Okay, here we go with the fourth chapter and I am going to try giving some focus on certain characters. Who will they be? Will we also see the return of Gamora and the other Guardians? And when will I bring in the OCs of my friend theReaper13?
Be patient everyone. They will appear in time. Anyways, I want to thank everyone for their patience and their support. With school back at full force I am focusing on getting my classes done.
Got to keep going forward so I can graduate. Get my degree and then get a much better job. I don't mind the work I am in right now, but I want to do more. So, again thanks guys for the support and reviews.
Also, thanks to my friend for his help on the story. I appreciate it and also I don't own anything from Guardians of the Galaxy or the DC Universe. Just my OCs. Now then enjoy the first chapter and let's see how this goes.
Chapter IV
National City
The team finally got together as they are joined by the Teen Titans or Titans as the team prefers to call them. The teams got together to talk and even have some fun as they used this time to rest up. Five long years they working together to restore order in the world and regain the trust from the people. All while Fighting against crime, rebuilding trust with the people, fix damaged homes, and make sure Superman doesn't break out.
After five years they are now celebrating the defeat of the Regime and can relax a little. At least before the next conflict breaks out. Jason was told Groot wouldn't be able to make it due to keeping an eye on the gardens he was asked to babysit for. But the team decided to see him once they finished.
Jason is seen with Kara talking to Conner and Cassandra who began dating after they got out of the Phantom Zone. Conner was surprised to hear Kara is Superman's cousin and that makes them family. Kara spend some time with Conner to bond with him and also teach him how to fight. So, he can use part of his Kryptonian powers to fight against any criminals.
Rachel is with Laura speaking with Tim and Kori in the kitchen. Kori thanked Rachel for helping her friend of her father's control, while she spoke about how she met the Titans. Even meeting Dick and how the two got together before she was locked away in the Phantom Zone. She didn't know what happened to him until she got out and was devastated by his death, but with her friends by her side they helped her stay together.
All while Laura spoke to Tim about his time with Batman. Something Laura has been curious about since every time she spoke to Batman it felt like she was talking to Logan. She even described to Tim how her father was like. Tim mentioned to her how her father is a lot like Bruce, except he never dressed up as a bat.
Tim respected Batman and even Dick for teaching him everything. He wished he had listened to his friend so they could have been there when he needed them.
Jaime and Karen are seen speaking with Arthur and Megan out in the balcony. Jaime and Jason Rusch are both new to the team when Batman brought them in. With Martin Stein, Jason can become a powerful superhero named Firestorm. Jaime thanks to an alien scarab tech that is attached to his back can become Blue Beetle.
A name that he took after the original Blue Beetle, Ted Kord. Jason however, couldn't make it as he went to get some sleep after helping guard Superman for hours.
Karen was part of the team before with the Teen Titans, but left to go undercover. She came back after hearing what happened to her friends and was shocked when Cyborg joined the Regime. After that she went under since she knew she couldn't stop them, but helped Batman out to get information for the Insurgency. Now, she is back with the Titans and helps train the new guys.
Meanwhile, Aya is seen standing up in the stairs where she was overlooking the party. Not wearing her helmet and had her long white hair out. All straight and wearing a white dress underneath her armor. Something the team recommended her wearing so she could fit in more and not wear an outfit that would cause certain eyes to look at her for the wrong reasons.
Cyborg walked over to Aya and stood next to her as they look over the party. "It looks like everyone is having a good time. Although I am surprise to see you are not down there with them."
Cyborg sighed as he leans down on the railing. "I want to talk to them, but despite regaining their trust it's still hard to do that. Considering whose side I was on five years ago."
Aya understood this and recalled all the talks she had with Cyborg after he was locked up. She started spending time getting to know him a little bit and even helped in his reforming. Despite the good he has done and how he changed sides he still knew he wouldn't be accepted by everyone. He knew he couldn't wash away the blood from his hands…no matter what.
"I mean, how do you go up to someone and say I was that guy who helped Superman take over the world," Cyborg asked as he took a sip of his drink. "If my parents were still around I would bet my momma would have beaten my ass for joining such a crazy fool."
Aya began giggled, which seemed to surprise Cyborg. He was told that Aya did laugh and act like a regular living being, but it was rare for him to find it. It was even rare for Aya to have those emotional moments herself. But as time passed she began opening up more.
"I am sorry. I didn't mean to laugh, but I was just imagining how your mother would try disciplining someone who is half-machine," Aya explained who found it hard to believe a normal human could harm someone like Cyborg.
Cyborg laughs softly himself thinking about that just now. "Oh you don't know my momma. She is a force to be wrecken with."
Aya didn't doubt Cyborg, but did find it hard to believe that. "The only mother I know that could probably do any harm to you would be Jason's mother. She is someone I both fear and respect as well."
"Really?" Cyborg asked recalling hearing about Jason's mom, but never met her. "I bet she would get along with my mom…" he soon became silent when he thought about his mother and his father.
He can remember his past when he was once normal. He remembered attending school, being involved in sports, being very popular, and smart too. However, that all changed thanks to an experiment that went wrong that caused him to lose his mother, while also losing parts of his body. His father saved him giving him cybernetic implants.
He hated what his father did to him and felt like he was a freak for what happened. However, when he met his friends the Teen Titans he accepted what he was. Even becoming a big influence on kids like him. Who felt different and wanted to be accepted.
"What was she like?" Aya asked curious to learn about Cyborg's past.
Cyborg turns to her and smiled a little before he decided to tell her. "She was a good mom that tried to help me find my way. She didn't give up on me and wanted me to find what made me happy. She was also very smart and very beautiful," he stopped and then turns to her. "By the way, mind if I ask you something too?"
Aya nods in response, while glad he told her about his mother. "You may ask me whatever you want."
Cyborg looks down and turns to Jason. "When you were found by Jason, did he treat you like a machine or as a living person?"
Aya seemed surprised by the question. Something she was rarely asked, especially with Jason being involved. Normally she would be asked different questions, including if she felt more alive than machine. But this was a new one for her.
She turns towards him and smiled back before responding. "He treated me like I was alive. He didn't see me as a machine, a robot, or anything soulless. He treated me like I had one, like I was alive, and wanted to be my friend. In time I began to feel more accepted by everyone, form emotions which was odd for me at the time, and feel like I belonged with them."
Cyborg listened to her story carefully and seemed surprised how someone as young as Jason when he found Aya would treat her like a normal person. He forgot how that felt like when he was with his friends. How they didn't see him as a machine and treated him like a normal person. When he lost them and joined Superman he felt more machine.
Hiding his emotions and keeping them locked up so he can do his job. After the fighting and reuniting with his friends he regretted those decisions. Hurting so many innocent people in the process and treating them like they were nothing to him. Forgetting his human side and acted more like Superman's gun than an ally.
"You are lucky to have friends like that, Aya. My advice? Don't ever forget the good times you have with them. Otherwise you might end up in the same path I went down," said Cyborg who is hoping Aya will never experience what he did.
Aya understood and placed her hand on his hand. "If I do then I can trust you to save me from myself? As my friend?"
Cyborg seemed surprised by this gesture and feeling her hand on his. "R-really? You want to be my friend?"
Aya nods in response. "I believe everyone deserves a second chance and I want to help you do that by being your friend."
Cyborg couldn't help but smile as he felt his hand wrap around her hand. "Thanks, Aya."
Aya nods as she begins leading him down the stairs. "Come, let us join our friends."
Meanwhile, downstairs Arthur is pouring some of the special drink he brought with him from home. Cassandra noticed the drink and seemed interested.
"Hey, what is that?" she asked pointing to the flask.
"Oh, this is a special drink my dad gave me when I turned 21. This was aged for a thousand years in the barrels built from the wreck of Grunhel's fleet," Arthur explained as he pours some of the drink in his glass. "My dad says it is very good and should be taken for special occasions like this one."
"I thought it was destroyed along with your dad's old home," said Jason as he took a sip of his drink.
"Well, yeah but he brought some with him before that happened," said Arthur recalling how his dad brought some to Earth before he left it for two years. "Luckily, he managed to make more after the Infinity Wars."
"Infinity Wars?" Cassandra asked as she listened to her friends talk about this world they came from.
"We'll tell you about it later," said Jason who enjoyed listening to the story of his mom, his dad, and their friends fighting his evil insane grandpa. "Anyways, count me out on the drink.
"Mind if I try some?" Cassandra asked who seems curious on trying it.
"No, no, no. See this…" Arthur shows the flask. "It is not meant for mortal men or women. Being part Asgardian though will be enough for me to handle it."
"Oh please. I can handle a little Asgardian drink," said Cassandra who felt confident she can handle it. "Come on, pour me some."
Connor turns to her and then to the flask curious himself to try it now too. "I want some of that too. Being part Kryptonian, I'm sure I can handle a little bit of that drink."
Arthur turns to his two friends and then to Megan who shrugged her shoulders. "All right. If you insist," he said as he pours some of the drink to his two friends.
*Hours later*
The party started to die down a little as Connor and Cassandra are helped being taken out of the apartment by their friends. The drink apparently was a little too much for them. With only one sip that they took. Kara and Jason offered them a place to sleep, but the Titans felt it was better to get them to their place so they can be on alert if they are needed back in their city.
Cyborg decided to stick around with the team so he can try doing a little more bonding with the others.
They began going over stories of their past missions before the rise of the Regime. Even some embarrassing stories to help lighten the mood. Thanks to Aya, Cyborg began interacting more with the team. Making it feel like the good old days.
Arthur sets his father's hammer down on the table after he finished telling them about the hammer. How it was given to his father by his grandfather, how it was destroyed by his evil aunt, and how his father put it together after the war against Jason's grandpa. He explained the hammer can't be lifted by just anyone or anything. Only those it deems people worthy to carry it.
Some of the Titans though didn't seem to believe this story. "Who so ever he be worthy shall haveth the power…whatever man, it's a trick," said Cyborg who didn't believe the story.
"Oh it is much more than that my friend," said Arthur as he poured himself and Megan some of the special drink.
"So, what you are saying the hammer and sword, which are connected, are alive?" Cyborg asked who despite all the things he has seen in his time didn't believe a weapon could be living.
"I have known you for a long time dude and I actually am having trouble believing this," said Jason who wasn't sure if the whole hammer or sword thing being alive thing was real himself.
"Then, please by guest," said Arthur offering his friends a chance to life the hammer. "Hell, we can put my sword in a stone and see if you can pull it out."
Cyborg puts his drink down and gets up as he goes to the hammer. He tries picking it up with one hand, but found he couldn't even get it to budge. He tires both hands, but it wasn't movie. He lets go as the team begins laughing.
"All right. So, it's a lot harder than it looks," said Cyborg who admitted defeat.
Jason got up from his seat and decided to try this. "So, out of curiosity. I was told whoever lifts it shall rule over New Asgard?"
Arthur knew that wasn't true, but played along with it. "Yes, I believe so, but with the exception of Megan who lifted my sword and doesn't want to rule."
Megan nods in response. "I prefer to help the ruler rather than rule over a kingdom."
"All right. Well, when I rule I promise to be a good and malevolence king," said Jason as he grabs the handle with both hands and tries to lift it.
The hammer wouldn't budge as he tries to use his rocket boots to lift him off the ground, but it wouldn't budge. His grip gets loose and he is send flying to the second floor crashing through the railing.
"I'm okay!"
Soon the rest of the team tried their hand in lifting the hammer. Rachel and Laura are seen trying to lift the hammer, but couldn't move it even together.
"Did you even use the Phoenix to lift it?" Laura asked.
"What do you think we're doing?" Rachel asked knowing she did work with the Phoenix to lift it, but the hammer wouldn't move an inch.
Jason came back down as he tries pulling the hammer again, but it wouldn't budge and is send flying up to the second floor again.
"Oh come on!" he shouted.
Laura tries her hand on her own as she tried to lift it. When she couldn't she got mad and kicks the handle, but gets shocked by the hammer. Rachel goes to check on her and Laura is shown to be alive, but her hair is standing up. Laura narrowed her eyes at the hammer and growled.
Kara was the last one as she puts both hands on the handle and begins pulling. Unbeknownst to the others who didn't notice this, but the hammer did move an inch, which surprised Arthur. Kara though continued to try lifting it, but the hammer wouldn't budge and she gave up. Arthur began laughing out of relief that Kara didn't actually lift the hammer.
"All right, you guys did your best, but it looks like no one could lift it," said Arthur as he took a sip of his drink.
"Yeah, well no offense to the son of the king of Asgard, but it's rigged," said Jason as he used his glass filled with ice to cool his hands down.
"You bet your ass," said Cyborg who agreed with Jason.
"Kara, he said a bad language," said Aya recalling what happened when Kara said it to Jason.
"You told everyone about that?" Kara asked towards Jason who shrugged his shoulders.
"Not like we were going to let that die," said Jason as he began chuckling softly. "But anyways, the handle is imprinted."
"Right. Like a security code," Rachel replied agreeing with this theory. "Whosoever is carrying Arthur's fingerprints or his daddy's DNA is the literal translation."
"Yes, that's uh it's a very, very interesting theory. I have a simpler one," Arthur replied as he got up, grabs the handle, and lifts the hammer up with ease. Even throws it up and catches it by the handle. "You're all not worthy."
The team began complaining that Arthur was wrong about all of that and they felt worthy. Jason tough receives a phone call and leaves the room to the kitchen to take it.
He sees who it is from and sighed. "What's up, Bruce?"
Slaughterhouse Swamp
Hours earlier, there is an abandoned facility that was once used by those who lived in the swamps. Capturing alligators, killing them, and selling their meat. As time passed though people began passing by polluting the area. Some even dropping chemicals into the water, which caused the gators to grow twice as big as they are supposed to be.
This caused people to be killed and the facility was shut down. Leaving behind much of their supplies and equipment. However, it was soon later used to help sell contrabands to other folks along the swamps. This business was short-lived though thanks to a mysterious monster that lives in the swamp.
That was until a group of masked men are seen placing cases on some speedboats. It appeared the facility was once again being used, but this time by psychopathic criminal, Dr. Jonathan Crane aka Scarecrow. He was once a psychiatrist that became fascinated with fear and how to exploit it on those he worked on. Even creating a special gas that can cause people to hallucinate and bring out their worst fears to life.
Scarecrow has been using the facility to batch up a new supply of fear gas so he can deliver them to Grodd. Meanwhile, Dinah, Oliver, and Harley arrived as they began sneaking around the facility. Batgirl aka Barbara Gordon is with Groot helping secure the area around the facility to make sure they don't escape. All while their friends go in to stop Scarecrow.
They peak through the window to see Deadshot speaking to someone in the shadows. "Can they move any faster? I don't need Gorrila Grodd taking my head off cuz your boys are too slow."
"Fear not, Deadshot. We'll be ready for tomorrow's attack," said the dark figure who the others couldn't see, but Harley recognized the voice.
"Tomorrow?" Dinah asked now knowing when the attack from Grodd is coming, but where and how they don't know.
Suddenly the team are grabbed by some vines and lifted off the ground. They look over to see the attacker is none other than Poison Ivy.
"Fancy meeting you here," said Ivy as she came face-to-face with Harley. "Red! I ain't see you in forever! You here to take down these punks?"
They hear the door opening nearby and the shadowy figure is revealed to be Scarecrow himself. "Quite the catch, Ivy."
Suddenly batarangs appeared cutting through the vines and freeing the heroes. They look over to see Batgirl up in the trees as she charged in to attack Scarecrow's men. Meanwhile, Dinah and Oliver attack Scarecrow giving Harley a chance to fight Ivy. Harley tackles Ivy and pins her arms down.
"Sheesh Red, next time warn me next time you are going to attack us. I almost dropped my gum," said Harley revealing Ivy to be her mole.
"Sorry, Harley. Have to make it look good in front of Grodd's pets," Ivy pushed Harley off and summoned her vines.
After the fall of Superman, Harley worked with Jason to Ivy her own land for her plants. Batman agreed to this as long as Ivy doesn't cause trouble. Ivy agreed to this, but when she found out what Grodd is up to she decided to help Harley by being her mole. Lying about how the land she was given was not enough and how she was upset with how Bruce lied about what he was going to do for the trees in Gotham.
Of course, just because she is with Harley doesn't mean she can't go easy on her. "Now then, you better be ready, Harley. Otherwise this is going to hurt."
Ivy launched her vines at Harley, who dodged them and opened fire. Her guns were not meant to kill, but were loaded to help knock out an opponent. Ivy blocked the attacks with her vines and tries grabbing Harley from behind. Harley leaps over dodging them and jumps on top of the vines.
Using them to springboard off into the air and threw some flashbombs at her friend. Ivy surrounded herself with her vines so she couldn't be harm. However, Harley got on top of the vines and cuts through some of them to make a hole. She tossed another canister that begins letting out some gas.
Ivy began coughing as she frees herself from the vines, but the gas began weakening her. Harley jumps down and kicks her in the face knocking her out.
"Sorry, Red. Hope you will forgive me when this is over," said Harley as she sees Batgirl fighting against Deadshot, while Dinah and Oliver continue their attack on Scarecrow.
Almost getting him until he unleashed the fear gas on them. Harley runs over to them as Scarecrow uses some of it on her.
"Face your fears…" said Scarecrow.
Harley however didn't seem worried as she took a whiff of the gas and faked a sneeze appearing to be affected by it. "Please. I used to huff this stuff for kicks."
"Then you'll appreciate my new formula," said Scarecrow as he used more of the gas on Harley as it began affecting her.
Harley fell on the ground coughing as she sees Scarecrow approaching her. However, before he could harm her Groot appeared and grabs him with the vines before tossing him into the water.
"I am Groot," he said towards Harley.
Harley though understood what he said thank to her time with the others. "I'm fine. G-go help Dinah and her hubby," she said knowing Groot has built up an immunity to these gas and can cure people of the gas.
Harley over felt her head hurting as the canister that fell out of Scarecrow is unleashed on her causing her to hallucinate. Appearing in some sort of carnival place that looked very familiar to her. She looks up to hear a familiar laughter echoing around as someone steps out of the shadows that shocked her.
"Puh…Puddin'?" Harley asked as she sees the Joker appearing before her.
"Harley, darling. Look at you! Such a big girl! Cosplaying a hero," said the Joker as he appears out of the shadows. "Larping in the Batcave. But you hear it, don't you?"
"Hear what?" Harley asked backing away from the Joker all confused on what is going on.
"The real you buried underneath the floorboards, scratch, scratch, scratching to get out," Joker explained. "The one who'd cut her friends throats…" he said showing the knife as he points to a tied up Batman. "…And laugh about it.'
Harley now appeared wearing her old outfit when she was with the Joker, minus her mask. She sees the tied up Batman smiling and holding the knife as she approached him. A part of her wanted to do this. Telling her to do it and let the old Harley out to cause mischief again.
However, as she approached him the other part of her fought back. Recalling her talks with Oliver and how much he wanted to help her. Her time with her new friends and how much they trust her. Even thinking about her daughter and how she is finally sane enough to go back to her without worrying about the Joker harming her.
Yes, the Joker. The same one that abused her for so long, the one who made fun of her, and the one that was the reason her friend was killed by Superman. She soon snapped out of what was going on and let's go of the knife. Realizing the old her is not who she is now and she is not going back.
"Oh Harley! Always such a disappointment. Why do I bother?" Joker asked disappointed that Harley couldn't do it as he aims his gun at the back of her head.
Harley however pushed the gun out of the way and confronts her demon. "Ain't no slick fella with a cheap suit and cheaper grin telling me who I am ever again!"
She gave the Joker one big punch shattering the illusion and freeing her from the gas. She sees Dinah and Oliver breaking free too as Batgirl jumps behind a tree for cover when Deadshot fired at her along with his men. They get in the boat along with the fear gas as they take off.
Oliver managed to take four down, while Groot used his vines to grab two of them and sink them. Batgirl pressed a button and detonated the one Deadshot was on as he fell into the water. However, the explosion caused something to appear from the water. None other than Swamp Thing himself as he approached the team looking upset.
"This swamp is protected!"
"Swampy? I heard you were dead!" said Harley surprised to see Swamp Thing alive after they were told he was dead.
"I guard the Green, the plant life of Earth. As long as it lives, I cannot die!" Swamp Thing explained as he approaches the group, but Groot stood in his way.
"I am Groot!" said Groot trying to calm down Swamp Thing.
"What he said, Swampy," said Harley translating for him. "It ain't us you wanna bash. We're the good guys."
"Good? Bad? I care little for humanity," said Swamp Thing as he turns to Groot. "But I do care…when my swamp burns!"
He goes to punch Groot, but Groot stops him and began growing to match Swamp Thing's size. "I'm Groot!" Groot motions to behind Swamp Thing.
"Swampy, look! They're mixing gas right here in your backyard," said Harley pointing to Scarecrow's men as they try escaping. "We came to stop them!"
Swamp Thing let's go of Groot and sees Scarecrow's men. "Hmm, I see."
Swamp Thing uses his vines to grab ahold of the remaining soldiers stopping them. Scarecrow though manage to escape with one of his men opening fire on the heroes. Swamp Thing and Groot protected the team saving their lives. Once the fighting stopped Swamp Thing turns to the team.
"If they return. I will be ready," said Swamp Thing as he turns to Groot. "And perhaps next time I'll try listening. Thank you, friend."
"I am Groot," Groot replied as he shook Swamp Thing's hand.
"He said, you're welcome, friend," said Harley as she began speaking with Swamp Thing.
All while Batgirl is approached by Dinah and Oliver. "Thanks for your help, Barbara. Not sure about wearing the mask to cover your hair and face, but it's your choice."
However, the girl removed her mask to reveal she isn't Barbara Gordon. "My name is Cassandra Cain and I am the new Batgirl."
"New Batgirl? She didn't tell us she passed the title on to someone else," said Oliver who was surprised just like the others by this.
"Ms. Gordon felt her duty was more to help the officers in Gotham and provide them with the tools they need to protect the city," Cassandra explained. "Ms. Gordon began training me some time ago and kept this a secret. The only one who knew other than her was Mr. Wayne. Now, I am here to help you."
Dinah should have known Barbara was going to retire and pass on the title of Batgirl to someone. Ever since the fall of the Regime ended she began helping restore law and order in Gotham with Batman's help. Spending more time in public to help the people and less time as Batgirl. So, to know she was training someone to take up the mantel made sense to her.
"Well, I'm glad to know the name Batgirl is in good hands," she then turns to the shack and sighed. "We better tell Bruce what happened and how we might need to make our move soon."
Surprise! I have brought in Cassandra Cain into the story and hope everyone is okay with this. I love Cassandra and I have wanted to bring her into the story. Also, yeah made some changes here from the game. With Ivy on the side of the good guys and is a spy.
Is she the only one? Also am I going to bring in more stuff from the Age of Ultron movie? Will I also add in more info from the new Thor film? Or am I going to stop here and rely on the game information?
Check out the next chapter to find out what is going to happen for the team when they are visited with an unfriendly guest. Also, I will be adding my friend theReaper13's OCs soon or at least mention them soon before they appear. If you all like the chapter then please leave some reviews. If you didn't like this then don't leave a flame review please.
I'll see you guys next time and take care.