Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Bits o' Legionnaire Business Legion Worlds Eight (end 19 Dec 22)

Phantom Girl - Team Leader, Tinya Wazzo of Bgtzl Dimension - intangibility
MWindaji - Gahaji of Kiringyaga - super tracker, carries the Ruby of Life allowing tactile transformative magic
Spoiler ii - Gord Eno of Naltor - precognition, specialising in short range visions for combat situations

Newly promoted from Academy student to full membership (Mentor in brackets):

Strobe - Denal Lort of Dryad - assume electro-magnetic energy form (Chameleon Boy)


Titania's powerful hand reached out and lifted Strobe up easily from the floor by the front of his uniform as she smiled ominously. There was a moment of utter terror as the new Legionnaire struggled to push himself free.

At that moment a loud boom and flash of light momentarily distracted them.

"Hands off..." Phantom Girl's voice was weak and ragged, but she had enough strength left to swing her hand around to slap an incapacity cuff on Titania's shin, before the team leader rather unceremoniously vomited down the assassin's legs. Titania let go of Strobe who immediately transformed into microwave energy and blasted the assassin in the chest, sending her spinning to the floor, where she remained as the cuff pumped her full of anaesthetics.

Denal quickly called for support across the telepathic matrix as he resumed his corporeal form next to the obviously struggling Tinya. He had received basic first aid training and a standard kit in a pouch on his belt but knew that there was nothing that could help there as the team leader dripped with sweat and appeared to have barely enough strength to crawl to her knees.

Spoiler flew across to the fallen team leader with M'Windaji just behind.

"Thank you guys... Tinya's real sick and I don't know what to do." Denal sounded his age as he spoke, a teenager expressing his worries. For all of his immense abilities it was clear the young man from Dryad was not used to dealing with people who were this ill. Phantom Girl had curled into a foetal position and was rocking back and forward, muttering incoherently.

"I'll try." M'Windaji touched the Stone of Life on the team leaders cheek. The Stone glowed a warm pink that slowly spread across Tinya's body.

"Ahh... You okay there by yourself there buddy?" Spoiler said, "we need to go help the others..." Gahaji looked up and could see what Gord was referring to.

The Shadowmancer had dropped the magic barrier and was making his way towards their teammates. M'Windaji had fought against the dark mage before and was shocked to see that this time the Shadowmancer was at least thirty feet tall with a glowing spear in its hands that flickered ominously with eldritch energy.

Hey guys, thanks for your kind words above. Apologies for the delay getting these posts to you but things have been crazy busy - no rest for the wicked, eh?

Anyway, next Thursdsy i definitely have some time so GL I'll catch up on your fic (don't think I'm behind on any other... let me know if I am).

Next time, Mon El to the rescue... or perhaps not.

Thanks again,

C

More great stuff, Harbi!

I think we will see those Khundian twins again eh?

Love the differing motivations - Slasher wants to be an assassin, while Mekt is driven by hatred of Garth and Imra.

I'm loving Thunder, so wise and crafty. Ah, the old "using the magical lightning as a weapon!" trick!

Nice take-down of Mekt! teamwork wins!

Looking forward to what comes next!

(and don't worry, I think you're all caught up on my and Omni;s fic - though Gaseous Lad has had some new stuff too!)

Ok, whew! Finally read through the entries from September through today - I had been avoiding so as to not get distracted from my own stuff, so now I'm finally catching up!

I have some notes that I took as I went along for the big bits that stood out to me:

pH Zero is a great character. Excellent job with his speech cadence and style. Maybe it's because I'm a parent, but I'm finding myself very focused on Imra's story and the hunt for Garridan, as well as what the heck Mekt is up to.

I LOVE the idea of a character named Tesseract with those multidimensional powers.

Wow! Xao to the rescue? The bits with him are really intense and well paced. I really like seeing him in a heroic mode.

Southern Lights - He's from Starhaven so I'm automatically a fan.

The big fight - I am a big fan of the uncertainty of what exactly the Legionnaires are experiencing due to the illusions. The Shadowmancer is pretty badass.

Poor Strobe! It sucks being in a situation where you freeze. Glad he's able to snap himself out of his funk.

Ah, the Plague Doctor. Very creepy visual image indeed. I love it. It makes sense that Drura isn't the only one to go offworld, and to have a "negative" version of her is great.

I'm really curious about where you're going with the Khund twins.

I'm glad that Szenlong has survived all this craziness. The dragon's journey has been interesting to read.

Nice cliffhanger with Tinya being out of action and the Shadowmancer advancing. He's collected a nice little legion of his own, hasn't he?

This is great stuff! I'm enjoying this a lot, Harbi!

Thunder was the MVP this time around, I really like the magic thunder trick!

I liked Rokk's reaction to Szenlong as well, and Ayla not having any of her brother's guff!

Those Khund twins are cool, it'll be fun seeing how they pop up again!

Second Base:

Mon El - Senior Team member, Lar Gand of Daxam - incredible strength, speed, stamina, senses, laser vision, space flight, invulnerability
Glorith of Zerox - manipulation of magical energies
Lexikon - Princess Daheenisha of Tamaran iv - enhanced speed, strength, durability, flight, omni-linguist
Babbage- I-45ENG/Nth Series, of the Robotica Confederated Worlds - strength, durability, internalised weapons, hyper awareness and analytical skills.

Newly promoted from Academy student to full membership:
Non - negative energy being - spaceflight, speed, alter own dimensions and density, explosive touch, limited telepath

Science Police meta-squad seconded to Legion World Second Base:
Magno - Science Police Officer Dyrk Magz of Braal - manipulation of magnetic fields


Mon El took several deep breaths.

His team would be the last to be warped into the Shadowmancer's base and he wondered if there would be much for them to do. Thunder and Phantom Girl were both very competent so it was likely that their teams would quickly deal with any issues they found. Still, he thought to himsilf, anything could happen in the thirty seconds or so between the first team being warped across and his team joining them.

Glorith had wrapped a hair around fingers of each of the team, assuring them that this would help protect them against any direct magical assault. Her facial markings glowed ominously as she waited for their warp to take them to the Shadowmancer. Mon El remembered how she had reacted the last time the team had met the dark mage - she had been particularly upset, calling it an abomination. There was obviously something about the Shadowmancer that triggered the usually meek sorceress, but right now Lar Gand's thoughts were on centring himself before the confrontation and clearing his mind of any extraneous thoughts so he could react with maximum efficiency.
Magno had been tasked with helping Cosmic Boy release any prisoners they found, alongside Non. The young SP had tried to hide his disappointment though nodded when Mon El gave him the order. Mon El and Glorith led the team through the warp, with Babbage and Lexikon close behind. Magno was behind them with Non to his left. The warp was nowhere near as comfortable as Henry's though none of the team complained as they stepped into it... They could sense the cavern ahead of them and heard a loud boom as the warp started to open.

As the veils thinned between the reality within the warp's structure and the place where they wanted to be the team were aware that the Shadowmancer was in a cavern and their teammates were struggling to blast it due to a magical barrier. As they watched the Shadowmancer dropped its protective screen and appeared to grow to colossal proportions, the glowing spear in its hands grew with it, before the dark mage advanced on their teammates.

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


Mon El - Senior Team member, Lar Gand of Daxam - incredible strength, speed, stamina, senses, laser vision, space flight, invulnerability
Glorith of Zerox - manipulation of magical energies


As had been agreed before they left, Mon El sped the young sorceress across the warp's event horizon into the cavern.

As the entered the cavern Mon El quickly scanned their surroundings. The cavern was easily half a klick wide and at least the same deep, with a ceiling over hundred feet up from the floor. there were sections that appeared to be sleeping quarters, a large table that could sit thirty, and a large empty expanse of floor. At the far side from the warp was a throne carved into rock and sixty or so cages hanging from above.

Mon El knew what that meant - the dark mage had been feeding again! And not thirty metres away, the Shadowmancer was stood, an enormous blot of darkness that appeared to lurch towards the Legionnaires that had preceded this team.

After dropping Glorith onto the floor close to their fellow Legionnaires, Mon El accelerated and delivered a massive punch to the underside of the dark mages chin. While the Shadowmancer paused and shook its head in reaction to this mighty blow, Lar Gand flew around it releasing blasts of heat vision towards his opponent. Electric arcs crashed against the dark mage alongside plasma blasts as Lightning Lass and Solar Gorilla continued their assault. The Daxamite had fought the Shadowmancer before and knew how deadly the dark mage could be so was not planning to wait and show any clemency. The Daxamite flew in to land another crushing blow but instead of toppling the dark mage as hoped the Shadowmancer lifted the staff in its hand and swatted the Legionnaire right across the cavern with shocking ease.

Mon El crashed into the far wall and slumped unconscious onto the floor.

Glorith cursed uncharacteristically as she drew in mystical manna from the surrounding space to fuel her magics. She knew that while the Shadowmancer held onto the Staff of Light they would be hard pressed to defeat it - the staff held the souls and vitality of the warrior sorcerers that had guarded the ancient artifact throughout the ages.

The young sorceress concentrated on creating a shield that protected herself and her teammates from the eldritch bolts of dark magic that the Shadowmancer was throwing towards them. At the same time it was vital that she summon the correct enchantment to separate the cursed shade from this realm.

The young sorceress knew she would need every ounce of her strength if they were to stand a chance of succeeding.

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


Lexikon - Princess Daheenisha of Tamaran iv - enhanced speed, strength, durability, flight, omni-linguist
Babbage- I-45ENG/Nth Series, of the Robotica Confederated Worlds - strength, durability, internalised weapons, hyper awareness and analytical skills.


Lexikon took a deep breath as she followed Mon El through the lip of the Gil-Dishpan warp, readying herself for any confrontation they might need to face.

Ahead of her, Mon El flew at great speed and was already confronting a giant that appeared to be made from a twisting bruise of non-colour. The cavern walls flashed with light as the Legionnaires already on site struck out with their abilities as well but the hideous giant was advancing on them, for all their show of power. She could see Polar Girl creating a field of ice underneath the dark mage in a desperate attempt to cause it to fall but its every step melted through this trap. Kid Quantum was also clearly in some difficulty, straining as she projected a huge stasis bubble to trap the Shadowmancer.

Still, the dark mage advanced on the Legionnaires.

Lexikon momentarily wondered if perhaps Kid Quantum's abilities were working perfectly and the reason that the dark mage was advancing at a walking pace was because of the stasis bubble - which led to the worrying consideration that if, for whatever reason, Jazmin were to falter then the evil sorcerer would be on top of them in a split second.

Princess Daheenisha watched in shock as Mon El was flung across the cavern and knew immediately that she would not be able to physically cause the dreaded sorcerer any real harm, let alone stop him. The Tamaranean was clever enough to realise that if she couldn't physically stop their opponent herself then she needed to find a weapon that could. She glanced around and saw Titania unconscious not far from her colleagues and a little further the Silver Slasher lay sprawled out as well. Lexikon smiled as she swooped across to pick up the two villains.

Flying at rocket speed towards the dark mage the Tamaranean hurled the two assassins at the back to the Shadowmancer's knees in the hope that the force of the blows would be enough to knock it off balance. Titania and Slasher bounced off and fell to the floor with a crunch. The Shadowmancer appeared not to have noticed.

Babbage had analysed the threat they were facing and immediately computed that the Legion would be unable to physically defeat their opponent using their current tactics. That wasn't to say the dark mage couldn't be distracted by physical attacks which could then be used to buy them enough time to formulate a winning plan.

A small compartment on Babage's forearm opened and a dozen mini-missiles flashed out. Half flew into the ground at the dark mage's feet while the others crashed into the ceiling directly above it. The explosions were synchronized perfectly. As the Robotican had calculated large rocks fell down from the crumbling ceiling onto the advancing dark mage as the ground beneath its feet tore open.

The dark mage shrugged and continued towards the Legionnaires.

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


Phantom Girl - Team Leader, Tinya Wazzo of Bgtzl Dimension - intangibility
MWindaji - Gahaji of Kiringyaga - super tracker, carries the Ruby of Life allowing tactile transformative magic
Spoiler ii - Gord Eno of Naltor - precognition, specialising in short range visions for combat situations


Phantom Girl lay curled on the floor fifty metres away from the battle her team were having with the dark mage.

The team leader was still very pale, though the Ruby of Life in M'Windaji's hands had restored enough of her health so at least she no longer coughed or sweated uncontrollably, and had thankfully stopped vomiting. She had regained consciousness yet still looked very weak.

Their new teammate Strobe had just vanished in a flash of light as he flew off to join in the battle against the dark mage.

Spoiler turned to M'windaji, "You need to go help Glorith. I'll look after Tinya, get her to Southern Lights over there." The Naltoran pointed to the winged mystic, his face made it clear that he had foreseen this event.

"You sure man?" Gahaji asked as he started to stand up.

"Tinya's on the mend, so, yeah, I got this... go. Good luck!"

M'Windaji let go of Phantom Girl, who gave him a nod in acknowledgement of how much he had just helped her, and the tracker took to the air and flew across to Glorith. Spoiler smiled as he offered the team leader his hand.

"Ah'm.... still weak. That Plague Doctor did a number..." She took the offered hand and started to stand up.

"You'll be fine, we just need to get you across to Southern Lights." Gord Eno said.

"Can I help?" Chameleon Boy flew across to them, "I can't do much in that fight..." he indicated the battle between the Shadowmancer and their energy blasting teammates, "so thought I'd help Rokk get those captives free." The Durlan smiled as he extended an arm that changed into something like a padded sling. The Durlan gently picked up Phantom Girl and the three Legionnaires flew across the two hundred or so metres towards their colleagues busy releasing captives from cages.

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


Saturn Girl - Founder and former member, Imra Ardeen of Titan, alpha-level telepathy
Lightning Lad - Founder and former member, Garth Ranzz of Winath - electrical generation and manipulation


As Imra regained consciousness Garth breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

"Hey, you okay honey?" Lightning Lad asked his wife as he took her hand to help her stand up. Imra ran her hands through her hair and looked around.

"Ohh... ah yes," she looked around and said, "Right... let's do this and get Garridan home. You help the team, I'll go get our boy, okay?"

"Yup... be careful, love you." Garth replied as he took to the air and scanned the cavern around them. The scene before him was chaos!

"You too." Saturn Girl said as she quickly scanned the immense space before them. She could feel Rokk straining to release the captives as quickly as possible. The team had arranged that once the prisoners were all freed they would call on the Gil'Dishpan to open another warp to take them to First Base. Dr Shakespeare and a team of medics would be on hand to receive them.

The Shadowmancer was striding towards the rest of the team and as much as they blasted at it, the dark lord didn't seem to be slowing down. The cavern ceiling exploded but even the falling rocks didn't appear to bother it as the dark mage shrugged them off.

When he was a teenager and in his early twenties Garth had loved the thrill of a good battle, the rush of adrenaline and the sure knowledge that his actions could be all that was between success and a potential catastrophic outcome. Now he was in his mid-thirties with children and a thriving business to run he knew that he no longer wanted that lifestyle. Playing with the kids was excitement enough for him...

As he flew towards Ayla, in amongst the flashes of energy, Garth spotted Mekt!

The elder Ranzz sibling was crumpled in a heap on the floor close to the Shadowmancer's feet, clearly unconscious. Without a second thought Garth swooped down and grabbed his fallen brother, dragging him to the side of the cavern and relative safety.

"Oh Mekt, what are we going to do with you?" Garth mused to himself as he checked on his older brother's pulse and breathing. The incapacity cuff was still on Mekt's arm where Ayla had put it; even though he had never used one before Garth knew to leave the cuff alone. So long as Mekt was asleep he couldn't hurt anyone else... Shaking his head, Garth turned back to the battle and took a deep breath before flying to join his sister and former colleagues as they tried to halt the Shadowmancer.

Saturn Girl had avoided the battle and flew a circular route towards the hanging cages on the other side of the cavern. En Route he saw Chameleon Boy as he helped Phantom Girl and the new Naltoran teammate Spoiler move towards the small team that were rescuing those that had been trapped in the cages. Imra understood perfectly why Reep would leave the fight to come across here: He would want to prioritise helping the dark mages victims. Reep Daggle had an almost pathological need to help those in poor circumstances which stemmed from his unmet desire to better the lives of his people left behind on the radioactive hell of Durla - it was something that had shone out of him when they had first met all those years ago and that urge was still strong.

Saturn Girl chased after them as they flew across the floor towards the lowered cages where they could see the winged mystic Southern Lights alongside Dragonmage helping the varied group of victims that had just been released.

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


Dragonmage - Xao Jin of Earth - dragon magics
Southern Lights of Starhaven - spaceflight, magic user
Cosmic Boy - Founder and Headmaster at Home Base Academy, Rokk Krinn of Braal - manipulation of magnetic fields

Science Police meta-squad seconded to Legion World Second Base:
Magno - Science Police Officer Dyrk Magz of Braal - manipulation of magnetic fields

Newly promoted from Academy student to full membership:
Non - negative energy being - spaceflight, speed, alter own dimensions and density, explosive touch, limited telepathy


Magno and Non had flown across the cavern towards the hanging cages where they knew their colleagues were busy trying to release the prisoners and find the missing Garridan Ranzz.

Ahead of them they could see Cosmic Boy lowering the cages one by one down to the ground where the mystics were freeing the Shadowmancer's victims and offering aid. Behind them Magno could here a loud crunch which he knew, more through feeling than fact, was not good news for the team. It had sounded like someone had been slammed into the cavern's walls...

"Krinn, we're here to help!" Officer Magz shouted as they got close.

"Great, if Non can snap the chains we'll be able to lower these things much quicker... you up for it Non?" While the current headmaster of the Legion Academy asked, the negative energy being that had been his student until very recently flew at a line of six chains exploding them as its negative energy phased through them.

"Whoah there!" Rokk Krinn yelled as he magnetically took hold of the the half dozen cages that were now falling towards the cavern floor a full dozen metres below.

"If you hold 'em, I'll bust the captives out as they go down for the guys to help." Dyrk Magz offered.

"Good plan, thanks." Rokk nodded as he magnetically held onto the base of the cages that Non had just exploded free from their chains. Dyrk magnetically peeled the cages apart so by the time they had been gently placed onto the cavern's floor, those that had been trapped inside could easily walk out of them.

As the two magnokentics and the negative energy being worked together on the cages, Phantom Girl and the three other Legionnaires arrived. Saturn Girl and Chameleon Boy had years of experience and quickly helped the freed captives without needing to ask either of the mystics what was needed. As several of the released captives couldn't understand or speak Interlac Saturn Girl's telepathy helped ease the communication barrier.

Southern Lights turned to Dragonmage.

"Xao, our team needs magical support against that monster. We both know my skills are best suited here, while your... patron is better suited to deal with the dark one." There was a glint in the winged mystic's eyes that told Xao that his teammate from Starhaven knew about the Eternal Jade Dragon that infused the young sorcerer's frame.

"Yes.... yes, you are right my friend." Xao bowed his head solemnly and muttered an enchantment. The dragon forms he had created and released to protect them while they supported the freed captives all flew back towards him. As they reached him, Dragonmage began to glow and shimmer until the crystal green form of the Eternal Jade Dragon unwound itself from the space where Xao Jin had been standing. Szenlong chirped happily and flew to the side of the much larger dragon.

The Eternal Jade Dragon nodded once towards Southern Lights before turning to fly across the cavern directly at the Shadowmancer.

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


Glorith of Zerox - manipulation of magical energies
MWindaji - Gahaji of Kiringyaga - super tracker, carries the Ruby of Life allowing tactile transformative magic


The Eternal Jade Dragon roared its challenge.

Its voice was as much psychic as physical and every Legionnaire flinched at the noise.

The Shadowmancer stopped in its tracks and turned to face the flying serpent. In that second the dragon darted across the space between them, a pillar of white flames erupting from its mouth as it got close to the dark mage. The Spear of Right swung into the dragons path but as the point came close the great serpent spun out of its way and took to the air above, delivering another volley of its magical fires.

The dark mage reached out a hand and shadow-like tendril spun out from its fingertips to weave a web above it to catch the dragon. A small blue shape swam through the net and spun a sinuous dance in front of the Shadowmancers face spitting sparks of magic at it. Szenlong distracted the undead sorcerer while the Eternal Jade Dragon took the opportunity to tear the shadow net apart and resume its attack.

Not far away, M'windaji reached Glorith's side.

"The Ruby can shield you if you want to concentrate on blasting it." Gahaji said as he took hold of the sorceresses arm, holding up the enchanted jewel and concentrating on an impregnable barrier forming around them.

"Thank you." Glorith's voice was soft though her expression was one of intense concentration as she took several deep breaths. Her facial marking gave off a burning light as she released an incandescent bolt of magical energy that struck the Shadowmancer on the chest knocking it off balance. The dark mage was clearly shaken by the blast but straightened up and continued towards the Legionnaires.

Glorith drooped and took a deep breath.

"That spell... it should have been enough to release the shade from its dark path but now I fear that with the Spear of Light in its hand I will not be able to free the spirit from its curse. We won't be able to stop it!"

Hey Guys, thank you for your kind words above, they are appreciated.

Raz - I'll review you latest two posts on Thursday when I have a bit more time, though loving what I've read so far - Dragonwing doing a Wolverine at the Hellfire Club on Mordru is an inspired choice

Next up, everyone dies! No, actually that's a lie but I enjoyed typing it (It's been a mad week and it's only Tuesday). but seriously coming up soon: Gahaji has a plan, the Shadowmancer will have a very unexpected ending and then it's party time for our gang!

Thnks again,

C

awesome, more!

Mon-El's team definitely had a lot to do I like this idea of sending teams in waves, with each having a specific task - your Legion is very competent and tactical

Scary thought, that Kid Quantum is already slowing the bad guy down!

good try from Lexikon! nice bit here showing each Legionnaire doing their thing, you do it beautifully - even the sentences "in passing" add to the color of the scene.

Nice bit with Garth and Mekt, mist be tough dealing with such a brother...

Also great insight into Cham's motivations!

always a place for duplicate powers, nice teamwork there. will Cos tell Non to next time, wait a bit/do more slowly what he did re loosening so many cages at once?

I just realized how many magic users the team has here! great stuff, and I also like them acknowledging that each sorcerer has a different specialty

Way to up the ante, Harbi! really looking forward to the resolution!!! I'm sure you will come up with an excellent twist!

Yay, I have been looking forward to this! Some thoughts as I went along -

- the description of the Shadowmancer as "an enormous blot of darkness that appeared to lurch towards the Legionnaires" is very comic-booky, I can see it on the page in my mind's eye really clearly! Well done!

- Mon-El getting one-punched is scary on its own, but nothing says "we're screwed" like Glorith cussing lol

- oh, I like "twisting bruise of non-colour" and the description of the cavern walls flashing with the light of everyone's powers too...you're on fire with the visuals, Harbi!

- another scary idea which is well executed is the way Lexikon wonders if the Shadowmancer is so overpowered that Kid Q's stasis field is actually working the way it's meant to but still just barely slowing him down...I liked the way you showcased her and Babbage using their wits as soon as they realised they were outgunned as well.

- Garth and Imra's thought processes were very in character...Garth protecting Mekt before entering battle rings true as much as the way Ayla interacted with him earlier, and mentioning that Garth has never used the incapacity cuffs is nice shorthand to show he's retired now; and Imra's thoughts about Cham's motivations seem like the kind of unconscious behaviour analysis that would just come naturally to her.

All in all, a nice mix of different characters and a good fight! Can't wait to see how it all wraps up!

*PS not to derail the thread or anything but is exactly what I was going for in that scene, I'm glad you picked up on it hahahaha

Thunder - Deputy Leader, Cecelia Becks of 21st Century Earth, immense strength, speed, indestructibility, space flight, wisdom
Glorith of Zerox - manipulation of magical
MWindaji - Gahaji of Kiringyaga - super tracker, carries the Ruby of Life allowing tactile transformative magic


Cece Becks had never experienced real pain while in her Shazam empowered form but, as she dug her way out from the rubble she was under she groaned to herself. The thunderbolt that she had summoned against the Shadowmancer's shield somehow had its power twisted from its pure purpose and reflected with force against her - and it had definitely hurt!

She burst through the fallen rocks from the cavern wall and quickly took stock of the situation. The emerald dragon that she had seen Xao turn into once before, when the Legion were in a desperate battle against her and her sisters while they were under her fathers curse, was wrapped around the Shadowmancer. It seemed to be a stalemate, even with the other Legionnaires flying nearby blasting their various energies at the dark mage as well. Cece was clever enough to know that this was unlikely to end well for her team if this stalemate continued for much longer as the Shadowmancer held an artifact that was rumoured to hold the power of over a thousand warrior sorcerers. If the dark mage were to fully access that level of magic the Legion would be quickly beaten.

In the distance she spotted Mon El unconscious against a far wall. Cece flew over to her Daxamite colleague as fast as she could and scooped him up in her arm before flying over to Southern Lights as the winged mystic helped the Shadowmancer's victims newly released from the dark mages energy sucking cages. The mystic from Starhaven was reputed to be adept at subtle magicks that included healing enchantments so she hoped he would have enough to spare their teammate. In amongst the dozen or so that had already been released Thunder saw that Saturn Girl, Spoiler and Chameleon Boy were there as well, helping out.

"Can you patch Lar up? We need him..." Thunder asked as she dropped Mon El at the winged mystics feet. Southern Lights looked tired but equally determined as he nodded. With that Cece was gone in a blur to tackle the Shadowmancer. Two seconds later the cavern echoed with the blow she struck against the back of the dark mages head.

Less than a hundred feet away from the dark mage M'Windaji clutched onto Glorith's arm.

"Keep trying Glorith, we can do this..." Gahaji said as he concentrated upon the shield around them.

Before them the Eternal Jade Dragon had wrapped itself around the Shadowmancer and was tearing into its shifting form with razor sharp claws. The dark mage struggled as the dragon's long tail had twisted around one arm forcing the hand with the Spear of Light away from the body, making it virtually impossible for the undead sorcerer to use the mystical artifact to strike out. Thunder continued to smash into the dark mage with her immense punches but it barely reacted to these blows. Lightning Lass, Kid Quantum and Solar Gorilla flew around the fight releasing their energies in an attempt to help.

"I fear for us... while that abomination holds the spear I am unsure if we can do this." Glorith said, her voice quiet.

"Is that spear really so powerful Glorith? Maybe we can attack it instead?" M'Windaji asked desperately.

"It is a vessel... it holds the power of the warrior sorcerers that have previously held it. It is a force for the Light. It should be used only in a just cause. The dark one fouls it with his touch..."

"So, can we get the Spear to ... I dunno, rebel against that monster?"

"No... whomever holds it can control it, it will do as it is commanded, though it was not created to work alongside the Dark. It will be corrupted if we do not get the dark mage to let go."

"Or..." M'Windaji mused. "Y'know what, I have an idea Glorith, sorry but I'll have to drop the shield." and with that the tracker from Kiringyaga leapt up into the air and flew away from his magical teammate.

<Legionnaires!> Gahaji sent through the telepathic matrix <We need to get the Shadowmancer to release the spear! That's what's making him so strong. We have to make the bastich let go of the spear!> and with that the tracker aimed himself straight towards the towering dark mage.


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


Saturn Girl could see that the team on the other side of the immense cavern confronting the dark mage were doing little more than slowing it down.

Around her were twenty or so of the released prisoners, with another six cages just beginning their descent from the ceiling above. She hadn't seen her son yet but was certain that he would be free soon. Southern Lights had been restoring strength to the newly freed captives as they were helped from their cages while Chameleon Boy was scanning them with his flight ring to capture any medical data that might help the clinical team that were waiting for them. She could sense Southern Light's exhaustion as he continued to pour himself into the healing and rejuvenation spells that helped the former captives recover so quickly. Imra knew that magic always had a cost and she wondered how much the mystic from Starhaven would be paying later for his help here...

Spoiler, the Naltoran that had recently joined the team approached Imra Ardeen. His expression told her that he had something serious to ask.

"You need to read my mind to see my vision." Tbe pre-cog spoke directly.

Imra had always found Naltoran's thoughts to be tricky to read as their perception of the universe were not temporal-linear, unlike most sentients. Imra took a breath and allowed her telepathic senses to enter the young Naltoran's mind. As she saw Spoiler's vision she understood what she needed to do. Imra knew that her husband and the team required assistance... and as much as she hated asking these beings they just released from the torture of being caged to feed the dark mage for that assistance she also understood that there really were no other options immediately available.

<Please listen to me> She sent telepathically to her former teammates and the newly released prisoners, <We can hold the Shadowmancer but... what is that?>

Across from the group a shadowy figure appeared to materialise out from the air. Saturn Girl didn't know what it was but she could sense that this figure was clearly on the side of the dark mage. The figure held out its hands and two long blades appeared in them.

The prisoners were startled, some jumping back as they had previously seen what the small figure was capable of. Miasma was not in front of them for long as the negative energy being called Non swooped down from above and passed through the skeletal ninja's body exploding it in a dramatic burst of greasy looking mist.

<That being is now discorporated> Non sent as it swooped around the cavern floor searching for traces of the assassin.

Imra didn't wait to see if Miasma returned, instead she focused on what was needed to fulfill the prophetic vision that had been shared with her.

<I know you are scared but we need assistance, are any of you able to help us heal our colleague?>

Several of the former captives stepped forward while some shrunk back. Within seconds there were a group of seven or eight of the former captives, with Non floating just above them before Saturn Girl.

"What do you want us to do?" A large green skinned woman asked.

"Our teammate Mon El was knocked out but we need his strength if we're to have a chance winning this fight. Can any of you help Southern Lights heal him?" Saturn Girl pointed at the semi-conscious Daxamite.

"I use healing magic... let me help him." A small ageless rat-faced man said, his skin grey from the dark mage's abuse but he held head up, ready to assist.

"Me too. I can try." A second person said; while they looked to be a young teenager their voice was surprisingly deep and their body covered in tattoos.

"I'll do it as well..." A blue skinned young woman with pointed ears and four small eyes said as she moved towards the unconscious Daxamite.

And with that more stepped towards Imra offering their assistance despite only moments before being released from the Shadowmancer's cages.

"Thank you. It... it is truly appreciated." Imra could read their exhaustion and fear but they were willing, without a Legionnaires training or resources, to step up to this horrific challenge when it was needed. She knew she needed to rally them properly so their talents, whatever they were, could be put to best use.

Within thirty seconds the vision that had been shared with Imra appeared in front of her - Mon El was standing up, thanking the three mystics that had used their abilities to heal him from the blow the Shadowmancer had struck against him earlier. He looked around the cavern, desperately searching for something they may have overlooked that could give them an advantage.

At this moment M'Windaji's message cut across the telepathic matrix - the Legionnaires had to get the spear out of the Shadowmancers hand!

In a blur, the Daxamite flew across the cavern to join his colleagues in their desperate fight with the dark mage.

Imra had started to arrange the former prisoners into groups - those that could heal would help those being released. Those that were willing to help with the fight would follow Non and Spoiler towards the battle - though she insisted that they stayed behind the Legionnaires, looked out for each other and did not get too close to the fight to risk their own safety. Southern Lights flew towards this group and offered to lead them saying the three healers would be quicker than he was at helping anymore prisoners they released. Imra sent a quick telepathic thank you his way, well aware that the mystic from Starhaven was calm and sensible enough to not take this group on a suicide mission.

It was at that point that Imra saw her son Garridan curled up in a cage that was being lowered to the floor. She raced across to him and took the sleeping boy in her arms protectively. Her telepathy let her feel that he was in no pain or discomfort, only deeply asleep. Rokk Krinn gently floated down beside Imra as she placed her face in the young boys hair. His warm head smelled like the cold metal and rust of the cage he had been in but underneath she could still smell the soap she had used on him earlier that day.

"I've called for a warp from the Gil'Dishpan. We'll have him in the medi-bay soon." Rokk said quietly.

"Thank you Rokk..." And, without realising it Imra cried as she held onto her unconscious son.


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


The Eternal Jade Dragon had wrapped its coiled body around the Shadowmancer.

Its enormous face was close to the dark mage's head and bursts of white fire erupted from the ancient serpents mouth. Shadow-like tendrils snapped up against the dragon, spinning it around as it desperately avoiding being trapped. In the midst of this, the small blue dragon called Szenlong darted around shooting sparks of magical energy against the dark mage. It was an epic battle that threw flashing lights and thunderous crashes around the cavern.

Thunder and Mon El both focused their attacked on the dark mage's hand that held the Spear of Light. Cece pulled against the thumb - almost half as big as her body, yet it morphed and shifted around her arms proving impossible for her to force away from the enchanted spear. Mon El, meanwhile, was raining down blows at hyper velocities against the undead sorcerer's fingers and wrist, his heat vision blasting repeatedly. The Shadowmancer appeared to be composed of some dark substance that split and crumbled but reformed as quickly as it was destroyed.

Around them, Lightning Lass and her brother threw bolts of sizzling energy, while Kid Quantum strained as she focused on slowing the dark mage with her stasis abilities. Flying close-by, Solar Gorilla's plasma once again erupted from her as she sent fiery bolts against the dark mage's hands. While they had been blasting at the Shadowmancer, Strobe had transformed into a concentrated form of microwave radiation and attempted to damage to Shadowmancer's arm from the inside... The grip on the Spear of Light never slackened. For all of the tremendous energy they unleashed against it, the dark mages skin appeared to simply fold around each blast somehow neutralising the destructive nature of the attacks.

The battle appeared to have reached a stalemate with neither side quite stopping the other.

There were yells from behind the fight and Thunder could see Southern Lights, Non and Spoiler leading a rag-tag group of former prisoners towards them!

The newly-released victims of the dark mage each used abilities to aid the Legionnaires - small sparking bird appeared that swarmed around the undead sorcerer's hand, bolts of green and red light flashed and, coils of a golden rope appeared out of the air and wrapped around the giant's fingers and attempted to pull them away to break the grip of the spear.

As Non flew explosively through the Shadowmancer's wrist there was a calamitous bang!


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


When Gahaji had first found the Ruby of Life in a dusty box on Colu he had no idea what it was, only that his tracking sense had brought him to it when he had been searching for help to take down the cursed Daughters of Black Adam.

In the eighteen months since that day the young man from Kiringyaga had researched the magical stone and practiced using it, and as a result he now he felt fully aware of its power and also its limitations. So long as he kept hold of the stone it transformed anything he touched into whatever he willed, including the air around him to create shields. The transformation would only hold for about an hour or so. The only exception he had found was healing, that seemed to remain permanent. The Stone transmutational power seemed to be limited by whatever he could visualise.

Glorith had told him once that it was one of the Twelve Sacred Relics from Earth and was a powerful talisman in the hands of whoever used it, so it had to be under the control of the right person. Well, he had always thought that the Stone had been waiting for him to find it on Colu so had no doubts that he was the right person to use it... as far as he was concerned the Ruby of Life had decided that.

Concentrating hard, M'Windaji willed the mystic jewel to make him invisible to the Shadowmancer's senses and immune to magical attacks. He hoped it would be enough as he flew towards the towering dark mage. The dragon that he had once seen Xao change into was still wrapped around the towering dark mage but the struggle was not going the dragon's way as the dark mage fought back. The spear in its hand glowed and trembled as corkscrewed bursts of energy swept out from its point. Lexikon was quick enough to grab Kid Quantum and Solar Gorilla to fly them out of the way as a dark energy bolt smashed into the cavern floor close to where they had been. Ayla and Garth were both blown across the cavern by the explosion, though neither were knocked unconscious both were left reeling and stunned.

Gahaji cautiously flew low, swerving around the dark mage's feet as it stomped down towards Glorith. The young tracker was focused on the mental image in his mind so the Ruby of Life would keep him invisible and protected as he reached the bottom of the Staff of Light.

The magical weapon had grown as the Shadowmancer had expanded its size. M'Windaji could see it was easily forty feet tall and at least as thick as a full grown tree. Well, he thought, all the more to hold onto! And with that he got in close and wrapped both arms and legs around the shaft of the spear and willed his magic ruby to tell the mystical weapon to listen to the Legionnaire rather than the dark mage.

He then simply asked the spear to resume its natural size.

Later on, Gahaji was heard describing the experience as something like riding a massive roller coaster through an earthquake while being struck by lightning.


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


As the Spear of Light shrunk to fit M'windaji's grip, the Shadowmancer lost the additional magical power it had given him.

M'Windaji immediately flew away from the group, putting as much distance between the Spear of Light and the dark mage as he could. All the while he kept thinking that the spear would be given to the Black Witch to hand back to the temple it had been stolen from as quickly he could get it to her. He really didn't want the power it offered, as much as he could feel it tingling alluringly against his fingers.

For a split second it seemed as if time had frozen for the Legionnaires before there was a flash of light and the spear was in Gahaji's hand. The Shadowmancer roared out in pain and fury. As the dark mage shrunk its body appeared to stretch and warp as spikes of its dark shifting skin grew and fell, and all the while the Legionnaires flew around it getting ready to strike if the undead sorcerer tried to attack them again.

Solar Gorilla landed on the cavern floor and took several deep breathes; she made sure to keep facing the dark mage in case it threw a magical zap her way, though she hoped she wouldn't need to either blast anything or run as she felt exhausted! Kid Quantum floated nearby and gave her new teammate a weak smile, there was no denying that Jazmin looked worn out by this battle as well. Ayla and Garth took positions floating above the shrinking dark mage, electricity still sparking along their arms and hands. Both looked angry and unforgiving; they may have been tired but they weren't going to allow that to stop them from blasting Garridan's kidnapper if it didn't surrender.

The Shadowmancer screamed in rage, spitting curses at the Legionnaires.

Glorith stepped towards the Shadowmancer reciting a spell that sounded like guttural cursing interspersed with tongue-clicking and whistling to her colleagues. Her eyes were fierce with determination as she held a glowing hand out. Whatever the young sorceress was away to do obviously terrified the dark mage as it howled and tried to scurry backwards to escape. Thunder and Mon El both landed behind it, blocking its escape. Triple Nova flew just behind them, his eyes glowing with unspent energy. The Shadowmancer looked around, desperate to flee.

It never got the chance.

The Eternal Jade Dragon reached down and with a single terrible chomp swallowed the undead mage whole!

The Legionnaires all gasped and looked on in shock.

The Eternal Jade Dragon stretched its neck upwards and began to glow and from out of this shining shape Dragonmage stepped forward. The glowing shape of the dragon vanished as the Legionnaire appeared. Xao Jin gave a weary smile towards his team and held up a strange small object that appeared to be made of shifting shadows wrapped inside an orb of emerald enchantment.

And before any of them could speak the holo-man called Henry popped into the air before them.

"It seems you have defeated the Shadowmancer and his Devil's Dozen as I can now reach you!" Henry gave a big smile to the Legionnaires. "Do you require me to open warps now?" He asked happily.

Once again, thank you for your kind words guys, I say it ever time but they are appreciated!

Next up, the mystics visit Zerox, Tinya has a chat with Evolvo and there's an overdue party! Yay! Hpopefully get it to you by the end of the week.

C

what an awesome bit, Harbi!

Go Gahaji, taking charge! what a rallying cry!

Go Non, just like Negative Man / Negative Woman of old eh nice visual

I loved the asking-the-captives for help bit, esp. as Southern Lights was feeling the strain. Also good point, that they don't have Legion combat training, so this whole thing must be kept terrifying for them indeed

Sweet moment of Imra finally finding Garridan

Awesome cavalry moment with reinforcements, including many of the freed prisoners! poetic justice, as the Shadowmancer gets hit by some of those kidnapped!

brilliant of Gahaji, thinking of using the Ruby of Life to control the Staff!

great ending, and still with teamwork as pretty much everyone had a part to play!

amazingly done, Harbi! looking forward to what;s next!

Okay, so I finally got around to reading the post from the 11th - I have no idea how I missed this other than I've been doing a lot of food preparation at home when not at work.

Anyway - really great battle sequence, Harbi - I can tell that you took a lot of care to plot this out, giving the same even told from many angles. That Shadowmancer is a beast of an opponent to be able to toss Mon-El across a cavern and knock him out!

I like that people like Tinya are still spent from the prior encounter and can't bounce back. There's enough folks to handle both jobs, fighting off the opponents while also rescuing the prisoners - but it seems like the second group has the easier job!

Moving on to the part after!!

This was a really good wrap-up, Harbi!

More specific thoughts as I was reading:

- I had stopped reading the Legion comic by the time Thunder came along, but she's one of my favourite characters of yours...I really like how she comes across as an experienced powerhouse who uses her brain!

- Imra getting the captives to help reminded me of that one scene in the Spider-Man movie where everyone in the train protected him...I really love that trope where the regular people stand up for their heroes

- aw, Imra and Garridan reuniting was so heartwarming...and I'm glad that it was Cos who helped it happen, it's a really nice way to show how close they are without beating us over the head with it

- Non is turning out to be quite worth watching in these encounters - first with Miasma, and then with this attack on the Shadowmancer!

- Mwindaji to the rescue! Glorith and the Eternal Jade Dragon were the ones who really impressed me though, Glorith and Xao are both usually such quiet achievers it's good to see them be the centre of attention!

Sorcerors going to Zerox should be interesting to see, and I am always up for a good superhero party!

Half an hour later:

Zerox, the Black Witches throne room:


Dragonmage - Xao Jin of Earth - dragon magicsSouthern Lights of Starhaven - spaceflight, magic user
MWindaji - Gahaji of Kiringyaga - super tracker, carries the Ruby of Life allowing tactile transformative magic

The Black Witch - Mysa Nal of Naltor, ruler of Zerox, immense magical abilities

Szenlong - Spirit-Dragon of the Southern Seas


Dragonmage, Southern Lights and M'Windaji stood before the Black Witch as she sat on her intricately carved throne.

Glorith had joined them through Henry's warp to Zerox but left before they reached the throne room with a dwarven Khund called Kharlak. Before she left she said she had a separate task to complete first and that she would speak to Lady Mysa afterwards.she nodded towards her teammates and walked off along an adjacent corridor.

As the three Legionnaires were led into the Black Witches throne room they all felt a little bit intimidated.

Gahaji handed the Spear of Light to Mysa and bowed his head. He felt a momentary pang of something, almost like a loss but tinged with a sense of gratitude. He knew that somehow the magical Spear he had just given away and the enchanted Ruby he held onto had a bond and they had somehow created that feeling he would never fully understand. Gahaji didn't want to think about it. His tracking abilities came from magic and the stone he carried was magic and some of his good friends were magic-users and, as far as the young man from Kiringyaga was concerned that was about as much as he needed to know about the subject.

Mysa Nal thanked him, her voice sounded as he imagined honey would sound - soft, rich, sweet. She smiled at the tracker and handed him a chain in return.

"Place the Ruby you hold so tight upon this so you never lose it." She said. Gahaji was a little startled but did as asked and held the Ruby of Life up to the chain. The red stone fixed itself to a silver link it brushed against.

"If you ever fear the Ruby of Life is lost to you just call on it and it will appear on this chain around your neck." Gahaji placed the chain around his neck and thanked Mysa for her unexpected gift. Mysa smiled again before turning to Xao.

"Lady Mysa, this should be kept on Zerox..." The slim mystic held out his hands and in them was a small bottle-shaped object that seemed to be made from many layers of smoky swirling shadows surrounded by glowing emerald enchantments.

"Thank you, we will ensure it does not bother anyone again. This shade has caused enough trouble for too long..." Mysa picked up the small vessel between a thumb and index finger, as if handling a precious, or maybe poisonous, object. She snapped her fingers and the shadowy object was gone. Within himself, Xao felt the Eternal Jade Dragon's gratitude towards the Black Witch for removing the cursed shade of the long-dead Gemworld king from this reality. He was also fairly certain that Mysa had felt it as well.

There was a sense that as the object vanished the air in the throne room had brightened incrementally.

"And you... Southern Lights of Starhaven." The Black Witch nodded towards the winged mystic. "You kindly gave of yourself to help the prisoners of that foul shade. That soul-fed magic has a price so I believe in return you deserve this..." Mysa held out a hand and on her palm was something that looked like a small multi-coloured stick of cinnamon bark, no bigger than a matchstick that had been snapped and bent back upon itself.

"Silver top-root of Ambrosia! ...Lady Mysa, you know that this could kill me." Southern Lights looked genuinely shocked and took a step back.

"You gave so much of yourself today to aid strangers that you risk harming yourself. This will ensure your recovery. Do not worry child, it will not poison you. Not if you take it here within my sight. I swear this to you..." Mysa's voice was soft but firm. Her eyes flashed in challenge as the Legionnaire appeared to refuse her gift.

Southern Lights paused and was clearly considering his options for two long seconds before accepting Mysa's rare gift. As he plopped the small stick onto his tongue it immediately dissolved in his mouth and the weariness that had been dragging at his muscles and bones faded, all of the aches he had suffered since leaving the Shadowmancer's cavern, the fog at the edges of his senses and will all vanished. His eyes appeared to glow as he looked up into the Black Witch's face to give his thanks. In return, she gave him a small warm smile and nodded.

Szenlong swam in the air around the Legionnaires mewling quietly, sounding for all the world like a sulking child. Mysa looked towards the small dragon and tilted her head as if listening.

"Of course you can stay with them Szenlong, though only if you respect the Legion's ways... do you agree to that? You will live as the Legionnaires do with their mortal virtues and morals?" The blue dragon gave a sharp happy squawk and flew excited loops in the air leaving a glittering trail behind it.

"I do hope you wanted to take him back with you Xao Jin... it appears you and our friends in the Legion have impressed this young dragon." Mysa's expression made it obvious she was teasing Dragonmage.

"Why... yes! Yes I do," Xao looked excited at the prospect, though quickly regained a more respectful posture as he continued, "...and I promise we shall educate Szenlong in the ways of the United Planets and the Legion." Xao said, rather solemnly.

"It's agreed then. He will be your responsibility to integrate within the wider galaxy Xao Jin. He is a true Southern Sea Spirit-Dragon though so you must let him follow his sometimes capricious nature when necessary and always allow him to fly... and, no matter how much he begs please don't feed him fresh berries or fruit as that upsets a young dragons stomach." Again, the Black Witch smiled, her eyes twinkling in pleasure.

As Szenlong blew an irreverent raspberry towards the Black Witch for saying this, the three Legionnaires and the mystical ruler of Zerox all laughed.


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


Four hours later:


Tinya had been given a preliminary all-clear four hours after reaching First Base's medical facilities.

Dr Shakespeare had insisted she resist active duty for at least 72 hours though was free to leave the medi-bay and resume non-strenuous duties. Phantom Girl had known better than to argue so thanked the teams doctor and made her way to her quarters.

Once there, she read the reports that had already been posted from the mission and was happy to see that every one of the Legionnaires that had joined her on that dreadful mission had been cleared from the medi-bay. As she scrolled down the hard-light page she was happy to note that the majority of the released prisoners had been given an acceptable bill of health and had been offered transit back to wherever they had been kidnapped from. She was disappointed though when she saw that Garth and Imra had left First Base and returned to Winath already. There was a note from Imra to contat her as they needed to talk, but Tinya realised that it would probably be bestto give them a day or two to get the kids settled and back nto their routine before initiating contact.

As she made her way through the hard light screens Tinya noted that Evolvo from Lallor was currently on First Base. She had forgotten that several of the Lallorian's mutants had been kidnapped... she decided not to waste the opportunity and sent a holo asking if the leader of the Heroes of Lallor would meet her in the senior team's meeting room in ten minutes.

Fifteen minutes later and they were discussing what had happened that day and how close they had come to not succeeding... Sev Tcheru was in full human form, for which Tinya felt grateful as she always found his hyper-evolved form to be a bit gross.

Evolvo asked Phantom Girl what the team team planed on doing now and she shrugged and said there were bound to be missions to run. He gave her a quizzical look before he spoke again.

"You know, on Lallor the threats we deal with tend to be less ...galactic in scope, but we always celebrate our victories. It's important, no?" The Lallorian mutant said.

"Yeah, you know we have on-going missions 24/7 so if we celebrated every victory we'd be having more parties than a frat house..."

"Your team took down an undead mystic vampire that, from what Glorith said, had been kidnapping and feeding off the life energies of people for centuries today Tinya. You're not telling me that was an everyday mission. You need to celebrate your victories or your team'll become tired and jaded."

"I'll think about it Sev." Tinya said, somewhat unconvincingly.

It was at that moment that a holo-message from Dr Shakespeare interrupted them. The large doctor's image smiled broadly as he reported that his team had finally discharged everyone that had been in the Shadowmancer's cavern that day, with only two former captives being moved onto more advanced care. All the rest, Legionnaires and prisoners alike had been given a clean bill of health. The doctor finished by telling the team leader that he had requested everyone that had been on the mission today have a minimum 36 hour pass so they could fully recuperate and, while he didn't directly name her, Tinya knew he was telling her that she needed to rest before going anywhere on Legion business.

"Thanks Kent..."

"Dr Shakespeare," Evolvo interrupted, "ah, hang on, please. I was telling Tinya that on Lallor we like to throw a party when we have a big win. Do you think it would help...?"

"Oh stars, yes! Without a doubt, yes! Since you asked Sev, my professional opinion is we've a team that are running from one life-or-death situation to the next and a party would be great for both morale and relaxation. That's a really good idea," Kent's holo saluted the Lallorian, "Just remember to invite the support staff too ...and, hopefully we'll see you and your team there too." And with that the holo vanished.

"Well then, that's decided." Tinya laughed, slightly embarrassed that she hadn't thought of the benefits arranging an official night of fun could bring to her team, "You'll bring your team and the kids we freed today, won't you?" Tinya asked Sev.

"Try to stop us." The Lallorian leader replied with a smile.

Tinya held her right hand up to her face and activated the communication function of her flight ring.

"Legionnaires and support staff. Today we stopped a mystical threat that has haunted our galaxy for centuries. As a thank you to you all I would be very grateful if you could clear time from your schedules to join in me in Shakes Bar on First Base at 2000 hours standard tonight for a celebration. Get your dancing shoes on folks, as I'm sure you all agree we deserve a decent party!"

After Evolvo left Tinya went to her bedroom and lay on her bed. She asked her alarm to wake her in 45 minutes and closed her eyes. She had only been laying down for a couple of minutes when another holo interrupted her.

"Phantom Girl, forgive my intrusion," an image of Gear appeared before her, "but I have some news you will want to hear."


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


2000 hours, Shakes Bar, First Base:

Usually there would be no problem finding a space to sit in Shakes, but tonight was different.

It seemed the majority of the teams of active Legionnaires from all three Legion Worlds, the support staff, interns and a fair few of the more mature students were all together celebrating the defeat of the Shadowmancer and his Devil's Dozen as well as the rescue of over fifty individuals that had been kidnapped to feed the dark mage's strange hunger. The Heroes of Lallor alongside four of the five mutants that had been kidnapped had also arrived, each bearing bottles of fine Lallorian wine as gifts.

The music was loud enough to enhance the party atmosphere not quite too loud that it stopped people from talking. The lights went from frantic on the dancefloor to subdued in the two dozen or so cubbies and booths. The drinks and stims were flowing freely.

Phantom Girl received a loud cheer and applause as she entered the bar. Tinya smiled to everyone while they clapped and stamped their feet, and gave a low bow with a flourish to them in response.

As Tinya made her way through the crowd, she made a point to talk to Strobe to thank him for saving her and later, M'Windaji for using his magic Ruby to help heal her. Both were quick to say they were only doing what any of their teammates would do. She replied the same to each, "Yes, while that might be true, it was you that saved me. Thank you!" Both played down the praise but felt very proud of themselves for the rest of the evening.

Tinya made it her mission to talk to every student and team member that she could, if only for a minute or two, praising each as she did, before she danced for a short while. She hated to admit it but she was still not fully recovered from the Plague Doctor's attack so retired to her apartment long before she planned to. She was exhausted though knew that these moments of social interaction would carry the team over as they went into their next mission - she hadn't told anyone yet but Gear had reported that they had found a probable trace of their missing colleague Science Police Captain Tuk Shir of Daxam.

So, tomorrow or at the latest the next day, once everyone had recovered from tonight, and despite Dr Shakespeare's advice, Tinya planned to lead an espionage team into Dominion space to rescue their missing colleague.

Let them have their fun tonight, she thought, as things were most likely away to get difficult.


Dream Girl introduced her daughter Mathilda to the Ranzz's twin girls D'arcy and Dorrit, while Garth, Imra and Thom all looked on.

The booth the two families had commandeered was at the very back of the bar with a sound buffer put in place that stopped the music and noises from the crowds intruding on them. The four former teammates had their own bar-bot serving cocktails as they caught up with each other.

Ayla had taken Garridan - cleared by Dr Shakespeare in the medi-bay of having any harmful side effects after being captured - and Graym with her to find the tigerram they called Backlash. The boys had spent the majority of Rokk and Lydda's wedding with the great horned beast and were overly excited at the prospect of spending more time with him again. Ayla concurred with a big smile as she led them through the crowds. She was careful to keep hold of their hands which for once neither boy complained about.

Ayla and the twin boys were unaware that Mrruaw M'Nau knew they were looking for him and so was cautiously avoiding them, trying not to be seen while he stalked them through the crowd. The tigerram was rather hoping to give them a surprise when he eventually pounced out from the crowd. Backlash understood that human children could find being unexpectedly scared like that to be an exhilarating and fun experience...

Several minutes later when Backlash did eventually jump out at them with a roar, the boys screams caused a momentary panic amongst the legionnaires around them. Neither Garridan or Graym appeared to enjoy the experience, much to Mrruaw's confusion.

"Perhaps this wasn't the best time to terrify them, though usually they'd have loved it... good try." Ayla said to Mrruaw as she gave the boys a hug. The tigerram apologies profusely before offering to carry the boys on his back for the rest of the evening as recompense.

Graym and Garridan agreed.


Evolvo and Amp Girl were canoodling on a couch in a small booth near the back of the room not even attempting to socialise. Both were too happy to see the other without it involving some sort of emergency. Since they had been introduced at Rokk and Lydda's wedding they had both thoroughly adored the other, though due to work commitments neither felt they had spent enough time together. They intended to make up for that tonight!


Dragonmage made a quick appearance, though there were a lot of people suddenly paying him a lot more attention than he would usually expect. As a shy and studious young man Xao was uncomfortable with this level of attention. He realised that word had obviously gotten out about his transformation during the battle with the giant dark mage. The young mystic felt increasingly awkward so after about three quarters of an hour he made the excuse that he needed to check on Szenlong and left.


At one end of the bar Ferro and Gazelle had started an arm-wrestling competition.

The Khund was happy to take bets as her partner sat there flexing his impressive biceps. Andrew Nolan had assumed his human form and promised to stay in it while the competition was on. So far, he had won against two students, as well as Mindbender, The Science Police Officer Dyrk Magz and, Comet King. Ferro's body language told the story of how unbeatable he felt. Thunder casually sat down opposite Douglas Nolan and smiled. The crowd that had gathered around them cheered and jeered.

"Umm.... human form?" Andy said, suddenly dry mouthed.

"This is a human form, silly. It doesn't take a genius to see that." Thunder smiled beatifically as she answered.

"Ahhh.... okay." Around them, several people rushed to place bets with Gazelle, whose expression told Andy that the odds were very much not in his favour.

Thunder briefly excused herself and whispered to Gazelle, who looked startled as she nodded in response.

"Right then, shall we start Andy?" Thunder asked her opponent.

"Yeah, if we must..." He muttered.

"So, are all the bets in and we can begin?" she asked Gazelle.

The Khund nodded and announced that all bets were in and the match was away to start.

"Good, so, as you transformed out of your empowered form Andrew, so should I... shazam!" The crowd backed away in surprise as the magical lightning bolt transformed Thunder from her god-infused form to her natural state. There was a moment of silence around them before the crowd quickly tried to change their bets, but Gazelle was adamant that the bets were closed.

Cecelia Becks, the 72 year old human that called upon the magic lightning to assume her Thunder alter-form, laughed heartily as she put her elbow on the bar and reached across to take Andrew Nolan's hand.

"You just bet heavily on me winning, didn't you?" Andy said.

Cecelia Becks shrugged and laughed again.


Dr Joon Bai Mihn, one of the Lallorian mutants that the Shadowmancer had kidnapped, was talking to Drura Sehpt and Jacques Foccart when Kent Shakespeare and Jan Arrah joined them. The Lallorian had been a bit nervous visiting the Legion and had quickly scoffed four glasses of champagne in her excitement - something she would never usually consider doing.

Much to her later embarrassment, Dr Bai Mihn started giggling as Kent asked if she wanted a tour around their medical facilities. Jacques and Jan exchanged a sly glance and knowing smile at the Lallorian's obvious delight as Dr Shakespeare poured on his legendary polished charm.

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


2200 hours, Shakes Bar, First Base


Timber Wolf, Shield, Jumping Jack and Wildfire laughed.

Brin and Laurel were talking to the tutors about training mishaps and unintentional comedic moments that they had witnessed, and experienced, while at the Legion academy. When Brin had attended it had been run by the Science Police and was not much more than a police training boot camp that didn't have much equipment that could handle his reflexes and strength, meaning he quickly had a reputation for breaking expensive training apparatus.

Brin was mimicking what he imagined Marla Lantham's booming voice and choice of expressions were when the bills landed on his desk. Drake was laughing so hard that several people from around them started to back away. This in turn made Laurel laugh louder, She didn't look as she stepped back, tripping over a chair and landing squarely on her backside, which set the Legionnaires and tutors into further hysterics.


Imra leaned comfortably against Garth's chest. Ayla had returned the boys to their parents and they were now curled up on the couch fast asleep. Thom and Nura were fussing the girls so the two founders relaxed and enjoyed the moment to themselves.

<I am so proud of the team today, Garth. Can you believe all of this is as a direct result of us meeting on that shuttle all those years ago?> Imra sent to her husband.

<I know, right? We'd have laughed if anyone had told us that one day we'd be happily married with kids while the team had expanded to need three bases. You know you were the real hero today though, if you hadn't got the Gil'Dishpan to agree to help...>

<That was the easiest part, Garth. And, to be honest, after seeing the fight I don't think I really miss the action anymore. Four children and a business I love is excitement enough for me>

<Oh... am I not exciting anymore?> He teased.

<Not tonight darling, I'm exhausted> she laughed out loud as she sent her reply.

<Yeah, me too... ah well. So, it must be time to go home and get these little monsters to their beds>

<Soon... Let's just enjoy being around our old friends for five more minutes darling, I might not crave the excitement like I once did but I do miss the people>


Friction sat between Ultra Girl and Polar Girl at the side of the dance floor.

The three young women had gone through the academy together and been made team members at the same time. While at Home Base there had always been an element of competitiveness between them, since becoming Legionnaires they had put that firmly aside to become good friends. They were having a laugh as Power Boy, yet again, showed the team why he was renowned as the worst dancer on any of the bases.

The big purple skinned man bumped into Retro, knocking him into Gas Girl. The three new Legionnaires laughed at his clumsiness. Gravity Kid sat down beside them, smiling as he casually apologised for his husband's lack of finesse.

"No need to say sorry Tel, we all know that what Jed lacks in skill he makes up for in raw enthusiasm." Friction replied with a wicked grin. Polar Girl and Ultra Girl hooted with laughter.


Triple Nova and Solar Gorilla were with a group of their friends from the academy telling them about the action they had seen that day. They underplayed just how scared they felt while in the Shadowmancer's cavern. When Strobe joined them the young man from Dryad was buzzing as he repeated the high praise Tinya had given him. This took the attention away from his two fellow new Legionnaires.

Elthur felt relieved, while D'Nadka looked around and casually stated she wished she knew how to dance. The Cargggite gave her a mock shocked look and laughed as he said "why didn't you tell me? C'mon, I'll show you."

Before she could reply he took her hand and led her towards the dance floor. Just before they reached it Babbage walked in front of them.

"Please excuse any perceived social error but this unit overheard your conversation and wishes also to learn how to dance. Can you extend your offer..."

"Yeah man, get your ass movin'!" Elthur replied as he pushed the Robotican Legionnaire onto the flashing lights of the dance floor.

For the next hour and forty-five minutes the pair of new Legionnaires laughed like children as they hurled each other and the Robotican round the dance floor. Their fears from earlier that day were well and truly forgotten.


Mon El and Shadow Lass left together after an hour and a half. Neither were really the partying type, and while they had enjoyed socialising with their teammates and catching up with Garth and Imra in particular, both the Daxamite and the Talokean had decided that they would much rather spend this evening with just each other.

Both knew it was long overdue.


Night Girl and Cosmic Boy turned up at the party later than they had hoped.

They arrived just as Garth and Imra were packing up their belongings to leave - all four of their children were fast asleep - Rokk felt guilty at not getting there sooner and he apologised to his friends. Imra telepathically reassured him that it was fine, they would see him soon no doubt, as Garth teased him for being a rubbish friend and god-parent. The two men laughed and hugged before Garth called for a warp to take the Ranzz family home to Winath.

"So... guess that means I get a dance?" Lydda said, her expression as teasing as Garth's had been. She was well aware that her husband was actually a rather decent dancer though he pretended he didn't know what he was doing. Rokk mock rolled his eyes and huffed his breath out dramatically before smiling at his wife and taking her hand to join her to the dance floor.


Dawnstar had not planned on staying at the celebration for too long, but had spotted Southern Lights through the crowd.

She decided it was time to follow some advice Thunder had given her. The tracker from Starhaven approached the mystic from her homeworld and said hello. Southern Lights smiled warmly and asked if she would like to join him. She smiled as she took the stool next to his.

She asked how his mission had gone and after that the conversation went surprisingly easily. They discussed their lives as Legionnaires with the young mystic asking the more experienced tracker for advice at several points in the respectful way of their home culture, before the conversation moved onto other broader topics. Without noticing, the two winged Legionnaires spoke for almost two solid hours, enjoying each others company more than they had both hoped.

As the music grew louder and the crowds became more energised Southern Lights asked Dawnstar if she wanted to join him for a little flight off the base, into the night outside.

"All things are clearest underneath the stars." He said, quoting a saying from their home planet that indicated amongst the natural environment one's thoughts would become clearer.

The left side-by-side and arm-in-arm.


The interns called Imp Master, Mosaic and Tectonik were stood close to the bar. None of them were really 'party people' but like most young adults they didn't want to miss out by missing out on a large social gathering. There were the political reasons, for instance having the Senior Team see them as sociable team-players, but more motivational to them were the social reasons.

None of them wanted to miss out on any gossip or if they were especially lucky, romantic opportunities that might arise.

The three young men had entered into a bit of a drinking competition and for the most part were unaware of what was going on around them. Instead they were discussing the missions they had been on and, overall, how disappointed they felt. None had experienced the thrills and adventure they expected, instead they often felt like fifth wheels. Without meaning to, they had slipped into a negative conversation loop where they all complained rather loudly about how they hadn't been given what they felt they deserved.

Nor far away, Duplicate Girl had just grabbed Mindbender as he made his way to the dance floor to discuss training ideas for the coming week with him. Lu smiled at Marmud and asked to be excused as a sister self stepped out from her body and walked over to the three interns.

"Guys, I'm so sorry to hear you aren't getting enough excitement in your roles but perhaps if you want to go back to the academy as full time students I'm positive we could find three new students to take your places who might show some gratitude for the opportunity, whatcha say? Does that sound fair to you?" Lu smiled brightly at the three interns.

"Ma'am, we're sorry...",
"Ah no... it's not like that...",
"Aaahhh, shit!" The three interns said at the same time.

Luornu laughed and gave a genuine smile before she spoke again, allowing the three young men a moment to compose themselves.

"Let's make an agreement." she said, "I'll speak to the Senior Team about including you more, if... if you stop moping and try to enjoy the experience. Trust me, you really don't know how great you have it!"

The three interns quickly agreed.


As one of the support staff in the medical team, Solstin Wang of Earth - Booster as he was commonly known - had not really spent too much time around the Legionnaires socially.

He was introverted and studious by nature and generally found crowds to be confusing and being in one for too long often left him with a headache. He definitely struggled with small talk so was always found standing on the sidelines when attending any sort of large social gathering. He had been standing quite close to the entrance alongside his colleague Shardwurd Gandussen, when Gord Eno, the pre-cog they called the Spoiler, approached them.

Solstin had known Gord at the academy, but as they were in different classes with very different disciplines, they hadn't really interacted too much. The Naltoran had a reputation while on Home Base of being relatively friendly, though focused on his career and could be aloof towards his peers, disinterested in any inter-personal dramas that were going on. This evening he seemed totally relaxed and genuinely happy to see the two medics. As they chatted Gord lightly put an arm around Solstin's waist, not aggressively but enough that the young medic was aware it was there. Shardwurd seemed oblivious as he noticed someone in the crowd he wanted to talk to and so excused himself.

Gord Eno turned to face Solstin.

"You're going to enjoy helping me celebrate the confrontation today. I know I will..." Gord gave a small knowing smile, "I've foreseen tonight already... you and me, my apartment in five minutes. Grab your things, we're going to have the best time!" Gord's words were softly spoken but his expression was so certain that Solstin saw no point in arguing.

"Um... I, ah, ...okay." Solstin was so taken aback by how up-front the offer was that he didn't know what else to say. Gord smiled and asked Solstin to wait for just a second as he dashed across to the bar, reached over its counter and grabbed a bottle of a smoky looking spirit.

They left together immediately after that.


Hethuk Bran Drommsi, the Talokean weapon-maker that had joined the team as support staff, challenged Ferro to an arm wrestling match.

Marya Pai, cheered her Talokean partner with a loud whoop and rolled her fist in the air. Douglas Nolan had smiled as he motioned the Talokean Smith to sit opposite him. There were still a few people around though Gazelle was disappointed to note that very few were willing to gamble any more. These humans, she thought, and their strange ideas of fun! On Khundia this would have been the centre of everyone's attention here tonight, at least until someone drew a blade...

It had been almost two years since the Dead Brain had sent her here to join this team and Gazelle still didn't fully understand how the human race had managed to spread across so much of the Milky Way; they played too safely and were generally so unsure of themselves!

She shook her head and watched as her partner once again won his match.

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


Midnight and onward in Shakes Bar, First Base


Bouncing Boy ii knew he wasn't the greatest dancer but he was trying his hardest to impress the student they called Aqua Lass.

The Atlantean student was clearly trying to ignore him. They skirted around each other for a couple of tunes until she spotted her classmate, the latest Invisible Kid, and clung to him until Stoor Chamble took the hint and moved away. The new Bouncing Boy saw Ultra Girl, Friction and Polar Girl sat laughing together at the side of the dance floor and went to join them.

The three young women teased him affectionately before Polar Girl dragged him back up onto the dance floor where they spent the next hour making each other laugh.


Nel Duwi and Bina Nawoti had danced together.

They had both tried to show off a little but unfortunately the dance floor was quite full so after strutting their stuff to the best of their ability for a few bangin' tunes they decided to join Zoe and Gahaji at the bar. Gahaji was cheering on a student that had challenged Ferro in his on-going arm wrestling marathon. Zoe and Gahaji had both smiled broadly at the two young women. They were so obviously newly together, glowing with the happiness that only a fledgling relationship brought as they whispered in each other's ears and held each others hands.

"Do you remember when we looked at each other like that?" Zoe asked, batting her eyelids in mock flirtation at Gahaji. She was sat on a tall bar stool as he stood alongside her.

"Eh? No.... at least I never did." He gave a fleeting half smile as he replied.

"No...? Really? Hmmmm I remember a sandy beach on the Controllers world...." Zoe frantically batted her eyes again before erupted into laughter as Gahaji blew a raspberry at her.

She wrapped her arms around her boyfriend's torso as he gently kissed the top of her head and put an arm over her shoulder. He knew that she had been worried while he was away on the mission earlier today so planned on being especially attentive to her tonight. They may not look at each other with such adoring puppy-eyes any more but Gahaji was fairly certain they had reached a point in their relationship where they understood and respected each other enough that they didn't need to.


Theena spotted the Daxamite Science Police Officer Droo Vri through the crowd.

When they had been at the academy they had once spent a really nice night together, not that it ultimately went anywhere but it was a special memory she had from those days. And after he left to return to Daxam she didn't expect to see him again. If she hadn't remembered that he had told her he wasn't enjoying himself back on his home world, and told Dream Girl at the appropriate time about him, then she imagined he would still be there. Instead, the muscular young man was back amongst the Legionnaires and according to everyone she had spoken to, reveling in the name that Nura had given him as a member of her new team: Groovy!

She knew he wouldn't mind that name, in fact as nicknames went it wasn't too bad really. It wasn't a surprise to her when she heard that the exuberant young man had taken to the name with a flourish and had begun introducing himself as such. This was often much to the bemusement of those who didn't know him who were left wondering if it was his name or a statement of his self image.

The young Daxamite stood at the bar watching an arm wrestling contest between Ferro and Titan that was drawing cheers from the crowd. He had an exotic looking cocktail in one hand, totally focused on the competition before him. Without a word the Communications Officer snuck through the crowd and stood beside him, pretending to watch the arm wrestling match as well. After a few seconds she reached out with a hand and gently poked him in the ribs.

Droo Vri turned and smiled broadly before wrapping her in a big hug and spinning her around. After that the two of them spent the next hour catching up, laughing, gossiping and generally enjoying being in each other's company. Comet Queen flew past at one point, doubled back and hugged them both stating that they shone beautifully like a newly birthed binary system and she loved them for it. Grava kissed them both on the top of their heads before flying off. They shouted their thanks to Grava and laughed as she left.

As the music got louder Groovy asked Theena if she had ever been over to Hope World. When she said she hadn't, he asked if she wanted to have a tour around the teams newest base... her answer was to wrap her arms around his broad neck and plant her lips firmly on his in a solid kiss.

They left together shortly after that. As Theena's apartment was only two floors below that never made it to Hope World.


Mindbender sat down at the bar.

Marmud Illic felt a happy tired - dancing, catching up with friends and trying out a few new cocktails had all given him a warm and pleasant buzz.

He spotted Luornu at the other end of the bar laugh as she watched Ferro win another arm wrestling match, and he sighed. Tonight had felt really special, but overall he really hadn't enjoyed his experience since joining the team under Duplicate Girl's mentorship. He had been told that some of other mentors were taking the time to have a laugh with the new teammates under their care but all Lu wanted to do was talk shop all of the time. Even earlier on this evening she had taken him aside to discuss further training she wanted to give him. The young telepath wondered if it was because she had multiple bodies to do everything she wanted done and she forgot he didn't was the reason why it was work, work and work all the time with her.

He found her exhausting!

As he admitted this thought to himself his fellow new Legionnaire Jaun Vineo - Poltergeiest - sat down next to him. They clinked glasses together and got talking. It didn't take long before Marmud started telling Jaun about how he was feeling. Jaun nodded and quickly said that perhaps they could swap mentors. Marmud was surprised as he had spotted how much Jaun liked Element Lad - it didn't take a telepath to know that the telekinetic youth had a big crush on his mentor.

"Is everything okay?" Mindbender asked.

"Not really... we had a mission to Rimbor and during the gang war one of the gangbangers messed with my head and I said some pretty awful things to Jan, and he's like appearing all cool with it but... but I'm not. Thing is, what I said I do really feel so it's tough being around him so much, y'know?"

"Do you think we'd be allowed to swap mentors?" Marmud asked, a flicker of hope in his tone.

"Well, I looked into it and Atomsmasher and Southern Lights swapped theirs before so... I'll ask if you like? Will say I feel so ashamed... I do actually, though not as bad as I'll make out and maybe the Senior Team will agree."

"Not sure if you'll like Lu being in charge but... well, if you want I'll join you along to speak with them. I'm pretty miserable to be honest, so nothing ventured nothing gained, and all that."

The two psychics clinked their glasses together again in agreement.


The new interns Little Loki and Thunderbolt kissed.

They had first met in the gym only a couple of days before and both had really liked the other. Both Magnus Laviksen of Nordhelm and Ness Strakinos of Gardenhome were confident people yet around each other the usually cheeky and curious young man and the intelligent and compassionate young woman felt oddly nervous. They were experienced enough in social interaction to know what it meant, though were unsure if it was reciprocated.

They had danced together under an illusionary star speckled sky that Magnus had conjured for them before finding two empty seats nearby. Ness decided that enough was enough! There was only one way to definitively find out if Magnus liked her: She reached out and took the young man's head in her hands and pulled him in close for a kiss.

She was very happy that, going by his eager response, it was fairly certain that he felt the same!


Kid Quantum was on the dance floor, not quite cutting loose with her best moves as she was being careful to avoid Power Boy. The purple skinned young man was gyrating in a particularly energetic and some might say potentially dangerous fashion.

The Xanthuan had never really danced a lot. It wasn't really in Xanthu customs so she had never been expected to learn what to do before attending the academy and that meant she usually felt self-conscious around other people. Tonight though, after several brandies, she decided she didn't care. The Shadowmancer had scared her today and she knew that they had been lucky to have gotten out of there with everyone alive and intact.

The tunes being played were well known dance floor classics and Jazmin was enjoying herself when she accidentally bumped into Lightning Lass. As she went to apologise Ayla smiled and put an arm around Jazmin's shoulder to give her a quick hug. Impulsively, Jazmin pecked a kiss on Ayla's cheek before turning away to carry on with her dance. She could hear the Winathian laugh behind her.

As she looked around the dance floor Jazmin could see that a couple of the students from Home Base were watching and obviously talking about her. Students generally loved to gossip about the Legionnaires, and she knew from her own time at the academy that her impulsive and entirely innocent kiss was bound to start all sort of rumours going. Well, let them talk, she thought, as at that moment the Xanthuan was enjoying herself too much to care.

Pre-Commando Sergeant Rol Purtha of Naltor, one of the tutors from Home Base, started dancing alongside Jazmin and twenty minutes later they were sat together at a booth sharing cocktails and flirting with each other. Half an hour after that Jazmin knew that the students from Home Base would definitely be talking about her for quite some time as she led the Pre-Commando out of Shakes towards her apartment.

She blew the gossiping students a flirtatious kiss just before she stepped out of the door.


Dunar Oll, Liv Chorn and Jini St Denys, three members of the LallorGov Mutant Program who had been released from the Shadowmancer earlier that day, were feeling out of their depth. They had made a pact between themselves before arriving to make the most of this situation so were chatting to every Legionnaire, intern and student they could. All three were secretly hoping for an invite to the academy on Home Base, though would not have admitted it if asked.

They spent the majority of the night drinking alongside several of the interns and students, swapping stories of their time in training and gossiping about the Legionnaires and Lallorian Heroes. By the time that they finally left to go back to Lallor, the three mutants had made friends that they would keep in the years to come.


Comet King held onto Grava, his glorious star-spun Queen.

Both ignored the rest of the team as they hugged each other tightly and twirled around and around to the music. They hadn't realised that they were the last two left in Shakes as they enjoyed their evening pressed against each other.

Thanks once more for your feedback and kind words above - Raz, I've never read a single comic with Thunder in it so I'm making up her character as I go along, hopefully the re-boot fans don't mind

More next time as we deal with the morning after alongside Mon El, Spolier, Dawnstar and Little Loki... oh, and we'll meet some new folks on Hope World too. After that things will get all adventurous again.

Thanks again,,

C

hi Harbi, I'm impressed, you've never read a comic with Thunder in it, but you have done an amazing job portraying her - in the comics she's really a little girl in base form but yours is an older woman, and that maturity shines through.

lovely scene on Zarrox, nice having Szenlong come along, and the gift-giving/reward-giving was well done

Just like Imra to wrap things up, I bet she wants to tell Tinya in detail about her bargain with the Gildishpans

also nice having Evolvo share some of his leadership wisdom with Tinya also shrewd of Evolvo doing it this way, getting Kent on board (and kudos to Tinya for realizing it was a good thing, and not getting annoyed at Sev for potentially overstepping his bounds!)

oooh Captain Heavyweight! yes that's right, he's still missing!

Cute of Backlash and the Ranzz twins! and I like seeing Ayla in auntie mode! makes sense the twins would still be a bit on edge, poor Backlash, but he and Ayla handled it well

nice seeing Andy arm-wrestle in human form, and good to see he's still quite strong. the whole scene with Thunder was A+, lol on Thunder for betting on Andy... hahaha oh, the faces of those in the crowds...

so nice reading the scenes of everyone having fun with good humor, this is the part I love most about the Legion, the camaraderie!

also nice to see Dawnstar putting herself out there!

nice tough love pep talk from Lu to the 3 interns!

man, Gord is smooth, gosh these Naltorians....

Mentor swap! After all, it's also about dynamics, relationship, personality and overall fit... good solution for both unhappy kids

I wonder if any of the Lallor mutants will make it to home base... we have a Lallorian student somewhere I recall. who knows right?

a lovely party Harbi, and nice set up for more - looking forward to the next installment as always!

That came across like one of those quiet one-shot stories the X-Men used to always do after a big event where you catch up on where everyone's at, it makes for good reading!

The scene with the magic users and Mysa kinda reminded me of the end of Wizard of Oz where the scarecrow, the lion and the tin man get what they've been wishing for (which is a compliment, that's one of my favourite movies!) I particularly like that everyone was a little intimidated by Mysa too.

The whole party flowed really well and I love how just about everyone got a little moment...my favourite bits were probably:

Everything with Garth and Imra really, I like that they actually get a family together and a happy ending

Poor Backlash trying to entertain the kids and failing miserably

The whole bit with Thunder and Ferro...that wisdom of Solomon comes through again with the betting!

Jazmin letting herself go and have fun...I especially like her realising everyone was gonna be gossiping about her and deciding to have some fun with it!

And last but not least, ending on the Comets was a really sweet way to wrap it all up

I am a bit worried it might come back to bite Tinya not following her doctor's advice, but it's gonna be cool following up on the Captain Heavyweight plot! Also, Hope World is a really unique idea so I'm looking forward to seeing what's coming up there as well!

The next day, 0600 hours

Roughly Thirteen klicks galactic west of Second Base:

Dawnstar of Starhaven - Senior Team member - space flight, incredible speed, tracking


Dawnstar floated alone in space.

The winged tracker had been here for over an hour now, just gazing at the distant nebulae and stars around them. Almost twenty minutes before, Non had flown out towards her and made an awkward bow before moving on. The negative energy being was known to be reclusive so she did not attempt any conversation beyond acknowledging it with a wave before it flew off. She doubted that Non would be able to understand her current dilemma to advise her anyway...

And that was what she was hoping for right at that moment, advice...

She had called Cece earlier to ask if she was free. Unfortunately the deputy leader of First Base was on monitor duty for the whole day, having offered to take a 24 hour shift so her teammates could recover from the festivities they had enjoyed the night before. Dawnstar wished her luck and a peaceful day before closing the call.

She knew that while there were probably at least a dozen of her teammates she could talk to right now about what was troubling her that would give genuine, heartfelt advice, right at that present moment she didn't want them, she wanted to speak to Cece... She considered calling Dr Falkner but given the serious nature of the psychiatrist's work of late as she dealt with the after-effects from the Blight the team's counselor may think the Legionnaire was joking when asked advice on the matter that was currently troubling Dawnstar.

It took her a second to acknowledge it to herself but she also really wanted to talk to Kara.

Kara would have laughed at her and made her realise that her worries were no big deal really, not in the grand scheme of things and probably not in any lesser scheme of things as well.

Dawnstar of Starhaven was so confused. Last night she had left the party alongside Southern Lights. The young mystic had been very respectful and thoughtful. They had kissed as she was leaving him at the door to his apartment and that was where her confusion kicked in. Initially, she realised later, Southern Lights had meant to give her a peck on the cheek but she had turned and their lips had touched together. After that they had carried on kissing. It had been so long since Dawnstar had felt someone's arms around her that she had fell into it without thought.

While they had their arms around each other and kissed she had felt his ...excitement rise. Her mind had raced and yet felt vast and empty at the same time, her blood felt like it was champagne fizzing around her system and the longing in the pit of her stomach almost made her cry.

Dawnstar kept kissing him until there seemed to be some unsaid understanding between them that they needed to stop. She had told him she looked forward to seeing him soon, which he quickly reciprocated, and she left. Even after the winged tracker had flown away she could still feel his hands on her back and in her hair, his muscular chest pressed up against her, his lips tight against hers, his ... well, all of him, she could still feel the mystics body pressed against her.

And now her head swam with stars as she thought of those few timeless minutes.

She had wanted to stay, had wanted to spend the night with the young, blue skinned mystic from her home world. She had wanted to share a night of ...and there lay the problem. Dawnstar had spent over a decade of her life as Wildfire's partner, and apart from a strange incident with a cleric called Jhodan many years ago - that had not involved as much physical contact as her encounter with Southern Lights the night before! - she had no real experience to speak of in this area of inter-personal relationships.

Dawnstar knew it was unusual but she had never lain with a man. She was just short of 27 standard years old and she remained untouched. She knew that deep down she was scared that she may do something wrong, maybe something embarrassing or hurtful, and she really needed the advice that would help her get past this. She was desperate for the advice so she could finally, finally have the intimate company that her teammates all appeared to take for granted. She admitted to herself with a sigh that she was scared to take it to the next level.

As much as she usually kept her personal business to herself, Dawnstar really wanted to talk to Cece!

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


0700 hours.

Second Base, Level 1a, personal apartment of Mon El

Mon El - Senior Team member, Lar Gand of Daxam - incredible strength, speed, stamina, senses, laser vision, space flight, invulnerability
Shadow Lass - Tasmia Mallor of Talok viii - summon and manipulate total darkness


Mon El fought against the tendrils of darkness.

They were gripping around his torso and pulling at his face...

<Lar...?>

He used his laser vision to burn through the tendril that tried to wrap itself across his eyes and pulled one arm out from where it had been bound to his body...

<Aaaagh! LAR!>

He could hear Shady scream so knew he had to act quick...

<LAR! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!>

The Daxamite opened his eyes.

He was floating in his bedroom, naked apart from the ragged remains of a sheet wrapped around him. On the ceiling above were two scorch marks burned across the otherwise white surface. He quickly blew some freezing breath over these and looked around. Sat on the floor next to his damaged bed was Tasmia Mallor. She clutched at her left shoulder, obviously in great pain.

"Shady... what?" He flew down to her but she inched away from him, her eyes like daggers.

"Get me some help." She growled. He quickly used his x-ray vision to scan her and saw clearly her shoulder had been smashed and was in urgent need of medical attention. He reached down to pick her up and again she moved away.

"Get me some help!" She yelled this time, her face raw with anger and pain.

In a blur he was gone and seventeen seconds later a warp appeared in his bedroom that the Daxamite walked through accompanied by Dr Shakespeare. The doctor rushed to Shadow Lass' side to examine her while Mon El sped off to get dressed. He was at the doctor's side moments later wearing his red uniform, without the cape.

"What happened here Tasmia?" Kent asked as he sprayed an anaesthetic on the wounded Talokean's shoulder.

"Lar had a nightmare and elbowed me. It... ah that feels better... his blow threw me out of the bed and then he started wrestling with the sheets and lasering the ceiling. I used the telepathic matrix to wake him up before he blew a hole into space."

"Tasmia, I'm so sorry... I... I thought we were fighting those monsters on Talok viii again."

"I know you didn't mean it Lar." she said softly, though didn't look up to meet his eyes.

"Are you seeing a counsellor Lar? The Blight effect... A lot of the team are suffering too, but as you're so powerful we should perhaps prioritise your treatment. I'll get onto Dr Falkner..."

"I'll do it myself Kent, thank you anyway." Lar's tone of voice was neutral though his expression was clear to read.

"Please make sure that you do." The Doctor turned back to Tasmia and held out a hand to help her stand up. Once she was on her feet, he spoke into his flight ring. "Henry, can you warp Tasmia and I to the central medical facility on First Base please."

After the warp closed around them Lar Gand felt his anger build until he wanted to scream.

Last night they had been celebrating the defeat of the Shadowmancer and the Devil's Dozen and it had been the first night he had spent with Tasmia in such a long time. As she had a reputation as a fierce warrior and planetary champion, most would be surprised at how compassionate, tender and caring she was when in more intimate settings. After a thousand years of enforced celibacy in the Phantom Zone, Lar knew how truly special it was that he had found someone who could share such moments.... and last night had gone better than he had imagined, but for it to end like this was so damn frustrating!

He knew that it would be a long while before Tasmia would spend a night with him again... if she ever would.

Lar decided he was going to find an asteroid to pulverize, and then after he had finished with that he would book in another appointment with the team's counselor.

The Daxamite flew to the nearest airlock and let himself out.

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


0800 hours.

First Base, level 11, personal quarters of Spoiler

Spoiler ii - Gord Eno of Naltor - precognition, specialising in short range visions for combat situations
Booster - Solstin Wang of Earth - awareness and manipulation of natural physical properties of those around him


Solstin had left Gord's apartment ten minutes before.

Gord Eno had immediately hit the sonic shower and notified the monitor board that he wanted to extend his no call-out status by another twelve hours. He really needed to recover and get some sleep! He was exhausted...

Solstin had told him early on in the evening as they had undressed each other that he was very surprised that Gord had remembered him, let alone was interested in spending a night as they had never really interacted while at the academy. Gord had smiled as he reminded the medic that when they had joined the academy a couple of years before both were driven to get Legion membership and now that they had ...well, it was time to reap the benefits of all their hard work and just enjoy themselves when the opportunities arose.

He didn't want to say anything to Solstin but when they were at the academy together Gord had been well aware of the nasty judgemental gossip that was traded around the Rec room's so he had kept his fun to off-base activities. Otherwise... well, whatever... he hoped to make up for that wasted time.

Gord's adventurous pansexuality could surprise the more reserved and prudish from the wider United Planets. Certainly, he knew that his people had a reputation for being ...easy, and it was probably well deserved. But, Gord thought, at least they had a culture that was honest about such things and were taught to be non-judgemental over each others choices and actions. The magical mutation that gave all Naltoran seers their white hair and precognition also gave them a raised pheromone count which tended to make them more attractive than an average person, all other things being the same, and also gave them strong libidos so it was truly just them acting on their nature to enjoy the intimate company of others!

Gord had teased Solstin about his 'Cosmic Boy Fan Club' haircut; short at the sides and parted on the left, while quickly following up with several compliments about his impressively defined abs, magnificent smile and overall super-cuteness. The young mutant from Earth admitted that he found the Naltoran to be a bit intimidating with his broad shoulders and hard muscular physique, and the feeling of intensity he projected. Gord laughed at this, saying he only looked intense because he was low-key using his precognition to ensure he didn't make too many mistakes - he wanted to make sure they both enjoyed themselves as much as possible.

Spending the night with a very sexually adventurous precognitive and a man who had the ability to greatly increase a body's natural strength, flexibility, stamina, resistance to injury and, recovery time from exhaustion had ensured that they both took things much further than either had before.

As a result, it had been night of quite a few firsts for both of them.

Before he left Solstin had nervously asked Gord if would like to give him a call in a week or so, as he would be really busy in the next couple of days but the young medic would like to hang out with him again. Gord laughed and agreed, saying right now a call in a week was the perfect solution for them both as they probably needed that to recover! Both had laughed, kissed and then Solstin left the pre-cogs apartment.

Overall, Gord Eno thought, it had been a rather spectacular experience. He was especially happy as he knew that Solstin felt the same. Though, looking around his apartment Gord wished he'd thought to ask Solstin to help tidy the place up before he had left...

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


0900 hours

Hope World:


Star Boy - Senior Team member, Thom Kallor of Xanthu - stellar mass transference
Invisible Kid - Jacques Foccart of Earth - personal and tactile invisibility
Harmonia - Senior Team member, Professor Harmonia Li of Earth - manipulation of the natural environment

'Smart Boy' - Senior Team liaison, Strategic Analyst Graq Maurus of Colu - 10th level intelligence specialising in disaster relief scenarios
Groovy - Science Police Officer Droo Vri of Daxam. of Daxam - incredible strength, speed, stamina, senses, laser vision, space flight, invulnerability
Magnetix - Science Police Officer Jooli Esra of Braal - manipulation of magnetic fields
Mama Tank - Science Police Lieutenant Lolla Grayfrau of Badenhoff vi - cybernetics giving incredible strength, invulnerability, AI manipulation

Support staff: Flaurianarelle of Zerox - Greensleeves - orchard and farm caregiver - magical manipulation of plant life


There was only one Rec Room on Hope World exclusively for the Legionnaires to use.

The vast majority of the space on the planetoid was taken up by stores, accommodation for over three thousand potential refugees, massive hydroponics and seed stores, medical facilities and general equipment that they estimated would be needed on their missions going forward. Thom had gotten lost twice the day before when he had been looking for certain supplies, much to Nura's amusement. When he mentioned it to Imra and Garth at the party the night before both had sympathised as they laughed.

Right now though, he wasn't lost. Thom was enjoying his breakfast in the quiet Rec Room and had just spooned his third mouthful of cereal as Jacques walked through the door.

"Hey good news, the auto-chef's up and running finally." Thom smiled as he said this, obviously relishing the bowl of crunchy Xanthuan cereal before him.

"Looks good mon ami, per'aps later..." Jacques grabbed a caffee pod from the auto chef before he sat down across the table from Thom.

"So, you looking forward to doing some good with Nura and me? She told me our first mission would take us to the Wilderness of the Sassanaboan Nebula."

"I should research it before we go." Jacques replied with a dishearted smile, "zo... 'as she told you much of what we should expect Thom?"

"Not really, a plague out on the edge of the Fringe, then the eruption of a volcano, ah.... Yeah, if I'm being honest, I'd rather deal with any problem when we arrive than overthink it beforehand. Living with a pre-cog would get complicated otherwise."

"Oui, I understand. Why worry before it's necessary?"

"Exactly... and right now, I'm enjoying breakfast way too much to start worrying." And with that Thom spooned a heap of cereal into his mouth.

"Enjoy, mon ami. I'm goin' to speak with Danielle." Before Thom could finish his mouthful to wish his friend good luck, Jacques had walked out of the Rec Room and continued on his way to Henry's latest warp room.

En route Jacques bumped into Harmonia Li. They chatted politely as they walked along the corridor. Jacques had always rather admired the professor as she always maintained a quiet dignity that he found intriguing and also strangely alluring. Danielle loved her too, so that immediately gave Harmonia credit in Jacques' mind. His sister had trouble picking up on social cues so many people found her awkward to be around; Professor Li had treated Danielle no different from anyone else and in fact had treated Jacques sister better than she treated quite a few on the wider team. In return, Danielle was happy to be around Harmonia and would not lose herself in AI chatter to avoid interaction as she did with the majority of the wider team.

They reached the grav lift and the ancient elemental asked Jacques to say hello to Danielle from her as she left him. She was on her way to the upper levels and Home World's massive hydroponic unit.

As Harmonia stepped out of the grav lift she could see Flaurianelle of Zerox floating above seedlings, singing in a small childish voice to them. The ancient elemental smiled as she watched the sprouting plant life happening before her. Harmonia had planted these seeds only two days before and already they were over a foot tall, and increasing as she watched.

The faery fluttered around the plants, touching leaves gently and stroking the stems with an almost maternal love. Harmonia had lived for thousands of years and only met members of the Fae twice before, neither time was as beautiful or peaceful as this though!

"You have the most amazing talent." Professor Li said softly as she walked into the huge room.

The Faery turned and nodded her head towards the elemental, a wide smile on her childlike face as she carried on singing her charms to the plants rather than engaging in a conversation.

Harmonia didn't mind at all as she estimated with Flaurianelle's assistant they would be more than self-sufficient for fresh fruit, grain, fungus and vegetables within a week. That would help the team greatly as well as those they dealt with that were living in the most impoverished of circumstances. An auto-chef might rearrange base molecules into something resembling food but in Harmonia Li's mind nothing beat the taste of fresh food that had grown naturally.

And all this beautiful vegetation really did help make the air smell so much better within the confined space of the planetoid. Despite what anyone would tell her, Harmonia Li did not believe that air scrubbers ever fully removed the stench of so many physically active people, only living vegetation could do that.

the ancient elemental hummed happily to herself as she examined the huge hydroponics unit readouts.

Jacques Foccart reached the warp room and was surprised to find that he was not alone. Strategic Analyst Graq Maurus of Colu stood beside the large mushroom-like console that housed Henry?s totality as he examined a hard light screen. The Science Police Officer was flicking through information too fast for Jacques to catch what it was.

Jacques took a minute to speak with his new colleague before requesting a warp to First Base. Graq Maurus wished the former Legionnaire a pleasant day and continued to monitor his read-out. The Coluan had made it a priority to understand the social signals that non-Coluans took for granted when interacting amongst themselves. As a result, amongst his Science Police colleagues he was often seen as somewhat friendly and approachable - for a Coluan. He was currently waiting to welcome and show the latest recruits from the Science Police around Hope World. His fellow Science Police officers were due soon and as a Coluan he felt he needed to have as much data as possible to fully appreciate the moment and ensure the most favourable outcome.

Officer Droo Vri from Daxam was first to arrive and surprised his Coluan teammate by walking in through the door, not using one of Henry's warps. As they chatted, it was clear that Officer Vri was every bit as enthusiastic as the file Graq had received the previous day suggested. The Daxamite said he'd actually arrived the day before so had given himself and Theena the Communications Officer a tour already, but would appreciate a proper look around as he had been rather distracted...It was quite endearing in a way though the strategic analyst hoped the young man would be able to follow orders and fulfil mission briefs and not get distracted. At least it was immensely clear that the Daxamite was very excited to be here on Hope World. The young soldier kind of reminded the Coluan of a puppy at a party...

The other two were already known to Strategic Analyst Maurus. It was ten minutes later, exactly one minute before they were due to arrive that they warped in together from their briefing on Mons Olympus.

Officer Jooli Esra from Braal had built quite a reputation as she made her way through the two-year training program to become an active Science Police Officer. At 4 feet 8 inches tall she was easy to overlook, though those that did often regretted it. Officer Esra had a quick mind and a high EQ quotient that would be necessary on the missions that this team were expecting to go on, along with her incredibly powerful Braalian abilities. Graq had felt happy when he had learned she had volunteered to join the team as he knew what an asset she would be.

Lieutenant Lolla Grayfrau from Badenhoff vi on the other hand had a physical presence that was difficult to ignore - easily 6 feet tall and muscular, she had made no attempt to hide the cybernetic enhancements she had gained six years prior after the Battle at Starbase Foxtrot Blue. Her pragmatism and strength of character were as legendary amongst SP staff as her distinctive appearance.

They were a very odd-looking group of Science Police officers yet Graq Maurus had no doubts they would be fine additions to the team that Dream Girl was building. With a surprising amount of good humour and thoughtful consideration of their needs, the Coluan spent the next three hours with the recruits from the Science Police ensuring they were all as comfortable as possible as they settled into their assignment on the new Legion base.

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


1000 hours.

Home Base academy, Third Level Refectory

Retro - Deen Toro of Ventura - limited reversal of personal timeline
Intern: Little Loki - Magnus Laviksen of Nordhelm - illusion casting


Retro tried to meet up with Little Loki at least once a week.

As the Legionnaire felt responsible for the young man from Nordhelm being on Home Base and attending the Academy, Deen made sure that Magnus knew that he was supported here and not alone. Over the last couple of months, they had become quite friendly, chatting more and more about everyday issues like problems with the food replicators and the poor choices of piped music in the grav-lifts...

This morning though the young man from the Viking World appeared to be a bit more animated than usual. Retro smiled proudly as they spoke about the student becoming an intern. While Magnus could be feisty at times, the majority of the team agreed he was a decent young man with a quick mind, good heart and very useful skill-set.

As they discussed what would be expected over the coming months Deen realised that it wasn't the prospect of getting closer to becoming a Legionnaire that was making Magnus so excited...

"And..." Deen began, his mouth curled up into a mischievous smile, "in other news, Magnus Laviksen finally opens up about what's really got him so excited!"

The intern laughed.

"Yeah, sorry, it's kind of embarrassing..."

"Is everything okay Magnus?" Deen asked lightly, his thoughts racing about the potential problems the young man may have.

"Yeah... so, like... well..."

"Oh, spit it out already. You know I'm over a century old, so believe me I've seen a lot and I seriously doubt you're gonna shock me." Retro smiled encouragingly as he spoke.

"I've... ah, I've met a girl I like and she likes me too." Magnus looked up at the Legionnaire, uncertain how he might respond.

"Well.... That's tremendous news! Who is it? Can you tell me?"

"Yeah, of course, it's Ness... Ness Strakinos, Thunderbolt." Magnus grinned as he said her name.

"She's lovely Magnus." Retro said, genuinely happy, "She's a good girl though she's real smart too so don't mess her around. You don't want to get on the wrong side of someone with her powers, okay?" Retro teased with a chuckle.

"Yeah.... only I need some advice, you see on Nordhelm I could have been married a couple of years ago by now, the age of consent there is fourteen standard, but on Gardenhome where she's from its eighteen..." Magnus' face and neck had risen in a blush that could have been spotted from a great distance.

"But you're not planning on getting married already, right?" Retro said, his face a quizzical expression.

"Well, it wasn't the marriage age of consent I was really talking about..."

"Ah, so you're saying you haven't gotten intimate in a way that... well, you know." Retro could feel his cheeks start to colour with a blush as well.

"So, I was wondering if the academy had any rules in place, like do we follow Earth standard, or is there any specific regulations we need to know about?"

"Yes... there will be. I'll get back to you about that Magnus." Retro said, suddenly wishing to end the conversation.
"Thanks, you see in the common rooms everyone says we can do what we want here as the Legion has ambassador status so we're free to do whatever..."

"Ah! No, that is not right Magnus. Please, tell your friends that they do not have ambassadorial status, only full team members have. It is important that they know that." Retro's expression was serious and for a moment Magnus was worried that he had offended the Legionnaire.

"Look, I'm really sorry Deen..."

"Oh shoosh, it's not you Magnus, don't be silly. Do the new student guidelines you're all given not cover this sort of thing?" Retro gave the intern a smile, though from his expression it was obvious his mind was elsewhere.

"I don't think so... there's a part about respecting each other's culture and that one doesn't trump the other so to treat everyone with kindness and understanding... that's all I remember."

"Okay, well it'll need updating... thanks for letting me know. Anyway, let's meet up in a few days, okay? I need to run."

After they had went their separate ways, Retro used his flight ring locator function to find Luornu Durgo-Taine. They really needed to put some rules in place before there were any major repercussions from this oversight... why had they not realised what could happen as the majority of their students were ...well, horny teenagers. There would be interactions and expectations between folks from very different cultures with their own social norms that could lead to complicated situations arising when they were put into a pressurised environment like Home Base Academy?

From what Deen had picked up, when the Legion was first forming there were several short-term liaisons and a fair bit of experimentation between the new teammates before most of the long-established relationships had been formed... Why hadn't Rokk or Lu anticipated this? Retro was grateful that there hadn't been any legal cases taken out against them already. He could imagine the negative media headlines and public backlash that they would face. Luornu and Rokk would need to address this before someone got hurt.

He was also very happy that he was only the messenger here and ultimately this wasn't his problem to solve...

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


1100 hours.

First Base, Level 11, personal apartment of Phantom Girl:


Tinya was sat in her quarters.

The Senior Team were all present in holo-form. Their meeting was, they expected, just a chance to catch up and update each other on what had been going on recently. At least, that's how Tinya had implied it was going to be when she called it - a catch up and housekeeping and arrange the next couple of missions...

"So," Tyroc said, "The SPs reckon those twins made th'r way to Rimbor as it was the last warp opened, ...or so the Gil'Dishpan told them."

"Oh joy, Rimbor!" Ayla said. Several of the Senior Team laughed.

"Anyone want to lead a team there? See if we can pick them up?"

"Yeah, I'll do it." Ayla said, "It'll be good to tie up the loose ends."

"Oay, pick a team and good luck." Tinya smiled as she replied.

"I'll help Ayla, we can use Legionnaires from both bases. Should take half the time. " Luornu Durgo said.

"Yeah, thanks Lu, appreciated. Though it won't take too long if we take M'Windaji'. Other than that we can just open a mission call and see who volunteers..." Ayla could see Tinya's expression change, "what is it Tinya?"

"Ah, it's something I was going to bring up. Gear thinks he might have discovered a clue to Tuk Shir's whereabouts and..."

"Great, let's get going!"
"Where is he Tinya?"
"Anje will be so grateful!"
"When do we leave?"
"What's the catch?"

"Wait up, before you think to go charging in there Gear thinks it's in Dominion space. We have to be careful here."

There was a moments silence before the team started talking over each other, some arguing for force and damn the consequences while others agreeing that Tinya should be careful. She let them speak for ten seconds before she spoke.

"Hey, team, enough! My mind is made up and this isn't a democracy. I'm going to lead a small team on a reconnaissance mission. Once we know for sure we'll discuss our options. This is not a debate!" She noted Mon El blinked at her strength of phrasing and she gave him a small smile.

"Reep," she continued before there were any more arguments, "I want you and Gahaji on the team."

"If I could make a suggestion," Chameleon Boy said, "Otaki has encountered the Dominators before and her abilities have both an enormous range and great subtlety, and Strobe has tremendous versatility..."

"We don't want a large group Reep..." Tinya countered flatly, her eyes flashed with disappointment and the beginnings of anger.

"You shouldn't want any group going there." Mon El interrupted, "Send Gear's nannites if you must spy on the Dominion but risking Legionnaires, especially our junior members... it's madness Tinya. You know where this could lead if they find you, don't you?"

"Gear's nannites won't work on Dominion chloro-tech Lar, you know that..."

At that point the holo-circuit gave an unexpected buzz and Nura Nal's holo joined them.

"Oh hello darlings, how are you?" She said with a bright smile.

"You're not one of the Senior Team so what do you think you're doing?" Tinya snapped, inside she was grateful for Nura's appearance as it gave her someone to get angry with.

"I have something to say..." Nura gave Tinya a level gaze.

"Oh? Want to steal another world and half the team from us Nura?" Tinya countered.

"Oh shoosh, you know it was the right..."

"I think you should leave, Nura. This meeting is for the Senior Team only."

"You'll want this information I found it hidden in Hope World's systems. It covers Dominion security protocols. I'm fully aware you're away to make an illegal incursion into their Empire Tinya so this may help." Nura gave a smile but there was no warmth. "...okay darlings, I've sent the schematics to you all." The Senior Team's flight rings all pinged as Nura's data reached them. Several started to thank her but before they could Tinya rather huffily spoke across them all.

"I'll take it under advisement." She didn't glance at the hard light screen that had popped up, instead she gave Nura's image a hard stare.

"Do have a simply splendid day everyone, you know I've missed you all." Nura's holo gave a big smile before turning to the team leader. "...And Tinya, honey, while we've never been besties please do take this advice: you're not going to be the leader for much longer so don't get too used to this little power trip you're on. Things are going to change around here. Anyway dearie, good luck not starting an intergalactic war." And with that comment Nura's holo vanished.

Glad you enjoyed the party scenes, I'd written them out ages ago so it was great to finally post them.

Next up, we get going on the rescue mission to get Tuk Shir - what could possibly go wrong?

A new instalment already, yay! My thoughts:

Poor Dawny! There's always so much focus on how bad things are for Wildfire in the comics but I feel like we never get to see it from Dawnstar's point of view....she's really given up so much to be with Drake in the comics, I like seeing this explored. Also, points for remembering Jhodan!!

Poor Mon! He has the power of Superman but very few people have the self-discipline of Superman, and Mon's been through more than most people. This segment really brought home how much Shady actually does for him and puts up with for him.

The idea that all Naltorians are natural hornbags is an interesting one...and kudos on making Gord pansexual! The Legion of Superheroes is the one place we should see a lot more stuff around gender and sexuality that is controversial today being normalised

I also really like the idea that Gord uses his precognition to avoid social awkwardness, kinda makes you wonder about Dreamy being unflappable so much of the time...

haha this reminds me of that old comic panel where their computer decided who'd have more fun kissing one another...it is an interesting thing to face for a Legion that's grown to this size - unlike the old days where the horny teens would have gotten it out of their systems by the time there were more than 15 or 16 of them, there are dozens of horny teens in close proximity now and it really needs to be addressed. I am interested to see what comes out of this tbh!

I am taking a perverse pleasure in Dreamy becoming the Emma Frost of this team - she's insufferable, but she's also right all the time, it must be so difficult to deal with as a leader! Looking forward to see how PG's Dominion mission pans out and I hope she and Cham get a chance to actually talk stuff out at some point, it hurts seeing them at odds!

Raz, hi, thanks for your very quick review.

Yeah, Dawny... hmmm I've been thinking of her a bit recently as I wanted to write about how awkward she is going into a relationship and it struck me that in canon she was working at 13 then in the acaemy at 15, Legionnaire at 16 and has had no life to speak of other than that. She'll get some very necessary character growth soon.

The idea of Mon El being dangerous to mere mortals when he's asleep actually came to me watching Family Guy when in one scene Peter get's up from bed and can't find Lois as she had been crushed under him into the mattress, haha.

Naltorans aren't horndogs, they are just following their nature... which admittedly means they tend to act like horndogs but, well, okay perhaps by other cultures standards they are. and a group of teenagers living together and going through intense physical training - you know they aren't sleeping alone if they can help it and I needed to address that.

Nura as the white Queen is exactly what I was going for - great minds!

Anyway, thanks again for your kind words.

Oh, meant to say next time we will also find out what Jan is up to, and Zoe and Gahaji have a talk....

More great stuff, Harbi!

Kudos for representation, you write characters from so many backgrounds, sexual orientations, etc. and they are each unique too!

I smiled a lot at the Spoiler/Booster soon, they are fast becoming a fave couple, esp. as their "experimenting" and trying new things reminds me of me and my man (though we are nowhere near as physically fit as these two lol)

Dawny is scared, and that's normal, and kudos for having her be strong enough to want to face that fear. your friendships are so well-written!

Oh dear, re the Tasmia/Mon scene. I can understand Tasmia's reaction - I would be scared too, what if this happened again? if Mon had been facing Shady when he used his heat vision... also wondering, I mean, people can have nightmares any time, even without the Blight, how does the Legion handle that?

ah gossip, I can relate to why Gord avoided the rec room. Gossip can be a tool for bonding, but can also be quite nasty

nice explanation for why Naltorians are like that - higher pheromone count that affects, well, a lot of things!

I like Graq already, and it makes sense that an intelligent Coluan could learn "politeness" and social behavior if they wished!

Smart of Retro to realize the potential issues that could be raised by, well, horny teens... tee hee! good question, why didn't the more senior teachers anticipate this, considering their own early days?

I do like Tinya standing up to Nura, though it could have been a bit "tempered' shall we say. I do like seeing Tinya stand up and get angry, as she's usually so kind and thoughtful so nice to see another side of her.

oh heavens, that parting shot of Nura. that is so her, frosty and everything. Now, while I do agree Tinya didn't handle it the best way, Nura also hasn't been doing things in the best way, so Nura isn't blameless here either... you write these interpersonal dramas so well!

well, very much eager to see what goes on!

Once the meeting had finished, Tinya had asked for Henry and Gear to join her in her quarters.

As infuriating as Nura could be, Tinya knew she had been right - the data she had somehow procured showed the basic security set-up for Dominion bases and cruisers. There were schematics and algorithms to generate security passes.... it was an amazing cache of information that Sa Lok or one of his subordinates had clearly forgotten about. At least, Tinya hoped they had forgotten about it, as tricky as the Rimborian ex-Under Secretary to the UP could be she had to consider it was left intentionally to lead them into a trap.

No, Tinya thought, as much as it pained her to admit it, she believed Nura would never have given them this information unless she was absolutely certain the data would help them.

Damn, but Nura Nal could be so annoying!

The Legion Leader had to assume they were going to encounter resistance, particularly since Mon El's mission to the B'Laxor system a couple of months before had alerted them to meta-powered Dominators. The one they had captured had enhanced strength and durability and could open warps in space, so who knew what else they had developed. The Legion had to assume the Dominion would have access to Sa Lok's gene-mod technology. And they had captured Tuk Shir six days ago now, so what else had they found in his Daxamite genetics to enhance themselves with?

"Phantom Girl, how may I help you?" As ever, Gear had immaculate manners as his nannites formed into a body for the Linsnarian before her. The holo-avatar of Henry appeared next to Gear.

"Thanks chaps, I wondered if there was any news from the earlier reconnaissance mission I gave you?"

"Of course, the micro-warp Henry opened allowed some of my nannites to access the approximate vicinity to where we had discovered trace elements equivalent to Captain Shir's anti-lead serum. We had recalled these nannites through a similar warp only an hour ago and their findings are conclusive that there is Daxamite DNA in a nearby holding facility. From the information we gathered it appears to be a medical facility of sorts though there were a large number of Dominators present so we must assume that some at least are there as security. Unfortunately, due to the small number we could safely risk sending, we do not have conclusive proof that it is Captain Shir that is being held within this facility."

"Okay, fair enough. Thank you Izor, I'm very grateful for your help with this."

"If I may..." Henry said, "It will be possible, from the data supplied to extrapolate a point where there are minimal risks of discovery."

"That's a relief... okay, leave it with me chaps and thank you both. Your help has been invaluable.

After Gear and Henry left Tinya put her head in her hands and took three deep breaths. She knew this mission could potentially turn very nasty but she had to do something to return their missing Science Police colleague. She took one final deep breath and called up the mission monitor board. She contemplated the options available to her before deciding; Chameleon Boy, M'Windaji, Strobe and herself - that would be the team and hopefully they would be stealthy enough to get in and out before all hell broke lose!

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


Second Base, level nine

Thirteen - Dann Hortra of Naltor - line of sight probability manipulation

Science Police meta-squad seconded to Legion World First Base:
Gravity Kid - Science Police Officer Tel Vole of Earth - manipulation of personal or nearby gravity


Tel had arrived late!

He hated being late but another slot with Dr Griffor had become available so he had joined his husband Jed along to Home Base for the session. Then, of course their marriage guidance session had overran by half an hour. He had been glad they had attended as Jed had opened up and Tel now felt that he understood his husband like never before. Afterwards Jed had said he wanted to talk to his parents and Tel had left him alone to do that - the session had brought up a couple of things that he knew his husband would want to say and it wouldn't be appropriate for have Tel hovering around while their family business was being discussed. Tel had kissed his husband and wished him luck before he left.

Tel had been skeptical of marital counseling before meeting Dr Griffor but now, after only two sessions, he saw firsthand how helpful it could be. Still, it had overran and consequently he arrived at Dann Hortra's apartment an hour late for the meditation class.

In his defence, Tel had tried to call the Naltoran but he hadn't picked up. Tel realised the class was probably finished now but he hoped that it was still going on and he could slip in. The techniques Dann had been sharing with him and their colleagues were really helping in the aftermath of the Blight. It made sense that Naltorans with their innate abilities to scan future probabilities would be the ones to develop successful ways of training oneself on focusing on the immediate here and now... Tel rang the door chime and Dann Hortra answered almost immediately. As usual, when in his own apartment, Dann was wearing very little and Tel couldn't help but steal a glance at his colleagues muscular body.

"Dann, hey... I'm so sorry but an appointment came up with Dr Griffor so..."

"It's fine Tel, you know these are just drop in sessions so there's no obligation to be at every one, don't you?" Dann smiled as he spoke.

"Yeah... but..." Tel settled his feet onto the floor and shrugged.

"Anyway, the class finished like ten minutes ago. I'm in need of a nice cup of green tea, you want one?" Thirteen turned from his colleague and walked across the apartment to his kitchen nook.

"Ah... yeah, thanks." Gravity Kid felt momentarily confused, unsure why he was there, but stayed in the same spot watching as his teammate made them both steaming mugs of green tea.

Thirteen took them to the central space where his large couch and holo-pit were. As he sat down he held one out for Gravity Kid to take. Tel floated across towards him and used his abilities to levitate the mug towards himself. Tel sat at the far edge of the couch from Dann and held the mug up to his face to sniff the fresh scent.

"I'm glad you popped by, been meaning to ask Jed doesn't need these sessions does he?" Dann asked.

"No, he's relatively fine after the Blight to be honest. I used to say he was pathologically positive as if it's an insult... now it's something I've grown to admire."

"You've got a good one there, you know that?" Thirteen gave a smile as he said this.

"Oh yes, he's definitely that." Tel sat forward and smiled back as he looked round at his colleague.

"You have a good relationship, if I'm being honest, I am a little jealous..."

"What?" Tel jerked backward; his expression was clearly unhappy.

"Oh, Cassandra no!" Dann started laughing, "I'm so sorry Tel... no and no again, I'm not after Jed, or you for that matter... nor anyone really. But the idea of having someone you're that close to, it's very alluring y'know. I've never had it." Dann tapped his fingers on Tel's shoulder and smiled again. "I just think it must be a good place to be, hard work sometimes but the payoff would be worth it."

"Ah... okay, that's okay Dann," Tel paused as if he was away to elaborate, though instead he took a deep breath and said "so, anyway, I'd better get going. You must need to ...ah relax after the class." Tel felt suddenly very self-conscious and wanted to leave, in fact he desperately wanted to be anywhere else! He stood up, awkwardly cradling the mug in one hand.

"Tel? You okay there matey? I'm sorry if I wasn't clear but I really didn't mean anything. You know that, right?" Dann stood up and held a hand out towards the gravity manipulator. The Naltoran looked confused but was obviously trying to reach out to Tel.

"You're okay. I guess the therapy rattled me a bit and it's probably best I go..." Tel held out a glowing hand and his mug of green tea floated into the kitchen.

"If you want. I'll be running a class again tomorrow, so if you can make it..." Before Dann could finish his sentence, Tel Vole had flown out of the door.

Thirteen stared at the door for several seconds before sighing and returning to his couch. He had no idea what was really going on inside his colleague's head but whatever it was it was for Tel to sort out. Dann activated his holo and streamed a comedy classic from the vaults - the perfect way to help clear his mind of other people's dramas!

Outside of the apartment, Tel Vole turned the corner and sank down to the ground. Why, he thought, did he just do that? Why was it that Dann Hortra had that effect on him? He knew he loved Jed with all of his heart, but even after a great session with Dr Griffor where they had identified some underlying issues in their marriage and so were potentially closer than ever before, Tel had raced to see Dann. Was it just the meditation class he was after... really? What was he doing? Why was he acting like this and running to another man, was he intentionally sabotaging the relationship he had with Jed, the kindest and funniest and most decent man he had ever met?

Whatever the reason for the irrational feelings Dann brought out in him, Gravity Kid knew it would be best for everyone if he just avoided his teammate as much as possible going forward.

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


Second Base.

Element Lad - Senior Team member, Jan Arrah of Trom - elemental transmutation
Kid Quantum - Jazmin Cullen of Xanthu - creation of temporal quantum fields, flight
Starkling - telepathic swarm-being composed of indestructible ball bearing sized components
Green Lantern - Dkyun Mu of Xudar - wearer of a Green Lantern power ring

Support staff:
Dr Richard Kent Shakespeare - Impulse - Chief Medical Officer and Support Team manager - enhanced strength, speed, durability, stamina


Troy had insisted that Jan take some of their teammates along if he wanted to go out to the Fringe to visit the Magus.

While Jan had not been ecstatic at this he had asked Troy if it was okay that Poltergeist, the new member he had been mentoring, could stay behind. They still had to figure out their way forward after the awkwardness of the mission on Rimbor. Troy understood and agreed, the Second Base team leader would mentor the young psychic until Jan returned and then they would all sit down and talk to resolve the issue.

As several of his teammates had previously met the Magus, the other survivor of the Trommite massacre, Jan decided to invite Kid Quantum to join them. He had been Jazmin's mentor when she had joined the team and they had built a decent working relationship, so he hoped she would agree to it. He knew that technically Jazmin came under Tinya and Cece's jurisdiction as she was based on First Base but the only other options were Kinetix and M'Windaji whose company he felt would guarantee it would not be a quiet or restful trip, or Brin and Laurel... and he really didn't fancy putting up with them for too long. Jan also knew that Tinya would understand his reasoning without him having to explain so he holo'ed and asked. Of course, she understood his rationale perfectly, and agreed with a knowing smile. She appeared to have calmed down after the senior team meeting they had both attended half an hour before. Nura had wound up Tinya and Jan felt bad for the team leader - he understood perfectly how undermining Dream Girl could be. She wished him luck and said she was just away on a mission herself and they could catch up when she returned.

When Jan got off the holo Kent suggested taking Starkling as their other teammate on this side-mission - the composite being had both telepathy and a versatile physical power set. Jan had queried why, a bit frustrated by the suggestion. Kent reminded him that they were not sure what they were going to get into, and as the Magus reputedly had two telepaths in his harem it made sense if they took a psychic on their team, just in case.

Jan shrugged and made the call despite not necessarily agreeing with his partner.

And so, twenty minutes later the four of them met in the Southern Docking Bay on second Base.

Jan explained that this was not a mission, per se, but they were following protocol so he hoped Jazmin and Starkling didn't mind joining him.

Kid Quantum smiled broadly and thanking her former mentor for inviting her. Starkling remained silent, which Jan took to mean it wasn't upset, though he really wasn't sure as the telepathic swarm being had no body language as such for him to read. Not that it mattered really, they were going and it was joining them.

"Right then... last one on has to pilot us all the way there!" Dr Shakespeare yelled as he dived into the anti-grav lift with a laugh.

As the cruiser floated out from the docking bay, Dkyun Mu the Xudarian Green Lantern flew up to the cruiser and asked if she could join them. She stated that she had never visited the Great White Asteroid Field of the Raptor Nebula despite it being within the sector she had been assigned to. Jan could hardly say no though a part of him was wondering if he was ever going to get the time he wanted to spend with the Magus at this rate. Dkyun used her Oan power ring to phase herself through the cruiser's bulkhead and joined the team on the bridge.

"The more the merrier!" Kent said as he hit the warp control to activate their FTL drive.

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


First Base, level 12, personal apartment of M'Windaji and Kinetix

They had gotten in late so slept through most of the morning.

Zoe woke up to find herself alone in bed. The side where Gahaji had lain was still warm and she pulled the sheet across so she could breathe in his scent. She had still to properly open her eyes though knew he would be in the small galley kitchen preparing breakfast.

"Gaj?" She said aloud, still keeping her eyes open though giggling as she did. "Gaj... I'm thirsty, can you bring me through a caffe pod pleeeease?"

He was so much better at mornings than she was so she would often be served breakfast in bed - he was such a sweetheart!

"Two minutes Zoe, don't move, I'll be through soon."

In the kitchen Gahji smiled to himself. He had hoped to wake up Zoe with breakfast, but didn't mind the surprise not happening now as they had gotten into a bit of a routine so it wouldn't have surprised her too much really. He laughed to himself as he thought one morning he'd stay in bed and insist she made him breakfast - now that would surprise her!

The auto-chef had prepared half a dozen fat and fluffy pancakes that he generously dribbled Kiringyagese syrup over before sprinkling the plate with berries. He had found a new fruit filled grove he the day before on level 38 after he got back from the mission to catch the Shadowmancer. Ever since that faery had joined them there were these amazing spots of fruit and berry producing plants appearing all over the base and he really enjoyed finding them. The grove he found the day before had raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, pears and Rimborian sweetnuts. He had taken a tub full of raspberries and blue berries, leaving the rest for the next person to enjoy.

Gahaji hummed to himself as he took the tray through to the bedroom, making sure to balance the two caffe pods on either side of it.

"You know, you spoil me!" Zoe said as she sat up, clapping her hands together in joy as she smelled the pancakes.

"Someone's got to honey, I'm lucky it's me you let do it."

"Oh, you! What do you want now?" she said with a wicked grin.

He placed the tray carefully on the bed and bent across to kiss her.

"Breakfast, I want breakfast." He replied with a smile before he snatched up a fork and dug into the pile of pancakes.

"Hey, wait for me!" Zoe grabbed the other fork on the tray and dug into the pile at her side of the plate. For the next few minutes neither spoke as they tucked into their breakfast.

After they had finished and Zoe had taken the plate, pods and tray through to the kitchen recycler she joined him back in their bed.

"I was just thinking, y'know how you said you had the idea yesterday to get the spear away from that shadowdoofus... well..."

"Yeah? Go on..." Gahaji was on his side, propped up on an elbow.

"I wonder if it was your talent that gave you the idea, y'see you magically find things ... so did you find the solution to the problem?"

"Eh? Nah! That's not how my powers work Zoe."

"Not normally, maybe, but think about it for a mo. We know you're smart honey, but you figured out what none of the more senior staff could, or Glorith... it was pretty obvious in hindsight but even Thunder didn't suss it out.... and you got the Ruby which is pretty powerful so perhaps it's, I dunno, amping you up?"

"Oh, so I'm not as smart as I think, just acting on some magic impulse.... that's a super creepy thought Zoe, thanks for putting that in my head. You know how I feel about magic. It's... well, it's not a normal thing to my people, I was brought up to believe it's not natural."

"And this is?" She held up her hand and one of their pillows flew up from their bed and transformed into a bird-like shape before them where it hovered around in circles for several seconds as she telekinetically manipulated it.

"No, you know what I mean. I'm not a magic user like Glorith or Xao. My talent is a hereditary thing, it's not like real magic magic."

"Not real magic magic? What does that even mean Gahaji?" Her tone had turned more serious and he knew that the conversation would stop being so much fun quickly if he continued with it.

"Okay, I'll think about it, I promise but that's a biggie to land on me. So... okay, food for thought... but only if we can fool around a little instead of arguing?" He batted his eyes at her and they both laughed as the tension left the conversation.

"You are insatiable!" She said as he reached across to kiss her neck.

It was at that moment a holo of Tinya wazzo appeared before them.

"Sorry to interrupt. Gahaji you're coming on a mission with me. Be ready, ten minutes in Henry's warp room please." And with that the holo-avatar disappeared.

Zoe tutted and said, "Y'see, now that was just rude!"

Hey IB, thanks for your feedback, it's very kind.

I'm always trying to think of ways to broaden the team so representation is very important, and if we can't have a decent amount of that in the Legion then where can we?

Spoiler/Booster - I wouldn't go as far as say it's a relationship, but they do enjoy hanging out together when it's convenient.

Dawnstar will get a bit more character growth as it's long overdue. Hopefully she won't ruin her chance with her panicking and control issues!

Naltoran society is so ripe for development so thought I'd slip those bits in, glad you liked it.

And Graq will play an important role with the Hope squad missions so am happy you liked my ideas for him as you will be seeing more of him.

Next up, Tinya and the Espionage Squad against the Dominion! Eek!

Thanks again, more soon,

C