Worst Case Scenario

Chapter 69: Crazy Ideas

"You really think it'll work?" Flash asked into the radio.

"Do we have a better option?" Rocket replied. Beside her, Sphere beeped in encouragement.

Batman, Aqualad, Red Arrow and the Martian Manhunter looked at one another but said nothing.

"That's what I thought" said Rocket, doing her best to sound more confidant about her plan than she felt. "Now hurry up!"

Some little part in the back of Superboy's brain noted the irony that the newest member of the Team was the one giving orders. The rest of him was focusing in order to get ready for Rocket's plan, which was probably going to get them all killed.

"If this is going to work..." Green Arrow said over the mental link, ducking below the dirt wall as red flames passed overhead "...we need to hit them as hard as we can right now. All or nothing."

"Agreed" thought-spoke Batman. "Red Tornado, Miss Martian, Green Arrow and I will target Zatanna. Biologically she's still human and a member of the Team, so we have to be careful. Red Arrow, Aqualad, Captain Atom, and Superboy will throw everything they've got at Klarion. No need to hold back for him. Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter will target Klarion's familiar."

"Don't bother" thought Superboy. "I'll deal with the cat."

Batman paused for a second. Teekl had taken a Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Aqualad and Captain Marvel to restrain before, and even then it had still had a good chance of breaking loose before Klarion had intervened.

"No" said Aqualad. "That is a foolish and unnecessary risk. We'll-"

"Klarion's the bigger threat" Superboy interrupted. "I'll just have to keep it busy. Trust me."

Superboy realized how hollow his words sounded. Teekl was magical, and that would let it slice through his invulnerable skin like paper. But if he didn't Klarion would rip them all apart. They needed a Superman, and he was the best they had.

"Very well" said Aqualad. "But you only need to distract it."

"Don't worry" Superboy said, giving a (regrettably fake) reassuring smile. "I have an edge."

Batman had had enough of the debate. Klarion, Tala and Teekl were advancing. If the League and Team were going to attack, they'd have to do it now. He had personal misgivings about Superboy's part in the plan, but it was time he started trusting the members of the Team the same way he trusted members of the League.

"Lantern and Manhunter, prioritize Klarion. Flash, once Klarion's anti-speed field is down, you know what to do. Move on three."

Conner looked M'gann in the eyes. She silently asked the question, and he nodded. M'gann pulled a triangle-shaped sticker from her pocket. A shield. One of the last four Luthor had given him. One of the four that M'gann had stolen on Queen Bee's orders. He'd explained what they were at the Cave, and she'd tried to return them to him.

No, he'd said. I want you to keep them. When I had them I was using them every fight. I was addicted. From now on, I'll only use them in an emergency, if we really can't win without it. I don't quite trust myself with them yet, so I want you to hold onto them until then. Okay?

Okay she'd replied.

"What is that?" Red Arrow asked, concerned, as Superboy took the shield.

"My edge" Superboy replied, slapping it onto his bicep. For a second, nothing happened.

Then he roared and vaulted over the wall.