(PROLOGUE) On Hoshi's last excursion from Force d'Orleans, she had gone to Phoenix to visit her son. Upon her arrival, however, she discovered that he was missing. After questioning the ranch staff, she learned that a group of teenagers had come through the area the previous week and had garnered Mikito's interest. Without leaving any type of information, he disappeared soon afterward.

Hoshi's first attempt to find him through their shared mind link was inconclusive (she knew that he was still alive and well, but could not speak with him or learn his whereabouts). Realizing that she was going to have to go after him, she summoned Aiyara and Baktu to leave New Orleans and come take over running the ranch. Once she was sure that her affairs were in order, Hoshi set out to track down her missing son.

That was two months ago. In the intervening time, she has been following his trail, always a couple of days to a week behind him and his new companions. She has come across several crime scenes during this time, where orphanages have reported children missing or taken. Further investigations have shown that each one of the missing kids had "unusual" behavior or situations surrounding them. Now, her travels are leading her in the direction of Boston, Massachusetts.

(1) Midnight, Morning Star and Turbo receive a disturbing communication from Beth Ann Hayes-Jones, asking for their help. Arriving at the Jones home in Boston, they discover that the area is filled with Secret Service and FBI agents. Once allowed into the house, they find Beth-Ann in the kitchen, learning that Dwight is in the back room being interviewed. They find that their son Richie has been taken from the daycare facility used by Beth Ann. She asks for their help, not only in finding her son, but also in keeping Dwight from doing something that he would later regret. Turbo agrees to stick around the house to keep Dwight company while the other two conduct an investigation.

Going to the daycare center, Morning Star and Midnight check in with the FBI agent in charge, who begrudgingly fills them in. About the same time, Hoshi arrives on the scene, following Mikito's trail, and approached the scene invisible in order to eavesdrop on the case. The three of them learn that, an hour before Beth Ann had come to pick up her son, a woman who looked to be just like her had picked him up and taken him. In examining the surveillance tapes, they discover that, save for a few minor differences, that the impersonator was a duplicate. While the FBI continued to gather surveillance from off-site sources, the two heroes went to the other stores in the strip mall to find additional clues.

While the heroes were checking out the video store and Chinese restaurant, they learned more of Beth Ann's habits, but didn't gain any further information until returning to the FBI, who gained surveillance from the Quickie Mart and parking lot cameras. Through the latter, they see the woman transform into a 13-year-old girl and meet with a young-looking Asian man in the middle of the lot. Still invisible, Hoshi recognizes her son on the tape. Therefore, when Morning Star walked over to the lot to examine the scene, she reappeared to ask that they team-up to rescue the kids. She tells him that she can trail her son, but is concerned that those that he is with may be more than she can handle alone. Returning to Midnight, the two agree to team up with her and the trio take to the air.

After flying a few miles, the trio found themselves approaching a junkyard, with the trail ending toward the back. Using his teleportation and invisibility abilities, Midnight got into listening range, where he found Mikito arguing with the leader about kidnapping Richie; that he had thought they were only taking orphans. Hoshi also used invisibility to examine the situation while Morning Star hovered just out of sight until X-Periment smelled their arrival. While Monolith made a beeline to his mech-armor, Hoshi started attacking the other teenagers and Morning Star zoomed in to recover Richie from Mikito. Hoshi's son agreed to help get the kids out of the line of battle while Morning Star rocketed Richie back to his family.

While Midnight used his strobe darkness to blind several of the teenagers, Hoshi used her invisibility to launch surprise attacks. Monolith arose out of the junk pile in his new armor, only to recognize and become outraged at Midnight's presence. The frustration was further compounded by Morning Star's return, who tried to draw the attention while Hoshi continued fighting and Midnight boarded Monolith's mech. Using the shadows, Midnight walked through the wall, enabling him to stop the unarmed boy inside, instructing them to surrender.

Once the fighting was over, Mikito used his mind link with Hoshi to discover what was going on, explaining that he had gotten involved the Generation Y-not because he realized that these children needed a better life than they were getting in the orphanages. She admitted that his goals were admirable, but the execution was flawed and that he must turn himself in and suffer the consequences. Returning to the scene, Mikito continued to explain his involvement, leading Midnight to identify with the man-teen. The former thief suggested that, if the proper legal aspects could be worked out, then perhaps Hoshi and Mikito could work together in providing the children with the guidance they would need. Hoshi reluctantly agreed, suggesting that Aiyara and Baktu could act as the legal guardians for the children as they all relocated to the ranch.

After an in-depth discussion with Dwight, the lawyer / politician agreed to help the mother and son team, with the understanding that he and Midnight would both be keeping a close eye on the new "family." Dwight managed to not only bypass the age discrimination of the duo, but got Mikito community service rather than jail or juvi time. Then the work started on gaining custody of the orphans.

(2) Over the first couple of days back at the Shooting Star Ranch, Hoshi is able to realize part of the problem that led to Mikito's excursion. While he is the co-owner of the ranch and operations manager, a strong percentage of the ranch hands seem to ignore him. Despite the fact that he is actually 60 years old, they treat him like the kid he appears to be, augmented by their lack of respect for his Asian heritage. Aiyara & Baktu seem to have garnered more respect in the past two months from the crew than Mikito had in the years since the ranch's purchase. In response to this, Hoshi lays down the law with the workers, causing over half the crew to quit. Sion Starr is one of the new ranch hands hired, a man with no past, apparently suffering from amnesia. He quickly endears himself to his new employees, offering to take classes in medical assistance to help care for the children.

The work of Jones and Knight is also apparent by the quick work on gaining foster custody for Aiyara & Baktu of the six kidnapped kids. After only a month, the day has arrived of the kids' arrival on the ranch. The morning is filled with excitement and preparation for the new arrivals. Unfortunately, disappointment is soon in coming as the local DCFS agent arrives in the children's stead, wanting to examine the newly constructed wing for the kids and their living environment. After a lengthy discussion and several alienating remarks between the very liberal Benjamin Steel and the "religious right-wing" Yonori's, DCFS gives "temporary" permission to take custody of the children.

A few hours later, Kara Lane, Steel's partner, delivered the kids to the ranch and instantly took a liking to the two gorgeous men. Making a far better impression than her predecessor, the young lady was invited to stay for dinner, which ended with introductions and confrontation. While Amy took an instant liking to Hoshi (having realized that she was the one that had saved her from Thunderclap during the fight), Jessie and several of the other children wondered why Mel (Strata-Gem) wasn't with them, as she had promised to take care of them. When Hoshi explained that Mel was in jail, it angered the supposed-siblings, who marched off to their rooms, leaving J.B. to explain their connection to the villainess.

Once all of the children were gone, with Mikito and Sion looking over them, Hoshi was forced to address the issues brought up with Lane, sparking the matriarch to refer the DCFS agent to Dwight Jones and Maurice Bode as references. When Hoshi tried to call Dwight directly, however, she was detoured to a message service, causing her to call on the Champions of Justice instead. Believing that there was an emergency, Morning Star traveled to the ranch in response. Meanwhile, Sion and Mikito talked about the revelations of the evening, with the amnesiac stating his concerns about Hoshi and Mikito to share information about his and his mother's history. As Sion resolved himself to confront Hoshi about his concerns, Morning Star arrived.

Further discussions between the five adults left Kara with a decision to make: whether to keep the information learned to herself and risk her job or expose everything to Steel and potentially splitting the kids and the newly-formed arrangement up. Taking her leave in order to think, she promised to make a decision within the next few days. Morning Star also took his leave, telling Hoshi to be careful and that he would be keeping an eye on the situation. This allowed Mikito to go check on the kids, leaving Sion to address his own concerns over the arrangement. Without coming to any compromises or direct answers, the night ended in tension and doubts for all parties involved.

(3) Several days later, the kids were taking advantage of their last day of sleeping in before starting school (in the district the ranch was listed in, school ran year-round) when the fire alarms in the children's dorm drew the attention of everyone. Sion was among the first on the scene, finding Jaime surrounded by flames that he had apparently created. After getting the boy out and the flames extinguished, the fact that he, J. B. and Brian had clearly manifested powers already. Brian, ashamed of his invulnerable chest, had been trying to hide his deformity, but was revealed as the boys were changing clothes. It was only after veiled discussion that the adults realized that the children were troubled and wary of their new guardians.

After the fire trucks had been dismissed (the head ranch-hand lied to them about the severity of the situation), Seraph - of the New Crusaders - arrived to investigate Hoshi and Mikito, who he claimed were members of his race. This led to much confusion on the part of the children, who saw the visitor as an angel. He explained that he was from another plain of existence. Shockingly, Hoshi seemed to take to the idea quickly, going so far as to transform herself into an angelic-looking being as well to prove that she could.

When issues of the children's well being and schooling came to the forefront once again, Seraph made the suggestion of home-schooling, going so far as to recommend a friend of his for the job. Leaving to make the arrangements, he contacted his old teammate Glenn Ferguson, also known as The Hero. Working with him and a contact within the Patricia O'Neal Foundation (one of three sponsors of the Champions of Justice), employment was garnered and arrangements were begun for Glenn and his five wards/clones to move to Arizona. Seraph returned with the good news, and then took his leave of the dysfunctional foster family.

Later that day, Glenn arrived in Phoenix and began a quick investigation into the situation between the Yonori family and DCFS. Once his gamma vision was finished and he had received copies of the children's files from the Foundation, he made his way to the ranch. Knowing to expect him, Hoshi and Mikito were waiting in the front yard discussing her need to be there and her apparent put-offish-ness toward strangers, while several of the children played tag in the back. Sion was drawn to J. B., seeing the boy upset for having been chewed out by Hoshi for "listening in" on her telepathic communications with Mikito. Sion explained that J. B. should indeed continue to use his powers and learn to master them. Apparently having formed a bond, the boy told Sion about Jaime's past, including the death of his mother because of his fire-starter powers. This sparked Sion to go looking for Jaime.

Meanwhile, Hoshi and Mikito greeted Glenn. After a brief discussion, Hoshi went to her room to do some soul-searching while Mikito continued to try and explain all of the various situations and alleviate the former Crusader's concerns. Once done, they went to the backyard to speak to the children. Sion, meanwhile, had made his way to the barn and found Jamie hiding in the rafters. Using a note pad and pen, Sion managed to learn that the boy was upset about what had happened that morning and that he was afraid of his powers; wanting to get rid of them. Promising to help the boy, Sion manages to persuade him to come out of the barn and join the others.

Once all of the kids are together, Glenn starts talking about schooling and potential rewards for hard work, including the possibility of introducing J. B. to Fury and creating a secret base in one of the dune caves. The kids start to get into the idea until Jessie throws a fit, complaining about the fact that they are turning their backs on Mel and Generation Y-Not, going so far as to insult Amy. Realizing that she had hurt the little girl's feelings, she explains that all she wanted was a family, to which Glenn pointed out that the group around her should be her family.

(4) As the Fourth of July rolled around, the Shooting Star Ranch was abuzz with activity as everyone prepared to attend Phoenix's annual Festival of Lights celebration. The kids had finally started to settle into a routine, feeling comfortable enough with each other to joke and tease without malice. At the breakfast table, everyone except Hoshi gathered to discuss the upcoming day's events and how to get around sensitive subjects like Glenn's public identity.

Once the group had finally left the ranch and traveled to the festival, Glenn took J.B. and Jaime, Sion went with Brian and Saul, leaving Mikito and Hoshi to watch over Jessie and Amy. While J.B. showed off at the sledge-o-matic game and Sion's crew waited in line to ride the bumper cars, Jessie signed up to run in the race, feeling confident that she would win. Sion dealt with an embarrassing situation when a female festival attendee tried to flirt with him, only to be shot down by his confusion in the situation. Meanwhile, as the race began, Jessie and the other racers were humiliated by the participation of Speedstress. Placing a mental summons to Mikito, who had wandered off on his own, Hoshi reported the presence of the Free Radicals and called for backup. J.B. intercepted the message and, as the kids worked toward reuniting and making their way to Sion, Glenn took to the air to investigate.