Normally when you include another woman into the mix in most stories and events they come with a load of luggage. But given that Megan was a talented shape shifter all of her clothes, make up, jewelry, etc were just part of her body. So Megan came back to the hotel with us, the only thing she brought with her was her wallet that contained her ID. Something that she had obtained with her Uncle J'onn's help. Lash snagged the ID and double checked it, and sent a request to Shield and Sword for a remake. They said it would be finished by morning. That way Megan Morse would be a real person at least in the mundane world!

Megan nearly fainted at the sight of our hotel rooms, and squealed in delight at the size of her own room. It was nearly four in the morning by the time they made it to their rooms so they all jumped into pj's and into bed for some sleep. Lash like the acting parent and guardian that he was picked up after them, and put away their cloths. Once everything was settled he went to retrieve the mobile Enchanting tool kit and started his work on the fertility charms.

While he created, or pulled the materials from his storage. (Orichalcum is a form of currency) he activated Parallel Minds, Virtual Intelligence, and Connectivity. He checked his email, his Warden page, and sent IM's to his friends, 'family', and pack mates telling them of his adventures. Li'Ana, Soluna, and Jessabell asked about the Fertility Charm job. Of course as his envoys for their respective courts they would know about it. But Lash was confused why he hadn't been asked to make one for the Under Fae? He told Soluna that he was capable making one for them and she said she would get back to him about it.

Lash looked through the world news and wanted to hide under his bed at the devastation that the tidal wave had caused. It had only been a few weeks since the attack and he was caught asking himself the same question he had been asking before. Why wasn't he traveling from coastal city to coastal city helping with the relief effort? Because the Warden, and Super-Natural council asked him not to. Right after the peace conference with Atlantis the UN wanted to arrest Wraith and blame him for the act of War. He was later cleared, but his public appearance was at a all time low right now. Starling City still liked him! But that was about it, even his home town Gotham didn't like him right now.

Atlantis needed to help patch things up before Wraith would be allowed to publicly participate in missions, and cities openly. Things were going well on that front, in some sort of sense. Atlantis was the target and subject of a lot of hate. But they were already working on their public image by providing relief aid to the coastal cities affected. Especially when it came to coastal, and tropical storms. Atlantis had a tide/storm engine they could place in the water next to areas of effect. Imagine a category four hurricane about to hit the coast then the engine activates and turns the category four into category two. Pretty nifty!

On the mundane side of things, Lizzy had requested that once Lash returned to Gotham he should do some of his commissions, and art exhibits. He was still a well known artist for making the siren statues that were still placed in the Wayne art museum. The Shaw art industry site, and Shaw family were also hoping to steal him for dinner. The Shaw family as a whole still didn't know that he was Wraith. Neither Lizzy, or Lash intended on telling them. Especially since the Warden council had declined the idea. At least for now. Lash said he would love to have dinner with the family, and promised to make a few things, and do a few commissions. He had to make the statues for Selina's wedding after all.

The sun was rising by the time Lash had finished the basic structure of the three charms. Yes three, Soluna had gotten back to him and the Under Fae court was delighted to hear that he could make a third charm! They were in a trade bargain to borrow the charms from the Seelie, and UnSeelie courts. But now that wasn't necessary. Lash felt like he may have just made a mistake, or at least stepped into an active mind field. But he told Soluna that he would have the charm ready for the Under Fae. He tucked the three unfinished charms back into his storage, they were still un enchanted so they counted as currency. But Lash decided that he really needed to upgrade his storage device. Maybe it would be cheaper since he had the Space Domain now.

Lash packed up the enchanting tool kit and walked towards the kitchen to start making breakfast. Like always Lash had learned that making the food straight granted him no experience towards his Cooking skill. So he created the ingredients than cooked it. He sent a telepathic wake up call to his three companions, it was a gentle pulse but Megan let out a surprise squeal from her bed room.

Good morning, Lash! -M'gann said through telepathy.

Good morning, take your time washing up breakfast is almost ready. -Lash replied, he got a confirmation from M'gann.

With Lash's superior senses he was able to hear all three of his companions slowly get into their respective showers. Though Kory continued to stay in the master bedroom that belong to Lash. It wasn't like he had used it since they had arrived. Megan was the first to arrive wearing a hotel bath robe tight around her body. She flew into the main room and squealed in delight at the full spread of breakfast foods, fruits, and drinks.

“Oh my gosh! This looks amazing! Uncle J'onn is a good cook, but this is more then even he could make! Thank you, Lash!” Megan flew over and kissed Lash on the cheek and took a seat then stopped as she looked up at the rooms where Kara, and Kory still were.

“Go ahead and start eating, no need to wait.” Lash said as he poured her a glass of orange juice. She happily complied and started to butter up some waffles.

Kara, and Kory soon arrived both wearing hotel bath robes. They sat down at the full course meal that Lash had prepared. Lash sat at the head of the table with nothing but a cup of hot chai as he started to create holographic windows and fly them above the table to do the morning brief with them all. After filling Megan in on the situation they all decided on heading to STAR labs to see if they can meet Victor. If he was injured and in need of help then Lash's abilities could help him through the process. Megan received a call from her uncle John who wanted to ensure she was settling in nicely. Megan with her holographic showed the massive breakfast table along with Lash, Kory, and Kara who all waved.

“I have to say I am a bit jealous of your good fortune my niece. Maybe one day Lash will cook for our family back home.” John said across the holographic. Megan got a little quiet at the mention of home until..

“Of course! I would love to visit Mars, maybe I can help restore your planets dying atmosphere while I am there.” Lash said to John.

The declaration to visit Mars to feed their family, and help restore Mars startled them both. It had been on the back of their minds for some time but they didn't know how to approach Lash about helping their home world. Now that Lash had just purposed the idea took a huge weight off their shoulders. But it also raised another question. How did Lash know that Mars world was dying?

“Mars? Is Megan's world dying?” Kory asked between spoon fulls of eggs.

“Yes, I mean sort of. It will still maintain for another five hundred years or so. But if we don't fix the problem eventually we will have to leave the planet. We were hoping of discovering a way to restore our planet hear on Earth. When Lash helped restore Northern Africa we had wanted to ask him about maybe helping Mars.” Megan informed Kory, and Lash created a holographic image of Mars and what little information Earth had on the planet.

In The Dream Engine Earth had sent several probes to Mars but most of the Martian population was either underground, or used advanced technology to hide their civilization away from the primitive and prying eyes of humanity. It wasn't until recently, as in last ten or so years that they sent emissaries to Earth in hopes of creating peaceful relations. In example, J'onn J'onzz. The DC comic origins for Mars came in all sorts of versions. Lash much preferred this version over J'onn being the 'last' of his kind.

“Are you capable of restoring Mars, Lash?” Kara asked, her eyes had a bit of hope in them. She had lost Krypton, she understood the idea of Megan losing her home.

“Maybe... The Lunar Academy we plan to build is suppose to be on Earths Moon. I plan to use it as a testing ground because I want air, water, plant life, and wild life on the moon. Earth's moon is a barren rock, if I can restore that to livable conditions then I should be able to help fix Mars. At least in practice. I hope to call on the Justice League to help with both projects.” Lash replied, he was reasonably sure he could pull it off, or he could just buy something from the store. But he wanted to at least try.

Kara, Megan, and the holographic image of John both looked hopeful and full of smiles. Kory looked satisfied at Lash's answer and continued to eat breakfast. Lash was starting to worry that Kory may think he is capable of doing anything he puts his mind to. The four of them continued to talk about this and that, Lash did ask questions about Mars current condition for a bit. Then they switched subjects to Victor. John had pulled a file at the police precinct he worked at and said that Victor was not reported missing, and had taken a leave of absence from school. Though the leave was made by his father, not himself. No one had seen, or spoken to Victor in nearly three weeks. Just like the previous information they had.

Today they needed to look official more then civilian. So Kory, Kara, and now Megan dressed in government agent black shoes, black dress pants, suit jacket, white buttoned up shirt. Megan simply changed her skin to adapt to the shape. She was still 5'10” but now had green eyes, short red hair, and continued to have a new hour glass curvy figure. Determined not to fall behind Kory, and Kara's super model figures. But Lash did notice that she continued to wear the talisman he had crafted for her during the Gotham Siege. Kara, and Kory both activated their illusion charm necklaces. Lash wore much the same as his companions, he adjust his skin color to be light caramel, with brown eyes, and a shaved head. No tribal marks visible.

When they exited their room and went down stairs to the lobby a nice luxury SUV awaited them for their convenience by the hotel's rental care. It was magically reinforced and even had a Tech-City rune inside of it. But could only be used in emergencies. Lash linked up with the car, as Kory took shotgun, Kara, and Megan sat in the back. The SUV was the current year model with a lot of bells and whistles. Including an onboard GPS.

Lash linked up with the car through Connectivity and they were off. The car could practically drive itself, and mostly did. Lash was purely there as cosmetics so they didn't get pulled over for not having a driver. Detroit was a fascinating city full of towering high rises, and historical markers. It had over three hundred years of history. Lash of course saw a lot more then his companions, his Magical Perception was active and he saw hundreds of thousands of different creatures wondering around interacting with the mundane world on a different level.

If you have ever had that feeling while you walk through a city like you are being watched by a predator? You assume another human is watching you and you just square your shoulders and walk it off. But more than likely you do have a predator looking at you, just not one you can see. Creatures who feed on emotions run rampant in nearly any city. Some induce the emotion, some feed, but like anything its an ecosystem. Like bees pollinating flowers, creatures stir up emotions and creatures feed on that emotion. Leaving the pollinating creatures alone.

What do the creatures look like? That depends on their type. But they come in all shapes, sizes, and breeds. Multi limb hounds, with gaping mouths, and several eyes peering in every which way direction. Giant moth like creatures that have wing spans as wide as cars from end to end flutter from wall to wall. Giant whale amoeba creatures with see through skin float above the city cleaning it of ambient energy. Monstrous trees with black oil bark spread their roots across the ground, with branches that snag creatures stupid enough to get close to them. The phrase concrete jungle is more literal than people realize.

“Lash, what are you looking at?” Kara asked from the back seat. Lash raised his hand and waved it in a complex pattern. Then all three of his companions saw what he saw. He had to snag Kory's hand to stop her from shooting a Photophagus (Fear Eater) who was sitting on their car hood.

“Relax, they wont harm you. They are just absorbing the ambient fear energy in the air.” Lash told her. The Photophagus looked like a slathering slug with dozens of tentacles, eye balls, and gaping mouths slipping along the car, onto the street, and up a wall.

“What are they?” Megan said, a shiver of fear was in her voice. Which of course attracted more of them as they began to suckle the fear out of the air. Lash created a plum of Nature Domain energy for them to feed on as the traffic light turned green.

“They are phagus types, they feed on emotion. Every city has them. Think of them as extra dimensional beings. They exist side by side with us at all times, they are just on a different vibration frequency then us. So most can't see them.” Lash replied, trying to explain in a scientific way for them to understand. Lash waved his hand around and they stopped seeing them.

“Do you see them all the time?” Kara asked, she was looking left and right as they faded from sight.

“Yes, I've gotten use to them.” Lash replied, as he ran his thumb up and down Kory's hand for a bit before he let go. She had slowed her breathing, but continued to watch the area like a hawk. Looking for something she couldn't see anymore.

Most people would think they had been invaded by H.P. Love craft if they ever saw them. Maybe the mad author had the right idea. Lash continued to pump out a bit of Nature Domain energy for the different phagus types that came up the car. They never begged or whined for more, they simply treated him like a random source of food that could stop at any moment.

“Generally any city over 150-200 years has an entire ecosystem of them. They help keep the psychic energy stable. But sometimes they need a bit of help. That is one of my jobs. If the system falls out of balance they call me or some one like me to come help fix it.” Lash explained to them. They continued to drive to STAR labs where Silas, and Victor Stone were. But in that moment Lash had stepped back into the days when he was a brand new Warden. Sometimes he had forgotten the marvel that was his world.

They soon arrived at the Detroit STAR labs building. It was a massive complex with several wings dedicated to different fields of science, medicine, and engineering. The building itself was guarded by a fifteen foot solid concrete wall with barbed wire around the top. Two different access points, one for the front, and one in the back. The back was heavily guarded with two watch towers that had guards with long range rifles in hand. The front had two guard towers that governed in and out of traffic. The lanes were not straight shots, they had traffic walls lined up forcing cars to snake through them. The building it self was stark white, with angular architecture design. Like the rings around a planet, and the main building had a lot of exposed glass that gave off a bit of light. Playing into the name STAR. But Lash could tell that with a flip of a switch metal shutters would fall over the glass, and hidden guns would pop out and attack anything needed. This was a well guarded fortress.

“Hello, welcome to STAR labs. What can I help you with?” The security guard at the front entrance was well built, with a cold eyes despite his polite question. He had full SWAT gear on, and a automatic rifle slung on his back. Lash took out his UNWS/Warden badge and held it up.

“Hello! We are with the United Nations World Security. These are my companions, Agent K, Agent Andr, and Agent M. We are here to see Silas Stone.” Lash said, as Kory, Kara, and Megan took out their own ID's that had been crafted by Lash. The guard looked at Lash as he took the badge and scanned it.

“You didn't say who you are.” The guard asked, as the badge came back positive. Lash smiled as his skin momentarily peeled back to reveal scales, and his eyes changed shape.

“I'm Agent Wraith. Please keep up the good work!” Lash said, smiling as his teeth grew slightly. The guard jumped back a bit, and the watch tower guard had pointed his rifle at the car but kept the safety on, waiting.

“Y-Yes Sir! Thank you, Sir! Its an honor to have you, Sir!” The guard saluted, and Lash saluted back in a quick and clean fashion. The guard gave the all clear sign to his companion who lowered his rifle. Lash pulled his window up after he got his ID back and started to drive the car through.

“That was exciting! I mean! I.... I have never done anything like that before. Uncle John has taken be on a few night patrols but all we did is stop a few muggings, this is really exciting!” Megan couldn't stop smiling, she almost vibrated out of her seat.

“I'm happy you are having fun, Agent M. But remember don't say your Uncles name while we are inside alright? Even a single name can give people information.” Lash said with a smile, as his skin regrew. Megan clapped her hands over her mouth and blushed.

“It's alright, Lash had to remind Kory and me several times when we first started. Just think before you talk and you'll be fine.” Kara assured Megan, she reached over and squeezed her hand. Megan nodded, and smiled slightly.

“Before we go in I'm going to link us up for easier communication.” Lash said as he activated Temporary Pack Bond. Kory, Kara, and Megan both shivered as the link was established.

When they came up to the front door two security guards in full battle kit waited for them. They both saluted, and Lash returned the salute in perfect military function. Lash had lived multiple lives as a soldier he knew how to salute. The clean precision of the action did not go unnoticed by the guards who both seem to be ex-soldiers. They turned on their heels and walked ahead of their group.

They are about to do a deep thermal scan of us. All of you will have above human readings. Don't fret, the UN is aware that I am training a few visitors above Earth. -Lash said across the telepathic link. He got confirmations back, as a green light scanned over their group as they passed through the glass door.

Beep! Beep! Beep! A soft alarm went off, and the security guards behind the front desk looked up with shocked eyes. With Technomancy Lash could see that the scan had revealed that all four of them were clearly not human. All the security guards on the floor unbuckled their side arms, and few pressed their fingers next to their safeties waiting confirmation.

“Hold it! Hold it please! Agent Wraith is registered, and has his trainee's on file! They are not human we know this!” A man in a lab coat came running from a side door waving his hand to get every ones attention.

Silas Stone the scientist was 6' even, with broad shoulders, a square jaw, black skin, and a healthy build. He had a reasonably groomed medium beard that covered his jaw, and mouth. The blood shot eyes, and shadows under them showed he hadn't been sleeping. He a bit of a stooped posture due to his time leaning over computers, and microscopes, but that didn't seem to stop him from hitting the gym a few days. He had amber brown eyes that held a fire if intelligence and curiosity. He wore black dress shoes, black pants, a navy blue un tucked buttoned shirt, and a crisp clean white lab coat. Silas ran up and extended his hand to Lash.

“Agent Wraith! Welcome to STAR labs Detroit office! I am very happy to meet you! What can I help you with?” Silas said, he took a moment to look at Kara, Kory, and Megan.

“Victor, where is he?” Lash said, as he shook his hand. Silas went rigid like he had been softly tased. He audibly swallowed as he tried to take his hand back from Lash, but Lash refused to let go.

“My son is currently very si....” Silas started to say before Lash let out an audible growl that started from his chest, and shook the whole room with a primal fear. Saurian made a lot people, especially humans freak out. Their hind brain or, primal center of their minds activated their fight or flight response just by being in the same room with him. This was watered down while Lash was in the driver seat, but the effect was still there.

“Please don't lie to us, Dr Stone. Take us to your son....Now.” Lash said, his skin began to peel. The shroud of smoke and shadow began fall off him in writhing waves.

Lash please calm down! Every one in the room is terrified of you, including us! -Kara said across the link. Lash could feel the fear from his companions, as well as the whole room. He let go of Silas at last who practically jumped back several feet. Silas paled as he tried to decide if he could run or not. Then he looked down, and his shoulders fell. He conceded.

“V....Very well... Please follow me.” Silas said, he stiffly turned around and walked towards the doors he had come from. Lash looked around with a smirk as he watched every security guard in the room lower their weapons. They had all raised, and took the safety off when he started to reveal himself.

It is times like these that I am reminded of the gentle predator we travel with! -Kory said across the link, she was still afraid of Lash but under that layer was excitement!

The original two guards that escorted them into the lobby followed along. They noticed that Megan shook like a leaf and was hiding behind Kara. Kara reached out and took her hand and gave her a reassuring squeeze. The group didn't portray the cool, indifferent, government types that they dressed like. While Kory was doing her best not to smile at the situation. Silas led them through several different halls, and passed by several labs. A few meta-humans were in those labs testing their abilities under controlled circumstances. One lab contained a very large sixteen foot pure white snake with red ruby eyes, that was currently playing chess with a scientist. Though the scientist was behind a six inch pane of glass. The snake looked up and watched Lash move, who returned the gaze. It was a garter snake, the ones you commonly come across in your garden.

Relative of yours? -Megan said softly across the link, trying to ease the tension. Lash kept his face stoic, but sent a bit of humor across the link. Megan stopped shivering when she felt it, and smiled slightly at the giant snake. Who went back to playing chess, and put the scientist into check.

Lash had to admit that the security at STAR labs was impressive. Much better than the particle accelerator in Central City. But of course Lash did remember that before the explosion the accelerator had impressive security as well. He was sure with the new Dark Matter/ Meta-human subjects here security had been improved to both protect, and contain.

They passed one more door and came to what one would think an auxiliary lab with less resources. But Lash through Technomancy could tell the whole room was secure with metal shutters, solid walls, and automatic turrets waiting for the slightest breach. They came to a solid pane of glass to look into an operating room inside the room was a sight to behold. Megan gasped and covered her mouth in shock, as Kory clenched her hands into fists, and Kara gritted her teeth.

Inside the room was Victor Stone, well half of him. From the lower abdomen down he was gone, nothing remained. His entire left hand had been removed, and his right hand extended to just past his elbow. His chest cavity was exposed, and the left side of his face was shaved off to reveal his skull. In the center of his chest where his sternum would be was a rectangular box, with circuit board design, a strange language, and a single glowing red orb in the center. It was a Father Box, a servant of Darkseid.

The Father Box looked like it was attempting to replace Victors skeleton structure with metal. Thread like tendrils extended out from the box and had inserted itself into all of Victors organs to ensure they continued to function. Every few minutes Victor would open his eyes and scream in agony, each time it happened the Box seem to get some sort of energy from Victors pain, and fear. Before Victor passed out from the pain, and the Box continued to consume? Repair? Rebuild, Victor?

“Why is he still awake!?” Kara shouted at anyone who could answer.

“We tried to sedate him but every time we get close to him the machine in his chest attacks us. Last time we stepped inside it created a stabbing weapon from the metal in the room and almost impaled me. We....I don't know what to do.” Silas said, his voice quaking as tears brimmed his eyes.

“Where did you get the device?” Lash said as he pointed at the Father Box.

“We found it, in a cave just outside of town. It was being held by some sort of alien creature. Here we have video.” Silas said as he brought them over to a screen.

It was a cave dozens of miles outside of Detroit, it looked brand new. Or rather to say freshly carved, Lash could see the claw marks on the stone. Inside was the shattered remains of a creature, its legs were mangled and destroyed, its arms twisted in odd angles, its bones protruding out. But its gray molted skin, carapace like armor, and Apokoliptian language sent a shiver down Lash's spine.

“We tried to carbon date the creature, our attempts were hard to specify but as far as we know the creature had died, about a year ago. Maybe more. The box was still humming with power, so we brought it and the body back here. I had been working on the box and.... There was an accident. Victor was caught in an explosion. When the smoke cleared we found Victor, and the box had fused.” Silas said as he quaked with anger, anger directed at himself.

Everyone but Lash stood still in the room as they digested the information. Then the door alarm went off and Silas shot his head up. Lash had opened the door and it was already closing behind him when he stepped in. The door sealed behind Lash locking everyone out, a over ride had activated and Silas beat against the glass screaming at him to get out of there. Stay there! -Lash sent across the link as he walked towards Victor. Kara was about to shatter the glass with a punch but froze at the message.

They weren't suppose to be here yet! Lash was suppose to have more time! The inside of the operation room was nearly pitch black, the only light source came from the core of the Father Box. Its red halo of light washed the room, making it look like the walls were bleeding. Victor briefly woke up and screamed! He shouted for Lash to run before it attacked him...Then the thread tendrils dug into Victors skull and put him back to sleep. The Box hadn't attacked Lash despite his intrusion into the room.

The Father Box let out a loud 'PING' noise as Lash stepped closer. Lash narrowed his eyes at the Apokolipse technology and walked closer to Victor, and the Box. The Box was starving! It used the burst of pain, and fear from Victor to keep it self alive while it tried to repair Victor. Lash could feel the malevolent aura from the Box. Unlike most creatures, beings, etc in the universe they are born with both good and evil inside their soul. Or what ever metaphysical, spiritual belief they held to explain it. Father Box's were designed with malevolence in mind. They were also unique because they were attached to the 'Source'. Something that the Box sensed in Lash...Or rather Saurian.

“PING....PING.....ping...Ping!” The box chimed several times as Lash walked around Victor and placed his hand on his head. Victor struggled for a moment then fell into a deep sleep.

“PING!” The Father Box sounded angry that its food source was asleep.

“Relax, I didn't forget about you.” Lash said softly.

==============================================================

Silas was pressed against the pane of glass that separated him from his son as hard as he could. He so desperately wanted to get inside, maybe things had changed!? But the exceptionally tall women, Agent Andr stood by the door to stop him from getting in. The other two..Agent K, and Agent M were trying to comfort him and tried to explain what was going on. How could they know?! They didn't have a radio, or a cell phone. But they seem to be able to know what Agent Wraith was doing!? Silas watched, and sighed softly as he saw Victor was put to sleep. The painful nightmare that his son had been living through the past few weeks ended just like that.

The outer lab door opened and several of Silas's colleagues entered the lab. Silas tore himself away from the window to confer with his fellow -->>

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