THE THREAT OF THE RUBY

Introduction

This story is set in the 31st century, the time of the Legion. It takes place one year after the second and final season of the Legion of Superheroes. During that time, Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl have fallen in love and become a couple (don't get excited – no wedding's been proposed yet – but they are boyfriend-girlfriend). For details on that, wait for the prequel – One Year Before – which will be written a little later. Also, Braniac 5 (or Brainy, as his fellow Legionnaires call him) has returned and, though he is no longer a robot, he still possesses twelfth-level intelligence and has some new tricks up his sleeve (for more on that, wait for the prequel). The original evil Braniac 1.0 has been defeated as well (it's all in – you guessed it – the prequel, coming out later).

Coming back to the present (or future), Saturn Girl was elected Legion leader some time back for her amazing defeat of Braniac 1.0 (see prequel =), and has held that post ever since. She's proven to be a proficient tactician and combatant, a perfect combination for the leader of the Legion of Superheroes. She's also picked up a new power – force field generation – after Esper invaded her mind when she was captured by the Fatal Five and the Legion of Supervillians (more on that in the prequel). Don't worry, she's made a full recovery, gaining control over her newest ability.

Now pay close attention to this bit of information, because it gets a little complicated, but it is absolutely essential to the story. There are prophecies in the Official Library of the United Planets (Phantom Girl came across them while searching for any leads on how to defeat Braniac 1.0), and some refer to the "Protector of the Universe" (I know, powerful title). The prophecies were made by mystic seers and monks who lived on an unknown planet at the beginning of time. The prophetic scrolls were discovered on the ruins of the world by a man named Midas, and he kept them and passed them on to his children. For generations, the descendants of Midas kept and preserved the prophecies. When the United Planets were formed, Midas' last remaining living descendant, a woman named Michella, donated the scrolls to the newly-established government in the hopes that it would help secure the future. The scrolls ended up in the official library.

When Phantom Girl found the prophecies, she didn't think it was important until one phrase caught her eye – "…a boy from Braal, a boy from Winath, and a girl from Titan, the moon of Saturn, shall form a group of specially-gifted individuals which will be known as the Legion of Superheroes." That caught her attention, and she read the three scrolls concerned with the Legion. She was extremely surprised when the scrolls named Saturn Girl as the Protector of the Universe, the one destined to end the threat of Braniac 1.0 forever. Phantom Girl relayed the message to the Legion. But there was one more detail – "…but the task shall be accomplished at the risk of the death of the Protector, for the effort shall be great, and leave her empty and drained of energy. When this comes to pass, only the Fates of the Universe will decide whether the Protector shall live or die. And if she does survive, the Protector's job will still not be completed, for after that, a greater danger shall emerge."

Needless to say, Saturn Girl survived – or there wouldn't be a story. But that passage created an atmosphere of tension and fear after the victory as the entire Legion held its breath while Fate decided what would happen to Saturn Girl. When Saturn Girl recovered, Lightning Lad confessed his love and the two paired off. Then the newly-elected Legion leader commissioned Phantom Girl to search through the prophetic scrolls for any clues on this mysterious new danger.

That is about all that happened in the one-year interval between Season 2 and this story. Maybe I'm getting a bit far-fetched on the whole Protector of the Universe/prophecy thing, but hey, what fun is a story if you can't elaborate on it and make it suit your fantasies, right?

One more thing: all the info has been taken from the TV shows and animated series, not the original comics (except for the Legion of Superheroes – I brought in some of the elements of the comic book for their story, such as Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl's romance).

So that's all for now. Enjoy the story, because it's about to begin. This is where the past (or future past) ends and the story begins.

**********

Chapter 1

"'…but the one who is red and calls herself "Queen" shall suffer defeat at the hands of the Protector of the Universe, but shall come back…' arghh! This doesn't make any sense!" Phantom Girl exclaimed, slamming her fist on the table in frustration.

The Official Library of the United Planets was a neat, orderly place. Books were stacked according to type and genre, but there was also a cross-reference index for listings of time, authors, and other means of classification. But even all that order could not help Phantom Girl when it came to interpreting prophecies. Even the librarian, Madam Yotna, didn't understand the prophetic scrolls, and she had been here for 40 years, and supposedly kept a brief summary of every book's and scroll's contents in her head.

Just then Phantom Girl's Legion ring and comlink beeped, and a holographic Saturn Girl materialized out of it.

"Have you found anything yet?" said the hologram.

"No, and I'm getting sick just looking at the prophecies", Phantom Girl responded. "Look, I've been checking these scrolls for clues to future dangers on and off for six months, but there's nothing – nothing except an obscure passage about this red lady queen."

Saturn Girl's hologram sighed. "I'm sorry, Phantom Girl, but you have to keep looking. The universe may depend on it."

"I know, and that's what makes me guilty every time I try to quit." Phantom Girl started pacing the room. "But seriously, Saturn Girl", she continued, "I'm getting really tired of flipping through vague prophecies. Can't somebody else take over for a while?"

Saturn Girl sighed again. "No", she replied, "because you get diplomatic immunity because of your status as the daughter of the President of the United Planets. If anyone else tried to read the scrolls, the Science Police would be asking all sorts of awkward questions."

"I could ask my mom to tell them not to."

"Phantom Girl, do you really think that would work? You know your mom, and you know the Science Police."

Phantom Girl sighed. "Yeah, and trying to persuade them to mind their own business is about as difficult as turning Emerald Empress good." She stopped as an idea hit her. "Maybe I could ask my mom to let me take the scrolls back to HQ, though. I'll just tell her it's for 'diplomatic security' or something. Then at least I don't have to spend all my free time with the spooky librarian."

"Do whatever you can, Phantom Girl", Saturn Girl said. "And it would be nice to have you back with us. I'll contact you again soon."

And the holographic image vanished. Phantom Girl gathered up the three relevant scrolls and ventured off to find her mother.

**********

On Station 2, abroad a Legion cruiser, the leader of the Legion of Superheroes was shaking her head with despair.

"I don't understand any of this!" Saturn Girl exclaimed. The Legion leader was tired and her face was drawn. Lightning Lad put his arm around her shoulder to comfort her.

"It'll be all right, Saturn Girl", he assured her. Saturn Girl leaned her head wearily on Lightning Lad's arm.

"Why me, Garth?" she asked, slipping unconsciously into addressing Lightning Lad by his real name. "Why me? I never asked for any of this, and I don't think I'm ready for it." She walked over to the window and gazed at the infinite space outside.

"We've been searching for a lead on the "new danger" for months now, and nothing's come up. I feel like giving up."

"That doesn't sound like the Saturn Girl I know", Lightning Lad said, joining her. "Why don't you get some sleep?" he suggested. "You've been up for two days in a row, and you're tired. You need to rest."

"Maybe you're right." Saturn Girl flashed her lover a small smile. "Can you take over for a while? I think I will take a nap."

"No problem", replied Lightning Lad.

"Thanks."

Timber Wolf came into the control room just as Saturn Girl exited it. He greeted her with a small nod, then turned to Lightning Lad.

"You got her to get some sleep, I take it?" he asked in his deep, husky voice.

"Yeah", said Lightning Lad.

"Have you told her yet?"

Lightning Lad looked uncomfortable. Timber Wolf sighed.

"You can't keep the truth from her forever, Lightning Lad", he reproved.

"I know, I just…" Lightning Lad started. "I'm just trying to protect her."

"Don't let your feelings get in the way of what's supposed to happen", Timber Wolf warned. "And don't underestimate Saturn Girl either. She can take care of herself. She'll do what's right."

"That's what worries me", Lightning Lad said.

"If I were you, I'd tell her when she wakes up." Timber Wolf left the room.

Lightning Lad, alone in the room, took out an old scroll from its hiding place below the control panel and unrolled it and read, "'…and this battle shall mean the certain death of the Protector, whether it is the original Protector, if she survived, or her successor, who would have been chosen by the Fates after the original's death, and no force in the universe shall have the power to bring her back.'"

**********

On Earth, back in time about a thousand years, five young teenage girls were sitting in Pizza Parlour in Heatherfield. They were laughing and talking as they ate their pepperoni pizza. One had red, bob cut hair and big brown eyes. She said little, and her name was Will. Another had wavy brown hair and merry blue-green eyes - Irma. She seemed to be talking the most, along with a sweet-faced Chinese girl with long pigtails: Hay Lin. A fourth girl was African-American with short black hair, and she was called Taranee. The fifth girl, Cornelia, had long blonde hair and deep, soulful blue eyes. She had a faraway look and seemed to be thinking of something.

"So, any news from Meridian?" asked Irma.

"Yep. Elyon's little kingdom is thriving, now that Phobos and Nerissa are gone", replied Will.

"I wonder how Caleb's doing", Cornelia mused, referring to her boyfriend from Meridian.

"Stop worrying, Cornelia", said Taranee. "I'm sure he's just fine. I mean, it's not like he loved Nerissa or anything."

"I know, but she was his mom", Cornelia said. "I don't know what I'd feel like if my mom ended up trapped inside a jewel for eternity."

"Girl, your mom is so nowhere near as evil as Nerissa", confirmed Irma. She took a bite out of her pizza, then made a face. "Hey, does anyone know what they put in the pepperoni?"

As Will walked home with her boyfriend, Matthew Olsen, she contemplated all that had happened lately. She'd barely moved to Heatherfield when Hay Lin's grandmother, Yan Lin, told them of Kandrakar and the Veil (search W.I.T.C.H. for more details). Then the Heart of Kandrakar, a glowing pink jewel with awesome power had been entrusted to her, and she became its Keeper. It wasn't too long after that that Phobos, evil prince of Meridian, started his conquest of the Metaworld in earnest and set his heart on finding his sister, Elyon, the true heir to the throne of Meridian, and draining her of her formidable powers. He'd sent his henchman, Cedric, a nobleman with the ability to turn into a giant green snake-lizard to find and bring Elyon back to Meridian. Cedric effectively poisoned Elyon's mind against Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, and Hay Lin (collectively known as W.I.T.C.H.) and brought her to Meridian. Fortunately, W.I.T.C.H., after a series of battles, managed to convince Elyon that her brother was evil and only wanted her power. With Elyon's help, they defeated Phobos and put him in prison.

But then Nerissa arrived. Former Guardian of Kandrakar and one-time Keeper of the Heart of Kandrakar, she'd been corrupted by the Heart's power. The Oracle of Kandrakar took the Heart away from Nerissa and entrusted it to Cassidy, the former Water Guardian. Nerissa caught up to Cassidy and killed her, for which the Oracle imprisoned her. Many years later, she escaped and, disguised as the Mage, a powerful member of the Council of Kandrakar, became Caleb's mother. Then, when Phobos was defeated, she took center stage and collected the Heart of Meridian (Elyon) and the Heart of Zamballa. She joined the two into one jewel which she named the Seal of Nerissa. Then she rounded up all the former Guardians (Halinor, Yan Lin, and Kadma) and resurrected Cassiddy. Giving them all back their youth, she hypnotized them and then raged war against W.I.T.C.H. After another series of pitched battles, W.I.T.C.H. finally won and Nerissa vanished into the jewel that had once contained Elyon's power. Now, things were peaceful again.

Or so the Guardians thought.

"Will? What are you thinking about?" inquired Matt.

"Nothing important, just W.I.T.C.H.y stuff", she replied. "And I – oh!" she gasped, as the crystal that was the Heart of Kandrakar began to glow and hum. Then, as suddenly as it had happened, it stopped, and Will's legs buckled from underneath her as Matt caught her.

"Will! Are you all right?" he asked.

Will got to her feet and stared at the Heart. "Yeah, I'm fine. Something weird just happened."

"Why did the Heart glow like that?"

"I have no idea", Will answered, staring at the crystal on her palm.

**********

Beast Boy crept into Cyborg's room to get a video game. The other Titans were sleeping, as it was still early, and Titans' Tower was quiet and peaceful. At least, it was, until Cyborg woke up to find Beast Boy in his room.

"What do you think you're doing?!" he yelled. "What are you doing in my room? I told you after Mega Monkeys 4 (for the reader's benefit, the last time Beast Boy entered Cyborg's room was to play Mega Monkeys 4 on Cyborg's high-tech computer. Unfortunately, he accidentally slipped the disk into Cyborg's recharger, infecting Cyborg's circuits with a virus that made him go berserk) to stay out of my room."

"Relax, Cyborg", said the confident Beast Boy. "I just came in to get a video game to play on the main computer."

"And would that video game happen to be Xtreme Street Racing number 6?"

"Well, uh, technically, it's mine…" Beast Boy began.

"Technically, I paid for it, and you still owe me half, so technically, it's still half mine", Cyborg declared. "And this co-owner says…NO YOU CAN'T PLAY WITH IT UNTIL YOU'VE PAID ME BACK MY MONEY!"

"Relax, Cy, I'll pay you back." Beast Boy frowned. "Eventually."

"OW!" yelled Beast Boy as Cyborg kicked him out.

"Arguing again this early?" Robin, the leader of the Teen Titans, was standing in the corridor with Starfire, who had just recently become Robin's girlfriend as well as his teammate (recent for them, ancient history for the Legion).

"I do not understand all this shouting and fighting so early in the day", said the puzzled Tamaranian (Starfire is from another planet – and the princess there!). "Is it an Earth custom?"

"No, Star", answered Robin. "Cyborg and Beast Boy have just changed the time of their arguments."

Just then the Titan's alarm sounded. "Trouble!" said Robin. Cyborg burst out from his room and joined them on the way to the tower's hangar. Raven was already there.

Robin started the engine of the T-ship and the aircraft took off.

When the T-ship landed, the Titans saw the citizens of downtown Jump City being terrorized by a woman who was hovering in mid-air on a shiny red hoverboard. A woman with a golden and red scepter who was wearing red from head to toe.

**********

In far away Gotham City, a caped figure with a bat-shaped mask glides through the dark night sky. Batman? No. Not the Dark Knight of Gotham City, but his sidekick, Barbara Gordon, Batgirl, teenage daughter of Commissioner Jim Gordon, Gotham's lead cop. Batgirl made her way through the streets of Gotham until she came to Wayne Manor, home of billionaire Bruce Wayne, head of Wayne Corporations, and also known to the people of Gotham (although they don't know it) as Batman.

Arriving at Wayne Manor, Batgirl sought out the entrance to the Batcave and entered there. As she expected, she found Batman in front of a computer, checking through files on villains they had encountered.

"…the Joker's in prison, and so is Clayface. The Penguin was only released two days ago, not enough time to be causing all this damage, Dr. Strange is in the asylum, and this isn't Phosphorus' kind of thing. That only leaves Bane, the Riddler, and Poison Ivy."

"Batman", Batgirl called.

"Batgirl", Batman acknowledged. "Did you find anything?"

"I've looked around the entire city, but no, I don't have anything for you."

"There's got to be something about this mysterious new villain somewhere." Batman turned away from the computer screen to look through some paperwork.

"Could it be any of our old villains come back?" Batgirl asked.

"Only three possible candidates fit the things that have been happening", Batman answered. "The Riddler, Bane, and your old friend Poison Ivy."

"Red?" asked Batgirl, startled. "She hasn't been a problem for months." Batgirl's former friend, Piera Corpola, became the evil Poison Ivy when a vat of chemical plant matter fell on her and mutated her into a part-plant villain.

"That's enough time to plan a wreckage of this scale as it has been happening around Gotham City." Batman stopped flipping through pages and looked at his sidekick. "Are you sure you don't have anything at all that might help us track down the person who's causing all this?"

"Only that Gotham's not the only city that's been hit", Batgirl responded. "The same damage has been seen as far away as Jump City."

Now it was Batman's turn to look startled. "Jump City?" he repeated. "That's where Dick moved to two years ago."

"Robin moved to Jump City when he left Gotham?" Batgirl inquired, surprised. "Funny, I thought he went to New York or even Metropolis."

"Batgirl, this is what we've been looking for!" exclaimed Batman.

"It is?" said an astonished Batgirl.

"Yes." Batman turned quickly to the computer and ran something through a search engine. "Here it is. Dick Grayson moved to Jump City and gained residence on September 19th two years ago. But as of today, he is not registered on any census." Batman pulled another file off the computer. "'Robin the Boy Wonder Moves to Jump City'", he read. "Batgirl, listen to this. 'The Boy Wonder, Robin, formerly sidekick to the legendary Batman in Gotham City, has taken up residence in Jump City. He, along with four others with superhuman abilities, have formed a group called the "Teen Titans." They are now Jump City's protectors, and, though the team is only a few weeks old, they are already famous in Jump City. One man was even quoted as saying, "Metropolis has its Superman, Gotham has its Batman, and we have the Titans.' This is dated 22 months ago." Batman paused, then said, "Here's another one. 'Teen Titans Restore America's Freedom. The five members of the Teen Titans saved the Fourth of July and restored order when the British psycho Mad Mod declared the American Revolution was a hoax and claimed Jump City for Britain.' And then there's 'Teen Titans Save the World. The members of the Teen Titans (which are now a large group including the original Titans, Titans East, and an entire horde of honorary Titans) saved the world from the Brotherhood of Evil's control.'"

"Wow, the world. Our boy's been busy", Batgirl remarked.

"There's one more. This one's pretty recent", Batman said. "Teen Titans Reveal Commander's Devious Plan. Teen Titans Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy, while vacationing in Tokyo, Japan, exposed Commander Wehara Daiso's deceitful scheme to produce villains and then catch them himself for the fame and recognition.'"

"He did all that in just two years?" Batgirl was amazed.

"And more", Batman confirmed. "Batgirl, this could be the clue we're looking for. If we fly to Jump City, Robin and the Titans might be able to give us some news. If we work together, we could find out who's been wreaking havoc and stop him."

"Or her", Batgirl said absently. "But hello, teenage daughter here. How am I supposed to go to Jump City with you? Bruce Wayne could just say that he's going on a business trip or something, but Barbara Gordon would have to deal with Daddy."

"I'll think of something", Batman assured her. "The one thing I know is that we both have to go to Jump City."

A/N: Whew! And I thought I had a busy life! I bet you're all on tenterhooks now waiting to find out what happens to the four groups. And I'm sure you're especially freaked out by the prophecy's "certain death of the Protector" thing. But I wouldn't advise skipping any chapters because you'd miss out on the action – as well as some pretty important details. So if you're tempted, remind yourself that this is a complicated plot and that if you skip, you won't know what the heck's going on. Do feel free to review and tell me what you think.

Disclaimer: I do not own Legion of Superheroes, Teen Titans, W.I.T.C.H., or Batman. This story is just for fun and a chance to improve my writing skills.