A/N: Who would've thought we'd make it to Chapter 10. I got to admit I didn't. I was so afraid that I would get cold feet or this story wouldn't be like I hoped. Nevertheless, thanks to encouragement from friends, Fioleechan and Chalant. I have gotten here. As you may have figured out Cassie in my story is older than the one in the canon. Apparently, she is only "14" if the YJ Wiki is to be believed. She is a year younger than Alex who turned 17 during the pre-time skip due to his Birthday being on Dec. 13th.
Chapter 10: Invasion
January 1st, 2011
Alex stood before Wonder Woman and Wonder Girl holding the same bag of stuff he first brought to the HQ minus the posters as he looked at her. "I know it's a bit unusual but, Ma'am I want to train with you. I know first hand what to expect but…I believe it is necessary for me to learn to control not just my powers but myself as well. You are the most disciplined warrior of the league so you made the most sense to ask."
Wonder Woman glanced to her student who tried to casually nod her approval despite her mentor easily seeing how the two interacted. "You do know that men are forbidden on Thermyscira without permission. However…you performed admirably in the training sessions you undertook while I evaluated you. I will agree however on one condition. That you are mindful of your actions and you do not come into this half-hearted otherwise you will perish."
Alex's confidence was shook slightly at the prospect of dying but he knew it had to happen, nodding. "Yes Ma'am. I will do my best." Alex turned staring one last time at the Mt. Justice base before following Wonder Woman and Wonder Girl through the Zeta Tube. A letter sitting on the table in front of the TV addressed to the team was the last trace he was there. That and addition of an I Love Supergirl poster on the wall of Wally's room.
"Dear, Team. I am sorry I did not do this face to face. Honestly, I do not think I would have been able to. You guys are my family regardless of any blood ties or not. I have always believed that family does not end at blood, nor does being blood automatically make you family. I think people who love you define Family. I am honored to say I found that. Robin, you need more self-confidence. You will make an amazing leader, you are afraid to make mistakes but how can you ever gain experience without them? Zatanna, I know your father being trapped by Fate still hurts but you do not have to suffer alone, your friends can shelter your burden and help you through the worst of pain and sorrow, I can personally attest to that. Kaldur, we have not always seen eye to eye. Perhaps it is the natural conflict between your power to manipulate water and mine with fire. Regardless of any issues we may have had, I respect you and hopes to one day become a leader and hero like you. Raquel, you are awesome. I truly believe you will be the next female League superhero, and I can't wait to read about Rocket the JLA heroine saving the day." The letter continued having a second page. Ah Wally now if I could find something nice to say about you. I am kidding. You are like that cousin that people claim they can't stand but love every time they visit. I would however check your room before I let Artemis in there, for safety's sake. I am joking you are hysterical, and despite how foolish or clueless some people may think you are, you never abandon your friends no matter what proof someone shows you. Kon, you need to slow down. You are in such a rush to catch up or rival Superman that you miss one important thing that you don't have to. You are a brother to me, clone or not and I would rather have you than any Superman carbon copy any day. Artemis, I am happy Wally's brain caught up with his feet, and you two got together. I know you feel ashamed of your family's history but don't. Regardless of your blood relations, I can say that I know you, Arrowette. You are a strong, fierce independent woman who will take down anyone who harms her friends. Remember, the only person you are destined to become is who you decide to be. Never let anyone, especially Sportsmaster tell you different. Megan, you…you are the star that guided me through the darkness. I know I scared you at first, but you looked past the fire, to me and played the biggest role in salvaging the good within me and I will be eternally thankful for that. I love all of you that is why I am going to train and become not just a better Hero but a better person so I can make you proud. Your friend and comrade, Alexander aka Phoenix.
~a year later~
Alex began deflecting Wonder Girl's punches, countering with his own strike only for her to catch him and send him flying across the ground landing thankfully on the "soft" dirt than the stone platform. Thankfully, Diana was not above buying him clothes since he was technically living there, as the original uniform he had, was in pitiful condition mainly due to the brutal training. Though it had its moments, since usually it was just him and Cassie, blushing when he saw the concerned blonde kneeling over him her hand on his arm.
"I'm sorry. I was caught up in the heat of the moment. Wonder Woman says I get distracted too easily, and I wasn't used to having someone who isn't a villain counter punch on me so….at least I held back at the last second right?" she grinned a smile that on anyone else would look out-of-place but on her, in his eyes, she looked like an angel whose beauty put the sun to shame. Granted, a powerful angel, but an angel nonetheless. "It's alright just help me up." With a groan she pulled him to a stand with no difficulty but at that moment their eyes met, his hazel ones staring into that oceanic blue, a faint blush at least until he leaned in kissing her. This wasn't their first kiss due to their ever-growing attraction, but it was the first that felt…like. Time slowed just for this moment. His hands slowly taking hers.
In that kiss, that moment, all the negative emotions that haunted him disappeared. He was at peace in her arms, a fact that dawned on him that he was always at peace around her, the same way Connor described how it felt being around M'gann. Eventually the kiss broke and what felt like centuries had only been a few minutes as he blushed still holding her hands looking into her eyes. "Wow. Cass I have to tell you that…I've liked you for a long time. Since we met, actually. I just want to—" he, having been cut off by Wonder Girl's spunky personality who blurted out "Me too" that excited utterance could have stopped his heart, as he smiled nuzzling her softly. Despite that, a slightly irked mentor was hovering above the island watching them "slack off" from training.
"Any word on the others?" Alex shook his head as they resumed sparring. "Last letter I got from Artemis told me she and Wally had left the Hero life to pursue a normal one, whatever that means. I think Tula one of Kaldur's friends from Atlantis is considering joining up. from what I heard she is an exceptional mind and talent. I think the new Aqua Girl will be very useful.
~almost 4 years later Location: Gotham City~
Alex stood there in an old-fashioned diner using his powers to cook the ordered hamburgers for the customer, the flames perfectly balanced as they heated up the metal cooking the meat. He had dreams of becoming a chef mainly due to the amazing sweets Megan made and what he could remember of his mother's cooking. Granted Megan clearly had the advantage in the sweets department, the best of his usually only ending up burnt and the worst ending with a visit from the fire department.
It was Hell Week, the same time that Batman found him 5 years ago. In addition, my, the city hadn't changed. It was still the dog-eat-dog mindset among criminals. If you gauged by the low-class thugs you would think that Batman hadn't scratched the surface in fixing the City but the citizens know better. The former street resident knelt handing 2 bags of food to the homeless bunch smiling as he didn't forget his debts and these people despite how society looked upon them, kept him alive and out of drug dens.
At that moment, he turned igniting a fire in the steel barrels they used for warm, as he didn't even have to touch it. It was one of the ways his power had evolved. He no longer needed direct contact to ignite something, if it was close enough he could increase the heat focused on the object and start a flame. Even water didn't have the same disabling affect over him due to being able to flash-dry his body and clothes. "Enjoy the warmth fellas; it should burn for a while."
His hair was dirty blonde thanks to dyeing it a different color to match his father, and cut short for him anyway, the length in the back barely reaching the middle of his neck and at the moment clean-shaven though his face itched due to the slowly returning 5 o'clock stubble. He headed home to his apartment, in Gotham. He would've preferred to return to Happy Harbor but then again, too many memories, and not enough friends remaining made it a rather easy decision to leave.
His body had muscle now thanks to the training. It had a few new scars from the harsh training he undertook but his control of his power was at a level he didn't know was possible, a grateful fact due to it being October in the middle of Gotham, his body radiating heat like a furnace, at least enough to knock the chill off, passing a TV where Gordon Godfrey ranted, though he ignored the obnoxious windbag not caring for his TV show. Soon turned towards his Apartment building heading, his face cracking with a smile when he saw the light of the apartment was not on yet, and hurried heading up to the 3rd floor.
Yes, he was a happy fool, content with his newfound life but still yearning for the old days. The newspaper the man on the bench was reading had the date Oct 28, 2015, it was almost 5 years since he left the team. And just a few weeks from his 21st. birthday. He opened the door turning to stare at a photo of the Team, taken by Black Canary, as a birthday present for him back then, his mind going back to those days. "….I miss you guys." His hands fidgeted with a dark red velvet box but he waited putting it on the nearby counter and removed his jacket setting it to rest on it on a hook, before turning to head to the kitchen, his mind trying to perfect the scenario for the moment he had in question.
His solitude and thought process would be broken as the gang except Aqualad, yelled surprise the sudden shock sending him tumbling to the floor, Alexander stared at them in disbelief. Wondergirl smiling at her near 5-year boyfriend, happy she was able to keep the surprise. Rising and soon scooped Artemis up into his arms in a bear hug laughing. "Artemis! And even Kid Mouth too. Though, not such a small kid now." Artemis chuckled, "yeah and an even bigger mouth." She smirked until she saw the dismayed expression on Wally's face. "It's a joke Baywatch. Come on We're just kidding."
The reunion continued smoothly at least until Alex and Conner bumped into one another, as he wasn't exactly at the top of Alex's Christmas card list. He had been there when Megan showed up out of nowhere crying her eyes out over the breakup. The tension was thick at least until Alex shook Conner's hand. Soon he left hugging M'gann at least until he saw La'gann who calmly waited for his angelfish to introduce them. "Alex I want you to meet La'gann, my boyfriend." The two stared until Alex spoke "So…this is him…well different than I expected."
"For someone who Angelfish refers to as her brother I expected you to be green, like Gar." Alex stared as he saw La'gann extend a hand and after a few minutes, Alex reached out shaking it. "Know this…Lagoon Boy, Swamp Dude whatever you want to call yourself. I held Megan the last time, while she cried, the last time she got her heart-broken. If you hurt her, I'll fry you extra crispy. Understood?" La'gann's facial expression hardened but broke into a tense smile nodding. "Understood."
Megan was a bit nervous though relaxed realizing Alex was just being the stereotypical overprotective brother, as she had seen on her TV shows, which left her a bit relieved. She was actually happy that he still thought enough to be protective over her. Now she introduced Alex to Beast Boy, as Alex stared at him in disbelief, "So you can really turn into any known animal. That's really awesome." Garfield chuckled rubbing the back of his head. "I know, Megan buys me animal books whenever she can so I can learn about more and more so I have even more things to turn into." Alex blinked biting his lip. "What about mythical animals like say-" Megan spoke up looking at them. "A Phoenix?" to which Gar shook his head. "I think they have to be real, or I at least have to see them with my own eyes to be able to know how to change into them"
Nightwing saw the corner of his eye Roy almost swiping the box Alex had on the counter, the first sign that things were not right with the clone of his long time friend. Noticing Alex had a bit of confusion on his face as he made his way through the introductions and reunions leaning over the counter to look at Nightwing who only recently shared his first name with him.
"Where is Kaldur? I kind of expected to see him here." Wally grimaced looking away. Until La'gann started to speak only to be cut, off by Nightwing. "He is at home. There was an emergency there, he sends his regards." Alex nodded and headed off to chat wrapping his arms around Cass, while Zatanna moved up to Richard. "Do you think you would've lied if it was anyone else?" Nightwing sighed. "I am not going to tell him on his birthday. Alex would never believe it until he saw it for himself anyway."
While Cassie went to fetch the presents and, M'gann to check on the cake, Alex stood in the hallway outside with Artemis holding the box and opened it looking at her. "Do you think she'll like it?" Artemis blinked staring at the ring for a few moments before it sunk in. "is that a… wow Yes she'll love it, Alex. Congratulations" Alex smiled feeling her hug him as his cynical side spoke out, "she hasn't said yes yet."
"She will." Artemis headed inside ready to share the latest bit of info just among the girls except Wonder Girl, Alex heading in as he smelled M'gann's cake which was perfectly finished, and the group sat down to eat, talk and just enjoy themselves today. Reality and the truth could wait just for a few hours to let old friends catch up. Alex cleared his throat as he stood up holding a glass of drink, looking at them smiling. "Here I sit with new friends and old family. It has been far too long. For those of you that know, Dec. 13 signifies not just my birthday but my biggest regret as well. Few people are given second chances, and even fewer gain redemption. I am lucky enough to say I got both. Thank You, all of you, for helping me become a better man, and for finding happiness." They enjoyed this reunion. As soon, the party broke off, and Alex found himself talking with Nightwing outside.
"So an emergency in Atlantis, hm. Richard, I am sure I can guess what it is you wanted to talk to me about." Nightwing sighed crossing his arms. "Be careful using that, Batman would kill me if he knew I broke one of his rules about the identity thing. You are one of the few outside of Speedy and Kaldur who know my first name. You are right though, I came to talk to you about joining the team again. We have a lot of new members now. It's grown so far from what I envisioned when me, Kaldur, Roy and Superboy started this thing." Alex looked at Cassie and nodded. "I'm in. but just give me a bit. I am rusty and besides I need to catch up with everyone. Are you guys still at the base in Happy harbor?"
"No. we work on the Watchtower now. I can't wait for you to meet the others. Welcome back, Phoenix." Their hands met clasping one another as he shook Nightwing's, a smile coming upon his face as he thought about finally reconnecting with everyone. "Maybe I'll run into Kaldur up there. He'll definitely regret missing out on M'gann's cake." Alex headed into the apartment as Nightwing couldn't shake the look of guilt on his face once Alex headed back. "Definitely."