Hey guys, if you have heard about this story coming out from my other story I have called The Journey, which I co-author with Darth Echo, then sorry for the delay, because it has been a while since I mentioned the story on there to actually posting it, but anyway hope you guys enjoy this…..

I don't own anything by DC Comics or WB. Just my OC

Young Justice

0. In Blackest Night

Gotham City

April 21, 22:45 EDT (About a Year Earlier)

"That movie was awesome!" said the very happy voice of a thirteen year old girl, who was walking down a sidewalk with her hand intertwined with her boyfriend's.

Her boyfriend's name was Nathan Jordan. Nathan wore red shorts with a white, short sleeve shirt that was covered by a black jacket that he had zipped up about three quarters of the way. Nathan was thirteen, but was turning fourteen shortly, and was looking forward to spending it with his girlfriend, Lily Martin. Nathan was slightly taller than her, and he stood at 5' 7" and weighed 150 lbs. He had hazel eyes and short, jet black hair, with slightly tanned skin. Lily was 5' 5" and had slightly lighter skin than Nathan, and was wearing blue pants with a light blue short sleeve shirt and a black jacket over top.

Nathan smiled at how happy Lily was on her birthday and how she kept coming up with ideas for what they could do on her birthday every 5 seconds. "What's next Lils, oh beautiful one?" asked Nathan as he slightly bowed, causing Lily to give him a smirk that she always gave him when he called her Lils. The smirk only lasted for a few seconds before turning into a normal smile that always caught Nathan's eyes.

"Home, so my parents don't get too worried about me being out late with you" she replied, still with the smile on her face. Nathan agreed with her, it was getting really late and he had to stay on the good side with her parents. "Let's go through here" pointed Lily at an alleyway.

Nathan stopped and looked down the alleyway she was pointing down. It was very dark and only slightly lit by the street lamps on the main roads in Gotham. "I don't think that's a good idea Lils" said Nathan, his voice rather shaky.

"We can cut a lot of time though if we take the alleys back home. Come on!" replied Lily, who grabbed the arm of Nathan and started to run down the alleyway, before s slim man stepped in front of them with a gun pointed at them, and as he talked switched targets between the two, "Valuables now!" came his voice. One glance told you that this mugger was no professional and that he was new at this, but the gun was very convincing.

Nathan emptied out his pockets that had whatever money he had left, then raised his hands in the air. Lily calmly put her hand inside her jacket and was reaching for her phone to give to the mugger, when the man panicked and shots were fired. Nathan could feel a sharp pain in his shoulder as he hit the floor and saw the mugger running away. His vision was blurring as he stole a glance at Lily, who wasn't moving before he blacked out.

Gotham City

April 22 8:30 EDT

Nathan shot straight up, and after gaining back his eye sight found that he was in a hospital room surrounded by his family and friends. His parents sat in chairs on his left, while his best friends from school, Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon, along with Bruce Wayne sat to his right. Nathan also noticed Barbara's dad, James Gordon, standing by the door in the background on his phone.

Nathan's dad, Eric, was the first to react and put a hand on his son's chest, "Relax my boy" he said as he carefully made his son lay back down.

"How long was I out?" asked Nathan slightly dazed.

"About ten hours," answered Dick Grayson, "You were already out when the paramedics found you"

"What about Lily?" asked Nathan in a depressed voice. He had a terrible feeling in his stomach that she didn't make it. His feeling was confirmed as he saw everyone's faces sadden and tears started to fall down Nathan's face.

"They did all they could honey" came his mother's voice as she put a hand on her son's shoulder. Nathan felt a mix of sadness and anger. He wished he could have done more, or have convinced her not to take the alleyway home.

Just then the doctor came into the room, closely followed by James Gordon. The doctor asked for everyone to leave and that they could come back in after he was finished checking on Nathan and after he answered some questions James Gordon had for him.

"Mr. Gordon, sir" acknowledged Nathan, who slightly nodded his head.

"Please son, you're one of my daughter's best friends, and I've told you to call me James before" answered Gordon, who's voice also carried sympathy for Nathan, "I just have a few basic questions for you, if you are up to them." Nathan nodded in reply and started to answer Gordon's questions one by one as the doctor did his own check up on him.

During Gordon's interview with Nathan, Gordon was telling Nathan of a new gang that was trying to form and stake territory in Gotham. The new gang, in order to get manpower and hired muscle took to hiring wannabe thugs off the streets. They also took to this in order to get necessary funds to purchase better weapons from players such as The Penguin and Black Mask, or anyone that was willing to come to the table. After Gordon was done conducting his interview, Nathan felt tired and asked for some alone time so he could sleep. Gordon and the Doctor informed everyone and they all left, allowing Nathan to get some needed sleep.

Gotham City

May 4 14:00 EDT

Nathan walked through the hallways of Gotham Academy again for the first time since being shot and losing his girlfriend. He was in his own world thinking to himself about what he could have done differently, when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Nathan jumped at the contact and turned his head around to see who it was.

"B-Barbara…hey" Nathan stuttered out getting caught off guard.

"Relax Nate, it's just me" Barbara replied slightly giggling at Nathan's reaction to her, "What is your last class of the day?" she asked Nathan.

"Algebra, you?" he answered her.

"Same. Follow me" she said as she motioned Nathan to follow her. He did so passing students along the way heading to other classes. He also passed Richard Grayson heading in the opposite direction he and Barbara were going, so Nathan gave him a high five as he passed.

After class had ended, Nathan and Barbara met up with Dick outside and they had a friendly chat before a limo pulled up and a window was rolled down revealing an elderly man at the driver seat. "Master Dick, are you ready sir?" said the elderly man that Nathan recognized as Bruce Wayne's butler, Alfred, who he sees every time when Dick invites him over. Dick said his goodbyes to the group then made for the car and got in the back. "Nate, you wanna ride?" asked Dick. Nathan gladly accepted and jumped in, after saying goodbye to Barbara. Nathan took the back seat beside Dick, and still couldn't get over how roomy the car was in the back, even though he has rode in the car before.

"Happy late birthday by the way Master Jordan" replied Alfred.

"Thanks Alfred, but you don't have to call me 'Master Jordan'," replied Nathan, who gave his best English accent when saying 'Master Jordan', which got a chuckle from Dick in the back seat.

Alfred pulled the car up to Nathan's place and Nathan got out and thanked Alfred for the ride. Nathan still couldn't shake the worst night of his life out of his head. Sure at school it was easier because he was surrounded by friends, namely Dick and Barbara, but as soon as he would arrive home, he would jump back into his shell.

Nathan made his way up the sidewalk and noticed a car in driveway. Nathan assumed it was his uncle's car since he flies across the United States then rents a car to drive to their place. Nathan always liked it when his uncle, Hal Jordan, visited. Hal was always care free and always made a joke at during some point in any conversation they had. However, as excited as he was that Hal was here, his parents have become worried about him, too much for his liking. They feared that he would do something stupid, and he didn't like all the extra attention they have been giving him. Nathan hardly ever got any alone time because of his worried parents.

Nathan reached the door to the house and put his hand on the door knob, but hesitated to enter. He put on a smile for his uncle to see and slowly rotated the door knob, still not wanting to get all the attention he gets from his parents since 'the incident', but he really wanted to see his uncle, who lives across the United States in Coast City. Nathan rotated the knob as far as it could go and pushed the door open.

"Hey squirt!" replied Hal, who got a smile on his face after seeing Nathan's reaction to his old nickname that Hal used to call him all the time.

"Squirt? I'm fourteen" Nathan mumbled with mock irritation. After a few seconds, Nathan's smile came back and greeted his uncle with their traditional handshake. Every time during their handshakes, Nathan always noticed this strange green ring on Hal's finger.

"Hello son" Nathan's father replied, who was sitting with his wife, Mara, on the couch, while Hal sat across the room on a slightly smaller couch.

"Hey dad, mom" Nathan acknowledged them, not wanting to engage in too much conversation with them, as he sat down next to Hal on the couch.

"Honey, your father and I have come to a decision and we wish to explain things to you," replied Mara with sympathy present in her voice.

'Wow, right to the point this time' thought Nathan, who fidgeted on the couch to brace himself for what they were going to say.

Well guys, here is the first part of my new story, hope you guys liked it. Drop some reviews and let me know how I did and any ideas for later chapters you guys may have. Please no flames, but constructive criticism is appreciated, since it will help me get better.