(POV GENERAL)
During the heated battle between both alien's and clones the team across the self made corridor were searching for the Clock King. Team A being the ground team comprised of Miss Martian, Artemis, Robin, and Aqualad. Sat still in hopes that both Miss Martian or Robin could locate him through their unique ways of tracking. While the B Team being purely Kid Flash ran from floor to floor in a building designed by Lex Luther which spiraled to the highest peaks in which it could spanning at least over eight stories.
However no matter how high the speedster ran or the Martian psychologically scanned no Clock King was found leading the team to a disappointing failure oof a mission. Feeling guilty Miss Martian said with a sanded heart "I'm sorry…" Dragging on her sentence portraying its untold meaning while Kid Ran back speaking in the same manner "Yeah me too guys."
Silence outweighed the group until a gleeful cackle recharged their dopamine "I've got him." Hearing this Aqualad took aim asking "Can you lead us?" Robin understanding the notion nodded his head and began walking towards group C being the two alien bruiser cruisers. With a few echoed steps over the cracked concrete the team found an interesting sight of Superboy or Conner Kent calming his anger with Buzzshock now Shift in a trance standing up seemingly staring at the night starry sky.
"Hey Superboy what's wrong with Shift?" Hearing a worried Kid Flash no one even registered as this was the first time Wally ever showed a care towards their leader. While Artemis passed the group by walking towards Shift about to place her hand in his as Superboy corrected her. "I wouldn't do that." Was all as he said discontinuing his breathes. "What why not?" Questioned Artemis seeming to think he's seen this side of Shift.
Intending to answer Superboy opened his mouth only for a shocked voice to tremble in Miss Martians voice "Wasn't he like this after Malayshiah?" Hearing the connection everyone looked to their leader as Superboy added on "Yeah. He was like this well before to during the torture." Nothing seemed to bother Artemis until the word Torture escaped his lips and with a split moment Artemis gripped Shift's hand in a welcome embrace it was accepted as semi copiously Shift's hand returned the gesture. Feeling his warm embrace Artemis released a breath she herself didn't know was being kept as Shift's hidden eyes behind the mask stared at a slightly familiar presence. Of a blue skinned child.
Similar to before the surroundings were encased in a blue dome while the hot herself had blue skin yes it was more teal in shade while her clothes of a raincoat and jeans were denim. "You've done well with this power I've given you." Began the conversation between both the Blue Girl and Josh yet Josh tried speaking back he seemed enable, as if something locked the key storing his voice away.
"I took your ability to speak as you earthlings always seem to talk to much, and as I have come to report to you of something." Hearing the blatant admittance of his being Mute Shift was furious yet allowed the girl to speak as his ability to fight would be mostly hindered if he even attempted the thought of harming her. "Good." Was all she said in a child like manner as she began.
"You're likely wondering in what had transpired regarding your transformations notable upgrade. That was something I added as I mentioned the last we spoke this is only one of the two programs I've added the first being an addition to your ultimate forms in case the need for them to arose was needed. And the key to that was an alien with your DNA and to make this easier for you I forced your DNA to become compatible with every alien race including the recored one stored within that watch of yours." With a brief but subtle pausing to collect her words and adjust herself the Blue god continued.
"The second feature I will remain hidden from you until I've deemed it necessary to use. Until those conditions are met I will not allow any intentions of this feature to be used. That is all." With that the blue dome of power collapsed in on itself with Josh in it thinking it was over until he felt a sudden warmth wrap his right hand. Feeling its familiarity Josh assumed it to be Artemis and followed that feeling bringing himself back to the real world.
"Hey guys you wait long?" Hearing a cheerful demeanor to before compared to his dark contrast everyone smiled while Artemis leaped into his arms hugging him only for her to realize the team was watching. "Um…" after a few awkward stares Shift changed the subject back to the moment at hand "Did you locate Clock King?" Seeing a possible change in atmosphere Robin chimed in posting a holographic projection of a camera footage showing the Clock King running towards the entrance to the building located on the bottom floor.
Without second though Shift turned and ran jumping through the hole in the wall provided by Sportsmaster's getaway maneuver sparked curious glances while both Superboy and Kid Flash merely smile deescalating the building by either ran down it or by following the leader in jumping. Seeing the three boy's jump Artemis couldn't help but scoff "Boys..' While Miss Martian recalled the BIOSHIP.
Diving through the air Shift placed his arms down to his sides using the gravity and atmosphere to his advantage causing his speed to escalate to its highest degree while Superboy followed suit Kid Flash was closest as he ran down the building itself using his super speed as a frictionless staircase beating both boys to the ground.
Seeing Kid beat them sparked a conflict of competition and so Shift brought his left wrist up looked at the familiar green glow and began to skim through slotted silhouette after another until a familiar yet aged form graced his covered face and with a simple tap began to fly like a buzzing beetle down the sides landing next in line hovering over Kid Flash who was standing with two passed out henchmen in front of a car.
"What too-Gosh dude you stink!" Kid wanting to fuel the fires of competition revolted in disgust as Kid witnessed this new form. Where an Insectoid with four arms, a slim build, and two powerful legs ending in sharp piercing claws. The reason of flight was due to the large transparent wings that allowed his current hovering. Located where his head would be where you'd see large yellow compounded eyes and a small mouth with yellow jagged teeth. Located down his spin however was his tail spiked with a stinger-like tip which could be used as a weapon.
With a sharp green flash the alien turned back to Shift who clarified Kid's earlier confusion "Not Stink, but Stinkfly." Kid used to his leaders behavior simply shrugged it off as a familiar making crater sound erupted in their ears. Through the dust a boy with a black shirt and Krypton's symbol for hope lay over it. Superboy late to the party said nothing and walked standing next to the duo with his arms crossed waiting for a surprised comidic clock maker to arrive.
—
Weeks later the team is now back within the familiar halls of Mount Justice given a free day to their own teenage responsibilities. Which Shift wasn't indulging in as he was within the underground training room. Where the capture the flag simulator was held with him, Ibis, and Ice. Against the team and their superior strategy not coming to what Shift hoped for, but that wasn't the reason for his being there.
No it was for more of a childish reason with it being what other aliens that he has treasured for years to now have an Ultimate form. Shift began walking down the list and was surprised, excited, and really wanting to test them out until a preset timer over his Batman provided phone alerted him. The time being 5:30 pm and with that signal Josh took his sweaty body to his dorm room and showered thinking about what could happen this night.
As it was technically there fifth date between himself and Artemis and like any teenager unaccustomed to relationships wanted it to work. But then a reflection of his past life with relationships wasn't any so that made his nerves spike. But with a steadying breath they quelled away as Josh dried his body and changed into a simple pair of brown slacks and red polo and to complete the look white vans.
Dressed and ready Josh left Mount Justice and walked to the transporter hearing the familiar technical echo as his particles destabilized and were transferred to Gotham. Yes this city of crime was a horrible date location the only reason is due to Artemis' house being their where'd he offered to pick her up and then walk to their date location from their which would take about five to ten minutes in total. Josh would be walking around thirty five minutes, but he didn't mind as it gave him plenty time to think about what could be done.
For both his own improvement and the teams that he thought he'd leave soon. His development with them was definitely worth his time spent but to allow them to grow the birds must leave the nest. A judgement the Batman would agree with. With a few more passing minutes Josh arrived to the door and knocked the secret knock of three slowed strikes followed by a fourth and final knock.
"I'm coming!" Hearing the familiar voice of Artemis Josh smiled and put his hands in his pockets providing little warmth as he thought "Should've worn a jacket." While an unfamiliar voice echoed "Are you the boy?" Hearing a voice not known and directly behind him Josh turned and nearly formed a combative stance only for him to stop at the visage of Artemis' mother who was a paraplegic stuck in a chair.
"Yes ma'am. And based on your looks your daughter got all her great genes from you." Hearing the comment Artemis' mother shied placing her right hand in a cupping motion pleased by the compliment as she softly spoke "Oh you sweet talker." "Mom…" hearing Artemis both parties turned to see her in all her glory with like Josh brown pants, Brown heels, a white top covered by a coat, and her hair tied in the back.
Seeing her Josh couldn't help but smile as he then looked back to her mother. "Alrighty ma'am it was a pleasure to meet you." With the polite nod Josh grabbed Artemis' hand and began to laugh dragging her out of her house earning a giggle from both daughter and mother. With the later calling out "Be back by ten dear!"