Heartwarming / Legion of Super Heroes (2006)

• While trapped aboard the derelict space station in "Fear Factory", the gang is led into an illusion of Lightning Lad's room. The second Lightning Lad identifies the location. Superman, Brainiac 5 and Saturn Girl all take up defensive positions to guard and protect him.
• After having a very low opinion of the rejected Legion applicants (particularly because he kept getting manhandled during the auditions), Lightning Lad surprisingly doesn't require prodding to believe the future Substitute Heroes are telling the truth about Starfinger's connection to monsters the Legionnaires were fighting.
• The turn out by literally every member of the Legion for Ferro Lad's funeral at the end of the first season. He may not have thought much of himself, he may not have believed he was worthy of being a Legionnaire, but he knew what it took to be a hero, and everyone at in the Legion whose lives were touched by him turned out to honor his sacrifice. The eulogy Superman gave also counts.
  Superman: Heroes have strength, heroes have courage, but most of all, heroes put others before themselves. Ferro Lad was a Legionnaire for only a short time, but he was a great hero, and a great friend. He gave his life to save the galaxy, and we won't ever forget his sacrifice. Long Live Ferro Lad. Long Live the Legion!
  Legionnaires (fists raised high): Long Live the Legion!
  Camera pans upward to reveal a massive statue in Ferro Lad's honor in the Hall of Fallen Legionnaires.
• The end of "Chained Lightning", when Lightning Lad and Lord are reunited with their little sister Ayla.
  • Another brief example in the episode is during one of the flashbacks, which shows that despite his Jerkass attitude, Mekt was a genuinely caring older brother in the past.
  • The fact that Mekt briefly hummed Ayla's favorite song after waking up from his nightmare shows he still remembers her fondly.
• The episode "Karate Kid" has Superman accept the titular character into the legion. From the get-go, he genuinely respects his skills, not once batting an eye at his lack of superpowers compared to the other Legionnaires. It's heartwarming when you realize Karate Kid's resolve and raw efforts no doubt remind him of a certain Dark Knight from his time.
• The episode "Who Am I" had some nice Superman/Chameleon Boy friendship moments, the twist? Some of the most heartwarming scenes, were between Chameleon Boy and Ron-Karr.
  • The fact that Ron-Karr willing switches sides near the end of the episode. All thanks to Imperiex telling him off handedly he's only good for being used as a puppet in his schemes.
  • Before departing, Ron-Karr shape-shifts into Superman one last time, and gives the Legion a friendly smile.
• In 'Message in a Bottle', Superman finally manages to restore Krypton and unshrink the city of Kandor. The joy on his face would make anyone smile. Unfortunately, it goes into Tear Jerker territory as Brainiac 5 has to erase his memory of it afterwards to protect the timestream.
• Maybe not as powerful as the above examples, but there is one in the episode "Timber Wolf" when Timber Wolf, in his monster form (the Legion doesn't know he is, or was, human at the time), protects an unconscious Saturn Girl. He brings her to a cave, then drags her closer to a warming fire he built like a cat would a kitten.
  • Also counts as a Heartwarming in Hindsight: after he's restored to normal (well as close to normal as he can get) and after the Legion confronted his father, Timber Wolf is taken into the Legion and becomes part of their family.
  Dr. Londo: But for how long? A day? A week? You'll never be able to control yourself, Brin.
  Saturn Girl: Yes, he will (puts hand on Brin's chest and he smiles) and the Legion will be there to help. (Lightning Lad, Brainiac Five and Bouncing Boy smile at Brin in the background)
• In "Cry Wolf", Phantom Girl and Chameleon Boy stay by Brin's side even though he's being hunted by the Legion and Science Police Officers, convicted of killing his father and even he's not sure whether or not he killed him. When he has a freak out and reverts into his primal form after he discovers that he was the real killer, Phantom Girl tries to comfort him by saying that he's not a monster. Near the episode's conclusion, Timber Wolf and Phantom Girl share a hug after he refuses to kill his father (or rather his clone).
  Dr. Londo: (watching a now feral Timber Wolf go berserk over his Bio-Golems) "It's just the two of us now, father and son."
  (Cue the wall breaking down revealing Cosmic Boy, Sun Boy, Superman X, Colossal Boy, Phantom Girl and Chameleon Boy)
  Phantom Girl: "Sorry, but he has a new family now."
  • And after the fight:
  Timber Wolf: I don't know if I can do this alone
  Phantom Girl: (puts a hand on his shoulder) Then it's a good thing you don't have to.
• Lightning Lad visiting Matter-Eater Lad and Saturn Girl at the hospital during "In The Beginning," with Garth even making sure Tenzil is eating properly so he can get better. What's especially significant about this is Garth apparently passed on appearing at a ceremony where the Legion was receiving an award, and Saturn Girl seems to imply he's been regularly visiting her and Tenzil.
• "Dark Victory" ends with Triplicate Girl reunited with her third self and Superman X admitting that he was closer to the Legion than he admitted, complete with donning a flight ring and reciting the Legion of Super Heroes oath before returning to his proper time.

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