All characters are copyrighted to me, Radar Nocturn.
Colmaton and Dixie Diner are copyright their respective owners.
This is a very short story, detailing a plot point I am working on for a much larger story, telling how it all begins. It is a work in progress.

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Dr. Nefar let out a sigh as he looked out at the wasteland before him. He turned towards the computer screen after dismissing the small group to go about their mission.

"You do realize you lied to them," came a voice from behind him. The bat gave a nod in reply.

"Yes Robbie...but I had to. This world is not meant for those kids. I know it's a one way trip, but at least they will have a second chance at a better life. They won't be able to change this timeline, but they can prevent it from happening in another world. And now, it's time we commence our mission. We won't be coming back." The bat turned and gave a smile to the android hooked into the computer consoles before he took his seat at the command console of his airship, formerly the Nefarious Nightmare and now Minerva's Revenge.

The ship had seen better days, giving a bit of a shakey rattle as it took to the air and flew off towards the horizon. As the ship flew, the small group of youngsters and teens made their way to their destination. On their way, they passed burning cars, and boarded up stores. Upon arriving the wreckage of an old restaurant, they took a glance upward. Half the letters were gone or blackened out, but they were able to make out the name Dixie's Diner.

The young raccoon girl's watch flashed and beeped, and she lifted her wrist up, hitting a button. A holographic image of Dr. Nefar came up, some static distorting some of the image.

"I see you've found the place...now set the device I gave you down on the roof and activate the portal. I trust all of you to stop Nicholas Cray. Do what you can to convince the heroes, but most of all convince me to get involved. And Dorothy, I want you to remember, I.." A blast of static cut off the signal, and the raccoon known as Dorothy burst into tears. A lizard boy pulled her close, offering a bit of the scarf that concealed his face to her to wipe her eyes. The group then turned and made their way to the rooftop where they activated the device and stepped through the glowing window.

The world in which they emerged was a drastic change from the ruins they had left. Cars driving by, people roaming the streets and the other sounds of city life filling the air. They had arrived, but the question was when.

Back in the other world, Dr. Nefar slammed his fist down on the console when the signal cut out. The blast of gunfire had broken through the shields and taken out long range communications. He snarled as he turned towards the android.

"This is it old friend, ramming speed. Set the self destruct for after we penetrate through his defenses. I want a crater to be all that's left. This...this is what that bastard gets for all he's done. This is for everyone he's killed, this is for Minerva!"

Off in the distance, the blinding light was seen for miles, and then all went silent. Back at the resistance camp, a lone figure saw it and wept. A crow in a well tailored suit put his arm around the dove and held her.

"I'm sorry Celestrial, even I can't control all of the chaos in this world, sometimes I must merely stand back and observe. But, he brought a rebirth to this world."

The End?