A shadow glides over the moon, heading towards Earth, the shadow is from a massive ship that is deep blue in color with red spots, largely in the shape of a turnip with the roots still attached.
There is a flash of light from the East Coast of the US, where the two Green Lanterns and the BatPlane breach the atmosphere to meet the ship.
"Deploying camera-sensor units." Batman says with a push of a button. Two small probes release from the Plane, watching as the plane and the Lanterns continue to approach the ship.
"Attention." John Stewart says. "You have entered the boundaries of Earth space. Disengage all weapons and engines. This is your final warning."
For a moment nothing happens, until there is a whirring from the red port in front of them as it lights up and shoots a beam at them.
The two Lanterns get their shields up, but the beam persists and shatters the spheres, turning them into skeletons before that too disappears in a flash.
The beam shuts off and the BatPlane makes its approach. "Code red. Full offensive deploy."
The bay door opens to reveal Superman, Shazam, Captain Atom, and Martian Manhunter all four wearing oxygen masks as they fly towards the ship.
The beam from the ship fires again, all the Leaguers remain calm and avoid the beam, which splits in two following the pairs of flying Leaguers.
Superman and Martian Manhunter are caught in the beam that is following them, followed quickly by Captain Atom and Shazam.
The beam is fired at the BatPlane, but Batman ejects before it explodes. From his smaller plane, he sees small ships being released on the planet below. One of the small planes, which dwarfs the size of Batman's pod, approaches him and fires an identical laser at the Dark Knight.
Mount Justice, October 16th, 16:01 EDT
Red Tornado watches the screen in the center of the training space, turning to a second screen as another transmission comes through.
It's Zatara. "Tornado, did you-?" He cuts himself off unable to get himself to say it despite his low and worried tone.
"Yes, Zatara. We saw." Tornado says, and the Team stands resolutely behind him, already suited up. "Celestial defenses have failed. Initiate all terrestrial measures."
"Affirmative. See you in the field." Zatara responds and signs off.
Tornado turns to the Team. "I must join the League. We will protect the planet at all costs. But should we fail, the responsibility falls to you."
Kaldur makes a cursory glance at the Team before looking resolutely at Tornado. "We stand ready."
A camera pans from the destruction of a city as a woman's voice speaks over the screaming in the background before it lands on her in shaky movements. "This is Iris West-Allen, reporting live. The extra-terrestrials have brought their relentless global attack to Central City."
The ships fire at the curve of the arch, knocking it to the street below, while another fires at a group of civilians running for their lives, destroying them in groups.
One heads right for Iris, but just as it gets close enough to fire, the Flash swoops in, grabbing the redhead and the beam explodes in front of the camera.
"Tronsnart siht namaremac ot ytefas." Zatara voice intones, imbued with power. As two ships approach the camera, the world is covered by gold and as the gold fades away Zatara stands on a roof of a building, and Flash slows to a stop before setting Iris down. "You should both be safe here, at least for now."
"Thank you, Flash and Zatara." Iris says hesitantly.
Flash places an arm on her shoulder before running off.
"Etativel won!" Zatara chants and a see-through bronze-tinted platform forms under his feet and he rises into the air.
"Denny, you okay?" Iris asks calmly, the cameraman raises his hand into the frame and gives a thumbs up. Iris smiles and turns the reporter back on. "As you can see, the Justice League is attempting to hold the line." Zatara and Flash races up to where a group of people are trapped on top of a burning building, as a ship approaches them. A shot goes off, and the top of the building explodes. The camera quickly pans back down to Iris. "No." Is barely picked up by the mic in her hand.
The feed jumps to where cat Grant is sitting at her station, shouting because behind Iris' back is another ship. "Iris. Iris, get out of there!" The feed is lost and Cat sits back in her chair. "I'm sorry, we're experiencing technical difficulties from our Central City feed. We take you now to a devastated Taipei. Another League contingent is having more luck."
The ships fly around Tapei, one hits Hawkwoman in the back on screen, then fires again at Hawkman as he turns to look for his partner. Taking him quickly.
Green Arrow has two arrows with augmented tips already nocked and he fires. At his six Black Canary screeches and takes out a group of five or six ships that were flying through the skyline.
One comes through the smoke slowly, and while Green Arrow goes to fire his arrow at the ship, it fires first, taking both of them out.
Cat looks on at the now black screen before turning forward with a calm face and a level voice. "Ladies and gentlemen, we've lost Black Canary, Green Arrow, and the Hawks. Other heroes reported dead or missing include Batman, Icon, Atom, and Aquaman."
~
A/N
So on DC Universe they have it listed as Adam, which I assume to be Adam Strange… but I thought the Atom and Adam Stange were two different people and I know they met him in S2, so I'm going with a mistype on their part.
~
Wonder Woman flies about the city, using her lasso to throw one ship at another and destroy both of them.
"Wonder Woman, above you." Red Tornado calls out, and she gets enough time to partially block the beam with her bracers before she is taken out too.
Red Tornado looks up to see the mothership coming down over him, and he has to get out of the way, only able to watch as it lands on Smallville.
Tornado uses his hands to release tornados out in front of him, to deter ships, but they circle around him out of his range. "Red Tornado to Cave. I fear I am all that remains of the League."
"RT." Robin's voice comes through in the comms as he is hit in the back by the yellow-orange beam.
The Team watches the four scenes of defeat from within the Mountain.
"We are Earth's heroes now." Kaldur says strongly.
"So, what are we waiting for? A theme song?" Superboy demands.
~
A/N
No job that was like two minutes ago.
~
"A strategy." Kaldur says as he turns to him. "Earth's weapons are ineffective and it has been made tragically clear a direct attack will not succeed."
Kaldur looks at Robin with a slight hope, the Boy Wonder quickly taps on the HoloGlove. "Checking satellite imagery." The image is pulled up in front of the whole team. "Here's where the aliens are now."
"This one get lost?" Conner asks, gesturing to one near the North Pole.
"It's Superman's Fortress of Solitude." Robin realizes after a moment.
Conner looks both affronted and confused. "Superman has a Fortress of Solitude?"
"Its power source must have attracted the aliens' attention, at least enough to send a scout ship to investigate." Robin justifies.
"Must be some fortress." He grouches lowly as he turns away.
M'gann is quick to try and comfort him."Conner."
"No, it's okay. I guess there's a lot about Superman I'll never know." He stops and stutters over that for a moment. "Uh, you know, now."
"We will target this lone ship." Kaldur decides.
"Yeah. Break it down. Build more. Hit those ugly aliens with their own mojo." Kid says strongly, punching his fist into his open hand to prove his point, but Artemis elbows him in the side. "Ow!"
"Martian and Kryptonian in the house." She reminds him.
The two look at Wally expecting him to try and get his foot out of his mouth. "Uh." He half laughs. "Not that all aliens are automatically ugly."
Outside of the Fortress of Solitude, promptly labeled with an S on the door, the Arctic Wind howls as the alien ship sits idle.
Artemis, in winter gear, moves through the ice formations to an opening that lets her see the side of the ship.
Miss Martian is camouflaged as she flies up to the ship. Her eyes glow green for a moment before she uses her Telekinesis to rip the end of one of the wings. "Communications disabled." She informs before it falls to the icy ground. "Propulsion disabled."
~
A/N
Heh, no DCU it's not Artemis.
~
Artemis comes away from her hiding spot and fires an arrow at the center red spot on the ship's front, that expands and then immediately hardens. Now the ship is firing around trying to find them. They get the area right and one shot lands rather uncomfortably close. "And ETs are sealed inside."
Aqualad has his vantage point under the ice, as he jumps through the ice with his WaterBearers ready the ship sinks a little. The laser turns to Aqualad immediately and there's nothing he can do other than brace for impact.
Wolf jumps in and knocks the shot off course and continues to hold onto it until Superboy is bracing it from on top of the ship. Keeping it from moving.
Wolf growls as he lands on the ice in front of the ship.
Kid Flash is a barely noticeable blur, apart from his ginger locks, and Robin jumps off his shoulders to land on the ship. Tapping away on his HoloGlove. "Identifying weapon's structural stress points and links to the ship." He stands from his crouch and points them out along the connection route. "Here, here and here."
Miss Martian delivers three quick telekinetic blasts right where he was pointing, Aqualad watches from the wing as Superboy yanks at the laser.
One of the refiners comes loose and both Wolf and Superboy can hear it whir to life, Superboy glances behind him but continues yanking on it. With a growl, Wolf jumps and pushes him out of the way. Superboy rolls through his lands, looking back at the now empty space.
Miss Martian gapes at the space. "Wolf." Is all she manages.
~
A/N
Again DCU you're wrong but thank you for making me laugh cuz you said 'Robin'.
~
Robin is tapping away on his Hologlove, checking every wavelength he can think of. "There was no indication of feedback." Slowly he turns his head over his shoulder to Superboy. "I'm sorry."
Superboy looks down for a moment, before saying. "Can't do anything for him now." And coming back to continue yanking the laser off. "Let's go." He grounds out before it comes loose.
Miss M watches it come loose with surprise, then calls the camouflaged BioShip to their location. Superboy hears it and jumps onto it before it stops. He swings the laser over, and Miss Martian places her hands on the ship, communicating with it, the hull of the ship moves in swirls to meet the new technology. "Rerouting systems to integrate weapon into ship's bio-matrix. We'll need to de-camouflage for a few minutes."
"We may not have a few minutes." Robin says as they watch two more ships fly over their now noticeable location, then loopback.
"Miss Martian, open fire." Aqualad commands, only sparing a quick look over his shoulder.
"Can't. Weapon systems are off-line to incorporate the new cannon. And that's not fully integrated yet either." She too keeps looking back at the now approaching ships.
"Gotcha covered. Get inside! I'm almost there." Artemis says, the only one not on the BioShip, with three arrows nocked onto her bow. She released them at the ships then turns around and runs towards the ship.
Both her arrows hit, one explodes in the air while the other crashes to the snow.
Despite the crash, the laser turns towards her and whirs to life.
Miss M turns away from the now integrated canon. "Artemis. Behind you!"
She turns, another arrow nocked, and pulling back on the drawstring. The laser hits before she even releases.
"Artemis!" Miss M screams.
Behind Miss Martian's back Kid and Aqualad drop off the BioShip.
"Artemis!" Kid yells while Aqualad looks murderous as he reaches for his WaterBearers.
"Get inside. All of you." He commands, running forward with his WaterBearers out and coming to a stop where the ice has been broken
~
A/N
I'm assuming that where Artemis was lasered, which yikes
~
And uses his magic to create a torrent of water that rips apart the ice. Bringing the ship up nearly thirty feet into the air, where it's instinctive shot has no effect until he brings both his Bearers in front of him and the water turns into giant icicles that go straight through the ship and blow it up before gravity can even start to affect it.
"They're dead. Every single alien. If it's the last thing I do." Kid growls out.
M'gann fights back tears as she pilots the BioShip, but her breaths show just how much she's holding back from sobbing.
Kid loses his temper and takes it out on the console in front of him.
Kaldur turns towards both of them as he stands. "There will be time to mourn later. Now we have a job to do. Defend the Earth and ensure Artemis' sacrifice was not in vain."
M'gann has dried her tears. "Back to the Cave?" she asks.
"The Hall of Justice." Kaldur corrects. "The human race must know that there are still heroes defending them. There is still hope."
An American flag still waves in the wind in front of Capitol Hill, and a commanding officer looks through binoculars. "Now! Open fire."
Tanks and soldiers open fire at the Alien Ships, but they dodge out of the way almost effortlessly. Then use lasers on the ends of one of their wings to destroy the tanks.
The soldiers have to scatter as the large weaponry explodes.
A camouflaged BioShip drops in behind three of them, laser out, before the bottom opens and Superboy drops into one of the ships. Landing on the weapon first, then the top of the ship. Taking it out of the air with only a few punches.
The BioShip opens fire on the other two, taking them out.
The ship that Superboy is taking down skids to a halt mere yards in front of the military officer and his forces.
He jumps off the ship, hitting the iconic pose for barely a moment before landing in a crouch before the soldiers. As he rises the BioShip comes to a halt and de-camouflages, opening the rear hatch, where the Team waits for the ramp to let them down to the ground.
The soldiers cheer.
"See? It is Superman. I told you he wouldn't leave us out here alone." One soldier says as he elbows his buddy.
"I don't know. He looks kind of young." The other remarks. "Where's the cape?"
Conner turns quickly. "I'm not Superman." He says strongly.
"I don't know who you are, son." The general steps up. "And right now, I don't care. You wear the S, and you got the job done."
He looks down. "I'm not Superman."
"Tell that to the enemy." he turns to Aqualad and salutes. "General Wade Eiling, U.S. Air Force."
"Aqualad, Justice League. We'll help you salvage as many of the aliens' cannons as possible. Then we start taking back what is ours."
The Army forces wait outside the Hall of Justice.
Inside Conner looks up amongst the rubble at the mostly intact statue of Superman.
"They're really gone." Robin mumbles barely turning to Kaldur.
Conner watches as M'gann floats by him and eventually stops before the fallen top of her Uncle's statue. Sobbing.
Suddenly her eyes snap open and she backs away from the statue, lifting it. Revealing Martian Manhunter beneath the rubble. "Uncle J'onn!" She cheers, then tosses the top quarter of the statue away.
She goes back towards him but Kaldur gets in her way. "M'gann, check his mind. Make sure he is whom he appears to be."
"It's him. He's real. And he's alive." M'gann assures.
"But we saw you get disintegrated." Conner contradicts and accuses. "You and Superman. And everyone."
M'gann helps her uncle to his feet. "Yes, I remember. But… I cannot remember how I survived… or how I arrived here."
"Maybe you were density-shifting and the beam passed right through you." M'gann offers.
"Scrambling your brains along the way." Robin pipes up.
"My mind is clouded. I feel certain I had something important to tell you." Manhunter admits.
Wally smiles. "Hello, Wally." He even hits his head like M'gann does. "Come on."
Robin turns toward him, an eyebrow arched.
The two stand atop a Jeep, while Robin has his HoloGlove turned on as they look at the acquired weapon.
~
A/N
Don't tell me it's not a Jeep I know it's not I just forgot what it's actually called.
~
"I knew it! Look." He points out one reading on Robin's Holo. "It's giving off Zanopenes. The same stuff that powers our Zeta- Tubes." he lifts his goggles as he smiles brightly. "This thing doesn't disintegrate, it-it teleports." He tugs on Robin's arm. "Artemis is alive!"
"Maybe, but-" Robin frowns as he continues to look it over.
"No maybes. They're all alive."
"That must have been what you wanted to tell us." M'gann says brightly.
~
A/N
Poor Army men, you must be so lost.
~
Manhunter brings his hand to his face again, Kaldur and Conner look on in worry.
More ships come their way, firing at Kid and Robin.
"We're on our way." Aqualad says
"Negative. We can't win this. Miss Martian, camo the Bio Ship and-"
The warning comes too late and the BioShip disappears, knocking both Miss Martian and Manhunter off their feet with a grunt of pain.
"M'gann." Conner says worriedly before he goes to her and Aqualad goes to Manhunter.
"That didn't feel like-" She starts with silent tears streaming from her eyes, Conner has murder in his eyes.
"We're falling back." Robin says through the link.
Eiling leads the way back into the Hall. "We're trapped."
Aqualad opens the doors. "Maybe not."
The soldiers fill the room.
"We can all Zeta to the Cave. If you can grant us computer clearance to access the Tubes." Aqualad says to Manhunter.
"I can only authorize one at a time." Manhunter informs.
"Send the soldiers first." Aqualad decides.
"Belay that. You six are assets we cannot afford to lose." Eiling snaps.
Manhunter turns to Aqualad who looks back at him and nods.
"Override: Martian Manhunter, zero-seven." he tells the computer.
Recognized: Access granted:
The Zeta Tube starts up
Miss Martian, B-zero-five
Robin, B-zero-one
Kid Flash, B-zero-three
The door explodes behind them, the debris catches one soldier by the shin. Superboy is the first to move to help him, Kid goes to assist, but Aqualad pushes him through the Tube.
Soldiers are being lasered left and right as Superboy makes his way to help the trapped man. He props up the debris trapping him and a laser takes out a perfect circle from the front of it.
He has him against his side as Eiling takes out his gun.
"He goes next." Superboy growls.
"Fine. Then you." Aqualad complies.
Private Jason Bard, U.S.M.C. A,-zero-four
Can you make it?" he asks over the computer.
The man nods and stands as Superboy lets go. "Sure, Superman."
"I'm not…" He tries, but the Private is already through.
Superboy, B-zero-four
He looks back over his shoulder before jumping through.
The shots keep coming and taking out more soldiers.
"They need you more than me." Kaldur says as he helps Manhunter to the Zeta. "Go!" Then pushes him in.
A ship, now inside the Hall takes it's shot at him.
Robin stands beside KF and looks at Superboy and Miss M. "Our mission is clear. If we believe the aliens have been teleporting victims-"
Kid cuts him off. "We do."
"Then the only reasonable detention facility is here." He uses his HoloGlove to get the image up in the Mountain. "Their mothership. Atop what used to be Smallville." He turns to Manhunter. "Ring any bells?"
Manhunter stands and shakes his head. "No. I'm sorry."
"Superboy, you'll create a distraction." Robin says.
"No!" Miss Martian nearly screams then turns to Superboy. "He's offering you as a sacrifice. Aqualad would never do that."
"You're right." Robin says calmly. "Aqualad would sacrifice himself, a mistake that just cost us our leader. Superboy is the most likely to be perceived as a threat, motivating the aliens to deploy." He says strongly.
"Worst case, he's teleported inside, and we set him free along with Artemis. And, uh, Aqualad and everyone." Kid states.
Conner turns to her. "It's okay, M'gann. It's what Superman would do."
She looks conflicted but says nothing.
Ships fly over a burning Gotham Academy, but underground everyone is protected.
Students are all on their phones, and M'gann's voice comes through the speakers. "And though we know all seems lost…" Conner stands beside her. "The one thing the aliens cannot destroy is hope."
"Hope survives because the battle is not over. Not as long as even one of us is willing to fight."
Wally steps into frame. "It doesn't matter how many fall for new heroes will always rise to carry on bringing all their resources, their skills, their talents to bear, to defeat the enemy."
Proving his point, Red Arrow, Zatanna, and Rocket all prepare as he speaks. Roy looks over as the Zeta Tube turns on, revealing Garth and Tula. Superboy hands Robin a belt full of charges that he clips over the other on his chest.
He steps up beside Kid as he starts talking. "The people of Earth will survive this. We will rebuild, and we will thrive. Never doubt and never forget. The Earth will never surrender.
Everyone cheers, but the loudest is a blonde girl, beside a familiar ginger girl, and an older man in a suit shouting. "Huzzah! Huzzah!"
Robin stands on a bare spot a fair bit from the mothership, looking through binoculars as Miss Martian approaches him. "Stay close to J'onn. He's still…" If his hand makes a movement it's not visible in the dark with a black glove, but the message is clear.
And M'gann doesn't like it, but nods.
"First team, deploy." He commands, both M'gann and J'ohnn take off, she pulls up her hood and as her uncle flies in front of her, takes his hand. The two camouflage as they approach the ship, then stop just shy of the hull, before J'ohnn passes through and pulls M'gann after him.
M'gann groans as she passes through the hull, but stands straight quickly. "Ready and in position." M"gann tells Robin. "Be careful, Conner. I love you."
Conner gives a small smile before turning to Robin who gives a small nod. He jumps from their spot and lands on the ship, crashing into the walls. He goes for the first gun he can and yanks at it.
"Careful. Don't disconnect the power source." Robin reminds.
Conner sticks his hand in and finds the trigger. "All right, you glorified trespassers! You wanna see how a real alien fights?" Then starts shooting at the other guns near him. The doors below him open and the ships start to fly out in droves.
"Now or never." He tells them.
Robin is already on Kid's back and the ginger kicks up the Speed before they make the jump from the cliff-edge to one of the open doors.
The two roll through their landing, separating with ease and make their way through the emptying hangar. Dodging two ships leaving. "Way is clear. Go!" Robin commands as he pokes his head back out then he and Kid head towards a pillar in the middle of the hangar. Watching a patrol bot lazily go by.
They both watch it, Wally lifts his goggles, but another drone comes behind their turned backs.
The impact of a solid crate against it catches their attention. Watching as two obscured shapes land.
Robin waves the two of them on, and all four take off.
Conner huffs out a breath as he takes out two more ships. Then the ships start firing back at him. One-shot creates an explosion that knocks him back and springs through a backhandspring only to have a ship hit him in the back.
Inside M'gann de-camouflages as she loses her balance, with a groan she leans against her Uncle. "No. He's gone."
She falls to her knees, crying, and Wally approaches her easily. "It's all right. We'll find him with Artemis. I know it."
"No." Manhunter interjects. "My mind is clearer now. The disintegration beam is exactly that. There is no detention facility, no prisoners to rescue. Our mission holds no purpose."
Wally grabs Manhunter by the front of his cape. "No! You're wrong. The Zeta Radiation proves she's alive. She's-!"
Robin grabs him by the shoulder, turning the ginger to face him, holding him still with his hands on both his shoulders. "Stop it, KF. I've been scanning for League and Team signals since we got inside. They're not here. Artemis is gone." Wally opens his mouth to try and say something, but he grits his teeth and looks away. "But our mission still holds purpose. To destroy this mothership."
M'gann works her way to her feet and J'ohnn helps her up and she watches solemnly as Robin walks away J'ohnn following. She places a hand on Wally's shoulder before following them too.
Wally growls a little before breaking into a light jog.
They open a door to a room stained with red light, the source a gigantic orange sphere, with a metallic partial shell around it. Two drones are on their side of the sphere.
Robin looks at his HoloGlove. "This is the power core. Blow this and the whole mothership blows."
They all take off to one of the platforms at the same time. Robin lands first and closest to the edge, his eyes go wide for a moment, feeling the change in gravity that tugs at his cape and his whole body towards the sphere.
Wally drops closer to him, while the Martians stay in the air behind him, rushing to grab his hand as Robin falls to the floor and they both get pulled towards the sphere.
He looks around and eyes the metal shell, when they get inside it he fires his grapple and two hang from it.
A drone approaches the tether, clicking.
M'gann hits it first, then her uncle knocks it completely away. The two of them landing on the surface, and gravity shifts again. M'gann's eyes glow as she disconnects Robin's tether and brings him and Wally to the glowing orange surface slowly.
When they land Robin starts taking off the extra straps on his chest.
"You knew." Wally realizes. "You knew from the beginning why we were really here."
Robin types away on his Holo before looking down at the charges. "Four minutes. Let's go."
The hangar doors slide closed before Wally can even reach them.
"Perfect." He gripes, but hearing a clicking sound he turns around. "Huh?"
There are five or six drones approaching them, one fires a laser before the rest join in.
The four of them split into pairs to avoid the disintegration beams.
Robin looks down at his Glove, but doesn't engage the Holo. "Sixteen seconds and counting. Manhunter, take Miss Martian and go."
"No. We won't leave you." M'gann objects.
"That's an order. We'll follow as soon as we blow those doors." Robin tells her, and Manhunter phases them out of the hangar.
The time ticks down from 10 before Robin looks back at Wally who nods then pulls down his goggles. Robin pulls out several birdarangs and the two leave their spot of cover, charging forward.
The ship explodes in three small explosions, right, left, and center before the whole thing goes up.
Manhunter and M'gann phase out of the ground and look at the firey plume.
"Don't… Don't tell me the mission was a success. The price was too high." She begs, then closes her eyes for a moment.
She opens them just as a shadow blocks the light. A second ship descends.
M'gann stumbles forward, begging. "No, no, no. We have to get out of here now."
J'ohnn looks at the destruction. "No. We have to end this now." He says with such force it's nearly a snarl and slams his hand through M'gann chest.
She cries silently, whether it is because of the betrayal, the pain, or the shock is moot.
Mount Justy, October 16th, 16:21 EDT
Her hair is once again pulled back by her headband and the top corner of her collar of her school outfit is just barely visible as her eyes snap open and she gasps for air.
She slowly sits up, Captain Marvel slowly helps Wally up behind her, while Red Tornado helps Artemis. She gasps in relief as she sees Conner sitting up, Wolf's giant head in his lap. While Kaldur slowly pushes himself up by his elbow. "You're all alive!" She realizes relieved.
Robin sweats as he pushes himself to sitting, looking around.
"What happened in there?" Batman asks of Manhunter.
"The exercise, it all went wrong." Manhunter says.
"Exercise?" Robin's voice cracks as he heaves in his breaths.
~
A/N
I'm gonna try something for the explanation if you think it sucks please tell me.
~
"Try to remember." Batman insists.
"What you experienced was a training exercise."
The Team was relaxing on the same beds they were all sitting on now. Wally and Kaldur already laying back, Superboy propped up on one elbow as he petted Wolf. M'gann relaxing her hands under her head, Artemis was on her side, her right arm under her head. Robin was propped up on an elbow, looking to his mentor while Captain Marvel stood nearby and Red Tornado was working on a HoloScreen.
"Manhunter psychically linked the six of you within an artificial reality."
Manhunter stood in the middle of the circle his hands reached out and his eyes closed in concentration all of them were lying down seemingly asleep.
"You all knew this going in. What you didn't know was that it was a train-for-failure exercise."
The Team stood ready at in a space void that seemed to be among the clouds. Their clothes shifted into their costumes and they now stood in Mount Justice.
"No matter what the Team accomplished, the scenario was designed to grow worse. Still, you were aware nothing was real, including the deaths of the entire Justice League."
The scene of the Lanterns' deaths plays out again.
"That is why you hardly grieved." Manhunter picks up. "Even when Wolf was disintegrated before your eyes."
Conner continues scratching at one of Wolf's ears.
"But all that changed when Artemis died." Wally looks to the still silent Artemis as she looks at her hands in her lap.
Artemis is in her tundra gear and the last moments before her. "Death" Play again.
"Though consciously Miss Martian knew it was not real her subconscious mind could not make that distinction. She forgot it was only an exercise."
M'gann screams signify exactly when everything went off the rails. "Artemis!"
"And her subconscious took control, making all of you forget too." The whole Team turns to a distraught M'gann.
"Uh, I'm… I'm so sorry." She tried looking between both her teammates and her mentors.
"This isn't her fault! Why didn't you stop the exercise?" Conner demands.
"We tried." Manhunter says strongly. "But M'gann had a death grip on the scenario."
Manhunter's hands fall back to his sides as M'gann is suddenly floating in the air, but still unconscious.
Even Artemis, who should have awakened upon her death was so convinced she had passed, she slipped into a coma.
Manhunter looks between the teens and seeing that Artemis was still unconscious turns to M'gann, who was now lying down again.
"I realized I would have to wrestle control from Miss Martian's subconscious from within."
He reaches out and puts his hands on her temples.
"But upon entering the reality I was overwhelmed by your collective emotion. There was too much noise to think clearly to remember why I was there."
M'gann's elation and Kaldur's hesitance are magnified as M'gann finds him under the rubble.
"The deaths of Aqualad and Superboy helped."
Both the scenes play in horrifying detail.
"But only when the mothership exploded, and Robin and Kid Flash were silenced did my mind clear enough to remember my true purpose."
The explosions remain but M'gann mourning is glossed over as looks back at him.
"To shock M'gann out of the exercise before your comas became permanent."
Finally, he punches M'gann's chest in and her eyes snap open again.
"My apologies. I had no idea a training exercise could be so dangerous… so damaging." He says to the Dark Knight.
M'gann is turned away from her teammates, a hand covering her face. Captain Marvel approaches her, Conner close behind.
He turns to leave and nearly collapses, leaving Tornado and the Bat to support him.
"As bad as all that?" Batman asks lowly.
"Perhaps worse." Manhunter admit.
Red Tornado makes an easy observation. "Yet this is not what troubles you."
Batman helps the Manhunter stand again. "Make no mistake. My niece is untrained and cannot be held responsible for this… for our debacle."
"No one blames her." Batman states. "But clearly we underestimated her abilities."
"You under state it." He presses. "In terms of raw power. She has the strongest telepathic mind I have ever encountered." She sobs in Captain Marvel's arms, while Conner can only stand by. He looks over his shoulder at the other two Leaguers. "Stronger by far than mine."