In an unknown location, a man in a green three-piece suit with blond hair watched as the chaos unfolded with a sinister smile. Next to him stood a large white gorilla with a gray face and a scar on the right side of their mouth. Their upper head was formed in brain-like protrusion.

"The time has come for us to step out of the shadows," Count Vertigo pointed out.

"Finally," A third voice joined in. "As a clown, it's only fun for me if my audience sees the cause for the fun," the man was wearing a purple and green suit and his face was covered in makeup.

"Indeed, Joker," Vertigo nodded. "It is time for the Injustice League to shine under the light." Slowly, four more figures made their presence known. One was a woman with light green skin similar to that of a Martian. Another, a man in an antiquated military uniform complete with helmet, which was good, because the skin of his head was so shriveled you could make out his skull underneath. Atomic Skull.

Then there was a man with pale skin and black hair, gusseted up in a red outfit and a dark green cape: Wotan. The last to round out the group was a man in an outfit which parodied Captain Marvel. However, his suit was black with gold accents, and he lacked a cape. This was Black Adam.

"And by the end of it," Joker grinned with anticipation, "Everyone will be in for a good laugh hahahahahahaha!"

YJYJYJYJYJ

He floated through space like one floats between thoughts in that lucid, slippery state of half-sleep. The vacuum offered no resistance, nothing to remind him that he was thinking, breathing, alive... until a blink or spasming muscle brought him to the cusp of consciousness and he was reminded just how small and mortal he was.

Then he caught wind of it- felt it, kenned it, tasted it. It was an extraterrestrial experience beyond sense, a surety like the knowledge that within a snow-covered landscape, someone somewhere was lighting a cozy fire, and the mind could picture itself next to it.

Oh, this was good. But where was it coming from? It was fresh- crisp charcoal, steaming cocoa, powdery snow, sapling pine- and best of all, it was growing. Oh, he needed to find it NOW!

He sniffed it out once more with the focus of a predator before catching its whiff.

There!

With that, he blasted off, out of nothingness towards the source

YJYJYJYJYJ

Robin went in for a roundhouse kick that Aqualad blocked with relative ease. He responded quickly by twisting his body to go in for a second kick, but Kaldur grabbed the offending leg this time. Before Robin could counter, Aqualad pivoted himself and lifted the much smaller teen like he was nothing but a toddler before dropping him onto the ground.

"I can't wait to be sixteen," Robin groaned in pain while his friend responded with a chuckle and a hand to help him up. The two smiled at each other before noticing Superboy and Miss Martian close together, so close that their hands connected occasionally.

"They aren't good at being subtle at all, are they?" Robin pointed out as he watched the alien couple.

"To be fair, it was pretty obvious to everyone already." The team leader responded.

"Not everyone," The younger teen noted, bobbing his head with far more tact towards Artemis and Wally who were walking towards them. "So, when do we tell them?"

"It should not come from us," The Atlantean scolded.

"But it would be soooo funny," The Boy Wonder countered. Kaldur did not respond. Maybe he was hanging around his friends too much. They were becoming a bad influence.

"So, Zatara's our babysitter this week, right?" Kid Flash asked, walking over to his fellow, former sidekicks who nodded in confirmation. "Then why the hell is he here?" He pointed over at Captain Marvel who seemed to be wandering around, looking for something. A tic mark appeared on the speedster when he noticed a sucker in the red-themed hero's mouth. "-Eating my snacks,"

Was this how Naruto felt with people taking his stuff?

"Suck it up," Artemis shot with all the pointedness of one of her arrows.

"I wanted to," Wally sighed despondently while the archer arched one of her eyebrows at him.

"You do realize what that sounded like, right?" She questioned, causing the surprisingly slow speedster to reevaluate his words and then sputter like a misfiring motor in correction.

Aqualad allowed himself another chuckle before noticing the final member of the team. Naruto was currently moving through the cave morosely- Or, more accurately, Oliver the Tiger was moving around despondently while the teenager was riding on top of him with Beppo on his shoulder. None of which was surprising.

What was unusual was the scowl on the blonde's face as he glared sullenly down at his ring. He seemed troubled by something. Perhaps this was a moment for him to step up as a leader.

"Naru-" "Recognize Batman A-02," The Atlantean was cut off by the computer announcing the arrival of Robin's mentor.

"Computer, national news," The Dark Knight ordered. A moment later the holo-screen appeared and news began streaming.

"The initial attack was short-lived, but Metropolis was only granted a short reprieve," Cat Grant spoke, streams of smoke rising from the city's skyline behind him. "And despite the intervention of Superman and the Justice League, there seems to be no end in sight."

It appeared that checking on his teammate would have to wait.

"This should be fun," Superboy muttered as he watched on screen the suped-up plant destroy a car.

"This isn't the reason I have come," Batman amended. He typed something in and a moment later multiple pictures appeared around the news. "According to the intel you've gathered, Sportsmaster supplied Cadmus' blockbuster formula to Kobra,"

"Which was later combined with Bane's Venom to create Kobra-Venom," Robin continued as he looked among the mosaic of screens. Every panel was filled with missions they had done. Putting them all together, he did not like where this was going.

"Which the Brain used to create his animal army," Aqualad added. He heard Naruto growl at the mention of the supervillain but didn't say anything.

"Like wolf," Conner commented.

"Don't forget Oliver and Beppo," While still riding said tiger, Naruto scratched behind his ear and was rewarded with what sounded like someone sputtering on a bassoon (tigers didn't purr, apparently. Who knew?)

"He also used collars like the ones in Bell Reve to control the animals," Miss Martian observed, ignoring the menagerie around her (both humanoid and animal).

"Batman," Robin began, "Was that plant also injected with Kobra-Venom?" Jabbing a finger at the killer flora dominating all the news.

"Green Lantern ran a spot analysis on it," His mentor admitted, "And it does contain trace amounts of the serum, or something extremely similar."

"So, someone experimenting on life again." Naruto scowled and his eyes flashed orange.

"Then my theory has been proven correct, it seems," Aqualad concluded, not at all sounding pleased about being right. "Villains are working in tandem, not unlike the Justice League"

"Indee, they have." The caped crusader did not deny it. His cowl scrunched to show just how much this truth affected him. "Our enemies have begun, or, have been working together for some time now. And this attack on Metropolis is their first step."

"You got that right," Robin scowled as he pulled up a keyboard and began typing. Soon enough the pictures were replaced with multiple news channels showing plants attacking different cities. Naruto observed all of this with a sinking feeling, as if their roots had buried themselves deep inside his gut.

"Gotham city, Paris, Star City, Taipei," Robin began spouting off city names. "These things are everywhere, and more of them keep popping up," Robin kept typing before all the screens became static.

"Dude," Kid Flash scolded. "Not the time to be playing around."

"Do you seriously think I'd do something like this now?" The Boy Wonder snapped. "Someone is cutting into satellite signals!"

"Which ones?"

"All of them,"

When next something was visible on the screen, there stood seven figures.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Joker chuckled, the man who needed no introduction taking the duty on himself. "We're sorry to cut in on the fun time you must be having with the plants, but the Injustice League has a very important message to give you all."

The Injustice League?

A blond man walked forward and began speaking. "The attack on your cities are our doing," He admitted, taking away their wonder but not worry. "If you wish to save them, a ransom of 10 billion American dollars is required. Delivery instructions have been sent to the United Nations. There is no time limit,"

"-But the longer you take, the more I get to make you all laugh Hahahahahahahahaha!" The Joker broke in before the screen cut back to the news.

"Roger that, Aquaman," Batman finished his call and removed his finger from the comms. "The UN will prepare the ransom as a fallback, but it won't come to that," Robin in the meantime began rewinding the clip, pausing when all seven villains were on the screen and began listing them off like he was a television host.

"Count Vertigo, The Joker, Poison Ivy, Ultra-Humanite, Atomic Skull, Wotan, and-Black Adam," The group turned to see Captain Marvel snarling at the sight his arch-nemesis.

"7 heavy hitters," Kid Flash didn't need to be a genius to know who belonged on this rap sheet. "Probably behind everyone and everything we've faced so far."

"There's your secret society," The clone of Superman scoffed with defiance.

"Not so secret anymore," Artemis muttered with a hand on her hip.

Naruto said nothing, but looked at the screen with narrowed eyes. Something about this seemed…off.

"Perhaps after India they realized we would deduce the truth and saw no point in hiding any longer," Aqualad offered.

"Yeah," Robin agreed. "That was their mistake,"

"Alright!" Kid Flash exclaimed. "Let's get out there and save the day!" He was pumped!

"No,"

So much for that.

"The Justice League will deal with the plants," Batman waved off the on-screen wreckage like it was just something they dealt with on a daily basis- which it was. "I have something else in mind for you all."

Sadly, this was what they had to deal with these days.

This was bullshit.

Smack!

"Hey!" Kid Flash cried, looking over at Artemis who shrugged. How did she even know?!

"While these plants seem to be sprouting everywhere, there's no way they aren't being controlled," The Dark Knight explained. "Your mission is search and destroy. Locate the source and take it out."

Sounded like he wanted them out of the way…so unfair.

Smack!

"Oww!" Kid Flash glared over at Artemis once again. Could she read his mind!?

Zatara frowned as he looked over at his longtime ally. "You understand what you're asking of them, right?"

"They're ready."

"Ready for what, exactly?" The speedster asked.

Smack!

"Will you stop that?!" Wally roared, looking over at Artemis.

"I will when you think for a second," The blond retorted. "If we're heading towards the signal's source, that means its most likely guarded, right?"

"Obviously," Wally scoffed.

"Who exactly do you think will be guarding it?"

"Oh, I know!" Naruto interjected, waving his hand excitedly in front of their faces.

"Good job, Naruto," Artemis patted her fellow blond- then the tiger when it became clear Oliver was jealous of his friend. Then she got back to the matter in the other hand. "But I need to hear it from him,"

"Well, obviously the Injustice Lea-ohhhhhhhh," Realization dawned Wally like a freight train. Well, he felt stupid. Not that he'd ever admit that.

"Well, Batman, I trust you're correct," Zatara sighed.

He sure didn't sound like he trusted him.

Smack!

Seriously? How?!

"I trust you can locate the enemy."

"Of course," Even though it wasn't a question, it was much easier for the magical man to answer. Zatara nodded before looking over at the teens. "With Wotan being involved, then it is highly likely a magical element is involved in this attack," The Magician explained. "I just need to search for a high concentration of active sorcery. Robin, if you will."

Nodding, the teen began typing. Moments later a hologram of the earth appeared. Zatara silently thanked the Boy Wonder before placing his hands on the map.

"Noitartnecnoc yrecros etacol," Eldritch yellow wisps flowed around the map like the words from his mouth before they all converged on a spot. "There it-wait," Zatara frowned as he looks at the location. "This can't be right,"

"What's the problem, Zatara?" Batman asked. "Where's the location?"

"The Louisiana bayou."

Batman narrowed his eyes at the response. "Are you sure?" Zatara nodded in all solemnity. The teens looked between one another before deferring to the older heroes, their reaction unknown to them.

"Proceed as plan," Batman finally spoke. "Move out," He ordered before they could argue. The teens hesitated but began making their way towards the bioship anyway.

Captain Marvel made to follow them but was stopped by the Dark Knight.

"For this plan to work the entire Justice League needs to be seen fighting the plants."

"I know," The kid forced to wear adult responsibilities responded. "But…" He turned his head towards the screen and focused on one specific person.

Black Adam

"I know how you feel," Batman nodded as he eyed a different person with the same sort of look behind his lenses. "But we must have faith in them,"

Billy didn't like it. But he knew the man was right- the Bat was always right. The muscles in his hard chin fought against the nod. Batman then began giving orders to the remaining members in the cave.

"Hey!"

The Dark Knight turned to see Naruto standing at the entrance, his face set in a scowl that would have made the Caped Crusader proud if it were any other moment- and he was anyone but himself.

"Why haven't you moved out?"

Naruto seemed to be debating with something before sighing. He looked up, staring right at the Hero of Gotham in grim determination.

"I need you to deliver a message,"

YJYJYJYJYJ

"What's in the duffel?" Kid Flash wondered, looking over at his captain.

"Plan B," The Atlantean answered in all seriousness. Kid Flash didn't comment, but his eyes trailed back down to the duffel with a certain amount of suspicion and unanswered questions. He had a sinking feeling- like, Marianas Trench deep. Aqualad in the meantime was observing all his team members as they each seemed to be preparing themselves for what could be the hardest fight they'd ever been in.

Artemis was organizing her arrows in a way for her to pull any type out as needed. Robin appeared to be taking inventory of all his weapons for the umpteenth time. Superboy seemed to be clenching and unclenching his fists, stretching his muscles so that they would be loose when it came time to fight. Miss Martian made out to be meditating, making sure her mental abilities were at their max. Kid Flash was oddly still, although occasionally a part of his body would begin vibrating rapidly.

The only one that seemed to not be doing any kind of preparation was Naruto. He was looking at the scenery as it passed by him, both inside and out of the Bioship were equally unfocussed in his blue eyes. His expression was the most neutral Aqualad had ever seen. Maybe now was a good time for that talk.

"You seem troubled," Opening up with this truism, Aqualad at least gained the boy's attention.

"I am," Naruto admitted. "This whole thing with the plants…" He trailed off.

"Well, don't worry," The Atlantean reassured, resting a hand on the blond's shoulder "Between us and the league, we shall be successful."

"Oh, I already know that," The Lantern snorted. "I don't like people who frak with nature like this," His scowl deepened, "The thing that I'm worried about is what this whole thing will cause."

"Cause?" Aqualad questioned. "What do you mean?" Naruto finally faced him, opened his mouth and began to speak only to be interrupted by Miss Martian groaning.

"Uugghh," Bringing a hand to her head, the whole ship seemed to lurch with the action.

"Is everything okay?" Superboy asked.

"No," Was her answer. "I'm Dizzy,"

"Martians get airsick?" Robin narrowed his eyes.

"She does look a bit greener than usual," Kid Flash squinted as well, succeeding only in making himself look silly.

"Not me," Miss Martian let out another groan and gestured weakly to the back. "Her,"

"I feel fine," Artemis shrugged as everyone turned to look at her.

"Not her," The alien girl corrected in agitation, "The bioship," the collective Ohhs that went around only served to irritate her migraine more, becoming a visible pulse on her forehead.

"What's wrong with her?" The Boy Wonder however, was concerned.

"I don't know," She admitted, starting to lose focus on even her own thoughts. "She seems to be trying to shield us, but I don't know from what."

The answer came from left field- a hand punched through the port side of the ship and grabbed Naruto by the collar, tearing him out of the webbing harness and ripping a hole in the interior.

"Lantern!" Aqualad cried, but the wind rushed in and drowned the hero out. And before he could do anything to help, the bioship was hit a second time, sending it careening out of control and crashing into the thick swamp water.

Even with the hard landing, the team recovered quickly except for Miss Martian who was being supported by Superboy. But their attention was even faster to refocus on the fact their ship was rapidly filling with water.

"Like frak I'm drowning for a third time within a week!" Artemis shouted above the flooding of their craft.

"We might not have a choice," Robin responded darkly, glaring not at the gaping hole but the even more hateful thing outside. Floating above the muck was one of the members of the Injustice League, and possibly the most dangerous of them all.

Black Adam. And he looked all set to dive in for a second attack, but a familiar orange blur tackled him from behind and took him out of the picture faster than a channel change.

"That hurt you petaQ!" The vassal of greed roared, ramming the bigger man into a tree. Black Adam grunted from the unexpected tackle, but didn't let it bother him. He grabbed the Lantern by the scruff of his neck and sent a devastating blow into his stomach before he could react.

Black dots appeared within Naruto's eyes as he struggled for breath. Before he could recover, the former hero threw him into the water- which was where the vines were waiting for him. Naruto struggled against the vines, but like everything else in that caustic environment, nature won out and dragged him down into the muck.

While this was going on, the rest of the team was still in the drowning ship.

"Everyone out!" Aqualad ordered as he put his hands together for a platform. The members took the hint, running towards their leader where he launched them one by one up and out the hole. All except for Superboy who simply jumped out, carrying Miss Martian. Thankfully, the ship hadn't crashed far from land so they didn't have far to slog. Perfect timing too, because a plethora of vines emerged from the murky waters and began dragging the bioship down into it.

"She's going to need time to recover," Even as she was now able to stand on her own, Miss Martian's face fell into a pained grimace. "He hurt her badly," She spat in the direction Naruto had been fighting Black Adam.

"Just like I'm about to do to you."

A wave of nausea overcame them as if they had never made it out of the flooding ship and were breathing in the bilge water.

"Vertigo," Kid Flash found himself growling- more like a gurgle as his recent snacks were about to come up. Though which way was up could be anyone's guess…

"That's Count Vertigo to you, peasant," The blond man dismissed.

"Too bad it's not King!" The Dark Knight's apprentice cut. Veritgo glared down at him, but he was met with a smirk. The Boy Wonder whipped out a batarang and launched it straight at the man, causing him to lose focus on his powers. The others quickly moved into action as soon at the effects wore off, Superboy and Kid Flash breaking away and heading for Black Adam.

'Robin, Miss Martian, disappear,' Aqualad commanded, conscious of the link that had already been established by their resident alien.

'What about you and Naruto?!' Robin demanded, not daring to suppose they leave the two behind.

"We will keep them focused on us," Ducking during his explanation, Black Adam tossed Naruto over the Atlantean's head and had turned towards the team leader. "You two finish the mission. As soon as I get the chance, I'll regroup with Naruto,"

Robin and Miss Martian looked ready to argue but knew he was right. So, without another word (and much reluctance) the two of them did as ordered and disappeared into the forest.

'Now then,' Aqualad thought to himself, turning towards the turncoat. Veritgo and Black Adam stood next to each other, and he felt the presence of the others as they surrounded him.

Together they charged.

YJYJYJYJYJ

Naruto struggled against the vines that dragged him deeper and deeper into the water. They continued thrashing him around like an ungrounded firehose, making it impossible for him to focus and create a construct to get him out.

The Lantern was unable to make even a spark, and the darkness became as oppressive as the mounting pressure. How could water so clear on the surface be so black beneath? These Shiznos were stealing his light-his air- his thoughts! He wanted to curse them- but within the space of that rebellious move they constricted tighter around his body, crushing his lungs like a soda can and inviting the stinging saltwater to enter his lungs.

The blond could do nothing as water began entering his lungs, the last spark of light dying from his eyes.

YJYJYJYJYJ

"Poor heroes," Joker bemoaned, watching the plants through the screens wreck everything in sight. "Nothing they do is quite enough," He sighed wistfully while his hands seemed to dance with their own freneticism. Face catching up, his somber look quickly changed to one of pure glee. "Isn't it hilariously marvelous! Hahaha!"

"I believe it's more marvelous at the fact that you can juggle all of them simultaneously," Poison Ivy complimented as she looked at the mad clown.

"Oh, it's not so hard," Joker shrugged, the knives not erring from their circle. "Juggling comes in handy for a clown, especially one with multiple personalities!"

"Though it's strange," Ultra-Humanite added. "I've lost signal with two of the plants,"

"What?" Ivy scowled, she hadn't noticed anything and that was worrisome.

"It was expected," The gorilla explained, writing off the loss like humans had done with his fellow simian's forests and jungles.

"But not this early," The green skinned villainess countered, a caustic hiss to her voice. "Which hero did it?"

"That's what is strange," The grey-furred ape continued. All the heroes are accounted for and none of them were in the cities that the destroyed plants were located.

"What?!" Ivy screeched, sounding like a scarlet macaw receiving prostate exam. "Then who did it?!"

YJYJYJYJYJ

Rachel sighed in boredom as she held the seedling in her hands. It squirmed around frantically, helpless as an earthworm as it attempted to grow, but she wasn't having it. The seedling was encased in a sphere of black energy, sapping it of the life-giving force it needed.

Good thing Wotan was dumb enough to reveal himself in the broadcast. If he hadn't, then she would have never known to search for magical traces. She had located the plant two cities away from Happy Harbor and had made her way there with all the haste of an unenthusiastic teenager. Thankfully she had arrived before the thing had grown, so no damage was done to the city.

"Sorry about this," The blunette spoke, not sounding sorry at all. Slowly the black sphere surrounding the seedling began squeezing upon it. Like any lifeform, the seedling struggled against its demise. But it was pointless. Raven curled her hand into a fist and the black aura consumed the plant, destroying it instantly and thoroughly.

Wotan was an idiot. Since he broadcasted himself with the others, it didn't take a genius to know magic was involved with the plants. It wouldn't be long before the Justice League located the control plant and took it out.

Didn't he know that a magician never reveals her tricks?

"I leave the rest to you heroes," She uttered uninterestedly. Then a black aura consumed her as well, and she was gone.

YJYJYJYJYJ

Kyle giggled in glee as he continued bouncing his ball in front of him. He was at the park with his brother who had gone off on his own to play on the swings. So, the boy made himself busy with bouncing a ball he had found while walking around the park. All, was going well until he tripped over his untied shoelaces and fell.

Kyle watched the ball bounce away before hitting someone's leg. The leg turned, taking a half-step, positioned itself under the ball and kicked it up. He looked on in awe as the ball was sent high into the air. But before it could come down, a hand reached out and caught it.

The mysterious, (but cool to a seven-year-old) person walked over to Kyle before bending on a knee and came face to face with the young child.

"Make sure to look where you're going next time." The teen composed of perfect pieces stated stoically as he handed Kyle the ball. Kyle nodded but didn't say anything, still awestruck by the stranger whom he unknowingly idolized that day forward.

Used to this by now, the cool stranger continued looking at him unerringly before the device in his hand began beeping.

The teen then put his hand to the ground, and in a jolt, Kyle felt his hair stand straight up.

After another moment, the teen sighed before getting up and walking away. The child watched him go without knowing in his seven-year-old mind what to say to such a cool person. But the smell of ozone filling his nose helped stir him from idolatry. With the curiosity and fickle senses only a child possesses, he traced the source to a small black spot on the ground that seemed to be smoking. The spot that the stranger had put his hand.

He had no idea that 20 feet underground was the burnt remains of a seedling.

Sasuke Uchiha continued walking away as he contemplated his prior actions. He was pretty sure they would be mad if they ever found out he destroyed one of their projects. Although, he sincerely doubted they would ever find out.

And even if they did, he didn't really care.

"Kyle, come on. Mom's calling us."

Sasuke turned around to see the boy run over to an older child with the same brown hair as him. The older child smiled as he took his younger brother's hand and they began to walk off. The onyx-eyed teen watched them walk away and a familiar feeling welled within him before he quashed it.

Yeah, he definitely didn't care.

Kyle continued walking hand in hand with his brother before he became aware of an urge. The boy turned around to get another look at the teen. But when he turned to look for him, no one was there.

YJYJYJYJYJ

"Oh, now I see why Artemis hates drowning." Naruto coughed, groaned as he became cognitive once again. How long had he been under there? Better question, where the frak was here? The vassal of Greed slowly opened his eyes to get a gander at his surroundings.

Only to see a face a few inches away from his.

Naruto reacted in the proper way and lashed out at the stranger who backed away from the inebriated blow. Naruto took the chance to roll into a crouching position. "Who the frak are you shazbot!?" The lantern scowled.

"Shazbot?" The other face questioned with a raised eyebrow. Besides orange eyes and hair to match, there wasn't much else to extract from the teen across from him because he was covered in a cloak. Maybe they were the same age, but Naruto didn't want to share anything- especially with someone he didn't know.

And Naruto's glare didn't lessen as he looked ready to mangle the calm teen in front of him. That is, until the wind blew, and something hit Naruto's nostrils. Something almost...

"Wait, are you-?" Naruto began, pointing over at the tangerine-eyed teen.

"Yes," The teen confirmed, not giving the Lantern a chance to finish or even to come to terms with the revelation. "And I need to put an end to these plants before the situation gets any worse."

"Wait, so you know what's happening?" Hostility now gone, Naruto knew he wasn't in the best of sort after just surviving being drowned and was still struggling to determine what the frak was going on himself.

"I do," the teen nodded. "And I need your help to stop it."

YJYJYJYJYJ

"I'm almost offended they sent children to deal with us," Wotan huffed as he transported the imprisoned teens in the cage he had conjured to hold them. It had been a slaughter. The teens had given it there best but it wasn't enough. Especially with Black Adam around. And he was virtually the only one they fought. Now they were in a magic cage created by Wotan being transported to the IL's base of operation.

"Count it as a boon in this case, Wotan," Vertigo chuckled, taking the chance to sneer at his captives. "Thanks to that we can continue our plan unhindered,"

"You won't get away with this," Aqualad asserted with the same tenacity which he held onto the bars transporting them. His tattoos began glowing as he channeled magic power he had stored to try and rip the bars apart.

"I believe we already have," Wotan smirked. "And soon you'll be joining your orange friend in the afterlife."

"You must not know him that well if you think that will be enough to keep him down," Superboy scoffed. He knew that blond SOB was planning something.

'She's up,' Miss Martian piped up through the link, providing everyone with the good news they wanted to hear.

'Artemis?' Kid Flash asked confusedly, looking over at the concealed Martian. She responded by smirking- though he couldn't see it, he could certainly hear it.

'No.'

"It seems that you are right," The Atlantean admitted. "Of course, it's a good thing you haven't accounted for one other member of our team."

"If you mean the Lantern, then I'm sure he's enjoying his permanent stay under water." Vertigo reveled in his victory, lauding it over his captive audience.

"I wasn't talking about him."

Before the villains could parse the riddle, Wotan found himself rammed from behind by something utterly immutable. His focus was forgotten, causing the iron cage to dissipate like dew in the morning sun, but the leader of the team was prepared. He willed a tornado of water upward that caught him and his teammates. Once he was sure he had all of them, he began willing it towards land. More specifically, the clearing he could see Robin and Miss Martian currently fighting in.

YJYJYJYJYJ

(Moments earlier)

Robin and Miss Martian peered at the base from behind the trees in an attempt to stay hidden.

"Was it a good idea to leave them behind?" Miss Martian asked anxiously.

"No," Robin spoke bluntly. "But the mission comes first," Batman had taught him that. Especially when the situation had an effect on a global scale like this one. It didn't mean he had to like it, though.

"Oh, Robin," A voice from behind them sighed. Without trying, it sounded sultry, very hot and bothered- but not in a good way, more like she was annoyed and feeling sadistic because of it. "Your pragmatism is refreshing, as always."

"You flatter me too much, Ivy," Intuiting the speaker, the Boy Wonder scowled and wished that his luck wasn't such utter crap.

"You're right," The redhead agreed readily, "So how about I flatten you instead this time," Miss Martian and Robin were moving before the first vine even came at them.

Robin ducked and dodged as plants all around them attempted to ensnare him. He had plenty of experience fighting Ivy, so he knew some of her habits. But he was just scraping by, barely dodged the attacks sent at him.

Miss Martian was faring better as she would push the offending roots away telekinetically. Being intangible was also helpful, but for some reason she couldn't get close the plant villainess no matter how hard she tried. Although, that might have had something to do with the gorilla shooting at her.

Miss Martian ducked just in time as another vine whipped towards her. She didn't, however, see the second vine under the first one.

The strike was successful, sending her straight into a tree that wasted no time in wrapped its vines around her so that she couldn't escape.

Over in the bush, Ultra-Humanite aimed his weapon and put his hand on the trigger.

"Not today!"

Before Ultra-Humanite could react, a boot collided with his face and sent him into the ground.

Superboy had arrived. Aqualad showed up with the rest a moment later in a waterspout that deposited them on the scene.

"Don't think you've won yet children," Vertigo refused humility as Black Adam set him on the ground.

'Is it done?' Not taking his eyes off the opposing force, the Atlantean asked through the link and subtly looked for a sing out of the corner of his eyes.

'You know it,' Robin responded. 'Just give the order.'

'Do it!'

Robin grinned as he revealed a switch in his hand. Vertigo's eyes widened as he wisely turned his attention towards the plant. Red and Green lights were scattered all up and down its stem and branches, glowing like an Xmas tree.

Robin pressed the button.

The reaction was instantaneous. Everyone was blown back as the flora was consumed in a fiery explosion. Smaller explosions spread in a chain reaction, claiming a good portion of the innocent plant life as well.

Robin smirked as he watched the monster plant pitch over and fall, having been completely killed by the overkill of explosive charges. They had succeeded.

Or so he thought.

Aqualad frowned as he looked over at the villains. The weapon had been destroyed. Yet, why did none of them look worried at all?

The teenage heroes watched with abject horror as the plant began to heal itself from the devastating damage. Cellulite streamers laced up like boots to mend the tears and it re-unpeeled itself under their shocked gazes. Soon enough, the satellite plant was completely rejuvenated and continued sending out signals to the other plants to continue their destruction.

"Impossible," The apprentice of the Bat denied despondently.

"Oh, by all accounts it would have been," Ivy admitted, gaining the teens attention. The entire Injustice League was together, staring down with contempt at the team. "But we managed to obtain a rather powerful food source."

"You didn't really think it'd be that easy did you," Vertigo smirked, feeling vindicated for his earlier claim.

"Well, it wouldn't be heroes' work if it was easy," Kid Flash countered.

"We'll get that thing down one way or another," Aqualad declared as he took a step forward. "And soon enough we'll have you all in prison, where you belong."

"Not before we put you all six feet under." Joker chuckled.

Then the two sides charged at each other.

Superboy headed straight for Black Adam. He was aware that the man was stronger than him, but also recognized that he was the one best fit to fight him other than Naruto who was MIA at the moment.

Black Adam took the challenge head on as the two clashed fists with the villain immediately taking the advantage. However, he wasn't ready for Superboy's sudden shift as he grabbed the taller man's arm and flipped him over his shoulder. But instead of simply throwing him, the clone went for a more brutal tactic. With a roar of defiance, the teen of steel slammed Captain Marvel's nemesis headfirst into the ground before delivering a devastating hit to his solar plexus.

Artemis back flipped as another vine whipped out like a jump rope underneath her, Ivy in hot pursuit. The plant-villain sent vine after vine, but the young archer was proving to be a difficult target to hit thanks to her training.

'Gotta thank that bastard for something I guess,' She thought angrily. 'Otherwise I feel naked without my bow and arrow, and not in the fun way.' She bent down as another vine flew right over her. 'Naruto would have asked what the fun way was,' Her brief smirk bowed into a frown. 'If he's not alright…' The blonde's musing was brought to a halt from yet another vine coming down on her like a crossing guard. But before she could dodge, it was suddenly sliced in half as Aqualad slid by on a current of water.

Wotan pursued the Atlantean as he sent down multiple bolts of energy like an angered god, but he was hindered as Aqualad employed equal amounts of swamp water in his defense.

"Gotcha!" Kid Flash pointed out as he passed by Ultra-Humanite before passing by him once again landing another touché. "Sorry, try again!"

The talking animal roared in irritation before leaping into the air just as he was about to take another hit. He didn't count on Miss Martian being up there waiting for him. Before he could even react, the ape found himself being telekinetically thrown into a tree.

Robin in the meantime was going toe to toe with Joker. Well, toe to toe was an exaggeration. It was more like the Boy Wonder was the toenail consistently being whittled down to the quick by the psychotic clown.

'I can't believe he's this good at fighting,' the teen grumbled. 'But he's not what's important right now,' the Boy Wonder needed to try and take out the plant again. In a more permanent way this time.

'Best bet would be to drop the building on it,' He blocked an oncoming strike and went in for his own only for it to get caught. The constant thorn in his mentor's side twisted the offending appendage, forcing Robin to follow to avoid it breaking.

The young teen quickly planted his legs on the man's chest and used it as a springboard to get away from him. Taking the opportunity, Robin began looking around for some kind of resource to destroy the building. His eyes landed on the side.

There!

Gas Tanks, most likely used to supply heat to the building when Wotan or Atomic Skull wasn't around. The explosion would burn the roots directly which would make it easier to kill the plant. The only problem was that he was too close.

"Part of the job," He muttered to himself as he prepared for what could be his last moments. Arming six shuriken, the Boy Wonder aimed. 'It's been fun guys,' Robin gripped his shuriken tight and relaxed his muscles in sequence to throw them-

"No!"

Robin found himself pausing amidst his martyrdom as something landed in front of him. Another enemy?!

No.

A much-welcomed friend.

Naruto had finally arrived.

"Na-Lantern!" Robin corrected, remembering he was still on mission. "I need to destroy the plant, and this is the only way,"

"Robin, don't," The blond ordered but didn't explain beyond a mysterious: "The situation has changed." He looked ready to continue, but then it was the blonde's turn to be interrupted. His open mouth morphed into an expression of surprise as he saw something and pursued it unhesitatingly into the air before Robin could do anything about it.

Aqualad pounded on Black Adam's arms which were locked around his neck like a vice clamp. During the fight, the black-and-gold-clad villain had switched targets form Superboy to the Atlantean while Ultra-Humanite took on the Kryptonian. Aqualad was strong, but not nearly as strong as the clone and thus nowhere in the league of Black Adam.

That was how he found himself suspended in the air, struggling for breath as the villain gripped his neck tightly. This must have been what a fish felt like out of water, or anyone else in the water that wasn't an Atlantean. And all his electricity seemed to do was empower the man, so that wasn't helping.

Thankfully, help came in the form of an orange rocket.

"Back off, you shizno!" Naruto roared, just in the nick of time Adam turned to face this new threat. The Lantern slammed a giant hammer construct on top of the villain's head, letting his team leader writhe his way from asphyxiation. "I haven't forgotten what you did earlier!

"Aqualad, we can't destroy the plant," Regarding his recovering captain, Naruto introduced something else for the Atlantean to worry about.

"Why not?" Aqualad asked, bewildered and still trying to regain his breath, "If we don't, it will keep sending out signals to the ones destroying cities,"

"It's complicated," Giving another enigmatic response, "I'll explain later, I promise, but for now we need to protect him!"

"Protect who!"

"That would be me,"

The dramatic call came from another teen emerging from the foliage, his spiky orange hair so loud against the green they wondered how he could sound so relaxed.

"Jugo, is that it?" Naruto inadvertently revealed the teen's name, who, in turn, issued a shallow nod.

"Lantern, what's going on?" The team leader asked, not knowing if he could demand it be revealed within the drama of everything.

"Look, I know this is a lot to take in, but I'll explain later," Naruto sighed in acquiescence "All I can say for now is that he knows how to stop that thing."

"What he says is true," Jugo confirmed in his calm manner which was quickly becoming characteristic of the behemoth teen. "I just need you to keep them off my back while I get inside."

Aqualad scrutinized the teen closely. He was an unknown. He could be anything. An undergrown hero they had never heard of at best.

An undercover villain working with the Injustice League, at worst. Either way, neither were really ideal options. Then again, they were far from ideal. He looked over at the Lantern of Greed.

"Are you sure we can trust him?" Staring intently at his friend's eyes, the Atlantean tried to find the same surety that had been given to him when all signs pointed towards his guilt.

"I'm positive," Naruto answered. There was no hesitation in his voice.

"Robin, go with him," The team leader commanded. Robin was reluctant, but within the look he was receiving there was no room for argument. Instead, he glanced over at Jugo and gestured for him to lead the way, keeping his guard up all the same.

"Lantern, I need you in the air providing cover fire for everyone while we keep their focus off Robin and… Jugo?" His name didn't need repeating, but the Atlantean wanted to know if the teen would even listen to him.

"I won't be much help for long," Naruto grunted, jaw grinding his teeth together in impotence.

"Why not?"

"I'm at 2 percent," Naruto admitted, rubbing his hands together as if that might generate enough energy through static charge. "I need a charge, I've needed one for months now,"

"Then why don't you get one?" Aqualad did demand this time, though he kept the frustration underneath concern.

"Because all of my batteries on back on Okaara,"

"Okaara?" The brown eyed Atlantean blinked before a light like phosphorescence went off. "That long…"

"Yes,"

"Why didn't you say anything?" He scolded, sure that they could have done something if only they knew of the issue. "Why wouldn't you tell the League?"

"Because they tried to take the ring away from me when I got here," Naruto barked back, greed flashing orange in his glare. "I don't trust them."

And for a moment, the Atlantean didn't know whether to trust his subordinate. In that split second he saw the teen's blue eyes become orange with the omnipresent spirit of avarice. But it was just a flash like a dying start- his energy really was running out.

'This can't get any worse,'

Of course, that's when Superboy crashed unceremoniously into the ground next to them. The clone scowled in his sitzmark, but then sat up and noticed who was around him.

"Oh, you're alive." The Teen of Steel shot at his (not that he would ever admit it) rival.

"Try not to sound too happy." The Lantern snorted, shrugging off the disparaging remark. "At least now I can help you stop getting the blurk beat out of you."

"Asshole."

"PetaQ."

'Glad to know they missed each other,' Aqualad thought as he helped the Kryptonian up. "I understand why you didn't tell them," Aqualad addressed. "But you should have told me,"

"I know," Naruto admitted as he looked at his feet. He didn't want to let it show but he felt bad for not telling the team the details of his infirmity. And within this expression, Aqualad could tell that his charge was beginning to change. "I promise to do better,"

"I know you will," Aqualad smiled. "And I, in turn, will never betray your trust."

"If you're done with your bonding moment, I believe we have other issues to deal with." Interrupting the semi-intimate scene with a scoff, Superboy folded his arms and smirked.

"Shut the frak up," Over his shoulder, Naruto gave a knee-jerk response. "-But yeah, let's take these shizno's down," The Lantern smirked as he held his hands up. He might run out of power, but this wouldn't be the first time he had to fend for himself without a ring. It most likely wouldn't be the last.

"That's not the one I'm talking about."

…

…

…

"Come again," Naruto faltered.

"I'm talking about a different problem."

"And what would that be?" Concerned with the clone's seriousness, the team captain asked.

"That." Not lifting a finger, Superboy looked up into the sky with a deep frown. The others followed his lead to see what had caught his attention.

It was probably the meteor heading straight for them.

"Everyone, move!" Naruto yelled. Everyone reacted accordingly, villains included, taking cover from the fiery ball of doom heading towards them. Kid Flash immediately picked up Artemis and sped away, taking cover behind a cluster of trees. Naruto was the only one who stood still, spreading his legs to solidify his stance and pointing his ring up to create a construct that would hopefully capture- or at least slow down the earthbound comet.

Nobody could see what happened as it crashed into the ground, generating gale-force winds that forced them to avert their eyes. The sudden impact created a swell of swamp water which transmuted into the ground, the peat bog billowing and undulating under their feet like an amusement part ride. Most everyone was removed from their feet, tossed into the air or else knocked on their asses from the explosive wall of heat, water and shrapnel.

Where was Naruto in all this?

YJYJYJYJYJ

Batman executed a corkscrew as two vines attempted to ensnare his aircraft. Along with the other members of the Justice League, they had managed to keep the plant from spreading any farther and for a small window of time, the attacks had let up.

Whatever the Team was doing was undoubtedly having effect, just not a permanent one. Maybe he should have sent one Leaguer with them. This was a big mission. Probably the biggest one for them yet. Unable to do anything about his concern and not willing to second-guess himself, the Hero of Gotham was brought back to the moment by his computer generating an urgent report.

A meteor was about to enter the atmosphere. And with all the heroes busy, there was nobody available who could stop it. Which was why he was thankful for Green Lanterns' call more than he would ever admit.

Ever.

"Bats, we got a problem," Was the first thing that came out of the Green Lantern's mouth.

"I just received the alert about the meteor," The Dark Knight didn't let any sign of worry enter his voice. "Guide it somewhere, it can't do any harm and we'll deal with it later."

"That's actually a part of the problem," Predicting any number of worse-case scenarios, Batman narrowed his gaze at the hesitant words of one of the original Leaguers.

"Is it about that warning Agent Orange had me give you?"

"Yes."

YJYJYJYJYJ

Like the first mammals to emerge after the meteor which wiped out the dinosaurs, the Team along with the Injustice League poked their heads out of their holes to survey the primordial scene.

All the ancient arbors of the bog in every direction had been bowled over. The once-swamp now looked like a monk's tonsure with the thick trees charred and shriveled up until they were no more than wispy gray hair that would blow away in the gentlest of breezes. Even the air was dry as the vigorous impact atomized all the water particles and left their throats desiccant.

Slowly their shock and awe gave way to anxiousness. They began scanning the catastrophic scene, demanding to know where their greedy friend was.

"You guys alright?" Naruto held his ring up like a guiding light, but it began to fizzle, the protective sphere he'd made around himself, Aqualad and Superboy falling.

"Never better," The clone answered cynically, "If you don't mind your ears ringing."

"Oh, I'm sorry," The blond bit back, his hand with the terminal ring curling into a fist. "Maybe next time you can create a barrier to protect us all."

"Thank you," Trying to diffuse the situation before it could start, Aqualad smiled at the Orange Lantern. Only, the expression he saw on the teen was unlike any he'd observed before. Naruto appeared genuinely worried, and that made the Atlantean nervous as well. "Lantern, what's wrong?"

Being the only one not erstwhile occupied, Superboy observed the crash-site. And with his acute gaze, spotted something that made him narrow his stare. "I think I know the answer."

This pulled the Atlantean's attention away from his attenuated teammate. Slowly, something began to take shape within the shadow of the smoke. He scanned it, preparing himself for whatever it was.

He did not expect to see a person.

Their form began to coalesce from the cloud of ash and steam, whomever it was taking unhurried strides away from the crater as if it were nothing more than stepping off a bus. But the Atlantean was not fooled by this relaxed air, and he instantly began to focus on the details of the figure as they became more delineated. He was beginning to ken what Naruto was so wound-up about.

"Lantern," Aqualad began tentatively as he eyed the person that traipsed out of the crater.

"Yeah," Without needing any more than this, and without tearing his heated glare away from the figure, Naruto answered. And it was then that the Atlantean truly understood his teammate's disturbed attitude.

For the person in front of them would usher in chaos. And Naruto couldn't stop it.

The parties stared back at each other for a good moment before the new figure raised a finger and pointed at the group. "The smell came from here." His statement was as out-of-the-blue as his crash landing, "So, I'll only ask once," He continued. Making the others blink. "Where is the source?"

His question was so forceful and imbued with such hostility that Superboy and Aqualad were subjected to a flashback of when Naruto crash landed. But something told them that this time, the end result would be different.

"Source of what?" Superboy asked. The teen looked straight over at them as a sinister grin spread across his face.

His eyes shining a toxic yellow.

"The source of the FEAR!"

And there you have it. Took a bit longer but not as long as it has been. Well looks like the team is in a real bind. Robin took out the plant but it just grew right back. But luckily Jugo is here to save the day…maybe…I don't know I haven't decided yet…or have I. And a new enemy has appeared. One that even worries Naruto.

Oh and how do you feel about the appearance of two of our little loners. Indeed Sasuke and Raven were helpful when needed.

You're in for a real treat the next chapter. Be ready because it's going to be awesome.

Well that's all for now.

READ…REVIEW…and above all else…ENJOY!