I don't really know how this site works yet, but I wrote these two legion stories on another site and I thought it would be cool to repost them here. So here it goes. Warning: some of these chapters get very long, but besides that there is no foul language and the worst thing that happen is them making out, and implied abuse.
Brainiac 5/Querl Dox x Lyle Norg/Invisible kid the first. I created the ship name, if there is a better one let me know. This takes place in post-zero hour reboot, after Robotica and Legion: Foundations, but in a time line where they return to earth and legion world and life continues, some events happened even though the whole Apocalypse thing didn't and I might have tweaked the story line slightly so some people react to somethings differently. There is no Superboy(Conner or Clark) at this time, and Kinetix/Zoe Saugin never joined the Science Police or was Terrorformed. Lastly for anyone who's a die hard Supergirl x Brainiac 5 fan know that they are my absolute favourite ship, but these two never get to be a couple and I thought I'd give them a chance, enjoy.
Querl Has a Problem
(Lyle POV) 'I can't take this anymore,' I thought, 'personal feelings to the annoying genius aside, Brainy is my lab partner, teammate, and closest friend, and there is something up.' Recent events had been hard on everyone, but something odd has been up with Querl. I had uncovered Brainy's lust journal filled with images of the single and non-single female members of the team in private scenarios. Brainy only appeared in one photo, and that was the only photo I appeared in as well. The only boy.
We are just working on a project in the photo that I didn't even know was taken. We're both laughing. That was the only time I heard him sincerely laugh, just before his mother abused him, broke his heart, and suppressed his new found emotions.
Every teenager has a lustful secret though. The journal was not what shocked me the most though, it was the kiss. The kiss on the cheek he gave me after the legion rescued me, yet he has acted like it never happened. Brainy can usually shrug off emotion which is how him knowing that someone has his stolen journal does not scare him, but I have never met someone who puts so much relief, compassion, and feelings into a kiss and then act like nothing happened. The only emotion he had towards what happened afterward was embarrassment and shame.
'There is something going on and I am going to help him if it's the last thing I do.'
Has The World Gone Mad or Just me, Probably Just Me?
(Querl POV) One of my 12 consciousness's registered Lyle entering MY lab, I know it's him because no one comes in here recently unless there is an emergency, but there is no hurry to the footsteps.
"Brainy, we need to talk." I decided I'll humor him. "About what would you like to discus Lyle?" I did not expect what would come out of his lips next. "We need to discus the kiss you gave me." Kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss, this word flung all through my brain. "What in the United Planets are you talking about?"
It seemed that Lyle chose to ignore my question, "I don't want to talk about the meaning behind the kiss, but the lack of meaning afterwards." I'm just staying quiet at this point so that I can hear what rubbish he is talking about. "First off the, umm, your journal, it houses just about every female legionnaire or legion ally to walk through the door, most in interesting scenarios." I am starting to get mad, "Are you Black mailing me Norg?" He turned a little bit red on his cheeks, "No, in fact here's the journal," he tossed me the journal, "I'm here to talk about page 42 and why you kissed me?"
This was starting to be to much, it was true that sometimes when Lyle told a joke or did something funny it felt like electricity is going up my spine and every inch of my body go's stiff, but despite that I had no affection towards him other than as my fellow teammate. "I believe that you are a liar Norg." He took a deep breath," Fine, look for yourself," he hands me the journal, I go to page 42, then I freeze. "Brainy?" Was the last words I registered.
(Saturn Girl POV) It had been a very long day and I was finally getting some quiet time when something very disturbing happened on a telepathic level and I grabbed my head. As soon as it had started it stopped. Jan, I mean Garth, looked at me with a confused look on his face and I temporarily forgot about the mental blast I had felt, I know we need to talk. "Garth..." But my Legion ring goes off, finishing that conversation before it really started. I hear a panicked Invisible Kid, "Imra, meet me in the med-lad as soon as possible, please." I Look at a confused crystallized Jan face and I knew my conversation with Garth would have to wait, I got up and headed for the med-lab.
I enter the lab and I see brainy on a bed hooked up to monitors, seemingly conscious, but unresponsive and being tended to by Invisible kid. "Lyle, what happened?" He faced me with a serious face and began to talk, but did I see a hint of red, "I don't know if you know, but a few months ago when he and a few other legionaries rescued me the first thing he did was go to me, rap his arms around my neck and kissed my cheek." I just stare, brainy has only ever had crushes before, and never acted upon them, and they were all tall, strong, blonde females. Lyle continued. "He acted embarrassed afterwards so I didn't bring it up again, but I recently came across his stolen Journal and was going to return it but I, ummm, read it, and discovered the images of all female legionaries inside."
This made me very mad, Brainy had images of ALL female legionaries?! Lyle ignored my obvious anger and just took a breath and checked Brainiac 5's vitals while I tried to pull myself together and not strangle him or Lyle, "What kind of picture and why are you telling me this?" He turned back to me, clearly now starting to be embarrassed himself, "The kind of Images you don't want to see, but I think they were him trying to make up for something," I could feel the heat rising to my head, "make up for what?" I ask, " Page 42, the only picture featuring himself, the only one featuring a male legionarie, the only one featuring him, and most importantly the only one featuring something not uncomfortable, but actually a happy memory," I calmed down, he continued, "When I confronted him about the kiss he denied it ever happened and I believe he genuinely believed that, but when I showed him the Journal he got defensive but completely froze to his current condition when he turned to page 42."
This was a lot to take in, there were three questions that came to my mind and I asked them from greatest to least importance, "What do you think is wrong with him, you have more medical knowledge then me," he responded almost immediately," If my hypothesis is correct then I believe he's stuck in a mental cage or loop and needs to be brought out on a telepathic level, can you break him out?" As if he had to ask. "Most likely, but I have two more questions for you, number one, do you think he's romantically or sexually attached to you?" Lyle still stayed stone faced but his ears turned a little red, "Yes, on some level, I don't think he's fully excepting it for some reason though, gay rights were legalized about a thousand years ago on earth, and fully excepted about 800 years ago, I'm gay, LeViathan and Spark are bisexual, Cham and Sensor are pansexual and so was Element Lad and Monstress, my she rest in peace, what is your last question so we can get to work." Despite all the annoying stuff Brainy has done over the years I still considered him a friend and needed to have this question answered.
(Lyle POV) Am I blushing, she can't know I am blushing, Sprock, I think I'm as red as Ayla's hair. Just calm down and think, yes you've always admired Querl and you often semi-flirted/playfully annoyed him, but I had always been in a relationship with Condo Arlik until he died during Ra's al Ghul's attempted take overs. I miss him greatly but it might be time to move on, but am I ready. Brainy is also a special case, I always was attracted to him and considered him my closest friend besides Reep, but ever since he returned from the mysterious space anomaly and had been altered I had to keep telling myself that I was in a relationship. It wasn't just his slightly different face or amazing hair cut, it was his personality, the wit he had, the jokes he made, the way he now cared about all of us, and the way he looked at life then. I was internally crushed when his mother abused him and scarred him back to being little more then a living computer. Later on he gained back some wit and occasional emotional outbursts, but only when he was gone for a year and I thought he was dead did I realize how much I cared for him. I do have feelings for him.
(Imra POV) After a lot of blushing and a few seconds of thought I watched as Lyle finally say, "yes, maybe, I'm not sure yet." I was relieved to hear that whatever was going on with Brainy at least he won't be alone. "Let us get started then." I walked towards the unconscious Querl Dox and sat next to him on the med-bed and got ready, "Check our vitals every once and a while but don't disturber me, if something goes wrong and you can't yell or shake me awake go get R.J. or Sensor, they should be high enough to get me out." He nodded and I went in.
Nara Minsork's reports had warned me on what Brainy's head was like, but nothing could prepare me for this. Everything going so fast, I need to sync or I will go into mental shock, sync, Sync, SYNC!!!!!!!!! Okay, ok, everything is moving fast but know I have a presence and can make sense of my surroundings, sort of. His mind is forever calculating, programs and problems, I see most of the writing is in green and seems to be the same program repeating constantly so Lyle's theory about the loop is correct. There is also a few purple lines of program, but it keeps getting erased, I should have studied Coluan more, translation plugs don't work in a brain, I wonder what the purple says. A voice from behind me suddenly appears, "Don't do that."
I turn to see brainy, but not the one I know, this was him before the space anomaly, I personally never knew this brainy, this was him before he joined the legion, I had seen images from when he worked at the time institute. "Brainy, are you ok, what is going on?" He looked at me disapprovingly like he always did when he first joined, "Don't call me 'Brainy' my name is Querl Dox, and to answer your question I am fine, we are just taking care of a virus, your assistance is not required Titan female, you may leave." He turned but I called his bluff, "You aren't fine, I have seen your monitors, you are slowly causing yourself brain damage, nothing that can't be fixed yet, but you are really starting to worry me and Lyle." At the mention of his name he wiped around in complete anger, the whole mind shook and purple writing increased for a moment, more of it and it got farther before being erased.
"Did you see what you did! If the virus takes over we die!" my senses tell me something else is going on, "It increased at me mentioning his name, also what do you mean by we?" Jerk Querl huffed, "Myself and 10 other consciousnesses, we control this body and won't permit it to be conscious till the virus is destroyed and it is safe to act." I think about this for a second and then say, "I thought you had 12 consciousnesses, what is twelve doing?"
He became so red and angry I thought he'd explode, then he did. With nothing else to go on I decided that finding the twelfth consciousness was my top priority. I only had a hunch but I decided to follow the purple writing and see where it comes from. As I traveled I noticed that all the programs were getting slower, Brainy must be tiring himself out, or really hurting himself, possibly both, I must continue.
I come to a corner where I hear banging on the other side, but just as I'm about to turn the corner I run into Andromeda, Supergirl, and myself. They block the way. "Return Imra Ardeen and you shall not be harmed," they all say at once, I know what I have to do but I am taken back by myself. I know what connects these ladies, all tall, strong, blonde woman, but the first two were also obvious crushes of Brainy. Eventually he realized he only cared for them deeply, but if I am there to then that means he also cares deeply for me, is that why he entrusts in me? I'm getting distracted, Nara's files says she figured out that his initial interest in these women were the similarities of them to his mother, he wanted them to love him the way she never did, so I know what I must do.
"What do you guard?" I ask, they reply in sync, "we guard the Core of Brainiac 5, only those he love may past." I know I can only try this once because it will weaken me greatly to change my mental form for any period of time. I become slightly taller, more full, and my skin turns green, I become Brainiac 4, his mother. "But doesn't he want to hear his mother say she loves him?" Every inch of me hurts, but I must keep it up, they step aside and I walk by and drop the illusion and almost collapse, so close to the corner and I can hear pounding, but also whimpering. Only now I am faced with every female legionnaire.
I know I can't fight them. There are to many and I am to weak. So I just stand there, and as I stand there I hear something else. Whispers, whispering around each girl. Querl's Halfhearted reasons to like each one, almost desperate to find a physical attraction it seemed. That's when it clicks and I learn one reason why he always isolates himself. "He is not attracted to any of you, or any women, he is completely gay." With that they all faded away. I finally turn the corner and saw eleven different versions of Brainy, all of which with long hair and were from some point before the space anomaly, they were all pounding and stabbing at a force-field sphere, the sphere contained the last Querl Dox. Our Brainy.
I know he is in pain, but he is still sending out his message, he is the purple messages, he is the virus. I go around the field to a blank spot and got close, "Querl, are you ok, what is wrong." His eyes widened and he huddled to the other side of the field. He just shivered, muddling in Coluan. one of the other Brianiac's weapons temporarily pierced his field and got him in the arm, he screamed, looked at me like it was my fault, he waved his hand, and I was gone.
(SensorPOV ) Poor Invisible Kid, he wouldn't tell us what happened, just that Brainiac 5 was unresponsive and causing himself brain damage. He called R.J. and me to the med-lab for our mental powers. He also called Chameleon, who was at Durla until he called, for as he said it, his wide range of knowledge, but really I think he called his best friend for moral support. Brande and I were preparing for our possible telepathic rescue of Saturn Girl, while Invisible Kid wouldn't leave Brainiac's side, doing whatever he could to stabilize his brain patterns and fix or preserve any brain damage, but he is a chemist, not a brain surgeon.
"I think we should call Dr. Gym'll," Cham suggested while looking after Saturn Girl. A small alarm went off and Brainiac's vitals and mental stats went down drastically and Saturn Girl woke up in a sweat. Invisible Kid now also in a sweaty panic started yelling at her, I've never seen him lose his cool, "What did you do to him Imra, he's dying!" He took a breath and I realized he had tears in his eyes, I can not recall a time I had ever seen Lyle cry before, "You were supposed to save him!" Kid barely kept himself together, Cham put his hand on his shoulder not sure what to do, but Invisible Kid just raped his arms around Cham in a hug and cried in his shoulder, "You were supposed to save him."
(Imra POV) We were all quiet for a few minutes to allow Lyle to get the fear out of his system, Chameleon just rubbed his back till he calmed down and let go. Time to say my piece, "I can't get to the part of his mind that is in danger because it thinks I am a threat, can everyone but Lyle leave for a minute please and Mr. Brande please call Dr.Gym'll and inform him of Querl's condition." So when everyone left I turned and broke the news, "I can't save him Lyle, only you can."
(Lyle POV) I can't believe how much I lost it. I still don't know how much I care for Brainy, weather it be teammate, close friend or something more. Something needs to be done though or he will die. "What must I do?" With that Imra collapsed and I caught her, I hadn't realized how weak she was, I sat her down on a near by bed, she spoke, "Thanks, I didn't want anyone to see that but thanks anyway." I'm now full of concern, "Do you have the strength to re-enter his head?" She managed with great effort to sit straight up, "No, But I can bridge your minds for a limited time and guide you as a mental spirt, but I won't be able to maintain it for long and brainy doesn't have much time before he suffers brain damage we can't undo, there is risk for your psyche as well." I don't care, saving my lab partner is all that matters to me right now, "Brief me on all you know then send me in."
One quick briefing later I'm sitting next to Brainy holding his hand and Saturn girl is sitting right next to us. Cham comes up behind us and informs us, "Dr. Gym'll is on his way and I'll monitor till then, Brande went to meet him at the gate way and Sensor will try and pull you guys out if things go bad or if Gym'll needs to start surgery," he put his hand on my shoulder again, I nodded towards him then to Saturn Girl and the next thing I know I'm in the mind of another being.
Everything is just how Imra described it except slower, the purple writing was still fighting, I can understand Coluan though, it's an argument, the purple writing keeps coming up with reasons to be themselves and love who they love, while the Green always said the same response, "We are Coluan, females and males are compatible, nothing else matters except knowledge." This just made me mad, I fallowed the flouting pink energy orb that was Imra's guiding spirit, it lead me to the force-field still being pounded by other versions of Querl Dox. I go to an empty part of the field and press my hands up to it, "Querl?" I ask, my Brainy looks up, his eyes twinkle slightly but his pain-stricken face does not change, "You can call me Brainy if you like, you were the first to call me that." I frown at that, at the time I called him that to tease him for sharing a name with a villain, "I am so sorry, can I please come in Brainy?" He looked me up and down while still shaking, "Y-yes, but don't touch me." The field around me becomes mush and I slip through. I sit next to him, "I am so sorry for putting you in this position." He looked down, it obviously hurt just to lift his head he was so weak, "Oh Lyle, you didn't do this to me, I did it to myself."
"What?!!" I don't know anything else to say, he just spoke, "I had always been different, but my opinions were never heard when I spoke, but after the anomaly I changed and had more power, confidence, and control, the others listened and I could be myself, then that retched woman attached and the others didn't listen as well to me anymore, I had little control, I convinced them to keep my current hair style and I got comments out occasionally, but only when the others were tired or confused did I have full control with our body" he looked up and blushed slightly, "With that I kissed you when we were reunited, I always admired you but was afraid and wanted to be closer but the others kept setting our attention on others, women." He wouldn't look at me anymore, one of the other Brainiac's threw something and it got through and hit him in the back, he fell forward but when I went to help him he put his scraped hand out and said, "Please, don't touch me, " he shuffled back up, but I was still very worried, "What about the journal, that's what caused all this?"
His face scrunched up, "I hate that thing, nothing in there was genuine attraction or emotion, so when the others were temporarily satisfied I just added a picture of us, not doing anything, just laughing, but every time I see it I..." he had joy and happiness in his eyes, but they went to embarrassment and shame, I can't stand it, "There's nothing to be ashamed of, I'd never judge you, you are the smartest person I know," He looked me in the eyes and blushed like a mad man, it returned colour to his face and he looked slightly stronger, but then he looked sad, "After my addition to the journal, the others locked me in this field, I've been here for months, until they saw the journal, page 42, they froze, and I could insert an opinion, the field became my own and I tried to take control so they shut down the body and tried to stop me, but now they won't stop till they kill me." He's now huddled up I think I know what to do.
"Brainy, Saturn Girl says you gained strength when you embrace who you are, so be who you are." He kept looking down, "Lyle, I have these emotions, but not the strength to act upon them, the last time I acted upon my emotions, to someone I loved, they, they..." I understand now, he is comparing what happened with his love for his mother with his possible love for anyone else, the wound hasn't healed, "Querl Dox, your mother tricked you into what you thought was a loving hug, then she abused your body and almost killed you," The terror in his eyes almost killed me but I had a point to make, I reached out and grabbed his hands, he flinched at my touch but I just squeezed harder, with one hand I lifted his head so he'd look at me, "Querl, I would never hurt you, we might bicker or tease but I always respected your opinions and have come to care for you, the year I thought you were dead was the hardest of my life, so please, let yourself shine through."
I pulled him into a hug and I didn't let go, the other Querl's stopped pounding and I could feel my Querl's face heat up but I just held him tighter and whispered in his ear, "There's nothing wrong with who you are, so love whoever you want to love." He pushed me away, I noticed that most of his wounds had healed, he looked me in the eyes, he put his hands through my messy hair. I can feel both of our hearts beat faster, and my face begins to turn red, then he put his hands around my head and slowly pulled me into a kiss. I know this isn't my real body but I swear that I can feel the kiss all over me, time starts to freeze.
After what seemed like forever of a slow, beautiful kiss he pulls away and turns a hundred shades of red, "I am so sorry Lyle, I shouldn't have done that, I should have asked or something," I stop him, "Never be sorry, you didn't hurt me and I think you really needed that, but I also think I should go, Imra, I'm really straining her," We both stood up, but he wobbled and I put my arm around him for balance and he blushes. The force-field drops.
I stood there while the Querl's all discussed what would happen, I noticed that there hairs and faces changed to look more like the Querl I know. The twelfth Querl came up to me, "We are going to listen to each other, but we aren't going to change fully right away," he waved his hand and a small portal opened, "That will wake you up, when we wake up the body won't remember any of this, but we will feel different and act upon it, now we need to rest and recover, I'll see you on the other side." I give him a quick hug and just before I step through I turned and say, "Hang in there."
(Lyle POV) A week and one professional brain surgery later, after finishing my monitor duty I find myself sitting on Brainy's bed. I had woken up from mental recovery 5 days ago and Imra only woke up 3 days ago, but Brainy was still unconscious. I remember everything that happened in his brain but when he wakes up he'll remember nothing, but he'll have a slightly different mindset. For now though all I can do is sit next to him. I start rubbing my finger tips gently up and down his arm because I remember how nice it felt when Condo did it to me... I become lost in thought and didn't notice Brainiac open his eyes or him starring at me. He pulled his arm away from me and said, "What are you doing?" In a very intense questioning manner.
I'm in temporary shock, "You are a wake, oh thank goodness you are awake, I was, um, just taking your vitals, sorry," he just stared at me, but I am completely embarrassed, and why did I lie. "What happened, why am I in a med-bed?" He tried sitting up and I went to help him but he put his hand out and looked at me funny, "I can do it myself, but what the sprock happened that I ended up here, last I remember we were arguing," I get a little angry but I stay calm, "You're brain got stuck in a mental loop from something I showed you, Imra helped get you out," I don't know why I don't just tell the full truth, the real world is hard. "Well last I remember you put me in that position so thanks a lot Norg," Now I'm mad, after all I did this is how I get thanked, after all the emotion and energy I spent on him, the countless hours of watching his monitors and waiting for him to wake up, "You know what, you just rest, I'm going to the rec-room, see if I care what happens to you." And I storm out.
(Brainiac 5 POV) What was that all about, why is he so mad at me, he's the one who should feel guilty for what he did. First I find out that he might be my black mailer because he confronted me with my stolen journal and shows me an image of us that somehow puts me in a coma. When I wake up I find him oddly rubbing my arm, although pleasant, was not with consent. Either way I'm not listening to his orders to rest, I've already been resting for far to long. I get up to go find Saturn Girl.
Thank Colu for computerized locating because Legion World is so large you'd never find anything or anyone. Saturn Girl was thankfully nearby at the Titian section of the planet, I guess that makes sense, more specifically she was in the parlor she had had installed since our trip to the 21th century because she gained a taste for ice cream. Once I arrived I saw her out of uniform with Live Wire, a thought went through my mind but where I would normally ignore it, I listened. Date, they want to be alone. date, alone.
I stand there awkwardly thinking on what to do now but Imra sees me and she smiles and stands up to greet me, "Brainy, you are awake," I smile but then I notice the awkward look on Garth's face and knew they had been having a difficult discussion. On our way back to the booth she puts her arm around be and I blush, but she sends me a telepathic message, "Ask Garth to leave Brainy, please." I look at her then at Garth and decide to comply, "Garth, would you mind leaving us alone, there is something we need to discuss," he looks at me, then Imra, then me, then Imra again, "But, but, huff, fine, but we really need to discuss our engagement," he stands up and goes to kiss Imra but she backs up slightly and he stops and awkwardly walks out. We sit down, "What did I just get between?" she sighed, "He was dead Brainy, actually dead, and he's not even in the body I fell in love with, it's the body of Element Lad, he tried to kill us, he killed Monstress and Garth, I loved Garth and want to spend the rest of my life with him, but to me that isn't the same Garth I fell in love with, not anymore."
After minutes of awkward silence she spoke again, "Enough about me, let's talk about you, you just woke up and obviously came searching for me, what's up?" I try for a smile but probably failed, so I just go for a normal face, "I.K, after he stopped being weird and irritating, told me that you healed my mind, I wanted to personally thank you." She smiled, her smile is so kind, she's like a big sister to me, Why Am I Thinking This, "Well brainy, although I went in and found the problem, I couldn't save you, it was Lyle, he would not take no for an answer and I bridged his mind to yours, he discovered how to save you and did so, he risked brain damage as well, and was knocked unconscious for two days, but even so, whenever he got the chance he was at your side watching your monitors and making sure you were ok, it's him you should thank." I was shocked, Invisible Kid, Lyle, did all that for me, why didn't he just say so, was he guilty for what happened before?
"Brainy, you are kind of turning red, are you feeling alright?" I was blushing, what for, I feel guilty for treating Lyle badly but not bad enough to blush. "Saturn Girl, Imra, can I ask you something?" Her worried look leaves, "Of course, you can tell or ask me anything." Deep breath, "Lyle has been acting weird towards me, right before I knock out, apparently during, and right after, is there something he isn't telling me?" By her face I can tell she knows everything but all I get is, "I don't know what happened while he was in your mind, but there is something about him that you will have to talk to him about by yourselves, haven't you ever noticed the way he looks at you, but hey it's not my place." I nod, but am confused, "Imra, I don't understand, he always looks at me the same way." She looks like she might speak, but at that moment a frustrated Invisible Kid walks through the door.
He sees me and does a one eighty and starts walking out the door. I stand up and call out to him, "Lyle, wait!" He keeps walking but slows down a bit so I can catch up. When I catch up I put my hand on his shoulder so he'll slow down and he freezes solid at me touch, under his shaggy hair I see his ear tips go a little bit pink, "I'd like to apologize to you Lyle, Saturn Girl told me that it was actually you who saved me, I don't know why you confronted me last week, and I don't know why you didn't tell me about what you did, but thank you for saving me life." He smiles widely and it makes me smile, I don't know why but I have the strangest urge to hug him tightly but I know that would discomfort both of us so I hold out my hand. He takes it awkwardly and I shake it, I squeeze slightly tighter as if I don't want to let go and he squeezes harder still. I'm about to ask him about his secret when our legion flight-ring alarms go off.
(Sensor POV) We all met at the meeting room for debriefing, apparently our current leader, Kid Quantum, had very specific legionnaires in mind to handle whatever we were facing because only half the legion showed up despite it probably bring a big problem. Karate Kid arrived first, then Star Boy, Dreamer, Live Wire, then Umbra and M'Onel in that order. Saturn Girl, Brainiac 5, and Invisible kid came in at the same time and I had already been here because the meeting room is a quiet place to be until it isn't. Kid Quantum was planet side so she gave our update via hologram. "Team, the science police have just informed me that the Fatal Five are out and our legion tech has tracked them to a small moon revolving around Winath, It might be possible that they're going to attach the planet or are just resting up, but either way they are wanted in every sector and must be arrested."
Suddenly the door opened and Timber Wolf walked in. "I walked by and I heard something about the Fatal Five, if they're out, I want in, they nearly killed me last time and I want to return the favour." Timber Wolf cracked his knuckles, I find this humanoid feat displeasing so I look away and I see Brainiac 5 intensely staring at Tiber Wolf and Invisible Kid staring fondly and dazedly at Brainiac, this I find amusing. Kid Quantum spoke up, "Of Course Brin you can go along, you have good experience with this enemy." He nodded and she continued briefing us.
Quantum states our goals, " Saturn Girl you are team leader, despite what I'm about to say, in the heat of the moment do what seems fit but stay with in code." Saturn Girl straighten her posture and I noticed that Invisible Kid was slowly moving his hand towards Brainiac 5's until his finger tips were on his hand, Brainiac smiled but didn't take his eyes off Kid Quantum who continued, "So Saturn Girl, Star Boy and M'Onel, you handle Validus. Brainy, I believe you can handle Tharok but don't let that support your ego, ask for help when you need it, that goes for you all. Sensor, Dreamer and Umbra, you will take down Empress, she has been confirmed to be in possession of the Emerald Eye. Karate Kid, you and Timber Wolf will handle the Persuader while Live Wire and Invisible Kid will take care of Mano, that's your assignments, dismissed."
After the briefing we board the legion cruiser and head off towards Winath's moon. Invisible Kid took the helm with M'Onel, Brainiac 5 and Live Wire at the consoles. I sat with Dreamer and Umbra discussing battle plans, while Saturn Girl and Star Boy, and Karate Kid and Timber Wolf all did the same with there groups. Brainiac 5 spoke up, "We can't hit them straight on or else they'll see us coming but if we land on the opposite side of the planet, and wait till the moon is directly above then launch, we'd be on the moon before The Five know what hit them, Live Wire, your families farm is in that general area, we could..." Live Wire cut him off, "No, um, errr, what I mean is, it's harvesting season, and they don't need a distraction, but I know a place we could stay till than."
Brainiac clearly annoyed from being cut off asked a serious question, "Where do you suggest we land and wait?" Live Wire took a deep breath, "At the farthest east side of my parents farm there's a small forest we never used, when me and Ayla were small we built a tree house there, mostly to get away from Mekt or our chores, we grew up and stop using it, but a couple years ago during the, um, Dark Circle catastrophe," he paused and looked at Brainiac 5 who clearly wanted to be anywhere but right there, "During the catastrophe Ayla's team had to lay low for a bit so they went there, Composite Man found them and the place got destroyed, but during the year that some of us legionnaires were lost, she was on Winath, and considering how hard it was to space travel back then she thought if Legionnaires were to ever come to Winath they'd need a place to stay, so she cleared a big area in her free time, and used the cut trees to build a small legion base, there is one ship landing pad and enough beds for a team around our size, do you want the coordinates Brainy?" And after being given the coordinates we all spent the rest of the trip in silence.
(POV Lyle) I'm glad we got planet side so that we could get some fresh air and space. Brainy had been looking dizzy ever since Garth indirectly brought up his mother. In the past he'd always bypass this event not wanting to deal with it but now that I've freed his 12th consciousness his mind is going to have to face it and I just hope he can hold it together for our fight with the Five. Everyone was leaving the ship and I was about to leave to but I noticed Brainy wasn't getting up out of his chair, "Brainy? Are you coming?" he turned his chair to face me and he didn't look me in the eyes but put on a fake smile that I almost bought, "Yes, I just want to do some scans, go out and enjoy the sun." And stupidly, I did just that.
I stepped off and took a deep breath, although Earth has been recovering well from its constant attacks, it still smelled of death and mildew, Winath however smelled of Sweet fruits and vegetables, here especially of Ranzzian Floating peaches. I take a look around and see that we really are on just a clearing, the ship landed right on a huge circle of grass next to a large, hand made log lodge. There'd be no power and the only water would be from the hydro-pump. "It's a good thing we aren't staying here to long, roughing it for more then a couple days isn't my thing." Saturn Girl, Umbra and Live Wire turned to face me, Umbra looked just as ticked off as she usually does, "Easy for you to say, you didn't have to 'rough it' for a year like some of us, alone, in space, in a different Galaxy." M'Onel put his hand on her shoulder and she calmed down, would they just stop toying with us and admit to being a couple. Saturn Girl spoke up, "You don't know that," Stop reading my thoughts Imra, I know you can't always control or help it but our thoughts are the only place we usually can think something and not be judged. "Sorry."
After that I wanted to take a walk. I start walking near the extremely tall trees, probably 40 feet in height, when suddenly a tall man with long snow white hair walks out with his hands in fists and in a threatening pose, "Who are you people." Small sparks come off his hands and Garth came over and put out his hand, "Mekt, it's me, Garth, Garth and the legion." I now recognize the man as Mekt Ranzz, Live Wires brother who's being rehabilitating on the farm and must have seen our Cruiser land and came to investigate. Mekt let down his guard and shakily put out his hand and took Garth's, "Garth, I f-forgot about what you l-looked like, what are you doing here, why didn't you tell mom and dad you were coming?" Garth looked like he was on the spot so I stepped in, "Top secret legion business, we needed a place to lay low for a few hours but Garth said only Ayla knew about this place?" Mekt stood there awkwardly and said, "w-who did you t-think helped her b-build it and maintain it while s-she is not here, d-didn't she tell a-any of you?" Garth looked down, "No, but you are here now and we have a lot to catch up on, let's take a walk."
After that I gave the brothers some space. I continued my walk, then went into the field. I could see the spot where me, Cham, and Shikari first used Threshold technology to re-recruit Ayla, where Cham had to break her heart with her brother's death. This was a sad spot. I decided to head back and to my biggest 'surprise' I ran into M'Onel and Umbra making out in the foliage, I started sarcastically clapping. M'Onel let go off her and stood up, "Lyle, I didn't see you there?" I smile my signature smug smile, "Obviously, honestly I don't care as long as you make your relationship public, before you started whatevering did you happen to see Brainy?" Umbra spoke up as she now was standing up and back to her grim stuck up self, "We'll come public when you and Querl do too." M'Onel just stared at her disapprovingly, but I'm just a blushing, hot headed mess, "WHAT!!???" She just kept talking, "It's obvious you care about each other and are covering it up, I also heard about the kiss you publicly shared from Xs who heard about it from Kid Quantum, if you admit you're seeing each other in the shadows, we'll come clean." I just stand there, she couldn't be more wrong, but besides the actual dating part she's also completely right. M'Onel puts a hand on her shoulders and looks me in the eyes, his earth sky blue eyes, "We haven't seen Brainy in a few hours, I thought he was doing some scans in the cruiser?" I'm really worried now, "That was hours ago!!" And I run for the ship.
I get to the cruiser and board the ship, I go to the bridge where I last saw him but he wasn't there. I go door to door, each room open and empty, I eventually come to the lavatory and the door is locked, I buzz for entrance, no change. I open the com to the room and speak, "Brainy, I know you are in there, please open the door so I can help you?" No response, I try again, "Querl, please." Still nothing, so I try the hard way, I take a panel down and try the simple bypass, but Brainy must have disabled it, so I go for disabling the power to the door and electrocute myself, mild burn but it doesn't matter now, the door is unlocked. I slide it open. The normal lights are off and only the minimal emergency lights are active, but I can still see a huddled up figure sobbing slightly in the corner. I come closer and kneel to his level, I expected him to flinch or do something but he just stays sitting on the floor, holding his knees and crying into them. I know what's wrong but I need him to speak so I ask anyway, "Querl, what's wrong." He just keeps crying and I put my hand gently under his chin and look at his face. He is covered in bruises, they looked self inflicted like he had started out slapping himself but got more serious. "Brainy, you're face, please talk to me so I can help."
I sigh, I know what I must do but it hurts me to do it, I put my hand on his leg and just start talking to him. "This is about your mother isn't it, and what she's done to you, once you were born she left you to be raised by robots. Then when the most spectacular thing happens to you and you hear that you're mother has returned to her home planet and is looking for you, you drop everything and go straight to her, in hopes that you could share your happiness, to have a really family, not just friends, and when you find her she embraces you with open arms and for a moment you feel complete happiness, but then she uses your newly found enhanced body to her own advantage, she nearly kills you and breaks many bones in your body, but that doesn't hurt nearly as her betrayal. She nearly killed the newly awakened side of you and you now feel her presence everywhere you go." I breathe and he just cried louder, not knowing really what else to do I begin to remove my hand from his leg but he grabs my hand and pulls me into a hug, crying just as hard but now on my shoulder, in between sobs he says, "H-how c-c-could she d-do that t-t-to me." I just rub his back and whisper, "I don't know." Then I continuously whisper "I got you Brainy, I got you."
After what seemed like, and could have been hours, he finally calms down. He doesn't say anything but I eventually realize that the hug might be to awkward now so I let go and he rubbed his puffy eyes, "Thanks Lyle, but there's one thing you were wrong about, yes I desperately wanted to reunite with my mother, but you, Gates, Imra and the rest of the legion are my family." While I was smiling like a mad man he started to stand and I tried to help him but he looked at me confused, "I can still stand Norg, I'm grateful and everything but what has gotten into you?" I keep a straight face but I feel the blush go over my face and pray that the lights are dim enough that he can't see it, "It's a really long story and I don't think you'll want to here it, let's get you to the med bay so I can heal your wounds so nobody else will see?" He smiled awkwardly, "I'd like that, thanks." And with that we head out towards the med wing.
(POV Querl) Lyle's a good friend, after all that we fight about he still sticks by me when I need him most, but what ever secret he's holding is killing me. I have 193 possible answers but most only have a 39% or less possibility rate. Once I'm sitting on the table and he starts treating my wounds and I decided to start asking questions, "What did you do in my brain that Imra couldn't?" He stayed silent for a moment as if to think of how to answer, and his ear tips went red, "I managed to get your mind to trust me more then it trusted her and with that trust, I used the knowledge Imra had discovered and calmed some of your consciousnesses down and broke the loop." I could tell that wasn't the full truth but I just asked the next question. "Why did you risk so much to save me?" He went stone faced, "One can you stop moving so I can heal you properly, and two, I care about you, we've been friends a very long time or at least I'd like to think we have been, and after my boyfriend died, and after I had just gotten you and the other legionnaires back after thinking you all were dead, I couldn't let anything else happen to anyone I cared about." This was to touching, I don't deserve this, especially considering my last question, "Lyle, why did you bring me my journal and bring up, um, er, you know, the, ummm, the." He cuts me off, "Kiss, look, I'm not your blackmailer, I think I might know who is but I came across your journal by chance, by the way I left it in your room, I wasn't going to read it but my espionage side got the better of me, and when I pieced together that everyone in that those pictures were crushes of yours, and the kiss you had given me a few weeks before, the strange way you had been acting, I wanted to know if everything was all right and if I'm going to be perfectly honest to you and myself I wanted to know how you felt for me, because, while I, you see, I..." He starts stuttering, there are only 21 possibilities and most have higher than 56% probability rates, I'm now blushing as I try and rap my emotions over the most likely discovery of his, "Lyle, I..." our legion rings go off, sprock.
(POV Brainiac 5)"Saturn Girl to team, I want us to discuss further battle plan and the monitor duty shifts on the ship while the rest of us try and sleep, meet me in the lodge's meeting room." I decide to put duty ahead of personal feelings and agenda, "I think we should meet up with her, we can discuss this later." We make our way to the very primitive meeting room. When me and Invisible Kid walked in together Umbra stares at us with an interestingly maniacal smile, why was she looking at us that way, were my injuries still showing? I sat down and Norg sat on one side of me while Timber Wolf sat to my right. I don't know why I'm suddenly so infatuated with him, especially with my mixed emotions for Lyle. But Timber Wolf, he's a superman, well maybe not Kon-EL or M'Onel, but he's super strong, chivalrous, charming, ruggedly handsome and a fearsome warrior. Imra had been starting her introduction speech but suddenly turned bright red. Imra, you didn't just... A message in my head appears, 'I did, sorry, he is cute though, I'll continue now, sorry again Brainy.' Silly Imra.
After she talks battle plan she discusses all of our monitor duty, "Sensor and Karate kid, you will go first for an hour, than myself and Brainiac 5 will go for an hour, Live Wire interrupted, "Imra, couldn't we have monitor duty together, so that we could, you know, talk?" Saturn Girl looked annoyingly at Live Wire, "Garth, this isn't personal chat time, it's make sure nothing with Fatal Five time." Live Wire just slouched in his chair and looked a little put down, but Imra just continued, "Than Lyle and Dreamer will go for an hour, than Live Wire and Star Boy, fallowed by M'Onel and Umbra, after that they'll wake us up and we'll head for the moon." We all thought that this was ok except for Garth, poor Garth.
I decided to go to bed early because I don't know how much sleep I'll been getting, the beds weren't as uncomfortable as I thought, I set an alarm and start dozing off. I register someone coming next to my cot but by the time Lyle, the voice was definitely Lyle's, whispered my name I was out. Coluan don't really dream. If we are home on Colu we can access the dream net while our bodies rest, which connects us to all other sleeping Coluans on world and lets us discuss problems, theories, inventions, and learn from each other. After my transformation I was able for a while to connect anywhere within the Galaxy but not long after I got this ability my people stripped me of almost all my Coluan citizen rights including dream net, so as always tonight I just sleep.
An hour later my alarm goes off and me and Saturn Girl go and relieve Sensor and Karate Kid who seemed to have gotten along well. We check everything and make sure no systems had been bugged or hacked. I decide to start up a conversation, "So, are you and Garth done?" She sighed, "Probably Brainy, I just am having trouble seeing Garth through Jan's crystalline face, Garth is definitely still in there and is kind to me but I think I'm going to break off the engagement." I could tell this was awkward for her but I didn't know what to change the subject to, but as if she was reading my mind, she probably was, she took control of the conversation, "So, you have a thing for Brin Londo?" She said smugly, I blush, "Yah, maybe, thanks for that mental reading though early by the way, that was kind of embarrassing." She smiles, "Yah, sorry about that, I meant no harm."
"So, Brin's a really nice guy, little bit older than you though," I find this amusing, Coluan life spans are three and a half times longer than most humanoids, I'm actually more than double his age, but I know what Imra means, Brin is physically older and more mature which I like. Saturn Girl than looked me in the eyes, "I could have sworn though that you had something for Norg?" I choke on my on breath and blush like wild fire, "Imra, I've only been having these feelings and thoughts for the past day, maybe they've been there all along and I've just never noticed." She laughed at my flushed face than spoke, "ok, well then list the negative and positive about both, start with Timber Wolf." Let me think, "Well he doesn't take orders from just about anyone, he's aggressive and feral," I hear faint footsteps coming towards the monitor room, but I continue, "But Brin is also charming, loyal, ruggedly handsome, strong, and caring." Saturn Girl had her next question waiting, "And what about Lyle?" I already had an answer, "Lyle is stubborn, impulsive, rude, and egotistic." The footsteps stop, I turn around and see no one, why oh why didn't I think more about this, all I did was keep talking, "But he's also sweet, helpful, goofy, and when you really need him he'll always be there for you, I also really like his smile and his messy hair drives me crazy and, and." I notice Imra is smiling widely at me and I stop, "Sorry that was to much." She now was laughing a sweet laugh, "Oh Querl, that was beautiful," and I blush.
(POV Lyle) I couldn't sleep, my shift wasn't for another half an hour but I couldn't get Brainy out of my mind, I have to talk to him. I start heading toward the monitor room, as I get closer I hear Imra and Brainy talking. I can't make it out at first but as I get closer it becomes clearer, I hear Querl talking, "Brin is also charming, loyal, ruggedly handsome, strong, and caring." My heart hits the floor, I feel so low that I don't even notice that my Invisibility activated, Saturn Girl then added one more question as I walk closer to the room and I can now see them, "And what about Lyle?" What could he possibly say, he answered so quickly, "Lyle is stubborn, impulsive, rude, and egotistic." I can't believe what I'm hearing I turn around and fly away. They keep talking but I can't hear them because I'm so frustrated and mad. My old impression of Brainiac might be true, he's nothing more then an egotistic, jerky computer.
I keep flying in no particular direction until I literally crash into Live Wire near the escape pods. "Ow Lyle, what gives?" At first I'm to hot headed to notice anything so I just apologize but I then notice he wasn't just in front of a pod, he was in front of an operational pod. "Why is the pod online?" He started stuttering, "Umm, well, always best, to um, make sure they function properly," I see right through his lies and check the panel see where it's going, "Winath's moon, want some help?" He stared at me shocked, wondering if this were a trick, any other day it would have been but I am one hundred percent serious. "Sure." He said suspiciously. "Great, but you might want to hit this button instead of the other or else it'll set off an alarm and shut all the pods off, no matter what we do though when we launch the people at monitor will be notified, we just have to make sure they can't do anything about it." I get in and start warming all the systems up and deactivating anything that could notify Brainiac or Saturn Girl. "Why are you helping me?"
I take a breath, I'm still very angry and frustrated and I think Garth can see that, "Same reason as you, a person which I share a close relationship with, is toying with my emotions and I just feel like I have something to prove and nothing to lose." He looks just as grim as me, "yup, that sums it up for me as well, let's do this." I nod and start the launch sequence. Not a minute later a secondary com system that I forgot to deactivate channeled Starboy's voice, "Lyle, is that you, I couldn't find you for monitor duty but I didn't think you were mutinying, deactivate the pod." I launch the pod but keep the calm open, "Tell Brainiac 5 this is what a rude, egotistic, stubborn, impulsive partner does." And I shut the com off as well as the pods tracking software so neither the Legion or Fatal Five know where we are. Garth takes one of the controls, "so, what's the plan?" I honestly hadn't thought of that, I just said what first came to mind, "Hit them hard before the see what's coming."
I turned on whatever minimal cloaking this escape pod has. We keep raising higher and higher into the atmosphere and after a minute we break the gravitational pull of the planet. "It'll be an hour and a half till we reach The Five's base, I know this pod is slow but it does it's job." Live Wire spoke, "Lyle, maybe you should take a rest before we get there, I'll wake you up a few minutes before we get there to further plan." I'm reluctant at first but I haven't slept in a couple days and I am tired. I didn't think I would but I managed to fall asleep, it was a dreamless sleep.
"I.K. I.K. wake up," Live Wire was shaking me, "For Valor sake Garth, what's going on?" Panic was all over his crystal face, "We arrived but the pod picked up scanners, our shields and cloaking device have been covering us, and I know some programs to input, but this isn't my specialty and the closer we get the more intense and thorough it will become, you also are hard to wake." This was bad, I take over the controls, I luckily know some more programs to input then Live Wire, but I'm a chemist, the tech knowledge I know is just from my old spy job, courses I've taken for Legion missions, and working with Brainiac 5, this would be easy for him, but for me I'm going to have to pay attention to everything.
Winath's moon is much like earths Mars. We land in a small cave near the base and start walking. The base is in the middle of a huge valley and as we leave the small mountain range we have no cover. "Take my hand and stay close." He looked at me funny, "Live Wire I'm just going to extend my invisibility field around you so we won't be detected." He did what I said and I put one of my arms around him and turned us both invisible. I felt the strain instantly, it's easy to turn myself and my clothes invisible, but to turn others saps plenty of my energy. We keep walking until we get to an air lock. I'm starting to feel dizzy but I tough through and disable the motion sensors for this area and make it so that when I open the air lock they won't be notified.
Once in I let go of Live Wire and I can feel a huge pressure on my whole body leave, I however stay invisible. "We need to take Tharok and Empress down first, because they can raise an alarm faster than the others, that and they are very good at leading the gang, Empress first than Tharok, than we go from there." He nods and we speed along. The base is huge and I just hope we only run into who we want to first.
I see the Emerald Eye and only pray it can't see me, no matter what it'll see Live Wire. Luckily that's part of the plan, but if I'm caught I can say with certainty I'll never reach 20. The eye passes me but see's Garth, now it's loyalties being to Empress first over the Five it should alert her and not them. Garth waits a couple seconds as instructed for Empress and when she turned the corner he uses Element Lads transmutation powers to covers the eye with three layers of minerals.
"Not one more step Empress, I've covered your eye in two layers of fourthdieium which has a tendency to anchor in this dimension, and in between the two layers is filled with highly concentrated gas from Trom that if ignited could explode the whole base, so think your next moves carefully." This was smart taking away the eyes two main ways of escaping being teleportation and burning it's way through anything but this won't stop Empress from killing Garth in seconds, that's why well he was talking I was using my flight ring to float slightly above her. "Legionnaire, you have breathed your last breath." I can't resist having the last word, "Nope!" And as she turns her head up to look at me I turn visible again and land directly on her head.
"Nice k.o." Garth tells me, "Thanks but let me tie her up first so that when she wakes she can't surprise attack us." With that I pull a thin, but super strong string from one of my poaches on my belt and tie her up and stick her and the eye in the nearest empty room. "We need to find Tharok next and take out both his robotic half and human half, I brought a mini EMP to do the job, it won't deactivate him though, just paralyze part of him stiff." Garth had an important question to ask next, "And how are we supposed to find him, we came across the patrolling eye by chance, this base is bigger than my parents farm, Tharok could be anywhere." I thought for a moment, "If we allow any wires and electronic signals then we should be able to find a control room where he'll almost certainly be, let's go."
I turned Invisible again and we headed towards the control room, my scanner confirmed that we were heading in the direction that many signals were coming from. At one point we came to a huge opening. I looked in and almost had a heart attack. In the center of the huge room lay Validus, the largest, most deadly Fatal Five member, thank Valor he was a sleep. We walk by the room as fast as we can and pray that he does not wake up.
We keep walking until we reach what I am sure to be the control room, I stop but Garth keeps walking, "Garth," he jumps than turned around, "Sorry Lyle, didn't know where you were, is this it?" I turn visible for a minute so he'd know where I am, "Yes I believe this is the spot, you need to enter first and electrocute him, it should distract him so I can get close enough to place the EMP on him." He nods and I turn invisible again. He opens the door and rushes in while I fallow.
Live Wire didn't get enough time to shoot Tharok with his electronic blast because Tharok shot him with his plasma-canon arm first. It knocked Garth down but luckily he was still alive and somewhat conscious. I start making my way to him. "Stupid legionnaire, when Empress didn't check in I checked all secondary systems and found out you took her out. I sent Persuader to free her and Mano will be here any second, also I raised the shields because I saw your reinforcement coming, you shouldn't have come alone." Live Wire somehow managed a smile, "I didn't." With that I place the EMP on his robotic arm and that whole side of him froze. I felt like celebrating but there was something I didn't put into account, his biological side is very strong. He managed to spin around and found out where I was by hitting me with such force that I heard something snap in my arm. I hit the wall, I hurt to much to remain invisible.
If life couldn't get any worse Mano burst in with his poisons arm ablaze. I managed to see Live Wire with the help of his flight ring kick Mano just above his lower arm and Mano howled in pain. Mano retaliated however by fling Garth around with his other arm, flinging him to the ground and I could tell he was out this time. Tharok dragged his paralyzed body towards me and just as I was getting back up he kicked me in the leg and I knew it was now broken too. Persuader and a newly freed Empress walked in and Tharok turned towards them for a second and I managed to back a little space to move but not a lot.
I'm backed into a corner, poor Garth is still out cold and has a nasty gash on his head. The Fatal Five all turn towards me. Persuader raises his atomic ax, Tharok points a blaster he had picked up at me with his non-paralyzed arm. A very annoyed Empress points one of her dagger and Mano raised his toxic arm towards me supported by his non broken arm. I close my eyes and wonder if it was worth it. I prepare for the end.
I open my eyes expecting to be dead but instead I see a familiar force field protecting me and Live Wire. I hear a mental suggest in my mind to fly straight up and I notice a small gap in the field at the top and I fly right over the evil villains. As soon as I'm over them every legionnaire bursts in, they protect me and Garth as Imra takes him out of the fight and Umbra takes me out. I see Brainy in the fight and he's the last thing I see before I fall unconscious from my injuries.
(POV Lyle) When I gain consciousness everything hurt, and was sore, but I can feel someone addressing my wounds. They aren't doing it gently. I open my eyes just for a second and I see that it's Querl, I close my eyes again but he speaks, "I saw that Norg, that and your vitals show that you are awake." I slowly open my eyes and see a very cross Querl looking back.
"Hey Brainy, I" He snaps at me, "Don't you 'Hey Brainy' anything, do you know what you did? You helped high jack an escape pod with Live Wire instead of turning him in, you left against orders and messed up the plan, if our ship wasn't as fast as it was and Sensor didn't make it look like we failed we would have never been able to rescue you or take them down. Validus ended up waking up and we had to put our focus towards him, The Five managed to escape along with Validus and many legionnaires were injured, maybe not to your extent but it could have been way worse, all of this, all of it because of something you thought you heard." This really hurts, but did he say 'thought I heard' I thought he sounded pretty clear, "Lyle what you heard was a list of negative aspects about you and was fallowed by an extremely long list of stuff I like about you, but now I think the negative might have been more accurate."
I laid there in silence as he continued to treat his wounds but when he was done and started to leave I couldn't let him go or else we'll just go back to being bickering lab partners, so I stand up with great effort and hold back tears from the pain and keep a straight face, "Brainy, I am so sor." He wouldn't let me finish again, and this time he whipped around and kicked me in my broken leg, I scream as I fall to the ground, "You aren't sorry, you willingly went on that possible suicide mission without taking anything into account," I try again to stand and eventually use my flight ring to help a bit, he keeps talking, "You should never have gone, I care about you and the last few years have been very painful, but when you went up to that base I thought I lost you, you have no idea what it's like to lose someone you care about Norg."
His face showed that he realized his mistake but it was to late, I'm furious, "Sorry Brainy, but this time you went too far because you didn't forget and you did know, you know my parents are dead, you know about how it was my fault my adopted brother died, you know how many Legionnaires have died that I will forever miss, you know that the year you and Reep were in the second Galaxy that I thought you were dead, I mourned you, I was in so much pain, but then you came back and I thought everything would work out but want to hear something else you already know, I lost my boyfriend, the person I had loved the most for years only weeks later, I never got to say goodbye and for you to say I don't know what it's like to lose someone I care about, is your 12 level intellectual ego getting in the way of your thinking!" He stared me in the eyes with shame and it calmed me down slightly but I had one more point to make, "But what you don't know is after all that lose when I saw you collapse to the ground, being non-responsive something inside me broke but also clicked, and from there I realized something, I'm in love with you Querl Dox, that's why I risked my mind to save yours and that's why I've been acting so weird and that's why when I heard you say those soul ripping things about me that I left for a possible suicide mission, because hearing that was the greatest lose of something I cared about in a long time. I love your quirky humor, your wit, your intelligence, your dedication to whatever you put your mind to, I love your hair, and I love your personality more than anything else, I know this is hard to hear but I wanted you to know."
Brainy was now blushing like crazy, but he also looked like he was in pain, going to throw up, or was resisting something, "Gee, Brainy, I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you or make you feel uncomfortable." He looked at me but not in the face as if scared at me, "I'm not hurt, I deserved that, but you also deserved what I said, but the last thing you said is really making me want to do something that no Coluan would approve of and I think it really isn't the best time but my body feels like it's dying for this thing, I should really go, I'm really sorry for kicking you," he kept shuffling in one spot for a second then turned to leave but I took his arm and every hair on him stood on end, he froze and wouldn't look at me as if afraid it would kill him,"Norg, please don't touch me or I will do something that we both might regret, give me time to calm down." I turn him to face me, I put my hand on his warm cheek so that he's forced to look at me but he won't look in my eyes, "Querl Dox, you got to stop using your brain for everything, I just said I love you and I...," he cut me off by pulling me into the most intense kiss I've ever felt in the real world before I could get another word out. He pulled away for a second, "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have..." I wouldn't let him finish by pulling him back in, I put my hands through his amazing yellowish blonde hair and just couldn't let go of his beautiful green skin. I just didn't know how much I needed this, it felt like the whole world was clearer.
(POV Querl) I hadn't know what to do, when Lyle said he loved me, almost every part of me was screaming at me to kiss him. This was illogical however because I was mad at him for what he did, and the location wasn't proper, and despite living among humans who have loved whoever they want to love for centuries I kept thinking about Coluan law. I tried to explain that I understood what he said but that I needed to calm myself down. Then he touched me in the most gentlest way, he said that I should stop thinking and I lost all control. I pulled him in for a kiss before I could think twice, when our lips touched I had no idea that I wanted that kiss and him so badly but I guess I really did.
It started out as just a kiss but I wanted more, I wanted more desperately, that's when I cut him off before I'd do something worse, I stated my apology but he just pulled me back in and we started making out. I put my fingers through his messy brown hair and my hands on his face just to feel him, I had no idea how much I loved him.
We kept making out but at one point I put my arm tightly around his waist and he yelped in pain. "Lyle?!!" Face still pain stricken, he tried for a smile, "Sorry to scare you, my bones might be mending at a fast pace but they're still broken," I hurt him, we've only been connected for 5 minutes and I've hurt him. This will never work, and if the Coluan council ever found out I'd be denied the last bit of Coluan culture I was entitled to, my birth right, "I'm so sorry, the last thing I wanted was to hurt you, I just remembered that I'm needed on the bridge, we can discuss this rationally later when we're calm." And I left for the bridge, I could hear him call my name but I was already gone.
(POV Lyle) "Brainy, come back." That stupid idiot, if he gets to the bridge it'll be hours before we could talk in private again. I try and run after him but my leg couldn't take it and the pain was unbearable so I used my flight ring. I leave the med-bay to fallow. On my way I'm distracted when I see Live Wire and Imra making out, this gave me mixed feelings. On one hand I was glad that Imra and Garth were back together but on the other he still had Jan's face and there passion made me jealous and mad at Brainy for leaving in such a hurry.
I catch up but I was to late, he'd made it to the bridge, M'Onel, who was also just getting to the bridge took one look at me and sent me back to the ships med-bay for the remainder of the voyage home. "But the team needs me?" M'Onel often was loving and excepting but he still had some disappointment on his expression, "Lyle, the bridge doesn't need you right now after the stunt you pulled, we managed to get by there force field but they were now expecting us and Umbra had her arm broken and Timber Wolf got burned. They're fine now but it could've been worse and you shouldn't have disobeyed Kid Quantum and Imra's orders, wait in the med-bay till we return to earth."
I do as M'Onel says and rest and recover in the med-bay until we arrive at Legion World. When we do land in Legion World I go to the main exit of the cruiser and wait for Brainy but he must have already found a way off. I turn invisible as I exit the legion cruiser to avoid paparazzi because I hate being seen by large crowds, old spy habits. So I head to the threshold chamber so I can go directly to Legion HQ on the ground. I decide it would be best to take my mind off things by working on a project Val had given me. I'm glad the nano-surgery was working, I might still be using my flight ring, but at this rate my injuries will be gone in just a couple of days so Brainy won't be able to use that stupid 'I could hurt you' excuse anymore.
I'm just about to enter me and Brainy's old lab that since we got Legion World has been mostly mine, when the door suddenly slides open and Querl with a big box full of equipment comes through and we run right into each other. I turn visible, he trips and the stuff in the box goes everywhere, he try's to grab onto me for support but my foot work fails me and I land right on top of him. I lift my body up slightly and our faces are right in line, I feel his slightly panicked breath on my face, his eyes locked with mine, I feel my heart rate increase along with his. Every fiber in me wants to kiss him and his blushing green face but I know that's not what he wants right now so I get up. Once I'm up I offer him a hand and he takes it. I have so much on my mind that all I can say is, "Hey." I mentally slap myself in the face for such a dumb move, "Um, hi, you knocked over all the equipment that I was moving to the new lab, could you help pick them up instead of just standing there?" One of my arms is still broken but I start picking up the smaller stuff with my good arm. "Brainy, you promised that we would talk when we're calm, I'm calm, and you look calm, so lets talk." He sighed, "Ok, but lets talk in the lab where it is more private."
Once we were in the lab we start talking. "How long have you had these feelings for me?" Awkward question but I answered it, "Probably ever since we started working together, especially after the space anomaly, but I hadn't started listening to my feelings until a few months ago." He nods and I decide to ask a similar question back at him, "How do you feel about me, and also how long?" I guess this is also an awkward question but we both keep a calm collective head, "Lyle I care a great deal about you, I could never let anything happen to you, I think I've liked you a while but only more so since the space anomaly." We're both next to a work bench and I spot his hand leaning on it and I put mine down next to his, slowly bringing it closer. It was around this point that the conversation diverges into two conversations. A calm one with spoken language and a totally separator, non spoken physical one.
"Well, where do you want this relationship between us to go?" I put my hand on his. "I'm not quite sure Lyle, I don't think us dating would be the best idea." at these saddening words I was going to take my hand off his but he took it and squeezed it tightly giving me courage to fight back, "Why should we not date, we both have feelings for each other?" I stroked my finger along the palm of his hand, "Well if we just keep a professional teammate relationship we won't end up like Imra and Garth." I took his other hand and we are now looking into each others eyes intensely but the calm conversation continues a little longer, "Brainy, I don't want whatever we have or could have to be compared to what happened to two others that aren't us," Then the first conversation ended when Brainy surprisingly said, "Oh Lyle, can you just be sprocken quiet so that we can make out." And that's what we did.
(POV Querl) I had been trying to get out of the situation calm and collectively but a huge part of me wanted exactly what Lyle was saying and it eventually won. We are know where we left off in the med-lab. Although not thinking as straight as I normally do I try and take note not to put pressure on his broken arm, ribs or leg. Eventually I'm about to pull him down to the work bench we had been leaning on but as we descend he pushes me aside. "Stop, this bench in covered in invisible melee weapons for Karate Kids collection of weapons, prototypes, but still super sharp and deadly." He says panting slightly. I point to the next bench, "what about that one?" I ask and a maniacal smile crosses his face, "Nothing on that one." His smile is contagious, "you mean not yet." And I grab him by the collar and we continue.
We just keep going until our legion rings priority alpha alert goes off. To my deepest regrets I take Lyle off me and we both answer, "Chuck to any legionnaires in HQ, do you copy?" I sigh, "Yes Chuck, what is wrong?" I can here the panic in his voice, "Gear had just returned from a robotic world in the second Galaxy and he seems to have picked up a virus that even his systems couldn't handle, he went on a rampage and is heading to the threshold chamber to head to Earth, Saturn Girl managed to convince the Kwai guide to transport him to HQ, the second he enters you must shut him down or he'll spread his crippling virus and corrupted nanotechnology worldwide, we're dealing with there affects here and won't be able to send back up for at least two days, we're sending M'Onel, and Shikari but they won't arrive for another half an hour at there top speeds, Gear will arrive in 10 minutes and 35 seconds, good luck, Chuck out."
Without a moment to spare I head straight for the labs main computer and start modifying a cell in the brig, Lyle comes up behind me, "So what's the plan Brainy?" I don't take my eyes off the computer, "One, don't call me Brainy right now because it makes me want to passionately kiss you, two I'm currently rearranging a cells force fields to contain Gear until he can be cured, third of all do you know how to make a localized EMP?" I can almost feel his sarcastic grin behind me, "Br-Querl, you act like you don't even know me, if I use your equipment I can have it done in 7 minutes." I sigh, "not fast enough, I'll be done in 1 minutes then I can cut 2 minutes off your time, now go."
He rushes over to a work bench and takes out equipment and starts working frantically, once I'm done I go over to assist, sweat drips from his face. "That circuit should be attached to that one" I point out, he hands the device over and I let my heads and brain do the work. Once it's done I hand it back to him. "I'm going to monitor the whole HQ from here and when he arrives I'll tell you to activate the EMP and where he is, once activate all technology in the HQ, including him will shut down, this will include normal lighting, any interface, flight rings and the Nano-surgeons currently healing you." His face shows panic, "won't that kill me, and also what about the implants on your face?" "We don't have much time but yes hours with the nano-surgeons in your system not doing there job will kill you but the EMP will deactivate in only 20 minutes so you will live, I believe the implants only hold my force-field ability, I doubt anything more."
(POV Lyle) I leave for the location Gear is most likely to appear, I'm scared but I never let that show or take me over. I get there and wait, I wait 30 seconds, then a minute, then 2 and I start getting psyched but then here a threshold start to open and I don't even need Brainy's communication to know that I must activate the device now. A flash of light then many things start happening at once. I'm suddenly in much more pain, I guess the nano-surgeons also delivered pain relief. My flight ring no longer works but that's why Brainy gave me a crutch, the lights are out and only a disproportionate blue light glows from the chemical lights I had installed for an occasion just like this. I also heard someone in pain then drop to the floor. I turn to see that Gear had appeared behind me and had attempted an attack before shutting down. His body, limp on the floor, was still shaking, but his organic parts seemed to be taking over allowing him to live until he's reactivated.
The Kwai Pathfinder stared at his abductor, "Is Metal Legion monster dead?" Without the telepathic plugs I can barely understand him, but I just shake my head to let him know that he's alive. I could only hope that he understands United Planets Sign Language, 'Translators down, are you hurt?' Thank goodness he signed back, 'Just startled, I am called Trr'amon, and you?' I know that we don't have much time and I want to get back to Brainy but Trr'amon had been through a lot, 'My name is Lyle Norg but my legion alias is Invisible Kid, my arm is broken, would you mind helping me take him to his cell, you should put up your armor so that any possible bio-virus doesn't enter your system.' He nods and the coolest thing happen, an unbreakable, air tight exoskeleton forms around his entire body except for his wings, the biological evolution behind this just must be incredible.
Trr'amon picks up Gear and I pick up the EMP, I don't want to just leave it hanging around, and we take him to the cell Brainy prepared. All power is off, we place him in the cell and I hope that Brainy had set up a code that would activate the field once the power in restored. Trr'amon faced me and we continued to sign, 'I believe I should exit the building and head to a medical facility to get my armour cleaned so I don't infect anyone or anything, unless my service is of further need?' I shake my head, 'No Trr'amon, you are doing the responsible thing, just make sure to lock whatever entrance you exit from, I don't want anyone getting out if the field doesn't work.' I cannot see his face through his exoskeleton but I believe he is smiling, 'Goodbye Invisible Kid.' And with that he spread his dragonfly like wings and flies away.
I start walking back to the lab, I don't know if it's selfish of me but I can't get Brainy off my mind. The EMP will ware off in 10 minutes or so but the pain in my arm, leg and ribs, not to mention robots flowing uncontrolled around my entire body is almost to much to take. I hear footsteps coming towards me from around the bend so I stop, lean on my crutch, and call out, "Querl?!! Is that you?!" No response. I turn invisible with great effort and call one more time, "Hello, who the sprock are you?!" Still no response but a few seconds later Brainy turns the corner. I sigh in relief because I couldn't maintain the invisibility field and was in no condition to fight an intruder.
Once visible Brainy stops and looks at my and I get a good look at him. He's got a maniacal smile on that sets alarms off in my mind and an interesting belt on that held ancient, simple tools and what looked like it would have something else on it but doesn't. "Brainy... Is everything ok?" His smile only grew somehow, "Why yes Lyle, I'm perfectly 'ok' in fact I am functioning at 100% better capacity than normal, I believe I answered your earlier question wrong Lyle Norg, these implants that appeared on my head after the space anomaly don't just control my force field ability, they also inhibit my new found intelligence." Something really isn't right here and I decide to stall him, "That's great Brainy, but what's with the smile?" He looks at me now with disgust, I know he's not himself but that still hurt, "I had told you not to call me Brainy when I'm working on a situation, and I hadn't even noticed that I had been smiling, now step aside, I must get to Gear before the EMP weres out."
This can't be good, "What do you want with Gear, he's contagious?" He rolled his eyes, "I know you are stalling me but I'll answer you this to amuse you, I'm going to modify him with these non electronic tools to help me reset all technology on Earth to do as I command, than we'll go from system to system and you would be a fool to stop me." I know that I can't let him do that, but I also know deep down he'd never hurt me, "Gear can't be made into a living world wide EMP and whatever else you said, he's in human form and unconscious," he steps forward and I do to, I puff out my chest and hope he doesn't see the pain my ribs just caused me, "silly human, of course I can get to his robotic parts, I'm just going to have to cut him open, and him being unconscious means he'll feel no pain and won't complain or put up a fight."
This is bad, this is so bad. He's going to kill poor Gear if he has to, to get what he wants. I have to keep stalling despite his obvious growing agitation. "Brainy, you can't-" "I. Said. Don't. Call. Me. BRAINY!!!!!!!!!" He charges at me but I used my crutch to push him back a little and without the crutch I'm leaning against the wall for support." His furious expression terrified me, "Insolent 6 level intellectual human, you've been in my way to long, you are weak, stupid, and a freak of nature, do you know what Coluans do to homosexuals on Colu." All I can do is beg, "Please Querl, you said you cared about me, that you could never hurt me, you wouldn't hurt me, ple-" "You talk to much you small worthless freak." And now being so close my invisibility field reacted with what was one of the things on his belt, my eyes widened with complete horror as he removes one of my invisible daggers from his belt and thrusts it in me. I don't remember much that happens next.
(POV Querl) I didn't manage to make it to Gears cell in time before the EMP wore off and my inhibitors started working again. I froze in my tracks realizing my actions and ran back to Lyle. When I got there he was a literal bloody mess and he was clutching the handle to the blade now sticking out of his torso. I activated my legion ring, "Brainiac 5 to any Legionaire, Lyle is down and critically hurt, I need any Legionaire on route to take a detour and collect medics from a hospital, please hurry." A second of silence then a response, "This is M'Onel, I've set Shekari to the center, she'll threshold there in about a minute and I'm almost there myself." At this I drop to my knees and try and do a rapid body search of him but he wouldn't let me, "Common Lyle, please." He was clearly delusional but in his withering pain he managed to say, "No, you monster, you betrayed me, you killed me." Blood continued to spill and a second later he fell unconscious and I was able to compete me search and try to slow the blood flow, I knew better than to remove the unseeable knife, so I just held him in my arms trying not to cry as I waited.
When the threshold opened I let them do there work, I might have medical training but I'm no doctor. "I see the wound, but what caused it? I see no weapon," Before the first responder could touch the wound I frantically say, "There is a weapon still inside him, it's invisible, a dagger, ancient Chinese class, just feel around for it." They also did a rapid scene and body search before putting him on a hover med-bed and got him ready for the threshold. "Shekari, can you safely take the first responder, Lyle, and myself to the hospital without hurting him even more?" Her grave face never seems to change, "Of course Green Legionnaire, the healer will just need a moment." And so I paced until M'Onel flies into the hall, he looks like he's going to stop but I quickly tell him, "No, go to the cell and make sure Gear is secure then make arrangements for him to be treated." He then flies right by towards the cells.
We then go through the Threshold and everything starts going so fast. Once through Lyle starts coughing up blood and I panic, but the now swarming doctors won't let me see him. They take him to a room for emergency surgery and despite my perfect qualifications they won't let me in because of him being a teammate that I have personal connections with. With some luck Doctor Gym'll is one of the surgeons but that doesn't comfort me that much. Than time slows down. I sit down right outside. I process everything so I process nothing. I do register Saturn girl sitting next to me but I can only think about Lyle. My Lyle, I just got him and now I might lose him, if I do I think I'll... "You'll do NO such thing Querl!"
"Imra, he trusted me, I promised him I'd keep him safe, and, it wasn't Gear who stabbed him, I know this incriminates me but it was me." She gasped but stayed silent, "The implants are inhibitors and they turned off temporary and in that time I stabbed him." She looked at me like she was about to say something but I had to get this off my chest, "We decided to be a couple, we have feelings for each other but were to apprehensive to act upon them until we finally did, we we happy, but only 20 minutes later I had put a blade through him and once my inhibitors reactivated he called me a monster and that I killed him, Imra, what have I done?" I start shaking as I try to understand what's going on, I try to suppress my emotions like I uses to do but ever since my coma I've been finding it almost unbearably hard.
I resist tears but I put my head in my hands and continue to shake uncontrollably, is this what shock is like, I am in shock. I didn't expect what Imra did next though, she got off her chair and kneeled in front of me. She then proceeded to rap her arms around me. We just stayed like that for a minute or two, I desperately needed her friendship right now. "I got you Querl, I got you." Than the door opened and Doctor Gym'll stepped out, "We have a situation, he's been put under and he could be easily stabilized and healed once the blade is removed, but the blade is still invisible and in his dire state he keeps going in and out of visibility as well, we can't scan anything with an invisibility field, so we can't remove the blade without knowing how far it's embedded into him, we need your help or he's going to die."
This puts me into over drive, "SHEKARI!!!!!!!! Get to my location NOW and arrange for an emergency threshold from my location to the legion world lab!!!" Thank Colu she responded, "There soon Green Legion." I only had to wait a minute for her to fly in then she talked into her ring and a threshold opened up. We walked through then I got to work, Legion World was still a mess from Gears infection and my implants started to hurt but I had to take a risk that they'd stay active. I go over to a side project I had been working on a month ago, I feel guilty about it now because of my new conscience but I had been working on emergency ways to take down each legionnaire, including Lyle. A scanner that can see in detail invisibility fields. I pick it up and make sure that it's operational and not effected by Gears virus than headed back through the Threshold.
I don't care about protocol anymore I push through the doctors and see Lyle, but not see him at the same time, withering in pain, unconscious but still clenching the blade inside of him. I activate the scanner and hand it to one of the robotic surgeons so that they all new what they were doing. I bark order on what to do but it was myself who was actually doing them. He won't remember any of this but I hold his hand, I hold it tightly as they remove the blade. After that they ask me to leave so they can do there work and I refuse, they try and take my arm and lead me out but I shake them off, than they picked me up forcefully and threw me out. I bang on the door to let me back in but I hear Imra come up behind me and she touches my head and all I can hear is sleep. I try and resist her mental command but it is to much and I pass out.
(POV Lyle) I woke up in a Metropolis Hospital bed very groggy and drugged up. I can't quite remember the last 48 hours. I look over and see Chameleon, he looks tired but hasn't noticed that I'm awake yet "Reep, what is going on, why am I here?" He looks up and smiles his goofy smile when he sees that I'm awake, he comes over and gives me a big hug, his cool orange skin gave me some comfort, "Lyle, thank goodness you are ok, I was so worried about you. Are you actually awake this time, because over the past day you've been in and out of consciousness but not really there." I am glad for his concern but he didn't respond how I wanted, "Cham, you didn't answer my question." He stood next to me, "Sorry, Your in a hospital recovering from your stabbing, which is almost healed and your previous injuries are all healed." Plenty of memories start flooding back, "Brainiac, he, he, where is he Reep?" He sighed, "If you had woken up an hour ago he would have been by your side, he's been watching over you for four days, but half an hour ago the Science Police took him away to be interviewed for what he did to you."
I now remember that it was Querl that stabbed me, "Cham, it was him but it wasn't at the same time, he has mental inhibitors that deactivated, get me a counteractive drug that will let me walk without wobbling." He tried to calm me down, "We already know, and I'll get you the drug, but the Science Police just want to be thorough, they most likely will let him go for the fact of the inhibitors but also the fact that he saved your life afterwards, oh and they also want to speak with you." That's a lot to take in, I'm starting with the last statement, "Speak with me, about my stabbing or the Winath incident?" He winked at me, "The S.P. don't know about what happened on Winath, Gear's virus wiped that log and after you helped save Earth the legion decided to let it go, but you're still doing monitor duty for a month, they just want to know your side of the story for the attack." He hands me the injection and I take it, I start to feel clearer headed already, "You said Brainy saved my life?" My good old pal smiled, "Yes he did Lyle, he called for help and found a device that could scan you while invisible so that the surgeons could do there job."
The drugs start working and I get off the hover bed and stand up, I'm glad that I'm still wearing my uniform and not some silly med-suit. "Where are you going, you should wait for a med-bot to sign you out" I hate to do it but it's lying time, "I'll be back, I just need to take a walk, I won't be to long but you don't need to stay." He puts his hand to his forehead, "Lyle, you might be a spy but we're both on the espionage squad, just go see brainy and stop lying to your closest friend, I could be on a date with Ayla right now but I wanted to be hear with you." I give him the nod of respect, "Thanks Cham, can you sign me out than?" He smiles and helps me get out of the hospital so that I could go see Brainy.
As a legionnaire I can walk into just about an location in The United Planets but I don't want to answer S.P. questions right now. So I activate my powers and sneak into S.P. headquarters. I have been here on legion business enough to know the layout and I go into the interrogation wing. After a couple minutes I find Brainy's room and sneak into the listen in room next door. It seems that officer Erwin was his interrogator which was good news, and it seems like she's trying to rape things up.
"You literally had no control over your own actions, you did a wrong, and the second you had control you did everything in your power to try and help. I can't arrest your super brain side and the medical records check out your alibi so we'll let you go as long as you promise to find a why to keep your inhibitors operational no matter what." She finished and stood up, since I've arrived he's had his head low and looks miserable and deep in thought. Officer Erwin notices he doesn't get up and sits back down, "Is there something else on your mind?" He signs and looks up at her, "I myself might be innocent, but part of me was a bystander, I was still conscious and aware when the other part did what it did, I had no control but I watched as 'I' stabbed him, as he stabbed the man I love." Erwin didn't react to this by I felt like I was hit with a ton of bricks, did he just say he loved me? "Then once I had control I ran to him. He was delirious and his blood was everywhere. I wanted to help but he protested, he called me a monster, that I betrayed him and said that I killed him and he passed out and I thought I did kill him. I did what I could to stop the blood with very little success and I knew that it was the nano-surgeon that were keeping him alive." He took a breath and I realized that there were tears coming down his face, "All I could do was hold him in my arms, an hour before we were making out and than I was covered in his blood that I spilled, why did this happen to me?" He starts to really cry and Erwin puts her arm around him as she escorted him out.
I was so focused on Brainy that I had not been focusing on my powers and as I leave the room to tell Brainy he's not a monster, an officer notices me, "Invisible kid, I did not see you there, we've been looking for you, the interrogation room is next door, I will be in with you in just a minute." "Sprock," I think as I head to an empty room instead of going to comfort the nerd I love.
After an hour of questions I head to a threshold platform to get to Legion World. I have to hope that Querl is there somewhere. I get there and feel a little light headed, I forgot about the fact that I was still recovering and didn't have much energy. I realize that I need to rest and that I'm in no condition to talk with Querl. I make my way to the quarters the legion had set up for me but I never use. I barely make it to the bed before passing out. The dreams were crazy, intense and made no sense. I woke up in cold sweat, and sore because the medication had worn off and the nano-surgeons were leaving my system because there work was done, so no pain relief. I took a shower and made myself presentable for the day.
When I checked the time I was surprised, I had slept through the afternoon, the night and it's almost noon again. I guess that was the final thing I needed for recovery. I checked my messages on my console, a few get well soon messages from friends and my old adopted family that I should really send a message back some day soon. A message saying I missed this mornings Legion meeting and a message from Querl was left sometime last night. It read, "Lyle, I was informed that you had woken up but that you were asleep in your quarters so I'm leaving this message for you, I am so sorry. I will never be able to fully apologize to you for what I did to you, I can't blame anyone but myself. I have thought long and hard and come to the conclusion that being in this relationship can't work out because there is great risk involved and I can't lose someone I care so deeply about. So I think that we should just keep it professional like we originally planned. All I want is for you to be happy and healthy, and to find someone you love."
This broke my heart to read, for a second I was going to do what he asked, but then my adrenaline kicked in and I headed out the door. Once outside I went to the nearest computer console, I try internal scanners to find brainy but that system is still buggy from the virus. I turn on my legion ring, "Saturn Girl, can you do a mental sweep and find Brainy, I need to talk to him." She responded, "No need, I was just talking with him, he told me he doesn't want to speak with you, he says I shouldn't tell you that he's in the Titan bio dome near the Methane river, so I'm going to be a good friend and do as he says." I smile, "thanks for nothing Imra." With a chuckle she finished with saying, "Your welcome."
I wanted to pull all the stops to get Brainy's admiration but I then remembered less is more and changed my plans. I changed into semi formal civilian outfit and stopped by the Colu bio done to pick something up than went to find that crazy Coluan. Finding him was easy with Imra's not help, he was still by the lazy river in the Titan dome. He is sitting on a stone bench and looks like a mess, his hair is all messy and he is slouched over with his head in his cupped hands. I can't stand to see him like this. I turn invisible and go over to see him.
I walk silently over to him, then kneel right in front of him. He's sobbing silently and he has dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep but also puffy from crying. Still invisible I take his hands away from his tear soaked face, wipe away his tears then pull him ever so gently into a sweet kiss. I pull away and sit next to him than turn visible. He looks like he's going to say something but I put one of my hands to his mouth so he won't ruin my plan. "Querl, I got your letter and one of course I forgive you, I might not have liked being stabbed but I know it wasn't really you, but second I'm appalled you didn't tell me these things in person with out me to say anything back until now." I take a breath but don't remove my hand, "I understand what happened has scared you. It scared me just as much, but there will always be risk involved in the legion but that doesn't mean no members can date, I excepted all risks the day Officer Erwin delivered my legion drafting notice. But to be honest I agree with the ending of your message, so I'm going to tell you, I am healthy now, if you know me you know I'm almost always happy, and I did find someone I love, I'm looking right at him."
He looks like he's going to cry again but I wasn't finished yet, I take out what I got at the Coluan bio dome, a single alien green flower, "I assume you know what this is, this is a Coluan courting flower, it's one of the few traditions your culture has, I'm giving it to you in hopes that you will except it and be my boyfriend, and don't think of an answer, for once follow solely from heart." I finally remove my hand from his mouth. Even though there were tears in his eyes he looked so happy, he took the flower, "I except your courting flower and the meaning behind it, although in tradition it's given to a woman to wear in her hair for the day." I blush, I didn't know that, but brainy just took the flower and put it in his hair tucked on top of his right ear. I then pull him into a hug. "I love you."
(POV Brainy) It's been a few months since me and Lyle started dating, for many reasons we decided to keep our relationship a secret. Only Saturn Girl, Sensor and Chameleon know of our relationship. This really annoys Lyle, but I'm still not used to being gay and still a little insecure about it, that and what if the Coluan council found out.
It is the day Christians called Christmas. I was hardly aware of this because I had been in my lab for the past two days. I expected to continue to work but Lyle burst in all cheery, "There you are, Merry Christmas my favourite nerd." He came and kissed me on the cheek and put a headband with fake felt antlers with tiny bells on my head. "Lyle, you know I am atheist and don't celebrate your holidays." He still smiled, "I am not Christian and I still celebrate, for religious people it means more but for everyone else it is about spending time with your friends and family that you love, everyone behaves and is kind to one another. It's also an excuse to party." He paused, "You still don't care, do you?" I answer honestly, "No."
He sighed, "Get up, get a shower, and put on your best dress uniform because you are attending tonight's Christmas party." I can't believe this, "Lyle-" he cut me off, "No Lyle's or but's, you are going and that's that, besides we made a deal about how long you are allowed in your lab and you've surpassed it, so you owe me this night." I look in his eyes and I know there's no fighting him, he'd drag me if he had to. "Fine, I will do as you wish, but you know fancy outfits are not my thing." He had his signature smug look on, "But Querl, you look so sexy in fancy clothes." He kisses me then starts walking out, "Legion memorial garden, 6:00." And with that he left leaving me blushing, but now determined to impress him tonight.
I did what he said. I took a sonic shower, picked out the best outfit I own which was actually a gift from RJ Brande when I joined the Legion, and I slicked my hair back like I used to do when I had long hair. After that I headed to the Memorial garden. It was so beautiful that even I could appreciate it. There were some ancient cheesy Christmas stuff in certain areas, along with other winter holiday decorations from every culture, but there was other stuff as well. Gear had placed flower petals everywhere and placed Atlantian crystal lights around the statues of our fallen comrades, the gazebo had be decorated with many different flowers, and in the middle of everything there was a round wooden table for us to sit at. Almost everyone was there already, I went to talk to Imra who was with Garth talking to Ayla and Cham. Imra was wearing this amazing pink sleeveless dress and I had to compliment her, "Is it ok to say you look beautiful when you are standing next to your fianc??" Garth chuckles and Imra laughs, "Thank you Brainy, you look dashing as well." I join there friendly conversation, eventually a lot of the legion made it to the gazebo.
I stood around the centre and a few members whispered, then Lyle came next to me to say hi and everybody froze and stared at us. I had no idea way, I kept looking around, Umbra's face was so smug I knew something was up. So I looked up and right above Lyle and I's head was a green earth plant with red berries, Mistletoe. Lyle was looking up now to and looked back at me. He obviously was concerned about our agreement to keep our relationship secret, I had 34 possible ways to end this situation, but I decided to take a risk. I took Lyle by surprise and kissed him on the lips, he of course kissed back, some stayed silent in shock but Legionnaires like Xs and Kinetix started cheering and clapping. Right after Umbra pulled M'Onel under the mistletoe which seemed to put a smirk on Lyle's face for some reason. People congratulated us but then we continued on with the night.
Dinner was amazing, I never had Winath pluberrie pie before but it was delicious. While everyone was still eating Saturn Girl stood up to make an announcement, the table fell silent, "I have an announcement to make, me and Garth have finally decided on a date for our wedding. It will be on Earth's Valentine's Day and you're all invited." Everyone cheered and clapped but she wasn't finished, "Garth decided it will be a Winathian double wedding." Before anyone said anything Xs fired up her super speech, "Doubleweddingi'veneverseenoneofthosebeforeit'sgoingtobebeautifulwaithowcanitbeadoubleweddingifitsjustonecouple?" Cham interrupted, "I can answer your question Jenni." He stood up and got down on one knee next to Alya, everyone gasped and stared, "Alya, we might not be a traditional couple, a humanoid and a Durlan, but we have made it work and stayed together through thick and thin, I stayed determined even when you thought your secret admirer was Lyle and when you were stuck in the past, and you stayed strong when you thought I was dead in the other galaxy. You don't just love me for what's on the inside which is very important to a shapeshifter, but you love all the possibilities that I can be. You love me for who I am and I love that about you. There's no other farm girl turned electrifying superhero I'd like to spend my life with more, will you Alya Jyn Ranzz be my bride?" By this point she's crying and there's sparks coming from the tips of her fingers, she nods her head and Reep puts the ring on her finger. He flinches from the shock but smiles and then they hug, everyone was so happy.
Near the end with all the buzz, after the group picture was done everyone decided to do couple shots, Imra and Garth, Rokk and Jazmine, Alya and Reep, Jo and Tinya while holding baby Cub, Jenni and Dyrk, Thom and Nura, Chuck and Luornu, Lar and Tasmia, and finally myself and Lyle. I was nervous but I eventually let us be in the picture but unlike the others we didn't kiss, just smiled and held hands. I convinced myself that it was just a legion photo and it couldn't spread all the way to isolated Colu or its counsel. I was wrong. As I learned later Alya shared the photo, not seeing the harm in it to Trudy Trusoe the reporter. Trudy took the photo and used to make a Legion Christmas gossip column special. A section of that column was dedicated to the new legion couples with me and Lyle on the cover. The cover was seen by the Coluan secret spy program who spy on the earth, the legion, and me. I had no Idea what was coming for me at threshold speeds.
(POV Querl) The next day, very early in the morning I was awoken by someone breaking into my quarters. I instantly got up and put a force field up around myself. Four, now very frustrated Coluan guards stood on the other side of force field. "Querl Dox, fifth of the brainiac line, you have been charged with breaking Coluan Counsel Law of natural order, you will return to Colu for trial. Do not resist." I hold my ground, "I have been banished from Coluan culture, the only reason I still have partial citizenship is because you need me to preform occasionally my Brainiac duties, so what prompted this sudden caring of what I do?" A guard held up a picture and I see myself and Lyle in the couple shot and my worst dreams start to come true. I put my head down, the force field lowers and I go with them willingly.
(POV Lyle) last night was such a buzz a can't believe I fell asleep. I woke up however from odd noises down the fall. 'Brainy is down the hall, what is going on?' I think. I get up and get dressed quickly and as I go into the hall I see four Coluans dragging off my Coluan. "Querl, what's going on?" He looks at me, worry was on his face, he almost never looks worried. I get in front of the guards and put my hands out, they stop, almost looking confused that a lower intellect would interact with them, "I demand to know what's going on and where you are taking him, then release him." They looked at me for a second then spoken in unison, "Lyle Norg of the legion of superheroes, you are the supposed lover, you will be brought for questioning." I make a sarcastic laugh but keep my arms up, I'm ready to fight if necessary. Chuck, Reep and Alya are now all outside and although look confused, also look like they're ready to fight by my side. They're about to engage when Querl stuck his head out, "Guys stop, Lyle they are escorting me to the Coluan Council for questioning on the subject of the Gossip column that came out last night, the one staring us on the cover, you should come peacefully so that you can testify." I can't believe what I'm hearing but I think I understand enough that I go peacefully as well.
I go behind Querl but a guard stands between us. One is in front of him, one between us and one behind me, the last one mysteriously stays behind. The trip was short thanks to Threshold technology, that made thinking about Querl and I's current situation difficult. As soon as I arrived they took me to a chamber to be interrogated. A female Coluan in the standard Law enforcement uniform with long blondish yellow hair in a ponytail was waiting for me. She appeared to be in her 30's but with Coluan aging that meant she was probably over 90. She waves her hand and the energy cuffs that disabled my powers and kept my hands bound seemingly deactivated. I tried turning one of my hands invisible and still couldn't. She gestured to a chair, "Sit Legionnaire, let us converse." I sit down and she takes out a small scanner I can only guess to be a lie detector, "You are nervous, you don't have to be, no matter what you say you haven't broken Coluan law so we can't touch you." I realize that I have to use my Earth Gove spy training to fool the interviewer and the machine.
I take a single breath to calm down then I speak, "Ask me whatever you wish." "First off what is your name?" I know this trick, it's to see what my heart rate looks like when I'm telling the truth, "Lyle Norg of Earth." She looks at the monitor then back at me, "Ok, now the real questions, what is your relationship with Querl Dox, fifth of the Brainiac line?" I keep the steady breathing and calmly say, "He is my Legion teammate and a close friend." She razed an eyebrow, "Describe 'close'," I smile, "He works with me on projects, we fight together in battle, and when we aren't on legion duty we sometimes hang out and help each other when they need a friend."
Another round of irritating questions, "Would you consider Querl Dox a homosexual or has done any homosexual acts?" I try and answer as honestly as possible, "No, he has only shown extreme interest in one girl as far as I know, Laurel Gand, now known as Sister Andromeda, but he also has a lust journal filled with all sorts of attractive women in it." I didn't say it was completely filled with women, I can only hope she doesn't catch on, "Would you consider yourself a homosexual?" This is to much a part of me to lie, "Yes," I knew it was a mistake, "Are you attracted to Querl Dox?" Despite the risk I must lie, "No, he's just a friend, I only recently got out of another relationship and I am not looking to be with anyone else for a while."
She sighed, clearly frustrated, I fought a chuckle and smug look and took another breath when she held up the holo image of us on the magazine holding hands and smiling, the cover read, "Hottest new Legion couples." I laughed, "Have you seen Earth gossip, none of it is real, and yes that picture has couples in it but we got in it accidentally, see we're on the very edge, we're holding hands because we're friends and that's what friends do sometimes, hold hands." Her face was expressionless. "Ok Mr. Norg, you are good to go for now, the guard will escort you to your room, it's night on this part of Colu right now, I know it only morning on Legion World but try to rest." I get up and the guard takes me to my room.
It is nothing special, much like a cheap hotel room. A twin sized bed near the wall, a small kitchen, a mechanical dresser, and an attached bath room. When I enter the bath room I am surprised to see a tub, neither of my Legion dorms had bathtubs. Not even my birth home or adopted household, just my apartment sweet on earth. I run a hot bath and get in. I try to relax despite what's going on but I start hearing sounds from the bedroom.
I walk outside and there in holographic form is Querl. Just standing there thinking. He doesn't appear to see me so I guess it's only one way. I begin to say, "Hey Querl, are you ok?" When a voice transmission interrupts me. "He is in confinement until tomorrow's trial, he can't hear you and as you might have guessed, can't see you, but we are about to play some troubling feeds and we won't stop until tomorrow's trial or until you confess he's a homosexual, we will allow one short message from you to him, but only one so save it for the right moment, good night."
Suddenly recorded voices start speaking, "A male and a female are required to make a child, love is unnecessary, homosexual relationships are useless, you are useless. The smartest being in the galaxy making stupid choices. Your mother left you because you were worthless to her, your love for the human Norg is worthless to yourself and your people, you Querl Dox, 5th of the Brainiac line are worthless." And they kept saying this sort of stuff for hours. Brainy just paced for the first 2 hours, and I tried to ignore it but I could always here it. After 3 hours is when things changed.
It had bothered me since minute one but finally Querl started to crack. He went around ranting facts in Coluan so fast I couldn't understand almost any of it. He kept this up for an other hour. I decided to try and sleep but all I could hear was the recorded voices just constantly speaking, saying worse and more personally insulting each time. At one point they started talking solely about me and how pointless I am, stupid and unfit to be anyone's mate. I was ready to protest but Querl did that for me, "Enough, enough enough enough, I am a genius, I am an emotional wreck sometimes, but leave Lyle out of my torture."
A new message is played, "Could you clarify on what you mean by an emotional wreck and why Lyle Norg of the Legion must be left out of this conversation?" I can tell he might confess, my one message to him, "Brainy, plead the 5th!" He turned to were he heard my voice than all vocals and holograms were cut off. I was really shaken up but when I checked my legion ring I realized that morning would come in only a few hours. The trial being at first light I decided to force myself to sleep. I was only awakened once by a terrible scream that wasn't mine. "Hang in there Querl." I whisper, then try to go back to sleep.
Morning did come eventually. An alarm notified me to get up and that I had 15 minutes for an morning preparations I had to do. I showered, changed, ate, and brushed my teeth. After exactly 15 minutes a Coluan came to fetch me. She took me a few street blocks to a surprisingly small one story building. Three moveable chairs were near the entrance facing the middle of the room. On the other end a long table with multiple seats faced the middle were a circle in the floor lay. The Guard lead me to the three chairs and I sit in the far left one. Brainiac with his own guard enter a second later, he looks completely drained of life. Seven Coluans sat behind the long table. No one sat in our third chair.
"Querl Dox, fifth in the Brainiac line, current holder of the Brainiac position, you have been charged with breaking Coluan law of natural order, how do you plead?" He stands up and heads to the centre of the room, I looked him in the eyes before he spoke, I could swear he was scared. "I am not guilty." The Coluan in the middle waved his hand and a holographic image of the gossip column cover appeared, "How do you explain being in the image?" Brainy looked at me and I just want to go and hug him. "We were unaware of the couple photo being taken and were in by accident." They did not look convinced, "We read the article through and your section had no true facts, the column was useless, but it gave us reason to back track both of you for the past few months, and we still think you are guilty."
"Starting multiple months ago you and the male human had many shared days off, the human started staying in his Legion World dorm closer to yours more and more frequently, you've been spotted at multiple events together, the male admits to being a homosexual and most of this activity can be traced back to the day you were spotted with a Coluan mating flower in your ear, explain yourself Dox." Querl kept his cool, "Most of our shared days off were coincidences but as friends we sometimes hang out which explains being at events together, the flower is from a little girl who visited the Colu bio-dome, when she saw me she gave it to me and not wanting to upset her I put it behind my ear and yes Lyle is Gay but he is still working out his feelings from the lose of his previous partner."
One of the Members rises higher than the others to face them all, "Perhaps this is a misunderstanding, we have only been suspicious for 18 hours, should we post pone until the situation is clear?" Another member rises even higher, "Perhaps, but I have just received information from the second witness, she will answer all in but a moment, you may sit Querl Dox." Brainy and the Council sit in there seats and we just wait.
The councilman who spoke second filled the others in on what he just learned while I talked with my Querl, "Are you ok, it was tortuous to watch you suffer last night?" "I am ok Lyle, but I was surprised how they almost got me to confess." I had to ask another question, "What do they mean by holder of the Brainiac position?" He sighed, "As you know the Dox line are far smarter than any Coluan, so starting with Vril Dox ll they get us to solve the problems that even the sleep net can't solve and we solve it no matter were we are in the galaxy, it's the only part of my world and culture I'm still entitled to." Before I can reply, the guards make us stand and the Council rises as well, the middle one spoke, "Welcome second witness." And with that Imra Ardeen walks in. Saturn Girl does not look well, she looks like she was awake all night. She wore the same power inhabiters Querl and I wore, she wouldn't look us in the eyes. Her guard led her to the middle of the room, "Imra Ardeen of the moon Titan, you are hear to shed some light on this troubling predicament." She doesn't speak, "We already know everything you said in your interview so do not try to lie in front of us." She nods, the questions start, "Are Querl Dox and Lyle Norg romantically involved or more?" She looks at us, tears in her eyes as if trying to apologize. She finally let the truth be known as she said, "Yes, Querl and Lyle are involved."
This was bad but it didn't stop, "How long have you know Querl Dox was a homosexual?" I wanted to scream, Querl looked sick to his stomach yet she continued, "Many months now, he had a mental block up that was causing him permanent damage and it was his mind holding back his true self, me and Lyle saved him, we freed him." Bless Imra, she hates betraying us but if she has to she's going to fight for us as well. "When did the human and Dox start, what do you call it, dating?" She reluctantly answered, "About 3 weeks after that, but kissed and made out a few times before that." The final question from the Coluan counsil, "And what happened yesterday, the day Christians call Christmas?" I watched as Imra had tears going down her face as she answered, "Brainy kissed Lyle for the first time in public and agreed to be in the couple shot." One of the council members stood, "Thank you Legionnaire, you may sit."
I just sit, everything has gone so south so fast. Imra sits down, "I am so sorry, they took away my powers so I couldn't fool the lie detector, and they, they." It is clear that where Querl and I had been psychologically tortured, she was physically tortured. Recognizing this, instead of freaking out like he would have when I first met him, Querl just forced a smile, "It's ok Imra, you told the truth despite its consequences." All the council members stood, "Please stand," we stand, "The council has come to a verdict. You Querl Dox are guilty off breaking the Coluan law of natural order, and for lying to your interviewer and the Coluan Counsil." My heart sinks but they continue," We have come up with two possible punishment for you to choose from, you could remain on Colu in confinement and preform your duties when need be or lose all Coluan birth right and we will free your mother from her insane asylum on Takron-Galtos to take over your duties."
I know his choice instantly, he'd never allow his mother to be a possible threat to anyone again, he'd be willing to confine himself to a cell for the rest of his life to protect the Galaxy. I won't allow it. As he starts walking forward to state his choice I push him aside and stand in the center, "I know this isn't Earth Government or the a planet under the United Planets, but there all witnesses must speak before a verdict is made and I have just sat here, I wish to speak." The council all looked at each other and quickly discussed what to do with my proposition, "Fine Lyle Norg of Earth and the legion, we will listen to what you have to say."
I take a deep breath and start talking, "I'd just like to say that you have banished him from almost everything to do with this planet but when you hear he has done something you don't like you call him in like he's always been here. Second of all you don't want his mother, you only suggested that to stress him out, his mother is to hard to control and even more unpredictable then Querl, completely insane, and only an 11th level intellect. Finally, you need him, you need his 12 level mind to solve the problems that 6 billion geniuses can't solve when they work together. Kryl Dox can't do what Querl can do with anywhere near the same efficiency. So what am I proposing is not only do you drop all charges, but allow him to access the sleepnet again and allow him to return to his home when he feels like it, because who he loves doesn't effect his work but losing him does effect the planet, thank you for your time."
They started talking amongst themselves again and I sat down. For the first time since I stood up I looked at Querl, he was looking at me in complete awe. I looked away because I thought I might start blushing but I think I did anyway. The council called for our attention after a few more minutes. "Querl Dox, please stand." I had been holding his hand and I let it go as he walked into the middle. "The council has come to an agreement, the humans request will be granted on the condition that he never step foot on Colu again and does not appear in imagery that is sent back to Colu that our people may see." Querl keeps his cool and just nods. With no other fuss we go home.
(POV Querl) the last 11 hours had been torture, literally. So as soon as we were back on earth and alone I took his hand, "Lyle, I um-" I get tongue tide once he's looking at me and we are face to face, "I want to say thank you for what you did." He gave me a small smile, "Querl, I would never have allowed you to be stuck in confinement for the rest of your life, I love you to much to let that happen."
(POV Lyle) He smiled but there was something in his eyes, "Is everything alright?" He then proceeded to throw up then collapsed on the floor near the sink were he threw up, "Norg, the things they said, you will never know, they said horrible horrible things that made me not just feel, but feel like the scum of the multiverse, but what you said, y-you-" I'm holding him and stroking his hair as he shivers and clings onto me. "I know, I know, don't worry, no matter what they said it isn't true, because you might be snarky sometimes but you care more about the team, me, and yourself then you'll ever know, I really do love you Querl Dox." And he just nods in my arms.
Hey Ivy! glad you're sharing your stories. Really cool - and exactly what the Bits forum was intended for.
haven't read it all yet - just the first post. Already like -
1) First person point of view - now that's tough to pull off, but cool getting into Lyle's head! 2) Shipping, you definitely picked a cute couple 3) Your opening already touches upon Brainy's lust journal and also his embarrassment - and the kiss! I love that you re developing these small elements of the Reboot
and major kudos for having Kinetix be Kinetix, and not a Terrorform
When I wrote this I had just finished reading the reboot and wished they'd expanded more on Brainy's humanity as well as sexuality because there is so little queer representation in the Legion ( Ayla, Salu, Dawnstar, and Mekt, but were all so low key) so I wanted to continue there story.
I am all caught up - this was a fun read! The Colu stuff hit a bit close to home, but it's also unfortunately a realistic depiction of what these attitudes can be like. But I really loved all the little touches like Lyle's ears turning pink when he blushes, or his memory that 'Brainy' wasn't originally meant to be a term of endearment.
I also really like how even the characters who didn't really do much still definitely shone through, they weren't just interchangeable background pieces and you got a sense that the world was still happening in the background with developments being brought up for different couples
Thank you, I'm glad you like it. I have a second one finished that I'll post here eventually, and in it it shows that Colu isn't as black and white as it seems, in the first story you only really see the council which is a fixed mindset. Thanks again for reading.
Very interesting idea that Colu would have a strict heterosexual rule. I never thought about it - just assumed it's the future, sentients are progressive, Coluans are possibly too wrapped up in thinking to even care about sex. Yet they have been shown to be stuffy, arrogant and strict, so it's possible they could be stuck on this particular idea.
I also liked your use of 12 personality tracks in Brainy's mind, with only one devoted to authentic emotion (sad! but love conquers all). The blossoming romance between Lyle and Querl was a real roller coaster ride of emotions.
Did you invent that element fourthdieium? Good thinking on how to disable the Emerald Eye.
Thank you, I thought about Colu for a long time, they don?t care to much for emotions and connections, but they have to reproduce to survive as a species, so I figured they would put in place rules to ensure everyone does there part to kept there race alive. Only heterosexual couplings, and two kids per family. Thank you so much for reading. It?s very much appreciated. Also, yes I made up fourthdieium, I wanted a way to stop the eye from teleporting and this was a fun way to do it. Thanks again.
100 views in less than two weeks, that's not bad I think. New reader, let me know what you think of the story, the good and the bad, also if there are any bad spelling errors and where, and if there is any continuity problems you noticed. Thank you so very much for reading.
Merry Christmas everyone, I have a part 2 too this story, do you want me to upload it here or do you guys want it on a new page in the Bits. I'll leave this question here for a couple days to see what the different readers thing.
yeah I'm with EDE....I reckon add it here, and just update the title of the thread to say what date it was updated (have a look at some of the ongoing story threads here to see what I mean)
350 Views! That is absolutely crazy, When I posted this on another site it has bee 3+ years and it only has 700 views. If this keeps up it'll surpass the other by June which would be so cool. Any new readers, let me know what you liked, disliked, any questions you have, and if you noticed any inconstancies because I hate having contradictions.
I wrote this sequel over a year ago but didn't quite want to post it here as it was until now. I have tweaked it a bit from how I had originally published it. This story still focuses on Brainy and Lyle's relationship, but it is mostly from Querl's perspective. There is an original Character I introduce named Lara Gozzel, she is loosely based off of XTC (Kara and Querl's child in the Kingdom Come story line.) I will add her character profile after the story concludes. Warning this story, although a sequel to my previous story, is quite different and has a little more mature themes. Nothing to intense however, do not worry.
Chapter 1:
(POV Querl) It has been three months since the trial, and a lot has happened. I celebrated my 50th birthday which I spent with Lyle in his large apartment in Metropolis.
The double wedding happened a little over a month and a half ago. Mekt and Rokk were Garth's groomsmen while Lyle was Reep's best man. Imra's sister Jancel was her maid of honour, Jekka and Salu were Ayla's bridesmaids. Twin Winathian Priests officiated the wedding and after Ayla and Reep said there I do's they turned to the Durlan Priest, Reep transformed into his true form with the black robe, and forest green skin tentacle appendages and got officiated by Durlan standards. During the Reception Brin sat right behind Mekt and the two seemed to have an awkwardness going between them but I paid little attention. After the party the two new brides threw their bouquet's, then suddenly they disappear, then reappear over all the women's heads. A few seconds later I feel something be tucked behind my ear, a single flower. I feel for that silly lover boy and drag him off to kiss him passionately somewhere more private.
Imra and Garth went to Bizmal to honeymoon. Ayla and Reep were pulled out of there honeymoon on a technicality by the Durlan Spiritual Leader and they were stuck on Durla for a month trying to get their marriage legalized. Afterwards they decided to honeymoon on the Ranzz farm on Winath.
In that time Garth and Imra released big new, they were expecting there first born, and Imra wants me to be one of the God Fathers, Cosmic Boy scored the other spot. Garth was nervous at first when the doctor revealed that there was only one child, but he had simply forgotten the rarity of twins in Titanian biology. The doctor also confirmed that Garth's crystallization and Jan form would not affect the child, it was only his DNA, not Jan's or his powers.
Everything has been smooth since. It has been a couple of weeks since Imra and Garth's announcement. Lyle has been staying in his Legion World quarters far more frequently to be close to me and we are thinking of combining our quarters and move in together. Legion missions have been their normal level of dangerous and there is still always risk but we all get through it as normal. Everything was normal until Colu wanted to mess with my personal life even more.
(Lyle POV) Waking up next to Querl almost every morning is the missing piece of my life I didn't know that I was even missing. This morning however was different, he decided to get up before me to do whatever. So I get up, get dressed and head to the other room, to my surprise he's cooking breakfast instead of doing some science project. He turns towards me and smiles.
"I felt like cooking so I made morning nourishment."
He comes over and gives me my missed good morning kiss. Once he's done cooking we eat a meal with components from across the know Galaxy. We are just finishing when we receive a transmission from Colu.
"Querl, can this wait until after legion patrol?"
He has a nervous look, "They only contact me with there biggest problems so I probably should answer now."
He answers, and a Coluan I hadn't seen before appears on a holographic screen, "Querl Dox, with your current age and profession the entire planet has agreed that it is time you produced an heir to the Dox line." With that I choked on the water I was drinking.
(POV Querl) once Lyle stopped coughing I turn back to the holoscreen.
"My life is at a point of transition and discovery, how long until you want this child to be born?"
Without hesitation the Coluan council leader responds, "We want the surrogate to be pregnant within a week, if one can not be found where you are one from Colu will be provided here."
I now understand why Lyle choked, I almost followed. "I must insist that the child be of myself and Lyle?s, Coluan DNA is very dominant and it shouldn't diminish there intelligence."
The Council men huffed, "If you insist, but I wish you to do some tests first to be sure of it, honestly though we do not wish for more alien blood tainting the Dox line."
I raise an eyebrow, "More alien blood?"
The council men averted the question, "We are giving you access from earth the Colu archives, use them for your research, we will expect updates every 24 hours." And with that the transmission ended.
I sit back down to at the table and after a minute of silence as we both process what we just heard I finally spoke.
"I wish that I had choice in this matter but I don?t, if this child has to come into this world I want to raise it together, but if you aren't ready I reluctantly could let it be raised on Colu, I want to know what you think."
My perfect mate is still pale but he answers immediately, "Tell Cosmic Boy we are going to have to take some time off." I smile than kiss him.
After discussing with Cosmic Boy that we have a personal crisis to attend to we get back to work, Lyle starts the questions, "How are we going to do this considering us both being guys, get Gym'll?"
I take out a pad and start writing down calculations, "With your biochemistry and my intellect I can most likely convince male reproductive cells to switch to female reproductive cells myself, making the embryo will be easy, but we will still need a surrogate and an appropriate one most likely won't be able to be found with in the week, we need more time."
Then Lyle shocks me with a statement I was definitely not expecting, "Use me."
I am completely confused, "What are you suggesting Norg?"
His face is concerned, but serious, "As you have said, I specialize in biochemistry, there is an old 29th century technology still used today, an artificial womb, it's usually used for further along pregnancies that were compromised and needed a new female host stat, with some altering I could make one for a Coluan hybrid."
Querl stopped me there, "You would also need to be producing estrogen and no testosterone for the womb to work."
A nervous smile crosses his face, "Don't worry, I thought of that, if I use very low doses of Profem, instead of transitioning me fully into a woman it should stop me from producing testosterone and produce estrogen, any pregnancy hormones needed are released from the womb."
I guessed he already knew but I had to point out one last thing, "The lack of testosterone and addition of estrogen will effect your body, even if its only for a few weeks it is going to change your body. Nothing that can?t be reversed but you have to be prepared for this."
He looks at me with his most serious eyes I have ever seen on him, "Small changes I'm willing to take, my body will only be able to support the child and womb for about a month, so any changes can be surgically reversed once the womb is removed, I'm willing to do this Brainy, so let's make a baby."
We both got to work, Lyle started figuring out the biochemistry of it all, as well as started taking the low dosage of Profem thanks to Officer Shvaughn Erin lending a small amount of her supply. For the first two days there were no noticeable changes but at day three he started having the higher voice.
"Querl, if I have this voice for a month I am not going out in public."
I role my eyes, "It is to late now, but I want you to look at this. I have always known the specific holders of the name Dox, but being an outcast I never even knew the name of the Coluan who donated his DNA so my mother could give birth."
He looks at me for a moment then clicks in, "The Coluan archives let you find out who your dad is?"
I nod, "Yes, his name is Kajz Anc, he is still alive and has children of his own, I technically have siblings, but I went a bit deeper, my grandfather?s mother wasn't Coluan, she was Gryxian, the only reason my grandfather appeared to be almost completely Coluan was because of divine intervention."
My beautiful human partner smiles at me, "It's great to see you discover your family history, but can you make the embryo?" I have a guilty smile on and he knows something is up?
"What is it, what did you do?"
I take a deep breath and take his hands, "I think we should have twins." I almost expected him to faint, instead he just yells.
"What?!"
I try to keep him calm, "Lyle, let me explain, I have explored my ancestry and non-Coluan DNA has been cast out, but we could have a mostly Coluan child and a more natural hybrid, I could even awaken the tiniest percentage of Gryxian DNA because my great grandmother was a mutant with powers like yourself, so she-"
Lyle put his hand over my mouth to inform me I had gone over my speech limit. "Querl, our children aren't science experiments, I'm stating that now. However now that I've calmed down I can appreciate the idea of twins, if you want one too be more of a hybrid then the other that's ok, just don't try and give them superpowers, let's just see how the cards unfold, ok."
He removed his hand. "Ok."
After another couple days it was time for Lyle's surgery. The embryos were ready. Because I put them together myself I know the biological sex of the two kids but not like I'm going to tell Lyle what they are. He was put under and Doctor Gym'll and a few other Doctors, plus myself added the artificial womb plus the Embryos. Doing the surgery was not stressful but waiting for him to wake up was. I kept having flashbacks to the Gear incident.
He did of course wake up and I was right there for it, "Hey Brainy, how did I do?" I take his hand and hold it, "I just want to say congrats, you are pregnant."
(POV Querl) I updated the council that the child is on its way while Lyle is in recovery. A day later I check him out of the hospital. The surgery and womb take away his perfect abs but he is still his normal slimness.
He sits down on the couch. "What do we do now Brainy?"
I kiss him on the cheek, "We search for surrogates."
We start looking, we interviewed a couple of women, but most did not wish to hold a hybrid and the rest weren't interested in twins. A couple weeks past and Lyle started having changes, he was morning sick, gained the tiniest of weight that is just noticeable if you see him without his shirt. He also stopped having to shave his face and although I made sure not to mention it, Lyle?s body shape and figure started to change. There was also stuff that didn't relate to the pregnancy hormones or the Profem, he started having pain in his abdomen and becoming increasingly tired, he couldn't carry the womb for much longer.
A small amount of hope came a few days later, I was having breakfast and after being quite sick Lyle was having toast and a stomach relaxant.
"It's getting worse, isn't it?" I asked.
"Yes, I want these children to live but I can't hold them for no more then another week, two at the most, how is looking for a surrogate going?"
I shake my head, "No one has accepted my request and we have interviewed all that are looking to be surrogates, I wish Imra wasn't pregnant, she's a close friend, she would most likely do it if we explained our situation to her."
Lyle smiles his first smile in days, "Maybe not Imra, but Reep and Ayla just got back from honeymooning, maybe Ayla would do it." So Lyle gets dressed and we head out.
(POV Lyle) We come to Cham and Sparks shared quarters. Lyle buzzes for entrance, and Reep opens, he looks a horrible shade of orange.
"If this is a bad time we can come back later?" I say, but he shakes his head.
"No, it's ok, come in, just be quiet because I think Ayla has finally fallen asleep."
I decided to ask, "Jet lag?" He shakes his head, "No, if you promise not to freak out or tell anyone, she's pregnant."
Brainy frowns, he knows this means she can't surrogate for us but I just smile, "Congrats man, that's great!"
I try and hug him but he puts his arm out to stop me and he looks like he's going to be sick, "It's not, she's was overjoyed but when the doctor told her she was only carrying one child she was deviated, she cried herself to sleep." Querl just looked at him then asked, "So when are you going to tell her that the twin is alive?"
I look at my nerd confused, and also shocked that he'd ask such an insensitive question. "What do you mean the twin is still alive, the doctor says there's only one?"
I look at Reep and he sighs, "Durlans are technically Hermaphrodites, we have both reproductive systems even though we often pick which we represent ourselves as."
I'm still confused and I think he knows it so he continues, "When two Durlans try for a child we almost always have twin like Winathians, but not how you'd expect, both get pregnant with one child. Our doctor later privately confirmed that I am carrying the twin."
This is crazy, "Holy sprock, you aren't kidding?!"
Querl interrupted, "Not to sound bossy but shouldn't you not be in that form, the child probably isn't fully Durlan and shouldn't be shape shifted, you should be in your natural form, that's why you are sick."
He sighed and with what looked like great effort, shifted back to his cloak and hooded form with green skin and tentacles. He starts wobbling and I catch him before he hits the floor, through the robes I can't even describe what I feel. I lay him on a couch. He than speaks in a higher, thicker Durlan voice.
"Thanks Lyle, I don't know what I'd do without you, hey, you never told me why you two had come, just a welcome back committee?" I shake my head and look at brainy who now looks down in disappointment.
"Brainy and I came because the Coluan council wants Querl to produce an heir to the Dox line and if we don't find a surrogate they will arrange a Coluan one and only brainy will be allowed to be with the mother. We were hoping that Ayla would surrogate because she's a close friend to both of us, obviously that isn't going to happen since she's already pregnant."
Reep gives a small laugh and sits up more straight, "Ayla couldn't anyway, you are going to mix both of your DNA right, well if it's half Coluan then it could take over a year to come to term, no normal humanoid could handle that, you need a surrogate who can handle at least a year." We look at each other in amazement, clearly neither of us thought of that, I can tell he's about to do his, 'I knew that' line, I glare and I turn to Reep to change the subject.
"When are you and Ayla due?" With the hood I can't see his face but it wouldn't have mattered anyway because of his non-humanoid face.
"The doctor isn't sure, Winathians are usually pregnant for nine to ten months, statistically in the middle, Durlans have a complicated development process that takes a little less than a year, so about 10 and a half to 11 months."
Something has been bugging me so I decide to ask, "You said most Durlan births are twins, but you never mentioned a sibling and only your mother plus some friends were at your wedding."
With the cloak and alien face I couldn't make out his facial expressions, but I think he was sad, "Durla has very little resources, so after the 6 minute war it was decided that the twins would be raised in only combat and our religion until 5 years old, than they would fight to the death, only after that would the survivor learn other things. I was born from my father so that's why my mother doesn't speak to me often because of what I've done to my poor brother Liggt. I hope however that since Ayla and I won't be raising our kids on Durla that they won't have to go through that ritual." This was crazy, I wonder how long he's had this on his chest.
I put my hand on what I think is his shoulder, "You knew no better, Durla was and in many ways is still messed up, but the new spiritual leader is cleaning things up nicely. We have to go, just please tell Ayla about your baby and no more shift shaping." He nods and me and Querl leave.
"That didn't go as planned." I say after we return to his quarters, he sits at his work bench and I can tell he's working on something.
"What is it?" I ask.
"What Chameleon said is true, we need a surrogate who can withstand an estimate of 21 months of pregnancy, most humanoids aren't compatible and almost all non humanoids aren't either.?
?What about another Coluan?"
He shakes his head, "Homeworld law is that you can only bear young of there mate.?
?What about a strong humanoid like a Daximite, like Andromeda?"
Querl shakes his head again, "Her immune system would find the embryos a threat and would just kill it, besides, Andromeda specifically can't because of her religion."
I sigh, "We have a little time, we'll think of something, I'm taking a nap, these kids are really straining my body."
(POV Lyle) I wake up and realize that I had over slept. I check the time and it's 4PM. I get up, queasy but for once I don't think I'm going to throw up. I head out of the room and I see Querl still at his work bench, I see no indication that he ever left.
"You should take a break." He twirls around to face me, "I think I found her."
Stupidity I respond with, "What do you mean, found who?"
My signature smile crosses his face, I'll have to sue him for copyright later, "A surrogate, check this woman out."
He taps something on his pad and a woman's picture comes up, she is Coluan but something doesn't seem right to me, her skin is a few shades lighter than any Coluan I've ever seen and her hair isn't the same blonde as every Coluan has. The things that threw me off the most is that she A) doesn't seem to be on Colu in the image, and B) she is smiling the biggest smile I have ever seen.
"Lyle, this is Lara Gozzel." The name Gozzel rang a bell.
"Wasn't there a super Coluan criminal named Gozzel, serving a tyranny sentence at Takron-Galtos for over 50 years now?" Querl is still smiling like a manic.
"Yes, Vrax Gozzel, tried to overthrow the Coluan Council and name himself sole ruler, Colu authorities didn't want to deal with him so they sent him to Takron-Galtos where he met Cara-Rea some time later. She was a Daximite that was part of the xenophobic terrorist group the White Triangle, she ended up there for hoaxing an alien invasion on her planet. No one is sure what there relationship was exactly but 18 months after they met Cara gave birth to a Coluan-Daximite hybrid. Her own birth proves it, she can withstand an odd pregnancy length. Also, having Coluan DNA shouldn't hurt, we'll just have to transfer the kids under artificial red sunlight and it should be fine."
By 7PM we had figured the science behind Lara possibly being the surrogate. We found out where she lives, not only did she live right in Metropolis, but only 15 km from the earth legion HQ. In a small apartment.
We come to the door, I am in civilian clothes and Querl in his uniform. Querl knock on the door. The door was opened immediately by the green young woman, she looked quite sleepy, but perked up as soon as she saw Querl.
"Sprock, it's you, I can't believe it, you are Brainiac 5, I am such a big fan, and aren't you Invisible Kid? Come in, come in."
When we walk inside I take in how small her apartment is, six by five and a half meters if I'm observing right. A very small kitchen with a chair at one of the counters, a very small living room with a single chair and two doors that I presume to be a bathroom and bedroom. Lara flies over to the kitchen area and brings the chair over next to the sofa and gestured for us to sit, she remained flying in front of the two seats. Querl goes to sit in the comfy chair but looks at me then sits in the kitchen chair, I don't like special treatment but from how I'm currently feeling I don't object.
"Lara Gozzel, we are here to ask if, "Querl begins but is cut off.
"If I can surrogate your twins, I'd be honored." She beamed, Querl didn't look surprised but for the moment I had no idea how she could have known.
"How did you know we were here to ask you to Surrogate?"
Her smile reminded me of energetic Xs, "Well the surrogate part was easy, my super hearing picks up 3 heart beats from you, most humanoids have one heart, the rarest have two, so pregnant is obvious, I believe you are male so natural conception of children is impossible so you are doing this artificially, but this is becoming a strain because Brainiac 5 clearly wanted the chair but looked at you and you looked back at him with annoyance yet still took the chair, indicating that you need the chair because you are under some sort of strain, pregnant, need a surrogate, I'll do it." I start clapping my hands together, "That was awesome, great deductions, and I am over joyed that you are willing to surrogate."
She continues to smile as I look at my green mate with a smile of my own, "Tell us about yourself Lara."
She just had a glow about her as she spoke, "Well, I am 48 years old, but physically I am only 24, you probably know about how I came to be but after I was born I was sent to a lead free Laboratory on Earth for safety and to be studied."
She took a breath than continued, "I couldn't go anywhere outside without a trans suit and even that was risky, but when you invented a cure for Daximite lead poisoning I was able to leave and explore the Galaxy, I was inspired by you legionnaires and did good deeds and heroic acts whenever I could. Once I had seen the galaxy I wanted to join you but I didn't have full control of my powers then, I currently am employed as a constable in the science police and taking classes at the legion academy, that is about it."
Brainiac shakes her hand, "I'm pleased to hear that you are such a fan, once you graduate from Legion Academy, do you plan to try out again?"
Lara nods, "Yes, it is my dream to be a legionnaire and to protect everyone in the galaxy, no matter what race, sexuality, gender, or culture."
Querl keeps talking, "Well, if you keep up your studies while pregnant and complete the physical trials after you give birth, we can personally guaranty you will be a legionnaire."
Her eyes sparkled will excitement, "Perfect, but I must ask one thing, I don't think I will be comfortable being pregnant here in this extremely small apartment. If you could just give me the tiniest bit of money each month, combined with my own salary I should be able to afford a slightly bigger apartment for the duration of the pregnancy."
Her eyes were sincere, she wanted only a slightly bigger place to rest her feet, I turn to Querl then back to her.
"Could you give us a moment in privacy?" Her smile faded slightly but led us to her bedroom to talk. It was very small, a single person sized bed, a closet, and a tiny bookshelf.
I close the door behind us, my abdominal muscles, where the babies were, started hurting again so I sat on the bed and he sat next to me.
"We have to move her in with us."
"What, where, the legion quarters only have one bedroom and it takes a lot of time to modify them for two."
I role my eyes, "Not our quarters but my apartment, it's huge, 4 bedrooms, a suit, and the regular bathroom has a jetted tub, and a full sized gym and pool down stairs."
I take a breath, "I know you really like your privacy but this way we could have her close encase something happens, I always wanted us to fully move into my apartment together and the apartment isn't far from legion HQ, the legion academy or her work, it only makes sense."
He smiles slightly, "I keep on forgetting how rich you are, ok, she can move in."
We walk out and Lara is hovering in the kitchen part of the room nervously. She flies over to us when we leave her bedroom, I decided to break the news to her,
"Lara, I own a luxury apartment not to far from here and we wanted to know if you would like to move in with us until the babies are born?"
Her smile went from 0 to 125% in an instant, "You mean it, yes, of course, thank you so much."
She hugged Brainy which took him by surprise and he didn't know what to do, he looked towards me for help but I wasn't paying attention. The back pain and slight abdominal pain had suddenly become unbearable and before I could say anything, I fell unconscious.
(POV Querl) I had noticed that Lyle was in slightly more discomfort then usual but I had thought it only to be because he was getting farther along with the pregnancy, but then he collapsed.
"There's blood," was the first words that came out of Ms. Gozzel's lips after he collapsed, and she was right, although I couldn't see inside him he was now showing the early signs of internal bleeding.
I had to ack quickly if I was going to save both my lover and our future children. "Lara, take this, "I hand her a legion ring and she puts it on.
"Get him to the hospital now and I'll send more instructions in a minute. She gently picked him up then was gone before my eyes could pick up her movement. I opened a frequency.
"Shekari, I need you to drop what you are doing and pick up me and Doctor Gym'll and take us to the hospital near Legion HQ NOW! It's a medical emergency!" A minute later a threshold opened and Shekari stepped through.
Shekari, me, and Doctor Gym'll step through the threshold and are now in the hospital. We start heading to the surgical wing and I open another frequency.
"Lara, get to my location!" I yell as we finally reach the surgical bay, Lara flies in a couple seconds later and lies Lyle down on a table. He's delirious from the pain and in shock, it is heartbreaking to hold him down against his will while Doctor Gym'll puts him under.
"Shekari, get more surgeons," she left, "Lara, I hate to do this to you but if the twins are going to survive I need to transfer the fetuses to you now."
Her face goes pale, "But..." I don't have time for buts, Lyle doesn't have time for buts, "You said you wanted to be a hero, it's time to prove it." She nods.
"What do I have to do?" She asks, I point to the other table, "Lie down there, I'm going to have to turn on a red sun lamp to be able to preform the surgery on you."
Being an R J Brande sponsored hospital they have red sun lamps in case they have to operated on M'Onel or Andromeda. She lies down and activate the light, colour drains from her face, "This is what powerless feels like?" I nod then put her under, it take a minute to work on her but soon she falls unconscious.
Once the other surgeons are in we all start working vigorously to save everyone's lives. Lyle's heart almost stopped from the amount of hemorrhaging, but we managed to keep him stable, and as a team we managed to correct the damage. It was the babies that I worried about the most, but I was pleasantly surprised. The womb had stopped working properly an hour prior and was drawing an incredible amount of energy from Lyle and that's why today was so bad for him, and once it went critical that's when he collapsed, it was ripping him apart but the babies took very little damage. We transferred them to Lara Gozzel. We injected some human hormones into her womb so that it would accept the human percentage of the children.
Once Gozzel was stitched up we turned off the red sun lamp and sent her to a recovery room with a window so she could absorb yellow sun light. Lyle was more difficult, his injuries were vast, and for one feeble second I thought he wouldn't make it, but Doctor Gym'll is a miracle surgeon and after a few hours of surgery we sent Lyle to the recovery ward. When I leave the staff bathroom from cleaning myself up, Lara is waiting in the hall.
"You ok?" I asked, she smiled have heartedly, "Yes, once I was exposed to the Suns rays bouncing off the moon I was fine, how is Invisible Kid?"
I look her in the eyes to let her know I'm serious when I say, "He's going to be ok." She sighs in relief, "Thank Valor, your twins are ok too, I can hear them inside me, there hearts are still beating." It was my turn to have a sigh of relief.
(POV Lyle) I woke up with a pounding headache and sore all over.
"Querl, how drunk was I last night," I say as I open my eyes and see that I am not in either of our quarters and I remember that I haven't had any silverale to drink in over a month. I bolt straight up, disoriented and confused but trying to take everything in at once as my last memories come back to me.
"Querl! The children!" I yell.
I finally notice that I'm in a hospital room and I am no long in the clothes I wore the day before. I also finally realized that Querl is by my side holding my arm and speaking to me.
"Lyle, Lyle, it's ok, you are ok." I look at him in the eyes, he looks tired and concerned.
"Brainy, what about the twins?" He tried for a smile but it wasn't natural so he stayed with his neutral face.
"They are fine, you're body kept them alive long enough to get them transferred to Gozzel." I hear his words and respond with, "ok," but then immediately pass out again from how weak I was.
(POV Querl) A few months passed, Lara moved in with us, and continued to attend Legion classes. Lyle had been working out to get his body back and since he stopped taking Profem he succeeds within a month.
We both rejoined the legion. They desperately needed us since three of its members were on maternity leave. Lara had gotten a few ultrasounds and everything seemed fine, one of the twins seemed smaller then the other but both were healthy so no problems there.
Finally a week ago Imra, now four months and in her second trimester, has announced that she is having a boy. Which they planed to name Kirtor, a combination of her and Garth's father's names.
Lara physically showed no signs she was pregnant, and most likely wouldn't for another month or two, but she sometimes was nauseated in the mornings. Since she is invincible and not out of her first trimester Lara, myself, and Doctor Gym'll agreed she could stay on the force until her pregnancy truly hindered her performance at work. When Lyle announced the news about having children I started getting a lot of congratulations which was awkward, they all kept asking if I'd like to go out and celebrate which I didn't know how to respond to. I just want to do my job, and the few hours I am home I want to be with my handsome partner.
One day at four in the morning a transmission came to our apartment, expecting it to be for me I went to go answer it. I was shocked to see the ever so secret symbol for the Earth Gove's top secret agency, which of course I discovered three years ago.
"Lyle, wake up, it is for you." I heard a moan that sounded like, "To tired, later."
That told me he wasn't expecting the call, "It's your friends in Earth Gove." I say sarcastically, I swear he suddenly had Xs's powers because he was by my side in a second.
"Brainy, I need to ask you to lock Lara's door for a minute and leave yourself."
I do what he says. I lock Lara's door, as if that would stop her from listening in with her super hearing, but she is thankfully asleep. I go into our bedroom and look at an ancient paper paged literature called Sherlock Homes, which I had picked up during my stranded time in the very late 20th century. I read for about 30 minutes when my curiosity was peaked. I activate my ring and listen into the conversations end.
"Your assignment will go until completed, being of utmost importance I must insist in breaking all communication ties while away, you will be given further instructions at base." It takes my entire being on not breaking down into an out burst, but that is exactly what I do as the door slides open.
"You're leaving!" I yell, I know this isn't normally me but my emotions are sky rocketing. He sighs, but he is stone faced.
"One, you weren't supposed to be listening, and two I don't have a choice." I take a deep breath and start to calm down.
"Lyle, we have children on the way, you can't leave right know, this pregnancy being so experimental I require you by my side." He took my hands and squeezed them tightly.
"I'll see what I can do, but for now I think we should get some sleep." He kissed me gently, "I love you Brainy." I pull him to the bed and plop him down, "I love you too."
I woke up alone with no one by my side. I knew he had left me but I had to make sure, I was about to activate my legion ring when I noticed his on the nightstand with a note. It read.
"I can't explain where I'm going, why I'm going, or how long I'll be gone. Just know that I love you and I'll try to be home as soon as possible. Forever yours ~Lyle." I ripped up the paper and threw it in the incinerator.
(POV Lara) The last few months had been a dream. Saving the life of a legionnaire and his offspring. Moving in with real heroes, there luxury apartment having great amenities. The twins nauseated me sometimes in the morning but that was nothing compared to hearing there hearts beating inside of me. I attended legion academy classes during the day, and had Science Police shifts in the evening and first half of the night. Everything was quite good in my life, and it continued being good even after Invisible Kid had disappeared.
I had been asleep when whatever happened went down. All I know is that Brainiac 5 suddenly showed almost no emotion at all. When I had asked about Invisible Kid he said he was on a mission, but not where or for how long. For the first couple days I tried to pass this off as a normal legion mission, but he never called or wrote from what I could tell, so I knew more was up. I tried focusing on myself, but everything about what was going on was bothering me, and I could tell Querl was hurting deep down.
"Querl, did Lyle leave you?" I asked one afternoon that we were both in the apartment. He didn't even look up from his work, he just answered in his monotone voice.
"If by leave the location where we were calling home is what you mean, then yes, if you mean to say that he broke off our relationship to each other then no."
This wasn't the Querl I had gotten to know.
"When will he return?"
All he had to say was, "Eventually."
This continued for another couple months, I started working with him on some of his projects once I took a leave of absence for my maternity leave. I learned about his troubled past and his absent mother. And the rare times he willingly brought up Lyle he talked about him with just as much passion as he puts in his work. But this was all on good days, and they were short and far in between. I admit I had started getting close to him, I am not sure if it was the hormones running through my vanes, the fact that he was my idol or just natural attraction but my feelings just kept growing for Querl. His intelligence, the amount of hard work he puts into the legion and his projects. Putting my emotions aside though, it hurt me to see him so depressed.
One time it had been a week since he had come back to our apartment and I started getting worried. I contacted the legion and they said he was really throwing himself at every possible assignment. I called the next day to check in and I was answered by founding member Cosmic boy himself.
"You are looking for Brainy, we made him take a mandatory day off about 5 hours ago, has he still not come home?" I close the transmission immediately and fly out of the apartment.
I'm quite lucky that there barely any Coluans on Earth, let alone Metropolis. I know there's a possibility that he is still on legion world but logic dictates that he does not wish to be found, and if he doesn't want to be found he probably wouldn't be at the place with biosensors everywhere. He could have thresholded to anywhere in the galaxy, but if you want to get drunk, and that's probably what he is doing, you go to Earth or Rimbor, so I'm checking Earth first because I'm hoping he was smart enough to not go to Rimbor. I keep scanning and not twenty minutes later I find him. Deep in the most rough and ruined part of Metropolis. I enter the joint and start heading right to his location. The people around me look at me as a source of pity and as prey. One giant, red patchy skinned humanoid came up to me.
"Hello sweetheart, do you need directions, because I..." I fling him across the room without even stopping. I come up to Brainiac 5 and sit next to him.
(Querl POV) For most humanoids I should be drunk beyond compare, and I am. I've drank 5 mugs of Silverale, 12 shots of Braalian Moonshine and multiple glasses, shots, mugs, and pints of random stuff the bartender gave me. I estimate I will throw up in about 27 minutes and 44.9786 seconds. All I want to do right now is think. I shut my feelings off and just think. Lara came up next to me. She seemed very angry. She lifted me up from my chair and started yelling at me but I wasn't listening to her, I was thinking. She is a Coluan hybrid female who is carrying my children. This would mean she is my mate. I leaned in and kissed her. She stopped yelling and stared at me.
(POV Lara) When I found Brainy he was wasted. I picked him up and started yelling,
"How dare you scare me like that, you can not afford to make such stupid mistakes, you are going to be a father and I'm not sure Lyle is coming back so you have to be there for your kids!-" and than he suddenly cut me off with a kiss.
I immediately pulled away. That kiss has made me realize that my feelings for him were only platonic. I picked him up and flew away. As soon as we reached the apartment he ran for the bathroom and started vomiting. He locked the door, probably wanted privacy. I was worried about him but I respected his wishes. He kept vomiting. After a while however I hadn't heard him throw up for a few minutes but he still hadn't left the bathroom.
So after another couple minutes I really started to get worried. I walked up to the door, I could hear him sobbing.
"Querl, are you ok in there?" He snapped at me through the door, "Go away Lara!"
I used my X-Ray vision and what I saw made me have to act. I punched the door down and in the middle of the room is Querl in a complete wreck holding a shaving blade. I whip it out of his hand and I start shaking him in tensely.
"Querl Dox, never ever try and hurt yourself again, you are to precious in many ways to many different people to hurt or kill yourself." But one look at Querl and I stopped shaking him.
Brainy was cry hysterically, not sure I had ever seen another Coluan cry before. I cry, but I was never raised like a Coluan, emotions were never discouraged, but Querl was, and yet here he was. In between horrible sobs he stated what was causing his turmoil.
"He's not coming back."
"He just left me."
"I loved him."
"He's not coming back."
"He's dead!"
I listened and all I could do was hold him and rub his back to give whatever comfort I could. After what was possible hours he started to calm down, so I took his hands and looked him in the eyes.
"You and I are very different from most Coluans, but we both are very logical, and the logical thing to do right now is wait, but live our lives even though it will be difficult."
He nodded but had one more comment.
"Do you think he's dead?"
I sighed, did some quick calculations a stated my conclusion.
"Insufficient data, but this is like the Schr?dinger's cat paradox. We do not know weather your partner is alive or dead until information is brought to our attention."
The rest of that night went smooth enough, I moved Querl to his bedroom and lay him down. He passed out soon after. I than opened a communication with Kid Quantum.
"Brainy, it's to early for this." I stayed passive.
"Actually I am Brainiac 5's surrogate, I have to request that he takes a couple days off for mental and emotional recovery, he is quite sick, if you truly, desperately need him with in the next 50 hours you may request his presence."
She looked tired. "Ok, may I go back to sleep now?"
(POV Querl) Not long after my breakdown Imra gave birth to her healthy baby boy Kirtor Ardeen-Ranzz. He is a red head with crystal blue eyes. Although there were no signs of electrokinesis yet, Irma did confirmed it had telepathic abilities, although to what extent would only be measured in toddler hood. I was appointed Godfather and actually took joy from this role. I was over a great deal to relieve them temporarily of there Parenting duties for a few hours or to enjoy Imra's company.
"Imra, is Garth still upset about your child being a single birth?"
She just gave me a halfhearted smile.
"His planets whole culture is based on having a twin. Everything comes in two's, and he knows the struggles single children have on his planet. I do think he is happy to have a healthy child however and is so far a great father, he's always there for our son."
I tried to hide my emotions as best as I could right then but I think she sensed my negative thoughts.
"Querl, you and Lyle will be great fathers to your children, I know it."
I let down my guard a little and speak my mind.
"Imra, he isn't even here, I don't know where he is, he might even be dead for all I know, he just got up and left, what kind of parent or partner would do that?"
I tried to hide my fears but Imra saw right through me.
"Lyle isn't your mother, he cares for you deeply."
"If he did, he'd be right here by my side."
Time continue to pass, Lara started to show and was only a few months from entering her second trimester. Ayla gave birth to a healthy Durlan/Winathian hybrid boy who physically appeared as a caucasian Human with olive hues, along with a few patches of green scales and no hair and blue eyes. They named him Ligrth. No powers were apparent but that could come in time.
About a week later Reep went into labor, an unknown complication accrued and he, Ayla, and Ligrth had to quickly be transported to Durla. I never learned exactly what went down, but after Reep gave birth the child needed extensive care because this Hybrid was unstable and needed further Durlan medical treatment. Being more visibly Durlan, the Durlan Secular group insisted that it only be seen in its natural form by other Durlans, it's parents and sibling. Considering normal Durlans do not gain full control over there shift-shaping abilities until they are three years old I doubt I will see this kid anytime soon. Ayla did say that it was born a hermaphrodite so they will be using gender neutral terms for the child until it chooses what it identifies more with. They named it Zhay.
I continued my active duties in the legion. With Lyle gone, and Chem on Paternity leave, there was an opening in the Espionage Squad and I decided to take it. Mostly you just have to keep an ear out for anything rising. Fatal Five attacking a spaceport, that's normal legion missions, but when supposedly regular people become trillionaires, or multiple people that have only one thing in common go missing, that's the legion's Espionage Squads job.
We meet up usually ever week, but not always on the same day and never the same location within two months. We discuss our findings, what it all means, if we should inform the rest of the legion, should the legion deal with it, or should we act.
I went on a couple outings with them, I found I quite enjoyed the job. Gathering information, usually not in life threatening scenarios, and tricking anyone we encounter to helping us bring down the corruption we wish to end.
Another meeting was assigned, this time at my old quarters on Legion World. I got there very early and made sure the room was secure so that no one would listen in. I was surprised when Chameleon was the first to enter.
"Chameleon, what are you doing hear, I thought you were on Durla with Ayla and the twins?"
"We returned a couple hours ago. There are two Durlan doctor on legion world now, they're looking after Zhay in the infirmary, Ayla is in our quarters with Ligrth resting, Durlans recover much quicker from child birth than humanoids."
"But what are you doing here?"
"Oh, I found out about the secret meeting and thought it would be nice to get back in the game, I'll be reporting back to normal legion duty after we finish up here."
I don't question how he knew about the meeting, Lyle and Cham often co-ran the team, they had there ways.
"Violet should arrive any second with the her plans, do you wish to take over?"
"No, I'll get back into the swing of things slowly, I'll take the leading position back at the next meeting."
Violet then appeared from what looked liked thin air until she was fully grown.
"Hi Cham, welcome back, how is Zhay?"
I was not offended by the fact she did not acknowledged me at all, Cham had been absent for over a year.
"Not great, but doing better."
Within ten minutes everyone had arrived and we were seated around an old workbench of mine. Violet started the meeting.
"First off, I'd like to welcome back our faith full leader."
Everyone applaud.
Violet then gestured to Karate Kid.
"Second, Karate Kid has joined our squad, welcome Val."
Val gave his quirky smile that often reminded me of Lyle. Violet continued.
"Now into business, one of Rimbor's most elite crime circles, the death clan, has risen 200 fold in the last 16 months, and rumours and tips are suggesting that, among other things, there is female sentient trafficking going on. We have no solid proof but I know where and when we can get some."
She brought up many holograms for us to observe.
"Tomorrow, the death clans highest members are holding some sort of gathering, it looks like a party, but we believe it's a front for finding more buyers for there illegal trafficking. We must strike tomorrow or else my source goes cold."
We all start talking strategy. Violet asks Tinya about her knowledge of Rimbor's clans, Tinya responds that maybe they should bring in Timber Wolf since he has the most up to date information on the clans. Violet says that neither Timber Wolf or Ultra boy could go because they'd be to recognizable, than the whole room looked at me.
"Brainy, maybe it would be best if you were the guy behind the scenes, you kind of are the only Coluan in the galaxy with facial implants."
"Over the past year I've been experimenting with my implants, and I discovered I can use my force field to create an altered image of my body."
I decided to demonstrate, I pressed one of my implants and concentrated on what I wanted to look like. Everyone gasped, before them I know looked human, no implants. I had slightly darker than caucasian skin, and black wiry hair, my height and facial features were still my own however.
"Now may I be on the ground mission?"
Over the next 12 hours we all rested and did our normal legion routine. Than we met up with Shikari in Val's dorm on legion world. I was in a 26th century human tuxedo with my image inducer activated. Sensor curled all her long tail in and made the illusion of her as a young humanoid female with short white hair, blue eyes, and caucasian skin. She also wore a long red dress. Chameleon morphed into a Dominator. The girls all got into power compatible dresses, and Val wore a servants outfit.
With the help of one of my devices Shikari was able to open a threshold outside of the target building. Violet instantly shrunk down to insect size, Triad split into her three personalities, and Apparition sinks into the floor. The rest of us spread out. Violet reminded us of our goal.
"Our target is different files, documents, or oral communication that there's illegal sentient trafficking, the man hosting this gathering is our best bet, the Carggite named Mr. Presen. He had connections with Leland McCauley / Ra's al Ghul's abductions and experiments, The only reason he wasn't arrested is that file evidence could never be located."
I started surveying the grounds, everyone was talking to each other on what they were seeing and overhearing. I was doing the same. This was definitely a cover up for sentient trafficking, but it seemed so easy to get in, Rimbor really was the worst crime heap in the galaxy.
Everyone's dialogue seemed to be in code, they would ask a question and if you didn't answer the way they liked they'd quickly leave to go to the next person. After two people I managed to crack the code. A Rimborian approached me and asked the question, my response must have been satisfactory because he than showed me a hologram of a girl.
"She's 15, Human, but she has been activated."
"Activated in what?"
"I changed my mind, I don't think you would be interested."
"No, I am interested."
"Good day Sir."
He than left, but I still got good news for the squad.
"I believe that everyone's information on what they are selling are on holographic files. If I can have a secure computer in this compound, I can hack into everyone's files and find something incriminating."
"Apparition is on it, but Querl, can you search specifically for things to incriminate Mr. Presen. We could arrest everyone here, but if he gets away, he could start all over."
"Understood, just get me a computer to work from that's connected to the main frame."
"I found one Brainy, come to my location."
"On my way Apparition."
I used my legion ring to track hers. The signal took me to an empty balcony above the conference. Apparition was in the corner by a terminal. The computer is old, maybe 15 years old, a lot of advancements had happened in the past 4 years alone.
"Nothing from this century Tinya?"
"Sorry Brainy, this is all I could find that you'd be able to access."
"Understood, keep mingling, I'll do my part from here?"
I started hacking. Getting into the computer was a breeze. Hacking into everyone's holograms was slightly harder for me, emphasize on slightly. I started digging and within five minutes I had enough incriminating material to have every person here, and many more, except for Mr. Presen and one other guy. Someone called Mr. Vinstrykir. They were both squeaky clean, I could only find invitations to this very event from Mr. Presen, and I could only find mentions of this guy.
I notice that the computer starts trying to kick me out, someone must have noticed my hacking. I simply bypassed whatever they threw at me and continued hacking.
I then noticed my console sparking. There was a 51.3668% chance that they must have tracked my interference to this location, and without being able to stop me in the digital world, they were trying to stop me in the physical world. The console was about to self destruct. I quickly stepped away from the computer, and for my safety and to not blow my cover I placed a sound proof force field around it. As I suspected it exploded, but no one heard a thing.
Though since they had tracked me to this console the balcony probably wasn't safe anymore. I floated down nonchalantly and re-entered the crowd.
"Team, I have enough evidence to arrest everyone here and more, except for Mr. Presen and someone high ranked man named Mr. Vinstrykir, I have all the data saved on one of my implants and I'll send it off to the Science Police as soon as we're done here."
"Good job Brainy, that's a win on its own, but we do need something to incriminate Mr. Presen."
"I know Cham, I could probably have found something but my console was taken out."
"I have an idea."
"What is it Viol-"
Suddenly the coms went dead. I could not allow panic to ensue. I look around to assess the situation for any possible threats. It was possible that we were all discovered. As I look around I see Karate Kid, he seemed to be talking into his com. I continue looking around and I spot Tinya, also talking into her com.
So it is not a coincidence, I was personally being isolated. There were two most likely scenarios, either the death clan were targeting me for some reason, or my team don't want me knowing something. Both have the same solution.
Casually I touch my hidden implants, I command them to unscramble my com so that I could listen in. Everyone was talking back and forth to each other.
"Are you sure that it's him?"
"He's my best friend, I'd know him anywhere?"
"Has Brainy seen him?"
"I can't tell."
"Neither can I."
"What do we do, do we complete the mission?" I did not understand who they were talking about so I tried to ask.
"Team, we have a mission, no familiar could jeopardize-"
Then I saw him. Lyle. His hair was black, short, and slicked back. He was wearing glasses, and behind them his eyes were a different colour, but they were staring right at me. He's talking to the target, Mr.Presen, on a raised platform. I start walking straight towards him.
Everyone was now talking on the coms at one time.
"He sees him."
"Querl, don't do this."
"Brainy, stop!"
"Someone stop him."
"On it."
No one else is paying attention to me as I walk towards Lyle. He is no longer looking at me, all his attention is on Mr.Presen. I know Lyle though, he's panicking.
Violent grew to full size, which caused some gasps in the crowd, and she started pulling on my arm, desperately trying to pull me back. I activate a force field that encases her.
Now the whole room is in a frenzy, but I just float up to the platform Lyle was on. I grab him by the arm and force him to look me in the eyes.
Both my hands are firmly holding his arms so that he can't escape me. His eyes are green like mine, but I know it's him. My aggression, agitation, annoyance and anger is just barely over powering my will to kiss him.
"Mr. Vinstrykir, do you know this man?"
"Why yes, I believe I do. This I think, is the Legionnaire Brainiac 5 in disguise. If he is here there are more. Security!"
I'm furious, but I know he is undercover for Earth Gove. I try to get control of my emotions. I release Violet who shrinks out of visibility, than I punch Lyle in the face forcing him back.
Many thugs start towards me. Cover obviously blown I send all my information to the Science police, although being Rimbor it will probably take a while for them to arrive. There are estimately four dozen guards and thugs almost at my location, but I am not alone. Right on cue my fellow legionnaires reveal themselves and the fight becomes more even. Seven vs fifty, we've got it.
Lyle and Mr. Presen ran out of that room, normally I would have to run after them to bring them to custody, but I have to respect that Earth Gove would not pull Lyle out of retirement for nothing important. I deactivate my image inducer and join the fight against the thugs. We also managed to apprehend some of the criminals that were higher up in the abductions and trafficking.
It was only when the science police arrived and we let them take over that we noticed Violet was missing. I had to hope it was on her own will. We still couldn't find Violet so the rest of us went to the rendezvous point. One call away from Thresholding out.
"Sulu, where are you?"
No answer.
I was just about to activate her rings tracking beacon when she flew over in an ant size form. She than grew to her normal height.
"Ok, I got the information we need, Shakari!"
Seconds later a threshold opened and Shakari exited. One by one everyone went through until it was just me and Shakari. I keep staring at the building we just exited. She followed my gaze.
"Green Legion, Vanishing Legion is in their."
"I know."
With that, we both walked through the threshold.
When I emerged to the other side everyone had gathered around Violet, so I joined them.
"Sulu, where were you that you couldn't answer your coms and took so long?"
Chameleon wasn't mad, just curious. Violet handed him some paper files.
"I realized Mr. Presen didn't have his files digitalized or else Brainy would have found them. So there must be paper copies. With his operation being invaded by us I guessed he would try to secure them. I followed him and when he retrieved his files I knocked him out and took the ones in his hands. It's not all of them, but it's enough to get a warrant to get the rest and arrest him."
Cham was flipping through the pages as she spoke, but than he froze.
"Cham, what's wrong?"
"The normal sentient trafficking isn't why Mr. Presen and then death gang have been having such an increase in funds. These records say they've been doing female sentient trafficking for over 5 years. There's been such an increase because they've been trafficking sentients with inhumanoid abilities."
Sensor gasped, so did one of Triads bodies, but the rest of us looked at one another. We had to continue this somewhere else. We were all at the threshold port on Legion world so it was very crowded. We headed towards a Legion specific area were there would be almost no civilians. We hadn't entered that hallway for 30 seconds when Imra flew from around the corner towards us in a panic. I than realized she was flying towards me. Cham stopped her but she tore away from him and hobbled over right to me. She grabbed onto me for support, she was shaking.
"Imra, what's wrong?"
"Lara, she's very sick and they think she and the twins are going to die!"
I did not wait for the end of the debriefing; I just took off after I asked Imra the most important question on my mind.
"Where?"
"She was thresholded to Legion world infirmary-"
And I was off. I flew as fast as my Legion ring allowed. I eventually realized Imra was right behind me so I let her catch up.
'What happened?' Was all I could think. She responded telepathically.
'I was visiting Ayla in the infirmary when we heard what was happening. Lara was having a friend over when she suddenly became extremely pale and weak and then collapsed. She was taken to a near by hospital, but when Dr.Gym'l was contacted he insisted she be thresholded to him here. He is currently assessing her.'
We continued to fly in silence until we reached the room Lara was being looked after in. The door was locked. From the window I could see Lara on a bed, unconscious, the palest green I've ever seen. The doctors were trying to insert IV's and other medical procedure devices but were failing to penetrate her invulnerable skin.
Dr. Gym'll sees me and acknowledges that he'll be out with me as soon as he could. Then I just turn around. I see that Ayla is sitting on a chair outside of Lara's room, she is now standing up and walking towards me.
"Brainy, I'm so sorry."
"Ayla, what are you-?"
I'm cut off by Chameleons high speed arrival. He slows down his flight than lands next to Ayla. I'm confused to why he's here as well.
"Why are all of you here?"
Cham steps forward.
"Because Lyle is my best friend, these are his children, you are is lover, and you are also my friend."
"And Imra and I are your friends too, we're all here for you Querl."
And with that they all came around me and hugged me. I normally would not appreciate this kind of attention, but I needed there comfort. I felt like crying, but I had more control than that. We all just stayed in that hug, there comfort and stability was something I had been missing since Lyle left, I needed a new anchor and they were providing one.
The hug eventually broke up, but I took Imra aside and gave her a second hug. It was much shorter than the previous one, but no less meaningful.
"What was that for?"
"For being a good friend."
That's when Dr. Gym'll exited Lara's room. He looked very concerned as he came towards me.
"What is wrong? Is it her, the twins? Both? Will any of them make it? Who am I kidding, you probably don't even know what's wrong because you can't scan her invon-"
"Actually, we know exactly what is wrong, we didn't need any scans or blood test to see the problem."
"What than? What is wrong?"
Gym'll sighed, and gestured for me to come to the window. I came over, on his tiptoes he pointed at Lara on her bed.
"Take a good look and your 12th level butt should figure it out."
So I do. I stare and stare. I start going through every possible infection, disease, and medical compilation that could possibly effect a Coluan-Daximite pregnancy and cause her current symptoms. I also had to factor in possible in the womb complications that could be effecting the human-Coluan twins. Than it hits me. I take a look at Lara's belly and I understand what Dr. Gym'll meant.
"I gave the twins different percentages of Coluan DNA so there at drastically different stages of development. The one with less Coluan DNA is almost ready to be born, while the other is barely in the third trimester. The two conflicting pregnancy hormones and sizes of the children are causing the problem, but what can you do?"
"Nothing, we would need to remove one or both kids and that would require red-sun beams, which in her current state would kill her and possibly the kids. If we leave her the twins will certainly die and possibly her. I'm sorry but a decision must be made very soon and she is in no condition to make the choice for herself."
"Well obviously we just have to take away her invulnerability."
"As I just stated, red-sun light will almost certainly kill Ms. Gozzel."
"I said take away her invulnerability, not necessarily red-sun light. Daximites power comes from yellow sunlight and there bodies absorb it like batteries, what few people know other than Daximites is that red-sun light is the only light that drains powers, every other type of sunlight there bodies feed off the stored yellow sunlight, powers weakening over a significantly longer period of time."
"We don't have any other light synthesizers other than yellow and red."
"Than we must transport her to Colu, our sun is green and they will have the technology to figure out the problem of the twins aging at different rates."
"There isn't a moment to lose than."
Dr. Gym'll quickly started preparing Lara while I got in emergency communication out to the Colu high counsel.
"I need Medical One to prepare for my surrogate, there's-"
A counsil member cut me off.
"Medical One is currently experiencing a minor crisis, with the importance your child holds on the planet we request that you instead go to the leading medical facility on fertility, pregnancy, and birth."
"Fine, fine, but they need to save the twins and the surrogate."
"Understood, I'll relay the message of your arrival and terms, I'm sending the threshold location."
That ended the transmission. When Shakari arrived, myself, Shakari, and Lara on a floating stretcher were taking to the closest Thresholding chamber. We rushed through and were greeted by a Coluan Doctor and several medical robots of varying purposes. They all swarmed Lara, pushing me and Shakari out.
"That'll be all Shakari, tell Imra, Ayla, and Cham that I'll be ok, and tell the legion I might be gone for a few days."
"Yes Green Legion."
With that she stepped back through the portal. I ran to catch up to Lara and the Doctor.
"She need access to our sunlight if you wish to do anything with her. The problem is that one of the child's development is faster than the other, the faster one is almost ready to be born, while the other is barely out of the second trimester."
"Leave it to us professionals, we will contact you when we have a verdict."
"But-"
"Wait here."
With that they entered a room and the door shut in my face. There wasn't really anywhere for me to sit, and if I was left on my own with nothing to do I would most likely get depressed by the situation. So, despite the request of the Doctor, I start walking. Not yet knowing the layout of the building I just walk. Glancing at a sign I learn my location and every location of the building, but I still just walk. I'm trying not to think about the last hour. I saw Lyle, almost failed our mission to get closer to that abandoning sprock, then Lara entered a critical condition thanks to my miscalculation almost 18 mouths ago.
I eventually approach a corner and hear two people talking to each other.
"I can't believe that it's true that the offspring of Vrax Gozzel is in the building."
"I know, it is a shame really, this is a respectable establishment yet there's a filthy hybrid giving birth to more hybrids."
"What do you mean, those rumours aren't true, the fifth of the Dox line is not mates with a human, those are just Ancite gossip, along with any rumours about Querl being a, you know, a homosexual, his mate is Lara Gozzel and the children will only have minor Daximite recessive genes. That is all."
I turn the corner, the two nurses look at me surprised but do not interact with me. I'm used to this behaviour already however. Every Coluan talks about the Dox's but almost never to them. I'm insulted on how the high council handled the truth of my partnership but now there was something on my mind that I needed to check. I keep walking until I find a computer and activate it.
"Dox, Querl, fifth in the brainiac line, 12th level intelligence, high level clearance, what can I help you with?"
I input my response.
"Topic restricted, try another search."
"We'll see about that."
After two minutes of excruciating hacking and bypassing I learn the information I was searching for. I'm satisfied but then something one of the nurses said pops back into my head, so I type in 'Kajz Anc,' than leave.
I head back to outside Lara's room. A couple more minutes pass and the Doctor comes out.
"Well, the robotic medical team and myself have stabilized Mrs. Gozzel, but the chemical surgery to increase one of the twins development and slow down the other will take a few hours."
"I'm sorry, what did you say? You can actually change the rate at which my children age?"
"Correct, slowing down the aging process has been apart of Coluan science for over 900 years, but if you read any home world news you would know that it's only recently become legal to use in medical emergencies."
I had only been giving updates to Colu ever since Lyle left, not listening to any discoveries or news.
"Now, I need you to stay in the facility until the surgery is completed."
I nod my head, however the second that he re-enters Lara's room I turn around and head for the exit. There's something I've been putting off since I first had excess to Coluan archives. As I exit the building I activate my flight-ring and head in the direction of Kajz Anc, my father.
I am surprised that his residence is in one of the very few country side homes. 85% of Colus land is covered in dense cities of mega skyscrapers, some of the cities even go over and into the oceans. The last 15% is farmland and regular houses. My fathers house is one of the few.
I approach the house but than a sudden amount of fear overcame me. I stand right in front of the door, petrified. I have done nothing but the door opens anyway, startled I jump back a little.
I expect Kajz or some other adult opening the door, but instead I'm looking down at a kid about 24 year old, approximately 8 human year equivalent. She looks up at me as I look down at her.
"Shouldn't you be in your bubble at school?"
"No, I have sleep school naps, mama and daddy teach me and Olurna the rest."
In the past education would be a computer program imputed into your dreams on several planets, but it was replaced with bubble education on Colu when the sleepnet was created. But no Coluan is ever taught by there parents.
"Ok, is your father home?"
It just came to me that this is my sister. She turns around.
"Daddy, a brainiac is here."
"Swijnya, get away from the door!"
With that panicked cry the young girl backed up a little. Than a man, not much taller than myself, with yellowish-blonde hair and beard, and the same green eyes I have came dashing into the room. Swijnya backed away, the man looked like he was ready to fight but as soon as he saw me he relaxed.
"False alarm Jnya, he's a good Brainiac."
"I'm sorry to cause such a ruckus, Mr. Anc, being the highest secondary counsel member must leave you quite busy so I won't take up much of your time. You see I'm here because I'm, um, well I'm your-"
"You are my son."
I am shocked but only by so much.
"Jnya, dear, go get your mother from the field and your sister from her nap."
"Yes Daddy."
And with that she skipped off, I'd never seen a Coluan child THAT happy before.
"I know you are my son because you were born 26 months after I donated my DNA and at your trial many images of you were released and you have a striking resemblance to my father, all that and the fact of why would a Brainiac visit me?"
"You were sure convinced a few moments ago that a dangerous one was at your door."
"Yes, well, balance of probably stated that you were your mother."
"I got that much. I just wanted to-"
With that I was pulled into a tight hugged. Violent memories from a similar event flash through my head, but they soon pass as I truly realize that I'm safe in my parents arms. The hug continued a little bit longer then he let me go and patted me on the back.
"Let's sit and talk, I'm sure there's a lot to get to know about each other."
With that he lead me to a living room and we both sat down.
"So, you know I'm on the secondary counsel, what else do you know about me?"
"You are 118, turning 119 two months from tomorrow. After completing primary sphere education you went through one of the most prestigious schools for biological subatomic-engineering, passed everything with relatively high marks. Started a job under said profession than dropped everything after getting permission to go off world. You got two foreign degrees, one in inter-planetary economics, the other in multi-species cultural studies which you than taught at Colus only school on foreign studies once you returned. You started a movement to integrate other species into Colu along with furthering the treaty between Colu and the United Planets. You eventually ran for office and you got elected, you've been rising through the ranks ever since."
"That's a pretty good summary of my education and status, but that isn't who I am. I could ramble on about all of your educational and Coluan social status for possibly half an hour, but I bet we could talk for days about the stuff that really matters, the topics that make us who we are."
I'm somewhat shocked. I sit patiently for him to continue as Swijnya, the girl who I assume is Olurna, my other sister, who appears to be 9 years older than Swijnya making her the human equivalent of 11, and the woman who I could only guess is there mother walks in. They all sit down, Olurna and her mother next to my father, and Swijnya sat next to me, this made her mother look nervous but she kept a warm smile on, none of this seemed to bother Swijnya who just looked back and forth between myself and Kajz.
"My father, he groomed me to be a head scientist or high counsel men since birth. The second I showed an interest in atoms when I was two he was set that that would be my profession, only allowing me to take the minimal of other studies. I never wanted to be a bio-engineer. I don't want you to feel bad but I donated my DNA for the money, I was saving to get off world."
"No, I understand, I didn't know the reason but I assumed you, or whoever, had donated for it for the money."
"Well, after I graduate I took my degree to its natural profession, it was the longest two years of my life, saving up, I was also waiting for permission to leave home world without forfeiting my citizenship."
"How did you acquire said permission in such a short amount of time, they wanted me gone but they hate letting anyone else go."
"If you state that you're pursuing an education, even one they do not necessarily approve of, they want you to get it and return as soon as possible so you can share your new found knowledge and experiences through the sleepnet if need be."
"And you studied fields of the outside worlds, and when you returned, besides teaching what you know, you also started a movement to further integrating Colu into the United Planets, why?"
"Colu has been in the shadows for over 1000 years, we are biologically more capable of being far more intelligent than every other species in this Universe, yet other species have almost caught up. That doesn't bother me, what bothers me is there are those that suffer when we have the answers, and other planets even have answers to some of our problems. If we open up our borders than all of Colu and the Galaxy could vastly improve."
"You are on the secondary counsel, don't you have the ability to make a hearing for your chase?"
Kajz because slightly agitated, though his agitation seemed to be fueled by passion and ambition.
"Yes, I have far more than enough supporters inside and outside both counsels, but it takes years for the high counsel to get around to the different requests, decrees, and bills. If I could get a unanimous vote or a seat on the high counsel my proposal would be heard immediately and dealt with. However I've been passed for a seat three times despite being the highest member of the secondary counsel."
"Yes, suspicious."
I causally touch my flight ring.
"Could you ask for an emergency vote amongst your own counsel for a seat on the high counsel."
"I could only do that in emergencies, it doesn't matter however because I should be seen in a week. Let's change the subject a little, I met Driproqui at the School of Foreign Studies. She helped me start the movement, we were married five years later."
I nearly drop dead.
"Married, Coluans choose mates sometimes when they wish to have children, but I have never heard of a couple to be married on home world."
His wife spoke, her voice was soft, kind, and nurturing.
"We are well aware, but when we reached a certain milestone we realized we wanted to stay together no matter what, children or no children, of course we did want children anyway. So we had a private ceremony, brought an official to make it United Planetary recognizable and we've been together ever since."
"That's, that's just so inspiring, I haven't even really used the boyfriend turn for-"
"Lyle Norg." My father says.
"It's ok, I support your life style, mine isn't exactly traditional either."
Swijnya spoke up.
"Talk about us, talk about us and the farm daddy."
"Well when me and Proqui decided it was time to have children we wanted them to be able to run around and have fun, so we bought this land, Proqui devoted herself to the farming life, and we came up with an education plan that wouldn't have them in a sphere in the city all the time like almost all the rest of Coluan children. We also conceived them naturally, so that's why they are both girls."
"I had been wondering about that, I had to choose the gender of my children when me and my partner were creating them, but I picked it at random."
"How is the development of your children going? I had heard that the counsel had put out a order for the next Brainiac, I'm sorry that they must have put that on you very suddenly."
"There have been some complications, that's why I am on Colu, I overlooked the fact that the twins having different human DNA percentages would also mean they would have different development rates, one is ready to be born while the other is quite premature, the doctor is trying to speed up the development of one twin while basically putting the other in stasis until it's ready to be born."
"If the children are going to be born soon, shouldn't Lyle be by your side?"
I look down, my father can tell there is something bothering me, he turns to face his children.
"Olurna, Swijnya, I think you should catch up on your education of the day, why don't you take a nap."
Olurna got up and started heading for the stairs, but Swijnya just shifted in her seat next to me.
"Jnya?"
"I want to hear more about Querl, he is a Brainiac and my brother."
A smile escapes my face.
"I will answer any question you want to ask later, now go learn."
"Fine."
With that she scoots off the couch and heads upstairs. Once she was gone, Kajz and Proqui moved closer to me.
"What has happened to your spouse son?"
He sounds so genuinely concerned, I'm still not sure if I can trust him, so I'll tread a little lightly, it will be nice to get stuff off my chest however.
"I honestly don't know, he had to take an assignment with no contact with his normal life until his job is complete. He couldn't be here anyway."
"Why not?"
"I know they tried very hard to cover it up but do you remember my trial about three years ago?"
"Yes, I've been trying to collect as much information about that trial as possible, what is its relevance?"
"Well, amongst other things, one of the conditions for my freedom is that Lyle isn't in any content I send to Colu and that he never steps foot on Colu either."
Proqui started tearing up and than spoke.
"That bloody counsel, so many people were against our marriage, but they are going to prevent your partner from attending your own children's birth, do you even know when his mission will end?"
"Thank you for your sympathy, I do not know when or if he will return, but a recent event would suggest within a month or two."
Suddenly my flight ring goes off.
"Will you just excuse me for a moment."
"Yes, there is a room right through there."
I nod, get up, and head to the room. I will a sound proof force field around myself and answer the transmission.
When I finished I returned to the living room.
"Sorry about that, I was just getting an update on something."
"You are a Legionnaire. No questions are necessary."
Proqui gestured to a plate she is holding out to me. On it are little pastries that contain produce grown on there farm.
"Try one."
I pick a smaller one and take a bite. The first taste is quite pleasant, but the fallowing taste is so bitter that it takes all my 12 consciousnesses to not spit it out. I instead put the rest down and swallow what is in my mouth.
"I know they aren't perfect yet, but I've only been experimenting with baking for a week."
"You made these yourself?"
"Yes, I-"
Suddenly several Coluan special agents burst in wearing special black glass helmets. They flash a bright light that instantly dazed me and I lose all my senses, it takes all my will power to not fall unconscious and I mange to fight it off, but when most of my senses return I realize power-blocking cuffs have been placed on me and my father and stepmother are knocked out.
"Querl Dox, 5th of the Brainiac line, you are under arrest for having one of your conditions be broken."
I was dragged against my will by four of the special agents to a warp pad. The pad flew us to a super secure Colu holding facility. When we arrive only one agent escorts me, I think about trying to escape but as soon as I try to move other than in a straight line I realize that I can't.
"The cuffs are controlling your force field implant. You can only walk towards the cell."
"You must release me, I am the designated Dox, our species needs me."
"For now."
What was that supposed too mean? My mother was released from her duties the second I was born, did they plan on doing the same to me? I don't want that for my children. Or could they possibility mean that they were trying to find another means of solving the unsolvable? We keep walking, finally we reach what seems like an extremely secure cell, even for my standards. As the agent opens the door I realize that it could be a significant amount of time before I'm released.
"My surrogate is most likely finished her surgery, which means she could give birth at any minute, you must release me, or at least explain why I am being imprisoned."
He shoved me into the cell and started hooking my cuffs up to chains on one of the walls. The open door is the only light source. From this temporary light I can see that there's another prisoner on the wall opposite to mine, but I can't even tell what species they are.
"You are being imprisoned on account of one of your condition from your trial two years ago being broken. You will remain here until the counsel comes to a decision on your fate, my opinion you should rot here you filthy homosexual."
With that he left and with the cell doors closed the room was pitch black. I thought I'd be alone with my thoughts to think of a way out but that was immediately fictionalized by one word of a familiar voice.
"Querl?"
I'm frozen, at least I know what condition was broken. Lyle came to Colu and is now my cell mate.
"Querl, is that really you, I came as soon also heard about the twi-"
He might have continued talking, I have no idea because I'm now screaming my head off at him. I ran at him as far as the chains would allow, he should be counting his lucky stars that I couldn't reach him.
At first I just scream, but it soon turns to me yelling more specific things at him.
"You sprocking nass, you left me, you left me when you said you wouldn't, you left me to traverse the road of expectant parent on my own. I became depressed, I nearly, I nearly k-but Lara was there, than she got ill. Do you know who was there for me than, Imra, Ayla, Cham, but not you. You haven't been there."
"Do you think I had a choice, the second I received that transmission I was on the job."
I can hear him messing with something, causing light clinking sounds. All I can think about however is how rage filled I am.
"Oh right, your mission, well let me take a crack at it. A trusty business partner of Leland McCauley/Ra's al Ghul and his gang start rising in wealth with nothing incriminating tying them down, they're kidnapping mostly humanoid girls, activating inhumanoid abilities and selling them through a third party. Mr. Presen runs it but you can't find anything to bring him down, well guess what, all his work was on paper and Violet found it in minutes. There, I've solved all your problems in a day when it's taken you about a year and a half, you left me for something your own squad solved in hours Lyle, hours."
I kneel down.
"Do you think I wanted to leave, especially for so long?"
His voice sounds shaky and he's breathing heavily, I can still hear the clinking sound.
"No, I think that you didn't even try to fight."
"Well I did, I've never so much as questioned them in the past but I begged them to let me stay! They just had, leverage."
"What could they possibly have had that would have taken you from our growing family?!"
"THE DEATH CLAN HAD MY BROTHER!"
I was silent, Lyle almost never talks about or too his adoptive family, all I really knew was that his brother had a shady death and that after it Lyle distanced himself from there parents. I'm still furious, but at least I see where he's coming from.
"You still left me."
I say this more softly while trying to hide the pain in my voice, tears start to sting my eyes.
"I know."
His breathing still sounds shaky and heavy, besides that I hear no other sound other than him messing with his cuffs and chains.
Time passes, I try and regain control of my emotions, admittedly this is by trying to shut them off which worked so well before me and Lyle became a couple, now the more I try the more I feel like breaking down to tears.
I think about Lara who's most likely woken up and would be alone in a hospital on a foreign planet, or worse. She could also be in labour which would mean that Lyle coming here was causing me to miss the birth of our children.
'CLANG!'
"I managed to figure out how to pick these high tech cuffs."
I hear him walking towards me, "Don't you dare come close to me."
He stops.
"Don't you want your cuffs off, it won't give you your powers back, I think the cell itself is doing that, but it'll let you move around."
"Fine, just don't touch me so much if you can."
He walks over to me and finds me. As he touches my shoulder it sends shivers down my spine, the first real time we've touched since the night he left. He lets go once he's found my cuffs.
I can feel that it's not just his breath that is shaky. I feel what I believe to be a drop of water on my palm.
"Lyle?"
He doesn't respond.
A few moments later I feel another couple of water droplets, I know why he's shaking.
Just before I can ask my cuffs fall off.
"There, your hands are free."
"Lyle, are you crying?"
As far as I can remember I had almost never seen Lyle cry, he always pretended to be completely emotionally stable.
"I'm backing away now."
A can hear him backing up. I can't lose him to the darkness, so I reach out and grab his arm.
"No...wait."
I stand up to his level. I bring my hand to his face and touch it gently. His cheeks are soaked with tears.
"Querl, I- I'm-"
I press my lips gently up against his. It was just a brief kiss, I put my forehead to his.
"I missed you so much Lyle."
"I missed you too Querl, I missed you so much you have no idea, and I am so sorry, I can't ever apologize enough to make up for what I did and did to you."
"I know, we'll really have to discuss it later but I just want to hold you now."
I hold him in my arms and he holds me.
"You looked good as a human, was it a new trick that you learned?"
I laugh, probably for the first time since he left.
"Yes, I've been experimenting with my implants."
I kiss him.
"Please tell me your hair still isn't black and short."
"Why, you don't like it, it will grow back."
He kisses me.
"It made you look like a gangster, I want you to be you."
We kiss again.
"I love you just the way you are too Brainy."
I know he says 'Brainy' on purpose. We start making out.
We haven't felt each other in so long, just being able to touch one another is exhilarating. I can put my hands through his new length of hair, and he rubs the back of my neck with his fingertips causing a shiver to go down my spine.
I want to keep kissing him, I want more than that, but there's something I need to tell him. I pull away.
"Lyle, I don't know how much time we have until we're released and there is something I need you to do, something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
I pull the side of his head closer to my mouth.
Moments later the doors open, the sudden existence of light is blinding. I step back, shielding my eyes with both hands. Several guards walk in.
"There has been a vote amongst the high counsel, with the alien integration law being passed it is agreed upon that singling Lyle Norg out would be breaking its code. You are both to be escorted to the Birthing Hospital."
I turn to Lyle, I can finally see him in the light. As he walk out with our escort I take his hand and whisper into his ear.
"You eyes are still green."
For the first time in two years I get to see his signature smile. What is the saying, smiling is contagious.
I've missed Querl so much, he can be a thorn in my side but he's a thorn I've missed having by my side. I can never tell him about the things I've done, the people I've seen, but I still wish I could tell him everything.
Than again he will never forgive me for excepting another Black Hole mission, let alone the other stuff I've had to do. At least Jacques is finally returned to our family, with my cure and medications he'll never be forced to do any of Black Holes dirty work again.
My eyes are still green because they were surgically altered to be so and I have yet to have the time to have them surgically altered back to brown.
We reach Lara's hospital room and Brainy enters first with me close behind.
"Lyle?!"
I had almost forgotten what Lara had looked like, than again she no longer looks like the super energetic women I met almost two years ago. Now for one thing she's huge, which is what twins will do to you, but she's also looks tired and paler than I remember.
"Hi Lara, when I got back to earth and heard what happened to you I came as fast as I could. How are you feeling."
"Horrible, but that's better than how I was a few hours ago."
Querl's legion ring flashes several times. He looks at it, than at me, touches his ring a few times as well, than takes a ring, my ring, out of a poach and tossed it to me. I'm speechless, I thought for sure he would have destroyed it. I'm about to say my gratitude but he is currently by Lara's side.
"The doctors say that the twins are now the exact same age and they took my request to make them age at a human rate. They have also told me that you are going to be fine but will have to give birth naturally, do you have enough strength?"
"I will have to-"
Suddenly a Coluan man with a surprising amount of facial similarities to Brainy minus the beard barges in.
"Querl, I did it, once I regained consciousness and learned what happened I demanded emergency power and called for a vote on my bill. I got your case to be re-evaluated."
"I knew it must have been you to have done it father."
Lara and I must have been on a similar page because we both said the same thing.
"Father?"
"Everyone, this is Kajz Anc, my father. Father, this is Lara Gozzel my surrogate, and Lyle Norg, my, um, boyfriend."
In the past three years of us being together I had never heard Querl refer to us as boyfriends.
Kajz reached out his hand and I shock it.
"It is an honour to meet you sir."
"It's good to finally meet you too lad, I need you to promise me though that you will be a better partner to my son and be the best father you can muster."
"I promise sir, your son is my rock and these twins are my world."
Brainy, who looks close to crying, steps in between us.
"Speaking of the twins, since you are here there is something I must ask you Father, somewhere more private. You don't mind, do you Lara, Lyle?"
Lara looks from Querl, to me, back to Querl. Her face clearly expressing how she does not wish to be left in a room with a strange man, that man being me. She lets out a sigh.
"It's fine, just don't be to long."
"I'm fine with it to, it'll be nice to catch up with Lara."
"Ok, this won't take long."
With that they left. I sit down on the chair farthest from her in hope the space with satisfy her.
"Where were you?"
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me Lyle. No matter what anyone says I know you weren't just on some big legion mission. You and Querl were so in love before you left and than one day you are gone and he becomes lost in his own misery and depression. So what was it. You are in uniform now so that means the Legion took you back the second you returned so it was something they approved of in the end. I've read your file, what you did in your adolescence and early adulthood was chalked up as Earth Government employee, but I know it made you crazy rich, so most likely a very dangerous line of work. Is that what this was all about, because even if the government forced you to do what you did it still had the same result. It broke him."
"I know what I did can never be forgiven or forgotten, you and Querl will never be able to fully trust me again, but I never wanted to leave, I came back as quickly as I could, and all I want to do is take that year and a half back and do it over again with you, the Legion, and the man I love so dearly. But I can't, so what I'm going to do now is this; thank you Lara, thank you for looking after him, for being with him, helping him through his darkness, you did all that while carrying our children and following your own path. So again, thank you.
Tears fill up her eyes, and if I'm being honest I am crying too. But seconds later her face scrunches up and she starts breathing heavily.
"What's wrong?"
Through her breathing she spoke.
"I think my contractions just started."
(I haven't done one of these for this story because I feel it breaks the pace but this has to be said, I know relatively quite little about child birth, so to not get anything wrong or offend anyone, especially women reading this who have given birth, I won't focus so much on the birth but more the story and its characters. Thank you and enjoy.)
I panic slightly, I only just got released from my duties less than a day ago and now I'm about to be a father when it wasn't supposed to happen for quite a few more months.
I activate my Legion ring and signal for Querl.
"Querl, get the doctor, it's happening."
A doctor, Querl, and quite a few robotic nurses came rushing in. The nurses started preparing the room for child birth while the doctor started scanning Lara. Querl came to my side.
"My father and I were separated, Lyle I think he's lost and I need you to go find him, quickly."
"Querl, I hardly think this is the-"
"Now!"
With that I leave as quickly as possible.
(POV Querl)
Lyle left the room practically running, I can only hope he's fast enough.
So much is happening so fast. Lara's contractions become rapidly closer and closer. Her invulnerability was low enough that the doctor was able to give her an epidural.
Everything was going smoothly enough when the door opens.
"Lyle?"
I turn around in horror however to be staring into the eyes of my mother. Brainiac 4.
Before I can even move an inch a stasis field was put around me, causing me to not be able to activate a force field of my own or even move for that matter.
Facing the door I can't see much other than my mother, who doesn't even resemble the woman who attempted to murder me over five years ago. A minor change would be that she finally appeared to be looking her age, 132, a human equivalent of about 47. However a major change would be that she had seemingly shaved all her hair off to make room for huge implants in her head and face. She seems to have optical implants as well, along with some on her hands that seemed to go up her arms but I can't tell for sure because of her sleeves.
"Querl, my idiotic predecessor. I'm so surprised that you are surprised of my being here, if you used even one of your consciousnesses you would have realized I was here and perhaps even my plan."
As she moves, her stasis field moved me so that I'm able to look at her directly. I am now able to see some of the rest of the room. All the robotic nurses have been deactivated and the doctor was chaining Lara to her bed and was currently gagging her and turning on a red sun lamp. The colour started draining from her face.
"I have been waiting almost two years to enact my revenge on you and the Legion. I organized the circumstances perfectly. I arranged for you to produce an offspring to emotionally compromise you and set up my final act. Bankrolled the Rimborian Death Clan and gave them the requirements necessary to capture Jacques Foccart to insure that your beloved Lyle Norg would leave you, emotionally crippling you even further. My original plan was to travel to Earth when she went into labor and deal with you than the Legion but I almost felt joy when my lackey informed me that you were coming here and that he had redirected you to this isolated building. You're own stupidity brought you to me, and months ahead of schedule."
I was getting quite frustrated and desperately wanted to move or shout at her.
Suddenly the doctor pulled out a huge scalpel.
"Don't worry Ms. Gozzel, with that paralyzing drug I gave you a few minutes ago you won't feel a thing, however you will bleed to death soon into the procedure."
My mother stud next to Lara who had fear petrified on her frozen face.
"Your birth took all my Coluan and Dox rights away from me, now the birth and death of your children, plus your own death soon after will take everything away from you. I will take my rightful place as designated Dox back and overthrow the High Counsel."
With that said the doctor began cutting into Lara and quite soon he held my twins in his arms, Lara's monitor went dead.
"It a boy and a girl, congratulations my supremacy."
He hands her the two breathing babies.
"This one has your eyes. I can't believe it, I'm a grandmother."
She kills them both.
"Oh well, not anymore."
I suddenly have the ability to speak, so I scream.
"Really Querl, even you can do better than that, speak your minds. I can only feel pure evil as you know, so explain to me how this effects your mood."
"You're a monster, a sprocking monster!"
"Go on."
"How could you even do this, you were securely locked up.?"
"Half the High Counsel work for me. The second in command and everyone under him secretly arranged my release and made sure it was kept quiet."
"That's all we needed to know, Sensor!"
As the illusion dropped some drastic changes accrued to the room. Lara and her bed vanished along with the twins, and next to me now stud my favourite pink and white mutant snake with arms and hair.
My force field being active the entire time I expand it, breaking my mothers stasis field.
"Impossible!"
My mother is steps back in complete shock.
"Mother, you are Coluan, if you had used just one of your eleven consciousnesses you could have figured it out. Legionaries!"
With the combined effort of LeViathan, M'onel, Ultra Boy, and to my joyous surprise Andromeda, the levels and roof above my level were lifted off and tossed aside.
To my horror my mothers reaction to her new situation was maniacal laughter.
"If it is a fight you all wish for, it is a fight you shall all get."
All her implants began to glow and she began to take off, I was just about to bubble her in one of my force fields but she short laser beams at me from her eyes, allowing her to escape that room. My force field deflected her shot and I flew out after her.
As I ride to a greater height I could see that a small army of mind white triangle followers were fighting not one group, not a couple of groups, but all the legionnaires. I rightfully join the fight.
"Her implants are like mine, only less advanced, they will draw on her own bodies energy, keep her using her powers and she'll pass out or at least give you windows of opportunity to get blows in."
I had known something was up before I even came to Colu. I might not have paid much attention to what was happening on Colu but I had arranged from day one if something was to go wrong with Lara on earth that she would be treated and give birth at there head medical facility here, and if something compromise that facility at any point they tell me immediately. So when the second in command of the High Counsel stated it was unavailable I knew something was up.
Once I knew that Lara was in temporarily good hands with the robotic nurses and surgeons I hacked into the planets mainframe. I search all possible threats and found out that nothing was wrong with the head medical facility, that the building Lara was being treated at was practically abandoned and had very few staff, that many of the High Counsel had old ties either to White Triangle or my mother herself.
I wasn't able to find out if my mother had escaped prison but the likely hood was too great. I sent a message out to legion discussing my situation and how I planned to handle it. I also arranged for Lara to be escorted to the head medical facility for a Caesarean section once Sensor had cast her illusion.
They accepted my plan and confirmed its details and there approach while I was at my fathers. I filled Lyle in while we were in our cell and asked him to be Lara's guard as she's escorted to the head medical facility. I filled my dad in once he arrived at this hospital and tasked him with making sure the route out of the building was secure, and for him to watch over the twins once they're born. I had my final update from Sensor to let me know she was in the room and that the illusion was up. Now everything was going according to my plan, not my mothers.
A zap of electricity flings by my ears, I'm about to yell at Garth/Ayla for reckless aim but I realize that it's coming from my mom, that must be what her arm implants are.
"I really appreciate you all coming, although isn't that a bit reckless?"
Kid Quantum is the one to answer that question.
"And miss seeing the twins of the biggest egghead on the team, no one wanted monitor duty, so we put Chuck and Officer Erin on it, also Rond Vidar insists on coming so he's with your Father and Lyle."
The fact that everyone is here is just amazing, even my only friend before the legion decided to come despite the danger.
"Garth and Ayla, can you try to short-circuit my moms implants."
"What will that to do to the ones in her head?"
"I don't know, it shouldn't kill her and she's already quite mad."
"I'm not crazy, I'm just all a brainiac should be, emotionless, determined, and not you!"
She dives at me, dogging all my fellow Legionnaires attacks. I time my force fields activation and angle just right that when she runs into it she's deflected hard towards the surface. However one of her White Triangle soldiers catch her and the fight continues.
I fly out to Andromeda who's fighting the Daxamite population of my mothers army alongside M'onel and Ultra Boy.
"I can't believe you are here, what does your religious leaders think of this?"
"I'm glad to see you too Querl, they're mad but I don't care, the fight between your mother, The White Triangle and the two of us has always been super important to me, I wouldn't miss this fight for all of Daxam."
M'onel gets sucker punched in the face, Andromeda continues talking to me while we fight.
"We could really use some more heavy hitters to deal with these Daxamites, also congratulations on becoming a dad."
"How do you know if it's happened yet?"
"Turn around Querl!"
Flying at me at top speed was a fully suited up, not pregnant Lara. She hit the guy I was flying so hard that he just skidded down to the ground.
"Lara! Shouldn't you be in bed recovering?"
"Nope, once they stitched me back up, by the way the children are perfectly fine and heathy, they gave me the same yellow-sunlight pill they gave M'onel and Andromeda and I was ready to fight. How do you like my costume?"
I give it a quick one over. Purplish-punk seemed to be its main colour scheme although the cape and boots were white. It had cute long puffy sleeves and the body was of her family crest, the bottom lead into a kind of skirt similar to Andromeda's did.
"Lara, you look like a legionnaire."
"Call me XTC."
"Alright than, XTC, help take out the Daxamites, I need to-"
I'm suddenly dive bombed, I panic for all of a second which is all it takes me to realize that I can't see what hit me.
"Querl, for Valor sake they're beautiful, absolutely beautiful, they're both girls, and oh I am so happy!"
Lyle kisses me and I kiss him back but quickly shove him away.
"I'm still very mad at you, keep your head in the fight, Dad."
His face becomes visible just long enough for me to see his signature smirkish-smile.
"You called me dad."
"That's what we are now, so don't get killed or you'll really regret it."
"On it, Pops."
We are really going to have to have a long discussion on what our proffered title will be, but that will have to wait until later.
The fight continues, my mother keeps attacking from a distance with several of her White Triangle members in between her and us. Slowly however the number of conscience White Triangle members starts to dwindle until it was just her.
I fly up to her level. She looks exhausted, her implants must be completely draining her of energy.
"Mother!"
She shoots a big blast of electricity at me, I deflect it.
"Mother, you conceived and gave birth to me in the hopes that it would let you feel something, you gave me up because that plan failed. After trying everything you discovered that doing harm and evil awakened something in you."
"And it will awaken even more when I finally kill you, useless vegetable!"
She shoots a laser beam from her eyes and I once again deflect her attack, I also move closer.
"It might, but can't you see what that awakening means on its own, it means that somewhere deep inside your brain is the potential to feel, not just villainy and hate, but love, sadness, joy, fear, and hope. Consent to letting my friend explore around your psyche in an attempt to free all your emotions."
"Never you selfish brat, why do you think I've invested all this time into villainy once I unlocked this emotion and never tried to unlock more, I do not wish for any other feeling to cloud my intellect. As a Brainiac I was born for greatness, you were born a failed experiment, incapable of my love."
She shoots one final burst of electricity from her implants than she collapses, causing her to start a drastic decent to the ground. I swooped down and caught her. As I slowly descended downwards with her unconscious body in my arms I spoke.
"You may not be able to love me, but despite all that you have and haven't done to me over the years you remain my mother and therefore I love you. I also hope that one day, after extensive therapy, you will change your mind and except psych help. Maybe one day you'll even love me, you're grandchildren, and your family."
When I get to the surface I hand her off to a large group made up of Doctors, roboticist, and Science Police officers. I don't want to deal with her anymore today. Instead, surrounded by every legionnaire and extra, I fly off to meet my children.
After letting all the Legionnaires wait outside, with just me, Lyle, Kajz, and Lara in the room with me and the twins we finally invite everyone in.
Lyle holds up our daughter with the least amount of Coluan DNA, with Human and Gryxian filling in the gasps up for everyone to see. She has light green skin, pink eyes, and brown hair with pure white streaks through it.
"Everyone, meet Francine Dox-Norg, she's named after the woman who raised me. Jeka and Cham, would you do her the honours of being her god parents?"
Cham walks over while Sensor slithers beside him. Cham reaches out his arms and Lyle gently places Francine in his arms, Jeka just stares and stares completely awestruck. She is the first to speak followed by Reep.
"The genetics of this child are so different from each other that it should be impossible, yet she resides in Chameleon's arms, she is a miracle. I would be honoured to be her God mother."
"Dude, I'd be honoured to be its god father if you promise to actually meet my children."
"Of course Reep, you know how guilty I feel about missing there birth."
Now I'm holding up the child I have in my arms. Her skin is closer to a normal Coluan but still a bit lighter, Yellowish-blonde hair with small darker highlights, and her right eye is green, while her left brown.
"I'd like you all to meet Imara Norg-Dox, the eventual Brainiac 6. She is named after her two god mothers, the two women in my life who are like sisters to me and pulled me out of my own BS multiple times. Rond, as my first true friend I'd also like to ask you to be godfather. Do you all except-"
I was going to finish with responsibility but Lara cut me off with her response.
"Yes!"
Imra and Rond also stepped up.
"Of course I except Brainy, I also think of you as my brother, only a extremely annoying brother."
"I except your offer as well Querl, thank you."
Lyle picks up the Francine and steps next to me. We speak together.
"Everyone, as the legion of superheroes, you are are the guardians of the universe, welcome its two new members."
Everyone, including me and Lyle, chanted our signature line.
It has been a couple weeks, with so many counsel members being charged with corruption and conspiracy it was almost a brand new counsel and they forced me and my family to stay while it got settled. I now stand before them however with a life changing proposition.
"High Counsel Men and Women of Colu, I have served you well in my life so far, so I have a request to ask of you."
"Speak Fifth in the Dox line."
"It has come to my attention that you can alter the aging speed of any living thing, I understand how this must stay secret from the universe and that we can't play Gods, but I wish for you to alter my aging rate."
"It is already on the schedule to increase Coluan lifespans to that of estimately 900 years, your wish will be granted."
"That is appreciated but not what I wish. At there current rate, all my friends, my lover, and my own children will die before I even truly reach midlife. I am asking for you to give me a human life span."
"You are to valuable to this Planet, you are already almost 52, that means you'd have estimately 20-40 years left of life."
"No, chronologically I'm almost 52, but physically I'm only about 20. If you allow me to age as if I were human from now on I'd still have most of my life ahead of me."
"60-80 years is still far less than what you would have had."
"I understand, but it means far more to me to grow old with those I love than to die over a hundred years after them."
"Fine, your chemical surgery will be arranged."
Hello everyone, I'd like to thank everyone for reading, my previous story has recently reached 400 views and I'm so proud. Leave comments with your questions, any spelling error you find, or just simply a comment. If you have enjoyed these two stories don't worry because there is plans for an epilogue to this epilogue called "Lyle 5: Repercussions." Thank you all again and keep and eye out for the third, and possibly final entry to this series.
Before I begin I just want to say that this character is based off of XTC from kingdom come. She's the daughter of Brainiac 5 and Supergirl.
Vrax Gozzl, I misspelled it Gozzel and kept it, is one of the few coluans I could find on the DC database wikia. I just picked a random coluan and Daxamite to be her parents. Cara Yat is who I chose to be her mother.
Species: Coluan-Daxamite
Age: 48 (24)
Skin tone: Mint green
Hair: dark blonde
Eye: yellow
Heritage: Her mother, Cara-Rea is a Daximite that was part of the xenophobic terrorist group the white triangle who ended up in United Planets jail were she met and had a child with Coluan Criminal Vrax Gozzel.
Given Name: Lara Gozzel
Alias: XTC
Affiliations: Science Police, Legion Academy
History: Both being criminals in prison there daughter upon birth was supposed to be sent to her closest relatives to be raised, but both planets, hating other raises, rejected the hybrid so she was raised on earth. Being raised under the rays of a yellow sun allowed her to tap into the majority of her Daximite powers. Her intelligence and processing abilities are quite heightened thanks to her Coluan DNA. Being half Daximite meant lead was extremely deadly to her and she was raised in a lead free environment. When she became 44 years old (22) the legionnaire Brainiac 5 invented a cure for lead poisoning and she was free to explore all of the Galaxy. She traveled and tried to do good when and where she could, inspired by the legionnaires she dreamed of becoming one. The only problem was she did not have full control of her powers and was rejected. She joined the science police instead and when the Legion Academy opened up to train young heroes to be legion ready she applied and started attending classes taking the alias XTC.
New reader of the second story, leave a comment letting me know what you think. Any spelling or continuity errors, what you like/dislike, and any questions you have. I love feed back.
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