"What do you mean pregnant?" Ebon asked while sitting down on the couch next to Janyx and Rajilot. "How did this happen?"

"Well, you see when two people are in love and they get together..." started Rajilot.

"I know how it happens," interrupted Ebon. "I guess what I am really asking is, who's the father?"

"I am, in a manner of speaking," acknowledged Janyx.

"Would you care to explain that?"

"Well, Darna, I am from another dimension," reminded Janyx. "I only choose to have a female form."

"So, you are really a man?"

"That's not really true either. In our dimension, we are not limited to such simple concepts as male and female genders. Probably the easiest way to think about it would be to think of us as atomic elements. Say for example, I am oxygen. I can combine with hydrogen, and carbon, and a variety of other elements in many different ways. Among my people, when two or more of us get together and decide to produce offspring, we choose who will be responsible for contributing to the genetic makeup of the child. I know it sounds complex, but to us, it's just our way of life."

"I think I understand," Ebon sighed. "I need to return to The Bunker. I am certain your teammates will want to run right over and offer congratulations. I would like you both to come back, but I need to make arrangements with John to set up a nursery for you as well."

"That would be great," thanked Rajilot. "I think it'll be super raising a child with the rest of the team."

Back in the briefing room at The Bunker, the headquarters for Team Rainbow Super Force, Ebon Huntress explained the surprising development to her teammates.

"They're having a baby? That's so cool," exclaimed Azure. "I love babies. I can't wait to have some of my own one day." Azure turned to smile across the table at Captain Crimson who was suddenly looking a little pale.

"Some?" Crimson muttered under his breath.

"In any case, we will need to start making room in the facility to accommodate our soon to be newest family member," instructed Ebon.

"That may be a problem," Chromed Avenger informed. "When I obtained this facility, I only intended to use it as a base of operations for the team. It is not well suited for raising a family."

"I have to agree with John," Emerald Guardian added. "The Bunker is a rather sterile environment. If we are talking about raising a family, it needs to be in a warm nurturing environment. Someplace where you can get out and see the sun on a regular basis. Somewhere that actually feels like a home."

"What do you suggest?" Ebon asked.

"Kryss and I have been discussing this for a short time now," Avenger explained. "We need a new facility."

"You don't intend to abandon The Bunker, do you?"

"No," Emerald clarified. "We think The Bunker should be used as the hardcore training center, and it should remain the central base of operations. However, a new facility could also be used as a community center, allowing us to grow with the community as well."

"With your approval, I would like to start looking over a couple places I have in mind," Avenger advised.

"Why not," smiled Ebon. "I look forward to your results."

Back at the bunker, Ebon Huntress immediately noticed how excited Chromed Avenger was over his discovery.

"John, you never cease to amaze me," Ebon smirked. "I haven't seen you this excited about anything in a long time."

"I seldom get to do anything new and creative," replied Avenger. "Most of my time here is spent working with the computers, sorting through daily reports, and putting together projections and situation analysis reports. This will be the first time in a long while that I will get to design something from scratch. And I plan on making it state of the art."

"Don't forget about making it livable as well."

"I haven't. In fact, I have some great ideas that even Kryss will like. If I have your approval, I'd like to start work on this immediately."

"Go, John. I will want to see more detailed plans of what you have in mind, but for now you have my blessings."

Several days came to pass uneventfully, but early one morning Rajilot woke up in agonizing pain. Much to her surprise, she discovered she was about to give birth. Awakened by Rajilot's screams, Janyx quickly jumped out of bed and ran to her side.

"It's alright, Raji," Janyx comforted. "I am here for you. Everything will be okay."

"I have never felt anything like this," screamed Rajilot. "It's like something clawing its way out of my body. I want it out, Jan! NOW!"

"Don't worry, Raji. I'll take care of everything."

Janyx used her powers to create a soothing and relaxing stasis field for Rajilot. Carefully guiding her hands through her spells she reached down to help remove the child from Rajilot's tummy.

"I can see the head, Raji," Janyx exclaimed. "Oh, Raji, the baby is coming."

"What is it?" gasped Rajilot. "Is it a boy of a girl?"

"Take a look for yourself," smiled Janyx as she handed the new baby girl to her mother.

"Oh, Jan, She's beautiful. Thank you, Jan. You're the best."

News quickly spread and it didn't take long for the members of Team Rainbow to show up and properly welcome the new baby to the world.

"She's adorable," Azure admired. "Have you decided on a name?"

"Yes," giggled Rajilot. "I remember when she was conceived I heard music in my head. At that point, I knew she would be the song in my life. Her name is Melody."

"That's a beautiful name," Azure beamed. "She looks so much like you too."

"She is truly adorable," added Ebon.

"Would you like to hold her?" Rajilot asked.

"I would be honored."

"Okay. Here, Melody. Say hello to Auntie Darna," Rajilot smiled and she handed Melody into Ebon's arms.

Several hours went by with friends ogling over the new baby, but it eventually became time to put Melody down for a nap. Most of the members of Team Rainbow soon left to return to The Bunker, however Emerald Guardian stayed behind to discuss some important findings. Joining Janyx and Rajilot at the kitchen table, he prepared to deliver some very solemn news.

"I didn't want to say anything while everyone was here," Emerald began. "I performed a brief medical scan of your baby and found some disturbing results."

"Is Melody alright?" Rajilot asked nervously.

"By all appearances, she is a very healthy baby. If this was any normal baby, I wouldn't be concerned."

"Go ahead and tell us," Janyx said sternly.

"It appears the combination of your very divergent genetic makeup has produced an unusual side effect. Melody’s body is aging rapidly. In fact, it is aging too rapidly. If something isn't done soon, she'll be dead within a couple of weeks."

"Oh, Jan," Rajilot gasped trying to hold back her tears.

"I'm right here, Raji," Janyx comforted. "Kryss, surly there is something we can do. I could use my magic to..."

"No offense, Janyx, but that would be a temporary fix," Emerald informed. "Your magic tends to be of limited duration. You have to keep concentrating on the task you are performing in order for your spells to continue working. It would leave you vulnerable and unable to help anyone else. And if you wavered in your attention, your spell would be disrupted, thus causing damage inadvertently."

"What can be done?"

"Fortunately, I have seen similar cases before, in plants."

"You're not planning on turning my daughter into a plant, are you?" Rajilot asked angrily.

"No," Emerald responded. "I believe I can synthesize a serum to help slow down the aging process. Because she is not a plant, I will need to make the initial dosage on the weak side, so that I can watch out for any potential side effects. Also, because this will cause some changes in her biochemistry, it will also cause her to change color."

"Change color?"

"Raji, it's alright," Janyx assured. "It doesn’t matter what color she is, as long as she stays alive. I am certain Kryss won’t let her come to any harm."

A couple days later, Emerald Guardian returned with serum in hand. Melody had grown faster than he had expected, as she was practically a toddler already. Allowing her to sleep peacefully, Emerald carefully administered the serum to the resting toddler.

"She's grown faster than I anticipated," Emerald informed. "I wish John wasn't so involved with the new facility right now. I could have used his help with the calculations."

"Will it be enough?" Rajilot inquired.

"Your daughter is safely out of the danger zone. However, she is still aging faster than is normal. I see that her skin has already begun changing color."

"Yes, she has," Janyx confirmed. "But she still looks a lot like her mother."

"It’s probably a recessive trait becoming more pronounced. The serum will help stabilize it. With these new readings, I will be able to start work on the next batch."

"Wait," interrupted Rajilot. "Before you go, Jan and I have made a decision and we would like you to tell everyone back at The Bunker."

"Raji and I decided that we want our daughter to be raised knowing that both of her parents love each other and are completely committed to each other."

"Jan proposed to me and I said yes!"

"You two are getting married?" Emerald asked surprisingly.

"I believe the technical term is a joined union," informed Janyx. "We plan to hold the ceremony here tomorrow evening."

"We want everyone to attend," Rajilot smiled.

"I'll be sure to let them know," confirmed Emerald.

Chromed Avenger met with Cyan Aide the next morning to check the completed underwater access passage to the ocean.

"This is fantastic," Cyan admitted. "Even better than I imagined. I was out in the ocean depths in just minutes."

"I am pleased you approve," Avenger acknowledged. "If you will follow me, Darna has something she'd like to give you."

Cyan Aide followed Chromed Avenger up to the living quarters section of The Bunker. Ebon Huntress and Emerald Guardian were waiting in the room as Cyan and Avenger entered.

"Welcome, Nahl," Ebon greeted. "I trust you are happy with access passage arrangements?"

"Absolutely," Cyan smiled. "I feel much more comfortable knowing I can swim out to the ocean whenever I feel the need. Thank you for taking the extra effort."

"It was no effort at all. This will be your room while you stay here. Feel free to decorate it as you like. However, there is a special gift waiting for you in the dresser. Why do you take it into the other room and try it on." Cyan took the package into the next room and returned a few minutes later in his new Team Rainbow uniform.

"This is nice," Cyan said as he strutted back into the room. "It's chic, stylish, and light weight. It almost feels like I am not even wearing it."

"We designed it to allow you to feel the water around you completely," informed Emerald. "Plus we added a special lubricant to the surface that will allow you to glide through the water even faster, without causing any negative environmental effects."

Emerald Guardian rushed over the following day as soon as he learned about the previous night's events. He was relieved to find out everyone was alright, and that the encounter had not produced any unexpected results with Melody's growth.

"Yes, we were both very surprised by the ordeal," Rajilot informed Emerald. "We never imagined she had any special abilities at all."

"She has never shown any signs of having any of our abilities," confirmed Janyx. "And I would know if she did."

"I would bet that there is more to her abilities than just being able to produce stunning screams," conjectured Emerald. "I would like to keep her under closer observation. What would you say about moving into the new facility?"

"Is it completed already?" Janyx questioned.

"Not quite," Emerald laughed. "The living quarters and my new lab are completed, and John has assured me it is quite safe to move in and begin doing work there. It's up to you, but I will warn you, it is very magnificent."

"We should check it out before we make a final decision."

Arriving at the new facility, Janyx, Rajilot and Melody walked in through the main doors and stunned upon entering the great hall. All three of them stood in awe at the magnitude of workmanship and design that had gone into its construction.

"Oh, Jan," Rajilot sighed. "It's beautiful. I want to move in immediately."

"Alright, Raji," laughed Janyx. "I never could say no to you. And what do you think, Miss Melody?"

"It's really cool," Melody added. "I can't wait to see my room."

Ebon Huntress and Violet Haze stood outside the new facility discussing the arrangements for member relocation.

"I understand that if we want to see each other, we need to be at separate locations," Violet acknowledged. "That's why I want you to head up operations in this office."

"Lazlo, you are too overworked and need to relax," Ebon conjectured. "You should head up operations here."

"I'm overworked? You're the one running an entire team. You should relax."

"Yeah well, I'm in charge and I say you should relax." Violet and Ebon stopped and looked at each other, and then both started laughing.

"Alright, Lazlo, you win. I'll take over operations here. But that means you have to come over here every now and then to relax, understood."

"I concede to your authority. Now all we have to do is figure which teammates to relocate."

"Somehow I think that has already been decided."

Ebon Huntress presented Melody with a special gift.

"Because of your unique abilities, and because you truly are a part of our family, we have decided to make you a member of Team Rainbow," Ebon said as she handed Melody her new uniform. Melody raced up to her room to change and rejoined the party in her new outfit.

"This is great! I love it, Aunt Darna," Melody cheered. "Do I get a name too?"

"But of course. Based on your abilities, the world shall know you as Choral Blush."

"It's perfect!" Choral said as she gave Ebon a hug. Choral then turned to face her parents, Tawny Bimbo and Tangerine Mistress, both with tears of joy running down their cheeks.

"We are both so proud of you," Tawny and Tangerine said as they put their arms around Choral for a family hug.

A couple of days later, Ebon Huntress called a press conference to announce the official opening of Team Rainbow's East Side Center. All the members of Team Rainbow were present for the dedication ceremony.

"Be assured,” Ebon said. "The East Side Center is not just a place where you can find the members of Team Rainbow. It is also a place where you can interact, partake and participate with us in our daily lives, and yours. By working together, we can all build a stronger community, and a stronger family. The East Side Center doors will always be open to those in need, and those who need a friend."

After a long day of meeting with the press, Ebon Huntress decided to take a seat and relax in the new briefing room of East Side Center. She was casually watching the daily news reports on the monitor when the screen flashed static for a moment and revealed Happy Birthday staring at her.

"Hello, Ebon Huntress," Happy greeted. "Had a long and tiring day, have you?"

"Happy Birthday, what do you want?"

"I wanted to offer my congratulations, of course. Although, it is you who should be thanking me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Why it's simple really. It's because of me that you have new members on your team."

"You are full of yourself, Happy. What makes you think you had anything to do with it?"

"Ebon, really, you don’t remember our first encounter months ago? Who do you think gave Tangerine Mistress and Tawny Bimbo the idea to become lovers? This of course led to your team breaking up, and you having to find new members, and rebuild your team. You see, you and your team were impressive, I'll give you that. However, you are still no match for me, which is why I continue to elude you. I think one day soon, you will be a worthy adversary, but I will have to do my part and speed that process along."

"You really are evil, Happy."

"Just doing my part," Happy laughed. "We are two sides of a coin. The only difference is, one day, someone on your side will betray you." And with a final laugh, Happy vanished from the screen.

So concludes the seventh chapter of Team Rainbow Super Force. Stay tuned for Chapter 8: Day of the Living Dead