A new generation of heroes begins, ready to make their mark and protect their world. The hero gig isn't as easy as it may seem, especially with new enemies, drifting relationships, and other heroes beginning to go missing… Follows years later of my other story featuring the West Family, "The West Family Chronicles".
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the DC Universe characters. Only the OC's.
Metropolis
May 28, 2036 22:41 CDT
A thin stench of gasoline and other odors remained in the air of the big city. Buildings glowed in dim lights as the night rolled in. The streets were practically vacant save for the occasional few walking along carefully and quickly. A Hispanic young woman with dark brown hair tied in a loose ponytail with a green hair tie and wearing a purple v-necked ruffled elbow-sleeved knee length dress with long black leggings and black ankle boots came around the corner, her dark chocolate brown eyes glancing around. Her companion, a tall teenager with a thin layer of jet black hair and wearing a white T-shirt underneath a dark gray jacket and dark jeans, carefully did the same in opposite directions as if searching for something.
The sounds of glass breaking immediately caught their attention. Both of their heads jerked towards the nearest building, a closed lab facility called Stagg Enterprises. Neither speak nor look the least bit worried. Instead, the young woman narrows her eyes towards the building as the young man's expression remains stoic as he stares blankly towards the building.
"And the night stirs," The young woman softly says to herself. She turned to her companion, inquiring, "How many?"
The young man continued to stare, his pupils slightly hazy. He blinked, his eyes returning back to their dark color. "At least four, maybe five. Mainly on the second level."
She gives her companion a direct look followed by a nod. He repeats her process before slightly turning away. He closes his eyes and puts the tips of his fingers lightly to his forehead as if to concentrate.
"Go time," He replies in his head.
Not a moment later, a feminine voice telepathically gave an exasperated sigh before answering him, "Finally! Some action! We've been waiting around forever!"
A different voice, male, answered back with a short laugh, "Of course, it was forever on your terms. You can never stay still, even when bribed."
The female voice retorted back, "What do you expect, 'Mr., Perfect'? Speedsters are always moving."
The young man internally groaned, squeezing his eyes tighter at their playful teasing. "I am not a free hotline…"
The male voice apologized, "Sorry K'dnn. We're almost there."
"They were at it again?" The Hispanic young woman asked, knowing.
"Yes," The young man, K'dnn, answered with a hint of annoyance as he reopened his eyes.
"Figures," She shook her head in disbelief as she held a fisted hand towards herself, rubbing her large ring on her right hand. Soon her whole body started to glow in a vaguely green light. Two blurs, one barely flying and the other on the ground, zoomed past the pair like wind lightly blowing for a brief second.
Inside the building, three thieves rummaged through drawers and cabinets of the laboratory office, not caring about the mess they left in their search. The one with crooked teeth emptied out another container before grinning and replying to another, "Hey Joe, it's a good thing we got the right alarm codes, huh."
"Yes," Joe answered in annoyance while rolling his eyes. "Very handy so not to get the cops or whatever here. Now hurry up!"
A whoosh entered in the room. "Hurry up? For what?"
The three thieves turn quickly at the new voice, their guns pointed. Crooked teeth slightly whimpered at the sight of a young man standing near the window, his arms folded over his blue shirt with a bold red S insignia. "It's the Superkid!"
The hero refrained from rolling his eyes. "Superkid is so juvenile. The name's Steel."
Another blur entered into the room, forming into a teen in two red pigtails, wearing a yellow and white full bodysuit in a lightning fashion. "And don't forget the brilliant Impulse."
Steel gave a light laugh as he addressed his partner without turning towards her. "Now you show up."
Impulse folded her arms in a similar position, giving a quick glance to the junior Super. "Oh, please. You just cheated with flight."
The two young heroes are cut short on their competitive banter when they hear the click of gun safeties being turned off. Impulse moved out of the way a quarter of a second before gunshots rang out. Steel continued to stand there as the bullets bounced right off of him.
"Show off," Impulse mumbled as she zoomed past, taking the guns right out of the crooks hands, earning fearful gasps.
One man begins punching at anything in attempts to stop the female speedster. A second picks up a bar and runs towards Steel with a battle cry. Steel smoothly evades a few times before growing tired of the pathetic escapade and firmly grabs the offending bar, snatching it right out of the crook's hands. The first gives up on fighting the speedster and runs towards the boy of steel with a knife. The third crook runs out of the room in a frenzy.
"I got Mr. Ponytail," Impulse announced, giving chase.
As the female speedster went down the hall after her target, another figure spotted her and backed into the room unnoticed. The crook with sideburns went to his boss who was still looking through cabinets. "Montez, we got the junior heroes." He whispered.
Montez ignored his henchman as he closed the door to unlock another. "Let the others handle them. We are not leaving until we find the G31ASX." As soon as he said it, the boss spotted what he was looking for. "Ah… gotcha." He carefully put the faintly glowing bottle in a small box and into a bag. "Now let's get out of here."
As the pair of thieves moved around the mess to leave, Montez felt the bag start to lift on its own in his hand. Sideburns began to freak out at the sight. "It's a ghost!"
A quiet chuckle sounded from their right. "Not quite," A green Martian teenager came into view, his hand outstretched towards the bag. Sideburns took off running, inevitably tripping over some of the mess.
"You fool," Montez growled, glaring his incompatible hired help. The boss turned towards the young hero with his eyes narrowed and grip tighter on his prize as he held it closer to his chest. "It's only Martian Boy."
Zephyr blankly blinked at the nickname. "That's a new one," He said in a monotone voice.
Montez pulled out his gun and wasted no time firing at the Martian. K'dnn reacted and shifted his density, the bullet going through air and ramming into the wall behind him. Living up to his hero name of wind, Zephyr sent a telekinetic wave like a gust of wind towards the crook, knocking him over and causing the gun to slide across the floor. Both Sideburns and Montez decided to take a run for it. Just as they were about to go through the empty doorway, a green shield appeared and blocked their exit. Sideburns ran into the shield hard, tumbling over and out.
The green shield shrunk in size, the glow retracting back as a dark haired young woman in a full green ensemble with a faint mask floated in, tisking at the man. "Not so fast, compadre."
Once she touched the ground, the faint green glow around her dissipated, but remained around her large ring on her right hand. The emerald color light continued to grow, enveloping around her whole fist. Montez jerked his head around when the bag flew out of his hand and into the awaiting arms of Zephyr. Montez turned back around to watch the female Green Lantern construct a large glowing fist.
The four heroes easily rounded up and tied the five crooks together. When interrogating Montez on who sent him and his goonies and why, he honestly had no idea, using the excuse that he took the job for the pay and was only given more vague details when it was finished. Irey got the leader's phone and downloaded the contact list on an SD card. This trick was taught by a couple members of the Batfamily who would be in no doubt one of the ones to decode it later.
After sirens are heard approaching, the Team leaves the building and disappears through a hidden alleyway. A flash of light illuminates the darkness before dissipating just as quickly.
Recognized: Green Lantern C10, Steel C03, Zephyr C09, Impulse C07.
The group of teenagers materializes and walks out from the blinding light and into the Watchtower. Impulse took off her cowl, showing off her freckled cheeks and her bright green eyes. "Well, as always, it appears that Oracle's Intel was right. Someone planned to strike either Stagg Enterprises or Daggett Industries." Irey edged on the Green Lantern. "Of course it was your guys' building."
Green Lantern, or Milagaro Reyes, rolled her eyes. "And that means it has to be a competition with you." Milagaro gave a smirk when she recognized the small pout of the red head. "I will take a wild guess and say that Chris beat you to the building."
Steel, or Chris Kent, laughed as Irey's pout deepened. Irey West was quick to defend herself. "Of what? Two seconds because he could fly? I have to build up momentum to scale up buildings," Irey turned toward the Super as she promised with a pointing finger, "Next time I'll beat you."
Chris shook his head, still chuckling. "That has been your claim for the past dozen or so times."
"Oh yeah? How about an actual race with no extra advantages. We'll see the outcome then."
Milagaro cleared her throat, getting in between the two speed competitors. "Look, we need to head up and hand in the collected samples and info to figure out why they were after this." She held up the tiny baggie containing the almost stolen formula with the name written outside of it.
"Agreed," K'dnn Kent added, rolling his eyes. "You two can have your little race at a later time."
Irey and Chris narrowed their eyes at each other as they gave smirks. "Deal,"
Young Justice Cave
May 29 14:37 EST
Diana West closed her eyes and purged her lips to let out a calming breath. Her thick black hair was tightly pulled back, a few thin strands hanging loosely away from her face. She wore sleeveless solid green top and black pants.
One arm down her side, she wiggled her fingers in her dark fingerless glove. With the other hand, she smoothly rubbed the dark engraved wood of her bow. The thirteen year old stood in the middle of the training room, almost completely still. Silence filled the air around her as she blocked out any other background noise.
Slowly, a machine clicked as a target rose from the ground. Diana's eyes snapped open as she swiftly grabbed an arrow from her quiver and shot it in the same second. Direct bull's-eye. Another target clicked, this time from above. She shifted and let the arrow fly. A click on her other side and she immediately switched the bow to her right hand, hitting center. She continued to maneuver around with precision as targets appeared around the room randomly. One more click, close to her right. She never turned while letting her arrow loose. Dead center.
A buzz sounded, indicating the end of the exercise. Diana gave a smile as she relaxed her stance. Looking at the scoreboard, an overwhelming feeling of pride beamed through her. She beat her previous score by 2 ¼ seconds.
As she went over towards the shelves of basic weaponry to put her bow up, a metallic click caught her off-guard. Diana firmly held the bow at her side as she turned at the sound. The youngest West sibling instantly relaxed and quietly let out a relieved sigh. So caught up in her training exercise, she momentarily forgot she wasn't the only one currently using the training room.
In the far corner, a nineteen year old with electric red hair was benching presses. His arms were covered with long black sleeves and dressed in sweatpants. He seemed to be in his own world, his concentration completely focused on the heavy weights above him as he moved in a smooth motion. Up for a few seconds, then back down. Up, then down.
Diana remembers when he first came to her siblings' team a few months ago. Archiban Quintel, or preferred as Arch, used to be a normal guy beginning to decide what direction to take in his life. Circumstances on what one would call being at the wrong place at the wrong time, Arch ended up in outer path of a meteor crash followed by an explosion that he had no way of avoiding in time. He would absorb a large amount of the stone-metal like material and later use it as a full body armor. Icon and Blue Beetle found and talked him down when he accidentally destroyed a building from a previously unknown additional result to the accident. Red energy blasts.
Since that encounter, it was decided to allow Arch to train with the other heroes to better develop his new abilities and eventually join the new reformed Young Justice team. He would take on the name Meteor, as fittingly named from how he gained his abilities. Arch tended to be a loner, often keeping to himself most of the time, but he would be one to immediately jump in and aid others any way he can.
The young man placed down the weights on the bar above him and rested a moment. Arch leaned up, his elbows resting on the pad as he took careful slow breaths. He glanced over to Diana. She gave a simple nod in greeting before heading over to put her quiver of arrows up. With her back turned, Diana heard the young man pick up the weights once again.
The dark haired teenager reached for the water bottle sitting on the bench nearby and drank about half of it at once. She paused, examining each target she completed in accuracy. Her dark gray eyes looked down over her bow. She spotted a slightly loose string, instantly working to fix it.
Clapping behind her immediately shifted her attention. A sixteen year old with dark tanned skin and a skinny braid to the left of her face mostly hidden within her long blonde hair walked in. She was barefoot and wore a flowing white skirt that went to her knees and a light blue stripped shirt with sleeves to her elbows. An enthusiastic smile spread across her face.
"The Huntress strikes again!" Diana raised an eyebrow at her friend. Ryalani, or better known as Ryla, ignored the younger teenager's look as she continued, "Diana the Huntress. It's perfect…" Ryla trailed off, glancing around the room with her bright sea green eyes before adding, "And obviously your targets are too."
Diana reached over and picked up a spare bow, holding it out in front of her. "You're welcome to practice as well."
Ryla shook her head and held up her hand. "Pass. I would only make a fool of myself attempting. Besides, that's more of your superb talents. I am better with water." She added to herself while looking around, "And other things."
Diana shrugged, putting her own and the extra bow back up. Ryla's eyes brightened as a smile reappeared on her face.
"Oh, I forgot to mention, Blue Beetle is here to help with combat training and wanted us to come. I think he was about to pair the Zealous Zachary Zatara and our ever so Enchanting Robin together for a demonstration." She rolled her eyes as she spoke her fellow teammates' names, sarcasm rolling off her tongue.
"Sure," Diana gave a small smile. "I need some entertainment."
Ryla looked over in Arch's direction. "Hey Arch," She called out to him. The nineteen year old sat down the weights to look up. Ryla continued, "Coming for a combat demonstration of Zack and Rob? It will be a must see!"
Arch slowly stood up and shrugged his shoulders. "Why not," He headed over near the girls, towering over them. "It should be interesting to watch."
"Exactly!" The bubbly blonde answered with a grin. "Which means we better hurry before they finish too soon." Arch and Diana followed the half-Atlantian out.
Keystone
23:27 CDT
A seventeen year old leaned against the wall of a building in the quiet city, kicking up some loose pebbles while bored out of his mind. Jai internally groaned again, letting his head hang. With finals finally done and graduation around the corner, of course neither his home city nor its sister, Central, would make a peep of a baddie wanting to come out to play. Now that he had time and wasn't cramming with studying. Jai, or rather Kid Flash as his bold red costume with thin lightning like white lines down the sides would exhibit, listened to the nightly sounds of the city. He sincerely hoped to catch something other than the barely audible sounds of a club two streets behind him.
Kid Flash looked down and brushed a stray leaf off of his sleeve. "I'm sure Gotham would be having some decent action." He mumbled to himself. If I was allowed to even set foot in it by the possessive boy wonder who acts like he owns it because of big Ol' daddy.
Kid Flash rubbed his face and groaned, wanting to rid his head of thoughts of the 'annoying little spawn' as Red Robin had appropriately referenced Damian Wayne a time or two before. Or twenty. Jai glanced at the time and straightened up. Apparently no action tonight so he was free to return home and find something more productive to do. Like beat that new racing game he wasn't allowed to touch until after finals were through.
Giving one last glance around him, Kid Flash prepared to take off when a soft alarm went off nearby. "Yes!" He whispered, almost too enthusiastically.
Kid Flash zipped off towards the quiet alarm, his dark spiked hair blowing in the wind. He stopped, narrowing his eyes in confusion at the place of interest. Normally it would have been something like a bank or a jewelry store. This looked like some kind of old pawn shop. The sound of a door thrusting open broke his train of thought. The dark haired speedster took off towards the back of the building where a door swayed back and forth, the alarm louder from the inside.
Kid Flash didn't bother checking inside as a figure darted around the corner in front of him, clutching tightly to a bag with one hand.
"I don't think so," The speedster said to himself, giving chase. Watching the thief round another corner, Kid Flash continued forward, confident to cut them off on the other side. He barely noticed the figure take another abrupt turn before reaching the end toward him, obviously aware of his presence. Kid Flash groaned for not seeing that hidden tight alleyway beforehand as he went directly after the thief. Zooming up directly behind them, Jai smirks slowing down a bit to call out, "Might as well stop and return whatever it is you just took,"
Kid Flash was mere inches away and reaching to grab the thief. His arm was outstretched and hand barely touching the ski mask when the figure quickly turned around for a split second before taking off in front of him. It was in that moment when Jai realized that he was no longer moving. Looking down, he was completely encased in ice up to his knee with one leg and had the ski mask in his hand. Short pale blonde hair was all he saw as she rounded the corner out of the alleyway and back on the empty street.
It took a minute for the speedster to break through the ice and start moving again. He ignored the slight feeling of numbness in his leg from the instant cold as pieces of ice continued to fall from his uniform, some of it almost instantly melting. He went back onto the street and wildly looked around. She was nowhere in sight.
Kid Flash continued to zoom around the city with no luck on finding the thief. One thought plagued him for the remainder of the night.
"Who was that?"
There you go. Intro chapter completed. The main team was introduced here, though a couple was mentions. I will try to have as many actual DC Universe characters in this fic as I can, but as you can tell, a handful of OC's will be brought in. There were four main ones in this chapter, one of which was suggested by creatorX33 as my 100th reviewer for the WFC, the West Family Chronicles. As mentioned before, this is a spin-off of that collection taking place about 12 years later to have the children form their own team. I will inform when I bring in more OC's in the future which will eventually happen.
Just for some clarification, the cave was eventually rebuilt through the years to use as a hidden back-up base with protected layers of tech and magic alike so not to have an incident as before of which Kaldur apologized profusely for and was a huge hand in its rebuilding. After some prompting from the juniors and the originals on the Young Justice Team, it was allowed that this would be where the new Team of heroes would be allowed to be. The Watchtower was opened to them as well, but they preferred to be here most of the time. Gives them a bit of a distinction from the Justice League.
Any other comments, questions, or whatever, let me know. I will try to update as often as I can, though a pre-warning, this may take a while.
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