JLU 2001 Fanfiction - YOUNG JUSTICE #9

Robin
Yesterday...
Today...
Tomorrow...

They are
The Next Generation of Rebels.....
YOUNG JUSTICE

'Young Rebels'

Part 2: The Ring, and the Asylum

Young Justice #9 May, Year Four
by Alex Hayden

Robin

Arrowette

Speedy

Connor

Star Girl

Kanto

Young Rebels Base of Operations.

Two days later...

For the last two days Tim Drake has gone over the countless information he received from the Resistance High Council. While his friends and teammates dealt with the loss of fallen comrades from the last mission, he had to make the tough decision of sending even more young heroes to their deaths in order to collect various weapons for the coming war.

He’s called in every member he could find, and some he never heard of, in order to build the teams needed to complete their new assignments. But even he is beginning to wonder if he can lead so many into places where even the most heroic men would be scared to travel to…

“I have no clue what I’m getting myself into,” Tim said as he went over the mission briefs once more.

Walking up behind him Mia Dearden slid her arms around his neck, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You’ve been doing these things since we were little kid’s Tim,” she said trying to comfort him. “Do you remember the first time we went on a raid?”

“Yeah, I had just helped you guys escape from the Orphanage,” Tim replied as he put his hand on Mia’s. “Mike got hurt, and we needed medical supplies so we snuck into a med. room at the hospital. I remember Steve riding on that Gurney like it was a toy in order to distract the doctors, and nurses.”

“He was very funny that night.” Mia commented. “I also remember that on that night we decided to stay together as a team. Help those who can’t help themselves. Do the right thing. What I’m getting at is that we knew that this life was going to be dangerous when we started. As long as it makes this world a better place for everyone, we’ll go to the ends of the Earth, and lay down our lives for the mission.”

Looking at Mia for a moment, Tim smiled and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Gather the others,” he said to close the files. “It’s time we got started.”

“War Room. Ten minutes,” Mia said as she walked out of the room, leaving Tim to stare at a picture of the whole group taken some years ago.

The War Room.

Fifteen minutes later...

Looking over the young men and women, Tim knew exactly what it was that he’s asking his comrades to do this day. He’s asking them to die...

“Okay guys, I’m not going to try and sugarcoat this,” Tim began as he stood at the head of the table. “Anyone willing to take part in these raids, probably won’t make it back alive.”

“Yeah,” Mitch Anderson also known as Outburst replied. “I think we all knew that when we signed up for this motley crew.”

“I think what Mitch is trying to say Tim,” Virgil Hawkins code-named Static said. “How, is this mission any different then the countless ones we’ve been on before?”

“They’re right,” Cissie King said taking her seat at the table. “We all knew that each mission could be our last. Yet we keep doing them anyway. So we’re all in for the long-run Tim.”

“Something’s got you worried, Tim,” Grant Emerson commented. “We’ve all been together long enough to know it has to do with more then a simple hit and run mission like usual. So what’s up?”

Leaning on the wall Thaddeus Kord looked at the good luck bracelet on his wrist. “You guys are wasting your breath,” he stated. “We should all know by now that Tim won’t actually tell us anything until he’s ready.”

“If we can’t trust our fearless leader guys,” Jae Crosby said looking around at everyone then back at Tim. “Then who can we trust?”

“Trust, Jae?” Tim Drake asked as he stood at the head of the meeting table. “Trust is exactly why I have been so concerned. I have recently come across information that has made me question not only recent decisions made by the Council, but also to question loyalty within our Resistance Cell.”

“What are you saying, Tim?” asked Mike Pollard. “That someone here is a traitor? Who would be dumb enough to be talking behind our backs to the enemy?”

“No. No one here is in league with Darkseid, but someone on the high council maybe,” Tim stated.

“How do you know this Tim?” asked Mia Dearden.

“Sometime ago a woman by the name of Cassandra Carver was found hiding near Slaughter Swamp,” Tim began to explain. “Long story short, she has the ability to see short glimpses of the past, present, and the future. Her visions aren’t much to go on but at least they point us in a direction. Until now I’ve chosen to keep her hidden from everyone in case the mole in our organization found out, and told the Upper Echelon of the Resistance Council.”

“And with good reason, Timbo,” Rose Wilson said with a little worry in her voice. “You know Darkseid had pretty much all pre cogs either killed or imprisoned. Everyone knows he secretly fears that one will see his down fall, and inspire people to fight back.”

“So what did the fortuneteller see in her crystal ball that’s brought us here today?” Thaddeus asked a little curious.

“Long story short, the end of everything is coming. So it’s time we stepped up,” Tim said looking at everyone in the room. “Because if we don’t find a way to fight back against Darkseid, then all of humanity is going to be crushed beneath his heel.”

Tapping a few buttons on the console in front of him, different holographic pictures appeared in the middle of the table.

“Which brings us to this,” he said bringing several pictures in front of the others. “Thanks to Cassandra we’ve been pointed in the right direction. Her first vision led us to Connor, and Mia. Now we have two new targets. This,” he began as a picture of a small green ring, and something that looked like an old light lantern appeared in front of everyone. “It’s something called a Lantern Ring, and Battery.”

“You can’t be serious!” exclaimed Calvin Usjak as he looked at the picture in front of him.

“What is it, Cal?” Cissie asked.

“I heard tales, and rumors about these things. But I never thought it was actually real,” Calvin replied. “Growing up in the underground of Russia, some of us kids met a cloaked figure who told us a story of a great warrior who fought for the downtrodden on old Apokolips. The warrior was called the Emerald Flame, and according to the stories he used a weapon known as the Ring of the Green Lantern, and something called a Power Battery to fight Darkseid’s forces before he was killed long ago.”

“What happened to him?” asked Mia.

“Well according to the tale his body was taken before anyone could get to it, and it was hidden along with his weapons somewhere on Apokolips,” replied Calvin.

“Apparently it was found by this guy,” Tim said as he brought up a picture of Lord Grayven of War World. “Grayven, third son of Darkseid and current ruler of War World. A spy on War World escaped, and sent this information to our reconnaissance team in New York Block. According to the info we received, Grayven found the ring, and battery some time ago. Grayven has them, and is seeking out more weapons of power in order to destroy his father, and take his place as ruler of New Apokolips.”

Looking over the data in front of him Tai Darshan asked, “And what’s the second target you spoke of Tim?”

“The second target is a person actually. A female by the name of Lori, last name unknown. One of our spies took this, so at least we know what she looks like,” Tim replied as he brought up her picture from a resistance database. “Pop quiz boys and girls. How many magic users do we have in the resistance?”

“None,” Richie Foley replied. “Those who do show signs of magic are either turned to Darkseid’s side, or killed. The only free magic users out there that we know about are that Hunter kid, and the Witch Boy. But no one’s been able to find either one of them for years.”

“Yeah, well now we have Lori here. Our Intel says she has the potential to tap into the powers of any magic user that may still be alive,” Tim explained. “There’s one problem though.”

“What’s that?” a young black woman named Ava asked.

“She’s currently being held in Arkham Asylum,” replied Tim.

“Don’t tell us she’s a crazy?” asked Mike.

“No. The mother was though. She was raped by one of the guards, and gave birth to Lori in the asylum,” Tim explained. “After her mother died, she was taken in by the guard and raised. Her father was careful to keep her powers hidden when they first manifested. However she was discovered after she tapped into the powers of an unknown wizard. She was then taken from her father by Dr. Arkham, and is now being held in the maximum security wing.”

“Why?” asked Mia.

“She’s being held there until Granny Goodness comes for her,” replied Tim. “They’re going to turn her into a Fury.”

“How long do we have?” Tai asked as he looked up from the screen.

“Latest Intel puts a guess at twenty-four hours at the most. Granny seems to be a bit preoccupied at the moment,” replied Tim. “That’s why we have to move as soon as possible.”

“So what’s the plan?” Nona Lin-Baker asked.

“We’re splitting up into two groups. I’ll be leading group one to War World to retrieve the ring and battery,” Tim replied. “Mike will lead group two into Arkham to rescue the girl before the Furies get to her. I suggest you all get some sleep, ‘cause we move out in three hours.”

A secret location within Gotham Block.

A little while later...

“Scandal should be out of the Med center in a day or so. She is lucky to have survived the explosion at the factory,” Lillian said as she slid out of bed where her lover Nyssa Raatko was still lying under the covers. “When she gets back, we will have to do something special for her.”

“Yes we will,” Nyssa said with a smile as she moved to the edge of the bed and kissed Lillian on the neck. “But now we have other matters to attend to. Granny has sent word that she wants us to send the group of young Furies under our care to retrieve a new recruit from that nasty little Dr. Arkham.”

“Eeew. Do you mean we have to send the pretties into that godforsaken Asylum?” Lillian said disgusted as she placed a robe on. “This girl must be important if dear Granny wants them to go to that vile place.”

“Apparently she is,” commented Nyssa as she got out of bed and pulled on her robe as well. “She’s a magic user. A rare treat indeed. No wonder dear ol’ Granny wants her for the Furies.”

“Well let’s go get the little darlings up then shall we,” Lillian said as she and Nyssa walked out of their room.

Young Rebels Base of Operations

The Science Lab

Two hours until...

Robin has watched the young man known simply as Connor make his way through the obstacles for the last thirty minutes. His strength and speed have increased almost forty percent in that time. Looking over the equipment he wonders just how powerful he could be once he was at full strength...

“Okay Connor, let’s call it a day for now,” Tim said as he closed the computers down. “You know, I don’t know what makes you more powerful. The Kryptonian genes? Or Darkseid’s?”

“Who knows?” Connor replied as he wiped the sweat from his face. “I feel like there're some things missing from me though. There’s something in the back of my head that’s telling me that I need something to make myself complete.”

“Any idea what that is?” asked Robin as they walked out of the science lab.

“None what so ever,” Connor replied. “So what did your tests find out anyway? Do Mia and I get a clean bill of health?”

“Clean bills of health, yes,” Robin replied. “You and Mia have different sets of powers, Connor. You both may have Kryptonian DNA, but it’s the other DNA that sets you apart. The Amazon DNA in Mia increases her already powerful abilities by a factor of almost two hundred percent. That DNA also seems to have made her fiercely independent. Which to be honest scares me some.”

“I know what you mean Tim,” Connor said walking with Tim. “Even though this is a new body, the mind is still the same. But with Mia, no one knows where she came from before Darkseid came along. She could have been an amazon before her mind was put in that body.”

“I know which is why I’ve had her under close surveillance since we brought you here,” Tim explained.

“And what about me?”

“You’re different Connor. I know you can handle this. I know Darkseid’s genes are tricky. His being a god-like being seems to have given you a number of abilities,” Robin explained as they walked into the war room. “Yet you still don’t seem to have access to his most powerful power- the Omega Effect. But it may be a matter of time before that happens.”

“You don’t think I’m going to turn out like him do you?” Connor asked as he looked over all the machinery in the room. “I’m not going to be all about death, and destruction?”

“Honestly no, I don’t think you will. Gene’s don’t make us who we are, the choices we make along the way are what makes us the person we were meant to be,” Replied Robin while watching Connor. “And besides we go back a long way for me not to at least give you some trust. You were a major factor this team got started in the first place.”

“What do you mean?”

“When your mom went missing, and you were taken away by the Justifiers. I thought they may have taken you to the Orphanage,” Tim recalled. “I went there to get you out, but you weren’t there. However I didn’t go away empty handed. I met Mike, Mia, and the others that day. We escaped, and now years later here we are, fighting against a god.”

“I can’t believe you risked everything to find me.”

“Hey you were my only friend growing up in that big house,” Tim said putting his hand on Connor’s shoulder. “We always said we’d be friends till the very end. Now if you’ll excuse me Connor, I have to sort out the teams for the upcoming missions.”

“Sure thing,” Connor said walking toward the door. ”So what are the odds we’re getting a spot on one of the teams?”

“I know you want to Connor, but I can’t afford to have Mia out in action yet,” replied Tim. “I want her to stay behind, and I want you to stay behind with her. If she is a danger to us, then that means you are the only one that can take her down.”

“Man just out of the tube, all these powers, and I’m playing babysitter,” Connor said as he headed out the door.

“Yeah and maybe if you’re lucky you’ll get paid for your time babysitting.”

“Ha. Ha.”

As the door closed behind Connor, Robin brought up a list of all Young Rebels members and began placing everyone on different teams.

Young Rebel HQ

Mission time...

“Okay you all have your team assignments,” Robin said as everyone gathered in the main hangar bay. “Since Arkham is not that far away, Hood’s team will take the underground access tunnels till you reach the asylum.”

“Got'cha. All right team lets move out,” Red Hood ordered as he moved to the tunnel access. “Ass holes, and elbows people. The tunnel skimmer awaits.”

Once Red Hood’s team was gone, Robin’s team stood waiting for their orders.

“Who built this thing?” Natasha asked as she looked over the ship for a moment.

“It was built mostly by one of the Makers named Himon,” Gears replied. “Some of it was also made by Mister Kord, and Mister Irons.”

“So how is this ship getting to War World anyway?” Damage asked. “Boom Tube maybe?”

“No way,” Gears said as he looked at the small computer on his wrist. “War World is at the center of the universe. Our Boom Tubes are makeshift at best, so we don’t really have the power to generate the energy needed. Besides we would need a pin point trajectory before we could port there anyway.”

“And unfortunately our Rannian spy never had a chance to get us one before he made his escape,” Robin replied as he opened the ships’ hull. “The plan is to use a portal to jump into space, and then from there we’ll have to use a hidden Jump Gate to our friends in space.”

“And then from there we locate War World and pray we don’t get blown to pieces before we can land,” Brahma joked as he made plane-crashing motions with his hands.

“So who’s piloting this thing anyway?” Thaddeus asked as he and Natasha along with everyone else began to board the ship. “Last time I checked we were all too busy fighting for our lives to learn how to fly a craft that is put together from Apokolipian, Thanagarian, and Earth technology.”

“I found a couple really good pilots to get us there. Guys, meet our pilots,” Robin said as two men dressed in make shift space flight suits turned from the flight controls. “I believe most of you know Jordan Scott, and Mike ‘Rocco’ Davis. They’ve been training in their free time to fly this thing just in case we ever needed to use it.”

“Okay everyone we leave in a few minutes so I suggest you get your things put away, and strap yourselves in,” Rocco said as he turned back around to the craft’s flight controls.

“Locking down the ship in thirty seconds,” Jordan warned as he pressed buttons, and flipped switches on the control panel beside him. “All right people please put your tray tables, and seats in the up right positions.”

Opening the hangar doors, Rocco ignited the engines. “We’ve kicked the tires, and lit the fires on this bad boy!” Rocco shouted as he the craft began to move slowly at first and then began speeding up until it blasted out of the hangar.

“Opening Tube in five, four, three, two, one…” Robin counted down and then opened the Boom Tube into outer space. “Here we go!”

Accelerating just before getting to the tunnel, the craft used the increase in speed to shoot through the Tube before anyone could get a lock on its energy signature.

But what the group didn’t know is that someone already had the place under surveillance, and would soon bring war to the group’s very doorstep...

A secret training complex hidden within the East End of Gotham Block.

Twenty minutes later...

Standing on a platform high above a training area, the man known as David Cain watches as the newest group of assassins are being trained in order to one day do Darkseid’s bidding.

As he watches them work through the moves they have been taught since coming here, a figure slips in through a sky light and makes her way over to where David stood...

“What do you have to report, my daughter?” David asked as the young woman stood wearing a full black outfit with a sword on her back.

“I discovered the rebels hide out, as you ordered father,” the young woman replied as she stood at attention. “The group headed off in an air craft almost thirty minutes ago. Destination unknown.”

“We’ll let others worry about that. Kanto made our mission to locate their base of operations, and destroy it for the glory of Darkseid,” Cain said as he watched one of the trainee assassins mess up on of his routines. Taking a gun from his side he aimed and shot the trainee in the head. “Gather our soldiers. We will soon make our move against these Young Rebels.”

“Of course father,” the woman said as she jumped from the platform to the ground.

Once she was gone, a holographic image of Kanto appeared beside Cain. {{ How comes the hunt for these Young Rebels, Cain? }}

“Their hide out has been found sir,” David replied with a slight bow. “I am organizing our forces as we speak in order to move on their base. We will rid our lord of these vermin first before moving against the rest of the rebellion scum.”

{{ Then see that it is done soon. For the glory of Darkseid. }}

“For the glory of Darkseid!” David shouted.

“FOR THE GLORY OF DARKSEID!!” his troops down below shouted as the image of Kanto disappeared.

The underground tunnels leading to Arkham Asylum.

Same time...

As the tunnel skimmer zooms through the under ground tunnels of Gotham Block, Red Hood and the others do one final check of their weapons, and equipment...

Virgil Hawkins watched as the skimmer slid around the corners of the tunnel with ease. Taking a moment he took out a picture of his mother who was murdered by the Justifiers when he was a little kid. Looking at the picture always reminded him why he decided to join in the fight against Darkseid.

Looking over to his left he saw the girl named Ava. No one knew her last name, including Ava herself. It was part of the whole amnesia deal. The only thing most people knew about her was that she was beautiful and if you pissed her off, her strong as steel hair would throw you around like you were nothing.

On his other side Cissie King, or Arrowette for those times when in the field, was checking her arrows one last time before going into battle. Virgil knew that she felt weird not having Speedy with her. The two were like sisters.

“We got trouble up ahead boss!” Renegade yelled as he spotted several people gathered in the path of the skimmer. “Hold on!”

Stopping the skimmer about ten feet from the gathered group Renegade turned a spot light onto the gathering that was blocking their way through the tunnel. As soon as he identified who it was Renegade turned quickly to the others.

“CRAZY MEN!!” he shouted to everyone on the skimmer.

As Renegade ducked down, Red Hood popped up with two guns and began knocking down as many as he could get with out causing ricochets that could hit anyone on his team.

“Keep going!” ordered Renegade. “Everyone keep your eyes open. These guys travel in packs and they don’t go anywhere without their master being somewhere nearby.”

Moving the skimmer over the dead bodies of the Crazy Men, no one noticed that one of the Crazies attached a blinking device to the bottom of the skimmer as it went over him.

The device counted down several seconds before it exploded underneath the skimmer. The explosion sent everyone flying into the walls of the tunnel as fire and debris followed.

“Aggh…” Static moaned as he used his powers to lift a large piece of metal from his body. “Is anyone else still alive?” He asked as he held his arm, which was bleeding.

“Yeah,” replied Arrowette as she made her way to Static. “What the hell happened?”

Walking out of the shadows Red Hood could be seen carrying Black Wind over his shoulders. Ava, and Ravager also joined him. “We got spanked, bad kids,” he replied as he laid Black Wind down on the ground. “One of those Crazies put an explosive on the skimmer. Half the equipment is destroyed.”

“I salvaged as much as I could,” Renegade said as he joined the group pulling a couple large boxes along with him. “This is everything that survived.”

Opening one of the boxes Ava took out a medical unit. “Well at least we can patch up our wounds,” she said as she began working on Static’s cuts.

“We can go on by foot from here,” Red Hood said putting several automatic weapons over his shoulders. “Ava, Static I want you guys to stay here with Black Wind. He’s in no shape to travel at the moment.”

“You got it Red,” Static replied holding his injured arm. “You guys should hurry though. If any more surprises come our way, we won’t be able to hold out for long.”

“We’ll get back as soon as possible,” Ravager assured as she placed her sword within the sheath on her back.

“Good luck guys,” Ava said as the team headed onward through the tunnel.

The Rebel Space Craft.

Now exiting on the other side of Saturn...

“Excuse me, but.....” Thaddeus shouted as he grabbed Natasha by the hand, “.....did I miss something?!”

“I think so,” Natasha replied as the g-forces became stronger. “Why the sudden burst of speed guys?”

“Well apparently we’ve experienced a sling shot effect when we went through the Tube at an accelerated speed,” Gears explained from the one of the consoles. “On top of that the environmentals aren’t adjusted for this sort of speed.”

“That’s a good way of saying that this ship is completely out of control!” Outburst shouted from his seat.

“You’re right!” Rocco shouted back as he tried to regain some control of the ship. “Hey Richie, Jordan I need you guys to see what you can do about getting back control of this bucket! Retros are not responding!”

“Gears see what you can do about getting them back online!” Jordan shouted as he worked on the problem from his console. “If we can’t stabilize internal environmental soon, we’re gonna wind up ripping ourselves apart.”

“Everyone strap in tight,” Robin ordered as he made his way to where Gears was stationed. “What kind of options do we have in order to get out of this mess?”

“So far we have two options. Option a, we fix the problem. Or option b, we die,” Gears replied as his fingers continued to rapidly move across the keyboard. “So we don’t have a lot boss. The alien tech in this ship is hard to decipher. But if everything figures right then, I should be able to patch directly into the ship’s artificial intelligence with the help of my tech pack.”

“Whatever you’re going to do, Richie!” Rocco shouted as he tried to keep control of the ship. “You better do it soon cause the ship is starting to come apart at the seams.”

“Now, or never Gears!” Jordan shouted from his navigational controls.

“Yeah. Yeah. I’m up linking to the ships AI now,” Gears said as he linked his tech pack with the computer. “Computer are you online?”

{{ Acknowledged. Awaiting orders. }}

“Computer I need you to compensate internal pressure by re-calibrating the ships’ systems,” Gears requested.

Seconds later data streams began running over the computer screen in front of Richie. Once it was finished the pressure inside the spacecraft returned to normal.

{{ Internal pressure stabilized. }}

“Good now I need you to access retro thrusters in order to slow our current speed.”

{{ Not advisable. Firing retro thrusters at current velocity would result in...... }}

“Override,” Ordered Gears.

{{ Acknowledged. Retro-thrusters active in three....two....one. Firing Retro-thruster.}}

Once the countdown was finished the ships’ retro-thrusters kicked in, and the ships’ speed slowed down to all most ten percent of what it was running at.

“Oww…” Brahma said as he rubbed the back of his neck. “So smart guy. I guess you meant to do that right?”

“Sure,” Gears replied as he continued to work at his computer console. “It went just like I planned it.”

Coming up behind Richie, Nona put her arms around his neck, and kissed him on the cheek. “Don’t worry Richie Rich, and I had faith in you.”

“Your faith in me may prove wasted my dear Lotus,” Richie commented while focusing on the screen in front of him. “We may have a problem.”

“What kind of problem?” Damage asked as everyone began to gather around Gears’ console. “Are we not out of the woods yet?”

“Dude, we haven’t even crossed the river to get any where near the woods,” Gears replied as he brought up an image on a holographic view screen in the middle of the craft. “Take a look at this people.”

“What’s that circle thing at the top?” asked Speedy pointing to what she was talking about.

Adjusting his glasses, Richie then enhanced the picture so everyone would be able to see what Mia was talking about on the holo-screen.

“Okay everyone let’s pay attention to today’s lesson,” Gears began working his skills. “The circle Speedy asked about is our current destination. For those who don’t know the object is called a jump gate. It was left here a long time ago by aliens who once traveled the space ways without fear. Today it’s going to let us travel to a meeting point with our alien allies before we head off to War World.”

“What’s this meeting place called anyway?” Nona asked.

“The place is a large floating space station named New Rann,” Robin replied as he showed them a picture of Rann. “They’ve been part of an intergalactic resistance movement for a while now. After the destruction of their home planet at the hands of the Thanagarians, they set off into space on this city wide space station.”

“I’m surprised that the bird people haven’t found them and destroyed them by now,” Brahma commented.

“They use cloaking shields when they’re stationary,” Gears replied. “And when they're not, they use a device called a Zeta Beam to transport themselves to another part of the galaxy for a while.”

“Plus it doesn’t hurt that they have taken in a nomadic alien race known as the Vuldarians,” Robin said turning to the others. “They’re a proud race of warriors, who according to the Rannians were thought to have died out hundreds of years ago. However, not long ago a small group was found living near the Vega System. They were rescued and brought to live on New Rann. In return they have sworn to protect Rann from any and all threats.”

“If those guys are so powerful then how come they haven’t taken down Grayven?” asked Thaddeus.

“Because no matter how powerful they are, Grayven is more powerful,” Robin replied. “In addition he has enough soldiers to fill a planet. His chief enforcers are a race of mercenary aliens known as the Khunds. Other then that, it’s your usual cannon fodder.”

“Not to interrupt the history lesson, but what is that on the screen?” Natasha asked pointing at the holo-screen.

“Gears can your computer tell us what those dots in between us and the gate are?” Robin asked as he scanned the screen.

“Is it hoping too much that those are just rare intergalactic snow flakes we’re looking at?” Jordan asked from the front of the ship.

“I wish it was snow,” Gears replied. “We’re heading straight for an asteroid belt.”

“Rocco any chance we can avoid those things?” asked Robin making his way to the flight controls.

“We have zero time to change course now,” Rocco replied as he continued to pilot through the small stuff. “I can get us through the shallow part, but those big ones are gonna turn us into Swiss Block cheese.”

“And according to these readings, if we don’t get through the gate before it closes we aren’t going to get another chance for at least twenty-four hours,” stated Gears as he read from the computer. “So we have to make a choice. Do we go through? Or do we just turn back?”

“Guys does this thing have the firepower to get us through?” asked Robin.

“Not a chance,” Rocco replied. “The lasers are small caliber.”

“He’s right. They don’t have the juice to take out those big boys,” commented Jordan.

“Then I’ll get us through safely,” Outburst said as his powers began to flare around him. “Stay on course guys.”

“Mitch are you sure about this?” Speedy asked as she watched Outburst power up.

“You heard him fellas,” Robin said confidently. “Take us through to the other side.”

“Hey Mitch?”

“Yeah, Thadd.”

“What kind of guarantee can you give that is going to work?” Blue Beetle asked as he watched his friend.

“None,” he replied as he incased the ship in a powerful magnetic force field.

“Good thinking Mitch,” Gears congratulated. “By using your magnetic powers you can use the trace amounts of metal in the asteroids to deflect them.”

“You gotta love a man with a plan,” Brahma commented while watching the asteroids being tossed aside.

“Let’s just hope my plan doesn’t accidentally get us killed,” Commented Outburst as he continued to concentrate on using his powers to deflect the asteroids.

“Before we go and rely solely on you Mitch,” White Lotus began. “Are you sure you can keep this up for long? It looks like you’re starting to strain.”

“Robin and the others risked their lives to free me from Desaad’s torture camps,” Outburst explained as his magnetic powers flared once more. “The least I can do is get us through this safely. No matter what happens to me.”

“We’re almost there, man. Just another few seconds,” Rocco said as the spacecraft made it through the asteroid field. “You did it ‘Burst. But now comes the hard part. And I don’t mean my driving, either.”

“The ten of us going up against the Son of Darkseid,” Damage said as everyone stared at the jump gate. “Sounds like we’re gonna have a blast on the other side of that thing.”

“Take us through Rocco,” Robin ordered.

“Here we go…” Rocco said as the ship shot into the jump gate.

Meanwhile, back in the underground tunnels running beneath Gotham Block...

“Are you sure it was safe to leave Ava and the others back there?” asked Ravager while keeping watch around the area.

“We didn’t have much a choice,” replied Red Hood. “Tai was out cold. And I’m sorry but I wasn’t about to carry him and fight off the bad guys. So we move on with out them.”

“Let’s just hope we get back to them before something else does,” Arrowette stated. Taking a razor tip arrow from her quiver she prepared to fire at a moment’s notice. “So four of us against who knows what. This should be fun.”

Making their way through the tunnels the team didn’t know that they were being secretly watched...

The Security Room of Arkham Asylum.

Same time...

“We have four visitors coming our way,” Dr. Arkham said as he pushed his glasses up onto his nose. He was a weird little man, with brown messed up hair who, at first sight would seem almost scary in a funny sort of way. “Now you do remember that when you’re finished with them I get what’s left for my more special inmates.”

“Yes Jeremiah, your animals will have their meal,” Nyssa said as she sat watching the video screen. “My girls, are you ready for our guests?”

“Yes, mistress,” a young Nippon woman said as fire engulfed her hands. Her name was Shyleen Lao. When she was chosen to become a Fury her family was more than happy to send their daughter to train with Granny Goodness. She however didn’t take the news well, but came to accept it after time.

“I’ll even roast the meat for the good doctor’s little carnivores,” Shyleen added creating a burst of flame in-between her hands.

Next to her was a another young woman dressed in a gold and purple outfit. She was Empress, the chosen one from her people of Zandia Block to become part of Darkseid’s Female Furies in training known as the Teen Furies.

She was the impatient one of the group by far. As seen as she constantly tapped her Emperor’s Stick on the ground. “Why don’t I just port us into the tunnel. We can take care of them and be finished with it quickly.”

“Because part of being a Fury is to know when to have fun with your prey, my dear girl,” Nyssa said as she turned to look at the rest of the Teen Furies. “Why don’t you girls go down and wait with the other girls.”

“Of course Lady Nyssa,” Shyleen said as she and Empress walked out of the security room.

Several million miles away...

“Are we there yet?”

“Grant, man that stopped being funny like an hour ago,” Rocco replied as he and Jordan continued to keep watch over the navigational controls.

“If you guys need me, Robin, I’ll be in back checking on Natasha,” Thaddeus said as he headed for the back of the craft.

“And if anyone needs me, I’ll be in the kitchen looking for something to eat,” Gears said as he got up and left his tech pack connected to the computer.

“No problem guys,” Robin said as he took Richie’s seat at the computer. “Computer are you online?”

{{ Acknowledged. }}

“Can you give me an ETA to our current destination?” asked Robin leaning back in the seat.

{{ At current velocity, estimated time of arrival at New Rann is one hour and ten minutes. }}

“Alert us when we are near an exit point,” Robin ordered as he got up from the computer.

{{ Acknowledged. }}

One of the sleeping areas in the back of the ship.

A few minutes later...

“You know I’m beginning to think you coming along wasn’t such a good idea,” Thaddeus said as he stood outside the changing room.

“But I’m here anyway,” Natasha replied from the other side of the door. “So it’s not like it matters much. Besides you know since you rescued me, we’ve hardly been apart.”

“I know, but still I’m sorry I got you involved in all of this,” Thaddeus said as he leaned against the door. “I mean you’re not a Rebel. You haven’t even been training for a mission. I just don’t want you getting hurt because you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time. Meaning next to me.”

“Hey Blue?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you have a point to this?” replied Natasha. “And if so then please get to it.”

“It’s just that, you know if I could take you back...”

“Which you can’t.”

“But if I could. I would,” Thadd said quickly.

“Hey Thaddeus,” Natasha said as she peeked around the corner. “In all the times I’ve said you were cute for different reasons, did I ever tell you that you’re cute when you’re being over protective?”

“Uh...no.”

“Good,” Natasha stated. “Because I just realized, you’re not. But you know what, if you really want to helpful Blue...”

“Whoa.”

“......then zip me up will you?” Natasha said as she stood in a black body suit that showed off her well-toned stomach.

“Natasha where did you get that costume from?” Thaddeus asked while looking Natasha up and down for a moment.

“Well Tailor created most of the design,” she replied as she modeled the outfit for him for a moment. “Dad, and Himon worked on all the electronic systems. The fabric is made of some special material. I have no idea what it’s called. The metal is some strange stuff I’ve never heard of, but it somehow allows me to fly although I don’t know how just yet. But I’ll figure it out soon enough.”

“Natasha I don’t think you’re taking this seriously,” Thaddeus said shaking his head.

“Do I realize we’re in deep?” Natasha asked, and then answered. “Yes.”

“Do I think we could die? Yes.”

“Am I scared out of my mind? Aren’t you?” Natasha asked as she walked closer to Thaddeus. “Now ask me if there’s any place I would rather be than right here with you?”

“Is that a trick…”

“On second thought,” she said as she threw her arms around Thaddeus’s neck. “Just shut up and kiss me you big bad beetle boy.”

The underground tunnels leading to Arkham Asylum...

“Okay this access way should lead us into the basement of the asylum,” Red Hood said as he felt around the door for a way to open it. “You know, why can’t they just have a sign that says pull here?”

“Then it would be too easy for us,” replied Renegade. Feeling around the wall he found a secret button and pushed it. “Here we go guys.”

Taking a few steps back Red Hood took aim at the opening ready for anything that showed their faces. Taking the lead Renegade peeked out of the opening and saw no one around that he could see.

“I think we’re clear,” Renegade said walking out into the opening of the basement. “This can’t be this easy though.”

“You know you should never say that while on a mission,” Arrowette said as she followed Renegade into the basement. “It’s nothing but bad luck.”

“I was never one to believe in bad luck,” Ravager commented while holding her sword ready to strike.

“Well then I would start believing in it right about now,” a female voice said from up high.

Looking up Red Hood saw five females standing around the walkways, blocking his team’s way out.

“I knew this wasn’t going to be easy,” Red Hood said holding his gun ready to fire on a second’s notice. “You guys ready to go out fighting?”

Drawing her bow Arrowette stood next Renegade who drew a Bo staff from his back and extended it to its full length. Ravager went back to back with Red Hood in order to cover his back in the coming fight.

“Furies...” a blonde girl dressed in black with a white star on her chest said looking around at her companions. “....for the glory of Darkseid!”

“For the glory of Darkseid!!” they all yelled jumping down from the walkways ready to attack.

Taking aim at the girl with the star on her chest Red Hood fired shot after shot only to watch them bounce off her thanks to some sort of force field, like they were nothing. Deciding to switch targets Hood was caught off guard as what appeared to be an energy whip of some sort wrapped around his gun and was then yanked away.

“You know, I think we can have some fun with him before we kill him Dee Dee,” said one girl with short red hair and a white face to someone that appeared to be her twin.

“I’m sure you’re right Dee Dee,” Dee Dee said to her sister wrapping her whip around Hood’s right wrist. “Do you think Granny will let us keep him Dee Dee?”

“Maybe if we ask her nicely Dee Dee.” Wrapping her energy whip around Hood’s left wrist and pulling at the same time a discharge of electrical energy was sent into Red Hood’s body.

“Argh!” Red Hood screamed as he pulled on the whips trying to get some leverage in order to counter attack.

On the other side of the room Arrowette flipped through the air firing arrows as she dodged streams of fire that barely missed her.

“Come on arrow caster why don’t you just go quietly,” Shyleen said as she tossed several fireballs towards Arrowette. “I can keep this up all day if I have too. While you are going to get tired before too long from all your jumping around.”

“You may be right about that fire bug,” Arrowette said as she prepared to make her final move in order to take Shyleen down.

Taking a net arrow from her quiver she stringed it and fired as soon as she flipped in the air once more. As she landed she watched the arrow pop open and the net encase her target quickly.

“You know you got to love the classics,” Arrowette said as she watched Shyleen struggle with the net.

“I think you may have forgotten that I can burn my way out of this thing,” Shyleen said as she began to increase her flames in order to break free.

“Oh no I didn’t forget that. In fact I just wanted you in the right position for this…” Arrowette said as she spun around and fired another arrow at the chief water main. Once the arrow impacted the water main exploded showering Shyleen in a massive out flow of water.

Turning her attention over to the area where Renegade was fighting Empress, she watched as he dodged her assault and came back with his own attacks that seemed to come from all directions.

Space

The Ship's Observation Deck...

Robin’s sat in the Observation Deck watching the stars go by for almost an hour now. He knows he should soak as much as he can in because soon he won’t get much peace for a long time...

It’s all going by so quickly, Robin thinks to himself. It seems like only yesterday I was just another spoiled rich kid living the good life. Going to parties, doing anything, I wanted. Now I find myself fighting against Darkseid’s forces trying to make the world a better place. Once I would’ve thought this was just something you dream about when you’re playing with your friends. Now here I am leading a team of heroes on what should be labeled as an impossible mission into a death trap.

Coming up the stairs Mia watched Robin for a moment, before she announced herself. “There you are, Tim,” she said as she walked over and sat next to him. “I thought you might want some company. Unless you know, you wanted some alone time.”

“No that’s okay, Mia,” Tim replied with a smile. “I was just doing some thinking. Thinking about what the future may be like if we ever get rid of Darkseid, and free Earth for the people.”

“You know if you keep dwelling on this, you’re going to start getting careless Tim,” Speedy said placing her hand on Tim’s. “You always told me to keep my mind on the here and now. As long as we do that, we can do the job without distractions.”

“I know, but I started thinking about what the future might hold when I first met Cassandra. She told me of a possible future where there is no Darkseid, no darkness that makes everyone miserable, and we still fight to keep the world safe, but it’s a different fight than the one we do here.”

“But we also know that the future is fluid,” Mia commented as she gave Tim a look. “It’s always changing, being shaped by what we do here, and now. So now we have to concentrate on the mission at hand. Cause we’re flying into the unknown as it were.”

“I know, but I still can’t help but wonder...”

{{ Ten minutes to arrival at New Rann… }} the computers voice said through the ship’s communications system.

“What was that?” Mia asked as she stood from her seat.

“That was our ten minute warning,” Robin replied as he too got up from his seat and headed for the flight deck.

Flight Deck...

“We’ve arrived boys, and girls,” Jordan said as everyone gathered on the bridge.

“If we’re here then why don’t we see anything?” Damage asked as he looked out the view screen.

“Are we getting any transmissions from New Rann?” Robin asked.

“Nothing yet,” Rocco replied.

“That’s because the sensors on the ship have to recompensate for subspace transmissions,” Gears replied as he took his seat at his computer station. “Huh. That’s strange.”

“What is it Gears?” Speedy asked.

“I’m not getting anything,” he replied as he continued to check the computer systems. “If I didn’t know better I would have to say that there’s no one there to roll out the welcome mat.”

“How far are we from New Rann?” asked Robin as he stood staring out into space.

“According to the computer we should be in visual range of the Rann’s docking bay in about ten seconds,” Gears replied as he started reconfiguring the ship scanner arrays. “Four seconds people.”

“Oh my god!” Natasha exclaimed as she saw wreckage, and dead bodies floating around New Rann.

“Computer. What are we looking at?” Robin asked in disbelief. “Is this New Rann?”

{{ Affirmative. Space station colony New Rann. }}

“How many people were aboard that thing?” Brahma asked as the ship moved closer to the space station.

{{ Population of New Rann numbered at three hundred administrative staff, and personnel. And two thousand four hundred seventy three men, women, and children living there as well. }}

“Computer...” Robin began as he closed his eyes for a moment, and took a deep breath before continuing, “Scan for any living biological occupancy onboard New Rann.”

{{ Beginning scan now. }}
...........

{{ Scan complete. }}

...........

{{ Verifying scans. }}

...........

{{ Current life signs aboard New Rann are zero point zero zero percent. }}

“Are you telling us that there is no one alive on that thing?” Brahma asked in disbelief.

{{ Affirmative. }}

“So what do you want to do now, Robin?” Rocco asked as he turned around for a moment to look at the team’s leader.

Taking a moment Robin looked at everyone around him before making his decision. “Rocco find a docking point, and bring us in,” Robin replied. “I want to know what happened in there.”

“Are you crazy Robin?” White Lotus asked a little worried. “You can’t be serious about going down there can you?”

Ignoring Nona's questions, Robin turned to Rocco and Jordan. “Take us in now!” Robin shouted to the two pilots. “Brahma, Speedy, Gears, Outburst, Damage, Blue Beetle get suited up. We’re going down. Speedy, Lotus, Natasha, I want you guys to stay on the ship with Jordan and Rocco. Move!”

Thirteen minutes later...

“Okay everyone, we go in pairs,” Robin said as Gears passed out scanners to one member of each team.

“These scanners should help you guys science wise,” Gears explained once he passed the scanners out. “They’re also connected to me so I can store and analyze the data you guys collect.”

“Outburst, Damage, you guys head down to some of the lower levels. Brahma, Beetle, you guys check the higher levels. Gears and I will take the middle,” said Robin as they moved to the outer air lock. “Mia, if we’re not back in an hour...”

“Then we’ll come in looking for you,” Speedy said as she closed the door behind Robin before he could correct her.

Sometime later

Inside what was left of New Rann Space Colony...

“Between all of our powers, we could have done somethin to help these people,” Robin said as he jumped over some rubble. “I wonder what could have caused this?”

“I don’t know Robin, I wish I had an answer,” Gears replied as he floated over the same rubble. “What I can tell you is that by the condition of some of these bodies, this massacre took place some time ago. Days, weeks maybe. But now I have to ask you a question, why are we still here instead of finding the people that did this?”

“We’re here looking for clues to find out who, or what it is we’re up against,” Robin replied as they made their way through another access door that was torn off like it was nothing. “Before we go trying to find something to fight that may be too much for even us to handle.”

“Well while you’re looking for clues,” Gears said as he scanned the room, “I’ll try to figure out a way to get full power back to this thing, instead of auxiliary power. If I can get to the power core then I can get this up and running again. Strange…”

“How so?”

“According to the information I’m getting out of this computer terminal this is where the station’s power generator should be,” Gears replied as he and Robin looked around the room. “Someone, or something stole the power core for this place.”

“But why?” Robin asked.

“I don’t know, but it looks like whoever stole the core, also tried to steal the Zeta Beam, but it was destroyed before they could get to it,” explained Gears.

“They must have figured out that who ever attacked them was going for the Zeta Beam,” Robin said as he examined the area for clues. “They destroyed it before anyone could get to it.”

“Correct,” Gears agreed. “But according to this, they didn’t have a chance to purge the beam’s blue prints. They were taken forcefully a couple days ago.”

“Let’s check the rest of this place for any clues,” Robin said as they continued to check the rest of the area.

Twenty-two decks below...

“Something’s wrong here,” Outburst said looking at his hands for a moment.

“What is it?” Damage asked as he covered several dead bodies with whatever fabric he could find.

“My powers aren’t working on this metal. I can’t move the door so we can get to the next room,” Outburst replied picking a table off of one woman’s body. Sliding his hand over her face he closed her eyes, before putting what looked like a bed sheet over her. “I wonder why my magnetic powers aren’t working?”

“According to Richie’s scanner thing here, they don’t work cause this stuff isn’t metal,” Damage explained as he read from the scanner. “Apparently it’s some sort of extremely strong polymer. As strong as metal, but not metal.”

“So how do we get through?”

Walking up to the wall Damage took off the glove from his right hand and placed his hand on the wall. “We improvise,” Damage said as the wall started to glow. “Growing up I learned some neat little tricks from a man named Roy Lincoln. By focusing I can release the explosive energy within me through the door. Step back.”

Taking a few steps back, Damage and Outburst watched as the door exploded with a slight booming sound.

“There you go,” Damage said as he and Outburst walked into the next room.

“Good work partner,” Outburst said pressing the Comm-link on his chest. “Natasha?”

{{ What’s up guys? }}

“Deck fifty two is secured,” Outburst stated as they continued to look around. “Nothing to report so far.”

{{ All right. }}

As Damage and Outburst move on to the next level sets of spooky yellow glowing eyes could barely be seen in the shadows of the room they were passing through...

Back in the basement of Arkham Asylum...

“Come on beautiful,” Renegade said as he dodged her attack and then delivered a blow to her stomach. “You know you don’t want to be fighting right now. Not when we could be doing something a bit more productive with our energies.”

“Maybe,” Empress said as she unsheathed the blade from her Emperor’s Stick, vanishing in a puff of smoke. She then reappeared behind Renegade and stuck the blade into his back. “But then again, you’re just not my type.”

“NO!!” Arrowette yelled as she unleashed a barrage of arrows at Empress.

Disappearing in another puff of smoke Empress reappeared near Arrowette and prepared to strike another member of Young Rebels down.

Dodging another punch from the girl with a star on her chest Ravager leapt a few feet to her left and tossed a small dagger that sailed through the air and stabbed Empress in the stomach.

“Blood for blood,” Ravager said as she dodged a barrage of star blasts. “Now let’s see what we can do about you.” Ravager leapt up in the air and brought her blade down once again against her adversary’s force field. “Who are you any way?”

“The name’s Star Girl,” the young woman replied as her shield lowered so she could fire another round of star blasts. “I guess you can call me the leader of this band of Furies.”

Flipping backwards Ravager waited for Star Girl to lower her shield and fire again. Once she did Ravager launched an impact glue orb that on impact encased Star Girl in the sticky substance.

Running over to Renegade, Ravager checked on him to make sure he was okay. “How you holding up, Jae?”

“Fine. For being stabbed in the back that is,” he replied getting up off the ground. “I’m lucky that the body armor took most of the blade. I got nicked that’s all.”

“That’s good. Three down and now all we have to do is take down the wonder girls over there,” Ravager said as she saw the Dee Dee's fighting Red Hood and Arrowette.

As the Dee Dees held onto Red Hood their energy whips were cut by Ravager first. Following up, Renegade got Red Hood away from the two girls while Arrowette finished it up with a knock out gas arrow. Once the gas took effect the two girls fell to the ground out cold.

Before the team could celebrate the small victory a metal box seemed to spring from the floor encasing the four members of Young Rebels in a giant box.

“Hey what is this thing?” Arrowette asked as everyone took a side and started to find a way out.

{{ This boys and girls is what is commonly referred to as a trap, }} a voice said over a Comm link. {{ Say good night everyone. }}

As soon as the voice said good night the box began to fill with smoke that soon began to make everyone sleepy. After a few minutes once the team was out cold, the gas disappeared and the box opened up to show Nyssa standing with Dr. Arkham and his head of security Lock Down.

“The males are yours Jeremiah,” Nyssa said as two guards took the female members of Young Rebels away. “These two pretties are going to be delivered to Granny as a gift for the Teen Furies’ failure.”

“Good. No my children can have a real treat tonight,” Jeremiah Arkham said as he motioned for Lock Down to take the two males away.

As everyone was taken away Ava, Black Wind, and Static were watching from the shadows. Once everyone was gone the three members made their way out of their hiding place.

“You guys go and get Arrowette and Ravager,” Black Wind said taking out a tracer from his jacket. “Our tracker should take us right to everyone. I’m going after the guys.”

“Good idea,” said Ava. “When we find everyone we can meet up and then get this girl out of here.”

“Good luck Tai,” Static said as Black Wind headed through the exit way, while he and Ava headed for the ventilation system.

Space

Deck Ten

Same time...

{{ Blue can you hear me? }}

“Yeah Natasha,” Blue Beetle replied putting his hand to his ear. “What’s going on?”

{{ I’m not very good with this alien tech, but according to these readings I’m getting a faint heat signature in your area. If I didn’t know any better I would have to say that there’s someone else alive in there besides you and Brahma. }}

Touching the Comm-link on his wrist Brahma commented, “Tasha there is nothing alive down here. Everyone’s dead.”

Suddenly Brahma and Blue Beetle heard a faint moaning sound coming from under a huge pile of rubble several feet away from them.

“Wait, you might be right,” Beetle said as Brahma began throwing large chunks of debris to the side.

{{ Blue? }}

............

{{ Blue Beetle what have you found? }}

..........

{{ Thaddeus?! }}

“We found your life form Natasha,” Blue Beetle finally reported as Brahma picked up a female off of the ground. “Tell Rocco to get the Med unit ready. She needs medical attention now.”

{{ I’m on it. }}

“H-Help us…” the woman said in a weak voice. “I-In all th-that is good, I-I ask y-you to help u-us.”

“Let’s move Brahma,” Beetle said as they made their way back to the spacecraft.

But in the shadows another pair of eerie faintly glowing eyes watch as the two heroes carry the now unconscious female back to their ship.

To Be Continued.......

Next Issue: The two teams move closer to completing their goals. Red Hood and his team come face to face with more obstacles than you can shake a stick at in order to get to the captive Lori Zechlin. While on the other side of the universe Robin and his team come face to face with the things that attacked New Rann, and meet Grayven's Queen. Be here for Young Rebels Part Three: “The Queen, and the Inmates.”