Another sunny day, another afternoon Kon-EL doesn’t mind basking underneath the Sun’s warm radiance outside of the Hall of Justice. Actually, such seems to be the case for quite a number of Justice League members this vibrant Monday; the bunch, including Kon-EL, are attending an impromptu BBQ right in the spacious grassy backyard of the building. Barry, The FLASH, is effortlessly managing four live grills at the same time, Superman is helping Mary Batson finish putting decorations & a sign that reads ‘Open BBQ Today!’ between two trees where it’s easily visible, Shazam & Green Lantern John Stewart are setting up plenty of tables and chairs, and Khaldur, also known as Aqualad, and Supergirl are just arriving with coolers, crates, and boxes of drinks. Though, all of that isn’t to say that it’s too soon for peers to start mingling. Matter of fact, Kon-EL is chatting it up with a handful of friends & associates alike at this very moment.

  –”So I tell the guy, ‘Sir, this is a McDonalds… I’m just here to put the fries in the bag. I haven’t heard of a website called ‘Reddit’. It was so weird, bro.” Kon-EL concludes sharing a recent experience of his and then takes a swig from the can of Root beer in his hand.

  “Wow… sounds like that guy was NOT having a good week. How often do people just unload their problems onto you like that?” Sideways, a relatively new up and coming hero, asks just before taking a good sip from his own can of grape soda.

  “Like every 5th or 7th customer. Some people just like making conversation in the drive-thru, I guess.” Kon-EL shrugs.

  “You SERIOUSLY work at McDonalds?” Wonder Girl, the blonde of the four Amazons, questions with a skeptical stare.

  “Yeah…” Kon-EL answers simply, unsure of what may be too difficult to accept about that.

  “Started two weeks ago.” He adds.

  “Wow, that’s surreal to think about. I’d never expect a relative of Superman’s to work a job like that.” She muses out loud.

  “Hey, broke boys can’t be picky. I was lucky enough that Red Tornado and Batman were able to get me into the system using the information I had in my wallet. I need cash and I ain’t too good to flip burgers part-time.” Kon-EL informs nonchalantly. However, his expression perks up a bit upon realizing what she just said.

  “And we’re not relatives. I don’t even know the guy like that.”

  “Riiiiiiiight… that’s why you two both wear a big red ‘S’ on your chests and look like you could be brothers, right?” Cassie retorts dismissively.

  “I’m a clone.” The Kryptonian outright admits without hesitation, taking the two by surprise. Before their discussion can continue further, Hawkwoman interjects while approaching the bunch.

  “Hey, Fly-Boy. Come and gimme a hand with an errand, will ya?” She asks and immediately draws their attention. It takes just a short moment who she’s referring to before Kon-EL moves from leaning against the building and walks closer to talk with her.

  “Uh, sure. Whaddya’ need help with, ma’am?” He asks before lifting the can in his hand to finish off the rest of his drink.

  “Br-... Batman…was kind enough to cough up some funds for more food. I need you to come along and help. With your super strength and telekinesis, you’re more than perfect enough for the job.” She answers.

  “Ah, makes sense to me. Sure, I’ll help.”

  “Just as I thought. Let’s be on our way then, shall we?” And with those words, the two take to the sky one after the other and head off.

  After Hawkwoman & Kon-EL’s departure, new arrivals descend to join in - this occurs in the form of the X-Men’s very own Blackbird plane lowering down 50 feet away to safely park. Soon after, Professor Xavier, Cyclops, Wolverine, Jean Grey, and Spider-Man exit the aircraft via its boarding ramp, and make their way to the others.

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  “Charles!” An enthusiastic Superman greets as he floats toward the New Yorkers.

  “Kal-EL, my friend.” Xavier responds with nothing short of delight and a warm smile on his face just a mere moment before the two are shaking hands.

  “It’s good to see you again.”

  “Took the words right out of my mouth, Charles. We’re glad to have you AND the members of the X-Men here with us. We’re just getting started, so don’t fret about feeling late.” Superman assures with a grin of his own.

  “Oh yeah? That’s all I needed ta’ hear… food smells good and I’m practically starvin’.” Wolverine comments before proceeding onward to the party.

  “I could go for a good ole’ hotdog myself. You guys got drinks around here?” Spider-Man asks while following behind the gruff Canadian.

  “Sure do! They’re right over on the opposite side of the table of food.” Kal-EL informs as he, Xavier, Scott, and Jean also head to the area of the BBQ. Time passes and it’s every minute the heroes spend enjoying their time together and the peaceful break from the chaos the world tends to throw at them all. Not only that, but new faces also drop by to take part in the relaxing afternoon - Thor, Iron Man, and Johnny Storm being a few of many. The last? Well, those seven happen to be the Titans. Nightwing, Donna Troy, Tempest, Cyborg, Raven, Beast Boy, and Wally West.

  All is well and dandy for nearly an hour. However, by the 40th minute mark? A disturbance rears its head, and what’s even more shocking, is that it appears right there in the Hall of Justice’s backyard; a rift tears open into reality with a thunderous crackle before expanding into a large circular white vortex. All eyes shift toward the bright portal behind them and lay witness to something coming through. Flying children. As soon as they emerge safely, the rift behind them disappears without a trace.

  “Oh Dear Rao….” Supergirl utters in disbelief.

  “Kryptonians!?” She exclaims right after. With haste, both Kara Zor-EL & Kal-EL approach the two children who come to land side by side on solid ground. The two possess a fair complexion, are both wearing Kryptonian attires that contrast to another in a theme of black & white, and look to be between the ages of 9 to 11.

  Superman lowers to kneel before the two while Supergirl bends over with her hands upon her thighs.

  “Aunt Kara!” The young girl of the two exclaims before lunging forward to hug the blonde. Something that takes the two older Kryptonians by surprise.

  “Wait-... Did you just call me Aunt? And…you know my name?” Kara inquires, blinking as she idly rests her hands atop of the younger girl’s shoulders.

  “Yeah! That’s what you told us to call you.” The child responds.

  “She doesn’t know that yet, Korra! We were just supposed to find Dad in the past like he told us!” The boy cautiously warns his sister.

  “He said that it was going to take all of us to stop Brainiac, so we have to talk to Aunt Kara and Uncle Kal anyway!” The sister protests with a pout, hugging tighter around Supergirl while doing so.

  “Did you just say Brainiac? Is he coming here?” Superman chimes in with a couple of questions of his own.

  “Well, I guess it doesn’t matter now…” The boy shrugs in defeat before continuing to speak.

  “He’s coming, but we beat him here by two days.” He adds.

  “Dad said that we needed to go back to the past to save everyone.” The sister pitches in.

  “I see…If I may ask, who exactly is your father?” Superman questions. Coincidentally, a chain reaction occurs in an instant.

  “Great SCOTT!...” Xavier raises his right hand to press his fingers against his forehead as a strong sensation washes over him. Not just him, but also Jean, Raven, and even the young Kryptonian children.

  “Dad’s here! I can feel him!” The boy exclaims as a surge of mental strength hits him like a tidal wave, heightening his senses and opening his pores like the world’s strongest brand of cough medicine - something that every other medium there can feel.

  “We’re back.” Hawkwoman announces as she and Kon-EL both descend down with their arms full. The two move to set the groceries in their possession down onto a table, including the bunch Kon-EL is levitating with his telekinesis.

  “What’s going on here?”

  “Hm?” Kon-EL also takes notice of the kids and the shift in the atmosphere. He comes to stand beside Hawkwoman while using his telekinesis to lift and reel in another can of Root beer into his hand.

  “Who are the dorky Yin-Yang twins over there?” He asks just before cracking the can open and chugging down the cool liquid. Suddenly, while Hawkwoman jabs an elbow into his side, the two kryptonians children circle around Superman and Supergirl to run right for Kon-EL like a hyperactive pair.

  “DAD! DAD! DAD! DAD! DAD! DAD! “

  “POPPA! POPPA! POPPA! HE’S COMING! HE’S COMING! HE’S COMING! “

  The two bombard Kon-EL vigorously while jumping in replace a dozen times and flailing their arms around. The Kryptonian in black & leather promptly turns his head to spit out this drink.

  “ Woah, woah, woah!!! Chill out, you little fibbin’ gremlins! I ain’t your dad! I don’t even have kids yet! “ Kon-EL exclaims in protest with a mild frown.

  “But we’re not fibbing!” The girl affirms.

  “We’re telling the truth!” The brother insists.

  “They say they’re from the future and came to warn us about Brainiac.” Supergirl shares.

  “Huh?” The claim makes Kon-EL arch a brow with skepticism. Then his attention shifts back down to the two kids near him. Shortly upon doing so, he notices that the girl is wearing that dreadful world-hopping watch from three weeks ago.

  “How’d you get that watch, kid?”

  “Huh?” The child in question looks down at her wrist for a short moment.

  “You gave it to me, poppa!” She answers afterwards.

  “A lie. I’d never give that lousy thing to a kid.” Kon-EL stoically asserts.

  “But you did! We needed it to go back in time to stop Brainiac from killing you!” The girl insists.

  “I don’t even know who that is… Who even sent you two back in time to do such a thing?” The clone prods.

  “YOU DID!” The two siblings answer in unity.

  “Get real! This is the wackest prank I have ever seen, ya know that? If you’re REALLY my kids, then what’s my government name?” Kon-EL inquires.

  “ Conner Kent. “The girl answers within an instant. Caught off guard, the young man stares silently with a dumbfounding look on his face.