The Team were waiting for Dick, and Connor. Wally hadn't seen his best friend in a few days but it felt like an eternity. He thought his punishment was over when Uncle Barry came home and told him that he could go to the cave for training. That wasn't the case. Black Canary simply didn't want the boys getting out of shape. They were being allowed in the cave only from 8-10 tonight only to train. He knew it had to be hard having BigDaddyBats and Alfred mad at him. Alfred would relent after a day or two, Batman was entirely another story. It was highly unwise to get on his bad side. But then again if Dick had it bad, he couldn't imagine how Connor was doing with Superman. The Boy Scout completely ignored him. It was probably a silent fest in that house. Canary looked her wrist watch and was tapping her foot on the ground to show her impatience.
Suddenly she put a finger in her ear and a moment later said," Dick wont be joining us. Batman says he doesn't feel well so he's keeping him home."
Oh well thought Wally. He'd just have to see Dick another time.
"Recognized Superman 01, Superboy B04"
The Team looked as the Man of Steel and his clone came through the zeta tube together. What was even crazier, they looked like they were talking. Connor had a backpack on his back, and Superman was carrying a two suitcases. Were they going somewhere after training?
"You've almost got heat vision down completely Connor," said Superman. "We'll practice your cold breath a little bit later tonight."
Connor simply nodded. Black Canary suddenly appeared, grabbed Superman by the ear and took him down the hallway away from the Team to yell at him. Connor walked over by the others and M'Gann linked everybody up so the adults couldn't hear them talking.
"So how've you boys been," she asked.
"Atlantis is okay for a visit but it's very boring," replied Kaldur.
"Metropolis isn't so bad," said Connor.
"Dude are you and Supey Sr. actually getting along," asked Wally.
"Suprisingly yes. It's been nice over there."
"How in hell did that happen?"
"Well... Batman drugged both of us and trapped us in Clark's house. And as soon as we woke up, we tried to kill one another. But once our fight was over, Clark apologized for ignoring me for so long and took me out for burgers. He's even been helping me with my powers. So Wally, you don't have to worry about me setting your ass on fire again accidentally. Now, I can do it on purpose if I wish."
"What about you girls? Has the cave been boring as hell without us? Do you miss our dreamy looks?"
"You think way too highly of yourself Baywatch," lied Artemis. "No one here missed you."
"Where's Dick," asked Connor.
"Sick," answered M'Gann. "Batman told Black Canary that he was going to keep him home."
Black Canary walked back over to them. Superman was rubbing his ear but he flew down the hall and returned with the couch. The Man of Steel had never stayed for their training sessions but, he was staying today. Superman sat on the couch started typing on a laptop.
"Alright everyone," Black Canary said. Everyone came to attention. "I know we haven't trained in a few days but I still expect the best out of all of you. Pair up. Wally vs. M'Gann, Kaldur vs. Artemis, Zatanna vs. Connor. NO POWERS."
Everyone got in the circle, the floor lit up and training commenced. Wally had a bit of an upper hand on M'Gann in battle in terms of combat. They pretty much relied on their respective powers of super speed and telekinesis during battle. Kaldur had the size advantage on Artemis but she was faster so that left them equal. That left Zatanna and Connor. Normally Connor would take it easy on Zatanna since she pretty much strictly used magic on the missions. Tonight was different. Zatanna moved like lightning today, she was striking Connor with everything she looked like she was actually hurting him. Connor went for a left hook, Zatanna parried it and hit him in the face with a spinning heel kick. He fell down and the floor called it out.
"SUPERBOY FAIL."
Connor growled and Superman looked up from his laptop for a second.
"Good job Zatanna," said Black Canary.
Connor got back up and cried," again!"
Zatanna nodded and she and Connor circled one another. Connor went for a straight right hand with a lot of force but Zatanna dodged and punched Connor straight in the face. He lifted off the ground and he landed on the training room floor.
"SUPERBOY FAIL."
Connor was on the ground covering his face. When he moved his hands his nose was bleeding badly. Wally couldn't believe Zatanna had defeated the young Kryptonian twice. Connor had a look of hate on his face.
"Canary said no magic," he growled.
Zatanna put her hands on her hips and cocked her head to the side before smiling. "Hello genius I have to talk to use my magic," she explained. "I didn't say a damn thing."
"Well only magic could hurt me like this. How do you explain that?"
How would I know what your body considers magic? I'm just happy that I didn't break my hand hitting you in the face." Zatanna walked over to Connor and said," laeh." Connor's nose stopped bleeding. Zatanna helped him up and he thanked her. Wally looked at the clock. It was already 8:45. An hour and fifteen more and it was back home.
"Okay everyone take fifteen," cried Black Canary. "We start again at 9:00." Superman waved for Canary to come over, and the Team all relaxed. Some standing others sitting. M'Gann linked the team up again.
"So seriously," asked Wally. "You guys do anything fun since we've been on the sidelines?"
"We went on a mission last night," answered M'Gann. "Doctor Fate and a demon came with us."
At the mention of Doctor Fate all the boys looked at Zatanna. Zatanna folded her arms and glared at the boys.
"I really wish that whenever someone mentioned Doctor Fate that everyone wouldn't look at me," she said loudly. "Because in case you haven't noticed, it's hella rude. Yes I know my father is trapped under that goddamned helmet and it's partially my fault. I don't need to be constantly reminded with pity looks!"
"We didn't mean to offend you Zatanna," said Kaldur.
"How did the mission end," asked Connor changing the subject before an argument began.
"A magic gem smashed over Zatanna and now she has the power to control the dead," answered Artemis.
Wally spit out the water he had been drinking. Superman and Black Canary both looked at him. "Sorry," he said out loud. Back in the mental link he said," you can control the dead?"
Zatanna replied," I guess, but I don't want to come rely on it."
"That's probably why you kicked my ass during our spar," cried Connor. "You've got souls of the dead going throughout your body."
"Doctor Fate and Jason Blood did say the gem would increase your magic tenfold," M'Gann reminded her.
"Alright, change in subject," interrupted Wally. "All this talk about dead people and magic is depressing."
"Kaldur how's Tula," asked Artemis throwing Wally a dirty look.
"I have not seen her since I arrived in Atlantis," said Kaldur.
"I heard his heartbeat skip," Connor said immediately. "He's lying."
Kaldur glared at the clone. If he could've strangled Connor, he would've.
"It is a personal matter I don't wish to discuss with you guys," answered Kaldur truthfully.
"If you tell us Water Boy maybe we can help you out," smiled Artemis.
Kaldur sighed and put a hand to his forehead before continuing. "Well I met with Tula my first night back in Atlantis. She was… um is the term dirtfaced drunk?"
"Shitfaced drunk," corrected Wally.
"Yeah she was that. She started kissing me and I tried to stop her, but she just kept doing it. I was already feeling like crap because Orrin yelled at me and well it just felt sooo good. One thing led to another-"
"Please tell me you that didn't have sex with her," begged Artemis.
"She was pressuring me! What was I supposed do?!
M'Gann grabbed her head in pain since "OH MY GOD" rang through her mind.
Zatanna recovered first and shouted," Kaldur are you crazy? Why would you do that?"
"What do you mean 'what were you supposed to do'," shouted Wally. "How about not sleep with her you dork!"
"She's your best friend's girlfriend," growled Connor. "How can you live with yourself man?"
"You are not telling me things that I have not told myself," sighed Kaldur. "But that's not the worst part. The worst part is that Tula told Garth, who told me this morning, that she is pregnant."
M'Gann grabbed her head but this time "OH SHIT" rang through her head.
"Alright everyone back on your feet," said Black Canary.
No one could really focus on training anymore after what had transpired through the mental link. When training finally ended at 9:50 Red Tornado came down from his apartment.
"Boys please leave the cave," ordered Tornado.
Wally looked over M'Gann and Connor were making up, Zatanna was going to her room, Kaldur, and Black Canary had already gone back through the zeta tube. Superman was waiting with the suitcases for Connor. He looked at Artemis and made eye contact. She looked at him and rolled her eyes with a smile. Wally smiled and left the cave. As he ran to back to Uncle Barry's all he could think of was Artemis.
