Chapter 12

Watchtower

14:09 PM

November 14th 2010

"No"

When Batman and Superman returned and started the meeting about Slade; the Dark Knight quickly recommended the Titans along with the Team to deal with the inter-dimensional Terminator.

But he was quickly shot down by Wonder Woman.

"Wonder Woman, Slade is from the Titans' universe. They know a lot more about him than we could" Batman emotionlessly reasoned with the Amazon Princess but was ineffective.

"Then let us work with the Titans. We can be bigger help to them"

"I doubt that would work. I want the Team to work with them because they will operate better; than we ever could"

"What do you mean by that Batman?" Flash asked the still emotionless Batman.

"Say for the alternate Kid Flash. The remaining Titans, still wouldn't work for us for reasons that I do not know but are fairly obvious" Batman explained as the mentors glanced at each other and internally agreed with Batman.

"So what! This is something beyond the team!" Wonder Woman roared as she was getting agitated with Batman "Your reasons hold truth but are asinine! This is different than stealth missions and the occasional villains but this is something bigger. We should be the ones fighting!"

Wonder Woman reasoned with quiet rage as Batman's face was as stiff as ever while most members present were uncomfortable.

"Your right" Batman spoke which confused everyone in the room "The Team are kids as well as the Titans, but they all made a commitment to be heroes like everyone here" Batman explained as Wonder Woman was still defensive "When they put on the mask and protect, they are no longer 'children' but heroes. Heroes we should put more respect towards and if we don't…." Batman stopped for a brief moment before he went on.

"Well. We already seen the damage"

That comment really hit home as the mentors and most League members understood that Batman was referring to the Titans and their messed up relationship to the Justice League.

"I agree with Batman" Flash rose up and spoke "I mean they're with the Titans and they seem pretty experienced"

"I concur with Batman, as well" Aquaman voted as he had no doubt in his mind.

"Man's got a point" Green Arrow commented as he sided with the Dark Knight and soon after Black Canary, both Green Lanterns, Captain Marvel and a few other Leaguers all sided with Batman.

But Wonder Woman was still on the fence as she still stared at the Dark Knight with a glare that could rival the Bat-glare.

"Fine!" Wonder Woman begrudgingly admits as she walks over to Batman "I will allow you to go through with this plan but before you do, I want to ask you one thing?"

Everyone was now wondering what the Amazon will ask as Batman still had his calm posture. Wonder Woman is now face to face with the Dark Knight but after sighing, she drops her enraged expression to a more serious and sombre expression.

"Do you really believe, that the Titans will bury years of disdain and forgive your alternate selves if you let them do this? That just one mission can undo years of damage? If you believe that, then you're a fool!"

Wonder Woman exited the room after that armour piercing question which left the whole room in utter silence.

"Well, I think we should go tell the Team and the Titans, the good news" Flash spoke up, ending the minute silence.

"He's right, let's go" Green Arrow left his seat and was joined by Aquaman, Flash, Black Canary and Red Tornado.

But Batman was still standing in the same spot.

"Batman" Superman put his hand on his colleagues shoulder, which made the billionaire notice the reporter "Shouldn't you go and tell the Titans and the Team the good news?"

Batman stared at him for a second before walking off to meet the young heroes.

Wonder Woman's words still ring in his mind.


Mount Justice

14:41 PM

November 14th 2010

Both the Team and the Titans were in the Cave after receiving instructions to arrive back in the Cave as their mentors were ready waiting for them.

They explained that the pursuit of Slade was on the Titans' hands and that the Team were to assist them in their mission.

Everyone had different reactions.

Both Kid Flash's were ecstatic about working together. Superboy and Kaldur were smirking with pride as they get to help the Titans. Aqualad was smiling but was looking cool about it. Speedy and Artemis was excited to hunt down a high class criminal. Zatanna and Ms Martian just nodded at each other.

However both Robin's had different reactions?

Young Robin was flabbergasted that Batman vouched for the Team to go after Slade. As just his robotic duplicate alone, managed to beat down the fourth trained martial artist in the room and normally Batman wouldn't let him and by extension the Team, take on someone clearly above their level.

Did he have that much faith in them?

Did he have that much faith in him?

Older Robin was torn between having suspicions about Batman not fighting the Titans' right to find Slade and to just do it himself, between being impressed and touched that Batman won't get in his way.

It made his respect for the Dark Knight, increase slightly.

Or at least, this universe's Batman.

"We'll allow you all to organise a plan for the mission, I presume the Titans' Robin will supply you all with information regarding Slade" Batman spoke to the teenagers and young adults as he glanced at Older Robin.

"Remember that this is like no other criminal you fought, but with the Titans' guidance, I'm sure you all will rise to the challenge" Black Canary took over as she gave motivation to the Team and by extension the Titans.

"We'll leave you all to your own devices, we must go back to the Watchtower and keep working on getting the Titans, home" Red Tornado stated with his usual robotic voice as he and the other Leaguers walked into the Zeta Tube.

'04- Flash'

'06- Aquaman'

'08- Green Arrow'

'13- Black Canary'

'16- Red Tornado'

Batman was the last Leaguer in the Cave and stopped to turn his head at the Team, most importantly the two Robins as Wonder Woman's words ring in his head.

'02- Batman'

After a few seconds pass, the two speeders showed their excitement and enthusiasm by racing around the mission room.

"This is awesome!" Wally exclaimed happily.

"I know, me! We get to work together!" Kid Flash happily celebrated as the others were happy too, but weren't loud about it.

"This is going to be fun" Speedy smirked as he was too interested in working with the Team.

"I am sure that this is a fortunate opportunity for both our teams, but we need to focus at the matter at hand" Kaldur spoke his words of wisdom as the others buckled down (mainly the two red head speedsters) and listened.

"Kaldur's right" Aqualad spoke up "We need to focus on capturing Slade. Robin?" Aqualad and everyone turned their attention to older Robin "You're the only one in here that fought Slade and lived, we need your input"

Older Robin took a moment before he spoke.

"With Slade, you don't really know what to expect" Older Robin mused before he continued in a much more serious manner "But don't underestimate him a bit! He's a mastermind, a deadly fighter and has several robotic minions at his disposal"

"Don't have to tell us twice" Young Robin spoke with disdain and cynicism as he rubs his shoulders as he remembers the beat down, he received a while ago.

"Then what are we waiting for, let's go and take him out" Superboy says with determination.

"Not quite yet" everyone looks at Older Robin "You guys just fought him a few hours ago. If we attack now, we'll be under prepared" Older Robin paces around before he breathes "Look, I hate to say this, but Slade has been in this universe for God knows how long, so he'll probably know your game plan, how you guys fight and your weaknesses"

The Team felt unnerved by the fact that some psychopath was spying on them.

"He'll know how to counter the Titans as well, so he'll win if we go in now. But we may just be able to surprise him, if we function like a team"

Everyone rose an eyebrow.

"I'm talking about training together and formulating the best attack plans benefitting to how well we work together! We need to be a well oiled machine!"

Everyone let his words sink in before they got fired up.

"He is correct. Separated, our teams are strong but together, we forge something powerful!" Kaldur admits as that made everyone more fired up.

"Then what are we waiting for!" Wally exclaims as we begin to see a montage of the two teams, working together.

While everyone was excited, a certain magician noticed how a young bird wasn't as excited.


Mount Justice

19:39 PM

November 14th 2010

The group separated into different groups over the course of the last few hours and were making progress.

The two Robins training with Superboy in martial arts and were using Superboy's strength to teach the younger Robin how to defend himself and predict a stronger enemy's movement and attacks. Older Robin was teaching Ms Martian and Zatanna some basic hand to hand and blocks so they can fight the Sladebots without using a huge percentage of their powers.

The two Atlanteans were practising with their water powers as Garth was teaching Kaldur how he is able to control any water source that is nearby and they formulate attack plans due to that knowledge and become more efficient partners.

Speedy and Artemis were training together along with the now present Red Arrow. Speedy thought it would be a good idea, to include the detached archer and because they were going to capture an inter-dimensional criminal without League supervision, Red Arrow was completely on board. They were inspecting each other's arrows and were learning about Speedy's most complex arrows while building them.

The two speedsters suited up and left the cave to a remote island, so Kid Flash can teach Wally some of his moves but sadly Wally can't do most of them because of his slowish speed. So they were doing some team work involving their speed and headed back to the cave.

'B03- Kid Flash'

'B03- Kid Flash'

"Wow, that was one heck of a workout" Kid Flash states as he yawned.

"I hear that"

The two speedsters turn to see the Aqualads on the floor in sweat as they were spraying themselves with water bottles.

Everyone in the room was tired and exhausted as the Older Robin stood up and began to speak.

"So I guess we had enough training for one day, everyone rest for the night and we'll begin the mission tomorrow when everyone is well rested and finish school" Older Robin panted as he heard a collective of groans and moans at the word, 'school'.

"Almost forgot about that" Superboy claims as he picked himself and M'gann of the floor.

"With everything that's happened, I almost forgot it was Sunday" M'gann muses as she sweats "I think I'm way too tired to go to Cheerleading practise"

The alien couple walked each other to the showers but no one noticed, they went in together?

"Hey, want to camp out with Barry and Iris for the night, I'll bring the snacks" Kid Flash suggested with a grin.

"Sounds like fun but I should really, go back to my folks, they're probably worried" Wally admits before his face lights up "I know, how about you come visit my house, my parents will so flip out"

This made Kid Flash go into panic.

"That's…not really…necessary..how about we….just go..to Iris'! I mean I don't want… to impose and confuse our.. your parents! Catch you later"

Kid Flash zoomed out of the Cave in a rather sluggish way as he was drained from training.

'B03- Kid Flash'

Wally stood there dumfounded, not believing the usually cheery version of himself pretty much flipped his lid when meeting his parents was mentioned and Wally was determined to find out why as he walked out, to save his strength.

'B03- Kid Flash'

"Hey, can I crash at yours tonight? I find your couch more comfortable than these beds" Speedy asked his alternate self as they got up to go to the Zeta Tube with Artemis.

"Sure, why not, I could use the company" Red Arrow answered as he wiped sweat of his face.

'B06- Red Arrow'

'B06- Red Arrow'

'B07- Artemis'

"Hey Kaldur, we never really got to meet up with my other self and Tula" Aqualad stated as he almost whispered that last word "Want to go now?"

"Yes, let us go, we have much to talk about" Kaldur replied as they both walk towards the entrance that leads to the beach and in turn, Atlantis.

That left Zatanna and the two Robins in the room.

"We might also need to turn in early as well, want to go back to the Bat-Cave" Older Robin asked his younger counterpart as he was met with strange looks from the remaining people in the room "What?"

"You want to go back into being in the same room as Batman?" Young Robin asked in complete disbelief.

Older Robin looked away as he mumbled.

"Like Speedy said, the beds here are uncomfortable"

Zatanna could've sword she saw a smile but disregarded it.

"Well OK then let's….." Young Robin was about to go until he was held back by Zatanna.

"Robin can I talk to you…alone?" Zatanna asked as Robin was fighting the blush he was getting as he turned to his older counterpart.

"I can wait" he replied as he began training with his bo-staff.

"Nehctik eht ot Nibor ym dna em ekat" Zatanna spoke backward as she teleported Robin and herself to the kitchen.

"What's up Zee?" Robin asked as Zatanna looked like she was gaining courage to ask Robin what she dragged or technically teleported him to talk about.

"Robin?" Zatanna spoke up and paused "What's wrong?"

Robin is taken aback by this question and chose to dodge it.

"What do you mean?" Robin nervously questioned, knowing that it won't get him out of it.

"Well over the course of two days: you met your older moodier counterpart, talked with him alone with each encounter leaving you utterly depressed and now you learn that you have an inter-dimensional nemesis who almost killed you" Zatanna deduced as she placed her hand on the Boy Wonder's shoulder "Tell me the truth, it's just me"

Robin looked at her and was glad that he was wearing a mask…so she couldn't see the weakness in his eyes.

"I'm….I'm…I feel…!" Robin was now stuttering as he was trying to process a sentence.

"You feel what?" Zatanna asked concerned.

Robin took a moment to breath before he whispered faintly.

"Scared"

Zatanna had a flash of disbelief.

Normally the Boy Wonder would laugh in the face danger that scared most people his age but now seeing him actually admit made him more human in her eyes.

"Is it because of…Slade?" Zatanna gulped when she said that last name.

"You should've heard of the things he's done to the other Robin!" Robin ripped away from Zatanna's touch as he began to pace "I mean, this man is beyond what our team can handle and even with the Titans' help, I still feel overwhelmed! How does he do it! How does Batman do it! I feel so powerless and I never even met the guy face to face!"

Zatanna was just standing there, soaking in every sentence that the Boy Wonder was sadly and erratically spewing.

"During the last two days, I was forced to realize that maybe everybody was right! The reporters, the League….Slade! I am just a kid!"

Zatanna had enough as she grabbed Robin's shoulders.

"Robin! You aren't invincible! You just can't expect to never be afraid of anything, that's not what make you a great hero!" Zatanna exclaims as Robin just stared at her "I don't want to know about the things that the other Robin told you, but let me tell you this Boy Wonder! Don't think any less of yourself and don't compare yourself to the other you or even Batman!" Zatanna caresses Robin's face as she finishes "We're all afraid of what's going to happen tomorrow and we're all afraid of something….but being afraid doesn't make you a child but more human than you could possibly be!"

Moments pass before Zatanna realizes that she is caressing the Boy Wonder's face as she lets go, flustered.

"Thank you"

Zatanna looked at the now smiling Boy Wonder.

"I'm just so confused and frustrated with everything that has happened, I denied and ignored so many things leading up to this weekend and I guess I wasn't prepared to face them" Robin admitted as he hugged a surprise struck Zatanna "Thank you, I know I wasn't as 'traught' as I should have"

"No problem" Zatanna replied as she happily embraced the hug "I'll also never tell people, that you used the word 'overwhelmed'"

"Hahaha, I hope not" Robin laughed as things seemed like they were back to normal as he and Zatanna detached from their hug.

"Goodnight Robin"

"Goodnight Zatanna"

Zatanna charmed herself out of the kitchen as Robin walked out, slightly better than before as he zetaed back to the Manor with the older Robin.

With his attraction to the magician, going up like never before.


OK, so I have some explaining to do.

I know it has been three months since my last update and I humbly apologise to those who have been waiting patiently for me to update this story during those months. I have the standard excuse of me being tired because of college but the real reason.

I was disinterested in continuing it.

Now that doesn't mean, I'm abandoning it but I normally have to be invested with what I'm writing and I was too tired and disinterested to finish this chapter. I also tried to keep a consistent schedule with the updates but since I have other responsibilities like college and house work, I can't exactly promise I'll update every now and then.

I'll try my best to update monthly but I'm not making promises and I hate to use this line but it holds truth, 'The chapters will be released when they're done'.

Thank you for your patience and your comments, I enjoy reading them and without them, I wouldn't really have the motivation to buckle down and finish off this chapter.

Zatanna's Spell: Take me and my Robin to the kitchen