Lois felt her molecules be torn apart and assembled back together. This time she was prepared and didn't feel that moment of terror. She found herself on the Watchtower Monitor Womb. There was some League hero she never saw before working the computers. Thankfully he paid no attention to her.

"Go down the hall to the left to get your trainee uniform Ms. Kent," the Leaguer said nonchalantly. Lois followed the instructions. Already her superhearing was picking up some chatter before she entered the room. When Lois discovered who was in it, she immediately regretted coming early. Ally was there with her parents.

"Ms. Kent! So glad you are here!" Black Canary said with a friendly smile.

"So you decided to stay?" Green Arrow said with a teasing look.

"Yea," Lois said uncomfortably. She really wasn't in the mood to interact with the Queens.

"I was just telling Ally's she's got it made. All you Trainees only have to come three nights a week. When I started out as the Green Arrow, I was running a company by day and patrolling Star City by night…"

Lois let Green Arrow drawl on a little without paying attention really. It was fortunate that the schedule worked in her favor. Due to most of the League being from America, the Trainees would come up to the Watchtower during the evening in the United States every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. That meant Lois could finish High School. The only set back was she had to cut down on her activities with the Journalist Club.

She still would be involved with it, just not as much. She told all the club members it was due to her needing a break from the stress of applying to journalist school. They all seemed to buy it. Besides, the applications were already in so regardless how Lois's remaining High School career went, her fate was already sealed.

"…and then there was this one time…" Lois heard Green Arrow continuing to boast about his exploits.

"Ollie dear, I think we should let the girls have some time to themselves. We got Monitor Duty in an hour anyways," Black Canary hinted, sensing that Lois was getting a little disinterested by Green Arrow.

"Of yes of course," Green Arrow agreed. "Have fun girls!"

Soon the blonde married couple left Ally and Lois in the room alone together. Both avoided making eye contact and were staring awkwardly around. Lois noticed begrudgingly that Ally looked a lot prettier, probably because she was allowed to take a normal shower and have time to fix her hair.

"I see you decided to stay," Ally said with hints of condescension.

"Yeah," Lois said glaring at Ally. "I mean it was kind of hard considering I don't have mommy and daddy to baby me around the whole time…"

That struck a chord with Ally and the arrogant confidence wavered for a second before her eyes narrowed.

"Says the one with superpowers…"

"Don't even go there," Lois snapped. She was done being passive, she was going to stick up for herself. "Correct me if I'm wrong, there were power disrupters there. We we're on equal footing."

Ally's face flushed with frustration but before the blonde bitch could make up a retort, a few Trainees stepped in.

"Hey look, Lois's here!" Zach said excitedly and gave her a high five.

"I thought you wanted to quit?" Stead asked a little callously. That earned an elbow from Rodynus.

Lois giggled at Stead's cry in pain. He was the product of the stereotypical lab experiment gone wrong because he snuck into his parents' lab late at night. He had the power of electricity manipulation which explained why his hair was always sticking up.

"I decided to stick around a bit," Lois explained just as more Trainees walked in and changed into their uniforms. They were midnight blue and surprisingly comfortable suits like one would see on Star Trek. A lot of the Trainees however were not paying attention to the uniform and excited that Lois decided to stay. Lois was for once enjoying the attention but was a little apprehensive. Where was Mike? They were supposed to be up here in five minutes.

Thankfully, the doors opened and Mike rushed in a little flabbergasted.

"I'm not too late?" he asked as a lot of Trainees giggled at his awkward entrance. Lois however walked up and gave him an unexpected hug while handing him his uniform.

"You're right on time. What kept you?"

"Dad and I were examining a sushi bar. It seems odd how quickly popular these places have become…"

"Alright Trainees!" Mister Terrific barked as he walked in. The chatter immediately ceased. Mister Terrific looked around at all of them in their new training uniforms.

"Good, you're all here," he said proudly. "The Martian Manhunter would like a few words with all of you."

Slight buzzing began to break out. Many Trainees had never had the privilege of the Martian to come and personally talk to them. Usually the only time they saw him he was in the background watching or giving an announcement. Lois looked and saw that Rex seemed the only Trainee unfazed by that. Typical, a nuclear bomb could go off by him and he would just give it an apathetic stare.

"I'll take it from here Mister Terrific," said the soothing voice of the Martian as he entered. His tall height towered over all the Trainees, even Rex and Rodynus.

"It's okay, don't be nervous," J'onn J'onnz comforted. "None of you are in trouble, at least I hope so."

That earned a few chuckles.

"I just want to tell you all that you had a hundred percent passing. Everyone passed the seminar. What's even more impressive, you all chose to stay and continue your training despite Big Barda's yelling."

That earned a lot more laughter. Lois noticed that the Martian's eyes had paused on her for a second.

"So I figure you all deserve if I personally came on behalf of the League to congratulate and thank you for staying. Before you all know it, you all will be the future of not just America but the world."

Somehow that statement didn't seem to be putting pressure on all of them but an inspiration instead.

"There will be times when this life seems hard but just remember what made you decide to stay. Remember all the people down there who count on us to be there for them. And lastly, remember those who came before you, those who have even given their lives to preserve the legacy of the League."

There was a reflective silence among the Trainees.

"I will enjoy working with all of you and wish you the best. Now a little bit about your typical schedule here and privileges."

Zach let out a cheer earning a grin from J'onn.

"You all are allowed to talk, walk around unescorted, and eat at the cafeteria at your own choosing. However when a League member gives you an order I expect you to follow it."

Lois thought she saw J'onn's eyes fall on Ally for a half second.

"Now your typical schedule will consist of some days you having one to two classes taught by the council members. Most of them you already had an introduction to. Other times you will be doing some physical training here. As time progresses, you will all soon be assisting on missions as well. Within a year, you all should be able to handle small missions in teams together."

Lois could see many were excited.

J'onn then looked at the clock.

"Now I must be going, I'm talking too much. I'm sorry to say your first day will be in just one class but you all didn't take it during the seminar so you need to catch up on it."

Lois was quickly doing the math in her head. They were already introduced to four classes taught by a council member. That left three council members left for one class which meant a thirty three percent chance that it was taught by…

"Uh sir?" Lois blurted out. "Are you or Mister Terrific going to be teaching this class?"

J'onn shook his said with slight amusement.

"No, Mister Terrific and I don't have the time to teach classes due to our positions in the League. This class will be taught by Batman."

Lois could literally feel all the euphoria and anticipation in the room die down. Everyone was nervous and tense now. Did J'onn take some sick pleasure in crushing their hopes and dreams like that? Lois refused to believe that but still…

J'onn noticing everyone's nervous looks laughed.

"Don't let Batman scare you. Believe it or not, he really does care about all of you…"

Lois heard Stead mutter "Yeah right." She in the meantime was grateful J'onn didn't read minds without permission. The words she thought for Batman weren't very professional at all.

"But I will say he doesn't like it if you are late," J'onn warned pointing to the clock. "He's teaching class in his office…"

Everyone scrambled out of the room. No one wanted to be late for Batman's class. Problem was no one knew where to go. They were running like chickens with their heads cut off.

"This way!" Ally shouted and headed into another direction. Lois bit her tongue and with the rest begrudgingly followed. Ally probably knew the layout of the Watchtower more than anyone else.

00000

The group found themselves outside an office. The doors appeared to be unlocked but no one dared to enter. Everyone was looking at each other as if daring one another to go first. Finally Lois was getting annoyed and stepped to the front.

"Let's get this over with," she muttered and opened the door.

When the door opened, Lois saw just suffocating blackness and almost backed away in fright. How was the room so dark? She was so startled and apprehensive of that room she forgot she had different kinds of vision. After she got over the initial shock she looked to her fellow Trainees nervously.

"I guess we go in…" she said and entered into the abyss.

When Lois entered, faint lights turned on, slightly illuminating the dark room. Being Batman she expected him to like the dark.

The office was relatively simple except there were desks on the floor, facing a smart board and a projector. Lois noticed a larger desk as well that was decorated with weird objects she had never seen before. Some of them gave her a shiver.

She took a seat in the back and Mike quickly took the one next to her. No way was she going to sit up front and let Batman torture her. She noticed Ally was braving to take the front seat. Of course she would. Rodynus sat next to her as well. Lois had a feeling it was more because he was interested in Ally rather than being brave.

When all the Trainees had settled in their seats there was first an utter silence but it quickly died down as the Trainees got bolder and started to talk amongst themselves. Batman was apparently late. Who knows, maybe he wouldn't show up at all.

"I see all of you are still here," hissed a baritone voice from the back which caused all the Trainees to cease their chatter and sit up straight. How did Batman sneak in without them noticing?

Batman stepped into the center of the room to reveal himself. His eyes were the usual narrow slits and his square jaw was stiff. It looked like he didn't want to be here at all.

"I will however not be as easy in letting you all pass," Batman warned. "I'm not here to ensure your success. I'm here to see if you have what it takes. Don't come to me expecting me to help your self-esteem."

The Trainees were all nervous now. Batman was making it seem like he was going to make Barda look like a cute squirrel. Still Lois just stared at him intently, trying to not show fear. She wasn't going to give in.

Batman then walked up to the board.

"This class will be the most useful class you take," he said as he turned on the smart board. "Here you will learn the art of detective science, criminal psychology, and interrogation. These things are a required skill that I'm afraid you'll find powers not helpful…"

Lois knew he was looking at her when he said that. She expected him to. Her superhearing could pick up Mike's excited breath. He was looking forward to this class and Lois didn't blame him. This was his forte.

Stead's hand shot up nervously which caused Batman to pause with annoyance.

"Yes Mister Martens, what is it?" Batman dared.

"Uh…Batman sir? Why do we need to know all these detective skills? I thought are job was just going to be stopping disasters and fighting supervillains…"

Batman's glare intensified.

"Not all supervillains you will fight are your run of the mill rob a bank or destroy Metropolis lot. A lot are more subtle and have bigger plans. Plans that require a better skill than just super strength to stop. But if your limited intelligence can't handle that, I suggest you leave."

Stead's face flushed with embarrassment.

"Now if anyone else doesn't have anything to say…" Batman challenged. "We'll begin with our introduction. First off as I said before I will be teaching you the art of detective science going over both deductive and inductive reasoning. We will also cover the mind of the criminal. The twisted depths beneath that soul and what makes them tick…"

Lois couldn't help but notice how Batman seemed to talk about the criminal mind. It was a mix of fascination with a sense of foreboding. Almost like he got a sick pleasure studying it.

"And lastly interrogation. A very useful skill. We'll go over many methods including psychological and physical…"

As Batman spoke he pointed to the devices on his desk. Lois understood what they were for now. To get information out of enemies.

"But torture's against the Geneva Conventions!" Mike blurted out.

Everyone gasped at that. Mike had just interrupted Batman.

Batman for a second just stared at Mike who began to collapse like putty in his seat. Sweat was beginning to pour down his face. Lois was angry at Batman for that.

Menacingly Batman took slow steps toward Mike and looked at him square in the face.

"I find it funny that you, Mr. Sage, would be so against the idea of rough interrogation considering your father's profession. Did he ever tell you what he did before CADMUS?"

Mike didn't say anything but just looked at Batman nervously.

"Oh yes, your father like I understood the importance of sometimes going a little extra rough on a suspect. In fact your mother even threatened to kill…"

"That's enough!" Lois shouted, sticking up for Mike. No way was she going to let him bully someone else.

Batman was unfazed by Lois's glare and just stared at her coldly.

"Ah yes of course. I figured you would have some moral outrage to the violation of so-called rights to the sick and twisted minds. You and your parents, all the same. Thinking the world can be fixed neatly and everyone live happily ever after."

Lois just continued to glare at Batman who turned around to speak to the class.

"And let this be a lesson to all of you. If you thought this life was about having fun well think again. The world isn't the happy place you all think it's going to be. If you're here to try to promote 'peace' or 'truth, justice, and the American way' get the hell out of my class. I only deal with people who have a concept of reality, not a deluded ideal."

Lois felt her temper rising. Those insults were at her parents. Why the hell would the Justice League let him on here?

"Of course there are some unfortunately on the Justice League who still believe these delusions. Well let me tell you all something. You can't bring world peace, it's impossible. All you can do is mitigate risk. You do what you can and you go to sleep at night. Unfortunately this is a concept that people who fly never learn."

Lois was about to stand up and lunge at him. She wasn't even able to fly yet.

"This class is the most important because it doesn't try to hide by the false image of idealism and politics. This is more of a training of a skill that you will at one point of your life need to do. There will be a time when you will need an answer and the Geneva Convention isn't going to get it for you. Of course, being the Justice League we have an image to project so it's advised you do it discreetly. That's another thing you need to all know. The difference between appearance and reality."

Lois was just wishing she could walk out of the class but her pride was making her stay.

"And without further ado. We'll begin…"

000000

Batman wasn't kidding when he said his class was hard. Lois never felt she took as many notes before. There was just so much stuff thrown at them she was suspicious Batman was partly making it up just to watch them stress out. Finally the time was up to signal their training was over and all the Trainees scrambled out of the room.

None of them dared to talk until they were a good fifty feet away.

"Now I understand why there was schism during CADMUS," Lois muttered under her breath.

"What's that jerk's problem?" Zach said angrily.

"He's just some fucker who's all butt hurt he doesn't have powers. Why do we even have him here? He's useless."

"He's a survivor," Ally commented.

"What?" Stead asked confused.

"You guys all didn't see he walks with a limp?"

"No, I was too busy listening to him tell us why we're all deluded idiots," Lois snapped.

Ally gave a patronizing sigh.

"Well I don't know if you noticed, but Batman walks with a limp and yet he's still patrolling Gotham by himself and he's got to be in his late fifties early sixties. That kind of old man who's got a permanent handicap and still willing to take on a whole city of criminals alone should show he has something valuable."

"Yeah but it doesn't give him a right to be an ass to everyone else!" Lois complained. "And with that whole rant on the Geneva Conventions, how could the League let him on here?"

"He's got a point," Ally butted in.

All eyes turned at her.

"But your father's Green Arrow…"

"And I've been raised on his deluded left wing policies for years!" Ally snapped. "Just because my dad's a left winger you assume I'm one as well?"

Lois never saw Ally get that angry before. She couldn't help but sympathize with the idea that she was getting annoyed by being identified by her parents.

Ally calmed down a little and took a breath.

"But as I was saying, Batman has a point. Sometimes the lines aren't clearly black and white as we like to think. Especially when our profession is results based…"

"It's not a matter of results; it's a matter of principles…" Lois butted in.

"Oh and now you're the expert on being a member of the League?" Ally shouted back and stormed off.

"Bitch…" Zach muttered under his breath.

"Even so," Rodynus said while admiring Ally storm off. "She's got the looks."

Lois rolled her eyes and tired to find Mike. She spotted him lagging behind the rest of the group. Rex was just ahead of him.

Lois went up to Mike.

"You okay?"

Mike finally seemed to realize she was there.

"Yea…"

"Hey don't pay attention to what Batman said. I met your parents, their nice people. Don't get upset when others just judge them without knowing them."

Lois saw that Rex had turned around to face them. It looked like he wanted to say something.

"Can we help you?" Lois said in a not too friendly tone. She wanted to talk to Mike alone.

Rex gave an apathetic stare and turned around to leave.

"But what he said was true…" Mike pointed out. "My parents have…"

"But that's the thing in the past. People change," Lois assured. "It only matters how you see them. Not what others."

That seemed to cheer up Mike.

"Thanks Lois."

"It's what I'm here for," she teased.

"Hey, I've been thinking."

"What?"

"You know how Batman was going on about needing answers; well I found a hole in his logic."

"What do you mean?"

"You know your mother's lasso of truth?"

"Yeah?"

"Well if you just had that you would get all the answers you need and could use it as an excuse to get out of his class."

Lois laughed at that. The idea did seem promising.

"There's a problem Mike; I have no idea where the lasso is."

"What do you mean?"

"My uncle says the League never found it. Legion probably destroyed it or hid somewhere."

Lois and Mike then proceeded to discuss their theories where the lasso could be as they went into the cafeteria to get some dinner before they would be teleported back to their respective homes.