Jason Trevor knew he was different. He didn't know why. Maybe it was because of who his birth parents were, but he had no way of knowing for sure. At 17 Jason knew he was adopted. It was kind of obvious, both of his parents were blonde and his hair was black as the night. Although his eyes were ocean blue like theirs were. Even so he loved his parents with all his heart.
All of his troubles began on his seventeenth birthday. A woman with super long red hair came to the backyard where Jason and his friends were having the pool party while his Dad was grilling burgers. Jason's mom and their friend Ms. Prince walked over to greet the new arrival and Jason, trying to be a good host, walked up to say hi.
"Diana, Etta the queen has sent me to warn you as the gods have warned her. A new darkness has come and is targeting the young who are destined to defend this world. The first is to be…" The woman stopped talking as Jason walked up smiling. She gave a small smile back but Jason could tell it was forced. Either this woman was an Amazon or she was talking about something serious, or both. That's when Jason noticed the package under the woman's arm. He naturally assumed it was related to why she was talking to his mom and Ms. Prince.
"Make sure you get some cake before you go, okay?" Jason said warmly to the stranger, "After all you can't come to a birthday party and not have cake." And with that he turned to go but the woman stopped him.
"So am I to assume that you are the celebrated or are you just the Lord of Festivities." There was a hint of a tease in her voice.
Jason turned back and smiled, "Nah, Papa is the Lord, I'm the birthday boy just won the regional championship in swimming too so it's a double party." He held out his hand for a shake, "Name's Jason."
The woman returned the hand shake firmly, "Artemis, and congratulations on your victory." Then she grabbed the package out from under her arm and handed it to him, "It's also not customary for a guest to attend a birthday without a present to give is it not?" Jason took it and looked at his mom to make sure it was okay for him to open it. The plan had been that he wouldn't open any present till after the cake. At least that's the way it had been every year he could remember. Still it didn't stop Jason from trying to get at least one present open early every year. Normally he failed in this mission but today Etta Trevor gave her consent.
Jason ripped the wrapping paper off to reveal a finely made wooden box. Curiously he opened it and saw to silver bracers, like those in pictures and movies of ancient Greek warriors. Jason was speechless, "Those are Themescyrian Gauntlets a great magical item never before given to a man. They can resist anything and once worn can take any form you chose even go invisible." Artemis explained.
Jason knew that being the first man to receive these was a big deal to Artemis and Diana and all of their people. "Thank you so much," he said sincerely and then he had to ask, "Why me."
Artemis smiled seeing his reverence towards the gift, "It's Partially because your mother is of our blood and partially because of what your destiny is. You are to be one of the new generation of Heroes. And just like your namesake you are to be one of your generation's leaders." Artemis saw the hesitation in the boys eyes and the reprimand in Diana and Etta's. "What? The child deserves to know. And don't be afraid put them on. I'm sure you won't get a better gift even from your father."
Jason set the box down and slid the bracers on instantly they constricted to a perfect fit so that they wouldn't slide but still weren't uncomfortable. Once they had sized themselves, they simply disappeared. Jason stared in awe at his wrists.
"Consider it a gift from your mother." Artemis said, and then she let out a grunt as Jason takle hugged her.
Jason pulled back, "Can you give that to my mother as a thank you." Artemis nodded, and Jason ran back into the pool performing a flawless dive. He loved the water and that's why his parents spent so much money to maintain a fresh water pool.
Artemis looked over to Diana and Etta who had been quiet during the interaction. "You're softening up Artemis. Last time I saw you, you would have punched him for touching you." Diana smiled at her sister Amazon.
"I only hold back, because he is your child Diana and whether I like it or not that makes him Prince of Themyscira. You should have had a daughter." Artemis said matter-of-factly her eyes never leaving the boy swimming in the pool.
Diana nodded, "He doesn't know about all of that and I think it's for the best."
That's when Etta put a hand on his shoulder, "He knows some. When he was twelve he told us he figured out he was adopted. The hair gave it away, recessive gene and all." She smiled a comforting smile, "Diana maybe it's time you told him. You and I both know that he won't be able to stay hidden for long. He's developing a mix of yours and Arthur's powers. If he goes into the superhero world Mera might going to attack all three of you for his existence."
"He was conceived before Arthur had even met Mera. She has no reason to be angry at anyone." Diana said flatly. Artemis turned to leave but Diana grabbed her gently by the arm, "Please stay you might have to help me at the end of this."
Artemis searched her princess's eyes and submitted, "As you wish, but if it comes to blows I won't hold back."
Diana smiled I wouldn't expect you to.
Meanwhile in Gotham City another birthday party was being held. Although this one was a week after the actual event, it seemed just as lively is not more so. Gotham's Prince Scott Wayne holding a public birthday in conjunction with Michelle Grayson, daughter of Bruce Wayne's first ward. News crews came and hyped as if it was the academy awards. Local celebrities walked a red carpet and posed for the cameras, a few even giving birthday wishes to the two teens for the newscasters.
Scott hid in his room. He hated this stuff. Like his mother he preferred to be out of the spotlight. But his Father insisted on keeping an active civilian life. And so Scott was the Party Boy Prince of Gotham. Known for hoping from model girlfriend to model girlfriend.
Michelle on the other hand was different, she was quiet around people she wasn't familiar with and so the media relished her public appearance even more because of its rarity. She was the daughter of Richard Grayson the famous Acrobat turned millionaire foster child so the media decided that she should have been as outgoing as her father.
At any rate the party was going smoothly Michelle stayed by her father who was catching up with Bruce and Selena Wayne. One of the reporters walked up to Bruce and was about to be escorted away from the couple when Bruce waved them away, "Clark! How have you been?" He asked as they shook hands, "Fine, Fine." Clark responded, "Lois and Rebecca send their birthday wishes, Their sorry they couldn't attend."
The conversation was pretty dull even for Michelle. She was honestly thinking about leaving the party when a blonde headed girl came flying through the window, crashing into the punch table. People went screaming as the sky outside grew dark. A creature made of pitch black storm clouds followed Clark recognized the girl immediately. She was his daughter, Rebecca Kent aka Superchick.
Rebecca got up and dusted off her red skirt and then realized where she was. "Sorry Mister Wayne." she said as she flew back into the air to continue her fight with the creature.
"She is so grounded." Clark said under his breath as he watched his daughter go into the fight he was about to go join her when Selena grabbed his arm, "How about we let the kids show us if they've been paying attention." She said calmly and the she looked over to Michelle, "Go get Scott and get suited up and help Superchick. If you need help call." Michelle nodded and ran off to find her childhood friend.
In what seemed no time at all Scott and Michelle had transformed into their superhero personas, Panther and NightShade. The two should have switched parents. Panther was acrobatic and liked to stick with the whip he had inherited from his mother more than the army of gadgets his father used. Nightshade was more of the Bat's style, stealthy and gadget loving, straight forward with her fighting.
They got to the roof of the convention center just in time to catch Superchick as she was knocked down again, "Looks like beating it to a pulp isn't the right idea." Nightshade said sarcastically.
The girls glared at each other for a second, "Then what do you suggest we do, oh wise one." Superchick spat back. The Monster had lost interest and had turned and was about to attack the building across from the convention center where Scott and Michelle's party had been held. Before it could do any damage though a voice echoed through the air, "Niatnoc eht mrots!" and a mystical bubble formed around the monster.
Back in Metropolis at Steve and Etta Trevor's home the party was coming to a close Jason was saying goodbye to his friends and thanking them for their gifts. The only guests left were the Amazons, Ms. Prince and Ms. Artemis. Since they all knew about the bracers Jason stopped concentrating on keeping them hidden. Instantly the silver appeared gleaming polished in the light. He was getting use to their weight.
Diana took a deep breath and then began, "Jason, Have you been experiencing changes to you? Like getting abnormally stronger or faster?" Jason hesitated for a minute. Diana Prince was a close friend to mom and dad but was she trustworthy as for as his quirks? He was about to lie when Dad blurted out, "Are you kidding this boy can stay under water for nearly half an hour. First time he did it nearly scared me half to death." Jason made a mental note have a talk with dad about why his secrets are secret.
Artemis nodded as if she knew perfectly what was going on. "Diana it's begun. It's time he met him." Diana nodded though Jason noted a hint of sadness in her.
"Meet who?" he asked curiosity now piqued.
"Time to meet your father." Diana said as she stood up and began walking to the door.
"But what about my mother?" Jason asked.
"Are you serious?" Artemis asked outraged, "You're smart enough to figure out that you are adopted but you can't figure out who your mother is."
Jason stammered trying to think about everything he knew about his mother. He barely noticed that Diana had stopped cold her back still to him. "Well my mother was a good friend of my parents and her job was too dangerous to raise me especially since my father had gone off and married another woman."
Artemis huffed in exasperation realizing that this was why Diana had asked her to stay. "Your mother is Diana, Princess of Themiscyra and she is standing behind you about to lead you into your destiny."
Jason shocked turned to face the woman he would have never thought of as his mother. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"It was for your protection. If I kept you at a distance you would be safe from my enemies." She said, "But now that your powers are coming to you won't be safe on your own. You can chose to acknowledge your father and I. But I ask that you first meet your father before you decide. Also I insist that you join the newest incarnation of Teen Titans. There you can train up your powers and fight those who would want to do harm to you and others. Do you accept?" Diana had turned to face Jason and held out her hand for him to take.
Jason was upset, He felt like her reasoning was a complete cop out. He wanted to scream that she was a coward and tell her to leave. He wanted to wake up and find that all of this was a freaky dream. But he realized that he really didn't have any other choice than to take her help. So he grasped her hand and shook it. Diana smiled, looking relieved and continued walking to the front door. Jason turned back and hugged his parents goodbye. And then turned to Artemis, "Thank you." He said, "For everything."
And with that he ran to catch up with Diana and go on his new adventure and meet his new life. Etta and Artemis walked to the door and waved goodbye to the pair as they headed off toward San Francisco. Artemis stayed just a little while longer to assure Etta that Jason was in good hands and then she too left. Etta stayed at the door looking in the direction Diana flew off in. "Take care Jason, come back the hero I know you are."