Five years after Vandal Savage took the justice league, and was defeated, Samantha West was just learning to move on from Kaldur, until that is, she saw him again.


"Kaldur." I stepped towards him. He stood there over her body, shaking.

"Tula's gone. and it your fault!" He turned towards me, the anger in his eyes overwhelming.


I shot up, a scream lodged in my throat. I looked around my room, and my eyes started to water.

"Sammie?" I looked towards the door, where Nightwing stood. "Another dream?" I nodded and he walked over, sitting beside me. "I know, what happened that day, really took its toll on you, but you have to let it go. For me. For Kaldur. And especially for Wally." I nodded and he stood up. "Time for breakfast."

It's been five years. Five years since I had to fake my own death. Five years since I became part of the team, and only 3 short years since the death of my friend Tula. Aquagirl. I lost my world that day. Kaldur left us, and we had suffered a loss like no other. I walked to the kitchen where I was shaken out of my trance by Conner.

"Hey, you holding up okay?" At first i thought he was talking about the frequent nightmares, then I remembered what today was. My 20th birthday. It seemed strange, what could happen in so few a year. How time could fly past you, without you even knowing. It's also the day that should mean something to every young hero. It's the day I get my very first protege.

"I'm nervous." I responded looking at him. "What if, I end up being one of the bad mentors? Or what if her power exceeds mine and I can't help her control it?"

"Actually, it's a he." I looked to where Connor had gestured to see a boy, not much older than I was when I first started doing my 'Hero' business. Who I saw before me, was the very image of my own younger self, five years ago. I walked over too him, leaving the safety of Connor and into my own, bubble of doubt.

"I'm Night Shadow. I'll be your mentor, so hopefully you can learn how to block certain things out." He nodded and looked up at me.
"My name is Aaron." He said looking at me.


Conner

It wasn't new to see this. Sam always had this way with children. I sat on the couch, watching her and Aaron get acquainted when Blue walked over.

"Hey, whose the new kid?" He asked nodding towards where sam and Aaron were eating.

"Aaron. He has the same powers as Sam, so the league is having her train him." Blue nodded then smiled at me.

"so, are you going to ask her to the league thing?" Blue looked slyly at me, then at Sam.

"How did you know about it?" I had tried to keep it under wraps from the others, because most of the new one weren't invited unless by a league memeber.

"Batman told Batgirl that she had to go. extra security" He smiled at me and I sighed and looked back over to Sam. The only reason me, M'gann, Nightwing and Sam were allowed to go, Is because we are technically, apart of the league, we just chose the team instead.

"I can't." Despite all my beings protesting me, I just couldn't. I still loved M'gann and I know Sam stilled loved Kaldur. What happened, when he officially resigned, it was obvious no matter his feelings for Sam he loved Tula. All of that, plus the fact that her last Mentor, who happened to be wanted in bulgaria, Russia, Germany, and Romania, had come back and almost killed her, sparked nightmares. I'd end up waking in the middle of the night and sprinting to her room, where she'd be curled into a ball calling for Kaldur and Wally. They did stop, but when they started back up a year later, it was Nightwing who came to her rescue. They did go out eventually, but decided it was best to keep it friendly. After all, he was Wally's best friend. Even after that nasty breakup he kept coming to her. I know Nightwing misses it all, I can tell from the look on his face when they're together. "Blue, while Sam is the greatest person I've met, I can't. It's too early for another relationship." Blue nodded

"But, maybe you can go as friends." He wouldn't give up. He reminded me of myself a little.
"Okay, only as friends." Blue silently cheered and I got up to where Sam was sitting eating brownies with Aaron.

"Okay, if you want, you can stay here with me, or if your parents will let you, you can live at home."

"I want to live here with you." His smile was adorable and I sat next to Sam, taking a brownie.

"Okay, we can find you a room here, and while you're here, you'll attend the middle school. You're an eight grader right?" He nodded and sam wrote it down."We'll go over the details tomorrow okay? Blue will show you too your room" Blue sighed and looked at him.

"I'm Jamie, the Blue Beetle, but you can just call me Blue." aaron nodded and then walked down towards the rooms.

Sam turned to me, and passed me a glass of milk. "On the house." I chuckled and she smiled at me. "I'm suprised. Usually Blue scorns me when I do this too him.

"I wonder why." I turned to look at her and she took a drink of her milk. "I was wondering if you'd like to go to the party. As friends of course! Like Carpool-"

"Sure" She said emptying her glass and walking towards the sink. "It'll be fun."