(important a/n!! thank you sm for 6k!! you all are amazing;;; please don't be shy! I love reading your comments!!!) _____________________

The New New Guardians of the Globe

...

The next morning I got up bright and early to go to a meeting at the previous Guardians HQ. It was bittersweet walking in there for the relative first time since the incident. Everything was different, but nothing had changed.

Every hero in the immediate area was assembled to be apart of the new team of Guardians. I figured my spot was secured, but there was a part of me unsure if I even wanted to be. Did I deserve to even use the name after what had happened? Did I really want to?

Regardless, I went. I saw plenty of familiar faces, and even some that were less-so. Many great contenders for the positions, but I realized with a start there were very few that truly added up.

We'd be more like the aluminium fence than a steel wall of defense. But I guess something was better than nothing.

After watching everyone's performances, I realized this statement was very true. Even the best and brightest of us were pretty okay as standalones. But I couldn't see any of these people ever being able to work together well enough to save the world.

No offense. Surely I wasn't much better.

"Affinity, now's your time to make a decision," a metallic voice called from behind me. I could feel his looming gaze behind me from a mile away.

"Honestly Robot, I don't think I should,". I responded with a sigh. I had thought long and hard about it for days, really. "Symbolically, it makes sense for me to 'die' (I used finger quotes here) along with all of the other guardians. Plus, honestly, I'm still really overwhelmed by it all. I'm not ready to replace them."

"Are you sure? We could really use you as a valuable member of the team," Robot pressed.

I understood his want, but I wasn't quite ready. The wound still stung like the most powerful bee, and while time heals all wounds, I was healing particularly slow.

"Affirmative. I'll let you know if I feel any different in the future, should you need an extra hand or two," I replied, offering an olive branch. "I'm definitely not going to quit saving people."

"Very well. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors." Robot nodded and promptly saw himself away in the direction of the other contestants.

I hadn't realized how quickly my heartbeat had been beating throughout that interaction until it was over. I leaned on the wall for a moment, feeling like I'd been doing major cardio.

I took a moment as I did, taking everything in. The course of events recently had been so sudden. I was here now. Looking at everyone in the room, it was strange knowing some of these people would be my successors. They'd be fighting the same battles I fought, in different days living different lives.

Once I'd gotten back to a steady heart rate, I found myself curious to enjoy the show. Currently, in the ring were two heroes I admittedly wasn't very familiar with. There was a massive ape fighting a very pretty girl clad in green. I remembered hearing her addressed as 'Shrinking Rae', and when I realized I could no longer see her, I understood why.

Woah.

Silently, I heard tentative shoes clicking on the linoleum floor, tearing my attention off of the battle below. Invincible's arm brushed against mine, leaving sparks of warmth in its wake.

"Hey," he tried to say coolly. He shot me a smile that would give me butterflies, but I could really see the high school boy shine through.

His smile made my stomach drop, thinking back to last night. The way he looked in the moonlight, how close his face was to mine... I couldn't keep myself from allowing my eyes a quick glance - just one - down to his exposed pink lips.

"Hey," I echoed, fighting to snap myself out of it. "You competing in the ultimate heroes competition?"

"Not this time. I've got one too many other things to be worried about right now," Invincible remarked with the shake of his head.

"I'm right there with you. It's kind of cool to see everyone altogether here in one room

"A little weird, even. Some of these people were still legends to me," Invincible remarked, his eyes honing in on the fight below us. "They're people nowhere really above me, and yet they seemed so unreal, especially considering I'm still new to all of this."

"Trust me, I don't think I could have ever gotten used to breathing the same air as The Immortal and I worked with him for years," I agreed, the memories of my teammate still fresh in my mind.

"I'm used to Omniman," Invincible stated, after thinking for a moment. "But he's my... mentor. I've lived with him a good while. I guess he makes this transition a little easier."

"My mom definitely helped me, too," I commented. "At least with the powers."

"Who was she?"

"She was never really a hero in our sense on Earth. She came here for a new life, and really conservative with her powers. She was a doctor, though. She could heal people like me," I explained. "I've heard all about her back on Vakilia though, and she was something else."

"Vakilia?" Invincible asked. "That's one of Saturn's moons, right?"

I shook my head. "My mom's home planet. Apparently it's beyond our observable universe. Their space tech is said to be legendary."

"I've never heard of it. You'll have to tell me more."

"All I've heard are stories, but I'd be glad to share-" I began before a metallic voice cut through the air.

I was a little deflated to hear Robot's speech. I've never had a chance to tell anyone anything about Vakilia. Even the Guardians were a little too detached from me to be good listeners. We knew about each other well, but we didn't really know about each other.

"Listen up!" Robot shouted, summoning the majority of the group to the center of the room. Invincible and I moseyed over, exchanging glances as we joined the mass.

Robot clearly didn't struggle to control a crowd as he made his speech. Everyone hung on to the edges of their seat, even me. And I had next to nothing at stake here.

"The Guardians of the Globe were more than a group of heroes," Robot began. For a fraction of a second, his eyes met mine. "They were icons. Those of you who passed our trials will be among the elite. The best of the best."

I saw quite a few of those in the crowd in front of me stand a little straighter. Whether they really had that confidence, or just wanted to believe they did, I imagined these were the strongest contenders. They knew they could do it. They saw themselves as the best fit for the role.

I can tell you right now that would not have been me. If it was, I'd be faking.

"Those who are up to the challenge will succeed not just by the uniqueness of your abilities but by the uniqueness of your tactics," Robot continued, holding his hands behind his back like a determined CEO.

His eyes scanned the room as he announced, but I couldn't quite place whom he may have been looking for.

"And perhaps most importantly, the strength of your character and spirit. That is what truly makes a hero. I'm proud to announce the new Guardians of the Globe."

The room swelled with clapping and anticipation. Everyone had given their all today and I could tell there was a shitton of emotion in this one pause.

Robot continued after the applauses died down, somehow seeming like he was smiling even though his face didn't move. "Congratulations Black Samson, Shrinking Rae, Dupli-Kate,"

One by one, the new Guardians stepped forward to accept their praise and new title. I cheered along, personally I thought I cheered the loudest, excited to see a new team come to fruition.

It was bittersweet to see my old partners replaced, but these were good hands. Not to mention I remembered Black Samson - I had been his replacement after his powers went away. It had been an honor to succeed him.

"Monster Girl-"

"Wait, wait. Isn't there an age requirement for this ride? Because this seems weird. You guys seeing this?" Rex loudly interjected, a hand on his hip.

The whole room got silent around him and stared. I was afraid people would be able to hear me if I turned to shoot anyone a look. You could've heard a pin drop, the ventilation in the room becoming a sonic boom.

"Rex..." Robot warned.

Monster Girl's eyes widened. She turned to him and shrugged. "I dunno, you're here. You'd think there'd be a dick size requirement too."

I finally got the courage to make exasperated eye contact with Invincible, who took in a whistle of breath. I caught the gaze of Eve, who simply shook her head.

"I'm sorry?" Rex exclaimed, bending down mockingly.

"For what?" Monster Girl asked. She pointed an accusatory finger towards Rex's pants. "Your tiny dick? With the way you've been strutting around here you must be compensating for something."

My eyes glanced down south before I could stop them, on their own accord. Believe me, I had no interest in anyone's dick size, but I couldn't help but be curious when the topic so eventfully rose.

"Somebody ought to teach you some mother fucking-" Rex threatened, standing up straight and jutting his chest out as well as he could.

He reached for his little holster of explosives, but during the same time he did this, I watched before my very eyes as Monster Girl's small arm turned into something much like that of... well... a monster.

"What the fuck."

My jaw dropped and hit the floor. Monster Girl started swinging. So well, in fact, she launched Rex through the window and into the arena.

He flew, shattering the glass and landing with a reverberating thud. Shakily, he picked himself off the ground.

"Guess you missed my tryout," Monster Girl deduced, jumping down into the arena with him.

Heroes of all shapes and sizes watched as Monster Girl shifted her shape and size into a fully grown green monster. She was terrifying, at least ten feet tall and entirely muscle. I would have probably shit my pants.

"Still think I'm adorable?" She taunted. Her voice had turned unbelievably deep.

Monster Girl took one large, lumbering step towards Rex and proceeded to pick him up and throw him at the wall with a resounding grunt. I heard Rex's body bang against the metallic surface, and watched him tumble to the floor.

He pushed himself off the ground and appeared to spit out blood. With a shaky hand, he wiped any residual off of his mouth and still somehow managed to stand up.

"You little bitch!" Rex howled. His voice reverberated around the room, making good use of the acoustics to dramatize the scene.

Rex started flinging projectiles at Monster Girl, who was now more just monster, which deterred her absolutely not at all. They exploded harmlessly off her armored chest, looking like little sparks from a match against her large frame.

"That's adorable," Monster Girl commented.

"I'm gonna blast that smile off your stupid green face!" Rex exclaimed in a blind rage.

Rex's hand began to glow a brilliant gold, so clearly powering up for a massive blow. It almost seemed to hum, accumulating with power. I was half convinced about to witness a nuclear bomb detonation.

"Please stop," Robot chided on completely deaf ears. "This is counterproductive."

Rex swung, and I had half the thought to cover my eyes, but just as he was about to release every ounce of power he built up, Monster Girl swung a fist instead. The force of impact caused Rex to lose focus, as well as his punch, and before he could come up with a counter attack there was another fist coming at him.

Monster Girl just kept swinging.

"Is this okay?" Invincible asked Eve, wincing.

"He asked for it," Eve replied with a shrug.

I cringed. She probably wasn't too upset seeing her ex being made into a smoothie.

We all watched for a few moments, letting nature take its brutal course. Mostly, it was misfortune on Rex.

Just as it seemed like Monster Girl was going to finally go for that Mortal Kombat knock out, Invincible swooped into the arena. He held Monster Girl's fist mid-swing, preventing it from impacting Rex again. It was so effortless that for a minute I could convince myself Monster Girl probably wasn't strong enough to throw a freight train.

I had hardly even noticed him move.

"Okay, that's enough," Invincible declared, nudging Monster Girl's arm away.

"Get lost Boy Scout," she roared.

Monster Girl swung out and hit Invincible straight into the wall. I guess these hands did not discriminate.

The blue-suited boy ricocheted back, using some skills in physics to never lose momentum.

"I said, enough!"

He swung a punch that contacted directly with Monster Girl's nose. Blood splurted and she flung across the room, hitting the opposite wall. Upon impact, her monster form wore off and she crumpled to the ground, human and roughly 14.

Talk about return to sender.

"Invincible hit that little girl!" someone from the crowd shouted.

"Oh, shit," Invincible exclaimed, running over to her. "I'm so sorry."

Monster Girl pushed herself off the floor and I could imagine her joints popping like an old man. She brushed dust and some blood off of her body and progressed toward the middle of the room.

"Nah, my bad. The kid thing sets me off every time and then it's like 'rah'. Beast mode," Monster Girl exclaimed, somewhat sheepishly. She stepped over to Rex, who was just now picking himself up, and added, "Sorry about the dick joke. I'm sure your junk is awesome."

She offered a hand, reaching out as an olive branch. Rex took one moment to process this before shooing it away.

"It's fine," Rex said, curbing her. He rubbed fresh blood off his face and grunted before pushing himself into a standing position. "I'm good. You're good. You can punch hard."

Monster Girl and Invincible watched as Rex limped out of the arena with as much swagger as he still could muster. Without looking back, he flipped Invincible the finger.

"By the way, I didn't need your help. Asshole."

'He's kinda hot," I whispered to Eve once the scene was over and everyone began collecting themselves.

"Rex?" she exclaimed, eyes wide.

I cringed again. The iron was still hot.

"Invincible," I corrected, furiously shaking my head. "Jesus. Sorry. Definitely not going for Rex."

Eve shook her head, giving me a look I couldn't quite decipher. I smiled sheepishly, hoping that would somehow be enough to show my condolences.

The two of us watched and waited for today's entertainment to come to a close. Robot tried his best to quiet everyone down while the WWE superstars made their way back to the crowd. Eve seemed particularly bummed when the fight was over and Rex walked up the stairs and back to the observatory relatively successfully.

"As I was saying," Robot began again once everyone was set, a slight animosity to his voice, "Welcome to the guardians of the globe, Monster Girl."

"I'm gonna shit blood," Rex groaned, clutching his stomach. He swayed on his feet like a skyscraper in the wind, doubled over, and his face was tinted green.

"-Along with Rex-Splode once he's recovered," Robot concluded curtly.

"He's gonna 'splode something else," I hissed into Invincible's ear.

Invincible laughed, stifling the noise with his mouth.

"And our final member, Atom Eve."

Everyone's attention turned to Eve, who scoffed and crossed her arms. I could imagine various reasons why she'd have produced this reaction, but I couldn't imagine anyone else was too happy to see the finale victor looking so scornful about it.

"Thank you all for coming today," Robot remarked proudly to the masses, who had already began to talk hastily amongst themselves. "We'll be making a public announcement shortly."

Deeming this the end of the ceremony, the majority of heroes began to take their leave. No doubt they were itching to get back to some sort of training or otherwise saving the world. Those who weren't were probably just ready to go back home to their families.

There was a thrumming murmur that fizzled out one by one, at least a hundred voices talking amongst themselves about the events of the day. I couldn't pick up on any one conversation, but for the most part the tones sounded complacent until the very end.

Finally, only Robot, Rex, Invincible, Eve, and I remained.

"Robot!" Eve suddenly exclaimed, storming over to the metal man.

"No need to thank me. I needed to remain impartial but I'm still delighted so many members of the teen team made the cut."

Robot crossed his arms in front of him like a duck boy and seemed very satisfied with himself. It appeared he was taking Eve's anger as excitement. If anything, his response seemed to rile her up more.

"I'm sorry but I cannot be on a team with him," Eve exclaimed, shoving an accusatory finger towards Rex.

Before Robot could get a word in to defend himself, she was already gunning for the exit. I took a step back as she stormed by, not wanting to be intruding on other people's personal problems. I may be nosy, but this was not a scene for me.

"What?" Invincible exclaimed after her, his eyebrows (or, where his eyebrows would have been under the mask) clenching. "Why? Hey, wait!"

Dutifully after her, Invincible ran to catch up. The pair left a terse silence in their wake, leaving Rex, Robot and I in a fierce standoff. I definitely didn't want to be the first to move.

"Rex, what did you do?" Robot asked. I already know he would have sighed with exhaustion if he were human.

Rex smiled nervously. "Thanks for the help robot! Can't wait to be on the team!"

The hotheaded teen stood awkwardly for a beat before running towards the exit himself. I watched him go, noticing the mild limp he was still recovering from while he ran.

"Do you think he needs ice?" I wondered aloud moments later, my gaze still locked on Rex's gradually shrinking form. I was, admittedly, impressed how quickly he bounced back.

"Without a doubt," Robot calculated. "And without a doubt he would not let you give it to him."

"Right," I said with a nod. "You're right."

And then, after taking one final look around, ran out of the building, too.

I had some thoughts throughout that all. On my way home, I worked out that I had two top outstanding ones. A) How much more complicated everything just got, and B) if I thought Invincible was cute, Mark was cuter. In a cute dorky nerd sort of way.

I didn't have feelings for him, either of them, but I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to look. No harm in looking at the menu.

I hoped Eve was alright. I couldn't get her out of my mind, either. I had never been in the sort of situation she was stuck in right now, but it can't have been good.

I wished I knew better how to comfort her. I didn't want to say anything that would make her feel worse - I seemed to have a little streak going on. Hopefully, Invincible would have that covered.

I'd been home for a couple hours, no incidents for the count, and entirely unsure what to do with myself. William was busy, he was working on college applications, and I figured Eve would like time for herself right now. My dad was at work, hustling, and as I scrolled through my contacts U could only think of one other name I was interested in seeing.

I quickly tapped out a message, perfectly nonchalant, and hit send.



Before I had even finished sending the message I was throwing on a sweater and tying my shoes. I was about to be already there, thanks to my handy dandy teleportation device.

Although... I couldn't use that in broad daylight, as myself. But I was a little too excited to walk. Maybe it would be more appropriate to run, if I wasn't as worried about getting sweaty.

I decided the most appropriate thing to do was go back to basics and drive.

Mark and I met right in the middle of town and waited in an unreasonably long line to get two coffees. That's the price you have to pay when the other cafe down the street got demolished in the last city attack. And 3.99.

Drinks in hand, I led him to a little park a ways off from the main roads. It wasn't sketchy by any means, but it only included a small play structure and a worn down bench. Compared to the usual park, this one was desolate and rundown, despite being perfectly usable.

For me, it was perfectly empty. And perfectly private.

A mother and her child played on the rusting swings. Besides us, they were the only people in attendance.

"I'm surprised I've never been here before," Mark commented, outwardly looking around and taking in the scenery.

"It's not a very popular park," I explained with a shrug. "Why go for bronze when you could have gold?"

"Touché." Mark took a satisfying swig of his coffee, the energy drink running straight to his stomach.

"Anything new in the world of Mark Grayson?" I asked, swirling around my coffee to re-mix the add-ins.

"My dad's about to publish a new book. My mom's been selling homes left and right. I guess people want to buy before the winter," Mark explained, gesticulating with his free hand.

"That makes sense. Better to get it done before it gets chilly," I agreed with a nod. "My dad's been putting in work, too. He just got a raise, actually."

"Cheers to that," Mark responded. "Any particular reason you brought me here?"

"Just bored, mostly," I explained. "I had a busy morning and it was tough to follow that up with sitting at home."

"Talk about busy mornings," Mark said with a nod. "I did quite the workout."

"Hustle and grind, I see. What did you work?" I felt like I'd done a bit of a workout, too, but I didn't want to say anything that might raise questions.

"Speaking of hustle and grind," Mark interjected, "How was that Global Issues test?"

I groaned. "Dude. I thought I bombed it. We studied, and the minute you left I completely forgot everything."

"Yikes. Hate to see it."

"I managed a solid B."

"That's not bad at all!" Mark exclaimed. "I did about the same. That class is hard."

"It doesn't help our teacher won't teach. Readings and worksheets can only go so far."

"Tell me about it." Mark rolled his eyes in frustration.

I chuckled, allowing my hand to brush against his ever-so-slightly. It was the most middle school thing I could've done, and barely noticeable, but I took acute notice of the way he didn't move himself away. I even thought he might've leaned into it.

There was a moment of silence between us, nothing uncomfortable. I took the time to look at my feet, then at Mark, to my drink, and then again to Mark.

While I was looking at Mark, he turned to me and asked, "Do you know Amber? From our class?"

I blinked a couple times, pulled out of whatever universe I was in. "Yeah, I think so. Why?"

"What do you think of her?"

"She's alright. I don't know her well. Why?"

"Do you think we would be cute together? William said-"

I could tell Mark had kept talking, but I couldn't figure out how to tune in. It seemed like there was a noise, droning on, but it was too far to reach. His mouth was moving and I could definitely hear him saying words, but they sounded like they were in a foreign language.

I swear my eyes suddenly went out of focus. My chest felt a little tight, and my stomach dropped sickeningly. I think I just had a heart attack.

It must've been something I ate. Maybe I was not tolerating lactose today. Or the coffee was laced.

I watched him finish talking, his mouth closing and face relaxing. It took me a moment to notice he was staring at me, awaiting a response. I couldn't figure out anything he had just said, so I went with what I did know.

Thank God for context clues.

"Yeah, you guys would be cute," I remarked, although I wasn't so sure. I couldn't focus my eyes anywhere near his face. "But I don't know her well enough to know if your personalities would be compatible or not."

"That makes sense. William has been kind of... gently nudging... me to start making moves. I don't really know if that's the move I want to make, though."

For a reason completely unrelated, hearing this made me feel incredibly relieved.

"It's worth dabbling in, I suppose," I said, although I definitely didn't believe this.

"Have you ever dabbled?" Mark asked, stopping in his tracks right in front of a large oak tree. I looked around, aware of my surroundings again, and realized we were the only ones left in the park.

I silenced for a moment, thinking. What was considered 'dabbling'? Different events flashed though my head, things I might be able to mention, but nothing rang a bell.

Until, "Actually, I have. Not too long ago I almost kissed someone I thought I was into. Or, the moment was right or something. It was cut short though. I got cold feet."

I didn't have the heart to explain the real reason why the kiss didn't follow through, nor did I have the energy to come up with a better excuse. I'd rather look like a pussy than compromise my identity.

"What made you leave?" He asked, his voice softer.

The question took me aback. I wasn't sure how to answer that. Not only because I was building off of a lie, but also because I wasn't sure why else I would have left. Although...

"I guess I realized there was someone else I might rather do it with. I was uncertain," I explained. "Once you kiss someone, you can't take it back."

Mark nodded, and I could see questions in his eyes, but he didn't push further.

"Have you had your first kiss yet?" I asked hesitantly. Almost instantly, a force field of discomfort surrounded my skin.

"Not unless you count a peck in 9th grade," Mark easily replied. "We dated for three months and hardly saw each other. You?"

"I kissed William once, like for real, when I thought he was straight. We mutually agreed it was for 'practice', but I guess you could count it. I think I was his gay awakening."

We both went silent, looking anywhere but each other, before Mark asked, "Do you want to? Not as practice? That way we could be each other's official first kiss. As friends."

My breath caught in my throat, lips fluttering like a fish out of water as I fumbled for words. There wasn't a way in hell my face wasn't bright red.

That was the weirdest question I had ever been asked. But for some reason I didn't want to say no.

I thought of the way I almost kissed Invincible last night. I thought of how little I knew and how likely it was he had a shitton of girls under his belt and how I definitely did not. I thought of how much I had wanted it, and then I thought of how soft Mark's lips looked and how perfect he was.

And I thought of how if there was anyone whom I might rather kiss than Invincible, it was Mark.

"Sure," I said. As friends, obviously. I'm still not into Mark. That would be weird. "Our first official kiss."

The two of us locked eyes and immediately there was a magnetic field between us. Still, neither one of us was eager to make the first move. I blushed, shifting my weight from toe to toe. Mark scratched the back of his neck and his nose tinted pink.

Finally, I grew some balls and stepped towards him. "Here," I said. I laid a tentative hand on his shoulder and a second replaced his hand on his neck.

Mark smiled softly, placing his left hand on my waist and his right on my jawline. Gently, he ran his thumb along the edge of it.

For being 'just friends' my heart sure was beating.

We both leaned in at the same time, adrenaline rushing through my veins, firing on all cylinders. I closed my eyes, every nerve in my body feeling more alight than ever as we made to close the distance.

Every second felt like a thousand until finally our watches both went off at the same time. The two of us frantically jumped away from one another like we would catch the cooties disease. I struggled to meet Mark's eyes, my gaze darting down to the mission most likely presented to me via Cecil.

Starkly, I was reminded of last night. Someone out there has got to be laughing up a storm right now.

"I am so so sorry, I have to go right now. My dog ran away and we have to go find him," I stated, my blood running cold at the sight of the real message presented on my wrist.

"Yeah, me too. My grandma just came to visit," Mark said, frazzled.

I tapped a couple buttons on my watch, sending a speedy response to Cecil and charging up my teleporter.

"Good luck with your dog," Mark said, looking about ready to blast off.

"Thank you. Have fun with your grandma."

"Yep!" Mark was already speedwalking in the other direction.

I watched him walk away, turning around every few steps as I moved in the other direction. I waited until he was hardly within seeing distance, and there was no one else around, before activating my teleporter. Immediately, I could feel it's weird tingling sensation coat my body.

I closed my eyes, feeling every molecule I was made of break apart and rearrange. The next time I opened my eyes, I would be back where I started. Where this all started.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself smack in the middle of Guardian Headquarters.