The Team had failed miserably on their mission today. There was nothing more humiliating than having to ask their mentors to aid them in a fight. The stealth mission in the north pole was going great, but of course they were discovered. Fighting a large number of henchmen was easy, but having to simultaneously fight Wotan, Black Adam, and Bane was impossible for the Team. Those four were just too strong. In the end Batman, Green Lantern (John Stewart), and Captain Marvel came and stopped the supervillians. Now all seven of them stood inside the cave before Batman and were having the shit shredded out of them.
"What part of stealth and recon mission does this Team not understand," Batman barked glaring at them. "You are to infiltrate, get information, and get your asses out of there! This was not a difficult mission but this makes your 2nd failure in two weeks! What have you to say for yourselves?"
Everyone started yelling; blaming one another, and making excuses all at the same time.
-"Kid Idiot doesn't know how to stay in a group."
-"Zatanna shot a fireball and accidentally hit me in the head."
-"It wasn't my fault Bats I couldn't run anywhere when Bane lifted me."
-"Robin foolishly tried to fight Bane alone."
- "I had to magically shield us all from the gunfire."
-"ENOUGH!"
The Team stopped speaking after Batman shut them up. The Dark Knight began to rub his temples in frustration.
"I seriously don't know what I'm going to do with you guys. You're being reckless, and your teamwork is sloppy, and you're all acting like children. I'm not the only one who has noticed. Red Tornado, Black Canary, as well as other members of the Justice League have noticed as well. If you keep this up someone is going to wind up dead."
"Recognized Black Canary 13, Red Tornado 16"
The Team's android babysitter and their hot blond combat instructor had arrived through the zeta tube. Black Canary in her usual leather jacket and Red Tornado with his blue cape.
"Wotan is at Belle Reve, and Bane is in Arkham Asylum Batman," Canary explained. "Captain Marvel said he would find a location for Black Adam since neither of those prisons will hold him. How is the debrief going?"
"Horrible," Batman growled.
"Red Tornado," burst out Wally running up to the android as fast as he could. "Man, why didn't you help with the fight when we called you? We needed your help."
Red Tornado looked down at Wally and replied in his monotone voice," you didn't need me to help you with the fight. You needed me to win the fight for you. As I've told you in the past; it is not my place to fight your battles for you." Red Tornado turned to look at Batman and continued," and it isn't the Justice Leagues place. It defeats the purpose of you having the Team Batman if you're going to do their jobs for them."
The Dark Knight glared at the Team before continuing. "Do the two of you have any suggestions as to what we can do with them?"
Black Canary signaled Batman over she started talking quickly you could almost see the wheels turning in Bats head before he nodded. "The team is to take a month and a half break from all missions, during that time you will be receiving additional training. This is not optional and there will not be any questions on this matter is that understood." he said releasing the full power of the bat glare daring any body to question him. "Could you at least tell us who will be in charge of training us." Wally asked foolishly. Batman stared at him blankly completely ignoring him
It'll be good for the Team as a whole. Spend this time bonding, relaxing, and getting to know one another it'll be good for you all. Richard, Alfred expects you in bed tonight by 1 AM, and if I were you I'd be there. He said he'll refuse to bake cookies for us for 3 weeks if you aren't in bed on time. I take it you remember what happened last time?"
Robin simply shook his head yes in terror.
"Good, so make sure your asleep by 1."
Batman and Black Canary went to the zeta tubes and disappeared and Red Tornado flew up to his apartment. Robin didn't know what shocked him more. That Batman had just called him Richard in front the Team, or that Alfred was threatening him with a cookie strike. Richard or rather Dick sighed when they were gone.
"Well he obviously did it for a reason," he laughed. He removed his domino mask in front the team revealing his face and blue eyes. "Let me formally introduce myself guys. Richard Grayson, but you can call me Dick."
"YOU GO TO MY SCHOOL," Artemis shrieked.
"I told you we'd laugh about this someday."
"I'M NOT LAUGHING YOU ASSHOLE!"
The rest of The Team was however.
"Richard huh," Zatanna smirked. "Well I like it."
Connor folded his arms and muttered under his breath," you would."
That earned him an elbow from Kaldur. The Atlantean spoke up with a smile," well at least we all know one another's names."
The clock tolled 11:40 and everyone looked up.
"Oh shit," Dick exclaimed. "Hey look I'll see you guys to tomorrow. Agent A doesn't bluff about cookie strikes when his orders are disobeyed. Wally remember two years ago when Batman knocked almost all of Penguin's teeth out, broke Poison Ivy's Arm, Scarecrow's leg, five of Two-faces ribs, and put Joker in a body cast all in a single week?"
"Yeah," said the Speedster. "Uncle Barry was there when Bats put the Clown in the body cast. He had vivid flashbacks and nightmares about it. All he kept saying to me and Aunt Iris the first night was I had no idea that ribs could break like that."
"That was all because Alfred stopped making his cookies for us. I can't subject the criminals of Gotham to that again; he might actually kill one of them this time." Dick ran towards the zeta tube and disappeared.
Kaldur looked at the team and said calmly," we should all get some rest, after all this a break."
Everyone nodded in agreement and headed to their rooms in the cave. Connor waved and told Zatanna goodnight. After she left, the clone sighed and leaned against the kitchen counter pouting. He was going to absolutely hate tomorrow. Well technically today in a few minutes. It was going to be absolute hell and there was nothing he could do to avoid it. Why did Black Canary and The Team insist on making a big deal out of it? Oh well not every super clone liked their birthday and he was diffidently no exception. He went into his room and saw his pet, Wolf, lying asleep on his king size bed Batman had bought him.
"How many times have I said stay off the bed," Connor asked his him. Wolf snarled and wagged his tail in response because he wanted to wrestle. Connor sighed and looked at the clock on the wall as it beeped 12:00 AM.
"Happy Birthday to me," the Teen of Steel sighed as Wolf tackled him. He wrestled with Wolf for a few minutes, then took off his T-shirt and jeans, threw on a pair of shorts and laid under the covers. Maybe today wouldn't be so bad he thought drifting into a peaceful sleep.
Connor was awake in his room. His arms were behind his head and he was just staring at the ceiling. He didn't have much inside of his room except for clothes, and some weights. All the other guys' room had stuff that fit their personality. Dick's room (for the times he stayed at the cave) had about five computers in it. Two of the computers were hacking the Pentagon at all times, and the others were hacking the White House. He had full access to Wayne Enterprises because Bruce Wayne was his dad (he was just surprised that Batman said it). Connor had taken an instant liking to Dick when he was getting to know him. He was the only one on the Team who could beat Connor at chess. At times he could be the annoying kid brother but Connor still went out his way to protect the little bird on missions.
Wally was a completely different matter. That guy never shut the fuck up. If he wasn't flirting with M'Gann and Zatanna (which irritated the hell out of Connor) he was arguing with Artemis (who everyone knew that he liked). His room was covered in women in bikinis who were lying on top of cars. He had a nude photo but once Black Canary saw it she yelled," if I ever see this shit again you'll be the fastest teen alive with a limp." Connor did thank him for the playboy mags Wally let him borrow; although he always kept them hidden from Zee or any of the girls that came into his room. That was one conversation he was not going to have with any of the girls.
And then there was Kaldur. Kaldur was similar to Connor in a lot of ways. For the most part he was quite and liked to keep to himself. Since he was from Atlantis was still kind of "new" too the world. His room was covered in books. History books of all kinds, Fictional books like "Harry Potter" which he'd stay up all night reading, and Atlantean books on Sorcery. All the girls loved him because he was so innocent. The guy was even an artist and amazing one at that. Connor would never forget how all the girls (including Artemis) were crying during the Notebook. After seeing them cry like that, Kaldur spent 2 days straight in his room not coming out for anything. When he finally emerged he was carrying canvas paintings. For Zatanna, a picture of her and father Zatara who she hadn't seen since he became the new host for Doctor Fate. For Artemis, a picture of her mother Paula in her wheelchair and Artemis standing behind her giving her a hug with a smile on her face. And for M'Gann, it was a picture of her and her Uncle J'onn. This of course caused more tears and then for almost a week the girls did everything for Kaldur. From cooking, doing his laundry, and even a back massages. Wally and Dick were obviously jealous but only Connor could see how uncomfortable all the attention was making Kaldur feel. All in all the guys were his bros and he wouldn't trade them.
Well maybe Wally because at that very moment he rushed in the room at about 100 mph and jumped on the bed landing on Connor.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUPEY", he yelled. Connor growled in frustration. Kid Annoying accidentally kneed him downstairs. Being a Teen of Steel or not, that shit still hurt. Wally had also yelled as loud as he could, and having super hearing sucked like that when someone yelled at you first thing in the morning and you weren't ready for it.
"Thanks Wally now get out," came the irritated reply.
"C'mon Supey, get out of bed. We have a ton of stuff to do today. We have to get the cave ready for a giant party, with tons of food. Megalicious and Zatanna are baking cakes now, and Artemis is shopping with Green Arrow for food. Even Roy is coming."
"I don't like Roy. He's an asshole."
"And so are you, that's why you two don't get along."
"I said out Wally," Connor answered back throwing a pillow over his ears.
"But c'mon the entire Justice League is going to be here."
"The entire League won't be here and we both know it."
"From what I heard Canary told Big Boy Blue she'll scream his ears off if he isn't here."
He shivered having that done to him his super hearing malfunctioned for days. Connor slowly rose out of bed to look at Wally, smiled, and then quickly grabbed the Speedster by the scruff of his neck and shirt so he couldn't escape. Lifting Wally by his neck and the back of his jeans, Connor promptly threw him out of the room and went to lay back in the bed. When he collapsed on the bed someone was in it. He clicked on the light and he saw short black hair and backed away in horror.
"Dude you should give this room some more personality," came Dick's voice.
"Damn it Dick! Why are you in here?"
"Hello playing a joke on you that's funny for me and disastrous for you. Heavy on the dis. Happy Birthday by the way."
"Thank you. Now, get out!"
"Why?"
"Because I don't want you in here."
"You know you can't be a asshole on your birthday. You have to have fun."
"My birthday I can do what I want."
"Wow such a mature seventeen year old you are awesome to look up to."
"Bite me."
"I would but I would break my teeth and I don't think the ladies find that sexy anymore."
"I could punch you in the mouth they'll break either way!"
"You know you're being a real asshole right now, no wonder you and Roy don't get along."
"I don't give a rat's ass just get out!"
They glared at each other for a second before Dick got up and said," fine be alone when all your friends want to do is spend time with you. Jerk."
"Brat."
Dick slammed the door on his way out. And seeing as how going back to sleep was going to be impossible now, Connor started to get dressed. Connor knew he was being more impatient than he usually was with Wally and Dick. He'd apologize for it later on today. He was putting on his shoes and socks when a knock came at the door. He grumbled and opened it preparing to yell at Wally or Dick for bothering him again and it was neither of them. It was Kaldur. He was standing with a box wrapped in red paper.
"Uh hey Kaldur."
"If it is a bad time I can come back later Connor."
"No you're good, come in."
Kaldur had on a black T-shirt (he didn't need to hide his gills in the cave) with green shorts and no shoes.
"So I heard your fight with Wally and Richard," he started. "Well we all did because eight times out of ten, any conversation you have with either of them turns into a shouting match. And before you get all upset and start yelling you were wrong to get mad at them... This time"
"How is that," cried Connor. "They don't even give me a chance to get out of bed before they start annoying me!"
Kaldur sighed and shook his head. "You're missing the point. Richard lives with Batman so when he leaves the cave he probably does not have much interaction with kids his age. Wally lives with the Flash and his wife so for the most part he spends his time alone too. When they're here they can relax and sort of be immature."
"But why annoy me especially at this hour?"
Kaldur laughed at that. "Oh that's simple it's easier to get a reaction out of you. They wouldn't annoy Artemis and Barbara because they like them, Zatanna and since you like her you would squash them for it..." I was going to object to that but he didn't allow me a word in edgewise "…,and M'Gann is too sweet to annoy, Red Tornado would just fly away, Canary would kick their ass, and Batman would glare at them causing them to shit themselves."
"Well why don't they annoy you?"
"Do you honestly see me getting annoyed?"
Connor hated how Kaldur was always right about everything. "I suppose your right," the half-Kryptonian admitted sitting down on the bed.
Kaldur sat down next to him. "Just keep doing your angry big brother thing for them. They need to be yelled at by an older teen. And when you yell at them, and you're right, they actually go think about what you've said and it gives the rest of us normally an hour's peace before they start something insane again."
"I am good at yelling aren't I?"
"The only person who I fear more than a pissed off Kryptonian teen with daddy issues is Batman; or Artemis when Wally eats the last granola bar or pudding cup." They both laughed at that. Connor then noticed the green box and knew it was for him. And suddenly he wanted whatever was in that box.
"Alright, hand over the present," ordered Connor. " I know that's why you originally came in here."
Kaldur handed the box to Connor and he tore it open. They were two silver handles and some polish. "Uh thanks." Kaldur chuckled.
"Squeeze them"
"Son of a bitch," said Connor jumping back at the two 14 inch daggers that popped out with a curve to them. He picked one up and just glued his eyes to it while he moved it from side to side. Who made them?"
"I did," responded Kaldur. "They're made of pure Atlantean silver. The Team wanted to make them gold, but Zatanna. said silver would go better with your eyes."
"So you paint, read, and make your own weapons?"
"You aren't considered a man under the sea unless you can do all three by the age of seventeen. I've been able to do all three since I was fourteen."
"Show off."
"Maybe. Now squeeze them as hard as you can again and see what happens."
"I'll break them."
"Just shut up and do it."
Connor squeezed as hard as he could and the twin daggers burst into flame. Not just any flame, a bluish black flame.
"Zatanna came up with that idea oh yeah squeeze them one more time and press the tip and they'll retract," said Kaldur. Connor made a note to thank Zatanna when he went downstairs and something on the daggers caught his eyes. Kaldur had engraved his name on the daggers. "The engraving, that was Richard and Wally's idea."
Connor sighed. Now he really felt like shit for treating them so bad this morning. "Everyone helped with these," he asked indicating the daggers.
Kaldur shook his head yes. "Artemis thought of the daggers, M'Gann drew the shape, I forged them, Zatanna enchanted them, Wally and Richard engraved them."
Connor looked at his gift. The whole team worked together to do this. The left read dagger "Connor Kent" and the right dagger read "Lil Supey". Connor laughed at that.
"We don't have to hug it out now do we?"
Kaldur simply shook his head and smiled.
"Happy Birthday Connor."
And with that Kaldur got up and left. All was quiet for all of three seconds before Connor heard, "look at that Dick, our Teen of Steel has a heart under all that seething rage."
"I don't know Walls you think so?"
Dick and Wally stood in the door way laughing. Connor stood and placed one dagger in the left boot the other in the right boot. That's where'd he keep them. Then, fast as lightning Connor pinned Dick and Wally against the wall outside the room with his forearms.
"DUDE!"
"WHAT THE HELL CONNOR?"
Connor laughed," thanks for the gift guys." He let them go and they massaged their necks. "C'mon we have a party to plan."