Normal dialogue
'Thoughts'
Radio/Phone
'Telepathic link'
"Spell"
Computer
[Foreign language] <Dialogue in foreign language>

------------------------------

Mount Justice
October 23, 17:21 EDT

The following week after the traumatic experiences that was the "training exercise," the entire Team was kept off active duty until they went through a psychological evaluation and cleared by Black Canary.

The Team waited in the kitchen for their turn. M'gann was mindlessly stirring a pot, Nathan was fiddling with his web-shooters, while Kaldur, Artemis, Wally, Valeria, and Dick were just sitting.

Suddenly, Valeria got up and started walking away.

Artemis: Val?

Valeria: I need to clear my head. Being cooped up in here doesn't help.

Nathan: We can't leave. Not until we have our session with Canary.

Valeria: I'll just do it when I get back, I promise.

She left the kitchen.

------------------------------

In the training area, Captain Marvel, Red Tornado, and Martian Manhunter watched the Team through holographic screens. They heard the zeta tube activating.

Computer: Recognized, Batman 0-2.

Batman stepped out of the zeta tube and approached the three Leaguers.

Batman: How are they?

Martian Manhunter: I am still shaken by what you and I wrought. One can only imagine how these youth fare.

Batman: I know our virtual reality training simulation went badly, but I'd hoped the Team would have rallied by now.

Martian Manhunter: Trauma tends to linger, as I know you know, my friend.

Batman: Black Canary?

Martian Manhunter: She has her work cut out for her.

------------------------------

In the library, Connor sat across Black Canary for his therapy session.

Black Canary: I can only imagine how devastating it was, losing your friends, in essence, your family, convinced all the time it was completely real. I'm sure it must've been horrible for you.

Conner clenched his fist, but kept his head down, not saying a word.

Black Canary: I understand. You're Superboy. You're not supposed to have feelings of sadness or vulnerability.

Conner: (gets up) You don't know what I feel.

He stormed off.

Black Canary: Conner!

Conner: Just leave me alone!

------------------------------

Conner walked to the hangar and got on a motorcycle. He revved the engine a few times before hearing a voice.

???: You got room for one more?

Conner looked up and saw Valeria walking towards him, which made him smile a bit.

Conner: Always.

Valeria got on the motorcycle behind Conner. Once she wrapped her arms around his waist, Conner drove up to the hangar door, which remained closed.

Conner: Red Tornado, hangar door.

The hangar door opened, but Sphere rolled up in front of them as Wolf joined them.

Valeria: Sphere, can you move, please?

Sphere started beeping and making noises that resembled an engine. Before anyone could say anything, Sphere transformed into a large three-wheeled motorbike with a futuristic design, surprising Valeria, Conner, and Wolf.

Valeria: (smiles) Well, we gotta try this out.

Conner, Valeria, and Wolf got on the three-wheeler and drove off of the Cave, and it surprisingly started flying into the sky.

Conner: Whoa!

Valeria: WHOOOHOOOO!

Back in the Cave, Batman ran to the open hangar door, having seen Valeria, Conner, and Wolf fly off. He tapped his earpiece and spoke.

Batman: Superboy, Spider-Woman, return to Cave.

He heard his own voice repeating what he said. He looked down and saw two earpieces on the door. He sighed, knowing that they belonged to Conner and Valeria.

------------------------------

Back in the Cave, it was Artemis' turn.

Artemis: Look, me dying during the exercise might have started things going south, but I was coma-girl. Missed out on all the fun of forgetting it wasn't real, so no trauma, no need for the shrink-rap.

Black Canary: You're too tough to need help?

Artemis: Whatever. Maybe.

Black Canary: Or maybe too tough to admit you need help. Artemis, it's not a sign of weakness to open up to your friends.

Artemis: I know that.

Black Canary: But you still keep secrets from them.

Artemis: But you won't tell them! You can't!

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

Artemis: Pfft. Right. Can you imagine what Wally would do with that?

Black Canary: Interesting. So the person you're most worried about is Wally.

Artemis widened her eyes.

------------------------------

Back in the kitchen, M'gann was still mindlessly stirring the pot in her arms, while the others sat still, doing nothing. Nathan looked up at M'gann and he couldn't help but wonder how powerful she had to be if she could take control of the exercise from Martian Manhunter the way she did.

Before he could think about it any further, Artemis walked into the kitchen. She glanced at Wally before looking at Nathan.

Artemis: It's your turn, Nate.

Nathan looked at Artemis and sighed before getting up and walking towards the library. When he arrived, he sat across Black Canary without saying a word.

Black Canary: I won't pretend that I understand what you went through in that simulation, Nathan, because the truth is, I don't. But what I can understand is that feeling of emptiness you're feeling.

Nathan kept his mouth shut, not making eye contact.

Black Canary: You watched your friends die one by one. Your sister died saving your life. That would devastate anyone.

Still, Nathan didn't say anything.

Black Canary: Please say something, Nathan.

For the first time, Nathan looked up and looked Black Canary in the eye.

Nathan: What do you want me to say? You want me to tell you that I watched my dad die and felt nothing, because apparently it wasn't real? Or the part when I thought that we didn't stand a chance against the aliens since you, the frickin' Justice League, died within 10 minutes? Or maybe you want to say something about the fact that said League thought it was a good idea to traumatize a bunch of kids and call it a training exercise?

Black Canary said nothing as Nathan continued his rant.

Nathan: You know something? That feeling of emptiness? I felt it twice in my life already. Once when my mom died, and again when George Stacy died in front of me. No one should have to go though that when they're not even 20. I'm only 16, and I've already gone through things that most adults would dread going through.

He got up and left the library, which Black Canary didn't even try to stop.

------------------------------

Eastern Seaboard
October 23, 18: 04 EDT

Somewhere on the Eastern Seaboard, Conner, Valeria, and Wolf flew along the shore with Sphere, which was in its bike form.

Conner: Let's see what our boy can do.

Wolf barked in affirmation. Conner did a loop-de-loop with Sphere.

Valeria: Oh, yeah!

Suddenly, a silver flying car came up in front of them, which forced Conner to hit the brakes. Its passengers consisted of a dark-skinned boy who reminded Valeria of Kaldur (she assumed he was the leader due to the similarity), a red-headed jock, a black-haired woman, a blonde boy wearing a cowboy getup, and a black-haired boy. The leader had a handheld device with an alien design in his hand.

Leader: Return the Newgenisphere and the rest of the technology you have stolen from New Genesis, humans.

Conner: Who are you? What are you...?

Jock: Let's keep this simple. (points at Sphere) That belongs to us. Give it back.

Sphere beeped, then the handheld device pinged. The gang got up and prepared for a fight, but the leader stopped them.

Leader: Forever People, stand down. These ones did not steal the Newgenisphere. They saved it from the real thieves.

Jock: (smiles) Apologies. The Forever People embrace you as a friend, ally, and worthy warrior.

Valeria: What?

Conner: You're kidding, right?

------------------------------

Back in the Cave, it was Kaldur's turn to sit with Black Canary.

Kaldur: I was the general, but behaved like a soldier and sacrificed myself. I am not fit for command, and must resign as team leader.

Black Canary: Who do you recommend to take your place?

Kaldur: Artemis is too raw and untrusting. Kid Flash, too rash and impulsive. Miss Martian remains too eager to please. Superboy carries too much anger. Spider-Woman can be brutal at times.

Black Canary: Which leaves Spider-Man and Robin.

Kaldur: Yes. However, Nathan sees himself unfit to lead, and I do not wish to place that weight on his shoulders involuntarily. He already has enough to deal with in his life.

Black Canary: Making Robin the logical choice.

Kaldur: But he is so young.

Black Canary: Kaldur, you're all young.

Kaldur: I cannot shift this burden to him. Not yet. (sighs) It appears I must withdraw my resignation.

------------------------------

Conner, Valeria, Wolf, and Sphere flew alongside the new group, now known as the Forever People.

Valeria: You call yourselves the Forever People?

Jock: We are young gods. New gods.

Conner: Right.

Serifan: (tips his cowboy hat) They call me Serifan.

Dreamer: I'm Dreamer. This is Moonrider and our leader, Vykin.

Jock: Hm. I am named for an animal that does not exist on this world. (snaps his fingers) But you may call me Wolf.

Valeria: That name's taken, buddy.

Wolf growls in response.

Bear: Ah. Bear, then. Bear is even better.

Conner: I'm Con...Superboy. This is Spider-Woman.

Vykin: This is Motherbox, the living computer.

The Motherbox dinged.

Valeria: Whoa.

Vykin: She has tracked technology stolen from our home world, New Genesis. And she has found our rescue drill there.

They flew to Metropolis and hovered above a construction site with a massive hole in the ground as Motherbox dinged.

Vykin: It is beneath us, 18 meters underground.

Superboy: That's a construction site. Perfect cover for drilling.

Valeria: Yeah, especially with the Federal Reserve just across the street.

The Forever People looked at Valeria in confusion.

Valeria: The government keeps money there. Y'know, gold and cash.

Serifan: It's a heist. Come on, partners. Let's ride in there guns blazing and round up them outlaws.

Valeria: Whoa! We are not doing that! (turns to Dreamer) What's up with him?

Dreamer: He's watched a lot of Earth Westerns.

Valeria: Ah.

Conner: Yeah, well, there's a time to go in strong and a time to go in smart.

Vykin: It is your world, Superboy and Spider-Woman. We shall follow your lead.

Conner: (turns to Valeria) You got your suit?

Valeria smirked as she pulled the collar of her shirt, revealing her suit underneath.

Valeria: Never leave home without it.

On the ground, the three armed thugs were watching the hole when they heard a voice behind them.

???: Norman, I bought you a jacket.

It was an elderly woman holding a jacket while walking towards one of the thugs.

Thug 1: Mom?! What are you doin' here?!

Behind him, two thugs were brought down by beams from Moonrider.

Thug 1: Mom, get down! It's not...safe.

His voice trailed off when the elderly woman changed to Dreamer. The thug backed up before Vykin used telekinesis to make him hit himself with his own gun, knocking him out.

In the hole, five more armed thugs were standing guard. A red metallic ball landed between two of the thugs.

Thug 2: What is that?

The ball exploded, wrapping the two thugs in webs and sticking them to the wall. Before the other three could react, Superboy, Wolf, and Bear landed on them, knocking them out.

When the rest of the Forever People jumped down, Spider-Woman put a finger on her lips, signaling them to be quiet, before running ahead with Superboy, and the others followed.

After a bit of running, they stopped and hid behind a rock as they observed what was happening. Several thugs, all wearing alien technology, were carrying gold out of the reserve and into the New Genesis rescue drill using hovering carts. They seemed to be led by a red-headed woman, who was standing next to an ugly man with a bowl cut.

Redhead: A billion in bullion, Ugly. The old creep's gear performed as advertised.

Ugly: Yeah, Whisper. Gave me a score tops any my old man ever delivered to Intergang.

Vykin stepped out of cover and walked towards the Intergang goons.

Superboy: Wait!

Spider-Woman: (sighs) So much for going in smart.

She and Superboy followed Vykin, who stopped and spoke up, making Intergang stop what they were doing.

Vykin: That drill and these carts are the property of New Genesis. You will return them now.

Superboy: Gold goes back, too.

Whisper: Interfere, and things get ugly.

Ugly: I'm Ugly.

Spider-Woman: Yeah, I can tell.

A cannon formed on Ugly's chest and he shot several red disks at them. Vykin brought up a piece of earth as a shield and pushed Superboy and Spider-Woman back before some of them surrounded him and began electrocuting him.

More disks flew at them, but they dodged it. Serifan took out his pistols and shot the disks, destroying them.

Moonrider shot some of the disks pinning Vykin, but a disk stuck to his back, knocking him down before trapping him in an orb of dirt.

More disks flew at Spider-Woman, but she took out her stingers and sliced them while flipping over them. She, Dreamer, and Superboy saw Whisper take out a pair of red alien whips.

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

Superboy: What enemy?

Dreamer: The enemy. The gods of anti-life. These weapons are of Apokolips.

Bear ran at the Intergang goons, but they used their weapons to turn the ground beneath Bear into quicksand, trapping him.

Spider-Woman ran to Vykin and with some help from Serifan with his pistols, destroyed the remaining disks that were electrocuting him.

------------------------------

Back in the Cave, it was Wally's turn. Black Canary had a look of confusion on her face as Wally laid upside down on the chair while eating a bowl of popcorn.

Black Canary: So you want me to believe that after everything you went through, including your own death from fiery explosion, you're peachy?

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

Black Canary: So you really have no interest in confronting your extreme reaction to Artemis' death?

Wally started coughing as he sat up before smirking.

Wally: I'd rather talk about you, babe.

He continued eating his popcorn.

Black Canary: Wally, you're in denial.

Wally: I'm comfortable with that.

------------------------------

Back under Metropolis, Whisper swung her whips, each swing creating a wave of fire towards them. Vykin made a shield out of the earth.

Vykin: The confines of this tunnel favor their weapons. We must bring this battle into the open.

Spider-Woman pulled Bear out of the ground while Superboy pulled Moonrider out of the confines of the rock sphere he was trapped in.

The group ran back to the entrance.

Bear: More room at the top!

He began throwing the Forever People out of the tunnel.

Whisper: THEY'RE GETTING AWAY!

More waves of fire flew towards Bear, Wolf, Superboy, and Spider-Woman, but Superboy jumped in and took the hit, taking no damage, as Bear threw Wolf out of the hole.

Spider-Woman: Let's move!

Bear and Superboy leapt out of the hole, while Spider-Woman shot a web line and pulled herself out of the hole.

Vykin: I have no wish to prolong this battle.

Spider-Woman: That makes two of us.

The earth shook beneath them as the drill emerged from the ground, with Whisper, Ugly, and the rest of Intergang following suit.

Ugly: Finish them.

Vykin: Fear not. She will protect us.

Superboy: Who, Dreamer?

Vykin: The Newgenisphere.

Sphere flew in with cannons on either side.

Superboy: Cool. Wait, Sphere's a she?

Sphere shot two thugs, knocking them down, as Vykin took out Motherbox.

Vykin: It is time.

Spider-Woman: Time for what?

The Forever People chanted an alien word, and with a bright flash of light, turned into a large blue-and-gold robot, surprising Superboy and Spider-Woman.

Superboy: Okay. That's new.

Spider-Woman: Why am I even surprised?

The robot approached Intergang. They tried to turn the ground beneath it into quicksand, but the robot levitated a few inches off the ground before shooting gold beams out of its eyes. The beams hit two of the thugs' weapons and made them disappear.

Ugly and another thug shot disks at the robot, but it stopped them midair and dropped them before releasing a wave that flung everyone but Whisper away.

Whisper tried to hit the robot with the whips, but it caught them and shot a beam to make the whips disappear before flinging her to the side.

Realizing that they're outgunned, Ugly took out a device that resembled Motherbox and opened a tube-shaped portal behind him and the gang before they ran into it.

Whisper: Ugly, wait!

She ran for the portal, but the robot shot a device at her that tied her up as the portal closed. The robot opened a portal under the drill, making it fall into the portal, before closing it.

In another flash of light, the robot disappeared, and the Forever People returned.

Spider-Woman: What was that?

Dreamer: Infinity-Man. We merge to become part of the source and greater than the sum of our parts.

Superboy: Glad my team's not that close.

Spider-Woman nudged Superboy's ribs.

Bear: Lower beings tend to fear intimacy.

Spider-Woman: Hey!

Vykin: None of this makes any sense. How are these humans acquiring technology from both New Genesis and Apokolips?

Spider-Woman: Let's ask the nice lady.

They approached Whisper, who looked up and glared at them.

Whisper: I'm not talkin'

Dreamer: You were not asked.

Her eyes glowed purple, and a mist came out of Whisper's head. The mist formed into a cloaked, deformed man with red irises, which brought a look of fear onto the Forever People's faces.

Dreamer: Desaad.

Spider-Woman: Okay, look. Superboy and I have been pretty patient so far, but can one of you please explain what is going on?

Dreamer and Vykin shared a glance. Vykin nodded, then Dreamer created a projection of two planet, one blue and one red.

Dreamer: 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.

Spider-Woman: (points at the projection of Desaad) And I'm guessing thig guy is one of them?

Dreamer: This is Desaad, god-scientist and chief torturer of Apokolips. His experiments are pure evil. His works, abominations. His master...

Desaad Projection: Unspeakable.

The projection cackled before disappearing.

Whisper: He is seriously creepy.

------------------------------

Back in the Cave, it was Dick's turn.

Dick: Hurting? Try traumatized. I finally become leader and wind up sending all of my friends to their deaths. 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 that's not even the worst of it. You can't tell Batman.

Black Canary: Nothing leaves this room.

Dick: I always wanted, expected, to grow up and become him. And the hero bit? I'm still all-in. But that thing inside of him? The thing that drives him to sacrifice everything for the sake of his mission? That's not me. And Nathan was right to call me out on it. I don't wanna be the Batman anymore.

------------------------------

Back in Metropolis, The Forever People, Wolf, Superboy, and Spider-Woman had arrived at an airfield. Once they arrived, Motherbox dinged.

Vykin: Motherbox says there's a large cache of Apokoliptan technology inside.

Superboy looked at the hangar and scanned it with his enhanced vision.

Superboy: Infrared-Vision shows no heat signatures. Even so...

Dreamer disguised the group as a pair of thugs, and they went inside the hangar.

Superboy: Still no heat signatures. Place is definitely deserted.

Dreamer lifted the illusion. To their surprise, the lights turned back on and Intergang revealed themselves.

Superboy: Though I could be wrong.

Spider-Woman: You might wanna get your eyes checked after this, Supey.

Ugly: This tech masks heat signatures. Visor filters out illusions. We got ya.

He shot at the group, but they dodged the shot as it exploded behind them. Moonrider shoots two thugs onto the ceiling.

Superboy and Bear engaged two of the goons wielding staffs, while Serifan shoots the disks sent his way out of the air. Spider-Woman swung around the hangar and webbed a goon before kicking him into a stack of crates.

Wolf lunged at one of the cannon-wielding goons and brought him down.

Vykin: These weapons resist my magnetic power. We will soon be overrun. It is time.

Bear: (to Superboy and Spider-Woman) This won't take long.

Superboy: Go!

He punched a goon while the Forever People began merging into Infinity-Man. While this was happening, a goon next to Ugly spontaneously split in half, revealing Desaad, who handed Ugly a rectangular device.

Desaad: Now, mortal. Deliver the Fatherbox.

Ugly threw the Fatherbox at Infinity-Man, which caused it to grow a few feet larger as well as changing its color scheme to red-and-grey.

Superboy: That can't be good.

Spider-Woman: You kidding me? When something turns red, it's never good.

Desaad: Kill the children, and their little dog, too.

Before they could react, Superboy and Spider-Woman were grabbed by Infinity-Man and thrown through the hangar doors. Wolf ran out and joined them just as Infinity-Man tore through the hangar door and walked towards them.

Sphere beeped.

Superboy: Good, uh, girl. We'll take him down together.

Unfortunately, Sphere turned back to her sphere form and rolled away.

Spider-Woman: Can't really blame you.

Infinity-Man threw his fist at the trio, but they jumped out of the way.

------------------------------

Back in the Cave, it was M'gann's turn.

M'gann: It was all my fault. Hello, Megan. Who else could take a simple exercise and turn it into a nightmare that terrorizes everyone she cares about?

As she spoke, her skin changed from green to Caucasian.

Black Canary: You've turned white.

M'gann: (gasps) No!

She abruptly got up and looked at her hands, but then calmed down.

M'gann: Oh, you meant Caucasian. Yeah, I'm fine being Megan.

She sat back down

M'gann: But I can't be trusted with my other powers.

Black Canary: M'gann, you're Martian. Not using your natural abilities is like me refusing to speak. Which, by the way, I tried for a while after my very first Canary Cry nearly deafened my entire first-grade class. 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. Practice until you gain control and regain your confidence.

M'gann just looked down, deep in thought.

Black Canary: One thing I do want to talk about, is your reaction to Nathan's death.

M'gann looked back up to Black Canary.

Black Canary: You wanted to tell him something, but he told you to wait until it was over.

M'gann widened her eyes as her cheeks turned pink.

Black Canary: You love him, don't you? That's what you wanted to say.

M'gann: I...When I couldn't reach him, I realized I lost my chance to say it. I don't know if he feels the same way, and I'm scared of pushing him away if he doesn't.

Black Canary: You'll never know unless you give it a shot.

------------------------------

Superboy was thrown into a private jet, while Spider-Woman swung around Infinity-Man, avoiding his hands and beams. Wolf jumped at it, but the robot punched Wolf straight into Superboy.

Spider-Woman: CONNER!

Infinity-Man took advantage of her distraction and grabbed Spider-Woman before tossing her over its shoulder. Spider-Woman activated her web wings and glided back towards Infinity-Man, but she got swatted like a fly into the tarmac.

Superboy got up and tore off a wing of the jet he crashed into and threw it at Infinity Man, but she shot a beam at it, blowing it up before lifting the entire jet and slamming it on top of Superboy.

Spider-Woman flew it and delivered a Venom Punch at Infinity-Man, but it did no damage. Infinity grabbed Spider-Woman out of the air, picked up Superboy, and began to squeeze them.

Meanwhile, Desaad watched the unfair fight with a sickening grin on his face with Ugly stood next to him with his arms crossed.

Desaad: Infinity-Man is now my...my master's weapon.

Ugly: Why doesn't he get it over with?

Desaad: (chuckles) I am not one for getting it over with. Fatherbox knows my proclivities and programmed Infinity-Man accordingly.

Wolf lunged at Infinity-Man, but he was punched away before he threw Superboy into the ground.

Spider-Woman released a Venom Blast that forced Infinity-Man to let her go. He fell down on the ground while holding her ribs before her Spider-Sense blared. She looked up and saw Infinity-Man bringing his fists up to smash them, but she noticed Sphere rolling towards it before leaping into the air, transforming into a beetle-shaped vehicle, and latching onto the back of Infinity-Man's head, turning it back to blue and gold.

Desaad: Attack! Attack while you still can!

Superboy got up and saw what Sphere did.

Superboy: Sphere, you're beautiful!

Spider-Woman cleared her throat, which made Superboy stammer.

Superboy: Uh, I mean, n-not as beautiful as you, of course.

Spider-Woman: (chuckles) Just shut up and get on.

Superboy leaped up to Sphere and grabbed her handles, controlling Infinity-Man.

Ugly: Open fire! All weapons!

Intergang shot rockets and bullets at Infinity-Man, but Connor raised its hand to shield himself.

Superboy: Our turn.

Spider-Woman: You round 'em up, I'll wrap em up.

Superboy: You got it.

He shot a beam that sent Intergang gang back before picking up Ugly.

Superboy: Think I'm getting the gang of this. Pull!

He tossed Ugly into the sky. As he fell, Superboy shot a beam at Ugly, disintegrating his weapon and destroying part of his shirt, before catching him again.

Spider-Woman: Congrats, Superboy. You just made him uglier.

Superboy laughed before shooting more beams, disintegrating more Apokoliptan weapons and knocking the rest of Intergang to the ground, before dropping Ugly on top of them.

Ugly: Desaad.

Desaad had opened a portal and glared at Infinity-Man.

Desaad: All will suffer. ALL WILL SUFFER!

He took out a device and threw it at Infinity-Man. Conner made it shoot a beam at the device, making it explode, but the shockwave was powerful enough to revert Infinity-Man back to the Forever People and mortally damage Sphere. Wolf picked up the Fatherbox and bit into it, destroying it.

Spider-Woman: She's hurt.

Vykin: The damage may be beyond repair, but Motherbox will try.

He placed Motherbox on Sphere, and after a few seconds, she was repaired and turned back to her sphere form.

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

Superboy: Sorry, what?

Dreamer: We thank you for your help, Superboy, Spider-Woman. But we must take the Newgenisphere home now.

Superboy: No! No way!

Serifan: Why should we leave her with you? To us, she lives. To you, she's merely technology.

Spider-Woman: It's not like that at all!

Bear: Then what is it like?!

Superboy & Spider-Woman: WE BONDED, OKAY?!

To their surprise, the Forever People smiled.

Vykin: In fact, it is. You may keep her.

He shook Superboy's hand, and then shook Spider-Woman's hand.

------------------------------

Afterward, Superboy and Spider-Woman returned to the Cave and brief Batman, Martian Manhunter, Red Tornado, and Captain Marvel about their experience with Intergang and the Forever People. Batman decided to have Sphere scanned

Martian Manhunter: What exactly do you expect to find, Batman? According to Conner and Valeria, Sphere has proven quite useful. Wally has already rechristened her the Super-Cycle

Batman: By any name, the Sphere merits further investigation. As does everything in Superboy and Spider-Woman's report. Speaking of, where are they now?

Conner was in the library with Black Canary.

Conner: 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, ann watched Artemis, Kaldur, and Valeria die, I felt at peace.

Black Canary looked surprised.

Conner: 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...I was happy. Everyone I cared about dead or traumatized, and I'm happy. How do I get past the guilt of that? How do I live with myself?

Black Canary leaned forward and put her hand on Conner's knee.

Black Canary: I don't have any easy answers, Conner. But one thing's clear: Admitting it is the first step.

------------------------------

Meanwhile, M'gann walked around the Cave, looking for Nathan. When she walked into the gym, she saw Artemis sitting on one of the benches.

M'gann: Artemis?

Artemis: Yeah?

M'gann: Are you okay?

Artemis: Not really. But then again, who isn't right now?

M'gann: True: Hey, have you seen Nathan?

Artemis: He zeta'd back to New York. I don't know why, though.

M'gann: I think I know. Thanks.

Artemis: Don't mention it.

She flew off to the zeta tube, and it activated.

Computer: Recognized, Miss Martian, B-0-5.

------------------------------

Meanwhile, it was Valeria's turn to sit with Black Canary.

Valeria: I felt like a failure. Still do, in fact. I watched Dad and Yuri die, and I felt nothing. I watched Artemis die, and I just felt empty. I only saved Nathan because my own life didn't matter. Then I find out that he died anyway. It's like no matter what I do, it doesn't matter.

Black Canary: Of course, it does. Your life does matter. When you died, it hit Nathan the most. He knew he was never gonna see you again, and it almost broke him.

Valeria: (sighs) I don't know if I deserve it. To be mourned. To be loved. In the grand scheme of things, I'm just a nobody.

Black Canary: That's not that Nathan thinks, or Conner. Despite what you believe, you do matter. To your brother, to the man you love, to the Team. That's what's important.

Valeria softly smiled at Black Canary's words.

Valeria: How do you know I love Conner?

Black Canary: It's pretty obvious. And it's just as obvious that he loves you.

------------------------------

New York City
October 16, 21:33 EDT

M'gann stepped out of the zeta tube and looked around.

M'gann: 'If I were Spider-Man, and I wanted somewhere to find peace, where would I go?'

As she though this, her eyes landed on the Chrysler Building.

M'gann: 'Hello, Megan.'

Meanwhile, Nathan was in his Spider-Man suit but held his mask in his hand. He sat on one of the metal gargoyles in silence as he listened to the sounds of New York traffic.

???: Figured I'd find you here.

Nathan looked up and saw M'gann, in her Miss Martian suit, turning visible while hovering in front of him.

Nathan: (sighs) Y'know, when I first got my powers, I was scared of them at first. When I beat up Ned Leeds and his goons, I ran out of the school afterwards. I didn't know what else that spider did to me. But I wanted to figure it out. So I made a pair of prototype web-shooters and climbed up here.

Miss Martian: Your first swing started here?

Nathan: (gets up) Yeah. I was pretty ambitious.

He walked until he stopped under the gargoyle. His feet stuck to the underside of the gargoyle and his hood went up his head.

Nathan: I could still feel the rush, the wind blowing into my face and hair. It was exhilarating.

Miss Martian took a deep breath before lowering herself to his eye level while still remaining upright.

Miss Martian: There's something I have to tell you. I wanted to tell you in that nightmare scenario, but...

Nathan: I died before you had the chance.

Miss Martian nodded before taking a deep breath.

Miss Martian: I love you, Nathan Rollins.

Nathan's eyes widened.

Miss Martian: I have for a while. Since Santa Prisca, actually. I mean, how could I not? You're strong, smart, brave, caring. I mean...

She stopped when she felt Nathan's hand on her cheek. She softly gasped as she looked into Nathan's eyes.

Nathan: I love you too, M'gann M'orzz.

Miss Martian's eyes widened before she lunged forwards and captured Nathan's lips with hers. Even though they have kissed multiple times before, this time felt different. It was more passionate, more intense than all the others. They only separated when their lungs screamed for air, but they rested their foreheads against each other.

Miss Martian: That felt...

Nathan: Incredible?

Miss Martian: Yeah.

Nathan: Wanna do it again?

Miss Martian: (smiles) Yeah.

They leaned forward and kissed again. At that moment, it was just them. Nothing else mattered but each other.