Well, I finished one story and now I think I'll try a few oneshots and drabbles to see how it goes. Takes place sometime after "Chain of Command".
Teamwork
"Come on, Timber Wolf, run the simulation again. This time, remember that this is a team mission, not a personal training exercise."
Timber Wolf bit back a retort at the criticism. There was something about Cosmic Boy that just really set him on edge ever since the former Legion leader had returned from his long absence. Even though he was no longer in command, Cosmic Boy still carried a certain amount of authority which allowed him to still oversee team practice runs and simulations. This particular simulation had Timber Wolf and Phantom Girl paired up on an assignment to work together to bring down Tharok. They had run through the same sim five times and every time, Cosmic Boy had something to criticize about their performance.
Phantom Girl rolled her eyes so that only Timber Wolf could see as Cosmic Boy started the exercise from the beginning. They were both getting fed up with running the same mission over and over again. She quickly outlined a plan that Timber Wolf thought was too risky, but one that she insisted would work.
"Look, I know you don't like it, but it's the only way we'll beat this sim," she told him impatiently. "Don't hold back. I'll be fine, I promise."
As the first explosion of the simulation went off, Timer Wolf said, "Be careful." He knew that if their timing was off, even just a little, she could seriously get hurt. He just had to trust that she knew what she was doing the way she was trusting him to carry out his part of her plan.
Phantom Girl nodded and took off to where Tharok was wreaking havoc on a city block. Phasing and attacking from behind, she kept Tharok distracted while Timber Wolf cleared the area of civilians. The last pedestrian had just taken off down the street when Tharok managed to get ahold of Phantom Girl. She called out for Timber Wolf, and he turned to see Tharok holding Phantom Girl in front of him as a human shield.
"Let me go free, or else you'll be looking for her replacement," the robot said.
"Timber Wolf, remember what I told you! Do it now!" she shouted.
Timber Wolf saw Cosmic Boy jerk in surprise when he ran at Tharok, his arm pulled back. As soon as he was close enough, he let his fist fly through Phantom Girl and into the villain's head. The robot crumpled to the ground and Phantom Girl resolidified herself, a smirk on her face that clearly said, Told you it would work.
"What was that!?" Cosmic Boy shouted, storming over to where Phantom Girl had landed next to Timber Wolf.
"Uh, hellooo? You told us to use teamwork, and that's what we did," Phantom Girl said, putting her hands on her hips.
"That isn't what I meant by teamwork, and you know it." Cosmic Boy's finger waved in their faces.
"Maybe you should've been more specific," Timber Wolf said, knocking Cosmic Boy's hand away.
"I'll say," Phantom Girl snorted. "So did we pass the sim or not?"
Timber Wolf stifled a laugh at the pissed look on the other boy's face. As much as Cosmic Boy might hate their solution, there was no denying their results.
Not to be deterred, Cosmic Boy pulled himself up to his full height. "You may have passed the basic requirements of the simulation, but you did so in an unsatisfactory manner that—"
"Hold it right there," Phantom Girl put a hand up to cut him off. She turned to Timber Wolf. "You heard that right? We passed the requirements."
"I believe that is what he said."
"And so it makes sense to assume that we're done here, correct?"
"I would think so," he agreed, secretly enjoying the rising color in Cosmic Boy's face. It was just so easy to push this guy's buttons that it was hard to resist. Being around Phantom Girl didn't help matters much. She had a knack for sarcasm and a tendency to pick targets that were fun to get riled up, and Timber Wolf couldn't help but join in. "We beat the sim using teamwork as instructed, so I don't know what else he expects from us."
"I expect—"
"Me neither," Phantom Girl said, ignoring Cosmic Boy completely. "So since we're done here, I believe that you said something about a movie earlier?"
"I never said you two were done!" Cosmic Boy snapped, bringing the attention back to him.
"Simulation completed," the computer's voice announced. Gradually the projected images around them faded, leaving them standing in a wide empty room.
"Apparently the computer thinks we are," Phantom Girl said flippantly, "but you are more than welcome to continue on your own if you want." She started heading for the exit of the Sim Chamber, swiping the computer's control tablet from Cosmic Boy on her way out with Timber Wolf following. Pausing by the door, she turned back to where Cosmic Boy was glaring daggers at the two of them and fiddled with the controls.
"What are you doing?" he demanded.
Timber Wolf saw Phantom Girl's wicked grin and knew that she was up to something. He watched as a crowded landscape appeared and a new simulation began with Cosmic Boy being thrown flat on his back by a robot. Phantom Girl waved the controls in farewell as she opened the doors for both her and Timber Wolf, causing Cosmic Boy to yell out, "Don't you dare leave me here!"
"I'm sure you'll be fine. Just remember, this one is a personal training exercise, not a team mission," Timber Wolf advised as he shut the doors on Cosmic Boy's frustrated yell. Turning to Phantom Girl, he allowed himself a smile when she burst out laughing.
"Did you see his face?" she gasped in-between laughs. "He is going to be sooo mad when he gets out!"
"It was worth it." Timber Wolf shrugged, taking the control tablet from her. "Besides, he should be happy. He gave us an enemy and told us to work together to beat our opponent. That was our mission, and we accomplished it."
"What about his mission?" Phantom Girl raised her eyebrow.
"His mission?" Timber Wolf glanced down at the computer's program controller in his hand, an idea beginning to form. Looking at Phantom Girl with a mischievous grin, he turned the simulation's difficulty level up a few notches. "He's just getting started."
