for a brief moment, before he broke the tension with a boyish giggle.

"Now let me call Dogstar to come fetch our attention-seeking friend here," Strut said briskly. "We have to keep Crystal Kid alive forever if we can, I absolutely do not want one of those ghastly statues in our Hall of Heroes to be erected in honour of a man who insists on calling me John."

**********

MARS ORBIT
The Legion of Superheroes mobile base


Sev Tcheru sat patiently in a comfortable chair waiting for Miqui Ver aka Key Kid to make his appearance. While Evolvo Lad had initially been shocked into speechlessness when Key Kid asked him to literally change his mind into accepting the Legion Academy's Dominator student, he realised that the young confused boy was just trying his best to deal with revelations he didn't have the life experience to deal with in a healthy way.

The work that Evolvo Lad had been doing at the Legion Academy's Arqiia Campus could prove to be important for both the Legion and the Academy, but more important was Sev's need to look out for the youngest of his former teammates in the Heroes of Lallor. Sev also presumed that there was some guilt that accompanied his need to help Miqui Ver come to terms with studying alongside Enigma Lass; after all, Sev alone among the former Heroes of Lallor had been present when the Legion learned that the Lalloran heroes Brittle and Duplicate Boy II were still alive, although Duplicate Boy had become the mysterious entity known as Revenant. As far as Key Kid was concerned the Dominators had killed most of his adopted family, and he did not possess the security clearance as a student to be told any different. Evolvo Lad supposed it only made sense that he would want to do everything else he could to help Key Kid when he couldn't just come out and tell him that two of his former allies were still alive.

All of that having been said though...no part of Sev Tcheru could countenance the idea of using his hyperevolved form's telepathic ability to simply wipe inconvenient personality traits from Key Kid's mind. If he thought on it further, it might bother Sev that he didn't know what his hyperevolved form might have to say on the matter, but he'd long since come to terms with not being able to predict how different his devolved or hyperevolved forms could be from who he thought of as his real self.

A door to the left opened, and Key Kid stepped out with the Legion's counsellor Jrey Lefen behind him.

"Thank you again for being so honest with me, Key Kid." Jrey offered a hand, and Miqui shook it a little awkwardly. "Why don't you make yourself a drink and wait out here for a moment, I just want to touch base with Evolvo Lad as we discussed."

"Sure," Miqui shrugged and plopped himself down in a chair.

Jrey led Evolvo Lad into his office and offered him a seat while the door closed behind them.

"Thank you so much for seeing Miqui on such short notice," Sev began. "I know you must be awfully busy--"

"It's fine, Evolvo Lad, that's what I'm here for." Jrey reclined in his seat, trying to project an air of comfort. Sev eventually took the hint and sat opposite the Durlan counsellor.

"So how long do you think it'll take?" Evolvo Lad asked. "How many sessions till he's back to normal?"

"It's not that simple I'm afraid," Jrey allowed himself a slight smile. "Miqui has been through quite a lot for a boy his age....therapy isn't something you can just schedule 4 or 5 sessions for and everything's magically back on track."

"I know that," Sev returned a little defensively. "I'm not a stranger to therapy, Counsellor Lefen...the Heroes of Lallor - the original Heroes of Lallor - we all had sessions growing up to come to terms with our powers and the role we fulfilled for our people. I wouldn't have suggested Key Kid speak to you if I didn't think it could help!"

"I appreciate that," Jrey spoke softly, "And I apologise if I sounded twee. But Evolvo Lad, I'll be honest...I'm not sure that I can help Key Kid right now."

"What do you mean by that??" Sev asked.

"Just that...a lot of Miqui's trauma is related to lies he was forced to believe about who he really was, and who his adopted family were. I understand why Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad allowed Enigma Lass to hide her true identity and it's not my place to judge that, but it quite understandably feeds into Key Kid's existing fears."

"Okay..." Sev Tcheru frowned, unable to see where this was going. "So why do you think he's beyond help? He's a good kid, Counsellor Lefen!"

"He undoubtedly is a good kid," Jrey agreed. "But he's also a kid who has a lot of issues around deceit and hidden truths. I know that Miqui Ver is not beyond help...I just don't think that a Durlan counsellor is someone he's going to trust enough just yet to help him."

"Oh." Sev blushed. His hyperevolved form would have known this immediately, he hated feeling second best to his own transformed self. "That makes sense, I guess. So what do you suggest..?"

"Well..." Jrey rested his chin on criss-crossed fingers. "I'm glad you asked..."

**********
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: DOOMSWARM - 01/27/24 12:20 PM
yay, more!

nice to see the 3 Lallor Legionnaires hanging out!

ahhh charcuterie boards, nice to know they are timeless smile

I always loved this "multi-tasking" ability that Brainy had due to his high intelligence, so nice to know Evolvo Lad has it too. also interesting that you have him here smarter than Brainy in raw terms. The Reboot versions firmly placed it the other way around, with Evolvo's evolved form at 10th and Brainy at 12th level

bless Life Lass, she of all Legionnaires would be checking in on the casualties!

Gas Girl is very canny and observant, I like that wink she's on the Espionage Squad for more than just her power! curious of where you might take this Garak/Empress thing

aw, poor Key Kid. also now curious what Sev is working on...

wow, poor Key Kid! glad he found these three, the poor guy sure needs some help!



loving the visuals of Mantodea, raz!

heh, loving the little dig at Tasmia often being one of those to speak first and perhaps think later wink poor Lydda, I can relate, I hate the heat too. I can imagine it's plenty tough for her, coming from a world of darkness. and yay, go Berta! though Lydda's reaction does seem to show that some of the team may still think of Berta as the Academy student and recent grad?

well, Ayla is definitely the senior Legionnaire here.glad to see her growing into it

ahh, this is giving me flashbacks to Linsnar/Gear in the Reboot/my fic smile

and of course, electrochemical perceptions... making Ayla perfect for this!

nice thinking from Dogstar and King Canary, too!

LOL at Strut poking at his worldmates

the Doomswarm! what a cool enemy!

nice touch, having the women be the warriors. and quite proud, too!

John Johnsonson. I love the naming conventions you've thought up!

go Tasmia! well done, Tasmia. she would understand how Marta thinks!

heh, loving King Canary's jab

ah, Crystal Kid and Gravity Kid needing to stay behind wink love it, been waiting for them to get a scene together. will Bobb give Tel a good talking to?

and wise of Ayla to trust her instincts.

good going, Tellus!

yeah! Tasmia and Lydda, go! fast and effective!

heh at Ayla making a joke about Tasmia's and Lydda's significant others

ah, good of Marta to at least be open-minded enough to realize that some of these powerful Legionnaires are men wink

nice of Tel to give Strut some support. Felisz might be a problem...

ah, love it, love Strut showing his stuff! if Felisz won't listen...

your story is making me love Strut even more. I can relate, as someone who also fled his homeland for similar reasons to Strut. horrid little world...

wow! it's all coming together, raz, expertly plotted and written! of course! of course Tel feels some insecurity for not being a "real" man, wow! and of course Strut, coming from such a world, would be the perfect one to talk sense into Tel!

and nice touch here, with Bobb not blabbing Tel's secret, and of course Strut picked it up

and the perfect ending quote from Strut, too!

nice one, Raz, really nice one, subverted my expectations quite nicely!

more expert characterization here, raz. with Jrey subtly pointing out that he, as a Durlan shapeshifter, may not be the best to help Key Kid with his deceit - and also pointing out Miqui's REAL issues in a few short sentences! wow!

more awesome stuff, raz, expertly crafted and written! love it!
Posted By: razsolo Re: DOOMSWARM - 01/28/24 05:51 AM
Welcome back IB!

Charcuterie boards will never be out of fashion, they are the sign of a truly advanced culture laugh

Quote
curious of where you might take this Garak/Empress thing
Ooh I think you will like the next few instalments then....

I meant to go into a bit more explanation on the naming conventions for Strut's homeworld in-story, but essentially: because the Mantodeans all communicate primarily through their antennae, their "names" are more like scent traces that can't be replicated verbally. The UP gave them all "real names" when Mantodea joined the United Planets so they could interact with offworlders easier, and poor ol' John Johnsonson got stuck with one of the less imaginative name combos... wink

As you can see by now Tel did get a good talking to, though it wasn't Bobb that did it - but I am not yet finished with Crystal Kid and Gravity Kid's big messy friendship/relationship/whatever it ends up being!

I am glad Strut talking to Tel worked...I have been looking forward to writing that scene for ages (as well as giving Strut a bit of a chance to show off his actual combat skills as well)! It is lots of fun writing Strut's snappy repartee, but I wanted to also show that underneath all that he is actually a good fighter and he cares about people too .

I can definitely see the parallels with Gear on Linsnar; it is very cathartic sometimes being able to use these characters to address real world stuff from a different perspective smile

The ending with Jrey and Key Kid kinda wrote itself to be honest - originally I was gonna have Key Kid's subplot just wrapped up with "okay he's going to therapy now" but it made more sense to me that he would probably have trust issues with a shapeshifting therapist, and I think I have a more satisfying direction for this to lead into now...

NEXT: A hot date with Sun Boy and Sizzle!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: DOOMSWARM - 01/28/24 11:13 AM
I love the explanation for the Mantodean names! and also explains why they're so "Western" of that makes sense smile

*rubs hands eagerly* I figure Tel saving Bobb's life will give plenty of fuel for more Tel/Bobb drama!

this scene really made both Tel and Strut shine. (forget to comment, but Tel's refinement of his powers is mega impressive!)

yes! Dirk and Sizzle! I love that you're taking this and running with it!

totally hooked, looking forward to more more more!
Posted By: Harbinger Re: DOOMSWARM - 02/21/24 03:41 PM
Hey Raz, thanks for the message as I totally missed this when you posted it. I only have one hour this afternoon so will crack on with this review.

Great to see the former Lakkorian team together. And, of course they are going to gossip - nice bit of logic that Evolvo's hyper evolved form is a master multitasker. Interesting that you mention Garak going on abouut the Empress - are you leading to something there? We all do love the Empress, se's such a crazy ego tripping psychopath smile Gas Girl pushing evolvo to ask Sheranee out was funny, we've all got friends like that, and have all probably been that friend at times too. "we're on a team with a dog guy, a fish guy, a bug guy and a slug guy...well, a slug Slug" so true! Key Kid finally turns up - this'll be interesting. And, nice slipping in that comment about blocking tha level off - wonder what they are up to? The girl's empathy towards enigma Las was touching and will be good for Miqui to hear. His request though was very unexpected - wonder how they will deal with that because we know how successful lng term telepathic tampering can be wink

And we're off to Strut's homeworld, yay, am looking forward to this! Tasmia and Lydda hiding from the bright sunshine makes sense - hopefully the action won't take place outside of a hive or they'll be unhappy. Wow, an organic six-limbed tank - what would give that a reason to call the Legion? Strut is persona non gracia? These Mantodeans are nuts! " they'd all heard a slightly more sensationalised version of this debriefing from Strut" haha I actually laughed out loud at that. Doomswarm - great name, just great! Though I am picturing a mob of Doombots tearing the place apart now laugh John Johnsonson - oh poor Strut having that as his alter ego laugh nice call by Shady, well put, they won't refuse help now. King Canary, perhaps my fave of your OCs, give a zinging one liner "I guess men ain't all a waste of time, huh?"
- nice! I'm loving the ongoing low-key clash between Bobb and Tel btw.

Also, loving your Tellus, Raz, you give him a sweet character and make him really effective. Hopefully Drura will find something she can use, she's hella versatile so my fingers are crossed. Nice little comment about Tasmia revering ancestors so not wanting to actually fight the swarm. Love Ayla being all blase about Lydda ripping down a cliff wall "Nah, that's just Shady and Night Girl showing off" indeed! Marta's shock at men doing things was great - it's not like they were doing housework or anything too surprising though laugh

I'm out of time. This is a long post Raz, with lots of yummy details and descriptions so I didn't want to rush it. I've got a long day at work tomorrow so it'll probably be Friday before I get this finished.

I'm looking forward to more, more, more smile
Posted By: Harbinger Re: DOOMSWARM - 02/26/24 11:41 AM
Finally got time to review the rest of your post Raz, yay!

The image of the Hatchery with e men protecting the larvae in the green bio-luminescence is really striking! I pictured it in my mind and thought "whoah! That would look great on a screen!" Strut's ongoing battle of wills with the females Matodeans is well presented, their society says he's an outsider so Legionnaire or not that's how he'll be treated. Still, you write him like a champ! CK calling him John! Ha, still laughing at the UP name Strut was given. Oh wow, Bobb might be a jerk but I don't think he deserved to be disemboweled! Tel crushing the tunnel was nice, though not as cool as moving Bobbs blood through his system - that is a great application of his powers. Strus fighting Felisz was well done, his confidence in the face of the far more massive - and culturally superior warrior woman played well. Nice to that she saw sense in what Strut was asking. "Well, at least I got you using my preferred name after all of that." Haha love Strut's attitude. Tel making it all about him, yup, that's Tel we all know and ummm tolerate smile And Strut putting him right was well done.

And I assume the Doomswarm are taken care of, as we're back with the Lallorian contingent. Evolvo's thoughts on Key Kids situation and acknowledging that Miqui won't know that a couple of his former teammates are still alive. Interesting that Sev's 'normal' form doesn't know what his other aspects will o in any given situation - this is a great though frightening prospect! Jrey pointing out the source of Miqui's issues being his distrust and trauma stem from being lied to for so long was interesting, and that having a Durlan therapist to talk to might npt help the situation leads us to... a cliffhanger! A wonderful cliffhanger! Does this mean we'll go looking for the Lallorian's true families? It'll probably mean the Dominion will pop up again (I do love those creepy Disc-heads!)? Whatever you have planned, I'm along for the ride as I do love the character work you do, it's always well thought out and interesting.

And that's the end! I'm disappointed as I was really enjoying it there. Ah well, guess that means we need more, more, more laugh
Posted By: razsolo Re: DOOMSWARM - 03/05/24 05:17 AM
Thanks for the R&R Harbi, sorry I haven't had a chance to reply sooner!

Garak's mystery will unfurl a bit over the next few story chapters!

I can see how the Doomswarm sounds like an army of Doombots...let's hope Latverian copyright laws don't extend into the future of other multiverses (although, knowing Dr Doom I wouldn't be surprised...) laugh

Key Kid's story will get wrapped up sooner rather than later, and in a way which I think will be unexpected!

While I don't have anything concrete planned to explore Evolvo Lad's power at the moment, I do have some weird ideas for that guy! But yeah, one of the peculiarities of his power as I see it is that his two other forms are so far away from his base form in terms of psychological development that while they all share essentially the same motivations and ideals, they might express that in different and not necessarily predictable ways.

Tel's going to become a bit more tolerable moving forward now, I have been looking forward to writing that convo between him and Strut so we can go somewhere with Gravity Kid that isn't just him throwing tantrums and sniping at people all the time.

Next up though: one of our other Legionnaires will be having a bit of a breakthrough with their own psycho-drama! Plus Sun Boy and Sizzle's date night! (and there's a surprise Levitz bad guy in there somewhere too)
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: DOOMSWARM - 03/05/24 11:00 AM
re Evolvo Lad, your take on him is brilliant AND canonical - at least, in the Reboot, we had several instances of evolved Evolvo warning the Legion that his un-evolved form could be unpredictable; and of "present day" Evolvo crying in angst over the uncontrollable actions of his evolved form!

ooh, more psycho-drama. which one, Laurel?
Posted By: razsolo Sun Boy's Hot Date! - 03/28/24 12:18 PM
EARTH
Montauk Point, Old Legion Academy


ROLL CALL
Evolvo Lad aka Sev Tcheru: Legion of Superheroes member; hyperevolution/devolution

Key Kid aka Miqui Ver: Legion Academy student; ability to bypass any man-made lock or barrier

Bouncing Boy aka Charles Foster Taine: Cavalry member; super-bouncing
Rainbow Girl aka Dori Aandraison: Cavalry member; rainbow powers

Inside an oddly shaped towering structure that had seen more activity in the past two weeks than it had for a long time, Bouncing Boy and Rainbow Girl chatted idly while they waited for their visitors to arrive.

"Do you miss it, Chuck?" Dori Aandraison asked as she sipped at a dark green juice. "Teaching at the Academy, I mean?"

"Honestly, sometimes I do!" Bouncing Boy took a bite of his plurberry muffin and wiped crumbs from his uniform. "There's never a dull day with those kids, and it's very rewarding helping them be the best they can be...but I'm enjoying working with the Cavalry too; it's kind of like having the best of both worlds, I get to have superhero adventures without all the high stakes the Legion get caught up in so often these days!"

Behind a plexiglass panel that stretched from floor to ceiling, giant flat tiles on the floor and ceiling suddenly hummed with power and the air between them shimmered until two figures began to form.

"This will be our guests then!" Bouncing Boy deposited the rest of his muffin into the paper bag it had come in and scrunched the opening down to close off the bag. Rainbow Girl took one last slurp of her juice, and casually dumped the cup in a nearby recycling unit. Before the two of them, Evolvo Lad and Key Kid solidified into view over the space of a couple of seconds.

"Wow!" Key Kid enthused once they'd fully solidified. "I can't believe we just teleported here from Mars! That must be like....a bazillion miles!"

"Roughly 44 million right now if I'm not mistaken!" Evolvo Lad replied, standing there in his default form. "I bet hyperevolved me could tell you right down to the nanometre, but an educated guess is good enough for me!"

The plexiglass panel slid away into a wall recess, and Sev offered his hand to both Chuck and Dori. "Bouncing Boy, Rainbow Girl...I'm sure you've all met Miqui here before, but to make it official; Key Kid, meet Bouncing Boy and Rainbow Girl from the Cavalry!"

"I can't believe you've invented a functional teleporter, Evolvo Lad!" Bouncing Boy beamed. "This is gonna be a real game changer for the Academy!"

"The Academy's just the start," Sev replied. "The first step is connecting the Arqiia Campus on Mars with Montauk Point here as well as the Legion's base...but now I've achieved that much, I foresee that the Legion will be getting a lot of use out of these transmat pads! I'm not here to bore you with all the details though...thanks for coming to meet us, and for agreeing to let Key Kid work with the Cavalry over the next week!"

"Why did you connect a teleporter up between Mars and here, Evolvo Lad?" Key Kid screwed his nose up curiously. "Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad told us all how the Academy used to be based here, but they haven't used this campus since way before I joined the Academy!"

"That's something I suggest you speak to your teachers about," Evolvo Lad evaded the question slyly. "Right now though, isn't there something you want to say to Bouncing Boy and Rainbow Girl?"

"Oh! Right!" Miqui blushed almost as red as his hair. "Thanks for giving me this opportunity, Bouncing Boy...and Rainbow Girl! I'm really looking forward to seeing how the Cavalry operate, and meeting the rest of your team properly!"

Rainbow Girl's heart warmed towards the polite Lalloran teenager instantly. Evolvo Lad had explained to her team how Key Kid was having some trouble working alongside a new Dominator student in the Academy, and how the Legion's counsellor had recommended that it might be beneficial for Key Kid to work alongside the Cavalry on some of their more humanitarian work with alien refugees on Earth. Dori couldn't imagine that this cheerful young man could have a problematic bone in his body though, and she suspected this week would be a breeze. "Miqui, are you hungry?" Dori took him by the shoulder. "There's not much in the way of lunch options around here I'm afraid, but you can have your choice of cuisines once we get back to Metropolis! Our treat!"

"Oh wow, thanks Rainbow Girl!"

"Care to join us, Evolvo Lad?" Bouncing Boy asked.

"Thanks, but I think my more uhh...cerebral self...should really run some diagnostics on the transmat pad. A bootleg Brainiac 5's work is never done."

"Fair enough," Chuck nodded. "We'll get Key Kid here fed and settled in then."

Bouncing Boy, Rainbow Girl and Key Kid left, and Evolvo Lad spent the rest of the day contentedly taking apart the transmat pad and putting it back together again.

**********

EARTH
Iceland, Earthbar


ROLL CALL
Sizzle aka Teela Spuunvll: energy conversion
Sun Boy aka Dirk Morgna: heat and light generation

The exclusive glass-domed restaurant and cocktail venue named Earthbar was situated on Diamond Beach, a stretch of black sand which got its name from the many washed up chunks of ice that glittered in the moonlight. Between climate mismanagement and global wars, Iceland had been a bleak and almost lifeless wasteland for the longest time...concerted efforts over the past three centuries to reverse this sad tale had reaped positive effects though, and while Iceland's unique culture was unfortunately more or less a thing of the past the country itself was a blend of starkly beautiful volcanic features and clear blue fjords. Technology had even restored some semblance of the glaciers that Iceland had once been famous for, though nobody alive today knew how poorly they compared to their epic predecessors.

Patrons generally came to Earthbar because it was widely recognised as one of the best places to view the aurora borealis; the bar and restaurant areas were dimly lit to create an intimate setting, but in addition to that the glass dome which enclosed the venue was polarised in such a way that it filtered out all light pollution from the venue and other nearby resorts, restaurants and nightclubs. The effect when looking straight up was like being out in the open air, and with a subtle somnilectronica sountrack streamed through the venue to enhance the experience the aurora was truly breathtaking.

Dirk Morgna and Teela Spuunvll were not here for lights in the sky however...their interests this evening were far more earthbound.

"I gotta say," the red-skinned heroine also known as Sizzle sipped at her sparkling wine, "I wasn't expecting somewhere like here when I told you to take me on a date! The Dirk Morgna I've heard about spends more time getting involved in hyperceleb scandals in Metropolis nightclubs than...well, this." While she didn't seem self-conscious about it at all, her skimpy velvet tube top and miniskirt combined with flashy flamedrop jewellery from her homeworld made her very much an outsider among this conservative gathering of much richer sentients.

Sun Boy himself was wearing a garnet colored suit with a shawl lapel embroidered in gold patterning, and matching tie and accessories. "Oh, I'm a multi-layered man," he retorted with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Of course, if you want to leave this place and get straight down to some of the underlayers..."

Sizzle threw her head back with an oddly endearing snort of laughter. "Calm down, Romeo," she teased Dirk. "Plenty of time for all of that, a girl from Abaddonus doesn't get a chance to live the high life very often! What did you say this was again, anyway?" She stabbed at a petite chunk of something fatty and covered in seeds which had been artfully placed on green leaves swimming in a kind of thin broth.

"Foie gras," Sun Boy answered, taking a sip from his own drink. "Labmeat of course," he quickly amended. "Tastes absolutely sublime, but you don't wanna know how they used to make this stuff." He shuddered at the thought of it and then changed the subject to something more pleasant. "So, speaking of Abaddonus....and your background generally..."

"...You wanna know why I talk like a crazy person half the time," Sizzle guessed sardonically. She placed the tiniest sliver of the creamy first course on her tongue and moaned embarassingly loudly as the silky texture and rich buttery flavour contrasted with the peppery crunch of the mustard seeds for a sensory explosion in her mouth. Both she and Dirk giggled behind their hands at the attention Teela had inadvertantly called to herself, and she savoured the food for another second before swallowing and clearing her throat. "Sublime isn't the word," she continued, "That was sprockin' amazing!"

She gave herself another moment to collect her thoughts. "Okay, so...where do we start? You know how different cultures have different philosophical or religious explanations for what happens to our consciousness post-death?" Sun Boy gave a murmur of confirmation while he ate his own food, and Sizzle continued. "On my world...we believe that every plane of reality is normally linked in like a...metaphysical sense I guess? I'm not a monk or anything, I dunno how to explain it properly. Anyway, there's this thing called the Azmenith; the reincarnation ladder of the multiverse. When your life ends on one dimensional plane, you get reincarnated in a different one to ideally evolve as a person, ascend closer to the Source."

"That sounds similar to Buddhism," Dirk reasoned. "One of the old Earth religions. So, you're like...multiversal buddhists?"

"Not anymore." Teela diverged from her story for a moment to eat another mouthful of the foie gras. "A long long time ago....back when Abaddonus was still a world full of individual nationstates...a demon named Asmothe rose from the underworld to challenge the creator of our universe for control. Asmothe won that battle, but the cost of that cosmic struggle was that our plane of reality has been permanently shut off from the Azmenith."

"You said the same thing when the Legion were called in to fight Garak of the Glow," Sun Boy pondered, "But honestly, all this pseudo-mystic stuff loses me pretty quickly. What does that actually mean back on Abaddonus, to be cut off from this reincarnation ladder thing?"

"Not just Abaddonus, Sun Boy. All life in our dimensional plane. Once upon a time, we knew that death was not the end, that we'd get to live another life in another place that might be similar or different to this place, but it was always another chance to grow. And now...now there's nothing. We just die."

A moment of awkward silence passed between the two of them before Dirk spoke up again. "I guess...and don't take this the wrong way, but...so what? I mean barely anybody in the UP believes in these old myths anymore, I certainly don't. You don't...you don't really believe all this cosmic battle stuff, do you?"

Sizzle laughed out loud again. "Sun Boy, almost the second I got my Legion flight ring fitted we teamed up with heroes from Earth's ancient past to stop a time witch from using a magic tree to rule over a thousand years of history. How is my thing any weirder than that?"

He had to admit that Teela had a point, and Dirk Morgna chuckled. "Okay, okay...I guess what I meant was...your people have held these beliefs for thousands of years, right? At this point, does it really impact the way you live your life?"

"I know it's difficult for a lot of other UP worlds to understand," Teela pre-empted, "But really it's more of a cultural thing than anything else nowadays. When my people learned that there was nothing waiting for us when we die, no judgement for the kind of lives we'd lived...well, a society tends to lose its moral code when there are no consequences for breaking it. Abaddonus suffered a dark age that lasted centuries; it was pretty much survival of the fittest, people let their worst instincts guide their behaviour. But the thing with that is...it's not really sustainable. Eventually, my stupid ancestors finally drummed it into their heads that even if there's no second chance waiting for us after we die, we still need to live this life. It's hard to do that if you don't try to reach some kind of mutual ceasefire with the people you have to interact with daily. Our progress has probably been a lot slower than the nice shiny worlds you're used to, but at least we function well enough now to have earned a place in the United Planets.

It leaves a mark though, you know? When I first left Abaddonus, I joined the Legion of Substitute Villains for the fun of it; it didn't even occur to me that being a "villain" was really a bad thing that other people might take seriously. Then I got sent to Takron-Galtos, and when I saw what real villains are like and realised how I could have really hurt people...I knew I didn't want to be that person. If this is the only existence that any of us are ever gonna have, then I don't want to make it worse for anyone else than it needs to be. So I cut my sentence short by joining the Workforce, and then with that experience behind me, I tried out for the Legion of Superheroes...and here we are!"

Sun Boy regarded Sizzle's story for a moment while he finished off his foie gras. He barely knew this girl, but she was completely comfortable and completely unapologetic in describing to Dirk Morgna the parts of herself that he would have elected to keep hidden if things had been reversed. On top of that, she wasn't remotely intimidated or starstruck by him. She was not like most potential partners that Dirk had ever encountered, and he was very interested in seeing where that might lead.

Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Dirk Morgna's omnicom vibrated within his coat pocket to indicate that someone was trying to call him. He was too shocked to respond for a moment; it was standard practice for Dirk to place his omnicom on sleep mode whenever he was on a date, and very few people had an exception to that status. He knew that it couldn't be any Legionnaire as they would surely have used his flight ring to reach out. Dirk Morgna pulled the omnicom out of its pocket and mouthed Sorry, one nano! at his date. Then he accepted the call and mouthed one word in greeting.

"...Dad..?"

**********

EARTH
Metropolis, Dirk Industries' Flagship Office


ROLL CALL
Shrinking Violet aka Salu Digby: shrinking
Supergirl II aka Laurel Kent: invulnerability
Transposition Lad aka Kappa Snarrk: teleportational transposition

With the Cavalry occupied at the Refugee Orientation Camp in Oceania, the Science Police had to call in the Legion of Superheroes for assistance when a powerful new supervillain named Sun Killer took over the towering Morgna Industries megascraper in the centre of Metropolis. The rest of the building was in the process of being evacuated, but Sun Killer held one of Earth's most influential businessmen hostage in his penthouse office high above the city. Sun Killer's hostage was none other than Derek Morgna; a man of some power throughout the Sol system, if not so much beyond that. Derek Morgna was far more famous throughout the UP however for having sired the popular Legionnaire Sun Boy.

Behind a privacy barrier, the trio of gathered Legionnaires heard from the SP droid in charge that the evacuation should be complete in another ten standard minutes.

"It's lucky that the three of us happened to be planetside," Shrinking Violet spoke to her teammates. "Obviously we can't take any action until there's no danger of innocents being hurt, but let's hope we can handle this idiot before Sun Boy finds out."

"Do you...do you think Dirk might come here as well, Violet?" Supergirl asked with uncommon timidity.

"A maniac could burn his father alive at any minute," Vi responded flatly. "Trust me, Sun Boy will hear about it, and he'll be here as soon as he hears...and there'll be a lot less property damage if we can save Mr Morgna before an angry Sun Boy gets here."

"Shrinking Violet and I were assisting the Antarctica Nature Reserve with some sabotaged barriers when we got the call," Transposition Lad explained. "What brings you to Earth, Supergirl?"

"I was visiting my dad and his family," Laurel Kent replied a little curtly. She was trying her best to hide the quiver in her voice, and Violet was almost completely sure that Transposition Lad hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary about Laurel at all. Shrinking Violet had been acquainted with Laurel Kent for a lot longer though, and more importantly Vi had been right there when Laurel had undergone the most violent trauma in her young life. Mordru the Merciless had turned Sun Boy's power against Laurel and hurt her both physically and psychologically; Laurel had only recently returned to active duty as a Legionnaire, and Vi wasn't at all certain that the young woman was ready to work alongside Sun Boy again just yet.

Unfortunately, she might not have a choice.

"Okay, let's try and get the lay of the land," Vi took charge. "T-Lad, Supergirl, meet me on the roof. I'm going to do a recon of the penthouse and we can plan from there."

"You're going to head in there on your own??" Transposition Lad was agape. "Against a guy called Sun Killer??"

"I'm not going to fight him, T-Lad." Violet used her power as she spoke, hovering between the tall green hero's eyes at barely an inch tall. "I'm going in as an Espionage Squad member. He won't even know I'm there, and he's not going to cause enough collateral damage to put me in any danger while he needs to keep Sun Boy's father alive as a hostage. You two just try to stay out of the spotlight if you can...he probably knows there are Legionnaires here by now, but he doesn't need to know which Legionnaires are here."

"Easy for her to say," Supergirl grumbled as she watched the tiny Imskian fly away, "I'm wearing a bright red poncho and you're an eight foot tall green guy, neither of us are particularly stealthy."

"Oh, I'm not even seven feet tall actually--" Kappa Snarrk began to correct the girl of steel.

"Follow me," Laurel cut him off without thinking. "Let's see if I managed to retain anything Duo Damsel tried to teach me back when I was a pain in the nass Academy kid." She darted into the air as as naturally as if flight were her natural power, and took Transposition Lad on a dizzying journey beneath pedestrian walkways and between flying cars. Not only had Laurel grown up in Metropolis and knew the city like the back of her hand, a lifetime of being invulnerable meant that aside from her current psychological issues involving Sun Boy, she just didn't have a self-preservation instinct like nearly anybody else alive.

Transposition Lad certainly didn't know Metropolis like the back of his hand and while he did love adventure, his self-preservation instinct was very much intact...by the time the unlikely duo had evaded enough accidents and pulled enough tight turns to end up above Derek Morgna's business headquarters, Kappa Snarrk breathed a nervous puff of air and was thankful to still be in one piece. "Couldn't we...couldn't we have just flown straight up here..?" he asked as he removed his gold helmet and wiped sweat from his forehead.

"We could have, but they would have seen it," Laurel pointed at the many holocam units floating below them, "And then we'd be on every channel in the UP. If I was holding a Legionnaire's dad hostage, I'd probably want to keep one eye on the media."

"Okay, so what do we do now..?" Transposition Lad shrugged.

"Now, we wait." Laurel sat cross-legged in the shade cast by one of the giant ventilation ducts up here on the roof. Transposition Lad didn't sit, but instead paced back and forth nervously. "I'm guessing you're worried about Violet," Laurel spoke up, "But don't be. She may not have the most devastating power in the Legion, but she knows what she's doing, T-Lad."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence!" Shrinking Violet grew to full size before the other two, startling them briefly. "And Transposition Lad, thanks for the concern but save that for our hostages."

"Hostages?" Supergirl picked up on Vi's use of the plural. "It's not just Dirk's dad in there?"

"His secretary didn't make it out in time, the poor woman's hiding terrified under a desk." Vi explained. "Luckily she and Mr Morgna are the only two in the entire top half of the building if their security program's correct, and Sun Killer doesn't realise she's still there at all. Her name is Donnea and the second she stands up Sun Killer will see her immediately. T-Lad, we're gonna need to time this perfectly -- oh, sprock."

Transposition Lad started to question Vi, but before he could get the first word out he and Laurel both saw what had attracted the shorter heroine's attention. A fire trail was blazing across the city toward them; they all instantly realised this must be Sun Boy, and as he came closer they could see Sizzle close behind. Without another word, Shrinking Violet darted off to intercept Dirk and Teela.

"Should we--?" Transposition Lad deferred to Supergirl.

"Let's...let's just wait here," Laurel replied shakily, fixated on the flaming sheath around Sun Boy. "Violet will let us know if she needs us."

Shrinking Violet flew at full size toward her approaching teammates. "Dirk--"

"Where is he, Violet? Where's the bastard holding my dad?!" Sun Boy stopped before her, his fists tensed angrily.

"He's in the penthouse, but Dirk -- Dirk --damn it!" Ignoring her, Sun Boy roared straight past.

Sun Boy suddenly felt a tight grip around his calf and looked back to see Sizzle's right arm latched on to him while her left arm expelled the flame she was absorbing as an intense light burst up and over the city. "Sun Boy -- Dirk -- I get that you're mad, but we need a plan. I remember hearing about this Sun Killer guy on Takron-Galtos, the name isn't an exaggeration. He's already committed genocide, he's not gonna hesitate to kill your father or anyone else if it'll get him what he wants."

"Thanks, Sizzle." Violet overtook Sun Boy once again so she could look him in the eye. "Dirk, listen...we'll get your dad out of there, but there's an innocent woman in there with them as well. We need to make sure they both get out of that building in one piece."

For a moment, Sun Boy bore a furious frown and the two women were worried that he would shake Sizzle free and just keep charging in...then, Dirk Morgna took a deep breath and exhaled as he allowed the flames to flicker into non-existence around him. "Okay...okay, you're right. You're both right. So what does this guy want anyway? Credits? The galaxy is full of rich sentients that aren't related to Legionnaires, why wouldn't he go after one of them? Is he trying to start a fight with us?"

"He doesn't want creds, Dirk." Violet placed a hand on his shoulder, long years of working alongside Sun Boy having taught her that he would already be at a safe temperature again. "I heard him ranting at your father while I was in there...he wants you."

"Me?? I've never even heard of the guy!" Sun Boy was taken aback, and then for the first time he noticed who else was here with Violet. "Hey, is that Laurel..and Transposition Lad?"

"Yes, the three of us were the closest Legionnaires on hand," Violet explained.

"Well then..." Sun Boy's attractive features tightened as he hatched a plan. "...Let's give this Sun Killer squaj what he wants."

**********

Inside what remained of Derek Morgna's penthouse office, the massively built villain named Sun Killer diverted his attention from Sun Boy's father for a moment so that he could watch the gathering of Legionnaires on a flickering holo-emitter that media holocams had now picked up on just outside the building. "Your torment will be over soon, Morgna," Sun Killer's deep voice intoned. "My true prey has arrived and I need not waste my time with you for too much longer."

"My son's no fool," Derek Morgna growled, feeling unusually impotent as he gripped the armrests of his hoverchair hard enough to turn his knuckles white. "You'll regret this, Sun Killer."

Derek Morgna hoped that, for once, Dirk would exceed his expectations. Dirk should have led an easy enough life following his father's footsteps to eventually take control of the family business while Derek Morgna retired to a small pleasure planet this side of the asteroid belt. Dirk had let that moron Regulus outsmart him though, and even when against all odds that resulted in him gaining powers that anyone on the planet would envy, Dirk had continued to do the bare minimum to take advantage of his good fortune.

As Sun Boy, Dirk Morgna should have been one of the core members of the Legion of Superheroes, someone who immediately leaped to mind when the average sentient thought of the greatest hero in the galaxy; instead, his greatest claim to fame as a Legionnaire was going space crazy one time when given even the taste of leadership, and keeping who knew how many gossip rags in business with an embarassingly long string of affairs with starlets and superhero wannabes.

"I doubt I will regret a thing," Sun Killer turned back toward his hostage. "Not once -- eh?"

A small plink chimed in the air between them and suddenly the elder Morgna had vanished entirely, his son sitting in the chair in his place.

"Surprise!" Sun Boy taunted, leaping to his feet. "You wanted me, you got me, fatso!" Sun Boy extended a palm and flared a stream of open flame into Sun Killer's face.

Sun Killer wasn't even fazed. "This is exactly the outcome I wanted," he addressed Dirk calmly. "I do not know why you thought this might be clever, Sun Boy." One massive arm swung outwards, and slapped Sun Boy into the nearest wall.

A little dazed, Sun Boy rose clumsily to his feet. Stealing a quick glance outside, Dirk could see that Transposition Lad was already handing his father over to the Science Police droid they'd called to help. Sun Killer had appeared morbidly obese from outside the building, but now that they were face to face Sun Boy could see that he was built like one of the legendary sumo wrestlers of ancient Japan...wearing only a metallic harness, gauntlets and boots it was clear that Sun Killer's massive frame concealed powerful muscle. More concerning, his glowing golden bodysuit wasn't a bodysuit; his very flesh was incandescent with solar energies. if Sun Boy was going to defeat this villain, he doubted it would be by virtue of his power.

"Lucky the Legion teaches us how to fight hand to hand as much as with our powers," Sun Boy grimaced, slamming a fist straight into Sun Killer's nose. The villain staggered back a step, but it was much less of a reaction than Dirk had hoped for. Sun Boy cupped his hand to his mouth and shouted out to the rest of the floor. "Donnea! Stand up and we'll get you out of here!!"

Sun Boy only barely heard the distinctive plink of Transposition Lad's power sound once more, but behind Sun Killer and outside the floor to ceiling windows he saw his father's secretary replace Shrinking Violet in mid-air, where Transposition Lad quickly grabbed the flailing woman. Unseen by Sun Boy in the space where a frightened Donnea had stood a second ago, a full sized Shrinking Violet reduced herself down to a couple of centimetres tall and fled the scene before Sun Killer could target her. Vi realised as she was flying off that she might as well not have bothered shrinking; Sun Killer seemed completely preoccupied with Sun Boy, and Vi hoped that Dirk hadn't bitten off more than he could chew by electing to face the villain one on one like this.

"You show evidence of some training in hand to hand fighting," Sun Killer sneered as he blocked Sun Boy's next strike with a beefy forearm, "But do not flatter yourself to think you are particularly skilled at it, Dirk Morgna." He shoulder-barged Sun Boy into the same wall and heard a satisfying crack as Dirk collapsed again to the ground.

Dirk flushed with anger. Sun Killer was right, Sun Boy had always given the bare minimum of his attention to the Legion's various combat programs as he'd always relied on his powers to keep him safe. Here now, fighting alone against a maniac with the same powers as him, physical prowess was all he had...it rankled him greatly that this fat creep was obviously far superior to Dirk in that regard. As soon as the room stopped spinning--

"Hey! Nasshead!" Sun Boy recognised the voice instantly, though from the expression on Sun Killer's face it seemed Dirk was the only one who did. The supervillain turned to see Sizzle standing defiantly before one of the shattered floor to ceiling windows, her fists clenched at her side. "You're a big shot against someone with the same powers as you, why don't you try a different Legionnaire?"

"I don't know who you are," Sun Killer retorted. "And I do not particularly care. If you are so desperate to die for this man, who am I to deny your wish?" He extended one arm toward Sizzle and blasted a stream of flame straight at her. He'd played right into Sizzle's hands, and she gave a wicked smile as she absorbed the attack and sent it back at Sun Killer as a beam of sickly green radiation. Sun Killer roared in pain as he fell to one knee, then with a look of pure rage he stretched both arms out toward Sizzle and blasted a wall of fire that encompassed not only Sizzle, but the floor and ceiling around her. She could convert any heat or fire that hit her directly, but there was nothing she could do to stop the floor beneath her feet from being vaporised instantly or the already damaged ceiling from collapsing on top of her. Her surprised yelp was cut short by flaming debris sending her hurtling down through the levels below.

Adrenalin fuelled by his rage gave Sun Boy the energy he needed to leap back into action and he threw himself at Sun Killer's back, wrapping one arm around the enormous warrior's well padded throat. He held the armlock in place with his free arm and snarled into Sun Killer's ear. "You better hope that girl's okay or else I'll--"

"You will do what exactly?" Sun Killer choked out the words as he stood, carrying Dirk's weight along with his own. "That slip of a girl is the only one who's caused me any trouble at all today, Sun Boy...and I killed her as easily as I will kill you." He lunged backwards with unexpected dexterity, and this time the wall behind them gave way as he shoved Sun Boy through it before deliberately falling backwards to crush Dirk to the floor.

Stars danced before Sun Boy's eyes, and he remained conscious only through sheer stubborn-mindedness. He was certain he'd seen Sun Killer's luminescence fade a little after he'd attacked Sizzle though, and the villain was definitely taking his time to climb off of Sun Boy and turn around to face him. "...Why...why are you after me anyway..?" Dirk asked Sun Killer in a pained mumble, more in an attempt to distract himself from his probably broken ribs than anything else. "...Never even heard of you before today..."

"If you have never heard of me then you no doubt are unaware of my origins," Sun Killer answered. "I extinguished the light of the world Orivan, Sun Boy; that is how I earned my powers. But to destroy a celestial body like that...such a task took many hours. It occurred to me that I could replenish my energies so much faster if I took the same power from a much smaller target. I will recharge my might from you, Dirk Morgna. Perhaps you will die in the process, perhaps you will just become a normal human once more. It matters not to me, though you may seek some solace knowing that your power goes to one who deserves it so much more than you."

Sun Killer kneeled on Sun Boy's stomach, winding him again before he was fully recovered from the villain's last attack. He wrapped two meaty paws around Sun Boy's neck, and as he began to squeeze, Sun Boy noticed for the first time that Sun Killer had something resembling a small sun inset into his forehead. As shadows danced around Dirk Morgna's peripheral vision, it seemed to the hero that Sun Killer's star was somehow growing brighter...

**********

Outside the office building, a tiny Shrinking Violet had used Supergirl's invulnerable body as a barrier against the intensely hot flame that Sun Killer blasted out toward them both. Transposition Lad fortunately had left the women behind to take Derek Morgna's secretary to a safe distance, but it meant that Vi and Laurel were Sun Boy's only hope now.

Vi hovered by Supergirl's ear, small enough that Laurel Kent's holographic earring was almost as big as the Imskian heroine herself. "Laurel, the whole penthouse level has gone up in flames...you need to get in there and help Sun Boy!"

The flames reflected brightly in Laurel Kent's widened eyes. "Do you think...do you think Sizzle's okay..?" Laurel asked timidly, unable to tear her eyes away from the blazing fire.

"I can check on her," Vi answered, "But Laurel, you're the only one who can help Dirk now! Get in there!"

"But...but the fire...he's stealing Sun Boy's power..." Laurel intoned weakly. "Violet, he could..he could hurt me just like Dirk hurt me..." The teen girl's eyes were beginning to well with tears as she stared in open fear.

Violet grew to a height of about eight inches tall and zipped around to face Supergirl. "Laurel, not to be uncaring but...I don't care. That fat bastich is in there killing Sun Boy as far as we know, and you're the only person who can stop him. Now get in there and stop him!"

"I--I can't--" Laurel trembled helplessly.

"Oh, for..." Vi rolled her eyes. "So you're scared...so you were hurt...Laurel, when Sun Boy's power burned you, you experienced something that every other Legionnaire has experienced; a taste of your mortality. It's awful and it's frightening and we all deal with that fear every sprocking day of our lives. But we get on with the job because we're Legionnaires. Your power opened the door to the Legion of Superheroes, but it's not your power that made you a Legionnaire. Your bravery and your resourcefulness did that. It doesn't matter what Mordru did to you, he can't take that away. Now will you please get in there before that psychopath murders our friend?!"

Laurel Kent remained frozen in place for another moment, almost hypnotised by the flames...then she turned away from the scene with a choked sob.

In doing so however, the wind flicked her poncho up before her and she caught the corner of it in one hand. Laurel looked down at the legendary golden crest emblazoned upon her poncho and she remembered what she'd told Dirk Morgna all those months ago when she had first taken on the mantle of Supergirl...she'd told him that Kara Zor-El deserved more of a legacy than to be remembered for being brainwashed by Universo into becoming Satan Girl. What kind of legacy would the name of Supergirl have if Laurel ran now and left her friend to die?

Turning back around once more, Laurel took a deep breath and bit her lower lip. Before she could change her mind again, she held her outstretched fists before her and zoomed directly into the wall of red-orange flame where she homed in on Sun Killer's immense glowing body and hit him hard enough to knock him through three internal walls before he came to a slumping halt on the other side of the building.

Almost unconscious himself, Sun Boy lay pained on the floor and had a coughing fit before he realised he could still activate his transuit in time to prevent a very stupid demise thanks to smoke inhalation. Once his lungs were full of fresh air and he felt strong enough to move, he stood up with a pained cry and then began to fall right back down again.

Before he could actually collapse, he felt a girl's slender frame under his arm; Sun Boy turned to see Supergirl standing by his side, and offered her a weak smile. "Wow...if I'd known I just needed to get myself nearly killed to make us friends again...we coulda saved Jrey a lot of time in therapy," he muttered.

Laurel gave an appreciative laugh. "Come on Morgna...let's get you out of here and make sure your new girlfriend's in one piece before this whole building buries us all alive."

**********

MARS
Marsopolis, Science Police Impound Tesseract Sublevel 3


In a seemingly infinite series of corridors beneath the Martian Science Police's Global Headquarters, two Science Police officers stood at the open entrance of a particular tesseract.

"So tell me..." the Korugarian senior officer surveyed the empty tesseract container with arms folded across his barrel chest. "How exactly did some miscreant circumvent our many and varied security precautions to get in here, Wils? Benn Pares himself couldn't break in here and get out in one piece."

"Th-that's just it, Sir!" the clearly nervous young lieutenant stammered. "N-nobody broke in! The item just disappeared in a flash of light! It set off the alarm when it vanished, but there's no sign that anybody was actually present at the time it was teleported away!"

"...And what was stored in this tesseract exactly?" the elder Science Police officer consulted his omnicom. "Some of the galaxy's most dangerous tech is stored in this facility but according to this, there was just some kind of statue here..?"

"Not just any statue, Sir!" Lieutenant Wils gulped. "The petrified clone of Nyeun Chun Ti....he called himself the Emerald Emperor before he got turned to stone, and Sir? It was a g-green flash of light that teleported him out of here!"

"Well..." the Korugarian officer grunted simply.

"...Damn."


**********

The Emerald Emperor is someone who only appeared a few times in my series, and that was a verrrrry long time ago, but conveniently enough I have a write-up of him here if you'd like to familiarise yourselves with him a bit!
Posted By: Invisible Brainiac Re: Sun Boy's Hot Date! - 03/28/24 05:35 PM
yay, more!

nice seeing (some of) the Cavalry again. pluberries, a nice touch!

a new invention from Evolvo Lad, amazing! this is gonna "level up" your team for sure! does it only work point-to-point? that is, they can only teleport to another porting unit? seems so, but still very useful!

Loving the solution - really love the idea of superheroes doing more humanitarian work!

ooh, sad fate for Iceland, but oh well. I can see the human race letting poor Iceland get to such a state

I love how Sizzle is both self-aware, and not really caring at how "raw" she is! Love it, love it!

also love how you've woven in Sizzle's world's beliefs, and her own journey, and her own self-awareness of that journey!

and indeed, how different she is from most of Dirk's dates... hah!

oh and Derek Morgna, interested to see where you take this!

ah and here we go right away! Sun Killer! did he appear in the comics?

ooh yeah, thanks for realistically portraying trauma. Poor Laurel... but good of her to be professional and focused enough to use her noodle in this situation!

good old Sizzle for talking sense into Dirk! (props to Vi for trying too)

oooph at Derek's thoughts about Dirk. bit of overbearing dad there, though also, not entirely unfair considering Dirk's playboy image


loving T-Lad's powers!! really useful for hostage situations!

nice save by Sizzle! although yikes...

nice pep talk by Vi - mix of tough love and encouragement! and good on Laurel for working through it!



the Emerald Emperor! wow!

nice installment, raz, some awesome developments too!
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