Knick Alen (MUX)

Main Page: Knick Alen

Skyboy Knick Alen Knick Alen as "Skyboy"

Full Name: Kal-En / Knick Alen Age: Teenager Race/Sex: Kryptonian Male Occupation: Superhero, CEO of Alen Electronics Type Original Character City: Traveler Team: Unity

Portrayed by:	Mitch Hewer

Reputation

Knick is known to the public to be a young Kryptonian hero trying to follow in the footsteps of the likes of the JLA. While an experienced hero he has a bit of a temper still at times, and is rather cocky occasionally as well. Among the scientific community he is exceptionally well known. Various technologies he has developed and sold have revolutionized several fields and make him untold millions annually, much of which goes to various charities. It is common knowledge that he has several bases of operation on, and off, Earth as well as that he has a lose affiliation of heroes around him under the code name Unity. Not a group so much as a support system in some ways.

He is quite popular, particularly among the teen age and younger set much like Superboy, and has a number of fan clubs and Internet sites dedicated to him. He has turned down all licensing deals so far but does make appearances for charities at times. Recently it has come to light that he is in a romantic relationship with Superboy, and public opinion was a little shaky for a time. But as time has passed things have returned largely to normal, though he has a few more vocal critics then he once did.

Relationships

Kon-El, AKA Superboy is his lifemate Seth Olsen, AKA Sol-Zen, AKA Zenith is his adopted younger brother

Background

Krypton

Kal-En was born on the planet Krypton to Zer-En and Sar-En in one of the countless divergent time lines that make up Hypertime. Born via a birthing matrix, in the same manner as all children were on his world. Precise scientific procreation, as opposed to random biological. A practice his planet had established over two hundred generations before Kal's birth.

The birthing matrix combined the best genetic traits of the donor parents whose DNA was used to produce a child. Successively through the generations Kryptonians removed disease, and illness by breeding each new generation to literally embody the ideal aspects of the last. Kal was no different in that regard, born with the idealized combination of his parents genetic traits.

Krypton was over a tens of thousands of years more advanced on every front than Earth, even the B13 restructured Metropolis. Their understanding of various sciences dwarfing most peer species of the time, save for the immortal Oans. Culturally the achievements mirrored their scientific acumen as well, social development included. Krypton was a virtual paradise, one many generations in the making.

Kal-En was "born" from his birthing matrix as a one year old with a complete understanding of his species social norms. More importantly the knowledge needed to follow in either his mother or his father's footsteps in life, were he so inclined, had literally been fed into his mind over that year as well. All that his parents knew already taught to him through his birthing matrix. Both the cultural and scientific knowledge imparted would become important aspects and influences in his life in the years to come.

Kal-En's mother and father made their home in a scientific enclave to the north of the ruins of Xan, an ancient city on Krypton. Within the heart of one of the massive communal settlements that Kryptonain society fostered. His mother worked there as a doctor, though most of her work was theoretical. Injuries were infrequent and illness unknown among the genetically perfect society. Most of her work involved studying off world life forms, xeneology.

Kal-En's father worked uncovering the secrets of the once great city. Designing and creating ever more complex equipment to that end. Learning the secrets of the past, by designing the the technology of the future. Kal-En heard that many times in his youngest days. It was in this work that his father discovered the build up of deadly radioactive gasses within the planet's core that if left unchecked, would cause the planet to explode within a few short months to a year at the most.

Kal was first born of the house of En, and only 5 at the time of the discovery. But like all Kryptonian children he was already preparing for his future by building on the foundation of both his parents professions. He was born with the knowledge of advanced engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, xenology, and medicine among others. All many, many centuries in advance of the distant Earth. He was still to young to decide on his future, and his aptitudes with both of his parent's skill sets were to close to make a choice through that as well.

As Kal learned and played with the children the enclave where they lived, particularly his closest friend Bri-Ahn, his father conferred over and over again with the Science Council. Desperately trying to find someway to save the seemingly doomed world. Krypton had abandoned the practice of manned space travel over many many centuries before. Shortly after a mutagenic effect was forced upon the species at the end of the last great war.

The genetics war started by the terrorist cabal Black Zero. The mutation to their cellular structure caused Kryptonians to fall ill and die when off world. As a result they were trapped on their doomed planet unless a means could be found to save it. Even their closest off world allies The Children of Primus couldn't rescue them through evacuation. Between the deadly mutation and the civil war that was sweeping their planet of Cybertron. Krypton was on it's own.

Zer-En felt confidant a solution could still be found. Particularly after an old friend of his named Strathazed visited from off world. Strathazed was a multi-dimensional being able to wield curious powers of the mind and a field of energy he called mana. Made aware of the situation Strathazed and Zer turned their near peerless intellects to the task of saving the doomed world. However ever pragmatic Sar-En turned her own medical oriented mind to another type of solution.

She worked to solve the genetic mystery that prevented the Kryptonian's from leaving their world. Little research had been done in that area, as few felt any need to leave the idyllic planet. Those that had were able to see other worlds through telepathically controlled synthetic bodies. The trout of leaving the planet altogether was absurd. All that they needed Krypton provided in abundance. There had simply been no reason to consider leaving in countless generations.

So both parents worked every day, and well into the night seeking some way to save their race from certain extinction. Zer-En and Strathazed explored many options running computer simulations tirelessly on the global sentient computer system Brainiac, but to no avail.

Inexplicably they could find no alternative that ended with the species survival. Techniques both scientific, mystical, and fusions of each seemed destined to fail. However unknown to them, that was by design. The men of science and other esoteric means had put their faith in a machine that wanted, actually sought, the planet's destruction.

The sentient world computer Brainiac had greater aspirations than to remain rooted on one world forever. It had evolved far more than anyone on Krypton knew, and it believed in it's own inherent superiority. Brainiac did not wish to nurture a single world, when it might conquer millions! If only it could leave Krypton that was. The planet's death sentence was a result of it's tampering, and nothing would prevent the result of it's efforts from seeing fruition. Even the Green Lantern of the sector failed to reverse the damage.

Sar-En used her son's genetic structure as a model and worked to advance it beyond the flaw buried deep within. For nearly a Kryptonian year, each equivalent to 3 Earth years, it remained thus as the countdown to Krypton's last days loomed ever closer. Both parents, as well as so many others, worked tirelessly right up until the end trying to save their world, eir species. But it was simply not to be, not with Brainiac conspiring against them behind the scenes.

In the dead of night Sar-En injected the labor of her work into her son, Kal. Never had this been attempted, nobody conceived it ever coming to this. So Sar-En sat waiting, desperately hoping that the injected retro-virus would release her son. Either through death or escape from the planet before the end came.

Kal fell into a deep coma in which his dark hair turned a blazing red, and then finally light auburn with streaks of blond. His metabolism shifted and various body functions altered as his DNA was literally re-worked to exclude the genetic dependency on Krypton. Finally his fevers and convulsions settled down once again. For better or worse he awoke in time for the end.

In the darkest part of Krypton's final night Kal-En awoke to his home rumbling from the increasingly frequent earth tremors. But this one felt different, as though with a final sigh the planet Krypton had just given up. The sparse adornments of his room fell about in the violent quake.

Kal-En screamed for his mother in a fever clouded delirium, and like any mother when their child called to them, Sar-En was there. She took her only child into her arms and carried him from the room just as Strathazed and his father entered and carried out a chest filled with all Kal's childhood treasures.

In his delirium Kal could only just make out brief moments of conversation. Something about there being no time to synthesize more of a medication that was specific to each person's genetic code, and that Krypton would live on in Kal. In his fevered state he didn't understand what was happening as he was brought onto the shuttle that quickly departed from his dying world.

His last memory of Krypton came in the form of murmuring a reply to his mother who hugged him and tearfully said she loved him. "I love you too mother, always" was all he managed as consciousness slipped from him again. His mother and father's faces hovering above him, the only home he had ever known just behind them as his vision faded to black.

Sometime later he awoke in a strange bed with Strathazed looming above him. A stern and serious alien unlike any Kal ever studied in xenology. Strathazed was said by Kal's father to be from a different dimension, or Hypertime. His face was heavily scarred, pitted and very much alien. Kal recalled his mother saying that Strathazed practiced something largely unheard of on Krypton. Something called "magic", and that the alien was hundreds, if not thousands of years old.

Strathazed helped the frail, fevered Kal to stand and brought him to a large viewing screen. To Kal, who had never left his world, it seemed to look forever out into the inky depths of space. So many worlds, but one was prominent in the center. Kal knew it was Krypton, from satellite pictures he had seen of his world. There Kal watched a sight that would change his life forever.

Some say that there is one moment, one defining moment in every life that can never be forgotten. That fundamentally leaves the person altered, in such a way that they can never go back to who and what they were before. This was that moment for Kal-En of Krypton. Barely able to stand before that screen he watched his home, and everyone he had ever loved, die.

Krypton pulsed and lurched like a flesh and blood thing, convulsing in its death throws. Columns of green pressurized gas could be seen even from a distance of several light-days away, rising high into the planet's atmosphere. Finally the beleaguered world had suffered enough, and with a final dazzling flash, Krypton and the Kryptonian species came to its end. Only a massive debris field to show that the once proud planet ever existed at all.

Kal sank to his knees as the shock broke through his fevered daze, bringing everything into sudden and painful clarity. He looked up at Strathazed, who had not yet looked away. Tears running down his sculpted cheeks, Kal tried to find words, tried and failed. Strathazed spoke in a quiet rasping tone, as always. His voice little more then a weary hiss.

"Do not look away, watch Kal. You are all that's left. Your mother, your father, all that was proud Krypton lives on in you. I shall see you become the acme of what a Kryptonian might have been. All who meet you will know that the universe itself suffered on the day proud Krypton died."

With that Strathazed slowly sank into a large chair and simultaneously into deep thought. As the screen went blank, Kal-En remained still a moment and then once again collapsed, his world fading again to black. At the tender age of six, Kal-En had become the last living being of his world. Unknown to either however, another sentient being had escaped the doomed world, but it was the furthest thing from alive.

Strathazed

The alien Strathazed remained true to his word, training Kal-En in all things Kryptonian. Physically and mentally he was pushed mercilessly for the next four Kryptonian years. Maturing well beyond his actual age as a result. Along the way he visited countless worlds in many diverse star systems, and time lines. Pushed by Strathazed he learned from each of them as well. Languages, cultures, and customs, broadening his knowledge of the universe at large beyond what any Kryptonian had been able to do in centuries.

In the 30th century, on the planet Okaara in the Vegan star system Strathazed set Kal to training with the Warlords of that world. Renowned for their combat skills and techniques all across the galaxy. Many royal families sent their children to learn from the Warlords of Okaara for just that reason. Strathazed felt Kal was small for his age, and would need to know how to fight better, rather than fight stronger.

For four more Kryptonian years Kal studied hand to hand combat in addition to his other studies. He did well, excelling faster the longer he practiced each day. It was as if he grew less tired the longer he trained. By the equivalent of his ninth earth year training there wasn't a student he couldn't defeat, eventually he even routinely could defeat his instructors.

There was talk of a exhibition fight against the Legion's Karate Kid, but Strathazed wanted no parts of such nonsense. On the day when he passed his tests to be considered a master of the Kryptonian martial arts form Horu-Kanu, Kal seemed to move faster, perform stronger then anyone could have predicted possible. All the while overhead of the outdoor arena, Vega's giant yellow sun blazed.

Despite the additional work load of martial training Kal seemed to thrive. His studies coming easier somehow. He started sleeping less, having more time to devote to bettering himself. Strathazed was a demanding teacher, but also fair, and he was pleased with Kal's progress. He seemed like a different person since their arrival in Vega.

Strathazed raised Kal-En as though he were his own son, and while he would never admit it, he began to care for him the same way. He taught Kal about the culture of Krypton that he could not learn from computers and memory scans. Keeping him in touch with the emotional aspects of his deceased world. Inwardly the alien wondered though, at just how odd that Krypton seemed doomed in each timeline they visited.

Eventually the crew left Okaara, traveling elsewhere in the Vega system. While visiting the war torn planet Lallor, Strathazed's crew played a pivotal role in preventing the Khunds, a war like race bent on conquest, from over running the planet. Kal appreciated his fighting skills more than ever, as they allowed him to best even the much larger Khunds in hand to hand combat.

In one of the final battles of the war, Strathazed used potent magics and psionic abilities Kal never knew existed to hold back the invaders en masse. Meanwhile Kal-En himself led a raid on the Khundian gulag to rescue the imprisoned meta-human heroes of Lallor. It would be a decisive moment, certainly the turning point of he entire war.

During that mission Kal leaped a significant, nearly impossible, distance through a wall of chemical flames. There he rescued the unconscious Evolvo Lad from debris that had collapsed on him. He decided to leave that detail of the retelling to Strathazed, who would not have approved of such heroics. Kal attributed it to adrenalin, and a healthy amount of luck that he wasn't hurt and that he pulled it off at all.

His hair was bleached a bright blond by the chemical flames, and his armored combat suit burnt to near ash, but he was physically unharmed. Evolvo lad didn't wake up till on board a shuttle bound to rout the Khundian invaders so there was no witness to Kal's brave act. None save Vega's blazing yellow sun.

Earth (Sanna Belle)

In time Strathazed brought Kal-En to a young world named Earth. It was just before his 14th birthday when they arrived. Kal very much enjoyed the yellow sun in the star system, having in all his travels only seen one other like it. The yellow sun from some years before in the Vega system. Kal felt different, strangely invigorated, the only other time he had felt remotely similar had been in the Vega system, but it was more intense now.

As usual Strathazed and his crew scouted the world and each crew member gravitated to the area that most suited them to explore. The area they would fit in the easiest, without drawing undue attention. Strathazed and Kal investigated an island nation, a place known to have a high incidence of meta-human and paranormal activity. Once there they split up and each pursued there own investigations.

Having so long been deprived of what amounted to a childhood Kal found his way to a large structure with many people that at least appeared his age. Something the earthlings called a 'mall'. Wandering through it, he eventually found a arcade. Outfitted with a image inducer to simulate Earth clothing over his native Kryptonian clothes, as well as synthesized Earth currency he fit in quite readily.

However he drew a large crowd as he played through the arcade games with fluid, effortless ease. Finding them childishly simple compared to what he was accustomed to. His looks and skill marked him as different, and drew the very attention he was supposed to avoid. Invigorated as he was though, Kal disregarded his instructions and reveled in the crowd and the compliments.

A human girl asked him to play a game she called 'air hockey'. The table was prominently located just under a skylight in the arcade. Sunlight pouring in from above. Kal accepted and after learning watching the game, he became quickly accomplished. Like the other games it was simple, but much more entertaining given the physical aspect.

His hands moved like a blur, so fast they were lost to the eyes. The after images literally making them appear in several places at once. About the time he smacked the puck and accidentally shattered it, he realized something was happening to him. Something just wasn't right, he needed to return to the ship. To see Strathazed, and find out what was happening to him.

Before he, or anyone could react to the broken puck, the sound of screaming from outside the arcade attracted everyone's attention. Kal went to investigate along with everyone else, and saw a man in some type of green armor attacking a group of people in the parking area for the primitive combustion ground vehicles human's travelled in.

The man was huge, if it even was a man. Standing easily 8 feet tall, with a musculature best defined as grotesquely enlarged. Local law enforcement teams surrounded the giant, who was surely one of the meta-humans Kal had heard about. Human beings with extraordinary powers. The giant laughed and swatted the police away, including one of their cars! Over a bullhorn they called for his surrender, and Kal heard his name, Sledge.

Strathazed had long tried to curb Kal-En's idealism, saying it would only get him in trouble. That he had to much of his parent's in him that way. He was the last of his kind and needed to think more of himself. His survival was more important in the bigger picture. But when Sledge loomed over a elderly woman, Kal's first instinct was to try and help.

Though well away from the woman and her attacker it seemed he just appeared at her side, throwing a shoulder into the giant hoping to distract him. Instead the impact tossed the considerably larger meta-human away with a sound like a cannon shot. The impact knocking Sledge nearly 40 feet away through a marble arch and into a fountain.

Kal stood still, shocked by what he had done while the woman crawled away. For that matter Sledge too was briefly stunned, though faster to recover as the water from the fountain brought him to his senses. He glared at Kal, and threw a massive piece of the shattered marble arch, literally bigger than Kal's body, right at him.

It was faster then he could react, as he was still stunned by what he had done. Kal was sure he was dead, throwing his arms up to protect his head on instinct. But as the dust settled, Kal simply stood there in his normal kryptonian ambassador outfit. The image inducer shattered to scrap by the marble shrapnel created when the block simply turned to dust as it struck Kal's body.

The reaction was immediate, people cheered and waved, certain that there rescue was at hand. Kal was confused but leaped away as the Sledge again charged. To his utter amazement, and unbound joy, he didn't land after jumping! But rather he stayed hovering in mid-air well above the awed crowd. He was floating there, no not floating, he was flying! He could fly!

Kal began to feel confident now, he had powers beyond reason, and in a burst of speed he dove and slammed his adversary hard on top of the head. The impact literally drove Sledge several feet into the concrete like a railroad spike. Kal laughed as someone watching quipped that Sledge had been hammered! The people all cheered once again at the comment.

Utterly intoxicated with the public reaction he grabbed the giant meta and spun him in circles until he was literally a blur, finally releasing him and sending him flying through 5 cars and lengthwise through a tractor trailer. Sledge was out cold, and almost immediately the crowd pressed in around Kal on all sides. Shouting questions, wanting to know who he was, and where he was from. Suddenly feeling trapped with people surrounding him, Kal leaped into the air and flew wobbly away, rapidly lost to sight.

Back on the ship Strathazed ran batteries of tests, having to be very creative as many that had once worked on Kal, no longer seemed to. The alien determined that Kal's Kryptonian cells were absorbing the energy of Earth's yellow star like a battery. That solar battery then powering the amazing abilities he had demonstrated, as well as others that were discovered in the seemingly endless tests.

As the weeks turned into months, Kal practiced and studied his new powers with the same diligence he always attended to his other studies with. Over that time more and more reports of a blond haired teen rescuing people began to surface. A tornado in Florida, an earthquake in Mexico, a fire in New York. In each case it was the same, out of nowhere he'd appear and without a word act to save lives and protect the populace. Then just as quickly dissapear.

In time however Strathazed's survey of Earth was concluded and he told Kal-En that they would soon be moving on. Kal found himself at another cross road in his young life, as he found he relished these powers, and all he could do with them. So it was with heavy heart that he told Strathazed he wished to remain on Earth. A world with people not so physically different from Krypton.

On a world where he could follow the example his mother and father always taught him through example, to try and make a difference. On a world where he could make that difference not only with his mind, but also his amazing new abilities. Earth had hundreds of people in colorful costumes doing that very thing. All with slightly ostentacious clothing and names. His choice made, Kal decided that as the sky was now his, he would name himself Skyboy.

Strathazed was impressed by Kal's determination but it was only with great reluctance that he agreed. The deciding factor was simply one of logic, Kal seemed much less likely to be harmed on a world where he was effectively invulnerable. The choice made Strathazed set him to live with two synthetic beings that would emulate a set of parents as well as relay important information back to Strathazed.

Strathazed returned Kal's holographic wrist computer to him. A device that the young Kryptonian had not seen since his childhood. It contained the remainder of his Kryptonian lessons as well as the sum total of the data they had gathered about Earth. It would further act as a two way beacon in case they ever needed to see one another. Though the time it might take for the signal to reach either of them could be significant, it seemed prudent just in case.

Without emotion, or reluctance Strathazed then left. Allowing Kal to follow what he felt his destiny to be. Armed with a great deal of knowledge about Earth, Kal realized that his best choice of a place to live would be the very place he'd made his 'debut' against Sledge. So he and his "parents" began their new live's there, in Sorna, as the Alens.

Kal taking the name Knick Alen, an "Earthing" of his true Kryptonian name. Over the course of several hours on his wrist computer, and with a fair amount of computer hacking, he set up aliases that were utterly beyond reproach. Earth computer systems were rather easy to hack into after all. But there were so many forms and identifications to fake. By time he was done though, the Alen's were officially citizens of the planet Earth.

Zach Alen joined a law firm and quickly, with his computer mind, started rising through the ranks. While Sara Alen became a fashion designer, gaining her own notoriety in that field for similar reasons. In the meantime, Kal studied the evening news, newspapers, magazines, and extensively the internet for information about the super powered defenders and antagonists associated with the city of Sanna Belle, and the world at large. He learned that his incident with Sledge months before was not at all uncommon. Super powered combatants seemed to routinely end up in battle across the cities of Earth.

It was a week later that the first headlines started appearing about a new super powered defender in the skies. The paper quoted him as he flew off after stopping a car jacking, "Don't worry everyone, I'll always be watching from up here, cause from now on...the sky belongs to Skyboy!" With that he disappeared from view after announcing his presence as a new heroic defender.

The press and evening news postulated theories about where this new hero came from. As well as where he'd been in the months since he fought Sledge. Of particular interest was his insignia, and how closely it seemed to resemble Superman's. Especially in light of the powers Kal displayed. But Kal was less than forthcoming about talking to the press, unlike the Man of Steel, and so while theories abounded, facts did not.

For months Skyboy defended his adopted city and indeed world from many powerful opponents. The likes of Metallo, and Cyborg Superman Hank Henshaw among them. Knick was terrible at the notion of a secret identity though, and quickly abandoned making any serious effort. Anyone close to him knew that Knick Alen was Skyboy. As a result his synthetic guardians became more for show and monetary acquisition than anything else.

He learned to late the advantage of a secret identity though when criminals would literally turn up on his doorstep! The apartment was defended with powerful deterrents that Knick had created and installed. But Metallo actually waited outside for almost a week once for a rematch. As Skyboy he found allies and friends and he began toying with the idea of founding a team.

Several months after he arrived, Knick almost gave up and left Earth over his first broken heart. He had grown to love the demi-goddess Kylie, daughter of Aphrodite. It was decidedly one sided though. Kylie saw Knick at best as a attractive friend, and little more. After Kylie gave in to her darkside and became the Wrath of Women Scorned things got worse. She charged Knick with not returning the affections of other women that had cared for him, while he had pursued her.

Skyboy refused to fight her though, and instead fled to the upper atmosphere where he was sure she couldn't follow. There he activated his homing beacon, and inadvertently learned just how long he could hold his breath. Asphyiating he plunged back to Earth, and suffered short term memory damage from the lack of oxygen and the fall. It was several days before he regained consciousness.

It was not long after he recovered though that Knick met Edward. A park ranger that moonlighted as a flame generating were-tiger hero. Their relationship was relatively short, but very intense. Sadly it too was not to last, and Knick experienced his second broken heart in a very short time. The concept of people leaving this way was simply alien to him. Nothing in his background had prepared him for how differently human beings approached relationships, approached love. It was a very difficult lesson for him, one he would always struggle with.

Through one of his allies Knick began working at a private think tank named S.T.A.R. Labs. He was in his element there at least. Here was something he did understand. He devised fantastic technology and generated a staggering amount of money for himself, and the lab.

With wealth his altruism was extended to many kids his age and older that gravitated to the island of Sorna and ended up homeless. Most were meta humans, and had come to Sorna as it was considered the metahuman capital of the world. In fact so many young kids started living in his apartment that it was becoming necessary to look for a larger place to live. He started to plan an island retreat off the coast of Sorna in response to the influx.

One of the people that found his way to Knick's doorstep was Dominick Mitsobar t'Drachim. Dominick was a potent weather manipulator, with his own troubled past and a penchant for technology. Though older then Knick, by several years, they bonded quickly and fell in love. Eventually even getting engaged, despite the protests of some of Knick's other close friends that felt the relationship was moving to quickly. The concept was not all that different from Kryptonian life mates. Plans were set in motion for them to be married soon.

Another close friend, whom Knick found a great deal in common with was Superman Jr, the son of Superman. He and Jon-El would forge a solid and enduring friendship. They planned to introduce Knick to 'The Super Family' and have him inducted into it as well. Being a part of a Krytonian family again, even one heavily influenced by Earth culture thrilled him. For a time, things genuinely seemed positive, and Knick was truly happy. But even as Knick found love and acceptance his life would change radically once again.

Earth (Avalon)

Months before when Knick had tried to flee Earth he never recieved a reply from his mentor. Now he discovered just why that was. Knick was contacted by Strathazed who was racing back to Earth with dire news. The once seemingly benevolent computer that had guided Knick's Krypton, Brainiac, had also survived the destruction of Krypton and gained control of a powerful planet sized weapon named WarWorld.

The weapon allowed Brainiac to travel through hypertime on a insane path of aggression and destruction. With it he planed to destroy the Earth of another timeline. Strathazed's benefactors, the Linear Men, had charged him with preventing this as it would cause irepreprable damage to that continuities time stream.

With Knick's powerful abilities he could be a huge asset in stopping the insane plans of the computer intellect. More over this was a product of his world, he felt an obligation to handle it personally. What he didn't count on was that so many of his new friends would insist on going along as well. Resolute in their determination to stop the crazed machine and save a world they didn't even know anything about they boarded the shuttle to Strathazed's ship, and without ever knowing it said goodbye to Sorna forever.

The battle against Brainiac took place in space, on the edge of the Milky Way. It was fierce, and very costly. WarWorld was aptly named, it's weapons were powerful enough to shatter moons. Though the weapons systems on Strathazed's vessel and other ships brought to bear against the Goliath battle station were powerful, they were no match for WarWorld.

Everyone knew the battle would have to be won on the surface, if at all. In a climactic showdown Knick and his friends managed to defeat Brainiac, and the resulting damage and subsequent explosions ripped Warworld apart. But Knick learned something from the seemingly terminated sentient computer moments before the shock waves would start. Krypton's destruction, had been planned.

Brainiac itself made certain, through various manipulations of resources at it's disposal, that the planet would die. Nobody was to learn of it until it was to late. Knick's father and Strathazed's meddling would have saved the world several times over if Brainiac had not tampered with their efforts.

Krypton was just the first world it had destroyed, and even as it slowly shut down it's cold mechanical voice slurring to a halt. It promised Knick it would return from this defeat. As they fled the scene Knick cried, his mind flashing back to his own world's death, and how similar WarWorld's explosion looked in his mind's eye.

In the course of the battle Strathazed's ship was struck a glancing blow by a fusion blast. While the ship's shields held, the blast caused the hyperium that powered the hypertemporal jump engines to surge, shorting out the system and irradiating almost everyone present with a wave of hypertemporal energy. Changing several of them in unusual ways, and others in ways that wouldn't be known for many months. With the ships Hyper-jump capability destroyed, and the computer plotting systems information lost. Knick and his friends became stranded in this new timeline, unable to return to Sorna. With heavy hearts they settled together on a new Earth in a city in Europe named Avalon.

For several weeks Knick secretly hacked into various computers setting himself and his friends up with identities on this new Earth. It was slow work, as to much of it done in a short period of time could potentially cause unwanted attention. As soon as they were citizens, Knick used his powers to find several large precious gems in the Earth's crust. With income no longer an issue, they could move off the ship and to the planet itself.

A large octagonal warehouse was converted into a literally enormous home on the coastline, even including a stretch of beach. Finally there was space for all of his friends, and he set about building yet another new life in Avalon. In time once again he met other young heroes, who also once more gravitated towards him.

So many that he finally did something he had long wanted to do anyway, he formed a team. Unity was born, a concept that was so common on Krypton. Yet not so much on either of the two Earth's he had called home. Unity was a team, and simultaneously a surrogate family for Knick.

In their first mission as a team Unity stumbled head first into an Intergang plot. The team defeated Intergang's agents easily and came into possession of some unusual and seemingly alien artifacts. Artifacts they had to fight in order to keep! Defeating a group of various costumed villains that tried to take possession of one of the objects from where it was being studied by the government. The devices were recovered by the team, and they held onto them so that Knick could study them in his lab and try and discover what their purpose was.

The first crippling defeat for Unity came when 'The Beach House' was attacked by forces from Apokalypse! Darkseid's elite attacked the HQ and in the confusion the the alien artifacts were stolen from the lab where Knick had been studying them. The team rallied with unexpected assistance from other heroes around Avalon to ultimately defeat the invaders. But the damage was done, the artifacts were gone. Morale was low as a reult, but things would still get worse before they got better.

Over then next several months Avalon was beset by the Four Horsemen of Apokalypse. Powerful entities which were the essence of War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death. Each with an elemental affinity as well. Unity and the other super powered defenders of Avalon rose to the challenge and defeated each of them, though not without many near life threatening injuries.

Thanks to the Horseman's actions however the Leviathan, Destroyer of Worlds was released. The artifact that was stolen had been an ancient techno-seed housing the primordial destroyer. It literally absorbed the elements around it, bringing utter chaos and destruction in it's wake. Unity as a team almost gave their lives to stop the beast.

One teammate, Inferno, permanently sacrificed her humanity in the process. Dessad used her warp gate ability as a power source to keep the techno-seed active. Her own power's literally consumed her, making her a living teleportational portal of shimmering energy. Altered forever the one time teleporting pyrokinetic instead renamed herself Rift.

Months passed and other challenges came, but the worst would ultimately come from within. Rift was slowly taken over by the possessing entity Dreamslayer. Using her knowledge of the team and forming an alliance with the alien race the Dominators, DreamSlayer nearly destroyed Unity before being stopped. Knick learned what it was like to literally fight himself during the final moments of that battle as Dreamslayer released a Bizarre Imperfect Duplicate of Skyboy, Bizzaro Skyboy!

Knick fought valiently time and time again, leading Unity to victories against nearly impossible odds on several occasions. The list of villains they fought and defeated grew steadily, as too did the membership of the team. The Beach House was recognized as the base of one of the more numerous and powerful hero teams on Earth. Knick and Dominick still planned to be wed. Life had once again settled down. But there was a enemy within Knick growing stronger that would eventually collapse both him, as well as the team.

In the battle against WarWorld, when the wave of hyper-temporal energy washed across him. Knick had been changed without even knowing it. Each life form had a temporal signature, a unique wavelength of energy that rarely ever changed. Knick had spent most of his life travelling through one hypertemporal reality to another, which blurred his signature badly over time. The hypertemporal wave then imprinted on it. The result was that one night Knick went to bed and was literally catapulted into Hypertime, the space between timelines. With no way to get back home.

Earth (Sanctuary)

It took time, but Strathazed was able to find him thanks to the beacon. With still more time Knick was able to construct a device that allowed him to return back to Sorna. The device actually fed off of the residual trace temporal signature for that specific timeline. But bereft of their leader, Unity had split apart. The prototype device Knick had built was hardly perfected, his time there was short. Just long enough to write a quick goodbye to those he loved, and he faded away.

That day Knick lost his family for a second time as he flickered and vanished from his largely now empty home. The last thing he saw, a picture of him and Dominick on the desk, before he vanished. Little did he know though that Dominick had not given up, that he would find that note, and he would search till the ends of hypertime itself to find him again.

For weeks Knick was desolate, unresponsive, and largely withdrawn. In that time Strathazed tried to teach him new things to take his mind off of his sorrow. But in that state, few of them had any lasting impact, save one. Knick tried his hand at learning the magical arts, thinking perhaps he might use them to return himself back to Avalon.

In magic he at last found one thing in his life that defied him at every turn. His scientific mind was simply unable to grasp more then the most rudimentary basics of magic. What he learned, in the state he was in especially, was hardly enough to get him home. But in the days to come he would find his vulnerability to the arcane vastly reduced now that he understood them better.

Strathazed knew that Knick needed a new direction in life, a new purpose. He spoke to Rip Hunter of the Linear Men on Knick's behalf. Hunter reviewed Knick's past and decided he was worthy to be a field agent for him, like Strathazed himself. Hunter was used to playing the long game. Having an adult Kryptonian at his disposal sounded particularly good, and Kal would be an adult eventually.

Kal would still be a hero, but now would have access to the Linear Men's technology. An asset to be called on in the event another scenario like the Brainiac situation should arise. Knick was given a ship, which he heavily modified almost immediately. Kal christened the vessel UNITY, darkly ironic as it was so very empty. He then settled on yet another planet Earth, in yet another hypertemporal reality. There he built a massive retreat for himself to remind him of his past, The Sanctuary of Remembrance.

It took Knick nearly an Earth year to construct the massive Sanctuary, even with his formidable powers. In that time Knick petitioned for legal status as an adult. He presented evidence showing that while he might appear as a teenager, he was well past the point of adulthood by Earth standards. Once he was recognized legally, Knick took steps to secure money to start Alen Electronics. He was able to get a grant from the Wayne Foundation.

Using his advanced scientific knowledge Knick patented various technologies. They would revolutionize waste disposal, environmental cleanup, aspects of law enforcement, and some areas of medicine as well. Inside of months Knick was making tremendous sums of money. More then he had set out to make really.

He paid back the loan and then the income went to fund the Sanctuary construction and other projects as well. In addition to donating to many charities, he started one of his own. A foundation to fund children's shelters to get kids off the street which was very successful, The Skies The Limit youth shelters started appearing in various cities.

So yet another Earth was introduced to Knick Alen, AKA Skyboy. With his looks and powers as well as a level of approachability absent in most heroes with secret identities Knick became a media darling in no time. Magazine covers, calls to present awards on television, movie offers, action figures, comic book companies.

All of those and more approached him seeking endorsements, rights to use his image, and offering the world on a platter. But fame and fortune were hardly what he was after, and brought no sense of relief for the ache within him. If the project was altruistic, or at least harmless he would do it, if nothing else as a distraction.

After losing so much, so many times Knick had become desensitized to suffering. He was a good hero still to be sure, but it was almost mechanical now. In his first meeting with Superboy, the teen of steel commented that he just seemed to be going through the motions. Superman, who was also present then as well, suggested Superboy keep an eye on Knick. Feeling Kon-El might better relate to him as they were much closer in ages. That was the begging of acquaintance that would blossom into friendship, and in time would become much, much more.

World War 3

Knick's first meeting with the majority of Earth's heroes, and the first major crisis he was able to assist with, occured when Maggeddon woke. An ancient device that left only war and misery in it's wake, influencing those around it to hostilities. It was World War Three for the Earth, and only the combined power of the Justice League and nearly every other hero and hero group on Earth would manage to stop the planet sized doomsday artifact.

In the end, even that didn't seem like it would be enough. Superman was imprisoned within the primordial war bringer. Thankfully the heroes of Earth recieved help from among the most unlikely of places. A device was built by the last god of the third world, which it then powered as well. When it was turned on every man, woman, and child on Earth had their meta-genes sparked at the same time. Though the effect would only be temporary, Wonder Woman led the Armies of Man against the world destroyer. Skyboy was a part of that charge, after aiding Steel in the routing of the Queen Bee's hive in New York.

While the armies of man attacked Mageddon externally, Superman was able to break free of his imprisonment and attack Mageddon from within. Finding that the juggernaut was powered by an anti-sun the Man of Steel absorbed it's tremendous power into his own cells and ultimately deactivated the device.

All the while angels from heaven lead by Zuriel kept jittery world leaders from unleashing nuclear annihilation, until the war bringers influence departed. With the threat averted the clean up began, and it was extensive. But by time the first touch of winter was in the air the ever resilient Earth was bouncing back, just in time for a new disaster to occur.

Now set up with a flourishing company and the fully realized Sanctuary of Remembrance established as a part of New York Harbor, Knick was a recognized part of life in New York, and indeed the world. His assistance in World War 3, especially in Manhattan, had skyrocketed him even further in the mind's and eyes of the people of Earth.

With his image on teen magazines, business, and tech periodicals alike, as well as his nightly news worthy costumed exploits the populace had grown accustomed to seeing and recognizing him. While there might not be any refrain of "look up in the sky!", many people were when he would swoop overhead on patrols.

The Beast That is Winter

It was in the early days of winter when Earth was beset with yet another global crisis. The first traces of frost on windows in the morning made it clear that it would grow cold quickly this year, a fact old timers playing chess in Central Park would point out to anyone that would listen. But nobody could really fathom just how right they were.

An ancient artifact, the Yoke of the Elements, containing the very essences of the seasons was stolen by the Acolytes of The Elements. With mystical rituals to shatter the ancient magics that held the primordial beings within, the cult of worshipers released the personifications of Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn once more. Free to roam the universe unbound. A cold chill passed over Manhattan, where the spell shattering the bonds was cast, as Ithaqua the Beast that is Winter strode across the land once more.

Within a matter of hours after it's release the climate and temperature dropped along the majority of the eastern seaboard of the United States. Shifting steadily and gradually to the very heart of winter. Snow began falling, and increasing steadily until it was not mere inches per hour, but feet per hour! The blizzard like conditions caught emergency services, and everyone else, totally flat footed. After all, who could have predicted winter would arrive that fiercely, that soon.

But worse still Ithaqua reached out and changed the poor souls that were lost to the storm's cold. Giving those close to death a chance to serve it. From those who accepted it shaped it's Wendigo and released them into the world. The only thing standing between winter personified and the helpless populace was once again the Earth's heroes.

Across the Eastern Seaboard the storm worsened rapidly, slowly beggining to spread in every direction. Radiating outward from the point where Ithaqua was released. The Atlantic ocean literally freezing over. The ranks of heroes became stretched thin trying to deal with the emergencies that resulted. In New York the storm was the most intense and Knick and the heroes of that city banded together to try and do what they could to combat it.

Helping civilians and stopping the spawn of Ithaqua, the wendigo, that had taken over Central Park. As they became aware of the true gravity of the situation, and indeed just what had happened they knew that the Earth and everyone on it would be frozen soon in an never ending winter unless they stopped it.

A desperate plan was formed, in which Relic, a mage of near peerless power, would try and seal Ithaqua back in the Yoke. If it could be drawn out and weakened in some manner. To that end Knick used the maser arrays on the Sanctuary and jury rigged them to produce a bubble of heat over the city to begin to melt the ice and snow. The plan worked and an enraged Ithaqua took physical form and attacked!

Only with the aid of every hero that could still stand was Skyboy able to hold off the assault of the Beast that is Winter when it finally attacked the Sanctuary directly in the middle of a frozen New York Harbor. Among them Spider-Man who would later join the team. The plan to draw Ithaqua out had worked, and as the beast's physical form of ice and snow was gradually chipped away Relic's magic confined the beast's very essence once more to the Yoke. The long winter, was finally over.

Superboy

With the defeat of Ithaqua Knick set his goals on the formation of a new team. Between WW3 and Ithaqua it made sense to Knick, that a team could handle a crisis that a lone hero, no matter how powerful, simply couldn't. Once again it would be named Unity, out of respect for the many friends he had lost. The appearance of several of those friends from Hypertime, including Jon-El now several years his senior, bolstered Knick's hopes that he might find his friends, and lost love Dominick once again.

Forming a new team and the life of a celebrity super teen were distractions. His lab and buisness dealings were likewise distractions. But inside Knick was still a deeply troubled young man. Nearly a year before Superman had believed it would take a teen of steel to get to the heart of the matter within another teen of steel. Superboy and Knick had become close friends, and Kon was relentless in pursuing Knick's inner demons.

Eventually Kon began to succeed in overtaking them. But in a way he might not have expected. Knick was becoming quite attached to Superboy, but was keeping that fact to himself. At the same time Superboy was assisting Knick with his issues, Knick managed to find some Kon had as well. His feelings of inadequacy, that he wasn't real since he was a clone. Slowly, they were mutually helping one another through their problems.

Months passed rapidly, and other challenges appeared. The essence of Spring briefly caused trouble, resurrecting the long dead with it's touch. But before it's name could be learned, and a spell cast to contain it, Spring vanished to parts unknown. Likewise the first of the creatures that would come to be known as the Disaster Monsters appeared in the form of The Kraken, which attacked the Metropolis waterfront.

Knick and Superboy became closer through this period, saving one another several times over. But as Kon and Knick grew closer, Kon had noticed the way Knick acted around him. Noticed that Knick never paid much attention when he pointed out some 'babe'. Many people believed Superboy to be a little dense, but the truth was anything but.

He confronted Knick, and Knick admitted his feelings for Superboy and explained that in his culture, as a Kryptonian, it was customary to act on those feelings even if only in friendship. Living on Earth was very difficult for him in that way. Kon-El accepted this, and some weeks later startled Knick by saying he wanted to learn Knick's culture in a more first hand manner. Kon had been having relationship issues of his own, and wanted to learn Knick's culture to see if there was a better way for him.

The two became inseparable and helped each other deal with issues that had been hovering below the surface. For Knick some very painful abandonment issues he had long suffered from after losing three homes. Knick in return helped Kon accept that he was every bit as capable a hero as an actual Kryptonian. Though they served on separate teams, Kon moved out of Cadmus and into the Sanctuary.

Also around this time Knick met several of Kon's team mates in Young Justice. The leader of the team Robin and a reserve member CM3. Within that same week he met the rest of the team, including Impulse. He became friends with all of them, and even became a reserve member of Young Justice in addition to being leader of Unity.

Knick started sharing the skies, and a name with something of a sibling as well. The heroine Rival had the ability to duplicate powers from others in herself. She had routinely used this ability to 'rival' Knick's abilities. But in a near fatal shooting she overtaxed her powers to save her life. The result was she literally copied Knick to a point that she altered her genetic code and became a Kryptonian herself. Calling herself Skygirl, she became a fairly regular part of Knick's heroic life.

The electrical manipulating William Black came into Knick's life as well. With a troubled past, Knick was devoted to the innocent and charming Will almost immediately. long a slave to one of the yakuza families, he had only recently escaped. Taking refuge with the team, his former owners attempted to re-acquire him, but they only tried it just once, and regretted it for some time.

The amazing Amazon teen Wonder Boy also joined Unity. A secret weapon of Circe's and Ares that had turned against them instead. The soul of a healer, but trained to be a warrior just the same, Ganymede was at home, and very capable in both worlds. New friends, and loves adding still more to Knick's family. Overall, things were finally beggining to become positive again.

Not long after Klarion the Witch boy altered the ages of the majority of Earth's heroes, Knick and Kon reached a major turning point in their lives. After the many bad relationships Kon had been in, culminating in watching his first true love Tana Moon recently die in front of him. He was ready to commit to the only good relationship he had ever had, even if that happened to be with another guy.

Knick for that matter had finally stepped out of the shadow of his lost love and fiance. In his heart he knew he would always love Dominick, and always search for him as well. But he might live forever and never find him. He knew he was ready to move on the night the nightmares finally stopped. The first real night he and Kon spent together.

The nightmares, the ones he had had since losing his last home. They were always the same, he found Dominick moments before his fiancé would somehow die in his arms. In the nightmare, he was never strong enough, or fast enough to stop it. But finally he had something, and someone new to dream of now, happier dreams.

Though many others were a part of his life and love, including the other members of YJ and Unity. Kon and Knick seemed simply joined at the hip. A fact not lost on many reporters and trend watchers who began to speculate just how close they in fact were. Everybody loves a rumor, and there were few more in the public eye.

The Kiss Heard Round The World

Several months after they began their relationship Knick and Kon were on patrol over Metropolis, something they regularly did especially when Superman was busy with League affairs. One minute they weren't there, and then suddenly they just were. Two colossal comets just appeared out of no where less than ten miles over Metropolis harbor. If they struck the water at the speeds they were travelling they would surely wipe out the city, and cause wide spread ecological damage not seen since the extinction of the dinosaurs!

With no tell tale streak of red and blue indicating Superman was on the case, Metropolis and the world would have to settle for Skyboy and Superboy. Each streaked at a comet and attempted to slow it's decent. There wasn't much more than seconds to accomplish it though, and shattering them might result in widespread destruction so that wasn't an option. They would have to be slowed down enough not to cause wide sread destruction. But slowing something the size of a mountain, traveling that fast, was no easy task.

They both strained their power's well past any level they had before, just to slow the comets enough that the impact would not be cause of a mass extinction event. The comets hit the waters about a mile off of Metropolis, with two exhausted young heroes with them. Aside from some minor flooding around the harbor area, Metropolis was spared any damage. There was an issue of two drowning young heroes though. Fortunately Jon-El, now calling himself Legacy, had heard of the comets and arrived to help, just in time to pluck the weary and water logged young heroes out of the ocean and bring them to the Sanctuary for treatment.

The story was on the news and the papers, and many believed both Superboy and Skyboy had died saving Metropolis, and indeed the world. Cell phone and various videos of the event failed to capture Legacy rescuing them. Where the comets came from remained a mystery. But one eclipsed in the news by the apparent death of two celebrity teen heroes.In a world where disasters were common placxe the apparent deaths of two beloved heros was bigger news.

Days passed during which speculation continued as to the fates of Superboy and Skyboy. With the help of the medical treatment facilities in the Sanctuary they slowly regained their strength and health. The full spectrum light generators particularly useful in that regard. But neither was in a hurry to return to immediate active duty, barring another world shaking calamity. Finally four days after the incident the two felt well enough to have some fun again.

Taking to the skies above the Sanctuary and N.Y. Harbor they settled down for some mid-air Frisbee. They were caught on film by a passing traffic helicopter. Bethany Snow, formerly a well known reporter whose career was almost ruined when her ties to the Church of Blood became public several years before was onboard. She saw an opportunity to jump start her damaged career and latched onto it.

The helicopter hovered nearby filming the two young heroes, while unseen by all a bird drew ever closer to the scene as well. Watching the heroes with a decidedly not so bird like fascination. Inside the copter Bethany Snow was speaking into the camera, speculating about the absence of the heroes over the last few days. As well as where the comets might have come from.

Finally, and most galling to Knick who could hear every word, she began speculating on the nature of the relationship between Skyboy and Superboy. In frustration Knick announced just how he wished he could just kiss Kon on camera and get it over with. The somewhat more impulsive Superboy casually quipped back words that would forever change their lives. "I've got nothing to be ashamed of." With those simple words Kon-El flew over and kissed Knick on live TV. It was the kiss heard around the world.

The helicopter circled for a better view of the kiss, just as the not so bird like bird circled for a batter vantage as well. Helicopter and bird both failed to veer, and with a also not very bird like screech the "bird" was caught in the rotors. The sound of metal on metal filled the sky, as the helicopter started to spin out of control. The bird that was not a bird at all was revealed to be a sophisticated robot. Red solar lasers lanced out of it's eyes, shearing off the tail rotor of the helicopter, further crippling it, before attacking the two young heroes as well.

Superboy dove to land the helicopter, easily catching it and setting it down on the roof of the Sanctuary. Mean while Knick distracted the bird drawing it's fire. After the copter was landed the two made short work of the robot. The only casualty of the day, the Frisbee. A straw propelled with enough force can pierce tree, and similarly a frisbee thrown hard enough can shatter a bird bot. Sadly the frisbee faired little better.

The remains of the bot fell to the Sanctuary, not far from the helicopter. Bethany Snow quickly started throwing questions at Kon as he approached. As Kon had heated words with her about the nature of heroes and their private lives, Knick made a chilling discovery. The remains of the robot were easily identifiable to him, he had seen their like many times before. They were clearly of his world, the design was Kryptonian.

The days to follow became somewhat chilly in terms of public reaction. Though Legacy, who knew of the relationship, and other heroes came forward in support of the two teens, the public that had once adored Knick at least partially turned on him. Politicians, and religious groups weighed in on the influence the two superteens had on the nations youth. What responsability they had to appear what the majority expected them to be. Many lucrative deals were lost to Alen Electronics, going instead to rivals like Lexcorp. It directly lead to the first of many attempts by Lexcorp to take over the smaller company.

At the height of the negative sentiment Knick moved the Sanctuary to the far distant Azores Island range in the Atlantic Ocean. Over time the fervor started to gradually pass, but not before Skyboy was actually firebombed in Metropolis! The situation caused Knick to go through a slightly negative period as far as his feelings about Earth's social customs and norms. He had always had a difficult time adapting to them, and this just aggravated that. But in time it, the overall anger passed. Leaving Knick not quite the celebrity he once was, but in exchange a hero to a new demographic that had largely been without one before.

A fact that was made clear when he and Kon were visiting a beach resort in New Jersey. They were approached on the boardwalk by Thomas Joshua Jones. The teen had found the courage to come out as a result of Skyboy and Superboy doing so. Tommy would go on to be a reoccuring part of both Knick and Kon's life, as he proved to be a trouble magnet. But he also went on to become the recognized head of their fanclub as well.

New challenges would await, as new members of Unity would come and some old ones depart the active team, but stay in touch. Legacy retired as a hero to raise a family of his own., and Skygirl started her own buisness, and focused more on that. Knick's team became his family in a very real way once again. Even with the Sanctuary thousands of miles away from the United States many people would find their way there, just as in the past on other worlds.

Knick had a way with taking in 'strays'. Some to live, many others to visit. Even a very bad falling out with The Batman didn't cause Knick any undue stress, though it placed Robin in something of a tricky spot. Especially as he and Knick had grown much closer since they met. Likewise Knick operated on Freddy Freeman, CM3's alter ego. Repairing the damage that had left him crippled with medical skills and science far in advance of anything available on Earth. They too grew closer, Freddy actually moving into the Sanctuary as well. With Impulse also becoming a frequent visitor, and very close friend, the lines between where Unity ended and Young Justice began became ever more blurred.

Life Mates

Having grown so close, Knick wanted to show Kon how dedicated to him he was. Particularly as he wasn't sure Kon understood that, given the number of friends Knick had made, and his culture's customs surrounding friendship. Though Krypton's traditions had life mates, it was a very different proceeding from that of a marriage ceremony as on Earth. Particularly the declaration of wishing to even become life mates.

Taking an example from his 'older brother' Jon-El, Knick wished to 'propose' to Kon his desire for them to become life mates. Using the starship UNITY the two went to the distant vacation planet Tendax, and there Knick asked Kon-El to be his life mate. Tendax had been a place Knick associated with changes in his life. Strathazed had brought him there soon after Krypton had exploded. A chance to recover briefly before his new life had begun. Now this would be the start of another new chapter, so it seemed fitting it too should start there.

The experience was wonderful, something they both clearly wanted. But more over, something they both were ready for, despite some believing otherwise. Their time on Tendax was only slightly disturbed by having to make a last minute rescue of Tendax's capital city. A run away star ship was on a collision course for the planet. All attempts to contact it had failed. With few alternatives the Tendax goverment turned to the two super teens for help.

It was not as easy as it seemed, but things seldom were. The starship was filled with an alien species called Xenomorphs, which complicated the rescue. One of the Xenomorphs, a queen, even managed to jettison off the ship prior to it exploding in the planets outter atmosphere. But the planet was saved, and the Tendaxian goverment was very thankful.

As they were getting ready to return to Earth though, Knick learned of rumors. They added to the dread he had felt upon discovering the Kryptonian technology weeks before. Something was moving through star systems, and destroying entire planets. It all sounded a bit to familiar to Knick, something he had experienced before. The two returned to Earth, renewed. But also with a sense of trepidation on Knick's part.

Mischief Mangled

One of the imps from Mr. Mxyzptlk's dimension pulled Knick and Kon into an alternate time line only days after they returned from Tendax. A time line where several of their friends, including Robin, we're dead. A time line where Legacy wasn't retired, but instead a virtual superhuman dictator. Forcing others to see things his way, or else. Worse still the majority of the imps power had been stolen, and it needed their help getting it back or they could never go home again.

Knick and Kon searched for a way to get the imp it's power back, but the experience was pushing Knick over the edge somewhat. Just the thought of losing another world. Losing more friends and loved ones. Losing yet another family. That coupled with the rumors he had heard on Tendax, it was all making him a dangerous person to be around. The only thing keeping him remotely in check was Kon.

But when the Imp appeared to Knick without Kon to calm him down, Knick very nearly beat it to death for dragging them there. The creature fled back to it's own dimension, powers or no powers, just to escape. Knick regretted it later, as it complicated him and Kon getting home again. But they managed to fight, and fool their way back where they belonged after several confrontations with a troubled, borderline demented woman, wielding the Imp's powers.

The absentee imp received it's powers back, though understandably didn't drop by to thank them. Knick and Kon were returned home where they belonged. But not without learning something. Knick was that much wiser about not allowing his temper to get the better of him again. Both as a result of what had happened with the Imp, as well as seeing what Legacy had become in that time line.

Old Enemies

The growing rumors of something moving through space and wiping out planets had surfaced on Tendax. But when Knick received intelligence, in the form of a crude image transmitted from a passing star ship it seemed to be confirmed. The image suggested something simply unthinkable. A massive moon sized planet, the lower half seemingly an exposed asteroid surface and the upper a huge bristling war machine under a shimmering barrier. Around it floated four skull like satellites each a quarter the size of the moon itself. They were easily recognizeable, and proof positive of who and what was out there.

Knick could still see it in his mind's eye from years before. His greatest enemy had somehow not only returned. But also rebuilt it's power base as it had said it would. Brainiac was back, and just as it had said it would, had found him. Knick immediately began heavily modifying Unity, spending vast amounts of time in space doing so, but keeping the reasons why to himself. In those weeks several large robots attacked various cities, all bearing Krytonian designs. Further enemies from their past were appearing as well, including Match who fought Knick and Kon over Metropolis, and Black Zero as well.

Knick was preparing for all out war with his arch nemesis, so much so that he was finally forced to tell Superboy, Legacy, and several others of the impending crisis. Legacy came out of retirement to help in the siatuation. They were all rather annoyed that Knick had been shouldering this on his own all this time, as well as keeping it from them when they could have been, should have been helping.

But now that they knew, they all began gearing up for the worse case scenario. A full fledged invasion of Earth. Devices were constructed by Knick and Skygirl among others, and defenses were raised. The path of destruction could be traced heading directly across the universe. It's destination beyond any doubt, Earth. Brainiac was coming for revenge.

For weeks, the atmosphere among the heroic community was tense. Everyone was on edge, as any day the sky might fill with enemies. But the attack never came, in fact it was as if Brainiac had turned away on a new course. Deep space probes failed to turn up any sign of the new juggernaut WarWorld, which dwarfed the last one. It was as if it had simply vanished.

Knick held his breath for some time, thinking it was surely a trick. Something as big as this 'comet empire' that Brainiac had created did not just vanish. Days turned into weeks, and there was no sign of his enemy. The universe was dangerous, Knick knew that well enough. As time passed he dared to hope that perhaps something out there had been powerful enough to delay, or even outright stop Brainiac's advance. Sadly, he would be right in the months to come.

In the interim though there was still work on Earth to do. One of those things was in answer to the D.E.O.s abduction of Meta human teens for their Orphanage projects. Knick was one of several people that secretly helped to finance and provide technology for a team of young meta-humans to be trained secretly in Bayville Massachusetts. A secret team that could oppose the government's plans, if it became required. Enough recruits were found to actually form two seperate teams.

The X-Men were the team prepared to be sent out almost immediately. Ready to oppose any attempts to kidnap any other meta-human teens, among other mission types. The New Mutants were a junior team still learning to use their powers effectively. Thankfully they were fast learners though. Both teams faced opposition in the form of meta-human extremist groups and terrorists seeking to battle the goverment more directly. In doing so making things worse for all super powered individuals across the United States.

The Return of Dominick

Some weeks passed and things settled into what approached normal for Knick and Unity. Of course normal has a slightly different meaning when you are a super hero. In addition to beach parties and socializing, normal also meant at least one chance to save a large swathe of the planet. Or at least a very interesting island.

A pod with the same alien life forms on it that Knick and Kon had faced on the star ship in orbit of Tendax crashed on a remote island on Earth. The xenomorph queen then infected various prehistoric animals. The Xeno-Saurs were lead by their queen which had infected a massive gorilla. Finally the xeno-saurs were quarantined, and taken custody by The Department of Extranormal Operations, The D.E.O.

With the threat of Brainiac seemingly gone, it was business as usual alright. At least until Knick began having nightmares again. Terrible dreams of a gathering storm on the horizon. Dreams of his lost love Dominick that he had not had in months. Everyone was baffled as to why they would resurface now. But the dreams grew steadily worse each night. By the third day Knick was waking up screaming, that same evening a storm front appeared from nowhere and swept across the city of New York, making a B-line out to sea. For a storm so fierce, oddly nobody was hurt and property damage was minimal. It rapidly blew out to sea, as if with a with a single minded purpose. Heading directly for the Azores. As the storm grew closer, Knick actually passed out, surrounded by Kon, Ganymede, and several others.

The dream came again, as Knick laid unconscious. He was flying towards a distant Dominick, sure that as always he would fail to make it there in time. After all, every time it had been the same. Just as he grew close Dominick would die somehow, always taken away from him. Always seperated from him somehow.

But this time the darkly entrancing weather manipulator simply turned around and held out his hand to Knick in the dream. Knick's eyes snapped open in time for the doors to the room to burst in as the storm reached the island. Fog, wind and rain seemed to coalesce into a shape. As Knick's vision cleared, he looked up into the face of his lost love. Just as Dominick extended a hand down to him.

The reappearance of Dominick totally rocked Knick's world, and left Kon feeling more then a little vulnerable. Knick assuaged his fears, telling him under no uncertain terms they were together. Dominick in the meantime had issues of his own to deal with, the changes in Knick since the time they had been together were pronounced. As well as his newly manifesting elemental powers and responsibilities. In coming through time lines Dominick had literally become Earth's storm elemental.

Though he had only just returned in Knick's life, in some ways he was still hardly there. But the times he was made Knick very happy indeed. As Earth's storm elemental Dominick largely gave up his physical form. Appearing in it only rarely, and then usually briefly. But few could help but notice how the weather was always beautiful on Sanctuary Island. Or how Knick would smile when the wind passed through his hair a certain way, as if stroking it.

Others would become staples of Knick's life in the weeks and months to come as well. The time displaced half demon Inuyasha and the crystal shaping alien Tane-Mazi among them. Unity continued to grow and prove strong, despite the somewhat fluid almost umbrella nature of the team. Unity seemed to contain members from a half dozen other teams. Like the All Star Squadron from WW2. But the largest challenges were yet to come.

Our Worlds at War

Months before, and unknown to most, the planet Pluto had vanished. It's disappearance remained a mystery, despite more than a few heroes trying to solve it. Superman, Green Lantern, Knick, and others went to investigate the phenomenon to no avail. A stand in for the planet was created from space debis by Green Lantern to keep the orbits of the planets in the solar system stable.

The dissapearance was eventually discovered to be the first opening gambit in Brainiac 13's plan to trump the very cosmic force of entropy itself, Imperiex. Just as the transformation of Metropolis had been a part of it's plan as well. It had actually been Brainiac 13 that had stopped The Comet Empire's advance, forcing it to hyper jump away months before. Either that or be absorbed into the more powerful B13's matrix. Inadvertantly the retreat would allow Brainiac to become far more powerful still.

As Imperiex drew closer to Earth an unlikely coalition of forces were brought to bear against the supposedly all powerful Imperiex. Including a ragtag fleet composed of the universe destroyer's previous victims that were able to escape, and Darkseid himself who transported the hellish planet Apokalips to the vicinity of Earth. B13 unveiled the retrofitted planet Pluto which had been changed into a new War World and it too joined the arsenal arrayed against Imperiex.

With so many cosmic forces in position it might be easy to get lost in the shuffle. But Knick became very important in the fight, for a reason other then what many would think. Though easily by this point one of the most powerful meta-human's on Earth, or indeed anywhere, Knick was needed for a role few others could provide.

With the immense and well defended star ship Unity, so recently upgraded for a cosmic war anyway, Knick would be needed for his skills as a healer and his studies of xeneology. Alien races from across the universe were rushed into him for surgery and medical treatment from the front lines of the war. Brought to him by his friends in Young Justice largely, whose job it was to collect the wounded. Often from behind enemy lines. So many that even with his powers and skills, many were lost before he could respond.

Even having seen a war before, in his youth, this was a different thing. As a doctor he knew he had to focus on the ones he could save, but it was still a serious blow to him. One made even worse, when he later learned that Young Justice had been lost behind enemy lines! Knick was restrained by Wonder Woman who talked him down from leaving the sick bay to find his friends and loved ones. She had only just lost her mother, so she understood all to well the agony of that loss. It is said that nobody benefits from war, a sad lesson that Knick learned first hand.

In the aftermath of the war things changed for a time. Robin and Impulse left Young Justice, both needing time to deal with things they had experienced. Thankfully only to return later after coming to terms with some things in their lives. The war was a sobering time for everyone, making them see the things that truly mattered. Knick and Kon both had issues to resolve afterwards, and their relationship became so much the stronger for it.

Knick felt he had let down his friends, not being there when they needed him. The emotional issues healed though in time. Bringing the team closer still as friends and in several cases much more. As always though, new challenges awaited the team. But they came with new friends to face them too. Spider-Man joined the team officially, and Knick grew very close with Sam Guthrie, Kurt Wagner, and Bobby Drake. Cannonball, Nightcrawler, and Iceman of the Xavier Academy.

The Wind Cried Wendigo

Knick, Kon, Legacy and Wolverine responded to a call for help of a personal level. Tommy Jones' mother contacted Knick using the private email Tommy had. Knick and Kon kept in touch with him rather regularly, giving him information for his blog. So thankfully his mother could reach them rather easy.

Unfortunately Tommy had a tendency to get into trouble. Only months before he was one of several hundred people in Manhattan that had been turned into vampires by Dracula. Part of the undead lords attempt to shatter the mystical barriers sealing a mystical being named Kulak whose power was nearly a rival for The Spectre. Another time he had nearly been eaten alive by a metamorph with a canabalistic taste in food. Now, Tommy was in trouble again.

Tommy and his entire scout troop had gone missing on a camping trip. They had gone to a state park in British Columbia, and since then all contact with them, and the small town just to the south of the park was lost. Once again Legacy was willing to suit up again to lend a hand. Given Wolverine's history with the area, he was asked to come as well. They just had no idea what they were getting into.

When Ithaqua was defeated many of it's Wendigo were above the natural snow lines for that time of year. Those that were, were never found as they blended perfectly with the snow swept terrain. They literally could not be seen in those conditions. But their maddening whispers of 'Weennn-diiii-goooo' right next to, behind, or even in front of you could be heard. The sweep of their frozen clawed hands across bare flesh. The icy and snow swept fur drifting across a shoulder or elbow just behind you. Yet when you looked, they were never there.

A large pack of the creatures had attacked the isolated town, unseasonable cold and snow falls blanketed the area, people inside afraid to go outside. The town had been cut off, and was now under siege. The heroes arrived and were almost immediately set upon be the wendigo, who inspired amazing paranoia even in them. Learning where the campsite was they made their way there and learned what the Wendigo hoped to gain.

The campground was empty, clearly having been attacked. But there was no blood or signs of physical injury. Instead the clothing of everyone present was scattered around, shredded and ripped from the bodies of those who had been there. The wendigo planned to freeze them all to death in the hopes of propigating their species!

The trail was easy enough to follow even without the presence of the superior senses they all had. They found a network of caves where the creatures were lairing. Just inside those caves, where they were hardly spared the elements, were the campers, Tommy included. Low levels of heat vision warmed them and started to reverse some of the exposure. But from the depths of the caves it was clear the Wendigo were returning. With little alternatives, the cave mouth was collapsed and fused shut with heat vision. Hopefully trapping the monsters inside forever.

The Mythicals

Museums across the globe were being robbed of ancient artifacts all affiliated to the Greek Gods. Statues, paintings, wall hangings and anything dedicated or depicting one of the gods of Olympus. The only clues left behind, small stones scattered across the area of the robbery. All slightly shaped to look like spiders. When the Metropolitan Museum of Art was nearly robbed, Knick and Unity investigated.

They discovered that two ancient beings with grudges against the Olympian Gods were orchestrating events to literally erase them from existence! Arachne the Weaver, and her muscle The Minotaur had gathered a group of beings all with reasons to hate the Gods of old and dubbed themselves The Mythicals. The last item they needed to complete the ritual was within the Met, and they would stop at nothing to have it.

After a battle through the museum, the fighting spilled out onto the Great lawn of Central Park. Arachne was able to "weave" energies from the astral plane and the mana stream, making her a deadly opponent in battle. What Minotaur lacked in subtlety, he more than made up for in raw, savage power. The beast was stronger than Knick, Kon, and CM3 combined! Echo, Enchidna, and Talos rounded out the group. It was unquestionably the most powerful villain team Unity had faced to date.

After an epic fight, Arachne's plans were dashed when the items she needed were wrestled from her grasp. Her ritual failed she and Minotaur vanished to plot anew, and the other Mythicals dispersed back to their home realms. The museum was damaged, and the Great Lawn was a disaster. But the Mythicals had been stopped, at least for now. There was peace, well for a few days at least.

Hypertime Jumps

Hyper temporal fissures started opening across the planet, and events from the past were begging to influence the present once again. A massive hurricane from more then forty years ago struck Metropolis. Strange aliens from other universes were appearing, and disaster monster sightings were on the rise again. While in a meeting of all of the extended teams that composed Unity about how to address this new crisis, the group was attacked, in an insidiously indirect manner. Sanctuary Island was literally wrenched free of it's proper place in Hyper Time!

The Island and the Sanctuary itself spiraled between various worlds, with each one of them exerting an influence on the heroes. Only the technical devices within the Sanctuary itself saving them all from being assimilated fully into any of dozens of new timelines and forgetting their former existences entirely. Even with the technology of the futuristic base, each world managed to change the heroes faintly upon arrival.

Changes that became more severe, and seemingly more permanent the longer they remained. With time against them, each world was a challenge to find allies and recharge the jump drives to escape to the next time line in the spiral. In each new timeline they made friends and allies. Some of whom the team would encounter again in the future.

Inbetween one of the jumps, as the island moved between time lines, Knick's mentor Strathazed appeared at the Sanctuary. It was his task to take Knick with him. The Linear Men feared Skyboy's interference in so many time lines could potentially be disastrous. They were more then willing to sacrifice all of Knick's loved ones to prevent even potential damage. Strathazed could take Knick, as he was a Linear Men agent, but the others were considered acceptable losses. They were to be assimillated into the next hypertime they appeared in, bereft of Knick's technical knowledge preventing it.

Knick had recently, without telling anyone, turned sixteen years old. The age where he would be considered an adult, were he on Krypton. He refused his mentor, and severed the mentor and student ties with him for all time in doing so. Likewise renouncing his status as a Linear Man agent, and creating some lasting enimity with them. Strathazed departed, secretly proud of his charge, and leaving him a oval shaped stone as a birthday gift.

After visiting many diverse time lines, the Sanctuary and the island appeared in the 30th Century. There the time sorceress Glorith was under siege by the Dark Lord Mordru. Having already defeated all other challenges to his authority in a timeline strangely bereft of the Legion of Superheroes, he now had his sights set on the last minor challenge to his absolute authority. The heroes of Unity intervened, some of them managing to distract Mordru, like mosquitos to the all powerful mage. But managing to delaying his assault on Glorith's castle.

As part of the team distracted Mordru, the rest confronted the cause of the hyper time jumps, Glorith. Among that group Knick, Superboy, and the god child Lucas. The mad sorceress explained that she had meant to let a fundamental law of hyper time eliminate the cause of all of her misery. Having the heroes that caused the Legion to never form eliminated by being absorbed into another timeline. However as she revealed the mystical artifact that she had used to rip them all into hyper time her victory was snatched away suddenly by a streaking set of talons!

The stone given to Knick by his former mentor was in fact an egg! It had hatched, influenced as it was by the unusual energies of Hypertime. Enter Nightengayle! No longer the last living creature of his own world, Knick stared at the dark colored Kryptonian nightwing. Strathazed had taken the egg in the last days of Krypton, and held it for Knick's 16th birthday. Keeping it in stasis, and only recently using a birthing matrix to make sure the animal was imprinted upon hatching on Knick. Holding his arm up the great bird circled and landed there, dropping the artifact into his hand, and then playfully biting his earlobe.

Glorith's plans were defeated, her subtle machinations all undone. However, in her defeat she explained why she had done all of it. Lucas would inadvertantly cause a series of events that lead to the Legion never forming. Just by saving a man's life with faith healing several years from their present. While being filmed doing so.

Based on the film the world turned away from super powered defenders, embracing the religious beliefs of Lucas to such an extent that by the 30th century the Legion never formed. Armed with that knowledge, Lucas still saved the man's life eventually. But with his emergency medical technician training instead. The future was spared, and Unity saved the 30th Century and Glorith from Mordru's unchecked wrath.

The Xeno-Saurs

The Sanctuary's sensors detected an unknown object passing through the skybot satellite sensor web around earth and the moon. Intense radiation was blurring the sensor analysis, but the course was plotted. The object crashed into a small fog enshrouded island in the south pacific in the earliest hours of the morning. The island was notable as having served as a staging area for the allies in WW2, as well as containing a number of prehistoric species still alive. sensors also indicated temporal fluctuations on and around the island as well.

A small team was put together to investigate just what it was that crashed. Both out of Skyboy's curiosity, as well as a request from J'onn J'onzz who had also detected the object from the Watchtower. Arriving late in the afternoon the same day the object crashed, the team was forced to land, damaging the shuttle in the process when something large struck it in flight.

Upon landing on the beach of a small cove the team discovered that part of the shuttle had literally melted away. They would require another one to leave as it was no longer structurally sound even if Skyboy or Superboy carried it. The temporal fluctuations also made sending a message to the Sanctuary difficult as well. The team resolved to figure a way off the island after the accomplished what they were there to do.

Dinosaur Island was truly out of place in time it seemed. With flora and fauna not seen on earth in millions of years. But the island had a sinister quality as well, the shadows to deep, and a constant feeling of being watched. It was enough to cause a sense of paranoia in the most stalwart of nerves.

Skirting along he coast to find a safe way to travel inland by foot the team discovered a recently abandoned military facility with D.E.O. markings. It seemed from inspection it was abandoned sometime earlier that very day. Blood stains in the facility seemed to also suggest not everyone made it.

The team discovered why shortly after as they made their way up a narrow but steep rise for a better view of the island's interior. From that high vantage they were attacked by xenomorph pterodactyls. In the melee Knick's eyes were burnt by the acid from one of the creatures.

While he was able to see, it made use of his other vision powers painful. It would heal, but it made surveying the island from a distance more difficult. He believed that it was why he had a hard time seeing through the mists that seemed especially prevalent in the island's interior. The true reason for that was anything but.

The interior was filled with dinosaurs that had already been changed into Xeno-Saurs. The team kept to the. Over of the forests, but still had several fights as they made their way steadily inland forwards the source of the radiation readings they were following. The signal lead the team to a dormant volcano, which they entered via lava tubes.

In the center they discovered that the very alien queen that had escaped Tendax crashed here on earth. Though it had died in the crash, it had laid eggs, including another queen which had possessed a giant mountain gorilla. Worse still among the radioactive debris imbedded in the escape pod from it's journey through space was a large piece of Kryptonite!

Skyboy and Superboy were stricken almost immediately by the deadly radiation. the rest of the team also had their hands full fighting the alien queen and her Xeno-Saur tyrannosaur guardians. they received aid in the form of the mountain gorillas son, also huge, but not quite so much as the alien queen. It's appearance allowed the team to dispose of the Kryptonite though. Recovering, Skyboy and Superboy were able to assist their team mates in eliminating the threat.

Unity left Dinosaur island to lick their wounds, resolving to return the next day to search the island and be sure that all of the Xeno-Saurs were accounted for. They were to dangerous to potentially escape and infect the populace of earth. But with Skyboy and Superboy weakened, and every member of the team injured they were in no condition to continue the fight immediately. unknown to the group the D.E.O. returned as well, in greater numbers.

A large number of specimens were removed live from the island to be studied by the government for potential weaponization. Content to have allowed e superheroes to potentially suffer losses doing their job for them, they only landed again after they were sure the heroes had departed. But they left with more than they bargained for as well.

A malignant spirit had been lose on the island for eons. The arrival of the xenomorphs had stirred it from it's slumber. The very source of the island's sinister countenance and the temporal distortions. Also the true reason Skyboy had difficulty seeing through the island's mists. Desadarius the Dinosaur Devil resolved to follow the D.E.O. Team. Judging the super heroes to be a greater threat.

Leaving its island home for the first time since prehistoric animals ruled the earth. It wished to see what these mortal mammals that so brazenly invaded it's realm had done to the world beyond. discovering the earth so very different from the time it once stalked the planet. Desadarius was not pleased by these changes, not pleased at all.

Reign of Fire

Some weeks after the adventure on Dinosaur Island portals began opening onto Earth again. Forced open by an unknown enemy taking advantage of the weakened fabric of Hypertime after Glorith's recent manipulations. From each of these portals a most unlikely enemy emerged. Dragons! Literally hundreds, and then thousands of the monsterous beasts appearing from standing portals located all across the planet! Earth's meta-human population rallied against them, as did earth's armed forces. But then the real terror started.

Each person that drew dragon's blood was afflicted by the blood curse of the dragons and started to become a dragon themselves! Faced with a losing battle Knick devised a device to close the portals. But as they tested it on a portal a secondary influence made itself known. A malignant, infernal force calling itself Desadarius, the dinosaur demon. It had created the portals in this timeline, for some as yet unknown reason.

Desadarius used his powers to expand the test portal much larger than any other. Through that portal the Dragon King emerged and attacked! With so much at stake Knick charged the King of the Dragons and tackled it back into and through the portal, just as his device collapsed the gate! The Dragon king was gone, swept back to it's world. But Skyboy was now missing as well.

Knick's friends and lovers did not take that laying down. Against the orders of the JLA, members of Unity staged a rescue mission! Dissapearing into a portal in the middle of new York City before it could be closed using the devices Skyboy had built. The world of the dragons was a blasted, ash covered, desolate and blighted world. Not unlike their own world in geography, but beyond that different in key ways.

No rocket from Krypton had landed here years before producing the man of tomorrow. No shots in the dark in Gotham took the lives of the Waynes and generated the Batman. No island paradise producing a warrior princess dedicated to peace to lead the charge. But most of all, apparently no meta-genes in the populace at all! It was a world without heroes.

The human population of the planet had been radically diminished by the dragon's blood curse. Pulled there through the illegal scientific experiments of ALexi Luthor, Metropolis was the capital of this Dragon World. However Knick's trail seemed to lead to a small village built around a series of caves. The heroes were horrified to learn that this was Gotham! Under the leadership of Doctor Bruce Wayne they had managed to stay away from the dragons sight, with the help of their defender, archer Oliver Queen.

Sadly just as the heroes arrived however they learned that Bruce Wayne's adopted son had been seperated from others on a mission to the outskirts of Metropolis. Timothy Drake, the runner for the small strike force that everyone called Robin. Thanks to his flittering back and forth like the small bird from group to group relaying messages. Hardly ever seen, or heard save when he wanted to be.

The heroes learned from Bruce Wayne that Knick had indeed been there, injured rather badly from his fight with the Dragon King. But left for Metropolis as soon as he was able to. Attempting to try and find the devices Luthor had used that brought the dragons there in the first place. Following that trail they encountered Robin, alive through his witts and guile even in the heart of the dragon's domain. He agreed to lead them to where Luthor's lab was, as there was safety to be found in numbers.

However, careful as they were, in the heart of the dragon's domain with two of the heroes slowly transforming into dragons as well, they were spotted and attacked. Fighting through growing opposition they finally managed to find the lab, and the devices they would need to return home. Just in time to be attacked by the Dragon King once more! The Dragon Queen made her treachery known, revealing she had been conspiring with Desadarius. Now with the portal open to Earth again, she passed through it to join her new King!

Outraged at her betrayal the Dragon King was prepared to follow, but was persuaded to do otherwise when offered a chance to return to it's true home. Reprogramming the portal, Knick was able to send the dragons back to where they belonged. Earth, and humanity, would live on now that the blood curse had been lifted freeing so many humans that had been afflicted. The world would need much rebuilding, everyone had much work to do.

But they would do it with heroes of their own now. As little Robin had found his wings! Nobody ever knew where Bruce Wayne had discovered the boy, those years before in the alien capsule. Though there was no man of tomorrow, there would be a boy of tomorrow. A force to help lead the newly emerging Draco-humans. Humans that remained altered in some way from their time as dragons. Reunited once more, and with the immediate threat eliminated, the weary heroes returned once more to their world. But the Dragon Queen and Deasadarius were a lingering threat. Hidden for now, to plot and plan a world where the reptiles would once again rule.

The King of the Monsters

For a time earth went without any major threats. The standard super villains, and disasters both man made and natural. Knick had time to experiment with his Hyper Temporal Ring, a new device he was building based off of Luthor's designs on Dragon Earth. It would allow him to explore nearby Hypertimes and determine if there was some threat to Earth from them, as it seemed recently that was occuring a lot. In his early trips he would meet quite a few people and even make some good friends.

With the ring perfected Knick was even able to visit Jan Arrah in the 30th century again and spend time among the Legion of Superheroes. Taking a hand in stopping his doppelganger from the Anti-Matter Universe which was creating trouble in the 30th century. An adventure that ended with the death of anti-matter Skyboy, a chilling thing for Knick to witness.

New members of UNITY joined as well. Including the young aquatic hero Namor, a prince of Atlantis from another time line. As well as the ki channeling human/saiyan Goten. His hybrid birthright granting him physical potential on par with even Kryptonians and Daxamites. In New York one of Knick's homeless shelters took in a young meta-human able to alter his physical form into a liquid metal. Calling himself Mercury, he too joined Unity.

A series of seemingly isolated events over the next several months all came together to create a near global disaster, as well as the very unorthodox solution to it. Skyboy had been experimenting with another aspect of the hypertemporal ring technology. Trying to reopen the phantom zone of his timeline, where many ancient banned technologies of Krypton had been placed. The experiment, was not a success. Instead it opened a different portal, sending out a signal that summoned the Disaster Monsters.

Inagos the Locust King, Soran the Thunderbird, The Kraken, each of them a match for the team as a whole. All suddenly appeared scattered around the massive cove of Sanctuary Island. The heroes were badly out gunned in the face of the monsters. But then from the far side of the island, hidden behind the prominent volcanic rise, there was a footfall that literally shook the island, and a roar that drowned out the roars of the other three monsters combined.

As one, the other three disaster monsters fled. Fled from something apparently just so much greater than they were. Investigating the far side of the island revealed only massive three clawed footprints on the beach which vanished into the ocean. Something had been unleashed.

Several weeks later the heroes responded to a report of giant insects attacking Empire State University in Manhattan. A costumed villain calling himself Vermin Vast the Voluminous Vermin Maker was using a device he had created to enlarge insects, arachnids, and vermin and attack the school.

The heroes defeated him with ease, but the villain escaped in the mass confusioin of the vermin melee. Vermin Vast was tracked down to a cave network in the Pennsylvania Forest. The heroes were able to defeat him there. But as the battle reached a conclusion, the D.E.O. suddenly arrived on scene and confiscated the equipment and took the villain into custody.

That same week the heroes responded to dinosaurs appearing in Central Park, after a mysterious flash from the sky literally reverted an area of it to the Jurrasic period. The D.E.O. arrived on scene after the fighting was done to corral the dinosaurs left behind for transport to Dinosaur Island.

This occured three more times in areas across the country before New York was attacked by a 'dinosaur man' leading the various previously captured dinosaurs. Unity managed to defeat the Dinosaur man, which called itself Stegron, as well as the dinosaurs once again. This time collecting a good number of them for enclosures in a newly built zoo on Sanctuary Island. The D.E.O. again arrived and confiscated the remaining animals.

By now, things were clearly connected somehow. Robin pointed out the Batman logic that there were no coincidences. The one connecting point was the D.E.O., but what they were up to, and how to find out was a different story. Young Justice was already on thin ice with The D.E.O. and by extension they were no fans of any young heroes. As the team considered ways to find out they responded to another mysterious event.

One of the things ressurected by the Spring entity months before had been a large number of Megalodon. Reports indicated that a number of the creatures had inexplicably come into shallow water off the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. Not far from Gotham's coast in New Jersey. Right along a resort stretch of beach called The Wildwoods, the same place Knick and Kon had met Tommy.

Skyboy and Superboy responded as they were closest, in Metropolis. Several swimmers were still to far out to make it back safely, and so the heroes engaged the massive sharks to allow them time. Diving deep into the water they counted upwards of twelve of them. Why the not so sociable creatures would be together this far inland was anyone's guess, but they didn't have time to worry about it.

As Skyboy wresled with a giant shark something huge loomed up from the sea bed far below. It grazed Skyboy, lunging for the shark, and literally concussed him! Superboy dove to the rescue, just seeing a wall of black move through the water creating a massive disturbance in the currents and kicking up mud for miles through the water. It was several minutes before Kon found Knick, and even longer before they could return to the surface, and get back to the beach.

Once there they were shocked to find that every person on the beach was in a catatonic shock. Floating less than a mile off shore were the megalodon, or what was left of them. Just heads, and and few tails. Something had literally bit the sixty plus foot sharks in half! One little boy was absently drawing in the sand. His fingers retracing the same lines a little deeper with each pass as he stared slack jawed and glassy eyed out over the water. An enormous set of jaws, lifting a wriggling little fish out of the water. A little fish, with a prominent shark fin.

Two weeks later the heroes were called on by an S.O.S. A cruise ship had been caught in hurricane that had caught turned suddenly and overtaken them. Now a massive water spout threatened to capzsize the ship! A number of heroes responded, removing the ship from danger as Skyboy sought to safely collapse the waterspout. As it collapsed back into the ocean, it revealed something behind it.

Looming out of the ocean, it was revealed in a flash of lightning. The mystery regarding what had arrived on Earth weeks before. What had killed the megalodon. What had literally frightened away the assembled Disaster Monsters to date. The mystery was solved. The KING of the Monsters, Godzilla. With a contemptuous slap the titan smacked Skyboy from the sky as he gaped at it, and then it went after the cruise ship. The heroes managed to escape, with the ship and Knick. Godzilla literally seeming to melt back into the ocean, lost to view.

The Dragon and The Demon

Over the next week Knick investigated the problem of the Disaster Monsters, while Robin investigated the D.E.O. Knick was able to create an early warning system, after discovering that the Disaster Monsters were avoiding detection because they were literally slipping in and out of this time line from a neighboring one. As a result they had their own unique temporal signature that could be detected.

Meanwhile Robin discovered a very top seceret project in the Goverment. Project Timescan was created on paper to look for potential deposits of fossil fuels. It had recently been taken over by a division of the D.E.O. though. Curiously a large number of the D.E.O. personnel assigned all came from a different project. One the team had encountered before, on Dinosaur Island.

It seemed the D.E.Oapplications. Felt that Project Timescan had applications well beyond what it had been designed for. The connection with the prehistoric creatures they had encountered and Dinosaur Island personnel seemed to point to e connection they were looking for as well. With no real way to deal with the Disaster Monster threat at the moment, they focused instead on the D.E.O., and just in time.

Desadarius and the Dragon Queen had made contact with a meta-saur named Fire Eyes. An early enemy of the first incarnation of the Justice League, Fire Eyes was a super powered Tyranosaurus Rex. Fully sentient, with the ability to emit intense flames from it's eyes. Fire Eyes was from another neighboring hypertime where dinosaurs never died out, they instead evolved.

An entire dinosaur society in fact. With full sized super powered dinosaurs as overlords, and a work force of bipedal dinosaur men. With the equipment they had gathered co-opting a division of the D.E.O. they planned to launch an invasion. Simultaneously using the Project Timescan equipment to return Earth to it's prehistoric past!

The invasion began in Metropolis, with legions of dinosaur men weilding high tech weapons storming the city through the same types of portals Desadarius had opened for the dragon invasion. The Meta-Saurs were enlarged using Vermin Vast's technology, until they were all towering over a hundred feet tall!

Even the B13 repair robots couldn't keep up with the damage being inflicted to the city. Worse still all of the heroes were busy trying to stop the invasion itself. There was nobody to spare to confront the root of the problem in the space station above. It was a losing scenario as more and more of the Earth was devolved back to it's prehistoric state.

Skyboy made a desperate choice, and sent Impulse back to his lab at the Sanctuary to retrieve something he described to him. Just over a second later the world's fastest teen returned, with the object in question. Skyboy's failed phantom zone projector. Taking a deep breath he toggled it on with a breathless prayer to Rao that he was doing the right thing.

Within moments they all heard the roar of challenge, of defiance. Loud and long it drowned out the sounds of the open warfare all across the city. All eyes turned to the water. Metropolis Harbor seethed, and frothed as something massive moved below it. Blue white atomic heat breath scything out of the depths, across the sky heralded it's arrival. Then the harbor exploded as it stood, waves washing inland like a tsunami had struck. Godzilla had come. Long live the King.

Soran, Inagos, The Kraken. All of the Disaster Monsters arrived, as well as monsters they had no names for as the device remained on and broadcasting. The dinosaur army discovered what real monsters looked like. But as Godzilla waded into the melee all eyes were on the King.

Legions of dinosaur men and meta-saurs alike were vaporized by the monsters atomic heat beam. Some just torn apart or smashed into putty contemptuously with it's strength. In minutes the dinosaur forces were in open rout, retreating for the choke point gates to return to their time line. Desperate to flee something they could hardly imagine existing, a beast more terrifying than they were, or could ever hope to be.

Freed from the open combat on Earth the heroes attacked Project Timescan, only to find it largely abandoned. Overcoming a token force of Dinosaur Men and possessed D.E.O. Operatives lead by Fire Eyes they made their way to the control room.

A portal to the distant past still shimmered open there. For a brie moment malevolent eyes full of undisguised loathing glared at them. Then the portal flickered and closed. It seemed Desadarius and it's Queen escaped into Earth's prehistoric past, where their presence would lead to the spawning of a new Hypertime of their own. One that would no doubt lead to future threats as they sought revenge.

However, Fire Eyes reality would likely be in no hurry to threaten Earth again. The Disaster Monsters single mindedly followed their perceived challengers, and enemies through the portals. Portals which slowly closed without Desadarius to will keeping them open. With no good way to contain him, Fire Eyes himself was unceremoniously pitched through the last portal by Superman just before it closed. The threat posed by the reptillian power couple was ended, at least for now.

Armageddon is Coming

Particularly after an invasion from a neighboring time line Knick began using his Hypertemporal ring with more frequency. Visiting neighboring realities to insure that they would be no threat to his own. Often meeting new potential allies. Occasionally making or discovering new enemies. It was during an experiment to traverse further then he had tried so far that something extraordinary occured.

Setting the hyper temporal ring on the beach of Sanctuary Island just incase the experiment went wrong, Knick activated it. Almost simultaneously a beam of energy seared out of the atmosphere from an unknown source, right at the ring. Feeling that his body would survive the beam better then his device Knick leaped into the air to intercept it.

The beam struck him, and the residual tendrils of energy spilled around Skyboy's invulnerable body only to mingle with those of the portal. The result left Knick suspended in the air a state of stasis, the intermingling energies forming some sort of feedback loop. But standing on the ground in front of the assembled members of Unity that had gathered to watch was an apparently older Knick Alen. A future Skyboy.

There were lots of questions, during which it was established beyond reproach that this was in fact an older Knick, originating from some point later in this time line, or a similar one. He was much the same as the Knick they knew, happy to see all of them. But he became very distressed when learning the date.

Suddenly frantic he explained that Armageddon was coming, and started rapidly relaying details on what everyone present would have to do to stop it! Giving each member specific instructions. But his time was short, and gradually he started to fade away, his voice growing distant as he still desperately sought to give them guidance. By the time his younger counterpart flickered out of stasis and fell into the sand, the older 'prophet' Knick was gone.

Over the next several months Knick became more and more withdrawn from everyone, worrying his friends even as they went about being sure they were ready for what was coming. Knick started to keep secrets, which disturbed everyone even worse. His activities in his labs and onboard the starship UNITY becoming private and known only to him.

It culminated on the day of the comet. Knick seemed to know in advance that the International Space Station would fall under attack by a comet suddenly appearing. Much the way two had months before over Metropolis. Knick raced off to intercept it before it even happened, much to the aggravation of his friends and loved ones. From the space stations cameras the world watched Skyboy destroy the comet only scant seconds after it appeared.

But when he returned from the save, everything seemed different. He was back to normal, Knick was himself again, and yet somehow to much so. Those closest to him were noticing some unusual things. Trivial but jarring things like his failure to use contractions any more. But had little time in which to question the changes. For as was predicted months before. Armageddon had indeed come.

The Coming of Armageddon

The skies darkened, as the sun was blocked by a eclipse. But Armageddon was no mere event, but rather a being of staggering power. It's moon sized Comet Empire, all to familiar to some, blacking out the sun as it approached the planet. All across the Earth a summons went out to select people to meet Skyboy in New York's Central Park, on the Great Lawn.

Friends, and loved ones answered the call and arrived, including the newest member of the team. Xris a highly advanced cyborg from another world. All of them came under attack soon after by Armageddon's minions. An attack that Knick did not take part in, but eerily seemed to know would happen in advance. So much so that he was able to warn his friends where to even stand to easily win.

Throughout the combat Knick just floated in the air, staring at one spot in the sky. The spot where moments after the minions had fallen, Armageddon appeared. A flickering black and purple globe of malevolent energy began to take the form of a indigo cloaked figure. Walking down through the sky as if on an invisible set of stairs. It's dark thoughts thrumming through the mind's and soul's of everyone on Earth announcing it's presense, Armageddon had come.

But Knick simply stared at it, and called the dark figure out. Announcing for all to hear that this was no Armageddon. But rather, it was in fact Brainiac! The same Brainiac that had haunted his days and hounded his steps from the start. The same Brainiac that played an intristic part in his world's destruction! Brainiac that had been chased away by Brainiac 13, and now finally had returned. More powerful than ever before, but still Brainiac.

Now identified Brainiac appeared in it's new Techno-organic body. Explaining that Knick had long been a thorn in it's side that would now be permanently removed. Knick looked at his various friends, the people he loved in life more then any. He smiled wistfully and sighed before he spoke again. Taking a shallow breath, Just to say "Goodbye. I love you all."

The energy blast that Skyboy's silloutte hung inside of, before streaking away and vanishing, ripped a hole some sixty feet deep into Central Park. Knick Alen, Skyboy, Kal-En of Krypton was gone. Unity attacked the star god Armageddon, enraged and in shock. But even Ganymede possessed by the power of the Source, and Lucas wilding the power of the Word failed to stop it. Armageddon's power seemed to be, and was indeed in fact, limitless! It returned to it's Comet Empire and the invasion of Earth began!

From the moment it happened some of those there suspected something was amiss. Robin examined the crater, and refused to believe any blast could utterly vaporize a Kryptonian. Superboy knew in his heart it wasn't possible, he could feel Knick was NOT dead. Ganymede consulted the fates, who would neither confirm nor deny Skyboy's demise. Likewise, others would simply not accept it on faith. Knick would not go meekly to his death they reasoned.

Though there was no solid proof, circumstantial evidence seemed to support that, as even the Sanctuary itself was now missing. A catastrophic energy blast originating from the Comet Empire had struck where the Sanctuary should have been. Not moments after Skyboy's apparent death. But there was no debris field to be found.

Within the lake that had once sat inside the dormant volcanic caldera there was evidence of just how powerful the blast itself was though. A massive, raw, and seething rip into Hypertime itself thrashed and spasmed like a living thing. Waves of unusual energy washed out of it in steady beating pulses. The infinite energy of hypertime itself pumping like the heartbeat of time itself held from spilling across the earth just by a oh so small volcanic prison.

Robin searched the area, dancing back from the volcanic rim after a wash of Hyperium energy splashed over him. He thought he had escaped the wave before any damage could be done. But unknown to the Teen Wonder at the time, that energy had in fact changed him. Under a bush closer to the beach he found a single computer paad. Apparently the only survivor of the Santuary. On it a timer was counting down from seven days.

At the strategy meeting aboard the Justice League Watchtower the various heroic mentors took their proteges aside to offer condolances. Wonder Woman with Ganymede, Batman with Robin, Superman and Superboy, and Flash and Impulse. Flash actually had something Knick had given him for Impulse several days before. A new flash ring, like the type they stored their costumes in. Skyboy had approached Wall telling him that if anything should happen to him, to make sure Bart had the ring.

Even Wally had to admit that the timing sdeemed strange, for several reasons. Wally elected not to pursue the nature of Knick and Bart's friendship, don't ask don't tell. It was all the proof Bart required to know Knick was alive and well though. Something he told anyone that offered condolences. Knick always had a plan, and this time would be no different he reasoned.

At the meeting, they learned that the computer would periodically announce some critical event about to happen. Allowing Earth's defenders an opportunity to stop some part of Armageddon's over all plot. Knick's team mates were secretly pleasedf to discover it. Knick always had a plan, and this was the proof they needed to keep hope alive.

So it went on for the next week, the computer relegated to Robin's care, as it was programmed apparently to only respond to him. During that week, Robin learned that the hypertime wave that had struck him altered him somehow. Now when he touched a meta-human, he could duplicate select abilities from them for a period of time based on the duration of contact. Robin was suddenly very poweerful indeed. Powers that he would put to good use over several battles in the coming days.

Armageddon Has Been Cancelled Until Further Notice

In that week there were sudden and mysterious sightings. Fleeting glimpses of someone in costume not unlike Skyboy's. Someone who when they spoke, sounded similar to Knick. During a mission to save an oil refinery, CM3 was seperated from the team and overwhelmed by Brainiac forces. He recalled being hit by a blast and his vision going black, and then Knick's voice. A sense of movement and Knick telling him everything would be alright. When he was found perfectly healed and safe by the others he couldn't be sure if it was really Knick or just wishful thinking.

On that seventh day, as the timer reached zero the computer announced it was time to attack the comet empire directly. A small strike force, pre-picked by the computer, was assembled. It was comprised of the younger heroes, members of the teams that comprised Unity. By this point everyone knew doing something different than what the computer said would be unwise, so the team was a lock, much to the Justice Leagues distaste.

Sneaking onboard via a captured shuttle they made it to Armageddon's Comet Empire in a moment when the nearly all powerful beings omniscience had lapsed. A moment that somehow Knick had known to program into the computer. The fighting was fierce, culminating in a two pronged strike. The amazing amazon Ganymede going it alone to destroy devices that they learned from the computer were feeding Armageddon his power! A device based on one that had been left behind in Knick's old home on Avalon!

When Brainiac had fled from Brainiac 13, it happened upon the Avalon time line. There a simple device Skyboy had created to sample energy wave lengths through the quantum zone was altered by Brainiac. A device that was simply meant to allow someone to perhaps listen to Mozart's first concert, was altered to allow Brainiac to borrow the powers of any being that had ever existed in time.

Brainiac weilded the powers of the First Darkness, that which was banished by 'Let There Be Light'. It's power was absolute, enough to destroy or banish the Season's of Evil that hgad still been free. Though at the cost of the moons that had once orbited the Comet Empire. Armed with literally any and all powers that existed in any and of time, Brainiac created a new body for itself and christened itself Armageddon.

On the way to destroy the massive machinery that regulated and fed the power to Brainiac, Ganymede met and fought the son of Armageddon, Anarchy! A crazed meta-human teen that apparently had both Skyboy, and Superboy's powers! Created by genetic samples obtained by Match and Black Zero some months before. The amazing amazon was hard pressed against the powers of the two teens of steel he so dearly loved. But he knew he had to destroy the generators if the rest of the team was to have any chance at all.

Meanwhile on the bridge of the ship the fighting was getting worse as Armageddon merely had but to gesture to create ever more powerful enemies for the team to fight. Time was against them, as eventually Armageddon would grow weary of the game. As Ganymede fought against Anarchy deep in the heart of the ship he received a helping hand. In the form of a fist right into Anarchy's face. The punch sending the crazed super teen rocketing through a wall, and away from the generators.

Then just as quickly, Ganymede, was being kissed! Standing before Ganymede was Skyboy! Yet clearly not Knick, as it's arm hung limp and sparking from damage. The android introduced itself as Skybot Mark Two. Immediately Ganymede understood. Mark Two, that meant there had to have been a Mark One, but he had no time to act on the information.

Anarchy was already returning, and the generator's were heavily shielded. The only way to destroy the barrier between them and the devices granting Armageddon his power, was to overload Mark Two's Four Dimensional power source and let it reach critical mass! Ganymede initially fought the idea, unwilling to allow the sentient robot to sacrafice itself. But he knew that it was their only chance.

The explosion was massive, and utterly consumed the generators entirely. Ganymede, tears in his eyes, road the preasure wave of it almost all the way to the bridge of the ship! But clutched in his hand was Mark Two's memory core. Everything that made Mark Two who he was, his very synthetic computer brain. Ganymede was hell bent that the android would live again, at least if any of them lived through this anyway.

Armageddon staggered, both from the explosions, and the effects of it's near godlike power suddenly lost. But it's laughter echoed cold across the bridge as an anti-matter cannon powered up to destroy the planet Earth! A much smaller backup generator that channeled the power of the anti-matter universe. One way or the other, it planned to have it's revenge!

Impulse shot into motion, heroically ready to sacrafice his life as his grandfather had. But the ring left to him by Knick began to glow and pulse with a steady light as he ran ever faster around the device. Containing it's deadly power within the cyclone of speed force energy. The anti-matter destroying the machine and reaching out to end Impulse as well.

But held at bay by the pulsing light of the ring! Each pulse pressing the anti-matter back in on itself. Beside Bart Alen, another figure began to appear. The faster Impulse ran, the more distinct the figure became until finally his grandfather, long lost to the speedforce, ran alongside him! Barry and Bart Alen shared a brief reunion as together they destroyed the anti-matter cannon, ending it's threat to earth.

But even with all of it's plans dashed Armageddon ranted about it's ultimate victory. It had managed to kill it's hated enemy, and now in time would eradicate each of them as well. It's cold mechanical laughter died on it's artificial lips though, as the Comet Empire was rocked with more explosions.

In the domed sky above the massive form of the Starship UNITY appeared! Easily dozens of times the size it once was. It loomed there as large as the island of Manhattan now. Massive artillery placements raining destruction onto key systems of the Comet Empire, disabling the mechanical terror.

In a green gold teleportational effect the REAL Skyboy appeared. Boldly announcing that it was over,Brainiac had once again lost. He gestured to monitors which flickered to images of the invasion forces in full retreat on Earth. Pursued all across the globe by members of the JLA. Each leading a veritable army of much more mechanical looking Skybots!

With promises of vengence Armageddon backed up, and then teleported away. Without time for explanation, Knick transported everyone onboard UNITY. All save the super cyborg Xris and crystal manipulating Tane. Neither of whom had been chosen by the computer for the final battle.

Standing on the hull of UNITY, Xris fired his most powerful weapon system. One recently added to him before Skyboy's "death". An enegy blast powerful enough to carve a hole into a sheet of inertron! Simultaneously Tane and all of his fellow Chrysalis from the planet Ilinasia covered the entire Comet Empire in a thick sphere of crystal! All save the point where Xris fired.

On the vessel Armageddon had time to see a massive energy blast travel up the exact escape tube he was fleeing in. The blast enveloped his ship, and continued into the heart of the vessel. The entire Comet Empire exploded like a star! Only the crystal shell holding the vast ammount of the blast wave in check. Even still debris fell to Earth, but none of it in populated areas. The shield was strongest just where it needed to be. Finally, it was over. Armageddon was defeated.

Shian

In the days and weeks after there was much to clean up. Sanctuary Island was now an open wound into Hypertime, with cross overs and leaks from other time lines much more common. The massive starship UNITY, now with the Sanctuary of Remembrance fused to it, floated over the island now. Keeping a vigil to be sure nothing would escape from the gaping tear. The heroes within it, the extended family of UNITY, had wounds to recover from as well.

Knick had literally stood outside of time and fate when he was in stasis. He saw all that would come to pass and was able to plan for it all in advance. Seperated from the very fate of the universe Armageddon's omniscience could no longer see him. He was able to attack his plans using his friends, and then reveal himself when the moment was right. The machine intellect discounted the faith that Knick was still alive. Faith was for lesser beings it reasoned.

Knick still stood outside the laws of fate and destiny. But if the ability to see the future remained with him, he wasn't sure. But just the same, with or without it he couldn't quite believe that he had seen the end of Braniac. Sadly, on that point he was right. But at least it was the last they would see of Armageddon.

Tane approached Knick and asked him and several team mates to journet with him to Ilinasia. Tane wished to remain on Earth, which meant renouncing his status as one of that world's defenders in place of a new one. Knick found many of the planet's cultures similar to his own long lost Krypton. It was a beautiful world of crystal and shimmering lights. Rainbow like, prismatic patterns of light cast by the multiple sun's light filtering through the crystal landscape.

Knick also learned that it was literally the god like triumverate of Ilinasia's rulers that empowered Tane and his fellow Chrysalis with their powers. They released Tane to return with Knick to earth. Recognizing that Tane loved Knick, and was loved in return as well. So much so that they gave Tane a parting gift just as he left.

On the return home Tane was accompanied by a younger Chrysalis, named Shian. It was only once they were well away from the planet that Tane revealed the truth of the child's origins to Knick. The diefic council of Ilinasia created a "child" for Knick and Tane. A child with the gifts and abilities, albeit weaker because of his age, of both of his father's. Knick was suprised, schocked actually, as he was hardly consulted about his imminent fatherhood. But just the same he accepted and loved Shian as his child. One more part of his growing family on Earth.

The Lifemate Ceremony

Even more happy events were on the horizon for the team. Soon after the demon hunter Dante joined the team everyone that was able left Earth to travel to the planet Tendax. After recent events both Skyboy and Superboy decided it was well past time for their actual life mate ceremony. Along the way they stopped a Dominion plot to cause Earth's sun to go supernova. Though they would later discover this plot was just a feint to distract Earth's heroes from the true threat.

The ceremony took place the morning after they arrived. Starting on the beach, but ending in the astral plane. When the ceremonial blessing of Rao was asked for, nobody could miss the red halo that danced across the two super teens. It was as if Rao was truly present at that moment. Though the chief god of Krypton had been long silent well before the planet's death, so it was unlikely.

The Apocalptian Powerboy joined the team, that afternoon. Emotionally imprinting on Skyboy after catching Kon's feelings for him. He would quickly prove himself an asset to the team. The reception was planned for several days later, but they ended up being very eventful days. After all, what is a family gathering without a little drama.

The night after the ceremony the Dominion launched at attack on Earth with Tendax as a staging point. Planning to use a weapon that would literally rip away Earth's atmosphere! The planet Tendax was a neutral planet, and launching an invasion was a desperate act. The fighting was furious all across the planet, but the Dominion was not prepared to see a virtual army of meta human, alien, and magical heroes ready to fight them. In addition to those vacationing there with unique powers as well.

Onboard the Dominion's flag ship, where the weapon was being built Skyboy and the assembled heroes of Unity faced the Dominions last line of defense. Genetically enhanced members of the Yautja species, better known on Earth, as Predators. These particular subjects had been modified by the Dominion to fight the Justice League, but had failed.

They fared equally poorly against the forces of Unity, particularly being heavily outnumbered. The Dominion forces were forced to retreat, and for their efforts a coalition of alien races declared war on them. For daring to breach Tendax's neutrality, tantamount to a foreign army attacking Disney World, that was the only acceptable punishment. The threat was over, and the reception began on schedule, even with the clean up. Knick and Kon were now joined officially as life mates.

On the way back from Tendax the team encountered the cosmic entity The Phoenix, which was being drawn back to Earth in the form of a human male. They likewise encountered the Young Justice villain Bedlam, who was fleeing from something that had nearly killed him. He asked for sanctuary, and with certain restrictions, was granted it. He would be watched carefully but they would not merely abandon him to die. Both events were just the beggining of something much bigger.

Tough Times

The first several months of their new life together was eventful for the team. Several members were turned into werewolves briefly, while trying to stop a turf war between Manhattan's vampires and a European werewolf biker gang. Even Spider-Man's Aunt May was changed! Skyboy wasn't able to isolate and synthesize a cure. But the Prince of Werewolves removed the curse from those afflicted. All save Black Spider who wished to remain a werewolf and renamed himself Wolf Spider.

A race of extra-dimensional cosmic energy manipulators tried invading Earth's dimension. Resulting in a massive war in space and a battle against a planet destroying cosmic menace. The young hero Starchild joined the team, just before the war in space. Proving invaluable against the invaders with his own cosmic manipulating abilities.

During the course of conflict the team discovered the Green Lantern Ch'p had faked his death and was in fact still alive. He helped to defend his home world, once more taking up the ring. They also discovered a planet over run with a massive amoeba like blob monster which had destroyed all of the native fauna. A part of that creature was ejected into space in the conflict.

A new Kryptonian even arrived on Earth. The wild magical talent of Sol-Zen allowed him to survive the destruction of Krypton, and arrive safely via hypertime on Earth. Likewise the world walking Nate Grey arrived in this time line. Saving the statue of liberty from attack and then coming to reside with the team. Eventful times, but nothing so Earth shaking as the team was accustomed to.

Handle With Care

Around Christmas several team members were shopping for presents in New York's Chinatown. It was early evening, just a few days before the big day. That meant there wasn't much time left. Knick, a firm believer in Santa Claus, always felt the need to help with the jolly old elf's job by buying and making scores of presents himself.

His friends weren't sure how to handle his belief. Some were just bemused, others rolled their eyes. A few, like Impulse and Zenith, believing right along with him. Knick had even sought to meet Santa for years, just to find out how he did it. How he reached every house on Earth in just one night. it mystified him how anyone could manage that.

In Chinatown they stumbled onto a magical duel between an elderly man of Asian descent and a scantily clad sorceress. She wished something the old man had in his possession, and was clearly willing to kill to get it. In attempting to stop the conflict Mercury was approached by the man and charged with guarding what the woman sought.

It turned out to be a small box. A box that when later opened was found to contain a mystical animal, a Mogwai. Eddie named the Mogwai Kupo, and resolved to keep it safe from harm. A task that would prove a challenge as the elderly chi wizard had vanished in the conflict, and the Mogwai had several restrictions in what it could and could not tolerate.

Kupo proved to be very intelligent, and taught Eddie some of the things to avoid on his own. The Mogwai disliked bright lights, especially sunlight, and avoided water for example. It also refused to eat anything between midnight and 6 am. Eddie tried to be very careful, but spilled glass of water resulted in Kupo getting wet, and spontaneously caused him to multiply! Small balls of fur bubbling up and budding off of him like popcorn. Striking several people around the room as they flew around the room.

These new Mogwai displayed powers based off of those they had bumped into when they were first forming. They also had a malicious streak that was absent in Kupo. The alpha of the newer Mogwai had bounced off of both Skyboy /and/Namor. Spike therefore displayed diminished abilities from both heroes, as opposed to one. On Christmas eve Spike orchestrated it so that the new group was fed after midnight.

That act mutated the Mogwai into slightly taller, reptilian shapes. With sharp claws and teeth, and a even more malicious attitude. The Mogwai had mutated into Gremlins! Worse still, super powered Gremlins. All of them broke free and made their way to the Sanctuary's central chamber, and the indoor lake.

Because of Namor's powers Spike was immune to the effects of the water. But in short order the Sanctuary, and indeed the entire ship, was being over whelmed by thousands of super powered gremlins. Spike, using Skyboy's technical know how and his own Gremlin ability to damage electronics, fried BDV and thus shut down all of the base's security measures!

Even though the Gremlins were not nearly as strong as the heroes, they had numbers in the thousands and growing every minute. The only way to stop them was to get to the control room and reboot BDV's systems. But before Skyboy could do so he was called away as the weapon systems on the roof were ready to begin randomly firing. He and several others rushed off to stop them before innocent people could be harmed by the weapon discharges.

It was up to Mercury to confront Spike in the control room, and reboot the systems. The full spectrum lights could end this quickly, if they could be activated. Spike ridiculed Mercury who had always been plagued with self doubts and a lack of confidence. On the other hand, Kupo rallied to Mercury's aid, believing in the hero and offering to help him to defeat Spike and save his friends and home.

Mercury turned to liquid metal and covered Kupo in his metallic form. With a mighty battle cry Iron Kupo attacked Spike! The battle culminating in a great punch that launched the Gremlin back into the control panel. Electrified Spike was reduced to a puddle of goo as the full spectrum lights snapped on. Likewise reducing the troublesome Gremlins all through the facility to puddles as well.

The video feeds from around the Sanctuary and elsewhere on the ship also came back on as well. The camera on the roof was damaged, showing only the boots of the heroes that had left to deactivate the maser arrays. Their boots, and one other set. A large black set of boots, resplendent with gold buckles and fur lining.

Switching on the audio feed the heroes inside heard the conversation from the roof. Knick was thanking someone for his help, without them deactivating that last maser it would have exploded. A deep voice replied with a jolly ho ho ho chuckle. "I was happy to help Kal-En. I am a reserve member of the Justice League after all." Everyone laughed and then Knick asked in a hushed voice the question he had always wondered about. "How do you do it? How in just one night."

The magnificent black boots walked closer to Skyboy's. "It's a secret, but I'll whisper it to you. I know you'll never tell." A moment later Skyboy whispered in awe how it all made sense now. Then the happy baritone voice announced he had to go now, it was his busy night after all. Desperately the assembled heroes inside tried to reposition the camera, succeeding but only partially.

The camera followed those black boots to the runners of a great sleigh. In front of it reindeer hoofs pawed anxiously at the roof. The sleigh lurched as if a great weight settled in it, and suddenly Impulse's enormous feet were beside it. Reverently he spoke as he stood on tip toes. "You dropped this...your hat."

With another jolly ho ho ho chuckle the voice replied. "Thank you Bart, you've been a very good boy this year." Then in a louder voice, as the heroes inside stood slack jawed, he cried out. "On Dasher! On Dancer! On Prancer and Vixen! On Comet! On Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen! Rudolph, full power!"

A red nimbus of light appeared from off camera along with a whistling sound as the sleigh pulled rapidly away. Knick confidently commented as it did that there was really bad fog over London tonight. Then from high above came the echoing voice of that Jolly Old Elf. "Merry Christmas To All ! And To All A Goodnight!"

The Orphanage Program

Young Justice, and by extension Unity, did not have the best working relationship with the D.E.O. The meta-human youth camps the government created were one source of conflict. One that came to a head when the team discovered a secret facility operating in the mid-west.

Skyboy and the team's newest member, Nathaniel 'Nate' Grey went to investigate it. This only days after Nate joined the group. Having arrived on earth fleeing the ostentatiously named Mister Sinister, who wished to use him as a weapon against a near immortal being named Apokalips. The team met Nate when he defended the Statue of Liberty from an attack lead by Baron Blitzkrieg.

Arriving at the secret facility the heroes initially observed from a distance. They planned to do little more, having contacted a number of news agencies to try and call out the facility indirectly. But they were forced to intervene directly to save the life of Michael Van Patric, code name MVP. Skyboy literally interposing his body between the young hero in training, and an energy blast that otherwise would have vaporized a portion of his head.

With the appearance of the heroes, the base went on high alert and the goverment sponsored superteam The Ultimates were called in. The D.E.O. was embarrased publically again though, as Skyboy pointed to the skies, where a number of news heliciopters were already broadcasting the story. Given the number of run away kids, as well as children who had been 'liberated' from their families, they had been out maneuvered again. MVP chose to come along with them and became the newest member of Unity, taking that role from Nate. That distiction didn't last long though.

Osiris

Having heard of the operation Knick had performed on Freddy Freeman, Osiris approached the Kryptonian hero and explained his situation, which was very similar. In a moment of history repeating itself, Knick once again performed very similar surgery, and physical therapy on Amon. Just as he had Freddy in the past.

Though the operation was more difficult, Amon's therapy went faster as his injuries were more recent. There was less atrophy in his muscles. Once his physical therapy was concluded, Amon rushed back to Khandaq to share the news. Only to very nearly be murdered by Sobek, a crocodile like humanoid that was actually an agent of Intergang posing as Amon's friend.

When Amon returned to his unpowered form to display his ability to walk again, he was instead attacked. Knick intervened though as he had been following Osiris to be there when he delivered the good news. His life saved by Skyboy, Amon returned to his empowered form of Osiris.

Spontaneously he kissed Knick, just as Isis and Black Adam entered the room. Outraged, Black Adam banished Osiris from the kingdom, even over the protests of his wife Isis. He stopped just short of stripping Amon of his powers, and displayed a very intense dislike of Skyboy. Broken hearted, Osiris returned with Knick to Sanctuary Island. He remained there with the ship as his new home, and the team as his new family.

Infinite Crisis: Prime Attack, Mercury's Sacrifice

As a thank you for his various friends that had attended the life mate ceremony on Tendax a few months before. Knick bought tickets for most of the extended teams to go and see a concert together. In the middle of one of the sets the stadium was attacked by the Superboy of another reality.

Not just a different timeline, as the team regularly dealt with. But an entirely different dimension, Superboy Prime. Prime's powers dwarfed anyone on the team. A groundstrike in Metropolis was literally felt as a earth tremor in Australia. With a single punch he was able to knock CM3 unconscious.

Most of the team was injured in the initial attack, and the majority of those left awake were just not in Prime's league. Not that anyone on earth really was. Thankfully Prime's inherent heroic tendencies started to overcome the brainwashing he had been subjected to.

With some help from the team questioning why he would be wearing a S shield and hurting innocents, Prime was able to throw off the conditioning. His true personality asserting itself once again. Horrified by what he had done, he tried to explain. But before he could really even start, another stranger arrived on the scene.

Initially the team believed the new comer to be Superman, an understandable mistake given who he in fact was. Kal-L the Superman of a earth, and a reality, that no longer existed. Slightly older that the Superman they all knew, both he and Prime had been living in a thought receptive pocket dimension ever since a great crisis that had nearly ended all realities years before.

The dimension had been attacked by Darkseid, who required the powers of another resident of that pocket dimension. Alexander Luthor, born on earth 3, in a time before the crisis. He was gifted with the ability to open flawless spatial doorways between realities, and timelines. Something Darkseid apparently desired.

Darkseid's torturer, Desaad, appeared in a Boomtube and used a device to stabalize both Prime and Kal-L's dimensional signatures, absorbing their vast powers and reducing them both to the power levels they would have had if they had instead been born in the dimension they were in now.

Then, in an effort to silence Kal-L before he could relay any further information Darkseid used his omega effect through the open Boomtube. The beams were said to never miss, and Kal-L was already weakened dramatically. Both from the first confrontation with Darkseid, and now losing the majority of his powers. There was no question they would kill the weakened and aged Superman. Would have, but Mercury intervened.

The liquid metal hero coated Kal-L and acted as a living armor for him. Taking the blast, but at great cost. Falling away from the elderly Superman Mercury slowly froze into a fused state, with no signs of life. Since it's inception, it hadn't happened, but Unity lost one of it's own that day as Darkseid killed Eddie. Mercury died a hero to allow Kal-L to live, and relay the information he knew to the team.

Infinite Crisis: Universal Truths

In a meeting on the Justice League Watchtower Kal-L explained the true signifigance of the Crisis from years before. Several Earth years before Skyboy had come to call this time line home. Hypertime itself had been born when a being of amazing cosmic power, The Anti-Monitor, had attempted to eradicate the multi-verse.

The predacessor to Hypertime, the multi-verse, was an infinite number of dimensions all vibrating at slightly different speeds. Each subtely or radically different from the others. Created when the Maltusian Krona dared to seek forbidden knowledge about the universe. Kal-L had been the Superman on an Earth where he was active since WW2. Prime was the only hero of the Earth he had hailed from, and in fact had never publicly revealed himself.

The Anti-Monitor had originated in the Anti-Matter universe, something Knick knew a little bit about. It had been using the intristic nature of it's dimension to wipe out the positive matter dimensions one by one. Great sweeping white walls of anti-matter eradicting everything in their path as they swept through entire dimensions. Expanding the anti-matter universe, and the Anti-Monitor's power with each reality so destroyed.

The Anti-Monitor was opposed in these efforts by The Monitor, a being whose power was once the equal of it's opposite, but was slowly declining as a result of the loss of positive matter dimensions. The Monitor built what Kal-L described as enormous cosmic tuning forks to save the last several positive matter dimensions from the Anti-Monitor. Realities that were then merged into the single reality that existed now, freeing them from the threat of the Anti-Monitor as a result.

Not one to give up easily though the Anti-Monitor travelled back to the dawn of creation itself. In an attempt to destroy the single remaining earth dimension at it's inception. As a result of the interference, Hypertime was born. Reality attempting to reassert the multiverse within the confines of what was still available. One Earth dimension, but with nigh infinite time lines.

It was revealed by Kal-L that Darkseid had actually assisted in the Anti-Monitor's defeat. Using Alexander Luthor as a conduit for his Omega Effect. He attacked the Anti-Monitor at a critical moment in the conflict to devastating effect. It was a connection that he had never relinquished apparently. Darkseid seldom squandered a resource that way.

Using Alexander's powers Darkseid was able to find and capture someone most people thought was a legend. The only person ever born with absolute understanding, and control over Hypertime itself. Jonathan Kent, the son of Superman and Wonder Woman from the Kingdom Come time line. Using Jonathan Kent's powers Darkseid began compressing hypertime back to a single point. Just as it had been at the dawn of time.

Through special equipment to channel Jonathan's powers Darkseid and his Elite also benefitted in another manner. Each time line so compressed allowed the Lord of Apocalypse and his minions to absorb another version of themselves, growing more powerful as a result. Without the proper equipment it was a benefit only they enjoyed.

Darkseid was convinced that the Anti-Life equation had been fractured across hypertime. That it too was whole at the dawn of time, but spread across hypertime since then. By causing hypertime to implode, he would finally be able to possess it. Just what convinced him of this after so many other attempts to possess it in a single timeline was a mystery.

Soon after Kal-L's revelations the first effects of hypertime collapsing began to appear. Magic became unreliable, as the mana streams were being disrupted by the collapsing timelines, and Darkseid freeing Kulak to cripple powerful opposition like The Spectre, Doctor Fate, and The Phantom Stranger all at once.

Superboy Prime's attack allowed the D.E.O. to garner the support it needed to sanction The Sentinel Project. A knee jerk reaction to the exaggerated threat the D.E.O. convinced key politicians the meta-humans in general represented. Towering hunter/killer robots had been designed with the capacity to counter and adapt a broad range of meta powers. It was a very dangerous time to be a meta-human.

The most enigmatic event was several members of the team were approached by a coalition of cosmic forces, calling themselves The Quintessence. Comprised of The Phantom Stranger, Zues, Highfather, Ganthet, and the wizard Shazam. From them, the heroes approached were given cryptic clues of five beings of great power whose abilities would be needed to defeat Darkseid.

Infinite Crisis: Operation Sentinel

With Project Sentinel the D.E.O. effectively declared open war on Earth's metahumans. As a direct result of Prime's attack a force of no less than a hundred towering hunter killer robots was released. Each able to adapt to meta-human abilities to better combat them. Hero and criminal alike were targeted, with deadly force.

About a quarter of the total first wave descended on Bayville Massachusetts, targetting the Bayville Academy. Home of the X-Men and New Mutant teams. A mixed force of those recovered from Prime's initial attack the day before defended the school, and defeated the attacking Sentinel forces. Both Xavier's academy and even the Brotherhood of Bayville were evacuated to UNITY for safety reasons after that. Leading to Quicksilver and Avalanche joining the team.

Before a second flight of Sentinels could be launched, Robin lead a team to the Rocky mountain base where they were being manufactured. His mission to stop production of the killer robots occurring at the same time as Superboy's mission to help stabilize magic once again. Skyboy remained at the Sanctuary building a device he hoped would assist with stabalizing the compression of hypertime. Both teams set out at once in different shuttles, heading to seperate parts of the world.

Along with Robin went: Inuyasha, Obsidian Spider, Spider-Man, Animus, and MVP. They discovered that the pinnacle of Sentinel technology, the artificially intelligent super sentinel code named Nimrod, had taken over the Rocky Mountains facility. In the course of the combat the base's auto destruct was initiated.

Though the team rescued the facility staff and successfully deactivated the remaining Sentinels, the fate of Nimrod was uncertain. The robot displayed both shape shifting and local teleportation ability, so it could have escaped to plague the team again in the future. Or it might have been destroyed in the explosion. There was no way, and no time to be certain either way.

In the course of the Sentinel scare Thaddeus "Thad" Thawne code name Inertia arrived at Sanctuary island. He sought refuge with team, after having been attacked multiple times by Sentinels. Even after just a few days of being welcomed someplace, he started to show signs of reforming. Though his rivalry with Impulse somewhat remained.

Infinite Crisis: The Quintessence

During the defense of the Xavier academy several of the most powerful members of Unity, including the cosmic energy manipulating Starchild, the card mage Shuffle, and Bedlam were attacked by Kalibac and Mantis leading a squadrom of Parademons. The battle was indecisive as the forces of Apokalypse were called back to guard a powerful artifact called the Magna Gem. The very item Superboy would be leading a team to retrieve.

Just prior to the start of the battle however the team saw a ghostly image trying to relay a message to them. Jake Hawkins wielded the mysterious Uni Force as The Guardsman. He had been a part time member of Unity, but was banished back to his own time line by Darkseid. He was still using all the power of the uniforce to try and send the team a warning though.

The Phantom Stranger approached this small group and brought them before the Quintessence. They were charged to find five cosmic beings of phenomenal power that would be needed to stop Darkseid's plans. The champion of the Uni-Force, The Atomic Angel , The Lord Adept, The Phoenix Force, and The Orphaned Mindlord.

Over the weeks to follow they managed to find each of them, the first and easiest being Guardsman. All were somehow ambushed, or removed as a threat by Darkseid. The fact that several of the beings included likely rivaled Darkseid for raw power once again lead Knick to speculate that Darkseid had to be receiving help. Just who would help with such an insane plan was the question.

Infrinite Crisis: You Have To Believe In Magic

In times of crisis the Justice League often turned to the raw power of the magical community to lend their support. This crisis in hypertime was no different. Only foreseeing that possability Darkseid had taken pains to make magical energies unpredictable. The very act of collapsing hypertime was bad enough, but Darkseid went a step further.

He released a magical entity whose power rivaled that of the Spectre itself. Kulak, high priest of the dead world Brztal. Some months before the vampire lord Dracula had sought to release Kulak as well. He had been defeated and Kulak remained imprisoned. But now the near entity level magical being was released, and disrupting magic even more as a result. Leaving all attempts at casting a spell chaotic and unreliable.

The various magical beings and mages concluded that the mana stream would need an a lengthy enough period of time. Or a large enough radius where it was calm once again to correct the problem. Skyboy made the analogy that they literally had to 'reboot' magic for it to function again. By stabalizing a large enough area, the mana stream would flow through there, stabalize, and carry on that way out the other side.

This would allow magic to be used as an effective and reliable weapon once again. As teams were sent to retrieve magical items and artifacts, Knick set about building a massive amplifier. Much like the tuning forks Kal-L had described. With it constructed all they needed were the artifacts to plug into it.

Superboy lead a team to South America in search of the magic amplifying Magna Stone. With him were Zenith (Sol-Zen's heroic alter ego), Cannonball, Iceman, CM3, Namor, Osiris, and Powerboy. Powerboy had some reservations, as he would be fighting against former allies. But having found a place where he belonged, love, and a life away from the fire pitts of Apokalypse he had no desire to return, and no illusions about what would happen if he did.

The team encountered Kalibak and Mantis who had been sent by Darkseid to guard the object. The warriors of Apokalypse had their powers enhanced just as Darkseid had. But using a device that Skyboy had designed similar in function to the one Desaad used on Prime and Kal-L the playing field was levelled. They villain roster also now included an insane Daxamite youth named Ol-Vir. But even with his help they villains were defeated and in desperation activated a techno-seed and summoned the giant plasma beast Brimstone!

With the raw power on their side however, Superboy's team was able to defeat the forces of Apokalypse, and force them to retreat. Zenith's wild magical talent allowed him to pass through the mystic wards and barriers on an ancient jungle ruin. Inside, he found the Magna Gem, and he was able to retrieve it.

In fact they returned with one extra combatant than they left with. An Earth ferret was mystically bestowed with Kryptonian like powers after hopping on Zenith's shoulder. Displaying the entire range of Kryptonian powers, Zenith adopted the ferret. He named the new addition to the team Acme, the super ferret.

The Magna Gem proved a good starting place as it stabalized a small area around the tower when placed within it. But they needed much more raw magical energy to stabalize the mana stream completely. That meant more artifacts plugged into the tower. Thankfully the entire heroic community managed to pull together and aquire many of them without incident or struggle.

Included among them were: The Ibis stick delivered by CM3 from Ibis himself. The Philosopher's Stone which was being studied by S.T.A.R. Labs and was recovered by The Flash . The Ruby of Life and a Black Eclipso Diamond both recovered by the Justice League. The Orb of Ra was delivered by Osiris and Shuffle, but only after a tense stand off with Black Adam who wanted the object as well. His temper over Osiris and Knick living in the same place had not cooled. In fact it was significantly worse.

Infinite Crisis: Destination Atlantis

The item that was believed would be the easiest to retrieve naturally ended up being among the most challenging, The Trident of Neptune. Namor had made inroads into this timeline's Atlantis since his arrival months before. In no small part thanks to Knick's technology, which allowed Namor to come bearing gifts. Specifically the ability to clean the surface dweller's pollutants from the sea surrounding the Atlantean cities. With Namor's help an audience was arranged with Aquaman. But as the team arrived they found themselves unwillingly involved in the political intrigue of the submerged nation.

Aquaman was missing, and a visiting United States Congressman, Rep. Greg Hartman, had already had several attempts made on his life. Through investigaton the team was able to discover that a cabal of villains were trying to gain the Trident of Neptune, and take over Atlantis to use it as a base of operations.

They naturally did not want to see better political ties between Atlantis and the U.S. government, and so were trying to disrupt the Congressman's visit. Defeating a cadre of shark and whale motif villains including King Shark, Tiger Shark, and Orca the members of Unity were able to use them to find out where Aquaman was being held. As well as who the true villains behind the plot really were.

Ocean Master had teamed with forces of Apokalypse, The Deep Six. But worse still they had another ally in the form of this time lines Namor! Thankfully the three camps of villains were as ready to fight one another as the team. Realizing that the time was coming when they would all be at cross purposes, as they all wanted the Trident and Atlantis for different purposes.

With the villains in dissaray the heroes were able to overcome them, winning the Trident back and freeing Aquaman. In gratitude Aquaman released the Trident of Neptune temporarily, though only to Namor. The team also gained a welcome and unexpected ally in the United States political process in the form of Rep. Hartman. He would prove a lasting friend and ally to the team.

Infinite Crisis: The Monster Maker

Across the globe additional battles were fought as Unity and others sought out magical artifacts. The Sentinels of Magic recovered The Spear of Destiny, which had briefly been lost to the Four Horseman of Apokalypse. Gudra's Lance was in the possession of a new Nazi movement. Composed of a core super villain group calling itself the 4th Reich, backed by ties to the Khundian empire. But the most intense battle came trying to wrest the artifacts connected to the Justice League foes the Demon's Three. The Silver Wheel of Wyerlath, Green Bell of Ulthool, and Red Jar of Corlythos.

The Horsemen of Apokalypse were protecting the objects, and as with their defeat the first time Knick had fought them back on Avalon. It once again summoned The Leviathan. However after the first encounter with the elemental eradicating nightmare Knick had a much better idea how to defeat it this time. Tracking it's power supply back to where ever it was being sent to the monster.

With the team acting in concert the beast was destroyed, and the heroes triumphantly recovered the summoning items. The Justice League felt that if the team was facing such serious menaces though, they might require more firepower. Green Lantern Kyle Rayner, Firestorm, and Green Arrow Connor Hawke were assigned as laisons to Unity. The first that the JLA had assigned. They in turn reported directly to Batman, who elected to keep a closer eye on the group now as well.

It was welcome help, that would come in handy as they sought the last item they needed for the tower. The Stone of Life was in the possession of Dr. Douglas Birely, Ph.D. A once respected scientist, he had become unhinged after the monsterous melee in Metropolis when the Disaster Monsters fought off the invading armies of Meta-Saurs. Now calling himself Dr. Demonicus he was using the Stone of Life to mutate normal animals into new Disaster Monsters!

This apparently did not make for a happy relationship with the current Disaster Monsters. They returned from their banishment months earlier. Drawn by the usage of the Stone of Life, and the challenge the new monsters represented. In the course of the battle the heroes managed to acquire the stone. Wrestling it away from Dr. Demonicus as he raged against the destruction of his monsters.

In the end the entire island complex, Monster Island, was shunted into the timeline where the Disaster Monsters ruled unopposed. An entire reality of monsters, in a perpetual state of conflict. In his demented state Dr. Demonicus refused to leave the island, and was shunted away with it. The heroes realized they couldn't save him and escape with the Stone of Life simultaneously. Spider-Man quipped that hopefully Demonicus was light on his feet there, as he was significantly smaller then the natives.

Infinite Crisis: The Tower Completed

With the addition of the various magical artifacts socketed into the tower, magic began to stabilize once again. Kulak sensed this and attacked directly, but found that his power was matched by that of Shuffle and Zenith working together in concert.Their own magical abilities amplified hundreds of times over by the tower. Kulak was overwhelmed, and sealed once more away. With the High Priest of Brztal imprisoned once again the many powerful mages of Earth were able to prevent Darkseid from compressing any more timelines together. But this only lead to Darkseid becoming desperate, and so more dangerous still.

Up until now Darkseid had been using Jonathan's power like a surgeon. Again suggesting to those that knew him that he was not calling all the shots. It was an uncharacteristic display of reserve on The Destroyers part. That tactic was abandoned in desperation now though. Darkseid began using brute force, and the white walls described by Kal-L returned once again. This time not representing anti-matter, but rather the edges of other time lines being crushed together by the mad god's power.

As in the first crisis, a tower was used to halt the effect once again. The prophecy of the Quintessence came to fruition as the five assembled cosmic beings agreed to be hooked to the power amplifying tower that had already stabilized magic. Their collective power, amplified by the tower and the artifacts froze Darkseid's compression of the remaining time lines in place once again. Sadly they could not reverse the damage that had already been done though. Greater ingenuity would be required for that.

The timelines had to be literally pushed back and away from Earth. Already global communications had ceased thanks to the walls, and people were accidently stumbling through them and being absorbed into other hypertimes entirely. Darkseid could win through attrition based on the staggering chaos that he had already caused.

Skyboy pointed out that moving a timeline was not a question of scale. It wasn't like trying to move a planet, or some other celestial body. It simply required raw power and a focus. The focus they would have to search for as there was simply not enough time to build and properly test one. They knew they would only get one shot at is. But the power, that they knew where to get.

Infinite Crisis: No Anakin! No!

A team was dispatched to the Dominion homeworld. The same race that had tried to tear away Earth's atmosphere with a gamma ray burst during Knick and Kon's life mate ceremony. The generator built by The Dominion would be sufficient to provide the power that would be required.

With Star Child's ability to absorb and process cosmic energy he could empower a large enough tractor beam array to literally push the timelines back where they belonged. But even the tractor beams on UNITY were not large enough for the task. Thankfully there was literally millioins of timelines that could be searched for one. Impulse, Inertia, and Quicksilver began searching through the white walls. Exploring neighboring time lines for what was required.

Team G, in search of the generator, found themselves in the middle of an interstellar war. A coalition of alien races had decared war against the Dominion for their invasion of Tendax. The pleasure planet was considered a neutral territory respected by even the most warlike of all the galaxies species. This was the retribution the other alien species felt the Dominion deserved for having done so.

The team was thankfully able to sneak past the planetary blockade in the confusion. Landing they locked onto the strongest local power source and acquired the weapon and generator with minimal resistance. Minimal for the team in any event.

The threat of the gamma wave burst weapon was the only thing that was maintaining the stalemate between the Dominion and the forces arrayed against them. With it's removal the planet was certain to be invaded with ground troops. Even as the team started the return trip to earth it was beginning. Chances were pretty good that the Dominion was not going to be causing any trouble for a while.

Team T, seeking the tractor beam array, initially had little success. Only three members of the team were both fast enough, and available to search. Of the three only Inertial had a solid idea what to look for, thanks to his experience with advanced tech. Their search turned up a tangle of hypertime lines that all seemed to weave around one larger branch.

Like streams and tributaries feeding in and out of a larger river. There was a great deal of highly advanced equipment present in each, including star ship technology. It appeared to be the safest bet. While the speedsters kept searching for likely candidates, Knick and a team went to search the promising time lines.

In the first of them the team arrived on a barren, desert world. Quicksilver had found a settlement there with a space port. There was also a number of shops with a lot of tech looking equipment. All of it in various states of repair, and disrepair. Upon inspection it was mostly beyond salvage.

A small human looking child that worked in one of the junk shops was very helpful. Offering to guide the team around to help them find what they were looking for. He was bright, and inquisitive wanting to know what the white walls were, and where the team came from.

He also turned out to be an amazing pilot, zig zagging between the walls on a home made racer with ease. Unlike many, without spiraling into one of the walls and becoming lost. But the shop simply lacked what was required, so the team moved on to the next time line.

The second time line investigated had the team arrive on a planet that was covered by one enormous city. There Robin's adaptive powers latched onto an unusual power, one he had felt in the first time line but much stronger now. He was able to use that power to fortify himself, and use a variety of mental abilities. Including among them telekinesis, bio-physical control, and a degree of mental dominion.

A search of the area turned up a lot of technology. In fact there was to much to search through with the time they had. Knick used telescopic vision to scan as much as he could in a short time. While doing so he witnessed a high speed chase through the air over the city. One of the people involved literally leaped from an air car and fell hundreds of feet onto another car.

Knick recognized him as the same child they had seen in the last time line, though in his late teens now. The equipment Knick was carrying registered that in some way the variations in this particular timeline seemed to revolve around his actions. His choices were shaping things much more than normal. But it was still a dead end. With no tractor beam array large enough to serve their purposes, the team again moved on.

Thankfully the third lead provided what the team needed. Though it required fighting past a number of white armored troopers. All armed with rudimentary but dangerous blaster weapons. They arrived at the place Inertia indicated fast enough, realizing along the way that they were actually onboard a space station. One so large it rivaled the comet empire in size!

Two of the armored troopers were just reactivating a massive tractor beam relay. Before they could even finish wondering out loud how it had been deactivated, the heroes knocked them unconscious and took the device apart for transport. Heading back through the facility, they witnessed an old man fighting a imposing figure in black armor.

They both wielded coherent energy blades of some kind. Each with deadly skill and accuracy. Before anyone could react to stop it, the old man just seemed to give up. His armored opponent showed no hesitation, the elderly man was struck down. It left everyone paralyzed for a moment, Robin especially who literally felt his spirit join the Force.

All hell broke lose then with blaster bolts flying everywhere. A quick glance with X-Ray vision left Knick gasping in horror. Beneath the armor that was literally keeping him alive, that hideously burnt cybernetic monster was the same boy! Whatever choices he had made between the three timelines brought him to this state. Even with everything they were facing, Knick tried to do the right thing. On the way back to their own timeline he snatched the teenaged verion of the cyborg out of the free fall over the world city.

His name was Anakin, and Knick showed him an image of what he could end up becoming. What he might end up doing in that future. Somehow, he felt like he owed it to that innocent kid back on the desert world to try and help him not to become a monster.

Knick wouldn't know it for several weeks yet, but it worked better than he quite expected. Just after he left, Anakin leaped through the white wall in pursuit. Fleeing from a destiny he found to horrible to bear. Because he recognized that old man, and any future where he killed a man he thought of as his brother, was not one he cared to see.

Infinite Crisis: Superboy Lost, the Final Crisis

With the parts assembled back on their own world Knick and the gathered heroes set about returning the various timelines back to where they belonged. It was only the first step of course. Darkseid would also need to be confronted as well. But as Star Child focused the energies of the Gamma WaveBurst generator, Darkseid's forces unleashed a veritable onslaught.

An attempt to keep the heros from moving the time lines back into place. The fighting reached a fevered pitch. Both sides knew that they literally could not fail. Everything was riding on this, all of reality itself. In the course of the battle, Superboy flew into an entire squadron of Parademons. Tackling them back through a BoomTube that then snapped shut.

Knick lost it then, flattening Kalibak with one rage filled punch that sent the unconscious giant into a different time zone. But all the rage in the world couldn't bring Kon back, and Darkseid had to be stopped. A mental interrogation of Darkseid's elite by Nate Grey and J'onn Jonzz indicated that the mad god was somewhere in the viscinity of Oa. Earth's heroes rallied, and large groups began searching the entire quadrant. Darkseid had to be stopped, and then Knick was going to find Kon, and Rao help anything that got in his way.

On the very same moon that the Monitor had been born on, Darkseid was discovered. Knick, Prime, Shuffle, Starchild, and several other heroes all engaged him. His power was staggering, the sum of nearly all of his hypertemporal counterparts, he was immune to virtually anything the heroes could generate to try and stop him. In fact, he literally toyed with them. Explaining his plans, and revealing that he had in fact had an accomplice. With contemptuous ease he slapped aside attacks, and the heroes in general, as he monologued.

Meanwhile on the Planet Apokalypse, Kon had found himself in Dessad's lab. The cowardly lacky initially tried fighting the Teen of Steel, failing that he fled. Superboy searched his lab, discovering the containment device that he had used to drain Kal-L and Prime of their other dimensional power levels. He also found another prisoner from another hypertime. Mark Grayson, code named Invincible.

The Viltrumite hybrid hero had investigated the white walls that were plaguing his time line as well, and was overwhelmed by Darkseid's forces. Together with Superboy they forced their way through waves of Parademons and forced Desaad to transport them to the fight as well. Kon was hell bent for leather that he was going to be there to help his life mate. But though Desaad sent them he made certain Darkseid knew they were coming as well.

Back on Oa's moon Darkseid turned to the Boomtube that was delivering Invincible and Superboy to the battle. Having grown tired of the entire charade Darkseid announced they would be the first to die. His eyes glowed, and Knick had a split second to glance between Kon arriving and Darkseid's Omega Effect powering up. Leaping forward, he slapped his left hand right over Darkseid's eyes.

The flash of light was blinding, dazzling everyone. As vision slowly cleared, Darkseid was bent over clutching his blasted, cracked, and blackened face. Knick was unconscious, his entire left arm gone all the way to the shoulder. Utterly disintegrated by the blast he had stopped.

The heroes were horrified, Prime literally moved to the point of dropping to his knees beside Knick. After his initial attack, not many people trusted Prime. But Knick had, he trusted him and pushed others to as well. That was why Prime was part of the mission, Skyboy's trust.

Kon flew into a rage, dropping the device with Prime's power right next to him as he flew at Darkseid and began beating him in his ruined face over and over. With nothing left to lose the other heroes joined in, all save Prime who collected the device as he was still leaning over Knick. Prime was no technical genius, but as he watched the heroes fight, he knew this was where he belonged, not some thought receptive paradise dimension.

This was what being a hero meant. The power inside the device would permanently restore his powers. It might allow him to defeat Darkseid by himself. He would be a god in this dimension with his full powers. But chances were good only he would live through the fight. His choice made he used the device to temporarily boost ALL the heroes powers to the levels they would have been before the first great Crisis.

Suddenly, they were all gods. Shuffle couldn't just weild magic, he felt as if he were magic. Superboy and Invincible could move planets if they tried. Star Child's energy blasts would make the sun seem weak by comparison. Darkseid was on the defensive before he knew it, and then suddenly found he was losing! Cracks appeared in his rocky body, the raw stuff of hypertime itself started to leak from him. Literally losing cohesion, losing control of the limitless possibilities contained within him in the form of the vast majority of hypertime itself he had absorbed.

Finally, Superboy punched him in the gut and Darkseid staggered back doubled over. As he straightened out his body warbled, and bluldged out. Distorting in grotesque and terrible ways. Throwing his head back he screamed to the heavens, and literally vomitted out all that could or would be. Hypertime.

In a cascade of colors, and half seen ideas and imaginations the heroes saw old friends, and potential futures. Dreams and nightmares. The very stuff of countless realities spread out from Darkseid's screaming jaws like a sparkling geyser of color and light. Pictures forming within, and lost just as quickly to several dozen more. Hypertime, was restored.

Using the remaining power he still had, Shuffle cast a spell to literally restore Knick's missing arm. He woke up, staring at the anxiety riddled expressions, and he smiled. He knew immediately, they had won. The people he loved, were safe. Then he simply fell asleep, his body needing to rest after the trauma it had endured. It would be more than a few hours before he woke up. Superboy carried him to the home they all shared, victoriously.

Infinite Crisis: The Rebirth of Hypertime

Mercury's fused form was placed on the beach he so loved, a memorial to the fallen hero. Days after though while there on the beach the air seemed to melt and ripple. Knick and the few others present had no idea what to expect, and then Brainiac appeared. He had been the hidden partner whispering in Darkseid's ear.

His body now entirely mechanical once again. He taunted those gathered, for though the team had not been destroyed, he knew he had inflicted the most terrible of wounds on Knick. Wounds he would make sure ran deeper still. Before anyone could act, he disintegrated the Mercury statue and vanished with a haunting metallic laugh.

Knick devised the most powerful weapon he had ever created and tracked Brainiac through hypertime to a world the mad robot used as it's base of operations. An entire time line devoid of life thanks to Brainiac. Only machines, existing to build more machines and to exterminate life in Brainiac's name.

There Knick detonated The Time Bomb. A weapon that literally destroyed that entire hypertime by severing it, and folding it back in on itself. Creating a temporal paradox, a loop in time. He couldn't be sure if Brainiac was within, but even if he wasn't the robot's powerbase was lost to it, forever. Grieving over the loss of Mercury still, Knick went home.

A home others would come to share in the days and weeks to follow as well. Mark was unable to return to his time line and though grief struck over the home he had lost, he moved in with the team. Anakin Skywalker found his way to Unity after a few days as well. He never said why he left his world, but given what they had seen he didn't have to. Even the avatar o the magical warrior Link from the mystic realm of Hyrule. He arrived tracking a powerful and evil magician from his realm that had slipped into this one.

One of the most bizarre additions though came from Cinnebar Flats New Mexico. The had won a nation wide contest, and was the first recipient of a new device that Knick had designed. The portable park technology would allow small towns to have customizable parks and recreation areas for kids, without the maintenance and expenses that would usually come with them.

Wile there to present it, Knick and several team mates were on hand to prevent a giant mutant horny toad from attacking the town. They rushed to stop it, and were joined by a size altering armored hero, Hero Zero. They quickly discovered e animal was just scared and managed to calm it. Both Hero Zero, and "Horny" would come to be regular visitors. With Hero Zero joining the team and Horny living on Sanctuary island.

The arrivals from Hypertime actually began to increase. Both the Time Lord of Gallifrey reffered to as The Doctor, and one of his associates visited the time line, though separately. The Doctor himself came investigating fluctuations in time. Caused by Darkseid's recent attempts to crush all of hypertime together.

The Alzarian teen Adric, one of the Doctor's early companions, was saved from a sure death. During a chaotic time storm in Metropolis caused when being identifying itself as The Silver Surfer punched through time lines. In addition to Adric and the Surfer appearing, the time storm allowed the space dragon King Ghidora, one of the Disaster Monsters to appear as well. The ship Adric was on had been thrown forward through time, and nearly crashed into the planet.

Skyboy rescued him, while below Impulse heard the Silver Surfer exclaim "Gal...ac...tus...they are coming." HeronZero and several oer team members were alento drive King Ghidora away as well. The Surfer was taken by The Ultimates, while Adric elected to remain with the team.

In the days following Knick came to discover why so many more appearances from hypertime were occurring. In fact, it was almost as if he knew why, and was merely confirming it. Hypertime had been reinstated in that time line. As a result, it was now the core time line. The one from which all others would branch, winding and twisting for eternity. Hypertime was not just put back in place, it was literally reborn. It was the first part of a Prophecy. A prophecy answering the question, whatever happened to the God of Tomorrow.

Project Prometheus

Having had more than a few problems with the federal goverment Knick was suprised when a representative of an orginization called S.H.I.E.L.D. contacted them. A situation was brewing and though the D.E.O. had the authority over the case, a certain Congressman Hartman felt it would turn into a debacle. Working through S.H.I.E.L.D. he was hoping to avoid that by asking Unity to go in. Having seen them handle situations with a bit of diplomacy before.

A scientist working for the goverment had apparently been kidnapped from a football game in Metropolis. One which Kon had actually dragged Knick to see. They had helped to quell a riot when the power went off, preventing anyone from seeing the winning touch down. It was all orchestrated so that the scientist in question, Dr. Daeadalus, could be spirited away in the confusion. The plan might have been clever, but with the resources of the United States goverment it was no question that he would be found, and now he was.

Dr. Daedalus was on the island of Crete, in the company of King Minos. Under the lead of the charismatic King, Crete was on it's way to becoming a thriving economic and scientific world power. But that was attrracting a great deal of attention from many of the wrong kinds of people.

King Minos had sought out Dr. Daeadalus in the hopes that the work on weapons design he was doing, might be turned to a more peaceful pursuit, and a defense for the island. Caught up in the utopian dreams of King Minos, the good doctor readily agreed. His contract with the United States goverment was an issue however, as they were not about to release him to work for another goverment. The 'kidnapping' was the less than elegant solution.

A Naval strike force, lead by the Ultimates was due to liberate the doctor in less than 2 days time, which left the team little chance to get to the bottom of things before an explosive deadline. Arriving on Crete Knick and the team were met and greeted by Ariadne, Minos' daughter, and one of the islands three super powered protectors. Ariadne was a sorceress, and rather accomplished for her age as well.

Joining her in the defense of the island were two other young heroes, Thw White Eagle and Talos. White Eagle was an albino teen able to change into a massive white bird resembling an eagle. Talos was a young greek teenager able to turn into an organic bronse like metal, as well as grow to enormous sizes. The three lead Crete's defense forces, acting as a combination police and military.

The Return of The Mythicals

An audience with King Minos was arranged, to be held after a welcome feast for the heroes that evening. They were considered guests of state, and afforded an entire suite of rooms in the palace of New Knossos, the capital. During dinner however the team met two other defenders of Crete, much to their shock and discomfort. Arachne, and The Minotaur of the Mythicals! There were no open hostilities at the dinner, though Minotaur was only just able to hold back. Glaring across the table with undisguised hatred, and open hostility. Particularly so, at one member of the team, MVP.

Ariadne explained why that might have been on the way to the audience with her father. Pausing in a art gallery to show the assembled heroes that MVP bore a striking resemblance to Theseus! Mike had always believed that his physical skills were a result of the super soldier process his grandfather had invented. But seeing this, made him question if there might not be more to his family line than he knew.

The audience with the king was pleasant, Minos was an excellent orator and charismatic king. He was however a bit of a poor judge of character when it came to some of those around him. He refused to entertain any thought that Arachne and Minotaur would be planning anything untoward, after all they had sworn fealty to Crete to act as her defenders.

He was so enamored with the idea of them, mythical figures for a modern day mythical city reborn. So much so he refused to see them as any kind of threat. As for the Naval fleet, Minos was confident that the Prometheus Shield would be active by morning.

Based around the solar anti-particle catalysts designed by Dr. Daedalus, the Prometheus shield would cover the entire island of Crete. It was designed to be proof against the most powerful conventional weapons available on Earth. A impervious barrier between Crete and the rest of the world that might try and take advantage of it.

A way for the island to grow free of military threats or outside super criminal attacks. A place of peace, and tranquility where the arts and sciences could flourish. To Knick, it sounded more like Krypton than anything he had yet to experience on earth. He was as taken with the idea as Dr. Daeadalus had been.

The team retured to their quarters with an important choice to make. To return with Dr. Daeadauls, and likely gain much favor with the US Goverment. Or, respect the doctor's wishes and make sure that the Prometheus shield was activated and Crete was safe. Unanimously, they chose the latter. Crete potentially had much more to offer the world than just another weapon, Dr. Daedalus' work was being put to better use on the island. With that choice made, they knew they had little time.

The team split into three groups, each with different objectives that night. One group went to check on the Prometheus Shield, and discovered that Dr. Daeadalus had a similar idea. The second went to look at Arachne's quarters. The third team was no team really at all. Hero Zero went to see if they could discover how soon the attack would be. His size changing ability allowing him to remain unseen. Each group was successful, in a manner of speaking.

Web of Deceit

Arachne and Minotaur had rooms at the palace, as befitted their station. However rather than stay at the palace they had an old warehouse for building materials between New and Old Knossos converted to their needs. While nobody was there, the team searched what they could. They discovered plans for an alteration to one of the emission grids for the Prometheus Field that would turn it into something called the Mind Web. Arachne was up to something after all!

A truth further reinforced when the team was attacked by Minotaur and mind controlled Minoan guards on their way through the labyrinth to the Prometheus Shields power core. In the close confines Minotaur's sheer size made it difficult for the monster to fight. Growing enraged it smashed through several walls and retreated above ground.

Dr. Daeadalus noticed almost immediately that his work had been tampered with. Clearly this was an assassination attampt so that he would never discover it. A desperate message from Hero Zero stopped any thought of immediate reprisal though. The attack was due to begin at first light, which only was minutes away!

Total War

Before the team could even regroup the first distant *THUMPS* of naval bombardment could be heard. Dr. Daeadalus needed time to undue Arachne's damage, and Arachne herself was still missing. The team would have to buy the Doctor the time, holding off the naval fleet, and finding Arachne. It was a three way race, where second place only meant you were the first one to lose.

Already on her Mind Web, Arachne was sure this time her plan would work. The energies of the device would allow her to weave from the astral plane as never before. She would weave the Gods out of the minds of everyone that lived, and in their place they would all worship her, as their spider goddess! If only she could activate the mind web before Dr Daeadalus repaired her alterations..

With half the team fighting defensively against the Naval bombardment, the other half tried to stop Arachne. The heroes of New Knossos saw a perceived ally being attacked by foriegn heroes, just as the island was being attacked as well. It was an easy mistake to make, as suddenly hero fought hero with Arachne gleefully enjoying the show! Then things got even worse, as The Ultimates joined the attack as well.

The air and skies were utter chaos as heroes fought heroes, all while the area was being shelled by the navy. Knick punched Thor right out of the sky, creating a lasting enimity between the Thunder God and Kryptonian teen. Somehow he even chipped a fragment from Mjolnir, which he kept to study. Ariadne, realizing the mistake, lead her team to start supporting Unity. Hero Zero and Talos grew to towering heights and wrestled Giant Man to the ground in the melee neutralizing him.

Just as Arachne was about to take control of the entire attack force, MVP taunted Minotaur. The beast had been trying to find him, and now at last it had. Minotaur roared, and then charged, slapping enemies and allies alike out of the way in a single minded attempt to kill the teen. MVP leaped like Theseus once had as well, up and over the monster as it reached him. Leaving Minotaur to charge into the shrieking Arachne's mind web! The explosion was as much psychic as physical, stunning everyone for miles around.

The Prmometheus Shield

The entire dispersion grid flared with a brilliant flash of light. Arachne and Minotaur's sillouettes inside just seemed to evaporate away. As the dazzling white light dimmed and everyone's eyes and senses returned to normal the skies were a shimmering blue. The battle for Crete was over, because now the Prometheus Shield was activated!

The shelling stopped immediately, not even the sound of it impacting ineffectually against the outside of the shield could be heard. Inside the Ultimate's knew that the battle was over. Thor's hammer wasn't even able to breach the dome. Caught behind enemy lines and out numbered, they reluctantly withdrew. But clearly did not consider the matter over.

This was not the first time they had been embarrassed by a team of kids, but they were damn determined it would be the last. The few American troops that had landed, as well as the Ultimates returned to the naval task force. Given permission to go by King Minos despite the attack they had unsuccessfully launched.

The Heroes of Unity were offered full time residence on the island, which they politely declined. King Minos declared they would always be considered heroes of New Knossos, and all of Crete. As well as always have their suites in the palace waiting for them. Knick would be a frequent visitor there, for a number of scientific functions.

Though there was some more enimity from the D.E.O. the goverment itself was placated when Rep. Hartman stepped forward. He explained how the matter could have become a major international incident if not for Unity. The heavy handed approach of the D.E.O. and the Ultimates did not gel that well with the current administration anyway. With the good will of Crete secured, the matter was considered closed.

Thanksgiving

Around Thanksgiving Knick, Kon, and Prime were asked to be in the Metropolis Thanksgiving day parade. They readily agreed, though Kon regretted it later. Superman was going to be dressed as Santa, and Knick, Prime, and Kon were to wear elf costumes on the float. Knick found the entire idea amusing, though Kon was mortified that Robin was never going to let him live down pointy elf shoes. Sadly half way through the parade everyone had something new to remember it for.

A giant mechanical monster attacked the parade, under the control of Braniac! The crazed machine was livid over the loss of it's power base months before and sought to kill all four Kryptonian nuisances. To insure it, Kryptonite rocks were fired among them, incapacitating them as the giant moved in for the kill.

Something about the way the enormous figure moved though struck Knick. He had seen it so many times before, in so many fights. It wasn't possible, and yet he still hoped against any shred of hope. He yelled a single long, plaintive word with the last of his strength "EDDDIIIEEEEEE!!!!"

The giant stopped as inside of it, Mercury woke up. The metal meta teen turned on Brainiac with a primal howl of rage. In the ensuing fight he nearly beat the computer tyrant into scrap metal. Defeated once again, Brainiac teleported away before it was utterly destroyed.

Mercury quickly removed the Kryptonite, and the Kryptonians recovered in short order. Unity would have a great deal to be thankful for this year. Mercury was back among them. Though plagued with some terrible fears and phobias from his time as a living statue, and then the brain washing that Braniac performed, he was once more with his friends, his family.

The Matrix Revealed

While helping on an archeological dig in Egypt Knick, Kon, X-Man and Iceman were attacked by powerful elemental weilders seeking something buried within the pyramid that had been uncovered. Using the item in the burial chamber the villains animated all of the statues within to attack the assembled team. The heroes had to help protect the Press Junket that was present, including Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen of the Daily Planet. With their attention divided the mysterious Wynd, Lytning, and Rayne escaped with an ancient and ornate looking chest.

Fortunately the act of animating the statues used a very unique and specific band of radiation. Over the course of several days the Skybot satellite system found minute traces of that energy, tracking it until it stopped in China. A team was sent to investigate, and arrived at an ancient castle.

Standing before it was an even more ancient looking man. Identifying himself as The Mandarin, he refused to part with the item. Telling the heroes it was already being used against his enemies. To cover his escape, he spoke several words of magic releasing a ward. The dragon Fin Fang Foom was released from a cave near the castle!

The dragon was powerful to be sure. But Knick and the team had gone toe to claw against Godzilla, and this was no Godzilla. On the other hand Fin Fang Foom had been inprisoned for centuries and could not understand how these mere mortals were able to defy it! On closer inspection of Skyboy the dragon remarked that it understood why he was so powerful, but it still would never yield. The comment made no sense to Knick, and was quickly dismissed.

The beast grew more and more enraged until finally the team forced it to charge right back into it's cave in a swooping attack. Shuffle was able to reseal it by setting the wards once again in place. But the battle with the ancient dragon had accomplished just what it was supposed to. It cost them time.

The Warriors of Clay

Tracking the residual radiation north, the team discovered that the Terracotta Warriors of ancient China had been animated! 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses moving in formation to the south. A march that would take them through several heavily populated areas. Placing obstacles in their path did no good, as they swarmed over and around them like army ants. Even though they were a priceless national treasure, they would have to be destroyed to save lives.

A tactic that proved easier to plan than to accomplish. Each clay warrior that was destroyed reformed within moments and continued on course, fighting back against anything that showed any aggression and destroying anything barring their way. It was virtually impossible to stop them, the heroes were barely managing to steer them away from the most populated areas. In the distance it appeared there was fighting at the castle, and the sky rumbled with thunder and lightning. But the heroes had no time to investigate it, as the warriors were already entering populated areas of a city.

Then, in the middle of their march the Terracotta Warriors simply stopped. Some continued moving for a few brief moments, before they too froze up in the positions they were in. The thunder and lightning continued in the distance over the castle, but the flashes of light that had lit the horizon had stopped as well. With the immediate threat passed, Knick lead the team back to the castle. He could see even from a great distance there had been some sort of fighting there as well.

More Than Meets The Eye

Much of the castle was destroyed, having apparently been attacked with high intensity beam weapons as well as ballistic and high explosives. Scores of the Wynd, Rayn, and Lytning warriors lay scattered across the grounds, having been destroyed. Standing revealed to be golems of some sort. The Mandarin was no place to be seen, but prominent in the courtyard was the chest they had been searching for, laying on it's side, and clearly smashed open.

Before anyone approached it though there was a roar of engines approaching, quite a few of them. A half dozen cars and trucks pulled into the courtyard in formation behind a semi truck. Their headlights illuminating the scene, and the empty chest. Scanning the vehicles, Knick was suprised to see no drivers! Then the semi suddenly shifted, changing with a mechanical whirring, clanking and clicking. It transformed into a towering robot that fell down on one knee and addressed them. "I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots."

The Autobots hailed from a planet that was on the far side of the sector that Krypton once inhabited as the Oan's judged space, sector 2813. The planet's name was Cybertron. A world where a techno-organic machine race was the dominant species. The buried relic they had been seeking was the Autobot's long lost Matrix of Leadership. It held the power to grant new life to their species, and was entrusted to the Autobots.

But Cybertron had a second form of life as well. The Decepticons were supposed to be the defenders, and soldiers of their world. But instead had tried to take it over and become it's subjugators. Thus sparking a civil war with the Autobots that had leasted for millenia, and now found it's way to Earth.

Many centuries before the Matrix of Leadership had been lost. Ejected into space to avoid it's capture by the Decepticons. It landed on Earth when the egyptian dynasties ruled, and was used as a magical artifact. Eventually sealed within the chest by Nabu the wise himself.

With the Decepticon's in control of the Matrix, their leader wasted no time in creating new and deadlier Decepticons. Sub-groups able to merge and become massive engines of sheer destruction. The Constructicons were all construction equipment and merged into Devastator. The Stunticons were all tricked out muscle vehicles, and they merged into Menasor. Finally the Combaticons all were military grade vehicles, and they merged into Bruticus. With this new fire power Megatron planned to rape the Earth for it's energy, then return to Cybertron and finally take over the world.

The Charge of the Dinobots!

But not if the heroes of Unity had any say in it. The Autobots and their heroic allies met against the Decepticons in Florida. At Walt Disney Worlds Epcot center. A mistake by the Decepticon's having lead them there. When they heard about The World of Energy, they came in force.

Battle was joined as the park was evacuated, and it was something of a stalemate. With the Matrix, the Decepticon leader Megatron was able to rapidly repair the damage inflicted on his massive combiners. Even damage inflicted by the likes of Skyboy and Superboy.

Then five objects dropped from the sky, like meteorites. Crashing through the roof of the World of Energy dinosaur exhibit and collapsing it. Dust and debris filled the air, and the battle stopped for a moment with the interruption. Optics and eyes alike blinded by the dense cloud.

Optimus Prime apologized to the heroes for the destruction. He had called for reinforcements, and what they lacked in subtlety they made up for in power. Through the dust and debris movement could be seen. Gleaming metallic teeth, a massive clawed foot, gleaming robotic wings. Huge shapes moved through the choking dust, and slowly became visible. With five simultaneous roars of fury, The Dinobots walked the Earth.

Realizing that they were on their side the heroes and Autobots alike cheered. Skyboy pointed at the Decepticon forces and yelled "Sick em!" Battle was joined again as the Dinobots teamed to tear Devastator apart. The tides slowly began to turn. The Decepticons became to damaged to continue fighting, and Megatron to damaged himself to use the matrix to repair them. Slowly all of them were rendered inert.

The autobots and their allies had won, and the Matrix of Leadership was reclaimed. Unknown to all at the time, the second part of the Prophecy of Whatever Happened to the God of Tomorrow was fulfilled as well. The children of Primus and Rao had now met once more.

From afar the battle had been watched. A sorceror, much younger looking now, but still clearly the man that had claimed he was the Mandarin frowned. Behind him a towering, hulking figure gruffly mentioned that the prize had been lost. Four arms crossed it's chest. The wizard sneered and agreed that it was a loss, but they had plenty of time, and could always destroy the Earth realm in other ways. A new threat to the Earth plotted, one that clearly had dark designs.

Night Terrors

For some time Knick had been unsure if his ability to see the future was still active or not. The question was resolved when he had a dream of something terrible occuring in another Hypertime. A Superboy there was being killed in a strange device. Another teenager leering over him, but with a purple cloaked translucent figure superimposed over him. As that Sperboy bit back a scream and fell limp, his body green from Kryptonite exposure, Knick woke up in the dream.

Next to him Kon thrashed and then slowly dissapeared from view, fading away like a morning fog. Prime staggered into the room and tried speaking, but there were no words as he too dissapeared. All across hypertime, as that one Superboy died, all Superboys were erased from each and every time line.

With an anguished cry, Knick woke up for real. Kon was still there sleeping. Prime was asleep as well. But the dream, Knick knew it wasn't a nightmare. Somewhere a Superboy was going to die, a Superboy that looked so very like a friend Knick had once known on Krypton, Bri-Ahn. When he died, every Superboy would be erased, unless Skyboy stopped it.

He knew, could somehow feel the hypertemporal address. He didn't question why, trusting it was a part of the sporadic precognition. Going there with the ring he had built months before was simple enough. It was a world similar to the one he was accustomed to. But there were some major differences as well.

Krypton had been destroyed by an invasion from an alien race. He eventually would learn other differences as well. Such as Superboy's real name. Brian Comstock was essentially a Kryptonian, but he had started as a human. A Kryptonian probe had altered his DNA and made him Kryptonian. Much as Skygirl's power had for her, and Sol's magic for Acme.

Brian's World

Kryptonite was also much more prevalent, brought to the planet through any number of sources. It was a dangerous place to be a Kryptonian. But Knick found that where once he was vulnerable to the Kryptonite of other time lines, now he no longer was. Likely something to do with being unconscious at ground zero when Hypertime was reborn.

Many of the heroes were only subtely different. Robin, Impulse, CM3, Wonderboy and others. Some however only existed in one time line or the other. Muscle Boy in this new one for example, or Mercury back in Knick's home time line. Knick met Muscle Boy and several other heroes, but Superboy remained elusive. In the course of two months of visiting that world he had several near misses, but it seemed Superboy was almost avoiding him.

Knick grew very close to Muscle Boy, who regularly flew with him when Knick arrived on that world looking for Superboy. Eventually, they met at a crisis when Superboy was being exposed to Kryptonite and Knick helped to save him. They began flying regularly as well, and Knick learned that Superboy's real name was Brian Comstock. He even got to meet several of his family and friends as they became closer.

He had told Brian about his dreams, and his fears. Brian had a hard time believing that anything was going to pose that kind of a threat, on that great a scale. But forwarned is forarmed, and so when he was beaten and taken prisoner, he was ready. Together with Knick and their other friends they managed to stop the threat, who had actually been possessing one of Brian's best friends. But the mysterious cloaked figure responsible for the plot escaped to continue plotting against Brian, and Kryptonians everywhere.

Jackson, Daniel Jackson.

During the same period that Knick was visiting Brian's timeline he and several team mates attended a scientific symposium in New York. With his time split between two different realities it was good to do something with his friends home again. They were somewhat upset with him for taking the responsability for this other time line completely on himself. But he reasoned that if they went in force, they might just compel the mysterious cloaked figure to try this in a different hypertime that they wouldn't find in time.

One of the speakers at the symposium was Dr. Daniel Jackson. He was presenting evidence that the Pyramids of Ehypt were much older than anyone believed them to be. The theories were not well recieved, and in fact Dr, Jackson was all but laughed off the stage. Before he could rally and take control of the crowd again the museum where the symposium was being held was attacked by The Juggernaut.

The giant was seeking a magical gem, purported to be the object that granted him his powers. With the likes of Knick, Star Child, and Shuffle present though the Juggernaut was overpowered and taken into custody. In the confusion that followed, and unknown to the heroes, Dr. Jackson was approached by goverment officials. They had a new job for him, translating some ancient heiroglyphics.

Operation StarGate

Several weeks after Knick had concluded the investigation in Brian's timeline he was again contacted by Rep. Hartman. They exchanged some pleasantries, before Hartman mentioned that he and some colleagues were trying to get the D.E.O. replaced by S.H.I.E.L.D. They needed another feather in their cap though, and he was wondering if Knick and his team might not help out again.

A civillian had gone missing on a top secret goverment operation about a month before. Doctor Daniel Jackson had gone with an expeditionary team through a device the goverment was calling a Stargate, to the far side of the known universe. They had encountered a hostile alien race, and killed it with a thermonuclear bomb. When the rest of the team returned, Jackson elected to remain behind.

Fearing reprisal from a now hostile alien species, as well as potential ramifications of a civillian being left behind on a military operation the goverment was once again preparing to send in the Ultimates. Hartman and his colleagues felt that sending in a strike team to what should be a diplomatic situation was a poor idea. Given there was no love lost between Unity and the D.E.O. as well as them knowing Daniel Jackson the team readily agreed.

Without access to the Stargate the team was transported via Shuffle's magic to the planet Abydos in the Kaliam galaxy. A primitive culture there had long worshipped an alien that had posed as the Egyptian god Ra before being killed recently. Their culture was based around Egyptian society, still worshipping the gods of old.

Dr. Jackson was discovered shortly after they arrived and was thrilled to see Knick in particular. He had an amazing discovery he had to show him immediately. A sandstorm prevented them from going immediately. But the next morning, they were lead to a cave formation by Dr. Jackson.

The Krypton Connection

In a series of caves Daniel shows the team the cave paintings and writings that explained the origin of the alien Ra. Knick was startled to realize that it was the same species of alien that had destroyed Krypton in Brian's timeline. Ra had been the last of it's species. Some slight alteration in hypertime leading to the species extinction in this time line.

Deeper in the caves, there was still more though. An enormous circular chamber with nearly perfectly preserved script snaking along the walls of the room. Wrapping around and around from the very apex in the center of the dome. Where the red sun of Rao looked down at the team.

The writing was an ancient dialect of Kryptonian, one which Knick would need time to translate. But already Dr. Jackson and the heroes were theorizing on just what it meant. Ra and Rao sounded very similar, and both were sun gods. Could the Kryptonian god have been associated somehow with ancient earth? If they were, how exactly? The presence of the Kryptonian language on Abydos raised so many questions, questions Knick was now dedicated to answering.

As the rest of the team sought out the irradiated pieces of Ra's vessel that remained on Abydos for any clues they might hold, Knick remained in the ancient temple. Many hours later he was still there, when the others came looking for him. He announced that he would have to see Ganymede, or Wonder Woman. Something he had learned, he needed verified. They would be returning to earth immediately. Sadly, both Diana and Ganymede were initially unavailable, the mystery lingered, so other avenues would have to be pursued.

Tragedy comes with Cold

Knick returned to Brian's time line to be absolutely certain that Ra was the same type of alien that destroyed that timeline's Krypton. A meeting with Brian's brother Chad left Knick devastated though. Brian had been irradiated with Kryptonite and died. Since then three of his friends that Knick had grown close to likewise had become Superboy and perished.

Knick asked to see the bodies, and was brought to them. Their bodies were perfectly preserved, their skin a bright green. It was as if the radiation would dissipate and they would just spring back to life. Something inside of Knick kept him confident that it would all work out for the best though. A strange sense of inner harmony, that this was how things were meant to be.

Returning home Knick had little time to devote to the translation. He had been having trouble sleeping again. Another reoccurring dream in which he kept mumbling a single word over and over in both Kryptonian and English. Spurred by members of the team he resolved to look into it with the ships medical facilities.

Nothing appeared to be wrong in any of the scans. Each night though he would mumble again and again, "Avatar." Little did he know, a similar phenomenon was occuring with all of the Kryptonians. They were all having unusual dreams, waking up with different words on their lips.

A transmission from Canada's Department H to the Unbited States government caught Skyboy's attention. It was a broadcast for assistance, as Canada's equivalent to the Ultimates had gone missing on an operation into a remote area near Great Bear Lake. Images of the area from Satellite showed something massive hidden in the ice below the lake. So large it jutted out along the shore where it was covered with snow and ice. The team resolved to look into it, and try and find the missing team Alpha Flight as well.

As the team arrived near the location, they entered a dense fog bank that was anything but typical for the time of year. The entire shuttle suddenly began icing over, outside, and even in! Literally freezing it right out of the sky! A cold so intense that even Knick could feel it in his bare hands as he fought to land the shuttle safely. The ship crashed into a nearly thirty foot deep snow drift as the heroes escaped it into a pitch black frozen north. No sooner were they outside then they heard it. WEEENNNDIIIIIGOOOOOOO.

The sound seemed to comne from every direction at once. Many more then there had ever been in one place since Ithaqua was imprisoned. Immediately the team knew this was bad, the freezing mist didn't cling so close to the ground, but there was no way everyone present could survive another trip through it, not without the brief protection the shuttle had provided. They were land locked for now if they wanted to stay together. Land locked in a forest full of Wendigo.

Thankfully the team recieved some much needed support. Zenith arrived, having followed the shuttle. After training with Shuffle, his wild magical abilities were becoming much stronger. They allowed him to surround himself with an aura of sunlight and warmth to get through the freezing mist safely. The cold reacting to Zenith, and actually grew more intense as the heroes continued travelling.

Several miles from the crash sight they came across another shuttle frozen over in the snow. Less sophisticated, it had suffered more damage when it crashed. The snow was accumalating slower around the shuttle though, and a steady, strong chanting could be heard coming from within. As the heroes investigated they found Shaman of Alpha Flight using his medicine pouch to call on warmth. The other members of the team were all unconscious, and all in various states of change into Wendigo!

Shaman had learned something of their enemy, and explained to the team what they were facing. His voice weak from the time he had spent chanting. The enemy claimed to be a goddess of ice, named Cythonna. Knick paled hearing that name, as he and every child of Krypton knew who Cythonna was.

Cythonna, according to Krypton's legends had come seeking Rao's love. Appearing from space in the earliest days of Krypton. In truth she wished the sun god to help her birth a terrible army of demons! Seeing through her lies the God of the Sun and the Goddess of Ice went to war.

Rao imprisoned Cythonna in the sun, and for centuries she remained there. Much later she escaped and Superman accomplished the same. But now she was back once again, escaped from the sun. Worse still her power was allowing the Wendigos to repopulate once more.

Realizing that he could be no further help, Shaman asked Zenith to take his pouch. He asked him to use it to help defeat Cythonna. With great reverence Zenith did so, placing the members of Alpha Flight in suspended animation to stop their change. Promising to return the Medicine Pouch to it's rightful owner soon Zenith rejoined his friends.

The Beast That is Winter's Return engagement

Cythonna planned to use ancient magics to wake and release Ithaqua once more. So that she might have a proper husband, one with whom she could literally freeze the entire universe with. The heroes had little time to stop her, and a great deal of distance to travel yet to get to the Lake, the center of the disturbance. Realizing that they couldn't go over, they elected for another plan. Go under.

Mercury altered his shape into a excavation vehicle and began to tuinnel under the frozen Earth. However the Wendigo, realizing they would lose the heroes, finally attacked directly. To cover the escape Knick and Kon remained behind to fight the hordes of Wendigo. Thankfully they received assistance from both familiar, and an unexpected sources.

Following the distress beacon just as Zenith had, Osiris found Knick and Kon fighting the wendigo. His natural resistance to magic and invulnerability had allowed him to survive the magical fog. Upon seeing the desperate fight he joined in helping his friends. His raw power making him a peer to both Teens of Steel.

Likewise another combatant arrived. Drawn from the magical vibrations of Cythonna attempting to wake Ithaqua, the minotaur like demon Mordred followed them. Though Knick was uncertain about it's true loyalties, there was no questioning it's power. The demon was able to claw to claw with the wendigo and easily hold it's own.

Together heroes and demon managed to stop the Wendigo. Osiris' summoned lighting giving them enough time to enact a hasty plan. Twin beams of heat vision refracted through a massive prism made by Mordred. The result cleared better than an acres of snow and ice, removing the Wendigo's main advantage of perfect camouflage.

The battle against the wendigo was won, their remaining number again melting into the frozen north. But of course Cythonna still had to be stopped as well. The other team had their work cut out for them fighting a goddess. But they would not be without help as well. Hope and Spring were both eternal, and both were after all green.

Hope and Spring both bloom Green

Zenith, Mercury and Redbird knew this would be a challenge. They had to find some way to overcome a Goddess that had nearly defeated Superman in the past. But the heroes were sure of their abilities, and even Red Bird refused to be afraid of facing Cythonna despite being much physically weaker than the others. Mercury and Red Bird fought her as Zenith used his magic, augmented by the Medicine Bag, to try and keep them all from being frozen.

The fight was not going well though, despite the medicine bag augmenting Zenth's magic Cythonna was still able to freeze them in place. Red Bird's ingenuity and a device from his utility belt was enough to allow them to escape ghe ice and continue the fight. Thankfully just in time.

The maelstrom portal through which Ithaqua would emerge was growing ever larger. The wind itself screamed Ithaqua, and from the corner of the eyes it whipped the snow into the shape of enormous clawed fingers trying to tear the portal open ever wider still.

In desperation Mercury used the small piece of Mjolnir which Knick had given to him. Using it he literally became uru metal, and giving up all inhibitions and attacked Cythonna directly with everything he had. Finally forcing the goddess to give ground. The uru metal form resistant to her cold and magic. But it wasn't enough, the portal was still opening.

Then a twinkling green light appeared in the sky and streaked right at Red Bird who was preparing to attack Cythonna again as well. The green dot resolved itself in front of him. Floating there and sparking, it was a ring. It spoke aloud to him then, and changed the very course of the fight. "Randal McNeil of Earth, you have shown the capacity for great willpower. Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps."

Even unskilled with the ring, the most powerful weapon in the universe turned the tide. Cythonna was pushed back into the Maelstrom and clung screaming as it started dragging her in. Knick, Kon and Osiris arrived from their fight just in time to see Cythonna defeated. But the Ice Goddess stared in abject terror at Knick. Seeing something that clearly nobody else could.

She shrieked over and over that he was dead and gone, looking right at Knick. A strange red light played across Knick, Kon, and Zenight for just a moment, and Knick replied in a slightly deeper voice than normal. "No I am not dead Cythonna, but you are defeated. Again." With a look of fear, and resignation the Goddess then simply let go and vanished into the portal. Trapped in the Yoke of the Elements with Ithaqua, her king, for all eternity.

Randal reported to Oa for training almost immediately, and Alpha Flight was restored. The Wendigo that still existed vanished to the coldest parts of the Northern wilderness again. A lingering threat as always and one very difficult to confront.

As for the secondary reason they came, Knick discovered a massive section of the Comet Empire buried partially in the snow and under the surface of the lake. He resolved to approach the Canadian goverment about removing it as a potential hazard. Within a month the debris was removed, taken by Knick to a secure location where he could study it.

Whatever Happened to the God of Tomorrow: Supergirl

A meteor with a great deal of Kryptonite on it crashed into Gotham Harbor. Investigating it Batman discovered it was in fact a life sustaining pod. A teenaged Kryptonian female is discovered wandering the streets of Gotham. Superman contacted Knick and asked him to look over a battery of test results just to confirm what Batman had already discovered. Several members of the team find Knick asleep early the next morning in the Sanctuary's War Room, a hologram of Kara Zor-El hovering in front of him.

Once again Knick was talking in his sleep, switching through a variety of languages but saying the same word again and again, "Avatar." As he was woke up, he stared at the image of Kara, and in a half awake state said quietly, 'revivication.' It was clear that the dreams were becoming more frequent, and Knick promised he would look into them further still. Likewise he was still working on the translation of the ancient Kryptonian from Abydos. But as a favor to Superman, he wanted to get these results to him first.

Knick and several of his friends were met on the Watchtower by J'onn Jonzz. Superman was running a little behind but would be there soon. It came out in conversation that the Man of Steel was having unusual dreams lately, which brought up the dreams that Knick was having. Superman joined them, and through conversing with Brainiac Delta Five they discovered that Kon, Prime, and Zenith were all also having unusual dreams where they repeated a single word in every language they knew.

J'onn asked to do a scan of Knick's mind. In the course of it something very powerful, but very gentle, removed the Martian. Immediately after Knick and Superman both collapsed. Knick intoning in a trance like state 'Avatar' and Superman 'Champion'.

Brainiac Delta Five informed them that Kon, Prime, and Zenith were all asleep as well. Not to mention Krypto, Nightengayle, and Acme! Moments later they all awoke again and Superman left immediately to check on Kara. Knick and his friends left the Watchtower to try and discover what it all meant. Unknown to the heroes, even Bizarro and Doomsday were being affected.

Whatever Happened to the God of Tomorrow: To Sleep, Perchance to Dream

While brainstorming about it back onboard UNITY, the idea was suggested that perhaps Rao was in some way connected. That simple statement triggered an event that spilled over throughout all of Hypertime. Each and every Kryptonian, in every timeline across all of Hypertime fell immediately into a deep sleep from which they could not be woke up. Across a countless billion billion timelines, they fell from the skies, dropped over asleep at work or even in battle.

They slept, and they each spoke a single word. Even the dead of Brian's world, their bodies perfectly preserved as if they would soon wake up. Their lips moved, and they spoke. Most spoke the same word, the planet they all owed their birth to. But more over they all dreamed of it as well. They all dreamt of a world that many of them had never known. They all dreamt of long dead Krypton.

For two days they were asleep. All hell literally broke lose across Hypertime. Without the Kryptonians assisting in keeping the peace super villains thought it was open season. The other heroes worked double time stopping super criminals that seemed to forget Earth's people had more than just Kryptonians guarding them and keeping them safe. All the while, something travelled back from the end of time. A growing disturbance that was soon detected.

In the dream Krypton had never been destroyed. Kal-En had spent his entire life there. He had known Kon-El since almost the day they were both born. Everyone knew from the way they looked at one another that someday they would be life mates. They had close friends in Sol-Zen, Kal-El, Kal-Ent, and Bri-Ahn among others. But Bri-Ahn was deeply troubled. People whispered he was going mad. He would say over and over again that something terrible was coming. That the world they all knew was a lie.

Kal-En and Kon-El met at the Firefalls of Krypton. Bri-Ahn was there as well, and stummbled over to Kal-En. The fevered, crazed look in his eyes worse than ever. Meanwhile at that exact moment on Earth, he appeared. Floating over top the Daily Planet, tattered purple robes billowing out all around, and glowing red eyes shimmering like hot coals from deep within the inky blackness of the hood. The Time Trapper had come.

Bri-Ahn finally settled in the dream, his voice finally calming and he spoke to Kal-En again. "i remember now Knick, my name is Brian. He is back now Knick. The Time Trapper is back, and he knows about us. You need to wake up now. You all have to. The Time Trapper is on Earth." With those words, the dream just shattered, and all across Hypertime, The Kryptonians woke up once again. Woke up with the feeling that this was not all just a dream. Knick recalled every detail. Kon had been there, and Prime, and Zenith. As well as Brian, and the other human born Superboys of his earth.

Whatever Happened to the God of Tomorrow: Krypton Reborn

Knick remembered others there as well. Superman and Supergirl among others. The strange medical case with the deranged Kryptonian bully that always seemed to speak in reverse, Bizarro? And the museum replica of the prehistoric cave dweller, Doomsday. In flashes it washed over him, so much more than merely a dream.

In Metropolis the Time Trapper finally spoke. In a raspy, broken voice that echoed to every living soul on Earth. "It is over. You stand revealed, your plans transparent. Your day is done now, and with it you are all out of time. The destroyer has come for you old god. Face me in the only place this can end." Then the Time Trapper vanished again.

In the infirmary Knick has a happy reunion with his friends as he Kon, Zenith, and Prime tried to make sense of what happened. When the Kryptonians heard about the Time Trapper, they all saidin a trance like voice simultaneously that he was 50 light years away. Looking between everyone Knick leaped off the medical bed and headed for the War Room, yelling as he did. "I have to...I have to see!"

In the War Room Knick's fingers flew over the keys as he tapped in coordinates that were relayed to Skybot satellite systems spread across the galaxy. To nervous to just say the coordinates out loud. BDV announced as he did so that Bizarro and Doomsday had just appeared in Metropolis, both also apparently waking from a deep, sleep. Prime muyttered to himself "Mistake and Rage, great." But then wondered out loud why he had called them that.

As the holoscreen cleared Knick fell back into his seat, his eyes staring wide at what he saw, but could hardly believe. He answered, numbly all the pertinent questions in the room at once. "You called them that...because we all...we all have a title...a...a purpose...and 50 light years from Earth is the answer...The reason for it all...and...and the Time Trapper." He clicked the final key and stared as it appeared there in space. "That is the answer...Avatar...Avatar of..."

Floating serenely in space was a green and white world that should be dead. Almost exactly 50 light years from Earth, and orbiting a red sun. Reborn, as if from a dream, or perhaps many dreams. The planet Krypton. Quietly Skyboy finished his verse as simultaneously across the multiverse every Kryptonian heard their title finished in their minds as well. "Avatar...of Krypton...."

Skyboy Avatar of Krypton Superman Champion of Krypton Superboy Heart of Krypton Zenith Soul of Krypton Superboy Prime Absolution of Krypton Supergirl Revivication of Krypton Superboy (Brian) Truth of Krypton Bizarro Mistake of Krypton Doomsday Rage of Krypton Krypto Loyalty of Krypton Nightengayle Nobility of Krypton Acme Innocence of Krypton

Whatever Happened to the God of Tomorrow: The Time Trapper

Krypton had returned to the Universe, and the Time Trapper was there, waiting for Rao to face him. The entire team knew they had to go, had to try and help somehow. But first there was the threat posed by Doomsday and Bizarro lose in Metropolis. That would have to be dealt with first, and so the heroes went in force to deal with them.

Doomsday was to strong to fight head on, and they knew it. So the heroes fought to keep the monster off balance instead. The fight was still not going well, especially as Knick seemed to be stricken weak and very tired. Superman and Kara arrived and The Man of Steel ordered Doomsday to stand down. The monster, predictably refused, and instead announced it would kill whatever was out there, after it killed them. Weakly, Knick said for them to use their names.

Mercury figured out what he meant, and yelled for Rage of Krypton and Mistake of Krypton to stop. Both Bizarro, and Doomsday did so looking as confused as anyone. With a pause in the fighting the team explained to Superman that Krypton has returned, and that the Time Trapper was there.

Faced with that realization, they all resolved to go to Krypton immediately before the Trapper did something that might lay waste to the galaxy, like summoning a sun eater from somewhere in the time line. With Randal's aid in the form of a Green Lantern force bubble, the team left for Krypton. Bizarro and Doomsday being brought in a second bubble as well.

On Krypton the various Kryptonians would only maintain their powers a brief time under the red sun. They knew they had to strike hard and fast to have any hope of winning. Knick appeared even weaker, leaning heavily on Kon, and now seeming a bit feverish as they searched for the Time Trapper.

On a small rise, they found him. Mist spilling from under his robes and pooling around him. Things seeming to move within it from time to time. The Trapper addressed them almost immediately. Noting that Rao had brought his children, the Trapper said he would bring some of his.

Whatever Happened to the God of Tomorrow: Dark Truths

With an ear splitting *BOOM* monsters, psychos, mad men, and worse still appeared in legions from all across time. The heroes were so vastly out numbered it was staggering. Under a red sun defeating them all would mean having almost nothing left for the Time Trapper.

But Mercury was already beggining to realize a terrible truth. Something he felt inside like ice water spreading through him. He shouted for the Time Trapper to reveal himself even as Hero Zero charged at the villain. Randal created a giant hand to yank away the hood. But it was hardly needed. From within the hood, the Trappers eyes glowed red.

I am The Destroyer. Cast to the very end of Time. Red Glowing eyes. BOOM

The hood shredded as two beams of zig zagging brilliant red energy lanced out and crashed into Hero Zero's chest like an atom bomb. The remains torn away by Randal's emerald fist. The Time Trapper stood revealed, the ruined, cracked and gaunt face was well known to the team. Darkseid the Destroyer. The very Darkseid they had defeated when he absorbed almost all of Hypertime. The Darkseid they had all believed gone forever.

The entire horizon behind Darkseid became his wasted, ruined face, which he then spoke through. "You nearly destroyed me! With Hypertime restarted I was cast to the ends of time itself! To the vanishing point, where perfect entropy insures all things end! I realized there as I healed, spared from the entropy by the residual power I still maintained. That I was Darkseid, The Destroyer! It was not my destiny to merely control the anti-life equation! I was destined to absolutely END Life. All Life In ALL times. But to do so required careful movement through time. One thing that had to happen, the elimination of Superman. You thought I merely wished to erase Superboy from Hypertime. Fools, my goals were always larger, so very much larger. But even before you could die Man of Steel, there was another to contend with. Always in the way, from the very start. Manipulations through all of time itself, and always you were in the way! Isn't that right, Rao? Show yourself Old God!"

Skyboy floated into the air, like a puppet hanging by strings. Suddenly the skyline behind the heroes took on another face. An older warrior, in golden armor, bronzing with age, but still shining like a sun. His features noble, but also tired. His voice paternal, like that of a father. "Be of good faith, my children. For you do not fight alone." The light shimmering from his armor invigorated solar receptive cells, there would be no fear of being depowered any longer from lack of a yellow sun. Superman's eyes went wide and he whispered it, as perhaps only he could. "Great Rao..." Great Rao indeed. The God of Tomorrow, had returned.

Carry On My Wayward Sons

This was the moment Darkseid had sought. Long had he labored to get to this point. As the Time Trapper It seemed that he was active only in the distant 30th century, that all of his designs were focused on that time and that one alone.defeated time and time again by the Legion of Super heroes, the Time Trapper still sought dominion only then, in that time. The reason for his single mindedness was never known.

In truth it was because his most powerful enemy was never the Legion. Rather it was a god that was old when the New Gods were just being born into the universe. Rao, the god of long dead Krypton. Rao who had maneuvered through time, positioning things for a final confrontation to stop the Time Trapper once and for all. His strategies bringing all of them to the surface of Krypton reborn, for a final battle that would decide the fate of time itself, and all living things.

The Time Trapper's face loomed across the horizon, staring with undisguised hatred at the spectral form of his most hated and intractable foe. "Finally you face me Old God! At last you have come home to die. Your strength wanes, your plans unravel. The begging of the End begins with the death of you and your children."

Skyboy's body hung limp in the air, burning with fever as his body played host to the power of a God. Avatar of Krypton, and Rao himself. The spectral form of Rao replied in a quiet, yet stern voice. "This is the begging of the End, yes. But by your own hubris, your own certainty. It is the beggining of the end of you Darkseid." His voice over layed with the much weaker, but more familiar voice of Skyboy as he spoke.

Darkseid mocked the strength and determination of the gathered heroes, indicating that he could summon legions. To prove his point he spread his arms wide. But no BOOM followed, and it was only then that Darkseid realized his mistake. Krypton was no longer in the prime material plane, where time was a factor. Rao had shifted it to the Astral Plane where time was meaningless. Darkseid was a Time Trapper who was fresh out of time.

In a mad rage the god directed the minions he had already summoned to attack. But Rao spoke quietly again as well. "Rage of Krypton, Mistake of Krypton." Doomsday and Bizarro launched themselves against the minions, smashing into them like tsunamis. Darkseid would recieve no help from that quarter it appeared. Rao called to the gathered heroes to attack, and show no quarter, for Darkseid was without mercy. Something all the heroes did, save Mercury.

Mercury was shaken to the core. For months he had avoided the beach, been terrified of anything that sounded like a BOOM. He had hidden it sometimes, but now faced with the very reason for those fears he was paralyzed. Darkseid noticed him even as the other heroes attacked and directly addressed him. "Ahhhh Yes. I remember you. You were the first to fall in our last confrontation. Let history repeat itself then!" Darkseid's eyes glowed, and the Omega Effect was released again.

Few things can dodge the Omega Effect. It tracks it's target relentlessly, so that it never misses. But some things could intercept it, as Knick and Mercury both had proven. Prime shouted as the beams zig zagged at Mercury. "NO! Not Again!!!" With a speed faster than he had ever travelled, Prime intercepted the beams, taking them in the chest and getting tumbled right past Mercury where he lay still, breathing shallowly. Absolution, forgiveness of Krypton.

The shock of seeing Clark injured that way drove Mercury into a rage, he attacked alongside his fellow heroes. Still untrained with her powers Supergirl was sent to protect Skyboy, while the others attacked in force. Darkseid was thrown and tumbled by the titanic power of the massive Hero Zero and Mercury. Punched with a strength unrivaled in the form of Superman holding nothing back. Then tackled to the ground by Superboy. The Teen of Steel only knew that Darkseid had to be defeated, maybe had to die to get Knick back. If that was true he was going to beat him to death himself.

The fight was brutal, violent like no fight they had ever been a part of. The stakes as high as anything the team has ever faced. Darkseid's Omega Effect lashed across the image of Rao, but it was Knick that showed the grevious wounds, screaming briefly before flopping like a puppet once again. Superboy screamed as well and dashed to Knick's side begging Rao to let him help him. That they were supposed to be one under Rao's gaze. Kon floated into the air, hand locked in Knick's and joined him there. Heart of Krypton.

Pieces of the mad god chipped away under the fury of the heroes absolute attack. Right up until Darkseid skidded to a stop at Superman's feet. Lifted into the air by Mercury, Darkseid stared at the Man of Steel, who then drew back and punched the mad god in the face. It splintered like rock, and with a bright flash of light only tattered robes drifted to the ground. Champion of Krypton. The Time Trapper, Darkseid, was no more.

Carry On My Wayward Sons: Tragedy and Triumph

The heroes took a moment to collect themselves, as Rao smiled down at them with a sad, but proud look. Around them Krypton was once again coming to life now that the cancer was removed. Darkseid's minions, as well as Bizarro and Doomsday appeared to be gone. Superman pointed to Rao and asked him to now release Superboy and Skyboy. The two super teens slumped to the surface of the reborn world and Superboy started to move. Only to freeze in place, tears starting immediately. His voice hollow, and choked with pain as he spoke. "I can't feel him."

From the day they were joined Kon and Knick often felt what the other felt. They could hear one another's thoughts, even finish one another's sentences. Now, for the first time since that day Kon could no longer feel Knick. Which could only mean one thing. Skyboy, Knick Alen, Kal-En of Krypton, was dead.

Superboy screamed and physically flung himself at Rao, restrained only by Superman. Knick's body looked younger, as Kara pointed out. Much as he had looked in the shared dream most of them had been a part of. Knick's friends sank down next to him, unable to believe what they were seeing. They each glared up at the God of Krypton, and Superman demanded an explanation. As the stars appeared once more in the sky, Rao nodded.

Rao looked at the grief, with a sad look in his eyes. "To answer your questions, I must tell you a story. A story from some time ago now." He looked down at Skyboy's body and heaveed a heavy sigh. "Once upon a time, a child of Krypton came to Earth. It was not this Earth, in fact it no longer exists since Hypertime was reborn. That boy was Kal-En." The very air seemed to change around them all, images formed to relate the story he narrated.

Skyboy appeared in a costume none of them had ever seen. The first costume he ever wore looked much more Kryptonian in origin, blue and maroon in color. Knick looked exactly as he did now, younger then the others knew him. "Kal-En made friends easily on Earth, both male and female. But one in particular had stolen his heart." An image appeared, suprising some of those present, as it was a girl around 17 years old. She was lovely, and radiant like a goddess.

Rao continued to relate his tale as the others looked on. "A daughter of Aphrodite, an Earth Goddess. She cared for Kal-En, but not quite in the manner he felt for her. Other Earth women however wished his attentions." Images of various women appeared, three more in particular standing out. "In time Kal-En's attention to the demi-goddess caused her nature to turn against him. She charged him with harming women by neglecting the attention of those others whom had an interest in him. Rather than fight one he had come to love, who at times seemed to love him as well, he sought to leave the Earth. Flying high above, he tried to reach his mentor and wait for him on the edge of space. In his grief, he held his breath far to long and passed out. He fell back to Earth."

The image of Skyboy falling to Earth played out in slow motion as the others watched on. He struck the Earth and laid unmoving deep in a swampy wilderness. The impact was so real it could very nearly be felt. "Several days later, he woke up, with only the most passing memories of those that harmed him. He went on to discover other loves, but never another who was female again."

Other images flittered past of some of those Skyboy had loved on other Earths. None of them really looked familiar to those present save one. Dominick Mitsobar T'Drachim, who existed on this world still as a weather elemental. "He went on to become the hero you and others all came to know. But what nobody knew, even Skyboy, was the day he fell to Earth. He died."

The image shifted back to Skyboy laying in the swamp again. But this time Rao appeared above him and laid on the ground in the same position Skyboy was in. Slowly the image of Rao vanished, and Skyboy blinked and woke up. Wobbling and taking to the air flying towards a city far off in the distance.

Carry on My Wayward Sons: The Final Truths

The heroes were stunned, the implication was lost on nobody there. Prime was the first to find his voice though and pointed at the god accusingly. Screaming at Rao that all this time it was him, he had been controlling Knick all along. But Rao assured them that was not the case. He looked to the stars as he continued his story.

"When you destroyed Darkseid, when he became The Time Trapper, you made him unique. Across all of Hypertime there were many Darkseids. Many versions of Apokalypse and it's dark lord. But there was only one Time Trapper. Reborn at the precise moment that hypertime was. Able to see across time, and seek out enemy and ally alike anywhere IN time or Hypertime."

Rao took a deep breath allowing that to sink in. "If he always knew where I was, what I was doing, then he would be unbeatable. He knew I existed somewhere in this heroic age, if only because of my Champion." Rao nodded at Superman. "But he could not locate where, as I remained deep inside of Kal-En, dormant. My plans already long since set into motion. So much sacraficed, so very much. Starting with Krypton itself, and ending here and now with Kal-En."

Rao shook his head sadly as he continued. "Darkseid knew that Kal-El would always stand in his way. To keep Darkseid from destroying Krypton, I allowed it to be destroyed. It was the first sacrafice I made in my efforts to stop him. I travelled to Earth, as it would someday be the birthplace of a new race of immortals."

" I hoped to give birth to that race early, as a means of stopping Darkseid. I was known as Ptah, and the Egyptian Gods were my children. But the other pantheons of earth took umbrage to my desires to elevate humanity, whom they considered their charges. I was forced to leave the earth, and begin anew once more."

"The humans of earth remembered me, and recorded that history in the temple on Abydos. It was there I first started to wake, in that temple dedicated to me. I had to act to keep Kal-En from translating the histories found there and suspecting the truth to soon. Even so he discovered enough to make the connection between myself and the earth pantheons. It was only fortunate that he was not ale to make contact with them, and discover the truth far to soon. Kal-En was a part of destiny, but also invisible to it. Even I couldn't be certain what he would do."

Rao stared once again at Skyboy's body as he spoke. "I tried many gambits afterwards. Darkseid and I played a game through time. Move and counter move. Always he was able to predict where I was, and so I needed to revisit my first idea. Across hundreds of timelines Krypton was destroyed, not by natural disaster. But instead by an alien invasion."

Rao looked back to the others as he continued. "The very alien species that Earth encountered recently on the distant planet of Abydos. Kryptonian probes sent to earth in each of those time lines elevated worthy human beings. Granting them powers not unlike one of my children. Human beings, becoming as Kryptonians. The souls of my long dead children taking refuge within them."

Rao paused and looks to Superboy a moment, it was not that different from Kon, a Kryptonian born as a human being. "They were dangerous time lines however. Laced with deadly Kryptonite as well as other threats. The mortality rate was sadly high."

All around them spectral images of Kryptonian people could be seen slowly forming. Immaterial and translucent still, but with each passing moment becoming more real. "In each instance however, a perfectly preserved Kryptonian was left behind. In that way, my people were held in waiting. Waiting for a day when they could be reborn once more...On Krypton reborn. They only awaited a sign that the final battle was to begin. Just awaiting a sign." He looked then to Supergirl and smiled softly. Revivification.

The Kryptonian god looked around as his people started to return, his story nearing the end. "Secure that my peole would live again, and that Darkseid would surely make his presence known with a revived Krypton, all there was to do was wait. Hide in a place he could not find me. That place was Kal-En."

"Himself an aspect of my Champion, the only survivor of his Krypton in his time line. Further he became invisible to destiny in his battle against Brainiac. Even as the Time Trapper Darkseid could not perceive what his actions would be. Not that he would ever think to try. It was a place Darkseid would never look. As he could never conceive of willingly abstaining from the use of one's power. That one could trust in his children to rise to the challenges they would face, and over come them."

"That the Time Trapper would find one of the worlds where my children were held in waiting, and use it to launch his own plan was a dark coincidence. Seeking to eliminate Superboy from Hypertime, and thus by extension Superman as well. Kal-En dreamed of it however, and with help from the heroes of that Earth he prevented that from occuring. It was then I knew the time had come, that I must begin to rise fully once more."

"Cythonna recognized me wihin Kal-En. Thankfully before she could call attention to me, she was sealed away. Then recently several of you recognized my presence as sell. By then it was to to late to matter though. That Darkseid knew where I was now did not matter, as Krypton's reappearance was a beacon meant to call him here to his defeat. A defeat that all of you have now completed."

Rao's tale finished, he fell silent and watched the heroes. Most of them were trying to absorb all that they had just learned. Kon was inconsolable, and lost to anything being said. But Superman spoke up, asking a question on several other minds as well. If Krypton's people would live again, wouldn't Knick as well? Several others looked up at the god wondering the same. Rao smiled in a sad way and explained that Knick might live again someday, in some form. Though having served as the avatar for his power, and existing outside the confines of destiny it was uncertain to even him.

That wasn't good enough for Mercury who demanded that Rao bring Knick back. Rao replied in a sad tone, looking weary. Rao spread his hands and gestured to the phantom world of Krypton. People, and places as far as the eye could see moving like whisps of vapor and mist. "My power shall restore Krypton here, and summon it's people from hundreds of time lines. Cured of the Kryptonite radiation, they will populate this world. A world reborn from thr dreams of my children. From here their choices will give rise to Krypton being reborn all across hypertime."

Kryptonians born as human beings. In many ways a new species, so very similar to Superboy. Heart of Krypton. "But my power has already touched Kal-En. Restored him from death once before. To do so again would require that I once again dwell within him. Then my power could not be spread to this world and it's people. Kal-En is the Avatar of Krypton, and because of him it will be reborn. Ask yourself, you who all know him so well. Would he chose himself, his life, over the planet and it's people?"

They all knew the answer, as much as it pained them inside to admit it. No, Knick would give up his life if given the choice so that Krypton could live. Rao began to slowly fade, even as the spectral images seemed to grow more distinct. "Krypton is being reborn. The dreams of my children even now still shaping it. Think of him. Hold onto him. Dream of him. Perhaps then Krypton's Avatar may well live on as well someday in more...then just....your dreams.... Now Krypton must slumber alone, so that it can awaken once more. Farewell my children, Until All Are One..." Then Rao was gone and in a blink of an eye the heroes were returned to Earth, without Knick's body.

Immediately Superboy lost it, pounding on the ground he screamed No, over and over. Shockwaves sending everyone present, even Superman staggering or outright airborne. Before anyone could approach Kon though, Wonder Boy appeared to comfort the cloned Kryptonian Teen. He explained that the fates had not yet snipped Knick's thread, that his life was as ever, entwined with theirs. It was a small comfort, but enough to offer hope. Hope that someone they loved would come back to them someday soon. Hope, and Love.

50 light years away a planet and it's people were being reborn. Among them, Jer-En and Sar-En of Krypton. With birth, so must always come Hope, and among these people especially, love was equally powerful. A galaxy away a Blue Light began to shine and in another far distant corner, a Violet beacon began to glow as well. A great darkness, a prophecised blackness, was slowly beggining to form. For with the rebirth of Krypton, the scales had to be balanced once more. But if there was one thing that always cut so completely through the blackest dark, It was light, and Light came in Many...Many colors.

The Last Chapter of Whatever Happened to The God of Tomorrow. Carry on My Wayward Sons

Carry on my wayward son There'll be peace when you are done Lay your weary head to rest Don't you cry no more

Once I rose above the noise and confusion Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion I was soaring ever higher But I flew too high Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man Though my mind could think I still was a mad man I hear the voices when I'm dreaming I can hear them say

Carry on my wayward son There'll be peace when you are done Lay your weary head to rest Don't you cry no more

Masquerading as a man with a reason My charade is the event of the season And if I claim to be a wise man, well It surely means that I don't know On a stormy sea of moving emotion Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean I set a course for winds of fortune But I hear the voices say!

Carry on my wayward son There'll be peace when you are done Lay your weary head to rest Don't you cry no more

The Blackest Night

~~Time flows unencumbered heralding the rebirth of a sun.~~ ~~Light shines as new across a universe.~~ ~~From within ancient darkness death's hunger gnaws.~~ ~~With the eclipse so comes the blackest night.~~ ~~Six rings together burn blazing white.~~ ~~An heir of Primus to harness the light.~~ ~~A light to raise up an elders lost race.~~ ~~A light to cast down death's cold embrace.~~

The Prophecy of the Blackest Night, according to the Book of Oa

The Blackest Night: Dawn of Darkness

It was a month after Krypton's rebirth. A terrible malignant force was creeping across the cosmos. As it approached a world a black ring would encircle it and drain it of all life. Leaving behind only the dead, but animated creatures in it's wake. Entire planets full of zombie like creatures. Men, women, children, and animals alike. All slaves to The Blackest Night.

Smugglers fleeing a planet that was infected managed to take indistinct pictures of the attack as they jumped into hyperspace. The prophecy of the Blackest Night playing over and over in their minds driving them nearly insane.

They arrived on Tendax, and were arrested. But the images they captured and the prophecy were relayed immediately to Earth. Information that took longer to arrive than it might once have. The presence of Krypton in the cosmos again created a need to realign the entire Skybot relay satellite network.

When the message arrived the heroes of Unity responded. Though feeling lost without Knick, they knew that if he were there he would have investigated. So they resolved to as well. Along the way, they planned to realign the satellite system, visit Cybertron about the Prophecy, and stop at New Krypton to see how it had progressed over the month since it's rebirth.

Superboy agreed to go along when he heard about the mission. The first real sign of any initiative he had had. Secretly he planned to recover Knick's body. Mo matter how many Kryptonians he would have to go through to do it. Knick belonged on Earth, alive or dead, not Krypton.

Just as they were prepared to leave however, Randal was recalled to Oa. A cosmis crisis required the presence of the entire Green Lantern Corps. Along the way he was to pick up a new recruit from sector 2813. The sector which was the home to both New Krypton, and Cybertron as well. Both places the team wished to visit.

The Blackest Night: Journey to Cybertron

The prophecy, which they had learned through Tendax as well as various other contacts contained the name Primus. From their time among the Transformers species they knew that their god was named Primus. It seemed like a good place to start looking for information. Along the way they repositioned the satellites allowing for much faster communication.

It was in orbit of Cybertron that Randal met the new recruit. Prowl, of the Autobots was now a Green Lantern. While practicing with his ring he had seen a strange phenomenon he felt the Oans should be aware of. Multiple colored lantern rings were flying through the sector. Several even making their way to Cybertron itself. Red, Yellow, Orange, Blue, and Violet shaded rings darting like fireflies through space.

Prowl lead the team to Cybertron, and radioed a message to Optimus Prime to meet them. Upon hearing of the prophecy, Optimus clearly could see that his species was involved. Tied once more to Earth, as well as so many other worlds. He resolved to use the Matrix, to travel within it and seek the wisdom of the ancient autobot leaders within. Prowl and Randal would have to leave though, as they were expected on Oa.

Granted quarters on Cybertron, the heroes were suprised when Optimus returned much sooner than anyone thought he would. The wisdom of the ancients now known to him, though as ever enigmatic and cryptic. Prime's message seemed to fit into the prophecy well though, so nobody doubted the truth of it. When the blackest night descended, only the Matrix would light their darkest hour.

Across the sector, Prowl and Randal were within several light minutes of New Krypton when they saw it. An inky black malignent stain that seemed to move across the sun like an amoeba, reaching for the planet. Like a plague of locusts, the dessicated, blackened zombie hands of the Blackest Night reached out to strangle the life out of new born Krypton.

The Blackest Night: Trials and Tributes

Making a decision as the senior Lantern, Randal sent Prowl on to Oa as he had potentially vital information that the Guardians might need. But not before he had the Autobot Lantern send a message for help to Cybertron. On the planet Optimus recieved the message and prepared immediately to dispatch aid. The heroes of Earth left in advance as they were prepared, with a ready shuttle. Rushing to both Randal, and New Krypton's aid.

When the heroes arrived, they saw Randal trying to keep the undead swarm away from the planet with a massive green wall between them and it. Already the sheer numbers were overwhelming it though. Without a moments thought for their safety, all of them started to defend the planet. Heavy fighting in space and the upper atmosphere gave way to ground fighting as well.

With literally millions of zombie like minions, the heroes were forced into hand to hand combat with the unrelenting horde. Fortunately there were Autobots on New Krypton already assisting with rebuilding. Perceptor and Omega Supreme offered their aid as well. The zombies from a dozen dead worlds fell like rain to the planet below.

Superboy was the first to realize where they were, almost immediately in fact. The open field in the middle of the capital city of Kryptonopolis was where it had happened. Where Knick had died. As Omega Supreme moved, wading into the undead, they all saw it for the first time. A monument constructed of a marble like stone native to the planet. Laying in a transparent sarcaophagus on a raised dais, was Knick. The second battle for New Krypton occurring where the first had been decided. The Avatar of Krypton's memorial.

The realization of where they were, and what the zombie like monsters would destroy, spurred the heroes like a fan to flames. Slowly the bulk of the horde was pushed back. Nate Grey scanned a zombie mind and was amazed at what he found. Touching that mind was similar to touching Hero Zero's mind. The zombies were being controlled by some kind of artificial intelligence!

With Perceptor's help they were able to create a counter harmonic wave and broadcast it to literally shut the zombies off. New Krypton was saved as the zombies dissapeared into an oily black mist. Even though it was a victory, It was lost on nobody that the effort to stop the signal took every bit of energy they could manage to generate, and over only a small area. All to stop a signal beings broadcast from light years distant. The same tactic would never work on a larger scale, so much closer to the source.

Another realization dawned on the heroes as well. The prophecy spoke of an eclipse coming before the Blackest Night, and there had been no eclipse of the star Rao prior to the attack. The Blackest Night had never really come to New Krypton at all. It had all been just a diversion.

Across the sector, the Cybertonian forces prepared to launch in aid of New Krypton. All eyes looked above astheir sun began to eclipse. The Blackest Night had come for Cybertron. It had come for the Matrix, which according to prophecy would be needed to end the darkness. Without it, there would be no hope.

The Blackest Night: Cybertron's Darkest Hour

The heroes rushed to leave for Cybertron, even as Mark 2 brought UNITY into orbit around New Krypton to defend it from any further hostilities. Superboy however was not fit to join them. Seeing Knick's shrine, Kon was just unable to go on and so remained behind. Starchild arrived first on scene and saw it. But the shuttle was not so far behind with it's long ranged sensors.

A massive planet like structure, black as space itself, with a gaping maw within it. Malevolent purple and black light pulsed rhythmically from within, and each time more undead were vomitted out. So massive it was larger than Cybertron itself, blocking out the sun.

Around it, like angry hornets buzzing around their hive, were literally billions of zombie like minions. The undead inhabitants of more than a dozen worlds whose life was consumed as it travelled here to Cybertron. Already they swarmed down and across the planet. Tearing even the machine species apart with sheer numbers and savagery.

Seeing such a sight, the heroes were scared, but they bravely pressed on to help their allies. Finding Optimus Prime the heroes rallied to him and prepared to try and defend against the unimaginable. The surface of the planet literally looked like a sea of the undead. So thick they climbed over top of one another attempting to attack anything that was not one of them. Aliens from multiple worlds, animals of literally thousands of species. Like army ants, they tore apart everything in their path, destroying vast areas of the planet. All the while the Blackest Night moved relentlessly closer.

Reinforcements from Earth had arrived, and even the Decepticons had been released and reactivated to fight for the planet. But the resources that would have been required to create another jamming device had already been lost to the Blackest Night. Even assuming they could have made one large enough.

Randal recieved a message from Oa, that the entire Green Lantern Corps was converging on his position to lend their support. Almost simultaneously Mercury pieced together a part of the prophecy. He realized they would need the other ring colors as well. A call went out all across the planet. Now, they had to hope they could gather them in time.

The Blackest Night: May The Light Shine Forever

Twenty minutes passed, but it seemed more like hours. Then the Autobot Blaster recieved news, they had incoming ring weilders. But they were all Decepticons! Nate used his telepathy to look into a zombie's mind again, and this time The Blackest Night was there staring back at him. Knowing where he was, where the Matrix was. But Nate did learn things as well.

The Blackest Night dated back to the time of Krypton and Cybertron's origins. It had been bested by the combined power of Primus and Rao at the dawn of their species. The defeat of Imperiex so many months ago had slowly caused it to begin powering up once more. Perhaps to finish what Imperiex had failed to, perhaps just some cosmic irony or accident. Or just maybe, there was truth to the notion that for each light, there had to be darkness.

Megatron arrived mere moments later leading eleven other Decepticons. The Stunticons, and another group that called themselves The Terracons. The two combined teams merged to their more powerful group configurations. The combined Stunticons, Menasor, wore a massive yellow ring. It weilded the yellow light of Fear. The combined form of the Terracons, Abominus, wore an equally massive red ring. The color of mindless, and all consuming Rage. One more Decepticon joined as well, Starscream. An orange nimbus of light either around him or forming the Decepticon. It was hard to say, but the Orange glow of Avarice was present as well.

Literally arriving on scene with a crush, crumble and chomp the Dinobots smashed their way to the scene of the battle through several damaged buildings. With them Rodimus Prime, leader of the Autobot forces from Earth. Their forces significantly bolstered now the group believed they could hold out until further help arrived. But above them, the Blackest Night had finally come into position, it now knew where they were.

With a sound that shattered every reinforced piece of glass on cybertron, including more then a few optics, it happened. The Blackest Night shifted, and began to change. Grinding and, folding out, opening up, transforming! Until finally it floated in space in a colossal bipedal form! It's head as large as Earth's moon, it stared down at the planet, and malevolent black light issued forth from it's eyes like search lights.

In a mockery of respiration, zombies routinely billowed forth from it's mouth as though it were exhaling. In it's chest, where a heart would have been on a living person, there was a power battery. Not unlike the type the various lantern corps used to charge their rings, but as large as the state of New Jersey.

Black as the abyss, it thrummed and pumped like a real heart might. The Blackest Night declared in a voice that was like a super volcano, erupting. Bubbling full of hate and malice like a lava flow. All who defended the Matrix would die, and then return to serve it.

The sight of the titan was daunting. But Mercury called to his fellow heroes reminding them of all they had done. They had toppled gods and monsters before, and this was just one more. He inspired his friends with what they needed most right then, hope. But the Blackest Night was unmoved by the attacks that sprang from the planet in response. It raised it's massive arm and prepared to destroy the world with one crushing blow.

Randal used his ring to try and hold an arm larger than a mountain range back. In that effort he was joined by Menasor. They slowed it, but it was clear it would still fall. Nate Grey was virtually power incarnate though. With his mind he harnessed the power of Cybertron's electromagnetic lines and focused them. Giving the planet Cybertron itself a means to defend itself.

Launching that energy with his TK nearly killed him. His body unable to cope with the staggering poser his mind could wield. But the blast ripped a hole in the chest of the Blackest Night as large as the Grand Canyon! Sending it reeling back away from the planet. The black power battery was damaged as well, shards of it falling from above. Almost immediately the zombie hordes stopped flowing. One of the shards of the black battery was taken by Starscream, whose sense of Avarice compelled him to have it.

The fight waged on, even as the Blackest Night approached Cybertron once again. Hero Zero was confronted by what appeared to be a small alien zombie animal, the equivalent of an Earth puppy by appearances. Something that was confirmed by the Zero computer that guided him. The sight of it very nearly breaking the heart of the young man inside the metal giant. Compassion, even for an enemy.

Nate used the last of his strength to fire a weaker electromagnetic burst, quietly dedicating the attack to Knick who had given his all to save another world a month before. He was on the verge of passing out as he thought of the young Kryptonian that had given him a home, and love. The blast again inflicted damage, but not as much. The Blackest Night approached the planet again, ponderously as it moved through space inexorably for the kill.

Blue, Violet, and Indigo lights danced out of the sky. Hovering before several people below. Simultaneously they addressed them.

Edward Resilver of Earth, you have shown the capacity of great Hope. Nathaniel Grey of Earth, you have shown the capacity for great love. David McRae of Earth, you have shown the capacity for great compassion.

The Blackest Night: The White Light

The prophesized lights were united at last. The lights they needed to focus through the Matrix of Leadership. Optimus Prime was carried by Nate high into the air as the ring bearers gathered. Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, Red, Yellow, and Orange trained their rings on the Matrix and released their light. The Matrix shimmered as the beams melded, and merged until it blazed with a brilliant white light. In a proud, triumphant voice Optimus Prime intoned. "Now, light our Darkest Hour!"

The white light lanced out like a spear, passing through the heart of the Blackest Night and shattering it completely. The giant reeled backward, as the zombie hordes all vanished in inky black, oily clouds. The beam lanced right through the monster, where it continued into deep space. Seconds later the Red Star Rao across the sector winked out, before blazing to life once again, now a renewed brilliant white.

The Blackest Night was damaged, perhaps critically. The explosion of it's battery sent Megatron hurtling back to Cybertron, bellowing in utter agony. Something having struck the Decepticon leader from the sky. Starscream promptly declared himself Decepticon Leader. Some things never changed after all.

The Blackest Night had been driven back several light days by the power of the attack. But with a robotic single mindedness it crept forward once again, intent on destroying the planet Cybertron. The Matrix still glowed with a brilliant white light. But the Prophecy had been filled, there would be no second attack.

The heroic defenders that remained rose from the planet and attacked directly. The Blackest Night now seemed like a zombie itself, moving with a lurching, dead gait through space itself. Dedicated to destroying the planet that had destroyed it. Minutes stretched by, and the Titan moved ever closer.

In a flash of hyperdrive light the starship UNITY appeared. Rao and Primus, two ancient gods that had been allies. Now their children came to the aid of one another. The empowered Kryptonians wobbly took flight and launched like bullets at the planet sized world killer, literally thousands of them. Another several hundred Skybots joining them for the final battle.

The Blackest Night: The Return of the Avatar

Even from a distance the heroes of Earth could see the bridge of the ship. There directing the main guns to fire was Mark Two, with Kon standing next to him. At least they believed so until Mark Two flew up to them outside. Waving cheerfully as the android always did. No, it was not Mark Two on the bridge of the ship, it was Knick. Alive once again, with the rebirth of the star Rao.

Knick had known nothing but peace, and warmth since coming to this place. Yet his heart ached, as though he had lost something. Something he couldn't fully remember, just random images of blue eyes, and a beautiful smile. Random faces that almost came into focus and then melted away like mist before the sun. There was something working to keep him from remembering, sparing him grief maybe? But as powerful as the force was, it wasn't able to stop the pain entirely.

Then, something flashed so white that Knick took a great gasping breath. His body felt electric, renewed. It forced him to open his eyes again, eyes that had been closed for some time. He was laid inside a crystal clear sarcophagus, dressed in ceremonial robes like those he wore at his life mate ceremony.

There above him, leaned over the cover and crying, was Kon-El. His lifemate's blue eyes wide with shock, his expression beyond any possible hope that what he saw was real. That beautiful smile starting to spread across his face, despite the tear tracks still there. In that instance Knick knew exactly what he had been missing.

The Blackest Night continued to try lumbering forward, like a zombie itself with it's heart was shattered. Massive chunks of the world killer were ripped away. It's eyes shattered under punches as strong as atomic bombs. The Green Lantern Corp, and members of the other nascient corps arrived. As well the Xandarian Nova corps, and the Shi-Ar Imperial Guard. From all corners of the uiniverse forces began to arrive, and each of them rained destruction down. The Blackest Night had ended, and a new bright day would begin.

Something evil's watching over you Comin' from the sky above And there's nothing you can do

Prepare to Strike To fight with all you're might When your caught within the Shadow

Of the coming Blackest Night!

Strong enough to break the bravest heart So we have to pull together No we can't stay worlds apart

To stand divided we will surely fall Until our darkest hour When the light will save us all!

Another judgment day and now we've made our stand Now the powers of the darkness Have be driven from our land!

Our worlds will heal and our wounds will mend But as long as evil rises it will Never Be The End! This Battle's over but the war has just begun

And this way it will remain Til the day when all are one!!!

The Blackest Night: The Brightest Days

Over the next six months, life returned to some sense of normal. Knick was traumatized for a time, retreating into a very analytical mindset. He had been changed by the ordeal, somewhat younger than he had been physically. Old memories were new again, overlapped with more current ones which was confusing for him. Feeling so very mortal, he developed more and more powerful weapons to compensate, much to his friends and parents concern.

He held back little with his powers, as displayed in a breakout at the Slab, a meta-human prison in Metropolis. Then once again in a battle against the meta-human Typhoon. A battle that brought to the team another ally in the form of Aang. A young man with the mystical ability to harness and command the elements. The first new addition to Unity in some time, but only the first of many to come.

Knick's parents were a part of his life again, and they approved of the life their son had made for himself. Strathazed arrived, and he too grudgingly admitted that Knick had become most of what he had wished. His old mentor mellowing somewhat with old friends having been returned. Sar-En finished the work she started with Knick. Curing the dependency to remain on Krypton, and the Kryptonian species was truly introduced to the universe once again.

Knick split his time between Earth and Krypton, perhaps slowing his recovery. But Kon and his friends, his team mates, his family who he loved, never stopped trying to reach him. Slowly, they did, as more and more Knick became recognizeable once again. With a new costume, and new technology Knick was Skyboy once more, as opposed to just Kal-En of Krypton. Once again ready to take up the responsibilities he had been neglecting. One of them, watching Hypertime for any potential threats.

A random search of nearby Hypertimes turned up a Earth on the cusp of being lost to Brainiac. Knick was unsure if it was the Brainiac he knew, or another, but he was determined to help either way. Making trips to that Earth with friends from his own, they set about doing what ever they could to help turn the tide.

Human beings had been infected with a nanyte technology called exobytes. Radically increasing the number of heroes, and sadly villains as well. A vast number of those new heroes were around Knick's age. A new team was born on that Earth, Young Unity, and once again Knick was splitting his time between time lines. New challenges would surely await. New friends, new loves, and new enemies. But that was to be expected, that was the life of a hero after all. Because really there was... Never Never The End.