• July 03, 2017 •

Alex could see that Kara was very worn out. So when Ava came back and told them all that Zach was recovering and doing much better than before, Alex persuaded her younger sister to come with her to the cafeteria.

Kara hadn't had anything to eat in a long time as she had been too worried for Zach. But with the assurance that he was not in a critical condition anymore, she agreed to go with Alex.

The cafeteria wasn't crowded so they quickly found a table and Alex ordered sandwiches, bringing the tray to the table herself. Kara's azure eyes were glassy with a distant look as she was still thinking about Zach.

"Kara, eat up," she prompted her gently, "you are already tired and haven't eaten since yesterday. Don't resist."

"I'm fine," she mumbled but seeing the sandwiches placed in front of her made her stomach grumble.

A slight smile flickered on Alex's face, "your stomach says otherwise."

"Alright you win," she picked up a sandwich, "I'm hungry. But more so, I'm worried."

"But Zach's conscious now, the surgery went well and I'm sure he will recover too," she tried to reassure her, watching Kara's lips set into a tight frown again as she placed back the sandwich.

"He was so eager to participate in the World Championships," Kara spoke up, "he won't be able to now and I feel like it would be very hard for him to accept it."

"You were there with him before he was taken for surgery, right?" She had placed her hand on top of hers reassuringly, "did he say anything to you that makes you think that?"

Kara lowered her head in a nod, "I've never seen him this disappointed before. It was... Heartbreaking..."

"Oh."

The frown deepened as if she was reflecting over his words again, "he said there was nothing left to... No reason for him to keep going... I felt terrible to hear him say that, to see him lose hope. It just... It made me hurt."

Alex squeezed her hand, implying that she understood her, "did you try and comfort him?"

"I had to. I couldn't see him like that."

"What did you say?"

"I told him that I love him... For the first time ever, I tried to give him a reason to hold on to. To tell him that no matter what happens, I'll be here for him," she had turned her head, looking away because she felt her eyes would water again, "but... But it's just one reason. I don't know if it can be enough."

Alex nodded, patting the back of her palm lightly, "don't be so pessimistic, dear. Every person around him who he loves and cares for is a reason in itself. I think that the reason you gave him was the strongest you could offer and I'm sure he understands that too. It will take time but I'm sure he'll make it through."

"I hope so," she mumbled, "I don't want to lose him."

"You won't. Trust me."

***

The worst of his fears had been confirmed when he received another coded message from his parents. He was able to decode it easily but the threat it presented made him alarmed.

He hadn't replied to the previous message in hopes that they would think he hadn't survived and would leave. But the second message made it clear that they knew he had survived and suspected that he was in captivity.

The result of their misunderstanding could lead to chaotic consequences with the utmost destruction on both sides. He had to reply to that message but even if he did, it would not stop what had already been put into motion. 

Mon-El was scared that once again, he was becoming the cause of destruction on yet another planet. The only difference was that over the past few months, he had started to think of that planet as his second home and was finally adjusting to the life he considered to be his second chance.

But it seemed as if it was written in his fate to only cause havoc wherever he went, be it intentionally or accidentally.

By the message it was clear that his parents wanted him to be handed over or else they would take him by force. And even though he did not know how many people from Daxam had survived along with his parents, he could not take the risk of challenging Lar Gand and Rhea.

For all he knew, they could have assembled an army and would already be strategizing how to get to him. It could all be stopped if he gave himself up and made them believe that he was not being held captive nor was he pressurized to stay on earth, instead it was his own choice.

But chances were that they would not be persuaded. And that obviously put Mon in a very tight spot.

On one hand were his newly found friends, the Young Justice, and on the other were his parents, the king and queen of Daxam.

"Mon, we are talking to you."

He was startled and looked up at the much familiar faces around him. The team minus Connor and Kara were gathered in the Mount Justice, solving the case of the explosion at Metropolis Trade Center.

"Oh sorry, I just... Nothing," he mumbled, rebuking himself silently for getting distracted again.

Richard exchanged a glance with Tim who nodded in affirmation. Then the younger spoke up, "are you sure everything's okay, Monnie?"

"Yeah absolutely," but the conflict in his eyes betrayed him.

"You know you can tell us if there's something bothering you," Wally spoke up, "granted we're not as close to you as Connor is but we'll try our best to help."

He tried to smile, "I really appreciate it."

But as he didn't say anything further, they decided to leave that topic and focus on the case at hand. Wally, Tim and M'gann had been working in the lab with the recovered samples of debris from the trade center. 

So far they had been trying to deduce the chemical composition of the supposed explosive material found on site. But they hadn't been able to identify it as it was unfamiliar in both its composition and properties.

"Can I see?" Mon asked after he had listened to M'gann's explanation of what they had found out till then.

"Sure, but we think its dangerous so you better put on these visors," Tim handed him the visors before letting him take a look at the powdery substance.

Mon's face paled as he examined the powder but he remained silent. The only thing that escaped him was a low swear word, and it made Richard think that he knew what that substance was.

"Do you know what it is?" Tim asked, not oblivious to the somewhat suspicious behavior.

"Yes..." He stepped back, face ashen, "I'm sorry, I should have told you guys sooner."

"What's going on?" Artemis spoke up.

"This is Morjuax powder. It is commonly used in explosives on Daxam," he explained at last, the guilt on his features increasing, "this one was probably expired as it had been stored for too long and as a result it caused an even deadlier explosion."

"So you're saying that someone has access to Daxamite explosives and is using them here?"

"Sounds sus," Tim mumbled, eyes narrowing as he looked at Mon, "and what did you not tell us sooner?"

"That someone responsible for the explosion happen to be my parents," finally the thing he had been keeping a secret from them was out and shock gripped them all so he tried to justify himself, "I had no idea this would happen or else I would have..."

His voice trailed off seeing the hostile look on Richard's features. It was clear that the man valued trust and honesty so finding out that Mon had kept such a huge secret from them had ticked him off.

"The explosion at Metropolis Trade Center was caused by your parents?"

"Yes but..."

"And you knew about it?" Richard's calm but stern attitude as he investigated him was making him quite anxious.

"No, I swear I had no idea they would blow up a building without warning... I..."

"That unknown message we received and you decoded, was it them?"

"Yes..."

"What did they say?" His deep blue eyes seemed to be raiating with a suppressed rage as he resumed questioning Mon, "and this time, don't keep anything a secret from us."

Mon could see that all those faces that had been smiling at him and been so trusting a few moments earlier were now looking at him in suspicion. And it hurt to see them doubt him but he also knew he was the one to be blamed for that.

He should have told them everything earlier.

"Mon-El, we took you in as a friend so I am giving you a chance to explain," Richard added, the firmness in his tone lingering, "but if we find out that you were only here as a spy or to hurt us, I will not spare you."

And even though Mon was a Daxamite hence physically twice more powerful than Richard Grayson, a human, he still felt terrified to see that side of him. Richard never lost his calm but when people close to him were endangered, he got scarily terrifying.

"You have five minutes. Explain everything."

He was about to, however, Tim interrupted him as he raised his hand up, "I have a question first."

The rest of them gave him an incredulous look as if asking him to shut up.

But of course Tim paid them no heed and asked Mon anyway, "your parents are alive?"

A collective sigh of disapproval was heard and Richard turned his glare to Tim as he was slowly losing his patience, "seriously, Timothy?"

"What? It's a valid question!"

***