Third Person's POV

Mount Justice; October 23rd, 17:21 EDT

M'gann stirs her bowl of mix silently, while Kaldur leans against the counter behind her, Wally slumps at one of the chairs, Artemis leans against the back of one of the chairs, and Robin sits on the couch. All of them silent and stuck inside their own heads.

In the Training Room, Red Tornado, Martian Manhunter, and Captain Marvel watch over the teens worriedly on the screens.

They all turn an ear as they hear the Zeta Tube activate.

Recognize: Batman; 0-2

"How are they?" the Dark Knight asks immediately.

"I am still shaken by what you and I have wrought. One can only imagine what these youths fair." Manhunter says gesturing to the HoloScreens that they're watching the Team on.

"I know our virtual reality training simulation went badly," he at least has the decency to look down as he thoroughly understates it. "But I'd hoped the Team would've rallied by now."

Manhunter looks surprised, while Captain Marvel looks annoyed with Batman. "Trauma tends to linger, as I know you know, my friend."

Batman shrinks under his friend's words before looking up with a curious raise in his cowl. "Black Canary?"

"She has her work cut out for her. With Neopolitan helping her out, since he's the least affected out of all of them" Manhunter says lowly.

-meanwhile-

Black Canary sits in one green chair across from Conner in his own green chair, she keeps her gaze on him while he looks down at his feet. Trivia out of the room but stands by the door listening.

"I can only imagine how devastating it was losing your friends, in essence, your family convinced all the time it was completely real." she says, her voice wavering a little as she calls the Team his family, but what is noticeable is that Conner's hands clench into fists when she reminds him that he only thought it was real. "I'm sure it must have been horrible for you." she waits a moment, seeing if he'll respond. "I understand. You're Superboy. You're not supposed to have feelings of sadness or vulnerability."

Conner stands up immediately, hands clenched at his sides as he looks down at her. "You don't know what I feel." then walks out.

She doesn't try to follow him out, simply calling out to him. "Conner!"

As the sliding doors open Conner shouts over his shoulder. "Just leave me alone!"

She sits back in her chair, a worried look on her face.

Neo sees Conner walking out before Conner stops and looks at Neo and grunt and goes on ahead.

Neo peaks in the room and looks at Dinah "I can take care from here, you go after him" Neo nods and leaves but before he could leave, he closes his eyes and seems to be focus when he reopens his eyes and smiles as he sees a duplicate clone of himself created with his illusion he then opens the door and the Clone Neo waves a Diana which the Blonde looks shocked and smiles proudly "Just for back up, thanks Neo" Neo nods and then he leaves leaving the clone with the leaguer.

-scene change-

Metropolis; October 23rd, 17:28 EDT

Metropolis Park is calm and fairly populated since the weather is nice when suddenly a golden portal opens with a BOOM. A ship that looks like a car, though large, flies through the portal, raising a panic.

"Hero Danjar!" the man driving cheers as they fly straight upwards. He is a large man with fur clothes, bright red hair that is pulled into two low lying, loose pigtails, and a black guard around the edge of his face and hairline.

"Zo! Nos Kemnos! Danjar thara, thanka, tabore." a small blonde with freckles, a missing front tooth, blue eyes, a black cowboy hat with bright blue trim, a green neckerchief, and an orange serape with the same electric blue accents.

A man a row in front of him, wearing what looks like armor, looks to the Motherbox in his hand. The Box bings as the blonde keeps talking. "But when can we see some cowboys?"

"Your obsession with the barbarians must wait, Serifan." he tells the blonde, then turns back to the box in his hand. "Motherbox, please, camouflage all extraterrestrial energy signatures. Then scan the planet and advise." 

The Motherbox beeps.

"What we seek is on-world. Let us-"

The Motherbox beeps again, cutting him off.

"The New-Genisphere is on Earth." the black-haired girl beside him says brightly, her cold-shoulder tops are a bright pink V-neck and a dark shawl.

"Then we shall take her back." the driver says strongly. The Forever People will not be denied! And woe to any who stand in our way."

-with Conner-

One of the motorcycles kicks into gear, Conner lining himself up with one of the many closed doors of the Mountain. "Red Tornado, hangar door." he says as he pulls out a helmet.

Before he could put it on, Sphere and Neo gets in his way. Wolf walking behind him.

"Sphere, Neo out of the way!" he shouts.

Neo pulls out his Phone while raising a eyebrow "Not without me you are" a robotic voice speaks for Neo.

Sphere revs as Wolf sits at Conner's left, both watching intently as Sphere shifts into a more tricked out and Extraterrestrial version of the motorcycle he's currently standing over.

Neo gets on Sphere before looking back Conner and Wolf "What you're waiting for, a theme song? Get in you two."

Conner and Wolf stare in disbelief, but they both climb on. As Conner drives Sphere up the ramp the Cycle takes off into the air pulling a shocked, but excited "Whoa!" from the teen.

Batman runs to the open door, watching as Conner takes off. Bringing his hand to his cowl. "Superboy, return to cave."

"Superboy, return to cave." he looks to the right as he hears his own voice, finding Conner's earpiece on the ground. He picks it up, then sighs but then notices Neo 'Make sure he doesn't make anything stupid Neo' Batman thinks.

-meanwhile-

Artemis sighs. "Look, Neo dying during the exercise might have started things going south but I was coma-girl when I died. Missed out on most of the fun of forgetting it wasn't real. So no trauma. No need for the shrink-rap."

"You're too tough to need help." Canary rephrases, a disbelieving tone in her voice.

Artemis looks away, bringing her feet onto the chair with her. "Whatever. Maybe."

"Or maybe too tough to admit you need help." Canary leans forward, elbows on her knees. "Artemis, it's not a sign of weakness to open up to your friends."

Artemis' fingers clench on her jacket, glaring at Canary, and her voice is tight as she nearly snarls out "I know that."

"But you still keep secrets from them." she points out.

Artemis' eyes go wide, and she is nearly ready to jump out of her chair. "You won't tell them. You can't!"

"I won't." Canary agrees. "But you should. You could start by admitting you're not really Green Arrow's niece."

Artemis' legs come off the chair as she scoffs and looks away. "Right. Can you imagine what M'gann would do with that?"

"Interesting. So, the person you're most worried about is M'gann." she observes.

Artemis tenses for a moment, out of surprise before she relaxes and simply looks back at Canary, not saying a word.

Neo walks in with a cup of water and puts it on the table between Artemis and Black Canary leaving a note in between the water and Artemis before leaving.

Artemis opens the note "One step at a time" she reads out loud before looking down in thought as Dinah takes down some notes.

-scene change-

Eastern Seaboard; October 23rd, 18:04 EDT

Conner sits behind Wolf's spot in the newly changed Sphere as Neo sit behind Conner having his arms around the taller male's waists. His controls are very similar to the motorcycle he was planning on taking. The water splashes up against the rocky shoreline as he flies mere meters over it. "Let's see what our boy can do."

Wolf barks in agreement.

The engine revs and they take off into a nearly perfect 90-degree change in direction before Conner leads it into a loop.

Wolf barks happily once they're right-side-up again.

"Oh, yeah!" Conner whoops.

The alien ship cuts Conner off short.

He lets out a sharp "Whoa!" as he forces it to a stop and swerving left to avoid a collision.

"Return the New-Genisphere and the rest of the technology you have stolen from New Genesis, human." the one in green demands.

"Who are you?" Conner shouts over the wind, tilting his head to show his confusion. "What are you-?"

"Let's keep this simple." the driver cuts him off. "That," he gestures to Sphere, "belongs to us. Give it back."

The engine revs, but Conner's hands are perfectly still.

The Motherbox picks up on the revs, letting out a sharp ping just as the blonde and two black haired occupants stand up tensed.

The one in green stands quickly. "Forever People, stand down. This one did not steal the New-Genisphere. He saved it from the real thieves."

The driver breaks out into a wide grin. "Apologies. The Forever People embrace you as a friend, ally, and worthy warrior."

Conner gives them an odd look. "You're kidding, right?" he questions

Neo lets out a soft yet silent giggle as Wolf whimpers a little.

-at the cave-

"I was the general but behaved like a soldier and sacrificed myself. And I let Neo sacrificed himself when I should've stop him" Kaldur admits strongly but loses a lot of his steam as he lowers his gaze. "I am not fit for command and must resign as Team Leader." he closes his eyes, hurt playing obviously on his features.

"Who do you recommend to take your place?" Canary asks casually, calm.

His eyes snap open, surprised. Rather than let her sit in silence while he thinks this through for the first time, he voices his thoughts aloud. "Artemis is too raw and untrusting. Kid Flash, too rash and impulsive. Miss Martian remains too eager to please. Superboy carries too much anger. Neo for obvious reason"

"Making Robin the logical choice." Canary states.

"But he is so young." Kaldur objects.

"Kaldur, you're all young." she says as compassionately as she can, leaning forward to rest her forearms on her crossed legs and trying to meet Kaldur's low gaze.

"I cannot shift this burden to him. Not yet." Kaldur says strongly. Canary sits back upright, and Kaldur lets out a short emotionless laugh. "It appears I must withdraw my resignation."

Neo walks in and gives Kaldur a hot cocoa with a sweet smile. Kaldur smiles back and takes the mug.

"Neo can you go and inform Wally that is he's next" Neo nods before giving Kaldur a light peck on the cheek before walking out.

Kaldur notices a note in the napkin "You are Brave" he reads out loud making the Atlantean smiles with eyes full of love.

Dinah smiles at the boy in front of her before taking notes.

-Conner-

The sky is darkening quickly around Conner, Sphere, Wolf, and the Aliens.

"Forever People?" Conner asks as he flies beside their ship.

"We are young Gods. New Gods." the driver says as if that explains it.

"Right." Conner mumbles.

"They call me Serifan." the blonde with the Old West clothes says.

"I'm Dreamer." the girl introduces. "This is Moonrider," she gestures to the one beside Serifan in the row behind her. "and our leader, Vykin." she gestures to the one holding the Motherbox.

"Hmm, I am named for an animal that does not exist on this world," the driver muses then snaps as a thought comes to him. "But you may call me... Wolf."

Neo looks unsure if he should "This is Wolf." Conner says bluntly.

Wolf snarls a little and turns away from the large man.

"Ah, Bear, then. Yeah, Bear is even better." Bear says brightly.

"I'm Con- Superboy." he stumbles and frowns. "This is Neopolitan" he points at Neo who waves.

"This is Motherbox, the living computer." Vykin explains, holding up the device. "She has tracked technology stolen from our home world, New Genesis. And she has found our rescue drill there."

"Did he said she?" Neo questions in his thought though Conner can't hear him. 

The two ships swing into the still brightly lit city that they'd been flying towards this whole time. They come to a stop above the tall buildings, looking at the world below.

"It is beneath us," Vykin informs them all. "18 meters underground."

"That's a construction site. Perfect cover for drilling." Conner mumbles to himself, then looks around the site. "Especially with the Federal Reserve conveniently located across the street." The Forever People look at him with no understanding "The government keeps money there."

"It's a heist." Serifan realizes. "Come on, partners. Let's ride in there," and pulls the two pistols out, "guns blazing and round-up them outlaws."

Dreamer looks from Serifan to Conner and Neo. "He's watched a lot of Earth Westerns." she tries.

Neo nods at the only female present "Yeah, well, there's a time to go in strong and a time to go in smart." Conner says sternly.

"It is your world, Superboy. We shall follow your lead." Vykin informs.

Conner and Neo look surprised for a moment before looking at each other.

-scene change-

"Norman!" all three guards turn, guns raised, but the one with a scar running over the bridge of his nose shows a brief bit of recognition. "I brought you a jacket."

"Mom?!" He looks at the woman walking up to him, no one anywhere near her, jacket in hand, he walks up to her. "What are you doing here?"

The two men behind him get zapped from a distance. He turns his back on his mother, gun raised again. "Mom, get down! It's not... safe." he finishes dumbly as he watches his mother's figure fade and Dreamer's take its place.

Vykin raises a hand and his gun hits him in the face until he falls to the ground.

At the bottom of a hole, three more large guards stand, unaware of what's happening on the surface.

Conner, Wolf, Neo and Bear drop in and take them down with one hit each. Conner, Neo and Wolf take off for the tunnel while Bear gestures for his teammates.

Conner sends a 'quiet' signal back to the New Gods before he, Neo and Wolf take off down the tunnel.

At the end of the tunnel, the drill is fully off, and a hole is through the brick of the basement walls of the Reserves.

One man stands guard, while another takes gold bars out on a hover-pallet. The third, a red-haired woman turns to the tech in her hand. "A billion in bullion, Ugly. The old creep's gear performed as advertised."

Behind her a large man wearing technology similar to the armor the New Gods wear. "Yeah, Whisper. Gave me a score tops any my old man ever delivered to Intergang."

There are three more people walking into the drill's storage space with just as many gold bars.

Away from the thieves, still hidden by the shadows due to a curve in the tunnel Vykin goes to walk past Conner. "Wait." he hisses, but Vykin just keeps walking. "Guess we decided on the direct approach after all."

"That drill and these carts are the property of New Genesis. You will return them now." Vykin states, even pointing at his feet as he says "now", then moving his hands to his hips.

Conner steps up behind him. "Gold goes back too."

"Interfere and things get ugly." Whisper snarls, dropping her tech to the ground.

"I'm Ugly." the large man behind her growls as the tech he's wearing activates. Creating a large cannon that is mounted directly to his chest and fires red disks at the two of them.

Vykin uses telekinesis to raise the ground to protect them. When that doesn't work, he knocks Conner to the ground as four disks come to a stop in the air behind him and pass current between themselves. One tiny adjustment to Vykin's stance brings him right into the beams.

Once he falls to the ground, more disks come, the other New Gods duck out of the way as Conner drops again and Wolf takes cover.

As Neo cartwheels out of the ways

Serifan pulls out the pistols and shoots the disks just before they reach Bear. The large man sends a smile as Serifan blows at the smoke coming from the muzzles. Then firing two more shots as Bear starts moving to take out two more disks that tried to follow him.

Vykin is still being shocked by the four around him, Moonrider takes out one, but gets one directly attached to his back. Sending him rolling harshly on the ground, and when he stops the earth around him encloses on him.

Someone stands beside Ugly, smirking, he and the man behind him have lasers on their hands compared to the chest cannon, while Whisper pulls out two whips.

Neo faces Whisper and pulls out Hush and the two of them charge and engage and they fight

"These weapons aren't from New Genesis. They are of the enemy." Dreamer says.

"What enemy?" Conner questions.

"The enemy. The Gods of anti-life. These weapons are of Apokolips." Dreamer explains.

Vykin continues to scream as he is electrocuted. Bear rushes past Vykin to take on the four Intergang-hired thugs.

The two with technology enclosing their hands, slam one hand each to the ground, causing a ripple between them and Bear that turns into quicksand that Bear immediately sinks to his shoulders in.

Serifan takes out the other disks trapping Vykin, giving him a smile.

-at the cave-

Canary narrows her eyes at her patient. "So, you want me to believe that after everything you went through including your own death from fiery explosion, you're peachy."

There is a distinct sound of popcorn being eaten. And the person is sitting in the chair upside down- shoed-feet on the top of the chair and everything.

"I'm, uh, fairly certain I never used the word "peachy", but I think you got the gist." Wally says between bites.

"So, you really have no interest in confronting your extreme reaction to Neo's death?" she asks right as Wally tosses a couple of pieces of popcorn into his mouth.

He chokes and forces himself upright as he continues hacking. Dislodging it he gulps before laying on a smile and resting his left arm on the armrest as he turns to look at Canary. Now sitting sideways in the chair. "I'd rather talk about you, babe." then tossing another bit of popcorn into his mouth.

"Wally, you're in denial." she deadpans.

Wally sighs and turns to sit straight not both feet at the ground "I'm usually comfortable with that. But... I try so hard to diss out what I should be feeling, and I can't deny that I reacted badly to Neo's "death", but I just don't want to think about what would happen if he did die, not even when I never told him that I lo-" he confesses before pausing in realization with what he is about to say.

Neo walks in the office with a bowl of nachos in hand and a napkin with something writing on it and place them on Wally's lap.

"Thanks, Neo" he said before opening the napkin as Neo walks out "Don't be afraid of facing your feeling head on" Wally reads out loud and smiles.

Dinah nods to herself before writing down her notes

Whisper jumps over the now full line of armed Intergang thugs and slashes her whips horizontally at them. The only thing that prevents them from getting hit is the rock Vykin puts in the way. "The confines of this tunnel favor their weapons. We must bring this battle into the open." Bear forces himself out of the quicksand while Conner and Neo gets Moonrider out of the rock.

"More room at the top!" Conner shouts before picking Neo up Bridal style as he and Wolf take up the back of the pack.

The New Gods have Bear helping them boost out of the hole.

"They're getting away!" Whisper shouts, slashing her whips once again, this time they travel all the way down the tunnel.

Conner quickly jumps between Wolf and the nearly flame-like tendrils. Grunting as Neo opens Hush blocking both himself and Conner's face but not seeming to take much damage like the New Gods were.

Bear gives Wolf a boost as they dissipate.

"Move!" Conner shouts, watching Bear jump first and then following him.

He lands just in front of the New Gods and Vykin speaks the second he's up from his crouch. "I have no wish to prolong this battle."

The breaks loose and the thugs easily pile out of it. "Finish him." Ugly snarls.

"Fear not. She will protect us." Vykin says calmly.

"Who, Dreamer?" Conner questions, seeing that she, like the rest of the New Gods, is not tense for a fight.

"The New-Genisphere." Vykin corrects.

Sphere flies around, now armed with her own gun. "Cool." Conner mumbles as she flies over his head. "Wait. Sphere's a she?"

Neo look dumbfounded but then remembers and facepalms 'We're not linked of course he realize this now.'

A few simple shots take out the Intergang thugs and she circles back around.

"It is time." Vykin says looking at the Motherbox in his hand.

"Time for what?" Conner questions.

The Motherbox beeps as Vykin raises it up and all five of them shout "Taru!" in unison, all holding their own Motherboxes in their raised hands.

Conner raises a hand to cover against the sudden flood of gold light, now staring a bit dumbly as he takes in a now-massive android-like figure colored in gold with white lines and blue armor. "Okay. That's... new." he comment which Neo nods in agreement while moving the opened Hush off his face.

While they were focusing on the Sphere, the large, combined form of the New Gods was able to march towards them. Until they heard the footsteps.

Turning the two men with tech encompassing their hands try the quicksand trick again, and while it slows the New Gods down, they easily step around it. Then use the eyes to fire lasers at the tech and it simply disappears with no harm done to the hired thugs. The two with cannons mounted to their chests fire disks, but with a simple raise of their hand the trajectory stops, and they fall to the ground. With their other hand, the New Gods let out a concussive wave that kicks all four men up and over Whisper then back to the ground.

Undeterred Whisper readies her whips. They fly out towards the New Gods, who catches them easily in their hands, and uses their laser eyes to destroy the whips at the handles.

Whisper stared dumbly at the place where they used to be, missing how the New Gods raised their hand again this time swiping it to the side as they unleash the concussive wave. Whisper groans as she gets herself sitting up again, looking over at her fellow hired thugs.

Ugly, armed with a similar box to Vykin's, opens a gold portal and runs through. The three other thugs follow him through. "Ugly, wait!" Whisper shouts as she takes off running for the portal. "Hey!" she snaps when the New Gods get her chest wrapped in rope.

They hold their hand out towards the drill, and a portal opens underneath it. Dropping it from sight.

Finally, the combined form fades into gold light before the five of them all return to themselves. Conner and Neo are just staring at them. "What was that?" Conner asks.

"Infinity Man." Dreamer says. "We merge to become part of the Source and greater than the sum of our parts." she explains.

"Glad my team's not that close." Conner grumbles, crossing his arms. but drops them and looks away embarrassed when he sees Neo glaring at him.

"Lower beings tend to fear intimacy." Bear states.

"None of this makes any sense." Vykin pulls the conversation away from that topic. "How are these humans acquiring technology from both New Genesis and Apokolips?"

They all approach Whisper.

"I'm not talking." she snarls.

"You were not asked." Dreamer informs, then raises her hands to her temples as her eyes glow purple.

Whisper shivers and trembles as a whisp comes from her head and takes the form of a horribly mutilated person with glowing red irises, covered head-to-toe in a cloak. Laughing maniacally.

All the New Gods gasp.

"Desaad." Dreamer manages.

"Look," Conner deadpans. "I've been remarkably patient, you know, for us. What is going on?" he questions getting irritatedly impatient.

Neo holds Conner's hand attempting to calm the Kryptonian down.

Dreamer glances at Vykin, who nods. Once again, her hands return to her temples, this time, she's showing her mental images. "The New Gods come from two worlds at war. Those of us from New Genesis are Gods of life, freedom, and the source. Our enemies from Apokolips are Gods of anti-life, slavery, and degradation. This is Desaad, God-Scientist, and chief torturer of Apokolips. His experiments are pure evil. His works, abominations. His master..."

"Unspeakable." the Desaad mirage finishes for her. Then he laughs again before Dreamer banishes the image.

"He is seriously creepy." Whisper says.

-at the cave-

"Hurting? Try traumatized." Robin manages. "I finally become Leader and wind up sending all of my friends to their deaths. I-I-I know I did what I had to, but I hated it. When we started this Team, I was desperate to be in charge. Not anymore. And- and that's not even the worst of it. Y-you can't tell Batman."

"Nothing leaves this room." Canary promises.

"I always wanted, expected, t-to grow up and-and become him. And-and the hero bit? I'm still all-in. But that thing inside of him?" Canary's façade breaks a little as she watches him look ashamed and sound so nervous. "The thing that- that- that drives him to sacrifice everything for the sake of his mission. That's not me. I- I don't wanna be the Batman anymore." Robin can't look up from his hands.

Dinah looks at Neo who enters and give Robin a cup of hot chocolate and a note "Ask yourself "why be the Batman, when you Robin are enough?"" Robin reads out loud as a small smile form on his face

-Conner and Neo-

The New Gods, Neo and Conner land at an old airfield. The New Gods remain in their ship while Conner, Neo and Wolf look at Vykin expectantly.

The box in Vykin's hand pings and he turns to Conner. "Motherbox says there's a large cache of Apokoliptian technology inside."

Conner turns and looks out over the building in front of them again, letting his vision slip from normal human standards. "Infrared-Vision shows no heat signatures." he vocalizes. "Even so..."

Two of the members guarding the hole walk through the door. Looking around.

"Still no heat signatures. Place is definitely deserted." Despite the obvious, it's clearly Conner's voice that's speaking.

The man with the scar turns to his companion, who has their fingers on their temples. The two of them transform in Conner and Dreamer, the rest of the New Gods, Neo and Wolf appear to fade in from thin air.

The lights all snap on over their heads, startling them.

"Though I could be wrong." Conner admits, only raising an eyebrow slightly in confusion at how several dozen people managed to slip past him.

"This tech masks heat signatures. Visor filters out illusions." Ugly steps up. "We got you." He says smugly. They fire shots at the stunned group, causing them to scatter.

Moonrider rolls out of the smoke first, using his blue electricity-like powers to take out two hired thugs in rapid succession. The second getting hit so hard that he gets knocked into the ceiling rafters.

Conner charges at one with a spear, bending it nearly 45 degrees before throwing the gang member still trying to wield it.

Bear charges at the man next to him and knocks him out with one punch.

Neo swift kicks one man trying to ambush Bear from behind him.

"Thank you, my friend!" he thanked Neo who gives him a thumbs up in responds.

Serifan fires rapid shots to provide cover, and one of the thugs with a chest cannon tries to get the drop of the blonde. However, Serifan spins tightly, dropping low and destroying the disks.

Wolf charges in at the gang member while Serifan goes back to providing cover.

Vykin reaches out a hand but nothing happens. "These weapons resist my magnetic power. We will soon be overrun. It is time." He's not wrong, every time he takes two thugs out, using their own magnetic fields against them, three more take their place.

Dreamer looks over at him and the two of them take off away from the approaching thugs.

Bear simply smiles as he takes another down with a quick punch. "This won't take long."

Conner ducks under a hook punch aimed for his head, realizing that Bear is talking to him. "Go!" Before hitting the gang member, he was taking on in the face with a punch of his own, and three more behind him.

The New Gods stand in the same formation from the Construction Site. "Taru!"

The Intergang-hired thug known as Ugly cringes away from the sudden and bright light.

The one next to him seems completely unaffected. Instead, calmly walking over to him. Then suddenly the center of the chest protection starts steaming. The entire body splits in half revealing that Desaad was controlling the Android-like casing that looked human. "Now, mortal. Deliver the Fatherbox." he commands, his voice dark but thready.

Ugly takes the box from Desaad and throws it into the glowing form of a not-quite fully formed Infinity Man.

The Fatherbox disappears into Infinity Man's chest and the still glowing form clutches its head before finally solidifies. From the stomach, Infinity Man turns from gold and blue to red and black.

Wolf snarls and growls beside Conner.

"That can't be good." he says to himself.

"Kill them and their little dog too." Desaad commands, looking far too pleased with himself.

The corrupted Infinity Man starts advancing towards the two of them.

Neo looks taken a back and in fear Conner's eyes widen with shock.

Conner screams as he gets thrown out of the hangar. Hitting the ground and rolling to a stop mere inches from Sphere. Neo runs up to Superboy who gets himself back upright using Sphere's new form to pull himself up with Neo helping him out.

Wolf hops through the hole that Conner created. Taking up a protective stance in front of him as Infinity Man tears the large doors open to step through.

Sphere revs behind Conner as he raises his fists.

"Good, uh, girl. We'll take him down together." instead Sphere is now back in her original shape and rolls away. "Yeah. Can't really blame you." Conner admits as Infinity Man marches closer.

Conner, Neo and Wolf dodge in opposite directions of Infinity Man's hammer first.

-at the cave-

"I know Trivia said that my powers are growing, but I really can't help but feeling that this was all my fault" M'gann admits before knocking the heel of her hand against her head. "Hello, Megan." she brings her right hand back to her knees to rejoin her left one. "Who else could take a simple exercise and turn it into a nightmare that terrorizes everyone she cares about?" as she speaks her green skin tone fades to a familiar nude.

Canary looks stunned. "You've turned white." is all she can manage to say about it.

M'gann's now amber eyes slam up to Canary's for a moment, gasping before standing upright. "No!" then looks down at her hands, it takes her a moment to process what she's seeing. "Oh, you meant Caucasian." she slowly eases herself back into the chair. "Yeah, I'm fine being Megan. But I can't be trusted to use my other powers."

"M'gann, you're Martian." Canary lets out a tiny chuckle as she points out the obvious, then leans forward, threading her fingers as she rests her forearms on her knees. "Not using your natural abilities is like me refusing to speak." M'gann refuses to meet her gaze. "Which, by the way, I tried for a while after my very first Canary Cry nearly deafened my entire first-grade class." M'gann finally meets her gaze sadly. "So, I get how you feel, but not being yourself is never the answer and won't make your feelings of guilt go away. Learn from what happened. Your uncle would be happy to train you." M'gann finally perks up a bit, looking back up. "Practice until you gain control and regain your confidence, your powers are growing along with you like, Trivia said."

Trivia walks in with a plate of her favorite cookies and a note and puts them on the table. M'gann takes the note and opens it "learn from your mistakes and don't let them get the better of you" M'gann smile while tears up and wipes her tears off "I really don't deserve such a friend like him" she said.

Canary smiles

-with Conner and Neo-

Conner screams as he's thrown into a parked plane covering Neopolitan with his whole body.

The metal of the entire outside frame gives way under him. It takes Conner a second to be less disorientated enough to focus back in on what's going on. He gasps when he realizes that Wolf got punched by Infinity Man and is flying through the air.

He catches the large creature and takes the brunt of the hit against the plane again much to Neo's concern.

As Wolf recovers, Superboy hops over his back and goes for the wing. Ripping a piece off and throwing it at Infinity Man.

The combined form of the New Gods takes it out with its laser eyes. Then raises a hand.

Conner only has a brief second to see the plane glowing gold and rising in the air before it's slammed down on top of him.

Infinity Man tosses the plane away and leans down to pick up a mostly unconscious Conner. As they hold him in a fist he starts coming-to and struggling.

"Infinity Man is now my... my master's weapon." Desaad says almost happily.

"Why doesn't he get it over with?" the lead Intergang thug asks, annoyed.

Desaad chuckles creepily. "I'm not one for getting it over with." Desaad smirks. "Fatherbox knows my... proclivities and programmed Infinity Man accordingly."

As Wolf gets up, Conner is still struggling against their hold. Wolf immediately starts snarling at the giant. Neopolitan not taking another second thought he takes a leap at them but is quickly batted away. He silently whimpers at the hit.

Infinity Man slams Conner back to the concrete. Ready to start pounding on him, but Sphere rolls back and takes to the air, unfurling so she lands right on top of Infinity Man's head. With an almost scorpion-like tail pricks the back of their neck. Flooding the red and black with blue circuitry making Infinity Man return to its natural color.

Infinity Man looks surprised and stands up straight with Sphere taking a hat-helmet shape on their head.

"Attack! Attack, while you still can!" Desaad screams.

The thugs take off to do just that.

It's shaky but Sphere's form shifts slightly to show a pair of controls on top of Infinity Man's head.

"Sphere, you're beautiful!" Conner shoots into the air, landing on top of their head with ease, taking only a moment to grab ahold of the controls.

Infinity Man turns over their shoulder to look at the thugs rushing towards them.

"Open fire! All weapons!" the lead thug shouts.

The other thug members do, but all the fire is blocked by Infinity Man's arm.

As it drops Conner's determined look glares right back at them. "Our turn."

Infinity Man's hand moves in a low sweep, using a gold laser to knock all the thugs off their feet.

The lead thug is the only one not knocked away, and Infinity Man grabs him the same way they held Conner.

"Think I'm getting the hang of this." Conner muses. "Pull!" the large man is tossed directly up into the air.

Infinity Man's gaze follows, and a quick shot of the laser eyes destroys the Apokoliptian Technology and the large man- now sans shirt- lands in their open palm.

"Now, that's Ugly." Conner chuckles a little.

The other thugs continue to fight and shoot at Infinity Man, but they stop and start running as Infinity Man starts moving towards them. Taking small shots with their laser eyes to destroy the technology the thugs run out of places to run as they stumble. Left staring up at the giant combined form of the New Gods.

The lead thug is simply dropped out of their hand over them.

As he hits he pushes himself up. "Desaad." he hisses, but the Apokoloptian ignores him and opens a portal, and walks through it.

"All will suffer." Desaad hisses then pulls his hand out of his sleeve. "All will suffer!" throwing what looks a lot like a hand grenade high into the air.

Infinity Man hits it with the laser eyes, and it explodes, but from the explosion comes a concussive wave that when it hits Infinity Man causes it to glow and disassemble. Conner and Sphere drop Only for Conner to be caught by a gliding Neopolitan.

Conner smiles "Neo you're okay!" he stated with relieve.

Neo gives Conner a apologetic smile

The New Gods lay on the ground, groaning as they come to. Looking around. Wolf finds the one box that isn't in one of their possessions, which pings before Wolf bites it to bits. 

Sphere is twitching and damaged near Conner and Trivia who lands back on their feet as they both realizes how bad she looks. Conner places a hand on her, sad. As he hears Vykin come to a pause beside him does he speak. "She's... hurt."

"The damage may be beyond repair, but Motherbox will try." Vykin offers, placing his Motherbox on the damaged red overlaps which no longer do so and are oozing black sludge.

As the Motherbox pings Sphere's pieces begin to fit back together before rolling back up into her default shape. Conner looks stunned.

"The healing process has begun and will be completed on New Genesis." Vykin says.

Conner turns over his shoulder in an instant. "Sorry, what?"

"We thank you for your help, Superboy. But we must take the New-Genisphere home now." Dreamer says from behind Vykin, leading the rest of the New Gods towards the two of them.

Neo looks taken a back "No. No way!" Conner denies.

"Why should we leave her with you?" Serifan questions. "To us, she lives. To you, she's merely technology." Trivia frowns and crosses his arms hearing that.

"No, it's not like that!" Conner shouts.

"Then what is it like?" Bear demands, crossing his arms and keeping the volume high.

"We bonded, okay?!" Conner snaps.

Serifan and Bear share a smile. Dreamer smiles over Vykin's shoulder before he smiles too. "In fact, it is. You may keep her."

The two clasp forearm as Neo sighs with relief that the conversation didn't went too extreme

-scene change-

"What exactly do you expect to find, Batman?" Martian Manhunter asks as Red Tornado scans the Sphere. "According to Conner, Sphere has proven quite useful. Wally has already rechristened her the "Super-Cycle"."

"By any name, the Sphere merits further investigation. As does everything in Superboy's report." Batman points out. "Speaking of, where is he now?"

-with Superboy-

Conner sits in the chair opposite Black Canary, looking at the ground between his boots. His forearms on his thighs and his hands between them.

"Here's the ugly truth. I wasn't devastated. Even with Superman, Tornado, you, the whole League dead. Even though I didn't save Wolf, watched Trivia, Artemis and Kaldur die and abandoned M'gann, I felt... at peace." Black Canary jolts at that admission but doesn't stop him from continuing. "See, from the moment I first opened my eyes in that Cadmus pod there's been one thing I've wanted and feared: To know what it is to be Superman. And I knew. So I was happy." He meets her eyes for a brief moment before dropping them back down. "Everyone I care about, dead or traumatized and I'm happy." he raises his hands and looks at them for a moment, then dropping them back down. "How do I get past the guilt of that?" Finally, he raises his gaze and keeps it there. "How do I live with myself? How would Trivia react to that? Trivia made me feel things I'd never thought I would feel for" he said looking guilty.

Canary leans forward, her broken heart showing on her face as she places a hand on his knee. "I don't have any easy answers, Conner." her face is strong and steady by the time she's there. "But one thing's clear: Admitting it is the first step."

At some point, his eyes had slid closed but hearing that causes him to open them and look her in the eyes. Trivia walks in and offers Superboy a Hot cocoa with a smile Superboy takes the cocoa before Trivia leaves the note next to Superboy before giving him a peck on the cheek before leaving.

"No matter how you feel I won't see you any different, I xxxx care about you" Conner looks surprised but smiles at the note.

'All four of them have something in common, they're in love with the same guy' Dina thought before writing down her notes.