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To Be A Hero: Ch.25
🕑 Added 2025-07-09 21:51:03 +0000 UTC“How many?”
“324 planes, 617 trains, 122 cruise ships and 48 sail boats. That's how many we stopped and saved,” Robin answered and yet, none of us were cheering as I stared at the burning chaos across the world.
“How many did we not?”
“…”
“How many, Robin?”
“8 320 planes, 11 234 trains, 3 829 cruise ships and a little over 1000 sail boats.”
“Casualties?”
“We're still going through the numbers, but right now? A little over five millions kids of all ages were lost across the world. That's also not counting the others that were on the outside or in the streets when the accidents happened,” He muttered and I was not surprised when Aqualad stood up and threw his chair at the wall.
Honestly, it was rare for the guy to lose his cool and I wanted to do the same, but right now, I had to stay calm and think of the good of the team.
“Velocity?”, I asked, to which he nodded as he stood up and vanished, reappearing a second later with a new chair that Aqualad took with a murmured thanks.
“We need to stay calm right now, everyone. I understand that we want to lash out and vent, but as of this moment, we have no way of knowing whether or not the League are even available.”
“This is the Light, isn't it?”, I heard Ms. Martian mutter and looked over to see the soulless look in her eyes as she stared at the chaos on the screen.
“This…this is their way of showing us what would happen if we kept interfering.”
“…It is, but we're not stopping.”
“And how do you expect us to fight against this? We…we couldn't even save a couple of fucking kids.”
“Wally!”, I barked, making him jump as he looked at me to see the frown on my face.
“I understand everyone's frustration. Believe me, I want to be fucking pissed off and shout just as much as you all, but I can't because there are kids out there that still needs us. They still need guidance and right now, they need it from people that can give it. Now, I'm going to need help, but I need to be sure that you all are up for it. Now, are you?”
“…Yeah, we're up for it. Right, guys?”, I saw Artemis ask, watching as the rest of the group looked at each other before I smiled as they all looked at me with determined looks.
“What is our first step?”
“Well, first-”
“Recognized. Zatanna: A-03,” I looked to the Zeta-Tube as the computer spoke, raising a hand to stop the group while watching as the tube activated and a figure walked out.
“Uh, hello?”, A female voice called out before she noticed us, a hesitant look on her face while I stood up and walked over.
Her black hair fluttered behind her as her cyan-coloured eyes focused on me, dressed in a white single-breasted shirt with a white bow tie around her neck and a black jacket and back skirt with black shoes finishing off her outfit.
She also had a black top hat in her left hand and what appeared to be a magician's wand in her right, waving with a slightly shaky smile as I smiled and waved back.
“From the designation, I'm guessing you're the sidekick of the mystic magician Zatara.”
“Daughter, actually.”
“Huh, pleased to meet you. I'm Superboy and yes, I am in some way related to Superman. That's Titan over there, a clone of Superman just like me. It's a long story,” I clarified as she looked at me and she giggled before looking at the rest of the group.
“The name's Velocity. You know, quick, suave and you hate to see me go, but you love to watch me leave.”
'…That was probably a bit better than most of his usual lines.'
“Pleased to meet you,” Unfortunately, it didn't work as well on Zatanna as he was expecting and he just sagged before she looked at the rest of the group, who still looked a bit sombre.
“Well, this was a nice moment, but I assume you know of the incident currently plaguing the world?”
“Right, we'll do introductions later. Also, yeah, I know about it. It's actually why I came here, because I can tell you where the culprits are.”
“….Wait, you can?”, I asked in surprise, everyone's attention on her as she nodded before I looked to the Zeta-Tube as it activated once again.
“Recognized. Rocket: A-09,” I watched as another girl walked through, looking to be about 15 or 16 years old with dark skin and short spiky black hair. She was dressed in a form-fitting blue shirt with a partial hood that covered her cheeks and forehead, wearing brown coveralls and a red belt with three glowing blue circles on it as well as black kneepads.
“Uh, this the usual spot for the younger sidekicks?”
“Pretty much, yeah. You a sidekick too?”
“Icon,” She answered and I blinked at that before a look of recognition entered my gaze when I remembered the dark-skinned man she was talking about.
“Ah, super strength, flight and shoots beams out of his hands?”
“That's the one, but you forgot invulnerability. Never forget that because it irritates him a bit if you don't remember that last part.
“Ah, got it. Anyway, Zatanna, you know where the cause of this is?”
“Pretty much. I was going to go there on my own, but Klarion is not the only one I sensed there.”
“…Of course it's that crazy bastard,” I murmured, shaking my head as she raised an eyebrow and the rest of the group looked just as upset as I did.
“I'm guessing you guys know him?”
“All too well. This is his fault, then?”
“My father had managed to tell me that he felt his energy surging in North Carolina before he vanished. I think he wanted to say specifically where, but he couldn't get it out in time.”
“North Carolina?”, I heard Robin murmur to himself, turning my gaze to see him already on his portable PC gauntlet trying to figure out why there.
“While Robin is busy with that, I have the beginnings of a plan to calm the kids around the world, but I need some help. Who wants to help with that?”
“I've learned a lot from helping Robin with the tech so I'll help,” Artemis spoke up and I smiled as Ms. Martian nodded in agreement before nodding as I turned to the rest of the team.
“Okay, then. While they set up that, I want the rest of us to get ready for the fight. We're going to have to get all the help we can.”
“Recognized. Billy Batson: A-05.”
“…Anyone wanna tell me why there's a kid here?”, Velocity asked as we watched the ten yea old with a red hoodie over a white shirt and blue jeans walking in with an awed look.
He then looked surprised as he saw us noticing him before everyone turned to me in shock as I spoke.
“Hey, Captain Marvel. I'm guessing the adult form is not good for this world, huh?”
“Uh, Chris. Are you sure your mind is in the right place? That's a kid there, not Captain Marvel.”
“Titan, use your senses,” I spoke, watching as Titan blinked before nodding. He first took a deep whiff before his eyes narrowed at the boy, soon tasting the air and tilting his head to listening better before his eyes widened as he looked to me in awe.
“…Brother is awesome.”
“Wait, that's actually Captain Marvel right there?”, Artemis asked in surprise and I nodded as I walked over, smirking at his awed look before holding out a hand that he shook.
“Yes, everything about him is identical to Captain Marvel even though it's also a lot younger than him. Anyway, I'm guessing you came here because you wanted to look for Batman and the others.”
“Uh, yeah, but also…well, it would be better to show you. SHAZAM!”, I watched as the boy shouted his unique catchphrase and lightning struck his form, but as the smoke faded, the others blinked as there was only smoke left.
A moment later, lightning flashed once more and Billy stood there again, waving with a smile as I heard Robin speak.
“When you activate your powers, you get turned into your adult form and sent to another dimensi-No. No, you get sent to the parallel dimension the adults are currently in right now, don't you?”
“As expected of Batman's sidekick. Yeah, that's pretty much it,” Billy nodded and I smirked as Robin and I looked at each other with matching smirks.
“You understand what I was getting at now?”
“Oh, I do. Let's get that thing ready.”
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“Children of the world!”, A voice echoed from every smart phone, tablet, laptop, computer, television, radio and whatever electronic device could be used to broadcast voices.
Every child looked surprised at the figure on the screen, some more hopeful than others as they saw the black shirt with the red Superman logo he had on as well as the calm smile on his face.
“I know you are all scared. Believe me, as I'm doing this speech, I am absolutely terrified, but I have to do this or nothing will be done. As you all have seen and experienced so far, the adults of this world are gone.
However! They are not dead. As of a few minutes ago, a young boy had managed to come to us with a message from the Justice League that was in this other world and they are all saying that the adults there are missing their children.
Now, while we can rejoice at that and feel happy, we also know that doing so will contribute nothing to the cause of bringing our older friends, our older siblings, our parents and all of the older family members of loved ones in our lives back.
That is why I, Superboy, the sidekick of Superman, have decided to go forth with a way to bring the adults back. I will not stand here and lie to you all that it will work, but I will promise that I will sacrifice every drop of blood, sweat and tears that I have in making sure that you all can be reunited with your families.
Until I do so, I want you all to look at the other children around you. Those of you that are between the ages of 13 to 17, you are now the ones that must lead while the adults are gone. Protect those that are younger than you, go to the hospitals where the injured children need you and make sure that you all look out for each other.
Remember, stay strong, stay safe…and may the Light shine upon a brighter tomorrow.”
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“ 'Stay strong, stay safe and may the Light shine upon a brighter tomorrow'. Where did you even come up with that? Were you just made to be perfect?”
“Pretty much, yeah,” I answered with a smile, to which Velocity chuckled as the group of us flew inside the Bio-Ship.
Turning my gaze back to the outside of the ship, I narrowed my eyes as I saw the pillar of scarlet energy rising high up into the clouds, glancing at the rest of the group who were frowning as well before I spoke up.
“Remember, there should be a foci that he's using to channel the spell. Keep him preoccupied and it should be over quickly.”
“Got it. You going to help this time?”, I asked as I looked to Raven, not surprised to see her narrowed eyes before she nodded.
“None of you are skilled enough to face off against a Lord of Chaos. I'll help you distract him. However, it's safe to assume that he'll most definitely have helpers with him,” As if to prove her right, a roar echoed outside the ship the moment she finished speaking, the ship opening up under Titan, Raven and I to let us out.
“Titan! High! I'll go low!”
“Got it!”, He nodded as he shot forward, flying up high before diving down as I flew up. The dragon went to snap at us before a monochromatic light wrapped around his head, snapping it back up right as Titan stomped down on its skull and I delivered a vicious hook to its jaw.
The air rumbled as the dragon's skull caved in upon itself, Raven's energy wrapping around its entire form before she snapped her fingers and snuffed it out of existence.
“…Well, you're a lot stronger than I thought,” I spoke as the three of us flew to the ground, not missing the amused look in her eyes before I turned back and narrowed my eyes at Klarion's cackling form looking up at us.
'And just like in the show, the other four are in the other dimension protecting that one while he's here protecting this one.'
“Hihihihihi~!! You brought my toy!”, He exclaimed with glee before my eyes widened as I saw Titan turning his head to Raven with a growl, quickly stopping and tackling him to the ground.
“Titan! Calm down, okay?! It's just Klarion messing with you.”
“Hey, Project Match! Krypton is Gone!”, I heard Klarion snarl before I gagged as Titan kicked me off, sending me careening through the air.
Flipping over and catching myself, I quickly dodged to the side as Titan missed crushing my skull in, grabbing him by the back of his neck before tossing him back up into the sky.
“Superboy, you-!”
“Focus on the mission! Aqualad, Velocity! Help Raven! The rest of you protect Zatanna!”, I shouted before shooting after Match, watching as he floated in the air while repeatedly slapping his head.
“Match!”, I called out, stopping as he looked at me with a snarl and bright red eyes before he went back to slapping his head with gritted teeth.
“Match, it's me. It's Brother. Listen, you can calm down, Match. I understand you didn't want to, okay? I under-!”, My eyes widened as I raised my arms, a heavy force slamming into them moments later as Match landed a powerful stomp to them.
Keeping myself in place while grabbing onto his leg, my TTK flowed through my hands and into his body, a gargle escaping Match's lips as I forced the energy to his neck and grabbed it tightly.
Even as he began trying to pull his leg back, I simply pulled him forward and into a chokehold, hissing at the repeated painful elbows to my sides even as I kept him in the hold.
“I'm not letting go! Not this ti-!”, A gag escaped my lips as a painful blow rippled through my body, feeling my grip around Match's neck go limp in an instant as I felt myself ragdolling through the sky.
It was only after I skipped across the ground that I finally came to my senses, quickly rolling over and stopping myself before hissing as a sharp pain rippled in my side.
“Hmm, so he's supposed to be the perfect one, huh?”, I blinked as I slowly looked up, my eyes widening at the sight of a dozen smirking clones floating in the air. All of them were dressed in white solar suits with red X's on their chest and my eyes narrowed as their eyes glowed when they looked at me.
'Well, looks like this just got more complicated all over again.'
A/N: And another cliffhanger~!! How does this end?! Who knows? Find out next time.
As always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one…
Ba-Bye~!!
